Objective:To explore the influence of different scanning positions based on chest phantom of computed tomography(CT)scan on chest on image quality and radiation dose.Methods:A thermoluminescent dosimeter(TLD)was placed at the breast area of simulating anthropoid chest phantom.GE Revolution evo CT was used to conduct scan on the conventional supine position(supine group)and prone position(prone group)for chest phantom.Different noise indexes(NI=10-23)were adjusted to control ration doses,and other parameters were fixed,and each group collected 12 sequence images.The average value(AV),standard deviation(SD)of the CT scan at region of interest(ROI)under different scanning positions were recorded to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of the image.The radiation dose at the breast area was measured by TLD,and the volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose-length product(DLP)were recorded.Results:Under different scanning positions,the radiation dose of breast organs in the prone group was lower than that in the supine group,there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(t=6.57,P<0.05),while there were not statistically significant differences in CTDIvol and DLP between the two groups(P>0.05).There were not statistically significant differences in the CT values,SD,SNR,CNR of lung tissue,and the CT values of breast tissue between the two groups of images(P>0.05).The SD,SNR and CNR of breast tissue in the prone group were lower than those in the supine group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=-13.33,-10.59,6.70,P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the subjective scores of the clarity of the edge of the tissue within lung,the layers of soft tissue of the breast,noise,and artifacts in the bone tissue between the two groups of images(P>0.05).Conclusion:When low-dose CT physical examination on chest is conducted in clinical practice,the scanning of prone position during undergoing CT scan on chest can obtain image quality that can meet the requirements in diagnosing lung,and reduce the radiation dose on the breast,and conform to the technical principle of optimal radiation protection.

Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of dyskeratosis congenita (DC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical, laboratory, imaging, pathological, genetic, and treatment data of 6 DC patients diagnosed at the Children′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2010 to June 2025.Results:Among the 6 DC patients, 1 case was of Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome, 4 were male, and 2 were female. The diagnosis age 0.9-6.1 years. All 6 cases presented with bone marrow failure; 5 cases had a classic triad of skin and mucous membrane (mucosal leukoplakia, abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy); 5 cases had growth retardation, among which 2 cases had intrauterine growth retardation. Two cases had diarrhea and 1 case had abnormal liver function; 1 case had stiff and deformed limbs, accompanied by limited mobility, and dry and obstructive balanitis; 1 case had recurrent eyelid inflammation, middle ear inflammation, and nasal inflammation. All 6 cases had decreased B cell numbers, and 4 cases also had decreased natural killer cell numbers. There were 3 cases of children with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, of which 1 case of CMV infection led to retinal frosted branch angiitis and subsequent intracranial CMV infection resulting in death, and 1 case had CMV enteritis and died of hemophagocytic syndrome. Among 4 cases of boys, 3 cases had DKC1 gene variations and 1 case had an unknown variation gene; 2 cases of girls had TINF2 gene variations. The TINF2 c.860T>A (p.L287Q) variation site was a new mutation. Among 6 patients with DC, 2 cases died, 3 cases survived and 1 case was lost to follow-up.Conclusions:The DKC1 and TINF2 genes are common pathogenic genes in patients with DC. Bone marrow failure is a clue for the early identification of DC. The triad of skin and mucous membrane is its typical clinical manifestation. Children with DC generally have reduced B cells and natural killer killer cells, and have a high risk of fatal CMV infection. The overall prognosis is poor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and prognostic implications of assessing volume status during early fluid resuscitation in septic patients based on estimated plasma volume status (ePVS). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. Patients with sepsis admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from March to December in 2023 were enrolled. The general information and laboratory indicators at ICU admission were recorded, and ePVS, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, acute physiology and chronic health status evaluation II (APACHE II) score were calculated. The vital signs, arterial blood gas analysis and volume status related indicators before liquid resuscitation (T0h) and 3 hours (T3h) and 6 hours (T6h) of fluid resuscitation were recorded. The diameter and variability of the inferior vena cava (IVC) were measured by ultrasound, and ePVS, percentage change value of estimated plasma volume status (ΔePVS%), difference in central venous-to-arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pcv-aCO₂), and lactate clearance rate (LCR) were calculated. Patients were divided into sepsis group and septic shock group based on the diagnosis at ICU admission, and septic patients were subdivided into survival group and death group based on their 28-day survival status. The differences in clinical data between the groups were compared. The correlation between ePVS or ΔePVS% and volume status related indicators during early liquid resuscitation was analyzed by Spearman rank sum correlation test. The predictive value of each variable for 28-day survival in patients with sepsis was analyzed by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve), and 28-day death risk factors were analyzed by Logistic regression method. RESULTS: Fifty-four septic patients were enrolled in the final analysis, including 17 with sepsis and 37 with septic shock; 34 survived at 28 days and 20 died, with a 28-day survival rate of 63.0%. Compared with the sepsis group, the septic shock group had a lower venous ePVS at ICU admission [dL/g: 4.96 (3.67, 7.15) vs. 7.55 (4.36, 10.07), P < 0.05]. Compared with the death group, the survival group had higher T6h arterial and venous ΔePVS%, and albumin [Alb; T6h arterial ΔePVS% (%): 11.57% (-1.82%, 31.35%) vs. 0.48% (-5.67%, 6.02%), T6h venous ΔePVS%: 9.62% (3.59%, 25.75%) vs. 1.52% (-9.65%, 7.72%), Alb (g/L): 27.57±4.15 vs. 23.77±6.97, all P < 0.05], lower SOFA score, APACHE II score, AST, T0h Lac, and T3h and T6h norepinephrine dosage [SOFA score: 9.00 (8.00, 10.00) vs. 11.50 (9.25, 14.50), APACHE II score: 18.00 (14.75, 21.25) vs. 25.50 (21.00, 30.00), AST (U/L): 34.09 (23.20, 56.64) vs. 79.24 (25.34, 196.59), T0h Lac (mmol/L): 1.75 (1.40, 2.93) vs. 3.25 (2.33, 5.30), norepinephrine dosage (mg): 0.98 (< 0.01, 3.10) vs. 4.60 (1.05, 8.55) at T3h, 1.82 (0.38, 5.30) vs. 8.20 (2.80, 17.73) at T6h, all P < 0.05]. While there were no significantly differences in other basic data and ePVS at all of the time points before and after resuscitation between the two groups. Correlation analysis showed that T6h venous ePVS was significantly positively correlated with T6h IVC variability in septic patients (r = 0.360, P < 0.05), T0h arterial ePVS was significantly negatively correlated with T3h and T6h liquid intake volume (r₁ = -0.367, r₂ = -0.280, both P < 0.05), and venous ePVS at ICU admission was significantly positively correlated with NT-proBNP at ICU admission (r = 0.409, P < 0.05). T6h venous ΔePVS% was significantly positively correlated with T3h liquid intake volume and T6h LCR (r₁ = 0.286, r₂ = 0.286, both P < 0.05), and significantly negatively correlated with T6h urine volume and T6h change value of Pcv-aCO₂ (ΔPcv-aCO₂; r₁ = -0.321, r₂ = -0.371, both P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of T6h venous ΔePVS% for predicting 28-day survival in septic patients was 0.726 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.578-0.875, P = 0.006], with a sensitivity of 82.4%, a specificity of 60.0%, and an optimal cut-off value of 3.09%. Binary multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that an increase in T6h venous ΔePVS% was a protective factor for 28-day death in patients with sepsis on early fluid resuscitation [odds ratio (OR) = 0.900, 95%CI was 0.834-0.972, P = 0.007]. CONCLUSIONS ePVS may have potential for assessing the volume status of septic patients during early fluid resuscitation. The ΔePVS% during early fluid resuscitation may help to identify septic patients with a poor prognosis.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Fluid Therapy ; Sepsis/physiopathology* ; Prospective Studies ; Plasma Volume ; Intensive Care Units ; Resuscitation ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Shock, Septic/therapy*

Objective:To explore the influence of different scanning positions based on chest phantom of computed tomography(CT)scan on chest on image quality and radiation dose.Methods:A thermoluminescent dosimeter(TLD)was placed at the breast area of simulating anthropoid chest phantom.GE Revolution evo CT was used to conduct scan on the conventional supine position(supine group)and prone position(prone group)for chest phantom.Different noise indexes(NI=10-23)were adjusted to control ration doses,and other parameters were fixed,and each group collected 12 sequence images.The average value(AV),standard deviation(SD)of the CT scan at region of interest(ROI)under different scanning positions were recorded to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of the image.The radiation dose at the breast area was measured by TLD,and the volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose-length product(DLP)were recorded.Results:Under different scanning positions,the radiation dose of breast organs in the prone group was lower than that in the supine group,there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(t=6.57,P<0.05),while there were not statistically significant differences in CTDIvol and DLP between the two groups(P>0.05).There were not statistically significant differences in the CT values,SD,SNR,CNR of lung tissue,and the CT values of breast tissue between the two groups of images(P>0.05).The SD,SNR and CNR of breast tissue in the prone group were lower than those in the supine group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=-13.33,-10.59,6.70,P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the subjective scores of the clarity of the edge of the tissue within lung,the layers of soft tissue of the breast,noise,and artifacts in the bone tissue between the two groups of images(P>0.05).Conclusion:When low-dose CT physical examination on chest is conducted in clinical practice,the scanning of prone position during undergoing CT scan on chest can obtain image quality that can meet the requirements in diagnosing lung,and reduce the radiation dose on the breast,and conform to the technical principle of optimal radiation protection.

Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of dyskeratosis congenita (DC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical, laboratory, imaging, pathological, genetic, and treatment data of 6 DC patients diagnosed at the Children′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2010 to June 2025.Results:Among the 6 DC patients, 1 case was of Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome, 4 were male, and 2 were female. The diagnosis age 0.9-6.1 years. All 6 cases presented with bone marrow failure; 5 cases had a classic triad of skin and mucous membrane (mucosal leukoplakia, abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy); 5 cases had growth retardation, among which 2 cases had intrauterine growth retardation. Two cases had diarrhea and 1 case had abnormal liver function; 1 case had stiff and deformed limbs, accompanied by limited mobility, and dry and obstructive balanitis; 1 case had recurrent eyelid inflammation, middle ear inflammation, and nasal inflammation. All 6 cases had decreased B cell numbers, and 4 cases also had decreased natural killer cell numbers. There were 3 cases of children with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, of which 1 case of CMV infection led to retinal frosted branch angiitis and subsequent intracranial CMV infection resulting in death, and 1 case had CMV enteritis and died of hemophagocytic syndrome. Among 4 cases of boys, 3 cases had DKC1 gene variations and 1 case had an unknown variation gene; 2 cases of girls had TINF2 gene variations. The TINF2 c.860T>A (p.L287Q) variation site was a new mutation. Among 6 patients with DC, 2 cases died, 3 cases survived and 1 case was lost to follow-up.Conclusions:The DKC1 and TINF2 genes are common pathogenic genes in patients with DC. Bone marrow failure is a clue for the early identification of DC. The triad of skin and mucous membrane is its typical clinical manifestation. Children with DC generally have reduced B cells and natural killer killer cells, and have a high risk of fatal CMV infection. The overall prognosis is poor.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and follow-up data in children with neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), and provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of NPSLE.Methods:The clinical data of 22 children with NPSLE who were admitted to the Department of Rheumatology Immunology and Allergy, Children′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2019 to March 2022 were included and were followed-up for 24~60 months. The data were analyzed retrospectively. Statistical descriptive analysis was performed using the SPSS 23.0.Results:Twenty-two (26.8%, 22/82) children with NPSLE occurred in the hospitalized children with SLE during the study period. The ratio of male to female was 1∶4.5, and the onset age was (10.7±2.0) years. Among these cases, 86.4% (19/22) patients were newly diagnosed and had severe disease activity and 16 cases (72.7%) occurred within 1 month after disease onset. Nineteen cases (86.4%) had mucocutaneous involvement, 16 cases (72.7%) had lupus nephritis, 14 cases (63.2%) had hematological system involvement, 13 cases (59.1%) had skeletal muscle involvement, 10 cases (45.5%) had serositis, 10 cases (45.5%) were complicated with hypertension, and 8 cases (36.5%) with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The main clinical symptoms of the nervous system included headache (11/19, 57.9%), dizziness (10/19, 52.6%), listlessness (7/19, 36.8%), blurred vision (4/19, 21.1%), convulsions (3/19, 15.8%), lethargy (2/19, 10.5%). Twenty patients (20/22, 90.9%) demonstrated abnormal signals on brain MRI, 7 cases (7/12, 45.5%) showed abnormal signals on brain CT, 10 cases (10/22, 45.5%) showed abnormal waves on EEG, and 6 cases (6/20, 30.0%) demonstrated abnormal results of cerebrospinal fluids analysis. The follow-up duration was 34 (28, 48) months. Clinical remission or low disease activity was found in 19 patients (86.4%), and no death were observed. Three cases had residual cerebral infarction lesions, no neurological sequelae were found in all patients.Conclusion:The most common symptoms of NPSLE in children are headache and dizziness, which are more likely to occur in patients with initial onset and severe disease activity, and approximately 36.5% children with NPSLE may complicated by MAS.The results of 24-60 months follow-up showed that the prognosis of the disease is good.

Objective To study and compare the clinical effects of cervical pessary and progesterone for preventing preterm birth in singleton pregnant women with a short cervical length(CL).Methods This study was a prospective cohort study.A total of 148 pregnant women with CL≤25 mm,as determined by ultrasound examination performed before 28 weeks of pregnancy,were included in the study.All subjects were admitted to West China Second Hospital,Sichuan University between August 2020 and December 2022.According to their treatment plans,the pregnant women were divided into a cervical pessary group(n=55)and a progesterone group(n=93).Spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy was defined as the main outcome index.Preterm birth(abortion)or spontaneous preterm birth(abortion)before 37,34,32,30,and 28 weeks of pregnancy,mean extended gestational age,neonatal morbidity,and neonatal mortality were the secondary outcome indicators.The pregnancy outcomes and the neonatal outcomes of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of preterm birth(including iatrogenic preterm birth,spontaneous preterm birth,and abortion)before 37,34,32,30,and 28 weeks between the cervical pessary group and the progesterone group.When iatrogenic preterm birth was excluded,the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks was lower in the cervical pessary group(23.6%)than that in the progesterone group(41.9%),with the difference between the two groups being statistically significant(P=0.024).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth(including miscarriage)before 34,32,30,and 28 weeks.There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of neonatal morbidity,the rate of transfer to the neonatal care unit after birth,and the neonatal mortality rate between the two groups.Multivariate logistic analysis showed that treatment with cervical pessary was a protective factor for spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks compared to progesterone therapy.Conclusion Using cervical pessary to prevent spontaneous preterm birth in singleton pregnant women with a short cervical length in the second trimester can significantly reduce the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has spread worldwide and threatened human's health. With the passing of time, the epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 evolves and the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infection accumu-lates. To further improve the scientific and standardized diagnosis and treatment of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in China, the Chinese Society of Perinatal Medicine of Chinese Medical Association commissioned leading experts to develop the Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection under the guidance of the Maternal and Child Health Department of the National Health Commission. This recommendations includes the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, maternal care, medication treatment, care of birth and newborns, and psychological support associated with maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is hoped that the recommendations will effectively help the clinical management of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background::The ideal blood pressure (BP) target for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is still unclear. The present study aimed to assess the effect of the baseline BP on all-cause mortality in patients with AF.Methods::This registry study included 20 emergency centers across China and consecutively enrolled patients with AF from 2008 to 2011. All participants were followed for 1 year ± 1 month. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.Results::During the follow-up, 276 (13.9%) all-cause deaths occurred. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that a systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤110 mmHg or >160 mmHg was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (log-rank test, P = 0.014), and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <70 mmHg was associated with the highest risk of all-cause mortality (log-rank test, P = 0.002). After adjusting for confounders, the multivariable Cox regression model suggested that the risk of all-cause mortality was increased in the group with SBP ≤110 mmHg (hazard ratio [HR], 1.963; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.306-2.951), and DBP <70 mmHg (HR, 1.628; 95% CI, 1.163-2.281). In the restricted cubic splines, relations between baseline SBP or DBP and all-cause mortality showed J-shaped associations (non-linear P <0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). The risk of all-cause mortality notably increased at a lower baseline SBP and DBP. Conclusions::Having a baseline SBP ≤110 mmHg or DBP <70 mmHg was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality in patients with AF. An excessively low BP may not be an optimal target for patients with AF.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has spread worldwide and threatened human’s health. With the passing of time, the epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 evolves and the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infection accumulates. To further improve the scientific and standardized diagnosis and treatment of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in China, the Chinese Society of Perinatal Medicine of Chinese Medical Association commissioned leading experts to develop the Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection under the guidance of the Maternal and Child Health Department of the National Health Commission. This recommendations includes the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, maternal care, medication treatment, care of birth and newborns, and psychological support associated with maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is hoped that the recommendations will effectively help the clinical management of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.