Objective To investigate the levels of gross α and gross β activities in different water types within a 40-kilometer radius around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant prior to its operation. Methods In 2018, drinking water samples were collected from the area surrounding the nuclear power plant during both the wet and dry seasons, including source water, treated water, tap water, and well water. The gross α and gross β activity concentrations were measured using a low-background α/β counter, followed by statistical analysis. Results A total of 80 water samples from different sources around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant were collected. The average gross α and gross β activity concentrations during the wet season were (0.110 ± 0.036) Bq/L and (0.643 ± 0.028) Bq/L, respectively, while those during the dry season were (0.124 ± 0.032) Bq/L and (0.624 ± 0.026) Bq/L, respectively. There were no significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for the overall sample set (P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for source water and well water (Z_wet = −2.005, −2.123; Z_dry = −1.943, −3.090; P < 0.05). Conclusion The radioactivity levels in different water types within various ranges around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant before its operation were determined. The measured activity concentrations were at the same level as those from previous investigations in other regions of Fujian Province.

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

OBJECTIVE To explore the distribution of airborne pollen in Cangzhou,to analyze the correlation between pollen characteristics,meteorological factors and the rate of allergic rhinitis visits,and to provide a reference basis for the precise prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis in Cangzhou.METHODS The gravity deposition method was applied to collect daily airborne pollen from the monitoring sites in Cangzhou from March to October 2022 and record the pollen species and quantities.We also collected information on allergic rhinitis patients who visited the ENT Department of Cangzhou Central Hospital during the same period and meteorological data(daily maximum temperature,minimum temperature,maximum relative humidity,maximum precipitation,and maximum wind speed at ground level)during the same period,and analyzed the relationship between the number of AR patients'visits,the amount of pollen,and the meteorological factors.RESULTS 1.A total of 229 pollen exposures were collected from March to October 2022,totaling 19 368 pollen grains,of which 18 750 grains of pollen could be identified in 19 families and 618 grains were difficult to identify the families.2.There were two peaks of pollen during the period,in April and September respectively.Spring pollen to tree-based category,to the pine family,willow willow family,Xylariaceae(ash)most often;summer pollen volume has declined,but still tree-based category;fall pollen to herbaceous category,to the Asteraceae Artemisia,mulberry,Gramineae most often.3.The pollen concentration in Cangzhou City was negatively correlated with maximum humidity,maximum precipitation,maximum temperature,and minimum temperature.Maximum wind speed at ground level was positively correlated with pollen concentration.4.Pollen concentration was positively correlated with the number of visits.The correlation analysis between daily medical visits from June to October and air pollen concentration showed a significant positive correlation,while the results from March to May showed no significant correlation.CONCLUSION The peak of airborne pollen dispersal in April and September in Cangzhou.Spring and summer pollen is dominated by tree species,and the dominant pollen is Pinaceae,Willow genus of Populus,and Xylariaceae(ash genus);fall pollen is dominated by herbaceous species,and the dominant pollen is Artemisia,Asteraceae,Mulberry,and Gramineae.Meteorological factors are important factors affecting pollen concentration.Within a certain range,the lower the maximum humidity,the lowest maximum precipitation,the lower the highest or the lowest temperature,the higher the pollen concentration,and the pollen concentration is more affected by the lowest temperature.There is a correlation between pollen concentration and the number of AR patients'visits from June to October,which can be used as an environmental early warning indicator of the prevalence of AR.

Objective To investigate the improving effect and mechanism of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Glabridin(GLA)on cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease(PD)mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP),and its protective effect on the cerebral cortex and hippocampus through affecting the extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)signaling pathway involved in the regulation of neural plasticity.Methods A total of 120 C57BL//6N mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,GLA control group and MPTP+GLA low,medium and high-dose groups,with 20 mice in each group.The mouse PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP 20 mg/kg,and the control group was injected with the same dose of normal saline.The GLA control group was given 50 mg/kg GLA by gavage;the MPTP+GLA low,medium and high dose groups were given 20,30 and 50 mg/kg GLA by gavage 1 hour after each MPTP administration,once a day for 7 consecutive days.The learning and memory abilities of the mice in each group and the pathological changes of hippocampal tissue were observed,as well as the changes in the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-18(IL-18),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and protein expression levels of phosphorylated-ERK 1/2(p-ERK1/2)in the cerebral cortex.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of MDA and TNF-α,IL-18 in the cerebral cortex of the model group were significantly increased[MDA(nmol/mg):4.68±0.51 vs.2.05±0.22,TNF-α(μg/L):116.87±15.65 vs.48.52±7.83,IL-18(μg/L):57.52±6.89 vs.24.26±1.89,all P<0.05],while the activity of SOD was significantly decreased(U/mg:77.84±7.84 vs.130.89±18.56,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the contents of TNF-α,IL-18,and MDA in each MPTP+GLA group were significantly decreased,while the activity of SOD was significantly increased(all P<0.05),and the change in the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was more obvious.The learning and memory ability of the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was significantly improved,the number of neurons in the hippocampus tissue decreased,the neurodegeneration was improved,and the glial cell proliferation was reduced.The results of immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the model group,the loss of TH positive cells in the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was significantly reduced[absorbance(A value):cerebral cortex was 39.14±3.25 vs.23.14±3.1,hippocampus was 72.14±4.25 vs.52.16±3.32,both P<0.05],and the expression of p-ERK1/2 positive cells was significantly inhibited(A value:cerebral cortex was 63.91±3.55 vs.88.35±6.41,hippocampus was 73.36±3.52 vs.93.25±6.73,both P<0.05).Western blotting showed that compared with the model group,the protein expression level of cerebral cortex and hippocampus TH in the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was significantly increased(gray value:cerebral cortex was 0.71±0.09 vs.0.53±0.06,hippocampus was 0.68±0.06 vs.0.45±0.03,both P<0.05),and the protein expression level of p-ERK1/2 was significantly inhibited(gray value:cerebral cortex was 0.76±0.10 vs.0.96±0.08,hippocampus was 0.74±0.06 vs.0.96±0.12,both P<0.05).Conclusions The traditional Chinese medicine GLA can improve the learning and memory ability of MPTP-induced PD mice,as well as prevent and treat MPTP-induced neuronal damage and glial cell proliferation.The ERK signaling pathway is associated with neural damage in PD brain tissue.GLA protects the learning and memory ability of MPTP-induced PD mice by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway.

Objective:To assess the consistency of ultrasound and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the diagnosis of gouty arthritis(GA), reasons of the differences were further analyzed.Methods:The ultrasound and DECT images of 150 knee joints from 147 patients diagnosed with gout at the Gout Specialty Clinic of Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital from February 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to anatomy, the knee joint was anatomically segmented into five regions: intra-articular, anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral.Location of monosodium urate (MSU) deposition was meticulously recorded. The Kappa consistency test was employed to assess the consistency of the two examination results in different regions of the knee joint. The McNemar chi-square test was utilized to conduct a differential analysis between DECT and ultrasound results.Results:Double contour sign(DCS) (81.2%, 92/112) was the most common intra-articular ultrasound sign in knee joints with GA. In the extra-articular region, MSU was commonly deposited in and around the popliteal tendon (ultrasound: 51.6%, 66/128; DECT: 54.7%, 70/128). Corresponding MSU deposits on DECT were found in 9 of 92 joints with DCS and in 9 of 49 joints with aggregates detected on ultrasound.In the assessment of MSU deposits, ultrasound showed an overall higher positive rate than DECT (87.3% vs. 72.3%, P=0.001), with poor consistency between the two examinations (Kappa=0.153). In distinct anatomical regions, ultrasound and DECT showed high consistency in the medial (Kappa=0.697) and lateral (Kappa=0.718) sides and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Intra-articular (Kappa=0.289) and anterior (Kappa=0.303) regions exhibited only fair consistency, with statistically significant diagnostic differences ( P<0.05). When exclusively assessing cases with tophus, ultrasound and DECT demonstrated high consistency in the medial and lateral aspects(Kappa=0.685, 0.748) without statistical difference ( P>0.05). In the anterior region, the consistency between the two examinations was moderate (Kappa=0.256), while in the intra-articular region, the consistency of the two methods was lower (Kappa=0.147), and the differences was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Both ultrasound and DECT exhibit good diagnostic capabilities for gouty knee arthritis.However, the consistency between the two techniques varies in different anatomical locations. Clinical assessment should be tailored based on the specific anatomical position. DECT has an advantage in evaluating intra-articular MSU deposits, while ultrasound is more sensitive to detect early and scattered MSU deposits.

Objective:To assess the discriminatory value of the Thyroid Follicular Tumor Ultrasound Risk Stratification System (F-TIRADS) in differentiating follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA), and to compare its performance with other risk stratification systems(RSS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 325 patients (327 thyroid nodules) diagnosed postoperatively as FTC or FTA at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to December 2023. The cases were divided into FTC group (81 nodules) and FTA group (246 nodules). The nodules were classified based on F-TIRADS, the 2020 Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS), the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines (ATA guidelines), and the 2017 European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) by two ultrasound physicians. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors associated with FTC. Diagnostic performance of the 4 RSS was compared using postoperative pathological results as the gold standard.Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed maximum diameter, solid composition, hypoechogenicity, unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, trabecular structure, and central blood flow were independent predictors of FTC( OR=1.914, 3.427, 9.926, 9.163, 45.918, 3.191, 8.936, respectively; all P<0.05). Within each RSS, the actual malignancy rate increased with higher risk categories, aligning closely with the recommended malignancy rates (except for ATA guidelines). The optimal cut-off values for distinguishing FTC from FTA were FTC risk 50%-90% in F-TIRADS, C-TIRADS 4B, moderately suspicious nodules in ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS 4, with areas under the curve of 0.916, 0.808, 0.827, and 0.836, respectively. F-TIRADS demonstrated the best overall performance (sensitivity: 82.72%, specificity: 82.93%), with significant differences compared with C-TIRADS, ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS (all P<0.05). Conclusions:F-TIRADS is highly effective in distinguishing FTA from FTC, outperforming C-TIRADS, ATA Guidelines, and EU-TIRADS. Clinicians should pay close attention to solid hypoechoic nodules with unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, central blood flow, or a trabecular structure.

Objective:To evaluate the body composition of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and explore the correlation between body composition indices and disease activity, laboratory indices, and readmission.Methods:Patients with active UC hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled continuously, and age and sex ratio-matched healthy volunteers were recruited through recruitment posters. Body composition was measured via BIA. Appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) and trunk skeletal muscle index (TSMI) were calculated and adjusted for height (m 2). Muscle function was evaluated via handgrip strength. Moreover, patients were followed up after discharge and the readmissions due to recurrence or aggravation of UC were recorded. Results:This study enrolled 62 UC patients and 38 healthy volunteers. TSMI decreased significantly ( P<0.001) while ASMI showed no significant difference in male patients compared with healthy controls. ASMI ( P<0.001) and TSMI ( P=0.002) in female patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls. Compared with patients with normal TSMI, a larger proportion of patients with low TSMI tended to show severe disease activity ( P=0.075), while no such trend was observed in patients with low ASMI. Handgrip strength and phase angle were significantly positively correlated with ALB in UC patients ( P<0.05). The proportion of patients with readmission was significantly higher in the low phase angle group than that in the normal phase angle group (58.3% vs. 22.0%, P=0.040). Conclusions:There were abnormal body composition and gender differences in UC patients. TSMI correlated better with clinical characteristics than ASMI in UC patients. Low phase angle might be predictive for readmission in UC patients.