Objective To compare the dosimetric and radiobiological differences of helical tomotherapy (HT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in craniospinal irradiation. Methods The CT images of 15 patients who received craniospinal irradiation in our hospital were selected. The target volumes and organs at risk (OARs) were contoured, and HT and VMAT plans were designed. The dosimetric parameters of the two plans were compared. A Matlab program based on equivalent uniform dose was developed to calculate the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). The NTCP values of the two plans were compared. Results The homogeneity index of the target volume in the HT group was better than that in the VMAT group, with values of 0.06 ± 0.01 and 0.08 ± 0.24, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.03). However, there was no significant difference in the conformity index of the target volume (P>0.05). There were significant differences in key indicators (D_mean, V₅, D_max) of the lungs, liver, lens, and eyeballs between the two groups (P<0.05). Regarding OARs, the NTCP values of the lens, optic chiasm, lungs, and liver in the HT and VMAT groups were as follows: 0.04 ± 0.03 vs. 0.1 ± 0.06 in the left lens, 0.04 ± 0.06 vs. 0.1 ± 0.07 in the right lens, 0.16 (0.14-0.17) vs. 0.21 (0.18-0.24) in the optic chiasm, 3.89 × 10⁻⁴ (2.45 × 10⁻⁴-7.3 × 10⁻⁴) vs. 8.95 × 10⁻⁴ (5.19 × 10⁻⁴-1.75 × 10⁻³) in the lungs, and 3.45 × 10⁻⁸ (6.0 × 10⁻⁹-1.036 × 10⁻⁷) vs. 9.54 × 10⁻⁸ (1.70 × 10⁻⁸-2.056 × 10⁻⁷) in the liver; the HT group was superior to the VMAT group, and all differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The NTCP values of the heart in the two groups were 1.35 × 10⁻⁸ (6.34 × 10⁻⁹-2.06 × 10⁻⁹) vs. 5.06 × 10⁻⁹ (2.29 × 10⁻⁹-7.9 × 10⁻⁹), significantly lower in the VMAT group than in the HT group (P<0.05). Conclusion HT has high homogeneity and consistency. The two plans have their own advantages in OAR protection. For OARs with no significant differences in physical dosimetry, NTCP results can be used as a reference. Therefore, comparing the dosimetric parameters and OAR NTCP of HT and VMAT plans can help select the optimal clinical treatment strategy.

Objective To analyze the effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on right residual lung expansion after right upper lobe resection under different body mass index (BMI) levels. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from 2021 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a group A (17 kg/m2＜BMI≤23 kg/m2), a group B (23 kg/m2＜BMI≤29 kg/m2) and a group C (BMI＞29 kg/m2) according to BMI. The presence of residual cavity was judged by chest X-ray at 7-10 days after operation, the degree of compensation change of the right main bronchus angle was measured, and the changes in lung volume were determined by CT three-dimensional reconstruction. Results A total of 157 patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection were included, including 71 males and 86 females, with an average age of (59.7±11.2) years. There were 50 patients in the group A, 75 patients in the group B, and 32 patients in the group C. In the group A, compared with those without releasing the lower pulmonary ligament, patients with releasing had a lower incidence of postoperative residual cavity (P=0.016), greater changes in bronchus angle (P<0.001), and smaller changes in lung volume (P<0.001). In the group B and C, there was no significant effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on postoperative residual cavity, bronchus angle, and lung volume changes (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with thin and long body shape and low BMI, releasing the lower pulmonary ligament is helpful to promote the expansion of the residual lung after right upper lobe resection and reduce the occurrence of postoperative residual cavity in patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of high-altitude hypoxic environment on the pharmacokinetic characteristics and brain tissue distribution of phenytoin sodium in epileptic rats.Methods A total of 70 male SPF-grade Wistar rats aged 2 months and weighing(200±20)g were used in the study.An epilepsy model was induced in the rats using the lithium chloride-pilocarpine method.The successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned to a normoxic treatment group and a high-altitude hypoxic treatment group.Phenytoin sodium was administered via intragastric gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg in both groups.Blood samples were collected from the orbital venous plexus before treatment and 0.5,1,2,3,4,6,8,10,and 24 h post treatment.The animals were euthanized after the final blood collection,and samples of the liver and the whole brain tissue were collected.In the brain tissue distribution experiment,brain tissue samples were collected at 0.5,1,2,and 4 h after drug administration.The concentration of phenytoin sodium in rat plasma and brain tissue was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS),and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using WinNolin 8.1 software.The expression levels of CYP2C9 in liver tissue and those of P-gp in brain tissue of epileptic rats were determined by Western blot.Results Compared with those in the normoxia group,the peak concentration,peak time,and half-life of phenytoin sodium in the high-altitude hypoxia group were significantly decreased by 46.0%,42.3%,and 55.5%,respectively(all P<0.05);the clearance rate was significantly increased by 162.0%(P<0.05);and the area under the curve of plasma concentration-time curve was decreased by 45.6%(P<0.01).At 0.5,1,and 2 hours after administration,compared with that in the normoxia treatment group,the concentration of phenytoin sodium in the brain tissue of the high-altitude hypoxia treatment group was significantly decreased by 78.1%,63.5%,and 32.5%,respectively(all P<0.05).Western blot results showed that the expression levels of CYP2C9 in the liver tissue and P-gp in the brain tissue of rats in the high-altitude hypoxia group were approximately 1.78 and 1.65 times higher than those in the normoxia group,respectively(both P<0.05).Conclusion The hypoxic environment at high altitudes can promote the metabolism of phenytoin sodium,reduce its absorption efficiency,and change the characteristics its distribution in the brain,which may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of CYP2C9 in the liver and that of P-gp in the brain.

Objective To comparatively analyze the clinical characteristics of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia(PBMAH)and adrenal cortisol-producing Adenoma(CPA),and enhance the understanding of two diseases.Methods The clinical data of 85 PBMAH patients(PBMAH group)and 195 CPA patients(CPA group)diagnosed at Department of Endocrinology,the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital,from September 2014 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The demographic characteristics,comorbidities,biochemical indicators,adrenocorticotropic hormone-cortisol(ACTH-F)levels,and adrenal imaging features and treatment conditions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)General characteristics:Compared with CPA group,PBMAH group had older age at diagnosis and a higher proportion of male patients.(2)Clinical characteristics:Compared with CPA group,PBMAH group had a longer disease duration,a higher proportion of subclinical Cushing's syndrome(CS),and a higher proportion of hypertension,impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes,bone mass reduction or osteoporosis,with higher serum potassium levels,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).(3)Hormone levels:Both PBMAH and CPA groups showed ACTH-F rhythm disorder,significantly increased cortisol levels and suppressed ACTH.Compared with PBMAH group,CPA group had stronger autonomous cortisol secretion ability,manifested by increased midnight serum cortisol(F0:00),16:00 serum cortisol(F16:00),24-hour urinary free cortisol(24 h UFC)levels and lower 8:00 serum ACTH(ACTH8:00)and 16:00 serum ACTH(ACTH16:00)(P<0.01).After low-dose dexamethasone suppression test(LDDST),CPA group showed lower suppression rates of ACTH and cortisol,and higher proportions of paradoxical elevation in serum cortisol and 24 h UFC compared with PBMAH(P<0.01).Conclusions PBMAH has a longer disease course and higher proportions of comorbid metabolic disorders than CPA,mostly manifested as subclinical Cushing's syndrome.CPA has stronger autonomous cortisol secretion ability,with cortisol less likely to be suppressed after LDDST and more obvious paradoxical elevation of cortisol and 24 h UFC.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of adrenal cortical carcinoma(ACC),compare differences between hypercortisolism and non-functional ACC,and assess the diagnostic value of indicators such as Ki-67 index.Methods The clinical data of 57 ACC patients admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of endocrine function assessment,47 of these patients were divided into hypercortisolism group(n=19)and non-functional group(n=28).The differences in clinical and pathological characteristics between the two groups were compared,and non-parametric tests and Spearman correlation analysis were used to explore the relationship between Ki-67 index and tumor stage as well as imaging features.Results Among the 57 patients,there were 20 males and 37 females,with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.85.The age ranged from 16 to 76 years,and the age at diagnosis was(48.7±13.3)years.The tumor diameter was(10.53±4.14)cm.The tumors were located on the right side in 12 cases(21.1%),on the left side in 34 cases(59.6%),and bilaterally in 11 cases(19.3%).Among them,16 cases(28.1%)were complicated with glucose metabolism disorders,31 cases(54.3%)had hypertension,and 20 cases(35.1%)had hypokalemia.According to ENSAT staging,there were 0 cases in stage Ⅰ,15 cases(26.3%)in stage Ⅱ,24 cases(42.1%)in stage Ⅲ,and 18 cases(31.6%)in stage Ⅳ.Endocrine function assessment was completed in 47 of the 57 patients,including 28 cases(59.6%)of non-functional ACC and 19 cases(40.4%)of hypercortisolism(including 1 case of hypercortisolism combined with increased sex hormone secretion).Compared with non-functional group,hypercortisolism group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension(P=0.014),later ENSAT stage(P=0.010),and a higher proportion of hypervascularization(P=0.048).The median Ki-67 index was 20%(10%-40%),showing no significant correlation with either the maximum tumor diameter or SUVmax value,but it was related to ENSAT staging,with Ki-67 index in stageⅣ patients being significantly higher than that in stage Ⅱ(P=0.032).Immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive rate of Inhibin-α was 84.8%,and the positive rate of Melan-A was 40.9%.Conclusions ACC is a rare malignant endocrine tumor.ACC patients with hypercortisolism are more likely to be complicated with hypertension,have later staging,and more common hypervascular manifestations.Clinically,their endocrine function should be prioritized for assessment,and more active treatment strategies should be adopted.Diagnosis should be combined with imaging characteristics(such as hypervascularization)and immunohistochemical indicators(Ki-67,Inhibin-α,Melan-A).The significant increase in Ki-67 is in the advanced stage can serve as an important prognostic indicator to guide individualized treatment.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of serum human β-defensin 2(HBD2)and soluble growth stimulating gene 2(sST2)levels in pediatric refractory Mycoplasma pneumonia.Methods A total of 145 children diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumonia were recruited,and divided into refractory pneumonia group(n=53)and common pneumonia group(n=92)based on whether they had refractory or common pneumonia.General data were compared between the two groups.Ser-um HBD2 and sST2 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Multi-variate logistic regression analysis was used to identify influencing factors for the occurrence of refracto-ry Mycoplasma pneumonia.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum HBD2 and sST2 levels in refractory Mycoplasma pneumonia.Results The proportion of lung consolidation and pleural effusion in refractory pneumonia group was significantly higher,and the fever time was significantly longer than that in common pneumonia group(P＜0.05).Serum HBD2 and sST2 levels in the refractory pneumonia group were signifi-cantly higher than those in the common pneumonia group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regres-sion analysis indicated that lung consolidation,pleural effusion,high serum HBD2 level and high serum sST2 level were risk factors for pediatric refractory Mycoplasma pneumonia(P＜0.05).The area under the curve and Youden's index for diagnosing pediatric refractory Mycoplasma pneumonia were 0.817 and 0.557 for serum HBD2 level,and 0.841 and 0.607 for serum sST2 level,respec-tively.Combined diagnosis using both markers resulted in an area under the curve of 0.916 and a Youden's index of 0.721.Conclusion The combined detection of serum HBD2 and sST2 levels holds significant diagnostic value for pediatric refractory Mycoplasma pneumonia.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum vitamin D(VD3)level differences and immune inflammatory markers in elderly sepsis patients.Methods A total of 103 elderly patients with sepsis(aged 65-99 years)in the ICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were collected and divided into two groups according to the diagnostic criteria for VD3 deficiency:VD3 deficiency group(n=32)and VD3 severe deficiency group(n=71).Correlation analysis was conducted by comparing the differences in serum 25-(OH)-D3(VD3)levels,immune function-related indicators upon admission(blood routine,infection-related proteins,combined detection of 12 cytokines,absolute count analysis of lymphocytes and subgroups,quantitative determination of infection-related immune cells,immunoglobulin,and complement),illness severity,and prognostic indicators(APACHE-II score,SOFA score,duration of ICU stay,and 28-day mortality rate).Result(1)Serum VD3 levels were lower in elderly patients with sepsis.No patient was in the VD3 normal or insufficient group.Patients with severe VD3 deficiency had higher APACHE-II scores,SOFA scores,and 28-day mortality rates than those with VD3 deficiency,and these scores were negatively correlated with serum VD3 levels(P<0.001),while the difference in ICU stay duration between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05);(2)WBC,PCT,CRP,and CD4/CD8 in the VD3 deficiency group were all lower than those in the VD3 severe deficiency group(P<0.05),while IL-6,IL-10,CD45+,CD3+/CD45+,and CD19+Abs were all higher than those in the VD3 severe deficiency group(P<0.05);In the VD3 deficiency group,VD3 levels were positively correlated with CD45+(P<0.05 for all),while negatively correlated with IL-6,IL-10,PCT,and CRP(P<0.05 for all);In the VD3 severe deficiency group,there were fewer corre-lation indicators and the correlation strength was not as strong as that in the VD3 deficiency group.Conclusion(1)Elderly patients with sepsis generally have lower levels of VD3,with lower levels associated with more severe illness and poorer prognosis;(2)In elderly sepsis patients,compared to patients with severe VD3 deficiency,patients with VD3 deficiency have lower levels of inflammation,stronger cellular immune response,and stronger correlation,suggesting that the effects of different VD3 levels on immune inflammatory responses may vary in elderly sepsis patients.

Objective To explore the value of neutrophil extracellular trapping nets(neutrophil extracellular traps,NETs)in the diagnosis and monitoring of acute ischemic stroke(acute ischemic stroke,AIS).Methods From June 2023 to February 2024,63 patients newly diagnosed with AIS at the Ganmei Hospital Affiliated with Kunming Medical University were selected as the experimental group,and 58 non-AIS individuals matched in gender,age,and other characteristics were selected as the control group.The NETs levels of patients in the experimental group were detected before and 7-10 days after treatment,and general clinical data and related laboratory results were statistically analyzed.Results The experimental group showed significantly higher levels of NEUT,LYMPH,MONO,EO,FDP,D-dimer,and NETs compared to the control group(P<0.05).The NETs levels before treatment were significantly higher than those at 7～10 days after treatment and in the control group(P<0.05).The NETs levels 7～10 days after treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).NEUT,MONO,FDP,D-dimer,and NIHSS scores were positively correlated with the pre-treatment NETs levels(P<0.05).Elevated serum NETs levels were associated with AIS risk factors(P<0.05).The combined diagnostic value of NEUT,D-dimer,and NETs for AIS was superior to other indicators.Conclusion NETs are highly expressed in the serum of patients with acute ischemic stroke,and serum NETs have certain value in the auxiliary diagnosis and monitoring of acute ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of a "pericardial lining" modified Bentall procedure for the treatment of patients with aortic root aneurysm. Methods This was a retrospective study that consecutively enrolled patients treated at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, and the First People's Hospital of Guangyuan from January 2023 to February 2024. Preoperative clinical data, imaging findings (including echocardiography and CT scans of the aortic root and the entire aorta), details of coronary artery management, surgical outcomes, and postoperative follow-up results were collected. All patients underwent the "pericardial lining" modified Bentall procedure: the aortic valve was replaced, and an autologous pericardial patch was divided into three equal leaflets based on the circumference of the aortic annulus measured by a valve sizer. These leaflets were then sutured to the aortic annulus. Fenestrations were created in two of the pericardial leaflets for anastomosis with the left and right coronary ostia. The pericardial leaflets were sutured to the wall of the aortic sinuses to form an integrated structure, thereby narrowing the sinus portion. A prosthetic vascular graft was anastomosed to the proximal and distal aorta, and no aortic root-to-right atrium shunt was created. Results A total of 5 patients, aged 37 to 68 years, were included. The preoperative Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk scores ranged from 2.8% to 3.9%. The diameter of the ascending aorta was 40-73 mm, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was 45-71 mm, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 47%-64%. Intraoperatively, the aortic cross-clamp time ranged from 85 to 180 min, and the cardiopulmonary bypass time ranged from 110 to 302 min. Postoperative follow-up echocardiography revealed that the ascending aortic diameter was 27-35 mm, LVEDD was 39-57 mm, and LVEF was 43%-61%. All surgeries were completed successfully with satisfactory immediate outcomes and no intraoperative complications. During the follow-up period, there was no mortality or reoperation. Conclusion For patients with aortic root aneurysm, the "pericardial lining" modified Bentall procedure yields satisfactory preliminary results, and the technique is demonstrated to be feasible.

Bacterial reinfection in the lungs of patients with influenza virus(IV)is a key factor leading to serious illness and death.The adverse consequences caused by co-infection with IV and Streptococcus pneumoniae(SPN)impose a serious burden on patients.However,the specific pathogenesis is complex,how to make better use of the mouse animal model of IV/SPN co-infection for subsequent basic research is of great significance.This article reviews the selection of animals,the selection of pathogen types,the selection of different modeling times,the identification of the co-infection model,and its applications in the IV/SPN co-infection model,so as to provide a reference for the selection of animal models of IV/SPN co-infection in the future.