Objective To explore the value of combined ultrasound parameters, including the hepatorenal index (HRI) and renal resistance index (RRI), with cystatin C (CysC) in monitoring early acute kidney injury (AKI) after liver transplantation. Methods Perioperative data from 121 liver transplant recipients who received organs from donation after brain death were collected. The HRI and RRI of the recipients were measured on postoperative days 1-7 and at 1 month, and the CysC levels were measured on postoperative day 1. The recipients were divided into the AKI group (n=53) and the non-AKI group (n=68) based on whether AKI occurred within 7 days after operation. The data of the two groups were compared, and the ultrasound parameters before and after recovery in the AKI group were analyzed. The value of combined HRI, RRI and CysC in monitoring AKI was also analyzed. Results AKI occurred in 53 recipients, with an incidence rate of 43.8%, including 30 cases of stage 1, 18 cases of stage 2, and 5 cases of stage 3. Among them, 49 cases occurred on postoperative day 1, and 4 cases occurred on postoperative day 2. Of these, 43 cases recovered within 7 days after surgery, 8 cases recovered within 2 months after surgery, 1 case was lost to follow-up, and 1 case received renal replacement therapy. The body mass index and preoperative CysC levels were higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group, and the operative time was longer in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group (all P < 0.05). The HRI on postoperative day 1 was lower in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group, while the RRI and CysC levels were higher (all P < 0.05). When AKI occurred, the HRI was lower than the baseline level, and the RRI was higher than the baseline level. As AKI recovered, the HRI gradually increased, and the RRI gradually decreased. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of HRI ≤ 1.12 for predicting AKI were 0.623 and 0.878, respectively, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.801. The sensitivity and specificity of RRI ≥ 0.65 for predicting AKI were 0.878 and 0.676, respectively, with an AUC of 0.825. The sensitivity and specificity of CysC ≥ 1.38 mg/L for predicting AKI were 0.736 and 0.882, respectively, with an AUC of 0.851 (all P<0.01). The combination of HRI and CysC (AUC=0.897, P<0.01), RRI and CysC (AUC=0.910, P<0.01), and all three parameters combined (AUC=0.934, P<0.01) were more effective than using each parameter alone. Conclusions HRI and RRI may be used to monitor the occurrence and recovery of early AKI after liver transplantation. The combination of these two parameters with CysC has a high application value in monitoring early AKI after liver transplantation.

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

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a glycosyltransferase (RpUGT1) from Rheum palmatum and investigate its specificity toward flavonoid compounds. METHODS: The RpUGT1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and screened for catalytic activity against a range of flavonoid substrates using a high-throughput HPLC assay method. Mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to determine the structure of the product. Homology modeling, molecular docking analyses and site-directed mutagenesis studies were conducted to identify key residues responsible for its function. RESULTS: The recombinant RpUGT1 protein exhibited catalytic activity towards various flavonoids. Notably, RpUGT1 catalyzed the glycosylation of isorhamnetin to form 3-O-glucoside and kaempferol to form 7-O-glucoside, utilizing uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucose as the sugar donor. The homology modeling and molecular docking analyses identified key residues responsible for its activity. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis studies highlighted the crucial role of K307 in catalysis. CONCLUSION These discoveries offer valuable perspectives on the role of the UGT family and establish a groundwork for forthcoming research on the synthesis of flavonoids in plants.

Objectives:Aimed to establish a rapid, high-throughput, automated method for determining the creatine kinase (CK-MM) isoform levels.Methods:Magnetic beads labeled with anti-CK-MM antibodies were combined with alkaline phosphatase-based chemiluminescence detection. Clinical and diagnostic performance validation of the assay was determined by analysis of 998 and 75 dried blood spot samples from healthy newborns and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, respectively, and the CK activity was also determined. The blank and detection limits, cross-reactivity, recovery rate of the method, intra-and inter-assay coefficient, and the hook effect were evaluated.Results:Blank and detection limits were 17.4 and 39.3 ng/ml, respectively. Cross-reactivity toward CK-MB and CK-BB isoforms was 0.2% and 0.02%, respectively. Intra-and inter-assay coefficients of variation were<1%. Mean recovery was 100.32%, with no hook effect in CK-MM levels<50 000 ng/ml. Overall, the mean CK-MM concentrations in newborns and DMD patients were (27.05±0.97) and (3 720±300.5) ng/ml, respectively. A significant positive correlation between the dried blood spot detected CK-MM levels and total CK enzyme activity, evaluated in corresponding serum samples from the 75 DMD patients, was observed ( r=0.91, P<0.001), ?which is in good agreement with the clinical. Conclusions:An assay for rapid quantitative determination of CK-MM that meets clinical newborn screening requirements was established. It had a good value for application.

Objective:To explore the correlation between hip muscle factors measured with CT imaging and recovery of independent mobility within 1 year after surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted on the clinical data of 680 elderly patients with hip fractures admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital of Capital Medical University from November 2018 to December 2019. The patients were assigned to dependent group and assistant group according to whether they regained pre-injury independent mobility within 1 year after surgery. Gender, age, body mass index, personal history, living habits, past diseases, Charlson comorbidity index, laboratory test indicators, fracture types, anesthesia types, surgical methods, rehabilitation training, time from injury to surgery, and hip muscle parameters in both groups were recorded. OsiriX software was employed in the measurement of the hip muscles to measure the muscle area and density of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius/minimus on CT images, and the average values were calculated as hip muscle area and density. Then the variables of hip muscle area and density were converted seperately to gender-normalized Z-scores, and were divided into high-area group ( Z≥0) and low-area group ( Z<0), and high-density group ( Z≥0) and low-density group ( Z<0) respectively. Observable variables were primarily analyzed using univariate analysis between the independent group and assistant group. Those variables with statistically significant differences in the univariate analysis or would potentially affect mobility recovery according to previous researches although there were no statistical significance were included in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Three Logistic regression models were designed (Model 1 uncorrected, Model 2 corrected for gender, age and body mass index, Model 3 corrected for variables in Model 2 and other variables included after above-mentioned analysis) to analyze whether muscle parameters were risk factors for recovery of independent mobility. Additionally, generalized estimating equations were used for repeated measurement to analyze the correlation between hip muscle area and recovery of independent mobility after surgery. Results:Compared to the assistant group, the independent group were younger in age, with lower rate of living alone, being housebound, cognitive impairment, and Charlson comorbidity index, lower level of hemoglobin and albumin, higher rate of femoral neck fractures, lower rate of internal fixation, shorter time from injury to surgery, larger hip muscle area, and higher hip muscle density ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that, in the fully corrected Model 3, only hip muscle area remained significantly correlated with recovery of independent mobility ( P<0.05), while no significant difference was found between the high-density group and low-density group ( P>0.05). In the repeated measurement, patients in the high-area group were 1.84 times more likely to restore independent mobility than those in the low-area group ( OR=1.84, 95% CI 1.33, 2.53, P<0.01). Conclusions:Hip muscle area measured with CT imaging is closely correlated to the recovery of independent mobility within 1 year after surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures. Moreover, larger hip muscle area indicates a larger likelihood of recovery of independent mobility.

Objective:To study the ultrasonographic manifestations of intercostal muscle and diaphragm involvement in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and their correlations with functional status, and to explore the pattern of muscle damage in patients with DMD and the potential role of ultrasonography in assessing disease progression.Methods:A total of 28 patients with DMD who received treatment in the Third Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital from May to December 2023 were prospectively collected as DMD group, and 28 healthy children matched in age and sex were included as controls for a prospective study.Diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) and intercostal muscle thickening fraction (ICMTF) were measured by B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography, and the muscle gray values were recorded. The differences between groups were compared, and the values of DTF and ICMTF in evaluating the structural and functional changes of respiratory muscle were analyzed.Results:Compared with the control group, the gray value of respiratory muscle was significantly decreased in DMD group, the diaphragm and intercostal muscle were significantly thickened at the end of inspiratory and expiratory periods, DTF was significantly decreased, and ICMTF was significantly increased (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Ultrasound can evaluate the structural changes of respiratory muscle in DMD, so as to clarify the relationship between the structure and function of respiratory muscle in DMD patients.

Objective To explore basement membrane markers and potential drugs for treatment in idiopathic pulmona-ry fibrosis(IPF).Methods IPF-related datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,processed to construct basement membrane gene expression matrices associated with IPF,and screened for differential basement membrane genes(DEBMs);DEBMs were enriched for function and pathways,and machine learning algorithms were used to ob-tain candidate signature genes,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to identify signature genes and con-struct a nomogram.We performed ssGSEA analysis to explore the correlation between signature genes and immune cells and their functions and predicted the corresponding miRNAs and therapeutic drugs by signature genes.Results A total of 56 DEBMs were extracted;enrichment analysis showed that DEBMs were mainly enriched in"extracellular matrix tissue","extracellular structural tissue",etc.,and were closely related to"ECM-receptor interaction"and"local adhesion spot"pathways.The ma-chine learning has identified six candidate signature genes(TIMP3,P3H2,ITGA7,ITGA4,ADAMTS2,COL8A2),all of which meet the requirements of the signature genes by the ROC curve test,and the nomogram diagnostic value was outstanding(AUC=0.991 523);B cells and Macrophages in IPF were significantly different from the normal group.Finally,miRNAs were predicted to be dominated by miR-4305,miR-3684,progesterone,and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as therapeutic agents with strong relevance to IPF.Conclusion Signature genes and predictive miRNAs may serve as novel markers for IPF diagnosis,and pre-dictive drugs may be a potential source of drugs for treating IPF.

Diabetes has long been considered a risk factor in implant therapy and impaired wound healing in soft and hard oral tissues.Magnesium has been proved to promote bone healing under normal conditions.Here,we elucidate the mechanism by which Mg2+ promotes angiogenesis and osseointegration in diabetic status.We generated a diabetic mice model and demonstrated the alveolar bone healing was compromised,with significantly decreased angiogenesis.We then developed Mg-coating implants with hydrothermal synthesis.These implants successfully improved the vascularization and osseointegration in diabetic status.Mechanically,Mg2+ promoted the degradation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)and the nucleation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by up-regulating the expression of sestrin 2(SESN2)in endothelial cells,thus reducing the elevated levels of oxidative stress in mitochondria and relieving endothelial cell dysfunction under hyperglycemia.Altogether,our data suggested that Mg2+ promoted angiogenesis and osseointegration in diabetic mice by regulating endothelial mitochondrial metabolism.

Objective:It aimed to improve pilot programs and explore medical insurance payment methods tailored to the characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)services by summarizing practical experiences,analyzing common issues,and proposing strategic suggestions.Methods:It conducted a comprehensive review of literature and policy documents to analyze the progress of TCM advantageous condition and payment modality reforms,prevalent conditions,and service types.Results:It revealed various payment modalities for TCM,including remuneration for advantageous conditions,establishment of TCM Diagnosis Related Groups(DRG),and formulation of differential adjustment coefficients for TCM-focused healthcare institutions.Reforms predominantly involve expanding condition-based remuneration scopes,individual-condition remunerations,and remuneration based on therapeutic efficacy.The effect of the reform is mainly reflected in the recognition of the value of TCM,the support of hospitals,and the benefit of patients.Predominant conditions include bone injuries,rheumatic ailments,and anorectal disorders,with hospitalization being the primary service modality.Conclusion:Current payment modalities for TCM advantageous conditions face challenges such as limited reform scope and service coverage,coding system standardization issues,performance incentive deficiencies,and irrational cost estimation.Recommendations include exploring integrated TCM advantageous condition service models,establishing a management paradigm for TCM conditions,addressing transient policy-related deficits,leveraging data analytics and AI algorithms,and formulating clinical pathway standards.

Diabetes has long been considered a risk factor in implant therapy and impaired wound healing in soft and hard oral tissues.Magnesium has been proved to promote bone healing under normal conditions.Here,we elucidate the mechanism by which Mg2+ promotes angiogenesis and osseointegration in diabetic status.We generated a diabetic mice model and demonstrated the alveolar bone healing was compromised,with significantly decreased angiogenesis.We then developed Mg-coating implants with hydrothermal synthesis.These implants successfully improved the vascularization and osseointegration in diabetic status.Mechanically,Mg2+ promoted the degradation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)and the nucleation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by up-regulating the expression of sestrin 2(SESN2)in endothelial cells,thus reducing the elevated levels of oxidative stress in mitochondria and relieving endothelial cell dysfunction under hyperglycemia.Altogether,our data suggested that Mg2+ promoted angiogenesis and osseointegration in diabetic mice by regulating endothelial mitochondrial metabolism.