Ephedra can improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a main active ingredients of ephedra. It has anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties. Its effect on COPD and its possible mechanism have not been elucidated. The COPD rat model was constructed by systemic cigarette smoke exposure combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tracheal instillation. BEAS-2B cells were treated using cigarette smoke extract; PSE was administered for treatment. The senescence level of rat lung tissue and bronchial epithelial cells was evaluated through staining, immunofluorescence and western blot.The mitochondrial damage of rats and BEAS-2B cells was detected by transmission electron microscopy, JC-1 probe, MitoSOX Red probe and kits. In addition, the lung function indexes of rats were detected by animal lung function analysis system. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining analyzed the pathological damage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), kit and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate inflammation and oxidative stress. Western blot detected phosphoinositide 3-kinase/ protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) axis protein. PSE significantly reduced senescent cells, apoptosis rate and P21 level in rat lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells, significantly increased the levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), restored mitochondrial structure, and visible mitochondrial cristae. It also inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial excessive fission. PSE also significantly improved lung function in rats, increased mean alveolar number (MAN), reduced pro-inflammatory factors, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. PSE markedly suppressed p-p85, p-AKT and p-mTOR protein expressions. In addition, the PI3K/AKT agonist 740Y-P weakened the effect of PSE on improving COPD. PSE inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, improved lung tissue senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction and pathological damage, and reduced airway inflammation and oxidative stress damage, thereby alleviating COPD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of digital three-dimensional (3D) assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the treatment of highly isolated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with translaminar approach. METHODS: The clinical data of 59 patients who met the selection criteria and underwent UBE treatment due to highly isolated LDH between January 2022 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 cases were treated with digital 3D assisted translaminar approach (observation group) and 34 cases were treated with interlaminar approach (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, surgical segment, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and lateral articular surface preservation rate were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score and ODI were used to evaluate the improvements of pain and function before operation and at 3 and 6 months after operation. The modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness at last follow-up. RESULTS: One patient in the control group had dural tear, and the other patients had no nerve injury, infection, dural tear, or other related complications. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-13 months, with an average of 8.3 months. The lateral articular surface preservation rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). Three patients in the observation group and 2 patients in the control group had calf muscle venous thrombosis, which was cured after anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban and delayed exercise time. There was no recurrence or second operation during the follow-up period. The VAS score and ODI of the two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria, and there was no significant difference in the evaluation grade and excellent and good rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUTION UBE via translaminar approach is safe and effective for the treatment of highly isolated LDH, which is beneficial to protect the facet joint, maintain spinal stability, and reduce soft tissue injury. With the assistance of digital 3D technique, preoperative planning can be performed accurately.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Operative Time ; Pain Measurement

Objective This study aims to investigate the expression, phenotypic changes, and mechanisms of action of guanylate-binding protein 2 (GBP2) in the process of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods The expression and localization of GBP2 in silicotic lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence. An in vitro cell model was constructed, and methods such as Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerasechain reaction were utilized to investigate the function of GBP2 in different cell lines following silica stimulation. The mechanism of action of GBP2 in various cell lines was elucidated using Western blot analysis. Results GBP2 was highly expressed in the lung tissue of patients with silicosis. Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence have revealed that GBP2 was localized in macrophages and epithelial cells. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that silicon dioxide stimulated THP-1 cells to activate the c-Jun pathway through GBP2, promoting the secretion of inflammatory factors and facilitating the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization. In epithelial cells, GBP2 promoted the occurrence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating Krueppel-like factor 8 (KLF8). Conclusion GBP2 not only activates c-Jun in macrophages to promote the production of inflammatory factors and the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization, but also activates the transcription factor KLF8 in epithelial cells to induce EMT, collectively promoting the progression of silicosis.
Humans ; Silicosis/genetics* ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Disease Progression ; Cell Line ; Male

In modern society, sugary foods have become an integral part of many people′s lives. However, excessive sugar consumption has adverse effects on both overall health and oral health, serving as a contributing factor to the global increasing incidence in oral diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, obesity, and diabetes. In response to the health risks related to high-sugar diets, the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Dental Federation (FDI) have proposed initiatives and recommendations, with various governments implementing different policies and strategies to reduce sugar intake. Chinese government has also taken proactive measures. The "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)" initiative introduced by the State Council in 2019 established a crucial benchmark in limiting the average daily intake of added sugar to 25 g per person forward to 2030. Experts from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the field of oral health have meticulously examined the impacts of sugar reduction on oral health, as well as strategies, methods, and practical considerations related to reducing sugar intake through several meeting and wrote the "Expert consensus: reducing free-sugar for caries prevention", which was subsequently reviewed and revised based on the feedback from multiple stakeholders. They have conducted thorough analyses of global trends in sugar reduction and best practices to provide valuable insights to China for crafting effective policies and strategies on sugar reduction. This consensus mainly includes the classification of free sugars, the latest scientific evidence on dental caries, recommendations from WHO on sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, nutrition labeling, advertising, food reform, adjusting supply systems, education, and promotion strategies, as well as sugar reduction actions taken by various governments around the world. Combining the actual situation in China, policy recommendations and authoritative popular science knowledge on sugar reduction for caries prevention to public are proposed to advocate for experts in multiple fields to focus on sugar reduction for caries prevention, promote the work process, and provide the scientific basis for oral health educators.

Objective To explore the relationship between triglyceride-glucose index(TyG)and acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)of anterior circulation.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with anterior circulation AIS-LVO who underwent emergency endovascular thrombectomy at Neurovascular Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from Jan.2018 to Dec.2019.According to modified Rankin scale(mRS)score 90 d after operation,the patients were assigned to favorable outcome group(mRS score 0-2)or unfavorable outcome group(mRS score 3-6),and the TyG was compared.According to the median of TyG,the patients were assigned to low-TyG group(TyG＜8.57)or high-TyG group(TyG ≥8.57),and the clinical data,laboratory indexes,and imaging characteristics were compared.Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of TyG for poor prognosis.Results A total of 135 patients were enrolled,with 72 in the favorable outcome group and 63 in the unfavorable outcome group.The TyG of the unfavorable outcome group was significantly higher than that of the favorable outcome group(8.82+0.63 vs 8.43+0.60,P＜0.001).There were 67 patients in the low-TyG group and 68 in the high-TyG group.Compared with the low-TyG group,the proportion of patients with hyperlipidemia history(P=0.003),systolic blood pressure at admission(P=0.018),fasting blood glucose level(P＜0.001),and triglyceride level(P＜0.001)were significantly higher in the high-TyG group,the infarct core volume was significantly larger(P=0.025),the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was significantly lower(P=0.013),and the mRS score 90 d after operation was significantly higher(3[1,5]vs 1[0,5],P=0.049).The TyG had certain predictive value for poor prognosis in anterior circulation AIS-LVO patients(area under curve value=0.662,95％confidence interval 0.571-0.753).Conclusion TyG is elevated in anterior circulation AIS-LVO patients with poor prognosis,and may be a potential prognostic indicator for anterior circulation AIS-LVO patients.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)levels on the outcome of spinal cord electrical stimulation(SCS)in patients with postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods A total of 96 PHN patients who received SCS treatment in Ziy-ang Central Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected.According to the disease outcomes of all PHN patients after 6 months of treatment,a good group(n=71)and a poor group(n=25)were set up.The clinical data of the two groups were collected and the serum VIP and 5-HT levels were detected in all pa-tients before treatment.The predictive value of serum VIP and 5-HT on disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was explored by multivariate Logistic steppe gression a-nalysis.Results The levels of serum VIP and 5-HT in poor group were higher than those in good group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum VIP and 5-HT for predicting the disease outcome of PHN patients after SCS treatment were 0.829(95％CI:0.779-0.874)and 0.743(95％CI:0.693-0.793),respec-tively,and the AUC of combined prediction was 0.941(0.891-0.986).There were no significant differences in age,gender,body moss index,education,location of onset,hypertension and drinking history between the two groups(P＞0.05).The time of initial hospital admission in the poor group was longer than that in the good group,skin rash area in the poor group was larger than that in the good group,and diabetes mellitus and smoking history in the poor group were higher than those in the good group(P＜0.05).The time of admis-sion for initial treatment＞3 d(OR=2.188,95％CI:1.383-3.461),skin rash area＞10 cm2(OR=2.018,95％CI:1.283-3.173),diabetes mellitus(OR=2.264,95％CI:1.379-3.717),serum VIP level ≥41.78 ng/L(OR=3.022,95％CI:1.685-5.420),serum 5-HT level ≥99.27 ng/mL(OR=3.579,95％CI:1.885-6.793)were the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients(P＜0.05).Con-clusion The elevated levels of serum VIP and 5-HT before treatment are associated with poor outcomes after SCS in patients with PHN,and could be used as potential markers to predict the outcomes of SCS in patients with PHN.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by using the method of two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Methods:Genetic variation data for NHL came from the Finnish database (FinnGen) Consortium 2021 public genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset including 1 088 patients with NHL and 299 952 control subjects. The GWAS dataset for chronic HBV infection was derived from GWAS analysis published in 2021, including 145 NHL patients and 351 740 control subjects. NHL was used as an exposure factor, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) significantly associated with NHL was used as an instrumental variable (IV), chronic HBV infection was used as an outcome variable. The two-sample MR analysis was performed by using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. Chronic HBV infection was taken as an exposure factor, SNP significantly associated with chronic HBV infection was taken as IV, and NHL was taken as outcome variable, and then reverse two-sample MR analysis was performed. The IVW method used the inverse variance of each IV as the weight to fit, and the ratio method was used to measure SNP one by one and make weighted regression analysis, so as to obtain the overall estimate. MR-Egger regression and the weighted median (WME) method were also used to supplement the IVW method. In sensitivity analysis, leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the impact of a single SNP. Cochran Q test was used to analyze the heterogeneity of the selected IV. MR-Egger regression was used to measure the average horizontal pleiotropy of IV, and the P-value of directivity was calculated. The MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) Global Test was used to exclude possible horizontal pleiotropic outliers and reduce bias. Results:In the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, SNP with significant effects on causal associations was excluded. In forward MR analysis, IVs were 10 SNPs associated with NHL; the IVW method indicated that there was no causal association between NHL and chronic HBV infection ( OR = 0.979, 95% CI: 0.925-1.036, P = 0.465). MR-Egger regression ( OR = 0.992, 95% CI: 0.926-1.062, P = 0.825) and WME method ( OR = 0.992, 95% CI: 0.934-1.055, P = 0.805) were used as supplementary methods to obtain the consistent results. In sensitivity analysis, Cochran Q test showed no heterogeneity among IVs (IVW method: P = 0.271, MR-Egger regression: P = 0.239). Horizontal pleiotropy was not found in the MR-Egger regression (intercept was -0.01, P = 0.778) and the MR-PRESSO Global Test ( P > 0.05), suggesting robust results. In the reverse MR analysis, IVs were 8 SNPs associated with NHL; the IVW method ( OR = 1.117, 95% CI: 0.942-1.324, P = 0.202) also found no significant causal relationship between chronic HBV infection and NHL; MR-Egger regression ( OR = 0.777, 95% CI: 0.450-1.343, P = 0.401) and WME method ( OR = 1.120, 95% CI: 0.887-1.415, P = 0.351) also showed similar risk estimates. Sensitivity analysis also suggested the consistency and reliability of the results. Cochran Q test showed no heterogeneity among IVs (IVW method: P = 0.775, MR-Egger regression: P = 0.903). Horizontal pleiotropy was not found by MR-Egger regression (intercept was 0.102, P = 0.548) and MR-PRESSO Global Test ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:MR analysis suggests no causal relationship between NHL and chronic HBV infection.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) assisted bilateral decompression in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side.Methods:A total of 20 patients with lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side treated with UBE from January 2022 to January 2024 in the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 11 females, aged 50.4±14.0 years (range, 23-72 years). The intervertebral disc herniation level included L 3-4 in 1 case, L 4-5 in 15 cases, and L 5S 1 in 4 cases. There were 10 cases on the left side and 10 cases on the right side. The duration of symptoms was 24.1±33.7 months (range, 1-120 months). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate postoperative pain relief and functional recovery. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time was 90.3±24.6 min (range, 55-134 mins). The VAS scores of patients at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 3.6±0.9, 2.2±0.7, 1.2±0.5 and 1.0±0.6, respectively, which were lower than those before operation (6.4±0.8), and the differences were statistically significant ( F=668.728, P<0.001). The ODI at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 34.2%±4.7%, 28.7%±2.8%, 24.3%±2.1% and 20.5%±2.0%, respectively, which were lower than 69.4%±5.2% before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=515.578, P<0.001). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Among 20 patients, 18 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and 1 case was fair. All patients were followed up for 9.1±2.1 months (range, 6-14 months). One patient had a dural tear during the operation, but the range was small and there was no defect, and no further treatment was performed. Numbness of the lower limbs occurred 1 day after operation, and the symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. There was no recurrence of lower limb symptoms, lumbar instability, intervertebral space infection or other complications at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Bilateral decompression with UBE is effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side, which can improve the lumbar pain and function of patients.

Purpose This study aims to explore the effect of peroxisomal membrane protein 4(PXMP4)on the migration and invasion of cervical cancer(CC)cells,as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)process.Methods Bioinformatics and immunohistochemical analysis were employed to examine the expression of PXMP4 in CC tissues and its correlation with clinical pathological characteristics.Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of PXMP4 in CC cells.CCK-8 assay,scratch healing assay,and Transwell invasion assay were utilized to assess the proliferation,migration,and invasion capabilities of CC cells.Western blot was conducted to measure the expression of N-cadherin,E-cadherin,vimentin,phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK),and total ERK proteins in cervical CC.Results The TCGA database showed that the mRNA expression level of PXMP4 was significantly elevated in non-paired CC tissues(P=0.000 29),while the GEO database showed that the mRNA expression level of PXMP4 was sig-nificantly elevated in paired CC tissues(P=0.02).Immunohistochemical analysis showed that PXMP4 was primarily localized in the cytoplasm and cell membrane,with a positive rate of 70.31％(45/64)in CC tissues,significantly higher than 29.69％(19/64)in adjacent tissues.Clinical pathological analysis found that PXMP4 expression was as-sociated with maximum tumor differentiation(P=0.000 328)and lymph node metastasis(P=0.000 226),but not with age(P=0.637)or tumor diameter(P=0.304).CCK-8 assay,wound healing assay,and Transwell invasion as-say demonstrated that interference with PXMP4 inhibited the proliferation,invasion,and migration of CC cells,while overexpression of PXMP4 promoted these processes.Western blot results indicated that interference with PXMP4 signif-icantly increased E-cadherin expression and decreased N-cadherin,vimentin,and p-ERK expression(P＜0.05).Conversely,overexpression of PXMP4 led to a significant decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in N-cadherin,vim-entin,and p-ERK expression(P＜0.05).Additionally,stimulation of CC cells with different concentrations of the U0126 inhibitor significantly increased E-cadherin expression and decreased N-cadherin,vimentin,and p-ERK expres-sion(P＜0.05).Conclusion PXMP4 is highly expressed in CC tissues and is closely related to tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis.PXMP4 promotes the EMT process of CC cells through the phosphorylated ERK1/2 signa-ling pathway.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) assisted bilateral decompression in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side.Methods:A total of 20 patients with lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side treated with UBE from January 2022 to January 2024 in the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 11 females, aged 50.4±14.0 years (range, 23-72 years). The intervertebral disc herniation level included L 3-4 in 1 case, L 4-5 in 15 cases, and L 5S 1 in 4 cases. There were 10 cases on the left side and 10 cases on the right side. The duration of symptoms was 24.1±33.7 months (range, 1-120 months). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate postoperative pain relief and functional recovery. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time was 90.3±24.6 min (range, 55-134 mins). The VAS scores of patients at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 3.6±0.9, 2.2±0.7, 1.2±0.5 and 1.0±0.6, respectively, which were lower than those before operation (6.4±0.8), and the differences were statistically significant ( F=668.728, P<0.001). The ODI at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 34.2%±4.7%, 28.7%±2.8%, 24.3%±2.1% and 20.5%±2.0%, respectively, which were lower than 69.4%±5.2% before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=515.578, P<0.001). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Among 20 patients, 18 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and 1 case was fair. All patients were followed up for 9.1±2.1 months (range, 6-14 months). One patient had a dural tear during the operation, but the range was small and there was no defect, and no further treatment was performed. Numbness of the lower limbs occurred 1 day after operation, and the symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. There was no recurrence of lower limb symptoms, lumbar instability, intervertebral space infection or other complications at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Bilateral decompression with UBE is effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side, which can improve the lumbar pain and function of patients.