Objective:To explore differences in the radiation-induced intestinal injury in mice exposed to ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) and conventional-dose-rate (CONV) pulsed X-ray irradiation in order to provide evidence for the application of ultra-high dose rate pulsed X-rays in gastrointestinal radiotherapy.Methods:Using the random number table method, 32 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: a sham irradiation group (SHAM), two conventional dose rate groups (CONV0.067 and CONV0.1), and an ultra-high dose rate group (F215), with each group containing eight mice. All groups, except SHAM, received a single 12 Gy abdominal X-ray irradiation at dose rates of 0.067, 0.1, and 215 Gy/s, respectively. At 3 d post-irradiation, histopathological (hematoxylin-eosin staining, HE staining), immunohistochemical, and Western blot analysis were performed to assess the histopathological markers and oxidative stress indicators of intestinal tissues, as well as relevant proteins involved in signaling pathways.Results:At 3 d post-irradiation, mice in all irradiation groups suffered from varying degrees of intestinal tissue degeneration and necrosis, epithelial cell shedding, villus shortening, and crypt loss ( t = 5.75, 8.79, 5.71, P < 0.05). Regarding oxidative stress, at 3 d post-irradiation, mice in the CONV0.067 and CONV0.1 groups showed significantly lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared to those in the F215 group ( t = 7.06-10.64, P < 0.01). In contrast, their malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly elevated ( t = 11.06, 8.31, P < 0.01), with no statistical significance observed between them and mice in the F215 group ( P > 0.05). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses indicated that at 3 d post-irradiation, mice in the three irradiation groups exhibited an upward trend in the Nrf2 and HO-1 protein levels and a downward trend in the Keap1 protein level compared to those in the SHAM group. Notably, statistical significance was observed between the F215 group and the two conventional dose rate groups ( t = 4.89-20.95, P < 0.05). These result were consistent with the prior changes in antioxidant markers. Conclusions:Ultra-high-dose-rate X-ray irradiation reduces acute RIII by alleviating oxidative stress and modulating the expression of the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of head deformities in infants aged 3-12 months and analyze the related factors that affect infant positional deformities.Methods A total of 521 infants aged 3-12 months from August 2022 to February 2024 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected as the subjects.Infants were divided into normal groups(n=307)and positional deformities(n=214)according to the head shape assessment.The general,high-risk factors during pregnancy,mother's education level and baby's sleeping posture were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of positional deformities.Results Among infants with positional deformities,it was more common at the age of 3-6 months,and the proportion of males was higher than that of females.There were significant differences in the factors such as birth weight,body mass index(BMI),premature delivery,hospitalization history in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU),high-risk factors during pregnancy,twins,sleeping posture,and mother's education level between two groups(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hospitalization history in NICU,twins,high-risk factors during pregnancy were independent risk factors for infant's positional deformities.Infant's mixed sleeping position and mother's high education level were the protective factors against the infant's positional deformities.Conclusion BMI,hospitalization history in NICU,twins,high-risk factors during pregnancy,infant sleeping posture and mother's education level are closely related to the infant's positional deformities.

Objective This study aims to investigate the association between remnant cholesterol(RC)and the risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)under the optimal triglyceride(TG)levels recom-mended by different guidelines.Methods The data were derived from the annual physical examinations of elderly people aged 65 and above in a community in 2023.Regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between RC and MAFLD risk.According to the TG normal level(<1.7 mmol/L)recommended by the Chinese Lipid Management Consensus and the TG ideal target(<1.2 mmol/L)proposed by the European Atherosclerosis Society,the individuals were divided into subgroups with different TG levels to explore the association between RC and MAFLD risk in each subgroup.Results A total of 2,800 elderly individuals aged 65 and above were included in this study.The proportion of the individuals meeting the diagnostic criteria for MAFLD was 20.85%,and RC was identified as an independent risk factor for MAFLD(P<0.001).In the elderly individuals with TG<1.7 mmol/L,RC level was not significantly associated with MAFLD risk(P=0.888).In contrast,in the elderly individuals with TG≥1.7 mmol/L,RC level was significantly and positively correlated with MAFLD risk(P<0.001).Interaction tests revealed no significant interaction between the stratification factor and the effect size of RC(P=0.115).In the elderly individuals with TG<1.2 mmol/L,RC level was not associated with MAFLD risk(P=0.505),while in the elderly individuals with TG≥1.2 mmol/L,RC level was significantly associated with MAFLD risk(P<0.001).Interaction tests showed a significant interaction between the stratification factor and the effect size of RC(P=0.011).Conclusion RC is an independent risk factor for MAFLD in older individuals.To reduce the risk of MAFLD related to RC in the elderly,a triglyceride level of<1.2 mmol/L can serve as a reference for identifying early-stage risk.

Objective:To observe the correlation between the level of advanced glycosylation end products (AGE) in skin and diabetic retinopathy (DR), and establish and preliminatively verify the nomogramolumbaric model for predicting the risk of DR.Methods:A clinical case-control study. A total of 346 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were admitted to the Department of Endocrinology and Ophthalmology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2023 to June 2024 were included in the study. Among them, 198 were males and 148 were females. The mean age was (54.77±10.92). According to whether the patients were accompanied by DR, the patients were divided into the non-DR group (NDR group) and the DR group (DR group), 174 and 172 cases, respectively. All patients underwent skin AGE detection using a noninvasive diabetes detector. Diabetes duration, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, Urea, creatinine (Crea), uric acid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin concentration (UALB), and body mass index (BMI) were collected in detail. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the independent risk factors for T2DM concurrent DR, and to construct a nomogram prediction model for DR risk. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve), calibration curve and decision curve (DCA) were used to evaluate the model.Results:Hypertension prevalence rate ( χ2=3.892), Diabetes duration ( Z=?7.708), BMI ( Z=?2.627), HbA1c ( Z=?4.484), Urea ( Z=?4.620), Crea ( Z=?3.526), UALB ( Z=?6.999), AGE ( Z=?8.097) in DR group were significantly higher than those in NDR group, with statistical significance ( P<0.05); eGFR was lower than that in NDR group, the difference was statistically significant ( Z=?6.061, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that AGE, diabetes duration, HbA1c, UALB and eGFR were independent risk factors for DR ( P<0.05). Based on the results of multi-factor regression analysis, a nomogram prediction model was constructed. The area under ROC curve of the model was 0.843, 95% confidence interval was 0.802-0.884, sensitivity and specificity were 79.1% and 75.9%, respectively. The calibration curve was basically consistent with the ideal curve. The results of DCA analysis showed that when the model predicted the risk threshold of patients with DR between 0.17 and 0.99, the clinical net benefit provided by the nomogram model was> 0. Conclusions:Skin AGE level is an independent risk factor for DR. The nomogram prediction model based on AGE, diabetes duration, HbA1c, eGFR and UALB can accurately predict the risk of DR, and has good clinical practicability.

Objective To investigate the application of chromosome microarray analysis(CMA)in prenatal diagnosis of 18q deletion syndrome and to analyze the genotype-phenotype correlation of 18q deletion syndrome.Methods Prenatal diagnosis of three fetuses with 18q deletion syndrome was conducted through amniotic fluid karyotype analysis and CMA.Results Karyotype analysis results of the three fetuses were 46,XY,del(18)(q22);46,XY,-18,+mar;and 46,XX,del(18)(q21.2),respectively.The results of CMA showed that Case 1 had a deletion of 10.0 Mb in the 18q22.2q23 region,Case 2 had a deletion of 5.5 Mb in the 18p11.32p11.31 region and a deletion of 20.9 Mb in the 18q21.32q23 region,and Case 3 had a deletion of 24.1 Mb in the 18q21.2q23 region.Therefore,all the three fetuses had 18q deletion syndrome.Conclusion As a molecular diagnostic technique,CMA can accurately detect the location and size of pathogenic chromosome copy number,and identify the pathogenic genes.It can provide useful evidence for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling of 18q deletion syndrome.

Objective:To explore differences in the radiation-induced intestinal injury in mice exposed to ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) and conventional-dose-rate (CONV) pulsed X-ray irradiation in order to provide evidence for the application of ultra-high dose rate pulsed X-rays in gastrointestinal radiotherapy.Methods:Using the random number table method, 32 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: a sham irradiation group (SHAM), two conventional dose rate groups (CONV0.067 and CONV0.1), and an ultra-high dose rate group (F215), with each group containing eight mice. All groups, except SHAM, received a single 12 Gy abdominal X-ray irradiation at dose rates of 0.067, 0.1, and 215 Gy/s, respectively. At 3 d post-irradiation, histopathological (hematoxylin-eosin staining, HE staining), immunohistochemical, and Western blot analysis were performed to assess the histopathological markers and oxidative stress indicators of intestinal tissues, as well as relevant proteins involved in signaling pathways.Results:At 3 d post-irradiation, mice in all irradiation groups suffered from varying degrees of intestinal tissue degeneration and necrosis, epithelial cell shedding, villus shortening, and crypt loss ( t = 5.75, 8.79, 5.71, P < 0.05). Regarding oxidative stress, at 3 d post-irradiation, mice in the CONV0.067 and CONV0.1 groups showed significantly lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared to those in the F215 group ( t = 7.06-10.64, P < 0.01). In contrast, their malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly elevated ( t = 11.06, 8.31, P < 0.01), with no statistical significance observed between them and mice in the F215 group ( P > 0.05). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses indicated that at 3 d post-irradiation, mice in the three irradiation groups exhibited an upward trend in the Nrf2 and HO-1 protein levels and a downward trend in the Keap1 protein level compared to those in the SHAM group. Notably, statistical significance was observed between the F215 group and the two conventional dose rate groups ( t = 4.89-20.95, P < 0.05). These result were consistent with the prior changes in antioxidant markers. Conclusions:Ultra-high-dose-rate X-ray irradiation reduces acute RIII by alleviating oxidative stress and modulating the expression of the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Objective To investigate the application of chromosome microarray analysis(CMA)in prenatal diagnosis of 18q deletion syndrome and to analyze the genotype-phenotype correlation of 18q deletion syndrome.Methods Prenatal diagnosis of three fetuses with 18q deletion syndrome was conducted through amniotic fluid karyotype analysis and CMA.Results Karyotype analysis results of the three fetuses were 46,XY,del(18)(q22);46,XY,-18,+mar;and 46,XX,del(18)(q21.2),respectively.The results of CMA showed that Case 1 had a deletion of 10.0 Mb in the 18q22.2q23 region,Case 2 had a deletion of 5.5 Mb in the 18p11.32p11.31 region and a deletion of 20.9 Mb in the 18q21.32q23 region,and Case 3 had a deletion of 24.1 Mb in the 18q21.2q23 region.Therefore,all the three fetuses had 18q deletion syndrome.Conclusion As a molecular diagnostic technique,CMA can accurately detect the location and size of pathogenic chromosome copy number,and identify the pathogenic genes.It can provide useful evidence for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling of 18q deletion syndrome.

With the rapid development and widespread application of microwave technology,people's lives and work have been made more convenient.However,the health of those who are constantly exposed to complex microwave environments is also threatened.In recent years,many studies have found that long-term exposure to micro waves can cause damage to cognitive function.However,the damage mechanism has not been fully understood.This article reviews the research progress of microwave radiation on cognitive function in recent years,the damage mechanism,and the related drugs for protection and treatment,in order to provide references for research in this field.