Evaluation of drug interactions of Saposhnikoviae Radix and its major components with astragaloside IV and paeoniflorin using in vitro and in vivo experiments

Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR) may enhance the pharmacodynamics of Huangqi Chifeng Tang (HQCFT) in the treatment of cerebral infarction according to our previous research, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Herein, an in vivo pharmacokinetic assay in rats and in vitro MDCK-MDR1 cell assays were used to investigate the possible mechanism of SR, its main components, and its interactions with Astragali Radix (AR) and Paeoniae Radix (PR). An ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‒MS/MS)-based analytical method for quantifying astragaloside IV (ASIV) and paeoniflorin (PAE) in microdialysis and transport samples was developed. The pharmacokinetic parameters of SR were determined using noncompartmental analyses CCK-8 assays were used to detect the cytotoxicity of ASIV, PAE, cimifugin (CIM), prim-o-glucosylcimifugin (POG) and their combinations. Moreover, drug transport was studied using MDCK-MDR1 cells. Western blotting was performed to measure the protein expression levels of P-GP and MRP1. Claudin-5, ZO-1, and F-actin expression was determined via immunohistochemical staining of MDCK-MDR1 cells. harmacokinetic studies revealed that, compared with those of Huangqi Chifeng Tang-Saposhnikoviae Radix (HQCFT-SR), the Tmax of ASIV increased by 11.11 %, and the MRT0-t and Tmax of PAE increased by 11.19 % and 20 %, respectively, in the HQCFT group. Transport studies revealed that when ASIV was coincubated with 28 μM CIM or POG, the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) increased by 71.52 % and 50.33 %, respectively. Coincubation of PAE with 120 μM CIM or POG increased the Papp by 87.62 % and 60.95 %, respectively. Moreover, CIM and POG significantly downregulated P-gp and MRP1 (P < 0.05), inhibited the expression of Claudin-5, ZO-1, and F-actin (P < 0.05), and affected intercellular tight junctions (TJs). In conclusion, our study successfully established a selective, sensitive and reproducible UPLC‒MS/MS analytical method to detect drug‒drug interactions between SR, AR and PR in vivo and in vitro, which is beneficial for enhancing the therapeutic efficacies of AR and PR. Moreover, this study provides a theoretical basis for further research on the use of SR as a drug carrier.

[Analysis of risk factors of short-term prognosis in patients with severe Budd-Chiari syndrome]

Objective: To explore the risk factors of short-term prognosis of severe BCS patients,established and verified the nomogram prediction model for these BCS patients and evaluated its clinical application value. Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 171 patients with severe BCS diagnosed were retrospectively analyzed in the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2023. There were 105 males and 66 females, aged (52.1±12.8) years (range: 18 to 79 years). The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they died within 28 days: the death group (n=38) and the survival group (n=133). The risk factors for short-term death of patients were analyzed,and independent risk factors were screened by univariate and multivariate analysis. Furthermore,these factors were used to establish the nomogram prediction model. The area under the curve(AUC),the Bootstrap Resampling,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the Decision Curve Analysis(DCA) were used to verify the model's differentiation,internal verification,calibration degree and clinical effectiveness,respectively. Results: Univariate and multivariate Logistics regression analysis showed that the history of hepatic encephalopathy,white blood cell,glomerular filtration rate and prothrombin time are independent risk factors (P<0.05). The above factors were used to successfully establish the prediction model with 0.908 of AUC and 0.895 of the internal verification of AUC,indicating that the predictive model was valuable. The 0.663 P-values in the Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated the high calibration degree of the model. The clinical effectiveness of the model was proved by the 18% clinical benefit population using the DCA curve with the 17% probability threshold. Conclusions: The independent risk factors are the history of hepatic encephalopathy,white blood cell,glomerular filtration rate and prothrombin time. An adequate basis was acquired by establishing a nomogram prediction model of the short-term prognosis of severe BCS,which was helpful for early clinical screening and identification of high-risk patients with severe BCS who could die in the short term and timely providing timely intervention measures for improving the prognosis.

[Overview of the ten global conferences on health promotion and implications for future work]

Since 1986, the WHO has held ten global health promotion conferences covering various health promotion issues and sustainable development worldwide. These sessions have formed a series of consensus and actions that guide promoting health globally. This study analyzed the declarations, reports, and news materials from the ten conferences that studied health promotion action areas, focal topics, actor networks, partnership relationships, and other significant outcomes. It also explored how these conferences contributed to the construction and advancement of global health promotion consensus and actions. The first Global Conference on Health Promotion identified the concept of health promotion and five key action areas, laying the foundation for subsequent conferences and health promotion actions. Over the years, the ten conferences continuously expanded the essence of health promotion, developed partnership relationships, formulated public health promotion policies, and called for health promotion actions. This process culminated in the formation of global consensus and collective actions. The latter conferences have gained significant attention and influence. The conferences offer valuable insights for future global health promotion endeavors and provide global perspectives and pathways for the development of Healthy China.

[The efficacy and safety of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy neoadjuvant in locally advanced resectable hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of immunoneoadjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in locally advanced resectable hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. Methods: This study was a prospective, single arm, single center clinical study that was opened for enrollment in April 2021. Patients who met the inclusion criteria at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were treated with neoadjuvant therapy of pembrolizumab combined with cisplatin and paclitaxel, and after treatments, received surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy. The main endpoint of this study was postoperative pathological complete response (pCR), and other observations included adverse reactions and long-term prognoses of patients after neoadjuvant therapy. Results: By September 2023, a total of 23 patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and surgery were enrolled in the study and all patients were males aged 49-74 years. All patients were locally advanced stage, including 3 patients in stage Ⅲ and 20 patients in stage Ⅳ. There were 12 cases of primary lesions with posterior ring involvement accompanied by fixation of one vocal cord and 20 cases of regional lymph node metastases classified as N2. Eighteen cases received a two cycle regimen and 5 cases received a three cycle regimen for neoadjuvant therapy. The postoperative pCR rate was 26.1% (6/23), with no surgical delay caused by adverse drug reactions. The laryngeal preservation rate was 87.0% (20/23). Pharyngeal fistula was the main surgical complication, with an incidence of 21.7% (5/23). The median follow-up time was 15 months, and 3 patients experienced local recurrence. Conclusions: The immunoneoadjuvant therapy of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy has a high pCR rate in locally advanced resectable hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with increased laryngeal preservation rate and no significant impact on surgical safety.

[Environmental influences on food allergy]

Food allergy is an abnormal immune response triggered by food allergens, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux, pruritus, dyspnea, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock and mortality. The prevalence of food allergy varies within the population, with a significantly higher incidence observed among children compared to adults. This escalating trend in pediatric food allergy has emerged as a prominent concern jeopardizing children's well-being, thus prompting extensive investigations within the realm of global public health. Over the past three decades, there has been a progressive increase in the global prevalence of food allergy, accompanied by a heightened severity of allergic manifestations. Environmental factors have been identified as crucial determinants in this escalating phenomenon. Extensive research has demonstrated the pivotal role played by the environment in both the onset and progression of food allergies. The present article aims to consolidate the effects of diverse environmental factors on food allergy, elucidating their underlying mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on delineating the impact of distinct environmental factors on food allergy, thereby furnishing valuable insights for comprehending the risk factors associated with this condition. Furthermore, this comprehensive analysis contributes to the advancement of scientific strategies for the prevention and management of food allergy, promoting the development and advancement of preventive medicine.

[Treatment response of a two-dose regimen of dose-adjusted inotuzumab ozogamicin in relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Objective: To observe the treatment response of a two-dose regimen of inotuzumab ozogamicin (inotuzumab), a monoclonal antibody targeting CD22, for patients with heavily treated relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), including those failed or relapsed after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) -T-cell therapy. Methods: Pediatric and adult patients who received two doses of inotuzumab and who were evaluated after inotuzumab treatment were included. Antibody infusions were performed between March 2020 and September 2022. All patients expressed CD22 antigen as detected by flow cytometry (>80% leukemic cells displaying CD22) before treatment. For adults, the maximum dosage per administration was 1 mg (with a total of two administrations). For children, the maximum dosage per administration was 0.85 mg/m(2) (no more than 1 mg/dose; total of two administrations). The total dosage administered to each patient was less than the standard dosage of 1.8 mg/m(2). Results: Twenty-one patients with R/R B-ALL were included, including five children (<18 years old) and sixteen adults. Seventeen patients presented with 5.0% -99.0% leukemic blasts in the bone marrow/peripheral blood or with extramedullary disease, and four patients were minimal residual disease (MRD) -positive. Fourteen patients underwent both CD19 and CD22 CAR-T-cell therapy, four underwent CD19 CAR-T-cell therapy, and three underwent blinatumomab therapy. Eleven patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). After inotuzumab treatment, 14 of 21 patients (66.7% ) achieved a complete response (CR, one was MRD-positive CR), and all four MRD-positive patients turned MRD-negative. Four of six patients who failed recent CD22 CAR-T-cell therapy achieved a CR after subsequent inotuzumab treatment. Seven patients (33.3% ) demonstrated no response. Grade 1-3 hepatotoxicity occurred in five patients (23.8% ), one child with no response experienced hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) during salvage transplantation and recovered completely. Conclusion: For patients with heavily treated R/R B-ALL, including those who had undergone allo-HSCT and CD19/CD22 CAR-T-cell therapy, the two-dose regimen of inotuzumab resulted in a CR rate of 66.7%, and the frequency of hepatotoxicity and HVOD was low.

[A case report of ocular monkeypox]

A 35-year-old male patient arrived at the clinic, reporting a persistent issue of his right eye being difficult to open for the past three weeks. Alongside this, he had been experiencing a gradual development of lesions around the eye. Notably, about a month prior to the onset of these symptoms, the patient had engaged in unprotected intercourse with a male partner. The initial manifestation was a papule near the eye, which then rapidly progressed. Laboratory analysis of samples taken from the lesions confirmed the presence of monkeypox through polymerase chain reaction testing. Furthermore, this patient received positive diagnoses for both HIV and syphilis infections. Notably, his absolute CD4 count was measured at an extremely low level of 2 cells/μl.(This article was published ahead of print on the official website of Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology on September 18, 2023).

[Predictor of clinical response to subcutaneous immunotherapy with dust mites in polysensitized allergic rhinitis patients]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 1-year subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with dust mites in polysensitized allergic rhinitis (AR) patients and to analyze the serological markers associated with clinical response. Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from 69 polysensitized AR patients who completed 1-year SCIT with dust mites from Oct 2020 to Mar 2022 in Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital was conducted. The median patient age was 21 years, including 41 males and 28 females. The changes in symptoms and serum IgE, IgG4 assessed before and after treatment were evaluated. The differences in serological markers between effective and ineffective groups were analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis was used to investigate the predictors of clinical response. SPSS 22.0 software was used for data processing. Results: After immunotherapy, there was a significant reduction in symptom scores and a substantial improvement in the quality of life of polysensitized AR patients (all P<0.001). Dust mite specific IgG4 (sIgG4) significantly increased and dust mite specific IgE (sIgE)/sIgG4 significantly decreased (all P<0.05). sIgE, total IgE (tIgE), sIgE/tIgE and sIgE/sIgG4 were significantly lower in ineffective group than those in effective group (all P<0.05). The clinical response of SCIT related only to dust mite sIgE (r=0.29, P=0.036), and sIgE≥53.86 kU/L had the best sensitivity (77.78%) and specificity (57.89%) to predict effective SCIT in polysensitized AR patients. Conclusions: One-year dust mite SCIT is effective for polysensitized AR patients. Pre-treatment serum dust mite sIgE≥53.86 kU/L may play a role in predicting clinical response of dust mite SCIT in polysensitized AR patients.

[Screening and validation of pivotal genes in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To screen the pivotal genes involved in the occurrence and development of HBV-associated HCC. Additionally, perform validation and biological function analysis to evaluate changes in the expression of pivotal genes and their prognostic value in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: The GSE121248 gene expression profile data of HBV-HCC patients were searched and downloaded from the GEO database. The R language was used to compare the differences in gene expression between hepatocellular carcinoma and paracancerous tissues. KEGG and GO function enrichment analyses were performed on the differential genes. PPI plots and pivotal gene screening were carried out through online tools like STRING and Cytoscape software. 369 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and 160 healthy controls in TCGA and GTEx were used as validation cohorts to verify the expression levels of the pivotal genes. A Kaplan-Meier plot was drawn to evaluate the prognostic value of the pivotal gene. Results: A total of 120 differentially expressed genes were screened, of which 89 were up-regulated and 31 were down-regulated. Differential genes were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways related to retinol metabolism, cytochrome P450 metabolism, and the p53 signaling pathway. The top 10 differential genes were selected as pivotal genes by the Cytoscape plug-in cytoHubba. There were significant differences in the expression levels of four types of CCNB1, CDK1, RRM2, and TOP2A genes in the validation cohort. All four types of genes were up-regulated. Survival analysis showed that patients with elevated expression levels of four genes had a poorer prognosis, with statistical differences in results. Conclusion: Four types of genes, CCNB1, CDK1, RRM2, and TOP2A, have high expression levels in patients with HBV-HCC and are correlated to shorter survival times, making them a potential target for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

[Development and validation of prognostic nomogram for malignant pleural mesothelioma]

Objective: To development the prognostic nomogram for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Methods: Two hundred and ten patients pathologically confirmed as MPM were enrolled in this retrospective study from 2007 to 2020 in the People's Hospital of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, the First and Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, and divided into training (n=112) and test (n=98) sets according to the admission time. The observation factors included demography, symptoms, history, clinical score and stage, blood cell and biochemistry, tumor markers, pathology and treatment. The Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of 112 patients in the training set. According to the results of multivariate Cox regression analysis, the prognostic prediction nomogram was established. C-Index and calibration curve were used to evaluate the model's discrimination and consistency in raining and test sets, respectively. Patients were stratified according to the median risk score of nomogram in the training set. Log rank test was performed to compare the survival differences between the high and low risk groups in the two sets. Results: The median overall survival (OS) of 210 MPM patients was 384 days (IQR=472 days), and the 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 75.7%, 52.6%, 19.7%, and 13.0%, respectively. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that residence (HR=2.127, 95% CI: 1.154-3.920), serum albumin (HR=1.583, 95% CI: 1.017-2.464), clinical stage (stage Ⅳ: HR=3.073, 95% CI: 1.366-6.910) and the chemotherapy (HR=0.476, 95% CI: 0.292-0.777) were independent prognostic factors for MPM patients. The C-index of the nomogram established based on the results of Cox multivariate regression analysis in the training and test sets were 0.662 and 0.613, respectively. Calibration curves for both the training and test sets showed moderate consistency between the predicted and actual survival probabilities of MPM patients at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The low-risk group had better outcomes than the high-risk group in both training (P=0.001) and test (P=0.003) sets. Conclusion: The survival prediction nomogram established based on routine clinical indicators of MPM patients provides a reliable tool for prognostic prediction and risk stratification.

[Comparative study of medical common data models for FAIR data sharing]

The common data model (CDM) is an important tool to facilitate the standardized integration of multi-source heterogeneous healthcare big data, enhance the consistency of data semantic understanding, and promote multi-party collaborative analysis. The data collections standardized by CDM can provide powerful support for observational studies, such as large-scale population cohort study. This paper provides an in-depth comparative analysis of the data storage structure, term mapping pattern, and auxiliary tools development of the three international typical CDMs, then analyzes the advantages and limitations of each CDM and summarizes the challenges and opportunities faced in the CDM application in China. It is expected that exploring the advanced technical concepts and practical patterns of foreign countries in data management and sharing will provide references for promoting FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) construction of healthcare big data in China and solving the current practical problems, such as the poor quality of data resources, the low degree of semantization, and the inabilities of data sharing and reuse.

[A new understanding of wound repair after surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in elderly men. Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), as an important BPH treatment, is also the most effective way to relieve prostatic obstruction. However, postoperative complications, such as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), infection, hematuria and bladder neck contracture, may still occur, which seriously impact the therapeutic effect and patients' quality of life. The wound healing after BPH surgery is closely associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications. Therefore, comprehensively understanding the influencing factors of wound healing and designing tailored interventions will be particularly important for reducing postoperative complications of BPH.

[Recommendations of diagnosis and treatment of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatic in China]

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a syndrome characterized by pain and morning stiffness in the neck and shoulder and pelvic girdles, as well as raised acute-phase reactants, with or without systemic symptoms, such as fever. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis of unclear etiology that involves systemic arteries, principally affecting medium- and large-sized arteries with skipped, segmental alterations and granulomatous vasculitis seen on histopathology. In China, epidemiological data describing GCA are still limited; thus, the prevalence might be underestimated. The involvement of vessels in GCA can cause irreversible visual impairment or loss and stroke, which are serious complications. PMR is three times more prevalent than GCA, and other specific diseases should be excluded before the diagnosis is established. PMR symptoms can be present in 40%-60% of patients with GCA. Conversely, GCA can develop in 15% of patients with PMR. Chinese Rheumatology Association, based on the clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines in 2005, utilizing the experience and guidelines of diagnosis and treatment at home and abroad, formulated this specification to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of GCA and PMR and improve the patient's prognosis.

[Three-dimensional analysis of maxillary dentition during molar distalization with clear aligners under different movement designs: an in vitro experiment]

Objective: To investigate the three-dimensional force in the maxillary dentition under different movement designs for molar distalization with clear aligners Methods: Three groups were designed: simultaneous movement group (simultaneous distalization of maxillary first and second molars), second molar movement group (distalization of maxillary second molars) and first molar movement group (distalization of maxillary first molars). Ten clear aligners were made in each group, and the displacement was designed to be 0.2 mm. A force sensing device was established to measure the three-dimensional force on the upper dentition with the clear aligner. The device contained a model of the maxillary dentition consisting of 14 teeth, each tooth connected to an individual sensor. After the clear aligner was fitted, the data of 14 sensors were collected and analyzed using computer analysis software. The moving teeth were taken as the target teeth, and the rest of the teeth were anchorage. The data of the three-dimensional force in the three groups in each tooth position were measured and compared. Results: The sagittal forces on the first and second molars in the simultaneous movement group were (5.61±0.94) and (5.81±1.08) N, respectively, which were significantly smaller than those of the target teeth in the same position in other groups (P<0.05). The second molars in the first molar movement group received a sagittal reaction force, which was (-6.73±1.99) N. The anterior teeth in the three groups were all subjected to sagittal reaction force, and the force value was in a range of (-3.33 to 0.46) N. In the coronal direction, the second premolars of the simultaneous movement group received the reaction force in the palatal direction, and the force value was (-2.17±1.06) N. The first molars in the second molar movement group were also subjected to palatal reaction force of (-1.99±0.70) N. The second molars and second premolars in the first molar movement group were also subjected to palatal reaction force, which were (-2.85±0.57) and (-1.85±0.74) N, respectively. Compared with the sagittal and coronal forces, the target teeth and anchorage teeth in the three groups were less stressed in the vertical direction. Conclusions: The first and second molars distalized simultaneously, the correction force in the sagittal direction was relatively small. When first molar was moved distally alone, a greater reaction force in the sagittal direction was exerted on the second molar. Buccal displacement of the adjacent anchorage teeth should be designed to counteract the palatal reaction force on the anchorage teeth as the molars moved distally.

[Yin Chan Quan Shu, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Monograph by Wang Kentang]

Yin Chan Quan Shu (Obstetrics and gynecology monograph) is a monograph on obstetrics and gynecology compiled by Wang Kentang in the Ming Dynasty. It had four volumes and was published in the thirtieth year of Wanli (1602) in the Ming Dynasty after it was edited by Zhang Shoukong and others. It was found that Yin Chan Quan Shu has four versions remaining. They were the version printed by Shu Lin Qiao Shan Tang in the Ming Dynasty, held in the National Library of China and the Cabinet Library of Japanese Official Documents Library; the version revised according to the version of Shu Lin Qiao Shan Tang, held in the Library of Capital Medical University, Tianjin Medical College, Shanghai Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the Library of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and the Cabinet Library of the National Archives of Japan; the version based on the version of Shu Lin Qiao Shan Tang in the Ming Dynasty, transcribed in the fourth year of Wen Hua (1807), collected in the Cabinet Library of the National Archives of Japan; the version transcribed according to the revised version in the Ming Dynasty, collected in the Shanghai Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. It was found that there was no evidence to support the existence of the so-called "version of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty". This means almost all versions remaining came from the versions published in the Ming Dynasty. The references of Yin Chan Quan Shu came from Pulse Classic (Mai Jing), Chan Bao, Fu Ren Da Quan Liang Fang and other works with the supplement and development by Wang Kentang.Yin Chan Quan Shu was the main sources and foundation of the Criteria of Syndrome Identification and Treatment in Gynecology (Nv Ke Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng) by Wang Kentang.

[Analysis of surgical strategy for pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma with low-intermediate risk]

Objective: To explore the feasibility and rationality of lobectomy in the treatment of pediatric thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) with low-intermediate risk. Methods: The clinicopathological features and follow-up data of pediatric PTC with low-intermediate risk were reviewed from March 2000 to December 2018 in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The correlations between different surgical procedures and prognoses were evaluated. Propensity score matching(PSM) was used to adjust for risk factors, and the difference in prognoses between the total thyroidectomy (TT) group and the lobectomy (LT) group was compared. Results: A total of 140 patients were included in the study, including 36 males and 104 females. The age range was from 6-year-old to 18-year-old. There were 43 low-risk patients and 97 intermediate-risk patients. The median follow-up time was 87.5 months, ranging from 8 to 241 months, and 20 patients (14.3%) showed recurrence during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis showed that N1b, extrathyroidal extension, the number of lymph node metastasis>5, the ratio of lymph node metastasis≥0.19, and radioactive iodine treatment were risk factors for recurrence (all P value below 0.05), but multivariate analysis showed that only the ratio of lymph node metastasis≥0.19 (HR=8.69, 95%CI=1.08-70.21, P=0.043) was an independent risk factor for recurrence. There was no significant difference in the 5-year recurrence free survival rates between TT group and LT group before propensity score matching (82.8% vs. 86.5%, χ²=0.219, P=0.640) and after propensity score matching (89.6% vs. 90.4%, χ²=0.099, P=0.753). Conclusion: There is no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between TT group and LT group. Lobectomy is feasible for selective pediatric PTC with low-intermediate risk.

Cyperus rotundus L. drives arable soil infertile by changing the structure of soil bacteria in the rhizosphere, using a maize field as an example

Rhizosphere microorganisms can greatly affect plant growth, especially the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which can improve plant root development and growth because they contain various biological functions including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and phytosiderophore production. This study demonstrates that Cyperus rotundus L. is capable of developing and forming complex underground reproductive systems at arbitrary burial depths and cutting modes due to its extremely strong multiplication and regeneration ability. With the densities of C. rotundus increasing, the abundance of PGPR, soil enzymes invertase and urease, the nutrient contents of the field soil, and maize quality were impacted. Notably, more abundance of PGPR-most notably, the nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (NFMs) such as Azospirillum, Burkholderia, Mycobacterium, and Rhizobium-enriches in the rhizosphere of C. rotundus than in that of maize. In addition, the activities of soil enzymes invertase (S_SC) and urease (S_SU) were significantly higher in its rhizosphere than in maize, further proving that more NFMs enrich the C. rotundus rhizosphere. The nutrient contents of the field soil of TN, SOM, and SOC were reduced, indicating that the presence of C. rotundus made the soil infertile. Hence, these pieces of evidence indicate that C. rotundus may drive the field soil infertile as reflected by reduced soil nutrients via altering rhizosphere bacteria community structure.

[Orbital Rosai-Dorfman disease: a case report]

A 19-year-old patient with bilateral eyelid swelling for more than 2 years visited the Department of Ophthalmology. Physical examination disclosed a moderately active mass in the upper eyelid and lacrimal gland area in each eye. Orbital MRI showed that the lacrimal glands were significantly enlarged and moved forward in both eyes, and the enlargement was more severe in the left eye. The patient was admitted twice to the hospital for removal of orbital masses and was diagnosed as orbital Rosai-Dorfman disease by histopathological examination. During three months of follow-up, the patient was in good physical condition, and there was no tumor recurrence.

Bruceine D may affect the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis by acting on ADTs thus inhibiting Bidens pilosa L. seed germination

Bruceine D is a natural quassinoid, which was successfully isolated in our research group from the residue of Brucea javanica (L.) seeds. Our previous research showed that Bruceine D prevented Bidens pilosa L. seed germination by suppressing the activity of key enzymes and the expression levels of key genes involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. In this study, integrated analyses of non-targeted metabolomic and transcriptomic were performed. A total of 356 different accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified, and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that most of these DAMs were involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The decreased expression of ADTs and content of L-phenylalanine implicates that Bruceine D may suppress the downstream phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway by disrupting primary metabolism, that is, the phenylalanine biosynthesis pathway, thus inhibiting the final products, resulting in the interruption of B. pilosa seed germination. These results suggest that Bruceine D may inhibit the B. pilosa seed germination by suppressing phenylpropanoid biosynthesis through acting on ADTs.

[Outcomes at discharge of preterm infants born <34 weeks' gestation]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of short-term outcomes among preterm infants born <34 weeks' gestation. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the standardized database established by a multicenter cluster-randomized controlled study "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) using the evidence-based practice for improving quality (REIN-EPIQ) study". This study was conducted in 25 tertiary NICU. A total of 27 192 infants with gestational age <34 weeks at birth and admitted to NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2018 were enrolled. Infants with severe congenital malformation were excluded. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the mortality and major morbidities of preterm infants by gestational age groups and different admission year groups. Cochran-Armitage test and Jonckheere-Terpstra test were used to analyze the trend of incidences of mortality and morbidities in 3 study-years. Multiple Logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the differences of outcomes in 3 study-years adjusting for confounders. Results: A total of 27 192 preterm infants were enrolled with gestational age of (31.3±2.0) weeks at birth and weight of (1 617±415) g at birth. Overall, 9.5% (2 594/27 192) of infants were discharged against medical advice, and the overall mortality rate was 10.7% (2 907/27 192). Mortality for infants who received complete care was 4.7% (1 147/24 598), and mortality or any major morbidity was 26.2% (6 452/24 598). The incidences of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, proven necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe retinopathy of prematurity were 16.0% (4 342/27 192), 11.9% (3 225/27 192), 6.8% (1 641/24 206), 3.6% (939/25 762) and 1.5% (214/13 868), respectively. There was a decreasing of the overall mortality (P<0.001) during the 3 years. Also, the incidences for sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity both decreased (both P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the major morbidity in preterm infants who received complete care during the 3-year study period (P=0.230). After adjusting for confounders, infants admitted during the third study year showed significantly lower risk of overall mortality (adjust OR=0.62, 95%CI 0.55-0.69, P<0.001), mortality or major morbidity, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity, compared to those admitted in the first study year (all P<0.05). Conclusions: From 2015 to 2018, the mortality and major morbidities among preterm infants in Chinese NICU decreased, but there is still space for further efforts. Further targeted quality improvement is needed to improve the overall outcome of preterm infants.

Nonsyndromic supernumerary teeth in patients in National Taiwan University Children's hospital

Background/purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

[Establishment and clinical validation of an artificial intelligence YOLOv51 model for the detection of precancerous lesions and superficial esophageal cancer in endoscopic procedure]

Objective: To construct the diagnostic model of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions in endoscopic images based on the YOLOv5l model by using deep learning method of artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis of early ESCC and precancerous lesions under endoscopy. Methods: 13, 009 endoscopic esophageal images of white light imaging (WLI), narrow band imaging (NBI) and lugol chromoendoscopy (LCE) were collected from June 2019 to July 2021 from 1, 126 patients at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, including low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, ESCC limited to the mucosal layer, benign esophageal lesions and normal esophagus. By computerized random function method, the images were divided into a training set (11, 547 images from 1, 025 patients) and a validation set (1, 462 images from 101 patients). The YOLOv5l model was trained and constructed with the training set, and the model was validated with the validation set, while the validation set was diagnosed by two senior and two junior endoscopists, respectively, to compare the diagnostic results of YOLOv5l model and those of the endoscopists. Results: In the validation set, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the YOLOv5l model in diagnosing early ESCC and precancerous lesions in the WLI, NBI and LCE modes were 96.9%, 87.9%, 98.3%, 88.8%, 98.1%, and 98.6%, 89.3%, 99.5%, 94.4%, 98.2%, and 93.0%, 77.5%, 98.0%, 92.6%, 93.1%, respectively. The accuracy in the NBI model was higher than that in the WLI model (P<0.05) and lower than that in the LCE model (P<0.05). The diagnostic accuracies of YOLOv5l model in the WLI, NBI and LCE modes for the early ESCC and precancerous lesions were similar to those of the 2 senior endoscopists (96.9%, 98.8%, 94.3%, and 97.5%, 99.6%, 91.9%, respectively; P>0.05), but significantly higher than those of the 2 junior endoscopists (84.7%, 92.9%, 81.6% and 88.3%, 91.9%, 81.2%, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusion: The constructed YOLOv5l model has high accuracy in diagnosing early ESCC and precancerous lesions in endoscopic WLI, NBI and LCE modes, which can assist junior endoscopists to improve diagnosis and reduce missed diagnoses.

[Clinical analysis of 15 cases with myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated hypertrophic pachymeningitis]

To study the clinical features of myeloperoxidase(MPO) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP). Clinical data of 15 cases diagnosed with MPO-ANCA vasculitis complicated with HP were retrospectively analyzed. Nine cases were males and the other 6 were females, with an average age of (58±8) years. All cases presented with chronic headache. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed local or diffused thickening of cerebral and/or spinal dura matter while brain parenchyma were normal. Nine cases developed multiple cranial nerve paralysis, with trigeminal nerve and auditory nerve involved most commonly. The main clinical manifestations were facial pain, hearing loss and tinnitus. Two cases were complicated with hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (HSP) and 4 cases were complicated with pulmonary diseases. Positive serum perinuclear pattern ANCA (pANCA) and MPO could be found in all cases, positive serum IgG₄ was seen in two patients. erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR;25-116 mm/1h) and C-reactive protein (CRP;29.02-146.00 mg/L) were both elevated in 14 cases. Nine cases had elevated intracranial pressure[180-235 mmH₂O (1 mmH₂O=0.009 8 kPa)] and abnormal protein level (457.6-3710.0 mg/L) in cerebrospinal fluid. Six cases were treated with glucocorticoids (prednisone 20-60 mg/d) and 9 cased with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants (methotrexate 15 mg/week or cyclophosphamide 100 mg/d po). All patients achieved remission. MPO-ANCA associated HP is a special type of central nervous system involvement in ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV). It rarely involves the lung or kidney. Steroids and immunosuppressive agents are effective. In HP with unknown underlying diseases, it is suggested to screen ANCA and IgG₄ tests for AAV or IgG₄-related disease.

[Significance of combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in conversion therapy of biliary tract cancer]

Biliary tract cancer has insidious onset and high degree of malignancy, and radical resection is often impossible when it is diagnosed.Conversion therapy can achieve tumor downgrading, so that patients who were initially unresectable have a chance to achieve R0 resection.However, due to the high heterogeneity and complex immune microenvironment of biliary tract cancer, conversion therapy is still in the stage of active exploration.As a new type of conversion therapy, combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy is of great significance to effectively improve the efficiency of conversion therapy.Further exploration of combination mechanism and improvement of immune microenvironment are expected to become the future direction of combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Determining programmed cell death ligand 1 expression in circulating tumor cells of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its correlation with response to programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors

OBJECTIVE

There is a great interest in determining whether the expression of the programmed cell death ligand 1 is correlated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma; however, primary tumor biopsies can only provide limited information. Therefore, we explored the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 on circulating tumor cells, which is a potential predictor of therapeutic response.

METHODS

Circulating tumor cells were isolated from 20 clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients based on cell surface markers targeting clear cell renal cell carcinoma using IsoFlux device, followed by identification according to cell morphology and immunofluorescence studies. Programmed cell death ligand 1 expression status and clinical correlations were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Before treatment with programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors, circulating tumor cells were detected in all patients, ranging from 1 to 22 (median 7), with 75% (15/20) of the patients having programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cells. Circulating tumor cell programmed cell death ligand 1 expression did not correlate with the immunohistochemical staining of programmed cell death ligand 1 in primary tumors. During treatment with programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors, the disease control rate was much higher in the patients harboring programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cells (73%, 11/15) than others (20%, 1/5). We also found that changes in total circulating tumor cell numbers and programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cell counts correlated well with the disease outcome.

CONCLUSION

We showed that the presence of programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cells before programmed cell death protein 1 inhibition treatment could be a prognosis predictive factor and that the dynamic changes in circulating tumor cell numbers may be used to monitor the therapeutic response. Our study confirms the possibility of programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cell detection in clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients' blood samples, which can potentially be used as an individualized immunotherapy molecular biomarker for real-time exploration.

Klf4 methylated by Prmt1 restrains the commitment of primitive endoderm

The second cell fate decision in the early stage of mammalian embryonic development is pivotal; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unexplored. Here, we report that Prmt1 acts as an important regulator in primitive endoderm (PrE) formation. First, Prmt1 depletion promotes PrE gene expression in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry assays demonstrated that Prmt1 depletion in mESCs contributes to an emerging cluster, where PrE genes are upregulated significantly. Furthermore, the efficiency of extraembryonic endoderm stem cell induction increased in Prmt1-depleted ESCs. Second, the pluripotency factor Klf4 methylated at Arg396 by Prmt1 is required for recruitment of the repressive mSin3a/HDAC complex to silence PrE genes. Most importantly, an embryonic chimeric assay showed that Prmt1 inhibition and mutated Klf4 at Arg 396 induce the integration of mouse ESCs into the PrE lineage. Therefore, we reveal a regulatory mechanism for cell fate decisions centered on Prmt1-mediated Klf4 methylation.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with antisynthetase syndrome and positive anti-Ro52 antibody]

To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) and positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The clinical data of 203 ASS patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2017 to 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, treatment and outcome were collected including data of 18 patients with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). In total, the majority were women (148,72.9%). The average onset age was (51.9±13.3) years. There were 163 (80.3%) patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The positivity in women (77.3% vs. 55.0%, P=0.004) was higher, and the median time from disease onset to diagnosis [4.5 (2.0, 24.0) months vs. 2.0 (1.0, 12.0) months, P=0.024] was longer in patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody than those negative. Compared with negative patients, patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody had a higher incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (96.9% vs. 65.0%, P<0.001), arthritis (33.7% vs. 17.5%, P=0.046), and arthralgia (39.3% vs. 20.0%, P=0.022). Higher rate of positve antinuclear antibody (ANA) (85.3% vs. 55.0%, P<0.001), lower rate of positive anti-Jo-1 antibody (32.5% vs. 50.0%, P=0.039), lower albumin level [(34.6±5.2) g/L vs. (37.3±4.7) g/L,P=0.004] and lower lymphocyte counts [(1.4±0.8) ×10⁹/L vs. (1.8±0.8) ×10⁹/L, P=0.014] were more common in patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The presence of anti-Ro52 antibody is associated with a particular phenotype of ASS, leading to common ILD, involvement of joints, high ANA positivity, low albumin and low lymphocyte counts.

Detection of circulating tumor cells as therapeutic markers in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma: A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC).

METHODS

CTCs were isolated from 14 patients with PSCC, 6 patients with balanoposthitis, and 6 healthy individuals. CTCs were enriched based on cell surface markers and filtered through the IsoFlux device, followed by identification according to cell morphology and immunofluorescence studies.

RESULTS

CTCs were found in all PSCC blood samples but not in balanoposthitis samples and samples from healthy individuals. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed the tumor origin. When the patients with PSCC were stratified according to metastatic inguinal lymph node status, a statistically significant difference was observed in the number of detected CTCs.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that CTCs in PSCC may represent a valuable marker for differentiating PSCC from other tumors. Based on the correlation with some clinical parameters, CTC analysis is possibly relevant for noninvasive monitoring of disease progression and prognosis. The results also suggested a potential role of CTCs in preventing overtreatment, such as inguinal lymph node dissection.

[The application of 99Tcm-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT in staging evaluation of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy]

Objective: To explore the application value of ⁹⁹Tc^m-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) orbital single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in staging evaluation of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Methods: A case-control study. A total of 40 patients with binocular TAO were recruited from May 2019 to December 2019 in the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University. According to the clinical activity score (CAS) standard, 40 TAO patients were divided into the active group (15 cases) and the inactive group (25 cases), and 10 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group. All subjects underwent ⁹⁹Tc^m-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination, and each subject's CAS, reading results and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were recorded. The Kruskal-Walis H test was used for the CAS comparison among the three groups. The analysis of variance was used for the SUVmax comparison among the three groups. The comparison between CAS and SUVmax before and after treatment was performed by paired samples Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired-sample t test, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed between SUVmax and CAS. The Kappa test was used to check the consistency between the reading result and CAS's judgment of TAO activity. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of the reading results and SUVmax for TAO. Results: The age difference among the three groups was not statistically significant, and the gender difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The difference in CAS among the three groups was statistically significant (H=39.894; P<0.01). Patients with active TAO showed abnormal concentration and enhancement of nuclides in the orbital tissue, and the uptake of radionuclides was significantly increased, while patients with inactive TAO had a slight increase, and healthy volunteers had no significant or only mild uptake. The SUVmax of the active group (2.24±0.47) was highest, and that of the inactive group (1.57±0.43) was higher than the healthy control group (0.67±0.22). After pairwise comparison, there were statistical differences between groups (all P<0.05). According to Spearman correlation analysis, the SUVmax of all TAO patients was linearly, positively correlated with their CAS (r=0.753; P<0.05). In assessing the clinical activity of TAO, the reading results were consistent with CAS (Kappa value=0.737; P<0.05). Taking the reading results as the standard, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of SUVmax was 0.992, and the threshold of SUVmax to distinguish between active and inactive periods was 1.850, with a sensitivity of 86.70% and a specificity of 76.00%. Taking CAS results as the standard, the AUC of SUVmax was 0.853, and the threshold of SUVmax to distinguish between active and inactive periods was 1.850, with a sensitivity of 100.00% and a specificity of 87.50%. Five patients had inconsistent SUVmax and CAS. The CAS was ≥3, but the orbits did not show any inflammatory lesions in two of them; the CAS was<3, but the orbits showed inflammatory lesions in three of them. Thirteen active TAO patients with ⁹⁹Tc^m-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT showing significant accumulation of nuclides were given hormone shock therapy 12 times. After treatment, the CAS 2.00 (2.00) was lower than the pre-treatment 3.00 (1.50) score, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.100, P<0.01). The SUVmax after treatment (1.60±0.20) was lower than the pre-treatment value (2.17±0.34), and the difference was statistically significant (t=10.197, P<0.01). Conclusion: ⁹⁹Tc^m-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT can relatively accurately determine the state of orbital inflammation in patients with TAO, and can be used as a useful supplement to evaluate the clinical activity of TAO, helping to guide clinical treatment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 830-836).

Effect of increasing dose level of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant on phytate degradation in broilers fed diets containing varied phytate levels

1. The effect of increasing the dose level of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of phosphorus (P), phytic acid (inositol hexa-phosphate, IP₆) and ileal IP₆ degradation profile was studied in diets containing varying phytate-P (PP) levels.2. Ross 308, one-day-old males (n=1,800) were allocated to cages (20 birds/cage, six cages/treatment) in a completely randomised design employing a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement (three PP levels: 2.45 (low) 2.95 (medium) and 3.45 g/kg (high); five dose levels of phytase (PhyG): 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 FTU/kg). Phased diets were based on wheat, corn, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and rice bran (d 0 to 10; 2.60 g/kg digestible P, 7.6 g/kg calcium (Ca); d 11 to 21; 2.10 g/kg digestible P, 6.4 g/kg Ca). Ileal digesta was collected on d 21 for determination of P, IP₆ and IP-esters content. Data were analysed by factorial ANOVA; means separation was achieved using Tukey's HSD test.3. Increasing PP reduced AID of IP₆ and sum of IP_3-6 (%) (P<0.05) but absolute P-release (g/kg diet) above NC was increased (P<0.05) at high vs. low PP. Increasing phytase dose exponentially increased (P<0.001) AID IP_6, sum of IP_3-6 (%) and digestible IP_3-6-P g/kg diet (P<0.001). AID P was increased but there was an interaction with PP level (P<0.001). Ileal accumulation of IP_5-3-P was universally low with PhyG at ≥1,000 FTU/kg (<0.06 g/100g DM). At 2,000 and 4,000 FTU/kg, AID IP₆ was 97.2, 92.7, 92.6% and 100, 97.2, 97.1%, respectively, at low, medium and high PP. At 2,000 FTU/kg, phytate-P release estimated as the increase (above NC) in ileal digestible sum of IP_3-6-P in the diet was 2.26, 2.59 and 3.10 g/kg in low, medium and high PP, respectively.4. The data demonstrated that the novel phytase was effective in breaking down phytate to low IP-esters in diets with varied PP content but the optimal dose level for maximising P-release may differ in diets with varying PP content.

[Research Progress on the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Rehabilitation Medicine in China]

The development of science and technology and the increasing demand of rehabilitation have driven the integration between artificial intelligence and rehabilitation medicine.In this study,statistical methods,document visualization tools,and other analysis methods were used in the Citespace software to analyze China's research status of artificial intelligence in the field of rehabilitation medicine with the key words of co-occurrence,emergence,and clustering.The relevant research hot spots were then classified and expounded.The results demonstrated that the current hot spots of artificial intelligence related to rehabilitation medicine included robots,brain-computer interfaces,human-computer interaction,and motor imagery.According to the clustering of key words and literature analysis,the five themes of artificial intelligence in rehabilitation medicine were determined as robot,brain-computer interface,intelligent rehabilitation training system,human-computer interaction,and assisted diagnosis and remote rehabilitation.Robotics and human-computer interaction would still be the research hot spots in the long future,and brain-computer interfaces,motor imagery,and remote rehabilitation would be new ones.This study analyzed the current hot spots,predicted the development trends,discussed the limitations,and proposed suggestions,aiming to provide reference for other scholars focusing on the application of artificial intelligence in rehabilitation medicine.

[Effect of thrombolytic therapy and influencing factors of Budd-Chiari syndrome with inferior vena cava thrombosis]

Objective: To examine the effect of thrombolytic therapy of Budd-Chiari syndrome (B-CS) with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis, and the prognosis factors of it. Methods: The clinical data of 67 patients of B-CS with IVC thrombosis treated in the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to August 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 30 males and 37 females. The age was (47.7±11.1) years(range: 18 to 72 years). All patients received catheter directed thrombolysis, and the thrombolysis process, complications and outcomes were analyzed. All patients received IVC balloon angioplasty after thrombolytic therapy. The t test, χ² test, Mann-Whitney U test were used for univariate analysis of the prognosis factors of thrombolysis effects, while unconditional Logistic regression model were used for multivariate analysis. Results: In the 67 patients, 47 cases succerssed in thrombolytic therapy. The successful rates of thrombolysis at 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week were 9.0%, 29.9%, 64.2% and 70.1%, respectively. The rates of thrombolytic catheter-related infection at 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week were 1.5%, 4.5%, 14.9% and 31.3%, respectively. No serious complications such as symptomatic and acute pulmonary embolism occurred during perioperative period of IVC balloon angioplasty. Univariate analysis showed that differences in thrombus length ((36.7±18.1) mm vs. (52.0±16.4) mm, t=-3.234, P=0.002), Child-Pugh classification (class A/B/C: 37/8/2 vs. 10/8/2, Z=-2.310, P=0.021) and pre-opening IVC proportion (68.1% (32/47) vs. 35.0% (7/20), χ²=6.313, P=0.012) were statistically significant. The thrombus length (OR=0.948, 95%CI: 0.913 to 0.984, P=0.005), pre-opening IVC (OR=5.451, 95%CI: 1.469 to 20.228, P=0.011) were independent prognosis factors of thrombolytic effect. Conclusions: Thrombolytic therapy for B-CS with IVC thrombosis were satisfactory, and the thrombolysis duration should be confined within 3 weeks. IVC balloon angioplasty is safe and effective for patients failing in thrombolysis, and pre-opening IVC is an important method to improve the thrombolytic effect.

[Survey on present status of noise exposure of workers in metal processing industry]

Objective: To investigate the distribution of noise exposure between non-steady state noise and steady-state noise for metal processing workers, which will provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of noise hazards in metal processing industry. Methods: The cross-section method was used to investigate the noise exposure of 737 workers from three metal processing industries in Zhejiang Province from October to December 2017. The general demographic information and occupational history were collected by questionnaire. The noise was recorded by individual noise meters, and the noise exposure intensity (equivalent continuous A-weighted noise exposure level normalized to an 8 h-working-day, L(Aeq, 8 h)) and kurtosis were calculated. Results: Workers exposed to noise in the metal processing industry were mainly 18-40 years old (527 workers, 71.51%) , men (570 workers, 77.34%) , and junior high school education background (416 workers, 56.45%) . There were 572 workers (77.61%) with noise exposure intensity (L(Aeq, 8 h)) greater than 85 dB (A) , 558 workers (75.71%) exposed to non-steady state noise (kurtosis ≥4) , and 634 workers (86.02%) with exposure duration less than 8 years. Among the 30 work types investigated, the work types with noise intensity reaching 100% were the stamping, welding and others from a children's car manufacturing factory in Ningbo, operating, chamfering, tapping, and thread rolling from an automobile parts manufacturing factory in Ningbo; The work types with a rate of 100% exposed to non-steady state noise were the grinding from a children's car manufacturing factory in Ningbo, assembling, assembly operating and others from an automobile brake manufacturing factory in Wenzhou, and polishing from an automobile parts manufacturing factory in Ningbo. Conclusion: Metal processing workers have a high rate of over-standard exposed to high noise intensity and a high proportion exposed to non-steady state noise. It is necessary to take sound insulation and noise reduction engineering control, and strengthen personal protection and occupational health management measures to prevent and control the noise hazards.

[Mesenchymal stem cells derived apoptotic extracellular vesicles attenuate pro-inflammatory macrophages induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide]

Objective: To investigate whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) derived apoptotic extracellular vesicles (ApoEVs) could regulate the polarization of mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 and whether BMMSCs derived ApoEVs could attenuate pro-inflammatory condition of RAW264.7 induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS), so as to provide experimental evidence and theoretical basis for using BMMSCs derived ApoEVs as a method to treat periodontitis. Methods: The Operetta CLS high-content analysis system was used to observe the time-dependent apoptosis process of BMMSCs. Besides, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic light scattering technology and streaming potential method were used to measure the surface characteristics of BMMSCs derived ApoEVs. The Operetta CLS high-content analysis system was used to observe the process of RAW264.7 phagocyting 5-carboxy-tetramethylrhodamine, succinimidyl ester (5-TAMRA-SE) labeled ApoEVs. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of arginase-1 (Arg-1). Cell immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to detect the number of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)(+) macrophages and iNOS protein expression level in each experiment group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect tumor necrosis factro-α (TNF-α) level in the Pg-LPS induced pro-inflammatory macrophage culture supernatant in each experiment group. Results: After treating with 0.5 μmol/L staurosporine for 12 hours, mouse BMMSCs underwent shrinking with obvious vesicles structure around. The FESEM showed the ApoEVs were in spherical shapes. The size range of ApoEVs was about 100-1 000 nm and the average Zeta potential was -16.6 mV. The Operetta CLS high-content analysis system showed RAW264.7 could phagocytose 5-TAMRA-SE labeled ApoEVs by pseudopodia. The relative mRNA expression of Arg-1 was significantly increased in RAW 264.7 after being treated with interleukin 4 (IL-4) and ApoEVs (261.97±15.91) compared to that with IL-4 alone (115.29±15.42) (P<0.01). Cell immunofluorescence showed that ApoEVs could reduce the number of iNOS(+) macrophages induced by Pg-LPS (39.33±4.70) comparing to those without ApoEVs (95.33±4.70) (P=0.007). In the meanwhile, ApoEVs could also down-regulate the iNOS protein level of macrophages induced by Pg-LPS (5.84±1.05) comparing to those without ApoEVs (14.91±3.87) (P<0.01). Besides, ApoEVs could also reduce the TNF-α secretion in the culture supernatant of pro-inflammatory macrophages induced by Pg-LPS [(21 899.71±409.73) ng/L] comparing to those without ApoEVs [(71 296.50±2 344.22) ng/L] (P=0.003). Conclusions: BMMSCs derived ApoEVs could regulate the polarization of macrophages and could also attenuate the pro-inflammatory condition of macrophages induced by Pg-LPS.

[A multicenter retrospective study on the etiology of necrotizing pneumonia in children]

Objective: To investigate the etiology of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) in children and the clinical characteristics of NP caused by different pathogens in China. Methods: A retrospective, case-control study was performed in children with NP who were admitted to 13 hospitals in China from January 2008 to December 2019. The demographic and clinical information, laboratory data, etiological and radiological findings were analyzed. The data were divided into three groups based on the following years: 2008-2011, 2012-2015 and 2016-2019, and the distribution characteristics of the pathogens in different period were compared. Meanwhile, the pathogens of pediatric NP in the southern and northern China were compared. And the clinical characteristics of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) NP and the bacterial NP were also compared. T-test or Mann-Whitney nonparametric test was used for comparison of numerical variables, and χ² test was used for categorical variables. Results: A total of 494 children with NP were enrolled, the median ages were 4.7 (0.1-15.3) years, including 272 boys and 222 girls. Among these patients, pathogens were identified in 347 cases and the pathogen was unclear in the remaining 147 cases. The main pathogens were MP (238 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) (61 cases), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (51 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 cases), Haemophilus influenzae (10 cases), adenovirus (10 cases), and influenza virus A (7 cases), respectively. MP was the most common pathogen in all three periods and the proportion increased yearly. The proportion of MP in 2016-2019 was significantly higher than that in 2012-2015 (52.1% (197/378) vs. 36.8% (32/87), χ²=6.654, P=0.010), while there was no significant difference in the proportion of MP in 2012-2015 and that in 2008-2011 (36.8% (32/87) vs. 31.0% (9/29), χ²=0.314, P=0.575).Regarding the regional distribution, 342 cases were in the southern China and 152 in the northern China. Also, MP was the most common pathogen in both regions, but the proportion of MP was higher and the proportion of SP was lower in the north than those in the south (60.5% (92/152) vs. 42.7% (146/342), χ²=13.409, P<0.010; 7.9% (12/152) vs. 14.3% (49/342), χ²=4.023, P=0.045). Comparing the clinical characteristics of different pathogens, we found that fever and cough were the common symptoms in both single MP and single bacterial groups, but chest pain was more common (17.0% (34/200) vs. 6.1% (6/98), χ²=6.697, P=0.010) while shortness of breath and wheezing were less common in MP group (16.0% (32/200) vs. 60.2% (59/98), χ²=60.688, P<0.01; 4.5% (9/200) vs. 21.4% (21/98), χ²=20.819, P<0.01, respectively). The white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the bacterial group were significantly higher than those in the MP group (14.7 (1.0-67.1)×10⁹/L vs. 10.5 (2.5-32.2)×10⁹/L, 122.5 (0.5-277.3) mg/L vs. 51.4 (0.5-200.0) g/L, 2.13 (0.05-100.00) μg/L vs. 0.24 (0.01-18.85) μg/L, Z=-3.719, -5.901 and -7.765, all P<0.01). Conclusions: The prevalence of pediatric NP in China shows an increasing trend during the past years. MP, SP and SA are the main pathogens of NP, and the most common clinical symptoms are fever and cough. The WBC count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in bacterial NP are significantly higher than those caused by MP.

[Preliminary efficacy and safety analysis of carrelizumab combined with apatinib in patients with middle-advanced liver cancer progressed after drug-eluting beads-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization]

Objective: To explore the preliminary clinical efficacy and safety of calerizumab combined with apatinib in the treatment of patients with middle-advanced liver cancer whose disease has progressed after drug-eluting beads-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (D-TACE). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 23 patients with advanced liver cancer after D-TACE who were treated with carrelizumab combined with apatinib from April 2019 to July 2020 at Lianyungang First People's Hospital was carried out. There were 15 males and 8 females with a mean age of (62±9) years. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECRST), and treatment-related adverse events were analyzed after treatment. Results: All the patients received D-TACE therapy with an average of (2.6±1.0) times, TACE-refractory tumor was observed in 7 patients, and distant metastasis was seen in 6 patients. The objective response rates after combined treatment of 1 month and 3 months were 47.8% and 60.9%, respectively. Disease control rate (DCR) was 73.9% and 78.3%, respectively; median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 126 days. Among 18 patients with alpha fatoprotein (AFP)>200 μg/L, the values before and after treatment of 2 months was (497±117) μg/L and (80±19) μg/L, respectively (P<0.05). Among 9 patients of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)>142.2 ng/L, the values before and after treatment of 2 months was (154±51) ng/L and (57±19) ng/L, respectively (P<0.05). The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 87.0% (20/23). All adverse reactions did not exceed grade 3 and could be controlled by symptomatic supportive treatment or reducing the dose of apatinib,and the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level after treatment of 3 months[(77±33) U/L] was higher than that before treatment [(45±26) U/L] (P<0.05). Conclusion: For patients with advanced liver cancer after D-TACE, the treatment of carrelizumab combined with apatinib is effective and the adverse reactions are controllable.

[Expressions of MPV, P-LCR and NLR in patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019]

To provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this study explore the expression level and prognostic value of platelet parameters in mild, moderate and severe COVID-19. This is a retrospective analysis. From January to May 2020, a total of 69 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Third Central Hospital and the Jinnan Hospital (both situated in Tianjin) were enrolled in the disease group. According to the severity, these patients were divided into mild group (15 cases), moderate group (46 cases), and severe group (8 cases). In the same period, 70 non-infected patients were enrolled in control group. The level of white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (NEU#), absolute lymphocyte count (LY#), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet-large contrast ratio (P-LCR) before and after treatment were analyzed. Binary logistic regression analysis is used to establish a mathematical model of the relationship between these indexes and the outcome of severe COVID-19 patients. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve is used to further explore the prognosis value of MPV, P-LCR, NLR separately and jointly in COVID-19 patients. Compare to the control group, WBC and NE# increase (Z=-5.63, P<0.01;Z=-9.19,P<0.01) and LY# decrease (Z=-9.34, P<0.01) in the severe group; NLR increase with the aggravation of the disease, there is significant difference between groups (Z=17.61, P<0.01); PLT, PDW, MPV and P-LCR decrease with the aggravation of the disease, there is significant difference between groups (Z=9.47, P<0.01; Z=11.41, P<0.01; Z =16.76, P<0.01; Z=13.97, P<0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis shows MPV, P-LCR and NLR have predictive value for severe COVID-19 patients. There is a negative correlation between MPV, P-LCR and severe COVID-19 patients (OR=1.004, P=0.034; OR=1.097, P=0.046). There is a positive correlation between NLR and severe COVID-19 patients (OR=1.052, P=0.016). MPV and P-LCR of patients with good prognosis after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (Z=-6.47, P<0.01; Z=-5.36, P<0.01). NLR was significantly lower than that before treatment (Z=-8.13, P<0.01). MPV and P-LCR in poor prognosis group were significantly lower than those before treatment (Z=-9.46, P<0.01; Z=-6.81, P<0.01). NLR was significantly higher than that before treatment (Z=-3.24, P<0.01). There were significant differences between good and poor prognosis groups before and after treatment in MPV, P-LCR and NLR (P<0.01). Combination of these three indexes, ROC shows the AUC is 0.931, the sensitivity is 91.5%, the specificity is 94.1%, the positive predictive value is 88.9%, and the negative predictive value is 87.4%, which is better than any of these indexes separately. Changes in these parameters are closely related to clinical stage of COVID-19 patients. MPV, P-LCR and NLR are of great value in the prediction and prognosis of severe COVID-19 patients.

[Establishment of model to predict lateral neck recurrence of central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To explore the risk factors for lateral neck recurrence of central lymph node metastasis (CLMN) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and to construct a model to predict the recurrence. Methods: The records of 245 consecutive PTC patients with CLMN underwent surgical treatment from 1996 to 2009 in our department were retrospectively reviewed. The threshold value of CLNM number is determined by ROC curve. The risk factors for lateral neck recurrence were determined by using Cox regression model. The identified risk factors were incorporated into a nomogram model to predict the risk of lateral neck recurrence. Results: A total of 245 patients were enrolled in the study, among them, 32 cases occurred lateral neck lymph node recurrence and 4 cases were dead of thyroid carcinoma. Multivariate analysis revealed that primary tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, the number of metastatic CLNM >3 were independent risk factors of lateral neck recurrence (P<0.05), lateral neck recurrence was a risk factor of disease-free survival(P<0.05). The nomogram model of predicting the lateral neck recurrence was further established based on the above 3 independent risk factors, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of which was 0.790. Conclusions: The nomogram model based on the independent risk factors of LN recurrence can be helpful to screen the papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with high risk of lateral neck recurrence, and provide more guidance for clinical treatment.

[Visual fixation patterns during basic facial emotion recognition and its correlation with social impairment among children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder]

Objective: To explore the visual fixation patterns during facial emotion recognition and the association between fixation duration percentage (FDP) of eye region with social impairment among high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD). Methods: Children were recruited from the Child and Adolescent Behavior Research Center of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, between July and December 2019 for case control study. A total of 42 children with HFASD and 23 age-and gender-matched typical development (TD) children were enrolled. Based on their performance during the facial emotion recognition task, HFASD children were further divided into ASD-1 group (correctly recognized both happy and fear emotions) and ASD-2 group (recognized happy emotions only). During the free viewing task, an infrared eye tracker was used to record the gazing data of children in the three groups. The social responsiveness scales (SRS) was utilized to evaluate HFASD children's social impairment, with the cutoff score of 75 to differentiate those from mild and severe social impairment. The differences of FDP among the three groups were analyzed by the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model. Mixed linear regression model was conducted to evaluate the associations between social impairment and FDP of eye region among HFASD children. Results: The final sample consists of 25 ASD-1 (20 males, aged (7.9±1.0) years), 17 ASD-2(14 males, aged (7.2±1.2) years), and 23 TD (12 males, aged (7.7±1.3) years) children. There were no significant differences in age and gender among three groups (F=2.05, χ²=10.08, P=0.14 and 0.07, respectively). For the happy emotion, there are significant differences in eye FDP among the three groups (TD: 0.37±0.20, ASD-1: 0.35±0.20, ASD-2: 0.47±0.24, F=3.97, P=0.02). Mixed linear regression model revealed that, adjusting for emotion, gender, age and intelligence quotient, ASD children's eye FDP negatively associates with social impairment (OR=0.15, 95%CI: 0.06-0.35, P<0.01). Conclusions: Longer FDP is associated with milder social impairment among HFASD children. HFASD children with facial emotion recognition difficulties require longer fixation to recognize happy emotions.

[Prediction and investigation of the potential risk factors for the upper mediastinal metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To predict and investigate the potential risk factors for the upper mediastinal metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: This study was a prospective cohort study. The admission criteria were patients with untreated thyroid cancer diagnosed in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from December 2013 to December 2015, and positive lymph node (cN1, including cN1a and cN1b) was diagnosed by ultrasound. All patients underwent neck to thorax enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) examination preoperatively. All patients with suspected upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis experienced suspicious regional dissection, and those who had not undergone surgery and whose postoperative pathology was non-papillary thyroid carcinoma were excluded. Kaplan-Meier method was selected for survival analysis and all the factors were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression. Results: Of the 248 patients, 54 were prompted by postoperative pathology for upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis, 86 cases were phase T1, 94 cases were phase T2, 17 cases were phase T3 and 51 cases were phase T4, 21 cases were N1a phase and 227cases were N1b phase. There was a statistically significant difference in the T-phase and N-phase between the upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis group and no upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis group(P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that among the preoperative relevant factors, ultrasound tumor length> 2 cm, ultrasound tumor bilaterally, CT double neck lymph node metastasis, increased thyroglobulin (Tg), and increased anti-thyroglobulin antibody (ATG) were all risk factors for upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis(all P<0.05). Among the postoperative factors, bilateral tumor, double neck lymph node metastasis, tumor invasion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, trachea, esophagus or larynx, T3 staging, T4 staging, total number of metastatic lymph nodes>10, the number of metastatic lymph nodes in level Ⅵ>3 and >6, the proportion of metastatic lymph nodes in level Ⅵ>1/2, the number of metastatic lymph nodes in level Ⅳ> 5 and metastatic proportion >1/3 are risk factors for metastasis of upper mediastinal lymph node(all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that CT indicated double neck lymph node metastasis, increased Tg, increased ATG, the proportion of metastatic lymph nodes in level Ⅵ >1/2, and in level Ⅳ>1/3 are independent risk factors for upper mediastinum lymph node metastasis(all P<0.05). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of the upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis group and the no upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis group were 92.3% and 94.8% respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.307). Conclusions: For preoperative ultrasound considering the presence of lymph node metastases, enhanced neck to thorax CT should be performed routinely. When bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis is determined by CT, or endocrine tests suggest abnormally increased antibodies, attention should be paid to the upper mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis. In the course of neck dissection, if more lymph node metastases in level Ⅵ and level Ⅳ were detected, surgeons should be vigilant of the upper mediastinal metastasis. The prognosis of patients underwent complete mediastinal dissection is not significantly different from that of patients without mediastinal metastasis.

[Advances in toxicity and biological monitoring of 2-butoxy ethanol]

2-butoxyethanol is a widely used organic solvent. The United States Toxic and Disease Registry (ATSDR) listed 2-butoxyethanol as a suspected human carcinogen. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress of methylene chloride metabolism and absorption in vivo, toxicity and biological monitoring in recent years.

[Current status and quality analysis of interventional therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation in China]

Objective: To define the current status and analyze the medical quality of interventional therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in China. Methods: This survey was performed in all seven large regions of China, one to three regional major medical centers were selected from each region. Medical records of patients underwent interventional therapy for AF in the year 2017 were randomly inspected. CHA2DS2-VASc score, prescribed anticoagulant after ablation, indication of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), and complications in the medical records were analyzed. Results: A total of 10 800 AF catheter ablations and 447 LAAOs were performed in 17 regional medical centers in 2017. There were 10/17 centers performing AF catheter ablation<500 cases and 7/17 centers performing LAAO<20 cases. A total of 1 347 cases of catheter ablation and 160 cases of LAAO were selected for further analysis. Among all selected cases, 15.8% (238/1 505) non-valvar AF cases recorded CHA2DS2-VASc scores. The anticoagulation rate after AF catheter ablation was 98.6% (1 328/1 347), anticoagulation rate was higher than 90% in 16 out of 17 centers. The complication and severe complication rates of AF catheter ablation were 0.9% (12/1 347) and 0.4% (5/1 347), respectively. The differences of complication and severe complication rates in AF catheter ablation were similar between centers performing<500 cases and centers performing ≥500 cases (0.5% (2/413) vs. 1.1% (10/934), P>0.05; 0.5% (2/413) vs. 0.3% (3/934), P>0.05). The coincidence rate of LAAO indication was 81.3% (130/160), and the rate was higher in center performing ≥20 cases than in centers performing<20 cases (84.8% (106/125) vs. 68.6% (24/35), P<0.05). The complication and severe complication rates of LAAO were 3.1% (5/160) and 1.9% (3/160). The rate of complications in LAAO was higher in center performing<20 cases than in centers performing ≥20 cases (8.6% (3/35) vs. 1.6% (2/125), P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in severe complication rate (5.7% (2/35) vs. 0.8% (1/125), P>0.05). Conclusions: Interventional therapy for AF in China is generally standardized and safe. The overall incidence of complications post AF interventional ablation is low, the anticoagulation rate after AF catheter ablation is high, and the adherence rate of LAAO indication is fair. The indicators mentioned above vary widely among centers.

[Spatial and temporal distribution and predictive value of chest CT scoring in patients with COVID-19]

Objective: To explore a modified CT scoring system, its feasibility for disease severity evaluation and its predictive value in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: This study was a multi-center retrospective cohort study. Patients confirmed with COVID-19 were recruited in three medical centers located in Beijing, Wuhan and Nanchang from January 27, 2020 to March 8, 2020. Demographics, clinical data, and CT images were collected. CT were analyzed by two emergency physicians of more than ten years' work experience independently through a modified scoring system. Final score was determined by average score from the two reviewers if consensus was not reached. The lung was divided into 6 zones (upper, middle, and lower on both sides) by the level of trachea carina and the level of lower pulmonary veins. The target lesion types included ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, overall lung involvement, and crazy-paving pattern. Bronchiectasis, cavity, pleural effusion, etc., were not included in CT reading and analysis because of low incidence. The reviewers evaluated the extent of the targeted patterns (GGO, consolidation) and overall affected lung parenchyma for each zone, using Likert scale, ranging from 0-4 (0=absent; 1=1%-25%; 2=26%-50%; 3=51%-75%; 4=76%-100%). Thus, GGO score, consolidation score, and overall lung involvement score were sum of 6 zones ranging from 0-24. For crazy-paving pattern, it was only coded as absent or present (0 or 1) for each zone and therefore ranging from 0-6. Results: A total of 197 patients from 3 medical centers and 522 CT scans entered final analysis. The median age of the patients was 64 years, and 54.8% were male. There were 76(38.8%) patients had hypertension and 30(15.3%) patients had diabetes mellitus. There were 75 of the patients classified as moderate cases, as well as 95 severe cases and 27 critical cases. As initial symptom, dry cough occurred in 170 patients, 134 patients had fever, and 125 patients had dyspnea. Reparatory rate, oxygen saturation, lymphocyte count and CURB 65 score on admission day varied among patients with different disease severity scale. There were 50 of the patients suffered from deterioration during hospital stay. The median time consumed for each CT by clinicians was 86.5 seconds. Cronbach's alpha for GGO, consolidation, crazy-paving pattern, and overall lung involvement between two clinicians were 0.809, 0.712, 0.678, and 0.906, respectively, showing good or excellent inter-rater correlation. There were 193 (98.0%) patients had GGO, 147 (74.6%) had consolidation, and 126(64.0%) had crazy-paving pattern throughout clinical course. Bilateral lung involvement was observed in 183(92.9%) patients. Median time of interval for CT scan in our study was 7 days so that the whole clinical course was divided into stages by week for further analysis. From the second week on, the CT scores of various types of lesions in severe or critically patients were higher than those of moderate cases. After the fifth week, the course of disease entered the recovery period. The CT score of the upper lung zones was lower than that of other zones in moderate and severe cases. Similar distribution was not observed in critical patients. For moderate cases, the ground glass opacity score at the second week had predictive value for the escalation of the severity classification during hospitalization. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.849, the best cut-off value was 5 points, with sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 75.0%. Conclusions: It is feasible for clinicians to use the modified semi-quantitative CT scoring system to evaluate patients with COVID-19. Severe/critical patients had higher scores for ground glass opacity, consolidation, crazy-paving pattern, and overall lung involvement than moderate cases. The ground glass opacity score in the second week had an optimal predictive value for escalation of disease severity during hospitalization in moderate patients on admission. The frequency of CT scan should be reduced after entering the recovery stage.

[Research progress of liposome drug delivery system in stomatology]

Liposomes are spherical vesicles with bilayer membrane structure spontaneously formed by phospholipids dispersed in an aqueous medium. Liposomes are excellent drug carrier with amphiphilic properties. Liposomes have good biocompatibility, biodegradability and no immunogenicity. Liposomes can achieve the delivery of the drug, enhance the solubility, improve the stability, reduce the toxic effect of the drug, and improve the therapeutic effect of the loaded drug. In recent years, liposome drug delivery systems have been widely used in dentistry. This article reviews the application of liposome drug delivery systems in caries, dental pulp diseases, periodontitis, implantation, oral anesthesia and oral candidiasis.