BackgroundPatients with depressive disorder often exhibit impaired decision-making functions. However， the relationship between decision-making abilities and depressive and anxiety symptoms in these patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder， and to analyze its relationship with clinical symptoms. MethodsA total of 48 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fourth edition （DSM-IV） were recruited from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from October 2020 to May 2023. Concurrently， 52 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were recruited from Luzhou as the control group. Beck Depression Inventory （BDI） and Beck Anxiety Inventory （BAI） were used for assessment， and decision-making behavior was evaluated using Probabilistic Reversal Learning （PRL） task. Indicators assessed included the number of trials to criterion， perseverative errors， win-stay rate and lose-shift rate. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between BDI and BAI scores and PRL task indicators. ResultsThe depression group showed a significantly higher lose-shift rate compared with the control group （t=3.684， P<0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in trials to criterion， perseverative errors and win-stay rate （t=0.329， 0.132， 0.609， P>0.05）. In depression group， BDI and BAI scores were positively correlated with the win-stay rate（r=0.450， 0.398， P<0.01）. ConclusionPatients with depressive disorder are more likely to change their decision-making strategies following negative outcomes. Furthermore， the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms is associated with a greater propensity to maintain existing decisions after receiving positive feedback. ［Funded by 2019 Joint Project of Luzhou Science and Technology Bureau-Southwest Medical University （number， 2019LZXNYDJ39］

X-ray-visible embolic microsphere (XEM) is a type of embolic microsphere that incorporates radiopaque substances within its matrix or on its surface, enabling visualization under X-ray imaging. This capability provides real-time intraprocedural feedback during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), which helps optimize embolization outcomes and facilitates post-procedural evaluation. This article summarizes recent advances in the application of XEM in TACE and discusses the challenges associated with its clinical translation, with the aim of promoting the further development and clinical utilization of this technology.

Objective To investigate differential patterns of oxygenated hemoglobin concentration in prefron-tal cortical regions between major depressive disorder patients with or without psychotic symptoms during verbal flu-ency task(VFT)performance using functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS).Methods A total of 108 pa-tients with major depression who were hospitalized in the psychiatric department of the hospital from July 2023 to April 2024 were selected as the study objects.They were divided into two groups(n=60)with or without psychotic symptoms(n=48).fNIRS devices were used to measure and compare the changes in the relative concentration of cerebral hemoglobin in 52 brain channels between the two groups during VFT.Re-sults Compared with the unaccompanied group,the relative concentration of cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin in channel 13 was higher(0.003±0.001 vs.0.002±0.001),and the relative concentration of cerebral oxygen-ated hemoglobin in channel 33 was lower(0.003±0.001 vs.0.007±0.002),the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the relative concentration of oxygenated hemo-globin in other brain areas between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion There are abnormal oxygen activ-ity in brain functional areas associated with psychotic symptoms,and fNIRS technique is helpful for early as-sessment of cerebral aerobic function in depressed patients with psychotic symptoms.

Objective:To investigate the age-specific distribution characteristics of plantar pressure parameters in healthy children aged 3-12 years.Methods:This cross-sectional study retrieved data from the hospital information system in January 2025 for 272 children aged 3-12 years who underwent physical examinations and voluntarily completed plantar pressure analysis at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from July 2022 to December 2024. Demographic and clinical data, including anthropometric measurements (height and weight), flatfoot diagnosis and plantar pressure parameters (maximum pressure, time to maximum force, and contact time percentage in bilateral forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot) were recorded. Participants were categorized into 3 age groups (3-6 years, 7-9 years, and 10-12 years) and were grouped by gender as well. Intergroup comparisons used one-way ANOVA or least-significant difference test or χ2 tests. Spearman′s rank correlation assessed the relationship between flatfoot prevalence and age. Results:Among 272 children (143 boys, 129 girls), age groups comprised 3-6 years (118 children, 64 boys and 54 girls), 7-9 years (96 children, 49 boys and 47 girls), and 10-12 years (58 children, 30 boys and 28 girls). Flatfoot prevalence was higher in boys than in that of girls (41.3% (59/143) vs. 28.7% (37/129), χ2=4.70, P=0.030), and negatively correlated with age ( r=-0.21, P<0.001). There all had statistically differences in the maximum pressure values of the bilateral forefoot and hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). The maximum pressure values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 10-12 years were all higher than those of the other two groups (all P<0.001). There had no statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). The time maximum force values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There had no statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral midfoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Plantar pressure parameters exhibit distinct age-related patterns, reflecting the development of gait patterns and foot arch formation, which will be useful for monitoring physical growth and sports rehabilitation.

Radiotherapy is one of the primary treatment modalities for tumors. In recent years, advancements in radiotherapy technology have enabled radiation to reach target areas with greater precision. However, radiation damage to normal tissue remains unavoidable. Traditional normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models are widely used to predict such injuries, but they often fail to account for individual and tissue heterogeneity. As an emerging technology, radiomics can provide more comprehensive biological information and shows promise in predicting radiation-induced damage. This article reviews the application value of radiomics in predicting damage to organs at risk in the head and neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.

Objective:To investigate the indications for prenatal diagnosis using copy number variation-sequencing (CNV-seq) and the abnormalities detected by the method.Methods:This retrospective analysis involved 17 994 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal CNV-seq at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to December 2022. These cases were divided into five groups based on the following indications for CNV-seq: abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk results indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or Down's syndrome serological screening (Down's screening), adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age. The proportions of cases with the indications for prenatal CNV-seq, the detection rates of abnormalities (numerical abnormalities of chromosomes, pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNV in structural abnormalities) in the five groups, and the distribution of these abnormalities were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results:Among the 17 994 pregnant women, the women with abnormal fetal ultrasound findings, high-risk NIPT results, high-risk Down's screening results, adverse pregnancy history, and advanced maternal age accounted for 32.65% (5 875/17 994), 11.90% (2 142/17 994), 31.62% (5 690/17 994), 11.70% (2 105/17 994), and 12.13% (2 182/17 994), respectively. The detection rates of abnormalities in the five groups were 10.60% (623/5 875), 34.64% (742/2 142), 4.69% (267/5 690), 2.99% (63/2 105), and 3.67% (80/2 182), respectively. The overall detection rate of abnormalities was 9.86% (1 775/17 994). The cases with numerical abnormalities of chromosomes accounted for 68.79% (1 221/1 775), trisomy 21 was predominant (49.30%, 602/1 221). Chromosomal structural abnormalities were detected in 31.21% (554/1 775) of the cases with abnormalities, with 57.76% (320/554) harboring pathogenic CNVs and 42.24% (234/554) harboring likely pathogenic CNVs. The detection rate of chromosomal numerical abnormalities was higher than that of structural abnormalities in the abnormal fetal ultrasound group, NIPT high-risk group, and advanced maternal age group [6.81% (400/5 875) vs. 3.80% (223/5 875), χ2=53.10; 27.96% (599/2 142) vs. 6.68% (143/2 142), χ2=338.40; 2.43% (53/2 182) vs. 1.24% (27/2 182), χ2=8.61; all P<0.01]. A total of 416 microdeletions and 255 microduplications were detected in the 554 cases. The top three regions with the highest frequencies in microdeletions were Xp22.31 (12.74%, 53/416), 22q11.21 (7.93%, 33/416), and 17q12 (5.77%, 24/416); in microduplications, they were 22q11.21 (14.90%, 38/255), 17q12 (3.53%, 9/255), and 7q11.23 (3.53%, 9/255). Conclusions:Abnormal fetal ultrasound findings accounted for the highest proportion of prenatal diagnostic indications. The overall detection rate of abnormalities by CNV-seq is relatively high, especially in those with high-risk NIPT results as an indication for prenatal diagnosis. Among the chromosomal structural abnormalities detected in this study, the frequencies of Xp22.31 microdeletion and 22q11.21 microduplication are higher.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of adult patients with phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on eight adult patients with phytosterolemia who visited Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from December 2020 to December 2023.Results:① The participants consisted of 2 (25%) male and 6 (75%) female patients, with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years (range: 29-66 years). The median duration from the discovery of thrombocytopenia to diagnosis was 10 years (range: 0.2-50 years). ② Compared with the normal control group (30 healthy adult volunteers) and the immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) control group (20 patients with ITP), patients with phytosterolemia exhibited significantly higher mean platelet volume and large platelet ratio. Peripheral blood smears revealed that the mean platelet diameter and the proportion of large platelets (diameter> 4 μm) were significantly higher in patients with phytosterolemia than those in the normal and ITP control groups ( P<0.01). ③ After a low-plant-sterol diet and ezetimibe treatment, five patients demonstrated decreased serum sitosterol and campesterol levels, increased hemoglobin concentration and platelet counts, and reduced platelet volume. Conclusion:Adult-onset phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation is prone to misdiagnosis. The presence of hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly, increased large platelets and schistocytes on peripheral blood smears, and xanthomas are crucial diagnostic indicators. Restricting dietary plant sterol intake and using ezetimibe to inhibit sterol absorption effectively lowers serum plant sterol levels and improves hematological abnormalities.

Objective:To present an evaluation indicator system for access to cancer screening services.Methods:The evaluation indicator pool was constructed through a scoping review. The theoretical framework was constructed based on the multi-source indicators, and the qualitative expert consultation method was employed to form the initial version of the three-level evaluation indicator system. Delphi expert consultation method was conducted in two rounds to evaluate the relevance, importance, and availability of the proposed evaluation indicator system. The expert positive coefficient, authority coefficient, coordination degree of expert opinions, and concentration of expert opinions were subjected to analysis. Subsequently, the three-level evaluation indicator system for access to cancer screening services was adjusted and determined based on the boundary value method and the open opinions of experts. Finally, the combination weight method was employed to determine the weight.Results:The initial version of the indicator system comprised 3 primary (first-level) indicators, 11 secondary (second-level) indicators, and 46 tertiary (third-level) indicators. Delphi expert consultation was conducted for the initial version, and 17 experts ultimately completed it, exhibiting a positive coefficient of 100% and an authority coefficient of 0.87. In comparison to the initial round of consultation, Kendall's W coefficient ranges (0.15-0.43, all P<0.05) of relevance, importance, and availability scores for each tertiary indicator in the second round exhibited an improvement. The analysis of the importance dimension indicates that expert opinions are also more concentrated, as evidenced by an increase of 8.5% and 7.0% in the proportion of the tertiary indicators with an arithmetic mean above 8 and a full mark ratio above 0.5, respectively. The final evaluation indicator system comprises three primary indicators, with the weights of structure evaluation, process evaluation, and outcome evaluation being 0.338, 0.378, and 0.285, respectively. It also comprises 11 secondary indicators and 45 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:The evaluation indicator system developed in this article can be an effective evaluation tool for quantitative comparison of access to cancer screening services across different populations, cancer types, and before and after intervention. Furthermore, it is recommended that the system undergo continuous optimization concerning its application.

Objective:To investigate the difference of Roussouly ideal classification in predicting postoperative proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) between adult degenerative spinal deformity patients with and without pelvic fixation and the potential reasons.Methods:From January 2017 to January 2020, a total of 95 patients (4 males, 91 females; with an average age of 62.03±6.30 years) with degenerative spinal deformities were retrospectively analyzed. There were 35 patients in the non-pelvic group (1 male, 34 females) and 60 patients in the pelvic group (3 males, 57 females). The radiographic parameters included coronal Cobb's angle (CA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), and proximal junctional angle (PJA) were measured in the standing radiographs preoperatively, postoperatively at 2 weeks, and 2-year follow-up. Changes in PT and SS were calculated for patients at 2 weeks and the 2-year follow-up. Based on the revised Roussouly classification, 95 patients were classified into different types preoperatively, postoperatively at 2 weeks, and during the 2-year follow-up. Changes in the classification of patients were documented postoperatively at 2 weeks. Roussouly types were determined using preoperative pelvic parameters, and a match was defined when the 2-week postoperative classification aligned with the ideal type. The occurrence of PJK and the relationship with classification matching were recorded in the group. Independent t-tests were used for intergroup comparisons of radiographic parameters, and chi-square tests were employed to assess classification changes and predictive accuracy of the Roussouly classification. Results:Preoperative PT, TPA and SVA in non-pelvic group were significantly smaller than those in pelvic group, and preoperative SS and LL larger than those in pelvic group ( P<0.05). The changes of PT and SS in non-pelvic group were significantly lower than those in pelvic group 2 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05). The proportion of classification changes in the pelvic group was significantly higher than that in the non-pelvic group (60% vs. 34%, χ 2=5.847, P=0.016). Among the 95 patients, a total of 29 experienced PJK during the follow-up, with 3 cases progressing to PJF. The incidence of PJK in mismatched patients was 37% with no significant difference compared with matched patients (19%) (χ 2=3.357, P=0.067). In the sacral spine group of 60 patients, 22 experienced PJK, with 3 cases progressing to PJF. Among them, 19 patients with PJK had a classification mismatch with the ideal classification at 2 weeks postoperatively. The PJK incidence was significantly higher in mismatched patients (45%) compared to matched patients (17%) (χ 2=4.429, P=0.035). In the non-pelvic group, 7 patients developed PJK, with 3 mismatched cases. The PJK incidence in mismatched vs. matched patients was 18% vs. 22%, showing no significant difference (χ 2=0.114, P=0.735). Conclusions:For the patients with degenerative spinal deformity, pelvic fixation leads to a more complete restoration of the ideal Roussouly classification. Restoration of the Roussouly type in patients with pelvic fixation is a reliable predictor of postoperative PJK. However, in patients without pelvic fixation, the alignment with the ideal Roussouly classification does not significantly correlate with PJK development.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic interstitial lung disease, is characterized by aberrant wound healing, excessive scarring and the formation of myofibroblastic foci. Although the role of alternative splicing (AS) in the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis has garnered increasing attention, its specific contribution to pulmonary fibrosis remains incompletely understood. In this study, we identified an up-regulation of serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 (SRSF7) in lung fibroblasts derived from IPF patients and a bleomycin (BLM)-induced mouse model, and further characterized its functional role in both human fetal lung fibroblasts and mice. We demonstrated that enhanced expression of Srsf7 in mice spontaneously induced alveolar collagen accumulation. Mechanistically, we investigated alternative splicing events and revealed that SRSF7 modulates the alternative splicing of pyruvate kinase (PKM), leading to metabolic dysregulation and fibroblast activation. In vivo studies showed that fibroblast-specific knockout of Srsf7 in conditional knockout mice conferred resistance to bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Importantly, through drug screening, we identified lomitapide as a novel modulator of SRSF7, which effectively mitigated experimental pulmonary fibrosis. Collectively, our findings elucidate a molecular pathway by which SRSF7 drives fibroblast metabolic dysregulation and propose a potential therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.