The Delivery Model of Perceived Medical Service Quality Based on Donabedian's Framework.

ABSTRACT: The implementation of the National Health Insurance has transformed the medical care landscape in Taiwan, rendering perceived medical service quality (PMSQ) and patient satisfaction significant focal points in medical care management. Past studies mostly focused on the technical aspects of medical care services, while overlooking the patients' perception of services and the delivery process of PMSQ in the medical care experience. This study integrated the theoretical framework of the Donabedian SPO model and the SERVQUAL questionnaire. The survey was conducted among the outpatients of three types of medical institutions in northern Taiwan: academic medical centers, metropolitan hospitals, and local community hospitals. A total of 400 questionnaires were collected, and 315 valid questionnaires remained after eliminating the incomplete ones. This study established a PMSQ delivery model to explore patients' perceptions of medical service quality. It was found that the variable, Assurance, could deliver the PMSQ and enhance the Medical outcome (MO), while improving the variable, Tangible, in medical institutions could not significantly enhance the MO. These findings emphasize the importance of healthcare institutions prioritizing the professional background, demeanor of their healthcare staff, treatment methods, and processes over tangible elements.

Genetic diversity, population genetic structure and gene flow in the rare and endangered wild plant Cypripedium macranthos revealed by genotyping-by-sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Genetic diversity, genetic structure, and gene flow in plant populations and their influencing factors are important in conservation biology. Cypripedium macranthos is one of the few wild orchids with high ornamental value in northern China. However, over the past decade, excessive collection, trading, tourism development, habitat fragmentation, deceptive pollination, and seed germination difficulties have all caused a sharp decline in the number of C. macranthos individuals and its population. In order to propose a scientific and effective conservation strategy, the genetic diversity, genetic structure and gene flow of the current CM population are urgent scientific issues to be clarified. RESULTS: Here, 99 individuals of C. macranthos from north and northeast China were analyzed to evaluate the genetic diversity, gene flow among populations, and genetic structure by genotyping-by-sequencing. More than 68.44 Gb high-quality clean reads and 41,154 SNPs were obtained. Our data based on bioinformatics methods revealed that C. macranthos has lower genetic diversity, high levels of historical gene flow, and moderate-to-high genetic differentiation between populations. The gene migration model revealed that the direction of gene flow was mainly from northeast populations to north populations in China. The results of genetic structure analysis showed that 11 C. macranthos populations can be considered as two groups, and further divided into four subgroups. Moreover, the Mantel test detected no significant "Isolation by Distance" between populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the present genetic diversity and genetic structure of C. macranthos populations were mainly caused by biological characteristics, human interference, habitat fragmentation, and restricted gene flow. Finally, constructive measures, which can provide a basis for the proposal of conservation strategies, have been suggested.

Values of Donor Serum Lipids and Calcium in Predicting Graft Function after Kidney Transplantation: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed graft function (DGF) and early graft loss of renal grafts are determined by the quality of the kidneys from the deceased donor. As "non-traditional" risk factors, serum biomarkers of donors, such as lipids and electrolytes, have drawn increasing attention due to their effects on the postoperative outcomes of renal grafts. This study aimed to examine the value of these serum biomarkers for prediction of renal graft function. METHODS: The present study consecutively collected 306 patients who underwent their first single kidney transplantation (KT) from adult deceased donors in our center from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. The correlation between postoperative outcomes [DGF and abnormal serum creatinine (SCr) after 6 and 12 months] and risk factors of donors, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), past histories, serum lipid biomarkers [cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (DL)], and serum electrolytes (calcium and sodium) were analyzed and evaluated. RESULTS: (1) Donor age and pre-existing hypertension were significantly correlated with the incidence rate of DGF and high SCr level (≥2 mg/dL) at 6 and 12 months after KT (P<0.05); (2) The donor's BMI was significantly correlated with the incidence rate of DGF after KT (P<0.05); (3) For serum lipids, merely the low level of serum HDL of the donor was correlated with the reduced incidence rate of high SCr level at 12 months after KT [P<0.05, OR (95% CI): 0.425 (0.202-0.97)]; (4) The serum calcium of the donor was associated with the reduced incidence rate of high SCr level at 6 and 12 months after KT [P<0.05, OR (95% CI): 0.184 (0.045-0.747) and P<0.05, OR (95% CI): 0.114 (0.014-0.948), respectively]. CONCLUSION: The serum HDL and calcium of the donor may serve as predictive factors for the postoperative outcomes of renal grafts after KT, in addition to the donor's age, BMI and pre-existing hypertension.

Effects of qufeng xuanfei formula in guinea pig model of airway hyperergy.

This work aimed to clarify the potential regulating effects of Qufeng Xuanfei formula (QFXF) on airway neurogenic inflammation and its underlying target signal pathway. Guinea pig model of airway hyperergy (AHR) was used. The relative susceptibility of major proteins to airway neurogenic inflammation was assessed using Western blot immunoassay followed by being separated by SDS-PAGE. Compared to the model group, QFXF of all concentrations effectively depressed the capsaicin enhanced cough in guinea pigs and the peak values of airway resistance significantly decreased. The results illustrated that QFXF alleviated cough symptom in guinea pigs and reduced airway neurogenic inflammation when compared to AHR model group. Airway inflammation and damage, as well as the levels of NGF, SP and c-Fos in QFXF decreased the most in the high-dose group. The mechanism of antitussive activity may be associated with reducing airway inflammation. QFXF displayed effect on chronic cough through reducing the levels of neuropeptides, attenuating airway inflammation and promoting recovery from disease to decrease the airway neuro sensitivity, suggesting that the potential mechanism may be related to Ras/ERK/c-Fos pathway.

The chloroplast genome of Lappula myosotis V. Wolf, a medicinal species.

Lappula myosotis V. Wolf 1776 is an annual or biennial plant with important medicinal value. In the present study, we report the complete chloroplast genome data of L. myosotis, which has a length of 146,668 bp, including a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,059 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 79,691 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,959 bp. A total of 127 genes encoding tRNA and rRNA were annotated. The total CG content of the chloroplast genome was 37.7%. The maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree strongly supported that L. myosotis is closely related to Trigonotis peduncularis. The complete chloroplast genome of L. myosotis provides useful information on the evolution and phylogenetic relationship among Boraginaceae plants.

Current status of surgery for portal hypertension in China: a national multi-center survey analysis / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective:To explore the current status of surgery for portal hypertension to grasp current status and future development of surgery in China.Methods:This study is jointly sponsored by China Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Specialist Alliance & Portal Hypertension Alliance in China (CHESS).Comprehensive surveying is conducted for basic domestic situations of surgery for portal hypertension, including case load, surgical approaches, management of postoperative complications, primary effects, existing confusion and obstacles, liver transplantation(LT), laparoscopic procedures and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS), etc.Results:A total of 8 512 cases of portal hypertension surgery are performed at 378 hospitals nationwide in 2021.Splenectomy plus devascularization predominated(53.0%)and laparoscopy accounted for 76.1%.Primary goal is preventing rebleeding(67.0%) and 72.8% of hospitals used preventive anticoagulants after conventional surgery.And 80.7% of teams believe that the formation of postoperative portal vein thrombosis is a surgical dilemma and 65.3% of hospitals practiced both laparoscopy and TIPS.The major reasons for patients with portal hypertension not receiving LT are due to a lack of qualifications for LT(69.3%)and economic factors(69.0%).Conclusions:Surgery is an integral part of management of portal hypertension in China.However, it is imperative to further standardize the grasp of surgical indications, the handling of surgical operation and the management of postoperative complications.Moreover, prospective, multi-center randomized controlled clinical studies should be performed.

Impact of the bidirectional relationship between communication and cognitive efficacy on orthopedic patient adherence behavior.

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in patient autonomy, and communication between physicians and patients has become the essential cornerstone for improving the quality of healthcare services. Previous research has concentrated on the direct effect of physician-patient communication on service outcomes. In the present study, we examined the influence among constructs in the service process and the impact on healthcare outcomes. The present study used behavioral theory to expand the process aspect of the Donabedian healthcare service quality structure-process-outcome model to examine the impact of cognitive changes and communication feedback on patients' adherence behavior. In addition, the moderating effect of hospital facility levels is examined. METHODS: A conceptual model was developed and tested using a questionnaire administered to patients in eight hospitals. A total of 397 respondents returned usable surveys, with a response rate of 92.11%. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data in two steps that involved a measurement model and a structural model. The former was applied to estimate the Cronbach's alphas, intercorrelations of factors, and descriptive statistics; the latter was used to test the hypothesized relationships of the constructs. RESULTS: The results identified three mediators of the healthcare process within the healthcare services framework: physician-patient communication, cognitive efficacy, and adherence behavior. Physician-patient communication influenced cognitive efficacy (ß = 0.16, p < 0.001), and cognitive efficacy influenced physician-patient communication (ß = 0.18, p < 0.001). The effect of this bidirectional relationship on adherence behavior was positive (ß = 0.38, p < 0.001). The healthcare structure influenced healthcare outcomes via these three healthcare process constructs. The adherence behavior of patients who were treated in the medical center has greater influences by the structure and physician-patient communication than it was treated in the regional hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a complex pattern in relationships among process constructs for healthcare services. The findings of this study acknowledge the important potential interrelationships among the healthcare service constructs to improve the quality of healthcare outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRREC104107. Date: 22/01/2016. Prospectively Registered.

Sinomenine Attenuated Capsaicin-Induced Increase in Cough Sensitivity in Guinea Pigs by Inhibiting SOX5/TRPV1 Axis and Inflammatory Response.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is a common complaint which affects a large number of patients worldwide. Increased cough sensitivity is a very important cause of chronic persistent cough. However, there are limited clinical diagnosis and treatment for increased cough sensitivity. Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPVl) is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of channels which is very closely associated with respiratory diseases. However, the mechanism through which TRPV1 that influences downstream events is still poorly understood. RESULTS: Capsaicin induced increase in cough sensitivity by upregulating the protein level of TRPV1, leading to the secretions of Substance P and neurokinin A which stimulated neurogenic inflammation. However, sinomenine, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, significantly attenuated the capsaicin-induced cough by inhibiting the expression of TRPV1 in guinea pigs. In addition, capsaicin increased the expression of SOX5 which mediated the transcriptional upregulation of TRPV1. However, pretreatment with sinomenine reduced the expression of SOX5. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that capsaicin induced increase in cough sensitivity by activating neurogenic inflammation, while sinomenine attenuated the increase in cough sensitivity by inhibiting the expressions of SOX5 and TRPV1 in guinea pigs. This finding may provide a novel target for the treatment of aggravated cough sensitivity.

[Comparative study on the academic thought of bloodletting for expelling pathogens between Jin-Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties].

The relevant provisions of bloodletting for expelling pathogens are collected from the works of the medical representative scholars in Jin-Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties respectively to construct the databases of bloodletting for expelling pathogens of Jin-Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties. Using frequency analysis, the bloodletting device, bloodletting location, bloodletting volume, the related pathogens and indications are compared between these two times so that the evidences could be provided for the inheritance and development of the academic thought of bloodletting for expelling pathogens. It is found that the three-edge needle is the most commonly used device for bloodletting in Jin-Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties and yang meridians and local affected area are generally selected for bloodletting. The range of meridian and acupoint selection in Ming-Qing Dynasties are more extensive than those in Jin-Yuan Dynasties, while bloodletting volume is less than that in Jin-Yuan Dynasties. In Jin-Yuan Dynasties, bloodletting therapy is mainly for expelling exogenous pathogens i.e. heat, fire and wind, while, in Ming-Qing Dynasties, this therapy is specially for clearing heat and removing stasis. The disorders of internal medicine are often treated with such therapy in these two dynasties. But, compared with Jin-Yuan Dynasties, the indication of bloodletting therapy is expanded gradually in Ming-Qing Dynasties. It is shown that the academic thought of bloodletting for expelling pathogens in Jin-Yuan Dynasties is inherited and developed from Ming-Qing Dynasties.

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. decoction exerts a protective effect on rats with severe acute pancreatitis by regulating the lncRNA PVT1/miRNA-30a-5p signaling pathway / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. decoction (YCHT), a classic heat-clearing and cholagogic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, on rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) induced by sodium taurocholate. MethodsA total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation (SO) group, SAP model group, and YCHT (4.0 g/kg) treatment group, with 10 rats in each group. At 24 hours after successful modeling, pancreatic tissue and plasma samples were collected for analysis. HE staining was used to observe pathological injury of the pancreas; ELISA was used to measure the plasma levels of amylase, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β); immunofluorescent staining was used to measure the fluorescence intensity of LC-3 protein, and TUNEL was used to measure cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of LC-3, Beclin-1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), caspase-3, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the pancreas, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of lncRNA PVT1 and miRNA-30a-5p. A one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey’s test were used to analyze the differences between multiple independent samples. ResultsYCHT significantly alleviated the pathological injury of the pancreas of SAP rats, such as edema, necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the SO group, the SAP group had significant increases in the plasma levels of amylase and the inflammatory factors TNFα and IL-1β, and there were significant reductions in the plasma levels of amylase, TNFα, and IL-1β after YCHT treatment (all P＜0.05). Compared with the SO group, the SAP group had significant increases in LC-3II/LC-3I ratio and the protein expression of Beclin-1, XIAP, caspase-3, and NF-κB, and compared with the SAP group, the YCHT group had significant reductions in LC-3II/LC-3I ratio and the protein expression of Beclin-1, XIAP, and NF-κB (all P＜0.05). Compared with the SO group, the SAP group had a significant increase in the expression of lncRNA PVT1 and a significant reduction in the expression of miRNA-30a-5p in the pancreas (both P＜0.05), and compared with the SAP group, the YCHT group had a significant reduction in the expression of lncRNA PVT1 and a significant increase in the expression of miRNA-30a-5p (both P＜0.05). ConclusionCell autophagy and apoptosis mediated by lncRNA PVT1/miRNA-30a-5p may be a drug target for YCHT treatment of SAP, which provides experimental and theoretical bases for further development of the TCM prescription YCHT for the treatment of SAP.

Corrigendum to "Using Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Making Approach for Assessing the Risk of Railway Reconstruction Project in Taiwan".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2014/239793.].

Differentially charged nanoplastics demonstrate distinct accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Although the fates of microplastics (0.1-5 mm in size) and nanoplastics (<100 nm) in marine environments are being increasingly well studied1,2, little is known about the behaviour of nanoplastics in terrestrial environments3-6, especially agricultural soils7. Previous studies have evaluated the consequences of nanoplastic accumulation in aquatic plants, but there is no direct evidence for the internalization of nanoplastics in terrestrial plants. Here, we show that both positively and negatively charged nanoplastics can accumulate in Arabidopsis thaliana. The aggregation promoted by the growth medium and root exudates limited the uptake of amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics with positive surface charges. Thus, positively charged nanoplastics accumulated at relatively low levels in the root tips, but these nanoplastics induced a higher accumulation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited plant growth and seedling development more strongly than negatively charged sulfonic-acid-modified nanoplastics. By contrast, the negatively charged nanoplastics were observed frequently in the apoplast and xylem. Our findings provide direct evidence that nanoplastics can accumulate in plants, depending on their surface charge. Plant accumulation of nanoplastics can have both direct ecological effects and implications for agricultural sustainability and food safety.

Application of minimally invasive integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy based on the SELECT concept in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic tumors / 临床肝胆病杂志

Among digestive malignancies, compared with gastrointestinal tumors, biliary and pancreatic tumors are difficult to diagnose in the early stage and have fewer opportunities for radical surgical resection, with a shorter survival time and poorer quality of life, and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such tumors remain a difficult issue that needs to be solved urgently in clinical practice. Based on the different locations and features of biliary and pancreatic tumors, the SELECT concept selects the optimal combination of minimally invasive endoscopies (laparoscopy, choledochoscopy, duodenoscopy, Spyglass, and endoscopic ultrasound) and applies traditional Chinese medicine treatment in the perioperative period, so as to achieve early diagnosis and treatment, prolong the survival time with tumor, improve quality of life, and strive to realize the goal of cure.

Application of minimally invasive integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy based on the SELECT concept in the treatment of acute pancreatitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the common digestive diseases. With the advances in technology, the treatment concept of AP has changed, more and more minimally invasive techniques have been applied in the treatment of AP, especially severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Although there are various different minimally invasive treatment methods for AP, no reliable clinical studies have reported that one technique is significantly better than others. The therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy in acute pancreatitis (AP) has been widely recognized. In recent years, our team has accumulated rich experience in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for AP and has proposed the innovative SELECT concept (Spyglass, ERCP, Laparoscopy, EUS, Choledochoscopy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine) for diagnosis and treatment. The optimal combination of various endoscopies is SELECTed based on the severity and etiology of AP, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment can be used as well to realize the advantages of minimally invasive integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy in the treatment of AP. This article elaborates on the minimally invasive treatment methods for each clinical stage of SAP based on the SELECT concept.

Application of minimally invasive integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy based on the SELECT concept in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases / 临床肝胆病杂志

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases are common and frequently occurring diseases in the digestive system, and several hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases are difficult to diagnose and treat, with a high incidence rate of complications. With the development of minimally invasive devices and instruments and the application of various laparoscopic/endoscopic techniques, most hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases can be diagnosed and treated by minimally invasive techniques. Traditional Chinese medicine plays an important synergistic role during the perioperative period for hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases and can accelerate the recovery of patients. The team of Liaoning Provincial Center for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Therapy for Biliary and Pancreatic Diseases led by the authors has mastered various laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques and proposed the concept of SELECT (Spyglass, ERCP, Laparoscopy, EUS, Choledochoscopy, and traditional Chinese medicine) by summarizing the successful experience in the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases in recent years. The optimal combination of minimally invasive multi-endoscopic techniques is selected based on the features of different hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment is also applied in the perioperative period, so as to achieve minimally invasive, individualized, and precise integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.

Minimally invasive integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for hepatolithiasis based on the SELECT concept / 临床肝胆病杂志

Hepatolithiasis is difficult to treat in clinical practice and has high recurrence rate and incidence rate of complications, improper diagnosis and treatment can easily lead to hepatic insufficiency, and thus it has become one of the difficult problems to be solved in clinical practice. With the improvement of medical equipment and the wide application of various minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, most patients with hepatolithiasis can receive effective treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine therapy can prevent the recurrence of calculi and promote patients’ recovery during the perioperative period. Based on the SELECT (Spyglass, ERCP, Laparoscopy, EUS, Choledochoscopy, Traditional Chinese Medicine) concept, minimally invasive treatment with a combination of various endoscopies should be selected according to the type and clinical features of hepatolithiasis and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy should be given in the perioperative period to realize the minimally invasive, diversified, and individualized integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for hepatolithiasis.

Composition and source apportionment differences of daytime and nighttime samples of PM2.5 in the community of suburb in Tianjin during different heating periods / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To study the pollution and source apportionment differences of different periods PM2.5 in the residential community of suburb in Tianjin City during heating and non-heating periods. Methods From 2015 to 2016, daytime and nighttime PM2.5 samples were collected at a community in the suburb of Tianjin. The mass concentration of PM2.5 samples and major chemical components in PM2.5, including metal elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and inorganic water-soluble ions were monitored. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was used to apportion potential sources of metal elements, PAHs and inorganic water-soluble ions in daytime and nighttime PM2.5. Results In the heating period, the concentrations of some metal elements of suburban residential community were higher in the daytime than in the nighttime. In the non-heating period, the concentrations of some PAHs and inorganic water-soluble ions of suburban residential community were higher in the nighttime than in the daytime. Meanwhile, the concentrations of some metal elements were greater in the daytime than in the nighttime. When in heating period, the main source of PM2.5 in the suburban residential community was coal combustion during daytime and its source contribution rate was 50.1% while secondary aerosol and fuel combustion emissions of gasoline and diesel vehicles were main sources during nighttime and their source contribution rates were 41.0% and 35.9%. The principal source of daytime PM2.5 in the suburban residential community was indoor activity emissions during non-heating period, and secondary aerosol was main source during nighttime and their source contribution rates were 29.8% and 31.1%. Conclusions The pollution status of PM2.5 in residential communities of suburban is serious, and the source apportionment of day and night PM2.5 samples has different in different heating periods.

A preliminary analysis on using traditional Chinese medicine differentiation thinking for treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst induced by severe acute pancreatitis / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC) is one of the common peri-pancreatic complications of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and it belongs to the category of Zhengjiajiju in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Clinically, skilled use of surgical minimally invasive means combined with TCM treatment has remarkable advantages in promoting the rate of cystic absorption, reducing the surgical intervention rate, lowering the incidence of complications, etc. TCM syndrome differentiation treatment for SAP complicated with PPC can start from Shaoyang meridian lesions, and the treatment of Shaoyang liver and gallbladder visceral disease can be taken as an example. The clinical therapeutic result is significant by using soothing liver and normalizing gallbladder function, removing stagnancy and obstruction of the fu-organs and invigorating blood circulation and softening hard mass as the basic TCM rules to dialectically use the PPC basic prescription, locally accompanying with external therapy. The discussion of this article focuses on the experience of using TCM syndrome differentiation for treatment of patients with PPC induced by SAP.

Noninvasive measurement of radiopharmaceutical time-activity data using external thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs).

In this study, we present a new method for estimating the time-activity data using serial timely measurements of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). The approach is based on the combination of the measurement of surface dose using TLD and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to estimate the radiopharmaceutical time-activity data. It involves four steps: (1) identify the source organs and outline their contours in computed tomography images; (2) compute the S values on the body surface for each source organ using a MC code; (3) obtain a serial measurement of the dose with numerous TLDs placed on the body surface; (4) solve the dose-activity equation to generate organ cumulative activity for each period of measurement. The activity of each organ at the time of measurement is simply the cumulative activity divided by the timespan between measurements. The usefulness of this method was studied using a MC simulation based on an Oak Ridge National Laboratory mathematical phantom with 18F-FDG filled in six source organs. Numerous TLDs were placed on different locations of the surface and were repeatedly read and replaced. The time-activity curves (TACs) of all organs were successfully reconstructed. Experiments on a physical phantom were also performed. Preliminary results indicate that it is an effective, robust, and simple method for assessing the TAC. The proposed method holds great potential for a range of applications in areas such as targeted radionuclide therapy, pharmaceutical research, and patient-specific dose estimation.

Research progress in the modulating effect of high-density lipoprotein on neutrophil function / 生理学报

For a long period, studies about the modulating effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on inflammatory cells mainly focus on cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, researchers have found the significant role of HDL in many other fields, such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, systemic inflammatory disease, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases. Researches have shown that HDL can inhibit the function of activated neutrophil via disturbing the cytokine production, deformation, adhesion, transmigration and pathogen elimination. Clinical trials have discovered that serum HDL level is negatively correlated with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in healthy males with low HDL level. In addition, serum HDL level is closely associated with disease severity of severe acute pancreatitis. Consequently, understanding the effect and mechanism of the regulation of HDL on neutrophil function plays an important role in remedying the diseases resulted from excessively activated neutrophil.