Objective:To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) on inflammation-related atrial fibrillation (AF) susceptibility.Methods:Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse and HL-1 mouse atrial myocyte models were used. (1) In vivo study: experimental groups included control, LPS, LPS+SDT, and SDT groups, with 20 mice in each group. Atrial fibrillation inducibility and duration were assessed by electrical stimulation. Western blot was used to analyze atrial expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C) expression. (2) In vitro study: cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Western blot were used to determine the optimal and safe LPS concentration. The safe incubation condition for the sonosensitizer sinoporphyrin sodium was determined by CCK-8 and fluorometry. An LPS-induced inflammatory model in HL-1 atrial myocytes was used, with experimental groups including control, LPS, LPS+SDT, LPS+sinoporphyrin sodium, and LPS+ultrasound groups. NLRP3 was overexpressed using plasmid transfection, with experimental groups including control, NLRP3 plasmid, negative control plasmid, and NLRP3 plasmid+SDT groups. SDT was applied to LPS-stimulated or NLRP3-overexpressing HL-1 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to measure mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Cleaved Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and CACNA1C. The NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was used to validate the relationship of NLRP3 and CACNA1C. The experimental groups included control, LPS, LPS+MCC950, and MCC950 groups. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using the probe DCFH-DA, and the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was used to test if the effects of SDT was ROS-dependent.Results:(1) In vivo: The LPS+SDT group exhibited a lower incidence of atrial fibrillation induction and a shorter duration of atrial fibrillation compared to the LPS group(both P<0.05). Protein expression levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β were lower than those in the LPS group (all P<0.05), while the expression of CACNA1C subunit tended to increase relative to the LPS group ( P>0.05). (2) In vitro: The safe concentration of LPS for administration was ≤20 μg/ml, with an optimal pro-inflammatory concentration of 4 μg/ml. The safe concentration of sinoporphyrin sodium for administration was 0.4 μmol/L, with an optimal incubation time of 4 hours. Compared to the LPS group or NLRP3 plasmid group, the LPS+SDT group or NLRP3 plasmid+SDT group exhibited lower expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Cleaved Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, and higher mRNA and protein levels of CACNA1C (all P<0.05). The LPS+MCC950 group had higher CACNA1C protein expression than the LPS group ( P<0.05). SDT increased intracellular ROS levels, and NAC blocked the regulatory effects of SDT on NLRP3 and CACNA1C. Conclusion:SDT reduces atrial fibrillation susceptibility in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in atrial cardiomyocytes, thereby upregulating the L-type calcium channel subunit CACNA1C.

Objective:To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) on inflammation-related atrial fibrillation (AF) susceptibility.Methods:Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse and HL-1 mouse atrial myocyte models were used. (1) In vivo study: experimental groups included control, LPS, LPS+SDT, and SDT groups, with 20 mice in each group. Atrial fibrillation inducibility and duration were assessed by electrical stimulation. Western blot was used to analyze atrial expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C) expression. (2) In vitro study: cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Western blot were used to determine the optimal and safe LPS concentration. The safe incubation condition for the sonosensitizer sinoporphyrin sodium was determined by CCK-8 and fluorometry. An LPS-induced inflammatory model in HL-1 atrial myocytes was used, with experimental groups including control, LPS, LPS+SDT, LPS+sinoporphyrin sodium, and LPS+ultrasound groups. NLRP3 was overexpressed using plasmid transfection, with experimental groups including control, NLRP3 plasmid, negative control plasmid, and NLRP3 plasmid+SDT groups. SDT was applied to LPS-stimulated or NLRP3-overexpressing HL-1 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to measure mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Cleaved Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and CACNA1C. The NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was used to validate the relationship of NLRP3 and CACNA1C. The experimental groups included control, LPS, LPS+MCC950, and MCC950 groups. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using the probe DCFH-DA, and the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was used to test if the effects of SDT was ROS-dependent.Results:(1) In vivo: The LPS+SDT group exhibited a lower incidence of atrial fibrillation induction and a shorter duration of atrial fibrillation compared to the LPS group(both P<0.05). Protein expression levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β were lower than those in the LPS group (all P<0.05), while the expression of CACNA1C subunit tended to increase relative to the LPS group ( P>0.05). (2) In vitro: The safe concentration of LPS for administration was ≤20 μg/ml, with an optimal pro-inflammatory concentration of 4 μg/ml. The safe concentration of sinoporphyrin sodium for administration was 0.4 μmol/L, with an optimal incubation time of 4 hours. Compared to the LPS group or NLRP3 plasmid group, the LPS+SDT group or NLRP3 plasmid+SDT group exhibited lower expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Cleaved Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, and higher mRNA and protein levels of CACNA1C (all P<0.05). The LPS+MCC950 group had higher CACNA1C protein expression than the LPS group ( P<0.05). SDT increased intracellular ROS levels, and NAC blocked the regulatory effects of SDT on NLRP3 and CACNA1C. Conclusion:SDT reduces atrial fibrillation susceptibility in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in atrial cardiomyocytes, thereby upregulating the L-type calcium channel subunit CACNA1C.

BACKGROUND:Linagliptin exhibits the capacity to regulate macrophage polarization,shifting them from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype towards the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. This alteration results in a dampened release of inflammatory mediators,thereby mitigating local inflammation.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of linagliptin on macrophage polarization,osteoclast activation,and inflammatory osteolysis elicited by wear particles.METHODS:(1) Cell experiments:For macrophage polarization,RAW264.7 cells were cultured and divided into four groups:the control group received high-glucose culture medium;the M1-induced group received M1-inducing culture medium (high-glucose culture medium containing 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide and 20 ng/mL interferon-γ) to simulate an inflammatory environment;the low-and high-dose linagliptin groups were treated with 50 and 200 nmol/L linagliptin,respectively,for 4 hours before exposure to M1-inducing culture medium. After 24 hours of macrophage polarization induction,immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR were performed. For osteoclast activation,RAW264.7 cells were cultured and divided into four groups:the control group was cultured with high-glucose culture medium,the osteoclast-induced group and low-and high-dose linagliptin groups were subjected to osteoclast induction. After osteoclast formation,cells were treated with linagliptin (50 and 200 nmol/L) for 3 days. Subsequently,cell tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and RT-PCR were performed. (2) Animal experiments:Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group,model group,low-dose linagliptin group,and high-dose linagliptin group. The model group,low-dose linagliptin group,and high-dose linagliptin group were induced to establish a cranial bone resorption model by injecting titanium particle suspension onto the surface of the skull. Starting from the 2nd day after modeling,the low-and high-dose linagliptin groups were orally administered linagliptin (2 and 10 mg/kg,respectively) once daily. After modeling for 3 weeks,serum macrophage polarization marker protein and inflammatory factor levels were detected;skull samples were collected for micro-CT scanning,bone parameter analysis,and hematoxylin-eosin staining to evaluate osteolysis and morphological changes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Cell experiments:Both low and high doses of linagliptin significantly suppressed M1 polarization while promoting M2 polarization compared to the M1-induced group (P<0.01). Notably,the high-dose group exhibited a more pronounced inhibitory effect (P<0.01). Inflammatory factor mRNA expression was elevated in the M1-induced group compared with the control group (P<0.01),whereas inflammatory factor mRNA expression was significantly lower in the low-and high-dose linagliptin groups compared with the M1-induced group (P<0.01). There was a significant upregulation of mRNA expression of osteoclast functional markers in the osteoclast-induced group compared with the control group (P<0.01). Conversely,both low and high doses of linagliptin led to a substantial downregulation of mRNA expression of these markers compared with the osteoclast-induced group (P<0.01),with the high-dose group exhibiting a more pronounced reduction. (2) Animal experiments:Titanium particle implantation induced cranial bone resorption damage in mice. Treatment with linagliptin effectively mitigated this bone resorption,with the high-dose group showing superior efficacy. To conclude,linagliptin has been shown to modulate macrophage polarization,inhibit osteoclast activation,and have a protective effect on the skeletal system.

BACKGROUND:Linagliptin exhibits the capacity to regulate macrophage polarization,shifting them from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype towards the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. This alteration results in a dampened release of inflammatory mediators,thereby mitigating local inflammation.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of linagliptin on macrophage polarization,osteoclast activation,and inflammatory osteolysis elicited by wear particles.METHODS:(1) Cell experiments:For macrophage polarization,RAW264.7 cells were cultured and divided into four groups:the control group received high-glucose culture medium;the M1-induced group received M1-inducing culture medium (high-glucose culture medium containing 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide and 20 ng/mL interferon-γ) to simulate an inflammatory environment;the low-and high-dose linagliptin groups were treated with 50 and 200 nmol/L linagliptin,respectively,for 4 hours before exposure to M1-inducing culture medium. After 24 hours of macrophage polarization induction,immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR were performed. For osteoclast activation,RAW264.7 cells were cultured and divided into four groups:the control group was cultured with high-glucose culture medium,the osteoclast-induced group and low-and high-dose linagliptin groups were subjected to osteoclast induction. After osteoclast formation,cells were treated with linagliptin (50 and 200 nmol/L) for 3 days. Subsequently,cell tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and RT-PCR were performed. (2) Animal experiments:Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group,model group,low-dose linagliptin group,and high-dose linagliptin group. The model group,low-dose linagliptin group,and high-dose linagliptin group were induced to establish a cranial bone resorption model by injecting titanium particle suspension onto the surface of the skull. Starting from the 2nd day after modeling,the low-and high-dose linagliptin groups were orally administered linagliptin (2 and 10 mg/kg,respectively) once daily. After modeling for 3 weeks,serum macrophage polarization marker protein and inflammatory factor levels were detected;skull samples were collected for micro-CT scanning,bone parameter analysis,and hematoxylin-eosin staining to evaluate osteolysis and morphological changes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Cell experiments:Both low and high doses of linagliptin significantly suppressed M1 polarization while promoting M2 polarization compared to the M1-induced group (P<0.01). Notably,the high-dose group exhibited a more pronounced inhibitory effect (P<0.01). Inflammatory factor mRNA expression was elevated in the M1-induced group compared with the control group (P<0.01),whereas inflammatory factor mRNA expression was significantly lower in the low-and high-dose linagliptin groups compared with the M1-induced group (P<0.01). There was a significant upregulation of mRNA expression of osteoclast functional markers in the osteoclast-induced group compared with the control group (P<0.01). Conversely,both low and high doses of linagliptin led to a substantial downregulation of mRNA expression of these markers compared with the osteoclast-induced group (P<0.01),with the high-dose group exhibiting a more pronounced reduction. (2) Animal experiments:Titanium particle implantation induced cranial bone resorption damage in mice. Treatment with linagliptin effectively mitigated this bone resorption,with the high-dose group showing superior efficacy. To conclude,linagliptin has been shown to modulate macrophage polarization,inhibit osteoclast activation,and have a protective effect on the skeletal system.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical technique and the short-term effectivenss of lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (LUKA) through lateral approach in the treatment of valgus knee and to calculate the maximum value of the theoretical correction of knee valgus deformity. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 16 patients (20 knees) who underwent LUKA and met the selection criteria between April 2021 and July 2022. There were 2 males and 14 females, aged 57-85 years (mean, 71.5 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 18 years, with an average of 11.9 years. Knee valgus was staged according to Ranawat classification, there were 6 knees of type Ⅰ, 13 knees of type Ⅱ, and 1 knee of type Ⅲ. All patients were assigned the expected correction value of genu valgus deformity by preoperative planning, including the correction value of lateral approach, intra-articular correction value, and residual knee valgus deformity value. The actual postoperative corrected values of the above indicators were recorded and the theoretical maximum correctable knee valgus deformity values were extrapolated. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospital stay, hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), mechanical medial proximal tibia angle (mMPTA), joint line convergence angle (JLCA), posterior tibial slope (PTS), range of motion (ROM), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were also recorded for effectiveness evaluation. RESULTS: The patients' incision length averaged 13.83 cm, operation time averaged 85.8 minutes, intraoperative blood loss averaged 74.9 mL, and hospital stay averaged 6.7 days. None of the patients suffered any significant intraoperative neurological or vascular injuries. All patients were followed up 10-27 months, with a mean of 17.9 months. One patient with bilateral knee valgus deformities had intra-articular infection in the left knee at 1 month after operation and the remaining patients had no complication such as prosthesis loosening, dislocation, and infection. The ROM, HSS score, and WOMAC score of knee joint significantly improved at each time point after operation when compared to those before operation, and the indicators further improved with time after operation, the differences were all significant ( P<0.05). Imaging measurement showed that HKA, mLDFA, JLCA, and PTS significantly improved at 3 days after operation ( P<0.05) except for mMPTA ( P>0.05). Postoperative evaluation of the knee valgus deformity correction values showed that the actual intra-articular correction values ranged from 0.54° to 10.97°, with a mean of 3.84°. The postoperative residual knee valgus deformity values ranged from 0.42° to 5.30°, with a mean of 3.59°. The actual correction values of lateral approach ranged from 0.21° to 12.73°, with a mean of 4.26°. CONCLUSION LUKA through lateral approach for knee valgus deformity can achieve good early effectiveness. Preoperative planning can help surgeons rationally allocate the correction value of knee valgus deformity, provide corresponding treatment strategies, and the maximum theoretical correction value of knee valgus deformity can reach 25°.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Knee Joint/surgery*

Objective: To study the correlation between pancreatic duct stent placement and postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods: We performed a retrospective review on 298 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from Jan 2011 to Dec 2016. Patients were divided into none stent group, external stent group and internal stent group according to the placement and drainage of the pancreatic duct stent. Results: There were 60 cases in none stent group, 103 cases in external stent group and 135 cases in internal stent group. Altogether there were 52 cases suffering from biochemical pancreatic fistula, 52 cases of grade B fistula and 9 cases of grade C pancreatic fistula. There were three factors with statistical significance: 1, the operative method (χ²=20.947, P=0.000), 2, the diameter of main pancreatic duct (χ²=8.662, P=0.013), and 3, the intraoperative blood loss (χ²=14.03, P=0.001). There were no statistical significance difference between no stenting group and external/ internal stent group in the incidence of pancreatic fistula (P>0.05). The difference between internal stent group and external stent group was of statistical significance (χ²=9.948, P=0.019). The incidence of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula in external stent group was lower than the internal stent group (14.5% vs. 26.6%)(χ²=9.777, P=0.002). Conclusions The pancreatic duct stenting is not a risk factor for pancreatic fistula. The external drainage of pancreatic juice is associated with a lower incidence of pancreatic fistula compared to the internal drainage.

Objective To explore sensitive indicators for the initiation,development,and metastasis of gastric cancer and to provide objective evidence for the early diagnosis,treatment,and progression monitoring of gastric cancer.Methods A total of 108 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in this study.The expression of interleukin receptor 1 (CXCR1)in samples from gastric cancer and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and patient clinical data were collected for correlation analysis.Logistic regression analysis of the 5-year survival rate of patients was conducted.Results The positive CXCR1 expression rate in gastric neoplasm tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues.Nevertheless,CXCR1 was correlated with tumor differentiation (P =0.017),TNM staging (P =0.006),and the existence of lymphatic metastasis (P =0.035).The overall survival rate (P =0.043) and recurrence-free survival rate (P=0.029) of patients with positive CXCR1 were lower than those of patients with negative CXCR1.Conclusions CXCR1 expression levels increase in gastric neoplasm tissues and are associated with tumor differentiation,TNM staging,and lymphatic metastasis.Positive CXCR1 is correlated with poor prognosis and has the potential to serve as one of clinical prognostic indicators.

Objective To discuss the effect of main organ-preserving pancreatectomy operations on the postoperative complications and the long-term quality of life.Methods The clinical data of 320 patients undergoing pancreatic surgery from January 2013 to December 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively analyzed and all the patients were divided into traditional pancreatectomy surgery group and organ-preserving pancreatectomy surgery group.The traditional pancreatectomy surgery group included pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD),distal pancreatectomy (DP),and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP);and the organ-preserving pancreatectomy surgery group included pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD),spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP),enucleation pancreatectomy (EP),and middle-preserving pancreatectomy (MSP).Face to face clinic visit or telephone follow-up was scheduled every three months until May 31,2017.The operation time,intraoperative hemorrhage,intraoperative blood transfusion,postoperative complications (hemorrhage,pancreatic fistula,biliary fistula,abdominal infection,delayed gastric emptying),postoperative hospitalization stay,secondary surgery and the survival status within 30 days after surgery,the pancreatic endocrine function,exocrine function and the long-term quality of life were recorded.Results The operation time,intraoperative hemorrhage and intraoperative blood transfusion were not statistically different between PD and PPPD groups,DP and SPDP groups,LDP and LSPDP groups,DP and MSP groups,and DP and EP groups,respectively (all P values ＞0.05).Compared with MSP group,the hospitalization time in DP group was shorter [(18.61 ±12.46)d vs (26.88 ± 15.22)d],the occurrence rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (24.07％ vs 56.25％),bleeding (3.70％ vs 25.00％),abdominal infection (1.85％ vs 18.75％),delayed gastric emptying (5.56％ vs 31.25％),secondary surgery (0 vs 25.00％),and glycemic control rate were decreased (27.78％ vs 0),and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values ＜ 0.05).After discharge,the incidence of chronic diarrhea in the PD group was higher than that in the PPPD group (17.31％ vs 2.08％).The fatigue in the DP group was higher than that in the SPDP,MSP and EP groups,and fatigue,social function,overall health score of the LDP group were lower than those in LSPDP group;emotional function in the DP group was better than that in MSP group,and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The organ-preserving pancreatectomy can reduce the trauma of the operation,postoperative complications and postoperative pancreatic endocrine and exocrine dysfunction,and improve the long-term quality of life.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of presenilin-associated rhomboidlike protein (PARL) and the sperm motility,survival rate and deformity rate of sperm in workers exposed to aluminum.Methods A total of 162 male workers exposed to aluminum in a large aluminum enterprise in Guangxi were selected as the exposure group,and the 162 staff members of the service company were selected as the control group by matching the age and length of service.The concentration of aluminum in the working environment and the aluminum content in the blood and urine were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the level of PARL protein in sperm and sperm function was evaluated.Results The average concentrations of aluminum in the batching,electrolysis and casting of aluminum exposure group were (6.72± 1.45),(7.23± 1.50) and (7.35± 1.72)mg/m3,which were significantly higher than those of the control group (F=8.314,P＜0.001).The content of aluminum in blood and urine of exposed group were significantly higher than those of control group (P＜0.05),while the levels of PARL of exposed group were significantly lower than those of control group (P＜0.05).Moreover,the sperm survival rate and sperm motility of exposed group were significantly lower than those of the control group,and the sperm deformity rates of exposed group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation of sperm motility,sperm survival rate and protein level of PARL (rsprm motility=0.713,P=0.012;rsperm survival rate =0.628,P=0.008);while the sperm deformity rate and protein level of PARL showed a significant negative correlation (rsperm deformity rate =0.953,P =0.002).Conclusion The sperm function was significantly impaired in aluminum exposed workers,and the changes of sperm motility,survival rate and malformation rate were closely related to the protein level of PARL.