Objective:To compare the sustained virological response (SVR) and viral recurrence in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) after antiviral treatment, and to further analyze the influencing factors of liver-related events (LRE).Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1 844 CHC patients who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases of Hainan General Hospital from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2022 were included. After screening, 891 patients were selected and divided into direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) treatment group, interferon treatment group and non-antiviral treatment group based on different intervention measures. Propensity score matching was performed, and SVR and viral recurrence were compared among the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for LRE.Results:The confirmed CHC patients showed an increasing trend year by year (average annual change percentage=19.97%, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 10.46% to 30.30%, t=4.32, P<0.001). After propensity score matching, the total sample size of 891 CHC patients was 451, including 100 in the interferon treatment group, 311 in the DAA treatment group, and 40 in the non-antiviral treatment group. In the interferon treatment group, 89 cases (89.00%) achieved SVR and nine cases (9.00%) had recurrence. In the DAA treatment group, 306 cases (98.39%) achieved SVR and 10 cases (3.22%) had recurrence. The differences were statistically significant ( χ2=17.84 and 6.22, respectively, both P<0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that age (hazard ratio ( HR)=1.065, 95% CI 1.028 to 1.104, P<0.001), alcohol consumption ( HR=3.034, 95% CI 1.302 to 7.071, P=0.010) were independent risk factors for LRE in CHC patients, while albumin ( HR=0.858, 95% CI 0.802 to 0.917, P<0.001), DAA treatment ( HR=0.267, 95% CI 0.103 to 0.692, P=0.007) were protective factors. In CHC patients receiving antiviral treatment, diabetes ( HR=6.719, 95% CI 2.242 to 20.137, P<0.001), total bilirubin ( HR=1.111, 95% CI 1.054 to 1.171, P<0.001) and viral recurrence ( HR=4.646, 95% CI 1.322 to 16.321, P=0.017) were independent risk factors for LRE. Conclusions:Compared with interferon treatment, DAA treatment has a significantly higher SVR rate and a lower recurrence rate. Age and alcohol consumption are independent risk factors for LRE, while higher albumin levels and DAA treatment are protective factors. In CHC patients receiving antiviral treatment, diabetes, viral recurrence, and total bilirubin are independent risk factors for LRE.

Objective To study the relationship between the mandibular bone arch and the dental arch in patients with skeletal Class Ⅱ malocclusion and compare it with the Class Imalocclusion by establishing a 3D digital model.Methods A total of 25 cases with skeletal Class Ⅱ malocclusion and 25 cases with skeletal Class Ⅰ normal occlusion were selected.The mandibular model was scanned and a three-dimensional digital model was set up.After the determination of the WALA ridge and the FA point,the reference plane and coordinate system was established.Four degree polynomial curve fitting was performed with WALA ridge and FA point coordinates to re-present the corresponding basal and dental arch curves.The width difference between the basal arch curve and the dental arch curve was measured and calculated at 3 mm,10 mm,and 18 mm away from the horizontal axis of the coordinate.The differences of basal bone and dental arch width between skeletal Class Ⅱ and skeletal Class Ⅰ malocclusion was compared.Results The width differences be-tween the arch and the dental arch in the anterior,middle and posterior mandibular segments of skeletal Class Ⅱ patients were-1.58 mm,1.80 mm and 3.80 mm,respectively.The width differences between the arch and the dental arch in the anterior,middle and pos-terior mandibular segments of skeletal Class Ⅰ patients were 2.08 mm,2.92 mm and 4.24 mm,respectively.There was a significant difference between skeletal Class Ⅱ and skeletal Class Ⅰ in the anterior and middle segments(P＜0.05),but no significant difference in the posterior segment(P＞0.05).Conclusion In skeletal Class Ⅰ patients,the width of the basal bone is larger than that of the dental arch,and the dental arch was located medial to the basal bone.In skeletal Class Ⅱ patients,the width of the anterior arch is larger than the width of the basal bone,that is,the dental arch is located outside the basal bone.The width difference of the basal arch in skeletal Class Ⅱ is smaller than that in skeletal Class Ⅰ.

Objective To study the relationship between the mandibular bone arch and the dental arch in patients with skeletal Class Ⅱ malocclusion and compare it with the Class Imalocclusion by establishing a 3D digital model.Methods A total of 25 cases with skeletal Class Ⅱ malocclusion and 25 cases with skeletal Class Ⅰ normal occlusion were selected.The mandibular model was scanned and a three-dimensional digital model was set up.After the determination of the WALA ridge and the FA point,the reference plane and coordinate system was established.Four degree polynomial curve fitting was performed with WALA ridge and FA point coordinates to re-present the corresponding basal and dental arch curves.The width difference between the basal arch curve and the dental arch curve was measured and calculated at 3 mm,10 mm,and 18 mm away from the horizontal axis of the coordinate.The differences of basal bone and dental arch width between skeletal Class Ⅱ and skeletal Class Ⅰ malocclusion was compared.Results The width differences be-tween the arch and the dental arch in the anterior,middle and posterior mandibular segments of skeletal Class Ⅱ patients were-1.58 mm,1.80 mm and 3.80 mm,respectively.The width differences between the arch and the dental arch in the anterior,middle and pos-terior mandibular segments of skeletal Class Ⅰ patients were 2.08 mm,2.92 mm and 4.24 mm,respectively.There was a significant difference between skeletal Class Ⅱ and skeletal Class Ⅰ in the anterior and middle segments(P＜0.05),but no significant difference in the posterior segment(P＞0.05).Conclusion In skeletal Class Ⅰ patients,the width of the basal bone is larger than that of the dental arch,and the dental arch was located medial to the basal bone.In skeletal Class Ⅱ patients,the width of the anterior arch is larger than the width of the basal bone,that is,the dental arch is located outside the basal bone.The width difference of the basal arch in skeletal Class Ⅱ is smaller than that in skeletal Class Ⅰ.

A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P＜0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P＜0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.

The advancement of surgical techniques enables effective treatment for many patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors.How-ever,post-surgery problems such as chewing,swallowing and speech difficulty may arise due to the defects in speech organs and inade-quate compensatory function of tissue flap repair.Speech disorders,in particular,isolate patients by making it difficult for them to com-municate with others,not only impact their quality of life but also potentially lead to psychological problems and social interaction disor-ders.Although the decline in life quality and other related issues caused by speech dysfunction due to surgery and radiotherapy or chemo-therapy have been widely recognized,there is currently no standardized and universally applicable assessment method and standardized re-habilitation treatment management guideline or consensus for speech disorders following oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery at home and abroad.Based on previous clinical practice,combined with the characteristics of speech disorders in patients after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery,the clinical experience of the experts in maxillofacial tumor surgery and rehabilitation and the relevant domestic and foreign literature,relevant experts organized discussions and modifications,reach a consensus on core content such as the assessment of speech disorders and the implementation plan for early rehabilitation treatment management,providing a reference for clinical practice,in order to improve patients'speech-related life quality and enhance the assessment and rehabilitation treatment techniques for speech disorders after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery.

Objective To investigate the size variation in the first metatarsal of extant primates.Methods In this study,we analyzed 135 first metatarsal specimens across 12 primate genera,quantifying eight linear measurements,articular surface areas,mid-shaft cross-sectional area,total surface area,volume,and derived indices.Multivariate patterns were assessed through mean-based correspondence analysis and principal component analysis(PCA).Results Eulemur,Otolemur,Cebus,and Perodicticus exhibited a relatively high metatarsal surface-area-to-volume ratio.Perodicticus additionally showed a low articular facet index.Propithecus,Colobus,and Macaca displayed lower values for metatarsal shaft robusticity,the ratio of shaft cross-sectional area to base articular surface area,and the proximal articular facet index.Nasalis possessed a relatively high articular facet index.Pongo,Pan,Gorilla,and Homo sapiens were characterized by higher metatarsal shaft robusticity and a lower metatarsal surface-area-to-volume ratio.Principal component analysis revealed that the 12 extant primate genera could be broadly divided into two groups.Group 1 comprised Pongo,Pan,Gorilla and H.sapiens,although H.sapiens formed a distinct cluster relative to the extant great apes.Group 2 included Eulemur,Otolemur,Perodicticus,Propithecus,Cebus,Colobus,Macaca and Nasalis.Conclusion The relative sizedistribution of the first metatarsal provides some reference value for classifying extant primates.However,it demonstrates no clear correlations with specific locomotor patterns or foot grasping ability.

Medical ultrasound technology is widely used for diagnosis and therapy in clinical practice.Ultrasound probes,which are directly contact with patients,pose a potential risk of pathogen transmission.This expert consen-sus was developed by a multidisciplinary team based on international guidelines,standards in China,and the results of a national survey,aiming to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infection through standardizing reprocessing of medical ultrasound probes,and formulating consensus recommendations with the Delphi method.The consensus clarifies the reprocessing principles for three types of ultrasound probes of different infection risks:external-use ul-trasound probes,interventional percutaneous ultrasound probes,and internal-use ultrasound probes,puts forward systematic suggestions on the reprocessing standards and disinfection levels of ultrasound probe isolation covers and coupling agents,the reprocessing procedures and methods of ultrasound probes,as well as architectural layout and management of reprocessing,so as to provide a scientific prevention and control framework for ensuring ultrasound diagnosis and therapy safety.

Objective:To assess the relationship between basophil levels and mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Methods:Information on patients with intraperitoneal infection admitted to the intensive care unit were extracted from the MIMIC database.A time-dependent Cox regression model was used to adjust for confounders associated with 28-day mortality.Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to balance the baseline differences be-tween groups with different basophil levels,and a restricted cube chart(RCS)was used to show the relationship between basophil count and 28-day mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Results:A total of 4403 patients with intra-abdominal infection were enrolled in the MIMIC database.Patients with high basophil levels have lower mortality than those with low basophil levels.There was an L-shaped curve between basophil level and 28-day mortality,with a cut-off value of 0.47×109/L.Cox regression analysis showed that basophil levels were an independent protective factor for mortal-ity in patients with intra-abdominal infection after adjusting for potential confounders(HR=0.586,95%CI:0.443-0.769).Protective factors for death at basophil levels remained after PSM adjusted for potential confounders(HR=0.628,95%CI:0.470-0.832).Conclusion:Basophil level is an independent protective factor for mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection,and basophil levels should be dynamically monitored to better evaluate the prognosis of patients.

Objective To explore the predictive value of the preoperative C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte ratio(CALLY index)for short-term prognosis in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy.Methods The clinical data of 228 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical gastrectomy were retrospectively analyzed.Based on follow-up results,patients were divided into the good prognosis group(n=205)and the poor prognosis group(n=23).The differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory test results between the two groups were compared.Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the impact of CALLY index on poor prognosis in patients.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to determine the clinical value and optimal cutoff value of CALLY index in predicting poor prognosis of patients.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the difference in disease-free survival(DFS)between patients with different CALLY index levels.Results After a follow-up of 3 to 53 months(median follow-up of 36 months),23 patients developed poor prognosis(including 3 deaths and 20 recurrences or metastases).Compared with the good prognosis group,tumors in the poor prognosis group were larger,the proportion of poorly differentiated tumors was higher and white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil count(NEU),C-reactive protein(CRP)were higher,and lymphocyte(LYM),albumin(ALB),prealbumin,total cholesterol(TC)and CALLY indexl were lower.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the elevated CALLY index(HR=0.306,95%CI:0.102-0.921,P=0.035)was an independent protective factor for poor prognosis,while larger tumors and poorly differentiated tumors were independent risk factors for poor prognosis.ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for predicting poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients undergoing radical gastrectomy was 0.862(95%CI:0.810-0.904),with a sensitivity of 95.65%,specificity of 69.76%,and an optimal cutoff value of 2.21.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with a CALLY index>2.21 had a longer disease-free survival than those with a CALLY index≤2.21(mean DFS:48 months vs.42 months,Log-rank χ2=4.123,P=0.042).Conclusion The preoperative CALLY index is a simple,effective and easily accessible predictor for predicting short-term prognosis in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy.A high CALLY index indicates a better prognosis of patient.