ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of family with sequence similarity 162 member A （Fam162a）， a mitochondrial inner membrane protein， in the fibrosis of cardiac fibroblasts and its regulatory role in modulating the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts. MethodsFam162a protein expression was detected in myocardial samples from patients with heart failure （HF） and mice with transverse aortic constriction （TAC）-induced myocardial remodeling. Primary neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts （mCFs） were isolated and cultured， and a cell model of angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）-induced myocardial fibrosis was established to determine Fam162a protein expression. Recombinant adenovirus was used to mediate Fam162a overexpression， while small interfering RNA （si-RNA） was employed for Fam162a knockdown. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of fibrosis-related proteins， including COL1A1， COL3A1， and α-SMA. EdU staining assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation capacity， and scratch assay combined with Transwell assay was conducted to assess cell migration ability. Immunofluorescence assay was applied to measure mitochondrial membrane potential for reflecting mitochondrial dysfunction； reactive oxygen species （ROS） detection was performed to evaluate cellular oxidative stress status； MitoSox assay was used to reflect the degree of mitochondrial oxidative damage； and ATP detection was conducted to assess the overall cellular energy metabolism. ResultsFam162a expression was significantly downregulated in the myocardium of HF patients and TAC mice， and Ang Ⅱ-treated mCFs， accompanied by increased expression of COL1A1， COL3A1， and α-SMA （all P＜0.05）. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Fam162a significantly inhibited Ang Ⅱ-induced upregulation of fibrosis-related genes， as well as cell proliferation and migration. Accordingly， silencing Fam162a aggravated the fibrotic phenotypes of mCFs treated with Ang II. Further studies revealed that the inhibitory effect of Fam162a overexpression on Ang Ⅱ-induced fibrotic phenotype was suppressed following the addition of rotenone （a mitochondrial oxidative respiratory chain inhibitor）， which was accompanied by mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization， excessive ROS production， and insufficient ATP generation. ConclusionFam162a exerts its inhibitory effect on the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts by maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential， promoting ATP production， reducing reactive oxygen species （ROS） generation， and suppressing Smad3 signaling activation.

Objectives:To investigate the mid-term outcomes of percutaneous cement discoplasty(PCD)in the treatment of lumbar axial instability,and analyze its technical keypoints and indications.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 9 patients with axial lumbar instability treated with PCD from January 2018 to December 2019.There were 5 males and 4 females,aged 62-87 years(75.7±8.2 years),with a follow-up period of 0.5-3 years,averaged 2.3±1.0 years.Three cases had three-disc operation at the same time,three had double-space operation and three had single-space operation,involving L2/3 disc in 3 cases,L3/4 disc in 3 cases,L4/5 disc in 4 cases,and L5/S1 disc in 3 cases.Lumbar anteroposterior and lateral ra-diographs in supine and standing positions were performed before operation,at postoperative 1d,3,6,12 months and final follow-up to measure the height of intervertebral space of responsible level,as well as the sagittal area of intervertebral foramen at responsible level.Visual analogue scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)were used to evaluate the pain and function before surgery,at 1d,3 months,6 months,12 months and final follow-up after operation to assess the clinical efficacy.The amount of bone cement injected in each intervertebral disc,the time of operation and the amount of blood loss were recorded respectively.Results:All the patients successfully completed the operation,no bone cement leakage occurred.The VAS score and ODI after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P＜0.05).The injection volume of bone cement per intervertebral disc was 3.50±0.73mL.The operative time of each disc was 16.33±1.28min,and the blood loss of each disc was 3.83±0.71mL.The height of intervertebral space of responsible level at various time points after operation was different from that before operation(P＜0.05),and there was no difference in any two time points after operation.The sagittal area of intervertebral foramen at each time point after operation was different from that before operation(P＜0.05),and there was difference be-tween postoperative 1d and the final follow-up values(P＜0.05).Conclusions:PCD can increase the height of the intervertebral space after surgery,relieve lumbar pain,and have a lasting effect in the treatment of lum-bar instability,which is safe with satisfactory mid-term effect,and not prone to bone cement leakage,but long-term large-sample follow-up is still needed.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Huayu jiedu formula in regulating inflammatory injury in chronic kidney disease （CKD）. METHODS Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham surgery group （10 rats） and a modeling group （40 rats）. The CKD model was replicated in the modeling group by unilateral ureteral obstruction surgery. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into model group， esaxerenone group （positive control）， and TCM low- and high-dose groups， with 10 rats in each group. The Esaxerenone group was given 1 mg/kg of esaxerenone， while the TCM low- and high-dose groups were given 13.7 and 27.4 g/kg of Huayu jiedu formula respectively， the sham surgery group and model group were given an equal volume of physiological saline， all groups were intervened continuously for 14 days. Hematoxylin eosin and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in rat kidney tissue. Conventional biochemical methods were used to detect serum urea （SUr）， serum creatinine （SCr）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels； enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）； immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α（PGC-1α） ， mitochondrial transcription factor A （TFAM）， absent in melanoma 2（AIM2）， caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD）， IL-1β and IL-18 in renal tissue； real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of AIM2. RESULTS Compared with the sham surgery group， the renal tissue of the model group showed pathological changes such as glomerular deformation and destruction， severe tubular dilation， and increased deposition of blue fibrin； the levels of SUr， SCr， MDA， IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α，the protein expression of AIM2， GSDMD， caspase-1， IL-1β， IL-18 ， and the mRNA expression of AIM2 were significantly increased or up-regulated （P＜0.01）； the levels of SOD， the protein expression of PGC-1α， TFAM were significantly reduced or down-regulated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed improvement in the above symptoms and most indicators in rats. CONCLUSIONS Huayu jiedu formula may improve renal function， alleviate renal inflammatory damage and pyroptosis， and exert renal protective effects by regulating the AIM2 pyroptosis pathway.

Objective:To explore the effects of deep hyperthermia on chemotherapy-related adverse effects and immune-inflammatory indicators in the patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Methods:This retrospective study included 52 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from September 2021 to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on treatment method: the combination group ( n=29) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy combined with deep hyperthermia, while the chemotherapy group ( n=23) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups were treated with the XELOX regimen (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). The degree of bone marrow suppression during treatment was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and platelet count. Immune-inflammatory indicators, including complement, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were compared before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the effects of deep hyperthermia on the immune-inflammatory response. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was used to compare bone marrow suppression rates, and the immune-inflammatory indicators between the two groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests, depending on whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Results:In terms of myelosuppression, the incidence rates of moderate to severe decreases in leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin in the combination group were 31%, 31%, 21%, and 14%, respectively, compared to 52%, 61%, 48%, and 9% in the chemotherapy group. The change in PCT levels before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.010). Both the combination group and the chemotherapy group showed significant reductions in SII, NLR and PLR after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The change in NLR before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.031). Conclusions:Deep hyperthermia can alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. It also appears to improve the inflammatory response in these patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of diffuse gliomas with the features of polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY) and their prognostic values.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 14 cases of diffuse gliomas with PLNTY features diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China from June 2020 to August 2024. Their clinicopathological characteristics were examined, and their molecular genetic and epigenetic features were assessed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and methylation analysis. Factors influencing prognosis were also analyzed.Results:Among the 14 patients, there were 8 males and 6 females, aged 3-62 years, median 29 (9, 50) years. All cases were initially diagnosed as low-grade diffuse gliomas histologically but exhibited the histological and immunohistochemical features of PLNTY. At the molecular level, all cases showed molecular abnormalities involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, including 5 cases with FGFR3-TACC3 (F3T3) fusion, 3 cases with FGFR2 fusion, 5 cases with BRAF V600E mutation, and 1 case with FGFR1 mutation. Among them, TERT promoter mutations were frequently observed in tumors with F3T3 fusion (5/5), while NCOR2 in-frame insertion mutations were prominent in tumors with non-F3T3 fusions. Clinical follow-up showed recurrence in 3 cases, all of which had F3T3 fusion and concurrent TERT promoter mutations. Prognostic analysis confirmed that F3T3 fusion with concurrent TERT promoter mutation was associated with poor prognosis.Conclusions:Diffuse gliomas with PLNTY features exhibit heterogeneity in clinicopathology and molecular genetics, with FGFR3/FGFR2 fusions and BRAF/FGFR1 mutations as the most common molecular alteration. They often have concurrent F3T3 fusion and TERT promoter mutations, which are related to poor prognosis. The possibility of molecular glioblastoma should be considered for these tumors. It is thus recommended to perform genetic testing on diffuse gliomas with PLNTY features in order to facilitate integrated diagnosis and provide molecular evidence for accurate evaluation of prognoses.

Objective:This study aims to initially establish a scoring system for comprehensively reflecting the severity of intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and to explore the correlation between this score and atherosclerotic risk factors as well as stroke events.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent head and neck computer tomography angiography(CTA)examinations and had head MRI examinations within one month before or after the CTA examination from January 2021 to August 2024 in Beijing Hospital.An intracranial atherosclerosis disease score(ICADS)system was constructed based on the degree and number of vascular stenosis.The relationship between ICADS and atherosclerotic risk factors was explored by grouping patients according to the quartile of ICADS.Patients were divided into acute stroke group and non-acute stroke group to compare differences in ICADS and cerebrovascular disease risk factors between the two groups, and to investigate the correlation between stroke events and ICADS.Results:There were statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients with hypertension and diabetes among different ICADS groups.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hypertension( B=1.17, 95% CI: 0.20-2.14, P<0.05)and diabetes( B=2.75, 95% CI: 1.85-3.64, P<0.001)were risk factors for higher ICADS.The ICADS was higher in the acute stroke group than in the non-acute stroke group(9 vs.6, P<0.001), and a higher ICADS was identified as a risk factor for stroke( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.07-1.14, P<0.001). Conclusions:ICADS can comprehensively reflect the severity of intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and is correlated with stroke events, making it useful for clinical screening of high-risk patients for stroke.

Objectives:To investigate the mid-term outcomes of percutaneous cement discoplasty(PCD)in the treatment of lumbar axial instability,and analyze its technical keypoints and indications.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 9 patients with axial lumbar instability treated with PCD from January 2018 to December 2019.There were 5 males and 4 females,aged 62-87 years(75.7±8.2 years),with a follow-up period of 0.5-3 years,averaged 2.3±1.0 years.Three cases had three-disc operation at the same time,three had double-space operation and three had single-space operation,involving L2/3 disc in 3 cases,L3/4 disc in 3 cases,L4/5 disc in 4 cases,and L5/S1 disc in 3 cases.Lumbar anteroposterior and lateral ra-diographs in supine and standing positions were performed before operation,at postoperative 1d,3,6,12 months and final follow-up to measure the height of intervertebral space of responsible level,as well as the sagittal area of intervertebral foramen at responsible level.Visual analogue scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)were used to evaluate the pain and function before surgery,at 1d,3 months,6 months,12 months and final follow-up after operation to assess the clinical efficacy.The amount of bone cement injected in each intervertebral disc,the time of operation and the amount of blood loss were recorded respectively.Results:All the patients successfully completed the operation,no bone cement leakage occurred.The VAS score and ODI after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P＜0.05).The injection volume of bone cement per intervertebral disc was 3.50±0.73mL.The operative time of each disc was 16.33±1.28min,and the blood loss of each disc was 3.83±0.71mL.The height of intervertebral space of responsible level at various time points after operation was different from that before operation(P＜0.05),and there was no difference in any two time points after operation.The sagittal area of intervertebral foramen at each time point after operation was different from that before operation(P＜0.05),and there was difference be-tween postoperative 1d and the final follow-up values(P＜0.05).Conclusions:PCD can increase the height of the intervertebral space after surgery,relieve lumbar pain,and have a lasting effect in the treatment of lum-bar instability,which is safe with satisfactory mid-term effect,and not prone to bone cement leakage,but long-term large-sample follow-up is still needed.

Objective:This study aims to initially establish a scoring system for comprehensively reflecting the severity of intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and to explore the correlation between this score and atherosclerotic risk factors as well as stroke events.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent head and neck computer tomography angiography(CTA)examinations and had head MRI examinations within one month before or after the CTA examination from January 2021 to August 2024 in Beijing Hospital.An intracranial atherosclerosis disease score(ICADS)system was constructed based on the degree and number of vascular stenosis.The relationship between ICADS and atherosclerotic risk factors was explored by grouping patients according to the quartile of ICADS.Patients were divided into acute stroke group and non-acute stroke group to compare differences in ICADS and cerebrovascular disease risk factors between the two groups, and to investigate the correlation between stroke events and ICADS.Results:There were statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients with hypertension and diabetes among different ICADS groups.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hypertension( B=1.17, 95% CI: 0.20-2.14, P<0.05)and diabetes( B=2.75, 95% CI: 1.85-3.64, P<0.001)were risk factors for higher ICADS.The ICADS was higher in the acute stroke group than in the non-acute stroke group(9 vs.6, P<0.001), and a higher ICADS was identified as a risk factor for stroke( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.07-1.14, P<0.001). Conclusions:ICADS can comprehensively reflect the severity of intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and is correlated with stroke events, making it useful for clinical screening of high-risk patients for stroke.

Objective:To explore the effects of deep hyperthermia on chemotherapy-related adverse effects and immune-inflammatory indicators in the patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Methods:This retrospective study included 52 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from September 2021 to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on treatment method: the combination group ( n=29) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy combined with deep hyperthermia, while the chemotherapy group ( n=23) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups were treated with the XELOX regimen (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). The degree of bone marrow suppression during treatment was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and platelet count. Immune-inflammatory indicators, including complement, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were compared before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the effects of deep hyperthermia on the immune-inflammatory response. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was used to compare bone marrow suppression rates, and the immune-inflammatory indicators between the two groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests, depending on whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Results:In terms of myelosuppression, the incidence rates of moderate to severe decreases in leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin in the combination group were 31%, 31%, 21%, and 14%, respectively, compared to 52%, 61%, 48%, and 9% in the chemotherapy group. The change in PCT levels before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.010). Both the combination group and the chemotherapy group showed significant reductions in SII, NLR and PLR after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The change in NLR before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.031). Conclusions:Deep hyperthermia can alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. It also appears to improve the inflammatory response in these patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of diffuse gliomas with the features of polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY) and their prognostic values.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 14 cases of diffuse gliomas with PLNTY features diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China from June 2020 to August 2024. Their clinicopathological characteristics were examined, and their molecular genetic and epigenetic features were assessed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and methylation analysis. Factors influencing prognosis were also analyzed.Results:Among the 14 patients, there were 8 males and 6 females, aged 3-62 years, median 29 (9, 50) years. All cases were initially diagnosed as low-grade diffuse gliomas histologically but exhibited the histological and immunohistochemical features of PLNTY. At the molecular level, all cases showed molecular abnormalities involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, including 5 cases with FGFR3-TACC3 (F3T3) fusion, 3 cases with FGFR2 fusion, 5 cases with BRAF V600E mutation, and 1 case with FGFR1 mutation. Among them, TERT promoter mutations were frequently observed in tumors with F3T3 fusion (5/5), while NCOR2 in-frame insertion mutations were prominent in tumors with non-F3T3 fusions. Clinical follow-up showed recurrence in 3 cases, all of which had F3T3 fusion and concurrent TERT promoter mutations. Prognostic analysis confirmed that F3T3 fusion with concurrent TERT promoter mutation was associated with poor prognosis.Conclusions:Diffuse gliomas with PLNTY features exhibit heterogeneity in clinicopathology and molecular genetics, with FGFR3/FGFR2 fusions and BRAF/FGFR1 mutations as the most common molecular alteration. They often have concurrent F3T3 fusion and TERT promoter mutations, which are related to poor prognosis. The possibility of molecular glioblastoma should be considered for these tumors. It is thus recommended to perform genetic testing on diffuse gliomas with PLNTY features in order to facilitate integrated diagnosis and provide molecular evidence for accurate evaluation of prognoses.