The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of lung zinc ions to pathogenesis of lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, lung I/R group (I/R group), lung I/R + low-dose zinc chloride group (LZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + high-dose ZnCl₂ group (HZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + medium-dose ZnCl₂ group (MZnCl₂+I/R group) and TPEN+MZnCl₂+I/R group (n = 8 in each group). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissue. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by observing HE staining, alveolar damage index, lung wet/dry weight ratio and lung tissue gross changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect cellular apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and ZIP8, as well as the mRNA expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIP, ZNT) in lung tissue. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of lung tissue was detected by JC-1 MMP detection kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the lung tissue damage, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index were significantly increased in the I/R group. And in the lung tissue, the concentration of Zn²⁺ was markedly decreased, while the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio and apoptotic levels were significantly increased. The expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein were down-regulated significantly, while the mRNA expression of other zinc transporters remained unchanged. There was also a significant decrease in MMP. Compared with the I/R group, both MZnCl₂+I/R group and HZnCl₂+I/R group exhibited significantly reduced lung tissue injury, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index, increased Zn²⁺ concentration, decreased ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptosis, and up-regulated expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein. In addition, the MMP was significantly increased in the lung tissue. Zn²⁺ chelating agent TPEN reversed the above-mentioned protective effects of medium-dose ZnCl₂ on the lung tissue in the I/R group. The aforementioned results suggest that exogenous administration of ZnCl₂ can improve lung I/R injury in rats.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/pathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Chlorides/administration & dosage* ; Lung/pathology* ; Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism*

Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: To describe survival trends and global patterns of esophageal cancer (EC) using survival data from population-based cancer registries. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SEER, and SinoMed databases for articles published up to 31 December 2023. Eligible EC survival estimates were evaluated according to country or region, period, sex, age group, pathology, and disease stage. RESULTS: After 2010, Jordan exhibited the highest age-standardized 5-year relative survival rates (RSRs)/net survival rates (NSRs) at 41.1% between 2010 and 2014, while India had the lowest, at 4.1%. Survival rates generally improved with diagnostic age across most countries, with significant increases in South Korea and China, of 12.7% and 10.5% between 2000 and 2017, respectively. Survival was higher among women compared to men, ranging from 0.4%-10.9%. Survival rates for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were similar, differing by about 4%. In China, the highest age-standardized RSRs/NSRs was 33.4% between 2015 and 2017. Meanwhile, the lowest was 5.3%, in Qidong (Jiangsu province) between 1992-1996. CONCLUSION Global EC survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades, but substantial geographical, sex, and age disparities still exist. In Asia, squamous cell carcinoma demonstrated superior survival rates compared to adenocarcinoma, while the opposite trend was observed in Western countries. Future research should clarify the prognostic factors influencing EC survival and tailor prevention and screening strategies to the changing EC survival patterns.
Humans ; Esophageal Neoplasms/mortality* ; Registries ; Male ; Female ; Survival Analysis ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate ; Aged ; Global Health

Background::Few evidence is available in the early prediction models of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to develop and validate a novel genetic-clinical-radiological nomogram for evaluating BPSD in patients with AD and explore its underlying nutritional mechanism.Methods::This retrospective study included 165 patients with AD from the Chinese Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (CIBL) cohort between June 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Data on demographics, neuropsychological assessments, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of AD risk genes, and regional brain volumes were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model identified BPSD-associated factors, for subsequently constructing a diagnostic nomogram. This nomogram was internally validated through 1000-bootstrap resampling and externally validated using a time-series split based on the CIBL cohort data between June 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023. Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability of the nomogram.Results::Factors independently associated with BPSD were: CETP rs1800775 (odds ratio [OR] = 4.137, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.276-13.415, P = 0.018), decreased Mini Nutritional Assessment score (OR = 0.187, 95% CI: 0.086-0.405, P <0.001), increased caregiver burden inventory score (OR = 8.993, 95% CI: 3.830-21.119, P <0.001), and decreased brain stem volume (OR = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.001-0.191, P = 0.004). These variables were incorporated into the nomogram. The area under the ROC curve was 0.925 (95% CI: 0.884-0.967, P <0.001) in the internal validation and 0.791 (95% CI: 0.686-0.895, P <0.001) in the external validation. The calibration plots showed favorable consistency between the prediction of nomogram and actual observations, and the DCA showed that the model was clinically useful in both validations. Conclusion::A novel nomogram was established and validated based on lipid metabolism-related genes, nutritional status, and brain stem volumes, which may allow patients with AD to benefit from early triage and more intensive monitoring of BPSD.Registration::Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100049131.

This study was performed to explore the effect of flagellin+rapamycin on the growth and metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer in tumor-bearing mice,and their regulatory effect on several immunocytes.4T1 cell line was applied to establish an breast cancer model in Balb/c mice,which then injected with flagellin+rapamycin,and the volume and inhibition rate of tumor were recorded.MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of flagellin+rapamycin against 4T1 cells.Data showed that the combination of flagellin and rapamycin had the best inhibition effect on 4T1 cells,and the same results were found in animal model experiments.Flow cytometry result indicated that flagellin+rapamycin significantly down-regulated the levels of CD11b+Gr-1+myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)and CD11b+F4/80+tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)of tumor-bearing mice.Furthermore,flagellin+rapamycin alleviates the metastasis of 4T1 cancer cells into liver and lung.Taken together,flagellin+rapamycin can inhibit proliferation and metastasis of 4T1 cells,thus exert antitumor effects in mice,which may related with its regulatory effects on immunocytes in tumor microenvironment.

Fluorescent carbon dots(CDs)were synthesized via a solvothermal method with citric acid and urea as raw materials,and ethylene glycol as reaction solvent.The micromorphology,crystal structure,elemental composition,surface functional group,and optical property of as-synthesized CDs were characterized.The excitation-dependent fluorescence property of CDs was investigated,and the effects of synthesis conditions including reaction temperature,reaction time and raw materials on excitation and emission wavelengths of the CDs were also discussed.Then,a series of CDs-based fluorescent composites were prepared by combining CDs with starch,nano-silica,montmorillonite,kaoline,kieselguhr and magnesium oxide,respectively.Finally,the CDs-starch composites were used for latent fingerprint development on smooth substrates,and the qualitative as well as quantitative evaluation of the contrast,sensitivity and selectivity in fingerprint development were also made.Enhanced development of latent fingerprints was thus achieved by the aid of the excitation-dependent fluorescence property of CDs-starch composite combined with the optical filtering technique,which could decrease the background noise interference to a great extent.Experimental results showed that,the contrast between fingerprint(developing signal)and substrate(background noise)was obvious,exhibiting a strong contrast;the minutiae of papillary ridges were clear,indicating a high sensitivity;the adsorption between CDs-starch composites and fingerprint residues was specific,showing a good selectivity.

A serious of rare earth luminescent micro/nano-materials with various properties were synthesized via chemical method for fluorescent development of latent fingerprints(LFPs).Three evaluation indexes namely contrast,sensitivity and selectivity were introduced to evaluate the effects of LFP development.Quantitative formulas for calculating the contrast,sensitivity and selectivity were further put forward,and a quality evaluation system based on Python was thus established.In addition,the objective evaluation value was finally confirmed to be consistent with the subjective visual judgment.The reproducibility of this evaluation method was finally confirmed.The effects of luminescence intensity and color of developing materials on the contrast,particle size of developing materials on the sensitivity,and micromorphology and surface property of developing materials on the selectivity were discussed in detail.Five effective ways were also proposed to promote the quality of LFP development,such as increasing the luminescence intensity,tuning the luminescence color,decreasing the particle size,adjusting the micromorphology,and modifying the surface property.This quality evaluation system based on Python could evaluate the effects of LFP development objectively,accurately and comprehensively,exhibiting easy operability,high efficiency,sensitive response,accurate and reliable results,and wide applicability,which would provide beneficial references for the reasonable selection of LFP development methods as well as objective evaluation of evidence value.

Mitral valve prolapse is one of the common causes of mitral regurgitation.Mitral valve prolapse complicated with leaflet cleft is rare in clinical practice,which most often undergo surgical mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement.We report a case of mitral valve prolapse with posterior leaflet cleft treated by transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair,in order to provide a model for similar cases.

This study aimed to elucidate the effect and underlying mechanism of Bovis Calculus in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC) through network pharmacological prediction and animal experimental verification. Databases such as BATMAN-TCM were used to mine the potential targets of Bovis Calculus against UC, and the pathway enrichment analysis was conducted. Seventy healthy C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a solvent model(2% polysorbate 80) group, a salazosulfapyridine(SASP, 0.40 g·kg~(-1)) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose Bovis Calculus Sativus(BCS, 0.20, 0.10, and 0.05 g·kg~(-1)) groups according to the body weight. The UC model was established in mice by drinking 3% dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) solution for 7 days. The mice in the groups with drug intervention received corresponding drugs for 3 days before modeling by gavage, and continued to take drugs for 7 days while modeling(continuous administration for 10 days). During the experiment, the body weight of mice was observed, and the disease activity index(DAI) score was recorded. After 7 days of modeling, the colon length was mea-sured, and the pathological changes in colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-17(IL-17) in colon tissues of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The mRNA expression of IL-17, IL-17RA, Act1, TRAF2, TRAF5, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL10 was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The protein expression of IL-17, IL-17RA, Act1, p-p38 MAPK, and p-ERK1/2 was investigated by Western blot. The results of network pharmacological prediction showed that Bovis Calculus might play a therapeutic role through the IL-17 signaling pathway and the TNF signaling pathway. As revealed by the results of animal experiments, on the 10th day of drug administration, compared with the solvent model group, all the BCS groups showed significantly increased body weight, decreased DAI score, increased colon length, improved pathological damage of colon mucosa, and significantly inhibited expression of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β, and IL-17 in colon tissues. The high-dose BCS(0.20 g·kg~(-1)) could significantly reduce the mRNA expression levels of IL-17, Act1, TRAF2, TRAF5, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL1, and CXCL2 in colon tissues of UC model mice, tend to down-regulate mRNA expression levels of IL-17RA and CXCL10, significantly inhibit the protein expression of IL-17RA,Act1,and p-ERK1/2, and tend to decrease the protein expression of IL-17 and p-p38 MAPK. This study, for the first time from the whole-organ-tissue-molecular level, reveals that BCS may reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by inhibiting the IL-17/IL-17RA/Act1 signaling pathway, thereby improving the inflammatory injury of colon tissues in DSS-induced UC mice and exerting the effect of clearing heat and removing toxins.
Mice ; Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Interleukin-17/pharmacology* ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2/pharmacology* ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 5/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; Colon ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TEAS) at Neiguan (PC 6) on general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic lobectomy. METHODS: A total of 66 patients of primary lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were divided to an observation group (33 cases, 1 case discontinued) and a control group (33 cases). In the observation group, TEAS at Neiguan (PC 6) was used 30 min before anesthesia induction till the end of surgery. The surgery time, maximum value of partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (P_ETCO₂) and minimum value of oxygen saturation (SpO₂) of the two groups were recorded. The dosage of propofol, sufentanil, remifentanil and dexmedetomidine were analyzed. Separately, before induction (T₀), at the start of surgery (T₁), thoracic exploration (T₂) and lobectomy (T₃), as well as 30 min (T₄) and 60 min (T₅) after lobectomy, the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), serum cortisol (Cor) and norepinephrine (NE) were measured. The time of post anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, ambulation, flatus, chest drainage and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The maximum value of P_ETCO₂, the dosage of propofol and remifentanil in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the minimum value of SpO₂ in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). At T₁-T₅, the MAP, HR, serum Cor and NE levels in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The ambulation time, the time for the flatus, chest drainage time, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P<0.001, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION For the general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic surgery, TEAS at Neiguan (PC 6) relieves stress response, reduces opioids dosage and promotes postoperative recovery.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Carbon Dioxide ; Flatulence ; Propofol ; Remifentanil ; Anesthesia, General ; Nausea ; Norepinephrine ; Electric Stimulation