Objective To explore the efficiency improvement in segmenting neural network with the application of Transformer + U-Net artificial intelligence (AI) and modeling with the application of Python scripts in three-dimensional (3D) printing brachytherapy. Methods A Transformer + U-Net AI neural network model was constructed, and Adam optimizer was used to ensure rapid gradient descent. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging data of patients were standardized and processed as self-made data sets. The training set was used to train AI and the optimal result weight parameters were saved. The test set was used to evaluate the AI ability. Python programming language was used to write an automated script to obtain the output segmentation image and convert it to the STL file for import. The source applicator and needle could be automatically modeled. The time of automatic segmentation and modeling and the time of manual segmentation and modeling were entered by two people, and the difference was verified by paired t-test. Results Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean intersection over union (MIOU), and Hausdorff distance (HD95) were used for evaluation. DSC was 0.9341, MIOU was 0.8762, and mean HD95 was 2.516. The mean time of manual segmentation was 1187 s, and the mean time of AI segmentation was 145 s (P < 0.01). The mean time of manual modeling was 321 s, and the mean time of modeling with Python automated scripts was 18 s (P < 0.01). Conclusion The application of Transformer + U-Net automatic segmentation and Python automated scripts can effectively improve work efficiency in the 3D printing brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Aromatherapy refers to the method of using the aromatic components of plants in appropriate forms to act on the entire body or a specific area to prevent and treat diseases. Essential oils used in aromatherapy are hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aromatic molecules， such as limonene， linalool， linalool acetate， geraniol， and citronellol. These chemicals have been extensively studied and shown to have a variety of functions， including reducing anxiety， relieving depression， promoting sleep， and providing pain relief. Terpenoids are a class of organic molecules with relatively low lipid solubility. After being inhaled， they can pass through the nasal mucosa for transfer or penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream upon local application. Some of these substances also have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier， thereby exerting effects on the central nervous system. Currently， the academic community generally agrees that products such as essential oils and aromatherapy from aromatic plants have certain health benefits. However， the process of extracting a single component from it and successfully developing it into a drug still faces many challenges. Its safety and efficacy still need to be further verified through more rigorous and systematic experiments. This article systematically elaborated on the efficacy of aromatic substances， including plant extracts and natural small molecule compounds， in antibacterial and antiviral fields and the regulation of nervous system activity. As a result， a deeper understanding of aromatherapy was achieved. At the same time， the potential of these aromatic substances for drug development was thoroughly explored， providing important references and insights for possible future drug research and application.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria （EPP） is a rare inherited metabolic disease that often involves skin， blood， and nervous systems， and EPP with the main manifestations of severe liver damage and acute abdominal pain is extremely rare. By reviewing the clinical data and genetic testing results of a patient with EPP， this article discusses the clinical features and pathogenic genes of this disease， in order to improve the understanding of the disease among hepatologists and achieve early diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on P2X4R-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway in trigeminal ganglion of rats with trigeminal neuralgia.Methods:Thirty-six clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 190-230 g, aged 2-3 months, were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), trigeminal neuralgia group (TN group), and electroacupuncture group (E group). The model was developed by chronic constriction of the infraorbital nerve in anesthetized animals. The infraorbital nerve was only exposed without ligation in group S. Rats received electroacupuncture stimulation at the Baihui and Xiaguan acupoints on the affected side for 20 min after developing the model, with a frequency of 80 Hz, twice a day, for 14 consecutive days in E group. Facial mechanical pain threshold (FMT) was measured at 1 day before developing the model and 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model. The rats were sacrificed after the last behavioral testing, and the trigeminal ganglia were taken for examination of histopathological changes of trigeminal ganglion (by HE staining) and for determination of the expression of P2X4R, p38 MAPK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) and BDNF (by Western blot) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with group S, the FMT was significantly decreased at each time point after developing the model, the expression of P2X4R, p-p38 MAPK and BDNF in trigeminal ganglion was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased ( P<0.05), the pathological changes of the trigeminal ganglion were obvious in group TN. Compared with group TN, the FMT was significantly increased at each time point after developing the model, and the expression of P2X4R, p-p38 MAPK and BDNF in trigeminal ganglion was down-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of the trigeminal ganglion were significantly attenuated in group E. Conclusions:The mechanism by which electroacupuncture alleviates trigeminal neuralgia may be related to inhibiting the activity of P2X4R-p38MAPK-BDNF signaling pathway and reducing neuroinflammation in rats.

Objective:To validate and compare the value of the Status Epilepticus in Pediatric Severity Score (STEPSS) versus PEDSS in assessing the short-term prognosis of children with status epilepticus (SE).Methods:Clinical data of 152 children with SE hospitalized at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the STEPSS and PEDSS scores, children with SE were scored and their prognosis was predicted.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the 2 scales in assessing the short-term prognosis of SE in children were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC), optimal cut-off, sensitivity and specificity were calculated, thus validating and comparing the value of the STEPSS versus PEDSS in assessing the short-term prognosis of children with SE.Results:Of the 152 children with SE, 90 were male and 62 were female, with the age of (5.8±3.9) years (1 month to 15 years). There were 112 cases with good prognosis and 40 cases with poor prognosis, involving 13 deaths.The AUC of STEPSS and PEDSS scores in predicting the death in children with SE were 0.908(95% CI: 0.848-0.967) and 0.887(95% CI: 0.831-0.942), respectively, both with the optimal cut-off value of 4.The sensitivity of STEPSS and PEDSS scores in predicting the death in children with SE were 0.740 and 0.846, respectively, and the specificity were 0.745 and 0.835, respectively.There was no significant difference in predicting the death in children with SE between the 2 scales ( P>0.05). In predicting adverse outcomes, the AUC of the STEPSS and PEDSS scores were 0.869(95% CI: 0.800-0.937) and 0.926(95% CI: 0.873-0.979), respectively, both with the optimal cut-off value of 3.The sensitivity of STEPSS and PEDSS scores in predicting adverse outcomes in children with SE were 0.827 and 0.900, respectively, and the specificity were 0.732 and 0.866, respectively.There was significant difference in predicting the adverse outcomes in children with SE between the 2 scales ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the STEPSS, the PEDSS has a higher application in predicting the short-term treatment outcome of children with SE, which can be used as a routine method to assess the prognosis of children with SE.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound (HFCDU) in detecting perforators in the deep adipose layers for harvesting super-thin anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). METHODS: Between August 2019 and January 2023, 45 patients (46 sides) with skin and soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle were treated, including 29 males and 16 females, aged from 22 to 62 years, with an average of 46.7 years. The body mass index ranged from 19.6 to 36.2 kg/m ², with an average of 23.62 kg/m ². The causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, heavy object crush injury in 20 cases, mechanical injury in 8 cases, heat crush injury in 1 case, and chronic infection in 1 case. There were 20 cases on the left side, 24 cases on the right side, and 1 case on both sides. After thorough debridement, the wound size ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 17 cm×11 cm. All patients underwent free super-thin ALTF transplantation repair. HFCDU was used to detect the location of the perforators piercing the deep and superficial fascia, as well as the direction and branches of the perforators within the deep adipose layers before operation. According to the preoperative HFCDU findings, the dimensions of the super-thin ALTF ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. The donor sites of the flaps were directly sutured. RESULTS: A total of 55 perforators were detected by HFCDU before operation, but 1 was not found during operation. During operation, a total of 56 perforators were found, and 2 perforators were not detected by HFCDU. The positive predictive value of HFCDU for identifying perforator vessels was 98.2%, and the sensitivity was 96.4%. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, the orientation of the perforators in the deep adipose layers was confirmed during operation. There were 21 perforators (38.9%) traveled laterally and inferiorly, 12 (22.2%) traveled medially and inferiorly, 14 (25.9%) traveled laterally and superiorly, 5 (9.3%) traveled medially and superiorly, and 2 (3.7%) ran almost vertically to the body surface. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, 35 were identified as type 1 perforators and 12 as type 2 perforators (HFCDU misidentified 7 type 2 perforators as type 1 perforators). The sensitivity of HFCDU in identifying type 1 perforators was 100%, with a positive predictive value of 83.3%. For type 2 perforators, the sensitivity was 63.2%, and the positive predictive value was 100%. The surgeries were successfully completed. The super-thin ALTF had a thickness ranging from 2 to 6 mm, with an average of 3.56 mm. All super-thin ALTF survived, however, 1 flap experienced a venous crisis at 1 day after operation, but it survived after emergency exploration and re-anastomosis of the veins; 1 flap developed venous crisis at 3 days after operation but survived after bleeding with several small incisions; 3 flaps had necrosis at the distal edge of the epidermis, which healed after undergoing dressing changes. All 45 patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.6 months). Three flaps required secondary defatting procedures, while the rest had the appropriate thickness, and the overall appearance was satisfactory. CONCLUSION Preoperative application of HFCDU to detect the perforator in the deep adipose layers can improve the success and safety of the procedure by facilitating the harvest of super-thin ALTF.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Thigh/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Prospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Burns ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Crush Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap ; Treatment Outcome

Occupational silicosis (hereinafter referred to as "silicosis") exhibited individual differences in disease susceptibility, with genetic factors playing a crucial role in its onset and progression. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1RA +2018T>C locus, tumor necrosis factor-α -308G>A and -238G>A locus, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 +915G>C locus, were related to the development of silicosis. However, relationship between IL-17F +7488A>G and TGF-β1 -509T>C locus with silicosis had shown inconsistent results across different studies. Regulatory proteins such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 -735C>T locus, MMP-9 rs3918242 locus, heat shock protein (HSP) 70-1+190G>C locus, carboxypeptidase M rs12812500 locus, family sequence similarity gene 13A (FAM13A) rs2609255 locus, and desmoplakin rs2076304 locus were also related to the development of silicosis. The A allele of the non-coding RNA miRNA-4508 rs6576457 increased the risk of developing silicosis-related pulmonary fibrosis in dust-exposed workers. The polymorphism in the long non-coding RNA ADGRG3 rs1814521 was related to silicosis susceptibility. Additionally, six circular RNAs of small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 rs17115143 sequence might be potential biomarkers of silicosis. Human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) genes demonstrated a dual role in both risk and protection against silicosis, while angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms likely affected silicosis development by modulating serum ACE activity. However, the mechanisms by which certain genetic variations affected susceptibility to silicosis remain unclear. Prospective studies with large-scale samples combining genetics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and biofunctional studies are needed to promote the development of biomarkers for silicosis susceptibility and disease course, and clinical therapies.

Objective:To analyze the clinical data and genetic characteristics of a child with CLN1 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in conjunct with hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (HHCS).Methods:A child who was admitted to the PICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in November 2020 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected. Genetic testing was carried out for the child, and the result was analyzed in the light of literature review to explore the clinical and genetic characteristics to facilitate early identification.Results:The patient, a 3-year-old male, had mainly presented with visual impairment, progressive cognitive and motor regression, and epilepsy. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed deepened sulci in bilateral cerebral hemispheres, and delayed myelination. The activity of palmitoyl protein thioesterase was low (8.4 nmol/g/min, reference range: 132.2 ~ 301.4 nmol/g/min), whilst serum ferritin was increased (2 417.70 ng/mL, reference range: 30 ~ 400 ng/mL). Fundoscopy has revealed retinal pigment degeneration. Whole exome sequencing revealed that he has harbored c. 280A>C and c. 124-124+ 3delG compound heterozygous variants of the PPT1 gene, which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. Neither variant has been reported previously. The child has also harbored a heterozygous c. -160A>G variant of the FTL gene, which was inherited from his father. Based on the clinical phenotype and results of genetic testing, the child was diagnosed as CLN1 and HHCS. Conclusion:The compound heterozygous variants of the PPT1 gene probably underlay the disorders in this child. For children with CLN1 and rapidly progressing visual impairment, ophthalmological examination should be recommended, and detailed family history should be taken For those suspected for HHCS, genetic testing should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

The development of biliary tract surgery in China is closely related to the changes in the spectrum of biliary tract diseases and the improvement of treatment measures. Although significant progress has been made in academic research, hardware conditions, treatment modes, and surgical techniques, there are still many challenging issues that involve multiple levels of clinical work for benign and malignant biliary tract diseases. The most prominent issues are the diagnosis and treatment standards for benign biliary tract diseases, the management paradigm for complex intrahepatic and extrahepatic calculus of bile duct, improving the prevention and treatment effects of iatrogenic bile duct injury, and the comprehensive treatment concept for malignant biliary tract tumor. The authors believe that it is necessary to timely update the treatment mode, standardize the disease management process and surgical technical standards, and apply them to various aspects of clinical work in order to fundamentally solve the difficulties faced by biliary tract surgery in China.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and incidence trend of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in China.Methods:The incidence data of SFTS in China from 2018 to 2021 were collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System for a statistical and descriptive epidemiological analysis by using software such as Excel 2016, Joinpoint 5.0.2, SPSS 26.0, and GraphPad Prism 8.0, especially, the SFTS cases reported monthly by key provinces were analyzed.Results:From 2018 to 2021, a total of 8 835 SFTS cases were reported in 25 provinces and the annual incidence showed an upward trend. The distribution of SFTS cases showed clustering, but the cases were mainly sporadic ones. The cases began to increase in March, mainly occurred during April to October (96.79%,8 551/8 835), and peaked during May to July. The cases were mainly distributed in middle-aged and old farmers, and slight more cases were women. The average case fatality rate was 5.38%, which varied greatly with areas. The case fatality rate tended to increase with age.Conclusion:From 2018 to 2021, the epidemiological characteristics of SFTS in China remained stable, but the number of reported cases gradually increased and the distribution showed an expanding trend, to which close attention should be paid.