Background: and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Methods: This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. Results: Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusion In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques.

Animal experiments are crucial in evaluating the preclinical safety and efficacy of new dental materials, drugs, instruments, and equipment by identifying and eliminating potential health risks to humans. An international team of several dental experts formulated a guideline named Preferred Reporting Items for Animal Studiesin Endodontology (PRIASE) 2021. Consisting of 11 domains, 43 individual items, and a flowchart. PRIASE provides guidance for animal experiments in dentistry and improves the quality of experiment design and reporting. This work introduces the process and basic content of the guideline and interprets the key items of its checklist with specific examples to provide reference for the reporting of animal experiment in dentistry in China.
Animals ; Animal Experimentation/standards* ; Checklist ; China ; Endodontics ; Guidelines as Topic ; Research Design

Objective:To investigate the value of coronary CTA (CCTA)-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque in the identification of culprit lesions that caused acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:This was a retrospective multicenter study. From July 2016 to November 2023, a total of 344 patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (training cohort, n=184), Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (validation cohort, n=88) and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (test cohort, n=72) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to AMI and underwent CCTA within 48 hours of AMI were enrolled. The culprit plaques and non-culprit plaques were identified using a combination of electrocardiogram, CCTA, and angiographic findings. The vessel, plaque location, plaque type, Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score, high-risk plaque characteristics, plaque length, plaque volume, and burden were analyzed, and 1 904 radiomics features were extracted for each plaque. The traditional imaging model, the radiomics model, and the combined model were established by using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of each model in identifying culprit lesions. The DeLong test was used for the comparison of AUC between every two models. The net reclassification index (NRI) was used to evaluate the incremental value of the combined model to the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical net benefit of these models. A correlation heatmap was used to evaluate the correlation between the radiomics score and traditional CCTA factors. The interpretable analysis of the decision process of the combined model was performed by the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results:In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the traditional imaging model developed by the vessel, plaque type, positive remodeling and CAD-RADS score was 0.898 (95% CI 0.869-0.922) and 0.881 (95% CI 0.848-0.910), respectively. The radiomics model developed by six radiomics features was 0.863 (95% CI 0.831-0.891) and 0.863 (95% CI 0.827-0.864), respectively. The AUC of the combined model was 0.930 (95% CI 0.905-0.950)and 0.919 (95% CI 0.889-0.942), respectively. In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the combined model was higher than that of the traditional imaging model ( Z=4.013, 4.272, P<0.001) and that of the radiomics model ( Z=4.819, 3.784, P<0.001), respectively. In the validation cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 20.43% (95% CI 10.43%-30.44%, P<0.001) and 20.21% (95% CI 9.62%-30.80%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. In the test cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 28.05% (95% CI 16.72%-39.38%, P<0.001) and 23.57% (95% CI 13.58%-33.56%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. DCA showed the combined model had the highest clinical net benefit. The correlation heatmap showed the radiomics score was not correlated or only weakly correlated with traditional CCTA factors. SHAP indicated the radiomics and CAD-RADS score contributed significantly to the model. Conclusion:The CCTA-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque have favorable performance for the identification of culprit plaques in patients with AMI.

Background: and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Methods: This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. Results: Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusion In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Yiyiren Decoction on the prevention and treatment of collagen induced arthritis with syndrome of cold-dampness obstruction (CIA-CDO) its mechanism.Methods:A cold dampness obstruction type CIA rat model was prepared by injecting type Ⅱ collagen and simulating a cold and humid environment in an artificial climate chamber. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a positive group, and Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage groups according to a random number table method. Additionally, 8 normal rats were set as the blank group. The Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage groups were orally administered with Yiyiren Decoction at dosages of 24 and 12 g/kg, the positive group was orally administered with leflunomide at a dosage of 10 mg/kg, and the blank group and model group were orally administered with equal volumes of normal saline once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. The overall signs of the rats were observed daily, and the arthritis index (AI) of the limbs and paws was assessed weekly; after 4 weeks of drug administration, the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were detected by ELISA, histopathology of the ankle joint sections was observed under the light microscope, and gene expressions of synovial MMP-3 and TIMP-1 were determined by RT-qPCR.Results:The overall physical signs and joint symptoms of rats in the Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage group increased; compared with the model group, after 3 and 4 weeks of administration, the AI scores of the Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage group and positive group decreased ( P<0.01); the Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage group showed varying degrees of improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial/fibrous tissue proliferation, and bone and cartilage structure damage in the ankle joint; compared with the model group, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the high and Yiyiren Decoction low-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.01), while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased ( P<0.01); the mRNA level of MMP-3 in synovium decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the mRNA level of TIMP-1 increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Yiyiren Decoction can improve the joint symptoms of CIA rats with cold-dampness obstruction, and its preventive and therapeutic effects may be related to correcting the imbalance of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines and MMP-3/TIMP-1, reducing the inflammatory reaction in the joint cavity and the whole body, and inhibiting the metabolic disorder of joint matrix.

Background: and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Methods: This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. Results: Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusion In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques.

Objective:To investigate the value of MRI combined with serum long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ1OT1 and microRNA-204-5p (miR-204-5p) in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.Methods:A total of 70 patients with breast cancer who were surgically diagnosed in the No.2 Hospital of Baoding, Hebei Province from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the study objects. Patients were divided into metastatic group ( n=31) and non-metastatic group ( n=39) according to the status of lymph node metastasis. The MRI features and the levels of serum lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-204-5p were compared between the two groups. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the three detections alone and in combination for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Results:There were statistically significant differences in tumor maximum diameter ( χ2=4.28, P=0.039) and Ki-67 expression ( χ2=10.88, P=0.001) between the metastatic and non-metastatic groups. There were statistically significant differences between the breast cancer axillary lymph node metastatic group and the non-metastatic group in the mode of internal reinforcement type ( χ2=6.60, P=0.037), peripheral vessel diameter ( t=4.33, P<0.001), number of peripheral vessel roots ( t=4.38, P<0.001), apparent diffusion coefficient ( t=3.59, P=0.001), and MRI lymph node status ( χ2=29.70, P<0.001). The level of serum lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 in metastatic group was higher than that in non-metastatic group (1.41±0.32 vs. 0.99±0.18, t=6.94, P<0.001), and the level of miR-204-5p was lower than that in non-metastatic group (0.72±0.17 vs. 1.03±0.21, t=6.66, P<0.001). Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-204-5p may have a targeting relationship with lncRNA KCNQ1OT1. ROC curve analysis showed the area under the curve of MRI features, serum levels of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, miR-204-5p and their combined detection to predict lymph node metastasis of breast cancer patients were 0.823, 0.858, 0.843, 0.946, respectively. The predictive efficacy of the combined detection was better than that of MRI features and serum lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-204-5p levels alone ( Z=3.29, P=0.001; Z=2.07, P=0.038; Z=2.23, P=0.026) . Conclusions:Serum lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 level is up-regulated and the level of miR-204-5p is down-regulated in patients with axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer. And the combination of MRI features with serum lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-204-5p has high predictive efficacy in predicting lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Objective:To study the distribution characteristics of current patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner (referred to as Morin Banner), and provide suggestions for service management.Methods:Information of KBD current patients in Morin Banner was collected from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2024 using the "KBD Current Patient Survey System" provided by the Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A descriptive study method was used to analyze the basic information and clinical data of current patients.Results:As of June 30, 2024, a total of 6 223 KBD current patients were reported in Morin Banner, and the patients were distributed in 15 townships (towns). There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of KBD among different townships (towns, χ 2 = 3 069.01, P < 0.001). The minimum age of the KBD current patients was 27 years old, and the maximum was 98 years old, mainly concentrated in the age range of 45 - 74 years old, accounting for 95.7% (5 954/6 223). There was a significant difference in the prevalence rate of KBD among different age groups (χ 2 = 5 912.76, P < 0.001). The male to female ratio was 1.00∶1.14 (2 910 ∶ 3 313), and there was a statistically significant difference in prevalence rate of KBD between genders(χ 2 = 44.38, P < 0.001). The KBD current patients mainly had a primary school education, married, and farmers, accounting for 59.2% (3 685/6 223), 89.8% (5 590/6 223), 93.2% (5 802/6 223), respectively; and the clinical grading of patients is mainly degree Ⅰ. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of limb disability among patients with different clinical grades (χ 2 = 64.26, P < 0.001). The rate of limb disability in males was higher than that in females (χ 2 = 10.36, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The KBD current patients in Morin Banner are distributed in various township (town), with middle-aged and elderly famers being the main ones. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring of KBD, and pay attention to personalized treatment and management of KBD current patients.

Objective:To investigate the value of coronary CTA (CCTA)-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque in the identification of culprit lesions that caused acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:This was a retrospective multicenter study. From July 2016 to November 2023, a total of 344 patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (training cohort, n=184), Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (validation cohort, n=88) and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (test cohort, n=72) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to AMI and underwent CCTA within 48 hours of AMI were enrolled. The culprit plaques and non-culprit plaques were identified using a combination of electrocardiogram, CCTA, and angiographic findings. The vessel, plaque location, plaque type, Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score, high-risk plaque characteristics, plaque length, plaque volume, and burden were analyzed, and 1 904 radiomics features were extracted for each plaque. The traditional imaging model, the radiomics model, and the combined model were established by using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of each model in identifying culprit lesions. The DeLong test was used for the comparison of AUC between every two models. The net reclassification index (NRI) was used to evaluate the incremental value of the combined model to the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical net benefit of these models. A correlation heatmap was used to evaluate the correlation between the radiomics score and traditional CCTA factors. The interpretable analysis of the decision process of the combined model was performed by the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results:In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the traditional imaging model developed by the vessel, plaque type, positive remodeling and CAD-RADS score was 0.898 (95% CI 0.869-0.922) and 0.881 (95% CI 0.848-0.910), respectively. The radiomics model developed by six radiomics features was 0.863 (95% CI 0.831-0.891) and 0.863 (95% CI 0.827-0.864), respectively. The AUC of the combined model was 0.930 (95% CI 0.905-0.950)and 0.919 (95% CI 0.889-0.942), respectively. In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the combined model was higher than that of the traditional imaging model ( Z=4.013, 4.272, P<0.001) and that of the radiomics model ( Z=4.819, 3.784, P<0.001), respectively. In the validation cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 20.43% (95% CI 10.43%-30.44%, P<0.001) and 20.21% (95% CI 9.62%-30.80%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. In the test cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 28.05% (95% CI 16.72%-39.38%, P<0.001) and 23.57% (95% CI 13.58%-33.56%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. DCA showed the combined model had the highest clinical net benefit. The correlation heatmap showed the radiomics score was not correlated or only weakly correlated with traditional CCTA factors. SHAP indicated the radiomics and CAD-RADS score contributed significantly to the model. Conclusion:The CCTA-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque have favorable performance for the identification of culprit plaques in patients with AMI.

Objective:To study the distribution characteristics of current patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner (referred to as Morin Banner), and provide suggestions for service management.Methods:Information of KBD current patients in Morin Banner was collected from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2024 using the "KBD Current Patient Survey System" provided by the Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A descriptive study method was used to analyze the basic information and clinical data of current patients.Results:As of June 30, 2024, a total of 6 223 KBD current patients were reported in Morin Banner, and the patients were distributed in 15 townships (towns). There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of KBD among different townships (towns, χ 2 = 3 069.01, P < 0.001). The minimum age of the KBD current patients was 27 years old, and the maximum was 98 years old, mainly concentrated in the age range of 45 - 74 years old, accounting for 95.7% (5 954/6 223). There was a significant difference in the prevalence rate of KBD among different age groups (χ 2 = 5 912.76, P < 0.001). The male to female ratio was 1.00∶1.14 (2 910 ∶ 3 313), and there was a statistically significant difference in prevalence rate of KBD between genders(χ 2 = 44.38, P < 0.001). The KBD current patients mainly had a primary school education, married, and farmers, accounting for 59.2% (3 685/6 223), 89.8% (5 590/6 223), 93.2% (5 802/6 223), respectively; and the clinical grading of patients is mainly degree Ⅰ. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of limb disability among patients with different clinical grades (χ 2 = 64.26, P < 0.001). The rate of limb disability in males was higher than that in females (χ 2 = 10.36, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The KBD current patients in Morin Banner are distributed in various township (town), with middle-aged and elderly famers being the main ones. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring of KBD, and pay attention to personalized treatment and management of KBD current patients.