BACKGROUND:Extracellular vesicles are secreted into the extracellular milieu by a wide range of cell types,including tumor cells,under different physiological and pathophysiological conditions,where a wide range of biological signals and cell-to-cell signaling exists.Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles may exacerbate cancer progression,survival,invasion,and promote angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of extracellular vesicles in the diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS:Literature search was performed by the first author in PubMed,WanFang,CNKI and other databases with the keywords"EVs,oral squamous cell carcinoma,diagnosis and treatment,biopsy,tissue engineering"in Chinese and English.Finally,63 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In oral squamous carcinoma saliva biopsies,extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by acting as an information transfer tool between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment,carrying a wide range of biomolecules including soluble proteins,lipids,DNA,and RNA.These tiny vesicles not only play a key role in tumor growth and spread,but also provide important information about the biological properties of the tumor.(2)Saliva biopsy,as a non-invasive diagnostic method,can open up new possibilities for early diagnosis and targeted treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma by analyzing the extracellular vesicles therein.(3)It has been found that bioactive molecules,such as microRNAs(miRNAs)and specific proteins,contained within extracellular vesicles can serve as biomarkers for oral squamous carcinoma and improve the accuracy of early diagnosis.Specific proteins in extracellular vesicles such as EHD2,CAVIN1,PF4V1,and CXCL7 show potential as novel predictive biomarkers.(4)In addition,this paper highlights the potential application of extracellular vesicles in the treatment of oral squamous carcinoma.Through engineering modifications,extracellular vesicles can serve as a new generation of nanoscale drug delivery systems to enhance the efficiency and specificity of targeted tumor therapy.(5)Future studies will further explore the effect and mechanism of extracellular vesicles in oral squamous cell carcinoma,which is expected to improve patients'survival and quality of life.

Objective: To investigate the factors affecting carotid plaques among perimenopausal women, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and early intervention of cardiovascular diseases in perimenopausal women. Methods: Perimenopausal women aged 40-60 who underwent health check-ups at Xingtai People's Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected as subjects by convenient sampling method. Demographic information, lifestyle, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood biochemical indicators were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Carotid plaques were detected using a Doppler ultrasound diagnostic instrument. Factors affecting carotid plaques among perimenopausal women were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 2 146 perimenopausal women were surveyed, with an age of (50.04±5.82) years. Carotid plaques were detected in 525 cases, with a detection rate of 24.46%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that older age (45-<50 years old, OR=1.474, 95%CI: 1.062-2.047; 55-60 years old, OR=1.779, 95%CI: 1.276-2.481), residing in urban areas (OR=1.601, 95%CI: 1.079-2.376), drinking (OR=1.805, 95%CI: 1.108-2.941), hypertension (OR=1.815, 95%CI: 1.290-2.553), abnormal waist-to-hip ratio (OR=2.479, 95%CI: 1.982-3.101), and abnormal atherogenic index of plasma (OR=1.325, 95%CI: 1.064-1.650) were associated with a higher risk of carotid plaques. College degree or above (college, OR=0.659, 95%CI: 0.502-0.865; bachelor's degree or above, OR=0.517, 95%CI: 0.397-0.673), physical exercise (OR=0.621, 95%CI: 0.494-0.781) were associated with a lower risk of carotid plaques. Conclusion The carotid plaques among perimenopausal women mainly affected by age, place of residence, educational level, alcohol consumption, physical exercise, hypertension, waist-to-hip ratio and atherogenic index of plasma.

Objective: To explore prevalence and associated factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in overweight and obese children in Hohhot City, so as to provide the oretical basis for developing health education plans and implementing prevention and treatment of NAFLD in children. Methods: A total of 156 overweight and obese children was enrolled from 4 primary schools in Hohhot City using cluster sampling method during 28th Aug. 2022 to 5th Mar. 2023. Height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated, and fasting blood was taken in the early morning for fasting blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase. Single factor analysis was conducted using ttest, χ2 test and Fishers exact probability method, while multivariate analysis was conducted using Logistic regression analysis and subject characteristic curves. Results: The differences in age, waist circumference, hip circumference, fasting glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, uric acid, and triglyceride were statistically significant between the nonNAFLD and the NAFLD group (U/t=1 070.0-2 164.0, P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and uric acid levels (AST OR=1.16, 95%CI=1.04-1.28; uric OR=1.01, 95%CI=1.00-1.01, P<0.05). The area under a receiver operating characteristic were 0.737 for aspartate aminotransferase and 0.665 for uric acid, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of NAFLD is high in overweight/obese children in Hohhot, and both elevated aspartate aminotransferase and hyperuricemia could increase the risk of NAFLD in overweight/obese children. Special attention should be paid to the NAFLD in overweight and obese children. It is recommended to reduce both BMI and uric level in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD to achieve better treatment outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the practicality of TrueFidelity deep learning reconstruction algorithm in low-dose abdominal and pelvic CT angiography (CTA).Methods:The patients who required abdominal and pelvic CTA were prospectively included at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from June 2020 to March 2021. All patients underwent low-dose CTA with a tube voltage of 80 kV and smart tube current modulation (100-720 mA). Images were reconstructed using the traditional FBP, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction with a strength of 50% (ASIR-V 50%), TrueFidelity with medium (TF-M) and high (TF-H) strength. The CT value and standard deviation (SD value) of the abdominal aorta, psoas major muscle and subcutaneous fat in the same layer were measured, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. We also introduced the measurement of skewness of CT value in psoas major muscle with uniform density. The above indexes of the four groups of reconstructed images were compared. A 5-point scoring method was used to evaluate the granularity, fuzziness and beam-hardening artifacts of all images. Objective measurement indicators, such as CT values, were tested by repeated measure ANOVA with the Bonferroni post hoc test.Results:There were forty-six patients in the study. The volume CT dose index of the scan was low at (1.09±0.31)mGy. There was no significant difference in CT values of vessels and muscles between the four groups ( P>0.05), but there was a significant difference in SD value( P<0.001). The SD value of the FBP group was the largest and that of the TF-H group was the smallest. The difference between SNR and CNR was statistically significant ( P<0.001), and the overall trend was opposite to that of the SD value. There was no significant difference in the skewness between the four groups. The granularity score of the FBP group was the largest, that of the TF-H group was the smallest, and there was a significant difference among the four groups. The score of fuzziness in the TF-H group was slightly higher than that in the other three groups, but there was no significant difference. The beam-hardening artifact score of FBP and ASIR-V 50% group was the worst, and the TF-H group was the best ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared with FBP and ASIR-V, TrueFidelity reconstruction algorithm provides better image quality (comprehensively considering image noise, fuzziness, uniformity, and hardening artifacts) in low-dose CT scanning of abdominal and pelvic vessels, and TF-H has the best image quality.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the graded expression, subcutaneous depth, and diameter of elbow veins (cephalic vein, median vein, basilic vein) in patients with metabolic syndrome, to provide a method and theoretical basis for precise puncture of peripheral veins in obese patients.Methods:From January to October 2021, a total of 767 patients with metabolic syndrome with gastric volume reduction were selected as the study subjects by retrospective cohort study from the first Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. According to the quartile Q1, M and Q3 of BMI level, they were divided into four groups: group A, group B, group C and group D. The subcutaneous depth and diameter of the cephalic vein, median vein and basilic vein were measured by B-ultrasound, and the three veins were evaluated and graded according to the grading criteria of superficial veins.The correlation between BMI and the subcutaneous depth and diameter of the three elbow veins was analyzed, and collected data such as puncture method and puncture times. Results:There was no significant correlation between BMI and subcutaneous depth and vessel diameter of the basilic vein ( r = 0.041 and 0.046, both P>0.05), the level of BMI was positively correlated with the subcutaneous depth and diameter of cephalic vein ( r = 0.275 and 0.117, both P<0.05) and median vein ( r = 0.236 and 0.148, both P<0.05), and a linear regression relationship was found ( OR values were 1.013-1.031, all P<0.05). 187 cases had direct puncture conditions under direct vision, and the success rate of one puncture was 86.63%(162/187).Venipuncture was completed under the guidance of B-mode ultrasound for 25 cases with failure under direct vision and 580 cases without direct puncture conditions under direct vision, the success rate of one puncture was 98.51% (596/605). Conclusions:With the increase of BMI level in patients with metabolic syndrome, the depth and diameter of both cephalic vein and median vein increase, venous exposure is difficult to express. The visual vein puncture guided by B-ultrasound is more accurate and catheterization is more reliable.

Objective: To investigate the association of the risk of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents with their early life factors and parental weight. Methods: From June 1 to June 30 of 2022, the stratified randomized cluster sampling method was used to collect information using questionnaires from 5 370 primary and secondary school students in Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and multivariate analysis were performed using multiple Logistic regression model estimation in a generalized linear model for parental BMI and early life factors in children and adolescents. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 32.2% , and the prevalence of overweight/obesity among male students was 37.8%, which was higher than that of female students 26.1% χ 2= 84.59 , P <0.01). The results of the multirariate Logistic regression anaysis showed that the prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher in only paternal overweight ( OR=1.52, 95%CI =1.30-1.77), only maternal overweight ( OR=1.61, 95%CI = 1.31 -1.97), and parentl overweight ( OR=2.42, 95%CI =2.03-2.87)( P <0.05). The risk of overweight/obesity was higher in children with high birth weight ( OR=1.29, 95%CI =1.08- 1.55 ), children born by caesarean section ( OR=1.32, 95%CI =1.17- 1.48 ), and children whose mothers gained excessive weight during pregnancy ( OR=1.24, 95%CI =1.06-1.46), and the results were statistically significant ( P <0.05). Conclusions Overweight parents, excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy, cesarean delivery, and high birth weight are associated with increased risk of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. Attention should be paid to these aspects in obesity prevention and control.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints/genetics* ; Checkpoint Kinase 1/metabolism* ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mitosis/genetics* ; Mutation ; Zygote/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To design a series of geometric indexes, which can improve the correlation between geometric parameters and dosimetric parameters. METHODS: 48 cases of upper abdomen were selected. Manual and automatic segmentation were performed for two organs at risk, which were stomach and duodenum. Three overlapping structures, which were the overlaps with target expanded by 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm, were generated for each organ at risk. The geometric parameters of overlapping structures were calculated. The relationship between these geometric parameters and the dosimetric parameters of organs was investigated. RESULTS: When the geometric parameters of overlapping structures related to the target expand 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm were larger than 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 respectively, the maximum dose differences of manual and automatic segmentation were less than 3 Gy. For the case with no overlaps between the organs and the target expansions, the overlap structure corresponding to target expanding 20 mm were recommended for safety considerations. CONCLUSIONS For organs at risk in the upper abdomen, the overlapping geometric parameters were closely related to the maximum dose of organs. Overlapping geometric parameters could predict whether the difference of maximum dose caused by automaticsegmentation was clinically acceptable or not.
Organs at Risk ; Radiometry ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated

【Objective】 To assess the effect of reconstruction kernels and window settings on the detection and measurement of pulmonary solid nodules and their measurement variability and repeatability. 【Methods】 We retrospectively recruited 49 patients with pulmonary solid nodules who had undergone low-dose CT scanning. Images were reconstructed using five reconstruction kernels： lung， bone， chest， detail and standard kernels. Two radiologists independently assessed the detection rate， diameter and CT number measurement of nodules under the five kernels and two window settings （lung-window and mediastinal-window）. Bland-Altman plots and relative average deviation （RAD） were used to evaluate the repeatability and variability of nodule diameter and CT number measurement. 【Results】 Seventy-seven nodules were detected on lung-window regardless of reconstruction kernels， while the detection rates （75.3%-98.7%） were significantly different （P<0.001） on the mediastinal-window， with the lung kernel significantly improving the detection of nodules with the diameter below 6 mm. In both display windows， the diameter and CT number measurements among reconstruction kernels were similar except for the lung kernel. The lung-window had better variability in the diameter measurement while mediastinal-window was better in CT number measurement among various reconstruction kernels. Although the variability in the diameter of the nodule on the lung-window and mediastinal-window was similar， there was a significant difference in the variability in the diameter measurement among different reconstruction kernels on the mediastinal-window （P=0.004）. No significant difference in the variability in the CT number measurement was found among the different reconstruction kernels （lung-window P=0.163； mediastinal-window P=0.201）， and the variability in the CT number measurements on the mediastinal-window was smaller than that of the lung-window. Both window displays had acceptable repeatability in diameter and CT number measurement； however， the mediastinal-window was better in CT number measurement. 【Conclusion】 The lung kernel can improve the detection of pulmonary solid nodules below 6 mm， but is limited in the CT number measurement. The lung-window display provides better variability in measuring nodule diameter， while mediastinal-window display is better at measuring CT numbers.

Objective:To investigate the role of KLF4 in lipopolysaccharide induced cardiomyocyte injury.Methods:Primary rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured, and randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, negative control (NC), LPS group, KLF4 overexpression group, KLF4 overexpression+LPS group. MTT method was used to detect cell activity, ROS, SOD 2, GPX and MDA were detected by kit, TNFa, IL-1 β and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis. The protein levels of TLR4 and Nrf2 were detected by Western blot.Results:The expression of KLF4 in cardiomyocytes was significantly higher than that in the NC group ( P<0.001). The cell activity of LPS group was significantly lower than that of NC group ( P < 0.001), and that of KLF4 overexpression +LPS group was higher than that of LPS group ( P<0.001). The levels of TNFa, IL-1 β and IL-6 in LPS group were significantly higher than those in the NC group ( P<0.0001), and the levels of TNFa, IL-1 β and IL-6 in KLF4 overexpression +LPS group were lower than those in LPS group ( P<0.0001). The levels of ROS and MDA in LPS group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the activities of SOD2 and GPX were lower than those in the NC group ( P<0.0001); the levels of ROS and MDA in KLF4 overexpression +LPS group were lower than those in LPS group, while the activities of SOD2 and GPX were higher than those in LPS group ( P<0.0001). The number of apoptosis in LPS group was significantly higher than that in the NC group, and that in KLF4 overexpression +LPS group was lower than that in LPS group ( P< 0.001). The level of TLR4 wan higher and Nrf2 protein in the nucleus of LPS group was lower than that of the NC group. The level of TLR4 was lower and Nrf2 protein in the nucleus of KLF4 overexpression+LPS group was significantly higher than that of LPS group ( P < 0.001). Conclusions:KLF4 can alleviate LPS induced cardiomyocyte injury by regulating TLR4 and NRF2 signals.