Background::Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) ranks among the foremost factors responsible for mortality on a global scale. The mortality patterns of CVDs and temporal trends in China need to be well-illustrated and updated.Methods::We collected mortality data on patients with CVD from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Disease Surveillance Points (CDC-DSP) system. The mortality of CVD in 2020 was described by age, sex, residence, and region. The temporal trend from 2013 to 2019 was evaluated using joinpoint regression, and estimated rates of decline were extrapolated until 2030 using time series models.Results::In 2019, the age-standardized mortality in China (ASMRC) per 100,000 individuals was 113.2. The ASMRC for males (137.7/10 5) and rural areas (123.0/10 5) were both higher when stratified by gender and urban/rural residence. The central region had the highest mortality (126.5/10 5), the western region had a slightly lower mortality (123.5/10 5), and the eastern region had the lowest mortality (97.3/10 5). The age-specific mortality showed an accelerated upward trend from aged 55-59 years, with maximum mortality observed in individuals over 85 years of age. The age-standardized mortality of CVD decreased by 2.43% (95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.81%) annually from 2013 to 2019. Notably, the age-specific mortality of CVD increased from 2013 to 2019 for the age group of over 85 years. In 2020, both the absolute number of CVD cases and the crude mortality of CVD have increased compared to their values in 2019. The estimated total deaths due to CVD were estimated to reach 2.3 million in 2025 and 2.4 million in 2030. Conclusion::The heightened focus on the burden of CVD among males, rural areas, the central and western of China, and individuals aged 75 years and above has emerged as a pivotal determinant in further decreasing mortalities, consequently presenting novel challenges to strategies for disease prevention and control.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and therapeutic efficacy of central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis.Methods:The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, neuroimaging features, treatment and prognosis of 37 cases of CNS aspergillosis diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2000 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the correlation between intracranial lesions and paranasal sinus lesions, they were divided into two groups: rhino-cerebral aspergillosis (RA, n=21) group and cerebral aspergillosis (CA, n=16) group. Results:Only 16.2% (6/37) of CNS aspergillosis patients had a clear background of immunosuppression, but 35.1% (13/37) were complicated with diabetes. The most common clinical manifestations were headache (73.0%, 27/37), cranial nerve involvement (59.5%, 22/37) and fever (37.8%, 14/37). Cerebrospinal fluid characteristics included increased pressure (53.8%, 14/26), increased white blood cell count (46.7%, 14/30), decreased glucose (30.0%, 9/30), increased protein (70.0%, 21/30), and high positive results of the metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of pathogenic microorganism (7/10). Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed that commonly involved sites were sinus, orbital apex, posterior orbit, cavernous sinus (43.2%, 16/37) and cerebral lobes (27.0%, 10/37). Treatment options included antifungal drugs alone (64.9%, 24/37), combination of drugs and surgery (27.0%, 10/37) and surgery alone (8.1%, 3/37). Compared with the CA group, RA group had fewer males [47.6% (10/21) vs 14/16, χ2=6.34, P=0.012] and older age [(54.2±19.4) years vs (38.4±18.4) years, t=2.50, P=0.017], and was more prone to headache [85.7% (18/21) vs 9/16, χ2=4.00, P=0.046) and cranial nerve involvement [81.0% (17/21) vs 5/16, χ 2=9.31, P=0.006]. The misdiagnosis rate of these patients in the early stage was 73.0% (27/37). A total of 29 patients (85.3%, 29/34) were treated with voriconazole successively, and the course of treatment was 3.0 (0.5, 10.4) months. Compared with salvage therapy, the mortality of primary therapy was lower (4/17 vs 9/12, χ2=7.54, P=0.006). All patients were followed up to December 2021, and 17 patients died, with a mortality rate of 45.9% (17/37). Conclusions:CNS aspergillosis may have no definite immunosuppressive background. Some of CNS aspergillosis patients are complicated with diabetes, and the clinical manifestations of the disease lack specificity, with high misdiagnosis rate in the early stage, no inflammatory changes in cerebrospinal fluid, and high positive rate of mNGS for pathogenic microorganism. Early and long-term application of voriconazole can significantly reduce the mortality rate.

Objective To investigate the correlation between vital capacity, pulmonary ventilation and morphological parameters among children living in different altitude areas, so as to provide a reference basis for the development of prevention and control strategies for high altitude illness. Methods From January 2019 to June 2020, primary and secondary school students aged 7 to 15 years old were randomly selected from three different altitude areas, which were Xining (2 260m, low altitude group), Haixi (2 900m, medium altitude group), and Yushu (4 493m, high altitude group), respectively. The vital capacity, pulmonary ventilation and morphological parameters of the selected children were recorded. Results The vital capacity, pulmonary ventilation and morphological parameters showed statistically significant difference among three groups (P<0.05). The vital capacity and pulmonary ventilation were positively correlated with lung volume, but negatively correlated with lung density and lung artery diameter (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that there were three factors affecting children's vital capacity and lung ventilation: mean lung density, total lung transverse diameter, and total lung volume (P<0.05). Conclusion The monitoring of lung morphological indexes, mean lung density, total lung transverse diameter, and total lung volume can effectively judge children's lung function, and have certain value in the prevention and treatment of related high-altitude illness.

Objective:To explore the value of the Pfirrmann grading standard for disc degeneration in the quantification of heterotopic ossification (HO) after artificial cervical disc replacement (ACDR).Methods:Data of 120 patients who underwent ACDR from January 2009 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 88 males and 32 females with an average age of 43.86±8.69 (range, 27-67) years old. There were 100 single-level replacements (9 Hybrid cases) and 20 double-level replacements (3 Hybrid cases). The occurrence of HO was observed by lateral radiographs of the cervical spine. The HO severity was assessed using the McAfee rating system. Degeneration degrees of cervical intervertebral discs were evaluated by the Pfirrmann grading standard based on the preoperative cervical MRI. The weighted Kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of evaluations between different observers of the Pfirrmann scoring system and the McAfee grading system. Pfirrmann scores for preoperative disc degeneration in the HO and non-HO groups were compared using the t-test. The chi-square test was used to analyze the effect of the Pfirrmann score on the incidence of postoperative segmental HO. The correlation between Pfirrmann score and McAfee grade, as well as postoperative ROM of HO group were analyzed by the Spearman rank-sum test. Quantitative indicators for risks of HO after ACDR surgery were proposed based on the incidence of segment HO in different Pfirrmann score groups. Results:One hundred and twenty patients were followed up for an average of 74.08±28.05 (range, 31-125) months. Based on statistics of cases 2 years after surgery, the overall HO incidence was 31.67% (38/120). The HO incidence was 27% (27/100) and 55% (11/20) for single-level and double-level replacements, respectively. There were 46 replacement segments in the HO group and 94 replacement segments in the non-HO group. The Pfirrmann score of HO group (3.17±1.08) was 25.80% significantly higher than that of the non-HO group (2.52±0.98) ( t=3.46, P=0.01). The incidence of HO in the replacement segment increased significantly with the preoperative Pfirrmann score ( χ2=12.44, P=0.01). The Pfirrmann score of the intervertebral disc in the HO group had a significant positive correlation with the McAfee grade ( R=0.54, P=0.01) and a significant negative correlation with the ROM ( R=-0.75, P=0.01). At 2 years after the operation, when the Pfirrmann score of the intervertebral disc was less than 3, the incidence of HO in the replacement segment was 20.55%(15/73); when the Pfirrmann score was equal to 3, the incidence of HO was 38.46% (10/26); when the Pfirrmann score was greater than 3, HO incidence was 51.22% (21/41). Conclusion:The Pfirrmann score of cervical disc degeneration was significantly related to the incidence of HO, McAfee grade, and ROM in the postoperative replacement segment. The Pfirrmann score of cervical disc degeneration can be used as a quantitativeindicator of HO risk in ACDR.

Objective To estimate the value of team-based learning ( TBL ) in the teaching of occupational health and occupational medicine for foreign students. Methods 42 foreign students from the majorofclinicalmedicineinHarbin Medical UniversitywereselectedtoformtheTBLdiscussiongroup. Before class, teachers assigned tasks, and the students were taught with the same teachers with TBL teaching method. The effect of learning was evaluated by questionnaire and classroom test. The t test was performed using SPSS 19.0 statistical software for comparison of the results of individual test and group test. Results The result of the questionnaire showed that students agreed that TBL teaching can improve students' interest, self-study ability and broaden their learning ideas. The classroom test results showed that after the TBL discussion, the test scores of occupational oncology and pneumoconiosis were significantly higher than those of individual test. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The TBL method can significantly improve the students' comprehension of knowledge and enhance their learning effect.

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics and pathogenic manifestations of thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum complicated with dural ossification.Methods CT and MRI imaging data of 62 segments from 29 patients with thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (TOLF) treated with "en bloc resection of lamina and ossified mass" were retrospectively analyzed.There were 19 males and 10 females,aged 54.9±10.25 years (36-77 years),16 segments in 11 cases with dural ossification (DO) and 46 segments in 18 cases without DO.The ossified mass shape,the relationship between ossified mas and dura mater on cross section of CT bone window and MRI T2WI,and the ossified mass occupational rate (OR) of the spinal canal were investigated.Pathologic features of TOLF-DO from 2 patients were analyzed by H&E staining.Results The shape of ossified mass was as followed,in 16 segments with DO,7 segments (43.8％) by CT and 2 segments (12.5％) by MRI showing ossification layer on the dural sac side of ligamentum flavum;1 segment (6.3％) by CT and 2 segments (12.5％) by MRI showing typical Tram track sign.The relationship between ossified mass and dura mater was that 7 segments (43.8％) by CT and 7 segments (43.8％) by MRI with "C" sign and 7 segments (43.8％) by CT and 8 segments (50.0％) by MRI with "V" sign.The ossified mass OR was 60.5％± 13.0％ in the group with DO and 42.2％± 12.3％ in the group without DO.There was a significant difference between the two groups (t=5.192,P＜0.001).Among the 16 segments with DO,the ossified mass OR of 7 segments with "C" sign was 68.8％± 12.8％ and that of the other 9 segments without "C" sign was 54.39％±9.9％.There was significant difference between the two groups (t=2.45,P=-0.028).Histological examination showed that there were two pathological phenomena in the dura tissue adjacent to ossified mass.The one,there were fibrocartilage,cartilage and osteogenesis in the dura mater.The other,the unossified dura mater fused with the ossified mass but with clear histological demarcation,while the dura mater on the ventral side of the ossified ligamentum flavum atrophies or disappeared.Conclusion The occurrence of dural sac ossification is associated with the ossification of ligamentum flavum beginning at the side of the dural sac and the persistent thickening of the ossified mass.The pathological manifestations of DO are ossification of dural tissue or fusion of dural with ligamentum flavum ossification.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) for the treatment of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine.Methods The data of 45 cases with cervical posterior longitudinal ligament ossification treated by ACAF from March 2017 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed,including 25 males and 20 females,age 45-68 years,average 57.5 years.There were 18 cases involving C3 vertebral body,30 cases involving C4 vertebral body,40 cases involving C5 vertebral body,34 cases involving C6 vertebral body,and 7 cases involving C7 vertebral body.The function of the neural function was evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system at preoperation and latest follow-up.The curvature of the cervical spine was measured on the lateral X-ray film of the cervical spine,the maximum occupying ratio of the spinal canal was measured on the cross section of the CT scan,and compression of the cervical spinal cord was evaluated by the cervical MRI.Results Patients were followed up for 3 to 6 months (average,3.9 months).The improvement of neurological function was obtained in all the patients.The JOA score improvement rate at the latest follow-up was 71.3％±9.6％.The cervical lordosis was improved from preoperative 4.5°±3.8° to 10.3°±4.8° at the latest follow-up.The canal stenosis ratio was decreased from preoperative 54.3％±8.2％ to 12.5％±5.3％ at the latest follow-up.MRI showed that the cervical spinal cord was adequately decompressed in situ.No specific complications were identified that were associated with this technique.Conclusion The present study elaborates the surgical tips and demonstrates the satisfactory outcome of ACAF for the treatment of OPLL.This novel technique has the potential to serve as an alternative surgical technique for the treatment of cervical OPLL.

Objective To explore sensitive indicators for the initiation,development,and metastasis of gastric cancer and to provide objective evidence for the early diagnosis,treatment,and progression monitoring of gastric cancer.Methods A total of 108 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in this study.The expression of interleukin receptor 1 (CXCR1)in samples from gastric cancer and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and patient clinical data were collected for correlation analysis.Logistic regression analysis of the 5-year survival rate of patients was conducted.Results The positive CXCR1 expression rate in gastric neoplasm tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues.Nevertheless,CXCR1 was correlated with tumor differentiation (P =0.017),TNM staging (P =0.006),and the existence of lymphatic metastasis (P =0.035).The overall survival rate (P =0.043) and recurrence-free survival rate (P=0.029) of patients with positive CXCR1 were lower than those of patients with negative CXCR1.Conclusions CXCR1 expression levels increase in gastric neoplasm tissues and are associated with tumor differentiation,TNM staging,and lymphatic metastasis.Positive CXCR1 is correlated with poor prognosis and has the potential to serve as one of clinical prognostic indicators.

Objective To evaluate theclinical efficacy and safety of anterior cervical ossified posterior longitudinal ligament en bloc resection (ACOE),and analyze the advantages of ACOE compared to the traditionally anterior cervical surgery.Methods The clinical datawith more than one year follow-up of 96 patients suffered from cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) from April 2010 to March 2017 was retrospectively analyzed,including 57 males and 39 females,aged 32-69 years,average 54.6±8.7 years.There were 29 cases of nodular type (30.2％),48 cases of segmental type (50.0％),5 cases of continuous type(5.2％),and 14 cases of mixed type (14.6％).The neurological function assessments before and after operation were performed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring system.The effect of ossified mass resection was observed by three-dimensional reconstruction CT scan.The spinal cord decompression was evaluated by MRI.The cervical curvature was compared before and after surgery by cervical lateral radiograph.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,recovery rates of the JOA scores and complication rates of this group were compared with the cases of anterior cervical ossified posterior longitudinal ligament piecemeal resection (ACOP) reported by the recent literature to analyze the clinical efficacy,safety and advantages of ACOE.Results All the surgeries of 96 cases were successfully performed,including 57 cases (59.4％) with subtotal resectionof single vertebra,31 cases (32.3％) with subtotal resectionof doublevertebras,1 case (1.0％) with expanded intervertebral decompression,4 cases (4.2％) with "vertebra + semi-vertebra" subtotal resection,1 case (1.0％) with "semi-vertebra + vertebra + semi-vertebra" subtotal resection,2 cases with "double vertebras + semi-vertebra" subtotal resection (2.1％).Ninty-six cases were followed up for 12 to 78 months,with an average of 28.0±9.3 months.The preoperative JOA score with (11.38±2.80) scores was increased to 15.32± 1.62 scores at the last follow-up,and the recovery rate of JOA score was 74.63％±13.18％.The preoperative VAS score with 6.00±1.41 scores was reduced to 2.35±1.11 scores at the last follow-up.The cervical curvature increased from 10.4°±9.0° before surgery to 15.8°±8.1° at the last follow-up.CT showed that the ossified masses of the surgical segments were completely excised without residue;MRI showed that the compressionsof spinal cords and dural sacs were completely relieved,with nice morphology recovery.There was no neurological deterioration in this group.There were 6cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSFL),3 cases of C5 nerve palsy,1 case of Hornersyndrome,2 cases of dysphagia and hoarseness,1 case of titanium mesh subsidence with screw loosing.At the final followups,except one case of occasional throat foreign body sensation,the above complications were all remittedat different followup periods.Compared with the cases of ACOP reported by the recent meta-analysis,the operation time,the intraoperative blood loss,the complication rate of dysphagia with hoarseness and neurological deterioration were lower than those reported in the literature.The recovery rate of JOA scorewas higher than which reported in the literature.Conclusion ACOE is safe and effective for the treatment of cervical OPLL,which may be superior to traditional anterior cervical surgery in terms of surgical safe-ty,controllability of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and improvement of neurological function.

BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy remains poorly understood, and the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) is increased notably. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation is associated with tissue degeneration, which may accelerate the progression of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy by upregulating TGF-β1 expression. OBJECTIVE:To clarify the effect and significance of ROS H2O2-mediated up-regulation of TGF-β1 and collagen type Ⅰ in the progress of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. METHODS:Ligamentum flavum was removed from a case of acquired lumbar disc herniation with normal ligamentum flavum during lumbar posterior decompression surgery, and then separated and cultured in vitro to the 4-6 generations, followed by exposure to H2O2 at various concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200μmol/L) for 72 hours. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TGF-β1 and collagen type Ⅰ were detected by real-time PCR and western blot assay, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the mRNA expression level of TGF-β1 was significantly increased in the 150 and 200μmol/L groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of collagen type Ⅰ was significantly higher in the experimental groups than that in the control group, especially in the 200μmol/L group (P<0.05). Western blot assay revealed that the protein expression levels of TGF-β1 and collagen type Ⅰ were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). These findings indicate that H2O2 may accelerate the progression of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy by up-regulating the expression levels of TGF-β1 and collagen type Ⅰ.