ObjectiveThis study explored the risk factors for malignant risks of pulmonary nodules based on clinical data，constructed an integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine model for predicting malignant risks of pulmonary nodules， and visualized the prediction results by using a nomogram. MethodsBased on a cross-sectional survey study design，patients with pulmonary nodules who were hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory and Cardiothoracic Surgery of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2023 to January 2024 were included. The dataset was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set according to 7∶3. In the training set，predictive factors were selected through univariate Logistic regression analysis and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator （LASSO） regression analysis，and Logistic regression models were built. The discriminative ability，calibration，and clinical decision-making curves of the Western medicine model and the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine prediction model were compared to select the optimal model，which was then visualized in a nomogram. ResultsThis study included a total of 366 patients，and they were divided into a training set （258 cases） and a validation set （108 cases）. Seven predictive factors were considered including age，preference for fatty and greasy foods，history of environmental or occupational exposure，Qi deficiency，Yang deficiency，nodule density，and nodule diameter. A Logistic regression model was constructed. A Western medicine model，defined as model1，was created using only age，history of environmental or occupational exposure，nodule density，and nodule diameter as predictive factors. In addition，an integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine model，defined as model2，was created by adding preference for fatty and greasy foods， Qi deficiency，and Yang deficiency as predictive factors. Model2 demonstrated better predictive performance in both the training and validation sets. Its accuracy in training set was 0.740，with precision of 0.825， recall of 0.829， F1 score of 0.827， the area under the curve （AUC）of 0.865 （95% confidence interval （CI）：0.815-0.915）， and a Brier score of 0.122. The accuracy in validation set was 0.731， with precision of 0.776， recall of 0.831， F1 score of 0.803， AUC of 0.852 （95%CI：0.776-0.927）， and a Brier score of 0.149. The calibration curve and decision-making curve analysis showed that this model exhibited good consistency and clinical utility in prediction. The equation for the malignant probability of pulmonary nodules was defined as p=eY/(1+eY)，where Y=-4.187+0.022×（age）+1.079×（history of environmental or occupational exposure）+0.718×（preference for fatty and greasy foods）+ 1.403×（Qi deficiency）+0.732×（Yang deficiency）+0.349×（pure ground glass density nodules）+1.304×（partially solid density nodules）+0.148×（nodule diameter）. A nomogram was used for intuitive representation. ConclusionThis study develops a comprehensive assessment model for the malignant risk of pulmonary nodules， which integrates factors from traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Embedding traditional Chinese medicine elements in the prediction model allows for a multidimensional assessment of relevant risk factors for nodule malignancy. This demonstrates good diagnostic performance and provides a reference for early identification of lung cancer.

Objective To evaluate the surgical efficacy of unilateral pneumonectomy for the treatment of tuberculous destroyed lung, analyze the causes of severe postoperative complications, and explore clinical management strategies. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with tuberculous destroyed lung who underwent unilateral pneumonectomy at the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from 2017 to 2023. Postoperative severe complications were statistically analyzed. Patients were divided into a non-severe complication group and a severe-complication group, and the causes, management, and outcomes of complications were analyzed. Results A total of 134 patients were included, comprising 69 males and 65 females, with a mean age of 17-73 (40.43±12.69) years. There were 93 patients undergoing left pneumonectomy and 41 patients undergoing right pneumonectomy. Preoperative sputum smear was positive in 35 patients, all of which converted to negative postoperatively. There were 58 patients with hemoptysis preoperatively, and none experienced hemoptysis postoperatively. Postoperative incisional infection occurred in 8 (5.97%) patients, and postoperative pulmonary infection in 26 (19.40%) patients. Severe postoperative complications occurred in 17 (12.69%) patients, including empyema in 9 (6.72%) patients, bronchopleural fistula with empyema in 1 (0.75%) patient, severe pneumonia in 3 (2.24%) patients, postpneumonectomy syndrome in 1 (0.75%) patient, chylothorax in 1 (0.75%) patient, ketoacidosis in 1 (0.75%) patient, and heart failure with severe pneumonia in 1 (0.75%) patient. Perioperative mortality occurred in 2 (1.49%) patients, both of whom underwent right pneumonectomy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of ipsilateral thoracic surgery, concomitant Aspergillus infection, and greater blood loss were independent risk factors for severe complications following unilateral pneumonectomy for tuberculous destroyed lung (P<0.05). Conclusion Unilateral pneumonectomy for patients with tuberculous destroyed lung can significantly improve the clinical cure rate, sputum conversion rate, and hemoptysis cessation rate. However, there is a certain risk of severe perioperative complications and mortality, requiring thorough perioperative management and appropriate management of postoperative complications.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of colored Doppler ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 150 patients with thyroid nodules admitted to Wuwei Municipal People’s Hospital, Anhui Province, China during the period from July 2018 to December 2023 were enrolled. All patients underwent colored Doppler ultrasound of the thyroid gland and pathological examination of the thyroid nodules. The pathological examination of the thyroid nodules served as a gold standard to evaluate the value of colored Doppler ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. In addition, the value of different ultrasound image features for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules was evaluated. Results With the pathological examination of the thyroid nodules as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the colored Doppler ultrasound were 100.00%, 95.87%, 85.29%, 95.87%, and 96.67% for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. For differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, a > 1 ratio of longitudinal to transverse diameters of thyroid nodules, irregular margin, and microcalcification showed a 100.00% sensitivity, irregular acoustic halos showed a 100.00% specificity, and microcalcification had the highest accuracy (98.00%). Conclusion Colored Doppler ultrasound has a high value for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. A > 1 ratio of longitudinal to transverse diameters of thyroid nodules, irregular margin, and microcalcification provide valuable insights into the differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Xianqi Qinglong Formula （仙芪青龙方， XQF） in the treatment of cough variant asthma （CVS） patients with lung and kidney deficiency and exuberant wind-induced spasm and tension syndrome. MethodsA randomized， positive-controlled， non-inferiority clinical trial was designed. Totally， 102 CVS patients with lung and kidney deficiency and exuberant wind-induced spasm and tension syndrome were randomly divided into a treatment group （52 cases） and a control group （50 cases）. The treatment group was given XQF granules orally， 1 dose per day， 2 bags each time （9.25 g/bag）， twice a day， after breakfast and dinner； the control group was given XQF granules placebo orally combined with inhaled fluticasone propionate inhalation aerosol （125 μg each time， twice a day）. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks and followed up for 12 weeks， with a total of 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the cough symptom score （including daytime， nighttime and total score）， evaluated before treatment （at enrollment）， during treatment （after the 6th week of enrollment）， at the end of treatment （after the 12th week of enrollment）， and at the end of follow-up （after the 24th week of enrollment）. The non-inferiority was determined by the lower limit （LCL） of the unilateral 95% confidence interval. The secondary outcomes included cough relief and disappearance， total score of TCM syndrome， cough visual analogue （VAS） score， Leicester Cough Questionnaire （LCQ） score， and lung function indicators including forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV1）， percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV1%pred）， forced vital capacity （FVC）， and peak expiratory flow （PEF）. Blood routine and liver and kidney function were tested before and after treatment， and the adverse events were recorded. ResultsA total of 101 patients were included in the full analysis set （FAS）， including 52 cases in the treatment group and 49 cases in the control group. After treatment， the daytime， nighttime and total cough symptom scores during treatment， at the end of treatment and at the end of follow-up all decreased in both two groups （P＜0.01）. The unilateral 95% LCL of the total cough symptom scores during treatment， at the end of treatment and at the end of follow-up of the two groups were -0.14， -0.47 and -0.27 （95% LCL all＞-0.6）. There were no significant differences in the cough relief rate， cough disappearance rate， cough relief days and cough disappearance days between the two groups at each time point （P＞0.05）. Compared to those before treatment， the TCM syndrome scores and cough VAS scores during treatment， at the end of treatment and at the end of follow-up decreased in both groups， while the LCQ scores increased （P＜0.01）， but there were no significant differences in FEV1， FEV1%， FVC and PEF before and after treatment （P＞0.05）. There were no significant differences in TCM syndrome scores， cough VAS scores， LCQ scores， FEV1， FEV1%， FVC， and PEF between the two groups at each time point （P＞0.05）. No clinically significant abnormal liver and kidney function were found in the two groups before and after treatment. ConclusionXQF is not inferior to fluticasone propionate inhalation aerosol in relieving cough symptoms， reducing cough scores， decreasing the number of cough attack days， and improving the quality of life when treating CVS patients with lung and kidney deficiency and exuberant wind-induced spasms and tension syndrome， and relatively safe.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of colored Doppler ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 150 patients with thyroid nodules admitted to Wuwei Municipal People’s Hospital, Anhui Province, China during the period from July 2018 to December 2023 were enrolled. All patients underwent colored Doppler ultrasound of the thyroid gland and pathological examination of the thyroid nodules. The pathological examination of the thyroid nodules served as a gold standard to evaluate the value of colored Doppler ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. In addition, the value of different ultrasound image features for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules was evaluated. Results With the pathological examination of the thyroid nodules as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the colored Doppler ultrasound were 100.00%, 95.87%, 85.29%, 95.87%, and 96.67% for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. For differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, a > 1 ratio of longitudinal to transverse diameters of thyroid nodules, irregular margin, and microcalcification showed a 100.00% sensitivity, irregular acoustic halos showed a 100.00% specificity, and microcalcification had the highest accuracy (98.00%). Conclusion Colored Doppler ultrasound has a high value for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. A > 1 ratio of longitudinal to transverse diameters of thyroid nodules, irregular margin, and microcalcification provide valuable insights into the differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and potential influencing factors of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, so as to provide insights into the formulation of the echinococcosis control strategy in Qinghai Province. Methods The number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, number of registered dogs and number of stray dogs were captured from the annual reports of echinococcosis control program in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was calculated. The number of populations, precipitation, temperature, wind speed, sunshine hours, average altitude, number of year-end cattle stock, number of year-end sheep stock, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and number of village health centers in each county (district) of Qinghai Province were captured from the Qinghai Provincial Statistical Yearbook, and county-level electronic maps in Qinghai Province were downloaded from the National Platform for Common Geospatial Information Services. The software ArcGIS 10.8 was used to map the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province, and the spatial autocorrelation analysis of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was performed. In addition, the spacetime scan analyses of number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases and geographical coordinates in Qinghai Province were performed with the software SaTScan 10.1.2, and the spatial stratified heterogeneity of the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was investigated with the software GeoDetector. Results A total of 6 569 426 residents were screened for echinococcosis in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and 5 924 newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases were found. The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline over years from 2016 to 2022 (χ² = 11.107, P < 0.01), with the highest detection in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in 2017 (82.12/10⁵). There were spatial clusters in the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2018 (Moran’s I = 0.34 to 0.65, all Z values > 1.96, all P values < 0.05), and the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared random distribution from 2019 to 2022 (Moran’s I = −0.09 to 0.04, all Z values < 1.96, all P values > 0.05). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed high-high clusters and low-low clusters in the detection of new diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and space-time scan analysis showed that the first most likely cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022 were mainly distributed in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. GeoDetector-based analysis of the driving factors for the spatial stratified heterogeneity of detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province showed that average altitude, number of village health centers, number of cattle and sheep stock, GDP per capita, annual average sunshine hours, and annual average temperature had a strong explanatory power for the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, with q values of 0.630, 0.610, 0.600, 0.590, 0.588, 0.537 and 0.526, respectively. Conclusions The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline in Qinghai Province over years from 2016 to 2022, showing spatial clustering. Targeted control measures are required in cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases for further control of the disease.

Objective To evaluate the patient-reported outcome(PRO)of patients with breast cancer who underwent autologous breast reconstruction and implant breast reconstruction.Methods Patients who underwent breast reconstruction in Shanghai Cancer Center,Fudan University from Jan 2020 to Jun 2021 were selected,including 111 patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction and 108 patients who underwent implant breast reconstruction.Chinese version Breast-Q2.0 scale,breast cancer specificity scale QLQ-BR23 and EORTC quality of life scale QLQ-C30 were used to investigate the PRO of the two groups 18 months after operation.Results The rate of stage Ⅲ breast cancer in the self-weight construction group was higher than that in the implant reconstruction group(64.9%vs.44.4%,P<0.001).The preoperative neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative radiotherapy in the autologous reconstruction group were higher than those in the implant reconstruction group(P<0.001).Postoperative chemotherapy and endocrine therapy in the autologous reconstruction group were lower than those in the implant reconstruction group(P<0.001).The study based on Breast-Q scale showed that the breast satisfaction of autologous reconstruction group was higher than that of implant reconstruction(59.28±17.20 vs.54.94±14.48,P<0.05).The study based on QLQ-BR23 showed that the self-weight construction group was higher than the implant reconstruction group in the field of arm symptoms(20.02±20.80 vs.12.65±16.18,P<0.05).The study based on QLQ-C30 scale showed that there was no significant difference in all functional areas and symptom areas of patients.There was no significant difference in the number and time of social regression between the two groups.Conclusion Breast reconstruction can improve the PRO of breast cancer patients,and oncology factors will affect the choice of breast reconstruction.Patients with autologous breast reconstruction are more satisfied with breast appearance,but upper limb symptoms such as swelling and pain are more obvious than implant reconstruction,which is related to the higher proportion of axillary lymph node dissection in patients with autologous reconstruction.There is no significant difference in quality of life and social regression between the two groups.

Objective:To explore the differences in bacterial community structure between proximal colon cancer (PC), distal colon cancer (DC), and rectal cancer (RC), and the values of featured microbiota in differentiating PC with tumor markers.Methods:This case-control study enrolled 85 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients, including 22 PC, 15 DC and 48 RC patients, and 8 colorectal adenoma patients from May 2019 to July 2022 at the Department of General Surgery, Anyang Oncology Hospital. The blood and fecal samples were collected before surgery and then subjected to biochemical tests for tumor markers and 16S rDNA tests, respectively. SPSS (27.0.1) was applied to perform the t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Chi-Squared Test. Also, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted on tumor markers and/or f_Bacteroidaceae with SPSS software .Results:All groups had significant differences in the CA125 ( F=3.543, P<0.05), CA72-4 ( F=3.596, P<0.05), and serum tumor-associated materials (TAM) levels ( F=5.787, P<0.01). In PC group, the levels of CA125 [PC vs RC, (36.84±6.30) kU/L vs (12.73±4.21) kU/L, P<0.01] and CA72-4 [PC vs RC, (45.56±10.86) kU/L vs (3.30±7.63) kU/L, P<0.01] were significantly higher than that of the RC group, while the level of TAM was remarkably elevated in PC group than in RC group [PC vs RC, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (102.44±3.63) U/ml, P<0.001] and CRA group [PC vs CRA, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (95.39±8.42) U/ml, P<0.01]. The LEfSe analysis showed that the featured microbiota in the PC group included f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Neisseriaceae, f_Clostridiaceae_1, f_Spirochaetaceae, and so on. The largest area under the ROC belonged to the combination of TAM and f_Bacteroidaceae, which reached 0.845 (95% CI 0.747-0.944), with sensitivity being 0.857 and specificity being 0.815. Conclusions:There is heterogeneity in gut microbiota composition among PC, DC, RC, and CRA. The combination of gut microbiota and tumor biomarkers demonstrated good differentiating effects in proximal colon cancers.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability and validity of the Dampness Syndrome Scale of Chinese Medicine （DSSCM） among patients with persistent asthma， and to explore the correlation between dampness syndrome and clinical characteristics of persistent asthma. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted. Basic information， examination results， DSSCM， Asthma Control Test （ACT）， Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 （GAD-7）， and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 （PHQ-9） scores were collected from 206 patients with persistent asthma to evaluate the reliability and validity of DSSCM and to explore the correlation between dampness syndrome and clinical characteristics. ResultsThe mean score of DSSCM among 206 patients was 14.59 ± 10.53. The overall Cronbach α coefficient and Spearman-Brown split-half reliability coefficient of the scale were both greater than 0.8， and the success rate of scale convergent and discriminant validity calibration were greater than 80%. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the χ²/df was 2.309， and the root mean square error of approximation （RMSEA） was 0.08； the root mean square residual （RMR） was 0.049， whereas the comparative fit index （CFI）， the goodness of fit index （GFI）， the adjusted goodness of fit index （AGFI）， the normed fit index （NFI） and the incremental fit index （IFI） were less than 0.9. Correlation analysis showed that DSSCM scores were positively correlated with disease duration， GAD-7 scores， and PHQ-9 scores （P＜0.05）， and negatively correlated with ACT scores （P＜0.01）. The DSSCM scores were significantly different between patients with different disease severity （H = 10.92， P = 0.01）， and the DSSCM scores of allergic patients were higher than those of non-allergic patients （Z = -4.19， P＜0.001）. ConclusionDSSCM has acceptable reliability and validity for patients with persistent asthma. The scores of DSSCM correlated with the disease duration， ACT score， GAD-7 score， PHQ-9 score， disease severity and allergic status of persistent asthmatics.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that adding barium sulfate could improve the mechanical and radiopaque properties of calcium phosphate cement.However,with the degradation of calcium phosphate,the remaining radiopaque agent is difficult to degrade,and the space-occupying and osteoclast effects at the implantation site affect the bone repair process.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a new biodegradable radiopaque material. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the radiopaque ability of bioactive degradable material strontium polyphosphate(SrPP)and its impact on the physicochemical properties and osteogenic effect of calcium phosphate cement. METHODS:(1)Calcium phosphate cement(CPC),starch modified calcium phosphate cement(CPS)and starch modified calcium phosphate cement(20%SrPP-CPN)containing SrPP(20%mass fraction of bone cement powder)were prepared respectively,and the physicochemical properties of the three groups of bone cements were characterized.(2)The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,respectively,to detect cell proliferation,energy metabolism,and osteogenic differentiation.(3)Bone defects with a diameter of 5 mm were made on each side of the top of the skull of 24 SD rats,and they were randomly divided into control group(without any intervention),CPC group,CPS group,and 20%SrPP-CPN group for intervention,with 6 rats in each group.Relevant tests were performed after 4 and 12 weeks of intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the other two groups of bone cement,20%SrPP-CPN had enhanced radiopaque ability,increased compressive strength and degradation rate,and prolonged curing time,and 20%SrPP-CPN could release Sr2+ stably during degradation.(2)CCK-8 assay showed that 20%SrPP-CPN did not affect the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Cell starvation test(serum-free culture)showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.Compared with the other two groups of bone cements,20%SrPP-CPN increased adenosine triphosphate concentration in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.(3)In the rat skull defect experiment,Micro-CT scanning and histological observation(hematoxylin-eosin and Masson stainings)showed that bone cement in 20%SrPP-CPN group was significantly degraded compared with that in CPC and CPS groups,and a large number of new bone tissues were dispersed in degraded bone cement.Immunohistochemical staining showed that Runx2 protein expression was increased in 20%SrPP-CPN group compared with CPC group and CPS group(P＜0.01).(4)These results show that 20%SrPP-CPN has good radiopaque ability and osteogenic properties.