AIM:To evaluate the effects of periocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide combined with dexamethasone on ocular surface function and tear dynamics in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, 26 TAO patients(52 eyes)treated between September 2020 and September 2023 received periocular injections of triamcinolone acetonide(20 mg)and dexamethasone(2.5 mg). Clinical parameters, including clinical activity score(CAS), ocular surface disease index(OSDI), Schirmer I test(SⅠt), tear film breakup time(BUT), tear meniscus height(TMH), corneal fluorescein staining(FL), meibomian gland loss, and lipid secretion score, were assessed at baseline, 1 wk, and 1 mo post-injection.RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score before and after injection in the included patients(all P<0.05). At 1 wk after injection, there were differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score compared with those before injection(all P<0.0167). At 1 mo after injection, there were differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score compared with those at 1 wk after injection(all P<0.0167). At 1 mo after injection, there were no differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score compared with those before injection(all P>0.05). There was a difference in meibomian gland dropout score before and after injection in the included patients(P<0.05), but pairwise comparisons showed no differences(P=0.900, 0.306). During the treatment period, 1 patient experienced transient elevation of intraocular pressure(25 mmHg), which was alleviated after control with intraocular pressure-lowering medication, and no cases of secondary glaucoma occurred.CONCLUSION: Periocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide combined with dexamethasone provides short-term improvement in ocular surface symptoms, tear film stability and secretion in TAO patients. However, efficacy diminishes over time and does not reverse structural damage. Long-term maintenance therapy is recommended.

ObjectiveTo divide the muscle into different subzones according to different density ranges using the stratified analysis on the basis of myosteatosis， and to investigate the effect of muscle density changes on complications （Clavien-Dindo grade ≥Ⅲ） after orthotopic liver transplantation （OLT）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the medical records of 145 patients who underwent OLT in The First Hospital of Jilin University from May 2013 to September 2020， and with the plain CT scan images of the largest level of lumbar 3 vertebrae of each patient as the original data， Neusoft Fatanalysis software was used to measure related muscle parameters. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. The chi-square test or Fisher test was for comparison of categorical data between two groups. RIAS software was used to extract clinical features and perform analysis and modeling， and three machine learning models of logistic regression （LR）， support vector machine （SVM）， and random forest （RFC） were constructed. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， the calibration curve， and the decision curve were plotted for each model to calculate the area under the ROC curve （AUC）， sensitivity， specificity， precision， F1 score， and accuracy. ResultsThe three machine learning models of LR-C， SVM-C， and RFC-C were established based on the 7 clinical features before muscle stratification analysis， among which the RFC-C model had an AUC of 0.803， a sensitivity of 0.588， and a specificity of 0.778 in the test set. Among the models of LR-CS， SVM-CS， and RFC-CS established based on the 16 clinical features after muscle stratification analysis， the LR-CS and SVM-CS models had an AUC of 0.852 in the test set， with a sensitivity of 0.765 and 0.706， respectively， and a specificity of 0.889 and 0.926， respectively. Comparison of the AUC， sensitivity， specificity， precision， F1 score， and accuracy of each model in the test set before and after muscle stratification analysis showed that there were improvements in the parameters of the predictive model after muscle stratification analysis. Comparison of the decision curves and calibration curves of each predictive model showed that the LR-CS and SVM-CS models had good efficacy in predicting postoperative complications （Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲ） in OLT patients. ConclusionOn the basis of myosteatosis， the division of the muscle into different subzones according to different densities using the stratified analysis has a certain value in predicting postoperative complications in patients with OLT.

It is believed that the head and facial orifices are connected with the brain's spirit and the spirits of the five organs. Their functions， including vision， hearing， smell， taste， and speech， are manifestations of the activity of the spirit. Furthermore， head and facial orifice disorders are interrelated with spirit disorders， forming a cause-and-effect relationship. Acupuncture has a regulatory effect on the spirit. Based on this， acupuncture for regulating the spirit in treating head and facial orifice disorders is proposed. This includes regulating the brain's spirit to treat functional disorders， regulating the heart's spirit to clarify the functions of governing substances， regulating the organ's spirit to benefit the orifices and enhance the communication of the spirit， and regulating the liver's spirit to promote the flow of Qi （气） and relieve stagnation， thereby providing a framework for acupuncture to treat head and facial orifice disorders.

It is regarded that the disease location of refractory facial paralysis is in the channel sinews of the face， with its primary pathogenesis characterized by a combination of deficiency and stasis of the channel sinews. The integration of repeated shallow needling method and fire acupuncture can first remove stagnation within the channel sinews， and second utilize the warming effect of fire to reinforce yang， stimulate meridian qi， and nourish the channel sinews. This approach balances both supplementation and drainage manipulation， aligning with the underlying pathogenesis of deficiency and stasis combination. In clinical practice， diagnostic methods should be applied flexibly to accurately identify the affected channel sinews. The severity of facial symptoms， the size and mobility of the paralyzed facial muscles， as well as the depth and size of the reactive points identified through palpation， should be considered when determining the extent of the condition. By adjusting the appropriate level of stimulation， the fire acupuncture with repeated shallow needling method could effectively improve facial muscle morphology and function， promoting recovery from the disease.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Objective To analyze the role and mechanism of PD-L1 in oral cancer metastasis based on TCGA and GEO databases.Methods The expression characteristics and clinical significance of the PD-L1 in oral cancer were analyzed using the TCGA database.PD-L1 mRNA levels were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)in various oral cancer cell lines.CCK-8,scrath test,Transwell-migration,and matrigel-invasion assays were employed to assess the effects of PD-L1 on proliferation,migration,and invasion of oral cancer cells.The interaction network between PD-L1 and functional genes in patients with oral cancer was constructed using STRING software and the GEO database,and key pathways were screened by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis.The regulatory relationship between PD-L1 and key genes was validated by RT-qPCR.Results TCGA data revealed that PD-L1 was highly expressed in patients with oral cancer and was correlated with lymph node metastasis(P＜0.01).PD-L1 was also highly expressed in oral cancer cell lines and its inhibition significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of Cal27 and SCC25 cells(P＜0.05).KEGG analysis indicated that PD-L1 activated the Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)pathway by upregulating C-X-C motif chemokine ligand(CXCL)9 and CXCL10,thereby promoting STAT1 expression to regulate oral cancer metastasis.Inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway further suppressed the proliferation,migration,invasion,and expression of STAT1,CXCL9,and CXCL10 in Cal27 and SCC25 cells(P＜0.05).Conclusions PD-L1 may promote oral cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion by upregulating CXCL9 and CXCL10 to regulate the JAK/STAT pathway and enhance STAT1 expression,ultimately driving oral cancer growth and metastasis.

Objective·To investigate the regulatory effects and underlying mechanisms of mouse mandibular osteoblasts on B cell differentiation and development.Methods·Single-cell suspensions from mouse mandibular bone were prepared using an optimized enzymatic digestion method and induced to differentiate into osteoblasts in vitro.Osteogenic potential was validated by real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining,and alizarin red S(ARS)staining.The spatial localization relationship between osteoblasts and B cells in mandibular tissues was examined via immunofluorescence staining.High-purity hematopoietic progenitor cells were isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting.A Transwell co-culture system was established to assess the regulatory effects of different osteoblast concentrations(5×104,2.5×105,and 5×105 cells/well)on B cell differentiation(5×104 cells/well).Flow cytometry and RT-qPCR were employed to evaluate B cell viability and differentiation.Additionally,RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of osteoblast-secreted factors associated with B cell development during osteogenic differentiation.Results·Mandibular osteoblasts exhibited robust osteogenic potential,as confirmed by ALP/ARS staining and high expression of osteogenic markers(Runx2,Osx,Ocn,and Alp)via RT-qPCR.Immunofluorescence revealed close spatial proximity between osteoblasts and B cells in mandibular tissues.In the co-culture system,osteoblasts promoted B cell differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence demonstrated that osteoblasts significantly upregulated key genes involved in B cell development(Ebf1,Rag1,Il7r,and Pax5;all P<0.001).Furthermore,osteoblast-derived factors(Il7,Baff,and Flt3l)were markedly elevated during osteogenic differentiation(all P<0.05).Conclusion·Mandibular osteoblasts enhance B cell differentiation and development in a concentration-dependent manner,likely through secreting growth factors that upregulate critical B cell differentiation genes.