Objective To explore the value of MR modulated flip angle technique in refocused imaging with extended echo train(MATRIX)contrast enhanced(CE)T1-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery(T1 FLAIR)for detecting skull metastases.Methods Forty-four patients with malignant tumors who underwent head MR scanning for screening skull metastasis were prospectively enrolled,and skull metastasis were then confirmed by pathology or imaging examinations,including MRI,CT,radionuclide bone imaging(BS),PET/CT and follow-up.Head MATRIX CE-T1 FLAIR(group A),3D gradient recalled echo_fast spin echo with magnetization preparation(GRE_fsp)CE-T1 FLAIR(group B)and fast spin echo(FSE)CE-T1 FLAIR(group C)images of all 44 cases were acquired.The subjective scores(including images quality and diagnostic confidence)and objective evaluation results of images were compared among groups.Taken BS or PET/CT results as standards,the efficacy of 3 kinds of images for detecting skull metastases was calculated.Results The subjective scores of images quality and diagnostic confidence,as well as signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)in group A and C were all higher than those in group B(all P＜0.001),and signal intensity(SI)metastases in group A was higher than those in group B and C(both P＜0.05).No significant difference of subjective score and SNR was found between groups A and C,nor of SImetastases between groups B and C(all P＞0.05).Totally 102 skull metastases were diagnosed with PET/CT or BS,while 129,151 and 115 lesions were detected in group A,B and C,respectively,with accuracy rate of 79.07%(102/129),67.55%(102/151)and 88.70%(102/115),respectively.Conclusion MATRIX CE-T1 FLAIR sequence could be used to detect skull metastases.

Objective To analyze the effects of different traction sites and directions on the maxilla and upper dentition when using clear aligners combined with protraction for the treatment of maxillary deficiency.Methods A three-dimensional(3D)finite element model including the zygomaticomaxillary complex,maxillary dentition,and clear aligners was constructed.The models were divided into Group 1(traction hook at the distal of the lateral incisor)and Group 2(traction hook at the distal of the canine).Each group was analyzed under four loading conditions with protraction angles of 0°,10°,20°,and 30° relative to the occlusal plane.A unilateral protraction force of 500 g was applied.The differences in stress distribution and displacement of the maxillary bone and dentition under different loading conditions were analyzed.Results When the protraction angle was 30°,both groups showed forward and downward displacement of the maxilla,while other angles resulted in counterclockwise rotation.Under the same protraction direction,the total displacement of the maxilla and displacements in all directions in Group 2 were greater than those in Group 1.The upper central incisors in Group 1 showed lingual displacement,which increased with the protraction angle.The maxillary dentition in Group 2 showed forward displacement,with the minimum total and sagittal displacements at a protraction angle of 30°.Stress concentration was mainly observed in the zygomaticomaxillary suture and anterior alveolar bone regions in both groups,decreasing as the protraction angle increased.Conclusions Clear aligners combined with protraction can be applied to skeletal Class Ⅲ patients with mild maxillary deficiency.When the protraction site is located at the distal of the canine with a 30° downward and forward angle to the occlusal plane,the maxilla can achieve ideal forward and downward displacement with the minimum labial movement of the upper anterior teeth.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of Akebia saponin D(ASD)on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)in rats by regulating IL-6/STAT3 axis.Methods:Fifty SD rats were separated into control group,model group,low dose ASD group(ASD 20 mg/kg),high dose ASD group(ASD 40 mg/kg)and inhibitor group(ASD 40 mg/kg+IL-6/STAT3 signal pathway inhibitor LMT-28 3 mg/kg),with 10 rats in each group.Rats in control group were fed with standard diet,while the other four groups were fed with high fat and high sugar diet.All rats were fed for 6 consecutive weeks,and the corresponding dose of drugs was injected intraperitoneally from the 7th week,which were given drugs for 8 consecutive weeks.All rats were weighed to calculate liver index;levels of serum total cholesterol(TC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and triglyceride(TG)were mea-sured by automatic biochemical analyzer;HE staining was used to observe pathological changes of rats liver;oil red staining was used to observe lipid accumulation in rats liver;expressions of IL-6,JAK1,STAT3 in rats liver were detected by qRT-PCR;Western blot was used to detect expressions of IL-6,JAK1,p-JAK1,STAT3 and p-STAT3 proteins.Results:Compared with control group,hepatocytes in liver tissue of model group were swollen,accompanied by many ballooning changes,severe cytoplasmic vacuolization,the structure of hepatic lobule was unclear,and accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration,and obvious red granular lipid droplets occupied most of the cytoplasm,body mass,liver index,levels of serum TC,ALT,AST,TG,expressions of IL-6,JAK1,STAT3 mRNAs,and IL-6,p-JAK1/JAK1,p-STAT3/STAT3 proteins in liver tissue of rats were obviously increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,damage of hepatic lobule structure in low and high doses ASD groups were reduced,swelling and vacuolization of liver cells were reduced,and accumulation of lipid droplets in liver tissue was obviously reduced.Body mass,liver index,levels of serum TC,ALT,AST and TG in rats were obviously decreased(P<0.05),while expressions of IL-6,JAK1,STAT3 mRNAs and IL-6,p-JAK1/JAK1,p-STAT3/STAT3 proteins in liver tissue were further increased(P<0.05);LMT-28,an inhibitor of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway,attenuated the liver protective effect of ASD on NAFLD rats.Conclusion:ASD can protect liver of NAFLD rats by activating IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the effects of different traction sites and directions on the maxilla and upper dentition when using clear aligners combined with protraction for the treatment of maxillary deficiency.Methods A three-dimensional(3D)finite element model including the zygomaticomaxillary complex,maxillary dentition,and clear aligners was constructed.The models were divided into Group 1(traction hook at the distal of the lateral incisor)and Group 2(traction hook at the distal of the canine).Each group was analyzed under four loading conditions with protraction angles of 0°,10°,20°,and 30° relative to the occlusal plane.A unilateral protraction force of 500 g was applied.The differences in stress distribution and displacement of the maxillary bone and dentition under different loading conditions were analyzed.Results When the protraction angle was 30°,both groups showed forward and downward displacement of the maxilla,while other angles resulted in counterclockwise rotation.Under the same protraction direction,the total displacement of the maxilla and displacements in all directions in Group 2 were greater than those in Group 1.The upper central incisors in Group 1 showed lingual displacement,which increased with the protraction angle.The maxillary dentition in Group 2 showed forward displacement,with the minimum total and sagittal displacements at a protraction angle of 30°.Stress concentration was mainly observed in the zygomaticomaxillary suture and anterior alveolar bone regions in both groups,decreasing as the protraction angle increased.Conclusions Clear aligners combined with protraction can be applied to skeletal Class Ⅲ patients with mild maxillary deficiency.When the protraction site is located at the distal of the canine with a 30° downward and forward angle to the occlusal plane,the maxilla can achieve ideal forward and downward displacement with the minimum labial movement of the upper anterior teeth.

Objective To explore the value of MR modulated flip angle technique in refocused imaging with extended echo train(MATRIX)contrast enhanced(CE)T1-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery(T1 FLAIR)for detecting skull metastases.Methods Forty-four patients with malignant tumors who underwent head MR scanning for screening skull metastasis were prospectively enrolled,and skull metastasis were then confirmed by pathology or imaging examinations,including MRI,CT,radionuclide bone imaging(BS),PET/CT and follow-up.Head MATRIX CE-T1 FLAIR(group A),3D gradient recalled echo_fast spin echo with magnetization preparation(GRE_fsp)CE-T1 FLAIR(group B)and fast spin echo(FSE)CE-T1 FLAIR(group C)images of all 44 cases were acquired.The subjective scores(including images quality and diagnostic confidence)and objective evaluation results of images were compared among groups.Taken BS or PET/CT results as standards,the efficacy of 3 kinds of images for detecting skull metastases was calculated.Results The subjective scores of images quality and diagnostic confidence,as well as signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)in group A and C were all higher than those in group B(all P＜0.001),and signal intensity(SI)metastases in group A was higher than those in group B and C(both P＜0.05).No significant difference of subjective score and SNR was found between groups A and C,nor of SImetastases between groups B and C(all P＞0.05).Totally 102 skull metastases were diagnosed with PET/CT or BS,while 129,151 and 115 lesions were detected in group A,B and C,respectively,with accuracy rate of 79.07%(102/129),67.55%(102/151)and 88.70%(102/115),respectively.Conclusion MATRIX CE-T1 FLAIR sequence could be used to detect skull metastases.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of Akebia saponin D(ASD)on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)in rats by regulating IL-6/STAT3 axis.Methods:Fifty SD rats were separated into control group,model group,low dose ASD group(ASD 20 mg/kg),high dose ASD group(ASD 40 mg/kg)and inhibitor group(ASD 40 mg/kg+IL-6/STAT3 signal pathway inhibitor LMT-28 3 mg/kg),with 10 rats in each group.Rats in control group were fed with standard diet,while the other four groups were fed with high fat and high sugar diet.All rats were fed for 6 consecutive weeks,and the corresponding dose of drugs was injected intraperitoneally from the 7th week,which were given drugs for 8 consecutive weeks.All rats were weighed to calculate liver index;levels of serum total cholesterol(TC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and triglyceride(TG)were mea-sured by automatic biochemical analyzer;HE staining was used to observe pathological changes of rats liver;oil red staining was used to observe lipid accumulation in rats liver;expressions of IL-6,JAK1,STAT3 in rats liver were detected by qRT-PCR;Western blot was used to detect expressions of IL-6,JAK1,p-JAK1,STAT3 and p-STAT3 proteins.Results:Compared with control group,hepatocytes in liver tissue of model group were swollen,accompanied by many ballooning changes,severe cytoplasmic vacuolization,the structure of hepatic lobule was unclear,and accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration,and obvious red granular lipid droplets occupied most of the cytoplasm,body mass,liver index,levels of serum TC,ALT,AST,TG,expressions of IL-6,JAK1,STAT3 mRNAs,and IL-6,p-JAK1/JAK1,p-STAT3/STAT3 proteins in liver tissue of rats were obviously increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,damage of hepatic lobule structure in low and high doses ASD groups were reduced,swelling and vacuolization of liver cells were reduced,and accumulation of lipid droplets in liver tissue was obviously reduced.Body mass,liver index,levels of serum TC,ALT,AST and TG in rats were obviously decreased(P<0.05),while expressions of IL-6,JAK1,STAT3 mRNAs and IL-6,p-JAK1/JAK1,p-STAT3/STAT3 proteins in liver tissue were further increased(P<0.05);LMT-28,an inhibitor of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway,attenuated the liver protective effect of ASD on NAFLD rats.Conclusion:ASD can protect liver of NAFLD rats by activating IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of linalool against acute liver injury induced by aflatoxin B₁（AFB₁） in rats and explore its protective mechanism. MethodTwenty male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into three groups： Control （n=6）， AFB₁ （n=7）， and linalool （n=7） groups. Linalool solution （200 mg·kg^-1） was administered preventatively for 14 days， while the control and AFB₁ groups intragastrically received an equivalent volume of double distilled water. After preventative administration of linalool， AFB₁ solution （1 mg·kg^-1， dissolved in saline） was intraperitoneally injected for two consecutive days to induce acute liver injury in rats. Samples were collected and processed 14 days after model establishment. Pathological changes in liver tissue of rats were observed using Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining and Masson staining. Biochemical detection was performed to measure the levels of alanine transaminase（ALT）， aspartate transaminase（AST）， γ-glutamyl transferase（GGT）， lactate dehydrogenase（LDH）， alkaline phosphatase（ALP）， total bilirubin（TBil）， direct bilirubin（DBil）， indirect bilirubin（IBil）， malondialdehyde（MDA）， superoxidedismutase（SOD）， catalase（CAT） ， glutathione（GSH）， Fe³⁺， and Fe²⁺ in the liver tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess protein expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2） and heme oxygenase-1（HO-1）. Molecular docking was performed to verify the binding between linalool and key proteins of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Molecular dynamics techniques were used to confirm the stability and affinity of linalool binding with key proteins of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. ResultPathological results showed that compared to that in the AFB₁ group， the liver structure in the linalool group tended to be normal， with a significant decrease in blue collagen fibers. The linalool group exhibited significantly reduced levels of ALT， AST， GGT， LDH， ALP， TBil， DBil， and IBil （P<0.01）， Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ content， and oxidative stress marker MDA （P<0.01）. The levels of antioxidants SOD， CAT， and GSH significantly increased （P<0.01）. Molecular docking showed a molecular docking energy between linalool and Nrf2 and HO-1 targets of -5.495 6 and -5.199 4 kcal·mol^-1（1 cal≈4.186 J）， respectively. Molecular dynamics results indicated strong affinity in the binding of linalool with Nrf2 and HO-1. Western blot revealed a significant increase in Nrf2 protein expression （P<0.05） and a decrease in HO-1 protein expression （P<0.01） in the linalool group. ConclusionLinalool may protect against AFB₁-induced acute liver injury by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1 ferroptosis signaling pathway to inhibit liver cell ferroptosis and regulate hepatic oxidative stress levels.

ObjectiveMetabolomics was utilized to investigate the preventive effect of notoginseng total saponins（NTS） on aspirin（acetyl salicylic acid， ASA）-induced small bowel injury in rats. MethodFifty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal and model groups， NTS high-dose and low-dose groups（62.5， 31.25 mg·kg^-1）， and positive drug group（omeprazole 2.08 mg·kg^-1+rebamipide 31.25 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in other groups were given ASA enteric-coated pellets 10.41 mg·kg^-1 daily to establish a small intestine injury model. On this basis， each medication group was gavaged daily with the corresponding dose of drug， and the normal group and the model group were gavaged with an equal amount of drinking water. Changes in body mass and fecal characteristics of rats were recorded and scored during the period. After 14 weeks of administration， small intestinal tissues of each group were taken for hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， scanning electron microscopy to observe the damage， and the apparent damage of small intestine was scored. Serum from rats in the normal group， the model group， and the NTS high-dose group was taken and analyzed for metabolomics by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS）， and the data were processed by multivariate statistical analysis， the potential biomarkers were screened by variable importance in the projection（VIP） value≥1.0， fold change（FC）≥1.5 or ≤0.6 and t-test P<0.05， and pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites was performed in conjunction with Human Metabolome Database（HMDB） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）. ResultAfter 14 weeks of administration， the average body mass gain of the model group was lower than that of the normal group， and the NTS high-dose group was close to that of the normal group. Compared with the normal group， the fecal character score of rats in the model group was significantly increased（P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， the scores of the positive drug group and the NTS high-dose group were reduced， but the difference was not statistically significant. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that NTS could significantly improve ASA-induced small intestinal injury， compared with the normal group， the small bowel injury score of the model group was significantly increased（P<0.01）， compared with the model group， the small bowel injury scores of the NTS low and high dose groups were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum metabolomics screened a total of 75 differential metabolites between the normal group and the model group， of which 55 were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated， 76 differential metabolites between the model group and the NTS groups， of which 14 were up-regulated and 62 were down-regulated. NTS could modulate three differential metabolites（salicylic acid， 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid）， which were involved in 3 metabolic pathways， namely， the bile secretion， the biosynthesis of folic acid， and the biosynthesis of phenylalanine， tyrosine and tryptophan. ConclusionNTS can prevent ASA-induced small bowel injury， and the underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of bile secretion and amino acid metabolic pathways in rats.

Objective:By analyzing the cost change trend,internal structure change and main influencing factors of diabetes inpatients'hospitalization expenses,it provides empirical basis for promoting the reform of medical service prices,optimizing the internal structure of hospitalization expenses,effectively controlling hospitalization expenses,and reducing the economic burden of diabetes inpatients.Methods:Using the first page data of medical records of 13 426 diabetes inpatients in the target hospital from 2017 to 2021,it analyzes the structural change of diabetes inpatients'hospitalization expenses by using structural change degree and grey correlation degree methods,and analyzes the influencing factors of hospitalization expenses by using linear regression and BP neural network model.Results:Drug expenses and medical technology expenses are the top two in the proportion of total hospitalization expenses of discharged patients with diabetes,and they account for a large proportion in the total hospitalization expenses.The results of structural change and grey correlation show that drug expenses and medical technology expenses are these two factors that cause changes in the total hospitalization cost structure and have a high correlation with the total hospitalization cost,with a cumulative contribution rate of 90.50％.According to the results of linear regression and neural network model,the length of stay is the most important factor affecting the total cost of hospitalization of diabetes patients,followed by the number of operations/procedures and diagnoses.Conclusion:The internal composition of hospitalization expenses for diabetes patients is unreasonable.The proportion of drug expenses and medical technology expenses is too high.The proportion of medical and nursing expenses reflecting the technical labor value of medical personnel is relatively low.The structure of medical income needs to be further optimized.The length of stay is the most critical factor affecting the hospitalization expenses of diabetes patients.Reasonable control of the length of stay can effectively control the unreasonable growth of medical expenses and reduce the economic burden of diabetes patients.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Tongluo Jiedu Xiezhuo prescription （TLJDXZ） on alleviating inflammatory response in rats with gouty arthritis （GA） by regulating the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs）. MethodOxonic acid potassium salt solution combined with uric acid sodium solution was used to establish the GA rat model by injection. Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into control model， model group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.58， 3.15， and 6.30 g∙kg^-1） TLJDXZ groups， and colchicine group （0.30 mg∙kg^-1）. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was used to characterize the chemical components of TLJDXZ. HE staining was used to observe the ankle joint tissue structure of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6，IL-8， blood uric acid （BUA） tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and myeloperoxidase （MPO） in serum and tissue. PicoGreen staining method was used to measure ds-DNA concentration in plasma. Western blot was used to detect the expression of citrullinated histone H3 （Cit-H3） and MPO proteins. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of neutrophil elastase （NE） and MPO. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect peptidylarginine deiminase 4 （PAD4） mRNA expression. ResultCompared with control group， the model group had severe joint swelling， with shed cell debris， synovial and connective tissue proliferation， and inflammatory cell punctate infiltration visible in the joint cavity. Blood circulation， oxidative damage， and inflammation in joint tissues significantly worsened （P<0.05）. The expression of NETs-related proteins Cit-H3， MPO， NE， and PAD4 was significantly upregulated （P<0.05）. Compared with the results in model group， joint damage in the TLJDXZ groups was significantly reduced， and the swelling was alleviated. The inflammatory infiltration in the joint cavity， cartilage and synovial morphology， and joint structure were significantly relieved. TLJDXZ significantly reduced oxidative damage and inflammation in peripheral blood circulation and joint tissues （P<0.05）. The expression of NETs-related proteins Cit-H3， MPO， NE， and PAD4 was significantly downregulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionTLJDXZ can effectively alleviate joint inflammatory response in GA rats， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the formation and release of NETs.