Objective To evaluate the current radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, and analyze the associated clinical factors, and to provide data references for reducing pediatric radiation exposure. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the radiation doses of children who had undergone non-cardiac interventional procedures at the interventional department of a tertiary pediatric hospital in Jinan from January 2022 to October 2024. The collected data included basic demographic information, surgical date, anatomical site, disease type, and radiation dose parameters (cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma, and the number of images acquired). The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparative analysis between groups (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). Results Among the 475 included children, 99 cases (20.8%) had infantile hemangioma (median P_ka, 0.136 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 0.38 mGy), 235 cases (49.5%) had venous malformation (median P_ka, 9.82 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 40.99 mGy), 75 cases (15.8%) had lymphatic malformation (median P_ka, 0.06 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 0.18 mGy), 32 cases (6.7%) had retinoblastoma (median P_ka, 6.58 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 52.34 mGy), 12 cases (2.5%) had arteriovenous malformation (median P_ka, 42.3 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 162.87 mGy), and 22 cases (4.6%) had other vascular malformations (median P_ka, 21.7 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 89.1 mGy). There were significant differences between children with different disease types in the cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma at the patient entrance reference point, and the number of images acquired during non-cardiac interventional procedures (all P < 0.01). Conclusion This study presented the types and proportions of pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, evaluated the radiation dose levels of different surgical types, and analyzed the effects of weight and anatomical site on radiation exposure, which can be useful for preliminary assessment of radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine(HCQ)combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI)in the treatment of children with non-massive pro-teinuria IgA vasculitis nephritis(IgAVN).Methods A total of 42 children with non-massive pro-teinuria IgAVN in the Guiyang Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital from August 2023 to August 2024 were collected as the study subjects.They were divided into ACEI group(n=23)and ACEI combined with HCQ group(n=19).The urinary microalbumin level,24-hour urinary protein,rou-tine urinalysis,adverse reactions,electrocardiogram findings,and fundus examination results were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results At 0.5,1,3 and 6 months of treatment,the urinary microalbumin,24-hour urinary protein,and urinary red blood cell counts in both groups showed significantly decreasing trend(P＜0.05).At 3 and 6 months of treatment,the urinary microalbumin and 24-hour urinary protein levels in the ACEI combined with HCQ group were significantly lower than those in the ACEI group(P＜0.05).At 0.5,1,3,and 6 months of treat-ment,the urinary red blood cell counts in the ACEI combined with HCQ group were significantly lower than those in the ACEI group(P＜0.05).The total remission rate was 68.4％(13/19)in the ACEI combined with HCQ group and 56.5％(13/23)in the ACEI group,with no significant between-group difference(P＞0.05).In the ACEI combined with HCQ group,there were 2 cases of nausea,1 case of abnormal liver function,and 1 case of respiratory tract infection,with a total incidence rate of 21.1％(4/19).In the ACEI group,there were 2 cases of nausea,2 cases of diz-ziness,1 case of abnormal liver function,and 2 cases of respiratory tract infection,with a total inci-dence rate of 30.4％(7/23).There was significant difference in the total incidence of adverse re-actions between the two groups(P=0.029).No serious adverse events such as arrhythmia or reti-nopathy occurred in children in the two groups.Conclusion HCQ combined with ACEI treatment exhibits a favorable anti-urinary protein effect and good safety.

Objective:To investigate alterations in functional connectivity network and brain function activity in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) based on neuromagnetic signals by using multi-frequency magnetoencephalography.Methods:Twenty-five drug-naive children diagnosed with CAE from the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the Affiliated Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University during October 2022 and March 2024 and 25 healthy controls matched for age and sex from community were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The interictal data, ictal data of CAE and healthy control children were collected using a CTF-275 channel magnetoencephalography system. Corrected amplitude envelope correlation was used to construct functional connectivity network, and network-based statistics were used to compare network differences between groups. Relative power spectral density was used to describe the distribution characteristics of whole-brain spectral power. Nonparametric permutation tests were conducted 1 000 times to compare spectral power differences between groups.Results:In terms of functional connectivity, significant increases in network activity were observed in the low-frequency bands (δ, θ) during interictal periods in children with CAE. A sub-network with significantly increased functional connectivity, including key nodes of the default mode network, was observed in the δ band. Compared with interictal periods, functional connectivity in the δ band decreased during absence seizures in children with CAE, while connectivity in the mid-to-high-frequency bands (α-γ2) increased. In terms of spectral power, children with CAE during interictal periods exhibited widespread magnetic source activation in the δ band, activation in parts of the parietal and occipital lobes in the θ band, and significantly decreased magnetic source intensity in most areas of the parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes in the α-γ2 band. Compared with interictal periods, children with CAE during absence seizures exhibited widespread magnetic source activation in the δ band, and significantly decreased activation in the θ-γ2 band. According to the magnetic source distribution map, during absence seizures, the frontal lobe replaced the parieto-occipital region in cortical activation in the α band.Conclusion:In the analysis of functional network and spectral power based on multi-frequency neuromagnetic signals, the network pattern and magnetic source activation of children with CAE during interictal periods were significantly different from those of healthy children, and there were characteristic changes in neuromagnetic signals during consciousness impairment caused by absence seizures in children with CAE.

ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway regulated by traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） and provide reference for visualization and quantitative analysis of related research based on multiple software linkage. MethodLiterature related to TCM regulation of mTOR pathway in Web of Science was taken as the research object. Citespace，VOSviewer，and carrort² were used for biliometric analysis and visualization of the literature. ResultA total of 245 papers that met the requirements were retrieved，and the visual analysis showed that the papers presented a fluctuating increase year by year after 2010，and numerous research results emerged in 2018. China had the most publications. Institutions with a large number of publications were mainly in Beijing and Shanghai，and most of the regional cooperation was centered in Beijing and Nanjing. According to the research direction and focus，it was found that the intervention of TCM in mTOR pathway in recent years mainly concentrated on the anti-tumor，anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory aspects， and TCM interfered with mTOR pathway to regulate cell apoptosis，autophagy，proliferation，and death. AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）/mTOR pathway were the current and future research hotspots. ConclusionResearch on the regulation of mTOR pathway by TCM had a good prospect，and the in-depth study might provide new ideas and guidance for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases，tumor and other major diseases.

Objective To apply a phantom for dose measurement in interventional therapy for pediatric vascular diseases, and calculate the effective dose (E) and conversion coefficient of dose area product (DAP) to E, and to provide a dose reference for studying radiation dose and radiation protection in children. Methods Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed in the organs of the phantom. Low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were set for three types of vascular anomalies based on the duration of fluoroscopy. Digital subtraction angiography was used to simulate exposure conditions at different dose levels. The organ dose was measured, and the effective dose was calculated. Results For the three groups of vascular anomalies in the head and face, the red bone marrow doses were 8.15, 30.34, and 43.53 mGy, respectively, the effective doses were 12.88, 47.84, and 73.12 mSv, respectively; and the average conversion coefficient of DAP to E was 2.16. For the three groups of vascular anomalies in the trunk, the red bone marrow doses were 2.11, 15.62, and 31.21 mGy, respectively; the effective doses were 12.39, 70.56, and 134.60 mSv, respectively, and the average conversion coefficient of DAP to E was 3.03. For the three groups of vascular anomalies in the lower extremities, the red bone marrow doses were 3.58, 6.50, and 12.28 mGy, respectively, the effective doses were 3.64, 7.04, and 14.85 mSv, respectively, and the average conversion coefficient of DAP to E was 0.73. Conclusion Patient dose and DAP-to-E conversion coefficient are in the following order: vascular anomalies in the trunk > vascular anomalies in the head and face > vascular anomalies in the lower extremities. The dose data obtained can be used to estimate children’s radiation exposure.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total aortic arch replacement in elderly patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection(TAAD).Methods:In this retrospective study, a total of 481 TAAD patients treated with total arch replacement in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2020 were divided into three groups: aged≤59 years, 60-69 years and ≥70 years.The differences between three groups in surgical method, extracorporeal circulation time, blocking time, circulatory time, stopping time, surgical time, ventilator use time, ICU time, hospitalization time, treatment rate of continued renal replacement, fatality rate, and cause of death were statistically analyzed and compared.Results:There were statistically significant differences in the stopping time between any two groups of the three groups(all P<0.05). The older the age, the shorter the circulatory arrest time.The difference of ventilator time and ICU time between ≤59 and 60-69 years was statistically significant( P<0.01). Patients with continuous renal replacement(CRRT)were 19.0%(71/373)in ≤59 years, 23.1%(18/78)in 60~69 years, and 26.7%(8/30)over 70 years.In-hospital mortality was 35/373(9.4%)in the group of ≤59 years old, 11/78(14.1%)in the group of 60~69 years old, and 5/30(16.7%)in the group of ≥70 years old.There was no death in patients undergoing type Ⅱ hybrid surgery. Conclusions:Age is one of the important death factors after total aortic arch replacement in TAAD patients.Total aortic arch replacement is an acceptable surgical method for elderly patients with TAAD.Hybridization may reduce hospitalization death in elderly patients.

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the associations of muscle size and density with handgrip strength(HGS)and the Timed Up and Go(TUG)test.Methods:Totally 301 participants living in the Xinjiekou community near Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were recruited for CT imaging of the hip and a 1-cm slice of the mid-thigh.The cross-sectional area and density of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles were estimated by the Osirix viewer based on CT images.HGS and TUG were also performed in these subjects.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of muscle density and size with TUG and grip strength.Results:In women, after adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was negatively correlated with TUG( P trend=0.0366), while the size of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles was not correlated with TUG.In men, the density or size of these muscles was not correlated with TUG.After adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0334)and the size of the mid-thigh muscles was also positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0155)in men, but they were not correlated with grip strength in women. Conclusions:There were sex differences in the relationship between muscle size or density and grip strength or timed up and go.The density of the gluteus maximus is associated with muscle strength and physical performance while the size of the mid-thigh muscles is correlated with muscle strength.

Hernia, Inguinal/surgery* ; Humans ; Mesothelioma/surgery* ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Peritoneum

Objective To explore the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the frequency of chest CT scan. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to extract information on the number of outpatient, emergency, and inpatient visits and patients who had chest CT imaging examination from January 1 to December 31, 2020 and in the same period in 2019 through the hospital’s medical data platform for analysis, and the chi-square test was used to analyze whether the difference in the proportion of patients who had chest CT imaging examination between 2019 and 2020 was statistically significant. Results The proportion of outpatients and emergency patients with chest CT examination was significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019 (2.48% vs 1.47%, χ² = 581.7, P < 0.000). The proportion of inpatients who underwent chest CT examination was significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019 (35.47% vs 28.01%, χ² = 182.0, P < 0.000). Conclusion Under the COVID-19 epidemic, the proportion of chest CT examination in this hospital in 2020 shows a significant upward trend compared with the same period in 2019, which will increase the collective dose due to medical exposure, and the hospital should pay attention to the determination of the legitimacy of chest CT scan.

Objective:To observe the feasibility of evaluating right ventricular (RV) function by the method based on left ventricle (LV) pressure-strain ring (PSL) technique in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive PSL in the diagnosis of dysfunction of both LV and RV.Methods:Thirty-nine patients were enrolled with SLE who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from March 2020 to September 2021 and 57 sex- and age-matched healthy controls underwent assessment by conventional echocardiography, two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) and myocardial work (MW). The echocardiographic parameters were compared between the groups. The correlations between RVMW parameters and conventional echocardiographic parameters, and between MW parameters and SLEDAI-2K score were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results:①The two groups did not show any difference at the conventional echocardiographic parameters of the LV systolic function ( P>0.05). In the SLE group, tricuspid regurgitation maximal velocity (TR V max) and right ventricular index of myocardial performance (RIMP) increased, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular S′ (S′ tv) decreased (all P<0.05), and others did not show statistical difference (all P>0.05). ②The 2D-STI parameters: There were no significant differences in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) ( P>0.05), however RVGLS decreased ( P<0.05). ③The MW parameters of LV and RV: including global constructive work (GCW), global work index (GWI), global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE). In SLE group, LV GWE, RV GWE decreased and LV GWW, RV GWW increased ( P<0.05), others were no significant differences ( P>0.05). ④The correlation analysis: RV GWI positively correlated with TR V max ( rs=0.481). RV GCW positively correlated with TR V max ( rs=0.587). RV GWW positively correlated with right atrial area (RAA) and TR V max ( rs=0.429, 0.610), negatively correlated with S′ tv ( rs=-0.342). RV GWE positively correlated with S′ tv ( rs=0.326) and negatively correlated with RAA ( rs=-0.462) (all P<0.05). SLEDAI-2K score was negatively correlated with LV GLS ( rs=-0.333) and LV GWI ( rs=-0.326) ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The study has shown the impaired systolic function of both LV and RV in patients with SLE. PSL technique, especially RVMV based on LV PSL technique might emerged as a novel measure to evaluate systolic dysfunction in SLE patients.