Objective:To investigate the relationship between the level of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) in the uterine fluid and the thickness of endometrium in infertile women with chronic endometritis.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to select 122 patients who underwent hysteroscopy and endometrial tissue biopsy at Assisted Reproduction Center, Taiyuan Central Hospital due to infertility from March 2023 to January 2024 as the study subjects. According to the results of hysteroscopy and endometrial tissue biopsy, the patients were divided into 52 cases in the infertility group with normal endometrium (NE infertility group) and the chronic endometritis combined with infertility group (CE infertility group) with 70 cases. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid of the two groups. General clinical data, AT1-AA absorbance value of uterine fluid and uterine related indexes of the two groups were analyzed, and the correlations between AT1-AA level and the variation of indexes were analyzed.Results:Gravidity (median: 1 vs 1; Z=7.029, P=0.030) and parity (median: 0 vs 0; Z=12.258, P=0.002) in CE infertility group were higher than those in NE infertility group. There was AT1-AA in the uterine fluid, and the level of AT1-AA in CE infertility group was significantly higher than that in NE infertility group (median: 2.07 vs 1.44; Z=3.099, P=0.029). The endometrial thickness of CE infertility group was lower than that of NE infertility group (median: 6.0 vs 7.0 mm; Z=-2.179, P=0.029), and there were no statistical differences in other indexes between the two groups (all P>0.05). Further correlation analysis showed that there were no correlation between the level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid and parity, endometrial thickness, gravidity in NE infertility group (all P>0.05). However, the level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid of CE infertility group was positively correlated with parity (Spearman′s r=0.339, P=0.004), and negatively correlated with endometrial thickness (Spearman′s r=-0.499, P<0.001), but not correlated with gravidity ( P>0.05). Conclusions:AT1-AA is present in the uterine fluid of infertile women. The elevated level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid of infertile women with CE is related to the thinning of the endometrium.

Objective:To examine the regulatory effects of a potential antifibrotic tetrapeptide called N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) on the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in lung tissues with fibrosis induced by silicosis in rats. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of Ac-SDKP in the prevention and treatment of fibrotic lung diseases associated with silicosis.Methods:In January 2024, disease targets and Ac-SDKP active ingredients were predicted through GeneCards (https://www.genecards.org) and OMIM (https://www.omim.org) databases. Using R 4.2.1 software, we identified overlapping targets between pulmonary fibrosis and AC-SDKP. Cytoscape 3.10.2 was employed to visualize interactions between active chemical components and these targets, followed by GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis using R 4.2.1. Forty healthy adult Wistar rats were selected to establish silicosis models through single-dose gavage with 50 mg/ml silica suspension (1. 0 ml per rat). The rats were randomly divided into four groups: model control group (4 weeks), silicosis model group (4 weeks), Ac-SDKP preventive treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of a micro-release pump containing Ac-SDKP [800 μg/ (kg·d) ] during modeling, maintained for 4 weeks), and Ac-SDKP anti-fibrosis treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of the same pump after 2 weeks of modeling, continued maintenance for 2 weeks). Each group contained 10 rats. The pathological changes in rat lung tissues were observed. Western blot technology was used to detect the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transduction and activation transcription factor 3 (STAT 3), caspase 3, and caspase 8 in lung tissues. Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to assess the expressions of EGFR, STAT3, caspase 3, and caspase 8. Overall differences between groups were compared using one-way ANOVA.Results:Compared with the control group in the silicosis model, rats in the 4-week group exhibited significant fibrotic nodules. The lung tissues of these rats showed statistically significant increases in α-SMA, EGFR, STAT 3, Caspase 3, and Caspase 8 protein expression ( P<0.05). In contrast, the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group demonstrated markedly reduced expression levels of these proteins compared to the 4-week silicosis model group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that brownish-yellow expression of EGFR, STAT3, Caspase3, and Caspase8 was significantly enhanced in silicotic nodules within the silicosis model group. Conversely, this brownish-yellow expression was notably decreased in the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group compared to the 4-week silicosis model group. Conclusion:Ac-SDKP may exert antifibrotic effects on the lungs of rats with silicosis by regulating the EGFR/STAT3 pathway.

Objective:To examine the regulatory effects of a potential antifibrotic tetrapeptide called N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) on the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in lung tissues with fibrosis induced by silicosis in rats. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of Ac-SDKP in the prevention and treatment of fibrotic lung diseases associated with silicosis.Methods:In January 2024, disease targets and Ac-SDKP active ingredients were predicted through GeneCards (https://www.genecards.org) and OMIM (https://www.omim.org) databases. Using R 4.2.1 software, we identified overlapping targets between pulmonary fibrosis and AC-SDKP. Cytoscape 3.10.2 was employed to visualize interactions between active chemical components and these targets, followed by GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis using R 4.2.1. Forty healthy adult Wistar rats were selected to establish silicosis models through single-dose gavage with 50 mg/ml silica suspension (1. 0 ml per rat). The rats were randomly divided into four groups: model control group (4 weeks), silicosis model group (4 weeks), Ac-SDKP preventive treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of a micro-release pump containing Ac-SDKP [800 μg/ (kg·d) ] during modeling, maintained for 4 weeks), and Ac-SDKP anti-fibrosis treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of the same pump after 2 weeks of modeling, continued maintenance for 2 weeks). Each group contained 10 rats. The pathological changes in rat lung tissues were observed. Western blot technology was used to detect the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transduction and activation transcription factor 3 (STAT 3), caspase 3, and caspase 8 in lung tissues. Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to assess the expressions of EGFR, STAT3, caspase 3, and caspase 8. Overall differences between groups were compared using one-way ANOVA.Results:Compared with the control group in the silicosis model, rats in the 4-week group exhibited significant fibrotic nodules. The lung tissues of these rats showed statistically significant increases in α-SMA, EGFR, STAT 3, Caspase 3, and Caspase 8 protein expression ( P<0.05). In contrast, the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group demonstrated markedly reduced expression levels of these proteins compared to the 4-week silicosis model group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that brownish-yellow expression of EGFR, STAT3, Caspase3, and Caspase8 was significantly enhanced in silicotic nodules within the silicosis model group. Conversely, this brownish-yellow expression was notably decreased in the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group compared to the 4-week silicosis model group. Conclusion:Ac-SDKP may exert antifibrotic effects on the lungs of rats with silicosis by regulating the EGFR/STAT3 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the level of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) in the uterine fluid and the thickness of endometrium in infertile women with chronic endometritis.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to select 122 patients who underwent hysteroscopy and endometrial tissue biopsy at Assisted Reproduction Center, Taiyuan Central Hospital due to infertility from March 2023 to January 2024 as the study subjects. According to the results of hysteroscopy and endometrial tissue biopsy, the patients were divided into 52 cases in the infertility group with normal endometrium (NE infertility group) and the chronic endometritis combined with infertility group (CE infertility group) with 70 cases. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid of the two groups. General clinical data, AT1-AA absorbance value of uterine fluid and uterine related indexes of the two groups were analyzed, and the correlations between AT1-AA level and the variation of indexes were analyzed.Results:Gravidity (median: 1 vs 1; Z=7.029, P=0.030) and parity (median: 0 vs 0; Z=12.258, P=0.002) in CE infertility group were higher than those in NE infertility group. There was AT1-AA in the uterine fluid, and the level of AT1-AA in CE infertility group was significantly higher than that in NE infertility group (median: 2.07 vs 1.44; Z=3.099, P=0.029). The endometrial thickness of CE infertility group was lower than that of NE infertility group (median: 6.0 vs 7.0 mm; Z=-2.179, P=0.029), and there were no statistical differences in other indexes between the two groups (all P>0.05). Further correlation analysis showed that there were no correlation between the level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid and parity, endometrial thickness, gravidity in NE infertility group (all P>0.05). However, the level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid of CE infertility group was positively correlated with parity (Spearman′s r=0.339, P=0.004), and negatively correlated with endometrial thickness (Spearman′s r=-0.499, P<0.001), but not correlated with gravidity ( P>0.05). Conclusions:AT1-AA is present in the uterine fluid of infertile women. The elevated level of AT1-AA in uterine fluid of infertile women with CE is related to the thinning of the endometrium.

Objective:To conduct a retrospective study on the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent artificial temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement surgery and to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial TMJ treatment.Methods:This study selected 62 patients who received standard Biomet artificial TMJ treatment at Department of Orthognathic and TMJ Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University from May 2010 to September 2023 as the study subjects. Among them, there were 15 male patients and 47 female patients. The average age was 33.5 years old(ranging from 18 to 67 years). This study statistically analyzed postoperative indicators, including maximum mouth opening, forward jaw movement, lateral movement, postoperative pain scores, and patient satisfaction.Results:This study included a total of 62 patients with 99 TMJ joints. No infections occurred postoperatively. The average follow-up period was 33.7 months (ranging from 7 to 170 months). At 6 months postoperatively, the mean mouth opening was (36.1±6.2) mm, lateral movement was (2.1±0.9) mm, and forward jaw movement was (1.0±0.9) mm. The pain visual analog scale score at 6 months postoperatively was (2.8±0.6), and patient satisfaction with the surgery was (8.8±1.1). Spiral CT scans conducted after surgery showed no joint dislocation or migration, and the artificial joint remained stable during the follow-up period.Conclusions:Artificial TMJ replacement is a valuable method for effectively restoring TMJ structure and essential functions related to mouth opening and chewing. It is worthy of promotion as a reconstructive approach for the temporomandibular joint

Perioperative bleeding is closely related to the prognosis of patients, and massive blood loss can lead to serious adverse events. Tranexamic acid, a lysine derivative, exerts anti-fibrinolytic effects by competitively blocking lysine binding sites on plasminogen to achieve hemostasis. Perioperative use of tranexamic acid can effectively reduce the risk of bleeding and the need for blood transfusion, and reduce the risk of bleeding related complications and death. At present, the use of tranexamic acid for perioperative hemostasis is increasingly widespread, and it is gradually entering the consensus and guidelines in more surgical fields. In this paper, the mechanism of action, perioperative application and adverse reactions of tranexamic acid were reviewed, and the effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid in different surgical types were discussed, so as to provide reference for the application and research of tranexamic acid in China.

Objective:To explore the protective effect of miR-346 up-regulated by crocin on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.Methods:The rat model of myocardial ischemia reperfusion was constructed by open-chest ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion. Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, model group, crocin group, miR-346 negative control (miR-NC) group, and miR-346 inhibitor group with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the sham operation group were only received thoracotomy without ligation. Rats in the miR-NC group and miR-346 inhibitor group were injected with miR-NC or miR-346 inhibitor through the tail vein 48 h prior to ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. The crocetin reagent for gastric lavage was prepared by dissolving 8 mg of crocetin in 100 ml of physiological saline. Rats in the crocetin group, miR-NC group, and miR-346 inhibitor group were gavaged with crocetin reagent at 80 mg/kg. Rats in the sham operation group and model group were gavaged with saline at 5 ml/kg. The crocetin reagent and saline were gavaged once a day for 15 days. Serum levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The miR-346 expression level was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The pathological changes in cardiac muscle tissues were detected by HE staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate was detected by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western Blot.Results:Compared with the sham operation group, the serum levels of CK-MB and LDH, pathological scores, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and expression of cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (cleaved Caspase-3) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax) were increased in the model group (all P < 0.05), and the miR-346 expression level and Bcl-2 levels in myocardial tissues were decreased (all P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, serum CK-MB and LDH levels, pathological scores, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, and cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax expression levels were decreased in the crocin group (all P < 0.05), and miR-346 expression level and Bcl-2 levels in the myocardial tissues were increased (all P < 0.05). Compared with the miR-NC group, the serum levels of CK-MB, LDH, pathological scores, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, and cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax expression levels were decreased in the miR-346 inhibitor group (all P < 0.05), and miR-346 expression level and Bcl-2 level were increased in myocardial tissues (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Crocin can reduce myocardial tissue injury and attenuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion rats by up-regulating miR-346.

Objective To assess short-and long-term changes in the upper airway,natural head position and hyoid bone position in skeletal Class Ⅲ patients after bimaxillary surgery.Methods In this retrospective study,the cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT)of skeletal Class Ⅲ patients was taken before surgery(T0),3 months after surgery(T1)and 2 years after surgery(T2).Three-dimensional images were created to assess postoperative changes and the correlation between the upper airway,natural head posi-tion and hyoid bone was analyzed.Results Thirty skeletal Class Ⅲ patients(13 men and 17 women)who underwent bimaxillary sur-gery with a mean(SD)age of 21 years(a range of 17-30 years)were evaluated.A significant decrease was observed in the volume of palatopharynx,glossopharynx and total airway after T1 and T2.There was a significant correlation between changes in the position of the mandible and changes in the volume of the upper airway(P＜0.05).The NSL/OPT angle and the NSL/CVT angle were greater after Tl and T2.The change in the NSL/CVT angle was positively correlated with the change in palatopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal volume(P＜0.05).Conclusion Bimaxillary surgery may cause a decrease in upper airway volume,an increase in the cranio-cervical angle,and a downward and backward movement of the hyoid bone.Changes in the cranio-cervical angle may cause changes in the upper air-way.

[Objective[ To analyze the main syndrome types, medication rules, and core prescription characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to predict the anti-MAFLD mechanism of core formula, so as to provide references for the clinical application of TCM and the development of new drugs. [Methods] Literature research on TCM in treating MAFLD was retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database since the establishment of the database to July 2022. Excel 2019 and Chinese Medicine Inheritance Computing Platform (V3.0) were used for frequency analysis, association rule analysis, and cluster analysis of effective prescriptions. The key components, targets, and action pathways of anti-MAFLD core formulas were predicted by network pharmacology. Finally, the interactions between the obtained core components and their core targets were verified reversely by molecular docking technology. [Results] A total of 218 articles were screened and selected, including 352 prescriptions, involving 270 traditional Chinese herbs. The drugs were used a total of 3 901 times, and a total of 10 915 cases were collected, among which the prevalence rate was higher in males. The main types of TCM syndrome included intermingled phlegm and blood stasis syndrome, liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome, and damp-heat in liver and gallbladder syndrome, among which Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) were the most frequently used. The properties of Chinese medicine primarily encompassed thermal characteristics, with a predominant emphasis on cold and warm; the flavors of herbs were predominantly characterized by bitterness and sweetness, while the majority exhibited tropism towards the spleen and liver meridians. The drugs were primarily classified based on their efficacy in tonifying deficiencies, promoting diuresis and moistening, enhancing blood circulation and removing blood stasisheat-clearing, etc. The association rules were employed to derive a set of 20 core drug pairs, while cluster analysis was utilized to identify three distinct groups of core drug combinations. Network pharmacological showed that the main components of the core formula “Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) - Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) - Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) - Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) - Fuling (Poria)” in the treatment of MAFLD were quercetin, apigenin, puerarin, luteolin, ursolic acid, kaempferol, tanshinone IIA, emodin, paeonol, etc., which involved RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (AKT1), cellular tumor antigen p53 (TP53), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma (PPARG), and other key targets. The molecular docking results showed that the core components had good binding to lipid and atherosclerosis, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway-associated proteins. [Conclusion] The main principles of TCM for the treatment of MAFLD involve soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, eliminating phlegm and dampness, clearing heat and dampness, as well as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. The core formula may exert anti-MAFLD effects mediated through multiple components, targets, and signaling pathways. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of TCM in the treatment of MAFLD, and serves as a reference for further exploration of new drugs against MAFLD.