Objective To evaluate the radiation impact of a self-developed digital miniature CT on the human body and the environment under simulated scanning conditions, and verify its safety and regulatory compliance. Methods Under typical head scanning conditions with the digital miniature CT (70 kV/10 mA), the equivalent doses received at the body surface sites corresponding to the thyroid, breast, stomach, liver, kidney, and gonads of the phantom were measured without protection and with 0.5 mmPb equivalent protection using LiF (Mg, Cu, P) thermoluminescent dosimeters. The ambient dose equivalent rates at the bed level inside the CT room at different directions and distances from the scanning center were measured using a model AT1121 X/γ dosimeter. The equivalent doses of organs on both sides of the phantom and the ambient equivalent dose rates on the left and right sides of the longitudinal axis of the bed in the CT room were compared. The Mann-Whitney test was used at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results During a single scan of the head with the digital miniature CT, the equivalent doses at the body surface sites corresponding to the thyroid, breast, stomach, liver, kidney, and gonads without protection were 1.04, 0.95, 0.55, 0.57, 0.40, and 0.12 mSv, respectively, which were only 0.84% to 8.24% of the doses inside the irradiation field. With 0.5 mm Pb equivalent protection, the equivalent dose of the thyroid decreased from 8.24 mSv to 3.27 mSv with a reduction of 60.3%, and the doses of the other organs were reduced to 1.5-11.5 μSv with the maximum reduction of 14 times. In the longitudinal axis direction of the CT bed, the ambient dose equivalent rate at a distance of 2 m from the scanning center was reduced to 0.066 mSv/h, which was only 9.6% of the ambient equivalent dose rate at a distance of 50 cm from the scanning center. Conclusion The digital miniature CT has advantages in ensuring patient safety, optimizing imaging quality, and promoting technological development, demonstrating promising application potential. However, the radiation protection of personal and CT room should not be ignored.

ObjectiveThe full name of vertebroplasty is percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). It is a clinical technique that injects bone cement into the diseased vertebral body to achieve strengthening of the vertebra. The research on the safety and efficacy of bone cement is the basis for clinical application. In this study, vertebroplasty is used to evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of Tecres and radiopaque bone cement in experimental pigs, and to determine the puncture method suitable for pigs and the pre-clinical evaluation method for the safety and efficacy of bone cement. MethodsTwenty-four experimental pigs (with a body weight of 60-80 kg) were randomly divided into an experimental group (Group A) and a control group (Group B). Group A was the Tecres bone cement group, and Group B was the radiopaque bone cement group, with 12 pigs in each group. Under the monitoring of a C-arm X-ray machine, the materials were implanted into the 1st lumbar vertebra (L1) and 4th lumbar vertebra (L4) of the pigs via percutaneous puncture using the unilateral pedicle approach. The animals were euthanized at 4 weeks and 26 weeks after the operation, respectively. The L4 vertebrae were taken for compressive strength testing, and the L1 vertebrae were taken for hard tissue pathological examination to observe the inflammatory response, bone necrosis, and degree of osseointegration at the implantation site. ResultsThe test results of compressive strength between groups A and B showed no significant difference at 4 weeks and 26 weeks after bone cement implantation (P > 0.05). Observation under an optical microscope (×100) revealed that at 4 weeks postoperatively, both groups A and B showed that the bone cement was surrounded by proliferative fibrous tissue, with lymphocyte infiltration around it. The bone cement was combined with bone tissue, the trabecular arrangement was disordered, and osteoblasts and a small amount of osteoid were formed. At 26 weeks postoperatively, bone cement was visible in both groups A and B. The new bone tissue was mineralized, the trabeculae were fused, the trabecular structure was regular and dense with good continuity, and no obvious inflammatory reaction was observed. ConclusionIn experimental pig vertebrae, there were no significant differences observed in the compressive strength, inflammation response, bone destruction, and integration with the bone between Tecres and non-radiopaque bone cement. Both exhibited good biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. It indicates that using vertebroplasty to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bone cement in pigs is scientifically sound.

Early identification of adolescent depression requires objective biomarkers. This study investigated the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) activation patterns and mismatch negativity (MMN) characteristics in adolescents with first-episode mild-to-moderate depression. We enrolled 33 patients and 33 matched healthy controls, measuring oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentration in the frontal cortex during verbal fluency tasks via fNIRS, and recording MMN latency/amplitude at Fz/Cz electrodes using event-related potentials (ERP). Compared with healthy controls, the depression group showed significantly prolonged MMN latency [Fz: (227.88 ± 31.08) ms vs. (208.70 ± 25.35) ms, P < 0.01; Cz: (223.73 ± 29.03) ms vs. (204.18 ± 22.43) ms, P < 0.01], and obviously reduced Fz amplitude [(2.42 ± 2.18) μV vs. (5.65 ± 5.59) μV, P = 0.03]. A significant positive correlation was observed between MMN latencies at Fz and Cz electrodes ( P < 0.01). Oxy-Hb in left frontopolar prefrontal channels (CH15/17) was significantly decreased in patient group ( P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that adolescents with depression exhibit hypofunction in the left prefrontal cortex and impaired automatic sensory processing. The combined application of fNIRS and ERP techniques may provide an objective basis for early clinical identification.
Humans ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods* ; Adolescent ; Prefrontal Cortex/physiopathology* ; Evoked Potentials/physiology* ; Depression/physiopathology* ; Female ; Male ; Oxyhemoglobins ; Electroencephalography

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological effect of medical recombinant human-derived collagen functional dressings in wound healing. METHODS: MTT assay and RTCA assay were used to detect cell toxicity and proliferation. Scratch assay and Transwell cell migration assay were used to detect cell motility and migration ability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) in the supernatant of four types of cells. After animal surgery, the surgical wound was taken at 1 week, 4 weeks and 13 weeks, respectively, for hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry to observe the inflammatory response and CD31 expression of the wound. RESULTS: Medical recombinant human-derived collagen functional dressing promotes cell proliferation and migration, enhances wound angiogenesis by upregulating the expression of VEGF, FGF, and CD31 in human dermal vascular endothelial cells (HDVEC) and human vascular endothelial cells (HVEC), thereby improving local blood supply to the wound, regulating the inflammatory response of the wound, and accelerating wound healing. CONCLUSION Recombinant type Ⅲ humanized collagen plays an important role in wound healing.
Humans ; Wound Healing/drug effects* ; Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; Collagen/pharmacology* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Bandages ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/metabolism*

This study summarizes Professor Qin Zhenhua's clinical experience in treating cutaneous pruritus using a modified self-prescribed formula,Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction.Following the viewpoints from the classical Chinese medical literature and after years of clinical practice,Professor Qin proposes that the onset of cutaneous pruritus is often associated with the attack of exogenous pathogens,disharmony of qi and blood,or debility due to prolonged illness.The disease primarily involves the skin,with the fundamental pathogenesis of pathogens stagnating in the muscular superficies.Clinically,the treatment is frequently conducted from the perspective of fire-heat syndrome,and the therapeutic methods of clearing heat and removing toxins,releasing muscles and dispersing pathogens from the superficies,and dispelling wind to relieve itching are utilized.The approaches aim to cool heat in the blood,expel pathogens from the muscular layer,eliminate heat for stopping itching,and extinguish wind for calming the skin.The basic prescription,Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction(composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Forsythiae Fructus,Armeniacae Semen Amarum,Arnebiae Radix,Tribuli Fructus,Dictamni Cortex,Kochiae Fructus,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),is used by modification depending on the predominance of pathogenic factors of wind,heat,dryness,or dampness-toxins,and according to the various syndromes like blood-heat,yin deficiency,or qi-blood deficiency.Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction is applicable to cutaneous pruritus with the most of clinical common syndrome types,but it is unsuitable for cases caused by yang deficiency or qi stagnation with blood stasis.

Objective:To investigate relationship between expression of ADGRG5 and clinical prognosis and immune response in pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PAAD).Methods:ADGRG5 expression in PAAD and normal tissues were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test.Diagnostic value of ADGRG5 was evaluated by ROC curve in PAAD.Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regres-sion analysis were used to evaluate prognostic factors.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)and immune infiltration analysis were applied to annotate biological function of ADGRG5.Results:ADGRG5 expression in PAAD was significantly higher than normal tissue(P=2.8e-32).ADGRG5 had significant diagnostic and prognostic ability for PAAD(AUC=0.866).High ADGRG5 expression predicted a good progress free interval(PFI)(P=0.01),and expression of ADGRG5 was independently associated with PFI(HR:0.656,95%CI:0.433～0.972,P=0.035).ADGRG5 expression was related to regulation of immunomodulatory pathway and function of some types of immune infiltrating cells.Conclusion:Increased ADGRG5 may be a potential biomarker for PAAD diagnosis and prognosis,which affects prognosis of PAAD patients and significantly correlated with immune infiltration.

Objective To investigate the value of MRI of the sternal end of clavicle in bone age assessment in Chinese population,especially its applicability in the determination of criminal responsible age.Methods A total of 431 patients aged from 10.00 to 29.99 years with neck or chest MRI were retrospectively collected.According to the Schmeling grading method,the epiphyseal development of the clavicle MRI was divided into five grades.The consistency of methods was evaluated.The correlation and general descriptive analysis between MRI grades and age was analyzed.The sex difference was analyzed.Curve fitting was used to establish a nonlinear model between age and grades.Results The grades of clavicle MRI showed a significant age-related trend(Figure 2),and the correlation was 0.861(0.887 in males and 0.840 in females).Except for grade 1,there was no significant difference between males and females in other grades.The minimum age of male grade 3 was greater than 14 years old,and the minimum age of female grade 3 was greater than 16 years old.The minimum age in grade 4 and grade 5 was over 18 years old in both sexes.The best curve fitting model was cubic model for both sexes(R2=0.805 for men and 0.722 for women).Conclusion Clavicle MRI can be used for the assessment of bone age in Chinese population.Complete epiphyseal plate closure can be used as a reliable indicator for the determination of age at 18 years old,and it is expected to achieve radiation-free forensic bone age assessment.

Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a major cause of cancer death worldwide,and about 30%to 35%of CRC arises from the serrated pathway.Aims:To analyze the clinicopathological and histomorphological characteristics of colorectal superficially serrated adenoma(SuSA),and to investigate the malignant transformation potential of SuSA and further elucidate the role of RSPO2 and RSPO3 in its carcinogenic mechanism.Methods:A total of 169 serrated colorectal lesions confirmed pathologically and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were collected from Shanxi Bethune Hospital from February 2019 to May 2023.Among them,there were 84 cases of SuSA,23 sessile serrated lesions(SSL),32 traditional serrated adenomas(TSA),and 30 hyperplastic polyps(HP).Thirty-nine cases of tubular adenoma(TA),32 CRC,and 33 normal colorectal mucosal tissues were served as controls.The clinicopathological and histomorphological parameters were collected and recorded.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expressions of RSPO2,RSPO3,p53,MLH1 and β-catenin.Results:Patients with SuSA were male predominance,with a mean age of 51.89 years.The average diameter of the lesions was 0.20 cm,predominantly located in the left colon and rectum,and frequently complicated with other polyps/adenomas.The histomorphological features of SuSA were as follows:the glandular necks and crypt bases exhibited straight tubular structure with low-grade dysplasia;the superficial layer demonstrated a serrated architecture,with or without dysplasia,and contained a variable number of goblet cells.Immunohistochemically,there were no statistically significant differences in RSPO2,RSPO3,and p53 expressions between SuSA and TSA(all P>0.05).A strong positive correlation was observed between RSPO2 and RSPO3 in colorectal lesions,excluding HP.Expressions of MLH1 and β-catenin showed no statistically significant differences between SuSA and other colorectal lesions(all P>0.05).Conclusions:SuSAs are more common in males,occur mostly in the left colon and rectum,and are often associated with other polyps/adenomas.They might be precursors of KRAS-mutated TSA and microsatellite stable CRC with high malignant potential.RSPO2 and RSPO3 might play an important role in the carcinogenesis of SuSA.

Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a major cause of cancer death worldwide,and about 30%to 35%of CRC arises from the serrated pathway.Aims:To analyze the clinicopathological and histomorphological characteristics of colorectal superficially serrated adenoma(SuSA),and to investigate the malignant transformation potential of SuSA and further elucidate the role of RSPO2 and RSPO3 in its carcinogenic mechanism.Methods:A total of 169 serrated colorectal lesions confirmed pathologically and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were collected from Shanxi Bethune Hospital from February 2019 to May 2023.Among them,there were 84 cases of SuSA,23 sessile serrated lesions(SSL),32 traditional serrated adenomas(TSA),and 30 hyperplastic polyps(HP).Thirty-nine cases of tubular adenoma(TA),32 CRC,and 33 normal colorectal mucosal tissues were served as controls.The clinicopathological and histomorphological parameters were collected and recorded.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expressions of RSPO2,RSPO3,p53,MLH1 and β-catenin.Results:Patients with SuSA were male predominance,with a mean age of 51.89 years.The average diameter of the lesions was 0.20 cm,predominantly located in the left colon and rectum,and frequently complicated with other polyps/adenomas.The histomorphological features of SuSA were as follows:the glandular necks and crypt bases exhibited straight tubular structure with low-grade dysplasia;the superficial layer demonstrated a serrated architecture,with or without dysplasia,and contained a variable number of goblet cells.Immunohistochemically,there were no statistically significant differences in RSPO2,RSPO3,and p53 expressions between SuSA and TSA(all P>0.05).A strong positive correlation was observed between RSPO2 and RSPO3 in colorectal lesions,excluding HP.Expressions of MLH1 and β-catenin showed no statistically significant differences between SuSA and other colorectal lesions(all P>0.05).Conclusions:SuSAs are more common in males,occur mostly in the left colon and rectum,and are often associated with other polyps/adenomas.They might be precursors of KRAS-mutated TSA and microsatellite stable CRC with high malignant potential.RSPO2 and RSPO3 might play an important role in the carcinogenesis of SuSA.

Objective:To investigate relationship between expression of ADGRG5 and clinical prognosis and immune response in pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PAAD).Methods:ADGRG5 expression in PAAD and normal tissues were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test.Diagnostic value of ADGRG5 was evaluated by ROC curve in PAAD.Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regres-sion analysis were used to evaluate prognostic factors.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)and immune infiltration analysis were applied to annotate biological function of ADGRG5.Results:ADGRG5 expression in PAAD was significantly higher than normal tissue(P=2.8e-32).ADGRG5 had significant diagnostic and prognostic ability for PAAD(AUC=0.866).High ADGRG5 expression predicted a good progress free interval(PFI)(P=0.01),and expression of ADGRG5 was independently associated with PFI(HR:0.656,95%CI:0.433～0.972,P=0.035).ADGRG5 expression was related to regulation of immunomodulatory pathway and function of some types of immune infiltrating cells.Conclusion:Increased ADGRG5 may be a potential biomarker for PAAD diagnosis and prognosis,which affects prognosis of PAAD patients and significantly correlated with immune infiltration.