Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of coronary angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) for identifying coronary functional abnormalities.Methods:This diagnostic study enrolled patients with clinically suspected or diagnosed coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between December 2021 and June 2022. All enrolled patients successfully underwent invasive wire-based FFR and IMR measurements during angiography. In a core laboratory, FFR and IMR for the target vessels were measured using artificial intelligence technology based on coronary angiographic images. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between angiography-derived FFR and wire-based FFR, and between angiography-derived IMR and wire-based IMR. Coronary hemodynamic abnormality was defined as FFR≤0.80; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived FFR for identifying this abnormality was evaluated. Microcirculatory dysfunction was defined as IMR≥25; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived IMR for identifying microcirculatory dysfunction was evaluated.Results:A total of 181 patients, aged (60.6±8.8) years, with 62 (34.3%) females, and 181 target vessels were included in the final analysis. Angiography-derived FFR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based FFR ( r=0.78, P<0.001). For identifying coronary hemodynamic abnormality, angiography-derived FFR showed an accuracy of 89.0%, sensitivity of 88.8%, specificity of 89.1%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.1%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( AUC) of 0.88. Angiography-derived IMR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based IMR ( r=0.93, P<0.001). For identifying microcirculatory dysfunction, angiography-derived IMR demonstrated an accuracy of 89.5%, sensitivity of 86.8%, specificity of 90.2%, PPV of 70.2%, NPV of 96.3%, and an AUC of 0.95. Conclusion:Angiography-derived FFR and IMR exhibit strong correlations with their invasive wire-based counterparts and demonstrate high diagnostic value for assessing coronary hemodynamics and coronary microcirculatory function.

BACKGROUND:The Twin-block orthodontic appliance is commonly used for the correction of Class Ⅱ malocclusion.Its mechanism of action in stimulating mandibular growth has been confirmed in many studies,but its impact on maxillary growth is not very clear. OBJECTIVE:By establishing a finite element model to analyze the stress distribution of the maxillary complex,surrounding bone sutures,and maxillary dentition in patients with Class Ⅱ malocclusion wearing Twin-block orthodontic appliances. METHODS:One patient with Class Ⅱ malocclusion who underwent orthodontic treatment at Qingdao Hospital/Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Shandong Rehabilitation University was selected.The bite force data of the patient when wearing the Twin-block orthodontic appliance was measured,and CBCT data were collected.A finite element model was established,including the maxillary complex,peripheral sutures,Twin-block orthodontic appliance,and maxillary dentition.ABAQUS software was used to simulate the stress distribution in the maxilla and maxillary dentition when the patient was wearing the Twin-block appliance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The equivalent stress on the maxillary anterior teeth was significantly smaller than that on the posterior teeth,and the maximum equivalent stress on both sides of the teeth were 4.797 5 Mpa and 8.716 1 Mpa,respectively,which were located at the first premolar.The maximum displacements were presented at the maxillary incisors on both sides of the teeth,which were 0.080 5 mm and 0.081 0 mm,respectively.The maximum equivalent stress on the bone suture was 1.284 Mpa,which was mainly concentrated in the pterygopalatine suture and the frontal-maxillary suture on both sides,and there was almost no difference in the force of the rest of bone sutures;the maximum displacement of the bone suture was 0.07 mm,with the pterygopalatine suture having the largest displacement,followed by the frontal-maxillary suture.The maximal equivalent stress on the maxillary complex was 27.18 Mpa,which was mainly concentrated on both sides of the anterior pyriform foramen of the maxilla,around the nasofrontal suture and around the pterygopalatine suture at the posterior part of the jaws.The maximal displacement of the maxilla was 0.07 mm,which was mainly concentrated on the maxillary alveolar bone.All these findings show that the occlusal force acts on the maxillary complex through the Twin-block appliance,resulting in clockwise rotation of the maxilla and steepening of the dentition plane.Measures should be taken to compensate for this tendency,for example,by considering maxillary molar elongation and intrusion in the process of occlusion,which are not only able to flatten the occlusal plane,but facilitate the mandibular protraction,thereby further improving Class Ⅱ malocclusion orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) in inhibiting Erastin-induced ferroptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 8-week-old Spragur Dawley rats and identified [cell surface antigens CD90, CD44, and CD45 were analyzed by flow cytometry, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation abilities were assessed by alizarin red S (ARS) and oil red O staining, respectively]. Cells of passage 3 were used for the Erastin-induced ferroptosis model, with different concentrations of VPA for intervention. The optimal drug concentration was determined using the cell counting kit 8 assay. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: group A, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium for 24 hours; group B, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin for 24 hours; group C, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA for 24 hours; group D, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA, and 8 μmol/L EX527 for 24 hours. The mitochondrial state of the cells was evaluated, including the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Osteogenic capacity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ARS staining. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins [Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteopontin (OPN)], ferroptosis-related proteins [glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)], and pathway-related proteins [adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)]. RESULTS: The cultured cells were identified as BMSCs. VPA inhibited Erastin-induced ferroptosis and the decline of osteogenic ability in BMSCs, acting through the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. VPA significantly reduced the levels of ROS and MDA in Erastin-treated BMSCs and significantly increased GSH levels. Additionally, the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins (GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11) significantly decreased. VPA also upregulated the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins (RUNX2 and OPN), enhanced mineralization and osteogenic differentiation, and increased the expressions of pathway-related proteins (AMPK and SIRT1). These effects could be reversed by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527. CONCLUSION VPA inhibits ferroptosis in BMSCs through the AMPK/SIRT1 axis and promotes osteogenesis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Valproic Acid/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Piperazines/pharmacology* ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma(FH-dRCC) is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of renal cell carcinoma. This tumor is often associated with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma(HLRCC) syndrome. Its pathogenesis involves biallelic inactivation of the FH gene, leading to the accumulation of fumarate, which disrupts cellular metabolic balance and DNA repair processes, thereby driving tumorigenesis. This paper reports a patient with FH-dRCC. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy but experienced early postoperative recurrence and liver metastasis. Despite multiple lines of systemic therapy, including targeted and combination immunotherapy, which initially achieved radiographic response, the patient eventually died as the disease progressed with extensive metastases. This case highlights the highly aggressive nature of FH-dRCC, its propensity for early recurrence and metastasis, and the limited duration of response to current systemic therapies. There is a clinical need for enhanced early detection and active exploration of more effective combination treatment strategies.

Objective:To observe the effects of Qizhi Tongluo Prescription on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with membranous nephropathy based on the Shh/Gli1 signaling pathway; To explore its intervention mechanism.Methods:Totally 60 male SD rats were divided into blank group ( n=10) and model group ( n=50) using random number table method. The model of membranous nephropathy was established according to the modified Border method. The successfully modeling rats were divided into model group, benazepril group and Qizhi Tongluo Prescription low-, medium- and high-dosage groups using random number table method. Benazepril group was gavaged with benazepril hydrochloride 10 mg/kg, Qizhi Tongluo Prescription low-, medium- and high-dosage groups were gavaged with Qizhi Tongluo Prescription solution 1.22 g/kg, 2.43 g/kg and 4.86 g/kg, and blank group and model group were gavaged with equal volume of normal saline, once a day, for 4 weeks. The 24-hour urine was collected to detect the 24-hour urinary protein quantification, and the blood was taken from the abdominal aorta to detect the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride(TG), and serum albumin(ALB); the pathological changes of rat kidney were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope; the protein expressions of sonic hedgehog factor (Shh), zinc finger protein 1 (Gli1) and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry; the protein expressions of Shh, Gli1, α-SMA, TGF-β1, Collagen Ⅳ and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAl-1) in renal tissues were detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with the model group, the quantitative level of 24-hour urinary protein of rats in each administration group decreased ( P<0.05), serum TC and TG levels increased ( P<0.05), ALB level decreased ( P<0.05), the positive expressions of Shh, Gli1, α-SMA protein in renal tissue decreased ( P<0.05), and the protein expressions of Shh, Gli1, α-SMA, Collagen Ⅳ, TGF-β1, PAI-1 in renal tissue decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Qizhi Tongluo Prescription can improve renal interstitial fibrosis in membranous nephropathy rats, possibly by inhibiting the Shh/Gli1 signaling pathway to delay renal interstitial fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of the combination of cryoablation and Yangfei establish the Lewis lung cancer mouse model,and randomly divided into model group,cryoablation group,cryoablation+cisplatin group,cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 5 mice in each group.Sham-operation was performed in the model group,cryoablation+cisplatin group were given intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 3 mg/kg after cryoablation,cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were given 1.64,3.28,6.56 g/kg Yangfei Prescription by gavage after cryoablation respectively,and the model group was given equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 14 consecutive days.Tumor volume and tumor mass were measured,the morphology of tumor tissue was observed by HE staining,the expression of Ki-67 protein in tumor tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.The differentially expressed genes in tumor tissues after cryoablation combined with Yangfei Prescription intervention were analyzed by whole transcriptome sequencing,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed on differentially expressed genes,and the lncRNA/circNA-mediated ceRNA network was constructed.Differentially expressed genes were verified using RT-qPCR.Results The main active components of Yangfei Prescription were terpenoids,flavonoids and aldehydes.Compared with the model group,tumor volume and tumor mass decreased(P<0.05)in cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups and cryoablation+cisplatin group;cryoablation combined with Yangfei Prescription could destroy the structure of tumor tissue and inhibit cell proliferation(P<0.05).A total of 1 585 differentially expressed genes(1 160 mRNA,225 lncRNA,155 miRNA and 45 circRNA)of the model group and cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription high-doseage group were obtained.GO enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes such as immune system response and cell proliferation,cellular components such as protein complex and cell junction,molecular functions such as transcription regulator activity and molecular function regulator;KEGG pathway enrichment mainly occurred in cancer-related pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,Th17 cell differentiation,mTOR signaling pathway,FOXO signaling pathway,etc.The lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network was composed of 97 lncRNA,73 miRNA and 417 mRNA,and the circRNA-mediated ceRNA network was composed of 26 circRNA,68 miRNA and 157 mRNA.RT-qPCR validated the expressions of 15 differentially expressed genes,which was consistent with the sequencing results.Conclusion Cryoablation combined with Yangfei Prescription can inhibit the tumor growth of Lewis lung cancer bearing mice,destroy the structure of tumor tissue,inhibit cell proliferation,the mechanism may be related to the regulation of Gm38393/miRNA-136-5p/Zfp704 axis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of the combination of cryoablation and Yangfei establish the Lewis lung cancer mouse model,and randomly divided into model group,cryoablation group,cryoablation+cisplatin group,cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 5 mice in each group.Sham-operation was performed in the model group,cryoablation+cisplatin group were given intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 3 mg/kg after cryoablation,cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were given 1.64,3.28,6.56 g/kg Yangfei Prescription by gavage after cryoablation respectively,and the model group was given equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 14 consecutive days.Tumor volume and tumor mass were measured,the morphology of tumor tissue was observed by HE staining,the expression of Ki-67 protein in tumor tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.The differentially expressed genes in tumor tissues after cryoablation combined with Yangfei Prescription intervention were analyzed by whole transcriptome sequencing,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed on differentially expressed genes,and the lncRNA/circNA-mediated ceRNA network was constructed.Differentially expressed genes were verified using RT-qPCR.Results The main active components of Yangfei Prescription were terpenoids,flavonoids and aldehydes.Compared with the model group,tumor volume and tumor mass decreased(P<0.05)in cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups and cryoablation+cisplatin group;cryoablation combined with Yangfei Prescription could destroy the structure of tumor tissue and inhibit cell proliferation(P<0.05).A total of 1 585 differentially expressed genes(1 160 mRNA,225 lncRNA,155 miRNA and 45 circRNA)of the model group and cryoablation+Yangfei Prescription high-doseage group were obtained.GO enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes such as immune system response and cell proliferation,cellular components such as protein complex and cell junction,molecular functions such as transcription regulator activity and molecular function regulator;KEGG pathway enrichment mainly occurred in cancer-related pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,Th17 cell differentiation,mTOR signaling pathway,FOXO signaling pathway,etc.The lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network was composed of 97 lncRNA,73 miRNA and 417 mRNA,and the circRNA-mediated ceRNA network was composed of 26 circRNA,68 miRNA and 157 mRNA.RT-qPCR validated the expressions of 15 differentially expressed genes,which was consistent with the sequencing results.Conclusion Cryoablation combined with Yangfei Prescription can inhibit the tumor growth of Lewis lung cancer bearing mice,destroy the structure of tumor tissue,inhibit cell proliferation,the mechanism may be related to the regulation of Gm38393/miRNA-136-5p/Zfp704 axis.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of coronary angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) for identifying coronary functional abnormalities.Methods:This diagnostic study enrolled patients with clinically suspected or diagnosed coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between December 2021 and June 2022. All enrolled patients successfully underwent invasive wire-based FFR and IMR measurements during angiography. In a core laboratory, FFR and IMR for the target vessels were measured using artificial intelligence technology based on coronary angiographic images. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between angiography-derived FFR and wire-based FFR, and between angiography-derived IMR and wire-based IMR. Coronary hemodynamic abnormality was defined as FFR≤0.80; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived FFR for identifying this abnormality was evaluated. Microcirculatory dysfunction was defined as IMR≥25; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived IMR for identifying microcirculatory dysfunction was evaluated.Results:A total of 181 patients, aged (60.6±8.8) years, with 62 (34.3%) females, and 181 target vessels were included in the final analysis. Angiography-derived FFR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based FFR ( r=0.78, P<0.001). For identifying coronary hemodynamic abnormality, angiography-derived FFR showed an accuracy of 89.0%, sensitivity of 88.8%, specificity of 89.1%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.1%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( AUC) of 0.88. Angiography-derived IMR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based IMR ( r=0.93, P<0.001). For identifying microcirculatory dysfunction, angiography-derived IMR demonstrated an accuracy of 89.5%, sensitivity of 86.8%, specificity of 90.2%, PPV of 70.2%, NPV of 96.3%, and an AUC of 0.95. Conclusion:Angiography-derived FFR and IMR exhibit strong correlations with their invasive wire-based counterparts and demonstrate high diagnostic value for assessing coronary hemodynamics and coronary microcirculatory function.

The cartilage-protective effect of ginkgolide C(GC)on the two modeling modalities was investigated based on joint pain,degree of cartilage pathology,ECM degradation process,and level of inflammatory mediator production in rats.Twenty-five SD rats were selected and randomly di-vided into five groups:the control group(Control group),model 1 group(ACLT group),adminis-tration 1 group(ACLT+GC group),model 2 group(MIA group),and administration 2 group(MIA+GC group.)The rats were euthanized after 4 weeks of the test.Femur,tibia and blood samples were collected from the right hind limb of rats.The degree of pathology in the femur and tibia of rats was assessed by saffron O solid green staining and OARSI score.Immunohistochemis-try was used to detect the expression levels of collagen Ⅱ and MMP-13 in cartilage.ELISA was used to detect the changes in the levels of MMP-3,MMP-13,CTX-Ⅱ,COMP,COX-2,INOS,IL-1β,and TNF-α in the serum of rats.Cold sensitivity test and knee extension vocalization test were conducted to detect the degree of joint pain in rats.ACLT could cause more severe structural dam-age to articular cartilage compared with the MIA group.The OARSI scores and the expression of MMP-13 in femur and tibia,and the serum levels of MMP-13,MMP-3,CTX-Ⅱ,and COMP were higher in the ACLT group than those in the MIA group.However,the levels of inflammatory me-diators COX-2,IL-1β,and TNF-α were significantly lower in the ACLT group than in the MIA group(P＜0.0l).GC intervention reduced the OARSI score(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and pain scores,inhibited the ECM matrix degrading enzymes(MMP-13,MMP-3),cartilage metabolism markers(CTX-11,COMP),and inflammatory mediators(COX-2,INOS,IL-1β and TNF-α)ex-pression,and promoted collagen Ⅱ synthesis.Both modeling methods resulted in cartilage damage.In particular,the OA model constructed by ACLT+PMMx method in rats had obvious joint dam-age,which was favorable to investigate the degree of cartilage structural damage.GC attenuated cartilage pathological changes,pain severity and inflammatory response in the rat OA model in both groups,thus exerting a cartilage-protective effect.

Follicular development and ovulation disorders are the main causes of infertility in female patients, and acupuncture shows significant efficacies and unique advantages in promoting follicular development and ovulation. By summarizing relevant literature, this article illustrates the mechanism of acupuncture in promoting follicular development and ovulation from the following five aspects: improving the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis; regulating local ovarian homeostasis; regulating glucose and lipid metabolism and correcting endocrine disorders; adjusting sympathetic nerve system and regional sympathetic nerves; regulating emotional disorders. This article provides theoretical reference for basic research and clinical treatment of diseases related to follicular development and ovulation disorders, and also comes up with some thoughts on the study of acupuncture promoting follicular development and ovulation.