Guided by the concept of quality by design(QbD), this study optimizes the calcination and quenching process of calcined Magnetitum and establishes the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards. Based on the processing methods and quality requirements of Magnetitum in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the critical process parameters(CPPs) identified were calcination temperature, calcination time, particle size, laying thickness, and the number of vinegar quenching cycles. The critical quality attributes(CQAs) included Fe mass fraction, Fe~(2+) dissolution, and surface color. The weight coefficients were determined by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) and the criteria importance though intercrieria correlation(CRITIC) method, and the calcination process was optimized using orthogonal experimentation. Surface color was selected as a CQA, and based on the principle of color value, the surface color of calcined Magnetitum was objectively quantified. The vinegar quenching process was then optimized to determine the best processing conditions. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to establish the characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, and methods such as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to evaluate the quality of the spectra. The optimized calcined Magnetitum preparation process was found to be calcination at 750 ℃ for 1 h, with a laying thickness of 4 cm, a particle size of 0.4-0.8 cm, and one vinegar quenching cycle(Magnetitum-vinegar ratio 10∶3), which was stable and feasible. The XRD characteristic spectra analysis method, featuring 9 common peaks as fingerprint information, was established. The average correlation coefficient ranged from 0.839 5-0.988 1, and the average angle cosine ranged from 0.914 4 to 0.995 6, indicating good similarity. Cluster analysis results showed that Magnetitum and calcined Magnetitum could be grouped together, with similar compositions. OPLS-DA discriminant analysis identified three key characteristic peaks, with Fe_2O_3 being the distinguishing component between the two. The final optimized processing method is stable and feasible, and the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum was initially established, providing a reference for subsequent quality control and the formulation of quality standards for calcined Magnetitum.
X-Ray Diffraction/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Particle Size

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix on cytokine storm secondary lung injury(CSSLI) induced by CpG1826 in mice, and to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms by which its major active components, i.e., coptisine and wogonin, alleviate CSSLI by inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome pyroptosis pathway. In vivo, a mouse model of CSSLI was established by CpG1826 induction. Pulmonary edema was assessed by lung wet-to-dry weight ratio(W/D), lung injury was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, high mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1), IL-18, and IL-1α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that the decoction of the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix significantly reduced pulmonary edema, alleviated lung injury, and decreased the concentrations of related cytokines in BALF more effectively than either single herb alone, thereby improving CSSLI. In vitro, a CpG1826-induced CSSLI model was established in mouse alveolar macrophage MH-S cells. Calcein-AM quenching was used to screen for the most effective monomer components from the herb pair in inhibiting mPTP opening. Coptisine(5, 10, 20 μmol·L~(-1)) and wogonin(10, 20, 40 μmol·L~(-1)) markedly inhibited mPTP opening, with optimal effects and a clear dose-dependent pattern. These components suppressed mPTP opening, thereby reducing the release of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS), effectively reversing the CpG1826-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP). Further studies revealed that both coptisine and wogonin inhibited pyroptosis and downregulated the expression of key proteins in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/gasdermin D(GSDMD) pathway. In conclusion, the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix improves CpG1826-induced CSSLI in mice, and this effect is associated with the inhibition of the mPTP/NLRP3 pyroptosis pathway, providing scientific evidence for its clinical application and further development.
Animals ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Male ; Lung Injury/immunology* ; Cytokines/immunology* ; Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry* ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/adverse effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Coptis chinensis

BACKGROUND: Children's respiratory health demonstrates particular sensitivity to air pollution. Existing evidence investigating the association between short-term ozone (O₃) exposure and childhood pneumonia remains insufficient and inconsistent, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHOD: To provide more reliable and persuasive evidence, we implemented a multi-city, time-stratified case-crossover design with a large sample size, using data from seven representative children's hospitals across major geographical regions in China. To avoid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, individual-level medical records of inpatient children under 6 years of age diagnosed with pneumonia during 2016-2019 were collected. Conditional logistic regression models were fitted for each city, and city-specific estimates were pooled through a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. RESULTS: In total, the study included 137,470 pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. The highest pooled estimate for O₃ occurred at lag0-1, with a 10 µg/m³ increase in O₃ associated with a 1.57% (95% CI: 0.67%-2.48%) higher risk of pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. Stratified analyses indicated that the effects of O₃ were robust across different sexes, age groups, and admission seasons. We also observed a statistically significant increase in risk associated with O₃ concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO-AQGs). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a significant positive association between O₃ and pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. Our findings substantially strengthen the evidence base for the adverse health impacts of O₃, underscoring the importance of O₃ pollution control and management in reducing the public health burden of pediatric pneumonia.
Humans ; Ozone/analysis* ; China/epidemiology* ; Pneumonia/chemically induced* ; Child, Preschool ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Cross-Over Studies ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Child ; Cities/epidemiology* ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Infant, Newborn ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of different scanning conditions on the image quality of medical electron accelerator cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and provide a reference for the selection of scanning conditions for different body parts. Methods Set different scanning conditions, the Catphan 503 phantom was scanned using CBCT parameters to analyze the influence of spatial resolution, noise, uniformity, spatial geometric accuracy, and low-contrast resolution on the image quality of CBCT. RESULTS: For the head, chest, and abdomen, with the increase in scanning parameter values, the noise value decreased by 47.4%, 26.1%, and 51.3% respectively, and the uniformity values decreased by 30.2%, 26.6%, and 47.9% respectively. The low-contrast resolution values decreased by 50.6%, 34.2%, and 12.0%. The influence of different scanning conditions on spatial geometric accuracy and spatial resolution is not significant. CONCLUSION Different scanning parameters have a certain influence on the image quality of medical electron accelerator CBCT. Lower scanning parameters can be selected based on individual patients to reduce the additional radiation dose, providing a reference for the safe application of CBCT image guidance in radiotherapy.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography/instrumentation* ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Particle Accelerators

Objective To establish and validate a multimodal MRI radiomics model based on intratumoral and peritumoral heterogeneity for prediction of spatial pattern of locally recurrent high-grade gliomas(HGGs).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and imaging data of all HGGs patients who underwent maximum safe resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy combined with temozolomide treatment and experienced in local recurrence in Army Medical Center of PLA from 2012 to 2021.Two radiologists independently assessed the spatial patterns of locally recurrence HGGs through continuous follow-up MRI data,and primarily categorized the pattern into intra-resection cavity recurrence and extra-resection cavity recurrence.The subjected patients were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set in a 7∶3 ratio.In the training set,Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)analysis were employed to screen radiomic features within the intratumoral and peritumoral regions,as well as to calculate radiomic scores.A radiomics model was established using logistic regression analysis.The performance of the model was assessed using calibration curves,Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).Validation of the model was performed in the validation set.Results A total of 121 patients with locally recurrent HGGs were enrolled in this study,including 54 in intra-resection cavity recurrence group and 67 in extra-resection cavity recurrence group.Among them,84 were assigned into the training set and 37 into the validation set.In the training set,the radiomics score for the extra-resection cavity recurrence group was 0.424(0.278,0.573),which was higher than that for the intra-resection cavity recurrence group[-0.030(-0.226,0.248),P<0.001].In the validation set,the radiomics score for the extra-resection cavity recurrence group was 0.369(0.258,0.487),which was higher than that for the intra-resection cavity recurrence group[0.277(0.103,0.322),P=0.033].The established radiomics model exhibited good calibration and performed well in predicting spatial recurrence patterns,with an AUC value of 0.844(95%CI:0.749～0.914)in the training set and 0.706(95%CI:0.534～0.844)in the validation set.Conclusion Our multimodal radiomics model combined with intratumoral and peritumoral heterogeneity can predict the spatial pattern of locally recurrent HGGs,providing a basis for individualized treatment of HGGs.

Near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)analysis technology has become an important process analysis tool in industrial and agricultural production,and has been widely used for qualitative and quantitative analysis in the fields of tobacco,agriculture,and pharmaceuticals.To address issues such as poor generalization ability and low prediction accuracy in NIRS modeling,a two-dimensional convolutional neural network(2DCNN)quantitative analysis model based on competitive adaptive reweighted sampling(CARS)and Gramian angular difference field(GADF)(CARS-GADF-2DCNN)was proposed.CARS-GADF-2DCNN used the CARS method to select an optimal wavelength set from the full spectrum,then employed GADF to encode the selection results into two-dimensional images,and finally used 2DCNN for prediction analysis.The 2DCNN model consisted of convolutional layers,parallel convolution modules,flattening layer,and fully connected layers.Simulation experiments were conducted on three public near-infrared(NIR)spectral datasets encompassing soil,tablet,and grain datasets to evaluate the CARS-GADF-2DCNN model.The results demonstrated that,compared to the one-dimensional convolutional neural network(1DCNN),the GADF-2DCNN model achieved 16.74％,23.40％,and 7.13％improvement in prediction accuracy for the soil,tablet,and grain datasets,respectively.Compared to GADF-2DCNN,VCPA-GADF-2DCNN,and IRIV-GADF-2DCNN models,the CARS-GADF-2DCNN model further improved prediction accuracy.For the soil dataset,prediction accuracy improved by 39.00％,30.78％and 4.13％;for the tablet dataset,the improvements were 9.52％,6.94％and 2.56％;for the grain dataset,the improvements were 20.57％,9.85％and 15.66％.In conclusion,CARS-GADF-2DCNN effectively selected the optimal wavelength subset from near infrared spectra,and revealed the latent features between different wavelengths.CARS-GADF-2DCNN addresses the issues of high complexity in prediction models and low prediction accuracy in near infrared spectral modeling,and could be effectively applied to near infrared spectral prediction analysis of different substances.

Objective To investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome elements and risk factors in patients with type Ⅱ cardio-renal syndrome(CRS).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 116 patients with type Ⅱ CRS.The distribution of TCM syndrome elements was analyzed,and the correlation between the syndrome elements and risk factors of gender,age,smoking history,alcohol consumption history,coronary heart disease,hypertension,diabetes,and anemia were evaluated.Results(1)The analysis of syndrome elements of 116 patients with type Ⅱ CRS showed that the main disease-location elements were heart(96 cases,82.76%),lung(89 cases,76.72%),kidney(81 cases,69.83%),spleen(71 cases,61.21%),and liver(25 cases,21.56%);the main disease-nature elements were qi deficiency(113 cases,97.41%),blood deficiency(96 cases,82.76%),yang deficiency(95 cases,81.89%),phlegm(94 cases,81.03%),yin deficiency(90 cases,77.59%),dampness(61 cases,52.59%),water retention(55 cases,47.41%),and blood stasis(47 cases,40.52%).(2)The analysis of age groups of 116 patients with type Ⅱ CRS showed that the majority of the patients were middle-aged and elderly individuals over 60 years old,and the age groups covered＜60 years old(4 cases,3.45%),61-70 years old(10 cases,8.62%),71-80 years old(28 cases,24.14%),81-90 years old(64 cases,55.17%),and>90 years old(10 cases,8.62%).(3)The analysis of gender of 116 patients with type Ⅱ CRS showed that 46 cases(39.66%)were male,and 70 cases(60.34%)were female,the female outnumbering the male.(4)The exploration of correlation between TCM syndrome elements and risk factors with Logistic regression analysis showed that blood deficiency was positively correlated with alcohol consumption,hypertension,and anemia(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),yang deficiency was positively correlated with anemia(P＜0.05),yin deficiency was positively correlated with smoking and diabetes(P＜0.05),dampness was positively correlated with smoking and anemia(P＜0.01),water retention was positively correlated with gender and protein abnormalities(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and blood stasis was positively correlated with hypertension(P＜0.05).Conclusion The illness of type Ⅱ CRS is located in the heart,involving the five organs,and is closely related to the lungs and kidneys.The general pathogenesis of type Ⅱ CRS is characterized by being deficiency of qi and yang in the root cause,and having the symptom manifestations of phlegm and blood stasis.In type Ⅱ CRS patients,men are more likely to suffer water retention,smokers are more likely to suffer yin deficiency and dampness,drinkers are more likely to suffer blood deficiency,individuals with hypertension are more likely to suffer blood deficiency and blood stasis,individuals with diabetes are more likely to suffer yin deficiency,individuals with anemia are more likely to suffer blood deficiency,yang deficiency and dampness,and individuals with protein abnormalities are more likely to suffer water retention.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)among military personnel in plateau regions and to explore its risk factors.Methods From July 2023 to July 2024,a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to survey the prevalence of KOA and related risk factors among military personnel in the northwest plateau regions of China,covering different altitudes(1500-4500 m)and geographical areas(Gansu,Qinghai,Tibet,and Xinjiang).All study subjects were divided into KOA and non-KOA groups based on the presence or absence of KOA.Variables including age,gender,body mass index(BMI),education level,smoking status,military rank,military branch,service duration,regional altitude,annual average temperature,training duration,perceived training intensity,and history of knee injury were selected for univariate analyses between groups.Variables with P<0.05 in the univariate analyses were included in the binary multifactor logistic regression to identify risk factors for KOA.Results A total of 3000 questionnaires were distributed,and 2854 valid questionnaires were collected,with a response rate of 95.13%.The sample included 2584 males and 270 females,with 510 cases of KOA,resulting in a prevalence rate of 17.9%.Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between KOA and non-KOA groups in terms of age,BMI,smoking status,military rank,military branch,service duration,regional altitude,annual average temperature,training duration,perceived training intensity,and history of knee injury(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were found in gender and education level(P>0.05).Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age(OR=1.382,P=0.017),higher BMI(P<0.01),smoking(OR=1.929,P<0.01),higher military rank(OR=1.485,P=0.007),being a member of the Armed Police(P<0.01),longer service duration(P<0.01),higher regional altitude(OR=1.459,P<0.01),lower annual average temperature(OR=1.188,P=0.001),longer training duration(P<0.01),higher perceived training intensity(OR=2.450,P<0.01),and history of knee injury(OR=2.768,P=0.002)were independent risk factors for KOA.Conclusions Older age,overweight/obesity,smoking,higher military rank,being a member of the Armed Police,longer service duration,higher altitude,cold climate,longer training duration,higher training intensity,and history of knee injury are independent risk factors for KOA among military personnel in the northwest plateau regions of China.

Objective To discuss the safety and effectiveness of carotid artery stenting(CAS)via distal radial access(DRA).Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,the patients with carotid artery stenosis,who were treated at the Ganzhou Municipal Hospital of China from July 2023 to June 2024,were collected for this study.CAS via DRA was performed by an experienced neurointerventional physician.Clinical baseline data,surgery-related materials and complications were recorded.Results Fourteen patients with a mean age of(65.4±7.8)years were enrolled in this study.Successful CAS via right DRA was accomplished in 13 patients(92.9％),and only in one patient(7.1％)the right femoral artery access was adopted instead of DRA with successful completion of CAS.After treatment,2 patients(14.3％)developed DRA-related minor hematoma,which disappeared spontaneously without any treatment.One patient(7.1％)developed transient cerebral ischemia and hypoxia during the operation,and the patient fully returned to normal after a brief time period.Neither DRA-related complications(such as postoperative numbness,pain,severe hematoma,and radial artery occlusion within 48 hours),nor a stroke or death occurred.Conclusion CAS via DRA is clinically safe and effective.DRA is an alternative approach for CAS.