OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of polygonum cuspidatum glycoside on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH) in rats and its potential mechanism of protecting bone tissue by regulating the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway(JAK2/STAT3). METHODS: Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, low-dose polygonum cuspidatum glycoside group (polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-L), high-dose polygonum cuspidatum glycoside group (polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H), and polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H+Colivelin (JAK2/STAT3 pathway activator) group. SONFH model was induced by lipopolysaccharide and dexamethasone. The treatment groups were given polygonum cuspidatum glycoside orally(polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-L 10 mg·kg^-1, polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H 20 mg·kg^-1, and the polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H+Colivelin group was injected with Colivelin (1 mg·kg^-1) intraperitoneally once a day, while the control and model groups were given an equal volume of saline for 6 weeks. The observed indicators included serum calcium(Ca), serum phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase, and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) levels, micro-CT scanning, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Western blot detection of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and osteogenic differentiation marker genes, including Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), and osteopontin (OPN) protein expression. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the trabecular bone area percentage in the polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-L and polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H groups was significantly increased, and the empty lacunar rate was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Micro-CT analysis showed that the bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and thickness increased, and the trabecular separation decreased in the polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-treated groups(P<0.05). Serum biochemical tests found that the serum Ca and P concentrations in the polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-L and polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H groups were restored, the alkaline phosphatase levels decreased, and the transforming growth factor β1 levels increased (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that polygonum cuspidatum glycoside significantly inhibited the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in the model group and promoted the expression of osteogenic differentiation marker genes such as Runx2, BMP2, and OPN (P<0.05). Compared with the polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H group, the improvements in the polygonum cuspidatum glycoside-H+Colivelin group were somewhat weakened, indicating the importance of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in the action of polygonum cuspidatum glycoside. CONCLUSION polygonum cuspidatum glycoside promotes osteogenic differentiation, improves bone microstructure, and has significant therapeutic effects on rat SONFH by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Male ; Janus Kinase 2/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Glucosides/pharmacology* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; Femur Head Necrosis/chemically induced* ; Stilbenes/pharmacology*

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) is mitral regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), whose left atrium (LA) is enlarged, the left ventricle is not enlarged or only slightly enlarged, the left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved, and the mitral valve itself has no apparent lesion. At present, the etiology, pathophysiology and mechanism of this disease have not been completely clear yet. Existing studies have found that the causes of AFMR mainly include AF, enlargement of LA and mitral annulus, destruction of mitral annular shape, inability of mitral valve remodeling to compensate for mitral annular expansion, and hamstringing of the posterior mitral leaflet by atriogenic tethering. AFMR is demonstrated to be associated with an increased risk of mortality and readmission due to heart failure. Therefore, it serves as a primary therapeutic target for patients with heart failure and AF. However, the optimal treatment of AFMR still remains controversial. Therefore, this article will mainly expound the current definition, etiology, pathophysiological mechanism, treatment, and prognosis of AFMR.

Objective To observe the effect of remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia on the quality of anesthesia recovery in children with congenital heart disease underwent transcatheter closure.Methods Children with congenital heart disease who underwent transcatheter closure were divided into treatment group and control group according to the anesthesia plan.The anesthesia plan of the control group was as follows:anesthesia induction(intramuscular injection of ketamine at 4 mg·kg-1,intravenous injection of propofol at 2.5 mg·kg-1,fentanyl at 10 μg·kg-1and cisatracurium at 0.1 mg·kg-1)and anesthesia maintenance(fentanyl at0.4μg·kg-1·min-1 and propofol at 8 μg·kg-1·min-1).The anesthesia plan of the treatment group was as follows:anesthesia induction(intramuscular injection of ketamine at 5 mg·kg-,intravenous injection of midazolam at 0.1 mg·kg-1,sufentanil at 1.0 μg·kg-1 and cisatracurium at 0.1 mg·kg-1)and anesthesia maintenance(remifentanil at 0.5 μg·kg-1·min-1 and propofol at 8 μg·kg-1·min-1).Anesthesia recovery,facial expression,leg posture,activity,crying and comfortability(FLACC)of 5 pain scores,Ramsay score,hemodynamics,myocardial injury indexes,and adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups.Results There were 64 cases in treatment group and 56 cases in control group.The spontaneous respiration recovery time,call time and extubation time of the treatment group were(4.87±1.22),(10.16±2.58)and(12.55±3.19)min,shorter than those in control group,which were(5.49±1.35),(13.34±3.27)and(15.67±3.62)min(all P＜0.05).At 1 h and 2 h after operation,Ramsay scores of treatment group were 2.58±0.35 and 3.69±0.42,were lower than 3.02±0.47 and 4.24±0.39 in control group(all P＜0.05).At 1 h and 2 h after operation,the FLACC scores of the treatment group were 3.03±0.81 and 3.75±0.84,lower than 3.78±0.62 and 4.36±0.51 in control group(all P＜0.05).Mean arterial pressure(MAP)of treatment group at the insertion of laryngeal mask,the insertion of occluder and the end of the operation were(102.45±10.26),(94.18±8.37)and(91.46±10.15)mmHg,lower than those in control group,which were(107.84±10.11),(100.57±9.84)and(97.33±8.53)mmHg(all P＜0.05).On day 1 and day 3 after operation,serum creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)levels in the treatment group were(10.03±2.58)and(8.65±2.16)U·L-1,lower than those in control group,which were(12.44±3.07)and(10.16±2.35)U·L-1(all P＜0.05).On day 1 and day 3 after operation,serum cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTn Ⅰ)levels in treatment group[(0.07±0.02)and(0.04±0.01)μg·L-1]were lower than those in control group[(0.09±0.03)and(0.06±0.02)μg·L-1](all P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse anesthesia reactions in treatment group was 6.25％(4 cases/64 cases),lower than 17.86％(10 cases/56 cases)in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia can improve the quality of anesthesia recovery in children with congenital heart disease undergoing transcatheter closure,with good sedative and analgesic effects,stable hemodynamics during operation,and low incidence of adverse drug reactions.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of pulsed thulium laser(PTL)combined with triamcinolone acetonide injection in the treatment of failed posterior urethral anastomosis(FPUA).Methods:This retrospective study included 35 male pa-tients treated in Gongli Hospital for failed posterior urethral anastomosis from January 2018 to December 2023.All the patients under-went direct-vision internal urethrotomy(DVIU)with transurethral PTL(the PTL group,n=15)or transurethral plasma(the TUP group,n=20),and all received intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide.We followed up the patients for a median of 21 months,recorded the age,length of urethral stricture,operation time,pre-and post-operative maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax),postoperative complications and recurrence of urethral stricture,and compared the data obtained between the two groups.Results:All the patients smoothly completed the treatment procedures.No statistically significant differences were observed in the age,length of urethral stricture,operation time and postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).The median follow-up time for the thulium laser group and plasma group was 21.0 months(IQR 16.0-24.0)and 21.0 months(IQR 17.0-25.0),respectively,with a statistically significant difference observed in the maximum urine flow rate before and after surgery at the 12-month mark(P<0.01).No significant disparity was found in terms of relapse-free survival between the two groups(P=0.398)Conclusion:Pulsed thulium laser combined with triamcinolone acetonide injection can effectively maintain a short-term cicatricial stability of the ure-thral stricture and satisfactory urethral patency,obviously superior to plasmotomy as a remedial treatment of urethral stricture after failed posterior urethral anastomosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of GRIM-19 on the resistance of carcinoma cells to the chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel in the treatment of PCa.Methods:Using siRNA technology to interfere with the gene expression in PCa cells,we estab-lished a model of GRIM-19 overexpression/knockdown in PCa cells.We investigated the effect of different expression levels of GRIM-19 on docetaxel-induced death of the PCa cells by qPCR,Western blot and flow cytometry,and assessed the value of GRIM-19 in re-ducing the chemotherapy-resistance of PCa cells.Results:GRIM-19 was down-regulated in PCa tissues and cells.Knockout of GRIM-19 significantly decreased the expression of siGRIM19 in the PC-3 and LNCaP cells,and reduced their death rate when treated with docetaxel compared with the control group.The expressions of GRIM-19 mRNA and protein were remarkably upregulated after transfection with GRIM-19,and the overexpressed GRIM-19 promoted the death of the PC-3 and LNCaP cells treated with docetaxel in a dose-dependent manner.Flow cytometry analysis showed a lower apoptosis rate of PC-3-R cells than that of PC-3 cells at different time points of docetaxel-induction at different doses.Conclusion:GRIM-19 is a PCa suppressor gene with a significant facilitating effect on the apoptosis of PCa cells,and the overexpression of GRIM-19 promotes docetaxel-induced PCa cell death and improves the sensitivity of chemotherapy.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Objective: Differential flora and differential metabolites shared by the intestinal and respiratory tracts of rats were screened to analyze the possible role of changes in intestinal flora and metabolites in the progression of pneumoconiosis in rats. Methods: In April 2020, 18 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (control group, coal mine dust group and silica group, 6 in each group) , rats in the coal mine dust group and silica group were perfused with 1 ml of 50 mg/ml coal mine well dust suspension and silica suspension by nontracheal exposure, respectively. While rats in the control group were perfused with an equal dose of sterilized normal saline. Twenty four weeks after dust staining, rat feces, throat swabs, and lung lavages were collected. 16SrDNA gene sequencing and UHPLC-QTOF-MS untargeted metabolomics were used to analyze the flora and metabolites in feces, throat swabs and lung lavage fluid of rats in each group, to screen for shared differential flora and shared differential metabolites in intestinal and respiratory tract, and the correlation analysis between the differential flora and metabolites was performed using Spearman's statistics. Results: Compared with the control group, a total of 9 species shared differential flora between intestinal and respiratory tract were screened at phylum level, and a total of 9 species shared differential genus between intestinal and respiratory tract were screened at genus level in the coal mine dust group, mainly Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, etc. Compared with the control group, a total of 9 shared differential flora were screened at the phylum level, and a total of 5 shared differential genus were screened at the genus level in the silica group, mainly Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Allobactera, Mucilaginibacter, etc. Compared with the control group, a total of 7 shared differential metabolites were screened for up-regulation of Stigmatellin, Linalool oxide and Isoleucine-leucine in both intestinal and respiratory tract in the coal mine dust group. Compared with the control group , a total of 19 shared differential metabolites werescreened in the silica group, of which Diethanolamine, 1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, Isoleucine-leucine, Sphingosine, Palmitic acid, D-sphinganine, 1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine, and 1-Stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphocholine were up-regulated in both the intestinal and respiratory tract. Conclusion: There is a translocation of intestinal and respiratory flora in pneumoconiosis rats, and rats have an imbalance of lipid metabolism during the progression of pneumoconiosis.
Rats ; Animals ; Isoleucine ; Leucine ; Coal Mining ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Pneumoconiosis ; Dust/analysis* ; Silicon Dioxide ; Coal

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.