OBJECTIVES: We propose a low-dose CT image restoration method based on central guidance and alternating optimization (FedGP). METHODS: The FedGP framework revolutionizes the traditional federated learning model by adopting a structure without a fixed central server, where each institution alternatively serves as the central server. This method uses an institution-modulated CT image restoration network as the core of client-side local training. Through a federated learning approach of central guidance and alternating optimization, the central server leverages local labeled data to guide client-side network training to enhance the generalization capability of the CT imaging model across multiple institutions. RESULTS: In the low-dose and sparse-view CT image restoration tasks, the FedGP method showed significant advantages in both visual and quantitative evaluation and achieved the highest PSNR (40.25 and 38.84), the highest SSIM (0.95 and 0.92), and the lowest RMSE (2.39 and 2.56). Ablation study of FedGP demonstrated that compared with FedGP(w/o GP) without central guidance, the FedGP method better adapted to data heterogeneity across institutions, thus ensuring robustness and generalization capability of the model in different imaging conditions. CONCLUSIONS FedGP provides a more flexible FL framework to solve the problem of CT imaging heterogeneity and well adapts to multi-institutional data characteristics to improve generalization ability of the model under diverse imaging geometric configurations.
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Humans ; Radiation Dosage ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Algorithms

Objective:To evaluate the current situation of the protective effect of hearing protection device (HPD) worn by manufacturing workers and discuss their possible influencing factors.Methods:A total of 3634 noisy workers were surveyed and tested. The study conducted surveys of workers on the use of HPD. The 3M TM E-A-R Fit TM binaural verification system was used to measure the personal attenuation device (PAR) of workers wearing HPD. Results:The M ( Q1, Q3) of baseline PAR obtained by 3634 workers was 12 (2, 19) dB. There was a statistically significant difference in baseline PAR among the three types of HPDs ( H=336.39, P<0.01) . After pairwise comparison, it was found that the baseline PAR of workers wearing foam earplugs and earmuffs was higher than that of pre-molded earplugs ( P<0.01) . There were differences in baseline PAR among workers in different industries ( Z=359.73, P<0.01) . Education level, age of using HPD, types of HPDs, noise exposure intensity, with or without knowledge of correct methods, and comfort evaluation were the main factors affecting baseline PAR ( P<0.05) . There were 1536 workers (43.4%) failed the baseline PAR test. After the intervention, the median PAR increased significantly from 1 (0, 6) dB (baseline) to 18 (14, 22) dB (after the intervention) ( P<0.01) . The follow-up test found that the follow-up PAR of 328 workers was higher than the baseline PAR of the initial test, and the follow-up PAR was higher than the post-intervention PAR of the initial test ( P<0.01) . Conclusion:Under the conditions of this study, the protective effect of HPD was affected by factors such as incorrect understanding of wearing methods, exposure to high-intensity noise, low education level, a short period of time of HPD use and low comfort of hearing protectors. The protective effect could be improved through training, optimizing the wearing of hearing protector models, and follow-up interventions. Enterprises should use suitability verification to ensure the correct selection and wearing of noisy workers.

Objective:To evaluate the technical feasibility and perioperative safety of pyeloplasty assis-ted by the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical robotic system in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO).Methods:From November to December 2024,five consecutive patients diagnosed with UPJO underwent robot-assisted pyeloplasty using the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical system at Peking University First Hospital.Data on patient demographics,intraoperative parameters(including docking time,console time,and estimated blood loss),perioperative outcomes,follow-up results,and surgeons' subjective evaluations of system performance were prospectively collected.Descriptive statistics were used;continuous variables were presented as median(range),and categorical variables as frequen-cy and percentage.Results:The cohort included four females and one male.All the patients successfully completed the robotic procedure without conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery.The me-dian age was 32 years(24-37 years),and the median body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2(15.8-27.3 kg/m2).The median docking time was 8 min(3-12 min),and the median console time was 91 min(71-125 min).Intraoperative blood loss was uniformly 20 mL.The median postoperative drainage du-ration was 3 d(0-4 d),and the median length of hospital stay was 4 d(4-9 d).No Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications occurred.All the patients had their double-J stents removed at 2 months postoperatively,and pain in the ipsilateral flank,reported preoperatively by all the five patients,was al-leviated.The subjective surgical success rate was 100％.Surgeons reported stable system performance throughout all the procedures,with no instances of mechanical arm interference or visual drift affecting surgical fluency.Conclusion:Preliminary findings indicate that pyeloplasty using the domestically deve-loped CarinaTM modular laparoscopic robotic system is technically feasible and perioperatively safe for the treatment of UPJO.

Objective:To evaluate the technical feasibility and perioperative safety of pyeloplasty assis-ted by the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical robotic system in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO).Methods:From November to December 2024,five consecutive patients diagnosed with UPJO underwent robot-assisted pyeloplasty using the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical system at Peking University First Hospital.Data on patient demographics,intraoperative parameters(including docking time,console time,and estimated blood loss),perioperative outcomes,follow-up results,and surgeons' subjective evaluations of system performance were prospectively collected.Descriptive statistics were used;continuous variables were presented as median(range),and categorical variables as frequen-cy and percentage.Results:The cohort included four females and one male.All the patients successfully completed the robotic procedure without conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery.The me-dian age was 32 years(24-37 years),and the median body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2(15.8-27.3 kg/m2).The median docking time was 8 min(3-12 min),and the median console time was 91 min(71-125 min).Intraoperative blood loss was uniformly 20 mL.The median postoperative drainage du-ration was 3 d(0-4 d),and the median length of hospital stay was 4 d(4-9 d).No Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications occurred.All the patients had their double-J stents removed at 2 months postoperatively,and pain in the ipsilateral flank,reported preoperatively by all the five patients,was al-leviated.The subjective surgical success rate was 100％.Surgeons reported stable system performance throughout all the procedures,with no instances of mechanical arm interference or visual drift affecting surgical fluency.Conclusion:Preliminary findings indicate that pyeloplasty using the domestically deve-loped CarinaTM modular laparoscopic robotic system is technically feasible and perioperatively safe for the treatment of UPJO.

Objective To explore the role of nucleolin 6(NOL6)in the occurrence and development of hypertension and its mechanism of regulating ribosome biogenesis.Methods Differentially expressed genes were screened based on the GEO database(chip GSE212338),and intersection analysis was conducted in combination with genes related to ribosome generation to obtain genes related to ribosome biogenesis in hypertension.The rats were divided into control group and model group(L-NAME group).The hypertensive rat model was induced by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME),and the thickness and pathological changes of the aortic wall in each group were observed by HE staining.The expression of ribosomal RNA(rRNA)in rat aortic tissues was detected by qPCR to reflect ribosome biogenesis,and the protein expression of NOL6 was detected by Western blotting.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured and grouped for treatment(control group,L-NAME group,AngⅡ group,AngⅡ+si-NC group,AngⅡ+si-NOL6 group,and AngⅡ+CX-5461 group).The generation of neocRNA in HUVEC was detected by EU.The protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 in HUVEC were detected by Western blotting and qPCR,respectively.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and p-eNOS.Results By combining the differential expression analysis of the GEO hypertension dataset GSE212338 and the ribosome biogenesis gene set,six core genes with significantly altered expression in hypertension and related to ribosome biogenesis were identified.The difference in NOL6 was the most significant.Compared with the control group,the aortic wall thickness of rats in the L-NAME group increased significantly.Ribosomal RNA expression was significantly upregulated;the protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 were significantly upregulated,too.Compared with the control group,the generation of neoRNA in the cells of the L-NAME group increased significantly;the levels of NOL6 protein and mRNA,ribosomal RNA and neoRNA in the Ang Ⅱ group were significantly increased compared with the control group but significantly decreased compared with the Ang Ⅱ+si-NC group.Compared with the Ang Ⅱ+si-NOL6 group,the protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 in the AngⅡ+si-NC group and the AngⅡ+CX-5461 group cells were significantly increased.Compared with the AngⅡ+si-NC group,the levels of ribosomal RNA and neoRNA in the AngⅡ+si-NOL6 group and the AngⅡ+CX-5461 group were significantly decreased;the protein expressions of eNOS and p-eNOS were significantly increased.Conclusion NOL6 is associated with abnormal ribosome biogenesis in hypertension.NOL6 can affect the expression of eNOS by regulating ribosome biogenesis,thereby regulating the occurrence and development of hypertension.

Objective To explore the role of nucleolin 6(NOL6)in the occurrence and development of hypertension and its mechanism of regulating ribosome biogenesis.Methods Differentially expressed genes were screened based on the GEO database(chip GSE212338),and intersection analysis was conducted in combination with genes related to ribosome generation to obtain genes related to ribosome biogenesis in hypertension.The rats were divided into control group and model group(L-NAME group).The hypertensive rat model was induced by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME),and the thickness and pathological changes of the aortic wall in each group were observed by HE staining.The expression of ribosomal RNA(rRNA)in rat aortic tissues was detected by qPCR to reflect ribosome biogenesis,and the protein expression of NOL6 was detected by Western blotting.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured and grouped for treatment(control group,L-NAME group,AngⅡ group,AngⅡ+si-NC group,AngⅡ+si-NOL6 group,and AngⅡ+CX-5461 group).The generation of neocRNA in HUVEC was detected by EU.The protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 in HUVEC were detected by Western blotting and qPCR,respectively.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and p-eNOS.Results By combining the differential expression analysis of the GEO hypertension dataset GSE212338 and the ribosome biogenesis gene set,six core genes with significantly altered expression in hypertension and related to ribosome biogenesis were identified.The difference in NOL6 was the most significant.Compared with the control group,the aortic wall thickness of rats in the L-NAME group increased significantly.Ribosomal RNA expression was significantly upregulated;the protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 were significantly upregulated,too.Compared with the control group,the generation of neoRNA in the cells of the L-NAME group increased significantly;the levels of NOL6 protein and mRNA,ribosomal RNA and neoRNA in the Ang Ⅱ group were significantly increased compared with the control group but significantly decreased compared with the Ang Ⅱ+si-NC group.Compared with the Ang Ⅱ+si-NOL6 group,the protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 in the AngⅡ+si-NC group and the AngⅡ+CX-5461 group cells were significantly increased.Compared with the AngⅡ+si-NC group,the levels of ribosomal RNA and neoRNA in the AngⅡ+si-NOL6 group and the AngⅡ+CX-5461 group were significantly decreased;the protein expressions of eNOS and p-eNOS were significantly increased.Conclusion NOL6 is associated with abnormal ribosome biogenesis in hypertension.NOL6 can affect the expression of eNOS by regulating ribosome biogenesis,thereby regulating the occurrence and development of hypertension.

Objective:To evaluate the current situation of the protective effect of hearing protection device (HPD) worn by manufacturing workers and discuss their possible influencing factors.Methods:A total of 3634 noisy workers were surveyed and tested. The study conducted surveys of workers on the use of HPD. The 3M TM E-A-R Fit TM binaural verification system was used to measure the personal attenuation device (PAR) of workers wearing HPD. Results:The M ( Q1, Q3) of baseline PAR obtained by 3634 workers was 12 (2, 19) dB. There was a statistically significant difference in baseline PAR among the three types of HPDs ( H=336.39, P<0.01) . After pairwise comparison, it was found that the baseline PAR of workers wearing foam earplugs and earmuffs was higher than that of pre-molded earplugs ( P<0.01) . There were differences in baseline PAR among workers in different industries ( Z=359.73, P<0.01) . Education level, age of using HPD, types of HPDs, noise exposure intensity, with or without knowledge of correct methods, and comfort evaluation were the main factors affecting baseline PAR ( P<0.05) . There were 1536 workers (43.4%) failed the baseline PAR test. After the intervention, the median PAR increased significantly from 1 (0, 6) dB (baseline) to 18 (14, 22) dB (after the intervention) ( P<0.01) . The follow-up test found that the follow-up PAR of 328 workers was higher than the baseline PAR of the initial test, and the follow-up PAR was higher than the post-intervention PAR of the initial test ( P<0.01) . Conclusion:Under the conditions of this study, the protective effect of HPD was affected by factors such as incorrect understanding of wearing methods, exposure to high-intensity noise, low education level, a short period of time of HPD use and low comfort of hearing protectors. The protective effect could be improved through training, optimizing the wearing of hearing protector models, and follow-up interventions. Enterprises should use suitability verification to ensure the correct selection and wearing of noisy workers.

Evaluating toxicity and decoding the underlying mechanisms of active compounds are crucial for drug development.In this study,we present an innovative,integrated approach that combines air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging(AFADESI-MSI),time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(ToF-SIMS),and spatial metabolomics to comprehensively investi-gate the nephrotoxicity and underlying mechanisms of nitidine chloride(NC),a promising anti-tumor drug candidate.Our quantitive AFADESI-MSI analysis unveiled the region specific of accumulation of NC in the kidney,particularly within the inner cortex(IC)region,following single and repeated dose of NC.High spatial resolution ToF-SIMS analysis further allowed us to precisely map the localization of NC within the renal tubule.Employing spatial metabolomics based on AFADESI-MSI,we identified over 70 discriminating endogenous metabolites associated with chronic NC exposure.These findings suggest the renal tubule as the primary target of NC toxicity and implicate renal transporters(organic cation transporters,multidrug and toxin extrusion,and organic cation transporter 2(OCT2)),metabolic en-zymes(protein arginine N-methyltransferase(PRMT)and nitric oxide synthase),mitochondria,oxidative stress,and inflammation in NC-induced nephrotoxicity.This study offers novel insights into NC-induced renal damage,representing a crucial step towards devising strategies to mitigate renal damage caused by this compound.

AIM:To investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)with overexpression or si-lencing of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)SNHG8 on the viability,migration,angiogenesis,and the expression of vasoac-tive factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).METHODS:Identification of ADSCs derived from morbidly obese patients(O-ADSCs)was conducted using flow cytometry and induction of lipogenesis and osteogenesis.The expression of lncRNA SNHG8 in healthy human ADSCs(H-ADSCs)and O-ADSCs was detected by RT-qPCR.Tran-swell method was used to establish the indirect co-culture system of ADSCs and HUVECs for 48 h,and the cells were di-vided into O-ADSCs+HUVECs group,H-ADSCs+HUVECs group,and HUVECs alone group.The mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),endothelin-1(ET-1)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)in HUVECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The lncRNA SNHG8 overexpression and silencing lentiviruses were con-structed and used to infect O-ADSCs.The indirect co-cultured ADSCs and HUVECs were divided into O-ADSCs-OE-SNHG8+ HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-OE-NC+HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-sh-SNHG8+HUVECs group,and O-ADSCs-sh-NC+HUVECs group.After co-culture for 48 h,the viability,migration and tubule formation of HUVECs were detected by CCK-8,scratch and angiogenesis assays,respectively.The mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ,ET-1 and eNOS in HU-VECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.The nitrate reductase method was used to detect the con-tent of NO in HUVECs.RESULTS:(1)The cultured cells were identified as ADSCs.(2)Compared with H-ADSCs,ln-cRNA SNHG8 expression was significantly up-regulated in O-ADSCs(P<0.01).(3)Compared with H-ADSCs+HUVECs group and HUVECs group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in HUVECs in O-ADSCs+HU-VECs group were up-regulated(P<0.01).(4)Overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs enhanced the viability,mi-gration and tube formation ability of HUVECs,up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1,down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of eNOS,and decreased the content of NO in HUVECs(P<0.05).However,silencing of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs exerted opposite results(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:(1)The O-ADSCs can promote endothelial cell viability,migration and tubule formation through paracrine effects.(2)The O-ADSCs with overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 promote the imbalance of diastolic and contractile factors secreted by endo-thelial cells,and induce the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells.

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) represents a variety of sensorineural deafness conditions characterized by abnormal inner hair cells and/or auditory nerve function, but with the preservation of outer hair cell function. ANSD represents up to 15％ of individuals with hearing impairments. Through mutation screening, bioinformatic analysis and expression studies, we have previously identified several apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) mitochondria-associated 1 (AIFM1) variants in ANSD families and in some other sporadic cases. Here, to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying each AIFM1 variant, we generated AIF-null cells using the clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system and constructed AIF-wild type (WT) and AIF-mutant (mut) (p.T260A, p.R422W, and p.R451Q) stable transfection cell lines. We then analyzed AIF structure, coenzyme-binding affinity, apoptosis, and other aspects. Results revealed that these variants resulted in impaired dimerization, compromising AIF function. The reduction reaction of AIF variants had proceeded slower than that of AIF-WT. The average levels of AIF dimerization in AIF variant cells were only 34.5％?49.7％ of that of AIF-WT cells, resulting in caspase-independent apoptosis. The average percentage of apoptotic cells in the variants was 12.3％?17.9％, which was significantly higher than that (6.9％?7.4％) in controls. However, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) treatment promoted the reduction of apoptosis by rescuing AIF dimerization in AIF variant cells. Our findings show that the impairment of AIF dimerization by AIFM1 variants causes apoptosis contributing to ANSD, and introduce NADH as a potential drug for ANSD treatment. Our results help elucidate the mechanisms of ANSD and may lead to the provision of novel therapies.