Background/Aims: Chronic constipation is prevalent yet under-diagnosed across Asia, compromising quality of life and burdening healthcare systems. Cultural stigma, varied diets, and limited access to standardized diagnostic tools delay timely care. Methods: The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable in November 2024, brought together experts from 11 Asian countries. The group reviewed epidemiological data, analyzed multinational questionnaire on clinical practice pattern, and conducted structured discussions to identify key barriers and propose region-specific recommendations. Results: Chronic constipation prevalence varies across Asia, ranging from 1.8% in India to 16.6% in Japan, with women and the elderly disproportionately affected. Under-reporting persists owing to cultural taboos and widespread self treatment with laxatives and traditional medications. Although the Rome IV criteria remains the global standard, they may not fully reflect Asian symptom profiles, and diagnosis is limited by scarce motility laboratories. First line therapies such as dietary-fiber optimization and osmotic laxatives are widely available, but newer pharmacotherapies (prucalopride, linaclotide, lubiprostone, and elobixibat) remain costly and unevenly accessible. Biofeedback for dyssynergic defecation is underutilized due to limited availability. Experts recommend expanded regional research on to refine diagnostic criteria, coupled with enhanced physician education and public awareness. They advocate accessibility to second-line and novel therapies that incorporate culturally attuned regional guidelines, and improved access to gastrointestinal motility testing. Conclusions The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable highlighted Asia’s need for region specific diagnostics and management. Addressing diagnostic and treatment gaps will improve outcomes, while ongoing researcher clinician policy collaboration must standardize guidelines, advance research, and ensure equitable care across Asia.

Background: To investigate directional deviations between pilot holes and final pedicle screw trajectories in freehand placement and analyze risk factors for misplacement. While pedicle screws are widely used in thoracolumbosacral surgery, directional deviations between pilot holes and final screw trajectories remain understudied as potential risk factors for misplacement. Methods: Thirty-three patients undergoing posterior fixation were prospectively enrolled. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) tracked the spatial positions of pedicle finders and screwdrivers via custom software. Surgeons (n = 6) were stratified into senior, middle, and junior groups. Analyzed variables included the use of tapping, surgeon experience, spinal deformity status, screw tip morphology, and surgical parameters. Results: Among 198 implanted screws (6.00 ± 2.88/patient), all exhibited trajectory deviations (8.12° ± 3.47°). Tapping significantly reduced deviations (7.23° ± 3.23° vs. 8.87° ± 3.31°, p < 0.01). Senior surgeons achieved smaller deviations (7.34° ± 3.33°) than the middle group (8.60° ± 3.51°, p = 0.039) and junior group (8.68° ± 3.49°, p = 0.022). Multivariate analysis confirmed tapping (p = 0.001) and senior experience (p = 0.023) as protective factors. No significant associations emerged for spinal deformity (8.43° ± 3.73° vs. 7.97° ± 3.35°, p = 0.377), screw tip type (cylindrical, 8.43° ± 3.26° vs. tapered, 8.07 ± 3.51°; p = 0.637), obesity, or surgical position parameters. Conclusions Freehand pedicle screw placement consistently produces trajectory deviations from pilot holes, and surgeon experience and tapping are modifiable protective factors. The IMU-based tracking system enables quantitative surgical motion analysis, suggesting its utility for training optimization and technique standardization.

AIM:To investigate the antitumor activity and targets of baicalein(Bai)in pancreatic cancer using network pharmacology combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments.METHODS:The targets of Bai and pancreatic can-cer were analyzed via multi-data screening.A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING,and core targets were identified via Cytoscape.Functional enrichment was analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Ency-clopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG).Antitumor effects of Bai were assessed in pancreatic cancer cells Aspc-1 and Bxpc-3 using MTT and colony formation assays for proliferation,flow cytometry for apoptosis and cell cycle analysis,and Transwell assays for migration and invasion.A xenograft tumor model was established to evaluate tumor proliferation,im-munohistochemistry was performed to detect the protein expression of AKT in tumor tissues,and Western blot was used to analyze the expression levels of AKT,β-catenin,N-cadherin and Slug.RESULTS:A total of 108 overlapping targets were identified between Bai and pancreatic cancer.Among these,7 core targets were recognized,including proto-onco-gene tyrosine-protein kinase Src,heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1),estrogen receptor 1(ESR1),tumor protein p53(TP53),epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),AKT1,and mitogen-activated protein ki-nase 3(MAPK3).The GO analysis revealed significant enrichment in oxidative stress response,protein phosphorylation,and serine/threonine kinase activity.The KEGG analysis primarily enriched the PI3K/AKT,MAPK and Ras signaling pathways.The MTT and colony formation assays showed that Bai inhibited the viability of Aspc-1 and Bxpc-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner(72 h IC50 values were 73.6 μmol/L and 83.4 μmol/L,respectively)and reduced cell colony for-mation(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Flow cytometry confirmed that Bai induced apoptosis of Aspc-1 and Bxpc-3 cells(P<0.01)and blocked the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Transwell experiments indicated that Bai inhibited the migration and invasion of Aspc-1 and Bxpc-3 cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In vivo,Bai significantly inhibited the growth of Aspc-1 cell xenograft tumors(P<0.01).Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant reduction in AKT expression in tu-mor tissues(P<0.01),and Western blot showed decreased expression of AKT,β-catenin,N-cadherin and Slug in both Aspc-1 and Bxpc-3 cells(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Baicalein inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,potentially through down-regulation of AKT,β-catenin,N-cadherin,and Slug expression.

In recent years,natural antimicrobial biomaterials have received widespread attention due to their rich sources,broad anti-microbial spectrum,high antimicrobial activity,good biocompatibility,etc.They play an important role in caries prevention and treat-ment by inhibiting the formation of biofilm and removing the formed biofilm.In this paper,we summarize the inhibitory effects of differ-ent natural antimicrobial biomaterials on Streptococcus mutans,the main caries-causing organism,and its biofilm,with a view to provi-ding theoretical references for caries prevention and treatment.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial strains isolated from pediatric intensive care units(PICU)in China for better antimicrobial therapy.Methods Clinical isolates were collected from 17 institutions,including tertiary care children's hospitals and pediatric department of tertiary general hospitals in China from January 1,2020 to December 31,2022.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated systems.Results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)in 2020.Results A total of 10 688 isolates were collected,including gram-positive organisms(39.2％)and gram-negative organisms(60.8％).The top three organisms were S.aureus(13.6％,1 453/10 688),A.baumannii(10.0％,1 067/10 688),and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(9.9％,1 058/10 688).Multi-drug resistant organisms(MDROs)were very common in children.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE),carbapenem-resistant E.coli,carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae(CRKP),carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii(CRAB),and carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa(CRPA)was 41.1％,19.4％,8.8％,30.9％,67.4％,and 28.8％,respectively.Overall,more than 50％of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to cephalosporins,while nearly 25％of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to carbapenems.MDROs were highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics.More than 80％of CRE and CRAB strains were resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics.CRE and CRAB showed low resistance rates to tigecycline and polymyxin.CRPA showed lower resistance rates to piperacillin,beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations than the resistance rates to third and fourth generation cephalosporins.All of the Staphylococcus and Enterococcus isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and tigecycline.None of PRSP strains isolated from meningitis and nonmeningitis samples were resistant to rifampicin,vancomycin,or linezolid.The prevalence of β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant(BLNAR)strains was 43.3％in Haemophilus influenzae.Conclusions MDROs were prevalent in PICU.It is necessary to establish an effective multidisciplinary team(MDT)to control the antimicrobial resistance.

Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.

Objective:To evaluate the role of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in the spinal membrane in electroacupuncture (EA)-induced alleviation of morphine-triggered opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) and the relationship with phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2-3 months, weighing 240-260 g, in which intrathecal catheters were successfully implanted, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: normal saline group (NS group), morphine group (M group), morphine+ EA group (ME group), and morphine+ EA+ CB1 antagonist group (MEA group). The OIH model was established by intrathecal injection of morphine 15 μg (10 μl) twice a day for 7 consecutive days. The equal volume of normal saline 10 μl was given instead in NS group. EA of the " Yanglingquan" (GB34) and " Zusanli" (ST36) acupoints lasting 30 min was performed after the first administration of medication each day, with a current intensity of 2 mA and frequency of 2 Hz in ME group. In MEA group, morphine (15 μg) and CB1 antagonist AM251 30 μg (10 μl) were intrathecally injected twice a day for 7 consecutive days, with other treatments similar to those previously described in ME group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before administration (T 0) and on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after administration (T 1-4). Rats were deeply anesthetized and sacrificed at T 3, 4 after administration, and the L 4-6 spinal cord tissues were collected for determination of the expression of membrane CB1, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 by Western blot. Results:Compared with NS group, the MWT was significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at T 3, 4 in M, ME and MEA groups, the expression of spinal membrane CB1 and p-ERK1/2 was significantly up-regulated at T 4 after administration in M group, and the expression of spinal membrane CB1 was significantly up-regulated at T 3, 4 after administration in ME and MEA groups ( P<0.05). Compared with M group, the MWT was significantly increased and the TWL was prolonged at T 3, 4, and the expression of p-ERK1/2 was down-regulated at T 4 after administration in ME group ( P<0.05), no significant change was found in MWT or TWL at T 3, 4 in MEA group ( P>0.05), and the expression of spinal membrane CB1 was significantly up-regulated at T 3, 4 after administration in ME and MEA groups ( P<0.05). Compared with ME group, the MWT was significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at T 3, 4, and the expression of spinal membrane CB1 and p-ERK1/2 was up-regulated at T 4 after administration in MEA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Up-regulation of spinal membrane CB1 expression is involved in EA-mediated alleviation of morphine-induced OIH, which is associated with the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in rats.

Background and Aims:Body mass index(BMI),an important indicator of nutrition and health,is closely associated with postoperative complications.This study was performed to investigate the relationship between preoperative BMI and severe complications in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatolithiasis,aiming to provide preoperative guidance for clinicians,reduce the risk of postoperative complications,and ensure surgical safety and efficacy.Methods:The clinical data of 484 patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent liver resection between May 2006 and December 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University and Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital were retrospectively collected.Patients were classified into low BMI group(≤18.4 kg/m2),normal BMI group(18.5-24.9 kg/m2),and high BMI group(≥25.0 kg/m2)based on preoperative BMI.Baseline characteristics,overall complications,severe complications,and other postoperative outcomes were compared between the normal BMI group and the low group as well as the high BMI group.Risk factors for severe complications after liver resection were analyzed.Results:Among the 484 patients,79(16.3％)were in the low BMI group,328(67.8％)in the normal BMI group,and 77(15.9％)in the high BMI group.The high BMI group had significantly higher ASA score,preoperative albumin level,and proportion of hypertension compared to the normal BMI group(all P＜0.05).Baseline characteristics in the low BMI group showed no significant differences compared to the normal BMI group(all P＞0.05).The incidence rates of overall complications were not significantly among the three groups(P＞0.05).However,the high BMI group had significantly higher incidence rates of severe complications(Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ),postoperative infections,liver failure,and bile leakage compared to the normal BMI group;the low BMI group had significantly higher rates of perioperative blood transfusion,postoperative infections,liver failure,and reoperation compared to the normal BMI group(all P＜0.05).Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses identified high BMI and preoperative total bilirubin ≥54 pmol/L as independent risk factors for severe complications after liver resection in patients with hepatolithiasis(both P＜0.05).Conclusion:Preoperative BMI is closely associated with the occurrence of complications after liver resection in patients with hepatolithiasis,with high BMI being an independent risk factor for severe complications.To mitigate the risk of severe complications,clinical practice should prioritize monitoring and management of individuals with high BMI and other risk factors

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) in the fibrosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs).Methods:A total of 30 nasal primary pterygium tissues from patients who underwent pterygium excision surgery and 30 nasal normal conjunctival tissues from patients who underwent strabismus correction surgery were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between January 2022 and March 2023, serving as the pterygium group and normal control group, respectively.LRG1 protein expression in both groups was detected by immunofluorescence staining.The mRNA and protein levels of LRG1 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot.Primary HPFs were cultured from excised pterygium tissues using tissue block adhesion method, and cell morphology was observed.Vmentin and cytokeratin were identified by immunofluorescence staining.HPFs were divided into recombinant human LRG1 (rhLRG1) group and blank control group treated with or without 10 μg/ml rhLRG1 for 24 hours, respectively, and cell migration was evaluated via scratch assay.Additionally, HPFs were divided into blank control group, LRG1 overexpression group and LRG1 knockdown group.HPFs in LRG1 overexpression group and LRG1 knockdown group were transfected with LRG1 overexpression plasmids and small interfering RNA for 24 hours, respectively.TGF-β1 mRNA level was evaluated by qRT-PCR and expression of TGF-β1, fibronectin (FN), type Ⅲ collagen (COL3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proteins were evaluated by Western blot.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (No.2022IIT026).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:HPFs were successfully isolated, exhibiting spindle-shaped morphology with whorled arrangement, positive identification for vimentin, and negative immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin.The migration rate of the rhLRG1 group was (83.01±2.56)%, significantly higher than (50.32±4.97)% of the blank control group ( t=9.59, P<0.001).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with normal conjunctival tissue, LRG1 protein was significantly higher expressed in pterygium tissue and was widely distributed in fibrous connective tissue and epithelial layer.Both mRNA and protein levels of LRG1 and TGF-β1 were significantly higher in the pterygium group than in the normal control group (mRNA: t=10.18, 6.15, both P<0.05.protein: t=6.83, 8.79, both P<0.05).In the LRG1 overexpression group, mRNA level of TGF-β1, and protein levels of FN, COL3 and α-SMA were significantly increased compared with the blank control and LRG1 knockdown groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions:LRG1 promotes fibrosis and enhances the migration ability in HPFs, and its mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the application value of coronary CT angiography(CCTA)combined with serum levels of Krueppel like factor 4(KLF4)and histone deacetylase 4(HDAC4)in assessment of coronary artery steno-sis severity in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods:A total of 152 CHD patients admitted to Suzhou High tech District People's Hospital between December 2021 and December 2023 were prospectively selected.According to coronary angiography(CAG)quantitative analysis method,patients with CHD were divided into mild stenosis group(n=57),moderate stenosis group(n=49)and severe stenosis group(n=46).Kappa consistency a-nalysis was used to determine the consistency between CCTA detection and CAG in determining the degree of coro-nary stenosis.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of CCTA combined with serum KLF4 and HDAC4 levels for the degree of coronary artery stenosis.Results:Compared to pa-tients in mild stenosis group,those in moderate stenosis group and severe stenosis group had significantly lower levels of KLF4 and HDAC4(P＜0.01 all),and those in severe stenosis group had significantly lower levels of KLF4 and HDAC4 compared to those in moderate stenosis group(P＜0.01 all).According to CCTA diagnosis,there were 53 cases with mild stenosis,53 cases with moderate stenosis and 46 cases with severe stenosis.The consistency rate with CAG diagnosis was 80.92％(123/152),which was relatively high(Kappa=0.713,P＜0.001).The accuracy of CCTA in diagnosing mild,moderate and severe stenosis was 88.16％(134/152),85.53％(130/152)and 88.16％(134/152)respectively.ROC curve analysis indicated the area under the curve(AUC)of CCTA combined with ser-um KLF4 and HDAC4 in the diagnosis of moderate and severe coronary artery stenosis was 0.949(95％CI 0.901～0.978),which was significantly higher than those of CCTA(AUC=0.867,95％CI 0.802～0.916),serum KLF4(AUC=0.895,95％CI 0.825～0.939)and HDAC4(AUC=0.809,95％CI 0.738～0.869)alone(Z=2.806,P＜0.001;Z=2.065,P=0.039;Z=3.552,P＜0.001,respectively).Conclusion:In patients with coronary heart dis-ease,serum levels of KLF4 and HDAC4 are closely related to the degree of coronary artery stenosis.The combina-tion of CCTA,serum KLF4 and HDAC4 levels has good performance in predicting the degree of coronary artery stenosis.