BACKGROUND:Degenerative scoliosis is defined as a condition that occurs in adulthood with a coronal cobb angle of the spine>10° accompanied by sagittal deformity and rotational subluxation,which often produces symptoms of spinal cord and nerve compression,such as lumbar pain,lower limb pain,numbness,weakness,and neurogenic claudication.The finite element method is a mechanical analysis technique for computer modelling,which can be used for spinal mechanics research by building digital models that can realistically restore the human spine model and design modifications. OBJECTIVE:To review the application of finite element method in the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis. METHODS:The literature databases CNKI,PubMed,and Web of Science were searched for articles on the application of finite element method in degenerative scoliosis published before October 2023.Search terms were"finite element analysis,biomechanics,stress analysis,degenerative scoliosis,adult spinal deformity"in Chinese and English.Fifty-four papers were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The biomechanical findings from the degenerative scoliosis model constructed using the finite element method were identical to those from the in vivo experimental studies,which proves that the finite element method has a high practical value in degenerative scoliosis.(2)The study of the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis by the finite element method is conducive to the prevention of the occurrence of the scoliosis,slowing down the progress of the scoliosis,the development of a more appropriate treatment plan,the reduction of complications,and the promotion of the patients'surgical operation.(3)The finite element method has gradually evolved from a single bony structure to the inclusion of soft tissues such as muscle ligaments,and the small sample content is increasingly unable to meet the research needs.(4)The finite element method has much room for exploration in degenerative scoliosis.

Children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) often exhibit severe respiratory problems and significant pulmonary dysfunction during school age and adulthood. Exercise tests show a decline in cardiopulmonary function and physical performance in children with BPD, who also have a higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension. These children generally perform poorly in terms of intelligence, language, and motor development. As they age, the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders increases, and health-related quality of life is also affected. This article reviews the prognosis of the respiratory system, physical capacity, cardiovascular system, nervous system, and health-related quality of life in children with BPD, aiming to improve the management of these patients and enhance their subsequent quality of life.
Humans ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/complications* ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Child

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gansu, China, providing foundational data for intervention strategies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 159 PKU families who attended Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to December 2024. Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, whole exome sequencing, and deep intronic variant analysis were used to analyze the PAH gene. RESULTS: For the 1 159 children with PKU, 2 295 variants were identified in 2 318 alleles, resulting in a detection rate of 99.01%. The detection rates were 100% (914/914) in 457 classic PKU families, 99.45% (907/912) in 456 mild PKU families, and 96.34% (474/492) in 246 mild hyperphenylalaninemia families. The 2 295 variants detected comprised 208 distinct mutation types, among which c.728G>A (14.95%, 343/2 295) had the highest frequency, followed by c.611A>G (4.88%, 112/2 295) and c.721C>T (4.79%, 110/2 295). The cumulative frequency of the top 23 hotspot variants reached 70.28% (1 613/2 295), and most variant alleles were detected in exon 7 (29.19%, 670/2 295). CONCLUSIONS Deep intronic variant analysis of the PAH gene can improve the genetic diagnostic rate of PKU. The development of targeted detection kits for PAH hotspot variants may enable precision screening programs and enhance preventive strategies for PKU.
Humans ; Phenylketonurias/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Phenylalanine Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Mutation ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Child ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG (cytarabine+homoharringtonine+G-CSF) priming regimen in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. METHODS: The data of 14 patients with AML or high-risk MDS admitted to the department of hematology/oncology of the First Hospital of Tsinghua University and 2 cooperative institutions from July 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen and the early induction (one course) efficacy and adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients, 10 were males and 4 were females, with a median age of 69.5 (46-83) years. After 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy, the complete remission (CR) rate was 64.3% (9/14) and overall response rate (ORR) was 78.6% (11/14). Among the 10 patients with adverse prognosis according to cytogenetics and molecular genetics, the CR rate was 50.0% (5/10), and ORR was 70.0% (7/10). In 7 patients with TP53 mutation, the CR rate was 42.9% (3/7) and ORR was 71.4% (5/7). In the 6 patients with complex karyotype, CR rate was 33.3% (2/6) and ORR was 66.7% (4/6). While the CR rate and ORR of 8 non-complex karyotype patients were both 87.5% (7/8), and the difference in CR rate between patients with complex karyotype and non-complex karyotype was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The adverse reactions of chemotherapy were tolerable, without early treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION Low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen can be used as an effective treatment for AML and high-risk MDS patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, and it is safe and worthy of clinical application.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy* ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Cytarabine/administration & dosage* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Homoharringtonine/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of serum β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) for survival and relapse of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era. METHODS: Clinical data of 92 patients with DLBCL admitted from December 2003 to July 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cutoff value of β₂-MG levels for predicting prognosis of the DLBCL patients was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. KaplanMeier analysis was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Cox logistic regression analysis was used to explore potential prognostic factors associated with survival. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between various factors and relapse. RESULTS: The most discriminative cutoff value for β₂-MG level was determined to be 2.25 mg/L by the ROC curve. Subgroup analysis showed that patients in the elevated β₂-MG (＞2.25 mg/L) group had significantly worse PFS(P =0.006) and a trend toward worse OS compared with those in the low β₂-MG (≤2.25 mg/L) group(P =0.053). Univariate analysis showed that elevated β₂-MG, age>60 years, Ann Arbor stage III-IV, as well as IPI score ≥3 were associated with worse PFS. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age＞60 years and β₂-MG＞2.25 mg/L were potential influencing factors for relapse of DLBCL patients. CONCLUSION Serum β ₂-MG might be an important predictor for the survival and relapse of DLBCL patients in the rituximab era.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy* ; beta 2-Microglobulin/blood* ; Rituximab ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate effect of Kuanxiong Aerosol (KXA) on perioperative coronary microcirculation in patients with unstable angina (UA) suffering from elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: From February 2021 to July 2023, UA inpatients who underwent PCI alone in the left anterior descending (LAD) branch were included. Random numbers were generated to divide patients into the trial group and the control group at a ratio of 1:1. The index of coronary microcirculation resistance (IMR) was measured before PCI, and the trial group was given two sprays of KXA, while the control group was not given. IMR was measured again after PCI, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) were detected before and 24 h after surgery, and major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) were recorded for 30 days. The data statistics and analysis personnel were blinded. RESULTS: Totally 859 patients were screened, and 62 of them were involved into this study. Finally, 1 patient in the trial group failed to complete the post-PCI IMR and was excluded, 30 patients were included for data analysis, while 31 patients in the control group were enrolled in data analysis. There was no significant difference in baseline data (age, gender, risk factors, previous history, biochemical index, and drug therapy, etc.) between the two groups. In addition, differences in IMR, cTnI and CK-MB were not statistically significant between the two groups before surgery. After PCI, the IMR level of the trial group was significantly lower than that of the control group (19.56 ± 14.37 vs. 27.15 ± 15.03, P=0.048). Besides, the incidence of perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) was lower in the trial group, but the difference was not statistically significant (6.67% vs. 16.13%, P=0.425). No MACEs were reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS KXA has the potential of improving coronary microvascular dysfunction. This study provides reference for the application of KXA in UA patients undergoing elective PCI. (Registration No. ChiCTR2300069831).
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Male ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Female ; Angina, Unstable/physiopathology* ; Pilot Projects ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Aerosols ; Troponin I/blood* ; Coronary Circulation/drug effects* ; Elective Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2). SMT was administered once every other day for 30 min per session, totally 14 treatment sessions over a span of 4 weeks. HCs did not receive SMT treatment and underwent only one fMRI scan. Additionally, participants in LDH group completed clinical questionnaires on pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, whereas HCs did not undergo clinical scale assessments. The effects on the brain were jointly characterized using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Correlation analyses were conducted between specific brain regions and clinical scales. RESULTS: Following SMT treatment, pain symptoms in LDH patients were notably alleviated and accompanied by evident activation of effects in the brain. In comparison to TP1, TP2 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Sup_R and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Paracentral_Lobule_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Additionally, the most substantial enhancement in ReHo values was observed for the Cuneus_R, while the most prominent reduction was noted for the Olfactory_R (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Moreover, a comparative analysis revealed that, in contrast to HCs, LDH patients at TP1 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Pole_Sup_L and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Frontal_Mid_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Furthermore, the most significant enhancement in ReHo values was observed for Postcentral_L, while the most prominent reduction was identified for ParaHippocampal_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Notably, correlation analysis with clinical scales revealed a robust positive correlation between the Cuneus_R score and the rate of change in the VAS score (r=0.9333, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Long-term chronic lower back pain in patients with LDH manifests significant activation of the "AUN-DMN-S1-SAN" neural circuitry. The visual network, represented by the Cuneus_R, is highly likely to be a key brain network in which the analgesic efficacy of SMT becomes effective in treating LDH patients. (Trial registration No. NCT06277739).
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Manipulation, Spinal/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management ; Rest ; Case-Control Studies

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the first imported case of Lassa fever (LF) in China. Laboratory detection and molecular epidemiological analysis of the Lassa virus (LASV) from this case offer valuable insights for the prevention and control of LF. METHODS: Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine, saliva, and environmental materials were collected from the patient and their close contacts for LASV nucleotide detection. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on positive samples to analyze the genetic characteristics of the virus. RESULTS: LASV was detected in the patient's CSF, blood, and urine, while all samples from close contacts and the environment tested negative. The virus belongs to the lineage IV strain and shares the highest homology with strains from Sierra Leone. The variability in the glycoprotein complex (GPC) among different strains ranged from 3.9% to 15.1%, higher than previously reported for the seven known lineages. Amino acid mutation analysis revealed multiple mutations within the GPC immunogenic epitopes, increasing strain diversity and potentially impacting immune response. CONCLUSION The case was confirmed through nucleotide detection, with no evidence of secondary transmission or viral spread. The LASV strain identified belongs to lineage IV, with broader GPC variability than previously reported. Mutations in the immune-related sites of GPC may affect immune responses, necessitating heightened vigilance regarding the virus.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Genome, Viral ; Lassa Fever/virology* ; Lassa virus/classification* ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Phylogeny

Objective:To explore the feasibility of using self-made visual throat forceps to remove hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. Methods:The throat forceps were combined with the endoscope and connected to a monitor via a data cable resulting in a visual throat forceps apparatus. This device was utilized to examine and treat the hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. Results:Among 53 patients, foreign bodies were detected in 51,with 48 cases involving hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. All were successfully extracted using the visual throat forceps. Three cases, diagnosed as esophageal foreign bodies by electronic gastroscopy, were treated using the same method. Conclusion:Visual throat forceps can be used to examine the hypopharynx and remove foreign bodies. It has the advantages of simple operation, rapid operation, and high success rate of foreign body removal from the hypopharynx. It is worthy of clinical application.
Humans ; Hypopharynx/surgery* ; Pharynx/surgery* ; Endoscopes ; Surgical Instruments ; Foreign Bodies/diagnosis*

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the highest mortality and the fastest growing incidence,which seriously threatens human life and health.With the popularization of low-dose spiral CT and the enhancement of public awareness of physical examination,more and more ground-glass nodules have been detected.Accumulating studies have shown that for patients with nodules diameter≤2 cm and ground-glass opacity≥50% ,under the condition of ensuring the cutting edge,thoracoscopic sublobectomy or subsegmentectomy can more effectively preserve the lung function of patients,and has gradually become the recommended surgical method.In recent years,with the continuous improvement of thoracoscopic surgery technology,thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy and combined subsegmentectomy have been gradually carried out.Compared with lobectomy and segmentectomy,subsegmental resection can retain more normal lung tissue and reduce the loss of lung function under the condition of ensuring the safe cutting edge.However,thoracoscopic subsegmental resection requires a higher level of surgical technique and anatomical knowledge for the operator,and is rarely reported in relevant literature.Therefore,this article reviews the progress of anatomical subsegmentectomy and combined subsegmentectomy in the treatment of early non-small cell lung cancer.