Objective:To summarize the use of Castor stent graft in aortic diseases and to analyze their efficacy.Methods:The clinical data of patients with aortic diseases treated with Castor stent graft from November 2017 to August 2022 in Fujian Provincial Hospital were collected and divided into branched stent group and branched stent co-operative group according to the operation method, and the clinical data of both groups were summarized.Results:A total of 75 cases of aortic disease were treated with Castor stents, and finally 53 cases were classified as branched stent group and 22 cases as branched stent co-operative group. The operations in both groups were successful. The median operative time in the branched stent group was 120(100, 160)min, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 7.0(5.5, 10.5)days.There was no postoperative ischemic stroke, no spinal cord ischemia. One case of new aortic dissection occurred. During follow-up, there was one lost case and two deaths, and the rest did not have endoleak, branch stent stenosis, ischemic stroke or re-intervention. In the branched stent co-operative group, there was one postoperative ischemic stroke, one case of slight stenosis of the left subclavian artery stent during follow-up, the remaining cases had satisfactory postoperative outcomes.Conclusion:Castor stent graft is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of aortic diseases. And Castor stent graft can be used in combination with other endovascular repair techniques in the treatment of complex aortic diseases, with safe and reliable postoperative outcomes.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Although most patients have a favorable prognosis following standardized treatment,a subset experiences rapid disease progression and poor outcomes. Recent studies have identified N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation as the most prevalent RNA modification,which regulates RNA transcription,maturation,degradation,and stability,playing a role throughout the tumorigenesis process. Consequently,m6A methylation has been extensively studied in tumor treatment and prevention. Changes in m6A levels can lead to abnormal activation or inhibition of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in TC,thereby contributing to its initiation and progression. This review summarizes the concept of m6A methylation,the components and functions of its regulatory factors,its role in the development and progression of TC,and its implications for treatment and prognosis.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Although most patients have a favorable prognosis following standardized treatment,a subset experiences rapid disease progression and poor outcomes. Recent studies have identified N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation as the most prevalent RNA modification,which regulates RNA transcription,maturation,degradation,and stability,playing a role throughout the tumorigenesis process. Consequently,m6A methylation has been extensively studied in tumor treatment and prevention. Changes in m6A levels can lead to abnormal activation or inhibition of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in TC,thereby contributing to its initiation and progression. This review summarizes the concept of m6A methylation,the components and functions of its regulatory factors,its role in the development and progression of TC,and its implications for treatment and prognosis.

ObjectiveTo determine the mechanism of Yitangkang in correcting excessive apoptosis of skeletal muscle cells to improve insulin resistance （IR） by inhibiting the advanced glycation end product （AGE）/receptor for the advanced glycation end product （RAGE） signaling pathway. Method① In vitro experiments. Yitangkang-medicated serum was prepared. C2C12 cells were divided into a blank group， a model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose Yitangkang-medicated serum groups （40， 20， and 10 g·kg^-1）， and a RAGE inhibitor group. The IR model was induced by palmitic acid in C2C12 cells except for those in the blank group. After the corresponding intervention methods were conducted，the cell viability and glucose consumption level of each group were determined. In addition，the apoptosis rate was determined using flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the important apoptotic proteins ［B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， p53， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-9 （Caspase-9）］ were determined using Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ② In vivo experiments. Ninety-six eligible Wistar rats were divided into a blank group， a model group， high-，medium-，and low-dose Yitangkang groups （40， 20， and 10 g·kg^-1）， and a western medicine group （pioglitazone hydrochloride，1.35 mg·kg^-1）. The IR model was induced using high-glucose and high-fat feed for diabetes combined with intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin （STZ） in animals and verified by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp （HEC） test. After the model was determined successfully， the rats in each group were given intragastric administration of drugs as required. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay was performed to determine the number of positive apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle tissues of rats in each group，while Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of the important apoptotic proteins Bcl-2， Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9. Result① In vitro experiments. compared with the blank group， the model groups showed increased apoptosis rate of C2C12 cells and decreased cell viability and glucose consumption （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yitangkang-medicated serum groups and the RAGE inhibitor group showed decreased apoptosis rate of C2C12 cells and increased cell viability and glucose consumption （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in C2C12 cells and increased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yitangkang-medicated serum groups and the RAGE inhibitor group showed increased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in C2C12 cells （P<0.01） and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ② In vivo experiments. The number of positive apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle tissues of rats in the model group significantly increased as compared with that in the blank group （P<0.01）. The number of positive apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle tissues of rats in the Yitangkang groups and the western medicine group decreased as compared with that in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle tissues of rats and increased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yitangkang groups and the western medicine group showed increased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle tissues of rats （P<0.01） and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The medium-dose Yitangkang showed a similar effect as RAGE inhibitor， and the effect was equivalent to that of pioglitazone hydrochloride. ConclusionYitangkang can inhibit skeletal muscle cell apoptosis by inhibiting the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yuejuwan in the treatment of psychological and heart diseases （PHD） and explore its mechanism. MethodThirty 6-week-old healthy male SPF AopE^-/- mice and 10 homologous C57BL/6J mice were selected for the experiment. The 30 AopE^-/- mice were divided into a model group， low-dose （7.58 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and high-dose （30.32 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Yuejuwan groups， with 10 mice in each group， and 10 C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the blank control group. Intragastrical administration lasted 12 weeks. During feeding， the PHD model was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） combined with high-fat diet in mice. After intragastric administration， the behavioral results ［open field test （OFT） and sucrose preference test （SPT）］ of mice in each group， the content of aspartic transaminase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， noradrenaline （NE）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， total cholesterol （TC）， and triglyceride （TG） in serum of mice detected by the automatic biochemical analyzer， the oil red O staining and HE staining of aorta and liver and Masson staining of myocardial tissues were used for model evaluation. Finally， liver TMT-labeled quantitative proteomics was used to explore the mechanism of action. ResultThe model mice showed obvious manifestations of depression， anxiety， loss of interest， and despair， manifest lipid deposition in the aorta and liver by pathological observation， and increased myocardial fibrosis in myocardial tissues. After intragastric administration of Yuejuwan， the above symptoms and indexes of the PHD model mice were improved. Compared with the blank control group， the model group showed decreased standing times， cumulative time in the central area， total moving distance， moving speed， and sucrose preference at week 12 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yuejuwan groups showed decreased indexes mentioned above （P<0.01）. After sample collection， AST， ALT， and TG levels in the model group were higher （P<0.01） and the levels of 5-HT， NE， and HDL-C were lower than those in the blank control group （P<0.01）. The results of liver TMT labeled quantitative proteomics suggested that the PHD model mainly caused the changes in protein expression levels such as ApoE， UGT1A5， and FASN in mice，involving acetyl CoA metabolism，response to bacteria，cellular amino acid catabolism， and other processes，which were related to the abnormal metabolic function of the liver. The efficacy of Yuejuwan against PHD was achieved mainly through the regulation of high mobility group nucleosomal-binding domain 2 （HMGN2）， CALD1， and Mup7 protein expression levels and correcting the biological processes and abnormal pathways related to the pathogenesis of PHD，including muscle contraction，tight junction pathway，myocardial contraction pathway，and focal adhesion pathway. ConclusionCUMS combined with high-fat diet is reasonable in the induction of the PHD model in AopE^-/- mice. Yuejuwan can correct the depression and anxiety conditions of PHD model mice，reduce the aortic plaque， and recover the abnormal blood lipid and liver function levels. Furthermore， Yuejuwan can correct abnormal biological processes and pathways of PHD model mice. The differential proteins screened throughout the experiment and the involved physiological and pathological changes are the focus of the next experiment.

ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effects of oral Chinese medicines （including Chinese patent medicines） on coronary artery disease （CAD） by the Bayesian network Meta-analysis. MethodThe randomized controlled trials of treating CAD with oral Chinese medicines were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang Data， VIP， PubMed， Web of Science， Embase， and Cochrane Library from the inception to December 1， 2022. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included articles. The direct meta-analysis was performed to compare the performance of oral Chinese medicines alone and in combination with Western medicine in the treatment of CAD in terms of intima-media thickness （IMT）， vascular endothelial function， plaque score， hypersensitive C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and total response rate. Furthermore， the Bayesian network Meta-analysis was performed to compare the therapeutic effects of different Chinese medicines. ResultA total of 41 articles were included. The direct meta-analysis results showed that Chinese medicines combined with Western medicine outperformed Western medicine alone in recovering all the indicators of CAD. The Bayesian network meta-analysis yielded the following results. In terms of the total response rate， modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang and Sanqi Huayu pills had obvious advantages over other Chinese medicines. In terms of IMT and plaque score， Xiaoban Huazhuo decoction， Yiqi Tongluo formula， Ruangan Jiangzhi capsules， and Guanxin Shutong capsules had obvious advantages over other Chinese medicines. In terms of blood lipid indicators， Shenqi Roumai mixture， Ruangan Jiangzhi capsules， Xiaoban Huazhuo decoction， Qiwei Sanxiong decoction， and Sanqi Huayu pills were superior to other Chinese medicines. The Chinese medicines above mainly had the functions of activating blood， resolving stasis， resolving phlegm， and dredging vessels. ConclusionThe combination of oral Chinese medicines and Western medicine is effective in treating CAD. Clinicians can use the drugs targeting abnormal indicators according to the results of this Bayesian network meta-analysis combined with the actual situation of patients to achieve better therapeutic effects.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients who are positive for hormone receptor typically exhibit a favorable prognosis. It is controversial whether chemotherapy is necessary for them after surgery. Our study aimed to establish a multigene model to predict the relapse of hormone receptor-positive early-stage Chinese breast cancer after surgery and direct individualized application of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients after surgery. METHODS: In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between relapse and nonrelapse breast cancer groups based on RNA sequencing. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify potential relapse-relevant pathways. CIBERSORT and Microenvironment Cell Populations-counter algorithms were used to analyze immune infiltration. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, log-rank tests, and multiple Cox regression were performed to identify prognostic signatures. A predictive model was developed and validated based on Kaplan-Meier analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: A total of 234 out of 487 patients were enrolled in this study, and 1588 DEGs were identified between the relapse and nonrelapse groups. GSEA results showed that immune-related pathways were enriched in the nonrelapse group, whereas cell cycle- and metabolism-relevant pathways were enriched in the relapse group. A predictive model was developed using three genes ( CKMT1B , SMR3B , and OR11M1P ) generated from the LASSO regression. The model stratified breast cancer patients into high- and low-risk subgroups with significantly different prognostic statuses, and our model was independent of other clinical factors. Time-dependent ROC showed high predictive performance of the model. CONCLUSIONS A multigene model was established from RNA-sequencing data to direct risk classification and predict relapse of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in Chinese patients. Utilization of the model could provide individualized evaluation of chemotherapy after surgery for breast cancer patients.
Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/genetics* ; East Asian People ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics* ; Breast ; Algorithms ; Chronic Disease ; Prognosis ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with gabapentin for treatment of recurrent pain after trigeminal radiofrequency thermocoagulation.Methods Forty patients of both sexes suffering from recurrent pain after trigeminal radiofrequency thermocoagulation,who refused surgical treatment,aged 45-80 yr,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,with visual analog scale score ≥4,with the course of recurrent pain 0.5-17.0 months,were randomized into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:gabapentin group (group A) and gabapentin plus rTMS group (group B).The patients were treated with 2 courses of rTMS in total (5 days for 1 course,1 time per day) and with the second course at a 2-day interval in group B.Effective analgesia and pain relief were recorded within 6 months after treatment,and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated according to the modified Macnab criteria.The daily consumption of gabapentin and development of rTMS-and gabapentin-related adverse reactions were recorded.Results No rTMS-related adverse reactions were found in group B.Compared with group A,the rates of effective analgesia and pain relief were significantly increased,the therapeutic efficacy was enhanced,the daily consumption of gabapentin was decreased,and the incidence of gabapentin-related adverse reactions was decreased in group B (P＜0.05).Conclusion Combination of rTMS and gabapentin produces better efficacy than gabapentin alone when used to treat the recurrent pain after trigeminal radiofrequency thermocoagulation,and the safety is good.

Objective To discuss the application of spiral CT angiography in postoperative re-examination of lower limb artery stent implantation. Methods During the period from March 2012 to March 2014 at the Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, CT angiography was carried out in 67 patients who had received stent implantation for arteriosclerotic occlusion of lower limb. The diseases involved 78 lower limbs, and a total of 85 stents were employed. The volume rendering (VR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), multi-planar reformation (MPR) and curved surface reconstruction (CSR) were performed to stereoscopically display the lesion’s anatomy as well as the implanted stents, and the imaging manifestations were compared with the clinical symptoms and DSA findings. Results Successful examination was accomplished in 65 patients (81 stents in total), and clear images were obtained. Of the 81 stents, no stenosis was seen in 43, Ⅱ - Ⅳ grade stenosis in 32 and complete occlusion in 6. The results were closely correlated with the clinical symptoms. The CT angiography manifestations in 31 patients (34 stents in total) were compared with their DSA performed in two weeks, and the results showed that the stenotic degrees of three stents judged by CT angiography were not consistent with those judged by DSA. The consistent rate of CT angiography was 91.2% when taking DSA as the standard. Conclusion Lower limb arterial CT angiography examination is a safe and non-invasive technique, it can clearly display the stent inner canal. Therefore, this technique is of great value in postoperative re- examination of lower limb artery stent implantation.

Objective To evaluate covered stent placement in the treatment of iliac artery rupture in the process of iliac artery angioplasty.Methods Clinical data of 9 patients' iliac artery rupture in the process of iliac artery angioplasty were retrospectively reviewed.Results Covered stent was successfully placed in all cases.The patency of involved iliac artery was identified in 8 cases by angiography and there was no contrast extravasation.Type Ⅰ endoleak occurred in one patient in the proximal end of the stent graft and iliac artery graft replacement was done by open surgery immediately.Postoperatively clinical symptoms were relieved in all these 9 patients.One case lost to follow up.8 patients were followed up for 14 to 45 months,average (22 ±9) months.Stenosis on the distal end of the covered stent (external iliac artery)was found in one patient who underwent external iliac artery balloon-expandable stent angioplasty.One patient with artificial vessel placement was symptoms free with patency of the involved artery as reviewed by ultrasonography on 18 month followed up.Conclusions When iliac artery rupture in the process of iliac artery angioplasty should develop,the first choice is immediately covered stent placement therapy,while open surgery remains as the last resort.