Objective: To investigate the objective characteristics of tongue manifestation in different stages of damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 patients with DKD G3-5 stages who met the diagnostic criteria for damp-heat syndrome in DKD. The patients were treated at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from May 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: DKD G3, DKD G4, and DKD G5 stage, with 53, 33, and 48 patients in each group, respectively. Clinical general data (gender, age, and body mass index) and damp-heat syndrome scores were collected from the patients. The YZAI-02 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) AI Tongue Image Acquisition Device was used to capture tongue images from these patients. The accompanying AI Open Platform for TCM Tongue Diagnosis of the device was used to analyze and extract tongue manifestation features, including objective data on tongue color, tongue quality, coating color, and coating texture. Clinical data and objective tongue manifestation characteristics were compared among patients with DKD G3-5 based on their DKD damp-heat syndrome status. Results: No statistically significant difference in gender or body mass index was observed among the three patient groups. The DKD G3 stage group had the highest age (P<0.05). The DKD G3 stage group had a lower score for symptoms of poor appetite and anorexia(P<0.05) than the DKD G5 group. No statistically significant difference was observed in damp-heat syndrome scores among the three groups. Compared with the DKD G5 stage group, the DKD G3 stage group showed a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue (P<0.05). The DKD G4 stage group exhibited an increased proportion of crimson at the root of the tongue, a decreased proportion of thick white tongue coating at the root, a decreased proportion of pale color at the tip and edges of the tongue, an increased hue value (indicating color tone) of the tongue color in the middle, an increased brightness value (indicating color lightness) of the tongue coating color in the middle, and an increased thickness of the tongue coating (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in other tongue color proportions, color chroma values, body characteristics, coating color proportions, coating color chroma values, and coating texture characteristics among the three groups. Conclusion Tongue features differ in different stages of DKD damp-heat syndrome in multiple dimensions, enabling the inference that during the DKD G5 stage, the degree of qi and blood deficiency in the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach is prominent. Dampness is more likely to accumulate in the lower jiao, particularly in the kidneys, whereas heat evil in the spleen and stomach is the most severe. These insights provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.

Objective To explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes of chronic gastritis and the indicators of five circuits and six qi,revealing the influence of different congenital qi endowments on TCM syndrome differentiation and providing evidence for individualized treatment.Methods Medical records meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were collected from the Hospital Information System(HIS)of Rui Bao Street Community Health Service Center in Haizhu District,Guangzhou between January 20,2017 and January 20,2023.Data included age,birth date,and syndrome differentiation.Yearly circuit(Suiyun),celestial control-terrestrial effect(Sitian-Zaiqian)qi,three patterns of five circuits(Wuyun-Sanji),and syndrome patterns were statistically analyzed using Excel for database construction,with SPSS 23.0 for x2 tests and Logistic regression.Results(1)Among 1 882 chronic gastritis patients,spleen-stomach weakness(25.3％,477/1 882)was the most prevalent syndrome,followed by liver-stomach disharmony type,damp-heat in the spleen-stomach type,stomach-yin deficiency type,and stasis obstruction of stomach collateral type(x2=69.950,P=0.000).(2)Significant differences existed in Suiyun(Taijiao,Taigong,Taiyu,Taizhi,Shaogong,Taishang),Sitian-Zaiqian(Shaoyin-Yangming,Taiyin-Taiyang,Yangming-Shaoyin,Taiyang-Taiyin),and Wuyun-Sanji(excessive/insufficient earth/metal/water circuit)distributions among syndromes(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)For Suiyun-syndrome relationships:Birth in Taijiao/Shaogong years was the high-risk factor for developing chronic gastritis of liver-stomach disharmony type(P＜0.01);Taishang years were associated with stomach yin deficiency type(P＜0.05);Taijiao/Shaogong/Taiyu years were protective against damp-heat in the spleen-stomach type(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(4)For Sitian-Zaiqian-syndrome relationships:Jueyin-Shaoyang/Yangming-Shaoyin years linked to spleen-stomach weakness type(P＜0.05);Shaoyang-Jueyin years were correlated with damp-heat in the spleen-stomach type(P＜0.05).(5)For Wuyun-Sanji-syndrome relationships:Insufficient earth/water circuit years were associated with liver-stomach disharmony type(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);excessive/balanced metal circuit years linked to stomach yin deficiency type(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);insufficient metal circuit years were correlated with damp-heat in the spleen-stomach type(P＜0.05).Conclusion TCM syndromes of chronic gastritis are influenced by environment-body interactions,disordered visceral function and yin-yang imbalance.Clinical treatment should integrate the varied indicators of five circuits and six qi variations for personalized regimens to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Objective:To compare the dose and image quality of selected photon shield (SPS) technique, organ-based tube current modulation (OBTCM) technique and the combination of these two techniques for reducing the organ dose in head CT examination for infants.Methods:Two anthropomorphic head phantoms (CIRS 1-yr-old and 5-yr-old) were scanned by using Reference mode, Reference + OBTCM mode, SPS mode and SPS + OBTCM mode, respectively. Radiation doses to the lens of the eye, the anterior of the brain, the posterior of the brain, noise level and CNR of orbit and brain in different phantoms were measured and compared by using different scanning modes.Results:Compared with Reference mode, the doses to the lens of the eye in 1-yr-old and 5-yr-old phantom decreased by (21.89 ± 0.01)% and (28.33 ± 0.34)%, respectively. In SPS mode, the reduction in doses to the lens of the eye in 1-yr-old and 5-yr-old phantom were (71.38 ± 1.30)% and (53.72 ± 2.42)%, respectively. In SPS + OBTCM mode, the reduction was (71.12 ± 2.54)% and (55.73 ± 1.90)%, respectively. There was significant difference in the noise level of orbit and brain in different phantoms under various scanning modes ( F=5.67-85.47, P< 0.05). The noise level in OBTCM mode compared with reference mode increased slightly (<1.45 HU) in various phantoms. SPS and SPS + OBTCM mode resulted in a small noise increase (<2.58 HU). There was no significant difference in CNR of different phantoms under various scanning modes ( P>0.05). Conclusions:SPS and SPS + OBTCM mode can significantly reduce the radiation dose of lens and the whole image plane in the head CT scan for infants, with maintaining the image quality.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of whole liver CT perfusion imaging in the quantitative evaluation of hemodynamic changes before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods: Twenty-six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent TACE therapies were recruited. Whole -liver computed tomographic perfusion imaging (CTPI) was performed 2~3 days before TACE and 1 month after TACE. We measured the following perfusion parameters: hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP), portal venous perfusion (PVP), total liver perfusion (TLP), hepatic arterial perfusion index (HAPI), and time-to-peak (TTP).The F-test, t-test and Rank sum test were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 34 HCC lesions were detected. According to the deposition of lipiodol after TACE, they were divided into a lipiodol dense group (21) and a lipiodol light group (13). The length of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions after TACE showed a decreasing trend compared with preoperative TACE. The lesions in the lipiodol dense group had smaller lesions than those in the lipiodol light group. The preoperative and postoperative longitudinal diameters were (3.12 ± 0.58) cm vs. (1.93 ± 0.79) cm, (2.98 ± 2.01) cm vs. (2.58 ± 2.00) cm, the differences were statistically significant (t = 15.1, 8.65, P < 0.05). The preoperative HAP and HPI of the lipiodol dense group were the highest, and the peritumoral within 1cm was higher than that of the surrounding liver parenchyma. The PVP, TLP, and TTP were highest in the surrounding of liver parenchyma, and 1 cm higher than the tumor area in the background. The corresponding perfusion parameters were statistically significant (P < 0.05); HAP and HPI were 1 cm higher than the surrounding liver parenchyma. After the operation, PVP, TLP and TTP were lower than the background liver parenchyma, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); HAP and HPI decreased by 1 cm after the operation, and the PVP, TLP, and TTP increased. There was no significant difference after operation in the blood perfusion of background liver parenchyma (P ˃ 0.05). The HAP and HPI decreased, and the PVP and TTP increased in the lipiodol light group after operation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the other two regions (P ˃ 0.05). Conclusion There was no blood perfusion in the lipiodol deposition area after TACE. The perfusion volume of hepatic artery in the peritumoral 1 cm and lipiodol light group decreased and the portal venous perfusion increased. CTPI can quantitatively evaluate blood perfusion state, which is of great significance for the determination of treatment plans before TACE treatment to assume the postoperative therapeutic effect in liver cancer.

Objective To evaluate the value of MRS in quantitative assessment of degeneration of lumbar discs.Methods Totally 82 patients with lumbago underwent lumbar MR scanning.All the discs were classified with Pfirrmann grades in the sequences of sagittal T2WI.The area under N-acetyl peak,under water peak and the ratio of N-acetyl/Water were measured by MRS.Correlation between MRS values and Pfirrmann grade,age were analyzed.Results In 82 patients,204 lumbar discs were measured by MRS.There were 89,73,39,3 discs in Pfirrmann Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ,V respectively.The areas of N-acetyl,water peak and N-acetyl/Water ratio of nucleus region were positively correlated with Pfirrmann grading,respectively (rs =-0.460,-0.204,-0.526,all P＜0.05).There were 62,25,37,51,29 discs in patients aged ＜30,30-39,40-49,50-59,＞59 years respectively.The ares of N-acetyl peak,N-acetyl/Water ratio of nucleus region was negatively correlated with the age (rs=-0.247,-0.385,both P＜0.05).Conclusion MRS can be used for quantitative assessment of lumbar discs degeneration.

Objective To investigate concentration of plasma neutrophil gelatinase -associated lipocalin ( NGAL) and its clinical significance in ICU populations with sepsis.Methods Fourteen ICU patients diagnosed with sepsis and twenty-four patients with non-sepsis were enrolled in the study,and seventeen healthy adults were selected as healthy control.Blood samples were drawn from patients to measure NGAL, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation ( APACHE ) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment ( SOFA ) were performed, the outcome was recorded.Plasma NGAL concentration was measured by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) .Results On admission to ICU, the pNGAL concentrations of septic and non -septic patients were (131.4 ±116.4)ng/mL and (48.7 ±30.8)ng/mL respectively,which of healthy control was (39.07 ±12.74)ng/mL.The pNGAL was significantly higher in sepsis than non-sepsis and healthy control ( t=-3.280,3.313,P=0.003,0.021 respectively).Otherwise,no differences of white blood cell (WBC) count [(12.6 ±5.7) ×109/L vs (15.6 ±5.8) ×109/L] and SOFA scores [(7.7 ±3.3)points vs (8.6 ±3.4)points] were found in septic and non-septic patients (t=-1.554,-0.802,P=0.129,0.428).On the admission to ICU,areas under the receiver oper-ating characteristic curves ( ROC curves) of NGAL and WBC for predicting sepsis were 0.740 [95%confident inter-val(CI) 0.566,0.913,P =0.015] and 0.345 ( 95%CI 0.158,0.533,P =0.116) respectively.If pNGAL of 99.4ng/mL as the threshold for predicting sepsis, the sensitivity and the specificity was 50.0% and 85.2%. Conclusion The concentrations of NGAL in septic patients significantly increased compared with that in non-sepsis and in healthy adults.And the NGAL levels maybe another sensitive biochemical marker for predicting infection.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the methylenetetrahy drofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T missense mutation and schizophrenia by linkage disequilibrium study.

METHODSLinkage disequilibrium analys is was conducted bet ween MTHFR C677T and schizophrenia in 115 affected-sib-pair (105) and trios (10) families by XDT and MAPMAKER/SIBS soft system. The analyses were performed in different diagnostic categories and combined with the age of onset as well.

RESULTSNo positive results were found in the analysis in all the family in all the four diagnostic categories. Significant P values, which were P<0.05, P<0.01 respectively, were observed in the families with the affected individual's onset age less than 25 years in all the four diagnostic categories.

CONCLUSIONThe missense mutation of MTHFR C677T or other gene structure around this mutation may be one of the susceptibility gene of schizophrenia.

DNA ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Mutation, Missense ; Nuclear Family ; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the microsatellite markers on chromosome 6 and schizophrenia by linkage disequilibrium analysis.

METHODSTwenty-eight microsatellite markers on chromosome 6 were evaluated in 115 affected-sib-pair and trios families. Linkage disequilibrium analysis was conducted according to diagnostic categories, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and other clinical data by XDT and MAPMAKER/SIBS software system.

RESULTSSignificant P value (P<0.005) was found in all the four diagnostic categories. Only the locus of D6S1960 showed positive P value (P<0.05) in all the subgroups divided by PANSS scale and the age of onset.

CONCLUSIONThe area around D6S1960 in short arm of chromosome 6 may contain susceptibility gene of schizophrenia.

Age of Onset ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics

Objective To investigate the clinical value of iPass in three dimensional contrast enhanced MR angiography (3D-CE-MRA). Methods iPass were performed in 32 cases, including cervical vessel (4 cases), pulmonary vessel (7 cases), abdominal vessel (18 cases), and femoral vessel (3 cases). iPass bolus tracking was run before 3D-CE-MRA. The tracking sequence was operated repeatedly with real time display of image. The peak of bolus arrival time(Tp), identified with signal of target vessel increased 30% over baseline, was automatically loaded in the timing page of 3D-CE-MRA, and the time of scan delay(Td) was computed by the system with Tp. The acquired images were subtracted and reconstructed by MIP. The quality of MIP image was evaluated. Results The iPass bolus tracking sequence and 3D-CE-MRA were completed successfully in 29 cases. The bolus tracking couldn′t detect the bolus arrival time in 3 cases, but they were completed through changing ROI and bolus tracking repeatedly. The average score of 3D-CE-MRA MIP image was 3.81?0.59. Conclusion iPass can provide the exact Tp and automatically control Td of 3D-CE-MRA. iPass is a useful procedure to improve the image quality and provide the specific scanning scheme for 3D-CE-MRA.

Objective Objective To study the feasibility of direct applying MRI to TPS by measuring the geometric distortion of MRI. Methods Phantom 1 was made by marking radical arrangement of fat pipelines every 15? in foam phantom and Phantom 2 by net arrangement at every 2.7?cm. Coronal and transverse scan parallel with the radial and net fat pipeline in the phantom was performed at sequence of cranial FSE T2WI by Marconi 1.5T superconduct MRI machine. Geometric distortion in 5 different fields of view (FOV) was calculated by measuring the absolute borderline error of direct scan and coronal digital reconstructed radiograph (DRR). Results When FOV was equal or smaller than 11.0?cm?11.0?cm, 22.0?cm?22.0?cm and 27.5?cm?27.5?cm, the geometric distortion was 0.0, 1.1 and 1.4?mm of direct scanning MRI and 1.0,1.4 and 2.0?mm of coronal DRR. Conclusion When the magnetic field of MR is high and the tissue shows uniform density, MRI can be applied on TPS directly.