ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility， safety， and efficacy of surgery-assisted transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt （SA-TIPS） in the treatment of portal hypertension comorbid with complex portal vein thrombosis， including cavernous transformation of the portal vein （CTPV）. MethodsAn analysis was performed for the data of 36 patients with portal hypertension and complex portal vein thrombosis who underwent SA-TIPS in Beijing Shijitan Hospital， Capital Medical University， from November 2023 to January 2025， including general status， technical data of the surgical process （surgical success rate， puncture times， time of operation， the number of stents used， and the length of shunt）， perioperative complications， and surgical recovery. The change in portal pressure gradient （PPG） after shunt was compared， and the rate of reaching the standard for PPG reduction was calculated， as well as stent patency rate within 1 week after surgery. The paired samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups. ResultsAmong the 36 patients， 34 （94.4%） underwent SA-TIPS successfully. The incidence rate of perioperative complications was 16.7% （6/36）， including 3 cases of thoraco-abdominal hemorrhage， 2 cases of intraoperative arrhythmia， and 1 case of incision infection. There was a significant reduction in PPG after SA-TIPS （t=19.85， P<0.01）， and the patients achieving a ≥50% reduction in PPG accounted for 76.5% （26/34）. Imaging reexamination within 1 week showed a shunt patency rate of 100%. ConclusionSA-TIPS has a high technical success rate， a favorable safety profile， and good efficacy in the treatment of portal hypertension comorbid with complex portal vein thrombosis （including CTPV）， and therefore， it holds promise for clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 4-methylcatechol (4MC) on the migration and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: RA-FLS was isolated from synovial tissue donated by RA patients, and the optimal concentration of 4MC was determined by cell counting kit 8 method for subsequent experiments, and the effect of 4MC on the migratory ability of RA-FLS was evaluated via a cell scratch assay. An inflammation model of RA-FLS was induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and ELISA were employed to detect the gene and protein expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in RA-FLS and their culture supernatants, respectively, thereby investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of 4MC. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins, including inhibitor of NF-κB-α (IKBα), phosphorylated (P)-IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase α (IKKα), P-IKKαβ, P-p65, and p65. Cellular immunofluorescence was utilized to detect the expression and localization of p65 in RA-FLS, exploring whether 4MC exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was established. The anti-RA effect of 4MC in vivo was evaluated by gross observation and histological examination. RESULTS: 4MC inhibited RA-FLS migration in a concentration-dependent manner. In the TNF-α-induced RA-FLS inflammation model, 4MC significantly decreased the gene and protein expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, 4MC markedly reduced the ratios of P-IΚBα/IΚBα, P-IKKαβ/IKKα, and P-p65/p65, thereby blocking the transcriptional activity of p65 by inhibiting its nuclear translocation. This mechanism effectively suppressed the activation of the TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal studies demonstrated that 4MC [10 mg/(kg·day)] significantly lowered serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and alleviated arthritis severity and bone destruction in CIA mice. CONCLUSION 4MC not only inhibits the migration of RA-FLS but also mitigates their inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby effectively exerting its anti-RA effects.
Synoviocytes/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Humans ; Catechols/therapeutic use* ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Inflammation

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic degenerative disease that not only causes pain and reduces the quality of life for patients but also imposes a significant societal burden. Clinical pathways can be developed by referencing recommendations from clinical practice guidelines to localize guidelines within the context of integrated traditional Chinese and western medical systems. However, existing clinical pathways suffer from shortcomings such as deficiencies in integrated traditional Chinese and western medical diagnosis and treatment, inadequate shared decision-making between healthcare providers and patients, and suboptimal visualization of clinical pathways. This study aimed to address and optimize the clinical pathway of KOA by comprehensively organizing and localizing the recommended guidelines. The concept of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine was reflected through the construction of a path of joint decision-making between doctors and patients, emphasizing the coexistence of diagnosis and screening, the combination of clinical and imaging staging, joint decision-making between doctors and patients, and treatment stages. This pathway emphasizes patient-centered approach, with pain relief and functional rehabilitation running parallel, achieving the implementation of evidence-based concepts in practical medical practice. It provides a concrete basis for joint decision-making between doctors and patients in the integrated treatment of KOA with traditional Chinese and western medicine, which helps to improve diagnosis and treatment efficiency and patient quality of life.

BackgroundDepression in mid-to-late pregnancy has significant negative effects on pregnant women and their offspring. Previous studies have shown that pregnant women with depression in mid-to-late pregnancy exhibit lower frontal lobe activation levels， but the activation phase and its impact on depression require further investigation. ObjectiveTo analyze the functional near-infrared spectroscopy （fNIRS） features of depressed pregnant women in mid-to-late pregnancy， and to provide references for assisting in the clinical screening of depression in them. MethodsA total of 40 pregnant women in mid to late pregnancy with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale （EPDS） score above 11 who underwent prenatal examination at the department of obstetrics of the Third Hospital of Mianyang from September 2023 to July 2024 were included as the study group. During the same period， 40 pregnant women in mid-to-late pregnancy with EPDS score below 11 who were matched with the age， family history， and past history of the study group were recruited as the control group. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect basic information of the pregnant women. The fNIRS technique was used to measure the prefrontal and temporal lobe integral values and center of gravity values during the verbal fluency task （VFT） pregnant women in mid-to-late pregnancy. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between EPDS scores and fNIRS imaging features， as well as demographic characteristics， in mid-to-late pregnant women with depression. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of depression symptoms in this population. ResultsStatistically significant differences were observed between the study group and the control group in terms of educational level and body mass index （BMI） （χ²/t=4.528， 2.292， P<0.05）. The study group demonstrated a lower prefrontal integral value and a higher prefrontal center of gravity value compared with the control group （t=-7.601， 5.641， P<0.05）. EPDS scores of depressed pregnant women in mid-to-late pregnancy were negatively correlated with prefrontal lobe integral value （r=-0.680， P<0.01）， while positively correlated with prefrontal lobe center of gravity value and BMI （r=0.737， 0.604， P<0.01）. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age （β=-0.214， P<0.01）， BMI （β=0.340， P<0.01）， prefrontal integral value （β=-0.351， P<0.01）， and prefrontal center of gravity value （β=0.347， P<0.01） were influencing factors of depressive symptoms in pregnant women in mid-to-late pregnancy. ConclusionThe prefrontal lobe activation degree of depressed pregnant women in mid-to-late pregnancy is lower than that of non-depressed pregnant women， and the activation phase is delayed. Age， prefrontal lobe integral value， prefrontal center of gravity value and BMI may be the influencing factors of depressive symptoms in pregnant women in the middle and late pregnancy.

Objective:To observe the effectiveness and safety of different doses of esketamine combined with propofol for intravenous administration in the child patients undergoing enhanced computed tomography(CT)examination,and to clarify the optimal clinical dose of esketamine in combination with propofol for sedation.Methods:This study is a randomized,controlled,double-blind(blinded to subjects and evaluators),and single-center clinical trial.A total of 120 preschool children undergoing enhanced CT examination were randomly divided into propofol group(P group),propofol+0.3 mg·kg-1 esketamine group(P+K3 group),and propofol+0.5 mg·kg-1 esketamine group(P+K5 group),and there were 40 cases in each group.All the children were given 2mg·kg-1 propofol,and additional propofol was administered in increments of 1 mng·kg-1 until the sedation criteria for entering the CT room were met[Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation(MOAA/S)score ≤3].The vital signs of the children were observed and recorded at four time points:before sedation(T0),when sedation was satisfactory(T1),during contrast agent injection(T2),and upon awakening(T3).The examination time,time to satisfactory sedation(from the start of sedation to MOAA/S score≤3),and awakening time(from the end of the examination to MOAA/S score＞4)of the children in various groups were recorded.The total dose of propofol and the proportion of cases requiring additional propofol were compared among various groups.Adverse reactions during induction,examination,and after awakening were also compared among various groups.Results:There were no significant differences in general conditions of the children in three groups(P＞0.05).Hemodynamic parameters:at T2,compared with P group,the SpO2 levels of the children in P+K3 group and P+K5 group were increased(P＜0.05);at T1,compared with P group,the SBP levels of the children in P+K3 group and P+K5 group were increased(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in examination time of the children in three groups(P＞0.05).Compared with P group and P+K3 group,the time to satisfactory sedation of the children in P+K5 group was shorter(P＜0.05).Compared with P group,the awakening time of the children in P+K3 group and P+K5 group was shorter(P＜0.05).Compared with P group and P+K3 group,the total dose of propofol of the children in P+K5 group was decreased(P＜0.05),and the proportion of cases requiring additional propofol was lower(P＜0.05).Adverse reaction indicators:compared with P group,the incidence of respiratory depression of the children in P+K3 group and P+K5 group was lower(P＜0.05),and the incidence of nausea and vomiting was lower(P＜0.05).Compared with P group and P+K3 group,the incidence of movement during the examination of the children in P+K5 group was lower(P＜0.05),and the incidence of dizziness was higher(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of increased airway secretions of the children in three groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The use of 0.5 mg·kg-1 esketamine combined with 2 mg·kg-1 propofol for intravenous administration in the child patients for enhanced CT examination sedation can improve the efficiency of such examinations and offers high safety and effectiveness.

Objective:To elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which high-dose dexamethasone exerts long-term effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), specifically its role in suppressing osteogenic differentiation, accelerating cellular senescence, triggering the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and inducing apoptosis.Methods:Primary rat BMSCs were isolated and treated with high-dose dexamethasone (1×10 -4 mol/L) to establish the experimental group, while untreated cells served as the control. The gene and protein expression levels of osteogenic markers, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), were analyzed in both groups. Cellular senescence was evaluated using senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. The expression of senescence-related markers (P16 and P21), components of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ, as well as apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and Cleaved-Caspase-3), and key factors of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were assessed at both transcriptional and protein levels using qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western-blot analyses. These comprehensive evaluations aimed to determine the senescent state, apoptotic features, and alterations in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Results:Following treatment with dexamethasone and subsequent withdrawal, both qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses indicated a significant reduction in the expression of the osteogenic markers bALP and Runx2 at both mRNA and protein levels. The proportion of SA-β-gal positive cells was markedly higher in the dexamethasone group (74.33%±6.89%) than in the control group (20.30%±1.57%, t=17.300, P<0.001). qRT-PCR analysis revealed upregulated mRNA expression of the senescence-related genes P16 and P21 after dexamethasone treatment, which was further supported at the protein level by immunofluorescence showing increased P21 expression. Western-blot results confirmed that protein expression levels of P16 and P21 were significantly elevated in the dexamethasone group (7.025±0.255 and 6.362±0.456, respectively) compared with the control group (1.016±0.115 and 0.816±0.172; both P<0.05). Furthermore, gene expression levels of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased (TNF-α: 3.539±0.599 vs. 0.742±0.095; IL-1β: 4.469±0.331 vs. 0.799±0.175; both P<0.05), and their protein expression was consistently upregulated as validated by Western-blot. Additionally, protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the dexamethasone-treated group (3.476±0.932 vs. 0.945±0.095; 4.111±0.220 vs. 0.762±0.105; 2.155±0.240 vs. 0.656±0.104; all P<0.05).Western-blot analysis also demonstrated that protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly suppressed in the dexamethasone group (0.21±0.07 and 0.19±0.06, respectively) compared with the control group (1.13±0.15 and 0.92±0.21; P<0.05). Moreover, Western-blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Cleaved-Caspase-3 were significantly up, regulated in the dexamethasone, treated BMSCs (Bax: 3.673±0.397 vs. 0.453±0.111; Cleaved-Caspase-3: 3.863±0.399 vs. 0.465±0.057), while the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was markedly down, regulated (0.959±0.073 vs. 2.126±0.195), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:High-dose dexamethasone treatment of BMSCs, followed by withdrawal of dexamethasone, induces cellular senescence and enhances the expression of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) through suppression of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Concurrently, it promotes apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, collectively leading to impaired osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Purpose To investigate the role of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology(US-FNAC)in the diagnosis of breast cancer.Methods Fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC)samples of 203 patients with breast cancer were selected and prepared by liquid-based cytology.The results of histopathology after neoadjuvant therapy were used as the gold standard to compare with the diagnostic results of FNAC samples,and then evaluated the diagnos-tic coincidence rate of FNAC samples.Results Of 203 axillary lymph node FNAC samples,111 cases were diagnosed as positive,38 cases were diagnosed as suspicious for positivity,and 54 cases were diagnosed as negative.The diag-nostic accuracy of FNAC was 85.2％,the sensitivity of FNAC was 98.0％,and the specificity of FNAC was 90.0％.Conclusion FNAC has high sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis.Sentinel lymph node biopsy is recommended for patients with negative FNAC but clinically and radiographically suspected lymph node metastasis.

Objective:To elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which high-dose dexamethasone exerts long-term effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), specifically its role in suppressing osteogenic differentiation, accelerating cellular senescence, triggering the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and inducing apoptosis.Methods:Primary rat BMSCs were isolated and treated with high-dose dexamethasone (1×10 -4 mol/L) to establish the experimental group, while untreated cells served as the control. The gene and protein expression levels of osteogenic markers, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), were analyzed in both groups. Cellular senescence was evaluated using senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. The expression of senescence-related markers (P16 and P21), components of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ, as well as apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and Cleaved-Caspase-3), and key factors of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were assessed at both transcriptional and protein levels using qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western-blot analyses. These comprehensive evaluations aimed to determine the senescent state, apoptotic features, and alterations in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Results:Following treatment with dexamethasone and subsequent withdrawal, both qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses indicated a significant reduction in the expression of the osteogenic markers bALP and Runx2 at both mRNA and protein levels. The proportion of SA-β-gal positive cells was markedly higher in the dexamethasone group (74.33%±6.89%) than in the control group (20.30%±1.57%, t=17.300, P<0.001). qRT-PCR analysis revealed upregulated mRNA expression of the senescence-related genes P16 and P21 after dexamethasone treatment, which was further supported at the protein level by immunofluorescence showing increased P21 expression. Western-blot results confirmed that protein expression levels of P16 and P21 were significantly elevated in the dexamethasone group (7.025±0.255 and 6.362±0.456, respectively) compared with the control group (1.016±0.115 and 0.816±0.172; both P<0.05). Furthermore, gene expression levels of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased (TNF-α: 3.539±0.599 vs. 0.742±0.095; IL-1β: 4.469±0.331 vs. 0.799±0.175; both P<0.05), and their protein expression was consistently upregulated as validated by Western-blot. Additionally, protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the dexamethasone-treated group (3.476±0.932 vs. 0.945±0.095; 4.111±0.220 vs. 0.762±0.105; 2.155±0.240 vs. 0.656±0.104; all P<0.05).Western-blot analysis also demonstrated that protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly suppressed in the dexamethasone group (0.21±0.07 and 0.19±0.06, respectively) compared with the control group (1.13±0.15 and 0.92±0.21; P<0.05). Moreover, Western-blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Cleaved-Caspase-3 were significantly up, regulated in the dexamethasone, treated BMSCs (Bax: 3.673±0.397 vs. 0.453±0.111; Cleaved-Caspase-3: 3.863±0.399 vs. 0.465±0.057), while the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was markedly down, regulated (0.959±0.073 vs. 2.126±0.195), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:High-dose dexamethasone treatment of BMSCs, followed by withdrawal of dexamethasone, induces cellular senescence and enhances the expression of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) through suppression of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Concurrently, it promotes apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, collectively leading to impaired osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Purpose To investigate the role of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology(US-FNAC)in the diagnosis of breast cancer.Methods Fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC)samples of 203 patients with breast cancer were selected and prepared by liquid-based cytology.The results of histopathology after neoadjuvant therapy were used as the gold standard to compare with the diagnostic results of FNAC samples,and then evaluated the diagnos-tic coincidence rate of FNAC samples.Results Of 203 axillary lymph node FNAC samples,111 cases were diagnosed as positive,38 cases were diagnosed as suspicious for positivity,and 54 cases were diagnosed as negative.The diag-nostic accuracy of FNAC was 85.2％,the sensitivity of FNAC was 98.0％,and the specificity of FNAC was 90.0％.Conclusion FNAC has high sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis.Sentinel lymph node biopsy is recommended for patients with negative FNAC but clinically and radiographically suspected lymph node metastasis.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)combined with indwelling catheter-directed thrombolysis for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis(PVT).Methods The clinical efficacy of 307 patients with portal hypertension complicated by PVT,who received successful TIPS combined with indwelling catheter-directed thrombolysis at the Affiliated Beijing Shijitan Hospital of Capital Medical University of China between January 2016 and December 2019,were retrospectively analyzed.Before and after TIPS,the inferior vena cava pressure(IVCP)and portal vein pressure(PVP)were measured,and the pre-TIPS,post-TIPS(before thrombolysis),and post-thrombolysis portal pressure gradient(PPG,PPG=PVP-IVCP)was separately calculated.Reexamination of portal venography DSA was performed to determine the degree of PVT disappearance and whether the shunt was unobstructed.All patients were followed up for one year.Results The pre-TIPS,post-TIPS(before thrombolysis),and post-thrombolysis mean PPG was(24.50±6.91)mmHg,(18.51±5.11)mmHg,and(10.17±3.97)mmHg,respectively.The post-thrombolysis mean PPG was strikingly lower than the pre-thrombolysis values,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).Among the 307 patients,complete disappearance of PVT was observed in 221(72.3%),remarkable reduction of PVT in 86(27.7%),and no invalid result was seen.The patients having complete patency of the shunt flow accounted for 85.7%of the 307 patients(261/307),and the patients having partial patency of the shunt flow accounted for 14.3%of the 307 patients(46/307).Forty-two patients developed complications,and no death occurred.All patients were followed up for one year,and the main clinical symptoms were improved or completely disappeared.Among the 307 patients,an increase in thrombus volume was found in 17(5.5%)when compared to their postoperative values,which returned to the first-time postoperative level after local treatment of the thrombus via the TIPS shunt combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis.Within one year after TIPS and thrombolysis,overt hepatic encephalopathy(OHE)occurred in 54 patients(17.6%,54/307).One patient died of hepatic failure 9 months after TIPS,another patient died of cerebral hemorrhage 11 months after TIPS,and all the remaining patients were alive.Conclusion For patients with portal hypertension complicated by PVT,TIPS combined with indwelling catheter-directed thrombolysis is clinically safe and effective.The standardized,systematic management of the whole therapeutic process should be strengthened.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,32:22-27)