Objective:To investigate the predictive value of radiomics features derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) based on habitat imaging technology for pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer.Methods:All patients were female, aged 25-67 years. Patients were stratified into training ( n=83) and validation ( n=36) sets via stratified random sampling (7∶3 ratio). Pathological complete remission (pCR) and non-pathological complete remission (non-pCR) were defined using the Miller-Payne grading system. All patients underwent DCE-MRI before NAT. ITK-Snap software was used to outline the region of interest (ROI), the imaging histological features of the entire tumor region were extracted and screened, a traditional imaging histological model for predicting post-NAT pCR (ROI overall model) was constructed; the tumor region was divided into three subregions using habitat imaging technology, and the imaging histological features within ROI subregion 1, ROI subregion 2, and ROI subregion 3 were extracted and screened, and the habitat imaging model for predicting post-NAT pCR were constructed (ROI subregion 1 model, ROI subregion 2 model, ROI subregion 3 model). Univariate logistic regression identified clinical predictors of pCR for clinical model construction. Combined models integrating clinical predictors and habitat imaging features were established. The efficacy of each model in predicting pCR after NAT in breast cancer was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC), and the efficacy of clinical application of the models was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:Of the 119 patients, 74 were pCR patients, with 52 in the training set and 22 in the validation set, and 45 were non-pCR patients, with 31 in the training set and 14 in the validation set. Logistic regression analysis showed that human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status ( OR=0.254, 95% CI 0.093-0.697, P=0.008) was an independent predictor of pCR after NAT, and this was used to construct a clinical prediction model. The predictive efficacy of ROI subregion 1 model and ROI subregion 2 model in the habitat model was higher than that of the traditional imaging histology model (ROI overall model), with AUCs of 0.805, 0.748,0.728 for the training set and 0.776,0.718,0.708 for the validation set, respectively. The combined clinical prediction model for predicting pCR after NAT in breast cancer had AUCs of 0.877 and 0.818 for the training and validation sets, respectively. DCA showed a higher net benefit for the combined model than for the traditional imaging histology model and the habitat imaging histology model. Conclusion:Compared with the traditional method of extracting the entire tumor region, extracting radiomics features from DCE-MRI subregions based on habitat imaging technology can improve the predictive performance of NAT efficacy in breast cancer.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of radiomics features derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) based on habitat imaging technology for pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer.Methods:All patients were female, aged 25-67 years. Patients were stratified into training ( n=83) and validation ( n=36) sets via stratified random sampling (7∶3 ratio). Pathological complete remission (pCR) and non-pathological complete remission (non-pCR) were defined using the Miller-Payne grading system. All patients underwent DCE-MRI before NAT. ITK-Snap software was used to outline the region of interest (ROI), the imaging histological features of the entire tumor region were extracted and screened, a traditional imaging histological model for predicting post-NAT pCR (ROI overall model) was constructed; the tumor region was divided into three subregions using habitat imaging technology, and the imaging histological features within ROI subregion 1, ROI subregion 2, and ROI subregion 3 were extracted and screened, and the habitat imaging model for predicting post-NAT pCR were constructed (ROI subregion 1 model, ROI subregion 2 model, ROI subregion 3 model). Univariate logistic regression identified clinical predictors of pCR for clinical model construction. Combined models integrating clinical predictors and habitat imaging features were established. The efficacy of each model in predicting pCR after NAT in breast cancer was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC), and the efficacy of clinical application of the models was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:Of the 119 patients, 74 were pCR patients, with 52 in the training set and 22 in the validation set, and 45 were non-pCR patients, with 31 in the training set and 14 in the validation set. Logistic regression analysis showed that human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status ( OR=0.254, 95% CI 0.093-0.697, P=0.008) was an independent predictor of pCR after NAT, and this was used to construct a clinical prediction model. The predictive efficacy of ROI subregion 1 model and ROI subregion 2 model in the habitat model was higher than that of the traditional imaging histology model (ROI overall model), with AUCs of 0.805, 0.748,0.728 for the training set and 0.776,0.718,0.708 for the validation set, respectively. The combined clinical prediction model for predicting pCR after NAT in breast cancer had AUCs of 0.877 and 0.818 for the training and validation sets, respectively. DCA showed a higher net benefit for the combined model than for the traditional imaging histology model and the habitat imaging histology model. Conclusion:Compared with the traditional method of extracting the entire tumor region, extracting radiomics features from DCE-MRI subregions based on habitat imaging technology can improve the predictive performance of NAT efficacy in breast cancer.

Objective To construct a Type 1 diabetes model in miniature pigs and explore postoperative care strategies for effectively prolonging the survival time of the model pigs.Methods Seven Banna miniature pigs were selected for pancreatectomy.Glucose,vitamins,and antibiotics were administered for 3-5 days after surgery to aid recovery.Blood glucose and urine glucose levels were measured twice a day in the morning and evening to adjust insulin supplementation accordingly.The model pigs were observed daily and records were kept,including orexis,psychosis,weakness,skin ulcer,and feces and urine.Body weight was measured weekly until the death of the model animals.Based on the model pigs'condition,glucose injection and Ringer's lactate solution were administered to supplement nutrition and correct electrolyte imbalances.Results All seven Banna miniature pigs showed typical symptoms of diabetes:random blood glucose levels higher than 11.1 mmol/L after pancreatectomy,far exceeding the average blood glucose level of 6.0 mmol/L in normal pigs;positive urine glucose;and progressive weight loss.These features indicated the successful construction of Type 1 diabetes model.Additionally,Type 1 diabetic pigs that survived more than 8 weeks showed progressive hair loss and skin ulceration.Euthanasia was performed on model pigs when they were unable to stand or even eat independently,and pathological examination and HE staining were conducted on tissues collected from affected organs such as the liver,kidneys,and skin.Pathological sections revealed liver congestion,massive glycogen accumulation,ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes,and progressive liver fibrosis,along with glomerular congestion,vacuolar degeneration in renal tubular epithelial cells,proteinuria,dermal congestion,thinning of vascular walls,and varying degrees of parakeratosis and dyskeratosis in the liver,kidneys,and skin tissues due to prolonged hyperglycemia.The average survival time of the constructed Banna miniature pig diabetes model was 44 d,with a maximum survival time of 121 d.Conclusion Type 1 diabetes model can be constructed successfully in Banna miniature pigs through pancreatectomy.With meticulous postoperative care,a long-term Type 1 diabetes model with significant complications can be achieved,providing a stable large-animal model for Type 1 diabetes treatment strategies.

Objective To investigate the geographical distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Henan Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of visceral leishmaniasis vectors. Methods A total of 23 counties (districts) were sampled from 18 cities of Henan Province from May to September, 2023 as sandfly surveillance sites, and sandflies were captured using human capture and light trapping methods. Following morphological identification, the changes in the sandfly density were calculated at different months and in different breeding habitats. Results A total of 406 light traps were set at sandfly surveillance sites in Henan Province from May to September, 2023, and a total of 3 137 female sandlies were captured, with an average density of 7.73 sandlies/(light·night). A total of 1 494 Phlebotomus chinensis sandflies were captured, including 1 222 female sandflies, with an average density of 3.01 sandflies/(light·night), and the highest density of P. chinensis was found in Gongyi City [17.00 sandflies/(light·night)]. A total of 5 544 sandflies were captured using the human capture method, including 230 P. chinensis, and the density of P. chinensis appeared a unimodal distribution, with a peak in early July [5.81 sandflies/(light·night)]. Among different breeding habitats, the highest P. chinensis density was detected in pigpens [4.50 sandflies/(light·night)]. Conclusions P. chinensis was predominantly distributed in hilly areas of northern and central-western Henan Province in 2023, and the sandfly density appeared a unimodal distribution. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis vectors is recommended.

Objective To characterize the species of common sandflies in Henan Province using DNA barcoding with cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as the molecular marker, and to analyze the genetic polymorphisms of sandflies, so as to provide insights into visceral leishmaniasis prevention and control in Henan Province. Methods Sandfly specimens were sampled from 13 sandflies surveillance sites from 2021 to 2023 in Anyang City, Zhengzhou, Luoyang and Xuchang cities (Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas) where visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported and in Jiaozuo and Xinxiang cities (Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas) without visceral leishmaniasis cases reported. Genomic DNA was extracted from a single sandfly, and COI gene was amplified. The amplification product was subjected to bidirectional sequencing. Following sequence assembly, the species of sandflies was characterized through sequence alignment using the BLAST tool. The intra-specific and inter-specific genetic distances of sandflies were estimated among different areas using the software Mega 11, and phylogenetic trees were created. The polymorphisms of nucleotide sequences in the sandflies COI gene were estimated using the software DnaSP. The fixation index (F_ST) of different geographical isolates of sandflies was calculated using the Arlequin software, and the gene flow value (Nm) was used to measure the gene flow in the sandflies populations. In addition, the population genetic structure of different geographical populations of Phlebotomus chinensis was analyzed using the STRUCTURE software. Results A total of 978 sandflies were collected from 13 sandflies surveillance sites in Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas, Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas and Anyang City of Henan Province from 2021 to 2023, and 475 sandflies were randomly sampled for subsequent detections. A total of 304 Ph. chinensis, 162 Se. squamirostris and 9 Se. bailyi were identified based on molecular biological detection of the COI gene, and Se. bailyi was reported for the first time in Henan Province. The intraspecific genetic distances of sandflies were 0.000 to 0.040, and the inter-specific genetic distances ranged from 0.133 to 0.161. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each of the three sandfly species was clustered into a clade. The genetic polymorphisms of Ph. chinensis populations varied among different areas, with the highest haplotype diversity (0.966 ± 0.007) and the greatest nucleotide diversity (0.011) in Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas, and the lowest haplotype diversity (0.720 ± 0.091) and nucleotide diversity (0.004) in Anyang City. The dominant haplotype of Ph. chinensis populations was Pch_Hap_2 in Anyang City and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas, with moderate genetic differentiation (0.05 < F_ST < 0.15) and frequent gene exchange (Nm value > 1) between Ph. chinensis populations sampled from Anyang City, and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas. Population genetic structure analysis showed that the dominant component of Ph. chinensis populations was K5 in Anyang City and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas. No obvious dominant haplotype was observed in Ph. chinensis populations sampled from Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xuchang areas, which had very high genetic differentiation (F_ST > 0.25) and little gene exchange (Nm value < 1) with Ph. chinensis populations from Anyang City, and Jiaozuo-Xinxiang areas, with K3 as the dominant component. In addition, there was no significant difference in the genetic polymorphism level among Se. squamirostris populations from the three areas. Conclusions There are Ph. chinensis, Se. squamirostris and Se. bailyi in Henan Province, and S. bailyi is recorded for the first time in Henan Province by molecular biological assays. There are different levels of genetic differentiation and gene exchange among P. chinensis populations in different areas of Henan Province.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the visceral leishmaniasis control srtrategy. Methods All epidemiological data of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the epidemiological features and diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis cases were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 93 visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023, with a male to female ratio of 2.58∶1, and including 2 imported cases from other provinces and 91 local cases. The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases peaked during the period between March and May, and between July and October. The reported visceral leishmaniasis cases had ages of 7 months to 74 years, with the largest number of cases found at ages of 0 to 9 years (26 cases, 27.96%), followed by at ages of 60 to 70 years (24 cases, 25.81%). Farmer (47 cases, 50.54%) and diaspora children (19 cases, 20.43%) were predominant occupations, and 91 local visceral leishmaniasis cases were found in 6 cities of Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, Hebi, Sanmenxia and Xuchang. The median duration from onset of visceral leishmaniasis to diagnosis was 20 days, and there were 25.81% (24/93) cases with 10 days and less duration from onset to diagnosis, 38.71% (36/93) cases receiving diagnosis at 11 to 30 days following onset, and 35.48% (33/93) cases receiving diagnosis for more than 30 days following onset. All cases were predominantly diagnosed in province- (60.00%) and city-level (28.89%) medical institutions. Conclusions The number of visceral leishmaniasis is on the rise in Henan Province, with a gradually expanding coverage. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis cases, dogs, and vectors, dog management, sandflies control and improved individual protection are recommended to prevent the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

Objective:To analyze the significance of systemic immune inflammatory index (SII) combined with neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.Methods:The clinical data of 90 patients with stage Ⅳ gastric adenocarcinoma who received immunotherapy from January 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 70 males and 20 females, aged from 36 to 80 years, with an average age of (53.76±15.58) years. The clinicopathological features and follow-up data were collected. SPSS 26.0 software was used to conduct statistical analysis. The critical values of NLR, SII, PLR and MLR were calculated, and the overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of patients with different levels of markers were analyzed. The independent predictive factors of PFS and OS were determined, and the predictive value of risk factors for PFS and OS in patients with gastric cancer was evaluated.Results:The median follow-up time of all patients was 27.3 months, and the median PFS and OS were 10.0 months and 17.7 months, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of NLR and SII for predicting PFS and OS were>0.7, the critical values NLR were 4.75 and 3.85, and SII were 1154.67 and 887.90, respectively. PFS and OS in patients with high NLR, high MLR, high PLR and high SII were lower than those in patients with low levels. ECoG PS≥ 1, high NLR and high SII were independent influencing factors of disease progression or death. The AUC of the combination of NLR, ECoG PS and SII was 0.761, which was higher than that of any single factor. The fewer the number of risk factors, the longer the PFS and OS.Conclusions:NLR and SII are effective predictors of PFS and OS in patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving immunotherapy. Pre treatment detection of NLR and SII can provide reliable guidance for immunotherapy of advanced gastric cancer.

Objective:To predict potential target genes in dexamethasone-induced open-angle glaucoma via bioinformatics technology.Methods:The GEO datasets GSE16643, GSE37474, and GSE124114 were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes by GEO2R.Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed on the differentially expressed genes between GSE37474 and GSE124114.Intersection of the three datasets were displayed by Venn diagram.The annotation and enrichment analysis of the intersection genes were performed through Gene Ontology (GO)/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and then were compared with normal tissue in GTEx Portal database.The corresponding protein interaction network was obtained by STRING.Finally, the candidate genes were searched for their transcription factors in UCSC and JASPAR.Primary human trabecular cells were divided into dexamethasone group and control group, treated with 2 ml 500 nmol/L dexamethasone and the same amount of ethanol, respectively.The expression of BDKRB1 and TAGLN in trabecular cells was detected by Western blot.Results:Differential genes between GSE37474 and GSE124114 datasets enriched in complement and coagulation cascade by GSEA.There were 89 intersecting genes of the three datasets.These genes mainly regulated the formation of extracellular matrix by GO analysis.The gene with the highest enrichment score and collagen-containing extracellular matrix was found to be associated with fibroblasts in GTEx Portal database.ACTA2, MYL9, TAGLN, and LMOD1 were closely related in STRING protein-protein interaction network.Transcription factor SP1 in UCSC and JASPAR according to related genes, BDKRB1, NID1, MFGE8 and TAGLN.The relative expression levels of BDKRB1 and TAGLN proteins were 1.32±0.14 and 0.44±0.09 in dexamethasone group, respectively, which were significantly higher than 1.00±0.00 and 0.20±0.10 in the control group, respectively ( t=-3.61, 2.89; both at P<0.05). Conclusions:Bioinformatics analysis showed that transcription factor SP1 may play a role in human trabecular meshwork cells to myofibroblasts transition after dexamethasone treatment.

In recent years, the IVD industry has developed rapidly based on the increasing market demand, and plays an important role in disease prevention, clinical diagnosis, health monitoring and guiding treatment. Therefore, followed quality and safety issues are highly concerned. The unique advantages of blockchain technology, decentralization, distrust and non-tampering, can write into trusted node data in every link covering production, circulation and usage of IVD reagents, and establish a distributed ledger with full backup, which makes the anti-conterfeiting and traceability for IVD reagents possible. We discuss whole process intelligent tracing system for IVD reagents based on blockchain technology. Through the strong mechanism of pre-supervision and post-punishment, the source of reagents can be traced, quality and responsibility can be investigated, and the medical inspection quality and diagnostic safety can be guarded.
Blockchain ; Indicators and Reagents ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Technology

Objective To discuss the clinical value of new- utility anal vacuum tube in preventing anastomotic fistula after colorectal cancer anterior resection. Methods Ninety-six patients having underwent the colorectal cancer anterior resection were divided into new-utility anal vacuum tube group and normal anal vacuum tube group by random digits table method with 48 cases each. The complication, anus exhaust time and postoperative drainage volume were compared between 2 groups. Results The incidences of tube defluxion, proctalgia, anus skin damage, bed sheet pollution and anastomotic fistula in new-utility anal vacuum tube group were significantly lower than those in normal anal vacuum tube group: 6.25% (3/48) vs. 31.25% (15/48), 10.42% (5/48) vs. 41.67% (20/48), 0 vs. 25.00%(12/48), 6.25%(3/48) vs. 60.42%(29/48), 2.08%(1/48) vs. 12.50%(6/48), the anus exhaust time was significantly shorter than that in normal anal vacuum tube group:(44.1 ± 8.9) h vs. (48.9 ± 9.6) h, the postoperative drainage volumes form the first day to fifth day were significantly more than those in normal anal vacuum tube group: (31.2 ± 15.1) ml vs. (15.6 ± 8.2) ml, (25.3 ± 13.2) ml vs. (15.8 ± 6.5) ml, (15.6 ± 9.1) ml vs. (10.3 ± 4.5) ml, (104.3 ± 38.2) ml vs. (90.6 ± 12.3) ml and (93.7 ± 32.5) ml vs. (80.7 ± 18.9) ml, and there were statistical differences (P<0.01 or <0.05). The patients in new-utility anal vacuum tube group had different symptoms, but patients could tolerate. Conclusions The new-utility anal vacuum tube can reduce the incidence of anastomotic fistula, and be safe and reliable, which is worthy of wide application.