In proton therapy,prompt gamma-ray imaging is considered as one of the most promising methods for assessing proton beam range.Prompt gamma-ray imaging detector evaluates the proton beam range based on the prompt gamma-ray distribution obtained by the prompt gamma-ray imaging system,which enables high-precision measurement of the proton beam range.Herein a proton beam range verification algorithm is designed for the newly developed prototype of the range verification detector(pixelated prompt gamma-ray imaging detector),which verifies the range estimation accuracy of the prototype for different phantoms and different energies of homogeneous media through Monte Carlo simulation.The results show that the accuracy of the proton beam range verification algorithm is within 0.5 mm of the safety margin error of the Bragg peak,and the measurement accuracy is significantly improved with the increase of the number of protons,indicating that the prototype algorithm is feasible for proton beam range verification.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9)can modulate low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDLC)levels,and its dysfunction is closely associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.Research has shown that PCSK9 inhibitors are highly effective in lowering lipids and have good safety and tolerability.New approaches to targeting PCSK9 inhibition are currently in different stages of clinical development.This review out-lines the primary mechanisms of PCSK9 and its impact on the cardiovascular system,emphasizing the current emerging strategies for targeting PCSK9 in lipid-lowering treatments.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9)can modulate low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDLC)levels,and its dysfunction is closely associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.Research has shown that PCSK9 inhibitors are highly effective in lowering lipids and have good safety and tolerability.New approaches to targeting PCSK9 inhibition are currently in different stages of clinical development.This review out-lines the primary mechanisms of PCSK9 and its impact on the cardiovascular system,emphasizing the current emerging strategies for targeting PCSK9 in lipid-lowering treatments.

In proton therapy,prompt gamma-ray imaging is considered as one of the most promising methods for assessing proton beam range.Prompt gamma-ray imaging detector evaluates the proton beam range based on the prompt gamma-ray distribution obtained by the prompt gamma-ray imaging system,which enables high-precision measurement of the proton beam range.Herein a proton beam range verification algorithm is designed for the newly developed prototype of the range verification detector(pixelated prompt gamma-ray imaging detector),which verifies the range estimation accuracy of the prototype for different phantoms and different energies of homogeneous media through Monte Carlo simulation.The results show that the accuracy of the proton beam range verification algorithm is within 0.5 mm of the safety margin error of the Bragg peak,and the measurement accuracy is significantly improved with the increase of the number of protons,indicating that the prototype algorithm is feasible for proton beam range verification.

OBJECTIVES: Restoration of blood circulation within "time window" is the principal treating goal for treating acute ischemic stroke. Previous studies revealed that delayed recanalization might cause serious ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, plenty of evidences showed delayed recanalization improved neurological outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. This study aims to explore the role of delayed recanalization on blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the penumbra (surrounding ischemic core) and neurological outcomes after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). METHODS: Recanalization was performed on the 3rd day after MCAO. BBB disruption was tested by Western blotting, Evans blue dye, and immunofluorescence staining. Infarct volume and neurological outcomes were evaluated on the 7th day after MCAO. The expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and serine/threonine kinase (Akt) in the penumbra were observed by immunofluorescence staining and/or Western blotting. RESULTS: The extraversion of Evans blue, IgG, and albumin increased surrounding ischemic core after MCAO, but significantly decreased after recanalization. The expression of Claudin-5, Occludin, and zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) decreased surrounding ischemic core after MCAO, but significantly increased after recanalization. Infarct volume reduced and neurological outcomes improved following recanalization (on the 7th day after MCAO). The expressions of Claudin-5, Occludin, and ZO-1 decreased surrounding ischemic core following MCAO, which were up-regulated corresponding to the increases of FGF21, p-FGFR1, PI3K, and p-Akt after recanalization. Intra-cerebroventricular injection of FGFR1 inhibitor SU5402 down-regulated the expression of PI3K, p-Akt, Occludin, Claudin-5, and ZO-1 in the penumbra, which weakened the beneficial effects of recanalization on neurological outcomes after MCAO. CONCLUSIONS Delayed recanalization on the 3rd day after MCAO increases endogenous FGF21 in the penumbra and activates FGFR1/PI3K/Akt pathway, which attenuates BBB disruption in the penumbra and improves neurobehavior in MCAO rats.
Animals ; Rats ; Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism* ; Brain Ischemia ; Claudin-5/metabolism* ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/metabolism* ; Ischemic Stroke/metabolism* ; Occludin/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism* ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of a hierarchical teaching model guided by "residency-specialty integration" in residency training and specialty training of oral and maxillofacial surgery with the training base of oral and maxillofacial surgery in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, as the research subject.Methods:A total of 144 trainees receiving residency training and 32 receiving specialist training were enrolled from June 2022 to April 2023 and were divided into experimental group and control group, with 72 trainees receiving residency training and 16 receiving specialist training in each group. Clinical and learning tasks were designed using the traditional model for the control group and the hierarchical teaching model guided by "residency-specialty integration" for the experimental group, and the performance of trainees in theoretical assessments and self-evaluations was recorded. SPSS 23.0 was used to perform the t-test. Results:The hierarchical teaching model guided by "residency-specialty integration" achieved a significant effect in both theoretical assessments and self-evaluations of the trainees. As for the trainees receiving specialty training, there was a significant difference in the score of theoretical assessment between the experimental group and the control group (84.56±4.05 vs. 81.13±2.78, P<0.05), and as for the trainees receiving residency training, there was also a significant difference in this score between the experimental group and the control group (84.74±4.85 vs. 82.10±4.34, P<0.01). The results of self-assessment questionnaire showed that compared with the control group, the experimental group had a higher proportion of trainees giving positive evaluations of various indicators. Conclusions:This study suggests that the hierarchical teaching model guided by "residency-specialty integration" provides an effective teaching model for residency training and specialty training of oral and maxillofacial surgery, and this model may help to enhance disciplinary interests and promote clinical practice abilities, thereby providing valuable insights for future medical education in China.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in epidurally-anesthetized patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy with 15° head-down position and low insufflation pressure. MethodsTwenty gynecological patients(ASA grade I- Ⅱ )were studied during CO2 insufflation with an intra-abdominal pressure of 1012mmHg and 15° head-down position. Arterial blood samples were obtained for the measurements of serum concentrations of plasma renin activity(PRA), angiotensin Ⅱ (All), aldosterone(ALD) and β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)by radioimmunoassay at the following five time points: before insufflation, at 10min, 30min and 60 min after insufflation respectively and after desufflation. Arterial blood gas analysis was made in 10 of the cases simultaneously. ResultsCompared with preinsufflation, there was no significant decrease in the plasma levels of PRA, All ,ALD and β2-MG during CO2 pneumoperitoneum except for PRA at 10 min after insufflation(P ＜0.05). As the time of insufflation went on, the measurements above showed a tendency of slightly increase. The PaCO2 during peritoneal CO2 insufflation was increeseing ( P ＞ 0.05) and reached its maximum at 30 min after insufflation. The pH values of 30～60 min after insufflation were significantly decreased as compared with that of before insufflation. ConclusionThe epidural anesthesia may inhibit the response of RAAS to (CO2 insufflation pressure of 10-12mmHg and has no effect on GFR during gynecological laParoscopy.