BACKGROUND:Cervical disc herniation can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area,as well as radiating pain in the upper limbs.The incidence rate is increasing year by year and tends to affect younger individuals.Fully understanding the biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine in adolescents is of great significance for preventing and delaying the onset of cervical disc herniation in this age group. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct cervical spine models for both healthy adolescents and adolescent patients with cervical disc herniation utilizing finite element analysis techniques,to analyze the motion range of the C1-T1 cervical vertebrae as well as the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and the cartilage of the small joints. METHODS:A normal adolescent's cervical spine and an adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation were selected in this study.The continuous scan cervical spine CT raw image data were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format.The C1-T1 vertebrae were reconstructed separately.Subsequently,the established models were imported into the 3-Matic software for disc reconstruction.The perfected models were then imported into Hypermesh software for meshing of the vertebrae,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,and ligaments,creating valid geometric models.After assigning material properties,the final models were imported into ABAQUS software to observe the joint motion range of the C1-C7 cervical vertebrae segments under different conditions,and to analyze the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and small joint cartilage of each cervical spine segment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In six different conditions,the joint motion range of the C1 vertebra in the cervical spine models of both normal adolescent and adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation was higher than that of the other vertebrae.Additionally,the joint motion range of each cervical spine segment in normal adolescent was greater than that in adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation.(2)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress values in the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus were found on the left side during C2-3 flexion conditions(0.43 MPa and 0.17 MPa,respectively).In the cervical spine model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress values were found on the left side during C7-T1 flexion conditions(0.54 MPa and 0.18 MPa,respectively).(3)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the upper endplate of C3 during flexion conditions(1.46 MPa).In the model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the lower endplate of C7 during flexion conditions(1.32 MPa).(4)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value in the small joint cartilage was found in the C2-3 left rotation conditions(0.98 MPa).In adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the stress in the small joint cartilage significantly increased under different conditions,especially in C1-2,with the maximum stress found during left flexion(3.50 MPa).(5)It is concluded that compared to normal adolescent,adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation exhibits altered cervical curvature and a decrease in overall joint motion range in the cervical spine.In adolescent with cervical disc herniation,there is a significant increase in stress on the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,and endplates in the C7-T1 segment.The stress on the left articular cartilage of the C1-2 is notable.Abnormal cervical curvature may be the primary factor causing these stress changes.

Aim To investigate the role of metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in promoting the transdifferentiation of pancreatic α cells to β cells. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg streptozocin (STZ) for five consecutive days to establish a type 1 diabetes (T1DM) mouse model. After two weeks, they were randomly divided into model groups and 97% EPA diet intervention group, 75% fish oil (50% EPA +25% DHA) diet intervention group, and random blood glucose was detected every week; after the model expired, the regeneration of pancreatic β cells in mouse pancreas was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The islets of mice (obtained by crossing GCG

Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of cultivation time on dendritic cells(DCs)and their derived exosomes′ expression of immune-related membrane proteins(CD80,MHC-Ⅰ,MHC-Ⅱ)and provides experimental evidence for future research.Methods Mouse bone marrow cells were induced to differentiate into DCs using GM-CSF and IL-4,followed by maturation stimulation withTNF-α.Exosomes were extracted using ultracentrifugation.Western blot and Amnis image flow cytometry were used to identify exosomes derived from mouse DCs.Amnis image flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of immune-related proteins CD80,CD11c,MHC-Ⅰ,and MHC-Ⅱ in mouse DCs and their exosomes.Results After 5 days of in vitro cultivation,more than 50%of dendritic cells expressed CD80,CD11c,MHC-Ⅰ,and MHC-Ⅱ,reaching the highest level on day 13.The positivity rates were as follows:CD80(97.29±0.63)%,CD11c(92.31±1.18)%,MHC-Ⅰ(97.91±0.49)%,and MHC-Ⅱ(97.91±0.49)%.The differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).The expression gradually decreased after day 13,but approximately 80%of DC cells still expressed MHC-Ⅰ and MHC-Ⅱ immune molecules on day 30.The expression levels of CD80,CD11c,and MHC-Ⅱ on the exosome membrane were highest on day 5 and then decreased overall with prolonged cultivation time,except for MHC-Ⅰ molecules.The differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).Conclusions In vitro-cultured mouse dendritic cells express high levels of immune-related membrane proteins and can be stably maintained for a long time under suitable culture conditions.The secreted exosomes also carry abundant immune-related membrane proteins,but no significant correlation was found between the immune-related proteins on the dendritic cell surface and the exosome membrane surface.

BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive inflammation of spinal stiffness deformity caused by tissue ossification and fibrosis.The posture of ankylosing spondylitis patients is abnormal and their activities are limited that minor injuries can lead to thoracolumbar fractures.Traditional medical image observation limits doctors'preoperative decision planning and postoperative disease prevention for ankylosing spondylitis treatment. OBJECTIVE:Based on the spinal model of ankylosing spondylitis patients before and after posterior spinal cancellous ossification osteotomy("Y"osteotomy for short),to explore the biomechanical changes of"Y"osteotomy and fixation in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS:Based on the preoperative and postoperative CT images of an ankylosing spondylitis patient who went to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University,a three-dimensional spine model(T11-S1)before and after"Y"osteotomy(L3 osteotomy)was reconstructed in Mimics 19.0 software.A 7.5 Nm torque was applied to the top of T11 vertebral body to simulate the movement of the spine under six conditions:flexion,extension,left bending,right bending,left rotation and right rotation.Finally,the range of motion of each vertebral body,the stress of each intervertebral disc,and the stress of the screw rod system were simulated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After"Y"type osteotomy and posterior fixation,the range of motion of all vertebrae in the spine decreased,and the loss rate of upper vertebrae was large(L1:77.95%).(2)The maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc before operation occurred at the L1-L2 segment(0.55 MPa),and the maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc after operation occurred at the T11-T12 segment(0.50 MPa),and the stress of intervertebral disc below T12 was far less than that before operation.(3)The maximum stress of the screw rod system(166.67 MPa)occurred in the upper and middle segments of the rod body and the root of the pedicle screw.(4)In conclusion,the"Y"type posterior fixation operation enhances the stability of the spine and reduces the range of motion of the spine.The vertebral body decompression of the fixed segment is great and the stress-shielding phenomenon of the lower vertebral body is significant.The stiffness of the rod body and the stress concentration area of the pedicle screw should be strengthened to avoid the fracture of the rod caused by stress fatigue.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of two different internal fixations in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in older adult patients.Methods:The clinical data of 152 older adult patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures who were treated at the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent closed reduction and internal fixation surgery. They were divided into two groups based on the different types of internal fixations used. Among them, 76 patients received internal fixation using proximal femoral intramedullary nails (group A), while 76 patients received internal fixation using Intertan nails (group B). The intraoperative blood loss volume, surgical time, postoperative complications, fracture healing time, and hip joint function score were compared between the two groups.Results:The intraoperative blood loss volume in group A was (197.11 ± 37.85) mL, which was significantly less than that in group B [(226.84 ± 54.17) mL, t = 1.62, P < 0.001]. Surgical time in group A was (71.16 ± 15.64) minutes, which was significantly shorter than that in group B [(78.49 ± 15.88) minutes, t = 1.67, P < 0.001]. The fracture healing time in group A was (13.29 ± 0.94) weeks, which was not significantly different from that in group B [(13.20 ± 0.64) weeks, t = 0.33, P > 0.05]. However, the incidence of postoperative complications in group A was 5.26% (4/76), which was significantly higher than 1.32% (1/76) in group B ( χ2 = 4.04, P = 0.048). At 1 and 3 months and 1 year after surgery, the hip joint function score in group A was (63.13 ± 2.41) points, (73.50 ± 3.99) points, and (84.13 ± 7.57) points, respectively, and it was (68.65 ± 2.65) points, (79.07 ± 3.38) points, and (89.56 ± 7.71) points, respectively, in group B. At the above-mentioned time points, the difference in hip joint function score between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = 1.89, 2.48, 2.49, all P < 0.001). Conclusion:Both internal fixation methods have significant therapeutic effects on femoral intertrochanteric fractures. Internal fixation using Intertan nails leads to higher hip joint function scores and fewer postoperative complications compared with internal fixation using proximal femoral intramedullary nails, but it results in more blood loss and a longer surgical time.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of tilianin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The content of nitric oxide (NO) was assayed by Griess reagent method. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe. The protein levels of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (Myd88), nuclear factors κB p65 (NF-κB p65), phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), nuclear factor κB inhibitory protein α (IκBα) and phosphorylation nuclear factor κB inhibitory protein α (p-IκBα) were detected by Western blot. The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18 and pro-caspase-1 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. The effect of tilianin on the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signaling pathway was further validated by using the TLR4 signaling inhibitor restatorvid (TAK242). The results showed that tilianin significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells and decreased the content of intracellular ROS. Tilianin reduced the levels of TLR4, Myd88, p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα protein and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Tilianin could reduce the protein levels of NLRP3, pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18 and pro-caspase-1. Tilianin significantly inhibited the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β. The above research results indicated that tilianin could significantly alleviate the LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells and its mechanism might be related to downregulate the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome.

Objective To explore the value of CT derived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR)combined with pericoronary adipose tissue(PCAT)fat attenuation index(FAI)in predicting major adverse cardiac events(MACE)in patients with obstructive coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods A total of 149 patients with obstructive CHD who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)examination were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into MACE group and non-MACE group according to the occurrence of MACE.The clinical data,CCTA characteristics,CT-FFR,PCAT volume and FAI differences between the two groups were compared.Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent predictors of MACE.The area under the curve(AUC)of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the efficiency of a single independent predictor and its joint prediction of MACE.Results CT-FFR≤0.8 and right coronary artery(RCA)FAI(RCA-FAI)were independent risk factors for MACE in patients with obstructive CHD.The AUC of CT-FFR≤0.8 and RCA-FAI to predict MACE in patients with obstructive CHD were 0.773 and 0.766,respectively,while of their combination was 0.865.Conclusion Compared with single imaging parameters,the combined imaging parameters of CT-FFR and RCA-FAI can significantly improve the predictive efficiency of MACE in patients with obstructive CHD.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Astragaloside Ⅳ liposomes for influenza A virus infection in mice.Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group(10 mice)and modeling group(40 mice).The modeling group mice were injected with A/PR/8/34(H1N1)influenza virus liquid via nasal drip.The modeling mice were randomly divided into model group,Oseltamivir group,and Astragaloside Ⅳ Liposomes high-and low-dose groups,with 10 mice in each group.The drug was administered by gavage two hours after infection for five days continuously.The appearance of the mice was observed,the body mass,survival condition and lung index as well as viral load in lung were assessed,pathological feature of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining method,and mRNA expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1),macrophage inflammatory protein 1β(MIP-1β),and interferon γ(IFN-γ),CXC chemokine ligand 1(CXCL-1),interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β in lung tissues were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)method.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was performed to detect the contents of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF)and regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted(RANTES)in mouse lung tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,mice in the model group showed significant decrease of body mass,shortened survival time(P＜0.001),significantly increased lung index(P＜0.001),significantly increased viral load in lung(P＜0.001),and significantly increased mRNA expression levels of MIP-1β,IFN-γ,CXCL-1,IL-6,IL-1β and MCP-1 in lung tissue(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001),and the structure destruction of lung tissue could be seen in pathology.Compared with the model group,mice in the Astragaloside Ⅳ liposomes high-dose group showed that the decrease in body mass was slowed down,the survival time and survival rate were higher(P＜0.05),and the lung index was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the viral load in lung was decreased(P＜0.001)and the mRNA expression levels of MIP-1β,IFN-γ,CXCL-1,IL-6,IL-1β and MCP-1 in lung tissue were decreased,and the alveolar structure was relatively intact,and a little connective tissue hyperplasia was seen.Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅳ liposomes can improve the survival time and reduce the viral load of lung tissue in mice with influenza A virus infection,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the expression of inflammatory factors,thus playing an antiviral role.

Coronary artery fistula(CAF)is defined as the direct connection between coronary artery and cardiac cavity,great vessel or other vascular structures.Most CAF are congenital and often present as persistent murmur in asymptomatic children.Although abnormal shunt of most coronary fistulas has little effect on hemodynamics,some larger fistulas can also lead to a series of complications,such as congestive heart failure.Therefore,closed CAF has been recommended to treat or prevent myocardial ischemia,congestive heart failure,endarteritis,arrhythmia,thromboembolism,aneurysm dilatation and rupture and other complications.CAF is a rare congenital heart disease,and bilateral CAF originating from two coronary arteries is even rarer.At present,there are rare systematic reports on bilateral CAF.Therefore,a case of huge bilateral CAF at the same site was reported,and systematically,this kind of case was summarized,so as to improve the clinical attention of diagnosis and treatment of this kind of CAF.Nowadays,some new interventional devices and technologies are emerging with the continuous progress of cardiovascular interventional technology,making the treatment more accurate,safe and effective.At the same time,there is also a clearer understanding of the indications and operating standards for interventional treatment,which is more operable and predictable during the treatment process.Therefore,interventional treatment of CAF may partially replace surgical treatment as the preferred treatment method.