Objective:To analyze the positioning error and the overall setup errors (OSEs) of patients undergoing gamma knife pain-free face mask fractionated treatment for head tumors based on kV orthogonal image guidance.Methods:A total of 58 patients who received image-guided fractionated gamma knife treatment for head tumors with a pain-free face mask at the Gamma Knife Treatment Center of Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital from July 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024 were included in the study. A kV-class orthogonal X-ray IGPS image-guided positioning system was used to collect positioning errors in three translational directions: left-right (X), anterior-posterior (Y), and head-foot (Z), as well as in three rotational directions: left-right (P), anterior-posterior (R), and head-foot ( Y) before correction. After online correction and combined with manual positioning verification, the corrected positioning errors were recalculated. The OSEs in translational and rotational directions were calculated before and after correction. The positioning errors in all six directions (X, Y, Z, P, R, Y) before and after correction were plotted. And the OSE scatter plots in translational and rotational directions were created accordingly. Errors in the six directions and OSEs in translational and rotational directions were compared. The OSEs in translational and rotational directions were analyzed across different age groups and genders. Results:The pre-correction positioning errors in the X, Y, Z, P, R, Y directions for patients were (0.45±1.54) mm, -0.96 (-1.70, -0.28) mm, 1.67 (-0.15, 3.07) mm, (0.70±1.60) °, 0.65 (0.30, 1.19) °, (0.59±0.87) °, and the post-correction positioning errors were (-0.02±0.18) mm, 0.15 (0.10, 0.21) mm, 0.06 (-0.04, 0.16) mm, (0.20±0.79) °, 0.42 (0.19, 0.78) °, (0.20±0.63) °. There were statistically significant differences between before and after correction ( t=2.30, P=0.025; Z=-5.43, P<0.001; Z=-4.10, P<0.001; t=2.56, P=0.013; Z=-3.21, P=0.001; t=3.21, P=0.002). The OSEs in translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational (P, R, Y) directions before correction were 3.07 (1.93, 4.35) mm, 1.90 (1.28, 2.66) °, and the OSEs after correction were 0.27 (0.21, 0.33) mm, 1.08 (0.70, 1.54) °, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-6.60, P<0.001; Z=-5.52, P<0.001). For patients aged 18-44 years, the OSEs in translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational (P, R, Y) directions before and after correction were 3.65 (1.62, 3.95), 0.21 (0.21, 0.31) mm, 3.25 (2.24, 3.96) °, 0.92 (0.59, 1.45) °; for patients aged 45-59 years, the OSEs were 3.57 (2.17, 5.22), 0.29 (0.22, 0.35) mm, 1.89 (1.30, 2.30) °, 1.08 (0.62, 1.51) °; for patients aged 60-74 years, the OSEs were 2.92 (1.74, 4.06), 0.24 (0.19, 0.35) mm, 2.16 (1.09, 2.95) °, 0.98 (0.78, 1.75) °; for patients aged 75-89 years, the OSEs were 3.24 (2.12, 4.37), 0.29 (0.22, 0.47) mm, 1.73 (1.01, 1.83) °, 0.60 (0.47, 1.51) °. There were no statistically significant differences in OSEs of translational and rotational directions before and after correction among the four age groups ( H=1.23, P=0.747; H=1.74, P=0.627; H=7.45, P=0.059; H=2.80, P=0.424). For male patients, the OSEs before and after correction in translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational (P, R, Y) directions were (3.19±1.59), 0.27 (0.27, 0.33) mm, 1.89 (1.27, 2.75) °, (0.84±0.59) °; for female patients, the OSEs were (3.22±1.99), 0.26 (0.25, 0.35) mm, 1.90 (1.34, 2.41) °, (1.04±0.46) °. There were no statistically significant differences in OSEs of translational and rotational directions before and after correction between genders ( t=-0.07, P=0.949; Z=-0.48, P=0.632; Z=-0.02, P=0.161; t=-2.80, P=0.424) . Conclusions:The image-guided system, which is based on the kV orthogonal X-ray stereoscopic imaging, can significantly reduce the positioning errors between fractions of pain-free face mask gamma knife treatment for head tumor patients and improve the positioning accuracy of the gamma knife through the dual verification process of "automatic correction and manual review".

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation. METHODS: A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MII oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). RESULTS: An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MII were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39⁺⁵ weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples. CONCLUSION The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.
Humans ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Female ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy ; Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics* ; Polar Bodies ; Adult ; Feasibility Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic/methods* ; Embryo Transfer/methods* ; Mutation ; Male ; Blastocyst/metabolism* ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVE: Clinical characteristics and outcome in COVID-19 with brucellosis patients has not been well demonstrated, we tried to analyze clinical outcome in local and literature COVID-19 cases with brucellosis before and after recovery. METHODS: We retrospectively collected hospitalization data of comorbid patients and prospectively followed up after discharge in Heilongjiang Infectious Disease Hospital from January 15, 2020 to April 29, 2022. Demographics, epidemiological, clinical symptoms, radiological and laboratory data, treatment medicines and outcomes, and follow up were analyzed, and findings of a systematic review were demonstrated. RESULTS: A total of four COVID-19 with brucellosis patients were included. One patient had active brucellosis before covid and 3 patients had nonactive brucellosis before brucellosis. The median age was 54.5 years, and all were males (100.0%). Two cases (50.0%) were moderate, and one was mild and asymptomatic, respectively. Three cases (75.0%) had at least one comorbidity (brucellosis excluded). All 4 patients were found in COVID-19 nucleic acid screening. Case C and D had only headache and fever on admission, respectively. Four cases were treated with Traditional Chinese medicine, western medicines for three cases, no adverse reaction occurred during hospitalization. All patients were cured and discharged. Moreover, one case (25.0%) had still active brucellosis without re-positive COVID-19, and other three cases (75.0%) have no symptoms of discomfort except one case fell fatigue and anxious during the follow-up period after recovery. Conducting the literature review, two similar cases have been reported in two case reports, and were both recovered, whereas, no data of follow up after recovery. CONCLUSION These cases indicate that COVID-19 patients with brucellosis had favorable outcome before and after recovery. More clinical studies should be conducted to confirm our findings.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Brucellosis ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome ; Case Reports as Topic

BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether sacubitril/valsartan is beneficial for patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and low systolic blood pressure (SBP). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of sacubitril/valsartan in HFrEF patients with SBP < 100 mmHg. METHODS & RESULTS: An observational study was conducted on 117 patients, 40.2% of whom had SBP < 100 mmHg without symptomatic hypotension, and 59.8% of whom had SBP ≥ 100 mmHg in an optimized HF follow-up management system. At the 6-month follow-up, 52.4% of patients with SBP < 100 mmHg and 70.0% of those with SBP ≥ 100 mmHg successfully reached the target dosages of sacubitril/valsartan. A reduction in the concentration of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide was similar between patients with SBP < 100 mmHg and SBP ≥ 100 mmHg (1627.5 pg/mL and 1340.1 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.75). The effect of sacubitril/valsartan on left ventricular ejection fraction was observed in both SBP categories, with a 10.8% increase in patients with SBP < 100 mmHg (P < 0.001) and a 14.0% increase in patients with SBP ≥ 100 mmHg (P < 0.001). The effects of sacubitril/valsartan on SBP were statistically significant and inverse across both SBP categories (P = 0.001), with an increase of 7.5 mmHg in patients with SBP < 100 mmHg and a decrease of 11.5 mmHg in patients with SBP ≥ 100 mmHg. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the occurrence of symptomatic hypotension, deteriorating renal function, hyperkalemia, angioedema, or stroke. CONCLUSIONS Within an optimized HF follow-up management system, sacubitril/valsartan exhibited excellent tolerability and prompted left ventricular reverse remodeling in patients with HFrEF who presented asymptomatic hypotension.

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological features of de novo early colorectal cancer and to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment.Methods:Patients with de novo early colorectal cancer who underwent endoscopic resection in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from June 2020 to May 2022 were enrolled. The baseline data, endoscopic manifestations, treatment methods, postoperative pathological results and prognosis of the patients were collected retrospectively.Results:A total of 33 patients with de novo early colorectal cancer were enrolled with the age of 62.67 ± 8.62 years, and the male to female ratio was 7.25∶1. The long diameter of lesions was 0.96 ± 0.36 cm. The lesion morphology was mainly superficial phenotype (type 0-Ⅱ), accounting for 72.7% (24/33). Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed in 29 cases and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was performed in 4 cases. Postoperative pathology showed that 11 cases (33.3%) were well differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, of which the superficial submucosal layer was invaded in 2 cases. Twenty cases (60.6%) were moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, of which the superficial submucosa layer was invaded in 5 cases and the deep submucosa layer in 15 cases. Two cases (6.1%) were moderately-poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, where the deep submucosa layer was invaded in both. There was significant correlation between the depth of invasion and the degree of differentiation ( P<0.001), and moderately and moderately-poorly differentiated lesions were more likely to invade the deep submucosa layer. The en bloc resection rate was 100.0% (33/33), the complete resection rate was 97.0% (32/33), and the curative resection rate was 42.4% (14/33). Among the 19 patients who did not achieve curative resection, 13 patients received supplementary surgical treatment. No tumor residue or lymph node metastasis was found in the postoperative pathology. All patients were followed up for 3-25 months, and no signs of local recurrence or metastasis were found. Conclusion:Most de novo early colorectal cancers are superficial phenotype under endoscopy. The pathology is mainly moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic resection of de novo early colorectal cancer shows encouraging short-term efficacy.

ObjectiveTo understand the physical development level of 3-7 years old children in Zhag′yab， and to provide reference for local health decision-making. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2021 and July 2021， with a sample of 1 247 Tibetan children aged 3-7 years from kindergartens in 13 districts of Zhag′yab. Their height and weight were measured and the hemoglobin was detected by a unified method. Standard statistical method was adopted （Z-score method）. Z-scores of length /height-for-age （HAZ）， Z-scores of weight-for-age （WAZ）， Z-scores of body mass index （BMI）-for-age （BAZ） and Z-scores of weight-for-height （WHZ） were calculated by WHO Anthro v3.2.2 and WHO Anthro Plus. The nutritional status of children was evaluated according to WHO diagnostic criteria for malnutrition and anemia. ResultsThe average WAZ and HAZ of children aged 3 to 7 in Zhag′yab were lower than the WHO standards，except for the WAZ of 4-year old， the differences were statistically significant （P<0.05）. The overall detection rate of malnutrition was 25.7%， stunting， underweight， wasting， overweight， obesity and anemia were 11.6%， 11.8%， 10.8%， 3.3%， 1.8% and 29.3%， respectively. The detection rates of all indicators in boys were higher than those in girls， and the differences were not statistically significant （P>0.05）. The overweight rate and obesity rate of rural children were lower than those of urban children， and the other detection rates were higher than those of urban children. The differences of underweight rate， obesity rate and anemia rate were statistically significant between urban and rural children （P<0.05）. Among the detection rates of all indicators in different age groups， there were statistically significant differences in the overweight rate and the anemia rate （P<0.05）. The overweight rate of children aged 4 and the anemia rate of children aged 5 were the highest. ConclusionsThe physical development of children aged 3 to 7 in Zhag′yab is poor， and the prevalence of malnutrition and anemia is high. Underweight and anemia are more serious in rural children， and the overweight and obesity problem of urban children is emerging. More attention should be paid to promote their nutritional status. The prevention and intervention of children’s malnutrition should be strengthened in Zhag′yab.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the gene expressions of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to study its possible pathogenic mechanism on atherosclerosis using microarray technology. METHODS: The gene expression differences in HCMV AD169 strain-infected HUVECs were studied by the microarray technology to explore the potential molecular mechanism of HCMV infection. The qPCRs were performed to verify the transcriptome results. RESULTS: A total of 2,583 differentially expressed genes, including 407 down-regulated genes and 2,176 up-regulated genes, were detected by the systematic bioinformatics analysis. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that the significantly differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in regulating protein kinase activity, inflammatory response, ubiquitination, protein phosphorylation, cell metabolism, and exosomes, among which 12 genes had significant changes and were screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and verified by qPCR. The experimental qPCR results were consistent with the microarray results. CONCLUSION The GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the regulation of protein kinase activity, inflammatory response, ubiquitination, protein phosphorylation, and cell metabolism played important roles in the process of endothelial cell infection. Furthermore, 12 genes were involved in the process of HCMV infection of endothelial cells and contributed to the current understanding of the infection and pathogenic mechanisms of atherosclerosis.
Humans ; Cytomegalovirus/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Atherosclerosis ; Protein Kinases ; RNA, Messenger

Objective To investigate the morphological variation of Oncomelania hupensis shells in Yunnan Province, so as to provide insights into the understanding of O. hupensis genetic evolution and control. Methods According to the O. hupensis density, geographical location, altitude, water system and environmental type, 12 administrative villages were sampled from 10 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts) in 3 prefectures (cities) of Yunnan Province as snail collection sites. From December 2021 to January 2022, about 200 snails were collected from each collection site, among which thirty adult snails (6 to 7 spirals) were randomly selected from each site, and the 11 morphological indexes of snail shells were measured and subjected to cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Results Of O. hupensis snails from 12 localities of Yunnan Province, the longest shell (7.33 mm) was detected in snails from Yongle Village, Eryuan County, with the shortest (4.68 mm) in Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District, and the largest angle of apex (59.47°) was measured in snails from Caizhuang Village, Midu County, with the smallest (41.40°) in Qiandian Village, Eryuan County. The mean coefficient of variation was 9.075% among O. hupensis snails from 12 localities of Yunnan Province, with the largest coefficient of variation seen in the thickness of the labra brim (29.809%). Among O. hupensis snails from 12 localities of Yunnan Province, the mean Euclidean distance was 2.26, with the shortest Euclidean distance seen between O. hupensis snails from Qiandian Village of Eryuan County and Wuxing Village of Dali City (0.26), and the largest found between O. hupensis snails from Caizhuang Village of Midu County and Cangling Village of Chuxiong County (8.17). Cluster analysis and principal component analysis classified O. hupensis snails from 12 localities of Yunnan Province into three categories, including the O. hupensis snail samples from Caizhuang Village of Midu County, O. hupensis snail samples from Cangling Village of Chuxiong County, and O. hupensis snail samples from Qiandian Village of Eryuan County, Wuxing Village of Dali City, Yangwu Village of Yongsheng County, Xiaoqiao Village of Xiangyun County, Yongle Village of Eryuan County, Xiaocen Village of Dali City, Anding Village of Nanjian County, Dongyuan Village of Gucheng District, Lianyi Village of Heqing County, and Dianzhong Village of Weishan County. The variations in these three categories of snail samples were mainly measured in the principal component 2 related to the angle of apex and the thickness of the labra brim. Conclusions The variations in the Euclidean distance and morphological features of shells of O. hupensis from 12 localities of Yunnan Province gradually rise with the decrease in the latitude of the collection sites. The angle of apex is an indicator for the growth of O. hupensis whorl.

The term Jingluo, translated as meridian or channel, is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has played a fundamental role in guiding the clinical practice of acupuncture for thousands of years. However, the essence of the meridian remains elusive and is a source of both confusion and debate for researchers. In this study, a "4D" systemic view on the essence of the meridian, namely substantial, functional, chronological, and cultural dimensions, was proposed based on a review of the ancient medical classics, recent research developments, and results from clinical practice. Previous studies have primarily focused on the substantial dimension of the meridian system, with scant interpretation about its functional domain. Neither systemic data nor evaluations have been adequately documented. Additionally, a limited but increasing number of studies have focused on the chronological and cultural dimensions. More investigations that embody the holistic concept of TCM and integrate the systemic modes and advanced techniques with dominant diseases of TCM need to be performed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the essence of meridians. The goal of this study is to yield useful information in understanding the essence of meridians and provide a reference and perspective for further research.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of lateral rectus abdominis incision combined with winged calcaneal plate on pelvic and acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral body. METHODS: From January 2017 to April 2021, 21 cases of pelvic and acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral bodies were retrospectively analyzed, including 12 males and 9 females. The age ranged from 21 to 73 years with an average of (43.23±6.45) years. All patients were treated by lateral incision of rectus abdominis combined with open reduction and internal fixation with aerofoil plate, including 12 cases of pelvis with anterior and posterior column fractures, 7 cases of acetabular fractures with quadrilateral involvement, and 2 cases of acetabular fractures with central dislocation. RESULTS: All 21 patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months with an average of (18.60±6.45) months. All fractures healed. According to Matta's image reduction evaluation after operation, 11 cases of pelvic anterior and posterior column fractures were all anatomic reduction, 1 case was satisfactory reduction, 7 cases of acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral were anatomic reduction, 1 case with central dislocation was anatomic reduction, and 1 case was satisfactory reduction. The modified Merle D'Aubigne Postel hip joint score was 13 to 17 points. CONCLUSION Lateral incision approach of rectus abdominis combined with wing-shaped steel plate can obtain good radiological and clinical results in the treatment of complex pelvic and acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral bodies, and has advantages in the treatment of complex pelvic fractures and acetabular quadrilateral fractures.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Rectus Abdominis ; Retrospective Studies ; Acetabulum/injuries* ; Bone Plates ; Hip Fractures/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures