Objective To investigate the potential mechanism by which dihydromyricetin(DHM)ameliorates diabetic nephropathy(DN),and to screen and validate its possible key molecular targets.Methods A DN model was established using db/db mice,and 100 mg/(kg·d)DHM was administered via gavage 5 d per week for totally 10 weeks.Renal morphological changes were observed after staining to evaluate the effects of DHM.GSE161885 and GSE270526 datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and analyzed in combination with the GeneCards database to screen for DN-related differentially expressed genes(DEGs).Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network and molecular docking were employed to predict potential DHM targets.Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the effects of DHM on pyroptosis-related pathways in the renal tissues of db/db mice and in high glucose(HG)-induced human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2).The specific NLR family pyrin domain containing protein 3(NLRP3)inhibitor MCC950 was also used to validate the predicted mechanism.Results In vivo experiments showed that DHM significantly ameliorated renal pathological damage in db/db mice,alleviated glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial expansion,and markedly reduced Paller scores(P<0.001).Immunofluorescence staining revealed significantly weakened fluorescence signals for α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin,and collagen Ⅰ in renal tissues.Western blot results showed that the expression levels of collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)were significantly decreased(P<0.05).A total of 16 DN-related DEGs were identified.Enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were primarily enriched in pathways such as viral protein interactions,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,and were primarily involved in gene functions such as the positive regulation of lymphocyte-mediated immunity,positive regulation of adaptive immune response,and chemokine activity.Molecular docking confirmed NLRP3 as a potential target of DHM.In vivo validation showed that DHM significantly down-regulated gasdermin-D(GSDMD)fluorescence signals and inhibited the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins including NLRP3,Caspase 1,Cleaved-Caspase 1,interleukin 18(IL-18),and GSDMD(P<0.05).In vitro studies further confirmed that both DHM and the specific NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 alleviate high glucose-induced fibrosis and pyroptosis in HIC-2 cells.Conclusion DHM can ameliorate the progression of DN,and its mechanism is related to inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis,thereby alleviating renal inflammation and fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the anti-leukemic effects and resistance mechanisms of venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical data from AML patients who underwent venetoclax drug sensitivity testing were downloaded from the Beat AML database. Correlation analysis was performed between these data and venetoclax sensitivity outcomes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with venetoclax sensitivity were identified from transcriptomic data and subsequently validated using GEO database transcriptomic results and in vitro experiments (including Western blot). Functional enrichment analyses (KEGG and GSEA), transcription factor enrichment analysis (KnockTF), and data from public databases were employed to further investigate key genes and pathways influencing drug sensitivity.Results:After filtering the Beat AML cohort, data from 52 patient samples with available in vitro venetoclax sensitivity results were included for analysis. Patients with FLT3 mutations exhibited greater sensitivity to venetoclax compared to those with FLT3 wild-type. Correlation analysis between clinical information and drug sensitivity data indicated that higher peripheral blood tumor burden was associated with increased sensitivity to venetoclax. Transcriptomic analysis and in vitro experiments confirmed that venetoclax inhibits the FLT3-related signaling pathway, including downregulation of FLT3 expression and reduced phosphorylation of its downstream targets AKT and STAT5. KEGG pathway and KnockTF transcription factor enrichment analyses indicated that venetoclax resistance was associated with increased transcriptional activity of FOXM1 and STAT3. Moreover, high expression of FOXM1 and STAT3 correlated with shorter overall survival in patients.Conclusion:Venetoclax can inhibit the activation of FLT3-related signaling pathways. The activation of STAT3 and FOXM1 transcription factors is a potential key mechanism contributing to venetoclax resistance in AML.

There exist risks of ionizing radiation in radiodiagnosis examinations. Implementing shielding protection following the optimization and as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles represents a measure to reduce radiation doses to patients. The implementation of shielding protection in clinical practices should meet high requirements due to variations in the modalities and items in radiodiagnosis examinations, the characteristics and irradiation method of X-ray beams, the method of automatic selection of image quality and radiation dose-related parameters by imaging equipment, the radiation sensitivity of human tissues and organs. This review introduced the shielding products, methods and effects in various radiodiagnosis examinations, as well as the current status and challenges in their applications, aiming to provide a reference for future related research and clinical practices.

Objective:To explore age-related variations in the angle of the cochlear basal turn using temporal bone CT, providing a reference for selecting the optimal Stenvers position radiographic projection angle in children and adults.Methods:The retrospective study included children and adults who underwent temporal bone CT scans at Beijing Tongren Hospital from November 2014 to April 2023. A total of 620 participants were included, including 368 males and 252 females. Patients were divided into 20 age-ralated groups: infants under one year old (3 to 11 months) were divided into monthly subgroups (9 groups); children and adolescents aged 1 to 18 years were grouped biennially (9 groups); adults were divided into two groups: 19 to 29 years and 30 to 40 years. Using multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) techniques, the CT images of the temporal bone were reformatted into oblique transverse sections to maximize the visibility of the cochlear basal turn.The cochlear basal turn angle was defined as the angle between the vertical axis of the cochlear basal turn and the mid-sagittal plane of the skull. Statistical analysis was performed to compare age-related differences in cochlear basal turn angles. Two additional patients were included to compare Stenvers position X-ray images with corresponding temporal bone CT scans, assessing the visibility of cochlear implant electrodes post-implantation.Results:Among infants aged 3 to 11 months, the cochlear basal turn angle was 29.4°±4.5°, with no significant differences observed between subgroups ( P>0.05). However, significant differences were found between infants (<1 year old) and the 1-2-year-old group compared to each age group from 3 to 40 years ( P<0.05). Additionally, the angles differed significantly between the 3-14-year-old groups and the 19-40-year-old groups ( P<0.05), whereas no significant differences were found among the remaining groups ( P>0.05). The visibility of the cochlear implant electrodes, appearing round in shape on standard Stenvers position X-ray images, closely resembled that observed in temporal bone CT scans. Conclusion:Age-related variations in the cochlear basal turn angle provide a valuable reference for optimizing Stenvers position radiography angles after cochlear implantation, improving the accuracy and quality of post-implantation imaging.

Objective:To investigate the status and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) of adult CT radiation dose based on survey result from some hospitals in Beijing.Methods:From September to December 2023, the survey results for 50 hospitals were collected in Beijing, including 47 tertiary hospitals and 3 second grade general hospitals. The CT data sets in total of 20 items including head (sequential scanning), head (spiral scanning), head perfusion, sinus, neck, chest, chest (low dose scanning), abdomen, pelvis, abdomen-pelvis, chest-abdomen-pelvis, lumbar spine, CT urography, coronary CTA (retrospective), coronary CTA (prospective), head CTA, neck CTA, aorta CTA, leg CTA and knee were collected on clinical commonly used CT scanners with annual qualified state inspection. For each item, radiation dose data was collected continuously and randomly for up to 50 cases for every CT scanner. Using the volume CT dose index (CTDI vol) and dose length product (DLP) as dose parameters, the median value of each item in each hospital was obtained. The median CTDI vol and DLP values of all hospitals were arranged, and the local DRL of each item was set as the 75th percentile of the median values. The obtained DRLs were compared with the DRLs issued by domestic and international radiological protection organizations. Results:A total of 26 031 dose values of adult patients were collected and 25 996 dose values were left while 35 invalid values removed.For different CT users, CTDl vol, DLP and scanning phases were different for the same item. The five items with the highest CTDI were head perfusion, head sequential scanning, head spiral scanning, coronary CTA (retrospective mode), and sinus. The five items with the highest DLP were CTU, head perfusion, leg CTA, chest-abdomen-pelvis and aortic CTA. The CTDI vol of CTU was only 16.9 mGy (75th percentile), while the DLP was as high as 2 394.9 mGy·cm (75th percentile). The survey showed that the DRLs of most items in Beijing was lower than the national DRLs of domestic and foreign standards, and the DRLs of a small number of items were slightly higher. Conclusion:The current CT dose level in Beijing is not consistent with national DRLs released at home and abroad, so it is necessary to establish local DRLs according to the clinical status in Beijing.

As the number of CT scans continues to rise, the contribution rate of CT to the cumulative radiation dose to the public has exceeded 60%. During CT scanning, a shorter distance to the surface of the human body result in a higher radiation dose. Both the development of new CT imaging techniques and the selection of scanning parameters influence the dosage to superficial radiosensitive organs (e.g., eye lens, thyroid, and mammary glands). Effectively reducing the radiation dose to superficial radiosensitive organs has emerged as a hot research topic. This review aims to summarize the factors influencing the radiation dose to superficial radiosensitive organs and the dose reduction strategies, thus providing a reference for clinical practice and research on dose optimization.

Objective:To investigate the status and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) of adult CT radiation dose based on survey result from some hospitals in Beijing.Methods:From September to December 2023, the survey results for 50 hospitals were collected in Beijing, including 47 tertiary hospitals and 3 second grade general hospitals. The CT data sets in total of 20 items including head (sequential scanning), head (spiral scanning), head perfusion, sinus, neck, chest, chest (low dose scanning), abdomen, pelvis, abdomen-pelvis, chest-abdomen-pelvis, lumbar spine, CT urography, coronary CTA (retrospective), coronary CTA (prospective), head CTA, neck CTA, aorta CTA, leg CTA and knee were collected on clinical commonly used CT scanners with annual qualified state inspection. For each item, radiation dose data was collected continuously and randomly for up to 50 cases for every CT scanner. Using the volume CT dose index (CTDI vol) and dose length product (DLP) as dose parameters, the median value of each item in each hospital was obtained. The median CTDI vol and DLP values of all hospitals were arranged, and the local DRL of each item was set as the 75th percentile of the median values. The obtained DRLs were compared with the DRLs issued by domestic and international radiological protection organizations. Results:A total of 26 031 dose values of adult patients were collected and 25 996 dose values were left while 35 invalid values removed.For different CT users, CTDl vol, DLP and scanning phases were different for the same item. The five items with the highest CTDI were head perfusion, head sequential scanning, head spiral scanning, coronary CTA (retrospective mode), and sinus. The five items with the highest DLP were CTU, head perfusion, leg CTA, chest-abdomen-pelvis and aortic CTA. The CTDI vol of CTU was only 16.9 mGy (75th percentile), while the DLP was as high as 2 394.9 mGy·cm (75th percentile). The survey showed that the DRLs of most items in Beijing was lower than the national DRLs of domestic and foreign standards, and the DRLs of a small number of items were slightly higher. Conclusion:The current CT dose level in Beijing is not consistent with national DRLs released at home and abroad, so it is necessary to establish local DRLs according to the clinical status in Beijing.

As the number of CT scans continues to rise, the contribution rate of CT to the cumulative radiation dose to the public has exceeded 60%. During CT scanning, a shorter distance to the surface of the human body result in a higher radiation dose. Both the development of new CT imaging techniques and the selection of scanning parameters influence the dosage to superficial radiosensitive organs (e.g., eye lens, thyroid, and mammary glands). Effectively reducing the radiation dose to superficial radiosensitive organs has emerged as a hot research topic. This review aims to summarize the factors influencing the radiation dose to superficial radiosensitive organs and the dose reduction strategies, thus providing a reference for clinical practice and research on dose optimization.

There exist risks of ionizing radiation in radiodiagnosis examinations. Implementing shielding protection following the optimization and as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles represents a measure to reduce radiation doses to patients. The implementation of shielding protection in clinical practices should meet high requirements due to variations in the modalities and items in radiodiagnosis examinations, the characteristics and irradiation method of X-ray beams, the method of automatic selection of image quality and radiation dose-related parameters by imaging equipment, the radiation sensitivity of human tissues and organs. This review introduced the shielding products, methods and effects in various radiodiagnosis examinations, as well as the current status and challenges in their applications, aiming to provide a reference for future related research and clinical practices.

Objective:To explore age-related variations in the angle of the cochlear basal turn using temporal bone CT, providing a reference for selecting the optimal Stenvers position radiographic projection angle in children and adults.Methods:The retrospective study included children and adults who underwent temporal bone CT scans at Beijing Tongren Hospital from November 2014 to April 2023. A total of 620 participants were included, including 368 males and 252 females. Patients were divided into 20 age-ralated groups: infants under one year old (3 to 11 months) were divided into monthly subgroups (9 groups); children and adolescents aged 1 to 18 years were grouped biennially (9 groups); adults were divided into two groups: 19 to 29 years and 30 to 40 years. Using multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) techniques, the CT images of the temporal bone were reformatted into oblique transverse sections to maximize the visibility of the cochlear basal turn.The cochlear basal turn angle was defined as the angle between the vertical axis of the cochlear basal turn and the mid-sagittal plane of the skull. Statistical analysis was performed to compare age-related differences in cochlear basal turn angles. Two additional patients were included to compare Stenvers position X-ray images with corresponding temporal bone CT scans, assessing the visibility of cochlear implant electrodes post-implantation.Results:Among infants aged 3 to 11 months, the cochlear basal turn angle was 29.4°±4.5°, with no significant differences observed between subgroups ( P>0.05). However, significant differences were found between infants (<1 year old) and the 1-2-year-old group compared to each age group from 3 to 40 years ( P<0.05). Additionally, the angles differed significantly between the 3-14-year-old groups and the 19-40-year-old groups ( P<0.05), whereas no significant differences were found among the remaining groups ( P>0.05). The visibility of the cochlear implant electrodes, appearing round in shape on standard Stenvers position X-ray images, closely resembled that observed in temporal bone CT scans. Conclusion:Age-related variations in the cochlear basal turn angle provide a valuable reference for optimizing Stenvers position radiography angles after cochlear implantation, improving the accuracy and quality of post-implantation imaging.