Myocardial fibrosis is a serious cause of heart failure and even sudden cardiac death. However, the mechanisms underlying myocardial ischemia-induced cardiac fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we identified that the expression of sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1), was increased significantly in the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, dilated cardiomyopathy patients (GSE116250) and fibrotic heart tissues of mice. Additionally, inhibition or knockdown of SARM1 can improve myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function of myocardial infarction (MI) mice. Moreover, SARM1 fibroblasts-specific knock-in mice had increased deposition of extracellular matrix and impaired cardiac function. Mechanically, elevated expression of SARM1 promotes the deposition of extracellular matrix by directly modulating P4HA1. Notably, by using the Click-iT reaction, we identified that the increased expression of ZDHHC17 promotes the palmitoylation levels of SARM1, thereby accelerating the fibrosis process. Based on the fibrosis-promoting effect of SARM1, we screened several drugs with anti-myocardial fibrosis activity. In conclusion, we have unveiled that palmitoylated SARM1 targeting P4HA1 promotes collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis. Inhibition of SARM1 is a potential strategy for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. The sites where SARM1 interacts with P4HA1 and the palmitoylation modification sites of SARM1 may be the active targets for anti-fibrosis drugs.

This case report describes a 68-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After receiving Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (⁹⁰Y-SIRT), the tumor significantly reduced in size, and tumor markers alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and abnormal prothrombin (PIVKA-Ⅱ) decreased. Postoperative pathological results showed minimal residual tumor cells, indicating that ⁹⁰Y-SIRT has good efficacy and safety in downstaging and conversion of HCC, thereby facilitating subsequent surgical resection.

Purpose To assess the impact of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)technology on early embryonic development by using early pregnancy ultrasound parameters.Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 864 pregnant women who had their early pregnancy ultrasounds at the Haidian District Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Beijing from 2020 to 2022.These women had singleton viable pregnancies with no adverse pregnancy outcomes followed up to 13+6 weeks.They were divided into two groups,based on their method of conception,including IVF-ET group and spontaneously conceived(SC)group.Subgroups were further divided according to the gestational age indicated by ultrasound at 6,7 and 8 weeks.A longitudinal study of early pregnancy ultrasound indicators was conducted in the IVF-ET group and compared with the corresponding parameters in the SC group.The ages of the pregnant women were stratified to compare the differences in ultrasound indicators between the two conception methods at different ages.Univariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between crown-rump length(CRL)and mean gestational sac diameter(mGSD).Results The CRL and mGSD of pregnant women in both groups increased with gestational age(P＜0.05),while the mGSD-CRL did not show significant changes with the increase in gestational age(F=83.592-840.037,P＞0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in CRL,mGSD and mGSD-CRL at each gestational week during early pregnancy between the SC group and the IVF-ET group(t=0.282-1.713,P＞0.05).When comparing the ultrasound parameters stratified by maternal age,there were no statistically significant differences in ultrasound parameters between the elderly and non-elderly subgroups within both groups(P＞0.05).There were also no statistically significant differences in ultrasound parameters between the elderly subgroup of the IVF-ET group and the SC group,as well as between the non-elderly subgroup of the IVF-ET group and the SC group(P＞0.05).Univariate linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between CRL and mGSD in the early pregnancy period for both the IVF-ET group and the SC group(t=3.586,9.665,11.170,7.690,11.307,12.263,P＜0.05).Conclusion During early pregnancy,the gestational sac and embryo exhibit regular synchronous growth,and IVF-ET technology and age do not affect their growth patterns.

Objective:To optimize the image quality of PET/CT following 90Y-selective internal radiation therapy ( 90Y-SIRT) using block-sequential regularized expectation maximization (BSREM) reconstruction algorithm, and to evaluate its impact of different β values on image quality and quantitative analysis. Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 8 male patients with hepatic tumors (age: 62(52, 71) years) treated at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua Medicine Tsinghua University, between June 2024 and January 2025. All patients were treated with 90Y resin microspheres (2.6(0.9, 3.6)GBq) and underwent post-treatment 90Y PET/CT liver imaging. Imaging data were reconstructed using BSREM with different noise penalty weighting factors ( β values: 0, 300, 1000, 1500, 2500, 3500, 4000, 6000, 8000, 10000). Visual assessment was independently performed by two nuclear medicine physicians, using a 4-point scale (1=worst, 4=best). The mean score was considered as the final score. The consistency of the 2 reviewers was calculated and analyzed by Kappa test. Visual scores of different β value groups were compared by Friedman test. The β value demonstrating highest mean score and optimal consistency was selected as the optimal. Quantitative analysis was performed using MIM software to calculate the maximum absorbed dose ( Dmax) and the mean absorbed dose ( Dmean) for tumor, normal liver, and whole liver regions, and the CV was used to evaluate the impact of β values. Results:The visual assessment consistency of reviewers in 3 β value groups (0, 3500, 6000) were the highest (7/8) (all kappa=0.88, all P<0.05). Visual scores of the 10 β value groups were significantly different ( χ2=28.74, P<0.001), and the visual scores of 2 β value groups (3500, 4000) were the highest, both of which were 4.0(4.0, 4.0). Overall, visual assessment identified β=3500 as the optimal. Quantitative analysis revealed that, (1) Dmax in all regions (tumor, normal liver, whole liver) decreased with the increasing β values, stabilizing when β>1000 ( CV 56%-67%); (2) Dmean remained stable across different β values ( CV 0.04%-5.00%). Conclusions:In BSREM reconstruction, β=3500 is the optimal parameter for improving 90Y-PET image quality. β values significantly affect Dmax (stabilizing at β > 1000), but have no significant impact on Dmean, suggesting that reconstruction parameters primarily influence dose distribution morphology rather than average dose assessments.

Objective:To investigate the application and efficacy of personalized expander placement in the single expanded flap auricular reconstruction for microtia.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study that included patients with microtia who underwent single expanded flap auricular reconstruction in the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between February 2023 and March 2024, according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. During the first-stage surgery, the tension and thickness of the skin in the postauricular area were evaluated using a pinch test. The anatomical layer of the expander placement was personalized as follows: (1) for thicker skin, the expander was placed in the subcutaneous layer; (2) for thinner skin, the expander was placed in the subcutaneous layer in the scalp region and in the subfascial layer in the hairless region behind the ear; (3) for areas of thin skin behind the residual ear, the expander was placed in the subfascial layer, with the remainder in the subcutaneous layer. In the second-stage surgery, autologous costal cartilage scaffolds were implanted for ear reconstruction, followed by a third-stage revision surgery. Postoperative follow-up was conducted to record complications. Before the third-stage surgery, two plastic surgeons, who did not participate in the operations, evaluated the aesthetic outcomes of the reconstructed ear using the Likert 4-point scale (1-4 points, with higher scores indicating better aesthetic outcomes).Results:A total of 152 children were included, with 97 males and 55 females; ages ranged from 5 to 13 years old, with a mean age of 6.8 years old. Of these, 89 cases were right-sided microtia, 53 left-sided microtia, and 10 bilateral microtia. In terms of skin characteristics, 35 cases had thick skin, 69 thin skin, and 48 thin skin behind the residual ear. During the first-stage surgery, complications included 15 cases of expander hematoma and 3 cases of expander infection. Both were controlled with symptomatic treatment. No cases of expander exposure occurred. The second-stage follow-up ranged from 6 to 12 months, with a mean of 7.9 months. The thickness of the reconstructed ear skin was appropriate, with well-defined subunits and no exposure of the cartilage scaffold. The aesthetic score for the reconstructed ear was (3.3 ± 0.5) points.Conclusion:The personalized placement of expanders effectively ensured appropriate thickness of the expanded flap in single expanded flap auricular reconstruction, providing good coverage for the rib cartilage framework and significantly enhancing the aesthetic outcomes of the reconstructed ears.

BACKGROUND:The energy metabolism and polarization state of macrophages play a crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has shown significant therapeutic potential for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage metabolic pathways.OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress in AMP-activated protein kinase regulation of macrophage energy metabolism and polarization and explore the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.METHODS:A computerized search was conducted on the databases including Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI,covering relevant literature up to June 2024.The search terms were"AMPK,fatty acid oxidation,macrophage polarization,Traditional Chinese Medicine,atherosclerosis,coronary heart disease"in Chinese and English.A total of 62 articles were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shiftin macrophage energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis plays a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis.The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in macrophages promotes fatty acid oxidation and M2 polarization,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and stabilizing arterial plaques.TCM monomers(such as ginseng,astragalus,and polygonatum)and compounds(such as Huanglian Jiedu Decoction,Yangxin Shumai Granules,and Tiaogan Daozhuo Formula)influence macrophage metabolism and cellular function by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and intervening in multiple signaling pathways,such as nuclear factor-κB,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ,and mammalian target of rapamycin,thereby achieving therapeutic effects.Future research should focus on the interactions between AMP-activated protein kinase,metabolism,and polarization pathways,as well as how TCM exerts its therapeutic effects through these pathways,providing new strategies for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore the effect of Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training on lower limb motor function in children with hemiplegia.Methods From October,2023 to January,2025,a total of 52 children with hemiplegia admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group(n=26)and observation group(n=26).Both groups received conven-tional rehabilitation therapy,while the observation group additionally received Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training,for four weeks.Before and after intervention,the self-selected walking speed(SWS)and maximum walking speed(MWS)of 10-meter Walk Test,6-minute walking distance(6MWD),Physiological Cost Index(PCI),as well as gait line length asymmetry ratio,single support line asymmetry ratio,stance phase asymmetry ratio and step length ratio were compared.Results After intervention,SWS,MWS and 6MWD improved in both groups(|Z|>2.910,P<0.01),and were better in the the observation group than in the control group(|Z|>2.069,P<0.05);PCI significantly decreased in both groups(|Z|>4.458,P<0.001),and was lower in the observation group than in the control group(Z=-2.435,P<0.05);the gait line length asymmetry ratio,single support line asymmetry ratio and stance phase asymmetry ratio improved in both groups(Z=3.398,|t|>2.211,P<0.05),and were better in the observation group than in the control group(Z=2.802,|t|>2.107,P<0.05).Conclusion Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training can effectively improve walking speed and endurance in children with hemiplegia,reduce energy expenditure,enhance walking efficiency,and promote gait symmetry,thereby fa-cilitating symmetrical gait patterns.

Objective To explore the effect of Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training on lower limb motor function in children with hemiplegia.Methods From October,2023 to January,2025,a total of 52 children with hemiplegia admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group(n=26)and observation group(n=26).Both groups received conven-tional rehabilitation therapy,while the observation group additionally received Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training,for four weeks.Before and after intervention,the self-selected walking speed(SWS)and maximum walking speed(MWS)of 10-meter Walk Test,6-minute walking distance(6MWD),Physiological Cost Index(PCI),as well as gait line length asymmetry ratio,single support line asymmetry ratio,stance phase asymmetry ratio and step length ratio were compared.Results After intervention,SWS,MWS and 6MWD improved in both groups(|Z|>2.910,P<0.01),and were better in the the observation group than in the control group(|Z|>2.069,P<0.05);PCI significantly decreased in both groups(|Z|>4.458,P<0.001),and was lower in the observation group than in the control group(Z=-2.435,P<0.05);the gait line length asymmetry ratio,single support line asymmetry ratio and stance phase asymmetry ratio improved in both groups(Z=3.398,|t|>2.211,P<0.05),and were better in the observation group than in the control group(Z=2.802,|t|>2.107,P<0.05).Conclusion Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training can effectively improve walking speed and endurance in children with hemiplegia,reduce energy expenditure,enhance walking efficiency,and promote gait symmetry,thereby fa-cilitating symmetrical gait patterns.

BACKGROUND:The energy metabolism and polarization state of macrophages play a crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has shown significant therapeutic potential for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage metabolic pathways.OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress in AMP-activated protein kinase regulation of macrophage energy metabolism and polarization and explore the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.METHODS:A computerized search was conducted on the databases including Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI,covering relevant literature up to June 2024.The search terms were"AMPK,fatty acid oxidation,macrophage polarization,Traditional Chinese Medicine,atherosclerosis,coronary heart disease"in Chinese and English.A total of 62 articles were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shiftin macrophage energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis plays a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis.The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in macrophages promotes fatty acid oxidation and M2 polarization,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and stabilizing arterial plaques.TCM monomers(such as ginseng,astragalus,and polygonatum)and compounds(such as Huanglian Jiedu Decoction,Yangxin Shumai Granules,and Tiaogan Daozhuo Formula)influence macrophage metabolism and cellular function by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and intervening in multiple signaling pathways,such as nuclear factor-κB,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ,and mammalian target of rapamycin,thereby achieving therapeutic effects.Future research should focus on the interactions between AMP-activated protein kinase,metabolism,and polarization pathways,as well as how TCM exerts its therapeutic effects through these pathways,providing new strategies for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Purpose To assess the impact of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)technology on early embryonic development by using early pregnancy ultrasound parameters.Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 864 pregnant women who had their early pregnancy ultrasounds at the Haidian District Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Beijing from 2020 to 2022.These women had singleton viable pregnancies with no adverse pregnancy outcomes followed up to 13+6 weeks.They were divided into two groups,based on their method of conception,including IVF-ET group and spontaneously conceived(SC)group.Subgroups were further divided according to the gestational age indicated by ultrasound at 6,7 and 8 weeks.A longitudinal study of early pregnancy ultrasound indicators was conducted in the IVF-ET group and compared with the corresponding parameters in the SC group.The ages of the pregnant women were stratified to compare the differences in ultrasound indicators between the two conception methods at different ages.Univariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between crown-rump length(CRL)and mean gestational sac diameter(mGSD).Results The CRL and mGSD of pregnant women in both groups increased with gestational age(P＜0.05),while the mGSD-CRL did not show significant changes with the increase in gestational age(F=83.592-840.037,P＞0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in CRL,mGSD and mGSD-CRL at each gestational week during early pregnancy between the SC group and the IVF-ET group(t=0.282-1.713,P＞0.05).When comparing the ultrasound parameters stratified by maternal age,there were no statistically significant differences in ultrasound parameters between the elderly and non-elderly subgroups within both groups(P＞0.05).There were also no statistically significant differences in ultrasound parameters between the elderly subgroup of the IVF-ET group and the SC group,as well as between the non-elderly subgroup of the IVF-ET group and the SC group(P＞0.05).Univariate linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between CRL and mGSD in the early pregnancy period for both the IVF-ET group and the SC group(t=3.586,9.665,11.170,7.690,11.307,12.263,P＜0.05).Conclusion During early pregnancy,the gestational sac and embryo exhibit regular synchronous growth,and IVF-ET technology and age do not affect their growth patterns.