ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Huangqi Chifengtang （HQCFT） on rats with atherosclerosis （AS） by regulating the gut microbiota and their metabolites. MethodsA rat model of AS was induced through high-fat diet feeding and vitamin D₃ injection， and the modeling lasted for 12 weeks. Fifty eight-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups： A blank group， a model group， a group receiving a low dose of HQCFT at 1.53 g·kg^-1 （HQCFT-L group）， a group receiving a high dose of HQCFT at 3.06 g·kg^-1 （HQCFT-H group）， and a group receiving atorvastatin calcium tablets at 1.8 mg·kg^-1 （Ato group）， with 10 rats in each group. Oral gavage administration started on the day after model establishment， once daily for four weeks. The efficacy of HQCFT was verified using aortic hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and determination of lipid levels and hemorrheology. The real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used for detecting inflammatory factor levels in the aorta， high-throughput sequencing for analyzing the gut microbiota composition in intestinal contents， targeted metabolomics for detecting short-chain fatty acid （SCFA） levels， and non-targeted metabolomics for identifying metabolomic profiles of intestinal contents. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group， the aortic tissue of rats in the model group showed significant AS lesions， including endothelial damage， inflammatory infiltration， and formation of fibrous plaques and calcified foci. Moreover， serum triacylglycerol （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels were significantly elevated （P<0.05）， while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Significant increases were observed in whole blood viscosity， plasma viscosity， and the mRNA expression levels of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1， interleukin （IL）-β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in aortic tissue （P<0.05）. Additionally， gut microbiota composition， SCFA levels， and metabolomic profiles were significantly altered. Compared with those in the model group， serum TC， TG， and LDL-C levels， as well as the whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity， were significantly reduced in all groups treated with HQCFT （P<0.05）. Significant decreases were observed in NLRP3 mRNA expression levels in all groups treated with HQCFT， Caspase-1， IL-β， and IL-6 mRNA expression levels in the HQCFT-H group， and TNF-α mRNA expression levels in the HQCFT-L group （P<0.05）. HQCFT reversed the increase in the F/B ratio and dialled back the decrease in the relative abundance of Blautia and the increase in that of Desulfovibrio. HQCFT promoted the production of acetic acid， valeric acid， and propionic acid. Non-targeted metabolomics identified 39 differential metabolites， which were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways such as arachidonic acid metabolism and primary bile acid biosynthesis. ConclusionThe mechanism by which HQCFT ameliorates AS injury may be related to the improvement of dyslipidemia and body inflammatory responses by altering gut microbiota composition， promoting SCFA production， and regulating the levels of metabolites in intestinal contents.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Huangqi Chifengtang （HQCFT） on rats with atherosclerosis （AS） by regulating the gut microbiota and their metabolites. MethodsA rat model of AS was induced through high-fat diet feeding and vitamin D₃ injection， and the modeling lasted for 12 weeks. Fifty eight-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups： A blank group， a model group， a group receiving a low dose of HQCFT at 1.53 g·kg^-1 （HQCFT-L group）， a group receiving a high dose of HQCFT at 3.06 g·kg^-1 （HQCFT-H group）， and a group receiving atorvastatin calcium tablets at 1.8 mg·kg^-1 （Ato group）， with 10 rats in each group. Oral gavage administration started on the day after model establishment， once daily for four weeks. The efficacy of HQCFT was verified using aortic hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and determination of lipid levels and hemorrheology. The real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used for detecting inflammatory factor levels in the aorta， high-throughput sequencing for analyzing the gut microbiota composition in intestinal contents， targeted metabolomics for detecting short-chain fatty acid （SCFA） levels， and non-targeted metabolomics for identifying metabolomic profiles of intestinal contents. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group， the aortic tissue of rats in the model group showed significant AS lesions， including endothelial damage， inflammatory infiltration， and formation of fibrous plaques and calcified foci. Moreover， serum triacylglycerol （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels were significantly elevated （P<0.05）， while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Significant increases were observed in whole blood viscosity， plasma viscosity， and the mRNA expression levels of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1， interleukin （IL）-β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in aortic tissue （P<0.05）. Additionally， gut microbiota composition， SCFA levels， and metabolomic profiles were significantly altered. Compared with those in the model group， serum TC， TG， and LDL-C levels， as well as the whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity， were significantly reduced in all groups treated with HQCFT （P<0.05）. Significant decreases were observed in NLRP3 mRNA expression levels in all groups treated with HQCFT， Caspase-1， IL-β， and IL-6 mRNA expression levels in the HQCFT-H group， and TNF-α mRNA expression levels in the HQCFT-L group （P<0.05）. HQCFT reversed the increase in the F/B ratio and dialled back the decrease in the relative abundance of Blautia and the increase in that of Desulfovibrio. HQCFT promoted the production of acetic acid， valeric acid， and propionic acid. Non-targeted metabolomics identified 39 differential metabolites， which were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways such as arachidonic acid metabolism and primary bile acid biosynthesis. ConclusionThe mechanism by which HQCFT ameliorates AS injury may be related to the improvement of dyslipidemia and body inflammatory responses by altering gut microbiota composition， promoting SCFA production， and regulating the levels of metabolites in intestinal contents.

Purpose To explore the consistency between T2 mapping and three-dimensional water-selective cartilage(3D-WATSc)sequence measurement of knee cartilage volume.Materials and Methods A total of 30 healthy volunteers were recruited and underwent 3D-WATSc and T2 mapping sequence scans of the left knee joint in the Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University from May to December 2022.A total of 20 subjects'T2 mapping sequences were randomly selected and eight groups of raw images with different TE(13,26,39,52,65,78,91,104 ms)were analyzed.The quality of the raw images was rated by two observers,and the consistency of two observers'scores were subjected by Kappa test.The TE value with the best image quality was determined via Welch analysis of variance and Games-Howell text post hoc test.Based on T2 mapping and 3D-WATSc sequences,semi-automatic segmentation measurements were performed on the cartilage volume of femoral condyle,tibial plateau and patellar posterior margin in 30 subjects.Intra group correlation coefficient(ICC)and Bland-Altman plot were used to test the consistency of cartilage volume between two observers under T2 mapping sequence,as well as between T2 mapping and 3D-WATSc sequences.Results The consistency of the scores of the two observers was moderate except for poor consistency at TE 104 ms(Kappa=0.318)and no statistical difference at TE 78 ms(P=0.052),with Kappa values greater than 0.40 and P<0.05,further analysis showed that the cartilage display quality score was optimal at TE 26 ms(M=2.90).Comparing TE 26 ms with the scores of the other seven groups in Games Howell text,except for TE 26 ms and TE 13 ms(M=2.55),TE 26 ms and TE 39 ms(M=2.62),which had no statistically significant difference in scores(P>0.05),there were significant differences in scores between TE 26 ms and the other TE groups(all P<0.05).On the T2 mapping(TR 2 000 ms,TE 26 ms)sequence,the ICC values of the cartilage volumes of each part segmented by two observers were all greater than 0.6,P<0.05,with the consistency of femoral condyle cartilage volume being the best(ICC=0.877,P<0.01).The consistency of the cartilage volumes of each part measured by 3D-WATSc and T2 mapping sequences was good(ICC>0.75,P<0.01),with the consistency of tibial plateau cartilage volume being the best(ICC=0.857,P<0.01).Conclusion The T2 mapping original grayscale image(TR 2 000 ms,TE 26 ms)can clearly display the morphology of knee joint cartilage,the consistency between T2 mapping and 3D-WATSc sequences in quantifying knee cartilage volume is good,and the T2 mapping single sequence provides a reliable scanning scheme for one-stop quantitative analysis of knee joint cartilage morphology and function.

Purpose To explore the consistency between T2 mapping and three-dimensional water-selective cartilage(3D-WATSc)sequence measurement of knee cartilage volume.Materials and Methods A total of 30 healthy volunteers were recruited and underwent 3D-WATSc and T2 mapping sequence scans of the left knee joint in the Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University from May to December 2022.A total of 20 subjects'T2 mapping sequences were randomly selected and eight groups of raw images with different TE(13,26,39,52,65,78,91,104 ms)were analyzed.The quality of the raw images was rated by two observers,and the consistency of two observers'scores were subjected by Kappa test.The TE value with the best image quality was determined via Welch analysis of variance and Games-Howell text post hoc test.Based on T2 mapping and 3D-WATSc sequences,semi-automatic segmentation measurements were performed on the cartilage volume of femoral condyle,tibial plateau and patellar posterior margin in 30 subjects.Intra group correlation coefficient(ICC)and Bland-Altman plot were used to test the consistency of cartilage volume between two observers under T2 mapping sequence,as well as between T2 mapping and 3D-WATSc sequences.Results The consistency of the scores of the two observers was moderate except for poor consistency at TE 104 ms(Kappa=0.318)and no statistical difference at TE 78 ms(P=0.052),with Kappa values greater than 0.40 and P<0.05,further analysis showed that the cartilage display quality score was optimal at TE 26 ms(M=2.90).Comparing TE 26 ms with the scores of the other seven groups in Games Howell text,except for TE 26 ms and TE 13 ms(M=2.55),TE 26 ms and TE 39 ms(M=2.62),which had no statistically significant difference in scores(P>0.05),there were significant differences in scores between TE 26 ms and the other TE groups(all P<0.05).On the T2 mapping(TR 2 000 ms,TE 26 ms)sequence,the ICC values of the cartilage volumes of each part segmented by two observers were all greater than 0.6,P<0.05,with the consistency of femoral condyle cartilage volume being the best(ICC=0.877,P<0.01).The consistency of the cartilage volumes of each part measured by 3D-WATSc and T2 mapping sequences was good(ICC>0.75,P<0.01),with the consistency of tibial plateau cartilage volume being the best(ICC=0.857,P<0.01).Conclusion The T2 mapping original grayscale image(TR 2 000 ms,TE 26 ms)can clearly display the morphology of knee joint cartilage,the consistency between T2 mapping and 3D-WATSc sequences in quantifying knee cartilage volume is good,and the T2 mapping single sequence provides a reliable scanning scheme for one-stop quantitative analysis of knee joint cartilage morphology and function.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of one-step CT angiography from deep vein of lower limbs to pulmonary artery in the direction of head and foot.Methods:Twenty-eight patients who presented Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine from January 2017 to June 2019 were collected. All patients who underwent one-step CT angiography of the deep veins of the lower extremities to the pulmonary artery were randomly divided into two groups, A or B, and scanned from the entrance of the thorax to 10 cm below the knee joint. Group A was foot-head direction group with delayed time scanning according to empirical method. Group B was the head-foot direction group with a single point triggered automatic tracing scan at the level of the main pulmonary artery trunk. The independent sample t-test was used to compare the scan time, dose length product (DLP), and mean CT value of enhancement of the pulmonary artery opening between the two groups. Results:The average scanning time of the foot-head scanning group was (36.4±1.2)s, the average DLP was (684.4±37.8) mGy·cm, and the average enhanced CT value of pulmonary artery image was (181.3±15.5) HU. The average scanning time of the head foot scanning group was (16.4±0.3) s, the average DLP was (441.8±34.4) mGy·cm, and the average enhanced CT value of the pulmonary artery image was (257.9±24.5) HU. Scanning time, mean DLP, and pulmonary artery level enhancement values were significantly different between the two groups ( t=17.92, 4.71, 2.44, P<0.05). Conclusions:The clinical value of one-step CT angiography from deep vein of lower limbs to pulmonary artery in the head-foot direction is significantly better than that in the head-foot direction. It can significantly shorten the scanning time, reduce the radiation dose, and increase the enhancement value of pulmonary artery to improve the detection of pulmonary embolism.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) through quantitative computed tomography (QCT).Methods:The present study included 76226 participants. Abdominal fat areas were measured using the QCT Pro Model 4 system. Cardiometabolic indices were collected, including systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterols CMR score was the sum of abnormal blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Restricted cubic spline and ordered logistic regression models were applied.Results:The mean age was 50±13 years and the percentage of men was 58.8%. The level of VAT area was higher in men than in women (191.7±77.1 cm 2 vs 116.4±56.2 cm 2, P<0.0001 for all). After adjustment for age, the cardiometabolic indices except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased with increasing VAT area. When VAT area was 300 cm 2, age-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of a CMR score ≥ 1 were 14.61 (13.31, 16.04) for men and 5.46 (4.06, 7.36) for women, and the age-adjusted probability of a CMR score ≥ 3 was 31.7% for men and 31.3% for women. Conclusions:QCT-derived VAT is closely related to CMR. The findings suggest that measurement of visceral fat is recommended for the management of abdominal obesity in subjects who agree to undergo lung cancer screening via low-dose CT without additional radiation exposure.

Objective:To investigate the values of CT angiography (CTA) and color Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis and etiological screening of varicocele (VC).Methods:Ninety-seven patients with VC diagnosed by the Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital from May 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively included. The CTA and color Doppler ultrasonographic data of 194 spermatic veins (including 116 varicocele veins) were analyzed. Paired t test was used to compare the mean diameter of spermatic veins at the root of scrotum measured by CTA and color Doppler ultrasound. McNemar test was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of CTA and color Doppler examination for VC, and χ 2 or Fisher exact probability was used to compare the detection rate of CTA and color Doppler examination in screening the etiology of VC. Results:The average diameters of scrotal root of spermatic veins by CTA and color Doppler ultrasonography were (2.9±0.6) and (3.0±0.6) mm for VC cases, with no significant difference found( t=0.885, P=0.381). According to the diagnostic VC standard of color Doppler ultrasound (diameter>2 mm), no significant difference was found between CTA and color Doppler ultrasound in the sensitivity [95.69%(111/116) vs. 100%(116/116)] and specificity [100%(78/78) vs. 100%(78/78)] in the diagnosis of VC. The etiological detection rate of CTA in 97 patients with VC was significantly higher than that of color Doppler ultrasound ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Both CTA and color Doppler ultrasound have high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of VC. CTA has a higher etiological detection rate in etiological screening of VC than color Doppler ultrasound.

The epidemic of COVID-19 has become the topmost public health threat worldwide. The authors suggested that in addition to strengthening the organization and leadership of the abovementioned work, greater attention be paid to establishing and improving the prevention and control mechanism.Furthermore, special efforts should be given to the safety of the medical workers, by strengthening their infection monitoring and outbreak management. Medical workers in different work areas and positions should be placed under careful protection with due cleaning and disinfection measures. The protection during specimen collection, transportation and medical waste management should also be prioritized. Such special issues in the management of pediatric patients, as allocation of nurses, the screening and management of caregivers, the problem of breastfeeding, and the disinfection of children′s toys and diapers were discussed. This paper also put forward management suggestions for the outpatient department, isolation ward and other key departments, which aim to guide the prevention and control of COVID-19 nosocomial infection in the pediatric outpatient and ward.

The pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which began in December 2019, has become the most serious public health problem, threatening people's health and life. This threat is posing a severe challenge on the diagnosis and treatment of 2019-nCoV infection, the prevention and control of hospital cross infection of medical staff. It is suggested that in addition to strengthening the organization and leadership of the abovementioned work, establishing and improving the prevention and control mechanism deserve greater attention. Furthermore, special attention should be given to the safety of the medical staff, strengthening their infection monitoring and outbreak management. Medical staff in different work areas and positions should be placed under careful protection, cleaning and disinfection measures. The protection during specimen collection, transportation and medical waste management should also be prioritized. This paper also put forward management suggestions for the outpatient department, isolation ward and other key departments. These measures are proposed to provide a guidance for the prevention and control of 2019-nCoV nosocomial infection in the pediatric outpatient and ward.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) on vascular involvement of pancreatic cancer. Methods: Patients, suspected pancreatic cancer with vascular involvement by CT scan in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2014 to March 2019, were enrolled prospectively in the study. EUS was performed to evaluate the vascular involvement compared with surgical pathological results. Results: A total of 132 patients with pancreatic cancer were enrolled in the study, and they all underwent EUS observation and radical resection with vessels resection. There were 103 cases of cancer in pancreatic head, 19 cancers in pancreatic neck and 10 cancers in distal pancreas. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of EUS was 97.4% (113/116), 81.2% (13/16), and 95.5% (126/132), respectively for pancreatic cancers with vein involvement; while was 33.3% (2/6), 90.0% (81/90), and 86.5% (83/96), respectively, for pancreatic cancers with superior mesentery artery involvement. Conclusion EUS may play a key role in diagnosis of vascular involvement of pancreatic cancer, and be helpful for the surgical decision marking.