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*

Objective To investigate associations between three-dimensional(3D)morphology of cervical vertebrae and skeletal mat-uration by cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT)and establish corresponding regression models for quantitatively evaluating cervical vertebral maturation(CVM).Methods The analyzed sample consisted of 358 CBCT images(175 male,183 female),of which 277 images were randomly selected as the model development group and 81 as the performance test group.Twenty-one 3D morphological pa-rameters were defined and measured,incorporating all parts of the cervical vertebrae,including the cervical vertebral bodies,transverse processes,spinous processes,pedicles,lamina,and articular processes.The cervical vertebral maturation index(CVMI)was determined by experienced orthodontists as reference standard.Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and multivariable stepwise regression analysis were used to identify the associations and build regression models.The performance test group was employed to ex-amine each model's reliability.Paired-samples Wilcoxon signed-rank test compared the CVMI of the model prediction with the reference standard.Results Three-dimensional morphological changes in various parts of the cervical vertebrae correlated with CVMI(P＜0.05).Six 3D morphometric parameters were each recognized for male and female models,three of which were identical.The adjusted R2 was 0.899 for males and 0.902 for females,with corresponding accuracies of 85.0%and 85.4%,respectively.These models showed no difference as compared with the reference standard(P＞0.05).Con-clusion New associations were found between 3D morphology of cer-vical vertebrae and skeletal maturation.The 3D-driven morphometric CVM assessment method and corresponding regression models exhibited good credibility and high consistency with experts.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of circulating tumor cell (CTC) dual-antibody enrichment and dual-antibody detection for epithelial-mesenchymal phenotypes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and investigate the clinical diagnostic value of CTC typing in evaluating postoperative recurrence and prognosis of HCC.Methods:Of 89 HCC patients who underwent surgical treatment in Zhejiang Jinhua Guangfu Tumor Hospital from March 2020 to January 2024 were enrolled into this study, including 73 males and 16 females, aged (64.4±9.5) years old. The peripheral blood samples of patients were collected before operation. Epithelial CTC, mesenchymal CTC and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC in blood samples of patients with HCC were enriched and detected by EpCAM/CSV double capture antibodies and PanCK/CSV double detection antibodies. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to assess recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze the effects of different types of CTC on postoperative RFS and OS.Results:The detection rates of total CTC, epithelial CTC, mesenchymal CTC and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC were 92.1% (82/89), 64.0% (57/89), 62.9% (56/89) and 55.1% (49/89), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that HCC patients with more mesenchymal CTC ( HR=2.408, 95% CI: 1.580-3.668) and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC ( HR=1.840, 95% CI: 1.004-3.371) in peripheral blood had higher postoperative recurrence risk (both P<0.05). Univariate Cox regression showed patients with more total CTC ( HR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.040-1.954, P=0.028) was associated with survival. Conclusion:The technique of epithelial-mesenchymal phenotypes analysis of circulating tumor cells based on dual-antibody capture and dual-antibody detection is feasible. The number of mesenchymal CTC and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC before operation is the influencing factor of postoperative recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the effect of high-dose vitamin B6 on stress-induced liver cell death in rats with severe trauma and its possible mechanism.Methods:Thirty-two male SD rats were selected and divided into sham surgery group, sham surgery+B6 group, trauma group, and trauma+B6 group by using a random number table, with 8 rats in each group. Rat models of severe trauma were established by inducing abdominal wall injury, bilateral femoral fractures, unilateral cranial injury, and withdrawal of 4 ml blood from the femoral artery. The sham surgery+B6 group and trauma+B6 group were treated with saline solution plus high-dose vitamin B6, while the sham surgery group and trauma group with infusion of saline solution only. At 36 hours after injury, rat liver tissues were collected for the following experiments: (1) the genes differentially expressed in the liver tissues of the rats of the trauma group and the trauma+B6 group were screened with next-generation sequencing, followed by an analysis of the possible involvement of cell death pathways; (2) validation was conducted to ascertain whether high-dose vitamin B6 could influence various cell death pathways in the liver cells in the sham surgery group, sham surgery+B6 group, trauma group, and trauma+B6 group: apoptosis was confirmed through terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining; necroptosis was verified by mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) immunohistochemical staining; autophagy was examined via transmission electron microscopy; ferroptosis was confirmed by detecting oxidative malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, oxidized glutathione levels, Prussian blue staining with diaminobenzidine (DAB) enhancement, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining for acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4); (3) Biological information analyses [Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Enrichment analysis (GSEA)] were performed for biological processes and signaling pathways represented by liver tissue sequencing results of rats between the trauma group and the trauma+B6 group.Results:(1) In the liver tissues of rats, there were 344 significantly differentially expressed genes between the trauma group and trauma+B6 group, comprising 137 upregulated genes and 207 downregulated genes, of which 18 genes were associated with apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. (2) No significant differences were found in TUNEL staining among the sham surgery group, sham surgery+B6 group, trauma group or trauma+B6 group; MLKL protein expression levels in the liver tissues after trauma were improved, of which the trauma+B6 group was lower than that of the trauma group; Electron microscopy showed that autophagic activity in the liver cells were significantly increased after trauma, which was significantly lower of the trauma+B6 group than that of the trauma group; MDA levels in the rat liver tissues were (0.20±0.05)nmol/mg, (0.17±0.07)nmol/mg, (0.69±0.11)nmol/mg and (0.52±0.07)nmol/mg in the sham surgery group, sham surgery+B6 group, trauma group, and trauma+B6 group respectively ( P<0.01), with the trauma group having the highest MDA levels and trauma+B6 group having lower MDA levels than the trauma group; Oxidized glutathione levels in the liver tissues of the four groups were (11.75±2.09)μmol/g, (11.69±1.66)μmol/g, (19.75±3.40)μmol/g, and (14.51±1.46)μmol/g respectively ( P<0.01), with the trauma group having the highest levels and trauma+B6 group having lower levels than the trauma group; Significantly increased iron deposition was observed in the liver tissues after trauma, with lower iron deposition in trauma+B6 group than the trauma group; Electron microscopy revealed significantly lower mitochondrial membrane density in the trauma+B6 group compared to the trauma group. ACSL4 protein expression level was lower in the trauma+B6 group compared to the trauma group; (3) GO, KEGG and GSEA enrichment analyses suggested that high-dose vitamin B6 may enhance cholesterol synthesis metabolism in the liver cells and alleviate oxidative stress to reduce liver cell damage and restore normal liver cell function after trauma. Conclusions:High-dose vitamin B6 attenuates stress-induced liver injury in rats with severe trauma by inhibiting the progression of necroptosis, autophagy and ferroptosis. Its molecular mechanism may be associated with enhanced hepatic cholesterol synthesis metabolism and alleviation of oxidative stress in the liver cells.

Objective To investigate the short and long term effects of preincision of pancreatic duct sphincter in different types of patients with difficult intubation by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).Method A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients with difficulty in ERCP intubation from January 2019 to June 2020.Patients were divided into a control group(50 cases)and a study group(50 cases)according to different treatment methods.The control group underwent routine ERCP intubation without pancreaticotomy,while the study group underwent preincision of pancreatic duct sphincter on the basis of routine ERCP intubation.Calculate the successful intubation time,successful intubation rate,and length of hospital stay for two groups;Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect postoperative C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-6(IL-6),and blood amylase levels in two groups of patients;Calculate the incidence of complications related to pre incision surgery in two groups of patients;Follow up the incidence of reflux cholangitis and recurrent pancreatitis in two groups of patients at 3,6,and 12 months after surgery,and evaluate the long-term efficacy of the two groups of patients.Result Compared with the control group,the study group showed a shorter in successful intubation time,and an increase in successful intubation rate(P<0.05).There was no difference in hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05);Compared with the control group,the study group showed a decrease in CRP,IL-6 and blood amylase levels on the first day after surgery(P<0.05);The postoperative complication rate of patients in the control group was 14.0%,including 4 patients with acute pancreatitis,2 patients with bleeding,and 1 patient with perforation.The postoperative complication rate of patients in the study group was 2.0%,with 1 patient with bleeding.Compared with the control group,the postoperative complication rate of patients in the study group decreased(P<0.05);Compared with the control group,the incidence of reflux cholangitis in the study group decreased at 12 months after surgery,and the incidence of recurrent pancreatitis decreased at 3,6,and 12 months after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion Preincision of the pancreatic duct sphincter has a mild impact on systemic inflammation in patients with difficult ERCP intubation,with normal blood amylase indicators and no increase in the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis.It can improve the success rate of intubation and has significant long-term efficacy.It is a safe and effective technique which is worth recommending.

Objective To establish the method of thin layer chromatography (TLC) for identification and quantitative determination of Shipi Xiaoshui gel plaster. Methods TLC was adopted to qualitatively identify astragalus radix, plantaginis semen, curcumae rhizome, cinnamomi ramulus, polyporus umbellatus and akebia quinata. UPLC-MS was used to determine the content of astragaloside Ⅳ. Results TLC spots were clear and well-separated; RSDs of precision, reproducibility and stability tests were all lower than 3%, the linear range of astragaloside Ⅳ was 2.75-33 μg/ml (r=0.999 9, n=6), and the average recovery was 100.49% (RSD=1.98%, n=6). Conclusion The established method in this study is accurate, reliable and specific, which could be used for the quality control of Shipi Xiaoshui gel plaster.

Objective:To analyze the anatomical distribution of complex facial injuries (woun-ds ≥8 cm in length and involving two or more anatomical areas) in children, and to explore the effect of plastic and aesthetic surgery.Methods:A total of 157 children with complex facial injury were admitted to the Plastic Surgery Department of Hangzhou Plastic Surgery Hospital from January 2019 to June 2021, including 94 males and 63 females, aged from 2 to 18 years, with an average age of 6.2 years. The wound length was 8-20 cm, with an average length of 10.3 cm. Plastic surgery techniques were used to design different primary repair schemes according to specific wound conditions, and early postoperative scar prevention and treatment were carried out.Results:In 157 cases, 331 anatomical areas were involved, most of which were buccal (75 sites). The injury caused by sharp instruments (glass, ceramic tile, cutting tools, etc.) ranked the first place with 78 cases. All patients were followed up for more than 3 months, and the results showed 146 cases of primary healing, 11 cases of delayed healing, 8 cases of scar hyperplasia, 149 cases of good morphological and functional recovery.Conclusions:The advantages of using plastic and cosmetic surgery techniques to treat complex facial injuries lie in the emphasis on anatomical and functional reduction and tension-reducing suture, combined with a variety of postoperative scar prevention and treatment measures, and the results are satisfactory.

Objective To establish spastic cerebral palsy model of macaque by partial resection of motor cortex and explore its evaluation method.Methods Four individuals of 3-month-old macaques were divided into healthy control group and operation model group according to random number table.Partial resection of the motor cortex was carried out in operation model group,in which precentral gyrus cortex from above the right lateral cerebral fissure to the inter-hemicerebral fissure,together with the posterior-superior frontal gyrus (about 0.3 to 0.5 cm in front of the anterior median sulcus) cortex were removed with the depth of about 0.5 to 0.6 cm.After the operation,the continuous camera shooting was used to record whether left limb motor dysfunction and abnormal posture existed or not.Muscle tension was assessed by manual examination of muscle tone with reference to the modified Ashworth scale.The quantitative indexes of the two groups were detected by using the gross motor and fine motor assessment scale.9.4T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect the brain imaging changes.Results After operation,the macaque in the operation model group immediately showed left hemiparesis,left upper limb abnormal lifting,left lower limb paralysis,left limb claudication,and eating mainly relied on the right side of the body.After 6 weeks of operation,left limb activity of the operation model group was significantly lower than that of the healthy control group,and the gross motor scores and fine motor scores were significantly lower than those of the healthy control group(Friedman test:χ2=33.939,P<0.05;χ2=37.526,P<0.05).The macaque in the operation model group showed some symptoms that abnormal posture mainly tilted to the left for the rest,sitting in a corner of the monkey cage,left arm was put on the cage to maintain postural balance,and movement was left slightly inclined,which had simulated the typical clinical manifestations of human spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.Muscle tension was checked by hand,and the left limb paralysis and muscle tension decreased after operation in the model group,and the left muscle tension increased gradually after 5 weeks,and gradually increased to score 4 points and the score remained 3 after 10 weeks.Brain MRI of 3 weeks postoperatively suggested scar tissue formation after right motor cortex resection,which supported the pathological changes of the hemiplegic cerebral palsy models.Conclusions Through the partial resection of the motor cortex,the model of spastic cerebral palsy was established successfully.The results of behavioral evaluation and MRI showed that the model was consis-tent with spastic hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ASCT2 gene (glutamine transporter) knock-down by shRNA on biological behaviors of colorectal cancer cells.

METHODSshRNA was transfected into colorectal cancer cells Lovo and SW480 to knockdown ASCT2 mediated by Lipofectamine 2000. Reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot were used to examine the mRNA and protein expression of ASCT2. MTT and transwell assay were used to determine the proliferation and invasiveness of Lovo and SW480 cells. Radioactive-tracer was used to detect the uptake of glutamine.

RESULTSASCT2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly down-regulated by shRNA in Lovo and SW480 cells(P<0.01). MTT and transwell assays showed that ASCT2 knock-down could significantly inhibit the proliferation of Lovo and SW480 cells (A490) and decrease the number of invasive Lovo and SW480 cells from the membrane (both P<0.01). The number of membrane Lovo cells in shASCT group and control group was 46.3±5.9 and 197.7±9.1, respectively while the number of membrane SW480 cells in shASCT group and control group was 29.7±3.8 and 139.0±9.5, respectively. Radioactive-tracer showed that shASCT2 transfection could significantly reduce the uptake of glutamine, with an inhibition rate of 79.15% in Lovo and 67.22% in SW480 cells (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSASCT2 plays an oncogenic role in colonic cancer, and its promotion mechanism may be associated with glutamine metabolism. ASCT2 may be a novel therapeutic target of colonic cancer.

Amino Acid Transport System ASC ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; methods ; Glutamine ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Minor Histocompatibility Antigens ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Oncogenes ; drug effects ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the improvement of ischemic hypoxic injury of brain after the transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).Methods Rats were randomly (random number) divided into sham operation group,cardiac arrest group and BMSCs treatment group (n =10 in each group).The model of cardiac arrest was induced by asphyxia.One hour after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC),green fluorescent protein labeled BMSCs were transplanted via tail vein injection.At 3 and 7 days after transplantation,frozen sections of hippocampus was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE).The rest of brain tissue was weighed by an electronic balance.Brain water content (％) was calculated as (wet weight-dry weight) / wet weight × 100％.Results ①BMSCs were observed in hippocampus at 3 and 7 days after transplantation under fluorescent microscopy.②Compared with sham operation group and BMSCs treatment group,brain water content in cardiac arrest group was higher (all P ＜ 0.05).HE staining results showed that BMSCs transplantation could lessen hypoxia ischemia damage on brain.Conclusions BMSCs reduced the neurons damage induced by cardiac arrest and promoted neurological function recovery.