Objective To obtain the protective performance parameters of barium sulfate mortar against positron nuclide γ-rays, provide reference data for precise shielding calculations, and guide the design, evaluation, and construction of radiation shielding. Methods The FLUKA program was used to build a model for simulating the dose equivalent rate variation around points of interest under the irradiation of the most commonly used positron nuclide ¹⁸F with changes in the thicknesses of lead and barium sulfate mortar. The transmission curves of lead and barium sulfate mortar were fitted, and the half-value layer (HVL) and lead equivalence of barium sulfate mortar were calculated based on the fitted curves. Results The ambient dose equivalent rate coefficient of positron nuclide ¹⁸F was 1.339 4×10⁻¹ μSv·m²/MBq·h and the HVL for lead was 4.037 mm, with deviations of 0.043% and 1.53% compared to the values provided in the AAPM Report No. 108, respectively. The HVLs for γ-rays produced by ¹⁸F, using barium sulfate mortar with apparent densities of 4.20, 4.00, and 3.90 g/cm³ mixed with 35.2-grade cement in a 4∶1 mass ratio, were 2.914, 2.969, and 3.079 cm, respectively. The lead equivalences were 0.1385, 0.1360, and 0.1311 mmPb/mm, respectively. Conclusion The three types of barium sulfate mortar can provide good protection against γ-rays in positron imaging locations. As the apparent density of barium sulfate increases, its protective effect improves slightly but remains significantly better than common construction materials like concrete and solid bricks.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by complex pathogenesis, with its development closely linked to immune dysregulation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), as specialized immunomodulatory cells, play a pivotal role in negatively regulating immune responses and maintaining autoimmune tolerance. In recent years, extensive research has focused on the relationship between Tregs and RA pathogenesis, with the functional role of CD8⁺ Tregs as a critical area of investigation. This review summarizes the alterations in CD8⁺ Tregs during RA progression and their potential mechanisms of action. By elucidating the diversity of CD8⁺ Treg subsets and their intricate roles in modulating immune responses, this analysis provides novel insights and therapeutic strategies for RA diagnosis and treatment.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology* ; Humans ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the protective effect of Schistosoma japonicum cystatin (rSj-Cystatin) in a mouse mode of "two-hit" sepsis. METHODS: Sixty male C57BL/6 mice randomized equally into sham-operated group, protein group, "two-hit" modeling group, and protein intervention group. In the former two groups, the mice received an intraperitoneal injection of 100 μL PBS followed by exposure of the cecum and then by intraperitoneal injection of 100 μL PBS or 25 μg rSj-Cystatin 30 min later; In the latter two groups, 100 μL PBS containing LPS (5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 24 h before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and 100 μL PBS or 25 μg rSj-Cystatin were injected 30 min after CLP. At 12 h after rSj-Cystatin treatment, 6 mice from each group were sacrificed for detection of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, iNOS and Arg-1 in the serum, spleen, liver, lung and kidney tissues using ELISA, for examinations of liver, lung and kidney pathologies with HE staining, and for analysis of CD3⁺CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cell percentage in the spleen using flow cytometry. The remaining mice were observed for general condition and 72-h survival. RESULTS: The 72-h survival rates in the 4 groups were 100%, 100%, 0% and 20%, respectively, showing significant differences between the latter two groups. The mouse models of "two-hit" sepsis exhibited obvious tissue pathologies and significant elevations of TNF-α and IL-6 in both the serum and tissue homogenate, which were significantly ameliorated by rSj-Cystatin treatment. Treatment with rSj-Cystatin also increased IL-10 and TGF-β levels and spleen CD3⁺CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cell percentage. The septic mouse models also showed increased iNOS levels in all the detected tissues and a decreased Arg-1 level in the kidney, and these changes were obviously improved by rSj-Cystatin treatment. CONCLUSIONS rSj-Cystatin has a protective effect against "two-hit" sepsis in mice by regulating the inflammatory microenvironment.
Animals ; Mice ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Male ; Schistosoma japonicum/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cystatins/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-10/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*

Objective To simulate and analyze the dose distribution from external exposure and its influencing factors of induced radioactivity in proton therapy site. Methods Referencing a domestically under-construction proton therapy facility, a geometric model of the proton therapy site was constructed, and the FLUKA program was used to simulate the distribution of the induced radioactive dose of the proton therapy site under the conditions of different energies, beam angles, irradiation time, cooling time and medium of the treatment site. Results For a 230 MeV proton beam with a current of 3.0 nA, directed along the negative Z-axis and irradiating a phantom for two minutes, at the shutdown moment, the ambient dose equivalent rates in air and vacuum 5, 30, and 50 cm away from the phantom surface were (1 039.02±5.82)-(127.86±1.20) and (1 037.96±4.38)~(127.35±0.93) μSv/h, respectively. The mean difference was 0.51~1.06 μSv/h, and the air-immersed external irradiation accounted for <1% of the total irradiation, which rapidly decreased to 1/15 of the shutdown moment value after cooling for 10 minutes. Under the condition of 130~250 MeV, the ambient dose equivalent rates at the shutdown moments 5, 30 and 50 cm away from the surface of the phantom were (427.49±3.12)-(1 058.41±4.66), (100.36±0.92)-(259.70±1.69) and (50.15±0.68)-(131.93±1.11) μSv/h, respectively. Irradiation for one-five minutes, and at the moment of shutdown at 5, 30, and 50 cm from the surface of the phantom were (688.19±3.33)-(1 594.04±8.08), (167.60±1.35)-(388.24±2.96) and (84.73±0.69)-(195.94±1.56) μSv/h. The peripheral dose-equivalent rate of the sensed radioactivity decreases with the irradiation time, the energy of the beam, and the distance from the model. The peak dose equivalent rate around the induced radioactivity exists in the beam direction, which is significantly larger than that in the non-beam direction. Conclusion Proton therapy sites are characterized by relatively large levels of induced peripheral radioactive dose equivalent rates, mainly originating from patients. In actual practice, a suitable working position can be chosen according to the direction of the beam current, especially the direction of the final irradiation field beam current, in the non-beam current direction and as far away from the patient as possible. Within 10 minutes after the end of treatment, staff should try to avoid close contact with the patients.

Objective To explore the value of Chinese thyroid imaging reporting and data system(C-TIRADS)combined with intranodular and perinodular stiffness for distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods Data of routine ultrasound and ultrasonic shear wave elastography(SWE)in 117 patients with thyroid nodules confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC)and/or surgical pathology were retrospectively analyzed.The nodules were classified according to C-TIRADS and SWE parameters of nodules and surrounding 2 mm glands measured with SWE technique,including Young's modulus of thyroid nodules(E)and perinodular glandular(Eshell)(the maximum[Emax/Eshellmax],the mean[Emean/Eshellmean]and the minimum[Emin/Eshellmin]as well as standard deviation[ESD/EshellSD]values).Then receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn,and area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to assess the efficacy of C-TIRADS,SWE and the combination for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Results Totally 117 thyroid nodules of 117 patients were enrolled,including 50 benign and 67 malignant ones.SWE parameters of malignant thyroid nodules were higher than those of benign ones(all P＜0.001).AUC of C-TIRADS for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules was 0.736,with sensitivity of 79.10％,specificity of 68.00％and accuracy of 74.36％.AUC of Emax,Emean,Emin and ESD was 0.816,0.752,0.664 and 0.705,respectively,of Emax was the highest.AUC of Eshellmax,Eshellmean,Eshellmin and EshellSD was 0.834,0.804,0.693 and 0.697,respectively,of Eshellmax was the highest,which was not statistically difference with that of Emax(Z=1.044,P=0.297).AUC of C-TIRADS+Emax and C-TIRADS+Eshellmax was 0.835 and 0.843,respectively,being not significantly different(Z=0.574,P=0.566)but higher than that of C-TIRADS(AUC=0.736,Z=2.510,2.230,both P＜0.05),with diagnostic specificity and accuracy both higher than those of C-TIRADS(all P＜0.05).Conclusion C-TIRADS combined with intranodular and perinodular stiffness could be used to effectively distinguish benign and malignant thyroid nodules,which might improve diagnostic efficiency of C-TIRDAS.

Objective:To investigate the gait characteristics of patients with early Parkinson′s disease (PD) under cognitive dual task, and to provide sensitive kinematic indicators for the early diagnosis, timely treatment and reasonable rehabilitation of PD.Methods:A total of 62 outpatients and inpatients with early non-tremor Parkinson′s disease in Shijingshan Branch of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from September 2021 to August 2023 were selected as experimental group (PD group), and 62 healthy controls with comparable age composition ratio were selected as control group. The baseline data, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale scores, and the gait assessment scores of the motor part of the Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale were compared between the 2 groups. The wearable gait analysis device was used to collect the gait parameters of the 2 groups of subjects under single task and dual task, and the foot kinematic characteristics of the patients with early PD were quantified. Independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the gait parameters of the 2 groups. The statistically significant variables were included in Logistic regression analysis to explore the association between gait parameters and PD. Finally, the diagnostic value of the variables was estimated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results:Gait spatio-temporal parameters (per gait cycle): (1) The gait speed of the PD group was slower than that of the control group [(1.01±0.12) m/s vs (1.22±0.18) m/s, t=-7.526] during single task walking. The bipedal support time in the PD group was significantly longer than that in the control group [(0.29±0.05) s vs (0.22±0.06) s, t=6.659]. The differences were both statistically significant (both P<0.001). (2) During dual-task walking, PD patients showed slower gait speed [(0.88±0.11) m/s vs (1.19±0.16) m/s, t=-12.158, P<0.001]. The bipedal support time in the PD group was longer than that in the control group [(0.36±0.05) s vs (0.22±0.05) s, t=12.828, P<0.001]. PD patients had shorter stride length [(109.20±6.21) cm vs (112.77±5.87) cm, t=-3.203, P=0.010]. Stride frequency in the PD group was higher than that in the control group [(114.45±7.10) steps/min vs (110.87±7.16) steps/min, t=2.724, P=0.020]. The single leg support time was longer than that of the control group [(0.49±0.12) s vs (0.45±0.06) s, t=2.643, P=0.020] , and the differences were statistically significant. Gait kinematics parameters: (1) During single task walking, the maximum angle of foot movement in the sagittal plane in the PD group was smaller than that in the control group (17.19°±2.37° vs 19.71°±2.92°, t=-4.691, P<0.001). The minimum angle of movement in the sagittal plane was smaller than that in the control group (-67.08°±4.63° vs -70.10°±3.94°, t=0.395, P=0.001). The minimum horizontal angle of the foot during exercise in the PD group was lower than that in the control group (9.08°±4.02° vs 11.80°±3.60°, t=-3.461, P<0.001). The minimum angle of the foot coronal plane in the PD group was smaller than that in the control group (-10.55°±2.87° vs -12.04°±2.31°, t=2.831, P=0.030; the negative sign only represents the movement direction). The touch angle of the foot in the PD group was significantly lower than that in the control group (11.14°±2.78° vs 12.78°±3.57°, t=-2.779, P=0.030). (2) During dual-task walking, the maximum sagittal angle (15.44°±2.54° vs 18.99°±2.71°, t=-6.673, P<0.05), the minimum angle of sagittal plane (-65.68°±4.73° vs -70.02°±4.04°, t=-4.747, P<0.001; the negative sign only represents the direction of movement), the minimum coronal movement angle (-11.15°± 2.99° vs -13.18°±2.50°, t=3.642, P=0.020), the touch angle (11.01°±3.10° vs 12.83°±4.01°, t=-2.438, P=0.010), the minimum horizontal angle (8.83°±4.04° vs 11.83°±3.63°, t=-3.776, P<0.001), and the change of the angle from the ground (-65.00°±3.54° vs -67.06°±3.61°, t=3.133, P<0.001) in the PD group were all smaller than that in the control group. The differences were all statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that step frequency was positively correlated with PD ( OR=1.124,95% CI 1.040-1.201, P=0.001), minimum angle of coronal plane was positively correlated with PD ( OR=1.501, 95% CI 1.040-2.151, P=0.030). Stride length was negatively correlated with PD ( OR=0.902, 95% CI 0.830-0.978, P=0.010). ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of step frequency, stride length and minimum angle of coronal plane. For step frequency, when the maximum Youden index was 0.880, the best cut-off value to distinguish the PD group from the control group was 115.000, the sensitivity was 0.577, the specificity was 0.710, and the area under the curve was 0.656. For the minimum coronal angle, when the maximum Youden index was 0.251, the best cut-off value was -12.575, the sensitivity was 0.728, the specificity was 0.531, and the area under the curve was 0.670. For stride length, when the maximum Youden index was 0, the best cut-off value was 100.91, the sensitivity was 0.950, the specificity was 0.050, and the area under the curve was 0.300. Conclusions:Some gait parameters such as step frequency and minimum angle of coronal plane can be used as kinematic markers to reflect the gait characteristics of early PD, which may be helpful in tracking and evaluating the gait disorder characteristics of early PD patients and predicting the risk of PD. Some gait parameters of PD patients are significantly different from those of healthy people during cognitive-motor dual-task walking.

【Objective】 To explore the clinicopathological characteristics and comprehensive treatment strategies of prostate mucosa adenocarcinoma under multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment (MDT) mode. 【Methods】 Data of two patients with typical prostate mucosa adenocarcinoma treated in our hospital during Sep.2020 and Apr.2023 were retrospectively analyzed. 【Results】 In case 1, the clinical manifestation was macroscopic hematuria; multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) indicated solid prostatic nodules, clinical stage T4N1Mx; initial prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 1.2 ng/mL; ⁶⁸68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen PET/CT (⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT) suggested abnormal uptake of nuclear lesions in the prostate (SUV4.2-5.3); biopsy results indicated invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma.After prostate and pelvic field radiotherapy + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) + antihypertensive treatment, lesions were significantly reduced, and hematuria symptoms were relieved.In case 2, the clinical manifestation was dysuria; initial PSA was 91.78 ng/mL; mpMRI suggested invasion of prostate mass into the bladder and clinical stage of T4N1M1b; ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT indicated prostate and pelvic lymph nodes, and multiple bone lesions showed increased nuclide uptake; biopsy results indicated prostate adenocarcinoma with mucinous adenocarcinoma.Initial endocrine treatment was performed.After 3 months, PSA was reduced to 0.083 ng/mL, and imaging showed the tumor was significantly reduced.Robotic-assisted laparoscopic tumor prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection was performed, and endocrine adjuvant therapy was continued after surgery. 【Conclusion】 Prostate mucosa adenocarcinoma has different clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis from conventional acinar adenocarcinoma, and the whole-process management under MDT mode is of great value in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Spastic paraplegia type 4 (SPG4) is the most common type of autosomally inherited spastic paraplegia. Its main clinical features include typical simple hereditary spastic paraplegia, with neurological impairments limited to lower limb spasticity, hypertonic bladder dysfunction, and mild weakening of lower limb vibration sensation, without accompanying features such as nerve atrophy, ataxia, cognitive impairment, seizures, and muscle tone disorders. SPAST is the main pathogenic gene underlying SPG4, and various pathogenic SPAST variants have been discovered. This disease has featured a high degree of clinical heterogeneity, and the same pathogenic variant can have different age of onset and severity among patients and even within the same family. There is a lack of systematic research on the correlation between the genotype and phenotype of SPG4, and the pathogenic mechanism has remained controversial. This article has provided a review for the clinical characteristics, pathogenic gene characteristics, correlation between the genotype and phenotype, and pathogenic mechanism of this disease, with an aim to provide reference for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To investigate the mental health status and its influencing factors among elderly hypertensive patients from Rural Areas of Chuxiong and Honghe Prefecture in Yunnan.Methods Multi-stage random sampling method was adopted to select elderly hypertensive patients from rural Yi ethnic areas in Yunnan.Questionnaires were used to collect their basic information and mental health status.Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore the influencing factors of mental health among the elderly hypertensives.Results 21.82%(209/958)of elderly people with hypertension have poor mental health status in Chuxiong and Honghe Prefecture,Yunnan.Age of 80-89 years(OR = 2.395,P<0.05)and over 90 years(OR = 3.293,P<0.05),as well as physical disability(OR = 2.037,P<0.05),were risk factors for poor mental health.Compared with those who rated their economic situation as very difficult,rating as somewhat difficult(OR = 0.490,P<0.05),moderate(OR = 0.632,P<0.05)and relatively affluent(OR = 0.344,P<0.05),having a spouse(OR = 0.655,P<0.05),received full concern from the offspring(OR = 0.411,P<0.05)and maintain good relationships with offspring(OR = 0.339,P<0.05)were protective factors.Conclusions The mental health status of elderly people with hypertension is relatively poor in rural areas of Chuxiong and Honghe Prefecture in Yunnan Province.Special attention should be paid to the mental health of older and physically disabled elderly hypertensives.Economic and mental support from children was crucially important in improving the mental health of elderly hypertensive patients in rural areas of Chuxiong and Honghe Prefecture in Yunnan Province.

[摘 要] 目的：研究芳香烃受体（AHR）在乳腺癌中的表达及其对乳腺癌细胞增殖、凋亡和药物敏感性的调控机制。方法：通过GEPIA数据库数据分析乳腺癌组织及癌旁组织中AHR的表达水平，探讨其与患者生存期的关联。利用基因敲低和过表达技术构建AHR表达变化的乳腺癌细胞，采用CCK-8实验、细胞计数和流式细胞分析等方法评估AHR对细胞增殖、凋亡和药物敏感性的影响，通过免疫印迹法验证相关分子机制。此外，利用AHR激动剂6-甲酰基吲哚并[3,2-B]咔唑（FICZ）研究外源性激活AHR对乳腺癌细胞多柔比星（DOX）敏感性的影响。结果：GEPIA数据库数据分析结果显示，乳腺癌组织中AHR呈明显低表达（P < 0.05）；对155例乳腺癌患者的生存期进行统计分析也显示AHR低表达与不良预后呈正相关（P < 0.05）。敲低AHR促进细胞增殖（P < 0.05），过表达则能抑制其增殖（P < 0.05）并促进其凋亡（P < 0.05）。外源激活AHR能增强乳腺癌细胞对DOX的敏感性（P < 0.05）。AHR可与MYC基因启动子结合，抑制MYC表达（P < 0.05），从而影响乳腺癌的进展。结论：AHR在乳腺癌中通过调控MYC表达影响细胞增殖和凋亡，外源激活AHR可能成为提高乳腺癌细胞对DOX敏感性的治疗策略。