BACKGROUND:Ilizarov bone transport is very effective in the treatment of open large tibial bone defects,but there are still complications,among which the difficulty of junction healing is one of the difficult points in treatment. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Ilizarov bone transport combined with antibiotic bone cement on junction healing after operation of open large tibial bone defect. METHODS:Totally 51 patients with open large tibial bone defect(bone defect>4 cm)admitted to Binzhou Medical University Hospital from August 2010 to January 2022 were selected,of which 28 received Ilizarov bone transport alone(control group)and 23 received Ilizarov bone transport combined with antibiotic bone cement treatment(trial group).External fixation time,bone healing time,bone healing index,visual analog scale score during bone removal,bone defect limb function,junction healing and complications at the final follow-up were statistically compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All the 51 patients were followed up for a mean of(22.53±5.77)months.External fixation time,bone healing time,bone healing index,postoperative infection rate,and non-healing rate of junction were less in the trial group than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in visual analog scale scores at 6 months after the second surgery and in the functional excellence and good rate of limb with bone defect at the final follow-up(P>0.05).(2)These findings indicate that compared with the Ilizarov bone transport alone,Ilizarov bone transport combined with antibiotic bone cement treatment can promote the healing of open tibial fracture junction and increase the rate of bone healing.

S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCO) is a non-protein sulfur-containing amino acid with a variety of functions. There are few reports on the enzymes catalyzing the biosynthesis of SMCO from S-methyl-L-cysteine (SMC). In this study, the flavin-containing monooxygenase gene derived from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (spfmo) was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and the enzymatic properties of the expressed protein were analyzed. The optimum catalytic conditions of the recombinant SpFMO were 30 ℃ and pH 8.0, under which the enzyme activity reached 72.77 U/g. An appropriate amount of Mg²⁺ improved the enzyme activity. The enzyme kinetic analysis showed that the K_m and k_cat/K_m of SpFMO on the substrate SMC were 23.89 μmol/L and 61.71 L/(min·mmol), respectively. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the yield of SMCO synthesized from SMC catalyzed by SpFMO was 12.31% within 9 h. This study provides reference for the enzymatic synthesis of SMCO.
Schizosaccharomyces/genetics* ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism* ; Cysteine/biosynthesis* ; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism* ; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/metabolism* ; Oxygenases/metabolism* ; Kinetics

Objective:To explore the clinical application and triage management value of using blood circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) (cysteine dioxygenase type 1 gene, CDO1, and Homeobox protein A9 gene, HOXA9) hypermethylation level to detect and diagnose ovarian cancer.Methods:A case-control study was conducted on patients who went for surgery at Chengdu Womens and Childrens Central Hospital from November 2022 to October 2023. Blood samples were collected before surgery for evaluation of cancer antigen 125 (CA125), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) score, and DNA methylation testing. The basic clinical information, biomarkers, and transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) information were collected simultaneously. Information from a total of 151 patients was collected, including 122 cases with benign pathology and 29 ovarian cancer cases. The pathologic diagnosis of ovarian tissue was defined as the gold standard. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify high-risk factors for ovarian cancer. The clinical efficacy of DNA methylation detection for ovarian cancer was analyzed using the area under curve (AUC).Results:The results showed that the age, menopausal status, CA125 and HE4 detection, ROMA score, positivity rate of CDO1 gene and HOXA9 gene single or combined testing in ovarian cancer patients were higher than those in the benign group and showed significant differences ( P<0.05). Among these detection protocols, the AUC of CDO1 and HOXA9 dual gene methylation testing for ovarian cancer was the highest at 0.936 (95% CI, 0.878-0.994), with 89.7% (95% CI 73.6%-96.4%) sensitivity and 97.5% (95% CI 93.0%-99.2%) specificity, respectively. The positive detection rate of CDO1 and HOXA9 dual gene methylation in early ovarian cancer FOGO I-II stage is 12/14 higher than other tests. Conclusion:Blood cfDNA methylation detection, a simple, non-invasive, and highly sensitive detection method, is superior to the current ovarian cancer testing in the risk assessment and early detection.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing globally,which has contributed to a surge in diabetic reti-nopathy(DR)patients.DR has become the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the working-age popula-tion.The progressive development of DR involves many molecular and biochemical mechanisms,which interact with each other to affect the homeostasis of retinal blood vessels and cells.With the further study of the pathogenesis of DR,more and more molecular targets have been discovered.Studying the pathogenesis of DR and seeking potential therapeutic targets are of great clinical significance for the early prevention and treatment of DR and the prevention of its progression.In this paper,the latest developments in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of DR are briefly reviewed.

Objective To observe the effects of different frequencies of electroacupuncture on the degree of atrophy of quadriceps femoris in rabbits with anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injury model;To explore the possible mechanisms of electroacupuncture in treating ACL injury.Methods Totally 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group,model group,low-frequency electroacupuncture group and high-frequency electroacupuncture group,with 6 rabbits in each group.Except for the blank group,ACL injury models were established in the other groups.On the 7th day after modeling,the low-frequency electroacupuncture group and the high-frequency electroacupuncture group performed electroacupuncture treatment(continuous wave,frequency of 2 Hz and 100 Hz respectively,and left the needle in place for 20 min)at"Xuehai"and"Liangqiu"of the operation side,and the remaining groups were only grasped and immobilized,for 21 days.The mass ratio of the quadriceps femoris was calculated,the histopathological morphology of the quadriceps femoris tissue of the rabbits in each group was observed by HE staining,the expressions of NO,iNOS in quadriceps femoris tissue were detected by ELISA,the content of ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue was detected by fluorescent probe,the protein expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1,MAFbx in quadriceps femoris tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the quadriceps femoris muscle mass ratio of the model group rabbits was significantly reduced(P<0.01),with irregular arrangement of muscle cells,accompanied by swelling and atrophy,significant interstitial edema,and extensive inflammatory infiltration,the contents of NO,iNOS and ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1 and MAFbx proteins significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the quadriceps femoris muscle mass ratio in the low-frequency and high-frequency electroacupuncture groups significantly increased(P<0.01),with regular arrangement of muscle cells,improved swelling and atrophy of cells,and reduced interstitial edema and inflammation,the contents of NO,iNOS and ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1 and MAFbx proteins significantly decreased(P<0.01).Moreover,the low-frequency electroacupuncture group had better effects than the high-frequency electroacupuncture group(P<0.05).Conclusion Different frequencies of electroacupuncture intervention in ACL injury rabbits can better delay the degree of quadriceps femoris atrophy,and its mechanism may be related to reducing the expressions of oxidative metabolites NO,iNOS,ROS,and reducing the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins PERK,ATF6,IRE1 in quadriceps fermoris,which in turn inhibit the expressions of quadriceps atrophy factors MuRF1,MAFbx,and delaying the degradation of quadriceps muscle proteins.The effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture is superior to the high-frequency electroacupuncture.

Abstract: Objective　To genotype and analyze whole genomic features of Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) isolated in Tianjin, to improve evolution information of CVB3 virus in Tianjin, and to provide basis for surveillance and early warning of related diseases. Methods　Viral RNA was extracted from five CVB3 strains isolated in Tianjin, whole genome sequence of the virus was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced by next-generation sequencing method, and phylogenetic and recombinant analysis were carried out. Results　The open reading frame 1(ORF) of the five CVB3 strains contained 6 555 nucleotides and encoded 2 185 amino acids, and ORF2 was composed of sequences encoding 68 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence similarity ranged from 78.3%-100%, and the amino acid sequence similarity ranged from 95.7%-100%. Compared with the CVB3 prototype strain, the nucleotide sequence similarity of the five viruses was between 78.2%-79.1%, and the similarity of amino acid sequences was 94.9%-95.3%. All five viruses exhibited a T151A mutation on the VP2 protein. Additionally, the encephalitis isolate showed a K158E mutation on the VP2 protein, while one of the sewage isolates had a C234T mutation in 5' noncoding region. The five strains belonged to two different genotypes, among which the encephalitis isolate in 2016 belonged to the D genotype, while the sewage isolates in 2021 belonged to the E genotype. This is also the first report of E genotype CVB3 in northern China. The CVB3 strain may have recombinant events in non-structural protein regions, in which encephalitis isolate may recombine with a Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) strain, while sewage isolates may have recombinant events with a strain of ECHO virus 18 (E18). Conclusions　The CVB3 isolates in Tianjin belong to D and E genotypes, and recombination events may exist in non-structural protein region of the viral genome. The results of CVB3 virus genome analysis in sewage suggests presence of CVB3 infection in the population of Tianjin, and its epidemic dominant genotype may have changed.

Objective:To study the characteristics and evolution of the whole genome sequence of an imported Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) case in Tianjin, China, and to provide a scientific basis for the surveillance and control of CHIKV.Methods:The serum specimen of CHIKV was collected at Tianjin Second People's Hospital, on November 4th, 2019, and the viral RNA was extracted. Eleven overlapping primers were used to amplify the complete genome of CHIKV by RT-PCR. The amplification products were then subjected to next generation sequencing (NGS) using Illumina Miniseq platform.Results:The complete genome sequence of the Tianjin CHIKV obtained had similarities ranging from 92.72% to 99.86% with other Chinese isolates. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Tianjin CHIKV belonged to the Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL), East/Central/South African (ECSA) cluster, consistent with most strains from China. The Tianjin CHIKV is most similar (99.74%) to a Pakistan strain. Compared with the reference strain S27, 37 non-structural and 28 structural protein amino acid substitutions had been detected in Tianjin CHIKV genome, including two key site mutations, E1-D284E and E2-I211T, in accordance with other strains in the ECSA cluster. Besides, Tianjin CHIKV possessed two point virulent residues at position 12 and 82 in E2, and also a nsP3-R524Opal nonsense mutation.Conclusions:Tianjin CHIKV showed stronger virulence and greater transmissibility in Aedes albopictus. Therefore, the surveillance and monitoring of CHIKV in China should be strengthened.

Objective:To collect the upper respiratory tract specimens from both domestically-spread and imported Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirmed cases, sequence the whole genome of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and analyze the genetic variation and the phylogenetic characteristics.Methods:The viral nucleic acids of all specimens were extracted, the sequencing library was constructed following the manufacturing instructions, and the sequencing data were analyzed by bioinformatics software.Results:The whole genomes of 2019-nCoV strains from 24 samples were all obtained and had high similarity with the genome of the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1 (GenBank ID: NC_045512) and the similarity rates were all greater than 99.9%. Six 2019-nCoV strains from domestically-spread cases were classified into L-lineage and the others were S-lineage. The 2019-nCoV strains from the imported cases had 48 nucleotide mutation positions, but those from the domestically-spread cases only had 14 mutation positions. Most of 2019-nCoV strains from the imported cases (15/16) had the specific D614G mutation site in spike protein, while those from the domestically-spread cases had none.Conclusions:The 2019-nCoV strains from the imported cases in Tianjin city had more mutation sites than those from the domestically-spread cases, and most of 2019-nCoV strains from the imported cases had D614G mutations in spike protein which had more transmissive rates and were easier to spread among humans.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of Octreotide plus Ulinastatin in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)in elderly patients.Methods:From May 2016 to February 2019, 124 elderly SAP patients admitted to the gastroenterology department of our hospital were enrolled and divided into the combination therapy group and the control group, with 62 patients in each group.The combination therapy group was treated with Octreotide and Ulinastatin, while the control group was treated with Octreotide alone.Serum leukocyte count, C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and amylase levels were monitored before and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after treatment by automated biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.The pain grade scale, APACHE-Ⅱ score and efficacy evaluation were analyzed for the two groups 7 days after treatment.The time to oral refeeding and length of hospitalization were compared between the two groups, and related complications during the treatment were recorded.Complications and the recurrence of pancreatitis within 1 year were followed up in both groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in serum white blood cell count, CRP, amylase, IL-6 and TNF-α levels between the two groups before treatment(all P>0.05). Serum white blood cell count, CRP and TNF-α levels had significant differences( t=3.735, 2.851 and -2.147, P=0.036, 0.029 and 0.043)and serum amylase and IL-6 levels had no significant difference( P>0.05)between the two groups 3 days after treatment.All the above parameters had significant differences between the two groups 7 days after treatment( t=3.624, 2.918, -2.166, 2.684 and -2.593, P=0.023, 0.011, <0.001, 0.015 and <0.001). Serum amylase, IL-6 and TNF-α levels had significant differences( t=-3.515, 4.627 and -3.189, all P<0.001)and serum white blood cell count and CRP had no significant difference(all P>0.05)between the two groups 14 days after treatment.There were significant differences in visual analogue scale(VAS)and APACHE-Ⅱ score between the two groups 7 days after treatment( t=-2.346 and -3.245, P=0.021 and 0.002). On the 7th day after treatment, the effectiveness rate was 79.0%(49/62)in the combination therapy group and 61.3%(38/62)in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups( χ2=4.661, P=0.031). Compared with the control group, time to oral refeeding and hospitalization length were shorter in the combination therapy group than in the control group(6.72±1.87 d vs.7.65±1.69 d, 11.23±2.98 d vs.13.85±3.42 d, t=-2.868 and -4.565, both P<0.05). There were significant differences in the incidences of infectious pancreatic necrosis, gastrointestinal adverse reactions and organ failure between the combination therapy group and the control group(11.3% or 7/62 vs.25.8% or 16/62, 43.5% or 27/62 vs.21.0% or 13/62, 1.6% or 1/62 vs.11.3% or 7/62, χ2=4.324, 7.233 and 4.810, P=0.038, 0.007 and 0.028). There were significant differences in mean length of time without complications and recurrence between the combined group and the control group(10.25±3.26 months vs.8.72±3.73 months, 10.69±2.51 months vs.9.62±2.92 months, Log Rank χ2=7.463 and 4.589, P=0.006 and 0.032). Conclusions:Octreotide combined with Ulinastatin can effectively alleviate local symptoms, slow clinical progression, reduce the risk of complications, decrease the recurrence rate and promote early recovery in elderly SAP patients.

Objective:To analyze the whole genome traceability and variation analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in local COVID-19 outbreaks in Binhai New Area, Tianjin.Methods:The whole-genome high-throughput sequencing was performed on throat swab samples collected from one local asymptomatic infected person and five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Binhai New Area of Tianjin from November 7 to December 5, 2020. The sequencing data were assembled by De novo. MAFFT v7.0 multiple sequence alignment program and MEGA X software were used to compare the above data and construct phylogenetic tree (Neighbor-joining method).Results:The genetic similarity between the sequences of 6 SARS-CoV-2 strains and Wuhan reference sequence (Wuhan-Hu-1) was greater than 99.9%. Two of six strains were genetically identical, conform to the L-Lineage European Branch Ⅱ.1(America Branch)/B.1; The other four strains had the same genes and were in line with the characteristics of L-Lineage European Branch Ⅰ/B.1.1.These six strains belonged to different evolutionary branches and two different transmission chains. There were 18 nucleotide mutation sites in sequences of six SARS-CoV-2 strains, eight of which were synonymous mutation sites, nine of which were missense mutation sites, resulting in nine amino acid mutation sites, and important mutation sites of RDRP-P323L and S-D614G were found in all of the six samples.Conclusions:In this study, there were two COVID-19 outbreaks in Binhai New Area of Tianjin, and the sequences of six SARS-CoV-2 strains belonged to different evolutionary branches and two different transmission chains. It might come from porters′ contact with imported cold chain items contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 from different sources. All the sequences of six SARS-CoV-2 strains had P323L and D614G mutations, which indicated that the virus mutation and transmission ability were stronger. The surveillance of important employees of the cold chain in Tianjin and local and imported cases should be continuously strengthened.