OBJECTIVES: To evaluate preterm white matter injury (PWMI) in neonatal rats using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with histological assessments and to explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Healthy 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group and a PWMI group (n=12 in each group). A PWMI model was established in neonatal rats through hypoxia-ischemia. Laser speckle imaging was used to observe changes in cerebral oxygen saturation and blood flow at different time points post-modeling. Multimodal MRI was employed to assess the condition of white matter injury, while hematoxylin-eosin staining was utilized to observe morphological changes in the striatal area on the injured side. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. RESULTS: At 0, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours post-modeling, the relative blood flow and relative oxygen saturation on the injured side in the PWMI group were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.05). At 24 hours post-modeling, T2-weighted imaging showed high signals in the white matter of the injured side in the PWMI group, with relative apparent diffusion coefficient values and Lorenz differential values being lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.001); additionally, the arrangement of nerve cells in the PWMI group was disordered, and the number of EdU⁺PDGFR-α⁺ cells was higher than that in the sham operation group (P<0.001). At 28 days post-modeling, the relative fractional anisotropy values, the number of EdU⁺Olig2⁺ cells, and the fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein and neurofilament protein 200 in the white matter region of the PWMI group were all lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Multimodal MRI can evaluate early and long-term changes in PWMI in neonatal rat models in vivo, providing both imaging and pathological evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of PWMI in neonates. Hypoxia-ischemia inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in neonatal rats, leading to PWMI.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Rats ; White Matter/injuries* ; Animals, Newborn ; Female ; Multimodal Imaging ; Male ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of acupuncture manipulation on treatment of intractable facial paralysis (IFP), and verify the practicality and precision of the Anzhong Facial Paralysis Precision Scale (Eyelid Closure Grading Scale, AFPPS-ECGS). METHODS: A multicentre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted from October 2022 to June 2024. Eighty-nine IFP participants were randomly assigned to an ordinary acupuncture group (OAG, 45 cases) and a characteristic acupuncture group (CAG, 44 cases) using a random number table method. The main acupoints selected included Yangbai (GB 14), Quanliao (SI 18), Yingxiang (LI 20), Shuigou (GV 26), Dicang (ST 4), Chengjiang (CV 24), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiache (ST 6), Fengchi (GB 20), and Hegu (LI 4). The OAG patients received ordinary acupuncture manipulation, while the CAG received characteristic acupuncture manipulation. Both groups received acupuncture treatment 3 times a week, with 10 times per course, lasting for 10 weeks. Facial recovery was assessed at baseline and after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd treatment course by AFPPS-ECGS and the House-Brackmann (H-B) Grading Scale. Infrared thermography technology was used to observe the temperature difference between healthy and affected sides in various facial regions. Adverse events and laboratory test abnormalities were recorded. The correlation between the scores of the two scales was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: After the 2nd treatment course, the two groups showed statistically significant differences in AFPPS-ECGS scores (P<0.05), with even greater significance after the 3rd course (P<0.01). Similarly, H-B Grading Scale scores demonstrated significant differences between groups following the 3rd treatment course (P<0.05). Regarding temperature measurements, significant differences in temperatures of frontal and ocular areas were observed after the 2nd course (P<0.05), becoming more pronounced after the 3rd course (P<0.01). Additionally, mouth corner temperature differences reached statistical significance by the 3rd course (P<0.05). No safety-related incidents were observed during the study. Correlation analysis revealed that the AFPPS-ECGS and the H-B Grading Scale were strongly correlated (r=0.86, 0.91, 0.93, and 0.91 at baseline, and after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd treatment course, respectively, all P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture is an effective treatment for IFP, and the characteristic acupuncture manipulation enhances the therapeutic effect. The use of the AFPPS-ECGS can more accurately reflect the recovery status of patients with IFP. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200065442).
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Aged

Objective:To explore the diagnosis and minimal invasive treatment of neonatal pyriform sinus fistula. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of newborns diagnosed with pyriform sinus fistula in the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2023, including the diagnostic process and treatment methods. Results:There were 8 children, 2 males and 6 females, with 7 cases on the left side and 1 case on the right side. Six cases revealed a lump in the fetal neck during prenatal examination, and two cases were found to have a neck mass after birth. All cases presented with varying degrees of respiratory disorders. After admission, all patients underwent neck ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT examination. Neck ultrasound showed cystic masses, with 3 of the cysts accompanied by septa, and an air-fluid level was observed in the cysts in 6 cases from contrast-enhanced CT. All patients underwent ultrasound-guided neck mass puncture and/or tube placement combined with endoscopic electrocauterization. The cystic fluid was found to be yellow and thin, with no signs of infection. The surgical operations were uneventful, and the follow-up time ranged from 12 to 72 months postoperatively. There were no complications such as hoarseness, and no recurrence cases were reported. Conclusion:Neonatal pyriform sinus fistula is often characterized by a large cystic mass in the neck combined with respiratory depression. The presence of an air-fluid level in the cyst from contrast-enhanced CT can be considered an important basis for early diagnosis of pyriform sinus fistula. Ultrasound-guided puncture combined with endoscopic electrocauterization is minimally invasive and safe, making it a suitable minimal invasive treatment for neonatal pyriform sinus fistula.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Pyriform Sinus/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Infant, Newborn ; Cautery/methods* ; Endoscopy ; Fistula/surgery* ; Punctures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To explore the impact of different delay time of umbilical cord ligation on the outcome of preterm infants.Methods A total of 266 preterm infants born in the obstetric department of this hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects and divided into the in-stant group(umbilical cord ligation immediately after birth,n=53),30 s group(delayed umbilical cord liga-tion for 30 s,n=50),60 s group(delayed umbilical cord ligation for 60 s,n=55),90 s group(delayed umbili-cal cord ligation for 90 s,n=55)and 120 s group(delayed umbilical cord ligation for 120 s,n=52)according to the random number table method.The Hb and HCT levels and the incidence rates of anemia,blood transfu-sion,hyperbilirubinemia,intracranial hemorrhage,necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)and bronchopulmonary dys-plasia(BPD)after birth were compared among 5 groups.Results The Hb and HCT levels at 24 h after birth in the 60,90,120 s groups were higher than those in the instant group and 30 s group,moreover the 120 s group was higher than the 60 s group and 90 s group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The anemia incidence rate and blood transfusion rate in the 60,90,120 s groups were lower than those in the instant group and 30 s group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The hyperbil-irubinemia incidence rate in the 120 s group was higher than that in the other 4 groups,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The intracranial hemorrhage incidence rate in the 60,90,120 s groups were lower than those in the instant group and 30 s group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The NEC incidence rate in the 60 s and 90 s group was lower than that in the instant group and 30 s group,but the 120 s group was higher than that in the other 4 groups,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The BPD incidence rate had no statistical difference among 5 groups(P＞0.05).Con-clusion Delayed umbilical cord ligation for 60 s or 90 s could improve the outcomes of preterm infants.

Objective To assess the correlation between the body mass index(BMI)and short-term prognosis in the patients with acute myocardial infarction complicating cardiogenic shock(AMI-CS).Methods A total of 262 patients with diagnosed AMI-CS hospitalized in this hospital from January 2013 to February 2022 were selected as the study subjects,and a total of 255 patients with AMI-CS were included after excluding the patients with incomplete clinical data,no coronary angiography,loss to follow-up and low BMI(<18.5 kg/m2).Among them,those with BMI of 18.5-<24.0 kg/m2 were included in the normal BMI group(n=150),and those with BMI of≥24.0 kg/m2 were included in the overweight or obese group(n=105).The baseline data,auxiliary examinations and treatment measures of the patients were collected,and the patients who did not die at the time of discharge were followed up by telephone on 30 d after AMI onset,and the survival status of the patients,whether having major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)occurrence and the occurrence time were obtained.The correlation between BMI and endpoint events was assessed by the COX regression model.Results The proportion of complicating atrial fibrillation,BNP and urea levels in the overweight or obesity group were lower than those in the normal BMI group,the BMI and Hb levels were higher than those in the normal BMI group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the results of cardiovascular examination between the two groups(P>0.05).The use rate of β-receptor blockers in the overweight or obese group was higher than that in the normal BMI group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).On 30 d of follow-up,the all-cause mortality rate in the overweight or obese group was 39.0%,which was lower than 44.0%in the normal BMI group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.430);there was no statistically signifi-cant difference in the incidence rate of each MACE event and the total incidence rate of MACE between the two groups(P>0.05).The BMI normal group served as the control,the risk of death and the occurrence risk of MACE events in the overweight or obese group had no significant increase(P>0.05).The short-term prognosis had no significant interaction between BMI and the patients in different subgroups(P>0.05).Con-clusion The short-term prognosis has no significant difference between the overweight/obese AMI-CS pa-tients and normal BMI AMI-Cs patients.

Objective:To prepare decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) composite hydrogels and to study their effects on hepatocyte proliferation.Methods:Hepatic dECM was prepared by elution, and GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels were prepared by pepsin solubilization. The morphology of normal liver and dECM liver was observed by eyes and scanning electron microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin, Sirius red and periodate-Schiff staining, respectively. The internal structure of the dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the pore diameter was measured. Liver HL-7702 cells were co-cultured with GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels, and the cell proliferation viability was determined by cell counting kit-8. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Wnt family protein 5a (Wnt5a), β-catenin, extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blotting. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:After decellularization, the hepatocyte morphology showed rounded depressions, and the extracellular matrix structure was intact. The GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels showed inernally porous structures. The pore diameter increased from (3.06±1.35) μm in the GelMA hydrogel to (16.01±4.02) μm in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel. On the 3rd, 5th and 7th day, the relative cell proliferation was higher in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group than that in the GelMA hydrogel group (1.89±0.04 vs 1.53±0.01, 9.36±0.04 vs 3.89±0.09, 7.15±0.27 vs 4.89±0.15, all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of PCNA, Wnt5a, β-catenin, and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 proteins in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group were higher than those in the GelMA hydrogel group (2.14±0.04 vs 1.00±0.03, 2.36±0.09 vs 1.00±0.08, 1.45±0.03 vs 1.00±0.04, 1.43±0.04 vs 1.00±0.01, all P<0.05). Conclusions:A dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel can be prepared, which may promote hepatocyte proliferation by upregulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Gorham-Stout disease(GSD)is a sporadic chronic disease characterized by progressive bone dissolution,absorption,and disappearance along with lymphatic vessel infiltration in bone-marrow cavities.Although the osteolytic mechanism of GSD has been widely studied,the cause of lymphatic hyperplasia in GSD is rarely investigated.In this study,by comparing the RNA expression profile of osteoclasts(OCs)with that of OC precursors(OCPs)by RNA sequencing,we identified a new factor,semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),which is an osteoprotective factor involved in the lymphatic expansion of GSD.Compared to OCPs,OCs enhanced the growth,migration,and tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells(LECs),in which the expression of Sema3A is low compared to that in OCPs.In the presence of recombinant Sema3A,the growth,migration,and tube formation of LECs were inhibited,further confirming the inhibitory effect of Sema3A on LECs in vitro.Using an LEC-induced GSD mouse model,the effect of Sema3A was examined by injecting lentivirus-expressing Sema3A into the tibiae in vivo.We found that the overexpression of Sema3A in tibiae suppressed the expansion of LECs and alleviated bone loss,whereas the injection of lentivirus expressing Sema3A short hairpin RNA(shRNA)into the tibiae caused GSD-like phenotypes.Histological staining further demonstrated that OCs decreased and osteocalcin increased after Sema3A lentiviral treatment,compared with the control.Based on the above results,we propose that reduced Sema3A in OCs is one of the mechanisms contributing to the pathogeneses of GSD and that expressing Sema3A represents a new approach for the treatment of GSD.

Objective To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE)on the proliferation and apoptosis of human cerebral adventitia fibroblasts(HBVAFs)by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathway.Methods HBVAFs cells were divided into blank group(normal culture,no treatment),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(25,50 and 100 mg·L-1 GBE treatment for 24 h)and combined group(100 mg·L-1 GBE treatment and 2 nmol·L-1 insulin-like growth factor-1 treatment for 24 h).Cell proliferation was detected by thiazole blue assay,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and the protein expressions of phosphorylated-PI3K(p-PI3K),PI3K、phosphorylated-AKT(p-AKT)and AKT were detected by Western blot.Results The cell survival rates of experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H,combined and blank groups were(66.78±8.21)％,(53.51±7.40)％,(42.33±6.01)％,(75.69±5.87)％and(96.77±12.80)％;the apoptosis rates were(24.83±2.47)％,(30.07±3.06)％,(37.02±4.66)％,(16.71±2.11)％and(8.99±0.19)％;p-PI3K/PI3K ratios were 0.75±0.07,0.62±0.06,0.43±0.04,0.72±0.05 and 0.90±0.09;p-AKT/AKT ratios were 0.70±0.07,0.60±0.06,0.38±0.03,0.69±0.06 and 0.90±0.09,respectively.The above indexes of the experimental-L,-M,-H groups were compared with the blank group,and the above indexes of the combined group were compared with the experimental-H group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion GBE can reduce the proliferation of HBVAFs,promote apoptosis,and its mechanism is related to the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Splicing factors(SFs)are a type of protein that serves as an integral component of the dynamic spliceosome complex. The spliceosome, similar to “scissors”, has the ability to accurately process precursor RNA(pre-mRNA)in eukaryotes and generate a diverse range of mRNA sequences. This process is important for gene regulation and protein expression. Pre-mRNA processing factor 31(PRPF31)is a widely expressed SFs in various biological tissues. However, mutations in PRPF31 are specifically linked to the development of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa(adRP), known as PRPF31-RP. Currently, the pathogenesis of PRPF31-RP is still unclear. This article reviews the research progress on the molecular mechanism of PRPF31 in the development of adRP and the progress in PRPF31-RP treatment from the perspective of tissue damage and impairment of biological processes caused by PRPF31 mutation or deletion, in order to provide new ideas on the pathogenesis and treatment of PRPF31-RP.