This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Peri-implant keratinized mucosa (PIKM) augmentation refers to surgical procedures aimed at increasing the width of PIKM. Consensus reports emphasize the necessity of maintaining a minimum width of PIKM to ensure long-term peri-implant health. Currently, several surgical techniques have been validated for their effectiveness in increasing PIKM. However, the selection and application of PIKM augmentation methods may present challenges for dental practitioners due to heterogeneity in surgical techniques, variations in clinical scenarios, and anatomical differences. Therefore, clear guidelines and considerations for PIKM augmentation are needed. This expert consensus focuses on the commonly employed surgical techniques for PIKM augmentation and the factors influencing their selection at second-stage surgery. It aims to establish a standardized framework for assessing, planning, and executing PIKM augmentation procedures, with the goal of offering evidence-based guidance to enhance the predictability and success of PIKM augmentation.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Implants ; Mouth Mucosa/surgery* ; Keratins

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in M1 region combined with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on electroencephalogram (EEG) θ frequency band amplitude of patients with neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury. MethodsFrom June, 2022 to June, 2023, 50 NP patients after SCI in Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital were included and divided into M1 region stimulation group (n = 25) and M1 region combined with DLPFC stimulation group (the combined stimulation group, n = 25). M1 region stimulation group received 10 Hz rTMS in the left M1 region, while the combined stimulation group received same stimulation in left M1 region combined with DLPFC, for three weeks. Before and after intervention, the pain was assessed with Short Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), the depression and anxiety status were evaluated using Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and the EEG θ frequency band amplitude was recorded to detect the changes of brain electrophysiological activity. ResultsFour cases in M1 region stimulation group, and two cases in the combined stimulation group were dropped. After intervention, the total score of SF-MPQ and the scores of the subscales, the scores of HMMD and HAMA decreased in both groups (|t| > 2.523, P < 0.05). The EEG θ frequency band amplitude significantly reduced in the prefrontal and frontal regions in M1 region stimulation group (|t| > 5.243, P < 0.001), and it also significantly reduced in the prefrontal, frontal regions, central and parietal regions in the combined stimulation group (|t| > 4.630, P < 0.001). All the scores were lower (|t| > 2.270, Z = -1.973, P < 0.05), and the EEG θ frequency band amplitude in the prefrontal, frontal regions, central and parietal regions were lower (P < 0.05) in the combined stimulation group than in M1 region stimulation group. ConclusionHigh frequency rTMS is an effective analgesic method on NP after SCI, which can improve their depression and anxiety symptoms and reduce the EEG θ frequency band amplitude. Compared with M1 region rTMS stimulation, the combination of M1 region and DLPFC rTMS is more effective.

Objective:To explore the expressions and clinical significances of tripartite motif-containing protein 28 (TRIM28), 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), and N-cadherin in pancreatic carcinoma.Methods:A total of 72 patients diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma underwent radical resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Binzhou People′s Hospital from January 2009 to November 2022 were selected, all of which were pathologically diagnosed as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TRIM28, PDK1, and N-cadherin in 72 cases of pancreatic carcinoma and paracancerous tissues, to explore the correlation between the expression of them and the clinicopathological features of pancreatic carcinoma, and to analyze the influence of their expression and clinicopathological characteristics on the prognosis of patients. The count data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Spearman method was used for correlation analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and Log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors affecting prognosis.Results:The positive rates of TRIM28 (72.22%), PDK1 (65.28%) and N-cadherin (61.11%) in PDAC were significantly higher than those in para-cancerous tissues (26.39%, 33.33%, 34.72%). Moreover, the patients with high expression of the three had the characteristics of low differentiation, late stage, and lymph node metastasis ( P<0.05). TRIM28 was positively correlated with PDK1 and N-cadherin expression in PDAC ( r=0.720, P<0.001; r=0.714, P<0.001), N-cadherin and PDK1 expression in PDAC was also positively correlated ( r=0.854, P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 2-year survival rate of patients with positive TRIM28, PDK1 and N-cadherin (13.46%, 14.89%, 13.64%) was significantly lower than that of patients with negative tumor (50.00%, 40.00%, 39.29%), the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that patients with poor differentiation, nerve infiltration and lymph node metastasis, TNM stage Ⅲ+ Ⅳ, TRIM28 positive, PDK1 positive and N-cadherin positive had a significantly increased risk of death within 2 years after surgery ( P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that poor differentiation, nerve infiltration, TNM stage Ⅲ+ Ⅳ and TRIM28 positive were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of patients with PDAC ( P<0.05). Conclusions:TRIM28, PDK1 and N-cadherin are highly expressed in PDAC, and the expression level is significantly correlated with the malignant degree of PDAC. TRIM28 is an independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with PDAC.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of high energy metabolism in lung cancer patients and its correlation with body composition,nutritional status,and quality of life,and to develop a corresponding risk prediction model.Methods Retrospectively analyzed 132 primary lung cancer patients admitted to the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2022 to May 2023,and categorized into high(n=94)and low energy metabolism group(n=38)based on their metabolic status.Differences in clinical data,body composition,Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment(PG-SGA)scores,and European Organization for Research and treatment of Cancer(EORTC)Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30(QLQ-C30)scores were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for high energy metabolism in lung cancer patients,and a risk prediction model was established accordingly;the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the model fit,and the ROC curve was used to test the predictive efficacy of the model.Results Of the 132 patients with primary lung cancer,94(71.2%)exhibited high energy metabolism.Compared with low energy metabolism group,patients in high-energy metabolism group had a smoking index of 400 or higher,advanced disease staging of stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ,and higher levels of IL-6 level,low adiposity index,low skeletal muscle index,and malnutrition(P<0.05),and lower levels of total protein,albumin,hemoglobin level,and prognostic nutritional index(PNI)(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in age,gender,height,weight,BMI and disease type between the two groups(P>0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking index≥400,advanced disease stage,IL-6≥3.775 ng/L,and PNI<46.43 were independent risk factors for high energy metabolism in lung cancer patients.The AUC of the ROC curve for the established prediction model of high energy metabolism in lung cancer patients was 0.834(95%CI 0.763-0.904).Conclusion The high energy metabolic risk prediction model of lung cancer patients established in this study has good fit and prediction efficiency.

Objective To investigate the factors influencing the prognosis of complex intracranial aneurysms treated with pipeline flow-directed device(PED)and to develop a nomogram prediction model.Methods The clinical data of a total of 98 patients with complex intracranial aneurysm,who were admitted to the Anyue County People's Hospital or the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College of China from January 2021 to April 2023 to receive PED treatment,were retrospectively analyzed.The influencing factors that might affect the prognosis of patients with complex intracranial aneurysm were collected.According to the modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score,the patients were divided into good prognosis group(being defined as mRS ≤2 points)and poor prognosis group(being defined as mRS＞2 points).The clinical data were compared between the two groups,and a nomogram model was established and validated.Results In the 98 patients,poor prognosis was seen in 10(10.20％).The differences in age,history of hypertension,history of diabetes mellitus,clopidogrel resistance,Fisher classification,repeated aneurysm rupture,aneurysm location,aneurysm size,aneurysm neck,multiple lesions,and Hunt-Hess grade on admission between good prognosis group and poor prognosis group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed that history of hypertension,clopidogrel resistance,repeated aneurysm rupture,aneurysm location,multiple lesions,and Hunt-Hess grade were the independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with complex intracranial aneurysm after receiving PED treatment.The AUC of the nomogram model in predicting the prognosis of PED for complex intracranial aneurysms was 0.849(95％CI=0.758-0.939).The predicted curves of the model group and validation group were basically fitted to the standard curves.The results of the decision curve analysis showed that the net benefit to patients was greater than 0 when the probability threshold of the nomogram model for predicting a poor prognosis of PED for complex intracranial aneurysms was 0.10-0.90.Conclusion The factors causing poor prognosis of PED for complex intracranial aneurysms mainly include history of hypertension,clopidogrel resistance,repeated aneurysm rupture,etc.The nomogram model established in this study can predict the risk of poor prognosis in patients with complicated intracranial aneurysm after receiving PED treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of early postoperative abnormal blood glucose on the short-term prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and to analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors related to poor early prognosis.Methods A total of 897 patients with NSCLC who underwent thoracoscopic surgery in Huadong Hospital,Fudan University from Jan 2020 to Aug 2021 were divided into hyperglycemia(HG)group(>7.8 mmol/L)and normal blood glucose(NG)group(≤7.8 mmol/L and≥3.9 mmol/L)according to the early postoperative blood glucose values.Additionally,the patients were divided into higher blood glucose fluctuation group(≥4 mmol/L)and the group with lower blood glucose fluctuation(<4 mmol/L)basing on the fasting blood glucose.Using Logistic regression models,column line charts,ROC curves and other methods,we aimed to clarify the impact of early postoperative blood glucose abnormalities on short-term prognosis,explore clinical characteristics associated with poor short-term outcomes,identify other high-risk factors,and establish relevant risk prediction models.Results Compared with the NG group,the incidence of postoperative pneumonia,thromboembolism,ICU admission rate,total length of hospital stay and hospital cost were significantly higher in the HG group(P<0.05).Higher blood glucose fluctuation group had a greater risk of ICU admission(P=0.003).Logistic regression analysis showed that age,preoperative fasting glucose,white blood cell count and cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA21-1)were risk factors for postoperative hyperglycemia(P<0.05).Contrary to the effect of BMI,diabetes,male patients,higher blood glucose fluctuation,white blood cell count and age were the risk factors for postoperative adverse events(P<0.05).The AUC of the column line chart model was 0.661(95%CI:0.624-0.698),indicating good discriminative ability for predicting poor short-term prognosis postoperatively.Calibration curves also demonstrated good consistency between predicted and actual probabilities.Conclusion Early postoperative blood glucose fluctuations independently impact the short-term prognosis of thoracoscopic NSCLC patients.Blood glucose combined with gender,BMI,white blood cell count,age and diabetes history can serve as predictive factors for poor short-term prognosis postoperatively.Additionally,a column line chart constructed based on these factors may aid clinicians in early intervention for NSCLC patients with indications.

Objective:To investigate the role of plasma circulating cell-free DNA(cf-DNA)in the screening and diagnosis of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(MM)and explore the changes of cf-DNA in terms of content and integrality in the assessment of disease in patients treated with chemotherapy.Methods:Peripheral blood specimens were collected from 35 newly diagnosed MM patients and 18 healthy volunteers,and 13 of the 35 patients who had finished 3 courses of standard induction chemotherapy were selected as follow-up group.The ALU247 and ALU115 fragments were used as the target genes,and the cf-DNA content in the plasma of patients and healthy controls was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).The integrality of cf-DNA was calculated by the ratio of ALU247 to ALU115.Results:Both the concentration of ALU247 and ALU115 fragments and the integrality of cf-DNA in patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls(all P＜0.05).Patients who had underwent 3 courses of induction chemotherapy had significantly decreased concentration of ALU247 and ALU115 fragments and integrality of cf-DNA after treatment(all P＜0.05),and strong positive correlations were manifested between cf-DNA integrality and serum M protein content,as well as proportion of abnormal plasma cells in bone marrow before and after treatment(r=0.703,0.705).Conclusions:Cf-DNA has certain positive significance for the screening and diagnosis of MM.Furthermore,cf-DNA may be a synergism or alternative to serum M-protein content and proportion of abnormal plasma cells in bone marrow in assessing the condition,curative effect and prognosis of patients.