Objective To explore the diagnostic value of endoscopic grading of gastric intestinal metaplasia (EGGIM) score under acetic acid-enhanced narrow band imaging (AA-NBI) observation mode for gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent gastroscopy at Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from February 2022 to February 2023 were selected. All patients underwent both white light and AA-NBI endoscopy, with photographic records of intestinal metaplasia in five areas: greater curvature of antrum, lesser curvature of antrum, greater curvature of corpus, lesser curvature of corpus and incisura. EGGIM score was performed: 0 for no intestinal metaplasia, 1 point for focal intestinal metaplasia (GIM area ratio≤30%), 2 points for extensive intestinal metaplasia (GIM area ratio＞30%), with a total score of 10 points. Targeted biopsies were performed on suspicious GIM lesions found during endoscopy. If no suspicious GIM lesions were observed, random biopsies were performed according to the updated Sydney system. The pathological histological examination results were staged based on the operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) system. The diagnostic value of EGGIM score for OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of AA-NBI in detecting GIM were 96.3%, 91.6%, 94.5%, 95.0%, and 93.6%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for EGGIM diagnosing OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ was 0.952 (95%CI 0.914-0.990). The optimal cut-off value for EGGIM was 5 points, with a sensitivity of 96.7% (95%CI 87.6%-99.4%) and specificity of 88.1% (95%CI 76.5%-94.7%). Conclusions EGGIM score (≥5 points) under AA-NBI mode has good diagnostic capability for patients with OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ.

Renal tumor scoring systems can describe the anatomical characteristics of renal tumors. It is an important standard to evaluate the surgical complexity and to evaluate the surgical complexity and feasibility of partial nephrectomy. Scholars at home and abroad have established various scoring systems based on different anatomical parameters，such as R.E.N.A.L.，PADUA，C-Index，which are used to guide the clinical selection of surgical modalities，and predict perioperative complications and prognosis. In this paper，various scoring systems are grouped into three major categories according to their functions：prediction of surgical complexity，prediction of complications，and prediction of prognosis. The contents，characteristics and clinical application value of various renal tumor scoring systems are introduced in detail to guide urologists，enhance their surgical decision-making ability，and improve the clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND:Overactive osteoclasts disrupt bone homeostasis and play a bad role in the pathological mechanisms of related skeletal diseases,such as osteoporosis,fragility fractures,and osteoarthritis.Studies have confirmed that ellagic acid and ellagtannin have the potential to inhibit osteoclast differentiation.As their natural metabolites,urolithin A has antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,anti-proliferative and anti-cancer effects,but its effect on osteoclast differentiation and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of urolithin A on osteoclast differentiation induced by receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand and its mechanism. METHODS:Mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells(RAW264.7)that grew stably were cultured in vitro.Toxicity of urolithin A(0,0.1,0.5,1.5,2.5 μmol/L)to RAW264.7 cells were detected by cytotoxic MTS assay to screen out the safe concentration.Different concentrations of urolithin A were used again to intervene with receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced differentiation of RAW264.7 cells in vitro.Then,tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin ring and nucleus staining were performed to observe its effect on the formation and function of osteoclasts.Finally,the expressions of urolithin A on upstream and downstream genes and proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway were observed by western blot and RT-qPCR assays. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Urolithin A inhibited osteoclast differentiation and F-actin ring formation in a concentration-dependent manner and 2.5 μmol/L had the strongest inhibitory effect.Urolithin A inhibited the mRNA expression of Nfatc1,Ctsk,Mmp9 and Atp6v0d2 and the protein synthesis of Nfatc1 and Ctsk,related to osteoclast formation and bone resorption.Urolithin A inhibited the activity of osteoclasts by downregulating the phosphorylation of p38 protein to inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of multiparametric myocardial imaging using a dual-layer detector spectral CT in the non-invasive preoperative assessment of patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 90 patients who underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with dual-layer spectral detector CT and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within 30 days at the Affiliated Changshu Hospital of Nantong University from January 2021 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 189 coronary arteries were included in the study cohort. The patients were divided into PCI ( n=44) and non-PCI groups ( n=46) according to whether they received PCI after evaluation with ICA. The diameter stenosis rate of the coronary arteries, myocardial iodine concentration (IC) and effective atomic number (Z eff) values were obtained from CCTA conventional and spectral images. The IC values and Z eff values of the myocardium in the areas with abnormal perfusion were compared with those in the areas with normal perfusion. The diagnostic performance of these parameters, as well as their combined model, was evaluated and compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) in the pre-PCI assessment of patients with CHD. Results:Baseline patient data did not show statistically significant differences between the PCI and non-PCI groups (all P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in IC values [(0.42±0.28) and (2.26±0.48) mg/ml] and Z eff values (7.39±0.33 and 8.50±0.25) between the myocardium areas with abnormal perfusion and the myocardium areas with normal perfusion in all patients (all P<0.001). The AUC for assessing whether patients with CHD need PCI treatment using myocardial IC and Z eff values were 0.865 and 0.853, respectively, which were significantly higher than assessment based only on lumen diameter stenosis rate (AUC=0.726, P<0.001). Conclusions:The IC and Z eff derived from myocardial spectral images can be used to diagnose myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients with CHD. The spectral myocardial multi-parameters imaging shows promising potentials in pre-PCI assessment of patients with CHD, which can improve the efficiency of evaluation and may help to avoid unnecessarily invasive procedures.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that imbalance of bone metabolism during glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head necrosis is closely related to oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the pathological mechanism by which oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis promote apoptosis in osteoblasts involved in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS:General data and serum specimens were collected from 47 patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.In addition,six femoral head specimens were collected from these patients.According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous(ARCO)staging system,serum specimens were grouped into ARCO Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and IV,while femoral head specimens were classified into ARCO Ⅲ and IV.Serum levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase 1 were measured.The protein expression of superoxide dismutase 1,glutathione peroxidase 4,Bcl-2 in the femoral head was detected and verified by Data independent acquisition(DIA)for quantitative sequencing,western blot and alkaline phosphate detection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The ARCO stage of patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head was independent of age,sex and necrotic side.The serum levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase 1 were higher in patients with ARCO stage Ⅲ compared with those with ARCO stage Ⅱ and IV.The results of DIA protein quantification showed that the function of differential proteins was mainly related to redox.The levels of superoxide dismutase 1,glutathione peroxidase 4,and Bcl-2 in the necrotic region were lower than in the normal region,as well as lower in ARCO stage IV than in ARCO stage Ⅲ.Western blot verified the results of DIA protein quantification.The alkaline phosphatase activity was lower in the necrotic region than in the normal region,as well as lower in ARCO stage IV than in ARCO stage Ⅲ.In the necrotic and sclerotic regions,the function of differential proteins was also related to redox,and superoxide dismutase 1,glutathione peroxidase 4,Bcl-2 protein expression and alkaline phosphatase activity were lower in the necrotic area than in the sclerotic region,as well as lower in ARCO stage IV than in ARCO stage Ⅲ.To conclude,glucocorticoids can influence the progression of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head by upregulating oxidative stress levels,inducing osteoblast ferroptosis,and inhibiting osteogenic function.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Youguiwan on the leptin/Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway in the lung tissue of the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） due to kidney-Yang deficiency. MethodForty rats were modeled for COPD with the syndrome of kidney-Yang deficiency by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide on day 1 and day 14 and continuous fumigation for 6 weeks， during which hydrocortisone was injected intramuscularly at an interval of 3 days. The modeled rats were randomized into model， high- （11.7 g·kg^-1）， medium- （5.85 g·kg^-1）， and low-dose （2.93 g·kg^-1） Youguiwan， and aminophylline （0.054 g·kg^-1） group. In addition， 8 SD rats were set as the blank group. After the completion of modeling， the rats in each group were administrated with the corresponding drug by gavage for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration， samples were collected. A lung function analyzer was used to evaluate the lung function of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-17A （IL-17A）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the lung tissue， and Masson staining was employed to observe the deposition of blue collagen fibers around bronchi in the lung tissue and calculate the inflammation score. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to measure the protein content of collagen type Ⅰ （ColⅠ） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the bronchi. The protein and mRNA levels of leptin， IL-17A， JAK2， and STAT3 in the lung tissue were determined by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction， respectively. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased lung function （P<0.01）， elevated levels of IL-6， IL-17A， and TNF-α in the BALF （P<0.01）， and increased lung inflammation score， deposition of subcutaneous collagen fibers in the airway， and ColⅠ and α-SMA proteins （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the modeling up-regulated the proteins and mRNA levels of leptin， IL-17A， JAK2， and STAT3 in the lung tissue （P<0.01） and enhanced the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， high- and medium-dose Youguiwan improved the lung function， decreased the inflammation score， reduced collagen fiber deposition and ColⅠ and α-SMA proteins， lowered the levels of IL-6， IL-17A， and TNF-α in the BALF， down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of leptin， JAK2， STAT3， and IL-17A， and weakened the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The aminophylline group had higher IL-17A and TNF-α levels than the high-dose Youguiwan group， lower IL-17A level than the medium and low-dose Youguiwan groups， and lower TNF-α level than the low-dose Youguiwan group. Compared with the aminophylline group， the high- and medium-dose Youguiwan groups showed reduced deposition of collagen fibers and protein levels of ColⅠ and α-SMA around the bronchi in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased inflammation score， and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of leptin， JAK2， STAT3， and IL-17A in the lung tissue. ConclusionYouguiwan can prevent airway remodeling by inhibiting IL-17A to reduce inflammation and collagen deposition in COPD rats， which may be related to the inhibition of the leptin/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

AIM: To investigate the role of histidine-rich glycoprotein(HRG)in the neovascularization of diabetic retinopathy in rats.METHODS: Streptozocin(STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were utilized as an experimental model, the protein expression of HRG and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the retinas of normal(Wild type, WT)and diabetic(diabetic mellitus, DM)groups was detected using Western blot(WB). The protein expression of HRG in high-glucose-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(hRMECs)was verified by WB after transfection with HRG small interfering RNA(siRNA)low-expression sequences. The optimal si-HRG#298 sequence was selected for further experiments. In the animal experiment, HRG gene silencing was achieved using an adeno-associated virus(AAV)vector, with AAV2-sh-NC and AAV2-sh-HRG#298 serving as the HRG gene silencing group and the HRG empty vector control group, respectively. The protein expression of HRG and VEGF in each group was then detected by WB following the verification of HRG protein expression. Retinal structural changes were observed by HE staining, and neovascularization changes were observed by PAS staining.RESULTS: HE staining found that the retinal structure in the DM group was disordered, the number of cells in the ganglion cell layer decreased, the number of cells in the inner and outer nuclear layers decreased, and the total retinal thickness also decreased(P<0.05); cellular capillaries were significantly increased in DM rats observed by PAS staining(P<0.05); the protein expression of HRG and angiogenesis factor VEGF was up-regulated in the retina of DM group(P<0.05); the protein expression of HRG was significantly downregulated in high glucose-induced hRMECs(P<0.05); the inhibition of neovascularization in diabetic retinas and the downregulation of VEGF protein expression were achieved through HRG gene silencing(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: HRG promotes neovascularization in the retinas of diabetic rats, and HRG gene silencing can inhibit neovascularization.

Objective To discuss the clinical features,differential diagnosis and complication treatment of a patient with genetic visceral myopathy.Methods Medical history,physical examination and laboratory results of the patient were collected in detail.The pathology of previous surgery was reviewed.The patient's peripheral blood DNA was extracted and submitted for whole-exome sequencing.Subsequent Sanger sequencing was used to complete the pedigree verification of the mutation site.Results The patient was a young female presented with repeated in-complete intestinal obstruction since early childhood.She used to be misdiagnosed as Hirschsprung's disease for a long period and underwent multiple gastrointestinal segment resections.Her intestinal obstruction symptoms were temporarily relieved by surgeries,but severe diarrhea,mucus and bloody stools and malnutrition gradually occurred after the last operation.The patient had bacterial overgrowth in small intestinal tract and followed by intestinal op-portunistic infections secondary to chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.The symptoms improved after anti-infection and enteral element diet treatment.Further pathological consultation and whole-exome gene sequencing confirmed the diagnosis of visceral myopathy related to ATCG2 R148L mutation.Conclusions Patients with early onset of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and have poor response to conventional treatment are recommended to perform genetic test.The patients with hereditary visceral myopathy are susceptible to opportunistic intestinal infection.At-tentions should also be paid to the prevention and treatment of complications to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Purpose To investigate whether ketogenic diet(KD)can promote cognition by regulating brain metabolism and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease model mice.Materials and Methods Twenty male APP/PS1 mice were randomly assigned to either a KD group(APP/PS1+KD)or a regular diet group(APP/PS1),with 10 mice in each group.Additionally,10 wild-type C57BL/6 male mice served as the control group.The APP/PS1+KD group was fed with a ketogenic feed,the APP/PS1 group received a regular diet,and the control group was maintained on standard chow for a duration of 4 months.Blood ketone levels of mice were monitored after 4 weeks and 4 months of continuous feeding.Cognitive function was assessed via the morris water maze.18F-FDG and 18F-DPA-714 micro PET/CT were performed to evaluate the effects of KD on glucose metabolism and neuroinflammation across various brain regions in the Alzheimer's disease mice.Following PET/CT imaging,brain tissue samples were collected,and the hippocampal Cal region was selected for paraffin sectioning to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 through immunofluorescence analysis.Results In the Morris water maze in the fourth month,compared with the control group,the APP/PS1 group had a significantly longer escape latency on days 3-4(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,the APP/PS1 group showed a significant decrease in relative 18F-FDG uptake in brain regions such as the striatum,hippocampus,dorsal thalamus,central gray matter,superior colliculus,olfactory bulb,and midbrain(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Compared with the APP/PS1 group,the APP/PS1+KD group showed a significant increase in relative 18F-FDG uptake in the hippocampus and dorsal thalamus(P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,the APP/PS1 group showed a significant increase in relative uptake of 18F-DPA-714 in brain regions such as the striatum,hippocampus and hypothalamus(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001).Compared with the APP/PS1 group,the APP/PS1+KD group decreased the relative uptake of 18F-DPA-714 in the hippocampus(P＜0.01).Compared with the control group and APP/PS1+KD group,the fluorescence intensity of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 protein in the brain(hippocampus)of APP/PS1 group mice was significantly increased(both P＜0.01).Conclusion KD has the potential to ameliorate cognitive and behavioral deficits in APP/PS1 mice by enhancing brain metabolism and attenuating neuroinflammation.

Objective:To compare the early clinical outcomes, screw placement accuracy and supradjacent facet joint violation between O-arm navigated minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and TLIF for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of low-grade single level lumbar spondylolisthesis patients who have received O-arm navigated MIS-TLIF or open-TLIF treatment from May 2018 to July 2023. There were 60 patients in MIS-TLIF group including 24 males and 36 females, and the average age was 41.0±13.9 years (18-73 years). There were 120 patients in open-TLIF group including 43 males and 77 females, and the average age was 41.6±12.6 years (18-69 years). The demographic and perioperative data of patients were recorded. Preoperative lumbar CT and MRI were evaluated to assess the grade of adjacent facet joint degeneration and fatty infiltration in the lumbar paraspinal muscles. The slip parameters were measured by lateral X-ray films before and after operation, and the screw placement accuracy and supradjacent facet joint violation were evaluated by postoperative CT. Patient reported outcomes, including Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were collected preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.Results:There was no significant difference in demographic data, adjacent facet joint degeneration, fatty infiltration of lumbar paraspinal muscles and preoperative ODI and VAS scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time in MIS-TLIF group (223.3±23.0 min) was significantly longer than that in open-TLIF group (187.0±30.5 min, t=8.130, P<0.001), while the intraoperative blood loss (150.7±56.8 ml vs. 392.8±161.5 ml, t=-11.253, P<0.001), postoperative drainage (60.4±19.8 ml vs. 215.2±57.2 ml, t=-20.328, P<0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (4.5±1.7 d vs. 8.4±2.5 d, t=-10.769, P<0.001) in MIS-TLIF group were significantly less. The 3-month postoperative VAS back pain of the MIS-TLIF group (2.0±1.7) was lower than the open-TLIF group (3.2±2.0, t=-3.956, P<0.001). Both groups had similar slip reduction results ( P>0.05). The accuracy of the pedicle screw placement in MIS-TLIF group (98.8%) was better than open-TLIF group (92.3%, P<0.001). The incidence of supradjacent facet joint violation in the MIS-TLIF group was lower than open-TLIF group (27.5% vs. 51.7%, χ 2=19.111, P<0.001). There were no notable surgical complications in MIS-TLIF group except temporary submuscular hematoma in one patient. In open-TLIF group, dural tear occurred in three patients intraoperatively, one patient experienced transient L 5 nerve root palsy after surgery and one patient had wound superficial tissue infection. All the complications were successfully treated with conservative measures. Conclusion:O-arm navigated MIS-TLIF had better short-term clinical effect and higher accuracy of pedicle screw placement in treating lumbar spondylolisthesis.