Due to the low contrast of CT images,irregular shape of the liver,and blurred boundaries with adjacent organs,the existing methods based on convolutional neural network underperform in liver segmentation tasks,especially for boundary recognition and small object detection.A novel liver segmentation method is proposed based on multi-scale feature fusion and attention,namely MFFA UNet.Multi-scale feature fusion is firstly employed to acquire abundant segmentation details,while spatial and channel attention mechanisms are utilized to capture global spatial and inter-channel relationships.Additionally,a deep supervision module fully leverages the output of intermediate hidden layers,enhancing the learning capability of the network,which in turn accelerates the network's convergence speed.Moreover,a hybrid loss function is adopted to address the issue of class imbalance,further boosting the model's segmentation efficacy.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed MFFA UNet outperforms the prevailing segmentation networks on the public LITS dataset,producing results that are closer to the ground truth.

Background and aims:Kehuang(KH)capsule is an herbal medical product approved for the treatment of liver diseases,including liver injury,in China.However,the mechanism is still unclear.This study aimed to elucidate the protective effects of KH capsule against carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced acute liver injury(ALI)in a murine model.Methods:Mice were randomly divided into control,model(CCl4),CCl4+KH_Low and CCl4+KH_High group.Liver enzyme levels and histological changes were assessed to evaluate liver injury.Oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissues were measured.Additionally,network pharmacology was employed to explore the potential mechanisms of KH capsule.Results:KH capsule significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate amino-transferase(AST)levels,as well as the necrotic area in liver tissue.KH capsule also decreased the infil-tration of macrophages and neutrophils,thereby inhibiting the expression of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β).Furthermore,KH capsule decreased liver malondialdehyde(MDA)levels and increased superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity.The number of ter-minal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL)-positive cells in liver tissue was also reduced.The expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)proteins was significantly elevated,while the protein expression of cyto-chrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1)was significantly reduced.Mass spectrometry identified genistein,galangin,wogonin,skullcapflavone Ⅱ,and hispidulin as potential active ingredients of KH capsule.Network pharmacology analysis revealed enrichment in the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathways.Western blot analysis confirmed that KH capsule suppressed AKT,extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),and p38 signaling.Conclusions:These findings suggest that KH capsule could exert protective effects against CCl4-induced ALI,with the inhibition of MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways playing a crucial role in its mecha-nism of action.

Objective:To investigate the changes and clinical significance of multiple cytokine levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in patients undergoing tracheotomy with severe inhalation injury.Methods:A prospective study was conducted. A total of 32 patients with severe burn combined with severe inhalation injury admitted to the department of burns and plastic surgery of Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled. Twenty healthy volunteers from the same period were served as controls. EBC of patients at 12 hours after burn and the samples of healthy controls were collected. The levels of 27 cytokines in EBC, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17), were determined by liquid phase chip technology. Meanwhile, plasma of patients at 12 hours after burn and the plasma of volunteers were collected, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by liquid chip technology, and the differences between the levels in plasma and those in EBC were analyzed. Plasma and EBC of patients with aspiration injury were collected at 12 hours and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after burn, and TNF-α levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:Finally, 32 patients were enrolled, and the total burned area was (40±16)% of total body surface area (TBSA). The time of admission was (4.2±2.3) hours after injury. ① Twenty-seven cytokines in EBC: 18 kinds of cytokines including macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), IL-6, IL-5, IL-2, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-9, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), TNF-α, chemotactic factor for eosinophil (Eotaxin), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were significantly increased in patients with severe aspiration injury compared with health controls. Eotaxin was not detected in EBC of healthy controls. Five cytokines, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5/RANTES), IL-13, IL-4 and MIP-1α, were not detected in EBC of severe inhalation injury patients and healthy controls. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-12 p70 in EBC of severe aspiration injury patients were slightly decreased as compared with healthy controls, while IL-7 and IL-17 were slightly increased, but the differences were not statistically significant. ② Six inflammatory cytokines in plasma: the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the severe aspiration injury group were significantly increased as compared with healthy controls [IL-6 (ng/L): 18.51 (10.87, 26.21) vs. 0.22 (0.10, 0.36), IL-8 (ng/L): 10.75 (8.58, 18.79) vs. 1.06 (0.81, 2.14), both P < 0.01]. The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were slightly increased in patients with severe aspiration injury as compared with healthy controls, and IL-17 was slightly decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the EBC collected during the same period, five inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, in patients with severe inhalation injury were significantly increased as compared with healthy controls [TNF-α (ng/L): 16.42 (12.57, 19.21) vs. 7.34 (6.11, 8.69), IL-1β (ng/L): 15.57 (10.53, 20.25) vs. 0.99 (0.67, 1.41), IL-6 (ng/L): 13.36 (9.76, 16.54) vs. 0.70 (0.42, 0.85), IL-8 (ng/L): 1 059.29 (906.91, 1 462.37) vs. 10.36 (8.40, 12.37), IL-10 (ng/L): 2.69 (1.54, 3.33) vs. 1.54 (1.18, 2.06), all P < 0.05]. ③ Dynamic changes of TNF-α in plasma and EBC: the level of TNF-α in EBC of patients with severe aspiration injury was lower than that in plasma. Plasma TNF-α level was increased gradually with the extension of time after injury, and was significantly higher than that of healthy controls on day 3 [ng/L: 30.38 (24.32, 39.19) vs. 22.94 (17.15, 30.74), P < 0.05], and reached the peak on day 14, then fell back. The level of TNF-α in EBC at 12 hours after injury was significantly higher than that in healthy controls [ng/L: 15.34 (11.75, 18.14) vs. 6.99 (6.53, 7.84), P < 0.01], and reached the peak on 3 days after injury, and then gradually decreased. Conclusion:There are changes in the expression of multiple cytokines in EBC of patients with severe inhalation injury, and the changes of many inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α are more sensitive than those in plasma, which can be used to monitor and evaluate the condition of patients with inhalation injury.

Objective:To investigate the active ingredients and mechanisms of Achyranthis bidentatae radix in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) .Methods:To detect theingredients in Achyranthis bidentatae radix from TCMSP and screen its active components so as to abtain the potential targets of those active components. By searching from the TCMSP, to explore the targets of KOA. Then, by integrating the chemical compound and disease targets to construct its network and to analize the gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. Result:There are 23 active compounds in Achyranthis Bidentatae radix, corresponding to 136 targets of KOA. By GO enrichment analysis, there are 1 592 GO terms related to biological process. By KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, there are 19 KEGG pathways, including IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, Apoptosis, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions:The Achyranthis bidentatae radix could treat KOA by reducing inflammatory damage by regulating immune inflammatory response in the knee joint, and inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis to protect cartilage.

Objective To develop measurement methodology using film for the positioning accuracy of MLC leaves in IMRT.Methods The solid water phantom of 30 cm x 30 cm was scanned and the scanned images were transferred to TPS for treatment plan formulation.The five MLC strip picket fence pattern was formed by MLC leaves,each 3.0 cm long × 6.0 mm wide.The separation between strip and strip is 3.0 cm.SAD is 100 cm at dmax for 6 MV X-ray,with 250 MU per MLC strip.EBT2 radiochomic film was put on the phantom for delivery of IMRT,for each MLC strip.The present study focused on 30 accelerators of Varian,Elekta and Siemens designs at 27 hospitals with highly skilled physicists all over Jiangsu,Sichuan,Hubei and Henan provinces.The study was conducted in the same way as used in international multi-radiotherapy center (IMRC).The irradiated films were sent respectively to IAEA dosimetry laboratory and external audit group (EGA) of China for measurement,analysis and calculation.Results According to IAEA requirements,the differenc of film-measured and TPS-planned of MLC leaf position for each strip should be within ±0.5 mm.China had participated in the research of IMRC,with the result of 0.3,0.2,0.0,-0.1,and-0.2 mm,respectively.For 30 accelerators in four provinces involved in the study,the IAEA's verification results of MLC leaf position were within 0.6-1.0 mm for 5 accelerators and within ± 0.5 mm for other 25 ones.Whereas the verification results of EAG were within 0.6-1.0 mm for 6 accelerators and within ±0.5 mm for other 24 ones.According to IAEA requirements,the film-measured MLC leaf position deviation for each pair of leaves and average all pairs of leaves should be within ±0.5 mm.China had participated in IMRC's research,with the measured result being 0.04 mm.The verification result of EGA for 30 accelerators showed the measured MLC leaf position deviations were all ＜0.3 mm per strip,consistent with IAEA requirements.The IAEA's result showed the measured deviations of MLC leaf position for 29 accelerators were within ±0.5 mm,with only other one being-0.7 mm not consistent with the IAEA requirements.As required by IAEA,the difference of film-measured difference of MLC opening width should be within ±0.75 mm between each pair and average all pairs of leaves.China's result in research of IMRC showed the difference of minimum width to mean width was-0.2 mm whereas the difference of maximum width to mean width was 0.4 mm.For 30 accelerators involved in IAEA'verification study,the measured result shown that the difference between maximum and average of filmmeasured of MLC leaf width,and between minmum and average,were within ± 0.75 mm for 24 accelerators,in line with the IAEA requirements.For other 6 ones,the values were beyond ±0.75 mm,not in line with the IAEA requirements.For the verification result of EAG,the difference between maximum and average widths and between minmum and average widths for 25 accelerators were within ±0.75 mm as required by IAEA,whereas for other 5 ones the value were beyond ±0.75 mm,not consistent with IAEA requirements.The standard deviation of film-measured MLC opening width between each pair and average all pairs should be within 0.3 mm as required by IAEA.China's IMRC result was 0.12 mm.The verification result of IAEA shown the standard deviation of MLC opening position were ＜0.3 mm for 26 accelerators and ＞ 0.3 mm for other 4 accelerators.EAG verification result were the same as IAEA result.Conclusions The method using radiochromic film for measuring accuracy of MLC leaf position is convenient and practicable as a quality audit.It is suitable for quality verification in medical institutions owing to easy to post and repeated measurements.

Objective To explore the mechanism and inhibition of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on hypertrohic scar fibroblasts.Methods The cells were treated by 0 (control),0.2,0.4,0.8 U/ml BTXA for 48 h.Cell viability was detected by MTT assay.Cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst staining.Cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.The level of cell cycle related protein D1 (Cyclin D1),proliferation nuclear antigen (PCNA) and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway were assayed by western blot.Results Compared with control group(0.75±0.07),0.2,0.4,0.8 U/mL BTXA(0.59 ± 0.06,0.43 ± 0.04,0.34± 0.03) inhibited hypertrohic scar fibroblasts cell viability,increased cell apoptotic rate[control group(2.38±0.24)％;BTXA(15.79±1.54)％,(27.32±2.69)％,(38.46±3.90)％],down-regulated the expression of Cyclin D1(control group 1.57±0.18;BTXA 0.93±0.07,0.42±0.04,0.35±0.03) and PCNA(control group 1.46±0.16;BTXA 0.50±0.05,0.59±0.05,0.37±0.03),inhibited the expression of PI3K(control group 0.98±0.06;BTXA 0.49±0.04,0.50±0.04,0.39±0.03) and the phosphorylation of AKT(control group 1.38±0.08;BTXA 0.97±0.06,0.60±0.04,0.29± 0.02),made cell cycle arrested in G1 phase,The difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion These results suggested BTXA inhibit proliferation via blocking the activation of PI3K/AKT signal pathway and down-stream related cell cycle related protein.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 6 residual organic solvents in aprepitant raw material as methanol,ethanol,acetone,isopropyl alcohol,methyl tert-butyl ether and tetrahydrofuran.METHODS:Headspace capillary gas chromatography was adopted.The determination was performed on DB-624 capillary column using temperature programming.The temperature of injector port was 180 ℃,and flame ionization detector was used with temperature of 260 ℃.Nitrogen was used as carrier gas with flow rate 3.0 mL/min.The spilt ratio was 5 ∶ 1,and head-space injection volume was 1.0 mL.The head-space equilibrium temperature was set at 80 ℃,and equilibrium time was 40 min.RESULTS:The linear ranges of methanol,ethanol,acetone,isopropyl alcohol,methyl tert-butyl ether,tetrahydrofuran were 6.052-605.232 μ g/mL (r=0.999 9),9.987-998.718 μg/mL(r=0.999 9),9.998-999.768 μg/mL(r=0.999 8),9.986-998.634 μg/mL(r=0.999 9),9.991-999.090 μg/mL (r=0.999 7),1.461-146.133 μg/mL(r=0.999 5),respectively.The limits of quantitation were 1.782 1,2.079 0,0.749 8,1.777 8,0.223 1,0.607 0 μg/mL;the limits of detection were 0.594 0,0.693 0,0.249 9,0.592 6,0.074 4,0.202 3 μg/mL,respectively.RSD of precision test was lower than 2.0％.Only acetone and isopropyl alcohol were detected in stability test and reproducibility tests,RSD＜2.0％.Their recoveries were 99.34-100.75％ (RSD=0.52％,n=9),98.20％-100.24％ (RSD=0.69％,n=9),98.07％-100.07％ (RSD=0.84％,n=9),99.86％-101.32％ (RSD=0.58％,n=9),97.87％-104.02％ (RSD=2.13％,n=9),98.26 ％-100.58 ％ (RSD =0.75 ％,n =9),respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The established method is simple,accurate and reproducible,and can be used for simultaneous determination of 6 residual organic solvents in aprepitant raw material.

OBJECTIVE:To introduce the application of intelligent sorting system for prepared infusion in PIVAS of our hospi-tal. METHODS:Intelligent sorting system established by our hospital with barcode scanning technology and relevant hardware de-vices such as automatic drug sorting devices was introduced from system operation environment,system software design and sys-tem function. The effects of the system was evaluated through comparing with manual sorting mode. RESULTS:The intelligent sort-ing system used had such functions as sorting batch selection,intelligent sorting and discharging,information tracing management. Compared to manual sorting,the number of staff under intelligent sorting mode decreased from 7 to 2,sorting errors within 3 months were reduced by 99.0%(591 times vs. 6 times),and the daily sorting errors were reduced by 98.9%(6.57 times vs. 0.07 times). CONCLUSIONS:The system runs stably and sorts accurately,the errors is reduced,the working efficiency is improved and intensity of sorting is reduced,compared to manual sorting.

Objective To set up the reference value of serum glyeated albumin (CA) in Chinese for using in clinical practice through a multi-center clinical trial. Methods Three hundred and eighty individuals with normal weight and normal glucose regulation, including 183 males and 197 females ranging from 20 to 69 years, were recruited from 10 hospitals in China. Serum GA levels were measured with liquid enzymatic method. Results (1) The GA level of the 380 subjects was (14. 5±1.9)%. When dividing these subjects by age into 3 subgroups, there was no difference in the GA levels among the 3 subgroups (P>0.05). Compared with the women, the men had higher GA level in the first subgroup aging from 20 to 39 (P =0.028). However, no significant difference was detected after adjusting with BMI as confounder.(2) When dividing those subjects by BMI into 3 subgroups, with BMI ranging from 18. 5-20. 9 kg/m2,21.0-22. 9 kg/m<'2>and 23.0-24. 9 kg/m<'2>respectively, we came to the following results: for men, there was no difference in the GA levels among the 3 subgroups (P>0.05), but for women, the GA level of the first subgroup was higher than that of the second subgroup (P =0.024). (3) The level of GA in the 2. 5th to 97.5th percentile was 10. 8%-17. 1%. (4) Sixty normal subjects were chosen to repeat evaluation of GA levels after 2-3 weeks and the GA levels were of no difference (P>0.05).Conclusion The normal range of serum GA for the Chinese population could be suggested at 11%-17%.