To explore the correlation between human body fat distribution and carotid athero-sclerosis.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Huangqin Decoction(HQD)on ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice and explore its mechanism.Methods Male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,mesalazine group(5-ASA,200 mg/kg),and low-,medium-and high-dose HQD groups(2.275,4.55 and 9.1 g/kg,respectively).With the exception of those in the normal control group,all the mice were exposed to 3%DSS solution in drinking water for 7 days to establish UC models.After treatment with the indicated drugs,the mice were assessed for colon injury and apoptosis using HE,AB-PAS and TUNEL staining,and the expression levels of inflammatory factors were detected with ELISA.Western blotting,immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to detect the changes in protein expressions associated with the intestinal chemical barrier,mechanical barrier and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).Results HQD treatment significantly reduced DAI score and macro score of UC mice,decreased colonic epithelial cell apoptosis,lowered expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-8,and enhanced the expressions of MUC2 and TFF3.HQD treatment also upregulated the protein expressions of claudin-1,occludin and E-cadherin,reduced the expressions of GRP78,CHOP,caspase-12 and caspase-3,decreased the phosphorylation levels of PERK,eIF2α and IRE1α,and increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the colon tissues of UC mice.Conclusion HQD inhibits colonic epithelial cell apoptosis and improves intestinal barrier function in UC mice possibly by reducing ERS mediated by the PERK and IRE1α signaling pathways.

This study utilized the CCK-8 assay to examine the effects of various concentrations of CoCl2(0,50,100,200,300,400 μmol/L)and different treatment durations(0,6,12,24,48 h)on the viability of adipocytes,in order to determine the most suitable treatment conditions.Western blot analysis was employed to investigate the impact of different concentrations of CoCl2(0,50,100,200,400 μmol/L)on the expression of hypoxia and its downstream key proteins in adipocytes.The results indicated that higher concentrations of CoCl2 led to lower adipocyte viability,with sig-nificant decreases in cell viability observed in the 300,400 μmol/L treatment groups(P＜0.01),while the 200 μmol/L group exhibited the highest cell viability.Compared to the control group,the 200 μmol/L CoCl2 treatment group showed a significant upregulation in the expression of hypoxia and its downstream signaling pathway key molecules:hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha(HIF-1α),glucose transporter type 4(GLUT4),vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1(FLT-1),prolyl hydroxylase 2(PHD2),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)(P＜0.01).Addi-tionally,the 200 μmol/L CoCl2 treatment group exhibited higher levels of key lipolytic enzymes,including adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL),perilipin 1(PLIN1),protein kinase A(PKA),and increased phosphorylation levels of hormone-sensitive lipase(HSL)in the 300 and 400 μmol/L groui ps(P＜0.01).CoCl2-mediated hypoxia in the 200 μmol/L treatment group also in-creased the protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and the phosphorylation level of protein kinase B(Akt).These findings suggest that adding 200 μmol/L CoCl2 can enhance the expression of hypoxia-related proteins,lipolytic enzymes,and insulin-related signaling proteins in primary bovine adipocytes.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Huangqin Decoction(HQD)on ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice and explore its mechanism.Methods Male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,mesalazine group(5-ASA,200 mg/kg),and low-,medium-and high-dose HQD groups(2.275,4.55 and 9.1 g/kg,respectively).With the exception of those in the normal control group,all the mice were exposed to 3%DSS solution in drinking water for 7 days to establish UC models.After treatment with the indicated drugs,the mice were assessed for colon injury and apoptosis using HE,AB-PAS and TUNEL staining,and the expression levels of inflammatory factors were detected with ELISA.Western blotting,immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to detect the changes in protein expressions associated with the intestinal chemical barrier,mechanical barrier and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).Results HQD treatment significantly reduced DAI score and macro score of UC mice,decreased colonic epithelial cell apoptosis,lowered expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-8,and enhanced the expressions of MUC2 and TFF3.HQD treatment also upregulated the protein expressions of claudin-1,occludin and E-cadherin,reduced the expressions of GRP78,CHOP,caspase-12 and caspase-3,decreased the phosphorylation levels of PERK,eIF2α and IRE1α,and increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the colon tissues of UC mice.Conclusion HQD inhibits colonic epithelial cell apoptosis and improves intestinal barrier function in UC mice possibly by reducing ERS mediated by the PERK and IRE1α signaling pathways.

Objective: To explore the application effect of a four-dimensional smile design as the leading and facial streamline as the reference system in the aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth. Methods: A case of scattered space in anterior teeth was treated with a four-dimensional smile design and digital aesthetic restoration with ultrathin porcelain veneer. The digital information of the patients was obtained through oral and facial scanning, and a four-dimensional smile design and prediction were carried out. After the treatment plan was jointly determined by doctors and patients, minimally invasive abutment preparation was carried out, and ultrathin porcelain veneer was made and bonded in place. After the operation, the esthetic degree and marginal fit were observed and reexamined one year after the repair. Results : The edges of the ultrathin ceramic veneers were naturally tight, and the color was coordinated, with satisfying pink and white esthetics. The face was more harmonious and natural when smiling. One year after the restoration, the facial aesthetics were wonderful, the abutment teeth and periodontal tissues were healthy, and the patients were satisfied. The results of the literature review showed that the fitting of temporal facial scanning and intraoral scanning data can accurately predict four-dimensional smile aesthetics, simulate the real state of the dynamic smile and pronunciation process, and combine it with facial streamlines to design a natural and coordinated personalized smile for patients with asymmetric faces. However, for patients with occlusal changes, unstable occlusion or temporomandibular joint disorder, it is necessary to add data fitting, such as electronic facial arch and cone beam CT, to more accurately simulate postoperative mandibular movement. Conclusion With a four-dimensional smile design as the leading and facial streamline as the reference system, the whole process digital design assisted the restoration of asymmetric anterior teeth with ultrathin porcelain veneer and had a good effect. The postoperative smiling of patients is harmonious and beautiful, which is in line with the expected effect. Patient participation and satisfaction are high; thus, this method is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with eszopiclone in the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder and its influence on brain electrical activity.Methods:Ninety patients with chronic insomnia were randomly divided into rTMS group, drug group and combination group, with 30 cases each group. The rTMS group was treated with bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal lobe (left 5 Hz 400 pulse, right 1 Hz 1 200 pulse), the drug group was treated with eszopiclone (3mg/d) and the combination group was treated with rTMS + eszopiclone. Continuous treatment for 2 weeks, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and changes in brain electricity activity (α, β, θ, δ) and sleep parameters were evaluated before treatment, after treatment and during follow-up. The SPSS generalized linear model statistical method was used to analyze the changes of each evaluation index.Results:Compared with before treatment, the PSQI score of the combination group decreased (7.2±1.7 vs 13.2±2.9), and the improvement was better than that of the rTMS group (9.2±2.5 vs 12.1±2.8) and the drug group (7.5±2.8 vs 11.4±2.9) ( P<0.05). Multiple comparisons results showed that combination group > drug group > rTMS group; and combination group > rTMS group > drug group during follow-up. After treatment and during follow-up, the HAMA and HAMD scores of the rTMS group and the combination group decreased. There was no statistical difference in the improvement rate between the two groups, but they were all higher than the drug group ( P<0.05). After treatment and during follow-up, the β power of the rTMS group and the combination group decreased, and the α power increased, but there was no statistical difference in the δ and θ power. The β, δ and θ power in the drug group increased ( P<0.05), but the α power had no statistical difference. Multiple comparisons results showed that the power of β, δ and θ bands in the rTMS group and the combination group were lower than the drug group, α power was higher than that in the drug group ( P<0.05). Compared with before treatment During follow-up, the sleep latency of the combination group and rTMS group was shorten, and the total sleep time, sleep efficiency, deep sleep (N3) and rapid eye movement (REM) increased( P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the changes of sleep parameters in the drug group. Conclusions:rTMS combined with Eszopiclone can significantly improve the sleep quality of patients with chronic insomnia, which is better than that of rTMS and Eszopiclone alone, and it can reduce cortical excitability by regulating brain electrical activity. It can be an ideal treatment for patients with chronic insomnia disorder.

Objective To evaluate the preoperative value of dual contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS) on obstructive jaundice.Methods Seventy-nine patients with obstructive jaundice were included.DCEUS (percutaneous transhepatic contrast-enhanced cholangio-ultrasonography combined with intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound) was performed preoperatively.The biliary obstruction plane,degree and cause were observed.After surgery,the diagnostic accuracy of DCEUS was compared with final pathologic results respectively.Results The overall accuracy of DCEUS in determining the flat,degree and cause of biliary obstruction was 98.7％,98.7％ and 93.7％,respectively.The DCEUS and golden standard were both almost perfect for assessing biliary obstruction with Kappa values of 0.979,0.837 and 0.975(P =0.000).The overall diagnostic accuracy of obstruction combined with obstruction plane,the extent and cause was 92.4％.Conclusions DCEUS could be considered a feasible,reliable,and exhaustive method for preoperative evaluation of obstructive jaundice.