The gradient field, one of the core magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, is generated by gradient coils and plays a critical role in spatial encoding and the generation of echo signals. The uniformity or linearity of the gradient field directly impacts the quality and distortion level of MRI images. However, traditional point measurement methods lack accuracy in assessing the linearity of gradient fields, making it difficult to provide effective parameters for image distortion correction. This paper introduced a spherical measurement-based method that involved measuring the magnetic field distribution on a sphere, followed by detailed magnetic field calculations and linearity analysis. This study, applied to assess the nonlinearity of asymmetric head gradient coils, demonstrated more comprehensive and precise results compared to point measurement methods. This advancement not only strengthens the scientific basis for the design of gradient coils but also provides more reliable parameters and methods for the accurate correction of MRI image distortions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Magnetic Fields ; Algorithms ; Phantoms, Imaging

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

This study aims to establish a high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) method for determining the content of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) E2 protein and screen the optimal stabilizer to enhance the stability of this protein. The optimal detection conditions were determined by optimizing the composition of the mobile phase, and characteristic chromatographic peaks were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The specificity, repeatability, precision, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method were assessed. The method established was used to determine the content of CSFV E2 protein antigen and vaccine. Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) was employed to screen the buffer system, pH, and salt ion concentrations, and sugar, amino acid, and alcohol stabilizers were further screened. The results showed that using a 200 mmol/L phosphate buffer provided the best column efficiency. An antigen-specific chromatographic peak appeared at the retention time of 18 min, which was identified as the CSFV E2 protein by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The method exhibited high specificity for detecting the CSFV E2 protein, with no absorbance peak observed in the blank control. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the peak area for six repeated injections of the CSFV E2 protein was 0.74%, indicating good repeatability of the method. The RSD for repeated detection of two different concentrations of CSFV E2 protein samples by different operators at different time points was less than 2%, suggesting good intermediate precision of the method. The peak area of the CSFV E2 protein was linearly related to its concentration, with the regression equation showing R² of 1.000. The LOD and LOQ of the method were 14.88 μg/mL and 29.75 μg/mL, respectively. Application of the developed method in the detection of three batches of CSFV E2 protein antigen and three batches of vaccine demonstrated results consistent with those from the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, which meant that the method could accurately determine the content of CSFV E2 protein antigen and vaccine. The DSF method identified 50 mmol/L Tris-HCl at pH 8.0 as the optimal buffer, and the addition of sugar and alcohol stabilizers further improved the stability of the CSFV E2 protein. The HPSEC method established in this study is simple, fast, and exhibits good accuracy and repeatability, enabling precise measurement of the CSFV E2 protein content. It is expected to play a crucial role in the quality control of the CSFV E2 vaccine. Furthermore, the strategy for improving the CSFV E2 protein stability, identified through DSF screening, has significant implications for enhancing the stability of the CSFV E2 vaccine.
Classical Swine Fever Virus/chemistry* ; Chromatography, Gel/methods* ; Animals ; Swine ; Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology*

Risk assessment models for periodontal disease provide dentists with a precise and consolidated evaluation of the prognosis of periodontitis, enabling the formulation of personalized treatment plans. Periodontal risk assessment systems have been widely applied in clinical practice and research. The application fields of periodontal risk assessment systems vary based on the distinctions between clinical periodontal parameters and risk factors. The assessment models listed below are commonly used in clinical practice, including the periodontal risk calculator (PRC), which is an individual-based periodontal risk assessment tool that collects both periodontal and systemic information for prediction; the periodontal assessment tool (PAT), which allows for quantitative differentiation of stages of periodontal disease; the periodontal risk assessment (PRA) and modified periodontal risk assessment (mPRA), which are easy to use; and the classification and regression trees (CART), which assess the periodontal prognosis based on a single affected tooth. Additionally, there are orthodontic-periodontal combined risk assessment systems and implant periapical risk assessment systems tailored for patients needing multidisciplinary treatment. This review focuses on the current application status of periodontal risk assessment systems.

[Objective]To explore the role of estrogen and estrogen receptor (ER) in the pathogenesis and regulation of non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (NIFR).[Methods]Totally 60 patients with NIFS who met the inclusion criteria in Fuzhou Second General Hospital from November 2020 to November 2023 were selected as the NIFS group,while 30 healthy volunteers were recruited as the blank control group. Samples of each group were collected. The number of eosinophils and mast cells in each group were detected by HE staining;ER expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence;mRNA expression levels of NF-κB,IKK and MASPIN were detected by qPCR;and protein expression levels of NF-κB,IKK and MASPIN were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.[Results]In the NIFS group,the counts of eosinophils and mast cells were significantly increased respectively,compared with those in the control group,and the inter-group differences are statistically significant (P<0.01 and P<0.05,respectively). The Estrogen Receptor (ER) score in the NIFS group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group,and the inter-group differences are statistically significant (P<0.05). Additionally,the average high-density value in the NIFS group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group,and the inter-group differences are statistically significant (P<0.01). The expression levels of NF-κB,IKK,and MASPIN in the NIFS group were significantly increased respectively,compared with those in the control group,and the inter-group differences are statistically significant (P<0.01,P<0.05,and P<0.01,respectively). The mRNA expression levels of NF-κB,IKK,and MASPIN in the NIFS group were significantly increased,respectively,compared with those in the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore,the protein expression levels of NF-κB,IKK,and MASPIN in the NIFS group were increased,respectively,and the inter-group differences are statistically significant (P<0.01,P<0.01,and P<0.05,respectively).[Conclusion]Our results show that the significant increase in the number of eosinophils and mast cells,and in the expression levels of ER,NF-κB,IKK and MASPIN may indicate a significant increase in eosinophil and mast cell infiltration in ER positive patients,and suggest the involvement of estrogen and its receptors in the pathogenesis of NIFS.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the regulatory effect of autophagy on the resistance of human liver cancer cell Huh7 to lenvatinib. METHODS Using human liver cancer cell Huh7 as subject， the lenvatinib-resist cell model （Huh7-LR） was generated by the low-dose gradient method combined with long-term administration. The sensitivity of parental cell Huh7 and drug-resistant cell Huh7-LR to lenvatinib was detected by using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Western blot assay and GFP-mCherry-LC3 plasmid transfection were performed to detect the expression levels of autophagic protein Beclin-1， autophagic adapter protein sequestosome 1 （p62）， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） and autophagic level. Furthermore， an autophagy activation model was constructed by cell starvation， the protein expression of p62 and autophagy level were detected by using Western blot assay and GFP-mCherry-LC3 plasmid transfection， and the effect of autophagy activation on the sensitivity of Huh7-LR cells to lenvatinib was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with parental cells， the drug resistance index of Huh7-LR cells was 6.2； protein expression of p62 was increased significantly， while apoptotic rate， protein expression of Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ/ LC3Ⅰ ratio were all reduced significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the level of autophagy was decreased to some extent. Autophagy activation could significantly increase the protein expression of p62 in Huh7-LR cells （P＜0.05） and autophagy level， and significantly increase its apoptotic rate （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Autophagy is involved in lenvatinib resistance， and activating autophagy can reverse the resistance of liver cancer cells to lenvatinib to some extent.

Objective:To investigate the effects of marathon exercise on knee cartilage volume and T2 relaxation time (T2 value) based on MRI.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2021, 25 healthy volunteers without long-distance running habits and 32 non-professional marathon runners with long-term long-distance running were recruited to undergo knee MRI 3D water-selective excitation (three dimensional water-selective excitation, 3D-WATS) and T2 mapping imaging were performed, and the cartilage volumes in 5 knee areas and T2 values in 42 subareas were extracted for analysis. To compare the cartilage volume and its ratio to body surface area of knee joint of healthy volunteers and non-professional marathon runners, the T2 value of cartilage in each subregion, and the correlation between marathon exercise intensity and the volume and T2 value of cartilage in different regions.Results:Compared with healthy volunteers, there was no significant difference in cartilage volume or the ratio of body surface area to body volume of non-professional marathon runners ( P>0.05). There were significant differences between healthy volunteers and non-professional marathon runners in cartilage T2 values of the median layer of medial condyle of femur (47.61±5.65 ms and 44.29±6.10 ms) and the deep layer of medial condyle of femur (36.82±9.05 ms and 31.67±7.59 ms), deep precondylar area of medial femur (38.37±4.68 ms and 34.09±4.19 ms), shallow area of medial condylar area of femur (52.17±11.11 ms and 45.51±7.76 ms), middle layer of medial condylar area of femur (49.09±5.08 ms and 45.63±5.04 ms), medial layer of anterior condylar region of lateral femur (45.69±4.68 ms and 42.57±5.77 ms), superficial layer of posterior condylar region of lateral femur (55.42±18.41 ms and 47.99±8.39 ms), deep layer of anterior tibial medial plateau (33.40±7.76 ms and 29.03±5.69 ms), deep layer of posterior tibial medial plateau (31.28±5.02 ms and 27.92±5.99 ms), deep layer of patellofemoral surface (35.65±6.99 ms and 32.30±5.28 ms), respectively ( P<0.05). In non-professional marathon runners, the medial tibial plateau cartilage volume was negatively correlated with step frequency ( r=-0.371, P=0.035), the lateral femoral condylar cartilage volume was negatively correlated with step frequency ( r=-0.365, P=0.043), and the lateral tibial plateau cartilage volume was negatively correlated with step frequency ( r=-0.550, P=0.001). The T2 value of the medial layer cartilage in the anterior tibial medial plateau region was negatively correlated with body weight ( r=-0.277, P=0.039) and body mass index ( r=-0.290, P=0.030). The T2 value of the superficial layer of patellofemoral surface was negatively correlated with the amount of running in 3 months ( r=-0.457, P=0.010). The superficial T2 value in the posterior lateral plateau of the tibia was negatively correlated with stride length ( r=-0.437, P=0.014), and the medial layer cartilage T2 value in the anterior condylar area of the lateral femur was negatively correlated with stride frequency ( r=-0.380, P=0.035). Conclusion:Marathon exercise had little effect on the knee cartilage volume, but had a certain effect on the cartilage T2 value, resulting in changes in cartilage structure. The higher the step frequency, the smaller the cartilage volume. The greater the body weight or body mass index, the greater the amount of running in 3 months, and the greater the stride length, the lower the cartilage T2 value.

Objective To observe the distribution of atypical memory B cells in peripheral blood of children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome(FRNS).Methods A total of 60 children with primary ne-phrotic syndrome(PNS)admitted to the hospital from October 2020 to March 2023 were selected as the re-search objects.According to the response to glucocorticoid(GC),they were divided into non-frequently relap-sing nephrotic syndrome(NFRNS)group(25 cases)and FRNS group(35 cases).A total of 20 age-and gen-der-matched healthy children were enrolled as the control group.The changes of atypical memory B cells in each group before and after GC treatment were compared,and the correlation between the changes and clinical data was analyzed.Results Before GC treatment,The percentages of total B cells(CD19+CD20+),total memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD27+),resting memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD21+CD27+)and atypical memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD21-CD27-)in FRNS group and NFRNS group were significantly higher than those in control group.And the FRNS group was significantly higher than the NFRNS group(P＜0.05).After GC treatment,the percentages of total B cells,total memory B cells,resting memory B cells,acti-vated memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD21-CD27+)and atypical memory B cells in FRNS group and NFRNS group were lower than those before GC treatment(P＜0.05).The FRNS group had a significantly higher pro-portion of atypical memory B cells than the NFRNS group and the control group(P＜0.05).Before GC treat-ment,the 24 h urinary protein in FRNS group and NFRNS group were higher than those in control group,and the levels of immunoglobulin G and albumin were lower than those in control group.The 24 h urinary protein in FRNS group was significantly higher than that in NFRNS group(P＜0.05).Before GC treatment,there was a positive correlation between 24 h urinary protein and the proportion of atypical memory B cells in FRNS group(P＜0.05).Conclusion There is abnormal distribution of atypical memory B cells in peripheral blood of FRNS children.The increase of atypical memory B cells can be used as a marker of recurrence of FRNS af-ter GC treatment.

Objective: To explore incidence trend of hepatitis C in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2008 to 2022, so as to provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures for hepatitis C. Methods: Data of reported hepatitis C cases in Chifeng City from 2008 to 2022 was collected through the Infectious Disease Information Reporting Management System. Trends in incidence of hepatitis C were analyzed using annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Impact of age, period and birth cohort on the risk of developing hepatitis C were analyzed by an age-period-cohort model. Results: The annual average reported incidence rate of hepatitis C in Chifeng City was 59.13/105 from 2008 to 2022. The incidence showed an upward trend from 2008 to 2018 (APC=9.405%, P<0.05) and a downward trend from 2018 to 2022 (APC=-17.475%, P<0.05), but the overall trend was not statistically significant (AAPC=0.937%, P>0.05). The age-period-cohort model analysis showed that the incidence risks of hepatitis C in the residents aged 0 to 4 years and 45 to 84 years were higher than those in the residents aged 40 to 44 years (the control group). The incidence risk of hepatitis C increased with age from 40 to 79 years. Compared with 2008-2012, the incidence risk of hepatitis C showed an increasing trend followed by a decline in 2008-2022. The incidence risk was higher in 2013-2017 and lower in 2018-2022 than in 2008-2012. The incidence risk of hepatitis C showed an increasing trend followed by a decreasing trend by using the birth cohort from 1968 to 1972 as the control. The birth cohort from 1953 to 1977 had a higher incidence risk of hepatitis C than other birth cohorts. Conclusions The overall incidence of hepatitis C in Chifeng City from 2008 to 2022 appeared a tendency towards a decline, and the incidence risk increased with age. Screening and health education for the elderly and high-risk birth cohorts should be strengthened.

Risk assessment models for periodontal disease provide dentists with a precise and consolidated evalua-tion of the prognosis of periodontitis,enabling the formulation of personalized treatment plans.Periodontal risk assess-ment systems have been widely applied in clinical practice and research.The application fields of periodontal risk assessment systems vary based on the distinctions between clinical periodontal parameters and risk factors.The assess-ment models listed below are commonly used in clinical practice,including the periodontal risk calculator(PRC),which is an individual-based periodontal risk assessment tool that collects both periodontal and systemic information for pre-diction;the periodontal assessment tool(PAT),which allows for quantitative differentiation of stages of periodontal dis-ease;the periodontal risk assessment(PRA)and modified periodontal risk assessment(mPRA),which are easy to use;and the classification and regression trees(CART),which assess the periodontal prognosis based on a single affected tooth.Additionally,there are orthodontic-periodontal combined risk assessment systems and implant periapical risk as-sessment systems tailored for patients needing multidisciplinary treatment.This review focuses on the current applica-tion status of periodontal risk assessment systems.