Objective To minimize variations in treatment outcomes of L5/S1 percutaneous intervertebral radiofrequency thermocoagulation(PIRFT)arising from physician proficiency and achieve precise quantitative risk assessment of the puncture paths.Methods We used a self-developed deep neural network DWT-UNet for automatic segmentation of the magnetic resonance(MR)images of the L5/S1 segments into 7 key structures:L5,S1,Ilium,Disc,N5,Dura mater,and Skin,based on which a needle insertion path planning environment was modeled.Six hard constraints and 6 soft constraints were proposed based on clinical criteria for needle insertion,and the physician's experience was quantified into weights using the analytic hierarchy process and incorporated into the risk function for needle insertion paths to enhance individual case adaptability.By leveraging the proposed skin entry point sampling sub-algorithm and Kambin's triangle projection area sub-algorithm in conjunction with the analytic hierarchy process,and employing various technologies such as ray tracing,CPU multi-threading,and GPU parallel computing,a puncture path was calculated that not only met clinical hard constraints but also optimized the overall soft constraints.Results A surgical team conducted a subjective evaluation of the 21 needle puncture paths planned by the algorithm,and all the paths met the clinical requirements,with 95.24%of them rated excellent or good.Compared with the physician's planning results,the plans generated by the algorithm showed inferior DIlium,DS1,and Depth(P<0.05)but much better DDura,DL5,DN5,and AKambin(P<0.05).In the 21 cases,the planning time of the algorithm averaged 7.97±3.73 s,much shorter than that by the physicians(typically beyond 10 min).Conclusion The multi-constraint optimal puncture path planning algorithm offers an efficient automated solution for PIRFT of the L5/S1 segments with great potentials for clinical application.

Objective To minimize variations in treatment outcomes of L5/S1 percutaneous intervertebral radiofrequency thermocoagulation(PIRFT)arising from physician proficiency and achieve precise quantitative risk assessment of the puncture paths.Methods We used a self-developed deep neural network DWT-UNet for automatic segmentation of the magnetic resonance(MR)images of the L5/S1 segments into 7 key structures:L5,S1,Ilium,Disc,N5,Dura mater,and Skin,based on which a needle insertion path planning environment was modeled.Six hard constraints and 6 soft constraints were proposed based on clinical criteria for needle insertion,and the physician's experience was quantified into weights using the analytic hierarchy process and incorporated into the risk function for needle insertion paths to enhance individual case adaptability.By leveraging the proposed skin entry point sampling sub-algorithm and Kambin's triangle projection area sub-algorithm in conjunction with the analytic hierarchy process,and employing various technologies such as ray tracing,CPU multi-threading,and GPU parallel computing,a puncture path was calculated that not only met clinical hard constraints but also optimized the overall soft constraints.Results A surgical team conducted a subjective evaluation of the 21 needle puncture paths planned by the algorithm,and all the paths met the clinical requirements,with 95.24%of them rated excellent or good.Compared with the physician's planning results,the plans generated by the algorithm showed inferior DIlium,DS1,and Depth(P<0.05)but much better DDura,DL5,DN5,and AKambin(P<0.05).In the 21 cases,the planning time of the algorithm averaged 7.97±3.73 s,much shorter than that by the physicians(typically beyond 10 min).Conclusion The multi-constraint optimal puncture path planning algorithm offers an efficient automated solution for PIRFT of the L5/S1 segments with great potentials for clinical application.

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of sappanone A(SA)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell model based on JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway.Methods MTT assay was used to detect the effects of sappanone A,LPS and AG490 on RAW264.7 cell viability.The LPS-induced inflammatory model in RAW264.7 cells was established,and the secretion level of interleukin-6(IL-6)in the supernatant was detected by ELISA.mRNA expressions of IL-6,Janus kinase 2(JAK2)and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)were tested by RT-PCR.The protein expressions of JAK2,phosphorylated JAK2(p-JAK2),STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3)were determined by Western Blot.Results Compared with control group,IL-6 secretion level was significantly increased,mRNA expressions of IL-6,JAK2 and STAT3 were up-regulated,and protein expressions of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were increased(all P＜0.01)in model group.Compared with model group,high-dosed sappanone A(5 μg·mL-1)was significantly decreased the secretion of IL-6,down-regulated the mRNA expressions of IL-6,JAK2 and STAT3,and inhibited the protein expressions of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Sappanone A may play an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway and hence inhibiting the secretion of IL-6.

Abstract OBJECTIVE Oxcarbazepine(OXC) is an antiepileptic drug, which is metabolized to the active 10-monohydroxy derivative(MHD) after oral administration. The half-life period of MHD in children is significantly shorter than that in adults, and the clearance is increased by 30% to 160% compared with that in adults, which indicates that the pharmacokinetics(PK) of MHD in children is obviously different from that in adults, while adults and children exhibit different levels of expression of metabolism enzymes and transporter proteins with the same genotype. At present, there is no study describing the influence of genetic polymorphism of PK-related enzymes on MHD plasma concentrations in children with epilepsy. This study investigates whether the polymorphism of metabolic enzymes and transporter genes have significant effects on MHD plasma concentrations in children with epilepsy in China, so as to provide the reference for individualized application of OXC in pediatric patients. METHODS The plasma samples from pediatric patients with epilepsy aged 0-14 years old at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University who received OXC were prospective collected from June 2021 to June 2023. The MHD blood concentrations of the patients were measured using enzyme amplified immunoassay, and the metabolic enzyme genes UGT2B7 802T>C, UGT1A9 I399C>T, as well as the transporter genes ABCB1 3435C>T and ABCB2 1249G>A polymorphism were detected using dideoxy chain-termination method in epilepsy children. According to Hardy Weinberg's law of genetic balance, the theoretical values of genotype frequency of the patients were calculated, and a Chi-Square test method was used to compare whether there was a significant difference between the theoretical value and the measured value, to examine whether the genotype of the patients included in the study is accordance with the law of genetic balance. One-way ANOVA statistical method was used to analyze the correlation of the four single nucleotide polymorphisms, daily maintenance dosage of OXC, and MHD blood concentrations. Subsequently, Fisher's least significant difference(LSD) test was performed. LSD test is a pairwise comparison of the differences between the mean values of each group, calculated based on the standard error and degrees of freedom to obtain the minimum significant difference between each two groups, while P<0.05 indicated that the difference was significant. RESULTS In this study, 161 trough concentrations were collected from children with epilepsy. The genotype of the included population conformed to the genetic balance law, which indicated that the included patients were representative for the population. Unite analysis of variance showed a significant correlation between the transporter gene ABCB1 3435C>T and MHD blood drug concentration(P<0.05). Subsequently, Fisher's minimum significant difference test was conducted, and MHD plasma concentrations of patients carrying the ABCB1 3435C>T mutation allele were significantly higher than that of non-carriers. No significant association was found between the four single nucleotide polymorphisms and the daily maintenance dosage of OXC, and no significant impact of the other metabolic enzyme and transporter genetic polymorphisms on MHD plasma concentrations was found. CONCLUSION The results of research shows that the ABCB1 3435C>T polymorphism significantly affect the MHD blood concentration of pediatric patients with epilepsy, and the effects of UGT2B7 802T>C, UGT1A9 I399C>T and ABCB2 1249G>A genetic polymorphisms on MHD blood concentration and daily maintenance dosage of OXC are not found. The results suggest that MHD blood concentrations are significantly increased by affecting the expression of the encoded MDR1 transporter protein after ABCB1 3435C>T site mutation, which also may increase the risk of adverse reactions of OXC. The genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1 3435C>T can be detected in children with epilepsy when taking OXC, and the dosage can be adjusted appropriately for patients with genetic mutations. The results of this study can provide the reference for the individualized administration of OXC in clinic.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is the most bothersome symptom in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Current pharmacologic treatment aims to inhibit detrusor contraction; however, shows unsatisfied efficacy and high discontinuation rate. LIM kinases (LIMKs) promote smooth muscle contraction in the prostate; however, their function in the bladder smooth muscle remains unclear. Here, we studied effects of the LIMK inhibitors on bladder smooth muscle contraction and proliferation both

Objective: To setup a custom-made gait simulator, and to provide an efficient tool for biomechanics research of ankle and foot. Methods: From November 2017 to April 2018, a total of 6 fresh frozen specimens of the foot and ankle were collected. The donated specimens, free of diseases in the foot and ankle part, were from the Department of Anatomy, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University. Donors were 3 males and 3 females, aged from 48 to 69 years old, with an average age of 58.8 years old. The nine tendons in the foot were divided into 4 bundles, including anterior group comprised of tibialis anterior (TA), extensor hallucis longus (EHL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). Posterior group comprised of Achilles's tendon (AT). Medial group comprised of tibialis posterior (TP), flexor hallucis longus (FHL), and flexor digitorum longus (FDL). Lateral group comprised of peroneus brevis (PB) and peroneus longus (PL). A custom-made gait simulator was set up by using four independent electro motors to actuate 4 bands of tendons in the foot and another six motors to control tibia to achieve 6 degree-freedom parallel mechanism. And a hydraulic machine was used to provide axial pressure along tibia. Gait cycle of six fresh frozen cadaver feet was reproduced using this machine, and the kinematics data of ankle movement and ground reaction force (GRF) data was collected. By comparing the data above with the normal human gait data, the simulation results were analyzed to explore the clinical usage of this machine. Results: On the sagittal plane, the ankle appeared to plantarflexion at the beginning of gait, and then turned to dorsiflexion after the max plantar flexion (about 10°) at 18% of gait cycle. At the 40% gait cycle, ankle joint was in neutral position and reached its max dorsiflexion (about 22°) at 83% gait cycle. On the coronal plane, ankle joint appeared inversion at the beginning and eversion afterwards with 10° range of change. On the horizontal plane, movement of ankle joint was small. Results showed that the first peak of vertical ground reaction force can reach to 1.1-1.3 times of bodyweight at 25% of gait cycle and the second peak appeared little lower at 70% of gait cycle. The GRF in posterior direction reached its peak at 30%, and then turned to anterior with its peak at 83% gait cycle. The GRF had small variation at the internal to external direction.All of the coefficients of multiple correlations (CMC) of GRF and ankle joint movements were close to or greater than 0.90. Conclusion This custom-made gait simulator has good gait simulation ability with high intra repeatability in respect of ankle rotation and ground reaction force, and can satisfy the request for ankle and foot biomechanics research.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment of type Ⅲ-b congenital intestinal atresia (CIA). METHODS: The clinical data of 12 type Ⅲ-b CIA treated in the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2015 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients diagnosed as type Ⅲ-b CIA in operation, treatment was refused during operation by their parents in 2 cases. For one child, only the proximal intestine was partly resected in the first operation, dilatation and dysplasia of the duodenum was diagnosed and total duodenum was resected and sutured in the second operation, as the child had postoperative intestinal obstruction. For one child, due to the long distal normal intestine, distal apple-peel like intestine was partly resected without mesenteric reformation. For the rest 8 children total duodenum resection and mesenteric reformation were performed. During the postoperative follow-up, one case was early rejected for further treatment by parents, one case died from complex congenital heart disease, 5 cases had the complication of short bowel syndrome. All 8 survival children received parenteral nutrition support after operation, 5 of whom received parenteral nutrition support for more than 42 days, and they were followed up for 1-3 years after discharge. The short-time efficacy was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS For children with type Ⅲ-b CIA, the distal apple-peel like intestine should be preserved as much as possible, the mesenteric reformation should be performed and the proximal dilated bowel should be partly resected and sutured. Postoperative nutritional support and early intestinal rehabilitation contribute to the compensation for rest intestines.
Child ; Humans ; Intestinal Atresia ; complications ; surgery ; therapy ; Intestines ; surgery ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Retrospective Studies ; Short Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of annular pancreas in neonates. METHODS: Clinical data of 114 neonates with annular pancreas admitted in the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University from January 2009 to December 2018 were reviewed. The demographic parameters (gestational age, birth weight), clinical manifestations, onset time, results of antenatal examination, associated anomalies, radiological findings, operations, postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and two cases were examined by abdominal echography, in which 68 cases showed duodenal obstruction, 4 cases showed annular pancreas. Plain abdomen X-ray examination performed in 113 cases before operation, 76 cases presented double-bubble sign, 12 cases presented single-bubble sign and 5 cases had high-position intestinal obstruction. Upper gastrointestinal radiography (UGI) was performed in 103 cases, which suggested duodenal obstruction in 102 cases. Operations were performed in all cases, of which 69 cases were operated under laparoscopy including 1 case converted to open laparotomy. The mean fasting time after surgery was (7.8±2.7) d, and the mean length of hospital stay was (16.9±10.1) d. Five patients had postoperative complications. The incidence of postoperative complications in antenatal abnormal group was lower than that in the antenatal non-abnormal group (<0.05); the average fasting time in laparoendscopic surgery group was shorter than that in traditional laparotomy group (<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Neonates with recurrent vomiting early after birth should be highly suspected to have annular pancreas. The fetal chromosome examination should be performed with abnormal antenatal screening. Surgery is the only effective way to diagnose and treat annular pancreas, and laparoscopic surgery could be the first choice for experienced doctors.
Duodenal Obstruction ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Laparoscopy ; Pancreas ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreatic Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To explore the mid-term efficacy of derotation of talus and medial column fusion for stage II-V Müller-Weiss disease (MWD). Methods: Data of thirty-six patients (38 feet) with MWD treated by derotation of talus and talona-vicular (TN) or talonavicular-cuneiform (TNC) arthrodesis in our center during January 2008 to December 2016 were retrospective-ly analyzed. There were 3 males (3 feet) and 33 females (35 feet) with an average age of 54.0±9.2 years old (range, 32-80 years old); there were 11 right feet and 27 left feet. According to Maceira and Rochera staging system, there were 9 stage II cases, 11 stage III cases, 10 stage IV cases and 8 stage V cases. The external rotation of talus was intensively focused. After the TN articular surface was debrided, an "H" shape plate and a hollow lag screw were used to firmly fix the TN or TNC joint. American Orthopae-dic Foot and Ankle Society Scale (AOFAS), visual analog scale (VAS) and relative radiological parameters were evaluated preoper-atively and during follow-up. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 37.2 months (range, 25-113 months). The latest follow-up showed satisfactory outcomes. Overall, AOFAS score was improved from 41.3±11.3 points (range, 20-56 points) preoperatively to 85.5±7.1 points (range, 68-100 points) postoperatively (Z=5.16, P< 0.001), and the VAS score was reduced from 5.6±1.5 points (range, 3-8 points) preoperatively to 0.8±1.2 points (range, 0-4 points) postoperatively (Z=5.19, P< 0.001). These differences of functional score and pain evaluation were statistically significant. The Tomeno-Méary angle decreased from-6.6°±12.2° to 0.5°±2.9° (Z=3.43, P=0.001); the calcaneal pitch angle increased from 13.5°±3.9° to 22.1°±3.4°(t=10.12, P< 0.001), and the talarnavic-ular coverage angle decreased from 27.1°±5.9° to 7.6°±3.3°(Z=5.16, P< 0.001). The AP talar-first metatarsal angle decreased from-16.0°±10.7° to-7.0°±8.5°(t=5.49, P< 0.001). The differences of radiological parameters were statistically significant. Conclusion The mid-term results showed that the TN or TNC joint fusion could achieve a favorable clinical and radiological outcome for MWD patients. Even for the patients with severe deformities (stage II-V), such treatment strategy could also achieve satisfacto-ry deformity correction and functional improvement. Intraoperative restoration of talus rotation is the key to normal alignment of the subtalar joint/TN joint.

Objective To investigate the colonization of Gram-negative bacilli carrying mcr-1 gene in intestinal tracts of inpatients and people having physical examination for further elucidating the molecular and epidemiological features of mcr-1 gene. Methods A total of 1263 and 750 fecal specimens were col-lected from inpatients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University and people having physical examination in the Kingmed Physical Examination Centre, respectively. Drug-resistant bacteria were isolated using Maconkey agar supplemented with colistin. PCR was performed to detect the bacteria carrying mcr-1 gene. Multilocus sequence typing ( MLST) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR ( ERIC-PCR) were used for homology analysis. The transferability of mcr-1 gene was verified by plasmid transfer assays. Plasmids of mcr-1-carrying strains were typed by PCR-based replicon typing techniques. Twelve virulence-related genes were also detected by PCR. Results Ninety-two colistin-resistant strains were isolated from the 1263 samples from inpatients(7. 3％, 92/1263) and two of them were positive for mcr-1 gene ( one strain also carried the blaNDM-5 gene) . Thirty-six colistin-resistant strains were isolated from the 750 samples of physical examination group (4. 8％, 36/750) and one of them carried the mcr-1 gene. MLST analysis showed that three mcr-1-carrying Escherichia coli strains ( minimum inhibitory concentration of colistin:8 μg/ml) belonged to three different sequence types. Moreover, they exhibited different banding patterns in ERIC-PCR analysis. All of the mcr-1-carrying isolates could transfer mcr-1 gene to the recipient strains successfully. Six types of incompatibility plasmids were detected in the mcr-1-carrying isolates ( IncFⅡ, IncX2, IncHI2, IncFIB, IncX4 and IncX1). Virulence-related genes fimH, iutA and fyuA were detec-ted in all mcr-1-carrying Escherichia coli strains. Conclusions Colistin-resistant strains and mcr-1 gene are prevalent in inpatients and people having physical examination, which brings potential risk for the control of clinical infections.