Objective To investigate the utility of dual-energy computed tomography(DECT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)images instead of true non-contrast(TNC)images in the quantitative analysis of emphysema.Methods A retrospective selection was con-ducted on 59 patients who underwent chest CT plain scan plus dual-phase enhanced scan on APEX-CT.VNC images of arterial phase(VNCart)and venous phase(VNCven)were generated on AW4.7 workstation.Volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP)were recorded respectively.In a double-blind manner,two physicians graded the severity of each patient's emphysema according to the Fleischner Society's emphysema visual classification system.The"digital lung"detection and analysis platform was used to quantitatively measure emphysema at three thresholds(-950 HU,-930 HU and-910 HU),and the difference in meas-urement results between VNC images and TNC images was compared.Quantitative differences in low attenuation volume(LAV),percentage of low attenuation area(LAA%)and mean lung density(MLD)at the-950 HU threshold were compared using Bland-Altman plots.Results Using TNC images as the standard,there was no significant difference in the results of the visual classifica-tion evaluation of emphysema between TNC and VNC images(χ2=2.80,P=0.247).In quantitative measurement,there was no significant difference in total lung volume(TLV)(χ2=3.26,P=0.196)between the three groups images.Compared to TNC ima-ges,there were no statistically significant differences in LAV,LAA%and MLD of VNCven images at 15th percentile lung density(Perc 15%)and different thresholds(P>0.05).Compared to the TNC mode,the VNC mode could reduce the effective dose(ED)by approximately 32.6%.Conclusion The use of DECT VNCven images on chest has the potential to replace TNC for the quantitative analysis of emphysema,thereby streamlining scans and reducing radiation dose.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.The epigenetic transcriptional modifications after RNA transcription can affect gene expression and glucose homeostasis.N6-methyladenine(m6A),as an RNA methylation modification,plays an important role in the pathogenesis of T2DM.This article reviews the research progress of m6A methylation in T2DM.

BACKGROUND:Neurodegenerative diseases are closely related to the imbalance of mitochondrial autophagy regulation.Previous studies by the research group have shown that lycium barbarum polysaccharide has neuroprotective effects,but whether it can improve the damage of SH-SY5Y cells induced byβ-amyloid protein 1-42 by regulating mitochondrial autophagy is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on SH-SY5Y cells induced by β-amyloid protein 1-42.METHODS:An Alzheimer's disease cell model was established by inducing SH-SY5Y cells with β-amyloid protein 1-42,and then intervening with Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.SH-SY5Y cells were divided into three groups:control group,β-amyloid protein 1-42 group(20 μmol/L β-amyloid protein 1-42 for 24 hours),and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group(1 g/L Lycium barbarum polysaccharide was added 1 hour in advance to form a protective effect,and then 20 μmol/L β-amyloid protein 1-42 was added to intervene with Lycium barbarum polysaccharide for 24 hours).CCK8 assay was used to detect cell viability.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1.TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis.Immunofluorescence and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of synaptic,apoptosis,and mitophagy-related indicators.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the cell viability of the β-amyloid protein 1-42 group decreased(P＜0.05);cell apoptosis rate increased(P＜0.05);mitochondrial membrane potential decreased(P＜0.05);the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase3 increased(P＜0.05);the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of synaptic-related proteins Syn and PSD-95 decreased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins Pink1,LC3A/B,Parkin,and Beclin-1 decreased(P＜0.05);and the expression of P62 increased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the β-amyloid protein 1-42 group,the cell viability in the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was increased(P＜0.05);the apoptosis rate was decreased(P＜0.05);the mitochondrial membrane potential was increased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of Bax and Caspase3 were decreased(P＜0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 was increased(P＜0.05);the expressions of Syn and PSD-95 were increased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of Pink1,LC3A/B,Parkin,and Beclin-1 were increased(P＜0.05),and the expression of P62 was decreased(P＜0.05).These findings indicate that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide may inhibit β-amyloid protein 1-42-induced damage to SH-SY5Y cells by regulating mitophagy,reduce cell apoptosis,and increase neuronal synaptic plasticity.

Objective To investigate the utility of dual-energy computed tomography(DECT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)images instead of true non-contrast(TNC)images in the quantitative analysis of emphysema.Methods A retrospective selection was con-ducted on 59 patients who underwent chest CT plain scan plus dual-phase enhanced scan on APEX-CT.VNC images of arterial phase(VNCart)and venous phase(VNCven)were generated on AW4.7 workstation.Volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP)were recorded respectively.In a double-blind manner,two physicians graded the severity of each patient's emphysema according to the Fleischner Society's emphysema visual classification system.The"digital lung"detection and analysis platform was used to quantitatively measure emphysema at three thresholds(-950 HU,-930 HU and-910 HU),and the difference in meas-urement results between VNC images and TNC images was compared.Quantitative differences in low attenuation volume(LAV),percentage of low attenuation area(LAA%)and mean lung density(MLD)at the-950 HU threshold were compared using Bland-Altman plots.Results Using TNC images as the standard,there was no significant difference in the results of the visual classifica-tion evaluation of emphysema between TNC and VNC images(χ2=2.80,P=0.247).In quantitative measurement,there was no significant difference in total lung volume(TLV)(χ2=3.26,P=0.196)between the three groups images.Compared to TNC ima-ges,there were no statistically significant differences in LAV,LAA%and MLD of VNCven images at 15th percentile lung density(Perc 15%)and different thresholds(P>0.05).Compared to the TNC mode,the VNC mode could reduce the effective dose(ED)by approximately 32.6%.Conclusion The use of DECT VNCven images on chest has the potential to replace TNC for the quantitative analysis of emphysema,thereby streamlining scans and reducing radiation dose.

BACKGROUND:A large number of studies have shown that neurodegenerative diseases are closely related to oxidative stress injury and the imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics.Lycium barbarum polysaccharides have a neuroprotective effect.However,it is not clear whether lycium barbarum polysaccharides can ameliorate apoptosis induced by oxidative stress injury by regulating abnormal mitochondrial dynamics.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on apoptosis induced by H2O2 in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.METHODS:SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in three groups.The control group was cultured for 24 hours.The hydrogen peroxide group was treated with H2O2 for 24 hours,and the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was treated with lycium barbarum polysaccharide for 2 hours and then treated with H2O2 for 24 hours.After treatment,the levels of malondialdehyde,glutathione,and superoxide dismutase in the precipitation of the cells were detected by kit.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 kit.Cell viability was detected by MTT assay.Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL.The expression levels of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (phosphorylated promoter protein 1,mitochondrial fission protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1) and apoptotic proteins (Bax,Bcl-2,and Caspase-3) were detected by immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Compared with the control group,the levels of malondialdehyde were increased (P<0.05),and the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the malondialdehyde level was decreased (P<0.05),and the superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(2) The mitochondrial membrane potential in the H2O2 group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05),and that of lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was higher than that of the H2O2 group (P<0.05).(3) Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate and the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 protein were increased (P<0.05),while the cell viability and the expression of Bcl-2 protein were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the apoptosis rate and the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 protein were decreased (P<0.05),while the cell viability and the expression of Bcl-2 protein were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(4) Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of phosphorylated promoter protein 1 and mitochondrial fission protein 1 were increased (P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1 were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the protein expression levels of phosphorylated promoter protein 1 and mitochondrial fission protein 1 were decreased (P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1 were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(5) These results indicate that lycium barbarum polysaccharide can improve SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis caused by oxidative stress damage by regulating mitochondrial dynamics.

BACKGROUND:Neurodegenerative diseases are closely related to the imbalance of mitochondrial autophagy regulation.Previous studies by the research group have shown that lycium barbarum polysaccharide has neuroprotective effects,but whether it can improve the damage of SH-SY5Y cells induced byβ-amyloid protein 1-42 by regulating mitochondrial autophagy is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on SH-SY5Y cells induced by β-amyloid protein 1-42.METHODS:An Alzheimer's disease cell model was established by inducing SH-SY5Y cells with β-amyloid protein 1-42,and then intervening with Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.SH-SY5Y cells were divided into three groups:control group,β-amyloid protein 1-42 group(20 μmol/L β-amyloid protein 1-42 for 24 hours),and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group(1 g/L Lycium barbarum polysaccharide was added 1 hour in advance to form a protective effect,and then 20 μmol/L β-amyloid protein 1-42 was added to intervene with Lycium barbarum polysaccharide for 24 hours).CCK8 assay was used to detect cell viability.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1.TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis.Immunofluorescence and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of synaptic,apoptosis,and mitophagy-related indicators.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the cell viability of the β-amyloid protein 1-42 group decreased(P＜0.05);cell apoptosis rate increased(P＜0.05);mitochondrial membrane potential decreased(P＜0.05);the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase3 increased(P＜0.05);the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of synaptic-related proteins Syn and PSD-95 decreased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins Pink1,LC3A/B,Parkin,and Beclin-1 decreased(P＜0.05);and the expression of P62 increased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the β-amyloid protein 1-42 group,the cell viability in the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was increased(P＜0.05);the apoptosis rate was decreased(P＜0.05);the mitochondrial membrane potential was increased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of Bax and Caspase3 were decreased(P＜0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 was increased(P＜0.05);the expressions of Syn and PSD-95 were increased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of Pink1,LC3A/B,Parkin,and Beclin-1 were increased(P＜0.05),and the expression of P62 was decreased(P＜0.05).These findings indicate that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide may inhibit β-amyloid protein 1-42-induced damage to SH-SY5Y cells by regulating mitophagy,reduce cell apoptosis,and increase neuronal synaptic plasticity.

BACKGROUND:A large number of studies have shown that neurodegenerative diseases are closely related to oxidative stress injury and the imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics.Lycium barbarum polysaccharides have a neuroprotective effect.However,it is not clear whether lycium barbarum polysaccharides can ameliorate apoptosis induced by oxidative stress injury by regulating abnormal mitochondrial dynamics.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on apoptosis induced by H2O2 in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.METHODS:SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in three groups.The control group was cultured for 24 hours.The hydrogen peroxide group was treated with H2O2 for 24 hours,and the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was treated with lycium barbarum polysaccharide for 2 hours and then treated with H2O2 for 24 hours.After treatment,the levels of malondialdehyde,glutathione,and superoxide dismutase in the precipitation of the cells were detected by kit.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 kit.Cell viability was detected by MTT assay.Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL.The expression levels of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (phosphorylated promoter protein 1,mitochondrial fission protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1) and apoptotic proteins (Bax,Bcl-2,and Caspase-3) were detected by immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Compared with the control group,the levels of malondialdehyde were increased (P<0.05),and the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the malondialdehyde level was decreased (P<0.05),and the superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(2) The mitochondrial membrane potential in the H2O2 group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05),and that of lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was higher than that of the H2O2 group (P<0.05).(3) Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate and the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 protein were increased (P<0.05),while the cell viability and the expression of Bcl-2 protein were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the apoptosis rate and the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 protein were decreased (P<0.05),while the cell viability and the expression of Bcl-2 protein were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(4) Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of phosphorylated promoter protein 1 and mitochondrial fission protein 1 were increased (P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1 were decreased (P<0.05) in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the protein expression levels of phosphorylated promoter protein 1 and mitochondrial fission protein 1 were decreased (P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 1,mitochondrial fusion protein 2,and optic atrophy protein 1 were increased (P<0.05) in the lycium barbarum polysaccharide group.(5) These results indicate that lycium barbarum polysaccharide can improve SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis caused by oxidative stress damage by regulating mitochondrial dynamics.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.The epigenetic transcriptional modifications after RNA transcription can affect gene expression and glucose homeostasis.N6-methyladenine(m6A),as an RNA methylation modification,plays an important role in the pathogenesis of T2DM.This article reviews the research progress of m6A methylation in T2DM.

Objective:To compare the patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods:This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2020 to August 2022. Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who were to undergo radical gastrectomy were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1, and received robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery, respectively. Patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes (including postoperative complications, surgical quality and postoperative short-term recovery) were compared between the two groups by independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated ANOVA, generalized estimating equation, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact test. Results:A total of 237 patients were enrolled for modified intention-to-treat analysis (120 patients in the robotic group, 117 patients in the laparoscopic group). There were 180 males and 59 females, aged (63.0±10.2) years (range: 30 to 85 years). The incidence of postoperative complications was similar between the robotic group and laparoscopic group (16.7% (20/120) vs. 15.4% (18/117), χ2=0.072, P=0.788). The robotic group had higher patient-reported outcomes scores in general health status, emotional, and social domains compared to the laparoscopic group, differences in time effect, intervention effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant (general health status: χ2 value were 275.68, 3.91, 6.38, P value were <0.01, 0.048, 0.041; emotional: χ2 value were 77.79, 6.04, 6.15, P value were <0.01, 0.014, 0.046; social: χ2 value were 148.00, 7.57, 5.98, P value were <0.01, 0.006, 0.048). However, the financial burden of the robotic group was higher, the differences in time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect were statistically significant ( χ2 value were 156.24, 4.08, 36.56, P value were <0.01, 0.043,<0.01). Conclusion:Compared to the laparoscopic group, the robotic group could more effectively relieve postoperative negative emotions and improve recovery of social function in patients.

Objective:To compare the patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods:This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2020 to August 2022. Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who were to undergo radical gastrectomy were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1, and received robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery, respectively. Patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes (including postoperative complications, surgical quality and postoperative short-term recovery) were compared between the two groups by independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated ANOVA, generalized estimating equation, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact test. Results:A total of 237 patients were enrolled for modified intention-to-treat analysis (120 patients in the robotic group, 117 patients in the laparoscopic group). There were 180 males and 59 females, aged (63.0±10.2) years (range: 30 to 85 years). The incidence of postoperative complications was similar between the robotic group and laparoscopic group (16.7% (20/120) vs. 15.4% (18/117), χ2=0.072, P=0.788). The robotic group had higher patient-reported outcomes scores in general health status, emotional, and social domains compared to the laparoscopic group, differences in time effect, intervention effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant (general health status: χ2 value were 275.68, 3.91, 6.38, P value were <0.01, 0.048, 0.041; emotional: χ2 value were 77.79, 6.04, 6.15, P value were <0.01, 0.014, 0.046; social: χ2 value were 148.00, 7.57, 5.98, P value were <0.01, 0.006, 0.048). However, the financial burden of the robotic group was higher, the differences in time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect were statistically significant ( χ2 value were 156.24, 4.08, 36.56, P value were <0.01, 0.043,<0.01). Conclusion:Compared to the laparoscopic group, the robotic group could more effectively relieve postoperative negative emotions and improve recovery of social function in patients.