Objective:To investigate the clinical value of 18F-NaF PET/CT coronary plague imaging in evaluating the long-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 54 patients (37 males and 17 females, aged (57.2±9.8) years) diagnosed with CAD from a multicenter study between September 2015 and October 2022. All patients underwent 18F-NaF PET/CT and coronary angiography (CAG) within 1 week, and the PET/CT imaging was performed at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were followed up. ROC curves were established to obtain the optimal thresholds of SUV max and accumulated SUV max of all lesions of main coronary artery branches (S-SUV max) for predicting MACE. Cox proportional risk model and Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test) were used to analyze the predictive value of PET parameters for MACE. Differences in metabolic parameters between 2 groups were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The median follow-up time of the 54 patients was 6.0(1.8, 6.6) years, and 13(24.1%) patients developed MACE, including 7 deaths, 5 myocardial infarction and 1 severe arrhythmia. S-SUV max in MACE group was significantly higher than that in the non-MACE group (2.64(2.08, 4.49) vs 1.83(0.95, 2.90); Z=-2.04, P=0.041). ROC curve showed that the optimal threshold of S-SUV max for MACE prediction was 2.05 (AUC=0.690). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that S-SUV max was a strong predictor of MACE (hazard ratio ( HR)=2.434(95% CI: 1.547-3.828), P<0.001). ROC curve showed that the optimal threshold of SUV max to predict MACE was 0.55 (AUC=0.659), and univariate Cox analysis showed that SUV max was a factor to predict MACE ( HR=10.192 (95% CI: 2.667-38.953), P=0.001). In 25 patients with incomplete revascularization (ICR), Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the incidence of MACE in patients with positive 18F-NaF uptake (single medium stenosis (40%-70%) with SUV max≥0.55) was significantly higher than that in patients with negative 18F-NaF uptake (5/14 vs 0/11; χ2=6.07, P=0.014). Conclusions:18F-NaF PET/CT can be used as an independent predictor of MACE in patients with CAD and can quantitatively assess the long-term progression of moderate coronary artery stenosis. In the future, it is expected to be a new non-invasive way to guide the revascularization treatment decision of multi-vessel CAD.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of lingual mucosal graft ureteroplasty (LMGU) for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures in a multi-institutional cohort of patients.Methods:A multi-center retrospective case series study was conducted on clinical data from 42 patients undergoing LMGU for long-segment ureteral strictures (≥5 cm) across five institutions between February 2017 and June 2024. The cohort comprised 31 males and 11 females, with an age of (43.4±12.0) years (range: 15 to 64 years) and a body mass index of (24.6±2.6) kg/m2 (range: 16.0 to 30.0 kg/m2). Strictures involved the left ureter in 24 cases and right ureter in 18 cases, demonstrating a stricture length of (6.4±1.5) cm (range: 5.0 to 11.5 cm). Surgical interventions included either onlay ureteroplasty or augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty, selected according to intraoperative findings. Intraoperative parameters, postoperative complications, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.Results:Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 22 cases and robot-assisted surgery in 20 cases. Among the 42 patients, 22 underwent onlay ureteroplasty while 20 received augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty. The graft length was (5.9±1.8) cm (range: 3.0 to 12.0 cm), operative time (191.5±55.6) minutes (range: 105.0 to 350.0 minutes), and intraoperative estimated blood loss (86.7±73.6) ml (range: 10.0 to 400.0 ml). All procedures were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The postoperative hospital stay was (7.6±2.0) days (range: 4.0 to 15.0 days), with double-J stent removal at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively. During a follow-up of (49.1±25.0) months (range: 12.0 to 99.0 months), no stricture recurrence was observed in any patient.Conclusion:LMGU is a safe, feasible, and effective long-term technique for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures.

Objective To assess the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH)after receiving balloon pulmonary angioplasty(BPA),and to evaluate the effect of the contrast agents on renal function.Methods A total of 143 CTEPH patients,who received BPA at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital of China from December 2018 to May 2022,were enrolled in this study.The clinical data,hemodynamic indicators,and serum creatinine(SC)concentrations within one week before and 48-72 h after BPA were collected.The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was calculated according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease(MDRD)formula.The SC concentration and eGFR changes before and after each BPA procedure were compared.The incidence of CIN and its risk factors were evaluated,and the changes in hemodynamics,SC and eGFR after the initial and last time of BPA treatment were analyzed.Results A total of 192 BPA procedures were performed in 115 CTEPH patients,including 88 BPA procedures in males and 103 BPA procedures in females.The mean amount of contrast agent used for each BPA was(145.58±47.26)mL.After BPA,12 patients developed 13 times of CIN,with an incidence of 6.8％.There was no significant differences(P＞0.05)in the baseline characteristics and SC concentration before BPA between CIN patients and non-CIN patients.In terms of the hemodynamic indexes,the mixed venous oxygen saturation(SvO2)in CIN patients was significantly lower than that in non-CIN patients(58.58％±10.38％vs.66.15％±8.02％,P=0.002),and no statistically significant differences(P＞0.05)in the other hemodynamic indexes existed between CIN group and non-CIN group.No statistically significant differences in SC concentration and eGFR existed before and after each BPA procedure.In patients who had received several BPA procedures,significant improvements in the SC[(78.09±18.760)μmol/L vs.(82.26±21.37)μmol/L,P＜0.001]and eGFR[(86.08±21.22)mL/(min·1.73 m2)vs.(82.07±22.05)mL/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.007]was achieved when compared with their baseline values.Conclusion CTEPH patients may develop CIN after receiving BPA treatment.After receiving several BPA treatments the patient's clinical symptoms and hemodynamics can be improved,and the patient's renal function is also significantly improved.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of 18F-NaF PET/CT coronary plague imaging in evaluating the long-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 54 patients (37 males and 17 females, aged (57.2±9.8) years) diagnosed with CAD from a multicenter study between September 2015 and October 2022. All patients underwent 18F-NaF PET/CT and coronary angiography (CAG) within 1 week, and the PET/CT imaging was performed at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were followed up. ROC curves were established to obtain the optimal thresholds of SUV max and accumulated SUV max of all lesions of main coronary artery branches (S-SUV max) for predicting MACE. Cox proportional risk model and Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test) were used to analyze the predictive value of PET parameters for MACE. Differences in metabolic parameters between 2 groups were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The median follow-up time of the 54 patients was 6.0(1.8, 6.6) years, and 13(24.1%) patients developed MACE, including 7 deaths, 5 myocardial infarction and 1 severe arrhythmia. S-SUV max in MACE group was significantly higher than that in the non-MACE group (2.64(2.08, 4.49) vs 1.83(0.95, 2.90); Z=-2.04, P=0.041). ROC curve showed that the optimal threshold of S-SUV max for MACE prediction was 2.05 (AUC=0.690). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that S-SUV max was a strong predictor of MACE (hazard ratio ( HR)=2.434(95% CI: 1.547-3.828), P<0.001). ROC curve showed that the optimal threshold of SUV max to predict MACE was 0.55 (AUC=0.659), and univariate Cox analysis showed that SUV max was a factor to predict MACE ( HR=10.192 (95% CI: 2.667-38.953), P=0.001). In 25 patients with incomplete revascularization (ICR), Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the incidence of MACE in patients with positive 18F-NaF uptake (single medium stenosis (40%-70%) with SUV max≥0.55) was significantly higher than that in patients with negative 18F-NaF uptake (5/14 vs 0/11; χ2=6.07, P=0.014). Conclusions:18F-NaF PET/CT can be used as an independent predictor of MACE in patients with CAD and can quantitatively assess the long-term progression of moderate coronary artery stenosis. In the future, it is expected to be a new non-invasive way to guide the revascularization treatment decision of multi-vessel CAD.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of lingual mucosal graft ureteroplasty (LMGU) for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures in a multi-institutional cohort of patients.Methods:A multi-center retrospective case series study was conducted on clinical data from 42 patients undergoing LMGU for long-segment ureteral strictures (≥5 cm) across five institutions between February 2017 and June 2024. The cohort comprised 31 males and 11 females, with an age of (43.4±12.0) years (range: 15 to 64 years) and a body mass index of (24.6±2.6) kg/m2 (range: 16.0 to 30.0 kg/m2). Strictures involved the left ureter in 24 cases and right ureter in 18 cases, demonstrating a stricture length of (6.4±1.5) cm (range: 5.0 to 11.5 cm). Surgical interventions included either onlay ureteroplasty or augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty, selected according to intraoperative findings. Intraoperative parameters, postoperative complications, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.Results:Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 22 cases and robot-assisted surgery in 20 cases. Among the 42 patients, 22 underwent onlay ureteroplasty while 20 received augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty. The graft length was (5.9±1.8) cm (range: 3.0 to 12.0 cm), operative time (191.5±55.6) minutes (range: 105.0 to 350.0 minutes), and intraoperative estimated blood loss (86.7±73.6) ml (range: 10.0 to 400.0 ml). All procedures were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The postoperative hospital stay was (7.6±2.0) days (range: 4.0 to 15.0 days), with double-J stent removal at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively. During a follow-up of (49.1±25.0) months (range: 12.0 to 99.0 months), no stricture recurrence was observed in any patient.Conclusion:LMGU is a safe, feasible, and effective long-term technique for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures.

Endosomal TLRs (TLR3/7/8/9) are highly analogous innate immunity sensors for various viral or bacterial RNA/DNA molecular patterns. Among them, TLR7, in particular, has been suggested to be a target for various inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); but few small-molecule inhibitors with elaborated mechanism have been reported in literature. Here, we reported a well-characterized human TLR7-specific small-molecule inhibitor, TH-407b, with promising potency and negligible cytotoxicity through a novel binding mechanism. Notably, TH-407b not only effectively inhibited TLR7-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling in a variety of cultured cell lines but also demonstrated potent inflammation suppressing activities in primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from SLE patients. Furthermore, TH-407b showed prominent efficacy in vivo, improved survival rate and ameliorated symptoms of SLE model mice. To obtain molecular insights into the TH-407b derivatives' inhibition mechanism, we performed the structural analysis of TLR7/TH-407b complex using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) method. As an atomistic resolution cryo-EM structure of the TLR family, it not only of value to facilitate structure-based drug design, but also shed light to methodology development of small proteins using EM. Significantly, TH-407b has unveiled an inhibition strategy for TLR7 via stabilizing its resting/inactivated state. Such a resting state could be generally applicable to all TLRs, rendering a useful method for targeting this group of important immunological receptors.

Intracranial atherosclerosis has been regard as the most common cause of ischemic stroke.The information of the types and degree of vascular wall lesions is important basis for the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke.High-resolution MR vessel wall imaging can directly display the lumen and wall of intracranial vessels,evaluate the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque qualitatively and quantitatively,including intra-plaque hemorrhage,plaque enhancement,and plaque distribution.Thus,high-resolution MR vessel wall imaging may play an important role in risk stratification,pathogenesis,treatment and prognosis evaluation in ischemic stroke patients.This review summarizes the progress of high-resolution MRI vessel wall imaging in the evaluation of intracranial atherosclerosis,especially the pathogenesis of plaque features and treatment-related information.

Objective:To investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on weight loss efficacy and insulin resistance (IR) in obese patients.Methods:It was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 190 obese patients with vitamin D deficiency were selected from the obesity clinic of Tianjin Union Medical Center from March to December in 2023. The patients were divided into control group (95 cases) and vitamin D group (95 cases) according to random number table. The control group was given energy-limited high-protein diet combined with moderate intensity exercise, and the vitamin D group was supplemented with vitamin D on the basis of the control group, 14 000 U/week for 24 weeks. A total of 25 dropped out of the study from the two groups for various reasons. Finally, 79 cases in the control group and 86 cases in the vitamin D group were included in the analysis. Independent sample t test and rank sum test were used to compare serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D] level, body weight, body mass index, fat mass, visceral fat area, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c) between the two groups at baseline and after intervention. Homeostasis model insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was used to evaluate the degree of insulin resistance (IR), and the effects of vitamin D supplementation on weight loss efficiency and IR in those patients were analyzed. Results:There was no significant differences in serum 25(OH)D level between the two groups before intervention ( P>0.05); the serum 25(OH)D level in the vitamin D group was significantly higher than that in the control group after intervention [(30.90±7.55) vs (16.00±4.34) μg/L] ( t=-15.35, P<0.001). The body weight, body mass index, fat mass, visceral fat area, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HbA 1c, and HOMA-IR were all significantly lower after the intervention than those before the intervention in both groups [control group: (93.32±13.47) vs (98.95±14.31) kg, (33.74±5.09) vs (35.80±5.52) kg/m 2, (39.77±11.87) vs (44.12±12.79) kg, (183.76±40.95) vs (204.01±32.18) m 2, 5.00 (4.55, 5.67) vs 5.24 (4.68, 6.42) mmol/L, 16.78 (13.94, 24.30) vs 22.56 (15.95, 31.2) mU/L, 5.55%±0.53% vs 6.05%±0.99%, 4.11 (3.14, 5.57) vs 5.51 (3.61, 8.49); vitamin D group: (88.14±17.66) vs (104.43±22.02) kg, (31.02±5.10) vs (36.66±5.98) kg/m 2, (35.51±12.87) vs (46.67±13.33) kg, (166.50±49.50) vs (213.64±40.14) m 2, 4.70 (4.35, 5.07) vs 5.17 (4.77, 6.30) mmol/L, 13.18 (9.87, 18.84) vs 21.67 (15.78. 32.74) mU/L, 5.43%±0.48% vs 6.21%±1.22%, 2.88 (1.99, 4.21) vs 5.19 (3.82, 9.27)], and the body weight, body mass index, adiposity, visceral fat area, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR were all significantly lower in vitamin D group than those in the control group [(88.14±17.66) vs (93.32±13.47) kg, (31.02±5.10) vs (33.74±5.09) kg/m 2, (35.51±12.87) vs (39.77±11.87) kg, (166.50±49.50) vs (183.76±40.95) m 2, 4.70 (4.35, 5.07) vs 5.00 (4.55, 5.67) mmol/L, 13.18 (9.87, 18.84) vs 16.78 (13.94, 24.30) mU/L, and 2.88 (1.99, 4.21) vs 4.11 (3.14, 5.57), respectivley] (all P<0.05). The IR remission rate was significantly higher in the vitamin D group than that in the control group after the intervention (37.3% vs 15.3%) ( χ2=8.071, P=0.002). Conclusion:Supplementation of vitamin D on the basis of energy-limited high-protein diet combined with moderate intensity exercise can significantly improve the efficacy of weight loss and IR in obese patients with vitamin D deficiency.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of labial mucosa graft coupled preputial island flap urethroplasty for recurrent penile curvature after hypospadias repair.Methods:The data of 35 patients with recurrent penile curvature after hypospadias repair who underwent labial mucosa graft coupled preputial island flap urethroplasty in four hospitals from January 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The median age of the patients was 15(13, 18)years old, five of them had penile dehiscence, and four had urethrocutaneous fistula. All patients received labial mucosa graft coupled preputial island flap urethroplasty, the penile flexion was confirmed by artificial erection test, and the urethra is obliquely cut at the most obvious curvature of the penis. By removing the ventral fibrotic scar tissue, the length of the urethral defect was measured. The urethral plate was reconstructed with the same length of labial mucosa graft and an adjacent preputial island flap was transplanted to cover the reconstructed urethra plate to form a new urethral lumen. The inner urethral stent tube was extracted three days after the operation, and the outer urethral stent tube was removed three weeks after the surgery. Diagnostic urethral exploration was performed 5 weeks post-operation, uroflowmetry examination was performed seven weeks after the procedure, and the perioperative and postoperative follow-up data were analyzed.Results:All patients underwent a successful surgery, with the average duration of the procedure being (114.7±20.1)minutes. After mean follow-up of (15.5±5.9)months, no penile curvature occurred, and 32 patients were successfully repaired. Uroflowmetry examination was achieved in 21 patients at the seventh week after surgery showed their mean maximum flow rate was (18.4±3.7)ml/s. Three cases (8.6%, 3/35) developed urethrocutaneous fistula, who were repaired successfully 6 months after surgery.Conclusions:Utilizing the combination of labial mucosa grafts and preputial island flaps for urethroplasty has been proven to be a reliable and safe option for individuals with recurrent penile curvature following hypospadias repair, with a high success rate and few complications.

【Objective】 To improve the understanding and diagnosis and treatment level of ALK negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK-ALCL) by sharing the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with ALK-ALCL treated in Hangzhou Bay Hospital of Ningbo. 【Methods】 The clinical data and diagnosis and treatment process of the patient were retrospectively analyzed, and relevant literature was reviewed. 【Results】 The patient was a young male, with recurrent gross hematuria and right low back pain as the initial symptoms.Imaging examination indicated bladder tumor.After resection, the tumor was reduced and confirmed to be ALK-ALCL.After chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the patient’s condition continued to improve.During the follow-up, no recurrence was observed. 【Conclusion】 Primary ALK-ALCL in the bladder is very rare and prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in clinical practice.The successful diagnosis and treatment experience of this patient can provide clinical reference.