OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics of foot and ankle deformities combined with knee and lower limb deformities and evaluate the advantages, clinical outcomes, and considerations of QIN Sihe's surgical strategy for treating such complex deformities. METHODS: Between January 2022 and December 2024, 32 patients with foot and ankle deformities combined with knee and lower limb deformities were enrolled. The cohort included 23 males and 9 females, aged 10-67 years (mean, 41.1 years). The main etiologies included post-polio sequelae (20 cases) and congenital limb deformities (3 cases). Deformities were categorized as follows: equinovarus foot (12 cases), equinus foot (2 cases), equinovalgus foot (3 cases), equinus foot with swan-neck deformity (2 cases), calcaneus foot (5 cases), foot valgus (2 cases), knee flexion deformity (14 cases), genu recurvatum (4 cases), genu varum (3 cases), genu valgum (3 cases), lower limb shortening (3 cases), and lower limb external rotation (6 cases). QIN Sihe's surgical strategies included osteotomies, tendon releases, and tendon transfers for deformity correction, followed by external fixation for residual deformity adjustment and stabilization. Outcomes were assessed using QIN Sihe's Postoperative Evaluation Criteria for Lower Limb (Foot and Ankle) Deformity Correction and Functional Reconstruction. RESULTS: All patients were followed up 8-32 months (mean, 16.5 months). Complications included pin tract infection (1 case, 1 site), ankle pain (2 cases), delayed healing at the proximal tibial osteotomy site (1 case), and anterior talar dislocation (1 case). At last follow-up, insufficient correction of foot deformity was observed in 1 case; both knee and lower limb deformities were corrected, with only mild recurrence of knee flexion deformity in 1 case. The foot/ankle and knee joint function improved. Based on QIN Sihe's Postoperative Evaluation Criteria for Lower Limb (Foot and Ankle) Deformity Correction and Functional Reconstruction, outcomes were rated as excellent in 30 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent-good rate of 100%. CONCLUSION Foot and ankle deformities combined with knee and lower limb deformities are complex, QIN Sihe's surgical strategy can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes for simultaneous correction.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Child ; Adolescent ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital/surgery* ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Foot Deformities, Congenital/surgery* ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Foot Deformities/surgery*

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap combined with oral repair membrane in the reconstruction of nasal mucosa defect after maxillary malignant tumor surgery. Methods:A total of 12 patients with maxillary gingival squamous cell carcinoma and maxillary sinus cancer who had been treated in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Nanchong Hospital, Capital Medical University & Nanchong Central Hospital, were selected from November 2020 to November 2023. Free anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap transplantation combined with oral repair membrane were used in all patients. Meanwhile, maxillary soft and hard tissue defects and nasal mucosa defects left after tumor operation were repaired and reconstructed. The clinical effect was evaluated after 6-12 months follow-up. Results:Subtotal maxillary resection was performed in 1 case, total maxillary resection in 9 cases and extended maxillary resection in 2 cases. The musculocutaneous flaps of all patients survived, the facial appearance was basically symmetrical, no obvious depression deformity, the swallowing and speech function recovered well, the mouth and nasal cavity were closed completely, the food could be eaten through the mouth, and the lower nasal passage was not blocked. Conclusion:The free anterolateral thigh musculoflap combined with oral repair membrane can be used to repair and reconstruct maxillary malignant tumor complicated with extensive maxillary tissue and nasal mucosa defect after operation, and the appearance and function can be recovered well after operation, which is a choice for maxillary malignant tumor complicated with nasal mucosa defect.
Humans ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Maxillary Neoplasms/surgery* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Nasal Mucosa/surgery* ; Maxilla/surgery* ; Thigh/surgery* ; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms/surgery*

Objective:To discuss the protective effect of velvet antler peptide(VAP)in the osteoporosis(OP)model rats,and to clarify the possible mechanism.Methods:Sixty 12-week-old SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,positive drug group(treated with 1 mg·kg-1·d-1 of alendronate sodium by gavage),low dose of VAP group(treated with 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 VAP),medium dose of VAP group(treated with 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 VAP),and high dose of VAP group(treated with 300 mg·kg-1·d-1 VAP),and there were ten rats in each group.Except for control group,the rats in the other groups were injected with dexamethasone(2 mg·kg-1)to replicate the OP rat model,while the rats in control group were injected with the equivalent volume of saline twice a week for 11 consecutive weeks.Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to detect the bone mineral density(BMD)of femur tissue of the rats in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the levels of serum calcium(Ca2+),phosphate(P),osteoprotegerin(OPG),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and osteocalcin(OCN)in serum of the rats in various groups;biochemical method was used to detect the malondialdehyde(MDA)level and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity in serum of the rats in various groups;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of bone tissue of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),catalase(CAT),Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),and forkhead box protein O1(FOXO1)proteins in bone tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the BMD of femoral tissue of the rats in model group was decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the BMD of femur tissue of the rats in positive drug group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,the levels of Ca2+,P,OPG,and SOD activities in serum of the rats in model group were decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of ALP,OCN,and MDA were increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the level of OPG in serum of the rats in low dose of VAP group was significantly increased(P<0.05),the levels of Ca2+,P,OPG,and activities of SOD in serum of the rats in positive drug group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the levels of ALP,OCN,and MDA in serum of the rats in positive drug group and different doses of VAP groups were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The HE staining results showed that compared with control group,the rats in model group had fewer bone cells and disordered arrangements in the bone tissue,thinner bone trabeculae with large fractures,and an expanded marrow cavity;compared with model group,the rats in positive drug group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group had thicker bone trabeculae arranged more tightly.The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of SIRT1,CAT,RUNX2,and FOXO1 proteins in bone tissue of the rats in model group were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of SIRT1,CAT,RUNX2,and FOXO1 proteins in bone tissue of the rats in positive drug group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:VAP has the protective effect against OP in the rats,and its mechanism may be related to mediating the antioxidant stress action through the SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the status of passive smoking among pregnant women in Jinshan District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into developing targeted smoking control measures and promoting maternal and infant health. Methods: Pregnant women who had early pregnancy registration at Jinshan District Community Health Service Center from April 2021 to December 2023 were selected as subjects. The basic information, passive smoking and awareness of passive smoking hazards among pregnant women were collected through questionnaire surveys, and passive smoking rate and awareness rate of passive smoking hazards were analyzed. Results: Totally 8 273 questionnaires were allocated, and 8 216 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 99.31%. The mean age of participants was (29.52±4.60) years. There were 4 991 participants with an education of college degree or above, accounting for 60.75%; 3 565 participants with the first pregnancy, accounting for 43.39%; 3 990 primiparas, accounting for 48.56%; 3 193 participants living with smokers, accounting for 38.86%. A total of 3 710 participants passively smoked, with a passive smoking rate of 45.16%. There were 2 817 participants passively smoked in public places, accounting for 75.93%; 2 253 participants passively smoked in workplaces, accounting for 60.73%; 1 563 participants that passively smoked at home, accounting for 42.13%. The awareness rates regarding the hazards of passive smoking to health, causing lung cancer in adults, causing lung diseases in children, causing preterm birth and low birth weight infants, and causing heart diseases in adults were 92.13%, 88.85%, 87.99%, 82.05% and 62.56%, respectively. Conclusion The rate of passive smoking among pregnant women in Jinshan District is comparatively high, while their awareness regarding non-respiratory diseases emanating from passive smoking is comparatively low.

Objective To establish the methods of galvanic vestibular stimulation-vestibular evoked myogenic potentials(GVS-VEMPs)in healthy children and to obtain the normal value of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in these children in China.Methods Twenty(3～14 years)healthy children and 24 healthy adults(18～30 years)were enrolled for conventional examinations of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP.Using the galvanic stimulation in-tensity under 3 mA/1 ms for children and 5 mA/1 ms for adults.The characteristics of elicitation and parameter re-sults of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in children and adults,as well as the pain scores and the elicitation of differ-ent stimulus intensities in the two age groups were recorded.Results The elicitation of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP were both 100.0％in children and adult groups.The p1 latency,n1 latency and p1-n1 interval latency of GVS-cVEMP were 10.46±1.84 ms,16.98±2.12 ms and 6.52±1.42 ms respectively in children group,the n1 la-tency and p1-n1 interval latency were significantly shorter than the adult group(P＜0.05).The n1 latency,p1 la-tency and p1-n1 interval latency of GVS-oVEMP were 8.87±1.40 ms,12.25±1.80 ms and 3.39±1.07 ms re-spectively in children group with no significant difference between the two groups.The thresholds of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in children group were significantly lower than adult group(P＜0.01),but no differences were found in adult group regarding on the amplitude and interaural amplitude asymmetry ratio.In addition,with the in-crease of the intensity of galvanic stimulation,the correlation between pain scores and the elicitation rates of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP also increased.Conclusion Using appropriate stimulus intensity and recording methods,GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP could be successfully assessed and detected in healthy children over 3 years old and adolescents.The latency of GVS-cVEMP in children is slightly shorter than that in adults,therefore we recommend selecting the matched age group for assessment in the children group.

Objective:To discuss the protective effect of velvet antler peptide(VAP)on the postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP)model rats,and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:A total of 60 twelve-week-old female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,alendronate sodium group(1 mg·kg 1·d-1 alendronate sodium administered via gavage),low dose of VAP group(100 mg·kg·d-1 VAP administered via gavage),medium dose of VAP group(200 mg·kg 1·d-1 VAP administered via gavage),and high dose of VAP group(300 mg·kg1·d-1 VAP administered via gavage),and there were 10 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,the rats in the other groups underwent bilateral ovariectomy to establish the PMOP rat models.Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to detect the femur bone mineral density(BMD)of the rats in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of serum calcium(Ca2+),serum phosphorus(P),bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP),and procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide(PINP)of the rats in various groups;Kits were used to detect the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)of the rats in various groups;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of bone tissue of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT),and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT)proteins in bone tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with sham operation group,the BMD in femur of the rats in model group was decreased(P＜0.01);compared with model group,the BMD in femur of the rats in alendronate sodium group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group was increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with sham operation group,the levels of Ca2+,P,BALP,PINP,and SOD activity in serum of the rats in model group were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the MDA level was increased(P＜0.01);compared with model group,the level of P in serum of the rats in medium dose of VAP group was increased(P＜0.01),and the levels of Ca2+,P,BALP,PINP and the activities of SOD in serum of the rats in alendronate sodium group and high dose of VAP group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the level of MDA in serum was decreased(P＜0.05).The HE staining results showed that compared with sham operation group,the bone trabeculae in bone tissue of the rats in model group were thin and fractured,and the medullary cavity was enlarged;compared with model group,the bone trabeculae in bone tissue of the rats in alendronate sodium group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group were thick and tightly arranged,and had more osteocytes.The Western blotting results showed that compared with sham operation group,the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT in bone tissue of the rats in model group were decreased(P＜0.01);compared with model group,the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K in bone tissue of rats in different doses of VAP groups were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the ratios of p-AKT/AKT of the rats in alendronate sodium group and high dose of VAP group was increased(P＜0.01).Conclusion:VAP can improve PMOP in the rats,and its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and the reduction of oxidative stress in bone tissue by VAP.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown maternal betaine supplementation alleviates fetal-derived hepatic steatosis. Therefore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine intake in offspring mice and its mechanism.MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice and their offspring were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the treatment received during gestation and lactation: control diet (CD), fatty liver disease (FLD), and fatty liver disease + 1% betaine (FLD-BET). The FLD group was given a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD + STZ), and the FLD-BET group was treated with HFD + STZ + 1% betaine. After weaning, the offspring mice were given a normal diet for 5 weeks and then dissected to measure the relevant indexes. RESULTS: Compared to the CD group, the offspring mice in the FLD group revealed obvious hepatic steatosis and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; maternal betaine supplementation reversed these changes. The hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the FLD group than in the CD group. Maternal betaine supplementation reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Maternal betaine supplementation also reversed the increasing protein expressions of nitric oxide dioxygenase-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in offspring mice exposed to HFD + STZ. Maternal betaine supplementation decreased the homocysteine (Hcy) and s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) levels significantly in the livers. Furthermore, the hepatic Hcy concentrations showed significant inverse relationships with the mRNA expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-18. The hepatic SAH concentration was inversely associated with the IL-1β mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS The lipotropic and anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine supplementation may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the livers of the offspring mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the biomarkers of tinnitus in vestibular schwannoma patients using electroencephalographic (EEG) microstate technology. METHODS: The EEG and clinical data of 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma were collected. All the patients were evaluated by SAS, SDS, THI and VAS scales. The EEG acquisition time was 10-15 min, and the EEG data were preprocessed and analyzed using MATLAB and EEGLAB software package. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma, 29 patients had tinnitus and 12 did not have tinnitus, and their clinical parameters were comparable. The average global explanation variances of the non-tinnitus and tinnitus groups were 78.8% and 80.1%, respectively. The results of EEG microstate analysis showed that compared with those without tinnitus, the patients with tinnitus had an increased frequency (P=0.033) and contribution (P=0.028) of microstate C. Correlation analysis showed that THI scale scores of the patients were negatively correlated with the duration of microstate A (R=-0.435, P=0.018) and positively with the frequencies of microstate B (R=0.456, P=0.013) and microstate C (R=0.412, P=0.026). Syntax analysis showed that the probability of transition from microstate C to microstate B increased significantly in vestibular schwannoma patients with tinnitus (P=0.031). CONCLUSION EEG microstate features differ significantly between vestibular schwannoma patients with and without tinnitus. This abnormality in patients with tinnitus may reflect the potential abnormality in the allocation of neural resources and the transition of brain functional activity.
Humans ; Neuroma, Acoustic/complications* ; Electroencephalography ; Patients ; Probability

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high incidence rate and mortality worldwide. However, most patients are not suitable for radical treatment at the time of first diagnosis. As one of the important schemes for the treatment of HCC, one of the most representative drug is Sorafenib, which has certain survival benefits for HCC patients at different stages. However, the drug resistance of HCC to Sorafenib greatly limits its efficacy. So far, people have found that some natural substances, experimental agents and biological macromolecules can reverse the drug resistance of HCC to Sorafenib through tumor cell microenvironment, metabolism and other mechanisms. This article will summarize the above substances and their mechanism in order to provide research ideas for the improvement of Sorafenib′s treatment program.

Artemisia annua is the main natural source of artemisinin production. In A. annua, extended drought stress severely reduces its biomass and artemisinin production while short-term water-withholding or abscisic acid (ABA) treatment can increase artemisinin biosynthesis. ABA-responsive transcription factor AabZIP1 and JA signaling AaMYC2 have been shown in separate studies to promote artemisinin production by targeting several artemisinin biosynthesis genes. Here, we found AabZIP1 promote the expression of multiple artemisinin biosynthesis genes including AaDBR2 and AaALDH1, which AabZIP1 does not directly activate. Subsequently, it was found that AabZIP1 up-regulates AaMYC2 expression through direct binding to its promoter, and that AaMYC2 binds to the promoter of AaALDH1 to activate its transcription. In addition, AabZIP1 directly transactivates wax biosynthesis genes AaCER1 and AaCYP86A1. The biosynthesis of artemisinin and cuticular wax and the tolerance of drought stress were significantly increased by AabZIP1 overexpression, whereas they were significantly decreased in RNAi-AabZIP1 plants. Collectively, we have uncovered the AabZIP1-AaMYC2 transcriptional module as a point of cross-talk between ABA and JA signaling in artemisinin biosynthesis, which may have general implications. We have also identified AabZIP1 as a promising candidate gene for the development of A. annua plants with high artemisinin content and drought tolerance in metabolic engineering breeding.