Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a common malignant tumor with a high fatality rate worldwide， with limited overall survival benefits and pronounced drug resistance issues， highlighting the urgent need for novel sensitization strategies and patient stratification systems. Ferroptosis， as an iron-dependent form of lipid peroxidation-driven cell death， is closely associated with tumor treatment responses. In addition to the classic glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）/glutathione （GSH） pathway， the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 （FSP1）-coenzyme Q10 （CoQ10） pathways and the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase （DHODH） pathway are two newly identified anti-ferroptosis pathways that function at the plasma membrane and mitochondria， respectively， and determine cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis in synergy with GPX4. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of the FSP1-CoQ10 and DHODH pathways in HCC and related research advances， proposes related therapeutic strategies， and look forward to its clinical translation and application prospects.

BACKGROUND:The exact pathogenesis of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis is currently unclear.Traditional clinical treatment strategies for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis are symptomatic treatments such as pain relief and reduction of inflammation,which can stop the progression of the disease to a certain degree but cannot reverse the destruction of the cartilage.Cartilage degeneration,as one of the most prominent pathologic features in the development of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis,has been the subject of an increasing number of studies that focus on its pathogenesis.Consequently,we hope to provide an ideal radical solution for the regeneration of the temporomandibular joint.OBJECTIVE:To review the progress of research on cartilage degeneration in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.METHODS:The search terms were"temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis,degradation of cartilage matrix,synovitis,oxidative stress,chondrocyte hypertrophy,chondrocyte apoptosis,ferroptosis,autophagy,angiogenesis,extracellular vesicles"in Chinese and English.Literature search was conducted in PubMed database and CNKI,and the time limit for the search was from January 2004 to October 2024.Screening was performed by analyzing and reading the literature,and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,81 papers were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Increased secretion of cartilage matrix degrading enzymes causes degradation of the cartilage matrix,leading to cartilage degeneration.(2)Synovitis promotes cartilage degeneration through macrophage M1-type polarization and production of inflammatory mediators.(3)Oxidative stress promotes cartilage degeneration by exacerbating the inflammatory response through overproduction of reactive oxygen species.(4)Chondrocyte phenotypic changes and death lead to the decrease of cartilage matrix synthesis,resulting in cartilage degeneration.(5)Blood vessels of subchondral bone penetrate the calcified cartilage layer to reach the superficial cartilage layer,which destroys the cartilage structure and leads to cartilage degeneration.(6)Bioactive substances carried by serum-derived extracellular vesicles in inflammatory states also promote cartilage degeneration in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND:The exact pathogenesis of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis is currently unclear.Traditional clinical treatment strategies for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis are symptomatic treatments such as pain relief and reduction of inflammation,which can stop the progression of the disease to a certain degree but cannot reverse the destruction of the cartilage.Cartilage degeneration,as one of the most prominent pathologic features in the development of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis,has been the subject of an increasing number of studies that focus on its pathogenesis.Consequently,we hope to provide an ideal radical solution for the regeneration of the temporomandibular joint.OBJECTIVE:To review the progress of research on cartilage degeneration in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.METHODS:The search terms were"temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis,degradation of cartilage matrix,synovitis,oxidative stress,chondrocyte hypertrophy,chondrocyte apoptosis,ferroptosis,autophagy,angiogenesis,extracellular vesicles"in Chinese and English.Literature search was conducted in PubMed database and CNKI,and the time limit for the search was from January 2004 to October 2024.Screening was performed by analyzing and reading the literature,and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,81 papers were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Increased secretion of cartilage matrix degrading enzymes causes degradation of the cartilage matrix,leading to cartilage degeneration.(2)Synovitis promotes cartilage degeneration through macrophage M1-type polarization and production of inflammatory mediators.(3)Oxidative stress promotes cartilage degeneration by exacerbating the inflammatory response through overproduction of reactive oxygen species.(4)Chondrocyte phenotypic changes and death lead to the decrease of cartilage matrix synthesis,resulting in cartilage degeneration.(5)Blood vessels of subchondral bone penetrate the calcified cartilage layer to reach the superficial cartilage layer,which destroys the cartilage structure and leads to cartilage degeneration.(6)Bioactive substances carried by serum-derived extracellular vesicles in inflammatory states also promote cartilage degeneration in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Modified Shoutai Pill （寿胎丸加味方， MSP） in treating polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） with hyperandrogenism， insulin resistance， and miscarriage， focusing on inflammatory response and endometrial receptivity. MethodsThirty female SPF-grade SD rats with regular estrous cycles and in proestrus， and 15 male SPF-grade SD rats were housed together in a 2∶1 ratio at 18：00. At 8：00 next morning， rats showing abundant sperm and vaginal plugs were considered pregnant on the day 0.5. The 30 pregnant rats were randomly divided into three groups， normal group， model group， and MSP group， with 10 rats in each group. From day 0.5 to day 13.5 of pregnancy， the MSP group was given 26.6 g/（kg·d） of the MSP via gavage twice a day for 14 consecutive days. The normal group and the model group received 4 ml of normal saline daily. From day 7.5 to day 13.5 of pregnancy， the rats in the model group and MSP group were intraperitoneally injected with dihydrotestosterone （DHT） and insulin （INS） for 7 consecutive days to establish a PCOS model with hyperandrogenism， insulin resistance， and miscarriage. On day 13.5 of pregnancy， an oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed to measure blood glucose levels at 0， 30， 60， 90， and 120 minutes. On day 14.5， serum level of progesterone （P₄）， estradiol （E₂）， fasting insulin （FINS）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） were measured by ELISA. The insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was calculated. Embryo implantation， miscarriage rate， and average number of live fetuses were observed. Uterine tissue pathology was examined by HE staining， and mRNA expression of Il-6， Tnf-α， leukemia inhibitory factor （Lif）， homeobox gene 10 （Hoxa10）， prolactin family 8 subfamily A member 2 （Prl8a2）， and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 （Igfbp1） in the uterine tissue was detected by qRT-PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group had significantly higher blood glucose level at 0， 30， 60， 90， and 120 minutes， increased miscarriage rate， elevated HOMA-IR， decreased average number of live fetuses， lower level of P₄ and E₂， higher level of IL-6， TNF-α， and FINS， and higher mRNA expression of Il-6 and Tnf-α in the uterine tissue. The mRNA expression of Lif， Hoxa10， and Prl8a2 was reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The uterus had a dark red color， visible areas of bleeding， fewer embryos with developmental abnormalities， and increased placental necrosis. Pathological examination revealed thrombus in the decidual layer， unclear decidual cell morphology， loose arrangement， scattered distribution， edema degeneration in the cytoplasm， and nuclear shrinkage or disappearance， with extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells. In contrast， compared with the model group， the MSP group showed significantly lower blood glucose level at 0， 30， 60， 90， and 120 min， reduced miscarriage rate， lower HOMA-IR， increased number of live fetuses， higher level of P₄ and E₂， and lower level of IL-6， TNF-α， and FINS. The mRNA expression of Il-6 and Tnf-α in the uterine tissue was lower， while the expression of Lif， Hoxa10， and Prl8a2 mRNA was higher （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There was significant improvement in uterine and embryo conditions， as well as in uterine tissue pathology. ConclusionThe MSP can reduce the miscarriage rate in a PCOS model with hyperandrogenism， insulin resistance， and miscarriage. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting inflammation， improving endometrial receptivity， and restoring the defects in endometrial decidualization.

BACKGROUND:Streptococcus mutans is an important pathogen of dental caries,and timely detection of its levels is of great significance for early detection and treatment of dental caries. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of loop-mediated isothermal amplification(FTA-LAMP)direct extraction of Streptococcus mutans DNA. METHODS:(1)Bacterial suspensions containing ATCC standard strains(Streptococcus mutans)were prepared and inoculated into the brain-heart leachate medium.After mixed thoroughly,the mixture was then diluted in a 10-fold gradient into seven concentrations(4.2×107,4.2×106,4.2×105,4.2×104,4.2×103,4.2×102,4.2×10 CFU/mL),two parallel controls were made for each dilution level,and sterile water was used as a blank control.(2)The DNA of Streptococcus mutans was extracted using FTA Elute card,boiling method,kit extraction and lysate extraction methods separately and then amplified using LAMP technology was amplified.A specificity test was also performed to compare the differences between the four DNA extraction methods.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The DNA extracted by all four methods met the requirements for LAMP amplification.Specificity test results showed that only Streptococcus mutans could specifically amplify the target gene.The detection limit value of the DNA concentration was 4.2×103 CFU/mL for the lysate method,4.2×104 CFU/mL for the FTA Elute card extraction method,4.2×106 CFU/mL for the kit extraction method,and 4.2×107 CFU/mL for the boiling method.In the other aspects of the four extraction methods,the kit extraction method had the highest experimental cost,number of steps and time;the other three methods had the same number of steps,with the FTA Elute card method requiring the least amount of instruments,the boiling method having the lowest single cost,and the lysate extraction method taking the least amount of time.Only a small amount of bacteria were needed for successful extraction using both the FTA Elute card and lysate extraction methods.Compared with the FTA Elute card method,the lysate extraction method was superior in terms of time,but it had a high single cost and required more equipment.To conclude,the FTA-LAMP technology established in this study has the advantages of ease of operation,high specificity,high sensitivity,and visualization,which is expected to be a new way for efficient extraction and detection of Streptococcus mutans.

Objective To explore whether renal denervation (RDN) could improve the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of patients with heart failure (HF) on the basis of guideline-directed management and therapy (GDMT). Methods From January 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024, HF patients diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who underwent RDN in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively enrolled, all patients had received GDMT for at least three months but the LVEF remained below 55%. Parameters of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at baseline, during GDMT, and after RDN were compared to analyze whether RDN can further improve the LVEF of patients on the basis of GDMT. Results A total of 7 HF patients diagnosed with DCM were enrolled, the mean age was (52.86±9.86) years old, and 5(71.4%) were male. After an average of (9.29±8.06) months of GDMT, LVEF significantly increased from baseline (34.86%±10.22%) to (44.57%±5.59%, P=0.024).Three months after RDN, LVEF was further significantly improved (54.43%±9.05%, P=0.026). The average follow-up after RDN was (11.00±4.12) months. The LVEF remained stable (54.86%±7.10%, P=0.805), and no adverse events occurred in the patients. Conclusions RDN can further enhance the LVEF of HF patients on the basis of GDMT.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of 4-octyl itaconate(4-OI)on vascular endothelial function in diabetic mice,since endothelial dysfunction is the key and initial factor for vascular complications in diabetes.Methods:The db/db mice were used to establish a mouse model of diabetes,and high glucose(HG)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were used to establish a cell model of diabetes.After 4-OI treatment,HE staining,Masson staining,and reticular fiber staining were used to observe pathological changes of the thoracic aorta in the control group,the model group,and the intervention group;Western blot was used to measure the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),a marker for endothelial fibrosis;immuno-fluorescence assay was used to measure the expression levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein(BAX)and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)in the thoracic aorta of mice in the control group,the model group,and the intervention group;immunoblotting was used to observe the effect of 4-OI intervention on the expression of BAX,Bcl-2,and the proteins associated with the cytochrome C(CytC)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase(caspase)pathway in HG-induced HUVECs.Results:The results showed that 4-OI could significantly improve vascular endothelial dysfunction in db/db diabetic mice.Compared with the model group,the intervention group had a significant increase in the expression of Bcl-2(0.73±0.07 vs.0.52±0.04,F=49.380,P=0.009)and a significant reduction in the expression of BAX(1.41±0.14 vs.1.89±0.12,F=37.270,P=0.008)after 4-OI treatment.In the cell model of HUVECs induced by HG,compared with the high glucose group,the intervention group had a sig-nificant increase in the expression of Bcl-2(1.22±0.04 vs.0.81±0.09,F=75.410,P<0.001)and a significant reduction in the expres-sion of BAX(0.83±0.04 vs.1.12±0.04,F=268.100,P<0.001)after 4-OI treatment,as well as significant reductions in the expres-sion of CytC(0.61±0.03 vs.1.01±0.03,F=234.000,P<0.001),caspase-9(0.62±0.03 vs.1.04±0.04,F=164.300,P<0.001),and caspase-3(0.92±0.06 vs.1.74±0.04,F=424.100,P<0.001).Conclusion:In conclusion,4-OI inhibits vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in diabetic mice by affecting the expression of the CytC/Caspase pathway factors,thereby improving vascular endothelial dys-function in diabetes.

This paper summarizes Professor WANG Xiuxia's clinical experience in treating hyperprolactinemia using the liver soothing therapy. Professor WANG identifies liver qi stagnation and rebellious chong qi （冲气） as the core pathomechanisms of hyperprolactinemia. Furthermore， liver qi stagnation may transform into fire or lead to pathological changes such as spleen deficiency with phlegm obstruction or kidney deficiency with essence depletion. The treatment strategy centers on soothing the liver， with a modified version of Qinggan Jieyu Decoction （清肝解郁汤） as the base formula. Depending on different syndrome patterns such as liver stagnation transforming into fire， liver stagnation with spleen deficiency， or liver stagnation with kidney deficiency， heat clearing， spleen strengthening， or kidney tonifying herbs are added accordingly. In addition， three paired herb combinations are commonly used for symptom specific treatment， Danggui （Angelica sinensis） with Chuanxiong （Ligusticum chuanxiong）， Zelan （Lycopus lucidus） with Yimucao （Leonurus japonicus） ， and Jiegeng （Platycodon grandiflorus） with Zisu （Perilla frutescens）.

Objective:To establish a rapid,quantitative and visualized method for the rapid detection of Streptococcus mutans(S.mutans)based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP).Methods:Nucleic acid of S.mutans was extracted for LAMP reaction,the detection experimental conditions were optimized.Finally the positive results of the experiments were quantita-tively analyzed by using the mobile-based detection equipment.Results:The system detected the samples within 23 min and showed good specificity and sensitivity with an accuracy of 1.625×10-3 ng/μL.Positive results were captured,identified and quantified u-sing a mobile application,and the quantified results showed a good linear relationship between the absolute G value and the DNA concentration,with an equation of y=3.2x+57.133(R2=0.988 2).Conclusion:Quantitative detection of S.mutans by LAMP has the characteristics of high sensitivity,high specificity,result visualization,convenience and time-saving,and can quantify bacterial DNA.It is a new method for the early detection of caries susceptibility,and can be widely used in clinic.

Objective:To establish a rapid,quantitative and visualized method for the rapid detection of Streptococcus mutans(S.mutans)based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP).Methods:Nucleic acid of S.mutans was extracted for LAMP reaction,the detection experimental conditions were optimized.Finally the positive results of the experiments were quantita-tively analyzed by using the mobile-based detection equipment.Results:The system detected the samples within 23 min and showed good specificity and sensitivity with an accuracy of 1.625×10-3 ng/μL.Positive results were captured,identified and quantified u-sing a mobile application,and the quantified results showed a good linear relationship between the absolute G value and the DNA concentration,with an equation of y=3.2x+57.133(R2=0.988 2).Conclusion:Quantitative detection of S.mutans by LAMP has the characteristics of high sensitivity,high specificity,result visualization,convenience and time-saving,and can quantify bacterial DNA.It is a new method for the early detection of caries susceptibility,and can be widely used in clinic.