Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with clinical hallmarks of progressive cognitive impairment. Synergistic effects of the Aβ-Tau cascade reaction are tightly implicated in AD pathology, and microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation drives neuronal tauopathy. However, the underlying mechanism of how Aβ mediates NLRP3 inflammasome remains unclear. Herein, we determined that oligomeric Aβ (o-Aβ) bound to microglial Kv2.1 and promoted Kv2.1-dependent potassium efflux to activate NLRP3 inflammasome resulting in neuronal tauopathy by using Kv2.1 inhibitor drofenine (Dfe) as a probe. The underlying mechanism has been intensively investigated by assays with Kv2.1 knockdown in vitro (si-Kv2.1) and in vivo (AAV-ePHP-si-Kv2.1). Dfe deprived o-Aβ of its capability to promote microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal Tau hyperphosphorylation by inhibiting the Kv2.1/JNK/NF-κB pathway while improving the cognitive impairment of 5×FAD-AD model mice. Our results have highly addressed that the Kv2.1 channel is required for o-Aβ-driven microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal tauopathy in AD model mice and highlighted that Dfe as a Kv2.1 inhibitor shows potential in the treatment of AD.

Objective:To investigate the CD163 expression characteristics in intracranial aneurysm (IA) tissue and blood of patients with IA and its feasibility as an early clinical screening indicator for IA.Methods:A total of 28 patients with IA admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2021 to November 2023 were selected as IA group, and 28 healthy subjects from Health Management Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University at the same time period were selected as control group. Eight saccular IA tissues and 12 superficial temporal artery tissues were collected from patients from IA group accepted IA clipping, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the CD163 mRNA expression in these tissues. RT-qPCR was also used to detect the CD163 mRNA expression in the blood of the 2 groups. Seven patients with IA and 7 control subjects from the above 2 groups were randomly selected, respectively; and plasma CD163 protein content was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors for IA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic values of blood CD163 mRNA expression and plasma CD163 protein content in IA. Results:CD163 mRNA expression in IA tissues was significantly higher than that in superficial temporal artery tissues (41.870±20.355 vs. 6.080±5.444, P<0.05). CD163 mRNA expression in the blood of IA patients was significantly higher than that in the controls (1.969[1.124, 2.318] vs. 1.124[0.933, 1.379], P<0.05). CD163 mRNA expression in the blood of ruptured IA group, unruptured IA group, and control group was gradually decreased, with significant differences ( P<0.05). CD163 mRNA expression in the blood of female IA patients was not statistically different compared with that in male IA patients ( P>0.05). ELISA showed that the CD163 protein content in plasma of the IA group was significantly higher than that in the control group [10.537±1.879] ng/L vs. [8.598±0.885] ng/L, P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age and CD163 mRNA expression in the blood were independent influencing factors for IA occurrence ( OR=0.844, 95% CI: 0.750-0.951, P=0.005; OR=0.111, 95% CI: 0.024-0.506, P=0.004). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of CD163 mRNA expression in blood in diagnosing IA was 0.759 (95% CI: 0.618-0.890, P=0.002), and that of CD163 protein content in plasma in diagnosing IA was 0.864 (95% CI: 0.610-1.000, P=0.035). Conclusion:CD163 mRNA expressions in blood and IA tissues and CD163 protein content in plasma are high in patients with IA; CD163 mRNA expression in blood is an independent risk factor for IA; CD163 protein in plasma can be used as a molecular marker for screening IA.

Objective:To explore the long-term efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) for acrophobia.Method:Sixty patients with acrophobia who visited the Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from October 2018 to January 2021 were selected and randomly divided into VRET group ( n=30) and imaginary exposure therapy (IET) group ( n=30) using a block random number table method. The VRET group received VRET treatment, while the IET group received IET treatment. Both groups received treatment twice a week for 3 weeks. At baseline and after treatment, the acrophobia questionnaire (AQ) and attitude towards high questionnaire (ATHQ) were used to assess the patients' acrophobia symptoms, and the behavioral avoidance test (BAT) was used to assess the patients' level of avoidance when facing high altitude situations. During the 2-year follow-up after treatment, AQ and ATHQ were used to evaluate the patients' acrophobia symptoms. The repeated measures ANOVA and covariance analysis were used to analyze the data using SPSS 27.0 software. Result:(1) Repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was no significant interaction effect of AQ-anxiety, AQ-avoidance, and ATHQ scores between the two groups before and after treatment ( F=1.37, 1.95, 0.21, all P>0.05), while the time main effect of AQ-anxiety ( F=43.29) and ATHQ score ( F=13.35) was significant (both P<0.05), and the time main effect and group main effect of AQ-avoidance score were significant ( Ftime=62.84, Fgroup=5.65, both P<0.05). The AQ-avoidance scores of the VRET group(6.19±3.60, 8.25±3.80) were significantly lower than those of the IET group (9.60±3.74, 12.00±4.57)after treatment and during the follow-up period (both P<0.05).(2)After controlling for the baseline initial values of BAT in the two groups, the VRET group had a lower corrected BAT score (1.51 ± 0.72) than the IET group (4.39 ± 0.75) ( F=55.81, P<0.001), indicating that the efficacy of the VRET group was significantly better than that of the IET group. Conclusion:VRET significantly reduces acrophobia symptoms and behavioral avoidance level in patients with acrophobia, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to IET in both immediate and long-term effects.

Objective:To explore the long-term efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) for acrophobia.Method:Sixty patients with acrophobia who visited the Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from October 2018 to January 2021 were selected and randomly divided into VRET group ( n=30) and imaginary exposure therapy (IET) group ( n=30) using a block random number table method. The VRET group received VRET treatment, while the IET group received IET treatment. Both groups received treatment twice a week for 3 weeks. At baseline and after treatment, the acrophobia questionnaire (AQ) and attitude towards high questionnaire (ATHQ) were used to assess the patients' acrophobia symptoms, and the behavioral avoidance test (BAT) was used to assess the patients' level of avoidance when facing high altitude situations. During the 2-year follow-up after treatment, AQ and ATHQ were used to evaluate the patients' acrophobia symptoms. The repeated measures ANOVA and covariance analysis were used to analyze the data using SPSS 27.0 software. Result:(1) Repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was no significant interaction effect of AQ-anxiety, AQ-avoidance, and ATHQ scores between the two groups before and after treatment ( F=1.37, 1.95, 0.21, all P>0.05), while the time main effect of AQ-anxiety ( F=43.29) and ATHQ score ( F=13.35) was significant (both P<0.05), and the time main effect and group main effect of AQ-avoidance score were significant ( Ftime=62.84, Fgroup=5.65, both P<0.05). The AQ-avoidance scores of the VRET group(6.19±3.60, 8.25±3.80) were significantly lower than those of the IET group (9.60±3.74, 12.00±4.57)after treatment and during the follow-up period (both P<0.05).(2)After controlling for the baseline initial values of BAT in the two groups, the VRET group had a lower corrected BAT score (1.51 ± 0.72) than the IET group (4.39 ± 0.75) ( F=55.81, P<0.001), indicating that the efficacy of the VRET group was significantly better than that of the IET group. Conclusion:VRET significantly reduces acrophobia symptoms and behavioral avoidance level in patients with acrophobia, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to IET in both immediate and long-term effects.

With the comprehensive application and development of implant dentistry in recent years, multi-institutional data have supported a large number of clinical research findings. A consensus was gradually reached on the evaluation of the state and effect of implants and types of indicators that were selected after restoration. This study aims to examine the frequently used criteria to define treatment success in implant dentistry.
Dental Implants ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Dental Restoration Failure ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND:Matrix protein is an essential component of the vascular wal , provides a necessary frame for the integrity of the vessel wal and physiological function of vascular wal cel s, and regulates cel s and smooth muscle. OBJECTIVE:To construct rat model of early aneurysm, and to evaluate differences in the expression of matrix structural proteins during cerebral aneurysm formation. METHODS:Twenty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into control group (n=8) and model group (n=20). Aneurysm model was established by ligation of the left common carotid artery and right renal artery-induced hypertension in the model group. In the control group, only the left carotid artery bifurcation and bilateral carotid were exposed in rats. Rats in the model group were sacrificed at 15 and 30 days after model establishment. Right anterior cerebral artery in rats and olfactory artery bifurcation received immunohistochemical staining. The expressions of fibronectin,α-smooth muscle actin and col agen III were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, no significant difference in fibronectin expression was detected in right anterior cerebral artery and olfactory artery bifurcation in rats of the model group at 30 days after model establishment (P>0.05). However,α-smooth muscle actin and col agen III expressions were significantly reduced (P<0.05). These data confirmed that expression of structural proteins had differences and dynamic changes during early aneurysm formation in rats. Degradation of matrix structural protein in cerebral artery may be one of the key mechanism of aneurysm formation.

Objective To discuss the perioperative nursing care of elderly postlingual deafness patients with cochlear implantation. Methods Cochlear implementation had been carried out in 15 elderly postilingual deafness patients from February 2010 to April 2014, and we observed complications according to their characteristics and the specificity of cochlear implantation, monitored the perioperative blood pressure and pulse, and provided the targeted psychological interventions and rehabilitation guidance. Results All of patients had steady mood during perioperative period without complications. Two patients acquired blood pressure beyond 150mmHg when admitted, but decreased to normal before operation;three patients presented slight dizziness and nausea. The patient′s satisfaction was 100%. Conclusions Based on elderly physiological and psychological characteristics, we improve psychological and fundamental nursing targeted for perioperative patients, which was a significant guarantee for a quick recovery and a good prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor play a crucial role in embryonic development, wound healing, inflammation, cancer, ischemic hypoxia and other physiological and pathological processes, and participate in the development and progression of brain damage. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differences in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-α during the early phase of cerebral aneurysm formation in rats. METHODS:Twenty-eight healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups. Sham operation group (n=8): the left carotid artery bifurcation and bilateral renal artery were only exposed, without ligation, and rats were kiled that day. 15 days group (n=10) and 30 days group (n=10): the left common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, external carotid artery and bilateral renal artery were ligated, to establish aneurysm model, and rats were kiled at 15 and 30 days, respectively. The bilateral sides of the anterior cerebral artery/olfactory artery bifurcations were harvested and observed under light microscopy for pathological changes. Immunohistological staining was performed to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-α. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results showed that, no aneurysm formed in the sham operation group and 15 days group. In the 30 days group, one saccular aneurysm and five early aneurysm-like changes were found in the right anterior cerebral artery/olfactory artery bifurcations. In the sham operation group and 15 days group, no vascular endothelial growth factor was expressed. In the 30 days group, the positive rate of vascular endothelial growth factor was up to 80%, indicating that vascular endothelial growth factor is possibly involved in the formation of aneurysm. Transforming growth factor-α expression in the sham operation group and 15 days group was more apparent than that in the 30 days group, indicating that transforming growth factor-α is damaged or secretion is reduced in this process, which was possibly related to the formation of aneurysm.

BACKGROUND:Adipose-derived stem cells are easily col ected and abundantly cultured, which can proliferate rapidly when being cultured in vitro. With multi-directional differentiation potential, adipose-derived stem cells are expected as seed cells for tissue engineering.
OBJECTIVE:To isolate, culture and identify of adipose-derived stem cells from Sprague-Dawley rats in vitro.
METHODS:The subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from the iliac region of rats under the aseptic condition, and then was digested with 0.075%type Ⅰ col agenase and cultured in vitro. The morphology and proliferation characteristics of the cells were observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope. The third passage was put into gauge for growth curve by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, and the cells were also identified by CD44, a stem cellmarker, with immunofluorescence staining. Adipose-derived stem cells were induced and differentiated into adipocytes in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/Ham’s nutrient mixture F-12 containing 10%fetal bovine serum, dexamethasone and insulin, and then the cells were identified with oil red“O”staining. Adipose-derived stem cells were induced and differentiated into neural cells, and then the cells were identified with immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The growth curve of adipose-derived stem cells was opposite-like“S”shape, and it strongly expressed CD44 that can designate a stem cell. The passage cells were exposed to a defined medium for adipocyte differentiation, and then could be stained with oil red. After being induced and differentiated into nerve cells, the cells expressed neuron-specific enolase. The adipose-derived stem cells of Sprague-Dawley rats are characterized by easy isolation, culture and proliferation in vitro, expressing related phenotypes of mesenchymal stem cells, as wel as induction and differentiation under certain conditions.