ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Qiangjing tablets （QJT） alleviate the spermatogenic function damage caused by varicocele （VC） based on the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway-mediated oxidative stress. MethodsTen Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into a control group and a model group. Pathological examination confirmed the stability of the model. Thirty-six SD rats were randomized into control， model， low-dose （0.23 g·kg^-1） QJT， medium-dose （0.46 g·kg^-1） QJT， high-dose （0.92 g·kg^-1） QJT， and mazhilin （61.7 mg·kg^-1） groups， with 6 rats in each group. A rat model of experimental left varicocele （ELV） was established by partially ligating the left renal vein to simulate the human nutcracker syndrome. The rats were administrated with corresponding agents once a day for 28 consecutive days. The in vitro testicular culture model of rats was established through the Transwell chamber method and intervened with QJT-containing sera （2.3， 4.6， and 9.2 g·kg^-1）. Microscopic observation was carried out for the morphology of the left kidney. A micrometer was used to measure the diameter of the left spermatic vein （LSV）. The body weights of rats were recorded weekly， and the epididymis and testis weights were measured. The pathological changes of the testicular tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The levels of testosterone （T） in the cell culture supernatant and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the rat testicular tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the ROS content. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to analyze Keap1， Nrf2， 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase （3β-Hsd）， GATA-binding protein-4 （Gata-4）， and proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase （C-kit）. The ultrastructure of the tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining. The expression of Keap1， Nrf2， glutathione S-transferase α2 （Gsta2）， glutathione S-transferase μ1 （Gstm1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， quinone oxidoreductase 1 （Nqo1）， and thioredoxin reductase 1 （Txnrd1） was quantified by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the ROS content and the percentage of apoptotic cells in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， the T concentration was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the mRNA and protein expressions of Keap1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， Gsta2， Gstm1， HO-1， Nqo1 and Txnrd1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the ROS content and the percentage of apoptotic cells in each dose group of the Qiangjing Tablets were significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the mRNA and protein expressions of Keap1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， Gsta2， Gstm1， HO-1， Nqo1 and Txnrd1 were significantly increased （P<0.05）. ConclusionQJT improves sperm motility in the rat model of VC by modulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and reducing oxidative stress injury.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of cluster scalp acupuncture combined with Taijiquan training on depressive symptom, motor function, activities of daily living, serum markers, as well as brain functional connectivity (FC) and network topological properties in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). MethodsA total of 40 PSD patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from September, 2022 to September, 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into control group (n = 20) and experimental group (n = 20). The control group received cluster scalp acupuncture alone, while the experimental group underwent Taijiquan training in addition, for four weeks. They were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Barthel Index (BI) before and after treatment, while the serum levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was applied to assess brain FC, as well as the global efficiency (Eg) and small-world property (σ) of brain networks. ResultsThe scores of HAMD-17, FMA and BI improved in both groups (t > 2.922, P < 0.01) after treatment, and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.517, P < 0.05). The serum levels of DA and 5-HT increased in both groups (t > 2.637, P < 0.05), and increased more in the experimental group (t > 2.192, P < 0.05). The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased in the experimental group after treatment (t > 4.059, P < 0.001), and they were less than those in the control group (t > 2.154, P < 0.05). FC between left middle frontal gyrus and right anterior cingulate gyrus, as well as between left hippocampus and right precuneus were higher in the experimental group than in the control group after treatment (t > 3.867, P < 0.001), while Eg and σ increased in both groups (t > 2.828, P < 0.05), and they were higher in the experimental group (t > 2.675, P < 0.05). ConclusionCombination of Taijiquan training is more effective on depressive symptoms, motor function and activities of daily living in PSD patients, which may be related to up-regulation of serum DA and 5-HT, reduction of inflammatory factors, enhancement of prefrontal-limbic system functional connectivity and optimization of brain network topological properties.

With the rapid development of large language models and related technologies, various forms of patient modeling have emerged, including virtual patients, synthetic patients, artificial intelligence patients, and digital twin patients. Although these forms all share the core objective of patient simulation, they exhibit significant differences in theoretical ontology, data sources, modeling logic, and application orientation. Based on the abstraction levels of simulation objects and system mapping logic, this study systematically compares five paradigms—standardized patients, virtual patients, synthetic patients, AI patients, and digital twin patients—to clarify their conceptual boundaries and technical positioning. The findings indicate that these paradigms represent distinct modeling pathways: behavioral reproduction, scenario simulation, data generation, cognitive interaction, and individual system mapping, respectively. By constructing a multidimensional comparative framework, this study provides a theoretical foundation for the conceptual standardization of patient modeling and the strategic deployment of intelligent healthcare systems.

Objective To evaluate the consistency of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT), Digital Radiography (DR) and fat-suppression MRI in detecting occult knee joint injury. Method Clinical data from 150 patients with suspected occult knee injuries who presented to the Department of imaging at the General Hospital of Ordnance Industry between August 2022 and August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent MSCT, DR, and fat-suppression MRI for diagnostic evaluation. Arthroscopic or surgical findings served as the gold standard. We analyzed and compared the detection rates of specific types of occult knee injuries (ligament, meniscus, occult fracture, etc.) across the three modalities, as well as their ability to assess the degree of collapse and horizontal displacement in patients with knee fractures, and their overall diagnostic performance. Result According to the gold standard, among the 150 patients with suspected occult knee injury, 103 tested positive and 47 negative. Statistically significant differences were observed among MSCT, DR, and fat-suppression MRI in detecting occult fractures(P<0.05). The detection rates ranked in descending order asfollows: fat-suppression MRI>MSCT>DR. However, no significant difference were found in the detection rates of joint effusion and patellar cartilage injuries among the three techniques (P>0.05). Statistically differences were also note among the three techniques in detecting the degree of collapse and horizontal displacement in patients with knee fractures (P<0.05). Specifically fat-suppression MRI identified a higher proportion of grade 1 and 2 lesions than both MSCT and DR. Statistically significant differences were observed among the three techniques in diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy for occult knee injuries (P<0.05). Fat-suppression MRI demonstrated superior sensitivity (99.03%) and accuracy (96.67%) compared with MSCT (75.73%, 79.33%) and DR (61.17%, 68.00%). However, no significant difference was found in diagnostic specificity among the three techniques (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with MSCT and DR, fat-suppression MRI offers higher diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy for occult knee injuries, particularly in identifying ligament injuries, meniscus injuries, and occult fractures.

Objective To evaluate the consistency of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT), Digital Radiography (DR) and fat-suppression MRI in detecting occult knee joint injury. Method Clinical data from 150 patients with suspected occult knee injuries who presented to the Department of imaging at the General Hospital of Ordnance Industry between August 2022 and August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent MSCT, DR, and fat-suppression MRI for diagnostic evaluation. Arthroscopic or surgical findings served as the gold standard. We analyzed and compared the detection rates of specific types of occult knee injuries (ligament, meniscus, occult fracture, etc.) across the three modalities, as well as their ability to assess the degree of collapse and horizontal displacement in patients with knee fractures, and their overall diagnostic performance. Result According to the gold standard, among the 150 patients with suspected occult knee injury, 103 tested positive and 47 negative. Statistically significant differences were observed among MSCT, DR, and fat-suppression MRI in detecting occult fractures(P<0.05). The detection rates ranked in descending order asfollows: fat-suppression MRI>MSCT>DR. However, no significant difference were found in the detection rates of joint effusion and patellar cartilage injuries among the three techniques (P>0.05). Statistically differences were also note among the three techniques in detecting the degree of collapse and horizontal displacement in patients with knee fractures (P<0.05). Specifically fat-suppression MRI identified a higher proportion of grade 1 and 2 lesions than both MSCT and DR. Statistically significant differences were observed among the three techniques in diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy for occult knee injuries (P<0.05). Fat-suppression MRI demonstrated superior sensitivity (99.03%) and accuracy (96.67%) compared with MSCT (75.73%, 79.33%) and DR (61.17%, 68.00%). However, no significant difference was found in diagnostic specificity among the three techniques (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with MSCT and DR, fat-suppression MRI offers higher diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy for occult knee injuries, particularly in identifying ligament injuries, meniscus injuries, and occult fractures.

Objective To evaluate the consistency of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT), Digital Radiography (DR) and fat-suppression MRI in detecting occult knee joint injury. Method Clinical data from 150 patients with suspected occult knee injuries who presented to the Department of imaging at the General Hospital of Ordnance Industry between August 2022 and August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent MSCT, DR, and fat-suppression MRI for diagnostic evaluation. Arthroscopic or surgical findings served as the gold standard. We analyzed and compared the detection rates of specific types of occult knee injuries (ligament, meniscus, occult fracture, etc.) across the three modalities, as well as their ability to assess the degree of collapse and horizontal displacement in patients with knee fractures, and their overall diagnostic performance. Result According to the gold standard, among the 150 patients with suspected occult knee injury, 103 tested positive and 47 negative. Statistically significant differences were observed among MSCT, DR, and fat-suppression MRI in detecting occult fractures(P<0.05). The detection rates ranked in descending order asfollows: fat-suppression MRI>MSCT>DR. However, no significant difference were found in the detection rates of joint effusion and patellar cartilage injuries among the three techniques (P>0.05). Statistically differences were also note among the three techniques in detecting the degree of collapse and horizontal displacement in patients with knee fractures (P<0.05). Specifically fat-suppression MRI identified a higher proportion of grade 1 and 2 lesions than both MSCT and DR. Statistically significant differences were observed among the three techniques in diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy for occult knee injuries (P<0.05). Fat-suppression MRI demonstrated superior sensitivity (99.03%) and accuracy (96.67%) compared with MSCT (75.73%, 79.33%) and DR (61.17%, 68.00%). However, no significant difference was found in diagnostic specificity among the three techniques (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with MSCT and DR, fat-suppression MRI offers higher diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy for occult knee injuries, particularly in identifying ligament injuries, meniscus injuries, and occult fractures.

Background and Aims:CNLC stage IIIb hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is often accompanied by extrahepatic metastases and carries a poor prognosis.The optimal treatment strategy for these patients remains controversial,and the role of local therapy lacks robust evidence.This study aimed to compare overall survival(OS)between patients receiving combined local and systemic therapy versus systemic therapy alone,and to assess the prognostic impact of oligometastatic status and the cumulative duration of no evidence of disease(NED).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 76 CNLC stage IIIb HCC patients treated at Xiangya Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023.Forty patients received systemic therapy plus local therapy(local therapy group),and 36 received systemic therapy alone(no local therapy group).OS was compared between the two groups.Subgroup analyses were performed for oligometastatic and non-oligometastatic patients to evaluate the benefit of local therapy.In the local therapy group,the correlation between cumulative NED duration and OS was also examined.Results:The 1-,2-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 89.0%vs.66.7%,64.3%vs.25.6%,35.3%vs.8.7%,and 8.3%vs.0.0%for the local therapy and no local therapy groups,respectively,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.003).Among oligometastatic patients,the local therapy group had significantly better OS than the no local therapy group(P=0.008),whereas no significant difference was observed in non-oligometastatic patients(P>0.05).Multivariate analysis identified oligometastases as an independent prognostic factor(HR=2.213,P=0.045).In the local therapy group,cumulative NED duration was strongly correlated with OS(r=0.851,P<0.001).Local therapy was well tolerated,with no treatment-related deaths observed.Conclusion:For CNLC stage IIIb HCC patients with well-controlled intrahepatic disease,local therapy can significantly prolong survival,particularly in those with oligometastases.Achieving and maintaining NED may represent an important therapeutic goal in this patient population.

BACKGROUND:It is urgent to improve the study on the molecular mechanism of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction improving oocyte quality in polycystic ovary syndrome.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction on oocyte quality in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome and to explore the underlying mechanisms of its intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome.METHODS:Subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was used to establish the polycystic ovary syndrome model in 21-day-old female Kunming mice,and the treatment was conducted for 21 consecutive days.The estrous cycle and pregnancy was recorded.ELISA was used to detect serum sex hormone levels.The rate of apoptosis in oocytes was detected using Annexin V staining.The level of reactive oxygen species in oocytes was detected using dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.The condition of spindle bodies and chromosomes in oocytes were detected using the immunofluorescence method.Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to verify the binding properties of Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction core active components and oocyte maturation-related factors(growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15 in oocytes,respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction core active components(quercetin,kaempferol,and β-sitosterol)showed good binding activities with growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15.(2)Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction ameliorated the estrous cycle,regulated serum hormone,increased the pregnancy,decreased the rate of apoptosis,declined the level of reactive oxygen species,diminished the rate of abnormal spindle assembly and chromosome loss(P<0.01,P<0.05);and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15(P<0.05).Therefore,Ban's Culuan Zhuyun Decoction may improve the oocyte quality and increase the fertility of polycystic ovary syndrome mice by regulating the gene expression of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15.

Objective To investigate the function of glymphatic system in patients with mild traumatic brain injury via diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)index and its relationship with clinical features.Methods The clinical and imaging data from 163 patients with mild traumatic brain injury were retrospectively collected,including 31 cases with MRI-negative findings and 132 cases with MRI-positive findings.In addition,29 healthy individuals underwent physical examinations were included as a control group.The differences in DTI-ALPS index and clinical features between mild traumatic brain injury and control group,as well as among subgroups of traumatic brain injury were analyzed.Results The DTI-ALPS index in patients with mild traumatic brain injury were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that DTI-ALPS index of traumatic brain injury patients with MRI-negative findings and MRI-positive findings were all significantly higher than those of control group(P=0.023 and 0.004,respectively).Compared to control group,DTI-ALPS index in mild traumatic brain injury patients gradually increased with the progression of injury,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.008).Conclusion Patients with mild traumatic brain injury exhibit increased functional activity of glymphatic system,as indicated by increased DTI-ALPS index,which further increase with the progression of injury.

Objective To investigate the function of glymphatic system in patients with mild traumatic brain injury via diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)index and its relationship with clinical features.Methods The clinical and imaging data from 163 patients with mild traumatic brain injury were retrospectively collected,including 31 cases with MRI-negative findings and 132 cases with MRI-positive findings.In addition,29 healthy individuals underwent physical examinations were included as a control group.The differences in DTI-ALPS index and clinical features between mild traumatic brain injury and control group,as well as among subgroups of traumatic brain injury were analyzed.Results The DTI-ALPS index in patients with mild traumatic brain injury were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that DTI-ALPS index of traumatic brain injury patients with MRI-negative findings and MRI-positive findings were all significantly higher than those of control group(P=0.023 and 0.004,respectively).Compared to control group,DTI-ALPS index in mild traumatic brain injury patients gradually increased with the progression of injury,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.008).Conclusion Patients with mild traumatic brain injury exhibit increased functional activity of glymphatic system,as indicated by increased DTI-ALPS index,which further increase with the progression of injury.