Objective:To learn about both the distribution of resources of radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic and the frequencies of radiological examinations to provide a basis for rational allocation of medical resources and standardize medical ionizing radiation.Methods:Based on the data on permanent resident population and the data reported by the Suzhou medical institutions in possesion of radiological equipment to the " Suzhou radiological health information management platform", a summary was made of the number of items of radiological equipment and the frequencies of radiological examinations in Suzhou medical institutions in 2022 and 2023.Results:In 2023, there were 368 medical institutions with radiological equipment in Suzhou, including 28 tertiary hospitals, 58 secondary hospitals, 159 primary hospitals and 123 unrated others. The total number of the items of radiological equipment was 1 688, with 39 items more than in 2022, about 1.30 units per 10 000 population. There were 5 187 medical radiation workers in total, with 339 more than in 2022. The frequencies of radiological procedures were 1 157.961/per thousand population, with 37.70% being from computed tomography in 2023.Conclusions:The number of items of radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic equipment and the frequencies of radiological procedures was at a relatively high level in China, but the distribution of medical resources were in a unbanlanced state. Efforts should be focused on optimization of the allocation of medical resources for the sake of reducing the public radiation dose and protecting public health.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the set mechanical angle(MA)by using an auxiliary photography device and the actual knee flexion angle(FA)in axial X-ray imaging for patellofemoral joint,so as to provide a theoretical basis for applying a self-developed dynamic adjustment device to achieve precisely dynamic radiography for patellofemoral joint,and to optimize diagnostic protocols of imaging for patellar dislocation,subluxation,etc..Methods:A prospective experimental design was adopted,which enrolled 96 healthy volunteers(40 males,56 females)whose age was 18-65 years old(mean age:32.6 years old).Using a self-developed dynamically auxiliary radiography device for axial position of patellofemoral joint,and the MA was set at 90°,120°,135°,150°,and 160°,and the corresponding FA was measured.At the same time,the gender,age,body mass index(BMI),thigh circumference,and calf circumference were also recorded.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 software.One-sample t-test was applied to analyze the difference value between MA and FA(MA-FA).Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to conduct correlation analysis for the distribution characteristics of FA under different MA values,the FA and each anthropometric indicator.Results:FA showed a linear relationship with MA,BMI,thigh circumference,calf circumference,and gender.The regression equation was:FA=62.031+0.511×MA+0.489×BMI+0.189×thigh circumference-0.445×calf circumference+4.67×gender(R2=0.82,P<0.001).When MA was set at 90°,The actual FA was(112.21±4.7)° that was significantly larger than MA(90°),and the difference was significant(t=46.26,P<0.001).When MA was set at 120°,the actual FA was(126.19±6.43°),which was significantly greater than MA(120°)(t=9.42,P<0.001).When MA was set at 135°,there was not significant difference between FA and MA(P>0.05).When MA was set at 150°,the actual FA was(141.44±4.42°)that was significantly smaller than MA(150°),and the difference was significant(t=-18.97,P<0.001).When MA was set at 160°,the actual FA was(148.55±5.33°)that was significantly smaller than MA(160°),and the difference was significant(t=-21.03,P<0.001).BMI,thigh circumference,and calf circumference were the main factors of influencing the difference between MA and FA.Conclusion:Using the self-developed dynamic auxiliary radiography device for axial position of patellofemoral joint can construct a mathematical model to accurately predict,regulate and control the knee flexion angle,which can realize standardization for dynamic radiography on patellofemoral joint,and has significant clinical value in improving the diagnostic accuracy for imaging of patellar dislocation and subluxation.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Huayu Mingmu prescription on retinal angiogenesis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR）-hypoxia inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor A （HIF-1α/VEGFA） signaling pathway in diabetic retinopathy （DR） rats. MethodsSixty-four SPF-grade male SD rats were used in the study. Eleven rats were randomly selected as the normal group， while the remaining 53 rats were fed a high-sugar， high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） rat model. DR model evaluation was performed after 12 weeks of diabetes. The rats were then divided into model， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Huayu Mingmu prescription （9.29， 18.57， 37.14 g·kg^-1）， and a calcium dobesilate group （0.16 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The rats were orally administered the corresponding doses of Huayu Mingmu prescription and calcium dobesilate. The normal and model groups received equal volumes of physiological saline via gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. Retinal vascular changes were observed through fundus photography， and pathological changes in retinal tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Retinal microvascular pathological changes were examined through retinal vascular network preparation and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to detect the expression of VEGFA and angiopoietin-2 （Ang-2） in retinal tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to assess the mRNA expression of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited significant pathological changes in retinal tissue， including the appearance of acellular capillaries， as well as significant endothelial cell （E） proliferation and pericyte （P） loss （P<0.01）. The E/P was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. In contrast， retinal tissue in the treatment groups showed alleviated pathological changes， with reduced endothelial cell proliferation and pericyte loss （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Among the treatment groups， the high-dose Huayu Mingmu prescription and the calcium dobesilate group exhibited a decreased E/P （P<0.01）. Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuayu Mingmu prescription can intervene in retinal neovascularization in DR rats， delay the progression of DR， and its mechanism may be related to antagonizing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the molecular characteristics of prevalent Bordetella pertussis (Bp) isolates in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province in 2024. Methods:From March to August 2024, oropharyngeal swabs were collected from suspected pertussis cases at Liaocheng People′s Hospital in Shandong Province for Bp isolation. A total of 99 Bp isolates were obtained. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on all isolates, followed by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), vaccine antigen-related gene typing (including ptxP, ptxA, ptxB, ptxC, ptxD, ptxE, fhaB, fim2, fim3, and prn), 23S rRNA gene typing, and phylogenetic analysis. To capture the differences between Bp isolates and vaccine strains in Liaocheng City, the international vaccine strain Tohama I and the Chinese vaccine strain CS were included in the analysis. Antimicrobial resistance testing against 11 agents was performed on 52 isolates. Results:The throat swabs of 99 Bp isolates were collected from patients aged 44 days to 42 years, and the median age of the patients was 7 (5, 8) years. All isolates ptxP were ptxP3 type. 74 isolates (74.75%) carried the prn150, while 21 isolates (21.21%) were prn-deficient. The predominant antigenic profile was ptxP3/ ptxA1/ ptxB1/ ptxC4/ ptxD1/ ptxE4/ fhaB1/ fim2-1/ fim3-1/ prn150, found in 72 isolates (72.73%). All 99 isolates carried the A2047G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the MICs of macrolides and clindamycin for all 52 Bp isolates were all >256 mg/L. However, the isolates showed low MIC for seven other antimicrobials tested, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, and levofloxacin. MLST typing revealed that 94 isolates (94.95%) were identified as ST-2, while 5 isolates (5.05%) belonged to a novel sequence type (ST-118). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all 99 Bp isolates were highly homologous but clustered in evolutionary branches distinct from vaccine strains. Conclusion:In 2024, Bordetella pertussis isolates in Liaocheng City exhibit distinct clonal epidemic characteristics, with the predominant antigenic genotype being ptxP3/ ptxA1/ ptxB1/ ptxC4/ ptxD1/ ptxE4/ fhaB1/ fim2-1/ fim3-1/ prn150. All isolates are resistant to macrolide antibiotics.

Objective:To learn about both the distribution of resources of radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic and the frequencies of radiological examinations to provide a basis for rational allocation of medical resources and standardize medical ionizing radiation.Methods:Based on the data on permanent resident population and the data reported by the Suzhou medical institutions in possesion of radiological equipment to the " Suzhou radiological health information management platform", a summary was made of the number of items of radiological equipment and the frequencies of radiological examinations in Suzhou medical institutions in 2022 and 2023.Results:In 2023, there were 368 medical institutions with radiological equipment in Suzhou, including 28 tertiary hospitals, 58 secondary hospitals, 159 primary hospitals and 123 unrated others. The total number of the items of radiological equipment was 1 688, with 39 items more than in 2022, about 1.30 units per 10 000 population. There were 5 187 medical radiation workers in total, with 339 more than in 2022. The frequencies of radiological procedures were 1 157.961/per thousand population, with 37.70% being from computed tomography in 2023.Conclusions:The number of items of radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic equipment and the frequencies of radiological procedures was at a relatively high level in China, but the distribution of medical resources were in a unbanlanced state. Efforts should be focused on optimization of the allocation of medical resources for the sake of reducing the public radiation dose and protecting public health.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the set mechanical angle(MA)by using an auxiliary photography device and the actual knee flexion angle(FA)in axial X-ray imaging for patellofemoral joint,so as to provide a theoretical basis for applying a self-developed dynamic adjustment device to achieve precisely dynamic radiography for patellofemoral joint,and to optimize diagnostic protocols of imaging for patellar dislocation,subluxation,etc..Methods:A prospective experimental design was adopted,which enrolled 96 healthy volunteers(40 males,56 females)whose age was 18-65 years old(mean age:32.6 years old).Using a self-developed dynamically auxiliary radiography device for axial position of patellofemoral joint,and the MA was set at 90°,120°,135°,150°,and 160°,and the corresponding FA was measured.At the same time,the gender,age,body mass index(BMI),thigh circumference,and calf circumference were also recorded.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 software.One-sample t-test was applied to analyze the difference value between MA and FA(MA-FA).Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to conduct correlation analysis for the distribution characteristics of FA under different MA values,the FA and each anthropometric indicator.Results:FA showed a linear relationship with MA,BMI,thigh circumference,calf circumference,and gender.The regression equation was:FA=62.031+0.511×MA+0.489×BMI+0.189×thigh circumference-0.445×calf circumference+4.67×gender(R2=0.82,P<0.001).When MA was set at 90°,The actual FA was(112.21±4.7)° that was significantly larger than MA(90°),and the difference was significant(t=46.26,P<0.001).When MA was set at 120°,the actual FA was(126.19±6.43°),which was significantly greater than MA(120°)(t=9.42,P<0.001).When MA was set at 135°,there was not significant difference between FA and MA(P>0.05).When MA was set at 150°,the actual FA was(141.44±4.42°)that was significantly smaller than MA(150°),and the difference was significant(t=-18.97,P<0.001).When MA was set at 160°,the actual FA was(148.55±5.33°)that was significantly smaller than MA(160°),and the difference was significant(t=-21.03,P<0.001).BMI,thigh circumference,and calf circumference were the main factors of influencing the difference between MA and FA.Conclusion:Using the self-developed dynamic auxiliary radiography device for axial position of patellofemoral joint can construct a mathematical model to accurately predict,regulate and control the knee flexion angle,which can realize standardization for dynamic radiography on patellofemoral joint,and has significant clinical value in improving the diagnostic accuracy for imaging of patellar dislocation and subluxation.

Objective:To analyze the molecular characteristics of prevalent Bordetella pertussis (Bp) isolates in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province in 2024. Methods:From March to August 2024, oropharyngeal swabs were collected from suspected pertussis cases at Liaocheng People′s Hospital in Shandong Province for Bp isolation. A total of 99 Bp isolates were obtained. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on all isolates, followed by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), vaccine antigen-related gene typing (including ptxP, ptxA, ptxB, ptxC, ptxD, ptxE, fhaB, fim2, fim3, and prn), 23S rRNA gene typing, and phylogenetic analysis. To capture the differences between Bp isolates and vaccine strains in Liaocheng City, the international vaccine strain Tohama I and the Chinese vaccine strain CS were included in the analysis. Antimicrobial resistance testing against 11 agents was performed on 52 isolates. Results:The throat swabs of 99 Bp isolates were collected from patients aged 44 days to 42 years, and the median age of the patients was 7 (5, 8) years. All isolates ptxP were ptxP3 type. 74 isolates (74.75%) carried the prn150, while 21 isolates (21.21%) were prn-deficient. The predominant antigenic profile was ptxP3/ ptxA1/ ptxB1/ ptxC4/ ptxD1/ ptxE4/ fhaB1/ fim2-1/ fim3-1/ prn150, found in 72 isolates (72.73%). All 99 isolates carried the A2047G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the MICs of macrolides and clindamycin for all 52 Bp isolates were all >256 mg/L. However, the isolates showed low MIC for seven other antimicrobials tested, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, and levofloxacin. MLST typing revealed that 94 isolates (94.95%) were identified as ST-2, while 5 isolates (5.05%) belonged to a novel sequence type (ST-118). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all 99 Bp isolates were highly homologous but clustered in evolutionary branches distinct from vaccine strains. Conclusion:In 2024, Bordetella pertussis isolates in Liaocheng City exhibit distinct clonal epidemic characteristics, with the predominant antigenic genotype being ptxP3/ ptxA1/ ptxB1/ ptxC4/ ptxD1/ ptxE4/ fhaB1/ fim2-1/ fim3-1/ prn150. All isolates are resistant to macrolide antibiotics.

Ligand-gated ion channels transduce chemical signals into ionic currents while being bonded with specific ligands,thereby facilitating signal transduction and intercellular communication.These channels have become critical therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases.Ginsenosides,triter-penoid saponins primarily derived from herbs of the Panax genus,are known for their broad range of biological activities.Ginsenosides and their metabolites can regulate the functions of various ligand-gated ion channels,including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors,5-hydroxytryptamine type-3 receptors,γ-aminobu-tyric acid type-A receptors,glycine receptors,ionotropic glutamate receptors,ATP-gated P2X chan-nels,and transient receptor potential channels.They play important roles in anti-inflammation,analge-sics,immune regulation,anti-epilepsy,cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.Further investiga-tion into the mechanisms by which ginsenosides regulate these channels will provide important evidence for their clinical applications and the development of new drugs.

Ligand-gated ion channels transduce chemical signals into ionic currents while being bonded with specific ligands,thereby facilitating signal transduction and intercellular communication.These channels have become critical therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases.Ginsenosides,triter-penoid saponins primarily derived from herbs of the Panax genus,are known for their broad range of biological activities.Ginsenosides and their metabolites can regulate the functions of various ligand-gated ion channels,including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors,5-hydroxytryptamine type-3 receptors,γ-aminobu-tyric acid type-A receptors,glycine receptors,ionotropic glutamate receptors,ATP-gated P2X chan-nels,and transient receptor potential channels.They play important roles in anti-inflammation,analge-sics,immune regulation,anti-epilepsy,cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.Further investiga-tion into the mechanisms by which ginsenosides regulate these channels will provide important evidence for their clinical applications and the development of new drugs.