Objective To explore the factors affecting the enhancement quality of head and neck computed tomography angiography(CTA)images based on bolus-tracking technology,and provide a basis for quantitatively controlling image quality.Methods The general information,injection parameters,scanning parameters and analysis data of enhancement quality of images of 500 subjects who underwent head and neck CTA examinations in our hospital from January to June 2024 were prospectively collected.A comprehensive evaluation of enhancement quality of head and neck CTA images of the examinees was conducted,and the relevant examination data of the examinees with qualified and unqualified enhancement quality of images were compared.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent factors influencing the enhancement quality of image.Results Among 500 CTA images of head and neck,262 cases had qualified enhancement quality of images and 238 cases were unqualified.There were statistically significant differences in gender,height,body weight,tube voltage,scanning direction,trigger threshold,diagnostic delay time,iodine contrast agent concentration,iodine contrast agent dosage,and iodine contrast agent flow rate between the examinees with qualified and unqualified enhancement quality of images(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that the examinees were male(95%CI:0.22 to 0.75,P=0.004),body weight(95%CI:0.92 to 0.97,P<0.01),and head-foot direction scanning(95%CI:0.03 to 0.43,P=0.002),diagnostic delay time(95%CI:0.44 to 0.92,P=0.017),iodine contrast agent dosage(95%CI:1.21 to 1.34,P<0.001),iodine contrast agent flow rate(95%CI:0.14 to 0.59,P<0.001)were all the independent influencing factors of enhancement quality of image;Among them,the iodine contrast agent dosage(β=0.24,OR=1.27)was positively correlated with the enhancement quality of image,the examinees were male(β=-0.89,OR=0.41),body weight(β=-0.06,OR=0.94),head-foot direction scanning(β=-2.23,OR=0.11),diagnostic delay time(β=-0.45,OR=0.64),and iodine contrast agent flow rate(β=-1.26,OR=0.28)were negatively correlated with the enhancement quality of image.Conclusion In the application of bolus-tracking technology for head and neck CTA,individual factors,scanning parameters,and injection regimens are the key control elements that affect the positive results of enhancement quality of head and neck CTA images.In clinical practice,technicians can establish personalized scanning protocols by integrating artificial intelligence-assisted decision-making systems to achieve precise,standardized and personalized imaging.

Objective To explore the factors affecting the enhancement quality of head and neck computed tomography angiography(CTA)images based on bolus-tracking technology,and provide a basis for quantitatively controlling image quality.Methods The general information,injection parameters,scanning parameters and analysis data of enhancement quality of images of 500 subjects who underwent head and neck CTA examinations in our hospital from January to June 2024 were prospectively collected.A comprehensive evaluation of enhancement quality of head and neck CTA images of the examinees was conducted,and the relevant examination data of the examinees with qualified and unqualified enhancement quality of images were compared.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent factors influencing the enhancement quality of image.Results Among 500 CTA images of head and neck,262 cases had qualified enhancement quality of images and 238 cases were unqualified.There were statistically significant differences in gender,height,body weight,tube voltage,scanning direction,trigger threshold,diagnostic delay time,iodine contrast agent concentration,iodine contrast agent dosage,and iodine contrast agent flow rate between the examinees with qualified and unqualified enhancement quality of images(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that the examinees were male(95%CI:0.22 to 0.75,P=0.004),body weight(95%CI:0.92 to 0.97,P<0.01),and head-foot direction scanning(95%CI:0.03 to 0.43,P=0.002),diagnostic delay time(95%CI:0.44 to 0.92,P=0.017),iodine contrast agent dosage(95%CI:1.21 to 1.34,P<0.001),iodine contrast agent flow rate(95%CI:0.14 to 0.59,P<0.001)were all the independent influencing factors of enhancement quality of image;Among them,the iodine contrast agent dosage(β=0.24,OR=1.27)was positively correlated with the enhancement quality of image,the examinees were male(β=-0.89,OR=0.41),body weight(β=-0.06,OR=0.94),head-foot direction scanning(β=-2.23,OR=0.11),diagnostic delay time(β=-0.45,OR=0.64),and iodine contrast agent flow rate(β=-1.26,OR=0.28)were negatively correlated with the enhancement quality of image.Conclusion In the application of bolus-tracking technology for head and neck CTA,individual factors,scanning parameters,and injection regimens are the key control elements that affect the positive results of enhancement quality of head and neck CTA images.In clinical practice,technicians can establish personalized scanning protocols by integrating artificial intelligence-assisted decision-making systems to achieve precise,standardized and personalized imaging.

Chronic stress triggers the imbalance of the homeostasis of the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME),which is a key factor driving the development of lung cancer.Based on the mapping relationship between the concept of"spirit"in traditional Chinese medicine and chronic stress,and between"qi"and"immunity",it is believed that the cross-linking mechanism of"chronic stress-TIME-lung cancer"aligns with the understanding of traditional Chinese medicine of disease as involving the interplay between the"body,qi and spirit".The disorganization of"spirit"and"qi"is not only the root of the change of the"form",but also the key to prevent and control it.The treatment principle of synergizing to improve the chronic stress of"regulating the spirit"and remodeling the TIME of"invigorating the qi"is further proposed,which emphasizes on grasping the core pathogenesis of lung cancer at each stage of its evolution in order to administer medicines,drawing on the clinical experience and pharmacological research results in order to accurately hit the target,and combining special therapies like acupuncture,Chinese kungfu,sound therapy to treat the change of"shape"by modulating neuro-endocrine-immune network homeostasis,so as to provide new ideas and accessible solutions for the comprehensive prevention and treatment system of lung cancer.

Chronic stress triggers the imbalance of the homeostasis of the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME),which is a key factor driving the development of lung cancer.Based on the mapping relationship between the concept of"spirit"in traditional Chinese medicine and chronic stress,and between"qi"and"immunity",it is believed that the cross-linking mechanism of"chronic stress-TIME-lung cancer"aligns with the understanding of traditional Chinese medicine of disease as involving the interplay between the"body,qi and spirit".The disorganization of"spirit"and"qi"is not only the root of the change of the"form",but also the key to prevent and control it.The treatment principle of synergizing to improve the chronic stress of"regulating the spirit"and remodeling the TIME of"invigorating the qi"is further proposed,which emphasizes on grasping the core pathogenesis of lung cancer at each stage of its evolution in order to administer medicines,drawing on the clinical experience and pharmacological research results in order to accurately hit the target,and combining special therapies like acupuncture,Chinese kungfu,sound therapy to treat the change of"shape"by modulating neuro-endocrine-immune network homeostasis,so as to provide new ideas and accessible solutions for the comprehensive prevention and treatment system of lung cancer.

The adulteration and counterfeiting of herbal ingredients in medicinal and food homology (MFH) have a serious impact on the quality of herbal materials, thereby endangering human health. Compared to pharmaceutical drugs, health products derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are more easily accessible and closely integrated into consumers' daily life. However, the authentication of the authenticity of TCM ingredients in MFH has not received sufficient attention. The lack of clear standards emphasizes the necessity of conducting systematic research in this area. This study utilized DNA barcoding technology, combining ITS2, psbA-trnH, matK as universal barcode sequences, and DX, HH, JYH as specific barcode sequences, to identify the authenticity of commercial medicinal and food homology scented herbal teas. The aim was to investigate the authenticity of scented herbal tea products circulating in the market. The research results revealed that among 180 scented herbal tea samples, DNA barcodes were successfully obtained from 164 samples, while the remaining samples either lacked the target components or suffered severe DNA degradation, resulting in failed amplification. Combined with morphological identification studies, it was found that out of the 180 samples, 141 were authentic, accounting for 78.33% of the total samples, while 31 samples showed adulteration and 8 samples lacked the target components, accounting for 21.67% of the total samples. Additionally, water testing revealed that 5 samples of Carthamus tinctorius herbal tea exhibited the phenomenon of weight adulteration. This study exposed the presence of adulteration and weight adulteration in scented herbal tea products, highlighting the need for regulatory authorities to expedite the establishment of quality standards in scented herbal tea industry. These findings provide valuable insights for the rapid development of the scented herbal tea industry.

Humans ; Otosclerosis/surgery* ; Stapes ; Stapes Surgery/adverse effects* ; Arteries

Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic/genetics* ; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure ; Chromosome Disorders

Objective:To explore the diagnostic accuracy and application value of 3.0 T non-contrast coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA) in evaluating coronary artery in children with Kawasaki disease (KD).Methods:From May 2019 to January 2022, 75 children diagnosed with KD in our hospital were enrolled. All the patients underwent CMRA and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in one week, twenty-six of whom underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) or invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within two weeks. The diagnostic performance of CMRA and TTE was evaluated with CCTA/ICA as reference standard by per-patient basis, per-vessel basis, per-segment basis. Sensitivity and specificity of CMRA and TTE was compared by paired chi square test.The distribution of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA), thrombosis and other pathological changes of coronary artery were recorded and compared between two methods. The patients′ height and weight were collected to calculate the Z value. Z value>2.5 was defined as CAA.Results:All patients successfully completed CMRA examinations. Among the 26 patients, the sensitivity of CMRA was significantly higher than that of TTE by per coronary artery[97.7%(43/44)vs.84.1%(37/44), χ2=4.17, P<0.05]. CMRA showed a higher sensitivity than that of TTE both by proximal segments and middle/distal segments [97.7%(43/44)vs. 84.1%(37/44), 100%(21/21) vs. 52.4%(11/21), χ2=10.08, 7.11, both P<0.05). A total of 115 CAAs was found by CMRA, while only 87 (75.7%) CAAs were observed by TTE. Of the 28 (24.3%) CAAs missed by TTE, 16 (57.1%) were located in right coronary artery (RCA), 2(7.1%) in left main coronary artery, 7(25.0%) in left anterior ascending coronary artery (LAD) and 3(10.7%) in left circumflex coronary artery (LCX). Eleven (39.3%) missed CAAs by TTE were located in the proximal segment of RCA, LMCA, LAD and LCX, and 17 (60.7%) missed CAAs were located in the middle and distal segments. TTE missed coronary thrombosis in 5 patients compared with CMRA. Conclusions:3.0 T non-contrast CMRA is non-invasive and non-radiation, and the image quality can meet the needs of diagnosis, especially for detection of CAAs in RCA or in middle and distal segments of coronary artery in KD patients.

Caffeic acid and its oligomers are the main water-soluble active constituents of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) Arnebiae Radix. These compounds possess multiple biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, cardiovascular protective, liver protective, anti-liver fibrosis, antiviral and anticancer activities. The phenylpropanoid pathway in plants is responsible for the biosynthesis of caffeic acid and its oligomers. Glycosylation can change phenylpropanoid solubility, stability and toxic potential, as well as influencing compartmentalization and biological activity. In view of the important role played by de-glycosylation in the regulation of phenylpropanoid homeostasis, the biosynthesis of caffeic acid and its oligomers are supposed to be under the control of relative UDP-glycosyltransferases(UGTs). Through the data mining of Arnebia euchroma transcriptome, we cloned 15 full-length putative UGT genes. After recombinant expression using the prokaryotic system, the crude enzyme solution of the putative UGTs was examined for the glycosylation activities towards caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid in vitro. AeUGT_01, AeUGT_02, AeUGT_03, AeUGT_04 and AeUGT_10 were able to glycosylate caffeic acid and/or rosmarinic acid resulting in different mono-and/or di-glycosylated products in the UPLC-MS analyses. The characterized UGTs were distantly related to each other and divided into different clades of the phylogenetic tree. Based on the observation that each characterized UGT exhibited substrate or catalytic similarity with the members in their own clade, we supposed the glycosylation abilities towards caffeic acid and/or rosmarinic acid were evolved independently in different clades. The identification of caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid UGTs from A. euchroma could lead to deeper understanding of the caffeic acid oligomers biosynthesis and its regulation. Furthermore, these UGTs might be used for regiospecific glycosylation of caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid to produce bioactive compounds for potential therapeutic applications.
Boraginaceae/genetics* ; Caffeic Acids ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cinnamates ; Cloning, Molecular ; Depsides ; Glycosyltransferases/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Nitrogen fertilizer has been the long-lasting crucial component in cultivation of Chinese materia medica(CMM) and crops for its profound effects on enhancing the productivity. In consideration of its role in better production, intensive and excessive application of N fertilizer is often found in CMM cultivation. Therefore, firstly, this review summarized various concentrations of N application with regards to different CMM and districts from the literatures published in the last two decades. The recommended concentration of nitrogen application of forty seven CMM species were covered in this review. We found that the optimum rates of nitrogen fertili-zer for different medicinal plants species were varied in the range between 0-1 035.55 kg·hm~(-2). Most of the optimum rates of nitrogen fertilizer for CMM in published researches fell between 100-199 kg·hm~(-2). The optimum rate of nitrogen fertilizer is not only related to amount of nitrogen required for different medicinal plants but also to soil fertilities of different fields. In addition, we outlined the diffe-rent effects of proper and excessive nitrogen deposition on yield of CMM. Proper nitrogen deposition benefits the yield of CMM, howe-ver, excessive nitrogen use accounts for a decrease in CMM yield. We elucidated that nutritional content, water use efficiencies, and photosynthesis capacity were major influencing factors. Researches showed that proper nitrogen fertilizer could promote the water use efficiencies of plants and boost photosynthesis. Consequently, the yield of CMM can be enhanced after nitrogen deposition. However, negative effects of nitrogen fertilizer were also found on plant including producing toxic substances to the soil and causing severe pest damages. Lastly we analyzed the impact of N fertilizer application on secondary metabolites which accounts for a large part of active pharmaceutical ingredients of CMM. It usually caused an increase in nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites content and a decrease in non-nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites content respectively. The potential underlying mechanisms are the different synthetic pathways of these metabolites and the plant nutritional status. Synthesis of non-nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites like phenols can be inhibited after nitrogen application because of the competition of the same precursor substances between metabolites synthesis and plant growth. To sum up, impacts and mechanisms of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and quality enhancement of CMM were discussed in this review. Negative effects of excessive nitrogen application on CMM should be paid special attention in CMM cultivation and prescription fertilization based on the field soil quality is strongly recommended. Overall, this review aims to provides insights on improving the proper application of N fertilizer in the cultivation of CMM.
Agriculture ; China ; Fertilizers ; Materia Medica ; Nitrogen/analysis* ; Soil