Lymphatic metastasis is the main metastatic route for colorectal cancer, which increases the risk of cancer recurrence and distant metastasis. The properties of the lymph node metastatic colorectal cancer (LNM-CRC) cells are poorly understood, and effective therapies are still lacking. Here, we found that hypoxia-induced fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα) expression in LNM-CRC cells. Gain- or loss-function experiments demonstrated that FAPα enhanced tumor cell migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and lymphangiogenesis via activation of the STAT3 pathway. In addition, FAPα in tumor cells induced extracellular matrix remodeling and established an immunosuppressive environment via recruiting regulatory T cells, to promote colorectal cancer lymph node metastasis (CRCLNM). Z-GP-DAVLBH, a FAPα-activated prodrug, inhibited CRCLNM by targeting FAPα-positive LNM-CRC cells. Our study highlights the role of FAPα in tumor cells in CRCLNM and provides a potential therapeutic target and promising strategy for CRCLNM.

Platinum-based nanoplatforms can enhance the absorption of X-ray due to the presence of high atomic number element of platinum and are applied to computed tomography imaging.Meanwhile,platinum-based nanomaterials have good near-infrared light absorption properties and photothermal conversion efficiency,which make them capable of photothermal imaging and photoacoustic imaging.In addition,by reducing transverse and longitudinal relaxation time,platinum-based nanoplatforms can mediate MRI imaging.In this paper,we report a multimodal imaging system based on platinum-based nanoplatforms for guiding the development of cancer treatment and diagnosis platform and medical application research,and also summarize the prospects of multimodal imaging technology in cancer diagnosis and treatment,report the research progress of platinum-based nanoplatforms in improving the contrast of medical images and enhancing cancer treatment.

Objective:To analyze immune reconstitution and influencing factors in HIV infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with access to antiviral therapy (ART) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) during 2005-2021.Methods:The data were collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The study subjects were HIV infected MSM with access to the initial ART for ≥24 weeks in Guangxi from 2005 to 2021 and HIV RNA lower than the detection limit within 24 months. The proportion of infected MSM who had immune reconstitution after ART was calculated. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of immune reconstitution. Software SPSS 24.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 3 200 HIV infected MSM were enrolled, in whom 15.56 % (498/3 200) had no immune reconstitution, 14.78% (473/3 200) had moderate immune reconstitution, and the rate of complete immune reconstitution was 69.66% (2 229/3 200). The M ( Q1, Q3) of ART time for immune reconstitution was 12 (5, 27) months. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model analysis results showed that compared with those with initial ART at age ≥30 years, WHO clinical stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ illness, baseline BMI <18.50 kg/m 2 and baseline CD4 +T lymphocyte (CD4) counts <200 cells/μl, HIV infected MSM with initial ART at age <30 years, WHO clinical stageⅠ/Ⅱ illness, baseline BMI≥24.00 kg/m 2 and baseline CD4 counts ≥200 cells/μl were more likely to have complete immune reconstitution. Conclusions:In the HIV infected MSM in Guangxi, failures to achieve moderate and complete immune reconstitution were observed. Surveillance and ART regimen should be improved for key populations, such as those with older age and low baseline CD4 counts.

Objective:To explore the potential of integrating virtual surgery with three-dimensional (3D) printed guides in the surgical management of mandibular benign tumors and subsequent reconstruction of bone defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent computer-assisted resection and vascularized fibular flap reconstruction for benign mandibular tumors at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from June 2013 to December 2020. According to the utilization of guide plates for mandibular and fibular osteotomy during surgical procedures or not, the patients were categorized into two cohorts: a guide plate cohort and a non-guide plate cohort. In the guide plate group, custom-designed gudie plates based on virtual surgical plans were fabricated using 3D printing technology and employed intraoperatively; In the non-guide plate group, surgery was exclusively performed based on virtual surgical plan and prebent titanium plate without any supplementary plating. The measured outcomes included fibular flap osteotomy, operation duration, and clinical flap survival. Computed tomography images obtained one week post-surgery were utilized to assess the intersegmental commissure degree between fibular segments as well as between fibular segments and mandible, commissure degree between fibular segments and prebent titanium plate, and condyle position. The satisfaction of patients with their facial appearance was evaluated 6 months after the surgery using a visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 21.0 software. Independent sample t-tests was utilized to compare the duration of operation and and postoperative evaluation of facial appearance, the Chi-square tests was utilized for condyle position, commissure degrees among interactions involving fibular segments, prebent titanium plates, bone segments( P<0.05 denoted statistical significance). Results:A total of 30 patients were enrolled, comprising 17 males and 13 females, with a median age of 24 years (16-64 years). The preparation process of fibular flaps proceeded smoothly. The required length of fibula was measured as (14.1 ± 1.9) cm (5.7-18.1 cm), while the number of fibular segments ranged from 2 to 4, averaging at approximately 2.9 ± 0.6. The mandibular defects were repaired using a single-layer fibula in 12 cases, a vascularized folded fibula in 7 cases and a combination of vascularized and non-vascularized fibula in 11 cases. The operation time for the guide plate group was recorded as ( 335.9 ± 64.0) min (240-433 min), while it was observed to be (470.7 ± 140.5 ) min (280-680 min) for the non-guide plate group.The postoperative follow-up duration ranged from 9 to 23 months, with an average period of 11 months. All fibular flaps demonstrated clinical survival. The number of patients with good commissure degree between fibular and mandibular segments, between prebent titanium plate and fibular and mandibular segments and the position of condyle were 15, 15 and 13 cases in guide plate group, 10, 13 and 11 cases in non-guide plate group respectively. The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference ( P<0.05) in the degree of commissure between the fibular and the mandibular segments (15/15 vs. 10/15) in the two groups. Both groups exhibited high levels of satisfaction regarding their postoperative facial appearance at the 6 months follow-up, observed to be 9.6±0.5 and 9.3±0.5 respectively, and the statisticla analysis revealed non-significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The integration of virtual surgery with 3D printed guide plates can effectively reduce operative time and improve precision in the repair and reconstruction of free-fibular flaps following resection of benign tumors of the mandible.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of digital technology assisted design of fibula flap for the repair of maxillary tumor defect and implant denture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in patients with benign maxillary tumors who were admitted to Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou Universityfrom March 2018 to October 2020. Before the surgery, the virtual tumor resection, fibula reconstruction and stereomodels were printed for the fabrication of fibular osteotomy guide plates.And titanium plates were prefabricated with the stereomodels. Personalized titanium meshes were prebent manually. During the operation, the tumor was removed according to the osteotomy guide plate.The fibula was reshaped according to the surgical plan and the guide plate.And maxillary defects were reconstructed using the fibular flap combined with a prebent personalized titanium mesh.Straumann implants were implanted 6-9 months after bone grafting.The upper porcelain crown was repaired 3-4 months after implantation to restore the occlusal relationship and masticatory function. The facial appearance, masticatory function and peri-implant inflammation were followed up.Results:A total of 12 cases were included in this study, 7 males and 5 females, aged 20-55 years, with a median age 36 years old. Among them, there were 3 cases of ossifying fibroma, 7 cases of ameloblastoma, and 2 cases of odontogenic myxoma.According to the James Brown classification, there were 4 cases of Type Ⅱb, 3 cases of Type Ⅱc, 3 cases of Type Ⅱd, and 2 cases of Type Ⅲb. Tumor resection and fibula reconstruction went smoothly in 12 patients and all the free fibular flaps survived 14 days after surgery. The patients had maxillofacial symmetry, good occlusal relationship after the implant repair, and normal chewing and masticatory functions, after 12-48 months of follow-up, with an average of 26 months. The mouth opening reached 2.8-3.3 cm, without obvious peri-implantitis.Conclusion:The use of digital technology to design fibula flap to repair the defect after maxillary tumor resection and implant denture can not only restore the patients’ facial contour, but also restore their occlusal relationship and masticatory function.

Objective:To explore the potential of integrating virtual surgery with three-dimensional (3D) printed guides in the surgical management of mandibular benign tumors and subsequent reconstruction of bone defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent computer-assisted resection and vascularized fibular flap reconstruction for benign mandibular tumors at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from June 2013 to December 2020. According to the utilization of guide plates for mandibular and fibular osteotomy during surgical procedures or not, the patients were categorized into two cohorts: a guide plate cohort and a non-guide plate cohort. In the guide plate group, custom-designed gudie plates based on virtual surgical plans were fabricated using 3D printing technology and employed intraoperatively; In the non-guide plate group, surgery was exclusively performed based on virtual surgical plan and prebent titanium plate without any supplementary plating. The measured outcomes included fibular flap osteotomy, operation duration, and clinical flap survival. Computed tomography images obtained one week post-surgery were utilized to assess the intersegmental commissure degree between fibular segments as well as between fibular segments and mandible, commissure degree between fibular segments and prebent titanium plate, and condyle position. The satisfaction of patients with their facial appearance was evaluated 6 months after the surgery using a visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 21.0 software. Independent sample t-tests was utilized to compare the duration of operation and and postoperative evaluation of facial appearance, the Chi-square tests was utilized for condyle position, commissure degrees among interactions involving fibular segments, prebent titanium plates, bone segments( P<0.05 denoted statistical significance). Results:A total of 30 patients were enrolled, comprising 17 males and 13 females, with a median age of 24 years (16-64 years). The preparation process of fibular flaps proceeded smoothly. The required length of fibula was measured as (14.1 ± 1.9) cm (5.7-18.1 cm), while the number of fibular segments ranged from 2 to 4, averaging at approximately 2.9 ± 0.6. The mandibular defects were repaired using a single-layer fibula in 12 cases, a vascularized folded fibula in 7 cases and a combination of vascularized and non-vascularized fibula in 11 cases. The operation time for the guide plate group was recorded as ( 335.9 ± 64.0) min (240-433 min), while it was observed to be (470.7 ± 140.5 ) min (280-680 min) for the non-guide plate group.The postoperative follow-up duration ranged from 9 to 23 months, with an average period of 11 months. All fibular flaps demonstrated clinical survival. The number of patients with good commissure degree between fibular and mandibular segments, between prebent titanium plate and fibular and mandibular segments and the position of condyle were 15, 15 and 13 cases in guide plate group, 10, 13 and 11 cases in non-guide plate group respectively. The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference ( P<0.05) in the degree of commissure between the fibular and the mandibular segments (15/15 vs. 10/15) in the two groups. Both groups exhibited high levels of satisfaction regarding their postoperative facial appearance at the 6 months follow-up, observed to be 9.6±0.5 and 9.3±0.5 respectively, and the statisticla analysis revealed non-significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The integration of virtual surgery with 3D printed guide plates can effectively reduce operative time and improve precision in the repair and reconstruction of free-fibular flaps following resection of benign tumors of the mandible.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of digital technology assisted design of fibula flap for the repair of maxillary tumor defect and implant denture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in patients with benign maxillary tumors who were admitted to Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou Universityfrom March 2018 to October 2020. Before the surgery, the virtual tumor resection, fibula reconstruction and stereomodels were printed for the fabrication of fibular osteotomy guide plates.And titanium plates were prefabricated with the stereomodels. Personalized titanium meshes were prebent manually. During the operation, the tumor was removed according to the osteotomy guide plate.The fibula was reshaped according to the surgical plan and the guide plate.And maxillary defects were reconstructed using the fibular flap combined with a prebent personalized titanium mesh.Straumann implants were implanted 6-9 months after bone grafting.The upper porcelain crown was repaired 3-4 months after implantation to restore the occlusal relationship and masticatory function. The facial appearance, masticatory function and peri-implant inflammation were followed up.Results:A total of 12 cases were included in this study, 7 males and 5 females, aged 20-55 years, with a median age 36 years old. Among them, there were 3 cases of ossifying fibroma, 7 cases of ameloblastoma, and 2 cases of odontogenic myxoma.According to the James Brown classification, there were 4 cases of Type Ⅱb, 3 cases of Type Ⅱc, 3 cases of Type Ⅱd, and 2 cases of Type Ⅲb. Tumor resection and fibula reconstruction went smoothly in 12 patients and all the free fibular flaps survived 14 days after surgery. The patients had maxillofacial symmetry, good occlusal relationship after the implant repair, and normal chewing and masticatory functions, after 12-48 months of follow-up, with an average of 26 months. The mouth opening reached 2.8-3.3 cm, without obvious peri-implantitis.Conclusion:The use of digital technology to design fibula flap to repair the defect after maxillary tumor resection and implant denture can not only restore the patients’ facial contour, but also restore their occlusal relationship and masticatory function.

Objective:To explore the role of cathepsin S(CTSS) in diabetic vascular injury-induced restenosis.Methods:(1) Dendritic cells(DCs) were stimulated with different concentrations of glucose, and CTSS was either knocked down or upregulated in dendritic cells using adenovirus transfection. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CTSS were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot, and the changes of interleukin(IL)-6 levels were assessed using RT-qPCR and ELISA in response to CTSS. (2) The extent of Th17 cell differentiation was evaluated with Flow cytometry when CTSS was downregulated or overexpressed. Levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 were measured. (3) Streptozomycin(STZ, 60 mg/kg) was injected into the intraperitoneal cavity of rats fasted for 12 h to obtain a diabetic rat model, and the restenosis model was obtained by balloon catheter and carotid guidewire injury, and the differentiation degree of Th17 cells in different groups of rats was compared when CTSS was up-regulated and down-regulated.Results:(1) DC viability decreased when stimulated with 35 mmol/L glucose for 48 hours. Compared to the control group, glucose treatment led to a concentration-dependent increase in CTSS and IL-6 levels in DCs( P<0.05). Inhibition of CTSS reduced IL-6 protein levels, while its overexpression increased IL-6 protein levels( P<0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, CTSS inhibition in DC decreased the percentage of Th17 cells in T cells, with decreased protein levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23, and vice versa ( P<0.050). (3) After carotid artery injury, CTSS expression was increased in perivascular adipose tissue(PVAT) of rats, and levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 in PVAT were significantly elevated. Down-regulation of CTSS eliminated the glucose-induced enhancement. Conclusion:Inhibition of CTSS in DC reduces Th17 cell differentiation and thereby suppresses restenosis following diabetic vascular injury.

Background Air pollution is a major public health concern. Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a very important air quality risk communication tool. However, AQHI is usually constructed by single-pollutant model, which has obvious disadvantages. Objective To construct an AQHI based on the joint effects of multiple air pollutants (J-AQHI), and to provide a scientific tool for health risk warning and risk communication of air pollution. Methods Data on non-accidental deaths in Yunnan, Guangdong, Hunan, Zhejiang, and Jilin provinces from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018 were obtained from the corresponding provincial disease surveillance points systems (DSPS), including date of death, age, gender, and cause of death. Daily meteorological (temperature and relative humidity) and air pollution data (SO₂, NO₂, CO, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and maximum 8 h O₃ concentrations) at the same period were respectively derived from China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System and National Urban Air Quality Real-time Publishing Platform. Lasso regression was first applied to select air pollutants, then a time-stratified case-crossover design was applied. Each case was matched to 3 or 4 control days which were selected on the same days of the week in the same calendar month. Then a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to estimate the exposure-response relationship between selected air pollutants and mortality, which was used to construct the AQHI. Finally, AQHI was classified into four levels according to the air pollutant guidance limit values from World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG 2021), and the excess risks (ERs) were calculated to compare the AQHI based on single-pollutant model and the J-AQHI based on multi-pollutant model. Results PM_2.5, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃ were selected by Lasso regression to establish DLNM model. The ERs for an interquartile range (IQR) increase and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for PM_2.5, NO₂, SO₂ and O₃ were 0.71% (0.34%–1.09%), 2.46% (1.78%–3.15%), 1.25% (0.9%–1.6%), and 0.27% (−0.11%–0.65%) respectively. The distribution of J-AQHI was right-skewed, and it was divided into four levels, with ranges of 0-1 for low risk, 2-3 for moderate risk, 4-5 for high health risk, and ≥6 for severe risk, and the corresponding proportions were 11.25%, 64.61%, 19.33%, and 4.81%, respectively. The ER (95%CI) of mortality risk increased by 3.61% (2.93–4.29) for each IQR increase of the multi-pollutant based J-AQHI , while it was 3.39% (2.68–4.11) for the single-pollutant based AQHI . Conclusion The J-AQHI generated by multi-pollutant model demonstrates the actual exposure health risk of air pollution in the population and provides new ideas for further improvement of AQHI calculation methods.

Objective:To provide theoretical guidance for the treatment of mandibular ameloblastoma by comparing the differences in the quality of life (QOL) of patients with mandibular ameloblastoma repaired by vascularized iliac bone flap and fibular flap.Methods:Seventy-two patients with mandibular ameloblastoma were admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2016 to April 2019. There were 38 males and 34 females, aged 18-45 years, with an average of 33 years. The patients were divided into group A (iliac bone flap) with 28 cases and group B (fibula skin flap) with 44 cases. The 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaires (OHIP-14) was used to investigate and compare the differences in the QOL of patients 6 and 24 months after surgery.Results:All the 72 cases of free flaps survived. The OHIP-14 showed that there was no difference in physiological pain between the preoperative and postoperative levels ( P>0.05). There was no difference between the two groups. The scores of psychological discomfort and psychological disorder decreased at 24 months after surgery, without significantly statistical difference compared with that at 6 months after surgery ( P>0.05). The scores of physical impairment, disability and social impairment significantly reduced at 24 months after surgery, with significantly statistical difference compared with that at 6 months after surgery (iliac bone group t=8.07, 6.01 and 23.19; fibula group t=6.56, 4.27 and 13.01, P<0.05). The scores of functional limitations significantly reduced in both groups at 24 months after surgery, but the difference was still statistically significant ( t=2.30, P<0.05) between the iliac bone group (17.68±3.44) and the fibula group (22.70±11.19). Conclusions:There is no significant difference in the QOL between the two groups of patients with mandibular defects at 24 months after surgery. The application of iliac bone flapis is recommended for patients with mandibular body defects and fibular flap for large defects or lesions involving the condyles and chin.