Objective:To design a novel model for experiments on in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds using a treatment planning system (TPS) and 3D printing technology and to preliminarily validate the design scientific rigor of the model via experiments on isodose brachytherapy (BT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) on glioma cells in mice. Methods:The TPS was employed to design the model′s shape and calculate the number and positions of radioactive seeds, and 3D printing technology was utilized to fabricate the experimental model. The GL261 cell line was selected for in vitro irradiation experiments, with the mice divided into the control, EBRT, and BT groups. Mice in the EBRT and BT groups were treated with EBRT and BT, respectively, at doses of 2, 4, and 6 Gy. Then, changes in their cell viability, proliferation, and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed. Results:The model for in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds was successfully designed and fabricated. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) verified a uniform radioactive distribution within the model, with no significant cold spots. The BT and EBRT groups displayed decreased cell viability with an increase in the radiation dose. Compared to the EBRT group, the BT group exhibited significantly reduced cell viability (51.33% vs. 22.00%, t = 10.94, P < 0.05) and clone counts (172.67 ± 13.11 vs. 53.67 ± 10.22, t = 8.73, P < 0.05), but a significantly increased level of ROS (102.52 ± 6.87 vs. 144.81 ± 6.01, t = -5.26, P < 0.05) at a dose of 6 Gy. Conclusions:An effective model of in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds is designed based on TPS and 3D printing technology. This provides an experimental model tool and target for research on the BT and EBRT mechanisms.

Objective·To evaluate the relationships between disc-condyle distance and anterior disc displacement,as well as between disc-condyle distance and disc morphology,in patients with temporomandibular disorders(TMD)using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the temporomandibular joint(TMJ).Methods·From September 2023 to March 2024,90 patients(180 TMJs)who visited the TMJ clinic of Department of Stomatology,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University,with clinical symptoms of TMD and were diagnosed via MRI with either anterior disc displacement or no significant displacement,were included.Clinical data were collected,and MRI images were used to measure the angle of disc displacement,disc-condyle distance,disc length,and thickness.The degree of disc deformation was assessed.The relationships between clinical symptoms and anterior disc displacement,between anterior disc displacement and both disc morphology and disc-condyle distance,and between disc-condyle distance and disc morphology were analyzed.Results·Among the 90 patients,there were 16 males and 74 females,with a mean age of(28.1±14.5)years.Among the 180 TMJs,175 had clinical symptoms and 5 were asymptomatic.There were 40 joints with no displacement,78 with reducible anterior disc displacement,and 62 with irreducible anterior disc displacement.In the joints with irreducible anterior disc displacement,the proportion of those with two or more symptoms was slightly higher at 62.9%,but the difference was not statistically significant compared with the joints with no displacement or reducible anterior disc displacement.MRI assessment revealed that in the joints with irreducible anterior disc displacement,the proportion of disc deformation type Ⅲ or higher was significantly higher compared with the non-displaced joints(P<0.001).The disc length was significantly shorter(P<0.001),and the intermediate zone thickness was significantly greater(P<0.001)compared with the non-displaced joints.The disc displacement angles at centric closure and maximum opening were also significantly larger(P<0.001).The disc-condyle distance was 3.10(2.70,3.70)mm for non-displaced joints,3.40(3.00,4.00)mm for joints with reducible anterior disc displacement,and 6.60(4.78,7.90)mm for joints with irreducible anterior disc displacement,with significant differences(P<0.001).The disc-condyle distance was 3.10(2.80,3.60)mm for type Ⅰ discs,3.70(3.10,4.60)mm for type Ⅱ discs,5.10(4.00,7.30)mm for type Ⅲ discs,and 6.80(4.98,8.20)mm for type Ⅳ/Ⅴ discs,with significant differences(P<0.001).The disc-condyle distance was negatively correlated with disc length(rs=-0.469,P<0.001),positively correlated with intermediate zone thickness(rs=0.319,P<0.001),and positively correlated with disc displacement angle at centric closure(rs=0.626,P<0.001).Conclusion·With increasing severity of disc deformation,intermediate zone thickness,and disc displacement angle at centric closure,as well as decreasing disc length,the disc-condyle distance increases.The disc-condyle distance is an important indicator for MRI assessment of pathological changes in TMD.

Objective:To design a novel model for experiments on in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds using a treatment planning system (TPS) and 3D printing technology and to preliminarily validate the design scientific rigor of the model via experiments on isodose brachytherapy (BT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) on glioma cells in mice. Methods:The TPS was employed to design the model′s shape and calculate the number and positions of radioactive seeds, and 3D printing technology was utilized to fabricate the experimental model. The GL261 cell line was selected for in vitro irradiation experiments, with the mice divided into the control, EBRT, and BT groups. Mice in the EBRT and BT groups were treated with EBRT and BT, respectively, at doses of 2, 4, and 6 Gy. Then, changes in their cell viability, proliferation, and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed. Results:The model for in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds was successfully designed and fabricated. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) verified a uniform radioactive distribution within the model, with no significant cold spots. The BT and EBRT groups displayed decreased cell viability with an increase in the radiation dose. Compared to the EBRT group, the BT group exhibited significantly reduced cell viability (51.33% vs. 22.00%, t = 10.94, P < 0.05) and clone counts (172.67 ± 13.11 vs. 53.67 ± 10.22, t = 8.73, P < 0.05), but a significantly increased level of ROS (102.52 ± 6.87 vs. 144.81 ± 6.01, t = -5.26, P < 0.05) at a dose of 6 Gy. Conclusions:An effective model of in vitro irradiation with radioactive seeds is designed based on TPS and 3D printing technology. This provides an experimental model tool and target for research on the BT and EBRT mechanisms.

Objective·To evaluate the relationships between disc-condyle distance and anterior disc displacement,as well as between disc-condyle distance and disc morphology,in patients with temporomandibular disorders(TMD)using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the temporomandibular joint(TMJ).Methods·From September 2023 to March 2024,90 patients(180 TMJs)who visited the TMJ clinic of Department of Stomatology,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University,with clinical symptoms of TMD and were diagnosed via MRI with either anterior disc displacement or no significant displacement,were included.Clinical data were collected,and MRI images were used to measure the angle of disc displacement,disc-condyle distance,disc length,and thickness.The degree of disc deformation was assessed.The relationships between clinical symptoms and anterior disc displacement,between anterior disc displacement and both disc morphology and disc-condyle distance,and between disc-condyle distance and disc morphology were analyzed.Results·Among the 90 patients,there were 16 males and 74 females,with a mean age of(28.1±14.5)years.Among the 180 TMJs,175 had clinical symptoms and 5 were asymptomatic.There were 40 joints with no displacement,78 with reducible anterior disc displacement,and 62 with irreducible anterior disc displacement.In the joints with irreducible anterior disc displacement,the proportion of those with two or more symptoms was slightly higher at 62.9%,but the difference was not statistically significant compared with the joints with no displacement or reducible anterior disc displacement.MRI assessment revealed that in the joints with irreducible anterior disc displacement,the proportion of disc deformation type Ⅲ or higher was significantly higher compared with the non-displaced joints(P<0.001).The disc length was significantly shorter(P<0.001),and the intermediate zone thickness was significantly greater(P<0.001)compared with the non-displaced joints.The disc displacement angles at centric closure and maximum opening were also significantly larger(P<0.001).The disc-condyle distance was 3.10(2.70,3.70)mm for non-displaced joints,3.40(3.00,4.00)mm for joints with reducible anterior disc displacement,and 6.60(4.78,7.90)mm for joints with irreducible anterior disc displacement,with significant differences(P<0.001).The disc-condyle distance was 3.10(2.80,3.60)mm for type Ⅰ discs,3.70(3.10,4.60)mm for type Ⅱ discs,5.10(4.00,7.30)mm for type Ⅲ discs,and 6.80(4.98,8.20)mm for type Ⅳ/Ⅴ discs,with significant differences(P<0.001).The disc-condyle distance was negatively correlated with disc length(rs=-0.469,P<0.001),positively correlated with intermediate zone thickness(rs=0.319,P<0.001),and positively correlated with disc displacement angle at centric closure(rs=0.626,P<0.001).Conclusion·With increasing severity of disc deformation,intermediate zone thickness,and disc displacement angle at centric closure,as well as decreasing disc length,the disc-condyle distance increases.The disc-condyle distance is an important indicator for MRI assessment of pathological changes in TMD.

BACKGROUND:With the innovation of examination technique,the number of patients with spinal metastases in different stages is increasing year by year.Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an important treatment for spinal metastases;however,there is no report on the biomechanical effect in different stages and different activities after operation. OBJECTIVE:To simulate thoracic T10 bone stress and displacement of the different locations of the tumor metastasis based on the three-dimensional finite element model. METHODS:According to thoracic three-dimensional CT images of a 30-year-old healthy male,Mimics software was used to construct a three-dimensional geometric model of thoracic vertebrae(T9-T11),including ribs,ligaments and intervertebral discs.Three-dimensional models of T9-T11 vertebral bodies and different parts of the posterior thoracic vertebrae invaded by thoracic metastatic tumors were simulated,including the control group with intact vertebral structure,unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body area(experimental group 1),unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body and pedicle area(experimental group 2),unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body,pedicle and transverse process area(experimental group 3),and bilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body,pedicle and transverse process area(experimental group 4).Abaqus software was used to create a three-dimensional finite element model.The von Mises stress distribution and the displacement of the model were analyzed under the loading condition,buckling condition,extension condition,and rotation condition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the study of the maximum total displacement of loading points in different experimental groups under loading,flexion,extension,and rotation conditions,with the increase of metastatic tumor invasion site and invasion surface,the total displacement of loading points increased,and the overall stiffness decreased,especially the total displacement of loading points in experimental group 4 was the largest.(2)Under flexion condition,the maximum Von Mises stress value increased significantly after vertebral body and pedicle destruction,while the maximum Von Mises stress value was almost unchanged when the thoracocostal joint destruction was added.(3)On the basis of finite element analysis and simulation of bone tumor model,the elements in the bone cement region were set as a single set,and the bone cement region was set as the corresponding material properties to simulate bone cement filling.The results showed that the maximum total displacement under loading,flexion,extension,and rotation conditions was less than that of each experimental group.(4)The maximum stress values of the simulated percutaneous vertebroplasty patients in the loading,flexion,extension and rotation conditions were significantly lower than those of the femoral model.(5)It is concluded that the three-dimensional finite element model based on thoracic T9-T11 conducive to the biomechanics characteristics of thoracic vertebrae tumor metastasis,and on the basis of the thoracic vertebrae tumor metastasis model can accurately simulate load point after percutaneous vertebral body under different conditions of total displacement and the maximum Von Mises stress situation.

Objective To understand the levels and trends of personal doses of occupational external exposure among radiation workers in medical institutions in Huizhou City and to improve radiation protection management. Methods Thermoluminescent dosimetry was employed to monitor the personal doses of occupational external exposure of radiation workers over monitoring cycles spanning three months each. Results From 2019 to 2023, a total of 25 796 monitoring instances were recorded for radiation workers in medical institutions in Huizhou City. Diagnostic radiology workers accounted for the largest proportion of workforce in the occupational categories, followed by interventional radiology workers. The average annual effective dose per person ranged from 0.21 to 0.30 mSv, with an average of 0.26 mSv. The majority of annual effective dose per person was below 1.0 mSv, with no instances exceeding 20 mSv. Among all occupational categories, nuclear medicine workers had the highest average annual effective dose per person at 0.43 mSv, followed by interventional radiology workers at 0.37 mSv. There was a significant difference in the average annual effective dose per person among different occupational categories (P < 0.05), with nuclear medicine and interventional radiology workers having higher doses than workers in diagnostic radiology, dental radiology, and other applications (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The personal dose monitoring results for radiation workers in medical institutions in Huizhou City are at low levels, indicating that the radiation protection in the local medical institutions is sufficient and can effectively protect the occupational health of radiation workers.

21-hydroxylase deficiency(21-OHD) is mainly characterized by cortisol deficiency with or without aldosterone deficiency and hyperandrogenemia.The disease requires lifelong exogenous glucocorticoid/salt supplementation.Excessive doses of exogenous glucocorticoids are often needed to control hyperandrogenemia, but the effect is not satisfactory.Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) type 1 receptor antagonist can directly block the production of adrenocorticotropin, inhibit the generation of adrenogenic androgen, reduce the dose of glucocorticoid therapy, and thus lower the incidence of adverse reactions.In this article, the current research progress on 21-OHD therapy and CRF1 receptor antagonist was reviewed.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage after implanting 125-iodine seeds for brain tumors.Methods:A total of 234 patients with intracranial tumors receiving treatment of 125-iodine seeds from March, 2013 to November, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into bleeding group and non-bleeding group according to whether postoperative intracranial hemorrhage was reported. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression to determine the independent risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage.Result:A total of 22 cases (9.4%) reported postoperative intracranial hemorrhage in 234 patients treated with 125-iodine seeds. Univariate analysis showed that the type of tumor and the history of anti-angiogenic drug within one month were possible risk factors ( P<0.1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that anti-angiogenic drug within one month was the independent risk factor for intracranial hemorrhage ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of anti-angiogenic drugs within one month is the independent risk factor of intracranial hemorrhage with 125-iodine seeds for the treatment of brain tumors.

BACKGROUND: Tumor microenvironment is a complex and dynamic community, which plays a crucial role in tumor progression via the co-evolution of cancer cells and tumor stroma. Among them, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor neo-vessels are two key components in the tumor microenvironment during cancer invasion. In addition, programmed cell death ligand 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) also plays an important role in tumorigenesis and development, and the clinical strategies to block PD-1/PD-L1 pathway could have great benefits for cancer patients. This study was aimed at analyzing the quantitative expression and prognostic significance of TAMs, tumor neo-vessels and PD-L1 in tumor microenvironment and exploring the relations between the expression of above components with the patients' prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Clinico-pathological data and surgical specimens of 92 patients with NSCLC were collected, and immunohistochemistry was used to stain the expression of TAMs, tumor neo-vessels and PD-L1 on tumor tissue and peri-tumor tissues. The inverted microscopy was used to take pictures and Image-pro Plus 6.0 software was used for quantitative analysis. The clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: The median OS of 92 NSCLC cases was 22.5 month. The expression of TAMs, tumor neo-vessels and PD-L1 in tumor tissue and peri-tumor tissues were not statistically significant (P>0.05). According to the cutoff of above key three components in tumor microenvironment, all the cases could be classified into high, middle and low expression groups. The survival analysis demonstrated that the OS in high expression group of TAMs (P=0.016) and PD-L1 (P=0.002) was shorter than the other two groups, respectively, with statistical significance. The OS in high tumor neo vessels group was shorter than the other two groups. However, there was no statistical significance between these three group (P=0.626). Combined with above the three components, all the cases could be classified into low, middle and high density groups. The survival analysis demonstrated that the median OS of combined high density group was shorter than the other two groups (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis by Cox regression indicated that pathological type, TAMs and PD-L1 expression were the independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS The key components of TAMs and PD-L1 in tumor microenvironment are closely related to the prognosis of NSCLC patients.

Objective To study the relationships of TGFβ1 (-509C/ T, +869T/ C) and TGFβR2 (-875 G/ A) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Chinese Han popu-lation in Shandong. Methods TGFβ1 -509C/ T and +869T/ C SNPs in a total of 490 patients with CRC were detected using gene chip. TGFβR2 -875 SNPs was analyzed using PCR-RFLP. TGFβ1 concentrations in serum samples were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TGFβR2. The relationships of TGFβ1 (-509C/ T, +869T/ C) and TGFβR2 (-875 G/ A) SNPs with CRC were analyzed through a case-control study. Chi-square test or t test was used for statistical analysis. Rela-tive risk was estimated by odds ratio (OR) and 95％ confidence interval (95％ CI). Results No signifi-cant difference in genotype or allele frequency at TGFβ1 -509 / +869 was found between patients with CRC and healthy subjects (P>0. 05). The frequencies of TGFβR2 -875GG genotype and -875G allele in pa-tients with CRC were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (-875GG: χ2 = 4. 65, P = 0. 031, OR=1. 32, 95％ CI=1. 03-1. 71; -875G: χ2 =4. 95, P=0. 026, OR=1. 29, 95％ CI=1. 03-1. 61). Com-pare with the healthy control group, higher frequencies of TGFβR2 -875GG genotype and -875G allele were also detected in rectal cancer ( -875GG: P = 0. 04, OR = 1. 39, 95％ CI = 1. 02-1. 95 and -875G: P =0. 045, OR=1. 32, 95％ CI = 1. 01-1. 73), tubular adenocarcinoma ( -875GG: P = 0. 004, OR = 1. 51, 95％ CI=1. 14-2. 00 and -875G: P=0. 003, OR=1. 45, 95％ CI=1. 14-1. 85) and highly differentiated tu-bular adenocarcinoma (-875GG: P=0. 003, OR=1. 68, 95％ CI=1. 19-2. 38 and -875G: P=0. 002, OR=1. 62, 95％ CI=1. 18-2. 21) groups. The serum TGFβ1 levels in TGFβR2 -875G carriers with CRC were significantly higher than those in TGFβR2 -875AA carriers in both CRC (t= -3. 42, P<0. 05) and healthy control (t= -5. 09, P<0. 001) groups. TGFβR2 expression in -875G carriers with rectal cancer was signifi-cantly lower than that in -875AA carriers with rectal cancer (P=0. 047) and healthy subjects (P=0. 027).Conclusion TGFβR2 -875GG might be a potential risk factor for CRC in Chinese Han population in Shandong and TGFβR2 - 875G might be a risk factor for rectal cancer and highly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma.