Congenital clubfoot(CCF), which is also known as equines deformity, is a common congenital malformation that affect children′s life quality. However, its cause is still to be elucidated. Currently, polygenetic and environmental fac?tors are both believed to play important roles in CCF pathogenesis. Several genes including HOX, PITX1, NAT2, P63, DTDS and COL9A were shown to contribute to congenital clubfoot, but which is the most critical gene remains unclear. Several re?ports have revealed that Hox genes are closely related to the cause of CCF. Hox genes are regulators of body morphogenesis, and its mutation result in limbs and trunk deformity in human. Here, we systematically reviewed the latest literature that stud?ied the role of Hox genes in pathogenesis of Congenital clubfoot, with the prospect of laying a foundation for its future clinic treatment.

BACKGROUND:Discectomy is an important therapy for lumbar disc herniation, but a smal number of patients undergoing discectomy wil relapse.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the spinal stability fol owing posterior pedicle screw fixation combined with interbody fusion cage for treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation.
METHODS:Twenty-six patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation from January 2007 to December 2011 were enrol ed and subjected to posterior pedicle screw fixation combined with interbody fusion cage. Pain relief and lumbar stability were observed postoperatively. We analyzed the spinal stability in recurrent lumbar disc herniation patients after posterior pedicle screw fixation combined with interbody fusion cage depending on literature search.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the 26 patients were fol owed up for 12-36 months. After treatment, al patients effectively al eviated the symptoms of low back pain, and lumbar interbody fusion was good, with a good rate of 96.2%. There was no pedicle screw loosening, broken, non-fusion phenomenon. Posterior decompression and interbody fusion cage combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation for recurrent lumbar disc herniation, characterized as fast symptom relief, strong fixation, exact interbody fusion exact, is an ideal treatment for recurrent lumbar disc herniation.

Objective:To compare the effect of posterolateral plate and anterolateral locking plate in surgical treatment for extra-articular distal humeral shaft fractures.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was made on 52 patients with extra-articular distal humeral shaft fractures admitted in Tianjin Hospital from January 2014 to October 2016. There were 32 males and 20 females, with the age from 18 to 56 years [(36.9±10.9)years]. According to the AO/OTA classification, there were 15 patients with type A, 32 type B, and 5 type C. Twenty-three patients were treated with osterolateral locking plate (Group A) and 29 with anterolateral locking plate (Group B). Operation time, bone union time, range of motion of the elbow, Mayo elbow performance score and complication rate were evaluated.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-20 months [(13.7±2.2)months]. Operation time was (79.8±9.6)minutes in Group A and (85.0±11.6)minutes in Group B ( P>0.05). Bone union time was (4.1±1.0)months in Group A and (4.1±1.0)months in Group B ( P>0.05). Degrees of elbow extension was 3.9°(0.0°, 5.0°) in Group A, and 4.4°(0.0°, 5.0°) in Group B ( P>0.05). Degrees of elbow flexion was 127.4°(125.0°, 132.50°) in Group A and 128.5°(122.5°, 132.5°) in Group B ( P>0.05). Mayo elbow performance score was 91.0 (90.0, 93.5) points in Group A and 90.2 (90.0, 92.5)points in Group B ( P>0.05). Radial nerve damage was noted after operation, showing no significant difference between two groups [2 patients (9%) in Group A and 3 patients (10%) in Group B] ( P>0.05), and the symptoms were recovered in all patients within 3 months. Conclusions:Both the posterolateral and anterolateral locking plate are effective in surgical treatment for extra-articular distal humeral shaft fractures. However, the posterolateral plate can be placed closer to the distal end of the humerus and the multi-directional locking design is more stable, which has advantages for the patient with fracture line close to the elbow joint.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of enterovirus (EV) VP1 gene from cases with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Songjiang district of Shanghai in 2019.Methods:Samples from suspected HFMD cases were detected using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells were used for EV culture. VP1 genes of the isolated EV A species were sequenced. The sequences of nucleotide and amino acid of EV A species were used in phylogenetic and homology analysis by MEGA X software.Results:Totally 207 HFMD specimens were detected in 2019, of which 188 specimens were screened positive for EV. The positive rates of Coxsackievirus (CV)-A6, CV-A16, CV-A10 and CV-A4 were 47.34% (89/188), 41.49% (78/188), 3.72% (7/188) and 2.66% (5/188), respectively. Other EV species were 4.79% (9/188) positive and EV-A71 was not detected. During the summer epidemic peak of HFMD (May to July), B1 gene subtype of CV-A16 was detected more frequently, of which B1a and B1b evolutionary branches were prevalent together. The CV-A6 virus of D3a branch dominated in secondary peak of autumn and winter (September to December). CV-A10 and CV-A4 were sporadic and both respective strains belonged to subtypes of C2 gene. Compared with the prototype strains, the nucleotide (amino acid) sequence homologies of CV-A6, CV-A16, CV-A10 and CV-A4 VP1 genes were 79.22%-81.78% (95.97%~-97.19%), 62.70%-65.54% (90.10%-91.30%), 81.76%-82.65% (91.63% -92.03%) and 81.09%-81.79% (97.27%-97.67%), respectively.Conclusions:The diversity and complexity of HFMD pathogen epidemic increase the difficulty of HFMD prevention and control. The expansion of EV surveillance programs and the studies on the molecular epidemiology of EV are helpful for the prevention and control of HFMD.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence of influenza B virus and its HA and NA genes characteristics during 2017—2020 in Songjiang district, Shanghai.Methods:Samples from suspected cases of influenza were detected using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Influenza B virus positive specimens were cultured by MDCK cells and embryonated chicken eggs. The hamagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza virus B strains were sequenced and analyzed for gene evolution and amino acid variation. The sensitivity of the strains to oseltamivir and zanamivir was studied by neuraminidase inhibition assay.Results:The positive rate of influenza B virus in Songjiang district from 2017 to 2020 was 14.24% (506/3554). Influenza B virus circulated mainly in winter-spring season and alternated between B/Victoria and B/Yamagata subtypes. Subclade 1A (△3) B was the predominant Victoria lineage circulating in Songjiang district. Otherwise, the remaining strains belonged to subclade 1A(△2)and clade 1A. Compared with vaccine strain B/Brisbane/60/2008, the nucleotide homology of circulating strains HA (NA) was 97.62%~98.19% (98.11%~98.78%). The mutations of HA in 1A (△3) B subclade mainly were in 120 loop and 160 loop. All the Yamagata strains circulating in Songjiang district belonged to clade 3. Compared with vaccine strain B/Phuket/3073/2013, the nucleotide homology of HA and NA were 98.71%~99.04% and 98.69%~99.27%, respectively. No amino acid change was found in the antigenic clusters. Neuraminidase inhibition assay showed that the influenza B virus strains were sensitive to both oseltamivir and zanamivir.Conclusions:Inconsistence of the antigenicity between the vaccine strains and the circulating strains during 2017—2020, influenza B virus should be persistently monitored, including the epidemic situation and the etiological characteristics, which might be helpful in vaccine screening and drug development.

Objective:To clarify the effects of microwave radiation on anxiety-like behavior, the histomorphology of the secondary visual cortex, and calcium activity in neurons.Methods:36 C57BL/6N mice were selected and divided into control group and microwave radiation group according to the random number table method. In the simple behavioral testing, there were 8 mice in the control group and 7 mice in the radiation group. Combining fiber optic recording with behavioral experiments, there were 8 mice in the control group and 7 mice in the radiation group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted with 3 mice in each group. A high-power microwave simulated source in the X-band with a center frequency of 9.875 GHz and an average power density of 12 mW/cm 2 was used to irradiate the mice for 15 minutes, establishing a microwave radiation animal model. Then, anxiety-like behavior changes in the radiation group were identified using the open-field and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. The effects of microwave radiation on the histomorphology of the secondary visual cortex were investigated using HE staining and optical microscopy. Based on the genetically encoded calcium imaging technique, as well as optical fiber recording combined with behavioral paradigms in the open field and the EPM, the changes of calcium activity in neurons in the V2M region of the secondary visual cortex were detected. Results:Compared to the control group, the radiation group showed a significant decrease in the frequency of exploring the central region of the open field and the open arm of the EPM ( t = 2.24, 3.10, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the radiation group exhibited the degeneration and apoptosis of some neurons in the secondary visual cortex, primarily manifested as pyknosis and deep staining, cell body shrinkage, and the slightly widening of perivascular space. Fiber optic recordings and behavioral experiments indicated that compared to the control group, mice in the radiation group exhibited significantly increased calcium activities in neurons of the secondary visual cortex when exploring the central region of the open field ( t = -2.75, P < 0.05) or the open arm of the EPM ( t = -2.77, -3.41, P < 0.05) compared to those before radiation after microwave exposure. Conclusions:Microwave radiation can induce anxiety-like behaviors and histopathological changes in the secondary visual cortex. Increased calcium activity in neurons of the secondary visual cortex is proved to be an important mechanism underlying the changes in anxiety-like behavior due to microwave radiation.

Background There are few studies on the diet quality of patients with thyroid cancer, and the relationship between diet quality and thyroid cancer remains uncertain. Objective This study aims to assess the diet quality with the Chinese Health Diet Index (CHDI) and to explore the relationship between diet quality and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods A 1∶1 gender- and age-matched hospital-based case-control study included newly diagnosed PTC patients and matched controls from Shanghai Cancer Hospital and Renji Hospital (East) in Shanghai, China. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect data on general characteristics, history of diseases, dietary intakes, and lifestyles. Food intakes in the past one year were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, from which the CHDI score was calculated. The CHDI, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents, was employed to evaluate the diet quality of the two groups. A multiple conditional logistic regression model was conducted to explore the relationship between diet quality and PTC. Results A total of 350 pairs of cases and controls were recruited. The overall median CHDI score of the cases was lower than that of the controls (67.8 vs. 73.4, P<0.001). The cases had lower median scores of fruits (6.8 vs. 9.5), dairy products (3.6 vs. 5.6), and soybeans (4.6 vs. 5.5) than the controls (P<0.05); the cases had a higher median score of refined grains than the controls (5.0 vs. 4.9), and the percentage of the cases that met diet recommendations for refined grains was higher than the percentage of the controls (65.4% vs. 48.6%) (P<0.05); the cases showed lower median scores of whole grains/beans/tubers, total vegetables, dark vegetables, and fish/shrimps (0.9 vs. 1.4, 3.1 vs. 4.4, 3.6 vs. 5.0, and 3.3 vs. 4.0, respectively), and the percentages of the cases meeting their diet recommendations were lower than the percentages of the controls (6.3% vs. 8.6%, 32.6% vs. 42.0%, 38.6% vs. 50.6%, and 34.0% vs. 40.3%, respectively, P<0.05). The results of multiple conditional logistic regression analysis suggested that qualified and good diet quality were associated with a reduced the risk of PTC (qualified diet quality, OR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.23−0.62; good diet quality, OR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.10−0.36); the statistical significance remained after excluding patients who had a history of benign thyroid conditions (qualified diet quality, OR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.15−0.52; good diet quality, OR=0.20, 95%CI: 0.09−0.43). Conclusion Those with qualified or good diet quality have a lower risk of PTC. PTC patients have insufficient intakes of fruits, dairy, soybeans, whole grains/beans/tubers, vegetables, and fish/shrimps.

Background Thyroid carcinoma is a serious threat to human health in Shanghai and a focus of cancer prevention and treatment. Objective This study aims to assess the relationship between foods rich in iodine and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)．Methods In a hospital-based case-control study matched by gender and age (±3 years old), 402 pairs of cases (new incidences) and controls were included and studied. A validated questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire survey was conducted face to face to obtain demographic characteristics and dietary intake. A multiple conditional logistic regression model was applied to explore the relationship between foods rich in iodine (including seaweeds, kelp, and dried shrimps) and PTC. Results The mean age of the participants was (41.17±11.51) years in this study. Compared with the controls, more cases had a lower education and a manual occupation (P<0.05); more cases were overweight or obese, had a history of benign thyroid conditions, and had a family history of thyroid diseases (P<0.05); the two groups were different in the frequency of CT examination in the past ten years (P<0.05). The results of multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that consumption of iodine-rich foods was associated with a lower risk of PTC (for <1 time per week, OR=0.20, 95%CI: 0.12−0.35; for 1−2 times per week, OR=0.18, 95%CI: 0.10−0.33; for ≥3 times per week, OR=0.13, 95%CI: 0.04−0.44) (P<0.05). Specifically, those who consumed seaweeds (for <1 time per week, OR=0.18, 95%CI: 0.11−0.30; for 1−2 times per week, OR=0.11, 95%CI: 0.05−0.23; for ≥3 times per week, OR=0.15, 95%CI: 0.03−0.75), kelp (for <1 time per week, OR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.18−0.43; for ≤2 times per week, OR=0.24, 95%CI: 0.11−0.50), and dried shrimps (for <1 time per week, OR=0.44, 95%CI: 0.29−0.69; for ≤2 times per week: OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.18−0.65) had a lower risk of PTC (P<0.05). After excluding patients who had a history of benign thyroid conditions, the favorable association remained significant among patients who had consumption of iodine-rich foods, seaweeds, shrimps, and kelp (P<0.05). Conclusion Less PTC patients consume iodine-rich foods than the controls.