While cranial radiotherapy effectively kills tumor cells and significantly prolongs patient survival, it often leads to progressive cognitive decline. To date, the specific mechanisms underlying radiation-induced cognitive decline have not been fully elucidated, which greatly limits the development of related therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of post-radiation changes in neurogenesis, neuronal synaptic plasticity, myelin injury plasticity, and parenchymal cells such as microglia in the brain, systematically elucidates the potential mechanisms of radiation-induced cognitive decline, and summarizes feasible therapeutic approaches. These findings provide a solid foundation for developing novel strategies to mitigate radiation-induced cognitive decline.

Objective To investigate the levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α)and lipopolysaccha-ride signal receptor(CD14)in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries and their clini-cal significance.Methods A total of 468 preschool children(aged 3-6 years)who underwent oral examina-tions in the hospital from April 2022 to May 2024 were selected as the research objects and were divided into the observation group(with dental caries,n=107)and the healthy group(without dental caries,n=361)based on the presence or absence of dental caries.The observation group was further divided into three sub-groups according to the degree of caries activity test(CAT)score:low activity group(n=29),moderate activ-ity group(n=46),and high activity group(n=32).The children in the observation group were followed up for 6 months,and then divided into the occurrence group(n=36)and the non-occurrence group(n=71)based on whether chronic apical periodontitis occurred during the follow-up period.The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid in the research objects were detected.The relationship between the levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries and CAT score was ex-plored by Pearson correlation analysis.The predictive value of HIF-1α and CD14 levels in gingival crevicular fluid for chronic apical periodontitis in preschool children with dental caries was explored by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid in the obser-vation group were higher than those in the healthy group(P＜0.05).With the increase of CAT score,the lev-els of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid gradually increased(high activity group＞moderate activi-ty group＞low activity group),and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries were positively correlated with CAT score(r=0.526,0.634,P＜0.001).The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid in the occurrence group were significantly higher than those in the non-occurrence group(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of combined prediction of HIF-1α and CD14 levels in gingival crevicular fluid for chronic apical periodontitis in preschool children with dental caries was 0.902(95％CI:0.857-0.952),which was higher than 0.709(95％CI:0.664-0.759)and 0.825(95％CI:0.775-0.870)of individual prediction of HIF-1α and CD14 levels in gingival crevicular fluid.Conclusion HIF-1α and CD14 are highly expressed in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries,and their levels are related to the activity of dental caries and the occurrence of chronic apical periodontitis in preschool chil-dren with dental caries.The combined detection of the two can be used as effective indicators for predicting the occurrence of chronic apical periodontitis in preschool children with dental caries.

Objective:To investigate the value of coronary CTA (CCTA)-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque in the identification of culprit lesions that caused acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:This was a retrospective multicenter study. From July 2016 to November 2023, a total of 344 patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (training cohort, n=184), Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (validation cohort, n=88) and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (test cohort, n=72) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to AMI and underwent CCTA within 48 hours of AMI were enrolled. The culprit plaques and non-culprit plaques were identified using a combination of electrocardiogram, CCTA, and angiographic findings. The vessel, plaque location, plaque type, Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score, high-risk plaque characteristics, plaque length, plaque volume, and burden were analyzed, and 1 904 radiomics features were extracted for each plaque. The traditional imaging model, the radiomics model, and the combined model were established by using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of each model in identifying culprit lesions. The DeLong test was used for the comparison of AUC between every two models. The net reclassification index (NRI) was used to evaluate the incremental value of the combined model to the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical net benefit of these models. A correlation heatmap was used to evaluate the correlation between the radiomics score and traditional CCTA factors. The interpretable analysis of the decision process of the combined model was performed by the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results:In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the traditional imaging model developed by the vessel, plaque type, positive remodeling and CAD-RADS score was 0.898 (95% CI 0.869-0.922) and 0.881 (95% CI 0.848-0.910), respectively. The radiomics model developed by six radiomics features was 0.863 (95% CI 0.831-0.891) and 0.863 (95% CI 0.827-0.864), respectively. The AUC of the combined model was 0.930 (95% CI 0.905-0.950)and 0.919 (95% CI 0.889-0.942), respectively. In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the combined model was higher than that of the traditional imaging model ( Z=4.013, 4.272, P<0.001) and that of the radiomics model ( Z=4.819, 3.784, P<0.001), respectively. In the validation cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 20.43% (95% CI 10.43%-30.44%, P<0.001) and 20.21% (95% CI 9.62%-30.80%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. In the test cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 28.05% (95% CI 16.72%-39.38%, P<0.001) and 23.57% (95% CI 13.58%-33.56%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. DCA showed the combined model had the highest clinical net benefit. The correlation heatmap showed the radiomics score was not correlated or only weakly correlated with traditional CCTA factors. SHAP indicated the radiomics and CAD-RADS score contributed significantly to the model. Conclusion:The CCTA-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque have favorable performance for the identification of culprit plaques in patients with AMI.

Objective To investigate the correlation of vascular senescence indicators,brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV),cardio-ankle vascular index(CAVI),ankle-brachial index(ABI)with total burden of MRI in patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD).Methods A total of 200 CSVD patients admitted to our hospital from November 2023 to October 2024 were retrospectively recruited,and based on their total MRI burden,they were divided into a low-burden group(score:0-1,103 cases)and a high-burden group(score:2-4,97 cases).A athero-sclerosis monitoring device(VS-1500A)was used to detect baPWV,CAVI,and ABI values.The relationships of the three indicators with total MRI burden score and their predictive values for the burden score were analyzed.Results The high-burden group had significantly higher BMI,el-evated homocysteine and uric acid levels,and increased baPWV and CAVI,but lower ABI than the low-burden group(P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic analysis showed that baPWV,CAVI and ABI were independent influencing factors for high MRI burden of CSVD patients.Spearman correlation analysis showed that baPWV and CAVI values were positively correlated(r=0.589,P=0.000;r=0.458,P=0.000),and ABI was negatively correlated with the total MRI burden score of CSVD patients(r=-0.352,P=0.000).ROC curve analysis showed that baPWV(AUC=0.816,P=0.000),CAVI(AUC=0.725,P=0.000)and ABI(AUC=0.676,P=0.000)were all predic-tors for high MRI burden score in CSVD patients.Conclusion baPWV and CAVI are positively,and ABI is negatively correlated with the total MRI burden score of CSVD patients.baPWV,CAVI and ABI show higher predictive value for the high burden score,with baPWV most significant.

Objective:To screen for microRNAs(miRNAs)highly expressed in the serum exosomes(Exo)of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)patients and analyze their relationship with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients,and to explore the potential of Exo-derived miRNAs as clinical auxiliary diagnostic markers for ESCC.Methods:Serum and relevant clinical data of 50 healthy subjects and 45 newly diagnosed ESCC patients admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between December 2021 and June 2023 were collected,serving as the control group and the ESCC group respectively.The Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and qPCR were used to screen and identify the candidate miRNA for increased expression in the serum of ESCC patients-miR-1246.The diagnostic efficacy of serum miR-1246 for ESCC was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic curve.The relationship between miR-1246 and the clinical feature progression of ESCC patients was analyzed by Logistic regression,and the relationship between miR-1246 and the clinicopathological characteristics of ESCC patients was analyzed by the χ2 test.Exosomes in the serum of the subjects were isolated,purified and characterized for verification.The expression of miR-1246 in Exo was detected by qPCR.ESCC KYSE150 and KYSE30 cells were routinely cultured.mimics-NC and miR-1246 mimics were transfected respectively into KYSE150 cells using Lipofectamine 2000.Inhibitor-NC and miR-1246 inhibitor were transfected into KYSE30 cells,which were respectively denoted as the minics-NC,miR-1246 mimics,inhibitor-NC and miR-1246-inhibitor groups.KYSE150 and KYSE30 cells were treated with Exo derived from KYSE150 cells in the mimics-NC and miR-1246 mimics groups.The proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of cells in each group were detected by the CCK-8 assay,scratch wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay respectively.The expressions of Exo markers,epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins,TET family methylcytosine dioxygenase 2(TET2)and cell adhesion molecule 1(CADM1)proteins in each group of cells were detected by WB assay.The targeting binding relationship between miR-1246 and TET2 and CADM1 was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.Results:Bioinformatics screening showed that the miRNA with the most significant differential expression in the serum of ESCC patients was miR-1246.The serum Exo extracted from the patients conformed to the typical Exo characteristics.The expression level of serum Exo-miR-1246 in ESCC patients at stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects(P<0.01);the level of serum Exo-miR-1246 in ESCC patients at stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in patients at stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that Exo-miR-1246 in serum had a high value for auxiliary differential diagnosis of ESCC(P<0.05),and the auxiliary diagnostic efficacy of Exo-miR-1246 for the clinical progression of ESCC patients was higher than that of CEA and SCC-Ag(P<0.05).The combined detection of the three could further improve the efficacy of auxiliary diagnosis of patient staging(P<0.01).Exo-miR-1246 might be an independent risk factor for the clinical progression of ESCC patients(P<0.05).The expression level of serum Exo-miR-1246 was associated with the T-stage,N-stage and clinical stage of ESCC(P<0.01).Overexpression of miR-1246 could promote the proliferation,migration,invasion,epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inhibit apoptosis of ESCC cells,while inhibition of miR-1246 had the opposite effect.Database data analysis found that TET2 and CADM1 were the target genes of miR-1246.The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-1246 could directly bind to TET2 and CADM1 mRNA and inhibit their expressions(P<0.01).Treatment of KYSE150 and KYSE30 cells with Exo derived from cells overexpressing miR-1246 had the same effect as overexpressing miR-1246 in these cells.Conclusion:Exo-derived miR-1246 has the potential to be a clinical auxiliary diagnostic marker for ESCC.It may affect the occurrence and development of ESCC by regulating the expression levels of TET2 and CADM1.

Objective:To compare the protective effects of the static cold storage (SCS) and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) on the skeletal muscle of the amputated limbs of pigs.Methods:Four Landrace pigs were selected, from which eight limbs were amputated and divided into SCS group ( n=5) and NMP group ( n=3) according to the random number table method. After blood collection from the carotid artery, an amputated limb model was established by amputating the limbs at the scapulohumeral joints. The limbs in the SCS group were wrapped in sterile cloth and stored at 4 ℃ for 24 hours. In the NMP group, the limbs were mechanically perfused with a red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid at 37 ℃ for 24 hours, with 70% of the perfusion fluid replaced every 6 hours. Before the experiment, cross-matching tests with the saline medium were conducted between donor and recipient pigs to evaluate blood coagulation and blood safety in the NMP group. An allogeneic red blood cell perfusion fluid was prepared and the levels of pH, Na +, K +, Cl -, Ca 2+, glucose (Glu), hematocrit (Hct), lactic acid (Lac) and osmotic pressure of the perfusion fluid were measured. At 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion, the skin temperature and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO 2) levels in the NMP group were monitored and the levels of pH, Glu, creatine kinase (Ck), K +, Ca 2+, and Na +levels of the perfusion fluid were analyzed to evaluate the metabolism of the skeletal muscle in the amputated limbs. The mean intercellular distance and apoptosis index of the myocytes were quantitatively analyzed and histopathological changes were observed by performing HE staining and TUNEL staining on the skeletal muscle of the amputated limbs in both groups at 0 and 24 hours after perfusion. After perfusion was ended, the weight gain rate and swelling degree of the amputated limbs were compared between the two groups and the overall state of the amputated limbs was evaluated. Results:The result of the cross-matching test between donor and recipient pig blood was negative. The parameters in the prepared red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid generally maintained within a normal range: pH 7.38±0.04, Na + concentration (138.30±4.48)mmol/L, K + concentration (3.50±0.26)mmol/L, Glu concentration (6.11±2.08)mmol/L, and osmotic pressure (305.67±3.79)mmol/L. However, slightly higher Cl - and Ca 2+ concentrations [(118.34±12.00)mmol/L and (2.00±0.15)mmol/L] and lower Hct and lactate concentrations [0.30±0.03 and (1.54±0.38)mmol/L] were detected when compared with the reference range. During the perfusion, the average skin temperature of the amputated limbs in the NMP group was (36.13±0.98)℃, with the skin temperatures at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion being significantly higher than that at 0 hour ( P<0.01), while no significant difference among the skin temperatures at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion was observed ( P>0.05). The SaO 2 levels in the skin of the amputated limbs in the NMP group averaged over 95%, which showed no significant difference at 0, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion ( P>0.05), while a significant elevation was observed at 6 hours compared with that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in pH, Glu, Na +, and Ca 2+ levels in the NMP group at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after perfusion ( P>0.05), while the Ck levels at 18 and 24 hours were both significantly higher than that at 6 hours after perfusion ( P<0.05), and the Ck levels at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours were all significantly higher than that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). The K + level progressively increased with the perfusion time, with significant elevations at 18 and 24 hours after perfusion compared with that at 0 hour ( P<0.05). HE staining revealed well-preserved muscle fiber continuity and regular arrangement in the NMP group and the SCS group at 0 hour, with an intercellular distance of (8.95±0.60)μm. At 24 hours, the NMP group exhibited slight skeletal muscle fiber rupture and swelling, with a slightly increased intercellular distance of (14.75±0.90)μm, significantly greater than that at 0 hour ( P<0.01). At 24 hours, the SCS group showed marked skeletal muscle fiber rupture and swelling, with a significantly increased intercellular distance of (23.51±1.49)μm, significantly larger than those at 0 hour in the same group and at 24 hours in the NMP group ( P<0.01). TUNEL immunofluorescence staining indicated a tiny amount of apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle in both groups at 0 hour, with an apoptotic index of (4.26±1.62)%. There was a small number of apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle in the NMP group at 24 hours, with an apoptotic index of (25.94±2.69)%, significantly larger than that in the same group at 0 hour ( P<0.01). The SCS group exhibited a large number of apoptotic cells at 24 hours, with an apoptotic index of (62.97±3.22)%, significantly larger than those at 0 hour in the same group and at 24 hours in the NMP group ( P<0.01). In comparison with the SCS group at 24 hours, the amputated limbs in the NMP group showed red color in the appearance, no symptoms of ischemic muscle contracture and good joint movement despite slight edema in the subcutaneous layer. At 24 hours, the weight gain rate of the amputated limbs was (15.82±0.89)% in the NMP group, significantly higher than (0.97±0.28)% in the SCS group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Compared with SCS, NMP with the red blood cell-containing perfusion fluid prepared with the allogeneic blood for the amputated limbs of pigs can alleviate the ischemic injury of the muscle fibers and inhibit the apoptosis of the muscle cells by sustaining stable energy and oxygen supply and balancing ion homeostasis and pH of the perfusion fluid.

By systematically combing ancient and modern literature， this paper examined Tribuli Fructus and Astragali Complanati Semen（ACS） used in the famous classical formulas from the aspects of name， origin， production area， harvesting and processing， clinical efficacy， so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing such medicinal materials. The results showed that the names of Tribuli Fructus in the past dynasties were mostly derived from its morphology， and there were nicknames such as Baijili， Cijili and Dujili. The name of ACS in the past dynasties were mostly originated from its production areas， and there were nicknames such as Baijili， Shayuan Jili and Tongjili. Because both of them had the name of Baijili， confusion began to appear in the Song dynasty. In ancient and modern times， the main origin of Tribuli Fructus were Tribulus terrestris， and ancient literature recorded the genuine producing areas of Tribuli Fructus was Dali in Shaanxi and Tianshui in Gansu， but today it is mainly cultivated in Anhui and Shandong. The fruit is the medicinal part， harvested in autumn throughout history. There is no description of the quality of Tribuli Fructus in ancient times， and the plump， firm texture， grayish-white color is the best in modern times. Traditional processing methods for Tribuli Fructus included stir-frying and wine processing， while modern commonly used is purified， fried and salt-processed. The ancient records of Tribuli Fructus were spicy， bitter， and warm in nature， with modern research adding that it is slightly toxic. The main effects of ancient and modern times include treating wind disorders， improving vision， promoting muscle growth， and treating vitiligo. The mainstream base of ACS used throughout history is Astragalus complanatus. Ancient texts indicated ACS primarily originated from Shaanxi province. Today， the finest varieties come from Tongguan and Dali in Shaanxi. The medicinal part is the seed， traditionally harvested in autumn. Modern harvesting occurs in late autumn or early winter， followed by sun-drying. Ancient texts valued seeds with a fragrant aroma as superior， while modern standards prioritize plump， uniform and free of impurities. Traditional processing methods for ACS included frying until blackened and wine-frying， while modern practice commonly employs purification methods. In terms of medicinal properties， the ancient and modern records are sweet and warm in nature. Due to originally classified under Tribuli Fructus， its effects were thus regarded as equivalent to those of Tribuli Fructus， serving as the medicine for treating wind disorders， additional functions included tonifying the kidneys and treating vitiligo. The present record of its efficacy is to tonify the kidney and promote Yang， solidify sperm and reduce urine， nourish the liver and brighten the eye， etc. Based on the textual research results， it is suggested that when developing the famous classical formulas of Tribuli Fructus medicinal materials， we should pay attention to the specific reference object of Baijili， T. terrestris and A. complanatus should be identified and selected， and the processing method should be in accordance with the requirements of the formulas.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy （DMD） is an X-linked recessive inherited myopathy caused by a pathogenic variant of the amyotrophic protein gene. Currently， DMD patients have needs for treatment， education， and social integration at different stages of the disease. Faced with the multiple needs of DMD patients， based on the professional value and ethics of social work， the integrative orientation of social work， and the multiple roles of social workers， social workers can build a comprehensive service system centred on DMD patients and provide multiple services. Specifically， social work intervention paths can enhance the health and well-being of DMD patients and improve their quality of life by providing various services such as in-hospital and out-of-hospital health management， psychological support， resource links， empowerment， construction of social support networks， science popularization， and policy advocacy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical, cytopathological characteristics, and differential diagnosis of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCC).Methods:Nine cases of metastatic CCRCC cytologically diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from July 2021 to December 2024 were collected. The HE staining, May-Grunewald-Giemsa staining, liquid-based slides, cell block preparation, and immunocytochemistry of EnVision two-step staining were performed. The clinical and cytopathological features, treatments and follow-up data were analyzed in combination with literature review.Results:Among the 9 cases of metastatic CCRCC, there were 7 males and 2 females. The age range was 43-78 years, and the average age was 63.6 (57.5, 72.5) years. The metastatic sites were lymph node in 3 cases (2 cases of mediastinal lymph nodes and 1 case of left cervical lymph node), bone in 3 cases (pubis, thoracic vertebrae and femur, respectively), thyroid in 2 cases, and adrenal gland, lung and pancreas in 1 case, respectively. Two of the 9 cases had two metastatic sites (case 8 had metastases of lung and mediastinal lymph nodes; case 9 had metastases of thyroid and cervical lymph nodes). The median time from the diagnosis to metastasis was 9.4 years (range 1.1 to 13.8 years). The tumor cells were arranged in papillary, acinar, sheet, cluster or single scattered pattern. Most cases had uniform nuclei with mild atypia and inconspicuous nucleoli, while some cases had variable nuclei with prominent nucleoli. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells was abundant. Some cases showed clear cytoplasm with small vacuoles, while some of them showed eosinophilic and granular cytoplasm. Immunocytochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CKpan(AE1/AE3,6/6), PAX8 (9/9), CAⅨ (9/9), CD10 (9/9), and vimiten (8/8). Patients were treated primarily with targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy and curettage and radiation therapy for bone lesions. The follow-up time ranged from 1.0 month to 41.5 months (median, 20 months), and all patients survived at the end of follow-up.Conclusions:The cytology of metastatic CCRCC often shows uniform cell size, abundant and clear cytoplasm, low nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, and mild nuclear atypia. Its cytological diagnosis is challenging because it occurs in various sites and needs to be differentiated from primary tumors of these sites. Emphasis should be placed on the morphological recognition of CCRCC, and immunocytochemical staining should be used to improve diagnosis. When necessary, molecular testing can be employed for diagnosis. Meanwhile, the medical history should be carefully inquired by pathologists to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.