Objective To explore the application value of dual-phase dual-energy CT (DECT) perfusion imaging in preoperative lung function assessment of lung cancer patients. Methods Data were collected from patients with stageⅠA non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from November 2022 to June 2024. All patients underwent DECT perfusion imaging and pulmonary function testing (PFT) before surgery. PFT observation indicators included ventilation function indicators such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second rate (FEV1/FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), and diffusion function indicators such as diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and DLCO per liter of alveolar volume (DLCO/VA). The software eXamine was used to obtain quantitative parameters of DECT perfusion imaging, including volume parameters and perfusion parameters of both lungs and each lung lobe. The correlation between the volume parameters and perfusion parameters of both lungs and the ventilation and diffusion function indicators of the patients, as well as the differences in quantitative parameters of each lung lobe, was analyzed. Results The end-inspiration lung volume and biphasic volume difference were strongly positively correlated with FEV1 and FVC (r=0.636, r=0.682, r=0.614, r=0.624, P<0.001) and moderately positively correlated with MVV and DLCO (r=0.499, r=0.514, r=0.549, r=0.447, P<0.001); the end-expiration lung volume was weakly negatively correlated with DLCO/VA (r=−0.295, P=0.026); the volume ratio was positively correlated with FEV1, FVC, MVV, and MVV% (r=0.424, r=0.399, r=0.415, r=0.310, P<0.05); the end-inspiration iodine content was weakly positively correlated with DLCO/VA% (rs=0.292, P=0.030); the end-expiration iodine content was weakly positively correlated with FEV1, FVC, MVV, DLCO%, and DLCO/VA (r=0.307, r=0.299, r=0.295, r=0.366, r=0.320, P<0.05) and moderately positively correlated with DLCO (r=0.439, P<0.001); the end-inspiration iodine concentration was negatively correlated with FEV1, FVC, MVV, and MVV% (rs=−0.407, rs=−0.426, rs=−0.352, rs=−0.277, P＜0.05); the end-expiratory phase iodine concentration was moderately positively correlated with DLCO/VA (r=0.403, P=0.002); both the iodine concentration difference and the iodine concentration ratio were moderately positively correlated with FEV1, FEV1%, FVC, MVV, MVV% (P<0.05). The lung volume and iodine concentration ratio values were both highest in the left upper lung lobe and lowest in the right middle lung lobe; the differences in lung volume, lung volume ratio, intrapulmonary iodine content, and intrapulmonary iodine concentration were all highest in the lower lobes of both lungs and lowest in the middle lobe of the right lung. Conclusion Dual-phase DECT perfusion imaging can accurately assess overall lung function and quantify regional lung function.

Objective:By analyzing the concentration distribution and hydrophilic/hydrophobic proportion differences of 15 bile acid subtypes in the serum of patients with hepatitis B virus（HBV）infection complicated with liver cirrhosis and primary biliary cholangitis（PBC）complicated with liver cirrhosis，this study aims to explore the potential associations between bile acid metabolism and these diseases，providing a reference basis for identifying disease-specific metabolic fingerprints in the diagnosis，treatment，and prognosis of liver diseases. Furthermore，building on the pharmacological mechanisms of ursodeoxycholic acid（UDCA）in the treatment of PBC，this research investigates potential therapeutic applications of bile acid drugs in HBV infection.Methods:A retrospective analysis method was adopted. We enrolled 27 HBV infection complicated with liver cirrhosis patients and 59 PBC complicated with liver cirrhosis patients who received outpatient or inpatient treatment at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from November 2024 to April 2025. The general data and routine clinical laboratory data of the two groups of patients were collected and analyzed. Using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry（UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS）platform，precise quantification and differential analysis of 15 bile acid subtypes were performed in serum samples. Partial least squares discriminant analysis（PLS-DA）was employed to perform discriminant analysis on serum bile acid profiles data between the two groups，and variable importance in projection（VIP）values were calculated to identify key bile acid subtypes that could differentiate the two diseases. Box plots were constructed to analyze proportion differences in serum hydrophilic and hydrophobic bile acids between the two groups，aiming to explore potential associations between bile acid metabolism and the diseases.Results:The HBV infection group and the PBC group exhibited similar impairment of routine liver function parameters. The HBV infection group had higher serum concentrations of cholic acid（CA），chenodeoxycholic acid（CDCA）and deoxycholic acid（DCA），but lower concentrations of UDCA，glycoursodeoxycholic acid（GUDCA）and tauroursodeoxycholic acid（TUDCA）. The score plot generated by the PLS-DA model demonstrated significant differences in bile acid profile characteristics between the two diseases，with VIP values for UDCA，CDCA，GUDCA，TUDCA，and DCA all greater than 1. Box plots demonstrated a higher proportion of hydrophobic bile acids in the bile acid profile of the HBV infection group compared to the PBC group.Conclusion:This study found significant differences in serum bile acid profile characteristics between patients with HBV infection complicated with liver cirrhosis and those with PBC complicated with liver cirrhosis，specific bile acid subtypes such as CDCA and DCA have the potential to become specific metabolic fingerprints for these two diseases. HBV infection group exhibited higher proportion of hydrophobic bile acids in their bile acid profiles compared to PBC group. The characteristic changes in bile acid profiles can reflect the pathological characteristics of liver diseases，and their differences in hydrophilic/hydrophobic bile acids proportion represents a novel dimension independent of traditional liver function indicators，with potential value for disease prognosis assessment. UDCA or its derivatives may hold therapeutic potential for HBV infection patients with liver cirrhosis who exhibit accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids.

Objective:To investigate the association between serum klotho level and risk of all-cause mortality in the population with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. DKD patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database in the United States, which covered five survey cycles from 2007 to 2016 were selected. Relevant demographic and laboratory examination data were collected, and all-cause mortality was regarded as the endpoint event. Patients were divided into high serum klotho group and low serum klotho group according to the optimal klotho threshold of predicting survival outcomes, and the differences of baseline characteristics between the two groups were compared. The weighted Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curves of the high and low serum klotho groups during the follow-up period. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates between the two groups. Weighted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and further stratified analysis were used to estimate the correlation between serum klotho level and the risk of all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 633 DKD patients were included in this study, with age of 65 (56, 72) years, and 323 (51.03%) males. Among them, there were 510 patients in the high klotho level (>556.6 ng/L) group, and 123 patients in the low klotho level (≤556.6 ng/L) group. The serum creatinine level in the high klotho level group was significantly lower than that in the low klotho level group ( Z=-2.650, P=0.010), while the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, Z=2.489, P=0.015) and fasting blood glucose ( Z=2.275, P=0.026) were significantly higher than those in the low klotho level group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender distribution, racial distribution, proportion of smoking, body mass index, proportion of hypertension, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (all P>0.05). The follow-up time was 81 (49, 116) months, and a total of 204 (32.23%) all-cause death events occurred. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival rate of the high klotho level group was significantly higher than that of the low klotho level group (Log-rank test, χ2=4.21, P=0.040). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for gender, age, race, smoking, body mass index, hypertension, blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and eGFR, the risk of all-cause death in the low klotho level group was 1.63 times than that in the high klotho level group ( HR=1.63, 95% CI 1.03-2.63). Further stratified analysis showed that there was no interaction effect of age, gender, race and eGFR on the impact between low serum klotho level and the risk of all-cause death (all P>0.05), indicating that the correlation between low serum klotho level and the risk of all-cause death was consistent when DKD individuals were divided into different subgroups. Conclusions:Low serum klotho level are significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in the DKD population. Maintaining an adequate serum klotho level may reduce the risk of death in DKD patients.

Objective:To analyze the safety of pigments and inks commonly used in food and drug packaging materials.Methods:The acute oral toxicity, skin irritation, and eye irritation tests in 4 different batches of pigment samples (YP-001 to YP-008) and one kind of ink (YP-009) were investigated by animal experiments. Median lethal dose (LD 50), body weight, and stimulation intensity were used as detection indicators. The test sample with LD 50>5 000 mg/kg was judged as practically non-toxicity, the test sample with skin irritation intensity of 0-<0.50 points and eye irritation intensity of 0-3 points were judged as no irritation. Bacterial reverse mutation test, in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test, and mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test were carried out on oil paint (YP-007). The number of revertant colonies, chromosome aberration rate, and erythrocyte micronucleus rate were used as the detection indexes. If the number of revertant colonies in each dose group in the test sample was less than 2 times of that in the blank control group, the chromosome aberration rate and erythrocyte micronucleus rate were not statistically significant compared with the negative control group, the test sample was judged to be negative. Results:The acute oral toxicity test showed that the weight of mice in different test groups was not reduced, and the LD 50 was more than 5 000 mg/kg, so the samples were judged to be practically non-toxic, no irritation to skin and eyes of rabbits. The bacterial reverse mutation test showed that the results in 5 different dose groups and 5 repeated dose groups of oil paint test samples were all negative. The in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test showed that the results in 3 dose groups of oil paint test samples (5.0, 2.5 and 1.25 mg/ml) were all negative. The mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test showed that the results in 3 dose groups of oil paint test samples (10.0, 5.0 and 2.5 mg/kg) were all negative. Conclusions:The test samples of 4 different batches of pigments and one kind of ink are practically non-toxic and free of skin and eye irritation. The oil paint (YP-007) has no genotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity in vivo and in vitro.

Immunogenic cell death(ICD)is a form of cell death that can activate the immune system,especially in the treatment of cancer.ICD can enhance the recognition of tumors by the immune system and the release of damage associated molecular patterns(DAMPs),to achieve tumor cell death.Oncolytic viruses(OVs)can selectively infect and kill tumor cells without damaging normal cells.OVs are type Ⅱ ICD inducers that induce ICD in tumor cells by targeting the endoplasmic reticulum.Here,we review the characteristics of ICD and the mechanism of ICD induction by OVs.We also review the latest clinical progress involving ICD and discuss future treatment strategies for tumors.

Objective:To analyze the safety of pigments and inks commonly used in food and drug packaging materials.Methods:The acute oral toxicity, skin irritation, and eye irritation tests in 4 different batches of pigment samples (YP-001 to YP-008) and one kind of ink (YP-009) were investigated by animal experiments. Median lethal dose (LD 50), body weight, and stimulation intensity were used as detection indicators. The test sample with LD 50>5 000 mg/kg was judged as practically non-toxicity, the test sample with skin irritation intensity of 0-<0.50 points and eye irritation intensity of 0-3 points were judged as no irritation. Bacterial reverse mutation test, in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test, and mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test were carried out on oil paint (YP-007). The number of revertant colonies, chromosome aberration rate, and erythrocyte micronucleus rate were used as the detection indexes. If the number of revertant colonies in each dose group in the test sample was less than 2 times of that in the blank control group, the chromosome aberration rate and erythrocyte micronucleus rate were not statistically significant compared with the negative control group, the test sample was judged to be negative. Results:The acute oral toxicity test showed that the weight of mice in different test groups was not reduced, and the LD 50 was more than 5 000 mg/kg, so the samples were judged to be practically non-toxic, no irritation to skin and eyes of rabbits. The bacterial reverse mutation test showed that the results in 5 different dose groups and 5 repeated dose groups of oil paint test samples were all negative. The in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test showed that the results in 3 dose groups of oil paint test samples (5.0, 2.5 and 1.25 mg/ml) were all negative. The mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test showed that the results in 3 dose groups of oil paint test samples (10.0, 5.0 and 2.5 mg/kg) were all negative. Conclusions:The test samples of 4 different batches of pigments and one kind of ink are practically non-toxic and free of skin and eye irritation. The oil paint (YP-007) has no genotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity in vivo and in vitro.

Immunogenic cell death(ICD)is a form of cell death that can activate the immune system,especially in the treatment of cancer.ICD can enhance the recognition of tumors by the immune system and the release of damage associated molecular patterns(DAMPs),to achieve tumor cell death.Oncolytic viruses(OVs)can selectively infect and kill tumor cells without damaging normal cells.OVs are type Ⅱ ICD inducers that induce ICD in tumor cells by targeting the endoplasmic reticulum.Here,we review the characteristics of ICD and the mechanism of ICD induction by OVs.We also review the latest clinical progress involving ICD and discuss future treatment strategies for tumors.

Objective:By analyzing the concentration distribution and hydrophilic/hydrophobic proportion differences of 15 bile acid subtypes in the serum of patients with hepatitis B virus（HBV）infection complicated with liver cirrhosis and primary biliary cholangitis（PBC）complicated with liver cirrhosis，this study aims to explore the potential associations between bile acid metabolism and these diseases，providing a reference basis for identifying disease-specific metabolic fingerprints in the diagnosis，treatment，and prognosis of liver diseases. Furthermore，building on the pharmacological mechanisms of ursodeoxycholic acid（UDCA）in the treatment of PBC，this research investigates potential therapeutic applications of bile acid drugs in HBV infection.Methods:A retrospective analysis method was adopted. We enrolled 27 HBV infection complicated with liver cirrhosis patients and 59 PBC complicated with liver cirrhosis patients who received outpatient or inpatient treatment at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from November 2024 to April 2025. The general data and routine clinical laboratory data of the two groups of patients were collected and analyzed. Using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry（UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS）platform，precise quantification and differential analysis of 15 bile acid subtypes were performed in serum samples. Partial least squares discriminant analysis（PLS-DA）was employed to perform discriminant analysis on serum bile acid profiles data between the two groups，and variable importance in projection（VIP）values were calculated to identify key bile acid subtypes that could differentiate the two diseases. Box plots were constructed to analyze proportion differences in serum hydrophilic and hydrophobic bile acids between the two groups，aiming to explore potential associations between bile acid metabolism and the diseases.Results:The HBV infection group and the PBC group exhibited similar impairment of routine liver function parameters. The HBV infection group had higher serum concentrations of cholic acid（CA），chenodeoxycholic acid（CDCA）and deoxycholic acid（DCA），but lower concentrations of UDCA，glycoursodeoxycholic acid（GUDCA）and tauroursodeoxycholic acid（TUDCA）. The score plot generated by the PLS-DA model demonstrated significant differences in bile acid profile characteristics between the two diseases，with VIP values for UDCA，CDCA，GUDCA，TUDCA，and DCA all greater than 1. Box plots demonstrated a higher proportion of hydrophobic bile acids in the bile acid profile of the HBV infection group compared to the PBC group.Conclusion:This study found significant differences in serum bile acid profile characteristics between patients with HBV infection complicated with liver cirrhosis and those with PBC complicated with liver cirrhosis，specific bile acid subtypes such as CDCA and DCA have the potential to become specific metabolic fingerprints for these two diseases. HBV infection group exhibited higher proportion of hydrophobic bile acids in their bile acid profiles compared to PBC group. The characteristic changes in bile acid profiles can reflect the pathological characteristics of liver diseases，and their differences in hydrophilic/hydrophobic bile acids proportion represents a novel dimension independent of traditional liver function indicators，with potential value for disease prognosis assessment. UDCA or its derivatives may hold therapeutic potential for HBV infection patients with liver cirrhosis who exhibit accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids.

Objective:To investigate the association between serum klotho level and risk of all-cause mortality in the population with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. DKD patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database in the United States, which covered five survey cycles from 2007 to 2016 were selected. Relevant demographic and laboratory examination data were collected, and all-cause mortality was regarded as the endpoint event. Patients were divided into high serum klotho group and low serum klotho group according to the optimal klotho threshold of predicting survival outcomes, and the differences of baseline characteristics between the two groups were compared. The weighted Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curves of the high and low serum klotho groups during the follow-up period. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates between the two groups. Weighted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and further stratified analysis were used to estimate the correlation between serum klotho level and the risk of all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 633 DKD patients were included in this study, with age of 65 (56, 72) years, and 323 (51.03%) males. Among them, there were 510 patients in the high klotho level (>556.6 ng/L) group, and 123 patients in the low klotho level (≤556.6 ng/L) group. The serum creatinine level in the high klotho level group was significantly lower than that in the low klotho level group ( Z=-2.650, P=0.010), while the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, Z=2.489, P=0.015) and fasting blood glucose ( Z=2.275, P=0.026) were significantly higher than those in the low klotho level group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender distribution, racial distribution, proportion of smoking, body mass index, proportion of hypertension, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (all P>0.05). The follow-up time was 81 (49, 116) months, and a total of 204 (32.23%) all-cause death events occurred. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival rate of the high klotho level group was significantly higher than that of the low klotho level group (Log-rank test, χ2=4.21, P=0.040). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for gender, age, race, smoking, body mass index, hypertension, blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and eGFR, the risk of all-cause death in the low klotho level group was 1.63 times than that in the high klotho level group ( HR=1.63, 95% CI 1.03-2.63). Further stratified analysis showed that there was no interaction effect of age, gender, race and eGFR on the impact between low serum klotho level and the risk of all-cause death (all P>0.05), indicating that the correlation between low serum klotho level and the risk of all-cause death was consistent when DKD individuals were divided into different subgroups. Conclusions:Low serum klotho level are significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in the DKD population. Maintaining an adequate serum klotho level may reduce the risk of death in DKD patients.

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in the global population, posing a significant challenge to public health. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made significant progress in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation management of ischemic stroke (IS), but its application still faces challenges such as data privacy and algorithm transparency. This article reviews the application progress of AI technology in the field of ischemic stroke.