OBJECTIVE To study the anatomic characteristics of the anterior ethmoidal canal(AEC)based on 0.1 mm ultra-high resolution CT.METHODS Nine cadavers(18 side orbits)fixed in 10%buffered formalin were enrolled and underwent U-HRCT and MSCT.Divided AEC into horizontal,superior oblique,and inferior oblique segments and observed the displaying rate of each section.Subjective evaluation of display situation was performed by two experienced radiologists independently.The diameter of each AEC segment was measured.RESULTS No significant difference was found in the display rate of the horizontal and superior oblique segments between U-HRCT and MSCT groups(P>0.05),the display rate of inferior oblique segment of U-HRCT group was significantly higher than MSCT group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the objective evaluation results between two evaluators and consistency was strong.Subjective scores of each segment of AEC in U-HRCT group were 10.00 points(9.75 points,10.00 points),2.00 points(2.00 points,3.00 points)and 8.00 points(6.00 points,10.00 points),in MSCT group were7.00 points(5.75 points,8.00 points),2.00 points(2.00 points,2.00 points)and 2.00 points(2.00 points,4.00 points).Subjective scores of horizontal and inferior oblique segments of AEC in U-HRCT were higher than MSCT(P<0.05).The anteroposterior diameter of the horizontal section of AEC is(0.92±0.12)mm,the axial diameter is(1.04±0.22)mm.The anteroposterior diameter of the inferior oblique segment is(0.47±0.08)mm,and the transverse diameter is(0.50±0.06)mm.The anteroposterior diameter of the superior oblique segments is(0.66±0.11)mm,and the transverse diameter is(0.72±0.20)mm.CONCLUSION U-HRCT is better to evaluate AEC than MSCT.It could be used to help to study the anatomic characteristics of AEC before surgery to avoid complications.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)flow dynamics and volume changes of pulsatile tinnitus(PT)patients caused by sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence(SSWD)with different intracranial pressure via MRI.METHODS Prospective enrolled 35 SSWD-PT patients with intracranial hypertension,25 SSWD-PT patients with normal intracranial pressure and 35 age-,sex-matched healthy controls.Demographic characteristics were recorded.Intracranial pressure was assessed by the index of transverse sinus stenosis(ITSS)and morphology changes.CSF flow dynamics were evaluated via phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging(PC-MRI)and CSF volume were evaluated via three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo field echo(3D T1-TFE)sequence and ITK-SNAP software.Compared the differences of each index between three groups.RESULTS The mean flux and regurgitant fraction were significantly different among the three groups(P<0.05).The intracranial hypertension group presented significantly decreased mean flux(MF)and significantly increased regurgitant fraction(RF)compared to controls(P<0.017).There were no significant differences in MF and RF of normal intracranial pressure group compared with intracranial hypertension group and control group(P>0.017).There were no statistical differences in age,sex,body mass index,forward flow volume,backward flow volume,mean velocity,peak velocity,stroke volume and CSF volume(P>0.05).CONCLUSION SSW D-PT patients have abnormal changes in CSF,and those with increased intracranial pressure are more obvious.These changes may be associated with abnormal hemodynamics in the sigmoid sinus and the occurrence of PT.

The sound generation and conduction of pulsatile tinnitus(PT)caused by sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence(SSWD)are closely related to abnormal blood flow and intracranial pressure,sigmoid plate and temporal bone air cells.Clarifying the mechanism of tinnitus is the premise of targeted treatment.This article reviews the research progress on the mechanism of SSWD-PT.

BACKGROUND:Bone defects can directly affect the success rate and long-term stability of dental implants.Studies have shown that salidroside has the ability to promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts,but less is reported on its pathways related to osteogenic differentiation. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of salidroside on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and the expression of related genes and proteins through in vitro cell experiments. METHODS:Cell counting kit-8 test and alkaline phosphatase test were used to determine the optimal concentration of salidroside(0.5,1,5,10,and 50 μmol/L)in promoting the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.There were four groups in the experiment:control group,salidroside group,salidroside+LY294002 group,and LY294002 group,which were cultured with osteogenic induction solution,osteogenic induction solution containing 10 μmol/L salidroside,osteogenic induction solution containing 10 μmol/L salidroside+10 μmol/L LY294002,and osteogenic induction solution containing 10 μmol/L LY294002,respectively.The effects of salidroside and LY294002,an inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,on the expressions of genes and proteins related to osteogenesis were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cell counting kit-8 assay and alkaline phosphatase assay showed that salidroside promoted the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells most significantly at 10 μmol/L.Compared with the control group,salidroside could promote mineralization,promote cell adhesion,reduce cell death,increase mRNA expression of Runx-2,osteocalcin and osteopontin(P<0.01),and increase protein expression of Runx-2 and p-Akt(P<0.01).However,the addition of LY294002 reversed the above results.These findings indicate that salidroside can promote the mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins,which may be related to the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Stand-alone oblique lateral interbody fusion has a high rate of complications of fusion segment sink.Oblique lateral interbody fusion with posterior fixation can provide stable support,but intraoperative position changes and double incisions weaken the advantages of this technique.Oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation can achieve one-stage decompression in the same incision,while the lateral internal fixation provides stable support. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the short-term efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation in the treatment of single-level lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS:The clinical data of 34 patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease treated with oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation were collected from May 2020 to October 2022.Among them,14 were males and 20 were females aged from 41 to 72 years at the mean age of(58.6±9.9)years.There were 11 cases of lumbar spondylolisthesis(Ⅰ°),7 cases of lumbar disc herniation with segmental instability,and 16 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis.Operation time,blood loss,and complications were recorded.Visual analog scale scores of lumbago,radiative pain of both lower limbs,and Oswestry disability index scores were evaluated before surgery,3 months after surgery,and the last follow-up.Dural sac cross-sectional area,intervertebral height,and intervertebral fusion were measured and observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The 34 patients were followed up for 14-36 months,with an average of(21.3±5.2)months.(2)The operation time ranged from 50 to 92 minutes,with an average of(68.5±11.1)minutes.Intraoperative blood loss was 50-170 mL,with an average of(71.6±25.3)mL.(3)Compared with the preoperative results,the visual analog scale scores and Oswestry disability index scores were significantly decreased at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up(P<0.001),and the maximum Oswestry disability index scores were improved by nearly 50％.(4)Bone fusion was achieved in all patients during half-year follow-up.The overall complication rate was 21％(7/34),including 1 case of plate displacement,3 cases of cage subsidence,1 case of psoas weakness,and 2 cases of anterior thigh pain.(5)It is concluded that oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases has the characteristics of less blood loss,short operation time,rapid postoperative recovery,and significant short-term clinical efficacy with the stable support to a certain extent.The long-term curative effect needs further follow-up observation.

BACKGROUND:We have successfully established an animal model of small ear pig in southern Yunnan province with internal tension relieving technique combined with autologous Achilles tendon for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction,and verified the stability and reliability of the model.However,whether internal tension relieving technique can promote the ligamentalization process of autologous Achilles tendon graft has not been studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differences in the process of ligamentalization between conventional reconstruction and internal reduction reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by gross view,histology and electron microscopy. METHODS:Thirty adult female small ear pigs in southern Yunnan province were selected.Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the left knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon(n=30 in the normal group),and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the right knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon combined with the internal relaxation and enhancement system(n=30 in the relaxation group).The autogenous right forelimb was used as the control group;the anterior cruciate ligament was exposed but not severed or surgically treated.At 12,24,and 48 weeks after surgery,10 animals were sacrificed,respectively.The left and right knee joint specimens were taken for gross morphological observation to evaluate the graft morphology.MAS score was used to evaluate the excellent and good rate of the ligament at each time point.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the degree of ligament graft vascularization.Collagen fibers and nuclear morphology were observed,and nuclear morphology was scored.Ultrastructural remodeling was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The ligament healing shape of the relaxation group was better at various time points after surgery,and the excellent and good rate of MAS score was higher(P<0.05).Moreover,the relaxation group could obtain higher ligament vascularization score(P<0.05).(2)The arrangement of collagen bundles and fiber bundles in the two groups gradually tended to be orderly,and the transverse fiber connections between collagen gradually increased and thickened,suggesting that the strength and shape degree of the grafts were gradually improved,but the ligament remodeling in the relaxation group was always faster than that in the normal group at various time points after surgery.(3)The diameter,distribution density,and arrangement degree of collagen fibers in the relaxation group were better than those in the normal group at all time points,especially in the comparison of collagen fiber diameter between and within the relaxation group(P<0.05).

Objective To explore the effect of PCSK9 inhibitor combined with atorvastatin on carotid atherosclerosis and its anti-inflammatory effect in patients with hypertension complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods A total of 100 patients with hypertension complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated in Nanchang Third Hospital from October 2022 to August 2023 were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into the control group and the study group by the random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.Both groups of patients received conventional antihypertensive,hypoglycemic,and antiplatelet therapy.The control group took 20 mg of atorvastatin calcium tablets orally,once a night.On the basis of the control group,the study group was additionally given 150 mg of evolocumab injection(a PCSK9 inhibitor)by subcutaneous injection,once every two weeks.Both groups of patients were followed up for 24 weeks.The levels of blood lipids,blood glucose,inflammatory cytokines,carotid intima-media thickness(IMT),atherosclerotic plaque score and adverse reactions of the patients in the two groups before and after treatment were detected and compared.Results The levels of TC,TG and LDL-C in the study group after treatment were lower than those before treatment and those in the control group at the same period,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,hs-CRP,as well as the ca-rotid IMT and atherosclerotic plaque score in the study group after treatment were lower than those before treatment and those in the control group at the same period,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜O.05).During the treatment period,there was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reac-tions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The combination of PCSK9 inhibitor and atorvastatin can effectively regulate the blood lipid levels of patients with hypertension complicated and type 2 diabetes mellitus,alleviate the inflammatory response,and improve the degree of carotid atherosclerosis in these pa-tients.

Vascular damage plays a significant role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of neuronal injury by vascular damage remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the impact of fibrinogen (Fg) on tau pathology. The results showed that Fg deposits in the brains of tau P301S transgenic mice interact with tau, enhancing the cytotoxicity of pathological tau aggregates and promoting tau phosphorylation and aggregation. Notably, Fg-modified tau fibrils caused enhanced neuronal apoptosis and synaptic damage compared to unmodified fibrils. Furthermore, intrahippocampal injection of Fg-modified tau fibrils worsened the tau pathology, neuroinflammation, synaptic damage, neuronal apoptosis, and cognitive dysfunction in tau P301S mice compared to controls. The present study provides compelling evidence linking Fg and tau, thereby connecting cerebrovascular damage to tau pathology in AD. Consequently, inhibiting Fg-mediated tau pathology could potentially impede the progression of AD.
Animals ; tau Proteins/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/metabolism* ; Fibrinogen/metabolism* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mice ; Disease Models, Animal ; Memory Disorders/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain/metabolism* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Protein Aggregation, Pathological/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Phosphorylation

Image 1.