Electromagnetic fields can regulate the fundamental biological processes involved in bone remodeling. As a non-invasive physical therapy, electromagnetic fields with specific parameters have demonstrated therapeutic effects on bone remodeling diseases, such as fractures and osteoporosis. Electromagnetic fields can be generated by the movement of charged particles or induced by varying currents. Based on whether the strength and direction of the electric field change over time, electromagnetic fields can be classified into static and time-varying fields. The treatment of bone remodeling diseases with static magnetic fields primarily focuses on fractures, often using magnetic splints to immobilize the fracture site while studying the effects of static magnetic fields on bone healing. However, there has been relatively little research on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis using static magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields, a type of time-varying field, have been widely used in clinical studies for treating fractures, osteoporosis, and non-union. However, current clinical applications are limited to low-frequency, and research on the relationship between frequency and biological effects remains insufficient. We believe that different types of electromagnetic fields acting on bone can induce various “secondary physical quantities”, such as magnetism, force, electricity, acoustics, and thermal energy, which can stimulate bone cells either individually or simultaneously. Bone cells possess specific electromagnetic properties, and in a static magnetic field, the presence of a magnetic field gradient can exert a certain magnetism on the bone tissue, leading to observable effects. In a time-varying magnetic field, the charged particles within the bone experience varying Lorentz forces, causing vibrations and generating acoustic effects. Additionally, as the frequency of the time-varying field increases, induced currents or potentials can be generated within the bone, leading to electrical effects. When the frequency and power exceed a certain threshold, electromagnetic energy can be converted into thermal energy, producing thermal effects. In summary, external electromagnetic fields with different characteristics can generate multiple physical quantities within biological tissues, such as magnetic, electric, mechanical, acoustic, and thermal effects. These physical quantities may also interact and couple with each other, stimulating the biological tissues in a combined or composite manner, thereby producing biological effects. This understanding is key to elucidating the electromagnetic mechanisms of how electromagnetic fields influence biological tissues. In the study of electromagnetic fields for bone remodeling diseases, attention should be paid to the biological effects of bone remodeling under different electromagnetic wave characteristics. This includes exploring innovative electromagnetic source technologies applicable to bone remodeling, identifying safe and effective electromagnetic field parameters, and combining basic research with technological invention to develop scientifically grounded, advanced key technologies for innovative electromagnetic treatment devices targeting bone remodeling diseases. In conclusion, electromagnetic fields and multiple physical factors have the potential to prevent and treat bone remodeling diseases, and have significant application prospects.

Purpose::Although traditional craniotomy (TC) surgery has failed to show benefits for the functional outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, a minimally invasive hematoma removal plan to avoid white matter fiber damage may be a safer and more feasible surgical approach, which may improve the prognosis of ICH. We conducted a historical cohort study on the use of multimodal image fusion-assisted neuroendoscopic surgery (MINS) for the treatment of ICH, and compared its safety and effectiveness with traditional methods.Methods::This is a historical cohort study involving 241 patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Divided into MINS group and TC group based on surgical methods. Multimodal images (CT skull, CT angiography, and white matter fiber of MRI diffusion-tensor imaging) were fused into 3 dimensional images for preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance of endoscopic hematoma removal in the MINS group. Clinical features, operative efficiency, perioperative complications, and prognoses between 2 groups were compared. Normally distributed data were analyzed using t-test of 2 independent samples, Nonnormally distributed data were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Meanwhile categorical data were analyzed via the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. All statistical tests were two-sided, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results::A total of 42 patients with ICH were enrolled, who underwent TC surgery or MINS. Patients who underwent MINS had shorter operative time ( p < 0.001), less blood loss ( p < 0.001), better hematoma evacuation ( p =0.003), and a shorter stay in the intensive care unit ( p =0.002) than patients who underwent TC. Based on clinical characteristics and analysis of perioperative complications, there is no significant difference between the 2 surgical methods. Modified Rankin scale scores at 180 days were better in the MINS than in the TC group ( p =0.014). Conclusions::Compared with TC for the treatment of ICH, MINS is safer and more efficient in cleaning ICH, which improved the prognosis of the patients. In the future, a larger sample size clinical trial will be needed to evaluate its efficacy.

Objective To explore the difference of various indicators in the growth of transplanted liver cancer in experimental rats with the background of normal liver,fatty liver and liver cirrhosis,and to discuss the difference in the curative effect after TACE.Methods Walker-256 ascites tumor cells were implanted into the rats with normal liver,fatty liver,and cirrhosis liver separately to establish the experimental liver cancer models.TACE treatment was performed for all experimental rats.All the indicators related to tumor growth and the curative effect of TACE were compared among the three groups of rats with different liver backgrounds.Results In terms of the liver volume,there were differences among the three groups,but the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).No statistically significant differences in the preoperative liver functions existed among the three groups,but some indicators of postoperative liver functions in the fatty liver group were significantly higher than those in the cirrhosis group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).No significant differences in microvessel density were observed among the three groups(P＞0.05).However,in the same group statistically significant differences in the above indexes existed between the preoperative values and the preoperative ones(P＜0.05).Conclusion The results of this study indicate that during the growing period of tumor the following three changes can be observed:① There are differences in tumor volume.Cirrhosis may inhibit tumor growth in the early stage,but in the later stage the cachexia of cirrhosis rats may accelerate tumor growth;② There were no significant differences in liver functions between fatty liver and cirrhosis;and ③ There was no significant difference in microvessel density among the rats with different liver backgrounds.However,with the tumor growing,the microvessel density will be slightly increased.After TACE treatment the following three changes can be observed:① There is no significant difference in tumor volume;② Fatty liver rats have more liver function reserve capacity when compared with cirrhotic rats;③ There is no obvious change in microvessel density,although the embolization treatment can stimulate the proliferation of the microvessel.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric effects of different calculation grid size(CGS)in helical tomotherapy(HT)planning system on stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)for non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Nine NSCLC patients receiving radiation therapy for the first time at some hospital from March 2019 to December 2022 were selected as the subjects.SBRT planning was carried out through the HT system with three different CGS plans(Fine,Normal,and Coarse)and the same pitch,modulation factor(MF)and optimization conditions,and the target area indexes of the three CGS plans were compared including conformity index(CI),homogeneity index(HI),dosimetric parameters of the organ at risk(OAR),point dose verification pass rate,treatment time,number of monitor units and Sinograms.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results For target area HI,there weres significant differences between CGS Fine plan and Coarse plan and between CGS Normal plan and Coarse plan(P＜0.05),while no statistical differences were found between CGS Fine plan and Normal plan(P＞0.05).For target area CI,there were significant differences between CGS Fine plan and Coarse plan(P＜0.05),while no statistical differences were found between CGS Fine plan and Normal plan and between CGS Normal plan and Coarse plan(P＞0.05).For OAR dosimetric parameters,CGS Fine plan and Coarse plan had significant differences in heart Dmax and Dmean,esophageal Dmax and Dmean,V5,V20,V30 and Dmean of the whole lung and affected lung,V5 and Dmax of the affected lung and heart V10 and V30(P＜0.05),CGS Normal plan and Coarse plan had obvious differences in esophageal Dmax(P＜0.05),and the remained dosimetric parameters were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Fine,Normal and Coarse plans had the point dose verifica-tion pass rates being 0.96％,1.50％and 1.77％,respectively.In terms of treatment time and number of monitor units,there were significant differences between Fine plan and Coarse plan(P＜0.05)while no statistical differences were found between Fine and Normal plans and between Normal and Coarse plans(P＞0.05).Sinograms analyses showed Fine plan had evenly distributed segment color gradient,Coarse plan had areas of very dark and very light color gradients and Normal plan was somewhere in between.Conclusion Low CGS has to be used as much as possible to obtain accurate dose distribution during SBRT planning for NSCLC patients,which contributes to the execution of the radiation therapy plan and the prevention of ad-verse effects.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(2):52-57]

Objective To investigate the radiotherapy dose impacts of different jaw widths on stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with the hilical tomotherapy(HT)planning system.Methods Totally 16 HCC patients who received radiotherapy at some hospital from March 2021 to August 2023 were selected,and the planning was carried out with the same pitch,modulation factors and optimization conditions and the jaw widths being 1.0,2.5 and 5.0 cm.The dosimetric differences due to the jaw widths in planned targets and organs at risk(OAR)were compared,and the planned treatment time,monitor unit,gantry rotations and gantry period were evaluated.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results Better dosimetric parameters and lower doses to OARs could be got with lower jaw widths.The widened jaw widths resulted in reduced planned treatment time,decreased monitor units and gantry rotations,shortened gantry period while enhanced treatment efficiency.Conclusion A 2.5 cm jaw width for HT planning contributes to improving treatment efficiency during HCC SBRT under the premise of ensured target dose distribution and satisfactory dose to OAR for clinical require-ments.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(7):51-55]

Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)alkylation plays a central role in anti-inflammatory therapy.However,activators of Nrf2 through alkylation of Keap1-Kelch domain have not been identified.Deoxynyboquinone(DNQ)is a natural small molecule discovered from marine actinomycetes.The current study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of DNQ via alkylation of Keap1.DNQ exhibited signif-icant anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo.The pharmacophore responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of DNQ was determined to be the α,β-unsaturated amides moieties by a chemical reaction between DNQ and N-acetylcysteine.DNQ exerted anti-inflammatory effects through activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.Keap1 was demonstrated to be the direct target of DNQ and bound with DNQ through conjugate addition reaction involving alkylation.The specific alkylation site of DNQ on Keap1 for Nrf2 activation was elucidated with a synthesized probe in conjunction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.DNQ triggered the ubiquitination and subsequent degra-dation of Keap1 by alkylation of the cysteine residue 489(Cys489)on Keap1-Kelch domain,ultimately enabling the activation of Nrf2.Our findings revealed that DNQ exhibited potent anti-inflammatory capacity through α,β-unsaturated amides moieties active group which specifically activated Nrf2 signal pathway via alkylation/ubiquitination of Keap1-Kelch domain,suggesting the potential values of targeting Cys489 on Keap1-Kelch domain by DNQ-like small molecules in inflammatory therapies.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2.1(PI-RADS v2.1)for clinically significant prostate cancer(CSPCa)in the peripheral zone(PZ),transitional zone(TZ)and multiple zones(MZs).Methods:We retrospectively studied the clinical data on 108 patients undergoing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mpMRI)and transperineal prostate biopsy in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2023.Using PI-RADS v2.1,we ex-amined the MR images of the patients with suspected PCa,compared the PI-RADS v2.1 scores with the results of prostate biopsy,and analyzed the correlation of the PI-RADS v2.1 scores with CSPCa.We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),and described the diagnostic performance of PI-RADS v2.1 for CSPCa in the PZ,TZ and MZs.Results:Transperineal prostate puncture biopsy was successfully completed in all the patients,which revealed 66(61.11％)cases of CSPCa with Gleason score(GS)7-10.Suspected CSPCa was observed in 45(95.74％)of the 47 PZ lesions,8(47.06％)of the 17 TZ le-sions,and 40(90.91％)of the 44 MZ lesions.The PZ,TZ and MZ lesions diagnosed by PI-RADS v2.1 were significantly correlated with CSPCa(r=0.492,P＜0.001).The AUCs of PI-RADS v2.1 for PZ,TZ and MZs were 0.644,0.732 and 0.811,with specificities of 66.8％,57.6％and 62.1％,and sensitivities of 57.2％,78.4％and 93.2％,respectively.The negative predictive values were 46.5％,85.7％and 79.2％,and the positive predictive values 76.2％,43.4％and 84.8％,respectively.Conclusion:The PI-RADS v2.1 score has a high diagnostic value for CSPCa in the PZ,TZ and MZs,with the best performance for that in the MZs.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for determining the concentrations of costunolide(CO), piperine(PI), agarotetrol(AG), glycyrrhizic acid(GL), vanillic acid(VA), and glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) in rat plasma. This method was then applied to the toxicokinetic study of these six compounds in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia(CCI) following multiple oral doses of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills. Finally, the effects of continuous multiple-dose administration of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills on the liver of CCI rats were investigated. The results showed that after oral administration of different doses of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills, the in vivo exposure of AG, VA, and GA was relatively high, with AUC_(0-∞) values ranging from 604.0-2 494.2, 1 305.4-4 634.5, and 2 177.5-4 045.7 h·ng·mL~(-1), respectively, while the exposure of CO, PI, and GL was relatively low, with AUC_(0-∞) values ranging from 37.8-238.2, 2.4-17.0, and 146.9-408.5 h·ng·mL~(-1), respectively. The C_(max) and AUC_(0-∞) of the six compounds were positively correlated with the administered dose. The T_(max) of PI and AG ranged from 0.3 to 2.0 h, their T_(1/2) ranged from 0.8 to 2.9 h, and their mean residence time(MRT) ranged from 1.0 to 3.7 h. The T_(max) of GL and VA was shorter(0.4-1.9 h), while their T_(1/2)(2.6-5.9 h) and MRT(2.5-8.5 h) were longer. Both CO and GA exhibited a bimodal phenomenon, with T_(max) ranging from 1.6 to 6.6 h, T_(1/2) ranging from 2.8 to 7.7 h, and MRT ranging from 4.1 to 12.9 h. Liver histopathology after 28 days of continuous multiple-dose administration of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills showed that the liver tissue remained normal at a low dose(crude drug 0.8 g·kg~(-1), approximately 5 times the clinical equivalent dose). However, as the dose increased(crude drug 1.1-3.0 g·kg~(-1), 6.9-18.8 times the clinical equivalent dose), varying degrees of liver damage were observed. Blood biochemical tests revealed no significant changes in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and total bile acid(TBA) in CCI rats from administration groups 1 to 3(crude drug 0.8, 1.1, 1.5 g·kg~(-1)). However, ALT, AST, ALP, and TBA levels in groups 4 and 5(crude drug 2.1, 3.0 g·kg~(-1)) showed significant increases. This study preliminarily elucidated the toxicokinetic characteristics of the six compounds in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills and their effects on liver tissue in CCI rats, providing data as a reference for clinical use.
Animals ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/toxicity* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Brain Ischemia/blood* ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods* ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides/blood* ; Piperidines/toxicity* ; Benzodioxoles/toxicity* ; Alkaloids/blood* ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) is a combined injury involving the central and peripheral nervous systems. Patients with BPA often experience severe neuropathic pain (NP) in the affected limb. NP is insensitive to the existing treatments, which makes it a challenge to researchers and clinicians. Accumulated evidence shows that a BPA-induced pain state is often accompanied by sympathetic nervous dysfunction, which suggests that the excitation state of the sympathetic nervous system is correlated with the existence of NP. However, the mechanism of how somatosensory neural crosstalk with the sympathetic nerve at the peripheral level remains unclear. In this study, through using a novel BPA C7 root avulsion mouse model, we found that the expression of BDNF and its receptor TrκB in the DRGs of the BPA mice increased, and the markers of sympathetic nervous system activity including α1 and α2 adrenergic receptors (α1-AR and α2-AR) also increased after BPA. The phenomenon of superexcitation of the sympathetic nervous system, including hypothermia and edema of the affected extremity, was also observed in BPA mice by using CatWalk gait analysis, an infrared thermometer, and an edema evaluation. Genetic knockdown of BDNF in DRGs not only reversed the mechanical allodynia but also alleviated the hypothermia and edema of the affected extremity in BPA mice. Further, intraperitoneal injection of adrenergic receptor inhibitors decreased neuronal excitability in patch clamp recording and reversed the mechanical allodynia of BPA mice. In another branch experiment, we also found the elevated expression of BDNF, TrκB, TH, α1-AR, and α2-AR in DRG tissues from BPA patients compared with normal human DRGs through western blot and immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed that peripheral BDNF is a key molecule in the regulation of somatosensory-sympathetic coupling in BPA-induced NP. This study also opens a novel analgesic target (BDNF) in the treatment of this pain with fewer complications, which has great potential for clinical transformation.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Hypothermia/metabolism* ; Neuralgia ; Brachial Plexus/injuries* ; Edema/metabolism*

Objective:colorectal cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in the gas-trointestinal tract.Oxaliplatin is the first-line drug for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer,but drug resistance often occurs.The mechanism of CXCR4 in oxaliplatin resistance of colon cancer is not clear.This study intends to explore the mechanism of CXCR4 mediated oxaliplatin resistance and the potential therapeutic value of CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100.Methods:oxaliplatin resistant strains HCT116 were constructed.The expression of CXCR4 and the phosphorylation level of PI3K-Akt signal pathway were detected by Q-PCR and Western blot.The phosphorylation level of PI3K-Akt signal pathway was detected by Q-PCR and Western blot.The effect of AMD3100 an-tagonizing CXCR4 or combined application of Akt inhibitor LY294002 on oxaliplatin resistance of drug-resistant cells was detected by CCK8.Results:CCK-8 was used to detect the proliferation activity of Oxaliplatin in HCT116 drug resistant group compared with control cells in the absence of drugs and at different concentrations.The results showed that there was no significant change in the activity of the resistant strains,while the control cells showed a significant decrease.Q-PCR and Western blot showed that the expression of CXCR4 and the phosphorylation level of PI3K-Akt increased significantly in the drug-resistant group(P＜0.05).After administration of CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100,CXCR4 expression and PI3K-Akt phosphorylation decreased significantly(P＜0.05).AMD3100 enhanced the sensitivity of drug-resistant cell lines to oxaliplatin.The combination of AMD3100 and Akt inhibitor LY294002 can further enhance the sensitivity of drug-resistant cell lines to oxaliplatin.Conclusion:CXCR4 mediated activation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway plays an important role in the resistance of colon cancer to oxaliplatin.AMD3100 may become a potential therapeutic drug against chemoresistance of colon cancer.