Objective:To evaluate the clinical utility of dual-layer detector CT integrated with virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) and an orthopedic metal artifact reduction (O-MAR) algorithm in improving the image quality of patients after lumbar pedicle screw fixation surgery, and to analyze its impact on different types of artifacts and image quality of different tissues.Methods:The study was a prospective study, The study enrolled patients who underwent lumbar pedicle screw fixation at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between March and September 2024. All patients underwent lumbar CT scans using a dual-layer detector system, and four image sets were reconstructed. CLumbar routine scans were performed using dual-layer detector CT, and four image sets were reconstructed:onventional images (CI non-O-MAR), conventional images with O-MAR (CI O-MAR), virtual monoenergetic images (VMI non-O-MAR), and VMI with O-MAR (VMI O-MAR). Objective metrics including artifact index (AI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were quantified, alongside subjective image quality assessment. One-way ANOVA or Friedman test were used to compare the objective evaluation indicators of image quality between VMI non-O-MAR and VMI O-MAR at different energy levels. Paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for CI non-O-MAR/VMI non-O-MAR versus CI O-MAR/VMI O-MAR comparisons. Results:A total of 30 patients were included, and all underwent internal fixation with titanium alloy pedicle screws. Objective analysis revealed that in both high-and low-density artifact regions, the AI values of the VMI O-MAR group decreased with the increase of energy levels, and were significantly lower than those of the corresponding VMI non-O-MAR group, with a statistically significant difference (all P<0.001). When the energy level≥140 keV, the AI value of the VMI O-MAR group was simultaneously lower than that of the CI non-O-MAR group and the CI O-MAR group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The SNR and CNR on the vertebral bodies in the VMI non-O-MAR group and the VMI O-MAR group showed a decreasing trend with increasing energy levels, and were always lower than those in the CI group at high energy levels (100-180 keV) (all P<0.05). At high energy levels (100-180 keV), the SNR of VMI O-MAR in the intervertebral disc and intraspinal tissues was higher than that of the VMI non-O-MAR group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Compared to other groups, subjective analysis indicated that the 140 keV VMI combined with O-MAR group received the highest image quality scores ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The combined application of VMI and O-MAR technology effectively reduces metal artifacts in post-lumbar fixation CT images. The 140 keV VMI with O-MAR reconstruction provides superior image quality and enhances diagnostic confidence.

Objective:To analyze the value of marginal donor livers in liver transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:Clinical data of 58 patients with ACLF undergoing liver transplantation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 33 males and 25 females, aged (40.4±14.4) years. According to the source of donor (marginal or standard), recipients were divided into the marginal group ( n=28), and standard group ( n=30). The preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, cold/warm ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative tracheal intubation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, liver function, renal function, coagulation function, postoperative complications, and survival situation were compared between the groups. Results:The MELD score, cold/warm ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative tracheal intubation time, length of ICU stay, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, estimated glomerular filtration rate, fibrinogen, postoperative infection, primary graft nonfunction, biliary complications, and vascular complications were compared between the groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) recovery was 28.6%(8/28) in marginal group, higher than that in standard group 6.7%(2/30) ( χ2=5.13, P=0.038). The one-year cumulative survival rates were 89.3% and 93.3% in marginal group and standard group, respectively ( P=0.580). Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of marginal donor liver in ACLF recipients is comparable to that of standard donor liver. The incidence of DGF is higher in recipients with marginal donor liver.

Chronic liver diseases with common causes including viral infections， alcohol abuse， and autoimmune diseases. Alkaloids， as a class of plant-derived compounds， have shown significant potential in regulating chronic liver diseases. Recent studies have shown that alkaloids are able to exert a therapeutic effect on chronic liver diseases through multiple pathways. These compounds have a regulatory effect on key pathological processes such as liver fibrosis， inflammatory response， oxidative stress， and cell apoptosis， and they also regulate the metabolic homeostasis of hepatocytes by modulating multiple signaling pathways， thereby playing a role in regulating chronic liver diseases. This article reviews the role and mechanism of alkaloids in the treatment of chronic liver diseases， in order to provide new ideas and directions for the treatment of chronic liver diseases.

ObjectiveTo study the characteristics of the five tones of Parkinson's disease （PD） patients based on the theory of "five-viscera phonology"， and provide references for the syndrome differentiation and treatment of PD. MethodsA total of 272 cases of PD patients were collected as the PD group， and 240 individuals， including patient family members and hospital staff， were recruited as the control group. The 25-tone analyzer was used to collect the five-tone characteristics of both PD patients and control group participants. The participants were then stratified into three age groups， 41~55， 56~70， and 71~85 years old， and categorized by gender （male and female） for analysis. The frequency and composition ratio of the five tones were analyzed for both groups across the different age ranges and genders. Additionally， the average voice frequency of each participant was calculated to compare differences between groups， stratified by age range and gender. ResultsIn the 41~55 and 56~70 age groups， male participants in the PD group and the control group exhibited the highest frequency of Yu （羽） tone， with the PD group showing a significantly higher composition ratio of Yu tone compared to the control group （P＜0.05）； for males in the 56~70 age group， the composition ratios of Shang （商） and Zhi （徵） tone in the PD group were lower than those in the control group （P＜0.05）. For males in the 71~85 age group， both the PD group and the control group had the highest frequency of Yu tone， but there was no statistically significant difference in the composition ratios of the five tones between groups （P＞0.05）. For female participants in the PD group across all age groups， Yu tone was the most frequent， whereas for the control group， Jue （角） tone was the most frequent in all age groups， and the composition ratio of Yu tone in the PD group was significantly higher than that in the control group across all age groups （P＜0.05）； in the 56~70 age group， the composition ratio of Jue tone was lower in the PD group compared to that in the control group （P＜0.05）. Regarding voice frequency， males in the PD group aged 41~55 and 56~70 had higher voice frequency than those in the control group of the same age range， and similarly， females in the PD group aged 56~70 and 71~85 had higher voice frequency than their counterparts in the control group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionPD patients have a voice with a higher frequency and an increased proportion of Yu tone in their five-tone distribution. According to the theory of five-viscera phonology， PD patients may have disease mechanism of kidney essence deficiency.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of curcumol on mitochondrial autophagy in hepatic stellate cells and its molecular mechanism against liver fibrosis. Methods : Hepatic stellate cells were divided into blank group, model group(lipopolysaccharide 5 mg/L), and low, medium and high curcumol group(12.5, 25 and 50 mg/L); Thiazolyland(MTT) was used to detect the effects of curcumol on the viability of hepatic stellate cells; flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of curcumol on apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells; 5,5′,6,6′-Tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylimidacarbocyanine iodide(JC-1) was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential; effects of curcumol on mitochondrial morphology and autophagosome were detected by transmission electron microscopy; effect of curcumol on mitochondrial localisation were detected by fluorescent probe; Immunoblotting assay was performed to detect the effects of curcumin on PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1), Parkinson's disease protein(Parkin), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3), autophagy-associated protein(Beclin1), mitochondrial inner membrane translocase 23(Timm23), mitochondrial outer membrane translocase 20(Tomm20), Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), B lymphocytoma-2(Bcl2), cleaved-cysteine protease 3(Caspase3), α-smooth muscle actin(ɑ-SMA), collagen type Ⅰ(Collagen Ⅰ), and collagen type Ⅲ(Collagen Ⅲ) protein expression. Results : Compared with the blank control group, cell proliferation rate, Caspase3, Bcl2, LC3Ⅱ, Beclin1, PINK1, Parkin, ɑ-SMA, CollagenⅠ, CollagenⅢ proteins significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01), co-localisation of mitochondria and lysosomes increased, and the number of mitochondrial autophagosome significantly increased(P<0.01), while Timm23 and Tomm20 proteins, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased significantly(P<0.01), apoptosis rate decreased, and Bax protein expression decreased. Compared with the model group, after curcumol intervention, cell proliferation rate, Bcl2, Timm23, Tomm20, α-SMA, CollagenⅠ and CollagenⅢ protein expression significantly decreased in the curcumol low-, medium-and high-concentration groups(P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased(P<0.01), whereas apoptosis rate, Caspase3, Bax, LC3Ⅱ, Beclin1, PINK1 and Parkin proteins significantly increased(P<0.05), the co-localisation of mitochondria and lysosomes increased, and the number of mitochondrial autophagosome significantly increased(P<0.01). Conclusion Curcumol exerts ameliorative effects on hepatic fibrosis by modulating mitochondrial hyperautophagy mediated by the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, and promoting hepatic stellate cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of subchronic exposure to pyrethrin on the mice nervous system.Methods:Twenty-four male mice were randomly divided into a control group,low-,medium-,and high-dose groups,and were exposed continuously for 28 days.The control group received corn oil.The general condi-tion of the mice was observed,and the body weight and brain organ coefficient were measured.Neurobehavioral tests were conducted after the exposure period.The histopathological changes of the hippocampus in mice were observed by HE and nissl staining.The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),acetylcholine(ACh)and glutamate(Glu)in brain tissue of mice were detected by biochemical kit.The Western blot was employed to measure the expression levels of kelch-like ech-associated protein 1(Keap1),nuclearfactorerythroid2-relatedfactor2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)in brain tissue of mice.Results:Compared with the control group,the body weight of the mice in the high-dose group decreased,the brain organ coefficient increased,and the neurological function test showed that the mice had reduced autonomic activity,delayed nerve reflex,and impaired sensory and motor function.Histopathology showed that the hippocampal neurons in the middle-and high-dose groups presented with pyknosis,vacuolization,and disordered arrangement of the CA3 area.Biochemical analysis indicated that in the brain tissue of mice,the activity of LDH and the content of MDA were increased in the medium-and high-dose groups,while the activity of CAT and the content of GSH were decreased.The content of Glu was increased and the content of ACh was decreased.The activity of SOD was reduced in the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups.Western blot analysis showed that the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in the brain tissue of mice in the middle-and high-dose groups was down-regulated,while the expression of Keap1 protein in the high-dose group was up-regulated.Conclusion:Pyrethrin may cause damage to the nervous system by affecting the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and neurotransmitter levels.

Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of subchronic exposure to pyrethrin on the mice nervous system.Methods:Twenty-four male mice were randomly divided into a control group,low-,medium-,and high-dose groups,and were exposed continuously for 28 days.The control group received corn oil.The general condi-tion of the mice was observed,and the body weight and brain organ coefficient were measured.Neurobehavioral tests were conducted after the exposure period.The histopathological changes of the hippocampus in mice were observed by HE and nissl staining.The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),acetylcholine(ACh)and glutamate(Glu)in brain tissue of mice were detected by biochemical kit.The Western blot was employed to measure the expression levels of kelch-like ech-associated protein 1(Keap1),nuclearfactorerythroid2-relatedfactor2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)in brain tissue of mice.Results:Compared with the control group,the body weight of the mice in the high-dose group decreased,the brain organ coefficient increased,and the neurological function test showed that the mice had reduced autonomic activity,delayed nerve reflex,and impaired sensory and motor function.Histopathology showed that the hippocampal neurons in the middle-and high-dose groups presented with pyknosis,vacuolization,and disordered arrangement of the CA3 area.Biochemical analysis indicated that in the brain tissue of mice,the activity of LDH and the content of MDA were increased in the medium-and high-dose groups,while the activity of CAT and the content of GSH were decreased.The content of Glu was increased and the content of ACh was decreased.The activity of SOD was reduced in the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups.Western blot analysis showed that the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in the brain tissue of mice in the middle-and high-dose groups was down-regulated,while the expression of Keap1 protein in the high-dose group was up-regulated.Conclusion:Pyrethrin may cause damage to the nervous system by affecting the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and neurotransmitter levels.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical utility of dual-layer detector CT integrated with virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) and an orthopedic metal artifact reduction (O-MAR) algorithm in improving the image quality of patients after lumbar pedicle screw fixation surgery, and to analyze its impact on different types of artifacts and image quality of different tissues.Methods:The study was a prospective study, The study enrolled patients who underwent lumbar pedicle screw fixation at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between March and September 2024. All patients underwent lumbar CT scans using a dual-layer detector system, and four image sets were reconstructed. CLumbar routine scans were performed using dual-layer detector CT, and four image sets were reconstructed:onventional images (CI non-O-MAR), conventional images with O-MAR (CI O-MAR), virtual monoenergetic images (VMI non-O-MAR), and VMI with O-MAR (VMI O-MAR). Objective metrics including artifact index (AI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were quantified, alongside subjective image quality assessment. One-way ANOVA or Friedman test were used to compare the objective evaluation indicators of image quality between VMI non-O-MAR and VMI O-MAR at different energy levels. Paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for CI non-O-MAR/VMI non-O-MAR versus CI O-MAR/VMI O-MAR comparisons. Results:A total of 30 patients were included, and all underwent internal fixation with titanium alloy pedicle screws. Objective analysis revealed that in both high-and low-density artifact regions, the AI values of the VMI O-MAR group decreased with the increase of energy levels, and were significantly lower than those of the corresponding VMI non-O-MAR group, with a statistically significant difference (all P<0.001). When the energy level≥140 keV, the AI value of the VMI O-MAR group was simultaneously lower than that of the CI non-O-MAR group and the CI O-MAR group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The SNR and CNR on the vertebral bodies in the VMI non-O-MAR group and the VMI O-MAR group showed a decreasing trend with increasing energy levels, and were always lower than those in the CI group at high energy levels (100-180 keV) (all P<0.05). At high energy levels (100-180 keV), the SNR of VMI O-MAR in the intervertebral disc and intraspinal tissues was higher than that of the VMI non-O-MAR group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Compared to other groups, subjective analysis indicated that the 140 keV VMI combined with O-MAR group received the highest image quality scores ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The combined application of VMI and O-MAR technology effectively reduces metal artifacts in post-lumbar fixation CT images. The 140 keV VMI with O-MAR reconstruction provides superior image quality and enhances diagnostic confidence.

Objective:To analyze the value of marginal donor livers in liver transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:Clinical data of 58 patients with ACLF undergoing liver transplantation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 33 males and 25 females, aged (40.4±14.4) years. According to the source of donor (marginal or standard), recipients were divided into the marginal group ( n=28), and standard group ( n=30). The preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, cold/warm ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative tracheal intubation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, liver function, renal function, coagulation function, postoperative complications, and survival situation were compared between the groups. Results:The MELD score, cold/warm ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative tracheal intubation time, length of ICU stay, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, estimated glomerular filtration rate, fibrinogen, postoperative infection, primary graft nonfunction, biliary complications, and vascular complications were compared between the groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) recovery was 28.6%(8/28) in marginal group, higher than that in standard group 6.7%(2/30) ( χ2=5.13, P=0.038). The one-year cumulative survival rates were 89.3% and 93.3% in marginal group and standard group, respectively ( P=0.580). Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of marginal donor liver in ACLF recipients is comparable to that of standard donor liver. The incidence of DGF is higher in recipients with marginal donor liver.