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.

The study focuses on the concept of multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas and aims to evaluate the efficacy of the classical formula Xiaoyao San (逍遥散). Study employs the integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) method to organize, integrate, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in treating different diseases with the same therapy, and to investigate the feasibility of using Eff-iEC to evaluate the multifunctionality of TCM formulas. The evaluation covered Xiaoyao San's therapeutic effects on depression, premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for evaluation, and authoritative medical documents were incorporated to corroborate the recognition of Xiaoyao San within the medical community. Depression and menopausal syndrome received higher ratings than other conditions in the Eff-iEC, GRADE, and Medical Community Recognition assessments. The Eff-iEC evidence grade for Xiaoyao San was rated as "High" or above for chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome received a "Moderate ⁺" rating. The GRADE evidence level was "Low-〇〇⨁⨁" for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic hepatitis; "Moderate-〇⨁⨁⨁" for dyspepsia and menopausal syndrome; and "Very Low-〇〇〇⨁" for irritable bowel syndrome. Depression and menopausal syndrome had the highest inclusion frequency, appearing in all 4 categories. Premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, and dyspepsia are not recommended in Western medical guidelines, but they are included in TCM guidelines, the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List, and the China National Essential Drug List. Irritable bowel syndrome appears only in the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List and China National Essential Drug List. The evaluation results obtained using the Eff-iEC method align with Medical Community Recognition, providing an objective and comprehensive assessment of Xiaoyao San's efficacy. The findings suggest that Xiaoyao San has strong evidence for treating depression and menopausal syndrome. However, further experimental and clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. These results support the clinical efficacy and rational use of Xiaoyao San, expand the application scope of the Eff-iEC method, and offer valuable insights and methodological references for the comparative evaluation of multifunctional TCM formulas.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter microstructure and spontaneous neural activity in male college smokers, and to further explore their associations with nicotine dependence. Given that adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for brain maturation, particularly for white matter development, understanding the neural correlates of smoking behavior during this stage is of substantial importance for both neuroscience and public health. MethodsA total of 115 male undergraduate students were initially recruited for this study. After quality control and exclusion procedures, 52 male college smokers and 42 demographically matched healthy non-smokers were included in the final analysis. All participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). White matter fiber tracts were reconstructed using the automated fiber quantification (AFQ) method, which enables precise identification and quantification of major fiber bundles. Eighteen major white matter tracts were segmented for each participant. Along the core trajectory of each tract, 100 equidistant nodes were sampled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated at each node to assess white matter microstructural integrity, while amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed to evaluate spontaneous neural activity within white matter tracts. Between-group differences in FA and ALFF were assessed using two-sample t-tests, with appropriate corrections applied for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between imaging-derived metrics (FA and ALFF values in regions showing significant group differences) and nicotine dependence severity, as measured by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). ResultsCompared with healthy non-smokers, male college smokers exhibited significantly increased FA values in several white matter tracts, including the left thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract, forceps major of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and right arcuate fasciculus. These findings suggest altered microstructural organization or increased directional coherence within these pathways. In addition, smokers demonstrated significantly elevated ALFF values in the forceps major, right uncinate fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus, indicating enhanced spontaneous neural activity in these white matter regions. Correlation analyses revealed that FA values in the left thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract were negatively correlated with FTND scores, suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with reduced microstructural integrity or altered fiber organization in these regions. In contrast, ALFF values in the forceps major and right uncinate fasciculus were positively correlated with FTND scores, indicating that greater nicotine dependence was associated with increased spontaneous neural activity in specific white matter pathways. ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that male college smokers exhibit distinct alterations in both white matter microstructure and functional activity. These abnormalities are not uniformly distributed but rather localized to specific fiber tracts implicated in sensorimotor processing, interhemispheric communication, and higher-order cognitive and emotional regulation. Importantly, the observed associations between imaging metrics and nicotine dependence severity suggest that these structural and functional alterations may reflect neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. The combination of AFQ-based tract profiling and multimodal MRI offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes along white matter pathways, highlighting its potential utility in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of nicotine dependence. Overall, these findings indicate that smoking during early adulthood may disrupt ongoing white matter maturation, potentially leading to long-term consequences for brain function. This study provides novel insights into the neural basis of nicotine dependence and underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies targeting young smokers.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of postoperative atrial fibrillation(POAF) and delayed-onset POAF(dPOAF).Methods:In a retrospective cohort study involving consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery across provincial cardiovascular consortium consisted of 57 hospitals in Jiangsu Province from January 2015 to December 2022, the incidence and implications of dPOAF were examined. dPOAF was defined as being diagnosed within 30 days of discharge.Results:Among 2 788 patients with postoperative new-onset POAF, 154(5.5%)cases had dPOAF, median onset time 21(15, 26)days following surgery. Compared to in-patient diagnosed POAF, dPOAF was associated with increased rates of hypertension(28.6% vs. 9.0%, P<0.001), diabetes(10.4% vs. 3.2%, P<0.001), heart failure(39.6% vs. 19.3%, P<0.001), peripheral vascular disease(13.6% vs. 2.2%, P<0.001), and higher CHA2DS2-VASc score(≥2)(59.8% vs. 43.2%, P<0.001). Female patients were less likely to develop dPOAF( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.30-0.63, P<0.001). During follow-up period, there was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs)( HR=1.33, 95% CI: 0.82-2.17), overall mortality( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.07-4.67), or thromboembolism events( HR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.26-1.25). Conclusion:This study underscores the risk factors and prognosis associated with dPOAF compared to in-hospital POAF. It highlights the imperative for vigilant monitoring and individualized management strategies tailored to patients at risk of dPOAF.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of paravertebral nerve block combined with general anesthesia on liver injury after laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH).Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 51 patients undergoing LH in our hospital between April and August 2024.They were randomly divided into control group(n=25,general anesthesia)and paravertebral block group(n=26,paravertebral nerve block before general anesthesia induction).Beside anesthesia,they received same other medical treatment.The following indicators were compared between the 2 groups,that is,serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL)and albumin(ALB),and systemic-immune inflammation(SII)index within 7 d before and on the 1st and 2nd days after surgery;heart rate and mean arterial pressure(MAP)before anesthesia induction(T1),before pneumoperitoneum establishment(T2),pneumoperitoneum establishment(T3),and at the first hilar occlusion(T4);usages of intraoperative norepinephrine,sevoflurane,and analgesic drugs 24 h postoperatively;as well as operation time,extubation time,and lengths of postanesthesia care unit(PACU)stay and hospital stay.Results The paravertebral block group had significantly lower ALT on the 1st day after surgery[178.40(126.55,325.86)vs 292.20(197.20,468.95)U/L],SII on the 2nd day after surgery[704.13(486.61,1 078.59)vs 1 075.09(753.80,1 614.38)],and amount of analgesic drugs in 24 h after surgery[29.70(27.37,32.07)vs 31.99(28.92,40.81)mg],and decreased MAP level at T3 and T4,early extubation,and shorter lengths of PACU stay and hospital stay when compared with the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Paravertebral nerve block combined with general anesthesia can reduce inflammatory responses,relieve postoperative pain,stabilize hemodynamics for patients undergoing LH,and thereby alleviate postoperative liver injury in them.

Objective To explore the occurrence of acute kidney injury(AKI)in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection(TAAD)after surgical treatment,analyze the risk factors,and construct a prediction model.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 138 TAAD patients undergoing surgical treatment in our hospital from January 2016 to June 2024.After Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes(KDIGO)criteria was performed within 1 week after surgery,they were divided into AKI(n=95)and non-AKI(n=43)groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the perioperative risk factors.Then a nomogram model were constructed,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to analyze its predictive efficacy.Results The incidence of postoperative AKI was 68.84%(95 cases)in the TAAD patients,including 51.58%(49 cases)of stage 3 AKI and 38.95%(37 cases)requiring continuous renal replacement therapy.The length of ICU stay,time to extubation,and abandonment of treatment were significantly higher in the AKI group than the non-AKI group(P<0.001).Multifactorial analysis showed that the monocyte count on postoperative day 1(OR=3.521)and preoperative creatinine level(OR=1.019)were independent risk factors for AKI,postoperative uric acid level(OR=1.005)was correlated with AKI,and intraoperative urine volume(OR=0.739)and globulin level at 1 d postoperatively(OR=0.781)were protective factors.The area under the ROC curve of the constructed model was 0.866,with a sensitivity of 0.811 and a specificity of 0.791.Conclusion Postoperative AKI occurrence can be reduced in TAAD patients by optimizing the intraoperative urine output,modulating the postoperative inflammatory response,and strengthening nutritional support.Our prediction model for AKI risk is of significance for early clinical identification of high-risk patients in TAAD patients after surgical treatment.

Single-cell metabolite analysis at the small molecule level reveals intercellular heterogeneity and molecular diversity,especially living cell metabolite analysis which can provide more accurate biochemical information.In this study,a comprehensive single-cell metabolomics mass spectrometry analysis platform was constructed based on continuous ultrasonic sample introduction,aiming to improve the utilization rate of single cells and the efficiency of mass spectrometry detection.This platform utilized mechanical motion generated by a miniaturized ultrasound module,which minimally affected cell integrity and viability,enabling cell suspension and dispersion for up to 60 min,with cell viability exceeding 70%.By comparing cell suspension densities and the cell number of mass spectrometry detections between static and ultrasound groups,the results showed that the ultrasound treatment significantly reduced cell sedimentation rate and increased single-cell mass spectrometry detection efficiency.Applying this platform to single-cell analysis of cell line of mouse cerebellar astrocytes(C8D1A)and mouse glioma(GL261)cells achieved clustering and differential analysis of different cell types,demonstrating the method's potential in analyzing cellular heterogeneity and identifying cells.This approach promised to provide new insights and solutions for single-cell analysis.

A dielectric barrier discharge ionization source with rapid evaporation and self-aspiration sampling(RE-SADBDI)was developed,integrating a rapid evaporation(RE)module and a dielectric barrier discharge ionization(DBDI)module.The sample was introduced into the RE module via a sampling swab and rapidly vaporized within it.The sealed design of the ionization source could enable the sample to be self-aspirated into the ionization region without the need of additional inert gas.All vaporized sample was efficiently directed into the ionization region due to the relatively enclosed environment for sample transfer and ionization,resulting in improved transfer and ionization efficiencies.Experimental results showed that the limit of detection(LOD)under ion isolation mode reached 0.05 ng/mL(caffeine),with a relative standard deviation(RSD)of 6.9%.Furthermore,when coupled with a miniaturized linear ion trap mass spectrometer,the source enabled real-time analysis of various sample types.The developed RE-SADBDI source was suitable for on-site analysis with miniaturized mass spectrometers.

Lentiviral vectors(LVs)are key gene delivery tools for integrating target genes into the host genome,but they may also pose risks of insertional mutagenesis.The vector copy number(VCN)in cells is critical for determining the safety of gene modification.However,the reliability and accuracy of its quantification process are influenced by multiple factors.Developing cell reference materials with specific vector copy numbers represents a viable approach to enhance the reliability and consistency of measurement results,enabling quality control of the quantification process and traceability of outcomes.However,the preparation of such reference materials faces challenges in cell sample design,preparation protocols,and advanced quantification techniques.In this study,T lymphocyte cell line Jurkat-based reference materials with LV gene copy numbers of 1 and 2 copy/cell were developed.A high-precision duplex digital polymerase chain reaction(dPCR)method was established to quantify the LV gene and endogenous genes simultaneously.Additionally,the results of dPCR were cross-validated through next-generation sequencing and flow cytometric analysis.Ultimately,confocal microscopy characterization results showed that the developed cell reference materials had intact morphology.The quantification result of VCN-1 was(1.07±0.11)copy/cell,and that of VCN-2 was(2.09±0.21)copy/cell.These cell reference materials demonstrated compliance with stability and homogeneity requirements,and could be applied for quality control throughout the VCN measurement workflow and metrological traceability,improving the accuracy,comparability,and validity of copy number measurements.