Introduction::The triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, a novel biomarker for metabolic syndrome (MetS), has been validated in the general population as being significantly correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, its capabilities to predict CVD in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) remain underexplored.Methods::We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 16,081 PLWH who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen (China) from 2005 to 2022. The baseline TG/HDL-C ratio was calculated as TG (mmol/L) divided by HDL-C (mmol/L). We employed a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to assess the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and CVD occurrence, using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests to compare survival distributions. The increase in prediction risk upon the addition of the biomarker to the conventional risk model was examined through the assessment of changes in net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Nonlinear relationships were investigated using a restricted cubic spline plot, complemented by a two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards model to analyze threshold effects.Results::At the median follow-up of 70 months, 213 PLWH developed CVD. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated a significant association between the increased risk of CVD and a higher TG/HDL-C ratio (log-rank P <0.001). The multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model indicated that the CVD hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]) for Q2, Q3, and Q4 versus Q1 of the TG/HDL-C ratio were 2.07 (1.24, 3.45), 2.17 (1.32, 3.57), and 2.20 (1.35, 3.58), respectively ( P <0.05). The consideration of the TG/HDL-C ratio in the model, which included all significant factors for CVD incidence, improved the predictive risk, as indicated by the reclassification metrics (NRI 16.43%, 95% CI 3.35%-29.52%, P = 0.014). The restriction cubic spline plot demonstrated an upward trend between the TG/HDL-C ratio and the CVD occurrence ( P for nonlinear association = 0.027, P for overall significance = 0.009), with the threshold at 1.013. Significantly positive correlations between the TG/HDL-C ratio and CVD were observed below the TG/HDL-C ratio threshold with HR 5.88 (95% CI 1.58-21.88, P = 0.008), but not above the threshold with HR 1.01 (95% CI 0.88-1.15, P = 0.880). Conclusion::Our study confirms the effectiveness of the TG/HDL-C ratio as a predictor of CVD risk in PLWH, which demonstrates a significant nonlinear association. These findings indicate the potential of the TG/HDL-C ratio in facilitating early prevention and treatment strategies for CVD among PLWH.

Objective To explore the risk factors for SBI after CEA in elderly patients with CS.Methods A total of 216 elderly CS patients undergoing CEA in our department from April 2020 to April 2023 were divided into SBI group(39 cases)and non-SBI group(177 cases)according to the occurrence of SBI in 30 d after surgery or not.The risk factors for SBI after CEA in elderly CS patients were screened out,and then a prediction model of SBI was constructed based on these risk factors.The prediction model was validated and its prediction efficacy was evaluated.Results Significantly larger proportions of severe CS,non-hyperechoic plaque and vulnerable carotid plaque,and higher levels of Hcy and TG were observed in the SBI group than the non-SBI group(P＜0.05).The severe carotid stenosis,non-hyperechoic plaque,vulnerable carotid artery plaque,Hey ≥13.81 μmol/L,and TG≥4.76 mmol/L were all risk factors for SBI after CEA in elderly CS patients(P＜0.05).The AUC value,sensitivity and specificity of the constructed model was 0.871(95％CI:0.715-0.939),94.50％and 76.30％respectively.Conclusion Severe carotid artery ste-nosis,non-hyperechoic plaque,vulnerable carotid artery plaque,Hey ≥13.81 μmol/L and TG ≥4.76 mmol/L are all risk factors for SBI after CEA.The prediction model based on the above risk factors has high predictive value for the occurrence of SBI after CEA in elderly CS patients.

Objective To explore the risk factors for SBI after CEA in elderly patients with CS.Methods A total of 216 elderly CS patients undergoing CEA in our department from April 2020 to April 2023 were divided into SBI group(39 cases)and non-SBI group(177 cases)according to the occurrence of SBI in 30 d after surgery or not.The risk factors for SBI after CEA in elderly CS patients were screened out,and then a prediction model of SBI was constructed based on these risk factors.The prediction model was validated and its prediction efficacy was evaluated.Results Significantly larger proportions of severe CS,non-hyperechoic plaque and vulnerable carotid plaque,and higher levels of Hcy and TG were observed in the SBI group than the non-SBI group(P＜0.05).The severe carotid stenosis,non-hyperechoic plaque,vulnerable carotid artery plaque,Hey ≥13.81 μmol/L,and TG≥4.76 mmol/L were all risk factors for SBI after CEA in elderly CS patients(P＜0.05).The AUC value,sensitivity and specificity of the constructed model was 0.871(95％CI:0.715-0.939),94.50％and 76.30％respectively.Conclusion Severe carotid artery ste-nosis,non-hyperechoic plaque,vulnerable carotid artery plaque,Hey ≥13.81 μmol/L and TG ≥4.76 mmol/L are all risk factors for SBI after CEA.The prediction model based on the above risk factors has high predictive value for the occurrence of SBI after CEA in elderly CS patients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of combination treatment of photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and antibiotic agent tinidazole (TNZ) against periodontitis both in vitro and in vivo. Methods:The Sprague-Dewley (SD) rat periodontitis model was constructed using the method of orthodontic wire ligation. After successful modeling, SD rats were randomly divided into the following 6 groups (3 rats in each group): positive control (Ctrl+), Ce6, TNZ, a mixture of Ce6 and TNZ (Ce6/TNZ), Ce6 with laser irradiation (Ce6+L), a mixture of Ce6 and TNZ with laser irradiation (Ce6/TNZ+L). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to assess the cytotoxic activities of Ce6 (concentration range: 0-20 mg/L), TNZ (concentration range: 0-16.6 mg/L) and their mixture (Ce6/TNZ) in mouse fibroblast L929 cells. Fluorescence probe method was applied to measure the production of reactive oxygen species in the dental plaque biofilms after various treatments with and without 5-minute laser irradiation at 635 nm at a power density of 0.5 W/cm 2 (Ce6+L and Ce6/TNZ+L groups), thus to evaluate the PDT performances. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and live/dead staining were used to assess the antibacterial activity in each of the groups and the combination index (CI) of PDT combined with TNZ was calculated subsequently. Flow cytometry was utilized to detect the apoptosis-inducing effects of these treatments in macrophage RAW264.7 cells after processing with the apoptosis detection kit. The inhibitory effects of various treatments on the absorption of alveolar bone of SD rats were further evaluated in the periodontitis rats by using the micro-CT. Results:The survival rates of L929 cells in the preset concentration range were all above 90% in Ce6, TNZ and Ce6/TNZ groups. Upon laser irradiation, the plaque biofilms in Ce6 and Ce6/TNZ groups showed significant green fluorescence, indicating that large amounts of reactive oxygen species were triggered and generated significantly in the dental plaque biofilms. However, the survival rates of dental plaque microorganisms in 5 Ce6/TNZ concentrations were (85.4±5.5)%, (76.0±8.9)%, (61.7±0.6)%, (56.3±2.6)% and (43.5±0.6)% respectively, which were significantly lower than that in Ce6 only and TNZ only groups ( P<0.01). The CI levle of each drug concentration group was less than 1.0, which showed a significant synergistic antibacterial efficiency. Stronger apoptotic activities were observed in Ce6+L and Ce6/TNZ+L groups compared with those in Ce6 only and Ce6/TNZ only groups ( P<0.01). In periodontitis rats, Ce6/TNZ combined laser irradiation could effectively inhibit the absorption of alveolar bone. The alveolar bone volume and the ratio of bone volume and tissue volume were (1.49±0.07) mm 3 and (47.08±0.71)%, respectively. The distances between cementoenamel junction to alveolar bone crest on buccal and palatal sites decreased to (2.13±0.07) mm and (1.94±0.10) mm respectively, showing a high inhibition efficiency. Conclusions:Ce6-mediated PDT combined with TNZ possessed notable synergistic effects against periodontitis, reflecting in the efficient antibacterial effect, the apoptosis-inducing action on macrophages, and the inhibitory efficacy on the alveolar bone absorption in vivo.

Objective: To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and preliminarily explore the possible mechanisms. Methods: SCC25 cells were divided into the control group (5-ALA of 0 mg/L) and the experimental group (5-ALA of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L). The production of protoporphyrin Ⅸ (PpⅨ) induced by 5-ALA in SCC25 cells was detected using the flow cytometry. SCC25 cells were divided into the control group (5-ALA of 0 mg/L), lazer alone group, 5-ALA alone group (5-ALA of 100 mg/L) and the 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation group (5-ALA of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L), the cytotoxicity of 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation (wave length 635 nm, power density 87 mW/cm² and laser dose 10.4 J/cm²) was evaluated in SCC25 cells using the methyl thiazolyltetrazolium assay (incubation times of 4, 8 and 12 h in each group) and the induction effect of combination treatment on the cell apoptosis was assessed by the flow cytometry (incubation time of 12 h in each group). The intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation was determined using a fluorescence probe method (incubation time of 12 h in each group). A mouse OSCC xenograft model bearing SCC25 tumor was built, and the mice were divided into control group (saline), 5-ALA group (5-ALA of 50 mg/kg) and 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation group (5-ALA of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg). Antitumor effect of 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation (wave length 635 nm, power density 158 mW/cm² and laser dose 94.8 J/cm²) was further measured. Results: 5-ALA induced the production of PpⅨ in SCC25 cells in a drug concentration (0-150 mg/L)-and incubation time (0-24 h)-dependent manner. When the 5-ALA concentration was 100 mg/L, the intracellular PpⅨ production was in a relatively stable state. Cell viability and apoptosis rate of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 mg/L 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation are, respectively, (82.3±5.2)%, (3.13±0.38)%; (74.6±9.3)%, (5.38±0.55)%; (38.3±9.7)%, (17.97±2.72)%; (9.2±3.8)%, (24.47±3.37)%; (7.2±0.8)%, (43.01±5.96)%, which indicated that 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation notably inhibited the growth of SCC25 cells and also induced significant cell apoptosis compared with the control group [(96.3±6.0)%, (0.35±0.13)%, P<0.05]. After combination treatment (5-ALA of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L combined with laser irradiation, the mean fluorescence intensity of dichlorofluorescein is (1.46±0.12)×10⁴, (2.16±0.30)×10⁴, (3.57±0.34)×10⁴, (81.70±13.05)×10⁴, (113.00±7.35)×10⁴, respectively, a large amount of ROS was produced in SCC25 cells compared with the control group [(0.96±0.15) ×10⁴, P<0.05], which was in positive correlation with the intracellular PpⅨ content. 5-ALA (concentration of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg) combined with laser irradiation greatly suppressed the tumor growth in SCC25 tumor-bearing mice compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions 5-ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy can trigger the generation of intracellular ROS that has significant cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction effect, and thus inhibit the tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo.

Objective To prepare a red blood cells based multifunctional nanoscaled drug delivery system,and to study its in vitro photothermal and photodynamic effects.Methods The indocyanine green (ICG)/doxorubicin (DOX) co-loaded nanoscaled red blood cells (DIRAs) were prepared using an extrusion method.The morphology,particle size,encapsulation efficiency,and stability were determined.The heating related change of particle size was studied using a size and potential tester.The in vitro photothermal effect was studied using an infrared imaging device.The uptake of DIRAs to 4T1 cells was studied using a CLSM examination.The in vitro photodynamic effect was studied using a fluorescence probe and CLSM examination.Results DIRAs were successfully prepared with a uniform and homogeneous size which was about (97.0±20.1) nm.The Zeta potential was about-21.6 mV and the encapsulation efficiency of ICG and DOX were 93.5％ and 95.2％,respectively.The DIRAs had excellent stability within 28 days.This nanoscaled drug delivery system had identical photothermal effect compared to free ICG.The cellular uptake of DOX was significantly improved after the laser irradiation and the photodynamic effect was enhanced.Conclusions The prepared DIRAs have regular shape,suitable particle size,high encapsulation efficiency and high photothermal conversion efficiency.DIRAs can improve the cellular uptake of DOX and enhance the photodynamic efficiency.This biomimetic muhifunctional nano-system could facilitate breast cancer treatment by combining PTT7PDT and chemotherapy.

AIM:To explore the interaction and function between ZnT3 mRNA expression and zinc elemental distribution in brain slice of mouse.METHODS:Zinc distribution was determined by SRXRF and ZnT3 mRNA expression in tissue was examined by RT-PCR method.RESULTS:Zinc content in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was significantly higher than that in other positions.The highest expression of ZnT3 mRNA was observed in cerebrum,hippocampus and testis.However,the ZnT3 mRNA was not detected in heart,liver,lung,spleen,kidney,intestine,olfactory bulb and cerebellum.CONCLUSION:ZnT3 facilitates the accumulation of zinc in synaptic vesicles and may play important roles in structuring of vesicular zinc pool.