Objective To evaluate the radiation impact of a self-developed digital miniature CT on the human body and the environment under simulated scanning conditions, and verify its safety and regulatory compliance. Methods Under typical head scanning conditions with the digital miniature CT (70 kV/10 mA), the equivalent doses received at the body surface sites corresponding to the thyroid, breast, stomach, liver, kidney, and gonads of the phantom were measured without protection and with 0.5 mmPb equivalent protection using LiF (Mg, Cu, P) thermoluminescent dosimeters. The ambient dose equivalent rates at the bed level inside the CT room at different directions and distances from the scanning center were measured using a model AT1121 X/γ dosimeter. The equivalent doses of organs on both sides of the phantom and the ambient equivalent dose rates on the left and right sides of the longitudinal axis of the bed in the CT room were compared. The Mann-Whitney test was used at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results During a single scan of the head with the digital miniature CT, the equivalent doses at the body surface sites corresponding to the thyroid, breast, stomach, liver, kidney, and gonads without protection were 1.04, 0.95, 0.55, 0.57, 0.40, and 0.12 mSv, respectively, which were only 0.84% to 8.24% of the doses inside the irradiation field. With 0.5 mm Pb equivalent protection, the equivalent dose of the thyroid decreased from 8.24 mSv to 3.27 mSv with a reduction of 60.3%, and the doses of the other organs were reduced to 1.5-11.5 μSv with the maximum reduction of 14 times. In the longitudinal axis direction of the CT bed, the ambient dose equivalent rate at a distance of 2 m from the scanning center was reduced to 0.066 mSv/h, which was only 9.6% of the ambient equivalent dose rate at a distance of 50 cm from the scanning center. Conclusion The digital miniature CT has advantages in ensuring patient safety, optimizing imaging quality, and promoting technological development, demonstrating promising application potential. However, the radiation protection of personal and CT room should not be ignored.

ObjectiveTo analyze the influencing factors for recurrence in successfully treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients with isoniazid-resistant and rifampicin-sensitive in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. MethodsData on general demographic information, treatment information and drug susceptibility test results for pulmonary tuberculosis patients admitted to the designated tuberculosis medical institutions and registered in the tuberculosis information management system was collected in Shaoxing City from January 2011 to August 2024. A total of 428 patients with isoniazid resistance (including isoniazid single resistance and multiple resistance) but who were successfully treated were included in the study. Information for the recurrence after successful treatment of the patients was analyzed. The Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the influencing factors of recurrence in patients. ResultsAmong the 428 successfully treated patients included in the study, 31 cases (accounting for 7.24%) had recurrence by the end of the observation period, with a recurrence rate density of 1.31 per 100 person-years and a median recurrence time of 0.99 (0.08, 8.27) years. Among the relapsed population, 51.61% of the patients relapsed within one year after successful treatment. 77.42% of the patients relapsed within two years after successful treatment. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that when isoniazid resistance was discovered, the diagnosis classification of relapse (HR=4.115, 95%CI: 1.734‒9.767) and positive 0-month sequence smear (HR=4.457, 95%CI: 1.053‒18.866) were risk factors for recurrence after successful treatment in patients. ConclusionRegular follow-up should be strengthened for at least two years after the successful treatment of isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Special attention should be paid to the treatment effect and regular re-examination and monitoring after the end of the treatment course of isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients who have been re-treated and were sputum smear positive at baseline, so as to prevent recurrence and disease progression in high-risk populations.

Objective: To investigate the status of tuberculin skin test (TST) results and the influencing factors among student close contacts with pulmonary tuberculosis, so as to provide the evidence for developing prevention and control strategies for pulmonary tuberculosis among students. Methods: The students aged 15 years and above who had close contact with pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, from October 2016 to December 2023 were recruited and investigated using questionnaires and TST to collect demographic information, contact history, and TST results. The influencing factors for TST positivity among student close contacts with pulmonary tuberculosis were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 5 507 student close contacts were investigated, including 2 982 males and 2 525 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.18∶1. The mean age was (19.10±1.71) years. Among them, 397 (7.21%) were technical secondary school students, 766 (13.91%) were senior high school students, 2 556 (46.41%) were junior college students, and 1 788 (32.47%) were college students or above. A total of 958 students tested positive for TST, with a positivity rate of 17.40%. The rates of general positivity, moderate positivity, and strong positivity were 10.53%, 4.98% and 1.89%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that senior high school students (OR=1.473, 95%CI: 1.009-2.152) and junior college students (OR=1.467, 95%CI: 1.074-2.005), as well as those with an exposure-to-screening interval of ≥46 days (46-<61 days, OR=2.043, 95%CI: 1.478-2.826; ≥61 days, OR=1.291, 95%CI: 1.018-1.637) had a higher risk of TST positivity. Female student close contacts had a lower risk of TST positivity (OR=0.753, 95%CI: 0.649-0.873). Conclusion The TST positivity rate was relatively high, and gender, school type, and exposure-to-screening interval were influencing factors for TST positivity among student close contacts with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective:To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of Wilms tumor 1-associated proteins(WTAP)on the cell biological properties of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)cells.Methods:31 pairs of ESCC tissues and their paired paracancerous tissues that were surgically resected at the Second Clinical Medical College of Chuanbei Medical College between September 2019 and April 2021 were collected.The esophageal cancer cells KYSE30,KYSE410,KYSE150,KYSE510,TE-1,and normal human esophageal epithelial cells HET-1A were routinely cultured.Transfection reagents were used to transfect si-NC,si-WTAP#1 and si-WTAP#2 nucleic acids into KYSE150 and KYSE510 cells.The cells were divided into si-NC,si-WTAP#1 and si-WTAP#2 groups.The expressions of WTAP and MAP3K9 mRNA were detected in the cells of each group by qPCR assay.CCK-8 assay,clone formation assay,and scratch healing assay,Transwell assay were employed to detect the effects of knockdown of WTAP expression on ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion and apoptosis.WB assay was used to detect the expressions of WTAP,MAP3K9,EMT and MAPK pathway-related proteins in ESCC cells of each group knocked down of WTAP;immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of WTAP proteins in ESCC tissues,immunoprecipitation of methylated RNA(MeRIP)-qPCR assay to detect the level of MAP3K9 m6A in ESCC cells,actinomycin D assay to detect the stability of mRNA of MAP3K9,and database data to analyze the expression,target genes,functional enrichment,and interacting RNA of WTAP.Results:WTAP was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001)and correlated with the degree of differentiation(P<0.01);the expression of WTAP mRNA and its protein were successfully knocked down in KYSE150 and KYSE510 cells(P<0.01 or P<0.001);the knockdown of WTAP significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration and invasion of KYSE150 and KYSE510 cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001),and promoted the apoptosis of KYSE150 and KYSE510 cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Knockdown of WTAP resulted in a significant decrease in the m6A level of MAP3K9(P<0.05),and its mRNA expression level and mRNA stability were both significantly reduced(P<0.05).Database data analysis showed that WTAP target genes clustered in the MAPK signaling pathway;the expression levels of MAP3K9,p-ERK,N-cadherin,and MMP9 were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the expression level of E-cadherin was significantly elevated(P<0.05 or P<0.01)in the KYSE150 and KYSE510 cells after knockdown of WTAP.Conclusions:WTAP is highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells and correlates with their differentiation.It promotes the stability of MAP3K9 mRNA through m6A modification,activates the MAPK pathway and thus promotes the malignant biological behaviors of ESCC cells.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID-HSCT) .Methods:A total of 141 AML patients who underwent HID-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2020 to July 2021 were included. The cumulative incidence of aGVHD was analyzed using the Fine-Gray competing risk model, with relapse and death as competing events, to compare differences between groups. Potential risk factors were evaluated by univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to determine their independent effects on aGVHD.Results:Among the 141 patients, 86 (61.0%) were male and 55 (39.0%) were female, with a median age at transplantation of 34 years. Within 100 days post-transplant, 59 patients developed grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD, whereas 86 patients experienced no or grade Ⅰ aGVHD (the grade 0-Ⅰ aGVHD group) . Survival analysis showed that the 3-year overall survival was 68.7% (95% CI: 57.7%-81.9%) in the grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD group, compared with 78.8% (95% CI: 70.4%-88.3%) in the grade 0 - Ⅰ aGVHD group, with the difference not being statistically significant ( P=0.190) . Univariable analysis identified donor age ( P=0.020, HR=1.020, 95% CI: 1.000-1.040) and the female donor-male recipient sex combination ( P=0.033, HR=1.980, 95% CI: 1.160-3.380) as risk factors for grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD. Multivariable analysis confirmed that donor age ( P=0.005, HR=1.026, 95% CI: 1.008-1.047) and the female donor-male recipient sex combination ( P=0.002, HR=2.339, 95% CI: 1.354-4.037) were independent risk factors for aGVHD. Patients receiving grafts from donors aged >45 years had a significantly higher 100-day cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD compared with those receiving grafts from donors ≤45 years [54.7% (95% CI: 42.3%-67.0%) vs 31.6% (95% CI: 21.0%-42.1%) , P=0.006]. Similarly, patients with the female donor-male recipient sex combination had a higher 100-day cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD than those with other sex combinations [56.8% (95% CI: 40.4%-73.1%) vs 36.9% (95% CI: 27.5%-46.3%) , P=0.015]. Conclusion:Older donor age and the female donor-male recipient sex combination remain independent risk factors for aGVHD in patients with AML undergoing HID-HSCT.

Primary aldosteronism(PA) is the most common endocrine cause of secondary hypertension and is characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia, suppressed renin, and inappropriately elevated aldosterone. Increasing evidence indicates disturbances in calcium homeostasis among patients with PA. The calcium-regulatory system encompasses calcium and phosphate, parathyroid hormone(PTH), and vitamin D. Patients with PA frequently exhibit hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, elevated PTH, and reduced vitamin D levels. Clarifying the contribution of calcium dysregulation to PA pathogenesis is clinically relevant for mitigating target-organ damage. This review summarizes: (1) the role of aberrant calcium signaling in the development of PA; (2) characteristic features of calcium homeostasis in PA; and (3) the interactions between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system(RAAS) and calcium-regulatory pathways. Overall, abnormalities in calcium signaling appear integral to the pathogenesis of PA, and disrupted calcium homeostasis may aggravate target-organ injury in affected patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for disease progression after treatment in patients with post-tuberculosis chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (post-TB CPA).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on post-TB CPA patients admitted to Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. The demographic manifestation, clinical manifestation, laboratory indicators, imaging findings, and treatment strategies were collected. Patients were divided into progression group and non-progression group based on treatment outcomes, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Chi-square test was used for univariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors for disease progression after treatment.Results:A total of 109 post-TB CPA patients were included, and 33.9%(37/109) were in the progression group and 66.1%(72/109) in the non-progression group. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that subacute invasive aspergillosis (SAIA) (odds ratio ( OR)=14.356, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 2.923 to 70.504, P=0.001), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ( OR=5.276, 95% CI 1.505 to 18.491, P=0.009), and pulmonary fibrosis ( OR=5.030, 95% CI 1.437 to 17.612, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for disease progression. Antifungal treatment for ≥3 months was associated with a lower risk of disease progression ( OR=0.038, 95% CI 0.003 to 0.431, P=0.008). The proportion of non-progression group receiving surgical treatment was higher than that of progression group with statistical significance (31.9%(23/72) vs 5.4% (2/37), χ2=8.30, P=0.004), but the protective effect of surgery on disease progression was not confirmed by multivariate analysis ( OR=0.735, 95% CI 0.132 to 4.080, P=0.724). Conclusions:Disease progression in patients with post-TB CPA is strongly associated with SAIA, elevated ESR, and pulmonary fibrosis. Standardized anti-fungal treatment for ≥3 months significantly improves the prognosis.

To investigate the effects of zearalenone(ZEA)on the proliferation and apoptosis of sika deer antler chondrocytes,the chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro and treated with 50μmol/L ZEA for 24 h.Flow cytometry was used to assess cell proliferation,cell cycle,apoptosis,mitochondrial membrane potential,and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS).The expression changes of hypertrophic cartilage cell marker genes Col X,Runx2,Alpl,and apoptosis-related genes Casp-3,Bax,Bcl-2 were measured using quantitative PCR.Additionally,glutathione reductase(GR)activity and the levels of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde(MDA)were determined.The results showed that after 24 h of ZEA treatment,cell proliferation was sig-nificantly inhibited,with an increase in the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase and a decrease in the S phase.The expression levels of hypertrophic chondrocyte marker genes Col X,Runx2 and Al-pl were significantly increased.Apoptosis rate was significantly increased,with elevated expression of pro-apoptotic genes Casp-3,Bax and reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2.The content of MDA in the antler chondrocytes increased,ROS levels rose,and GR activity decreased.The mitochondrial membrane potential reduced.The results suggested that ZEA could inhibit the proliferation of antler chondrocytes and promote the apoptosis by regulating cellular oxidative stress responses and the expression of apoptosis-related genes.

Objective To explore the clinical value of complement 1q(C1q),mannose-binding lectin(MBL)and complement 5a(C5a)in the early diagnosis and disease monitoring of diabetic kidney disease(DKD),as well as their relationship with renal tubular injury.Methods A total of 232 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to the Endocrinology Department of Kailuan General Hospital from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected in this study.Patients were divided into the simple diabetes mellitus(SDM)group(n=50)and the DKD group(n=182)based on urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR)and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR).The DKD group was further divided into the low-risk diabetic nephropathy(LDKD)group(n=90),the moderate-risk diabetic nephropathy(MDKD)group(n=55)and the high-risk diabetic nephropathy(HDKD)group(n=37)according to the risk of chronic kidney disease progression.Forty healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as the healthy control group(NC group).The DKD group was divided into the Q1-Q4 groups based on the quartile levels of NAG/Ucr according to the severity of renal tubular injury from mild to severe.General biochemical indicators,as well as the levels of C1q,MBL and C5a in each group were detected.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between C1q,MBL,C5a and glomerular and tubular injury indexes.Multivariate ordinal Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of the progression risk of DKD and the degree of renal tubular injury.Results The levels of systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,triglycerides(TG),serum creatinine(Scr),uric acid(UA),UACR,NAG/Ucr,C1q,MBL and C5a were higher in the DKD group than those in the SDM group and the NC group.The levels of TC,LDL-C,ApoB and HbA1c were higher than those in the NC group,while the level of HDL-C was lower than that in the NC group.The levels of TC,LDL-C,HbA1c and NAG/Ucr were higher in the SDM group than those in the NC group,while the level of HDL-C was lower than that in the NC group(P＜0.05).Among different progression risk groups of DKD,the levels of C1q were higher in the HDKD group than those in the SDM group and the LDKD group.The levels of MBL and C5a were higher in the MDKD group than those in the SDM group and the LDKD group,and the level of MBL was higher in the LDKD group than that in the SDM group(P＜0.05).After grouping according to the quartile levels of NAG/Ucr,the levels of TC,ApoB,HbA1c,Scr,UACR,C1q and C5a were significantly higher in the Q4 group than those in the Q1 group.The levels of TC,ApoB,Scr,UACR,C1q and C5a were significantly higher than those in the Q2 group,and the levels of UACR and C5a were significantly higher than those in the Q3 group.The levels of HbA1c,Scr,UACR,C1q and C5a were significantly higher in the Q3 group than those in the Q1 group.The level of UACR was higher in the Q2 group than that in the Q1 group(all P＜0.05).The Spearman correlation analysis showed that C1q,MBL and C5a were positively correlated with UACR and NAG/Ucr,and negatively correlated with eGFR(all P＜0.05).The ordinal Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated levels of MBL,C5a,NAG/Ucr,Scr and systolic blood pressure were independent influencing factors of progression risk in DKD patients.Elevated levels of C5a,HbA1c and UACR were independent influencing factors of renal tubular injury in DKD patients.Conclusion C1q and C5a can be used to monitor middle and late DKD and tubular injury,and C5a is an independent risk factor for DKD progression and tubular injury.MBL can be used to screen for early DKD and is also an independent risk factor for its progression.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between antiretroviral drug efavirenz and anti-tuberculosis 1H3P3(isoniazid plus rifapentine)in people living with HIV.Methods HIV-positive individuals on efavirenz-containing(600 mg)antiretroviral therapy(ART)received 1H3P3 regimen containing rifapentine(450 mg)plus isoniazid(400 mg)3 times a week for 1 month.Efavirenz concentrations were measured at weeks 0,2,4,8.Rifapentine concentration was determined at weeks 2 and 4.HIV RNA load was determined at weeks 0 and 8.Treatment target was efavirenz concentration＞1 mg/L.The anti-TB prevention was considered acceptable if the target of efavirenz concentration was achieved in more than 80％of participants.The participants were followed up for 18 months to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.Results Thirty-one participants living with HIV were enrolled in the study.Two participants were excluded from PK analysis because his/her baseline efavirenz concentration＜1 mg/L,suggesting poor treatment adherence.Evaluable PK data were available for 29 participants,including 23(79.3％)males.The median[interquartile range(IQR)]age of the participants was 43.0(32.5,53.5)years.The median(IQR)efavirenz plasma concentration was 2.33(1.96,2.34)mg/L at week 0,2.32(1.90,3.28)mg/L at week 2,2.07(1.83,3.09)mg/L at week 4,and 2.71(2.14,3.33)mg/L at week 8.Efavirenz concentration did not show significant difference between the 4 time points(P＞0.05).Median(IQR)rifapentine concentration was 9.36(6.23,16.47)mg/L at week 2,and 9.36(6.41,15.56)mg/L at week 4.Rifapentine concentration did not show significant difference between week 2 and week 4(P＞0.05).Efavirenz concentrations was＞1 mg/L in all participants at weeks 2,4,and 8.Furthermore,efavirenz concentration was significantly higher in females and patients with body weight＜60 kg compared with males and those with body weight ≥60 kg(P＜0.05).None of the participants had symptoms or signs of active tuberculosis during 18-month follow-up.Conclusions Isoniazid plus rifapentine(1H3P3 regimen)did not have significant effect on the plasma concentrations of efavirenz.