N,N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) is a glycine derivative, and its sodium salt (DMG-Na) has been demonstrated to possess various biological activities, including immunomodulation, free radical scavenging, and antioxidation, collectively contributing to the stability of tissue and cellular functions. However, its direct effects and underlying mechanisms in wound healing remain unclear. In this study, a full-thickness excisional wound model was established on the dorsal skin of mice, and wounds were treated locally with DMG-Na. Wound healing progression was assessed by calculating wound closure rates. Histopathological analysis was conducted using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and differentiation were evaluated using CCK-8 assays, scratch wound assays, and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Inflammation-related cytokine expression in keratinocytes was analyzed via ELISA and qRT-PCR. Results revealed that DMG-Na treatment significantly accelerated wound healing in mice and improved overall wound closure quality. The wound healing rates on days 3, 6, and 9 were 49.18%, 68.87%, and 90.55%, respectively, with statistically significant differences compared to the control group ( P<0.05). DMG-Na treatment downregulated the mRNA levels of keratinocyte differentiation markers while enhancing cell proliferation and migration ( P<0.05). Furthermore, DMG-Na decreased the secretion of LPS-induced keratinocyte inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and CXCL10 ( P<0.05). These findings indicate that DMG-Na regulates inflammatory responses and promotes keratinocyte proliferation and migration, thereby facilitating the healing of skin wounds.
Animals ; Wound Healing/drug effects* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Keratinocytes/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Glycine/pharmacology* ; Skin/injuries* ; Male

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Health humanities are concerned with exploring the novel concept of integrating the humanities with health-related fields.Traditionally,medicine and healthcare have been primarily focused on a biomedical paradigm,with particular emphasis on the pathological mechanisms and treatment protocols of diseases.However,in recent years,there has been growing recognition that health is a holistic concept influenced not only by biological factors but also by psychological,social,cultural,and other factors,which leads to the emergence of medical humanities.Herein,we constructed a narrative community shared by physicians and patients through the frameworks of phenomenology,social design,and health design.By integrating narrative medicine with medical animation through storytelling and focusing on the feasibility study of an undergraduate course on medical animation,this study synthesizes the conceptual frameworks and methodologies of the humanities with health-related practices,integrating the theories and techniques of narrative medicine with those of medical animation.Through this interdisciplinary approach,we investigated innovative pathways in medical education,attempting to establish new foundations for a more comprehensive understanding and promotion of human health.

Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic scoring model for magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (AI-mrEMVI) and evaluate its performance and prognostic value in patients with rectal cancer.Methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, a total of 2 501 rectal cancer patients from seven centers between November 2012 and December 2020 were included and divided into completely independent training ( n=1 830) and validation ( n=671) cohorts. A nnUNet-based AI-mrEMVI scoring model was constructed. Manual mrEMVI scores assigned by two radiologists served as the reference standard for accessing the accuracy of the AI-mrEMVI scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the AI-mrEMVI scores. The concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate prognostic performance. Results:In the validation cohort, the manual mrEMVI scores were 0-2 in 425 patients (63.3%), 3 in 89 (13.4%), and 4 in 157 (23.4%). The AI-mrEMVI model identified 0-2 in 375 patients (55.9%), 3 in 95 (14.2%), and 4 in 201 (30.0%), with an overall accuracy of 81.1% (544/671, 95% CI 77.9%-84.0%). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for patients with AI-mrEMVI scores of 0-2, 3, and 4 were 85.2%, 70.0%, and 58.2%, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 62.6%, respectively (DFS: χ2=48.74, P<0.001; OS: χ2=30.04, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that for DFS, AI-mrEMVI scores of 3 and 4 were associated with hazard ratios ( HR) of 1.75 (95% CI 1.11-2.77, P=0.016) and 2.65 (95% CI 1.86-3.78, P<0.001), respectively. For OS, an AI-mrEMVI score of 4 was associated with an HR of 2.56 (95% CI 1.62-4.03, P<0.001). The C-index values of the AI-mrEMVI scoring model for predicting DFS and OS were 0.647 (95% CI 0.608-0.686) and 0.650 (95% CI 0.598-0.702), respectively. Conclusion:The proposed AI-mrEMVI automatic scoring model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and performed favorably in predicting DFS and OS prognostic risk in patients with rectal cancer.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of two types of micro-focused ultrasound devices combined with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection for facial rejuvenation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, including 60 female patients aged 28-70 (41.3±7.9) years, who received facial rejuvenation treatment at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, from April 2023 to April 2024. Patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment method: the control group (received only micro-focused ultrasound treatment, n=30) and the combined group (received both micro-focused ultrasound and BoNT-A injection, n=30). Additionally, patients were further categorized into four subgroups based on the type of micro-focused ultrasound device used: Peninsula Microultra? (PM) device group ( n=15), Intelligent Ultrasound? (IU) device group ( n=15), PM device + BoNT-A injection group ( n=15), and IU device + BoNT-A injection group ( n=15). The severity of facial wrinkles was assessed using the wrinkle severity rating scale (WSRS), the Merz aesthetic scale (MAS), and the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) at baseline and 6 months post-treatment. Adverse event rates were also recorded. Results:At 6 months post-treatment, the combined group showed significantly lower WSRS and MAS scores than the control group (both P<0.001). No significant differences were found between the PM and IU device groups, or between the PM + BoNT-A and IU + BoNT-A groups regarding WSRS and MAS scores (all P>0.05). Self-reported GAIS improvement was 56.7% (17/30) for the control group and 80.0% (24/30) for the combined group, with the combined group showing superior results ( P=0.015). The physician-assessed GAIS improvement was 70.0% (21/30) for the control group and 96.7% (29/30) for the combined group, again with the combined group showing superior results ( P=0.007). No significant differences were found in self-reported or physician-assessed GAIS improvement between the PM and IU device groups, or between the PM + BoNT-A and IU + BoNT-A groups (all P>0.05). No severe adverse reactions, such as blisters, scabbing, purpura, bruising, scarring, peripheral facial paralysis, allergies, muscle weakness, dysphagia, or dysphonia, were observed in any patient. Conclusion:The combination of micro-focused ultrasound and BoNT-A injection for facial rejuvenation is more effective than micro-focused ultrasound alone, while there are no significant differences in efficacy between the two micro-focused ultrasound devices.

Anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 protein (LGI1) antibody-associated encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis mediated by LGI1 antibodies, which can occur in both adults and children. Its common clinical manifestations include epileptic seizures, cognitive and psychiatric disorders; rare symptoms include sleep disorders and autonomic disorders; and its characteristic manifestations are faciobrachial dystonic seizures and refractory hyponatremia. Since anti-LGI1 antibody-associated encephalitis is relatively rare in clinical practice, this article reviews the disease in terms of etiology and pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment, recurrence and prognosis. It aims to improve clinicians′ understanding of this disease, provide references for its early diagnosis and treatment, and thereby improve patients′ prognosis.

Objective To investigate the value of multiple quantitative parameters derived from Hawk spectral CT in predicting lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods Preoperative Hawk spectral CT images of 57 cancerous foci from 44 PTC patients confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent lymph node dissection.Based on pathological results,the patients were categorized into metastatic group(26 patients with 35 cancerous foci)and non-metastatic group(18 patients with 22 cancerous foci).The CT morphological features of the primary PTC lesions included location,diameter,bite-cookie sign,and calcification,respectively.Quantitative parameters of Hawk spectral CT plain scan,arterial phase(AP)and venous phase(VP),including conventional CT values,virtual monoenergetic imaging(MonoE)CT values(40 keV,100 keV),effective atomic number(Zeff)and electron density(Rho),respectively.The rank sum test or chi-square test was used to compare the differences in CT morphological features and Hawk spectral CT quantitative parameters between the two groups.For parameters with significant differences,logistic regression was used to construct a combined model.Area under the curve(AUC),accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined model.Results There was statistically significant difference in the diameter of the primary lesion between the metastatic group and the non-metastatic group(P＜0.05),and the diameter of the primary lesion in the metastatic group was larger than that in the non-metastatic group.The conventional CT value,MonoE CT values(40 keV,100 keV),Rho and Zeff in plain scan,AP-Rho,and VP-MonoE CT value(100 keV)of the primary lesion in the metastatic group were all significantly lower than those in the non-metastatic group(P＜0.05).The AUC,accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of the Hawk spectral CT plain scan parameter combination model were 0.765,0.754,0.800,and 0.682,respectively.The AUC,accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of the Hawk spectral CT enhancement parameter combination model were 0.726,0.667,0.600,and 0.786,respectively.Conclusion Through the analysis of multiple quantitative parameters from Hawk spectral CT of PTC primary lesion,the primary lesion in the metastatic group exhibited significant differences from those in the non-metastatic group in multiple quantitative parameters,which can further improve the predictive efficacy for lymph node metastasis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Curcumol on lipid metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and its related molecular mechanism.METHODS A nude mouse xenograft tumor model was established,and Curcumol was administered for 14 d.The volume and weight of subcutaneous tumors were recorded.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the pathological morphology of tumor tissues and organs,as well as the expression levels of Ki67 protein.Bio-chemical kits were used to detect the levels of lipids in tumor tissues.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of SREBP-1,FASN,and EGFR proteins in tumor tissues.The qPCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of SREBP-1 in tumor tissues.Curcumol was used to treat human NSCLC cell line A549 and A549 cells overexpressing SREBP-1.The EdU assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of lung cancer cells;the MTT colorimetric method was used to detect cell viability;the Transwell assay was used to detect tumor cell migration and invasion;flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis;biochemical kits were used to detect lipid levels in cells;and Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of SREBP-1,FASN,and EGFR proteins.RE-SULTS In the in vivo experiment,compared with the control group,Curcumol significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xen-ografts,inhibited tumor cell proliferation(P<0.05,P<0.01),reduced the levels of triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(T-CHO),and free fatty acids(FFA)in tumor tissues(P<0.05,P<0.01),downregulated the expression of SREBP-1,FASN,and p-EGFR pro-teins(P<0.01),and inhibited the expression of SREBP-1 mRNA in tumor tissues(P<0.05,P<0.01).In the in vitro experiment,compared with the control group,Curcumol significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of A549 cells,reduced cell viability(P<0.05,P<0.01),promoted tumor cell apoptosis(P<0.01),downregulated the levels of FFA,T-CHO,and TG in A549 cells(P<0.05,P<0.01),and inhibited the expression of SREBP-1,FASN,and p-EGFR proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally,overexpression of SREBP-1 antagonized the inhibitory effects of Curcumol on lipid synthesis and EGFR activation,and weakened the inhibitory effects of Curcumolc on tumor cells.CONCLUSION Curcumol inhibits the expression levels of SREBP-1 and FASN,re-duces lipid synthesis,blocks EGFR signal transduction,and slows down the occurrence and development of NSCLC.

In order to explore the relationship between ubiquitin proteasome system(UPS)and au-tophagy after macrophage was infected with Brucella.On the one hand,the levels of LC3 Ⅱ、P62 and 20S proteasomes in cell supernatant and peritoneal fluid were determined respectively after RAW264.7 cells were infected and BALB/c mice were intraperitoneal inoculated with Brucella suis(B.suis).The results displayed that UPS was activated firstly,followed by autophagy after B.suis infection.On the other hand,we prepared the UPS-inhibited-cells and ALP-inhibited-cells by lacta-cystin and 3-methy ladenine(3-MA),and then the cells were infected by B.suis and the levels of LC3 Ⅱ、P62 与 20S proteasomes in cell supernatant were determined.The results showed that the ALP function was significantly improved when the effect of M