Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

To address the limitations of traditional minimally invasive thermal ablation technology such as poor conformability, carbonization and electromagnetic radiation, this paper proposes a steam thermal ablation technology that uses saturated steam internal energy to replace the traditional electromagnetic radiation energy. Through the steam thermal ablation system and the steam thermal ablation needle designed based on simulation, the ex vivo pig liver experiments were carried out. The results have the characteristics of the maximum ablation axis ratio (short diameter / long diameter) and non-carbonization with the same type of thermal ablation technology. Based on the near-infrared light, in this paper the curative effect of the reduced scattering coefficient of the steam thermal ablation results was evaluated. The reduced scattering coefficients of the coagulation area all exceeded 16, reaching the completely damaged state, which verified that the steam thermal ablation can effectively inactivate the tumor cells.
Steam ; Animals ; Swine ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Ablation Techniques/methods* ; Liver/surgery* ; Equipment Design

The minimally invasive thermal ablation technology differs from traditional surgical operations, which requires auxiliary equipment to evaluate ablation results. However, the ultrasound and CT currently used in clinical practice have shortcomings such as artifacts and radiation. Therefore, this paper proposes a design for a minimally invasive thermal ablation evaluation system based on the principle of electrical impedance tomography technology to monitor the ablation range. At the same time, the innovative introduction of a programmable gain feedforward signal as the parameter signal of the multiplier demodulator in the electrical impedance tomography system design can effectively solve the problem of weak signals being submerged in noise and improve imaging accuracy. The system controls the amplitude of the excitation current signal and the acquisition / processing of boundary voltages via an STM32, uploads the collected data to an upper computer, and reconstructs the conductivity distribution using the Newton-Raphson algorithm to map the size of the ablation area. Experimental results show that the system can effectively reflect the size of the microwave ablation area. Under the same minimally invasive ablation parameters, the average imaging errors are 0.6 mm for the long diameter, 0.8 mm for the short diameter, and 1.75% for the axial ratio (long diameter / short diameter), demonstrating high consistency. This verifies the technical potential of electrical impedance tomography in minimally invasive thermal ablation.
Electric Impedance ; Tomography/instrumentation* ; Equipment Design

Objective:This current study aims to explore the approaches for constructing a professional clinical research system within the context of research ward development, with the ultimate objective of providing valuable guidance for the establishment and development of proficient clinical research teams.Methods:Through a comprehensive case analysis, integrating the practical experiences from clinical trials conducted in the research ward of a Class-A tertiary hospital in Beijing, along with an extensive review of relevant literature and policy studies, this paper examined the current state of domestic clinical research implementation teams. Subsequently, a series of strategies were devised to build and foster professional clinical research teams and to explore corrective measures for cultivating a dynamic professional clinical research talent ecosystem.Results:The development of full-time clinical research teams in China was rather slow, and there was a lack of mature clinical trial teams training blueprints. Drawing on the practical experience accumulated during the establishment of a professional clinical research team in a leading hospital in Beijing, it was crucial to attach utmost importance to the optimal allocation of human and material resources. This required the systematic training of principal investigators, coordinating researchers, and research assistants, as well as the setting up of a comprehensive support system, an advanced scientific research team, and a quality control unit. Moreover, the standardization of operational models of both domestic and foreign research institutions, along with the implementation of corresponding support and incentive mechanisms, and the strengthening of training and continuing education frameworks were equally significant.Conclusions:During the process of assembling a full-time clinical research team, it is of utmost significance to cultivate professional principal investigators, coordinating researchers, and research assistants. Complemented by the establishment of a comprehensive support team, a scientific research team, and a quality control team, along with corresponding support and incentive mechanisms, this is crucial for constructing a professional clinical research execution team and a sustainable talent ecosystem in the research ward. Eventually, this will drive the efficient and high-quality progress of China's pharmaceutical industry.

Objective:This current study aims to explore the approaches for constructing a professional clinical research system within the context of research ward development, with the ultimate objective of providing valuable guidance for the establishment and development of proficient clinical research teams.Methods:Through a comprehensive case analysis, integrating the practical experiences from clinical trials conducted in the research ward of a Class-A tertiary hospital in Beijing, along with an extensive review of relevant literature and policy studies, this paper examined the current state of domestic clinical research implementation teams. Subsequently, a series of strategies were devised to build and foster professional clinical research teams and to explore corrective measures for cultivating a dynamic professional clinical research talent ecosystem.Results:The development of full-time clinical research teams in China was rather slow, and there was a lack of mature clinical trial teams training blueprints. Drawing on the practical experience accumulated during the establishment of a professional clinical research team in a leading hospital in Beijing, it was crucial to attach utmost importance to the optimal allocation of human and material resources. This required the systematic training of principal investigators, coordinating researchers, and research assistants, as well as the setting up of a comprehensive support system, an advanced scientific research team, and a quality control unit. Moreover, the standardization of operational models of both domestic and foreign research institutions, along with the implementation of corresponding support and incentive mechanisms, and the strengthening of training and continuing education frameworks were equally significant.Conclusions:During the process of assembling a full-time clinical research team, it is of utmost significance to cultivate professional principal investigators, coordinating researchers, and research assistants. Complemented by the establishment of a comprehensive support team, a scientific research team, and a quality control team, along with corresponding support and incentive mechanisms, this is crucial for constructing a professional clinical research execution team and a sustainable talent ecosystem in the research ward. Eventually, this will drive the efficient and high-quality progress of China's pharmaceutical industry.

Purpose To evaluate the value of 3D amide proton transfer imaging(3D APT)and reduced field-of-view diffusion weighted imaging(rFOV DWI)in predicting histologic grade of rectal adenocarcinoma.Materials and Methods A total of 64 cases of rectal adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology were analyzed from February 2020 to April 2023,with 28 cases in the high and 36 cases in the medium-low differentiation group,retrospectively.MRI sequences including reduced field-of-view high-resolution T2WI(rFOV T2WI),rFOV DWI and 3D APT before surgery.Two neuroradiologists delineated the solid part of the tumor layer by layer,and extracted its apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry(MTRasym)values.Combined-parameter model(MTRasym+rADC)was constructed by binary Logistic regression.The efficacy of the single-parameter and combined-parameter model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The mean value of MTRasym of the medium-low group[(2.93±0.61)%]was higher than that of high differentiation group[(1.74±0.63)%](t=-7.60,P＜0.001),and the mean value of rADC of the medium-low group[(0.98±0.17)×10-3 mm2/s]was lower than that of the high differentiation group[(1.19±0.18)×10-3 mm2/s](t=4.50,P＜0.001).In the identification of histopathological grades of rectal adenocarcinoma,receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that compared with MTRasym and rADC,the combined parameter model had the highest diagnostic performance,with an area under the curve of 0.94,sensitivity and specificity of 0.86 and 0.96.Conclusion 3D APT and rFOV DWI are helpful in identifying the histopathological grade of rectal adenocarcinoma.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the protective effect of Buyang-Huanwu decoction(BYHWD)on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats,focusing on its role in regulating the autophagy of cerebral micro-vascular endothelial cells(BMECs).METHODS:(1)We established a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/re-perfusion(MCAO/R)and divided the subjects into four groups:sham group,model(MCAO/R)group,BYHWD group,and 3-n-butylphthalide(NBP)group.Neurological deficits were assessed using the Zea Longa score,while the volume of cerebral infarction was measured through 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.Pathological damage in the ischemic penumbra was evaluated using HE staining,and blood-brain barrier(BBB)permeability was assessed by Evans blue(EB)staining.The ultrastructure of BMECs was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy,and the co-expres-sion and positive cell rate of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)in BMECs were determined through im-munofluorescence double staining.Additionally,the protein expression levels of ZO-1,claudin-5 and occludin in the cor-tical region of the ischemic penumbra in rats were examined using Western blot analysis.(2)A rat BMEC model of oxy-gen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)was also established.Rat BMECs were categorized into normal control(CON),OGD/R,dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),rapamycin and 3-methyladenine groups to observe autophagy levels by monodansylcadaverine(MDC)staining.Furthermore,rat BMECs were divided into CON,OGD/R,BYHWD-containing serum(BHDS)and NBP groups.The cell autophagy was assessed by MDC staining and Western blot,while cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.RESULTS:(1)The rats in MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological scores(P＜0.01)and increased cerebral infarction volumes(P＜0.01)compared with sham group.Severe damage in the ischemic penumbra was observed,characterized by disordered tissue structure,widened intercellular spaces,and compro-mised cellular integrity.The EB dye permeability was notably elevated(P＜0.01),and BMECs showed structural destruc-tion,including damaged cell membranes,swollen Golgi apparatus,dilated endoplasmic reticulum vesicles,and damaged mitochondria.The ratio of LC3+CD31+/CD31+and the protein levels of ZO-1,claudin-5 and occludin were significantly el-evated(P＜0.01).In contrast,the rats in BYHWD and NBP groups demonstrated lower neurological scores(P＜0.01)and reduced cerebral infarction volumes(P＜0.01).Furthermore,EB permeability decreased(P＜0.01),BMEC morphol-ogy improved,and the protein expression levels of ZO-1,claudin-5 and occludin increased(P＜0.05).(2)Rat BMECs in OGD/R group had a significantly elevated autophagy level compared with CON group(P＜0.01),with increased expres-sion of LC3 and beclin-1 proteins and decreased level of P62 protein(P＜0.05).Notably,the cells in BHDS and NBP groups displayed decreased autophagy level compared with OGD/R group,with increased cell viability(P＜0.01),re-duced LC3 and beclin-1 protein expression,and increased P62 protein expression(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Buyang-Huanwu decoction alleviates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting the autophagy of cerebral microvas-cular endothelial cells.

Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical significance of circular RNAs(circRNAs)in serum extracellular vesicles(EVs)of patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA).Methods The serum samples from 3 RSA patients and 3 nor-mal pregnant women(controls)visited our hospital from May 2021 to March 2023 were collected and the gene expression profiling chips were used to screen for differentially expressed circRNAs in serum EVs.Ten RSA patients and 10 normal pregnant women were enrolled in a training set and 80 RSA patients and 64 normal pregnant women were enrolled in a validation set.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the levels of differentially expressed circRNAs between the two groups.The predictive value of differentially expressed circRNAs for RSA was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results A total of 57 563 circRNAs in serum EVs were detected by the gene expression profiling chips.Compared with the control group,3 516 circRNAs were differentially expressed in RSA patients,including 2 377 up-regulated and 1 139 down-regulated.The de-tection results of qRT-PCR in the training set and validation set showed that the expression levels of hsa＿circ＿0054403 in serum EVs of RSA patients(2.07[1.00,6.68])was significantly higher than that in the control group(1.00[0.42,1.46],U=1 239,P＜0.01),while those of hsa＿circ＿0020897(0.33[0.11,1.40]vs 1.00[0.46,3.66],U=1 712,P＜0.01)and hsa＿circ＿0072745(0.49[0.22,1.60]vs 1.00[0.51,7.93],U=1 714,P＜0.01)were significantly lower than that in the control group.The ROC curve showed that the hsa＿circ＿0054403,hsa＿circ＿0020897,and hsa＿circ＿0072745 in serum EVs had high predictive value for RSA.Their AUCROC were 0.758,0.666,and 0.664,respectively,and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 47.5% and 100.0%,50.0% and 81.2%,and 62.5% and 70.3%,respectively.When the three circRNAs were combined,it's AUCROC,sensitivity,and specificity were 0.842,73.7%,and 79.7%,respectively.Conclusion The hsa＿circ＿0054403,hsa＿circ＿0020897,and hsa＿circ＿0072745 in serum EVs of RSA patients are abnormally expressed,which may serve as the potential markers for predicting RSA.

Purpose To evaluate the value of 3D amide proton transfer imaging(3D APT)and reduced field-of-view diffusion weighted imaging(rFOV DWI)in predicting histologic grade of rectal adenocarcinoma.Materials and Methods A total of 64 cases of rectal adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology were analyzed from February 2020 to April 2023,with 28 cases in the high and 36 cases in the medium-low differentiation group,retrospectively.MRI sequences including reduced field-of-view high-resolution T2WI(rFOV T2WI),rFOV DWI and 3D APT before surgery.Two neuroradiologists delineated the solid part of the tumor layer by layer,and extracted its apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry(MTRasym)values.Combined-parameter model(MTRasym+rADC)was constructed by binary Logistic regression.The efficacy of the single-parameter and combined-parameter model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The mean value of MTRasym of the medium-low group[(2.93±0.61)%]was higher than that of high differentiation group[(1.74±0.63)%](t=-7.60,P＜0.001),and the mean value of rADC of the medium-low group[(0.98±0.17)×10-3 mm2/s]was lower than that of the high differentiation group[(1.19±0.18)×10-3 mm2/s](t=4.50,P＜0.001).In the identification of histopathological grades of rectal adenocarcinoma,receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that compared with MTRasym and rADC,the combined parameter model had the highest diagnostic performance,with an area under the curve of 0.94,sensitivity and specificity of 0.86 and 0.96.Conclusion 3D APT and rFOV DWI are helpful in identifying the histopathological grade of rectal adenocarcinoma.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the protective effect of Buyang-Huanwu decoction(BYHWD)on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats,focusing on its role in regulating the autophagy of cerebral micro-vascular endothelial cells(BMECs).METHODS:(1)We established a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/re-perfusion(MCAO/R)and divided the subjects into four groups:sham group,model(MCAO/R)group,BYHWD group,and 3-n-butylphthalide(NBP)group.Neurological deficits were assessed using the Zea Longa score,while the volume of cerebral infarction was measured through 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.Pathological damage in the ischemic penumbra was evaluated using HE staining,and blood-brain barrier(BBB)permeability was assessed by Evans blue(EB)staining.The ultrastructure of BMECs was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy,and the co-expres-sion and positive cell rate of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)in BMECs were determined through im-munofluorescence double staining.Additionally,the protein expression levels of ZO-1,claudin-5 and occludin in the cor-tical region of the ischemic penumbra in rats were examined using Western blot analysis.(2)A rat BMEC model of oxy-gen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)was also established.Rat BMECs were categorized into normal control(CON),OGD/R,dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),rapamycin and 3-methyladenine groups to observe autophagy levels by monodansylcadaverine(MDC)staining.Furthermore,rat BMECs were divided into CON,OGD/R,BYHWD-containing serum(BHDS)and NBP groups.The cell autophagy was assessed by MDC staining and Western blot,while cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.RESULTS:(1)The rats in MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological scores(P＜0.01)and increased cerebral infarction volumes(P＜0.01)compared with sham group.Severe damage in the ischemic penumbra was observed,characterized by disordered tissue structure,widened intercellular spaces,and compro-mised cellular integrity.The EB dye permeability was notably elevated(P＜0.01),and BMECs showed structural destruc-tion,including damaged cell membranes,swollen Golgi apparatus,dilated endoplasmic reticulum vesicles,and damaged mitochondria.The ratio of LC3+CD31+/CD31+and the protein levels of ZO-1,claudin-5 and occludin were significantly el-evated(P＜0.01).In contrast,the rats in BYHWD and NBP groups demonstrated lower neurological scores(P＜0.01)and reduced cerebral infarction volumes(P＜0.01).Furthermore,EB permeability decreased(P＜0.01),BMEC morphol-ogy improved,and the protein expression levels of ZO-1,claudin-5 and occludin increased(P＜0.05).(2)Rat BMECs in OGD/R group had a significantly elevated autophagy level compared with CON group(P＜0.01),with increased expres-sion of LC3 and beclin-1 proteins and decreased level of P62 protein(P＜0.05).Notably,the cells in BHDS and NBP groups displayed decreased autophagy level compared with OGD/R group,with increased cell viability(P＜0.01),re-duced LC3 and beclin-1 protein expression,and increased P62 protein expression(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Buyang-Huanwu decoction alleviates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting the autophagy of cerebral microvas-cular endothelial cells.