BACKGROUND:Facet joint osteoarthritis is acknowledged as a significant contributor to lower back pain in the geriatric population.The advent of an innovative spinal facet joint fusion device presents a therapeutic option for intervening during the initial stages of facet joint osteoarthritis,and significantly reduces the incidence of a series of complications caused by poor early conservative treatment and late surgical treatment.However,its effect on the biomechanics of the lumbar spine is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical disparities between the novel lumbar zygapophyseal joint fusion device and traditional fusion devices.METHODS:A comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model of the L3-S1 lumbar spine was established and validated.Based on this intact model,three groups of surgical models were constructed:a bilateral pedicle screw fixation model,a bilateral novel facet joint fusion fixation model,and a bilateral facet screw fixation model,with the surgical segment designated as L4-5.Under a load of 500 N,a torque of 7.5 Nm was applied to all lumbar models to calculate the range of motion,displacement values,and intervertebral disc stress values at the L4-5 segment;stress values at the L3-4 and L5-S1 segments were also measured.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the intact model,the range of motion at the L4-5 segment was reduced in all surgical models.(2)The novel device exhibited the smallest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;the greatest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under extension conditions;and a greater range of motion under other conditions than the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(3)The novel device demonstrated the smallest displacement values at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;under other conditions,the displacement values at the L4-5 segment were greater than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(4)In terms of stress distribution at the L4-5 segment,the novel device consistently exhibited the smallest values across all conditions.(5)For the L3-4 segment,the novel device showed the greatest stress values under extension and left and right rotational conditions,while under other conditions,the values were lower than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(6)Compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device produced smaller stress values at the L5-S1 segment.(7)This study indicates that,compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device impacts the biomechanics of the lumbar spine by fusing the facet joints.It provides stability while preserving the range of motion at the surgical segment and reduces stress on the intervertebral discs of the surgical and adjacent segments,thereby potentially delaying disc degeneration.This suggests that the novel device can achieve biomechanical effects similar to those of pedicle screw fixation in theory.

The cardioprotective effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDIs) are at odds with the deleterious effects of HDAC depletion. Here, we use HDAC3 as a prototype HDAC to address this contradiction. We show that adult-onset cardiac-specific depletion of HDAC3 in mice causes cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction on a high-fat diet (HFD), excluding developmental disruption as a major reason for the contradiction. Genetically abolishing HDAC3 enzymatic activity without affecting its protein level does not cause cardiac dysfunction on HFD. HDAC3 depletion causes robust downregulation of lipid oxidation/bioenergetic genes and upregulation of antioxidant/anti-apoptotic genes. In contrast, HDAC3 enzyme activity abolishment causes much milder changes in far fewer genes. The abnormal gene expression is cardiomyocyte-autonomous and can be rescued by an enzyme-dead HDAC3 mutant but not by an HDAC3 mutant (Δ33-70) that lacks interaction with the nuclear-envelope protein lamina-associated polypeptide 2β (LAP2β). Tethering LAP2β to the HDAC3 Δ33-70 mutant restored its ability to rescue gene expression. Finally, HDAC3 depletion, not loss of HDAC3 enzymatic activity, exacerbates cardiac contractile functions upon aortic constriction. These results suggest that the cardiac function of HDAC3 in adults is not attributable to its enzyme activity, which has implications for understanding the cardioprotective effects of HDIs.

Digital technologies have become an integral part of complete denture restoration. With advancement in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), tools such as intraoral scanning, facial scanning, 3D printing, and numerical control machining are reshaping the workflow of complete denture restoration. Unlike conventional methods that rely heavily on clinical experience and manual techniques, digital technologies offer greater precision, predictability, and efficacy. They also streamline the process by reducing the number of patient visits and improving overall comfort. Despite these improvements, the clinical application of digital complete denture restoration still faces challenges that require further standardization. The major issues include appropriate case selection, establishing consistent digital workflows, and evaluating long-term outcomes. To address these challenges and provide clinical guidance for practitioners, this expert consensus outlines the principles, advantages, and limitations of digital complete denture technology. The aim of this review was to offer practical recommendations on indications, clinical procedures and precautions, evaluation metrics, and outcome assessment to support digital restoration of complete denture in clinical practice.
Humans ; Denture, Complete ; Computer-Aided Design ; Denture Design/methods* ; Consensus ; Printing, Three-Dimensional

BACKGROUND:Various proteins,signaling pathways,and inflammatory mediators are involved in the pathophysiological process of osteoarthritis.The development of small molecule drugs targeting these proteins,signaling pathways,and inflammatory mediators can effectively delay the progression of osteoarthritis and ameliorate its clinical manifestations. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of small molecule drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis based on the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. METHODS:PubMed,CNKI,and WanFang databases were searched with English search terms"osteoarthritis,arthritis,osteoarthrosis,degenerative,arthritides,deformans,small molecule drugs,small molecule inhibitors,small molecule agents"and Chinese search terms"osteoarthritis,small molecule drugs,small molecule inhibitors."A total of 68 articles were included for review according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Currently,studies concerning the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis remain unclear.The occurrence and development of osteoarthritis are strongly associated with proteins,cytokines,and signal transduction pathways,so its therapeutic mechanism is relatively complex.Currently,targeting proteins,cytokines,and signal transduction pathways related to osteoarthritis with small molecule drugs has become a major research focus.(2)Small molecule drugs frequently possess visible intracellular or extracellular targets and efficacy,containing enhancing cartilage repair,resisting joint degradation,attenuating inflammation,and relieving pain.Other anti-osteoarthritis small molecule drugs have shown promise in promoting stem cell chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage matrix reconstruction.(3)At present,small molecule drugs targeting the pathophysiological process of osteoarthritis to delay the progression of osteoarthritis are still in the experimental stage,but most of these small molecule drugs have shown the expected results in the experimental process,and there are no relevant studies to illustrate the efficacy of small molecule drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis.(4)Small molecule drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis have reached the expected experimental results in the basic experimental stage.Numerous studies have exhibited that small molecule drugs can target the suppression of specific proteins,cytokines,and signal transduction pathways that cause osteoarthritis,so as to treat osteoarthritis.Nevertheless,its safety and effectiveness still need to be identified by further basic and clinical studies.This process needs to be investigated and studied by more scholars.(5)At present,many scholars in and outside China have made contributions to the treatment of osteoarthritis.Compared with traditional treatment methods,small molecule drugs reveal better efficacy and safety in the basic experimental stage,and it is expected to become an emerging method for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future to rid patients of pain.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the pterygopalatine region on nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis and inflammatory factors in rats with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an acupuncture group and an electroacupuncture group, 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, OVA-induced AR model was established in the remaining groups. In the electroacupuncture group, the rats were treated with electroacupuncture at the bilateral pterygopalatine region, with disperse-dense wave, in frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and current of 0.5-1 mA, 15 min each time, once every other day, for 3 times. In the acupuncture group, the rats were treated with acupuncture at bilateral pterygopalatine region simply, without electrical stimulation. The rhinitis symptom score was observed, the pathomorphology of the nasal mucosa was observed by HE staining; the serum levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (OVA-sIgE), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were detected by ELISA; the mRNA expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1) and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was detected by real-time PCR; the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the rhinitis symptom score was increased (P<0.01), the serum levels of OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were increased (P<0.05), the nasal mucosa showed pathomorphology of inflammatory infiltration; the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the electroacupuncture group, the rhinitis symptom score was reduced (P<0.01), the pathology of the nasal mucosa was improved; the serum levels of OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were decreased (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at the pterygopalatine region can exerting the anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and inflammatory factor imbalance, thus alleviate rhinitis symptoms in AR rats.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic/physiopathology* ; Pyroptosis ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-18/immunology* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Caspase 1/immunology*

Varicose veins in the lower extremities(VVLEs)are a common vascular disease caused by Chronic Venous Insufficiency(CVI).Traditional High Ligation and Stripping(HLS)of The Great Saphenous Vein has been largely replaced by minimally invasive techniques due to its greater surgical trauma and slower recovery.Among these techniques,radiofrequency ablation(RFA)has emerged as a preferred treatment option due to its high efficacy and safety.RFA utilizes thermal energy to occlude diseased veins,demonstrating significantly supe-rior short-and long-term closure rates compared to traditional HLS.Additionally,RFA is associated with reduced postoperative pain and a lower incidence of complications.This review comprehensively summarizes the current applications,clinical efficacy,safety profile,and future research directions of RFA in treating VVLEs,aiming to provide a valuable reference for the clinical implementation of this technique.

Objective To prepare a mouse model of asthenozoospermia(AZS)with high sperm DNA fragmentation(SDF)using corticosterone(CORT)and sodium benzoate(NaB).Methods Fifty 3-week-old male ICR mice were divided randomly into CORT-treated(n=30)and NaB-treated(n=20)groups.The CORT group was further divided into the following six groups(n=5 per group):high CORT(500 μg/mL),medium CORT(200 μg/mL),and low CORT(10 μg/mL)drinking water group,drinking water control group,CORT injection(40 mg/kg)group,and injection control group(normal saline).The animals were modeled continuously for 50 d.Mice in the NaB group were further divided into four groups(n=5 per group):high NaB(500 mg/kg),medium NaB(300 mg/kg),and low NaB(100 mg/kg)gavage groups,and control group(normal saline).The animals were modeled continuously for 50 d.The physiological state of the mice in each group was observed and mass changes were recorded continuously.The sperm motility capacity and DNA fragmentation index(DFI)of the sperm were observed from the tail of the epididymis after the end of the modeling.Results The rate of mass change in the CORT-injection moding group showed a downward trend.There was no significant difference(P＞0.05)in the high NaB gavage group,and the rate of body mass change in the high NaB gavage group was significantly decreased compared with the control group(P＜0.05).The percentages of forward motility sperm were significantly decreased in the CORT injection group(P＞0.05)and the percentage in the high NaB gavage group(P＜0.05),compared with the control group.The DFI was increased in the CORT injection group compared with the control group,but the difference was not significant(P＞0.05),and the DFI in the high NaB gavage group was significantly increased compared with the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Intragastric gavage with NaB 500 mg/(kg·d)for 50 d is an ideal method for constructing an animal model of AZS with high SDF.

BACKGROUND:Facet joint osteoarthritis is acknowledged as a significant contributor to lower back pain in the geriatric population.The advent of an innovative spinal facet joint fusion device presents a therapeutic option for intervening during the initial stages of facet joint osteoarthritis,and significantly reduces the incidence of a series of complications caused by poor early conservative treatment and late surgical treatment.However,its effect on the biomechanics of the lumbar spine is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical disparities between the novel lumbar zygapophyseal joint fusion device and traditional fusion devices.METHODS:A comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model of the L3-S1 lumbar spine was established and validated.Based on this intact model,three groups of surgical models were constructed:a bilateral pedicle screw fixation model,a bilateral novel facet joint fusion fixation model,and a bilateral facet screw fixation model,with the surgical segment designated as L4-5.Under a load of 500 N,a torque of 7.5 Nm was applied to all lumbar models to calculate the range of motion,displacement values,and intervertebral disc stress values at the L4-5 segment;stress values at the L3-4 and L5-S1 segments were also measured.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the intact model,the range of motion at the L4-5 segment was reduced in all surgical models.(2)The novel device exhibited the smallest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;the greatest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under extension conditions;and a greater range of motion under other conditions than the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(3)The novel device demonstrated the smallest displacement values at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;under other conditions,the displacement values at the L4-5 segment were greater than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(4)In terms of stress distribution at the L4-5 segment,the novel device consistently exhibited the smallest values across all conditions.(5)For the L3-4 segment,the novel device showed the greatest stress values under extension and left and right rotational conditions,while under other conditions,the values were lower than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(6)Compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device produced smaller stress values at the L5-S1 segment.(7)This study indicates that,compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device impacts the biomechanics of the lumbar spine by fusing the facet joints.It provides stability while preserving the range of motion at the surgical segment and reduces stress on the intervertebral discs of the surgical and adjacent segments,thereby potentially delaying disc degeneration.This suggests that the novel device can achieve biomechanical effects similar to those of pedicle screw fixation in theory.

Objective To explore the applicative value of blue Laser imaging combined with magnifying endoscope(BLI+ME)system for the lesion of esophagogastric junction(EGJ).Methods Retrospective study endoscopic and pathological reported during February 2022 to February 2024.6 803 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled.They were divided into BLI+ME group(2 931 cases)and white light imaging group(WLI group,3 872 cases)according to the different gastroscopy types used in the examination.Finally,the EGJ biopsy rate,positive biopsy rate,detection rate of various lesions and early diagnosis rate between the two groups were compared.Results The biopsy rate of the BLI+ME group was 27.60%,the positive biopsy rate was 68.73%,and the detection rate of all the lesions was 20.74%,the detection rate of non-cancerous lesions was 20.30%,the detection rate of early cancer was 0.10%,the detection rate of non-cancerous lesions above the dentate line was 5.53%,the detection rate of non-cancerous lesions below the dentate line was 14.77%,the detection rate of cancerous lesions below the dentate line was 0.27%,significantly higher than those of the WLI group,which the biopsy rate was 17.74%,the positive biopsy rate was 60.26%,and the detection rate of all the lesions was 11.90%,the detection rate of non-cancerous lesions was 11.67%,the detection rate of early cancer was 0.00%,the detection rate of non-cancerous lesions above the dentate line was 3.49%,the detection rate of non-cancerous lesions below the dentate line was 8.19%,the detection rate of cancerous lesions below the dentate line was 0.05%,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The BLI+ME system can enhance the biopsy rate,positive biopsy rate,the detection rate of all the lesions,early cancer detection rate,non-cancerous lesions detection rate above and below the dentate line,and cancerous lesions detection rate below the dentate line at the EGJ.It is helpful to improve the early diagnosis rate and early treatment rate of EGJ.It is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To explore the functional connectivity(FC)changes of hippocampus and amygdala in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with erectile dysfunction(DMED),and the central pathological neural mechanisms underlying DMED.Methods 61 T2DM patients who visited Department of Endocrinology,Nanjing First Hospital,Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected and divided into a simple T2DM group(n=30)and a combined DMED group(n=31).Another 47 healthy individuals were selected as control group(NC).The international erectile function scale(IIEF-5)was used to evaluate the erectile function.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)data were acquired from all participants.MRI data were preprocessed by the DPABI software package.Bilateral hippocampus and amygdala were selected as regions of interest(ROI)and the whole brain FC values were calculated.The FC values of brain regions between groups were tested by two-sample t-test with REST software package.Results Left hippocampus as ROI:compared with the NC group,FC values of the left superior temporal gyrus increased in the T2DM group,FC values of the left superior frontal gyrus,left inferior temporal gyrus,left posterior central gyrus and rectus gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Compared with the T2DM group,FC values of the left inferior parietal gyrus,left supramarginal gyrus,left middle occipital gyrus and right posterior central gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Right hippocampus as ROI:compared with the NC group,FC values of the right middle temporal gyrus and right rolandic operculum increased while FC values of the right calcarine fissure decreased in the T2DM group;FC values of bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus,right middle temporal gyrus and left rectus gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Compared with the T2DM group,FC values of the left middle frontal gyrus,left inferior parietal gyrus and right inferior temporal gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Left amygdala as ROI:compared with the NC group,FC values in the left parahippocampal gyrus,left fusiform gyrus and right insula increased in the T2DM group;FC value of the left middle temporal gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Compared with the T2DM group,FC values of the left middle frontal gyrus and left supramarginal gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Right amygdala as ROI:compared with the NC group,FC values of the left insula,right parahippocampal gyrus,right superior temporal gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus increased while FC values in the right caudate decreased in the T2DM group;FC values of the right middle frontal gyrus,left rectus gyrus and left middle occipital gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Compared with the T2DM group,FC values of the left middle frontal gyrus and left inferior parietal gyrus decreased in the DMED group.Conclusions DMED patients have abnormalities in the hippocampus,amygdala and other brain regions,especially the frontal lobe functional cortex,which may be related to changes in their brain function.