Objective To evaluate the influence of the wearing position of dosimeters outside lead aprons on effective dose estimation for interventional radiology workers, analyze the differences between single and double dosimeter methods in effective dose estimation, and provide a reference for the personal dose monitoring of interventional radiology workers. Methods This study employed a combined approach of on-site monitoring and Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the impact of the wearing position of dosimeters outside lead aprons on effective dose estimation, as well as the differences between effective doses measured using single and double dosimeters. Interventional radiology workers wore dosimeters at three positions: the neck outside the lead collar, the left chest outside the lead apron, and inside the lead apron. Effective doses were estimated using the single and double dosimeter methods specified in GBZ 128-2019 Specifications for individual monitoring of occupational external exposure, and the impact of different wearing positions on the estimation results was compared. Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations were used to model dose distributions at the neck outside the lead collar and at the left chest outside the lead apron for operators performing cardiovascular interventions under tube voltages of 70, 80, 90, and 100 kVp and exposure angles of posteroanterior (PA), anteroposterior (AP), and left anterior oblique 45° (LAO45°) positions. The study assessed the impact of dosimeter wearing position on effective dose estimation. Results Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that neck doses consistently exceeded left chest doses across different tube voltages and exposure angles, with neck-to-chest dose ratios of 0.80-0.90. Under identical tube voltage conditions, AP showed the highest doses, followed by LAO45°, and PA demonstrated the lowest doses. The single and double dosimeter methods exhibited consistent patterns in effective dose estimation. Single dosimeter method generally yielded higher effective doses with relative deviations of 9.9% to 83%, though these deviations decreased under high tube voltages. Field monitoring data indicated that most interventional radiology workers maintained relative deviations between single and double dosimeter calculations below 6%, with neck-to-chest dose ratios of 0.95-1.1. The estimation patterns remained consistent across both methods, though single dosimeter method showed slightly higher results. Conclusion Under PA, AP, or LAO45°, the doses at the neck consistently exceeded those at the left chest. Therefore, when wearing lead protective equipment, the dosimeter should be properly positioned at the neck outside the lead collar to accurately reflect the radiation doses of surgeons. Some interventional radiology workers improperly positioned the dosimeter (intended at the neck outside the lead collar) at the left chest outside the lead apron, and this may result in an underestimation of the effective dose.

In China, the number of chronic pain patients has exceeded 300 million, making chronic pain the third major health problem after tumors and cardiovascular diseases. Particularly concerning is the gradual emergence of hypertension and chronic low back pain as public health problems that threaten public health and increase the global economic burden. Modern research shows that the incidence of coexisting hypertension is higher among patients with chronic low back pain. Additionally, evidence indicates that the use of NSAIDs for pain relief can have adverse effects on blood pressure, and some antihypertensive medications may trigger symptoms of low back pain. Thus, addressing chronic pain in hypertensive patients while stabilizing blood pressure is one of the important research questions in the modern treatment of hypertension among middle-aged and elderly individuals. From ancient to modern traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory, kidney deficiency has been regarded as the core pathogenesis of low back pain. Recent clinical practices and literature indicate that kidney deficiency plays a crucial role in the modern pathogenesis of hypertension. Both hypertension and chronic low back pain are closely associated with kidney deficiency in TCM theory, revealing a potential mechanism linking the two conditions. Combining the theories of " kidney-essence-marrow" and " nourishing water to moisten wood", a therapeutic strategy centered on tobifying kidney was proposed, including selecting single drugs with kidney-tonifying effects as well as compound formulations and elaborating modern research evidence. The aim is to achieve stable blood pressure control in hypertension patients with chronic low back pain while providing a new treatment perspective for chronic low back pain. This article systematically elaborates on the understanding of hypertension combined with chronic low back pain from both TCM and modern medicine, as well as the therapeutic strategy involving kidney-tonifying drugs, to offer useful references for clinical practice.
Humans ; Hypertension/complications* ; Low Back Pain/complications* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Chronic Pain/drug therapy*

Objective To preliminarily design a wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 solid-state nuclear track individual neutron dosimeter with different energy sections. Methods The thickness of the converter was optimized using the Monte Carlo SRIM program to broaden the energy range of the dosimeter. The self-made wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 individual neutron dosimeter was calibrated using ²⁴¹Am-Be, ²⁵²Cf, and thermal neutron sources to evaluate its dosimetric performance, including linearity, energy response, and neutron energy resolution. Results The linear correlation coefficient of the measurement system exceeded 0.98. The relative deviations of the energy response were 35.0% for blank section and 42.0% for polyethylene section, falling within the range of −50% to + 100% and meeting the monitoring requirements. The detection sensitivity for thermal neutron dose was 67 137.2 tr·cm⁻²·mSv⁻¹, and the detection sensitivity for thermal neutron fluence was 0.98 × 10⁻³ tr·n⁻¹, demonstrating good thermal neutron detection capability. Conclusion The self-made wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 individual neutron dosimeter fundamentally meets the requirements for individual neutron dose monitoring and is suitable for individual neutron dose monitoring in the energy range of thermal neutrons (up to approximately 15 MeV).

Objective To identify the reasons why the monitored personal doses of radiation worker A in an institution exceeded the investigation level in 2023 and 2024, and remind workers to wear personal dosimeters in a standardized manner in scenarios such as work and business trips to ensure the authenticity and reliability of the monitoring data. Methods A thermoluminescence measurement system was used to read the personal dosimeters worn by radiation workers. Investigations were carried out on personnel whose doses exceeded the investigation level described in the “Specifications for individual monitoring of occupational external exposure” (GBZ 128—2019). The reasons for doses exceeding the investigation level were analyzed using additional dosimeters and conducting on-site experiments. Results In 2023 and 2024, radiation worker A recorded a total of 5 personal dose equivalents exceeding the investigation level (1.23 mSv) over a total of 8 monitoring cycles (each lasting 90 days). Following one cycle where the dose exceeded the investigation level, two additional dosimeters (each for a 30-day cycle) were issued to worker A, revealing readings below the investigation level for the 30-day monitoring cycle (0.41 mSv). The reading for the dosimeter was 2-3 μSv per time when passing through an X-ray security scanner, and approximately 2.10 mSv per time when passing through a computed tomography security scanner. Conclusion Within a 90-day monitoring cycle, a single exposure of a personal dosimeter to a computed tomography security scanner can result in a dose exceeding the investigation level. Radiation workers should avoid placing dosimeters in backpacks or suitcases that pass through computed tomography security scanners during business trips, so as to reduce the impact of security scanner irradiation on personal dose monitoring.

Objective To observe the effect of Huayu Xiaozheng Granules on angiogenesis and invasion in trophoblast cells with overexpression of miR-210 and under hypoxia.Methods HTR-8/SVneo cells were cultured in vitro,a miR-210 overexpression model was established by transfection,and a chemical hypoxia model was established by CoCl2 method.The blank group,miR-210 overexpression group,miR-210 overexpression-negative group,miR-210 overexpression+Chinese medicine group,hypoxia+Chinese medicine group and Chinese medicine group in experiment were set up.Western Blot method was used to detect protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and invasion-associated factors[matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9)and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 1(TIMP-1)]in HTR-8/SVneo cells.Results Compared with the blank group,the protein expression levels of HIF-1α,VEGF,MMP-9,TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were increased in the miR-210 overexpression group(P＜0.05);compared with the miR-210 overexpression group,the HIF-1α,VEGF,MMP-9,TIMP-1 protein expression levels and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in the miR-210 overexpression-negative group,miR-210 overexpression+Chinese medicine group,hypoxia+Chinese medicine group and Chinese medicine group were all decreased(P＜0.05),and the decrease effects in Chinese medicine group was especially obvious;compared with the miR-210 overexpression+Chinese medicine group,the protein expression levels of HIF-1α,VEGF,MMP-9,TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in hypoxia+Chinese medicine group and Chinese medicine group were all decreased(P＜0.05);compared with the hypoxia+Chinese medicine group,the above indicators were decreased in the Chinese medicine group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Huayu Xiaozheng Granules can negatively regulate the increased angiogenesis and invasion of trophoblast cells with miR-210 overexpression and under hypoxia,which may be one of the action mechanisms of its treatment for tubal pregnancy.

AIM To explore the clinical effects of Shuilu Erxian Pills combined with Modified Didang Decoction on patients with early and middle stage diabetic nephropathy.METHODS Eighty-three patients were randomly assigned into control group(42 cases)for 12-week administration of Irbesartan Tablets,and observation group(41 cases)for 12-week administration of Shuilu Erxian Pills,Modified Didang Decoction and Irbesartan Tablets.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome scores,blood glucose indices(FBG,HbA1c),blood lipid indices(TC,TG),renal function indices(BUN,Scr,24 h UTP,eGFR),inflammatory factors(IL-1β,hs-CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,IL-18,TGF-β1),immune function indices(lymphocyte,neutrophil,CD8+,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+)and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the observation group displayed decreased TCM syndrome scores,blood glucose indices,blood lipid indices,BUN,Scr,24 h UTP,inflammatory factors,CD8+(P＜0.05),reduced lymphocyte,neutrophil(P＜0.05),and increased eGFR,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+(P＜0.05),which were more obvious than those in the control group(except for HbA1c,TG,SCr,24 h UTP,lymphocyte,neutrophil)(P＜0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with early and middle stage diabetic nephropathy,Shuilu Erxian Pills combined with Modified Didang Decoction can safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms,whose mechanism may contribute to the reduction of inflammatory levels and improvement of immune functions.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on the immune imbalance of helper T cell 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg） and Notch1 signaling pathway in mice with autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT）. MethodA total of 60 8-week-old NOD.H-2^h4 mice were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， western medicine group （selenium yeast tablet， 32.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose （4.78 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， middle-dose （9.56 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose （19 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Buzhong Yiqitang groups， with 10 mice in each group. The normal group was fed with distilled water， and the other groups were fed with water containing 0.05% sodium iodide for eight weeks. After the animal model of AIT was formed spontaneously， the mice were killed under anesthesia after intragastric administration for eight weeks. Serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies （TGAb）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， and free thyroid hormone （FT4） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and thyroid tissue changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of retinoid-related orphan receptor-γt （RORγt）， interleukin （IL）-17， forkhead box P3 （FoxP3）， IL-10， Notch1， and hair division-related enhancer 1 （Hes1） in thyroid tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the thyroid structure of the model group was severely damaged， and lymphocytes were infiltrated obviously. The levels of serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly increased， and TSH content was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were significantly increased， while those of FoxP3 and IL10 were significantly decreased in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， thyroid structural damage and lymphocyte infiltration were improved in the treatment groups， and serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly decreased. TSH content was increased， and mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were decreased. mRNA and protein expression levels of FoxP3 and IL-10 were increased to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the middle-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group had the most significant intervention effect. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can alleviate the thyroid structural damage in AIT mice， and its mechanism may be related to improving the abnormal differentiation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inhibiting the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical effect on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage between the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion and western medication. METHODS: Sixty patients with Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were administered orally with prednisone acetate tablets and methylcobalamin tablets until the 28th day of illness. In the observation group, the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion was adopted. On the affected side, Qianzheng (EX-HN 16), Yifeng (TE 17), Sibai (ST 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4) and Touwei (ST 8), etc. were stimulated. In the acute stage (Day 1 to 7 of illness), the routine acupuncture and the point-toward-point needle insertion were delivered, no any manipulation was exerted at acupoints, and the needles were retained for 30 min. In the subacute stage (Day 8 to 14 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the acute stage, the depth of needle insertion was adjusted at a part of acupoints and the even needling technique was operated by twisting needle. Besides, electroacupuncture (EA) was attached to Qianzheng (EX-HN 16) and Dicang (ST 4), with continuous wave of low intensity and high frequency, 100 Hz, for 20 min. In the recovery stage (Day 15 to 28 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the subacute stage, the heavy stimulation of acupuncture was given, in which, the sticking and lifting needle techniques were delivered after the needles were inserted from Sibai (ST 2) toward Dicang (ST 4), and from Dicang (ST 4) toward Jiache (ST 6), separately; warm needling was operated at Yifeng (TE 17), and EA changed to stimulate the acupoints with the intermittent wave of high intensity and low frequency, 2 Hz, for 30 min. Acupuncture-moxibustion was given once every other day until the end of the 28th day of illness. The level of House-Brackmann facial nerve function rating scale (H-B grade),the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system (Sunnybrook), the score of facial disability index (FDI), the temperature difference in the infrared thermal imaging facial area and electromyogram (EMG) situation of the affected muscle group were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. Using musculoskeletal ultrasound,the facial nerve diameter was detected and the clinical effect was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the level of H-B grade, Sunnybrook score, the scores of physical function and social life function in FDI were improved when compared with those before treatment in the patients of either group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the results of these evaluations in the observation group were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the temperature difference of the frontal area, the eye area, the zygomatic area and the mouth corner was declined in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the temperature difference in each area in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).The root mean square (RMS) of the frontal muscle group, the zygomatic muscle group and the orbicularis muscle group on the affected side increased in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and RMS of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05) after treatment. Before treatment, the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side was larger than that on the healthy side (P<0.01), and after treatment, the diameter on the affected side was reduced when compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01); the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side in the observation group was smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05), while, the diameter on the affected side was larger when compared with the healthy side in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), higher than that of the control group (83.3% [25/30], P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion is clearly effective on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage, which affirms the effectiveness of acupuncture-moxibustion for the acute stage of Bell's facial palsy in comparison with conventional western medication.
Humans ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy/therapy* ; Face

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang in ameliorating inflammatory injury in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) mice based on the Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4）/nuclear transcription factor-kappa B（NF-κB）/absent in melanoma 2（AIM2）inflammasome signaling pathway. MethodThe 120 genetically susceptible 8-week-old NOD.H-2^h4 mice were selected and randomly divided into control group， model group， low， medium and high dose groups of Buzhong Yiqitang （4.78， 9.56， 19.12 g·kg^-1）， and western medicine group （selenium yeast tablets， 3.033×10^-5 g·kg^-1）. The AIT model mice in each group drank ad libitum 0.05% sodium iodide aqueous solution for 8 weeks to establish the AIT model， and the control group drank ad libitum distilled water. Eight weeks later， the mice in each dosing group were divided into groups and gavage. The swelling of thyroid tissue was observed with the naked eye， and the weight of spleen was weighed. The content of serum inflammatory factors interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of HMGB1， TLR4， AIM2， NF-κB p65，apoptosis-associated speck-like protein（ASC），cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1（Caspase-1）， IL-1β mRNA. Western blot was used to detect the expression of high motility group protein 1 （HMGB1）， TLR4， AIM2， NF-κB p65， phosphorylation（p）-NF-κB p65， ASC， Caspase-1， and IL-1β proteins in thyroid tissue， and immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the protein expression of HMGB1， AIM2， and NF-κB p65 in thyroid tissue of mice. ResultCompared with the control group， the thyroid tissue of mice in the model group was significantly swollen， the spleen quality was significantly increased， and the expression of HMGB1， TLR4， NF-κB p65， AIM2， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β in thyroid tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the swelling of thyroid tissue in mice in each dose group of Buzhong Yiqitang was improved， the quality of spleen was significantly reduced， and the expression of HMGB1， TLR4， AIM2， NF-κB p65， p-NF-κB p65， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β in thyroid tissue was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can effectively improve the inflammatory injury of AIT， and regulating the abnormal activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/AIM2 inflammasome signal pathway may be one of its intervention mechanisms.

ObjectiveTo analyze the quality and status of technical service items of radiation health technical service institutions (RHTSI) in China. Methods A total of 608 and 622 RHTSIs with radiation health technical service qualifications from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in the years of 2021 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. The data of quality monitoring of radiological health technology services, comparison of radiological health testing capabilities, and investigation of the current status of technical support institutions were collected to analyze the status of technical service items which was conducted by RHTSIs from 2021 to 2022. Results A total of 622 RHTSIs in China obtained technical service institution qualifications in 2022, an increase of 14 from 608 in 2021. While a total of 404 of 622 RHTSIs conducted radiological health technology services, a decrease of 11.4% from 456 in 2021. A total of 241 804 technical service items were conducted in 2022, an increase of 39.7% from 173 064 in 2021. The median number of technical service items by non-health system RHTSIs was higher than that of the health system RHTSIs in 2021 and 2022, (203 vs 40 items, 215 vs 55 items, all P<0.01). The number of technical service institutions and technical service items conducted in different regions from high to low were the eastern, central, and western regions in 2021. The number of technical service institutions in different regions was highest in the eastern region, followed by the central and western regions, while the number of technical service items from high to low were the eastern, western, and central regions in 2022. The number of provincial, municipal, and county-level health system RHTSIs decreased by 6.5%, 26.3%, and 27.3%, respectively, in 2022 compared with 2021. The number of technical service items conducted by provincial health system RHTSIs increased by 48.6%, while those conducted by municipal and county-level health system RHTSIs decreased by 13.8% and 21.3%, respectively. Conclusion Although the number of RHTSI conducting technical services decreases in 2022 compared with 2021, the number of technical service items conducted increases. Non-medical RHTSI undertake the majority of technical service items. Within the medical institutes, the number of technical service items conducted by provincial RHTSI is higher than that of municipal and county-level RHTSI.