1.The influence of ASiR-V algorithm on radiation dose and image quality in children’s ultra-low-dose chest CT examination
Limin WANG ; Xiumin LYU ; Yanping WANG ; Lulu XU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):540-545
Objective To explore the impact of multi-model adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR-V) algorithm on radiation dose and image quality in children’s ultra-low-dose chest CT examination. Methods A total of 72 children who underwent chest CT scans at Qingdao Municipal Hospital with admissions between January 2024 and January 2025 were selected as subjects and divided into two groups using a random number table. In the control group (n = 36), the tube voltage was set at 100 kVp and the conventional filtered back projection algorithm was used. In the observation group (n = 36), the tube voltage was set at 80 kVp and images were reconstructed using 30% ASiR-V (observation group 1), 60% ASiR-V (observation group 2), and 90% ASiR-V (observation group 3), respectively. Radiation doses were recorded for each group, and both subjective and objective evaluations of image quality were conducted. Results Compared with the control group, the observation group demonstrated significantly lower volume CT dose index [(0.86 ± 0.09) mGy], dose length product [(25.90 ± 3.55) mGy·cm], and effective dose [(0.01 ± 0.001) mSv] (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in subjective evaluation scores of image quality among the four groups (z = −2.206, P = 0.530). Additionally, Fisher’s exact test showed that the proportion of images scoring 4-5 points was higher in observation group 2 than in observation group 3 (P = 0.024). The noise value of the ascending aorta in the mediastinal window and the noise values of the right and left middle lung fields and the right and left upper lung fields in the lung window were lower in observation groups 2 and 3 than in the control group, and these values were lower in observation group 3 than in observation group 2 (P < 0.05). The signal-to-noise ratios of the ascending aorta and liver in observation groups 2 and 3 were higher than those in the control group, and the ratios were higher in observation group 3 than in observation group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Reconstruction using the 60% ASiR-V algorithm for pediatric ultra-low-dose chest CT examination can ensure good image quality while reducing radiation dose and improving examination safety.
2.EZH2 protein expression in predicting malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: a prospective cohort study
MEI Nianrou ; LIU Limin ; YANG Jingwen ; XU Siming ; LI Chenxi ; GE Shuyun ; ZHOU Haiwen
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(10):862-872
Objective:
To investigate the predictive value of EZH2 expression for malignant transformation in oral leukoplakia (OLK) and to provide a reference for clinical practice.
Methods:
This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. A total of 114 patients diagnosed with OLK by pathological examination and treated at our hospital between November 2020 and July 2022 were initially enrolled. After excluding those with incomplete data or follow-up, 105 participants were included in the final analysis, comprising 14 in the high EZH2 expression group and 91 in the low EZH2 expression group. Histopathological examination of oral mucosa and immunohistochemical detection of EZH2 protein expression were performed. The follow-up period was 30 months; participants were followed until malignant transformation occurred or until the end of follow-up, at which point they were withdrawn from the study. The exposure factor was the level of EZH2 protein expression, and the outcome was the malignant transformation rate of OLK. Differences in EZH2 expression levels and transformation outcomes were analyzed.
Results:
There were no statistically significant differences between the high and low EZH2 expression groups in terms of age, sex, history of systemic disease, lifestyle habits, psychological status, diet, and sleep conditions (P > 0.05). Lesions in the high EZH2 expression group were mainly located on the ventral tongue, while in the low EZH2 expression group, they were more commonly found on the dorsal tongue and buccal mucosa. The malignant transformation rate was 28.6% (4/14) in the high expression group and 8.8% (8/91) in the low expression group; these differences were not statistically significant (P=0.053). In univariate Cox regression analysis, the risk of malignant transformation in the high EZH2 expression group was 3.647 times that of the low EZH2 expression group (HR = 3.647, 95% CI: 1.097-12.120, P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that over the 30-month follow-up period, the cancer-free survival rate in the high EZH2 expression group was 19.8% lower than in the low expression group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, only moderate and severe epithelial dysplasia were identified as independent risk factors for malignant transformation. The risk of malignant transformation in the moderate and severe dysplasia groups was 10.695 and 13.623 times higher, respectively, than in the mild dysplasia group (HR = 10.695, 95% CI: 2.270-50.396, P<0.05; HR=13.623, 95% CI: 1.918-96.774, P<0.05). EZH2 high expression was not an independent risk factor in the multivariate model (HR= 2.528, 95% CI: 0.752-8.500, P = 0.134).
Conclusion
High EZH2 protein expression is a risk factor for the malignant transformation of OLK but does not have independent predictive value.
3.Research Progress on Mechanisms of Triggeringreceptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-2 in Cognitive Dysfunction
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):7-12
The neuroimmune system is crucial for the development, aging, and damage of the central nervous system, and has gradually become a research hotspot. Triggeringreceptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) is a transmembrane receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is mainly expressed in the microglia in the central nervous system. An increasing number of studies indicate that TREM2 has great potential to improve cognitive dysfunction related to Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, postoperative cognitive impairment, obesity, etc. However, there is a lack of a systematic summary of the specific role of TREM2 in cognitive dysfunction. This paper reviews the progress in the latest research on the related mechanisms of TREM2 in cognitive dysfunction, in order to provide new strategies for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.
4.Acute effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide in children in Shanghai
Jianhui GAO ; Yuhong WANG ; Yichen DING ; Lisha SHI ; Dong XU ; Limin LING ; Li PENG ; Lijun ZHANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(3):241-248
ObjectiveTo investigate the acute effects of compound air pollution on children’s respiratory function. MethodsUsing panel group study design, 223 students in five classes of grade 4 from two primary schools (a, b) in Xuhui and Hongkou districts of Shanghai were randomly selected to measure pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). The first three tests were carried out from May to June in 2020, and the fourth test was carried out from September to December in 2021. At the same time, the daily and hourly mean values of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3 and CO was collected from the nearby air quality monitoring points of the two schools during the same period , as well as meteorological monitoring data (temperature, humidity, wind speed and atmospheric pressure). The linear mixed effect model was used to analyze the effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and respiratory inflammation in the summer. ResultsThe results of single pollutant model showed that PM2.5, PM10, SO2 and NO2 were positively correlated with FeNO, and the effect was reflected in lag0, lag1 and lag3 (P<0.05). PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 were negatively correlated with the changes of lung function FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%, FeF25%-75%, PEF, FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, and the effect was reflected in lag0 to lag3 days (P<0.05). The results of the dual pollutant model showed that the concentration changes of SO2 and NO2 were significantly correlated with the decrease of FEV1 when combined with O3 or PM2.5 (P<0.01), and the concentration changes of PM2.5 was significantly correlated with the increase of FeNO when O3, SO2 and NO2 were combined respectively (P<0.01). The effects of the dual pollutant model were greater than the effect of PM2.5 single pollutant model. ConclusionThe health effects of different air pollutants on children’s respiratory tract function indexes in summer are different. The combined effects of two pollutants on the lung function of children increased to different degrees. Although air pollution is light in summer, it still has an impact on children’s respiratory tract function index and inflammation index, and the combined effect of dual pollutants is more significant than that of single pollutant.
5.Advances in the study of ischemic cerebrovascular disease and restless legs syndrome
Yaru SHI ; Mingkang GAO ; Limin WEN ; Xu CHU
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(2):318-320
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) are two common disorders in neurology departments that place a significant economic burden on patients′ families and society. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the relationship between the two, but there is no clear-cut conclusion that RLS may be both a consequence of ICVD and associated with an increased risk of developing ICVD and poor functional outcome. This article summarizes the latest research findings on ICVD and RLS in China and abroad, with a view to providing a better understanding of their interaction and pathophysiological mechanisms, as well as providing some references for the early prevention and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular events and rehabilitation.
6.Moderating effect of salidroside on intestinal microbiota in mice exposed to PM2.5
Siqi LI ; Chen LIU ; Weihong XU ; Wenbo WU ; Ruixi ZHOU ; Limin ZHANG ; Chao SONG ; Yumei LIU ; Fengjiao TAN ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Xiaolin HAN ; Jinfeng TAN ; Li YU ; Dongqun XU ; Qin WANG ; Xiaohong LI ; Wanwei LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(2):125-132
Background Salidroside (SAL) has a protective effect on multiple organ systems. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere may lead to disruptions in gut microbiota and impact intestinal health. The regulatory effect of SAL on the gut microbiota of mice exposed to PM2.5 requires further investigation. Objective To evaluate gut microbiota disruption in mice after being exposed to PM2.5 and the potential effect of SAL. Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 to 8 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, an SAL group, a PM2.5 group, and an SAL+PM2.5 group, each containing 10 mice. In the SAL group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, the mice were administered SAL (60 mg·kg−1) by gavage, while in the control group and the PM2.5 group, sterile saline (10 mL·kg−1) was administered by gavage. In the PM2.5 group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, PM2.5 suspension (8 mg·kg−1) was intratracheally instilled, and in the control group and SAL group, sterile saline (1.5 mL·kg−1) was intratracheally administered. Each experiment cycle spanned 2 d, with a total of 10 cycles conducted over 20 d. Histopathological changes in the ileum tissue of the mice were observed after HE staining. Colon contents were collected for gut microbiota sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) measurements. Results The PM2.5 group showed infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ileum tissue, while the SAL+PM2.5 group exhibited only a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased Shannon index (P<0.05) and increased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in this group was decreased; the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased Shannon index compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05) and decreased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in mice intervened with SAL was increased. The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) revealed a significant separation between the PM2.5 group and the control group, while the separation trend was less evident among the control group, the SAL group, and the SAL+PM2.5 group. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) clustering tree results showed that the control group and the SAL group clustered together first, followed by clustering with the SAL+PM2.5 group, and finally, the three groups clustered with the PM2.5 group. The PCoA and UPGMA clustering results indicated that the uniformity and similarity of the microbiota in the PM2.5 group were significantly decreased. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05) and increased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, genus Escherichia, genus Bacteroides, genus Prevotella, genus Enterococcus, and genus Proteus (P<0.05). Compared to the PM2.5 group, the SAL+PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, genus Prevotella, and genus Proteus (P<0.05), and increased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05). The PM2.5 group showed reduced levels of propionic acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the control group (P<0.05), while the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased levels of propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to PM2.5 can cause pathological alterations, microbial dysbiosis, and disturbing production of SCFAs in intestinal tissue in mice. However, SAL can provide a certain degree of protective effect against these changes.
7.Efficacy comparison of botulinum toxin A injection and extraocular muscle surgery in the treatment of large angle acute acquired concomitant esotropia
Jiong ZHANG ; Lijuan LANG ; Junbo RONG ; Limin XU ; Kexin GUO ; Luxi ZHANG ; Ying WANG ; Yujie LIU ; Zhigang LI
International Eye Science 2024;24(6):960-964
AIM: To explore the variance in efficacy between botulinum toxin A(BTA)injection and extraocular muscle surgery in managing large-angle(≥+60 PD)acute acquired concomitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 60 patients with AACE treated at our hospital from June 2020 to December 2022. Patients were divided into three groups based on different treatments: 2.5 IU BTA injection group(14 cases), 5.0 IU BTA injection group(29 cases), and surgical group(17 cases). Follow-up was conducted for 6 mo after treatment to observe the degree of strabismus after the correction of refractive error, visual function, treatment effectiveness, and occurrence of complications after BTA injection.RESULTS: At 6 mo post-treatment, the degree of strabismus in the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was lower than that in the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(P<0.017). However, there was no significant difference in the degree of strabismus between the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(P>0.017). The effective rate of the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was higher than that of the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(86% vs 43%, P<0.017). There was no difference in visual function among the three groups(P>0.05). The incidence of complications after treatment was not significantly different between the 2.5 IU BTA injection group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(43% vs 52%, P>0.05).CONCLUSION: For AACE patients with esotropia degree ≥+60 PD, bilateral medial rectus injection of 5.0 IU BTA can yield outcomes comparable to traditional extraocular muscle surgery, with the advantages of minimal trauma and simple and convenient operation.
8.Effect of vitamin C on intestinal flora disorders in Cr(VI)-contaminated mice
Limin ZHANG ; Chen LIU ; Yumei LIU ; Xueqian WU ; Ming SHU ; Jian ZHOU ; Dongqun XU ; Qin WANG ; Wanwei LI ; Xiaohong LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(7):807-813
Background Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] exposure can cause structural disruption of intestinal flora and functional impairment. Vitamin C (VC) is one of the essential micronutrients, which plays an important role in promoting the growth of intestinal probiotics, improving the intestinal barrier, and maintaining the homeostasis of intestinal flora. However, the regulatory effect of VC on the intestinal flora disorders caused by Cr(VI) exposure remains to be investigated. Objective To investigate the effect of VC on intestinal flora disruption in mice due to Cr(VI) exposure. Methods Thirty-two SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice were acclimatized and fed for 3 d and randomly divided into control (Con), VC, potassium dichromate [K2Cr2O7, Cr(VI)], and VC+K2Cr2O7 [VC+Cr(VI)] groups. At 8:00 a.m. on day 4, the Con group (double-distilled water given by gavage and injected intraperitoneally), the VC group (VC given by gavage and double-distilled water injected intraperitoneally), the Cr(VI) group (double-distilled water given by gavage and K2Cr2O7 solution injected intraperitoneally), and the VC+Cr(VI) group (VC given by gavage and K2Cr2O7 solution injected intraperitoneally) were treated. The dose of VC was 200 mg·kg−1, and the dose of K2Cr2O7 was 1.25 mg·kg−1. The mice were treated for 45 consecutive days and then executed, the contents of the colon were sampled in sterile freezing tubes, and three replicates were collected from each group. After labeling, the samples were immediately put into liquid nitrogen for rapid freezing. After all the samples were collected, they were transferred to a -80 ℃ ultra-low temperature refrigerator for storage. Samples of colon contents were analyzed for intestinal flora structure by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics software. Results The Cr(VI) exposure resulted in reduced body weight gain values in mice compared to the Con group. Pathological changes occurred in the ileal tissue of mice, with significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the Cr(VI) group and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the VC+Cr(VI) group. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of intestinal flora was altered in the Cr(VI) group of mice. In the α diversity analysis, the mean Sobs index in the Cr(VI) group was 240.333±67.796, the Chao index was 258.173±64.813, and the Ace index was 259.481±66.891, which were significantly lower than those in the Con group (P<0.05), the PD whole tree index in the Cr(VI) group was 27.863±2.399, which was significantly higher than that in the Con group (P<0.05), and the VC intervention significantly reversed the changes of the above indexes due to Cr(VI) exposure (P<0.05). In the β diversity analysis, the principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) results showed a significant separation between the Cr(VI) group and the Con group, and after the VC intervention, there was a retraction of the separation trend and the difference was reduced. The multi-sample similarity dendrogram results showed that the control and the VC groups clustered together first, then with the VC+Cr(VI) group, and finally with the Cr(VI) group. The abundances of Bacteroidetes, Saccharibacteria, and Tenericutes in the intestine of mice in the Cr(VI) group were decreased, and the abundance of Firmicutes was increased; the abundances of Lactobacillus, Alistipes, Bacteroides, and Ruminiclostridium were also increased. Included among these, Bacteroides showed a significantly higher abundance compared to the control mice (P<0.05). Changes in the abundances of phyla and genera of the above mentioned gut microorganisms were reversed after the VC intervention. Conclusion Cr(VI) exposure can lead to intestinal damage and disorganization of the intestinal flora structure in mice, while VC intervention can ameliorate the above changes to a certain extent and normalize the intestinal flora structure.
9.Expression and diagnostic value of lymphocyte subsets and activation status in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Guangli YIN ; Jujuan WANG ; Tian TIAN ; Limin DUAN ; Xin GAO ; Ziwei FANG ; Ji XU ; Hongxia QIU ; Lei FAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(8):748-754
Objective:To determine the expression and diagnostic value of peripheral blood lymphocytes and functional activation status in non-Hodgkin lymphoma with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (NHL-HLH) .Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 30 newly diagnosed NHL-HLH patients admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023. We assessed peripheral blood lymphocytes and activation status by flow cytometry. Forty newly diagnosed patients with NHL who received treatment at our hospital during the same period and had lymphocyte and functional activation indexes were selected as the control group. The differences in relative and absolute lymphocyte counts and functional activation indexes between the two groups were compared. The optimal cutoff values for continuous variables were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors in NHL patients with HLH.Results:A total of 30 NHL-HLH patients were evaluated, including 12 T-cell lymphoma and 18 B-cell lymphoma patients. Forty individuals were in the control group, which included 19 T-cell lymphoma and 21 B-cell lymphoma patients. The absolute counts of CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and NK cells, along with the relative count of NK cells, were significantly lower in the HLH group compared with that in the control group (all P values<0.01) . The expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8 + T-cell activated subgroups was significantly higher in the NHL-HLH group compared with that in the control group (CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 57.4% vs 21.5%, P<0.001; CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 49.7% vs 33.5%, P=0.028, respectively) . In addition, CD28 expression on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells was significantly higher in NHL-HLH patients ( P<0.01) . ROC curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that absolute NK cell count ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were risk factors for predicting the occurrence of NHL-HLH patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the regression model were 86.7% and 86.1%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.94 ( P<0.001) . Conclusions:In NHL patients with HLH, there was a significant reduction in the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, whereas T-cell function was notably activated. Specifically, absolute counts of NK cells ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were identified as risk factors for predicting the development of NHL-HLH patients. This will assist in early clinical diagnosis and treatment.
10.Analysis of prenatal ultrasound signs and prevention strategies for missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in Apert syndrome
Huijuan LIN ; Limin WANG ; Li ZHENG ; Chaoxiang YANG ; Ning SHANG ; Zhen XIAO ; Fangfang XU
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(9):784-790
Objective:To summarize the key prenatal ultrasound diagnosis features of Apert syndrome, analyze the causes of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and propose corresponding preventive strategies.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made on the medical records and prenatal ultrasound images of 15 fetuses (including 14 cases referred from other hospitals) who underwent prenatal ultrasound examination in Guangdong Women and Children Hospital from August 2014 to May 2022 and were eventually clinically confirmed as Apert syndrome by induction or after birth. By conducting a comparative analysis, particularly focusing on the initial and final diagnoses of referral cases, the key ultrasound diagnostic points of Apert syndrome and the causes for missed and misdiagnosis were summarized.Results:①Diagnostic accuracy: Among the 15 fetuses, 11 cases (73.3%) were correctly diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and 4 cases (26.7%) were missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. For the 14 referral cases, only 2 cases (14.3%) were correctly identified in the initial diagnosis at the referring hospital (14.3%), and 12 cases (85.7%) were missed missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. ②Detection rate of ultrasound signs: In the 15 fetuses with Apert syndrome, the detection rate of " cloverleaf" skull was 13.3% (2/15), premature coronal suture was 66.7% (10/15), the " brain shadowing sign" and flat occiput were both 93.3% (14/15), prominent forehead, hypertelorism and bilateral syndactyly of hands were all 100% (15/15), and bilateral syndactyly of feet was 73.3% (11/15). ③Analysis of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis: Among the 4 cases of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in our hospital, premature closure of coronal suture, " brain shadowing sign", flat occiput and hypertelorism were all not recognized. Among these, 3 cases also missed the prominent forehead, bilateral syndactyly of hands and feet. Additionally, 1 case of bilateral syndactyly of hands was misdiagnosed as partial absence of metacarpals and phalangess.Conclusions:In the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal Apert syndrome, the symmetric syndactyly of both hands serves as an extremely important diagnostic clue. The " cloverleaf" skull is not common. The premature closure of coronal suture as a direct diagnostic sign with a high detection rate, highlighting its significance in the diagnostic of Apert syndrome. Furthermore, the high detection rates of characteristic ultrasound features such as prominent forehead, flat occiput, " brain shadowing sign" and hypertelorism could help to improve the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis for Apert syndrome and effectively reduce missed and misdiagnosis.


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