Objective: To evaluate the performance of 5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in visualizing dental pulp and periodontal ligament (PDL) tissues in vivo in the young adult population, thereby providing a basis for the application of high-field MRI technology in clinical oral examinations. Methods: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital. A total of 15 healthy volunteers (413 permanent teeth altogether) were recruited and underwent full-mouth 5T MRI scans. Among them, six volunteers (168 permanent teeth) also received both 3T MRI and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Two dental specialists independently evaluated the imaging quality of the dental pulp and PDL on the images using a 5-point Likert scale and recorded the number of detectable root canals for each tooth. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using weighted kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Non-parametric tests were employed to compare differences in imaging performance among different tissue structures, tooth positions, and imaging modalities. Results: 5T MRI can achieve in vivo imaging for most dental pulp tissues and partial periodontal membrane structures. There was a high level of agreement between the two raters in their imaging scores for the dental pulp and PDL (dental pulp κ = 0.934, PDL κ = 0.737). The imaging scores for dental pulp were significantly higher than those for PDL (P < 0.001), and the scores for molar dental pulp were lower than those for premolars and anterior teeth. In the multimodal comparison involving six volunteers, the raters showed good consistency in scoring dental pulp and PDL imaging across 5T MRI, 3T MRI, and CBCT, as well as in root canal counts (5T MRI for dental pulp κ = 0.971, 3T MRI for dental pulp κ = 0.933, CBCT for dental pulp κ = 0.964; 5T MRI for PDL κ = 0.625, 3T MRI for PDL κ = 0.667, CBCT for PDL κ = 0.571; ICC for root canal counts all ≥ 0.990). The imaging scores for dental pulp and PDL using 5T MRI were significantly higher than those using 3T MRI (dental pulp: P < 0.001; PDL: P = 0.022), but there was no statistically significant difference in the detection rate of the number of root canals between the two (P > 0.05). Although the imaging scores for dental pulp and PDL as well as the detection rate of the number of root canals with 5T MRI were inferior to those with CBCT (dental pulp: P < 0.001; PDL: P = 0.02; number of root canals: P < 0.05), 5T MRI can truly achieve "direct imaging" of these two soft tissues. Conclusion 5T MRI enables effective in vivo direct imaging of dental pulp and PDL tissues in the young adult population, indicating its potential clinical application value in the diagnosis and treatment of pulp and periodontal diseases.

Objective To analyze the clinical significance of subjective visual vertical (SVV) tests at different head deflection angles in assessing utricle function in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Methods A total of 61 BPPV patients who were treated at the Hearing Impairment and Vertigo Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from August 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively included, and 29 healthy adults were selected as controls. SVV tests were performed on all research subjects at different head deflection angles: upright head (0°), left head 45° (L45°), right head 45° (R45°). The test results between the two groups were compared. Results SVV absolute value at R45° in BPPV group was lower than that in the control group (P＝0.003); there was no significant difference in SVV values at 0° and L45° between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in SVV values at different head deflection angles between the control group and the left BPPV group. SVV absolute value at R45° in right BPPV group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.001); there was no statistical difference in SVV values at 0° and L45° between the two groups. Conclusions SVV test can provide subjective information about the utricle, and SVV tests at different head deflection angles can fine-tune evaluate the function of the utricle in BPPV patients.

BACKGROUND:Spinal canal decompression using uniportal endoscopic surgery is a new minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.However,this technique needs a steep learning curve and high requirements for surgical equipment and instruments,which limits its clinical application.We previously use the spinal endoscopy as a monitoring endoscopy and combined with unilateral biportal endoscopy to propose a hybrid technique of spinal endoscopy to achieve coaxial endoscopic operation and hands-separate operation. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical outcome of hybrid technique and uniportal endoscopic surgery in treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral lower limb pain symptoms. METHODS:Ninety patients diagnosed of lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral symptoms were included and retrospectively analyzed at First People's Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University from August 2020 to August 2022.44 cases were included in group A(hybrid technique group),while 46 cases were included in group B(uniportal endoscopic surgery).The nerve decompression was observed during the surgery.Operation time,hospital stay time,and expenses were recorded in both groups.The visual analog scale scores of lower back pain and both lower extremities pain,Oswestry disability index scores of quality of life and excellent and good rate of modified Macnab criteria were recorded and compared at preoperative,postoperative 3 days,and postoperative 3 and 6 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The operation time of group A was significantly shorter than that of group B(P<0.05).(2)The lower back pain and lower extremity pain of the severe side at postoperative 3 days,and 3 and 6 months were significantly relieved in both groups(P<0.05).The visual analog scale score of lower extremity pain on the mild side was significantly decreased at postoperative 3 days,3 and 6 months than preoperative score in the group A(P<0.05).The visual analog scale score of lower extremity pain on the mild side was significantly decreased at postoperative 3 days than preoperative score in the group B(P<0.05).The visual analog scale scores of lower extremity pain on the mild side at postoperative 3 and 6 months did not show significant difference than preoperative score in the group B.The comparison between the two groups showed that there was no significant difference in the visual analog scale scores of postoperative lower back pain and lower extremity pain of the severe side(P>0.05).The visual analog scale scores of lower extremity pain on the mild side in the group A were significantly lower than those of group B at postoperative 3 and 6 months(P<0.05).(3)The Oswestry disability index scores of both groups at postoperative 3 day were significantly lower than preoperative score(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups 3 days after operation.Oswestry disability index scores of group A at postoperative 3 and 6 months were significantly decreased than preoperative score(P<0.05).The Oswestry disability index scores of group B at postoperative 3 and 6 months did not show significant differences than preoperative score(P>0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed the Oswestry disability index scores of group A were significantly lower than group B at postoperative 3 and 6 months(P<0.05).(4)The results of modified Macnab showed that the excellent and good rate of group A was significantly higher than that of group B(95%,78%,P<0.05).(5)It is indicated that the hybrid technique is a new spinal endoscopy technique,which has the advantages of less trauma and faster recovery as a minimally invasive surgery.The clinical outcome of hybrid technique is superior to that of uniportal endoscopic surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral symptoms.Additionally,it also has the advantages of good operational flexibility and high decompression efficiency as an open surgery.

ObjectiveTo establish a rat model of osteoarthritis and study the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of fraxetin. MethodsEighteen 8-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: Rats in the blank group received a right articular cavity injection of 50 μL of normal saline for 1 week; the model and intervention groups were injected with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the right joint cavity to induce osteoarthritis, while the intervention group subsequently received fraxetin (5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) for 1 week. Four weeks after drug intervention, abdominal aortic blood was collected. The animals were then euthanized, and knee joint cartilage were collected. The cartilage samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, safranin O-fast green, and toluidine blue for histopathological examination and scoring using the Mankin and OARSI scoring systems. The trabecular bone volume/total volume (Tb.BV/TV), trabecular bone surface density/total volume (Tb.BS/TV), and trabecular number (Tb.N) of each group were compared and analyzed using a micro-CT scanning system. The expression levels of various inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 (p38 MAPK), phosphorylation-p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and phosphorylation-JNK (p-JNK) were measured by western blotting. ResultsThe staining of cartilage sections of rat knee joints showed that the articular surface defects in the model group were severe, while the cartilage destruction in the intervention group was relatively reduced. Micro-CT results showed that Tb.BV/TV, Tb.BS/TV and Tb.N in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the model group (P < 0.05); the Mankin score in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blank group (P < 0.05), the Mankin score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05); while the OARSI score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COMP in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (all P < 0.05), while those in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the model group (P < 0.05). Western blot results showed that the expression levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-JNK in the knee cartilage tissue were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the model group (both P < 0.05), and significantly higher in the model group than in the blank group (both P < 0.05). ConclusionFraxetin may play a therapeutic role in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat model of osteoarthritis through the p38 MAPK pathway.

ObjectiveTo establish a rat model of osteoarthritis and study the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of fraxetin. MethodsEighteen 8-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: Rats in the blank group received a right articular cavity injection of 50 μL of normal saline for 1 week; the model and intervention groups were injected with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the right joint cavity to induce osteoarthritis, while the intervention group subsequently received fraxetin (5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) for 1 week. Four weeks after drug intervention, abdominal aortic blood was collected. The animals were then euthanized, and knee joint cartilage were collected. The cartilage samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, safranin O-fast green, and toluidine blue for histopathological examination and scoring using the Mankin and OARSI scoring systems. The trabecular bone volume/total volume (Tb.BV/TV), trabecular bone surface density/total volume (Tb.BS/TV), and trabecular number (Tb.N) of each group were compared and analyzed using a micro-CT scanning system. The expression levels of various inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 (p38 MAPK), phosphorylation-p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and phosphorylation-JNK (p-JNK) were measured by western blotting. ResultsThe staining of cartilage sections of rat knee joints showed that the articular surface defects in the model group were severe, while the cartilage destruction in the intervention group was relatively reduced. Micro-CT results showed that Tb.BV/TV, Tb.BS/TV and Tb.N in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the model group (P < 0.05); the Mankin score in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blank group (P < 0.05), the Mankin score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05); while the OARSI score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COMP in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (all P < 0.05), while those in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the model group (P < 0.05). Western blot results showed that the expression levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-JNK in the knee cartilage tissue were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the model group (both P < 0.05), and significantly higher in the model group than in the blank group (both P < 0.05). ConclusionFraxetin may play a therapeutic role in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat model of osteoarthritis through the p38 MAPK pathway.

Background Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorder in children, often diagnosed during school age. The etiology of ADHD remains unclear; however, existing studies suggest that environmental factors, such as exposure to triclosan (TCS), may be associated with the occurrence of ADHD-like symptoms in offspring. Nevertheless, relevant research in China remains limited. Objective To investigate the impact of early pregnancy TCS exposure on ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children. Methods This study was based on the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) and included 662 mother-child pairs. TCS concentrations in early pregnancy urine samples were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Demographic information was collected via questionnaires and medical record abstraction. ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children were first assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Further differentiation of ADHD-like symptom subtypes (inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive) was conducted using the SNAP-IV, a clinically validated ADHD screening tool. Negative binomial regression models were applied to evaluate the associations between prenatal TCS exposure and hyperactive behavior (SDQ assessment) as well as ADHD-like symptom subtypes (SNAP-IV assessment) in 7-year-old children. Results The positive rate of TCS in early pregnancy urine samples was 91.39%, with median concentrations of 0.69 μg·L⁻¹ and 0.63 μg·g⁻¹ before and after the creatinine adjustment, respectively. The modeling results indicated that prenatal TCS exposure was associated with an increased risk of hyperactive symptoms (SDQ assessment) in 7-year-old children (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.06); the stratified analyses by children sex revealed similar effects for both boys (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.07) and girls (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.07). Further analysis of ADHD-like symptom subtypes showed that prenatal TCS exposure increased the risk of inattentive symptoms (RR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.05); the sex-stratified analyses indicated associations between TCS exposure and inattentive symptoms (RR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.07) as well as hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.08) in girls. Conclusion Prenatal TCS exposure is associated with an increased risk of ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children, primarily contributing to the risk of the inattention subtype. The impact is more pronounced in girls.