BACKGROUND:Early exercise treatment is the main prevention way for traumatic joint contracture and is also a research focus.Swimming may be a potential intervention for joint contracture due to the special physical properties of water. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of swimming on the development of joint contracture in a rat model and study its mechanisms. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group(n=8)and a joint contracture group(n=16).After the surgical operation of knee joint contracture rat models,the joint contracture group was randomly subdivided into a surgical control group(n=8)and a swimming treatment group(n=8).Swimming started in the swimming treatment group in the second week after surgery and lasted for a total of 5 weeks.At the 6th week after surgery,the body mass,knee joint range of motion,and quadriceps diameter were tested,and the diameter/body mass index was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the knee joint capsule and quadriceps muscle,and Masson staining was used to observe fibrotic changes in the knee joint capsule.Furthermore,the protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen in the knee joint capsule was quantified by immunohistochemical assay and western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of MuRF1 in the quadriceps femoris. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,the knee range of motion decreased in the surgical control and swimming treatment groups(P<0.01),and knee extension deficit and arthrogenic extension deficit were significantly increased(P<0.01),the diameter of the quadriceps muscle was decreased(P<0.01),the joint capsule showed significant fibrosis,the quadriceps muscle was atrophied,and the diameter/body mass index was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,the swimming treatment group showed a significant increase in knee joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter(P<0.01),and significant improvement in joint capsule fibrosis and quadriceps atrophy.Compared with the blank control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen were increased in the joint capsule of rats in both the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen protein in the joint capsule were decreased in the swimming treatment group.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the surgical control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the swimming treatment group was decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,early swimming intervention reduces transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen expression in the joint capsule of traumatic joint contracture rats,decreases MuRF1 expression in the quadriceps muscle,and increases joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter,thereby inhibiting the development of joint contracture.

Objective To investigate the application value of spectral CT multi-quantitative parameters combined with clinical characteristics in predicting high-risk gastroesophageal varices(GOV)in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods The results of upper abdominal spectral CT enhancement and electronic gastroscopy in 112 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis were analyzed retrospec-tively,and the clinical data were collected.According to the gastroscopic manifestations,the patients were divided into high-risk GOV group(n=74)and low-risk GOV group(n=38).Univariate analysis was used to compare the spectral CT quantitative parameters and clinical characteristics between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for high-risk GOV.R software was used to construct a nomogram model for predicting high-risk GOV,and the differentia-tion,calibration and clinical practicability of the prediction model were evaluated.Results The normalized iodine concentration(NIC)of liver left lobe,prothrombin time(PT),albumin(ALB)and liver function grading were independent risk factors for high-risk GOV(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of predicting high-risk GOV in nomo-gram model was 0.893.Calibration curve showed that the predicted results were basically consistent with the actual results.Decision curve analysis(DCA)showed that the prediction model had good clinical practicability.Conclusion The nomogram model based on NIC of liver left lobe,PT,ALB and liver function grading is helpful to predict patients with high-risk GOV in liver cirrhosis,and pro-vides a reference for clinical prevention and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EVB).

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Objective To identify the enhancer landscape marked by histone H3K27ac modifications in diffuse-type gastric cancer(DGC)tissues,and to elucidate the epigenetic remodeling mechanisms by which active enhancers regulate cachexia-related genes.Methods Gastric mucosal tissue samples were collected from Department of Gastroenterology of Army Medical Center of PLA during January 2022 to March 2023,including 10 normal gastric mucosa tissues(Normal group),10 DGC tissues diagnosed with cachexia(DGC group),and 10 organoids derived from DGC tissues(Organoid group).Using H3K27ac chromatin targeting cleavage and tagmentation(CUT&Tag)technology,genomic modification regions were captured to screen specific active enhancers and their potential target genes in DGC tissues.CRISPR-dCas9 gene editing technology was used to intervene with the enhancers,and the expression of target genes was detected with Western blotting and qRT-PCR.Sixteen female SPF-grade BALB/c Nude mice(6～8 weeks old,weighing 18～21 g)were utilized to establish an orthotopic xenograft tumor model using the human diffuse-type gastric cancer cell line MKN45.Cachexia-related phenotypes were evaluated in 3 groups:normal group(n=4),silencing group(n=6),and control group(n=6).Results Significant differential enhancer regions were identified between DGC and normal gastric mucosa tissues.DGC tissues exhibited a marked increase in enhancer abundance(P<0.05)and signal intensity when compared with the normal counterparts.Integrated analysis of transcriptome data revealed that some of these active enhancers up-regulated the expression of GDF15,a cachexia-associated target gene in DGC.Targeted silencing of the active enhancer of GDF15 using CRISPR/dCas9-KRAB plasmid technology resulted in a significant reduction in GDF15 expression at both mRNA levels(P<0.05)and protein.Results from orthotopic transplantation experiments of DGC demonstrated that silencing of active enhancers alleviated the cachexia phenotype in nude mice(P<0.05).Conclusion DGC exhibits enhancer remodeling,which regulates the expression of the cachexia-associated gene GDF15,and thereby contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of cancer cachexia.

Objective To investigate the feasibility,efficacy and safety of cold snare polypectomy(CSP)and endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)in treatment of colonic adenoma in proximity to the orifice of appendix.Methods Clinical data of 41 cases of colonic adenoma in the orifice of appendix treated with CSP(CSP group)and 15 cases treated with EMR(EMR group)from January 2018 to January 2023 were collected.The clinicopathological features and outcomes were analyzed.The main outcome was postoperative complications,including bleeding,perforation and postoperative appendicitis,while the secondary outcome was the total resection rate,block resection rate and local recurrence rate.Results The operation time and treatment cost of CSP group were shorter than EMR group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The diameter of applicable lesions in CSP group was smaller than that in EMR group,and the proportion of lesions with tubular adenoma was significantly higher than that in EMR group.There were no significant differences in the time of admission,intestinal preparation score,length of stay,lesion morphology and lesion type between the two groups(P>0.05).Perforation and postoperative appendicitis were not observed in both groups,and delayed postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 1 case in the CSP group,but it could heal itself after surgery without endoscopic intervention.The complete resection rate was 100.0%in both groups.The total removal rate of CSP group was 100.0%,which was significantly higher than that of EMR group(86.7%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The local recurrence rate was 2.4%(1/41)in CSP group,and no local recurrence was observed in EMR group(0/15),with no statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusion CSP and EMR are safe and effective in the treatment of colonic adenoma in proximity to the orifice of appendix,and they are trustworthy.Compared with EMR,CSP is more applied to small diameter tubular adenomas,which has the characteristics of economy and time saving,but at the same time there is the risk of recurrence.EMR obviously has a wider application range,but there is a disadvantage in price and time,and individual cases need to be segmented resection.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of ultrasound-guided nerve block combined with arc edge needle-scalpel in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Methods 160 cases were randomly divided into 4 groups from A to D,40 cases in each group.Group A was given nerve block,group B was given ultrasound-guided nerve block,group C was given arc edge needle-scalpel,and group D was given ultrasound-guided nerve block combined with arc edge needle-scalpel for 4 weeks.The McGill pain scale,cervical dysfunction index,cervical motion(angle of cervical left and right rotation,anterior flexion,posterior extension and lateral flexion),myoelectric-evoked potentiall(median nerve and ulnar nerve conduction velocity,latency),arterial blood flow velocity(average vertebral artery and basal artery flow velocity,end-diastolic blood flow velocity)were observed.The serum levels of neuron-specific enolase(NSE),β-endorphin(β-EP),lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(LpPLA2),6-ketoprostaglandin E1α(6-keto-PGE1α)were measured.The clinical efficacy and safety of each group were observed.Results The response rate in group D was taller than that in group A and group B significantly(χ2=6.605,P=0.013;χ2=4.073,P=0.044).Compared with the other three groups,the McGill pain,NDI,NSE,LpPLA2 and 6-keto-PGE1α in group D decreased significantly(P<0.05),the β-EP increased significantly(P<0.05),and the angles of left and right cervical rotation,anterior flexion,posterior extension and lateral flexion increased significantly(P<0.05),and median nerve and ulnar nerve conduction velocity,vertebral artery and basilar artery average blood flow velocity,end diastolic blood flow velocity increased significantly(P<0.05),and median nerve and ulnar nerve latency decreased significantly(P<0.05).The safety index of group D was higher than that in group A significantly(χ2=5.641,P=0.018).Conclusion Ultrasound-guided nerve block combined with arc edge needle-scalpel can relieve neck and shoulder pain,improve cervical spine function and reduce complications in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Objective To investigate the feasibility,efficacy and safety of cold snare polypectomy(CSP)and endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)in treatment of colonic adenoma in proximity to the orifice of appendix.Methods Clinical data of 41 cases of colonic adenoma in the orifice of appendix treated with CSP(CSP group)and 15 cases treated with EMR(EMR group)from January 2018 to January 2023 were collected.The clinicopathological features and outcomes were analyzed.The main outcome was postoperative complications,including bleeding,perforation and postoperative appendicitis,while the secondary outcome was the total resection rate,block resection rate and local recurrence rate.Results The operation time and treatment cost of CSP group were shorter than EMR group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The diameter of applicable lesions in CSP group was smaller than that in EMR group,and the proportion of lesions with tubular adenoma was significantly higher than that in EMR group.There were no significant differences in the time of admission,intestinal preparation score,length of stay,lesion morphology and lesion type between the two groups(P>0.05).Perforation and postoperative appendicitis were not observed in both groups,and delayed postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 1 case in the CSP group,but it could heal itself after surgery without endoscopic intervention.The complete resection rate was 100.0%in both groups.The total removal rate of CSP group was 100.0%,which was significantly higher than that of EMR group(86.7%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The local recurrence rate was 2.4%(1/41)in CSP group,and no local recurrence was observed in EMR group(0/15),with no statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusion CSP and EMR are safe and effective in the treatment of colonic adenoma in proximity to the orifice of appendix,and they are trustworthy.Compared with EMR,CSP is more applied to small diameter tubular adenomas,which has the characteristics of economy and time saving,but at the same time there is the risk of recurrence.EMR obviously has a wider application range,but there is a disadvantage in price and time,and individual cases need to be segmented resection.

Objective:To explore the pattern of lymph node metastasis and prognosis in locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (NICT).Methods:This retrospective study included pathologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma (cT3-4aN+) patients who underwent radical resection after ≥2 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor-based chemotherapy with complete postoperative pathology. Exclusions: distant/other metastases, non-R0 resection, Her-2+ with targeted therapy, microsatellite instability, or esophagogastric junction cancer invading >1 cm into lower esophagus. From January 2020 to December 2024, a total of 343 consecutive gastric cancer patients who received NICT treatment were admitted to Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital. According to the above criteria, 324 cases were included in the lymph node metastasis analysis, and 302 cases were included in the survival analysis. The median age of all patients was 58 years, with 245 males (75.6%) and a median body mass index (BMI) of 22.9 kg/m2. There were 170 cases (52.5%) at T3 stage and 154 cases (47.5%) at T4a stage; the median number of cycles of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy was 3 cycles. The primary outcome measure was the positive lymph node metastasis rate (number of metastatic cases in the group / total number of dissected cases in the group×100%). A positive lymph node metastasis rate >10% was defined as high metastasis, and <5% as low metastasis. The secondary outcome measures were high-risk factors for lymph node metastasis and influencing factors related to patient prognosis. Lymph node grouping was performed according to the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) guidelines. The positive lymph node metastasis rate was statistically analyzed by stratification based on surgical methods (total gastrectomy, proximal gastrectomy, distal gastrectomy). Multivariate analysis of risk factors for lymph node metastasis were performed with logistic regression analysis, and survival analysis were performed with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model.Results:The postoperative pathological complete response rate (pCR) of all patients was 21.0% (68/324), and the overall positive lymph node metastasis rate was 48.8% (158/324). A total of 150 patients underwent total gastrectomy, 42 underwent proximal gastrectomy, and 132 underwent distal gastrectomy.In the total gastrectomy group: the high metastasis subgroups were No.1 (19.3%, 29 cases), No.2 (14.7%, 22 cases), No.3 (28.0%, 42 cases), No.7 (12.7%, 19 cases), No.8a (16.0%, 24 cases), and No.9 (17.3%, 26 cases); the low metastasis subgroups were No.5 (4.7%, 7 cases), No.10 (3.3%, 5 cases), No.11d (1.3%, 2 cases), and No.12a (4.0%, 6 cases).In the proximal gastrectomy group: the high metastasis subgroups were No.3 (14.3%, 6 cases), No.7 (23.8%, 10 cases), and No.11p (11.9%, 5 cases); the low metastasis subgroups were No.4d (2.4%, 1 case) and No.10 (2.4%, 1 case).In the distal gastrectomy group: the high metastasis subgroups were No.3 (25.8%, 34 cases), No.6 (26.5%, 35 cases), No.7 (11.4%, 15 cases), and No.11p (11.4%, 15 cases); the low metastasis subgroups were No.4sb (3.8%, 5 cases) and No.12a (4.5%, 6 cases).Results of multivariate analysis showed that TRG grade (HR: 5.938, 95%CI: 3.028-11.646, P<0.001) was an independent factor affecting lymph node metastasis in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The median follow-up time was 26.0 (6.0-54.3) months, and the 3-year overall survival (OS) of all patients was 78.1%. Results of multivariate Cox analysis showed that ypT (HR=1.744, 95%CI: 1.300-2.338, P<0.001), ypN (HR=1.998, 95%CI: 1.503-2.655, P<0.001), and postoperative complications (HR=1.913, 95%CI: 1.111-3.294, P=0.019) were independent factors affecting the overall survival of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Conclusion:NICT significantly changes the pattern of lymph node metastasis in LAGC. ypT and ypN stages are core indicators for survival prognosis. The necessity of dissection for lymph node groups with a metastasis rate <5% needs to be carefully evaluated.

Objective:To establish the minimum number of negative lymph nodes (nLN) required for patients undergoing gastrectomy.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study with inclusion criteria as follows: (1) radical gastrectomy; (2) histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma; (3) complete tumor staging information; and (4) known number of lymph nodes harvested. The exclusion criteria were: (1) other concurrent malignant tumors; (2) metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer; (3) initial surgery performed at another hospital; (4) preoperative neoadjuvant therapy; (5) distant metastasis; and (6) incomplete clinical data or follow-up information. Based on the above criteria, a total of 11 167 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent radical subtotal gastrectomy (RSG) or radical total gastrectomy (RTG) in the Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2022, were included in the study. Among them, there were 7 596 cases in the RSG group and 3 571 cases in the RTG group. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was used to determine the ideal threshold for nLN for RSG and RTG patients. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves and log-rank tests, and propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to balance parameters between two groups. Furthermore, subgroup analysis was conducted for RSG patients based on tumor location (upper, middle and lower) to determine the minimum number of nLN in each subgroup.Results:For patients who underwent RSG, the mean number of nLN was 21.9, with a median of 21. RCS analysis showed that more than 21 nLN was associated with better survival. Moreover, both pre- and post-PSM analysis confirmed that patients with nLN ≥21 had better survival benefits compared to those with nLN <21 (overall survival [OS]: P<0.001 before PSM, P=0.013 after PSM; disease-free survival [DFS]: P<0.001 before PSM, P=0.013 after PSM). For patients who underwent RTG, the mean number of nLN was 23.5, with a median of 22. Here RCS analysis indicated that more than 22 nLN was associated with better postoperative survival in RTG patients, and both pre- and post-PSM analysis confirmed that patients with nLN ≥22 had better survival benefits compared to those with nLN<22 (OS: P<0.001 both before and after PSM; DFS: P<0.001 both before and after PSM). Subgroup analysis showed that for RSG patients with tumor located in the upper part, having ≥17 nLN (OS: both P<0.001), and for RSG patients with tumor located in the middle and lower part, having ≥22 nLN (OS: both P<0.001), were associated with better prognoses. Conclusions:For patients who receive RSG, the minimal number of nLN is ideally ≥21 (upper ≥17, middle and lower ≥22). Similarly, for patients who receive RTG, the minimum number of nLN ideally is 22.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of superselective arterial embolization in children with Parkes-Weber syndrome(PWS),and the prevention and treatment of postoperative complications.Methods Nine patients with PWS diagnosed by clinical and imaging examinations were selected.Under general anesthesia,the catheter was cannulated to all levels of branch arteries and lesion sites using the Seldinger technique.Absorbent gelatin sponge particle(or lipiodol)was selected according to the angiographic situation,and then target vessel embolization was performed.Patients with venous malformations were treated with local sclerotherapy at the same time.The patients were followed up for 1 month,3 months,6 months and 1 year after the operation to observe the clinical efficacy and complication.Results All 9 patients were successfully treated with interventional therapy.Arteriography showed that micro arteriovenous fistula existed at the distal end of multiple branch arteries,and the arteriovenous fistula had been closed after embolization.Review after 1 month of interventional therapy,the color spot of the affected limb became lighter,the temperature decreased,the leg circumference decreased,and the pain was relieved of all 9 cases.Three patients had skin deep color 2-3 days after the operation,so they were given hirudoid local smear,3 times/day,local warm water wet compress,raised limb position,local massage and other methods,and the local skin color gradually recovered after 1 week;On the 15th day after the operation,2 patients suffered from ischemic necrosis at the embolic site,skin color deepened,and tenderness.They were locally disinfected with hirudoid,aurantium peptide,normal saline,and iodophor.The skin broke and scabbed more than 1 month after the operation,the skin ulcer improved and new granulation tissue grew up 1.5 months after the operation;One case had no obvious reduction of the lesion 1 month after the operation,so the second intervention was performed.Conclusion Superselective arterial embolization is effective in the treatment of PWS in children,but the prevention of complications should be paid attention to and complications should be timely treated.