ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the effects of Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum on the expression of CircRNA_0001543/nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） in co-cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） and human fibroblast-like synoviocytes （FLSs） from patients with ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsVenous blood was collected from patients with AS to isolate PBMCs. FLSs were co-cultured with AS patients' PBMCs， and FLSs were harvested after co-culture for subsequent experiments. The normal control group consisted of normal FLSs， while the model group comprised co-cultured AS PBMCs and FLSs to simulate AS pathology. The Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules group involved adding Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum to the co-cultured cells（6.48 g·kg^-1）. To investigate the effect of HQC-containing serum on the viability of co-cultured cells， and the experiment was divided into the following groups based on the dilution concentration： blank group， 10% HQC group， 20% HQC group， and 30% HQC group.To study the influence of the optimal concentration of HQC-containing serum on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group， the experiment was divided into three groups： normal group， model group， and optimal concentration HQC-containing serum group.For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 interference plasmid， the experiment was divided into the following groups： blank group， si-NC group （with transfection reagent）， si-circ_0001543-1 group （with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 1 targeting circ_0001543）， si-circ_0001543-2 group （with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 2 targeting circ_0001543）， and si-circ_0001543-3 group （with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 3 targeting circ_0001543）.For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 overexpression plasmid， the experiment was divided into the following groups： blank group， OE-NC group （with transfection reagent）， and OE-circ_0001543 group （with transfection reagent and overexpression plasmid targeting circ_0001543）.To study the effects of CircRNA_0001543 interference/overexpression on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group， the experiment was divided into the following groups： si-NC group， si-CircRNA_0001543 group， OE-NC group， and OE-CircRNA_0001543 group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-10， IL-37， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to measure the expression of CircRNA_0001543， IκBα， and NF-κB p65. ResultsAfter 48 hours， 30% Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum significantly inhibited the proliferation of co-cultured PBMCs and FLSs， which was determined to be the optimal experimental drug-containing serum concentration. Compared with those in the normal group， the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA， IL-10， and IL-37 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA， IL-10， and IL-37 were significantly increased （P<0.05）， with the most prominent changes in the 30% drug-containing serum group （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the si-NC group， the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly reduced in the si-CircRNA_0001543 group （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the OE-NC group， the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly increased in the OE-CircRNA_0001543 group （P<0.01）， indicating that the si-CircRNA_0001543 and OE-CircRNA_0001543 plasmids were successfully transfected. Based on the optimal drug-containing serum of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules， si-CircRNA_0001543 transfection led to significantly increased expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α and decreased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 （P<0.01）. In contrast， OE-CircRNA_0001543 transfection significantly decreased the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA， IκBα mRNA， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.01） and increased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum can improve immune inflammation in AS by increasing the expression of CircRNA_0001543， regulating the NF-κB pathway， suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines， and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine expression.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of transarterial catheterization C-arm CT perfusion scanning technique during prostatic artery embolization(PAE)for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods The clinical data of 46 patients with BPH received PAE were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent prostatic artery(PA)digital subtraction angiography(DSA)and C-arm CT perfusion scanning to identify PA and prevent non-target organ embolization.The final recognization of PA was consulted by three senior doctors.After C-arm CT confirmation,PA was embolized with 100-300 μm polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)particles or microspheres under fluoroscopy.The postoperative complications and 3-month clinical efficacy were observed.Results A total of 106 vessels were angioraphed in 46 patients,with 83 PA vessels and 23 non-PA vessels.PA was identified by DSA and C-arm CT with sensitivity of 81.9%(68/83)and 100%(83/83),respectively,which showed significance(χ2=22.3,P<0.01).Non-PA was identified by DSA and C-arm CT with specificity of 73.9%(17/23)and 100%(23/23),which showed significance(χ2=9.2,P=0.02).No serious complications were observed and 3-month clincial efficacy was 91.3%.Conclusion Transarterial catheterization C-arm CT perfusion scanning technique can accurately identify PA,reduce PA leakage and prevent non-target organ embolization.

Objective:To evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) of induction chemoimmunotherapy with camrelizumab plus TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and capecitabine) for locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LA HSCC) and potential predictive factors for ORR.Methods:A single-center, prospective, phase 2 and single-arm trial was conducted for evaluating antitumor activity of camrelizumab+TPF(docetaxel+cisplatin+capecitabine) for LA HSCC between May 21, 2021 and April 15, 2023, patients admitted to the Eye & ENT Hospital affiliated with Fudan University. The primary endpoint was ORR, and enrolled patients with LA HSCC at T3-4N0-3M0 received induction chemoimmunotherapy for three cycles: camrelizumab 200 mg day 1, docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 day 1, cisplatin 25 mg/m 2 days 1-3, and capecitabine 800 mg/m 2 days 1-14. Patients were assigned to radioimmunotherapy when they had complete response or partial response (PR)>70% (Group A), or assigned to surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy when they had PR≤70% (Group B), and the responses were defined by using tumor volume evaluation system. Tumor diameter was also used to assess the treatment responses by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. Use SPSS 23.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results:A total of 51 patients were enrolled who underwent the induced chemoimmunotherapy for three cycles, and all were males, aged 35-69 years old. After three cycles of induction immunochemotherapy, 42 (82.4%) patients existed in Group A (complete response or PR>70%) and 9 patients (17.6%) in Group B (PR≤70%), the ORR was 82.4%. The primary endpoint achieved expected main research objectives. Compared to the patients of Group A, the patients of Group B showed the higher T stage and the larger volume of primary tumor before induced immunochemotherapy, and also had the less regression of tumor volume after induced immunochemotherapy (all P<0.05). The optimal cutoff value of pre-treatment tumor volume for predicting ORR was 39 cm 3. The T stage ( OR=12.71, 95% CI: 1.4-112.5, P=0.022) and the volume ( OR=7.1, 95% CI: 1.4-36.8, P=0.018) of primary tumor were the two main factors affecting ORR rate of induction chemoimmunotherapy. Conclusion:The induction chemoimmunotherapy with camrelizumab plus TPF shows an encouraging antitumor efficacy in LA HSCC.

【Objective】 To investigate the differences in efficacy and long-term prognosis between locally progressive low and intermediate rectal cancer patients receiving fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (mFOLFOX6/CapeOX) and neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and to compare the therapeutic efficacy in the two groups. 【Methods】 We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 118 patients with locally progressive low and intermediate rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy from January 2019 to December 2021 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and other clinicopathological parameters. The t-test, Mann Whitney test, chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the differences between the two groups of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone or neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in terms of short-term efficacy, lymph node manifestations and long-term prognosis, respectively. Survival rates were calculated and survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. 【Results】 In terms of efficacy, patients in the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group achieved better tumor regression (Z=-2.05, P=0.04) and solid tumor efficacy (Z=-2.42, P=0.015), but the difference between the two groups in terms of downstaging effect of clinical stage was not statistically significant. The number of lymph nodes detected was significantly lower in the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group (neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs. neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, 13.19±3.83 vs. 9.55±4.00, t=5.02, P<0.001), but the two groups did not differ significantly in the number of lymph node positives and lymph node positive ratio. In terms of long-term prognosis, there was no statistically significant difference in the overall survival rate or disease-free survival rate of the two groups. 【Conclusion】 Compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone, neoadjuvant radiotherapy showed better short-term efficacy in patients with locally progressive low and intermediate rectal cancer, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment regimens in terms of long-term prognosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of elderly patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(HBV-ACLF)and the risk factors affecting the short-term prognosis of patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 417 patients with HBV-ACLF who were admitted to The General Hospital of Western Theater Command from January 2015 to January 2023,and related clinical data were collected,including general status,routine blood test results,biochemical parameters,and conditions of liver cirrhosis and decompensated events(ascites,hepatic encephalopathy,and their severities).The patients were followed up to observe 90-day survival.According to the age,the patients were divided into elderly group(with 106 patients aged≥60 years)and non-elderly group(with 311 patients aged＜60 years),and according to the 90-day survival,the elderly group were further divided into survival group with 41 patients and death/transplantation group with 65 patients.The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of quantitative data between two groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of qualitative data between two groups.The binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors for the risk of death within 90 days in elderly patients with HBV-ACLF,and a nomogram model was constructed for predicting the risk of death.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to investigate the value of the model in predicting the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients in both the training set and the validation set.Calibration curve and decision curve were plotted for the models constructed in the training set and the validation set,and the model was assessed in terms of the degree of fitness and predicting benefits.Results The elderly patients had a significantly higher 90-day mortality rate than the non-elderly patients(P＜0.05),and compared with the non-elderly group,the elderly group had significantly higher incidence rate in female individuals,basic incidence rate of liver cirrhosis,incidence rate and grade of hepatic encephalopathy,incidence rate of ascites,and liver fibrosis markers(aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis-4)(all P＜0.05),as well as significantly lower total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein,albumin,alpha-fetoprotein,and lymphocytes(all P＜0.05).As for the elderly patients with HBV-ACLF,there were significant differences between the survival group and the death/transplantation group in total cholesterol,total bilirubin,international normalized ratio(INR),alpha-fetoprotein,platelet,creatinine,serum sodium,monocytes,and the incidence rate and grade of hepatic encephalopathy(all P＜0.05).In addition,the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that INR(odds ratio[OR]=11.351,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.942-66.362,P＜0.05),monocyte count(OR=23.636,95%CI:1.388-402.529,P＜0.05),total bilirubin(OR=1.007,95%CI:1.001-1.013,P＜0.05),and platelet count(OR=0.968,95%CI:0.945-0.993,P＜0.05)were independent influencing factors for the 90-day prognosis of elderly patients with HBV-ACLF,and the nomogram model constructed based on these factors had a relatively high predictive value,with an area under the ROC curve of 0.915,a sensitivity of 88.0%,and a specificity of 86.7%.The nomogram model showed relatively high efficiency and degree of fitness in the verification set,and the decision curve suggested that the model had good benefits,with a higher prediction efficiency compared with the commonly used prediction models such as MELD score and COSSH-ACLF Ⅱ score.Conclusion Elderly HBV-ACLF patients may have a high short-term mortality rate due to the reductions in liver synthesis,reserve function,and regenerative ability and immune dysfunction.INR,monocyte count,total bilirubin,and platelet count have a relatively high value in predicting the risk of death in elderly HBV-ACLF patients,and the nomogram model constructed based on these factors has a relatively high prediction efficiency.

Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

Objective To investigate the differences in blood pressure phenotypes,renal pathological changes,and related pathogenic pathways in genetically diverse hypertensive mice obtained from 13 strains.Methods The genotypes of Cckbr+/+,Cckbr+/-and Cckbr-/-were obtained by hybridization of 13 strains of genetically diverse mice with Cckbr-/-mice.Blood pressure was measured with a noninvasive blood pressure analysis system(BP-2000).The expression of CCKBR protein in mouse kidney tissue was detected by Western Blot,and the pathological changes in mouse kidney tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and immunohistochemistry(IHC).The pathogenic pathways related to essential hypertension were screened by RNA sequencing.Results In three specific mouse strains(A/J,LOT,and FIM),the systolic blood pressure(SBP)was significantly different between the Cckbr-/-and Cckbr+/+groups.HE staining and IHC showed that hypertension caused a certain degree of renal injury in the mice.Gene Ontology(GO)and pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in metabolic processes and circadian rhythm regulation.Conclusions Genetically diverse mice can effectively simulate the genetic background of the population and provide a new resource for studying the pathogenic genes related to essential hypertension.

Objective:To investigate the early clinical effects of orthopedic surgery robot-assisted double Endobutton titanium plate internal fixation in the treatment of fresh acromioclavicular joint dislocation.Methods:Thirty-nine patients with fresh acromioclavicular joint dislocation were included from January 2020 to January 2022. A total of 19 patients were treated with double Endobutton suspension internal fixation assisted by the domestic third-generation orthopaedic surgical robot (TiRobot ? 2.0) Dimensity system. There were Rockwood type III in 11 cases, type IV in 8 cases. Twenty cases were treated with conventional incision double Endobutton internal fixation, with Rockwood type III in 13 cases, type V in 7 cases. The operation duration, blood loss volume, incision length and hospitalization time were compared between the two groups. The following CT parameters of acromioclavicular joint at 2 days and 1 year after operation, distance between distal inferior cortex of clavicle and subacromial cortex, distance between upper and lower endobuttons, horizontal distance between anterior edge of distal clavicle and anterior edge of acromion and diameter of coracoid process and diameter of clavicular tunnel were measured. The visual analogue score (VAS), Constant-Murley shoulder function score and shoulder abduction activity were also evaluated before and at 12 months after operation. Results:The follow-up duration was 10.8±2.4 months in the robot group and 11.5±3.1 months in the routine group. The VAS score of the robot group decreased from 5.3±2.1 to 0.3±0.2 at 12 months after operation ( t=10.46, P=0.014). The Constant-Murley score increased from 55.6±6.4 to 92.0±4.2. The range of shoulder abduction increased from 42.2°±5.4° to 172.6°±6.1° ( t=17.24, P<0.001). The operation duation of the robot group was 74.4±6.6 min, which was longer than that of the conventional group 61.7±7.2 min ( t=5.43, P=0.037). There was no significant difference in VAS score, Constant-Murley score, shoulder abduction activity or CT measurement between the two groups ( P>0.05). During the follow-up, two cases in the robot group had cortical osteolysis on the supraclavicular surface, one case in the conventional group had loss of reduction, one case in the supraclavicular cortical osteolysis, and 4 cases in the cortical defect on the side of the coracoid process tunnel. Conclusion:Orthopedic robot-assisted and conventional incision with double Endobutton titanium plate internal fixation in treating fresh acromioclavicular joint dislocation can achieve satisfied early clinical effects. Accurate establishment of clavicle and coracoid bone tunnel assisted by robot can overcome the defects of bone tunnel deviation in conventional incision operation and can prevent reduction and bone loss. However, robot-assisted and conventional incision Endobutton internal fixation could enlarge bone tunnel.

Objective : This experiment was carried out to study the effects of chronic inflammatory pain on the gut flora of mice by 16S rRNA high⁃throughput sequencing. Methods : Twelve specific pathogen free (SPF) C57BL/ 6J mice were randomly divided into CFA group and mock group , with 6 mice in each group. Chronic inflammatory pain model was established by intraplantar injection of CFA in the right posterior pelma of C57BL/6J mice. In the control group , normal saline was injected by intraplantar injection in the same position. Two weeks later, the mice were euthanized , and the feces in the colon were collected. The feces of two mice in the same group were mixed , detected and analyzed by 16S rRNA high⁃throughput sequencing technology. Results : Compared with mock group , the abundance and diversity of gut flora in CFA group decreased. The abundance of Firmicutes and TM7 increased at the phylum level , the abundance of Aerococcus , Lactobacillus and Desulfovibrio increased significantly at the fami ⁃ ly and genus level , while the abundance of Psychrobacter, Prevotella , Oscillospira and Bifidobacterium decreased significantly compared to mock group. In addition , many biomarkers were found from the level of the phylum to the genus. Conclusion The gut microflora structure , especially the dominant flora , has changed significantly in mice with chronic inflammatory pain , which can provide basis for the treatment of microecological imbalance caused by chronic inflammatory pain and the improvement of patients ′ negative emotions through“ gut brain axis”.

To investigate the values of orbital single photon emission computed tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) with 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) on the evaluation of lacrimal gland inflammation in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
 Methods: A total of 58 TAO patients were retrospectively recruited for this study, all of whom were categorized into all active group and all inactive group based on the clinical active score (CAS). Another 12 patients with the negative images on SPECT/CT served as a normal control group (NC). All patients were undergone the 99mTc-DTPA orbit SPECT/CT. Quantitative parameters of lacrimal gland including width, length, volume, and the count ratio of region of interest (ROI) drawn on lacrimal gland to the region of occipital brain (target/non-target ratio, T/NT), were measured on axial and coronal slices, respectively. Quantitative parameters were compared among the 3 groups, and the diagnostic value on discrimination of TAO patients from inactive to active ones was evaluated.
 Results: All parameters in TAO patients (except the length on coronal slices and the mean radioactive counts of axial T/NT in the TAO inactive group) were much greater than those in the NC group (P<0.05). All parameters in the TAO active group (except the length on axial and coronal slices) were much greater than those in the TAO inactive group (P<0.05). There were significant lineal positive correlations between the parameters in all TAO patients (except the length on coronal slices ) and CAS. The best diagnostic value was detected by the max radioactive counts of axial T/NT (area under the curve=0.82, P<0.01).
 Conclusion: As an invasive imaging modality, 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT is helpful to estimate the lacrimal gland inflammation and to assess the disease activity in TAO patients.
Graves Ophthalmopathy ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Orbit ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed