1.Exploration of muscle mass index and its association with cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents in Xinjiang s agricultural and pastoral areas
ZHAO Yali, LIU Weichen, LIU Shengze, Alimujiang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):588-591
Objective:
To explore the muscle mass index (MMI) among adolescents in Xinjiangs agricultural and pastoral areas and its association with cardiovascular risk factors, providing references and basis for the prevention and intervention of cardiovascular diseases among adolescents in these regions.
Methods:
From March to July 2023, a total of 1 842 students aged 13-18 years from four middle schools in Yili agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang were selected using cluster random sampling. Measurements of muscle mass, physical indicators, questionnaires, and blood samples were conducted and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using oneway analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Logistic regression analysis.
Results:
There were significant differences in weight,body mass index (BMI),waist circumference,muscle mass,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,total cholesterol,highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting blood glucose among adolescents with severe, insufficient, good, and sufficient MMI in Xinjiangs agricultural and pastoral areas(F=326.78,634.76,261.67,134.56,80.14,16.78,5.84,21.67,3.42,P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting age and BMI, the risk of cardiovascular risk factors aggregation in adolescents with good (OR=0.55-0.62) and adequate (OR=0.52-0.57) MMI were lower than that in adolescents with insufficient MMI (P<0.05). After gender stratification, the risk of cardiovascular risk factors aggregation in adolescents with good MMI for boys (OR=0.48-0.62) and with good MMI for girls (OR=0.61) were also lower than that in adolescents with insufficient MMI (P<0.05).
Conclusions
MMI in adolescents from agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang are positively correlated with cardiovascular health. Future efforts should focus on muscle strength training for adolescents in these areas, as improving MMI can play a positive role in promoting cardiovascular health in adolescents.
2.Reconstruction of Lumbar Vertebrae Images from Abdominal CT Examinations Using Deep Learning Image Reconstruction Algorithms
Weichen HAN ; Jihua LIU ; Luotong WANG ; Zhe LV ; Junyan TAN ; Yeda WAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(6):670-674
Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of deep learning image reconstruction(DLIR)algorithms in reconstructing lumbar vertebrae images from abdominal CT scans,aiming to reduce radiation dose and eliminate the need for repeat lumbar CT examinations.Materials and Methods A retrospective collection was conducted from March to May 2024 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Thirty-two patients who underwent both abdominal and lumbar CT scans in a supine head-first position were enrolled.The abdominal CT(DLIR group)utilized a tube voltage of 120 kVp and a current of 200 mA with high-intensity DLIR for lumbar reconstruction.The standard lumbar CT(lumbar group)used the same voltage with a tube current of 260 mA and was reconstructed using 60%weighted adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction.Objective assessments was used to measure the CT values,noise(standard deviation,SD value),signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio(excluding adipose tissue)at the third lumbar vertebral pedicle level and the L2/L3 intervertebral disc level for muscle,adipose tissue,cancellous bone,intervertebral discs,dura mater and cortical bone.Subjective assessments employed a five-point scale to evaluate image contrast,noise and sharpness.Results The volume CT dose index in lumbar group and DLIR group were 15.25 mGy and 11.74 mGy,respectively.There was no statistical difference in CT values between the structures of both groups(all P>0.05).Compared with the lumbar group,the DLIR group showed significant reductions in SD values across the measured tissues by 31.09%,35.66%,13.48%,27.82%,24.93%and 15.09%(t=5.09-7.21,all P<0.05).The signal-to-noise ratio improved by 36.40%,52.31%,16.56%,34.13%,38.39%and 18.81%,and the contrast-to-noise ratio improved by 51.70%,51.32%,36.24%,34.47%and 53.56%(t=-9.58--4.23,all P<0.001).The DLIR group significantly outperformed the lumbar group in image contrast[4.45(4.00,5.00)points vs.4.75(4.00,5.00)points],image noise[4.06(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.39(4.00,5.00)points],and spatial resolution of fine structures[4.00(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.27(4.00,5.00)points](Z=-3.80,-4.38,-3.55,all P<0.001).Conclusion Using high-intensity DLIR for abdominal examinations can achieve high-quality lumbar CT images with a 25%reduction in radiation dose,enabling simultaneous abdominal and lumbar scanning in a single session.
3.Reconstruction of Lumbar Vertebrae Images from Abdominal CT Examinations Using Deep Learning Image Reconstruction Algorithms
Weichen HAN ; Jihua LIU ; Luotong WANG ; Zhe LV ; Junyan TAN ; Yeda WAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(6):670-674
Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of deep learning image reconstruction(DLIR)algorithms in reconstructing lumbar vertebrae images from abdominal CT scans,aiming to reduce radiation dose and eliminate the need for repeat lumbar CT examinations.Materials and Methods A retrospective collection was conducted from March to May 2024 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Thirty-two patients who underwent both abdominal and lumbar CT scans in a supine head-first position were enrolled.The abdominal CT(DLIR group)utilized a tube voltage of 120 kVp and a current of 200 mA with high-intensity DLIR for lumbar reconstruction.The standard lumbar CT(lumbar group)used the same voltage with a tube current of 260 mA and was reconstructed using 60%weighted adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction.Objective assessments was used to measure the CT values,noise(standard deviation,SD value),signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio(excluding adipose tissue)at the third lumbar vertebral pedicle level and the L2/L3 intervertebral disc level for muscle,adipose tissue,cancellous bone,intervertebral discs,dura mater and cortical bone.Subjective assessments employed a five-point scale to evaluate image contrast,noise and sharpness.Results The volume CT dose index in lumbar group and DLIR group were 15.25 mGy and 11.74 mGy,respectively.There was no statistical difference in CT values between the structures of both groups(all P>0.05).Compared with the lumbar group,the DLIR group showed significant reductions in SD values across the measured tissues by 31.09%,35.66%,13.48%,27.82%,24.93%and 15.09%(t=5.09-7.21,all P<0.05).The signal-to-noise ratio improved by 36.40%,52.31%,16.56%,34.13%,38.39%and 18.81%,and the contrast-to-noise ratio improved by 51.70%,51.32%,36.24%,34.47%and 53.56%(t=-9.58--4.23,all P<0.001).The DLIR group significantly outperformed the lumbar group in image contrast[4.45(4.00,5.00)points vs.4.75(4.00,5.00)points],image noise[4.06(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.39(4.00,5.00)points],and spatial resolution of fine structures[4.00(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.27(4.00,5.00)points](Z=-3.80,-4.38,-3.55,all P<0.001).Conclusion Using high-intensity DLIR for abdominal examinations can achieve high-quality lumbar CT images with a 25%reduction in radiation dose,enabling simultaneous abdominal and lumbar scanning in a single session.
4.Effects of RFRP-3 on follicular development and steroid synthesis in mice
Weichen LIU ; Zhengjie GAO ; Qiuye LI ; Ling GONG ; Ping LUO ; Shuilian WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(1):84-90
Elucidate the influence of RFRP-3 on follicular development and steroid hormone synthe-sis in mice.Forty 6-week-old female KM mice were randomly allocated into four groups,namely the 0(control),100,500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups.Each group received daily intraperitoneal injections of RFRP-3 for a duration of 7 days.The ovarian coefficients were calculated and recorded by measuring the wet weight of the ovaries.The effects of RFRP-3 at different concentrations on follicular maturation in mice were investigated through HE staining.Western blot analysis was em-ployed to assess the expression of apoptosis-related proteins,steroidogenic enzymes,and oocyte se-cretion factors within the mouse ovaries.The concentrations of progesterone(P4)and estradiol(E2)in the serum of the mice were determined using radioimmunoassay techniques.The results re-vealed no significant differences in body weight between the experimental groups and the control.However,the ovarian coefficients in the 500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups were significantly re-duced when compared to the control(P<0.01).A marked decrease in the numbers of secondary and antral follicles was observed in the 500 ng/d and 2 000 ng/d groups(P<0.01),concomitant with a substantial increase in atretic follicles(P<0.01).A significant decline in follicle count was also noted in these groups(P<0.01).Compared to the control,the protein expression of Bax and Caspase3 was substantially upregulated in the 500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups(P<0.05),while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly downregulated(P<0.01).Similarly,the protein expression of 3βHSD,StAR,CYP11a1,and CYP17a1 was significantly decreased at the 500 and 2 000 ng/d groups(P<0.01).E2 concentrations were moderately reduced in the 500 ng/d group(P<0.05)and significantly decreased in the 2000 ng/d group(P<0.01),whereas P4 levels remained unchanged across all experimental groups.Notably,the expression of BMP15 and GDF9 at both the gene and protein levels was markedly attenuated in the 500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups compared to the control(P<0.05).In conclusion,RFRP-3 appears to inhibit follicular de-velopment and steroid hormone secretion in mice by modulating the expression of apoptotic fac-tors,oocyte secretion factors,and steroidogenic enzymes within the ovaries.This study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of RFRP-3 on mammalian follicular development and steroid hormone synthesis.
5.Effects of RFRP-3 on follicular development and steroid synthesis in mice
Weichen LIU ; Zhengjie GAO ; Qiuye LI ; Ling GONG ; Ping LUO ; Shuilian WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(1):84-90
Elucidate the influence of RFRP-3 on follicular development and steroid hormone synthe-sis in mice.Forty 6-week-old female KM mice were randomly allocated into four groups,namely the 0(control),100,500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups.Each group received daily intraperitoneal injections of RFRP-3 for a duration of 7 days.The ovarian coefficients were calculated and recorded by measuring the wet weight of the ovaries.The effects of RFRP-3 at different concentrations on follicular maturation in mice were investigated through HE staining.Western blot analysis was em-ployed to assess the expression of apoptosis-related proteins,steroidogenic enzymes,and oocyte se-cretion factors within the mouse ovaries.The concentrations of progesterone(P4)and estradiol(E2)in the serum of the mice were determined using radioimmunoassay techniques.The results re-vealed no significant differences in body weight between the experimental groups and the control.However,the ovarian coefficients in the 500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups were significantly re-duced when compared to the control(P<0.01).A marked decrease in the numbers of secondary and antral follicles was observed in the 500 ng/d and 2 000 ng/d groups(P<0.01),concomitant with a substantial increase in atretic follicles(P<0.01).A significant decline in follicle count was also noted in these groups(P<0.01).Compared to the control,the protein expression of Bax and Caspase3 was substantially upregulated in the 500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups(P<0.05),while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly downregulated(P<0.01).Similarly,the protein expression of 3βHSD,StAR,CYP11a1,and CYP17a1 was significantly decreased at the 500 and 2 000 ng/d groups(P<0.01).E2 concentrations were moderately reduced in the 500 ng/d group(P<0.05)and significantly decreased in the 2000 ng/d group(P<0.01),whereas P4 levels remained unchanged across all experimental groups.Notably,the expression of BMP15 and GDF9 at both the gene and protein levels was markedly attenuated in the 500 and 2 000 ng/d treatment groups compared to the control(P<0.05).In conclusion,RFRP-3 appears to inhibit follicular de-velopment and steroid hormone secretion in mice by modulating the expression of apoptotic fac-tors,oocyte secretion factors,and steroidogenic enzymes within the ovaries.This study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of RFRP-3 on mammalian follicular development and steroid hormone synthesis.
6.High expression of CRTAC1 promotes proliferation, migration and immune cell infiltration of gastric cancer by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Fuxing ZHANG ; Guoqing LIU ; Rui DONG ; Lei GAO ; Weichen LU ; Lianxia GAO ; Zhongkuo ZHAO ; Fei LU ; Mulin LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(12):2421-2433
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the expression of cartilage acidic protein 1 (CRTAC1) in gastric cancer (GC) and its effect on biological behaviors and immune cell infiltration of GC.
METHODS:
Transcriptomic, GO and KEGG analyses were conducted to investigate the association of CRTAC1 expression with prognosis of GC patients and its involvement in cell function and signaling pathways. ESTIMATE algorithm was used to analyze the effect of CRTAC1 expression on the tumor microenvironment and the tumor mutation load. In two GC cell clines (HGC-27 and MKN-74), CCK8, EdU and clone formation assays, flow cytometry, and Hoechst staining were used to examine the effects of CRTAC1 knockdown on cell proliferation, cell cycle changes and apoptosis. Wound healing assay, Transwell assay, and Western blotting were performed to analyze the effect of CRTAC1 knockdown on GC cell migration and the underlying mechanism.
RESULTS:
Bioinformatics analysis showed significantly higher expression of CRTAC1 in GC tissues than in adjacent tissues (P<0.05). Age and tumor stage were both prognostic risk factors in GC patients with high CRTAC1 expression (P<0.001). Analysis using ESTIMATE algorithm showed that CRTAC1 expression increased immune cell infiltration and decreased tumor mutational load in GC (P<0.001). In HGC-27 and MKN-74 cells, CRTAC1 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration and promoted cell apoptosis. Western blotting demonstrated that CRTAC1 knockdown significantly increased E-cadherin expression and reduced the expression levels of vimentin, p-PI3K, AKT2, p-AKT and p-mTOR in GC cells.
CONCLUSIONS
High expression of CRTAC1 in GC tissues affects immunotherapeutic efficacy and prognosis of the patients, possibly by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition via modulating tumor mutational load, tumor microenvironment, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Cell Movement
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Prognosis
;
Apoptosis
;
Tumor Microenvironment
;
Female
;
Male
;
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics*
7.Postmortem redistribution of amantadine in rats
Jinkai WANG ; Wenyan LI ; Weichen LIU ; Zhenhua WANG ; Fei REN ; Chao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2023;38(6):654-659,663
Objective To establish an animal model of postmortem redistribution of amantadine,and to study its postmortem redistribution in rats,so as to provide experimental evidence for forensic identification.Methods One hundred and twenty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups and subjected to intragastric administration according to the maximum dose of treatment(L),LD50(M)and 2LD50(H).Those who did not die were killed according to the average time of death of LD50.Heart-blood,peripheral blood,heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,brain,muscle and testis were collected at 0 h,6 h,12 h,24 h,48 h,72 h and 96 h after death,and amantadine content was detected.Results For the rats in the L group,the concentration of amantadine decreased within 6 h after death and then increased in the heart-blood,heart and liver,unchanged within 48 h and reached the peak at 96 h in the spleen,kidney,brain,muscle and testis,while decreased in the lung.For the rats in the M group,the concentration of amantadine decreased within 24 h after death and then increased in all samples,and it reached the peak at 48 h after death in the peripheral blood,spleen,kidney and muscle tissues,at 72 h after death in the heart-blood and testis,and at 96 h after death in the liver,lung and brain tissues.For the rats in the H group,the concentration of amantadine showed a downward trend within 12 h after death in the heart and liver tissue,showed a downward trend within 48 h after death in the lung,brain and muscle tissue,and reached the peak at 96 h after death in the heart,liver,spleen,muscle and testicle tissues.Conclusion The postmortem redistribution was found in amantadine poisoning dead rats,which could provide experimental evidence for the forensic identification of death cases caused by amantadine poisoning.
8.Analysis of Internet users attention and attitude towards the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents with Traditional Chinese Medicine
WANG Yizhi, JIA Weichen, JIANG Dan, LIU Xinquan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2022;43(11):1659-1663
Objective:
To analyze the attention and attitude towards the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents with Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) in the three years of the Implementation Plan for the Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Myopia in Children and Adolescents, so as to provide a reference for the improvement of control and intervention of myopia by using TCM and western medicine.
Methods:
Data scrap was administered in Microblog regarding information on "prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents" and "TCM" by using Python scripts, sentiment analysis was used to analyze the attitude.
Results:
A total of 47 133 texts were included: the most(19 931) was found in Eastern China from January 1, 2018 to October 26, 2021, with an average of 204.5, 426.5, 1 990.3, and 1 340.6 per month prior as well as 1 , 2 , and 3 year after issuance. Positive/neutral/negative attitude accounted for 29.1%, 60.2%, and 10.7%, respectively. The proportion of positive/negative attitude decreased and increased slightly during the first to the third year after issuance.
Conclusion
Internet users attention to the prevention and control of children and adolescents myopia with TCM was affected by public health events, policies and regional distribution. Most of Internet users attitudes are neutral. It is suggested to further standardize network behavior and crack down on false publicity. And the appropriate technology of TCM based on external treatment has a high acceptance. To increase publicity regarding the integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine to prevent and control myopia in children and adolescents.
9.Efficacy of bupivacaine pamoate for sciatic nerve block in rats
Jingjing LIU ; Dengjun CHEN ; Yihua WANG ; Xin JIN ; Hongxiu PAN ; Xiaorong LU ; Weichen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2021;41(10):1242-1246
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of bupivacaine pamoate for sciatic nerve block in rats.Methods:Forty-eight SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 300-400 g, were divided into 6 groups using a random number table method: bupivacaine pamoate vehicle group (group VE), bupivacaine HCl group (group BH), liposomal bupivacaine group (group BL), low-dose bupivacaine pamoate group (group HL), moderate-dose bupivacaine pamoate group (group HM) and high-dose bupivacaine pamoate group (group HH), with 8 animals in each group.In VE, BH, BL, HL, HM and HH groups, bupivacaine pamoate vehicle 0.4 ml, bupivacaine HCl solution 0.4 ml, liposomal bupivacaine suspension 0.4 ml, and 1, 3 and 10 mg/ml bupivacaine pamoate suspension 0.4 ml were injected around the left sciatic nerve, respectively.The thermal paw withdrawal latency were measured before administration (T 0) and at 0.5, 1.5, 3, 5, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h after injection (T 1-9). The percentage of maximum possible effect (MPE) of thermal paw withdrawal latency was calculated, and motor function score was simultaneously performed to evaluate the efficacy of sensory and motor block.Five and three rats in each group were sacrificed at 2 and 7 days after administration (T 9, 10), respectively, and the sciatic nerve at the injection site and the surrounding muscle tissues were harvested for microscopic examination (with a light microscope) after Luxol fast blue and HE staining.Nerve damage and inflammatory responses were assessed and scored to evaluate neurotoxicity. Results:Compared with group VE, the MPE was significantly increased at T 1-4 in group HL, at T 1-8 in group HM and at T 1-8 in group HH, the motor function scores were decreased at T 1-4 in group HL, at T 1-5 in group HM and at T 1-7 in group HH ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in inflammatory response scores for the sciatic nerve and surrounding muscles at each time point in HL, HM and HH groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group BH, the MPE was significantly increased at T 3-8, motor function scores were decreased at T 3-5, and inflammatory response scores for the muscles around the sciatic nerve were decreased at T 9 in group HM ( P<0.05). Compared with group BL, the MPE was significantly increased at T 3-7, motor function scores were decreased at T 4, 5, and inflammatory response scores for the sciatic nerve and surrounding muscles were decreased at T 9 in group HM ( P<0.05). The nerve damage score was 0 in the six groups. Conclusion:Bupivacaine pamoate can block the sciatic nerve of rats, the duration of block is prolonged with the increase in the concentration, and the duration of motor block is not longer than that of sensory block; compared with the same concentration and equal volume of bupivacaine HCl and liposomal bupivacaine, bupivacaine pamoate produces longer duration of sciatic nerve block and less neurotoxicity.
10.Evaluation of characteristics of carotid plaques and immediate outcomes after carotid artery stenting in diabetic and non-diabetic patients by optical coherence tomography
Feihong HUANG ; Rui LIU ; Hang WU ; Weichen DONG ; Linying YUAN ; Lulu XIAO ; Ruidong YE ; Ruibing GUO ; Yonggang TANG ; Wusheng ZHU ; Xinfeng LIU
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2021;29(2):81-87
Objective:To evaluate the characteristics of carotid plaque and the immediate outcomes after carotid artery stenting (CAS) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients by optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods:Patients underwent CAS and OCT before and after operation in the Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital from January 2014 to March 2019 were enrolled retrospectively. The clinical features, the characteristics of carotid plaque on OCT and the immediate outcomes after CAS were compared between diabetic group and non-diabetic group. The risk factors of stent malapposition were analyzed.Results:A total of 46 patients were enrolled. Their age was 64.02±8.32 years and 41 were males (89.1%). There were 20 patients (43.5%) in the diabetes group and 26 (56.5%) in the non-diabetes group. The proportions of atherosclerotic plaque with thin fibrous cap (40.0% vs. 7.7%; χ2=5.166, P=0.023), plaque rupture (55.0% vs. 23.1%; χ2=4.945, P=0.026) and macrophage infiltration (60.0% vs. 30.8%; χ2=3.930, P=0.047) in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age (odds ratio [ OR] 1.208, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.033-1.413; P=0.018), coronary heart disease ( OR 15.953, 95% CI 1.142-222.952; P=0.040), alcohol consumption ( OR 6.192, 95% CI 1.098-34.923; P=0.039) and lower systolic blood pressure ( OR 0.944, 95% CI 0.894-0.997; P=0.037) were independently associated with stent malaposition. Conclusion:Compared with the non-diabetic patients, carotid plaque in diabetic patients may be more unstable. Older age, coronary heart disease, alcohol consumption and lower systolic blood pressure were associated with stent malaposition after carotid stenting. OCT can reveal the characteristics of carotid plaque and the immediate outcomes after CAS, which can provide strong evidence for treatment decision.


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