BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in patients treated with PCI for chronic total occlusion (CTO) was still undetermined. METHODS: All CTO vessels treated with successful anatomical PCI in patients from PANDA III trial were retrospectively measured for post-PCI QFR. The primary outcome was 2-year vessel-oriented composite endpoints (VOCEs, composite of target vessel-related cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was conducted to identify optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting the 2-year VOCEs, and all vessels were stratified by this optimal cutoff value. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI. RESULTS: Among 428 CTO vessels treated with PCI, 353 vessels (82.5%) were analyzable for post-PCI QFR. 31 VOCEs (8.7%) occurred at 2 years. Mean value of post-PCI QFR was 0.92 ± 0.13. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis shown the optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting 2-year VOCEs was 0.91. The incidence of 2-year VOCEs in the vessel with post-PCI QFR < 0.91 (n = 91) was significantly higher compared with the vessels with post-PCI QFR ≥ 0.91 (n = 262) (22.0% vs. 4.2%, HR = 4.98, 95% CI: 2.32-10.70). CONCLUSIONS Higher post-PCI QFR values were associated with improved prognosis in the PCI practice for coronary CTO. Achieving functionally optimal PCI results (post-PCI QFR value ≥ 0.91) tends to get better prognosis for patients with CTO lesions.

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease is a major cardiovascular condition driven by atherosclerosis, distinguished by chronic inflammation and dysregulated lipid metabolism. The gut microbiota plays an essential role in human health and disease, with research indicating a strong association between gut microbial metabolism and the development and progression of coronary heart disease. This article provides a review of the relationship between gut microbiota and coronary heart disease, as well as the mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine regulates digestive tract microbiota to treat coronary heart disease, which systematically explains how the gut microbiota, through metabolic products and immune regulation, contributes to the occurrence and progression of coronary heart disease, and summarizes recent advances in research on traditional Chinese medicine's regulation of gut microbiota for treating coronary heart disease. It aims to provide further reference and insights for exploring the relationship between gut microbiota and coronary heart disease, as well as traditional Chinese medicine approaches for treating coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have overturned the traditional concept of the lung as a "sterile organ" revealing that pulmonary microbiota dysbiosis and abnormal surfactant proteins (SPs) expression are involved in the progression of silicosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between abnormal SPs expression and dysbiosis of lung microbiota in silica-induced lung fibrosis, providing insights into mechanisms of silicosis. METHODS: Lung pathology, SPs expression, and microbiota composition were evaluated in silica-exposed mice. A mouse model of antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion was established, and alveolar structure and SPs expression were assessed. The roles of the lung microbiota and SPs in silicosis progression were further evaluated in mice with antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion, both with and without silica exposure. RESULTS: Silica exposure induced lung inflammation and fibrosis, along with increased expression of SP-A expression. Antibiotics (Abx)-induced microbiota depletion elevated SP-A and SP-D expression. Furthermore, silica exposure altered lung microbiota composition, enriching potentially pathogenic taxa. However, antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion prior to silica exposure reduced silica-mediated lung fibrosis and inflammation. CONCLUSION Lung microbiota is associated with silica-induced lung injury. Overproduction of SP-A and SP-D, induced by Abx-induced microbiota depletion, may enhance the resistance of mouse lung tissue to silica-induced injury.
Animals ; Silicosis/prevention & control* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Mice ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Microbiota/drug effects* ; Silicon Dioxide/toxicity* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the correlation between upper limb grip strength and total body bone mineral density(BMD)us-ing public data.Methods:During the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 cycles of National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys,a total of 5148 participants with grip strength,BMD,and multiple potential confounding factors were identified,and baseline levels were cal-culated after weighting.R language survey package was used for the multiple linear regression analysis to investigate the correlation be-tween grip strength and BMD,and then stratified analysis was performed based on sex and age.The rcssci package was used for curve fitting to analyze the curve relationship between the two indicators.Results:A total of 5 148 participants(2 493 male participants and 2 655 female participants)were included in this study.The overall grip strength was(77.48±0.40)kg,with a value of(93.98±0.45)kg for male participants and(59.71±0.24)kg for female participants;overall left upper limb grip strength was(37.75±0.21)kg,with a value of(28.89±0.12)kg for female participants and(45.98±0.24)kg for male participants;overall right upper limb grip strength was(39.73±0.20)kg,with a value of(30.83±0.13)kg for female participants and(48.00±0.23)kg in male par-ticipants.Overall left grip strength values of body mass index was 46.87±0.33,with a value of 53.65±0.46 for male participants and 39.56±0.26 for female participants(P<0.000 1);overall right grip strength values of body mass index was 49.37±0.33,with a value of 56.01±0.47 for male participants and 42.21±0.26 for female participants;overall mean grip strength index was 48.12±0.33,with a value of 54.83±0.46 for male participants and 40.89±0.26 for female participants;overall BMD was(1.11±0.00)g/cm2,with a value of(1.15±0.00)g/cm2 in male participants and(1.08±0.00)g/cm2 in female participants.After exclusion of confounding factors,grip strength showed a significant positive correlation with total BMD(P<0.000 1),and in addition,age was negatively correlated with BMD.Black race(with Mexican descent as reference),college graduation or above(with the participants not graduated from high school as reference),body height,and body mass index(BMI)were positively correlated with BMD.Stratified analysis showed that age,sex,and BMI had interaction with BMD.The curve fitting results showed that there was only a linear relationship between grip strength and BMD(P<0.001),but there was an L-shaped curve relationship between grip strength index(mainly of the left side)and BMD.With the increases in grip strength and grip strength index,BMD increased in a linear and L-shaped curve(BMD increased slowly with the increase in grip strength index),with a variation range of 0.1 g/cm2.Conclusion:Grip strength of both upper limbs and grip strength index(mainly of the left side)are positively correlated with BMD,and BMD shows a linear relationship with grip strength and an L-shaped curve relationship with grip strength index.The results of this study further support the correlation between grip strength and BMD and provide important empirical data for understanding the impact of grip strength on BMD,which has important significance for further research on the regulatory mechanism of BMD and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Objective The aim of this study was to characterize the basic molecular and biochemical parameters for a cyclophilin protein in Cryptosporidium parvum called CpCyP1.Methods CpCyP1 expression patterns during the parasite life cycle were evaluated using qRT-PCR with total RNA isolated from different developmental stages of C.parvum.Native CpCyP1 protein in sporozoites was detected using western blot.The localization of CpCyP1 was performed using the immunofluorescence assay,with an affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal antibody against a synthetic peptide.The peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase(PPIase)activity of His-tagged recombinant CpCyP1 was evaluated using absorbance colorimetry,and the effect of cyclosporin A(CsA)on the activity of CpCyP1 was determined.Results CpCyP1 was expressed in all parasite developmental stages,whereas CpCyP1 was present mainly in the cytosol of sporozoites,meronts,and gamonts.CpCyP1 displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics towards N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide for its PPIase activity(Km=456.4 μmol/L;Vmax=1.981 U).CsA inhibited PPIase activity,showing lower micromolar inhibitory activity and binding affinity(Kd=5.122 μmol/L;IC50=1.004 μmol/L).Conclusions These results imply that CpCyP1 in the parasite may be the target for the previously reported anti-cryptosporidial efficacy of CsA and suggest that C.parvum cyclophilins could be evaluated as candidate drug targets.

Thrombosis is a key factor that increases the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients and causes long COVID sequelae. Guanxinning Tablet (GXNT), which is composed of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ligusticum Chuanxiong, has significant antithrombotic activity, but the similarities and differences between its anti-conventional thrombus and microthrombus induced by COVID-19 remain unclear. In this paper, the main active components, potential targets and mechanisms of GXNT in the treatment of thrombus and microthrombus caused by COVID-19 were preliminarily revealed by using anti-platelet experiments in vitro, network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking technology and molecular biology experiments. The results of platelet aggregation and adhesion experiments in vitro showed that GXNT had significant anti-platelet aggregation and adhesion activities in a dose-dependent manner. Using network pharmacology analysis, it was revealed that salvianolic acid B, tanshinone IIA, caffeic acid and ligustrazine in GXNT could resist thrombus and microthrombus caused by COVID-19 through key targets as the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 6 (IL6) and AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1). HMGB1 signaling pathway is one of its key common mechanisms. Western blot also indicated that GXNT significantly inhibited the expression of HMGB1 protein in platelets. In summary, this paper explores the similarities and differences between the mechanism of GXNT against conventional thrombus and microthrombus caused by COVID-19 and provides drug reference and theoretical basis for clinical prevention and treatment of long COVID sequelae. The animal experiment has been approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. TCM-LAEC2023187g1549).

Objective A finite element simulation analysis of a bracketless orthodontic appliance was carried out to determine the correction amount under different working conditions.A design scheme for the bracketless orthodontic appliance was also formulated to create an orthodontic appliance formed by the fused deposition process with a personalized orthodontic effect.Methods Combined with the computed tomography data of the patient,a tooth model was reversely reconstructed.The correction amount of the tooth under tilting,twisting,and translation working conditions was established using the finite element method.Materials with different elastic moduli were chosen to make three-dimensional(3D)shaped bracketless orthodonitc appliance,and the orthodontic force was measured.Results Different correction amounts could be designed according to different working conditions so that the orthodontic appliance had a personalized treatment effect.The orthodontic force of the bracketless orthodontic appliance increased with elastic modulus and thickness.Under the given working conditions,the orthodontic force was minimal(90 mN)when the orthodontic material was at the minimum(90 mN).The orthodontic force reached its maximum value when the orthodontic material was at the maximum(61.66 N).Conclusions According to the patient's tooth condition and the size of the orthodontic force required for each step of correction in the whole correction process,the design should consider bracketless orthodontics with different elastic moduli and thicknesses to treat deformed teeth to realize the effect of staged orthodontic correction.

Objective:To investigate the construction and empirical study of the risk predic-tion model of postoperative complications in patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing laparo-scopic cholecystectomy(LC).Method:The clinical data of 101 patients with acute cholecystitis treated by LC from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the occurrence of postoperative complications(the following symptoms occurred within 30 days after surgery,such as abdominal hemorrhage,bile leakage,biliary tract injury and wound infection),pa-tients were divided into complication group(26 cases)and non-complication group(75 cases).Uni-variate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the affecting factors of complications after LC in patients with acute cholecystitis,and the risk prediction model was con-structed,and the predictive value of the model was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve).Result:Univariate analysis showed that gender,BMI,cirrhosis,gallstone,gall-bladder atrophy and CCI grade were not correlated with postoperative complications in patients with acute cholecystitis after LC treatment(P＞0.05).Age,gallbladder wall thickness,triangular ana-tomic variation,ASA-PS grade,TG13/TG18 grade were associated with postoperative complica-tions of LC in patients with acute cholecystitis(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age＞70 years old,gallbladder wall thickness ≥5mm,triangular anatomical variation,ASA-PS grade Ⅲ～Ⅵ,TG13/TG18 grade Ⅲ were all independent risk factors for postoperative complications(P＜0.05).ROC analysis showed that the AUC of the risk prediction model constructed based on the above five indicators was 0.836,and the sensitivity and specificity were 80.8％and 82.7％,which were all higher than the single indicators in the model,and the degree of fit of the risk prediction model was good(Hosmer-Lemeshow x2=0.998,P=0.986).Conclusion:Age＞70 years old,gallbladder wall thickness ≥5mm,triangular anatomic variation,ASA-PS grade Ⅲ～Ⅵand TG13/TG18 grade Ⅲ were independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing LC treatment.The risk prediction model constructed based on the above five indicators has high predictive value for postoperative complications in patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing LC treatment.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of bedside X-ray-free biliary stent drainage(ERBD)in the treatment of elderly patients with acute obstructive septic cholangitis(AOSC).Methods The clinical data of 18 elderly(≥80 years old)AOSC patients who underwent emergency endoscopic ENBD at the Center for Digestive Diseases of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2019 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the bedside no-X-ray-assisted drainage group(Group A)and the group that underwent subx-ray-assisted drainage in the interventional room(Group B),according to the degree of criticality of the patients'condition and the ability to be discharged from intensive care.The safety and efficacy of the procedure was evaluated by comparing and analyzing the preoperative and postoperative white blood cell counts,inflammatory factors,transaminase,bilirubin and other indexes and the occurrence of postoperative complications in the two groups.Results All 10 AOSC patients treated with emergency bedside X-ray-free ERCP were successfully intubated,and the intubation success rate was 100％.Eight AOSC patients treated with emergency ERCP under X-ray guidance were also successfully intubated.The postoperative infectious indexes of the patients were significantly reduced to normal.1 case of mild pancreatitis occurred in group A(bedside without X-ray-assisted drainage),with a complication rate of 10％(1/10);1 case of mild pancreatitis occurred in group B(X-ray-assisted drainage),with an incidence rate of 12.50％(1/8).Conclusion Bedside X-ray-free ERBD for critically ill patients with AOSC can provide rapid and effective relief.The main purpose of the operation is to rapidly relieve biliary obstruction and smooth drainage of the bile ducts,and to shorten the operation time as much as possible to minimize the occurrence of complications.

Objective lo investigate the predictive value of serum growth differentiation factor 11(GDF-11)and calprotectin A4(S100A4)for contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)after coronary angiography(CAG).Methods A total of 528 patients who underwent CAG in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao-tong University from December 2020 to November 2023 were selected as the research objects.According to whether the patients had CIN,they were divided into non-nephropathy group(472 cases)and nephropathy group(56 cases).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of GDF-11 and S100A4.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of CIN after CAG.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum GDF-11 and S100A4 for CIN after CAG.Results The serum levels of GDF-11 and S100A4 in nephropathy group were higher than those in non-nephropathy group(P＜0.05).The contrast agent dose and postoperative ser-um creatinine level in the nephropathy group were higher than those in the non-nephropathy group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that contrast agent dose ≥131.84 mL(OR=2.158,95％CI 1.284-3.627),postoperative serum creatinine ≥ 87.57 μmol/L(OR=2.445,95％CI 1.533-3.898),GDF-1 1 ≥4 50.84 ng/mL(OR=2.445,95％CI 1.533-3.898)were the influencing factors of CIN af-ter CAG(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(95％CI)of serum GDF-11 and S100A4 for predicting CIN af-ter CAG was 0.861(95％CI 0.810-0.912)and 0.798(95％CI 0.747-0.849),respectively.The optimal cut-off values were 450.84 ng/mL and 86.98 μg/mL,the specificity were 65.89％and 57.62％,and the sensi-tivity were 94.74％and 94.74％,respectively.The area under the curve of the combination of the two was 0.906(95％CI 0.856-0.957),the specificity was 87.09％,and the sensitivity was 84.26％.Conclusion The elevated levels of serum GDF-11 and S100A4 are closely related to the occurrence of CIN in patients after CAG surgery,which can be used as biological indicators to evaluate the occurrence of CIN in patients after CAG surgery,and the combined prediction efficiency of GDF-11 and S100A4 is higher.