BACKGROUND:Rapid and accurate segmentation of brain tissue in medical images is of great significance for three-dimensional biomechanical modeling and diagnosis of craniocerebral injuries.Currently,artificial intelligence(AI)-based baseline models exhibit excellent generalization capabilities on large-scale datasets.However,due to the specificity and complexity of craniocerebral tissues,these models have certain limitations in their application to craniocerebral tissue segmentation.Additionally,the scarcity of craniocerebral tissue samples makes it difficult for baseline models to achieve precise segmentation results through fine-tuning.OBJECTIVE:To construct a craniocerebral tissue segmentation model based on texture feature retrieval enhancement to improve segmentation accuracy under a small number of samples.METHODS:Segment Anything in Medical Images(MedSAM)model was selected as the basic framework,and texture features were combined with deep learning to build a brain tissue segmentation model based on texture feature retrieval enhancement(DP-MedSAM).Dice Coefficient and mean intersection over union(MIoU)were selected to evaluate the efficiency of image segmentation results.In comparison with the original MedSAM model,the ablation experiment systematically evaluated the influence of key components on the model performance.The sensitivities of MedSAM,the Segment Anything Model(SAM)for medical image segmentation(SAM-Med2D)and DP-MedSAM in the mandible,left optic nerve,and left parotid gland were compared.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)By verifying the impact of the number of point prompts on segmentation results on the HaN-Seg dataset,the experimental results indicated that the optimal Dice score was achieved with the addition of three points.(2)DP-MedSAM demonstrated performance improvements compared with MedSAM and SAM-Med2D on two datasets(HaN and Public Domain Database for Computational Anatomy).Especially on the Public Domain Database for Computational Anatomy dataset,in terms of the MIoU metric,DP-MedSAM outperformed MedSAM by 6.59％and SAM-Med2D by 37.35％;in terms of the Dice metric,DP-MedSAM outperformed MedSAM and SAM-Med2D by 4.34％and 25.32％,respectively.(3)The ablation experiment results showed that removing the texture feature extraction module in the DP-MedSAM model,relying solely on original image features,led to a significant decrease in results on the test set.Furthermore,removing the vector cache database and its retrieval enhancement function from the model,which deprived the ability of the model to perform similarity retrieval using an external knowledge base,further reduced model performance.(4)Under conditions of limited data resources,the DP-MedSAM model outperformed the other two models in all evaluation metrics.The DP-MedSAM model performed excellently when processing simple and moderately difficult samples,demonstrating a clear advantage over the other two models and indicating good generalization ability.Processing the fine structures of difficult samples placed higher demands on the model's segmentation capabilities.Although the performance of the DP-MedSAM model declined slightly,it still outperformed the other two models.(5)This study proposes an innovative craniocerebral tissue segmentation model,DP-MedSAM,which improves the baseline model's performance in capturing local details and global structural information in medical images by introducing target region texture feature extraction.Through vector similarity retrieval technology,DP-MedSAM can retrieve the feature vector most similar to the current target region from a pre-constructed vector database,providing more precise guiding information for the segmentation process.

BACKGROUND:Rapid and accurate segmentation of brain tissue in medical images is of great significance for three-dimensional biomechanical modeling and diagnosis of craniocerebral injuries.Currently,artificial intelligence(AI)-based baseline models exhibit excellent generalization capabilities on large-scale datasets.However,due to the specificity and complexity of craniocerebral tissues,these models have certain limitations in their application to craniocerebral tissue segmentation.Additionally,the scarcity of craniocerebral tissue samples makes it difficult for baseline models to achieve precise segmentation results through fine-tuning.OBJECTIVE:To construct a craniocerebral tissue segmentation model based on texture feature retrieval enhancement to improve segmentation accuracy under a small number of samples.METHODS:Segment Anything in Medical Images(MedSAM)model was selected as the basic framework,and texture features were combined with deep learning to build a brain tissue segmentation model based on texture feature retrieval enhancement(DP-MedSAM).Dice Coefficient and mean intersection over union(MIoU)were selected to evaluate the efficiency of image segmentation results.In comparison with the original MedSAM model,the ablation experiment systematically evaluated the influence of key components on the model performance.The sensitivities of MedSAM,the Segment Anything Model(SAM)for medical image segmentation(SAM-Med2D)and DP-MedSAM in the mandible,left optic nerve,and left parotid gland were compared.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)By verifying the impact of the number of point prompts on segmentation results on the HaN-Seg dataset,the experimental results indicated that the optimal Dice score was achieved with the addition of three points.(2)DP-MedSAM demonstrated performance improvements compared with MedSAM and SAM-Med2D on two datasets(HaN and Public Domain Database for Computational Anatomy).Especially on the Public Domain Database for Computational Anatomy dataset,in terms of the MIoU metric,DP-MedSAM outperformed MedSAM by 6.59％and SAM-Med2D by 37.35％;in terms of the Dice metric,DP-MedSAM outperformed MedSAM and SAM-Med2D by 4.34％and 25.32％,respectively.(3)The ablation experiment results showed that removing the texture feature extraction module in the DP-MedSAM model,relying solely on original image features,led to a significant decrease in results on the test set.Furthermore,removing the vector cache database and its retrieval enhancement function from the model,which deprived the ability of the model to perform similarity retrieval using an external knowledge base,further reduced model performance.(4)Under conditions of limited data resources,the DP-MedSAM model outperformed the other two models in all evaluation metrics.The DP-MedSAM model performed excellently when processing simple and moderately difficult samples,demonstrating a clear advantage over the other two models and indicating good generalization ability.Processing the fine structures of difficult samples placed higher demands on the model's segmentation capabilities.Although the performance of the DP-MedSAM model declined slightly,it still outperformed the other two models.(5)This study proposes an innovative craniocerebral tissue segmentation model,DP-MedSAM,which improves the baseline model's performance in capturing local details and global structural information in medical images by introducing target region texture feature extraction.Through vector similarity retrieval technology,DP-MedSAM can retrieve the feature vector most similar to the current target region from a pre-constructed vector database,providing more precise guiding information for the segmentation process.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and short-term effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D)-printed customized porous acetabular components for reconstruction of extensive acetabular bone defects during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: The clinical data of 8 patients with extensive acetabular bone defects, who were treated with 3D-printed individualized porous acetabular components between July 2018 and January 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort comprised 4 males and 4 females with an average age of 48 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. Acetabular bone defects were classified as Paprosky type ⅢA in 3 cases and type ⅢB in 5 cases. The causes of acetabular destruction were hip tuberculosis (5 cases), pigmented villonodular synovitis (2 cases), and syphilitic arthritis (1 case). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Harris hip score (HHS) were used to evaluate the pain relief and hip function before and after operation. Reconstruction outcomes were further assessed by imaging results [X-ray film and Tomosynthesis Shimadzumetal artefact reduction technology (T-SMART)], and the mechanical properties were evaluated by finite element analysis. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 174 to 195 minutes (mean, 187 minutes), and intraoperative blood loss ranged from 390 to 530 mL (mean, 465 mL). All 8 patients were follow-up 26-74 months (mean, 44 months). Among the 5 patients with tuberculosis, none experienced postoperative recurrence. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 0.3±0.5 and the HHS score was 87.9±3.7, both significantly improved compared to preoperative values ( t=25.170, P<0.001; t=-28.322, P<0.001). X-ray films at 2 years after operation demonstrated satisfactory matching between the 3D-printed customized acetabular component and the acetabulum. The postoperative center of rotation of the operated hip was shifted by (2.1±0.5) mm horizontally and (2.0±0.7) mm vertically relative to the contralateral side, with both offsets showing significant differences compared to preoperative values ( t=24.700, P<0.001; t=55.230, P<0.001). T-SMART imaging showed satisfactory osseointegration at the implant-host bone interface. No complications such as aseptic loosening or screw breakage was observed during follow-up. Finite element analysis showed that the acetabular component had good mechanical properties. CONCLUSION The application of 3D-printed individualized porous acetabular components in the reconstruction of extensive acetabular bone defects demonstrated precise anatomical reconstruction, stable mechanical support, and good functional performance in short-term follow-up, offering a potential alternative for acetabular defect reconstruction in primary THA.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/instrumentation* ; Acetabulum/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Hip Prosthesis ; Prosthesis Design ; Porosity ; Treatment Outcome ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a high-molecular-weight protein complex in the cytoplasm, is composed of three core components: the sensor protein NLRP3, the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) and the effector protein caspase-1. It plays a critical role in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses. Studies have shown that the NLRP3 inflammasome has increasingly become a focal point in tumor molecular biology field. A growing body of evidence indicates that the increased expression and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is closely associated with the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the tumor microenvironment (TME). It may promote tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, and other biological behaviors through various regulatory mechanisms while influencing tumor immune evasion and therapy resistance, which holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for patients. This review explores the current effect and mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its signaling pathways in head and neck cancer, providing insights into clinical targeted drug development and molecular immunotherapy.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Signal Transduction ; Animals

Objective: To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of acellular nerve allografts (ANA) on motor neurons in the spinal cord anterior horn of sciatic nerve injury ( SNI) rats . Methods: SPF grade male SD rats were randomly divided into normal , model , ANA-bridged (bridge group) , and autologous nerve transplantation groups (autograft group) , with 6 rats in each group . The SNI rat model was established using the right sciatic nerve clamp method for 10 mm . In the bridge group , the ANA was bridged to the two severed ends of the injured sciatic nerve , and in the autograft group , the autologous nerves were flipped head to tail and then bridged to the two se- vered ends . A spectrophotometer was applied to determine the DNA content in normal nerves and ANA . The foot- print test was used to determine the sciatic nerve function index (SFI) of the rats in each group , the wet weight ra- tio of the anterior tibialis muscle was calculated . The morphology and structure of the anterior horn motor neurons of the spinal cord of each group were observed by HE staining. The immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect Apaf-1 , Caspase-3 , Bcl-2 , Bax , and Cyt-C proteins expression in the L4-6 segment of the spinal cord . Results: The DNA content in the ANA prepared in this study was significantly lower than that in normal nerves (P < 0. 05) . Compared with the normal group , the SFI and wet weight ratio of the anterior tibialis muscle were re- duced in the model group (P < 0. 001) ; compared with the model group , both SFI and wet weight ratio of the ante- rior tibialis muscle significantly increased in the bridge group and the autografts group ( P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 001) , and the SFI and wet weight ratio of the anterior tibialis muscle in the autograft group were higher than those in the bridge group (P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 01) . The results of HE staining showed that the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord of the normal group were structurally intact and had clear cytosolic boundaries; the neurons in the model group were lysed and necrotic , with blurred cytosolic boundaries; the neurons in the bridge group were less lysed and necrotic , but the nuclear translocation phenomenon could still be seen; the neurons in the autograft group were morphologically and structurally intact with clear cytosolic boundaries . Compared with the normal group , the expression of Apaf-1 , Caspase-3 , Bax and Cyt-C proteins significantly increased in the model group (P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 01 , P < 0. 01 , P < 0. 05) . Compared with the model group , the expression of Apaf-1 , Caspase- 3 , Bax , and Cyt-C proteins significantly decreased (P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 05) ; but the expres- sion of Bcl-2 protein significantly increased in the bridge group and the autograft group (P < 0. 05) . The expression of Apaf-1 , Caspase-3 , Bax and Cyt-C proteins in the autografts group was lower than that in the bridge group (P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 05) . Conclusion ANA can exert a protective effect on motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord of SNI rats by improving the morphology and structure of neurons , increasing the ex- pression of Bcl-2 protein , but decreasing the expression of Cyt-C , Bax , Caspase-3 , and Apaf-1 proteins in the spi- nal cord . The mechanism of ANA may be related to the Bcl-2/Cyt-C/Apaf-1-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis sig- naling pathway .

Objective: This study compares the effects of lithium disilicate glass ceramic onlays and full crowns in restoring cracked teeth that have undergone root canal therapy, providing a reference for the restoration method of cracked teeth that have undergone root canal therapy. Methods: This study was approved by the hospital’s medical ethics committee, and all patients signed the informed consent form. Patients with cracked teeth who underwent root canal treatment in our hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 patients were screened and enrolled, with a total of 60 affected teeth. The patients were divided into the onlay group and full crown group at a ratio of 2:3 using the random number table method. Lithium disilicate glass ceramic onlays were used to restore the affected teeth in the onlay group (24 cases), and lithium disilicate glass ceramic full crowns were used to restore the affected teeth in the full crown group (36 cases). At 3, 6, and 12 months after the repair, the restoration effect was evaluated and compared with the modified USPH Standard (the aesthetic, functional, and biological aspects of restorations). According to the biological definition of survival, survival analysis was conducted on the affected teeth in both groups. Results: At 3, 6, and 12 months after the repair, 85% of cases in the onlay group achieved grade A, while 80% of cases in the full crown group achieved grade A. There was no statistically significant difference in the restoration effects between the onlay group and the full crown group (P > 0.05). The 12-month survival rate of cracked teeth in the onlay group reached 95.65%, and the 12-month survival rate of cracked teeth in the full crown group reached 94.12%. There was no statistically significant difference in the retention of the affected teeth (P > 0.05). There was no significant effect of age, gender, tooth position, dentition, direction of cracks, the number of marginal ridges associated with cracks, or the type of restoration on the survival status of cracked teeth. (P > 0.05). Conclusion For cracked teeth that have undergone root canal therapy, the short-term effect of lithium disilicate glass ceramic onlays is comparable to that of full crowns, and both have good short-term effects. Onlays are less invasive and are expected to become an alternative restoration method to full crowns.

Objective:This study investigated the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) on CD45RO? T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with Alzheimer′s disease (AD) and its association with clinical features.Methods:A total of 41 AD patients and 30 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from the Department of Neurology at the Medical Division of PLA General Hospital between September 2022 and March 2024. Flow cytometry was used to quantify CXCR3 expression on CD45RO? T cell subsets in peripheral blood. Dementia severity in AD patients was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Spearman correlation analysis examined the relationship between CD45RO?CXCR3? T cell levels and cognitive function in the AD group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the predictive utility of CD45RO?CXCR3? T cells for AD, quantified by the area under the curve (AUC).Results:Compared to healthy controls, AD patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of CD8?CD45RO?CXCR3? T cells [17.8% (7.2%, 40.3%) vs. 8.2% (5.1%, 12.3%), Z=-2.59, P<0.05]. However, no significant differences were observed for CD4?CD45RO?CXCR3? T cells, CD4?CD45RO?CXCR3? T cells, or CD8?CD45RO?CXCR3? T cells ( P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between CD8?CD45RO?CXCR3? T cell levels and cognitive scores (MMSE: r=-0.72, P<0.05; MoCA: r=-0.70, P<0.05). ROC analysis demonstrated an AUC of 0.81 for CD8?CD45RO?CXCR3? T cells in predicting AD, with a sensitivity of 59.0% and specificity of 93.3%. Conclusions:CXCR3 expression is significantly upregulated on CD8?CD45RO? T cells in AD patients, and its levels correlate with cognitive impairment severity. These findings suggest that CD8?CD45RO?CXCR3? T cells may serve as a potential biomarker for AD diagnosis and progression monitoring.

Objective:To investigate and summarize the imaging and pathological features of non-acute occlusion following flow diverter (FD) implantation in animal models.Methods:Four experimental pigs (experimental group) that experienced non-acute occlusion (occlusion time exceeding 24 hours) within the FD stent implanted in the common carotid artery, and 19 pigs (control group) that did not experience stent occlusion during the same period were involved. Using an interventional approach under digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the 4 occluded FD lumens were mechanically opened. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histopathological examinations were performed to evaluate the intraluminal composition and characteristics of the occlusive tissues. These findings were compared with non-occluded FD stents to summarize the imaging and pathological changes within the occluded FD lumen.Results:The occlusion times of the FD stents in the 4 experimental pigs were 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 20 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperatively. All occluded stents were successfully recanalized under DSA, with a technical success rate of 4/4. Among the 19 non-occluded FD stents, OCT and IVUS revealed uniform (16 stents) or non-uniform (3 stents) neointimal coverage of the stent struts, presenting as homogeneous high/slightly high signal intensity or medium echogenicity. Histopathological examination indicated that the neointima was primarily composed of smooth muscle cells and a small amount of fibrous connective tissues. In contrast, the 4 occluded FD stents demonstrated excessive neointimal proliferation and plaque formation, leading to luminal loss, as shown by OCT and IVUS. The occlusion tissues predominantly presented as homogeneous high signal intensity with weak attenuation (fibrous plaques) on OCT, with some regions showing blurred low signal intensity and strong attenuation (lipid plaques). IVUS presented homogeneous echogenicity (fibrous plaques) and hypoechogenic zones (lipid plaques). Histopathological examination showed that the occlusion tissues mainly consisted of smooth muscle cells, fibrous connective tissues, and lipids, accompanied by numerous foam cells and a minor presence of inflammatory cells.Conclusions:Histopathological examinations confirm that non-acute occlusion of FD is mainly caused by excessive hyperplasia of intima along with the formation of fibrous plaques and lipid plaques. OCT and IVUS have typical finding in imaging that can assist in determining the cause of stent occlusion as well as the lesion's nature, thereby providing crucial guidance for subsequent clinical treatment and drug selection.

BACKGROUND:Radiotherapy for head and neck tumors can easily cause xerostomia,seriously affecting the quality of life of patients.In recent years,engineered stem cells and their paracrine factors have shown therapeutic potential in the repair of salivary gland injury.However,there is currently no experimental study on the application of amniotic mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome in radiation-induced salivary gland injury.OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily explore the repair effect of exosome derived from human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells on radiation-induced submandibular gland injury.METHODS:H uman amniotic mesenchymal stem cell exosomes were extracted and identified by ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation.SD rats were randomly divided into a control group,a radiation injury group,and a radiation injury+exosome group.An in vitro model of radiation-induced submandibular gland injury was constructed using the submandibular gland tissue of SD rats irradiated with 18 Gy of radiation.One day after radiation modeling,exosome derived from human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells was injected into the submandibular gland in situ.Samples are taken at 1,3,7,and 14 days to detect the resting salivary flow rate.The structure of the submandibular gland tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression of glycogen particles in the submandibular gland tissue was observed by Periodic Acid-Schiff staining.Fibrosis in the submandibular gland tissue was observed by Masson staining.The secretion of salivary amylase was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of aquaporin and tight junction proteins in submandibular gland tissue was observed by immunofluorescence staining.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of aquaporins and salivary amylase mRNA in submandibular gland tissue.TUNEL assay was used to detect the apoptosis rate of submandibular gland tissues in each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After radiomodeling,compared with the radiation injury group,(1)hematoxylin-eosin staining observed that the submandibular gland tissue structure in the radiation injury+exosome group was restored,the nucleoli increased,the number of acinus increased,and the acinar atrophy improved.(2)Glycogen staining observed that the number and density of positive zymogen granules in the acinar cytoplasm of the radiation injury+exosome group gradually increased.(3)Masson staining results observed that the number and density of positive collagen fibers in the interstitium and around the ducts in the radiation injury+exosome group gradually decreased,the degree of fibrosis decreased,and the collagen deposition decreased.(4)The salivary flow rate in the radiation injury+exosome group increased(P＜0.05).The fluorescence intensity of aquaporin-5 was enhanced(P＜0.05)and the gene expression was significantly enhanced(P＜0.01).The fluorescence distribution of tight junction protein 4 was weakened and the fluorescence intensity decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The content of salivary amylase increased(P＜0.05)and gene expression were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The number of positive apoptotic cells decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).It is indicated that local injection of exosome derived from human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells could improve the pathological morphology of submandibular gland tissue,promote saliva flow rate and amylase expression,and may play a functional repair role in radioactive submandibular gland injury by inhibiting acinar apoptosis.