Infection of the human central nervous system by Balamuthia mandrillaris is very rare and is mostly observed in people engaged in agriculture-related occupations，with a high fatality rate. This article reports a case of Balamuthia mandrillaris amoebic encephalitis in southern Hunan, China，which was finally confirmed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid. The patient gave up treatment and was discharged from the hospital without achieving remission after antiviral，anti-fungal，and anti-parasitic therapies，cranial pressure reduction，and symptomatic supportive treatment，and the patient died at 5 months after confirmed diagnosis. This article reviews related literature to improve the understanding of this disease among clinicians，and it is necessary to consider the possibility of this disease in case of encephalitis of unknown etiology. Early diagnosis and timely comprehensive anti-infective therapy should be performed to improve the success rate of treatment.
Balamuthia mandrillaris

Objective:To explore the optimum opportunity for lumbodorsal muscles exercises of patients undergoing posterior lumbar decompression and instrumentation, and investigate its effect on the rehabilitation outcomes and kinesiophobia.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was used. By convenient sampling method, a total of 120 lumbar disc herniation patients were prospectively selected from Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai(Nantong Sixth People′s Hospital) from February 2020 to December 2021. The paitients were assigned to early group, middle group and late group, with 40 cases in each group. All patients were given routine postoperative care and lumbodorsal muscles exercises. The early group started to exercise 10th day after operation, the middle group started to exercise 3 weeks after operation, and the late group started to exercise 6 weeks after operation. The intervention effect was respectively evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK).Results:There were 3, 1 and 1 missing cases in the early, middle and late group respectively, the age in the 3 groups were (56.05 ± 11.77), (57.33 ± 14.64) and (54.23 ± 15.73) years old in turn. Three months after exercising, the total score of JOA in the early, middle and late group were (25.32 ± 2.45), (24.44 ± 2.19) and (22.13 ± 1.58) in turn, the difference was significant ( F=23.64, P<0.05); the score of TSK in the early, middle and late group were (37.95 ± 6.81), (34.18 ± 6.39) and (33.33 ± 7.36) in turn, the difference was significant ( F=4.82, P<0.05). Conclusions:Lumbodorsal muscles exercises start at 3 weeks after operation can significantly improve the rehabilitation outcome of lumbar disc herniation patients undergoing posterior lumbar decompression and instrumentation, and will not increase the level of kinesiophobia, its can be consider as optimum opportunity for lumbodorsal muscles exercises.

We retrospectively analyzed therapy efficacy and the adverse reactions of 10 patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with intestinal involvement treated with rituximab (RTX). Patients were hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to January 2023. Among the 10 patients, two were men and eight were women. The age of the cohort was (41.9±8.8) years. The age at disease onset was (28.8±9.2) years. The total course of the SLE diagnosis was(109.6±59.9) months. The course of the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was (89.3±50.2) months. The time from the appearance of intestinal symptoms to the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was 1.5 (1.0,8.0) months. The time from the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement to RTX use was 13.0 (1.0,46.3) months. Follow-up duration after application of RTX treatment was (55.3±28.4) months. There were five cases of abdominal pain, four cases of abdominal distension, nine cases of diarrhea, three cases of nervous-system involvement, nine cases of lupus nephritis, and seven cases of serositis. All 10 patients underwent computed tomography and radiology of the abdomen. Eight patients had intestinal-wall edema, seven suffered intestinal dilation, four had target signs, three suffered congestion of mesenteric blood vessels, eight had increased mesenteric-fat density, and six had false intestinal obstruction. All 10 patients showed a low level of complement C3 (250-750 mg/L). Nine cases showed a low level of complement C4 (10-90 mg/L). The SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) at baseline in 10 patients was 20.5 (17.8, 30.0). After receiving RTX (0.5 g: day 1, day 14, or 375 mg/m 2: day 1, day 14) induction treatment, the intestinal symptoms of 10 cases were relieved completely. Four patients had adverse reactions, of which three received a high-dose glucocorticoid combined with RTX treatment simultaneously. Adverse reactions manifested mainly as a reduced level of IgG and infection with herpes simplex virus in one case, reduced level of IgG and lung infection in one patient, lung infection in one case, and reduced IgG level in one patient. RTX may an efficacious treatment strategy for patients suffering from refractory SLE with intestinal involvement.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of omalizumab in the treatment of severe allergic asthma from the perspective of healthcare providers in China. METHODS Based on the data from an international multicenter study of omalizumab in the treatment of severe allergic asthma， the Markov model was constructed according to the progression of severe allergic asthma， with a cycle of 4 weeks. Long-term health outcomes and costs of omalizumab combined with standard of care（SoC） regimen versus SoC regimen in the treatment of severe allergic asthma were simulated by using quality-adjusted life years （QALYs） and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio（ICER） as output indexes. One-way sensitivity analysis， probabilistic sensitivity analysis， and scenario analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS Compared with the SoC regimen， ICER for the omalizumab combined with SoC regimen was 107 723.05 yuan/QALY， which was less than the willingness-to-pay（WTP） threshold （268 074 yuan/QALY） calculated by three times per capita gross domestic product（GDP） in China in 2023. The one-way sensitivity analysis showed that the baseline serum level of immunoglobulin E had the greatest impact on the robustness of the model. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the omalizumab+SoC regimen had a 93.00% probability of being cost- effective. The scenario analysis showed that in the real world， the billing method of omalizumab based on specifications rather than actual usage may increase ICER. CONCLUSIONS Compared with the SoC regimen， the combination of omalizumab and SoC regimen for treating severe allergic asthma is cost-effective， with a WTP threshold of three times China’s per capita GDP

Methods: This paper introduces the concept of “order parameters” and proposes a method for establishing an order parameter model of gas discharge visualization (GDV) based on the principle of “mastering both permanence and change (MBPC)”. The method involved the following three steps. First, average luminous intensity () and average area () of the GDV images were calculated to construct the phase space, and the score of the health questionnaire was calculated as the health deviation index (H). Second, the k-means++ clustering method was employed to identify subclasses with the same health characteristics based on the data samples, and to statistically determine the symptom-specific frequencies of the subclasses. Third, the distance (d) between each sample and the “ideal health state”, which determined in the phase space of each subclass, was calculated as an order parameter describing the health imbalance, and a linear mapping was established between the d and the H. Further, the health implications of GDV signals were explored by analyzing subclass symptom profiles. We also compare the mean square error (MSE) with classification methods based on age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) indices to verify that the phase space possesses the ability to portray the health status of the human body. Results: This study preliminarily tested the reliability of the order parameter model on data samples provided by 20 participants. Based on the discovered linear law, the current model can use d calculated by measuring the GDV signal to predict H (R2 > 0.77). Combined with the symptom profiles of the subclasses, we explain the classification basis of the phase space based on the pattern identification. Compared with common classification methods based on age, gender, BMI, etc., the MSE of phase space-based classification was reduced by an order of magnitude. Conclusion In this study, the GDV order parameter model based on MBPC can identify subclasses and characterize individual health levels, and explore the TCM health meanings of the GDV signals by using subjective-objective methods, which holds significance for establishing mathematical models from TCM diagnosis principles to interpret human body signals.

Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass, damage to bone tissue microstructure, increased bone fragility, and susceptibility to fractures, while sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive reduction in overall muscle mass and functional decline. Based on the common pathophysiological mechanism and close correlation between the two, the concept of "osteosarcopenia" has gradually emerged to describe the simultaneous attenuation of muscles and bones. Signaling pathways serve as important signal transmission channels between muscles and bones, and if abnormal, they can lead to osteosarcopenia. The aim of this article, therefore, is to review the signaling pathways related to osteogenesis and myogenesis, such as Hedgehog, Hippo, mTOR, MAPK, in order to provide new ideas for targeted treatment of osteosarcopenia.

Purpose To demonstrate the advantages of non-contrast-enhanced whole-heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography(NCE-CMRA)in evaluating coronary arteries by comparing ultrasonography(US),and to explore the clinical value of NCE-CMRA in the diagnosis of coronary artery lesions of Kawasaki disease(KD)in children.Materials and Methods NCE-CMRA and US imaging data of 41 children with KD from June 2017 to June 2021 who were diagnosed clinically in Lanzhou University Second Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.The display ability of US and NCE-CMRA in coronary arteries were compared.At the same time,the imaging characteristics of NCE-CMRA were analyzed,and the imaging characteristics such as the range and degree of coronary artery lesions displayed by NCE-CMRA were summarized.Results The overall segment display rate of NCE-CMRA in 41 children with KD was 75.6%;the overall segment display rate of US was 46.3%,with statistical difference between the two techniques(χ2=59.04,P<0.001).Regarding the display of the middle and distal segments of coronary arteries,NCE-CMRA had a clear imaging advantage over US(χ2=57.98 and 161.47,P<0.001).In all cases,25 patients(200 segments)had coronary artery lesions,and 94 segments of coronary artery showed different degrees of dilatation,including 8 segments(8.6%)of giant coronary artery aneurysm,35 segments(37.2%)of medium coronary artery aneurysm,and 51 segments(54.2%)of small coronary artery aneurysm or coronary artery dilation.Conclusion NCE-CMRA technology can objectively and accurately display coronary artery in children,and it can specifically evaluate the degree of damage caused by KD.It has important clinical significance in the diagnosis and evaluation of coronary artery lesions in children with KD.

Objective To observe the effect of Lactobacillus casei(L.casei)on the depression-like behaviors of offspring rats induced by maternal separation(MS),and explore the potential action mechanism of probiotics to improve central nervous inflammation in depression-like behaviors.Methods MS stress was used to establish a depressed animal model in offspring.Female SD rats were randomly divided into control group(CON),MS group,and MS+L.casei group,with 8 animals in each group.The female rats and their offspring in the control group did not undergo MS intervention after delivery,while those in the MS group were separated 3 h each day,for 14 consecutive days after normal delivery.The offspring of the MS+L.casei group was given intervention of 8 ×108 CFU/(kg·d)L.casei gavage for 4 weeks.Source preference test(SPT)and forced swimming test(FST)were used to evaluate the changes in depressive behaviors of the offspring rats.ELISA was employed to determine the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β and IL-10 in serum and hippocampus tissue.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1(IDO1)and 5-HT mRNA in hippocampus.Results Compared with the CON group,the offspring in the MS group had significantly reduced percentage of source preference(P＜0.05),prolonged immobility time during forced swimming(P＜0.05),and decreased number of grid crossings in spontaneous activity test(though no statistical difference),indicating that the offspring rats had obvious depression-like behaviors after MS.L.casei treatment improved the behavioral changes of offspring rats caused by MS stress,with significantly increased percentage of source preference(P＜0.05)and shortened immobility time of forced swimming(P＜0.05).Compared with the conditions in the MS group,L.casei reduced the levels of IL-6,IL-1 β and TNF-α(P＜0.01)and increased that of IL-10(P＜0.05)in the hippocampus and peripheral blood,and decreased mRNA level of IDO1 and enhanced 5-HT mRNA level in hippocampus(P＜0.01)in the offspring rats of the MS+L.casei group.Conclusion MS stress induces depression-like behavior in offspring rats.L.casei inhibits the hippocampal expression of IDO1 and enhances that of 5-HT by regulating inflammatory factors in hippocampus and peripheral blood,and thus,improves depression-like behavior.

Objective To examine the process of the initial ethical review of drug clinical trials in medical institutions in Shaanxi province,analyze the current situation of initial reviews,and make suggestions to expedite the speed of initial ethical review of drug clinical trial projects.Methods Based on the drug clinical trial institutions in Shaanxi recorded in the"drug and medical device clinical trial institutions for the record management information system".This study involved retrieving information through hospital website,WeChat public accounts,and conducting telephone consultations to usnderstand the process.The analysis focused on the initial review requirements,documents submission,and approval documents.Results A total of 44 drug clinical trial institutions were assessed.63.6% of these institutions had clearly issued ethical review/application guidelines,with some lacking detailed provisions on the initial review submission list,simplified data and seal requirements.31.8% of the institutions had established ethics review management systems.The average time of obtaining ethics approval was from 5.13 to 6 d.Conclusion It is recommended to further improve ethical review guidelines,standardize the initial review process,refine the initial ethical review documents and institutional project approval documents,build an information management platform,reduce the time for initial review of drug clinical trial projects,and improve the speed of clinical trial initiation.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT.Results:In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant ( P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively ( OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions:In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.