OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on small intestinal mucosal immune barrier in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Of 38 newborn rats from 4 healthy SPF pregnant rats, 12 neonatal rats were randomly selected in a normal group. IBS-D model was prepared by the combined measures for the rest rats, including neonatal maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress. Twenty-four successfully-modeled rats were randomized into a model group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each one. In the moxibustion group, suspending moxibustion was delivered at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37), 20 min each time, once daily and for 7 consecutive days. Separately, before acetic acid enema (aged 35 days), after modeling (aged 45 days) and after intervention (aged 53 days), the body mass, loose stool rate (LSR) and and the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were observed in the rats of each group. After intervention (aged 53 days), using HE and PAS staining, the morphology of duodenum was observed, the length of villus and the depth of crypt were measured, the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt was calculated; and the numbers of mucosal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells were counted. With ELISA adopted, the contents of γ-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in duodenal mucosa of rats were detected. The proportion of T cell subsets in duodenal mucosa was detected using flow cytometry. The microvilli and tight junctions of duodenal mucosal epithelial cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the integrity of duodenal mucosa observed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, for the rats in the model group, the body mass, the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3, the length of duodenal villus and the the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt, as well as the proportion of CD₈⁺ T subset were all reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), the counts of goblet cells in duodenal mucosa decreased (P<0.01); LRS, the proportion of CD₄⁺ T subset and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺, as well as the contents of IFN-γ, IL-4 and sIgA in duodenal mucosa and IFN-γ/IL-4 were all elevated (P<0.01); and the numbers of IELs rose (P<0.01). The morphology of duodenal mucosa was irregular, the villi got shorter, sparse and scattered, with uneven density. The morphology of epithelial cells was destroyed and the tight junctions damaged, with larger spaces. When compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group, the body mass, the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3, the length of duodenal villus and the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt, as well as the counts of goblet cells in duodenal mucosa increased (P<0.01); LRS, the proportion of CD₄⁺ T subset, and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺, as well as the contents of IFN-γ, IL-4 and sIgA in duodenal mucosa and IFN-γ/IL-4 were reduced (P<0.01); and the numbers of IELs was dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of duodenal mucosa was more regular, the villi were grew, got longer and arranged regularly, with even density. The morphology of epithelial cells was slightly destroyed, and the tight junctions partially damaged. CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37) can reduce visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats and relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms. Its effect mechanism may be related to the repair of small intestinal mucosal immune barrier and the improvement in the immune function in IBS-D.
Animals ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/immunology* ; Rats ; Moxibustion ; Intestinal Mucosa/immunology* ; Female ; Diarrhea/therapy* ; Intestine, Small/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Disease Models, Animal

Spectral computed tomography (CT) has triggered a technological revolution in radiodiagnosis while demonstrating its increasing application value in radiotherapy. Employing dual-energy techniques for material decomposition, spectral CT provides optimized solutions for several critical aspects of radiotherapy. Based on a review of the application situation of spectral CT in radiotherapy, this study delved into spectral CT′s significant advantages in image quality improvement, precise dose calculation, and comprehensive quantitative assessment. Furthermore, this study envisioned the development orientations and application prospects of spectral CT.

Objective::This study aimed to explore the causal link between olive intake and the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) using Mendelian randomization (MR).Methods::In this study, genome-wide association study data from IEU OpenGWAS were employed. A 2-sample MR analysis was used to determine the causal association of olive intake with CHD and cardiovascular outcomes (myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and death due to cardiac causes). The data for olive intake included 64,949 samples and 9,851,867 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the data for CHD included 361,194 samples and 13,295,130 SNPs; The data for myocardial infarction included 361,194 samples and 12,640,541 SNPs, the heart failure include 208,178 samples and 16,380,422 SNPs, the data for stroke included 361,194 samples and 12,404,026 SNPs, and the data for death due to cardiac causes included 361,194 samples and 10,071,648 SNPs. Additionally, a 2-step, 2-sample MR approach was used for mediation analysis to determine whether lipid traits mediate the causal association between olive intake and CHD. The data for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein A1 included 115,078 samples and 12,321,875 SNPs, while the data for triglycerides included 21,545 samples and 11,871,391 SNPs. Cochran’s Q test was applied to examine potential heterogeneity, and the MR-Egger method was used to assess horizontal pleiotropy among SNPs. Leave-one-out analysis was performed as a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness of the results. Results::For each standard deviation increase in olive intake, the risk of CHD decreased by a substantial 1.9% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.981, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.963 to 0.998, P = 0.031), the risk of myocardial infarction was significantly reduced by 1.6% (OR = 0.984, 95% CI: 0.969 to 0.999, P = 0.032), and the risk of heart failure declined by 62.1% (OR = 0.379, 95% CI: 0.192 to 0.746, P = 0.005). Furthermore, mediation analysis with MR indicated that lipid traits did not mediate the causal relationship between olive intake and CHD. Conclusion::There is a negative correlation between olive intake and the incidence of CHD, and this relationship is not mediated by lipid traits. Olive intake was also negatively associated with some cardiovascular outcomes, suggesting that increasing olive intake holds significant value in preventing the onset and progression of CHD.

Objective To analyze the dynamic changes and influencing factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB)infection in grade-1 students in senior high school at the time of enrollment and one year after enrollment.Methods In 2022,TB screening was carried out among grade-2 students in 4 senior high schools in Binhai and Xiqing Districts of Tianjin.Basic information of students was collected,and TB infection detection results of grade-1 students in senior high school at the time of enrollment were collected retrospectively.Positive rate,strong positive rate and positive conversion rate from tuberculin skin test(TST)results of students were compared.Univariate and multiva-riate logistic regression models were used to analyze the relevant influencing factors for positive conversion of TST results.Results The overall positive rate of 1 839 students one year after enrollment was higher than that at the enrollment(46.82％vs 33.12％),while strong positive rate was lower(12.51％vs 13.00％),both with statisti-cally significant differences(both P＜0.001).One year after enrollment,64 out of 1 230 students who were origi-nally negative for TST in their first year of senior high school turned positive,with a positive conversion rate of 5.20％(95％CI:3.93％-6.48％).One year after enrollment,TST results showed that the average diameter of induration was 5(2,8)mm,diameter was 2(0,5)mm at the enrollment of the first year of senior high school,but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.478).The difference range of average diameter of induration was±21 mm,39.70％of students being within±2 mm.Students with increased and decreased average diameter of induration accounted for 65.09％and 28.49％,respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis result showed that students in boarding school had a higher risk of positive conversion compared with non-boarding school students(OR=4.842,95％CI:2.794-8.392).Conclusion The screening of TB infection among grade-2 students in senior high school should be strengthened,with a focus on boarding school students.Early detection of tuberculosis patients and newly infected individuals can provide reference for implementing precise prevention and control.

Objective::This study aimed to explore the causal link between olive intake and the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) using Mendelian randomization (MR).Methods::In this study, genome-wide association study data from IEU OpenGWAS were employed. A 2-sample MR analysis was used to determine the causal association of olive intake with CHD and cardiovascular outcomes (myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and death due to cardiac causes). The data for olive intake included 64,949 samples and 9,851,867 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the data for CHD included 361,194 samples and 13,295,130 SNPs; The data for myocardial infarction included 361,194 samples and 12,640,541 SNPs, the heart failure include 208,178 samples and 16,380,422 SNPs, the data for stroke included 361,194 samples and 12,404,026 SNPs, and the data for death due to cardiac causes included 361,194 samples and 10,071,648 SNPs. Additionally, a 2-step, 2-sample MR approach was used for mediation analysis to determine whether lipid traits mediate the causal association between olive intake and CHD. The data for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein A1 included 115,078 samples and 12,321,875 SNPs, while the data for triglycerides included 21,545 samples and 11,871,391 SNPs. Cochran’s Q test was applied to examine potential heterogeneity, and the MR-Egger method was used to assess horizontal pleiotropy among SNPs. Leave-one-out analysis was performed as a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness of the results. Results::For each standard deviation increase in olive intake, the risk of CHD decreased by a substantial 1.9% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.981, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.963 to 0.998, P = 0.031), the risk of myocardial infarction was significantly reduced by 1.6% (OR = 0.984, 95% CI: 0.969 to 0.999, P = 0.032), and the risk of heart failure declined by 62.1% (OR = 0.379, 95% CI: 0.192 to 0.746, P = 0.005). Furthermore, mediation analysis with MR indicated that lipid traits did not mediate the causal relationship between olive intake and CHD. Conclusion::There is a negative correlation between olive intake and the incidence of CHD, and this relationship is not mediated by lipid traits. Olive intake was also negatively associated with some cardiovascular outcomes, suggesting that increasing olive intake holds significant value in preventing the onset and progression of CHD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between albumin （Alb） and recompensation by comparing recompensation rate between hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis patients with different Alb levels， and to provide guidance for the identification and management of high-risk patients in clinical practice. MethodsRelated clinical data were collected from 734 patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis who attended The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 1， 2016 to December 31， 2022， and they were divided into three groups based on the level of Alb. The linear regression analysis and chi-square test were used for trend tests. The Kaplan-Meier curve was plotted for the cumulative incidence rate of recompensation in the three groups， and the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. A Cox proportional-hazards regression model analysis was used to investigate the association between Alb and recompensation in patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis. ResultsAmong the 734 patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis， 270 achieved recompensation， with a recompensation rate of 36.8%. All patients had a median Alb level of 29.90 （25.90 — 34.80） g/L on admission， and according to the level of Alb， they were divided into <25.9 g/L group with 177 patients， 25.9 — 34.8 g/L group with 377 patients， and >34.8 g/L group with 180 patients； 36 patients （20.3%） in the <25.9 g/L group， 138 （36.6%） in the 25.9 — 34.8 g/L group， and 96 （53.3%） in the >34.8 g/L group achieved recompensation， and the recompensation rate increased with the increase in Alb level （χ²=41.730， P<0.001）. After adjustment for all confounding factors， compared with the <25.9 g/L group， there was a significant increase in the incidence rate of recompensation in the 25.9 — 34.8 g/L group （hazard ratio ［HR］=1.842， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.274 — 2.663） and the >34.8 g/L group （HR=2.336， 95% CI： 1.575 — 3.463）. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the cumulative incidence rate of recompensation between the three groups （χ²=41.632， P<0.001）. ConclusionAlb level is an influencing factor for recompensation in patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis， and the recompensation rate increases with the increase in Alb level.

This research aimed to comprehensively understand the prevalence of mutation in drug-resistant molecular markers of imported Plasmodium vivax in Chongqing,the Pvmdr1,Pvdhps,Pvdhfr,Pvcrt-o and Pvk12 genes of Plasmodium vivax were systematically analyzed.Blood samples were collected from imported Plasmodium vivax-infected patients in Chongqing between 2011 and 2022.The Pvmdr1,Pvdhps,Pvdhfr,Pvcrt-o,and Pvk12 genes were amplified and then sequenced to precisely evaluate gene mutations.Bioinformatics methods were employed to conduct in depth analysis of the mutation prevalence.Regarding the Pvdhfr gene,mutations at codons 50,57,58,61,99,117,and 199 were detected in 2.9%,23.5%,76.4%,23.53%,2.9%,82.3%,and 5.88%of the samples,respectively.The double-mutant haplotype S58R/S117N was the most prevalent,accounting for 50%,followed by the quadruple-mutant haplotype F57L/S58R/T61M/S117T,which accounted for 11.76%.Among the four types of tandem-repeat variations of Pvdhfr,the wild-type was the most common,and the insertion type was a novel discovery in this study.For the Pvdhps gene,the prevalence among mutation genotypes was relatively low.The single-mutant genotype was dominant,constituting 27.03%.The prevalence of Pvmdr1 mutations at codons 958 and 1076 was 100%and 89.19%,respectively.Among the 37 successfully sequenced samples,K10 insertion was detected in only 8 cases(22.22%).Notably,no non-synonymous mutations of Pvk12 were identified in this study.The cases in this study were imported from various countries of origin.Novel tandem-repeat variation tyres of Pvdhfr and new mutation sites of Pvdhps were identifide,thus enriching the mutation information of imported Plasmodium vivax resistance molecular markers in China.

Spectral computed tomography (CT) has triggered a technological revolution in radiodiagnosis while demonstrating its increasing application value in radiotherapy. Employing dual-energy techniques for material decomposition, spectral CT provides optimized solutions for several critical aspects of radiotherapy. Based on a review of the application situation of spectral CT in radiotherapy, this study delved into spectral CT′s significant advantages in image quality improvement, precise dose calculation, and comprehensive quantitative assessment. Furthermore, this study envisioned the development orientations and application prospects of spectral CT.

Objective To investigate the impact of virtual reality combined with body weight-supported treadmill training on phantom limb pain,lower limb dynamics,gait stability,balance func-tion,and quality of life in amputees.Methods A prospective study enrolled 100 unilateral lower limb amputees as participants,who were randomly divided into experimental group(n=50)and con-trol group(n=50).The experimental group received virtual reality combined with body weight-sup-ported treadmill training,while the control group received conventional rehabilitation training.Out-comes,including phantom limb pain intensity[Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions(DN4)scores],lower limb dynamics[vertical ground reaction force(Fz),anteroposterior ground reaction force(Fy),joint moments],gait parameters,static balance(Berg Balance Scale score),dynamic balance(stability time,proportion of gait support time),quality of life[12-Item Short-form Health Survey(SF-12)score],and activities of daily living[Modified Barthel Index(MBI)score]were assessed before intervention and at 4,8,and 12 weeks post-intervention.Results At 4,8,and 12 weeks post-intervention,the experimental group exhibited significantly lower VAS and DN4 scores compared to baseline and the control group(P＜0.05).Gait speed,stride length,ca-dence,stance time,Berg Balance Scale score,stability time,and proportion of gait support time improved in the experimental group compared to baseline and the control group(P＜0.05).SF-12 score,MBI score,peak Fz,peak Fy,knee flexion moment,ankle abduction moment,and stance phase proportion also increased significantly in the experimental group compared to baseline and the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Virtual reality combined with body weight-supported tread-mill training effectively alleviates phantom limb pain,improves lower limb dynamics,gait stability,and balance function,and enhances quality of life in amputees.

Objective:To explore the influence of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived skin organoid-conditioned culture medium (SO-CM) on the function of human dermal fibroblasts (Fbs) induced by high glucose, with the aim of providing treatment ideas for diabetic wounds.Methods:This study was an experimental research. Human iPSCs were induced into skin organoids. Human iPSC-derived skin organoids and human dermal Fbs were seeded into skin organoid culture medium (SOM) and cultured for three days, respectively. Then the cell culture supernatants were collected as SO-CM and Fb-conditioned culture medium (Fb-CM), respectively. The content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-18, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL-2), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and VEGF-β in SOM, Fb-CM, and SO-CM was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Human Fbs of passage 8 and 9 induced by high glucose were divided into SOM group, Fb-CM group, and SO-CM group according to the random number table method, and were cultured with SOM, Fb-CM, and SO-CM all containing glucose at final molarity of 35 mmol/L, respectively. After 24 hours of culture, the Ki67 positive ratio of cells was calculated after immunofluorescence staining, and the cell absorbance value was detected by using cell counting kit-8, representing cell proliferation activity. The cell scratch test was performed to calculate the cell migration rate at 13 hours after scratching. After 48 hours of culture, the expression of reactive oxygen species in cells was detected by fluorescent probe method, and the rate of β-galactosidase-positive staining of cells was detected by β-galactosidase staining kit, representing cellular senescence. The sample size was three.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the content of TNF-α, PDGF, and TGF-β among the three culture media ( P>0.05). Compared with that in SOM, the content of IL-10 and EGF in Fb-CM and SO-CM was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while the content of CCL-2 in FB-CM and VEGF in SO-CM was significantly increased ( P<0.05). After 24 hours of culture, the Ki67 positive ratio ((45.2±6.0)% and (57.4±4.0)%) and absorbance values (124±5 and 158±12) of cells in the Fb-CM group and the SO-CM group were significantly higher than those in the SOM group ((29.6±2.1)% and 100±6, P<0.05), and the Ki67 positive ratio and absorbance value of cells in the SO-CM group were significantly higher than those in the Fb-CM group ( P<0.05). At 13 hours after scratching, the cell migration rates in the Fb-CM group and the SO-CM group were significantly higher than that in the SOM group ( P<0.05). After 48 hours of culture, the level of reactive oxygen species in the SO-CM group was significantly higher than that in the SOM group and the Fb-CM group (with both P values <0.05). After 48 hours of culture, there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of β-galactosidase-positive staining of cells among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The SO-CM has high content of VEGF and can significantly promote the proliferation, migration, and expression of reactive oxygen species in human dermal Fbs induced by high glucose, but has no significant effect on cell senescence.