Objective To explore the effect of auto-segmentation based on deep learning(DL)and Atlas during online adaptive MRI-guided radiotherapy.Methods Totally 15 prostate cancer patients undergoing MRI-guided online adaptive radiotherapy at some hospital from January 2020 to September 2021 were selected and divided into a training set(12 cases)and a test set(3 cases)by random sampling method.With the training set data the models of clinical target volume(CTV)and organs at risk(OAR)by DL and Atlas segmentation were established,and with the test set data the two segmentation models were modified and the modification lengths were recorded.DL and Atlas segmentation methods were compared on segmentation efficiency and accuracy in terms of Dice similarity coefficient(DSC),Hausdorff distance(HD)and mean distance to agreement(MDA).A joint auto-segmentation scheme based on combined DL and Atlas was constructed with considerations on the advantages and characteristics of the two methods,which was compared with the schemes respectively based on DL or Atlas from the aspect of the time consumed for segmentation.Results Accuracy comparison showed Atlas segmentation model behaved better significantly than DL model for CTV(P＜0.05),while obviously worse than the latter for DSC and MDA in bladder and rectum(P＜0.05).The doctor took 9.4 min in average for CTV and OAR modification based on DL model and 12 min in average for Atlas-model-based modification.The joint auto-segmentation scheme only needed 8 min in average for CTV and OAR modification,which gained advantages over the schemes based on DL or Atlas.Conclusion The auto-segmentation based on combined DL and Atlas during online adaptive MRI-guided radiotherapy behaves well in low time consumption,high accuracy and efficiency.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(6):59-64]

Brucellosis,a worldwide epidemic bacterial zoonotic infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella,jeopardizes livestock production and poses a major threat to public health safety.Among the various components of Brucella,the outer membrane proteins play crucial roles as the primary immune and protective antigens.These proteins are closely asso-ciated with Brucella's virulence,regulation of the immune response,and ability to survive and multiply within host cells.This article summarizes recent research progress in the primary outer membrane proteins of Brucella,and offers a synthesized view of the current knowledge landscape.Understanding the antigenic characteristics of Brucella outer membrane proteins may sub-stantially contribute to the establishment of new diagnostic methods and the design of new vaccines,thus potentially leading to more effective prevention strategies against brucellosis.The review provides a reference for future studies and may aid in brucel-losis control efforts.

An innovative on-site real-time avian influenza virus(AIV)detection method was estab-lished by integratingrecombinase-aided amplification(RAA)with the clustered regularly inter-spaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)system.After analy-zing 120 sequences of the M gene of avian influenza viruses of different subtypes publicly available on NCBI,the RAA primers and crRNA were designed based on the identified highly conserved segment and used for RAA nucleic acid amplification.After the amplified products were transferred to a CRISPR/Cas13a detection system,the fluorescence values were monitored throughout the re-action process to indicate the results.The sensitivity and specificity of the RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a method were validated using gradient dilutions(106-100 copies/μL)of positive plasmids and sev-en other avian viruses.Fifty clinical samples were tested using this method and compared with the national standard fluorescence RT-PCR method.The results indicated that the detection limit for RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a method was 102 copies/μL,a two-fold improvement over the standard RAA.Specificity assay showed the established method only detected AIV with no cross-reactivity with other seven avian viruses.Compared to the national standard fluorescence RT-PCR method,this method exhibited 100％specificity,95.24％accuracy,and 98.00％consistency in detection of clinical samples.In conclusion,a universal and rapid RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a for detection of AIV was established with the capacity of achieving detection within 60 minutes at 37 ℃,which provides a rapid,sensitive,and specific on-site detection method for AIV.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of visualized precise lung expansion for determining the intersegmental plane in thoracoscopic segmentectomy.Methods:Sixty-four American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, regardless of gender, aged 33-77 yr, with body mass index of 16-34 kg/m 2, undergoing elective thoracoscopic segmentectomy under general anesthesia, were included. They were preoperatively reconstructed with 3D CT bronchovascularization to reconstruct the pulmonary vasculature, bronchus, and the virtual intersegmental planes of the lungs. The patients were divided into 2 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: visualized precise lung expansion group (group V) and modified expansion and atrophy group (group E). Group V used visualized precision lung expansion to determine the intersegmental planes, and group E used the modified expansion and atrophy method to determine the intersegmental planes. The intraoperative intersegmental plane determination time, target segmental bronchus identification and treatment time, anesthesia time, operation time, postoperative air leakage, pulmonary atelectasis, fever, occurrence of lung infection, postoperative 24 h drainage volume, drain removal time and hospitalization time were recorded in the two groups. Results:Compared with group E, the intersegmental plane determination time, target segment bronchial identification and treatment time, anesthesia time and operation time were significantly shortened in group V( P<0.05).There were no significant differences between groups in the 24 h postoperative drainage volume, drain removal time, hospitalization time or incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the modified expansion and atrophy method, visualized precise lung expansion can effectively shorten the intersegmental plane determination time in thoracoscopic segmentectomy.

Objective:To examine the application of a novel pedagogical approach multidimensional supportive psychological intervention(MSPI)in the clinical practice teaching of andrological nursing care.Methods:Using the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),we assessed the psychology of 100 nursing interns about to enter clinical practice in the Department of Andrology from De-cember 2021 to December 2022.We equally randomized the subjects into an experimental and a control group,the former receiving MSPI and the latter trained on the conventional teaching model without any psychological support intervention.Results:Compared with the baseline,the HAMD scores were significantly decreased in the experimental group after intervention(12.4±2.1 vs 8.9±2.4,P＜0.01),but increased in the controls(13.1±1.8 vs 14.7±1.9,P＜0.01);the skill scores dramatically increased in the experimental group(82.6±4.7 vs 91.2±2.4,P＜0.01),but decreased in the control group after intervention(81.0±3.5 vs 80.4±2.7,P=0.28).Conclusion:MSPI can significantly enhance the learning enthusiasm of nursing students in a short period,re-duce their psychological stress and improve teaching outcomes.This approach,combining psychology with teaching,can also strength-en the mental resilience of nursing students and better confront them with future professional challenges.

The pharmaceutical manufacturing model is gradually changing from intermittent manufacturing to continuous manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing. This paper briefly reviewed the supervision and research progress in continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing in China and abroad and described the definition and advantages of continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing. The continuous manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) at the current stage was summarized in the following three terms: the enhancement of the continuity of intermittent manufacturing operations, the integration of continuous equipment to improve physical continuity between units, and the application of advanced process control strategies to improve process continuity. To achieve continuous manufacturing of TCM, the corresponding key technologies, such as material property characterization, process modeling and simulation, process analysis technology, and system integration, were analyzed from the process and equipment, respectively. It was proposed that the continuous manufacturing equipment system should have the characteristics of high speed, high response, and high reliability, "three high(H~3)" for short. Considering the characteristics and current situation of TCM manufacturing, based on the two dimensions of product quality control and production efficiency, a maturity assessment model for continuous manufacturing of TCM, consisting of operation continuity, equipment continuity, process continuity, and quality control continuity, was proposed to provide references for the application of continuous manufacturing technology for TCM. The implementation of continuous manufacturing or the application of key continuous manufacturing technologies in TCM can help to systematically integrate advanced pharmaceutical technology elements and promote the uniformity of TCM quality and the improvement of production efficiency.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Reproducibility of Results ; China ; Quality Control ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

To date, there is little information about the demography of vasectomy reversal (VR) patients or the factors currently influencing VR effectiveness in China, especially after the universal two-child policy was released in 2015. In this research, demographic data and perioperative medical records of VR patients were extracted from seven major hospitals in different provinces or municipalities of China. Meanwhile, a telephone survey of the patients was conducted to collect follow-up information. Eventually, 448 VR cases from the past 13 years were included. The results were analyzed by stratified comparison to investigate factors that can influence postoperative vas deferens patency and pregnancy rate. Appropriately statistical methods were used, and all of the protocols were approved by the Ethics Committees of the institutes in this research. The results showed that the annual operation volume of VR quadrupled after the two-child policy was implemented. Nonmicrosurgery and a long duration of vasectomy were significantly associated with a lower patency rate. A follow-up survey showed that the general postoperative pregnancy rate was 27.2%. For female partners over the age of 35 years, the postoperative pregnancy rate showed a more severe decline, but only 35.5% of them had been given a fertility examination before their husbands' VR surgery. Our work revealed that more patients in China have been demanding VR in recent years. High-quality microsurgery and a short duration of vasectomy are crucial for restoring patency by VR. Clinical andrologists should perform a preoperative fertility evaluation of the patients' female partners.
Male ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Vasovasostomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Vas Deferens/surgery* ; Vasectomy ; China/epidemiology*

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Simendan/therapeutic use* ; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Peptide Fragments ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Biomarkers ; Prognosis

Disintegration time is a key parameter that affects the palatability and compliance of oral soluble films. At present, there is no standard method to determine the disintegration time of oral soluble films. In this study, we compared the six methods (pharmacopoeial disintegration method, petri dish method, sponge surface method, slide frame and ball method, partially immersed into liquid (without weight attached) and partially immersed into liquid (with weight attached)) to determine the in vitro disintegration time of oral soluble films with different thickness, and evaluated the correlation with the in vivo disintegration time. The results showed that the repeatability and correlation of pharmacopoeial disintegration method and the partially immersed into liquid method (with weight attached) were excellent, with the endpoint of disintegration testing easy to determine. Partially immersed into liquid method (with weight attached), properly simulating the physiological condition in oral cavity, showed strong operability, good repeatability and in vitro-in vivo correlation, and was suitable for in vitro disintegration evaluation of oral soluble film dosage form. The adult sensory evaluation study was a research-based clinical trial conducted with informed consent from all subjects in accordance with the ethical requirements of Good Clinical Practice.

Altitude ; Exercise/physiology* ; Heart Rate/physiology* ; Humans ; Lung ; Respiration