Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

Objective:To design a novel model for experiments on in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds using a treatment planning system (TPS) and 3D printing technology and to preliminarily validate the design scientific rigor of the model via experiments on isodose brachytherapy (BT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) on glioma cells in mice. Methods:The TPS was employed to design the model′s shape and calculate the number and positions of radioactive seeds, and 3D printing technology was utilized to fabricate the experimental model. The GL261 cell line was selected for in vitro irradiation experiments, with the mice divided into the control, EBRT, and BT groups. Mice in the EBRT and BT groups were treated with EBRT and BT, respectively, at doses of 2, 4, and 6 Gy. Then, changes in their cell viability, proliferation, and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed. Results:The model for in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds was successfully designed and fabricated. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) verified a uniform radioactive distribution within the model, with no significant cold spots. The BT and EBRT groups displayed decreased cell viability with an increase in the radiation dose. Compared to the EBRT group, the BT group exhibited significantly reduced cell viability (51.33% vs. 22.00%, t = 10.94, P < 0.05) and clone counts (172.67 ± 13.11 vs. 53.67 ± 10.22, t = 8.73, P < 0.05), but a significantly increased level of ROS (102.52 ± 6.87 vs. 144.81 ± 6.01, t = -5.26, P < 0.05) at a dose of 6 Gy. Conclusions:An effective model of in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds is designed based on TPS and 3D printing technology. This provides an experimental model tool and target for research on the BT and EBRT mechanisms.

Objective:To employ single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT for isodose assignment in 125I brachytherapy, assess the correlation between photon counts and dose values, and develop a clinical γ-ray visualization model for 125I brachytherapy. Methods:125I radioactive seeds were filled into a self-made 3D printed stereotactic template to build a stereotactic model. The model was scanned by SPECT/CT for photon counts at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 cm from the outermost peripheral seeds, and the corresponding dose values were measured using the Treatment Planning System (TPS). The fitting curve for the photon counts and the dose values was plotted using SPSS 27.0 software. Results:The photon counts of γ rays at distances of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm from the peripheral particles were 7 603.57±1 806.35, 4 018.26±1 315.72, 2 074.04±791.53, and 1 080.34±424.79, respectively, showing a significant difference ( F=743.72, P<0.01). The dose values (in Gy) in the TPS at distances of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm from the peripheral particles were 208.05±37.57, 125.43±17.74, 86.76±17.67, and 61.55±14.39, respectively, which were significantly different ( F=930.46, P<0.01). The photon counts were linearly correlated with the dose values ( y=0.02 x+ 46.45, R2=81.2%, P<0.01). Conclusions:SPECT/CT-based γ-ray photon count detection can be used to assign doses for 125I brachytherapy, enabling the visualization of γ rays in 125I brachytherapy. This approach has a distinct advantage over TPS, laying the foundation for the establishment of an alternative system to TPS.

Objective:To design a novel model for experiments on in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds using a treatment planning system (TPS) and 3D printing technology and to preliminarily validate the design scientific rigor of the model via experiments on isodose brachytherapy (BT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) on glioma cells in mice. Methods:The TPS was employed to design the model′s shape and calculate the number and positions of radioactive seeds, and 3D printing technology was utilized to fabricate the experimental model. The GL261 cell line was selected for in vitro irradiation experiments, with the mice divided into the control, EBRT, and BT groups. Mice in the EBRT and BT groups were treated with EBRT and BT, respectively, at doses of 2, 4, and 6 Gy. Then, changes in their cell viability, proliferation, and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed. Results:The model for in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds was successfully designed and fabricated. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) verified a uniform radioactive distribution within the model, with no significant cold spots. The BT and EBRT groups displayed decreased cell viability with an increase in the radiation dose. Compared to the EBRT group, the BT group exhibited significantly reduced cell viability (51.33% vs. 22.00%, t = 10.94, P < 0.05) and clone counts (172.67 ± 13.11 vs. 53.67 ± 10.22, t = 8.73, P < 0.05), but a significantly increased level of ROS (102.52 ± 6.87 vs. 144.81 ± 6.01, t = -5.26, P < 0.05) at a dose of 6 Gy. Conclusions:An effective model of in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds is designed based on TPS and 3D printing technology. This provides an experimental model tool and target for research on the BT and EBRT mechanisms.

Objective:To employ single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT for isodose assignment in 125I brachytherapy, assess the correlation between photon counts and dose values, and develop a clinical γ-ray visualization model for 125I brachytherapy. Methods:125I radioactive seeds were filled into a self-made 3D printed stereotactic template to build a stereotactic model. The model was scanned by SPECT/CT for photon counts at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 cm from the outermost peripheral seeds, and the corresponding dose values were measured using the Treatment Planning System (TPS). The fitting curve for the photon counts and the dose values was plotted using SPSS 27.0 software. Results:The photon counts of γ rays at distances of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm from the peripheral particles were 7 603.57±1 806.35, 4 018.26±1 315.72, 2 074.04±791.53, and 1 080.34±424.79, respectively, showing a significant difference ( F=743.72, P<0.01). The dose values (in Gy) in the TPS at distances of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm from the peripheral particles were 208.05±37.57, 125.43±17.74, 86.76±17.67, and 61.55±14.39, respectively, which were significantly different ( F=930.46, P<0.01). The photon counts were linearly correlated with the dose values ( y=0.02 x+ 46.45, R2=81.2%, P<0.01). Conclusions:SPECT/CT-based γ-ray photon count detection can be used to assign doses for 125I brachytherapy, enabling the visualization of γ rays in 125I brachytherapy. This approach has a distinct advantage over TPS, laying the foundation for the establishment of an alternative system to TPS.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

Abstract: Objective To conduct genotyping and molecular tracing analysis on Plasmodium vivax samples from a cluster of P. vivax malaria outbreak in order to provide a reference for case geographical origin determination. Methods Blood samples from 4 patients in a vivax malaria cluster in Longhui County, Hunan Province from June to July 2018 were collected for species identification by qPCR, and 9 microsatellite molecular markers were used to genotype the parasite strains from four samples. The population genetic STRUCTURE analysis was performed based on the VivaxGEN-MS microsatellite genotype database of P. vivax in the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network, to determine the genetic subgroups and geographical origin of the strains. Results By qPCR, all 4 cases were identified as Plasmodium vivax infection, and 9 microsatellite loci of the 4 cases were successfully typed, and the four samples had different genetic haplotypes, among which case 1, case 3, and case 4 were infected by a single clonal strain, and case 2 was infected by a polyclonal strain. When all P. vivax samples were divided into 2 subpopulations (K=2) by STURCTURE analysis, 4 Hunan samples were classified into tropical genetic subpopulations (comprising strains from Ethiopia, Iran, Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern China). When the samples were divided into 4 subgroups by STURCTURE analysis (K=4), the 4 Hunan samples were classified as South Asian/Southeast Asian genetic subgroups (originating from Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern China). Conclusions The results of molecular tracing do not support that the 4 P. vivax strains in this outbreak originated from the population of central China. The technology of molecular tracing of P. vivax can provide objective evidence for determining the source of infection in malaria cases during the stage of malaria elimination and post-elimination.

Objective:To investigate the effects of placenta previa on the surgical and pregnancy outcomes in patients with total/subtotal or segmental hysterectomy attributed to placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS).Methods:This study retrospectively enrolled 510 patients who gave birth and underwent total/subtotal hysterectomy or segmental hysterectomy (local implantation site) due to PAS at the third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022. These subjects were divided into the placenta previa group (427 cases) and non-placenta previa group (83 cases). According to the type of hysterectomy, they were further divided into the total/subtotal hysterectomy and placenta previa subgroup (221 cases), total/subtotal hysterectomy and non-placenta previa subgroup (23 cases), segmental hysterectomy and placenta previa subgroup (206 cases), and segmental hysterectomy and non-placenta previa subgroup (60 cases). Nonparametric test or Chi-square test were used to compare the differences in the clinical features, surgical and pregnancy outcomes between different groups. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of placenta previa on the risk of additional surgical procedures and adverse maternal outcomes. Results:(1) Compared with the non-placenta previa group, the hemorrhage volume within 24 h postpartum [1 541 ml (1 036-2 368 ml) vs 1 111 ml (695-2 000 ml), Z=－3.91] and the proportion of women requiring additional surgical procedures [84.8% (362/427) vs 69.9% (58/83), χ2=10.61], with total/subtotal hysterectomy [51.8% (221/427) vs 27.7% (23/83), χ2=16.10], cystoscopy and/or ureteral stenting [60.7% (259/427) vs 31.3% (26/83), χ2=24.25], total adverse pregnancy outcomes [86.9% (371/427) vs 65.1% (54/83), χ2=17.75], hemorrhage volume>1 500 ml within 24 h postpartum [54.1% (231/427) vs 33.7% (28/83), χ2=29.94], transfusion of blood products [75.9% (324/427) vs 47.0% (39/83), χ2=28.27] were all higher in the placenta previa group (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis found that for PAS patients with hysterectomy, regardless of the hysterectomy type (total/subtotal/segmental), placenta previa was risk factor for requiring additional surgical procedures ( aOR=3.26, 95% CI: 1.85-5.72) and adverse pregnancy outcomes ( aOR=5.59, 95% CI: 2.01-6.42), even if adjusting for the confounding factors such as maternal age, number of previous cesarean sections, parity, gestational weight gain, twin pregnancy, and the use of assisted reproductive technology. (2) In patients with total/subtotal hysterectomy, the proportion of women requiring additional surgical procedures was higher in those with placenta previa [82.8% (183/221) vs 56.5% (13/23), χ2=9.11] than those without placenta previa, especially the proportion of cystoscopy and/or ureteral stenting [67.9% (150/221) vs 34.8% (8/23), χ2=9.99] (both P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in adverse pregnancy outcomes [89.6% (198/221) vs 87.0% (20/23), χ2<0.01, P=0.972] between the two groups. In patients with segmental hysterectomy, higher proportions of women requiring additional surgery [86.9% (179/206) vs 75.0% (45/60), χ2=4.94], with adverse pregnancy outcomes [84.0% (173/206) vs 56.7% (34/60), χ2=25.31], cystoscopy and/or ureteral stenting [52.9% (109/206) vs 30.0% (18/60), χ2=9.78], vascular occlusion [94.2% (194/206) vs 71.7% (43/60), χ2=24.23], hemorrhage volume>1 500 ml within 24 h postpartum [46.6% (96/206) vs 23.3% (14/60), χ2=10.37], and transfusion of blood products [68.9% (142/206) vs 33.3% (20/60), χ2=24.73] were found in the placenta previa group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with placenta previa had more hemorrhage volume within 24 h postpartum [1 368 ml (970-2 026 ml) vs 995 ml (654-1 352 ml), Z=－3.66, P<0.001] in the segmental hysterectomy subgroup. After adjusting for the confounding factors such as age, number of previous cesarean sections, parity, gestational weight gain, twin pregnancy, and the use of assisted reproductive technology, binary logistic regression analysis found that placenta previa did not increase the risk of additional surgical operations ( aOR=2.71, 95% CI: 0.99-7.42) and adverse pregnancy outcomes ( aOR=2.14, 95% CI: 0.54-8.42) in patients with total/subtotal hysterectomy but were risk factors of the two outcomes for those with segmental hysterectomy ( aOR=4.67, 95% CI: 2.15-10.10; aOR=3.80, 95% CI: 1.86-7.77). Conclusions:Placenta previa increases the risk of additional surgical procedures and adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with total/subtotal or segmental hysterectomy caused by PAS. Appropriate preparation is required after the clinical diagnosis of PAS with placenta previa.

Objective:To investigate whether the number of previous cesarean sections affects the outcomes of patients with placental implantation disease undergoing hysterectomy.Methods:Using a retrospective cohort study design, the study samples were from the obstetric clinical database of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, and the study subjects were patients with placental implantation disease who underwent hysterectomy. Patients were grouped according to different previous cesarean section frequencies, and their clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, and adverse maternal outcomes were compared in each group; The impact of previous cesarean sections on adverse outcomes in pregnant women was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.Results:Among the 244 enrolled patients, 26 had no previous history of cesarean section (11%), 132 had a previous cesarean section once (54%), and 86 had a previous cesarean section ≥2 times (35%). There was no statistically significant difference in the usage rates of uterine artery embolization, suture hemostasis, and internal iliac artery embolization among the three groups of patients (all P>0.05). Among the adverse outcomes of pregnant and postpartum women, there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of shock, bladder injury, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage >1 500 ml, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and transfusion of blood products among the three groups (all P>0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the number of previous cesarean sections did not increase the risk of adverse outcomes, such as shock, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage ≥1 500 ml, entry into the ICU, and transfusion of blood products. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that the number of previous cesarean sections did not increase the risk of adverse outcomes in pregnant women. Conclusions:For patients with placental implantation disease undergoing hysterectomy, the number of previous cesarean sections may not be the main factor determining maternal outcomes. It is necessary to consider other possible influencing factors more comprehensively, including previous uterine surgery history, basic health status of pregnant women, comorbidities, and availability of medical resources.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage after implanting 125-iodine seeds for brain tumors.Methods:A total of 234 patients with intracranial tumors receiving treatment of 125-iodine seeds from March, 2013 to November, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into bleeding group and non-bleeding group according to whether postoperative intracranial hemorrhage was reported. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression to determine the independent risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage.Result:A total of 22 cases (9.4%) reported postoperative intracranial hemorrhage in 234 patients treated with 125-iodine seeds. Univariate analysis showed that the type of tumor and the history of anti-angiogenic drug within one month were possible risk factors ( P<0.1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that anti-angiogenic drug within one month was the independent risk factor for intracranial hemorrhage ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of anti-angiogenic drugs within one month is the independent risk factor of intracranial hemorrhage with 125-iodine seeds for the treatment of brain tumors.