BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with chronic rheumatic immunity.Soft tissue ossification and fusion and spinal stiffness can cause biomechanical changes. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct the lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis by finite element analysis,and to study the range of motion of each segment of T11-S1 and the biomechanical characteristics of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. METHODS:The imaging data were obtained from an ankylosing spondylitis patient with lumbar kyphosis.The original CT image data of continuously scanned spine were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format,and T11-S1 was reconstructed respectively.The established model was imported into 3-Matic software in the format of"Stl"to reconstruct the intervertebral disc,and the fibrous intervertebral disc model was obtained.The improved model was further imported into Hypermesh software,and the vertebra,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus and ligament were mesh-divided.After the material properties were given,the model was imported into ABAQUS software to observe the range of motion of each vertebral body in seven different working conditions of T11-S1,and analyze the biomechanical characteristics of each segment of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The range of motion of L1 vertebrae was higher than that of other vertebrae under six different working conditions:extension,forward flexion,rotation(left and right),and lateral flexion(left and right).The maximum range of motion was 2.18° during L1 vertebral flexion,and the minimum range of motion was 0.12° during L5 vertebral extension.(2)The annular fiber flexion at L2-L3 segments was greater than the extension(P<0.05),and the annular fiber flexion at L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments was less than the extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of L1-L2 annular fibers was greater than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion of the annulus was greater than the right flexion in L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4,L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments(P<0.05).(3)The nucleus pulposus stresses of T11-L12,L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments in forward flexion were greater than in extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of T12-L1 and L3-L4 segments was smaller than the right rotation(P<0.05),and that of T11-T12,L1-L2,and L2-L3 segments was larger than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion was larger than the right flexion in the T11-S1 segment.(4)It is concluded that in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis,the minimum range of motion of the vertebral body is located at the L5 vertebral body in extension.To prevent fractures,it is recommended to avoid exercise in the extension position.During the onset of lumbar kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,the maximum stress of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus is located in the L1-L2 segment,which is fixed and will not alter with the change of body position.The late surgical treatment and correction of deformity should focus on releasing the pressure of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in this segment to avoid the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the injury of the nucleus pulposus.

BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive inflammation of spinal stiffness deformity caused by tissue ossification and fibrosis.The posture of ankylosing spondylitis patients is abnormal and their activities are limited that minor injuries can lead to thoracolumbar fractures.Traditional medical image observation limits doctors'preoperative decision planning and postoperative disease prevention for ankylosing spondylitis treatment. OBJECTIVE:Based on the spinal model of ankylosing spondylitis patients before and after posterior spinal cancellous ossification osteotomy("Y"osteotomy for short),to explore the biomechanical changes of"Y"osteotomy and fixation in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS:Based on the preoperative and postoperative CT images of an ankylosing spondylitis patient who went to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University,a three-dimensional spine model(T11-S1)before and after"Y"osteotomy(L3 osteotomy)was reconstructed in Mimics 19.0 software.A 7.5 Nm torque was applied to the top of T11 vertebral body to simulate the movement of the spine under six conditions:flexion,extension,left bending,right bending,left rotation and right rotation.Finally,the range of motion of each vertebral body,the stress of each intervertebral disc,and the stress of the screw rod system were simulated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After"Y"type osteotomy and posterior fixation,the range of motion of all vertebrae in the spine decreased,and the loss rate of upper vertebrae was large(L1:77.95%).(2)The maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc before operation occurred at the L1-L2 segment(0.55 MPa),and the maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc after operation occurred at the T11-T12 segment(0.50 MPa),and the stress of intervertebral disc below T12 was far less than that before operation.(3)The maximum stress of the screw rod system(166.67 MPa)occurred in the upper and middle segments of the rod body and the root of the pedicle screw.(4)In conclusion,the"Y"type posterior fixation operation enhances the stability of the spine and reduces the range of motion of the spine.The vertebral body decompression of the fixed segment is great and the stress-shielding phenomenon of the lower vertebral body is significant.The stiffness of the rod body and the stress concentration area of the pedicle screw should be strengthened to avoid the fracture of the rod caused by stress fatigue.

Objective To compare the clinical effect of aripiprazole and risperidone in patients with schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the case data of schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome.According to different treatment methods,they were divided into risperidone group(oral risperidone,2 mg once,twice a day)and aripiprazole group(oral aripiprazole,5 mg once,once a day).All were treated for 24 weeks and given lifestyle intervention.The clinical effect,scores of positive and negative symptom scale(PANSS),metabolic syndrome-related indexes[systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),body mass index(BMI),fasting blood glucose(FPG),triglyceride(TG)],cognitive function[MATRICS consensus cognitive battery(MCCB)],levels of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB)and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF)were compared between the two groups.The adverse drug reactions were statistically analyzed in two groups.Results There were 60 cases in risperidone group and 60 cases in aripiprazole group.The total response rates of aripiprazole group and risperidone group were 91.67％and 76.67％,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After treatment,scores of positive symptoms in PANSS in aripiprazole group and risperidone group were(10.04±1.55)and(11.52±1.62)points;negative symptom scores were(12.74±2.38)and(14.38±2.25)points;general psychopathology scores were(16.53±4.39)and(19.76±4.10)points;total scores of PANSS were(39.31±6.25)and(45.66±6.71)points;total scores of MCCB were(43.61±8.50)and(40.55±8.16)points;BMI were(24.05±2.52)and(25.73±2.86)kg·m-2;SBP were(123.61±7.64)and(128.75±8.59)mmHg;FPG were(5.69±0.60)and(6.38±0.62)mmol·L-1;TG levels were(1.76±0.20)and(2.01±0.22)mmol·L-1;levels of serum BDNF were(32.41±5.81)and(28.65±4.87)pg·mL-1;TrkB levels were(43.88±5.92)and(41.73±5.63)ng·mL-1;GDNF levels were(587.47±36.12)and(468.23±35.68)pg·mL-1,the differences between the two groups were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions between aripiprazole group and risperidone group(15.00％vs.6.67％,P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with risperidone,clinical effect of aripiprazole is better in patients with schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome,which has fewer effects on body weight,blood pressure and glycolipid metabolism,and it may improve cognitive function by increasing levels of serum BDNF,TrkB and GDNF.

Objective:To establish a rapid and accurate method for the detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) carbapenemase gene based on recombinase aided amplification (RAA)-CRISPR-Cas13a (CRISPR-Cas13a) technology. Methods:Twenty-five clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and five carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae (CSKP) strains preserved in 2020-2021 in Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital were randomly collected, and the total DNA samples of the strains was extracted. RAA primers specific for KPC DNA and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) were designed to establish a rapid and accurate method for the detection of KPC carbapenemase gene based on RAA-CRISPR-Cas13a technology. The method was evaluated by plasmids and clinical sample strains, and the detection was also performed by Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method to compare the detection rate and consistency of the two methods. Results:The RAA-CRISPR-Cas13a method can detect KPC plasmids and samples with a sensitivity of 1 copy/μl, which is higher than that of qPCR (10 1 copies/μl). Among the 30 clinical strains (including 25 CRKP strains and 5 CSKP strains), 23 strains were detected to carry KPC gene by both RAA-CRISPR-Cas13a method and qPCR method, and 7 strains were not detected with KPC gene. The detection rate of KPC gene in the 25 CRKP strains was 92% (23/25). The positive coincidence rate of the two methods was 100% (23/23). Conclusions:This study combined RAA amplification technology with CRISPR-Cas13a technology to establish a rapid and accurate method for detecting KPC carbapenemase gene. The method is useful for accurate screening of KPC carbapenemase-producing strains. It has a wide application prospect in drug resistance monitoring and infection control.

Backgroud At present, there is no unified standard for the detection of glufosinate ammonium and three metabolites in urine, which affects the accurate assessment of occupational exposure risk to a certain extent. It is of great significance to establish a rapid and effective inspection method to ensure occupational safety and public health. Objective To establish an ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of glufosinate ammonium and three metabolites in urine. Methods The effects of dilution solvents and dilution ratios on the response values of glufosinate ammonium and three metabolites were compared, and the retention capacities of solid phase extraction columns for targets as well as the effects of chromatographic columns and mobile phase systems on chromatographic peaks were analyzed. Samples were quantified by matrix effect matching external standard method. Accuracy of the method was evaluated by recovery rate of standard addition, and precision of the method was evaluated by relative standard deviation of intra-day and inter-day measurements. Urine samples of 30 health individuals were collected to evaluate the application of the method. Results The urine samples were diluted with 0.2 mL water and 0.6 mL acetonitrile, purified by HLB solid phase extraction columns, and separated by Dikma Polyamino HILIC columns, and gradient elution was carried out with 0.5 mmol·L⁻¹ ammonium acetate and 0.1% ammonia water as mobile phase, which achieved a good peak shape and mass spectrum response. The linearities of the four target compounds were good in the range of 0.5-50 ng·mL⁻¹, and the correlation coefficients (r) were all greater than 0.998. The detection limits were 0.56-2.86 μg·L⁻¹, the quantification limits were 1.87-29.54 μg·L⁻¹, and the recovery rates of standard addition ranged from 75.0% to 103.6%, The relative standard deviations of intra-batch and inter-batch were from 2.5% to 8.1% and from 4.3% to 9.3% respectively. The method was applied to detect 30 urine samples of subjects, and no target was detected. Conclusion The method is simple, rapid, sensitive, and accurate. It is suitable for the determination of glufosinate ammonium and its metabolites in human urine without derivatization.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric difference between manual and inverse optimization in 3-dimensional (3D) brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors. Methods This retrospective study was conducted among a total of 110 patients with gynecologic tumors undergoing intracavitary combined with interstitial brachytherapy or interstitial brachytherapy. Based on the original images, the brachytherapy plans were optimized for each patient using Gro, IPSA1, IPSA2 (with increased volumetric dose limits on the basis of IPSA1) and HIPO algorithms. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the clinical target volume (CTV) including V200, V150, V100, D90, D98 and CI, and the dosimetric parameters D2cc, D1cc, and D0.1cc for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon were compared among the 4 plans. Results Among the 4 plans, Gro optimization took the longest time, followed by HIPO, IPSA2 and IPSA1 optimization. The mean D90, D98, and V100 of HIPO plans were significantly higher than those of Gro and IPSA plans, and D90 and V100 of IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were higher than those of Gro plans (P<0.05), but the CI of the 4 plans were similar (P>0.05). For the organs at risk (OARs), the HIPO plan had the lowest D2cc of the bladder and rectum;the bladder absorbed dose of Gro plans were significantly greater than those of IPSA1 and HIPO (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the rectum in IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were better than Gro (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the sigmoid colon did not differ significantly among the 4 plans. Conclusion Among the 4 algorithms, the HIPO algorithm can better improve dose coverage of the target and lower the radiation dose of the OARs, and is thus recommended for the initial plan optimization. Clinically, the combination of manual optimization can achieve more individualized dose distribution of the plan.

Ten compounds were isolated and purified from the dichloromethane extract of stems of Ephedra intermedia by various chromatographic methods. Based on the analysis of physicochemical properties and spectral data, the structures of the ten compounds were identified as 1-allyl-3,4-dimethoxy-benzene-5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), lyoniresinol (2), secoisolariciresinol (3), 4,3′,4′-trihydroxy-3-methoxylignan-9,9′-diyldiacetate (4), dehydroconiferyl alcohol (5), isocubebin (6), balanophonin B (7), sesquipinsapol B (8), crataegifin A (9), 1-(2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)ethan-1-one (10). Compound 1 is a new compound, named as 1-allyl-3,4-dimethhoxy-benzene-5-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl, compounds 2-10 are lignans and isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound 3, 4, 8 possess potentially anti-asthmatic activities.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric difference between manual and inverse optimization in 3-dimensional (3D) brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors. Methods This retrospective study was conducted among a total of 110 patients with gynecologic tumors undergoing intracavitary combined with interstitial brachytherapy or interstitial brachytherapy. Based on the original images, the brachytherapy plans were optimized for each patient using Gro, IPSA1, IPSA2 (with increased volumetric dose limits on the basis of IPSA1) and HIPO algorithms. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the clinical target volume (CTV) including V200, V150, V100, D90, D98 and CI, and the dosimetric parameters D2cc, D1cc, and D0.1cc for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon were compared among the 4 plans. Results Among the 4 plans, Gro optimization took the longest time, followed by HIPO, IPSA2 and IPSA1 optimization. The mean D90, D98, and V100 of HIPO plans were significantly higher than those of Gro and IPSA plans, and D90 and V100 of IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were higher than those of Gro plans (P<0.05), but the CI of the 4 plans were similar (P>0.05). For the organs at risk (OARs), the HIPO plan had the lowest D2cc of the bladder and rectum;the bladder absorbed dose of Gro plans were significantly greater than those of IPSA1 and HIPO (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the rectum in IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were better than Gro (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the sigmoid colon did not differ significantly among the 4 plans. Conclusion Among the 4 algorithms, the HIPO algorithm can better improve dose coverage of the target and lower the radiation dose of the OARs, and is thus recommended for the initial plan optimization. Clinically, the combination of manual optimization can achieve more individualized dose distribution of the plan.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34⁺⁰ weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Sepsis/epidemiology* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology*

Objective: To explore the characteristics of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in primary infection in pediatric cases. Methods: The laboratory and clinical data of 571 children diagnosed with EBV primary infection in Children's Hospital of Fudan University during September 1^st, 2017 to September 30^th, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of plasma EBV DNA, they were divided into positive group and negative group. According to the EBV DNA, they were devided into high plasma virol load group and low plasma virol load group. The Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Among the 571 children with EBV primary infection, 334 were males and 237 were females. The age of first diagnosis was 3.8 (2.2, 5.7) years. There were 255 cases in positive group and 316 cases in negative group. The percentage of cases with fever,hepatomegaly and (or) splenomegaly, elevated transaminase in the positive group were higher than those in the negative group (235 cases (92.2%) vs. 255 cases (80.7%), χ²=15.22, P<0.001; 169 cases (66.3%) vs. 85 cases (26.9%), χ²=96.80, P<0.001; and 144 cases (56.5%) vs. 120 cases (38.0%), χ²=18.27, P<0.001; respectively).In the positive group, 70 cases were followed up for 46 (27, 106) days, 68 cases (97.1%) turned negative within 28 days, with the exception of 2 cases (2.9%) developed chronic active EBV infection by follow-up revision.There were 218 cases in high plasma viral DNA copies group and 37 cases in low copies group. More cases presented with elevated transaminases in the high plasma viral DNA copies group than those in the low group (75.7% (28/37) vs. 56.0%(116/207), χ²=5.00, P=0.025).Both the positive rate of EBV DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (84.2% (266/316) vs. 44.7% (255/571), χ²=76.26, P<0.001) and the copies of EBV DNA (7.0×10⁷ (1.3×10⁷, 3.0×10⁸) vs. 3.1×10⁶ (1.6×10⁶, 6.1×10⁶) copies /L, Z=15.23, P<0.001) were higher than that of plasma. Conclusions: In immunocompetent pediatric cases diagnosed as EBV primary infection, cases with positive plasma EBV DNA were prone to have fever, hepatomegaly and (or) splenomegaly, and elevated transaminase than those with negative plasma viral DNA. The plasma EBV DNA usually turns negative within 28 days after initial diagnosis.Most cases with high viral load in plasma showed elevated aminotransferase.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hepatomegaly ; Retrospective Studies ; Splenomegaly ; Fever ; Transaminases