Atherosclerosis （AS） is a vascular disease primarily affecting large and medium-sized arteries. It serves as the pathological basis for many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and is associated with a relatively high incidence of complications and mortality worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of AS， demonstrating unique therapeutic advantages through multiple targets and pathways. Ligusticum chuanxiong， a commonly used Chinese medicine in clinical practice， contains key active components against AS， including ligustrazine， senkyunolide， ligustilide， quercetin， ferulic acid， vanillic acid， chlorogenic acid， gallic acid， protocatechuic acid， caffeic acid， chrysophanol， and β-sitosterol. Recent literature indicates that these active components can regulate AS through multiple mechanisms， including improving endothelial cell dysfunction， alleviating lipid metabolism disorders， inhibiting macrophage foam cell formation， suppressing the invasion， proliferation， and migration of smooth muscle cells， inhibiting apoptosis， exerting anticoagulant effects and inhibiting platelet activation， protecting mitochondrial function， and modulating intestinal flora and its metabolites， demonstrating significant pharmacological activity and clinical potential. Clinically， L. chuanxiong is often combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza， Paeonia lactiflora， Angelica sinensis， and borneol to form compound formulations， enhancing therapeutic effects and achieving synergistic anti-AS activity. Compound treatment with L. chuanxiong primarily focuses on promoting blood circulation and shows significant efficacy for different AS syndrome types. This article provides an in-depth review of the active components， drug pairs， and compound preparations of L. chuanxiong in the prevention and treatment of AS， aiming to lay a foundation for subsequent theoretical research and clinical applications in managing AS and its related complications.

Objective To explore the valve regurgitation status of left heart after the implantation of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and its effect on prognosis of patients with LVAD implantation. Methods A total of 35 patients with cardiomyopathy who underwent magnetic levitation LVAD implantation at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from February 2021 to July 2024 were retrospectively selected. Clinical data during hospitalization were collected, including preoperative basic data and postoperative valve regurgitation status. Telephone follow-ups were conducted to monitor patients’ survival status and transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess left valve function. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test were employed to compare the survival rate of patients with different levels of valve regurgitation. Results The 35 patients had a mean age of (53.9±11.1) years, with 85.7% male, and 3 patients (8.6%) died during hospitalization. Preoperatively, 17 patients (48.6%) had moderate or greater mitral regurgitation, while all 35 patients had less than moderate aortic regurgitation. One month postoperatively, thirty patients were followed up, among which 24 patients (80%) had less than moderate mitral regurgitation, including 11 cases with alleviated regurgitation compared to pre-surgery; 6 patients (20%) had moderate or greater mitral regurgitation, including 4 cases with stable regurgitation and 2 cases with progression of regurgitation compared to pre-surgery; 2 patients (6.7%) had progression of aortic regurgitation to moderate or greater. The follow-up time was 1.2 (1.0, 2.1) years, with 1-year survival rate of 91.4% and 3-year survival rate of 71.1%. Survival analysis showed that the 3-year survival rate of patients with moderate or greater mitral regurgitation one month postoperatively was significantly lower than that of patients with less than moderate regurgitation (66.7% vs 83.3%, P＝0.046). Conclusions After the implantation of magnetic levitation LVAD, most patients showed improvement in mitral regurgitation, while aortic regurgitation remained unchanged. The degree of mitral regurgitation one month postoperatively is associated with prognosis.

Objective: To construct a scientific and perfect evaluation index system of infectious disease prevention and control ability in colleges and universities, so as to provide reference tools for colleges and universities to effectively respond to infectious disease. Methods: The initial framework of the evaluation index system of infectious disease prevention and control ability in colleges and universities was constructed by using literature analysis method. Experts familiar with infectious disease prevention and control or school health work were selected to conduct two rounds( n =16，18) of Delphi expert consultation for determining the evaluation index system. Analytical hierarchy process was used to calculate the index weights and combined weights. About 198 prevention and control personnel were conveniently selected from 3 universities in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to comprehensively evaluate the evaluation indicators by using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Results: After two rounds of Delphi consultation questionnaire, the effective recovery rates were 80.0% and 90.0%, the expert authority levels were 0.89 and 0.86, the expert harmony coefficients for Kendall W were 0.166 and 0.310, and the variation coefficient of each index was <0.25. Finally, the evaluation index system of infectious disease prevention and control ability of colleges and universities included 4 first level indicators, 14 second level indicators and 75 third level indicators. The weights of prevention and monitoring and early warning, organizational system guarantee, emergency management, rehabilitation and summary were 0.176, 0.476, 0.268 and 0.080, respectively. The top 3 weights of the secondary indexes were 0.623 for infectious disease surveillance and early warning, 0.595 for loss assessment and 0.370 for emergency response. The score of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of the index system of infectious disease prevention and control ability in colleges and universities was 79.148, suggesting a high level. Conclusion The established evaluation index system of infectious disease prevention and control ability in colleges and universities is scientific and reasonable, which is conducive to provide tool reference for the evaluation of infectious disease prevention and control ability in colleges and universities.

Emerging evidences have indicated the role of ferroptosis in the progression of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD); thus, inhibiting ferroptosis is a promising strategy for the development of MAFLD therapeutics. Recent studies have demonstrated the antioxidative effect of the gut commensal bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muc); however, whether it can alleviate ferroptosis remains unclear. The current study indicates A. muc intervention efficiently reversed high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHFD)-induced lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in the liver. These beneficial effects were mediated by activation of the hepatic AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α axis, as evidenced by the finding that AMPK deficiency abrogated the amelioration of lipid peroxidation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were enriched upon A. muc treatment, and acetate was identified as a key activator of hepatic AMPK signalling. Mechanistically, microbiota-derived acetate was transported to the liver and metabolized to adenosine monophosphate (AMP), which triggered AMPK activation. Furthermore, a colonization assay in germ-free mice confirmed that A. muc mediated antiferroptotic effects in the absence of other microbes. These data indicated that A. muc exerts antiferroptotic effects against MAFLD, at least partially by producing acetate, which activates the hepatic AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α axis to alleviate ferroptosis via the inhibition of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthesis.

Local anesthetics (LAs), such as articaine (AT), exhibit limited efficacy in inflammatory environments, which constitutes a significant limitation in their clinical application within oral medicine. In our prior research, we developed AT-17, which demonstrated effective properties in chronic inflammatory conditions and appears to function as a novel oral LA that could address this challenge. In the present study, we further elucidated the beneficial effects of AT-17 in acute inflammation, particularly in oral acute inflammation, where mitochondrial-related apoptosis played a crucial role. Our findings indicated that AT-17 effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nerve cell apoptosis by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. This process involved the inhibition of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production and the subsequent activation of the NRF2 pathway. Most notably, improvements in mitochondria-related apoptosis were key contributors to AT-17's inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels. Additionally, AT-17 was shown to reduce mtROS production in nerve cells through the Na⁺/NCLX/ETC signaling axis. In conclusion, we have developed a novel local anesthetic that exhibits pronounced anesthetic functionality under inflammatory conditions by enhancing mitochondria-related apoptosis. This advancement holds considerable promise for future drug development and deepening our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action.

OBJECTIVES: To study the molecular mechanisms of LDH-loaded si-NEAT1 for regulating paclitaxel resistance and tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization in breast cancer. METHODS: qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-133b, and PD-L1 in breast cancer SKBR3 cells and paclitaxel-resistant SKBR3 cells (SKBR3-PR). The effects of transfection with si-NEAT1 and miR-133b mimics on MRP, MCRP and PD-L1 expressions and cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were investigated using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, scratch and Transwell assays, and flow cytometry. Rescue experiments were conducted using si-NEAT1 and miR-133b inhibitor. Human THP-1 macrophages were cultured in the presence of conditioned media (CM) derived from SKBR3 and SKBR3-PR cells with or with si-NEAT1 transfection for comparison of IL-4-induced macrophage polarization by detecting the surface markers. LDH@si-NEAT1 nanocarriers were constructed, and their effects on MRP, MCRP and PD-L1 expressions and cell behaviors of the tumor cells were examined. THP-1 cells were treated with the CM from LDH@si-NEAT1-treated tumor cells, and the changes in their polarization were assessed. RESULTS: SKBR3-PR cells showered significantly upregulated NEAT1 and PD-L1 expressions and lowered miR-133b expression as compared with their parental cells. Transfection with si-NEAT1 and miR-133b mimics inhibited viability, promoted apoptosis and enhanced MRP and BCRP expressions in SKBR3-PR cells. NEAT1 knockdown obvious upregulated miR-133b and downregulated PD-L1, MRP and BCRP expressions. The CM from SKBR3-PR cells obviously promoted M2 polarization of THP-1 macrophages, which was significantly inhibited by CM from si-NEAT1-transfected cells. Treatment with LDH@si-NEAT1 effectively inhibited migration and invasion, promoted apoptosis, and reduced MRP, BCRP and PD-L1 expressions in the tumor cells. The CM from LDH@si-NEAT1-treated SKBR3-PR cells significantly downregulated Arg-1, CD163, IL-10, and PD-L1 and upregulated miR-133b expression in THP-1 macrophages. CONCLUSIONS LDH@si-NEAT1 reduces paclitaxel resistance of breast cancer cells and inhibits TAM polarization by targeting the miR-133b/PD-L1 axis.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Tumor-Associated Macrophages ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Macrophages ; Cell Movement

Objective:To investigate the effect of circulating plasma cell(CPC)on the prognosis of multiple myeloma(MM),and to es-tablish and validate a modified CPC-RISS staging system based on CPC and RISS.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 639 treatment-na?ve patients with MM who were treated in Department of Hematology,Xijing Hospital,from January 2006 to June 2023.Peripheral blood smear was used to calculate the percentage of CPC in patients,and the impact of CPC and other related factors on the prognosis of MM patients was analyzed.A CPC-RISS staging system was established based on RISS stage and the percentage of CPC,and the differences in survival and prognosis were analyzed between patients with different stages.Results:Compared with the patients without CPC,detectable CPC was significantly associated with various high-risk factors for MM,and the MM patients with CPC had a lower complete remission rate and shorter overall survival time and progression-free survival time.The modified CPC-RISS staging system was used to classify the patients with MM into four stages,and there were significant differences in median survival time and progression-free survival time between the patients with different stages of MM.Conclusion:The MM pa-tients with the presence of CPC exhibit more aggressive features,worse response to treatment,and a reduction in long-term survival rate.The modified CPC-RISS staging system can effectively predict the prognosis of treatment-na?ve MM patients.

Various therapeuti modailities have been engineered for lung cancer treatment, but their clinic application is severely impeded by the poor therapy efficiency and immunosuppressive microenvironment. Herein, we fabricated a library of small molecule redox-labile nanoparticles (NPs) (i.e., diPTX-2C NPs, diPTX-2S NPs, and diPTX-2Se NPs) by the self-assembly of dimer paclitaxel (PTX) prodrug, and then utilized these NPs with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Qi-Yu-San-Long-Fang (Q) for effective chemoimmunotherapy on Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-bearing mice models. Under the high concentration of glutathione (GSH) and H₂O₂, diPTX-2Se NPs could specifically release PTX in cancer cells and exert a higher selectivity and toxicity than normal cells. In LLC tumor-bearing mice, oral administration of Q not only effectively downregulated programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression, but also remodeled the immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment via the increase of CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T cell proportion and the repolarization of M2 into M1 macrophages in tumor tissues, collectively achieving superior synergistic treatment outcomes in combination with intravenous PTX prodrug NPs. Besides, we found that the combination regimen also demonstrated excellent chemoimmunotherapeutic performances on low-dose small established tumor and high-dose large established tumor models. This study may shed light on the potent utilization of Chinese and Western-integrative strategy for efficient tumor chemoimmunotherapy.

Objective:To explore the application effect of multidimensional interactive teaching based on the Biggs' 3P model in standardized training of residents in the Department of Stomatology, and evaluate its impact on improving clinical skills, theoretical level, and self-learning ability.Methods:A controlled experimental design was adopted, and 68 resident physicians who received standardized training in the Department of Stomatology from September 2022 to August 2024 were selected as the research subjects. They were divided into an observation group and a control group, with 34 residents in each group. In terms of teaching methods, the control group received traditional linear progressive teaching, which included theoretical teaching, operational demonstration, group training, and clinical operation. The observation group received multidimensional interactive teaching based on the Biggs' 3P model, which systematically integrated presage, process, and product. The teaching effectiveness was evaluated through theoretical and practical assessment scores, a self-learning ability scale, and a questionnaire. Chi-square test and t test were performed using SPSS 26.0. Results:The observation group achieved significantly higher scores in both theoretical and practical assessments. The total score of theoretical assessment was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group [(82.65±6.55) vs. (74.26±7.41)], especially in areas reflecting clinical thinking such as multidisciplinary collaborative design of diagnosis and treatment plans [(6.62±0.51) vs. (5.31±0.58)]. In the practical operation assessment, the total score of the observation group (83.19±7.65) was higher than that of the control group (75.36±6.33), with particularly significant differences in clinical emergency response ability assessments such as simulated dentistry emergency management. In addition, the self-learning ability scores in all dimensions of the observation group were higher than those of the control group. According to the teaching experience survey, 94.12%( n=32) of the observation group students believed that the new teaching mode effectively improved their learning interest, and 91.18%( n=31) approved the personalized design of the teaching method. Conclusions:The multidimensional interactive teaching program based on the Biggs' 3P model can improve the effectiveness of standardized training of dental resident physicians, and demonstrate high efficiency in enhancing theoretical knowledge mastery, clinical skills operation, interdisciplinary collaboration ability, and self-learning ability cultivation, providing an innovative teaching mode that can be promoted for training dental specialists.

Objective:To utilize the left ventricular myocardial work（LVMW）technique for early identification of myocardial damage in patients with fabry disease（FD）.Methods:In an observational cross-sectional study，35 patients with FD who visited the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2023 to April 2024 were included. They were categorized into two groups based on left ventricular mass index（LVMI）：the non-left ventricular hypertrophy group（LVH-FD group，14 cases）and the left ventricular hypertrophy group（LVH+FD group，21 cases）. Further gender-stratified analysis was performed on parameters related to left ventricular global longitudinal strain（LVGLS）and LVMW. Additionally，for the FD group with normal LVGLS，a comparison of their LVMW-related parameters was made with a control group. A control group consisting of 28 healthy subjects from the same period was selected for comparison. The LVGLS，global work index（LVGWI），global constructive work（LVGCW），global wasted work（LVGWW），and global work efficiency（LVGWE）of the three groups were analyzed using two-dimensional speckle tracking and non-invasive myocardial work techniques，and intergroup comparisons of these parameters were performed. Pearson's linear correlation was applied to analyse the correlation between LVGWI，LVGWE and LVMI.Results:① According to the LVMI grouping results，compared with the control group，the LVH-FD group showed decreased LVGWI（ P<0.05），while the LVH+FD group exhibited reductions in LVGLS，LVGWI，and LVGWE（all P<0.05）. Compared to the LVH-FD group，the LVH+FD group demonstrated lower LVGLS，LVGWI，and LVGWE（all P<0.05）. ② Gender subgroup analysis revealed that in the female subgroup，no statistically significant differences were observed in LVGLS，LVGWI，and LVGWE between the female control group and the female LVH-FD group（all P>0.05）. However，the female LVH+ FD group showed decreased LVGLS，LVGWI，and LVGWE compared to both the female control group（all P<0.05）and the female LVH-FD group（all P<0.05）. In the male subgroup，compared to the male control group，the male LVH-FD group had reduced LVGWI（ P<0.05）but no significant differences in LVGLS or LVGWE（both P>0.05）. The male LVH+ FD group displayed lower LVGLS，LVGWI，and LVGWE compared to both the male control group（all P<0.05）and the male LVH- FD group（all P<0.05）. ③Compared with the control group，the LVGLS-normal FD group had a reduced LVGWI（ P<0.05），while there were no statistically significant differences in LVGLS，LVGWE，LVGCW，and LVGWW between these two groups（all P>0.05）. ④LVGWI and LVGWE were negatively correlated with LVMI（ r=-0.617，-0.707；both P<0.001）. Conclusions:LVMW can detect early cardiac dysfunction in patients with FD and is of guiding value for their clinical management.