Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trends of other infectious diarrhea among children under 18 years old in Guangzhou City from 2014 to 2020, and to explore the correlation between climatic factors and the incidence of the disease, so as to provide reference for the early prevention of infectious diseases. Methods: The data of cases of other infectious diarrhea and meteorological data of children under 18 years old in Guangzhou City from 2014 to 2020 were collected through the Chinese Infectious Disease Reporting System and the Guangzhou Meteorological Bureau. The correlation between meteorological factors and the incidence of other infectious diarrhea was analyzed using negative binomial regression. Results: A total of 104 566 cases of other infectious diarrhea among children under 18 years old were reported in Guangzhou City from 2014 to 2020, with a male to female ratio of 1.48∶1. The incidence rate was the highest in 2017 (980.83 per 100 000) and the lowest in 2020 (388.22 per 100 000). The peak of incidence occurred from October to March of the following year. Children under 5 years old accounted for 87.95% of all cases. The number of cases of other infectious diarrhea was negatively correlated with the temperature of the previous 6 days ( IRR = -0.07 ), and positively correlated with the temperature difference on the day of onset ( IRR =0.02) (both P <0.05). It was also positively correlated with the wind speed of the previous 7 days ( IRR=0.07, P <0.05), but there was no statistically significant correlation with the relative humidity on the day of onset ( IRR=-0.00, P >0.05). Conclusions Low temperature, large temperature difference, and high wind speed can increase the risk of other infectious diarrhea. It is necessary to strengthen the prediction and early warning in conjunction with meteorological changes, and warn kindergartens and schools to enhance preventive measures against the clustering of other infectious diarrhea cases.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of pleural effusion after spinal separation surgery for patients with spinal metastatic tumors.Methods:A total of 427 patients with spinal metastatic tumors from January 2014 to January 2022 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. There were 252 males and 175 females, with an average age of 59±12 years (range, 15-87 years). All patients underwent separation surgery. Based on the chest CT within 1 month after surgery, the volume of pleural effusion was measured individually by reconstruction software. Pleural effusion was defined as small volume (0-500 ml), moderate volume (500-1 000 ml), and large volume (above 1 000 ml). Baseline data and perioperative clinical outcomes were compared between the groups, and indicators with statistically significant differences were included in a binary logistic regression analysis to determine the independent risk factors for the development of pleural effusion after isolation of spinal metastatic cancer. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) for each independent risk factor.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation. Among the 427 patients, there were 35 cases of large pleural effusion, 42 cases of moderate pleural effusion, and 350 cases of small pleural effusion. There were significant differences in tumor size (χ 2=9.485, P=0.013), intraoperative blood loss ( Z=-2.503, P=0.011), blood transfusion ( Z=-2.983, P=0.003), preoperative total protein ( Z=2.681, P=0.007), preoperative albumin ( Z=1.720, P= 0.085), postoperative hemoglobin ( t=2.950, P=0.008), postoperative total protein ( Z=4.192, P<0.001), and postoperative albumin ( t=2.268, P=0.032) in the large pleural effusion group versus the small and moderate pleural effusion group. Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased preoperative albumin ( OR=0.89, P=0.045) and metastases located in the thoracic spine ( OR=4.01, P=0.039) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of large pleural effusion after separation surgery. The ROC curve showed that the AUC and 95% CI for preoperative albumin, lesion location, and the combined model were 0.637 (0.54, 0.74), 0.421 (0.36, 0.48), and 0.883 (0.81, 0.92). The combined predictive model showed good predictive value. Conclusion:The volume of pleural effusion can be measured individually and quantitatively based on chest CT. Decreased preoperative albumin and metastases located in the thoracic spine are independent risk factors for the occurrence of large pleural effusion after separation surgery. The combined prediction of the two factors has better predictive efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

BACKGROUND:Lower limb peri-knee muscle strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation are generally safe and effective rehabilitation methods for patellofemoral joint pain,but the mechanism of their intervention is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To determine the effect of muscle strength training combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pain,lower extremity function and biomechanical characteristics in patients with patellofemoral pain. METHODS:Thirty-seven patients with patellofemoral pain were randomly divided into muscle strength training combined with electrical stimulation group(trial group,n=19)and muscle strength training group(control group,n=18).Both groups underwent intervention training for 6 weeks,three times a week.The visual analog scale and anterior knee pain scale were used to evaluate the pain level and functional level of the knee.Kinematic and kinetics data during running were collected by using an infrared motion capture system and a three-dimensional force platform simultaneously.A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures(group*time)was applied to analyze the data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After the intervention,the visual analog scale scores of the trial group and the control group were significantly decreased(P<0.001),and the anterior knee pain scale scores were significantly increased(Ptrial group<0.001,Pcontrol group=0.001)in the trial group and control group.The anterior knee pain scale scores of the trial group were significantly higher compared to the control group after the intervention(P=0.001).(2)The peak knee flexion angle(P=0.011),peak knee extension moment(P<0.001),the peak knee internal rotation moment(P=0.008),the peak patellofemoral stress(P<0.001)and the peak patellofemoral contact force(P<0.001)were significantly decreased in the trial and control groups during running after the intervention compared with those before the intervention.(3)In conclusion,both muscle strength training and muscle strength training combined with electrical stimulation training are helpful to improve the subjective pain and lower limb function of patellofemoral pain patients,enhance the movement pattern during running and reduce the stress of the patellofemoral joint.Compared with muscle strength training alone,muscle strength training combined with electrical stimulation can improve lower limb function more significantly.

Objective To explore the effect of muscle energy technique(MET)on dynamic posture control and lumbar neuromuscu-lar function in patients with non-specific low back pain. Methods From March to June,2022,30 college students with non-specific low back pain from Shandong Sport Universi-ty were randomly divided into control group(n=15)and intervention group(n=15).The control group received health education,and the intervention group received MET,for four weeks.They were assessed with Visual Ana-logue Scale(VAS)of pain,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),Y-balance test and trunk flexion-relaxation test be-fore and after intervention. Results VAS scores decreased in both groups after intervention(|t|>2.449,P<0.05),and it was less in the intervention group than in the control group(t=-5.068,P<0.001);while ODI score decreased in the intervention group(t=4.785,P<0.001),and it was less in the intervention group than in the control group(t=-2.895,P=0.007);the performance of Y-balance test increased(t=-3.662,P=0.003)in the intervention group,as well as flexion-re-laxation ratio of multifidus(t=-2.460,P=0.029). Conclusion MET is effective on alleviating pain and lumbar dysfunction,improving dynamic posture control and en-hancing the function of the multifidus during flexion in patients with non-specific low back pain.

Objective To investigate the effects of electrical stimulation combined with muscle strength training on knee joint biomechanical characteristics in patients with patellofemoral pain(PFP).Methods Forty-six patients with PFP were recruited and randomly assigned to the muscle strength training(MST)and electrical muscle stimulation with strength training(EMS)groups.The intervention was performed three times a week for six weeks.The anterior knee pain scale(AKPS)was used to measure the knee pain degree.Knee kinematics,dynamics,and surface electromyography(sEMG)data were collected using an infrared motion capture system,force platform,and sEMG system during drop jumps before and after the intervention.Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was applied to determine the differences between the dependent variables of the two groups before and after the intervention.Results Compared with pre-intervention,the AKPS score,vastus medialis oblique(VMO)activation,VMO/vastus lateralis(VMO/VL)activation,maximum knee flexion angle,and peak knee extension moment increased significantly in the EMS group;the maximum knee abduction,external rotation angle,and peak knee external rotation moment decreased significantly in the EMS group after intervention.Compared with pre-intervention,the AKPS score,maximum knee flexion angle,and peak knee extension moment increased significantly in the MST group after intervention,the peak knee abduction and external rotation moment significantly decreased in the MST group after intervention.Post-hoc comparisons indicated that compared with the MST group,the AKPS score,VMO activation,VMO/VL activation were significantly higher and the maximum knee abduction angle was significantly lower in the EMS group.Conclusions EMS contributes to the better balance muscle activation of the VMO and VL and corrects the excessive knee abduction angle during jump landing,which may be helpful in relieving pain and improving lower limb function in patients with PFP.

Objective To observe the effectiveness of ultrasound wide beam(WB)-based harmonic motion imaging(HMI)(WB-HMI)for locating irradiation focus of high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)for in vitro tissue.Methods WB-HMI technology was developed with acoustic radiation force and ultrasound imaging as the key technology.For in vitro porcine tenderloin and bovine liver tissue,different amplitude modulation(AM)frequencies(25-100 Hz)and excitation acoustic power(0.7-28 W)were used to achieve WB-HMI localization of HIFU irradiation focus,and the differences of WB-HMI localization of HIFU irradiation focus under different parameter combinations were observed.Taken the actual focus position on ultrasonic image after HIFU as the standard and the focus positioning error＜1 mm as the effective standard of WB-HMI locating irradiation focus,the locating success rate was calculated.Results The larger the acoustic power,the larger the displacement amplitude of irradiation focus by WB-HMI at the same AM frequency,while the smaller the AM frequency,the larger the displacement amplitude of irradiation focus located by WB-HMI under the same acoustic power.Under different AM frequencies,for in vitro porcine tenderloin,the success rate of WB-HMI for locating HIFU radiation focus was higher than 90.00％when acoustic power was 15 W or 22 W,whereas the success rate showed a decreasing trend when the acoustic power was 28 W.For in vitro bovine liver tissue,the success rate of WB-HMI localization was 100％when acoustic power was ≥7.0 W.Conclusion WB-HMI could be used to effectively locate HIFU irradiation focus for isolated tissue.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of neck muscle training on reducing the neck setup error during radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who were treated with radiotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from February 2021 to October 2022 were selected and analyzed. All subjects were randomly divided into the experimental group ( n=48) and control group ( n=51) at a ratio of 1:1 using a random number table method. In the experimental group, patients received neck muscle training prior to treatment, and those in the control group received conventional treatment without additional interventions. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed weekly to measure and analyze the setup errors at the level of the slopes, 4th cervical vertebra (C4) and 7th cervical vertebra (C7). The four-dimensional displacement [left-right (LR), superior-inferior (SI), anterior-posterior (AP), rotation (Rtn)] systematic errors and random errors at each level were calculated, and the planning target volume (PTV) boundary was calculated. The differences at three different levels of slope, C4, C7 (LR, SI, AP axis) were compared between two groups. The correlation of setup errors in each direction was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The changes of cervical curvature, cutaneous toxicity (common terminology criteria for adverse events V3.0) and pain assessment (numerical rating scale) were compared between two groups. Qualitative data between two groups were compared by χ2 test. Quantitative data between two groups were compared by t-test. Results:Baseline features were well balanced in both groups. The setup error in the experimental group was smaller than that in the control group. For the setup error in the AP direction, the setup errors at the levels of slope, C4 and C7 in the experimental group were (0.94±0.88) mm, (1.13±1.03) mm and (1.32±1.22) mm, significantly less than (1.66±1.23) mm, (1.63±1.35) mm and (1.89±1.48) mm in the control group (all P<0.001). In the SI direction, the setup errors at the levels of slope, C4 and C7 in the experimental group were (1.14±0.87) mm, (1.31±0.93) mm and (1.39±0.95) mm, compared with (1.22±0.95) mm, (1.40±1.11) mm and (1.52±1.08) mm in the control group ( P=0.278, 0.272, 0.100). The differences in the AP direction at the level of C4 and C7 in the experimental group were smaller than those in the control group ( P=0.014, 0.005). The required PTV boundary in the AP direction in the experimental group was increased from 1.77 mm at the slope level to 2.98 mm at the level of C7. In the control group, it was increased from 3.02 mm at the slope level to 4.78 mm at the level of C7. Correlation analysis showed that at the C4 and C7 levels, and the setup errors in the SI direction were moderately negatively correlated with those in the AR direction. There were no significant differences in cervical curvature, skin toxicity and pain assessment between two groups. Conclusion:Neck muscle training can reduce the setup error in the AP direction and PTV boundary of radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

To construct a hybrid decision-making model that integrates knowledge-driven and data-driven approaches, and to apply it to the etiological diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Objective To investigate the relationships of nutritional status and length of stay (LOS) with phase angle (PA) in patients with severe craniocerebral injury. Methods A total of 100 patients [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8 points] admitted outside the department of neurology were selected as study objects. Body composition analysis and blood samples were used to determine the intracellular and extracellular water content, skeletal muscle, PA, prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and LOS. Patients were divided into low PA group (n=42) and normal PA group (n=58) based on PA values. Body composition related indexes, PNI and LOS were compared between the two groups. The correlation between PA and each index was analyzed. The influencing factors of malnutrition were analyzed. The influencing factors of malnutrition were analyzed. Results Intracellular water, total body water, body cell content and PNI in the low PA group were significantly lower, and LOS was significantly longer than that in the normal PA group (P < 0.05). PA was positively correlated with intracellular water, extracellular water, total body water, skeletal muscle, body cell content, bone mineral content, basal metabolic rate and PNI (P < 0.05), while PA was negatively correlated with LOS (P < 0.05). PA (OR=5.441, P=0.001, 95%CI, 2.011 to 14.719) and LOS (OR=8.373, P < 0.001, 95%CI, 3.079 to 22.765) were the influential factors in the occurrence of malnutrition. Conclusion PA is significantly correlated with nutritional status and LOS in patients with severe craniocerebral injury.