ObjectiveTo comprehensively identify the O-methyltransferase （OMT） genes in Carthamus tinctorius and explore the key OMTs that can catalyze the methylation of flavonoids， providing a basis for understanding the molecular formation mechanism of the structural diversity of flavonoids in C. tinctorius. MethodsThe hidden Markov model was used to systematically identify the type Ⅰ OMTs from the high-quality genome data of C. tinctorius. A suite of bioinformatics tools was employed to systematically analyze the physicochemical properties， gene structure， conserved motifs， chromosomal localization， gene replication events， and collinearity of the identified genes. The target gene was heterologously expressed through the prokaryotic expression system of E. coli， and the protein function was verified by in vitro enzymatic reactions. ResultsA total of 31 type Ⅰ OMTs were identified. CtFOMT1 was successfully cloned and expressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified via Ni²⁺ affinity chromatography to obtain a high-concentration preparation. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that CtFOMT1 utilized S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor to catalyze the methylation of the 4′-OH of naringenin， resulting in the production of isosakuranetin. A similar process occurred with the 4′-OH of luteolin， leading to the formation of diosmetin. Subsequent methylation of the 3′-OH group of diosmetin generated 4′-methylchrysoeriol. ConclusionCtFOMT1 can catalyze the methylation of 4′-/3′-OH in the flavonoid skeleton. It is hypothesized that CtFOMT1 may play a role in the biosynthesis of various 4′-/3′-oxymethyl flavonoids in C. tinctorius.

Objective To analyze the predictive value of apolipoprotein B(apoB)and apoB to apolipoprotein A1(apoA1)ratio(apoB/A1)in acute myocardial infarction(AMI)of phlegm blended with blood stasis syndrome.Methods A total of 200 patients with AMI confirmed by coronary angiography in Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine during the trial period were collected.Data collection covered the basic information of gender,age,medical history of hypertension,coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus,and smoking history,the information of four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and relevant indicators of blood lipids,the number of lesioned branches of coronary arteries and the Gensini scores.The predictive value of apoB and apoB/A1 for AMI of phlegm blended with blood stasis syndrome was explored by univariate Logistic regression analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis as well as by plotting the Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curves.Results(1)Among the 200 AMI patients,41 cases were differentiated as qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,36 cases as qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome,74 cases as phlegm blended with blood stasis syndrome,and 49 cases as other syndromes(including 16 cases of cold accumulation in heart vessels syndrome,22 cases of qi and yin deficiency syndrome,and 11 cases of healthy-qi deficiency and yang collapse syndrome).(2)The difference of Gensini scores among the patients with various TCM syndrome types were statistically significant(H=43.735,P=0.000<0.001).And the Gensini scores in the patients with syndromes of qi deficiency and blood stasis,qi stagnation and blood stasis,and phlegm blended with blood stasis were relatively high,being 60.0(43.0,87.0),70.0(48.5,84.0)and 65.0(40.0,95.0)points,respectively,which were higher than that of the other TCM syndrome types[44.0(32.0,64.0)points].The pairwise comparison between various TCM syndrome types showed that the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).However,there was no statistically significant difference in the number of lesioned branches of coronary arteries among the patients with various TCM syndrome types(H=1.180,P=0.758>0.05).(3)The results of correlation analysis showed that the number of lesioned branches of coronary arteries,Gensini score and apoB/A1 were significantly and positively correlated(r=0.140,P=0.049<0.05;r=0.205,P=0.004<0.01).(4)The results of univariate Logistic regression analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that apoB and apoB/A1 were the independent risk factors for phlegm blended with blood stasis syndrome(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that apoB/A-1 exerted a high predictive value for AMI of phlegm blended with blood stasis syndrome,with high sensitivity and specificity.Conclusion It is indicated that ApoB/A1 can be used as an objective indicator for predicting AMI of phlegm blended with blood stasis syndrome in clinical practice.

Objective::This study aimed to elucidate the effect of the lipopolysaccharides/toll-like receptor 4 (LPS/TLR4) pathway on early atherosclerosis (AS) development and its associated changes in fecal metabolites, thereby providing an experimental foundation for strategies to prevent and treat early AS.Methods::Twelve Tibetan miniature pigs aged 4-5 months were divided into normal control (NC) group and AS group (6 pigs in each). The group assignment was primarily based on body weight; Secondary criteria, including glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammatory indices, were considered to ensure balanced baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). AS group received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish an AS model, while the NC group received a normal diet. Subsequently, serum levels of lipids and various inflammation and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pathological changes in the aorta and colon tissue, LPS/TLR4 pathway-associated protein expressions in the aorta, as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the colon were also assessed. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra technology was employed for the metabolomic analysis of fecal extracts. Results::The lipid metabolism was disrupted in AS group, with significantly higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ((12.24 ± 5.24) mmol/L vs. (1.86 ± 0.27) mmol/L, P = 0.004,6; (2.39 ± 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.07) mmol/L, P = 0.000,5; (6.94 ± 2.87) mmol/L vs. (0.77 ± 0.18) mmol/L, P = 0.003,3), as compared to that in NC group. Serum factors, including LPS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde levels of AS group were significantly higher than that of NC group ((1,230.00 ± 192.70) EU/L vs. (695.70 ± 213.70) EU/L), P = 0.001,1; (424.20 ± 176.90) ng/L vs. (51.20 ± 26.61) ng/L, P = 0.023,5; (3.60 ± 0.77) nmol/mL vs. (2.62 ± 0.21) nmol/mL, P = 0.025,4). Pathological evaluations revealed prominent lipid deposition area in the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta of the AS group compared with that of the NC group (4.17% ± 2.30% vs. 0, P = 0.006,7; 6.23% ± 2.95% vs. 0, P = 0.003,6; 3.78% ± 2.18% vs. 0, P = 0.008,1). TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the aorta tissue of the AS group were upregulated, whereas occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression in colon tissues was downregulated. Additionally, metabolomics identified significant differences in 21 metabolites in the feces of the AS group compared to the NC group, with further analysis linking these differences to amino acid metabolism. Conclusions::The Tibetan miniature pig model of early AS induced by high-fat intake displayed pronounced chronic inflammation. Preliminary findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the LPS/TLR4 pathway and intestinal metabolic disorders.

Objective::This study aimed to elucidate the effect of the lipopolysaccharides/toll-like receptor 4 (LPS/TLR4) pathway on early atherosclerosis (AS) development and its associated changes in fecal metabolites, thereby providing an experimental foundation for strategies to prevent and treat early AS.Methods::Twelve Tibetan miniature pigs aged 4-5 months were divided into normal control (NC) group and AS group (6 pigs in each). The group assignment was primarily based on body weight; Secondary criteria, including glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammatory indices, were considered to ensure balanced baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). AS group received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish an AS model, while the NC group received a normal diet. Subsequently, serum levels of lipids and various inflammation and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pathological changes in the aorta and colon tissue, LPS/TLR4 pathway-associated protein expressions in the aorta, as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the colon were also assessed. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra technology was employed for the metabolomic analysis of fecal extracts. Results::The lipid metabolism was disrupted in AS group, with significantly higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ((12.24 ± 5.24) mmol/L vs. (1.86 ± 0.27) mmol/L, P = 0.004,6; (2.39 ± 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.07) mmol/L, P = 0.000,5; (6.94 ± 2.87) mmol/L vs. (0.77 ± 0.18) mmol/L, P = 0.003,3), as compared to that in NC group. Serum factors, including LPS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde levels of AS group were significantly higher than that of NC group ((1,230.00 ± 192.70) EU/L vs. (695.70 ± 213.70) EU/L), P = 0.001,1; (424.20 ± 176.90) ng/L vs. (51.20 ± 26.61) ng/L, P = 0.023,5; (3.60 ± 0.77) nmol/mL vs. (2.62 ± 0.21) nmol/mL, P = 0.025,4). Pathological evaluations revealed prominent lipid deposition area in the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta of the AS group compared with that of the NC group (4.17% ± 2.30% vs. 0, P = 0.006,7; 6.23% ± 2.95% vs. 0, P = 0.003,6; 3.78% ± 2.18% vs. 0, P = 0.008,1). TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the aorta tissue of the AS group were upregulated, whereas occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression in colon tissues was downregulated. Additionally, metabolomics identified significant differences in 21 metabolites in the feces of the AS group compared to the NC group, with further analysis linking these differences to amino acid metabolism. Conclusions::The Tibetan miniature pig model of early AS induced by high-fat intake displayed pronounced chronic inflammation. Preliminary findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the LPS/TLR4 pathway and intestinal metabolic disorders.

Traumatic supraorbital fissure syndrome (TSOFS) is a symptom complex caused by nerve entrapment in the supraorbital fissure after skull base trauma. If the compressed cranial nerve in the supraorbital fissure is not decompressed surgically, ptosis, diplopia and eye movement disorder may exist for a long time and seriously affect the patients′ quality of life. Since its overall incidence is not high, it is not familiarized with the majority of neurosurgeons and some TSOFS may be complicated with skull base vascular injury. If the supraorbital fissure surgery is performed without treatment of vascular injury, it may cause massive hemorrhage, and disability and even life-threatening in severe cases. At present, there is no consensus or guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of TSOFS that can be referred to both domestically and internationally. To improve the understanding of TSOFS among clinical physicians and establish standardized diagnosis and treatment plans, the Skull Base Trauma Group of the Neurorepair Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Neurotrauma Group of the Neurosurgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Neurotrauma Group of the Traumatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized relevant experts to formulate Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic supraorbital fissure syndrome ( version 2024) based on evidence of evidence-based medicine and clinical experience of diagnosis and treatment. This consensus puts forward 12 recommendations on the diagnosis, classification, treatment, efficacy evaluation and follow-up of TSOFS, aiming to provide references for neurosurgeons from hospitals of all levels to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of TSOFS.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of intelligent pressure controlled retrograde renal surgery(IRIRS)for the treatment of 2-3cm kidney stones.Methods Totally 110 patients with renal stones with a diameter of 2-3cm admitted to Ganzhou People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were randomly divided into IRIRS group and control group(microchannel percutaneous nephrolithotomy with vacuum aspiration),with 55 cases in each group.The surgical time,rate of stone clearance,hemoglobin decrease,scores for postoperative pain,hospital stay and incidence of complications were systematically compared between the two groups.Results The surgical time and stone clearance rates at four weeks post-operation did not exhibit any statistically significant differences between the IRIRS group and the control group(P>0.05).The hospitalization time,hemoglobin decrease,and scores for postoperative pain in the IRIRS group were notably lower compared to the control group,with these differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).The difference in total postoperative complication rates between the IRIRS and control groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion IRIRS is an effective and safe method for treating renal stones with a diameter of 2-3 cm,meriting broader clinical adoption and application.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of cartilage injury and inflammation in the WHBE rabbit KOA model and the effect of platelet-rich fibrin releasates(PRFr)treatment on the KOA process,we established a WHBE rabbit KOA model by excision of medial collateral and partial patellar ligaments and administered a PRFr solution.Methods Twenty-four WHBE rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:normal control(NC)group(n=6),model(KOA)group(n=12),and cure(PRFr)group(n=6).KOA and PRFr groups were injected with 0.5 mL saline and PRFr into both joint cavities on 7 and 14 postoperative days,respectively.At 4 and 8 weeks of modeling,the knee joint grade scoring,X-ray imaging,and gross scoring were performed.Serum levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 were measured by ELISA.At 4 weeks,6 animals in the KOA group were euthanized,and at 8 weeks,the remaining animals in each group were euthanized.Pathological sections were prepared after decalcification,and then HE,toluidine blue,and safranin O-fast green staining and immunohistochemical analysis of TGF-β,BMP3,and NF-κB were conducted.Results The Lequesne MG behavioral score,Mankin's score,and Pelletier score of WHBE rabbits after the operation were significantly increased compared with the NC group(P＜0.01).Pathological observations revealed surface defects of the cartilage and partial loss of chondrocytes.These result indicated that the KOA model was established successfully.In KOA rabbits,knee joint swelling,joint pain stimulation,and movement limitation were obvious.X-rays showed a high-density soft tissue shadow,indicating more joint effusion and a rough articular surface in general.After PRFr treatment,the serum levels of proinflammatory factors IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 in KOA model rabbits were significantly reversed(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,the cartilage surface became smooth,and most chondrocytes were neatly distributed.Expression levels of TGF-β,BMP3,and NF-κB induced by KOA were also significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusions We successfully established a KOA model in WHBE rabbits,and PRFr improved the cartilage injury and inflammation of the WHBE rabbit KOA model through TGF-β/BMP and NF-κB pathways.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a 1470 nm semiconductor laser therapeutic instrument(referred to as a curestar therapeutic instrument)for prostatectomy in Beagle dogs.Methods Twenty-eight adult male Beagle dogs were randomly divided into three groups:sham(n=3),experimental(n=15),and control(n=10).The experimental group was further divided into three subgroups:120 W/50 W,150 W/50 W,and 160 W/50 W for vaporization cutting/coagulation hemostasis.The control group was divided into two subgroups:120 W/50 W and 150 W/50 W with five in each subgroup.Experimental and control groups underwent canine prostatectomy through the entrance of the bladder neck under electrocision.The operational suitability and effectiveness of the product during surgery were assessed.After the operation,the general condition of the dogs was observed,and blood biochemical and hematological indicators were measured before,immediately after,and at 3,7,and 28 days after the operation.At 1 h and 4 weeks after surgery,B-ultrasound and electric resection were performed under anesthesia to observe the conditions of the urethra and prostate,and prostatic tissue was subjected to HE staining for pathological observations.The thickness of the coagulation layer at 1 h after the operation and repair of the urothelial epithelium at 4 weeks were analyzed.Results During the operation,experimental and control groups had good operability and showed good vaporization cutting and coagulation hemostasis performance.After the operation,no significant effects were observed on the general condition,and blood biochemical and hematological indicators of the dogs.Ultrasound showed that the urethral expansion was visible immediately after the operation,and the echo of the urethral epithelium was slightly enhanced.At 4 weeks,the prostate tissue had a slightly low echo with uniformly distributed small point-like echoes inside,and the capsule had a linearly high echo,consistent with the sham group.The weight of the vaporized prostate tissue in experimental and control groups was 0.91～1.33 g with a resection rate of 17.11％～20.27％.As the power of vaporization cutting increased,the laser emission time gradually decreased,while the vaporization cutting speed and efficiency both increased.However,no significant difference was found between experimental and control groups(P＞0.05).Under the electrocision microscope,a burn-like change was observed in the surgical wounds of the prostate urethra in experimental and control groups at 1 h after surgery,and the boundary between the wound and normal urothelium was visible.At 4 weeks,the urothelium of the prostate had been repaired and flattened,and the boundary with the surrounding normal urothelium was blurred.Similarly,pathological observations showed that experimental and control groups had significant damage to the prostate urethral orifice at 1 h after surgery with a small amount of carbonization and coagulative necrosis on the surface of the wound,a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration,and a coagulation layer thickness of approximately 0.4 mm.At 4 weeks,the prostate urethral morphology of the sham group was normal,whereas experimental and control groups showed new epithelial growth covering the wound with a uniform thickness and no coagulative necrosis tissue attached to the wound.A mild inflammatory reaction was still present in the surrounding area,fibroblast proliferation was obvious,and stromal and epithelial cell proliferation was visible in the surrounding prostate,some of which showed squamous metaplasia.The prostate capsule was intact and the morphology of the surrounding nerves and blood vessels was normal.Conclusions The curestar therapy instrument is effective for prostatectomy in Beagle dogs with good vaporization cutting and coagulation hemostasis performance.No significant difference was found in postoperative physiological indicators compared with the sham group.

Objective To observe the effects of a 1 470 nm semiconductor laser on vaporization cutting,coagulation,and thermal injury of ex vivo animal tissues,aiming to explore the feasibility of its application in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.Methods The experimental group and control group were treated with HANS-D1 and ML-DD01FI 1 470 nm semiconductor laser therapy equipment,respectively.Fresh ex vivo pig bladder tissue was exposed to lasers with the optical fiber placed at distances of 0.5 cm and 1 cm from the tissue for 5 s.The effects of layers at powers of 60,90,120,150,and 160 W on tissue injury were observed.Ex vivo dog prostate and pig kidney tissues were used for vaporization ablation and cutting to observe the effects of lasers at the same power levels on tissue vaporization and cutting thermal injury.Additionally,in coagulation mode,the effects of 30,40,and 50 W semiconductor lasers on tissue coagulation were observed after irradiating ex vivo pig kidney tissue for 5,10,and 15 seconds.Results When the optical fiber was placed 1 cm away from the tissue,the 1 470 nm semiconductor lasers did not cause accidental damage to adjacent normal bladder tissue.However,at a distance of 0.5 cm,the 120 W,150 W,or 160 W lasers caused slight damage to the bladder tissue.In addition,with the increase in output power,the vaporization ablation efficiency of 60-160 W lasers on dog prostate tissue gradually increased,showing a good linear correlation between vaporization volume and total energy consumption(P＜0.001).Histopathological HE staining results indicated that the coagulation layer thickness in the experimental group was 292.20-309.98 μm,and the vaporization layer depth was 1.49-4.52 mm.In the control group,the coagulation layer thickness was 289.91-303.53 μm,and the vaporization layer depth was 1.88-4.43 mm.There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Moreover,when performing vaporization cutting on ex vivo pig kidney tissue with a cross-sectional area of 1 cm2,the efficiency of vaporization cutting by the 60-160 W 1 470 nm semiconductor lasers increased with the increase in output power(P＜0.05).The coagulated layer thickness in the experimental group was 496.04-514.47 μm,while that in the control group was 489.39-518.53 μm.Additionally,in coagulation mode,when ex vivo pig kidney tissue was irradiated for 5,10,and 15 s with 30,40,and 50 W semiconductor lasers,the coagulation diameter,groove depth,and coagulation efficiency gradually increased with the increase in laser output power(P＜0.05).The coagulation layer thickness in the experimental group and control group was 399.10-449.98 μm and 392.97-447.65 μm,respectively,and the vaporization layer depth was 3.05-7.09 mm and 2.70-7.14 mm,respectively.There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The 1 470 nm semiconductor laser shows good vaporization ablation,cutting,and coagulation effect on ex vivo tissues,with a good linear correlation between the effect and the output energy.

Objective To discuss the feasibility,safety and surgical effect of the modified Prolene thread double-headed needle"U-shaped"suture combined with extra-and intracavity combination knotting method in thoracoscopic diaphragm plication in the treatment of diaphragmatic eventration in infants.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 70 infants who underwent thoracoscopic diaphragm plication in the treatment of diaphragmatic eventration in our hospital from May 2010 to May 2022.According to the different methods of suturing and knotting,the patients were divided into the improved group(modified Prolene thread double-headed needle"U-shaped"suture combined with extra-and intracavity combination knotting method,n =30)and the conventional group(intracavity suture knotting method,n = 40).The perioperative indicators,as well as whether there was knot loosening or recurrence of diaphragmatic eventration,were compared between the two groups.Results All the 70 operations were performed safely and successfully,without conversion to open surgery.The operation time in the improved group was significantly less than that in the conventional group[(35.3±7.4)min vs.(64.7±10.8)min,t =13.521,P =0.000].There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of intraoperative bleeding volume,indwelling time of thoracic drainage tube,postoperative hospital stay,preoperative,intraoperative,and postoperative pH values,PO2,and PCO2 in arterial blood gas,and postoperative slight diaphragm elevation(P>0.05).All the 70 cases were followed up for 6-24 months postoperatively,with a median follow-up time of 12 months,having no knot loosening or recurrence of diaphragmatic eventration.No death was reported.Conclusions The modified Prolene thread double-headed needle"U-shaped"suture combined with extra-and intracavity combination knotting method in thoracoscopic diaphragm plication in the treatment of diaphragmatic eventration in infants is safe,feasible,effective,and easy to operate.Doctors with a certain endoscopic surgery experience can master it quickly,which is suitable for promotion in qualified hospitals.