ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Renshentang treats atherosclerosis （AS） in mice， focusing on the regulation of endothelial inflammatory responses mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 （TRPV1）. MethodsAn AS model was established in apolipoprotein E knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice fed a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into a simvastatin group （0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and low-， medium-， and high-dose Renshentang groups （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 12 mice in each group. ApoE^-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated simultaneously. C57BL/6J mice fed a normal diet served as the normal group （n=9）. After continuous administration for 12 weeks， mice were anesthetized and the aortas were collected. Oil Red O staining was used to observe lipid plaque formation in the aorta. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to examine pathological changes in the aortic root. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the levels of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， as well as the expression of TRPV1， phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， and phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt） in the aortic root. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） mRNA expression in the aorta， and Western blot was used to detect TRPV1 protein expression. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant increase in aortic plaque formation （P<0.01） and significantly elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the aortic root （P<0.01）. The expression levels of TRPV1， p-PI3K， and p-Akt were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and eNOS mRNA expression was reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all Renshentang groups significantly reduced aortic plaque formation （P<0.01）， significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels （P<0.01）， and markedly increased the expression levels of TRPV1， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and eNOS mRNA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang may inhibit endothelial inflammation and suppress the formation of AS by increasing TRPV1 protein expression and up-regulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway， which may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect against AS.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Renshentang on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice based on the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 （TRPV1） in regulating cholesterol metabolism in foam cells. MethodsNine SPF-grade 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were set as a normal group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice were randomized into model， positive drug （simvastatin， 0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Renshentang groups （n=12） according to body weight. The normal group was fed with a normal diet， and the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet and given corresponding drugs by oral gavage for the modeling of AS. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for 12 weeks. After the last administration and fasting for 12 h， the aorta was collected. Plaque conditions， pathological changes， levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglcerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （HDL-C）， and the expression of TRPV1， liver X receptor （LXR）， inducible degrader of the low-density lipoprotein receptor （IDOL）， and low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） in the aortic tissue were observed and detected by gross oil red O staining， HE staining， Western blot， immunohistochemistry， and real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented obvious plaque deposition in the aorta， raised levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the serum （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression level of LDLR in the aorta （P<0.01）， lowered level of HDL-C in the serum， and down-regulated expression levels of TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL in the aorta （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the positive drug and Renshentang at different doses alleviated AS， elevated the levels of HDL-C， TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while lowering the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang has a lipid-lowering effect on AS mice. It can effectively reduce lipid deposition， lipid levels， and plaque area of AS mice by activating TRPV1 expression and regulating the LXR/IDOL/LDLR pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Renshentang on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice based on the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 （TRPV1） in regulating cholesterol metabolism in foam cells. MethodsNine SPF-grade 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were set as a normal group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice were randomized into model， positive drug （simvastatin， 0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Renshentang groups （n=12） according to body weight. The normal group was fed with a normal diet， and the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet and given corresponding drugs by oral gavage for the modeling of AS. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for 12 weeks. After the last administration and fasting for 12 h， the aorta was collected. Plaque conditions， pathological changes， levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglcerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （HDL-C）， and the expression of TRPV1， liver X receptor （LXR）， inducible degrader of the low-density lipoprotein receptor （IDOL）， and low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） in the aortic tissue were observed and detected by gross oil red O staining， HE staining， Western blot， immunohistochemistry， and real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented obvious plaque deposition in the aorta， raised levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the serum （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression level of LDLR in the aorta （P<0.01）， lowered level of HDL-C in the serum， and down-regulated expression levels of TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL in the aorta （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the positive drug and Renshentang at different doses alleviated AS， elevated the levels of HDL-C， TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while lowering the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang has a lipid-lowering effect on AS mice. It can effectively reduce lipid deposition， lipid levels， and plaque area of AS mice by activating TRPV1 expression and regulating the LXR/IDOL/LDLR pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux for gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). METHODS: A total of 120 GERC patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (60 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (60 cases, 1 case was eliminated). The observation group received acupoint thread-embedding treatment at positive response points of governor vessel. If no such points were detected, the following acupoints were used: Dazhui (GV14), Fenghu (Extra), Shendao (GV11), Lingtai (GV10), and Zhiyang (GV9). Treatment was administered once every two weeks. The control group received oral rabeprazole enteric capsules at 20 mg twice daily. All the treatment was given for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using cough symptom score, reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) score, and Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) score before and after treatment in the two groups. Clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, both groups showed decreased cough symptom scores and the each item scores and total scores of RDQ (P<0.001), and increased LCQ scores (P<0.001) compare with those before treatment. The observation group exhibited lower cough symptom score and chest pain, reflux and total score of RDQ, and higher LCQ score compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.9% (56/59), which was higher than 84.7% (50/59) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux could effectively alleviate cough and reflux symptoms in patients with GERC and improve their quality of life.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Cough/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Lung/physiopathology* ; Meridians

China is a high-incidence region for gastric cancer globally. The disease is characterized by a high morbidity rate, low early diagnostic rate, and poor long-term outcomes, imposing a significant burden on both patients and society. Therefore, exploring the pathogenesis of gastric cancer, developing novel therapeutic strategies, and identifying new drug targets is of great importance. Telomerase expression is broadly associated with cancer cell targeting, and its up-regulation is one of the key factors driving the initiation and progression of gastric cancer. Additionally, telomerase is intricately involved in the regulation of autophagy and autophagy-associated cell death. While autophagy can induce chemoresistance, excessive autophagy may lead to cell death, which also constitutes one of the mechanisms of chemotherapy. Telomerase not only directly contributes to gastric cancer pathogenesis but also indirectly influences its development and treatment by modulating autophagy and autophagic cell death. Therefore, telomerase holds promise as a novel therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics* ; Telomerase/genetics* ; Autophagy/physiology*

Objective:To introduce the experience of reconstructing the pelvic floor with a pedicled large omental flap combined with a basement membrane biological mesh in combined pelvic organ resection for locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer combined with sacrococcygeal resection, and to discuss the feasibility, safety, and near-term therapeutic efficacy of this technique.Methods:For patients with sacrococcygeal resection of combined pelvic organs, a basement membrane mesh was used to rebuild the pelvic floor with a pedicled greater omentum flap to isolate the abdominopelvic cavity. The main operation was to pull the greater omentum, which preserved the double vascular arches, to the pelvic floor to cover the pelvic floor, and then the mesh was used to cover the posterior peritoneal defect and pelvic inlet with absorbable sutures of 2-0 or thicker.Results:In this study, a retrospective cohort study was used to collect clinical data through the China Rectal Cancer Combined Pelvic Organs Resections Case Database. Twenty patients with locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer without extra-pelvic metastasis or only oligometastases underwent combined pelvic organ and sacrococcygeal resection in the Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Military Medical University during the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and 10 patients underwent simple basement membrane resection with a simple basement membrane. Among them, the pelvic floor were reconstructed by basement membrane mesh alone in 10 cases (mesh only group), and 10 cases were reconstructed the pelvic floor by pedicled large omental flap combined with basement membrane mesh (omental flap-combined mesh group). The recent outcomes of the two groups of patients were studied comparatively. Comparison of baseline data and intraoperative conditions between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05); the drain removal time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 26.7 (19-42) days, which was shorter than that in the mesh only group, which was 40.4 (24-56) days ( U=4.125, P=0.001); The empty pelvis healing time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 29.4 (23~43) days, which was shorter than that of 42.2 (27~58) days in the mesh-only group ( U=4.043, P=0.001); the differences were all statistically significant. The postoperative complication rate of grade ≥III in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 1/10, which was lower than that of 6/10 in the mesh-only group; the difference was not statistically significant when comparing the two groups ( P = 0.057). Follow-up ended on 09/30/2023, with a median follow-up of 9.5 (3-15) months in 20 patients, and all 20 cases survived during the follow-up period, with no tumor recurrence at the surgical site. Conclusion:In locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer undergoing combined pelvic organ resection with sacrococcygeal, compared with reconstruction of the pelvic floor by basement membrane mesh alone, reconstruction of the pelvic floor and isolation of the abdominopelvic cavity by a pedicled greater omentum flap combined with a basement membrane mesh is safe and feasible.

Objective:To introduce the experience of reconstructing the pelvic floor with a pedicled large omental flap combined with a basement membrane biological mesh in combined pelvic organ resection for locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer combined with sacrococcygeal resection, and to discuss the feasibility, safety, and near-term therapeutic efficacy of this technique.Methods:For patients with sacrococcygeal resection of combined pelvic organs, a basement membrane mesh was used to rebuild the pelvic floor with a pedicled greater omentum flap to isolate the abdominopelvic cavity. The main operation was to pull the greater omentum, which preserved the double vascular arches, to the pelvic floor to cover the pelvic floor, and then the mesh was used to cover the posterior peritoneal defect and pelvic inlet with absorbable sutures of 2-0 or thicker.Results:In this study, a retrospective cohort study was used to collect clinical data through the China Rectal Cancer Combined Pelvic Organs Resections Case Database. Twenty patients with locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer without extra-pelvic metastasis or only oligometastases underwent combined pelvic organ and sacrococcygeal resection in the Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Military Medical University during the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and 10 patients underwent simple basement membrane resection with a simple basement membrane. Among them, the pelvic floor were reconstructed by basement membrane mesh alone in 10 cases (mesh only group), and 10 cases were reconstructed the pelvic floor by pedicled large omental flap combined with basement membrane mesh (omental flap-combined mesh group). The recent outcomes of the two groups of patients were studied comparatively. Comparison of baseline data and intraoperative conditions between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05); the drain removal time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 26.7 (19-42) days, which was shorter than that in the mesh only group, which was 40.4 (24-56) days ( U=4.125, P=0.001); The empty pelvis healing time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 29.4 (23~43) days, which was shorter than that of 42.2 (27~58) days in the mesh-only group ( U=4.043, P=0.001); the differences were all statistically significant. The postoperative complication rate of grade ≥III in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 1/10, which was lower than that of 6/10 in the mesh-only group; the difference was not statistically significant when comparing the two groups ( P = 0.057). Follow-up ended on 09/30/2023, with a median follow-up of 9.5 (3-15) months in 20 patients, and all 20 cases survived during the follow-up period, with no tumor recurrence at the surgical site. Conclusion:In locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer undergoing combined pelvic organ resection with sacrococcygeal, compared with reconstruction of the pelvic floor by basement membrane mesh alone, reconstruction of the pelvic floor and isolation of the abdominopelvic cavity by a pedicled greater omentum flap combined with a basement membrane mesh is safe and feasible.

There are many kinds of zirconia repair materials that have been introduced at home and abroad.Mechanical and aesthetic properties are the important factors for selecting zirconia materials.The process of diagnosis and treatment by dentists and the production by the workers in laboratory affect the final repair effects.To achieve accurate and efficient simulation of dental repair and treatment,effective cooperation between dentists and technicians is required.In this paper,the factors affecting mechanical and aes-thetic properties in the process of material selection,tooth wearing,restoration design and fabrication,concerning zirconia veneer,sin-gle-crown,fixed bridge and edentulous jaw implant fixed repair were discussed and summarized.The common failure reasons were ana-lyzed in order to improve the communication efficiency between dentists and technicians in the process of zirconia repair system and to a-chieve better repair effects.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang on the progression of atherosclerosis （AS） mice based on the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in foam cells by transient receptor potential channel ankyrin 1 （TRPA1）. MethodThe AS model was established on apolipoprotein E knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice with a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into low-dose， middle-dose， and high-dose groups of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang （2.97， 5.94， 11.88 g·kg^-1） and simvastatin group （0.002 g·kg^-1）， and the drug was administered along with a high-fat diet. C57BL/6J mice were fed an ordinary diet as a normal group. After the above process， the aorta and serum of mice were taken. The pathological changes of the aortic root were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The lipid plaques in the aorta were observed by gross oil redness. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were detected， and the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot and immunohistochemical method were used to analyze the expression of TRPA1， ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1）， ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 （ABCG1）， and mannose receptor （CD206）. ResultFrom the perspective of drug efficacy， compared with the normal group， pathological changes such as plaque， a large number of foam cells， and cholesterol crystals appeared in the aorta of the model group， and the serum levels of TC， LDL-C， IL-1β， and IL-18 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The HDL-C level was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the CD206 level in aortic tissue was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the lipid deposition in the aorta was alleviated in all drug administration groups. In addition， except for the high-dose group of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang， all drug administration groups could significantly decrease the levels of TC and LDL-C （P<0.01）. In terms of inflammation， except for the middle-dose group of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang， the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased in all drug administration groups （P<0.05）. Moreover， Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang could also up-regulate the levels of CD206， and the difference was significant in the middle-dose and high-dose groups （P<0.05）. From the perspective of mechanism， the expression levels of TRPA1， ABCA1， and ABCG1 in the aorta in the model group were lower than those in the normal group （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all drug administration groups significantly increased the expression of TRPA1 in the aorta （P<0.05）， and the expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1 were increased. The differences in the middle-dose and high-dose groups and the simvastatin group were significant （P<0.05）， which was basically consistent with the trend of immunohistochemical results. ConclusionZhishi Xiebai Guizhitang can effectively reduce blood lipid and inflammation levels and inhibit the formation of aortic plaque. The mechanism may be explained as follows： the expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1 downstream are increased through TRPA1， which promotes cholesterol outflow in foam cells， thereby regulating cholesterol metabolism， intervening in inflammation level to a certain extent， and finally treating AS.

Gastric cancer is one of the major diseases threatening human health, with a high incidence and a low early diagnostic rate. There are many bottlenecks encountered during its treatment. Consequently, improving the early diagnostic rate and exploring new therapeutic targets are currently urgent challenges that need to be addressed. Telomerase is undetectable in normal tissues, but it exhibits high specificity and sensitivity in most cancers and has a definite correlation with prognosis. It may serve as a serum tumor marker and prognostic indicator. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene polymorphism can regulate the susceptibility of people to gastric cancer, and affect the occurrence, development, proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer through its target gene. Substances such as resistin, visfatin, G-quadruplex and methylenedioxyaniline can affect the occurrence and development of gastric cancer by regulating telomerase expression. The mechanism by which hTERT regulates tumor invasion and metastasis is currently unclear, so elucidating its mechanism is of great significance.This paper will review the research progress of this mechanism in recent years.