Objective:To investigate the differential impact of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT (UHR PCD-CT) and energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) on image quality and calcified plaque-induced luminal stenosis in coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent both EID-CT and UHR PCD-CT CCTA at the Geriatric Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2021 and November 2024. A total of 141 patients were included in the study, within 46 patients having scans within a 12-month interval. Image quality of all coronary artery segments was subjectively evaluated. Patients with paired scans (interval≤12 months) were included for calcified plaque analysis. Subjective visualization of calcified plaques evaluated. The blooming artifact was calculated as an objective evaluation index for assessing the calcified plaques. Additionally, the degree of coronary artery lumen stenosis resulting from calcified plaques was assessed, along with the measurement of plaque volume and the Agatston score. Changes in lumen stenosis between the two scans were also evaluated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the subjective scores of coronary artery image quality and calcified plaques between the two groups, and paired-sample t-tests were used to compare the blooming artifact and lumen stenosis degree. Results:The PCD-CT image quality score was significantly higher than that of EID-CT [PCD-CT : 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 4 (4,5); Z=-21.38, P<0.001]. Compared to EID-CT, PCD-CT reduced the blooming artifact (PCD-CT: 38.88%±9.09%, EID-CT: 50.11%±11.52%; t=-12.97, P<0.001), significantly improving the subjective score for visualization of calcified plaques [PCD-CT: 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 3 (2,3); Z=-9.68, P<0.001], and the measured lumen stenosis was notably lower in PCD-CT(PCD-CT:34.88%±18.20%, EID-CT:45.31%±23.42%; t=-9.93, P<0.001). Among 129 analyzed calcified plaques, luminal stenosis was reduced on PCD-CT in 110 plaques (85.3%) and increased in 19 (14.7%), including 4 plaques that had unclear boundaries with the adjacent lumen in EID-CT CCTA images, making the stenosis difficult to assess. Conclusion:Compared to EID-CT, UHR PCD-CT for CCTA significantly improves coronary artery image quality, provides clearer visualization of calcified plaques and adjacent lumen details, and it can reduce the overestimation of coronary artery caleified plaque stenosis.

Objective To study the effect and molecular mechanism of vitamin D(VitD)on Tfh cells of MRL/lpr lupus mice.Methods C57/B6 mice and MRL/lpr lupus mice were transfected with siRNA to construct VDR knockout mouse models.Splenic Tfh cells of C57/B6 mice and MRL/lpr lupus mice were divided into control group,lupus group and VDRsiRNA lupus group(treated with vitamin D 0,1 and 10 nmol·L-1,respectively)by siRNA transfection.The percentage of Tfh cells was detected by flow cytometry.MRL/lpr lupus mice Peyer node Tfh cells were randomly divided into 7 groups,blank control group,vitamin D dose groups of 1 and 10 nmol·L-1,paricalcitol group(VitD 10 nmol·L-1+PA),VDRsiRNA control group,VDRsiRNA group(VitD 10 nmol·L-1),CaN inhibitor group(VitD 10 nmol·L-1+CsA),and incubated for 72 h.The concentration of calcium ions in Tfh of each group was detected.The expressions of AT1R,NFAT,CaN and P-CaN in Tfh cells were determined by Western blotting.Results The percentage of Tfh cells decreased significantly with the increase of vitamin D dose.Vitamin D CaN reduce the intracellular calcium concentration of Tfh,up-regulate the expression of AT1 protein in Tfh cells,and down-regulate the expression of CAN,P-CaN and NFAT protein in a dose-dependent manner,and the effect is more obvious when combined with PA.Conclusion Vitamin D may regulate the activation of follicular T helper cells in MRL/lpr mice via the Ca-CaN-NFAT pathway.

Objective:To investigate the differential impact of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT (UHR PCD-CT) and energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) on image quality and calcified plaque-induced luminal stenosis in coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent both EID-CT and UHR PCD-CT CCTA at the Geriatric Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2021 and November 2024. A total of 141 patients were included in the study, within 46 patients having scans within a 12-month interval. Image quality of all coronary artery segments was subjectively evaluated. Patients with paired scans (interval≤12 months) were included for calcified plaque analysis. Subjective visualization of calcified plaques evaluated. The blooming artifact was calculated as an objective evaluation index for assessing the calcified plaques. Additionally, the degree of coronary artery lumen stenosis resulting from calcified plaques was assessed, along with the measurement of plaque volume and the Agatston score. Changes in lumen stenosis between the two scans were also evaluated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the subjective scores of coronary artery image quality and calcified plaques between the two groups, and paired-sample t-tests were used to compare the blooming artifact and lumen stenosis degree. Results:The PCD-CT image quality score was significantly higher than that of EID-CT [PCD-CT : 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 4 (4,5); Z=-21.38, P<0.001]. Compared to EID-CT, PCD-CT reduced the blooming artifact (PCD-CT: 38.88%±9.09%, EID-CT: 50.11%±11.52%; t=-12.97, P<0.001), significantly improving the subjective score for visualization of calcified plaques [PCD-CT: 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 3 (2,3); Z=-9.68, P<0.001], and the measured lumen stenosis was notably lower in PCD-CT(PCD-CT:34.88%±18.20%, EID-CT:45.31%±23.42%; t=-9.93, P<0.001). Among 129 analyzed calcified plaques, luminal stenosis was reduced on PCD-CT in 110 plaques (85.3%) and increased in 19 (14.7%), including 4 plaques that had unclear boundaries with the adjacent lumen in EID-CT CCTA images, making the stenosis difficult to assess. Conclusion:Compared to EID-CT, UHR PCD-CT for CCTA significantly improves coronary artery image quality, provides clearer visualization of calcified plaques and adjacent lumen details, and it can reduce the overestimation of coronary artery caleified plaque stenosis.

Objective To study the effect and molecular mechanism of vitamin D(VitD)on Tfh cells of MRL/lpr lupus mice.Methods C57/B6 mice and MRL/lpr lupus mice were transfected with siRNA to construct VDR knockout mouse models.Splenic Tfh cells of C57/B6 mice and MRL/lpr lupus mice were divided into control group,lupus group and VDRsiRNA lupus group(treated with vitamin D 0,1 and 10 nmol·L-1,respectively)by siRNA transfection.The percentage of Tfh cells was detected by flow cytometry.MRL/lpr lupus mice Peyer node Tfh cells were randomly divided into 7 groups,blank control group,vitamin D dose groups of 1 and 10 nmol·L-1,paricalcitol group(VitD 10 nmol·L-1+PA),VDRsiRNA control group,VDRsiRNA group(VitD 10 nmol·L-1),CaN inhibitor group(VitD 10 nmol·L-1+CsA),and incubated for 72 h.The concentration of calcium ions in Tfh of each group was detected.The expressions of AT1R,NFAT,CaN and P-CaN in Tfh cells were determined by Western blotting.Results The percentage of Tfh cells decreased significantly with the increase of vitamin D dose.Vitamin D CaN reduce the intracellular calcium concentration of Tfh,up-regulate the expression of AT1 protein in Tfh cells,and down-regulate the expression of CAN,P-CaN and NFAT protein in a dose-dependent manner,and the effect is more obvious when combined with PA.Conclusion Vitamin D may regulate the activation of follicular T helper cells in MRL/lpr mice via the Ca-CaN-NFAT pathway.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of atherosclerotic index of plasma(AIP)for the risk of coronary heart disease(CHD)in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 299 patients with NAFLD.Based on presence or absence of CHD,the patients were divided into NAFLD with CHD group(n=177)and NAFLD group(n=122).Clinical data were collected from both groups,and AIP was calculat-ed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the independent risk factors for CHD in patients with NAFLD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to evalu-ate the predictive value of AIP for the risk of CHD in patients with NAFLD.Results The NAFLD with CHD group had a higher proportion of males,smokers,and higher levels of alanine aminotrans-ferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),fasting plasma glucose(FPG),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT),uric acid(UA),and AIP than the NAFLD group.The NAFLD with CHD group also had lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)than the NAFLD group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that males(OR=2.548,95％CI,1.402 to 4.632,P=0.002),high levels of AST(OR=1.038,95％CI,1.002 to 1.077,P=0.041),high levels of LDL-C(OR=1.811,95％CI,1.242 to 2.640,P=0.002),and high AIP(OR=16.117,95％CI,1.874 to 138.609,P=0.011)were independent risk factors for CHD in patients with NAFLD(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that AIP had an area under the curve of 0.746(95％CI,0.688 to 0.804)for pre-dicting CHD in patients with NAFLD,with a sensitivity of 76.3％and a specificity of 73.0％.Conclusion AIP is an independent influencing factor for CHD in patients with NAFLD and has certain predictive value for the risk of CHD in these patients.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the association between Chinese visceral adiposity index(CVAI)and the risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD),and explore the sex differences.Methods:Participants were screened from the three sub-cohorts of Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China(China-PAR)project,baseline information on body measure and biochemistry examinations were collected from 1998,2000-2001,and 2007-2008,separately.Participants were followed up to 2015.Cohort-stratified Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze the relationship between CVAI,both in continuous(per standard deviation increase)and categorical(quartiles,with Q1 as reference)scales,and CVD risk in the total population,men and women.The multiplicative interaction between sex and CVAI on CVD risk were calculated.Restricted cubic spline regression was employed to investigate the dose-response relationship.Results:A total of 98 464 participants without CVD at baseline were included.During the 723 508 person-years of follow-up,3 605 CVD events were recorded.After multivariate adjustment,the HRs(95％CIs)of CVD were 1.25(1.20-1.29),1.09(1.04-1.15),and 1.54(1.46-1.64)for per standard deviation increment in CVAI in the general population,men and women,respectively.Besides,compared with Q1 group,the HRs(95％CIs)in Q4 group were 1.87(1.67-2.10),1.33(1.14-1.54)and 3.84(3.09-4.78),correspondingly,and the effect of CVAI on the risk of CVD was significantly higher in women than in men(Pinteraction<0.05).Additionally,there was a positive dose-response relationship between CVAI and the risk of CVD.Conclusions:Elevated CVAI is an independent risk factor for CVD,especially in women.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the salt-processing technology for Anemarrhena asphodeloides. METHODS Taking soaking time， stir-frying temperature， and stir-frying time as factors， Box-Behnken response surface methodology was employed to optimize the salt-processing technology of A. asphodeloides using the contents of mangiferin， neomangiferin， isomangiferin， timosaponin BⅡ， timosaponin AⅢ， timosaponin BⅢ， total flavonoids， and total saponins as evaluation indicators. The entropy weight method was applied to determine the weight of each indicator and calculate the comprehensive score. Based on the 17 sets of Box-Behnken response surface methodology results， a genetic algorithm （GA）-back propagation （BP） neural network was used to further optimize the salt-processing technology， with soaking time， stir-frying temperature， and stir-frying time as input layers and the comprehensive score as the output layer. The salt-processing parameters obtained from the two methods were validated and compared to determine the optimal salt-processing technology for A. asphodeloides. RESULTS The optimal salt-processing conditions obtained via the Box-Behnken response surface methodology were as follows： soaking time of 23 min， stir-frying temperature of 160 ℃ ， and stir-frying time of 12 min， yielding a comprehensive score of 63.370 2. The GA-BP neural network optimization resulted in the following conditions： soaking time of 24 min， stir-frying temperature of 163 ℃， and stir-frying time of 12 min， with a comprehensive score of 65.163 8. The GA-BP neural network optimization outperformed the results obtained by Box-Behnken response surface methodology. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimized the salt-processing technology for A. asphodeloides. Specifically， the technology involves adding 15 mL of 0.1 g/mL saline solution to 50 g of the herbal slices， allowing them to moisten for 24 minutes， and then stir-frying at 163 ℃ for 12 minutes.

Objective: To investigate the Alzheimer's disease (AD) influencing factors among the elderly, so as to provide a basis for early prevention and intervention. Methods: From March to June 2024, participants aged 60 years and above from a sub-district in Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data on demographics, lifestyle, and health status were collected through questionnaire surveys. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the short-form Geriatric Depression Scale. The Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used for the initial screening of AD, and individuals who screened positive were further diagnosed by psychiatrists. Factors affecting AD among the elderly were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 3 644 individuals were surveyed, comprising 1 526 males (41.88%) and 2 118 females (58.12%). The mean age was (71.85±7.44) years. AD was detected in 200 cases, with a detection rate of 5.49%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals aged ≥65 years (65-<70 years, OR=3.012, 95%CI: 1.007-9.012; 70-<75 years, OR=3.131, 95%CI: 1.059-9.260; 75-<80 years, OR=5.779, 95%CI: 1.989-16.784; ≥80 years, OR=16.810, 95%CI: 5.926-47.685), those who were unmarried, divorced, or widowed (OR=1.973, 95%CI: 1.383-2.815), those with hearing loss (OR=1.573, 95%CI: 1.128-2.193), those with diabetes mellitus (OR=1.958, 95%CI: 1.362-2.814), and those with depressive symptoms (OR=4.143, 95%CI: 2.997-5.728) had a higher risk of AD. Conversely, individuals with an educational level of primary school or above (primary school, OR=0.579, 95%CI: 0.401-0.835; junior high school or above, OR=0.438, 95%CI: 0.259-0.741), and those who engaged in regular physical exercise (OR=0.414, 95%CI: 0.264-0.649) had a lower risk of AD. Conclusions The detection rate of AD was relatively high among the elderly in Haishu District. AD among the elderly was related to age, educational level, marital status, physical exercise, hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and depressive symptoms.

ObjectiveTo investigate the infestation of bedbugs in a staff dormitory in Jiading District, Shanghai, to explore the measures to dispose Cimex lectularius linnaeus, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of bedbugs. MethodsThe infestation of bedbugs in the dormitory of the company was determined through field investigation, accompanied by scientific guidance under the comprehensive control measures and an effect evaluation of the control results. ResultsA total of 114 rooms distributed in 3 dormitory buildings were investigated, with an average infestation rate of 42.11%, of which building B has the highest infestation rate of 51.52%. Six bedbug specimens were collected by visual inspection in the room, and all of them were identified as Cimex lectularius linnaeus. After a series of comprehensive control measures including environmental cleanup, aerosol elimination, replacement of wooden beds with iron frame beds, and purchase of all-inclusive mattress, the bedbug infestation rate dropped to 5.26%. ConclusionComprehensive control can effectively prevent the breeding and spread of bedbugs. Dissemination and education effort should be strengthened in case of the occurrence of bedbug infestation, together with an implementation of long-term and continuous surveillance and monitoring.

Objective:To evaluate the application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing（mNGS）in the identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria（NTM）.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on mNGS results of 358 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）samples positive for NTM collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2021 to January 2024. The analysis included the distribution of NTM species，the detection of mixed pathogens，and the performance of conventional mycobacterial detection methods.Results:The results showed that 362 strains of 15 NTM species were identified from 350 specimens，8 specimens were not precise to the species level. The most frequently detected species were Mycobacterium intracellulare（37.3%，135/362）， Mycobacterium abscessus（26.8%，97/362），followed by Mycobacterium avium（11.0%，40/362）， Mycobacterium kansasii（8.0%，29/362）and Mycobacterium chelonae（7.7%，28/362）. Single NTM species were detected in 339 specimens，while two or three NTM species were simultaneously detected in 11 specimens（3.1%，11/358）. Non-NTM microorganisms co-infected were detected in 53.4%（191/358）of NTM-positive BALF samples，including common pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa， Staphylococcus aureus，and Aspergillus fumigatus；and difficult-to-identify pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila and Talaromyces marneffei. In NTM-positive patients detected by mNGS，the results supported the diagnosis of NTM infection in 298 cases（298/358，83.2%）and 105 cases（105/358，29.3%）initiated anti-NTM treatment accordingly；while in 60 cases（60/358，16.8%）the positive results were considered as colonization or unrelated to clinical infection. For samples tested with acid-fast staining，mycobacterial liquid culture，and DNA microarray，the positivity rates for NTM were 31.5%（73/232），48.7%（57/117），and 43.0%（46/107），respectively. Conclusions:mNGS demonstrates advantages in identification of NTM. However，the test may detect multiple microorganisms，in that case，the interpretation with clinical and radiological results is requried to determine the main pathogens.