3D biological scaffold delivers Bergenin to reduce neuroinflammation in rats with cerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe form of stroke characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Currently, there is a significant lack of effective treatments aimed at improving clinical outcomes. Our research team has developed a three-dimensional (3D) biological scaffold that incorporates Bergenin, allowing for the sustained release of the compound. METHODS: This 3D biological scaffold was fabricated using a combination of photoinitiator, GEMA, silk fibroin, and decellularized brain matrix (dECM) to encapsulate Bergenin through advanced 3D bioprinting techniques. The kinetics of drug release were evaluated through both in vivo and in vitro studies. A cerebral hemorrhage model was established, and a 3D biological scaffold containing Bergenin was transplanted in situ. Levels of inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were quantified. The neurological function of rats with cerebral hemorrhage was assessed on days 1, 3, and 5 using the turning test, forelimb placement test, Longa score, and Bederson score. RESULTS: The 3D biological scaffold incorporating Bergenin significantly enhances the maintenance of drug concentration in the bloodstream, leading to a marked reduction in inflammatory markers such as IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 levels in a cerebral hemorrhage model, primarily through the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Additionally, the scaffold effectively reduces the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) in primary cultured astrocytes, which in turn decreases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits IL-6 production induced by hemin. Subsequent experiments reveal that the 3D biological scaffold containing Bergenin promotes the activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway, both in vivo and in vitro, thereby preventing cell death. Moreover, the application of this 3D biological scaffold has been demonstrated to improve drug retention in the bloodstream. CONCLUSION: This strategy effectively mitigates inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death in rats with cerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway while concurrently activating the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells decrease neuroinflammation and facilitate the restoration of nerve function in rats suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage.

Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSC-ex) have become a hopeful substitute for whole-cell therapy due to their minimal immunogenicity and tumorigenicity. The present study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that hUCMSC-ex can alleviate excessive inflammation resulting from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and facilitate the rehabilitation of the nervous system in rats. In vivo, hemorrhagic stroke was induced by injecting collagenase IV into the striatum of rats using stereotactic techniques. hUCMSC-ex were injected via the tail vein at 6 h after ICH model establishment at a dosage of 200 µg. In vitro, astrocytes were pretreated with hUCMSC-ex and then stimulated with hemin (20 µmol/mL) to establish an ICH cell model. The expression of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway proteins and inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-10, was assessed both in vivo and in vitro to investigate the impact of hUCMSC-ex on inflammation. The neurological function of the ICH rats was evaluated using the corner turn test, forelimb placement test, Longa score, and Bederson score on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th day. Additionally, RT-PCR was employed to examine the mRNA expression of TLR4 following hUCMSC-ex treatment. The findings demonstrated that hUCMSC-ex downregulated the protein expression of TLR4, NF-κB/P65, and p-P65, reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß, and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Ultimately, the administration of hUCMSC-ex improved the behavioral performance of the ICH rats. However, the results of PT-PCR indicated that hUCMSC-ex did not affect the expression of TLR4 mRNA induced by ICH, suggesting that hUCMSCs-ex may inhibit TLR4 translation rather than transcription, thereby suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. We can conclude that hUCMSC-ex mitigates hyperinflammation following ICH by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This study provides preclinical evidence for the potential future application of hUCMSC-ex in the treatment of cerebral injury.

Clinicopathological characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of BRAF mutations in ameloblastoma: A Bayesian network analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to analyze the associations between clinicopathological characteristics and BRAF mutations in ameloblastoma (AM) patients and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched from 2010 to 2024. The search terms used were specific to BRAF and AM. Observational studies or randomized controlled trials were considered eligible. The incidence of BRAF mutation and corresponding clinicopathological features in AM patients were subjected to Bayesian network analyses and diagnostic accuracy evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 937 AM patients from 20 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of BRAF mutations in AM patients was 72%. According to the Bayesian network analysis, BRAF mutations are more likely to occur in younger (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; credible interval [CrI]: 1.2-4.5), mandible site (OR, 3.6; 95% CrI: 2.7-5.2), and unicystic (OR, 1.6; 95% CrI: 1.1-2.4) AM patients. Similarly, higher diagnostic accuracy was found in the younger, mandible, and unicystic AM groups. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence, risk, and diagnostic accuracy of BRAF mutation in AM were greater in younger patients, those with mandible involvement, and those with unicystic AM than in patients with other clinicopathological features. In addition, there was a strong concordance in the diagnostic accuracy between molecular tests and immunohistochemical analysis.

CT-based radiomics analysis of different machine learning models for differentiating gnathic fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, our aim was to develop and validate the effectiveness of diverse radiomic models for distinguishing between gnathic fibrous dysplasia (FD) and ossifying fibroma (OF) before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 220 patients with confirmed FD or OF. We extracted radiomic features from nonenhanced CT images. Following dimensionality reduction and feature selection, we constructed radiomic models using logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, light gradient boosting machine, and eXtreme gradient boosting. We then identified the best radiomic model using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. After combining radiomics features with clinical features, we developed a comprehensive model. ROC curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated the models' robustness and clinical value. RESULTS: We extracted 1834 radiomic features from CT images, reduced them to eight valuable features, and achieved high predictive efficiency, with area under curves (AUC) exceeding 0.95 for all the models. Ultimately, our combined model, which integrates radiomic and clinical data, displayed superior discriminatory ability (AUC: training cohort 0.970; test cohort 0.967). DCA highlighted its optimal clinical efficacy. CONCLUSION: Our combined model effectively differentiates between FD and OF, offering a noninvasive and efficient approach to clinical decision-making.

Influence of ferroptosis indicators on the stability of atherosclerotic plaque.

Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death that is unique and closely related to iron concentration, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. We investigated the indicators of ferroptosis between vulnerable plaque and stable plaque in atherosclerotic. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of the ferroptosis-related genes and proteins and extracellular matrix stability-related genes and proteins (FN, CoL-1). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by ELISA. The commercially available kit was used to detect Fe2+ concentration in tissue. DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to detect the ROS levels. H&E stain, Masson trichrome stain, and Oil Red O stain were used to detect pathological states in vulnerable plaque and stable plaque. Tissue localization and positive rate of GPX4, SLC7A11, COX-2, FN, and COL-1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The results showed a significant increase in the expression of COX2 and a significant decrease in the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 in genes related to ferroptosis in vulnerable plaque compared with stable plaque. Pathologic results showed vulnerable plaque with higher levels of inflammatory cell infiltration, more diffuse collagen fibers, and larger particles of lipid droplets. Concentrations of the antioxidant metabolites SOD and GSH were significantly reduced and concentrations of the oxidative metabolites MDA and Fe2+ were significantly increased in vulnerable plaque compared with stable plaque. The expression of FN and CoL-1 was significantly reduced in genes related to extracellular matrix stability in vulnerable plaque. Taken together, these findings indicate that the degree of ferroptosis in vulnerable plaque is higher than that in stable plaque, suggesting that changes in indicators of ferroptosis may affect carotid atherosclerotic plaque stability, target spot in the ferroptosis signaling pathway may provide further theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of carotid atherosclerosis.

Could the socket shield technique be better than conventional immediate implantation? A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the clinical outcome of socket shield technique (SST) is superior to that of conventional immediate implantation (CII). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, and Google Scholar) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials up to June 31, 2021. Five evaluation indexes were extracted, namely, buccal bone resorption at the horizontal and vertical levels (BBH and BBV), the soft tissue recession assessed by pink evaluation scores (PES), patient satisfaction (PS), ISQ, and the success rate of implantation (SRI), to compare the superiority between SST and CII operations. All data analyses were performed using Review Manager (version 5.4). RESULTS: Ten studies were included in this review. The sample included 388 implants, with 194 in the SST group and 194 in the CII group. Compared with the CII group, the SST group had a lower BBH and BBV (standardized mean difference (SMD), - 1.77; 95% CI, - 2.26 to - 1.28; P < 0.00001 and SMD, - 1.85; 95% CI, - 2.16 to 1.54; P < 0.00001), higher PES improvement (SMD, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.59 to 2.95; P < 0.00001), higher rate of PS (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.08 to 9.04; P = 0.04), and slightly higher ISQ (SMD, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.28 to 1.15; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CII, SST could be a better option for esthetic area implantation, but evaluation of its long-term success is still needed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: By comparing and analyzing the operations of immediate implant in esthetic zone, we could choose SST to effectively alleviate the absorption of bone tissue and improve the contouring of soft tissue after anterior teeth extraction, so as to achieve a more stable and superior clinical outcomes of implant in esthetic zone.

Guiding propagation to localized target nodes in complex networks.

Spreading is an important type of dynamics in complex networks that can be used to model numerous real processes such as epidemic contagion and information propagation. In the literature, there are many methods in vital node identification and node immunization proposed for controlling the spreading processes. As a novel research problem, target spreading aims to minimize or maximize propagation toward a group of target nodes. In this paper, we consider a situation where the initial spreader emerges randomly in the network and one has to guide the propagation toward localized targets in the network. To this end, we propose a guided propagation and a reversed guided propagation model, which adaptively guides the spreading process by allocating the limited number of recovery nodes in each spreading step. We study in detail the impact of infection rate and recovery rate on the model. Simulation results show the validity of our models in most cases. Finally, we find that this adaptive target spreading can be achieved under situations with multiple groups of target nodes.

Management of deep neck infections from cervical esophageal perforation caused by foreign body: A case series study.

PURPOSE: Esophageal perforation caused by foreign body is common in Chinese medical institutions, and resultant deep neck infections (DNI) is quite different from typical DNI. The purpose of this article was to share our experience on management of this particular type of DNI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on a consecutive sample of such patients at Capital Medical University Beijing Friendship Hospital from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: In total, 24 cases were recorded. CT scan of the neck and upper thorax was the most useful tool for early diagnosis. Gas formation was not predictive of a worse clinical course. Eleven patients with minor DNI were treated with antibiotics and foreign body removal; while 13 patients with major DNI were treated with neck incision and drainage, ICU observation, and prolonged usage of antibiotics. Outcome was generally good, but major complications, including sepsis and lingual artery rupture, could occur. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management, focusing on prompt extraction of esophageal foreign body and adequate antibiotic coverage, can lead to good outcome for mild cases; while in addition to these measures, neck incision, cervical and superior mediastinal exploration, and high negative pressure drainage, should be performed for severe cases.

MicroRNA-107 inhibits proliferation and invasion of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting CACNA2D1 in vitro.

Our previous studies have confirmed that α2δ1 has the potential to function as a cancer stem cell marker, and CACNA2D1 is the coding gene of α2δ1. But it is unclear how microRNAs regulate the expression of the CACNA2D1 gene in laryngeal cancer cells. We detected the expressions of α2δ1 protein, microRNA-107, and CACNA2D1 in 40 pairs of laryngeal cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells, TU212 and TU686, were cultured and transfected in the blank control group, the agomiR negative control group, the agomiR-107 group, the antagomiR negative control group, or the antagomiR-107 group, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to assess the regulatory effect of microRNA-107 on CACNA2D1. Then, the effects of microRNA-107 on the biological function of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot, MTT, cell migration/invasion assay, and cell colony-formation assay. Our data suggested that the protein level of α2δ1, encoded by CACNA2D1, in laryngeal carcinoma tissues was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues, while the expression of microRNA-107 was significantly decreased in laryngeal carcinoma tissues. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that microRNA-107 bound to the 3'-UTR two positions (202-209, 902-908) of CACNA2D1 mRNA. Moreover, the expression of CACNA2D1 and α2δ1 protein were significantly decreased in TU212 and TU686 cells transfected with microRNA-107 expression vectors (P < 0.05), and proliferation, clone formation, migration, and invasion of these cells were also reduced. Furthermore, after knocking down microRNA-107, exactly opposite results were obtained. Overexpression of microRNA-107 can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro.

Anesthetic Efficiency of Articaine Versus Lidocaine in the Extraction of Lower Third Molars: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the anesthetic efficiency of articaine is superior to that of lidocaine during lower third molar extraction (LTME). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials up to December, 31 2017. Five evaluation indexes were extracted, namely success rate of anesthesia, subjective onset time of anesthesia, objective onset time of anesthesia, duration time of anesthesia, and intraoperative pain assessment, to assess the anesthesia efficiency of the 2 solutions. All data analyses were conducted using Review Manager (version 5.3; The Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom). RESULTS: Nine studies were included in this review. The sample was composed of 770 LTMEs from 493 patients, with 382 LTMEs in the lidocaine group and 388 LTMEs in the articaine group. Compared with lidocaine, 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine showed a higher success rate of anesthesia (risk ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.21; P = .03), shorter subjective onset time of anesthesia (standardized mean difference, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.50 to 1.89; P = .0007), and longer duration time of anesthesia (mean difference, 0.83 hours; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.07 hours; P < .00001); however, for intraoperative pain assessment (mean difference, 3.12 mm; 95% CI, -0.13 to 6.37 mm; P = .06) and objective onset time of anesthesia (standardized mean difference, 0.44; 95% CI, -0.39 to 1.26; P = .30), there was no significant difference between the 2 solutions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine possesses superior anesthetic efficiency relative to lidocaine for inferior alveolar nerve blocks during LTME.

Stem to prevent periprosthetic fracture after notching in total knee arthroplasty.

Improper osteotomy during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can lead to anterior femoral notching, which increases the risk of periprosthetic fractures due to stress concentration. One potential solution is the addition of an intramedullary stem to the femoral component. However, the optimal stem length remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal stem length using finite element models. Finite element models of femurs were developed with unstemmed prostheses and prostheses with stem lengths of 50, 75, and 100 mm. Under squat loading conditions, the von Mises stress at the notch and stress distribution on four transversal sections of the femur were analyzed. Additionally, micromotion of the prosthesis-bone interface was evaluated to assess initial stability. The unstemmed prosthesis exhibited a von Mises stress of 191.8 MPa at the notch, which decreased to 43.1, 8.8, and 23.5 MPa for stem lengths of 50, 75, and 100 mm, respectively. The stress reduction on four selected femoral transversal sections compared with the unstemmed prosthesis was 40.0%, 84.4%, and 67.1% for stem lengths of 50, 75, and 100 mm, respectively. Micromotion analysis showed a maximum of 118.8 µm for the unstemmed prosthesis, which decreased significantly with the application of stems, particularly at the anterior flange. Intramedullary stems effectively reduced stress concentration at the femoral notch. The 50-mm stem length provided the optimal combination of reduced notch stress, minimized stress-shielding effect, and decreased micromotion at the anterior flange.

Can botulinum toxin injection alleviate the pain of bruxism? A Bayesian network analysis and a single-arm analysis.

Background/purpose: There is inconsistent evidence regarding whether the botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection can relieve pain caused by bruxism. This study aimed to estimate the efficiency of BTA injection in relieving pain caused by bruxism at different follow-up periods. Materials and methods: Five electronic databases were searched from 2005 to 2022 using search terms related to botulinum toxin and bruxism. Only controlled clinical trials were included. Two investigators reviewed each article and discussed any disagreements until a consensus was reached. Pain outcomes as evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) were subjected to single-arm and Bayesian network meta-analyses. Pooling data were measured by a random-effects model. Results: Eleven studies with a total of 365 bruxism patients were included. According to the single-arm analyses of the pooled data, the reduction in bruxism-related pain after BTA injection measured 4.06 points (95% CI = 3.37 to 4.75) on the VAS, and the pain relief was significant in the first 6 months after treatment (P < 0.01). According to the Bayesian analysis, BTA also resulted in significantly greater pain relief than oral splinting (mean difference (MD), -1.5; 95% credible interval (CrI) = -2.7 to -0.19) or saline injection (MD, -3.3; 95% CrI = -6.2 to -0.32). Conclusion: BTA significantly relieves the pain of bruxism for 6 months after injection, and its therapeutic efficacy was higher than that of oral splinting. Nevertheless, further long-term follow-up randomized controlled trials comparing BTA with other management or drugs are warranted.

Bamboo-Inspired Porous Scaffolds for Advanced Orthopedic Implants: Design, Mechanical Properties, and Fluid Characteristics.

In orthopedic implant development, incorporating a porous structure into implants can reduce the elastic modulus to prevent stress shielding but may compromise yield strength, risking prosthesis fracture. Bamboo's natural structure, with its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, serves as inspiration. This study explores biomimicry using bamboo-inspired porous scaffolds (BISs) resembling cortical bone, assessing their mechanical properties and fluid characteristics. The BIS consists of two 2D units controlled by structural parameters α and ß. The mechanical properties, failure mechanisms, energy absorption, and predictive performance are investigated. BIS exhibits mechanical properties equivalent to those of natural bone. Specifically, α at 4/3 and ß at 2/3 yield superior mechanical properties, and the destruction mechanism occurs layer by layer. Besides, the Gibson-Ashby models with different parameters are established to predict mechanical properties. Fluid dynamics analysis reveals two high-flow channels in BISs, enhancing nutrient delivery through high-flow channels and promoting cell adhesion and proliferation in low-flow regions. For wall shear stress below 30 mPa (ideal for cell growth), α at 4/3 achieves the highest percentage (99.04%), and ß at 2/3 achieves 98.46%. Permeability in all structural parameters surpasses that of human bone. Enhanced performance of orthopedic implants through a bionic approach that enables the creation of pore structures suitable for implants.

Appropriate sagittal positioning of femoral components in total knee arthroplasty to prevent fracture and loosening.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the optimal sagittal positioning of the uncemented femoral component in total knee arthroplasty to minimize the risk of aseptic loosening and periprosthetic fracture. Methods: Ten different sagittal placements of the femoral component, ranging from -5 mm (causing anterior notch) to +4 mm (causing anterior gap), were analyzed using finite element analysis. Both gait and squat loading conditions were simulated, and Von Mises stress and interface micromotion were evaluated to assess fracture and loosening risk. Results: During gait, varied sagittal positioning did not lead to excessive Von Mises stress or micromotion. However, under squat conditions, posterior positioning (-4 and -5 mm) resulted in stress exceeding 150 MPa at the femoral notch, indicating potential fracture risk. Conversely, +1 mm and 0 mm sagittal positions demonstrated minimal interface micromotion. Conclusion: Slightly anterior sagittal positioning (+1 mm) or neutral positioning (0 mm) effectively reduced stress concentration at the femoral notch and minimized interface micromotion. Thus, these positions are deemed suitable to decrease the risk of aseptic loosening and periprosthetic femoral fracture.

The prevalence, diagnostic accuracy and genotype-phenotype correlation of GNAS mutations in fibrous dysplasia: a meta-analysis.

Background: There is inconsistent evidence regarding the accuracy of GNAS mutations identification for the diagnosis of FD/MAS. This study was performed to estimate the prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of GNAS mutations detection and to preliminarily investigate the genotype-phenotype correlation in FD patients. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched from 1995 to 2024 using search terms related to GNAS and fibrous dysplasia. Observational studies of FD patients undergoing GNAS mutation detection in FD were included. Results: A total of 878 FD patients were included. The pooled prevalence of GNAS mutations in FD based on the random effects model was 74% (95% CI = 64%-83%). Regarding diagnostic accuracy, a sensitivity of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.65-0.96), specificity of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.00) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 98.38% were found. Additionally, meta-analysis and Fisher's test showed the GNAS mutation types were significantly associated with FD types (OR = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.05 to 11.72; p < 0.05). Conclusion: A high detection rate of GNAS mutations occurred in FD, and its detection is reliable for diagnosing FD. Additionally, GNAS mutation type was types were significantly associated with FD type. Systematic Review Registration: Identifier CRD42024553469.

The effect of carbon nanoparticles vs. immune colloidal gold technique test strips on parathyroid protection in total thyroidectomy: A randomized clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of intraoperative usage of carbon nanoparticles (CN) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) test strip using immune colloidal gold technique (ICGT) is unclear. This study aims to compare the effect of intraoperative usage of CN and ICGT test strips on PG function. METHODS: This randomized clinical study involved adult patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. They were randomly allocated into three groups (control, CN, and ICGT group). Clinical data were analyzed. RESULTS: Each group involved 98 patients. Serum calcium and PTH concentrations at 24 h postoperatively (PTH24h) were higher in CN group. The parathyroid function recovered quicker in CN group. Use of CN increased in situ PG preservation and PTH24h. Mediation analysis indicated that 23.05% of the total effect of CN on PTH24h was attributed to PGRIS. CONCLUSION: CN holds promise to improve in situ PG preservation and protect PG vasculature, thereby reducing the incidence of early hypoparathyroidism. The value of ICGT test strips for PG protection is dubious.

Prompt diagnosis and airway management for primary thyroid lymphoma with compromised upper airway: a single-institution case series.

Objectives: Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare malignant tumour. Prompt and accurate diagnosis and optimal airway management are crucial for PTL, especially when complicated with dyspnoea. Methods: Eight patients with PTL and dyspnoea treated in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Three of four patients complicated with mild to moderate dyspnoea underwent chemotherapy after prompt diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) combined with cell block immunocytochemistry (CB-ICC) and flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) or core needle biopsy (CNB) combined with immunohistochemistry (IHC) without open surgery. Total thyroidectomy was performed in one patient without other diagnostic methods because the FNAC result was inconclusive. Four patients with moderate to severe dyspnoea underwent tracheostomy and incisional biopsy without severe complications after tracheal intubation under the guidance of a fibreoptic bronchoscope performed without general anaesthesia. Conclusions: For patients with mild to moderate dyspnoea suspected of PTL, FNAC along with FCI and CB-ICC or CNB along with IHC are recommended, in addition to prompt chemotherapy to avoid prophylactic tracheostomy. Patients with moderate to severe dyspnoea suspected of PTL should undergo tracheal intubation under the guidance of a fibreoptic bronchoscope without general anaesthesia, followed by tracheostomy with simultaneous thyroid incisional biopsy to reduce the risk of asphyxia during treatment.

An association between ATP7B expression and human cancer prognosis and immunotherapy: a pan-cancer perspective.

BACKGROUND: ATP7B is a copper-transporting protein that contributes to the chemo-resistance of human cancer cells. It remains unclear what the molecular mechanisms behind ATP7B are in cancer, as well as its role in human pan-cancer studies. METHODS: Our study evaluated the differential expression of ATP7B in cancer and paracancerous tissues based on RNA sequencing data from the GTEx and TCGA. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate prognostic factors associated with ATP7B.The correlations between the expression of ATP7B and immune cell infiltration, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability and immune checkpoint molecules were analyzed. Co-expression networks and mutations in ATP7B were analyzed using the web tools. An analysis of ATP7B expression difference on drug sensitivity on tumor cells was performed using the CTRP, GDSC and CMap database. RESULTS: ATP7B expression differed significantly between cancerous and paracancerous tissues. The abnormal expression of ATP7B was linked to prognosis in LGG and KIRC. Infiltration of immune cells, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability and immunomodulators had all been linked to certain types of cancer. Cancer cells exhibited a correlation between ATP7B expression and drug sensitivity. CONCLUSION: ATP7B might be an immunotherapeutic and prognostic biomarker based on its involvement in cancer occurrence and development.

Biomechanical analysis of customized cage conforming to the endplate morphology in anterior cervical discectomy fusion: A finite element analysis.

In anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), an interbody fusion device is an essential implant. An unsuitable interbody fusion device can cause postoperative complications, including subsidence and nonunion. We designed a customized intervertebral fusion device to reduce postoperative complications and validated it by finite element analysis. Herein, we built a non-homogeneous model of the C3-7 cervical spine. Three implant models (customized cage, commercial cage, and bone graft cage) were constructed and placed in the C45 cervical segment after ACDF surgery. The simulated range of motion (ROM), stress at the cage-bone interface, and stress on the cage and implants were compared under different conditions. The commercial cage showed maximum stress peaks at 40.3 MPa and 43.2 MPa in the inferior endplate of C4 and superior endplate of C5 under rotational conditions, higher compared to 29.7 MPa and 26.4 MPa, respectively, in the customized cage. The ROM was not significantly different between the three cages placed after ACDF. The stresses on the commercial cage were higher compared to the other two cages under all conditions. The bone graft in the customized cage was subject to higher stress than the commercial cage under all conditions, particularly lateral bending, wherein the maximum stress was 5.5 MPa. These results showed that a customized cage that better conformed to the vertebral anatomy was promising for reducing the risk of stress shielding and the occurrence of subsidence.

The influence of body weight index on initial stability of uncemented femoral knee protheses: A finite element study.

Background and objective: Obesity is one of the risk factors for osteoarthritis. The end-stage treatment for osteoarthritis is total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it remains controversial whether a high body mass index (BMI) affects the initial stability of the femoral prosthesis after TKA. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to investigate this question in this study. Methods: Four femur models that assembled with TKA femoral components were reconstructed and divided into high BMI group and normal BMI group. The three-dimensional femurs were modeled and assigned inhomogeneous materials based on computed tomography (CT) images. Then each FEA model was applied with gait and deep bend loading conditions to evaluate the maximum principal strain on the distal femur and the relative micromotion between the femur and prosthesis. Results: The mean strain of the high BMI group increased by 32.7% (936.9 µÎµ versus 706.1 µÎµ) and 50.9% (2064.5 µÎµ versus 1368.2 µÎµ) under gait and deep bend loading conditions, respectively, compared to the normal BMI group. Meanwhile, the mean micromotion of the high BMI group increased by 41.6% (2.77 µm versus 1.96 µm) and 58.5% (62.1 µm versus 39.2 µm), respectively. Under gait condition, the maximum micromotion for high BMI group was 33.8 µm and would compromise the initial stability. Under deep bend condition, the maximum strain and micromotion exceeded -7300 µÎµ and 28 µm for both groups. Conclusion: High BMI caused higher strain on the bone and higher micromotion between the prosthesis and the femur. Gait activities could be risky for prosthesis stability in high BMI group while be safe in normal group. Deep bend activities were highly dangerous for both groups with high BMI and normal BMI and should be avoided.