Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement is one of the most significant subtypes of temporomandibular joint disorders, but its etiology and mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms by which destruction of inflamed collagen fibrils induces alterations in the mechanical properties and positioning of the TMJ disc. By constructing a rat model of TMJ arthritis, we observed anteriorly dislocated TMJ discs with aggravated deformity in vivo from five weeks to six months after a local injection of Freund's complete adjuvant. By mimicking inflammatory conditions with interleukin-1 beta in vitro, we observed enhanced expression of collagen-synthesis markers in primary TMJ disc cells cultured in a conventional two-dimensional environment. In contrast, three-dimensional (3D)-cultivated disc cell sheets demonstrated the disordered assembly of inflamed collagen fibrils, inappropriate arrangement, and decreased Young's modulus. Mechanistically, inflammation-related activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway occurs during the progression of TMJ arthritis. NF-κB inhibition reduced the collagen fibril destruction in the inflamed disc cell sheets in vitro, and early NF-κB blockade alleviated collagen degeneration and dislocation of the TMJ discs in vivo. Therefore, the NF-κB pathway participates in the collagen remodeling in inflamed TMJ discs, offering a potential therapeutic target for disc displacement.
Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/pathology* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Collagen/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Joint Dislocations/pathology* ; Interleukin-1beta ; Arthritis, Experimental

Objective To compare and analyze the efficacy and risks of percutaneous CT/ultrasound-guided bipolar radiofrequency ablation(RFA)under local anesthesia with robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy(RAPN)for the treatment of sporadic small renal mass.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 93 consecutive patients with T1a stage small renal mass during Mar.2019 and Oct.2021.Among them,51 underwent RAPN,and 42 underwent RFA.General information,tumor characteristics,perioperative and follow-up data were collected and statistically analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in general information and tumor characteristics between the two groups(P＞0.05).The operation time[(96.0±20.0)min vs.(113.5±24.1)min,P＜0.001],hospital stay[(3.5±0.8)day vs.(6.9±1.8)day,P＜0.001],and hospital costs[(2.4±0.7)ten thousand yuan vs.(6.6±0.4)ten thousand yuan,P＜0.001]were significantly decreased in the RFA group than in the RAPN group.There were no significant differences in the incidence of perioperative complications and long-term disease-free survival rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,the difference between one-year postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and preoperative eGFR was significantly lower in the RFA group than in the RAPN group[-2.3(-4.7-1.3)mL/(min·1.73 m2)vs.-5.0(-9.1 2.8)mL/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.003],and the reduction of one-year postoperative creatinine and preoperative creatinine was slightly lower in the RFA group than in the RAPN group[4.0(-0.2-5.5)μmol/L vs.4.5(1.8-9.2)μmol/L,P=0.122].Conclusion RFA can achieve comparable disease-free survival rate as RAPN in the treatment of T1a renal tumor,and can effectively preserve renal function,reduce medical costs,save medical resources,and lower the incidence of perioperative complications.

AIM:Bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP7)reduces the expression of Yes-related protein 1(YAP1)by down-regulating Ajuba level and decreasing extracellular matrix(ECM)deposition.This study aimed to inves-tigate the influence of these factors on modifying the degree of renal fibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy.METH-ODS:Eighteen Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into three groups:the normal control(NC)group,the diabetes mellitus(DM)group,and the DM group treated with BMP7 overexpressing adeno-associated virus(DM+rAAV-BMP7).Each group consisted of six rats.Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)was established in the DM and DM+rAAV-BMP7 groups by injecting 55 mg/kg streptozotocin(STZ)via the tail vein.NRK-52E cells were divided into three groups:the normal glucose(NG)group,the high glucose(HG)group,and the high glucose group treated with recombinant hu-man BMP7(HG+rhBMP7)group.Pathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Sirius red staining.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression sites of Ajuba and YAP1 in the renal cortex.Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression levels of BMP7,Ajuba,YAP1,colla-gen type Ⅲ(Col-Ⅲ),and fibronectin(FN)in the rat renal cortex and NRK-52E cells.RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA levels of Ajuba and YAP1 in the rat renal cortex.RESULTS:Biochemical indices revealed significantly ele-vated levels of blood glucose,serum creatinine,triglycerides,total cholesterol,and 24-hour urinary protein in the DM group compared to the NC group(P<0.05).In the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group,the levels of serum creatinine,24-hour uri-nary protein,triglycerides,and total cholesterol were lower than those in the DM group(P<0.05).Pathological staining demonstrated that the renal interstitium of the DM group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration,fibrous tissue,collagen fi-ber deposition,disordered renal tubule arrangement,atrophy,and vacuolar degeneration,which were ameliorated in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group.Immunohistochemistry revealed that Ajuba and YAP1 were mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus,with high expression in the cytoplasm of the DM group,which was significantly decreased in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group.Western blot results indicated that the protein levels of FN,Col-Ⅲ,Ajuba,and YAP1 were up-regulated in the DM and the HG groups(P<0.05),but significantly down-regulated in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group(P<0.05).RT-qP-CR results demonstrated that the mRNA levels of Ajuba and YAP1 were higher in the DM group and significantly lower in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The overexpression of BMP7 can ameliorate renal fibrosis in rats with DKD.This effect is likely mediated by the down-regulation of Ajuba,reduction of YAP1 expression,and subse-quent inhibition of ECM deposition.

Oral diseases concern almost every individual and are a serious health risk to the popula-tion.The restorative treatment of tooth and jaw defects is an important means to achieve oral function and support the appearance of the contour.Based on the principle of"learning from the nature",Deng Xu-liang's group of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology has proposed a new concept of"microstructural biomimetic design and tissue adaptation of tooth/jaw materials"to address the worldwide problems of difficulty in treating dentine hypersensitivity,poor prognosis of restoration of tooth defects,and vertical bone augmentation of alveolar bone after tooth loss.The group has broken through the bottle-neck of multi-stage biomimetic technology from the design of microscopic features to the enhancement of macroscopic effects,and invented key technologies such as crystalline/amorphous multi-level assembly,ion-transportation blocking,and multi-physical properties of the micro-environment reconstruction,etc.The group also pioneered the cationic-hydrogel desensitizer,digital stump and core integrated restora-tions,and developed new crown and bridge restorative materials,gradient functionalisation guided tissue regeneration membrane,and electrically responsive alveolar bone augmentation restorative membranes,etc.These products have established new clinical strategies for tooth/jaw defect repair and achieved inno-vative results.In conclusion,the research results of our group have strongly supported the theoretical im-provement of stomatology,developed the technical system of oral hard tissue restoration,innovated the clinical treatment strategy,and led the progress of the stomatology industry.

Sarcopenia is a major factor affecting the health and quality of life of the patients undergoing hemodialysis.Exercise can effectively ameliorate sarcopenia in these patients.However,the type,intensity,time,and frequency of exercise influence the effect of exercise.This review describes the effects of different exer-cise prescriptions on sarcopenia in the patients undergoing hemodialysis.It aims to assist medical staff in develo-ping personalized exercise prescriptions,guiding patients to engage in exercise,and provide effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia in the patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for renal tumors, guided by both ultrasound and CT, under local anesthesia.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 40 patients with renal tumors admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022. This treatment involved ultrasound/CT dual-guided radiofrequency ablation under local anesthesia. The cohort included 33 males and 7 females, with an average age of (61.5±11.9) years old and a body mass index (BMI) of (24.79±3.37) kg/m 2. The tumors were located in the left kidney in 20 cases and the right kidney in 16 cases, with 4 cases involving bilateral renal tumors. There were 44 tumors in 40 patients, with the maximum tumor diameter ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 cm [mean (2.3 ± 0.7) cm]. Distribution by kidney pole was as follows: 15 cases at the upper pole, 21 at the middle pole, and 8 at the lower pole. Of the tumors, 23 were exophytic, 5 were endophytic, and 16 exhibited mixed features. There were 2 patients with multiple metastases before surgery(including 1 patient with bilateral renal tumor). Preoperative serum creatinine level was 68.0(56.5, 87.5)μmol/L, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 114.2 (79.6, 132.4) ml/(min·1.73 m 2). All patients underwent renal biopsy before or during radiofrequency ablation. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation surgery was performed using ultrasound and CT dual guidance on all patients, ensuring complete tumor destruction during the procedure as confirmed by dual positioning. Patients with bilateral tumors underwent two separate surgeries, spaced one month apart. Postoperatively, closely monitor the patient's vital signs and conduct long-term follow-ups to record any recurrence and metastasis. Results:In this series, all 40 procedures (involving 44 renal units) were successfully completed under local anesthesia without any need for blood transfusion, conversion to open surgery, or perioperative deaths. The average radiofrequency ablation time was (9.5 ± 3.6) min. Tumor characteristics included predominantly exophytic growths (23 cases, 52.3%), with 31 cases (70.5%) located more than 7 mm from the collecting system and 28 cases (63.6%) positioned posteriorly. Thirteen cases (29.5%) were entirely outside the polar line. The average R. E.N.A.L. nephrometry score was 6.1±0.2. Pathological examination revealed 34 cases of clear cell carcinoma, 2 of papillary renal cell carcinoma, 4 of unclassified renal cell carcinoma, and 4 benign renal tumors. In this cohort, two patients with bilateral renal tumors exhibited benign tumors on one side, while two other patients had malignant tumors in both kidneys. All 40 malignant tumors identified in 38 cases were classified at stage cT 1a.Postoperative serum creatinine level was 71.5 (59.0, 94.3) μmol/L, showing no statistically significant change from preoperative levels ( P > 0.05). Similarly, the eGFR post-operation was 107.4 (79.7, 132.2) ml/(min·1.73 m 2), which also did not differ significantly from preoperative values ( P > 0.05). There were no postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥Ⅱ, except for one case of severe pain (score 7-10). The follow-up period ranged from 15 to 70 months. Among the 38 cases, 36 patients did not have distant metastasis before surgery. There were 2 patients (5.5%) with local recurrence within 60 months after surgery. Among them, one case relapsed 6 months after radiofrequency ablation and was treated with partial nephrectomy. The patient was followed up for 60 months after the second treatment, and no local recurrence occurred. Another patient relapsed 41 months after surgery and was treated with radiofrequency ablation again. The patient was followed up for 12 months after the second treatment, and no local recurrence occurred. Two patients with distant metastasis before surgery were treated with targeted therapy plus immunotherapy for 12 months after surgery. One case had local recurrence 8 months after surgery and was treated with partial nephrectomy. The patient was followed up for 60 months after partial nephrectomy and no local recurrence occurred. Another patient with bilateral renal tumors developed left kidney recurrence 34 months after radiofrequency ablation, and underwent left partial nephrectomy. The right kidney recurred 42 months after radiofrequency ablation and underwent radiofrequency ablation again. After the second right renal radiofrequency ablation, no local recurrence occurred during 12 months of follow-up. Conclusions:Ultrasound/CT dual-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation, performed under local anesthesia for treating renal tumors, has minimal impact on the patient's renal function. The procedure boasts a low complication rate, with no postoperative severe complications. Additionally, the postoperative tumor control is effective, making it a safe and minimally invasive surgical option.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of different treatment modes for locoregional recurrence after nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma.Methods:A total of 106 patients with locoregional recurrence after nephrectomy without distant metastasis (77 males and 29 females) admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from October 2001 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 51 (40, 60) years old. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 90 patients with primary tumor and partial nephrectomy was performed in 16 patients. Pathological diagnosis showed that 54 cases were clear cell carcinoma and 52 cases were non-clear cell carcinoma. 53 cases were in stage T 1-2 and 53 cases in stage T 3-4. The median diameter of recurrent lesions was 3.2 (2.0, 6.3) cm, and the median number was 2 (1, 4). The recurrence sites were divided into renal fossa recurrence (33 cases), renal fossa±retroperitoneal lymph node recurrence (38 cases), and intra-abdominal spread (35 cases). The median duration from primary surgery to local recurrence was 14.8 (7.3, 35.8) months. Two treatment groups were identified as systemic therapy alone (Group A) and local therapy with or without systemic therapy (Group B). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between Group A and Group B. The Cox model was used to perform univariate and multivariate analysis. Results:Of all the 106 patients, 33 patients were in Group A and 73 patients were in Group B. In Group A, 29 patients (87.9%) received targeted therapy, and 4 patients (12.1%) received targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy. In Group B, 34 patients (46.6%) received surgery or ablation and 39 patients (53.4%) received SBRT, of which 62 patients (84.9%) received concurrent systemic therapy. Among them, 58 patients (93.5%) received targeted therapy, and 4 patients (6.5%) received targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy. The median follow-up period was 29.0 (15.4, 45.9) months, 64 patients progressed on tumor including 28 patients died. The median PFS and OS were 15.6 (7.1, 35.2) months and 66.9 (37.8, not reached) months. The median PFS of Group A and Group B were 7.6(5.0, 17.2)months and 22.2(9.6, 63.9)months respectively ( P=0.001), median OS of Group A and Group B were 45.7 (23.4, 62.8)months and 71.0(50.6, not reached)months respectively, and the 2-year OS were 70.6% and 85.5% in Group A and Group B respectively ( P=0.023). The univariate analysis showed local therapy with or without systemic therapy was significantly reduced 56% risk of tumor progression ( HR=0.44, P=0.003) and reduced 60% risk of death ( HR=0.40, P=0.028). The multivariate analysis showed that the OS was associated with ECOG score( HR=10.20, 95% CI 4.13-25.30, P<0.001)and local therapy( HR=0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.58, P=0.002). Conclusion:Compared with systemic therapy alone, local therapy with or without systemic therapy can effectively improve the PFS and OS of patients with locoregional recurrence after nephrectomy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of esophageal-jejunal OrVil TM anas-tomosis and Overlap anastomosis in laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG). Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 112 patients with AEG who were admitted to the First Hospital of Jilin University from July 2017 to August 2022 were collected. There were 87 males and 25 females, aged (64±8)years. All 112 patients underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy and D 2 lymphadenectomy, in which 61 cases with esophageal-jejunal OrVil TM anastomosis were divided into the OrVil TM group, 51 cases with esophageal-jejunal Overlap anastomosis were divided into the Overlap group. Observa-tion indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative complications; (3) influencing factors for patients undergoing esophageal-jejunal OrVil TM anastomosis. Measurement data with normal distri-bution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the non-parameter test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Surgical situations. The esophageal invasion length and tumor diameter was 1.0(0.7,2.0)cm and (6.3±2.7)cm in patients of the OrVil TM group, versus 0.2(0.1,0.5)cm and (4.7±2.2)cm, respectively, in patients of the Overlap group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=?6.14, t=3.26, P<0.05). (2) Postoperative complications. Cases with complications ≥Ⅲa grade of Clavien-Dindo classification, cases with respiratory system complications, cases with hydrothorax were 13, 17, 13 in the OrVil TM group, versus 4, 5, 4 in the Overlap group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( χ2=3.91, 5.74, 3.91, P<0.05). Cases underwent readmission within postoperative 30 days were 3 and 1 in the OrVil TM group and the Overlap group, respectively, and all patients recovered after symptomatic treatment. There were 2 cases died after operation in the OrVil TM group and none of patients died after operation in the Overlap group. (3) Influencing factors for patients undergoing esophageal-jejunal OrVil TM anastomosis. Results of multivariate analysis showed that esophageal invasion length was an independent factor influencing for patients undergoing esophageal-jejunal OrVil TM anastomosis ( odds ratio=8.25, 95% confidence interval as 3.41?19.96, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with esophageal-jejunal Overlap anastomosis, choosing the esophageal-jejunal Orvil TM anastomosis during laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy can take benefit to the proximal margin of patients with AEG. However, the ratios of complications ≥ Ⅲa grade of Clavien-Dindo classification, respiratory system complications and hydrothorax associated to OrVil TM anastomosis are relatively increased. Esophageal invasion length is an independent influencing factor for patients undergoing esophageal-jejunal OrVil TM anastomosis.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics, reveal evolutionary patterns, and enhance the understanding of idiopathic isolated adrenocorticotripin(ACTH)deficiency(IIAD)by conducting a clinical analysis and follow-up.Methods:The clinical data of 12 patients with IIAD in our center were analyzed retrospectively, and the patients were further followed up to summarize the clinical characteristics of these patients.Results:Among 12 patients with IIAD, the ratio of male to female was 3∶1. The onset showed a bimodal trend, with 2 cases occurring below the age of 18(at 1 year and 11 years respectively), and 10 cases occurring in adults, with an average onset age of 59.4 years old. In adults, the main symptoms were chronic fatigue, anorexia, and weight loss, while pediatric patients exhibited hypoglycemia and seizures. Hyponatremia(50%)was a common biochemical abnormality. ACTH, cortisol, and 24 h urinary free cortisol were significantly lower in all patients, and the functions of other pituitary gland axes were normal. All patients were normal except 2 patients with pituitary MRI showing vacuolar sella turcica. The most common accompanying disease was Hashimoto thyroiditis. After glucocorticoid replacement therapy, all patients showed symptom improvement. The replacement doses include prednisone acetate at 2.5-7.5 mg/d or hydrocortisone at 12-20 mg/d. All the 8 patients were still alive with ongoing ACTH deficiency, without any decline in other pituitary axis functions or occurrence of other diseases.Conclusion:IIAD exhibits a bimodal onset pattern with a higher prevalence in males. Symptoms persist in a chronic and stable manner without remission. Prognosis is favorable with physiological dose of glucocorticoid replacement therapy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib monotherapy and combined therapy in patients with advanced pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma.Methods Nine patients with advanced pheochromo-cytoma/paraganglioma(PPGL)who were admitted to the Department of Urology,Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2018 to June 2023 were collected.Patients were divided into four groups according to different treatments:anlotinib monotherapy group(3 patients),anlotinib combined with PD-1 monoclonal antibody immuno-therapy group(3 patients),anlotinib combined with immunotherapy and chemotherapy group(2 patients),and anlotinib combined with chemotherapy group(1 patients).The effectiveness and safety of different treatment regiments of anlotinib were analyzed.Results Objective response rate(ORR):(44%),Partial response(PR):(44%),Stable disease(SD):(44%),Progressive disease(PD):(11%),Disease control rate(DCR):(89%).The ORR of 2 patients with SDH gene mutation,SDHB and SDHD respectively,was 100%.Median overall survival time(OS)was 16.3 months(IQR:11.3～21.8 months).Median progression-free survival(PFS)was 16.3 months(IQR:9.8～20.8 months).There were 2 patients with adverse events grade≥3/4,all of which were hypertension.Conclusions Anlotinib monotherapy and combined therapy have preliminary efficacy and manageable safety in the treatment of advanced pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma.