Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by House dust mites(HDM)on airway epithelial tight junction through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(16HBE)were stimulated with HDM at different time points(0,3,6,12,24,48 h)and different concen-trations(0,40,100,200 μg/mL)to screen the appropriate stimulation concentration and stimulation time.16HBE cells were treated with oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC),autophagy inhibitor 3-methylad-enine(3-MA),HDM,and their combinations.Cells were transfected with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B,Beclin-1-siRNA,and ATG14-siRNA lentivirus and then stimulated with NAC and HDM.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related protein LC3B,tight junction-related proteins Occludin,and ZO-1 in airway epithelial cells.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by using DCFH-DA in each group.The protein expression levels of Occludin,ZO-1,LC3B,Beclin-1,ATG5,ATG14,P62,Snail,β-catenin and p-β-catenin were detected by Western blot method.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,200 μg/mL HDM stimulation induced cellular autophagy,increased the expression level of LC3B protein,and promoted the level of ROS,all with statistical significances(all P<0.05).Compared with the HDM group,the HDM+3-MA,HDM+ATG14-si,and HDM+Beclin-1-si groupsall showed significantincreases in the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).The HDM+NAC group demonstrated significant decreases both in the level of ROS andin the expression level of LC3B protein.Western blot results revealed that compared with HDM,3-MA and autophagy protein low-expression beads(Beclin-1-si,ATG14-si)attenuated HDM-induced cellular autophagy(P<0.05),inhibited HDM-induced upregulation of Snail and p-β-catenin expression,and improved HDM-induced decreases in Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the HDM group,the NAC+HDM group exhibited significant decreases both in the conversion of LC3BⅠ to LC3BⅡ(P<0.001)in the protein levels of Snail,p-β-catenin,Beclin-1 and ATG14(P<0.01),but significant increases in the protein levels of Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Conclusion HDM affects the tight connections between airway epithelial cells by inducing autophagy,which may be attributed to the β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by House dust mites(HDM)on airway epithelial tight junction through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(16HBE)were stimulated with HDM at different time points(0,3,6,12,24,48 h)and different concen-trations(0,40,100,200 μg/mL)to screen the appropriate stimulation concentration and stimulation time.16HBE cells were treated with oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC),autophagy inhibitor 3-methylad-enine(3-MA),HDM,and their combinations.Cells were transfected with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B,Beclin-1-siRNA,and ATG14-siRNA lentivirus and then stimulated with NAC and HDM.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related protein LC3B,tight junction-related proteins Occludin,and ZO-1 in airway epithelial cells.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by using DCFH-DA in each group.The protein expression levels of Occludin,ZO-1,LC3B,Beclin-1,ATG5,ATG14,P62,Snail,β-catenin and p-β-catenin were detected by Western blot method.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,200 μg/mL HDM stimulation induced cellular autophagy,increased the expression level of LC3B protein,and promoted the level of ROS,all with statistical significances(all P<0.05).Compared with the HDM group,the HDM+3-MA,HDM+ATG14-si,and HDM+Beclin-1-si groupsall showed significantincreases in the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).The HDM+NAC group demonstrated significant decreases both in the level of ROS andin the expression level of LC3B protein.Western blot results revealed that compared with HDM,3-MA and autophagy protein low-expression beads(Beclin-1-si,ATG14-si)attenuated HDM-induced cellular autophagy(P<0.05),inhibited HDM-induced upregulation of Snail and p-β-catenin expression,and improved HDM-induced decreases in Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the HDM group,the NAC+HDM group exhibited significant decreases both in the conversion of LC3BⅠ to LC3BⅡ(P<0.001)in the protein levels of Snail,p-β-catenin,Beclin-1 and ATG14(P<0.01),but significant increases in the protein levels of Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Conclusion HDM affects the tight connections between airway epithelial cells by inducing autophagy,which may be attributed to the β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the morphology of the carotid siphon, its related risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (aCSVD), and provide imaging evidence for the etiology of aCSVD.Methods:A total of 130 aCSVD patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the First People′s Hospital of Hefei from March 2022 to June 2024, all of whom underwent multimodal imaging assessments, were enrolled. The baseline data were collected, and the morphology of the carotid siphon was visually evaluated using post-processing of head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA), which was categorized into U-type ( n=63), C-type ( n=32), and V-type ( n=35). Calcification degree was semi-quantitatively assessed based on transverse CTA images. Cerebral perfusion was measured using magnetic resonance arterial spin labeling. The relationship between different siphon segment morphologies, calcification degrees, their risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion was analyzed using analysis of variance and multinomial Logistic regression. Results:Univariate analysis of the 3 siphon types showed significant differences in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [U-type (2.44±0.84) mmol/L,V-type (2.21±0.57) mmol/L, C-type (2.89±1.07) mmol/L, F=5.578, P=0.005], calcification degree [Among the 63 cases in the U-type group, 19 cases (30.15%) had mild calcification, 20 cases (31.75%) had moderate calcification, and 24 cases (38.10%) had severe calcification; among the 35 cases in the V-type group, 20 cases (57.14%) had mild calcification, 10 cases (28.57%) had moderate calcification, and 5 cases (14.29%) had severe calcification; among the 32 cases in the C-type group, 12 cases (37.50%) had mild calcification, 14 cases (43.75%) had moderate calcification, and 6 cases (18.75%) had severe calcification; χ2=13.092, P=0.011], and total aCSVD load [modified aCSVD load score: U-type 4.00(1.00, 4.00),V-type 3.00(1.00, 4.00),C-type 2.00(2.00, 4.00), H=9.997, P=0.007]. Multivariate Logistic regression revealed that patients with U-shaped siphons had a significantly higher overall aCSVD load than those with C-shaped siphons, with a regression coefficient of 0.728, and a statistically significant difference ( OR=2.070 ,95% CI 1.026-4.178, P=0.042). Additionally, total brain and white matter cerebral blood flow were decreased in patients with U-type siphons compared to those with C-type and V-type, primarily involving bilateral superior frontal gyri, left orbital frontal gyrus, and left straight gyrus regions (false discovery rate correction, P<0.05). Conclusions:The imaging manifestations of aCSVD are closely related to the shape of the internal carotid artery siphon.The U type siphon is more likely to lead to hemodynamic changes, resulting in decreased global and regional cerebral blood flow, and demonstrating a higher overall burden of aCSVD, which has certain clinical reference value for assessing the etiology of aCSVD.

Objective To investigate correlations of dynamic changes in serum C-reactive pro-tein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)before and after symptomatic treatment with prognosis of neonates with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)of different etiologies.Methods A total of 110 premature infants were selected as study subjects and divided into neonatal infection group(group A)and fetal intrauterine distress group(group B)based on different causes of NRDS.Additionally,30 neonates with NRDS caused solely by prematurity were selected as control group.Serum CRP and PCT levels and NLR were compared among the three groups before and after treatment.Results There were statistically significant differences in oxygen therapy duration,ventilation duration,the proportion of infants requiring re-intubation,hospital stay,and the number of apnea episodes among three groups(P＜0.006).Before treatment,there was no sta-tistically significant difference in serum CRP levels between group A and group B(P＞0.05).Ser-um CRP levels in group B were higher than those in the control group.Moreover,serum PCT levels was lower than the group A,and NLR in the group B were higher than those in the group A and the control group.CRP,PCT levels,and NLR in the group A were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.006).After treatment,serum CRP levels in all three groups decreased compared to before treatment.Serum PCT levels in the group A decreased compared to before treat-ment.NLR in both group A and group B decreased compared to before treatment,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.006).There were statistically significant differences in serum CRP and PCT levels between the group A and the control group after treatment(P＜0.006).After treat-ment,there was a statistically significant difference in serum CRP levels between the group B and the control group(P＜0.006),but no statistically significant differences in PCT levels and NLR(P＞0.05).Compared with group A,there was a statistically significant difference in PCT levels in the group B(P＜0.006).Multivariate Logistic regression results showed that CRP,PCT,and NLR were independent influencing factors for the prognosis of infants in the group A.The receiver operat-ing characteristic curve analysis results showed that the areas under the curve(AUC)after treatment for serum CRP,PCT,and NLR alone in predicting prognosis in the group A were 0.789,0.738,and 0.758,respectively,and the AUC for combined prediction was 0.934.In the group B,the AUC for serum CRP,PCT,and NLR alone in predicting prognosis after treatment were 0.719,0.772,and 0.768,respectively,and the AUC for combined prediction was 0.886.The sensitivity and specificity of combined prediction in both groups were higher than those of each indicator alone,and the predictive value of their combined detection for the prognosis of premature infants in group A was higher than that in the group B.Conclusion There are differences in PCT levels and NLR before treatment among neonates with NRDS of different etiologies.After symptomatic treatment,CRP,PCT levels and NLR decrease in all three groups,indicating a good prognosis.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the morphology of the carotid siphon, its related risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (aCSVD), and provide imaging evidence for the etiology of aCSVD.Methods:A total of 130 aCSVD patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the First People′s Hospital of Hefei from March 2022 to June 2024, all of whom underwent multimodal imaging assessments, were enrolled. The baseline data were collected, and the morphology of the carotid siphon was visually evaluated using post-processing of head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA), which was categorized into U-type ( n=63), C-type ( n=32), and V-type ( n=35). Calcification degree was semi-quantitatively assessed based on transverse CTA images. Cerebral perfusion was measured using magnetic resonance arterial spin labeling. The relationship between different siphon segment morphologies, calcification degrees, their risk factors, and cerebral blood flow perfusion was analyzed using analysis of variance and multinomial Logistic regression. Results:Univariate analysis of the 3 siphon types showed significant differences in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [U-type (2.44±0.84) mmol/L,V-type (2.21±0.57) mmol/L, C-type (2.89±1.07) mmol/L, F=5.578, P=0.005], calcification degree [Among the 63 cases in the U-type group, 19 cases (30.15%) had mild calcification, 20 cases (31.75%) had moderate calcification, and 24 cases (38.10%) had severe calcification; among the 35 cases in the V-type group, 20 cases (57.14%) had mild calcification, 10 cases (28.57%) had moderate calcification, and 5 cases (14.29%) had severe calcification; among the 32 cases in the C-type group, 12 cases (37.50%) had mild calcification, 14 cases (43.75%) had moderate calcification, and 6 cases (18.75%) had severe calcification; χ2=13.092, P=0.011], and total aCSVD load [modified aCSVD load score: U-type 4.00(1.00, 4.00),V-type 3.00(1.00, 4.00),C-type 2.00(2.00, 4.00), H=9.997, P=0.007]. Multivariate Logistic regression revealed that patients with U-shaped siphons had a significantly higher overall aCSVD load than those with C-shaped siphons, with a regression coefficient of 0.728, and a statistically significant difference ( OR=2.070 ,95% CI 1.026-4.178, P=0.042). Additionally, total brain and white matter cerebral blood flow were decreased in patients with U-type siphons compared to those with C-type and V-type, primarily involving bilateral superior frontal gyri, left orbital frontal gyrus, and left straight gyrus regions (false discovery rate correction, P<0.05). Conclusions:The imaging manifestations of aCSVD are closely related to the shape of the internal carotid artery siphon.The U type siphon is more likely to lead to hemodynamic changes, resulting in decreased global and regional cerebral blood flow, and demonstrating a higher overall burden of aCSVD, which has certain clinical reference value for assessing the etiology of aCSVD.

Objective To understand the types, proportions, and radiation dose levels of pediatric cardiac interventional procedures. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted using the basic information and radiation dose data from all cases of pediatric cardiac interventional procedures performed at two tertiary medical institutions in Beijing from July 2023 to August 2024. The data included air kerma-area product, reference point air kerma, and fluoroscopy time. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the basic information and dosimetric indicators of the procedures. Non-parametric tests were employed to examine the differences between variables, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was utilized to investigate the relationships among various factors. All cases were categorized into the diagnostic group and the therapeutic group. In the diagnostic group, the majority of procedures involved catheter examinations and angiography for identifying the type of disease. In the therapeutic group, the primary procedures included patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent foramen ovale, pulmonary stenosis, radiofrequency catheter ablation, major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, complex congenital heart diseases, and other interventional procedures. Results The survey comprised 1008 cardiac interventional procedures involving 476 males and 532 females. The ages of the participants ranged from 0 to 15 years and the body weights from 4.5 to 105 kg. Among these participants, 92 and 916 were classified in the diagnostic and therapeutic groups, respectively. The proportions of interventional procedures were in the order of atrial septal defect (36.9%), radiofrequency catheter ablation (22.3%), patent ductus arteriosus (15.1%), complex congenital heart disease (4.8%), patent foramen ovale (3.1%), pulmonary stenosis (3.1%), ventricular septal defect (2.2%), other procedures (2.0%), and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (1.5%). The radiation doses of different interventional procedures were statistically different (P < 0.05), with air kerma-area product ranging from 0.02 to 658.4 Gy·cm², reference point air kerma from 0.1 to 2524 mGy, and fluoroscopy time from 0.2 to 62 min. Conclusion In pediatric cardiac interventional procedures, there is considerable variability in radiation doses for the same type of procedure. Additionally, radiation doses for identical procedures vary between different medical institutions, and a few cases carry a risk of deterministic effects.

Catatonia is a group of severe psychomotor syndromes that affect patients' motor function, speech, and complex behaviors. Patients with catatonia typically display rigidity accompanied by decreased mobility, speech, sputum production, defecation, and eating. Both catatonia-related risks, such as increased muscle tension, reduced swallowing, and coughing reflexes, and risks attributed to therapeutic methods, such as prolonged bed rest and sedative drugs, can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia, severe pneumonia, and acute respiratory failure. These conditions and complications can seriously affect the treatment of catatonia, lead to poor prognosis, and threaten the patient's safety. This paper reports a patient with catatonia combined with severe pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome recovered after modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) under tracheotomy. This case report can offer valuable insights for psychiatrists when facing similar cases and assist in making rational therapeutic plans to improve the condition as soon as possible.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of using great toe fibular flaps of both feet on reconstruction of pulp defects of two neighbouring digits.Methods:A total of 14 digit pulp defects in 7 cases were repaired in Zhoukou Huaihai Hospital using great toe fibular flaps of both feet from August 2020 to January 2023. Of the 7 cases, there were 4 males and 3 females, with an average of 28 years old, ranging from 19 to 45 years old. Meanwhile, there were 4 cases in left hand and 3 cases in right hand. There were 3 cases of digit pulp defects in index and middle fingers, 2 in middle and ring fingers, and 2 in thumb and index fingers. The area of soft tissue defect in 1.2 cm×1.5 cm-3.0 cm×2.5 cm, and flap was 1.5 cm ×1.8 cm-3.2 cm×2.8 cm. Furthermore, 1 case underwent emergency surgery and 5 were repaired in elective surgery. The donor site of the flap was closed directly, and an intermediate-thickness skin graft was prepared from the medial plantar area for transfer in the case of high suture tension at the wound edge. After surgery, patients received postoperative by outpatient clinic and WeChat to observe the appearance, sensation, functional recovery and flap contracture of digits, as well as the movement of the great toes of both feet.Results:After the surgery, all flaps in the 7 cases survived smoothly and the donor sites healed. All patients entered scheduled follow-ups postoperatively for 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 9 months. The flap showed an aesthetic appearance and excellent sensation, with a TPD of 3-6 mm, and satisfactory digit function. The donor site of the great toe fibular flap left linear scars only, without abnormality in range of motion and gait in walking. In addition, there were 5 in excellent and 2 in good according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association.Conclusion:Application of great toe fibular flaps of both feet is an ideal option for the simultaneous repair of pulp defects of two neighbouring digits, which can achieve good reconstructive results.

Objective　 : To obtain the peak skin dose (PSD) of patients with interventional cardiology procedures and toevaluate the risk of deterministic effects. Methods　 : Gafchromic XR RV3 films were used in a Level A tertiary hospital inBeijing to measure the PSD of patients who underwent interventional cardiology procedures. The measurement focused onfour common types of procedures, including coronary angiography, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty,cathet-er radiofrequency ablation, and congenital heart disease. The films were scanned by EPSON EXPRESSION 10000XL andanalyzed by FILM QA ProTM 2014 software. Results　 : PSD was measured in 59 patients with interventional cardiologypro-cedures, including 23 with coronary angiography, 21 with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 9 with catheterradiofrequency ablation, and 6 with congenital heart disease. The seven patients with PSD ≥ 2 Gy all underwentpercu-taneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, one with PSD > 3 Gy and six with PSD < 2 Gy. Conclusion　 The PSD of somepatients with interventional cardiology surgery exceeded the dose threshold of deterministic effects recommended by theICRP 118. There is a risk of deterministic effects in interventional cardiology surgery, especially in patients withpercu-taneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Catatonia is a group of severe psychomotor syndromes that affect patients' motor function, speech, and complex behaviors. Patients with catatonia typically display rigidity accompanied by decreased mobility, speech, sputum production, defecation, and eating. Both catatonia-related risks, such as increased muscle tension, reduced swallowing, and coughing reflexes, and risks attributed to therapeutic methods, such as prolonged bed rest and sedative drugs, can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia, severe pneumonia, and acute respiratory failure. These conditions and complications can seriously affect the treatment of catatonia, lead to poor prognosis, and threaten the patient's safety. This paper reports a patient with catatonia combined with severe pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome recovered after modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) under tracheotomy. This case report can offer valuable insights for psychiatrists when facing similar cases and assist in making rational therapeutic plans to improve the condition as soon as possible.