The Viral Load of Epstein-Barr Virus in Blood of Children after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

ObjectiveTo detect the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral load of children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using chip digital PCR (cdPCR).MethodsThe sensitivity of cdPCR was determined using EBV plasmids and the EBV B95-8 strain. The specificity of EBV cdPCR was evaluated using the EBV B95-8 strain and other herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, varicella zoster virus, human cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, and human herpesvirus 7). From May 2019 to September 2020, 64 serum samples of children following HSCT were collected. EBV infection and the viral load of serum samples were detected by cdPCR. The epidemiological characteristics of EBV infections were analyzed in HSCT patients.ResultsThe limit of detection of EBV cdPCR was 110 copies/mL, and the limit of detection of EBV quantitative PCR was 327 copies/mL for the pUC57-BALF5 plasmid. The result of EBV cdPCR was up to 121 copies/mL in the EBV B95-8 strain, and both were more sensitive than that of quantitative PCR. Using cdPCR, the incidence of EBV infection was 18.75% in 64 children after HSCT. The minimum EBV viral load was 140 copies/mL, and the maximum viral load was 3,209 copies/mL using cdPCR. The average hospital stay of children with EBV infection (184 ± 91 days) was longer than that of children without EBV infection (125 ± 79 days), P = 0.026.ConclusionEBV cdPCR had good sensitivity and specificity. The incidence of EBV infection was 18.75% in 64 children after HSCT from May 2019 to September 2020. EBV cdPCR could therefore be a novel method to detect EBV viral load in children after HSCT.     

Endovascular management of multiple intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas

Background and purposeMultiply occurring intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) have been documented but rarely occur, and neither pathogenesis nor prognosis is clearly understood. This study was conducted to analyze angiographic characteristics of multiple dAVFs and to chronicle our treatment experience.MethodsBetween April, 2002 and January, 2018, data prospectively collected from 310 patients with intracranial dAVFs were systematically reviewed, assessing clinical and anatomic outcomes of endovascular treatment in 32 patients with multiple dAVFs (≥ 2 fistulas each). Lesions were categorized as multifocal or diffuse type, depending on presentation, and further characterized as progressive or non-progressive disease.ResultsOverall, 18 patients (56.3%) experienced aggressive presentations, including intracerebral hemorrhage or venous infarction. Cortical venous reflux (CVR) was observed in 26 patients (81.3%), and sinus thrombosis or occlusion was seen in 24 (75.0%). Clinical outcomes in patients with multifocal fistulas (n = 11) were excellent (100%), marked by a moderately high rate of complete occlusion (54.5%). Those with progressive disease (n = 10) regularly displayed certain angiographic findings, namely diffuse configuration (100%), sinus thrombosis (100%), and CVR (100%). Complete anatomic obliteration was achieved in 12 patients (37.5%), and in 26 patients (81.3%), clinical outcomes were favorable.ConclusionMultiple dAVFs are typically aggressive at presentation, given strong associations with CVR and sinus thrombosis. In diffuse-type fistulas, the potential to recur or progress is high. Although definitive treatment poses a challenge, outcomes of endovascular therapeutics may be still optimized in this setting through strategic procedural modifications and careful follow-up monitoring.     

虚实结合的翻转课堂在解剖实验教学中的应用

目的评价虚实相结合的翻转课堂在系统解剖学实验教学中的应用。方法选取齐齐哈尔医学院2018级临床专业和医学影像学专业学生共107名,在系统解剖学实验课中,对某些章节采用部分翻转课堂的教学模式,对照章节则采用传统的教学方法。教学结束后进行考核,比较前后章节的课堂测验成绩,另外采用调查问卷,分析学生对两种教学方法的满意度。结果临床医学和医学影像学专业的学生第二次课堂测试的成绩均高于第一次课堂测试的成绩(P <0.01),同时学生对翻转课堂教学模式的满意度高于传统教学法。结论在系统解剖学实验教学中实行翻转课堂教学模式,同时讲解实物标本并应用数字人解剖学系统进行知识内化,不仅能提高学生的学习成绩,也能调动学生学习系统解剖学的热情,增加教学效果满意度,并为其他解剖学专业课的教学模式改革提供参考和借鉴。     

Digital Contact Tracing,Privacy, and Public Health

Digital contact tracing, in combination with widespread testing, has been a focal point for many plans to “reopen” economies while containing the spread of Covid-19. Most digital contact tracing projects in the United States and Europe have prioritized privacy protections in the form of local storage of data on smartphones and the deidentification of information. However, in the prioritization of privacy in this narrow form, there is not sufficient attention given to weighing ethical trade-offs within the context of a public health pandemic or to the need to evaluate safety and effectiveness of software-based technology applied to public health.     

肝代谢异常人群基于系统营养联合节律运动的干预效果研究

目的探讨采取系统营养联合节律运动对肝代谢异常人群干预效果的研究。方法选取56名肝代谢异常人群的受试者,每天按时进行系统营养和节律运动联合干预3个月,采用肝脏瞬时弹性成像技术(FibroScan)、生物电全身健康扫描系统(DDFAO)技术,对比干预前后肝脏脂肪衰减度、肝脏硬度以及肝脏区域的生物活性值。结果相比干预前,干预后受试者肝脏脂肪衰减度、肝脏硬度、肝糖原活性值显著降低(P<0.05),肝左叶及胆管区域活性值、肝右叶区域活性值均显著升高(P<0.05)。结论系统营养联合节律运动可显著降低受试者肝代谢异常的风险,对预防肝代谢异常和促进肝脏功能恢复有重要作用。