Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery. Results: Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively). Conclusion The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery. Results: Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively). Conclusion The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.

Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.

Objective To develop and compare prediction models for hyperuricemia(HUA)in perim-enopausal and postmenopausal women using Lasso regression,random forest,and multivariate logistic regres-sion.Methods A multi-stage,stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 12 790 subjects from An-ning City,Yunnan Province.Prediction models for HUA were constructed using Lasso regression,random for-est,and multivariate logistic regression.The efficacy of the model was evaluated by accuracy,sensitivity,speci-ficity,F1 score,and area under the curve(AUC).Results LASSO regression analysis screened 19 variables for inclusion in the model,such as age,waist circumference,diastolic blood pressure,BMI,HDL-C,fasting blood glucose(FBG),etc.The accuracy rate was 0.701,the sensitivity was 0.703,the specificity was 0.680,and the F1 score was 0.806.The AUC(95%CI)was 0.770(0.748-0.792).The results of the random forest model show that variables such as creatinine,triglyceride-glucose index(TyG),TG,BMI,TC,Urea nitrogen(Urea),and ALT were relatively important,with an accuracy rate of 0.663,a sensitivity of 0.653,a specificity of 0.738,and an F1 score of 0.774.The AUC(95%CI)was 0.763(0.741-0.785).Multivariate logistic re-gression results showed that 11 variables including creatinine(Cr),TyG,BMI,Urea,and ALT were included in the model,with an accuracy rate of 0.705,a sensitivity of 0.707,a specificity of 0.686,an F1 score of 0.809,and an AUC(95%CI)of 0.771(0.749-0.793).Conclusion The overall performance of LASSO re-gression and multivariate logistic regression models is better.The random forest model has a strong variable screening ability and high specificity,and can be used as a supplement to provide more accurate predictions.

Heat stroke is a heat-related illness caused by an imbalance between the body's heat production and heat dissipation,which could lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with a high mortality rate.Rapid and effective reduction of core body temperature is key to successful treatment.This article reviews recent progress in the treatment of heat stroke,including new understandings of organ injury mechanisms,the timing,velocity and goals of cooling treatment,evaluation and selection of traditional cooling techniques(such as cold water immersion),and scientific evaluation of new cooling technologies(such as blood purification technology and intravascular heat exchange cooling technology),aiming to promote understanding and treatment of heat stroke.

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery. Results: Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively). Conclusion The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors associated with 90-day mortality in critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), with a particular focus on the association between hypotension within the first hour of CRRT initiation and 90-day mortality after hospital admission.Methods:This study was a post hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study investigating the impact of colloid versus crystalloid priming solutions on early hemodynamics in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. The study enrolled intensive care unit patients who received CRRT at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2024 to May 2024. The data were collected including demographic characteristics, laboratory tests, CRRT-related parameters, blood pressure, heart rate, sequential organ failure assessment scores, and vasoactive-inotropic score, etc. The 90-day survival outcome after hospital admission of critically ill patients aged 18-80 years who received continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration was used as the primary outcome indicator. A Cox proportional hazards model analysis was conducted, and the predictive ability of the model was evaluated along with the test of the proportional hazards assumption. The risk factors associated with the 90-day mortality after hospital admission of critically ill patients receiving CRRT were explored, with a particular focus on whether hypotension occurring within the first hour of CRRT initiation was one of these risk factors.Results:A total of 208 patients were included in this study. Within 90 days after hospital admission, 141 patients (67.8%) died, among whom 102 were male (72.3%) and the median age was 61.0 (50.0, 71.5) years; 67 patients (32.2%) survived, among whom 53 were males (79.1%) and the median age was 56.0 (47.0, 68.0) years. The incidence of hypotension within the first hour of CRRT initiation was significantly higher in the death group than in the survival group [29.8% (42/141) vs. 16.4% (11/67), χ2=4.275, P=0.039]. Moreover, The mortality rate of the group with hypotension within the first hour of CRRT initiation was higher than that of the group without hypotension [79.2% (42/53) vs. 63.9% (99/155), χ2=4.275, P=0.039]. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median survival time of patients without hypotension within the first hour of CRRT initiation [39.0 d (95% CI 23.2-54.8)] was longer than that of patients with hypotension [26.0 d (95% CI 18.9-33.1)], and the 90-day cumulative survival rate after hospital admission of patients without hypotension was significantly higher than that of patients with hypotension (Log-rank test, χ2=5.100, P=0.024). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses demonstrated that serum albumin ( HR=0.964, 95% CI 0.933-0.997, P=0.030), sequential organ failure assessment score ( HR=1.064, 95% CI 1.012-1.118, P=0.015), and the use of mechanical ventilation ( HR=8.272, 95% CI 1.145-59.743, P=0.036) were significantly associated with 90-day mortality in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. In contrast, the vasoactive-inotropic score ( HR=1.004, 95% CI 0.999-1.008, P=0.079) and the presence of hypotension within the first hour of CRRT initiation ( HR=1.236, 95% CI 0.833-1.835, P=0.293) were not significantly associated with 90-day mortality in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. The consistency index of this model was 0.654 (95% CI 0.617-0.691), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.724 (95% CI 0.658-0.800), and the calibration curve showed that the predicted values of the model were well fitted to the actual observations, suggesting that the predictive effect of this model was relatively ideal. Conclusions:In critically ill patients undergoing CRRT, the occurrence of hypotension within the first hour of CRRT initiation was not significantly associated with 90-day mortality after hospital admission. Lower serum albumin levels, higher sequential organ failure assessment scores, and the use of mechanical ventilation may be the risk factors for 90-day mortality in this population.

Objective:To investigate the longitudinal stability of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL).Methods:The longitudinal cognitive assessment results of 68 dementia patients admitted to the Dementia and Leukoencephalopathy Outpatient Clinic, Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from January 2021 to January 2024, were retrospectively analyzed, including the total and sub-items scores of the MMSE, MoCA, and ADL. Two different rules were applied to analyze the abnormality rates: rule 1, where the current test result being better than the previous one was considered an abnormality; rule 2, where the current test result being better than the previous average score was considered an abnormality (If a patient had only 2 cognitive assessments, rule 2 was considered the same as rule 1). Two rules were used to analyze the abnormality rates of the scales. The statistical analyses were repeated after excluding patients with possible anxiety and depression status.Results:In assessing the total score stability, MMSE showed the lowest abnormality rates [27.2% (31/114) under rule 1 and 29.8% (34/114) under rule 2], while MoCA had the highest abnormality rates [41.3% (26/63) and 46.0% (29/63), respectively]. The ADL abnormality rates were 27.7% (23/83) and 33.7% (28/83), respectively. Among MoCA sub-items, category cue, multiple choice cue, second memory trial, orientation, and clock showed higher abnormality rates [31.7%(20/63), 30.2%(19/63), 23.8%(15/63), 22.2%(14/63), 22.2%(14/63), respectively]. After excluding population with possible anxiety and depression status, the relative abnormality rates of MMSE and ADL sub-items did not significantly change, while the abnormality rate of orientation in MoCA sub-items decreased relatively.Conclusion:The MMSE and ADL exhibit good stability in long-term monitoring of dementia patients, serving as essential tools for assessing and following up cognitive changes.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis(C.pseudotuberculosis)is a group of intracellular Gram-positive bacteria that can cause zoonotic diseases.This study investigated the mechanisms of inflammatory mediator secretion and the phagocytic and bactericidal functions of mouse peritoneal macrophages following C.pseudotuberculosis infection.Initially,transcriptomic sequencing was em-ployed to identify genes critical for C.pseudotuberculosis infection in macrophages.Subsequently,gene knockout mice were utilized to assess the impact of these key genes on inflammatory media-tor secretion,activation of inflammatory signaling pathways,and the phagocytic and bactericidal functions of macrophages infected with C.pseudotuberculosis.Techniques such as ELISA,Western blot,and immunofluorescence were employed in this analysis.Further,transcriptomic sequencing was conducted to identify key downstream genes.Following C.pseudotuberculosis infection,GO enrichment analysis was performed,and TLR2 was identified as the focal point of the study.Perito-neal macrophages from C57BL/6J and TLR2 knockout(TLR2-/-)mice were infected with C.pseudotuberculosis.ELISA results revealed that the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-10 were signifi-cantly downregulated in TLR2-/-macrophages compared to C57BL/6J macrophages post-infec-tion.Western blot demonstrated that the absence of TLR2 led to a marked decrease in M APK(p38 and ERK)signaling pathway phosphorylation following C.pseudotuberculosis infection.Immuno-fluorescence results indicated that the phagocytic rate of TLR2-/-macrophages was significantly higher than that of C57BL/6J macrophages after infection.Subsequently,transcriptomic analysis of C57BL/6J and TLR2-/-macrophages infected with C.pseudotuberculosis was performed,followed by GO enrichment analysis of differential genes.IL-36a,Cx3cr1,TLR1,and TLR2 were identified as key differential genes.TLR2 plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response induced by C.pseudotuberculosis infection in mice,influencing the progression of the inflammatory response and host outcomes through the secretion of inflammatory mediators,activation of signaling pathways,and modulation of phagocytic and bactericidal functions.IL-36a and Cx3cr1 were identified as key downstream factors in this process.