Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of autologous hair follicle stem cell transplantation for hair restoration in patients with alopecia. Methods Ten patients with alopecia, including five with androgenic alopecia and five with seborrheic alopecia, were selected from November 2022 to May 2023. They were treated with autologous hair follicle stem cell transplantation. Data before treatment were used as the control group, and data after treatment were used as the study group. Follow-up was conducted for 3 to 8 months. The FPF scoring system was designed to collect data and evaluate the treatment effect. Results Nine patients had an improvement score of ≥7 points, and one patient had an improvement score of 2 points, with a treatment excellence rate of 90% (9/10). Compared with the total score of (2.81±0.92) points in the control group, the total score of the study group was (9.00±2.21) points, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion Autologous hair follicle stem cell transplantation for hair restoration is safe and effective, and has a broad range of indications.

Objective:To investigate the effects of silicon photomutipliers (SiPM) detector and Bayesian penalized likelihood (BPL) reconstruction algorithm on semiquantitative parameters of 18F-FDG PET/CT and diagnostic efficiency for solitary pulmonary nodules/masses compared with traditional photomultiplier tube (PMT) and ordered subsets expectation maximization (OSEM). Methods:From March 2020 to January 2022, 118 patients (76 males, 42 females, age (63.0±10.1) years) newly diagnosed with solitary pulmonary nodules/masses in First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were prospectively enrolled and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging with two different PET/CT scanners successively. The images were divided into PMT+ OSEM, SiPM+ OSEM and SiPM+ BPL groups according to PET detector and reconstruction algorithms. The SUV max, SUV mean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of pulmonary nodules/masses were measured, then signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-background ratio (SBR) were calculated. One-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were performed to compare differences of above parameters among groups. ROC curve analysis was used to analyze the optimal threshold of SUV max for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules/masses and AUCs were obtained. Results:There were 83 malignant nodules and 35 benign nodules. The image quality of SiPM+ BPL group (4.23±0.64) was better than that of SiPM+ OSEM group (3.57±0.50) or PMT+ OSEM group (3.58±0.51; F=54.85, P<0.001). There were significant differences in SUV max (7.57(3.86, 15.61) vs 4.95(2.22, 10.48)), SUV mean (4.43(2.28, 9.12) vs 2.84(1.21, 5.71)), MTV (3.54(1.57, 7.67) vs 5.09(2.83, 11.79)), SNR (28.12(12.55, 54.38) vs 20.16(8.29, 41.45)) and SBR (4.03(1.83, 7.75) vs 2.32(0.96, 5.03)) between SiPM+ BPL and SiPM+ OSEM groups ( H values: 16.63-37.05, all P<0.001). The optimal threshold values of SUV max in SiPM+ BPL, SiPM+ OSEM and PMT+ OSEM were 3.31, 2.21, 2.05 with AUCs of 0.686, 0.689, 0.615 for nodules < 2 cm, and were 10.29, 6.49, 4.33 with AUCs of 0.775, 0.782, 0.774 for nodules/masses ≥2 cm. Conclusions:Image quality and parameters of pulmonary nodules/masses are mainly affected by the reconstruction algorithms. BPL can improve SUV max, SUV mean, SBR and SNR, but reduce MTV without significant effect on liver parameters. SiPM+ BPL has a higher diagnostic threshold of SUV max than SiPM+ OSEM and PMT+ OSEM.

Objective:To improve the quality of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET images at different acquisition times through deep learning (DL) PET image reconstruction methods. Methods:A total of 45 patients (20 males, 25 females; age (52.0±13.6) years) with malignant tumors and PET/CT scans from September 2020 to October 2020 in the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were included in this retrospective study. The short acquisition time 30 s/bed PET images from the raw list mode were selected as the input of DL model. DL image reconstruction model, based on the Unet algorithm, was trained to output imitated PET images with full dose standard acquisition time (3 min). The image quality evaluation and quantitative analysis were carried out for four groups of images: DL images, 30 s, 90 s, and 120 s images, respectively. The quality of PET images in four groups was evaluated using the five-point method. Liver background activities, lesions quantification parameters (maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean), standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)), and first-order texture features (skewness, kurtosis, uniformity, entropy) were measured. Kappa test, χ2 test and one-way analysis of variance (least significant difference t test) were used for data analysis. Results:The image quality scores between four groups were highly consistent ( Kappa=0.799, P<0.001). The number of patients with scores≥3 in DL, 30 s, 90 s and 120 s groups were 6, 4, 7 and 8, respectively ( χ2=125.47, P<0.001). The liver SD of DL group was significantly lower than that of 30 s group (0.26±0.07 vs 0.43±0.11; F=3.58, t=-7.91, P<0.05). The liver SNR of DL group was higher than that of 30 s group (11.04±4.36 vs 5.41±1.41; F=10.22, t=5.40, P<0.05). The liver SD and SNR of DL group were similar to those of 90 s group (0.39±0.16, 8.46±3.34; t values: -0.87 and 2.17, both P>0.05). In 18 tumor lesions with high uptake, SNR and CNR of DL group were significantly higher than those of 30 s group (60.21±29.26 vs 38.38±16.54, 22.26±15.85 vs 15.41±9.51; F values: 13.09 and 7.05; t values: 5.20 and 4.04, both P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences among four groups in the first-order texture features ( F values: 4.30-9.65, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between DL group and 120 s group ( t values: from -1.25 to 0.15, all P>0.05). Conclusion:DL reconstruction model can improve the quality of short-frame PET images, which meets the needs of clinical diagnosis, efficacy evaluation and radiomics research.

Objective:To compare four reconstruction algorithms of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT on standardized uptake value (SUV) of pulmonary nodules. Methods:A total of 46 patients (27 males, 19 females; median age: 66 (range: 44-82) years) with solid pulmonary nodules from February 2018 to July 2019 in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University who performed 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were enrolled. All PET/CT images were retrospectively reconstructed by using four algorithms reconstructions including ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM), OSEM+ time of flight (TOF), OSEM+ TOF+ point spread function (PSF) and block sequential regularized expectation maximization (BSREM) (G1-G4). Nodule and background parameters were analyzed semi-quantitatively and visually. The maximum of SUV(SUV max), mean of SUV(SUV mean) and peak of SUV (SUV peak) were collected by the region of interest (ROI). Nodules were divided into small nodule group (diameter ≤10 mm) and large nodule group (10 mm < diameter ≤30 mm). Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and Bonferroni method were performed to compare the differences of SUVs between G1-G4, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the change rate of SUV (%ΔSUV) and the diameter of nodules. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of SUV for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules and to get the optimal threshold. Results:There were 114 pulmonary nodules (large nodules, n=55; small nodules, n=59). In visual analysis, the visual detection rates of small nodules in G4 were 55.93%(33/59), 44.07%(26/59), 20.34%(12/59) higher than those in G1-G3. Of 114 pulmonary nodules in 46 patients, there were differences in SUV max and SUV mean between G1-G4 (median SUV max : 2.65-5.29, median SUV mean: 2.05-2.99; H values: 20.628 and 17.749, respectively, both P<0.001), G4 had significant increases compared to G1 in SUV max (median 5.29 and 2.65, P<0.001) and SUV mean (median 2.99 and 2.05, P<0.001). The %ΔSUV max (median: 4.45%-52.96%) and %ΔSUV mean (median: 1.69%-47.56%) were negatively correlated with the diameter of nodules (9.75(6.20, 16.58) mm; r s values: -0.371 to -0.354, -0.371 to -0.320, all P<0.001). In 59 small nodules, G1 significantly increased the SUV max of G4 (median 4.05 and 2.14, H=18.327, P<0.001), while G4 significantly increased the SUV mean of G1 and G3 (median 2.31, 1.26 and 1.53, H=16.808, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SUVs between G1-G4 in 55 large nodules ( H values: 0.812-7.290, all P>0.05). The optimal threshold values of SUV max in G1-G4 were 4.335, 5.185, 5.410, 5.745 and the area of under curves (AUCs) were 0.747, 0.699, 0.756, 0.778 respectively. The AUC of SUV mean and SUV peak also showed a similar trend. Conclusion:Among the four reconstruction algorithms, BRERM can not only enhance the image quality, but also significantly improve the SUV max and SUV mean of lung nodules diameter below 10 mm, and thus its diagnostic threshold of SUV should be appropriately increased.

Objective:To compare the incidence of coronary microvascular disease (CMVD) between patients with non-obstructive and obstructive coronary arteries.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 97 patients with angina pectoris, who underwent the absolute quantitative PET examination of myocardial perfusion and coronary anatomy examination within 90 days. All patients were divided into two groups: non-obstructive group (72 cases, no stenosis ≥50% in all three coronary arteries) and obstructive group (25 cases, at least one coronary stenosis ≥50%; and at least one coronary stenosis<50%). Quantitative parameters derived from PET including rest myocardial blood flow (RMBF), stress myocardial blood flow (SMBF), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and cardiovascular risk factors were compared between the two groups. CMVD was defined as CFR<2.90 and SMBF <2.17 ml·min -1·g -1. Results:Incidence of CMVD was significant higher in the non-obstructive coronary arteries of the obstructive group than in the non-obstructive coronary arteries of non-obstructive group (47.1% (16/34) vs. 25.5% (55/216), χ 2=6.738, P=0.009) while incidence of CMVD was similar between non-obstructive and obstructive patients ((44% (11/25) vs. 33.3% (24/72), χ 2=0.915, P=0.339). RMBF ((0.83±0.14) ml·min -1·g -1 vs. (0.82±0.17) ml·min -1·g -1), SMBF ((2.13±0.60) ml·min -1·g -1 vs. (1.91±0.50) ml·min -1·g -1) and CFR (2.59±0.66 vs. 2.36±0.47) were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:CMVD can occur in non-obstructive coronary arteries in both patients with non-occlusive coronary arteries and patients with obstructive coronary arteries. Prevalence of CMVD is significantly higher in patients with obstructive coronary arteries than in patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries. The CMVD severity is similar between the two groups.

Objective To assess the myocardial blood flow and reserve function by rest and stress 13 N-NH3 PET myocardial perfusion imaging ( MPI) , and evaluate the diagnostic value of PET and risk fac-tors of non-obstructive coronary microvascular disease ( CMVD) type 1. Methods A total of 56 patients (28 males, 28 females;age:(52.0±7.6) years) with clinical suspected CMVD type 1 from April 2017 to December 2018 were prospectively enrolled. The coronary CT angiography, coronary angiography and other clinical data were recorded. All patients underwent one-day rest and stress 13 N-NH3 PET MPI. Images were analyzed and the absolute myocardial blood flow ( MBF) and coronary flow reserve ( CFR) were obtained. Patients were divided into CMVD type 1 ( CMVD) group and non-CMVD group. The differences between 2 groups were analyzed by two-sample t test and logistic regression. Results Among 56 patients, 20 patients were diagnosed as CMVD type 1, and 36 patients were excluded as non-CMVD group. The proportion of smoking and diabetes in the CMVD group was significantly higher than that in the non-CMVD group (χ2 val-ues:9.433 and 4.114, both P<0.05). The stress MBF ((2.37±0.61) vs (3.83±1.25) ml·min-1·g-1;t=-4.807, P<0.001) and CFR (2.67±0.60 vs 3.81±0.96;t=-4.751, P<0.001) were lower in smokers than those in non-smokers, and the stress MBF was lower in diabetes patients than that in non-diabetes patients ((2.63±0.98) vs (3.62±1.28) ml·min-1·g-1;t=-2.758, P=0.008). Smoking might be the risk factor for lower stress MBF (odd ratio (OR)=0.310, 95％ CI:0.114-0.880) and lower CFR (OR=0.278, 95％ CI:0. 080-0.894), and diabetes might be the risk factor for lower stress MBF (OR=0.254, 95％ CI:0.073-0. 887) . Conclusions PET MPI can be used for the diagnosis of CMVD type 1. Smoking and diabetes are likely to be associated with the onset of CMVD type 1.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).Methods 115 patients with LA-NPC in Shanxi Cancer Hospital were randomly assigned to observation group (61 cases) and control group (54 cases) from February 2014 to April 2016.The patients in the observation group were treated with sodium cantharidate and vitamin B6 injection combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.The patients in the control group were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.The differences between the two groups were compared in respect of recent curative effect,the quality of life (QOL) and the adverse reactions.Results The recent effective rate was 93.44 ％ (57/61) in the observation group and 79.63 ％ (43/54) in the control group,and there was significant difference between the two groups (x2 =4.818,P =0.049).The improvement rate of QOL was 73.77 ％ (45/61) in the observation group and 53.70 ％ (29/54) in the control group,and there was significant difference between the two groups (x2 =5.028,P =0.032).The incidence rates of oral cavity mucous membrane inflammation,hematology toxicity,pharynx and esophagus adverse reactions,the gastrointestinal tract adverse reactions and skin fibrosis in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,and there were significant differences between the two groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The recent effect of sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy on the patients with LA-NPC is obvious.The comprehensive treatment can also reduce adverse reactions and improve the QOL.

Objective To detect the interaction domains' gene mutations of KEAP1 and NRF2 in non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines,and to analyze the significance of these mutations on the study of lung cancer cell lines.Methods Six non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines were used as the research materials.The 2nd to 6th exons of KEAP1 and the coding sequences of DLG and ETGE motif were amplified by PCR,and the products were used for gene sequencing analysis.Obtained gene sequences were analyzed using NCBI databases to get the base locations of gene mutations,as well as the subsequent amino acid sequence changes.Meanwhile,the relative intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations in the tested cell lines were detected and used in the analysis of abnormal NRF2 transcriptional activity in lung cancer cell.Results Four mutations were detected in the 4th exon of KEAP1 gene from all the 6 cancer cell lines,several other missense mutations were also investigated in the 3rd exon of KEAP1 from some cancer cell lines.Multiple genetic variations were found in all the NRF2-ETGE motif-encoding sequences of the 6 cancer cell lines.All 6 cancer cell lines were found to have higher ROS concentration than the lung germ cell line.Conclusion Lung cancer cells generally contain high levels of ROS as well as gene mutations in KEAP1 and NRF2 genes which lead to abnormal transcriptional activity of NRF2 in lung cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE:To provide evidence for strengthening education and training before clinical practice and employment guidance among pharmacy junior students of our university. METHODS:Anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted for our university. Questionnaire survey included student employment intention and internship units,relationship of internships with employ-ment,the tendency of employment after graduation,personal attitude about pharmaceutical professional development prospect,ex-pected monthly income in the first year of their career,etc. RESULTS:Totally 71 questionnaires were sent out,71 were effectively received. Among all respondents,74.3%(52 students)believed employment intention had great relationship with internship units;24.3%(17 students)thought employment intention had not great relationship with internship units;moreover,one student thought employment intention had no any relationship with internship units. Most students(94.3%,66 students)with good attitude on in-ternships believed it could accumulate work experience;32.9%(23 students) thought they could stay in the internship unit after practice;moreover,17.1%(12 students) believed practice had little effect on employment. Among them,94.0%(63 students) tended to be employed after graduation,and only 6.0% chose a graduate school to continue their studies. Among the students who chose employment after graduation,76.1%(51 students)tended to engage in pharmaceutical related work,while 17.9%(12 stu-dents) tended to be engaged in work nothing to do with pharmacy or self-employed. The majority (69.6%,48 students) believed that pharmaceutical major prospect was general and pharmaceutical major development varied from person to person;17.4%(12 students)thought pharmaceutical major had good prospect and was promising;13.0%(9 students)believed that pharmaceutical ma-jor had no good prospect and didn't know its prospect. Most of the students(78.2%,54 students)expected a monthly income of 2500-5000 yuan in the first year of their career;18.9%expected a monthly income more than 5000 yuan(13 students);the minor-ity expected a monthly income of 1500-2500 yuan or more than 8000 yuan. CONCLUSIONS:The view of students on internship and employment have a certain gap with the social situation. Related departments of colleges and universities need to adjust the thought of students and strengthen guidance.

AIM: To study the effects of fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) on directional differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) into odontoblasts and pulp tissue.METHODS: hDPSCs were isolated and cultured, and identified with flow cytometry by detecting cell surface markers of hDPSCs.FGF8 at concentration of 50 μg/L was added into the mineralization fluid to induce the differentiation of the hDPSCs.The mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and core-binding factor alpha 1 (Cbfa-1) in differentiated cells was detected by real-time PCR.FGF8 and mouse E11.5 dental epithelium formed restructuring cell group with hDPSCs, and then the restructuring cell group was transplanted under renal capsule membrane in nude mice for tissue culture.DNA in situ hybridization was used to identify the sources of odontoblasts and pulp cells.RESULTS: The surface markers of CD29 and CD90 showed positive in isolated hDPSCs.FGF8 induced hDPSCs to form a distinct mineralization nodule, and the expression of dentin-specific proteins, DSPP, BSP and Cbfa-1, was increased.hDPSCs were induced to differentiate into odontoblasts and pulp cells by E11.5 dental epithelium and FGF8.CONCLUSION: FGF8 can assist dental epithelium to induce directional differetiation of hDPSCs into odontoblasts and pulp cells, and formation of dentin and dental pulp cavity structure.