Background In 2021, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) emerged as the forth leading cause of death in the world. However, the impact of air pollutants on COPD is still inconsistent across current studies. Objective To analyze the relationship between ambient sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure and hospital admissions for COPD in Lanzhou, and to examine the modified effects of SO₂ across different genders, age groups, and seasons. Methods A total of 20718 hospital admission records for COPD were collected from Lanzhou between 2016 and 2020, alongside synchronized data on SO₂ concentration and meteorological variables. A generalized additive model integrated with a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to assess the relationship and the lag effects between SO₂ exposure and COPD admissions. Potential confounders, including meteorological factors, day-of-the-week effect, and holidays, were controlled for, with a maximum lag period set at 7 d. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure robustness. Results are expressed as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results During the study period, the average daily number of COPD admissions was 11.34±7.03. The average mass concentration of SO₂ was (23.72±12.35) μg·m⁻³. SO₂ exposure was positively correlated with COPD admissions; specifically, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration was associated with an RR of 1.440 (95%CI: 1.317, 1.573). Stratified analyses found that at a cumulative lag of 7 d, the RRs were higher among females, individuals aged ≥65 years, and during the cold season. Conversely, no significant increase in COPD admission risk related to SO₂ was observed during the warm season. For every 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration, the RR was 1.483 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.678) for females, 1.441 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.583) for those aged > 65 years， and 1.595 (95%CI: 1.313, 1.937) during the cold season. Conclusion Short-term exposure to ambient SO₂ exposure in Lanzhou is associated with an increased risk of COPD admission. The association is more pronounced among females, the elderly (aged> 65 years) and during the cold season.

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

Allergen-specific immunotherapy（AIT） remains the only therapeutic approach with the potential to modify the natural course of allergic rhinitis（AR）. Nevertheless, considerable inter-individual variability exists in patients'responses to AIT. To facilitate more reliable assessment of treatment efficacy, the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group（CRRCG） convened young and middle-aged nasal experts in China to formulate the present consensus. The recommended subjective outcome measures for AIT comprise symptom scores, medication scores, combined symptom and medication scores, quality-of-life assessments, evaluation of disease control, and assessment of comorbidities. Objective indicators may supplement these measures. Currently available objective approaches include skin prick testing, nasal provocation testing, and allergen exposure chambers. However, these methods remain constrained by practical limitations and are not yet appropriate for routine implementation in clinical efficacy evaluation. In addition, several biomarkers, including sIgE and the sIgE/tIgE ratio, sIgG4, serum IgE-blocking activity, IgA, cytokines and chemokines, as well as immune cell surface molecules and their functional activity, have been shown to have associations with AIT outcomes. While these biomarkers may complement subjective assessments, they are subject to significant limitations. Consequently, large-scale multicenter trials and real-world evidence are required to strengthen the evidence base. The present consensus underscores the necessity of integrating patients'subjective experiences with objective testing throughout the treatment process, thereby providing a more comprehensive and accurate framework for efficacy evaluation. Looking forward, future investigations should prioritize the incorporation of multi-omics data and artificial intelligence methodologies, which hold promise for overcoming current limitations in assessment strategies and for advancing both the standardization and personalization of AIT.
Humans ; Allergens/immunology* ; China ; Consensus ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Immunoglobulin E ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; East Asian People

Major depressive disorder in adolescents is a serious psychiatric condition characterized by profound impairment in psychosocial functioning. Its primary symptoms include low mood, irritability, and anhedonia. Although pharmacological treatments and psychotherapy are currently recommended as first-line treatments, their effectiveness is limited, and pharmacological treatments may carry the risk of increased suicidal ideation. Therefore, exploring new, effective, and safe treatment options is an urgent priority. In recent years, intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a novel form of transcranial magnetic stimulation, has shown promising results in treating treatment-resistant depression in adults, drawing growing interest in its potential use in adolescents. iTBS modulates neural activity through magnetic stimulation of the cerebral cortex and has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms, particularly when targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Given the high neuroplasticity of the adolescent brain during this critical developmental stage, adolescents may exhibit heightened sensitivity to iTBS, resulting in more enduring neuroregulatory effects. Research highlights the importance of precise targeting and individualized adjustment of stimulation intensity for optimal therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) protocols have demonstrated faster clinical effects in treating acute or severe depression in adolescents, improving treatment adherence and partially mitigating suicidal tendencies. This review summarizes recent progress in the application of iTBS in adolescent depression, with a focus on its mechanisms, treatment parameters, and related research. The goal is to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the clinical application of iTBS in adolescent depression care.

Objective To investigate the impact of eccentric placement for various types of artificial aortic valves on downstream flow dynamics.Methods A physiological pulsatile circulation simulation system was employed and particle image velocimetry(PIV)was utilized to analyze the downstream flow field variations for bioprosthetic and mechanical valves under two placement conditions:centralized placement(0 mm)and eccentric placement(1 mm).Hemodynamic parameters such as velocity,vorticity,and viscous shear stress were assessed to evaluate the flow field characteristics.Results By analyzing the flow field variations at four characteristic time points,namely,early systole,acceleration phase,peak systole,and deceleration phase,a significant difference in flow field distribution between bioprosthetic and mechanical valves was observed.The bioprosthetic valve exhibited a centrally symmetric jet with a higher flow velocity,whereas the mechanical valve displayed a three-jet structure with a lower central flow velocity.Under eccentric placement,the blood flow in the aortic sinus region was sluggish,with a reduction in average velocity,hindering the formation and maintenance of vortices.During the peak systolic phase,the maximum viscous shear stresses in the sinus region for the bioprosthetic and mechanical valves were 0.45 and 0.67 Pa,respectively,approaching the threshold for endothelial cell damage.Conclusions Eccentric placement of both mechanical and bioprosthetic valves resulted in reduced sinus blood flow velocity and diminished viscous shear stress,creating favorable conditions for thrombus formation.In clinical practice,careful attention should be given to the placement of valve replacement to prevent eccentric placement.

Objective To investigate the impact of a high-salt diet on blood pressure level and the prevalence of hypertension in individuals with varying salt-sensitive phenotypes.Methods In 2004,339 participants from northern China were subjected to a chronic salt loading diet intervention study,and their salt-sensitive phenotypes were determined based on the study results.The participants were divided into salt-sensitive and salt-insensitive groups.In 2018,we randomly selected 152 participants for follow-up from the original cohort,and assessed their salt intake through 24-hour urine sodium level.The participants were divided into different groups based on various criteria to comprehensively investigate the effects of high-salt diet on blood pressure level and hypertension prevalence in individuals with different salt-sensitive phenotypes.Results Among the 339 subjects,154 were identified as salt-sensitive,accounting for 45.4％,while 185 were classified as salt-insensitive,accounting for 54.4％.The average arterial pressure response to high-salt intake after switching from low-salt intake in salt-sensitive individuals was 8.31(7.60,9.02),while the average arterial pressure response in salt-insensitive individuals was-1.09(-1.49,-0.68).A follow-up visit was conducted in 152 participants,It was found that the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure[divided according to the average daily salt intake(＞11 g).SBP:140.8 mmHg vs.132.9 mmHg,DBP:85.9 mmHg vs.81.6 mmHg,P＜0.05;divided according to the quartile of daily salt intake,SBP:140.8 mmHg vs.132.9 mmHg,DBP:85.9 mmHg vs.81.6 mmHg,P＜0.05]were significantly higher in the high-salt diet group than in the normal salt diet group in salt-sensitive individuals,but there was no significant difference in salt-insensitive individuals(P＞0.05).Additionally,the high-salt diet could significantly increase the incidence of hypertension among salt-sensitive individuals[divided according to the average daily salt intake(＞11 g):58.8％vs.32.8％,P＜0.05;divided according to the quartile of daily salt intake:58.8％vs.32.8％,P＜0.05],but had no effect on salt-insensitive individuals(P＞0.05).Conclusion A high-salt diet can increase systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in salt-sensitive individuals,and significantly increase the long-term prevalence of hypertension in salt-sensitive individuals,but not in salt-insensitive individuals.Therefore,the salt-sensitive phenotype plays a crucial role in the relationship between salt intake and salt-sensitive hypertension.

There is significant inter-individual variation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacody-namics in patients receiving tacrolimus(TAC)for an-ti-rejection therapy,which cause the rejection or toxic action.Based on results of therapeutic drug monitoring and pathophysiological index of trans-plant patients,the individualized dosing regimen can be designed and adjusted by using model in-formed precision dosing(MIPD).The patients'clini-cal outcome can be improved.In the consensus,the different methods of MIPD used for patients re-ceived TAC for anti-rejection therapy were intro-duced,which can be used for the designing and ad-justing doing regimen,predicting adverse drug reac-tion,improving medication adherence and econom-ics during therapy.

Purpose To investigate the correlation between molecular typing of urothelial carcinoma(UC)and its clinicopathologic features and prognosis,in order to explore the prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for UC.Methods 115 patients with UC were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical markers GATA-3,CK20,CK5/6 and CD44 were used for molecular typing of UC(luminal-like type,basal-like type and null).Correlations between molecular typing and clinicopathological features were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher precise test.Sur-vival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier test and Log-rank test.Results The expression of GATA-3 and CK20 was negatively correlated with the clinical stage of UC,while the expression of CD44 was positively correlated with the clinical stage of UC(both P＜0.05).CK20 was a marker of good prognosis(P=0.03).The proportion of clinically advanced UC with basal-like type was significantly higher than that of luminal-like type(78.4％vs 53.4％,P=0.033).Among the histologic variants,UC with neuroendocrine differentiation(100％),sarcomatoid carcinoma(80.0％)and squamous differentiation(77.8％)were basal-like type.All plasmacytoid and lymphoepithelioma-like types,as well as 81.8％of micropapillary UC.Among the null phenotypes,the differential variant predominated(66.7％).Compared with the luminal-like type,although the prognosis of basal-like UC was worse,there was no sta-tistically significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion Patients with CK20-expressing UC had a significantly better prognosis.The main histologic variants types of basal-like type and coelomofacial type are different.Molecular typing of UC using immunohistochemical markers is suggestive of clinical staging and prognosis of patients.

Objective:To compare and analyze the differences in positioning errors and placement outside the target area between two different image-guided systems(Halcyon and Synergy)in radiotherapy for cervical cancer.Methods:The data of 40 patients with cervical cancer who received treatment in Dezhou People's Hospital from March 2023 to June 2023 were retrospectively selected.Each patient was treated respectively with Halcyon linear accelerator and Synergy linear accelerator,with 20 cases for each treatment method.All patients underwent cone beam computed tomography(CBCT)at kV level to conduct image scanning before radiotherapy,and the obtained CBCT images were matched with the positioned CT images by online.The registration results of left and right(x),head and foot(y)and front and back(z)of three translation direction,and pitch(Rx),rotation(Ry)and deflection(Rz)directions of rotation direction were respectively obtained.The margin of planning target volume(MPTV)was calculated according to positioning expansion formula.The differences of positioning errors and target area expansion between Halcyon and Synergy image-guided systems were compared and analyzed.Results:Halcyon and Synergy image-guided systems obtained respectively 479 and 447 sets of CBCT images.The translational errors of Halcyon image-guided system on x,y,and z directions were respectively(-0.03±0.21),(0.12±0.63)and(0.02±0.15)cm,and the rotational errors of that on Rx,Ry and Rz directions were respectively(0.38±1.26)°,(-0.40±1.02)°,and(0.07±1.07)°.The translational errors of Synergy image-guided system were respectively(-0.07±0.18),(0.08±0.49)and(0.11±0.22)cm on the three directions,and the rotational errors of that were respectively(0.28±1.29)°,(-0.29±1.29)° and(-0.16±1.20)°.The translational error values on the y direction of both image-guided system were larger than that on x and z directions,and the absolute values of the range of translational errors of them were basically within 5 mm.There were no statistically significant difference in the positioning errors of rotation on Rx and Ry directions between Halcyon and Synergy image-guided systems(P＞0.05),while there was a statistically significant difference in the positioning error of rotation on Rz direction between them(t=-3.06,P＜0.05).The MPTV values of Halcyon image-guided system on x,y and z directions were respectively 0.4,1.4 and 0.3 cm,and those of Synergy image-guided system were respectively 0.4,0.9 and 0.5 cm.The expansion boundary of target area of Halcyon image-guided system on the y direction was larger than that of Synergy image-guided system,and that on other directions were all less or equal to 0.5 cm.Conclusion:The MPTV values of Halcyon and Synergy image-guided systems can meet clinical requirements in radiotherapy.The positioning errors and the tube current of the scan of Halcyon image-guided system were larger than those of Synergy image-guided system,but the scanning time and treatment time of that were significantly lower than those of Synergy image-guided system.Different treatment systems can be selected individually for patients according to their different conditions.