ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Astragali Radix polysaccharides （APS） on the polarization of BV2 microglial cells in an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation （OGD/R） model through regulation of the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsThe OGD/R injury model of BV2 microglia was established and divided into blank group， OGD/R group and APS group （0.4 g·L^-1 APS）. Neuroinflammatory injury was induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and treated with APS. The cells were divided into blank group， LPS group （1 mg·L^-1 LPS） and APS group （0.4 g·L^-1 APS+1 mg·L^-1 LPS）. Cell viability was detected using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. Cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. Nitric oxide （NO） content in the cell supernatant was determined by the Griess assay. The secretion levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-10， and IL-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to detect the double-positive rates of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1/inducible nitric oxide synthase （Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺） and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1/arginase 1 （Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺）， as well as the nuclear translocation rate of nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）. Protein expression levels of Iba-1， iNOS， Arg1， TLR4， and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot. ResultsIn the OGD/R injury model， compared with the blank control group， BV2 microglial cells in the OGD/R group were activated and exhibited amoeboid morphological changes. The secretion levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ and the protein expression of Iba-1 and iNOS were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The nuclear translocation rate of NF-κB p65 and the protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of IL-10 and IL-4 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ and Arg1 protein expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the OGD/R group， the APS group （0.4 g·L^-1） showed reduced cell activation， significantly decreased secretion levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， significantly decreased double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ and relative protein expression of Iba-1 and iNOS （P<0.01）， significantly decreased nuclear translocation rate of NF-κB p65 and protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）， significantly increased levels of IL-10 and IL-4 （P<0.01）， and significantly increased double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ and Arg1 protein expression （P<0.01）. In the LPS-induced neuroinflammation model， compared with the blank control group， the LPS group showed increased cell activation， significantly increased levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6， significantly increased Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ double-positive expression rate， NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation rate， and protein expression levels of Iba-1， iNOS， TLR4， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）， while IL-10 and IL-4 levels， Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ double-positive expression rate， and Arg1 protein expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the LPS group， the APS group showed reduced cell activation， significantly decreased levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6， Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ double-positive expression rate， NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation rate， and protein expression levels of Iba-1， iNOS， TLR4， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）， while IL-10 and IL-4 levels， Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ double-positive expression rate， and Arg1 protein expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionAPS may reduce microglial activation and promote their polarization toward the M2 phenotype by inhibiting activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby alleviating the neuroinflammatory response induced by OGD/R.

Objective To investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on the early clinical outcomes of patients undergoing valve replacement. Methods Perioperative data of patients who underwent single valve replacement at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Medical University from January to February 2023 were consecutively collected. Based on COVID-19 infection status, patients were divided into a COVID-19 group and a non-COVID-19 group. The perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 136 patients were included, comprising 53 males and 83 females, with a mean age of (53.4±10.2) years. There were 32 patients receiving aortic valve replacements, 102 mitral valve replacements, and 2 tricuspid valve replacements. The COVID-19 group comprised 70 patients, and the non-COVID-19 group included 66 patients. No statistical difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups [9.09% (6/66) vs. 11.43% (8/70), P=0.654]. However, the COVID-19 group had longer postoperative mechanical ventilation duration [1 201.00 (1 003.75, 1 347.75) min vs. 913.50 (465.50, 1 251.00) min, P=0.001] and ICU stay [3 (2, 3) days vs. 2 (2, 3) days, P<0.001] compared to the non-COVID-19 group. Additionally, troponin I [4.76 (2.55, 7.93) ng/mL vs. 2.66 (1.19, 5.65) ng/mL, P=0.001] and brain natriuretic peptide [608.50 (249.75, 1 150.00) pg/mL vs. 192.00 (100.93, 314.75) pg/mL, P<0.001] levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. Conclusion For patients with single valve disease undergoing elective surgery, short-term outcomes after recovery from COVID-19 infection are favorable, with no significant increase in in-hospital mortality or postoperative complication rates.

Pulpitis is a prevalent inflammatory disease in dentistry, and root canal therapy remains the primary clinical treatment for it. However, pulp removal leads to reduced tooth fracture resistance and complications such as secondary infection and tooth fracture. As a potential alternative, vital pulp therapy (VPT) relies on precise assessment of pulp status; yet current clinical diagnostic methods lack specificity. The establishment of appropriate animal models for pulpitis is crucial for investigating its pathogenesis, developing specific diagnostic biomarkers, and optimizing VPT strategies. This review systematically summarizes experimental animals selection based on anatomical compatibility and pathological similarity, as well as model construction methods and multimodal evaluation systems for pulpitis animal models, aiming to provide insights for related researches.

Objective:To observe and analyze the correlations between aqueous humor cytokine concentrations and disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL), as well as postoperative visual acuity, in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM).Methods:A prospective clinical study. From November 2022 to October 2024, 40 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with iERM at Ophthalmology Center of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital) underwent cataract surgery alone or combined with pars plana vitrectomy (iERM group) were enrolled; 19 eyes of 19 patients undergoing cataract surgery alone during the same period served as the control group. All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). BCVA was assessed using a logarithmic visual acuity chart and converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured using SS-OCT. The iERM group was further subdivided into DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups (21 eyes and 19 eyes, respectively), based on the presence or absence of DRIL. Aqueous humor samples were collected preoperatively from eyes in both the iERM and control groups. Concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), placental growth factor (PLGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Follow-up examinations using the same equipment and methods were performed at 1 month postoperatively. Aqueous cytokine levels were compared between the iERM group, control group, DRIL-positive subgroup, and DRIL-negative subgroup. Correlations between aqueous cytokine levels in the iERM group and BCVA or CMT were also analyzed. Intergroup comparisons utilized the Mann-Whitney U test; correlations between variables were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Results:Compared to the control group, the iERM group exhibited significantly higher aqueous concentrations of TGF-β1, TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, and TNF-α ( P<0.05). Compared to the DRIL-negative subgroup, the DRIL-positive subgroup showed significantly elevated aqueous concentrations of TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, Ang-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 ( P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in logMAR BCVA ( P=0.028) and CMT ( P<0.001) within the iERM group between preoperative and 1-month postoperative measurements. LogMAR BCVA differed significantly between the DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups ( P=0.048). Correlation analysis revealed that baseline aqueous levels of VEGF-A and IL-6 in eyes with DRIL were positively correlated with postoperative BCVA ( r=0.324, 0.452; P=0.042, 0.003). No significant correlation was found between CMT and any cytokine ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Aqueous humor cytokines are closely associated with DRIL in iERM patients. IL-6 and VEGF-A may serve as potential predictive biomarkers for early postoperative visual recovery.

Pulpitis is a prevalent inflammatory disease in dentistry, and root canal therapy remains the primary clinical treatment for it. However, pulp removal leads to reduced tooth fracture resistance and complications such as secondary infection and tooth fracture. As a potential alternative, vital pulp therapy (VPT) relies on precise assessment of pulp status; yet current clinical diagnostic methods lack specificity. The establishment of appropriate animal models for pulpitis is crucial for investigating its pathogenesis, developing specific diagnostic biomarkers, and optimizing VPT strategies. This review systematically summarizes experimental animals selection based on anatomical compatibility and pathological similarity, as well as model construction methods and multimodal evaluation systems for pulpitis animal models, aiming to provide insights for related researches.

Objective:To investigate the value of a computed tomography(CT)radiomics-based model for predicting the efficacy of neoad-juvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer(LAGC).Methods:Data on 114 patients with LAGC who underwent radical surgery after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical College between June 2019 and June 2021 were retrospectively collected.These patients'data were divided into a training set(n=67)and a validation set(n=47)based on the time of admission.High-throughput features were extracted from baseline portal phase CT images of all patients,and the selected features were used to construct the radiomics prediction model.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)and calibration curves.The prognostic ability of the model was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves.Results:Based on the maximum relevancy min-redundancy(mRMR)algorithm and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression model,5 out of 584 assessed features were incorporated into the radiomics(Rad)score.The respect-ive areas under the curve for predicting pathological complete response(pCR)in the training and validation sets were 0.865 and 0.830,re-spectively,and good fits were obtained(Hosmer-Lemeshow test:P>0.05).The optimal cut-off value for the Rad score was determined based on the Youden index.Patients with high Rad scores had significantly higher 3-year recurrence-free survival rates(82.7%vs.60.4%in the training set and 78.9%vs.53.8%in the validation set)and 3-year overall survival rates(78.9%vs.60.2%in the training set and 79.3%vs.50.0%in the validation set)than those with low Rad scores(P<0.05).Conclusions:The CT radiomics prediction model effectively predicted the pathological response and prognosis of patients with LAGC after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and is ex-pected to serve as a practical clinical tool.

Objective:To investigate the value of a computed tomography(CT)radiomics-based model for predicting the efficacy of neoad-juvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer(LAGC).Methods:Data on 114 patients with LAGC who underwent radical surgery after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical College between June 2019 and June 2021 were retrospectively collected.These patients'data were divided into a training set(n=67)and a validation set(n=47)based on the time of admission.High-throughput features were extracted from baseline portal phase CT images of all patients,and the selected features were used to construct the radiomics prediction model.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)and calibration curves.The prognostic ability of the model was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves.Results:Based on the maximum relevancy min-redundancy(mRMR)algorithm and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression model,5 out of 584 assessed features were incorporated into the radiomics(Rad)score.The respect-ive areas under the curve for predicting pathological complete response(pCR)in the training and validation sets were 0.865 and 0.830,re-spectively,and good fits were obtained(Hosmer-Lemeshow test:P>0.05).The optimal cut-off value for the Rad score was determined based on the Youden index.Patients with high Rad scores had significantly higher 3-year recurrence-free survival rates(82.7%vs.60.4%in the training set and 78.9%vs.53.8%in the validation set)and 3-year overall survival rates(78.9%vs.60.2%in the training set and 79.3%vs.50.0%in the validation set)than those with low Rad scores(P<0.05).Conclusions:The CT radiomics prediction model effectively predicted the pathological response and prognosis of patients with LAGC after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and is ex-pected to serve as a practical clinical tool.

Objective:To observe and analyze the correlations between aqueous humor cytokine concentrations and disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL), as well as postoperative visual acuity, in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM).Methods:A prospective clinical study. From November 2022 to October 2024, 40 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with iERM at Ophthalmology Center of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital) underwent cataract surgery alone or combined with pars plana vitrectomy (iERM group) were enrolled; 19 eyes of 19 patients undergoing cataract surgery alone during the same period served as the control group. All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). BCVA was assessed using a logarithmic visual acuity chart and converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured using SS-OCT. The iERM group was further subdivided into DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups (21 eyes and 19 eyes, respectively), based on the presence or absence of DRIL. Aqueous humor samples were collected preoperatively from eyes in both the iERM and control groups. Concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), placental growth factor (PLGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Follow-up examinations using the same equipment and methods were performed at 1 month postoperatively. Aqueous cytokine levels were compared between the iERM group, control group, DRIL-positive subgroup, and DRIL-negative subgroup. Correlations between aqueous cytokine levels in the iERM group and BCVA or CMT were also analyzed. Intergroup comparisons utilized the Mann-Whitney U test; correlations between variables were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Results:Compared to the control group, the iERM group exhibited significantly higher aqueous concentrations of TGF-β1, TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, and TNF-α ( P<0.05). Compared to the DRIL-negative subgroup, the DRIL-positive subgroup showed significantly elevated aqueous concentrations of TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, Ang-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 ( P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in logMAR BCVA ( P=0.028) and CMT ( P<0.001) within the iERM group between preoperative and 1-month postoperative measurements. LogMAR BCVA differed significantly between the DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups ( P=0.048). Correlation analysis revealed that baseline aqueous levels of VEGF-A and IL-6 in eyes with DRIL were positively correlated with postoperative BCVA ( r=0.324, 0.452; P=0.042, 0.003). No significant correlation was found between CMT and any cytokine ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Aqueous humor cytokines are closely associated with DRIL in iERM patients. IL-6 and VEGF-A may serve as potential predictive biomarkers for early postoperative visual recovery.

Objective:To explore the impact of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy on angiogenesis and circulating endothelial cells in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) .Methods:The retrospective analysis of clinical data from 121 patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical College from August 2021 to January 2023 was conducted. These patients were divided into a control group ( n=57) and an observation group ( n=64) based on the designated treatment protocol. Specifically, individuals in the control group received standard chemotherapy (cisplatin+paclitaxel), while those in the observation group underwent penpilimab therapy in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy. The comparative assessment encompassed short-term clinical efficacy, quality of life, immune function parameters, angiogenic factors [including endostatin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ], circulating endothelial cells, and adverse reactions within the two groups. Results:After 6 courses of treatment, the objective response rate [67.19% (43/64) vs. 49.12% (28/57) ] and disease control rate [87.50% (56/64) vs. 70.18% (40/57) ] in observation group were higher than those in control group, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=4.06, P=0.044; χ2=5.52, P=0.019). The quality of life score of observation group [ (56.77±6.81) points] was significantly higher than that of control group [ (47.73±8.23) points], with a statistically significant difference ( t=6.61, P<0.001) ; The T cell subgroup CD3 + levels [ (63.59±9.00) % vs. (53.06±8.80%), t=6.49, P<0.001], CD4 + levels [ (46.54±8.20) % vs. (30.74±7.32) %, t=11.13, P<0.001] and CD4 +/CD8 + ratio (1.90±0.36 vs. 1.21±0.28, t=11.66, P<0.001) in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group, with statistically significant differences; Endostatin in observation group [ (48.99±3.43) μmol/L] was significantly higher than that in control group [ (31.35±3.87) μmol/L], with a statistically significant difference ( t=26.58, P<0.001), IGF-1 [ (102.31±20.35) μg/L vs. (134.98±19.02) μg/L] and VEGF [ (31.70±4.32) pg/ml vs. (58.71±5.99) pg/ml] were significantly lower in observation group than those in control group, with statistically significant differences ( t=18.73, P<0.001; t=28.14, P<0.001). The number of circulating endothelial cells in observation group [ (58.77±10.03) /ml] was significantly lower than that in control group [ (87.01±8.01) /ml], with a statistically significant difference ( t=17.20, P<0.001). During treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of gastrointestinal reaction ( χ2=0.01, P=0.908), leukopenia ( χ2=0.64, P=0.424), thrombocytopenia ( χ2=0.28, P=0.597), anemia ( χ2=1.66, P=0.197), nephrotoxicity ( χ2=0.64, P=0.424), skin rash ( χ2=1.33, P=0.249) between the two groups. Conclusion:The combination therapy of pembrolizumab and chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced NSCLC has demonstrated noteworthy effectiveness. This regimen has the potential to enhance patients' immune functionality, ameliorate their overall quality of life, suppress angiogenesis, and exhibits a commendable profile of safety and reliability.

177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.