Objective: This prospective study evaluated the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for assessing disease activity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Materials and Methods: A total of 88 patients with active TAO, 76 with inactive TAO, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. CEST MRI-derived magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and MTR asymmetry (MTRasym) at 1 ppm, 2 ppm, and 3.5 ppm were calculated. Clinical data, MTR, and MTRasym values for the extraocular muscles (one representative muscle per eye, yielding two measurements per participant) were compared among the groups. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between imaging parameters and the clinical activity score (CAS) in patients with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associations between imaging parameters and disease activity in patients with TAO (active vs. inactive). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance for discriminating active from inactive TAO. Results: Patients with active TAO showed lower MTR values (P < 0.001) and higher MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) (all P < 0.001) compared with those with inactive TAO. MTR was negatively correlated with CAS (r = -0.402; P < 0.001), while MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.369, 0.350, and 0.349, respectively;all P < 0.001). MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) in discriminating active from inactive TAO were 0.772 and 0.730, respectively. Combining MTR with MTRasym (1 ppm) significantly improved diagnostic performance compared with either parameter alone, achieving an AUC of 0.805 (P = 0.029 and 0.001). Conclusion MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. Their combination further enhanced diagnostic performance in distinguishing active from inactive TAO, suggesting their potential as quantitative imaging biomarkers to guide treatment in patients with TAO.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Shuangshen Ningxin capsules （SSNX） in regulating the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathways to inhibit inflammation and alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury （MIRI） in rats. MethodsThe 45 healthy male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were divided into sham operation group， model group， and SSNX capsules group （90 mg·kg^-1）. The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish the MIRI model. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography， and microvascular reperfusion was analyzed using contrast echocardiography. Myocardial inflammation and injury were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）. The expression levels of cardiac inflammatory cytokines， including interleukin-1α （IL-1α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Core differentially expressed genes （DEGs） and enriched pathways were screened by transcriptome sequencing. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to verify the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）， chemokine （C-X-C motif） ligand 1 （CXCL1） and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （PTGS2）， as well as the protein expression of Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-3， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 （p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2） and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the ejection fraction （EF）， fractional shortening （FS）， stroke volume （SV） and cardiac output （CO） of the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the peak time of myocardial perfusion was prolonged （P<0.01）， hypoxia-inducible factor （HIF）-1α and α-smooth muscle actin （SMA） expression increased （P<0.01）， the concentrations of inflammatory factors IL-1α， IL-6， TNF-α， TLR2， CXCL1 and PTGS2 increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK proteins was significantly increased （P<0.01）. SSNX could improve cardiac function （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly shorten the peak time of myocardial perfusion （P<0.01）. Moreover， it could also down-regulate HIF-1α and a-SMA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduce the concentrations of IL-1α， IL-6， TNF-α （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression of TLR2， CXCL1 and PTGS2 （P<0.01）. Additionally， SSNX inhibited the apoptosis rate （P<0.01） and significantly reduced the expression of Cleaved Caspase-3， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK proteins （P<0.01）. ConclusionSSNX can alleviate cardiac inflammation by regulating the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways， thereby effectively preventing and alleviating myocardial reperfusion injury.

Objective To observe the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)combined with microwave ablation(MWA)for treating vertebral compression fractures(VCF)caused by metastatic cancer.Methods Totally 112 patients with VCF caused by metastatic cancer were retrospectively enrolled,including 77 cases(105 vertebrae)underwent MWA+PVP(group A)and 35 cases(68 vertebrae)who underwent PVP alone(group B).The success rates of the treatments were recorded,and complications were observed.Visual analogue scale(VAS)score of pain,daily morphine consumption(DMC)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)of patients were compared within and between groups after treatments,and local tumor recurrence rates after treatment were observed.Results The success rates of MWA and PVP were both 100%.After treatments,bone cement leakage occurred in 12 cases(12/77,15.58%)in group A and 19 cases(19/35,54.29%)in group B,in group A was lower than in group B(P＜0.001).No other complications occurred.One week and 1,3 and 6 months after treatments,VAS scores of pain,DMC and ODI in group A and B were all lower than those before treatments(all P＜0.001).Three and 6 months after treatments,VAS scores of pain in group A were lower than those in group B(both P＜0.01),while 6 months after treatments,DMC and ODI in group A were lower than those in group B(both P＜0.01).No significant difference of VAS scores of pain,DMC nor ODI was found between groups at the other time points(all P＞0.05).Six months after treatments,local tumor recurrence rate in lesions in group A(17.14%,18/105)was significantly lower than that in group B(32.35%,22/68)(P=0.020).Conclusion For treating VCF caused by metastatic cancer,PVP combined with MWA could reduce incidence of complications,prolong pain relief time and bring better short-term local tumor control effect.

To investigate the current status of sleep quality among nurses in tertiary hospitals in China, analyze the correlations of work stress and perceived organizational support with the risk of sleep problems, and further examine the mediating effect of perceived organizational support between work stress and sleep problems in nurses.

Purpose To compare the similarity between the short-axis left ventricular cavity fractional area change measured by cardiac magnetic resonance and myocardial circumferential strain.Materials and Methods Forty cases of cardiomyopathy with different phenotypes and high-quality cardiac magnetic resonance images in PACS data center of the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively selected.All patients underwent cine imaging on a 3.0T MRI scanner.The endocardial and epicardial areas of each short-axis left ventricular slice were measured using Medviso Segment software to calculate slice-level fractional area change and global fractional area change.Slice circumferential strain and global circumferential strain were measured using Circle CVI42 software.Linear regression analysis was performed to assess correlations between global circumferential strain and global fractional area change,as well as slice circumferential strain and slice-level fractional area change.Results Both global circumferential strain and global fractional area change,as well as slice circumferential strain and slice-level fractional area change,exhibited positive correlations(all r>0.95).Linear regression demonstrated significant relationships(regression coefficients:2.40-3.16,P<0.05),with coefficient magnitudes related to left ventricular cavity radius.After normalization,circumferential strain and fractional area change curves showed identical standard deviations.Conclusion Short-axis left ventricular cavity fractional area change and myocardial circumferential strain display significant positive correlations at both slice and global levels,with similar curve morphology.These findings suggest that circumferential strain and fractional area change possess comparable statistical value in assessing cardiac function.

Purpose To compare the similarity between the short-axis left ventricular cavity fractional area change measured by cardiac magnetic resonance and myocardial circumferential strain.Materials and Methods Forty cases of cardiomyopathy with different phenotypes and high-quality cardiac magnetic resonance images in PACS data center of the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively selected.All patients underwent cine imaging on a 3.0T MRI scanner.The endocardial and epicardial areas of each short-axis left ventricular slice were measured using Medviso Segment software to calculate slice-level fractional area change and global fractional area change.Slice circumferential strain and global circumferential strain were measured using Circle CVI42 software.Linear regression analysis was performed to assess correlations between global circumferential strain and global fractional area change,as well as slice circumferential strain and slice-level fractional area change.Results Both global circumferential strain and global fractional area change,as well as slice circumferential strain and slice-level fractional area change,exhibited positive correlations(all r>0.95).Linear regression demonstrated significant relationships(regression coefficients:2.40-3.16,P<0.05),with coefficient magnitudes related to left ventricular cavity radius.After normalization,circumferential strain and fractional area change curves showed identical standard deviations.Conclusion Short-axis left ventricular cavity fractional area change and myocardial circumferential strain display significant positive correlations at both slice and global levels,with similar curve morphology.These findings suggest that circumferential strain and fractional area change possess comparable statistical value in assessing cardiac function.

Objective To investigate the impact of blood sampling from different sites on coagula-tion results during systemic heparin anticoagulation period treated by continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT).Methods Seventy-eight patients undergoing CRRT with systemic heparin anticoag-ulation were selected.Using a self-control method,blood samples were simultaneously collected from sampling port at input end of the CRRT extracorporeal circuit,the arterial pressure monitoring cathe-ter,and the peripheral vein of the patients.The four coagulation parameters were tested,and the differences in coagulation results among the blood sampling sites were compared.Results During CRRT with systemic heparin anticoagulation,the four coagulation parameters using blood samples col-lected from the sampling port at the input end of the CRRT extracorporeal circuit,the arterial pressure monitoring catheter,and the peripheral vein showed no statistically significant differences(P＞0.05).Subgroup analyses based on different hemofiltration machines and heparin doses also showed no statisti-cally significant differences(P＞0.05).Conclusion During CRRT,blood sampling from the sam-pling port at the input end of the circuit or the arterial pressure monitoring catheter can be used as an alternative to peripheral venous blood sampling,with no impact on coagulation results.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a subanesthetic dose of esketamine in prevent-ing postoperative nausea and vomiting following carboprost administration during cesarean section.Methods One hundred thirty-five full-term singleton parturients,ASAⅠ-Ⅱ,aged 20-40 years,scheduled for elective cesarean section,were recruited.They were randomly assigned to three groups(n=45):the normal saline group(Group C),the palonosetron group(Group P),and the esketamine group(Group E).All parturients received combined spinal-epidural anesthesia,achieving a sensory level of T5-7.Following umbilical cord clamping,carboprost tromethamine was injected into the uterine body.Concurrently,Group C received intravenous normal saline,Group P received palonosetron,and Group E received esketamine.The incidence of nausea,vomiting,and chest discomfort was recorded from the time of carboprost administration until the parturients left the operating theater.Additionally,mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),oxygen saturation(SpO2),and Ramsay sedation scores were mea-sured at six time points:upon entering the room(T0),1 minute before intervention(T1),2 minutes(T2),5 min-utes(T3),15 minutes(T4),and 30 minutes(T5)post-intervention.Maternal satisfaction was evaluated as the parturients left the operating room.Results Compared with group C,the incidence of nausea,vomiting,and chest discomfort in group E was significantly lower(all P<0.05).Additionally,group E showed a significantly lower incidence of nausea and chest discomfort compared to group P(all P<0.05).In terms of maternal satisfaction,group E reported significantly higher levels than both group C(P<0.05)and group P(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in the incidence of nausea,vomiting,chest discomfort,or satisfaction between the other groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The administration of subanesthetic doses of esketamine significantly decreases the incidence of adverse effects such as nausea,vomiting,and chest tightness that are commonly associated with carboprost tromethamine use during cesarean sections,thereby enhancing patient satisfaction in the perioperative period.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the activity and mechanism of tetrandrine(TET)against influenza A virus in vitro and in vivo.METHODS(1)Cell experiments.① Human non-small cell lung cancer cells(A549)were divided into TET 0(cell control),1.25,2.5,5,10,20 and 25 μmol·L-1 groups,and H1N1+TET 0,1.25,2.5,5,10,20 and 25 μmol·L-1 groups.The TET groups were treated with the corresponding concentrations of TET while the H1N1+TET groups were infected with H1N1 for 1 h before the corresponding concentrations of TET were added.After 48 h,cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 method.② The cells were divided into cell control,H1N1+TET 0,2.5,5,and 10 μmol·L-1 groups and treated as in ①.After 24 h of incubation,the mRNA expressions of matrix protein 1(M1),hemagglutinin(HA),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-β(IFN-β)were tested by the real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR).The expression levels of M1,HA,neuraminidase(NA),nucleoprotein(NP),and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)protein were detected by Western blotting.(2)Animal experiments.① Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the solvent control group,H1N1 group,H1N1+oseltamivir phosphate(Ose)20 mg·kg-1 group,and H1N1+TET 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 groups.The solvent control group and the H1N1 group were ig administered with 0.5％carboxymethyl cellulose sodium(CMC-Na),while the H1N1+Ose group and the H1N1+TET 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 groups were ig given suspensions of the respective concentrations of drugs in 0.5％CMC-Na.After three consecutive days of pretreatment,all these groups except the solvent control group were intranasally inoculated with H1N1 to establish an influenza-infected mouse model.The survival rate and body mass of mice were monitored and recorded for 15 consecutive days post-H1N1 infection.② The grouping and treatment were the same as ①.After infection,mice were sacrificed on day 3 and 5.The expression levels of M1,HA,TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6in lung tissues were detected by RT-qPCR,and those of M1,HA,NA,NP,and phosphoryla-tion of STAT3 protein in mice lung tissues by Western blotting.Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues in mice.The levels of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA).RESULTS(1)① The half maximal inhibitory concentration study showed a value of 18.06 μmol·L-1 for A549 effected by TET.Compared with the H1N1 group,TET 2.5,5 and 10 μmol·L-1 significantly increased cell viability.② The expression levels of M1,HA mRNA and M1,HA,NA protein in the TET 2.5,5 and 10 μmol·L-1 groups were significantly lowered compared with the H1N1 group.TET 5 μmol·L-1 significantly decreased H1N1-induced IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-β mRNA expression levels in A549 cells.TET 5 and 10 μmol·L-1 could significantly mitigate the phosphorylation of STAT3.(2)① Com-pared with the H1N1 group,TET 50 mg·kg-1 significantly improved the survival rate of H1N1-infected mice while TET 25 mg·kg-1 significantly elevated the body-weight of H1N1-infected mice.In the TET 50 mg·kg-1 group,expressions of HA and M1 mRNA,and HA,M1,NA and NP protein in the lung tissues of H1 N1-infected mice were significantly reduced compared with the H1N1 group.Compared with the H1N1 group,TET 50 mg·kg-1 significantly decreased the lung index,improved inflammatory lesions in lung tissues,inhibited the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6 and IFN-β in lung tissues,and down regu-lated the expressions of TNF-α,IL-6 and IFN-β proinflammatory cytokines in the BALF of the H1N1-infected mice.In addition,TET 50 mg·kg-1 also significantly inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation in lung tissues of mice infected with H1N1.CONCLUSION TET can inhibit H1N1 infection both in vivo and in vitro.The potential mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway,which subse-quently suppresses the inflammatory response induced by H1N1.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the activity and mechanism of tetrandrine(TET)against influenza A virus in vitro and in vivo.METHODS(1)Cell experiments.① Human non-small cell lung cancer cells(A549)were divided into TET 0(cell control),1.25,2.5,5,10,20 and 25 μmol·L-1 groups,and H1N1+TET 0,1.25,2.5,5,10,20 and 25 μmol·L-1 groups.The TET groups were treated with the corresponding concentrations of TET while the H1N1+TET groups were infected with H1N1 for 1 h before the corresponding concentrations of TET were added.After 48 h,cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 method.② The cells were divided into cell control,H1N1+TET 0,2.5,5,and 10 μmol·L-1 groups and treated as in ①.After 24 h of incubation,the mRNA expressions of matrix protein 1(M1),hemagglutinin(HA),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-β(IFN-β)were tested by the real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR).The expression levels of M1,HA,neuraminidase(NA),nucleoprotein(NP),and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)protein were detected by Western blotting.(2)Animal experiments.① Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the solvent control group,H1N1 group,H1N1+oseltamivir phosphate(Ose)20 mg·kg-1 group,and H1N1+TET 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 groups.The solvent control group and the H1N1 group were ig administered with 0.5％carboxymethyl cellulose sodium(CMC-Na),while the H1N1+Ose group and the H1N1+TET 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 groups were ig given suspensions of the respective concentrations of drugs in 0.5％CMC-Na.After three consecutive days of pretreatment,all these groups except the solvent control group were intranasally inoculated with H1N1 to establish an influenza-infected mouse model.The survival rate and body mass of mice were monitored and recorded for 15 consecutive days post-H1N1 infection.② The grouping and treatment were the same as ①.After infection,mice were sacrificed on day 3 and 5.The expression levels of M1,HA,TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6in lung tissues were detected by RT-qPCR,and those of M1,HA,NA,NP,and phosphoryla-tion of STAT3 protein in mice lung tissues by Western blotting.Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues in mice.The levels of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA).RESULTS(1)① The half maximal inhibitory concentration study showed a value of 18.06 μmol·L-1 for A549 effected by TET.Compared with the H1N1 group,TET 2.5,5 and 10 μmol·L-1 significantly increased cell viability.② The expression levels of M1,HA mRNA and M1,HA,NA protein in the TET 2.5,5 and 10 μmol·L-1 groups were significantly lowered compared with the H1N1 group.TET 5 μmol·L-1 significantly decreased H1N1-induced IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-β mRNA expression levels in A549 cells.TET 5 and 10 μmol·L-1 could significantly mitigate the phosphorylation of STAT3.(2)① Com-pared with the H1N1 group,TET 50 mg·kg-1 significantly improved the survival rate of H1N1-infected mice while TET 25 mg·kg-1 significantly elevated the body-weight of H1N1-infected mice.In the TET 50 mg·kg-1 group,expressions of HA and M1 mRNA,and HA,M1,NA and NP protein in the lung tissues of H1 N1-infected mice were significantly reduced compared with the H1N1 group.Compared with the H1N1 group,TET 50 mg·kg-1 significantly decreased the lung index,improved inflammatory lesions in lung tissues,inhibited the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6 and IFN-β in lung tissues,and down regu-lated the expressions of TNF-α,IL-6 and IFN-β proinflammatory cytokines in the BALF of the H1N1-infected mice.In addition,TET 50 mg·kg-1 also significantly inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation in lung tissues of mice infected with H1N1.CONCLUSION TET can inhibit H1N1 infection both in vivo and in vitro.The potential mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway,which subse-quently suppresses the inflammatory response induced by H1N1.