ObjectivePhotoacoustic tomography (PAT) holds significant potential for high-resolution deep-tissue imaging. In preclinical research, custom-designed concave arc-shaped ultrasound transducer arrays are often used to maximize the detection aperture. However, manufacturing limitations and assembly tolerances frequently cause the actual physical positions of array elements to deviate from their theoretical design. Additionally, concave arrays are typically covered with an acoustic lens, which introduces a mismatch in the speed of sound between the coupling medium and the lens material. The combination of these geometric and acoustic-phase errors leads to severe image artifacts, reduced contrast, and degraded resolution. This study proposes a systematic two-step calibration strategy to address these issues and substantially improve image quality. MethodsFirst, a high-intensity isotropic photoacoustic point source was constructed using a multi-mode optical fiber coated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to acquire high signal-to-noise ratio calibration data. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) was employed to accurately determine the time of arrival (ToA) of photoacoustic signals. Subsequently, a geometric calibration algorithm based on nonlinear least-squares (NLS) estimation was developed. This algorithm iteratively solves for the true spatial coordinates of each array element by minimizing the residual between theoretical and measured acoustic path lengths. To further address sound-speed inhomogeneity caused by the acoustic lens, a phase compensation algorithm based on bilinear interpolation was proposed. This algorithm computes a pixel-specific phase delay map across the imaging region and performs point-by-point signal correction during delay-and-sum (DAS) reconstruction. The proposed methods were validated using a custom 96-channel concave arc-shaped array (center frequency: 12  MHz) through both phantom imaging and in vivo mouse tumor models. ResultsPhantom experiments showed that at an imaging depth of14 mm, the reconstruction position deviation of the point source in the uncalibrated system reached up to 1  mm. After applying the combined calibration, the lateral resolution (full width at half maximum, FWHM) at the focal point of the arc array reached 95  μm—representing a 85% reduction compared to the uncalibrated state and a 79% reduction compared to geometric calibration alone without phase compensation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the calibrated system clearly resolved the microvascular network of subcutaneous tumors in mice. Photoacoustic signals were strictly confined within tumor boundaries delineated by ultrasound imaging (USI), eliminating the vascular spillover artifacts commonly observed in uncalibrated images. Furthermore, after intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG), the system successfully detected weak photoacoustic signals at a depth of 5 mm, performing significantly better than the uncalibrated system. ConclusionThe proposed calibration method, which integrates nonlinear least-squares estimation with phase compensation, significantly improves image fidelity and spatial resolution consistency across a wide field of view by correcting systemic geometric errors and acoustic phase aberrations. This approach demonstrates high robustness and provides a reliable technical foundation for the clinical translation of photoacoustic probes with non-standard geometries.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the combined detection of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2),protease activated receptor 2(PAR-2),and advanced oxidation protein products(AOPP)and the occurrence of in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),as well as its predictive value.Methods Patients with coronary heart disease after PCI were selected as the study objects.Group Ⅰ was the group without in-stent restenosis and group Ⅱ was the group with in-stent restenosis.The expressions of Lp-PLA2,PAR-2 and AOPP were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the predictive value and independent risk factors of these gene expression changes and the risk of in-stent restenosis were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis and binary logistic regression analysis.Results The blood Lp-PLA2 levels in group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ after 1 year follow-up after stenting were(190.24±33.67)and(256.14±37.68)ng·mL-1;PAR-2 levels were(1.41±0.38)and(1.95±0.43)ng·L-1,respectively;the AOPP levels were(47.25±4.62)and(58.76±4.86)μmol·L-1,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.001).ROC analysis results showed that the truncation values of Lp-PLA2,PAR-2 and AOPP were 201.32 ng·mL-1,1.50 ng·mL-1 and 49.37 μmol·L-1,respectively.The area under the curve(AUC)was significantly higher than that detected alone(all P＜0.001).Binary logistic regression analysis shows that the independent risk factors for in-stent restenstenosis after PCI were Lp-PLA2 ≥ 201.32 ng·mL-1,PAR-2≥1.50 ng·L-1,AOPP ≥49.37 μmol·L-1 and LDL-C≥3.03 mmol·L-1,respectively(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The occurrence of in-stent restenosis after PCI is closely related to the increase in Lp-PLA2,PAR-2 and AOPP expression.

Problem: Emergency medical teams (EMTs) deployed to mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are required to work outside their usual settings and according to different principles, which may affect their performance and the survival of casualties. Prior to 2013, training offered to domestic EMTs was limited to ad hoc and infrequent simulation exercises. Context: Domestic EMTs are activated from public tertiary hospitals to provide pre-hospital medical support to the Singapore Civil Defence Force and establish a first-aid post (FAP) for triaging, stabilizing and treating casualties. These casualties are then evacuated to public hospitals for further management. Action: Recognizing the need for a more systematic approach to the training of domestic EMTs, the Disaster Medical Responder’s Course (the Course) was developed as a multi-institutional collaboration to equip EMT members attending a MCI with the necessary skills to perform effectively at the FAP. Outcome: The Course was first run in 2013 and is usually offered six to eight times a year. Since June 2019, a total of 414 health-care staff and allied health professionals have participated. There have been numerous revisions of the course content and delivery to reflect the latest concepts in operations and global best practice, as well as developments in educational methodologies. Discussion: Preparedness is crucial to optimize the survival and outcomes of casualties. The Course provides standardized training of domestic EMTs and plays a pivotal role in ensuring operational readiness for MCIs in Singapore.

Most bacterial cell surface glycans are structurally unique, and have been considered as ideal target molecules for the developments of detection and diagnosis techniques, as well as vaccines. Chemical synthesis has been a promising approach to prepare well-defined oligosaccharides, facilitating the structure-activity relationship exploration and biomedical applications of bacterial glycans. L-Galactosaminuronic acid is a rare sugar that has been only found in cell surface glycans of gram-negative bacteria. Here, an orthogonally protected L-galactosaminuronic acid building block was designed and chemically synthesized. A synthetic strategy based on glycal addition and TEMPO/BAIB-mediated C6 oxidation served well for the transformation of commercial L-galactose to the corresponding L-galactosaminuronic acid. Notably, the C6 oxidation of the allyl glycoside was more efficient than that of the selenoglycoside. In addition, a balance between the formation of allyl glycoside and the recovery of selenoglycoside was essential to improve efficiency of the NIS/TfOH-catalyzed allylation. This synthetically useful L-galactosaminuronic acid building block will provide a basis for the syntheses of complex bacterial glycans.
Carbohydrates ; Glycosides ; Oligosaccharides ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Polysaccharides/chemistry*

Aim To investigate the effect of TRPC5 gene on the inflammation of cliabetie cardiomyopathy.Methods The biological functions of TRPC5 and the correlation between TRPC5 gene and other genes were analyzed by bioinformatics.Studies were performed in TRPC5 knockout ( TRPC5 ) and C57 mice.Mice were randomly divided into blank control and T2DM model groups, and the model was established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (n = 10).The myocardial injury was detected by HE and Masson staining.Hie level of serum IL-1(3, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-7 and creatine kinase was examined by ELISA.Gene and protein expressions of IL-1(3, IL-2, IL-6 and TRPC5 were analysed by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.Results By constructing the PPI network and analyses.the TRPC5 gene was identified to internet with a variety inflammatory genes and involved in immunity.The result of pathologieal section showed less myocardial damage and infiltrated immune cells in TRPC5 mice than in C57BL/6J mice.RT-PCR and serum results showed a lower expression of inflammatory factors in myocardium and serum obtained from TRPC5 model mice than in those obtained from C57BL/6J model mice.Conclusions TRPC5 participates in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy by regulating cardio- myocyte inflammation.

Objective: To evaluate the inter-observer agreement of the severity of oral epithelial dysplasia in oral leukoplakia, providing a theoretical basis for the development of a more objective grading system. Methods: This study included 60 digital pathological slides of oral leukoplakia from Oral Medicine Department of West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, and 239 tissue microarray images of oral leukoplakia from State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, to evaluate the agreement of grading. Besides, 1 000 patches were generated from the 60 digital pathological slides and were divided into 500 small-sized patches (224 pixel×224 pixel) and 500 large-sized patches (1 024 pixel×1 024 pixel), to evaluate the agreement of feature detection. Gradings and feature detections were completed by three pathological experts from the oral pathology departments of two Grade 3, Class A stomatological hospitals in China. Kappa coefficient was used to quantify the inter-observer agreement among pathologists. Results: Minimal agreement was found in the grading of oral epithelial dysplasia among pathologists (Kappa=0.30 in the pathological slide group, Kappa=0.30 in the tissue microarray group). None agreement was found in feature detection within the small-sized patches group (median Kappa=0.14 for architectural features, median Kappa=0.18 for cytological features), and minimal agreement was found in feature detection within the large-sized patches group (median Kappa=0.25 for architectural features, median Kappa=0.25 for cytological features). Conclusions: Generally, the agreement of grading and feature detection of oral epithelial dysplasia in oral leukoplakia is poor. Development of a more objective grading system of oral epithelial dysplasia based on artificial intelligence may be helpful to improve the agreement.
Artificial Intelligence ; China ; Humans ; Leukoplakia, Oral ; Observer Variation ; Precancerous Conditions

Objective:To analyze the liver pathological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and to evaluate the diagnostic value of different serological models for liver fibrosis.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients with HBeAg-negative CHB who had normal ALT and underwent liver biopsy from August 2016 to December 2019 in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital. The clinical data, serum indicators of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HBV DNA were collected. The liver fibrosis stages (S) was assessed by pathological examination. The diagnostic efficacies of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR), fibrosis 4 score (FIB-4), S index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to albumin ratio (γ-GT/ALB) for liver pathological fibrosis were analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic curves. Two variable correlation test was used to explore the relationship between the different models and pathological fibrosis of liver tissue. Chi-square test was used for statistical comparison.Results:The age of 448 patients was (37.98±9.82) years, and the male to female ratio was 1.286 ∶1. The proportions of S≥2 in patients with age>30 years, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)<2 000 IU/mL and HBV DNA≥2 000 IU/mL were higher than those in patients with age ≤30 years, HBsAg ≥2 000 IU/mL and HBV DNA<2 000 IU/mL, respectively, and the differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=7.68, P=0.006; χ2=11.44, P=0.001; χ2=9.12, P=0.003, respectively). There were 250 cases with pathological fibrosis stage S<2, 162 cases with S=2 and 36 cases with S≥3. FIB-4 (correlation coefficient 0.250), APRI (correlation coefficient 0.218), GPR (correlation coefficient 0.186), S index (correlation coefficient 0.184) and γ-GT/ALB (correlation coefficient 0.127) were positively correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis (all P<0.050). S index had the highest sensitivity (64.1%) in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis (S≥2), while γ-GT/ALB had the highest specificity (80.8%). In the diagnosis of severe liver fibrosis (S≥3), γ-GT/ALB had the highest sensitivity (77.8%), while APRI had the highest specificity (78.6%). Conclusions:The incidence of liver fibrosis in CHB patients with normal ALT and negative HBeAg is relatively high. The current serological diagnostic models are not suitable for the evaluation of liver fibrosis in these patients, and timely liver puncture is still necessary.

Objective:To analyze the hepatic pathological inflammation and fibrosis condition in order to explore the relationship with related clinical indicators in patients with chronic hepatitis B patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Methods:721 cases of chronic hepatitis B with normal ALT who were initially diagnosed in the Department of Infectious Diseases of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from August 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. Liver biopsy was performed in all patients. General data of patients such as gender, age, liver function indexes, blood routine indexes, HBsAg level, HBeAg status, HBV DNA level, spleen thickness and prothrombin time were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis methods were used to determine the influencing factors of inflammation and fibrosis degree with liver biopsy. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the established multi-factor prediction model. Alpha=0.05 was considered as a standard orientation of test.Results:The average age of 721 cases with chronic hepatitis B was 36.1±9.7 years, and the male to female ratio was 1.28/1, with inflammation and fibrosis grade mainly concentrated in G1S1 (349 cases), G1S2 (132 cases), G2S2 (119 cases), and G2S1 (57 cases). Among them, there were 349 (48.4%) cases of G1S1, and 372 (51.6%) cases of G/S≥2. The main manifestations were mild to moderate inflammation and fibrosis, and only 64 (8.88%) cases had severe G/S≥3. HBsAg level (stratified with 4 log10 IU/ml as the boundary) analyzed in 721 cases were correlated with the relevant clinical indicators stratification and liver pathological inflammation and fibrosis, and the difference was statistically significant (inflammation grade, χ2=6.182, P=0.013; Fibrosis grade, χ2=36.534, P=0.001). Univariate analysis of the relevant clinical indicators that may influence the patient's liver pathological G/S ≥2 showed the patient's age, albumin, γ- glutamyltransferase (GGT), platelet, prothrombin time (PT), spleen thickness and HBsAg level were all statistically significant ( P<0.05), while multivariate analysis showed that age, GGT, PT, and spleen thickness had statistical differences ( P<0.05). The prediction model was established in accordance to multivariate analysis, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.642. Maximization of the sum of sensitivity and specificity as cut-off value of Logit P=0.497, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and Youden's index were 60.6%, 64.5%, and 0.252, respectively. Conclusion:More than half of patients with chronic hepatitis B with normal ALT have significant inflammation and fibrosis and require timely antiviral therapy. Age, GGT, PT and spleen thickness can help comprehensively evaluate the liver inflammation and fibrosis status among patients, but the lack of accurate prediction models suggests that more effective indicators that can help predict the inflammation and fibrosis status of such patients have yet to be discovered. Therefore, liver biopsy should still be actively performed in patients with normal ALT to confirm the diagnosis and timely treatment.