Influence factors of bone mineral density and its correlation with insulin resistance in obese children in Qianjiang area / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To explore the influencing factors of bone mineral density (BMD) in obese children in Qianjiang area and analyze the correlation between BMD and insulin resistance. Methods The data on pediatric cases from the outpatient department of Jianghan Oilfield General Hospital in Qianjiang from January 2018 to December 2022 were collected. A total of 183 obese children who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study and selected in the observation group. A total of 352 children undergoing physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. Results The body mass, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, and BMI of obese children were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). Biochemical indexes including FBG, FINS, Home-IR, ALP, and LDL-C in obese children were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), while bone mineral density, Ca, P, sOC and HDL-C were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.001). The bone mineral density of obese children was significantly correlated with their exercise intensity, sunshine exposure duration, sitting time, intake of milk and dairy products, intake of sweets, supplementation of trace elements, BMI, Home-IR, and sex (all P<0.05). BMI, Home-IR, sex, exercise intensity, and sunshine exposure length were independent risk factors affecting bone mineral density of obese children (all P<0.05). Bone mineral density was negatively correlated with BMI and Home-IR (P=0.028 and0.017, respectively), and positive correlation with exercise intensity and sunlight exposure (P=0.033). Conclusion BMD of obese children in Qianjiang area is affected by gender, body mass index, diet, vitamin intake, and physical activity, and is negatively correlated with insulin resistance. Home-IR can be used as a reference for screening BMD of obese children.

Prevalence of Echinococcus infection in small mammals captured from Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infection in small mammals in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control in Shiqu County. Methods One setting with frequent activity of small mammals was sampled as the survey site from each of 9 townships where human alveolar echinococcosis was hyperendemic, in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020. Two quadrats measuring 50 m × 50 m were assigned in each survey site during the period between July and August from 2015 to 2020 to capture all small mammals in quadrats, and the species of small mammals were identified by morphological characteristics. All captured small mammals were dissected in the field and Echinococcus infection was identified by visual examinations. The affected organs of Echinococcus-infected small mammals were collected, and Echinococcus infection was detected using PCR assay, with Echinococcus species characterized. The prevalence of Echinococcus infection was calculated in small mammals, and the trends in the prevalence of Echinococcus infection were analyzed during the period from 2015 to 2020. In addition, the prevalence of Echinococcus infection was compared in small mammals using visual examinations and PCR assay. Results A total of 2 692 small mammals were captured in the survey sites of Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, and morphology characterized 1 360 Microtus fuscus (50.52%) and 1 332 Plateau pika (49.48%). The prevalence rates of Echinococcus infection were 35.63%, 19.16%, 21.41%, 8.40%, 7.68% and 4.44% by visual examinations and 18.96%, 5.36%, 5.61%, 4.58%, 3.30% and 0.37% by PCR assay in small mammals in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, both showing a tendency towards a decline year by year (χ2 = 215.024 and 117.045, both P values < 0.001). The prevalence of Echinococcus infection was significantly higher in small mammals by visual examinations than by PCR assay during the period from 2015 to 2020 except in 2018 (χ2= 33.597, 21.815, 51.373, 17.268 and 9.537, all P values < 0.01). PCR assay detected a reduction in the prevalence of E. multilocularis infection from 10.21% to 0.37% and a reduction in the prevalence of E. shiquicus infection from 8.75% to 0 in small mammals in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, both appearing a tendency towards a decline year by year (χ2 = 117.045 and 43.436, both P values < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections reduced from 15.19% to 0.45% and from 8.23% to 0 in M. fuscus, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections reduced from 7.76% to 0 and from 9.01% to 0 in P. pika in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020. Conclusions M. fuscus and P. pika were dominant species of small mammals in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020, and E. multilocularis infection was mainly found in M. fuscus and E. shiquicus infection mainly found in P. pika. The prevalence of Echinococcus infection appeared a tendency towards a decline in both M. fuscus and P. pika year by year during the period from 2015 to 2020.

Research on applying genetic and environmental risk score in risk-adapted colorectal cancer screening / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a risk-adapted colorectal cancer screening strategy constructed utilizing genetic and environmental risk score (ERS). Methods: A polygenic risk score (PRS) was constructed based on 20 previously published single nucleotide polymorphisms for colorectal cancer in East Asian populations, using 2 160 samples with MassARRAY test results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial of colorectal cancer screening in China. The ERS was calculated using the Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening Score system. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PRS alone and PRS combined with ERS and colorectal neoplasms risk, respectively. We also designed a risk-adapted screening strategy based on PRS and ERS (high-risk participants undergo a single colonoscopy, low-risk participants undergo an annual fecal immunochemical test, and those with positive results undergo further diagnostic colonoscopy) and compared its effectiveness with the all-acceptance colonoscopy strategy. Results: The high PRS group had a 26% increased risk of colorectal neoplasms compared with the low PRS group (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.03-1.54, P=0.026). Participants with the highest PRS and ERS were 3.03 times more likely to develop advanced colorectal neoplasms than those with the lowest score (95%CI: 1.87-4.90, P<0.001). As the risk-adapted screening simulation reached the third round, the detection rate of the PRS combined with ERS strategy was not statistically different from the all-acceptance colonoscopy strategy (8.79% vs. 10.46%, P=0.075) and had a higher positive predictive value (14.11% vs. 10.46%, P<0.001) and lower number of colonoscopies per advanced neoplasms detected (7.1 vs. 9.6, P<0.001). Conclusion: The risk-adapted screening strategy combining PRS and ERS helps achieve population risk stratification and better effectiveness than the traditional colonoscopy-based screening strategy.

Genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptome expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to investigate the genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptome expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with interstitial lung disease (ILD), and to analyze the effects of DNA methylation on Wnt/β-catenin and chemokine signaling pathways.@*METHODS@#PBMCs were collected from 19 patients with SSc (SSc group) and 18 healthy persons (control group). Among SSc patients, there were 10 patients with ILD (SSc with ILD subgroup) and 9 patients without ILD (SSc without ILD subgroup). The genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression level were analyzed by using Illumina 450K methylation chip and Illumina HT-12 v4.0 gene expression profiling chip. The effect of DNA methylation on Wnt/β-catenin and chemokine signal pathways was investigated.@*RESULTS@#Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis identified 71 hypermethylated CpG sites and 98 hypomethylated CpG sites in the SSc with ILD subgroup compared with the SSc without ILD subgroup. Transcriptome analysis distinguished 164 upregulated genes and 191 downregulated genes in the SSc with ILD subgroup as compared with the SSc without ILD subgroup. In PBMCs of the SSc group, 35 genes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were hypomethylated, while frizzled-1 (FZD1), mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (MAPK9), mothers against DPP homolog 2 (SMAD2), transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2), and wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 5B (WNT5B) mRNA expressions were upregulated as compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the SSc without ILD subgroup, the mRNA expressions of dickkopf homolog 2 (DKK2), FZD1, MAPK9 were upregulated in the SSc with ILD subgroup, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). In PBMCs of the SSc group, 38 genes in chemokine signaling pathway were hypomethylated, while β-arrestin 1 (ARRB1), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16), FGR, and neutrophil cytosolic factor 1C (NCF1C) mRNA expressions were upregulated as compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the SSc without ILD subgroup, the mRNA expressions of ARRB1, CXCL10, CXCL16 were upregulated in the SSc with ILD subgroup, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are differences in DNA methylation and transcriptome profiles between SSc with ILD and SSc without ILD. The expression levels of multiple genes in Wnt/β- catenin and chemokine signaling pathways are upregulated, which might be associatea with the pathogenesis of SSc.

Analysis of the characteristics of retracted scientific papers in the field of global liver diseases published by Chinese scholars / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of scientific papers in the field of global liver diseases published by Chinese scholars that were retracted for diverse reasons from the Retraction Watch database, so as to provide a reference to publishing-related papers. Methods: The Retraction Watch database was retrieved for retracted papers in the field of global liver disease published by Chinese scholars from March 1, 2008 to January 28, 2021. The regional distribution, source journals, reasons for retraction, publication and retraction times, and others were analyzed. Results: A total of 101 retracted papers that were distributed across 21 provinces/cities were retrieved. Zhejiang area (n = 17) had the most retracted papers, followed by Shanghai (n = 14), and Beijing (n = 11). The vast majority were research papers (n = 95). The journal PLoS One had the highest number of retracted papers. In terms of time distribution, 2019 (n = 36) had the most retracted papers. 23 papers, accounting for 8.3% of all retractions, were retracted owing to journal or publisher concerns. Liver cancer (34%), liver transplantation (16%), hepatitis (14%), and others were the main areas of retracted papers. Conclusion: Chinese scholars have a large number of retracted articles in the field of global liver diseases. A journal or publisher chooses to retract a manuscript after investigating and discovering more flawed problems, which, however, require further support, revision, and supervision from the editorial and academic circles.

Development and characteristics of automatic ash-removal heat-sensitive moxibustion device / 中国针灸

An automatic ash-removal heat-sensitive moxibustion device was developed, which could keep relatively constant temperature of heat-sensitive moxibustion, and realize the automatic ignition and automatic ash removal of moxa sticks during heat-sensitive moxibustion. The automatic ash-removal heat-sensitive moxibustion device comprises a bracket and a moxibustion box fixed on the top of the bracket; the bracket is composed of a base and a movable telescopic arm. This device can solve the problems of temperature instability, moxa ash blocking heat transfer and moxa ash falling during heat-sensitive moxibustion, avoiding the scalding caused by moxa ash falling, and reduce the workload of medical staff.

Survival results of surgical resection versus CT-guided percutaneous ablation for stage Ⅰnon-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To evaluate the survival results of surgical resection (SR) and CT-guided percutaneous ablation (PA) for stageⅠnon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods    The PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang databases from inception to June 2021 were searched to collect comparative studies on the survival results between SR and CT-guided PA treatment for stageⅠNSCLC. RevMan 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis of data. Results    A total of 3 114 patients were included in 11 studies. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the PA group, the SR group had a higher 2-year postoperative overall survival (OS) rate (OR=1.44, 95%CI 1.00-2.06, P=0.05), 3-year postoperative OS rate (OR=2.37, 95%CI 1.47-3.81, P<0.001), 5-year OS rate (OR=1.64, 95%CI 1.19-2.28, P<0.01), 5-year progression-free survival rate after operation (OR=2.43, 95%CI 1.54-3.82, P<0.001) and lower local recurrence rate (OR=0.26, 95%CI 0.13-0.54, P<0.001). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of 1-year postoperative OS rate, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year tumor-related survival rates, 1-year, 2-year tumor-free survival rates, or distant postoperative recurrence rate (P>0.05). Conclusion    For patients with stageⅠNSCLC with optimal basic conditions, surgery is a more appropriate treatment. For patients who cannot withstand surgical injuries or refuse surgery, CT-guided PA is also a potential alternative treatment. However, this conclusion needs  to be verified by prospective controlled trials with larger sample sizes and a more rigorous design.

Effectiveness of S-curve leakage testing method on flexible endoscope / 中华消化内镜杂志

To investigate the effects of the S-curve leakage testing method on the detection of flexible endoscope and occurrence of medium to high-level faults of flexible endoscope. A convenience sampling method was used to study the information of endoscopic leak detection at the digestive endoscopic centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University. From July 2016 to December 2017, 58 endoscopes which received conventional leakage testing were set as the control group (29 116 tests). From January 2018 to June 2019, 56 endoscopes which received S-curve leakage testing were set as the observation group (28 112 tests). The results showed that the detection proportion of angular abnormalities in the observation group was higher than that in the control group [65.6% (59/90) VS 40.4% (36/89), χ2=11.330, P<0.001]. However, the detection proportion of medium to high-grade faults such as damaged charge coupled device (CCD) components and broken insertion section in the observation group was lower than that in the control group [0.04% (10/28 112) VS 0.08% (23/29 116), χ2=4.680, P=0.030]. Moreover, the overall maintenance cost was lower in the observation group than that in the control group (313.7 thousand yuan VS 942.6 thousand yuan). It is indicated that the S-curve leakage testing method can detect low-level endoscopic faults early such as angular abnormalities, and reduce the occurrence of medium to high-level endoscopic faults, which contributes to cost reduction and efficiency increase.

Retrospective analysis of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after pancreaticoduodenectomy / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after pancreaticoduodenectomy and endoscopic selection strategies.Methods:Clinical data of 34 patients treated with ERCP after pancreaticoduodenectomy at the Endoscopic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The success rates of endoscopic insertion, diagnosis, treatment and ERCP, and the incidence of adverse events were analyzed.Results:Fifty ERCP treatments were performed in 34 patients. The success rates of endoscopic insertion, diagnosis, treatment, and ERCP after pancreaticoduodenectomy were 92.0% (46/50), 93.5% (43/46), 88.4% (38/43) and 76.0% (38/50), respectively. The success rates of ERCP assisted with colonoscope and balloon-assisted enterosocpe were 76.0% (19/25) and 75.0% (18/24), respectively. There were 3 adverse events, including 1 case of anastomotic mucosa tear during surgery, 1 case of cardiopulmonary arrest and 1 case of postoperative cholangitis.Conclusion:ERCP is effective and safe after pancreaticoduodenectomy in general. ERCP assisted with colonoscope and balloon-assisted colonoscope shows similar success rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Dual-task treadmill training improves the motor functioning of children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore any effect of the single- and dual-task treadmill training on the functioning of children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.Methods:Fifty children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy were randomly divided into a single-task treadmill training group (the control group, n=25) and a dual-task treadmill training group (the observation group, n=25). All of the children also received routine rehabilitation training, and the control and observation groups also conducted single- and dual-task treadmill training in addition to the routine rehabilitation training, respectively. Before and after 2 months of treatment, each child′s gross motor functioning was quantified using sections D (standing) and E (walking, running and jumping) of the Gross Motor Function Measurement-88 (GMFM-88) instrument. Balance was quantified using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and walking mobility was quantified using a 1 minute walking test (1MWT). Modified and dual task Timed Up and Go (mTUG) tests and dual-task effects (DTE) tests were also administered. Results:There were no significant differences in average test scores between the two groups before the treatment. After the treatment significant improvement was observed in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of average GMFM-88, PBS and 1MWT scores, but significantly greater improvement was observed in the average dual-task mTUG and DTE results of the observation group.Conclusion:Both single- and dual-task treadmill training are effective supplements to routine rehabilitation training for children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Dual-task treadmill training is more effective than the single-task version.

Clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases and abnormal liver function / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases and abnormal liver function, as well as determine the proportion and severity of liver function abnormalities.Methods:Cross-sectional study. Data were collected from patients registered in the Chinese Rheumatism Date Center from 2011 to 2021. The rheumatic diseases analyzed in this study were rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren syndrome (SS), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and gout. Patient data, including demographic characteristics [ such as age, sex, body mass index,(BMI), and smoking history], liver function test results [including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and total bilirubin], and use of anti-rheumatic immune drugs and liver-protective drugs, were collected and compared between groups with normal and abnormal liver functions. In addition, the proportions of abnormal liver function were compared between sex and age groups.Results:A total of 116 308 patients were included in this study, including 49 659 with RA, 17 597 with SLE, 9 039 with SS, 11 321 with AS, and 28 692 with gout. The lowest proportion of liver function abnormalities was observed in patients with RA[11.02% (5 470/49 659)], followed by those with SS[17.97% (1 624/9 039)] and AS [18.22% (2 063/11 321) ], whereas patients with SLE [21.14% (3 720/17 597) ] and gout [28.73% (8 242/28 692)] exhibited the highest proportion of these abnormalities. Elevated ALT, mostly classified as grade 1, was the most commonly noted liver function abnormality, whereas elevated ALP was the least common. Some patients who took liver-protective drugs had normal liver function, with the lowest percentage observed in patients with gout [7.45% (36/483) ] and ranging from 21.7% to 30.34% in patients with RA, SLE, SS, and AS. The proportion of liver function abnormalities was higher in males than in females for all disease types [RA: 13.8%(1 368/9 906) vs. 10.3%(4 102/39 753); SLE: 33.6% (479/1 424) vs. 20.0% (3 241/16 173); SS: 25.4%(111/437) vs. 17.6%(1 513/8 602); AS: 20.1%(1 629/8 119) vs. 13.6% (434/3 202); and gout: 29.3% (8 033/27 394) vs. 16.1% (209/1 298)]. In RA, SLE, and AS, the proportions of liver function abnormalities were similar across all age groups. In SS, the proportion of liver function abnormalities increased with age [<40 years: 14.9%(294/1 979); 40-59 years: 18.1%(858/4 741); ≥60 years: 20.4%(472/2 319)], whereas a reversal of this trend was observed in gout [<40 years: 34.9%(4 294/12 320); 40-59 years: 25.5%(2 905/11 398);≥60 years: 21.0%(1 042/4 971)].Conclusions:The proportions of combined liver function abnormalities in patients with rheumatologic diseases were high, and the utilization rates of liver-protective drugs were low. It is necessary to pay more attention to monitoring patients′ liver function, timely administer liver-protective drugs, and optimize liver-protective regimens during the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

A study on the suitability of HD-V2 film in ultra-high dose-rate electron beam dosimetry / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the usability of Gafchromic HD-V2 film for dose dosimetry in the ultra-high dose-rate (UD) electron beam from a modified medical linac, and to investigate the response between the energy and dose-rate dependence to the film.Methods:The HD-V2 film was utilized to measure the average dose-rate of the UD electron beam. The measured result was compared with those by advanced Markus chamber and alanine pellets. And characteristics of the UD electron beam were also measured by HD-V2 film. Energy dependence of HD-V2 film at three beam energies (6 MV X-ray, 9 MeV and 16 MeV electron beam) was investigated by obtaining and comparing the calibration curves based on the clinical linear accelerator in the dose range of 10-300 Gy. The dose-rate dependence of HD-V2 film was also studied by varying the dose rate among 0.03 Gy/s, 0.06 Gy/s and 0.1 Gy/s, and range of 100-200 Gy/s.Results:The measured average maximum dose-rate of 9 MeV UD electron beam at source skin distance (SSD) 100 cm was approximately 121 Gy/s using HD-V2 film, consistent with the results by advanced Markus chamber and alanine pellets. The measured percentage depth dose (PDD) curve parameters of the UD electron beam were similar to the conventional 9 MeV beam. The off-axis dose distribution of the UD electron beam showed the highest central axis, and the dose was gradually decreased with the increase of off-axis distance. The energy dependence of HD-V2 film had no dependency of 6 MV and 9, 16 MeV while measuring the dose in the range from 20 to 300 Gy. The HD-V2 film had no significant dose-rate dependency at the dose rate of 0.03 Gy/s, 0.06 Gy/s and 0.1 Gy/s for the clinical linear accelerator. Likewise, there was also no dose-rate dependence in the range 100-200 Gy/s in the modified machine.Conclusion:HD-V2 film is suitable for measuring ultra-high dose rate electron beam, independent of energy and dose rate.

Ultra-high dose rate irradiation induced DNA strand break in plasmid DNA / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To compare the effects on DNA strand break induced by ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) electron beam and conventional irradiation, and investigate whether FLASH effect was correlated with a reduction of radiation response.Methods:Aqueous pBR322 plasmid was treated with FLASH (125 Gy/s) and conventional irradiation (0.05 Gy/s) under physioxia (4% O 2) and normoxia (21% O 2). Open circle DNA and linear DNA were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the plasmid DNA damage was quantified with an established mathematical model to calculate the relative biological effect (RBE) of DNA damage. In some experiments, Samwirin A (SW) was applied to scavenge free radicals generated by ionizing radiation. Results:Under physioxia, the yields of DNA strand breakage induced by both FLASH and conventional irradiation had a dose-dependent manner. FLASH irradiation could significantly decrease radiation-induced linear DNA compared with conventional irradiation ( t=5.28, 5.79, 7.01, 7.66, P<0.05). However, when the aqueous plasmid was pretreated with SW, there was no difference of DNA strand breakage between FLASH and conventional irradiation ( P>0.05). Both of the yields of open circle DNA and linear DNA had no difference caused by FLASH and conventional radiotherapy at normoxia, but were significantly higher than those under physioxia. In addition, the yields of linear DNA and open circle DNA induced by FLASH irradiation per Gy were (2.78±0.03) and (1.85±0.17) times higher than those of conventional irradiation, respectively. Conclusions:FLASH irradiation attenuated radiation-induced DNA damage since a low production yield of free radical in comparison with conventional irradiation, and hence the FLASH effect was correlated with oxygen content.

Prognostic value of metabolic parameters of 18F-FDG PET/CT in advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with first-line immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of metabolic parameters of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18F-FDG) positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) treated with first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combined with chemotherapy. Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent baseline PET/CT before treatment at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2019 to 2021. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-offs for metabolic parameters of PET/CT, including total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and maximum standard uptake value (SUV max). Kaplan-Meier method, Log-rank test, and Cox regression model were used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and the progression-free survival(PFS). Results:A total of 44 patients were enrolled. Univariate analysis showed that the factors influencing PFS were TMTV and the number of metastatic sites ( χ2=4.19, 11.28, P<0.05) and the factors influencing OS were TMTV and TLG ( χ2=14.96, 6.05, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis suggested that number of metastatic sites was an independent prognostic marker for PFS ( P=0.011) and TMTV was an independent prognostic marker for OS ( P=0.038). Conclusions:TMTV is a prognostic indicator of OS while the number of metastatic sites is a prognostic indicator of PFS in advanced NSCLC patients who received first-line ICI combined with chemotherapy, but further prospective studies are needed.

Transform routine medical accelerators to achieve Flash-RT and physical performance measurements / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of transforming conventional medical accelerator to achieve ultra-high dose rate required to achieve Flash radiotherapy (Flash-RT), and to understand the physical properties of the Flash-RT beam.Methods:By transforming the Varian 23CX medical accelerator, the radiation average dose rate at the isocenter was not less than 40 Gy/s. The relevant physical measurement scheme was designed to accurately measure the actual radiation dose rate of different source skin distance (SSD) conditions, the percent depth dose (PDD) curve and the off-axis dose distribution of the beam.Results:The average dose rate of 9 MeV electron beam after the transformation was measured using the HD-V2 type film, the average dose rate of 3 s was 97.9 Gy/s, and the average dose rate of 6 s was 99.27 Gy/s. When the SSD was 100 cm, 80 cm and 60 cm, the average dose rate of 9 MeV electron beam after the transformation was 99.3 Gy/s, 168 Gy/s and 297.5 Gy/s, respectively. After the transformation, the R100 of the 9 MeV beam was 2.2 cm underwater, R50 was 3.87 cm underwater, the electron range Rp was 4.58 cm, and the maximum possible energy Ep,0 on the phantom surface was 9.28 MeV. These parameters were slightly higher than those of the conventional 9 MeV beam, manifested with slight increase in the surface dose and widening high dose flat area. The overall deposit dose distribution exhibited the highest central axis and the increase in dose declines from the axis distance. Under the condition that the field size was 20 cm×20 cm and the SSD was 100 cm, the FWHM of the vertical and horizontal off-axis dose distribution curves were 16.6 cm and 16.4 cm, respectively. Conclusion:By transforming conventional medical accelerator, the average dose rate of the beam at the isocycle meets the requirement of Flash-RT, and the average dose rate under the condition of 60 cm SSD is much higher than the requirement of at least 40 Gy/s for Flash-RT.

Efficacy of low dose whole-lung irradiation for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia: Meta-analysis / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy of low dose whole-lung irradiation in COVID-19 pneumonia based on the present evidence.Methods:All literature related to the application of low dose whole-lung irradiation in COVID-19 pneumonia were retrieved from Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google scholar, Scoupus, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database until May 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature. For the literature that met the inclusion criteria, both data extraction and literature quality evaluation were blinded. Revman 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 5 controlled clinical trials involving 194 patients met the inclusion criteria. No statistically significant differences were detected in the low dose whole-lung irradiation group compared with the best supportive care group for clinical recovery rates, intubation rates, radiographic improvement rates and 28 d-overall survival.Conclusions:In patients of COVID-19 pneumonia, low dose whole-lung irradiation conferred no significant benefit to clinical outcomes. Currently, the routine use of low dose whole-lung irradiation for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia is not recommended.

Screening of Hub genes contributing to acute T lymphoblastic leukemia induced by ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy based on GEO database / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To analyze the data of ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy in GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database by bioinformatics method, in order to find the hub genes involved in flash radiotherapy induced acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia.Methods:The gene expression profiles of malignant tumors receiving FLASH radiotherapy were downloaded from GEO database. The R software was used to screen the differential expressed genes (DEGs) and analyze their biological functions and signal pathways. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was analyzed by online tool of STRING, and Hub genes were screened by Cytoscape plug-in. The expressions of screened Hub genes in acute T lymphoblastic leukemia were identified with TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and GTEx (Genotype-Tissue Expression) database.Results:Based on the analysis of GSE100718 microarray dataset of GEO database, a total of 12 800 genes were found to be associated with radiosensitivity of acute T lymphoblastic leukemia, of which 61 significantly altered DEGs were selected for further analysis. It was found that these genes were involved in the biological processes of metabolism, stress response, and immune response through the pathways of oxidative phosphorylation, unfolded protein response, fatty acid metabolism, and so on. PPI analysis indicated that HSPA5 and SCD belonged to the Hub genes involved in the regulation of FLASH radiosensitivity, and they were significantly highly expressed in acute T lymphoblastic leukemia combined with TRD/LMO2-fusion gene.Conclusions:Through bioinformatics analysis, the Hub genes involved in regulating the sensitivity of FLASH radiotherapy and conventional radiotherapy can be effectively screened, and thus the gene expression profiles can be used to guide the stratification of cancer patients to achieve a precise radiotherapy.

Relationship between lung immune prognostic and the prognosis of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with radiochemotherapy / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) and the prognosis of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) treated with radiochemotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for the clinical data of LA-NSCLC patients who received radiochemotherapy in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2013 to 2019. According to the hematologic test result of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the patients were divided into three groups according to their LIPI scores, namely the good-LIPI group with dNLR ≤ 3 and LDH ≤ upper limit of normal (ULN), moderate-LIPI group with dNLR >3 or LDH > ULN, and poor-LIPI group with dNLR >3 and LDH > ULN. Moreover, the overall survival (OS) and the progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, the Log-rank test, and the Cox regression model.Results:A total of 238 patients were enrolled, and their median follow-up time was 37.1 months, median PFS 16.1 months, and median OS 30.6 months. The OS and PFS of the poor-LIPI group were significantly worse than those of the good- and moderate-LIPI groups ( χ2= 9.04, 2.88, P<0.05). The univariate analysis showed that the factors influencing OS included gender, pathological type, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, and LIPI ( χ2=6.10, 13.66, 10.58, 9.04, P<0.05), and the PFS was only affected by the LIPI ( χ2=2.88, P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis suggested that EGFR mutations and LIPI were independent prognostic markers for OS ( HR = 1.31, 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03-1.67, 1.05-1.76; P<0.05). Conclusions:The LIPI is a potential prognostic indicator of radiochemotherapy in LA-NSCLC, and this result should be further confirmed by prospective studies.

Mechanism of hepatic fibrosis associated with Echinococcus: a review / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus infections, and this disorder may cause fibrosis of multiple vital organs, which may further progress into cirrhosis. Early-stage hepatic fibrosis is reversible, and unraveling the mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis induced by Echinococcus infections is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of early-stage hepatic fibrosis. Recently, the studies pertaining to hepatic fibrosis associated with Echinococcus infections focus on cytokines and immune cells. This review summarizes the advances in the mechanisms underlying host immune cells- and cytokines-mediated hepatic fibrosis in humans or mice following Echinococcus infections.

Clinical Efficacy of Modified Sanxiaoyin in Treatment of Mild or Moderate COVID-19 Patients： Based on Retrospective Analysis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 52 patients with coronavirus disease-2019 （COVID-19） and explore the clinical efficacy of modified Sanxiaoyin on mild/moderate COVID-19 patients. MethodThe propensity score matching method was used to collect the clinical data of mild or moderate COVID-19 patients enrolled in the designated hospital of the Second Hospital of Jingzhou from December 2019 to May 2020. A total of 26 eligible patients who were treated with modified Sanxiaoyin were included in the observation group， and the 26 patients treated with conventional method were the regarded as the control. The disappearance of clinical symptoms， disappearance time of main symptoms， efficacy on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptoms， hospitalization duration， laboratory test indicators， and CT imaging changes in the two groups were compared. ResultThe general data in the two groups were insignificantly different and thus they were comparable. After 7 days of treatment， the disappearance rate of fever， cough， fatigue， dry throat， anorexia， poor mental state， and poor sleep quality in the observation group was higher than that in the control group （P<0.05）， and the difference in the disappearance rate of expectoration and chest distress was insignificant. For the cases with the disappearance of symptoms， the main symptoms （fever， cough， fatigue， dry throat， anorexia， chest distress） disappeared earlier in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. After 7 days of treatment， the scores of the TCM symptom scale of both groups decreased （P<0.01）， and the decrease of the observation group was larger that of the control group （P<0.01）. All patients in the two groups were cured and discharged. The average hospitalization duration in the observation group ［（12.79±2.68） d］ was shorter than that in the control group ［（15.27±3.11） d］ （P<0.01）. The effective rate in the observation group （92.31%， 24/26） was higher than that in the control group （76.92%， 20/26） . After 7 days of treatment， the lymphocyte （LYM） count increased （P<0.05）， and white blood cell （WBC） count and neutrophil （NEUT） count decreased insignificantly in the two groups. Moreover， levels of C-reactive protein （CRP）， erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）， and procalcitonin （PCT） reduced in the two groups after treatment （P<0.01） and the reduction in the observation group was larger than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Through 7 days of treatment， the total effective rate on pulmonary shadow in the observation group （90.00%， 18/20） was higher than that in the control group （77.27%， 17/22） （P>0.05） and the improvement of lung shadow in the observation group was better than that in the control group （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Sanxiaoyin can significantly alleviate fever， cough， fatigue， anorexia， chest distress， poor sleep quality， and other symptoms of patients with mild or moderate COVID-19， improve biochemical indicators， and promote the recovery of lung function. This paper provides clinical evidence for the application of modified Sanxiaoyin in the treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19.