The concept of "qi deficiency with stagnation" refers to a pathological state characterized by the depletion of primordial qi， impaired qi transformation， and the development of internal stagnation. Under the cyclic chemotherapy regimen in oncology， chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression follows a progressive pathological course from qi deficiency to increasing stagnation. This sequential evolution from mild to severe myelosuppression closely aligns with the dynamic syndrome differentiation and treatment framework of "qi deficiency with stagnation". "Qi deficiency" reflects the gradual depletion of qi， blood， and essence， while "stagnation" refers to the accumulation of phlegm， turbid dampness， and blood stasis. These two components interact reciprocally， forming a vicious cycle where deficiency leads to stagnation， and stagnation further damages the healthy qi. In the early stage of mild myelosuppression， chemotoxicity begins to accumulate in the bone marrow， leading to qi consumption， blood deficiency， yin injury， and the gradual formation of turbid phlegm and damp stagnation. In the advanced stage of severe myelosuppression， the accumulation of toxicity causes qi sinking， exhaustion of essence， and marrow depletion， along with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. Treatment strategies should be based on syndrome differentiation， with an emphasis on assessing the severity of the condition， balancing deficiency and excess， and achieving both symptomatic relief and root cause resolution.

Objective To develop a radiomics nomogram based on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) for preoperative prediction of high-risk and low-risk thymomas. Methods Clinical data of patients with thymoma who underwent surgical resection and pathological confirmation at Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital from January 2018 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Feature selection was performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. An ExtraTrees classifier was used to construct the radiomics signature model and the radiomics signature. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was applied to analyze clinical-radiological characteristics and identify variables for developing a clinical model. The radiomics nomogram model was developed by combining the radiomics signature and clinical features. Model performance was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value. Calibration curves and decision curves were plotted to assess model accuracy and clinical values. Results A total of 120 patients including 59 females and 61 males with an average age of 56.30±12.10 years. There were 84 patients in the training group and 36 in the validation group, 62 in the low-risk thymoma group and 58 in the high-risk thymoma group. Radiomics features (1 038 in total) were extracted from the arterial phase of CECT scans, among which 6 radiomics features were used to construct the radiomics signature. The radiomics nomogram model, combining clinical-radiological characteristics and the radiomics signature, achieved an AUC of 0.872 in the training group and 0.833 in the validation group. Decision curve analysis demonstrated better clinical efficacy of the radiomics nomogram than the radiomics signature and clinical model. Conclusion The radiomics nomogram based on CECT showed good diagnostic value in distinguishing high-risk and low-risk thymoma, which may provide a noninvasive and efficient method for clinical decision-making.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the ‘H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project’ among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22–6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04–3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables. CONCLUSION In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.

Objective:To construct a value evaluation framework for high-value medical consumables,providing a guidance for medical insurance access and hospital access management scenarios in China.Methods:It conducted literature review,qualitative in-terviews and quantitative surveys.A total of 12 experts were invited for qualitative interviews,while 100 experts from four fields of health technology assessment,medical insurance,hospital management,and clinical practice participated in the quantitative survey.Through those process,it generated the composition of the value framework and the scoring of each item.Differences in ratings be-tween different scenarios and experts were analyzed through chi-square tests.The recommendation level for each item was graded.Re-sults:A comprehensive value evaluation framework for high-value medical consumables was established,which included 6 core dimen-sions,comprised 16 items for secondary dimensions and 50 items for tertiary dimensions.It showed significant differences between the medical insurance access and hospital access scenarios,as well as among different fields of experts in the same scenario.furthermore,grading the items in two scenarios.The medical insurance access scenario had 8 highly recommended items,and the hospital access scenario had 24 highly recommended items.Conclusion:Value evaluation should encourage multi-dimensional assessments and inter-disciplinary participation,continually improving the management of high-value medical consumables in medical insurance and hospital access.

Objective:To analyze the ultrasound characteristics of small bowel volvulus among adults and to investigate the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of small bowel volvulus.Methods:Totally 34 adults with small bowel volvulus confirmed by clinical diagnosis or surgery and who underwent ultrasound examination at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2017 to October 2022 were enrolled, including 19 males and 15 females, aged (55.0±21.8) years (range: 19 to 94 years). The clinical characteristics, CT images and ultrasound images of the patients were retrospectively reviewed, and the ultra, sound features of small bowel volvulus and its diagnostic efficacy were analyzed.Results:Abdominal pain was the typical clinical symptom of all patients. Other symptoms included 21 cases of abdominal distension, 19 cases of nausea and vomiting, and 13 cases of cessation of passage of stool or flatus. Eight patients had signs of peritonitis and 22 patients had abnormal bowel sounds. Twenty patients had a history of abdominal surgery. Twenty-seven patients underwent surgery for intestinal obstruction, and the remaining 7 patients improved after conservative treatment. All cases were evaluated by ultrasound, 11 cases showed a “whirl sign” and were diagnosed as small bowel volvulus, the diagnostic accuracy rate was 32.4% (11/34), ultrasound simultaneously diagnosed intestinal obstruction in 21 cases, 17 cases of abdominal effusion, 4 cases of intestinal wall thickening, 2 cases of abdominal mass, 1 case of intussusception, 1 case of right sided inguinal hernia. CT and ultrasound had a consistent positive discovery in 88.2% (30/34) of all the patients.Conclusion:Ultrasound is valuable in the diagnosis of small bowel volvulus and the evaluation of complications.

Objective:To analyze the ultrasound characteristics of small bowel volvulus among adults and to investigate the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of small bowel volvulus.Methods:Totally 34 adults with small bowel volvulus confirmed by clinical diagnosis or surgery and who underwent ultrasound examination at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2017 to October 2022 were enrolled, including 19 males and 15 females, aged (55.0±21.8) years (range: 19 to 94 years). The clinical characteristics, CT images and ultrasound images of the patients were retrospectively reviewed, and the ultra, sound features of small bowel volvulus and its diagnostic efficacy were analyzed.Results:Abdominal pain was the typical clinical symptom of all patients. Other symptoms included 21 cases of abdominal distension, 19 cases of nausea and vomiting, and 13 cases of cessation of passage of stool or flatus. Eight patients had signs of peritonitis and 22 patients had abnormal bowel sounds. Twenty patients had a history of abdominal surgery. Twenty-seven patients underwent surgery for intestinal obstruction, and the remaining 7 patients improved after conservative treatment. All cases were evaluated by ultrasound, 11 cases showed a “whirl sign” and were diagnosed as small bowel volvulus, the diagnostic accuracy rate was 32.4% (11/34), ultrasound simultaneously diagnosed intestinal obstruction in 21 cases, 17 cases of abdominal effusion, 4 cases of intestinal wall thickening, 2 cases of abdominal mass, 1 case of intussusception, 1 case of right sided inguinal hernia. CT and ultrasound had a consistent positive discovery in 88.2% (30/34) of all the patients.Conclusion:Ultrasound is valuable in the diagnosis of small bowel volvulus and the evaluation of complications.

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been commonly deployed to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting in a worldwide decline in influenza prevalence. However, the influenza risk in China warrants cautious assessment. We conducted a cross-sectional, seroepidemiological study in Shandong Province, Northern China in mid-2021. Hemagglutination inhibition was performed to test antibodies against four influenza vaccine strains. A combination of descriptive and meta-analyses was adopted to compare the seroprevalence of influenza antibodies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall seroprevalence values against A/H1N1pdm09, A/H3N2, B/Victoria, and B/Yamagata were 17.8% (95% CI 16.2%-19.5%), 23.5% (95% CI 21.7%-25.4%), 7.6% (95% CI 6.6%-8.7%), and 15.0 (95% CI 13.5%-16.5%), respectively, in the study period. The overall vaccination rate was extremely low (2.6%). Our results revealed that antibody titers in vaccinated participants were significantly higher than those in unvaccinated individuals (P < 0.001). Notably, the meta-analysis showed that antibodies against A/H1N1pdm09 and A/H3N2 were significantly low in adults after the COVID-19 pandemic (P < 0.01). Increasing vaccination rates and maintaining NPIs are recommended to prevent an elevated influenza risk in China.

Background Heavy metal pollution in cultivated land will affect crop yield and quality, as well as groundwater quality, ecological security, and human health. Objective To analyze the pollution status of heavy metal elements such as chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in cultivated soils of the Donghe River Basin in Chenzhou City, and to evaluate the environmental quality of local cultivated soil. Methods A total of 16 samples of cultivated soil from the Donghe River Basin in Chenzhou City were collected, and the contents of Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method (the evaluation indicators included both Nemerow comprehensive pollution index and single pollution index), the geological accumulation index method, and the potential ecological risk index method were used to evaluate the soil environmental quality. Results The average levels of Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the soil samples in the study area were 58.25, 49.50, 273.88, 137.76, 2.92, and 672.29 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively. The average values of Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were all exceeded the background values of soil elements in Hunan Province. The single pollution indices of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in soil were 4.40, 9.74, 5.85, and 1.15 respectively. The contamination of As and Pb reached 93.75% and 81.25% respectively. The geological accumulation indices of soil As, Cd, Pb, and Zn were 2.11, 3.71, 2.97, and 0.58, respectively, which showed heavy Cd pollution, moderate As and Pb pollution, and slight Zn pollution. The potential ecological hazard indices of soil Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Cd were 1.63, 9.07, 2.90, 87.75, 113.18, and 695.76. 81.Twenty five percent of Cd samples showed heavy pollution and above, and 62.50% of Pb samples had moderate pollution and above. The Nemerow comprehensive pollution index was 7.72, which belonged to heavy pollution; and the comprehensive potential ecological risk index was 910.29, which belonged to high ecological risk. Conclusion There are certain differences in the results of different evaluation methods. The cultivated soils of the Donghe River Basin in Chenzhou City, is seriously polluted by heavy metals, and Cd, As, and Pb are the main polluting elements.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 192Ir brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation for the treatment of unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods:The clinical data of 26 patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma admitted to Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine from February 2016 to July 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received 192Ir brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation. First, percutaneous hepatobiliary stent implantation was given, followed by external beam radiotherapy (radiotherapy dose 45 Gy, 25 times), and then 192Ir brachytherapy (radiotherapy dose 20 Gy, 4 times), a total of 4 to 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The short-term and long-term efficacy were evaluated, and the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, CA19-9, total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level changes and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTCD) tube indwelling time were analyzed. Adverse reactions were recorded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) injury classification standard. Results:Three months after the end of treatment, 4 cases (15.4%) were completely remitted, 20 cases (76.9%) were partially remitted, 2 cases (7.7%) were stable, and there was no disease progression. The objective remission rate was 92.3% (24/26). The 1-year and 2-year local control rates were 75.0% and 62.5% respectively, and the 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 57.7% and 26.9% respectively. The KPS score was 70.39±10.76 one month after the treatment, which was significantly higher than the 60.00±10.58 before treatment ( t=-27.00, P<0.001). The levels of CA19-9 before treatment and 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after treatment were (390.88±202.62) U/ml, (322.45±204.06) U/ml, (254.00±160.49) U/ml, (182.85±124.05) U/ml, which showed a gradual decrease trend, and there was a statistically significant difference ( F=126.94, P<0.001). TBIL [(250.88±80.83) μmol/L, (153.98±61.74) μmol/L, (93.45±38.12) μmol/L, (53.82±26.75) μmol/L], DBIL [(205.82±66.68) μmol/L, (133.23±58.53) μmol/L, (64.31±36.25) μmol/L, (40.55±26.16) μmol/L], ALT [(163.92±54.12) U/L, (68.23±28.86) U/L, (45.73±21.94) U/L, (32.66±12.88) U/L], AST [(177.69±58.68) U/L, (79.23±32.87) U/L, (49.77±25.45) U/L, (35.54±16.10) U/L] showed progressive decline, with statistically significant differences ( F=315.60, P<0.001; F=385.30, P<0.001; F=284.24, P<0.001; F=311.80, P<0.001), and liver function was improved. The PTCD tube was removed after treatment in all patients, with a median time of 54 days (49-96 days). During the treatment, bone marrow suppression, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and biliary tract infection occurred. All of them improved after symptomatic treatment. No serious complications such as bile leakage and biliary hemorrhage occurred. Conclusion:192Ir brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation has a reliable curative effect in the treatment of unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. It can improve the quality of life of patients, and the adverse reactions can be tolerated. It provides a feasible and safe treatment method for the clinic.