Objective:To explore and compare the clinical application value of 8-channel head phased-array coil, an 8-channel temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-specific surface coil, and a single-channel surface coil in TMJ MRI examinations.Methods:A total of 600 temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients (1 200 joints) who underwent TMJ MRI examination in the First People′s Hospital of Jinzhong from June 2020 to January 2025 were retrospectively screened. Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, 120 TMD patients (240 joints) with closed-mouth oblique sagittal proton density weighted imaging (OSag PDWI), coronal T2 fat-suppression weighted imaging (OCor fs T2WI) and open-mouth oblique sagittal proton density weighted imaging (OSag PDWI) were included. Patients were divided into groups A, B, and C, with 40 cases in each group. Group A (31female, 9male, median age 24 years old), underwent 8-channel head phased-array coil imaging. Group B (29 female, 11male, median age 23.5 years old) underwent TMJ imaging with an 8-channel surface coil. Group C (29 female, 11male, median age 22.5 years old) underwent single-channel surface coil imaging. There were no significant differences in age, gender, type or disease types among groups ( P>0.05). Six healthy volunteers without TMD (4 female, 2 male, range 19 to 45 years old) underwent imaging with all three coils as self-control. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and image quality were compared for five regions of interest (ROI) in both patients and volunteers. Results:Under the same sequence and the same parameters, SNR and CNR in group B were higher than those in group A, and SNR and CNR in group C were also higher than those in group A, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there were significant differences in SNR and CNR between group B and group C in the closed and open positions of ROI1, the open positions of ROI3 and the open positions of ROI5 ( P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other positions ( P>0.05). Group B had the best image quality, followed by group C and group A had the worst image quality. There were significant differences in the visualization of OSag PDWI in the closed mouth position, OCor T2WI in the coronal position, and OSag PDWI in the open mouth position, such as condyle, anterior attachment, joint disc, double lamina area, joint cavity and lateral pterygoid muscle ( P<0.05). There were significant differences between group B and group C in showing the joint cavity in the closed mouth position and showing the structure of the bilaminar area in the open mouth position ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other regions of interest ( P>0.05). The subjective scores of condyle, anterior attachment, articular disc, bilaminar area, articular cavity, lateral pterygos muscle and other structures were medium to high in group A, high in group B, and high or high in group C by two radiologists independently. In the five rois, the 8-channel TMJ surface coil showed more details, especially in the articular disc, condyle and lateral pterygoid muscle regions, and had more advantages in both volunteers and patients. Conclusions:The 8-channel TMJ-specific surface coil provides significantly clearer visualization of critical anatomical details within the ROIs, demonstrating the highest clinical application value and is recommended as the preferred choice.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF） refers to severe liver dysfunction that occurs on the basis of chronic liver diseases， and it is characterized by rapid disease progression， poor prognosis， and high mortality rate. In recent years， inflammatory markers have become a research hotspot due to their significant role in assessing the prognosis of ACLF. This article reviews the advances in the application of inflammatory markers in assessing the prognosis of ACLF， such as systemic immune inflammatory index， lymphocyte-white blood cell ratio， neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio， and C-reactive protein， and discusses their clinical value and future research directions， in order to provide a theoretical basis for the early intervention and prognosis management of ACLF patients.

Objective:To explore and compare the clinical application value of 8-channel head phased-array coil, an 8-channel temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-specific surface coil, and a single-channel surface coil in TMJ MRI examinations.Methods:A total of 600 temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients (1 200 joints) who underwent TMJ MRI examination in the First People′s Hospital of Jinzhong from June 2020 to January 2025 were retrospectively screened. Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, 120 TMD patients (240 joints) with closed-mouth oblique sagittal proton density weighted imaging (OSag PDWI), coronal T2 fat-suppression weighted imaging (OCor fs T2WI) and open-mouth oblique sagittal proton density weighted imaging (OSag PDWI) were included. Patients were divided into groups A, B, and C, with 40 cases in each group. Group A (31female, 9male, median age 24 years old), underwent 8-channel head phased-array coil imaging. Group B (29 female, 11male, median age 23.5 years old) underwent TMJ imaging with an 8-channel surface coil. Group C (29 female, 11male, median age 22.5 years old) underwent single-channel surface coil imaging. There were no significant differences in age, gender, type or disease types among groups ( P>0.05). Six healthy volunteers without TMD (4 female, 2 male, range 19 to 45 years old) underwent imaging with all three coils as self-control. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and image quality were compared for five regions of interest (ROI) in both patients and volunteers. Results:Under the same sequence and the same parameters, SNR and CNR in group B were higher than those in group A, and SNR and CNR in group C were also higher than those in group A, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there were significant differences in SNR and CNR between group B and group C in the closed and open positions of ROI1, the open positions of ROI3 and the open positions of ROI5 ( P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other positions ( P>0.05). Group B had the best image quality, followed by group C and group A had the worst image quality. There were significant differences in the visualization of OSag PDWI in the closed mouth position, OCor T2WI in the coronal position, and OSag PDWI in the open mouth position, such as condyle, anterior attachment, joint disc, double lamina area, joint cavity and lateral pterygoid muscle ( P<0.05). There were significant differences between group B and group C in showing the joint cavity in the closed mouth position and showing the structure of the bilaminar area in the open mouth position ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other regions of interest ( P>0.05). The subjective scores of condyle, anterior attachment, articular disc, bilaminar area, articular cavity, lateral pterygos muscle and other structures were medium to high in group A, high in group B, and high or high in group C by two radiologists independently. In the five rois, the 8-channel TMJ surface coil showed more details, especially in the articular disc, condyle and lateral pterygoid muscle regions, and had more advantages in both volunteers and patients. Conclusions:The 8-channel TMJ-specific surface coil provides significantly clearer visualization of critical anatomical details within the ROIs, demonstrating the highest clinical application value and is recommended as the preferred choice.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of combining low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation with Beckman oral muscle exercise training in relieving drooling among persons with Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A random number table was used to divide 120 PD patients with drooling into a mouth muscle training group, an electrical stimulation group, and an observation group, with 40 patients in each group. In addition to routine medication, the oral muscle training group was given Beckman oral muscle exercise training, the electrical stimulation group underwent low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation treatment, while the observation group was provided with both. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, the severity of salivation, the frequency of repeated empty swallowing, oral motor function, saliva secretion, and life quality of the three groups were evaluated using the Saliva Rating Scale (DRS), the Repeated Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST), oral motor function grading, the Parkinson′s Disease Saliva Clinical Scale (SCS-PD), saliva weighing, and the PD Quality of Life Scale (PDQ-39).Results:After the treatment the average DRS, SCS-PD, saliva weighing and PDQ-39 results of the observation group were significantly better than those before treatment and better than the other 2 groups′ averages. That group′s average RSST and oral motor function scores had increased significantly compared to before treatment, and compared with the other 2 groups′ averages at the same time point.Conclusions:Combining low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation with Beckman oral muscle exercise can improve oral motor function, swallowing, and the life quality of PD patients who drool. It is more effective than electrical stimulation or oral muscle exercise training alone. Such combination therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of combining low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation with Beckman oral muscle exercise training in relieving drooling among persons with Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A random number table was used to divide 120 PD patients with drooling into a mouth muscle training group, an electrical stimulation group, and an observation group, with 40 patients in each group. In addition to routine medication, the oral muscle training group was given Beckman oral muscle exercise training, the electrical stimulation group underwent low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation treatment, while the observation group was provided with both. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, the severity of salivation, the frequency of repeated empty swallowing, oral motor function, saliva secretion, and life quality of the three groups were evaluated using the Saliva Rating Scale (DRS), the Repeated Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST), oral motor function grading, the Parkinson′s Disease Saliva Clinical Scale (SCS-PD), saliva weighing, and the PD Quality of Life Scale (PDQ-39).Results:After the treatment the average DRS, SCS-PD, saliva weighing and PDQ-39 results of the observation group were significantly better than those before treatment and better than the other 2 groups′ averages. That group′s average RSST and oral motor function scores had increased significantly compared to before treatment, and compared with the other 2 groups′ averages at the same time point.Conclusions:Combining low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation with Beckman oral muscle exercise can improve oral motor function, swallowing, and the life quality of PD patients who drool. It is more effective than electrical stimulation or oral muscle exercise training alone. Such combination therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To investigate the grade of varicocele and its impact on semen quality of officers and soldiers stationed in coastal areas.Methods:The research subjects were 146 patients with left-sided varicocele and 32 healthy men selected from the male officers and soldiers who had visited the Beidaihe Sanatorium of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force. They were given physical and ultrasonic examination of spermatic vein and were divided into different groups by ultrasonic grading according to the inner diameter of their spermatic vein. Their semen quality was routinely analyzed.Results:There was no significant difference in semen volume or sperm deformity rate among the groups（ P > 0.05）. As varicocele aggravated，the sperm survival rate，sperm density，and the proportion of Grade A + B sperm all decreased significantly in the groups of clinical type II and III compared with those in the groups of normal type，subclinical type，and clinical type I（ P < 0.05）. Conclusion:The incidence of varicocele in officers and soldiers of coastal garrisons is significantly higher than that in the general population. The varicocele grade is closely related to the semen quality. Varicocele of clinical type I and below has less impact on the semen quality.

Objective:To investigate the grade of varicocele and its impact on semen quality of officers and soldiers stationed in coastal areas.Methods:The research subjects were 146 patients with left-sided varicocele and 32 healthy men selected from the male officers and soldiers who had visited the Beidaihe Sanatorium of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force. They were given physical and ultrasonic examination of spermatic vein and were divided into different groups by ultrasonic grading according to the inner diameter of their spermatic vein. Their semen quality was routinely analyzed.Results:There was no significant difference in semen volume or sperm deformity rate among the groups（ P > 0.05）. As varicocele aggravated，the sperm survival rate，sperm density，and the proportion of Grade A + B sperm all decreased significantly in the groups of clinical type II and III compared with those in the groups of normal type，subclinical type，and clinical type I（ P < 0.05）. Conclusion:The incidence of varicocele in officers and soldiers of coastal garrisons is significantly higher than that in the general population. The varicocele grade is closely related to the semen quality. Varicocele of clinical type I and below has less impact on the semen quality.

Objective:To summarize the etiological characteristics and clinical treatment effects of 17 patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).Methods:The clinical data of 17 patients with MRONJ admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First People′s Hospital of Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, from July 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 9 males and 8 females, aged (63.6±9.6) years old (43-82 years old). Descriptive analysis of the primary disease, onset factors, site of disease, clinical manifestations, treatment methods, and treatment effects was conducted through follow-up for at least 1 year.Results:Among the primary diseases of the 17 cases, 12 were malignant tumors, and 5 were osteoporosis. There were 13 cases with a history of a trigger event (tooth extraction or unsuited removable denture). Six cases occurred in the maxilla, 10 cases occurred in the mandible, and 1 case involved both the upper and lower jaws. For the most common medication used, bisphosphonate was used in 16 cases including 5 cases with concomitant use of angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs. There was 1 case resulted from receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) monoclonal antibody application. The duration of medication application was (10.1±3.9) months (3-18 months). All 17 cases were treated surgically. Totally 15 patients healed well after surgical treatment and the other 2 patients, who had poor soft tissue healing after surgery, healed well after a second operation.Conclusions:Tooth extraction might be a major trigger factor for the onset of MRONJ in the mandible. The disease was more possibly occured in the mandible than in the maxilla. Appropriate surgical treatment could achieve a good clinical outcome.

Objective To explore the laboratory culture and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis L forms (MTB-L),isolation rate and drug resistance in smear-positive tuberculosis patients,and to improve clinical attention to MTB-L.Methods 222 smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated in our hospital from September 2017 to December 2017 were randomly selected for MGIT 960 and 92-3TB-L liquid culture.After MGIT 960 was reported positive,acid-fast staining was performed on the precipitated smears of 92-3TB-L liquid medium for preliminary screening.The suspected L-positive strain culture was transformed into improved TSA-L solid medium to observe the colony characteristics and microscopic characteristics.The properties of the strain were confirmed by acid-fast staining and tuberculosis DNA amplification.Drug susceptibility and mutation sites of drug resistance genes were analyzed in MTB-L.Results Ⅰ-dentification of MTB-L:after the positive strain has been cultured,the colonies have the characteristics of "fried egg sample","particle-like" and " filament-like".MTB confirmed by tubercle DNA amplification experiments.Isolation rate:after cultured by MGIT 960 and Modified 92-3TB-L medium,the positive rate of single bacterial type was 50.90％,(113/222) the positive rate of both bacterial type and L type was 15.32％ (34/222),and the positive rate of MTB-L type was 2.25％ (5/222).Drug resistance:MTB-L was resistant to Streptomycin,Isoniazid,Rifampin,and Ethanol butylamine.No mutation was found in the drug resistance gene loci.Conclusions Clinical laboratory should routinely develop the culture of L-form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria,and increase the clinical attention to MTB-L.

Objective To study the constituents of urinary stones in patients in Zhejiang,and analyze the composition difference between patients from northern Zhejiang province and southern Zhejiang province.Methods From October 2012 to October 2018,clinical data of 4 423 urinary stone patients treated in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University,and Huzhou First People's Hospital was retrospectively analyzed.Infrared spectrum was used to analyze urinary calculi constituents.Among 4 423 patients,there were 3 041 males and 1 382 females,male to female ratio was 2.2∶ 1,and the mean age was (51.2 ±16.5) years.There were 2 974 northern Zhejiang patients and 1 449 southern Zhejiang patients.High incidence age group was 41-60 years [48.2％ (2 136/4 423)].The distribution characteristics of urinary calculi constituents in different groups of sex,age,and region were analyzed.Results Among the 4 423 cases,the mixed urinary stones were dominant in the urinary calculus [73.1％ (3 235/4 423)],in which,the most component was the calcium oxalate monohydrate + calcium oxalate dehydrate + carbonated apatite [36.2％ (1 604/4 423)];among the pure stones,the most component was the calcium oxalate monohydrate [16.3 ％ (719/4 423)].Carbonated apatite stones [70.1％ (970/1 382) vs.61.0％ (1 856/3 041),P ＜0.05] and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones [12.7％ (176/1 382) vs.4.9％ (150/3 041),P ＜ 0.05] were both more prevalent in females than males,but uric acid stones[10.6％ (325/3 041) vs.5.8％ (81/1 382),P ＜0.05] were more common in males than females.The proportions of calcium oxalate stones[90.6％ (961/1 060) vs.76.2％ (935/1 227),P ＜0.05],carbonated apatite stones [77.6％ (823/1 060) vs.50.7％ (623/1 227),P ＜ 0.05],and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones[9.1％ (97/1 060) vs.6.5％ (80/1 227),P ＜0.05] of 0-40 years group were all higher than ＞ 60 years group,however,uric acid stones were more frequent in ＞ 60 years group [3.5％ (38/1 060) vs.17.0％ (209/1 227),P ＜ 0.05].The proportion of calcium oxalate stones in southern Zhejiang was lower than northern Zhejiang [79.0％ (1 145/1 449) vs.89.4％ (2 661/ 2 974),P ＜ 0.05].However,carbonated apatite stones [71.5％ (1 037/1 449) vs.60.1％ (1 789/2 974),P ＜ 0.05],magnesium ammonium phosphate stones [15.1％ (220/1 449) vs.3.5％ (106/ 2 974),P ＜ 0.05],and uric acid stones [10.7％ (156/1 449) vs.8.4％ (250/2 974),P ＜ 0.05] were more prevalent in southern Zhejiang than northern Zhejiang.Conclusions The distribution of constituents of urinary stones in Zhejiang was different in genders,age,and regions.Carbonated apatite stones and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones were more prevalent in females and young people,and uric acid stones were more common in males and old people.Calcium oxalate stones were more common in youths.Moreover,calcium oxalate stones were more frequent in northern Zhejiang,and carbonated apatite stones,magnesium ammonium phosphate stones and uric acid stones were common in southern Zhejiang.