ObjectiveBy starting with the combination of Os Draconis， Bupleuri Radix， and Ostreae Concha， the role of mineral medicine Os Draconis in the combination of the Bupleuri Radix-containing tri-herbal medicines was preliminarily explored from the perspective of supramolecular system formation. Method① The appearance and Tyndall phenomenon of single decoction of Os Draconis， Bupleuri Radix， and Ostreae Concha， as well as co-decoction of Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis， Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha， and Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha were observed， and the average particle size， dispersion coefficient， and Zeta potential of suspension particles in each decoction were determined. The micromorphology of supramolecular structures was observed by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. ② The pH of different compatibility systems， liquid viscosity coefficient， liquid surface tension， freeze-dried powder yield rate， and other physical properties were determined， and the interaction of different compatibility systems was detected by infrared absorption spectroscopy （FTIR） and UV-visible spectrophotometry （UV-Vis）. ③ The composition and content difference of different compatible systems were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）. ResultCompared with the single decoction， the co-decoction had more obvious turbidity and Tyndall phenomenon. The particles in the co-decoction suspension were smaller and more evenly distributed， and the Zeta potential was reduced， indicating a more stable system. Under SEM， Bupleuri Radix was irregularly lamellar， and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha were mainly spherical nanoparticles. Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha was irregularly lamellar， with a small number of spherical nanoparticles. The pH of the single decoction of Bupleuri Radix and co-decoction increased， and the viscosity coefficient increased. The liquid surface tension decreased. The freeze-dried powder yield rate of the Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis co-decoction was the highest， followed by Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha decoction and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha decoction， and the yield rate of Bupleuri Radix single decoction was the lowest. The main change of FTIR was the stretching vibration of -OH， and the co-decoction moved to the low-frequency direction obviously. UV-Vis showed that the maximum absorption occurred at 295.8 nm for all groups， and the absorption intensity was different （Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis>Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha>Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha>Bupleuri Radix）. The components of Bupleuri Radix were used as the indexes， and the content of methanol extract determined by HPLC was higher than that of water extract， and the components of Bupleuri Radix single decoction were mainly saikosaponin a （SSa） and saikosaponin c （SSc）， which were slightly higher after co-decoction compatibility. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS could identify 37 compounds in both single decoction and co-decoction. ConclusionThe combination of Bupleuri Radix， Os Draconis， and Ostreae Concha can form a smaller， more uniform， and stable nano-sized supramolecular system， which is conducive to the dissolution of the main components of Bupleuri Radix， and the Os Draconis contributes the most in this process.

The increasing frequency of radiographic diagnostic imaging and the cumulative dose to the public from radiation has raised widespread concerns. However, accurate measurement of the radiation dose received by the human body is difficult to achieve. Monte Carlo simulation, as a numerical computational method guided by probability statistics theory, has been applied to various dose assessments, imaging optimizations, and radiation protection in radiographic diagnostic imaging. We provide a comprehensive review of the principles of the Monte Carlo method, the modelling process of Monte Carlo simulation and the progress of its application to diagnostic radiological dose estimation.

Objective:To explore the application effects of the goal-oriented teaching method based on mind mapping in the teaching of stomatology practical courses.Methods:From September 2022 to September 2023, 52 fourth-year students of clinical stomatology at Harbin Medical University were divided into test group and control group for practical teaching, with 26 cases in each group. The test group received goal-oriented teaching based on mind mapping, while the control group received traditional teaching, for 20 class hours in both groups. The two groups were compared in terms of general data, theoretical and practical assessment scores, the score of the self-rating scale of self-directed learning (SRSSDL) and the score of critical thinking disposition inventory-Chinese version (CTDI-CV) before and after training, and student satisfaction with teaching activities. SPSS 25.0 software was used to perform the t-test or χ2 test. Results:After completing the practical training courses, the test group showed significantly higher scores than the control group in multiple-choice questions [(16.85±1.39) vs. (15.33±2.21)], fill-in-the-blank questions [(17.21±1.98) vs. (16.01±2.02)], short answer questions [(17.47±2.27) vs. (15.23±2.45)], case analysis [(34.36±2.79) vs. (32.57±3.02)], and practical assessment [(84.69±4.73) vs. (80.57±4.21)] (all P<0.05). The SRSSDL score and CTDI-CV score were improved in both groups, and were significantly higher in the test group [(215.29±10.42) and (357.49±17.80)] than in the control group [(200.23±11.42) and (342.23±17.26)] (both P<0.05). The students of the test group were significantly more satisfied with teaching activities than those of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the traditional teaching method, the goal-oriented teaching method based on mind mapping is more effective in stomatology practical teaching, which can improve students' self-directed learning ability and critical thinking ability, promote their mastery of theoretical knowledge, enhance their clinical practice ability, and increase their satisfaction with teaching activities.

We researched the mechanism of African swine fever virus (ASFV) protein E248R in regulating the cGAS-STING pathway. First, we verified via the dual-luciferase reporter assay system that E248R protein inhibited the secretion of IFN-β induced by cGAS-STING or HT-DNA in a dose-dependent manner. The relative quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the overexpression of E248R inhibited HT-DNA-induced transcription of IFN-b1, RANTES, IL-6, and TNF-α in PK-15 cells. Next, we found that E248R interacted with STING by co-immunoprecipitation assay and laser confocal microscopy. Finally, we demonstrated that E248R inhibited the expression of STING protein by using Western blotting. We demonstrated for the first time that the E248R protein of ASFV suppressed the host innate immune response via inhibiting STING expression. The results are pivotal in extending the understanding of the ASFV immune escape and can guide the design of vaccines against ASFV.
African Swine Fever Virus/genetics* ; Animals ; DNA ; Immunity, Innate ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Swine

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious side effect of bone-modifying agents and inhibits angiogenesis agents. Although the pathogenesis of MRONJ is not entirely clear, multiple factors may be involved in specific microenvironments. The TGF-β1 signalling pathway may have a key role in the development of MRONJ. According to the clinical stage, multiple variables should be considered when selecting the most appropriate treatment. Therefore, the prevention and management of treatment of MRONJ should be conducted in patient-centred multidisciplinary team collaborative networks with oncologists, dentists and dental specialists. This would comprise a closed responsibility treatment loop with all benefits directed to the patient. Thus, in the present review, we aimed to summarise the pathogenesis, risk factors, imaging features, clinical staging, therapeutic methods, prevention and treatment strategies associated with MRONJ, which may provide a reference that can inform preventive strategies and improve the quality of life for patients in the future.
Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw/prevention & control* ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of 125I seed implantation on the treatment of refractory thyroid carcinoma.Methods A total of 14 patients with refractory thyroid carcinoma received CT and ultrasound image-guided 125I seed implantation in our hospital from Apr.2003 to Oct.2016.The radioactive activity ranged from 0.3 to 0.8 mCi,and the prescribed doses were 80 to 120 Gy.11 patients were diagnosed as differentiated thyroid carcinoma and 3 patients were medullary thyroid carcinoma.The local control rate,pain relief and complications were observed.Results The patients were followed up from 12 to 96 months.Two months after treatment,complete remission happened in three patients,partial remission in nine,and disease stability in two,no patients with progression.The half year,one year,two year local control rate was 100％,92％ and 42％,respectively.Seven patients were evaluated using number rating scales and obtained a score of 4.14±1.68 before therapy.Two months after treatment,the score was reduced to 2.00±1.15 (P＜0.000).No usual complications occurred during or after treatment except for I acute skin radio reaction in 4 cases.Conclusion 125I seed interstitial implantation for refractory thyroid carcinoma under guidance of ultrasound or CT is efficient and safe.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of detector array in Monaco modeling for MLC parameters adjustment.Methods One parameter was fixed, and then the other parameter was changed.The γ pass rates of the test beams, namely 3ABUT, 7SegA, and FOUR L, were assessed to determine the values of leaf transmission and leaf offset.A total of 12 tumor cases from different anatomical sites were randomly selected.Two-dimensional dose verification (rack angle zero) of Step& Shot and dMLC plans as well as three-dimensional dose validation of VMAT plan were performed using Octavius 4D system.The γ pass rates were analyzed at a standard of 3%/3 mm.Meanwhile, the point dose verification for these three plans was analyzed to obtain the dose deviations.Results The values of leaf transmission and leaf offset were 0.0105 and-0.08 mm, respectively.The average γ pass rates (%) of Step& Shot, dMLC, and VMAT plans were 88.59±2.94, 87.81±3.28, and 87.45±2.24 before adjustment and 98.45±1.23, 98.9±1.01, and 96.03±1.66 after adjustment.In addition, the average dose deviations (%) according to the point dose verification were 0.85±0.75, 0.95±0.39, and 0.98±0.40 before adjustment and 0.97±0.57, 1.08±0.76, and 0.86±0.45 after adjustment.Conclusions Octavius detector 729 ionization chamber array is a feasible and reliable device in Monaco modeling for MLC parameters adjustment.

Objective To investigate the gamma (γ) passing rates for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) dosimetric verification with different techniques.Methods A total of 12 VMAT plans for the treatment of different anatomical sites in cancer patients were chosen.The Octavius 4D system was used to measure the dose distributions in two different settings:the gantry was rotating (three-dimensional (3D) and 2D γ-analysis) and the gantry was fixed at 0°(2D γ-analysis).The γ passing rates were analyzed with 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm criteria, using the paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test.The 2D γ passing rates for different irradiation methods were calculated.Results For the 3D and 2D dose distributions obtained at a rotating gantry angle as well as the 2D dose distribution obtained at zero gantry angle, the average γ passing rates were 96.03%, 96.98%, and 98.90% for 3%/3 mm (P=0.227, P=0.000, P=0.003);82.08%, 84.04%, and 90.90% for 2%/2 mm (P=0.379, P=0.000, P=0.000).For the 2D dose distributions obtained with different irradiation methods, the average γ passing rate was 98.99% for 3%/3 mm and 93.68% for 2%/2 mm.Conclusions The VMAT dosimetric verification based on a 3D volumetric dosimeter at a rotating gantry position can be clinically useful for delivery quality assurance (QA), and can achieve the most reliable dose calculation for VMAT, which has more referential values.

The main constituents of a typical medicinal herb,Polygonum muMflorum (Heshouwu in Chinese),that induces idiosyncratic liver injury remain unclear.Our previous work has shown that cotreatment with a nontoxic dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and therapeutic dose of Heshouwu can induce liver injury in rats,whereas the solo treatment cannot induce observable injury.In the present work,using the constituent "knock-out" and "knock-in" strategy,we found that the ethyl acetate (EA) extract of Heshouwu displayed comparable idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity to the whole extract in LPS-treated rats.Results indicated a significant elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,and liver histologic changes,whereas other separated fractions failed to induce liver injury.The mixture of EA extract with other separated fractions induced comparable idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity to the whole extract in LPS-treated rats.Chemical analysis further revealed that 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy trans-stilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (trans-SG) and its cis-isomer were the two major compounds in EA extract.Furthermore,the isolated cis-,and not its trans-isomer,displayed comparable idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity to EA extract in LPS-treated rats.Higher contents of cis-SG were detected in Heshouwu liquor or preparations from actual liver intoxication patients associated with Heshouwu compared with general collected samples.In addition,plasma metabolomics analysis showed that cis-SG-disturbing enriched pathways remarkably differed from trans-SG ones in LPS-treated rats.All these results suggested that cis-SG was closely associated with the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Heshouwu.Considering that the cis-trans isomerization of transSG was mediated by ultraviolet light or sunlight,our findings serve as reference for controlling photoisomerization in drug discovery and for the clinical use of Heshouwu and stilbene-related medications.