Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

This review aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the etiology, epidemiology, pathology, and conventional treatment of heterotopic ossification (HO), especially emerging potential therapies. HO is the process of ectopic bone formation at non-skeletal sites. HO can be subdivided into two major forms, acquired and hereditary, with acquired HO predominating. Hereditary HO is a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder, but both acquired and hereditary form can cause severe complications, such as peripheral nerve entrapment, pressure ulcers, and disability if joint ankylosis develops, which heavily contributes to a reduced quality of life. Modalities have been proposed to treat HO, but none have emerged as the gold standard. Surgical excision remains the only effective modality; however, the optimal timing is controversial and may cause HO recurrence. Recently, potential therapeutic strategies have emerged that focus on the signaling pathways involved in HO, and small molecule inhibitors have been shown to be promising. Moreover, additional specific targets, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and non-coding RNAs, could be used to effectively block HO or develop combinatorial therapies for HO.
Humans ; Ossification, Heterotopic/genetics*

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes. Activating the AhR-CYP1A1 axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against various inflammatory diseases. Here, a practical in situ cell-based fluorometric assay was constructed to screen AhR-CYP1A1 axis modulators, via functional sensing of CYP1A1 activities in live cells. Firstly, a cell-permeable, isoform-specific enzyme-activable fluorogenic substrate for CYP1A1 was rationally constructed for in-situ visualizing the dynamic changes of CYP1A1 function in living systems, which was subsequently used for discovering the efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis. Following screening of a compound library, LAC-7 was identified as an efficacious activator of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis, which dose-dependently up-regulated the expression levels of both CYP1A1 and AhR in multiple cell lines. LAC-7 also suppressed macrophage M1 polarization and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced bone marrow-derived macrophages. Animal tests showed that LAC-7 could significantly mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, and markedly reduced the levels of multiple inflammatory factors. Collectively, an optimized fluorometric cell-based assay was devised for in situ functional imaging of CYP1A1 activities in living systems, which strongly facilitated the discovery of efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis as novel anti-inflammatory agents.

Objective To develop a biological safety protection third-level(BSL-3)laboratory based on folding-modular shelters to solve the problems of the existing laboratories in space and function expansion,large-scale deployment and low-cost transportation.Methods The BSL-3 laboratory was composed of a folding combined shelter module,a ventilation and purification module,a power supply and distribution module,a monitoring and communication module,a control system module and an equipment module.The folding combined shelter module used a leveling base frame as the foundation and a lightweight panel as the enclosure mechanism,and was divided into an auxiliary area and a protection protected area;the ventilation and purification module was made up of an air supply unit and an air exhaust unit,the air supply unit was integrated with a fresh-air air conditioner and the exhaust unit was equipped with a main fan,a standby fan and a bag in/bag out filter;the control system module adopted a supervision mode of decentralized control and centralized management,which executed communication with the data server as the center and Profinet protocol and MODBUS-TCP.Results The BSL-3 laboratory proved to meet the requirements of relevant standards in internal microenvironment,airflow direction,airtightness,working condition and disinfection effect.Conclusion The BSL-3 laboratory is compatible with large-scale transport and deployment and facilitates reliable and safe experiments for epidemic prevention and control and cross-regional support.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):41-46]

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Bushen Tiaojing Decoction,a prescription derived from Daying Decoction which recorded in Jing Yue Quan Shu(The Complete Works of ZHANG Jing-Yue)and with herbs added,combined with human recombinant interferon-α-2b for the treatment of endometriosis(EMs)and to observe its effects on humoral immunity,serum carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125)and anti-endometrial antibody(EMAb)levels of EMs patients.Methods A total of 86 cases of EMs patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 43 cases in each group.The control group was treated with human recombinant interferon-α-2b alone,and the observation group was treated with Bushen Tiaojing Decoction combined with human recombinant interferon-α-2b.The course of treatment covered one month.The changes of humoral immune factors of immunoglobulin A(IgA),complement 3(C3)and complement 4(C4),endometrial ectopic mass diameter,and the levels of pathology-relevant factors of CA1 25 and EMAb in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.Moreover,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After one month of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 97.67％(42/43),and that of the control group was 81.40％(35/43).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the serum IgA level of the two groups was significantly higher than that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the serum C3 and C4 levels were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The increase of serum IgA level and the decrease of serum C3 and C4 levels in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum CA125 and EMAb levels and the diameter of endometrial ectopic mass in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of serum CA125 and EMAb levels and the diameter of endometriosis mass in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)The total incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 6.98％(3/43)and that in the control group was 11.63％(5/43),and the difference between the two groups was not significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Bushen Tiaojing Decoction combined with human recombinant interferon-α-2b has a significant clinical effect for the treatment of EMs patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.The combined therapy is effective on improving the levels of humoral immune factors,serum CA125 and EMAb,and reducing endometrial ectopic mass,with high safety.

Objective:To elucidate the recent therapeutic efficacy of the intelligent fracture reduction robotic system in managing pelvic fractures.Methods:A retrospective evaluation of 49 pelvic fracture patients treated using the intelligent fracture reduction robotic system at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital's trauma orthopedics department between March 2021 and December 2022 was conducted. The cohort included 30 males and 19 females, with a mean age of 51.51±18.71 years (20-92 years range). Fractures were classified according to the Tile system: B1 type in 2 cases, B2 in 7, B3 in 3, C1 in 30, and C2 in 3. The median interval between injury and surgery was 6 days, with a range of 2-22 days. The robotic system assisted in pelvic fracture reduction and stabilization surgeries. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations involved pelvic CT scans, anteroposterior, inlet, and outlet radiographic images. Fracture displacement and reduction outcomes were assessed via X-ray imagery. Data captured included intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, fracture stabilization techniques, and postoperative monitoring period. The Majeed scoring system gauged functional outcomes.Results:Of the patients, 48 underwent minimally invasive interventions with robotic assistance, while one case necessitated open reduction and internal fixation due to an unsuccessful reduction. The duration between injury and operation ranged from 2 to 22 days. Average surgical time stood at 206.5±7.1 minutes (105-440 min range), and median intraoperative blood loss was 100ml (10-600 ml range). Using the Matta reduction criteria, 30 postoperative cases exhibited excellent and 9 good outcomes for posterior pelvic ring displacement, translating to a 93% (38/41) positive rate. For anterior pelvic ring shifts, 45 showed excellent and 3 good outcomes, culminating in a 100% (48/48) success rate. Follow-up for the 48 cases lasted 11.0 months (3-23 months range), with the Majeed functional score averaging 81.9±17.0 points (42-100 point range). 27 cases scored excellent, and 11 good, yielding a combined positive outcome rate of 79.2% (38/48).Conclusion:Employing the intelligent fracture reduction robotic system in pelvic fracture treatments facilitates minimally invasive interventions and yields favorable short-term clinical results.