ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Homebox A6 （HOXA6） on the proliferation， invasion， metastasis， and apoptosis of HepG2 hepatoma cells and its association with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. MethodsHepG2 hepatoma cells were cultured， and HOXA6 overexpression plasmid and siRNA were constructed and transfected into cells. The cells were randomly divided into empty plasmid group， HOXA 6 overexpression group， siRNA negative control group， and siRNA HOXA6 interference group. CCK8 assay was used to measure cell proliferation， Transwell assay was used to observe cell invasion， and wound healing assay was used to observe cell migration （related proteins TIMP3， MMP9， and MMP3）. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis （related proteins BAX and BCL2）， the BCA method was used to measure protein concentration， and Western Blot was used to measure the expression of related proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the SNK-q test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the empty plasmid group， HOXA6 overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation， invasion， and migration of HepG2 hepatoma cells （all P<0.001）， and there was a significant reduction in the protein expression of TIMP3 （P<0.001）， while there were significant increases in the expression levels of MMP9 and MMP3 （both P<0.001）. Compared with the siRNA negative control group， HOXA6 interference significantly inhibited the proliferation， invasion， and migration of HepG2 hepatoma cells （all P<0.001）， and there was a significant increase in the protein expression of TIMP3 （P<0.001）， while there were significant reductions in the expression levels of MMP9 and MMP3 （both P<0.001）. Flow cytometry showed that compared with the empty plasmid group， HOXA6 overexpression inhibited the apoptosis of HepG2 hepatoma cells （P<0.001）， with a significant reduction in the expression of the apoptosis-related protein BAX and a significant increase in the expression of BCL2 （both P<0.001）. Compared with siRNA negative control group， HOXA6 interference promoted the apoptosis of HepG2 hepatoma cells （P<0.001）， with a significant increase in the expression of BAX and a significant reduction in the expression of BCL2 （both P<0.001）. Compared with the empty plasmid group， the HOXA6 overexpression group had significantly higher ratios of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K （both P<0.001）， and compared with the siRNA negative control group， the siRNA HOXA6 interference group had significantly lower ratios of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K （both P<0.001）. ConclusionHOXA6 can promote the proliferation， invasion， and metastasis of HepG2 hepatoma cells and inhibit their apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through phosphorylation.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment experiences and prognostic factors for descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 22 patients with DNM diagnosed and treated in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2016 to August 2022, including 16 males and 6 females, aged 29-79 years. After admission, all patients underwent CT scanning of the maxillofacial, cervical, and thoracic regions to confirm their diagnoses. Emergency incision and drainage were performed. The neck incision was treated with continuous vacuum sealing drainage. According to the prognoses, the patients were divided into cure group and death group, and the prognostic factors were analyzed. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the clinical data. Rusults: The main complaints were dysphagia (45.5%, 10/22) and dyspnea (50.0%, 11/22). Odontogenic infection accounted for 45.5% (10/22) and oropharyngeal infection accounted for 54.5% (12/22). There were 16 cases in the cured group and 6 cases in the death group, with a total mortality rate of 27.3%. The mortality rates of DNM typeⅠand typeⅡwere respectively 16.7% and 40%. Compared with the cured group, the death group had higher incidences for diabetes, coronary heart disease and septic shock (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the cure group and the death group in procalcitonin level (50.43 (137.64) ng/ml vs 2.92 (6.33) ng/ml, M(IQR), Z=3.023, P<0.05) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ) score (16.10±2.40 vs 6.75±3.19, t=6.524, P<0.05). Conclution: DNM is rare, with high mortality, high incidence of septic shock, and the increased procalcitonin level and APACHE Ⅱ score combined diabetes and coronary heart disease are the poor prognostic factors for DNM. Early incision and drainage combined with continuous vacuum sealing drainage technique is a better way to treat DNM.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Mediastinitis/diagnosis* ; Shock, Septic/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Procalcitonin ; Prognosis ; Drainage/adverse effects* ; Necrosis/therapy*

Objective:To explore the surgical methods and treatment effects of adult anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint (AADSJ).Methods:A multi-center retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 25 cases admitted in 5 clinical centers (affiliations of authors in this article) from January 2016 to January 2021. There were 18 males and 7 females, aged 38.8±15.5 years (range, 18-83 years). The AADSJ clinical classification system was formulated based on the radiographic morphology of anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint, which includes two types. Type I: complete anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint, and displacement of the entire iliac auricular surface to the front of the sacrum. Type II: fracture of the sacroiliac joint combined with anterior dislocation, subdivided into 3 subtypes. Type IIa: iliac fracture involves the anterior 1/3 of the sacroiliac joint, and dislocation of the ilium anterior to the sacrum. Type IIb: iliac fracture involves the posterior 2/3 of the sacroiliac joint, and dislocation of the ilium anterior to the sacrum. Type IIc: iliac fracture involves the posterior 2/3 of the sacroiliac joint, and dislocation of the ilium anteromedial to the sacrum. The reliability and repeatability of the clinical classification, Tile classification and Young-Burgess classification were performed based on the results of two-phase assessments in four observers. The operations were performed by the lateral-rectus approach and the ilioinguinal approach. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding were recorded. Pelvic X-ray and CT scan were rechecked after the operation. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to Matta score. The postoperative functional rehabilitation was evaluated according to the Majeed rehabilitation standard at one-year follow-up.Results:Among 25 cases in this study, there were 3 cases of Type I, 5 cases of Type IIa, 9 cases of Type IIb and 8 cases of Type IIc according to the clinical classification system. The Kappa values of reliability tests for the clinical classification, Tile classification and Young-Burgess classification were 0.681, 0.328 and 0.383, respectively. The Kappa values of repeatability tests for the clinical classification, Tile classification and Young-Burgess classification were 0.690, 0.221 and 0.395, respectively. The reliability and repeatability of the AADSJ clinical classification were significantly better than other classifications. There were 14 cases underwent lateral rectus abdominis approach and 11 cases underwent ilioinguinal approach. The operative time for managing anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint was 122.0±50.7 min (range, 65-148 min) through the lateral rectus abdominis approach, and through the ilioinguinal approach was 178.0±49.9 min (range, 110-270 min), with a significant difference ( t=2.76, P=0.011). The amount of intraoperative blood loss through the lateral rectus approach was 680±330 ml (range, 350-2,120 ml), which was significantly less than that through the ilioinguinal approach (1,660±968 ml, 680-3,300 ml), with a significant difference ( t=3.55, P=0.002). The follow-up period was 1-3 years. At one week after surgery, the quality of fracture reduction evaluated by Matta score showed that the excellent and good reduction rate of the lateral-rectus approach was 79% (11/14), and that of the ilioinguinal approach was 73% (11/14), with no statistically significant difference ( P=1.000). At a one-year follow-up, according to Majeed's criteria, the overall excellent and good rate of the lateral-rectus approach was 64% (9/14), which is similar to 64% (7/11) of that of the ilioinguinal approach. No fracture reduction loss or internal fixation loosening failure occurred. Conclusion:The AADSJ clinical classification system can accurately describe the imaging features and clinical manifestations of AADSJ, with high reliability and repeatability. The AADSJ can be treated by the lateral-rectus approach or the ilioinguinal approach, with similar therapeutic effects but the former having less trauma.

Objective:To explore the surgical techniques and clinical effects of minimally invasive adjustable plate (MIAP) together with distraction reduction by minimally invasive anterior pelvic ring internal fixator (INFIX) in the treatment of fresh Denis type ⅡB sacral fracture with sacral nerve injury.Methods:From June 2017 to June 2020, 12 fresh Denis type ⅡB sacral fractures were treated by anterior-posterior distraction reduction and fixation with MIAP and INFIX. There were 8 males and 4 females, with an average age of 30 years (from 16 to 44 years). Preoperatively, imaging found Denis ⅡB fracture of the sacrum and magnetic resonance neurography of the lumbosacral plexus showed injury to the sacral nerve root at the sacral foramen. All patients had symptoms of S 1 nerve root injury on the affected side after injury, with 9 cases of grade M0 and 3 cases of grade M1. The time from injury to operation averaged 11 days (from 5 to 19 days). INFIX combined with MIAP was used to distract and fixate the compressed sacral fracture. The quality of fracture reduction and recovery of sacral nerve function were evaluated postoperatively. Results:According to the criteria proposed by Lindahl et al., the quality of fracture reduction was excellent in 8 cases, good in 2 and fair in 2. The 12 cases were followed up for an average of 20 months (from 12 to 36 months). All sacral fractures got united after an average of 6 weeks (from 5 to 8 months). At one-year follow-up, according to the criteria proposed by the Nerve Injuries Committee of the British Medical Research Council, the postoperative muscle strength recovery was evaluated as complete recovery in 10 cases and as partial recovery in 2 cases.Conclusion:In the treatment of fresh Denis type ⅡB sacral fracture, MIAP combined with INFIX can obtain satisfactory clinical effects because the compressed sacrum can be effectively distracted, the sacral foramen be expanded and the sacral nerve be decompressed indirectly.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in order to improve the early diagnosis and effective treatment. METHODS: Clinical data of five children with ALL developing PCP in the post-chemotherapy granulocyte deficiency phase were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging findings, treatment methods and effect were summarized. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio of the five children was 1∶4, and the median age was 5.5 (2.9-8) years old. All patients developed PCP during granulocyte deficiency phase after induction remission chemotherapy. The clinical manifestations were generally non-specific, including high fever, tachypnea, dyspnea, non-severe cough, and rare rales in two lungs (wet rales in two patients). Laboratory tests showed elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), serum procalcitonin (PCT), (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BDG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inflammatory factors including IL-2R, IL-6 and IL-8. Chest CT showed diffuse bilateral infiltrates with patchy hyperdense shadows. Pneumocystis carinii(PC) was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or induced sputum by high-throughput sequencing in all patients. When PCP was suspected, chemotherapy was discontinued immediately, treatment of trimethoprim-sulfame thoxazole (TMP-SMX) combined with caspofungin against PC was started, and adjunctive methylprednisolone was used. Meanwhile, granulocyte-stimulating factor and gammaglobulin were given as the supportive treatment. All patients were transferred to PICU receiving mechanical ventilation due to respiratory distress during treatment. Four children were cured and one died. CONCLUSION PCP should be highly suspected in ALL children with high fever, dyspnea, increased LDH and BDG, and diffuse patchy hyperdense shadow or solid changes in lung CT. The pathogen detection of respiratory specimens should be improved as soon as possible. TMP/SMZ is the first-line drug against PCP, and the combination of Caspofungin and TMP/SMZ treatment for NH-PCP may have a better efficacy. Patients with moderate and severe NH-PCP may benefit from glucocorticoid.
Caspofungin/therapeutic use* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/therapy* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/therapy* ; Respiratory Sounds ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To evaluate the anterior expansion of sacral foramen and decompression of sacral plexus via the lateral-rectus approach (LRA) in the surgical treatment of sacral fractures complicated with sacral plexus injury.Methods:From January 2013 to June 2018, 11 patients were treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University for obsolete sacral fractures complicated with sacral plexus injury. They were 8 males and 3 females, aged from 17 to 54 years (average, 38 years). According to the Denis classification, all the sacral fractures belonged to Denis Zone Ⅱ. According to British Medical Research Council (BMRC) grading system, the nerve injury was complete damage in 2 cases and partial damage in 9. The mean time from injury to surgery was 6 months (range, from 0.7 to 12.0 months). After the sacroiliac joint was exposed via the LRA, the lumbosacral trunk was exposed and released between iliac vessels and the iliopsoas. Next, the S1 foramen was expanded and the S1 nerve root was released after separation of the median sacral artery and the internal iliac artery. Reduction and fixation of the sacroiliac joint was carried out for patients with unstable sacral fracture. X-ray and CT examinations of the pelvis were performed to evaluate fracture healing and neurological function recovery postoperatively.Results:Of this cohort of 11 cases, operation succeeded in 10 but failed in one whose sacral fracture was found to have completely healed with the S1 foramina totally occluded. The surgical time averaged 110 min (range, from 70 to 220 min) and the blood loss 1, 100 mL (range, from 450 to 2, 800 mL). Postoperative X-ray and CT examinations showed that the sacral foramens were expanded significantly without any complications. The follow-up time averaged 18 months (range, from 12 months to 4 years). By the BMRC grading system at the last follow-up, the neural function was completely recovered in 5 cases, partially recovered in 4 cases and not recovered in one.Conclusion:Significant anterior expansion of sacral foramen and decompression of sacral plexus via the LRA is a viable and effective alternative for treatment of sacral fractures complicated with sacral plexus injury.

Objective:To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) in rabbits with atherosclerosis.Methods:Thirty-six male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a simvastatin group according to the random number table method,with 9 rabbits in each group.Rabbits in the model group,the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group were modeled by high fat feeding method which took 12 weeks.After verification of the successful model,rabbits in the normal group were not treated,in the model group were bundled,in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion,and those in the simvastatin group were treated with simvastatin,all for a total of 4 weeks.At the end of the experiment,the aorta and liver were observed for pathological changes;serum and liver were used to detect lipid levels;Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect LXRα protein and mRNA expression levels,respectively.Results:Compared with the normal group,the structure of aorta was disordered,the wall was rough and thick,the intima was unsmooth,and the vascular smooth muscle cells were arranged closely and disorderly in the model group,which was consistent with the characteristics of the rabbit model of aortic atherosclerosis.Compared with the model group,the aortic structure was clear,the degree of hepatocyte degeneration was reduced,the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly decreased (all P＜0.01),the high-density lipoprotein level was elevated (P＜0.01),and the total liver cholesterol was decreased significantly (P＜0.01) in the rabbits of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group;compared with the model group,the protein (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05) and mRNA (P＜0.01) expressions of rabbit LXRα in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group were increased.Conclusion:Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can improve the aortic and hepatic lesions,regulate blood lipid and liver lipid levels,increase the expression of liver cholesterol reverse transport nuclear receptor LXRα,promote reverse cholesterol transport in the rabbits with aortic atherosclerosis,therefore produces an antiatherogenic effect.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of herbal-cake-separated moxibustion on the repair of damaged vascular endothelium structure and the content of stromal cells derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in rabbits with atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 75 rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a direct moxibustion group, an atorvastatin calcium group and a herbal-cake-separated moxibustion group, 15 rabbits in each one. The rabbits in the normal group were fed with normal diet, and the remaining rabbits were fed with high-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks to prepare atherosclerotic model. Two groups of acupoints, one was "Juque" (CV 14), "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Fenglong" (ST 40), the other one was "Xinshu" (BL 15), "Ganshu" (BL 18) and "Pishu" (BL 20), were applied in the direct moxibustion group and herbal-cake-separated moxibustion group; the two groups of acupoints were selected alternatively every other day. The moxibustion was given for 30 min per treatment, once a day for 4 weeks. The rabbits in the atorvastatin calcium group were treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets (1.96 mg•kg•d) which were crushed into powder and mixed into breakfast. After modeling, the rabbits in the normal group and model group received no treatment, and immobilized at the time when moxibustion was applied in other three groups. The levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were measured by enzymic method; the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by colorimetric method; the morphological structure of aortic wall was observed under optical microscope; the serum level of SDF-1 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: After treatment, compared with the normal group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group (all <0.01), and the level of HDL-C was decreased (<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly decreased (all <0.01), and the level of HDL-C was significantly increased in the direct moxibustion group, atorvastatin calcium group and herbal-cake-separated moxibustion group (<0.01, <0.05). Compared with the normal group, the morphological structure of aortic wall was significantly damaged in the model group. Compared with the model group, the vascular endothelial structure was improved in the atorvastatin calcium group and herbal-cake-separated moxibustion group, and the pathological change of aorta endothelial in the direct moxibustion group was relieved. After treatment, compared with the model group, the level of SDF-1 was increased in the direct moxibustion group, atorvastatin calcium group and herbal-cake-separated moxibustion group (<0.05, <0.01); the level of SDF-1 in the herbal-cake- separated moxibustion group was higher than that in the direct moxibustion group (<0.05). CONCLUSION The herbal- cake-separated moxibustion can promote the expression of SDF-1 in serum and repair the damaged aortic endothelial structure.
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Hyperlipidemias ; Moxibustion ; Rabbits

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection is the main complication after posterior lumbar surgery, which not only increases the patient's hospitalization time, financial burden and physical pain, but also increases the difficulty for the clinical medical staff, delays the recovery of postoperative patients, even leads to deaths. Therefore, it is important to analyze the factors related to the infection of the surgical site after posterior lumbar surgery. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors of the surgical site infection after lumbar posterior approach in China. METHODS: Studies about the surgical site infection after lumbar posterior approach were retrieved by computer. The quality of the studies was evaluated by reading the full text. Heterogeneity was analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software. Meta analysis was used to analyze the combined effect. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Totally 20 studies with 423 cases of surgical site infection and 13 995 cases of non-infection were included. (2)Meta-analysis univariate analysis results:body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m2[OR=3.82,95%CI(2.47,5.91),P<0.000 01],age ≥ 60 years [OR=1.99,95%CI(1.44,2.76),P<0.000 1],intraoperative blood loss ≥ 300 mL[OR=3.98,95%CI(2.50,6.33),P<0.000 01],subcutaneous fat thickness[MD=5.35,95%CI(3.58,7.12),P<0.000 01],number of segments ≥ 3[OR=3.83,95%CI(2.02,7.26),P<0.000 1],operation time ≥180 minutes[OR=2.96,95%CI(2.06,4.27),P<0.000 01],preoperative serum protein<35 g/L[OR=2.37,95%CI(1.63,3.46),P<0.000 01],and diabetes[OR=2.88,95%CI(2.22,3.74),P<0.000 01]were risk factors for surgical site infection after lumbar posterior approach.(3)Multivariate analysis results:body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m2[OR=3.21,95%CI(1.97,5.22),P<0.000 01],subcutaneous fat thickness[MD=5.35,95%CI(3.58, 7.12),P<0.000 01],preoperative serum protein<35 g/L[OR=3.73,95%CI(2.30,6.04),P<0.000 01],and diabetes[OR=3.35,95%CI(1.75,6.42), P=0.003]were independent risk factors for surgical site infection after lumbar posterior surgery.(4)Results showed that body mass index ≥27 kg/m2, subcutaneous fat thickness, preoperative serum protein < 35 g/L, and diabetes are independent risk factors for surgical site infection after lumbar posterior approach in China. Due to the number of cases of surgical site infection and its methodological quality during the study, the above conclusions still need to be confirmed by more large-scale, high-quality studies to provide reliable evidence for perioperative management.

BACKGROUND:Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1), a catalytic subunit of an important chromatin remodeling complex, has been considered as a key nuclear transcriptional factor, and tends to be decreased in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
OBJECTIVE:To construct an adenovirus vector carrying Brg1, and observe its protective role in oxidative stress induced-cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
METHODS:The recombinant adenovirus plasmid was linearized and transfected into HEK293 cel s using Fugene HD for packaging and amplification. The adenovirus particles were further purified, quantified, and sequential y transfected to cardiomyocytes of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats. The Adeno-EGFP transfected and non-transfected cardiomyocytes were used as control group. 24 hours later, the transfection efficiency was observed by fluorescent microscope, and expressions of Brg1 mRNA and protein were detected by quantified PCR and western blotting. After treatment with 100 μmol/L H2O2 for 12 hours, the expressions of Brg1 protein and cleaved-Caspase 3 were measured by western blotting, and cel apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The recombinant adenovirus vector of Brg1 had been successful y transfected into cardiomyocytes with higher expressions of Brg1 mRNA and protein, and the transfection efficiency reached more than 90%. (2) After H2O2 treatment, the Brg1 was significantly down-regulated in contrast to the up-regulation of cleaved-Caspase 3;the flow cytometry data showed that the apoptotic cel s were increased. But in Adeno-Brg1 transfected cardiomyocytes, the H2O2 induced cel apoptosis was significantly decreased compared with non-transfected cel s and empty vector transfected cel s. (3) These results suggest that oxidative stress can directly inhibit the Brg1 expression, and overexpression of Brg1 can protect the cardiomyocytes from cel apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.