Objective:To investigate the impact of tumor origin (ventral pancreatic origin and dorsal pancreatic origin) on prognosis in patients with pancreatic head cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 150 patients with pancreatic head cancer who received surgical treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Medical University from October 2014 to December 2017. Among these patients, 92 were male and 58 were female, aged (61.2±8.8) years. The 150 patients were divided into two groups based on tumor origin: the ventral pancreatic cancer group ( n=72) and the dorsal pancreatic cancer group ( n=78). A comparative analysis of clinical, pathological, and imaging charac-teristics was conducted between the two groups. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between pancreatic head cancer origin and overall survival (OS). Results:Patients with pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the ventral and dorsal pancreas accounted for 48%(72/150) and 52%(78/150) of the study cohort, respectively. Pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the dorsal pancreas were more likely to show pathological features of pancreatic parenchymal atrophy [73.1%(57/78) vs. 47.2%(34/72), χ2=10.49, P=0.001] and pancreatitis [44.9%(35/78) vs. 29.2%(21/72), χ2=3.95, P=0.047]. In contrast, patients with pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the ventral pancreas was more frequently associated with contact with the superior mesenteric artery [25.0%(18/72) vs. 1.3%(1/78), χ2=19.04, P<0.001], perineural invasion [100%(72/72) vs. 88.5%(69/78), χ2=8.84, P=0.003], and positive surgical margins [15.3%(11/72) vs. 2.6%(2/78), χ2=7.65, P=0.006], with all differences statistically significant. The ventral pancreatic cancer group demonstrated cumulative survival rates of 33.2% and 0 at 1-year and 2-year postoperative intervals, respectively, while the dorsal pancreatic cancer group exhibited rates of 56.7% and 24.8% at the corresponding timepoints. Comparison of Kaplan-Meier survival curves between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference ( χ2=6.00, P=0.014). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis identified dorsal pancreatic origin pancreatic head cancer as an independent predictor of increased mortality risk compared to ventral origin tumors ( HR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.52-4.98, P=0.001). Conclusion:The embryonic origin of pancreatic head cancer determines its clinical, pathological, and imaging heterogeneity, and pancreatic head cancer arising from the ventral pancreas demonstrates significantly worse prognostic outcomes compared to dorsal pancreatic origin.

Objective To explore the sex differences in drug metabolism of sufentanil in Chinese patients based on the mutation classification of cytochrome P450 3A(CYP3A)enzymes.Methods According to the possible effects of combined cytochrome P450 3A4 gene*1G locus(CYP3A4*1G)and cytochrome P450 3A5 gene*3 locus(CYP3A5*3)mutation groups on Chinese population,we added different weights to CYP3A4*1G and CYP3A5*3 polymorphisms and classified patients into 3 groups:GroupⅠ,patients carried either the CYP3A4*1G/*1G allele or both CYP3A4*1/*1G allele and CYP3A5*3/*3 allele;Group Ⅱ,patients with both CYP3A4*1/*1G allele and CYP3A5*1/*3 allele;Group Ⅲ,patients with either the CYP3A4*1/*1 allele or both CYP3A4*1/*1G allele and CYP3A5*1/*1 allele.A single-dose,double-blind,stratified random sampling was performed,and 255 patients undergoing endoscopic surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University were finally subjected.According to the results of genetic testing,an independent statistician,before operation,randomly selected 30 patients from each stratified group to form a study cohort(male-female ratio of 1∶1)and named each group A,B or C.Clinical investigators and subjects kept double-blind to the results of grouping and genetic testing.After entering the operating room,the subjected 90 patients received a single dose of sufentanil followed by collection of blood samples at 10 time points including 2 min before and from 2 to 120 min after administration.After the surgery,we determined the plasma drug concentration,calculated the pharmacokinetic parameters,and compared the metabolic differences between different genders in each group and unblinded the study.Results The cohort best fitted the two-compartment pharmacokinetic model,and groups A,B and C corresponded to group Ⅰ,Ⅱand Ⅲ,respectively.In different patient groups based on mutatron types of CYP3A enzymes the females had lower plasma drug concentration-time curves at each time point,higher systemic clearance(P≤0.01)and smaller area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity(P＜0.05)when compared with the males.In addition,in group Ⅰ,the elimination rate of central compartment and movement rate of drug from central compartment to peripheral compartment were obviously greater in the females than the males(P＜0.05),while the distribution half-life(P＜0.05)and elimination half-life(P＜0.01)were notably longer in the males than the females.In both group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ,the males obtained larger total area under the plasma concentration-time curve than the females(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are sex differences in the drug metabolism of sufentanil in Chinese patients.Women show faster distribution and higher clearance of sufentanil while men present greater drug exposure.Preoperative CYP3A genotyping and intraoperative personalized medication are of great significance to ensure the safety in clinical practice.

Objective:To develop a modified University of Wisconsin preservation solution (UW solution) containing α 2-adrenergic receptor agonists (dexmedetomidine) and noble gases (argon) and investigate its protective effect on the isolated amputated skeletal muscle of rats. Methods:Sixty male SD rats were selected to establish a hindlimb cold preservation/perfusion model and were divided into blank control group, hypothermic storage group, UW solution perfusion group, and modified UW solution perfusion group using a random number table, with 15 rats in each group. Simultaneously, a cold preservation model of rat skeletal muscle myoblasts (L6 cells) was established and the rats were also divided into four groups in the same way. Animal models were prepared in different ways: In the blank control group, the hindlimbs received no special treatment; In the hypothermic storage group, the amputated hindlimbs were stored in a dry centrifuge tube at 4℃ for 18 hours; In the UW solution perfusion group, the amputated hindlimbs were perfused with UW solution and then stored in a centrifuge tube containing UW solution at 4℃ for 18 hours; In the modified UW solution perfusion group, the amputated hindlimbs were perfused with modified UW solution (containing 0.1 nmol/L dexmedetomidine and 50% volume fraction of argon) and then stored in a centrifuge tube containing the modified UW solution at 4℃ for 18 hours. Cell models were treated as follows: In the blank control group, L6 cells were cultured under standard conditions; In the hypothermic storage group and UW solution group, L6 cells were treated with conventional culture medium or UW solution, stored in argon-filled sealed bags at 4℃ for 8 hours, and then rewarmed and cultured for 6 hours; In the modified UW solution group, L6 cells were treated with the modified solution, stored in argon-filled sealed bags at 4℃ for 8 hours, and then rewarmed and cultured for 6 hours. After sample collection, skeletal muscle morphology, tissue edema and ultrastructure features were assessed by HE staining, wet-to-dry weight ratio, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Additionally, L6 cell morphology was examined by light microscopy. L6 cell viability was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay (expressed as absorbance A value). Expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) protein in both skeletal muscle tissue and L6 cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively.Results:After 18 hours of in vitro preservation of rat isolated amputated limbs, the following results were obtained: (1) HE staining results showed that the muscle fiber morphology of the modified UW solution perfusion group was close to that of the blank control group. Moreover, the area ratio of skeletal muscle cells in the modified UW solution perfusion group was significantly higher than that in the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). (2) The wet-dry weight ratio results showed that there was no statistically significant difference among the modified UW solution perfusion group, the blank control group and UW solution group ( P>0.05), with significantly lower ratios in all three groups than that in the hypothermic storage group ( P<0.05). (3) Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the modified UW solution perfusion group showed no statistically significant differences in ultrastructural metrics, including myofiber diameter, sarcomere length, mitochondrial short-axis/long-axis ratio, and mitochondrial cristae count, compared with those in the blank control group ( P>0.05), and performed significantly better than both the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). (4) Morphological observation of L6 cells showed that the cellular morphology was regular in the modified UW solution perfusion group, close to that in the blank control group, while it was severely damaged in the hypothermic storage group. Moreover, the cells were reduced in number and partially damaged in the UW solution group. The sequence of cell viability expressed as absorbance A value was blank control group >modified UW solution perfusion group > UW solution perfusion group > hypothermic storage group, with statistically significant differences among the four groups ( P<0.05). (5) Immunofluorescence staining showed that there was no statistically significant difference in fluorescence intensity of GPX4 protein expression between the modified UW solution perfusion group and blank control group ( P>0.05), while the fluorescence intensity was higher in the modified UW solution perfusion group than that in the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the relative expression level of GPX4 in the modified UW solution group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group ( P<0.05), but higher than that in the hypothermic storage group and UW solution perfusion group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The modified UW solution can stabilize the expression level of GPX4 protein, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and alleviating cold preservation injury in both rat amputated isolated limb skeletal muscle tissue and L6 cells.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the potential relationships of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) with periodontal clinical indicators and the expression of DNA receptor pathway cyclic guanosine phosphate-adenosine phosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in gingival tissues and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). METHODS: GCF and gingival tissue samples were collected from periodontally healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with periodontitis. Periodontal clinical indicators were recorded, including plaque index (PLT), bleeding index (BI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). The concentration of cfDNA in GCF was quantified, and the correlation between GCF and periodontal clinical indicators was analyzed. Immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to assess the distribution of cGAS, STING, and p-STING in gingival tissues. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the key components of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, namely, cGAS, STING, inhibitory of kappa-B kinase (IKK), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were measured. Furthermore, cfDNA extracted from GCF was employed to stimulate HGFs in the healthy control and periodontitis groups, and the mRNA expression levels of the key molecules of cGAS-STING signaling pathway were detected through Western blot and RT-qPCR. RESULTS: The concentration of cfDNA in GCF was found to be significantly elevated in the periodontitis group compared with the control group. Moreover, cfDNA concentration demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the periodontal clinical indicators. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed considerably increased percentage of fluorescence co-localization of cGAS, STING, and p-STING with the gingival fibroblast FSP-1 marker in the gingival tissues of the periodontitis group. The mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, IKK, NF-κB p65, IL-1β, IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly higher in the periodontitis group. In vitro stimulation of HGFs with GCF-derived cfDNA resulted in increased protein expression of cGAS and p-STING and considerably upregulated the mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, IKK, NF-κB p65, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the healthy and periodontitis groups compared with the blank group. Correlation analysis showed that the concentration of cfDNA at the sampling site was positively correlated with the mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 in gingival tissues. CONCLUSIONS cfDNA concentrations in the GCF of patients with periodontitis are considerably elevated, and are associated with the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in HGFs. These findings suggest that cfDNA contributes to the progression of periodontitis.
Humans ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Gingiva/cytology* ; Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/analysis* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Periodontitis/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Adult ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Male ; Female

Objective To investigate the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution and body composition such as visceral fat in overweight and obese individuals.Methods A total of 320 overweight/obese patients who visited the Preventive Treatment Center of Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between September 15,2023,and September 14,2024,were selected as study subjects.Among them,135 were classified into the overweight group and 185 into the obese group.Data were collected using the TCM Constitution Questionnaire and a body composition analyzer(InBody570).The differences in TCM constitution distribution between the overweight and obese groups,as well as between genders,were compared.The correlation between TCM constitution types and body composition parameters was analyzed.Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for biased constitutions in the overweight/obese population.Results Among the 320 overweight/obese patients,phlegm-damp constitution(56.25％)and damp-heat constitution(40.31％)were the most predominant biased constitutions.The proportions of blood stasis constitution,qi depression constitution,and inherited special constitution in females were significantly higher than those in males(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),with the risk of qi depression constitution in females being 6.028 times higher than that in males(P＜0.01).Yang deficiency constitution was positively correlated with protein content but negatively correlated with skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass(P＜0.05).The proportion of blood stasis constitution in the overweight group was higher than that in the obese group(P＜0.01).In overweight/obese individuals with blood stasis constitution,the risk of excessive visceral fat was 2.658 times as high as those without excessive visceral fat.Blood stasis constitution was positively correlated with body fat mass,bone mineral content,intracellular water,and skeletal muscle mass index(SMI),but was negatively correlated with body mass index(BMI)and body cell mass(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Coclusion For overweight and obese populations,special attention should be paid to the management of visceral fat in individuals with blood stasis constitution and to emotional intervention in females.A staged and precise prevention and treatment strategy should be developed by integrating TCM constitution and body composition indicators.

Objective To develop and evaluate dietary and exercise intervention program for over-weight/obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Seventy patients with over-weight/obese PCOS were prospectively selected as research subjects and divided into intervention group(n=35)and control group(n=35)according to random number table method.According to the completion of the intervention plan,29 cases were finally included in the intervention group and 28 cases in the control group.The control group was given conventional nursing intervention,while the intervention group was applied with the diet and exercise intervention program for overweight/obese patients with PCOS.Both groups were intervened for 3 months.The physical indicators,PCOS sign scores,natural pregnancy rate,degree of self-body image distress(Multidimensional Self-body Im-age Relationship Questionnaire-Appearance Subscale)and self-efficacy level(Self-efficacy Scale)before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups.The occurrence of adverse reactions during the intervention period between the two groups were compared.Results After 1 month and 3 months of intervention,the body mass index(BMI)and PC OS sign score of the pa-tients in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The natural conception rate of the intervention group was 34.48％(10/29),which was significantly higher than 10.71％(3/28)of the control group(P＜0.05).After 1 month and 3 months of inter-vention,the scores of the self-body image relationship-appearance subscale of the patients in the inter-vention group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.001).After 3 months of intervention,the score of the Self-efficacy Scale of patients in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.001).During the intervention period,no adverse reac-tions caused by diet and exercise intervention occurred in either group.Conclusion Implementing a diet and exercise intervention program for overweight/obese patients with PCOS is beneficial for re-ducing patients' BMI,increasing the natural pregnancy rate,improving self-body image disorders,and enhancing self-efficacy.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of a compliance-based sequential exercise model in the rehabilitation of patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 104 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2022 to July 2023. Patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group (52 patients in each group). The control group received in-hospital and home-based sequential rehabilitation exercises, while the observation group followed a compliance-based graded sequential rehabilitation exercise program. Both groups received the intervention for 3 months. The differences in knee function scores and rehabilitation self-efficacy scale scores between the two groups before and after the intervention were compared.Results:After the intervention, both groups showed significant increases in knee function scores and rehabilitation self-efficacy scale scores compared to pre-intervention scores ( P<0.01). The observation group had higher knee function scores and rehabilitation self-efficacy scale scores than the control group, with significant differences ( P<0.01). Additionally, the knee function grading in the observation group was better than in the control group after the intervention, with significant differences ( P<0.01) . Conclusions:Compliance-based sequential rehabilitation exercises effectively promote knee function recovery in patients after ACL reconstruction and improve patients' rehabilitation self-efficacy.