Objective:To systematically evaluate the differences in CT values between virtual non-contrast (VNC) images and true non-contrast (TNC) images generated from dual-energy CT (DECT), and to validate the feasibility of VNC images replacing TNC images in dose calculations for photon and proton radiotherapy plans.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging data of 40 patients with solid tumors (20 cranial, 10 thoracic and 10 abdominal cases) who underwent DECT scans at Cancer Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from February 2022 to May 2023. VNC and TNC images were registered slice-by-slice. The differences in CT values of anatomical structures were compared, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of CT values of different anatomical structures in VNC and TNC images. For structures with significant differences, linear regression models (TNC=β×VNC+α) were established using the least squares method. In the Varian Eclipse 15.5 treatment planning system, photon and proton radiotherapy plans based on TNC images and VNC images, as well as the proton radiotherapy plan based on the VNC images corrected by the regression models, were respectively designed. Dose differences of radiotherapy plans designed based on the two images were evaluated. To evaluate dose variations in regions adjacent to the clinical target volume (CTV), two 2-mm-thick annular reference structures were generated on the axial slice containing the largest cross-section of the CTV, extending cranially and caudally from the CTV. These structures were designated as Ring_p and Ring_d, respectively.Results:The differences in CT values between VNC and TNC images were mainly concentrated in the bony structure. The CT values difference between TNC and VNC images was (409.07±53.38) HU for the skull in 20 cranial tumor patients ( t=13.88, P<0.001), and (118.66±20.90) HU for the vertebral bone in 10 thoracic and 10 abdominal tumor patients ( t=10.43, P<0.001). The CT values of the skull and spine showed high correlation between TNC and VNC images ( r=0.98, P<0.001; r=0.99, P<0.001). The regression models established respectively were: TNC=1.859×VNC+33.896 (skull), and TNC=1.827×VNC+5.491 (spine). For photon radiotherapy plans based on TNC and VNC images, the D mean of the CTV were (60.00±0.00) and (60.00±0.00) Gy respectively, with D mean of Ring_p were (61.17±1.69) and (61.01±1.67) Gy, and Ring_d were (55.26±2.06) and (55.20±1.94) Gy, respectively. The relative dose differences in D mean between the two image types were 0 ( t<0.01, P>0.999), 0.33% ( t=0.30, P=0.766), and 0.19% ( t=0.07, P=0.947), all with no statistically significant differences. For proton radiotherapy plans based on TNC and VNC images, the D mean of the CTV were (61.73±0.32) and (61.67±0.26) Gy (RBE), respectively, with D mean of Ring_p were (61.19±0.44) and (60.53±1.22) Gy (RBE), and Ring_d were (60.97±0.67) and (59.80±4.26) Gy (RBE), respectively. The relative dose differences in D mean between the two image types were 0.24% ( t=0.63, P=0.530), 1.80% ( t=1.45, P=0.156), and 3.56% ( t=2.26, P=0.030), with a statistically significant difference in the Ring_d region. In the proton radiotherapy plan designed based on the corrected VNC images, the D mean of the CTV was (61.75±0.32) Gy (RBE), Ring_p was (61.43±0.71) Gy (RBE), and Ring_d was (59.96±2.80) Gy (RBE). The relative dose differences in D mean between TNC images and corrected VNC images were 0.16% ( t=0.19, P=0.850), 0.76% ( t=1.32, P=0.196), and 2.22% ( t=1.93, P=0.061), respectively, with no statistically significant differences. Conclusions:The differences in CT values between VNC and TNC images in DECT mainly exist in bony structures, particularly in the skull and vertebrae. For patients with cranial tumors, VNC images can be directly used in photon radiotherapy planning. In contrast, for proton therapy, after being corrected by the regression model, VNC images can effectively replace TNC images for the dose calculations of radiotherapy plan.

Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To understand the subjective and objective comfort evaluations of students from different age groups on desks and chairs, so as to provide reference for standardized allocation and use of desks and chairs. Methods: From January to April 2024, a total of 2 446 students were selected from 26 schools in 13 districts (counties/cities) in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Wuxi from Jiangsu Province by using cluster random method, including students in kindergartens, primary schools, junior high schools,senior high schools, colleges and universities. Standardized procedures were used to measure the height and weight of participants, and the matching desks and chairs models were selected according to the height. The subjective comfort of students on matching desks and chairs was investigated, and their objective comfort was evaluated by using a self designed questionnaire. The χ 2 test was used to analyze the differences of subjective perception and objective evaluation in comfort between different types of desks and chairs. Results: About 84.1% of the students subjectively thought that large desks and small chairs were very comfortable or relatively comfortable, followed by large desks and chairs (75.7%), and the proportion of small desks and chairs was the lowest among the three types (46.2%), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=722.46, P <0.01). The reporting rates of primary school, junior high school and senior high school students who subjectively considered large desks and chairs to be very comfortable/relatively comfortable were higher than that of other types of desks and chairs, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ 2=297.49, 252.82, 343.67, P <0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the subjective comfort evaluation of different types of desks and chairs among kindergarten children ( χ 2=3.21, P >0.05), and 66.3% of the students in colleges and universities felt very comfortable/relatively comfortable when they used the matching standard desks and chairs. The objective evaluation results of the comfort for the three types of desks and chairs were consistent with the subjective evaluation, but the proportions of the objective evaluation as very comfortable/relatively comfortable were higher than that of the subjective evaluation ( χ 2=20.76- 813.47, P <0.01). Conclusions Large desks and chairs, as well as large desks with small chairs are perceived comfortable, while small desks and chairs are perceived less comfortable. It is recommended to match the large desks and chairs or large desks and small chairs that are suitable for them according to the "standard", to promote physical and mental health of students.

Objective: To investigate the differences in the comfort of desks and chairs furniture among students with different body types according to the standard, so as to provide a reference for guiding students with overweight and obesity to choose the correct study furniture and revising the standards. Methods: From January to April 2024, 2 443 students from 26 schools in 13 districts (counties/cities) in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Jiangsu Province were selected by the cluster random sampling method to conduct physical examination. The subjective and objective evaluations of the comfort of height matched desks and chairs were investigated. The students were divided into non overweight, overweight, and obesity groups according to relevant criteria, and stratified analysis was performed. The χ 2 test was used to analyze differences in the comfort evaluations of desks and chairs among students with different body types. Results: Among the 2 443 students surveyed, 16.7% and 12.6% were respectively classified as overweight and obese. All students assigned the highest comfort ratings to large desks and small chairs (84.1%), and consistency was observed between students subjective and objective evaluations. The reporting rate of samll desks and chairs of obesity students subjective evaluation was lower (36.8%) than that of overweight and non overweight/obesity students (52.1%, 48.0%) ( χ 2=14.63, P <0.01). The overweight and obese group of primary school students had a worse evaluation of the comfort of large desks and chairs and small desks and chairs than those of the non overweight and obese groups( χ 2=15.78, 7.63, P <0.05). Among high school students, the overweight and obese group had worse evaluation of the comfort of large desks and chairs, as well as large desks and small chairs, than those of the non-overweight and obese groups( χ 2=9.62, 11.77, P <0.05). The objective evaluations revealed low compliance ratings on the posture of the thighs and calves for naturally forming an angle greater than 90° (55.6%), and headroom height under the table (50.3%) with small desks and chairs ( χ 2=94.05, 166.47, P <0.05). Conclusions Compared with non overweight/obese students, students with overweight and obese students report poor comfort evaluations of height matched desks and chairs. Revision of the standard should consider the body types of students, and evaluations of the comfort of desks and chairs furniture by students with overweight and obesity should be improved.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and its prognosis in patients with severe craniocerebral injury. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted. Patients with severe craniocerebral injury admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical College from January 2020 to December 2022 were enrolled as the study subjects. Patients were divided into VAP group and non-VAP group based on the occurrence of VAP. VAP patients were further stratified into low-risk group [sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score 0-5], moderate-risk group (SOFA score 6-8), and high-risk group (SOFA score ≥ 9). General data, serological indicators [interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)], and 28-day prognosis (with mortality as the endpoint event) were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for VAP and 28-day mortality. Linear regression was applied to analyze the correlations between risk factors and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients with severe craniocerebral injury were enrolled, including 49 in the VAP group and 91 in the non-VAP group. The primary cause of injury was traffic accidents, followed by falls and heavy object impacts. Among VAP patients, 38 survived and 11 died within 28 days; 112 were classified as low-risk, 25 as moderate-risk, and 12 as high-risk. Significant differences were observed in age, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, length of hospital stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, serum albumin levels, and frequency of sputum suction among different subgroups. Serologically, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and STAT3 mRNA expression levels in the VAP group were significantly higher than those in the non-VAP group. Deceased VAP patients exhibited higher IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and STAT3 mRNA levels compared to survivors. These biomarkers progressively increased from low-risk to high-risk subgroups. Multivariate Logistic regression identified age [odds ratio (OR) were 0.328 and 0.318], BMI (OR were 0.340 and 0.268), hypertension (OR were 0.275 and 0.245), diabetes (OR were 0.319 and 0.307), hyperlipidemia (OR were 0.228 and 0.235), smoking history (OR were 0.255 and 0.240), length of hospital stay (OR were 0.306 and 0.230), duration of mechanical ventilation (OR were 0.247 and 0.219), frequency of sputum suction (OR were 0.325 and 0.228), IL-1β (OR were 0.231 and 0.259), TNF-α (OR were 0.308 and 0.235), IL-6 (OR were 0.298 and 0.277), and STAT3 (OR were 0.259 and 0.265) as independent risk factors for both VAP occurrence and 28-day mortality (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that serum albumin levels were negatively correlated with VAP occurrence and mortality (all P < 0.01), while other factors showed positive correlations (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Age, BMI, length of hospital stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, frequency of sputum suction, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking history, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway activation are significantly associated with VAP development and poor prognosis in patients with severe craniocerebral injury, providing a scientific basis for targeted clinical interventions.
Humans ; Risk Factors ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Craniocerebral Trauma/complications* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Male ; Female ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Logistic Models

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to ultrafine particulate matter (UPM, aerodynamic diameter < 0.1 µm) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Previous studies have found that Shenlian (SL) extract possesses anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties and has a promising protective effect at all stages of the atherosclerotic disease process. In this study, we aimed to investigated whether SL improves UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis. METHODS: We established a mouse model of MI+UPM. Echocardiographic measurement, measurement of myocardialinfarct size, biochemical analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), histopathological analysis, Transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL), Western blotting (WB), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and so on were used to explore the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of SL in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: SL treatment can attenuate UPM-induced cardiac dysfunction by improving left ventricular ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and decreasing cardiac infarction area. SL significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzymes and attenuated UPM-induced morphological alterations. Moreover, SL significantly reduced expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. UPM further increased the infiltration of macrophages in myocardial tissue, whereas SL intervention reversed this phenomenon. UPM also triggered myocardial apoptosis, which was markedly attenuated by SL treatment. The results of in vitro experiments revealed that SL prevented cell damage caused by exposure to UPM combined with hypoxia by reducing the expression of the inflammatory factor NF-κB and inhibiting apoptosis in H9c2 cells. CONCLUSION Overall, both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SL attenuated UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis. The mechanisms were related to the downregulation of macrophages infiltrating heart tissues.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Mice ; Male ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Cell Line

Objective: To investigate the value of decreased carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9) kinetics in predicting short-term outcomes and determining prognosis among advanced biliary or pancreatic cancer patients receiving first-or second-line therapy in the real world. Methods : Eighty-nine patients were retrospectively collected with advanced biliary or pancreatic cancer, especially on the CA19-9 dynamics and decline rates at different time points. This study evaluated the association of CA19-9 changes with clinicopathological features, short-term response to antitumor therapy, and survival outcomes. Results : The enrolled patients recorded baseline CA19-9 levels ranging from 1.20 to 65 706.40 U/ml, with a median of 303.11 U/ml. There was no statistical correlation between baseline CA19-9 levels and gender, age, body mass index, primary tumor site, hepatic metastases, pulmonary metastases, lymph node metastases, peritoneal metastases, performance status, treatment lines, and combinations of drug types. Baseline CA19-9 levels were not associated with systemic immunoinflammatory index, prognostic nutritional index, and total bilirubin. A 25% or 50% decrease in CA19-9 after 2-3 therapy courses indicated short-term efficacy in reaching tumor objective remission or disease control. Both combinations of multiple drug types and a 25% decline in CA19-9 after one course of treatment were independent prognostic factors that affected the longer progression-free survival of patients receiving first or second line of treatment. Conclusion Decreased CA19-9 kinetics has specific values in predicting the efficacy and prognosis of advanced biliary or pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of bilateral vertebral puncture guided by an angle-adjustable linear laser auxiliary device versus free-hand bilateral vertebral puncture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 47 patients who underwent thoracolumbar percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP) from July 2022 to July 2023. All patients received bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty, among whom 27 cases underwent conventional free-hand puncture (conventional puncture group) and 20 cases underwent puncture guided by a laser auxiliary device (auxiliary puncture group). In the conventional puncture group, there were 11 males and 16 females, with an average age of (69.6±5.1) years and a disease duration of (6.5±3.8) days;the fractured vertebrae were T₁₁-T₁₂ in 13 cases and L₁-L₂ in 14 cases. In the auxiliary puncture group, there were 7 males and 13 females, with an average age of (70.8±5.6) years and a disease duration of (6.4±3.8) days;the fractured vertebrae were T₁₁-T₁₂ in 7 cases and L₁-L₂ in 13 cases. The operation time, total blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, fluoroscopy duration, radiation dose, puncture success rate, and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate low back pain before surgery, 2 days after surgery, and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: All patients achieved successful puncture, with good postoperative wound healing and no complications. The operation time of the auxiliary puncture group was (12.1±2.6) minutes, which was shorter than that of the conventional puncture group (14.1±2.8) minutes. The total blood loss of the auxiliary puncture group was (228.5±35.8) ml, less than that of the conventional puncture group (257.0±48.3) ml. The fluoroscopy times, fluoroscopy duration, and radiation dose of the auxiliary puncture group were (5.4±1.3) times, (15.9±3.3) seconds, and (159.4±37.4) μSv, respectively, all lower than those of the conventional puncture group (6.4±1.6) times, (18.8±4.6) seconds, (192.2±48.5) μSv, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in low back VAS scores between the two groups before surgery, 2 days after surgery, or 1 year after surgery(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Both laser auxiliary device-guided vertebral puncture and free-hand vertebral puncture have high success rates and similar postoperative curative effects. However, the laser auxiliary device-guided puncture has shorter operation time, less blood loss, and lower radiation hazard.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Punctures/methods* ; Kyphoplasty/instrumentation* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Lasers ; Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets