Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of regulating conception vessel and unblocking governor vessel electroacupuncture in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue(CRF)of middle-to-advanced stage cervical cancer,and to explore its effect on inflammatory factors.Methods A total of 122 patients with a definitive diagnosis of CRF of middle-to-advanced stage cervical cancer admitted to the wards and outpatient clinics of Cangzhou Central Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were selected for the study.The patients were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group according to the random number table method,with 61 cases in each group.The patients in both groups were given conventional symptomatic treatments such as gastric protection and anti-vomiting since the day of action of chemotherapy.The control group was treated with Dexamethasone Tablets,and the observation group was treated with regulating conception vessel and unblocking governor vessel electroacupuncture on the basis of the control group,the course of treatment covered 21 days.After three weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Piper's Fatigue Scale(PFS)scores,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)scores,and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General(FACT-G)scores of the patients in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.The changes in interleukin 6(IL-6),hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and T-lymphocyte subsets indicators[CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+]were compared between the patients in the two groups before and after treatment.Results(1)The total effective rate was 95.08%(58/61)in the observation group and 77.05%(47/61)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the PFS scores of patients in the two groups were improved significantly(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the serum IL-6,hs-CRP,and TNF-α levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(6)After treatment,the KPS scores and FACT-G scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Regulating conception vessel and unblocking governor vessel electroacupuncture in the treatment of CRF of middle-to-advanced stage cervical cancer can effectively alleviate the fatigue of patients,inhibit the release of inflammatory factors,regulate the immune function,and improve the physical condition of patients,so as to improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To identify mechanisms regulating disease progression in rat models of pulmonary arterial hy-pertension(PAH).Methods Rat PAH models were established using subcutaneous monocrotaline(MCT)injec-tion and the SU5416/hypoxia(SU/Hx)method.Transcriptomic sequencing of lung tissues was performed to identify gene expression and pathway alterations in PAH rats,followed by a comparative analysis with transcriptomic data of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension(IPAH)in NCBI database.Results Inflammatory-related genes such as CXCL9,CCL24,and SECTM1 were upregulated in both PAH rat models and IPAH patient lungs,while genes such as DGKG and DOCK9 were downregulated(P＜0.05).Pathways related to endothelial cell proliferation regulation and extracellular matrix(ECM)remodeling were significantly upregulated(P＜0.05).Conclusions The imbalance in endothelial cell proliferation and abnormal ECM remodeling may collectively contribute to PAH pathogenesis.Further exploration of these signaling pathways may provide deep in-sights for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of PAH.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of a modified Cancer and Aging Research Group(CARG)model in guiding anticancer drug dose adjustments for elderly cancer patients in China.Methods This prospective study enrolled patients aged≥65 years with solid tumors at the Department of Oncology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 1,2022 to October 29,2023.All patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment(CGA)and CARG risk scoring,and were stratified into low-,intermediate-,and high-risk groups.Anti-cancer drug doses(including chemotherapy,targeted therapy or immunotherapy)were reduced proportionally based on CARG risk stratification and treatment intent(curative vs.palliative).Treatment outcomes and adverse events(AEs)were recorded regularly.Fisher's Exact Test compared AE incidence between the CARG-guided dose adjust-ment group(experimental)and the physician-experience-guided dose adjustment group(control).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to assess the predictive value of the CARG model for severe toxicity.Results Among 166 enrolled patients(median age:71 years[range:65-90];78.3%were male;68.7%had gastro-intestinal cancers;69.3%had stageⅣ),95 were assigned to the experimental group(CARG low-risk:24[25.3%],intermediate-risk:51[53.7%],high-risk:20[21.0%])and 71 were included into the control group.By December 31,2024,81 patients experienced disease progression and 10 patients died.Overall AE rates was 92.6%in the ex-perimental group and 94.4%in the control group,while grade≥3 AEs were recorded in 45.3%vs.43.7%,respec-tively(both P＞0.05).Conclusions The modified CARG model-guided dose adjustment strategy achieved comparable safety to empirical dose adjustment,which is in line with the individualized treatment paradigm for elderly cancer pa-tients,representing a structured framework for optimizing therapeutic decision-making in geriatric oncology.

With the emergence of deep learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven transformative developments in the field of medical image analysis. Recently, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have also started to achieve distinction in this domain. Increasing research shows the undeniable role of AI in reshaping various aspects of medical image analysis, including processes such as image enhancement, segmentation, detection in image preprocessing, and postprocessing related to medical diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings. However, despite the significant progress in AI research, studies investigating the recent advances in AI technology in the aforementioned aspects, the changes in research hotspot trajectories, and the performance of studies in addressing key clinical challenges in this field are limited. This article provides an overview of recent advances in AI for medical image analysis and discusses the methodological profiles, advantages, disadvantages, and future trends of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Deep Learning ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods*

Objective:To compare the effects of high-power and conventional power atrial fibrillation ablation on intraoperative acute pulmonary vein isolation, postoperative troponin levels, and atrial fibrillation recurrence.Methods:A retrospective selection was conducted on 105 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation admitted to the Baoding NO.1 Central Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into a high-power ablation group of 52 cases and a conventional power ablation group of 53 cases. The intraoperative rate of single circle acute pulmonary vein isolation, the recovery of electrical conduction after acute pulmonary vein isolation, and the location and number of points that need to be added were compared between the two groups; At the same time, two groups were compared in terms of surgical time, ablation time, surgical radiation exposure time and radiation dose, intraoperative complications postoperative cardiac troponin levels at 12 hours, and recurrence of atrial fibrillation within 1 year after ablation.Results:The intraoperative single loop pulmonary vein isolation rate and postoperative troponin levels in the high-power atrial fibrillation ablation group were higher than those in the conventional atrial fibrillation ablation group (all P<0.05). The surgical time, ablation time, and the number of sites and points that need to be added during surgery were less than those in the conventional atrial fibrillation ablation group (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of intraoperative complications and postoperative atrial fibrillation recurrence between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:High power atrial fibrillation ablation has a higher single loop acute pulmonary vein isolation rate, fewer patch sites and points, shorter surgical time, and greater ablation damage compared to conventional ablation, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups is similar after surgery.

OBJECTIVE To explore the phenotypic changes and possible mechanisms of lncRNA OIP5-AS1 on the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, invasion and cycle of ovarian epithelial cells IOSE80. METHODS The clinical data of patients were collected from TCGA database and GEO database. After R package analysis, the differential expression of OIP5-AS1 was visualized in the volcanic map. The correlation between survival rate and OIP5-AS1 was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier. The IOSE80 cell model of OIP5-AS1 over expression and silencing was constructed with lentivirus vector. The expression of OIP5-AS1 was verified by RT-qPCR. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8. Invasion was detected by Transwell. Cell migration was detected by scratch test. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin, as well as the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase(CDK) and cyclin-G-related kinase(GAK). RESULTS RT-qPCR results showed that IOSE80 cell lines over expressing and silencing OIP5-AS1 were successfully constructed. CCK-8 results showed that overexpressing OIP5-AS1 promoted the proliferation of IOSE80 cells. Scratch test results showed that overexpressing OIP5-AS1 promoted the migration of IOSE80 cells. Transwell results showed that overexpressing OIP5-AS1 would increase the invasiveness of IOSE80 cells. Flow cytometry results showed that overexpression of OIP5-AS1 weakened the apoptosis of IOSE80 cells and promoted the progress of cell cycle. Western blotting results showed that overexpression of OIP5-AS1 downregulated the expression of E-cadherin and upregulated the expression of N-cadherin, while overexpression of OIP5-AS1 increased the expression of CDK and GAK proteins. CONCLUSION LncRNA OIP5-AS1 further interferes with the regulation of IOSE80 cell cycle by up regulating the expression of CDK and GAK, and then indirectly regulates the malignant phenotype of ovarian epithelial cells.

Objective:To clarify the potential correlation between biological changes of meninges in periodontitis mice and cognitive impairment by analyzing the biological changes of meninges in periodontitis mice using single-cell RNA sequencing.Methods:Thirty C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups by using random number table method (15 mice in each group). Mice in the control group were locally administered 2% carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) without Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) on both buccal sides. A mixture of Pg W83 and 2% CMC was applied on both buccal sides in the experimental group mice three times a week, lasting for 16 weeks in total. The absorption of alveolar bone, locomotor activity and cognitive function, the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the cortex were observed and assessed. The mRNA expression levels of Occludin in meninges and brain were detected in two groups. Single-cell RNA sequencing data of meninges were processed by uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP). Differential genes expressions of endothelial cells were processed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. In addition, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the expressions of transcription activating factor 3 (Atf3) and apolpoprotein L domain-containing 1 (Apold 1). Results:Methylene blue staining found the distances of buccal and palatal cement-enamel junction-alveolar bone crest in experimental mice [(185.60±17.60), (206.90±13.37) μm] increased significantly compared with the control group [(135.33±9.57), (163.05±14.98) μm] ( t=5.02, P=0.002; t=4.37, P=0.005). Open field experiment showed the total distance and average speed of mice in the experimental group [(971.88±164.57) cm, (3.25±0.55) cm/s] were not statistically significant compared with the control group [(914.24±278.81) cm, (3.05±0.93) cm/s] ( t=0.65, P=0.525; t=0.65, P=0.520). The recognition index of the experimental group [(48.02±16.92) %] was lower than the control group [(66.27±17.90) %] ( t=2.40, P=0.027) by novel object recognition tests. Compared with the control group [(63.56±11.88) %], the alternation of experimental group [(50.99±14.17) %] was significantly decreased in Y maze tests ( t=2.33, P=0.030). Immunohistochemistry results showed microglia and astrocytes were activated in the cortex of experimental mice. Compared with the control group (1.02±0.25, 1.04±0.31), the relative mRNA expressions of Occludin decreased significantly in the meninges and brain of periodontitis mice, respectively (0.61±0.10, 0.64±0.20) ( t=3.47, P=0.010; t=2.66, P=0.024). By single-cell RNA sequencing, meninges cells were divided into 11 types, such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, immune cells and so on. Endothelial cells were the main cell types in meninges [the control group: 26.47% (1 589/6 004), the experimental group: 26.26% (807/3 073)]. Compared with the control group [5.56% (334/6 004)], the percentage of granulocytes increased in the periodontitis mice [11.65% (358/3 073)]. Using clustering analysis to further focus on endothelial cells, GO enrichment analysis revealed differential genes were mainly related to angiogenesis, cell adhesion, apoptosis and so on. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differential genes were related to signaling pathways of interleukin-17, relaxin and so on. The relative mRNA expressions of Atf3 and Apold1 in meninges of periodontitis mice (0.42±0.24, 0.54±0.27) were significantly lower than the control group (1.03±0.26, 1.02±0.23) ( t=3.88, P=0.005; t=3.02, P=0.017). Conclusions:The mice chronically infected with Pg W83 occurred memory impairment, neuroinflammation and changes of barrier function. In the meninges of periodontitis mice, there were infiltration of immune cells and down-regulation expressions of Atf3 and Apold1 by single-cell RNA sequencing. Meningeal immunity and changes of barrier function may play an important role in the cognitive impairment caused by periodontitis.

AIM: To assess the association between the Dem, axial length/corneal radius ratio(AL/CR ratio), and the refractive status of children aged 3 to 14, compare the efficiency of Dem with AL/CR ratio in predicting myopia, and to explore a more effective method for quantitatively predicting the refractive state of children.METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 519 children aged 3 to 14, including 519 eyes(data from the right eyes were used). All participants were out-patients at the ophthalmic clinic of Xi'an No.1 Hospital from March 2021 to December 2022. The axial length(AL), keratometry(K), Dem, and spherical equivalent refraction(SER)were recorded before ciliary paralysis, and myopia was defined when the SER ≤-0.50 D.RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between SER and Dem(r=0.88, P<0.01), and a negative correlation between SER and the AL/CR ratio(r=-0.87, P<0.01)in children aged 3-14. The optimal cutoff points for the Dem and AL/CR ratio were 20.40 D, and 3.02, respectively. Myopia could be diagnosed when the Dem ≤20.40 D or the AL/CR ratio ≥3.02. SER decreased by 0.57 D for every 1 D decrease in Dem and by 1.00 D for every 0.06 increase in the AL/CR ratio. The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for Dem(0.958)was significantly greater than that for the AL/CR ratio(0.940).CONCLUSION: There is a positive correlation between SER and Dem, and a negative correlation between SER and the AL/CR ratio in children aged 3-14. Dem is more efficient than the AL/CR ratio in myopia assessment. The eye biometrics directly provide Dem values, which is more convenient for calculating the dose-effect relationship with SER, thus making it more efficient for predicting SER in children.