OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of multimerin-2 (MMRN2) overexpression on growth and metastasis of cutaneous melanoma cells. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with cutaneous melanoma were obtained from the GEO database to compare MMRN2 expressions between normal and tumor tissues. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database, and the intersecting genes from GEPIA2.0 were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The prognostic relevance of MMRN2 expression level was assessed using Cox regression and "timeROC". The correlations of MMRN2 expression level with immune infiltration and angiogenesis-related genes were analyzed using GSCA database and the ssGSEA algorithm. Colony-forming assay, Transwell assay, and wound healing assay were used to examine the changes in proliferation and migration of cultured cutaneous melanoma cells following MMRN2 knockdown. In a mouse model bearing cutaneous melanoma xenograft, the effect of MMRN2 knockdown on vital organ pathologies, survival of the mice and GM-CSF, CXCL9, and TGF‑β1 protein expressions were analyzed. RESULTS: MMRN2 was significantly upregulated in metastatic cutaneous melanoma (P<0.001). Protein interaction network analysis identified 15 intersecting genes, which were enriched in endothelium development and cell-cell junctions. In patients with cutaneous melanoma, a high MMRN2 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis, an advanced T stage, a greater Breslow depth, and ulceration (P<0.05). MMRN2 expression level was strongly correlated with 24 immune cell types (P<0.001), fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and expressions of the pro-angiogenic genes (KCNJ8, SLCO2A1, NRP1, and COL3A1; P<0.001). In cultured B16F10 cells, MMRN2 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion and caused remo-deling of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS MMRN2 overexpression drives progression of cutaneous melanoma by enhancing tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and immune evasion, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for melanomas.
Humans ; Melanoma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Interaction Maps

Objective To investigate the effect of lateral wedge insoles (LWI) with different heights on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during single-leg landing in patients with chronic ankle in? stability (CAI). Methods Thirty CAI undergraduates (15 males and 15 females) were recruited. All participants were required to perform a single-leg landing task from a height of 30 cm. They first un? derwent the test with flat insoles (FI),followed by tests with 3 mm and 6 mm LWI in a randomized order. A Qualisys 3D motion capture system and Kistler force platform were used to synchronously col? lect data. Kinematic and kinetic data of the lower limb tri-joints (hip,knee and ankle) were ana? lyzed from the moment of ground contact to the body stabilization phase. Results(1) Kinematically,compared with the FI group,the 3 mm and 6 mm LWI groups showed greater hip and knee flexion angles (P<0.001),smaller hip adduction (P<0.05,P<0.01),ankle plantarflexion (P<0.05,P<0.001),and knee valgus angles (P<0.05,P<0.001) at the moment of ground contact. The 6 mm LWI group had larger hip/knee flexion angles (P<0.001) and smaller ankle plantarflexion angles (P<0.001) at contact than the 3 mm LWI group. Additionally,compared with the FI group,the 6 mm LWI group showed significantly smaller ankle eversion angles (P<0.05). The 6 mm LWI group showed larger peak knee flexion angle (P<0.05) and peak ankle eversion angle (P<0.01) than the FI group,while the 3 mm LWI group also had a greater peak ankle eversion angle (P<0.05) than the FI group. Meanwhile,the 3 mm and 6 mm LWI groups had a larger knee flexion-extension range of motion (ROM)(P<0.05,P<0.01) but smaller ankle flexion-extension ROM (P<0.001) than the FI group. The 6 mm LWI group showed a significantly greater hip adduction-abduction ROM (P<0.001,P<0.05) than the other groups,with a smaller ankle plantar flexion-extension ROM (P<0.05) than the 3 mm LWI group. (2) The peak vertical ground reaction force (peak vGRF) of the LWI groups was signifi? cantly lower than the FI group (P<0.01),with that of the 6 mm LWI group significantly lower than the 3 mm LWI group (P<0.001). Moreover,there were significantly greater peak hip flexion moment (P<0.01) and smaller peak ankle plantarflexion moment of the LWI groups than the FI group (P<0.001),with a smaller peak ankle plantarflexion moment of the 6 mm LWI group than the 3 mm LWI group (P<0.05). (3) Significantly greater subjective comfort was observed in the 6 mm LWI group than the FI group (P<0.01). Conclusion LWI can improve landing patterns in CAI patients,re? duce their ground reaction forces,and lower the risk of ankle sprain. The 6 mm LWI outperforms the 3 mm LWI in improving flexion angles of the lower limb tri-joints at ground contact,ankle flexion-ex? tension ROM,peak vGRF,and peak ankle plantarflexion moment during single-leg landing tasks. Therefore,LWI can be used as a wearable protective device during rehabilitation to prevent recurrent ankle sprains among such patients.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of the crown-root ratios of the anterior teeth in subjects with different periodontal phenotypes in healthy population.Methods A total of 100 periodontally healthy young volunteers were selected,there were 53 females and 47 males,totaling 594 anterior teeth were included in the study.The periodontal probe method was used to determine the periodontal phenotypes of different tooth positions,with 108 cases of thick gingival type and 90 cases of thin gingival type in mesial incisors;95 teeth of thick gingival type and 103 teeth of thin gingival type in lateral incisors,and 98 teeth of thick gingival type and 100 teeth of thin gingival type in cuspids.Panoramic radiographs were taken,crown length and root length of upper anterior teeth were calculated,and crown-root ratio was calculated,to compare and analyze the differences between the results of the two groups.Results The crown-to-root ratio in thin gingival group of mesial incisors and lateral incisors were higher than those in thick gingival group,and the root length was smaller than thick gingival group.The difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The keratinized gingival width of thin gingival group was less than that of thick gingival group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The relatively high crown-to-root ratio of mesial incisors and lateral incisors in patients with thin gingival phenotypes and the lesser width of keratinized gingiva in thin gingival phenotypes than thick gingival phenotypes.and risk assessment should be taken into account in the restorative system as well as in the orthodontic design of the anterior tooth movement.

BACKGROUND:Anybody musculoskeletal modeling system uses mathematical modeling techniques to simulate the relationship between human bones,muscles,and the environment,allowing for the study of inverse dynamics of the human body and obtaining indicators such as lower limb joint forces.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the stress distribution patterns of lower limb joints during the practice of Tai Chi movements,thereby exploring the scientific training and exercise value of Tai Chi.METHODS:Eight Tai Chi master-level athletes were selected from the Wushu College of Beijing Sport University for data collection,including seven sets of stepping movements and CT scans of the right femur.The BTS infrared capture system and Kistler three-dimensional force platform were used to collect kinematic and mechanical data of the seven sets of stepping movements in Tai Chi(Eight Methods and Five Steps).The Anybody 7.2 musculoskeletal model's multi-body dynamics simulation technology was utilized to calculate lower limb joint dynamic parameters,and Workbench 19.2 was used to perform stress analysis on the femur.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Using Workbench software,the stress results of the femur for seven sets of movements were obtained.The peak stress values of the seven sets of movements in descending order were:Retreat and Rollback(22.00 MPa),Retreat and Pluck(19.379 MPa),Left and Right Shift Step Squeeze and Press(9.35 MPa),Left and Right Shift Step Elbow Lean(6.30 MPa),Forward Step and Expand(4.68 MPa),Forward Step and Pull(2.57 MPa),and Middle Fixed Standalone Position(0.31 MPa).(2)In the seven sets of stepping movements,the two backward stepping movements resulted in the greatest stress on the femur(P＜0.05),and the maximum stress positions on the femur were different during the movement of the seven sets of actions.(3)It is concluded that during the seven sets of stepping movements in Tai Chi(Eight Methods and Five Steps),stress threshold and maximum stress position of the femur will vary with different movements in five directions(seven sets of movements).Continuous training can comprehensively stimulate the femoral body.Forward stepping movements have a greater impact on the front and upper lateral side of the femoral body,while backward stepping movements have a greater impact on the back and inner side of the femoral body.Left and right lateral stepping movements mainly involve symmetrical stress on both sides of the femoral body.(4)Beginners should train targeted according to the stress characteristics of different stepping movements.During forward and backward stepping movements,attention should be paid to the rotational force of Tai Chi,and during left and right lateral stepping movements,attention should be paid to the medial counterforce.Beginners should focus on the Tai Chi training steps that correspond to their own weaknesses to achieve better exercise outcomes.

Abstract The issue of multimorbidity in children and adolescents is becoming increasingly prominent, but there is no consensus on the definition of multimorbidity. As research deepens, issues related to the comparability and standardization of relevant findings are gradually emerging. As a solution, a systematic review of both domestic and international research on multimorbidity is conducted, and a classification system for defining the concept of multimorbidity is proposed, offering more convenient conditions for the advancement of future research and cross study exchange.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological pattern and disease burden of type 2 diabetes have been shifting in China over the past decades. This analysis described the epidemiological transition of type 2 diabetes in the past three decades and projected the trend in the future three decades in China. METHODS: Age-, sex-, and year-specific incidence, prevalence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for people with 15 years or older and diabetes or high fasting glucose in China and related countries from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease. We obtained the trends of age-, sex-, and year-specific rates and absolute numbers of incidence, prevalence, deaths, and DALYs attributable to type 2 diabetes in China from 1990 to 2021. Using the Lee-Carter model, we projected the incidence, prevalence, death, and DALYs attributable to type 2 diabetes to 2050 stratified by age and sex. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence of type 2 diabetes was 341.5 per 100,000 persons (1.6 times in 1990) and the age-standardized prevalence was 9.96% (9960.0 per 100,000 persons, 2.5 times in 1990) in China 2021. In 2021, there were 0.9 million deaths and 26.8 million DALYs due to type 2 diabetes or hyperglycemia, as 2.9 and 2.7 times the data in 1990, respectively. The age-standardized rates of type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia were projected to raise to 449.5 per 100,000 persons for incidence, 18.17% for prevalence, 244.6 per 100,000 persons for death, and 4720.2 per 100,000 persons for DALYs by 2050. The incidence of type 2 diabetes kept growing among individuals under the age of 20 years in the past three decades (128.7 per 100,000 persons in 1990 and 439.9 per 100,000 persons in 2021) and estimating 1870.8 per 100,000 in 2050. CONCLUSIONS The incidence, prevalence, and disease burden of type 2 diabetes grew rapidly in China in the past three decades. The prevention of type 2 diabetes in young people and the care for elder adults will be the greatest challenge for the country.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/mortality* ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Female ; Male ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Aged, 80 and over

Objective To explore the risk factors for the recurrence of autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP),so as to provide a new reference for its clinical treatment.Methods The clinical data of 198 AIP patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from 2014 to 2021 were collected,including 164 patients with type 1 AIP and 34 patients with type 2 AIP.Based on the recurrence status of AIP,the patients were categorized into recurrence group(38 cases)and non-recurrence group(160 cases),and differences between the 2 groups were analyzed.Patients with definite duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy were further screened,and logistic regression model and Spearman rank correlation analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of AIP recurrence.Results During the follow-up period,19.19％(38/198)of AIP patients experienced a relapse.The 1-,3-,and 5-year cumulative recurrence rates were 6.57％,9.09％,and 12.63％,respectively,with type 1 AIP demonstrating a significantly higher recurrence rate than type 2 AIP(21.95％[36/164]vs 5.88％[2/34],P=0.030).Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level(odds ratio[OR]=0.544,95％confidence interval[CI]0.321-0.924,P=0.024)and the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy(OR=0.797,95％CI 0.704-0.902,P＜0.001)were the potential factors of AIP recurrence in 112 patients with definite data on the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy was independently associated with AIP recurrence(OR=0.813,95％CI 0.713-0.926,P=0.002).Spearman rank correlation analysis further demonstrated a negative correlation between the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy and AIP recurrence(r=-0.545,P＜0.001).Additionally,receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy had good predictive effect on AIP recurrence,with an area under curve value of 0.873(95％CI 0.800-0.945,P＜0.001).Conclusion Long-term regular glucocorticoid therapy is an independent protective factor against AIP recurrence,and it can significantly reduce the recurrence of AIP.

Objective:To analyze the changes and structural variations in hospitalization costs for patients with lung malignancies after the implementation of diagnosis-intervention packet (DIP) payment system, and to evaluate its effectiveness.Methods:Data from the first page of medical records and hospitalization cost data from the hospital information system of a tertiary general hospital in Henan Province were extracted for patients diagnosed with lung malignancies from 2020 to 2023. The data were divided into pre-implementation group (2020—2021) and post-implementation group (2022—2023) based on the implementation time of DIP. Chi-square test, t test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to analyze the differences in basic characteristics and hospitalization costs of patients with lung malignancies before and after the implementation of DIP. Grey relational analysis was employed to examine the internal associations between total hospitalization costs and various cost components. Structural variation analysis was used to assess the changes in the structure of hospitalization costs after the implementation of DIP. Results:A total of 14 587 hospitalized patients with lung malignancies were included, with 6 807 cases in the pre-implementation group and 7 780 cases in the post-implementation group. The average length of hospital stay decreased from (13.17±6.74) days before implementation to (12.02±6.49) days after implementation ( P<0.05). The proportion of level-four surgeries increased from 46.4% to 57.0% ( P<0.05). The average hospitalization cost per patient with lung malignancies decreased from 56 952 yuan before DIP implementation to 55 560 yuan after implementation ( P<0.05). For patients with lung malignancies diagnosed as C34.1, C34.2, C34.3, and C34.8, the top four cost components most strongly associated with total hospitalization costs were treatment costs, material costs, comprehensive medical service costs, and diagnostic costs, with correlation coefficients all>0.80. For patients with C34.9, the top four cost components most strongly associated with total hospitalization costs were treatment costs, comprehensive medical service costs, diagnostic costs, and Western medicine costs, with correlation coefficients>0.95. For patients diagnosed as C34.1, C34.2, C34.3, and C34.9, diagnostic costs, Western medicine costs, and material costs contributed significantly to the structural variation of hospitalization costs, with contribution rate of structure variation all exceeding 75%, among which Western medicine costs and material costs showed negative variation. For patients diagnosed as C34.8, treatment costs, Western medicine costs, and material costs contributed significantly to the structural variation of hospitalization costs, with contribution rate of structure variation all exceeding 80%, among which Western medicine costs showed negative variation. Conclusions:The implementation of DIP reduced the hospitalization costs for patients with lung malignancies, optimized the structure of hospitalization costs, improved the efficiency of medical services, and promoted the rational allocation of medical resources.

Objective:To analyze the lower limb muscle synergy patterns during the jump landing/cutting in patients with functional ankle instability(FAI),those who have experienced an ankle sprain without instability(Coper),and healthy controls(CON).Method:Twelve populations were recruited for each of the FAI,Coper,and CON groups(male/female ratio and whether the injured side was the favorable side were matched among groups).Kinematic,kinetic and sur-face electromyography(sEMG)data were collected from the unilateral lower limb during the jumping landing/cutting maneuver.Muscle synergy analysis was conducted using a non-negative matrix decomposition algorithm to extract parameters including the number of synergies,variance accounted for(VAF),synergy vectors,and activation coefficients.Result:Four synergy patterns existed in all three groups.Synergy l mainly activated the hip and knee exten-sors,contributing to impact absorption during landing.Synergy 2 mainly activated the knee extensors and ankle plantarflexors,functioning during both landing absorption and force generation in the lateral cut.Synergy 3 mainly activated the knee flexors and ankle plantarflexors,playing a role in the lateral cut force phase.Syner-gy 4 mainly activated the tibialis anterior muscle,contributing during the early landing phase and at the end of the lateral cut force generation phase,with a primary role in ankle stabilization.There was no significant difference in the number of synergies among the three groups,but the VAF-l(the VAF value when the num-ber of synergy is 1)of FAI group was significantly higher than the other two groups(P＜0.05).In the synergy vectors,the FAI and Coper groups showed increased activation weights for the periprosthetic muscles,reduced activation weights for the ankle plantarflexors and extensor digitorum brevis,and greater activation weights for the tibialis anterior muscles(P＜0.05).In terms of activation coefficients,the Coper group exhibited an earlier peak activation of synergy 2 and synergy 3(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Differences in ankle stabilization did not affect the number of muscle synergies in the lower ex-tremity,but muscle contributions within each synergy were altered in patients with FAI,indicating a compensa-tory strategy that relied more on proximal muscle while reducing the functional contributions of foot muscles to impact absorption and force generation.In the Coper group,reduced ankle muscle activation was compen-sated for by central adjustment of activation coefficient.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract globally, causing a heavy burden on society due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastasis suffer poor prognosis, and peritoneal metastasis is a major factor in the recurrence and metastasis of gastric cancer. Currently, the diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis mainly relies on contrast-enhanced CT, PET-CT, and other imaging techniques, but these technologies have a limited capability to detect small lesion of peritoneal metastases. Laparoscopic exploration is still considered as the most reliable method to diagnose peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. It allows direct visualization of the abdominal cavity and peritoneal regions, facilitating the detection of metastases. Furthermore, it enables the collection of histological or cytological specimens for definitive pathological diagnosis. However, the area formed by the parietal peritoneum and visceral peritoneum is large and has many folds in space. To explore the tumor and peritoneum as comprehensively as possible, our team has proposed the "Four-Step Procedure" of laparoscopic exploration for gastric cancer to standardize the operation process of laparoscopic exploration, which is characterized by its safety, comprehensiveness, precision and ease of implementation. This article primarily discusses the limitation of routine clinical techniques in diagnosing peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer and introduce the significant value of the "Four-Step Procedure" in diagnosing peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer.