Several types of arthritis share the common feature that the generation of inflammatory mediators leads to joint cartilage degradation. However, the shared mechanism is largely unknown. H2BK120ub1 was reportedly involved in various inflammatory diseases but its role in the shared mechanism in inflammatory joint conditions remains elusive. The present study demonstrated that levels of cartilage degradation, H2BK120ub1, and its regulator WW domain-containing adapter protein with coiled-coil (WAC) were increased in cartilage in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients as well as in experimental RA and OA mice. By regulating H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3, WAC regulated the secretion of inflammatory and cartilage-degrading factors. WAC influenced the level of H3K27me3 by regulating nuclear entry of the H3K27 demethylase KDM6B, and acted as a key factor of the crosstalk between H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3. The cartilage-specific knockout of WAC demonstrated the ability to alleviate cartilage degradation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) mice. Through molecular docking and dynamic simulation, doxercalciferol was found to inhibit WAC and the development of cartilage degradation in the CIA and CIOA models. Our study demonstrated that WAC is a key factor of cartilage degradation in arthritis, and targeting WAC by doxercalciferol could be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating cartilage destruction in several types of arthritis.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of different types of aortic root replacement in adolescent patients with aortic root aneurysm by analyzing the perioperative and follow-up conditions of surgical treatment for adolescent aortic root aneurysm.Methods:The clinical data of patients aged ≤18 years who were admitted to the Beijing Anzhen Hospital from November 2012 to February 2025, diagnosed with aortic root aneurysm by ultrasound or aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) and requiring surgical intervention, were collected retrospectively. They were divided into the valve-sparing aortic root replacement group (David operation group) and the aortic root replacement group (Bentall operation group) according to the surgical method. The perioperative results and long-term follow-up results of the two groups were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were drawn to compare the reoperation intervention rate between the two groups.Results:A total of 25 patients were included in this study, including 17 in the Bentall group and 8 in the David group. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, blood routine, liver and kidney function, coagulation function, and electrolyte internal environment between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in operation time and intensive care unit stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the Bentall operation group, the intraoperative blood loss in the David operation group was more ( P<0.05). During the follow-up, no reoperation occurred in the Bentall operation group, while 3 patients in the David operation group had long-term re-intervention. The long-term reoperation intervention rate in the David operation group was higher than that in the Bentall group ( P=0.042), but there was no statistically significant difference in the aortic valve-related surgical intervention rate between the two groups ( P=0.15). Conclusions:For adolescent patients with aortic root aneurysm, although David operation may face long-term reoperation intervention, this intervention may not be due to the difference in surgical methods. Both Bentall operation and David operation are safe and reliable, with good perioperative results and stable medium and long-term prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the effects of prophylactic analgesia using erector spinae plane block (ESPB) combined with ketorolac tromethamine on postoperative analgesia and early recovery of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 105 gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy in Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from June 2022 to October 2023 were selected, and the patients were divided into ESPB+ketorolac tromethamine group (T group), ESPB group (C1 group), and ketorolac tromethamine group (C2 group) by using the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. The prophylactic analgesia method was preoperative ESPB + ketorolac tromethamine in T group, preoperative ESPB in C1 group and preoperative ketorolac tromethamine in C2 group. The intraoperative sufentanil and remifentanil dosage and the postoperative resting pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, remedial analgesia, recovery status and complication occurrence were compared among the 3 groups.Results:The baseline characteristics and intraoperative conditions of the patients in the 3 groups were compared, and the differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The intraoperative sufentanil dosage in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [30 (25, 30) μg vs. 35 (30, 35) μg vs. 40 (35, 45) μg], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 33.03, P < 0.001); the intraoperative remifentanil dosage in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [0.34 (0.30, 0.40) mg vs. 0.40 (0.30, 0.50) mg vs. 0.70 (0.60, 0.85) mg], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 53.84, P < 0.001). The VAS scores at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after surgery in T group were lower than those in C1 and C2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). The press number of analgesic pump in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [1 (0, 2) times vs. 2 (1, 2) times vs. 4 (3, 5) times], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 48.10, P < 0.001). The postoperative first time of exhaust and get out of bed and days of hospital stay in T group were shorter than those in C1 and C2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). The differences in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, pruritus, pneumonia, and anastomotic fistula among the 3 groups were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). None of the 3 groups experienced postoperative drowsiness, hypotension or respiratory depression. Conclusions:Prophylactic analgesia using ESPB combined with ketorolac tromethamine can effectively reduce the postoperative pain of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, reduce the use of analgesic drugs, and promote the early recovery of the patients in the postoperative period without increasing the postoperative complications.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of mild hypothermia arch-clamping technique in the surgical treatment of DeBakey Type Ⅰ aortic dissection.Methods:From December 2019 to November 2023, a total of 97 patients with DeBakey type Ⅰ aortic dissection who underwent arch-clamping technique in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were prospectively enrolled. The patients were divided into mild hypothermia group and moderate hypothermia group according to the lowest rectal temperature during the circulatory arrest period. The perioperative data of the two groups were compared, and complex adverse outcomes consisting of 30-day death, stroke, paraplegia and CRRT were used as the primary endpoint. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of clinical adverse outcomes. Survival analysis was evaluated by the Kaplan- Meier method. Results:The overall incidence of complex adverse outcomes was 20.6%, 13.6% in the mild hypothermia group and 22.7% in the moderate hypothermia group( P=0.535), and the incidence of stroke was 4.6% and 6.7%( P=1.000), respectively. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic-clamping time in the mild hypothermia group were significantly shortened (147.5 min vs. 163.0 min, P=0.032; 89 min vs. 99 min, P=0.042). There was no significant difference in long-term survival and reintervention between the two groups(91.9% vs. 89.3%, P=0.87; 9.1% vs. 5.3%, P=0.13). Conclusion:Mild hypothermia arch-clamping technique is a safe and effective method for the treatment of DeBakey type Ⅰ aortic dissection, with satisfactory short-term and long-term efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the short-term clinical efficacy of implantation with a 3D-printed microporous titanium prosthesis in the treatment of large segmental infectious tibial defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the electronic medical records of the 47 patients with large segmental tibial defects who had been treated with 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses at Department of Orthopaedics, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2019 to February 2024. The cohort included 36 males and 11 females, with an age of (46.2±11.8) years and a mean bone defect length of 12.3 (8.0, 16.8) cm. In the 19 patients complicated with soft tissue defects, the area of soft tissue defects ranged from 10.0 cm × 6.0 cm to 33.0 cm × 10.0 cm. For the 28 patients without soft tissue defects at the lower leg, the bone defects were filled with vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate bone cement at the first stage; for the 19 patients complicated with soft tissue defects, the soft tissue defects at the lower limb were repaired using an anterolateral thigh flap with vascular anastomosis at the same time when bone defects were filled with vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate bone cement at the first stage. After infection control at 2 to 8 months after surgery, individualized 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses were implanted at the second stage to reconstruct the bone defects. Postoperative observations included the patients' first standing time, crutch walking time, full weight-bearing time, osseointegration of the tibial fracture and the prosthesis, and complications during follow-up.Results:The follow-up period for the 47 patients was (34.7±14.3) months. The first standing time was (2.2±0.6) months, crutch walking time (3.8±1.1) months, and full weight-bearing time (5.3±1.2) for this cohort. The evaluation by the Paley's bone healing score resulted in 25 excellent cases, 18 good cases, 1 medium case, and 3 poor cases, giving an excellent and good rate of 91.5% (43/47). One year after operation, the X-ray films showed that the tibial fractures and prostheses were well integrated in the 43 patients. Two patients developed recurrent tibial infection which was responded to replacement of the vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate spacer. The fixation screws for tibial prosthesis were broken in one patient, but no recurrence of infection was observed after revision. The overall incidence of complications was 6.4% (3/47).Conclusion:In the treatment of large segmental infectious tibial defects, by facilitating rapid functional recovery and ensuring a low incidence of complications, implantation with a 3D-printed microporous titanium prosthesis demonstrates fine short-term clinical efficacy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Mingshi prescription regulates the retinal melanopsin-dopamine （Opn4-DA） axis in myopic mice to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress in the retina and sclera， thereby delaying axial elongation associated with myopia. MethodsSixty 4-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group， a form-deprived myopia group （FDM group）， an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells ablation group （ipRGCs group）， a Mingshi Prescription group （MSF group， 5.2 g·kg^-1）， and an ipRGCs + MSF group （5.2 g·kg^-1）. Except for the normal group， all other groups underwent FDM modeling. Additionally， the ipRGCs and ipRGCs + MSF groups received retinal ipRGC ablation. Three weeks after modeling， the MSF and ipRGCs + MSF groups were administered Mingshi prescription via continuous gavage for six weeks. After refraction and axial length were measured in all mice， eyeballs were collected along with retinal and scleral tissues. Pathological and morphological changes in the retina， choroid， and sclera were observed using periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Western blot was employed to detect the relative protein expression levels of dopamine D1 receptor （DRD1）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78） in the retina， and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of Opn4， CHOP， and GRP78 in the retina， and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Immunofluorescence staining （IF） was performed to detect the expression of Opn4 and DRD1 in retinal tissues. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the FDM group showed a significant myopic shift in refraction （P<0.05） and a significant increase in axial length （P<0.05）. The retinal layers were thinner， the number of ganglion cells was reduced， and collagen fibers in the sclera were loosely arranged with evident gaps. Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retinal and scleral tissues were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the FDM group， the ipRGCs group exhibited further increases in myopic refraction and axial length （P<0.05）， more pronounced thinning and looseness in the retinal， choroidal， and scleral layers， lower expression of Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA in the retina （P<0.05）， and higher expression of CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA in the retina and sclera （P<0.05）. Compared with the FDM group， the MSF group showed significantly reduced refractive error and axial length （P<0.05）， with improved cellular number， arrangement， and thickness in ocular tissues， increased Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina （P<0.05）， and reduced CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retina and sclera （P<0.05）. Similarly， the ipRGCs + MSF group showed significant improvements in terms of the above items compared with the ipRGCs group （P<0.05）. ConclusionMingshi Prescription delays myopic axial elongation and refractive progression by regulating the Opn4-DA axis in the retina of myopic mice， thereby inhibiting ER stress in the retina and sclera. This intervention promotes Qi and blood nourishment of the eyes， softens the fascia， and restores ocular rhythm.

Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by progressive and chronic degeneration of neurons in the central or peripheral nervous system,primarily including conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia,Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,multiple sclerosis,Huntington's disease and age-related macular degeneration.The condition worsens over time,ultimately leading to neuronal loss and synaptic dysfunction.Despite significant advances in medical research,the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases still face major challenges.There is an urgent need for effective and innovative treatment strategies as well as early monitoring methods.This involves not only new drug targets but also research into disease mechanisms.Neuronal pentraxin 2(NPTX2)is a protein expressed in the nervous system,highly expressed in synaptic regions of the brain,where it plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity and the formation and maintenance of neural networks.This paper reviews the role of NPTX2 in neurodegenerative diseases and summarizes recent research progress.

Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by progressive and chronic degeneration of neurons in the central or peripheral nervous system,primarily including conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia,Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,multiple sclerosis,Huntington's disease and age-related macular degeneration.The condition worsens over time,ultimately leading to neuronal loss and synaptic dysfunction.Despite significant advances in medical research,the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases still face major challenges.There is an urgent need for effective and innovative treatment strategies as well as early monitoring methods.This involves not only new drug targets but also research into disease mechanisms.Neuronal pentraxin 2(NPTX2)is a protein expressed in the nervous system,highly expressed in synaptic regions of the brain,where it plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity and the formation and maintenance of neural networks.This paper reviews the role of NPTX2 in neurodegenerative diseases and summarizes recent research progress.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of mild hypothermia arch-clamping technique in the surgical treatment of DeBakey Type Ⅰ aortic dissection.Methods:From December 2019 to November 2023, a total of 97 patients with DeBakey type Ⅰ aortic dissection who underwent arch-clamping technique in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were prospectively enrolled. The patients were divided into mild hypothermia group and moderate hypothermia group according to the lowest rectal temperature during the circulatory arrest period. The perioperative data of the two groups were compared, and complex adverse outcomes consisting of 30-day death, stroke, paraplegia and CRRT were used as the primary endpoint. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of clinical adverse outcomes. Survival analysis was evaluated by the Kaplan- Meier method. Results:The overall incidence of complex adverse outcomes was 20.6%, 13.6% in the mild hypothermia group and 22.7% in the moderate hypothermia group( P=0.535), and the incidence of stroke was 4.6% and 6.7%( P=1.000), respectively. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic-clamping time in the mild hypothermia group were significantly shortened (147.5 min vs. 163.0 min, P=0.032; 89 min vs. 99 min, P=0.042). There was no significant difference in long-term survival and reintervention between the two groups(91.9% vs. 89.3%, P=0.87; 9.1% vs. 5.3%, P=0.13). Conclusion:Mild hypothermia arch-clamping technique is a safe and effective method for the treatment of DeBakey type Ⅰ aortic dissection, with satisfactory short-term and long-term efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the short-term clinical efficacy of implantation with a 3D-printed microporous titanium prosthesis in the treatment of large segmental infectious tibial defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the electronic medical records of the 47 patients with large segmental tibial defects who had been treated with 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses at Department of Orthopaedics, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2019 to February 2024. The cohort included 36 males and 11 females, with an age of (46.2±11.8) years and a mean bone defect length of 12.3 (8.0, 16.8) cm. In the 19 patients complicated with soft tissue defects, the area of soft tissue defects ranged from 10.0 cm × 6.0 cm to 33.0 cm × 10.0 cm. For the 28 patients without soft tissue defects at the lower leg, the bone defects were filled with vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate bone cement at the first stage; for the 19 patients complicated with soft tissue defects, the soft tissue defects at the lower limb were repaired using an anterolateral thigh flap with vascular anastomosis at the same time when bone defects were filled with vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate bone cement at the first stage. After infection control at 2 to 8 months after surgery, individualized 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses were implanted at the second stage to reconstruct the bone defects. Postoperative observations included the patients' first standing time, crutch walking time, full weight-bearing time, osseointegration of the tibial fracture and the prosthesis, and complications during follow-up.Results:The follow-up period for the 47 patients was (34.7±14.3) months. The first standing time was (2.2±0.6) months, crutch walking time (3.8±1.1) months, and full weight-bearing time (5.3±1.2) for this cohort. The evaluation by the Paley's bone healing score resulted in 25 excellent cases, 18 good cases, 1 medium case, and 3 poor cases, giving an excellent and good rate of 91.5% (43/47). One year after operation, the X-ray films showed that the tibial fractures and prostheses were well integrated in the 43 patients. Two patients developed recurrent tibial infection which was responded to replacement of the vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate spacer. The fixation screws for tibial prosthesis were broken in one patient, but no recurrence of infection was observed after revision. The overall incidence of complications was 6.4% (3/47).Conclusion:In the treatment of large segmental infectious tibial defects, by facilitating rapid functional recovery and ensuring a low incidence of complications, implantation with a 3D-printed microporous titanium prosthesis demonstrates fine short-term clinical efficacy.