Mandibular condylar fractures are common injuries in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The unique anatomical structure and mechanical environment of the condyle render its fracture healing process distinct from that of long bones. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and its active fragment PTH(1-34) (such as the drug teriparatide) are among the few clinically available agents with bone-anabolic properties, and have shown promise in fracture repair. However, the anatomical and mechanical discrepancies between the condyle and long bones raise doubts as to whether the efficacy of PTH observed in long bones can be directly extrapolated to condylar fractures. Elucidating how mechanical loading modulates the bone remodeling effects of PTH within the specific mechanical environment of the mandibular condyle thus constitutes a critical entry point for addressing this question. This review summarizes recent advances regarding how mechanical loading influences PTH-promoted healing of mandibular condylar fractures from three perspectives: the mechanical sensitivity of condylar fracture healing, the molecular mechanisms by which PTH regulates bone remodeling, and the synergy between mechanical and pharmacological interventions, with the aim of clarifying the existing molecular evidence for mechanical-PTH synergy derived from long-bone and in vitro models, and critically evaluating the feasibility and limitations of extrapolating these findings to condylar fractures. Evidence from long-bone fracture models and in vitro mechanical loading systems indicates that mechanical loading modulates the direction of PTH-mediated bone remodeling through the receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) axis and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β)/nuclear factor of the activated T-cells c1 (NFATc1) pathway, an effect that exhibits marked intensity- and time-dependent characteristics. Nevertheless, critical challenges remain in this field, including the standardization of quantitative mechanical loading parameters, the accumulation of direct evidence from condyle-specific fracture models, and the in-depth elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms governing mechanical-drug synergy. Future research should integrate finite element analysis, standardized mechanical loading techniques, and single-cell omics to establish a quantitative relationship between mechanical parameters, cellular responses, and PTH effects, thereby providing a theoretical basis for optimizing postoperative masticatory load management and PTH administration strategies in condylar fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of in vitro cultured calculus bovis (ICCB) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) and its mechanism. METHODS: A CIRI rat model and a cell model were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in Sprague Dawley rats and oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in BV2 cells, respectively. The CIRI rat model was evaluated using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume after 1.5 h of ischemia followed by 72 h of reperfusion. Histopathological changes in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Microglial polarization and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome expression in the cortex were examined by immunofluorescence. BV2 cell viability was measured via MTT assay after treatment with ICCB and Nigericin. The expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 proteins and inflammatory cytokines were detected with Western blotting in OGD/R treated BV2 cells (0.5 h OGD+24 h reperfusion) and in cells pretreated with Nigericin for 24 h. RESULTS: ICCB treatment significantly improved neurological function, reduced cerebral infarct volume and brain water content, and mitigated pathological damage in the cortical and hippocampal CA1 regions of rats subjected to CIRI (all P<0.05). ICCB promoted the transition of cortical microglia from M1 to M2 phenotypes and suppressed NLRP3 activation in microglial cells (all P<0.01). ICCB significantly down-regulated the expression of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 proteins, and reduced the secretion of IL-18 and IL-1β in BV2 cells of OGD/R model (all P<0.01). In addition, Nigericin significantly reversed the salvage effect of ICCB on model cells (both P<0.01) and the modulation of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ICCB exerts a protective effect against CIRI by mitigating neuroinflammation, through the reduction of M1 microglial polarization, promotion of M2 conversion, and suppression of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Male

This study aims to evaluate the application of flower petal-structured electrodes in pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology, with a particular focus on their performance in myocardial tissue ablation. Through a combination of simulation techniques and in vitro experiments, the study investigates the effects of different voltage levels, electrode-to-tissue contact distances, and their impact on ablation depth, continuity, and transmurality. The research methods include the construction of a myocardial tissue simulation model, electric field distribution simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics, and in vitro ablation experiments on potato tissue. The results indicate that as voltage increases, the ablation depth significantly increases. At a voltage of 2500 V, a transmural ablation depth of 4 mm can be achieved, and the ablation area remains relatively continuous. The in vitro experiments confirm the consistency of the simulation results, and pulsed field ablation does not induce significant temperature rise, confirming its non-thermal characteristic. The conclusion suggests that PFA technology requires less electrode contact and offers higher ablation efficiency, providing a new technological pathway for the clinical treatment of atrial fibrillation and effectively reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional ablation techniques.
Electrodes ; Catheter Ablation/instrumentation* ; Computer Simulation ; Flowers ; Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Myocardium

This study aims to analyze the screening results and epidemiological characteristics of prostate cancer (PCa) among elderly males in the rural areas of Songjiang, Shanghai City, through the implementation of a preliminary prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening based on a community-linkage model, and to explore an effective screening approach. A retrospective observational study design was employed to collect data from residents who underwent PSA screening at Songjiang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in collaboration with multiple community health service centers in Songjiang District, Shanghai City, between June 2022 and June 2024, through free clinics and annual health examinations. Prostate biopsy was recommended for individuals with total PSA (tPSA) levels >10 ng/ml and those with 4 ng/ml≤tPSA≤10 ng/ml and abnormal free-to-total PSA (f/tPSA) ratios. Clinical characteristics of detected PCa patients were analyzed. Follow-up was conducted through phone calls and home visits by family doctors, coupled with enhanced health education. The results indicated that a total of 17 198 residents participated in the screening, among which 2 234 (12.99%) had tPSA levels between 4 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, and 257 (1.49%) had tPSA levels >10 ng/ml. Ultimately, 417 residents underwent prostate biopsy, with 171 being diagnosed with PCa, yielding a positive biopsy rate of 41.00% and a PCa detection rate of 0.99%. The predominant pathological subtype among PCa patients was adenocarcinoma (168 cases, 98.24%). Of the 146 PCa patients who received treatment, the majority were classified as intermediate or high-risk (124 cases, 84.93%). Furthermore, with the optimization of the screening model, there was a significant increase in the proportion of subsequent outpatient visits. In conclusion, the community-linkage-based PSA screening model demonstrated high effectiveness in screening for PCa among elderly males in the rural areas of Songjiang, Shanghai City. Epidemiological findings revealed that PCa patients in this region are primarily composed of intermediate and high-risk groups, highlighting the need for intensified early screening and health education.

Purpose To investigate the relationships between the genetic variations and clinicopathological fea-tures of thyroid carcinoma in a single-center cohort.Methods The correlation between genetic profiling and clinico-pathologic characteristics of thyroid carcinomas detected by next-generation sequencing was analyzed.Results 93.7％of 238 cases of thyroid cancer had Class Ⅰ or Class Ⅱ variations.Compared with TCGA cohort,the single-center of pa-tients with papillary thyroid cancer(PTC)were younger(44.4±12.4 vs 46.8±15.5,P=0.043),and the rate of lymph node metastasis was higher(57.5％vs 49.2％,P=0.046).The frequency of BRAF gene mutation was signifi-cantly higher(82.4％vs 59.7％,P＜0.001),that of RAS gene mutation(2.3％vs 12.9％,P＜0.001)and TERT promoter mutation was lower(1.8％vs 9.4％,P＜0.001).There were no differences in the incidences of RET fusion(5.4％vs 6.8％,P=0.484)and NTRK fusion(4.1％vs 2.1％,P=0.127).Gene mutations were detected in 210 of 221(95.0％)patients with PTC,including BRAF(182/221,82.4％),RET fusion(12/221,5.4％),NTRK fusion(9/221,4.1％),FGFR amplification(6/221,2.7％),CCND1 amplification(6/221,2.7％),FGFR19 am-plification(6/221,2.7％),RAS(5/221,2.3％),PIK3CA(5/221,2.3％),and TERT(4/221,1.8％).NTRK fusion was associated with younger age(P=0.049)and higher T stage(P=0.005),while TERT promoter mutation was associated with older age(P=0.003)and higher T stage(P=0.001).8.6％(19/221)of thyroid papillary car-cinoma had at least two driver gene variants and tended to occur in patients with older age(P=0.001)and higher T tage(P=0.001).Higher mutation allele fraction(MAF)of BRAF was associated with T stage(P＜0.001)and N stage(P=0.017).Conclusion Chinese patients with papillary thyroid carcinomapatients show unique genetic vari-ant characteristics,and the patients with NTRK fusion,TERT promoter mutation,multiple driver gene variations,or high MAF of BRAF show specific clinicopathologic features.

Objective In response to the clinical needs for personalized wrist orthoses,a topological optimization design method was proposed to achieve an integrated macro-and micro-structural optimization of a personalized,lightweight,and comfortable wrist orthosis.Methods A composite biomechanical finite element model of the wrist orthosis and upper limb was established to quantify the effects of the orthosis geometry on its fixation performance and comfort.A multi-condition topological optimization and microstructure design approach was employed to optimize the non-load-bearing areas of the orthosis.The orthosis was manufactured using three-dimensional(3D)-printed polyether ether ketone(PEEK),and the feasibility of the design was validated.Results While maintaining mechanical strength,the weight of the 3D-printed PEEK orthosis was reduced by 28％compared to the traditional orthoses.Both the pressure at the skin contact interface and the results of a subjective questionnaire indicated that test subjects experienced a high level of comfort wearing the orthosis.Conclusions The orthosis design achieved personalization,lightweight structure,and high comfort while ensuring mechanical strength and fixation performance.

Migraine disorders, a common disabling headache condition, is the second largest contributor to global neurological disability-adjusted life-years. Since 2000, migraine surgery has been pioneered and elaborated by plastic surgeons. For certain patients, migraine episodes are associated with "trigger sites" caused by compression of the peripheral nerves in the head and neck region. Botulinum toxin type A injections or nerve blocks, clinical manifestations and image studies can help confirm the trigger sites. Surgical deactivation of the trigger sites can effectively alleviate or eliminate migraine disorders, with the optimal result incorporated with experience and principles of plastic and cosmetic surgery.

This article reviews a study from Cell Metabolism, titled "Transketolase promotes MAFLD by limiting inosine-induced mitochondrial activity" [Tong L, Chen Z, Li Y, et al. Cell Metab. 2024, 36(5): 1013-1029.e5], and discusses its scientific implications. The study explores selective hepatic insulin resistance in metabolic dysfuction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD), where insulin stimulates lipid synthesis but not gluconeogenesis in resistant livers. It reveals the key role of transketolase(TKT) in MAFLD progression by disrupting pentose metabolism and nucleoside homeostasis, leading to inhibited mitochondrial activity. Targeting TKT with N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated small interfering RNA(GalNAc-siTKT) improved metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis(MASH) and hepatic fibrosis.