Transnasal Endoscopic and Transoral Approaches in the Biopsies of Ventral Atlas and Axis Vertebrae: A Comprehensive Retrospective Study for Preprocedural Scheme,Biopsy Procedure,Core Technique Analysis,Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Outcome

ObjectiveThis study aims to describe and analyze the transoral and transnasal approaches for pathologies of the ventral atlas and axis vertebrae, which are considered technically challenging regions for diagnostic biopsy.MethodsA series of transnasal endoscopic approach (TNA) and transoral approach (TOA) biopsies for the pathologies of the first and second cervical vertebrae were conducted and retrospectively analyzed from July 2014 to May 2021. The depth of the biopsy trajectory was measured on computed tomography images for all nine patients (eight males and one female with an average age of 58.11 ± 11.60 years), as were the coronal, sagittal, and vertical biopsy safe ranges. The characteristics of each lesion, including radiographic features, blood supply, and destruction of anterior or posterior vertebral body edges, were evaluated to guide the biopsy. Four biopsy core techniques (BCTs), including “lesion perforating”, “aspiration”, “cutting‐and‐scraping” and “biopsy forceps utilization” were elaborated in this study. The biopsy procedures and periprocedural precautions were demonstrated. Patient demographics, clinical data, lesion characteristics, diagnostic yield, and complications were recorded for each case.ResultsEight TOA biopsies for the axis vertebral body and one TNA biopsy for the atlas anterior arch were successfully performed and yielded adequate pathologies. All biopsies were organized based on the preprocedural radiographic measurements, which showed that the average length of biopsy trajectory and coronal, sagittal, and vertical safe biopsy ranges were 85.00 ± 5.88, 20.63 ± 4.75, 16.25 ± 1.49, and 24.63 ± 2.26 mm, respectively, and these corresponding data were 95, 36, 9, and 26 mm in the TNA patient. Six osteolytic lesions (66.7%), one osteoblastic lesion (11.1%), and two mixed lesions (22.2%) were observed, among which seven lesions had a rich blood supply. Biopsy forceps and core needles were utilized to obtain samples in six and three patients, respectively. All the TNA and TOA biopsies were performed with cooperative application of multiple BCTs under compound anatomic and stereotactic navigations. Intraprocedural or postprocedural complications occurred in no patients who underwent the biopsy in the follow‐up period (1–39 months). No significant differences were found between the preprocedural and postprocedural blood indexes and visual analogue scale scores.ConclusionWith a sophisticated preprocedural arrangement, cooperative application of BCTs, and careful periprocedural precautions, transnasal endoscopic and transoral biopsies are two feasible, efficient, and well‐tolerated procedures that achieve satisfactory diagnostic yield, complication rate, and clinical outcome.     

The Butterfly Fragment in Wedge‐Shaped Femoral Shaft Fracture: Comparison of Two Different Surgical Methods

ObjectiveOur study compared the results of wedge‐shaped femoral shaft fracture following intramedullary (IM) nailing with or without fixation of the third fragment.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients presenting with femoral shaft fracture with AO/OTA type 32‐B from 2011 to 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: closed reduction without touching the third fragment and open reduction with fixation of the third fragment. The fragment ratio, fragment length, nail size, dynamization or not, mRUST scores, union rate, and union time were compared between the two groups. Risk factors of non‐union were also investigated, including sex, age, fracture pattern, fracture location, dynamization, nail size, fragment ratio, fragment size, and postoperative fragment displacement.ResultsA total of 80 patients met inclusion criteria, 20 patients with wedge‐shaped shaft femoral fracture were managed with IM nailing and open reduction with fixation of the third fragment. Sixty patients were treated with IM nail without touching the third fragment. The union rate for the fixation and non‐fixation groups were 60.0% and 81.7%, respectively. The mean union time for the fixation group was 19 months vs 14 months for the non‐fixation group. Multi‐regression analysis showed larger nail size (odds ratio: 2.26) and fixation of the third fragment (odds ratio: 0.18) influenced fracture healing.ConclusionsFixation of the third fragment in wedge‐shaped shaft femoral fracture results in a longer union time and lower union rate. In the management of femoral fracture with a third fragment, a larger nail size is recommended and fixation should be performed in a closed manner. Fixation of the fragment may achieve better fracture reduction. However, disruption of the vasculature and surrounding structures may further result in nonunion of the fracture site.     

解毒生肌膏调控GSK-3β/β-catenin减轻炎症反应促糖尿病SD大鼠慢性创面修复的影响

目的 从GSK-3β/β-catenin角度探讨炎症反应对糖尿病SD大鼠慢性创面修复的影响。方法 使用高脂饲料喂养联合腹腔注射链脲霉素（Streptozocin,STZ）及手术制备全层皮肤缺损的方法建立糖尿病SD大鼠创面模型,成模后随机分为模型组（n=15）,磺胺嘧啶银组（n=15）及解毒生肌膏组（n=15）,并设立正常创面组（n=15）。磺胺嘧啶银组创面和解毒生肌膏组创面予以磺胺嘧啶银软膏和解毒生肌膏外敷,每日1次,模型组与正常创面组不予干预。给药后第3天、7天和14天肉眼观察各组大鼠的创面愈合情况,计算创面愈合率;HE观察组织基本形态;Masson检测胶原生成情况;超微电镜观察内质网结构差异;免疫组织化学法检测肿瘤坏死因子-α（Tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α）和白细胞介素-6（Interleukin-6,IL-6）表达;蛋白质免疫印迹法检测糖原合成酶激酶-3β（glycogen synthase kinase-3β,GSK-3β）蛋白和β-连环蛋白（β-catenin）蛋白表达。结果 给药后3天解毒生肌膏组创面愈合率高于模型组（P<0.05）;给药后14天解毒生肌膏组创面愈合率高于磺胺嘧啶银组（P<0.05）。HE结果 给药后3、7天解毒生肌膏组创面较其他组肿胀程度较小,毛细血管数量丰富;14天,解毒生肌膏组和正常创面组出现皮肤附属器新生,组织结构完整度好。Masson结果 解毒生肌膏组较其他各组胶原纤维分布均匀,排列结构较为整齐,新生胶原纤维更为粗壮,分布均匀,排列整齐。电镜结果：解毒生肌膏组内质网丰富,数量较多,形态结构趋于正常。免疫组织化学法结果：与模型组相比,各组TNF-α、IL-6表达水平明显降低;解毒生肌膏组TNF-α表达水平低于正常创面组;解毒生肌膏组TNF-α、IL-6表达低于磺胺嘧啶银组。Western blot法结果显示：与正常创面组相比,各组β-catenin表达量均上调（P<0.05）,解毒生肌膏组上调表达量最少;与正常创面组相比,各组GSK-3β蛋白表达含量明显下调（P<0.05）;给药后7天,磺胺嘧啶银组和解毒生肌膏组GSK-3β蛋白表达含量上调（P<0.05）,但仍低于正常创面组。结论 解毒生肌膏作用糖尿病大鼠创面修复机制通过调控GSK-3β和β-catenin表达,使炎症因子IL-6和TNF-α表达下调,最终达到糖尿病大鼠慢性创面愈合。     

变异链球菌的微生态学研究进展

随着微生态学的不断发展,医学微生态学的研究越来越受到重视。变异链球菌是人类的主要致龋菌,通过黏附、产酸和耐酸导致牙体组织破坏,从而形成龋齿。本文就变异链球菌的感染传播途径、生物信号传导系统、遗传多态性、致龋性及免疫防龋的研究进展作一综述。     

Improved nitrogen reduction activity of NbSe2 tuned by edge chirality

Efficient catalysts for the electroreduction of N₂ to NH₃ are of paramount importance for sustainable ammonia production. Recently, it was reported that NbSe₂ nanosheets exhibit an excellent catalytic activity for nitrogen reduction under ambient conditions. However, existing theoretical calculations suggested an overpotential over 3.0 V, which is too high to interpret the experimental observations. To reveal the underlying mechanism of the high catalytic activity, in this work, we assessed NbSe₂ edges with different chirality and Se vacancies by using first principles calculations. Our results show that N₂ can be efficiently reduced to NH₃ on a pristine zigzag edge via the enzymatic pathway with an overpotential of 0.45 V. Electronic structure analysis demonstrates that the N₂ molecule is activated by the back-donation mechanism. The efficient tuning of the local chemical environments by edge chirality provides a promising approach for catalyst design.

The zigzag edge of the NbSe₂ monolayer exhibits an overpotential as low as 0.45 V along the enzymatic pathway.     

COVID-19-associated mucormycosis and treatments

In the current pandemic, COVID-19 patients with predisposing factors are at an increased risk of mucormycosis, an uncommon angioinvasive infection that is caused by fungi with Mucor genus which is mainly found in plants and soil. Mucormycosis development in COVID-19 patient is related to various factors, such as diabetes, immunocompromise and neutropenia. Excessive use of glucocorticoids for the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients also leads to opportunistic infections, such as pulmonary aspergillosis. COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis have a very high mortality rate. This review describes the pathogenesis and various treatment approaches for mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients, including medicinal plants, conventional therapies, adjunct and combination therapies.     

Ocular surface in patients with different degrees of myopia

AIM: To investigate the clinical features of the ocular surface in patients with different degrees of myopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 122 participants with myopia in Beijing Tongren Hospital from February to June, 2023. After completing the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score scale, measurements were taken for refraction, biometric parameters and ocular surface parameters. The prevalence, severity and related parameters of the dry eye among different groups based on axial length (AL) were compared. Correlation analysis was performed between ocular surface parameters and refraction/biometric measurement parameters. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in refractive error, corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and subfoveal choroidal thickness among the groups (all P<0.05). With the increase in AL, the incidence and severity of dry eye increased significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, the tear film break-up time (BUT) shortened (P<0.05), and the corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) points increased significantly (P<0.05). OSDI scores were positively correlated with AL and spherical equivalent (SE; both P<0.05); BUT was negatively correlated with AL, SE, and corneal astigmatism (AST; all P<0.05); Schirmer I test (SIT) results were negatively correlated with AL and SE (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AL elongation is a risk factor for dry eye onset in myopic participants. The longer the AL, the more severe the dry eye is, with the increased CFS spots and tear film instability. Additionally, SE and AST exhibit negative correlations with dry eye symptom scores and ocular surface parameters.     

Modulation of spatiotemporal dynamics in the bromate–sulfite–ferrocyanide reaction system by visible light

We have carried out the first systematic study of the effects of visible light on the homogenous dynamics in the bromate–sulfite–ferrocyanide (BSF) reaction. Under flow conditions, the reaction system displayed photoinduction and photoinhibition behavior, and the oscillatory period decreased with the increase of light intensity, which is due to the fact that light irradiation mainly enhanced the negative process and affected the positive feedback. The light effect on positive and negative feedback is studied by analyzing the period length of pH increasing and decreasing in detail. With the increase of light intensity, the period length of pH increasing decreases monotonically, while the period length of pH decreasing changes nonmonotonically. These results suggest that light could be used as a powerful tool to control homogenous dynamics. Results obtained from numerical simulations are in good agreement with experimental data.

The BSF reaction system displayed photoinduction and photoinhibition behavior under flow conditions. The oscillatory period decreased as the light irradiation mainly enhanced the negative process and affected the positive feedback.     

Effect of Killed PRRSV Vaccine on Gut Microbiota Diversity in Pigs

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most economically important pathogens affecting the global swine industry. Vaccination is still a main strategy for PRRSV control; however, host factors associated with vaccine efficacy remain poorly understood. Growing evidence suggests that mucosa-associated microbiomes may play a role in the responses to vaccination. In this study, we investigated the effects of a killed virus vaccine on the gut microbiome diversity in pigs. Fecal microbial communities were longitudinally assessed in three groups of pigs (vaccinated/challenged with PRRSV, unvaccinated/challenged with PRRSV, and unvaccinated/unchallenged) before and after vaccination and after viral challenge. We observed significant interaction effects between viral challenge and vaccination on both taxonomic richness and community diversity of the gut microbiota. While some specific taxonomic alterations appear to be enhanced in vaccinated/challenged pigs, others appeared to be more consistent with the levels in control animals (unvaccinated/unchallenged), indicating that vaccination incompletely protects against viral impacts on the microbiome. The abundances of several microbial taxa were further determined to be correlated with the level of viral load and the amount of PRRSV reactive CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells. This study highlights the potential roles of gut microbiota in the response of pigs to vaccination, which may pave the road for the development of novel strategies to enhance vaccine efficacy.     

中美婴儿运动表现测试常模差异分析

目的比较中美婴儿运动表现测试(TIMP)常模,明确本地化研究和修正的重要性,为指导TIMP在国内的推广提供依据。方法经TIMP手册正反译,评估人员培训、信度考核后,分别在华东、华北、华南、华中、西南、西北、东北区域11家医疗机构采样,建立中国TIMP常模,并就样本情况、得分情况及亚组分类与美国常模进行对比。结果中国TIMP常模共13个周龄组,样本总数为1 035例,其中男性占56%,女性占44%,汉族占比95%,少数民族5%,早产儿和足月儿分别占比31%、69%;美国常模共12个周龄组,样本总数为990例,其中男性占52%,女性48%,白种人占58%,黑种人25%,高危、中危、低危婴儿分别占比35%、30%、35%。中国TIMP常模各周龄组得分均值低于同周龄组的美国常模(P<0.01);中国常模第10、50、90百分位数曲线低于美国常模。中国常模足月儿与早产儿亚组对比,大多数周龄组得分无显著差异;美国常模中高危儿亚组得分显著低于低危组(P<0.001)。结论基于两国人口特征和儿童保健发展现状的不同,中美TIMP常模取样人群存在差异。中国常模各周龄组的得分均值低于美国常模同周...