Purpose To investigate the value of automated segmentation technique for quantitative study of the volume of each subregion of medial temporal lobe epilepsy(MTLE)with hippocampal sclerosis(HS).Materials and Methods A total of 37 patients with unilateral HS diagnosed by MRI or pathologically confirmed in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2021 to May 2023 were prospectively included,including 24 cases of left-sided HS(L-HS)and 13 cases of right-sided HS(R-HS),and 42 healthy volunteers matched in gender and age during the same period were included as a control group.All subjects underwent T1-weighted equal voxel three-dimensional magnetisation-prepared rapid gradient-echo(3D T1 MP-RAGE)scanning.3D T1 MP-RAGE was post-processed by Freesurfer V7 to obtain volume data of the hippocampus and its subregions.The volume data were normalized and the volume asymmetry index was calculated.Within-group and between-group comparisons were performed for standardized volumes of the hippocampus and its subregions,and between-group comparisons were performed for volume asymmetry index values.The diagnostic efficacy of the two indices was assessed and compared using the subject operating characteristic curve and area under the curve.Results The volumes of the hippocampus and its subregions on the affected side were smaller than those on the contralateral side in both the L-HS and R-HS groups,and the volumes of the left hippocampus and its subregions were smaller than those on the right side in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t/Z=-15.159-8.324,all P＜0.05).The volumes of the left side of the hippocampus and its subregions in the L-HS group were smaller than those of the left hippocampus and its subregions in the R-HS group and in the control group,and the volumes of the right side of the hippocampus and its subregions in the R-HS group were smaller than those of the L-HS group and the right hippocampus and its subregions of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The differences in the volumes of the right side of the L-HS group and the left side of the R-HS group and the corresponding side of the control group were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The differences in the volume asymmetry index values of the L-HS group compared with those of the R-HS group and the control group,and those of the R-HS group compared with those of the control group were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).Except for the diagnostic efficacy of volume asymmetry index values of the hippocampus and subiculum in the L-HS group,which was better than that of the volume,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=2.035,1.989,both P＜0.05),the comparison of the volume and volume asymmetry index values of each volume and volume asymmetry index value of the rest of the hippocampus and subregion was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion The automatic segmentation technique is of great value for the quantitative study of hippocampus and its subregion volume in MTLE-HS,which can provide more accurate imaging reference for clinical practice.

Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) represents a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrating effects on blood circulation activation and stasis removal, and has been widely utilized in asthma treatment. This study isolated a novel phenolic acid (S1) from S. miltiorrhiza and investigated its anti-asthmatic activity and underlying mechanisms for the first time. An allergic asthma (AA) model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). The mechanism of S1's effects on AA was investigated using multi-factor joint analysis, flow cytometry, and co-culture systems to facilitate clinical asthma treatment. S1 (10 or 20 mg·kg^-1) was administered daily to mice with OVA-induced AA (OVA-AA) during days 21-25. The study examined airway responsiveness, lung damage, inflammation, and levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), PGD2, interleukins (IL-4, 5, 10, 13, 17A), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. Additionally, mast cell (MC) activation and degranulation were explored, along with T helper type 17 (Th17)/Treg immune cells and TLR4 pathway biomarkers. The antagonistic activity of that specific antagonist of TLR4 (TAK-242) (1 µmol·L^-1), a specific TLR4 blocker, against S1 (10 µmol·L^-1) was examined in co-cultured 16HBE cells and bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) or splenic lymphocytes (SLs) induced with LPS (1 µg·mL^-1) to elucidate the TLR4 pathway's mediating role. S1 demonstrated reduced airway responsiveness, lung damage, and inflammation, with downregulation of IgE, PGD2, interleukins, TNF-α, GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. It also impeded MC activation and degranulation, upregulated IL-10, and influenced Th17/Treg immune cell transformation following OVA challenge. Furthermore, S1 inhibited the TLR4 pathway in OVA-AA mice, and TLR4 antagonism enhanced S1's positive effects. Analysis using an OVA-AA mouse model demonstrated that S1 alleviates AA clinical symptoms, restores lung function, and inhibits airway response. S1's therapeutic effects occur through regulation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inflammation, attributable at least partially to the TLR4 pathway. This study provides molecular justification for S1 in AA treatment.

Purpose To investigate the value of automated segmentation technique for quantitative study of the volume of each subregion of medial temporal lobe epilepsy(MTLE)with hippocampal sclerosis(HS).Materials and Methods A total of 37 patients with unilateral HS diagnosed by MRI or pathologically confirmed in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2021 to May 2023 were prospectively included,including 24 cases of left-sided HS(L-HS)and 13 cases of right-sided HS(R-HS),and 42 healthy volunteers matched in gender and age during the same period were included as a control group.All subjects underwent T1-weighted equal voxel three-dimensional magnetisation-prepared rapid gradient-echo(3D T1 MP-RAGE)scanning.3D T1 MP-RAGE was post-processed by Freesurfer V7 to obtain volume data of the hippocampus and its subregions.The volume data were normalized and the volume asymmetry index was calculated.Within-group and between-group comparisons were performed for standardized volumes of the hippocampus and its subregions,and between-group comparisons were performed for volume asymmetry index values.The diagnostic efficacy of the two indices was assessed and compared using the subject operating characteristic curve and area under the curve.Results The volumes of the hippocampus and its subregions on the affected side were smaller than those on the contralateral side in both the L-HS and R-HS groups,and the volumes of the left hippocampus and its subregions were smaller than those on the right side in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t/Z=-15.159-8.324,all P＜0.05).The volumes of the left side of the hippocampus and its subregions in the L-HS group were smaller than those of the left hippocampus and its subregions in the R-HS group and in the control group,and the volumes of the right side of the hippocampus and its subregions in the R-HS group were smaller than those of the L-HS group and the right hippocampus and its subregions of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The differences in the volumes of the right side of the L-HS group and the left side of the R-HS group and the corresponding side of the control group were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The differences in the volume asymmetry index values of the L-HS group compared with those of the R-HS group and the control group,and those of the R-HS group compared with those of the control group were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).Except for the diagnostic efficacy of volume asymmetry index values of the hippocampus and subiculum in the L-HS group,which was better than that of the volume,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=2.035,1.989,both P＜0.05),the comparison of the volume and volume asymmetry index values of each volume and volume asymmetry index value of the rest of the hippocampus and subregion was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion The automatic segmentation technique is of great value for the quantitative study of hippocampus and its subregion volume in MTLE-HS,which can provide more accurate imaging reference for clinical practice.

Ischemic bowel disease(IBD)is a prevalent intestinal vascular disease that poses a serious threat to patients' lives and health.Tthe key pathological process of ischemic bowel disease is intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(II/R)injury.If not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner,it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as peritonitis,intestinal gangrene perforation,and multiple organ dysfunction.Current treatments primarily focus on symptomatic and surgical interventions,lacking targeted pharmacological therapies.A substantial body of research has found that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)exhibits a protective effect against II/R injury.This review systematically elaborated on the mechanisms by which various TCM bioactive components,including Astragaloside IV,Ginsenosides,Salvianolic acids,and Tetramethylpyrazine,as well as compound formulations such as Shenqi injection,Taoren Chengqi decoction,and Sini decoction ameliorate II/R injury.These findings provide novel research perspectives for developing TCM-based therapeutics for IBD.

Lumbar disc herniation(LDH)is a common and frequent disease,also one of the main causes of low back and lower limb pain.Radiomics can be used to improve early diagnosis of LDH,assist individualized treatment plan and evaluate prognosis.The research progresses of radiomics for early diagnosis and treatment of LDH were reviewed in this article.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with psittacosis, in order to provide a basis for early diagnosis and prevention of the disease.Methods:Clinical data of psittacosis cases reported in 2023 from China Disease Prevention and Control Information System in Daxing District, Beijing were collected, and the patients' general information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical characteristics, imaging examination results, laboratory test results, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 7 cases of psittacosis were reported in Daxing District in 2023, with no clustered infection in households or workplaces. There were 4 males and 3 females, with a median age of 66 years old, and a range of 52 to 82 years old. Epidemiological investigation revealed that 6 patients had a clear history of contact with poultry (4 had first contact with parrots or pigeons, and 2 had long-term exposure to pigeons, parrots or wild birds). The onset time was concentrated in April and May. The primary clinical manifestations included high fever (6 cases), fatigue (4 cases), and chills (3 cases). The imaging examination results showed that inflammatory changes occurred in the unilateral lung of 6 patients, and both lungs were affected in 1 patients. Laboratory test results indicated elevated neutrophill percentage in 6 patients, decreased white blood cell counts in 2 patients, elevated white blood cell counts in 2 patients, and elevated C-reactive protein levels in 7 patients. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing test showed that all seven patients were positive for Chlamydia psittaci. All 7 patients were treated with quinolone or tetracycline antibiotics, with 6 cured and discharged, and 1 died. Conclusion:Psittacosis is usually manifested clinically as high fever, fatigue, and unilateral lung inflammation, often associated with poultry exposure.

This study was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of various host nucleic acid removal and non-specific amplifica-tion techniques in animal tissue samples,to increase the accuracy of pathogen identification in tissue samples.Simulated samples were prepared with a mixture of mouse lung tissue homogenates and Klebsiella pneumoniae fluids,and processed with six host nucleic acid removal kits and three non-specific amplification techniques.The effectiveness of each method in removing host DNA and enriching nucleic acids of pathogenic microorganisms was evaluated through real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and high-throughput se-quencing.For host nucleic acid removal techniques,the method of selective cleavage and quantitative degradation of host DNA(Com-plete5 kit)effectively decreased the host nucleic acid content in tissue samples and increased the relative abundance of pathogen nucleic acids.In contrast,the magnetic bead method for host DNA removal(Next microbiome DNA enrichment Kit kit)was less effec-tive.At lower pathogen concentrations(77 CFU/mL),the Vazyme kit was more effective than the other kits in removing host nucleic acids.Non-specific amplification techniques(MALBAC whole genome amplification,MDA isothermal amplification,and random primer amplification)were not applicable to tissue samples and were not effective in increasing the relative abundance of pathogen nucleic acids.Selective lysis and quantitative degradation of host DNA were suitable for processing tissue samples with high host back-ground and low pathogenic microorganism levels,whereas non-specific amplification methods were not applicable to tissue samples for pre-processing of macro-genome high-throughput sequencing.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with psittacosis, in order to provide a basis for early diagnosis and prevention of the disease.Methods:Clinical data of psittacosis cases reported in 2023 from China Disease Prevention and Control Information System in Daxing District, Beijing were collected, and the patients' general information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical characteristics, imaging examination results, laboratory test results, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 7 cases of psittacosis were reported in Daxing District in 2023, with no clustered infection in households or workplaces. There were 4 males and 3 females, with a median age of 66 years old, and a range of 52 to 82 years old. Epidemiological investigation revealed that 6 patients had a clear history of contact with poultry (4 had first contact with parrots or pigeons, and 2 had long-term exposure to pigeons, parrots or wild birds). The onset time was concentrated in April and May. The primary clinical manifestations included high fever (6 cases), fatigue (4 cases), and chills (3 cases). The imaging examination results showed that inflammatory changes occurred in the unilateral lung of 6 patients, and both lungs were affected in 1 patients. Laboratory test results indicated elevated neutrophill percentage in 6 patients, decreased white blood cell counts in 2 patients, elevated white blood cell counts in 2 patients, and elevated C-reactive protein levels in 7 patients. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing test showed that all seven patients were positive for Chlamydia psittaci. All 7 patients were treated with quinolone or tetracycline antibiotics, with 6 cured and discharged, and 1 died. Conclusion:Psittacosis is usually manifested clinically as high fever, fatigue, and unilateral lung inflammation, often associated with poultry exposure.

This study was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of various host nucleic acid removal and non-specific amplifica-tion techniques in animal tissue samples,to increase the accuracy of pathogen identification in tissue samples.Simulated samples were prepared with a mixture of mouse lung tissue homogenates and Klebsiella pneumoniae fluids,and processed with six host nucleic acid removal kits and three non-specific amplification techniques.The effectiveness of each method in removing host DNA and enriching nucleic acids of pathogenic microorganisms was evaluated through real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and high-throughput se-quencing.For host nucleic acid removal techniques,the method of selective cleavage and quantitative degradation of host DNA(Com-plete5 kit)effectively decreased the host nucleic acid content in tissue samples and increased the relative abundance of pathogen nucleic acids.In contrast,the magnetic bead method for host DNA removal(Next microbiome DNA enrichment Kit kit)was less effec-tive.At lower pathogen concentrations(77 CFU/mL),the Vazyme kit was more effective than the other kits in removing host nucleic acids.Non-specific amplification techniques(MALBAC whole genome amplification,MDA isothermal amplification,and random primer amplification)were not applicable to tissue samples and were not effective in increasing the relative abundance of pathogen nucleic acids.Selective lysis and quantitative degradation of host DNA were suitable for processing tissue samples with high host back-ground and low pathogenic microorganism levels,whereas non-specific amplification methods were not applicable to tissue samples for pre-processing of macro-genome high-throughput sequencing.

Ischemic bowel disease(IBD)is a prevalent intestinal vascular disease that poses a serious threat to patients' lives and health.Tthe key pathological process of ischemic bowel disease is intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(II/R)injury.If not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner,it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as peritonitis,intestinal gangrene perforation,and multiple organ dysfunction.Current treatments primarily focus on symptomatic and surgical interventions,lacking targeted pharmacological therapies.A substantial body of research has found that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)exhibits a protective effect against II/R injury.This review systematically elaborated on the mechanisms by which various TCM bioactive components,including Astragaloside IV,Ginsenosides,Salvianolic acids,and Tetramethylpyrazine,as well as compound formulations such as Shenqi injection,Taoren Chengqi decoction,and Sini decoction ameliorate II/R injury.These findings provide novel research perspectives for developing TCM-based therapeutics for IBD.