Objective To analyze the significance of CT perfusion imaging combined with artificial intelli-gence (AI) in evaluating reperfusion injury after cerebral infarction. Methods 106 patients with cerebral infarc-tion admitted to the hospital from January 2019 to October 2023 were prospectively selected as the study objects. Patients were divided into reperfusion injury group and no perfusion injury group according to whether reperfusion injury occurred after 14 days of thrombolytic therapy. CT perfusion imaging and AI parameters were compared between reperfusion injury group and non-perfusion injury group. The factors affecting reperfusion injury in cerebral infarction patients after thrombolytic therapy were analyzed. The value of CT perfusion imaging parameters combined with AI in predicting reperfusion injury after thrombolytic therapy in cerebral infarction patients was analyzed. Results 31 cases had reperfusion injury,and the other 75 cases had no perfusion injury. CBF,average CT value and entropy level in the reperfusion injury group were lower than those in the non-perfusion injury group (P<0.05),CBV,MTT,TTP and kurtosis were higher than those in the non-perfusion injury group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that NIHSS (OR=5.228,95％CI:2.151～12.705),CBF(OR=3.777,95％CI:1.554～9.180),CBV(OR=3.699,95％CI:1.522～9.989) and average CT value (OR=4.125,95％CI:1.697～10.024) were the influencing factors of reperfusion injury in cerebral infarction patients after thrombolytic therapy (P<0.05). ROC curve results showed that the sensitivity of CBF,CBV,average CT value and their com-bination in predicting reperfusion injury after thrombolytic therapy in cerebral infarction patients were 67.74％,70.97％,77.42％,87.10％,and the specificity were 70.67％,74.67％,77.33％,90.67％,AUC values were 0.665,0.667,0.744 and 0.908. Conclusion CT perfusion imaging combined with AI is effective in evaluating reperfusion injury after cerebral infarction.

Objective To analyze the significance of CT perfusion imaging combined with artificial intelli-gence (AI) in evaluating reperfusion injury after cerebral infarction. Methods 106 patients with cerebral infarc-tion admitted to the hospital from January 2019 to October 2023 were prospectively selected as the study objects. Patients were divided into reperfusion injury group and no perfusion injury group according to whether reperfusion injury occurred after 14 days of thrombolytic therapy. CT perfusion imaging and AI parameters were compared between reperfusion injury group and non-perfusion injury group. The factors affecting reperfusion injury in cerebral infarction patients after thrombolytic therapy were analyzed. The value of CT perfusion imaging parameters combined with AI in predicting reperfusion injury after thrombolytic therapy in cerebral infarction patients was analyzed. Results 31 cases had reperfusion injury,and the other 75 cases had no perfusion injury. CBF,average CT value and entropy level in the reperfusion injury group were lower than those in the non-perfusion injury group (P<0.05),CBV,MTT,TTP and kurtosis were higher than those in the non-perfusion injury group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that NIHSS (OR=5.228,95％CI:2.151～12.705),CBF(OR=3.777,95％CI:1.554～9.180),CBV(OR=3.699,95％CI:1.522～9.989) and average CT value (OR=4.125,95％CI:1.697～10.024) were the influencing factors of reperfusion injury in cerebral infarction patients after thrombolytic therapy (P<0.05). ROC curve results showed that the sensitivity of CBF,CBV,average CT value and their com-bination in predicting reperfusion injury after thrombolytic therapy in cerebral infarction patients were 67.74％,70.97％,77.42％,87.10％,and the specificity were 70.67％,74.67％,77.33％,90.67％,AUC values were 0.665,0.667,0.744 and 0.908. Conclusion CT perfusion imaging combined with AI is effective in evaluating reperfusion injury after cerebral infarction.

Objective To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and potential influencing factors of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, so as to provide insights into the formulation of the echinococcosis control strategy in Qinghai Province. Methods The number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, number of registered dogs and number of stray dogs were captured from the annual reports of echinococcosis control program in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was calculated. The number of populations, precipitation, temperature, wind speed, sunshine hours, average altitude, number of year-end cattle stock, number of year-end sheep stock, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and number of village health centers in each county (district) of Qinghai Province were captured from the Qinghai Provincial Statistical Yearbook, and county-level electronic maps in Qinghai Province were downloaded from the National Platform for Common Geospatial Information Services. The software ArcGIS 10.8 was used to map the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province, and the spatial autocorrelation analysis of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was performed. In addition, the spacetime scan analyses of number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases and geographical coordinates in Qinghai Province were performed with the software SaTScan 10.1.2, and the spatial stratified heterogeneity of the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was investigated with the software GeoDetector. Results A total of 6 569 426 residents were screened for echinococcosis in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and 5 924 newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases were found. The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline over years from 2016 to 2022 (χ² = 11.107, P < 0.01), with the highest detection in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in 2017 (82.12/10⁵). There were spatial clusters in the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2018 (Moran’s I = 0.34 to 0.65, all Z values > 1.96, all P values < 0.05), and the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared random distribution from 2019 to 2022 (Moran’s I = −0.09 to 0.04, all Z values < 1.96, all P values > 0.05). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed high-high clusters and low-low clusters in the detection of new diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and space-time scan analysis showed that the first most likely cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022 were mainly distributed in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. GeoDetector-based analysis of the driving factors for the spatial stratified heterogeneity of detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province showed that average altitude, number of village health centers, number of cattle and sheep stock, GDP per capita, annual average sunshine hours, and annual average temperature had a strong explanatory power for the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, with q values of 0.630, 0.610, 0.600, 0.590, 0.588, 0.537 and 0.526, respectively. Conclusions The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline in Qinghai Province over years from 2016 to 2022, showing spatial clustering. Targeted control measures are required in cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases for further control of the disease.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in small rodents around human residential areas in Yushu City, Qinghai Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into precision echinococcosis control. Methods One or two quadrats, each measuring 50 m × 50 m, were randomly assigned in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Township, Yushu City, Qinghai Province on June 2023, respectively, and 300 plate-type mouse traps, each measuring 12.0 cm × 6.5 cm, were assigned in each quadrat. Small rodents were captured during the period between 10 : 00 and 18 : 00 each day for 4 days. Then, all captured small rodents were identified and dissected, and liver specimens with suspected Echinococcus infections were subjected to pathological examinations. The Echinococcus cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene was amplified using PCR assay, and the sequence of the amplified product was aligned to that was recorded in the GenBank to characterize the parasite species. In addition, a phylogenetic tree of Echinococcus was generated based on the cox1 gene sequence using the neighbor-joining method. Results A total of 236 small rodents were captured in Shanglaxiu and Longbao townships, Yushu City, including 65 Qinghai voles and 51 plateau pikas in Shanglaxiu Township, and 62 Qinghai voles and 58 plateau pikas in Longbao Township, and there was no significant difference in the constituent ratio of small rodents between the two townships (χ² = 0.294, P > 0.05). Seven plateau pikas and 12 Qinghai voles were suspected to be infected with Echinococcus by dissection, and pathological examinations showed unclear structure of hepatic lobules and disordered hepatocyte arrangement in livers of small rodents suspected of Echinococcus infections. PCR assay identified E. shiquicus DNA in 7 Qinghai voles, which were all captured from Shanglaxiu Township. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the cox1 gene sequence of Echinococcus in small rodents was highly homologous to the E. shiquicus cox1 gene sequence reported previously. Conclusion Plateau pika and Qinghai vole were predominant small rodents around human residential areas in Yushu City, Qinghai Province in 2023, and E. shiquicus infection was detected in Qinghai voles.

OBJECTIVES: Metformin is the basic drug for treating diabetes, and the plateau hypoxic environment is an important factor affecting the pharmacokinetics of metformin, but there have been no reports of metformin pharmacokinetic parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) in the high-altitude hypoxic environment. This study aims to investigate the effect of the hypoxic environment on the pharmacokinetics and assess the efficacy and safety of metformin administration in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 85 patients with T2DM taking metformin tablets in the plateau group (n=32, altitude: 1 500 m) and control group (n=53, altitude: 3 800 m) were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 172 blood samples were collected in the plateau group and the control Group. A ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method was established to determine the blood concentration of metformin, and Phoenix NLME software was used to establish a model of pharmacokinetics of metformin in the Chinese T2DM population. The efficacy and serious adverse effects of metformin were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The population pharmacokinetic modeling results showed that plateau hypoxia and age were the main covariates for model building, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were significantly different between the plateau and control groups (all P<0.05), including distribution volume (V), clearance (CL), elimination rate constant (Ke), half-life(T_1/2), area under the curve (AUC), time to reach maximum concentration (T_max). Compared with the control group, AUC was increased by 23.5%, T_max and T_1/2 were prolonged by 35.8% and 11.7%, respectively, and CL was decreased by 31.9% in the plateau group. The pharmacodynamic results showed that the hypoglycaemic effect of T2DM patients in the plateau group was similar to that in the control group, the concentration of lactic acid was higher in the plateau group than that in the control group, and the risk of lactic acidosis was increased after taking metformin in the plateau population. CONCLUSIONS Metformin metabolism is slowed down in T2DM patients in the hypoxic environment of the plateau; the glucose-lowering effect of the plateau is similar, and the attainment rate is low, the possibility of having serious adverse effects of lactic acidosis is higher in T2DM patients on the plateau than on the control one. It is probably suggested that patients with T2DM on the plateau can achieve glucose lowering effect by extending the interval between medication doses and enhancing medication education to improve patient compliance.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Metformin/therapeutic use* ; Acidosis, Lactic ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Hypoxia ; Glucose

Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD) has typical triad: short middle limbs, short stature, Madelung deformity of wrist, and increased body mass index. Short stature and high body mass index are risk factors for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune thyroid diseases. However, metabolic disorders and thyroid diseases in adult LWD patients have not been elucidated. This paper reports two adult patients with LWD presented to the Department of Endocrinology and metabolism. By introducing clinical characteristics, genetic variations, and diagnostic methods, physicians can deepen their understanding of LWD, improve diagnosis, and be aware of the comorbid metabolic diseases and thyroid disorders with a view of early prevention and treatment.

The plateau environment is characterized by low oxygen, low air pressure, low temperature, and strong ultraviolet rays, etc. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable chronic lung disease. High altitude environment increases COPD prevalence, clinical manifestation and mortality. The therapeutic window of theophylline drugs for COPD is narrow, and the high altitude environment has an influence on the pharmacokinetics of the drugs. This review summarizes the differences in the prevalence, mortality, clinical manifestation and clinical symptoms of COPD in the plateau and plain, providing a basis for identifying the risk factors of COPD in the plateau areas. The effects of plateau hypoxic environment on the pharmacokinetics of COPD drugs were also discussed. It can provide a rationale for more effective prevention and treatment of COPD at high altitude.
Humans ; Altitude ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Oxygen ; Hypoxia

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of nifedipine controlled-release tablets on the antihypertensive effect of hypertensive patients under high altitude environment. Methods 42 hypertensive inpatients in the 940th hospital (altitude 1500 ) were set to the plain hypertension group, and 42 cases of hypertensive inpatients in Bayi hospital (altitude 3800 m) were set to the plateau hypertension group. Both groups of patients were given nifedipine controlled-release tablets 30 mg daily, taken orally in the morning for 6 consecutive days. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate three times a day to compare the clinical efficacy and occurrence of adverse drug reactions in the two groups. Results After treatment, the total effective rates of the high-altitude hypertension group and the plain hypertension group were 47.62% (20 cases/42 cases) and 76.19% (32 cases/42 cases) respectively with no statistical difference (P<0.05). The adverse drug reactions of the two groups of patients were tachycardia and palpitations. The incidence of total adverse drug reactions in the high-altitude hypertension group and the plain hypertension group were 14.29% and 11.90% respectively with no statistical difference (P>0.05). Conclusion The high-altitude hypoxic environment could affect the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine controlled-release tablets, which could not control the patient's blood pressure effectively in the short term.

Atorvastatin is a blood lipid-lowering drug widely used clinically. Long-term use can prevent and reduce the occurrence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the efficacy of atorvastatin has significant inter-individual differences. Some individuals failed to achieve the expected lipid-lowering target value or had serious adverse reactions, which were related to the genetic diversity between individuals. Genetic variation can lead to differences in drug configuration, clinical efficacy and adverse reactions. The drug metabolism enzymes, drug transporters, drug targets and genetic polymorphisms related to lipid metabolism were reviewed in this paper that affect the drug response of atorvastatin, and from the gene level to explore the reasons for the differences in the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and susceptibility to adverse reactions of different individuals using atorvastatin.

Objective:To explore any effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the recovery of neurological functioning and the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and inflammatory factors after ischemic stroke.Methods:Sixty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a sham stimulation group and an observation group, each of 16. All mice except those of the normal control group received middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture method to model an ischemic stroke. After the modeling the observation group was given 1Hz rTMS daily for 7 consecutive days, while the sham stimulation group was given sham rTMS. After the intervention, Zea-Longa scores were used for all of the groups, and the size of the cerebral infarct was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The expression of NLRP3 around the cerebral infarction was detected using immunofluorescence, while that in the brain tissue was measured using Western blotting. The expression of interleukin-1β and IL-18 in the brain tissue was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Compared with the normal control group, a significant increase was observed in the other groups′ average neurological function impairment scores. Expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in the model and sham stimulation groups also increased, with large cerebral infarcts in the cortex and hippocampus. Compared with the sham stimulation and model groups, there was a significant decrease in the average neurological dysfunction scores, the area of cerebral infarction in the cortex and hippocampus, as well as the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in the observation group.Conclusions:Low-frequency rTMS can promote the recovery of damaged nerve function after an ischemic stroke, at least in mice. It can reduce the size of cerebral infarction, and inhibit neuronal pyroptosis, which is closely related to the down-regulation of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 expression.