Objective To explore the value of contrast agent injection protocol based on individualized iodine delivery rate(IDR)applicated in enhanced spectral CT scanning of colorectal cancer.Methods Totally 131 colorectal cancer patients were prospectively collected and randomly divided into conventional group(group A,n=64,contrast agents were injected with routine method)and individualized group(group B,n=67,contrast agents were injected with individualized IDR method).Whole abdominal energy spectrum CT scanning was performed,and 70 keV images at arterial and venous phases(A70 keV)of group A and 40-70 keV images(interval 10 keV)at arterial and venous phases(B40-70 keV)of group B were reconstructed,and iodine-based material maps were reconstructed.Subjective and objective evaluation on quality of enhanced images were performed,lesions'normalized iodine concentration(NIC)were calculated,and the above indexes were compared between groups.Results Iodine intake in group B was lower than that in group A(P＜0.001).The subjective scores of B60 keV images at both arterial and venous phases were the highest,which were not different from those of A70 keV images(both P＞0.05).CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of superior mesenteric artery(SMA)and abdominal aorta on arterial B40-60 keV images were higher than those in arterial A70 keV images(all P＜0.05).CT values,SNR and CNR of superior mesenteric vein(SMV)on venous B40-50 keV,as well as CT values and CNR of SMV on venous B60 keV images were all higher than those on venous A70 keV images(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of lesions'NIC in arterial and venous phases was detected between groups(both P＞0.05).Conclusion Injection of contrast agents based on IDR combined with 60 keV single energy image for enhanced energy spectrum CT scanning of colorectal cancer could reduce the amount of contrast agents while do not affect imaging quality.

Objective·To investigate the changes in transcriptome and chromatin accessibility during the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)into neural progenitor cells(NPCs)using in vitro differentiation models and high-throughput multi-omics sequencing technologies.Methods·hESCs were first induced to differentiate into NPCs in vitro using the embryoid body formation method,and cells at both stages were collected.The cell phenotypes were identified by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR)and immunofluorescence(IF)staining.Transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq)was conducted to detect and analyze the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between hESCs and NPCs.The assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing(ATAC-seq)was employed to assess chromatin accessibility changes between hESCs and NPCs.Motif enrichment analysis was performed on differentially accessible chromatin regions to discover potential regulatory transcription factors.Finally,an integrated analysis of RNA-seq and ATAC-seq data and the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network were performed to identify key genes and regulatory pathways involved in the early stages of neural differentiation in vitro.Results·Both RT-qPCR and IF results indicated that the expression levels of pluripotency markers(NANOG and POU5F1)were high at the hESC stage but significantly decreased at the NPC stage,while early neural differentiation markers(PAX6,SOX1,and NES)were minimally expressed at the hESC stage but markedly upregulated at the NPC stage.RNA-seq analysis revealed that compared to the hESC stage,there were 5 597 genes upregulated and 3 654 genes downregulated at the NPC stage.Gene function enrichment analysis showed that the upregulated genes at the NPC stage were enriched in the functions related to neural development.ATAC-seq analysis demonstrated a total of 27 491 genomic regions had significant changes in chromatin accessibility during the differentiation from hESC to NPC,with 12 381 regions showing increased accessibility and 15 110 regions showing decreased accessibility.Motif enrichment analysis revealed that transcription factor genes such as DLX1 and LHX2 might play an important role in the differentiation process from hESCs into NPCs.Integrated analysis of RNA-seq and ATAC-seq data revealed that overlapping genes with high expression at the NPC stage were mainly enriched in axon guidance,forebrain development,and neuron migration.After neural differentiation,the expression levels of CTNND2 and LHX2 genes increased,and the chromatin accessibility of related genomic regions also increased.PPI network analysis indentified candidate downstream genes including PRKACA,CDH2,and ERBB4.Conclusion·The in vitro differentiation model of hESCs combined with high-throughput multi-omics sequencing technologies can be used to depict the changes in transcriptome and chromatin accessibility during the differentiation of hESCs into NPCs.In this process,the expression levels of genes related to axon guidance,forebrain development,and neuronal migration pathways increase and related chromatin accessibility is enhanced.

Accurate characterization of the chemical composition of complex traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is an essential foundation for the modern scientific interpretation of TCM principles.Mass spectrometry is the most dominant technique in current research on the material basis of TCM,offering the highest sensitivity and the richest information provision.Establishing mass spectrometry databases represents the most effective approach to facilitating the structural analysis of TCM chemical components.This paper systematically searches and reviews literature published from January 2005 to January 2025 through online databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure,PubMed,and Web of Science,using"mass spectrometry database"and"traditional Chinese medicine"as keywords.It reviews the current status of seven TCM chemical component mass spectrometry databases and seven natural product mass spectrometry databases.The key advancements of these mass spectrometry databases for natural products are summarized,detailing their characteristics,search methodologies,included information,and data sources.Additionally,challenges related to data quality,standardization,timely updates,database interaction,retrieval functionality,and data sharing and security are discussed in depth.Furthermore,the paper explores prospective development directions for TCM mass spectrometry databases,emphasizing the importance of open data sharing,technological innovation,and data security.Through this analysis,the paper aims to offer theoretical guidance and practical recommendations for the precise identification of TCM components,as well as for the construction and application of these databases.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of children with cervicothoracic hemivertebra at different ages and evaluate the surgical outcomes of hemivertebra resection.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed clinical and radiographic data of 35 children (under 18 years old) with cervicothoracic hemivertebra who underwent one-stage posterior hemivertebra resection at the Department of Spine Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, from June 2005 to June 2022. The cohort included 19 males and 16 females, with a surgical age of (9.7±4.1) years (range: 3 to <18 years). Patients were divided into three groups based on initial surgical age: preschool group (≤5 years, n=10), school-age group (6 to 10 years, n=10), and adolescent group (11 to <18 years, n=15). The intraoperative blood loss, operative time, number of fixed vertebrae, and perioperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Radiographic measurements were taken preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up, including the Cobb angle of the primary curve, curve length, distal curve Cobb angle, neck tilt, shoulder balance, coronal balance, trunk tilt, clavicle angle, head deviation, and local kyphosis. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H test, chi-square test, and Fisher′s exact test. Results:The operative time was (333±74) minutes (range:200 to 450 minutes), the intraoperative blood loss was (419±132) ml (range:200 to 650 ml), and the number of fixed vertebrae was (6.0±2.7) segments (range:2 to 12 segments). Preoperatively, the preschool group had a smaller primary curve Cobb angle compared to the adolescent group (33.6°±8.4° vs. 43.0°±9.4°, F=3.394, P=0.046) and distal curve Cobb angle (6.4°±2.4° vs.11.9°±4.5°, F=6.550, P=0.038). The preschool group had better coronal balance ((8.8±4.3) mm vs. (20.2±11.7)mm, F=9.448, P=0.009) and trunk tilt (4.0°±2.0° vs.7.0°±3.0°, F=4.343, P=0.029) than the school-age group. The preschool group had fewer fused vertebrae than the school-age and adolescent groups (3.8±1.6 vs. 7.0±2.6 vs. 6.8±2.6, F=10.480, P=0.005). The preschool group also had less intraoperative blood loss than the adolescent groups ((320±125) ml vs. (480±113) ml, F=8.666, P=0.013). However, no significant differences were found in postoperative and final follow-up measurements of primary and distal curve Cobb angles, neck tilt, shoulder balance, coronal balance, trunk tilt, clavicle angle, head deviation, local kyphosis, or complication rates (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Children with cervicothoracic hemivertebra across different age groups exhibit similar surgical outcomes and complication rates. But the preschool group had fewer fixed segments and less intraoperative blood loss, suggesting that this age group is an ideal time for surgery.

Objective To explore the application value of Auto-prescription combined with low-dose contrast and adaptive statisti-cal iterative reconstruction-Veo(ASIR-V)algorithm in the computed tomography angiography(CTA)of thoracodorsal artery(TDA).Methods A total of 100 patients who underwent TDA CTA examination were prospectively selected.A tube voltage of 120 kVp and contrast agent of 1.5 mL/kg were used for group A(50 cases),and images were reconstructed with 40％ post-set ASIR-V.The Auto-prescription for tube voltage and contrast agent of 1.2 mL/kg were used for group B(50 cases),while images were reconstruc-ted with 40％,60％,and 80％ post-set ASIR-V,labeled as subgroups B1 to B3.The objective and subjective evaluation results of the images were compared between and within groups.Results Group A had an effective dose(ED)of 2.98(2.65,4.03)mSv,while group B had an ED of 1.92(1.44,3.33)mSv.The iodine intake in group B was lower than that in group A,and the CT value of the axillary artery in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P＜0.001).With the increased of ASIR-V level in group B,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of the images gradually increased(P＜0.05).In terms of subjec-tive scores on axial images,both subgroups B2 and B3 were superior to group A(P＜0.001);with the increased of ASIR-V level in group B,subjective scores of axial images increased first and then decreased,among which subjective score of subgroup B2 was the highest and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).In terms of subjective scores on three-dimensional image quality,subgroups B1 to B3 were superior to group A(P＜0.001).Conclusion The use of Auto-prescription combined with low-dose con-trast and 60％ ASIR-V can significantly optimize the display of TDA,and reduce the radiation dose and contrast agent dose to a certain extent.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of hand dysfunction and its associated factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:A cross-sectional study. Patients with RA were recruited from January 2019 to April 2024 at the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including age, gender, active smoking, disease duration, time of morning stiffness, rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, disease activity, radiographic indicators, and hand function assessment. Hand function was assessed by grip strength measures and self-reported items related to hand function in the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire. Factors related to hand function were analyzed by logistic regression analyses.Results:A total of 1 079 RA patients were recruited [mean age: (53.0±12.6) years]. Overall, 72.6% (783/1 079) patients experienced a decrease in grip strength, 57.2% (617/1 079) patients experienced a decreased grip strength in both hands, with the average grip strength of the left and right hands decreasing by 16.3% and 14.1%, respectively, compared to normal values; 39.9% (430/1 079) patients had self-reported hand dysfunction. There were 185 (17.1%) older RA patients (age ≥65 years). The proportion of older RA patients with decreased grip strength [89.7% (166/185) vs. 69.0% (617/894)] and degree of decrease in grip strength compared to normal values (left hand:-35.3%±30.6% vs. -12.3%±38.6%; right hand:-32.6%±32.3% vs. -10.3%±42.1%) were significantly higher than that in young patients, and the proportion of older patients with self-reported hand dysfunction was also significantly higher [53.0% (98/185) vs. 37.1% (332/894), all P<0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pain visual analogue scale ( OR=1.375, 95% CI 1.020-1.854) was independently associated with grip strength decrease in older RA patients, while the 28-joint tender joint count ( OR=1.151, 95% CI 1.063-1.246) and provider global assessment of disease activity ( OR=1.381, 95% CI 1.171-1.628) were associated with self-reported hand dysfunction. Conclusions:Hand dysfunction is common in RA patients, especially among older RA patients, which is related to pain, joint tenderness and provider global assessment of disease activity. This result implies the importance of pain management in RA patients.

Accurate characterization of the chemical composition of complex traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is an essential foundation for the modern scientific interpretation of TCM principles.Mass spectrometry is the most dominant technique in current research on the material basis of TCM,offering the highest sensitivity and the richest information provision.Establishing mass spectrometry databases represents the most effective approach to facilitating the structural analysis of TCM chemical components.This paper systematically searches and reviews literature published from January 2005 to January 2025 through online databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure,PubMed,and Web of Science,using"mass spectrometry database"and"traditional Chinese medicine"as keywords.It reviews the current status of seven TCM chemical component mass spectrometry databases and seven natural product mass spectrometry databases.The key advancements of these mass spectrometry databases for natural products are summarized,detailing their characteristics,search methodologies,included information,and data sources.Additionally,challenges related to data quality,standardization,timely updates,database interaction,retrieval functionality,and data sharing and security are discussed in depth.Furthermore,the paper explores prospective development directions for TCM mass spectrometry databases,emphasizing the importance of open data sharing,technological innovation,and data security.Through this analysis,the paper aims to offer theoretical guidance and practical recommendations for the precise identification of TCM components,as well as for the construction and application of these databases.

Objective To explore the value of contrast agent injection protocol based on individualized iodine delivery rate(IDR)applicated in enhanced spectral CT scanning of colorectal cancer.Methods Totally 131 colorectal cancer patients were prospectively collected and randomly divided into conventional group(group A,n=64,contrast agents were injected with routine method)and individualized group(group B,n=67,contrast agents were injected with individualized IDR method).Whole abdominal energy spectrum CT scanning was performed,and 70 keV images at arterial and venous phases(A70 keV)of group A and 40-70 keV images(interval 10 keV)at arterial and venous phases(B40-70 keV)of group B were reconstructed,and iodine-based material maps were reconstructed.Subjective and objective evaluation on quality of enhanced images were performed,lesions'normalized iodine concentration(NIC)were calculated,and the above indexes were compared between groups.Results Iodine intake in group B was lower than that in group A(P＜0.001).The subjective scores of B60 keV images at both arterial and venous phases were the highest,which were not different from those of A70 keV images(both P＞0.05).CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of superior mesenteric artery(SMA)and abdominal aorta on arterial B40-60 keV images were higher than those in arterial A70 keV images(all P＜0.05).CT values,SNR and CNR of superior mesenteric vein(SMV)on venous B40-50 keV,as well as CT values and CNR of SMV on venous B60 keV images were all higher than those on venous A70 keV images(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of lesions'NIC in arterial and venous phases was detected between groups(both P＞0.05).Conclusion Injection of contrast agents based on IDR combined with 60 keV single energy image for enhanced energy spectrum CT scanning of colorectal cancer could reduce the amount of contrast agents while do not affect imaging quality.

Objective To explore the application value of Auto-prescription combined with low-dose contrast and adaptive statisti-cal iterative reconstruction-Veo(ASIR-V)algorithm in the computed tomography angiography(CTA)of thoracodorsal artery(TDA).Methods A total of 100 patients who underwent TDA CTA examination were prospectively selected.A tube voltage of 120 kVp and contrast agent of 1.5 mL/kg were used for group A(50 cases),and images were reconstructed with 40％ post-set ASIR-V.The Auto-prescription for tube voltage and contrast agent of 1.2 mL/kg were used for group B(50 cases),while images were reconstruc-ted with 40％,60％,and 80％ post-set ASIR-V,labeled as subgroups B1 to B3.The objective and subjective evaluation results of the images were compared between and within groups.Results Group A had an effective dose(ED)of 2.98(2.65,4.03)mSv,while group B had an ED of 1.92(1.44,3.33)mSv.The iodine intake in group B was lower than that in group A,and the CT value of the axillary artery in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P＜0.001).With the increased of ASIR-V level in group B,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of the images gradually increased(P＜0.05).In terms of subjec-tive scores on axial images,both subgroups B2 and B3 were superior to group A(P＜0.001);with the increased of ASIR-V level in group B,subjective scores of axial images increased first and then decreased,among which subjective score of subgroup B2 was the highest and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).In terms of subjective scores on three-dimensional image quality,subgroups B1 to B3 were superior to group A(P＜0.001).Conclusion The use of Auto-prescription combined with low-dose con-trast and 60％ ASIR-V can significantly optimize the display of TDA,and reduce the radiation dose and contrast agent dose to a certain extent.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Quhan Zhufeng Mixture on proliferation and apoptosis of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocyte(RA-FLS)based on NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.Methods RA-FLS cells were cultured in vitro,and were divided into ① blank serum group,methotrexate group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture low-,medium-and high-dosage groups;② blank serum group,AG490 group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.Different concentrations of drug-containing serum were used to intervene cells.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and mRNA expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspace-3,Caspace-9,N-myc downstream regulatory gene 2(NDRG2),Janus kinase 2(JAK2)and signal transduction and transcription activator 3(STAT3)were detected by RT-qPCR,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspace-3,Caspace-9,NDRG2,JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in cells.Results Compared with the blank serum group,cell survival rate in methotrexate group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture all dosage groups significantly decreased(P<0.01),the apoptosis rate significantly increased(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax and Caspase-9 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.01),and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression in methotrexate group and Quhan Zhufeng Mixture medium-and high-dosage groups significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the blank serum group,the mRNA and protein expression of NDRG2 significantly increased in Quhan Zhufeng Mixture all dosage groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly reduced in AG490 group and Quhan Zhufeng Mixture medium-and high-dosage groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expressions of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Conclusion Quhan Zhufeng Mixture can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of RA-FLS by regulating the activity of NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway,playing a role in treating rheumatoid arthritis.