Objective To analyze the diagnosis, treatment and clinical characteristics of a patient with parotid gland metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC)following radical nephrectomy. Methods The clinical data and diagnostic/therapeutic course of the patient were reported, and the metastasis time and treatment methods of patients with parotid metastasis of renal cancer were summarized in combination with literature. Results The 63-year-old male patient sought medical help due to a mass behind the right ear persisting for 3 months. He had undergone a right radical nephrectomy for a renal tumor 10 years ago. Preoperative computed tomography(CT)with contrast of the parotid region revealed an approximately 2.5 cm×2.1 cm round soft-tissue density lesion in the right parotid gland with slightly irregular margins. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)showed an enlarged left kidney with an irregular shape and multiple round, slightly hyperdense lesion(SUVmax=7.2), suggestive of malignancy. A round, slightly hyperdense lesion(diameter 2.6 cm, SUVmax=4.2)with well-defined borders and increased radiotracer uptake was noted in the right parotid gland, indicating a hypermetabolic mass where malignancy could not be excluded. The patient subsequently underwent partial parotidectomy, advancement flap transplantation, and facial nerve dissection. Postoperative pathology revealed tumor cells with clear/eosinophilic cytoplasm and nuclear atypia, exhibiting ill-defined borders with salivary gland tissue. Immunohistochemistry was positive for PAX-8, CAⅨ, and Ki-67. During the 12-month follow-up, the patient was in good condition with no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion Parotid gland metastasis following radical nephrectomy is exceedingly rare, with no specific imaging features and clinical manifestations, and definitive diagnosis relies on pathological examination. Currently, there is no standardized treatment protocol, but complete surgical excision remains the primary therapeutic option.

Objective To investigate the development, role, and regulatory mechanism of macrophage efferocytosis in the liver of hosts infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Methods The expression of efferocytosis-related gene like efferocytosis receptors, efferocytosis-related bridging molecules,“eat me” signal and “don’t eat me” signal was detected in the livers of patients and mice infected with S. japonicum in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Ten wild-type (WT) male mice (6 ~ 8 weeks old, weighing 20 ~ 25 g) were randomly divided into a Schistosoma japonicum infection (SJ) group and a normal control (NC) group, with 5 mice in each group. The efferocytosis of neutrophils and T cells by liver macrophages was detected in mice from SJ group and NC group using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. The expression of efferocytosis-related Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MerTK) and Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (Axl) proteins was determined in mouse liver tissues using Western blotting assay, and the proportion of MerTK⁺ macrophages and the average fluorescence intensity of macrophage MerTK were detected in mouse livers using flow cytometry. Changes in liver granulomas and fibrosis were observed in mice infected with S. japonicum following injection of efferocytosis inhibitors, and S. japonicum-infected mice without injection of efferocytosis inhibitors served as controls. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated from macrophage scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) conditional knockout (CKO) and wild-type (WT) mice, and changes in apoptotic neutrophils were detected in SR-A CKO mouse macrophages in vitro using flow cytometry. Then, BMDMs was divided into the WT mono-culture group, the WT and apoptotic neutrophils co-culture group, the SR-A CKO mono-culture group, and the SR-A CKO and neutrophils co-culture group, and the expression of MerTK and Axl was quantified in vitro using Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays during neutrophil efferocytosis. The efferocytosis of neutrophils and T cells by mouse liver macrophages was detected in the SR-A CKO SJ group and the WT SJ group using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assay, and the expression of MerTK and Axl proteins was determined in mouse liver tissues in both groups using Western blotting. In addition, the proportion of MerTK⁺ macrophages and the average fluorescence intensity of macrophage MerTK were detected in mouse livers in both groups using flow cytometry. Results Data from the GEO database showed that the expression of some efferocytosis receptors and efferocytosis-related bridging molecules, and “eat me” and “don’t eat me” signals all appeared a tendency towards a rise in livers of patients and mice in the SJ group relative to the NC group, suggesting that S. japonicum infection-induced liver diseases may be associated with efferocytosis. Flow cytometry detected higher proportions of Ly6G⁺ cells [(13.13 ± 0.45)% vs. (6.48 ± 0.25)%; t = 22.30, P < 0.05] and CD3⁺ cells [(7.60 ± 0.33)% vs. (3.30 ± 0.42)%; t = 13.98, P < 0.05] in mouse liver macrophages in the SJ group than in the NJ group, and the expression of MerTK protein [(2.30 ± 0.14) vs. (1.14 ± 0.46); t = 4.19, P < 0.05], the mean fluorescence intensity of macrophages [(160.67 ± 15.28) vs. (94.50 ± 19.61); t = 4.81, P < 0.05], and the proportion of MerTK⁺ macrophages [(20.78 ± 4.17)% vs. (6.85 ± 0.39)%; t = 6.57, P < 0.05] were significantly higher in mouse liver tissues in the SJ group than in the NC group. The Axl expression was lower in mouse liver tissues in the SJ group than in the NC group [(1.25 ± 0.08) vs. (1.93 ± 0.37); t = 2.79, P < 0.05], and the area of granulomas around single eggs [(9.18 ± 1.81) × 10⁴μm² vs. (5.24 ± 1.35) × 10⁴ μm²; t = 3.03, P < 0.05] and proportion of collagen fibers [(25.27 ± 3.99)% vs. (15.14 ± 4.02)%; t = 3.10, P < 0.05] were significantly greater in livers of S. japonicum-infected mice with injection of efferocytosis inhibitors than in mice without injection of efferocytosis inhibitors. The in vitro efferocytosis efficiency of BMDMs [(32.83 ± 3.17)% vs. (45.43 ± 2.34)%; t = 5.54, P < 0.05], and the proportions of Ly6G⁺ [(9.37 ± 0.48)% vs. (13.13 ± 0.72)%; t = 7.50, P < 0.05] and CD3⁺ cells [(4.95 ± 0.17)% vs. (7.64 ± 0.50)%; t = 8.87, P < 0.05] in liver macrophages post-infection with S. japonicum were significantly lower in SR-A CKO mice than in WT mice, and the expression of MerTK protein [(0.65 ± 0.25) vs. (1.96 ± 0.69); t = 3.10, P < 0.05], the average fluorescence intensity of macrophages [(138.33 ± 8.39) vs. (160.67 ± 15.28); t = 3.03, P < 0.05] and the proportion of MerTK⁺ macrophages [(13.17 ± 5.01)% vs. (22.63 ± 2.06)%; t = 3.56, P < 0.05] were significantly lower in mouse liver tissues in the SR-A CKO SJ group than in the WT group. Western blotting detected no significant difference in the Axl protein expression in mouse liver tissues between the SR-A CKO SJ group and the WT SJ group [(0.48 ± 0.07) vs. (0.68 ± 0.30); t = 1.09, P > 0.05]. There were significant differences in the relative MerTK mRNA and protein expression during efferocytosis of BMDMs among the WT monoculture group, the WT and apoptotic neutrophils co-culture group, the SR-A CKO mono-culture group, and the SR-A CKO and neutrophils co-culture group (F = 9.41 and 40.68, both P values < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference in the relative Axl mRNA expression during efferocytosis of BMDMs among the four groups (F = 13.62, P < 0.05); however, no significant difference was seen in the relative Axl protein expression (F = 1.27, P > 0.05). Conclusions Efferocytosis of liver macrophages is seen in mice infected with S. japonicum and inhibits liver fibrosis. SR-A may up-regulate the efficiency of macrophage efferocytosis through regulating the expression of efferocytosis receptors.

Bone repair remains an important target in tissue engineering, making the development of bioactive scaffolds for effective bone defect repair a critical objective. In this study, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds incorporated with processed pyritum decoction (PPD) were fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted freeze-casting. The produced composite scaffolds were evaluated for their mechanical strength, physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, in vitro pro-angiogenic activity, and in vivo efficacy in repairing rabbit femoral defects. They not only demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties, enhanced mechanical strength, and good biosafety but also significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and aggregation of pro-angiogenic human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo studies revealed that all scaffold groups facilitated osteogenesis at the bone defect site, with the β-TCP scaffolds loaded with PPD markedly enhancing the expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteopontin (OPN). Overall, the scaffolds developed in this study exhibited strong angiogenic and osteogenic capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. The incorporation of PPD notably promoted the angiogenic-osteogenic coupling, thereby accelerating bone repair, which suggests that PPD is a promising material for bone repair and that the PPD/β-TCP scaffolds hold great potential as a bone graft alternative.
Calcium Phosphates/chemistry* ; Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Rabbits ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Humans ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Osteogenesis ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Biomimetic Materials ; Cell Proliferation ; Angiogenesis

Objective:To investigate the effect of verbascoside(VERB)on high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis(AS)in ApoE-/-mice and the effect on high mobility histone 1(HMGB1)/receptor for glycation end products(RAGE)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)pathway.Methods:A total of 90 ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into normal group,AS group,VERB group,simvastatin group and VERB+pathway activator HMGB1 group,with 18 mice per group.After 8 weeks of group administration,blood and aorta samples were taken.Fasting serum triacylglycerol(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein(LDL)levels were deter-mined by automatic biochemical analyzer.Oil red O,HE and TUNEL staining were performed to observe apoptosis of aortic plaque and endothelial cell(EC).Flow cytometry was performed to analyze circulating EC numbers.Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the infiltration area of macrophages(CD68+)and T lymphocytes(CD3+)in aortic plaques.Western blot was performed to detect expressions of HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway,inflammation and adhesion molecules.Results:Compared with normal group,AS group had lipid plaques in arterial intima,thickness of the media was uneven,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,total RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were decreased(P<0.05).After VERB or simvastatin intervention,arterial lesions were alleviated,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,MCP-1,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB level were decreased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),and HMGB1 was able to antagonize the protective effect of VERB on AS mice.Conclusion:VERB can inhibit expressions of inflammatory and adhesion fac-tors in arterial plaques in ApoE-/-mice,reduce EC shedding and apoptosis,therefore improve AS symptoms in ApoE-/-mice,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HMGB1/RAGE and NF-κB pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of melatonin(Mel)on inflammatory damage in the retina of rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and the molecular mechanisms.Methods:Healthy neonatal SD rats were di-vided into the sham group(Sham),the model group(OIR),and the melatonin treatment group(OIR+Mel).The OIR model was induced by alternating 50%/10%oxygen concentration exposure for 14 d.The OIR+Mel group was in-jected intraperitoneally with 10 mg-kg-1 melatonin.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the morpho-logical changes in the retinal tissue;immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of retinal cleaved-caspase-1 and IL-1β proteins;and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of cGAS-STING-NL-RP3 signaling molecules and gasdermin(GSDMD)in the microglia of the retina.Results:HE staining results showed that compared with the Sham group,the retinal cells in the OIR group were disorganized and the thickness of the inner retina was significantly thinner,and the retinal cells in the OIR+Mel group were more neatly arranged compared with those in the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group decreased signifi-cantly compared with that of the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group de-creased significantly compared with that in the OIR group(P<0.05);The number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in-creased significantly in the OIR group compared with the Sham group,whereas the number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in the OIR+Mel group was significantly less than that in the OIR group,but still more than that in the Sham group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mel inhibits the pyroptosis of retinal microglia,thus attenuates retinal inflammatory injury in OIR rats,and its mechanism may be related to the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS)on nocturnal ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results in older adults without cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases,and to identify factors causing fluctuations in nocturnal blood pressure in older adults with OSAS.Methods A total of 169 older adult OSAS patients with no history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases were enrolled.According to their severity of OSAS,the participants were divided into 4 groups,including a normal OSAS group,a mild OSAS group,a moderate OSAS group,and a severe OSAS group.The baseline characteristics of the 4 groups were compared to identify differences.The relationship between polysomnography parameters and nocturnal ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results and the factors causing nocturnal blood pressure fluctuations in older adults with OSAS were further analyzed.Results The nocturnal blood pressure fluctuation(NBPF)index of the normal OSAS group,the mild OSAS group,the moderate OSAS group,and the severe OSAS group were 1.89±1.58,3.35±5.40,3.90±6.40,and 16.60±27.70,respectively,indicating that the NBPF index gradually increased with the increasing severity of OSAS(P＜0.05).According to findings from the partial correlation analysis,the NBPF index was positively correlated with apnea-hypopnea index(AHI),micro-awakening index(MAI),percentage of cumulative time with oxygen saturation under 90％in the total sleep time(TS90％),oxygen desaturation index(ODI),and the longest apnea time(LAT)(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with the lowest oxygen saturation(LSpO2)and sleep quality index(SQI)(P＜0.05).The mean nocturnal systolic and diastolic blood pressures were positively correlated with AHI,ODI,and TS90％(P＜0.05).A multi-factor regression analysis showed that every time ODI increased by 1 unit,the NBPF index increased by 0.26 units(β=0.26;95％CI,0.03-0.50;P=0.030),and every time TS90％increased by 1 unit,the NBPF index increased by 26.78 units(β=26.78;95％CI,2.47-51.08;P=0.031).Conclusion In older adult OSAS patients without cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease,fluctuations in blood pressure at night become more pronounced with increasing disease severity.ODI and TS90％are important factors that affect nocturnal blood pressure fluctuations.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between changes in total plasma bile acid (TBA) levels and the remission of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with obesity after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data and follow-up information of 20 patients with obesity and NAFLD undergoing LSG in Beijing Shijitan Hospital between Mar to Jun 2022.Results:Postoperative weight loss was significant. Compared to preoperative values, the weight of 20 patients decreased [(115.92±16.13) kg vs. (78.20±7.77) kg, t=15.675, P<0.001]. The BMI also decreased [(40.66±5.18) kg/m2 vs. (27.43±2.22) kg/m2, t=13.230, P<0.001]. The fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index decreased significantly [(96.34±5.23) vs. (27.96±20.36), t=16.829, P<0.001; (55.15±6.73) vs. (37.55±4.30), t=16.294, P<0.001]. Plasma TBA levels significantly increased [(7.06±2.80) vs. (12.27±3.79) μmol/L, P<0.001]. Indicators related to glucose, lipids, and liver function in patients significantly decreased. Conclusions:LSG can significantly reduce body weight in patients with obesity and NAFLD and improve NAFLD. LSG can increase plasma TBA levels, and the elevation in TBA levels is positively correlated with the degree of NAFLD remission.

Objective:To investigate the effects of melatonin(Mel)on inflammatory damage in the retina of rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and the molecular mechanisms.Methods:Healthy neonatal SD rats were di-vided into the sham group(Sham),the model group(OIR),and the melatonin treatment group(OIR+Mel).The OIR model was induced by alternating 50%/10%oxygen concentration exposure for 14 d.The OIR+Mel group was in-jected intraperitoneally with 10 mg-kg-1 melatonin.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the morpho-logical changes in the retinal tissue;immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of retinal cleaved-caspase-1 and IL-1β proteins;and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of cGAS-STING-NL-RP3 signaling molecules and gasdermin(GSDMD)in the microglia of the retina.Results:HE staining results showed that compared with the Sham group,the retinal cells in the OIR group were disorganized and the thickness of the inner retina was significantly thinner,and the retinal cells in the OIR+Mel group were more neatly arranged compared with those in the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group decreased signifi-cantly compared with that of the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group de-creased significantly compared with that in the OIR group(P<0.05);The number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in-creased significantly in the OIR group compared with the Sham group,whereas the number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in the OIR+Mel group was significantly less than that in the OIR group,but still more than that in the Sham group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mel inhibits the pyroptosis of retinal microglia,thus attenuates retinal inflammatory injury in OIR rats,and its mechanism may be related to the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of verbascoside(VERB)on high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis(AS)in ApoE-/-mice and the effect on high mobility histone 1(HMGB1)/receptor for glycation end products(RAGE)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)pathway.Methods:A total of 90 ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into normal group,AS group,VERB group,simvastatin group and VERB+pathway activator HMGB1 group,with 18 mice per group.After 8 weeks of group administration,blood and aorta samples were taken.Fasting serum triacylglycerol(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein(LDL)levels were deter-mined by automatic biochemical analyzer.Oil red O,HE and TUNEL staining were performed to observe apoptosis of aortic plaque and endothelial cell(EC).Flow cytometry was performed to analyze circulating EC numbers.Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the infiltration area of macrophages(CD68+)and T lymphocytes(CD3+)in aortic plaques.Western blot was performed to detect expressions of HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway,inflammation and adhesion molecules.Results:Compared with normal group,AS group had lipid plaques in arterial intima,thickness of the media was uneven,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,total RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were decreased(P<0.05).After VERB or simvastatin intervention,arterial lesions were alleviated,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,MCP-1,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB level were decreased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),and HMGB1 was able to antagonize the protective effect of VERB on AS mice.Conclusion:VERB can inhibit expressions of inflammatory and adhesion fac-tors in arterial plaques in ApoE-/-mice,reduce EC shedding and apoptosis,therefore improve AS symptoms in ApoE-/-mice,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HMGB1/RAGE and NF-κB pathway.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between changes in total plasma bile acid (TBA) levels and the remission of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with obesity after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data and follow-up information of 20 patients with obesity and NAFLD undergoing LSG in Beijing Shijitan Hospital between Mar to Jun 2022.Results:Postoperative weight loss was significant. Compared to preoperative values, the weight of 20 patients decreased [(115.92±16.13) kg vs. (78.20±7.77) kg, t=15.675, P<0.001]. The BMI also decreased [(40.66±5.18) kg/m2 vs. (27.43±2.22) kg/m2, t=13.230, P<0.001]. The fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index decreased significantly [(96.34±5.23) vs. (27.96±20.36), t=16.829, P<0.001; (55.15±6.73) vs. (37.55±4.30), t=16.294, P<0.001]. Plasma TBA levels significantly increased [(7.06±2.80) vs. (12.27±3.79) μmol/L, P<0.001]. Indicators related to glucose, lipids, and liver function in patients significantly decreased. Conclusions:LSG can significantly reduce body weight in patients with obesity and NAFLD and improve NAFLD. LSG can increase plasma TBA levels, and the elevation in TBA levels is positively correlated with the degree of NAFLD remission.