Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a technique that uses an array of electrodes to deliver safe stimulating currents and measures the boundary voltages between adjacent electrode pairs in the array in sequence. Subsequently, it reconstructs the impedance distribution in all or part of the tissue using reconstruction algorithms to achieve structural and functional imaging. Lung EIT technology features continuity, being radiation-free and non-invasive, and it can be used for real-time dynamic monitoring of the lungs in critically ill patients. This paper introduces the basic principles of lung EIT, analyzes the research progress and existing problems of the technology from the perspectives of hardware systems, imaging algorithms, and clinical applications (such as lung ventilation, lung perfusion, and lung function assessment), and discusses the development direction to provide ideas for expanding the clinical application of lung EIT.
Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Tomography/methods* ; Lung Diseases/therapy* ; Algorithms

China prospective multicenter birth cohort (Prospective Omics Health Atlas birth cohort, POHA birth cohort) study was officially launched in 2022. This study, in collaboration with 12 participating units, aims to establish a high-quality, multidimensional cohort comprising 20 000 naturally conceived families and assisted reproductive families. The study involves long-term follow-up of parents and offspring, with corresponding biological samples collected at key time points. Through multi-omics testing and analysis, the study aims to conduct multi-omics big data research across the entire maternal and infant life cycle. The goal is to identify new biomarkers for maternal and infant diseases and provide scientific evidence for risk prediction related to maternal diseases and neonatal health.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) persisters (Ps) on immuno-inflammatory responses in macrophages, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods:Pg cells were cultured to the stationary phase (72 h), and subsequently treated by high concentration of metronidazole at 100 mg/L, amoxicillin at 100 mg/L and the combination of them for different time period, named as metronidazole group, amoxicillin group and (metronidazole+amoxicillin) group. Pg cells without treatment were used as Blank control. The survival profile of PgPs cells was measured by colony-forming unit assay. The living state of PgPs was observed by Live/Dead staining. Then, Pg and metronidazole-treated PgPs (M-PgPs) were used to treat macrophages, named as Pg group and M-PgPs group. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the bacteria in the macrophages. The expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The location of forkhead box transcription factor 1 (FOXO1) was detected by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. After inhibiting or enhancing the FOXO1 expressions using inhibitors (Fi) or activators (Fa) respectively, the macrophages were treated with Pg and M-PgPs, divided as Blank group, Pg group, M-PgPs group, Fi group, (Fi+Pg) group, (Fi+M-PgPs) group, Fa group, (Fa+Pg) group and (Fa+M-PgPs) group. Then, the expression pattens of proinflammatory cytokines were assessed.Results:Remarkable number of lived PgPs was observed, both in planktonic culture and Pg biofilms either treated with metronidazole, amoxicillin or both, and those persisters could form new colonies. Pg and M-PgPs were able to enter into the macrophages and the protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) [Pg group: (2 392±188), (162±29), (5 558±661), (789±155) μg/L; M-PgPs group: (2 415±420), (155±3), (5 732±782), (821±176) μg/L] were significantly upregulated than those in Blank group [(485±140), (21±9), (2 332±87), (77±7) μg/L] ( P<0.01). Moreover, Pg and M-PgPs could facilitate the nuclear translocation and accumulation of FOXO1. In addition, the relative mRNA expression levels of FOXO1, B-cell lymphoma 6 and Krüppel-like factor 2 were upregulated when compared to Blank group ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in Fi+Pg group [(1 081±168), (70±8), (1 976±544), (420±47) μg/L] were remarkably lower than Pg group [(4 411±137), (179±6), (5 161±929), (934±24) μg/L] ( P<0.05). Similarly, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in Fi+M-PgPs group [(1 032±237), (74±10), (1 861±614), (405±32) μg/L] were remarkably lower than M-PgPs group [(4 342±314), (164±17), (4 438±1 374), (957±25) μg/L] ( P<0.05). On the contrary, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in Fa+Pg group [(8 198±1 825), (431±28), (8 919±650), (2 186±301) μg/L] and Fa+M-PgPs group [(8 159±2 627), (475±26), (8 995±653), (2 255±387) μg/L] were significantly higher than Pg group and M-PgPs group, respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusions:PgPs are highly tolerant to metronidazole and amoxicillin. The M-PgPs could enhance the immuno-inflammatory responses in macrophages by upregulating the FOXO1 signaling pathway, while this effect exhibits no significant difference with Pg.

Ramping-up is the magnet current injection procedure which is under the control of resistance, voltage, current lead temperature, magnet pressure, temperature and so on. In this procedure, the factors related to the stability of the magnet such as, magnet temperature, pressure and currents are constantly changing. This procedure is the main step which the magnet-quench occurs in. This study uses the data collected during 7 years and SIMENS MRI ramping-up theory, in order to help engineers understand the key factors to reduce the magnet quench during the ramping up procedure.
Magnets ; Temperature

Objective:To explore the clinical value of point-of-care ultrasonography(PoCUS) in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism(PE).Methods:Consecutive 196 patients suspected of acute PE were enrolled in East Branch, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2017 to November 2017. All the patients were categorized into no PE group( n=143) and PE group( n=53) based on CTPA results. PoCUS was performed and considered diagnostic for PE if one or more right ventricular dysfunction (right ventricular dilation, right ventricular free wall hypokinesia, increased tricuspid regurgitation velocity or decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion), deep venous thrombosis(DVT) or subpleural infarcts were detected. Results:With CTPA as the gold standard for diagnosis, the sensitivity (94.34%), Youden index (0.531) and the area under the ROC curve(AUC) (0.765) of the combined diagnosis of PE by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE), lower limb vein compression ultrasonography(CUS) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) were the highest. The specificity (94.41%) and accuracy (81.63%) of LUS in the diagnosis of PE were the highest, and the misdiagnosis rate (5.59%) of LUS the lowest. The sensitivity of the combined triple PoCUS (TTE, CUS, and LUS) diagnosis of PE was higher than TTE and CUS combined diagnosis ( P=0.016), and the sensitivity and specificity were higher than TTE and CUS combined diagnosis as a whole ( P<0.005). Conclusions:The combined triple PoCUS (TTE, CUS, and LUS) has the highest accuracy in the diagnosis of PE, while LUS has a high specificity and a low misdiagnosis rate in the diagnosis of PE. Therefore, it is recommended to apply the combined triple PoCUS in clinical practice.

α-cells, which synthesize glucagon, also support β-cell survival and have the capacity to transdifferentiate into β-cells. However, the role of α-cells in pathological conditions and their putative clinical applications remain elusive due in large part to the lack of mature α-cells. Here, we present a new technique to generate functional α-like cells. α-like cells (iAlpha cells) were generated from mouse fibroblasts by transduction of transcription factors, including Hhex, Foxa3, Gata4, Pdx1 and Pax4, which induce α-cell-specific gene expression and glucagon secretion in response to KCl and Arg stimulation. The cell functions in vivo and in vitro were evaluated. Lineage-specific and functional-related gene expression was tested by realtime PCR, insulin tolerance test (ITT), glucose tolerance test (GTT), Ki67 and glucagon immunohistochemistry analysis were done in iAlpha cells transplanted nude mice. iAlpha cells possess α-cell function in vitro and alter blood glucose levels in vivo. Transplantation of iAlpha cells into nude mice resulted in insulin resistance and increased β-cell proliferation. Taken together, we present a novel strategy to generate functional α-like cells for the purposes of disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Fibroblasts* ; Gene Expression ; Glucagon ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice* ; Mice, Nude ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Regenerative Medicine ; Transcription Factors

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of aort-oesophageal fistula(AEF).Methods Retropective analysis was performed on 6 patients presenting with AEF between January 2002 and December 2014,and relative literature was reviewed on its pathogenesis,di-agnosis,prognosis and treatment.Results Five men and 1 woman with a mean age of 49 (range,27-71 years)were recruited to the study.One case of AEF was caused by esophageal foreign body,2 cases were caused by aneurysm while the other 3 patients presented AEF after aortic surgery.All 6 patients showed he-matemesis,among whom 3 presented sentinel hemorrhage,1 presented exsanguination after sentinel hemor-rhage,2 presented sudden exsanguination.Among 4 patients with sentinel hemorrhage,2 accompanied with chest pain,1 with dysphagia and 1 with fever.Two patients had a history of hypertension.Diagnostic rate was nearly 100% by gastroscopy or CT/CTA.Four patients died from hemorrhagic shock and 2 patients re-covered from surgery.Conclusion AEF should be seriously considered for patients with a history of hyper-tension,aortic disease or esophageal foreign body presenting sentinel hemorrhage,chest pain,dysphagia,fa-tal exsanguination followed by symptom-free interval.Prompt examinations and aggressive surgery are of great significance for survival.

To solve the problem that mostly gait analysis is independent from the treatment, this work proposes a system that integrates the functions of gait training and assessment for foot drop treatment. The system uses a set of sensors to collect gait parameters and designes multi-mode functional electrical stimulators as actuator. Body area network technology is introduced to coordinate the data communication and execution of the sensors and stimulators, synchronize the gait analysis and foot drop treatment. Bluetooth 4.0 is applied to low the power consumption of the system. The system realizes the synchronization of treatment and gait analysis. It is able to acquire and analyze the dynamic parameters of ankle, knee and hip in real-time, and treat patients by guiding functional electrical stimulation delivery to the specific body locations of patients.
Electric Stimulation ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Gait ; Humans ; Wireless Technology

This paper aims at discussing the clinical characteristics and experiences of ZHU Lian, the renowned contemporary acupuncture master from the following three aspects: "characteristics of clinical manipulations and techniques", "thoughts on diagnosis and treatment" and "examples of clinical cases". The study has shown that ZHU Lian invented the slow insertion technique by rotating needle and the embedding needle technique, improved moxibustion technique with moxa roll and proposed the three keys on the treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as discovered new acupoints for treatment. The pioneering and distinguished achievements she con tributed play the great demonstrating and driving role in the development of clinical study and practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.
Acupuncture ; education ; history ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; Needles ; Teaching

To solve the problem that mostly gait analysis is independent from the treatment, this work proposes a system that integrates the functions of gait training and assessment for foot drop treatment. The system uses a set of sensors to col ect gait parameters and designes multi-mode functional electrical stimulators as actuator. Body area network technology is introduced to coordinate the data communication and execution of the sensors and stimulators, synchronize the gait analysis and foot drop treatment. Bluetooth 4.0 is applied to low the power consumption of the system. The system realizes the synchronization of treatment and gait analysis. It is able to acquire and analyze the dynamic parameters of ankle, knee and hip in real-time, and treat patients by guiding functional electrical stimulation delivery to the specific body locations of patients.