ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal termination time for acupuncture in treating patients with acute peripheral facial paralysis and its cost-effectiveness. MethodsA total of 120 eligible patients with acute-stage peri-pheral facial paralysis were randomly assigned to either the mild dysfunction termination group and the complete recovery termination group， with 60 patients in each group. Both groups received the standard acupuncture treatment protocol. Treatment in the mild dysfunction termination group was terminated when the Sunnybrook facial grade scale （SFGS） score first reached or exceeded 83 points， while that in the complete recovery termination group was terminated when the SFGS score first reached or exceeded 95 points. Assessments were conducted before treatment， 6 and 12 months after onset. SFGS， facial disability index （FDI） including physical function （FDIp） and social function （FDIs）， self-rating anxiety scale （SAS）， and self-rating depression scale （SDS） scores were assessed before treatment， and 6 and 12 months after onset. Any acupuncture-related adverse events during treatment were recorded for safety evaluation. Treatment sessions and medical costs including direct costs， indirect costs， insurance coverage， total societal costs， and patient out-of-pocket expenses were also recorded， and an economic evaluation was conducted including cost-effectiveness ratio （CER） and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER）. ResultsUltimately， 56 patients in the mild dysfunction termination group and 55 in the complete recovery termination group completed the follow-up. At 6 and 12 months after onset， SFGS and FDIp scores in both groups improved significantly while FDIs， SAS and SDS scores decreased （P＜0.05）. Comparison of scores between groups 6 months and 12 months after onset showed no statistically significant differences （P＞0.05）. During the trial， the incidence of adverse events was 13.3% （8/60） in the mild dysfunction termination group and 18.3% （11/60） in the complete recovery termination group， with no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05）. The number of treatment sessions， total social costs， and out-of-pocket expenses in the mild dysfunction termination group were significantly lower than those in the complete recovery termination group （P＜0.05）. The CER of the mild dysfunction termination group in SFGS， FDIp， FDIs， SAS， and SDS scores was lower than that of the complete recovery termination group. The ICER analysis showed that continuing treatment until full recovery incurred an additional cost of 573.30 CNY/point in SFGS improvement， whereas 1-point improvement in FDIp， FDIs， SAS， and SDS required 21,355.25 CNY， 1779.60 CNY， 3713.96 CNY， and 2755.52 CNY， respectively. ConclusionFor acupuncture in treating acute peripheral facial palsy， terminating treatment when mild dysfunction is achieved yields long-term efficacy comparable to that of continuing treatment until complete recovery， while significantly reducing medical costs and socioeconomic burden.

Mass spectrometry imaging(MSI) is an imaging technique based on mass spectrometry, serving as a powerful tool for analyzing the composition and spatial distribution of substances. It holds broad application prospects in biologics research, drug development, environmental science and other fields. This article introduces the principles of MSI and highlights the characteristics of commonly used techniques, including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging, secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging, and ambient ionization mass spectrometry imaging. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of MSI in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), focusing on four aspects: the spatial distribution of TCM components, safety evaluation, quality control of TCM and quality control of TCM processing process. Furthermore, the advantages, challenges, and future directions of MSI in TCM quality control are discussed, aiming to provide a reference for related research.

Objective To report the first case of renal calculi in a patient with horseshoe kidney (HSK) treated with simultaneous bilateral minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SB-mPCNL) combined with antegrade flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy (A-FURS), and to analyze the feasibility of the surgical approach. Case Report A 57-year-old male patient was admitted due to “right lumbago and abdominal pain for 10 days”.Computed tomography urography (CTU) revealed bilateral nephrolithiasis with HSK.The patient underwent SB-mPCNL combined with A-FURS.The operation time was 185 min, with the lithotripsy and stone clearance time accounting for 80 min, and the estimated blood loss being approximately 30 mL.A plain abdominal radiograph conducted on the 4th postoperative day showed complete clearance of stones.Bilateral nephrostomy tubes were removed on the 6th postoperative day.The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the 7th postoperative day.The safety and feasibility of this combined surgical modality were analyzed based on relevant literature. Conclusion SB-mPCNL combined with A-FURS is a safe, effective and feasible therapeutic option for bilateral nephrolithiasis in patients with HSK, which is worthy of further clinical verification.

Background and aims:Despite growing evidence linking pretransplant exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)to increased allograft rejection risk after liver transplantation(LT),a lack of comparative studies to definitively establish the correlation between ICI exposure and adverse short-term outcomes after LT exists.This study aimed to analyze the impact of preoperative ICI exposure on short-term post-LT prognosis and allograft rejection risk.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 121 recipients who underwent LT for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)between June 2019 and March 2023.The recipients were categorized into ICI(n=35)and non-ICI(n=86)exposure groups based on pretransplant ICI exposure.Demographics,clinical characteristics,and short-term outcomes were compared between the cohorts.Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated the impact of ICI exposure on graft survival.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models assessed the impact of patient characteristics on allograft rejection.Results:Recipients with or without ICI exposure exhibited comparable demographic baseline charac-teristics.The incidences of early allograft dysfunction and biliary and vascular complications were similar between both groups.Post-transplant infection incidence was 37.1％and 20.9％in the ICI and non-ICI groups,respectively(P=0.064).Allograft rejection rates were significantly higher in the ICI group than in the non-ICI group(22.9％vs.5.8％,P=0.015).The ICI group exhibited a higher 90-day post-transplant mortality rate than that of the non-ICI group(14.3％vs.2.3％,P=0.034).Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that allograft rejection independently correlated with 90-day post-transplant mortality,with ICI exposure being an independent risk factor for allograft rejection.In recipients with ICI exposure,a shorter interval between ICIs and LT(washout period)was significantly associated with a higher allograft rejection risk,with the optimal washout period identified as 21 days for predicting 90-day rejection-free survival(P=0.0001).Moreover,in recipients with allograft rejection,the peripheral CD4+/CD8+T cell ratio was much lower in the ICI group than in the non-ICI group.Conclusions:Pretransplant ICI exposure was an independent risk factor for allograft rejection and was significantly associated with 90-day post-transplant mortality after LT for HCC.A ≤21-day washout period was significantly associated with allograft rejection.Future multicenter studies with larger cohorts and prospective designs are essential to validate these findings,confirm causality,and establish standardized clinical guidelines for ICI use before transplantation.Trail registration:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05913583.

The special natural environment of the plateau brings about great difficulties and challenges to the field medical support.The serious injury treatment group of the field medical team is responsible for the early treatment of the critically injured,which is highly demanding and is more likely to be adversely affected by the plateau environment.Based on the real experiences and current reality,this paper outlines the priorities of work done by the serious injury treatment group on the plateau in terms of personnel selection,professional training,material preparation,site construction,treatment regimens and combat readiness in the hope of providing references for the medical support for China's the military on the plateau.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of non-seroconverted cases after rabies vaccination and observe the effect of booster vaccination.Methods:A retrospective collection of data was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023 across 409 rabies vaccination clinics in 27 provinces in China, focusing on cases with rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) levels less than 0.5 IU/ml after vaccination.Results:A total of 77 cases were identified in whom seroconversion was not observed within 30 days post-vaccination with the rabies vaccine. The gender distribution was 51.9% male and 48.1% female, with ages ranging from 2 to 83 years old. Delayed vaccination was observed in 11 cases (14.3%), and 63 cases (81.8%) received human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) injections. None of the cases had a confirmed immunosuppressive disease or taking immunosuppressive drugs, and the body mass index (BMI) distribution ranged from 14.37 to 34.74 kg/m 2. Seventy-six cases seroconverted after 1 to 3 doses of rabies vaccines as a booster vaccination. One case that did not seroconvert after the initial booster vaccination seroconverted after receiving additional 2 doses of vaccine. All patients were followed up for one year, with no cases of rabies reported. Conclusions:The characteristics of cases that failed to seroconvert after the full course of rabies vaccination lacked specificity, and booster vaccination could lead to seroconversion.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has the potential to rebuild the intestinal microbiome of patients, which can influence the disease course, alleviate symptoms, or even cure the disease. It is seen as a promising breakthrough for treating major chronic diseases that are difficult to manage. Currently, FMT therapy has been clinically studied for over 80 diseases and has led to significant breakthroughs. However, there are still four main challenges: (1) identifying the effective characteristics of donor microbiota and ensuring precise matching between donors and recipients; (2) understanding the pathways and molecular mechanisms by which key FMT bacteria and metabolites improve disease outcomes; (3) studying strain interactions and colonization mechanisms to restore intestinal microbiota balance; and (4) refining the precision of microbiome and functional microbiota transplantation. To address these clinical challenges, this article reviews the latest research both domestically and internationally, outlines the response patterns of FMT therapy, examines the reasons behind FMT failure, and explores future directions for the development of FMT. The aim is to accelerate the scientific and precise advancement of FMT technology in China.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has the potential to rebuild the intestinal microbiome of patients, which can influence the disease course, alleviate symptoms, or even cure the disease. It is seen as a promising breakthrough for treating major chronic diseases that are difficult to manage. Currently, FMT therapy has been clinically studied for over 80 diseases and has led to significant breakthroughs. However, there are still four main challenges: (1) identifying the effective characteristics of donor microbiota and ensuring precise matching between donors and recipients; (2) understanding the pathways and molecular mechanisms by which key FMT bacteria and metabolites improve disease outcomes; (3) studying strain interactions and colonization mechanisms to restore intestinal microbiota balance; and (4) refining the precision of microbiome and functional microbiota transplantation. To address these clinical challenges, this article reviews the latest research both domestically and internationally, outlines the response patterns of FMT therapy, examines the reasons behind FMT failure, and explores future directions for the development of FMT. The aim is to accelerate the scientific and precise advancement of FMT technology in China.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of non-seroconverted cases after rabies vaccination and observe the effect of booster vaccination.Methods:A retrospective collection of data was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023 across 409 rabies vaccination clinics in 27 provinces in China, focusing on cases with rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) levels less than 0.5 IU/ml after vaccination.Results:A total of 77 cases were identified in whom seroconversion was not observed within 30 days post-vaccination with the rabies vaccine. The gender distribution was 51.9% male and 48.1% female, with ages ranging from 2 to 83 years old. Delayed vaccination was observed in 11 cases (14.3%), and 63 cases (81.8%) received human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) injections. None of the cases had a confirmed immunosuppressive disease or taking immunosuppressive drugs, and the body mass index (BMI) distribution ranged from 14.37 to 34.74 kg/m 2. Seventy-six cases seroconverted after 1 to 3 doses of rabies vaccines as a booster vaccination. One case that did not seroconvert after the initial booster vaccination seroconverted after receiving additional 2 doses of vaccine. All patients were followed up for one year, with no cases of rabies reported. Conclusions:The characteristics of cases that failed to seroconvert after the full course of rabies vaccination lacked specificity, and booster vaccination could lead to seroconversion.

Non-neonatal tetanus is an acute, specific, toxic disease in patients over 28 days of age, characterized by continuous rigidity and paroxysmal spasms of the skeletal muscles throughout the body caused by the intrusion of Clostridium tetani through skin or mucosal membrane into the body and reproducing in anaerobic environments to produce exotoxins. The mortality rate of severe patients is close to 100% without medical intervention. Even with aggressive comprehensive treatment, the global mortality rate remains at 30%-50%, making it a potentially fatal disease. In order to standardize the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of non-neonatal tetanus, based on "Regulation for Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-neonatal Tetanus (2019 Edition)", experts have revised this regulation according to clinical practice and recent research progress in this field to guide medical institutions in the prevention and control of non-neonatal tetanus. This article interprets the key points and basis for updating the 2024 edition regulation to guide clinical implementation and application.