Postmortem Diffusion of Aconitum Alkaloids and Their Metabolites in Rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the postmortem diffusion rule of Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites in poisoned rabbits, and to provide a reference for identifying the antemortem poisoning or postmortem poisoning of Aconitum alkaloids. METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits were sacrificed by tracheal clamps. After 1 hour, the rabbits were administered with aconitine LD50 in decocting aconite root powder by intragastric administration. Then, they were placed supine and stored at 25 ℃. The biological samples from 3 randomly selected rabbits were collected including heart blood, peripheral blood, urine, heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney tissues at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after intragastric administration, respectively. Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites in the biological samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). RESULTS: At 4 h after intragastric administration, Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites could be detected in heart blood, peripheral blood and major organs, and the contents of them changed dynamically with the preservation time. The contents of Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites were higher in the spleen, liver and lung, especially in the spleen which was closer to the stomach. The average mass fraction of benzoylmesaconine metabolized in rabbit spleen was the highest at 48 h after intragastric administration. In contrast, the contents of Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites in kidney were all lower. Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites were not detected in urine. CONCLUSIONS: Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites have postmortem diffusion in poisoned rabbits, diffusing from high-content organs (stomach) to other major organs and tissues as well as the heart blood. The main mechanism is the dispersion along the concentration gradient, while urine is not affected by postmortem diffusion, which can be used as the basis for the identification of antemortem and postmortem Aconitum alkaloids poisoning.

Performance and symptom validity indicators among children undergoing cognitive surveillance following treatment for craniopharyngioma.

Background: Performance validity tests (PVTs) and symptom validity tests (SVTs) are essential to neuropsychological evaluations, helping ensure findings reflect true abilities or concerns. It is unclear how PVTs and SVTs perform in children who received radiotherapy for brain tumors. Accordingly, we investigated the rate of noncredible performance on validity indicators as well as associations with fatigue and lower intellectual functioning. Methods: Embedded PVTs and SVTs were investigated in 98 patients with pediatric craniopharyngioma undergoing proton radiotherapy (PRT). The contribution of fatigue, sleepiness, and lower intellectual functioning to embedded PVT performance was examined. Further, we investigated PVTs and SVTs in relation to cognitive performance at pre-PRT baseline and change over time. Results: SVTs on parent measures were not an area of concern. PVTs identified 0-31% of the cohort as demonstrating possible noncredible performance at baseline, with stable findings 1 year following PRT. Reliable digit span (RDS) noted the highest PVT failure rate; RDS has been criticized for false positives in pediatric populations, especially children with neurological impairment. Objective sleepiness was strongly associated with PVT failure, stressing need to consider arousal level when interpreting cognitive performance in children with craniopharyngioma. Lower intellectual functioning also needs to be considered when interpreting task engagement indices as it was strongly associated with PVT failure. Conclusions: Embedded PVTs should be used with caution in pediatric craniopharyngioma patients who have received PRT. Future research should investigate different cut-off scores and validity indicator combinations to best differentiate noncredible performance due to task engagement versus variable arousal and/or lower intellectual functioning.

A bibliometric analysis of research on organizational resilience.

Organizational resilience is a key concept in the study of sustainable corporate growth and indicates an organization's capacity to recover from adversity. It plays a crucial role in responding to uncertain crises. In recent years, academic interest in organizational resilience has increasingly gained prominence. This research uses CiteSpace and VOSviewer to provide a thorough visual analysis of pertinent international literature based on 342 pieces of closely linked literature about organizational resilience. The findings suggest that organizational resilience research is currently experiencing a development phase. Within this field, there is a substantial number of scholars involved, with the most prolific among them including Aleksic Aleksandar, Prayag Girish, and Griffiths Andrew. The networks of collaboration among these authors, nevertheless, are very scattered. Co-citation network research reveals the academics with the biggest sway in the field. Organizational resilience, conservation of resources theory, crisis management, corporate social responsibility, and emergency management are identified as research hotspots within the keyword co-citation network. Furthermore, to determine which countries and regions are the most influential, this study has created a cooperative network among them. China, the United States, and England are the top three nations with articles published. Not only are the highly cited journals respected in the management sector, but they also showcase noteworthy research accomplishments within the field. The purpose of this study is to investigate potential avenues for future research and offer helpful sources for choosing research subjects and developing theoretical frameworks in this area. The analysis is highly valuable as a reference for research on organizational resilience in different settings in the future.

PRDX1 Interfering Peptide Disrupts Amino Acids 70-90 of PRDX1 to Inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Attenuate Neuroinflammation and Ischemic Brain Injury.

Ischemic stroke ranks among the leading causes of death and disability in humans and is accompanied by motor and cognitive impairment. However, the precise mechanisms underlying injury after stroke and effective treatment strategies require further investigation. Peroxiredoxin-1 (PRDX1) triggers an extensive inflammatory cascade that plays a pivotal role in the pathology of ischemic stroke, resulting in severe brain damage from activated microglia. In the present study, we used molecular dynamics simulation and nuclear magnetic resonance to detect the interaction between PRDX1 and a specific interfering peptide. We used behavioral, morphological, and molecular experimental methods to demonstrate the effect of PRDX1-peptide on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in mice and to investigate the related mechanism. We found that PRDX1-peptide bound specifically to PRDX1 and improved motor and cognitive functions in I/R mice. In addition, pretreatment with PRDX1-peptide reduced the infarct area and decreased the number of apoptotic cells in the penumbra. Furthermore, PRDX1-peptide inhibited microglial activation and downregulated proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α through inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby attenuating ischemic brain injury. Our findings clarify the precise mechanism underlying PRDX1-induced inflammation after ischemic stroke and suggest that the PRDX1-peptide can significantly alleviate the postischemic inflammatory response by interfering with PRDX1 amino acids 70-90 and thereby inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our study provides a theoretical basis for a new therapeutic strategy to treat ischemic stroke.

[Effects of 4-hydroxy-2(3H)-benzoxazolone on proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer L3.6 cells].

This study explored the effects of 4-hydroxy-2(3H)-benzoxazolone(HBOA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells and its molecular mechanism. The L3.6 cells cultured in vitro were treated with HBOA of 0-1.0 mmol·L~(-1). The cell viability was detected by the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method, and the half inhibitory concentration(IC_(50)) was analyzed to determine the drug concentration and time. The cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope and by acridine orange(AO) staining. The ability of proliferation and self-renewal were evaluated through live cell counting and colony formation experiments. The cell cycle progression and cell apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry. The morphology of cell apoptosis was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), cyclinA1, cyclinA2, cyclin dependent kinase 2(CDK2), and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A(P21) were determined by qPCR. The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS), lipid peroxide, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometry. The activity of protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. Compared with the control group, the cells treated with HBOA exhibited a significant decrease in viability. Then the optimal concentration and intervention time of HBOA were determined to be 0.4 mmol·L~(-1), 0.6 mmol·L~(-1), and 48 h. Compared with the control group, groups with HBOA of 0.4 mmol·L~(-1 )and 0.6 mmol·L~(-1) showed a significant suppression in cell proliferation and colony formation ability, down-regulated mRNA of PCNA, cyclinA1, cyclinA2, and CDK2, up-regulated P21 mRNA, S-phase cell cycle arrest, and increased cell apoptosis rate. There was an appearance of apoptotic bodies, increased ROS and lipid peroxide, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential(with a significant decrease in 0.6 mmol·L~(-1) group), and down-regulated p-Akt and p-mTOR proteins. The results show that HBOA inhibits the proliferation of pancreatic cancer L3.6 cells and induces cell apoptosis, which may be related to the increase in reactive oxygen species and the inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathway.

Increased FGF-21 Improves Ectopic Lipid Deposition in the Liver and Skeletal Muscle.

Obesity can lead to excessive lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissues, such as the liver and skeletal muscles, leading to ectopic lipid deposition and damaging target organ function through lipotoxicity. FGF-21 is a key factor in regulating lipid metabolism, so we aim to explore whether FGF-21 is involved in improving ectopic lipid deposition. We observed the characteristics of ectopic lipid deposition in the liver and skeletal muscles of obesity-resistant mice, detected the expression of FGF-21 and perilipin, and found that obesity-resistant mice showed a decrease in ectopic lipid deposition in the liver and skeletal muscles and increased expression of FGF-21. After inhibiting the expression of FGF-21, a more severe lipid deposition in liver cells and skeletal muscle cells was found. The results indicate that inhibiting FGF-21 can exacerbate ectopic lipid deposition via regulating lipid droplet synthesis and decomposition, as well as free fatty acid translocation and oxidation. In conclusion, FGF-21 is involved in improving ectopic lipid deposition caused by obesity in the liver and skeletal muscles.

Cerebellar Mutism Syndrome and Dentato-Thalamo-Cortical Tract Disruption in Diffusion Tractography Following Surgery for Medulloblastoma.

Background Cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS), a complication following medulloblastoma surgery, has been linked to dentato-thalamo-cortical tract (DTCT) injury; the association of the degree of DTCT injury with severity of CMS-related symptoms has not been investigated. Purpose To investigate the association between severity of CMS-related symptoms and degree and patterns of DTCT injury with use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and if laterality of injury influences neurologic symptoms. Materials and Methods This retrospective case-control study used prospectively collected clinical and DTI data on patients with medulloblastoma enrolled in a clinical trial (between July 2016 and February 2020) and healthy controls (between April and November 2017), matched with the age range of the participants with medulloblastoma. CMS was divided into types 1 (CMS1) and 2 (CMS2). Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between CMS likelihood and DTCT injury. Results Overall, 82 participants with medulloblastoma (mean age, 11.0 years ± 5.2 [SD]; 53 male) and 35 healthy controls (mean age, 18.0 years ± 3.06; 18 female) were included. In participants with medulloblastoma, DTCT was absent bilaterally (AB), absent on the right side (AR), absent on the left side (AL), or present bilaterally (PB), while it was PB in all healthy controls. Odds of having CMS were associated with higher degree of DTCT damage (AB, odds ratio = 272.7 [95% CI: 269.68, 275.75; P < .001]; AR, odds ratio = 14.40 [95% CI: 2.84, 101.48; P < .001]; and AL, odds ratio = 8.55 [95% CI: 1.15, 74.14; P < .001). Left (coefficient = -0.07, χ2 = 12.4, P < .001) and right (coefficient = -0.15, χ2 = 33.82, P < .001) DTCT volumes were negatively associated with the odds of CMS. More participants with medulloblastoma with AB showed CMS1; unilateral DTCT absence prevailed in CMS2. Lower DTCT volumes correlated with more severe ataxia. Unilateral DTCT injury caused ipsilateral dysmetria; AB caused symmetric dysmetria. PB indicated better neurologic outcome. Conclusion The severity of CMS-associated mutism, ataxia, and dysmetria was associated with DTCT damage severity. DTCT damage patterns differed between CMS1 and CMS2. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Dorigatti Soldatelli and Ertl-Wagner in this issue.

Silibinin attenuates TGF-ß2-induced fibrogenic changes in human trabecular meshwork cells by targeting JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Transforming growth factor-ß2 (TGF-ß2) induced fibrogenic changes in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells have been implicated in trabecular meshwork (TM) damage and intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Silibinin (SIL) exhibited anti-fibrotic properties in various organs and tissues. This study aimed to assess the effects of SIL on the TGF-ß2-treated HTM cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our study found that SIL effectively inhibited HTM cell proliferation, attenuated TGF-ß2-induced cell migration, and mitigated TGF-ß2-induced reorganization of both actin and vimentin filaments. Moreover, SIL suppressed the expressions of fibronectin (FN), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the TGF-ß2-treated HTM cells. RNA sequencing indicated that SIL interfered with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB, also known as AKT) signaling pathway, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, and focal adhesion in the TGF-ß2-treated HTM cells. Western blotting demonstrated SIL inhibited the activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathways induced by TGF-ß2, potentially contributing to its inhibitory effects on ECM protein production in the TGF-ß2-treated HTM cells. Our study demonstrated the ability of SIL to inhibit TGF-ß2-induced fibrogenic changes in HTM cells. SIL could be a potential IOP-lowering agent by reducing the fibrotic changes in the TM tissue of POAG patients, which warrants further investigation through additional animal and clinical studies.

[Differences in the Elderly Care Service Demand,Preference,and Tendency Between Urban and Rural Areas in the Pearl River Delta].

Objective To understand the differences in the demand,preference,and tendency for elderly care services between urban and rural areas in the Pearl River Delta (PRD),and to provide reference for the planning and balanced allocation of elderly care resources in urban and rural areas. Methods Using the multi-stage stratified random sampling method,we selected 7 community health service centers in 2 prefecture-level cities in the PRD and conducted a questionnaire survey on the elderly care service demand,preference,and tendency among 1919 regular residents aged 60 years and above who attended the centers. Results A total of 641 urban elderly residents (33.4%) and 1278 rural elderly residents (66.6%) were surveyed in the PRD.The urban and rural elderly residents showed differences in the child number (χ2=43.379,P<0.001),willingness to purchase socialized elderly care services (χ2=104.141,P<0.001),and attitudes to the concept of raising child to avoid elderly hardship (χ2=65.632,P<0.001).The proportion (71.8%) of rural elderly residents who prefer family-based elderly care was higher than that (57.1%) of urban elderly residents (χ2=41.373,P<0.001).The proportion (62.2%) of urban elderly residents clearly expressing their willingness to choose institutions for elderly care was higher than that (44.0%) of rural elderly residents (χ2=57.007,P<0.001).Compared with family-based elderly care,the willingness to choose institutional or community-based in-house elderly care was low among the urban elderly residents with surplus monthly household income or balanced income and expenditure;urban males,those with college education background or above,and those who purchased socialized elderly care services tended to prefer community-based in-house elderly care.In rural areas,the elderly residents who had local household registry were prone to choose institutional or community-based in-house elderly care,while those who had more than one child and those who were satisfied with the current living conditions were less willing to choose community-based in-house elderly care. Conclusions It is suggested that the urban-rural differences in the elderly care service demand,preference and tendency should be fully considered in the planning and allocation of urban and rural elderly care resources.Efforts remain to be made to develop diversified social elderly care services tailored to the characteristics of urban and rural areas.

Profile of Lipoprotein Subclasses in Chinese Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.

To investigate the plasma lipoprotein subclasses in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), a total of 20 Chinese POAG patients on intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering treatment and 20 age-matched control subjects were recruited. Based on the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), the study subjects were divided into elevated- and normal-level subgroups. The plasma lipoprotein, lipoprotein subclasses, and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels were quantitatively measured. The discrimination potential of the lipoproteins was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and their correlation with clinical parameters was also evaluated. Compared to the control subjects with elevated TC and/or LDL-C levels, the levels of TC, LDL-C, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL), LDL subclass LDL3 and small dense LDL (sdLDL), and oxLDL were significantly higher in POAG patients with elevated TC and/or LDL-C levels. No differences in any lipoproteins or the subclasses were found between the POAG patients and control subjects with normal TC and LDL-C levels. Moderate-to-good performance of TC, LDL-C, non-HDL, LDL3, sdLDL, and oxLDL was found in discriminating between the POAG patients and control subjects with elevated TC and/or LDL-C levels (AUC: 0.710-0.950). Significant negative correlations between LDL3 and sdLDL with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in the superior quadrant and between LDL3 and average RNFL thickness were observed in POAG patients with elevated TC and/or LDL-C levels. This study revealed a significant elevation of plasma lipoproteins, especially the LDL subclasses, in POAG patients with elevated TC and/or LDL-C levels, providing insights on monitoring specific lipoproteins in POAG patients with elevated TC and/or LDL-C.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein changes the inflammatory status and metabolomics profiles in human and mouse macrophages and microglia.

The conjunctiva of primary open angle glaucoma patients showed high level of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), which is associated with the inflammatory response. Microglia and macrophages are the immune cells involved in retinal ganglion cell survival regulation; yet, their roles of the ox-LDL-induced inflammation in glaucoma remain elusive. Here we aimed to investigate the lipid uptake, inflammatory cytokine expression, and metabolomics profiles of human and murine-derived microglial and macrophage cell lines treated with ox-LDL. Under the same ox-LDL concentration, macrophages exhibited higher lipid uptake and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines as compared to microglia. The ox-LDL increased the levels of fatty acid metabolites in macrophages and sphingomyelin metabolites in microglia. In summary, this study revealed the heterogeneity in the inflammatory capacity and metabolic profiles of macrophages and microglia under the stimulation of ox-LDL.

Evaluation of the inhibitory effects of antigout drugs on human carboxylesterases in vitro.

Gout is an immune-metabolic disease that frequently coexists with multiple comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, therefore, it is often treated in combination with these complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of antigout drugs (allopurinol, febuxostat, topiroxostat, benzbromarone, lesinurad and probenecid) on the activity of the crucial phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes, carboxylesterases (CESs). 2-(2-benzoyl-3-methoxyphenyl) benzothiazole (BMBT) and fluorescein diacetate (FD) were utilized as the probe reactions to determine the activity of CES1 and CES2, respectively, through in vitro culturing with human liver microsomes. Benzbromarone and lesinurad exhibited strong inhibition towards CESs with Ki values of 2.16 and 5.15 µM for benzbromarone towards CES1 and CES2, respectively, and 2.94 µM for lesinurad towards CES2. In vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) indicated that benzbromarone and lesinurad might disturb the metabolic hydrolysis of clinical drugs in vivo by inhibiting CESs. In silico docking showed that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions contributed to the intermolecular interactions of antigout drugs on CESs. Therefore, vigilant monitoring of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is imperative when co-administering antigout drugs in clinical practice.

Identifying carbon sequestration's priority supply areas from the standpoint of ecosystem service flow: A case study for Northwestern China's Shiyang River Basin.

Finding important supply areas helps maintain the ecological security of the region and promotes the creation of healthy ecosystems. By considering the ecosystem service flows (ESF), priority provisioning area studies can be approached from a new perspective. This study describes the real supply in terms of flows. The goal was to reveal the priority-ranked supply pattern of ecosystem carbon sequestration services (ECSS) in the Shiyang River Basin (SRB). First and foremost, soil respiration models and Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model were used to examine the supply of ECSS, and a combination of natural and human factors was used to determine the demand for ECSS. Second, Python was used to illustrate the ECSS flow trajectories and flows. Lastly, and utilized in conjunction with System Conservation Planning (SCP) to determine supply regions of importance. The results show that, first, the spatial distribution of ECSS supply and demand clearly demonstrates heterogeneity. This is reflected in the spatial characteristics of supply, which are "high in the south and low in the north," and demand, which is "high in the urban areas and low in the suburbs." Second, the middle and lower portions of the basin, where there is little precipitation and little vegetation, are home to the majority of the locations with poor carbon sequestration fluxes. These areas accounted for almost 60 % of the entire watershed area over time. Third, the first priority area of ECSS occupies 19.3 % of the basin's total area, while the second priority area occupies 21.46 %. For the major supply regions, strict ecological protection laws must be implemented going forward in order to ensure the ability to sustain ECSS supply. The long-term growth of SRB as well as ecological and environmental management can benefit from this research's foundational role in policymaking.

Association between the cumulative triglyceride-glucose index and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index values are a new surrogate marker for insulin resistance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between cumulative TyG index values and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). METHODS: A total of 576 patients with AF who underwent RFCA at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were included in this study. The participants were grouped based on cumulative TyG index values tertiles within 3 months after ablation. Cox regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to determine the relationship between cumulative TyG index values and AF recurrence. The predictive value of all risk factors was assessed by receiver operating curve analysis. RESULTS: There were 375 patients completed the study (age: 63.23 ± 10.73 years, 64.27% male). The risk of AF recurrence increased with increasing cumulative TyG index values tertiles. After adjusting for potential confounders, patients in the medium cumulative TyG index group [hazard ratio (HR) = 4.949, 95% CI: 1.778-13.778, P = 0.002] and the high cumulative TyG index group (HR = 8.716, 95% CI: 3.371-22.536, P < 0.001) had a higher risk of AF recurrence than those in the low cumulative TyG index group. The restricted cubic spline regression model also showed an increased risk of AF recurrence with increasing cumulative TyG index values. When considering cumulative TyG index values, left atrial diameter, and lactate dehydrogenase levels as a comprehensive factor, the model could effectively predict AF recurrence after RFCA [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.847, 95% CI: 0.797-0.897, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative TyG index values were a risk factor for AF recurrence after RFCA. Monitoring longitudinal TyG index values may assist with optimized for risk stratification and outcome prediction for AF recurrence.

Laryngeal paraganglioma: The analysis of misdiagnosed cases and literature review.

Laryngeal paraganglioma (LP) is an exceptionally rare neuroendocrine tumor, underscoring importance of accurate identification to preclude misdiagnoses. In this review, we presented two typical misdiagnosed LPs, and offered reviews of LP cases reported over the preceding decade and all documented misdiagnosed LP cases. Furthermore, we systematically investigated the underlying causes of misdiagnosis and elucidated key points for effective differentiation. A retrospective analysis of 28 LP cases revealed a predominant occurrence in middle-aged women, with an average history of 25.1 months. Through an analysis of all misdiagnosed cases (n = 37), supraglottic LPs were frequently misidentified as laryngeal carcinomas and vascular tumors, while subglottic LPs were often misdiagnosed as thyroid cancers. And the occurrence of misdiagnosis resulted in delayed and inappropriate treatments, contributing to the deterioration of LP patients (14 cases, 37.8%). In conclusion, this review endeavored to heighten awareness of LPs, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnostic precision and enhancing patient outcomes.

A retrospective study of occlusal reconstruction in patients with old jaw fractures and dentition defects.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the methods and clinical effects of multidisciplinary collaborative treatment for occlusal reconstruction in patients with old jaw fractures and dentition defects. METHODS: Patients with old jaw fractures and dentition defects who underwent occlusal reconstruction at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled. Clinical treatment was classified into 3 phases. In phase I, techniques such as orthognathic surgery, microsurgery, and distraction osteogenesis were employed to reconstruct the correct three-dimensional (3D) jaw position relationship. In phase II, bone augmentation and soft tissue management techniques were utilized to address insufficient alveolar bone mass and poor gingival soft tissue conditions. In phase III, implant-supported overdentures or fixed dentures were used for occlusal reconstruction. A summary of treatment methods, clinical efficacy evaluation, comparative analysis of imageological examinations, and satisfaction questionnaire survey were utilized to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy in patients with traumatic old jaw fractures and dentition defects. All data are summarized using the arithmetic mean and standard deviation and compared using independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: In 15 patients with old jaw fractures and dentition defects (an average age of 32 years, ranging from 18 to 53 years), there were 7 cases of malocclusion of single maxillary fracture, 6 of malocclusion of single mandible fracture, and 2 of malocclusion of both maxillary and mandible fractures. There were 5 patients with single maxillary dentition defects, 2 with single mandibular dentition defects, and 8 with both maxillary and mandibular dentition defects. To reconstruct the correct 3D jaw positional relationship, 5 patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla, 3 underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible, 4 underwent open reduction and internal fixation for old jaw fractures, 3 underwent temporomandibular joint surgery, and 4 underwent distraction osteogenesis. All patients underwent jawbone augmentation, of whom 4 patients underwent a free composite vascularized bone flap (26.66%) and the remaining patients underwent local alveolar bone augmentation. Free gingival graft and connective tissue graft were the main methods for soft tissue augmentation (73.33%). The 15 patients received 81 implants, of whom 11 patients received implant-supported fixed dentures and 4 received implant-supported removable dentures. The survival rate of all implants was 93.82%. The final imageological examination of 15 patients confirmed that the malocclusion was corrected, and the clinical treatment ultimately achieved occlusal function reconstruction. The patient satisfaction questionnaire survey showed that they were satisfied with the efficacy, phonetics, aesthetics, and comfort after treatment. CONCLUSION: Occlusal reconstruction of old jaw fractures and dentition defects requires a phased sequential comprehensive treatment, consisting of 3D spatial jaw correction, alveolar bone augmentation and soft tissue augmentation, and implant-supported occlusal reconstruction, achieving satisfactory clinical therapeutic efficacy.

Effects of electroacupuncture on the PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in diabetic cognitive impairment rats. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹ç³–å°¿ç— è®¤çŸ¥åŠŸèƒ½éšœç¢å¤§é¼ PI3K/Akt/CREBä¿¡å·é€šè·¯å’Œæµ·é©¬ç¥žç»å ƒå‡‹äº¡çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway-related proteins and hippocampal neuron apoptosis in diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI) rats, and to explore the mechanisms of EA in treating DCI. METHODS: Adult male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, and EA groups, with 12 rats in each group. The animal model of DCI was replicated using a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin. The EA group received EA stimulation at "Yishu" (EX-B6), "Zusanli" (ST36), "Baihui" (GV20), and "Dazhui" (GV14). Blood glucose contents of the rats in each group were measured. The Morris water maze test was used to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 neurons. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt, as well as CREB, p-CREB, cysteine aspartate pro-tease (Caspase)-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax) in the hippocampal tissue of rats. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the rats' random blood glucose contents were significantly increased (P<0.01), the escape latency prolonged (P<0.01), and the original platform crossing counts reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. Significant damage to hippocampal CA1 neurons, a significantly increased neuronal apoptosis index (P<0.01), decreased ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt and expression of CREB, p-CREB and Bcl-2 proteins, increased expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins (P<0.01) were observed in the hippocampal tissue of rats in the model group. Compared with the model group, the rats in the EA group showed decreased random blood glucose content (P<0.01), shortened escape latency (P<0.01), increased original platform crossing counts (P<0.01), improved quantity and pathological morphology and ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons, reduced neuronal apoptosis index (P<0.01), increased ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt, and expression of CREB, p-CREB and Bcl-2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hippocampal tissue, and decreased expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA can improve the learning and memory abilities of rats with DCI, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway-related proteins, which attenuates the neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of rats, and improves the neural function.

A Fast-Charge Graphite Anode with a Li-Ion-Conductive, Electron/Solvent-Repelling Interface.

Graphite has been serving as the key anode material of rechargeable Li-ion batteries, yet is difficultly charged within a quarter hour while maintaining stable electrochemistry. In addition to a defective edge structure that prevents fast Li-ion entry, the high-rate performance of graphite could be hampered by co-intercalation and parasitic reduction of solvent molecules at anode/electrolyte interface. Conventional surface modification by pitch-derived carbon barely isolates the solvent and electrons, and usually lead to inadequate rate capability to meet practical fast-charge requirements. Here we show that, by applying a MoOx-MoNx layer onto graphite surface, the interface allows fast Li-ion diffusion yet blocks solvent access and electron leakage. By regulating interfacial mass and charge transfer, the modified graphite anode delivers a reversible capacity of 340.3 mAh g-1 after 4000 cycles at 6 C, showing promises in building 10-min-rechargeable batteries with a long operation life.

Morphologic and Functional Assessment of Photoreceptors in Laser-Induced Retinopathy Using Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy and Microperimetry.

PURPOSE: To assess the cone photoreceptors' morphology and associated retinal sensitivity in laser-induced retinopathy (LIR) using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO) and microperimetry (MP). DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: This study included 13 patients (15 eyes) with LIR and 38 age-matched healthy volunteers (38 eyes). Participants underwent comprehensive evaluations including AO-SLO, MP, and spectral-domain OCT. Lesion morphology, cone density, dispersion, and regularity in AO-SLO were assessed and correlated with visual function. RESULTS: In AO-SLO images, LIR lesions were predominantly characterized by hyporeflective regions, suggesting potential cone loss at the fovea, accompanied by the presence of sizable clumps of hyperreflective material within these lesions. The average size of lesions in affected eyes was 97,128±107,478 µm², ranging from 6705 to 673,348 µm². Compared with the healthy contralateral eye and control group, LIR demonstrated significantly reduced cone density, increased cone dispersion, and notably decreased cone regularity in all 4 quadrants at 3° eccentricity (all P values < .05). Lesion morphology in AO-SLO correlated with ellipsoid zone defects observed in OCT, showing a positive correlation in size (r = 0.84, P < .001) but not with retinal sensitivities (P = .09). Similarly, cone density at 3° eccentricity did not correlate with retinal sensitivities (P = .13). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The study provides crucial insights into the morphologic and functional impacts of LIR on cone photoreceptors, revealing significant morphologic changes in cones that do not consistently align with functional outcomes. This research highlights the need for continued exploration into the relationship between retinal structure and function in LIR, and the importance of heightened public awareness and preventive strategies to mitigate the risk of LIR.

Visual outcome of various dose of glucocorticoids treatment in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy- a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this investigation was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of distinct glucocorticoid therapy dosages in the management of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, unmasked, and non-randomized study included a total of 85 patients. The patients were categorized into four groups: Group 1 (control) consisted of 15 patients who did not receive glucocorticoids, Group 2 included 16 patients administered with oral prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d for 14 days, Group 3 comprised 30 patients who received 250 units of methylprednisolone once daily for 3 days, followed by oral prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d for 11 days, and Group 4 encompassed 24 patients who received 500 units of methylprednisolone once daily for 3 days, followed by oral prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d for 11 days. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed at baseline and the final follow-up (> 7 days post-treatment). The changes in visual acuity between baseline and the 7-14 day follow-up, as well as between baseline and the concluding appraisal, were employed as metrics for assessing the extent of visual enhancement. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in the final visual outcomes or in the changes between final visual acuity and baseline across the four groups. In Group 1 (control), the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained unchanged during final follow-ups compared to baseline. Conversely, the intervention groups exhibited statistically significant enhancements in BCVA during final follow-up (p = 0.012, p = 0.03, and p = 0.009 for Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4, respectively) when compared to baseline. During the 7-14 day follow-up, there was a significant difference in the changes between baseline BCVA and follow-up BCVA across the groups (p = 0.035). Go a step further by Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, group 4 showed a greater change in vision compared with group1 (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Our study on acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) showed no significant final visual outcome differences. Nevertheless, Groups 2, 3, and 4 demonstrated improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) during the final follow-up. Notably, a 500-unit dose of methylprednisolone resulted in short-term BCVA enhancement. This suggests potential consideration of 500 units of methylprednisolone for short-term NAION vision improvement, despite its limited long-term impact.