ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of action of Xibining Formula （膝痹宁） for cartilage damage in knee osteoarthritis （KOA） through the cyclic guanosine-adenosine monophosphate synthase （cGAS）- stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups （10 per group）， sham operation group， KOA model group， low-dose Xibining Formula group， high-dose Xibining Formula group， and high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group. The KOA models were constructed using the destabilization of the medial meniscus （DMM） method in all groups but the sham surgery group. Two weeks after surgery， the low- and high-dose Xibining Formula groups were administered Xibining Formula at doses of 3.58 g/（kg·d） and 14.32 g/（kg·d） respectively via gavage. The high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group received 14.32 g/（kg·d） of Xibining Formula via gavage followed by an intraperitoneal injection of Vadimezan （DMXAA） at 25 mg/kg. The sham surgery group and the KOA model group mice were given an equivalent volume of normal saline at 5 ml/（kg·d） via gavage， once daily for four consecutive weeks. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by ELISA； pathological changes in cartilage tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. Pathological changes were scored according to the Mankin scoring system； the levels of cartilage tissue matrix regulation-related indicators such as matrix metalloproteinase 3 （MMP3）， matrix metalloproteinase 13 （MMP13）， a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 （ADAMTS）， type-Ⅱ collagen （CⅡ） and aggregated proteoglycan （Aggrecan）， and also cGAS-STING pathway-related protein and mRNA expression levels were detected by Western blot and qPCR methods. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group， the KOA model group showed severe cartilage edge destruction， significantly increased Mankin scores， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS， STING， MMP3， MMP13， and ADAMTS5 （P＜0.01）. Compared with the control group， serum level of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α in all the intervented groups decreased （P＜0.01）， while compared with high-dose Xibining Formula group， level of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in low-dose Xibining Formula group and high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group increased （P＜0.01）. Compared with the KOA model group， all the intervention groups exhibited alleviated cartilage pathological changes， signi-ficantly reduced Mankin scores， significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan， and significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS， STING， MMP3， MMP13， and ADAMTS5 （P＜0.01）. Compared with high-dose Xibining Formula group， high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group showed cartilage edge destruction， significantly increased Mankin scores， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan， and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS， STING， MMP3， MMP13， and ADAMTS5 （P＜0.01）. ConclusionXibining Formula may improve KOA cartilage damage by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway， decreasing matrix degradation-related proteins， and elevating matrix composition-related proteins.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with multiple myeloma(MM)complicated by bone lesions and the risk factors associated with bone lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 294 newly diagnosed MM patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the bone lesion group(154 cases)and the non-bone lesions group(140 cases)based on the presence of absence of bone lesions at diagnosis.The general data and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.The risk factors for bone lesions in MM patients were analyzed by logistic regression analysis,and the characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to assess the predictive value of each risk factor for the occurrence of bone lesions in MM patients.Results:Compared to the non-bone lesion group,the bone lesion group had significantly higher serum calcium levels and significantly greater proportions of patients with Durie-Salmon(DS)stage Ⅲ,and bone pain(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum calcium(OR=5.135,95％CI:1.931-13.653,P=0.001),DS stage Ⅲ(OR=1.841,95％CI:1.019-3.328,P=0.043),and bone pain(OR=8.208,95％CI:4.761-14.151,P＜0.001)were independent risk factors for bone lesions in MM patients.ROC curve analysis showed that serum calcium(AUC=0.619,95％CI:0.555-0.683,P＜0.001)and bone pain(AUC=0.743,95％CI:0.692-0.793,P＜0.001)had predictive value for bone lesions in MM patients.Conclusion:MM patients have a high incidence of bone lesions,and active monitoring and management of risk factors may improve treatment outcomes and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To establish an in vitro simulated one compartment extravascular adminis-tration model with lanthanum nitrate as the test substance,and explore the differences between this model and the classic in vitro administration model in lanthanum nitrate induced HepG2 cell death.METHODS An in vitro administration device was designed based on compartment model theories which consisted of four functional chambers:the liquid storage chamber,mixing chamber,toxicant exposure chamber,and waste liquid receiving chamber.The four chambers were connected by peristaltic pump hoses.The peristaltic pumps were employed to ensure unidirectional and constant speed trans-mission of liquid between these chambers.According to the preset toxicokinetic parameters such as T1/2a and T1/2,an in vitro simulated one compartment extravascular administration model of lanthanum nitrate was constructed using the device.The content of lanthanum nitrate in the toxicant exposure chamber at different time points was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The concentration-time curves of lanthanum nitrate were analyzed using PKsolver and GraphPad Prism 8.0 software.The constructed in vitro simulated one compartment extravascular administration model was evaluated by comparing the measured and theoretical values of toxicokinetic parameters.HepG2 cells were treated with lanthanum nitrate in the in vitro simulated one compartment extravascular administration model and classic in vitro administration model,respectively,and cell death was measured using the Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide staining method.RESULTS Within the Cmax range of 3.91-1 000.00 μmol·L-1,the measured concentration-time curves of lanthanum nitrate in the toxicant expo-sure chamber almost conformed with the corresponding calculated theoretical curves(the correlation coefficients were all>0.998 0).The measured values of toxicokinetic parameters,including Ke,T1/2,Ka,T1/2a,Tmax,Cmax,CL and AUC0-∞,were close to the corresponding theoretical values.The fitting coeffi-cients(R2)of the concentration-time curves for each experimental group were all>0.990 0,which was consistent with one compartment model for extravascular administration.In the simulated one compart-ment extravascular administration model,no significant death of HepG2 cells was observed in any lanthanum nitrate dose group.In the classic in vitro administration model,the cell death rate of the 0.500 mmol·L-1 lanthanum nitrate group was higher than that of the solvent control group,but no significant cell death was observed in the 0.119 mmol·L-1 group or 0.243 mmol·L-1 group.When Cmax or Cadministration was 0.500 mmol·L-1,classic in vitro administration induced a higher cell death rate than simulated one compart-ment extravascular administration.However,there was no statistically significant difference in lanthanum nitrate induced HepG2 cell death between the two administration models when the AUC was equal.CONCLUSION The device designed in this study can be used to in vitro simulate one compartment extravascular administration,making in vitro toxicity testing more similar to in vivo scenarios,and providing data for optimizing administration methods of in vitro toxicity testing.There are differences in lanthanum nitrate induced HepG2 cell death between simulated one compartment extravascular administration and classic in vitro administration,indicating that different in vitro exposure modes can affect toxicity.

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a major cause of female infertility, characterized by a complex and multifactorial etiology involving aging, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and immune mechanisms. Therapeutic options for DOR remain limited, with no currently established treatments demonstrating consistently robust efficacy. Recent advances in regenerative medicine—including the use of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives, platelet-rich plasma and in vitro activation—have opened promising new avenues for ovarian function restoration. This review offers a comprehensive summary of research progress in DOR treatment over the past five years, covering hormonal therapies, assisted reproductive technologies, nutritional supplementation and lifestyle modifications, Traditional Chinese Medicine, targeted therapies, and regenerative medicine approaches, with the aim of providing guidance for clinical management of DOR.

Objective To compare the differences in dosimetry and treatment efficiency of three radiotherapy plans after left-sided breast-conserving surgery,including modified intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT),cross-field volume-modulated arc therapy(VMAT)or improved VMAT,so as to provide references for clinical practice.Methods Three radiotherapy plans of modified IMRT,cross-field VMAT and improved VMAT were designed for 12 patients after left-sided-breast-conserving surgery.The modified IMRT with five irradiation fields and the improved VMAT with two arcs were modified by not setting cross-fields while determining the start and end angles with the rays passing through the least lung area.The cross-field VMAT had its start and end angles set based on the cross-fields.The doses to the target areas,peripheral organs at risk,heart and its substructures were evaluated,and dose verification was carried out.The three plans were compared in terms of treatment efficiency and gamma pass rate.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results All the three plans behaved well in dose distribution.In terms of planning gross tumor volume dosimetry dosimetry,the improved VMAT and modified IMRT gained advantages than others in CI and D50,respectively,with the differences being significant(all P<0.05).In terms of planning target volume dosimetry,the modified IMRT had the V107 and D50 lower than those of the others,with the differences being significant(P<0.05).In terms of the protection of peripheral organs at risk,V5 of the left lung,Dmean of the right lung and Dmean of the healthy breast were lower in the modified IMRT plan than in the other 2 plans,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);V20,V30,V35 and V40 of the left lung were lower in the modified VMAT plan than in the other 2 plans,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).In terms of protection of heart and its substructures,the left ventricle V20,V30 and Dmean of the improved VMAT plan behaved better than those of other 2 plans,and the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.05).In terms of treatment efficiency,the cross-field VMAT plan had the lowest MU while highest treatment efficiency;the improved VMAT plan had the MU higher while the treatment efficiency lower than the cross-field VMAT plan;the modified IMRT plan had the highest MU while the lowest gamma pass rate,and the differences in the MUs and gamma pass rates among the three plans were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Under the same standard conditions,the cross-field VMAT and improved VMAT plans show technical advantages.Though the improved VMAT plan has the treatment efficiency lower than the cross-field VMAT,it decreases the possibility of radiocardiac injury in terms of dosimetry and thus can be used for radiotherapy after left-sided breast-conserving surgery.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):45-51]

Objective:To analyze the effect of zirconium-based pigments with different mass fractions on the colorimetric properties of fused deposition modeling (FDM) polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites, and to investigate the feasibility of using these pigments for computer color matching of PEEK composites.Methods:Specimens were fabricated using FDM technology, comprising two control groups [Pure PEEK group, PEEK-TiO 2 group (PEEK compounded with 20% TiO 2)] and nine experimental groups based on the type of zirconium-based pigment (zirconium praseodymium yellow, zirconium iron red, zirconium vanadium blue) and mass fraction (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%). The experimental group specimens consisted of PEEK blended with 20% TiO 2 and the respective zirconium-based pigment. The spectral reflectance curve and chromaticity values of all specimens were measured using a spectrophotometer. The relationship between the chromaticity values of each colored PEEK composite in the experimental groups and the pigment mass fraction was determined. Shade guide tabs mimicking clinically used tooth shades were fabricated using a light-curing resin (Filtek Z350XT Body). The full-spectrum color matching method was employed to calculate the PEEK composite formulations (PEEK, 20% TiO 2, blends of the three zirconium-based pigments) required to match these target tooth shades. Verification group specimens based on these calculated recipes were then fabricated. The color difference between each verification group specimen and its corresponding target shade tab was calculated. Color differences between the target shade tabs and the two control groups (Pure PEEK, PEEK-TiO 2) were also calculated. Results:The spectral reflectance curves of PEEK composite specimens containing different types of zirconium-based pigments exhibited distinct characteristic features. The chromaticity values were significantly affected by the mass fraction of the same zirconium-based pigment. Based on computer color matching calculations, the color differences between the verification group specimens and the target shade tabs ranged from 1.59 to 14.55.Conclusions:This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing the three zirconium-based pigments (zirconium praseodymium yellow, zirconium iron red, zirconium vanadium blue) for full-spectrum computer color matching of PEEK-TiO 2 composites.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pertussis cases identified through active surveillance.Methods:Active surveillance for pertussis was conducted in three sentinel hospitals in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, and Yongcheng, Henan Province. The study population included cases that met the surveillance case definition and sought medical care at outpatient/emergency departments or were hospitalized between June 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022. Samples were collected for bacterial culture and PCR detection. Case information and clinical data were collected. Differences in rates were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test, and the differences in cough time were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:Among 1 423 cases of pertussis surveillance, the positive rate of pertussis was 28.11% (400/1 423), with a median age of 5 years (interquartile range: 2, 8). The positive rate in Yongcheng, Henan Province, and Yiwu, Zhejiang Province were 39.27% (216/550) and 21.08% (184/873), respectively; the positive rate of pertussis was highest in July 2021, and the highest positive rate of pertussis was among those aged 10-14. The positive rate of pertussis in hospitalized cases was higher than in outpatient/emergency cases (26.68%) ( χ2=4.16, P=0.041). Among the 400 laboratory test-positive cases, the highest proportion of atypical symptom cases was in adults aged 20-59 (43.33%, 13/30). The specificity rates of apnea and worsening nocturnal cough in monitored cases under 3 months of age were 100.00% and 73.81%, respectively. Among monitored cases aged 3 months to 9 years, the proportions of symptoms including worsening nighttime cough (63.00%) and night sweats (4.59%) in test-positive cases were significantly higher than those in the test-negative group (47.77% and 0.56%, respectively), with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). The specificity rates of worsened nighttime coughing and night sweats were 52.23% and 99.44%, respectively. Conclusions:The active surveillance results for pertussis showed that the 10-14 age group exhibited the highest positivity rate. Active surveillance enhanced the detection rate of pertussis. Among laboratory-confirmed cases, the proportion of atypical symptoms was the highest in adults, suggesting that laboratory testing should be combined to diagnose programs of pertussis. For infants under 3 months, worsening nighttime cough and apnea increase the diagnostic specificity, while for individuals aged 3 to 9 years old, worsening nighttime cough and night sweats increase the diagnostic specificity.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and nonspecific disease affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Ecological and social environmental factors, including air pollutants, heavy metals, industrial pollutants and organic pollutants, diet, and lifestyle, influence the occurrence and development of IBD and regulate IBD gene expression through epigenetics and gut microbiota. This article summarizes the role of environmental factors in IBD and explores the ways in which they influence the regulation of gene expression.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disorder with unclear etiology. Existing studies indicate that diet plays an important role in both the pathogenesis and prognosis of IBD. This review summarizes clinical evidence regarding the association between diet and the development of IBD, analyze the current nutritional status of the IBD population at the prognosis level and underlying mechanisms of dietary interventions in disease management, and explores the application of precision nutrition in personalized care. The review ultimately aims to provide guidance for developing more precise and personalized dietary management strategies for IBD patients.

Objective:To design and develop a cone-beam CT imaging system for small animals with continuously adjustable spatial resolution.Methods:The imaging system used an X-ray source with a focal spot size of 30 μm and a flat panel detector with a pixel size of 100 μm. On this premise, a " stepping-focusing-rotating" image acquisition mode was proposed, in which the " focusing" and " stepping" systems were sequentially embedded in the " rotating" system. In this acquisition mode, the X-ray source and flat panel detector were relatively stationary to form the " focusing" system. When the " stepping" system accurately transported the object to the scanning position, the " focusing" system could achieve adjustable spatial resolution by making linear motion around the object to be scanned according to different experimental requirements. Finally the " rotating" system achieve high-quality imaging.Results:The variable spatial resolution of small animal CBCT ranges from 35.7 μm to 71.4 μm, and the FOV ranges from 39.6 mm to 108.0 mm. The conversion time for the limit spatial resolution is 19.125 s, which allowed accurate 3D reconstruction of normal mice at different resolutions with high reproducibility.Conclusions:A cone-beam CT suitable for small animals has been developed, whose spatial resolution and FOV can be adjusted arbitrarily within a certain range, which can meet the different imaging requirements in rodent experiments.