Objective To explore the factors influencing the image quality of thyroid CT and the application value of optimization schemes in reducing streak artifacts in thyroid CT examinations.Methods A retrospective review of the data of 141 patients who underwent thyroid enhanced CT examinations was conducted to analyze the factors affecting image quality.After determining the influencing factors,a self-controlled study was conducted on 48 patients who underwent thyroid CT examinations to analyze the feasibility of the optimization scheme.Results The patients'body mass index(BMI),neck circumference,pharynx-jaw angle,and pharynx-jaw angle-to-neck circumference ratio showed statistically significant differences in their impact on image quality(P<0.05).Compared to the conventional scheme,the optimization scheme showed significantly higher subjective and objective image evaluations.The optimization scheme also significantly improved the diagnostic performance of the images,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in radiation dose between the two positions(P>0.05).Conclusion The optimization scheme can effectively reduce streak artifacts in thyroid CT examinations.

Objective To investigate the influence of different contrast agent injection schemes on imaging quality in neck enhanced CT examination.Methods A total of 150 patients who underwent neck enhanced CT examination were selected and randomly divided into three groups:groups A,B,and C,with 50 cases in each group.Group A adopted individualized injection scheme,group B used three-phase dual-flow contrast agent injection scheme,and group C used measured constant-speed injection scheme,respectively.The objective and subjective evaluation methods were used to assess the image quality of cervical vessel and non-vessel structures.Results Among the three groups of contrast agent injection schemes,the CT values of group A and group B were higher than those of group C except for the aortic arch and submandibular gland in objective evaluation,and the contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of group A and group B except for the left common carotid artery and right common carotid artery bifurcation was higher than that of group C.In subjective evaluation,there was no statistically significant difference in image quality among the three groups(P＞0.05),and group B effectively reduced the impact of hardening artifacts.Conclusion The post-injection dual-flow contrast agent injection scheme can achieve the same enhancement effect as other injection schemes while ensuring image quality and reducing the amount of contrast agent used in the examination.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and the collective brain responses of acupuncture for post-stroke limb numbness.Methods A total of 24 patients with post-stroke limb numbness and 23 matched healthy participants were recruited.Both groups received coordinated acupuncture treatment to regulate their physical and mental state,three times a week for 4 weeks.Changes in limb numbness assessed by the visual analog scale(VAS)were observed before and after acupuncture.Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)scans were conducted on the participants during the scanning process with acupuncture intervention.Blood oxygen level-dependent(BOLD)data were collected in three states:resting state,acupuncture task state,and needle retention state.Data processing was performed using software such as fMRIPrep and brainIAK.Intersubject correlation(ISC)analysis was conducted to compare the ISC values of different brain regions between the two groups under different conditions.Results Acupuncture treatment significantly reduced the VAS scores of limb numbness.No significant changes in ISC values in both groups during resting state.Under acupuncture conditions,the patient group exhibited significantly increased ISC values in the left precentral gyrus,left paracentral lobule,left postcentral gyrus,left insula,left anterior cingulate gyrus,right middle frontal gyruss and right anterior cingulate gyrus.Under the needle retention condition,a slight negative activation was observed in the bilateral precentral gyrus of the control group.In the patient group,the ISC values of the left superior frontal gyrus,left precentral gyrus,left paracentral lobule,left precuneus,left postcentral gyrus,left insula,left anterior cingulate gyrus,left thalamus,right superior frontal gyrus,right middle frontal gyrus,right precentral gyrus,and right anterior cingulate gyrus showed a significant increase compared to the resting state.Conclusion Acupuncture can improve post-stroke limb numbness symptoms and induce a specific pattern of collective brain activation in patients.This activation involves the precentral gyrus,postcentral gyrus,thalamus,insula,frontal lobe and cingulate gyrus.Acupuncture may enhance the processing of sensory information by activating the somatosensory-motor network and the cortical-thalamic-cortical loop.It may also modulate the central executive network and the descending pain control pathway to promote the relief of pain symptoms.

Objective:To explore the short-term efficacy on 3D printing assisted reconstruction of traumatic digit joint defects using rib and costo-osteochondral autograft.Methods:From August 2022 to July 2023, 7 patients with open digit joint defects had undergone emergency primary debridement and fracture fixation in the Department of Orthopaedics, 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA. Patients with more phalangeal defects that could not be aligned were treated with antibiotic bone cement filling in the emergency surgery. In the second stage surgery, bone cement was removed and transfer of rib cartilage graft was performed to reconstruct the digit joint defect. According to a 1∶1 3D printed hand templates, rib cartilage grafts were crafted to the shape of digit joints, and then spliced together the digit joints and bone defects for fixation. Follow-up X-ray examinations were taken and assessment of the healing status of rib and fractures of phalangeal and metacarpophalangeal bones were carried out according to the Paley fracture healing score. At the outpatient follow-up, assessment of transferred joint movement and evaluation of upper limb function were conducted according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores were evaluated from the affected digits and donor sites.Results:After reconstructive surgery, all 7 patients had primary healing of the wounds of hand. One patient had fat liquefaction at the donor site, and the rest had primary donor site healing. One patient received further surgery for extensor tendon repair after rib cartilage grafting due to the digital extensor tendon injury. All 7 patients were included in postoperative follow-up for 6-11 months, with an average of 9 months. All patients had excellent fracture healing according to the Paley fracture healing score. At the final follow-up, the extension and flexion of the digit joints were found at 40°-80° (average 56.2°) for proximal interphalangeal joints (4 patients), and 10° in extension and 85° in flexion for metacarpophalangeal joint (1 patient). The range of motion of the thumb interphalangeal joint (2 patients) was 20°-35° (average 27.5°). Hand function was assessed according to Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association and it was found that 3 patients were in excellent, 3 in good and 1 in fair.Conclusion:This study focused on the treatment of traumatic digit joint defects by transfer of individually crafted rib cartilages in reconstruction of the defected digit joint. It significantly improves the appearance and function of the defected digit joints, especially suitable for the irregular defects of phalangeal bones.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the neoadventitia technique for root repair in acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD).Methods:From January 2019 to February 2022, a total of 94 patients with ATAAD who underwent surgical treatment in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different treatment methods for the aortic root, the patients were divided into the neoadventitia technique group(58 cases) and the Bentall group(36 cases). The perioperative data and postoperative follow-up results of the two groups were compared, and the efficacy of the new adventitia technique in acute type A aortic dissection was analyzed.Results:There were no intraoperative deaths. The 30-day mortality was 3.4% and 5.6% in the neoadventitia group and Bentall group, respectively ( P=0.636). The cardiopulmonary bypass time[(154.3±29.8)min, P<0.001] and aortic clamp time[(94.7±20.6)min, P<0.001)]were significantly shorter in the neoadventitia group, compared with the Bentall group. Aortic regurgitation was significantly improved after the operation (0.33±0.50 vs. 1.02±0.80, P<0.001). No aortic root-related secondary intervention occurred during follow-up. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups( P=0.248). Conclusion:Neoadventitia root repair is a safe and feasible method for the treatment of ATAAD, which has good short-term and mid-term efficacy.

Objective    To explore the short-term efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods    The clinical data of 11 male patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent pembrolizumab combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from December 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The average age of the patients was 52.0-79.0 (62.0±6.9) years. The imaging data and pathological changes before and after neoadjuvant treatment were compared, and adverse reactions during neoadjuvant treatment were recorded. Objective remission rate (ORR) and main pathological remission rate (MPR) and pathological complete remission rate (pCR) were the main observation endpoints. Results    After preoperative neoadjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab combined with platinum or paclitaxel, all patients successfully underwent thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer. The ORR was 72.7%, and the MPR was 81.8%. Among them, 45.5% of patients achieved pCR. The main adverse reactions were hypoalbuminemia, decreased appetite and nausea. The mortality rate within 30 days after surgery was 0, and no tumor metastasis was observed. Conclusion    Pembrolizumab combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy is safe and feasible to treat non-small cell lung cancer, and the short-term efficacy is beneficial.

BACKGROUND: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. RESULTS: On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]). CONCLUSION: LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.
Humans ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists* ; Goserelin/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Testosterone

Humans ; Aripiprazole/therapeutic use* ; Schizophrenia/drug therapy* ; Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Risperidone ; China ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Masquelet technique combined with tissue flap transfer in the treatment of infectious composite bone and soft tissue defects in the early and middle stages after internal fixation for tibial fractures.Methods:From October 2017 to November 2020, 12 patients (13 tibial fractures) with infectious bone and soft tissue defects in the early and middle stages after internal fixation were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics, 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of CPLA by two-phased surgery with retaining internal fixation. Phase I procedures were thoroughly removal of the infected lesions and failed screws, preserving internal implants as many as possible, implantation of absorbable calcium sulphate and an antibiotics blended string of beads into the distal and proximal medullary cavity of the fractured bones, filling the bone defect and wrapping the internal implants with antibiotics loaded bone cement. The size of defects was 3.5 cm × 5.0 cm-7.5 cm × 14.5 cm, and the flaps for wound coverage sized 4.0 cm × 5.5 cm-8.0 cm × 15.0 cm. As for the repair of donor site, 8 limbs were sutured directly, 5 limbs could not be closed completely, and the remaining wounds were covered by skin grafting after suture. Based on well control of infection and stable clinical signs, fillings of bone cement were then removed in Phase II surgery, or 6-9 weeks after primary surgery. Autologous cancellous bone pieces or composite allogeneic bone were fully implanted around the induction membrane formed by Masquelet technique, and auxiliary steel plates were implanted for internal fixation of unstable fractures. After discharge, the patients visited the outpatient clinic regularly, and combined with Wechat follow-up. The texture, colour and bone healing were observed. At the last follow-up, the function of the affected limbs were assessed according to Johner-Wruhs evaluation standard.Results:After Phase I surgery, 13 flaps survived smoothly without vascular compromise. The wounds healed in Phase I. Two patients (2 sides) had recurrent infections. Re-debridement was performed and external fixation was applied after removal of internal fixation. After Phase II surgery, all patients were included in 12-26 months of follow-up, with an average of 18 months. Thirteen lower leg fractures healed well, and the time of bone healing was 16-25 (average 19.5) weeks. The Johner Wruhs criteria was used in evaluation of the function of affected limbs, and it was found that 6 patients were in excellent, 5 in good and 2 in fair.Conclusion:It is feasible while preserving the internal implants, to use membrane induction technique (Masquelet technique) combined with flap transfer, together with the absorbable calcium sulphate antibiotic sustained-release beads as a carrier in the phased treatment of infectious bone defects and bone exposure in the early and middle stages after the surgery of tibial internal fixation. It also gives a higher rate of excellence in surgical outcome. This study explores a treatment procedure for traumatic bone infection combined with composite soft tissue defects.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of new arch-clamping technique in Sun’s procedure to repair acute type A aortic dissection.Methods:67 consecutive patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk implantation(TAR+ FET) from Dec 2019 to Dec 2022 with using new arch-clamping technique during operation. Relative intraoperative and postoperative variables and complications were compared.Results:Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(166.66±32.81)min, the aortic occlusion time was(100.49±19.96)min, the circulatory arrest time was(3.97±1.63)min, the lowest nasopharyngeal temperature was(25.716±1.304)℃, and the lowest bladder temperature was(26.209±1.552)℃. The whole group died in hospital in 2 cases(2.98%), cerebral infarction in 3 cases(4.48%), transient neurological dysfunction in 4 cases(5.97%), paraplegia patients in 1 case(1.49%), renal failure requiring continuous dialysis in 4 cases(5.97%).Conclusion:New arch-clamping technique decrease postoperative complication, and is a safe and feasible innovative approach to effectively improve surgical outcome of Sun’s procedure for repair of acute type A aortic dissection.