This study aims to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate(NaBu)on preliminary follicle development of mice,using an in vitro 3D culture system.Preantral follicles were isolated from mouse ovaries(12.5 days post-birth)and cultured in vitro,NaBu was added for treatment during the culture process.Follicle morphology was observed and follicular diameter,survival rate,antral formation rate,oocyte maturation rate and early embryonic development were evaluated.The re-sults showed that an in vitro 3D culture system for preantral follicles of mice was successfully es-tablished.Matured follicles were cultured following an initial induction period of 8 days,after which M Ⅱ-stage oocytes were effectively expelled.During the process of follicle culture,the addition of varying doses(0.05-1.00 mmol/L)of NaBu from 0th day to 8 days had not showed any significant promotion in follicle development at any of the tested concentrations.NaBu at a dose of 0.10 mmol/L significantly increased antral formation rate(treated on 4th day for 2 days).In conclusion,short-term administration of appropriate doses of NaBu could significantly facilitate in vitro preantral follicle development and oocyte maturation by ensuring sustained developmental potential within follicles.This study may provide a theoretical basis for sodium butyrate to improve the reproduc-tive capacity of livestock and poultry in the breeding process.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Anatomy of laboratory animals plays an important role in laboratory animal science,veterinary medicine,and other life sciences.Integrating mind mapping into the entire teaching process can effectively help teachers to optimize the organization of teaching contents and stimulate students' enthusiasm and self-motivation for learning.This manuscript aims to explore the feasibility,advantages,and challenges of applying mind-mapping tools for teaching anatomy of laboratory animals.We analyze the different application scenarios from the perspectives of both teachers and students,with the aim of providing practical teaching tools and methodologies to enhance instructional effectiveness in the teaching of anatomy of laboratory animals.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate(NaBu)on preliminary follicle development of mice,using an in vitro 3D culture system.Preantral follicles were isolated from mouse ovaries(12.5 days post-birth)and cultured in vitro,NaBu was added for treatment during the culture process.Follicle morphology was observed and follicular diameter,survival rate,antral formation rate,oocyte maturation rate and early embryonic development were evaluated.The re-sults showed that an in vitro 3D culture system for preantral follicles of mice was successfully es-tablished.Matured follicles were cultured following an initial induction period of 8 days,after which M Ⅱ-stage oocytes were effectively expelled.During the process of follicle culture,the addition of varying doses(0.05-1.00 mmol/L)of NaBu from 0th day to 8 days had not showed any significant promotion in follicle development at any of the tested concentrations.NaBu at a dose of 0.10 mmol/L significantly increased antral formation rate(treated on 4th day for 2 days).In conclusion,short-term administration of appropriate doses of NaBu could significantly facilitate in vitro preantral follicle development and oocyte maturation by ensuring sustained developmental potential within follicles.This study may provide a theoretical basis for sodium butyrate to improve the reproduc-tive capacity of livestock and poultry in the breeding process.

Anatomy of laboratory animals plays an important role in laboratory animal science,veterinary medicine,and other life sciences.Integrating mind mapping into the entire teaching process can effectively help teachers to optimize the organization of teaching contents and stimulate students' enthusiasm and self-motivation for learning.This manuscript aims to explore the feasibility,advantages,and challenges of applying mind-mapping tools for teaching anatomy of laboratory animals.We analyze the different application scenarios from the perspectives of both teachers and students,with the aim of providing practical teaching tools and methodologies to enhance instructional effectiveness in the teaching of anatomy of laboratory animals.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective:To explore the differences in the spatial distributions of brain metastases (BMs) from adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLS), aiming to provide a reference for developing optimal treatment protocols.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on data from 283 patients with NSCLC who underwent radiotherapy at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from January 2020 to July 2023. These patients included 191 adenocarcinoma cases with an average age of 62.04 years and 92 non-adenocarcinoma cases with an average age of 63.85 years. CT images with detected BMs of these patients were synchronously deformed and registered into a standard brain template to determine the distribution of BMs in the template. The Dice coefficient was employed to analyze the similarity in the distribution of BMs from adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma, and two-sample t-test was performed respectively using SPM and Dpabi software to ensure the consistency of the result. For brain regions with the number of BMs greater than or equal to 4, the voxels with a size 2 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm were counted. Results:Non-adenocarcinoma tended to invade the posterior lobe of the cerebellum, precuneus, anterior lobe of the cerebellum, cuneus, middle occipital gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus, with corresponding voxel counts of 2 577, 2 291, 1 947, 1 550, 1 200, and 600, respectively. In contrast, adenocarcinoma was more commonly metastasized to the inferior parietal lobule, posterior lobe of the cerebellum, central frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and precuneus, with the corresponding voxel counts of 211, 201, 194, 186, 137, and 84, respectively.Conclusion:Brain metastases exhibit different distributions between adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma, and both subtypes prefer to invade specific brain regions.

Background::Clinical opportunistic screening is a cost-effective cancer screening modality. This study aimed to establish an easy-to-use diagnostic model serving as a risk stratification tool for identification of individuals with malignant gastric lesions for opportunistic screening.Methods::We developed a questionnaire-based diagnostic model using a joint dataset including two clinical cohorts from northern and southern China. The cohorts consisted of 17,360 outpatients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in endoscopic clinics. The final model was derived based on unconditional logistic regression, and predictors were selected according to the Akaike information criterion. External validation was carried out with 32,614 participants from a community-based randomized controlled trial.Results::This questionnaire-based diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions had eight predictors, including advanced age, male gender, family history of gastric cancer, low body mass index, unexplained weight loss, consumption of leftover food, consumption of preserved food, and epigastric pain. This model showed high discriminative power in the development set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.791 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.750–0.831). External validation of the model in the general population generated an AUC of 0.696 (95% CI: 0.570–0.822). This model showed an ideal ability for enriching prevalent malignant gastric lesions when applied to various scenarios.Conclusion::This easy-to-use questionnaire-based model for diagnosis of prevalent malignant gastric lesions may serve as an effective prescreening tool in clinical opportunistic screening for gastric cancer.

Objective:To explore the effect of different post-processing parameters of digital radiography (DR) on the quality of chest X-ray for pneumoconiosis diagnosis, and to provide suggestions on parameter setting suitable for this kind of DR machine.Methods:From January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022, the chest films of 35 workers in the department of radiology of Hangzhou occupational disease prevention and treatment hospital were randomly selected and printed after setting different image post-processing parameters. The quality of chest film was evaluated by the measurement of optical densitometer and the combination of subjective and objective by professional physicians.Results:When the density is set to 2 and the contrast/detail contrast is 4.5, the optical density of each area of DR chest film meets the requirements of chest X-ray quality, and the qualified rate of physician quality evaluation is the highest.Conclusion:Reasonable setting of image post-processing parameters can improve the quality of chest radiograph.

Objective:To explore the effect of different post-processing parameters of digital radiography (DR) on the quality of chest X-ray for pneumoconiosis diagnosis, and to provide suggestions on parameter setting suitable for this kind of DR machine.Methods:From January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022, the chest films of 35 workers in the department of radiology of Hangzhou occupational disease prevention and treatment hospital were randomly selected and printed after setting different image post-processing parameters. The quality of chest film was evaluated by the measurement of optical densitometer and the combination of subjective and objective by professional physicians.Results:When the density is set to 2 and the contrast/detail contrast is 4.5, the optical density of each area of DR chest film meets the requirements of chest X-ray quality, and the qualified rate of physician quality evaluation is the highest.Conclusion:Reasonable setting of image post-processing parameters can improve the quality of chest radiograph.