BACKGROUND:The femorofibular angle is a commonly used reference angle for mechanical axis correction in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane,but there has been no in-depth study on the application of this angle in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane.OBJECTIVE:To explore the application effect of the femorofibular angle as a reference for mechanical axis correction in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 cases of knee osteoarthritis patients who underwent high tibial osteotomy on a single plane at Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to January 2024.The patients were grouped according to the intraoperative mechanical axis correction reference method.The observation group consisted of 32 cases,which used the femorofibular angle as a reference for mechanical axis correction during surgery.The control group consisted of 32 cases,which used electrocautery line measurement as a reference for mechanical axis correction during surgery.Both groups received the same perioperative treatment and management.The lower limb mechanical axis ratio,hip-knee-ankle angle,proximal medial tibial angle,and femorofibular angle were recorded before and after surgery to assess changes in the lower limb mechanical state.The operation time and number of fluoroscopies were recorded.The visual analog scale score and Lysholm score for pain and knee function were recorded before surgery and at 1 and 3 months after surgery to evaluate changes in knee pain and function.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All patients completed the treatment and follow-up,and no serious adverse events occurred.(2)Before surgery,there was no statistically significant difference in the lower limb mechanical axis ratio,proximal medial tibial angle,hip-knee-ankle angle,and femorofibular angle between the two groups(P＞0.05).At 3 months after surgery,the lower limb mechanical axis ratio,proximal medial tibial angle,hip-knee-ankle angle,and femorofibular angle were significantly improved in both groups compared to before surgery,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(3)During surgery,the operation time and number of fluoroscopies in the observation group were less than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(4)At each follow-up point before and after surgery,there was no statistically significant difference in the visual analog scale score and Lysholm score between the two groups(P＞0.05).With the passage of time after surgery,the visual analog scale score and Lysholm score in both groups were significantly improved compared to before surgery(P＜0.05).(5)It is suggested that the application of the femorofibular angle as a reference for mechanical axis correction in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane can accurately locate the range of lower limb mechanical axis correction,is simple and reliable,and reduces the number of fluoroscopies and operation time compared to traditional electrocautery line measurement.

BACKGROUND:The femorofibular angle is a commonly used reference angle for mechanical axis correction in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane,but there has been no in-depth study on the application of this angle in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane.OBJECTIVE:To explore the application effect of the femorofibular angle as a reference for mechanical axis correction in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 cases of knee osteoarthritis patients who underwent high tibial osteotomy on a single plane at Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to January 2024.The patients were grouped according to the intraoperative mechanical axis correction reference method.The observation group consisted of 32 cases,which used the femorofibular angle as a reference for mechanical axis correction during surgery.The control group consisted of 32 cases,which used electrocautery line measurement as a reference for mechanical axis correction during surgery.Both groups received the same perioperative treatment and management.The lower limb mechanical axis ratio,hip-knee-ankle angle,proximal medial tibial angle,and femorofibular angle were recorded before and after surgery to assess changes in the lower limb mechanical state.The operation time and number of fluoroscopies were recorded.The visual analog scale score and Lysholm score for pain and knee function were recorded before surgery and at 1 and 3 months after surgery to evaluate changes in knee pain and function.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All patients completed the treatment and follow-up,and no serious adverse events occurred.(2)Before surgery,there was no statistically significant difference in the lower limb mechanical axis ratio,proximal medial tibial angle,hip-knee-ankle angle,and femorofibular angle between the two groups(P＞0.05).At 3 months after surgery,the lower limb mechanical axis ratio,proximal medial tibial angle,hip-knee-ankle angle,and femorofibular angle were significantly improved in both groups compared to before surgery,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(3)During surgery,the operation time and number of fluoroscopies in the observation group were less than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(4)At each follow-up point before and after surgery,there was no statistically significant difference in the visual analog scale score and Lysholm score between the two groups(P＞0.05).With the passage of time after surgery,the visual analog scale score and Lysholm score in both groups were significantly improved compared to before surgery(P＜0.05).(5)It is suggested that the application of the femorofibular angle as a reference for mechanical axis correction in high tibial osteotomy on a single plane can accurately locate the range of lower limb mechanical axis correction,is simple and reliable,and reduces the number of fluoroscopies and operation time compared to traditional electrocautery line measurement.

Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence（AI）-based sequential ultrasound-magnetic resonance imaging（US-MRI）diagnostic strategy to optimize the imaging workflow for ovarian masses.Methods:A total of 1 120 patients with pathologically confirmed ovarian masses who underwent both preoperative pelvic ultrasound and MRI between January 2021 and December 2023 at Women's Hospital，Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively included. Patients were randomly divided into the training（ n=672）and internal test set（ n=448）at a ratio of 6∶4. An external test set（ n=128）was established at the Forth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine. Deep learning was used for automated segmentation of MRI lesions，followed by radiomic feature extraction and machine learning classification to construct both a US-MRI multimodal model and sequential US-MRI strategy. Diagnostic performance and potential healthcare cost-saving effects were evaluated across strategies. Results:In the internal test set（ n=448），the AI-based sequential US-MRI strategy achieved a F1 score of 0.863 and a diagnostic accuracy of 82.14%，with no significant difference compared to the US-MRI multi-modal model（ P>0.05）. The sequential strategy identified 82 cases（18.30%，82/448）of patients as low-risk true negatives during initial ultrasound screening，suggesting a potential to reduce the need for MRI examinations in future clinical practice. In the external test set（ n=128），the strategy achieved an F1 score of 0.800 and a confirmed diagnosis rate of 85.94%，with a theoretical reduction of 26.56%（34 cases）in MRI utilization while maintaining a diagnostic accuracy rate higher than that of the multi-modal model（82.18%）. Conclusions:The AI-based US-MRI sequential diagnostic strategy demonstrates favorable diagnostic accuracy while offering the potential to optimize MRI utilization. This approach may enhance the efficiency of imaging resource allocation and reduce healthcare burden in the management of ovarian masses.

Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence（AI）-based sequential ultrasound-magnetic resonance imaging（US-MRI）diagnostic strategy to optimize the imaging workflow for ovarian masses.Methods:A total of 1 120 patients with pathologically confirmed ovarian masses who underwent both preoperative pelvic ultrasound and MRI between January 2021 and December 2023 at Women's Hospital，Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively included. Patients were randomly divided into the training（ n=672）and internal test set（ n=448）at a ratio of 6∶4. An external test set（ n=128）was established at the Forth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine. Deep learning was used for automated segmentation of MRI lesions，followed by radiomic feature extraction and machine learning classification to construct both a US-MRI multimodal model and sequential US-MRI strategy. Diagnostic performance and potential healthcare cost-saving effects were evaluated across strategies. Results:In the internal test set（ n=448），the AI-based sequential US-MRI strategy achieved a F1 score of 0.863 and a diagnostic accuracy of 82.14%，with no significant difference compared to the US-MRI multi-modal model（ P>0.05）. The sequential strategy identified 82 cases（18.30%，82/448）of patients as low-risk true negatives during initial ultrasound screening，suggesting a potential to reduce the need for MRI examinations in future clinical practice. In the external test set（ n=128），the strategy achieved an F1 score of 0.800 and a confirmed diagnosis rate of 85.94%，with a theoretical reduction of 26.56%（34 cases）in MRI utilization while maintaining a diagnostic accuracy rate higher than that of the multi-modal model（82.18%）. Conclusions:The AI-based US-MRI sequential diagnostic strategy demonstrates favorable diagnostic accuracy while offering the potential to optimize MRI utilization. This approach may enhance the efficiency of imaging resource allocation and reduce healthcare burden in the management of ovarian masses.

Objective:To analyze the short-term clinical efficacy and safety of arsenic trioxide (ATO) combined with a modified N7 induction regimen in the treatment of children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB).Methods:This study was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter phase Ⅱ clinical study. Sixty-seven high-risk NB children from eight units of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Wuhan Children′s Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Hainan General Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Kunming Children′s Hospital, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Guangdong Provincial Agricultural Reclamation Center Hospital were enrolled from January 2019 to August 2023 and were treated with ATO combined with a modified N7 induction regimen. The efficacy and adverse effects at the end of induction chemotherapy were assessed and analyzed, and the differences in the clinical characteristics were further compared between the treatment-responsive and treatment-unresponsive groups by using the Fisher′s exact test.Results:Among 67 high-risk NB children, there were 40 males (60%) and 27 females (40%), with the age of disease onset of 3.5 (2.6, 4.8) years. Primary NB sites were mostly in retroperitoneum (including adrenal gland) (56/67, 84%) and the common metastases sites at initial diagnosis were distant lymph node in 25 cases (37%),bone in 48 cases (72%),bone marrow in 56 cases (84%) and intracalvarium in 3 cases (4%). MYCN gene amplification were detected in 28 cases (42%). At the end of induction, 33 cases (49%) achieved complete remission, 29 cases (43%) achieved partial remission, 1 case (1%) with stable disease, and 4 cases (6%) were assessed as progressive disease (PD). The objective remission rate was 93% (62/67) and the disease control rate was 94% (63/67). The percentage of central system metastases at the initial diagnosis was higher in the treatment-unresponsive group than in the treatment-responsive group (2/5 vs. 2% (1/62), P=0.013), whereas the difference in MYCN gene amplification was not statistically significant between two groups (3/5 vs.40% (25/62), P=0.786). Grade Ⅲ or higher adverse reactions during the induction chemotherapy period were myelosuppression occurred in 60 cases (90%), gastrointestinal symptoms occurred in 33 cases (49%), infections occurred in 20 cases (30%), hepatotoxicity occurred in 4 cases (6%), and cardiovascular toxicity occurred in 1 case (2%). There were no chemotherapy-related deaths. Conclusion:ATO combined with N7-modified induction regimen had a superiority in efficacy and safety, which deserved further promotion in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy is a surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis,but there is still a lack of clinical studies on its effect on ankle joints. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy on ankle angle on coronal plane of the radiography of the full length of lower limb in weight loading. METHODS:Data of 40 patients(41 knees)with distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy from March 2021 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,including 31 females and 9 males,20 left knees and 21 right knees,aged 49-75 years,mean(63.44±6.57)years.The radiographic data of the full length of the lower limb in weight loading were collected before,week 2 and week 48 postoperatively.Hip-knee-ankle angle,talar tilt angle,tilt angle of the ankle,tibiocrural angle,and tibial articular surface angle were measured before and after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Hip-knee-ankle angle improved from(-6.24±3.69)° before operation to(2.59±3.49)° week 2 postoperatively and(2.15±3.49)° week 48 postoperatively.The tilt angle of the ankle changed from(-7.90±3.11)° before operation to(-2.51±2.59)° week 2 postoperatively and(-2.46±2.42)° week 48 postoperatively,with statistically significant difference(P<0.001).(2)There was no significant difference in talar tilt angle,tibiocrural angle,and tibial articular surface angle before and week 2 postoperatively.(3)No significant difference in the angle changes was detected between week 2 and week 48 postoperatively.(4)It is indicated that distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy can not only correct genu varus but also improve ankle angle.This result remains stable after 48 weeks of weight-bearing activities.

Objective:To understand and compare the clinical characteristics of children and adults infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant BA.5 and BA.2 subtypes in Shanghai City.Methods:The clinical data of 524 children hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) at the Children′s Hospital of Fudan University during the period of BA.5 predominance from December 1, 2022 to January 20, 2023 were collected, which included age, gender, clinical symptoms and laboratory examination results. And the clinical data of household close contacts were also collected. The clinical data of children and their household contacts infected with Omicron BA.2 subtypes during the period of BA.2 predominance from April 4 to April 30, 2022 were collected and compared.The clinical characteristic of critical and non-critical cases, child and adult cases during the period of BA.5 predominance were compared.Statistical analyses were conducted using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:The age of 524 hospitalized children was five days to 16 years old. Among them, 301(57.4%) were male and 223(42.6%) were female. Additionally, there were 29 critical cases (5.5%) and 495 non-critical cases (94.5%). Critical cases had significantly higher fever peak, more shortness of breath occurrence, more pneumonia and underlying diseases compared to non-critical cases, with statistically significant differences ( t=12.06, χ2=34.90, 10.04 and 31.10, respectively, all P<0.05). Regarding laboratory examinations, critical cases exhibited significantly higher frequencies of decreased lymphocyte count, elevated levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and interleukin-6, abnormal liver function and kidney function, and abnormal creatine kinase isoenzyme compared to non-critical cases, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=8.18, Z=-4.61, Z=-4.28, Z=-5.13, χ2 =195.90, Fisher′s exact test and χ2=136.13, respectively, all P<0.05). Non-critical children cases infected with Omicron variant BA.5 subtype exhibited a higher proportion of symptomatic infections compared to adults. Among children, the occurrence rates of fever and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) were higher, whereas among adults, the occurrence rate of cough was higher. The differences were statistically significant ( χ2=11.16, 11.83, 8.50 and 28.14, respectively, all P<0.05).From December 1, 2022 to January 20, 2023, a total of 588 children cases and 791 adult cases were collected, while from April 4 to April 30, 2022, a total of 355 children cases and 755 adult cases were collected.In the children group, the occurrence rates of cough, convulsions and critical cases were higher in BA.5 subtype-infected children compared to those infected with the BA.2 subtype, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=37.95, 40.78 and 15.54, respectively, all P<0.001).In the adult group, BA.5 subtype-infected individuals had higher fever peak, longer duration of fever, and higher occurrence of fever, cough and gastrointestinal symptoms, compared to those infected with the BA.2 subtype.The differences were statistically significant ( t=-4.40, Z=-9.64, χ2=47.29, 124.09 and 29.90, respectively, all P<0.001). Conclusions:During the peak periods of BA.5 subtype of the Omicron variant in Shanghai City, critical cases have severe systemic symptoms and a higher prevalence of underlying diseases compared to non-critical cases. Among non-critical cases infected with BA.5 subtype, the proportion of symptomatic infections in children is higher than adults, with fever and gastrointestinal symptoms more common than adults, while cough symptoms are more common seen in adults.The occurrence rate of convulsions and critical cases is higher in children infected with variant BA.5 subtype compared to those infected with BA.2 subtype.The systemic symptoms are more severe in adults infected with BA.5 subtype compared to those infected with BA.2 subtype.

Objective:To evaluate the morphological characteristics of the fetal heart and the contractile function of the left and right ventricles in fetuses with pulmonary stenosis (PS) and pulmonary atresia (PA) using fetal heart quantitative analysis technology (fetal HQ), and to assess the impact of different degrees of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) on the contractile function of the fetal left and right ventricles. To accumulate early data and explore parameters for constructing a predictive model and clinical decision-making tool for the progression of fetal PS and PA.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 42 cases of mild to moderate PS and 23 cases of severe PS or PA detected through fetal echocardiography in the Department of Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, from July 2020 to December 2021. A control group of 195 normal fetal cases matching gestational weeks was selected. The fetal HQ technique was employed to measure the global sphericity index (GSI), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left/right ventricular area change percentage (LVFAC, RVFAC), and left/right ventricular longitudinal strain (LVGLS, RVGLS). Additionally, 24-segment sphericity index (SI) and fractional shortening (FS) for both left and right ventricles were measured. Comparative analyses were performed between the case and control groups, as well as within the case group.Results:In comparison with the control group, the case group exhibited significantly decreased GSI, LVGLS, LVEF, LVFAC, RVGLS, and RVFAC.The differences were statistically significant in the mild to moderate PS group (all P<0.05) and highly significant in the severe PS/PA group (all P<0.01). In the mild to moderate PS group, the left ventricle′s 2nd segment, right ventricle′s 24th segment SI, and the left ventricle′s 1st-13th segments, right ventricle′s 1st-16th and 20th-24th segments FS showed statistically significant differences compared to the control group (all P<0.05). In the severe PS/PA group, the right ventricle′s 1st-22nd segment SI, and the left ventricle′s 6th-13th, 21st-24th segments, and the right ventricle′s 1st-14th segments FS were reduced, showing statistically significant differences compared to the control group (all P<0.05). The severe PS/PA group showed lower RVGLS, RVFAC, and SI for the right ventricle′s 1st to 17th segments when compared to the mild to moderate PS group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Quantitative indices derived by fetal HQ is capable of evaluating the cardiac morphology and function of fetuses with PS/PA, which may provide for reference information for comprehensive understanding of cardiac morphological and functional changes in such fetuses.

Objective:Adverse cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death in peritoneal dialysis patients.Identifying indicators that can predict adverse cardiovascular events in these patients is crucial for prognosis.This study aims to assess the value of dual-specificity phosphatase 6(DUSP6)in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events after peritoneal dialysis in diabetic nephropathy patients. Methods:A total of 124 diabetic nephropathy patients underwent peritoneal dialysis treatment at the Department of Nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from June to September 2022 were selected as study subjects.The levels of DUSP6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined using Western blotting.Patients were categorized into high-level and low-level DUSP6 groups based on the median DUSP6 level.Differences in body mass index,serum albumin,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,and dialysis duration were compared between the 2 groups.Pearson,Spearman,and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine factors related to DUSP6.Patients were followed up to monitor the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events,and risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events after peritoneal dialysis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Results:By the end of the follow-up,33(26.61%)patients had experienced at least one adverse cardiovascular event.The high-level DUSP6 group had higher body mass index,longer dialysis duration,and higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,but lower serum albumin levels compared to the low-level DUSP6 group(all P<0.05).DUSP6 was negatively correlated with serum albumin levels(r=-0.271,P=0.002)and positively correlated with dialysis duration(rs=0.406,P<0.001)and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(rs=0.367,P<0.001).Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that dialysis duration and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were independently correlated with DUSP6 levels(both P<0.05).The cumulative incidence of adverse cardiovascular events was higher in the high-level DUSP6 group than in the low-level DUSP6 group(46.67%vs 7.81%,P<0.001).Cox regression analysis indicated that low serum albumin levels(HR=0.836,95%CI 0.778 to 0.899),high high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(HR=1.409,95%CI 1.208 to 1.644),and high DUSP6(HR=6.631,95%CI 2.352 to 18.693)were independent risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients. Conclusion:Dialysis duration and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are independently associated with DUSP6 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of diabetic nephropathy patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.High DUSP6 levels indicate a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in China. The integration of Chinese and Western medicine is an important feature of Chinese COVID-19 prevention and treatment. According to a series of evidence-based studies, TCM can reduce the infection rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in high-risk groups. For patients with mild and moderate forms of COVID-19, TCM can relieve the related signs and symptoms, shorten the period of nucleic-acid negative conversion, and reduce conversion rate to the severe form of the disease. For COVID-19 patients with severe and critical illnesses, TCM can improve inflammatory indicators and blood oxygen saturation, shorten the hospital stay, and reduce the mortality rate. During recovery, TCM can improve patients' symptoms, promote organ function recovery, boost the quality of patients' life, and reduce the nucleic-acid repositive conversion rate. A series of mechanism research studies revealed that capability of TCM to treat COVID-19 through antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, immune regulation, and protection of organ function via a multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway approach.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Epidemics