OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of correcting post-traumatic equinovarus deformity using Ilizarov external fixation technique combined with limited osteotomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 29 patients with post-traumatic equinovarus deformity treated between July 2018 and March 2023. The cohort included 18 males and 11 females, with ages ranging from 15 to 57 years (mean, 24.3 years). All patients exhibited ankylosed ankle joints with equinovarus deformity. During surgery, external fixators were installed according to Ilizarov pinning principles, and minimally invasive osteotomy was performed at the ankle joint. Concurrently, soft tissue release was achieved via minimally invasive Achilles tendon lengthening. Postoperatively, multiplanar deformity correction was accomplished through gradual adjustment of the external fixator. The fixator was removed after bony union at the osteotomy site, followed by bracing. The surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, fixator wear time, and complications were recorded. Postoperative outcomes included assessment of deformity correction and bony union at the osteotomy site. Functional improvement and pain relief were evaluated using pre- and post-operative scores from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: All 29 patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 18 months). The mean surgical duration was 85.6 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 110 mL. Full deformity correction was achieved within 26-80 days (mean, 40.7 days) through progressive fixator adjustments. At correction completion, all ankles restored to a neutral or 5°-10° dorsiflexed position with plantigrade foot function. Superficial pin tract infections occurred in 3 patients (10.3%), resolved with local wound care, enhanced nursing, and oral antibiotics. No deep or systemic infections was observed. One patient sustained a calcaneal half-pin fracture due to a fall during fixator wear, but no bone fragment displacement occurred. No vascular or neurological complication was reported. Complete bony union was achieved at all osteotomy sites without nonunion. At last follow-up, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score improved from preoperative 42.7±8.7 to postoperative 65.7±9.3, and the VAS score decreased from preoperative 4.5±1.3 to postoperative 2.5±1.1, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Functional outcomes were rated as excellent in 14 cases, good in 13 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 93.1%. CONCLUSION The progressive correction strategy combining Ilizarov external fixation technique with limited foot osteotomy effectively corrects post-traumatic equinovarus deformity while preserving soft tissue integrity. This method is associated with minimal, largely controllable complications and achieves alignment stability and fusion outcomes comparable to traditional open surgery, making it an effective treatment for complex foot and ankle deformities.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Ilizarov Technique ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; External Fixators ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Clubfoot/etiology* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*

Lipidomics is an emerging discipline that systematically studies the various types, functions, and metabolic pathways of lipids within living organisms. This field compares changes in diseases or drug impact, identifying biomarkers and molecular mechanisms present in lipid metabolic networks across different physiological or pathological states. Through employing analytical chemistry within the realm of lipidomics, researchers analyze traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This analysis aids in uncovering potential mechanisms for treating diverse physiopathological conditions, assessing drug efficacy, understanding mechanisms of action and toxicity, and generating innovative ideas for disease prevention and treatment. This manuscript assesses recent literature, summarizing existing lipidomics technologies and their applications in TCM research. It delineates the efficacy, mechanisms, and toxicity research related to lipidomics in Chinese medicine. Additionally, it explores the utilization of lipidomics in quality control research for Chinese medicine, aiming to expand the application of lipidomics within this field. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to foster the integration of traditional medicine theory with modern science and technology, promoting an organic fusion between the two domains.

Objective To calculate the absorbed doses and conversion coefficients of various organs in humans after oral administration of urea-¹⁴C, and to provide a convenient method for evaluating the internal radiation dose caused by ingestion of urea-¹⁴C in Chinese population. Methods The Chinese reference human voxel model was imported into the FLUKA software to simulate the absorbed doses to organs under internal exposure to ¹⁴C, and to obtain the dose conversion coefficients for oral administration of urea-¹⁴C. Results The absorbed dose conversion coefficients for the stomach, colon, bladder, heart, and muscles were 0.029, 0.029, 0.32 (0.24), 0.028, and 0.029 mGy/MBq in negative cases, and 0.079, 0.078, 0.18 (0.15), 0.076, and 0.080 mGy/MBq in positive cases. The committed effective dose coefficients were 0.041 (0.037) mSv/MBq in negative cases and 0.082 (0.081) mSv/MBq in positive cases. Conclusion The dose conversion coefficients obtained in this study can provide important parameters for evaluating the absorbed dose to Chinese population after oral administration of urea-¹⁴C.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of curcumin(Cur) on IL-1β-induced cartilage damage and to study the relationship between the regulatory mechanisms of the DUSP1/p38 MAPK signalling pathway in the above process. Methods: Chondrocytes(C28/I2) and postoperative primary chondrocytes from osteoarthritis patients were divided into control and experimental groups, and the experimental group was treated with different concentrations of Cur(0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 μmol/L) after applying the inflammatory induction treatment with IL-1β(10 μg/L). The cell proliferation inhibition rate was determined by cell viability assay(CCK-8), the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry assay. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect type II collagen α1 chain(Collagen Ⅱ), matrix metallopeptidase 13(MMP13), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), BCL2-related X protein(Bax), B lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2), dual-specificity phosphatase 1(DUSP1), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38), and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-p38) RNA and protein expression levels. The role of the DUSP1/p38 MAPK axis in the inhibition of chondrocyte oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation by Cur was further validated using DUSP1 interfering RNA and p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor(SB). Results: Cur significantly inhibited the IL-1β-induced decrease in chondrocyte viability and significantly reduced the levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in chondrocytes; Cur inhibited the expression of MMP13, IL-1β, Bax, and p-p38 proteins, while the expression of Collagen II, Bcl-2, and DUSP1 proteins significantly increased; IL-1β and interfering RNA silencing DUSP1 activated the p38 pathway, while Cur inhibited the activation of the p38 pathway; the use of p38 MAPK pathway inhibitors reduced cellular inflammation. Conclusion Cur attenuates IL-1β-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in chondrocytes by promoting the expression of DUSP1 protein and inhibiting the activation of p38 MAPK pathway.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of free superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap (SCIAPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue defects of hand and foot in children.Methods:From August 2021 to August 2023, free SCIAPFs were used to reconstruct soft tissue defects of hands and feet in 8 children at the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Zhoukou Huaihai Hospital. There were 6 boys and 2 girls aged between 2 and 7 years old. The sites of soft tissue defect were: 1 of metacarpophalangeal joint in the functional area of left thumb, 2 of dorsal right hand, 1 of dorsal left foot, 2 of medial malleolus of right foot, and 2 of right forefoot, and all were accompanied with tendon and bone exposure. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 2.5 cm×3.0 cm to 6.0 cm×3.5 cm. After emergency debridement, the children received flap transfers, the flaps sized from 3.0 cm×3.5 cm to 7.0 cm×4.0 cm. Donor sites were closed by running intradermal suture. All children were included in the scheduled postoperative follow-up by visit of outpatient clinic, WeChat interviews and home visits to observe the appearance, colour, texture and sensation of the flaps, the functional recovery of the affected hands and feet, as well as the healing of donor sites.Results:After surgery, all 8 flaps survived beside 1 had a partial necrosis at the edge and healed with a scab after dressing change. Flap donor sites healed in one stage. Scheduled postoperative follow-up lasted from 7 to 22 months, with an average of 10 months. The flaps presented a slightly bloated appearance, soft texture with a restored protective sensation and satisfactory functional recovery of hands and feet. Linear scars were left at the donor sites. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, 1 child was of excellent and 2 children of good in hand function of the 3 children with hand injury. The Maryland Foot Score revealed 3 children were of excellent and 2 of good in foot function of the 5 children with foot injury.Conclusion:Free SCIAPF is an ideal option for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of hand and foot in children, with concealed donor site, convenient flap harvesting, fewer complications and satisfactory reconstructive effect.

Objective To explore the correlation between coronary fat attenuation index of perivascular adipose tissue(FAIPVAT),as well as volumetric perivascular characterization index(VPCI),and coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods A total of 112 patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)and coronary angiography(CAG)examinations within 2 weeks were selected.The patients were divided into CHD group and control group according to the degree of coronary artery stenosis,and were divided into calcified plaque group,non-calcified plaque group and mixed plaque group according to the nature of plaque.The correlation between FAIPVAT,VPCI and CHD were evaluated.Results Of the 112 patients,71 patients in the CHD group and 41 patients in the control group.There were significant differences in gender,age,FAIPVAT and VPCI between the two groups.FAIPVAT and VPCI were positively correlated with CHD(r=0.445,P＜0.01;r=0.669,P＜0.01).FAIPVAT and VPCI were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,the area under the curve(AUC)of FAIPVAT was 0.770,the cut-off value was-81.659 HU,the sensitiv-ity was 0.592,and the specificity was 0.878,while the AUC of VPCI was 0.892,the cut-off value was 8.056,the sensitivity was 0.887,and the specificity was 0.805.There were significant differences in FAIPVAT and VPCI between non-calcified plaque group and calci-fied plaque group.FAIPVAT and VPCI of mixed plaque group and calcified plaque group were significantly different.Conclusion FAIPVAT and VPCI have some certain correlation with CHD.FAIPVAT and VPCI can accurately evaluate the risk level of CHD and coronary artery inflammation,and the value of individualized VPCI is higher.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is a standard surgery for patients suffering from gallbladder diseases, while the causal effects of cholecystectomy on colorectal cancer (CRC) and other complications are still unknown. METHODS: We obtained genetic variants associated with cholecystectomy at a genome-wide significant level ( P value <5 × 10 -8 ) as instrumental variables (IVs) and performed Mendelian randomization (MR) to identify the complications of cholecystectomy. Furthermore, the cholelithiasis was also treated as the exposure to compare its causal effects to those of cholecystectomy, and multivariable MR analysis was carried out to judge whether the effect of cholecystectomy was independent of cholelithiasis. The study was reported based on Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Using Mendelian Randomization guidelines. RESULTS: The selected IVs explained 1.76% variance of cholecystectomy. Our MR analysis suggested that cholecystectomy cannot elevate the risk of CRC (odds ratio [OR] =1.543, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.607-3.924). Also, it was not significant in either colon or rectum cancer. Intriguingly, cholecystectomy might decrease the risk of Crohn's disease (OR = 0.078, 95% CI: 0.016-0.368) and coronary heart disease (OR = 0.352, 95% CI: 0.164-0.756). However, it might increase the risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (OR = 7.573, 95% CI: 1.096-52.318). Cholelithiasis could increase the risk of CRC in the largest population (OR = 1.041, 95% CI: 1.010-1.073). The multivariable MR analysis suggested that genetic liability to cholelithiasis could increase the risk of CRC in the largest population (OR = 1.061, 95% CI: 1.002-1.125) after adjustment of cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated that cholecystectomy might not increase the risk of CRC, but such a conclusion needs further proving by clinical equivalence. Additionally, it might increase the risk of IBS, which should be paid attention to in clinical practice.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Cholelithiasis/complications* ; Cholecystectomy/adverse effects* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China. Strain identification of 163 individuals collected from America, Africa and China showed that both C and R strains were found in the American populations, while only C strain was found in the Chinese and African populations. Moreover, population genomics analysis showed that populations from Africa and China have close relationship with significantly genetic differentiation from American populations. Taken together, FAWs invaded into China were most likely originated from Africa. Comparative genomics analysis displayed that the cytochrome p450 gene family is extremely expanded to 425 members in FAW, of which 283 genes are specific to FAW. Treatments of Chinese populations with twenty-three pesticides showed the variant patterns of transcriptome profiles, and several detoxification genes such as AOX, UGT and GST specially responded to the pesticides. These findings will be useful in developing effective strategies for management of FAW in China and other invaded areas.
Animals ; China ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; Spodoptera/genetics* ; Transcriptome

The importance of structural variants(SVs)for human phenotypes and diseases is now recognized.Although a variety of SV detection platforms and strategies that vary in sensitivity and specificity have been developed,few benchmarking procedures are available to confidently assess their performances in biological and clinical research.To facilitate the validation and application of these SV detection approaches,we established an Asian reference material by characterizing the genome of an Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)-immortalized B lymphocyte line along with identified benchmark regions and high-confidence SV calls.We established a high-confidence SV callset with 8938 SVs by integrating four alignment-based SV callers,including 109x Pacific Biosciences(PacBio)continuous long reads(CLRs),22 x PacBio circular consensus sequencing(CCS)reads,104x Oxford Nanopore Technologies(ONT)long reads,and 114×Bionano optical mapping plat-form,and one de novo assembly-based SV caller using CCS reads.A total of 544 randomly selected SVs were validated by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing,demonstrating the robustness of our SV calls.Combining trio-binning-based haplotype assemblies,we established an SV benchmark for identifying false negatives and false positives by constructing the continuous high-confidence regions(CHCRs),which covered 1.46 gigabase pairs(Gb)and 6882 SVs supported by at least one diploid haplotype assembly.Establishing high-confidence SV calls for a benchmark sample that has been characterized by multiple technologies provides a valuable resource for investigating SVs in human biology,disease,and clinical research.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Methods:PubMed, Embase, Cochrance Library, CBM, CNKI and Wanfang Databases were searched.Search strategy was subject word combined with random word.The case control and cohort studies involving the influencing factors for PPCs in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture from January 2000 to November 2020 were retrieved.PPCs included pneumonia, aspiration pneumonitis, pulmonary infections, respiratory failure, atelectasis and pleural effusion, etc.The quality of literatures was assessed by using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, data were extracted and analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software.Results:A total of 18 studies were finally enrolled, including 15 case control studies and 3 cohort studies.The results of analysis showed that the advanced age, male, history of smoking, low body mass index, history of cerebrovascular accident, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of diabetes, preoperative albumin concentration<35 g/L, preoperative hemoglobin concentration<120 g/L, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification≥Ⅲ, operation delay≥48 h and general anesthesia were the risk factors for PPCs ( P<0.05). Conclusions:There are numerous risk factors for PPCs in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, and advanced age, male, history of smoking, low body mass index, history of cerebrovascular accident, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of diabetes, preoperative albumin concentration<35 g/L, preoperative hemoglobin concentration<120 g/L, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification≥Ⅲ, operation delay≥48 h and general anesthesia are the risk factors for PPCs in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.