BACKGROUND:Maxillofacial bone three-dimensional(3D)printing technology has been widely used in clinical diagnosis and treatment,but the data source before performing maxillofacial bone 3D printing mainly comes from the CT scanning data.The lens,thyroid and other parts of the human body are extremely sensitive to X-rays;therefore,it is particularly important to effectively reduce the dose of CT radiation when acquiring the data source.OBJECTIVE:To explore the feasibility of low-dose CT technology in optimizing radiation dose for maxillofacial bone 3D printing.METHODS:The medical records of 65 patients who underwent maxillofacial bone 3D printing in the Department of Stomatology at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from March 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected and categorized into a conventional CT-dose 3D printing group(conventional CT-dose,120 kVp,automated tube current modulation,n=32)and a low-CT-dose 3D printing group(low-CT-dose group,80 kVp,automated tube current modulation,n=33).The effective dose of radiation was calculated and compared between the two groups.A Likert scale was used to evaluate the quality of 3D printing in the two groups,and the measurement bias and consistency between evaluators were measured using the Bland-Altman method.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant difference in the general demographic characteristics(age,height,weight,body mass,sex,and body mass index)between the two groups(all P＞0.05).(2)The effective dose value of the low CT-dose 3D printing group was(0.3±0.1)mSv,which was about 62.5％lower than that in the conventional CT-dose 3D printing group[(0.8±0.1)mSv].(3)There was no significant difference in the subjective scoring of 3D printing quality between the two groups(all P＞0.05).The subjective consistency among evaluators was good,with Kappa values of 0.85,0.80,and 0.76.The scatter points in the Bland-Altman for both protocols were uniformly distributed within the standard deviation line,indicating good consistency between the two groups.To conclude,low-dose CT technology can be effectively applied in maxillofacial bone 3D printing,reducing radiation dose without affecting the quality of 3D printing.

BACKGROUND:Maxillofacial bone three-dimensional(3D)printing technology has been widely used in clinical diagnosis and treatment,but the data source before performing maxillofacial bone 3D printing mainly comes from the CT scanning data.The lens,thyroid and other parts of the human body are extremely sensitive to X-rays;therefore,it is particularly important to effectively reduce the dose of CT radiation when acquiring the data source.OBJECTIVE:To explore the feasibility of low-dose CT technology in optimizing radiation dose for maxillofacial bone 3D printing.METHODS:The medical records of 65 patients who underwent maxillofacial bone 3D printing in the Department of Stomatology at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from March 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected and categorized into a conventional CT-dose 3D printing group(conventional CT-dose,120 kVp,automated tube current modulation,n=32)and a low-CT-dose 3D printing group(low-CT-dose group,80 kVp,automated tube current modulation,n=33).The effective dose of radiation was calculated and compared between the two groups.A Likert scale was used to evaluate the quality of 3D printing in the two groups,and the measurement bias and consistency between evaluators were measured using the Bland-Altman method.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant difference in the general demographic characteristics(age,height,weight,body mass,sex,and body mass index)between the two groups(all P＞0.05).(2)The effective dose value of the low CT-dose 3D printing group was(0.3±0.1)mSv,which was about 62.5％lower than that in the conventional CT-dose 3D printing group[(0.8±0.1)mSv].(3)There was no significant difference in the subjective scoring of 3D printing quality between the two groups(all P＞0.05).The subjective consistency among evaluators was good,with Kappa values of 0.85,0.80,and 0.76.The scatter points in the Bland-Altman for both protocols were uniformly distributed within the standard deviation line,indicating good consistency between the two groups.To conclude,low-dose CT technology can be effectively applied in maxillofacial bone 3D printing,reducing radiation dose without affecting the quality of 3D printing.

Objective:Varicocele(VC)induces male infertility by mediating changes in the testicular microenvironment,in which testicular hypoxia and high-pressure are important pathological conditions.This study aims to compare the mouse spermatogenesis(GC-2spd)cells and Sertoli(TM4)cells of mouse testis after hypoxic modeling and hypoxic and high-pressure combined modeling,and to explore the feasibility of establishing a hypoxic and high-pressure combined cell model.Methods:On the basis of cell hypoxia induced by CoCl2,the complex model of testicular cell hypoxia and high pressure was constructed by changing the osmotic pressure of GC-2 and TM4 cell medium with a high concentration of NaCl solution.After selecting the intervention concentration of CoCl2 by MTT test and detecting the expression level of HIF-1α for the determination of the optimal osmotic pressure conditions of the cell model,the cells were divided into normal group,hypoxia model group and composite model group.And the levels of OS,programmed cell death,inflammatory factors,and the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins were compared between the normal group and the groups with different modeling methods.Results:The optimal intervention concentration of CoCl2 in GC-2 and TM4 cells was 150 and 250μmol/L,respectively,and the expression of HIF-1α was the highest in both cells under osmotic pressure of 500 mOsmol/kg(P＜0.05).Compared with the normal group,the SOD levels of GC-2 and TM4 cells decreased(all P＜0.05),CAT level decreased(all P＜0.05),and MDA level increased(all P＜0.01),and the OS level of GC-2 and TM4 cells was more obvious than that of the hy-poxia model group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the normal group,apoptosis occurred in GC-2 and TM4 cells after composite model-ing(all P＜0.05).Compared with the normal group,the mRNA expressions of IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α and COX-2 in GC-2 and TM4 cells significantly increased(P＜0.01)and higher than those in hypoxia model group(P＜0.05)and induced pyroptosis(P＜0.01).The expression level of GSDMD increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The cell model with hypoxia and high pressure com-bined modeling can not only induce oxidative stress and apoptosis of cells better than that with hypoxia alone,but also further cause in-flammatory response damage and pyroptosis,which simulates the changes of testis microenvironment mediated by hypoxia and high pressure combined conditions in VC.This cell model can be used for studying the pathogenesis of VC-associated male infertility,evalu-ating drug efficacy,and exploring pharmacological mechanisms.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction combined with chemotherapy on disease-free survival rate and disease-free survival(DFS)of patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ postoperative gastric cancer.Methods Totally 102 patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ postoperative gastric cancer treated by Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were selected.The patients were divided into control group(52 cases)and test group(50 cases)with block random method.The control group received conventional postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for 4-6 cycles.The test group was treated with Chinese materia medica for 6 months on the basis of chemotherapy.Continue follow-up until the patients had recurrence,metastasis or death.DFS was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method,and the average DFS of the two groups was estimated.Log Rank test was used to test the significance of differences in survival distribution between groups.Univariate and multivariate analyses of variables affecting prognosis were conducted using the Cox regression model.Adverse reactions of both groups were monitored.Results The recurrence and metastasis rate of the test group was 12.0%(6/50),while that of the control group was 34.6%(18/52),which was lower in the test group than in the control group(P<0.05).The 1-year and 2-year DFS rates and DFS of the control group were 86.5%,72.2%and 25.8 months respectively,while those of the test group were 95.6%,84.1%and 33.9 months respectively,with statistical significance(P=0.012).Cox-regression analysis suggested:The independent factors influencing the disease-free survival time of patients with gastric cancer were the test group(P=0.022),surgical methods of subtotal gastrectomy(P=0.038)and clinical stages Ⅱ(P=0.040).No adverse reactions related to Chinese materia medica were reported in the two groups.Conclusion Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction combined with chemotherapy can improve the 1-year and 2-year DFS rate,prolong DFS,reduce the recurrence and metastasis rate,and improve the prognosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the elderly population in rural areas of Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, and to provide an evidence for the development of LTBI prevention and control measures. MethodsBetween January and May 2024, elderly individuals participating in urban and rural residents’ health checkups were screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using a domestically produced interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) kit. Individuals tested positive by IGRA but without active tuberculosis were classified as LTBI cases. The prevalence of LTBI among the participants was subsequently analyzed. ResultsAmong the 6 765 subjects, 637 tested positive by IGRA, including one identified active tuberculosis patient, resulting in a LTBI prevalence rate of 9.40%. There was a statistically significant difference in positivity rates across different IGRA methodologies (χ²=35.530, P<0.001). Higher LTBI rate was observed in males, individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus, and those with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, exhibiting statistically significant differences (χ²=32.401, P<0.001; χ²=5.789, P=0.020; χ²=39.248, P<0.001, respectively.) No statistically significant difference in LTBI rate was found across different age groups (χ²=0.238, P=0.971). ConclusionThe prevalence of LTBI among the elderly rural residents in Changxing County is relatively low. Male, individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus, and those with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis have an increased risk of LTBI, warranting targeted risk monitoring and timely interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation versus intravenous monotherapy for pulmonary infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of 10 tertiary class-A hospitals in Henan Province between July 2021 and May 2023, who received colistin sulfate for CRO pulmonary infections. Data included baseline characteristics, inflammatory markers [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP)], renal function indicators [serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], life support measures, anti-infection regimens, clinical efficacy, microbiological clearance rate, and prognostic outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups: intravenous group (colistin sulfate monotherapy via intravenous infusion) and combination group ((intravenous infusion combined with nebulized inhalation of colistin sulfate). Changes in parameters before and after treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with CRO pulmonary infections were enrolled, including 89 in the intravenous group and 48 in the combination group. Baseline characteristics, life support measures, daily colistin dose, and combination regimens (most commonly colistin sulfate plus carbapenems in both groups) showed no significant differences between two groups. The combination group exhibited higher clinical efficacy [77.1% (37/48) vs. 59.6% (52/89)] and microbiological clearance rate [60.4% (29/48) vs. 39.3% (35/89)], both P < 0.05. Pre-treatment inflammatory and renal parameters showed no significant differences between two groups. Post-treatment, the combination group showed significantly lower WBC and CRP [WBC (×10⁹/L): 8.2±0.5 vs. 10.9±0.6, CRP (mg/L): 14.0 (5.7, 26.6) vs. 52.1 (24.4, 109.6), both P < 0.05], whereas NEU, PCT, SCr, and BUN levels showed no significant between two groups. ICU length of stay was shorter in the combination group [days: 16 (10, 25) vs. 21 (14, 29), P < 0.05], although mechanical ventilation duration and total hospitalization showed no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation improved clinical efficacy and microbiological clearance in CRO pulmonary infections with an acceptable safety profile.
Humans ; Colistin/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Inhalation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carbapenems/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects* ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy*

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

To develop a method for determining the antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP) activity of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC) based on the reporter gene assay, we established an ADCP activity assay with Jurkat/NFAT/FcγRIIa cells as the effector cells and BT474 as the target cells. Then, the target cell density, the ratio of effector to target cells, the target cell adhesion time, the incubation time for drug administration, and the induction time after adding effector cells were optimized by the method of design of experiment (DOE). The method showed a significant dose-response relationship, which was complied with the four-parameter equation: y=(A-D)/[1+(x/C)^B]+D. The durability ranges of the target cell density, the ratio of effector to target cells, the target cell adhesion time, the incubation time for drug administration, and the induction time after adding effector cells were (2.5-4.0)×10⁵ cells/mL, 3-5, 1.0-2.0 h, 0 h, and 5.0-6.0 h, respectively. The results of the methodological validation showed that the linear equation was y=1.106 8x-0.011 6, r=0.969 2. The established method showed the relative accuracy ranging from -6.59% to 2.98% and the geometric coefficient of variation less than 11% in the intermediate precision test. Furthermore, the method was target-specific. The method was then applied to the determination of ADCP activity of HER2-targeted ADC, demonstrating the result of (103.5±5.7)%. We developed a reporter gene assay for determining the ADCP activity of HER2-targeted ADC and the assay demonstrated high accuracy and good reproducibility, which proposes a highly efficient and approache for evaluating ADCP effect of this HER2-targeted ADC, and also provides a referable technique for characterizing the Fc effector functions of ADCs with diverse targets.
Humans ; Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology* ; Phagocytosis/drug effects* ; Immunoconjugates/immunology* ; Genes, Reporter ; Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity ; Jurkat Cells

A method for simultaneous determination of 21 kinds of Aconitum alkaloids(ATS)in biological specimens and infused liquor using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)was developed.The biological samples were pretreated with methanol-acetonitrile(1∶2,V/V)for protein precipitation,while infused liquors were diluted 100-fold with acetonitrile,followed by centrifugation,and filtration by a 0.22-μm membrane.Chromatographic separation was carried out on an EC-C18 column using gradient elution with the mixture of 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.2%formic acid as mobile phase A and acetonitrile as mobile phase B.With this method,all the analytes were separated within 9.5 min.The samples were detected in positive ESI mode with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)and quantified via external standard calibration.The results showed that the concentrations of the analytes in the range of 2-1000 ng/mL had excellent linearity(R2>0.9992)with the peak area.The developed method was successfully used for detection of 21 kinds of aconitum alkaloids,with limits of detection of 0.5-2 ng/mL,quantification limits of 2-6 ng/mL,intra/inter-day precision≤6.0%,spiked recoveries of 89.4%-100.9%,extraction recoveries of 74.2%-104.4%,and matrix effects ranging from-11.1%to 9.2%in blood/urine.The method was applied to detection of 12 samples from 4 fatal aconite poisoning cases,and all 21 kinds of ATS with total alkaloid concentrations of 0.04-4.18 μg/mL in blood and 154.96-422.83 μg/mL in medicinal liquors were detected.Tissue distribution revealed that the order of concentrations from highest to lowest is as follows:urine(157.22 μg/mL)>gastric contents(51.37 μg/mL)>kidney(21.6 μg/g)>whole blood(4.18 μg/mL)>liver(0.03 μg/g).This method showed many advantages such as simple pretreatment,low detection limits,accurate quantification,broad analyte coverage,and superior anti-interference capability in complex matrices,proving ideal for forensic and toxicological analysis of aconitum alkaloids.