Preparation modification strategies for clinical treatment drugs of Parkinson's disease / 药学学报

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. At present, levodopa and other drugs are mainly used for dopamine supplementation therapy. However, the absorption of levodopa in the gastrointestinal tract is unstable and its half-life is short, and long-term use of levodopa will lead to the end-of-dose deterioration, dyskinesia, the "ON-OFF" phenomenon and other symptoms. Therefore, new preparations need to be developed to improve drug efficacy, reduce side effects or improve compliance of patients. Based on the above clinical needs, this review briefly introduced the preparation modification strategies for the treatment of PD through case analysis, in order to provide references for the research and development of related preparations.

Relationship of balance in static single-leg stance to muscle strength and position sense of ankle in individuals with functional ankle instability / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship of the static single-leg stance balance with ankle muscles strength and position sense in individuals with functional ankle instability (FAI). MethodsFrom March to May, 2023, 44 FAI individuals were recruited in Hebei Normal University, and the maximum isokinetic muscle strength (60°/s and 180°/s) and position sense as ankle flexion, extension, inversion and eversion were measured using isokinetic dynamometer; while the center of pressure (COP) sway distance and envelope area were measured as static single-leg stance with eyes open or closed using three-dimensional force plate. ResultsThe maximum isokinetic torque as ankle eversion at 180°/s correlated with the COP anterior-posterior sway distance with eyes closed (r = -0.378, P < 0.05). ConclusionExplosive ankle eversion strength is related with the balance in static single-leg stance, which may help to evaluate and intervent the ankle function of FAI individuals.

Not Available

Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

Treatment advice of small molecule antiviral drugs for elderly COVID-19 / 中国药理学通报

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.

Machine learning modeling identifies hypertrophic cardiomyopathy subtypes with genetic signature / 医学前沿

Previous studies have revealed that patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) exhibit differences in symptom severity and prognosis, indicating potential HCM subtypes among these patients. Here, 793 patients with HCM were recruited at an average follow-up of 32.78 ± 27.58 months to identify potential HCM subtypes by performing consensus clustering on the basis of their echocardiography features. Furthermore, we proposed a systematic method for illustrating the relationship between the phenotype and genotype of each HCM subtype by using machine learning modeling and interactome network detection techniques based on whole-exome sequencing data. Another independent cohort that consisted of 414 patients with HCM was recruited to replicate the findings. Consequently, two subtypes characterized by different clinical outcomes were identified in HCM. Patients with subtype 2 presented asymmetric septal hypertrophy associated with a stable course, while those with subtype 1 displayed left ventricular systolic dysfunction and aggressive progression. Machine learning modeling based on personal whole-exome data identified 46 genes with mutation burden that could accurately predict subtype propensities. Furthermore, the patients in another cohort predicted as subtype 1 by the 46-gene model presented increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. By employing echocardiography and genetic screening for the 46 genes, HCM can be classified into two subtypes with distinct clinical outcomes.

Improving Blood Monocyte Energy Metabolism Enhances Its Ability to Phagocytose Amyloid-β and Prevents Alzheimer's Disease-Type Pathology and Cognitive Deficits / 神经科学通报·英文版

Deficiencies in the clearance of peripheral amyloid β (Aβ) play a crucial role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that the ability of blood monocytes to phagocytose Aβ is decreased in AD. However, the exact mechanism of Aβ clearance dysfunction in AD monocytes remains unclear. In the present study, we found that blood monocytes in AD mice exhibited decreases in energy metabolism, which was accompanied by cellular senescence, a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and dysfunctional phagocytosis of Aβ. Improving energy metabolism rejuvenated monocytes and enhanced their ability to phagocytose Aβ in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, enhancing blood monocyte Aβ phagocytosis by improving energy metabolism alleviated brain Aβ deposition and neuroinflammation and eventually improved cognitive function in AD mice. This study reveals a new mechanism of impaired Aβ phagocytosis in monocytes and provides evidence that restoring their energy metabolism may be a novel therapeutic strategy for AD.

Effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement on postoperative left ventricular reverse remodeling in patients with aortic regurgitation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To investigate the left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in patients with aortic valve insufficiency with reduced ejection fraction (AIrEF) and aortic valve insufficiency with preserved ejection fraction (AIpEF) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods    The clinical and follow-up data of patients who underwent TAVR in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the guideline, the patients with left ventricular ejection fraction<55% were allocated to an AIrEF group, and the patients with left ventricular ejection fraction≥55% were allocated to an AIpEF group. Results    A total of 50 patients were enrolled. There were 19 patients in the AIrEF group, including 15 males and 4 females with a mean age of 74.5±7.1 years. There were 31 patients in the AIpEF group, including 19 males and 12 females with a mean age of 72.0±4.8 years. All patients underwent TAVR successfully. Echocardiographic results showed that TAVR significantly promoted LVRR in the patients. Significant LVRR occurred in the early postoperative period (the first day after the surgery) in both groups. It remained relatively stable after the LVRR in the early postoperative period (the first day after surgery) in the AIpEF patients, while it continued to occur in the early postoperative period (the first day after surgery) to three months after the surgery in the AIrEF patients, and then remained relatively stable. Compared to preoperative values, AIrEF patients had a reduction in the average left ventricular end-diastolic volume index and left ventricular end-systolic volume index by 16.8 mL/m2 (P=0.003) and 8.6 mL/m2 (P=0.005), respectively, and the average left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index and end-systolic diameter index decreased by 2.5 mm/m2 (P=0.003) and 1.9 mm/m2 (P=0.003), respectively on the first day after the surgery. In comparison to the first day after the surgery, AIrEF patients experienced an average increase of 12.1% in the left ventricular ejection fraction three months after the surgery (P<0.001). Conclusion    TAVR has achieved good therapeutic effects in patients with aortic valve insufficiency, significantly promoting the LVRR in patients, and has better curative effects in AIrEF patients.

Survey on satisfaction and employment intention of general practice residents in Shanxi province / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To survey the satisfaction and employment intention of general practice residents (GPRs) in Shanxi Province.Methods:A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in May 2021 among GPRs in Shanxi Province through the residency training information management platform. The questionnaire included general demographic information, clinical competency and independent practice ability, the status of the training base, their satisfaction with the training, career prospects and employment intention. The survey results were analyzed.Results:A total of 452 questionnaires were distributed, and 434 valid ones were recovered with an effective recovery rate of 96.02%. The age of respondents was (27.4±4.6) years, there were 155 GPRs (35.71%) enrolled in 2018, 131 GPRs (30.18%) in 2019, and 148 GPRs (34.10%) in 2020. A total of 286 GPRs (65.9%) thought that they were able to independently complete some procedures such as abdominal puncture, lumbar puncture, chest puncture, and bone puncture, and the proportion of GPRs who were able to complete the above procedures increased with the training time (49.3%(73/148), 70.2%(92/131), and 78.1%(121/155) in 2020, 2019, and 2018 batches, respectively, χ2=29.39, P<0.001); 372 respondents (85.7%) thought that they were able to independently receive patients with common diseases and make preliminary diagnosis and treatment, while there was no significant difference in the proportion of GPRs enrolled in 2020, 2019, and 2018 ( χ2=3.35, P=0.188); 425 GPRs (97.9%) expressed that the base arranged rotation according to the training syllabus; 390 GPRs (89.9%) thought that the proportion of knowledge and skill assessment in the final examination was appropriate. The survey showed that 70 GPRs (16.1%) thought that the number of cases and types of diseases in the teaching base fully met the requirements of the training program, 144 GPRs (33.2%) thought that mostly met the requirements, 197 GPRs (45.4%) thought that basically met the requirements, 22 GPRs (5.1%) thought that most of them did not meet the requirements, and 1 GPR (0.2%) thought that completely did not meet the requirements. Most of the respondents (368 (84.8%)) reported that they received guidance from clinical instructors for medical record writing; 174 (40.1%) and 172 (39.6%) GPRs were very satisfied or satisfied with general practice teachers and teaching base instructors; 207 GPRs (47.7%) were satisfied with accommodation (or subsidies), while 38 GPRs (8.3%) were very dissatisfied; 203 GPRs (46.8%) were satisfied with basic salary and benefit, while 35 GPRs (8.1%) were very dissatisfied. For general practice as the career, 88 GPRs (20.3%) liked it very much, 255 GPRs (58.8%) liked it, 67 GPRs (15.4%) did not like it very much, and 24 GPRs (5.5%) disliked it. For the prospects of general practice, 108 GPRs (24.9%) considered it very optimistic, 219 GPRs (50.5%) considered it relatively optimistic, 92 GPRs (21.2%) considered it not very optimistic, and 15 GPRs (3.5%) considered it very pessimistic. Regarding employment intentions, 174 GPRs (40.1%) intended to choose municipal hospitals, 170 GPRs (39.2%) to choose county level hospitals, only 9 GPRs (2.1%) to choose village clinics. Conclusions:The survey indicates that for GPRs the most dissatisfied aspects are the salary and benefit, as well as the living conditions during their training; after completing the contract, most GPRs hope to work in hospitals at county and above levels.

Research progress on the efficacy and safety of PARP inhibitors in mCRPC / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are novel agents for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in recent years, and a variety of PARP inhibitors have been reported with clinical evidence for the beneficial. Although these drugs are actually of attributes with pharmacological similarities, due to the discrepancies in the molecular structure and pharmacodynamics, the respective efficacy and safety from clinical circumstances are quite varied. While it comes to the best clinical determination, the optimization for regimen is important on the basis of clinical exhaustiveness for the reports, in addition the laboratory examination for mCRPC, and either the tumorous genetic benchmark are necessarily being calculated.

Research progress in hip-preserving modalities for early osteonecrosis of the femoral head in young and middle-aged patients / 中华创伤杂志

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is one of the common and difficult-to-treat orthopedic diseases caused by a variety of factors that lead to abnormal blood flow to the femoral head, which in turn leads to deformation and collapse of the femoral head and eventually results in severe hip joint dysfunction. The key to the treatment is early diagnosis and correct treatment according to the stage classification and active prevention of further aggravation of ONFH aiming to delay or avoid hip replacement surgery in young and middle-aged patients. At present, there are various non-surgical and surgical hip-preserving modalities for early ONFH, designed to slow down the progression of the disease, prevent the femoral head from collapsing and stop the mild collapse. In recent years, with the emergence and development of bone reconstruction biomaterials, artificial bone reconstruction after scraping of ONFH lesions has shown great potential in the treatment of early ONFH. The authors review the research progress in hip-preserving modalities for early ONFH in young and middle-aged patients from non-surgical and surgical perspectives, hoping to provide a reference for clinical treatment of early ONFH.

Clinical efficacy of da Vinci Xi surgical system assisted programmed six-hole method anterior resection of rectal cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of da Vinci Xi surgical system assisted programmed six-hole method anterior resection of rectal cancer.Methods:The retrospec-tive cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 102 patients with middle and low rectal cancer who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from August 2020 to June 2021 were collected. There were 62 males and 40 females, aged (53±12)years. Of the 102 patients, 51 cases undergoing da Vinci Xi surgical system assisted programmed six-hole method anterior resection of rectal cancer were divided into the robotic group and 51 cases undergoing laparoscopic anterior resection of rectal cancer were divided into the laparoscopic group. Observa-tion indicators: (1) treatment; (2) postoperative pathological examination; (3) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Repeated measurement data were analyzed using the repeated ANOVA. Results:(1) Treatment. All patients of the two groups under-went radical resection of rectal cancer successfully, and none of patient with intraoperative blood transfusion, conversion to open surgery, and death within 30 days after surgery. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative first liquid food intake, time to postoperative catheter removal, cases with postoperative pain grading as grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, cost of treatment were (170±12)minutes, (73±50)mL, 23±6, (35.1±9.4)hours, (2.1±0.8)days, (2.9±2.7)days, 13, 15, 17, 6, (7.1±4.5) ten thousand yuan in patients of the robotic group, versus (153±22)minutes, (119±66) mL, 15±4, (40.7±1.9)hours, (2.9±0.4)days, (5.3±2.1)days, 6, 7, 26, 12, (6.7±1.6) ten thousand yuan in patients of the laparoscopic group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=6.79, -4.46,20.09, -3.01, -5.54, -16.69, Z=-2.87, t=4.22, P<0.05). (2) Postoperative patho-logical examination. The tumor diameter, length of specimen resected, distance of upper resection margin to tumor, distance of lower resection margin to tumor, cases with mesorectal specimens as integrity and mostly integrity, cases with tumor differentiation as high differentiation, moderate differentiation, low differentiation, cases with postoperative TNM staging as stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲ were (3.8±1.1)cm, (18.7±3.2)cm, (11.8±3.6)cm, (2.7±0.8)cm, 48, 3, 4, 41, 6, 6, 17, 28 in patients of the robotic group, versus (3.7±1.0)cm, (18.3±2.8)cm, (10.2±2.7)cm, (2.5±0.6)cm, 46, 5, 6, 39, 6, 5,20, 26 in patients of the laparoscopic group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=1.72, 1.29, 1.64, 1.11, χ2=0.14, Z=-0.42, -0.26, P>0.05). Cases with positive circumferential margin and cases with destruction of mesentery was 0 and 0 in patients of the robotic group, versus 1 and 1 in patients of the laparoscopic group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). (3) Follow-up. All patients in the two groups were followed up for 12 months after surgery and none of patient had postoperative local recurrence and distant metastasis of tumors. The anal incontinence score, low anterior resection syndrome score, international prostate symptom score, night urination score, international index of erectile score, female sexual function index score in patients of the robotic group were 0, 12.25±1.08, 4.43±0.33, 0.49±0.09, 24.07±2.75, 65.84±1.79 before surgery and 1.34±0.11, 18.11±3.54, 4.03±0.26, 1.08±0.28, 22.63±2.03, 38.57±6.13 at postoperative 12 months, respectively. The above indicators in patients of the laparoscopic group were 0, 12.60±1.11, 4.56±0.36, 0.46±0.07, 23.11±2.77, 66.31±1.73 before surgery and 1.99±1.33,20.85±6.19, 6.43±1.78, 2.27±0.23, 21.00±2.73, 27.62±8.20 at postoperative 12 months, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The oncological effects of da Vinci Xi surgical system assisted programmed six-hole method anterior resection of rectal cancer and lapa-roscopic anterior resection of rectal cancer are comparable. However, robotic surgery is superior to laparoscopic surgery in terms of intraoperative bleeding, lymph node dissection, gastrointestinal function recovery, and pelvic autonomic nerve protection.

Diagnosis and treatment of internal hernia after laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

With the development of laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer, more and more surgeons use laparoscopic techniques and even totally laparoscopic techniques in gastric cancer surgery. However, technological progress brings not only smaller trauma, but also new problems and risks. Compared with traditional open surgery, the high incidence of internal hernia after laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery is an urgent problem to be solved. As the incidence of internal hernia often occurs after discharge, patients usually choose the nearest hospital for diagnosis and treatment due to the urgent course of disease. As a result, patients with internal hernia often have serious complications due to delayed treatment because of the difficulty in diagnosis. Sometimes, there are patients even death. The authors review the relevant research on postoperative internal hernia of gastric cancer in recent years and combine with practical experience to discuss the diagnosis and treatment strategy of internal hernia after laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer, aiming to improve the clinicians′ attention to the disease and provide reference for its diagnosis and treatment.

Application value of short-term prehabilitation in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of short-term prehabilitation in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery.Methods:Elderly patients(139 cases) with gastrointestinal tumors who were admitted to Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University for surgery from December 2020 to January 2022 were included through the purposive sampling method, and were divided into the intervention group (69 cases) and the control group (70 cases) according to the patient's wishes using a quasi-experimental research design of non randomized grouped. Routine perioperative nursing was used in the control group, while the short-term prehabilitation was used in the intervention group in addition. The incidence of postoperative complications, the performance indicators, and postoperative functional recovery indicators were analyzed in the two groups.Results:The 6MWD in the intervention group of 1 day and 7 days after the surgery were (460.93 ± 76.36) m and (391.72 ± 72.93) m, which were significant higher than those in the control group, (423.69 ± 72.88) m and (351.13 ± 65.04) m ( t = 8.65, 12.01, both P<0.05). The first exhaust time, first postoperative ambulatory time, the first full fluid intake time and the duration of drainage tube indwelling in the intervention group were (51.28 ± 21.74) h, (33.93 ± 12.50) h, (69.39 ± 29.36) h and (4.30 ± 1.44) d, which were significant lower than those in the control group, (71.51 ± 23.68) h, (47.37 ± 14.58) h, (96.29 ± 38.36) h and (5.35 ± 2.09) d ( t values were -5.83 - -3.44, all P<0.05). Besides, the best critical value of preoperative 6MWD to predict postoperative rehabilitation effect was 477.5 m, with a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 71%. Conclusions:Short-term prehabilitation improves the perioperative functional reserve and promotes overall functional recovery after surgery to a certain extent, and the postoperative functional recovery effect may be better when the patient′s preoperative 6MWD reaches 477.5 m.

Biomechanical Study on Contiguous Three-Level Cervical Hybrid Surgery and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare the biomechanical effects of contiguous three-level cervical Hybrid surgery[anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) + cervical disc arthroplasty ( CDA)] and three-level ACDF. Methods The finite element model of C1-T1 cervical-thoracic spine was developed based on CT data. Three models were simulated by the implantation of Prestige LP and Zero-P prostheses, including two Hybrid models (AFA, Prestige LP implanted at C3-4 and C5-6 segments and Zero-P implanted at C4-5 segment; FAF, Zero-P implanted at C3-4 and C5-6 segments and Prestige LP implanted at C4-5 segment) and three-level ACDF model(FFF). The changes in range of motion (ROM) of adjacent levels during flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, the overall ROM, as well as the intradiscal pressure ( IDP) and facet contact force ( FCF) of adjacent levels were compared. Results The ROM in adjacent levels and the overall ROM of the AFA modelwere closer to the intact model, and the maximum increases in the ROM of the adjacent levels for the FAF and FFF models were 15. 0% and 23. 4% , respectively. For AFA, FAF and FFF models, the maximum increases in the maximum IDP of adjacent levels were 19. 0% , 66. 7% , 147. 6% , and the maximum increases in FCF were 17. 4% , 55. 7% , 80. 1% , respectively. Conclusions This study provides biomechanical basis for three-level cervical Hybrid surgery in treating patients with the contiguous three-level cervical degenerative disc disease.

Time-Dependent Changes in the Bladder Muscle Metabolome After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats Using Metabolomics / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

Purpose@#The main treatment options of neurogenic bladder remains catheterization and long-term oral medications. Metabolic interventions have shown good therapeutic results in many diseases. To date, no studies have characterized the metabolites of the detrusor muscle during neurogenic bladder. Using metabolomics, new muscle metabolomic signatures were identified to reveal the temporal metabolic profile of muscle during disease progression. @*Methods@#We used 42 Sprague-Dawley rats (200±20 g, males) for T10 segmental spinal cord injury modeling and collected detrusor tissue and performed nontargeted metabolomics after sham surgery, 30-minute, 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, 5-day, and 2-week postmodelling, to identify the dysregulated metabolic pathways and key metabolites. @*Results@#By comparing mzCloud, mzVault, MassList, we identified a total of 1,271 metabolites and enriched a total of 12 metabolism-related pathways with significant differences (P<0.05) based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Metabolites in several differential metabolic pathways such as ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, Steroid hormone biosynthesis, and carbon metabolism are altered in a regular manner before and after ridge shock. @*Conclusions@#Our study is the first time-based metabolomic study of rat forced urinary muscle after traumatic spinal cord injury, and we identified multiple differential metabolic pathways during injury that may improve long-term management strategies for neurogenic bladder and reduce costs in long-term treatment.

Clinical practice guidelines and real-life practice in hepatocellular carcinoma: A Taiwan perspective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Taiwan. The Taiwan Liver Cancer Association and the Gastroenterological Society of Taiwan developed and updated the guidelines for HCC management in 2020. In clinical practice, we follow these guidelines and the reimbursement policy of the government. In Taiwan, abdominal ultrasonography, alpha-fetoprotein, and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) tests are performed for HCC surveillance every 6 months or every 3 months for high-risk patients. Dynamic computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound have been recommended for HCC surveillance in extremely high-risk patients or those with poor ultrasonographic visualization results. HCC is usually diagnosed through dynamic imaging, and pathological diagnosis is recommended. Staging of HCC is based on a modified version of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system, and the HCC management guidelines in Taiwan actively promote curative treatments including surgery and locoregional therapy for BCLC stage B or C patients. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), drug-eluting bead TACE, transarterial radioembolization, and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy may be administered for patients with BCLC stage B or C HCC. Sorafenib and lenvatinib are reimbursed as systemic therapies, and regorafenib and ramucirumab may be reimbursed in cases of sorafenib failure. First-line atezolizumab with bevacizumab is not yet reimbursed but may be administered in clinical practice. Systemic therapy and external beam radiation therapy may be used in specific patients. Early switching to systemic therapy in TACE-refractory patients is a recent paradigm shift in HCC management.

Ambient dose equivalent in 99mTcO4- single photon emission computed tomography of the thyroid among patients with hyperthyroidism / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the changes of ambient dose equivalent rate in 99mTcO4- single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the thyroid among patients with hyperthyroidism, so as to provide insights into radiation protection guidance.@*Methods@#Patients with hyperthyroidism who underwent 99mTcO4- SPECT of the thyroid in a tertiary hospital were enrolled. The ambient dose equivalent rate was measured at different time points following 99mTcO4- infection and at sites with different distances from patients' neck, and the effects of time post-injection, distance from patients' neck, 24-hour thyroidal radioiodine uptake and thyroid weight on the ambient dose equivalent rate were examined using a generalized linear mixed model.@*Results@#Totally 100 patients with hyperthyroidism were enrolled, including 24 men and 76 women and with a mean age of (38.5±14.0) years. The generalized linear mixed model was statistically significant (F=6 610.165, P<0.001), and patients' thyroid weight, time post-injection and distance from patients' neck significantly affected the ambient dose equivalent rate (F=57.967, 15 988.574, 11 200.645, all P<0.001), and the ambient dose equivalent rate positively correlated with patients' thyroid weight and negatively correlated with time post-injection and distance from patients' neck.@*Conclusions@#The ambient dose equivalent rate is affected by patients' thyroid weight, time post-injection and distance from patients' neck among patients with hyperthyroidism undergoing 99mTcO4- SPECT of the thyroid. Delay in contact with patients or keeping distance from patients may be effective for radiation protection.

Factors influencing mechanical properties of clear aligners and research progress / 口腔医学

@#In recent years, clear aligner technology has been maturing and is rapidly gaining popularity in the orthodontic market for its aesthetic and removable properties. However, despite the background of its large-scale clinical application, mechanical properties of clear aligners need to be studied in depth. This paper reviews the factors influencing mechanical properties of clear aligners and the current status of research to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical application.

Danhong Injection Up-regulates miR-125b in Endothelial Exosomes and Attenuates Apoptosis in Post-Infarction Myocardium / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the involvement of endothelial cells (ECs)-derived exosomes in the anti-apoptotic effect of Danhong Injection (DHI) and the mechanism of DHI-induced exosomal protection against postinfarction myocardial apoptosis.@*METHODS@#A mouse permanent myocardial infarction (MI) model was established, followed by a 14-day daily treatment with DHI, DHI plus GW4869 (an exosomal inhibitor), or saline. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-induced ECs-derived exosomes were isolated, analyzed by miRNA microarray and validated by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). The exosomes induced by DHI (DHI-exo), PBS (PBS-exo), or DHI+GW4869 (GW-exo) were isolated and injected into the peri-infarct zone following MI. The protective effects of DHI and DHI-exo on MI hearts were measured by echocardiography, Masson's trichrome staining, and TUNEL apoptosis assay. The Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to evaluate the expression levels of miR-125b/p53-mediated pathway components, including miR-125b, p53, Bak, Bax, and caspase-3 activities.@*RESULTS@#DHI significantly improved cardiac function and reduced infarct size in MI mice (P<0.01), which was abolished by the GW4869 intervention. DHI promoted the exosomal secretion in ECs (P<0.01). According to the results of exosomal miRNA microarray assay, 30 differentially expressed miRNAs in the DHI-exo were identified (28 up-regulated miRNAs and 2 down-regulated miRNAs). Among them, DHI significantly elevated miR-125b level in DHI-exo and DHI-treated ECs, a recognized apoptotic inhibitor impeding p53 signaling (P<0.05). Remarkably, treatment with DHI and DHI-exo attenuated apoptosis, elevated miR-125b expression level, inhibited capsase-3 activity, and down-regulated the expression levels of proapoptotic effectors (p53, Bak, and Bax) in post-MI hearts, whereas these effects were blocked by GW4869 (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#DHI and DHI-induced exosomes inhibited apoptosis, promoted the miR-125b expression level, and regulated the p53 apoptotic pathway in post-infarction myocardium.

Efficacy analysis of autologous facet joint bone block in lumbar interbody fusion of osteoporosis patients / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To compare and analyze the feasibility of autologous facet joint bone block as an alternative to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in lumbar intervertebral fusion surgery for patients with osteoporosis.@*METHODS@#From December 2018 to June 2021, the case data of patients with osteoporosis (T value ≤ -2.5 on dual energy X-ray bone density) who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. All the cases were followed up for no less than 12 months and were divided into two groups according to the differences of interbody fusion materials: the autologous facet joint bone block group (autogenous bone group) and the PEEK cage group (PEEK group). The general data [such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), primary diagnosis, distribution of fusion segments, bone mineral density of lumbar (BMD), incidence of preoperative complications], the perioperative data (such as duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion rate), and the incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Imaging parameters (disc height, lumbar lordosis angle, segment lordosis angle, segmental lordosis angle, disc height improvement rate, and fusion rate) and lumbar functional scores [visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score for lower back pain] were compared to evaluate the clinical efficacy between the kinds of intervertebral fusion materials 1 week, 3 months and 6 months postoperative and at the last follow-up.@*RESULTS@#A total of 118 patients were enrolled, including 68 cases in the autogenous bone group and 50 cases in the PEEK group, there were no statistical differences in age, gender, BMI, primary diagnosis, distribution of fusion segments, BMD, incidence of preoperative complications, duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion rate, incidence of postoperative complications, all the preoperative imaging parameters and all the lumbar function scores between the two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative superficial surgical site infections occurred in 3 patients in the autogenous bone group and 2 patients in the PEEK group. At the last follow-up, 3 cases of intervertebral graft collapse occurred in the autogenous bone group and 5 cases in the PEEK group, 1 case of graft subsidence in the autogenous bone group and 1 case in the PEEK group. All the imaging parameters showed significant differences between postoperation and preoperation (P < 0.05), and all the imaging parameters showed significant differences between 1 week and 3 months postoperative in both groups (P < 0.05). The height, angle of fusion gap in the autogenous bone group were lower than those in the PEEK group 1 week postoperatively (P < 0.05), and the fusion gap height improvement rate in the autogenous bone group was lower than that in the PEEK group (P < 0.05). The cases in both groups started to show final fusion 3 months after surgery, and the fusion rate in the autogenous bone group was 75% 6 months postoperatively, which was significantly higher than the rate of 56% in the PEEK group (P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference in the final fusion rate between the two groups (P>0.05). The ODI, the postoperative VAS score was significantly lower than that in preoperation, while the postoperative JOA score was significantly higher than that in preoperation (P < 0.05). The ODI was lower while the JOA score was higher of the autogenous bone group than that of the PEEK group 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#In osteoporosis patients, good interbody fusion rate and improvement of lumbar vertebral function can be obtained by using autologous facet joint bone block or PEEK cage, while the fusion rate and the improvement of lumbar function with autologous facet joint bone block are better than those with PEEK cage 6 months post-operatively. PEEK cage is superior to autologous facet joint bone block in intervertebral distraction and improvement of lumbar lordosis. Significant disc space subsidence occurred in osteoporotic patients within 3 months after lumbar interbody fusion, and the subsidence of PEEK cage was more obvious than that of autologous facet joint bone block.