OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Yigan huayu formula in alleviating liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS Mice were randomly divided into blank group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， Yigan huayu formula low- and high-dose groups （28.98， 57.96 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， the liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 15%CCl 4 -olive oil solution. From the third week， the mice received the medicine/normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， liver indexes were calculated， the activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum， as well as the hydroxyproline （HYP） content in liver tissue， were measured. Liver histopathology was evaluated. Differentially expressed proteins （DEPs） in liver tissue were analyzed based on proteomics， followed by bioinfo rmatics analysis. The expressions of core DEPs were validated using Western blot （WB） and immunohistochemistry （IHC） methods. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated liver indexes， serum activities of ALT and AST， and hepatic HYP content （ P ＜0.05）， along with obvious pathological damage and collagen deposition. Compared with the model group， the above indexes of mice in the Yigan huayu formula high-dose group were decreased significantly （ P ＜0.05）， with marked improvement in liver pathological damage and collagen deposition. Proteomics identified 210 DEPs between the model group and Yigan huayu formula high-dose group. DEPs were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix （ECM）-receptor interaction and lipid metabolism pathways. WB and IHC confirmed that Yigan huayu formula could significantly inhibit the abnormally elevated expressions of collagen type Ⅳ alpha1 chain （COL4A1）， secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine （SPARC）， vitronectin （VTN） and laminin subunit alpha5 （LAMA5） in liver tissue of mice （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Yigan huayu formula may exert anti-hepatic fibrosis effects by inhibiting the expressions of proteins such as COL4A1， LAMA5， SPARC， and VTN， thereby blocking the ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathway， and subsequently suppressing excessive ECM deposition and basement membrane remodeling.

Objective To analyze the scanning parameters and radiation dose characteristics of pediatric CT examinations in Jiangxi Province, China, and to provide a basis for optimizing radiation protection in children. Methods The data of 1021 CT scans in children aged 0-15 years were collected from seven hospitals in Jiangxi Province, including one provincial hospital, four municipal hospitals, and two county-level hospitals. The data consisted of 405 head scans, 352 chest scans, and 264 abdominal scans. The scanning parameters kV, mAs, and scan length as well as the dose metrics weighted CT dose index and dose length product (DLP) were analyzed. Differences across age groups, anatomical regions, and hospitals were compared using one-way analysis of variance, and the results were compared with domestic and foreign studies. Results There were significant differences in scanning parameters and radiation doses among children of different age groups in CT examinations, and the differences between hospitals were also significant. The chest mAs and DLP in Hospital E were significantly higher than those in Hospital A, and the abdominal DLP in Hospital D was 4.3 times that of Hospital A. Compared with domestic and foreign studies, the DLP values of various anatomical regions in the < 1 year group were generally higher in the present study. The abdominal DLP in the < 1 year group (232.4 mGy·cm) was 3.3 times that in Tianjin. The head DLP in the 1-5 year group was higher than those in Germany and the United States. The chest DLP of the 11-15 year group was higher than that in Germany but lower than that in Henan Province. Conclusion There are significant differences in radiation doses received by children during CT examination in Jiangxi Province by age, anatomical region, and hospital, with some metrics exceeding domestic and international levels. Recommendations include optimizing scanning parameters (e.g., reducing mA/kV and adopting automatic exposure control technology), standardizing scan ranges, and establishing local diagnostic reference levels to mitigate radiation risks.

Objective:To investigate the effect of cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) gene knockout on maxillary expansion osteogenesis and its regulatory mechanism on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC).Methods:Nineteen wild type (WT) and nineteen CKAP4 gene knockout (Ckap4 -/-) mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected to establish a mouse model of rapid maxillary expansion. Samples were taken on the 7th and 14th day after the operation. Micro-CT and HE staining were used to evaluate bone regeneration. Tissue proteins in the modeled area were collected, and Western blotting analysis (WB) was used to detect the protein expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN). BMSC were isolated from WT and Ckap4 -/- mice. The expression of surface markers CD29, Sca-1, CD44, CD45, CD34, and CD11b was detected by flow cytometry, and cell proliferation ability was detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU). After 7 days of osteogenic induction, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and WB were used to detect the expression levels of RUXN2, ALP, OCN, protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT). After 21 days, alizarin red staining and cetyl pyridine chloride quantification were used to detect the differences in mineralized nodule formation in each group. In CKAP4 gene knockout BMSC, the small-molecule AKT agonist sc79 (4 μg/ml) was added as the intervention group (Ckap4 -/- +sc79), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment was used as the control group (Ckap4 -/- +DMSO). After osteogenic induction, RT-qPCR, WB, and alizarin red staining were used to compare the osteogenic differentiation differences between the two groups of cells. Results:The micro-CT results showed that at 7 days and 14 days after surgery, the new bone volume in the Ckap4 -/- group [(0.070±0.010) and (0.146±0.019) mm 3] was significantly lower than that in the WT group [(0.094±0.006) and (0.196±0.013) mm 3] (both P<0.01). HE-stained histological sections showed that the area of new bone tissue in the Ckap4 -/- group at 7 days and 14 days after surgery [(0.101±0.008) and (0.158±0.010) mm 2] was also significantly lower than that in the WT group [(0.116±0.005) and (0.183±0.008) mm 2] (both P<0.05). WB was used to detect the tissue proteins in the maxillary modeling area of mice in the two groups 7 days after surgery. The results showed that the expression levels of ALP, RUNX2 and OCN in the Ckap4 -/- group were significantly lower than those in the WT group. BMSC from wild-type mice and CKAP4 knockout mice were both positively expressed for CD29, CD44, and Sca-1, and basically not expressed for CD45, CD34, and CD11b. EdU assay showed that there was no significant difference in the proliferation ability of cells in the two groups. After 21 days of osteogenic induction of BMSC, alizarin red staining results showed that the number of mineralized nodules in the Ckap4 -/- group was significantly less than that in the WT group. After adding sc79, the number of mineralized nodules increased significantly, which was consistent with the results of cetyl pyridine chloride quantification. After 7 days of osteogenic induction, It was found that the expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and OCN in the CKAP4 -/-group (0.751±0.066, 0.484±0.040, 0.679±0.063) were significantly lower than those in the WT group (1.000±0.113, 1.000±0.081, 1.000±0.113) (all P<0.001). The results of WB were consistent with those of RT-qPCR. At the same time, the WB results showed that the level of p-AKT protein in the CKAP4 -/-group (0.518±0.114) was significantly lower than that in the WT group (1.000±0.234) ( P<0.05). After treatment with sc79 for 7 days of osteogenic induction, RT-qPCR was used to detect the gene expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and OCN. The results showed that the expression levels in the CKAP4 -/-+sc79 group (2.755±0.353, 4.800±0.990, 2.524±0.137) were significantly higher than those in the CKAP4 -/-+DMSO group (1.000±0.078, 1.000±0.247, 1.000±0.175) (all P<0.001). Conclusions:CKAP4 knockout inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of BMSC by reducing the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby suppressing osteogenesis in maxillary expansion.

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder （ADHD） is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by age-inappropriate inattention， excessive activities incongruous with setting， and emotional impulsivity. Subthreshold ADHD （sADHD） is clinically defined as the presence of ADHD symptoms that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Children with sADHD exhibit deficits in executive function， demonstrate more conduct， learning， and anxiety-related problems compared to typically developing children， and show even poorer working memory performance than children diagnosed with ADHD. Currently， there is limited epidemiological research on sADHD in China， with few studies simultaneously investigating the prevalence of both ADHD and sADHD in children. ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of ADHD and sADHD among children aged 6–13 years in Chongqing， analyzing their distribution characteristics within this population， with the aim of providing references for developing preventive measures against both ADHD and sADHD. MethodsFrom October to November 2023， a total of 3 398 students in grades 1–6 from six primary schools in Jiangbei District， Chongqing were selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The occurrence of ADHD and sADHD was evaluated by using the short version （18-item version） of the Swanson， Nolan， and Pelham IV rating scales （SNAP-IV） and the Chinese vision of Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School-aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version （K-SADS-PL）. ResultsThe ADHD detection rate among children in Chongqing was 1.90% （95% CI： 0.014–0.024）. Boys showed a significantly higher ADHD detection rate than girls （χ²=7.733， P=0.005）. No statistically significant differences were found in ADHD detection rates across different grades or age groups （χ²=7.347， 12.362， P>0.05）. The sADHD detection rate was 6.32% （95% CI： 0.054–0.072）. Similarly， boys exhibited significantly higher sADHD detection rates than girls （χ²=21.005， P<0.01）. Significant differences emerged across different grades （χ²=20.559， P=0.001）， while no statistically significant difference was observed in age groups （χ²=12.070， P=0.060）. ConclusionThe ADHD detection rates were comparable across all grade levels and age groups from 6–13 years old. Second-grade children demonstrated notably higher sADHD rates compared to other grades， while boys demonstrated higher prevalence rates than girls for both ADHD and sADHD. ［Funded by Science and Health Joint Medical Research Project in Jiangbei District， Chongqing City in the Second Half of 2023 （number， 2023JBKWLH022）］

Objective To explore the MRI findings and clinical features of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma(OEC).Methods The preoperative data from 23 patients with surgical pathologic evidence of OEC were collected.The MRI signs[including shape,size,signal,enhancement mode,height of mural nodule,width,height-to-width ratio(HWR)],and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value,as well as clinical features(including age,clinical manifestations,serological markers,pelvic effusion,lymph node metastasis,endometrial cancer,and endometriosis)were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the 23 cases of OEC,21 exhibited cystic-solid masses with single cyst,and 20 cases displayed well-defined boundaries.The tumor sizes ranged from 4.3 to 17.5 cm.Lymph node metastasis was observed in 4 cases.Thirteen cases were accompanied by pelvic effusion.Additionally,6 cases(26%)with endometrial cancer,and 10 cases(43%)with endometriosis.Elevated CA125 levels were detected in 21 cases(91%),and elevated HE4 levels were found in 18 cases(78%).Regarding the cystic components of the tumors,both T2WI and fat suppression(FS)T2WI showed high signal intensity.In 9 cases,slightly high T1WI signal was detected with no enhancement,and mild enhancement was detected of the cyst wall.The mural nodule of the tumor were predominantly multifocal and wide-based,appearing isointense on T1WI and isoin-tense to slightly hyperintense on T2WI.They was measured with height of 1.8-10.3 cm,widths ranged from 2.7 to 10.6 cm,HWR of 0.68±0.15,high signal on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI),ADC values of(0.937±0.14)×10-3 mm2/s,and mainly showed progressive moderate to significant enhancement.Conclusion OEC typically exhibit a single cyst with multiple mural nodules.The mural nodules are predominantly multifocal and wide-based,with HWR of less than 0.69,limited diffusion,and moderate to signifi-cant enhancement.The enhancement of the parenchymal components is more pronounced than that of the cyst wall.Furthermore,OEC may be accompanied by pelvic effusion,endometrial cancer,endometriosis,and elevated serological markers.

Objective To explore the MRI and clinical features of squamous carcinoma transformation-mature teratoma(SCT-MT)of the ovary.Methods The pre-operative data from 7 patients with SCT-MT confirmed by surgery and pathology were collected.The MRI features(such as location,morphology,size,signal,boundaries,and the presence of a mural nodule,with or without fat or calcifi-cation,limited diffusion,transmural growth,and angle to the cyst wall)and clinical features(including age,clinical manifestations,serologi-cal markers,pelvic effusion,peripheral tissue infiltration,and lymph node metastasis)were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the seven SCT-MT,all originated unilaterally,and were cystic-solid masses with a predominantly cystic component of round or round-like appearance.Six cases had well-defined boundaries,and six exhibited fat-fluid levels.The tumor sizes ranged from 9 cm to 17 cm.Seven cases showed mural nodules,without calcification and fat,with limited diffusion,and the mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value was(0.96±0.11)× 10-3 mm2/s.Six cases showed transmural growth,and the angle between the nodule and the cyst wall was obtuse in 5 cases,and the mural nodules were significantly enhanced.The seven SCT-MT patients ranged in age from 53 to 75 years old.Four patients had clinical manifestations of pain related to pelvic distension.Conclusion SCT-MT MRI typically presents as a unilateral large solid mass in the pelvic cavity,with a predominantly cystic component.The mural nodules within it lack calcification or fat,show limited diffusion,and may breech the wall and infiltrate adjacent structures,with significant enhancement.Furthermore,SCT-MT may be associated with older age and elevated serological markers.

Objective:To investigate the effect of cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) gene knockout on maxillary expansion osteogenesis and its regulatory mechanism on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC).Methods:Nineteen wild type (WT) and nineteen CKAP4 gene knockout (Ckap4 -/-) mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected to establish a mouse model of rapid maxillary expansion. Samples were taken on the 7th and 14th day after the operation. Micro-CT and HE staining were used to evaluate bone regeneration. Tissue proteins in the modeled area were collected, and Western blotting analysis (WB) was used to detect the protein expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN). BMSC were isolated from WT and Ckap4 -/- mice. The expression of surface markers CD29, Sca-1, CD44, CD45, CD34, and CD11b was detected by flow cytometry, and cell proliferation ability was detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU). After 7 days of osteogenic induction, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and WB were used to detect the expression levels of RUXN2, ALP, OCN, protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT). After 21 days, alizarin red staining and cetyl pyridine chloride quantification were used to detect the differences in mineralized nodule formation in each group. In CKAP4 gene knockout BMSC, the small-molecule AKT agonist sc79 (4 μg/ml) was added as the intervention group (Ckap4 -/- +sc79), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment was used as the control group (Ckap4 -/- +DMSO). After osteogenic induction, RT-qPCR, WB, and alizarin red staining were used to compare the osteogenic differentiation differences between the two groups of cells. Results:The micro-CT results showed that at 7 days and 14 days after surgery, the new bone volume in the Ckap4 -/- group [(0.070±0.010) and (0.146±0.019) mm 3] was significantly lower than that in the WT group [(0.094±0.006) and (0.196±0.013) mm 3] (both P<0.01). HE-stained histological sections showed that the area of new bone tissue in the Ckap4 -/- group at 7 days and 14 days after surgery [(0.101±0.008) and (0.158±0.010) mm 2] was also significantly lower than that in the WT group [(0.116±0.005) and (0.183±0.008) mm 2] (both P<0.05). WB was used to detect the tissue proteins in the maxillary modeling area of mice in the two groups 7 days after surgery. The results showed that the expression levels of ALP, RUNX2 and OCN in the Ckap4 -/- group were significantly lower than those in the WT group. BMSC from wild-type mice and CKAP4 knockout mice were both positively expressed for CD29, CD44, and Sca-1, and basically not expressed for CD45, CD34, and CD11b. EdU assay showed that there was no significant difference in the proliferation ability of cells in the two groups. After 21 days of osteogenic induction of BMSC, alizarin red staining results showed that the number of mineralized nodules in the Ckap4 -/- group was significantly less than that in the WT group. After adding sc79, the number of mineralized nodules increased significantly, which was consistent with the results of cetyl pyridine chloride quantification. After 7 days of osteogenic induction, It was found that the expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and OCN in the CKAP4 -/-group (0.751±0.066, 0.484±0.040, 0.679±0.063) were significantly lower than those in the WT group (1.000±0.113, 1.000±0.081, 1.000±0.113) (all P<0.001). The results of WB were consistent with those of RT-qPCR. At the same time, the WB results showed that the level of p-AKT protein in the CKAP4 -/-group (0.518±0.114) was significantly lower than that in the WT group (1.000±0.234) ( P<0.05). After treatment with sc79 for 7 days of osteogenic induction, RT-qPCR was used to detect the gene expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and OCN. The results showed that the expression levels in the CKAP4 -/-+sc79 group (2.755±0.353, 4.800±0.990, 2.524±0.137) were significantly higher than those in the CKAP4 -/-+DMSO group (1.000±0.078, 1.000±0.247, 1.000±0.175) (all P<0.001). Conclusions:CKAP4 knockout inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of BMSC by reducing the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby suppressing osteogenesis in maxillary expansion.

Objective To explore the MRI findings and clinical features of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma(OEC).Methods The preoperative data from 23 patients with surgical pathologic evidence of OEC were collected.The MRI signs[including shape,size,signal,enhancement mode,height of mural nodule,width,height-to-width ratio(HWR)],and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value,as well as clinical features(including age,clinical manifestations,serological markers,pelvic effusion,lymph node metastasis,endometrial cancer,and endometriosis)were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the 23 cases of OEC,21 exhibited cystic-solid masses with single cyst,and 20 cases displayed well-defined boundaries.The tumor sizes ranged from 4.3 to 17.5 cm.Lymph node metastasis was observed in 4 cases.Thirteen cases were accompanied by pelvic effusion.Additionally,6 cases(26%)with endometrial cancer,and 10 cases(43%)with endometriosis.Elevated CA125 levels were detected in 21 cases(91%),and elevated HE4 levels were found in 18 cases(78%).Regarding the cystic components of the tumors,both T2WI and fat suppression(FS)T2WI showed high signal intensity.In 9 cases,slightly high T1WI signal was detected with no enhancement,and mild enhancement was detected of the cyst wall.The mural nodule of the tumor were predominantly multifocal and wide-based,appearing isointense on T1WI and isoin-tense to slightly hyperintense on T2WI.They was measured with height of 1.8-10.3 cm,widths ranged from 2.7 to 10.6 cm,HWR of 0.68±0.15,high signal on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI),ADC values of(0.937±0.14)×10-3 mm2/s,and mainly showed progressive moderate to significant enhancement.Conclusion OEC typically exhibit a single cyst with multiple mural nodules.The mural nodules are predominantly multifocal and wide-based,with HWR of less than 0.69,limited diffusion,and moderate to signifi-cant enhancement.The enhancement of the parenchymal components is more pronounced than that of the cyst wall.Furthermore,OEC may be accompanied by pelvic effusion,endometrial cancer,endometriosis,and elevated serological markers.

Objective To explore the MRI and clinical features of squamous carcinoma transformation-mature teratoma(SCT-MT)of the ovary.Methods The pre-operative data from 7 patients with SCT-MT confirmed by surgery and pathology were collected.The MRI features(such as location,morphology,size,signal,boundaries,and the presence of a mural nodule,with or without fat or calcifi-cation,limited diffusion,transmural growth,and angle to the cyst wall)and clinical features(including age,clinical manifestations,serologi-cal markers,pelvic effusion,peripheral tissue infiltration,and lymph node metastasis)were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the seven SCT-MT,all originated unilaterally,and were cystic-solid masses with a predominantly cystic component of round or round-like appearance.Six cases had well-defined boundaries,and six exhibited fat-fluid levels.The tumor sizes ranged from 9 cm to 17 cm.Seven cases showed mural nodules,without calcification and fat,with limited diffusion,and the mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value was(0.96±0.11)× 10-3 mm2/s.Six cases showed transmural growth,and the angle between the nodule and the cyst wall was obtuse in 5 cases,and the mural nodules were significantly enhanced.The seven SCT-MT patients ranged in age from 53 to 75 years old.Four patients had clinical manifestations of pain related to pelvic distension.Conclusion SCT-MT MRI typically presents as a unilateral large solid mass in the pelvic cavity,with a predominantly cystic component.The mural nodules within it lack calcification or fat,show limited diffusion,and may breech the wall and infiltrate adjacent structures,with significant enhancement.Furthermore,SCT-MT may be associated with older age and elevated serological markers.

Neutrophils as the first immune responders to infection can quickly identify and eliminate pathogens. The mainly rely on glycolysis to exert their killing functions. Although researches on the metabolic shifs that affect neutrophil functions began early, little is known about how neutrophils undergo metabolic transformation during the anti-infection process. It has been proven that glycogen metabolism plays an important role in regulating the functions of neutrophils. Other metabolic pathways besides glycolysis, such as mitochondrial metabolism and fatty acid oxidation during neutrophil differentiation, have potential contributions to the regulation of neutrophils′ functions. This review summaries current studies about metabolic regulatory effects of neutrophils on anti-infection responses, intending to provide reference for further study on the metabolism of neutrophils.