ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism through which Wendan Tang ameliorates atherosclerosis （AS） in mice by regulating ferroptosis via the Janus kinase 2（JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodsTwelve 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice of SPF grade were selected as the blank control group and fed a standard diet. Additionally， sixty age-matched male apolipoprotein E knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice of the same strain and SPF grade were selected and assigned through a random number table into the following groups （n=12 per group）： a model group， a low-dose （3.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Wendan Tang group， a medium-dose （7.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Wendan Tang group， a high-dose （15.6 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Wendan Tang group， and an atorvastatin calcium （0.01 g·kg^-1·d^-1） group. All ApoE^-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS. Starting from week 9， the blank and model groups were administrated with an equal volume of normal saline by gavage， and the remaining groups with corresponding agents by gavage. After 8 weeks of intervention， samples were collected for analysis. Oil red O staining and Masson staining were used to observe lipid deposition in the aorta， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to examine AS plaque formation. The serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and reduced glutathione （GSH） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The level of Fe²⁺ in the aortic tissue was measured by ELISA. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of JAK2， phosphorylated JAK2 （p-JAK2）， STAT3， phosphorylated STAT3 （p-STAT3）， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in the aortic tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to measure the mRNA levels of JAK2， STAT3， SLC7A11， and GPX4 in the aortic tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited increased aortic plaque number and area， enhanced lipid deposition， elevated serum levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， TNF-α， IL-6， and MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， declined serum levels of HDL-C， SOD， and GSH， and downregulated protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in the aortic tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The aortic tissue of the model group exhibited an elevated Fe²⁺ level and upregulated protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 and mRNA levels of JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose Wendan Tang， as well as atorvastatin calcium， significantly attenuated these pathological alterations. Specifically， the treatments decreased aortic plaque burden and lipid deposition and lowered serum TC， TG， LDL-C， TNF-α， and MDA levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Concurrently， these interventions raised serum HDL-C， SOD， and GSH levels， upregulated the protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in the aortic tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced the Fe²⁺ level， and downregulated the protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 and the mRNA levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in the aortic tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionWendan Tang ameliorates aortic lesions， dyslipidemia， and oxidative stress， decreased the phosphorylation levels of JAK2/STAT3， and increased the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in the mouse model of AS. The results suggest that the anti-AS effect of Wendan Tang may be associated with the modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibition of ferroptosis.

The recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) can be used for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) preparation before ¹³¹I therapy, and follow-up. Since its approval by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, rhTSH has been clinically used in European countries, the United States, and other countries for nearly 30 years. In April 2024, China’s first independently developed rhTSH agent was approved. Based on clinical experience and evidence from domestic and international studies, an expert consensus on the application of rhTSH has been developed following thorough consultations among experts. The consensus offers evidence-based recommendations to guide the appropriate use of rhTSH in clinical practice.

With the rapid development of population aging in various countries around the world,the health and elderly care industry has been paid high attention.The standardization of smart health and elderly care technology and services is particularly important.This paper firstly reviewed the policies related to healthy elderly care in China.By analyzing the industrial standards and provincial standards issued,this paper focused on the policies proposed by the Shanghai Municipal Government for the standardization of smart health and elderly care,as well as the researches on the standard system and the construction of standard families.Shanghai group standards in the field of smart health and elderly care were summarized,including the guidelines for the construction of standard systems,elderly care service platforms,community elderly cafeterias,portable health monitoring terminals,indoor sports services,and home-based elderly care safety monitoring.A series of case analyses of the standardized implementation of the above aspects were also provided.Through standardization research and practice in recent years,it has been fully demonstrated that the standard research plays an important leading role in the field of smart health and elderly care.

Currently, transcatheter intervention is the preferred treatment for patients with anatomically suitable atrial septal defects. However, the use of nickel-titanium alloy occluders in interventional procedures results in lifelong presence of the implant in the body, leading to complications such as metal allergies and arrhythmias in some patients. To overcome the short-term and long-term complications associated with the presence of metal, and to avoid radiation exposure and metal toxicity, this paper reports a case of successful transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in a pediatric patient with metal allergies using fully biodegradable occluder under ultrasound guidance, achieving excellent results by interventional therapy.

Objective:To explore the application effect of mid-facial autologous fat grafting with an intraoral approach in facial contour remodeling.Methods:A retrospective study was performed for 89 female patients aged (35±10) years who underwent mid-facial autologous fat grafting in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Easysculpt Medical Aesthetic Clinic from October 2019 to October 2022. The filling area was designed according to the patient's facial characteristics. According to the patient's wishes and the actual thickness of subcutaneous fat, the abdomen or thigh were selected as the fat collection area. Nerve block anesthesia with 0.5% lidocaine was performed at the corresponding site. The edge of the hairline was chosen to be the insertion point when filling the frontal, temporal, eyebrow arch, and zygomatic arch depression; An intraoral approach was used when filling the middle and lower parts of the face. The surgical effect and complications were recorded at 3 months after the operation, and the patient satisfaction was evaluated.Results:All the patients completed the operation smoothly. A total of 82 patients received a single injection, 5 patients received two times and 2 patients received three times. Fourteen patients had mild facial swelling after surgery, which subsided spontaneously in 1-2 weeks. None of the 89 patients had complications such as embolism, infection, hematoma, induration, cyst, fat liquefaction, pigmentation, dysesthesia or depression. At the 3-month follow-up, 67 patients were very satisfied with the postoperative results, 14 patients were satisfied, 6 patients were generally satisfied, and 2 patients were not satisfied. The overall satisfaction rate was 91.0% (81/89).Conclusion:The intraoral approach to middle face fat transplantation is safe and effective in facial contour remodeling.

Objective To explore the medium-and long-term efficacy of modified approach arthroscopy in the treatment of ischial tuberosity cysts in middle-aged and elderly people.Methods Clinical data of 19 cases of ischial tuberosity cyst treated arthroscopically from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The cyst wall was removed by using the central approach of the ischial tuberosity cyst and the 3-5 cm approach of the cyst to the outside of the buttocks.Results The operation time was 30-45 min(mean,36.2±4.8 min).The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores of the pain on the 1st,7th,and 28th d after surgery were 2-6(mean,3.7±1.1),1-4(mean,1.9±0.9),and 0-1(mean,0.5±0.2),respectively.There were 18 cases of incision grade A healing and 1 case of grade B healing.The total hospitalization time was 3-6 d(mean,3.8±1.1 d).There were no complications such as incision infection and subcutaneous hematoma.The 19 cases were followed up for 40-81 months(mean,60.5±10.2 months),and 1 case had cyst recurrence at 3 months after surgery.Conclusion The modified approach arthroscopy is safe and effective in the treatment of ischial tuberosity cysts,having satisfactory medium-and long-term efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of COVID-19 infection in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). METHODS: The clinical data of MM patients who underwent AHSCT in Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from May 26, 2021 to December 26, 2022 were collected. The onset of COVID-19 infection, corresponding symptoms and laboratory tests were followed up in outpatient or by the means of telephone contact and online questionnaires. Related analysis was then performed. RESULTS: This study included 96 patients, and 72 cases among them were infected with COVID-19 while 24 cases were uninfected. Logistic regression analysis showed that vaccination did not significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, but patients who received two doses of the vaccine had a lower risk of developing moderate and severe disease than those who did not receive or received one dose (OR =0.06, P =0.029). Patients who received daratumumab before had a higher risk of COVID-19 infection (OR =5.78, P =0.039), while those with a history of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) had the opposite effect (OR =0.31, P =0.028). The use of both drugs did not affect the severity of COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION For MM patients undergoing AHSCT as first-line chemotherapy, COVID-19 vaccination does not significantly reduce the infection rate, but it plays a role in preventing moderate and severe cases. The application of antineoplastic drugs with different mechanisms has a certain impact on the susceptibility to the COVID-19, which should be considered comprehensively when creating treatment plans.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/complications* ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal

The liver regenerative capacity is crucial for patients with end-stage liver disease following partial hepatectomy (PHx). The specific bacteria and mechanisms regulating liver regeneration post-PHx remain unclear. This study demonstrated dynamic changes in the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis) post-PHx, correlating with hepatocyte proliferation. Treatment with live P. distasonis significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after PHx. Targeted metabolomics revealed a significant positive correlation between P. distasonis and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), as well as hyodeoxycholic acid and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the gut after PHx. Notably, treatment with BHB, but not hyodeoxycholic acid or 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration in mice after PHx. Moreover, STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated the promotive effects of BHB on cell proliferation and liver regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, P. distasonis upregulated the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related proteins, and increased BHB levels in the liver, and then BHB activated the STAT3 signaling pathway to promote liver regeneration. This study, for the first time, identifies the involvement of P. distasonis and its associated metabolite BHB in promoting liver regeneration after PHx, providing new insights for considering P. distasonis and BHB as potential strategies for promoting hepatic regeneration.

ObjectiveNeuroinflammation plays a crucial role in both the onset and progression of ischemic stroke, exerting a significant impact on the recovery of the central nervous system. Excessive neuroinflammation can lead to secondary neuronal damage, further exacerbating brain injury and impairing functional recovery. As a result, effectively modulating and reducing neuroinflammation in the brain has become a key therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. Among various approaches, targeting immune regulation to control inflammation has gained increasing attention. This study aims to investigate the role of in vitro induced regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in suppressing neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke, as well as their potential therapeutic effects. By exploring the mechanisms through which Tregs exert their immunomodulatory functions, this research is expected to provide new insights into stroke treatment strategies. MethodsNaive CD4⁺ T cells were isolated from mouse spleens using a negative selection method to ensure high purity, and then they were induced in vitro to differentiate into Treg cells by adding specific cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic potential of Treg cells transplantation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke was evaluated. In the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, after Treg cells transplantation, their ability to successfully migrate to the infarcted brain region and their impact on neuroinflammation levels were examined. To further investigate the role of Treg cells in stroke recovery, the changes in cytokine expression and their effects on immune cell interactions was analyzed. Additionally, infarct size and behavioral scores were measured to assess the neuroprotective effects of Treg cells. By integrating multiple indicators, the comprehensive evaluation of potential benefits of Treg cells in the treatment of ischemic stroke was performed. ResultsTreg cells significantly regulated the expression levels of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo, effectively balancing the immune response and suppressing excessive inflammation. Additionally, Treg cells inhibited the activation and activity of inflammatory cells, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. In the MCAO mouse model, Treg cells were observed to accumulate in the infarcted brain region, where they significantly reduced the infarct size, demonstrating their neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, Treg cell therapy notably improved behavioral scores, suggesting its role in promoting functional recovery, and increased the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke treatment. ConclusionIn vitro induced Treg cells can effectively suppress neuroinflammation caused by ischemic stroke, demonstrating promising clinical application potential. By regulating the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Treg cells can inhibit immune responses in the nervous system, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Additionally, they can modulate the immune microenvironment, suppress the activation of inflammatory cells, and promote tissue repair. The therapeutic effects of Treg cells also include enhancing post-stroke recovery, improving behavioral outcomes, and increasing the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice. With their ability to suppress neuroinflammation, Treg cell therapy provides a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, offering broad application prospects in clinical immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.