Objective: To analyze the regulatory effect of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract on the immune function of mice, so as to provide a reference for the study of the mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. regulating immune function. Methods: Forty-eight SPF healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group and low (0.5 g/kg), medium (2.0 g/kg), and high (4.0 g/kg) dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. The mice in control group were given the pure water by gavage once a day, while the mice in each dose group were given the corresponding dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract by gavage once a day. The delayed allergy test was performed for 28 consecutive days. Sixty SPF healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into a control group, polyinosinic acid injection group (model group), and low, medium, and high dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. The mice in control group were given the pure water by gavage once a day, while the mice in each dose group were given the corresponding dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. On days 13 and 14 of administration, the mice in the model group and each dose group were intraperitoneally injected with sterile polyinosinic acid solution to perform the immunosuppressive experiment induced by polyinosinic acid. The mouse ear pieces were weighed, and the thymus and spleen of the mice were weighed and stained with HE to calculate the pathological scores. Peripheral blood was collected for blood cell detection and T cell classification. Results: Mice in each group had normal feeding, activity, and growth status, and no abnormality was observed. In the delayed allergy test, compared with the control group, the degree and rate of ear swelling in the low, medium and high dose groups were higher, the white blood cell count in the medium dose group was higher, and the absolute values of lymphocytes in the low and medium dose groups were higher (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the pathological scores of the thymus and spleen in the model group were higher (both P<0.05). In the immunosuppressive experiments in mice induced by polyinosinic acid, compared with the model group, the pathological score of the thymus in the high dose group was lower (P<0.05), and the boundary between the thymus cortex and medulla was improved. Conclusions Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract can increase the degree of ear swelling and peripheral blood white blood cell count in mice. High dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract can improve the thymus injury induced by polyinosinic acid, and has an immunomodulatory effect.

Objective:To explore the clinical application pathway of the CT generative adversarial networks (CTGANs) algorithm in mandibular reconstruction surgery, aiming to provide a valuable reference for this procedure.Methods:A clinical exploratory study was conducted, 27 patients who visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January 2022 and January 2024 and required mandibular reconstruction were selected. The cohort included 16 males and 11 females, with the age of (46.6±11.5) years; among them, 7 cases involved mandibular defects crossing the midline. The CTGANs generator produced 100 images, and the mean squared error (MSE) was calculated for differences between any two generated images. Preoperative cone-beam CT data from 5 patients were used to construct a labeled test database, divided into groups: normal maxilla, normal mandible, diseased mandible, and noise (each group containing 70 cross-sectional images). The CTGANs discriminator was used to evaluate the loss values for each group, and one-way ANOVA and intergroup comparisons were performed. Using the self-developed KuYe multioutcome-option-network generation system (KMG) software, the three-dimensional (3D) completion area of the mandible under cone-beam CT was defined for the 27 patients. The CTGANs algorithm was applied to obtain a reference model for the mandible. Virtual surgery was then performed, utilizing the fibular segment to reconstruct the mandible and design the surgical expectation model. The second-generation combined bone-cutting and prebent reconstruction plate positioning method was used to design and 3D print surgical guides, which were subsequently applied in mandibular reconstruction surgery for the 27 patients. Postoperative cone-beam CT was used to compare the morphology of the reconstructed mandible with the surgical expectation model and the mandibular reference model to assess the three-dimensional deviation.Results:The MSE for the CTGANs generator was 2 411.9±833.6 (95% CI: 2 388.7-2 435.1). No significant difference in loss values was found between the normal mandible and diseased mandible groups ( P>0.05), while both groups demonstrated significantly lower loss values than the maxilla and noise groups ( P<0.001). All 27 patients successfully obtained mandibular reference models and surgical expectation models. In total, 14 162 negative deviation points and 15 346 positive deviation points were observed when comparing the reconstructed mandible morphology with the surgical expectation model, with mean deviations of -1.32 mm (95% CI:-1.33- -1.31 mm) and 1.90 mm (95% CI: 1.04-1.06 mm), respectively. Conclusions:The CTGANs algorithm is capable of generating diverse mandibular reference models that reflect the natural anatomical characteristics of the mandible and closely match individual patient morphology, thereby facilitating the design of surgical expectation models. This method shows promise for application in patients with mandibular defects crossing the midline.

Objective:To analyze the genus, drug resistance/virulence and phylogenetic characteristics of Brucella strains isolated from brucellosis surveillance sentinels in Henan Province from 2013 to 2022, and provide baseline data for the surveillance, early warning and outbreak tracing of brucellosis. Methods:Blood samples were collected from patients with Brucella infection for strain isolation, culture and species identification, drug susceptibility test, whole genome sequencing, splicing and assembly, functional/virulence/resistance gene prediction analysis and phylogenetic tree drawing based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Results:In 36 brucellosis patients, the majority were men (86.11%, 31/36), young adults aged 18-50 (88.89%, 32/36) and farmers/herdsmen (72.22%, 26/36). A total of 36 strains of Brucella melitensis were isolated, and average 1 305 functional proteins of 21 categories were predicted by strain genome; all the strains carried four main virulence factors (pmm, VirB group, BtpA/BtpB, BvrS/BvrR). The drug sensitivity rate was 100.00% to six types of antibiotics including levofloxacin, rifampicin, doxycycline, streptomycin, tetracycline and gentamicin, they showed different resistances to three antibiotics including compound trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. The strains carried four types of resistance genes and two clusters of resistance genes, with four combinations of genotypes, the resistance mechanisms included antibiotic degradation/modification enzymes, resistant nodular cell differentiation (RND) efflux pumps, 16S/23S ribosomal rRNA binding site mutations, etc. The number of SNP differed in the genomes of 36 Brucellamelitensis strains ranged from 0 to 454 and phylogenetic tree was divided into three major branches, with relative branch distances between 0.000 0 and 0.498 6 for each strain. Conclusions:Human Brucellamelitensis strains isolated from surveillance sentinels in Henan from 2013 to 2022 carried multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes and had different drug resistance phenotypes. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis showed significant differences in phylogenetic relationships among different strains.

Objective To establish U251 cells with inhibited expression of interferon-γ inducible protein 30 (IFI30), and to investigate the effect of IFI30 on cell biological function as well as its underlying mechanism. Methods Three knockdown sequences which target IFI30 were designed online and 3 small interfering RNAs (siRNA) were synthesized. After transfection, the inhibition efficiency was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The siRNA sequence with the highest inhibition efficiency was selected to create short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmids. The recombinant plasmids and packaging plasmids were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to prepare lentivirus. The glioma U251 cells were transfected with lentivirus, and the positive cells were screened by puromycin. CCK-8 assay, 5-ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and colony formation assays were used to analyze cell proliferation; the flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle and apoptosis; the Transwell^TM assay was used to detect cell invasion; the wound-healing assay was employed to detect cell migration, and western blot analysis to detect the protein expresison of cyclin D1, B-cell lymphoma factor 2 (Bcl2), epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), neural cadherin (N-cadherin), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1). Results The sequence which effectively target IFI30 was screened and U251 cell line capable of inhibiting the IFI30 expression was successfully established. When IFI30 expression was knocked down, the proliferation of U251 cells was inhibited, along with increased ratio of cells in the phase G0/G1, the decreased phase S, the increased rate of cell apoptosis. The cell invasion and migration capabilities was also reduced. The decreased expression of cyclin D1, Bcl2 and N-cadherin were observed in U251 cells, and the expression of E-cadherin and the phosphorylation of STAT1 were found increased. Conclusion Knockdown of IFI30 inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of human glioma cell U251 and promotes its apoptosis by activating STAT1.
Humans ; Cyclin D1/genetics* ; HEK293 Cells ; Interferon-gamma ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Cadherins ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Glioma/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors ; STAT1 Transcription Factor/genetics*

Purpose To assess the right atrial and right ventricular strain and right ventricular-pulmonary artery(RV-PA)coupling in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)via two-dimensional speckle tracking.Materials and Methods Sixty patients with RA in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from June 2020 to June 2022 were prospectively selected,and all RA patients were divided into three groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP),including group A(n=20 cases)with PASP<33 mmHg,group B(n=20 cases)with PASP 33-39 mmHg as mild ePH,and group C(n=20 cases)PASP≥40 mmHg,twenty healthy individuals were selected as the control group.All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography,and right atrial and right ventricular systolic function was assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking technique,and RV-PA coupling was assessed noninvasively by right ventricular free wall strain/pulmonary artery systolic pressure(RV FWS/PASP),pulmonary function was analyzed by pulmonary function instruments.Spearman's analysis was used to analyze the correlation between right heart function and RV-PA coupling to pulmonary diffusion function.Results There were statistical differences in right ventricular base diameter,right atrium diameter,tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion,inferior vena cava diameter,PASP,right ventricular global strain,RV FWS,right atrium strain-reservoi,right atrium strain-conduit(S-CD),RV FWS/PASP among the four groups(F/H=2.369-74.880,all P<0.05).Right atrium strain-reservoi[(36.0±7.9)%vs.(30.9±7.8)%],right atrium S-CD[(19.9±6.9)%vs.(15.3±4.7)%]and RV FWS/PASP(0.96±0.19 vs.0.56±0.13)in group B were significantly lower than those of group A(t=2.040,2.262,7.704,all P<0.05).There was a good correlation between diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide single-breathmethod and right ventricular global strain,RV FWS,right atrium S-CD and RV FWS/PASP in RA patients(r=0.392,0.472,0.431,0.572,all P<0.05).Conclusion The more increases of pulmonary artery pressures,the more decreases of right heart function in RA patients,and the more uncoupling in RV-PA.Right heart dysfunction and right ventricle-pulmonary artery uncoupling have developed in RA patients with PASP 33-39 mmHg,with association of pulmonary diffusion dysfunction.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of magnetically controlled capsule gastroscope in elderly patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Methods:A total of 102 patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding who underwent magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy (MCCG) in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2020 to September 2022 were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to age: 38 patients in group A (≤65 years old) and 64 patients in group B (> 65 years old). The case data, changes of vital signs, detection of lesions and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared.Results:There were significant differences in combined diseases between group A and group B. The stomach examination time in group A was significantly shorter than that of group B (15.49±2.04 min VS 16.61±2.02 min, t=-2.685, P=0.009). There was significant difference in small intestine examination time between the two groups (331.69±14.96 min VS 337.83±14.28 min, t=-1.229, P=0.227). The incidence of adverse reactions in group A was significantly lower than that in group B [0.00%(0/38) VS 6.25%(4/64), χ2=6.186, P=0.013]. The changes of vital signs before, during and after examination were not statistically different. The detection rates of upper gastrointestinal lesions were 92.1% (35/38) and 98.4% (63/64), respectively. The positive rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding under MCCG were 60.0% (21/35) and 50.8% (32/63), respectively. Patients with unexplained upper gastrointestinal bleeding under MCCG received small intestine examination. The detection rates of small intestinal lesions by small intestine examination were 84.6% (11/13) and 91.7% (22/24), respectively. Conclusion:MCCG demonstrates excellent diagnostic accuracy in elderly patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, it is safe and suitable for use in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, allowing for concurrent small intestine examination.

Objective To explore the value of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)for surgical therapy of pediatric atrioventricular valve diseases.Methods Data of 273 children with atrioventricular valve diseases who underwent surgical operation under extracorporeal circulation were retrospectively analyzed.Transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)was performed within 1 week before,while TEE was performed before and after surgical operation.Whether TTE diagnosis should be adjusted were evaluated according to findings of TEE,so were the effects of surgical treatments,and the ultrasonic diagnostic coincidence rate before operation were compared taken surgical findings as standards.Results TEE was successfully completed in all 273 children.The diagnostic coincidence rate of preoperative TTE was 83.88％(229/273).After adjustment or supplement according to TEE in 44 cases(44/273,16.12％),the ultrasonic diagnostic coincidence rate reached 100％(273/273),higher than that of preoperative TTE alone(P＜0.001).Residual shunt was found in 5 cases,while no obvious improvement of valvular regurgitation was noticed in 3 cases with post operative TEE,and after corresponding treatments,re-examination of TEE showed satisfactory efficacy in all the above cases.Conclusion TEE could be used to accurately diagnose pediatric atrioventricular valve diseases before and evaluate the efficacy after surgical treatments,having important clinical application value.

Objective:To construct a rapid admission evaluation model for medical consumables of same category,and to achieve a balance between scientificity,efficiency and practicality in the management of medical consumables.Methods:Based on the mini health technology assessment(Mini-HTA)model,combined with expert heuristics,a rapid qualitative analysis of the intended use and technical characteristics of the same category of medical consumables were conducted.Expert opinions were solicited through the Delphi method,and a rapid admission evaluation model of same category of medical consumables was constructed.A total of 80 high-value medical consumables of 10 categories in clinical use in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2023 to March 2024 were selected,and the traditional admission process method and expert heuristics optimization method were used to make admission decisions for medical consumables,with 40 high-value medical consumables for each method.The differences in the decision-making process and approval time between the two different admission methods were compared and analyzed.Results:The admission decision-making system indicators of the rapid admission evaluation model of medical consumables of same category included 6 primary indicators of clinical efficacy,reliability,economics,values and aspirations,hospital management and corporate services,and 25 secondary indicators.The approval process for medical consumables admission decision-making using the rapid admission evaluation model of medical consumables of same category had been reduced from 10 in the traditional admission process to 2,and the approval time had been shortened from an average of 7.03 days to 2.43 days.Conclusion:The rapid admission evaluation model for the approval of medical consumables of same category based on expert heuristics can significantly optimize the admission approval process of medical consumables,improve the comprehensiveness and transparency of medical consumables admission decisions,and improve the management efficiency of medical consumables.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in the treatment of uterine fibroids.Methods:The clinical data of 124 patients with uterine fibroids who received HIFU ablation in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Xi'an People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from April 2020 to February 2023. The patients were divided into an MRI group (58 cases treated with magnetic resonance guided HIFU ablation) and an ultrasound group (66 cases treated with ultrasound guided HIFU ablation) according to different guidance methods. The treatment effects (total effective rate, fibroid ablation volume, fibroid ablation rate), surgical conditions (total energy consumption, total time consumption, energy efficiency factor, irradiation time), incidence of adverse events, ovarian function (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), inhibin) at 3 months before and after surgery were compared between the two groups. B. Antral follicle count (AFC) and recurrence at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The t-test is used for comparing between groups of metric data that conform to normal distribution, and the chi square test is used for comparing between groups of count data.Results:The total energy consumption, total time consumption and irradiation time in MRI group were longer than those in ultrasound group( (571.68±184.31) kJ vs (494.82±155.03) kJ, (186.21±36.19) min vs (121.63±31.09) min, (26.12±7.93) min vs (22.07±7.46) min), there were have statistical differences( t values were 2.52, 10.69, and 2.93, respectively; P values were 0.013, <0.001, and 0.004, respectively). At 3 months after surgery, the level of FSH in the two groups was risen than that before surgery(MRI group (10.27±1.72) U/L vs (8.67±1.63) U/L, ultrasound group (10.13±1.66) U/L vs (8.46±1.57) U/L), the level of INHB and the number of AFC were declined (MRI group (40.46±5.31) ng/L vs (47.19±4.24) ng/L, (4.22±1.21) vs (6.72±1.48); ultrasound group (39.07±5.12) ng/L vs (48.20±4.77) ng/L, (4.11±1.09) vs (6.63±1.41)) there were have statistical differences ( t values were 5.14, 5.94, 7.54, 9.96, 10.60, and 11.48, respectively; all P<0.001). Conclusion:Both methods of guided HIFU ablation for uterine fibroids can effectively ablate fibroids and improve ovarian function, with safety. Ultrasound guidance has a shorter treatment time and less energy consumption compared to MRI guidance.

Objective:To improve the accuracy of ultrasound for the diagnosis of Abernethy malformation in children, and to achieve a comprehensive ultrasound evaluation of its complications and associated malformations.Methods:The data of 7 children who underwent ultrasound examination and confirmed with Abernethy malformation by computed tomography angiography(CTA) and/or percutaneous angiography in the Children′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from March 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. All the children received routine cardiac ultrasound examination, and those with hypoxemia also received right heart contrast echocardiography. The clinical manifestations were analyzed, and the ultrasound characteristics of Abernethy malformation, its complications, associated malformations and examination method were summarized.Results:Abernethy malformation was detected by accident as physical examination, fever, and trauma in 3 of the 7 children. The other 4 cases presented with clinical symptoms. Abernethy malformation in all 7 children was first detected and diagnosed by ultrasound. In 3 cases, the surgical results confirmed that the type of Abernethy malformation determined by ultrasound was correct. The complications of Abernethy malformation included focal nodular hyperplasia in 2 cases, gastrointestinal bleeding and nephrotic syndrome in 1 case, and pulmonary hypertension in 1 case. The right heart contrast echocardiography results of 2 cases with hypoxia symptoms suggested that their right-to-left shunts were graded Ⅱ and Ⅲ, respectively.Therefore, 2 cases were complicated by hepatopulmonary syndrome. Among these 7 cases, 4 cases had congenital heart disease, one of whom had polysplenia syndrome. Shunt vascular occlusion under digital subtraction angiography monitoring was performed in 1 case.Two cases underwent liver transplantation. Three cases were being followed up. One case abandoned treatment.Conclusions:Ultrasound has high accuracy in the diagnosis of Abernethy malformation in children and can locate portosystemic shunt vessels. In addition to abdominal organ and vascular ultrasound examination, routine echocardiography is recommended for children with Abernethy malformation. Right heart contrast echocardiography provides important information for the diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome in children with hypoxia symptoms.