BACKGROUND:Changes in skeletal muscle mass have been indicated in studies addressing the effects of low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields on the structure and morphology of the skeletal muscle,but no relevant studies have been conducted on the morphologic changes that occur after chronic exposure to the low-frequency pulsed magnetic field. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of chronic exposure to low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields on the maximal voluntary contraction and morphologic indicators of the quadriceps muscle of the leg,thereby providing a reference of muscle morphologic changes for the use of this technique as a strategy for muscle function improvement. METHODS:Seventy healthy subjects were recruited and randomly divided into a test group that received magnetic field stimulation and a control group that underwent sham treatment,with 35 subjects in each group,and the total duration of the trial was 4 weeks.The test group underwent low-frequency pulsed magnetic stimulation for 15 minutes every 48 hours,while the control group underwent sham treatment,with the same intervention interval and duration as the test group.After 4 weeks of intervention,changes in the maximum voluntary contraction value of the quadriceps muscle in different groups were observed,and B-mode ultrasonography was utilized as a means of assessment to observe changes in muscle thickness,muscle cross-sectional area,and pinnation angle indexes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 4 weeks of chronic exposure to low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields,68 subjects completed the test.The maximum voluntary contraction value of the quadriceps muscle in the test group increased significantly(P=0.000),and the increment was significantly higher than that of the control group(P=0.008).Three indexes related to muscle morphology in the test group were significantly higher than the pre-test values(P=0.000),while in the control group,muscle thickness showed a significant reduction(P=0.020),there was no significant change in the pinnation angle,but a significant increase in the cross-sectional area(P=0.000).Intergroup comparisons revealed that the three indicators related to muscle morphology,including muscle thickness(P=0.012),pinnation angle(P=0.003),and cross-sectional area(P=0.049),were significantly higher in the test group than in the control group.The above data confirmed that the maximum voluntary contraction of the quadriceps muscle was significantly increased in healthy adults after 4 weeks of chronic exposure to the low-frequency pulsed magnetic field,and significant increases in the three muscle morphometric indices of muscle thickness,cross-sectional area,and pinnation angle were observed in the test group,providing a basis of muscle tissue morphology for the use of this technique as an exercise alternative and medical treatment strategy for muscle improvement.

Objective To investigate the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (empagliflozin, EMPA) on myocardial remodeling in a mouse uremic cardiomyopathy (UCM) model induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)/p65 signaling pathway. Methods The animals were divided into three groups: Sham group (n=6), UCM group (n=8), and UCM＋EMPA group (n=8). A UCM model was established in C57BL/6N mice using the 5/6 nephrectomy. Starting from 5 weeks post-surgery, EMPA or a placebo was administered. After 16 weeks, blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24-hour urine glucose and urine sodium were measured. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson trichrome staining were used to observe pathological changes in the heart and kidneys. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate myocardial hypertrophy. The real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related mRNAs. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K, AKT and p65 in myocardial tissues. Results After 16 weeks, UCM group exhibited significantly higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen than sham group (P＜0.01); UCM＋EMPA group exhibited lower blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and higher 24 h urine sodium and glucose than UCM group (P＜0.05). Echocardiographic results showed ventricular remodeling in the UCM group, evidenced by left ventricular wall thickening, left ventricular enlargement, increased left ventricular mass, and decreased systolic function (P＜0.05); ventricular remodeling was alleviated (P＜0.05), though there was no significant improvement in systolic function in UCM＋EMPA group. HE and Masson stainings revealed myocardial degeneration, necrosis, and interstitial fibrosis in UCM group (P＜0.01); the myocardial pathology improved with reduced collagen deposition in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). WGA staining confirmed myocardial hypertrophy in UCM group (P＜0.01), while myocardial hypertrophy was alleviated in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). RT-qPCR results showed myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related genes (NPPA, NPPB, MYH7, COL1A1, COL3A1, TGF-β1) were upregulated in UCM group (P＜0.05), but downregulated in UCM＋EMPA group. Western blotting showed PI3K, p-AKT/AKT ratio, and p-p65/p65 ratio were increased in UCM group, but decreased in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.05). Conclusion EMPA can improve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in the UCM mouse model, and it may play the role through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/p65 signaling pathway.

[Objective] To compare the efficacy and safety of deglycerolized red blood cells (DRBC) and suspended red blood cells (SRBC) based on the propensity score matching (PSM) method, so as to provide evidence for the rational use of DRBC resources in clinical practice. [Methods] A total of 89 patients who received DRBC transfusion and 2 916 patients who received SRBC transfusion in our hospital from January 2023 to September 2024 were included. A 1∶1 nearest neighbor PSM was used to balance covariates such as gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). The changes of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (HCT), and inflammatory markers such as white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (NE) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6(IL-6) in the last 72 hours after transfusion were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 and R software to evaluate clinical efficacy and transfusion safety. [Results] The baseline of the two groups was balanced after PSM (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the DRBC group (80.9%) and the SRBC group (86.5%) (P>0.05). In the SRBC group, WBC (×10 /L) increased from 9.634±6.742 to 10.147±6.835, CRP (mg/dL) increased from 5.468±4.647 to 6.174±6.114, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 213.733±587.191 to 157.255±552.626. In the DRBC group, WBC (×10 /L) decreased from 11.123±7.880 to 11.011±8.549, CRP (mg/dL) decreased from 5.729±4.761 to 5.326±4.466, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 238.806±639.060 to 152.255±266.558. Compared with the before treatment, the differences between the SRBC group and DRBC group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Among all patients included in the statistics, the overall incidence of transfusion adverse reactions was 0.205% (6/2 916) in the SRBC group, and no adverse reactions occurred in the DRBC group. The incidence in the SRBC group was higher than that in the DRBC group. [Conclusion] Based on PSM analysis, there was no significant difference in the efficacy and safety of DRBC transfusion compared with SRBC transfusion, which can provide evidence-based support for routine application.

To investigate body composition and associated factors in adolescents undergoing long-term regular sports training.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard. Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Results: Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.

Background: Patients who report to be difficult to anesthetize for dental procedures are commonly encountered.Determining their frequency and shared characteristics could improve understanding of pain management failures. Methods: Categorical and continuous variables of 24 demographic, medical history, and dental history variables were compared in a deidentified cross-sectional study using electronic health records (EHR) of patients at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Individuals who self-reported to be difficult to anesthetize in their dental health history form were compared to those who reported no complications with local anesthesia. Descriptive, univariate regression, and multivariable regression statistical analyses were completed on the demographic, medical history, and dental history EHR variables. Results: A total of 12,400 deidentified patient records met the inclusion criteria with a 11.4% (n = 1,411) prevalence of difficult to anesthetize self-reports. Eight categorical variables were found to have statistically significant (95% confidence interval [CI]) adjusted odds ratios (AOR) in the multivariable regression of difficult to anesthetize reporting patients: female gender (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.32-1.96, P < 0.001), dental fear (AOR = 3.60, 95% CI: 3.01-4.31, P < 0.001), mental health disorders (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.46, P < 0.045), problems with general anesthesia (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.11-1.89, P = 0.005), neurologicalerve disorders (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.05-1.60, P = 0.015), temporomandibular joint clicking/popping (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.08-1.60, P = 0.006), needle anxiety (AOR = 29.03, 95% CI: 23.80-35.52, P < 0.001), and history of root canal treatment (AOR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68-0.99, P = 0.035). Conclusion A clinically relevant percentage of patients self-reported being difficult to anesthetize for dental procedures. The relationship between local anesthesia inadequacies and variables such as female gender, dental fear, mental health, and neurological disorders requires further investigation. The use of evidence-based local anesthesia approaches and communication practices is suggested to minimize pain experienced and subsequent fear of dental care.

[摘 要] 目的：比较国产与进口CD3/CD28激活磁珠制备的CAR-T细胞的性能差异，为国内CAR-T细胞研发和生产提供备用或替代方案。方法：以进口CD3/CD28激活磁珠︰CD3+ T细胞比例为1∶1的成熟方案作为研究对照，国产磁珠设置1∶2、1∶1和2∶1的比例梯度激活T细胞，T细胞激活72 h后使用CAR慢病毒感染制备CAR-T细胞。分别在慢病毒感染后的第2、4、7天计数，监测CAR-T细胞增殖情况；感染5 d后采用流式细胞术检测CAR-T细胞阳性率；感染8 d后采用流式细胞术检测CAR-T细胞的CD4/CD8分型情况和PD1+ TIM3+耗竭细胞比例。结果：国产CD3/CD28激活磁珠与进口磁珠制备的CAR-T细胞CD4/CD8分型相似，CAR-T细胞阳性率略低于进口磁珠（53.7% vs 57.9%），但CAR-T细胞扩增较进口磁珠增加1倍左右，耗竭水平仅为进口磁珠的一半（4.21% vs 7.91%）。此外，国产磁珠的使用量低于进口磁珠，有利于降低CAR-T细胞研发和生产成本。结论：国产CD3/CD28激活磁珠用于制备CAR-T细胞总体性能不劣于进口磁珠，有潜力作为进口磁珠的备用或替代方案。

Purpose: Diagnosing sarcopenia necessitates the measurement of skeletal muscle mass. However, guidelines lack a standardized imaging modality with thresholds validated among Asians. This systematic review compared ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)/body composition monitoring in the detection of sarcopenia within Asian populations. Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for studies analyzing ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and BIA in diagnosing sarcopenia among Asians. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Pooled findings from 21,598 patients across 25 studies were examined. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, ultrasound displayed a pooled mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.767 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.709–0.806), with mean sensitivity of 81.1% (95% CI, 0.744–0.846) and specificity of 73.1% (95% CI, 0.648–0.774), for detecting sarcopenia in Asian populations. CT exhibited an AUC of 0.720 (sensitivity, 54.0%; specificity, 92.0%). MRI demonstrated an AUC of 0.839 (sensitivity, 67.0%; specificity, 66.0%). BIA displayed an AUC of 0.905 (95% CI, 0.842–0.968), 80.7% sensitivity (95% CI, 0.129–0.679), and 82.4% specificity (95% CI, 0.191–0.633). Conclusion Various modalities aid in diagnosing sarcopenia, and selection should be individualized. Although only BIA and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry are recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, ultrasound imaging may hold diagnostic value for sarcopenia in the Asian population. In certain groups, diagnostic use of CT and MRI is warranted. Future research can standardize and validate modality-specific thresholds and protocols within Asian populations.