Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl- diethy-lenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced MRI features in the preoperative prediction of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) within hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study included clinical and pathological data from 297 HCC patients treated at the Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University between June 2021 and November 2022. Based on postoperative pathology, patients were categorized into TLS-negative ( n=93) and TLS-positive ( n=204) groups. MRI features of HCC lesions using Gd-EOB-DTPA enhancement and relevant clinical data were analyzed. Intergroup comparisons of imaging features and laboratory findings were performed using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. The logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of TLS positivity. A predictive model was constructed and visualized using a nomogram. The model′s predictive performance and clinical utility were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared using the DeLong test. Results:Significant differences were observed between the TLS-negative and TLS-positive groups in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, intratumoral hemorrhage, and peritumoral satellite nodules in the hepatobiliary phase ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified intratumoral hemorrhage ( OR=0.123, 95% CI 0.070-0.216, P<0.001) and peritumoral satellite nodules in the hepatobiliary phase ( OR=0.236, 95% CI 0.093-0.596, P=0.002) as independent predictive factors for TLS-positivity. The imaging model based on these two features yielded an AUC of 0.764 (95% CI 0.709-0.809) for predicting TLS-positivity. When combined with AFP levels, the resulting clinical-imaging model achieved a superior AUC of 0.784 (95% CI 0.732-0.829), which was significantly higher than that of the imaging model alone ( Z=2.20, P=0.028). A nomogram was constructed based on the clinical-imaging model. The calibration curve demonstrated good predictive performance of the nomogram, and the DCA showed that the curve remained above the default line across a range of reasonable threshold probabilities, indicating that patients could derive clinical benefit. Conclusion:A nomogram model based on Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI features combined with AFP levels can effectively predict the presence of TLS in HCC.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl- diethy-lenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced MRI features in the preoperative prediction of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) within hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study included clinical and pathological data from 297 HCC patients treated at the Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University between June 2021 and November 2022. Based on postoperative pathology, patients were categorized into TLS-negative ( n=93) and TLS-positive ( n=204) groups. MRI features of HCC lesions using Gd-EOB-DTPA enhancement and relevant clinical data were analyzed. Intergroup comparisons of imaging features and laboratory findings were performed using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. The logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of TLS positivity. A predictive model was constructed and visualized using a nomogram. The model′s predictive performance and clinical utility were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared using the DeLong test. Results:Significant differences were observed between the TLS-negative and TLS-positive groups in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, intratumoral hemorrhage, and peritumoral satellite nodules in the hepatobiliary phase ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified intratumoral hemorrhage ( OR=0.123, 95% CI 0.070-0.216, P<0.001) and peritumoral satellite nodules in the hepatobiliary phase ( OR=0.236, 95% CI 0.093-0.596, P=0.002) as independent predictive factors for TLS-positivity. The imaging model based on these two features yielded an AUC of 0.764 (95% CI 0.709-0.809) for predicting TLS-positivity. When combined with AFP levels, the resulting clinical-imaging model achieved a superior AUC of 0.784 (95% CI 0.732-0.829), which was significantly higher than that of the imaging model alone ( Z=2.20, P=0.028). A nomogram was constructed based on the clinical-imaging model. The calibration curve demonstrated good predictive performance of the nomogram, and the DCA showed that the curve remained above the default line across a range of reasonable threshold probabilities, indicating that patients could derive clinical benefit. Conclusion:A nomogram model based on Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI features combined with AFP levels can effectively predict the presence of TLS in HCC.

Objective The pathophysiological process of acute high-altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury affects protein expression levels,which are mainly evaluated by Western blot.No systematic study has investigated changes in internal control proteins as calibration loading amounts.Methods Lung injury at an altitude of 6000 m was induced in a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber for 8,24,and 72 h using C57BL/6J mice.Establishment of the model was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Expression levels of various internal control proteins,including vinculin,α-tubulin,eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5(EIF5),β-actin,and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie blue staining.Furthermore,the lung injury model in vitro was establised by using,Bronchial epithelial cell(BZAS-2B)andhunman umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECS)confirmed by TUNEL staining.Expression levels of internal control proteins were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie Blue staining.Results Acute 8,24,and 72 h hypoxic models were successfully established in lung tissue,demonstrating consistent total protein expression and stable levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,andβ-actin.GAPDH expression was elevated in the HH8 h,HH24 h,and HH72 h groups compared with the normoxia(Nor)group,but only the increase at HH72 h groups was significant.Similarly,8,24,and 48 h hypoxic models were successfully established in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,with consistent total protein expression.In BEAS-2B cells,expression levels of the internal reference proteins β-actin and GAPDH were consistent with the normoxic control(NC)group,while vinculin,α-tubulin,and EIF5 expression levels were significantly reduced under hypoxic conditions for up to 24 h.In HUVECs,vinculin and α-tubulin expression levels were also consistent with the NC group,while EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH expression levels were significantly reduced at 8 h and increased at 48 h.Conclusions Acute hypoxia induces lung tissue injury,and protein expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,and β-actin are stable,making them suitable internal references for Western blot.Additionally,Western blot detected differential expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,as the most important in vitro lung tissue models of hypoxia-induced injury.

Objective To explore the value of combined detection of serum mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1)and lysyl oxidase-like protein 2(LOXL2)in early diagnosis of cervical cancer.Methods A total of 218 patients with cervical lesions were selected as study group(103 ca-ses in cervical cancer group,115 cases in benign tumor group).Additionally,100 patients with cer-vical intraepithelial neoplasia grade Ⅱ were selected as precancerous lesion group,and 79 healthy in-dividuals undergoing physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group.Se-rum levels of MAPK1 and LOXL2 were measured in each group.Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with cervical cancer.Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen influencing factors for the occurrence of cervical cancer.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to assess the diagnostic efficacy of serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 for cervical cancer.Results Serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in the study group were higher than those in the precancerous lesion group and the control group,and those in the precancerous lesion group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically signif-icant differences(P＜0.05).The proportion of patients with high-risk human papillomavirus(HPV)infection and serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in the cervical cancer group were higher than those in the benign tumor group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ cervical cancer were higher than those in patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ cervical cancer,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with cervical cancer(r=0.468,P＜0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that high-risk HPV infection,MAPK1 and LOXL2 were all influencing factors for the occurrence of cervi-cal cancer(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for com-bined diagnosis of serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 was 0.911,which was significantly greater than the AUCs for individual diagnoses(0.848 and 0.843,respectively).Conclusion Serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels in patients with cervical cancer are significantly upregulated,and the two indicators were positively correlated.High-risk HPV infection,serum MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels were influen-cing factors for the occurrence of cervical cancer.Combined detection of MAPK1 and LOXL2 levels is expected to assist in the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Objective The myocardial injury was induced by hypobaric hypoxia through regulating the expression of various proteins.The expression of proteins was mainly detected by western blot,but the selection of internal reference proteins and their variations have not been systematically studied.Methods Myocardial injury was induced in a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber simulating an altitude of 6000 m,for 24 and 72 h.Establishment of the myocardial injury model was confirmed by hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.Expression levels of internal control proteins,including vinculin,α-tubulin,eukaryotic translation initiation factor-5(EIF5),β-actin,glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH),cyclophilin B,and cofilin,were detected by Western Blot and total protein expression was detected by Ponceau S and Coomassie Blue staining.An adult mouse cardiomyocytes(AMCMs)injury model was induced by hypoxia for 12 and 24 h and confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL staining).Internal control proteins were detected by Western Blot,as in the in vivo model,and total protein expression was detected by Ponceau S and Coomassie Blue staining.Results A myocardial injury model was established by hypobaric hypoxia for 24 and 72 h,the total protein expression levels remained consistent.The expression of internal control proteins including vinculin,EIF5,β-actin,cyclophilin B,and cofilin was consistent between the control and model groups.Expression levels of α-tubulin were similar in the plain control and 24 h hypobaric hypoxia group,but were significantly lower in the 72 h hypobaric hypoxia group compared with the plain control group.GAPDH expression was significantly higher in the 24 and 72 h hypobaric hypoxia groups than in the plain control group.An AMCM injury model was established by hypoxia for 12 and 24 h.Total protein levels and expression levels of the internal control proteins EIF5 and β-actin were consistent,but vinculin,α-tubulin,GAPDH,cyclophilin B,and cofilin expression levels were higher in both hypoxia groups compared with the normoxic control group.Conclusions EIF5 and β-actin may be the suitable loading control proteins for studies of hypobaric hypoxia-induced myocardial injury using Western Blot.Total protein is also a good choice for hypobaric hypoxia studies.

Objective: To examine the associations of pet ownership and daily outdoor activity duration with depressive symptoms in middle school students, so as to provide evidence for targeted prevention strategies of depressive symptoms in middle school students. Methods: Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, 83 601 middle and high school students from 103 districts and counties in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected in 2024. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect demographic data, household pet ownership, outdoor activity duration, and depressive symptoms of the research subjects. The comparison of reporting rates of depressive symptoms among different groups of middle school students was conducted using a χ 2 test. The association between pet ownership and outdoor activity duration and depressive symptoms among middle school students was evaluated using a Logistic regression model, and stratified analysis was conducted among different genders and regions to control for potential confounding factors and evaluate the stability of the association. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among middleschool students in Inner Mongolia was 17.2%. Significant differences in depressive symptom reporting rates were observed across sex, grade, ethnicity, surveillance site, parental education, menarche/spermarche status, boarding status, smoking and alcohol use, daily breakfast consumption, school bullying, continuous 30 minute headphone use in a noisy environment, and often use the Internet ( χ 2=8.07-2 672.57, all P <0.01). Both pet ownership ( OR =0.78, 95% CI =0.75-0.81) and ≥2 h/d of outdoor activity( OR =0.81, 95% CI =0.78-0.84) were inversely associated with depressive symptoms;compared to the without owning pets and < 2 h of outdoor activity daily group, students who both owned pets and engaged in ≥2 h of outdoor activity daily had an even lower risk ( OR =0.83, 95% CI =0.78-0.87)(all P <0.05). Conclusion Pet ownership and increased daily outdoor activity duration may help mitigate depressive symptoms among middle school students.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the prevalent strains of Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) in the population of Dali, Yunnan, and to understand its evolutionary status in the population of Dali.Methods:Herpes fluid and 163 sera were collected from 249 patients clinically suspected to have varicella or herpes zoster in the Department of Dermatology of the Second People′s Hospital of Dali city, Yunnan province, China, from 2023 to 2024. The levels of VZV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Viral DNA was extracted from the herpes fluid, and the cycle threshold ( Ct) of the samples was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and some samples with Ct ≦ 22 were selected for sequencing by next-generation sequencing technology (next-generation sequencing). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to obtain 90 whole genome sequences of VZV, and the sequencing result were compared with the sequences of reference strains for multiple sequence comparison and evolutionary analysis. Snapgene was used to translate the nucleotides into amino acids, and the result were compared with the amino acid sequences of the reference strain. Results:Of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences, one whole-genome sequence was from an adult varicella patient, and the remaining 89 whole-genome sequences were from herpes zoster patients. The serum-specific IgG antibody positivity rate was 99.4%, and the IgM antibody positivity rate was 52.8%. The result of both single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) site typing and genome-wide phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 83 of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences in this study were on the same branch as Clade 2, and 7 VZV whole-genome sequences were on the branch of Clade 9.Conclusions:The main endemic branch in Dali region in 2023-2024 was Clade 2, with the emergence of Clade 9 branch; there were amino acid mutations in the proteins encoded by ORF22 and ORF68 in 83 VZV whole genome sequences of Clade 2 branch, and the mutations did not cause significant changes to the protein structure.

Objective The myocardial injury was induced by hypobaric hypoxia through regulating the expression of various proteins.The expression of proteins was mainly detected by western blot,but the selection of internal reference proteins and their variations have not been systematically studied.Methods Myocardial injury was induced in a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber simulating an altitude of 6000 m,for 24 and 72 h.Establishment of the myocardial injury model was confirmed by hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.Expression levels of internal control proteins,including vinculin,α-tubulin,eukaryotic translation initiation factor-5(EIF5),β-actin,glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH),cyclophilin B,and cofilin,were detected by Western Blot and total protein expression was detected by Ponceau S and Coomassie Blue staining.An adult mouse cardiomyocytes(AMCMs)injury model was induced by hypoxia for 12 and 24 h and confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL staining).Internal control proteins were detected by Western Blot,as in the in vivo model,and total protein expression was detected by Ponceau S and Coomassie Blue staining.Results A myocardial injury model was established by hypobaric hypoxia for 24 and 72 h,the total protein expression levels remained consistent.The expression of internal control proteins including vinculin,EIF5,β-actin,cyclophilin B,and cofilin was consistent between the control and model groups.Expression levels of α-tubulin were similar in the plain control and 24 h hypobaric hypoxia group,but were significantly lower in the 72 h hypobaric hypoxia group compared with the plain control group.GAPDH expression was significantly higher in the 24 and 72 h hypobaric hypoxia groups than in the plain control group.An AMCM injury model was established by hypoxia for 12 and 24 h.Total protein levels and expression levels of the internal control proteins EIF5 and β-actin were consistent,but vinculin,α-tubulin,GAPDH,cyclophilin B,and cofilin expression levels were higher in both hypoxia groups compared with the normoxic control group.Conclusions EIF5 and β-actin may be the suitable loading control proteins for studies of hypobaric hypoxia-induced myocardial injury using Western Blot.Total protein is also a good choice for hypobaric hypoxia studies.

Objective The pathophysiological process of acute high-altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury affects protein expression levels,which are mainly evaluated by Western blot.No systematic study has investigated changes in internal control proteins as calibration loading amounts.Methods Lung injury at an altitude of 6000 m was induced in a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber for 8,24,and 72 h using C57BL/6J mice.Establishment of the model was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Expression levels of various internal control proteins,including vinculin,α-tubulin,eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5(EIF5),β-actin,and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie blue staining.Furthermore,the lung injury model in vitro was establised by using,Bronchial epithelial cell(BZAS-2B)andhunman umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECS)confirmed by TUNEL staining.Expression levels of internal control proteins were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie Blue staining.Results Acute 8,24,and 72 h hypoxic models were successfully established in lung tissue,demonstrating consistent total protein expression and stable levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,andβ-actin.GAPDH expression was elevated in the HH8 h,HH24 h,and HH72 h groups compared with the normoxia(Nor)group,but only the increase at HH72 h groups was significant.Similarly,8,24,and 48 h hypoxic models were successfully established in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,with consistent total protein expression.In BEAS-2B cells,expression levels of the internal reference proteins β-actin and GAPDH were consistent with the normoxic control(NC)group,while vinculin,α-tubulin,and EIF5 expression levels were significantly reduced under hypoxic conditions for up to 24 h.In HUVECs,vinculin and α-tubulin expression levels were also consistent with the NC group,while EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH expression levels were significantly reduced at 8 h and increased at 48 h.Conclusions Acute hypoxia induces lung tissue injury,and protein expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,and β-actin are stable,making them suitable internal references for Western blot.Additionally,Western blot detected differential expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,as the most important in vitro lung tissue models of hypoxia-induced injury.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the prevalent strains of Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) in the population of Dali, Yunnan, and to understand its evolutionary status in the population of Dali.Methods:Herpes fluid and 163 sera were collected from 249 patients clinically suspected to have varicella or herpes zoster in the Department of Dermatology of the Second People′s Hospital of Dali city, Yunnan province, China, from 2023 to 2024. The levels of VZV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Viral DNA was extracted from the herpes fluid, and the cycle threshold ( Ct) of the samples was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and some samples with Ct ≦ 22 were selected for sequencing by next-generation sequencing technology (next-generation sequencing). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to obtain 90 whole genome sequences of VZV, and the sequencing result were compared with the sequences of reference strains for multiple sequence comparison and evolutionary analysis. Snapgene was used to translate the nucleotides into amino acids, and the result were compared with the amino acid sequences of the reference strain. Results:Of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences, one whole-genome sequence was from an adult varicella patient, and the remaining 89 whole-genome sequences were from herpes zoster patients. The serum-specific IgG antibody positivity rate was 99.4%, and the IgM antibody positivity rate was 52.8%. The result of both single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) site typing and genome-wide phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 83 of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences in this study were on the same branch as Clade 2, and 7 VZV whole-genome sequences were on the branch of Clade 9.Conclusions:The main endemic branch in Dali region in 2023-2024 was Clade 2, with the emergence of Clade 9 branch; there were amino acid mutations in the proteins encoded by ORF22 and ORF68 in 83 VZV whole genome sequences of Clade 2 branch, and the mutations did not cause significant changes to the protein structure.