Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of tick-borne rickettsial infections in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, 2023, so as to provide insights into the management of tick-borne rickettsioses in the city. Methods Ticks were captured from the body surface of bovines and sheep in Gaoxing Village, Dashan Township, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province during the period between April and June, 2023, and tick species were identified using morphological and molecular biological techniques. In addition, tick-borne Rickettsia was identified using a nested PCR assay, including spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Coxiella spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Orientia spp., and positive amplified fragments were sequenced and aligned with known sequences accessed in the GenBank database. Results A total of 200 ticks were collected and all tick species were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. Nestle PCR assay combined with sequencing identified ticks carrying Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (40.50%), Coxiella burnetii (1.50%), and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (27.00%), and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Orientsia spp. was not detected. Conclusions R. microplus carried Candidatus R. jingxinensis, C. burnetii, and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. Intensified monitoring of tickborne rickettsial infections is needed in livestock and humans to reduce the damages caused by rickettsioses.

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of action of Yi Sui Sheng Xue Fang(YSSX)in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced renal injury in mice through The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1)/Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2(NRF2)signalling pathway.Methods A mouse kidney injury model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin(40 mg·kg-1).C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group(0.9％NaCl),model group(kidney injury model)and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups(0.53,1.05 and 2.10 g·kg-1·d-1 YSSX by gavage for 7 d).Keap1 and Nrf2 were determined by Western blot;superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)activities were determined by spectrophotometry.Results The protein expression levels of Keap1 in blank group,model group and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were 0.26±0.02,0.64±0.03,0.59±0.01,0.45±0.05 and 0.34±0.02;the protein expression levels of Nrf2 were 0.69±0.06,0.35±0.01,0.36±0.01,0.48±0.02 and 0.56±0.01;the enzyme activities of catalase(CAT)were(572.49±912.92),(334.60±4.92),(402.76±9.80),(475.35±5.21)and(493.00±12.03)U·mg-1;glutathione(GSH)were(2.79±0.06),(0.51±0.01),(0.59±0.07),(1.29±0.04)and(1.70±0.08)μmol·L1;SOD were(477.00±4.32),(260.67±6.13),(272.67±2.87),(386.33±3.68)and(395.00±12.25)U·mL-1;MDA were(3.89±0.02),(7.32±0.03),(6.94±0.14),(4.60±0.01)and(4.34±0.02)nmol·mg prot-1.The differences of the above indexes in the model group compared with the blank group were statistically significant(P＜0.01,P＜0.001);the differences of the above indexes in experimental-M,experimental-H groups compared withe model group were statistically significant(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion YSSX can activate Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and regulate the oxidative stress state of the organism,thus improving the renal injury caused by chemotherapy in mice.

Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)signalling pathway and slow down tumour progression mainly by inhibiting tumour angiogenesis,glycolysis,epithelial mesenchymal transition and other pathological processes.This paper,starting from HIF-1α and related factors,reviews its pathological mechanism in tumours and the research of traditional Chinese medicine interventions with the aim of providing theoretical references for the treatment of tumours with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the effect of sophoridine on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced pulmonary alveolar epithelial cell damage by regulating the high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)-receptor for advanced glycation end product(RAGE)signal pathway.Methods A549 and HAEC Ⅱ cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,LPS group,LPS+sophoridine group,LPS+empty group and LPS+sophoridine+HMGB1 overexpression group.Except for the control group,cells in other groups were induced by LPS to establish the injury models and treated with sophoridine and plasmids,respectively.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method and terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling staining were used to detect cell viability and apoptosis rate in each group;Western blotting was used to detect the expression of HMGB1 and RAGE proteins.Results The A549 cell viability of control group,LPS group,LPS+sophoridine group,LPS+empty group and LPS+sophoridine+HMGB1 overexpression group were(100.00±0.00)％,(56.73±8.31)％,(90.02±11.24)％,(53.26±9.15)％and(60.84±8.13)％;the cell viability of HAEC Ⅱ were(100.00±0.00)％,(50.86±7.56)％,(93.05±12.38)％,(54.10±8.42)％and(54.43±6.14)％;the apoptosis rates of A549 cells were(2.11±0.65)％,(42.46±5.20)％,(4.01±1.31)％,(44.74±4.93)％and(39.75±4.86)％;the apoptosis rates of HAEC Ⅱ cells were(2.30±0.72)％,(48.14±4.87)％,(3.83±1.23)％,(45.72±5.14)％and(44.81±5.25)％;the HMGB1 protein levels in A549 cells were 0.16±0.02,0.87±0.13,0.19±0.04,0.89±0.11 and 0.84±0.12;RAGE protein levels were 0.19±0.03,0.94±0.16,0.21±0.04,0.96±0.15 and 0.90±0.17;the HMGB1 protein levels in HAEC Ⅱ cells were 0.13±0.04,0.79±0.10,0.15±0.04,0.80±0.14 and 0.75±0.12;RAGE protein levels were 0.28±0.07,1.08±0.19,0.31±0.06,1.10±0.21 and 1.04±0.15.The above indexes:there were statistically significant differences between LPS group and control group,LPS+sophoridine group and LPS group,LPS+sophoridine+HMGB1 overexpression group and LPS+sophoridine group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Sophoritine can clear reactive oxygen species,reduce the production of inflammatory factors,enhance antioxidant enzyme activity,and inhibit LPS induced inflammation and oxidative stress in alveolar epithelial cells by reducing HMGB1-RAGE signal activity,ultimately reducing cell damage.

AIM: To investigate the influencing factors of corneal edema after phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation in middle-aged and elderly patients with diabetic cataract, reducing postoperative complications of cataract in such patients.METHODS: A total of 198 middle-aged and elderly patients(226 eyes)with diabetic cataract who underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation in Zhongxian People's Hospital of Chongqing from August 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into corneal edema group(n=53)and non-corneal edema group(n=173)according to their postoperative corneal edema. Baseline data were collected and compared between the two groups, and the operation-related indexes such as preoperative corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, operation time and effective phaco time were recorded and compared between the two groups. The influencing factors of corneal edema were analyzed by multivariate Logistic model, and the risk nomogram was drawn.RESULTS: The age distribution of patients ≥60 years old in the corneal edema group was significantly higher than that in the non-corneal edema group, the duration of diabetes mellitus in the corneal edema group was significantly longer than that in the non-corneal edema group, and the lens nuclear hardness grade was significantly higher than that in the non-corneal edema group(all P<0.05). The changes in endothelial cell density in the corneal edema group were significantly higher than those in the non-corneal edema group(P<0.05); compared with the non-corneal edema group, the patients in the corneal edema group had a longer operation time and a longer effective phaco time(all P<0.05). Age, duration of diabetes mellitus, lens nuclear stiffness grade, operation time and effective phaco time were the risk factors for corneal edema after surgery(all P<0.05). When the total score of the patient risk nomogram is 150 points, the risk of corneal edema after surgery is about 65%.CONCLUSION: The factors influencing the occurrence of corneal edema after phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation include age, duration of diabetes, lens nuclear stiffness, operation duration and effective phaco time.