Prevalence and distribution of ossification of ligamentum flavum at the adjacent segment of the apex in patients with degenerative kyphosis / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the prevalence and distribution of ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) at the segments adjacent to the apex in patients with degenerative kyphosis.Methods:All of 74 patients with degenerative kyphosis from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospective reviewed. All patients were taken anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the entire spine. Global kyphosis, the morphology of kyphosis and the occurrence of OLF at three segments adjacent to the kyphosis apex were recorded.Results:Of the 74 patients, 54 patients (73%) developed OLF in three segments adjacent to the kyphotic apex. The mean age of the 54 patients was 61.4±6.8 years, and the mean global kyphosis was 49.5°±21.2°. Among other 20 patients without OLF, the mean age was 56.1±7.5 years, and the mean kyphosis angle was 52.1°±19.1°. There was a statistically significant difference in ages ( t=2.92, P=0.005), but no statistically significant difference was observed regarding global kyphosis ( t=0.48, P=0.634). In these 74 patients, 9 patients had angular kyphosis, of which 8 (89%) developed OLF; of the 65 patients without angular kyphosis, 46 patients (71%) developed OLF. There was no significant difference between them (χ 2=1.32, P=0.251). Among the 54 patients diagnosed with OLF, 5 patients (9%) suffered ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and 20 patients (37%) suffered dural ossification; 43 patients (80%) developed OLF at proximal segments of apex, 6 patient (11%) developed OLF at distal segments of apex, and 5 patients (9%) developed OLF both at proximal and distal segments of apex. Thirty-two patients (59%) developed OLF at the first segment adjacent to the kyphotic apex, 27 patients (50%) developed OLF at the second segment, and 15 patients (28%) developed OLF at the third segment. Conclusion:Among patients with degenerative kyphosis, about 73% may development OLF within three segments adjacent to the kyphotic apex, and it mostly occurred within two segments adjacent to the apex proximally.

Research progress in the average glandular dose during mammography / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Mammography has played an essential role in the screening and treatment of breast cancer. However, the application of X-rays will also increase the risks of breast cancer while improving its detection rate. Moreover, the risks will increase with an increase in the radiation dose. Since the glandular tissue in breasts is sensitive to radiation, the evaluation of the average glandular dose (AGD) in mammography has attracted considerable international attention. Compared to relatively mature dosimetric studies on traditional two-dimension mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis, the method for the dose evaluation of the new cone beam CT for breasts are still subjected to research. This paper reviews and explores the current status of studies on the assessment method and relevant influencing factors of AGD under different types of mammography equipment.

Study on correlation between medical exposure and healthcare level in China / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To study the healthcare level (HCL) in China and its influencing factors.Methods:By using the data reported in the China statistical yearbook published by the National Bureau of Statistics and in other public literature, HCL was calculated in terms of the number of population and physicians in the whole country and various provinces. Multiple regression was used to analyze the relationship between HCL and regional population, area, number of administrative divisions and gross domestic product (GDP). Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between healthcare level and medical radiation frequency. Results:Since 2015, Chinese HCL value was lower than 1 000, but there were two provinces with HCL value greater than 1 000 in 2019. Population and GDP were the influencing factors for the HCL, with correlation coefficients of 0.416 and -0.583, respectively. There was a correlation between HCL and medical exposure frequency of Chinese population( r= -0.620, P=0.028). Conclusions:Chinese HCL value was 542 in 2020, but there has been great differences between various provinces. HCL as an indicator of medical exposure assessment needs further research in China.

Study on radiation dose and image quality differences between cone-beam CT and multi-slice spiral CT for atlantoaxial spine imaging / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To compare the differences in radiation dose and image quality between cone-beam CT (CBCT) and multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) applied to atlantoaxial spine imaging.Methods:Head and neck phantom was scanned at 30 exposure parameter combinations using Pramerica CBCT scanner and 15 parameter combinations using Toshiba 320-row MSCT. The effective dose ( E) of CBCT was calculated based on the Monte Carlo dose estimation software PCXMC, the E value of MSCT was obtained by multiplying the dose length product (DLP) by the related factor. t-test for two independent samples or Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for comparison of radiation dose and subjective and objective image quality between two modalities. The subjective evaluation was a 5-point subjective scale using double-blind method for edge sharpness, contrast, soft tissue level, and artifacts of the images. The signal and noise in the region of interest (ROI) were measured and the contrast signal-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. Results:For radiation dose, the volumetric dose index and E values of 2.9 mGy and 27.61 μSv for CBCT were lower than those of 8.8 mGy and 433.16 μSv for MSCT, and the differences were statistically significant( z=-3.05, -5.25, P<0.05). For objective evaluation of image quality, the noise and CNR were 27.74 HU and 3.69 in CBCT group, 7.84 HU and 27.1 in MSCT group. The difference between them were statistically significant( z=-5.39, -5.42, P<0.05). The overall image quality, contrast and artifact scores of the CBCT group were 3.5, 3.0 and 5 were higher than those of the MSCT group at 2.0, 2.0, and 4.0, respectively ( z=-2.32, -2.46, -3.31, P<0.05). Conclusions:Both atlantoaxial CBCT and MSCT scans provide image quality that meets diagnostic requirements. Compared to MSCT, CBCT atlantoaxial scans can effectively reduce radiation dose according to the principle of optimization of radiation protection.

The necessity and countermeasures of strengthening radiation dose management in diagnostic radiology / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

In recent years, the diagnostic radiology, especially CT scanning, has a rapidly increased frequency in our country, becoming the largest artificial radiation source to the average individual doses to the population. In clinical diagnosis and treatment activities, the examined patients and individuals may undergo multiple procedures and multiple frequencies of medical imaging in a short period of time and receive high cumulative radiation doses even exceeding 50 or 100 mSv in a single day, posing a potential risk to their health. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out statistical analysis and management of diagnostic radiation dose information to minimize the probability of excessive dose and associated radiation risk. In this paper, the international cognition of radiation risks in diagnostic radiology, diagnostic equipment and medical imaging frequency, radiation dose and its management status are described. Four countermeasures for radiation dose management are put forward to provide reference for further improving radiation protection in clinical practice.

Investigation on awareness of and attitudes towards radiation safety and protective measures among clinical nurses in liver interventional department / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To investigate the awareness of and attitudes towards radiation safety and protective measures among clinical nurses in liver interventional department, so as to provide insights into the formulation of radiation-protective measures among clinical healthcare workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. Clinical nurses in liver interventional departments of class A tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province were sampled, and the awareness of and attitudes towards radiation safety and protective measures were investigated using self-designed questionnaires. Results A total of 112 questionnaires were allocated, and 97 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 86.61%. The awareness of questions including “interventional therapy may cause radiation exposure” and “wearing lead apron may reduce radiation exposure” was both 100.00% among respondents, and the awareness of questions including “radiation exposure may cause congenital malformations in babies”, “radiation exposure may cause cancers such as skin cancer and leukemia”, “radiation exposure may cause death”, “wearing lead goggles may reduce radiation exposure”, and “wearing thyroid shields may reduce radiation exposure” was all higher than 95.00%, while the awareness of questions “radiation exposure may cause cataract of the eye lens” and “radiation exposure may cause bone marrow depression” was relatively low. Respondents presented high-level attitudes towards lead aprons, and low-level attitudes towards goggles and thyroid shields. Conclusion The awareness of radiation safety knowledge is high among clinical nurses in liver interventional departments; however, an overall low-level attitude is seen towards radiation-protective measures. Health education pertaining to radiation safety and protective measures is required to be improved, so as to increase the compliance to radiation-protective measures.

Investigation and analysis of radiation doses to CT examinees in 11 medical institutions in Shijiazhuang, China / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To investigate radiation doses to examinees undergoing computed tomography (CT) scanning of different body parts (the head, chest, and abdomen) in medical institutions of Shijiazhuang, China, and to provide a reference for optimizing radiation protection for examinees in medical institutions. Methods March 2021 to March 2022, eleven medical institutions of radiation monitoring in Shijiazhuang were surveyed for the basic information, scanning parameters, and dosimetric data of a total of 930 adults and children who received CT examinations. The dosimetric data of the subjects were analyzed and compared with the domestic and international diagnostic reference levels and the results of other cities in China. Results In the above hospitals, the CTDIvol(P50) of CT subjects in children's group were 17.42-50.45 mGy, 2.13-14.01 mGy and 3.58-28.20 mGy, respectively. DLP(P50) ranges from 228.87 to 966.97 mGy·cm, 33.20 to 296.03 mGy·cm, and 74.90 to 926.53 mGy·cm, respectively. In the adult group, the CTDIvol(P50) in the head, chest and abdomen of CT subjects were 37.28-54.05 mGy, 6.43-14.99 mGy and 8.28-18.75 mGy, respectively. DLP(P50) ranges from 372.81 to 630.56 mGy·cm, from 219.77 to 467.93 mGy·cm, and from 313.86 to 689.87 mGy·cm, respectively. The distribution of radiation doses in different-grade hospitals varied greatly. The abdomen dose of the children's hospital was higher than other hospitals. Especially the primary hospitals were significantly higher than the recommended diagnostic reference level (DRL). Conclusion In some secondary and primary hospitals, the setting of CT scanning parameters was simplified, not specific to the subjects’ age and body types. They should strictly comply with the principal of optimizing radiation protection to strengthen radiation dose optimization and supervision, reducing the radiation dose of examinees in future examinations .

Discussion on the evaluation of radiation protection of “four-in-one” dental X-ray equipment / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To evaluate the radiation protection of “four-in-one” dental X-ray equipment and to investigate the safety interlock of the equipment by measuring the scattered radiation at the position of the patient during operation. Methods A cone-beam CT dental phantom was used to simulate the patient’s head. The intra-oral and extra-oral components of the “four-in-one” X-ray equipment were installed in a 5 m2 room. The scattered radiation at patient position was measured using a γ/X-ray survey meter, and the effects of intra-oral and extra-oral components were compared. Results For a 5 m2 room, when CBCT was exposed under typical conditions, the dose at the patient's position was 10.70 uSv/h when there was an intra-oral component and 10.60 uSv/h when there was no intraoral component. The intra-oral part did not affect the radiation dose at the patient's position. When the intra-oral component was exposed, the dose rate at the patient's position was 4.05-6.85 uSv/h, and the extra-oral part did not affect the scattered dose of the patient examined with intra-oral components. Conclusion The evaluation of radiation protection of new equipment must comprehensively consider radiation safety and equipment operation safety. The results of this study provide suggestions for clinical radiation protection supervision and evaluation of “four-in-one” dental X-ray equipment.

Influencing factors of medical exposure frequency for community residents / 中国辐射卫生

@#<b>Objective</b> To obtain the medical exposure frequency data of residents through a questionnaire survey on mobile phone networks in the community, and to analyze the main influencing factors. <b>Methods</b> A snowball sampling method was used to expand the sampling from medical staff in a county hospital to the community. The questionnaire included personal information such as occupation category, type of medical insurance, and education level as well as basic radiation-related knowledge and medical exposure type and frequency of respondents received in 2021. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of medical exposure. <b>Results</b> A total of 223 respondents were investigated, and 12.56% of them received radiological diagnosis and radiotherapy in 2021. The proportion of males receiving medical exposure was significantly higher than that of females (19.64% <i>vs</i> 10.18%). The likelihood of the person receiving medical exposure increased considerably with age, with the proportion of residents receiving medical exposure at 20, 30, 40, and 50 years of age being 6.25%, 7.95%, 19.23%, and 33.33%, respectively. Of persons who received medical exposure, 57.14% underwent CT scans. Persons participating in the new rural cooperative medical system were likely less to receive radiological diagnosis and radiotherapy than urban workers and residents (<i>OR</i> = 0.55, <i>CI</i>:0.13-2.23, <i>P</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusion</b> Questionnaire survey in the community can obtain more information about the medical exposure of residents, and age and type of medical insurance are important factors affecting the frequency of medical exposure.

Progress in the treatment of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis combined with thoracolumbar fracture / 国际外科学杂志

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis(DISH) is a kind of ankylosing spinal disease, which usually occurs in the middle-aged and elderly. It is mainly manifested as ossification and calcification of ligaments and tendon attachment points. It is a bone disease that mainly involves the spine but is not accompanied by severe intervertebral disc degeneration or sacroiliac joint and intervertebral facet joint ankylosis. DISH combined with thoracolumbar fracture has a high rate of delayed diagnosis and neurological deterioration, so this kind of fracture should be diagnosed and treated in time. However, there are different conclusions on the choice of treatment methods and postoperative efficacy, and there are still disputes in some academic aspects.The author consulted the relevant literature and reviewed the treatment methods of DISH combined with thoracolumbar fracture in order to provide reference for the clinical treatment of this kind of fracture.

Predictive factors for sequelae of bronchitis obliterans in refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the predictive factors for bronchitis obliterans in refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). Methods: A restrospective case summary was conducted 230 patients with RMPP admitted to the Department of No.2 Respiratory Medicine of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2013 to June 2017 were recruited. Clinical data, laboratory results, imaging results and follow-up data were collected. Based on bronchoscopy and imaging findings 1 year after discharge, all patients were divided into two groups: one group had sequelae of bronchitis obliterans (sequelae group) and the other group had not bronchitis obliterans (control group), independent sample t-test and nonparametric test were used to compare the differences in clinical features between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to explore the predictive value of Bronchitis Obliterans in RMPP. Results: Among 230 RMPP children, there were 115 males and 115 females, 95 cases had sequelae group, the age of disease onset was (7.1±2.8) years;135 cases had control group, the age of disease onset was (6.8±2.7) years. The duration of fever, C-reative protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, the proportion of ≥2/3 lobe consolidation, pleural effusion and the proportion of airway mucus plug and mucosal necrosis were longer or higher in the sequelae group than those in the control group ((17±9) vs. (12±3) d, (193±59) vs. (98±42) mg/L,730 (660, 814) vs. 486 (452, 522) U/L, 89 cases (93.7%) vs. 73 cases (54.1%), 73 cases (76.8%) vs.59 cases (43.7%), 81 cases (85.3%) vs. 20 cases (14.8%), 67 cases (70.5%) vs. 9 cases (6.7%), t=5.76, 13.35, Z=-6.41, χ2=14.64, 25.04, 22.85, 102.78, all P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of fever ≥10 days (OR=1.200, 95%CI 1.014-1.419), CRP levels increased (OR=1.033, 95%CI 1.022-1.044) and LDH levels increased (OR=1.001, 95%CI 1.000-1.003) were the risk factors for sequelae of bronchitis obliterans in RMPP. ROC curve analysis showed that CRP 137 mg/L had a sensitivity of 82.1% and a specificity of 80.1%; LDH 471 U/L had a sensitivity of 62.7% and a specificity of 60.3% for predicting the development of bronchitis obliterans. Conclusions: The long duration of fever (≥10 d), CRP increase (≥137 mg/L) may be used to predict the occurrence of sequelae of bronchitis obliterans in RMPP. It is helpful for early recognition of risk children.

Echinacoside hampers malignant progression of breast cancer MCF-7 cells by modulating AKR1B10/ERK signal transduction / 中国中药杂志

This study analyzes the impact of echinacoside(ECH) in the proliferation, metastasis and adriamycin(ADR) resistance of breast cancer(BC) MCF-7 cells via the modulation of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member 10(AKR1B10)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) pathway. The chemical structure of ECH was firstly confirmed. MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentration(0, 10, 20, 40 μg·mL~(-1)) of ECH for 48 h. Western blot was used to analyze expression of AKR1B10/ERK pathway-associated proteins and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay to determine cell viability. MCF-7 cells were collected and classified into control group, ECH group, ECH + Ov-NC group, and ECH + Ov-AKR1B10 group. Then Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of AKR1B10/ERK pathway-associated proteins. CCK-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU) assay were used to examine cell proliferation. Cell migration was appraised with scratch assay, Transwell assay, and Western blot. Eventually, MCF-7 cells were treated with ADR for 48 h to induce ADR resistance. Cell viability was tested by CCK-8 assay and cell apoptosis was estimated based on terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay and Western blot. Based on Protein Data Bank(PDB) and molecular docking, the binding affinity of ECH to AKR1B10 was assessed. Various doses of ECH decreased the expression of AKR1B10/ERK pathway-associated proteins in a dose-dependent manner and declined cell viability compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, 40 μg·mL~(-1) ECH blocked the AKR1B10/ERK pathway in MCF-7 cells and inhibited the proliferation, metastasis and ADR resistance of the cells. Compared with the ECH + Ov-NC group, ECH + Ov-AKR1B10 group showed the recovery of some biological behaviors of MCF-7 cells. ECH also targeted AKR1B10. ECH can inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, and ADR resistance of BC cells by blocking AKR1B10/ERK pathway.

Clinical characteristics and CT findings of Pneumocystis Jirovecii pneumonia in 46 cases with hematological diseases / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To summarize the original CT features of Pneumocystis Jirovecii pneumonia in patients with hematological diseases. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out in 46 patients with proven pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP) in the Hospital of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2014 and December 2021. All patients had multiple chests CT and related laboratory examinations, imaging typing were conducted based on the initial CT presentation, and the distinct imaging types were analyzed against the clinical data. Results: In the analysis, there were 46 patients with proven pathogenesis, 33 males, and 13 females, with a median age of 37.5 (2-65) years. The diagnosis was validated by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) hexamine silver staining in 11 patients and clinically diagnosed in 35 cases. Of the 35 clinically diagnosed patients, 16 were diagnosed by alveolar lavage fluid macrogenomic sequencing (BALF-mNGS) and 19 by peripheral blood macrogenomic sequencing (PB-mNGS) . The initial chest CT presentation was categorized into 4 types, including ground glass (GGO) type in 25 cases (56.5%) , nodular type in 10 cases (21.7%) , fibrosis type in 4 cases (8.7%) , and mixed type in 5 cases (13.0%) . There was no substantial discrepancy in CT types among confirmed patients, BALF-mNGS diagnosed patients and PB-mNGS diagnosed patients (χ(2)=11.039, P=0.087) . The CT manifestations of confirmed patients and PB-mNGS diagnosed patients were primarily GGO type (67.6%, 73.7%) , while that of BALF-mNGS diagnosed patients were nodular type (37.5%) . Of the 46 patients, 63.0% (29/46) had lymphocytopenia in the peripheral blood, 25.6% (10/39) with positive serum G test, and 77.1% (27/35) with elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) . There were no great discrepancies in the rates of lymphopenia in peripheral blood, positive G-test, and increased LDH among different CT types (all P>0.05) . Conclusion: The initial chest CT findings of PJP in patients with hematological diseases were relatively prevalent with multiple GGO in both lungs. Nodular and fibrosis types were also the initial imaging findings for PJP.

Berberine ameliorates chronic kidney disease through inhibiting the production of gut-derived uremic toxins in the gut microbiota

At present, clinical interventions for chronic kidney disease are very limited, and most patients rely on dialysis to sustain their lives for a long time. However, studies on the gut-kidney axis have shown that the gut microbiota is a potentially effective target for correcting or controlling chronic kidney disease. This study showed that berberine, a natural drug with low oral availability, significantly ameliorated chronic kidney disease by altering the composition of the gut microbiota and inhibiting the production of gut-derived uremic toxins, including p-cresol. Furthermore, berberine reduced the content of p-cresol sulfate in plasma mainly by lowering the abundance of g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and inhibiting the tyrosine-p-cresol pathway of the intestinal flora. Meanwhile, berberine increased the butyric acid producing bacteria and the butyric acid content in feces, while decreased the renal toxic trimethylamine N-oxide. These findings suggest that berberine may be a therapeutic drug with significant potential to ameliorate chronic kidney disease through the gut-kidney axis.

Organizing Pneumonia in A Patient Double-Positive for ANCA and Anti-GBM Antibodies: A Case Report / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Both anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease and the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are common causes of pulmonary-renal syndrome. Organizing pneumonia (OP), a special pattern of interstitial lung disease, is extremely rare either in AAV or anti-GBM disease. We report an old woman presented with OP on a background of co-presentation with both ANCA and anti-GBM antibodies.

Application of Rat Model of Neurotic Erectile Dysfunction in Experiment / 中国医学科学院学报

Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain a sufficient erection of the penis to obtain a satisfactory sexual life,which affects the quality of life of the patients and their sexual partners.To decipher the pathophysiological mechanism of ED,researchers have established a variety of animal models and achieved a series of progress.The cavernous nerve (CN) of rodents,anatomically similar to that of humans,is cost-effective,thick,and easy to be identified,which has gradually become the mainstream of animal models.In this paper,we reviewed the modeling methods of the neurological ED caused by bilateral CN injury in rats in recent years,summarized the model evaluation indicators,and discussed the application and progress of ED models in basic experimental research.

Effects of electroacupuncture at "Siguan" points on the expression of colonic 5-hydroxytryptamine and fecal short-chain fatty acids in rats with post-stroke depression / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at "Siguan" points on behavior, colonic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in rats with post-stroke depression (PSD), and explore the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture at Siguan points on PSD.@*METHODS@#Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a stroke group, a PSD group, a drug group and an electroacupuncture group, with 10 rats in each one. The stroke model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method in the stroke group; except for the sham-operation group, the rats in the other groups were intervened with MCAO combined with solitary and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) to establish PSD model. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was delivered at "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Taichong" (LR 3), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/10 Hz in frequency, for 30 min in each intervention, once daily, for consecutive 21 days. Simultaneously, distilled water (0.01 L•kg-1•d-1) was administrated intragastrically. Fluoxetine solution (2.33 mg•kg-1•d-1) was given by gavage , once a day and for 21 days in the drug group. The same procedure of fixation and gavage with distilled water were adopted in the sham-operation group, the stroke group and the PSD group. Separately, before stroke modeling, after PSD modeling and after 21-day intervention, the consumption of sugar water and the scores of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were observed. After 21-day intervention, the content of colonic 5-HT was detected by immunohistochemical method, and that of fecal SCFAs was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.@*RESULTS@#After PSD modeling, compared with the stroke group, the sugar water consumption, the horizontal movement scores and vertical movement scores of the open-field test were all reduced in the PSD group, the drug group and the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). After 21-day intervention, the sugar water consumption and the scores of horizontal movement and vertical movement of the open-field test were increased in the drug group and the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05) when compared with the PSD group; and the horizontal movement score in the electroacupuncture group was lower than that of the drug group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the contents of total fecal SCFAs and acetic acid were lower in the stroke group (P<0.05), and the contents of colonic 5-HT and total fecal SCFAs, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid were reduced in the PSD group (P<0.05). In comparison with the PSD group, the contents of colonic 5-HT and total fecal SCFAs, acetic acid and propionic acid were increased in the drug group and the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05); and the content of colonic 5-HT in the electroacupuncture group was lower than that of the drug group (P<0.05). The level of colonic 5-HT was positively correlated with the contents of total fecal SCFAs and propionic acid (r=0.424, P=0.005; r=0.427, P=0.004).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture at "Siguan" points can relieve the depression-like behavior of PSD rats, and its underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of fecal SCFAs, which affects the release of colonic 5-HT.

A preliminary survey of female breast characteristics based on three-dimensional images of breast cone-beam computed tomography / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To establish a method to characterize the size and density of the female breast based on three-dimensional images of breast cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and describe the breast characteristics of women in a region of China, and to explore its value in dosimetric assessment for breast CBCT examinees. Methods We retrospectively surveyed the breast CBCT images of 203 women in a grade A tertiary hospital in a southwestern city of China from January 2021 to March 2023. The effective diameter of the breast at the chest-wall (Deff), chest wall-to-nipple length (CNL), the effective diameter of the breast at half of CNL (Dh/2), breast volume (BV), glandular volume (GV), and volumetric breast density (VBD) were measured using the specific tools of the Koning Imaging Viewer system. The differences between groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The correlation between variables was assessed using the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results The median values of Deff, Dh/2, CNL, BV, GV, and VBD of the surveyed population were 11.9 cm, 8.3 cm, 6.5 cm, 327.7 cm3, 47.0 cm3, and 15.4%, respectively. GV and VBD had significant negative correlations with age. Deff, Dh/2, CNL, and BV were significantly negatively correlated with VBD. Conclusion We established a quantitative method to analyze female breast characteristics based on three-dimensional breast CBCT images, and preliminarily characterized the female breast in a region of China, which can provide methodological support for the investigation of female breast characteristics in various regions of China in the future.

Assessment of Radiation Shielding Requirements for Radiotherapy Room—Part 2: Radiotherapy Room of Electron Linear Accelerators (GBZ/T 201.2—2011): A survey of relevant personnel in medical institutions / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To investigate the awareness of the Radiation Shielding Requirements for Radiotherapy Room–Part 2: Radiotherapy Room of Electron Linear Accelerators (GBZ/T 201.2—2011) among relevant practitioners in medical institutions as well as its implementation and application situation and collect relevant problems and suggestions for an evaluation of the scientificalness, standardization, and timeliness of the standard, and to provide a scientific basis for the further revision and implementation of the standard. Methods An online questionnaire survey was conducted among relevant employees in medical institutions providing medical linear accelerator radiotherapy across 22 provinces of China, which investigated the awareness, training, application, and revision suggestions related to GBZ/T 201.2—2011. The questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 340 relevant practitioners filled out the questionnaire. Of the participants, 66.80% were physicists; 79.11% had an awareness of the standard; 56.18% ever participated in the standard-related training; but the survey results showed that the practitioners did not have a good knowledge of the standard’s content, and the training and promotion were not enough; 83.24% thought that the standard had been widely used; 17.60% thought that the standard needed to be revised; 76.76% thought that there was a need to add calculation examples; 88.82% thought that neutron shielding needed to be considered for the 10 MV X-ray accelerator room. Conclusion The standard has been widely known in the field of radiotherapy protection. With the development of radiotherapy technology, the standard should be revised to add calculation examples and consider neutron shielding in the 10 MV X-ray accelerator room. The standard is highly technical and difficult to grasp, so the promotion and implementation goals should be appropriate for different personnel groups, the training for employees at key posts should be strengthened, and the methods recommended in the standard should be uniformly used throughout the country.

Effect of antidepressants on thyroid hormone level in adolescent depression with suicidal ideation / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo compare the differences in thyroid hormone levels between adolescents with and without suicidal ideation， and to explore the association between thyroid hormone/suicidal ideation and the antidepressant treatment. MethodsA total of 100 patients were divided into non-suicidal ideation group and suicidal ideation group according to the SIOSS. The levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）， triiodothyronine （T3）， thyroxine （T4）， free triiodothyronine （FT3） and free thyroxine （FT4） were compared between the two groups as well as their changes after 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment. ResultsThe levels of FT3， FT4 and T4 in the non-suicidal ideation group were higher than those in the suicidal ideation group. After 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment， the levels of FT3， FT4 and T4 in the suicide ideation group were higher than those before the treatment. The FT3 level in the male non-suicidal ideation group was higher than that in the suicidal ideation group. The levels of FT4 and T4 in the female non-suicidal ideation group were higher than those in the suicidal ideation group （all P<0.05） ConclusionThere are differences in thyroid hormone levels between adolescents with and without suicidal ideation （both with first-episode depression）， and patients with suicidal ideation have significant changes after treatment with antidepressants.