Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of histopathological examination of ultrasound-guided puncture biopsy samples in extrapulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB). Methods This study was conducted at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center.A total of 115 patients underwent ultrasound-guided puncture biopsy,followed by MGIT 960 culture(culture),smear,GeneXpert MTB/RIF(Xpert),and histopathological examination.These assays were performed to evaluate their effectiveness in diagnosing EPTB in comparison to two different diagnostic criteria:liquid culture and composite reference standard(CRS). Results When CRS was used as the reference standard,the sensitivity and specificity of culture,smear,Xpert,and histopathological examination were(44.83%,89.29%),(51.72%,89.29%),(70.11%,96.43%),and(85.06%,82.14%),respectively.Based on liquid culture tests,the sensitivity and specificity of smear,Xpert,and pathological examination were(66.67%,72.60%),(83.33%,63.01%),and(92.86%,45.21%),respectively.Histopathological examination showed the highest sensitivity but lowest specificity.Further,we found that the combination of Xpert and histopathological examination showed a sensitivity of 90.80%and a specificity of 89.29%. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided puncture sampling is safe and effective for the diagnosis of EPTB.Compared with culture,smear,and Xpert,histopathological examination showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity.The combination of histopathology with Xpert showed the best performance characteristics.

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the safety profile of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects that previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extending or switching TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Safety profiles of kidney, bone, metabolism, body weight, and others were evaluated.Results:666 subjects from the initial TMF group and 336 subjects from TDF group with at least one dose of assigned treatment were included at week 144. The overall safety profile was favorable in each group and generally similar between extended or switched TMF treatments from week 96 to 144. In subjects switching from TDF to TMF, the non-indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate (by non-indexed CKD-EPI formula) and creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft-Gault formula) were both increased, which were (2.31±8.33) ml/min and (4.24±13.94) ml/min, respectively. These changes were also higher than those in subjects with extending TMF treatment [(0.91±8.06) ml/min and (1.30±13.94) ml/min]. Meanwhile, switching to TMF also led to an increase of the bone mineral density (BMD) by 0.75% in hip and 1.41% in spine. On the other side, a slight change in TC/HDL ratio by 0.16 (IQR: 0.00, 0.43) and an increase in body mass index (BMI) by (0.54±0.98) kg/m 2 were oberved with patients switched to TMF, which were significantly higher than that in TMF group. Conclusion:CHB patients receiving 144 weeks of TMF treatment showed favorable safety profile. After switching to TMF, the bone and renal safety was significantly improved in TDF group, though experienceing change in metabolic parameters and weight gain (NCT03903796).

Prostate cancer(PCa)ranks as the second most prevalent malignancy among males worldwide at present,and its prevalence keeps rising.Focal therapy not only results in tumor necrosis but also encourages the release of autoantigens originating from the tumor into the bloodstream and activates the host immune system to effectively fight the tumor.However,focal therapy alone may not achieve the total ablation of cancer cells and may cause locoregional recurrence.Immunotherapy,by boosting the body's immune re-sponse,destroys tumor cells and prevents immune escape.Recent studies show that focal therapy combined with immunotherapy can produce a better clinical efficacy by enhancing the initial immune response,especially for low-to intermediate-risk confined PCa.This article offers some fresh perspectives on the management of PCa by reviewing the etiology and progression of the malignancy,focal ther-apeutic options,and advantages and vista of focal therapy combined with immunotherapy.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of the posterior hemipelvectomy of the greater trochanter approach with the standard Kocher-Langenbeck(K-L)approach in the treatment of posterior acetabulum wall fractures and to explore a more optimal approach for the treatment of posterior acetabulum wall fractures.Methods Total of 26 patients with posterior ac-etabulum wall fractures were retrospectively analysed and divided into two groups:the posterior hemipelvectomy of the greater trochanter group(test group)and the standard K-L approach group(control group).In the test group,there were 24 patients including 16 males and 8 females with an average age of(42.00±4.52)years old,the time of injury to surgery was(6.75±1.15)d.In the control group,there were 23 patients including 16 males and 7 females with an average age of(41.00±5.82)years old,the time of injury to surgery was(7.09±1.20)days.The total hospital stay,length of incision,operation time,intraoperative bleeding,postoperative drainage,discharge,fracture reduction quality(Matta criteria),hip abduction muscle strength,hip func-tion(Merle d'Aubigne-Postel score),postoperative complications and the incidence of ectopic ossification were compared.Results All cases were followed up for 6 months.There was no significant difference in incision length,intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage between two groups(P＞0.05).However,the operation time of the test group was shorter than that of the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in fracture reduction and hip function between two groups(P＞0.05).The hip abduction muscle strength of test group was better than that of control group(P＜0.05).In addition,there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications and heterotopic ossification between two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with the standard K-L approach,the posterior hemipelvectomy of the greater trochanter approach can shorten the operative time,has better recovery of the postoperative hip abduction muscle strength,ex-poses the view of the fracture involving the more comminuted posterior acetabulum wall or the fracture of the roof of the socket,improved the rate of fracture anatomical repositioning,provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of posterior acetabulum wall fractures,and allows patients to perform functional exercises at an early stage.

Background::Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is the commonest pediatric sellar tumor. No effective drug is available and interpatient heterogeneity is prominent. This study aimed to identify distinct molecular subgroups of ACP based on the multi-omics profiles, imaging findings, and histological features, in order to predict the response to anti-inflammatory treatment and immunotherapies.Methods::Totally 142 Chinese cases diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas were profiled, including 119 ACPs and 23 papillary craniopharyngiomas. Whole-exome sequencing (151 tumors, including recurrent ones), RNA sequencing (84 tumors), and DNA methylome profiling (95 tumors) were performed. Consensus clustering and non-negative matrix factorization were used for subgrouping, and Cox regression were utilized for prognostic evaluation, respectively.Results::Three distinct molecular subgroups were identified: WNT, ImA, and ImB. The WNT subgroup showed higher Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity, with a greater number of epithelial cells and more predominantly solid tumors. The ImA and ImB subgroups had activated inflammatory and interferon response pathways, with enhanced immune cell infiltration and more predominantly cystic tumors. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEK/MAPK) signaling was activated only in ImA samples, while IL-6 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers were highly expressed in the ImB group, mostly consisting of children. The degree of astrogliosis was significantly elevated in the ImA group, with severe finger-like protrusions at the invasive front of the tumor. The molecular subgrouping was an independent prognostic factor, with the WNT group having longer event-free survival than ImB (Cox, P = 0.04). ImA/ImB cases were more likely to respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy than the WNT group ( P <0.01). In the preliminary screening of subtyping markers, CD38 was significantly downregulated in WNT compared with ImA and ImB ( P = 0.01). Conclusions::ACP comprises three molecular subtypes with distinct imaging and histological features. The prognosis of the WNT type is better than that of the ImB group, which is more likely to benefit from the ICB treatment.

Objective To study the effects of dual-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation(Dual-tDCS)on upper limb motor function in chronic-phase stroke patients to provide theoretical references for neural mechanisms-based treatment of upper limb dysfunction.Methods Totally 24 chronic-phase stroke patients with upper limb motor dysfunction were selected from some hospital and divided into an experimental group(n=13)and a control group(n=11)the random number table.The control group was treated with tDCS pseudo-stimulation combined with conventional rehabilitation,while the experimental group was given with Dual-tDCS combined with conventional rehabilitation.The patient activities were assessed before and after treatment with Fugl-Meyer assessment upper limb scale(FMA-UL)and activities of daily living(ADL)scale.The changes of primary motor cortex(M1 area)and whole brain functional connectivity(FC)were compared before and after treatment.SPSS 24.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results After treatment,the two groups both had the FAM-UL and ADL scores increased significantly,and the experimental group had the scores statistically higher than those of the control group,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).In the control group,the analysis on M1 area and whole brain FC after treatment indicated the FC decreased from M1 area at the unaffected side to midoccipital gyrus at the affected side and lingual gyrus and healthy angular gyrus at the unaffected side;there were no brain areas with changed FC found(P＜0.01).In the experimental group,the FC was lowered from M1 area at the unaffected side to cerebellum and cerebellar vermis at the unaffected side,while raised to precentral gyrus at the affected side(P＜0.01);the FC ascended from M1 area at the affected side to cerebellum and middle temporal gyrus at the affected side,while declined to precentral gyrus at the unaffected side(P＜0.01).Conclusion The neuromodulatory effect of Dual-tDCS on the brain improves FC in motor and non-motor-related brain areas in chronic-phase stroke patients,and may contribute to rehabilitation of upper limb motor dysfunction in chronic-phase stroke.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(2):67-73]

The transmission cycle of echinococcosis was established in 1853.More than 160 years have elapsed since Iceland initiated control measures to break the transmission cycle of echinococcosis in 1863.Control plans have been implemented in more than a dozen countries/territories,and lessons have been learned from failures as well as successes.In this review,we fo-cus on the failure experiences,which have also promoted successes in the control of cystic echinococcosis(caused by the para-site Echinococcus granulosus)in regions including Iceland,New Zealand,Uruguay,Wales(England),Turkana(Kenya),and Sardinia(Italy).The causes of the failures were analyzed,and the effects of health education,dog deworming,and con-trol measures for infected animal slaughter on echinococcosis control are comprehensively summarized.However,no suc-cessful experience has been reported in the control of alveolar echinococcosis(caused by the parasite Echinococcus multilocu-laris).On the basis of the biological characteristics of E.mul-tilocularis parasitization in dogs for a duration of 30 days and larvae parasitization in rodents,the fundamental measure for controlling alveolar echinococcosis is administration of monthly deworming treatments to dogs in high prevalence areas.

Purpose: The risk stratification of pediatric anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) has not been standardized. In this study, new risk factors were included to establish a new risk stratification system for ALCL, and its feasibility in clinical practice was explored. Materials and Methods: On the basis of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Berlin–Frankfurt–Munster 95 (NHL-BFM-95) protocol, patients with minimal disseminated disease (MDD), high-risk tumor site (multiple bone, skin, liver, and lung involvement), and small cell/lymphohistiocytic (SC/LH) pathological subtype were enrolled in risk stratification. Patients were treated with a modified NHL-BFM-95 protocol combined with an anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor or vinblastine (VBL). Results: A total of 136 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 8.8 years. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival of the entire cohort were 77.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.0% to 83.9%) and 92.3% (95% CI, 86.1% to 95.8%), respectively. The 3-year EFS rates of low-risk group (R1), intermediate-risk group (R2), and high-risk group (R3) patients were 100%, 89.5% (95% CI, 76.5% to 95.5%), and 67.9% (95% CI, 55.4% to 77.6%), respectively. The prognosis of patients with MDD (+), stage IV cancer, SC/LH lymphoma, and high-risk sites was poor, and the 3-year EFS rates were 45.3% (95% CI, 68.6% to 19.0%), 65.7% (95% CI, 47.6% to 78.9%), 55.7% (95% CI, 26.2% to 77.5%), and 70.7% (95% CI, 48.6% to 84.6%), respectively. At the end of follow-up, one of the five patients who received maintenance therapy with VBL relapsed, and seven patients receiving anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor maintenance therapy did not experience relapse. Conclusion This study has confirmed the poor prognostic of MDD (+), high-risk site and SC/LH, but patients with SC/LH lymphoma and MDD (+) at diagnosis still need to receive better treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03971305).

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in children. Methods: The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, genetic testing and follow-up of 10 children with TRAPS from May 2011 to May 2021 in 6 hospitals in China were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 10 patients with TRAPS, including 8 boys and 2 girls. The age of onset was 2 (1, 5) years, the age of diagnosis was (8±4) years, and the time from onset to diagnosis was 3 (1, 7) years. A total of 7 types of TNFRSF1A gene variants were detected, including 5 paternal variations, 1 maternal variation and 4 de novo variations. Six children had a family history of related diseases. Clinical manifestations included recurrent fever in 10 cases, rash in 4 cases, abdominal pain in 6 cases, joint involvement in 6 cases, periorbital edema in 1 case, and myalgia in 4 cases. Two patients had hematological system involvement. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly increased in 10 cases. All patients were negative for autoantibodies. In the course of treatment, 5 cases were treated with glucocorticoids, 7 cases with immunosuppressants, and 7 cases with biological agents. Conclusions: TRAPS is clinically characterized by recurrent fever accompanied by joint, gastrointestinal, skin, and muscle involvement. Inflammatory markers are elevated, and autoantibodies are mostly negative. Treatment mainly involves glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and biological agents.
Male ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Biological Factors/therapeutic use* ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Autoantibodies ; Familial Mediterranean Fever/diagnosis* ; Mutation