Objective: This prospective study evaluated the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for assessing disease activity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Materials and Methods: A total of 88 patients with active TAO, 76 with inactive TAO, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. CEST MRI-derived magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and MTR asymmetry (MTRasym) at 1 ppm, 2 ppm, and 3.5 ppm were calculated. Clinical data, MTR, and MTRasym values for the extraocular muscles (one representative muscle per eye, yielding two measurements per participant) were compared among the groups. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between imaging parameters and the clinical activity score (CAS) in patients with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associations between imaging parameters and disease activity in patients with TAO (active vs. inactive). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance for discriminating active from inactive TAO. Results: Patients with active TAO showed lower MTR values (P < 0.001) and higher MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) (all P < 0.001) compared with those with inactive TAO. MTR was negatively correlated with CAS (r = -0.402; P < 0.001), while MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.369, 0.350, and 0.349, respectively;all P < 0.001). MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) in discriminating active from inactive TAO were 0.772 and 0.730, respectively. Combining MTR with MTRasym (1 ppm) significantly improved diagnostic performance compared with either parameter alone, achieving an AUC of 0.805 (P = 0.029 and 0.001). Conclusion MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. Their combination further enhanced diagnostic performance in distinguishing active from inactive TAO, suggesting their potential as quantitative imaging biomarkers to guide treatment in patients with TAO.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the correlation of serum tryptophan level with 90-day mortality risk in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted among 108 patients with HBV-ACLF, whose survival outcomes within 90 days after diagnosis were recorded. The correlation of baseline serum tryptophan levels measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with 90-day mortality of the patients was analyzed, and the predictive value of serum tryptophan for 90-day mortality was explored. RESULTS: Within 90 days after diagnosis, 53 (29.4%) of the patients died and 127 (70.6%) survived. The deceased patients had significantly lower baseline serum tryptophan levels than the survivors (7.31±3.73 pg/mL vs 13.32±7.15 pg/mL, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that serum tryptophan level was an independent factor correlated with mortality of HBV-ACLF after adjustment for confounding variables. The patients with serum tryptophan levels below the median level (10.14 pg/mL) at admission had significantly higher 90-day mortality risks than those with higher tryptophan levels (43.3% vs 15.6%, HR: 3.157, 95% CI: 1.713-5.817), and the complication by kidney dysfunction further increased the risk to 73.3% as compared with patients with higher serum tryptophan levels with normal kidney function (15.0%; HR: 7.558, 95% CI: 3.369-16.960). Serum tryptophan levels had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.771 (95% CI: 0.699-0.844) for predicting 90-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS Serum tryptophan level is closely correlated with the survival outcomes of patients with HBV-ACLF, and a decreased tryptophan level indicates a high 90-day mortality risk, which can be further increased by the complication by kidney dysfunction.
Humans ; Tryptophan/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/virology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Prognosis ; Hepatitis B/complications* ; Hepatitis B virus

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin A(BTXA)injection versus strabismus surgery in the treatment of acute acquired comitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS:Patient records of AACE cases treated at First People's Hospital of Nantong from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Patients were categorized into either strabismus surgery or BTXA injection groups based on treatment modality. Further stratification was performed according to preoperative deviation angles [>35 prism diopters(PD)vs ≤35 PD] and age(≥18 years adult group vs <18 years adolescent group). The baseline patient characteristics were collected, deviation angles at multiple timepoints before and after treatment were measured, and stereopsis test results were documented. Through comparative analysis of therapeutic outcomes across subgroups, we systematically evaluated the efficacy of different treatment approaches.RESULTS:A total of 43 AACE patients were included. At the final follow-up, both the surgery and BTXA injection groups showed a statistically significant decrease in deviation angle compared to pretreatment measurements(P<0.001). Significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of the cure rate of strabismus and the recovery rate of stereopsis(P<0.05). For patients with deviations >35 PD, surgery yielded significantly better outcomes than injection therapy in postoperative angle, success rate, and stereopsis recovery(P<0.05). Similarly, in patients aged ≥18 years, surgical treatment was superior to injections in reducing strabismus angle, improving success rates, and restoring stereopsis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Both BTXA injection and strabismus surgery demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in AACE. Surgical treatment demonstrated superior efficacy compared to BTXA injection therapy, particularly in patients with deviations >35 PD and those aged ≥18 years. For patients with angles ≤35 PD or under 18 years, BTXA injection remains a viable treatment option.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang on cognitive function in db/db mice with diabetic cognitive impairment （DCI）. MethodsThirty-two 8-week-old male db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model group， dapagliflozin group （1.0 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （6.24 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （24.96 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. Eight db/m mice served as the normal group. All mice were administered the corresponding treatment once daily by gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose （FBG） were dynamically monitored. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate cognitive function. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in hippocampal tissue. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the co-expression of M1 microglial marker CD16/32 and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （IBA1） in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD-95）， synapsin （SYN）， nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）， and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65） in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased body weight and FBG levels （P<0.01）， significantly prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossings in the Morris water maze test （P<0.01）， disordered arrangement of hippocampal neurons， nuclear pyknosis， increased neuronal necrosis， reduced Nissl bodies， decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD-95 and SYN （P<0.01）， increased CD16/32⁺ /IBA1⁺ positive rate， elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β， and an increased p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the dapagliflozin group exhibited significantly reduced FBG levels at weeks 5 and 10 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and increased body weight. The high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group showed significantly reduced FBG at week 10 （P<0.05）. Escape latency was significantly reduced on days 3 and 5 of the water maze test in the dapagliflozin group and on day 5 in the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （P<0.05）. Platform crossings were significantly increased in both the dapagliflozin group and the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （P<0.05）. Hippocampal pathological damage was alleviated to varying degrees in the dapagliflozin group and the low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang groups， with significantly increased expression of PSD-95 and SYN （P<0.01）. Further studies revealed that both low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang reduced hippocampal IL-1β levels and the CD16/32⁺/IBA1⁺ positive rate of microglia， while the high-dose group also significantly reduced hippocampal TNF-α levels and the p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can improve hyperglycemia， cognitive dysfunction， and synaptic damage in DCI， inhibit M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang on cognitive function in db/db mice with diabetic cognitive impairment （DCI）. MethodsThirty-two 8-week-old male db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model group， dapagliflozin group （1.0 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （6.24 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （24.96 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. Eight db/m mice served as the normal group. All mice were administered the corresponding treatment once daily by gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose （FBG） were dynamically monitored. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate cognitive function. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in hippocampal tissue. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the co-expression of M1 microglial marker CD16/32 and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （IBA1） in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD-95）， synapsin （SYN）， nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）， and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65） in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased body weight and FBG levels （P<0.01）， significantly prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossings in the Morris water maze test （P<0.01）， disordered arrangement of hippocampal neurons， nuclear pyknosis， increased neuronal necrosis， reduced Nissl bodies， decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD-95 and SYN （P<0.01）， increased CD16/32⁺ /IBA1⁺ positive rate， elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β， and an increased p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the dapagliflozin group exhibited significantly reduced FBG levels at weeks 5 and 10 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and increased body weight. The high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group showed significantly reduced FBG at week 10 （P<0.05）. Escape latency was significantly reduced on days 3 and 5 of the water maze test in the dapagliflozin group and on day 5 in the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （P<0.05）. Platform crossings were significantly increased in both the dapagliflozin group and the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （P<0.05）. Hippocampal pathological damage was alleviated to varying degrees in the dapagliflozin group and the low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang groups， with significantly increased expression of PSD-95 and SYN （P<0.01）. Further studies revealed that both low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang reduced hippocampal IL-1β levels and the CD16/32⁺/IBA1⁺ positive rate of microglia， while the high-dose group also significantly reduced hippocampal TNF-α levels and the p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can improve hyperglycemia， cognitive dysfunction， and synaptic damage in DCI， inhibit M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Objective:To explore the relationship between maternal rejection and internet addiction in college students, as well as the chain mediating role of rejection sensitivity and adaptability.Methods:From March to May 2024, a total of 1 119 college students were surveyed using the short-form Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppforstran for Chinese(s-EMBU-C), internet addiction test(IAT), rejection sensitivity questionnaire(RSQ), and the China college student adjustment scale(CCSAS).SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson product moment correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis, and PROCESS 4.0 macro program was used for chain mediation analysis. Results:(1)Maternal rejection (11.19±2.97) was positively correlated with internet addiction (44.89±9.74)( r=0.60, P<0.01) and rejection sensitivity (102.93±55.63)( r=0.63, P<0.01), while negatively correlated with adaptability (200.19±14.18)( r=-0.56, P<0.01) among college students. Rejection sensitivity was positively correlated with internet addiction ( r=0.75, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with adaptability ( r=-0.76, P<0.01). Adaptability was negatively correlated with internet addiction ( r=-0.68, P<0.01). (2)Maternal rejection had a significant direct effect on internet addiction among college students (effect value=0.193, 95% CI=0.145-0.241), accounting for 32.06%(0.193/0.602) of the total effect. Rejection sensitivity mediated the relationship between maternal rejection and internet addiction (effect value=0.290, 95% CI=0.232-0.357), accounting for 48.17%(0.290/0.602) of the total effect. Adaptability also mediated this relationship (effect value=0.028, 95% CI=0.009-0.053), accounting for 4.65%(0.028/0.602) of the total effect. Additionally, there was a chain mediation effect of rejection sensitivity and adaptability on the relationship between maternal rejection and internet addiction (effect value=0.091, 95% CI=0.052-0.130), accounting for 15.12%(0.091/0.602) of the total effect. Conclusion:Maternal rejection can directly influence internet addiction in college students, and it can also indirectly influence internet addiction through the independent mediating effects of rejection sensitivity and adaptability, as well as through the chain mediating effects of both rejection sensitivity and adaptability.

Objective To provide an efficient,reliable,and easily manageable data center solution for hospitals.Meth-ods Through comparative analysis and empirical research,this study explores how hyper-converged technology can help hospitals optimize resource allocation,improve service quality,and ensure data security.Results Hyper-converged technology demon-strates significant benefits in assisting hospitals to optimize resource allocation,enhance service quality,and guarantee data secur-ity.Conclusion Hyper-converged technology offers distinct advantages in terms of cost,operation and maintenance,and relia-bility,making it a mainstream trend in future hospital data center construction.

Objective To provide an efficient,reliable,and easily manageable data center solution for hospitals.Meth-ods Through comparative analysis and empirical research,this study explores how hyper-converged technology can help hospitals optimize resource allocation,improve service quality,and ensure data security.Results Hyper-converged technology demon-strates significant benefits in assisting hospitals to optimize resource allocation,enhance service quality,and guarantee data secur-ity.Conclusion Hyper-converged technology offers distinct advantages in terms of cost,operation and maintenance,and relia-bility,making it a mainstream trend in future hospital data center construction.

Objective:To explore the relationship between maternal rejection and internet addiction in college students, as well as the chain mediating role of rejection sensitivity and adaptability.Methods:From March to May 2024, a total of 1 119 college students were surveyed using the short-form Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppforstran for Chinese(s-EMBU-C), internet addiction test(IAT), rejection sensitivity questionnaire(RSQ), and the China college student adjustment scale(CCSAS).SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson product moment correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis, and PROCESS 4.0 macro program was used for chain mediation analysis. Results:(1)Maternal rejection (11.19±2.97) was positively correlated with internet addiction (44.89±9.74)( r=0.60, P<0.01) and rejection sensitivity (102.93±55.63)( r=0.63, P<0.01), while negatively correlated with adaptability (200.19±14.18)( r=-0.56, P<0.01) among college students. Rejection sensitivity was positively correlated with internet addiction ( r=0.75, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with adaptability ( r=-0.76, P<0.01). Adaptability was negatively correlated with internet addiction ( r=-0.68, P<0.01). (2)Maternal rejection had a significant direct effect on internet addiction among college students (effect value=0.193, 95% CI=0.145-0.241), accounting for 32.06%(0.193/0.602) of the total effect. Rejection sensitivity mediated the relationship between maternal rejection and internet addiction (effect value=0.290, 95% CI=0.232-0.357), accounting for 48.17%(0.290/0.602) of the total effect. Adaptability also mediated this relationship (effect value=0.028, 95% CI=0.009-0.053), accounting for 4.65%(0.028/0.602) of the total effect. Additionally, there was a chain mediation effect of rejection sensitivity and adaptability on the relationship between maternal rejection and internet addiction (effect value=0.091, 95% CI=0.052-0.130), accounting for 15.12%(0.091/0.602) of the total effect. Conclusion:Maternal rejection can directly influence internet addiction in college students, and it can also indirectly influence internet addiction through the independent mediating effects of rejection sensitivity and adaptability, as well as through the chain mediating effects of both rejection sensitivity and adaptability.

Objective To analyze the effects of extended subxiphoid thymus resection on inflammatory factors,T lymphocyte subsets and stress response in thymoma patients.Methods The clinical data of 118 patients with thymoma admitted to our hospital from May 2021 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,of which 61 patients underwent subxiphoid enlargement thymectomy(recorded as the study group)and 57 patients underwent lateral thoracotomy enlargement thymectomy(recorded as the control group).The postoperative and perioperative pain,stress response,inflammatory response,T lymphocyte subsets and complications were compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in operation time,intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume between the two groups(P＞0.05).The visual analogue scale(VAS)of the study group(3.21±0.47,2.47±0.34 points)was lower than that of the control group(3.62±0.53,2.61±0.39 points)at 24 h and 48 h after surgery(P＜0.05).The levels of adrenaline(Adr)and cortisol(Cor)48 h after operation were higher than those before operation(P＜0.05).The levels of Adr and Cor[(101.94±12.83)ng/L,(276.84±31.05)nmol/L]in the study group were lower than those in the control group[(108.15±14.72)ng/L,(308.91±35.24)nmol/L]48 hours after operation(P＜0.05).The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 48 h after surgery were higher than those before surgery(P＜0.05).The levels of tumor necrosis factor a(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the study group[(40.91±6.93)pg/ml,(55.62±8.67)pg/ml]48 h after surgery were lower than those in the control group[(45.85±8.12)pg/ml,(61.98±10.51)pg/ml](P＜0.05).The levels of Thl/Th2 and Th17/Treg in both groups 48 h after surgery were lower than those before surgery(P＜0.05).The levels of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in the study group(4.75±0.74,0.95±0.17)were lower than those in the control group(5.16±0.89,1.06±0.19)48 h after surgery(P＜0.05).The changes of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in two groups were different(P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with lateral thoracotomy,transxiphoid enlargement of thymus can reduce perioperative pain,inhibit perioperative inflammatory response and stress response,improve T lymphocyte subpopulation,and is safe and reliable.