Orientation of the ultrasound probe to identify the taller-than-wide sign of thyroid malignancy: a registry-based study with the Thyroid Imaging Network of Korea

Purpose@#Although the taller-than-wide (TTW) sign has been regarded as one of the most specific ultrasound (US) features of thyroid malignancy, uncertainty still exists regarding the US probe’s orientation when evaluating it. This study investigated which US plane would be optimal to identify the TTW sign based on malignancy risk stratification using a registry-based imaging dataset. @*Methods@#A previous study by 17 academic radiologists retrospectively analyzed the US images of 5,601 thyroid nodules (≥1 cm, 1,089 malignant and 4,512 benign) collected in the webbased registry of Thyroid Imaging Network of Korea through the collaboration of 26 centers. The present study assessed the diagnostic performance of the TTW sign itself and fine needle aspiration (FNA) indications via a comparison of four international guidelines, depending on the orientation of the US probe (criterion 1, transverse plane; criterion 2, either transverse or longitudinal plane). @*Results@#Overall, the TTW sign was more frequent in malignant than in benign thyroid nodules (25.3% vs. 4.6%). However, the statistical differences between criteria 1 and 2 were negligible for sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) based on the size effect (all P0.05, respectively). @*Conclusion@#A longitudinal US probe orientation provided little additional diagnostic value over the transverse orientation in detecting the TTW sign of thyroid nodules.

Incidence of Upper Respiratory Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Data-Based Epidemiological Study / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#Nonpharmacologic interventions (NPIs), such as social distancing and preventive measures, were administered during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which may influence the incidence of upper respiratory diseases (URDs). The present study compared the incidence of URDs during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the years prior to COVID-19, and investigated the effect of NPIs on URD in the nationwide general population.Subjects and Method This is an epidemiologic study based on the Korean National Health Insurance Database from March 2016 to February 2021. We compared the monthly incidence of URDs from March 2020 to February 2021 (12 months) with that of the past four years. A negative binomial regression model was used to evaluate the annual difference in the incidence of each URD and adjusting temperature, humidity, and the level of particulate matter 10 (PM10). @*Results@#The monthly incidence of ‘the five common URDs’ in 2020 was significantly lower than that in the past four years. The incidence of other chronic diseases, however, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, was comparable or higher in the past four years. Among the five common URDs, influenza virus infections decreased most dramatically, nearing 99%, from 296.4-377.1 per 100000 people during the period of 2016 to 2019 to 3.7 per 100000 people in 2020. @*Conclusion@#The present study shows that the incidence of ‘five common URDs’ significantly decreased during the era of COVID-19 in Korea. We believe that nationwide NPI might prevent the transmission of COVID-19 as well as other infectious sources associated with URDs.

A Case of Multiple Miliary Osteoma Cutis on the Face of Middle-Aged Woman after Injection of Unspecified Filler Material / 대한피부과학회지

Multiple miliary osteoma cutis (MMOC) is a rare variant of osteoma, characterized by multiple eruptive hard nodules on the face. A 70-year-old female presented with multiple solid skin-colored papules on both cheeks, unresponsive to conventional medical treatments. She reported receiving an injection of an unknown cosmetic filler substance into her face by an unlicensed medical practitioner 20 years ago. Facial computed tomography showed multiple small calcifications immediately adjacent to foreign material assumed to be the filler substance in the dermis. Histological examination revealed osteoclasts, osteocytes, and eosinophilic bony tissue in the dermis, suggestive of osteoma cutis. Although the pathogenesis remains unclear, inflammation caused by injected foreign material may induce metaplastic transformation of multipotent mesenchymal cells into osteoblasts, resulting in heterotopic ossification. Dermatologists should be aware that MMOC may occur following injection of foreign material by unlicensed practitioners. Performing a detailed history and clinical evaluation may aid in the diagnosis of such recalcitrant skin lesions.

Expression of Antioxidant Response and Autophagy Markers in Patients with Vitiligo:An Immunohistochemical Study / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#Oxidative stress is generally accepted as one of the principal pathogenesis of vitiligo, and keratinocyte-melanocyte interactions are also thought to play critical roles. It is well-known that antioxidant response and autophagy protect cells against oxidative damage, but the details and the compensatory relationship between the two mechanisms in the keratinocytes of vitiligo lesions remain unclear. @*Objective@#To evaluate the antioxidant response and autophagy status of patients with vitiligo and to explore the interactions between these two mechanisms. @*Methods@#Ten patients with clinicopathologically proven vitiligo and 10 normal controls were enrolled in our Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Bucheon, Korea. Tissue samples of vitiligo lesions in the patient group and normal skin in the control group were immunohistochemically stained for nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II, and p62. The immunopositivity of epidermal keratinocytes was evaluated. @*Results@#Keratinocytes in vitiligo lesions had a significantly lower expression of Nrf2 (p=0.002) than that in the cells of normal controls. The levels of autophagy markers did not differ significantly between the two groups, but decreases in the Beclin-1 and LC3-II levels, and an increase in the p62 level in the patient group may indicate a small decrease in autophagy of patients with vitiligo. @*Conclusion@#Decreased antioxidant response and reduced autophagy may trigger melanocyte apoptosis in vitiligo lesions.

Results of serum antibody detection from patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Heilongjiang, 2019-2021 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To detect the antibody levels of hantavirus in serum samples from patients suspected with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Heilongjiang Province from 2019 to 2021, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of disease. Methods　Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to detect the IgM antibodies to hantavirus in serum samples collected from suspected patients with HFRS in the acute-phase, and IgM and IgG antibody in convalescent-phase serum samples. The positive rate of IgM antibody in acute-phase serum samples of patients in different years was analyzed with χ2 test by SPSS 19.0, and the data were sorted out and analyzed about patients' gender, occupation, age, date of onset and interval from onset to initial diagnosis by EpiData 3.1, Excel 2003 software. Results　A total of 351 acute-phase serum samples and 208 convalescent-phase serum samples were detected in patients suspected with HFRS, respectively. There were 317 positive IgM antibodies of serum samples in the acute stage, with the positive rate of 90.31%. There was no significant difference in the positive rate of IgM antibodies in the acute stage between different years (χ2=0.895, P=0.639). T The IgM antibodies and IgG antibodies were positive in 32 (15.39%) and 28 (13.46%) of the convalescent-phase serum samples, respectively. Moreover, 148 patients (71.15%) were double-positive for IgM and IgG antibodies at the convalescent stage. The ratio of male to female patients was 4.56∶1, for which male patients were much more than female patients. Occupation was dominated by farmers (253 cases, 79.81%), followed by workers (19 cases, 5.99%) and the unemployed (17 cases, 5.36%), respectively. The age of patients ranged from 10 to 88 years old, with a median age of 49 years old. Most of the patients were in the age group from 30 years old to 60 years old (209 cases, 65.93%), among which the age group from 40 years old to 50 years old (86 cases, 27.13%) had the highest proportion, and the age group from 60 years old to 90 years old had a proportion of 20.18% (19 cases). May and November were the peak periods of HFRS in Heilongjiang Province. The median interval between onset and initial diagnosis was 4 days. Conclusions　There is a gap of about 10% between the clinical diagnosis of HFRS cases and the confirmed cases detected by laboratory in Heilongjiang Province from 2019 to 2021. The virus-specific detection results are important for confirming the diagnosis of local patients with HFRS.

Effect of Angelica dahurica coumarins on the transport behavior of puerarin across blood-brain barrier in vitro and in vivo / 药学学报

A BBB co-culture cell model consisting of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) and astrocytes (AS) was established to study the effect of Angelica dahurica coumarins on the transport behavior of puerarin across blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro and in vivo. The barrier function of this model was evaluated by measuring the transendothelial resistance, phenol red permeability and BBB related protein expression. The permeability assay and western blot methods were performed to study the effects of Angelica dahurica coumarins on the BBB permeability and the expression of BBB related protein. The animal experiment protocols in this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Animal Ethics No.: 2021-1329). The results showed that the established BMEC/AS co-culture model could be used to evaluate drug transport across BBB in vitro. After combined with Angelica dahurica coumarins, the transport capacity of puerarin was significantly increased in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, Angelica dahurica coumarins enhanced BBB permeability and inhibited the protein expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Angelica dahurica coumarins might increase BBB permeability by inhibiting the expression of P-gp and tight junction protein, thereby increasing the content of puerarin in brain tissue.

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Detected on VFSS in a Patient with Pancoast Tumor: A Case Report / 대한연하장애학회지

A Pancoast tumor is a rare form of lung cancer that occurs mainly in the apex of the lung as the main symptom of upper extremity pain. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is not a common symptom. This case report describes a 57-year-old male patient with a Pancoast tumor who presented with oropharyngeal dysphagia. The patient's symptoms included left shoulder and arm pain. The chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the apex of the left lung, invading the mediastinum and compressing the left brachial vein and brachial plexus. He was discharged after receiving palliative chemotherapy. The patient returned to the hospital with dyspnea and was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. The cranial nerve exam confirmed hoarseness and an absent gag reflex. In addition, the laryngeal elevation decreased, and the bedside water test was positive. A video fluoroscopic swallow study confirmed the presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia, which was attributed to left glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve damage associated with the Pancoast tumor. This case highlights the need to be aware that a Pancoast tumor can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia. If oropharyngeal dysphagia is suspected, VFSS should be performed to prevent complications leading to mortality from lung cancer.

Comparison of cytokine levels in prostatic secretion between the IIIa and IIIb subtypes of prostatitis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), also known as National Institutes of Health (NIH) type III prostatitis, is a common disorder with an unclear etiology and no known curative treatments. Based on the presence or absence of leukocytes in expressed prostatic secretion (EPS), CP/CPPS is classified further into IIIa (inflammatory) and IIIb (noninflammatory) subtypes. However, the severity of symptoms is not entirely consistent with the white blood cell (WBC) count. Following the preliminary finding of a link between inflammatory cytokines and CP/CPPS, we performed this clinical study with the aim of identifying cytokines that are differentially expressed according to whether the prostatitis subtype is IIIa or IIIb. We found that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were significantly elevated and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) levels were downregulated in the EPS of patients with type IIIa prostatitis. In a word, it is a meaningful study in which we investigate the levels of various cytokines in EPS according to whether prostatitis is the IIIa or IIIb subtype. The combination of G-CSF, IL-18, MCP-1, IP-10, and PDGF-BB expression levels could form a basis for classification, diagnosis, and therapeutic targets in clinical CP/CPPS.

Investigation on status of dyslipidemia in Chinese females aged 35 years or above / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control status of dyslipidemia among females aged ≥35 years old across China. Methods: Participants were selected by stratified multistage random sampling method in the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" National Science and Technology Support Project "Survey on the Prevalence of Important Cardiovascular Diseases and Key Technology Research in China" project. This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. A total of 17 418 females aged 35 years and over were included in the current study. The basic information such as age, medical history and menopause was collected by questionnaire. The blood lipid parameters were derived from clinical laboratory examinations. The prevalence of dyslipidemia and the rate of awareness, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia were analyzed in females aged 35 years and over. Results: The age of participants was (56.2±13.0) years old, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 33.1% (5 765/17 418). The prevalence rates of high total cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C and high LDL-C were 9.7% (1 695/17 418), 11.1% (1 925/17 418), 10.9% (1 889/17 418) and 7.3% (1 262/17 418), respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased with age and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in women who were not married, Han, menarche age>16 years, obesity, central obesity, alcohol consumption, diabetes, hypertension and family history of cardiovascular disease were higher than those without such characteristics (P<0.05). There were 10 432 (59.9%) menopausal females in this cohort and prevalence of dyslipidemia of these participants was 38.8% (4 048/10 432), which was higher than that of non-postmenopausal females (24.6%, 1 717/6 986) (P<0.05). The awareness rates, treatment rates and control rates of dyslipidemia were 33.9% (1 953/5 765), 15.1% (870/5 765) and 2.5% (143/5 765) respectively among females aged 35 years and over in China. Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia in Chinese females aged 35 years and over is high, and its awareness, treatment, and control rates need to be optimized.

Clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps in reconstructing cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps in reconstructing cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From May 2018 to April 2021, 11 patients with cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 5 to 46 years, with a course of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity of 5 months to 8 years. The degree of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity was degree Ⅰ in one patient, degree Ⅱ in nine patients, and degree Ⅲ in one patient. In the first stage, according to the sizes of neck scars, one rectangular skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) with rated capacity of 200 to 600 mL was placed in the back. The expansion time was 4 to 12 months with the total normal saline injection volume being 3.0 to 3.5 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, free expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps with areas of 10 cm×7 cm to 24 cm×13 cm were cut out to repair the wounds with areas of 9 cm×6 cm to 23 cm×12 cm which was formed after cervical cicatectomy. The main trunk of thoracodorsal artery and vein were selected for end-to-end anastomosis with facial artery and vein, and the donor sites were directly closed. The survival of flaps and healing of flap donor sites were observed on the 14th day post surgery. The appearances and cicatrix contracture deformity of the flaps, recovery of cervical function, and scar hyperplasia of donor sites were followed up. Results: On the 14th day post surgery, the flaps of ten patients survived, while ecchymosis and epidermal necrosis occurred in the center of flap of one patient and healed 2 weeks after dressing change. On the 14th day post surgery, the flap donor sites of 11 patients all healed well. During the follow-up of 6-12 months post surgery, the flaps of ten patients were similar to the skin around the recipient site in texture and color, while the flap of one patient was slightly swollen. All of the 11 patients had good recovery of cervical function and no obvious scar hyperplasia nor contracture in the flaps or at the donor sites. Conclusions: Application of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps can restore the appearance and function of the neck, and cause little damage to the donor site in reconstructing the cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns, which is worthy of clinical reference and application.

Correlation between severity of diabetic retinopathy and corneal SNP changes / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the correlation between severity of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and corneal sub-basal nerve plexus(SNP)changes. METHODS: There were 132 patients with 132 eyes in type 2 diabetes(T2DM)and 80 patients with 80 eyes in age-related cataract selected in our hospital from January 2018 to May 2021, among them, there were 52 non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR)patients with 52 eyes, 40 non proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)patients with 40 eyes and 40 proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)patients with 40 eyes in T2DM. The general data and corneal laser scanning confocal microscopy were analyzed. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between DR clinical stage and nerve fiber length. RESULTS: There were no differences in gender and age comparisons among 4 groups(P&#x003E;0.05). The diabetes duration in PDR group was significantly longer than NPDR group and NDR group(P&#x003C;0.05). The diabetes duration in NPDR group was significantly longer than NDR group(P&#x003C;0.05). The levels of fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in age-related cataract group were significantly lower than other three groups(P&#x003C;0.05). The best corrected visual acuity in PDR group was significantly lower than NPDR group and NDR group(P&#x003C;0.05). The best corrected visual acuity in NPDR group was significantly lower than NDR group(P&#x003C;0.05). The length of nerve fibers in age-related cataract group was significantly higher than NDR group, NPDR group and PDR group(P&#x003C;0.05). The length of nerve fibers in PDR group was significantly shorter than NPDR group(P&#x003C;0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between DR stage and nerve fiber length(rs=-0.347, P&#x003C;0.001).CONCLUSION: There was a correlation between the severity of DR and the changes of corneal SNP. The length of nerve fibers in patients with PDR was significantly shorter than patients with NPDR; Both PDR and NPDR have a loss of neural structure and should pay attention to the evaluation and treatment of ocular surface lesions in the treatment of T2DM fundus lesions.

The Use of Palliative Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Enterostomy to Treat Small Bowel Obstruction in Two Patients with Advanced Malignancies / 대한내과학회지

Recurrent or refractory small bowel obstruction in postsurgical patients with advanced malignancies poses therapeutic dilemmas. Although some promising results have been achieved as small bowel endoscopic techniques advanced, palliative stent placement is both challenging and complex. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided anastomosis using a lumen-apposing metal stent has been recently used during gastroenterostomy to treat benign or malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Data on the outcomes of EUS-guided enterostomy in patients with recurrent small bowel obstruction are lacking, although the technique is applicable throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. We recently encountered recurrent or refractory small bowel obstruction in two poor surgical candidates. For the first case, we performed EUS-guided enterostomy to treat a recurrent obstruction after conventional stent insertion. The second case underwent EUS-guided transenteric stent placement to treat refractory small bowel obstruction associated with diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis after failure of a conventional “push” endoscopic procedure.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of children with drowning-associated aspiration pneumonia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical and microbiological characteristics of children with drowning-associated aspiration pneumonia, so as to provide a reference for empirical selection of antibacterial agents.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 185 children with drowning-associated aspiration pneumonia who were admitted to Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2010 to October 2020. According to the drowning environment, these children were divided into four groups: fecal group (n=44), freshwater group (n=69), swimming pool group (n=41), and contaminant water group (n=31). The clinical characteristics and pathogen detection results were reviewed and compared among the four groups.@*RESULTS@#The 185 children had an age of 4 months to 17 years (median 34 months). Sputum cultures were performed on 157 children, and 103 were tested positive (65.6%), with 87 strains of Gram-negative bacteria (68.5%), 37 strains of Gram-positive bacteria (29.1%), and 3 strains of fungi (2.4%). Gram-negative bacteria were the main pathogen in the fecal group and the contaminant water group, accounting for 88.2% (30/34) and 78.3% (18/23), respectively. The freshwater group had a significantly higher detection rate of Gram-positive bacteria than the fecal group (P<0.008), and the swimming pool group had an equal detection rate of Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria.@*CONCLUSIONS@#For pulmonary bacterial infection in children with drowning in feces or contaminant water, antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria may be applied empirically, while for children with drowning in a swimming pool or freshwater, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be used as initial treatment, and subsequently the application of antibiotics may be adjusted according to the results of the drug sensitivity test.

Impact of Current Alcohol Consumption on Cognitive Function in Patients with Self-Perceived Memory Decline: A Comparative Study of Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer-Type Dementia Groups

Background@#Alcohol consumption has been considered as a modifiable risk factor for dementia development and alcohol-related brain damage may further impair cognitive abilities in dementia patients. This study aimed to find out the differences in cognitive function according to current alcohol drinking in patients with self-perceived memory decline, including subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD). @*Methods@#From May 2018 to December 2019, retrospective chart review was performed in patients who visited CHA Bundang Medical Center for cognitive decline. A two-way analysis of variance with interaction test were used to analyze the impact of alcohol consumption on cognitive function between groups. @*Results@#A total of 147 patients was classified into three groups of SCD (n=30), MCI (n=53), and ATD (n=64), and each group was divided into two subgroups of alcohol users and alcohol non-users, according to the current status of alcohol consumption. Between SCD, MCI and ATD groups, scores of clock drawing test and Go/No-go test were significantly lower in current alcohol users of ATD groups compared to the SCD and MCI groups (p<0.05). @*Conclusions@#These results suggest that current alcohol consumption has detrimental effects especially on the frontal/executive function in early ATD patients. Considering the association between frontal/executive function and ADL, our finding suggests that cessation of alcohol intake may be a therapeutic strategy to prevent ADL deterioration in patients with ATD.

Clinical Manifestations and Genetic Analysis of 5 Korean Choroideremia Patients Initially Diagnosed With Retinitis Pigmentosa

Background@#To investigate the clinical findings of choroideremia patients and perform genetic analysis by whole-exome sequencing (WES). @*Methods@#A total of 94 patients initially diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at another hospital, and who visited our hospital for genetic analysis by WES, were included in the study, along with 64 family members. All subjects underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation, including best-corrected visual acuity, slit lamp examination, fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FAG), visual field (VF), electroretinogram (ERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). @*Results@#In six male patients with suspected choroideremia, extensive retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and severe loss of choroid were observed in the fundus, but not in the macula. CHM gene mutation was confirmed in five patients. A novel single nucleotide variant at a splice site was observed in one patient. OCT showed marked thinning of the outernuclear layer and choroid, except in the macula. FAF showed a small area of hyperfluorescence in the posterior pole. In addition, characteristic interlaminar bridges were observed in four patients. On FAG, hypofluorescence was seen up to the far-peripheral retina in five patients. @*Conclusion@#Of the 94 patients initially diagnosed with RP, CHM mutation was identified in five (5.3%) by WES. Choroideremia should be considered as a differential diagnosis of RP.WES would be useful for identifying the causes of hereditary retinal disease.

Impact of bicuspid aortic valve or tricuspid aortic valve on hemodynamics and left ventricular reverse remodeling in patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To compare the impact of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) or tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) on hemodynamics and left ventricular reverse remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent TAVR in our hospital from January 2019 to March 2021. Patients were divided into BAV group and TAV group according to aortic contrast-enhanced CT. Each patient was followed up by N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and echocardiography at four time points, namely before TAVR, 24 hours, 1 month and 6 months after TAVR. Echocardiographic data, including mean pressure gradient (MPG), aortic valve area (AVA), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricle mass (LVM) and LV mass index (LVMi) were evaluated. Results: A total of 41 patients were included. The age was (75.0±8.6) years, and male patients accounted for 53.7%. There were 19 BAV patients and 22 TAV patients in this cohort. All patients undergoing TAVR using a self-expandable prosthesis Venus-A valve. MPG was (54.16±21.22) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) before TAVR, (21.11±9.04) mmHg at 24 hours after TAVR, (18.84±7.37) mmHg at 1 month after TAVR, (17.68±6.04) mmHg at 6 months after TAVR in BAV group. LVEF was (50.42±13.30)% before TAVR, (53.84±10.59)% at 24 hours after TAVR, (55.68±8.71)% at 1 month after TAVR and (57.42±7.78)% at 6 months after TAVR in BAV group. MPG and LVEF substantially improved at each time point after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05) in BAV group. MPG in TAV group improved at each time point after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). LVMi was (164.13±49.53), (156.37±39.11), (146.65±38.84) and (134.13±39.83) g/m2 at the 4 time points and the value was significantly reduced at 1 and 6 months post TAVR compared to preoperative level(both P<0.05). LVEF in the TAV group remained unchanged at 24 hours after operation, but it was improved at 1 month and 6 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). LVMi in TAV group substantially improved at each time point after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). NT-proBNP in both two groups improved after operation, at 1 month and 6 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). MPG in TAV group improved better than in BAV group during the postoperative follow-up (24 hours after TAVR: (11.68±5.09) mmHg vs. (21.11±9.04) mmHg, P<0.001, 1 month after TAVR: (10.82±3.71) mmHg vs. (18.84±7.37) mmHg, P<0.001, 6 months after TAVR: (12.36±4.42) mmHg vs. (17.68±6.04) mmHg, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in NT-proBNP between BAV group and TAV group at each time point after operation (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in paravalvular regurgitation and second prosthesis implantation between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: AS patients with BAV or TAV experience hemodynamic improvement and obvious left ventricular reverse remodeling after TAVR, and the therapeutic effects of TAVR are similar between BAV and TAV AS patients in the short-term post TAVR.

Peduncular Hallucinosis 7 Months After Pontine Hemorrhage With Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration:A Case Report

Peduncular hallucinosis is a rare type of hallucination, wherein patients see colorful and vivid images. It usually appears after damage to the midbrain, pons, or thalamus. We report the case of a 56-year-old man with peduncular hallucinosis after conservative care for spontaneous pontine hemorrhage, 7 months prior to presentation. He was treated with atypical antipsychotics, which resolved the symptoms. We suggest that it is important to consider peduncular hallucinosis in patients after injuries in subcortical areas and the brainstem. Additionally, we found changes in the hypertrophic olivary degeneration using magnetic resonance imaging, and we suggest the possibility of their correlation with peduncular hallucinosis.

Determination of prucalopride in human plasma by LC-MS/MS analysis / 中国药理学通报

Aim To develop an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of prucalopride(PCP)in human plasma.Methods Prucalopride -13CD3(dPCP)was used as the internal standard.The analytes were extracted from human plasma through liquid-liquid extraction method using ethyl acetate, followed by being dried, and then the reconstitution was injected into LC-MS/MS systems.Agilent ZORBAX SB C18(3.0×100 mm, 3.5 μm)column and isocratic elution system composing of methanol and 1 mmol·L-1 ammonium acetate(80:20, V/V)provided chromatographic separation of PCP and dPCP.AB Sciex API4000 mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source in positive ion mode was employed for mass detection, and data acquisition was carried out in multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode.The mass transition ion-pair was followed as m/z 368.4/196.0 for PCP and m/z 374.4/198.0 for dPCP.Results PCP and dPCP were eluted at 3.6 min, with no interference in human blank plasma.PCP in human plasma showed good linearity over the concentration range of 0.058 96-7.547 μg·L-1 with the correlation coefficient of 0.996 3-0.999 6.The lower limit of quantitation of this method was 0.058 96 μg·L-1.The intra-batch and inter-batch accuracy ranged from 98.29% to 108.2%, with good precision(CV<5.2%).The average matrix factors of normal, haemolysed and lipaemic matrix human samples all ranged from 96.48% to 106.3% with CV less than 8.39%.The average extraction recoveries of PCP at low, medium and high concentrations were 89.88%, 95.27% and 94.52% respectively, with CV less than 7.21%.PCP was stable in human samples after 6 h at room temperature, 60 h at -20 ℃, 56 days or three freeze-thaw cycles at -80 ℃; meanwhile, the processed plasma samples remained stable after being stored for 24 hours in autosampler at 8 ℃.Furthermore, PCP in human blood samples was proved to be stable after 4 h at room temperature.Conclusions The present LC-MS/MS method for the determination of PCP in human plasma was convenient, accurate, sensitive, stable, specific and reproducible and was proved to be suitable for the clinical pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence studies of PCP preparations.

Consistency between nasopharyngeal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in pathogen detection in children with pneumonia: an analysis of 533 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the consistency between nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in pathogen detection in children with pneumonia@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of pathogens detected in 533 children with pneumonia from February 2017 to March 2020. The paired McNemar's test was used to compare the difference in pathogen detection between NPA and BALF groups. The @*RESULTS@#NPA had a sensitivity of 28%, a specificity of 74%, a positive predictive value of 14%, and a negative predictive value of 91% in detecting bacteria, and a @*CONCLUSIONS@#There is poor consistency between NPA and BALF in the detection of bacteria and viruses, and clinicians should be cautious in diagnosing lower respiratory tract infection based on bacteria or viruses detected in NPA. There is moderate consistency between NPA and BALF in the detection of

The role of androgen in male sexual arousal / 中华男科学杂志

Sexual arousal is an important factor for the success of sexual behavior, and regulated by the central nervous system, its underlying mechanism is very complicated. Androgen is the most important endocrine hormone in men, which is deeply involved in the whole process of male sexual response, but how it regulates male sexual arousal has not been fully clarified and remains one of the hotspots in current andrological research. Therefore, this paper presents an overview of the advances in the studies of the related role and mechanism of androgen in male sexual arousal. In the central nervous system, androgen regulates the release of dopamine neurotransmitters by binding androgen receptors or metabolizing neurosteroids, thus activating the brain reward system. Besides, androgen regulates the neuronal plasticity and spinous process formation in the neural circuit of sexual arousal to ensure successful activation and conduction of the neural circuit. However, the specific regulating mechanism of sexual arousal remains to be further explored.