Male infertility can result from impaired sperm motility caused by multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella(MMAF).Distinct projections encircling the central microtubules of the spermatozoal axoneme play p...Male infertility can result from impaired sperm motility caused by multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella(MMAF).Distinct projections encircling the central microtubules of the spermatozoal axoneme play pivotal roles in flagellar bending and spermatozoal movement.Mammalian sperm-associated antigen 17(SPAG17)encodes a conserved axonemal protein of cilia and flagella,forming part of the C1a projection of the central apparatus,with functions related to ciliary/flagellar motility,skeletal growth,and male fertility.This study investigated two novel homozygous SPAG17 mutations(M1:NM_206996.2,c.829+1G>T,p.Asp212_Glu276del;and M2:c.2120del,p.Leu707*)identified in four infertile patients from two consanguineous Pakistani families.These patients displayed the MMAF phenotype confirmed by Papanicolaou staining and scanning electron microscopy assays of spermatozoa.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)of patients’spermatozoa also revealed a significant decrease in SPAG17 mRNA expression,and immunofluorescence staining showed the absence of SPAG17 protein signals along the flagella.However,no apparent ciliary-related symptoms or skeletal malformations were observed in the chest X-rays of any of the patients.Transmission electron microscopy of axoneme cross-sections from the patients showed incomplete C1a projection and a higher frequency of missing microtubule doublets 1 and 9 compared with those from fertile controls.Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analyses of spermatogenesis-associated protein 17(SPATA17),a component of the C1a projection,and sperm-associated antigen 6(SPAG6),a marker of the spring layer,revealed disrupted expression of both proteins in the patients’spermatozoa.Altogether,these findings demonstrated that SPAG17 maintains the integrity of spermatozoal flagellar axoneme,expanding the phenotypic spectrum of SPAG17 mutations in humans.展开更多
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 6.8% of new cancer cases and 8.1% of cancer-related deaths. About 85% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of...Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 6.8% of new cancer cases and 8.1% of cancer-related deaths. About 85% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and distribution of the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in women showing cytological abnormalities of the cervix at the Sourô SANOU University Hospital (CHUSS) in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. This is a descriptive study of women recruited at the CHUSS. The cervico-uterine smear examination was carried out at the CHUSS Anatomy and Pathology Department for cervical cancer screening. The data were collected from women with atypical cells on their cervico-uterine smear. Cervicovaginal samples were taken from consenting women and HPV genotyping was performed using the HPV Direct FLOW CHIP kit at CERBA. We obtained approval from the ethics committee. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 26 software. The results of the study showed that 67.79% of the participants were aged between 50 and 65, a group that is particularly vulnerable to persistent infection with high-risk oncogenic HPV genotypes. Of the women screened, 40.7% were HPV positive and 29.2% had multiple infections. The most common genotypes were HPV 35, followed by HPV 18, 52, 58 and 66. These data highlight the need for increased surveillance and targeted prevention strategies among this female population.展开更多
To investigate the correlation between propacetamol and postoperative liver enzyme abnormalities among patients,a retrospective analysis was conducted on inpatients in the thoracic surgery department spanning from Jan...To investigate the correlation between propacetamol and postoperative liver enzyme abnormalities among patients,a retrospective analysis was conducted on inpatients in the thoracic surgery department spanning from January 1 to June 30,2023.Causality assessment regarding propacetamol and postoperative liver enzyme abnormalities was performed using the updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method(RUCAM).Furthermore,independent risk factors for liver enzyme abnormalities were identified through both univariate and multivariate analyses,followed by the construction and validation of a clinical nomogram.A total of 247 patients who received propacetamol were ultimately included in the study.Liver enzyme abnormalities post-surgery were more accurately predicted by considering the daily dose of propacetamol and the number of medications(OR(95%CI),4.831(2.797,8.344),P<0.001;10.007(3.878,25.823),P<0.001).A clinical predictive nomogram model was developed,incorporating these two independent risk factors,which exhibited favorable discrimination(AUC(95%CI),0.811(0.750,0.872)),calibration,and decision curve analysis(DCA)demonstrating the highest net benefits across a broad spectrum of threshold probabilities(10%to 90%).The daily dose of propacetamol and the number of medications were found to be independently associated with postoperative liver enzyme abnormalities.This user-friendly nomogram,comprising these two factors,might assist clinicians in assessing the risks of propacetamol-related liver dysfunction following surgery.展开更多
Thermal power generation systems have stringent requirements for water and steam quality,i.e.,condensate water quality is one of the critical issues.In this paper,we designed a two-layer model based on an autoencoder ...Thermal power generation systems have stringent requirements for water and steam quality,i.e.,condensate water quality is one of the critical issues.In this paper,we designed a two-layer model based on an autoencoder and expert knowledge to achieve the early warning and causal analysis of condensate water quality abnormalities.An early warning model using an autoencoder model is built based on the historical data affecting the condensate water quality.Next,an analytical model of condensate water quality abnormalities was then developed by combining expert knowledge and trend test algorithms.Two different datasets were used to test the proposed model,respectively.The accuracy of the autoencoder model in the short-period test set is 88.83%,which shows that the early warning model can accurately analyze the condensate water quality data and achieve the purpose of early warning.For the long-time period test set,the model can correctly identify each abnormality and simultaneously indicates the cause of the abnormal condensate water quality.The proposed model can correctly identify abnormal working conditions and it is applicable to other thermal power plants.展开更多
Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella(MMAF)is a severe form of asthenoteratozoospermia,characterized by morphological abnormalities and reduced motility of sperm,causing male infertility.Although appr...Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella(MMAF)is a severe form of asthenoteratozoospermia,characterized by morphological abnormalities and reduced motility of sperm,causing male infertility.Although approximately 60%of MMAF cases can be explained genetically,the etiology of the remaining cases is unclear.Here,we identified two novel compound heterozygous variants in the gene,dynein axonemal heavy chain 10(DNAH10),in three patients from two unrelated Pakistani families using whole-exome sequencing(WES),including one compound heterozygous mutation(DNAH10:c.9409C>A[p.P3137T];c.12946G>C[p.D4316H])in family 1 and another compound heterozygous mutation(DNAH10:c.8849G>A[p.G2950D];c.11509C>T[p.R3687W])in family 2.All the identified variants are absent or rare in public genome databases and are predicted to have deleterious effects according to multiple bioinformatic tools.Sanger sequencing revealed that these variants follow an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.Hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining revealed MMAF,including sperm head abnormalities,in the patients.In addition,immunofluorescence staining revealed loss of DNAH10 protein signals along sperm flagella.These findings broaden the spectrum of DNAH10 variants and expand understanding of the genetic basis of male infertility associated with the MMAF phenotype.展开更多
Objective:To analyze the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension and find out the risk factors of abnormal circadian rhythm.Methods:According to the circadian rhythm of patie...Objective:To analyze the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension and find out the risk factors of abnormal circadian rhythm.Methods:According to the circadian rhythm of patients’blood pressure,they were divided into group A,group B,and group C,and all the data of hypertension patients in this study were collected,including age,gender,BMI,smoking,drinking,basic diseases(diabetes,cerebrovascular disease,hyperlipidemia,etc.),fasting blood glucose,ambulatory blood pressure(24-hour mean systolic pressure,24-hour mean diastolic pressure,daytime mean systolic pressure and daytime mean diastolic pressure).Results:There were significant differences in mean systolic blood pressure and mean diastolic blood pressure at night among group A,group B and group C(P<0.05).Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose were risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium was a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).Conclusion:Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose are risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium is a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).展开更多
Objective:To analyze the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension and find out the risk factors of abnormal circadian rhythm.Methods:According to the circadian rhythm of patie...Objective:To analyze the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension and find out the risk factors of abnormal circadian rhythm.Methods:According to the circadian rhythm of patients'blood pressure,they were divided into Group A,Group B and Group C,and all the data of hypertension patients in this study were collected,including age,gender,BMI,smoking,drinking,basic diseases(diabetes,cerebrovascular disease,hyperlipidemia,etc.),fasting blood glucose,ambulatory blood pressure(24-hour mean systolic pressure,24-hour mean diastolic pressure,daytime mean systolic pressure and daytime mean diastolic pressure).Results:There were significant differences in mean systolic blood pressure and mean diastolic blood pressure at night among Group A,Group B and Group C(P<0.05).Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose were risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium was a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).Conclusion:Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose are risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium is a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).展开更多
BACKGROUND Research has shown that several factors can influence postoperative abnormal liver function;however,most studies on this issue have focused specifically on hepatic and cardiac surgeries,leaving limited rese...BACKGROUND Research has shown that several factors can influence postoperative abnormal liver function;however,most studies on this issue have focused specifically on hepatic and cardiac surgeries,leaving limited research on contributing factors in other types of surgeries.AIM To identify the risk factors for early postoperative abnormal liver function in multiple surgery types and construct a risk prediction model.METHODS This retrospective cohort study involved 3720 surgical patients from 5 surgical departments at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Patients were divided into abnormal(n=108)and normal(n=3612)groups based on liver function post-surgery.Univariate analysis and LASSO regression screened variables,followed by logistic regression to identify risk factors.A prediction model was constructed based on the variables selected via logistic re-gression.The goodness-of-fit of the model was evaluated using the Hosm-er–Lemeshow test,while discriminatory ability was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.Calibration curves were plotted to visualize the consistency between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes.RESULTS The key factors contributing to abnormal liver function after surgery include elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels and reduced platelet counts pre-surgery,as well as the sevoflurane use during the procedure,among others.CONCLUSION The above factors collectively represent notable risk factors for postoperative liver function injury,and the prediction model developed based on these factors demonstrates strong predictive efficacy.展开更多
Craniometaphyseal dysplasia(CMD),a rare craniotubular disorder,occurs in an autosomal dominant(AD)or autosomal recessive(AR)form.CMD is characterized by hyperostosis of craniofacial bones and metaphyseal flaring of lo...Craniometaphyseal dysplasia(CMD),a rare craniotubular disorder,occurs in an autosomal dominant(AD)or autosomal recessive(AR)form.CMD is characterized by hyperostosis of craniofacial bones and metaphyseal flaring of long bones.Many patients with CMD suffer from neurological symptoms.The pathogenesis of CMD is not fully understood.展开更多
Medically assisted reproduction(MAR)techniques are highly dependent on the sperm quantity and quality.Low sperm concentrations can be bypassed at least to some point by the usage of more sophisticated MAR techniques l...Medically assisted reproduction(MAR)techniques are highly dependent on the sperm quantity and quality.Low sperm concentrations can be bypassed at least to some point by the usage of more sophisticated MAR techniques like intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).Compared to this,disruptions in established indicators of sperm quality like motility or morphology pose greater challenges for the therapy of couple infertility.展开更多
Congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract(CAKUT) include a wide range of abnormalities ranging from asymptomatic ectopic kidneys to life threatening renal agenesis(bilateral). Many of them are detected ...Congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract(CAKUT) include a wide range of abnormalities ranging from asymptomatic ectopic kidneys to life threatening renal agenesis(bilateral). Many of them are detected in the antenatal or immediate postnatal with a significant proportion identified in the adult population with varying degree of severity. CAKUT can be classified on embryological basis in to abnormalities in the renal parenchymal development, aberrant embryonic migration and abnormalities of the collecting system. Renal parenchymal abnormalities include multi cystic dysplastic kidneys, renal hypoplasia, number(agenesis or supernumerary), shape and cystic renal diseases. Aberrant embryonic migration encompasses abnormal location and fusion anomalies. Collecting system abnormalities include duplex kidneys and Pelvi ureteric junction obstruction. Ultrasonography(US) is typically the first imaging performed as it is easily available, noninvasive and radiation free used both antenatally and postnatally. Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) are useful to confirm the ultrasound detected abnormality, detection of complex malformations, demonstration of collecting system and vascular anatomy and more importantly for early detection of complications like renal calculi, infection and malignancies. As CAKUT are one of the leading causes of end stage renal disease, it is important for the radiologists to be familiar with the varying imaging appearances of CAKUT on US, CT and MRI, thereby helping in prompt diagnosis and optimal management.展开更多
Objective: The main objective of the present study is to assess the interrelationship between renal calculi, selected ions, thyroid and parathyroid hormones and urinary tract infections. Methods: This study was carrie...Objective: The main objective of the present study is to assess the interrelationship between renal calculi, selected ions, thyroid and parathyroid hormones and urinary tract infections. Methods: This study was carried out on 150 patients attended Tikrit Teaching Hospital from 2008 to 2009. Stones and serum ions were analyzed utilizing relevant Biolab Company kits (France). Thyroid hormones were determined using ELISA microwells kit (Accuubind, USA) Parathyroid hormone was estimated by active I-PTH ELISA (DSL, USA).Urine cultures were done utilizing cystine-lactose- electrolyte deficient (CLED) medium. Various isolated pathogens were conventionally identified. Results: Urine cultures revealed that 42% of the patients had urinary tract infections particularly with Enterobacteriaceae. 68% of the stones tested were calcium oxalate. Infective and noninfective stones were classified. Calcium ion was more elevated in patients examined. Hypothyroidism was prevalent but parathyroid hormone (PTH) was elevated among 14 patients only. Conclusions: The frequency of UTI was higher among urolithiasis patients and the common causative agents were Gram negative bacteria. Renal stones of calcium origin were predominant. Hormonal abnormalities were seen. 15 patients with hyperthyroidism revealed hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.展开更多
Objective Cognitive impairment(CI)in older individuals has a high morbidity rate worldwide,with poor diagnostic methods and susceptible population identification.This study aimed to investigate the relationship betwee...Objective Cognitive impairment(CI)in older individuals has a high morbidity rate worldwide,with poor diagnostic methods and susceptible population identification.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between different retinal metrics and CI in a particular population,emphasizing polyvascular status.Methods We collected information from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study on retinal vessel calibers,retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness,and cognitive function of 3,785participants,aged 40 years or older.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between retinal metrics and cognitive function.Subgroups stratified by different vascular statuses were also analyzed.Results RNFL thickness was significantly thinner in the CI group(odds ratio:0.973,95%confidence interval:0.953–0.994).In the subgroup analysis,the difference still existed in the non-intracranial arterial stenosis,non-extracranial carotid arterial stenosis,and peripheral arterial disease subgroups(P<0.05).Conclusion A thin RNFL is associated with CI,especially in people with non-large vessel stenosis.The underlying small vessel change in RNFL and CI should be investigated in the future.展开更多
As-forged WSTi6421 titanium alloy billet afterβannealing was investigated.Abnormally coarse grains larger than adjacent grains could be observed in the microstructures,forming abnormal grain structures with uneven si...As-forged WSTi6421 titanium alloy billet afterβannealing was investigated.Abnormally coarse grains larger than adjacent grains could be observed in the microstructures,forming abnormal grain structures with uneven size distribution.Through electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD),the forged microstructure at various locations of as-forged WSTi6421 titanium alloy billet was analyzed,revealing that the strength of theβphase cubic texture generated by forging significantly influences the grain size afterβannealing.Heat treatment experiments were conducted within the temperature range from T_(β)−50°C to T_(β)+10°C to observe the macro-and micro-morphologies.Results show that the cubic texture ofβphase caused by forging impacts the texture of the secondaryαphase,which subsequently influences theβphase formed during the post-βannealing process.Moreover,the pinning effect of the residual primaryαphase plays a crucial role in the growth ofβgrains during theβannealing process.EBSD analysis results suggest that the strength ofβphase with cubic texture formed during forging process impacts the orientation distribution differences ofβgrains afterβannealing.Additionally,the development of grains with large orientations within the cubic texture shows a certain degree of selectivity duringβannealing,which is affected by various factors,including the pinning effect of the primaryαphase,the strength of the matrix cubic texture,and the orientation relationship betweenβgrain and matrix.Comprehensively,the stronger the texture in a certain region,the less likely the large misoriented grains suffering secondary growth,thereby aggregating the difference in microstructure and grain orientation distribution across different regions afterβannealing.展开更多
Congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) represent all the morphological abnormalities associated with a disorder of the embryonic development of the kidneys and their excretory tract. Its pre...Congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) represent all the morphological abnormalities associated with a disorder of the embryonic development of the kidneys and their excretory tract. Its prevalence is underestimated in developing countries compared to developed countries. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study between January 1st, 2015 and February 28th, 2020, carried out in the pediatric department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. The prevalence of CAKUT was 8.77% for all pediatric nephrologic pathologies (n = 58), the median age at diagnosis was 77.28 months and the sex ratio was 1.6. The circumstances of the discovery of CAKUT were dominated by urinary tract infection (n = 21), the antenatal diagnosis was poor (n = 13) and confusion between cysts and calyx dilation in antenatal was noted. Ultrasound was the main postnatal imaging test requested. The most common renal abnormality was kidney cysts (n = 18) (cystic kidneys and multicystic dysplastic kidney) and the most common urological abnormality was the posterior urethral valves (n = 8). Kidney failure was a pejorative factor in the evolution of these CAKUT.展开更多
Objective:To explore the positive significance of using prenatal B-ultrasound in diagnosing fetal abnormalities.Methods:A total of 200 pregnant women who visited Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2...Objective:To explore the positive significance of using prenatal B-ultrasound in diagnosing fetal abnormalities.Methods:A total of 200 pregnant women who visited Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2023 and January 2024 were recruited as the research subjects.All pregnant women received prenatal examinations.A retrospective analysis was carried out to analyze the positive significance of prenatal B-ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities.Results:Prenatal B-ultrasound examination detected 10 cases of fetal abnormalities,with a detection rate of 5.00%.When compared with the postnatal examination results of 5.50%,the difference was insignificant(P>0.05).Moreover,comparing the fetal limb abnormalities and cardiovascular abnormalities in prenatal B-ultrasound examination and postnatal examination,one case of congenital heart disease was missed in the prenatal B-ultrasound examination,and the others were consistent with the postnatal examination results,with a coincidence rate of 90.91%,indicating a high compliance rate.Conclusion:Fetal abnormalities have a great impact on mothers,babies,and families,and it is particularly important to strengthen diagnosis during this process.Prenatal B-ultrasound examination can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and can be promoted in clinical practice as a basis for screening fetal abnormalities.展开更多
Background:Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)are effective in a subset of patients with metastatic solid tumors.However,the patients who would benefit most from ICIs in biliary tract cancer(BTC)are still controversial...Background:Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)are effective in a subset of patients with metastatic solid tumors.However,the patients who would benefit most from ICIs in biliary tract cancer(BTC)are still controversial.Materials and methods:We molecularly characterized tissues and blood from 32 patients with metastatic BTC treated with the ICI pembrolizumab as second-line therapy.Results:All patients had microsatellite stable(MSS)type tumors.Three of the 32 patients achieved partial response(PR),with an objective response rate(ORR)of 9.4%(95%confidence interval[CI],2.0–25.2)and nine showed stable disease(SD),exhibiting a disease control rate(DCR)of 37.5%(95%CI,21.1–56.3).For the 31 patients who had access to PD-1 ligand 1(PD-L1)combined positive score(CPS)testing(cut-off value≥1%),the ORR was not different between those who had PD-L1-positive(PD-L1+;1/11,9.1%)and PDL1-(2/20,10.0%)tumors(p=1.000).The tumor mutational burden(TMB)of PD-L1+BTC was comparable to that of PD-L1-BTC(p=0.630).TMB and any exonic somatic mutations were also not predictive of pembrolizumab response.Molecular analysis of blood and tumor samples demonstrated a relatively high natural killer(NK)cell proportion in the peripheral blood before pembrolizumab treatment in patients who achieved tumor response.Moreover,the tumors of these patients presented high enrichment scores for NK cells,antitumor cytokines,and Th1 signatures,and a low enrichment score for cancer-associated fibroblasts.Conclusions:This study shows the molecular characteristics associated with the efficacy of pembrolizumab in BTC of the MSS type.展开更多
In this editorial,we comment on the article by Qin et al,recently published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.Malignant tumors of the digestive tract represent a significant health threat.Kinesin famil...In this editorial,we comment on the article by Qin et al,recently published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.Malignant tumors of the digestive tract represent a significant health threat.Kinesin family member 14(KIF14),a critical kinesin,is pivotal in the proliferation,migration,and invasion of tumor cells.It has emerged as a focal point in recent studies of malignant tumors in the digestive tract.This article reviews the current research on KIF14 within these tumors and details its significant role in tumor cell behaviors,including proliferation,apo-ptosis,migration,invasion,and angiogenesis,alongside the regulatory mechanisms of the associated intracellular signaling pathways.Additionally,it explores the clinical value of KIF14 as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis,disease monitoring,and prognostic evaluation in malignant tumors of the digestive tract.The article concludes by introducing the potential regulatory role of traditional Chinese medicine,aiming to combine the strengths of both modern and traditional medical approaches to enhance treatment outcomes and prognosis for patients with these tumors.展开更多
The rapid integration of Internet of Things(IoT)technologies is reshaping the global energy landscape by deploying smart meters that enable high-resolution consumption monitoring,two-way communication,and advanced met...The rapid integration of Internet of Things(IoT)technologies is reshaping the global energy landscape by deploying smart meters that enable high-resolution consumption monitoring,two-way communication,and advanced metering infrastructure services.However,this digital transformation also exposes power system to evolving threats,ranging from cyber intrusions and electricity theft to device malfunctions,and the unpredictable nature of these anomalies,coupled with the scarcity of labeled fault data,makes realtime detection exceptionally challenging.To address these difficulties,a real-time decision support framework is presented for smart meter anomality detection that leverages rolling time windows and two self-supervised contrastive learning modules.The first module synthesizes diverse negative samples to overcome the lack of labeled anomalies,while the second captures intrinsic temporal patterns for enhanced contextual discrimination.The end-to-end framework continuously updates its model with rolling updated meter data to deliver timely identification of emerging abnormal behaviors in evolving grids.Extensive evaluations on eight publicly available smart meter datasets over seven diverse abnormal patterns testing demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed full framework,achieving average recall and F1 score of more than 0.85.展开更多
Parasitic meningoencephalitis presents several etiologies which sometimes depend on their geographical location. They require thorough blood and cerebrospinal fluid check-up for directing an efficient treatment. Clini...Parasitic meningoencephalitis presents several etiologies which sometimes depend on their geographical location. They require thorough blood and cerebrospinal fluid check-up for directing an efficient treatment. Clinicians and radiologists are constantly looking for specific signs that could point to a particular etiology. The meningoencephalitis caused by Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TG) is a rare disease characterized by a slow progression, over years sometimes. Its non-specific presentation either clinically or in imaging can lead to misdiagnosis and thus, delay the treatment. However, involvement of the optic tracts seems to be characteristic of this condition, on old data from animal experimentation and recent high-field MRI data. MRI is the best current technique to explore the brain, cranial nerves, and visual pathways. In this article, we are going to present two observations of meningoencephalitis caused by HAT and then discuss some specific aspects of this neglected and re-emerging disease.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82171599 and No.32270901)the National Key Research and Developmental Program of China(2022YFC2702601 and 2022YFA0806303)the Global Select Project(DJKLX-2022010)of the Institute of Health and Medicine,Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center.
文摘Male infertility can result from impaired sperm motility caused by multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella(MMAF).Distinct projections encircling the central microtubules of the spermatozoal axoneme play pivotal roles in flagellar bending and spermatozoal movement.Mammalian sperm-associated antigen 17(SPAG17)encodes a conserved axonemal protein of cilia and flagella,forming part of the C1a projection of the central apparatus,with functions related to ciliary/flagellar motility,skeletal growth,and male fertility.This study investigated two novel homozygous SPAG17 mutations(M1:NM_206996.2,c.829+1G>T,p.Asp212_Glu276del;and M2:c.2120del,p.Leu707*)identified in four infertile patients from two consanguineous Pakistani families.These patients displayed the MMAF phenotype confirmed by Papanicolaou staining and scanning electron microscopy assays of spermatozoa.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)of patients’spermatozoa also revealed a significant decrease in SPAG17 mRNA expression,and immunofluorescence staining showed the absence of SPAG17 protein signals along the flagella.However,no apparent ciliary-related symptoms or skeletal malformations were observed in the chest X-rays of any of the patients.Transmission electron microscopy of axoneme cross-sections from the patients showed incomplete C1a projection and a higher frequency of missing microtubule doublets 1 and 9 compared with those from fertile controls.Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analyses of spermatogenesis-associated protein 17(SPATA17),a component of the C1a projection,and sperm-associated antigen 6(SPAG6),a marker of the spring layer,revealed disrupted expression of both proteins in the patients’spermatozoa.Altogether,these findings demonstrated that SPAG17 maintains the integrity of spermatozoal flagellar axoneme,expanding the phenotypic spectrum of SPAG17 mutations in humans.
文摘Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 6.8% of new cancer cases and 8.1% of cancer-related deaths. About 85% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and distribution of the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in women showing cytological abnormalities of the cervix at the Sourô SANOU University Hospital (CHUSS) in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. This is a descriptive study of women recruited at the CHUSS. The cervico-uterine smear examination was carried out at the CHUSS Anatomy and Pathology Department for cervical cancer screening. The data were collected from women with atypical cells on their cervico-uterine smear. Cervicovaginal samples were taken from consenting women and HPV genotyping was performed using the HPV Direct FLOW CHIP kit at CERBA. We obtained approval from the ethics committee. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 26 software. The results of the study showed that 67.79% of the participants were aged between 50 and 65, a group that is particularly vulnerable to persistent infection with high-risk oncogenic HPV genotypes. Of the women screened, 40.7% were HPV positive and 29.2% had multiple infections. The most common genotypes were HPV 35, followed by HPV 18, 52, 58 and 66. These data highlight the need for increased surveillance and targeted prevention strategies among this female population.
基金The Medical Education Research Program of Henan Province,China(Grant No.WJLX2023015)and the Chinese International Medical Foundation for Clinical Pharmacy,China(Grant No.Z-2021-46-2101).
文摘To investigate the correlation between propacetamol and postoperative liver enzyme abnormalities among patients,a retrospective analysis was conducted on inpatients in the thoracic surgery department spanning from January 1 to June 30,2023.Causality assessment regarding propacetamol and postoperative liver enzyme abnormalities was performed using the updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method(RUCAM).Furthermore,independent risk factors for liver enzyme abnormalities were identified through both univariate and multivariate analyses,followed by the construction and validation of a clinical nomogram.A total of 247 patients who received propacetamol were ultimately included in the study.Liver enzyme abnormalities post-surgery were more accurately predicted by considering the daily dose of propacetamol and the number of medications(OR(95%CI),4.831(2.797,8.344),P<0.001;10.007(3.878,25.823),P<0.001).A clinical predictive nomogram model was developed,incorporating these two independent risk factors,which exhibited favorable discrimination(AUC(95%CI),0.811(0.750,0.872)),calibration,and decision curve analysis(DCA)demonstrating the highest net benefits across a broad spectrum of threshold probabilities(10%to 90%).The daily dose of propacetamol and the number of medications were found to be independently associated with postoperative liver enzyme abnormalities.This user-friendly nomogram,comprising these two factors,might assist clinicians in assessing the risks of propacetamol-related liver dysfunction following surgery.
基金supported by the Jingneng Shiyan Thermal Power Co.,Ltd.(TPRI/TR-CA-006-2023)Huaihe Energy Power Group Co.,Ltd.(TPRI/TR-CA-040-2023)Xi'an Thermal Power Research Institute Co.,Ltd.(TPRI/TR-CA-110-2021A/H1).
文摘Thermal power generation systems have stringent requirements for water and steam quality,i.e.,condensate water quality is one of the critical issues.In this paper,we designed a two-layer model based on an autoencoder and expert knowledge to achieve the early warning and causal analysis of condensate water quality abnormalities.An early warning model using an autoencoder model is built based on the historical data affecting the condensate water quality.Next,an analytical model of condensate water quality abnormalities was then developed by combining expert knowledge and trend test algorithms.Two different datasets were used to test the proposed model,respectively.The accuracy of the autoencoder model in the short-period test set is 88.83%,which shows that the early warning model can accurately analyze the condensate water quality data and achieve the purpose of early warning.For the long-time period test set,the model can correctly identify each abnormality and simultaneously indicates the cause of the abnormal condensate water quality.The proposed model can correctly identify abnormal working conditions and it is applicable to other thermal power plants.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32100689)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFC2700202,No.2022YFA0806303,and No.2022YFC2702601)+1 种基金the Global Select Project(No.DJK-LX-2022010)of the Institute of Health and MedicineHefei Comprehensive National Science Center,and the Joint Fund for New Medicine of USTC(No.YD9100002034).
文摘Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella(MMAF)is a severe form of asthenoteratozoospermia,characterized by morphological abnormalities and reduced motility of sperm,causing male infertility.Although approximately 60%of MMAF cases can be explained genetically,the etiology of the remaining cases is unclear.Here,we identified two novel compound heterozygous variants in the gene,dynein axonemal heavy chain 10(DNAH10),in three patients from two unrelated Pakistani families using whole-exome sequencing(WES),including one compound heterozygous mutation(DNAH10:c.9409C>A[p.P3137T];c.12946G>C[p.D4316H])in family 1 and another compound heterozygous mutation(DNAH10:c.8849G>A[p.G2950D];c.11509C>T[p.R3687W])in family 2.All the identified variants are absent or rare in public genome databases and are predicted to have deleterious effects according to multiple bioinformatic tools.Sanger sequencing revealed that these variants follow an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.Hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining revealed MMAF,including sperm head abnormalities,in the patients.In addition,immunofluorescence staining revealed loss of DNAH10 protein signals along sperm flagella.These findings broaden the spectrum of DNAH10 variants and expand understanding of the genetic basis of male infertility associated with the MMAF phenotype.
文摘Objective:To analyze the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension and find out the risk factors of abnormal circadian rhythm.Methods:According to the circadian rhythm of patients’blood pressure,they were divided into group A,group B,and group C,and all the data of hypertension patients in this study were collected,including age,gender,BMI,smoking,drinking,basic diseases(diabetes,cerebrovascular disease,hyperlipidemia,etc.),fasting blood glucose,ambulatory blood pressure(24-hour mean systolic pressure,24-hour mean diastolic pressure,daytime mean systolic pressure and daytime mean diastolic pressure).Results:There were significant differences in mean systolic blood pressure and mean diastolic blood pressure at night among group A,group B and group C(P<0.05).Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose were risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium was a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).Conclusion:Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose are risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium is a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).
文摘Objective:To analyze the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension and find out the risk factors of abnormal circadian rhythm.Methods:According to the circadian rhythm of patients'blood pressure,they were divided into Group A,Group B and Group C,and all the data of hypertension patients in this study were collected,including age,gender,BMI,smoking,drinking,basic diseases(diabetes,cerebrovascular disease,hyperlipidemia,etc.),fasting blood glucose,ambulatory blood pressure(24-hour mean systolic pressure,24-hour mean diastolic pressure,daytime mean systolic pressure and daytime mean diastolic pressure).Results:There were significant differences in mean systolic blood pressure and mean diastolic blood pressure at night among Group A,Group B and Group C(P<0.05).Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose were risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium was a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).Conclusion:Age,hyperlipidemia and fasting blood glucose are risk factors for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05),and 24-hour urinary sodium is a protective factor for circadian rhythm abnormality(P<0.05).
基金Supported by Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Research Special Project,No.YN2023WSSQ01State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome.
文摘BACKGROUND Research has shown that several factors can influence postoperative abnormal liver function;however,most studies on this issue have focused specifically on hepatic and cardiac surgeries,leaving limited research on contributing factors in other types of surgeries.AIM To identify the risk factors for early postoperative abnormal liver function in multiple surgery types and construct a risk prediction model.METHODS This retrospective cohort study involved 3720 surgical patients from 5 surgical departments at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Patients were divided into abnormal(n=108)and normal(n=3612)groups based on liver function post-surgery.Univariate analysis and LASSO regression screened variables,followed by logistic regression to identify risk factors.A prediction model was constructed based on the variables selected via logistic re-gression.The goodness-of-fit of the model was evaluated using the Hosm-er–Lemeshow test,while discriminatory ability was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.Calibration curves were plotted to visualize the consistency between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes.RESULTS The key factors contributing to abnormal liver function after surgery include elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels and reduced platelet counts pre-surgery,as well as the sevoflurane use during the procedure,among others.CONCLUSION The above factors collectively represent notable risk factors for postoperative liver function injury,and the prediction model developed based on these factors demonstrates strong predictive efficacy.
基金supported by NIH/NIDCR grant R01DE025664 to IPC.
文摘Craniometaphyseal dysplasia(CMD),a rare craniotubular disorder,occurs in an autosomal dominant(AD)or autosomal recessive(AR)form.CMD is characterized by hyperostosis of craniofacial bones and metaphyseal flaring of long bones.Many patients with CMD suffer from neurological symptoms.The pathogenesis of CMD is not fully understood.
文摘Medically assisted reproduction(MAR)techniques are highly dependent on the sperm quantity and quality.Low sperm concentrations can be bypassed at least to some point by the usage of more sophisticated MAR techniques like intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).Compared to this,disruptions in established indicators of sperm quality like motility or morphology pose greater challenges for the therapy of couple infertility.
文摘Congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract(CAKUT) include a wide range of abnormalities ranging from asymptomatic ectopic kidneys to life threatening renal agenesis(bilateral). Many of them are detected in the antenatal or immediate postnatal with a significant proportion identified in the adult population with varying degree of severity. CAKUT can be classified on embryological basis in to abnormalities in the renal parenchymal development, aberrant embryonic migration and abnormalities of the collecting system. Renal parenchymal abnormalities include multi cystic dysplastic kidneys, renal hypoplasia, number(agenesis or supernumerary), shape and cystic renal diseases. Aberrant embryonic migration encompasses abnormal location and fusion anomalies. Collecting system abnormalities include duplex kidneys and Pelvi ureteric junction obstruction. Ultrasonography(US) is typically the first imaging performed as it is easily available, noninvasive and radiation free used both antenatally and postnatally. Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) are useful to confirm the ultrasound detected abnormality, detection of complex malformations, demonstration of collecting system and vascular anatomy and more importantly for early detection of complications like renal calculi, infection and malignancies. As CAKUT are one of the leading causes of end stage renal disease, it is important for the radiologists to be familiar with the varying imaging appearances of CAKUT on US, CT and MRI, thereby helping in prompt diagnosis and optimal management.
文摘Objective: The main objective of the present study is to assess the interrelationship between renal calculi, selected ions, thyroid and parathyroid hormones and urinary tract infections. Methods: This study was carried out on 150 patients attended Tikrit Teaching Hospital from 2008 to 2009. Stones and serum ions were analyzed utilizing relevant Biolab Company kits (France). Thyroid hormones were determined using ELISA microwells kit (Accuubind, USA) Parathyroid hormone was estimated by active I-PTH ELISA (DSL, USA).Urine cultures were done utilizing cystine-lactose- electrolyte deficient (CLED) medium. Various isolated pathogens were conventionally identified. Results: Urine cultures revealed that 42% of the patients had urinary tract infections particularly with Enterobacteriaceae. 68% of the stones tested were calcium oxalate. Infective and noninfective stones were classified. Calcium ion was more elevated in patients examined. Hypothyroidism was prevalent but parathyroid hormone (PTH) was elevated among 14 patients only. Conclusions: The frequency of UTI was higher among urolithiasis patients and the common causative agents were Gram negative bacteria. Renal stones of calcium origin were predominant. Hormonal abnormalities were seen. 15 patients with hyperthyroidism revealed hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82001239)Beijing Hospitals Authority Innovation Studio of Young Staff Funding Support,code(NO.202112)。
文摘Objective Cognitive impairment(CI)in older individuals has a high morbidity rate worldwide,with poor diagnostic methods and susceptible population identification.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between different retinal metrics and CI in a particular population,emphasizing polyvascular status.Methods We collected information from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study on retinal vessel calibers,retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness,and cognitive function of 3,785participants,aged 40 years or older.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between retinal metrics and cognitive function.Subgroups stratified by different vascular statuses were also analyzed.Results RNFL thickness was significantly thinner in the CI group(odds ratio:0.973,95%confidence interval:0.953–0.994).In the subgroup analysis,the difference still existed in the non-intracranial arterial stenosis,non-extracranial carotid arterial stenosis,and peripheral arterial disease subgroups(P<0.05).Conclusion A thin RNFL is associated with CI,especially in people with non-large vessel stenosis.The underlying small vessel change in RNFL and CI should be investigated in the future.
基金Key Research and Development Plan of Shaanxi Province(2023-YBGY-493)。
文摘As-forged WSTi6421 titanium alloy billet afterβannealing was investigated.Abnormally coarse grains larger than adjacent grains could be observed in the microstructures,forming abnormal grain structures with uneven size distribution.Through electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD),the forged microstructure at various locations of as-forged WSTi6421 titanium alloy billet was analyzed,revealing that the strength of theβphase cubic texture generated by forging significantly influences the grain size afterβannealing.Heat treatment experiments were conducted within the temperature range from T_(β)−50°C to T_(β)+10°C to observe the macro-and micro-morphologies.Results show that the cubic texture ofβphase caused by forging impacts the texture of the secondaryαphase,which subsequently influences theβphase formed during the post-βannealing process.Moreover,the pinning effect of the residual primaryαphase plays a crucial role in the growth ofβgrains during theβannealing process.EBSD analysis results suggest that the strength ofβphase with cubic texture formed during forging process impacts the orientation distribution differences ofβgrains afterβannealing.Additionally,the development of grains with large orientations within the cubic texture shows a certain degree of selectivity duringβannealing,which is affected by various factors,including the pinning effect of the primaryαphase,the strength of the matrix cubic texture,and the orientation relationship betweenβgrain and matrix.Comprehensively,the stronger the texture in a certain region,the less likely the large misoriented grains suffering secondary growth,thereby aggregating the difference in microstructure and grain orientation distribution across different regions afterβannealing.
文摘Congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) represent all the morphological abnormalities associated with a disorder of the embryonic development of the kidneys and their excretory tract. Its prevalence is underestimated in developing countries compared to developed countries. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study between January 1st, 2015 and February 28th, 2020, carried out in the pediatric department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. The prevalence of CAKUT was 8.77% for all pediatric nephrologic pathologies (n = 58), the median age at diagnosis was 77.28 months and the sex ratio was 1.6. The circumstances of the discovery of CAKUT were dominated by urinary tract infection (n = 21), the antenatal diagnosis was poor (n = 13) and confusion between cysts and calyx dilation in antenatal was noted. Ultrasound was the main postnatal imaging test requested. The most common renal abnormality was kidney cysts (n = 18) (cystic kidneys and multicystic dysplastic kidney) and the most common urological abnormality was the posterior urethral valves (n = 8). Kidney failure was a pejorative factor in the evolution of these CAKUT.
文摘Objective:To explore the positive significance of using prenatal B-ultrasound in diagnosing fetal abnormalities.Methods:A total of 200 pregnant women who visited Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2023 and January 2024 were recruited as the research subjects.All pregnant women received prenatal examinations.A retrospective analysis was carried out to analyze the positive significance of prenatal B-ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities.Results:Prenatal B-ultrasound examination detected 10 cases of fetal abnormalities,with a detection rate of 5.00%.When compared with the postnatal examination results of 5.50%,the difference was insignificant(P>0.05).Moreover,comparing the fetal limb abnormalities and cardiovascular abnormalities in prenatal B-ultrasound examination and postnatal examination,one case of congenital heart disease was missed in the prenatal B-ultrasound examination,and the others were consistent with the postnatal examination results,with a coincidence rate of 90.91%,indicating a high compliance rate.Conclusion:Fetal abnormalities have a great impact on mothers,babies,and families,and it is particularly important to strengthen diagnosis during this process.Prenatal B-ultrasound examination can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and can be promoted in clinical practice as a basis for screening fetal abnormalities.
基金supported by the MISP program at Merck Sharp&Dohme Corp.,USAa grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute(KHIDI)funded by the Ministry of Health&Welfare,Republic of Korea(Grant Number:HR20C0025).
文摘Background:Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)are effective in a subset of patients with metastatic solid tumors.However,the patients who would benefit most from ICIs in biliary tract cancer(BTC)are still controversial.Materials and methods:We molecularly characterized tissues and blood from 32 patients with metastatic BTC treated with the ICI pembrolizumab as second-line therapy.Results:All patients had microsatellite stable(MSS)type tumors.Three of the 32 patients achieved partial response(PR),with an objective response rate(ORR)of 9.4%(95%confidence interval[CI],2.0–25.2)and nine showed stable disease(SD),exhibiting a disease control rate(DCR)of 37.5%(95%CI,21.1–56.3).For the 31 patients who had access to PD-1 ligand 1(PD-L1)combined positive score(CPS)testing(cut-off value≥1%),the ORR was not different between those who had PD-L1-positive(PD-L1+;1/11,9.1%)and PDL1-(2/20,10.0%)tumors(p=1.000).The tumor mutational burden(TMB)of PD-L1+BTC was comparable to that of PD-L1-BTC(p=0.630).TMB and any exonic somatic mutations were also not predictive of pembrolizumab response.Molecular analysis of blood and tumor samples demonstrated a relatively high natural killer(NK)cell proportion in the peripheral blood before pembrolizumab treatment in patients who achieved tumor response.Moreover,the tumors of these patients presented high enrichment scores for NK cells,antitumor cytokines,and Th1 signatures,and a low enrichment score for cancer-associated fibroblasts.Conclusions:This study shows the molecular characteristics associated with the efficacy of pembrolizumab in BTC of the MSS type.
基金Supported by the 2023 Government-funded Project of the Outstanding Talents Training Program in Clinical Medicine,No.ZF2023165Key Research and Development Projects of Hebei Province,No.18277731D+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province,No.H202423105Hebei Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Scientific Research Project,No.2020014.
文摘In this editorial,we comment on the article by Qin et al,recently published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.Malignant tumors of the digestive tract represent a significant health threat.Kinesin family member 14(KIF14),a critical kinesin,is pivotal in the proliferation,migration,and invasion of tumor cells.It has emerged as a focal point in recent studies of malignant tumors in the digestive tract.This article reviews the current research on KIF14 within these tumors and details its significant role in tumor cell behaviors,including proliferation,apo-ptosis,migration,invasion,and angiogenesis,alongside the regulatory mechanisms of the associated intracellular signaling pathways.Additionally,it explores the clinical value of KIF14 as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis,disease monitoring,and prognostic evaluation in malignant tumors of the digestive tract.The article concludes by introducing the potential regulatory role of traditional Chinese medicine,aiming to combine the strengths of both modern and traditional medical approaches to enhance treatment outcomes and prognosis for patients with these tumors.
文摘The rapid integration of Internet of Things(IoT)technologies is reshaping the global energy landscape by deploying smart meters that enable high-resolution consumption monitoring,two-way communication,and advanced metering infrastructure services.However,this digital transformation also exposes power system to evolving threats,ranging from cyber intrusions and electricity theft to device malfunctions,and the unpredictable nature of these anomalies,coupled with the scarcity of labeled fault data,makes realtime detection exceptionally challenging.To address these difficulties,a real-time decision support framework is presented for smart meter anomality detection that leverages rolling time windows and two self-supervised contrastive learning modules.The first module synthesizes diverse negative samples to overcome the lack of labeled anomalies,while the second captures intrinsic temporal patterns for enhanced contextual discrimination.The end-to-end framework continuously updates its model with rolling updated meter data to deliver timely identification of emerging abnormal behaviors in evolving grids.Extensive evaluations on eight publicly available smart meter datasets over seven diverse abnormal patterns testing demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed full framework,achieving average recall and F1 score of more than 0.85.
文摘Parasitic meningoencephalitis presents several etiologies which sometimes depend on their geographical location. They require thorough blood and cerebrospinal fluid check-up for directing an efficient treatment. Clinicians and radiologists are constantly looking for specific signs that could point to a particular etiology. The meningoencephalitis caused by Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TG) is a rare disease characterized by a slow progression, over years sometimes. Its non-specific presentation either clinically or in imaging can lead to misdiagnosis and thus, delay the treatment. However, involvement of the optic tracts seems to be characteristic of this condition, on old data from animal experimentation and recent high-field MRI data. MRI is the best current technique to explore the brain, cranial nerves, and visual pathways. In this article, we are going to present two observations of meningoencephalitis caused by HAT and then discuss some specific aspects of this neglected and re-emerging disease.