ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on ferroptosis in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and explore the underlying mechanism based on the nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）/glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） signaling pathway. MethodsThe sixty SD rats were randomly grouped as follows： control， model， Yishanfu （0.144 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （2.44， 4.88， and 9.76 g·kg^-1， respectively） Danggui Shaoyaosan. A high-fat diet was used to establish the rat model of NAFLD. After 12 weeks of modeling， rats were treated with corresponding agents for 4 weeks. Then， the body weight and liver weight were measured， and the liver index was calculated. At the same time， serum and liver samples were collected. The levels or activities of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and Fe²⁺ in the serum and TC， TG， free fatty acids （FFA）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX）， and Fe²⁺ in the liver were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the reactive oxygen species （ROS） content in the liver. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of Nrf2， SLC7A11， GPX4， transferrin receptor 1 （TFR1）， and divalent metal transporter 1 （DMT1） in the liver were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed increases in the body weight， liver weight， liver index， levels or activities of TC， TG， ALT， AST， and Fe²⁺ in the serum， levels of TC， TG， FFA， MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS in the liver， and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver （P<0.01）， and decreases in the activities of SOD， GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2， SLC7A11， and GPX4 in the liver （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the liver tissue in the model group presented steatosis， iron deposition， mitochondrial shrinkage， and blurred or swollen mitochondrial cristae. Compared with the model group， all doses of Danggui Shaoyaosan reduced the body weight， liver weight， liver index， levels or activities of TC， TG， ALT， AST， and Fe²⁺ in the serum， levels of TC， TG， FFA， MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS in the liver， and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver （P<0.01）， while increasing the activities of SOD and GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2， SLC7A11， and GPX4 in the liver （P<0.01）. Furthermore， Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviated steatosis， iron deposition， and mitochondrial damage in the liver. ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to treat NAFLD.

Objective:To discuss the infection status and clinical outcomes in the patients with bullous pemphigoid(BP),and to analyze the risk factors for infection in hospitalized BP patients,as well as to construct and evaluate the risk prediction model.Methods:A total of 126 patients first diagnosed with BP were selected.According to the occurrence of infection,the patients were divided into infection group(52 cases)and non-infection group(74 cases).The infection status and outcomes of the patients in two groups were recorded;statistical analysis was performed on the general data,laboratory examination results,FRAIL scale scores for frailty screening,NRS2002 scores,and skin lesion severity of the patients in two groups;multivariate Logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for infection in the patients;the goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate the model;receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of the model for infection.Results:Among the 126 hospitalized BP patients,52 cases had infection,with an infection rate of 41.27％.The mortality rate of the patients in infection group was higher than that in non-infection group(P＜0.05),and the remission rate of the patients in non-infection group was higher than that in infection group(P＜0.05).The FRAIL scale score for frailty screening,NRS2002 score,serum albumin level,prealbumin level,number of hospitalization,skin lesion severity,and time of hospital stay of the patients in infection group were significantly higher than those in non-infection group(P＜0.05).The multivariate Logistic regression analysis results derived the regression equation:Logistic(P)=-7.63+0.922× skin lesion severity+2.565×FRAIL scale score for frailty screening+1.214×NRS2002 score.The area under the curve of the Logistic regression model was 0.916.Conclusion:The FRAIL scale score for frailty screening,NRS2002 score,and skin lesion severity are the risk factors for infection in the hospitalized BP patients.The constructed infection risk prediction model based on these factors has good predictive value and may provide new ideas for the prevention and control of infection in the hospitalized BP patients.

Objective·To investigate the effects of sennoside A(SA)on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and its receptor in mice with diabetes mellitus type 2(T2DM).Methods·Twelve mice with knocked-out apolipoprotein E gene were randomly divided into two groups,namely the model group and the model+SA group,with six mice in each group.Six C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background were used as the control group.The control group was fed with normal diet,and the model group and the model+SA group were given intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(30 mg/kg)daily on the basis of high-fat diet to establish a model of T2DM.The model+SA group was given SA daily by gavage for 8 weeks,and the control group and the model group were given equal volume of distillation-distillation H2O by gavage.The body weight,fasting blood glucose(FBG)and 2-h postprandial blood glucose of mice were compared before and after modeling and treatment.The area of aortic plaque was observed by oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin(H-E)staining,and the level of 5-HT in serum and thoracic aorta was measured by ELISA kit.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B(HTR2B)and serotonin transporter(SERT)in thoracic aorta of mice.Results·Compared with the control group,the body weight,FBG and 2-h postprandial blood glucose in the model group increased,and glucose metabolism was disordered.The expression of HTR2B and SERT protein in thoracic aorta increased,while the concentration of 5-HT in thoracic aorta decreased.The serum 5-HT concentration increased(all P<0.05).After treatment with SA,compared with the model group,the body weight of the model+SA group decreased,and FBG and 2-h postprandial blood glucose were significantly improved.The area of aortic plaque and the expression of HTR2B and SERT protein in thoracic aorta significantly decreased,while the concentration of 5-HT increased.The serum 5-HT concentration decreased(all P<0.05).Conclusion·SA can reduce atherosclerotic plaque area in T2DM mice,which may be related to lowering blood glucose and inhibiting the expression of 5-HT and its receptor.

To investigate the formation of polystyrene nanoplastic-plant protein corona and its potential impact on plants, three differently modified polystyrene nanoplastics with an average particle size of 200 nm were taken to interact with the leaf proteins of Impatiens hawkeri for 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 16 h, 24 h, and 36 h, respectively. The morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the surface roughness was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), the hydrated particle size and zeta potential were determined by nanoparticle size and zeta potential analyzer, and the protein composition of the protein corona was identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The proteins were classified in terms of biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions to study the adsorption selection of nanoplastics to proteins, investigate the formation and characteristics of polystyrene nanoplastic-plant protein corona and predict the potential impact of protein corona on plants. The results showed that the morphological changes of the nanoplastics became clearer as the reaction time extends, as evidenced by the increase in size and roughness and the enhancement of stability, thus demonstrating the formation of protein corona. In addition, the transformation rate from soft to hard protein corona was basically the same for the three polystyrene nanoplastics in the formation of protein corona with leaf proteins under the same protein concentration conditions. Moreover, in the reaction with leaf proteins, the selective adsorption of the three nanoplastics to proteins with different isoelectric points and molecular weights differed, and the particle size and stability of the final formed protein corona also differed. Since a large portion of the protein fraction in protein corona is involved in photosynthesis, it is hypothesized that the formation of the protein corona may affect photosynthesis in I. hawkeri.
Polystyrenes/chemistry* ; Protein Corona/chemistry* ; Microplastics ; Plant Proteins ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Nanoparticles/chemistry*

Objective: To investigate the indications and long-term outcomes of endoscopy-assisted removal of parotid gland calculi via a transoral approach. Methods: From August 2005 to December 2016, 158 consecutive patients with parotid gland calculi underwent endoscopy-assisted lithectomy transorally. They included 71 males and 87 females, with an age of 5-84 years. The immediate safety and effectiveness were evaluated. After surgery, the patients were followed up, and gland function was analyzed on the basis of clinical manifestations, sialography, scintigraphy and sialometry. Postoperative sialograms were categorized into 2 types: ①type Ⅰ, the main duct was normal or had ectasia and stenosis, but no persistent contrast was seen on the functional film; ②type Ⅱ, the main duct had ectasia or stenosis, with persistent contrast media on the functional film. Results: Under one endoscopic procedure, the stones (or foreign bodies) were completely removed in 134 cases and almost completely removed in 10 cases, with a success rate of 91.1% (144/158). Of the 144 successful cases, the treatment options included direct basket retrieval or forceps grasping in 77 cases, basket entrapment with direct ostium incision in 36, basket capture with perio-ostium incision in 23 and perio-ostium incision in 8 cases with impacted stones. In two of the initial 14 failure cases, the stones were discharged spontaneously 3 months after operation. During 3-120 months′ follow-up (mean 36 months) of the 146 patients, one had recurrent stone, two developed ductal obturation, 16 had mild symptoms, and the remaining 127 cases were asymptomatic. Of the postoperative sialograms in 34 stone-free patients 25 were type Ⅰ, 9 were type Ⅱ. Both scintigraphy and saliva flow rate indicated an improvement of the affected gland function in some degree (P<0.05). Conclusions Transoral endoscopy-assisted removal of parotid gland calculi is a safe and effective technique. It is mainly indicated for mobile stones in the main duct or impacted stones in the anterior third of the Stensen′s duct. Sialography, scintigraphy and sialometry show postoperative improvement of gland function in most of the cases.

Objective: To analyze the radiolographic features of ameloblastoma (AM), odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) and dentigerous cyst (DC) in the maxilla by spiral CT (SCT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT), and to provide useful information for the differential diagnosis of benign radiolucent lesions in the maxilla. Methods: Clinical records, histopathological reports and SCT or CBCT imaging of 85 patients with primary maxillary AM, OKC or DC admitted to Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from December 2012 to May 2017 were collected. Radiographic characteristics including site, size, shape, cortex expansion, internal structure and effects on neighboring tissue were analyzed. For OKC and DC, the relationship between cysts and enveloped teeth was classified as centripetal, eccentric and adherent. Results: The 85 patients included 56 males and 29 females, aged from 8 to 84 years old. Eighty-three patients had a single lesion, whereas 2 patients had bilateral cysts. In total, 87 lesions were analyzed, comprising 22 AM, 45 OKC and 20 DC. Among the 22 AM, 11 lesions were desmoplastic type, 16 were round-like in shape and 18 presented with buccal expansion. The shapes of the 45 OKC varied as round-like (n=26), oval (n=3), reniform (n=4), sinus-like (n=5), sinus+round (n=5) and irregular (n=2). Furthermore, 30 OKC presented with buccal expansion, 22 nearly filled the maxillary sinus and 26 were 'dentigerous'. The tooth-cyst relationship of the 'dentigerous' OKC was centripetal in 11, eccentric in 4 and adherent in 11. Among the 20 unicystic DC, 8 lesions were centripetal, 6 were eccentric and 6 were adherent type; 16 DC presented with buccal expansion. Conclusions Demosplastic type is common in maxillary AM. Most AM are round-like in shape and expand buccally. The shape of maxillary OKC varies greatly and maxillary sinus filling is common. More than a half of OKC appear 'dentigerous'. For DC and OKC, tooth-cyst relationship can be centripetal, eccentric and adherent.

Objective: To investigate the different surgical approaches and long-term outcomes of endoscopy-assisted transoral removal of deep hilar and intraparenchymal stones in the Wharton′s duct. Methods: From January 2008 to March 2018, 481 consecutive patients with deep hilar and intraparenchymal calculi in the Wharton′s duct underwent endoscopy-assisted transoral removal at Deparment of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. There were 250 males and 231 females. Their ages ranged from 9-86 years. We operated 476 patients under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, and the remaining 5 were operated under general anesthesia. On the basis of ultrasonography, spiral CT, sialography and endoscopy, the calculi were classified into 4 types: hilum stones (located at the hilum or proximally with a distance <5 mm from the hilum), infra-hilum stones (intra-glandular stones with a distance of 5-10 mm from the hilum), intraparenchymal stones (with a distance ≥10 mm from the hilum), and multiple stones (concomitant hilum and intra-glandular stones). The treatment approaches included: hilum duct slitting, intraparenchymal duct slitting, submandibulotomy and intraductal retrieval. The success rate, immediate safety and effectiveness of different types of stones were evaluated. After surgery, the patients were followed up, and gland function was analyzed on the basis of clinical symptoms and signs. Results: The calculi sizes varied from 3 to 25 mm, with a mean of 7.8 mm. The calculi were located in the right submandibular gland in 259 patients, in the left submandibular gland in 219 patients and in bilateral glands in 3 patients. The calculi were successfully removed in 446 glands, with a success rate of 92.1% (446/484). The success rate varied according to the stone sites: 97.8% (363/371) for hilum stones, 64.4% (29/45) for infra-hilum stones, 4/16 for intraparenchymal stones and 96.2% (50/52) for multiple stones. The main treatment methods applied included hilum duct slitting in 347 glands, intraparenchymal duct slitting in 13, submandibulotomy in 4, intraductal retrieval in 73, and hilum duct slitting accompanied by intraductal retrieval in 9. Ductal breakage occurred in 2 glands. All patients complained of mild to moderate pain with a duration of 3-7 days. Nine had temporal lingual nerve injury. During 3-120 months′ follow-up (mean 36 months) of the total 484 glands, 1.6% (7/446) developed ranula, 1.3% (6/446) experienced obturation of the main duct and 2.0% (9/446) had recurrent stones. The remaining 95.1% (424/446) glands were symptom-free with good function. Conclusions Endoscopy-assisted transoral removal of deep hilar and intraparenchymal submandibular calculi is a safe and effective gland-preserving procedure. According to the depth, size and number of the calculi, variant surgical approaches should be attempted to maximize the success rate and to minimize the side effects.