BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is widely used to treat common bile duct stones (CBDS); however, long-term studies have revealed the increasing incidence of recurrent CBDS after EST. Loss of sphincter of Oddi function after EST was the main cause of recurrent CBDS. Reparation of the sphincter of Oddi is therefore crucial. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of endoclip papilloplasty (ECPP) for repairing the sphincter of Oddi and elucidate its mechanism. METHODS: Eight healthy Bama minipigs were randomly divided into the EST group and the ECPP group at a 1:1 ratio, and bile samples were collected before endoscopy and 6 months later. All minipigs underwent transabdominal biliary ultrasonography for the diagnosis of cholelithiasis 6 months after endoscopy. The biliary microbiota composition and alpha and beta diversity were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Differential metabolites were analyzed by bile acid metabolomics to explore the predictive indicators of cholelithiasis. RESULTS: Three minipigs were diagnosed with cholelithiasis in the EST group, while none in the ECPP group showed cholelithiasis. The biliary Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio was increased after EST and decreased after ECPP. The Chao1 and observed species index significantly decreased 6 months after EST ( P  = 0.017 and 0.018, respectively); however, the biliary α-diversity was similar before and 6 months after ECPP. The β-diversity significantly differed in the EST group before and 6 months after EST, as well as in the ECPP group before and 6 months after ECPP (analysis of similarities [ANOSIM]: R  = 0.917, P  = 0.040; R  = 0.740, P  = 0.035; respectively). Glycolithocholic acid (GLCA) and taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) accumulated in bile 6 months after EST. CONCLUSIONS ECPP has less impact on the biliary microenvironment than EST and prevents duodenobiliary reflux by repairing the sphincter of Oddi. The bile levels of GLCA and TLCA may be used to predict the risk of cholelithiasis.
Animals ; Swine, Miniature ; Swine ; Cholelithiasis/prevention & control* ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/methods* ; Sphincter of Oddi/surgery* ; Female ; Male

(±)-Talapyrones A-F (1-6), six pairs of dimeric polyketide enantiomers featuring unusual 6/6/6 and 6/6/6/5 ring systems, were isolated from the fungus Talaromyces adpressus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and HR-ESI-MS data, and their absolute configurations were elucidated using a modified Mosher's method and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. (±)-Talapyrones A-F (1-6) possess a 6/6/6 tricyclic skeleton, presumably formed through a Michael addition reaction between one molecule of α-pyrone derivative and one molecule of C₈ poly-β-keto chain. In addition, compounds 2/3 and 4/5 are two pairs of C-18 epimers, respectively. Putative biosynthetic pathways of 1-6 were discussed.
Polyketides/isolation & purification* ; Talaromyces/chemistry* ; Stereoisomerism ; Molecular Structure ; Circular Dichroism ; Pyrones/chemistry*

Objective To investigate the effects of terahertz(THz)radiation on mouse testicular tissue and its potential molecular mechanisms.Methods A total of 125 male C57BL/6J mice(6～8 weeks old)were randomly divided into control group and low-,medium-and high-radiation power groups.The mice of the latter 3 groups were exposed to THz radiation at a frequency of 2.5 T,with an average power density of 38,115,or 318 mW/cm2,for 5 or 10 min.The detection time was immediately or 24 h after exposure.HE staining was used to observe pathological damage.ELISA was employed to detect the expression of inflammatory factors in testicular tissue.RNA-seq was utilized to detect the global changes of gene expression.The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were screened and bioinformatics was used to cluster them.The screened genes were further analyzed with RT-qPCR to determine the time-dependent and dose-dependent relationships of the expression with THz exposure.Finally,sperm quality was evaluated morphologically using a microscope.Results Three doses of THz radiation exposure did not cause significant pathological damages to mouse testicular tissue.TNF-α expression was increased immediately after exposure at average power density of 115 mW/cm2(P＜0.01),and the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α were both increased when the dose reached 318 mW/cm2(P＜0.01).However,all the 3 factors returned to normal levels in 24 h after exposure.RNA-seq results showed that THz radiation exposure caused abnormal expression of 56 genes.Cluster analysis indicated that these DEGs were mainly enriched in immune and inflammatory responses,enzyme activity,sperm development and capacitation functions.Then for 5 selected key genes,Crisp1,Adam7,Ltf,Rnase9,and Bsph1,the expression of Crisp1 and Rnase9 was decreased immediately after exposure to 115 mW/cm2 THz radiation,the dose of 318 mW/cm2 resulted in obvious changes in the expression of the 5 genes(P＜0.05),and their expression returned to normal levels in 24 h after exposure.Morphological observation displayed that exposure to all the 3 doses of THz had no influence on sperm quality.Conclusion THz radiation exposure causes temporary inflammatory response in testicular tissue and abnormal expression of sperm functions-related genes.However,these changes return to normal 24 h after exposure,and additionally,do not impair sperm quality.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and clinical efficacy of prone transpsoas lateral interbody fusion (PTP LIF) combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases in the prone position.Methods:A total of 23 patients who underwent LLIF in the prone position at the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province between March 2023 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort comprised 9 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 55.5±8.8 years (range, 41-70 years). The clinical diagnoses included intervertebral disc herniation with endplate inflammation (3 cases), lumbar spinal stenosis (13 cases), lumbar spondylolisthesis (5 cases), and lumbar instability (2 cases). The surgical segments involved L 3, 4 (15 cases), L 4, 5 (6 cases), and L 3-L 5 (2 cases), with 21 cases involving a single segment and 2 cases involving double segments. The disc height and lumbar lordosis Angle before and after surgery were compared. Lower back pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), while lumbar spine function was assessed via the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria at the last follow-up. Results:All surgeries were successfully completed. The operation time was 120.2±21.4 min (range, 90-175 min), intraoperative blood loss was 131.1±40.8 ml (range, 60-200 ml), and the hospital stay was 6.2±1.6 days (range, 4-10 days). Follow-up was obtained for all 23 cases, with the follow-up time being 9.6±2.2 months (range, 6-13 months). One case of endplate damage occurred during surgery, two cases of transient psoas muscle weakness occurred postoperatively, and one case of lower limb pain and numbness was reported; no cases of wound infection or delayed healing were observed. The postoperative disc height improved compared to preoperative (6.8±1.9 mm; F=66.618, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between 3 months postoperative (11.1±1.2 mm) and immediately postoperative (12.2±1.2 mm; P>0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference between the last follow-up (10.7±1.1 mm) and immediately postoperative ( P<0.05). The postoperative lumbar lordosis angle improved compared to preoperative (35.3°±5.4°; F=19.465, P<0.001), with no statistically significant difference between 3 months postoperative (44.1°±5.4°) and immediately postoperative (47.8°±6.6°; P>0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference between the last follow-up (43.2°±5.3°) and immediately postoperative ( P<0.05). The postoperative VAS score improved compared to preoperative (6.3±1.1 points; F=79.931, P<0.001), and the last follow-up (1.1±1.1 points) showed further improvement compared to 3 months postoperative (1.7±1.4 points; P<0.05). The postoperative ODI improved compared to preoperative (69.9%±7.4%; F=592.392, P<0.001), with 3 months postoperative (23.1%±3.1%) showing improvement compared to 1 month postoperative (29.2%±3.1%), and the last follow-up (17.5%±3.6%) showing further improvement compared to 3 months postoperative ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria were: excellent in 16 cases, good in 5, fair in 2, with an excellent and good rate of 91% (21/23); 7 cases of cage subsidence were observed, with no cases of internal fixation loosening. Conclusion:PTP LIF combined with pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases is safe and effective, with satisfactory short-term postoperative outcomes.

Abstract: As a Th17 cell-specific transcription factor, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), can induce differentiation of Th17 cells and production of inflammatory factor IL-17, playing an important role in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. RORγt inverse agonists have become a research hotspot in both academia and pharmaceutical companies around the world in recent years, with great development potential. A variety of skeletal structure types have been reported, including orthosteric and allosteric inverse agonists. In this paper, the structure and functions of RORγt are introduced, and RORγt inverse agonists in clinical and preclinical studies are reviewed in order to provide reference for further research and development of RORγt inverse agonists.

BACKGROUND:Most of the studies on combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment of skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusions have focused on the improvement of the patient's lateral appearance and recovery in the later stages of the treatment,while there are fewer studies observing the microcosmic nature of the alveolar bone remodeling of the lower anterior teeth. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of lower anterior tooth decompensation and alveolar bone remodeling in patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion before and after orthodontic-orthognathic treatment based on oral X-ray lateral films and oral cone-beam CT. METHODS:From January 2015 to May 2023,15 patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion who underwent orthodontic-orthognathic surgery at Qingdao Hospital of Rehabilitation University were enrolled.All patients underwent lateral cephalography and cone beam computed tomography before and after treatment.Cephalometric measurement items related to the angle and line distance,lip/lingual bone cracking length(d-La/d-Li)and bone cracking/bone fenestration of the lower anterior teeth before and after treatment were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Lateral X-ray films showed that the amount of alveolar bone remodeling after decompensation of the lower anterior teeth showed significant changes compared to before treatment.The root of the tooth moved significantly towards the center of the alveolar bone,and the specific data was closer to normal data,but there were still some differences compared with normal individuals.Based on the cone-beam CT measurement,the bone cracking/bone fenestration length and width of the alveolar bone were improved in almost all the teeth after orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment,alveolar bone remodeling in some teeth even reached the level of healthy individuals.Before treatment,most patients often experienced bone fenestration/cracking on the lip/lingual side of the lower incisor due to compensatory tooth growth.However,during the preoperative orthodontic stage,decompensation triggered alveolar bone remodeling and significant changes in tooth angle.Preoperative orthodontic treatment caused the upper anterior teeth to retract and the lower anterior teeth to tilt and control the root,but the amount of decompensation before surgery was often insufficient.In the orthognathic surgery stage,the jaw was removed through the positioning guide plate,the maxilla moved forward,and the mandible retreated.During the postoperative orthodontic process,the effect of fine adjustment was better.Although there is a certain degree of recurrence trend in the position of teeth and jawbones,the postoperative orthodontic treatment is closer to the normal value.

BACKGROUND:Acupotomy is effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,but its mechanism is not very clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of acupotomy on the apoptosis of knee chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis rats based on osteoclast associated receptor(OSCAR)-tumor necrosis factor-associated apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)-osteoprotetin(OPG)pathway. METHODS:Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group(n=9),model group(n=9)and acupotomy group(n=9).Rats in the normal group were routinely housed without any treatment.Animal models of knee osteoarthritis were established by knee injection of papain.Acupotomy intervention was performed 1 week after modeling,once a week for a total of three times.Relevant tests were performed at the end of the intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Lequesne MG behavioral scores of rats in the model group were elevated compared with the normal group(P<0.01),while the Lequesne MG behavioral scores of rats in the acupotomy group were decreased comparedwith the model group(P<0.01).Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that compared with the normal group,the cartilage surface of the rat's knee joints in the model group was worn and uneven and the chondrocytes were swollen,ruptured,reduced in number,and arranged disorderly;while the cartilage surface of the rat's knee joints in the acupotomy group was relatively smooth,and the chondrocytes were high in number and arranged in an orderly manner,with the structure basically clear.Immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with the normal group,the positive expressions of OSCAR and TRAIL were increased in the model group(P<0.01),while the positive expression of OPG was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the positive expressions of OSCAR and TRAIL in the acupotomy group were decreased(P<0.01),while the positive expression of OPG was increased(P<0.01).TUNEL staining results showed that compared with the normal group,the number of apoptotic cells in the model group were increased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the number of apoptotic cells in the acupotomy group decreased(P<0.01).RT-qRCR and western blot results showed that compared with the normal group,the protein expressions of OSCAR,TRAIL and Bax in the model group were increased(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of OPG and Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the protein expressions of OSCAR,TRAIL,and Bax in the acupotomy group were decreased(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of OPG and Bcl-2 were increased(P<0.01).To conclude,acupotomy can reduce cartilage injury of the knee joint in rats with knee osteoarthritis,which may be related to the blockage of mitochondrial pathway apoptotic signaling release by the OSCAR-TRAIL-OPG pathway.

The paper introduces professor LU Yonghui's clinical experience in treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Regarding the pathogenesis of this disease, qi and blood deficiency, and malnutrition of moyuan (sites where the pathogens are hidden, and the membranes outside zangfu organs) are ben (the primary, root cause), while, the dysfunction of qi movement of the triple energizer and dysfunction of bladder in controlling urination are biao (the secondary, symptoms). In treatment, under the guidance of computed tomography, Zhongji (CV 3), the front-mu point of the bladder, is punctured deeply to regulate the functions of zang organ. Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4) are punctured to tonify the organs and control urine, and back-shu points of the bladder meridian are stimulated to adjust qi movement of the triple energizer. All of the acupoints co-act on nourishing moyuan, activating qi movement of the triple energizer and the bladder to control urination.
Humans ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology* ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Adult

Objective:To investigate the value of three-dimensional (3D) CT in diagnosing cricoarytenoid dislocation.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2021, 31 patients with unilateral cricoarytenoid dislocation who had been treated by reduction forceps at the Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were collected retrospectively, and their voice recovered or improved significantly after therapy. The preoperative CT images were reconstructed by volume rendering (VR). The dislocated side (left and right), type of dislocation (total dislocation and subluxation), and dislocation direction (anterior, posterior, internal and external dislocation) of cricoarytenoid dislocation were observed. According to arytenoid articular surface of cricoid cartilage exposed completely or not (caused by arytenoid displacement), they were divided into complete dislocation and subluxation. According to the direction of arytenoid displacement and the part of arytenoid articular surface of cricoid cartilage exposed, they were divided into anterior, posterior, internal and external dislocation. According to the shape of the vocal cords on laryngoscope, anterior and posterior dislocation of each case was judged, and then compared with that of CT.Results:On VR images, there were 28 cases of cricoarytenoid subluxation (90.3%, 28/31) and 3 cases of complete dislocation (9.7%, 3/31). Left cricoarytenoid dislocation was 26 cases (83.9%, 26/31) and right cricoarytenoid dislocation was 5 cases (16.1%, 5/31). Posterior dislocation was 28 cases (90.3%, 28/31) and anterior dislocation was 3 cases (9.7%, 3/31). There were 23 cases of internal dislocation (74.2%, 23/31), 2 cases of external dislocation (6.4%, 2/31), and 6 cases without obvious internal and external dislocation (19.4%, 6/31). Three cases of complete dislocation were left posterior internal dislocation.There were 24 cases of left posterior dislocation (77.4%, 24/31), 4 cases of right posterior dislocation (12.9%, 4/31), 2 cases of left anterior dislocation (6.4%, 2/31) and 1 case of right anterior dislocation (3.2%, 1/31). On laryngoscope, there were 19 cases of posterior dislocation (61.3%, 19/31), 9 cases of anterior dislocation (29.0%, 9/31), 3 cases were difficult to assess (9.7%, 3/31) because of aryepiglottic fold covering. Sixteen cases (55.2%, 16/28) were consistent with 3D CT, and 12 cases (42.8%, 12/28) were inconsistent.Conclusion:The 3D CT is a reliable method to evaluate cricoarytenoid dislocation, which can show dislocated side, type and direction of cricoarytenoid dislocation clearly.

Objective:This multicenter clinical evaluation analyzed the clinical performance of five fast nucleic acid detection systems for 2019-nCoV.Methods:Clinical performance of the five fast nucleic acid detection reagents approved in China was evaluated in the present study. Fifty-seven throat swabs samples from COVID-19 patients and fifteen throat swabs samples from healthy people were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University school of Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of HUST, and National Institute of Viral Disease Control and Prevention of CDC to evaluate the positive coincidence rate, negative coincidence rate, total coincidence rate, the detection time and retest rate as well as the relation between positive intensity and positive coincidence rate of the five fast nucleic acid detection systems in November 2020.Results:The positive coincidence rates of the five kits were 92.59% (50/54), 83.64% (46/55), 98.25% (56/57), 94.44% (51/54) and 98.18% (54/55); and the negative coincidence rates were 93.33% (14/15), 93.33% (14/15), 86.67% (13/15), 100% (14/14) and 93.33% (14/15); and the total coincidence rates were 92.75% (64/69), 85.71% (60/70), 95.83% (69/72), 94.20% (65/69) and 97.14% (68/70), respectively. The positive coincidence rate of the five kits reached 100% for the strong-positive (90/90) and medium-positive samples (84/84), but only 82.18% (83/101) for weak-positive samples (cycle threshold value>33), and the retest rate of two kits were 15.28% (11/72) and 12.50% (9/72), which were both higher than 10%. Total time from sample extraction to amplification was between 32.33-65.33 minutes for these five kits.Conclusion:The five fast nucleic acid detection reagents have good performance and can be used as a supplement to routine nucleic acid detection reagents.