At present, the C-arm structure accelerators commonly used in radiotherapy equipment are complex in operation and have potential safety hazards when realizing non-coplanar treatment. By combining with medical robotic arm technology, a spherical radiotherapy accelerator motion system is designed. The beam module is clamped by the medical robotic arm structure to achieve three-dimensional multi-angle irradiation treatment within the non-coplanar angle range. Firstly, the rotating mechanism, beam module, and MLC module of the spherical radiotherapy equipment are designed. Then, the double-plane counterweight method is used to calculate the dynamic balance of the equipment, ensuring that the beam center point does not rotate during the treatment process. Finally, the strength check and reliability analysis of the transmission component gear are conducted. The results show that the designed spherical radiotherapy accelerator motion system can meet the requirements of stable, accurate, and fast precision radiotherapy, which is conducive to improving the treatment efficiency.
Particle Accelerators/instrumentation* ; Equipment Design ; Reproducibility of Results ; Radiotherapy/instrumentation*

To address the problem of large reconstruction errors in 3D pulse signals caused by excessively small out-of-plane displacement of the contact membrane in the existing traditional Chinese medicine fingertip tactile binocular vision detection technology, this study proposes a 3D pulse image detection method based on subtle motion magnification technology and explores its application in pulse pattern recognition. Firstly, a 3D pulse image detection system based on binocular vision to obtain pulse image signals is developed as experimental data. Then, the phase motion video magnification algorithm is used to amplify the original signals, and the amplified signals are reconstructed in three dimensions to obtain 3D pulse signals. On this basis, nine features are extracted from the 3D pulse signals and features selection is performed using a two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Finally, machine learning algorithms such as decision trees and random forests are used to identify the five types of pulse conditions: deep pulse, intermittent pulse, flooding pulse, slippery pulse, and rapid pulse. The experimental results show that compared to the methods without subtle motion magnification technology, the proposed method significantly improves waveform clarity, amplitude stability, and periodic regularity. Meanwhile, the average accuracy in pulse pattern recognition reaches 96.29%±0.26%.
Algorithms ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods* ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Motion ; Humans ; Pulse ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Machine Learning

The intestinal barrier is the primary defense that separates the host from the external environment, possessing several crucial physiological functions, including nutrient digestion, absorption, and protection against potentially harmful dietary antigens and pathogenic microorganisms. Nevertheless, various factors, such as diet, medications, circadian rhythm disturbances, gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and genetic predisposition, can disrupt the intestinal barrier. Such disruption may lead to bacterial translocation, subsequently triggering enterohepatic and systemic inflammation. Impaired intestinal barrier has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, particularly chronic gut and liver diseases. In this review, we will summarize the fundamental functions of intestinal barrier and discuss clinical correlations between intestinal barrier dysfunction and diseases such as colitis, colorectal cancer, and chronic liver diseases including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, alcohol-associated liver disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Additionally, we will also highlight some potential therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring barrier integrity to improve disease management.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role and mechanism of microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) in hypoxia-induced pyroptosis of human alveolar epithelial cells. METHODS: In vitro, human alveolar epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was cultured. Cells in the logarithmic growth phase were cultured to 80% confluence and then used for the experiment. (1) BEAS-2B cells were cultured under 1% O₂ hypoxic condition, with a normoxic control group. Western blotting was employed to detect the expressions of pyroptosis marker proteins [NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Gasdermin D N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), and caspase-1] in cells cultured for 24 hours. Real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-145-5p in cells cultured for 6 hours and 12 hours. (2) Cells were transfected with 30 nmol/L miR-145-5p mimic to overexpress miR-145-5p expression under normoxic condition or 30 nmol/L miR-145-5p inhibitor to suppress miR-145-5p expression under hypoxic condition. Control group and negative control group were respectively set up. After 24 hours of cell culture, Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of pyroptosis marker proteins and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cells. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. The target genes of miR-145-5p were predicted by miR target gene prediction software miRWalk and verified by Western blotting. (3) Under hypoxic condition, cells were transfected with 6.94 ng/μL silent information regulator 5 (Sirt5) overexpression plasmid or pretreated with 12.5 mmol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) as an ROS inhibitor. The empty plasmid group and control group were set up. After 24 hours of cell culture, Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Sirt5, Nrf2, and pyroptosis marker proteins in cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the level of ROS in cells. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the normoxic control group, the expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in the 24-hour hypoxia group was significantly increased, indicating that hypoxia could induce pyroptosis in BEAS-2B cells. The expression level of miR-145-5p in cells gradually increased with the extension of hypoxia induction time, indicating that hypoxia could cause the increase of miR-145-5p expression level. (2) The expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in cells of miR-145-5p mimic group significantly increased under normoxic condition as compared with the control and negative control groups [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 1.58±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.01, 0.98±0.07, GSDMD-N protein (GSDMD-N/β-actin): 1.71±0.03 vs. 1.01±0.01, 0.85±0.03, caspase-1 protein (caspase-1/β-actin): 2.33±0.04 vs. 1.01±0.01, 1.05±0.04, all P < 0.05], Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly decreased (Nrf2/β-actin: 0.79±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 1.03±0.04, both P < 0.05), ROS level was significantly up-regulated (fluorescence intensity: 1.74±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 0.92±0.03, both P < 0.05). Under hypoxia condition, compared with control group and negative control group, the expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in miR-145-5p inhibitor group were significantly decreased [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 0.21±0.04 vs. 1.70±0.02, 1.63±0.04; GSDMD-N protein (GSDMD-N/β-actin): 1.32±0.02 vs. 2.51±0.02, 2.72±0.03; caspase-1 protein (caspase-1/β-actin): 0.56±0.01 vs. 2.77±0.02, 3.12±0.03; all P < 0.05], Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased (Nrf2/β-actin: 1.57±0.04 vs. 1.22±0.01, 1.28±0.04, both P < 0.05), ROS level was significantly down-regulated (fluorescence intensity: 0.64±0.05 vs. 1.87±0.04, 1.70±0.07, both P < 0.05). The results indicated that miR-145-5p could promote cell pyrodeath. The predictive result of miRWalk showed that the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of Sirt5 had complementary base binding sites with miR-145-5p. The expression level of Sirt5 protein in cells of miR-145-5p mimic group was significantly lower than that of control group and negative control group under normoxic condition (Sirt5/β-actin: 0.59±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 1.01±0.03, both P < 0.05), which verified that Sirt5 was the target gene of miR-145-5p. (3) The occurrence of pyrodeath could be partially reversed by transfection with Sirt5 overexpression plasmid or adding ROS inhibitor NAC into cells, and Sirt5 overexpression could also up-regulate Nrf2 expression and eliminate intracellular ROS. CONCLUSION In human alveolar epithelial cells, miR-145-5p can down-regulate Nrf2 by targeting Sirt5, thereby increasing ROS expression and inducing pyrodeath.
Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Pyroptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Cell Line ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Gasdermins ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins

Objective:The components of Rubus parvifolius L. were analyzed based on UPLC-MS/MS technology and combined with network pharmacology analysis to explore the mechanism of action of Rubi Parvifolii Radix in treating inflammation, cough, fever, influenza and sore throat. Method:The chemical constituents of Rubi Parvifolii Radix were identified according to the information of mass spectrometry. The network pharmacology was used to analyze the corresponding targets and related pathways of its chemical components, and the "component-target-pathway" interaction diagram was drawn. PyMOL 2.5.7 software wasused to perform molecular docking between active components and key targets.Results:Twenty chemical components were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, and 15 components were screened out by network pharmacology, which can be used as quality markers of Rubi Parvifolii Radix, namely Azelaic acid, Procyanidol B3, Caprolactam, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Cryptochlorogenic acid, 3-O-Feruloylquinic, Ellagic acid, Aurantiamide acetate, 2 α,3 β,19 α,23-Tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, L-Epicatechin, (E)-3-Indoleacrylic acid, Euscaphic acid, Suberic acid, Diisononyl phthalate and Prodelphinidin T4. Molecular docking showed that 5 compounds compared with the reference substance could bind to the target proteins of disease well. Conclusions:The 15 active ingredients in Rubi Parvifolii Radix, including Caprolactam and (E)-3-Indoleacrylic acid, may play a therapeutic role in treating colds, high fever, sore throat, and inflammation by acting on targets such as AKT1 and TNF. This provides a certain reference for the clinical application of Rubi Parvifolii Radix.

Objective:We investigated the efficacy of furmonertinib in the treatment of de novo small cell lung cancer (SCLC) carrying epi-dermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sensitive mutations,and elucidated characteristics of the tumor genome,transcriptome,and immune microenvironment. Methods:We analyzed the case of a female patient initially diagnosed with extensive-stage SCLC who had an exon 19 deletion in her EGFR gene. The patient's disease progressed under first-line standard chemotherapy. She thus received the third-generation EGFR-TKI furmonertinib as her second-line treatment,achieving a partial response (PR) and 5-month progression-free survival. After furmon-ertinib treatment failed,a lung tumor biopsy was performed. Genomic,transcriptomic,and tumor immune microenvironment analyses were performed. Results:The histopathological diagnosis of SCLC was confirmed after progression on furmonertinib. Genetic testing of the treated tumor tissues showed that the patient carried an EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the patient's transcriptional molecular subtype was SCLC-A. The tumor mutational burden,PD-L1 TPS,and density of tumor-infiltrating CD4+and CD8+T cells remained at a low level throughout the course of the disease,suggesting that the immune microenvironment was suppressive. Conclu-sions:Extensive-stage SCLC with EGFR-sensitive mutations exhibits a unique phenotype and tumor immune microenvironment. Furmon-ertinib could be an alternative second-line treatment for this type of tumor entity.

Influenza A virus(IAV)is one of the most important pathogens causing acute respiratory disea-ses,which may easily cause occasional pandemics and seriously endanger human health.Precision therapy en-counters numerous challenges due to the high-frequency variation of IAV.The rapid and accurate identification of IAV could help reduce the unnecessary use of antiviral drugs,shorten the duration of patients'illness,and improve patient prognosis.This article mainly explains the current molecular diagnostic technology of IAV de-tection,including nucleic acid amplification technology,sequencing technology,microfluidic chip technology and mass spectrometry technology.These technologies'features are taken into consideration while discussing the technological methods for quick and effective detection.

Objective To evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of different doses of midazolam oral solution in sedating infants during echocardiographic studies.Methods Two hundred and fourty patients aged 1 to 3 years who underwent echocardiographic study in sedation in our hospital were enrolled in this study.After recording the baseline data of all infants,they were randomly divided into four groups:0.3 mg·kg-1 midazolam oral solution group(M1 group),0.5 mg·kg-1 midazolam oral solution group(M2 group),0.7 mg·kg-1 midazolam oral solution group(M3 group)and 0.5 mL·kg-1 10%chloral hydrate administrated rectally group(C group),60 case per group,and the sedation was performed in the corresponding method of each group.The 5-point facial hedonic and Ramsay scales were used to evaluate acceptability and effectiveness in sedation.The onset time and duration time of sedation were recorded.Results Compared with the C group,the 5-point facial hedonic scale scores in M1,M2,and M3 groups increased during sedation(F=17.50,P<0.017).The onset time of sedation in the M1 and M2 groups was longer than that in the C group(P<0.017),and the duration time of sedation in the M1 and M2 groups was shorter than that in the C group(P<0.017).There was no significant difference in the onset time(P=0.85)and duration time(P=0.50)of sedation between the M3 and C groups.The onset time of sedation in the M1and M2groups was longer than that in the M3 group(P<0.017),and the duration time of sedation in the M1 and M2 groups were shorter than that in the M3 group(P<0.017).Conclusions The acceptability of infants with midazolam oral solution sedation under echocardiographic study was better than that of 10%chloral hydrate administrated rectally.There were fewer adverse reactions with the midazolam oral solution.The 0.7 mg·kg-1 midazolam oral solution had a rapid onset of sedation and definite effect.

Objective:This study proposed a novel technique for aortic root reconstruction and evaluated its safety and effectiveness.Methods:Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients who underwent Sun' s procedure from January 2020 to June 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were retrospectively enrolled. These patients were divided into three groups according to their surgical procedures of aortic root: aortic root reinforcement combined with vascular grafts built-in and intermittent anastomosis technique (XJ-procedure) group, continuous suture and pledgeted interrupted reinforcement group and Bentall group. The perioperative data and postoperative follow-up results of the three groups were compared to analyze the efficacy of XJ-procedure in the root treatment of ATAAD.Results:A total of 509 patients were enrolled in this study, including 288 patients in the XJ-procedure group, 132 patients in the continuous suture and pledgeted interrupted reinforcement group and 89 patients in the Bentall group. The 30-day mortality of all patients was 7.5% (38/509), and were 7.3%, 8.3% and 6.7% in the XJ-procedure group, continuous suture and pledgeted interrupted reinforcement group and Bentall group, respectively. The operation time of the XJ-procedure group [355 (320, 380) min] was significantly lower than the other two groups. The cardiopulmonary bypass time [154 (140, 169) min] and the aortic cross-clamping time [80 (72, 89) min] of XJ-procedure group were lower than the Bentall group [166 (147, 184) min and 86 (77, 96) min]. The aortic root bleeding that required secondary cardiopulmonary bypass did not occur in the XJ-procedure group. There was no significant difference in early postoperative complications among the three groups. The incidence of residual aortic root dissection before discharge, in 3 and 6 months after operation was lower in the XJ-procedure group compared to the continuous suture and pledgeted interrupted reinforcement group ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The XJ-procedure technique is a safe, simple and mastered method for the aortic root treatment of ATAAD, which shows an accurate early clinical effect.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of a nomogram model constructed based on imaging combined with prostate-specific antigen(PSA)and its related parameters for biopsy in patients with PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL.Methods The serological and imaging data of 191 patients who were detected for PSA and related indicators and underwent the first biopsy of prostate by transrectal ultrasound at Zhongshan City People's Hospital and/or Yunfu Hospital of TCM from January 2018 to December 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.Multivariate Logistic regression identified independent risk factors for prostate cancer,and a nomogram model was developed for patients with PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves,and decision curves.Results The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that free PSA,prostate volume,transition zone volume,PSA density,and the prostate imaging-reporting and data system(PI-RADS v2.1)score were independent risk factors for prostate cancer.The model incorporating these significant variables demonstrated the best performance,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.750(95%CI:0.678-0.821),sensitivity of 72.7%,specificity of 77.2%,and accuracy of 74.9%.The calibration curve indicated good agreement between the predicted probability and the actual probability of prostate cancer;and the decision curve analysis further confirmed that the model had high clinical utility.Conclusion The constructed nomogram prediction model can effectively estimate the preoperative risk of prostate cancer in patients with PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL,providing clinicians with an intuitive tool to adjust treatment plans based on the assessed risk,thereby optimizing patient outcomes.