Objectives:This study aims to investigate the expression changes of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel and inflammatory factors in the peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia, and to evaluate their potential value for diagnostic prediction.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from September 2023 to June 2024. A total of 35 patients with schizophrenia (patient group) from the outpatient/inpatient departments and 35 age-and sex-matched healthy individuals (control group) were recruited. Psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), respectively. The between-group comparisons of the total scores of these two instruments were calculated using independent samples t-tests. Fasting peripheral blood samples were collected from all participants. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated for subsequent analysis. TRPV1 protein expression was quantified by Western blotting, while inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The between-group differences in TRPV1 and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for age and sex. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine relationships between continuous variables, controlling for years of education, age, and sex. The diagnostic performance of TRPV1 and inflammatory cytokines for schizophrenia was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results:Significant between-group differences were observed in BACS total and subscale scores ( t=2.57-9.72, all P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the patient group exhibits significantly decreased expression of TRPV1, IL-4, and IL-10 ( t=6.78, 2.75, 2.53, all P<0.01), increased expression of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6 ( t=4.08, 2.64, 2.63, all P<0.01), and an increased IL-6/IL-10 ratio ( t=3.18, P<0.01). Correlation analyses revealed that in the patient group, the TRPV1 expression level was negatively correlated with levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and positively correlated with levels of IL-4 and IL-10 ( r=-0.589, -0.234, 0.341, 0.293, all P<0.05). In the patient group, the TRPV1 expression level was negatively correlated with the negative symptom score of PANSS ( r=-0.299, P<0.05), and the IL-6 level was positively correlated with the negative symptom score, the general pathology score, and the total score of PANSS ( r=0.387, 0.356, 0.321, all P<0.05). The TRPV1 level was positively correlated with the total score of BACS in both the control group and the patient group ( r=0.144, 0.828, all P<0.01). The IL-6/IL-10 ratio was positively correlated with the total score of PANSS and negatively correlated with the total score of BACS in the patient group ( r=0.623, -0.333, all P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve for the combination of TRPV1 level and IL-6/IL-10 ratio was 0.98 (95% confidence interval=0.96 to 1.00). Conclusions:Patients with schizophrenia exhibit reduced expression levels of TRPV1 along with an imbalanced inflammatory response. The combined assessment of TRPV1 level and IL-6/IL-10 ratio has demonstrated a high predictive and diagnostic value for schizophrenia.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the expression changes of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel and inflammatory factors in the peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia, and to evaluate their potential value for diagnostic prediction.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from September 2023 to June 2024. A total of 35 patients with schizophrenia (patient group) from the outpatient/inpatient departments and 35 age-and sex-matched healthy individuals (control group) were recruited. Psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), respectively. The between-group comparisons of the total scores of these two instruments were calculated using independent samples t-tests. Fasting peripheral blood samples were collected from all participants. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated for subsequent analysis. TRPV1 protein expression was quantified by Western blotting, while inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The between-group differences in TRPV1 and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for age and sex. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine relationships between continuous variables, controlling for years of education, age, and sex. The diagnostic performance of TRPV1 and inflammatory cytokines for schizophrenia was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results:Significant between-group differences were observed in BACS total and subscale scores ( t=2.57-9.72, all P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the patient group exhibits significantly decreased expression of TRPV1, IL-4, and IL-10 ( t=6.78, 2.75, 2.53, all P<0.01), increased expression of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6 ( t=4.08, 2.64, 2.63, all P<0.01), and an increased IL-6/IL-10 ratio ( t=3.18, P<0.01). Correlation analyses revealed that in the patient group, the TRPV1 expression level was negatively correlated with levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and positively correlated with levels of IL-4 and IL-10 ( r=-0.589, -0.234, 0.341, 0.293, all P<0.05). In the patient group, the TRPV1 expression level was negatively correlated with the negative symptom score of PANSS ( r=-0.299, P<0.05), and the IL-6 level was positively correlated with the negative symptom score, the general pathology score, and the total score of PANSS ( r=0.387, 0.356, 0.321, all P<0.05). The TRPV1 level was positively correlated with the total score of BACS in both the control group and the patient group ( r=0.144, 0.828, all P<0.01). The IL-6/IL-10 ratio was positively correlated with the total score of PANSS and negatively correlated with the total score of BACS in the patient group ( r=0.623, -0.333, all P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve for the combination of TRPV1 level and IL-6/IL-10 ratio was 0.98 (95% confidence interval=0.96 to 1.00). Conclusions:Patients with schizophrenia exhibit reduced expression levels of TRPV1 along with an imbalanced inflammatory response. The combined assessment of TRPV1 level and IL-6/IL-10 ratio has demonstrated a high predictive and diagnostic value for schizophrenia.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of autosegmentation and reconstruction of interstitial needles in intracavitary / interstitial brachytherapy (IC-ISBT) for cervical cancer based on deep learning.Methods:The data of 180 treatment plans from 98 patients who received IC-ISBT were retrospectively collected and divided into the training, validation, and testing sets in a 16:1:1 ratio. Masks of needles were created using the dwell positions of radiation sources, and a 3D U-Net model was trained. The performance of the model was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Absolute and relative accuracy rates were used to assess the results of this method, and the position bias was used to evaluate the precision of predictions in the transversal plan of CT scans. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed to evaluate the reconstruction efficiency by comparing the time required for automated versus manual reconstruction.Results:DSC of the model was 0.93 ± 0.02. The absolute and relative accuracy rates were 0.44 ± 0.09 and 0.95 ± 0.03, respectively. The distance deviation on the CT horizontal plane was (0.58 ± 0.54) mm. The average time of autosegmentation and reconstruction was (6.2 ± 0.4) s, leading to a significant reduction in time consumption compared with manual construction ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Based on deep learning, using the dwell positions of radiation sources for data annotation, combined with post-processing algorithms, accurate automated segmentation and digital reconstruction of needles in IC-ISBT three-dimensional CT images can be achieved, significantly improving reconstruction efficiency.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of autosegmentation and reconstruction of interstitial needles in intracavitary / interstitial brachytherapy (IC-ISBT) for cervical cancer based on deep learning.Methods:The data of 180 treatment plans from 98 patients who received IC-ISBT were retrospectively collected and divided into the training, validation, and testing sets in a 16:1:1 ratio. Masks of needles were created using the dwell positions of radiation sources, and a 3D U-Net model was trained. The performance of the model was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Absolute and relative accuracy rates were used to assess the results of this method, and the position bias was used to evaluate the precision of predictions in the transversal plan of CT scans. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed to evaluate the reconstruction efficiency by comparing the time required for automated versus manual reconstruction.Results:DSC of the model was 0.93 ± 0.02. The absolute and relative accuracy rates were 0.44 ± 0.09 and 0.95 ± 0.03, respectively. The distance deviation on the CT horizontal plane was (0.58 ± 0.54) mm. The average time of autosegmentation and reconstruction was (6.2 ± 0.4) s, leading to a significant reduction in time consumption compared with manual construction ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Based on deep learning, using the dwell positions of radiation sources for data annotation, combined with post-processing algorithms, accurate automated segmentation and digital reconstruction of needles in IC-ISBT three-dimensional CT images can be achieved, significantly improving reconstruction efficiency.

Objective:To explore the application and teaching effect of artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition education system in standardized training on ultrasound-guided nerve block technique for novice anesthesiology residents.Methods:Forty residents trained in the Department of Anesthesiology of Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the Department of Anesthesiology of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2023 to December 2023 were selected as study subjects, and randomly divided into experimental group (teaching with the AI image recognition education system) and control group (traditional teaching) to undergo training and assessments on the nerve block technique, with 20 residents in each group. The training quality for the two groups was assessed by comparing the clinical practice score, teaching effect evaluation, and teaching quality evaluation. SPSS 23.0 software was used for the t-test and chi-square test on data. Results:Compared with the control group, residents in the experimental group had higher clinical practice scores [(4.65±0.49) vs. (3.60±0.75), P<0.001] and better method mastery [(17.45±1.23) vs. (13.85±1.27), P<0.001], satisfaction with clinical operation [(16.70±1.34) vs. (13.95±1.00), P<0.001], and learning enthusiasm [(17.35±1.50) vs. (13.55±0.94), P<0.001] for the ultrasound-guided nerve block technique. The teaching quality score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group [(17.30±1.59) vs. (14.25±1.68), P<0.001]. Therefore, the training quality of residents in the experimental group was better than that of the control group. Conclusions:The application of AI image recognition education system in standardized training on the ultrasound-guided nerve block technique improves the teaching quality of teachers, enhances the learning effect of novice anesthesiology residents, and mobilizes learning enthusiasm, which is worthy of further promotion and application.

Objective:To explore the application and teaching effect of artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition education system in standardized training on ultrasound-guided nerve block technique for novice anesthesiology residents.Methods:Forty residents trained in the Department of Anesthesiology of Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the Department of Anesthesiology of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2023 to December 2023 were selected as study subjects, and randomly divided into experimental group (teaching with the AI image recognition education system) and control group (traditional teaching) to undergo training and assessments on the nerve block technique, with 20 residents in each group. The training quality for the two groups was assessed by comparing the clinical practice score, teaching effect evaluation, and teaching quality evaluation. SPSS 23.0 software was used for the t-test and chi-square test on data. Results:Compared with the control group, residents in the experimental group had higher clinical practice scores [(4.65±0.49) vs. (3.60±0.75), P<0.001] and better method mastery [(17.45±1.23) vs. (13.85±1.27), P<0.001], satisfaction with clinical operation [(16.70±1.34) vs. (13.95±1.00), P<0.001], and learning enthusiasm [(17.35±1.50) vs. (13.55±0.94), P<0.001] for the ultrasound-guided nerve block technique. The teaching quality score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group [(17.30±1.59) vs. (14.25±1.68), P<0.001]. Therefore, the training quality of residents in the experimental group was better than that of the control group. Conclusions:The application of AI image recognition education system in standardized training on the ultrasound-guided nerve block technique improves the teaching quality of teachers, enhances the learning effect of novice anesthesiology residents, and mobilizes learning enthusiasm, which is worthy of further promotion and application.

Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) is an important candidate antigen for type Ⅰ diabetes. The autoantibody detection kit based on ZnT8 can be used to help diagnose type Ⅰ diabetes, and the related products have been launched in Europe and the United States. Since the recombinant production system of active ZnT8 has not been established in China, this key raw material is heavily dependent on imports. We used Saccharomyces cerevisiae to carry out the recombinant expression of ZnT8. First, multiple antigenic forms of ZnT8 were designed as C-terminal haploid (C), C-terminal diploid (C-C), and N-terminal and C-terminal concatemers (N-C). The proteins were expressed, purified and tested for antigenicity by bridging-type ELISA. The serum of 13 patients with type Ⅰ diabetes and the serum of 16 healthy volunteers were detected. C, N-C, and C-C proteins had similar detection rates, which were 53.8% (7/13), 61.5% (8/13) and 53.8% (7/13). The specificity of the three groups was 100% (16/16). The detection value on positive samples P3, P4, and P8 increased by more than 90%, indicating better serum antibody recognition ability. Finally, N-C protein was selected for further serum sample testing, and the test results were characterized by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for sensitivity and specificity. Compared with imported gold standard antigen, the sensitivity was 76.9% (10/13) and the specificity was 87.5% (14/16). There was no significant difference in the sensitivity of the method, but the specificity needed to be improved. In conclusion, the ZnT8 N-terminal and C-terminal concatemer protein developed based on S. cerevisiae expression system is expected to be a key alternative raw material in the development of in vitro diagnostic reagents for type Ⅰ diabetes.
Antigens ; Autoantibodies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/diagnosis* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics* ; Zinc Transporter 8/genetics*

【Objective】 To evaluate the suitability of current quality standard for end-stage hemolytic rate required by Quality Requirements for Whole Blood and Blood Components in Taiyuan through a 5- year retrospective analysis of leukocyte-reduced RBCs in additive solution in Taiyuan Blood Center. 【Methods】 A total of 240 packs of leukocyte-reduced RBCs in additive solution were collected from January 2007 to December 2021. Hb concentration, hematocrit(Hct) and free Hb in supernatant at end-stage were detected to measure the hemolytic rate. And the hemolytic rate was then compared with the current standard(0.8%) to analyze whether statistical differences existed. 【Results】 The hemolytic rate of leukocyte-reduced RBCs in additive solution were 0.109±0.123 in 2017, 0.113±0.085 in 2018, 0.121±0.076 in 2019, 0.101±0.057 in 2020, and 0.128±0.089 in 2021, with no significant difference among each other (P>0.05). And 97.5% of the products showed an end-stage hemolytic rate below 0.4%, 0.83% among 0.6%~0.7%, and none over the standard of 0.8%. 【Conclusion】 The current national standard for end-stage hemolytic rate of leukocyte-reduced RBCs in additive solution might not be suitable for blood quality control in Taiyuan, and a much stricter criteria should be considered.

Objective:To investigate the role of LncRNA-TUG1 in the injury of intestinal epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods:LPS was used to treat HIEC-6 human intestinal epithelial cells for 24 h to construct a sepsis injury model. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing was used to analyze the expression changes of mRNA, microRNA and lncRNA in HIEC-6 cells after LPS treatment. Real-time fluorescence quantitative (qRT-PCR) and Western blot was performed to detect the expression changes of lncRNA-TUG1, microRNA-132-3p (miR-132-3p), SIRT1 mRNA and SIRT1 protein in HIEC-6 cells after LPS treatment. The expression levels of LncRNA-TUG1, miR-132-3p and SIRT1 were artificially changed by in vitro transfection. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to confirm the regulatory effect of lncRNA-TUG1 on microRNA-132-3p and SIRT1. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effects of LncRNA-TUG1, miR-132-3p and SIRT1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HIEC-6 cells. The dual luciferase report analysis was used to verify the targeting relationship between LncRNA-TUG1, miR-132-3p and SIRT1. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0, and differences between the two groups were compared using independent sample t test. Results:RNA sequencing results showed that the expressions of lncRNA-TUG1 and SIRT1 were decreased in HIEC-6 cells after LPS treatment ( t=3.26, P<0.05 and t=2.55, P<0.05), but the expression of miR-132-3p was increased ( t=4.12, P<0.05). In vitro cell experiments, the expression of lncRNA-TUG1 and SIRT1 were decreased in HIEC-6 cells treated with LPS ( t=5.69, P<0.05 and t=5.712, P<0.05), while the expression of miR-132-3p was increased ( t=3.88, P<0.05). Overexpression of lncRNA-TUG1 increased the proliferation rate ( t=6.55, P<0.05) and decreased the apoptosis rate ( t=3.94, P<0.05) of LPS-treated cells. Upregulation of lncRNA-TUG1 decreased the expression of miR-132-3p ( t=4.66, P<0.05), and increased the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1 ( t=3.91, P<0.05). Transfection of miR-132-3P mimic could inhibit the mRNA ( t=4.08, P<0.05) and protein levels of SIRT1. In LPS-treated cells, the cells co-transfected with miR-132-3pmimic and siRNA-SIRT1 had a lower proliferation rate ( t=4.55, P<0.05 and t=5.67, P<0.05) and a higher apoptosis rate ( t=3.90, P<0.05 and t=4.22, P<0.05) than those transfected with only pcDNA3.1-lncRNA-TUG. Conclusions:lncRNA-TUG1 may act as a ceRNA to regulate miR-132-3p/SIRT1, therefore alleviating HIEC-6 cell injury caused by LPS. Intervention of lncRNA-TUG1/miR-132-3p/SIRT1 regulatory pathway may become a potential strategy to prevent sepsis-induced intestinal mucosal damage.

Objective To explore cognitive impairment and related factors in patients with Wilson disease (WD) and to screen the risk factors of cognitive impairment in order to provide evidence for clinical intervention. Methods The Chinese Version Addenbrooke＇s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III-C) was used to assess the cognitive function. The WD patients with cognitive impairment were analyzed the difference between those with non-cognitive disorders in the Young scale, Baethel scale and biochemical indicators. Risk factors for cognitive impairment in WD patients were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Results Cognitive impairment occurred in 43 (59.7%) of 72 patients with WD. ACE-III-C total score, attention, memory, language fluency, visual spatial factor scores, Young scores, Barthel scores and serum copper levels were significantly different between patients with cognitive impairment and patients with non-cognitive impairment (P＜0.01). Linear regression analysis showed that serum copper levels were the most important risk factors for ACE-III-C total score and cognitive subfields (P＜0.01). Serum zinc levels as a secondary risk factor of language fluency and visual space (P＜0.05). Age-related participation affected language fluency (P＜0.05). Conclusions Serum copper and zinc levels may be the main risk factors of cognitive impairment. Modulation of serum copper and zinc levels may be the key for intervention to treat cognitive impairment in WD patients.