Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) is a widely used technique for structural analysis of small molecular compounds. It can obtain information about the hydrogen-hydrogen correlation, hydrogen-carbon single bond correlation, hydrogen-carbon remote correlation, and hydrogen-hydrogen spatial arrangement of compounds. Thus, 2D NMR has an irreplaceable role in the structure elucidation of small molecular products. However, the sample amount of trace components in phytochemical research is very low, and the traditional sampling method (uniform sampling) has problems of poor spectral quality and too long measure time. Increasing the number of scans results in several hours of the acquisition time for a single two-dimensional spectrum, which in turn causes strain on the NMR machine. The non-uniform sampling (NUS) technique can shorten the acquisition time to a large extent and not affect the quality of 2D NMR data, which greatly improves the efficiency of 2D NMR acquisition. In this paper, fuziline, a small molecular compound in the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii was selected as the research object. Its ¹H-¹³C HSQC, ¹H-¹H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY spectra were acquired by US and NUS methods, respectively. By comparing the integral values of NMR signals of three chemical groups in fuziline, it is confirmed that the NUS technique has the advantages of improving the quality of 2D NMR spectra and shortening the acquisition time in structure elucidation of small molecule compounds. In HMBC spectrum, it was further confirmed that NUS technology can improve the quality of the 2D spectra and the signal resolution. This indicates that NUS technology can improve the efficiency and reliability of the structure elucidation of small molecule compounds.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that are ubiquitous across most organisms, including animals, plants, protists, and microorganisms. Their core consists of neutral lipids, surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer adorned with a specific set of proteins. As critical intracellular hubs of metabolic regulation, lipid droplets play essential roles in maintaining physiological homeostasis and contributing to the progression of various pathological processes. They store neutral lipids for energy production during periods of starvation or for membrane biosynthesis, and they sequester fatty acids to mitigate lipotoxicity. Clinically, dysregulation of lipid droplet function is associated with a wide range of diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Research into the biological functions of lipid droplets—as dynamic organelles and their links to multiple diseases—has emerged as a cutting-edge focus in cell biology. In recent years, significant advances have been made in understanding lipid droplet biogenesis. Researchers have developed a more refined framework that elucidates how LDs are assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Triacylglycerols and sterol esters are synthesized between the inner and outer leaflets of the ER bilayer, and when they exceed the critical nucleation concentration (CNC), they coalesce to form neutral lipid lenses. These then bud from the ER under the coordinated action of key proteins such as Seipin, fat storage-inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2), and the peroxisomal membrane protein Pex30. This budding process is driven by changes in membrane curvature and surface tension, induced by the asymmetric distribution of phospholipids. Nascent lipid droplets recruit lipid-synthesizing enzymes via ER-LD bridging structures, enabling localized lipid production and surface expansion, ultimately resulting in the formation of mature LDs. Biochemical and biophysical approaches have revealed important features of this process, underscoring the critical roles of ER membrane biophysical properties and specific phospholipids. Structural biology and proteomic studies have identified key regulators—particularly Seipin and FIT2—as central players in LD biogenesis. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of LD biogenesis. It delves into the processes of LD nucleation, membrane budding, and expansion in eukaryotic cells, with a special focus on how core factors such as Seipin and FIT2 dynamically regulate LD morphology. In addition, it examines the mechanisms and pathways by which class I and class II proteins are targeted to LDs, compares LD biogenesis involving different neutral lipid cores, and discusses the disease relevance of specific regulatory proteins. Finally, the review outlines critical unresolved questions in the field of LD biogenesis, offering clear directions for future research and providing a comprehensive framework for deepening our understanding of LD formation and its implications for disease intervention.

Aim To investigate the impact of Cinobu-facini on the proliferation,invasion,and apoptosis of HepG2 cells and the underlying mechanism.Methods The proliferation of HepG2 cells was assessed using the CCK-8 method following treatment with Cinobufaci-ni.The invasion capability of HepG2 cells was evalua-ted through Transwell assay after exposure to Cinobufa-cini.The apoptosis rates of HepG2 cells post Cinobufa-cini intervention were measured using flow cytometry,and the expression levels of VEGF in the culture medi-um of HepG2 cells were determined using enzyme-linked immunoassay.Furthermore,qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses were conducted to assess the im-pact of Cinobufacini on mRNA and protein expression levels related to the CXCL5/FOXD1/VEGF pathway.The interaction between CXCL5 and FOXD1 was inves-tigated via co-immunoprecipitation.Results Cinobufa-cini treatment led to a gradual decrease in HepG2 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Moreover,Cinobufacini sig-nificantly suppressed HepG2 cell invasion(P＜0.05)while enhancing cell apoptosis(P＜0.05).Notably,Cinobufacini exhibited inhibitory effects on the CX-CL5/FOXD1/VEGF pathway,as evidenced by re-duced expression of related mRNA and proteins(P＜0.05).FOXD1 was identified as the binding site of CXCL5.Overexpression of CXCL5 resulted in in-creased proliferation and VEGF secretion by HepG2 cells(P＜0.05),and increased expression of FOXD1 and VEGF(P＜0.05).However,Cinobufacini inter-vention effectively inhibited liver cancer cell prolifera-tion and invasion(P＜0.05),promoted apoptosis(P＜0.05),reduced VEGF secretion by HepG2 cells(P＜0.05),and downregulated the expression of CXCL5 and FOXD1 in HepG2 cells(P＜0.05);but com-pared with the unexpressed group of Cinobufacini,its ability to inhibit cell activity was weakened(P＜0.05),and its ability to inhibit the expression of CX-CL5,FOXD1,and VEGF was weakened(P＜0.05).Conclusion Cinobufacini may inhibit HepG2 cell pro-liferation and invasion and promote HepG2 cell apopto-sis by regulating the CXCL5/FOXD1/VEGF pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of low-dose recombinant interleukin-2(rIL-2)therapy on immunocyte subsets and its side effects in children with solid tumor.Methods:A total of 22 children(11 males and 11 females)with solid tumor in our department from December 2012 to November 2017 were selected,with a median age of 9(3-16)years old when starting IL-2 therapy.ALL surgeries and chemotherapy of children had been completed before low-dose rIL-2 therapy,and 17 cases achieved complete remission(CR)and 5 cases achieved partial remission(PR).A low-dose rIL-2 therapy was given 1 month after chemotherapy for 1 year:4 × 105 IU/(m2·d),s.c.for every other day,3 times per week.The immunocyte subsets were detected every 3 months until the end of treatment,meanwhile,disease condition and therapy-related side effects were followed up.Results:After low-dose rIL-2 therapy in 22 children,the absolute values of CD3+T cells,CD3-CD56+natural killer cells,CD3+CD4+helper T cells(Th)and CD3+CD8+cytotoxic T cells were up-regulated remarkably,as well as Th/suppressor T cells(all P＜0.05).While,there were no significant differences in absolute value and proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg cells during therapy.Among the 17 children who achieved CR before rIL-2 therapy,14 cases continued to maintain CR after therapy,while 3 cases relapsed,and with 2 died after treatment abandonment.The 5 children who achieved PR before low-dose rIL-2 therapy were evaluated CR by PET/CT scan after treatment.In the early stage of low-dose rIL-2 therapy,1 child developed skin rashes at the injection sites,and 2 children ran a slight to mild transient fever.Their symptoms disappeared without any organ damage after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion:Low-dose rIL-2 therapy has good drug tolerance,and changes the distribution of anti-tumor immune-cell subgroup in peripheral blood of children with solid tumor remarkably without up-regulation of absolute value and ratio of Treg cells.

Objective:To better evaluate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) based on liver transient elastography.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 6 961 patients without hepatitis, who underwent liver transient elastography examination at the Department of Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from November, 2021 to April, 2022 were included. The patients were categorized into normal and mild, moderate, severe MAFLD groups according to FibroTouch controlled attenuation parameters (CAP). The CAP values among different body mass index (BMI) groups were compared using analysis of variance. The distribution characteristics and the incidence of MAFLD in different age, gender, body mass index(BMI), blood glucose and lipids groups using the chi-square test.Results:The total detection rate of MAFLD and severe MAFLD in the population with a BMI≥28.0 kg/m 2 was 99.6% and 71.8%, respectively. The detection rate of MAFLD in people with normal BMI was 28.4%. The detection rate of MAFLD in women of childbearing age or in the perimenopausal period were both significantly lower than that in men of the same age (40.3% vs 54.9%, χ 2=20.78, P<0.001; 43.1% vs 58.4%, χ 2=27.43, P<0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference in MAFLD detection rate between postmenopausal women and men of the same age. The detection rates of MAFLD in the group with abnormal blood glucose and lipids were both significantly higher than those in the group with normal blood glucose and lipids [69.7%(196/281) vs 35.2%(2 354/6 680), χ 2=138.36, P<0.001; 54.3%(1 696/3 124) vs 37.1%(1 420/3 837), χ 2=207.99, P<0.001]. Conclusion:Non-hepatitis patients had a higher prevalence of MAFLD. The BMI, gender, age, blood glucose, and lipids levels are all strongly associated with MAFLD.