Objective:To investigate the application of the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm to treatment plan optimization for intensity-modulated brachytherapy (IMBT).Methods:The general Monte Carlo software TOPAS was utilized to simulate the 192Ir source of IMBT, and the unit dose contribution matrix was calculated. An objective function was established using the weighted least squares method and was solved using the CG algorithm to achieve optimized IMBT treatment plans. The optimization was validated using five clinical cervical cancer cases under modulation width 60°. The dose distributions of IMBT treatment plans under 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 180° modulation widths were compared using the Wilcoxon test to determine the optimal IMBT treatment plan for cervical cancer treatment. Results:The CG algorithm successfully optimized IMBT treatment plans under modulation width 60° for five cases within 22.2 s on average. On the premise of sufficient target dose coverage, the average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder and rectum in IMBT treatment plans were 3.66 and 1.97 Gy, respectively, representing reductions of 0.54 and 0.69 Gy compared to traditional brachytherapy plans. For the five modulation widths, the D90% values of all IMBT treatment plans reached 6 Gy, without statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). The average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder in IMBT treatment plans were significantly lower than those in the traditional brachytherapy plans( P<0.05), with modulation width 60° associated with the greatest reduction of 0.61 Gy. In contrast, the average D2 cm 3 values of the rectum under 45°, 60°, and 90° modulation widths decreased by 0.63, 0.54, and 0.45 Gy, respectively, compared to traditional plans, with statistically significant differences( P<0.05). Conclusions:The CG method enables rapid achievement of optimized IMBT treatment plans that meet clinical requirements, and modulation width 60° contributes to valid dosimetric optimization. This study can serve as a guide for the clinical implementation of IMBT.

Objective:To investigate the application of the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm to treatment plan optimization for intensity-modulated brachytherapy (IMBT).Methods:The general Monte Carlo software TOPAS was utilized to simulate the 192Ir source of IMBT, and the unit dose contribution matrix was calculated. An objective function was established using the weighted least squares method and was solved using the CG algorithm to achieve optimized IMBT treatment plans. The optimization was validated using five clinical cervical cancer cases under modulation width 60°. The dose distributions of IMBT treatment plans under 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 180° modulation widths were compared using the Wilcoxon test to determine the optimal IMBT treatment plan for cervical cancer treatment. Results:The CG algorithm successfully optimized IMBT treatment plans under modulation width 60° for five cases within 22.2 s on average. On the premise of sufficient target dose coverage, the average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder and rectum in IMBT treatment plans were 3.66 and 1.97 Gy, respectively, representing reductions of 0.54 and 0.69 Gy compared to traditional brachytherapy plans. For the five modulation widths, the D90% values of all IMBT treatment plans reached 6 Gy, without statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). The average D2 cm 3 values of the bladder in IMBT treatment plans were significantly lower than those in the traditional brachytherapy plans( P<0.05), with modulation width 60° associated with the greatest reduction of 0.61 Gy. In contrast, the average D2 cm 3 values of the rectum under 45°, 60°, and 90° modulation widths decreased by 0.63, 0.54, and 0.45 Gy, respectively, compared to traditional plans, with statistically significant differences( P<0.05). Conclusions:The CG method enables rapid achievement of optimized IMBT treatment plans that meet clinical requirements, and modulation width 60° contributes to valid dosimetric optimization. This study can serve as a guide for the clinical implementation of IMBT.

Objective:To explore the interaction effects on brain activity between the smoking addiction and weight status by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.Methods:Retrospective analysis of clinical data and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed from 99 recruited subjects from January 2019 to December 2021. All participants were divided into four groups: overweight smokers ( n=24), normal-weight smokers ( n=28), overweight non-smokers ( n=19), and normal weight non-smokers ( n=28). Calculate regional homogeneity (ReHo) to reflect the internal brain activity of the subjects. Two-way ANOVA was used to detect the interaction effects between smoking addiction and overweight on ReHo by SPM12 software, correcting for age, years of education and head motion. Results:The interaction effect between smoking addiction and overweight on ReHo was significant in right superior frontal gyrus(x, y, z=15, 9, 60)(GRF corrected, Pvoxel<0.005, Pcluster<0.05). The ReHo value in the right superior frontal gyrus of overweight smokers was significantly higher than that of normal weight smokers ( t=3.768, P<0.001, Bonferroni corrected). The ReHo values in the right superior frontal gyrus of overweight non-smokers were significantly lower than those of normal weight non-smokers ( t=-3.242, P=0.002, Bonferroni corrected). The ReHo values in the right superior frontal gyurs of normal-weight smokers were significantly lower than those of normal weight non-smokers( t=-3.540, P=0.001, Bonferroni corrected). The ReHo values in the right superior frontal gyrus of overweight smokers were significantly higher than those of overweight non-smokers ( t=3.392, P=0.002, Bonferroni corrected). Correlation analyses showed that the strengthen ReHo value in right superior frontal gyrus was positively associated with pack-year in smoking addicts( r=0.387, P=0.007, Bonferroni corrected). Conclusion:Smoking addiction and overweight have an antagonistic effect on brain activity in the right superior frontal gyrus, which may provide potential therapeutic targets for individuals with comorbidity of smoking addiction and overweight.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between brain gray matter volume (GMV) and interactive effects of smoking addiction and overweight.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 99 subjects recruited from January 2019 to December 2021 through online platforms such as WeChat, including the following four groups: overweight smoking addiction group ( n=24), normal-weight smoking addiction group ( n=28), overweight non-smoking group ( n=19), and normal-weight non-smoking group ( n=28). All subjects underwent 3.0T MRI. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to compare gray matter volume (GMV) among the four groups. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted with age, years of education, and head motion as covariates to explore the interaction effects between smoking addiction and weight status on GMV, the main effect of smoking addiction and main effect of overweight, which were then correlated with clinical data. Results:Significant interactive effects of smoking addiction and overweight were observed in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a quadratic effect between body mass index and left DLPFC GMV (β=-3.846, t=-2.134, P=0.036). Additionally, the main effect of smoking addiction was primarily manifested in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)(GRF corrected, P voxel<0.001, P cluster<0.05). Left OFC GMV was negatively associated with the FTND (Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence) scores ( r=-0.391, P=0.006). And right OFC GMV was negatively correlated with the smoking index ( r=-0.335, P=0.019). No statistically significant main effect of overweight was found at the aforementioned threshold. Conclusion:Smoking addiction and overweight have antagonistic effects on left DLPFC GMV.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the dynamic patterns of intrinsic neural activity and their relationships with Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scores in individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD).Methods:Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning was performed on 33 individuals with IGD (IGD group) who were admitted to the psychiatric department of First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and 40 healthy volunteers (control group) recruited through the online platform. The dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo) values were calculated. The two-sample t test was used to analyze the differences of dReHo values between two groups (Gaussian random field corrected, voxel level P<0.001, cluster level P<0.05). Spearman correlation analyses were used to analyze the correlations between IAT scores and dReHo values of brain regions with statistically significant differences between IGD group and control group. Results:Compared with the control group, the IGD group showed increased dReHo values in the right thalamus, right caudate nucleus, left putamen, bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus, bilateral supplementary motor area, and bilateral superior frontal gyrus ( t=3.84-4.94, Gaussian random field corrected, voxel level P<0.001, cluster level P<0.05). The dReHo value in the right medial superior frontal gyrus was positively correlated with IAT scores ( r=0.395, P=0.023) in IGD group. Conclusion:Individuals with IGD exhibited a wide range of abnormal dynamic patterns of intrinsic neural activity in pivotal regions associated with reward processing and cognitive control functions (the fronto-striato-thalamic circuit), providing new insights into the underlying neural mechanisms of IGD.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between brain gray matter volume (GMV) and interactive effects of smoking addiction and overweight.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 99 subjects recruited from January 2019 to December 2021 through online platforms such as WeChat, including the following four groups: overweight smoking addiction group ( n=24), normal-weight smoking addiction group ( n=28), overweight non-smoking group ( n=19), and normal-weight non-smoking group ( n=28). All subjects underwent 3.0T MRI. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to compare gray matter volume (GMV) among the four groups. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted with age, years of education, and head motion as covariates to explore the interaction effects between smoking addiction and weight status on GMV, the main effect of smoking addiction and main effect of overweight, which were then correlated with clinical data. Results:Significant interactive effects of smoking addiction and overweight were observed in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a quadratic effect between body mass index and left DLPFC GMV (β=-3.846, t=-2.134, P=0.036). Additionally, the main effect of smoking addiction was primarily manifested in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)(GRF corrected, P voxel<0.001, P cluster<0.05). Left OFC GMV was negatively associated with the FTND (Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence) scores ( r=-0.391, P=0.006). And right OFC GMV was negatively correlated with the smoking index ( r=-0.335, P=0.019). No statistically significant main effect of overweight was found at the aforementioned threshold. Conclusion:Smoking addiction and overweight have antagonistic effects on left DLPFC GMV.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the dynamic patterns of intrinsic neural activity and their relationships with Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scores in individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD).Methods:Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning was performed on 33 individuals with IGD (IGD group) who were admitted to the psychiatric department of First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and 40 healthy volunteers (control group) recruited through the online platform. The dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo) values were calculated. The two-sample t test was used to analyze the differences of dReHo values between two groups (Gaussian random field corrected, voxel level P<0.001, cluster level P<0.05). Spearman correlation analyses were used to analyze the correlations between IAT scores and dReHo values of brain regions with statistically significant differences between IGD group and control group. Results:Compared with the control group, the IGD group showed increased dReHo values in the right thalamus, right caudate nucleus, left putamen, bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus, bilateral supplementary motor area, and bilateral superior frontal gyrus ( t=3.84-4.94, Gaussian random field corrected, voxel level P<0.001, cluster level P<0.05). The dReHo value in the right medial superior frontal gyrus was positively correlated with IAT scores ( r=0.395, P=0.023) in IGD group. Conclusion:Individuals with IGD exhibited a wide range of abnormal dynamic patterns of intrinsic neural activity in pivotal regions associated with reward processing and cognitive control functions (the fronto-striato-thalamic circuit), providing new insights into the underlying neural mechanisms of IGD.

Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of primary and metastatic malignant tumors. It is traditionally believed that the killing effect of radiotherapy on tumor is based on the direct or indirect damage of ionizing radiation to DNA. In recent years, the anti-tumor role and mechanism of anti-tumor immune response induced by ionizing radiation have captivated widespread attention and achieved significant progress. Among them, Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interference genes (STING) pathway is considered to be one of the key regulatory hubs. cGAS is a cytoplasmic DNA receptor that can bind to tumor-derived double-stranded DNA and activate the downstream STING, thereby activating anti-tumor immune response of the host. In view of the latest progress in this field, the important role and potential mechanism of cGAS-STING pathway in radiotherapy immune effect were mainly summarized, and the application prospect of targeting cGAS-STING pathway in radiotherapy sensitization was explored.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on diabetic endothelial cell damage based on monocyte⁃macrophage exosomes (Exos)/microRNA⁃92a ( miR⁃92a) . Methods: Twenty apolipoprotein E ⁃deficient (ApoE - / - ) mice were randomly divided into two groups : injury group (n = 10) and injury + STZ group ( n = 10 ) . The injury + STZ group established a diabetes model induced by streptozotocin (STZ) . All animals underwent partial left carotid artery (PLCA) ligation. The carotid arteries were collected , the number of M1 macrophages was detected by immunohistochemistry , and the level of AGEs was analyzed by ELISA.Microvascular endothelial cell line bEnd. 3 cells were treated with conditioned medium (CM) of AGEs treated RAW264. 7 cells or Exos derived from RAW264. 7 , followed by evaluations of the cell barrier function and mitochondrial function. Results : There was an increased number of M1 macrophages in carotid atherosclerotic tissues of diabetic mice and in AGEs treated RAW264. 7 cells. CM or Exos significantly induced barrier dysfunction , reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells in vitro. In addition , bioinformatics analysis showed that miR⁃92a was up⁃regulated in Exos derived from macrophages stimulated by AGEs. Experimentally , Exos participated in CM⁃induced barrier dysfunction , ROS accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in bEnd. 3 cells by transferring miR⁃92a. Finally , a series of rescue experiments further confirmed that Exos regulated the barrier dysfunction and mitochondrial function in vascular endothelial cells through miR⁃92a. Conclusion The expression of AGEs and the number of M1 macrophages in diabetic ApoE - / - mice increase , and AGEs stimulates Exos from macrophages could impair the barrier function and mitochondrial function in vascular endothelial cells by delivering miR⁃92a in vitro.

Objective: To establish a TaqMan-MGB probe-based real-time fluorescence RT-PCR assay for avian influenza H5N6 virus used in rapid diagnosis for suspected cases and surveillance for outer environment of live poultry markets. Methods: Based on the conservative sequences of avian influenza H5N6 virus for HA and NA gene published on GenBank, specific primers and TaqMan-MGB probes were designed to develop and optimize for the dual real-time RT-PCR assay. Specificity, sensitivity, repeatability and comparison tests were carried out. Results: This dual real-time RT-PCR detection can be completed within 80 minutes. There was no cross-reaction with other subtypes of influenza virus and common respiratory pathogens. The minimum detection limit could be up to 10 copies/reaction. The correlation coefficient of standard curve for the gene of H5 and N6 were 0.999 and 0.993, and the coefficients of variation for cycle threshold were range from 0.151%-0.549%and 0.213%-0.575%, respectively. The positive and negative coincidence rates of the validation test were 100%. Conclusions This TaqMan-MGB probe-based dual real-time RT-PCR for avian influenza H5N6 virus was rapid, specific and sensitive. It will have a good use in early emergency detection of suspected cases and continuous monitoring of external environment in live poultry trade market.