Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on angiogenesis-related indicators in knee joint synovial tissue of adjuvant arthritis model rats,and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression in synovial tissue and further limiting the activation of Rho family proteins Rac1 and Cdc42,thereby inhibiting angiogenesis during rheumatoid arthritis(RA)treatment.Methods:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into a normal group,a model group,a moxibustion group,and a moxibustion+VEGF agonist group according to the random principle.The complete Freund's adjuvant method was used for modeling.On the 12th day after modeling,the moxibustion group and the moxibustion+VEGF agonist group were subjected to suspended moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli(ST36),Guanyuan(CV4),and Ashi points for 20 min each time,once a day,for a total of 15 times.The moxibustion+VEGF agonist group received VEGF agonist(tirofiban hydrochloride hydrate)injection in the knee joint cavity at the same time.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes of rat synovial tissue in each group.Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the CD31 expression level in rat synovial tissue.Western blotting was used to detect the levels of VEGF,Rac1,and Cdc42 protein in rat synovial tissue,and polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect the VEGF mRNA expression.Results:Compared to the normal group,the expression levels of CD31 protein and VEGF mRNA and protein in rat synovial tissue in the model group increased significantly(P<0.01),and the expression levels of phospho-Rac1 and phospho-Cdc42 proteins also increased significantly(P<0.01).After moxibustion intervention,the expression levels of CD31 protein and VEGF mRNA and protein in the moxibustion group were significantly lower than those in the model group(P<0.01),while the differences in each indicator between the moxibustion+VEGF agonist group and the model group were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Compared to the moxibustion group,the expression levels of CD31 protein,VEGF mRNA and protein,phospho-Cdc42,and phospho-Rac1 in the moxibustion+VEGF agonist group increased significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion improved synovial inflammation in RA by inhibiting angiogenesis.The mechanism may be to regulate angiogenesis-related VEGF,restrict the activation of Rac1 and Cdc42,and inhibit pseudopodia formation in vascular endothelial cells,thereby reducing angiogenesis.

Objective: To explore the learning curve of transurethral 450 nm blue light vaporization of the prostate (TUBVP) in a district hospital，in order to provide reference for clinicians who plan to perform TUBVP. Methods: The clinical data of 56 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who received TUBVP performed by the same group of surgeons in Chang'an District Hospital during Jun. and Dec. 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) was used to fit the learning curve of ratio of volume to operating time (RVOT) of prostate volume /450 nm blue light. The learning curve was divided into different stages according to the inflection points，and the clinical data of patients operated at different stages were analyzed and compared. Results: The learning curve of TUBVP was 21 cases，including 1-21 cases in the learning stage，22-38 cases in the improvement stage and 39-56 cases in the maturity stage. With the increase of cases，the postoperative bladder irrigation time reduced \[40.00 (26.00，44.50) h vs. 23.00(20.50，34.00) h vs. 23.50(14.75，40.75) h\]，with statistical difference (P<0.05). The surgical efficiency increased \[(0.51±0.14) vs. (0.55±0.17) vs. (0.63±0.23)\]，while the reduction of hemoglobin \[(6.43±7.35) g/L vs. (5.65±10.91) g/L vs. (2.61±7.36) g/L\]，catheter indwelling time \[70.0 (66.0，106.0) h vs. 71.0 (66.0，89.0) h vs. 66.0 (58.5，78.5) h\]，and incidence of complications (9.5% vs. 5.9% vs. 0) in the three stages showed a gradually decreasing trend，but with no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusion: The learning curve of TUBVP is 21 cases. For clinicians in district hospitals，TUBVP is a worthy choice.

Objective:To explore the changes of brain excitation/inhibition balance and gray matter volume (GMV) and their correlations with clinical features in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS).Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed; 83 BECTS children enrolled from Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2015 to January 2024 were selected as BECTS group. During the same period, 101 age- and gender-matched healthy children were recruited as healthy control group through advertisements in local primary schools. Data of conventional MRI and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) of the two groups were collected. Whole brain GMV was analyzed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and Hurst index was calculated based on time series data of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal of rs-fMRI. Correlations of GMV and Hurst index with disease duration and onset age in children with BECTS were explored by Pearson correlation analysis.Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the BECTS group had significantly increased GMV and decreased Hurst index in the bilateral Rolandic region ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that in the BECTS group, GMV in bilateral Rolandic region was negatively correlated with onset age ( r=-0.267, P=0.015) and positively correlated with disease course ( r=0.267, P=0.015); Hurst index in bilateral Rolandic region was positively correlated with onset age ( r=0.323, P=0.003) and negatively correlated with disease course ( r=-0.240, P=0.029); Hurst index was negatively correlated with GMV in bilateral Rolandic region ( r=-0.328, P=0.003). Conclusion:BECTS children have excitation/inhibition imbalance in epilepsy-related regions and cortical structural delay, and both of them are related to onset age and disease course.

Objective:To explore the changes of brain excitation/inhibition balance and gray matter volume (GMV) and their correlations with clinical features in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS).Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed; 83 BECTS children enrolled from Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2015 to January 2024 were selected as BECTS group. During the same period, 101 age- and gender-matched healthy children were recruited as healthy control group through advertisements in local primary schools. Data of conventional MRI and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) of the two groups were collected. Whole brain GMV was analyzed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and Hurst index was calculated based on time series data of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal of rs-fMRI. Correlations of GMV and Hurst index with disease duration and onset age in children with BECTS were explored by Pearson correlation analysis.Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the BECTS group had significantly increased GMV and decreased Hurst index in the bilateral Rolandic region ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that in the BECTS group, GMV in bilateral Rolandic region was negatively correlated with onset age ( r=-0.267, P=0.015) and positively correlated with disease course ( r=0.267, P=0.015); Hurst index in bilateral Rolandic region was positively correlated with onset age ( r=0.323, P=0.003) and negatively correlated with disease course ( r=-0.240, P=0.029); Hurst index was negatively correlated with GMV in bilateral Rolandic region ( r=-0.328, P=0.003). Conclusion:BECTS children have excitation/inhibition imbalance in epilepsy-related regions and cortical structural delay, and both of them are related to onset age and disease course.

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on angiogenesis-related indicators in knee joint synovial tissue of adjuvant arthritis model rats,and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression in synovial tissue and further limiting the activation of Rho family proteins Rac1 and Cdc42,thereby inhibiting angiogenesis during rheumatoid arthritis(RA)treatment.Methods:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into a normal group,a model group,a moxibustion group,and a moxibustion+VEGF agonist group according to the random principle.The complete Freund's adjuvant method was used for modeling.On the 12th day after modeling,the moxibustion group and the moxibustion+VEGF agonist group were subjected to suspended moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli(ST36),Guanyuan(CV4),and Ashi points for 20 min each time,once a day,for a total of 15 times.The moxibustion+VEGF agonist group received VEGF agonist(tirofiban hydrochloride hydrate)injection in the knee joint cavity at the same time.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes of rat synovial tissue in each group.Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the CD31 expression level in rat synovial tissue.Western blotting was used to detect the levels of VEGF,Rac1,and Cdc42 protein in rat synovial tissue,and polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect the VEGF mRNA expression.Results:Compared to the normal group,the expression levels of CD31 protein and VEGF mRNA and protein in rat synovial tissue in the model group increased significantly(P<0.01),and the expression levels of phospho-Rac1 and phospho-Cdc42 proteins also increased significantly(P<0.01).After moxibustion intervention,the expression levels of CD31 protein and VEGF mRNA and protein in the moxibustion group were significantly lower than those in the model group(P<0.01),while the differences in each indicator between the moxibustion+VEGF agonist group and the model group were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Compared to the moxibustion group,the expression levels of CD31 protein,VEGF mRNA and protein,phospho-Cdc42,and phospho-Rac1 in the moxibustion+VEGF agonist group increased significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion improved synovial inflammation in RA by inhibiting angiogenesis.The mechanism may be to regulate angiogenesis-related VEGF,restrict the activation of Rac1 and Cdc42,and inhibit pseudopodia formation in vascular endothelial cells,thereby reducing angiogenesis.

【Objective】 To investigate the application value of 450 nm blue laser vaporization in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in district hospitals, so as to provide reference for the selection of BPH treatment methods in district-level hospitals. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 39 BPH patients who received surgical treatment in Chang’an Hospital during Jan.and Sep.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into two groups, including 19 in blue laser group treated with 450 nm blue laser vaporization and 20 in the TURP group treated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).The operation time, hemoglobin decline, postoperative bladder irrigation time, catheter indwelling time and adverse events were compared between the two groups. 【Results】 All operations were successfully completed.In the blue laser group, the operation time [(45.11±22.08) min vs.(81.25±29.37) min], postoperative bladder irrigation time [(34.05±9.41) h vs.(47.60±9.05) h] and the decrease of hemoglobin [(7.79± 5.86) g/L vs.(16.40±10.23) g/L] were significantly lower than those in the TURP group (P<0.05).There was 1 case of urinary retention in the blue laser group, and there was no significant difference in indwelling catheter time between the two groups (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The 450 nm blue laser vaporization of prostate has advantages of less blood loss, shorter operation time and shorter postoperative irrigation time.Therefore, it should be considered as a preferable option for BPH in primary hospitals.

Objective:To investigate whether octyl ester derivative of ginsenoside Rh2(Rh2-O)can induce immunogenic cell death of Huh-7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and possible mechanism.Methods:Huh-7 cells were cultured in vitro,and divided into control group,Rh2-O group,positive control group(mitoxantrone treatment).Viability and apoptosis of cells were detected by CCK-8 and flow cytometry,respectively.Concentrations of high mobility family protein 1(HMGB1)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)in supernatant were detected by ELISA and chemiluminescence assay,respectively.Membrane eversion of calreticulin(CRT)was detected by immunofluorescence assay.ROS level in cells was detected by fluorescence probe DCFH-DA,and expressions of proteins associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway were detected by Western blot.Results:Rh2-O treatment significantly reduced cell viability,promoted apoptosis,induced secretion of HMGB1,ATP,membrane eversion of CRT,increased accumulation of ROS in cells,and enhanced expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins PERK,eIF2α,p-eIF2α(all P<0.05).After addition of endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA),membrane eversion of CRT induced by Rh2-O was significantly inhibited(P<0.05).Conclusion:Rh2-O can induce immunogenic cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma cells,whose mechanism may be associated with activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and promotion of CRT membrane eversion.

BACKGROUND: There is little published evidence about the role of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the progression from prehypertension to hypertension. This study was conducted to investigate the association of NAFLD and its severity with the risk of hypertension developing from prehypertension. METHODS: The study cohort comprised 25,433 participants from the Kailuan study with prehypertension at baseline; those with excessive alcohol consumption and other liver diseases were excluded. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography and stratified as mild, moderate, or severe. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident hypertension according to the presence and 3 categories of severity of NAFLD. RESULTS: During a median of 12.6 years of follow-up, 10,638 participants progressed to hypertension from prehypertension. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, patients with prehypertension and NAFLD had a 15% higher risk of incident hypertension than those without NAFLD (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.21). Moreover, the severity of NAFLD was associated with the incidence of hypertension, which was higher in patients with more severe NAFLD (HR = 1.15 [95% CI 1.10-1.21] in the mild NAFLD group; HR = 1.15 [95% CI 1.07-1.24] in the moderate NAFLD group; and HR = 1.20 [95% CI 1.03-1.41] in the severe NAFLD group). Subgroup analysis indicated that age and baseline systolic blood pressure may modify this association. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD is an independent risk factor for hypertension in patients with prehypertension. The risk of incident hypertension increases with the severity of NAFLD.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/complications* ; Prehypertension/diagnosis* ; Risk Factors ; Hypertension ; Incidence

Objective:To analyze the various clinical presentations of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) and determine factors related to myocardial ischemia.Methods:Children diagnosed with AAOCA on CT coronary angiography at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2022 were classified based on AAOCA type, age and high-risk anatomy.The clinical characteristics of the different AAOCA types and age groups were compared and the correlation between the severity of manifestations and high-risk anatomy was analyzed.Results:A total of 69 children with AAOCA[34 males and 35 females, aged (8.89±4.40) years] were included.Ten (14.5%) patients had anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (ALCA) from the right coronary artery sinus and 57 (82.6%) patients had anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (ARCA) from the left coronary artery sinus.In two (2.9%) patients, AAOCA did not arise from a coronary sinus.Nineteen (27.5%) patients were asymptomatic, including 35 (50.7%) cases presented with minor symptoms (chest tightness, chest pain, fatigue), 13 (18.8%) cases had severe symptoms (syncope), and two (2.9%) cases had atypical symptoms (paroxysmal crying). All children were successfully treated; no deaths were reported during follow-up.There were no significant differences in gender, clinical manifestations, positive myocardial injury markers, electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography findings, and proportion of children with high-risk anatomy among the different AAOCA groups (ALCA, ARCA, and non-coronary sinus AAOCA). Divided by age, there were nine (13.1%) children in infant group, 11 (15.9%) in preschool group, and 49 (71.0%) in school age group.More infants were asymptomatic than preschoolers ( P<0.001). Forty-three (62.3%) patients had a high-risk anatomy: two patients with acute take-off angles, four patients with stenosis or slit-like orifices, and 37 patients with interarterial courses.The remaining patients (37.7%) had non-high-risk anatomies.Children with a high-risk anatomy had severe symptoms and were prone to cardiac syncope ( P<0.05). Logistic multivariate analysis suggested that high-risk anatomy was an independent risk factor for cardiogenic syncope( OR=9.026, 95% CI 1.071~76.084, P=0.043). Conclusion:There are no significant differences in the proportion of high-risk anatomy and clinical characteristics among children with different AAOCA types.Younger children are often misdiagnosed due to atypical or insignificant clinical symptoms.The severity of clinical symptoms is related to the high-risk anatomy.High-risk anatomy is an independent risk factor for cardiogenic syncope in children with AAOCA.

Objective:To describe the clinical features and prognosis of congenital anomalous origin of coronary artery(AOCA) in children to increase our understanding of the disease.Methods:This retrospective study included children diagnosed with AOCA using computed tomography coronary angiography(CTCA) admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019.The clinical presentations, laboratory results, imaging analyses, treatments, and prognoses of these patients were analyzed.Results:A total of 208 children, including 105 boys and 103 girls, we evaluated the ages(9.03±4.18)years old with AOCA.Of these, 157 cases(75.5%) presented with cardiac symptoms, such as chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness, syncope, fatigue, and decreased endurance.Three cases(1.4%) had atypical symptoms of paroxysmal crying, dyspnoea and cyanosis, and 48 cases(23.1%) were asymptomatic.Levels of serological markers of myocardial injury were elevated in 59 cases(28.4%), and 140 cases(67.3%) had predominant ST-T abnormalities on electrocardiograms.Transthoracic echocardiography identified 27 cases (13%) with cardiac enlargement and ten cases(4.8%) with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.There were 126 cases(60.6%) with the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery revealed by CTCA, 50 cases(24.0%) with the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery and 32 cases(15.4%) with bilateral coronary arteries of anomalous origin.Five children underwent surgical treatment, and the remaining 203 children were treated conservatively with drugs.The whole group was successfully treated, and no death case was recorded during the follow-up period.Conclusion:AOCA may cause different degrees of myocardial ischemia.Diverse clinical presentations and diagnostic limitations of transthoracic echocardiography often lead to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis.In contrast, CTCA has high diagnostic accuracy and can be used to identify the location and course of the coronary ostia.Hence, the management of AOCA should be tailored on a case-to-case basis, taking into consideration of the specific type of coronary origin, with surgical intervention being warranted if necessary.