Objective To study a method for determining the cumulative dose of low-energy neutrons ( < 100 keV) independently based on a CR-39 detector. Methods According to the theory of track etching kinetics, the differences in the tracks formed by low-energy neutrons or fast neutrons in a BN + CR-39 detector under broad-spectrum neutron irradiation were analyzed. A method was proposed to identify the tracks produced by low-energy neutrons under specific etching conditions while avoiding interference from fast neutron tracks. Results Experimental results demonstrated that the BN + CR-39 detector using TASTRAK PADC CR-39 track-detecting plastic could independently detect the tracks of low-energy neutrons when etched in a 6.25 mol/L NaOH solution for 1 h. The track density showed a good linear relationship with the ambient dose equivalent of low-energy neutrons, and the calibration coefficient was 0.0366 μSv·tr⁻¹·cm². Conclusion The BN + CR-39 detector proposed in this study demonstrated high sensitivity to low-energy neutrons. The track identification method can be used for effective and independent determination of the cumulative dose equivalent of low-energy neutrons.

Objective To analyze the scanning parameters and radiation dose characteristics of pediatric CT examinations in Jiangxi Province, China, and to provide a basis for optimizing radiation protection in children. Methods The data of 1021 CT scans in children aged 0-15 years were collected from seven hospitals in Jiangxi Province, including one provincial hospital, four municipal hospitals, and two county-level hospitals. The data consisted of 405 head scans, 352 chest scans, and 264 abdominal scans. The scanning parameters kV, mAs, and scan length as well as the dose metrics weighted CT dose index and dose length product (DLP) were analyzed. Differences across age groups, anatomical regions, and hospitals were compared using one-way analysis of variance, and the results were compared with domestic and foreign studies. Results There were significant differences in scanning parameters and radiation doses among children of different age groups in CT examinations, and the differences between hospitals were also significant. The chest mAs and DLP in Hospital E were significantly higher than those in Hospital A, and the abdominal DLP in Hospital D was 4.3 times that of Hospital A. Compared with domestic and foreign studies, the DLP values of various anatomical regions in the < 1 year group were generally higher in the present study. The abdominal DLP in the < 1 year group (232.4 mGy·cm) was 3.3 times that in Tianjin. The head DLP in the 1-5 year group was higher than those in Germany and the United States. The chest DLP of the 11-15 year group was higher than that in Germany but lower than that in Henan Province. Conclusion There are significant differences in radiation doses received by children during CT examination in Jiangxi Province by age, anatomical region, and hospital, with some metrics exceeding domestic and international levels. Recommendations include optimizing scanning parameters (e.g., reducing mA/kV and adopting automatic exposure control technology), standardizing scan ranges, and establishing local diagnostic reference levels to mitigate radiation risks.

Objective:To understand the current status of thyroid 131I internal exposure of nuclear medicine staff in Jiangxi province and analyze its influencing factors. Methods:An survey was conducted for the years 2022 to 2023, involving 211 nuclear medicine staff who had received 131I treatment in Jiangxi province. The 131I activity in thyroid was measured by in vitro monitoring measurement, and the committed effective dose was estimated. Results:In 2022, 14 nuclear medicine staff were detected to have 131I in thyroid, with activities ranging from 121.32 to 2 859.09 Bq, including four staff who were estimated to have received committed effective doses above 2 mSv. In 2023, there were 21 nuclear medicine staff who were detected to have 131I in thyroid, with activities ranging from 81.75 to 1 482.21 Bq, in which 10 staff were estimated to have the committed effective dose above 2 mSv. There were no statistically significant differences between the two years in detection rate, measured activity, and committed effective dose to thyroid from 131I ( P>0.05). The highest valure of detection rate was found in cleaning staff, and there were no statistically significant differences between different position types ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the detection rate of 131I between those who only have received hyperthyroidism treatment and those who have received both hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The issue of internal exposure of nuclear medicine staff should receive attention. It is necessary to further carry out internal exposure monitoring. Meanwhile, it is suggested that the management of radiation protection should be strengthened in nuclear medicine workplaces on the part of hospitals.

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

This review aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the etiology, epidemiology, pathology, and conventional treatment of heterotopic ossification (HO), especially emerging potential therapies. HO is the process of ectopic bone formation at non-skeletal sites. HO can be subdivided into two major forms, acquired and hereditary, with acquired HO predominating. Hereditary HO is a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder, but both acquired and hereditary form can cause severe complications, such as peripheral nerve entrapment, pressure ulcers, and disability if joint ankylosis develops, which heavily contributes to a reduced quality of life. Modalities have been proposed to treat HO, but none have emerged as the gold standard. Surgical excision remains the only effective modality; however, the optimal timing is controversial and may cause HO recurrence. Recently, potential therapeutic strategies have emerged that focus on the signaling pathways involved in HO, and small molecule inhibitors have been shown to be promising. Moreover, additional specific targets, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and non-coding RNAs, could be used to effectively block HO or develop combinatorial therapies for HO.
Humans ; Ossification, Heterotopic/genetics*

Objective:To understand the current status of thyroid 131I internal exposure of nuclear medicine staff in Jiangxi province and analyze its influencing factors. Methods:An survey was conducted for the years 2022 to 2023, involving 211 nuclear medicine staff who had received 131I treatment in Jiangxi province. The 131I activity in thyroid was measured by in vitro monitoring measurement, and the committed effective dose was estimated. Results:In 2022, 14 nuclear medicine staff were detected to have 131I in thyroid, with activities ranging from 121.32 to 2 859.09 Bq, including four staff who were estimated to have received committed effective doses above 2 mSv. In 2023, there were 21 nuclear medicine staff who were detected to have 131I in thyroid, with activities ranging from 81.75 to 1 482.21 Bq, in which 10 staff were estimated to have the committed effective dose above 2 mSv. There were no statistically significant differences between the two years in detection rate, measured activity, and committed effective dose to thyroid from 131I ( P>0.05). The highest valure of detection rate was found in cleaning staff, and there were no statistically significant differences between different position types ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the detection rate of 131I between those who only have received hyperthyroidism treatment and those who have received both hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The issue of internal exposure of nuclear medicine staff should receive attention. It is necessary to further carry out internal exposure monitoring. Meanwhile, it is suggested that the management of radiation protection should be strengthened in nuclear medicine workplaces on the part of hospitals.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis derived outer membrane vesicles (Pg OMV) on osteoclast differentiation of macrophages and its underlying mechanisms. Methods:The morphology and the size distribution of Pg OMV were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracing analysis, respectively. The osteoclast precursors were treated with 1, 3 and 10 mg/L Pg OMV (1, 3 and 10 mg/L OMV treatment group) or phosphate buffer solution (PBS)(control group). The formation of osteoclasts was analyzed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphase (TRAP) staining and F-actin staining and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the expression of Fos and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9). Polymyxin B (PMB) was used to block lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then Pg OMV was used to treat osteoclast precursor (PMB-OMV treatment group), and OMV treatment group was used as control. TRAP and F-actin staining were used to observe the formation of osteoclasts and actin rings. The effect of Pg OMV on the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 in preosteoclasts was detected by Western blotting. The osteoclast precursors were pretreated with 10, 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L C29, an inhibitor of TLR2, and then treated with Pg OMV(OMV+10, 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L C29 treatment group) and OMV treatment group without C29 pretreatment was control. TRAP and F-actin staining were used to observe the formation of osteoclasts and actin rings. The osteoclast precursor cells were treated with OMV (OMV treatment group) and OMV incubated with PMB (PMB-OMV treatment group) and the expression of TLR2 in osteoclast precursor was detected by Western blotting.Results:Pg OMV showed classical vesicular structures, and the average particle size of Pg OMV were 179.2 nm. A large number of actin rings were observed in the 3 and 10 mg/L OMV treatment groups. The percentages of TRAP-positive osteoclast area in 3 mg/L OMV treatment group [(22.6±2.1)%] and 10 mg/L OMV treatment group [(32.0±2.3)%] were significantly increased compared with control group [(4.9±0.5)%] ( P<0.001). Compared with the control group (1.000±0.029), the mRNA relative expression of Fos in 3 mg/L OMV treatment group (1.491±0.114) and 10 mg/L OMV treatment group (1.726±0.254) was significantly increased ( P=0.013, P=0.001). Compared with the control group (1.007±0.148), the mRNA relative expression of MMP9 in the group of 10 mg/L OMV (2.232±0.097) was significantly increased ( P<0.001). Actin ring formation was less in PMB-OMV treatment groups than in OMV treatment groups. The proportion of TRAP-positive osteoclasts area [(14.8±3.8)%] in PMB-OMV treatment group was significantly lower than OMV treatment group [(31.5±6.7) %] ( P=0.004). The relative expression of TLR2 in OMV treatment group (1.359±0.134) was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.000±0.000) ( t=4.62, P=0.044). Compared with the OMV treatment group [(29.4±1.7)%], 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L C29 significantly decreased the formation of osteoclasts [(24.0±1.7)%, (18.5±2.1)%, (9.1±1.3) %] ( P=0.026, P<0.001, P<0.001). TLR2 protein expression in PMB-OMV group (0.780±0.046) was significantly lower than that in OMV group (1.000±0.000)( t=8.32, P=0.001). Conclusions:Pg OMV can promote osteoclast differentiation by carrying LPS, TLR2 plays an important role in Pg OMV mediated osteoclast differentiation.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of thromboelastography(TEG)parameters in conjunction with platelet count(PLT)for guiding platelet transfusion in critically ill patients with fever associated with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS).Methods Sixty-two critically ill patients with fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome were selected from the infection department of a hospital.They were divided into two groups:the bleeding group(n=30)and non-bleeding group(n=32).Changes in relevant indices,such as PLT and TEG,were com-pared between the two groups using t-test,chi-square test or non-parametric test.Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze factors predicting bleeding in critically ill patients.The efficacy of these indices in predicting bleeding was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve,determining opti-mal cut-off values,and comparing PLT levels with mortality rates using chi-square test after grouping based on MA cut-off value.Results First of all,the MA value and PLT were significantly lower in bleeding patients compared to non-bleeding patients(P<0.05),while the K value and PT were significantly higher in bleeding patients(P<0.05).Second of all,logistic regression analysis revealed that both MA value and PLT were significant influencing factors for hemorrhage in patients(P<0.05).Third of all,ROC analysis demonstrated that the area under the curve for PLT was 0.884,while for MA it was 0.890(P<0.05).Among these,PLT exhibited the highest specificity and MA value had the highest sensitivity,with a best cut-off value of 48.85 mm for MA.The combined index of K,MA,and PLT yielded an area under the curve of 0.941 and a Youden index of 0.77,which were higher than those obtained from individual indices.Finally,Rank sum test and Fisher exact test indicated that individuals with an MA value<48.85 mm had lower PLT levels and higher mortality rates(P<0.05).Conclusion The integration of TEG and PLT demonstrates significant potential in predicting bleeding events among critically ill patients with SFTS,thereby offering valuable clinical implications for guiding prophylactic platelet transfusion in this patient population.

Objective:To investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on delayed extubation of patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD).Methods:A total of 400 ATAAD patients who were admitted to our hospital from October 2021 to October 2023 and underwent surgical treatment were selected as the research objects. According to BMI, they were divided into obese group (BMI≥28 kg/m 2, 119 cases) and non-obese group (BMI<28 kg/m 2, 281 cases). The differences of preoperative clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative data between the two groups were compared. Starting from transferring to the ICU and ending with the first successful extubation, The risk factors of postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation time ≥ 48 h in ATAAD patients were analyzed, and the predictive efficacy of related factors for postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation time ≥ 48 h in ATAAD patients was evaluated. Results:Compared with the non-obese group, the proportion of hypertension, diabetes, admission heart rate, admission systolic blood pressure, admission diastolic blood pressure and preoperative white blood cell count in the obese group were significantly increased, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, operation time, red blood cell transfusion volume, invasive mechanical ventilation time, secondary operation rate and total hospitalization cost in the obese group were significantly higher than those in the non-obese group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, cardiopulmonary bypass time, ascending aortic cross-clamp time, operation time, age, hypertension, and red blood cell transfusion were related factors for postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation time ≥48 h in ATAAD patients ( P<0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that increased BMI ( OR=1.213, P<0.05) and increased age ( OR=1.020, P<0.05) were independent risk predictors of postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation time≥48 h in ATAAD patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve ( ROC) analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve ( AUC) of BMI for predicting the duration of postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation in ATAAD patients≥48 h was 0.682 ( P<0.05), and the best predictive cut-off value was 25.64 kg/m 2. Conclusion:BMI≥28kg/m 2 increases the difficulty of surgery and the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in ATAAD patients. BMI has a high predictive value for the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in ATAAD patients after surgery ≥48 h, and effective intervention measures can be formulated to improve the treatment effect of patients.

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) family is the most important drug-metabolizing enzyme in human body and is responsible for the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds. As the main site of the expression of the CYP family, the liver is the metabolic center of drugs, and in recent years, the role of the CYP family in the liver has attracted wide attention from the scholars in China and globally. This article reviews the distribution differences of the CYP family from the aspects of anatomy, genetics, and genomics, changes in the expression of the CYP family in the pathological processes such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and the effect of CYP family-mediated enzyme activity on the treatment effect of pharmacotherapy for metabolic-associated liver diseases, in order to provide important enlightenment for identifying key drug intervention targets in diseases and enhancing clinical efficacy and safety.