Objective:To compare the consistency and efficacy of ultrasound and CT in the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer, and to explore the clinical value of the combined application of multimodal imaging.Methods:The 119 thyroid cancer patients underwent surgical treatment from January to September 2023 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent ultrasound and CT examinations before operation. The results of postoperative histopathology examination were taken as the gold standard, the efficacy of ultrasound and CT in preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis was compared.Results:A total of 1 721 cervical lymph nodes were detected in 119 patients with thyroid cancer, among which 1 378 lymph nodes were benign, and 343 lymph nodes were malignant, the rate of malignant lymph nodes was 19.93% (343/1 721). Among them, the proportion of malignant lymph nodes in area Ⅵ was the highest, 22.58% (245/1 085), followed by area Ⅲ, 21.26% (37/174). The sensitivity of CT in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer was significantly higher than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 58.46% (38/65) vs. 38.46% (25/65), the specificity was significantly lower than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 85.19% (46/54) vs. 96.30% (52/54), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 and <0.05); there was no statistical difference in accuracy between CT and ultrasound ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer by ultrasound and CT, ultrasound examination has no radiation risk, while CT examination has a higher diagnostic efficiency.

AIM:To elucidate the intervention and mechanism of 4'-hydroxychalcone(4-HC)in colitis mice through the regulation of Th17/Treg homeostasis.METHODS:Using a dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis model in mice,we meticulously observed the pathological characteristics of colon tissue via HE staining.Additionally,we employed immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot techniques to assess the expression levels of proteins associated with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway,as well as the specific content of tight junction proteins such as ZO-1 and occludin.The differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells was analyzed through flow cytometry.RESULTS:Compared to the normal group,the DSS group exhibited a consistent decline in body weight,coupled with symptoms of diarrhea and hematochezia,an increase in the DAI score,and a notable reduction in colon length.In contrast,the body weight of the 4-HC group dis-played an upward trend following an initial decrease,with improvements in diarrhea and hematochezia symptoms,a reduc-tion in the DAI score,and a restoration of colon length relative to the model group.The integrity of colon tissue in the 4-HC group was significantly better than that in the DSS group,evidenced by a marked increase in the number of goblet cells and an enhancement in crypt integrity,while the average histology score showed a decrease.Western blot analysis re-vealed substantial increase in ZO-1 and occludin expression after 4-HC treatment.Flow cytometry results indicated a dra-matic decrease in the differentiation rate of Th17 cells in spleen lymphocytes and mesenteric lymph nodes,while the dif-ferentiation rate of Treg cells was significantly elevated.Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that 4-HC markedly reduced the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3,while up-regulating the phosphorylation of STAT6,suggesting that 4-HC modulates CD4+T cell activity through the JAK-STAT pathway.CONCLUSION:The 4-HC may enhance the course of DSS-induced colitis in mice,alleviate colonic tissue damage,and modulate the balance be-tween Th17 and Treg cells,potentially involving the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Objective:To compare the consistency and efficacy of ultrasound and CT in the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer, and to explore the clinical value of the combined application of multimodal imaging.Methods:The 119 thyroid cancer patients underwent surgical treatment from January to September 2023 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent ultrasound and CT examinations before operation. The results of postoperative histopathology examination were taken as the gold standard, the efficacy of ultrasound and CT in preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis was compared.Results:A total of 1 721 cervical lymph nodes were detected in 119 patients with thyroid cancer, among which 1 378 lymph nodes were benign, and 343 lymph nodes were malignant, the rate of malignant lymph nodes was 19.93% (343/1 721). Among them, the proportion of malignant lymph nodes in area Ⅵ was the highest, 22.58% (245/1 085), followed by area Ⅲ, 21.26% (37/174). The sensitivity of CT in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer was significantly higher than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 58.46% (38/65) vs. 38.46% (25/65), the specificity was significantly lower than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 85.19% (46/54) vs. 96.30% (52/54), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 and <0.05); there was no statistical difference in accuracy between CT and ultrasound ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer by ultrasound and CT, ultrasound examination has no radiation risk, while CT examination has a higher diagnostic efficiency.

AIM:To elucidate the intervention and mechanism of 4'-hydroxychalcone(4-HC)in colitis mice through the regulation of Th17/Treg homeostasis.METHODS:Using a dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis model in mice,we meticulously observed the pathological characteristics of colon tissue via HE staining.Additionally,we employed immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot techniques to assess the expression levels of proteins associated with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway,as well as the specific content of tight junction proteins such as ZO-1 and occludin.The differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells was analyzed through flow cytometry.RESULTS:Compared to the normal group,the DSS group exhibited a consistent decline in body weight,coupled with symptoms of diarrhea and hematochezia,an increase in the DAI score,and a notable reduction in colon length.In contrast,the body weight of the 4-HC group dis-played an upward trend following an initial decrease,with improvements in diarrhea and hematochezia symptoms,a reduc-tion in the DAI score,and a restoration of colon length relative to the model group.The integrity of colon tissue in the 4-HC group was significantly better than that in the DSS group,evidenced by a marked increase in the number of goblet cells and an enhancement in crypt integrity,while the average histology score showed a decrease.Western blot analysis re-vealed substantial increase in ZO-1 and occludin expression after 4-HC treatment.Flow cytometry results indicated a dra-matic decrease in the differentiation rate of Th17 cells in spleen lymphocytes and mesenteric lymph nodes,while the dif-ferentiation rate of Treg cells was significantly elevated.Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that 4-HC markedly reduced the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3,while up-regulating the phosphorylation of STAT6,suggesting that 4-HC modulates CD4+T cell activity through the JAK-STAT pathway.CONCLUSION:The 4-HC may enhance the course of DSS-induced colitis in mice,alleviate colonic tissue damage,and modulate the balance be-tween Th17 and Treg cells,potentially involving the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of action of the aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis(FU-AE)against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS:The association between Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxir.(FU)and NAFLD was analyzed by network pharmacology.A mouse model of NAFLD was induced in mice by high fat diet(HFD)+10%fructose drinking water,and three doses of Fritillaria ussuriensis aqueous extract were given to the mice for intervention.Colorimetric assay was used for detection of aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotrans-ferase(ALT),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels in the serum of experimental mice.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to as-sess the pathological and histological changes in the liver of mice and to clarify the anti-NAFLD effect of aqueous extracts of Fritillaria ussuriensis.Liver tissue proteins were extracted,and expression of proteins related to the AMP-activated pro-tein kinase(AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC)pathway was detected by Western blot to clarify the mechanism of an-ti-NAFLD action of Fritillaria ussuriensis.The microbial composition of cecum contents was explored using 16S rRNA se-quencing to reveal the modulatory effect of the aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis on the structure of intestinal flora in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.RESULTS:Aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis(high dose)ameliorated exogenous adipocyte infiltration in the liver of mice with NAFLD(P<0.05).AST,ALT,TG,TC and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05)and HDL-C levels were significantly increased(P<0.05)in the high-dose group.Aque-ous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis(high dose)significantly increased expression of phosphorylated AMPKα,AMPKα,and phosphorylated ACC in the livers of the model mice(P<0.05),significantly reduced expression of ACC(P<0.05),and significantly increased the relative abundance of the potentially beneficial bacteria Faecalibaculum rodentium,Lacto-bacillus johnsonii,Akkermansia muciniphila(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis may ameliorate NAFLD in mice by activating the AMPK/ACC pathway and modulating the structure of intestinal flora.

AIM:To investigate the potential of atractylenolide Ⅲ(AⅢ)in mitigating dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced injury in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),and to explore the mechanisms in-volved,particularly the modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,which plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of T helper 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)cells.METHODS:A mouse model of DSS-induced chronic IBD was established,and the mice were divided into 4 groups:control,model(DSS),high-dose(50 mg/kg)AⅢ,and low-dose(30 mg/kg)AⅢ.The disease activity index(DAI)was utilized to assess disease severity.Histo-pathological damage in the colons of IBD mice was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The protein levels of phosphorylated STAT3,occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Flow cytometry was employed to examine the differentiation of splenic lymphocytes into Th17/Treg cells.RESULTS:Both DAI assessments and HE staining indicated that AⅢ significantly alleviated inflammatory injury in mice with DSS-induced chronic IBD.Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that AⅢ enhanced the expression of ZO-1 and occludin in colonic tissues.Flow cytometry results revealed that AⅢ helped maintain the balance between splenic Th17 and Treg cells.Furthermore,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot showed that AⅢ inhibited the phos-phorylation of STAT3.CONCLUSION:Treatment with AⅢ effectively reduced inflammatory injury in a mouse model of chronic IBD by preserving Th17/Treg homeostasis through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation.As a natural com-pound,AⅢ exhibits significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic IBD.

AIM:To investigate the potential of atractylenolide Ⅲ(AⅢ)in mitigating dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced injury in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),and to explore the mechanisms in-volved,particularly the modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,which plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of T helper 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)cells.METHODS:A mouse model of DSS-induced chronic IBD was established,and the mice were divided into 4 groups:control,model(DSS),high-dose(50 mg/kg)AⅢ,and low-dose(30 mg/kg)AⅢ.The disease activity index(DAI)was utilized to assess disease severity.Histo-pathological damage in the colons of IBD mice was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The protein levels of phosphorylated STAT3,occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Flow cytometry was employed to examine the differentiation of splenic lymphocytes into Th17/Treg cells.RESULTS:Both DAI assessments and HE staining indicated that AⅢ significantly alleviated inflammatory injury in mice with DSS-induced chronic IBD.Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that AⅢ enhanced the expression of ZO-1 and occludin in colonic tissues.Flow cytometry results revealed that AⅢ helped maintain the balance between splenic Th17 and Treg cells.Furthermore,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot showed that AⅢ inhibited the phos-phorylation of STAT3.CONCLUSION:Treatment with AⅢ effectively reduced inflammatory injury in a mouse model of chronic IBD by preserving Th17/Treg homeostasis through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation.As a natural com-pound,AⅢ exhibits significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic IBD.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on liver tissue regeneration and repair in mice following liver injury induced by partial hepatectomy.

METHODSA total of 40 male BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups to receive intraperitoneal injections of D-GaIN (500 mg/kg) plus LPS (50 µg/kg, given 1 h later) or two doses of saline 24 h prior to 1/3 hepatectomy. The liver weight/body weight (LW/BW) ratio and liver regeneration rate were observed at different time points after partial hepatectomy. Liver cell injury was assessed using HE staining, hepatocyte proliferation evaluated with BrdU staining, and the oval cell proliferation observed with immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn mice receiving saline injection, the liver volume was nearly restored 9 days after partial hepatectomy, while in mice with D-GaIN and LPS injections, the liver failed to recover the normal volume even at 14 days, showing a significant difference in the liver regeneration rate between them [(22.6∓105.93)% vs (9.49∓32.55)%, P<0.001]. Significant degenerative changes of the hepatic cells were found in D-GaIN/LPS-treated group, while only mild inflammatory reaction was observed in saline-treated group after partial hepatectomy. Obvious hepatocyte proliferation was observed at day 7 in saline-treated group but not in D-GaIN/LPS-treated group. Oval cell proliferation in the portal area occurred 3 days after partial hepatectomy in D-GaIN/LPS-treated group.

CONCLUSIOND-GaIN and LPS can obviously inhibit hepatocyte regeneration after liver injury in mice. D-GaIN and LPS combined with partial hepatectomy can induce oval cell proliferation.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Galactosamine ; pharmacology ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; injuries ; physiopathology ; Liver Regeneration ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Stem Cells ; cytology

ObjectiveTo study the characteristics and explore risk factors of traffic injuries in Wenzhou part of the Ningbo-Taizhou-Wenzhou (Yong-tai-wen for short) highway during 2005-2009 so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting prevention and cure level of highway traffic injury.Methods The original data of traffic accident in Wenzhou part of the Yong-tai-wen highway during 2005-2009 were collected to carry out the descriptive epidemiological investigation of the injury characteristics.Simultaneously,multi-factor analysis was conducted to screen out the risk factors for traffic accidents.Results A total of 308 traffic accidents involving 603 casualties (157 deaths) were interviewed during 2005-2009.The casualties from expressway traffic accidents declined yearly,but annual death rate was still very high (26.04％).Meanwhile,the males were more likely subjected to traffic injuries than females.The most common injury sites were the head and limb and the main fatal injuries were the head and pelvic injuries.Accident-prone period was from 0:00 to 8:00 in the morning and traffic scenarios were mainly characterized by rear collision (39％).Risk factors for traffic accidents included poor lighting conditions,overloaded vehicles on the road sections,male drivers,driving without a license,fatigue driving and speeding.ConclusionsTraffic accidents present high incidence and casualty rates,and are mainly resulted from overloaded and fatigue driving.Therefore,the training and education on safe driving should be done particularly for the males and low driving age drivers to strictly forbid the overload driving,fatigue driving or overspeed driving.

Objective To study the characteristics of the procedure of medical equipments purchase.Methods The risk of medical equipment purchase was analyzed.Results Methods of how to avoid this risk was put forward,such as loan in hospital,project management and a series of check and analysis procedures.Conclusion Desirable economic benefit and effective management are achieved.