OBJECTIVES: A ventricular assist device (VAD) is an electromechanical device used to assist cardiac blood circulation, which can be employed for the treatment of end-stage heart failure and is most commonly placed in the left ventricle. Despite enhancing perfusion performance, the implantation of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) transforms the local intraventricular flow and thus may increase the risk of thrombogenesis. This study aims to investigate fluid-particle interactions and thromboembolic risk under different LVAD configurations using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction models, focusing on the effects of outflow tract orientation and blood flow rates. METHODS: A patient-specific end-diastolic 3D reconstruction model was initially constructed in stereo lithography (STL) format using Mimics software based on CT images. Transient numerical simulations were performed to analyze fluid-particle interactions and thromboembolic risks for LVAD with varying outflow tract orientations under 2 flow rates (4 L/min and 5 L/min), using particles of uniform size (2 mm), and a blood flow rate optimization protocol was implemented for this patient. RESULTS: When the LVAD flow rate was 5 L/min, helicity and flow stagnation of the blood flow increased the particle residence time (RT) and the risk of thrombogenesis of the aortic root. The percentage of particles traveling toward the brachiocephalic trunk was up to 20.33%. When the LVAD flow rate was 4 L/min, blood turbulence in the aorta was reduced, the RT of blood particles was shortened, and then the percentage of particles traveling toward the brachiocephalic trunk decreased to 10.54%. When the LVAD blood flow rate was 5 L/min and the direction of the outflow pipe was optimal, the RT of blood particles was shortened, and then the percentage of particles traveling toward the brachiocephalic trunk decreased to 11.22%. A 18-month follow-up observation of the patient revealed that the LVAD was in good working order and the patient had no complications related to the implantation of LVAD. CONCLUSIONS Implantation of LVAD results in a higher risk of cerebral infarction; When implanting LVAD with the same outflow tract direction, optimizing flow velocity and outflow tract can reduce the risk of cerebral infarction occurrence.
Heart-Assist Devices/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Heart Failure/physiopathology* ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Thromboembolism/prevention & control* ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Heart Ventricles/physiopathology* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional

This study explored how the human cortical folding pattern composed of convex gyri and concave sulci affected single-subject morphological brain networks, which are becoming an important method for studying the human brain connectome. We found that gyri-gyri networks exhibited higher morphological similarity, lower small-world parameters, and lower long-term test-retest reliability than sulci-sulci networks for cortical thickness- and gyrification index-based networks, while opposite patterns were observed for fractal dimension-based networks. Further behavioral association analysis revealed that gyri-gyri networks and connections between gyral and sulcal regions significantly explained inter-individual variance in Cognition and Motor domains for fractal dimension- and sulcal depth-based networks. Finally, the clinical application showed that only sulci-sulci networks exhibited morphological similarity reductions in major depressive disorder for cortical thickness-, fractal dimension-, and gyrification index-based networks. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into the constraint of the cortical folding pattern to the network organization of the human brain.
Humans ; Cerebral Cortex/anatomy & histology* ; Male ; Female ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Adult ; Connectome/methods* ; Young Adult ; Nerve Net/anatomy & histology* ; Neural Pathways ; Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnostic imaging*

The activation of the sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway has been shown to mitigate oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid (ZFXN) ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). However, the underlying mechanism, particularly whether it involves protecting mitochondria and inhibiting apoptosis through the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, remains unclear. This study employed an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model using SH-SY5Y cells and induced PSCI in rats through modified bilateral carotid artery ligation (2VO). The effects of ZFXN on learning and memory, neuroprotective activity, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Results indicated that ZFXN significantly increased the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)/Bcl2-associated X (Bax) ratio, reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL)⁺ cells, and markedly improved cognition, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal function in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, ZFXN exhibited potent antioxidant activity, evidenced by decreased ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels. ZFXN also demonstrated considerable enhancement of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), Tom20 fluorescence intensity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) levels, and mitochondrial complex I and III activity, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial damage. Additionally, ZFXN significantly increased SIRT1 activity and elevated SIRT1, nuclear Nrf2, and HO-1 levels. Notably, these effects were substantially counteracted when SIRT1 was suppressed by the inhibitor EX-527 in vitro. In conclusion, ZFXN alleviates PSCI by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and preventing mitochondrial damage.
Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Animals ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Stroke/complications* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)-mediated microglial phagocytosis is an energy-intensive process that plays a crucial role in amyloid beta (Aβ) clearance in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Energy metabolic reprogramming (EMR) in microglia induced by TREM2 presents therapeutic targets for cognitive impairment in AD. Jiawei Xionggui Decoction (JWXG) has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing energy supply, protecting microglia, and mitigating cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice. However, the mechanism by which JWXG enhances Aβ phagocytosis through TREM2-mediated EMR in microglia remains unclear. This study investigates how JWXG facilitates microglial phagocytosis and alleviates cognitive deficits in AD through TREM2-mediated EMR. Microglial phagocytosis was evaluated through immunofluorescence staining in vitro and in vivo. The EMR level of microglia was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The TREM2/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway was analyzed using Western blotting in BV₂ cells. TREM2^-/- BV₂ cells were utilized for reverse validation experiments. The Aβ burden, neuropathological features, and cognitive ability in APP/PS1 mice were evaluated using ELISA kits, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the Morris water maze (MWM) test. JWXG enhanced both the phagocytosis of EMR disorder-BV₂ cells (EMRD-BV₂) and increased EMR levels. Notably, these effects were significantly reversed in TREM2^-/- BV₂ cells. JWXG elevated TREM2 expression, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and microglial phagocytosis in APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, JWXG reduced Aβ-burden, neuropathological lesions, and cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, JWXG promoted TREM2-induced EMR and enhanced microglial phagocytosis, thereby reducing Aβ deposition, improving neuropathological lesions, and alleviating cognitive deficits.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Microglia/drug effects* ; Phagocytosis ; Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy* ; Metabolic Reprogramming ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line ; Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Energy Metabolism

Background and objective With further understanding and research into non-small cell lung cancer with tumours ≤2 cm in maximum diameter,segmental lung resection is able to achieve the same long-term prognosis as lobec-tomy.However,there are few studies on the prognostic effect of wedge resection on small volume invasive lung adenocarci-noma with an invasion depth of 0.5 to 1.0 cm.Therefore,this study focuses on the clinical efficacy and prognosis of wedge re-section in patients with small-volume invasive lung adenocarcinoma.Methods A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 208 patients who underwent surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2016 to December 2017 was made,and the postoperative pathological results confirmed small volume invasive lung adenocarcinoma.According to their surgical methods,they were divided into lobectomy group(n=115),segmentectomy group(n=48)and wedge resection group(n=45).Kaplan-Meier survival curve estimation and Cox proportional risk regression model were used to explore the influence of different surgical methods on the prognosis of patients with small volume invasive lung adenocarcinoma.Results The wedge resection group had better perioperative outcomes compared with the segmentectomy group and lobectomy group,with statistically significant differences in intraoperative bleed-ing(P=0.036),postoperative drainage(P＜0.001),operative time(P=0.018),postoperative time with tubes(P=0.001),and postoperative complication rate(P=0.006).There were no significant differences when comparing the three groups in terms of survival rate(lobectomy group vs segmentectomy group,P=0.303;lobectomy group vs wedge resection group,P=0.742;and segmentectomy group vs wedge resection group,P=0.278)and recurrence-free survival rate(lobectomy group vs segmentec-tomy group,P=0.495;lobectomy group vs wedge resection group,P=0.362;segmentectomy group vs wedge resection group,P=0.775).Univariate and multivariate survival analyses showed that consolidation tumor ratio(CTR)was the prognostic factor of overall survival and revurrence-free survival for patients with small-volume invasive lung adenocarcinoma(P＜0.05).Conclusion Wedge resection in patients with small volume invasive lung adenocarcinoma can achieve long-term outcomes similar to segmentectomy and lobectomy.When the CTR≤0.5,wedge resection is preferred in such patients.

Objective:To explore the clinical data of patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL).Methods:The clinical data of 57 patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma diagnosed and treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2016 to June 2022 were reviewed, including 28 cases of pheochromocytoma(PCC) and 29 cases of paraganglioma(PGL). The clinical manifestations, biochemical indexes, tumour characteristics, and metastatic characteristics of the 57 patients were analysed.Results:There were 34 males and 23 females. The median age at the time of initial diagnosis was 34 (20, 54) years, 17 (29.3%) presented with concurrent metastases, and 40 (70.7%) with heterochronous metastases. The median time to presentation of metastases was 2.2 (0, 5.0) years (range 0-22 years). Adrenergic symptoms were present in 45 cases (78.6%) at the time of initial diagnosis, and the median size of the primary tumour was 6.7 (5.0, 9.0) cm. Excessive catecholamine secretion was present in 48 cases (81.4%). The most common locations of metastasis were lymph nodes (71.9%, 41/57), bone (47.3%, 27/57), lung (38.6%, 20/57), and liver (35.1%, 20/57). Metastatic PGL had more multifocal metastases than PCC [10 (34.5%) vs. 2 (7.1%), P=0.011)], was more frequently associated with SDHB mutations [13 (42.9%) vs. 3 (10.7%), P=0.008], and was more likely to have concurrent metastases [12 (41.3%) vs. 5 (17.9%), P=0.005]. Metastatic PCC primary tumours were larger compared to PGL [median length 8.9 (4.0, 17.0) cm vs. 6.1 (1.0, 15.8) cm, P=0.020]. Conclusions:Patients with PGL present with metastases over an extremely wide time span, and patients diagnosed with PPGL should be followed throughout their lives. PGL is more prone to multifocal metastases and simultaneous metastases than PCC, and PGL is more highly correlated with the SDHB mutation.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of sodium fluorescein-guided microsurgery in children with medulloblastoma,and to analyze the surgical efficacy and prognosis.Among them,12 cases underwent unilateral telovelar approach,2 cases underwent bilateral telovelar approach,and 6 cases underwent telovelar approach combined with transvermian approach.The intraoperative dose of sodium fluorescein was 2 mg/kg.Methods The clinical data of 20 patients with medulloblastoma treated with fluorescein sodium assisted microsurgery from January 2018 to August 2023 in Xinjiang Autonomous Region People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of the 20 patients,12 were male and 8 were female.The mean age of onset was(7.9±3.7)years.In all cases,there was clear tumor fluorescence,none of the cases had adverse reaction associated with the use of sodium fluorescein.There were 16 cases of gross-total resection,3 cases of near-total resection,1 case of partial resection,1 case of intracranial infection,2 case of subcutaneous effusion,2 cases of cerebellar mutism.The follow-up time was from 3 to 72 months.5 cases did not receive sufficient radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and 9 cases died due to tumor progression or recurrence.In all cases,the longest overall survival was 72 months,the mean survival time was 39.2 months,and the median survival time was 41.2 months.Conclusion Fluorescein sodium assisted microsurgery is safe and effective in pediatric medulloblastoma surgery.

AIM:To investigate the impact of platycodin D(PD)on the viability,migration,invasion,apop-tosis and cell cycle of osteosarcoma cells in vitro,along with its underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Human osteosarco-ma cells MG63 and U2OS were divided into control group(0 μmol/L)and PD treatment group(6.25,12.5,25,50 and 100 μmol/L,respectively).Human osteosarcoma cells MG63 and U2OS were categorized into control groups(0 μmol/L PD)and PD treatment groups(6.25,12.5,25,50 and 100 μmol/L).The CCK-8 assay determined cell viability and identified effective treatment concentrations.MG63(15 μmol/L PD)and U2OS(25 μmol/L PD)were specifically ana-lyzed.Cell scratch and Transwell assays assessed migration and invasion.Hoechst 33342 staining examined nuclear mor-phological changes.Flow cytometry analyzed cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate.Western blot measured protein ex-pression levels:cleaved caspase-3,cleaved PARP,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),p-JNK,B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-ssociated X protein(BAX),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2),MMP-9,cyclin-dependent kinase 4(CDK4),cyclin D1,CDK1,cyclin B1,extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and p-ERK.Proteome sequencing of MG63 cells was performed.RESULTS:PD treatment significantly decreased cell survival,scratch healing rate,and invasive cell numbers,while increasing apoptosis rates(P<0.05).Morphological changes such as nuclear hyperchroma-tism and fragmentation were observed in PD-treated cells.PD induced G2/M phase arrest in MG63 and G0/G1 phase arrest in U2OS cells.PD treatment upregulated BAX,cleaved caspase-3,cleaved PARP,and p-JNK/JNK,while downregulat-ing Bcl-2,MMP-2,MMP-9,CDK4,cyclin D1,CDK1,cyclin B1,and p-ERK/ERK(P<0.05).Proteome sequencing re-vealed PD's involvement in cell division,cell cycle regulation,focal adhesion,apoptosis,and the MAPK signaling path-way.CONCLUSION:PD inhibits cell viability,migration,and invasion of osteosarcoma cells in vitro,while promoting apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest.These effects are likely mediated through modulation of the MAPK signaling path-way.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of composite surgery in the treatment of chronic common carotid artery occlusion(CCAO).Methods:A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 7 patients with CCAO admitted to Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2020 to December 2023 were collected retrospectively. There were 6 males and 1 female. The age was (66.7±10.9) years, ranging from 52 to 83 years. Outpatient or telephone follow-up were conducted after surgery, carotid artery ultrasound or computed tomography angiography were performed at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively to determine vascular patency. The selection of surgical methods and clinical effect were analyzed. Normally distributed measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s). The measurement data of skewed distribution were expressed by M ( Q1, Q3). Count data were expressed as frequency. Results:All 7 patients were diagnosed with chronic CCAO before operation, 6 on the left and 1 on the right. 3 cases affected the middle and distal segments of the common carotid artery, 1 case affected the proximal segment, and 1 case each affected the middle and distal segments, the remaining case involves the entire common carotid artery. All the procedures were successfully performed, among which 4 cases underwent carotid endarterectomy combined with stent placement, and 3 cases did not receive stent placement after carotid endarterectomy. 1 patient developed neck hematoma after surgery and the remaining patients recovered well after surgery without any complications or deaths. The follow-up time was 13.5(4.0, 20.5) months; 1 patient was lost to follow-up, and 6 patients received effective follow-up. the common carotid artery remained unobstructed in all 6 patients, and there were no transient ischemic attacks or strokes during the follow-up period.Conclusion:Composite surgery is a safe and feasible method that can be used to treat chronic CCAO lesions, and has satisfactory short-term results.

Objective: To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD). Methods: The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated. Results: During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio. Conclusion Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.