Objective: To investigate the correlation between color parameters (L^*, a^*, b^*, Eab^*) and the contents of reducing sugars, total polysaccharides, total oligosaccharides, as well as four saccharides (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and kestose) during the nine cycles of steaming and sun-drying processing of Polygonatum kingianum, and to preliminarily explore the optimal processing duration.
Methods: The color changes were objectively evaluated using a colorimeter. The anthrone-sulfuric acid method was employed to determine total polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. The 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method was used to measure total reducing sugar content. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with charged aerosol detection (HPLC-CAD) was applied for quantitative analysis of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and kestose. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to assess samples from different processing stages.
Results: Significant variations in color and component contents were observed across processing stages. The herbal pieces progressively darkened with increased processing cycles: brightness (L^*) and total color difference (Eab^*) initially decreased then stabilized, while a^* (red-green) and b^* (yellow-blue) values first increased then declined. Total polysaccharides and oligosaccharides showed overall decreasing trends, whereas reducing sugars initially increased before stabilizing. Fructose and glucose levels rose continuously, while sucrose and kestose decreased progressively, becoming undetectable after five cycles.
Conclusion: The chromatic alteration and saccharide composition of P. kingianum showed significant correlation with processing duration. Both total color difference (Eab^*) and reducing sugar content stabilized after four processing cycles (12 hours), suggesting that four cycles of steaming and sun-drying may represent the optimal processing duration.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the color parameters (L^*, a^*, b^*, Eab^* values) of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata powder prepared by different processing techniques and the contents of 2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, emodin, physcion, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, physcion-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.
Methods: The L^*, a^*, b^* and Eab^* values of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata powder prepared by different processing techniques were determined by spectrophotometer, and the contents of the five components were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Secondly, SPSS 26.0 software and Simca 14.1 software were used to analyze the correlation.
Results: Through the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), it was found that the steamed samples and black bean steamed samples could be obviously divided into two categories: raw products and processed products. The processed products could be further divided into 2-8 h and 12-48 h. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the content of stilbene glycoside was significantly positively correlated with L^*, a^* and b^* values (P<0.01). The a^* value was significantly positively correlated with the content of emodin and physcion (P<0.01). Emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside was positively correlated with L^* value and b^* value, while physcion-8-O-β-D-glucoside was negatively correlated with a^* value. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS) showed that 2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (VIP=1.69) and emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (VIP=1.06) were the key variables affecting chromaticity characteristics (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The three processes of steaming, black bean steaming and black bean stewing are consistent in composition transformation and chromaticity variation, and stilbene glycoside can be used as a specific index component to characterize the processed color. Chromatic parameters can effectively reflect the processing progression and serve as quality monitoring indicators during production.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative recurrence and metastasis in patients with T1 stageⅢ/Ⅳ clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC), and to analyze the influence of surgical methods on prognosis, so as to provide prognostic evaluation and treatment guidance for clinical practice. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 398 patients diagnosed with T1 stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ ccRCC who underwent either partial nephrectomy(PN)or radical nephrectomy(RN)at Jiangsu Province Hospital during Jan. 2008 and Sep. 2022. The patients were divided into recurrence group(n=49)and non-recurrence group(n=349)according to whether the tumor recurred during the follow-up period. The general, clinical data and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to explore the factors influencing disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)after surgery. Subgroup analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves was performed for T1a and T1b patients. Results During the median follow-up of 67(42, 98)months, the recurrence group was characterized by older age, larger tumor diameter, higher proportion of T1b stage, and more complex tumor anatomy. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age ≥55 years and R.E.N.A.L. score ≥7 were independent risk factors for poorer DFS and OS(P＜0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that PN or RN did not significantly affect DFS or OS in T1a patients and OS in T1b patients, while RN significantly improved DFS in T1b patients(P＜0.05). Conclusion Age ≥55 years and R.E.N.A.L. score ≥7 are independent risk factors for poor DFS and OS in highgrade T1 ccRCC patients. For T1b patients, RN may improve DFS.

Neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1)is a neurocutaneous syndrome and a rare autosomal dominant hereditary disorder able to affect multiple systems and organs,and the age of initial diagnosis crossing neonates to elderly.NF1 has more age-dependent clinical manifestations with changeable onset and severity.With the increased attention to rare diseases and revisions of diagnostic criteria,more and more NF1 were timely diagnosed in childhood.The status and advancements in imaging research of NF1 in children were reviewed in this article.

Objective:To investigate the dose characteristics of the Zeiss INTRABEAM system in air and water, providing dose reference for electronic brachytherapy.Methods:A Monte Carlo program was used to establish a three-dimensional model of a miniature X-ray source vacuum drift tube and a 4 cm spherical applicator. The process of electron beam bombardment on a gold target to generate X-rays was simulated, and parameters such as photon fluence spectrum, percentage depth dose, and half-value layer were calculated. Additionally, the radial dose uniformity in water was measured.Results:The average energy of X-rays at 3 cm in air was 20.8 keV, with a half-value layer of 0.08 mm Al. Under the influence of the applicator, the spectrum becomes hardened, with axial and radial average energies of 28.7 and 29.0 keV, respectively. In water, the percentage depth dose (PDD) curve follows an inverse cubic decay with depth, indicating strong dose concentration and rapid fall-off in near-field irradiation. The radial dose uniformity in water exceeded 99.5%.Conclusions:The INTRABEAM device emits low-energy X-rays characterized by shallow penetration depth, and concentrated dose delivery. Its highly uniform dose distribution ensures comprehensive coverage of the target area, making it particularly suitable for treating superficial tumors and for intraoperative radiotherapy at close range.

Objective:To systematically investigate the association and regulatory mechanism between genetic variants in the binding region of pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) and pancreatic cancer susceptibility in the Chinese population.Methods:Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed using the human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3 to identify and annotate genetic variants within the PDX1 binding region. A two-center case-control study was conducted, and logistic regression models were employed to analyze the association between PDX1-related variants and pancreatic cancer susceptibility. Functional experiments were performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these genetic variants.Results:ChIP-seq analysis identified 1 608 PDX1 binding regions. SNPs within these regions were significantly enriched in susceptible areas of pancreatic cancer ( P<0.001). The common variant rs154659, located within the most significant PDX1 binding peak, was further investigated. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that compared with individuals with TT genotype, individuals with CC genotype had a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer by 29.2% ( OR=0.708, 95% CI: 0.589-0.850). Functional studies demonstrated that the rs154659[C] allele displayed higher relative luciferase activity than the rs154659[T] allele. Knockdown of PDX1 significantly attenuated the relative luciferase differences between the two alleles. Conclusion:Genetic variants in the PDX1 binding region are associated with pancreatic cancer risk. The rs154659 modulates pancreatic cancer susceptibility by specifically altering PDX1 binding activity.

Objective To observe the value of 2D SECara-Net and 3D U2-Net models constructed based on 2D maximal intensity projection(MIP)and 3D time-of-flight MR angiography(3D TOF-MRA)images,respectively,also of their combination for MRA detecting unruptured saccular intracranial aneurysms(USIA).Methods Totally 973 patients with single USIA and 300 subjects who underwent healthy physical examination were retrospectively collected and divided into training set(n=923,containing 723 cases of USIA and 200 healthy subjects)and test set(n=350,containing 250 cases of USIA and 100 healthy subjects)at the ratio of 7:3.Pre-processed 3D TOF-MRA and the obtained 2D-MIP images in training set were imported into 3D U2-Net and 2D SECara-Net models for training and adjusting parameters,respectively.The efficiency of 2 models and their combination for detecting USIA were evaluated.Results The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of 2D SECara-Net model for detecting USIA in test set was 78.80％(197/250),95.00％(95/100)and 83.43％(292/350),of 3D U2-Net model was 82.80％(207/250),86.00％(86/100)and 83.71％(293/350),respectively.The specificity of 2D SECara-Net model was higher than that of 3D U2-Net model(P=0.030),while no significant difference of sensitivity nor accuracy was found between 2 models(both P＞0.05).The specificity of the combination of the 2 models was 99.00％(99/100),higher than that of 3D U2-Net model(P＜0.05),and the sensitivity and accuracy of the combination was 91.20％(228/250)and 93.43％(327/350),respectivelty,both higher than those of 2 single models(all P＜0.05).Conclusion 2D SECara-Net and 3D U2-Net models had similar,sensitivity and accuracy for MRA detecting USIA.Combination of them could improve the detecting efficacy.

Objective:Analyze the clinicopatholocical and imaging characteristics of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) and the related factors of survival prognosis.Methods:Clinical data of 32 patients diagnosed with HEHE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to December 2023 retrospectively analyzed, including 11 males and 21 females, aged (46.8±3.6) years. The clinical manifestations, pathological findings, CT and MRI features of the patients were analyzed and the living conditions of the patients were followed up. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and log-rank test was used for survival rate comparison.Results:Among the 32 patients, 17 (53.1%) had no obvious symptoms, 10 (31.3%) had abdominal pain, 6 (18.8%) had abdominal distension, and 4 (12.5%) had lost weight. Under the microscope, HEHE was composed of mucous matrix and epithelioid endothelial cells, with dense surrounding cells and relatively sparse center. Small blood vessels can be seen invading the junction with normal liver tissue. The positive rates of endothelial marker CD34 in immunohistochemically staining was 100%(32/32), the positive rates of CD31 were 100% (32/32). The positive rates of erythroblast transformation specific related gene were 100% (28/28), and the positive rates of Friend leukemia virus integration protein 1 (22/22) were 100%. CT and MRI scan showed that the lesion were mainly multiple nodules and in diffuse formality. In arterial phase, the lesion showed slight homogeneous or ring-like enhancement, while in portal phase, the lesion showed progressive enhancement. Some lesions may exhibit more specific "lollipop sign" ( n=9) and "target ring sign" ( n=15). The median overall survival time of the 32 patients was 47 months, and the cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival were 100%, 95.0% and 72.7%, respectively. The cumulative survival rate of patients with "target ring sign" ( n=15), extrahepatic organ involvement or metastasis ( n=8) and Ki-67 positive rate >5% ( n=10) were lower than those without the above characteristics (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of HEHE were not typical, and the tumor was rich in mucus matrix and epithelioid endothelial cells, expressing endothelial markers. CT and MRI scan mainly showed multiple nodules or diffused lesion, and the "lollipop sign" and "target ring sign" were helpful for diagnosis. HEHE patients with Ki-67 positivity rate >5%, "target ring sign", and extrahepatic organs involvement or metastasis had a poor prognosis.

Objective:To develop a modified University of Wisconsin preservation solution (UW solution) containing α 2-adrenergic receptor agonists (dexmedetomidine) and noble gases (argon) and investigate its protective effect on the isolated amputated skeletal muscle of rats. Methods:Sixty male SD rats were selected to establish a hindlimb cold preservation/perfusion model and were divided into blank control group, hypothermic storage group, UW solution perfusion group, and modified UW solution perfusion group using a random number table, with 15 rats in each group. Simultaneously, a cold preservation model of rat skeletal muscle myoblasts (L6 cells) was established and the rats were also divided into four groups in the same way. Animal models were prepared in different ways: In the blank control group, the hindlimbs received no special treatment; In the hypothermic storage group, the amputated hindlimbs were stored in a dry centrifuge tube at 4℃ for 18 hours; In the UW solution perfusion group, the amputated hindlimbs were perfused with UW solution and then stored in a centrifuge tube containing UW solution at 4℃ for 18 hours; In the modified UW solution perfusion group, the amputated hindlimbs were perfused with modified UW solution (containing 0.1 nmol/L dexmedetomidine and 50% volume fraction of argon) and then stored in a centrifuge tube containing the modified UW solution at 4℃ for 18 hours. Cell models were treated as follows: In the blank control group, L6 cells were cultured under standard conditions; In the hypothermic storage group and UW solution group, L6 cells were treated with conventional culture medium or UW solution, stored in argon-filled sealed bags at 4℃ for 8 hours, and then rewarmed and cultured for 6 hours; In the modified UW solution group, L6 cells were treated with the modified solution, stored in argon-filled sealed bags at 4℃ for 8 hours, and then rewarmed and cultured for 6 hours. After sample collection, skeletal muscle morphology, tissue edema and ultrastructure features were assessed by HE staining, wet-to-dry weight ratio, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Additionally, L6 cell morphology was examined by light microscopy. L6 cell viability was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay (expressed as absorbance A value). Expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) protein in both skeletal muscle tissue and L6 cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively.Results:After 18 hours of in vitro preservation of rat isolated amputated limbs, the following results were obtained: (1) HE staining results showed that the muscle fiber morphology of the modified UW solution perfusion group was close to that of the blank control group. Moreover, the area ratio of skeletal muscle cells in the modified UW solution perfusion group was significantly higher than that in the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). (2) The wet-dry weight ratio results showed that there was no statistically significant difference among the modified UW solution perfusion group, the blank control group and UW solution group ( P>0.05), with significantly lower ratios in all three groups than that in the hypothermic storage group ( P<0.05). (3) Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the modified UW solution perfusion group showed no statistically significant differences in ultrastructural metrics, including myofiber diameter, sarcomere length, mitochondrial short-axis/long-axis ratio, and mitochondrial cristae count, compared with those in the blank control group ( P>0.05), and performed significantly better than both the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). (4) Morphological observation of L6 cells showed that the cellular morphology was regular in the modified UW solution perfusion group, close to that in the blank control group, while it was severely damaged in the hypothermic storage group. Moreover, the cells were reduced in number and partially damaged in the UW solution group. The sequence of cell viability expressed as absorbance A value was blank control group >modified UW solution perfusion group > UW solution perfusion group > hypothermic storage group, with statistically significant differences among the four groups ( P<0.05). (5) Immunofluorescence staining showed that there was no statistically significant difference in fluorescence intensity of GPX4 protein expression between the modified UW solution perfusion group and blank control group ( P>0.05), while the fluorescence intensity was higher in the modified UW solution perfusion group than that in the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the relative expression level of GPX4 in the modified UW solution group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group ( P<0.05), but higher than that in the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The modified UW solution can stabilize the expression level of GPX4 protein, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and alleviating cold preservation injury in both rat amputated isolated limb skeletal muscle tissue and L6 cells.

Pediatric tumor predisposition syndrome(TPS)is a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by inherited gene mutations or germline mutations,which increasing risk of tumors.Screening pediatric TPS remains a multidisciplinary,multimodal and longitudinal management process.Imaging techniques are beneficial for early detection of tumors reducing mortality rates.Whole-body MRI,combined with multidisciplinary follow-up,including pediatric oncology,pediatric surgery,endocrinology,radiology,hematology and genetics,is helpful to management of pediatric TPS.The research progresses in management strategy and whole-body MRI screening of pediatric TPS were reviewed in this article.