Objective To evaluate the effect of low-dose ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) injection on image quality in pediatric patients, calculate the whole-body effective dose and absorbed doses to critical organs, and provide a reference for clinical protection in pediatric low-dose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) examination. Methods A total of 67 pediatric patients aged 4-14 years who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG whole-body PET/CT imaging in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University between January 2024 and December 2025 were enrolled in a retrospective study. According to the injected ¹⁸F-FDG dose, patients were divided into a full-dose group (37 cases, 2.96-3.7 MBq/kg, PET acquisition duration of 10 min) and a low-dose group (30 cases, 1.85-2.4 MBq/kg, PET acquisition duration of 15 min). All scans were performed using a uEXPLORER PET/CT scanner. The standardized uptake value, standard deviation, and signal-to-noise ratio were measured for the liver and mediastinal blood pool. Image quality was compared between the two groups. The PET effective dose was calculated based on body mass index, and the total effective dose was obtained by combining PET effective dose with CT effective dose. The doses to critical organs were calculated according to ICRP Publication 128. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and Prism 9.0 software. Differences were compared between groups. Results There were no significant differences in age, sex, weight, height, or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05), while the injected dose showed a significant difference (P<0.001). In terms of image quality, there were no significant differences in standardized uptake value, standard deviation, and signal-to-noise ratio between the two groups. In terms of radiation dose, compared with the full-dose group, the low-dose group showed a 35.13% reduction in PET effective dose and a 15.22% reduction in total effective dose (P<0.05), whereas the CT effective dose was reduced by 2.4% and the difference was not significant (P=0.0892). The doses to critical organs (gonads, breasts, thyroid, red bone marrow, lungs) in the low-dose group were significantly lower than those in the full-dose group (P<0.01). Conclusion Under the premise of meeting clinical diagnostic requirements, low-dose ¹⁸F-FDG whole-body PET/CT imaging in pediatric patients can reduce the overall radiation exposure by 15%, and decrease the doses to critical organs, including the gonads, by more than 20%.

Objective To evaluate the effect of low-dose ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) injection on image quality in pediatric patients, calculate the whole-body effective dose and absorbed doses to critical organs, and provide a reference for clinical protection in pediatric low-dose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) examination. Methods A total of 67 pediatric patients aged 4-14 years who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG whole-body PET/CT imaging in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University between January 2024 and December 2025 were enrolled in a retrospective study. According to the injected ¹⁸F-FDG dose, patients were divided into a full-dose group (37 cases, 2.96-3.7 MBq/kg, PET acquisition duration of 10 min) and a low-dose group (30 cases, 1.85-2.4 MBq/kg, PET acquisition duration of 15 min). All scans were performed using a uEXPLORER PET/CT scanner. The standardized uptake value, standard deviation, and signal-to-noise ratio were measured for the liver and mediastinal blood pool. Image quality was compared between the two groups. The PET effective dose was calculated based on body mass index, and the total effective dose was obtained by combining PET effective dose with CT effective dose. The doses to critical organs were calculated according to ICRP Publication 128. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and Prism 9.0 software. Differences were compared between groups. Results There were no significant differences in age, sex, weight, height, or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05), while the injected dose showed a significant difference (P<0.001). In terms of image quality, there were no significant differences in standardized uptake value, standard deviation, and signal-to-noise ratio between the two groups. In terms of radiation dose, compared with the full-dose group, the low-dose group showed a 35.13% reduction in PET effective dose and a 15.22% reduction in total effective dose (P<0.05), whereas the CT effective dose was reduced by 2.4% and the difference was not significant (P=0.0892). The doses to critical organs (gonads, breasts, thyroid, red bone marrow, lungs) in the low-dose group were significantly lower than those in the full-dose group (P<0.01). Conclusion Under the premise of meeting clinical diagnostic requirements, low-dose ¹⁸F-FDG whole-body PET/CT imaging in pediatric patients can reduce the overall radiation exposure by 15%, and decrease the doses to critical organs, including the gonads, by more than 20%.

Objective To evaluate the effect of low-dose ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) injection on image quality in pediatric patients, calculate the whole-body effective dose and absorbed doses to critical organs, and provide a reference for clinical protection in pediatric low-dose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) examination. Methods A total of 67 pediatric patients aged 4-14 years who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG whole-body PET/CT imaging in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University between January 2024 and December 2025 were enrolled in a retrospective study. According to the injected ¹⁸F-FDG dose, patients were divided into a full-dose group (37 cases, 2.96-3.7 MBq/kg, PET acquisition duration of 10 min) and a low-dose group (30 cases, 1.85-2.4 MBq/kg, PET acquisition duration of 15 min). All scans were performed using a uEXPLORER PET/CT scanner. The standardized uptake value, standard deviation, and signal-to-noise ratio were measured for the liver and mediastinal blood pool. Image quality was compared between the two groups. The PET effective dose was calculated based on body mass index, and the total effective dose was obtained by combining PET effective dose with CT effective dose. The doses to critical organs were calculated according to ICRP Publication 128. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and Prism 9.0 software. Differences were compared between groups. Results There were no significant differences in age, sex, weight, height, or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05), while the injected dose showed a significant difference (P<0.001). In terms of image quality, there were no significant differences in standardized uptake value, standard deviation, and signal-to-noise ratio between the two groups. In terms of radiation dose, compared with the full-dose group, the low-dose group showed a 35.13% reduction in PET effective dose and a 15.22% reduction in total effective dose (P<0.05), whereas the CT effective dose was reduced by 2.4% and the difference was not significant (P=0.0892). The doses to critical organs (gonads, breasts, thyroid, red bone marrow, lungs) in the low-dose group were significantly lower than those in the full-dose group (P<0.01). Conclusion Under the premise of meeting clinical diagnostic requirements, low-dose ¹⁸F-FDG whole-body PET/CT imaging in pediatric patients can reduce the overall radiation exposure by 15%, and decrease the doses to critical organs, including the gonads, by more than 20%.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage, accompanied by the accumulation of plasma cells, which contributes to its pathogenesis. Understanding the genetic alterations occurring during plasma cell differentiation in RA can deepen our comprehension of its pathogenesis and guide the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, our study elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying plasma cell differentiation by demonstrating that PRDX1 interacts with DOK3 and modulates its degradation by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This interaction results in the inhibition of plasma cell differentiation, thereby alleviating the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. Additionally, our investigation identifies Salvianolic acid B (SAB) as a potent small molecular glue-like compound that enhances the interaction between PRDX1 and DOK3, consequently impeding the progression of collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting plasma cell differentiation. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of developing chemical stabilizers for the PRDX1-DOK3 complex in suppressing plasma cell differentiation for RA treatment and establish a theoretical basis for targeting PRDX1-protein interactions as specific therapeutic targets in various diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of oridonin against proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and the mechanism underlying the synergistic effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). METHODS: PANC-1 cells treated with different concentrations of oridonin were examined for changes in cell proliferation using CCK-8 assay and in MDA, GSH and ATP levels using flow cytometry. The protein expressions of GPX4, Nrf2 and HO-1 in the treated cells were detected with Western blotting. The effect of Fer-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, on proliferation of oridonin-treated cells were assessed, and the effects of oridonin combined with LIPUS on PIEZO1 protein expression was evalauted using Western blotting. A C57BL/6J mouse model bearing pancreatic cancer cell xenograft was established and treated with oridonin, LIPUS, or both, and the histological changes in the tumor tissues and tumor cell proliferation were examined with HE staining and immunohistochemistry for Ki67; the changes in GPX4 expression in the tumor tissues were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: In PANC-1 cells, oridonin treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation, increased intracellular Fe²⁺, ROS, and MDA levels, and decreased GSH and ATP levels. Oridonin also resulted in lowered GPX4 and increased HO-1 and Nrf2 protein expression levels in the cells. The combined treatment with LIPUS signficiantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of oridonin on PANC-1 cell viability in vitro and on xenograft growth in the mouse models, resulting also in more obvious reduction of the intensity of Ki67 staining and GPX4 protein expression and more pronounced increase of PIEZO1 protein expression in the tumor tissues in the mouse models. CONCLUSIONS LIPUS enhances the effect of oridonin to promote ferroptosis of pancreatic cancer cells by activating PIEZO1 through the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway.
Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Diterpenes, Kaurane/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase ; Ion Channels/metabolism* ; Ultrasonic Waves ; Signal Transduction

A 65-year-old male was admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The patient had intermittent fever for 2 months with a maximum body temperature of 39.3 ℃ and elevated serum creatinine levels for 1 week. He had no other suggestive symptoms or positive signs. Laboratory test results suggested acute kidney injury and a sharp elevation in serum lactic dehydrogenase levels. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple low-density lesions, and further biopsy pathology demonstrated chronic inflammation. Thereafter, positron emission tomography (PET)/CT showed abnormally elevated uptake value for the bones throughout the entire body, in addition to the liver and brain. Repeated bone marrow biopsy finally confirmed metastatic bone cancer, which possibly originated from the kidney according to immunohistochemical staining. In this rare case of fever of unknown origin, the primary lesion was a renal tumor with bone, liver, and brain metastases. Enhanced CT and PET/CT provided negative results, and the diagnosis was eventually confirmed by repeated bone marrow pathology.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of pain control nursing for burn patients.Methods:Databases including CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Weipu Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched to collect the literature on pain control nursing of burn patients from their inception to December 31, 2024. Literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 researchers based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of the included studies was performed by applying RevMan 5.4 software. The efficacy of pain control care was assessed in terms of improving care satisfaction, alleviating negative emotions, reducing pain, and decreasing infection rate. Publication bias was analyzed on the related studies.Results:A total of 9 papers were included, all of which were randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, involving 791 burn patients, with 392 in the pain control nursing group and 399 in the conventional care group. Meta-analysis showed that compared with the conventional care, pain control nursing significantly increased satisfaction of care ( OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.22, 0.34), improved negative emotions ( SMD=-3.06, 95% CI -4.65, -1.47), reduced pain ( SMD=-2.49, 95% CI -3.41, -1.58), and effectively reduced the incidence of infection ( OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.05, 0.34). The studies related to negative emotions were at the risk of publication bias. Conclusion:Compared with conventional care, pain control nursing can significantly increase care satisfaction, alleviate negative emotions, reduce pain, and lower infection risk in burn patients.

Total-body PET/CT, with its long axial field of view and high sensitivity detector, has shown potential for reducing the dose of radiopharmaceuticals. However, pediatric patients are significantly more sensitive to radiation and have a higher long-term cancer risk than adults, posing fundamental challenges for dose management in PET/CT examinations for these patients. In this article, the technical characteristics of total-body PET/CT and its radiation exposure status in children were systematically analyzed. The radiation exposure could be controlled by the following optimization strategies: adjusting the CT exposure parameters, optimizing the scanning mode, adding reconstruction algorithm, and reducing the injected dose of radioactive tracer. By addressing both external and internal radiation during the PET/CT scanning process, the overall radiation dose received by pediatric patients can be reduced within a certain range. In addition, this article also discusses the technical differences between “total-body” and “whole-body” concepts, and emphasizes that the future optimization of radiation dose in pediatric PET/CT should be realized by integration of personalized scanning protocols. Through reasonable management of scanning protocols and processes, low-dose and high-quality PET/CT imaging can be achieved in clinical environments, thus maximizing protection of pediatric patient health while minimizing the risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the PTEN-induced hypothetical kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin pathway, the effect of acupuncture pretreatment on the expression of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in gastrocnemius muscle tissue of rats with exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) was observed, and the underlying mechanism of acupuncture pretreatment for the prevention and treatment of EIMD was explored. METHODS: Of 88 SD male rats, aged 6 weeks, 8 rats were randomly selected as a blank group, and the remaining 80 rats were randomized into a model group and an acupuncture pretreatment group, with 40 rats in each group. Either the model group or the acupuncture pretreatment group was subdivided randomly into 5 subgroups with 8 rats in each one according to the time points of sample collection, 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after modeling. An intermittent downhill running centrifugal exercise was carried out on an animal experimental treadmill to establish the EIMD model in the model group and the acupuncture pretreatment group. The rats in the acupuncture pretreatment group received acupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV6) and bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), once a day for 20 min each time, for 7 consecutive days before EIMD model preparation. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastrocnemius muscle tissue in each group. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum were detected by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PINK1, Parkin, sequestosome 1 (p62) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) in rat gastrocnemius muscle tissue. Real-time PCR was adopted to detect the mRNA expression of PINK1, Parkin, p62 and LC3B in rat gastrocnemius muscle tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the mitochondria of gastrocnemius muscles showed obvious swelling in the 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h model subgroups , autophagosomes were formed in the 12 h and 24 h model subgroups, and the mitochondrial morphology returned to normal gradually in the 72 h model subgroup. The serum MDA contents of rats in 5 model subgroups increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). The contents of SOD and CAT in the subgroups of 0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of PINK1, Parkin and LC3B in gastrocnemius muscle tissue of rats in 0 h, 12 h and 24 h subgroups were elevated (P<0.01); and the protein and mRNA expression levels of p62 in the 0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h subgroups were reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model subgroup at the same time point, the myofibril damage and the degree of mitochondrial swelling were mild in each acupuncture pretreatment subgroup, and the numbers of autophagosomes were fewer. The contents of MDA in the acupuncture pretreatment subgroups decreased at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h (P<0.05, P<0.01). The contents of SOD and CAT in the 12 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroup increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of PINK1 and Parkin in the 0 h, 12 h, and 24 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroups decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of LC3B in the 12 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroup decreased (P<0.01), and that of p62 in the 0 h and 24 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroups increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION The intermittent downhill running centrifugal exercise induces the excessive mitochondrial autophagy. Acupuncture pretreatment may attenuate EIMD, and the underlying mechanism is related to the regulation of PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway expression, reducing oxidative stress damage in skeletal muscle cells, and inhibiting mitochondrial autophagy overactivation.
Animals ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics* ; Male ; Rats ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mitophagy ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Muscular Diseases/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction