Objective To systematically analyze the medical radiation exposure levels in a district of Ningbo City and to provide a scientific basis for the reasonable and effective control of medical radiation exposure. Methods Based on the radiological diagnosis frequency and dose information system, basic medical radiation exposure data were collected, such as radiation doses received by patients in various X-ray diagnostic examinations, from all 13 public medical institutions in a district of Ningbo City from January 1 to December 31, 2020. The data were analyzed for the percentage and collective effective dose of various diagnostic examinations, the distribution of examinations by sex and age, and the number of patients undergoing two or more examinations and their cumulative doses within multiple time intervals. Results Among medical X-ray diagnostic examinations in the district, the percentages of CT examination and routine photography examination were 50.88% and 47.93%, respectively, and the collective effective dose of CT examination accounted for 97.75%. By age and sex, the frequency of examination was the highest in the age group of 45-54 years, and the frequency of examination in the male was higher than that in the female before age 55. The annual effective dose for two patients exceeded 100 mSv. Conclusion In this study, CT examination accounted for up to 50.88% of all medical X-ray diagnostic examinations, and contributed 97.75% of the collective effective dose, highlighting the need for particular attention to the justification of medical radiation exposure from CT.

Objective Based on multi-dimensional bioinformatics technology,the molecular pathological mechanism of acute hypotension is systematically analyzed.Methods Integrate the gene expression profile of the Gene Expression Omnibus database(GSE2401),use limma package(R software)to screen differential genes,and optimize targets through data dimensionality reduction(log2(FC)＞1,P＜0.05);Further combine Gene Ontology,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and gene set enrichment analysis pathway enrichment and STRING-Cytoscape(MCODE,CytoHubba plug-in)to build a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network to mine core genes;realize the full-chain analysis of"differential gene-functional pathway-PPI network".Results 676 differential genes(304 upregulated,372 downregulated),ribosome structural components(Rps8,Rps27,Rpl35,etc.)and multiple pathways such as forkhead box protein and cyclic adenosine monophosphate were found to coordinate the regulation of acute hypotension.Conclusion This study uses a low-cost and efficient bioinformatics analysis framework to reveal the association between ribosomal dysfunction,changes in insulin signal efficacy and blood pressure regulation,providing new ideas for targeted therapy.

Compared with conventional photon radiotherapy, particle therapy offers distinct dosimetric advantages. Its unique dose distribution can effectively reduce damage to surrounding normal tissues and achieve a more conformal dose delivery. However, in clinical practice, uncertainties during the treatment process may diminish these advantages. The Compton camera, a novel γ-ray imaging technology, detects γ-rays of specific energies generated during particle therapy and thus holds promise for in vivo range verification, ultimately enabling real-time dose monitoring in particle therapy. This review begins with the imaging principles of Compton cameras and then provides an overview of current research progress in proton therapy, heavy-ion therapy, and boron neutron capture therapy.

Objective To investigate the impact of the artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) algorithm on image quality in chest computed tomography (CT) at different radiation doses, and assess its value in reducing radiation dose during chest CT examinations. Methods A simulated chest phantom was scanned with 12 groups of tube voltages and milliampere-seconds, and the radiation dose was recorded for each group. The images of each group were reconstructed using seven methods: AIIR with noise levels 1-5, KARL iterative reconstruction, and filtered back projection (FBP). The CT values and standard deviations of soft tissue, thoracic vertebrae, pulmonary nodules, and the mediastinum were measured, with standard deviation representing image noise. Subjective evaluation of image quality was performed. The Friedman test was used to compare CT values among the seven reconstruction groups, a linear mixed model was employed for statistical analysis of image noise, and the Friedman test was also used for comparing subjective evaluation scores. Results The reconstruction algorithm, tube voltage, milliampere-seconds, and their interactions all showed statistically significant effects on image noise for the four tissues (F = 2.041-391.283, P < 0.05). Among the reconstruction algorithms, noise reduction capability decreased in the following order: AIIR levels 1-5, KARL, and FBP. The interaction between the reconstruction algorithm and tube voltage or milliampere-seconds indicated that AIIR exhibited improved noise reduction efficacy under low tube voltage and low milliampere-second conditions (|t| = 1.892-8.245, P < 0.05). In terms of subjective evaluation of image quality, there was no statistically significant difference among AIIR levels 3-5 (|Z| ≤ 0.567, P > 0.05), and the score of AIIR level 3 was significantly higher than those of AIIR level 1, AIIR level 2, FBP, and KARL level 2 (|Z| = 3.449-5.906, P < 0.05). Conclusion The AIIR reconstruction algorithm significantly reduced image noise in chest CT examinations. For improving image quality while maintaining image realism, AIIR level 3 is recommended, which can reduce the radiation dose by more than 75%. Furthermore, AIIR showed superior performance in noise reduction under low tube voltage and low milliampere-second conditions, demonstrating significant potential for reducing radiation dose.

Objective Based on multi-dimensional bioinformatics technology,the molecular pathological mechanism of acute hypotension is systematically analyzed.Methods Integrate the gene expression profile of the Gene Expression Omnibus database(GSE2401),use limma package(R software)to screen differential genes,and optimize targets through data dimensionality reduction(log2(FC)＞1,P＜0.05);Further combine Gene Ontology,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and gene set enrichment analysis pathway enrichment and STRING-Cytoscape(MCODE,CytoHubba plug-in)to build a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network to mine core genes;realize the full-chain analysis of"differential gene-functional pathway-PPI network".Results 676 differential genes(304 upregulated,372 downregulated),ribosome structural components(Rps8,Rps27,Rpl35,etc.)and multiple pathways such as forkhead box protein and cyclic adenosine monophosphate were found to coordinate the regulation of acute hypotension.Conclusion This study uses a low-cost and efficient bioinformatics analysis framework to reveal the association between ribosomal dysfunction,changes in insulin signal efficacy and blood pressure regulation,providing new ideas for targeted therapy.

Compared with conventional photon radiotherapy, particle therapy offers distinct dosimetric advantages. Its unique dose distribution can effectively reduce damage to surrounding normal tissues and achieve a more conformal dose delivery. However, in clinical practice, uncertainties during the treatment process may diminish these advantages. The Compton camera, a novel γ-ray imaging technology, detects γ-rays of specific energies generated during particle therapy and thus holds promise for in vivo range verification, ultimately enabling real-time dose monitoring in particle therapy. This review begins with the imaging principles of Compton cameras and then provides an overview of current research progress in proton therapy, heavy-ion therapy, and boron neutron capture therapy.

Objective With the increase in pet-owning households in China, veterinary clinics have increased at an annual rate of 19.86%. However, the management blind area that may exist in multi-department supervision has led to a significantly worse working environment of radiation workers in veterinary clinics than that of medical institutions. The purpose of this study was to understand the levels of occupational external exposure of radiation workers in veterinary clinics in China, analyze the occupational risks faced by radiation workers in veterinary clinics, contribute to the protection of the occupational health of radiation workers, and provide data and scientific basis for the formulation of national relevant regulations and standards. Methods The individual dose monitoring data of radiation workers in selected veterinary clinics in 2022 were obtained from the National Individual Dose Registration System. Results This study involved 1868 radiation workers from 1216 veterinary clinics in 28 provinces and municipalities in China. The maximum annual effective dose was 8.93 mSv, the annual collective dose was 536.77 man·mSv, the average annual effective dose was 0.29 mSv, and the median was 0.15 mSv. The largest proportion of individuals (94.5%) received a dose of less than 1.0 mSv, while 5.4% had doses ranging from 1.0 mSv to less than 5.0 mSv. For radiation workers with an annual effective dose of 1.0 mSv and above, the individual distribution ratio of radiation workers in veterinary clinics was significantly higher compared with those in medical institutions and industrial applications (P < 0.05). Conclusion The levels of occupational external exposure of radiation workers in veterinary clinics meet the requirements of national standards. However, attention should still be paid to the radiation protection of radiation workers in veterinary clinics. This includes enhancing the responsibility awareness of veterinary clinic owners, strengthening protection training for radiation workers, protecting the occupational health of practitioners, and preventing the occurrence of occupational radiation diseases.

Objective To explore the features of sleep quality and its relationship with perceived stress and occupational stress in military personnel serving in high-altitude regions.Methods Cross-sectional study design was adopted in this study.In February 2023,self-designed demographic data questionnaire,Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),perceived stress scale(PSS-10)and job content questionnaire(JCQ)were applied to survey 3 784 soldiers from a unit stationing in plateau subjected by cluster sampling.Results The total score of PSQI was 5.37±2.78 in the participants,and the total score and the scores of each dimension of PSQI were significantly higher than the national norms for Chinese(P＜0.001).There were significant differences in PSQI scores among different age,length of military service,nationality,length of stationing in plateau,education level and family structure(P＜0.001).The low perceived stress group had significantly lower PSQI scores than the high perceived stress group(t=-12.108,P＜0.001).Regulatory effect analysis showed that the length of stationing in plateau,work autonomy,work psychological requirements,and social support in the work environment could modulate the relationship between perceived stress and sleep quality(t=8.326,-3.788,-2.145,-6.656,P＜0.05),and explained 14.6％,7.6％,7.0％and 7.9％of the variance of sleep quality,respectively.Conclusion The military personnel serving in high-altitude regions have a poor sleep quality.Age,time of military service,time of stationing in plateau,nationality,family structure,education level,perceived stress,and occupational stress are important factors affecting their sleep quality.The length of stationing in plateau time and occupational stress,can modulate the relationship between perceived stress and sleep quality.

Objective:To estimate and analyze the levels of occupational exposure of aircrews in China, and to provide scientific basis for strengthening occupational health management.Methods:Through the FlightAware website, the flight data were collected of a total of 104 routes flying between airports with large passenger volume in China. Four kinds of cosmic radiation dose estimation programs CARI, SIEVERT, PCAIRE, and JISCARD-EX were compared and analyzed from the aspects of covering the number of airports in China, program user experience and example calculation of airline effective dose. Based on route logs, CARI-7A was applied to estimate the levels of occupational exposure of Chinese aircrews to cosmic radiation.Results:The difference in the effective doses calculated by use of these four cosmic radiation dose estimation programs for the routes with different solar activity levels was statistically significant ( M=7.52-180.98, P<0.05). The annual effective dose estimated by PCAIRE for 68 routes from 2014 to 2021 was significantly higher than that estimated by CARI-7A ( Z=2.52, P<0.05). Based on CARI-7A, the annual effective doses from cosmic radiation to aircrews in China from 2014 to 2021 were estimated, being 1.26 (0.57-2.35) mSv for flight attendants and 1.03 (0.47-1.92) mSv for pilots. The effective dose from cosmic radiation to aircrews on a single flight on some high-frequency routes in China ranged from 0.57 to 6.88 μSv. Conclusions:The level of occupational exposure of Chinese aircrews to cosmic radiation meets the requirements of national standards, but is higher than that of occupational exposure from medical and industrial applications of radiation, so it is still necessary to further strengthen the mamagememt of occupational exposure and occupational health of aircrews.

Objective To analyze the factors influencing the levels of occupational exposure in medical radiation workers in China, and to provide a scientific basis for determining the key points of radiation protection in the medical sector. Methods The individual monitoring data on occupational external exposure in medical radiation workers in 2021 were collected from the “National Individual Dose Registry”. The Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to analyze the factors influencing the levels of occupational exposure in medical radiation workers. Results The Chi-squared test showed that gender, occupational category, medical institution category, region, number of radiation workers per thousand population, and regional per capita GDP were significantly associated with occupational exposure in medical radiation workers exceeding the annual effective dose of 5 mSv and an annual effective dose limit of 20 mSv (χ² = 21.456−262.329, 7.601−78.650, P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis further showed that gender, occupational category, region, and number of radiation workers per thousand population were factors influencing the occupational exposure in medical radiation workers exceeding the annual effective dose of 5 mSv (χ² = 14.621−170.857, P < 0.05); gender, occupational category, region, and regional per capita GDP were factors influencing the occupational exposure in medical radiation workers exceeding the annual effective dose of 20 mSv (χ² = 5.401−48.709, P < 0.05). Conclusion Male radiation workers in interventional radiology and in central China have high risks of exceeding annual effective doses of 5 and 20 mSv. Moreover, high number of radiation workers per thousand population and regional per capita GDP are associated with low risks. Medical institutions should maintain a sufficient number of radiation workers and strengthen training on radiation protection knowledge for male and interventional radiology workers to enhance their radiation protection awareness. Investigation of the factors contributing to the high occupational exposure in central China should be intensified, and targeted effective measures should be conducted to reduce the occupational exposure in medical radiation workers.