Objective To design a mobile personnel radiation protection equipment for operation in environments with high radiation such as spent fuel reprocessing plants, to achieve simultaneous protection against γ radiation, neutron radiation, and radioactive aerosol, to reduce the internal and external exposure dose of radioactive workers, and to meet the requirement of operation for two hours. Methods The core parts of the mobile personnel radiation protection equipment included a shielding chamber and a respiratory maintenance system. An automated chassis was used for the movement and lifting of the shielding chamber. MCNP software was used to simulate and calculate the protective effects of shielding chamber made of different materials and material thicknesses. Experimental verification of the shielding chamber design was conducted. Mathematical models were established to describe the variations in the content of various gases in the chamber with personnel operation time. A respiratory maintenance system, a harmful gas absorption device, and an automated mobile chassis were designed. Results The shielding chamber made of polyethylene with a thickness of 80 mm achieved an 80% neutron shielding rate. The respiratory maintenance system could support workers for 2 hours of operation inside the equipment. The mobile chassis allowed operation of the equipment with one person. Conclusion This mobile personnel radiation protection equipment can solve the problem in simultaneous protection against γ radiation, neutron radiation, and radioactive aerosol. The equipment can provide radiation protection for radioactive workers, reduce exposure dose, and reduce personnel burden. This system provides technical means for the operation and maintenance of equipment in high-radiation sites such as spent fuel reprocessing plants.

Objective:To study the correlation between serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and echocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic Keshan disease, providing reference for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of chronic Keshan disease.Methods:Ninety-nine patients with chronic Keshan disease who received standardized treatment at Jingchuan County People's Hospital in Pingliang City, Gansu Province from January to December 2020 were selected. Among them, 16 patients were classified as cardiac function grade Ⅱ according to New York Heart Association (NYHA), 69 as grade Ⅲ and 14 as grade Ⅳ. The patients underwent echocardiography and their serum NT-proBNP level was measured using fluorescence immunochromatography. The differences in serum NT-proBNP levels among patients with different cardiac function grades were compared, and the correlation between cardiac function grades, serum NT-proBNP level and echocardiographic parameters was analyzed.Results:The serum NT-proBNP levels in patients with cardiac function grades Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were (1 107.26 ± 268.03), (2 125.98 ± 293.02), and (8 268.59 ± 2 659.50) pg/ml, respectively. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant ( F = 13.94, P < 0.001). The serum NT-proBNP level was positively correlated with cardiac function grades ( r = 0.44, P < 0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and left atrial diameter ( r = 0.45, 0.52, 0.38, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with fractional shortening and left ventricular ejection fraction ( r = - 0.39, - 0.46, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The serum NT-proBNP level in patients with chronic Keshan disease with different cardiac function grades is different, and is positively correlated with echocardiographic parameters reflecting the degree of cardiac structural and functional impairment. The NT-proBNP level may become an early diagnostic, grading, and prognostic indicator for chronic Keshan disease.

Background::This systematic review aimed to examine whether dual-task (DT) training was superior to single-task (ST) training in improving DT walking, balance and cognitive functions for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).Methods::Literature search was performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Metstr covering inception to May 10, 2023. And in order to facilitate comparison across trials, we calculated the effect size (Hedges’ g) of gait, balance, cognitive, and other parameters under both ST and DT conditions, using the mean change score and standard deviation (SD) of change score of the experimental and control groups. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of DT motor and cognitive training in individuals with Parkinson’s disease were included for this systematic review.Results::A total of 214 participants recruited from six articles (actually five trials) were involved in this review. In terms of walking ability, only double support time and stride time variability showed significant between-group difference (Hedges’ g = 0.34, 0.18, respectively). Compared to ST training group, DT training group had a more improvement effect in laboratory balance measurement (Hedges’ g = 0.18, 1.25), but no significant improvement in clinical balance measurement. No significant between-group differences were observed, thus its training effect on cognitive function was inconclusive.Conclusions::The DT training failed to achieve promising results better than ST training in improving DT walking and balance functions for individuals with PD. Any firm conclusion cannot be drawn at present, due to the limited number of eligible publications. Larger sample size and high-quality studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of DT training in individuals with PD.

OBJECTIVE To determine the contents of 11 components in Xueli zhike syrup， establish its chemometric method and provide reference for its quality control. METHODS HPLC method was established to simultaneously determine the contents of amygdalin， deapi-platycoside E， platycoside E， platycodin D3， euscaphic acid， tormentic acid， maslinic acid， corosolic acid， praeruptorin A， praeruptorin B and praeruptorin E in 12 batches of Xueli zhike syrup. The quality evaluation of 12 batches of samples was performed by chemometrics. RESULTS The 11 components had good linear relationships within their respective ranges （r≥0.999 1）； RSDs of precision， reproducibility and stability （24 h） tests were all lower than 2.00%. The average recovery rates ranged 96.90%-100.01% （RSDs were all lower than 2.00%）. Cluster analysis showed that 12 batches of samples were clustered into 3 groups. Principal component analysis showed that the first two principal components could represent 88.53% information of 11 components in Xueli zhike syrup. Partial least squares-discrimination analysis showed that euscaphic acid， amygdalin and praeruptorin A were the main potential markers affecting the quality of Xueli zhike syrup. CONCLUSIONS The established method can be used to control the quality of Xueli zhike syrup.

Objective To develop a simplified phantom for the calibration of whole-body counters. Methods A simplified phantom design method for the calibration of whole-body counters was established based on the process and method of calibrating whole-body counters. By using the established method and Monte Carlo method, a simplified phantom including the total body, thyroid, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract was designed to calibrate the ORTEC-Stand FAST II whole-body counter. The simplified phantom was compared with the BOMAB phantom through experimental measurements. Results Within the range of 50 keV to 2 MeV, for rays of the same energy in the same organ of the simplified phantom and BOMAB phantom, the simulated data of detection efficiency by whole-body counting showed an error within 5%, and the experimental measurements showed an error within 10%. Conclusion We developed a simplified phantom for the calibration of the whole-body counter, demonstrating the feasibility of using the simplified phantom instead of a physical body phantom for whole-body counter calibration, which can greatly facilitate whole-body counter calibration for internal radiation monitoring.

Objective:To explore the expression levels, clinical significances and prognostic evaluation value of T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) and galectin-9 (Gal-9) in bone marrow cells of patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Bone marrow samples from 30 newly diagnosed ALL patients admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from September 2016 to September 2018 were selected, and peripheral blood samples from 20 healthy volunteers during the same period in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were treated as the controls. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA relative expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9. Differences in mRNA expression of Tim-3 and Gal-9 among ALL patients with varied clinicopathological characteristics were compared. Overall survival (OS) analysis was performed by using the Kaplan-Meier method, Cox proportional hazards model was used to make univariate and multivariate survival analysis.Results:mRNA relative expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9 in 30 newly diagnosed ALL patients were higher than those in the healthy control group (2.86±0.47 vs. 0.45±0.05, t = 21.65, P<0.05; 9.79±0.58 vs. 0.96±0.23, t = 63.24, P<0.05). mRNA relative expression level of Tim-3 had statistically significant differences in patients with different ages, France-America-Britain (FAB) Cooperative Group classification, hazard grades and central nervous system invasion (all P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in mRNA relative expression level of Gal-9 for patients with different ages, FAB Cooperative Group classification, white blood cell count (WBC), central nervous system invasion and NOTCH1 mutation (all P<0.01). All patients were grouped by mRNA relative expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9, and patients in high Tim-3 expression group (≥2.86) had worse overall survival (OS) compared with that for patients in low Tim-3 expression group (<2.86) ( P = 0.048). Patients in high Gal-9 expression group (≥9.79) had worse OS compared with that for patients in low Gal-9 expression group (<9.79) ( P = 0.031). Moreover, the OS in Tim-3 and Gal-9 both high expression group was worse than that in Tim-3 and Gal-9 both low expression group and in the low expression group of either of them (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in OS between the high Tim-3 expression with low Gal-9 expression group and the high Gal-9 expression with low Tim-3 expression group ( P > 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that peripheral blood WBC≥11.4×10 9/L, BCR-ABL gene mutation, central nervous system invasion, and high expression of Tim-3 and Gal-9 were independent risk prognostic factors of OS for newly diagnosed ALL patients (all P<0.05) . There was a positive correlation between the expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9 ( r = 0.788, P<0.01). Conclusions:The high expression of Tim-3 and its ligand Gal-9 are independent effecting factors of poor prognosis in newly diagnosed ALL patients. The expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9 can be served as a potential prognostic indicator for ALL patients.

Objective To investigate the effect ofbiglycan (BGN) on neural apoptosis in mice with early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods SAH models were induced by endovascular perforation in young male C57BL/6J mice.(1) Totally,48 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,SAH 6 h group,SAH 12 h group,SAH 24 h group,SAH 48 h group,and SAH 72 h group (n=8);the BGN protein and mRNA expressions were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).(2) Totally,16 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group and SAH 48 h group (n=8);immunofluorescent double staining was conducted to explore the BGN expression in the neurons of brain tissues.(3) Totally,24 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,sham+control lentivirus group,and sham+BGN lentivirus group (n=8);BGN lentiviral vector and control lentivirus were administered intracerebroventricularly 7 d before sham-operation;qRT-PCR was performed to explore the BGN mRNA expression.(4) Totally,48 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,SAH+control lentivirus group,and SAH+BGN lentivirus group (n=16);BGN lentiviral vector and control lentivirus were administered intracerebroventricularly 7 d before SAH;neurological scores were detected by modified Garcia scale and beam balance tests;TUNEL was used to detect the neuronal apoptosis,and Western blotting was performed to explore the expressions of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) and phosphorylated-(p-) NF-κB.Results (1) Mice in the SAH 48 h group had the highest BGN protein and mRNA expressions,which showed statistical differences as compared with the sham-operated group (P＜0.05).(2) A majority of BGN expressions were detected in the neurons 48 h after SAH.(3) The sham+BGN lentivirus group had statistically lower BGN mRNA expression than the sham+control lentivirus group (P＜0.05).(4) As compared with those in the SAH+control lentivirus group,both scores of modified Garcia scale and beam balance tests were significantly higher in SAH+BGN lentivirus group (6.125±1.246 vs.13.000±1.309;1.125±1.126 vs.2.875±0.835),and neural apoptosis ratio and ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB were significantly lower in the SAH+BGN lentivirus group (51.950％±11.166％ vs.31.938％±7.705％;1.161±0.156 vs.0.886±0.142,P＜0.05).Conclusion Inhibition of BGN can effectively reduce neuronal apoptosis in mice with EBI after SAH,and attenuate neurological deficits.

Objective To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA F19 (lncRNA F19) on secondary brain injury following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice. Methods (1) A total of 96 C57BL/6J male wild-type mice were divided into sham group, sham+control lentivirus group, sham+F19 lentivirus group, TBI group, TBI+control lentivirus group and TBI+F19 lentivirus group according to the random number table. Each group consisted of two subgroups of 1 day and 3 days after TBI, with eight mice per subgroup. The expression and silence efficiency of lncRNA F19 were detected. ( 2 ) A total of 96 C57BL/6J male wild-type mice were divided into sham group, TBI+control lentivirus group and TBI + F19 lentivirus group according to the random number table. Each group consisted of two subgroups of 1 day and 3 days after TBI, with 16 mice per subgroup. The effect of lncRNA F19 on neuronal apoptosis after TBI was recorded. The mice TBI model was established using the controlled cortical damage method (CCI). The lncRNA F19 lentivirus or control lentivirus were administrated by intracerebroventricular injection 5 days before injury. The expressions of lncRNA F19 ( 2 -ΔΔct ) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR ( qRT-PCR ) at 1 day and 3 days after injury. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), B lymphocyte tumor-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 related protein (Bax) expressions were detected by Western blot. The TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis around the traumatic lesions. Results From the first day after injury, both in the sham operation and TBI groups, the control lentivirus had no effect on the level of lncRAN F19 (P >0. 05). One day after injury, compared with sham +control lentivirus group, the levels of lncRNA F19 in sham + F19 lentivirus group were significantly decreased (0. 07 ± 0. 07:0. 93 ± 0. 17);compared with TBI+control lentivirus group, levels of lncRNA F19 in TBI+F19 lentivirus group were significantly decreased (2. 91 ± 1. 18:0. 52 ± 0. 32) (P<0. 05). There were significantly lower protein levels of TLR4 (0. 51 ± 0. 13:0. 66 ± 0. 15), Bax (0. 45 ± 0. 06:0. 67 ± 0. 16), lower TUNEL-positive neurons ratio [(23. 55 ± 6. 85)％ : (31. 58 ± 7. 52)％], but higher protein levels of Bcl-2 (0. 76 ± 0. 16:0. 47 ± 0. 12) in TBI+F19 lentivirus group compared with the TBI+ control lentivirus group (P <0.05). Three days after injury, compared with sham + control lentivirus group, levels of lncRNA F19 in sham+F19 lentivirus group were significantly decreased (0. 11 ± 0. 09:0. 96 ± 0. 09); compared with TBI+control lentivirus group, levels of lncRNA F19 in TBI+F19 lentivirus group were significantly decreased (0. 54 ± 0. 24:3. 39 ± 0. 90) (P <0. 05). There were significantly lower protein levels of TLR4 (0. 60 ± 0. 20):(0. 85 ± 0. 09)], lower Bax (0. 60 ± 0. 12:0. 88 ±0. 21), lower TUNEL-positive neurons ratio [(29. 10 ± 7. 37)％ :(39. 22 ± 10. 64)％], but higher protein levels of Bcl-2 (0. 66 ± 0. 12:0. 35 ± 0. 16) in TBI+F19 lentivirus group compared with the TBI+control lentivirus group (P<0. 05). Conclusion Inhibition of lncRNA F19 can significantly reduce the TLR4-induced neuronal apoptosis in cortex after TBI in mice and alleviate reduce the secondary brain injury.

Objective: To investigate the effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on the polarization and infiltration of M2 macrophages and the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells in ovarian cancer microenvironment. Methods: A co-culture system consisting of ovarian cancer cells (A2780 and SKOV3) and THP-1 derived macrophages was established in vitro. The M-CSF levels in culture medium and M-CSF mRNA levels in cancer cells and macrophages were detected by ELISA and qRT-PCR, respectively. The proportion of CD68+CD163+ M2 macrophages (polarization cells) was determined by flow cytometry. The invasive and metastatic ability of A2780 and SKOV3 cells after co-culturing with M2 macrophages were analyzed using Transwell assay. The expression levels of M-CSF, CD68+, CD163+ and E-cad in paraffin sections of 52 patients with ovarian cancer and 18 patients with benign ovarian tumor were detected by the immunohistochemistry staining, and their correlations and the relationship between M-CSF and clinicopathological features of ovarian cancer patients were analyzed. Results: The M-CSF levels in culture medium of the co-culture group (A2780 and SKOV3 cells co-cultured with M2 macrophages) were significantly higher than that of A2780 and SKOV3 cells alone (t=14.315 and 12.338, P＜0.01). Fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the increased M-CSF originated from the secretion of co-cultured ovarian cancer cells (t=29.915 and 36.826, P＜0.01). The proportions of CD68+CD163+ M2 macrophages in the A2780 cells co-cultured with M2 macrophages group and SKOV3 cells co-cultured with M2 macrophages group were (6.14±0.50)% and (7.32±0.67)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in the M2 macrophages alone group ([1.82±0.34]%, t=12.289 and 12.711, P＜0.01). Transwell assay showed that the co-culture environment enhanced the invasion of A2780 and SKOV3 cells (24.00±4.81 vs 75.20±6.42, t=11.058; 18.40±2.31 vs 61.60±9.66, t=7.537, P＜0.01). The expression levels of M-CSF in ovarian cancer tissues were positively correlated with the number of CD68+ cells and CD163+ cells (r=0.690 and 0.596, P＜0.01), and negatively with the expression levels of E-cad (r=-0.566, P＜0.01). Moreover, the expression levels of M-CSF and the number of CD68+ cells and CD163+ cells in ovarian cancer tissues were significantly higher than that in benign ovarian tumor tissues, however, the expression levels of E-cad were on the contrary. The expression levels of M-CSF in ovarian cancer tissues were significantly correlated with tumor stage, differentiation and lymphatic node metastasis (χ2=6.240, 6.612 and 4.544, respectively, P＜0.05). Conclusion The increased expression of M-CSF in ovarian cancer microenvironment may induce the polarization and infiltration of CD68+CD163+ M2 macrophages, and then promote the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells.

Objective: To explore the genetic cause for abnormal pregnancies through detecting chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs) in abortic tissues by next generation sequencing (NGS). Methods: NGS technique was used to detect CNVs in abortion tissues. Parental chromosomal karyotypes were predicted based on the results. The aberrant chromosomal segments of the parents were accurately mapped by G-banding karyotyping analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: In addition to numerical chromosomal aberrations, 12 microdeletion/microduplications were detected by NGS. For 8 families where both parents accepted chromosomal karyotyping, 4 carriers of chromosomal abnormalities were identified. One marker chromosome was missed by karyotyping analysis, and a mother was confirmed to carry a cryptic balanced translocation by FISH. Conclusion NGS can facilitate detection of cryptic chromosomal translocations in couples with repeated pregnancy failure and is of great value for detecting abnormal CNVs for its high sensitivity.