ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of jujuboside A （JuA） on the learning and memory abilities and histopathological changes in the rat model of vascular cognitive impairment （VCI） and explore the potential mechanisms by which JuA treats VCI. MethodsA total of 50 male SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into a sham operation group （n=10）， a blank control group （n=10）， and a modeling group （n=30）. The rats in the modeling group underwent bilateral carotid artery ligation （2-VO） for the modeling of VCI. After stabilization， the VCI rats were randomized into model， JuA （20 mg·kg^-¹）， and donepezil （0.45 mg·kg^-¹） groups. After 4 weeks of gavage， the novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests were conducted to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats. Nissl staining was employed to evaluate the morphology and number of hippocampal neurons. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）， cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB）， B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， and protein kinase B （Akt） in the hippocampal tissue. Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of GSK-3β， p-GSK-3β， p-CREB， Bcl-2， PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， and p-Akt in the hippocampal tissue. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the model group exhibited declines in the learning and memory abilities （P<0.01）， neuronal damage and decreased neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， up-regulation in the mRNA level of GSK-3β （P<0.01）， and down-regulation in the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， CREB， and Bcl-2， as well as the protein levels of p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-GSK-3β， p-CREB， and Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. In comparison to the model group， both the JuA and donepezil groups demonstrated improvements in the learning and memory abilities （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with reduced neuronal damage and increased neurons （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the two groups showed down-regulation in the mRNA level of GSK-3β （P<0.01） and up-regulation in the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， CREB， and Bcl-2 and the protein levels of p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-GSK-3β， p-CREB， and Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences between the blank control and sham operation groups in terms of the learning and memory abilities， neuron count， and mRNA and protein levels of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway-related factors. ConclusionJuA can ameliorate the cognitive impairment in the rat model of VCI by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， reducing the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons， and alleviating the hippocampal neuronal damage.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） inhibits pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease （AD） mice via the NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase）-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pathway. MethodsThirty APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly and evenly divided into the model group （model group）， the positive control group （Donepezil group， 0.65 mg·kg^-1）， and the HLJDT treatment group （HLJDT group， 5.2 g·kg^-1）. Ten C57BL/6 mice were assigned to the blank control group （control group）. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were used to evaluate learning and memory abilities. Nissl staining was employed to observe the morphology， quantity， and distribution of neurons in the hippocampal region. Golgi staining was used to examine the morphology and density of neuronal dendritic spines in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression of neuroinflammation-related factors and genes in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95）， amyloid precursor protein （APP）， inflammatory factors including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， as well as pyroptosis pathway-related proteins including NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and GSDMD-N. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased learning and memory abilities （P<0.01）， reduced numbers of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly increased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Protein levels of PSD95 were markedly decreased， while the expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， both the Donepezil and HLJDT groups showed significantly improved learning and memory abilities （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased numbers of hippocampal neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly downregulated， while PSD95 expression was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in GSDMD-N levels in the Donepezil group， while GSDMD-N expression was significantly decreased in the HLJDT group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study confirms that HLJDT can improve learning and memory abilities in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice， and attenuate neuronal loss and synaptic damage， possibly through inhibition of pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） inhibits pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease （AD） mice via the NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase）-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pathway. MethodsThirty APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly and evenly divided into the model group （model group）， the positive control group （Donepezil group， 0.65 mg·kg^-1）， and the HLJDT treatment group （HLJDT group， 5.2 g·kg^-1）. Ten C57BL/6 mice were assigned to the blank control group （control group）. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were used to evaluate learning and memory abilities. Nissl staining was employed to observe the morphology， quantity， and distribution of neurons in the hippocampal region. Golgi staining was used to examine the morphology and density of neuronal dendritic spines in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression of neuroinflammation-related factors and genes in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95）， amyloid precursor protein （APP）， inflammatory factors including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， as well as pyroptosis pathway-related proteins including NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， and GSDMD-N. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased learning and memory abilities （P<0.01）， reduced numbers of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly increased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Protein levels of PSD95 were markedly decreased， while the expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， both the Donepezil and HLJDT groups showed significantly improved learning and memory abilities （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased numbers of hippocampal neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased hippocampal mRNA expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， GSDMD， p-NF-κB/NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， and APP were significantly downregulated， while PSD95 expression was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in GSDMD-N levels in the Donepezil group， while GSDMD-N expression was significantly decreased in the HLJDT group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study confirms that HLJDT can improve learning and memory abilities in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice， and attenuate neuronal loss and synaptic damage， possibly through inhibition of pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

Objective To understand the situation of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) quality control testing phantoms in radiation health technical service institutions in Guangdong province, analyze the differences among different phantoms, and provide a reference for dental CBCT quality control testing. Methods The testing phantoms of 49 radiation health technical service institutions were used as the research objects. The designated CBCT equipment was used for scanning and imaging. The Z-score method was used to evaluate the high-contrast resolution, low-contrast resolution, and distance measurement deviation of each phantom. Results The satisfaction rates of various items for the phantoms in 49 institutions ranged from 85.7% to 100%. The distance measurement deviations of four institutions were “suspicious”, and the high-contrast resolution of four institutions and the distance measurement deviation of one institution were “unsatisfactory”. Conclusion The overall performance of dental CBCT quality control testing phantoms in radiological health technical service institutions in Guangdong province is satisfactory. However, there are still some phantoms with poor results in items such as distance measurement deviation and high-contrast resolution. The structural design, material selection, and manufacturing process of the phantom may all affect the results of quality control testing. Therefore, appropriate phantoms, optimized exposure conditions, and suitable reconstruction algorithms should be used in CBCT quality control testing to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 (OH) D3), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and glycolipid metabolism in patients with diabetes 2 mellitus (T2DM), as well as their predictive value in retinopathy.Methods:A total of 120 T2DM patients admitted to Linyi Central Hospital of Shandong Province from Oct. 2020 to Oct.r 2023 were selected as the study objects (defined as the study group). Another 120 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. Serum 25 (OH) D3, IGF-1, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h plasma glucose (2 hPG) ) and lipid levels (triglycerides) were compared between the two groups. The levels of TG, total cholesterol (TC) and serum 25 (OH) D3 and IGF-1 were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. At the same time, the patients in the study group were divided into diabetic group with retinopathy (DR Group, 40 cases) and non-retinopathy group (NDR group, 80 cases) according to the status of retinopathy. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the occurrence of retinopathy in T2DM patients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of serum 25 (OH) D3 and IGF-1 levels in the occurrence of retinopathy in T2DM patients.Results:The level of serum 25 (OH) D3 was (36.15±4.25) nmol/L in the study group, lower than that in the control group (51.24±5.32) nmol/L ( P<0.05), and the level of IGF-1 was (30.26±4.52) mg/L was in the study group, higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The levels of FBG, 2 hPG, TG and TC in the study group were (8.67±2.52) mmol/L, (11.36±2.43) mmol/L, (2.05±0.72) mmol/L, (5.05±1.54) mmol/L respectively, higher than those in the control group [ (5.02±0.42) mmol/L, (6.32±0.54) mmol/L, (1.21±0.32) mmol/L, (3.42±0.68) mmol/L] ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum 25 (OH) D3 levels were negatively correlated with FBG, 2 hPG, TG and TC levels in T2DM patients ( r=-0.762, -0.782, -0.736, -0.721, P<0.05). Serum IGF-1 levels were positively correlated with the levels of FBG, 2 hPG, TG and TC in T2DM patients ( r=0.741, 0.756, 0.715, 0.698, P<0.05). Family history of diabetes in DR group, FBG, 2 hPG, TG, TC, IGF-1 levels was 35.00%, (9.31±2.49) mmol/L, (12.52±2.34) mmol/L, (2.76±0.61) mmol/L, (5.92±1.42) mmol/L, (37.89±4.41) mg/L respectively, higher than those in NDR group [16.25%, (8.35±2.15) mmol/L, (10.78±1.75) mmol/L, (1.69±0.52) mmol/L, (4.62±1.31) mmol/L, (26.45±4.06) mg/L] ( P<0.05). 25 (OH) D3 in DR group was (30.21±3.51) nmol/L, lower than that in NDR group (39.12±3.85) nmol/L ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that family history of diabetes mellitus, duration of diabetes mellitus, 25 (OH) D3, IGF-1, FBG, 2hPG, TG and TC levels were all risk factors for the occurrence of retinopathy in elderly T2DM patients ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that AUC and sensitivity of 25 (OH) D3 and IGF-1 combined to predict retinopathy in elderly T2DM patients were 0.854 and 92.50%, respectively, higher than that of 25 (OH) D3 and IGF-1 alone ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Serum 25 (OH) D3 and IGF-1 levels are abnormally expressed in elderly patients with T2DM, and there is a close relationship between glucose and lipid metabolism in elderly patients with T2DM, and the combined detection of these indicators has a higher predictive value for the occurrence of DR In elderly patients with T2DM.

Objective:To explore the correlation between subclavian artery stenosis disease (SASD) classification and posterior circulation ischemia.Methods:A retrospective study was performed; the clinical data, and Doppler vascular ultrasound and vascular imaging results of 81 SASD patients, admitted to Cerebrovascular Stenosis Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College and Department of Neurology, Rocket Force Specialty Medical Center from May 2018 to August 2023, were collected. SASD was categorized into 2 types (single type and concurrent type) based on the presence or absence of other posterior circulation artery (basilar artery, vertebral artery, or subclavian artery distal segment) stenosis/occlusion, and into 3 groups (non-posterior circulation ischemia group, posterior circulation transient ischemic attack group and posterior circulation cerebral infarction group) based on the presence or absence of posterior circulation ischemia. Blood stealing pathways in different SASD classifications were analyzed, and correlation of SASD classification with posterior circulation ischemia was discussed.Results:Single-type SASD was noted in 44 patients (54.3%), mainly initiating blood stealing through the vertebral artery to the vertebral artery and then to the subclavian artery ( n=26); concurrent-type SASD was noted in 37 patients (45.7%), mainly initiating blood stealing through the occipital artery to the costocervical trunk and then to the subclavian artery ( n=10). Sixty-five patients (80.2%) were into the non-posterior circulation ischemia group, 4 (4.9%) into the posterior circulation transient ischemic attack group and 12 (14.8%) into the posterior circulation cerebral infarction group. Among the 44 patients with single-type SASD, 39 did not have posterior circulation ischemia, and 3 had posterior circulation cerebral infarction. Among the 37 patients with concurrent-type SASD, 26 did not have posterior circulation ischemia, and 9 had posterior circulation cerebral infarction. Conclusion:Initiation of blood stealing in SASD patients is related to SASD classification, and concurrent-type SASD patients trend to have posterior circulation ischemia.

Objective:To investigate the effect of levothyroxine withdrawal before radioiodine therapy on blood lipids and renal function in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) after operation.Methods:From Mar. 2020 to Apr. 2022, 214 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer were enrolled in the General Surgery Department, Linyi Central Hospital, Shandong Province. All patients stopped taking levothyroxine sodium after total thyroidectomy. The thyroid function index, blood lipid index and renal function index were measured and compared before and after drug withdrawal (before operation) and after drug withdrawal (before radioiodine treatment). The patients were divided into groups according to the duration of drug withdrawal (drug withdrawal group for 3 weeks, drug withdrawal group for 4 weeks), and the differences of thyroid function index, blood lipid index, and renal function index among patients with different drug withdrawal time were compared. The measurement data in accordance with normal distribution were compared between groups, and independent sample t-test was performed. Results:The levels of free thyroxin T4 (FT 4) and free triiodothyronine (FT 3) in DTC patients decreased significantly ( t=57.60, 71.74,all P<0.001), and the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) increased significantly ( t=102.15, P<0.001). After drug withdrawal, the serum lipid index [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) ] and renal function index [blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCR) ] of DTC patients increased significantly ( t=20.17, 42.50, 12.13, 30.73, 16.09, 43.73, all P<0.001). The levels of FT 3 and FT 4 in the 4-week group were significantly lower than those in the 3-week group ( t=7.75 and 10.07, both P<0.001), and TSH was significantly higher than that in the 3-week group ( t=26.46, P<0.001). The levels of TG, LDL, HDL, TC, BUN and Scr in the 4-week group were significantly higher than those in the 3-week group ( t=10.13, 10.29, 8.53, 11.47, 10.54, 8.55, all P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that the levels of FT 3 and FT 4 in DCT patients were negatively correlated with the levels of TG, LDL, HDL, TC, BUN and Scr ( r=-0.256, -0.189, -0.249, -0.314, -0.352, -0.231, -0.342, -0.259, -0.304, -0.216, -0.391, -0.271, P=0.011, 0.029, 0.007, 0.004, 0.015, 0.036, 0.002, 0.009, 0.019, 0.017, 0.016, 0.003), and the levels of TSH were correlated with TG, LDL, HDL, TC and BUN Scr level was positively correlated ( r=0.257, 0.308, 0.219, 0.311, 0.251, 0.271, P=0.006, 0.013, 0.032, 0.004, 0.006, 0.014) . Conclusion:Stopping levothyroxine sodium before radioactive iodine treatment after DTC can easily lead to dyslipidemia and decreased renal function in patients, and the longer the withdrawal time is, the more obvious the changes of blood lipids and renal function in patients, and the withdrawal time should be shortened in clinical treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of Chaichuan Tongren Mixture supplemented with hysteroscopic recanalization in the treatment of tubal obstructive infertility of liver depression and qi stagnation type.Methods:A total of 60 patients with tubal obstructive infertility of liver depression and qi stagnation type who met the inclusion criteria were selected, between August 2018 and June 2020, and they were divided into the observation group with 31 cases and the control group with 29 cases, according to the random number table method. The control group was treated with hysteroscopic recanalization, while the observation group was given Chaichuan Tongren Mixture on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 4 months and followed up for 12 months. TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment, and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) was detected by fully automatic biochemical analyzer and levels of TNF-α, CRP and IL-6 were measured by ELISA. The tubal patency of patients after treatment was observed, the pregnancy status was recorded after the end of follow-up and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results:The total effective rate was 96.77% in the observation group and that in the control group was 75.86% ( χ2=4.01, P<0.01). The scores of breast distending pain, irregular menstruation, dark purple menstrual flow and lumbosacral pain in the observation group after treatment were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 17.69, 21.67, 20.89, 14.67, 18.20, respectively, all Ps<0.001). After treatment, the levels of serum PGE 2, TNF-α, CRP, and IL-6 were significantly lower in the observation group than those in the control group [(65.31±6.73) ng/L vs. (87.10±8.85) ng/L, t=10.78; (6.90±0.71) ng/L vs. (11.35±1.23) ng/L, t=17.30; (2.47±0.25) mg/L vs. (5.10±0.52) mg/L, t=25.23; (12.38±1.26) ng/L vs. (30.16±3.15) ng/L, t=29.05] ( P<0.01). After treatment, there was statistical significance in the total effective rate of tubal patency of 96.8% (30/31) in the observation group compared to 79.3% (23/29) in the control group ( χ2=4.43, P<0.01). At the end of follow-up, the pregnancy rate was 71.0% (22/31) in the observation group and 44.8% (13/29) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.21, P<0.01). Conclusion:The Chaichuan Tongren Mixture supplemented with hysteroscopic recanalization can reduce the levels of inflammatory mediators and increase the pregnancy rate of patients with tubal obstructive infertility of liver depression and qi stagnation type.

A motion unit for sucking robot with a stable motion, convenient operation and process simulation is introduced. The key parameters and process data of the sucking operation were obtained from the clinical work, which provided the basis for the design of the sucking robot motion unit. According to the points of sucking action, robotic thumb, forefinger and metacarpophalangeal joints were used to grip the suction tube, and the servo and arm structure were used to simulate the motion of the wrist and elbow to complete the rotation and push of the sputum suction tube. The feasibility is verified through the advanced sputum suction training model. The movement unit is stable in movement, and can smoothly complete the clamping, feeding, back off protection and rotating tube removal of the sputum suction tube, so as to achieve effective sputum suction.
Catheterization ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Robotics ; Suction

Objective To investigate the efficacy and limitation of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) on the diagnosis of gastrointestinal submucosal tumor (SMT) prior to endoscopic resection.Methods Data of 211 patients,who were confirmed as gastrointestinal SMT before operation and received endoscopic resection for gastrointestinal submucosal tumor at Department of Gastroenterology,Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were analyzed.The value and limitation of EUS for SMT were investigated according to the final pathology.Results For the lesion distribution,66 were in esophagus,108 in stomach,2 in duodenum and 35 in rectum.The accuracy of tumor origin by EUS was 99.5％ (210/211).The accuracy of tumor nature by EUS was 75.8％ (160/211).For the lesions originated from different locations,the diagnostic accuracy for lesion originated from esophageal mucosa/submucosa,esophageal muscularis propria,gastric mucosa/submucosa,gastric muscularis propria,duodenal submucosa,rectal mucosa/submucosa by EUS were 90.0％ (54/60),83.3％ (5/6),31.0％ (13/42),89.4％ (59/66),50.0％(1/2),82.9％ (29/35),respectively.With respect to hypoechoic lesions,leiomyoma,leiomyoma/gastrointestinal stromal tumor,and neuroendocrine tumor were the predominant type of tumor originated from esophageal mucosa,gastrointestinal muscularis propria and rectal mucosa/submucosal,respectively.Conclusion Although EUS is indispensible for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal submucosal tumor,it plays a limited role in the differential diagnosis of various lesions originated from gastric mucosa and submucosa.Since part of the submucosal tumors may be potential for malignant development,an diagnosis made by EUS should be more careful.