Objective:To design and develop a cone-beam CT imaging system for small animals with continuously adjustable spatial resolution.Methods:The imaging system used an X-ray source with a focal spot size of 30 μm and a flat panel detector with a pixel size of 100 μm. On this premise, a " stepping-focusing-rotating" image acquisition mode was proposed, in which the " focusing" and " stepping" systems were sequentially embedded in the " rotating" system. In this acquisition mode, the X-ray source and flat panel detector were relatively stationary to form the " focusing" system. When the " stepping" system accurately transported the object to the scanning position, the " focusing" system could achieve adjustable spatial resolution by making linear motion around the object to be scanned according to different experimental requirements. Finally the " rotating" system achieve high-quality imaging.Results:The variable spatial resolution of small animal CBCT ranges from 35.7 μm to 71.4 μm, and the FOV ranges from 39.6 mm to 108.0 mm. The conversion time for the limit spatial resolution is 19.125 s, which allowed accurate 3D reconstruction of normal mice at different resolutions with high reproducibility.Conclusions:A cone-beam CT suitable for small animals has been developed, whose spatial resolution and FOV can be adjusted arbitrarily within a certain range, which can meet the different imaging requirements in rodent experiments.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of gastric-soleal turndown flap and knotless anchor bridging fixation via a modified incision in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Myerson type Ⅲ.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of the 18 patients who had been treated at Department of Minimally Invasive Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Orthopaedic Hospital from February 2020 to July 2023 for chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Myerson type Ⅲ by means of gastric-soleal turndown flap and knotless anchor bridging fixation via a modified incision. There were 15 males and 3 females, with an age of (37.2±6.8) years. All patients suffered from unilateral injury, involving 13 left sides and 5 right sides. Their body mass index was (22.6±2.5) kg/m 2. The operation time, blood loss, incision length, wound healing and complications were documented. The ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion at the last follow-up were compared between the affected side and the healthy side. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) before operation were compared with those at the last follow-up. Results:All the 18 patients were followed up for (18.0±5.5) months. Their operation time was (69.1±5.2) minutes, blood loss (71.6±9.2) mL, incision at the broken end of the Achilles tendon (12.4±2.6) cm and incision at the proximal end (2.5±0.4) cm. At the last follow-up, the ankle dorsiflexion was 12.7°±1.9° and the ankle plantar flexion 35.2°±2.0° at the affected side, showing no significant difference from those at the healthy side (13.0°±2.1° and 34.7°±1.8°) ( P>0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (89.4±3.4) points and the ATRS (85.3±3.2) points for the affected side at the last follow-up, showing significant improvements compared with the preoperative values [(54.2±4.2) points and (51.1±4.6) points] ( P<0.05). All the incisions healed at one stage after operation, with no such complications as incision infection or re-rupture of the Achilles tendon. One patient experienced mild pain at the anchor insertion site, but the pain disappeared 6 months after operation without any treatment. One patient had the symptoms of sural nerve injury which responded to 3 months of oral neurotrophic medication. Conclusion:In the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Myerson type Ⅲ, gastric-soleal turndown flap and knotless anchor bridging fixation via a modified incision can result in limited invasion, a low incidence of complications, and definite effectiveness.

Objective To explore the relationships of vitamin D and oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)with infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)based on restricted cubic spline models.Methods A total of 150 PCOS patients were selected as the study subjects and followed up for at least 1 year.They were divided into infertile group and non-infertile group according to whether they were infertile.A Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of infertility in PCOS patients.Furthermore,the relationships of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25-(OH)2D3]and ox-LDL with infertility in PCOS patients,as well as their interactive effects on infertility in PCOS patients were analyzed.A restricted cubic spline model was used to analyze the non-linear relationships between 1,25-(OH)2D3,ox-LDL,and infertility in PCOS patients.Results Among 150 PCOS patients,78 were not pregnant,resulting in an infertility rate of 52.00％(78/150).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the severity of PCOS,body mass index,age,1,25-(OH)2D3,and ox-LDL were all independent influencing factors for infertility in PCOS patients(P＜0.05).After adjusting for confounding factors,1,25-(OH)2D3 and ox-LDL were still associated with the risk of in-fertility in PCOS patients(P＜0.05).Restricted cubic spline model analysis revealed non-linear rela-tionships between 1,25-(OH)2D3,ox-LDL,and the risk of infertility in PCOS patients(P＜0.05).When the serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 level was＜35.70 nmol/L,it was negatively correlated with the risk of infertility in PCOS patients(P＜0.05).When the serum ox-LDL level was ≥381.00 μg/L,it was positively correlated with the risk of infertility in PCOS patients(P＜0.05).Interactive effect analysis showed that 1,25-(OH)2D3 and ox-LDL had antagonistic effects on infertility in PCOS pa-tients(P＜0.05).Conclusion Decreased serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 levels and increased ox-LDL levels in PCOS patients can significantly increase the risk of infertility.Moreover,there is a non-lin-ear dose-response relationship and an antagonistic interactive effect between them,suggesting that regulating vitamin D and oxidative stress levels may be an important strategy for improving the fertili-ty outcomes of PCOS patients.

Objective To investigate the features of resting-state electroencephalography(EEG)in stroke patients with limited upper limb movement,and assess its potential utility in evaluating upper limb motor function.Methods From March to August,2024,a total of 71 stroke patients with limited upper limb movement were enrolled as stroke group at the Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine;while 63 healthy participants matched for age and sex were recruited as control group.They were tested with 19-chan-nel resting-state EEG(rsEEG),calculating of the pairwise derived brain symmetry index(pdBSI)and Delta/Al-pha ratio(DAR).The motor function was assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),the upper limb recovery was evaluated with Brunnstrom Stages and the activities of daily living was assessed with modified Barthel index(MBI)in stroke patients,Results Compared with the control group,the pdBSI of Global lead,Frontal region,Central region and Posterior region across Delta,Alpha and Beta1 frequency bands were significantly higher in the stroke group than in the control group(|Z|>2.289,P<0.05);as well as the pdBSI of Global lead,Central region and Posterior region across The-ta bands(|Z|>3.016,P<0.01),the pdBSI of Global lead,Frontal region,Central region and Posterior region across Beta2 bands(|Z|>3.222,P<0.01),DAR of Global lead,Frontal region,Central region and Posterior re-gion(|Z|>6.565,P<0.001).In the stroke group,the pdBSI of Global lead(r=-0.280,P=0.018)and Central region(r=-0.304,P=0.010)across the Delta band were significantly negatively correlated with FMA-UE,as well as the pdBSI of Global leads(r=-0.289,P=0.014),Central region(r=-0.244,P=0.040)and Posterior region(r=-0.356,P=0.002)across the Beta1 band,and the DAR of Global lead(r=-0.431,P<0.001),Fron-tal region(r=-0.429,P<0.001),Central region(r=-0.491,P<0.001)and Posterior region(r=-0.482,P<0.001).Conclusion Asymmetry in spectral power between hemispheres in the Delta(0.5 to 4 Hz)and Beta(13 to 20 Hz)bands is found in stroke patients,especially in the central region,which correlates with upper limb function limitations.pdBSI Delta,pdBSI Beta1 and DAR are potential neuroelectrophysiological markers for assessing upper limb motor function in stroke patients.

Objective:To design and develop a cone-beam CT imaging system for small animals with continuously adjustable spatial resolution.Methods:The imaging system used an X-ray source with a focal spot size of 30 μm and a flat panel detector with a pixel size of 100 μm. On this premise, a " stepping-focusing-rotating" image acquisition mode was proposed, in which the " focusing" and " stepping" systems were sequentially embedded in the " rotating" system. In this acquisition mode, the X-ray source and flat panel detector were relatively stationary to form the " focusing" system. When the " stepping" system accurately transported the object to the scanning position, the " focusing" system could achieve adjustable spatial resolution by making linear motion around the object to be scanned according to different experimental requirements. Finally the " rotating" system achieve high-quality imaging.Results:The variable spatial resolution of small animal CBCT ranges from 35.7 μm to 71.4 μm, and the FOV ranges from 39.6 mm to 108.0 mm. The conversion time for the limit spatial resolution is 19.125 s, which allowed accurate 3D reconstruction of normal mice at different resolutions with high reproducibility.Conclusions:A cone-beam CT suitable for small animals has been developed, whose spatial resolution and FOV can be adjusted arbitrarily within a certain range, which can meet the different imaging requirements in rodent experiments.

Objective To investigate the features of resting-state electroencephalography(EEG)in stroke patients with limited upper limb movement,and assess its potential utility in evaluating upper limb motor function.Methods From March to August,2024,a total of 71 stroke patients with limited upper limb movement were enrolled as stroke group at the Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine;while 63 healthy participants matched for age and sex were recruited as control group.They were tested with 19-chan-nel resting-state EEG(rsEEG),calculating of the pairwise derived brain symmetry index(pdBSI)and Delta/Al-pha ratio(DAR).The motor function was assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),the upper limb recovery was evaluated with Brunnstrom Stages and the activities of daily living was assessed with modified Barthel index(MBI)in stroke patients,Results Compared with the control group,the pdBSI of Global lead,Frontal region,Central region and Posterior region across Delta,Alpha and Beta1 frequency bands were significantly higher in the stroke group than in the control group(|Z|>2.289,P<0.05);as well as the pdBSI of Global lead,Central region and Posterior region across The-ta bands(|Z|>3.016,P<0.01),the pdBSI of Global lead,Frontal region,Central region and Posterior region across Beta2 bands(|Z|>3.222,P<0.01),DAR of Global lead,Frontal region,Central region and Posterior re-gion(|Z|>6.565,P<0.001).In the stroke group,the pdBSI of Global lead(r=-0.280,P=0.018)and Central region(r=-0.304,P=0.010)across the Delta band were significantly negatively correlated with FMA-UE,as well as the pdBSI of Global leads(r=-0.289,P=0.014),Central region(r=-0.244,P=0.040)and Posterior region(r=-0.356,P=0.002)across the Beta1 band,and the DAR of Global lead(r=-0.431,P<0.001),Fron-tal region(r=-0.429,P<0.001),Central region(r=-0.491,P<0.001)and Posterior region(r=-0.482,P<0.001).Conclusion Asymmetry in spectral power between hemispheres in the Delta(0.5 to 4 Hz)and Beta(13 to 20 Hz)bands is found in stroke patients,especially in the central region,which correlates with upper limb function limitations.pdBSI Delta,pdBSI Beta1 and DAR are potential neuroelectrophysiological markers for assessing upper limb motor function in stroke patients.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of gastric-soleal turndown flap and knotless anchor bridging fixation via a modified incision in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Myerson type Ⅲ.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of the 18 patients who had been treated at Department of Minimally Invasive Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Orthopaedic Hospital from February 2020 to July 2023 for chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Myerson type Ⅲ by means of gastric-soleal turndown flap and knotless anchor bridging fixation via a modified incision. There were 15 males and 3 females, with an age of (37.2±6.8) years. All patients suffered from unilateral injury, involving 13 left sides and 5 right sides. Their body mass index was (22.6±2.5) kg/m 2. The operation time, blood loss, incision length, wound healing and complications were documented. The ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion at the last follow-up were compared between the affected side and the healthy side. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) before operation were compared with those at the last follow-up. Results:All the 18 patients were followed up for (18.0±5.5) months. Their operation time was (69.1±5.2) minutes, blood loss (71.6±9.2) mL, incision at the broken end of the Achilles tendon (12.4±2.6) cm and incision at the proximal end (2.5±0.4) cm. At the last follow-up, the ankle dorsiflexion was 12.7°±1.9° and the ankle plantar flexion 35.2°±2.0° at the affected side, showing no significant difference from those at the healthy side (13.0°±2.1° and 34.7°±1.8°) ( P>0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (89.4±3.4) points and the ATRS (85.3±3.2) points for the affected side at the last follow-up, showing significant improvements compared with the preoperative values [(54.2±4.2) points and (51.1±4.6) points] ( P<0.05). All the incisions healed at one stage after operation, with no such complications as incision infection or re-rupture of the Achilles tendon. One patient experienced mild pain at the anchor insertion site, but the pain disappeared 6 months after operation without any treatment. One patient had the symptoms of sural nerve injury which responded to 3 months of oral neurotrophic medication. Conclusion:In the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Myerson type Ⅲ, gastric-soleal turndown flap and knotless anchor bridging fixation via a modified incision can result in limited invasion, a low incidence of complications, and definite effectiveness.

Objective To explore the changes in serum energy metabolites in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma,and investigate serum biomarkers for monitoring peripheral T-cell lymphoma from the perspective of energy metabolism.Methods Multiple/selected reaction monitoring(MRM/SRM)was used to detect the energy-related metabolites in the sera of 16 patients with newly diagnosed peripheral T-cell lymphoma admitted in the Hematology Medical Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from November 2020 to December 2021,as well as 10 recruited healthy volunteers.The corresponding clinical data including medical history,laboratory results and image data were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results Significant differences were seen in the contents and expression profiles of serum energy metabolism-related products between the patients and the healthy volunteers.The patients had significantly reduced serum contents of cyclic AMP,succinate,citrate and cis-aconitate(P＜0.05),and elevated D-glucose 6-phosphate content(P＜0.05).The serum contents of citrate and succinate were negatively correlated with the risk stratification(low-,moderate-and high-risk)and clinical stage of the disease(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,there was a negative correlation between the contents of L-malic acid and citrate and the mid-term efficacy evaluation results,such as complete/partial response(CR/PR)or stable disease(SD)(P＜0.05).For patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma(n=10),there were also significant reductions in the contents of cyclic AMP,succinate,citrate,isocitrate and cis-aconitate in the sera of patients compared with healthy volunteers(P＜0.05),and the contents of citrate and succinate were negatively correlated with the clinical stage(P＜0.05)and were rather correlated with mid-term efficacy evaluation results(CR/PR or SD)(P＜0.05).For patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma(n=6),the serum contents of cyclic AMP,citrate and succinate were significantly lower,while the content of D-glucose 6-phosphate was higher when compared with the healthy volunteers(P＜0.05),and the content of succinate was negatively correlated with both clinical stage and risk grade of the patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are 5 serum differential metabolites identified between patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma and healthy controls,and succinate and citrate are expected to be serum biomarkers of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Danggui Buxuetang， derived from Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes （Volume 2）： Treatise on Heat Injury to Stomach Qi（《内外伤辨惑论卷中·暑伤胃气论》） by LI Dongyuan in the Jin and Yuan dynasties， is a classic and famous formula for tonifying qi and generating blood that has been inherited and promoted by successive generations of medical practitioners and has been included in the "Catalogue of Ancient Classical Prescriptions （First Batch）" published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018. The paper analyzed the historical origin， composition， dosage， processing， preparation， decocting， and taking methods， efficacy， and application of the classic formula Danggui Buxuetang by consulting ancient and modern literature and combining the key information examination principles of ancient classic prescriptions. A total of 604 pieces of information on relevant ancient literature were collected， including 186 ancient Chinese medical books， of which 40 （five in the Jin and Yuan dynasties， 19 in the Ming Dynasty， and 16 in the Qing Dynasty） had detailed records of composition， processing， and dosage. Danggui Buxuetang is mainly comprised of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix. According to the ancient and modern dose conversion， there are 37.3-38.1 g of Astragali Radix and 7.5-7.6 g of Angelicae Sinensis Radix in the formula. Astragali Radix is preferably fried with honey and Angelicae Sinensis Radix with wine. Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix are decocted with 600 mL of water to 300 mL， and taken warm before meals. The main effect of this formula are described in ancient books as blood deficiency and fever， with symptoms of muscle fever， dryness and heat， irritability and thirst， red eyes and face， sleeplessness in daytime and night， and surging and feeble pulse which is weak under hard pressing， and it is a famous formula for replenishing qi and generating blood. Modern research shows that Danggui Buxuetang is commonly used in the treatment of various kinds of anemia， diabetic nephropathy， tumors， and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The above research results can provide a reference for the subsequent development and research on the classic formula Danggui Buxuetang.

BACKGROUND: Exploring the underlying mechanism of rituximab resistance is critical to improve the outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we tried to identify the effects of the axon guidance factor semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F) on rituximab resistance as well as its therapeutic value in DLBCL. METHODS: The effects of SEMA3F on the treatment response to rituximab were investigated by gain- or loss-of-function experiments. The role of the Hippo pathway in SEMA3F-mediated activity was explored. A xenograft mouse model generated by SEMA3F knockdown in cells was used to evaluate rituximab sensitivity and combined therapeutic effects. The prognostic value of SEMA3F and TAZ (WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1) was examined in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and human DLBCL specimens. RESULTS: We found that loss of SEMA3F was related to a poor prognosis in patients who received rituximab-based immunochemotherapy instead of chemotherapy regimen. Knockdown of SEMA3F significantly repressed the expression of CD20 and reduced the proapoptotic activity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity induced by rituximab. We further demonstrated that the Hippo pathway was involved in the SEMA3F-mediated regulation of CD20. Knockdown of SEMA3F expression induced the nuclear accumulation of TAZ and inhibited CD20 transcriptional levels via direct binding of the transcription factor TEAD2 and the CD20 promoter. Moreover, in patients with DLBCL, SEMA3F expression was negatively correlated with TAZ, and patients with SEMA3F low TAZ high had a limited benefit from a rituximab-based strategy. Specifically, treatment of DLBCL cells with rituximab and a YAP/TAZ inhibitor showed promising therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo . CONCLUSION Our study thus defined a previously unknown mechanism of SEMA3F-mediated rituximab resistance through TAZ activation in DLBCL and identified potential therapeutic targets in patients.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Rituximab/therapeutic use* ; Hippo Signaling Pathway ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Semaphorins/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*