ObjectiveMagnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity. Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID), MEG based on optically pump magnetometer (OPM) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost. However, most of the current studies are clinical studies, and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology. Pain, a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon, induces intricate alterations in brain activity, exhibiting notable sex differences. Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG, specific properties remain elusive, and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain (induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)) on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique, to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception, and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling. MethodsThis study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA (100 μl, 50% in saline) in the left hind paw, with control groups receiving saline. Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection. For MEG recording, anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield, undergoing two 15-minute sessions: a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase. Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms, generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range. ResultsMEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared, before and after saline/CFA injections. Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre- and post-saline/CFA injections. Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states. Remarkably, female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states. Furthermore, despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment, female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection. ConclusionThese results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts. Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection, highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state. Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals. In addition, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice through modulation of intestinal flora. METHODS Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group and T. mongolicum total flavonoid group， with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， the other 2 groups were given a high-fat diet， while T. mongolicum total flavonoid group was given T. mongolicum total flavonoid [400 mg/（kg·d）] intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. During the experiment， the food intake of each group of mice was recorded. After the last medication， the body mass， fat weight， blood lipid level and pathological changes of liver and epididymal fat in mice were evaluated to observe the effect of T. mongolicum total flavonoid on the treatment of obesity in mice. The changes in abundance and structure of intestinal flora in mice were detected by amplicon sequencing； the effects of T. mongolicum total flavonoids on fat metabolism related genes were analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS Compared with model group， the body weight of mice in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the levels of total lipid cholesterol， triglycerides， and LDL cholesterol were all decreased significantly （P＜0.01）， and the level of HDL cholesterol was increased significantly （P＜0.01）； the fat indexes of inguinal white adipose tissue and epididymal white wind_lz@hactcm.edu.cn adipose tissue were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）； significant improvement in hepatocellular steatosis and adipose cytopathy were significantly improved； mRNA expressions of COX7A1 and COX8B were significantly upregulated （P＜0.05）. The results of bacterial colony detection showed that compared with the model group， there was a rising trend in the diversity of the bacterial colony in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group， and the Sobs index characterization and β diversity were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Relative abundances of Blautia， norank_f_Ruminococcaceae， Bilophila， Alistipes， classified_f_Ruminococcaceae， Parabacteroides， norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae， Anaerotruncus were significantly up-regulated（P＜0.05）， while those of Faecalibaculum， Erysipelatoclostridium， GCA-900066575， Tuzzerella， Lactobacillus， norank_f_norank_o_RF39， achnospiraceae_FCS020_group were significantly down-regulated （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS T. mongolicum total flavonoids can reduce body mass， fat weight and blood lipid levels， and repair the pathological damage to liver and epididymal fat in obese mice， which is related to improving intestinal flora disorders caused by high-fat diet.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the MSCT and MRI imaging manifestations of patients with duplication of the internal auditory canal(DIAC),improve understanding of the deformity,to provide preoperative basis for cochlear implantation.METHODS Retrospective observation of 20 cases(24 ears)of DIAC inner ear multi-spiral CT(MSCT)and MRI data,measurement and analysis of the width of the internal auditory canal(IAC)and cochlear nerve canal in the lesion group and the control group.RESULTS All DIACs had stenosis of the IAC cambined with other temporal bone malformations.MSCT shows that the 21 ears IAC,while MRI hydrography shows the 16 ears IAC divided into double tubes by bone.MRI hydrography shows a slender vestibulocochlear nerve.There were statistically significant differences(P<0.001)in the width of IAC and cochlear nerve canal between the lesion group and the control group.Six cases(8 ears)had varying degrees of hearing recovery after cochlear implant surgery.CONCLUSION DIAC shows stenosis of the IAC;The bone septa shown on MSCT are its characteristic fertures;MRI hydrography shows underdeveloped vestibular and cochlear nerves;The combination of two imaging examination methods can provide objective reference for the diagnosis of this disease and artificial auditory implantation.

Objective:To observe the effects of warm acupuncture on post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) based on the theory of intestinal flora.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. 60 patients with PSCI in the Department of Acupuncture and Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2020 to June 2022 were selected as the observation objects, and were divided into 2 groups by random number table, with 30 cases in each group. On the basis of cognitive rehabilitation training, the treatment group was given warm acupuncture treatment, and the control group was given routine acupuncture treatment. 2 groups were treated for 4 weeks as 1 course, and a total of 4 courses were treated. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to assess patients' cognitive function before and after treatment, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was used to assess patients' intelligence level. The numbers of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria in fecal samples were calculated, and plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were detected by ELISA to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results:During the study, 1 case was lost in each of the two groups, and finally 29 cases were included in the curative effect statistics. The total effective rate was 79.3% (23/29) in the treatment group and 65.5% (19/29) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=43.39， P<0.05). After treatment, MoCA score [(24.23±1.36) vs. (21.26±1.30), t=3.12] and MMSE score [(25.35±1.24) vs. (21.52±1.22), t=3.25] in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05); Bifidobacterium [(9.20±1.25) LgCFU/g vs. (7.23±1.21) LgCFU/g, t=2.98], Lactic acid bacteria [(8.24±1.12) LgCFU/g vs. (6.25±1.22) LgCFU/g, t=2.92], and the level of GABA [(283.80±83.54) mmol/L vs. (264.76±61.38) mmol/L, t=10.54] were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Warm acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively regulate the number of intestinal beneficial bacteria in PSCI patients, increase the level of GABA, promote brain tissue repair and improve cognitive function.

Objective To investigate the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins(GSPs)on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)antioxidant system and mitochondrial biosynthesis in testes of arsenic-exposed mice.Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups:Control group,model group,GSPs group and experimental group.The mice in the model group and the experimental group drank sodium arsenite solution(10 mg·L-1 arsenic)to induce testicular injury.GSPs group and experimental group were given 100 mg·kg-1 GSPs by gavage,control group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage once a day for 8 weeks.The histological parameters of testes were measured by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)in testicular tissue were determined by kit method.The expression levels of heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)and quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQ01)were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression of Nrf2 protein in testicular tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expressions of mitochondrial synthesis-related proteins were detected by Western blot.Results The diameters of seminiferous tubules in control group,model group,GSPs group and experimental group were(184.32±14.14),(170.41±10.70),(186.87±8.03)and(181.70±9.15)μm;the contents of MDA were(2.30±0.26),(3.28±0.64),(2.32±0.40)and(2.74±0.31)nmol·mg-1;the proportions of Nrf2 positive cells were(46.50±11.98)％,(22.33±8.82)％,(51.67±12.44)％and(39.83±8.35)％;the mRNA expression levels of HO-1 were 1.00±0.21,0.51±0.10,1.00±0.28 and 0.80±0.06;the mRNA expression levels of NQO1 were 1.00±0.18,0.59±0.11,1.09±0.28 and 0.81±0.08;the contents of ATP were(491.83±67.16),(368.81±69.93),(512.44±70.96)and(472.20±68.24)μmol·g-1;the relative expression levels of PGC-1α protein were 1.00±0.06,0.22±0.03,0.94±0.05 and 0.48±0.05;the relative expression levels of TFAM were 1.00±0.07,0.32±0.05,0.80±0.05 and 0.67±0.06.The above indexes in the experimental group were statistically significant compared with the model group(all P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion GSPs has a protective effect against arsenic-induced testicular injury in mice by activating the Nfr2 antioxidant system and promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis.

With the increasing proportion of human papilloma virus(HPV)infection in the pathogenic factors of oro-pharyngeal cancer,a series of changes have occurred in the surgical treatment.While the treatment mode has been im-proved,there are still many problems,including the inconsistency between diagnosis and treatment modes,the lack of popularization of reconstruction technology,the imperfect post-treatment rehabilitation system,and the lack of effective preventive measures.Especially in terms of treatment mode for early oropharyngeal cancer,there is no unified conclu-sion whether it is surgery alone or radiotherapy alone,and whether robotic minimally invasive surgery has better func-tional protection than radiotherapy.For advanced oropharyngeal cancer,there is greater controversy over the treatment mode.It is still unclear whether to adopt a non-surgical treatment mode of synchronous chemoradiotherapy or induction chemotherapy combined with synchronous chemoradiotherapy,or a treatment mode of surgery combined with postopera-tive chemoradiotherapy.In order to standardize the surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancer in China and clarify the indications for surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancer,this expert consensus,based on the characteristics and treat-ment status of oropharyngeal cancer in China and combined with the international latest theories and practices,forms consensus opinions in multiple aspects of preoperative evaluation,surgical indication determination,primary tumor re-section,neck lymph node dissection,postoperative defect repair,postoperative complication management prognosis and follow-up of oropharyngeal cancer patients.The key points include:① Before the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer,the expression of P16 protein should be detected to clarify HPV status;② Perform enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the maxillofacial region before surgery to evaluate the invasion of oropharyngeal cancer and guide precise surgical resec-tion of oropharyngeal cancer.Evaluating mouth opening and airway status is crucial for surgical approach decisions and postoperative risk prediction;③ For oropharyngeal cancer patients who have to undergo major surgery and cannot eat for one to two months,it is recommended to undergo percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy before surgery to effectively improve their nutritional intake during treatment;④ Early-stage oropharyngeal cancer patients may opt for either sur-gery alone or radiation therapy alone.For intermediate and advanced stages,HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer general-ly prioritizes radiation therapy,with concurrent chemotherapy considered based on tumor staging.Surgical treatment is recommended as the first choice for HPV unrelated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(including primary and re-current)and recurrent HPV related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma after radiotherapy and chemotherapy;⑤ For primary exogenous T1-2 oropharyngeal cancer,direct surgery through the oral approach or da Vinci robotic sur-gery is preferred.For T3-4 patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer,it is recommended to use temporary mandibu-lectomy approach and lateral pharyngotomy approach for surgery as appropriate;⑥ For cT1-2N0 oropharyngeal cancer patients with tumor invasion depth＞3 mm and cT3-4N0 HPV unrelated oropharyngeal cancer patients,selective neck dissection of levels ⅠB to Ⅳ is recommended.For cN+HPV unrelated oropharyngeal cancer patients,therapeutic neck dissection in regions Ⅰ-Ⅴ is advised;⑦ If PET-CT scan at 12 or more weeks after completion of radiation shows intense FDG uptake in any node,or imaging suggests continuous enlargement of lymph nodes,the patient should undergo neck dissection;⑧ For patients with suspected extracapsular invasion preoperatively,lymph node dissection should include removal of surrounding muscle and adipose connective tissue;⑨ The reconstruction of oropharyngeal cancer defects should follow the principle of reconstruction steps,with priority given to adjacent flaps,followed by distal pedicled flaps,and finally free flaps.The anterolateral thigh flap with abundant tissue can be used as the preferred flap for large-scale postoperative defects.

Effective cost control and structure optimization of medical consumables in public hospitals can facilitate a shift from extensive cost control to scientific and refine management.On the premise of ensuring medical quality,reducing the burden of patients'diagnosis and treatment and meeting the actual needs of hospital management,this approach aims to realize valuable healthcare outcomes.This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital,which balanced both the medical and economic val-ue of medical consumables.Using an integrated approach to specialty capacity building and disease structure optimization,the hospital restructured the use of medical consumables in Transcatheter Arterial Embolization(TAE)procedures.It developed standardized pathways and usage protocols tailored to specific diseases and surgical requirements.A targeted consumable usage policy framework was introduced,comprising"one department,one policy;one surgery type,one policy;and one consumable,one policy."This included initiatives such as validating the use of drug-loaded embolic microspheres,conducting multi-depart-mental review meetings,strictly regulating indications for these microspheres,limiting personnel involvement,and negotiating re-duced pricing on imported microspheres.Following implementation,the average case-mix index(CMI)for discharged patients undergoing TAE increased from 2.23 to 2.34(P＜0.001),while the average per-case cost of consumables decreased from 19 600 to 15 600(P＜0.001).These measures offer valuable decision-making and operational reference for hospitals nation-wide,supporting efficient,quality-focused consumables management.

Biological activity assay can effectively guarantee the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine,has a good application prospect in the quality detection of traditional Chinese medicine,and can be combined with other quality detection methods to establish a diversified quality control model of traditional Chinese medicine.However,there are also some shortcomings in the biological activity assay,which faces many challenges and needs further exploration and development.Based on the introduction of the basic contents of biological activity assay,the advantages and applications of biological activity assay compared with chemical analysis and traditional sensory evaluation methods in the quality detection of traditional Chinese medicine were discussed through searching and reading domestic and foreign papers in this article,in order to discuss the application and research progress of biological activity assay in the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo provide scientific support for the compilation of high-quality anti-nuclear， biological， and chemical （NBC） medical textbooks in China by retrieving books in the field of biological weapons defense in China， summarizing the publication time and distribution of publishing institutions， and categorizing content and key points of related books. MethodsRelevant subject terms in the field of biological weapons defense were searched through the official website of China National Digital Library and other websites， up until December 31， 2023， and were limited to books. Topic analysis was conducted on the introductions and contents of the books using the latent Dirichlet allocation （LDA） model. The number of topics was determined based on perplexity， and topics were identified according to the intertopic distance map， followed by a qualitative description of the core content of each topic. ResultsA total of 104 books were included in this study， among which four were identified as higher educational textbooks. The volume of publications increased during the periods 2002‒2004 and 2020‒2023. Research institutions accounted for the highest percentage of publishers （37.78%）， and 56.67% of the publishers were military institutions. The study identified six topics： "distribution， defense， and response to biological weapons"， "category， diagnosis， and treatment of biological warfare agents"， "response to biological public health emergencies"， "status of nuclear， biological， and chemical weapons internationally"， "biosafety risk management and prevention and control"， and "technologies and equipment related to biological hazard identification". ConclusionThere are few books in the field of biological weapons defense in China and the content is relatively outdated. In the future， the preparation of teaching materials should be aimed at practical emergency handling techniques for biological weapons， enhance the emphasis on biological weapons detection and biological warfare early warning， improve the fundamental theories at different training levels， and timely update the current research status in the field.

Objective To investigate the early warning factors for the efficacy of Conbercept in treating diabetic macular edema(DME)and build a Nomograph prediction model based on the early warning factors.Methods A total of 269 DME patients(269 eyes)treated with Conbercept at Nanchang First Hospital from January 2021 to March 2023 were se-lected and divided into an effective group and an ineffective group according to the therapeutic effect at 3 months after treatment.Single factor analysis was made on the efficacy of Conbercept.The random forest method was used to screen and reduce the dimension of the characteristic variables on the efficacy of Conbercept,Logistic regression was used to ana-lyze the relevant factors affecting the efficacy of Conbercept,and R language was used to draw the Nomograph prediction model on the efficacy of Conbercept.The decision curve analysis(DCA)was made to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the Nomograph prediction model.Results The duration of diabetes,drinking history,fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose,and glycosylated hemoglobin of patients in the ineffective group were higher than those in the effective group,while the macular central retinal thickness and vessel density in the foveal retinal deep capillary plexus were lower than those in the effective group(all P＜0.05).According to the random forest algorithm,the top five predic-tive factors for the efficacy of Conbercept were glycosylated hemoglobin,macular central retinal thickness,fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose,and vessel density in the foveal retinal deep capillary plexus.Logistic regres-sion analysis showed that glycosylated hemoglobin(OR=5.012),fasting blood glucose(OR=3.877),and 2-hour post-prandial blood glucose(OR=4.231)were risk factors for the efficacy of Conbercept,while the macular central retinal thickness(OR=0.409)and vessel density in the foveal retinal deep capillary plexus(OR=0.410)were protective factors for the efficacy of Conbercept(all P＜0.05).The Nomograph showed that the C-index of the prediction model was 0.900(95％CI:0.859-0.941),the sensitivity was 90.58％,and the specificity was 75.64％.The DCA curve showed that using the Nomogram prediction model to predict the efficacy of Conbercept could obtain positive net benefit,suggesting that it had certain clinical effectiveness.Conclusion The efficacy of Conbercept for DME patients is affected by a variety of factors,including glycosylated hemoglobin,fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose,macular central reti-nal thickness,and vessel density in the foveal retinal deep capillary plexus.The Nomogram model constructed based on the above factors may be used to predict patients'treatment response in early stage,providing evidence for clinical decision-making.