Association between air quality index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in Beijing / 环境与职业医学

Background Few studies have investigated the association between air pollution and arterial stiffness in Chinese population, and the findings are inconsistent. The problem of multicollinearity exists when modeling multiple air pollutants simultaneously. Objective To investigate potential association between air quality index (AQI) and population brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in Beijing. Methods This study retrieved medical examination data of 2971 participants from the Beijing Health Management Cohort, who were under 60 years old and not yet retired, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. The most recent medical examination data available were utilized for this analysis. AQI data from 35 air pollution monitoring sites in Beijing and meteorological data (including atmospheric pressure, air temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity) from 16 meteorological monitoring stations from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019 were collected. An average AQI exposure level for 365 d before the date of physical examination for each participant was computed using inverse distance weighting. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between AQI and baPWV in Beijing, after adjusting for confounding variables including age, gender, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, medication history of diabetes, medication history of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, education, smoking status, drinking status, and physical activity intensity. Subgroup analysis was performed by age, sex, presence of diabetes, and presence of hypertension. Results AQI demonstrated an overall decreasing trend during the study period and was lower in the northern regions and higher in the southern regions of Beijing. After adjusting the confounding variables, each 10 unit increase in AQI was associated with 6.18 (95%CI: 1.25, 11.10) cm·s−1 increase in baPWV in all participants, 8.05 (95%CI: 2.32, 13.79) cm·s−1 increase in the participants <50 years, 15.82 (95%CI: 8.33, 23.31) cm·s−1 increase in the female group, 10.10 (95%CI: 4.66, 15.55) cm·s−1 increase in the participants without diabetes, and 9.41 (95%CI: 4.21, 14.62) cm·s−1 increase in the participants without hypertension. However, there was no statistically significant association observed between AQI and baPWV in the age group ≥50 years, the male group, the diabetic group, and the hypertensive group (P>0.05). Conclusion An increase in long-term AQI levels is associated with an elevation in the degree of arterial stiffness. Individuals under 50 years old, females, without hypertension or diabetes are susceptible populations to arterial stiffness when being exposed to air pollution. Improving air quality may contribute to prevent arterial stiffness.

Analysis of the relationship between venous thromboembolism after surgical treatment for bronchiectasis and preoperative hemoglobin amount / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To study the correlation of preoperative hemoglobin amount with venous thromboembolism (VTE) after surgical treatment of bronchiectasis and the clinical significance. Methods     A retrospective study was performed on patients with bronchiectasis who underwent surgical treatment in our center from June 2017 to November 2021. The differences in blood parameters between the VTE patients and non-VTE patients were compared. The relationship between preoperative hemoglobin and VTE was confirmed by quartile grouping and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results     A total of 122 patients were enrolled, including 50 males and 72 females, with a mean age of 52.52±12.29 years. The overall incidence of VTE after bronchiectasis was 9.02% (11/122). Preoperative hemoglobin amount (OR=0.923, 95%CI 0.870-0.980, P=0.008) and D-dimer amount (OR=1.734, 95%CI 1.087-2.766, P=0.021) were independent influencing factors for VTE after bronchiectasis. The incidence of VTE after bronchiectasis decreased gradually with the increase of preoperative hemoglobin amount. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of postoperative D-dimer alone was 0.757, whereas the AUC of postoperative D-dimer combined with preoperative hemoglobin amount was 0.878. Conclusion     Low preoperative hemoglobin is an independent risk factor for postoperative VTE. Postoperative D-dimer combined with preoperative hemoglobin amount has a better predictive performance compared with postoperative D-dimer alone for postoperative VTE.

Value of procalcitonin as a potential biomarker in predicting acute kidney injury in patients with bee stings / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of procalcitonin (PCT) in the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients after bee stings.Methods:A total of 105 bee stings patients admitted to Mianyang Central Hospital from May 2019 to August 2021 were enrolled and were divided into AKI group (37 cases) and non-AKI group (68 cases) according to the occurrence of AKI. Baseline demographic information [gender, age, body mass index (BMI), sting season, sting site, number of stings, underlying disease, clinical manifestations, and inflammatory factor levels] were collected and compared between the two groups. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of AKI in bee stings patients. Pearson model was used to analyze the correlation between PCT and other indicators; the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) were drawn to analyze the predictive value of each indicator on the occurrence of AKI in bee stings patients.Results:There were significant differences in age, number of bee stings, and vomiting after admission between the two groups of patients. The levels of serum creatinine (SCr), PCT, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were significantly higher in the AKI group than those in the non-AKI patients [SCr (μmol/L): 122.36±32.45 vs. 76.74±28.52, PCT (μg/L): 1.42±1.05 vs. 0.34±0.21, IL-6 (ng/L): 277.52±120.25 vs. 112.14±73.34, hs-CRP (mg/L): 7.64±3.26 vs. 3.01±2.13, all P < 0.05]. Serum PCT levels were positively correlated with serum SCr, IL-6, and hs-CRP levels in patients with AKI after bee stings ( r values of 0.486, 0.393, and 0.425, respectively; P = 0.002, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively). Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that age, SCr, PCT, IL-6, and hs-CRP were independent risk factors for AKI in patients with bee stings. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of age, SCr, PCT, IL-6 and hs-CRP for predicting AKI in patients with bee stings were 0.622 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.516 to 0.727], 0.722 (95% CI was 0.601 to 0.843), 0.869 (95% CI was 0.781 to 0.958), 0.739 (95% CI was 0.627 to 0.851) and 0.799 (95% CI was 0.700 to 0.900), respectively. The best cut-off value of PCT was 0.742 μg/L, the sensitivity was 75.70% and the specificity was 90.50%. Conclusions:The serum PCT level was significantly elevated in patients with AKI after bee stings, which is an independent risk factor for AKI after bee stings. Serum PCT level has better predictive efficacy for AKI after bee stings and can be used as a valid biomarker for clinical prediction.

Relationship between obesity and death by multi-morbidity status in older adults in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To explore the relationship between obesity status and death stratified by different multi-morbidity status in older adults in China. Methods: Data for older Chinese adults aged ≥65 years were from Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Multi-morbidity patterns based on 13 chronic conditions were explored using exploratory factor analysis. Cox models were used to examine relationships between obesity status and death stratified by disease count and multi-morbidity patterns at baseline, respectively. Besides, obesity status was defined by baseline body mass index and waist circumference. Results: A total of 6 272 participants were included in the analyses. Multi-morbidity including cardio-metabolic, sensory perception and other patterns were identified. For those without any chronic condition, compared with those without central obesity, central obesity was associated with a higher risk for death (HR=1.66, 95%CI:1.04-2.66). For those only with one chronic condition, compared with normal weight, underweight was associated with a higher risk for death (HR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.10-1.80). For those with multi-morbidity, compared with normal weight, underweight increased the risk for death (HR=1.19, 95%CI:1.05-1.34). Compared with those without central obesity, central obesity decreased the risk for death (HR=0.88, 95%CI:0.78-0.99). Conclusions: Relationships between obesity status and death varied by multi-morbidity status in older adults in China. Underweight and non-central obesity were associated with increased risks for death in older adults with only one chronic disease or multi-morbidity. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to multi-morbidity status in the management of obesity in older adults and provide effective targeted body weight management plan.

The associations of muscle size and density with handgrip strength and timed up and go test / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the associations of muscle size and density with handgrip strength(HGS)and the Timed Up and Go(TUG)test.Methods:Totally 301 participants living in the Xinjiekou community near Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were recruited for CT imaging of the hip and a 1-cm slice of the mid-thigh.The cross-sectional area and density of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles were estimated by the Osirix viewer based on CT images.HGS and TUG were also performed in these subjects.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of muscle density and size with TUG and grip strength.Results:In women, after adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was negatively correlated with TUG( P trend=0.0366), while the size of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles was not correlated with TUG.In men, the density or size of these muscles was not correlated with TUG.After adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0334)and the size of the mid-thigh muscles was also positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0155)in men, but they were not correlated with grip strength in women. Conclusions:There were sex differences in the relationship between muscle size or density and grip strength or timed up and go.The density of the gluteus maximus is associated with muscle strength and physical performance while the size of the mid-thigh muscles is correlated with muscle strength.

Identification of risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis based on a retrospective longitudinal monitoring cohort study / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objectives:To investigate the risk factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis based on a retrospective longitudinal monitoring cohort study of healthy subjects during physical examinations.Methods:From 2005 to 2019, a total of 3 344 healthy adults who received at least five routine physical examinations at the Beijing Physical Examination Center and had no carotid atherosclerosis for the first time were selected as the research objects, including 1 714 males (51.25%).The average age of the male and female participants was 47.14 and 47.56 years old, respectively. A retrospective longitudinal monitoring cohort was established and the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis was documented during the follow-up. A Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors related to carotid atherosclerosis.Results:At the follow-up of 5.17 years, 2 038 patients had developed carotid atherosclerosis (60.94%, 66.69% in males and 54.91% in females). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced age (>60 years old, HR=18.973, 95% CI: 12.353-29.139), female ( HR=0.639, 95% CI: 0.582-0.701), hypertension ( HR=1.166, 95% CI: 1.047-1.298), and low estimated glomerular filtration rate ( HR=1.011, 95% CI: 1.009-1.013) were associated with the onset of carotid atherosclerosis. Conclusions:The main factors influencing the development of carotid atherosclerosis included age, sex, blood pressure, and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Gut-derived lipopolysaccharide promotes alcoholic hepatosteatosis and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma by stimulating neutrophil extracellular traps through toll-like receptor 4

Background/Aims@#Binge drinking leads to many disorders, including alcoholic hepatosteatosis, which is characterized by intrahepatic neutrophil infiltration and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Molecular mechanisms may involve the migration of bacterial metabolites from the gut to the liver and the activation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). @*Methods@#Serum samples from both binge drinking and alcohol-avoiding patients were analyzed. Mouse models of chronic plus binge alcohol-induced hepatosteatosis and HCC models were used. @*Results@#A marker of NETs formation, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was significantly higher in alcoholic hepatosteatosis and HCC patients and mice than in controls. Intrahepatic inflammation markers and HCC-related cytokines were decreased in mice with reduced NET formation due to neutrophil elastase (NE) deletion, and liver-related symptoms of alcohol were also alleviated in NE knockout mice. Removal of intestinal bacteria with antibiotics led to decreases in markers of NETs formation and inflammatory cytokines upon chronic alcohol consumption, and development of alcoholic hepatosteatosis and HCC was also attenuated. These functions were restored upon supplementation with the bacterial product LPS. When mice lacking toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) received chronic alcohol feeding, intrahepatic markers of NETs formation decreased, and hepatosteatosis and HCC were alleviated. @*Conclusions@#Formation of NETs following LPS stimulation of TLR4 upon chronic alcohol use leads to increased alcoholic steatosis and subsequent HCC.

Estradiol inhibits differentiation of mouse macrophage into a pro-inflammatory phenotype by upregulating the IRE1α-XBP1 signaling axis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism by which estradiol modulates the immunophenotype of macrophages through the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.@*METHODS@#Peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57 mice were cultured in the presence of 60 ng/mL interferon-γ (IFN-γ) followed by treatment with estradiol (1.0 nmol/L) alone, estradiol with estrogen receptor antagonist (Acolbifene, 4 nmol/L), estradiol with IRE1α inhibitor (4 μ 8 C), or estradiol with IRE1α agonist. After the treatments, the expression levels of MHC-Ⅱ, iNOS and endoplasmic reticulum stress marker proteins IRE1α, eIF2α and ATF6 in the macrophages were detected with Western blotting, and the mRNA levels of TGF-β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α were detected with RT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#Estrogen treatment of the macrophages significantly decreased the expressions of M1-related proteins MHC-Ⅱ (P=0.021) and iNOS (P < 0.001) and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α (P=0.003) and IL-6 (P=0.004), increased the mRNA expression of TGF-β (P=0.002) and IL-10 (P=0.008), and up-regulated the protein expressions of IRE1α (P < 0.001) and its downstream transcription factor XBP-1 (P < 0.001). Addition of the estrogen inhibitor obviously blocked the effect of estrogen. Compared with estrogen treatment alone, combined treatment of the macrophages with estrogen and the IRE1α inhibitor 4 μ 8 C significantly up-regulated the protein expressions of MHC-Ⅱ (P=0.002) and iNOS (P=0.003) and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α (P=0.003) and IL-6 (P=0.024), and obviously down-regulated the mRNA expression of TGF-β (P < 0.001) and IL-10 (P < 0.001); these changes were not observed in cells treated with estrogen and the IRE1α agonist.@*CONCLUSION@#Estrogen can inhibit the differentiation of murine macrophages into a pro-inflammatory phenotype by up-regulating the IRE1α-XBP-1 signaling axis, thereby producing an inhibitory effect on inflammatory response.

Analysis of the influencing factors of the prevalence of thyroid nodules in women in Beijing / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules in women participating in physical examination in Beijing and analyze the influencing factors. Methods The data of physical examination (height, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, etc.) and questionnaire survey (activity intensity, eating habits, etc.) of women in Beijing in 2016 were collected, and the influencing factors of thyroid nodules were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 4 732 women were included in this study. The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 49.6%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with women aged 18-29 years, OR value was 1.769 (95% CI =1.489 ~ 2.102) for women aged 30 ~ 59 years, and OR value was 4.716 (95% CI = 3.577- 6.216) for women aged 60 years and over. Compared with the balanced diet, the OR value was1.237（95%CI=1.056-1.450）for vegetarian diet. Compared with the normal weight, the OR value was 1.331（95%CI=1.153-1.537）for the overweight. Compared with the healthy women, the OR value was 1.405 （95%CI=1.146-1.723）for hypertension, the OR value was 1.184（95%CI=1.040-1.347）for hyperlipidemia, and the OR value was 1.779（95%CI=1.178-2.687）for diabetes, while the OR value was 1.183（95%CI=1.018-1.376）for women with mammary gland nodules, and the OR value was 1.376（95%CI=1.201-1.575）for women with uterine leiomyoma. Compared with the education degree of high school, technical secondary school, technical school and below, the OR value was 0.648（95%CI=0.522-0.806）for college or undergraduate, and the OR value was 0.564（95%CI=0.440-0.723）for graduate students and above. Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid nodules in women in Beijing is at a high level. Age, vegetarian diet, overweight, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, mammary gland nodules and uterine leiomyoma are risk factors for thyroid nodules. Education level is a protective factor for the prevalence of thyroid nodules.

Predicted 10-year Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Its Association with Sleep Duration among Adults in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The study aims to predict 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and explore its association with sleep duration among Chinese urban adults.@*Methods@#We analyzed part of the baseline data of a cohort that recruited adults for health screening by cluster sampling. The simplified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Framingham 10-year risk score (FRS) were used to measure sleep duration and CVD risk. Demographic characteristics, personal history of chronic diseases, lifestyle factors were collected using a questionnaire. Height, weight, total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also measured. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to explore the association of sleep duration with the predicted CVD risk.@*Results@#We included 31, 135 participants (median age 44 years, 53.02% males) free of CVD, cerebral stroke, and not taking lipid-lowering agents. Overall, 14.05%, and 25.55% of participants were at medium and high predicted CVD risk, respectively. Short sleep was independently associated with increased odds of medium to high risk of predicted 10-year CVD among males ( @*Conclusion@#A substantial number of adults free of CVD were at high 10-year CVD risk. Short sleep was associated with increased odds of predicted CVD risk.

Evaluation of problem-based learning combined with scene simulation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation teaching of standardized training of general practitioner / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with scene simulation in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) teaching of standardized training of general practitioner, and explore a high-quality teaching method that will help students develop their clinical thinking and practical skills.Methods:Forty students of the Grade 2018 general practitioner training program in Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University were randomly divided into experimental group ( n=20) given PBL combined with scene simulation teaching method and control group ( n=20) given traditional teaching method. The pre-class preparation, classroom discussions, actual combat simulations, and analysis and summary were conducted in the experimental group (4-hour CPR training), while classroom teaching, teaching rounds, analysis and discussion, skills training were conducted in the control group (4-hour CPR training). Furthermore, both groups received the same theoretical test, skill assessment, and questionnaires. t-test or chis-quare test was performed for comparison between the two groups using SPSS 18.0. Results:The average score of theoretical test in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(87.5±4.3) vs. (81.2±4.7), P<0.05]; the average score of the skill assessment in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(91.0±1.5) vs. (83.1±1.8), P<0.05]. The questionnaire survey showed more students of the experimental group who reported greater improvement in their abilities than those of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:PBL combined with scene simulation teaching method can effectively improve the quality of CPR teaching for standardized training of general practitioners, help students improve clinical thinking and comprehensive processing capabilities.

Effect of rehabilitation training combined with bailing capsule on the efficacy and pulmonary function of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling pathway / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of respiratory rehabilitation training combined with bailing capsule on the efficacy and lung function of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling pathway.Methods:One hundred patients with COPD from February 2016 to September 2017 in the Eighty-Eleventh Army Hospital of Hebei Army were randomly divided into control group (50 cases) and bailing capsule + respiratory rehabilitation training group (50 cases). At the same time, 50 healthy people were selected as blank group. The patients in the control group were treated with bailing capsule, and patients in the combined treatment group were treated with respiratory rehabilitation training combined with bailing capsule. The pulmonary function (FEV 1, FVC, FEV 1/FVC%) and clinical efficacy were analyzed. The expression of RhoA, Rock Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein and mRNA were detected by immunoblotting and qRT-PCR. Results:After treatment, the indexes of pulmonary function in the combined group were significantly higher than those in the control group: (2.34 ± 0.91) L vs. (1.91 ± 0.83) L, (2.98 ± 0.83) L vs. (2.34 ± 0.86) L, (79.63 ± 9.95)% vs. (76.13 ± 6.97)% ( P < 0.05). Compared with the blank group, RhoA mRNA and Rock Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA in the combined treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P < 0.05), and RhoA mRNA and Rock Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the RhoA mRNA and Rock Ⅰ/Ⅱ proteins combined treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P < 0.05), and the RhoA mRNA and Rock Ⅰ/Ⅱ proteins in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the control group (2.46 ± 0.18 vs. 4.38 ± 0.21, 1.72 ± 0.11 vs. 2.36 ± 0.24, 1.79 ± 0.24 vs. 3.34 ± 0.21) ( P < 0.05). After treatment, the 6MWD and the total clinical effective rate in the combined group were significantly better than those in the control group: 92.00% (46/50) vs. 78.00% (39/50) ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Respiratory rehabilitation training combined with bailing capsule can significantly improve the pulmonary function of COPD patients, improve the clinical efficacy, and can down-regulate the expression of RhoA, Rock Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein and mRNA through RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling pathway.

Pregnant women with new coronavirus infection: a clinical characteristics and placental pathological analysis of three cases / 中华病理学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical characteristics and placental pathology of 2019-nCoV infection in pregnancy, and to evaluate intrauterine vertical transmission potential of 2019-nCoV infection.@*Methods@#The placentas delivered from pregnant women with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection which were received in the Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology collected by February 4th, 2020 and retrospectively studied. Their clinical material including placental tissue and lung CT, and laboratory results were collected, meanwhile, nucleic acid detection of 2019-nCoV of the placentas were performed by RT-PCR.@*Results@#Three placentas delivered from pregnant women with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection, who were all in their third trimester with emergency caesarean section. All of the three patients presented with fever (one before caesarean and two in postpartum), and had no significant leukopenia and lymphopenia. Neonatal throat swabs from three newborns were tested for 2019-nCoV, and all samples were negative for the nucleic acid of 2019-nCoV. One premature infant was transferred to Department of Neonatology due to low birth weight. By the end of February 25, 2020, none of the three patients developed severe 2019-nCoV pneumonia or died(two patients had been cured and discharged, while another one had been transferred to a square cabin hospital for isolation treatment). There were various degrees of fibrin deposition inside and around the villi with local syncytial nodule increases in all three placentas. One case of placenta showed the concomitant morphology of chorionic hemangioma and another one with massive placental infarction. No pathological change of villitis and chorioamnionitis was observed in our observation of three cases. All samples from three placentas were negative for the nucleic acid of 2019-nCoV.@*Conclusions@#The clinical characteristics of pregnant women with 2019-nCoV infection in late pregnancy are similar to those of non-pregnant patients, and no severe adverse pregnancy outcome is found in the 3 cases of our observation. Pathological study suggests that there are no morphological changes related to infection in the three placentas. Currently no evidence for intrauterine vertical transmission of 2019-nCoV is found in the three women infected by 2019-nCoV in their late pregnancy.

Intelligent management of hospital drugs and consumables through Internet of things / 中华医院管理杂志

Under the policy background of zero addition of drugs and consumables in public hospitals, with clinical practice as the guide and information platform as the means, the hospital constructed an intelligent management system for hospitals′ drugs and consumables through the Internet of things. The hospital adopted the intelligent medicine cabinet extended ward management, consumables " one material, one code" two-level warehouse management mode, reengineering the material supply process.Finally, it can realize the whole process traceability of information, unify the flow of goods and data, save human resources, improve the efficiency of operation and management, and achieve the purpose of ensuring safety, reducing costs and increasing benefits.

The study on the segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images based on U-Net neural network / 中华放射学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the value of automatic segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images using U-Net neural network.@*Methods@#Patients were retrospectively collected from 2012 to 2015 in Carotid Atherosclerosis Risk Assessment (CARE II) study. All patients who recently suffered ischemic stroke and/or transient ischemic attack underwent identical, state-of-the-art multicontrast MRI technique. A total of 17 568 carotid vessel wall MR images from 658 subjects were included in this study after inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. All MR images were analyzed using customized analysis platform (CASCADE). Randomly, 10 592 images were assigned into training dataset, 3 488 images were assigned into validating dataset and 3 488 images were assigned into test dataset according to a ratio of 6∶2∶2. Data augmentation was performed to avoid over fitting and improve the ability of model generalization. The fine-tuned U-Net model was utilized in the segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images. The U-Net model was trained in the training dataset and validated in the validating dataset. To evaluate the accuracy of carotid vessel wall segmentation, the sensitivity, specificity and Dice coefficient were used in the testing dataset. In addition, the interclass correlation and the Bland-Altman analysis of max wall thickness and wall area were obtained to demonstrate the agreement of the U-Net segmentation and the manual segmentation.@*Results@#The sensitivity, specificity and Dice coefficient of the fine-tuned U-Net model achieved 0.878,0.986 and 0.858 in the test dataset, respectively. The interclass correlation (95% confidence interval) was 0.921 (0.915-0.925) for max wall thickness and 0.929 (0.924-0.933) for wall area. In the Bland-Altman analysis, the difference of max wall thickness was (0.037±0.316) mm and the difference of wall area was (1.182±4.953) mm2. The substantial agreement was observed between U-Net segmentation method and manual segmentation method.@*Conclusion@#Automatic segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images can be achieved using fine-tuned U-Net neural network, which is trained and tested in the large scale dataset labeled by professional radiologists.

The study on the segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images based on U?Net neural network / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of automatic segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images using U?Net neural network. Methods Patients were retrospectively collected from 2012 to 2015 in Carotid Atherosclerosis Risk Assessment (CARE II) study. All patients who recently suffered ischemic stroke and/or transient ischemic attack underwent identical, state?of?the?art multicontrast MRI technique. A total of 17 568 carotid vessel wall MR images from 658 subjects were included in this study after inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. All MR images were analyzed using customized analysis platform (CASCADE). Randomly, 10 592 images were assigned into training dataset, 3 488 images were assigned into validating dataset and 3 488 images were assigned into test dataset according to a ratio of 6∶2∶2. Data augmentation was performed to avoid over fitting and improve the ability of model generalization. The fine?tuned U?Net model was utilized in the segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images. The U?Net model was trained in the training dataset and validated in the validating dataset. To evaluate the accuracy of carotid vessel wall segmentation, the sensitivity, specificity and Dice coefficient were used in the testing dataset. In addition, the interclass correlation and the Bland?Altman analysis of max wall thickness and wall area were obtained to demonstrate the agreement of the U?Net segmentation and the manual segmentation. Results The sensitivity, specificity and Dice coefficient of the fine?tuned U?Net model achieved 0.878,0.986 and 0.858 in the test dataset, respectively. The interclass correlation (95% confidence interval) was 0.921 (0.915-0.925) for max wall thickness and 0.929 (0.924-0.933) for wall area. In the Bland?Altman analysis, the difference of max wall thickness was (0.037±0.316) mm and the difference of wall area was (1.182±4.953) mm2. The substantial agreement was observed between U?Net segmentation method and manual segmentation method. Conclusion Automatic segmentation of carotid vessel wall in multicontrast MR images can be achieved using fine?tuned U?Net neural network, which is trained and tested in the large scale dataset labeled by professional radiologists.

Interpretation of Chinese expert consensus on mediastinal lymph node dissection in esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (2017 edition): base on number or grouping of lymph node / 中华肿瘤杂志

The Esophageal Cancer Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association have released 《Chinese expert consensus on mediastinal lymph node dissection in esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (2017 edition)》. This consensus provides guidance to standardize mediastinal lymph node dissection in esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in China, and represents the first Chinese version of naming and grouping mediastinal lymph nodes for esophageal cancer. However, controversies exist in N staging. The aim of this article is to discuss whether N staging should base on the number of lymph node metastases, or base on the region in which the metastatic lymph nodes are located.

Application of quantitative index and information technology in standardized management of regional physical examination quality / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective To explore the methods and means to improve standardized management of regional quality control using quantitative indicators and information technology.Method The Quality Management and Control Indicators for Beijing health and medical institutions were converted into secondary and tertiary entries for quantitative scoring in accordance with the principles of standardization and management in the Integrated Management System of Health Examination under the regional information platform (Beijing Physical Examination Information Platform).APP was downloaded and applied in the on-site quality inspection.The data were obtained in paper forms completed on-site at 185 medical institutions with valid quality inspection scores in Beijing in 2014 and from the 2016 Beijing medical institutions' physical examination quality inspection.The inclusion criteria were as follows:185 institutions were divided into three groups (Level 3,Level 2,Level 1 and below),and each group was further divided into three subgroups with scores of 0-360,361-480,and 481-600;a total of 63 institutions were randomly selected from seven subgroups.Experts used the Integrated Management System of Health Examination Quality Control mobile app for the inspection.The two data groups were compared to check for quality improvement and the consistency of the quality inspection experts.Results The total quality score of medical institutions at Level 1 and below in 2016 (510.02±42.95) was higher than that in 2014 (483.16±79.06),and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.431,P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between Level 2 and Level 3 medical institutions in 2014 and 2016.The scores of institutions at different levels are higher in the laboratory internal quality control and external quality assessment,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05),whereas the score of physical health examination quality management organization only improved in the medical institutions at Level 1 and below,with statistically significant difference (P＜0.05).The changes of scores in the consistency of quality inspection experts was reduced after the application of the system,and the difference in institutions at Level 3 and Level 1 and below was statistically significant (P＜0.05),while not statistically significant in institutions at Level 2 (P=0.840).Conclusion Quantitative indicators and information technology are effective in regional standardized management of physical examination quality,and worthy of further exploration.

Application of computer-aided virtual mandibular position in the simultaneous treatment of children with temporomandibular joint ankylosis and jaw deformity / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the feasibility of computer-aided design virtual mandibular position in the simultaneous treatment of children with temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA) and jaw deformity.@*METHODS@#The children with unilateral TMJA were surgically treated from January 2016 to June 2017 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The image data of jaw and dentition were imported into the computer software to simulate the surgical procedure. An osteotomy of the affected side was performed to remove ankylosed bone mass. Then the mandible was rotated around the unaffected condyle to eliminate the chin deviation by the virtual plan. An open bite was thus created on the affected side to provide space for vertical midfacial growth. In the virtual mandibular position, the affected ramus was reconstructed with costochondral grafting. Finally, digital occlusal splint was designed and prefabricated by 3D printing. During surgery, temporomandibular joint ankylosis was released and mandibular position was guided in place by the digital occlusal splint. In the new mandibular position, costochondral grafting was completed. After the surgery, the occlusal splint was wired to the mandibular dentition and would be gradually adjusted by grinding off the maxillary side to promote downward growth of the maxilla until the open bite was eliminated. The ramus height and chin deviation were measured before and one week after the surgery to validate the method. Comparisons of the measurements were made by means of a repeatedmeasures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P=0.05). Pairwise multiple comparisons were conducted using the Bonferroni correction (P=0.05).@*RESULTS@#Five patients were included in this study. Under the guidance of the digital occlusal splint, the mandible could reach the preoperative designed position smoothly in all the cases. The chin deviations were (0.58±0.20) mm in the virtual plan before surgery, and (0.70±0.27) mm after surgery, which were not significant statistically (P>0.05). The ramus heights on the affected side were (48.19±3.20) mm in the virtual plan before surgery, and (48.17±3.62) mm after surgery, which were not significant statistically (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#It is feasible and reliable in the simultaneous treatment of TMJA with jaw deformity under the guidance of virtual mandibular position.

Incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism after thoracic surgery and its characteristic: a single center, prospective cohort study / 中华外科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) after thoracic surgery and its characteristic.@*Methods@#This was a single-center, prospective cohort study. Patients undergoing major thoracic surgeries between July 2016 and March 2017 at Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University were enrolled in this study. Besides the routine examination, all patients were screened for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) by using noninvasive duplex lower-extremity ultrasonography after surgery. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was carried out if patients had one of the following conditions including typical symptoms of PE, high Caprini score (>9 points) or new diagnosed postoperative DVT. Caprini risk assessment model was used to detect high risk patients. No patients received any prophylaxis of VTE before surgery. Further data was analyzed for identifying the incidence of postoperative VTE. The t-test, χ2 test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to analyze the quantitative data and classification data, respectively.@*Results@#Totally 345 patients who undergoing major thoracic surgery were enrolled in this study including 145 benign diseases and 200 malignant diseases.There were 207 male and 138 female, aging from 15 to 85 years. Surgery procedures included 285 lung surgeries, 27 esophagectomies, 22 mediastinal surgeries and 11 other procedures. The overall incidence of VTE was 13.9% (48 of 345) after major thoracic surgery including 39 patients with newly diagnosed DVT (81.2%), 1 patient with PE (2.1%) and 8 patients with DVT+ PE (16.7%). The median time of VTE detected was 4.5 days postoperative. There were 89.6% (43/48) VTE cases diagnosed in 1 week. The incidence of VTE was 9.0% in patients with benign diseases, while 17.5% in malignant diseases (χ2=5.112, P<0.05). The incidence of VTE in patients with pulmonary diseases was 12.6%, among that, in patients with lung cancer and benign lung diseases was 16.4% and 7.5 % (χ2=4.946, P<0.05), respectively. Regarding to Caprini risk assessment model, the incidence of VTE in low risk patients, moderate risk patients (Caprini score 5 to 8 points)and high risk patients(≥9 points)were 0(0/77), 15.2%(33/217) and 29.4%(15/51), respectively(Z=-12.166, P<0.05). In patients with lung cancer, 98.2% of patients were moderate risk or high risk; only 3 cases scored low risk. The incidence of VTE in moderate risk and high risk patients was 13.4%(18/134) and 32.1%(9/28), respectively, while it was 0(0/3) in low risk patients.@*Conclusion@#s The overall incidence of VTE after major thoracic surgeries is 13.9%, and the incidence of VTE after lung cancer surgeries was 16.4%. Most of the VTE cases occurr within one week after the surgery. Caprini risk assessment model can identify high risk patients effectively.