Objective:To explore the clinical application value of MRI ultra-short echo time sequence (MRI-UTE) in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 101 consecutive patients were recruited prospectively from January to August 2024 at Huazhong Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All of the included patients were diagnosed with pulmonary nodules by chest CT examination and intended for treatment. All patients underwent low-dose CT examination and MRI-UTE examination. The number, classification, and lung imaging reporting and data system (lung-RADS) grading of the pulmonary nodules were analyzed. Nodules classification was determined as solid nodules or sub-solid nodules, and sub-solid nodules included part-solid nodules and pure ground-glass nodules. Taking the evaluation results of radiologists with 10 and 12 years of experience in chest imaging diagnosis as the reference standard, the Kappa test was used to analyze the agreement of CT and MRI-UTE in terms of the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules. Results:Among the 101 patients, a total of 216 pulmonary nodules were identified. MRI-UTE accurately diagnosed 180 pulmonary nodules, while 203 pulmonary nodules were detected by CT. The concordance was moderate ( Kappa=0.48, P<0.001). In terms of nodule classification, CT correctly classified 167 nodules as solid and 36 as sub-solid, whereas MRI-UTE correctly classified 153 as solid and 23 as sub-solid, with good agreement (weighted Kappa=0.73, P<0.001). For lung-RADS grading, CT correctly graded 186 nodules, with 85 graded as category 2, 46 as category 3, 33 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 10 as category 4X; MRI-UTE correctly graded 155 nodules, with 74 graded as category 2, 30 as category 3, 30 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 9 as category 4X. The agreement between the two modalities in determining lung-RADS grade was also good (weighted Kappa=0.74, P<0.001). Conclusion:MRI-UTE demonstrates good agreement with CT in the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules, indicating certain clinical application value.

Objective:To investigate the features of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in children with sepsis and evaluate the value of these cells in combination with multiple indicators in the diagnosis of pediatric sepsis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 86 sepsis children and 83 children with local infection admitted to Hebei Children′s Hospital from October 2022 to October 2024. Baseline clinical data, peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, and other laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the independent risk factors correlated with the initiation of sepsis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the value of each independent risk factor for diagnosing sepsis.Results:The thrombin time, the absolute counts of NK, CD3 + T, CD4 + T, and CD8 + T cells, the levels of IgG and IgM, and the counts of lymphocytes and platelets were lower in the sepsis children than in the children with local infection. However, the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, the levels of fibrinogen, direct bilirubin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were higher in the sepsis group (all P<0.05). The variables screened by LASSO regression were analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression, and the results showed that PT, absolute CD4 + T cell count, and the levels of IgM and CRP were independent risk factors for sepsis. The ROC analysis indicated that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for PT, absolute CD4 + T cell count, and IgM and CRP levels when used individually in diagnosing sepsis was 0.729, 0.593, 0.605, and 0.795, respectively. The AUC for the four indexes when used in combination for diagnosing sepsis reached 0.822, showing greater superiority over that of the single index. Conclusions:The combined measurement of PT, absolute CD4 + T cell count, and the levels of IgM and CRP can improve the diagnostic efficacy for sepsis in children. Early monitoring of these indexes facilitates the assessment of the condition in children suffering from sepsis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for muscle atrophy in patients with immobilization after surgical fixation of foot and ankle fractures.MethodsThis was a two-arm randomized controlled trial wherein 80 patients were recruited and divided into control (n = 40) and intervention (n = 40) groups. The control group received conventional orthopedic treatment, whereas the intervention group received TEAS and conventional treatment. The intervention group received TEAS 3 times a week for 30 min each time for 8 weeks. The primary outcomes were muscle thickness (MT) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles, whereas the secondary outcome measure was echo intensity (EI). Data were collected before the fixation operations (baseline assessment) and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention.ResultsCompared with baseline, the MT and CSA were reduced in both groups by the end of treatment, whereas EI increased in both groups. At week 4, the reduction in the rectus femoris CSA in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P = .02); however, the between-group differences in the MT and EI (all P .05) were not significant. No serious adverse events were observed in either group.ConclusionOur study showed that TEAS can improve muscle atrophy by attenuating the decline in the muscle CSA. Because this was only a pilot trial, subsequent studies will need longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes.

Objective This study investigated feasible cases and their significance in promoting the"generalized"development of inspection through digital-intelligent equipment.Methods A qualitative research approach was used,involving interviews conducted between February 2025 and March 2025 with experts in traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics,clinical research methodology,medical engineering integration,and related disciplines,using both online and offline methods.In accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research,feasible cases involving the specific application of digital equipment in various parts of observation were collected through item enrichment.The significance of extending observation capabilities via these cases was analyzed,along with the overall implications of integrating digital technologies with traditional inspection method.Results Interviews were completed with 11 experts from domestic universities and research institutes in the fields of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis,medical engineering integration,and related disciplines.A total of 78 feasible cases of digital-intelligent inspection were identified,along with 69 insights regarding the significance of enhancing the inspection capabilities.These insights were synthesized into two dimensions and 23 holistic meanings.The first dimension is to expand the scope of inspection,including obtaining internal environmental characteristics,observing external environmental characteristics,expanding thermodynamic characteristic data,and crossing time and space.The second dimension is to improve the quality of observation and diagnosis information collection and analysis,including 19 specific meanings,such as standardized collection environment,objective quantification,and refined observation.Conclusion Digital-intelligent equipment plays a significant role in expanding the scope of inspection content and achieving high-quality acquisition and analysis of extensive inspection information.These advancements extend and enrich the capabilities of traditional inspection method in traditional Chinese medicine.

Damage to limbal due to injury or disease can lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).Severe LSCD is difficult to diagnose and treat clinically, while limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) is the main treatment.Simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) is a novel technique for LSCT.The procedure involves removing the fibrovascular pannus from the recipient eye, cutting the limbal tissue from the donor eye into tiny pieces, transplanting the epithelial side up onto the corneal surface of the recipient eye, and using amniotic membrane as a carrier to repair the ocular surface.Regular follow-up shows that the corneal epithelialization is completed at approximately two weeks postoperatively through the continuous expansion and migration of the tissue.Compared with other LSCT procedures, SLET is simple to perform, requires less biopsy, and has good repeatability.In addition, SLET has shown good clinical prospects.This article reviews the research progress of SLET.

We analyzed the epidemiological features and spatial distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in Jining city from 2014 to 2023,to provide a reference for further development of targeted prevention and control strategies and measures.Descrip-tive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis cases in Jining from 2014 to 2023.The spatial regional correlation of brucellosis incidence in Jining and the clustering patterns of local areas were studied through spatial autocorrelation analysis with townships as the basic unit.A total of 3 520 cases of brucellosis were reported in Jining from 2014 to 2023,and the average annual incidence rate was 4.23/100 000,thus indicating a fluctuating trend overall.Reported cases peaked from March to August,and a sex ratio of 2.71 males to 1 female was observed.The 40-59 year age group had the most reported cases(50.39％).The incidence of brucellosis in Jining showed an imbalanced spatial distribution.Brucellosis incidence showed a spatially clustered distribution(Moran's I>0,P<0.05).Hotspots were distributed primarily in Sishui,Qufu,and Zoucheng.A total of one class Ⅰ clustering area and one class Ⅱ clustering area were detected in the spatial and temporal scans,and were located in Sishui,Qufu,and Liangshan county.After pathogenic AMOS-PCR typing analysis,64 Brucella isolates collected from Jinan City from 2022 to 2024 were all of the sheep strain,and sheep biovar 3 was predominant(70.31％).In 2014-2023,although Jining City experienced a high incidence of brucellosis,a downward trend was observed.Brucellosis showed a spatial clustering pattern concentrated in the northeastern region.Therefore,awareness and education must be strengthened among brucellosis practitioners in cluster areas,to en-hance case surveillance,improve the level of protection,and achieve early detection and treatment.

Damage to limbal due to injury or disease can lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).Severe LSCD is difficult to diagnose and treat clinically, while limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) is the main treatment.Simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) is a novel technique for LSCT.The procedure involves removing the fibrovascular pannus from the recipient eye, cutting the limbal tissue from the donor eye into tiny pieces, transplanting the epithelial side up onto the corneal surface of the recipient eye, and using amniotic membrane as a carrier to repair the ocular surface.Regular follow-up shows that the corneal epithelialization is completed at approximately two weeks postoperatively through the continuous expansion and migration of the tissue.Compared with other LSCT procedures, SLET is simple to perform, requires less biopsy, and has good repeatability.In addition, SLET has shown good clinical prospects.This article reviews the research progress of SLET.

We analyzed the epidemiological features and spatial distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in Jining city from 2014 to 2023,to provide a reference for further development of targeted prevention and control strategies and measures.Descrip-tive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis cases in Jining from 2014 to 2023.The spatial regional correlation of brucellosis incidence in Jining and the clustering patterns of local areas were studied through spatial autocorrelation analysis with townships as the basic unit.A total of 3 520 cases of brucellosis were reported in Jining from 2014 to 2023,and the average annual incidence rate was 4.23/100 000,thus indicating a fluctuating trend overall.Reported cases peaked from March to August,and a sex ratio of 2.71 males to 1 female was observed.The 40-59 year age group had the most reported cases(50.39％).The incidence of brucellosis in Jining showed an imbalanced spatial distribution.Brucellosis incidence showed a spatially clustered distribution(Moran's I>0,P<0.05).Hotspots were distributed primarily in Sishui,Qufu,and Zoucheng.A total of one class Ⅰ clustering area and one class Ⅱ clustering area were detected in the spatial and temporal scans,and were located in Sishui,Qufu,and Liangshan county.After pathogenic AMOS-PCR typing analysis,64 Brucella isolates collected from Jinan City from 2022 to 2024 were all of the sheep strain,and sheep biovar 3 was predominant(70.31％).In 2014-2023,although Jining City experienced a high incidence of brucellosis,a downward trend was observed.Brucellosis showed a spatial clustering pattern concentrated in the northeastern region.Therefore,awareness and education must be strengthened among brucellosis practitioners in cluster areas,to en-hance case surveillance,improve the level of protection,and achieve early detection and treatment.

Objective This study investigated feasible cases and their significance in promoting the"generalized"development of inspection through digital-intelligent equipment.Methods A qualitative research approach was used,involving interviews conducted between February 2025 and March 2025 with experts in traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics,clinical research methodology,medical engineering integration,and related disciplines,using both online and offline methods.In accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research,feasible cases involving the specific application of digital equipment in various parts of observation were collected through item enrichment.The significance of extending observation capabilities via these cases was analyzed,along with the overall implications of integrating digital technologies with traditional inspection method.Results Interviews were completed with 11 experts from domestic universities and research institutes in the fields of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis,medical engineering integration,and related disciplines.A total of 78 feasible cases of digital-intelligent inspection were identified,along with 69 insights regarding the significance of enhancing the inspection capabilities.These insights were synthesized into two dimensions and 23 holistic meanings.The first dimension is to expand the scope of inspection,including obtaining internal environmental characteristics,observing external environmental characteristics,expanding thermodynamic characteristic data,and crossing time and space.The second dimension is to improve the quality of observation and diagnosis information collection and analysis,including 19 specific meanings,such as standardized collection environment,objective quantification,and refined observation.Conclusion Digital-intelligent equipment plays a significant role in expanding the scope of inspection content and achieving high-quality acquisition and analysis of extensive inspection information.These advancements extend and enrich the capabilities of traditional inspection method in traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of MRI ultra-short echo time sequence (MRI-UTE) in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 101 consecutive patients were recruited prospectively from January to August 2024 at Huazhong Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All of the included patients were diagnosed with pulmonary nodules by chest CT examination and intended for treatment. All patients underwent low-dose CT examination and MRI-UTE examination. The number, classification, and lung imaging reporting and data system (lung-RADS) grading of the pulmonary nodules were analyzed. Nodules classification was determined as solid nodules or sub-solid nodules, and sub-solid nodules included part-solid nodules and pure ground-glass nodules. Taking the evaluation results of radiologists with 10 and 12 years of experience in chest imaging diagnosis as the reference standard, the Kappa test was used to analyze the agreement of CT and MRI-UTE in terms of the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules. Results:Among the 101 patients, a total of 216 pulmonary nodules were identified. MRI-UTE accurately diagnosed 180 pulmonary nodules, while 203 pulmonary nodules were detected by CT. The concordance was moderate ( Kappa=0.48, P<0.001). In terms of nodule classification, CT correctly classified 167 nodules as solid and 36 as sub-solid, whereas MRI-UTE correctly classified 153 as solid and 23 as sub-solid, with good agreement (weighted Kappa=0.73, P<0.001). For lung-RADS grading, CT correctly graded 186 nodules, with 85 graded as category 2, 46 as category 3, 33 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 10 as category 4X; MRI-UTE correctly graded 155 nodules, with 74 graded as category 2, 30 as category 3, 30 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 9 as category 4X. The agreement between the two modalities in determining lung-RADS grade was also good (weighted Kappa=0.74, P<0.001). Conclusion:MRI-UTE demonstrates good agreement with CT in the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules, indicating certain clinical application value.