Objective This study aims to assess the impact of four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT) image guidance on setup error correction and target dose distribution optimization in patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung cancer. Methods A total of 82 lung cancer patients treated with SBRT in our hospital between February 2023 and February 2025 were randomly selected as study subjects. Using a random number table, they were divided into two groups. The conventional group underwent positioning verification using traditional three-dimensional cone-beam CT, while the study group underwent verification using 4D-CBCT. Setup errors, target dose-volume parameters, organ at risk dose-volume parameters, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The setup errors in the X, Y, and Z axes in the study group were 0.21, 0.19, and 0.23 mm, respectively, which were significantly lower than 0.58, 0.62, and 0.59 mm in the conventional group (P<0.05). The three-dimensional vector error was 0.34 (0.21, 0.48) mm in the study group, which was significantly lower than 0.98 (0.65, 1.32) mm in the conventional group (P<0.05). The rotational errors in left-right, anteroposterior, and superior-inferior directions in the study group were (0.25±0.12)°, (0.21±0.10)°, and (0.23±0.11)°, respectively; these values were significantly lower than (0.48±0.18)°, (0.42±0.15)°, and (0.45±0.16)° in the conventional group (P<0.05). The minimum dose received by 95% of the target volume [(59.45±0.85) Gy] and the percentage of the target volume receiving at least 100% of the prescription dose [(95.82±2.65)%] in the study group were higher than those in the conventional group [(58.90±1.20) Gy and (93.65±3.85)%]. The homogeneity index and conformity index in the study group were 1.07±0.03 and 1.15±0.05, respectively, which were lower than 1.12±0.05 and 1.23±0.08 in the conventional group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the volume of the lung receiving 5 Gy [(28.11±5.52)% vs. (28.85±6.24)%], the volume of the lung receiving 20 Gy [(12.84±3.56)% vs. (13.45±3.90)%], mean lung dose [(8.65±2.11) Gy vs. (8.95±2.34) Gy], maximum spinal cord dose [(18.54±3.62) Gy vs. (19.13±4.25) Gy], or mean heart dose[(14.85±4.22) Gy vs. (16.27±4.83) Gy](P>0.05). The incidence rates of radiation pneumonitis, radiation esophagitis, and skin reactions in the study group were 12.20%, 7.32%, and 4.88%, respectively, which were not significantly different from 17.07%, 9.76%, and 7.32% in the conventional group (P>0.05). Conclusion The 4D-CBCT can reduce setup errors, improve target dose accuracy and conformity in lung cancer patients undergoing SBRT, and minimize radiation exposure to normal tissues, making it worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective This study aims to assess the impact of four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT) image guidance on setup error correction and target dose distribution optimization in patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung cancer. Methods A total of 82 lung cancer patients treated with SBRT in our hospital between February 2023 and February 2025 were randomly selected as study subjects. Using a random number table, they were divided into two groups. The conventional group underwent positioning verification using traditional three-dimensional cone-beam CT, while the study group underwent verification using 4D-CBCT. Setup errors, target dose-volume parameters, organ at risk dose-volume parameters, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The setup errors in the X, Y, and Z axes in the study group were 0.21, 0.19, and 0.23 mm, respectively, which were significantly lower than 0.58, 0.62, and 0.59 mm in the conventional group (P<0.05). The three-dimensional vector error was 0.34 (0.21, 0.48) mm in the study group, which was significantly lower than 0.98 (0.65, 1.32) mm in the conventional group (P<0.05). The rotational errors in left-right, anteroposterior, and superior-inferior directions in the study group were (0.25±0.12)°, (0.21±0.10)°, and (0.23±0.11)°, respectively; these values were significantly lower than (0.48±0.18)°, (0.42±0.15)°, and (0.45±0.16)° in the conventional group (P<0.05). The minimum dose received by 95% of the target volume [(59.45±0.85) Gy] and the percentage of the target volume receiving at least 100% of the prescription dose [(95.82±2.65)%] in the study group were higher than those in the conventional group [(58.90±1.20) Gy and (93.65±3.85)%]. The homogeneity index and conformity index in the study group were 1.07±0.03 and 1.15±0.05, respectively, which were lower than 1.12±0.05 and 1.23±0.08 in the conventional group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the volume of the lung receiving 5 Gy [(28.11±5.52)% vs. (28.85±6.24)%], the volume of the lung receiving 20 Gy [(12.84±3.56)% vs. (13.45±3.90)%], mean lung dose [(8.65±2.11) Gy vs. (8.95±2.34) Gy], maximum spinal cord dose [(18.54±3.62) Gy vs. (19.13±4.25) Gy], or mean heart dose[(14.85±4.22) Gy vs. (16.27±4.83) Gy](P>0.05). The incidence rates of radiation pneumonitis, radiation esophagitis, and skin reactions in the study group were 12.20%, 7.32%, and 4.88%, respectively, which were not significantly different from 17.07%, 9.76%, and 7.32% in the conventional group (P>0.05). Conclusion The 4D-CBCT can reduce setup errors, improve target dose accuracy and conformity in lung cancer patients undergoing SBRT, and minimize radiation exposure to normal tissues, making it worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective This study aims to assess the impact of four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT) image guidance on setup error correction and target dose distribution optimization in patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung cancer. Methods A total of 82 lung cancer patients treated with SBRT in our hospital between February 2023 and February 2025 were randomly selected as study subjects. Using a random number table, they were divided into two groups. The conventional group underwent positioning verification using traditional three-dimensional cone-beam CT, while the study group underwent verification using 4D-CBCT. Setup errors, target dose-volume parameters, organ at risk dose-volume parameters, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The setup errors in the X, Y, and Z axes in the study group were 0.21, 0.19, and 0.23 mm, respectively, which were significantly lower than 0.58, 0.62, and 0.59 mm in the conventional group (P<0.05). The three-dimensional vector error was 0.34 (0.21, 0.48) mm in the study group, which was significantly lower than 0.98 (0.65, 1.32) mm in the conventional group (P<0.05). The rotational errors in left-right, anteroposterior, and superior-inferior directions in the study group were (0.25±0.12)°, (0.21±0.10)°, and (0.23±0.11)°, respectively; these values were significantly lower than (0.48±0.18)°, (0.42±0.15)°, and (0.45±0.16)° in the conventional group (P<0.05). The minimum dose received by 95% of the target volume [(59.45±0.85) Gy] and the percentage of the target volume receiving at least 100% of the prescription dose [(95.82±2.65)%] in the study group were higher than those in the conventional group [(58.90±1.20) Gy and (93.65±3.85)%]. The homogeneity index and conformity index in the study group were 1.07±0.03 and 1.15±0.05, respectively, which were lower than 1.12±0.05 and 1.23±0.08 in the conventional group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the volume of the lung receiving 5 Gy [(28.11±5.52)% vs. (28.85±6.24)%], the volume of the lung receiving 20 Gy [(12.84±3.56)% vs. (13.45±3.90)%], mean lung dose [(8.65±2.11) Gy vs. (8.95±2.34) Gy], maximum spinal cord dose [(18.54±3.62) Gy vs. (19.13±4.25) Gy], or mean heart dose[(14.85±4.22) Gy vs. (16.27±4.83) Gy](P>0.05). The incidence rates of radiation pneumonitis, radiation esophagitis, and skin reactions in the study group were 12.20%, 7.32%, and 4.88%, respectively, which were not significantly different from 17.07%, 9.76%, and 7.32% in the conventional group (P>0.05). Conclusion The 4D-CBCT can reduce setup errors, improve target dose accuracy and conformity in lung cancer patients undergoing SBRT, and minimize radiation exposure to normal tissues, making it worthy of clinical promotion.

This article reports a case of multiple cranial nerve injury after gamma knife radiosurgery treated with acupuncture and moxibustion combined with rehabilitation therapy. The patient presented with weakness of facial and tongue muscles, hoarseness, choking on water, and swallowing difficulties. The syndrome was attributed to qi and blood deficiency, and blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. The treatment principle focused on replenishing qi and blood, promoting blood circulation and unblocking collaterals. Yintang (GV24⁺), Lianquan (CV23), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), and Cuanzhu (BL2), Yangbai (GB14), Jingming (BL1), Sizhukong (TE23), Yingxiang (LI20), Sibai (ST2), Juliao (ST3), Quanliao (SI18), Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), Xiaguan (ST7), Taiyang (EX-HN5) on the affected side, bilateral Jinjin (EX-HN12), Yuye (EX-HN13), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Tianshu (ST25) were selected. Among these, bilateral Jinjin (EX-HN12) and Yuye (EX-HN13) were treated with pricking, Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6) on the affected side were connected to an electroacupuncture device, and warming acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV4). Rehabilitation therapy and electromyographic biofeedback were also incorporated. The treatments were given 2-3 times a week. After 18 months of intermittent treatment, the patient reported significant improvement, House Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade was Ⅳ, and Sunnybrook facial nerve rating scale score was 53 points. After 2-month of follow-up, the patient reported normal swallowing ability and restored social engagement.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cranial Nerve Diseases/therapy*

This article reports a case of adult scoliosis with limb tremor treated with electroacupuncture. The patient presented with neck stiffness accompanied with limb tremor as the primary symptoms. The pattern was attributed to yang qi deficiency, and the treatment principle focused on unblocking the governor vessel, warming yang, and regulating qi. Acupuncture was applied to Dazhui (GV14), below the spinous processes of C₄-C₆ and bilateral C₄-C₆ Jiaji (EX-B2) points, Feishu (BL13), Xinshu (BL15), Pishu (BL20), Ganshu (BL18), Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25). After achieving deqi sensation, bilateral C₄ Jiaji (EX-B2) and C₆ Jiaji (EX-B2) points were separately connected to an SDZ-Ⅴ electroacupuncture device, with continuous wave, 2 Hz of frequency, intensity should be within the tolerance of the patient, the needles were retained for 20 min. For the first 5 months, the treatment was 1-2 times a week, then reduced to 1-2 times a month thereafter. After 30 times of treatment, the patient's bilateral lower limb tremor resolved, the clinical rating scale for tremor (CRST) score was 13 points, the scoliosis showed improvement with about 10° reduction in Cobb angle. At 1-month follow-up, the condition remained stable without progression of scoliosis.
Adult ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Scoliosis/physiopathology* ; Tremor/complications*

OBJECTIVES: Hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) has a rapid onset and is associated with a high risk of progression and recurrence. Early identification of patients at risk of severe disease can help reduce the likelihood of multiple organ failure and mortality. This study aims to investigate the changes in inflammatory composite markers and D-dimer (D-D) levels in young and middle-aged/elderly patients with HTG-AP and to evaluate their predictive value for disease progression. METHODS: A total of 230 patients with HTG-AP admitted to Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital (Jiangjin Central Hospital) between 2017 and 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were first divided into a young group (≤45 years) and a middle-aged/elderly group (>45 years), and then stratified into mild and severe groups based on disease severity. Inflammatory composite markers, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), as well as D-D levels, were compared among groups. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and Logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors for disease progression in each age group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the DeLong test were used to assess and compare the predictive performance (area under the curve, AUC) of risk factors. Internal validation was performed using the bootstrap method (n=1 000). RESULTS: No significant differences in NLR, PLR, MLR, SIRI, SII, CLR, or D-D levels were observed between the young (n=127) and middle-aged/elderly (n=103) groups (all P>0.05). Among young patients, the severe group (n=59) had significantly higher NLR, SIRI, SII, CLR, and D-D levels compared to the mild group (n=68) (all P<0.05). Among middle-aged/elderly patients, CLR and D-D levels were significantly higher in the severe group (n=49) than in the mild group (n=54) (P<0.05). LASSO and Logistic regression analyses identified elevated D-D as an independent risk factor for disease progression in young patients (P=0.007, OR=1.458, 95% CI 1.107 to 1.920), while both D-D (P=0.001, OR=2.267, 95% CI 1.413 to 3.637) and CLR (P=0.003, OR=1.007, 95% CI 1.003 to 1.012) were independent risk factors in middle-aged/elderly patients. ROC analysis showed that D-D predicted disease progression in young and middle-aged/elderly patients with AUCs of 0.653 and 0.741, sensitivities of 67.8% and 57.1%, and specificities of 72.1% and 88.9%, respectively. CLR predicted progression in middle-aged/elderly patients with an AUC of 0.687, sensitivity of 63.3%, and specificity of 70.4%. DeLong test showed no significant difference in AUC between D-D and CLR for middle-aged/elderly patients (Z=0.993, P=0.321). Internal validation via bootstrap analysis yielded a D-D AUC of 0.732, with sensitivity and specificity of 68.1% and 91.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Differences in inflammatory response and coagulation function exist across age groups and disease severities in HTG-AP patients. Elevated D-D is an independent predictor of disease progression in both young and middle-aged/elderly patients, while CLR also predicts progression in the latter group. D-D, in particular, demonstrates strong predictive value for severe disease in middle-aged/elderly patients with HTG-AP.
Humans ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/metabolism* ; Disease Progression ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Hypertriglyceridemia/blood* ; Acute Disease ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Aged ; Inflammation ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Neutrophils ; Age Factors

Increasing evidence shows that the early lesions of Parkinson's disease (PD) originate from gut, and correction of microbiota dysbiosis is a promising therapy for PD. FLZ is a neuroprotective agent on PD, which has been validated capable of alleviating microbiota dysbiosis in PD mice. However, the detailed mechanisms still need elucidated. Through metabolomics and 16S rRNA analysis, we identified glycoursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) was the most affected differential microbial metabolite by FLZ treatment, which was specially and negatively regulated by Clostridium innocuum, a differential microbiota with the strongest correlation to GUDCA production, through inhibiting bile salt hydrolase (BSH) enzyme. The protection of GUDCA on colon and brain were also clarified in PD models, showing that it could activate Nrf2 pathway, further validating that FLZ protected dopaminergic neurons through promoting GUDCA production. Our study uncovered that FLZ improved PD through microbiota-gut-brain axis, and also gave insights into modulation of microbial metabolites may serve as an important strategy for treating PD.

Although enteric glial cell (EGC) abnormal activation is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and inhibition of EGC gliosis alleviated gut and dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction was verified in our previous study, the potential role of gut microbiota on EGC function in PD still need to be addressed. In the present study, fecal microbiota transplantation revealed that EGC function was regulated by gut microbiota. By employing 16S rRNA and metabolomic analysis, we identified that 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) was the most affected differential microbial metabolite that regulated EGC gliosis. The protective effects of IPA on PD were validated in rotenone-stimulated EGCs and rotenone (30 mg/kg i.g. for 4 weeks)-induced PD mice, as indicated by decreased inflammation, improved intestinal and brain barrier as well as dopaminergic neuronal function. Mechanistic study showed that IPA targeted pregnane X receptor (PXR) in EGCs, and inhibition of IL-13Rα1 involved cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, leading to inactivation of downstream JAK1-STAT6 pathway. Our data not only provided evidence that EGC gliosis was critical in spreading intestinal damage to brain, but also highlighted the potential role of microbial metabolite IPA in alleviating PD pathological damages through gut-brain axis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2025.02.029.].

Objective:To screen the Alzheimer's disease(AD)-related genes and construct its diagnostic model using bioinformatics technology and machine learning(ML)algorithms,to discuss the immunological characteristics of AD patients,and to provide novel biomarkers for AD diagnosis.Methods:The AD-related gene expression dataset GSE125583 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified through differential analysis.Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore the biological functions and signaling pathways of DEGs.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed,and hub genes were screened using Cytoscape software combined with three ML algorithms:Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator(LASSO),eXtreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost),and Random Forest(RF).The screened hub genes were utilized to build an AD diagnostic model via RF,followed by feature importance ranking.The model's efficacy and key genes were evaluated using a test set.Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)was used for immune cell infiltration analysis between AD group and control group.Results:Differential analysis identified 1 287 DEGs.The GO functional enrichment analysis results revealed that DEGs were primarily involved in biological functions related to neural signaling,synapses,and vesicles.KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis indicated significant enrichment of DEGs in ion transport,neurotransmitter,and ligand-gated channel pathways.Nine overlapping hub genes were screened by the three ML algorithms.In the AD diagnostic model,the top four key genes with highest diagnostic performance were adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 1(ADCYAP1),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),platelet-derived growth factor receptor β(PDGFRB),and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4),with corresponding area under the curve(AUC)values of 0.852,0.795,0.820,and 0.756,respectively.The model achieved an AUC of 0.828,accuracy of 81.25%,sensitivity of 84.40%,and specificity of 71.43%.The immune cell infiltration analysis results demonstrated higher infiltration of macrophages,monocytes,natural killer(NK)cells,and lymphocytes in AD tissue.Among these,NK/natural killer T(NKT)cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells showed significant correlations with the four key genes(P<0.05).Conclusion:The feature genes screened based on bioinformatics and ML exhibit diagnostic potential for AD.Genes such as ADCYAP1 may serve as potential biomarkers for AD diagnosis,offering significant implications for early prevention and treatment.