Oxidative stress is associated with Aß accumulation in chronic sleep deprivation model.

Amyloid-ß (Aß) accumulation is the main pathological change in Alzheimer's disease (AD), which results from the imbalance of production and clearance of Aß in the brain. Our previous study found that chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) led to the deposition of Aß in the brain by disrupting the balance of Aß production and clearance, but the specific mechanism was not clear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of oxidative stress on Aß accumulation in CSD rats. We found that the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased after CSD, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased in the brain. Furthermore, the serum ROS was elevated and SOD declined after CSD. The levels of oxidative stress in the brain were significantly correlated with ß-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1), and receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) levels in hippocampus and prefrontal lobe, and the concentration of serum oxidative mediators were strongly correlated with plasma levels of soluble LRP1 (sLRP1) and soluble RAGE (sRAGE). These results suggested that the oxidative stress in the brain and serum may involved in the CSD-induced Aß accumulation. The underlying mechanism may be associated with disrupting the balance of Aß production and clearance.

SERPINH1 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Serpin peptidase inhibitor clade H member 1 (SERPINH1) was initially recognized as an oncogene implicated in various human malignancies. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance and functional implications of SERPINH1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely elusive. AIM: To investigate the effects of SERPINH1 on CRC cells and its specific mechanism. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting analysis, The Cancer Genome Atlas data mining and immunohistochemistry were employed to examine SERPINH1 expression in CRC cell lines and tissues. A series of in-vitro assays were performed to demonstrate the function of SERPINH1 and its possible mechanisms in CRC. RESULTS: SERPINH1 demonstrated elevated expression levels in both CRC cells and tissues, manifested at both mRNA and protein tiers. Elevated SERPINH1 levels correlated closely with advanced T stage, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis, exhibiting a significant association with poorer overall survival among CRC patients. Subsequent investigations unveiled that SERPINH1 overexpression notably bolstered CRC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro, while conversely, SERPINH1 knockdown elicited the opposite effects. Gene set enrichment analysis underscored a correlation between SERPINH1 upregulation and genes associated with cell cycle regulation. Our findings underscored the capacity of heightened SERPINH1 levels to expedite G1/S phase cell cycle progression via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway activation, thereby facilitating CRC cell invasion and migration. CONCLUSION: These findings imply a crucial involvement of SERPINH1 in the advancement and escalation of CRC, potentially positioning it as a novel candidate for prognostic assessment and therapeutic intervention in CRC management.

BsLPMO10A from Bacillus subtilis boosts the depolymerization of diverse polysaccharides linked via ß-1,4-glycosidic bonds.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) is known as an oxidatively cleaving enzyme in recalcitrant polysaccharide deconstruction. Herein, we report a novel AA10 LPMO derived from Bacillus subtilis (BsLPMO10A). A substrate specificity study revealed that the enzyme exhibited an extensive active-substrate spectrum, particularly for polysaccharides linked via ß-1,4 glycosidic bonds, such as ß-(Man1 â†’ 4Man), ß-(Glc1 â†’ 4Glc) and ß-(Xyl1 â†’ 4Xyl). HPAEC-PAD and MALDI-TOF-MS analyses indicated that BsLPMO10A dominantly liberated native oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 3-6 and C1-oxidized oligosaccharides ranging from DP3ox to DP6ox from mixed linkage glucans and beechwood xylan. Due to its synergistic action with a variety of glycoside hydrolases, including glucanase IDSGLUC5-38, xylanase TfXYN11-1, cellulase IDSGLUC5-11 and chitinase BtCHI18-1, BsLPMO10A dramatically accelerated glucan, xylan, cellulose and chitin saccharification. After co-reaction for 72 h, the reducing sugars in Icelandic moss lichenan, beechwood xylan, phosphoric acid swollen cellulose and chitin yielded 3176 ± 97, 7436 ± 165, 649 ± 44, and 2604 ± 130 µmol/L, which were 1.47-, 1.56-, 1.44- and 1.25-fold higher than those in the GHs alone groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In addition, the synergy of BsLPMO10A and GHs was further validated by the degradation of natural feedstuffs, the co-operation of BsLPMO10A and GHs released 3266 ± 182 and 1725 ± 107 µmol/L of reducing sugars from Oryza sativa L. and Arachis hypogaea L. straws, respectively, which were significantly higher than those produced by GHs alone (P < 0.001). Furthermore, BsLPMO10A also accelerated the liberation of reducing sugars from Celluclast® 1.5 L, a commercial cellulase cocktail, on filter paper, A. hypogaea L. and O. sativa L. straws by 49.58 % (P < 0.05), 72.19 % (P < 0.001) and 54.36 % (P < 0.05), respectively. This work has characterized BsLPMO10A with a broad active-substrate scope, providing a promising candidate for lignocellulosic biomass biorefinery.

An LW-Opsin Mutation Changes the Gene Expression of the Phototransduction Pathway: A Cryptochrome1 Mutation Enhances the Phototaxis of Male Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

Plutella xylostella is a typical phototactic pest. LW-opsin contributes to the phototaxis of P. xylostella, but the expression changes of other genes in the phototransduction pathway caused by the mutation of LW-opsin remain unknown. In the study, the head transcriptomes of male G88 and LW-opsin mutants were compared. A GO-function annotation showed that DEGs mainly belonged to the categories of molecular functions, biological processes, and cell composition. Additionally, a KEGG-pathway analysis suggested that DEGs were significantly enriched in some classical pathways, such as the phototransduction-fly and vitamin digestion and absorption pathways. The mRNA expressions of genes in the phototransduction-fly pathway, such as Gq, ninaC, and rdgC were significantly up-regulated, and trp, trpl, inaD, cry1, ninaA and arr1 were significantly down-regulated. The expression trends of nine DEGs in the phototransduction pathway confirmed by a RT-qPCR were consistent with transcriptomic data. In addition, the influence of a cry1 mutation on the phototaxis of P. xylostella was examined, and the results showed that the male cry1 mutant exhibited higher phototactic rates to UV and blue lights than the male G88. Our results indicated that the LW-opsin mutation changed the expression of genes in the phototransduction pathway, and the mutation of cry1 enhanced the phototaxis of a P. xylostella male, providing a basis for further investigation on the phototransduction pathway in P. xylostella.

Construction of artificial light-harvesting systems based on a variety of polyelectrolyte materials and application in photocatalysis.

In the present work, we designed and synthesized a cationic cyano-substituted p-phenylenevinylene derivative (PPTA), which can form supramolecular assemblies through electrostatic interaction with a type of polyelectrolyte material anionic guar gum (GP5A). A polyelectrolyte-based artificial light-harvesting system (LHS) was constructed by selecting a fluorescent dye sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) that matched its energy level as an energy acceptor. The energy harvested by the acceptors was used in the aqueous phase cross dehydrogenation coupling (CDC) reaction with a yield of up to 87%. In addition, the general applicability of polyelectrolyte materials to build artificial LHS was demonstrated by three other polyelectrolyte materials sodium polyphenylene sulfonate (RSS), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and sodium polyacrylate (PAAS), in which the CDC reaction was also carried out by these three LHSs and obtained high yields. This work not only provides a new method to construct LHSs by using polyelectrolyte materials, but also provides a beneficial exploration for further applying the energy harvested in LHSs to the field of photocatalysis in an aqueous solution.

Research on UCAV Maneuvering Decision Method Based on Heuristic Reinforcement Learning.

With the rapid development of unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)-related technologies, UCAVs are playing an increasingly important role in military operations. It has become an inevitable trend in the development of future air combat battlefields that UCAVs complete air combat tasks independently to acquire air superiority. In this paper, the UCAV maneuver decision problem in continuous action space is studied based on the deep reinforcement learning strategy optimization method. The UCAV platform model of continuous action space was established. Focusing on the problem of insufficient exploration ability of Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) exploration strategy in the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm, a heuristic DDPG algorithm was proposed by introducing heuristic exploration strategy, and then a UCAV air combat maneuver decision method based on a heuristic DDPG algorithm is proposed. The superior performance of the algorithm is verified by comparison with different algorithms in the test environment, and the effectiveness of the decision method is verified by simulation of air combat tasks with different difficulty and attack modes.

Novel Strategy of Constructing Artificial Light-Harvesting System with Two-Step Sequential Energy Transfer for Efficient Photocatalysis in Water.

An efficient artificial light-harvesting system with a two-step sequential energy transfer was fabricated in the aqueous solution based on the host-guest interactions between cyano-substituted p-phenylenevinylene derivative (PPTA) and a water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5). PPTA-WP5 complex could self-assemble into nanoparticles, and two fluorescent dyes eosin Y (EY) and Nile Red (NIR) are employed as acceptors to realize sequential energy transfer. The PPTA-WP5-EY-NIR system could achieve efficient two-step sequential energy transfer process from PPTA-WP5 to EY and then to NIR (67% for the first step and 66% for the second step). Moreover, to make full use of the harvested energy, the hydrophobic microenvironment in the assembled nanoparticles is used to promote the aerobic cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction in aqueous medium with 88% yield after 12 h of irradiation. To our knowledge, this is the first example of artificial LHS with two-step energy transfer used to catalyze the CDC reaction in aqueous medium. This work directly mimics the function of photosynthesis in nature of converting solar energy into chemical energy in aqueous solution.

An automatic identification system for citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing) using a YOLO convolutional neural network.

Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease, has complex and variable symptoms, making its diagnosis almost entirely reliant on subjective experience, which results in a low diagnosis efficiency. To overcome this problem, we constructed and validated a deep learning (DL)-based method for detecting citrus HLB using YOLOv5l from digital images. Three models (Yolov5l-HLB1, Yolov5l-HLB2, and Yolov5l-HLB3) were developed using images of healthy and symptomatic citrus leaves acquired under a range of imaging conditions. The micro F1-scores of the Yolov5l-HLB2 model (85.19%) recognising five HLB symptoms (blotchy mottling, "red-nose" fruits, zinc-deficiency, vein yellowing, and uniform yellowing) in the images were higher than those of the other two models. The generalisation performance of Yolov5l-HLB2 was tested using test set images acquired under two photographic conditions (conditions B and C) that were different from that of the model training set condition (condition A). The results suggested that this model performed well at recognising the five HLB symptom images acquired under both conditions B and C, and yielded a micro F1-score of 84.64% and 85.84%, respectively. In addition, the detection performance of the Yolov5l-HLB2 model was better for experienced users than for inexperienced users. The PCR-positive rate of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) detection (the causative pathogen for HLB) in the samples with five HLB symptoms as classified using the Yolov5l-HLB2 model was also compared with manual classification by experts. This indicated that the model can be employed as a preliminary screening tool before the collection of field samples for subsequent PCR testing. We also developed the 'HLBdetector' app using the Yolov5l-HLB2 model, which allows farmers to complete HLB detection in seconds with only a mobile phone terminal and without expert guidance. Overall, we successfully constructed a reliable automatic HLB identification model and developed the user-friendly 'HLBdetector' app, facilitating the prevention and timely control of HLB transmission in citrus orchards.

[Implication of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and Tei index of left ventricle changes in children with ventricular septal defect treated by transcatheter interventional therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the implication of the dynamic changes of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and Tei index of left ventricle (LV) in children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) treated by transcatheter closure. METHODS: Sixty children with VSD treated by transcatheter closure with VSD occluder (Group VSD) and 30 healthy children (Group C) were included in this study. The plasma concentration of NT-proBNP, Tei index of LV and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured in Group C and at before, 5th minute, 4th hour, 1st month, 3rd month and 6th month after VSD closure in Group VSD. RESULTS: (1) The concentration of plasma NT-proBNP was significantly increased in children with VSD before transcatheter closure compared with Group C [(229.45 ± 57.75) ng/L vs. (99.21 ± 46.86) ng/L, P < 0.01], significantly increased at 5th minute and 24th hour after transcatheter closure [(356.27 ± 96.78) ng/L and (356.38 ± 91.95) ng/L vs. (229.45 ± 57.75) ng/L, all P < 0.01], and significantly decreased at 1st month, 3rd months and 6th months after transcatheter closure [(131.33 ± 34.79) ng/L, (96.56 ± 31.55) ng/L and (93.39 ± 29.46) ng/L vs. (229.45 ± 57.75) ng/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. (2) The Tei indexes of LV in Group VSD before transcatheter closure were significantly higher than in Group C (0.45 ± 0.05 vs. 0.33 ± 0.08, P < 0.01) and Tei index was significantly increased at 24th hour, 1st month after transcatheter closure (P < 0.01) while significantly decreased at 3rd and 6th month compared with those before transcatheter closure (0.34 ± 0.07 and 0.34 ± 0.06 vs. 0.45 ± 0.05, all P < 0.01). (3) There is a positive correlation between the changes of the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP and the change of Tei index of LV before and after transcatheter closure (r = 0.653, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tei index of LV and NT-proBNP can monitor cardiac function changes in children with VSD before and after transcatheter closure.

Knockdown of ZNF479 inhibits proliferation and glycolysis of gastric cancer cells through regulating ß-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway.

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy and the third most deadly tumor in the world. Zinc finger protein 479 (ZNF479) has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function of ZNF479 in gastric cancer remains to be clarified. The current study aimed to investigate the role of ZNF479 in gastric cancer progression and elucidate the potential molecular mechanism. In this study, Cell Count Kit-8 and colony formation assays demonstrated that knockdown of ZNF479 inhibited cell proliferation in AGS and SGC-7901 cells. Of note, knockdown of ZNF479 hinders tumor growth of xenograft tumor mice. What is more, knockdown of ZNF479 inhibited glucose uptake, lactate production, adenosine triphosphate level, and extracellular acidification ratio; increased oxygen consumption ratio in gastric cancer cells; and decreased the expression of glycolytic proteins both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, analysis mechanism suggests that ZNF479 participated in the regulation of gastric cancer progression through affecting the ß-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway. Collectively, ZNF479 plays a role as an oncogene through modulating ß-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway in the development of gastric cancer, which provides a new research target for future studies.

Efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation for premature ventricular contractions in children.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of transcatheter radiofrequency ablation (RFCA) in treating ventricular premature contractions (PVCs) in children, summarized the countermeasures during intraoperative ventricular fibrillation (VF), and improved the safety of ventricular premature treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 75 children with PVCs who received RFCA in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2010 to April 2019. Data including age, sex, body weight, ejection fraction, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, burden and number of PVCs/24 h, origin of PVCs, and its complications were collected. Paired t test was used to compare changes in cardiac function before and after surgery. RESULTS: Among the 75 cases treated with RFCA, 68 were successfully ablated, giving a success rate of 90.67%. After ablation, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the children was 69.13 ± 3.81%, which was significantly higher than that before surgery (69.13 ± 3.81% vs. 66.21 ± 3.22%, P = 0.012). One of the patients experienced VF during the operation, with no other complications. The initial locus of origin was the anterior septum of the right ventricular outflow tract, but VF occurred during the ablation process. Mean follow-up time was 39 ± 33 months, with two recurrent cases (2.94%). CONCLUSIONS: Performing RFCA in children is safe and effective, with a low recurrence rate and few complications. VF is not an indication to cease surgery; the key to eliminating complications is repositioning the catheter and finding a more accurate origin point.

[Heart rate variability, adrenomedullin and B-type natriuretic peptide before and after transcatheter closure in children with patent ductus arteriosus].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of heart rate variability (HRV), adrenomedullin (ADM) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) before and after transcatheter closure in children with patent ductus arteriosus. METHODS: HRV spectral values (TF, VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF) were detected by 24 dynamic electrocardiogram and the concentrations of plasma ADM and BNP were measured in 55 children with patent ductus arteriosus (Group PDA, n = 55) before and 3(rd) day, 3(rd) month after transcatheter closure therapy, and in 60 normal children (Group C). RESULTS: (1) Compared with Group C, the HRV spectral values (TF, VLF, HF) were significantly lower (all P < 0.01), LF/HF and the concentrations of plasma ADM, BNP were significantly higher in patients with PDA before transcatheter closure (all P < 0.01). (2) Compared with the values before transcatheter closure values, plasma ADM were significantly reduced at 3(rd) day and 3(rd) month after transcatheter closure (P < 0.01), the HRV spectral values (TF, VLF, HF) were significantly increased while LF/HF and plasma BNP were significantly decreased at 3(rd) month after transcatheter closure (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HRV and plasma ADM, BNP improved significantly post transcatheter closure in children with patent ductus arteriosus.

[Expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase/hydrogen sulfide pathway in CVB3-induced myocarditis in mice].

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays key roles in a number of biological processes, including vasorelaxation, inflammation, apoptosis, ischemia/reperfusion and oxidative stress, which are involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis. This study aimed to examine the expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase(CSE)/H2S pathway in mice with viral myocarditis. METHODS: Six-week-old inbred male mice were randomly assigned to control (n=25) and myocarditis group (n=30). The myocarditis and the control groups were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.1 mL 10-5.69TCID50/mL CVB3 or vehicle (PBS) alone respectively. Ten mice were sacrificed 4 and 10 days after injection. Blood and heart specimens were harvested for measuring the content of serum H2S and the H2S production rates in cardiac tissues. Heart sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemisty was used to detect the CSE protein expression in the heart. RESULTS: In the myocarditis group, the serum H2S content and H2S production rates in cardiac tissues were significantly higher than those in the control group 4 and 10 days after injection (P<0.05). The expression of CSE protein in the heart in the myocarditis group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CSE and its downstream production H2S increase in mice with acute viral myocarditis. The increased expression of CSE/H2S pathway might be involved in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis.

Oxidised Low-Density Lipoprotein and Its Receptor-Mediated Endothelial Dysfunction Are Associated with Coronary Artery Lesions in Kawasaki Disease.

The study aimed to investigate the role of oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)/lectin-like-oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) in coronary artery lesions (CALs) in Kawasaki disease (KD) and of plasma oxLDL concentration in the early prediction of CALs in KD. This prospective study included 80 KD patients, 20 febrile and 20 healthy children. oxLDL, LOX-1 and other parameters were analysed in the acute phase. Plasma oxLDL concentration and LOX-1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly increased in KD patients compared with febrile and healthy children (P < 0.001 and P = 0.022, respectively), particularly in the group with CALs (P < 0.001 and P = 0.027, respectively). Coronary Z-score was significantly correlated with plasma oxLDL concentration and LOX-1 mRNA expression (r = 0.739 and 0.637, respectively; P < 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of predicting CALs were 71.4% and 77.2%, respectively, at plasma oxLDL concentration ≥ 12.38 mU/L. oxLDL/LOX-1 may be involved in CAL development. The plasma oxLDL concentration in the acute phase is a potentially useful biological indicator for predicting CAL in KD patients.

[1H-NMR-based metabonomics analysis of plasma from osteoporotic rats induced by ovariectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of metabonomics in research of osteoporosis, through detecting change of the endogenous metabolites in plasma from osteoporotic rats by ovariectomy. METHODS: Six old-months female SD rats were randomly divided into sham and OVX group. Fifth month after ovariectomy, plasma were collected from both groups, respectively. The metabolic profiles were investigated using 1H-NMR spectroscopy of plsama combined with pattern recognition techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). RESULTS: The PCA PLS-DA plots of the plasma samples presented marked clustering between sham group and OVX group. Compared to sham group, the level of low molecular metabolites such as lactate, acetone and ethonal were higer, glucose, choline/phosphatidylcholine (Cho/PC), alanine (Ala), high density lipoprotein/low density lipoprotein (HDL/LDL), very low density lipoprotein/low density lipoprotein, fatty acid and glucose were lower. CONCLUSION: Obvious changes in metabonomics of plasma from osteoporotic rats were observed.

[Changes of serum leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor in children with congenital heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of serum leptin (LEP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in children with congenital heart disease(CHD) and their roles in CHD. METHODS: Forty-eight children with acyanotic CHD (ACHD group), 20 age-matched children with cyanotic CHD (CCHD group) and 20 healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The ACHD group was subdivided into two groups with (n=20) or without concurrent heart failure (n=28). Serum LEP, VEGF, total protein and albumin levels and body mass index (BMI) were measured. RESULTS: Serum total protein and albumin levels were not apparently different in all CHD children from healthy controls, but there was a significant difference in the BMI between them (p<0.01). Serum LEP and VEGF levels and the ratio of LEP/BMI in all CHD children were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p<0.01). Compared with the ACHD group without heart failure, the serum LEP and VEGF levels and the ratio of LEP/BMI in the CCHD and the ACHD with heart failure groups increased significantly (p<0.01). In the ACHD group, serum LEP level was positively correlated with BMI (p<0.01). In the CCHD group, there were positive correlations between serum LEP level and serum VEGF level (p<0.01) and between hemoglobin concentration and serum VEGF level (p<0.01). Arterial oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with serum VEGF (p<0.01) and LEP levels (p<0.01) in the CCHD group. CONCLUSIONS: Both VEGF and LEP play roles in the pathophisiological process of CHD. VEGF and LEP are associated with the development of heart failure in children with ACHD.

A C-reactive protein immunosensor based on platinum nanowire / titania nanotube composite sensitized electrochemiluminescence.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the important indicators of inflammatory response. It plays as an essential role in diseases such as myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis. A simple and effective label-free electrochemiluminescent (ECL) immunosensor for quantitative detection of CRP is reported. The indium tin oxide coated glass was prefunctionalized with the composite of titania nanotubes and platinum nanowires as the sensing matrix. Then the CRP antibody was immobilized on it, hosted the sensing function owing to its specific binding with CRP caused by immune affinity. The characteristics of the fabricated sensor were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electron microscopes. The sensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, good selectivity, good reproducibility and low cost. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the response of ECL signal on obtained sensor has a good linear regression toward the logarithm of CRP quantity within the range from 0.05 ng to 6.25 ng with a detection limit of 0.011 ng. The immunosensor is small, convenient to use, and provides a feasible way for domestically rapid detection of CRP. It has a promising future in the precaution of cardiovascular and other diseases.

The value of ultrasonography combined with serum thyroglobulin levels in preoperative N staging and therapeutic effect evaluation in patients with thyroid cancer / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of ultrasonography combined with serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels in preoperative N staging and therapeutic effect evaluation in patients with thyroid cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 125 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent total thyroidectomy at The 903 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force between January 2016 and December 2021. Based on the pathological results, the patients were divided into stages N0, N1a, and N1b. Consistency testing was performed to assess the consistency between ultrasonographic and pathological findings. The serological markers were compared between stage N0 and stage N1. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and Tg and lymph node metastasis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum Tg, ultrasonography, and the combination of serum Tg with ultrasonography for lymph node metastasis.Results:Among the 125 patients, 51 cases were diagnosed with stage N1, including 36 cases of stage N1a and 15 cases of stage N1b. The pathological examination confirmed stage N0 in 74 cases. Ultrasonography results showed stage N0 in 96 cases, stage N1a in 7 cases, and stage N1b in 22 cases. The preoperative N staging of thyroid cancer patients by ultrasonography was moderately consistent with the pathological staging ( Kappa = 0.44, P < 0.001). Serum free triiodothyronine and Tg levels were higher in stage N1 compared with stage N0 ( P < 0.001), while serum TPOAb levels were lower in stage N1 than in stage N0 ( P = 0.017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with lymph node metastasis as the dependent variable and the factors FT3, TPOAb, and Tg levels as independent variables. The analysis revealed that Tg was associated with lymph node metastasis ( OR = 1.02, P < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve for serum Tg level and ultrasonography for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis were 0.67 and 0.65, respectively, which were significantly lower than the area under the curve (0.76) for the combined detection ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The combined utilization of ultrasonography and serum Tg levels in the preoperative staging of thyroid cancer patients holds distinct clinical relevance. Notably, this combined approach offers a more precise diagnosis of lymph node metastasis compared with ultrasonography alone. Consequently, when making clinical judgments regarding preoperative lymph node metastasis, it is advisable to consider the results of both ultrasonography and serum Tg testing to facilitate surgical planning and evaluate surgical outcomes.

Advances in in vivo monitoring techniques based on prompt gamma rays in particle therapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Prompt gamma rays are a kind of secondary radiation produced in particle therapy, and prompt gamma information largely reflects the incidence of particles. Consequently, use of prompt gamma information to verify the range of particles is a promising verification method. In this article, the concept of prompt gamma ray in vivo range verification and the advantages of prompt gamma verification over existing methods were introduced. Secondly, the progress in developing a method for range verification using prompt gamma in recent years was reviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of three methods including prompt gamma imaging (PGI), prompt gamma timing (PGT) and prompt gamma spectroscopy (PGS) were discussed. Finally, these three methods were summarized, and the development trend of prompt gamma rays for in vivo range monitoring was prospected.

Clinical Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe in the Treatment of Mild Depressive Disorder / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe(mainly composed of Brassicae Junceae Semen,Euodiae Fructus,and Curcumae Radix)in the treatment of mild depressive disorder(DD),and to provide a novel approach to the treatment of mild DD population.Methods Sixty-one patients with mild DD were randomly divided into 31 cases in the trial group and 30 cases in the control group.The trial group was given medicinal vesiculation treatment with Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe,and the control group was given medicinal vesiculation treatment with the placebo of Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe.The treatment was performed twice a week and with an interval of 3-4 days between the treatment,and the course of treatment covered 6 weeks.The changes of Hamilton Depression Scale-17(HAMD-17)scores and Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)scores in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the patients in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After 6 weeks of treatment,the total efficacy rate of the trial group was 77.42%(24/31),and that of the control group was 26.67%(8/30).The intergroup comparison(tested by rank sum test)showed that the efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the HAMD-17 scores and PHQ-9 scores of patients in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decrease of HAMD-17 and PHQ-9 scores in the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)During the trial,there were 5 cases of adverse events related to the vesiculating moxibustion treatment,and all 5 cases of adverse events occurred in the trial group,manifested as minor blisters at the acupoint application region.The 5 cases kept on participating in the trial after relevant treatment.Conclusion Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with mild DD,and has high safety.