Home-Based Neck Stabilization Exercise Program Among Female College Students With Non-Specific Neck Pain – A Pilot Study In Saudi Arabia

Background: Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that significantly causes disability. Exercise therapy is effective in decreasing pain and improving the functional ability among patients with neck pain. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a home-based neck stabilization exercise program in pain and neck disability among female college students with non-specific neck pain (NSNP).Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a single group pre-test post-test was conducted in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Sixteen participants with NSNP underwent six weeks of training, which included one face-to-face session and 17 sessions of home-based exercise training. The pre-test and post-test values were obtained before and after six training sessions using the Numerical pain rating scale and neck disability index for pain intensity and neck disability, respectively. Results: A significant reduction in neck pain intensity and disability was observed, with a mean difference of 2.88 and 12.4, respectively. The calculated ‘t’ value using the paired ‘t’ test for the numerical pain rating scale was 10.022 (p<0.01), and the neck disability index was 4.934 (p<0.01).Conclusion: Based on the statistical analysis and clinical significance, the present study provides preliminary evidence that a home-based neck stabilization exercise program reduces pain and neck disability among female college students with NSNP.

Trained immunity and its influence on children′s health / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Trained immunity has been a novel term in immunology for over a decade, referring to the memory immunity produced by the innate immune system upon re-stimulation.Non-specific training of the immune system enhances the immune defense function and is also involved in allergic inflammation and autoimmune diseases.An increasing number of researchers are focusing on the role of immune training in the prevention, treatment, onset and progression of diseases.This review explains the definition, mechanism, and inducers of immune training and its impact on children′s health and disease, in order to enhance pediatricians′ comprehension of trained immunity.

Clinical Experience of XUAN Guowei in Treating Non-Specific Vulvitis from Spleen / 中医杂志

This paper summarized the clinical experience of professor XUAN Guowei in treating non-specific vulvitis from spleen. He believes that the core pathological mechanism of this condition lies in spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation； in the acute phase， spleen deficiency is taken as the root cause and damp-heat toxins accumulated in the vulva as the key； in the chronic phase， spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation is the main pathogenesis， accompanied by kidney deficiency. In clinical practice， the basic method of fortifying spleen and eliminating dampness is used， and self-made Jianpi Shenshi Formula （健脾渗湿方） is recommended as the basic prescription. During the acute phase， the medicinals of clearing heat and resolving toxins are supplemented， while during the chronic phase， medicinals aims at fortifying the spleen and consolidating the kidneys， boosting qi and nourishing yin are added. Simultaneously， there is an emphasis on integrated treatment combining internal and external treatment， and both Chinese and western medicine， and he highlights the importance of daily prevention and care for patients. Additionally， external used Xiaoyan Zhiyang Cream （消炎止痒霜） is created.

Effect of suspension combined with acupuncture on chronic non-specific neck pain / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of suspension combined with acupuncture on chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP). MethodsA total of 81 patients with unilateral CNNP from the rehabilitation outpatient clinic of Wangjing Hospital from March, 2022 to March, 2023 were divided into suspension group (n = 27), acupuncture group ((n = 27) and combined group (n = 27) randomely. The suspension group underwent conventional suspension, the acupuncture group received conventional acupuncture treatment, and the combined group underwent suspension and acupuncture, for six weeks. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of longus colli and multifidus in the neck using ultrasound imaging were compared before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the VAS and NDI score, and CSA of longus colli and multifidus improved in three groups (|t| > 4.473, P < 0.001), and the combined group was better than the other two groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionSuspension and acupuncture can relief the pain, improve function, and increase CSA of longus colli and multifidus in patients with unilateral CNNP, while the combination of the two methods is better.

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease seen in two generation of females in an Indian family

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) or diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) are a group of lung diseases that is distinguished by subacute or chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis. Family history is currently being considered one of the biggest risk factors for ILD. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) a systemic autoimmune disease has lungs as its most common extraarticular organ involved. Interstitial lung disease associated with it is one of the major causes of mortality along with severe disability. Lung involvement in RA might appear as ILD, pleural effusion, or pulmonary vasculitis. In this case report a 42-year-old female presented with complain of progressive breathlessness, dry cough, chest pain, joint pain since past 10 years. HRCT Thorax of patient suggested it to be ILD of UIP pattern with raised RF, anti CCP and positivity in ANA profile. Patient had a family history with mother being diagnosed with ILD-NSIP pattern. She was suspicioned for RA as she had complained of small joint pains and swellings and was responding well to steroids and HCQ.

Rediscovering the relevance of clinical medicine with a case of Chilaiditi’s syndrome

Chilaiditi’s sign is a rare radiological diagnosis characterized by colonic interposition between the diaphragm and the liver, and when symptomatic it is known as Chilaiditi’s syndrome. We report that the case of a 55-years-old male, who was referred to our institution as a case of colitis, with the symptoms of recurrent vomiting, pain abdomen, and altered bowel habit, was eventually diagnosed to have Chilaiditi’s syndrome with non-specific colitis, after carefully taking the history and clinically examining the patient

Effect of combination of pressure biofeedback therapy and Flexi-bar in sitting on chronic non-specific low back pain / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the immediate and short-term effects of pressure biofeedback therapy combined with Flexi-bar exercise in the sitting position on chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). MethodsFrom June to September, 2022, 27 CNSLBP students in Xuzhou Medical University and other universities around were randomly divided into pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) group (n = 9), Flexi-bar group (n = 9) and combined group (n = 9). On the basis of routine rehabilitation guidance, the PBU group accepted pressure biofeedback therapy, the Flexi-bar group accepted active vibration therapy, and the combined group accepted pressure biofeedback therapy and active vibration therapy, for three weeks. They were measured core stability with Stabilizer, lumbar joint repositioning error (LJRE) with iHandy, and bilateral transverse abdominis thickness and multifidus muscle cross-sectional area with ultrasonography; and assessed with Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after treatment; and the core stability were measured immediately after the first treatment. ResultsThe indexes of core stability improved after the first treatment (|t| > 3.000, P < 0.05) in all groups, and improved the most in the combined group (F > 10.909, P < 0.001). All the indexes improved after three weeks of treatment (|t| > 2.604, P < 0.05), except for LJRE in PBU group; and they were the best in the combined group (|F| > 4.061, P < 0.05), except LJRE was not significantly different from the Flexi-bar group (P > 0.05). ConclusionPressure biofeedback therapy combined with Flexi-bar exercise in the sitting position can more effectively improve core stability and core muscles, proprioception, and pain for patients with CNSLBP.

Pathogenesis and staging treatment for non-specific low back pain based on the meridian sinew theory / 中国针灸

Based on the physiological and pathological characteristics of meridian sinew theory, the staging treatment of non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is explored to provide the reference of clinical practice. The twelve meridian sinews of the human body communicate with the bones and joints of the whole body, which governs the movement, body protection and defense, and meridian regulation. Physiologically, the meridian sinew maintains the functions of the lumbar region. In pathology, the meridian sinew may encounter stasis and pain, contraction and spasm or "transverse collateral" formation. According to the pathological staging of meridian sinew disorders, the progress of NLBP is divided into 3 phases and the corresponding treatments are provided. Mild stimulation and rapid analgesia is suggested to promote tissue repair at the early phase; muscle spasm is relieved to adjust muscular status at the middle phase; and the "cord-like" muscle foci is removed at the later phase of the disease.

Mechanism of anterior cingulate cortex in modulating pain and anxiety-like behavior in chronic non-specific low back pain model rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the potential mechanisms of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in modulating pain behavior and anxiety-like behavior of rats with chronic non-specific low back pain induced by nerve growth factor (NGF).Methods:Ninety-six male SPF grade SD rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups according the random number table method: control group, model group, control+ D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (D-AP5) group (control+ D-AP5 group) and model+ D-AP5 group, with 24 rats in each group.Low back pain model of rat was established by injection of NGF into multifidus muscle (left side) of the low backs of rats(two times with a five-day interval). Five days after modeling, rats in model+ D-AP5 group and control+ D-AP5 group were injected with the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist D-AP5(2 μg, 0.3 μL) at the right side of the ACC once a day for consecutive 3 days, and rats in control group and model group were injected with the same amount of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Seven days after modeling, the pain threshold of rats was evaluated by mechanical stimulation test and hot and cold plate test.The anxiety-like behavior was tested by open field test.The density of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive cells and c-Fos(a kind of immediate early gene) positive cells of the spinal cord were observed by immunofluorescence. The expression of GFAP, c-Fos, phosphorylated-c-Jun N-terminal kinases (p-JNK), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL-1) proteins in the L2 segment of the spinal cord were detected by Western blot. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze normal distribution measurement data for comparison among multiple groups, and Tukey test was used for further pairwise comparisons. The Kruakal-Wallis H test was used for non-normal distribution measurement data, and Mann-Whitney U test was used for further pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni-corrected P-values. Results:In the experiments measuring pressure pain threshold (PPT) and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), there were statistically significant differences in the PPT and PWT of rats among the four groups ( F=53.498, 41.939, both P<0.001). Seven days after modeling, PPT ((418.5±46.9) g) and PWT ( (55.6±7.1) g) in the ipsilateral side of the rats in model+ D-AP5 group were higher than those in model group ((290.0±32.0) g, (30.5±7.5) g) (both P<0.001). In the open field test, there were statistically significant differences in percentage of the inner zone distance ( H=11.922, P<0.01) and the percentage of inner zone time ( H=21.614, P<0.001) of rats among the four groups. The percentage of inner zone time in model+ D-AP5 group was higher than that in model group (5.6(4.3, 7.9) %, 3.1(2.1, 3.8) %) ( P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence showed that there were statistically significant differences in the density of GFAP positive cells and c-Fos positive cells at the ipsilateral side of the superficial laminae of rats among the four groups ( H=49.085, F=18.120, both P<0.001). The density of GFAP positive cells (34.3(21.1, 47.5) cells/mm 2) and c-Fos positive cells ((52.7±39.4) cells/mm 2) at the ipsilateral side of the superficial laminae in model+ D-AP5 group were less than those in model group (76.5(68.6, 94.9) cells/mm 2, (112.4±63.7) cells/mm 2) (both P<0.001). The Western blot results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the protein expression of GFAP, c-Fos, p-JNK, MCP-1 and CXCL-1 in the L2 segment of rats among the four groups ( F=49.413, 38.437, 41.867, 36.735, 130.951, all P<0.001). The protein expression of GFAP (1.7±0.5), c-Fos (1.1±0.1), p-JNK (1.7±0.3), MCP-1 (1.0±0.4) and CXCL-1 (0.8±0.1) in the L2 segment in model+ D-AP5 group were lower than those in model group ((4.3±0.7), (2.6±0.5), (2.8±0.4), (2.9±0.4), (3.5±0.4)) (all P<0.01). Conclusion:ACC modulates mechanical hyperalgesia and anxiety-like behavior in chronic non-specific low back pain rats, which might be associated with the involvement of spinal astrocytes, p-JNK signal pathway and chemokines such as MCP-1 and CXCL-1.

Scoping review of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for non-specific low back pain / 中国中药杂志

This study systematically searched and sorted out randomized controlled trial(RCT) of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for non-specific low back pain by scoping review, so as to demonstrate the current state of the research evidence and provide a reference point for future clinical research and healthcare decision-making. Eight commonly used Chinese and English databases were searched, and the search time was from the establishment of the databases to July 7, 2023, so as to analyze the characteristics of the current status of the current research through visualization methods. A total of 50 studies were included, including 23 studies in Chinese and 27 studies in English. The overall number of studies showed an increasing trend. The percentage of studies published in Chinese non-core journals was 42.0%. The disease subtypes of interest were mainly chronic non-specific low back pain, accounting for 68.0% of the studies. The sample sizes of the studies were mainly concentrated in the range of 50-100 cases. A total of 15 types of interventions were categorized, with acupuncture interventions being the most studied. Duration of treatment did not exceed one month in 80.0% of the studies. Only 8.0% of the studies used minimal clinical important difference(MCID) as a basis for judgment. The follow-up period was set within 3 months in 28.0% of the studies, and 82.0% of the studies concluded that acupuncture-moxibustion was effective in the treatment of non-specific lower back pain. Adverse events were reported in 20.0% of the studies. The risk of bias in the included studies was dominated by low risk of bias and uncertain risk of bias, with fewer studies focusing on high risks of bias. In most of the studies, acupuncture-moxibustion was significantly more effective than the control group. The research on acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for non-specific low back pain is developing rapidly, but there are still insufficient studies on psychological state, safety, and other indicators, and there are still some studies with uncertain risks of bias, which is not conducive to the generalization and application of the findings. Therefore, future studies should improve and refine these shortcomings.

Pragmatic Real-world Approach to Treat Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease in Logistically Constraint Situations: A Proposition

Understanding the etiology and the tempo of progression with inexorable and self-perpetuating fibrosis [identification of progressive-fibrotic (PF) phenotype of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (PF-ILD)] can help to decide the treatment of diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) in the real-world practice. An evidence-supported pragmatic approach has been forwarded for such circumstances.

Expression of GATA binding protein 3 in non specific type invasive breast cancer and its relationship with prognosis of patients / 中国综合临床

Objective:To investigate the expression of GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) in non-specific type invasive breast cancer(IBC-NST) and its relationship with prognosis of patients.Methods:The clinical data of 98 patients with IBC-NST in Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The normal tissues adjacent to the cancer were collected as the control group by case-control study. The expression of GATA-3 in cancer tissues and normal tissues adjacent to the cancer was detected by immunohistochemical method separately. The relationship between the different expression of GATA-3 and the clinical and pathological features and prognosis of IBC-NST was analyzed. In this study, the counting data were used χ 2 inspection. The survival rate was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and compared between groups by Long-rank method. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results:The positive expression rate of GATA-3 was 61.2% (60/98) in cancer tissues and was 86.7% (85/98) in the normal tissues of IBC-NST. The difference was statistically significant (χ 2=16.57, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the expression of GATA-3 between the patients with non special invasive breast cancer and the diameter of tumor (all P>0.05).There were significant differences in the expression of GATA-3 in histological grade, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, ER, PR and HER2 (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that lymph node metastasis ( OR=2.628, 95% CI 1.180-5.812, P=0.018), TNM staging ( OR=3.419,95% CI 1.067-7.565, P=0.041), histological grade ( OR=1.540,95% CI 1.026-2.361, P=0.044), and HER-2 positive expression ( OR=1.801,95% CI 1.067-3.221, P=0.048) were risk factors for GATA-3 negative expression. The 3-year disease-free survival rate of patients with GATA-3 positive expression was 80.0% and that of patients with GATA-3 negative expression was 57.9%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ 2=4.30, P=0.045). The 3-year survival rate of patients with GATA-3 positive expression (86.7%) was significantly higher than that of patients with GATA-3 negative expression (68.4%) and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=3.99, P=0.046). Conclusion:Compared with the normal tissues adjacent to the cancer, the expression of GATA-3 was lost in cancer tissues of IBC-NST patients. TNM staging, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, ER, PR and HER-2 were related to the expression of GATA-3. The positive expression of GATA-3 suggest that the prognosis of patients was better. Lymph node metastasis, histological grade, TNM staging and HER-2 positive expression were the risk factors of GATA-3 negative expression.

Correlation of clinicopathology and ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis with Ki-67 expression in non-special invasive breast cancer / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of non-specific invasive breast cancer (IBC-NST) and the relationship between ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 expression. 【Methods】 A total of 101 patients with IBC-NST were retrospectivily recruited and divided into two groups with high expression of Ki-67 (70cases) and low expression of Ki-67 (31cases). The χ2 test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare the clinical and pathological characteristics and other count data of patients between the groups. The comparison of ultrasound diagnosis of ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis and pathological results was calculated using correlation values such as sensitivity and specificity. The correlation between ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 expression was analyzed with Spearman correlation analysis. 【Results】 In different Ki-67 expression groups, the size of tumor mass, histological grade of breast cancer, and clinical stage were statistically different between Ki-67 expression groups (P<0.05). The positive expression rate of tumor mass ≥2 cm (58.57%), histological grade Ⅲ (32.86%), clinical stages Ⅲ (34.29%) and Ⅳ (5.71%) was higher in the Ki-67 high expression group; ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 high expression were positively correlated (r=0.393, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 In IBC-NST cases, the tumor mass ≥ 2 cm, histological grade Ⅲ, clinical stage Ⅲ, and Ⅳ are correlated with the high expression of Ki-67. At the same time, ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 high expression are positively correlated, which provides reference for IBC-NST proliferation assessment and clinical intervention.

Study of the use of IVIG Normal Human Immunoglobulin in the La Samaritana University Hospital during the period of 2017-2019 / Estudio de utilización de Inmunoglobulina Humana Normal IGIV en el Hospital Universitario de la Samaritana durante el periodo de 2017-2019 / Estudo de utilização de Imunoglobulina Humana Intravenosa Inespecífica (IGIV) no Hospital Universitário da Samaritana (HUS) durante o período 2017-2019

SUMMARY Introduction: Non-specific intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a valuable therapeutic resource in specific pathologies, however, there are pathological conditions for which there is not yet a defined therapeutic strategy and due to similarity or biological plausibility, some prescribers end up using it. Aim: To identify the indications for which IVIG has been prescribed in the HUS. Methodology: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was performed with retrospective collection of information between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. Materials and methods: 180 medical records were reviewed, demographic characterization of the study, clinical and pharmacological population of patients who have been prescribed at least one dose of immunoglobulin. In addition, the indications proposed in the clinical history were compared with the indications approved by regulatory authority (Invima). Results: It was determined that the population with the highest predominance to which IVIG was prescribed in the HUS, were women in young adulthood. Likewise, the use of IVIG presented a higher frequency in patients with idiopathic purple thrombocytopenia (ITP), Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and neonatal jaundice due to other existing hemolysis specified as main diagnoses. The indications for which there is an Invima approval are nonspecific, which means that there is no defined therapeutic strategy with IVIG and therefore that prescribers for similarity or biological plausibility turn out to be using it, for uses not indicated in the sanitary registry (UNIRS), which represented 71 % of indications for which IVIG was prescribed in HUS. Conclusion: The indications for the most prescription with IVIG were idiopathic purple thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The non-prescribed use of IVIG in this study reached a figure of 71%.

RESUMEN Introducción: La inmunoglobulina humana intravenosa inespecífica (IGIV) es un valioso recurso terapéutico en patologías específicas, sin embargo, existen condiciones patológicas para las que aún no existe una estrategia terapéutica definida y por similitud o plausibilidad biológica algunos prescriptores terminan usándola. Objetivo: Identificar las indicaciones para las cuales se ha prescrito inmunoglobulina humana inespecífica intravenosa (IGIV) en el HUS. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal con recolección retrospectiva de la información entre enero 1 de 2017 hasta diciembre 31 de 2019. Materiales y métodos: Se revisaron 180 historias clínicas, de pacientes a quienes se les prescribió al menos una dosis de inmunoglobulina, se realizó una caracterización demográfica, clínica y farmacológica de la población estudio. Además, se comparó las indicaciones descritas en la historia clínica con las indicaciones aprobadas por el Invima. Resultados: Se identificó a mujeres adultas jóvenes como población a quienes se le prescribió IGIV con mayor frecuencia. Asimismo, las indicaciones para la que se prescribe IGIV con mayor frecuencia fueron la purpura trombocitopenia idiopática (PTI), síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB), lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) e ictericia neonatal debida a otras hemolisis existentes. Las indicaciones aprobadas por la agencia regulatoria colombiana (Invima) son inespecíficas por lo que el uso de la IGIV es prescrito ya sea por similitud o plausibilidad biológica, lo cual puede explicar el uso no prescrito que en este estudio alcanzó la cifra del 71%. Conclusión: Las indicaciones de mayor prescripción con IGIV fue purpura trombocitopenia idiopática (PTI) y síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). El uso no prescrito de IGIV en este estudio alcanzó la cifra del 71%.

RESUMO Introdução: A imunoglobulina humana intravenosa inespecífica (IGIV) é um recurso terapêutico valioso em patologias específicas, porém existem condições patológicas para as quais ainda não há estratégia terapêutica definida e devido à semelhança ou plausibilidade biológica alguns prescritores acabam por indica-la. Objetivo: Identificar as indicações para as quais a imunoglobulina humana intravenosa inespecífica (IGIV) foi prescrita no HUS. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal descritivo com coleta retrospectiva de informações entre 1° de janeiro de 2017 e 31 de dezembro de 2019. Materiais e métodos: foram revisados 180 prontuários de pacientes que receberam prescrição de pelo menos uma dose de imunoglobulina, foi realizada uma caracterização demográfica, clínica e farmacológica da população em estudo. Além disso, as indicações descritas no prontuário foram comparadas com as indicações aprovadas pelo Invima. Resultados: Mulheres adultas jovens foram identificadas como a população que recebeu IGIV com maior frequência. Da mesma forma, as indicações para as quais a IGIV foi mais frequentemente prescrita foram trombocitopenia roxa idiopática (PTI), síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB), lúpus eritematoso sistémico (LES) e icterícia neonatal devido a outras hemólises existentes. As indicações aprovadas pela agência reguladora colombiana (Invima) são inespecíficas, portanto o uso de IGIV é prescrito seja por semelhança ou plausibilidade biológica, o que pode explicar o uso off" label, que neste estudo atingiu a cifra de 71%. Conclusão: As indicações para a maior prescrição de IGIV foram a trombocitopenia roxa idiopática (PTI) e a síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). O uso off" label de IGIV neste estudo atingiu a cifra de 71%.

Cien años de vacuna BCG / One hundred years of BCG vaccine

Resumen La vacuna BCG fue administrada por primera vez en 1921, en París, a un recién nacido de madre tuberculosa. Entre 1924 y 1960, el Instituto Pasteur entregó cultivos de BCG a más de 50 labora torios de todo el mundo. En 1925, el Dr. Andrés Arena lo introdujo en Argentina, donde se comenzó a producir y aplicar la vacuna a recién nacidos por vía oral. La cepa original sufrió múltiples cambios genéticos que no parecen haber afectado su eficacia protectora, establecida aun sin que se conociera el mecanismo de acción. En Argentina, un estudio (1978-1985) demostró que la BCG previene la TB primaria en general, y en un 100% la meningitis y otras localizaciones extrapulmonares. Su efecto es independiente de las medidas de control de la TB (detección de casos y tratamiento). Además, BCG provee protección inespecífica contra diversas enfermedades infecciosas y se la usa en el tratamiento del cáncer de vejiga. En 2020 ya se habían establecido por lo menos cinco tecnologías para el desarrollo de vacunas anti-TB: vacunas celulares, de subunidades proteicas, de ácidos nucleicos, con vector adenovirus, y con virus influenza recombinante como vector. Actualmente hay más de 20 vacunas candidatas anti-TB en evaluación. La historia enseña, y la pandemia de COVID-19 ha confirmado que la vacunación es un instrumento fundamental para el control de las enfermedades infecciosas. Y hasta que haya disponible otra más eficaz, BCG seguirá figurando en el Calendario de Vacunación Nacional, para ser aplicada al recién nacido.

Abstract The BCG vaccine was given for the first time in 1921, in Paris, to a newborn of a mother with tuberculosis. Between 1924 and 1960, the Pasteur Institute delivered BCG cultures to more than 50 laboratories around the world. In 1925, Dr Andrés Arena introduced the BCG seed to Argentina, where the vaccine began to be produced and applied orally to newborns. The original strain underwent diverse genetic changes in different parts of the world, which did not seem to affect its protective efficacy. In Argentina, a study (1978-1985) showed that BCG prevents primary TB in general, and has 100% ef ficacy in meningitis and other extra-pulmonary TB locations. BCG effect is independent of TB control measures (case detection and treatment). Furthermore, BCG provides nonspecific protection from various infections and is used in the treatment of bladder cancer. By 2020, at least five technologies had already been established for the future development of anti-TB vaccines: cellular vaccines, protein subunits, nucleic acids, with adenovirus vector, and with recombinant influenza virus as a vector. There are currently more than 20 TB vaccine candidates under evaluation. History teaches, and the COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed, that vaccination is a fundamental instrument for the control of infectious diseases. Until a more effective vaccine becomes available, BCG will continue to be included in the Argentine National Vaccination Calendar for application to newborns.

A Case Report of Ductus Arteriosus Aneurysm in an Adult with Non-specific Inflammatory Response / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 24-year-old man was admitted to another hospital due to fever and chest and back pain. Enhanced chest computed tomography showed an aneurysm between the distal aortic arch and left pulmonary artery. The patient was transferred to our hospital for surgery. Because of suspicion of an infectious ductus arteriosus aneurysm, antibiotic therapy was started. Urgent graft replacement of the descending aorta was performed on the third day due to the enlargement of the aneurysm. All blood cultures including the preoperative examination, and the aneurysmal culture were negative. The histopathological study showed non-specific inflammatory response with plasma cell, T lymphocyte, and B lymphocyte infiltrations. There was no evidence of infection. Eventually we diagnosed this patient as having a ductus arteriosus aneurysm with non-specific inflammation. The antibiotic therapy was terminated on postoperative day 10, and the postoperative course was uneventful.

Spontaneous remission of follicular bronchiolitis with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: A case report and literature review / 北京大学学报(医学版)

A 41-year-old female patient was admitted in Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital because of having cough for a year. Multiple subpleural ground grass and solid nodules could be seen on her CT scan. Four months before admission, she began to experience dry mouth and eyes, blurred vision, finger joints pain, muscle pain and weakness in both lower limbs and weight loss. At the time of admission, the patient's vital signs were normal, no skin rash was seen, breath sounds in both lungs were clear, no rales or wheeze, no deformities in her hands, no redness, swelling, or tenderness in the joints. There was no edema in both lower limbs. Some lab examinations were performed. Tumor markers including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Cyfra21-1, pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) were all normal. The antinuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-Sm antibody, anti-SSA/SSB antibody, anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibody, anti-Jo-1 antibody, anti-SCL-70 antibody and anti-ribosomal antibody were all negative. The blood IgG level was normal. The blood fungal β-1.3-D glucose, aspergillus galactomannan antigen, sputum bacterial and fungal culture, and sputum smear test for acid-fast staining were all negative. Lung function was normal. Bronchoscopy showed the airways and mucosa were normal. To clarify the diagnosis, she underwent thoracoscopic lung biopsy, the histopathology revealed follicular bronchiolitis (FB) with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). She did not receive any treatment and after 7 months, the lung opacities were spontaneously resolved. After 7 years of follow-up, the opacities in her lung did not relapse. To improve the understanding of FB, a literature research was performed with "follicular bronchiolitis" as the key word in Wanfang, PubMed and Ovid Database. The time interval was from January 2000 to December 2018. Relative articles were retrieved and clinical treatments and prognosis of FB were analyzed. Eighteen articles concerning FB with complete records were included in the literature review. A total of 51 adult patients with FB were reported, including 18 primary FB and 33 secondary FB, and autoimmune disease was the most common underlying cause. Forty-one (80.4%) patients were prescribed with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive agents, 6 (11.8%) patients were treated with anti-infective, 5 (9.8%) patients did not receive any treatment. The longest follow-up period was 107 months. Among the 5 patients without any treatment, 1 patients died of metastatic melanoma, the lung opacities were unchanged in 1 patient and getting severe in 3 patients. In conclusion, FB is a rare disease, the treatment and prognosis are controversial. Corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents could be effective. This case report suggests the possibility of spontaneous remission of FB.

Development of a Portable Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain Measurement System / 中国医疗器械杂志

We developed a portable non-specific low back pain measurement system EasiLBP and evaluated its performance in collecting EMG signals:during the wearer's movement without the assistance of a doctor, the collection of EMG signals by portable devices met problems such as large noise interference, difficulty in accurately calibrating the start and end points of the action interval, and imbalanced samples for feature recognition, et al. To challenge these problems, we proposed a small group-based noise removal method, a dynamic dual-threshold automatic method for identifying the start and end points of the motion interval, and a sampling method to balance group samples, respectively. Portable device and a medical EMG acquisition equipment Thought Technology FlexComp Infiniti 10 were used to perform EMG measurements on 15 patients with non-specific low back pain and 15 normal people. Clinical experiments and statistical analysis show that the portable EMG acquisition system has significant differences in EMG signal characteristics between normal people and non-specific low back pain patients, and it has good measurement consistency and accuracy with the medical EMG acquisition equipment.

Perinuclear anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody vasculitis with nonspecific muscle pain

This is a case report describing p-ANCA vasculitis presenting with nonspecific muscle pain. It is a very uncommon finding seen in p-ANCA vasculitis patients which they usually present with palpable purpura alone. In this case, along with nonspecific muscle pain, renal involvement of the disease has been explained and there are no upper and lower respiratory tract complaints which favours more towards microscopic polyangitis.

Diagnóstico de dengue en pacientes con síndrome febril inespecífico del Policlínico Docente "Ángel Machaco Ameijeiras", La Habana / Diagnosis of dengue virus in patients with non-specific febrile síndrome at the "Ángel Machaco Ameijeiras" Teaching Polyclinic, Havana

RESUMEN Introducción: Los progresos en el concepto de la Salud Pública han introducido nuevos enfoques como el concepto de vigilancia sindrómica, dentro de las que se encuentra el síndrome febril inespecífico. Objetivo: Caracterizar los pacientes con diagnóstico de dengue en pacientes con síndrome febril inespecífico. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo, de corte transversal, en el área de salud del Policlínico Docente "Ángel Machaco Ameijeiras" de Guanabacoa, La Habana, entre enero y diciembre de 2019; la población de estudio fue de 580 pacientes. Se empleó un modelo de recolección de datos y las variables a medir fueron: edad, sexo, resultado de inmunoglobulina M, mes, zona de procedencia de la paciente urbana o semiurbana y síntomas como cefalea, artralgia, decaimiento, mareos, náuseas, rash, fiebre, dolor retro ocular, mialgias y dolor abdominal. Resultados: Predominó el grupo de edad 1-19 años con 281 pacientes para un 48,44 %, el aumento de los casos con inicio en julio y culminó en diciembre, predominio de los casos negativos sobre los positivos, representado el sexo femenino, las zonas urbanas presentó la mayor cantidad de casos con un 72,58 % y valor p=0,00. Predominó la fiebre como síntoma fundamental, presente en el 87 % de los pacientes. Conclusiones: El grupo de edad más representativo fue de 1-19 años, el aumento de los casos inició en el mes de julio y 229 presentaron dengue, predominando la zona urbana, con la fiebre como síntoma cardinal.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Progress in public health concept has introduced new approaches such as the concept of syndromic surveillance, which includes non-specific febrile syndrome. Objective: To describe patients diagnosed with dengue virus in patients with non-specific febrile síndrome. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study was conducted in the health area of the "Angel Machaco Ameijeiras" Teaching Polyclinic in Guanabacoa, Havana, from January to December 2019; the population studied was 580 patients. A data collection model was used and the variables to be measured were: age, sex, immunoglobulin M result, month, urban or semi-urban patient's area of origin and symptoms such as headache, arthralgia, malaise, dizziness, nausea, rash, fever, retro ocular pain, myalgias and abdominal pain. Results: The age group between 1 and 19 years predominated, 281 patients for a 48.44 %, the increase of cases starting in July and ending in December, negative cases rather than positive one are predominant, representing the female sex, urban areas presented the highest number of cases with 72.58 % and p value=0.00. Fever was the predominant symptom, present in 87% of the patients. Conclusions: The most representative age group with fever was between 1 and 19 years, the increase in cases began in July and 229 patients presented dengue virus, predominantly in urban areas, with fever as a cardinal symptom.