Recently, plasma sterilization has attracted increasing attention in dental community for the atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma jet (APNPs), which is driven by a kilohertz pulsed DC power, may be applied to the dental and oral diseases. However, it is still in doubt whether APNPs can effectively kill pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and produce no harmful effects on normal oral tissues, especially on normal mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial-killing effect of APNPs in the biofilms containing a single breed of bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, P.g.), and the pathological changes of the oral mucosa after treatment by APNPs. P.g. was incubated to form the biofilms in vitro, and the samples were divided into three groups randomly: group A (blank control); group B in which the biofilms were treated by APNPs (the setting of the equipment: 10 kHz, 1600 ns and 8 kV); group C in which the biofilms were exposed only to a gas jet without ignition of the plasma. Each group had three samples and each sample was processed for up to 5 min. The biofilms were then fluorescently stained, observed and photographed under a laser scanning confocal microscope. In the animal experiment, six male Japanese white rabbits were divided into two groups randomly (n=3 in each group) in terms of the different post-treatment time (1-day group and 5-day group). The buccal mucosa of the left side and the mucosa of the ventral surface of the tongue were treated by APNPs for 10 min in the same way as the bacterial biofilm experiment in each rabbit, and the corresponding mucosa of the other sides served as normal control. The clinical manifestations of the oral mucosa were observed and recorded every day. The rabbits were sacrificed one or five day(s) after APNPs treatment. The oral mucosa were harvested and prepared to haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Clinical observation and histopathological scores were used to assess mucosal changes. The results showed the obvious P.g. biofilms were formed at 10 days, and most of the bacteria in groups A and C were alive under a laser scanning confocal microscope, but the bacteria in the group B were almost all dead. In animal experiment, no ulcers, anabrosis and oral mucositis were found in both the 1-day and 5-day groups. The average mucous membrane irritation index was -0.83 and -0.67 in the 1-day and 5-day groups, respectively, suggesting that no intense mucosal membrane irritation responses occurred. It was concluded that APNPs could effectively kill P.g. in the biofilms and did not cause any pathological changes in the normal mucosa, suggesting that the plasma jet (APNPs) may be applied to oral diseases as a novel sterilization device in the future.

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of peritoneal effusion detection by emergency-ultrasound in patients with closed abdominal injury. Method From August 2006 to June 2009,212 patients with closed abdominal injury were studied to evaluate peritoneal effusion detection by emergency ultrasound. Results of 212 patients,peritoneal effusion frequency rate was 78.8%( 167/212), meanwhile,abdominal paracentesis confirmation ratio was only 46.2%(98/212). In the follow-up, 13 patients with injuried hollow viscera and 1 patient with rupture of kidney showed peritoneal effusion. The volume of abdominal fluid was increasing in 17 patients,which needed to be managed by surgery. The accuracy rates were respectively 78.3%( 112/143) and 36.1%(13/36) in the solid organs and the hollow organs. Conclusion During the course of diagnosis and treatment in closed abdominal injury,peritoneal effusion monitoring by ultrasound should be used routinely, which can help to decrease the rate of misdiagnosis and avoid delayed treatment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and it has diverse etiologies with multiple mechanisms. The diagnosis of HCC typically occurs at advanced stages when there are limited therapeutic options. Hepatocarcinogenesis is considered a multistep process, and hepatic macrophages play a critical role in the inflammatory process leading to HCC. Emerging evidence has shown that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial components defining the HCC immune microenvironment and represent an appealing option for disrupting the formation and development of HCC. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the polarization and function of TAMs in the pathogenesis of HCC, as well as the mechanisms underlying TAM-related anti-HCC therapies. Eventually, novel insights into these important aspects of TAMs and their roles in the HCC microenvironment might lead to promising TAM-focused therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and it has diverse etiologies with multiple mechanisms. The diagnosis of HCC typically occurs at advanced stages when there are limited therapeutic options. Hepatocarcinogenesis is considered a multistep process, and hepatic macrophages play a critical role in the inflammatory process leading to HCC. Emerging evidence has shown that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial components defining the HCC immune microenvironment and represent an appealing option for disrupting the formation and development of HCC. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the polarization and function of TAMs in the pathogenesis of HCC, as well as the mechanisms underlying TAM-related anti-HCC therapies. Eventually, novel insights into these important aspects of TAMs and their roles in the HCC microenvironment might lead to promising TAM-focused therapeutic strategies for HCC.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for further promoting the clinical application of chronopharmacology and rational drug use.METHODS:The self-designed questionnairea was used to conduct on-site investigation among participants from 40 hospitals in Anhui province by dint of a meeting.The survey data were analyzed statistically.RESULTS:Totally 170 questionnaires were distributed,and 166 were retrieved,the total response rate was 97.65％.93.37％ of the interviewed pharmacists were aware of the circadian rhythms,and 87.35％ were aware of the circadian rhythms of more than two kinds;interviewed pharmacists expressed better awareness of indicators like gastric acid secretion (75.30％),blood pressure (67.47％) and growth hormone (66.87％) etc.while their awareness of other diseases like anaphylactic rhinitis (66.87％),gastric ulcer (50.60％) and migraine (50.00％) remained to improve.All the interviewed pharmacists recognized the better therapeutic efficacy (84.34％) and lower side effect (81.33％) of chronopharmacology-referred medication;chronopharmacology characteristics of glucocorticoid drugs were best known (34.34％),followed by antihypertensive drugs (25.30％).CONCLUSIONS:Pharmacists in Anhui province have certain knowledge of chronopharmacology such as biological rhythms,biological process or indicators,biological rhythms of disease and advantage of chronopharmacology-referred medication.It indicates that there has been a foundation for popularizing the concept of chronopharmacology in clinical medication in China;but not often contacted physiological processes or indexes,the understanding of biological rhythm of uncommon diseases are still insufficient,and the understanding of chronopharmacology characteristics of various drugs are far from ideal.

Recently,plasma sterilization has attracted increasing attention in dental community for the atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma jet (APNPs),which is driven by a kilohertz pulsed DC power,may be applied to the dental and oral diseases.However,it is still in doubt whether APNPs can effectively kill pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and produce no harmful effects on normal oral tissues,especially on normal mucosa.The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial-killing effect of APNPs in the biofilms containing a single breed of bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis,Pg.),and the pathological changes of the oral mucosa after treatment by APNPs.Pg.was incubated to form the biofilms in vitro,and the samples were divided into three groups randomly:group A (blank control);group B in which the biofilms were treated by APNPs (the setting of the equipment:10 kHz,1600 ns and 8 kV); group C in which the biofilms were exposed only to a gas jet without ignition of the plasma.Each group had three samples and each sample was processed for up to 5 min.The biofilms were then fluorescently stained,observed and photographed under a laser scanning confocal microscope.In the animal experiment,six male Japanese white rabbits were divided into two groups randomly (n=3 in each group) in terms of the different post-treatment time (1-day group and 5-day group).The buccal mucosa of the left side and the mucosa of the ventral surface of the tongue were treated by APNPs for 10 min in the same way as the bacterial biofilm experiment in each rabbit,and the corresponding mucosa of the other sides served as normal control.The clinical manifestations of the oral mucosa were observed and recorded every day.The rabbits were sacrificed one or five day(s) after APNPs treatment.The oral mucosa were harvested and prepared to haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections.Clinical observation and histopathological scores were used to assess mucosal changes.The results showed the obvious P.g.biofilms were formed at 10 days,and most of the bacteria in groups A and C were alive under a laser scanning confocal microscope,but the bacteria in the group B were almost all dead.In animal experiment,no ulcers,anabrosis and oral mucositis were found in both the 1-day and 5-day groups.The average mucous membrane irritation index was -0.83 and -0.67 in the 1-day and 5-day groups,respectively,suggesting that no intense mucosal membrane irritation responses occurred.It was concluded that APNPs could effectively kill P.g.in the biofilms and did not cause any pathological changes in the normal mucosa,suggesting that the plasma jet (APNPs) may be applied to oral diseases as a novel sterilization device in the future.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT) for rectal cancer with lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM).Methods:From January 2016 to December 2022, 103 rectal cancer patients with LLNM were enrolled. The patients were divided into SIB-IMRT group (52 cases) and conventional chemoradiotherapy (CRT) group (51 cases) using the random number table method. The dose was 50 Gy for the pelvis with 60 Gy of SIB-IMRT for the LLNM in the SIB-IMRT group. The dose was 50 Gy for the pelvis in the CRT group. The primary endpoint was the lateral recurrence rate. The efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared.Results:The adverse reactions and surgical complications after neoadjuvant radiotherapy were comparable between the two groups. The response rates of LLNM treatment were 76.9% and 56.9%, respectively, in the two groups ( χ2=4.69, P=0.03). The SIB-IMRT group and CRT group had a local recurrence rate of 7.7% and 25.5% ( χ2=5.92, P=0.015), respectively, and a lateral recurrence rate of 3.8% and 23.5% ( χ2=8.49, P=0.004), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the SIB-IMRT, short axis of lateral lymph nodes <5 mm after radiotherapy, and negative result in the postoperative lymph node pathological examination were factors associated with lateral recurrence. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that the SIB-IMRT ( HR=6.42, 95% CI: 1.40-29.49) and short axis of lateral lymph nodes <5 mm after radiotherapy ( HR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.04-0.66) were independent factors associated with lateral recurrence. The two groups had a 3-year disease-free survival of 73.25% and 62.6% ( P>0.05), respectively, and a 3-year overall survival of 87% and 82.5% ( P>0.05), respectively. Conclusions:The SIB-IMRT is safe and effective for rectal cancer with LLNM. The short axis of lateral lymph nodes <5 mm after neoadjuvant radiotherapy and SIB-IMRT is an independent risk factor for lateral recurrence.

On June 16, 2023, National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of the People’s Republic of China, in collaboration with other ministries, formulated and issued the Action Plan to Accelerate the Elimination of Schistosomiasis in China (2023—2030). The implementation of this plan provides an important basis for achieving the targets set in the “Healthy China 2030” action plan and the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy. This paper describes the background, principles, targets, control strategies, safeguard measures and effectiveness evaluation of the plan, in order to guide the scientific and standardized implementation of actions for schistosomiasis elimination at the grassroots level, and facilitate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China with a high quality.