Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics and high-frequency ultrasound features of localized scleroderma, and to construct and validate a non-invasive prediction model for staging of skin lesions based on the high-frequency ultrasound features.Methods:Patients with localized scleroderma were retrospectively collected from the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from February 1, 2021 to February 28, 2023, and clinical data as well as high-frequency ultrasound and pathologic features of 85 lesions from these patients were analyzed. Lesions were divided into modeling cohort and validation cohort according to the chronological order of patient enrollment. The univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the independent influential factors in the staging of localized scleroderma lesions in the modeling cohort, construct the regression equation, and to build a nomogram prediction model. The Bootstrap validation method was used for internal validation, and the predictive performance of the nomogram model in the modeling cohort and validation cohort was further evaluated by the calibration curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:In the modeling cohort, 60 patients with localized scleroderma, including 16 males and 44 females, were enrolled, with the age [ M ( Q1, Q3) ] being 22.0 (10.0, 39.2) years, and there were 28 lesions in the oedematous phase and 32 lesions in the fibrotic and atrophic phase; in the validation cohort, 25 patients with localized scleroderma, including 8 males and 17 females, were enrolled, with the age being 18.0 (7.0, 30.0) years, and there were 9 lesions in the oedematous phase and 16 lesions in the fibrotic and atrophic phase. Univariate analysis in the modeling cohort showed no significant differences in the age and gender of patients or the location of lesions between the oedematous phase group and the fibrotic and atrophic phase group (all P > 0.05) ; compared with the oedematous phase group, the fibrotic and atrophic phase group showed an increased proportion of patients with disease duration ≥ 2 years (20/32 cases vs. 10/28 cases, χ2 = 4.29, P = 0.038), decreased thicknesses of the subcutaneous fat layer in skin lesions (1.4 [0.0, 26.0] mm vs. 1.8 [0.1, 14.3] mm, Z = -2.14, P = 0.032), increased decrements in the subcutaneous fat layer thickness in the lesional sites compared with non-lesional control sites (1.8 [0.5, 11.0] vs. 0.3 [-1.9, 8.0] mm, Z = -4.72, P < 0.001), increased ratios of the lesional elasticity values to control elasticity values (2.9 [1.8, 6.9] vs. 1.8 [1.1, 5.9], Z = -4.34, P < 0.001), and increased ultrasound-based lesional activity scores (5.0 [3.0, 8.0] points vs. 3.0 [0.0, 5.0] points, Z = -4.76, P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that the disease duration ≥ 2 years ( P = 0.032), increased ratios of the lesional elasticity values to control elasticity values ( P = 0.019), increased ultrasound-based lesional activity scores ( P = 0.013), and increased decrements in the subcutaneous fat layer thickness in the lesions compared with the controls ( P = 0.013) helped to confirm localized scleroderma lesions in the fibrotic and atrophic phase. Based on the results of regression analysis, a total of 4 factors were included in the nomogram prediction model, including the disease duration, the decrement in the subcutaneous fat layer thickness in lesions compared with controls, the ratio of the lesional elasticity values to control elasticity values, and the ultrasound-based lesional activity score; additionally, the constructed logistic regression model formula for predicting the probability (p) of skin lesions in fibrotic and atrophic phase was "ln (p/[1 - p]) = -9.595 + 2.204 × the disease duration + 0.784 × the decrement in the subcutaneous fat layer thickness in the lesions compared with the controls (mm) + 0.887 × the ratio of the lesional elasticity values to control elasticity values + 1.374 × the ultrasound-based lesional activity score". The calibration curve showed a good predictive performance of the model through the Bootstrap validation method, and the ROC curve demonstrated good discrimination and accuracy (modeling cohort: area under the curve = 0.936, 95% CI: 0.879 - 0.994; validation cohort: area under the curve = 0.889, 95% CI: 0.748 - 1.000) . Conclusions:High-frequency ultrasound could provide essential details for staging the localized scleroderma lesions. Based on the disease duration, subcutaneous fat layer thickness, skin elasticity values, and ultrasound-based lesional activity scores, the constructed prediction model could predict the stages of localized scleroderma lesions with excellent discrimination, accuracy, and predictive performance.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and the maximum diaphragm excursion(Dmax)observed on ultrasound in the elderly.Methods:Elderly volunteers(age≥60 years)were recruited from family members of patients at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital.Their Dmax during forced inhalation was measured via ultrasound.The parameters for the diagnosis of sarcopenia included the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI), handgrip strength and usual gait speed.We compared the differences in physical characteristics, pulmonary ventilation, physical performance and Dmax between patients with and without sarcopenia, and evaluated the relationship between sarcopenia and DEmax in the elderly via linear regression.Results:A total of 145 elderly volunteers[age(69.47±5.15)years]were included, and 28(19.31%)were diagnosed with sarcopenia.Body weight, ASMI, maximum inspiratory pressure(Pinmax), maximal power output(Wmax)and Dmax of patients with sarcopenia were significantly lower than those of patients without sarcopenia(all P<0.05).Dmax in the elderly was correlated with sex, height, ASMI, handgrip strength, usual gait speed, Pinmax and Wmax( r=0.181, 0.130, 0.322, 0.373, 0.401, 0.134, and 0.388, P=0.012, 0.037, 0.009, 0.002, 0.022, 0.009, and 0.002, respectively).After adjusting for sex, age, height and forced vital capacity(FVC), there was still a negative correlation between sarcopenia and Dmax in the elderly( β=-0.310, P=0.021). Conclusions:Dmax is related to Pinmax and physical performance in the elderly, and sarcopenia increases the risk of decline in the maximum diaphragm excursion in the elderly as observed on ultrasound.

Objective: To compare the calibration result of standard X-ray RQR radiation field between SSDL (NIRP) and CEA LIST LNHB(France), and to explore the feasibility of calibrating H_p(3) in standard X-ray RQR radiation field of SSDL(NIRP). Methods: Using a column model with a diameter and high of 20 cm, TLD was calibrated in SSDL (NIRP) and CEA LIST LNHB (France) to measure the personal dose equivalent eye lens dose H_p(3), X-ray RQR radiation field included RQR4(60 kV), RQR7(90 kV), RQR9(120 kV), with energy response, angle response and linear response. Results: In terms of energy response, the calibration results of TLD in both SSDL (NIRP) and CEA LIST LNHB (France) were in good agreement. The difference between exposure value and response value was less than 10%. In terms of angle response, the calibration result of TLD in CEA LIST LNHB (France) was better in SSDL(NIRP). The difference between exposure value and response value in CEA LIST LNHB (France) was less than 6%, while the difference between exposure value and response value in SSDL(NIRP) was more than 10% at angle of 20°. In terms of linear response, both calibration result of SSDL (NIRP) and CEA LIST LNHB (France) were in good agreement. Conclusions The standard X-ray RQR field in SSDL (NIRP) can be used for the calibration of H_p(3).

BACKGROUND: miRNA-136-5 p plays a crucial regulatory role in pathological changes, inflammatory response and regeneration after spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of miRNA-136-5 p on the expression of cytokines in serum and NF-κB protein in spinal cord in rats with spinal cord injury and to explore the molecular mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats, of SPF grade were provided by Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University. The lentiviral vector system was prepared and transfected into spinal cord injured rats. Thirty-six rat models of spinal cord injury were established by modified Allen's method. Basso Beattie Bresnahan scores were performed. Rats were randomly divided into normal control, modeling (LV-ctrl plus spinal cord injury), overexpression (spinal cord injury plus LV-miRNA-136-5 p), and inhibition (spinal cord injury plus LV-sponge) groups (n=9/group). Seven days before surgery and the day of surgery, the overexpression and inhibition groups were continuously injected with the lentivirus suspension into the injured area, and the normal control and modeling groups were injected with the same amount of normal saline. Three rats were sacrificed at 1, 3 and 7 days, and blood and spinal cord tissues were taken. The levels of interleukin-1β, interleukion-6 and interferon-α in rat serum were determined by ELISA. The expression of NF-κB protein was detected by western blot assay and double immunofluorescence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There was no significant difference in preoperative Basso Beattie Bresnahan scores (P＞ 0.05). In the modeling group, the rats showed prone walking, vary degrees of urinary retention, and spinal shock, with complete loss of function of both hind limbs and muscle strength of 0. (2) Compared with the normal control group, the levels of inflammatory factors in the other groups were increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05). The expression levels of inflammatory factors were highest in the overexpression group, followed by modeling group, and lowest in the inhibition group. (3) Results of western blot assay and double immunofluorescence showed that the expression level of NF-κB protein in the modeling, overexpression and inhibition groups was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05), and the level was highest in the overexpression group. (4) In summary, miRNA-136-5 p can affect inflammatory factors and NF-κB in rats with acute spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Change of microenvironment after acute spinal cord injury is the main factor causing secondary injury, so it is of great significance to investigate the changes of microenvironment after acute spinal cord injury for clinical diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression levels and clinical significance of interleukin-6, brain derived neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4 in peripheral blood within 48 hours after acute spinal cord injury. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with acute spinal cord injury admitted at the Department of Spinal Osteopathia, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from October 2016 to June 2018 were enrolled, and were divided into two groups according to American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale: complete spinal cord injury (n=11) and incomplete spinal cord injury (n=18). Thirteen patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head were selected as controls. The expression levels of interleukin-6, brain derived neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4 in peripheral blood of 42 patients were determined by ELISA and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The ELISA results showed that the expression levels of interleukin-6, brain derived neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4 in peripheral blood in the spinal cord injury group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05). The expression levels of all above cytokines in the complete spinal cord injury group were significantly higher than those in the incomplete spinal cord injury group (P ＜ 0.05). In summary, increased expression of interleukin-6, brain derived neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, neurotrophin-3, neurotrophin-4 after acute spinal cord injury indicates that it may participate in the important pathophysiological process after acute spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior elective surgery following self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) for complete obstructive left hemicolon cancer. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, open-labelled trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University(2016-ke-161-1) and registered in Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02972541). INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1)age between 18 and 75 years old;(2) adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology;(3) left hemicolon cancer confirmed by clinical manifestations and imaging examinations with the distance to anal verge > 15 cm; (4) resectable cancer evaluated by imaging examination without distant metastasis; (5) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score ≤ 1 or Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) > 70, indicating tolerance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and operation; (6) absence of chemotherapy or radiotherapy within past six months; (7) bone marrow system and hepatorenal function: hemoglobin ≥ 90 g/L, neutrophil ≥ 1.5×10/L, platelet ≥ 80×10/L, total bilirubin ≤ 1.5×ULN(upper limits of normal), serum transaminase ≤ 2.5×ULN, serum creatinine ≤ 1.0×ULN, endogenous creatinine clearance rate > 50 ml/min; (8) sign for informed consent. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) multiple primary colorectal cancer; (2) rejection of operation;(3) presenting peritonitis or bowel perforation before SEMS; (4) unqualified conditions proved by inspector from registration data. According to inclusion criteria, 62 consecutive patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to elective surgery following SEMS for complete obstructive left hemicolon cancer from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University (n=31), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (n=14), the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (n=13), Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (n=2), the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University (n=2) between December 2015 and December 2017 were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and elective surgery group according to the investigator's clinical experience and patient's preference. Patients in the elective surgery group received surgery within one to two weeks after SEMS placement without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Those in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group received 2 cycles of CapeOX or 3 cycles of mFOLFOX6 neoadjuvant chemotherapy within one to two weeks after SEMS placement, and then underwent surgery within 3 weeks after finishing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Data between groups were compared using Student t-test, chi-square analysis or Fisher exact test analysis, including basic clinical informations, operational conditions and postoperative complications. The adverse reactions during the neoadjuvant chemotherapy were recorded. Surgical difficulty was assessed using visual analog scales ranging from 1 to 10, where 1 represented the lowest and 10 the highest degree of surgical difficulty, as judged by the surgeon. RESULTS: The study included 38 males and 24 females with mean age of (64.8±8.8) years. The clinical baseline data between 2 groups were not significantly different (all P>0.05) except the average time interval between SEMS and surgery was significantly longer in neoadjuvant chemotherapy group [(61.6±13.5) days vs. (10.4±5.2) days, t=16.679, P<0.001]. There was no stent migration in either group. Three patients had perforation in the elective surgery group; one patient had perforation and one had obstruction in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group; and all these patients received emergent surgery. Adverse reactions of neodajuvant chemotherapy were mainly degree 1 and 2 except one patient with degree 3 diarrhea. Patients in neoadjuvant chemotherapy group had significantly lower rate of stoma [4.8%(1/21) vs. 34.1%(14/41), χ²=6.538, P=0.011], higher rate of laparoscopic surgery [71.4%(15/21) vs. 36.6%(15/41), χ²=6.751, P=0.009], shorter mean operative time (147 minutes vs. 178 minutes, t=-3.255, P=0.002), less mean intraoperative blood loss (47 ml vs. 127 ml, t=-4.129, P<0.001), lower degree of surgical difficulty(3.3 vs. 5.6, t=-5.091, P<0.001), shorter mean postoperative exhausting time (56.2 hours vs. 69.0 hours, t=-2.891, P=0.006), and shorter mean postoperative hospital stay (8.5 days vs. 13.5 days, t=-2.246, P=0.028) as compared with patients in the elective surgery group. Surgical site infection rate and anastomotic leakage rate did not differ significantly between two groups(all P>0.05). CONCLUSION Neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior elective surgery following SEMS is a relatively safe and feasible approach in the treatment for obstructive left hemicolon cancer, and is associated with less stoma, more laparoscopic surgery, shorter operative time, less blood loss, lower surgical difficulty, and faster postoperative recovery as compared with conventional elective surgery.
Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To report two cases of Candida parapsilosis-caused candidiasis characterized by verrucous nodules and masses,and to assess their clinical features,diagnosis and treatment.Methods A medical history including medication history and therapeutic response was carefully collected from two male patients.Physical examination was carried out with a focus on skin lesions.Diagnosis was made according to medical history as well as physical,mycological and histopathological examination findings.Antifungal agents were given at a high enough dose in time.After lesions improved,the doses of antifungal agents were tapered gradually,and drugs were withdrawn until patients completely healed.Compound preparations containing both antifungal agents and glucocorticoids were also topically applied in the early period of treatment.Results Both patients were diagnosed as Candida parapsilosis-caused candidiasis characterized by verrucous nodules and masses,and cured after 100-day supporting treatment and antifungal treatment with oral itraconazole,etc.Conclusions Candida parapsilosis-caused candidiasis should be managed with combination therapy mainly including antifungal agents.To achieve a satisfying efficacy,antifungal agents should be given early at a high enough dose for a long enough period.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of azithromycin on ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Sixty-four AS patients with active disease were enrolled in this study. Among them, thirty-two AS patients (treatment group)received Azithromycin treatment at a dose of 0.5 g once a day for a period of 5~7 days , and another thirty-two patients receiving conventional treatment served as control (control group). BASDAI, CRP and ESR served as the disease activity evaluation index. Results Activity indexes in two groups of in the first 4~ 20 weeks of the treatment were decreased compared with those before the treatment (P < 0.05), while a rise was found in the 20 ~ 24 week and activity indexes gradually returned to pretreatment levels. At 0 ~ 16 weeks , the disease activity index of treatment group was below normal levels but that of control group was higher than the normal level with significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion The treatment of Azithromycin can control the disease activity of AS in the long term, which would be a new proposal in AS treatment.

ObjectiveTo explore the influence of antipsychotics combined with skill traning on quality of life and social function of patients with schizophrenia at recovery.Methods80 patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into study group (n=40, antipsychotics plus skill training)and control group (n﹦40, only antipsychotics) for 1-year treatment. At pre-treatment and end of treatment, both groups were assessed with Positiveand and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), Generic Quality Of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) and Social Disability Screening Schedue(SDSS) respectively to evaluate their effects, quality of life and social funtion.ResultsAfter 1-year treatment, the general scores of PANSS and each factors in both groups decreased significantly compared with the baseline(P<0.05～0.01), and the significant difference was found between two groups(P<0.01). Improvement of each factor score of FAD(except factor of the material life) and SDSS in study group were more better than those in control group(P<0.05～0.01).ConclusionTreatment with antipsychotics plus skill traning is helpful to release the mental syndrome, improve quality of life and social funtion, and facilitate the recovery of the patients with schizophrenia at recovery.