Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of Sanhuang Xiexintang （SHXXT） in protecting stress gastric ulcer （SGU） in rats through network pharmacology， molecular docking， and animal experiments. MethodThe active ingredients and corresponding targets in SHXXT were collected and screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database （TCMID）， Bioinformation Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine （BATMAN-TCM）， and Swiss Target Prediction database. SGU-related targets were screened from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）， GeneCards database， and PharmGKB database. Herbal-ingredient-target （H-C-T） network was constructed by using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） of drug and disease intersection targets was analyzed by using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database. Gene ontology （GO） enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway analysis were conducted through the Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery （DAVID）. The active ingredients and key targets were validated using AutodockVina 1.2.2 molecular docking software， and the experimental results were further validated through animal experiments. ResultThe 55 active ingredients were screened， and 255 potential target genes for SHXXT treatment of SGU were predicted. The PPI analysis showed that protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） are the core targets of SHXXT for protecting SGU. GO and KEGG analyses showed that SHXXT may affect the development of SGU by regulating various biological processes such as the phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt signaling pathway and inflammatory processes. The molecular docking results showed that both the active ingredients and key targets had good binding ability. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the ulcer index （UI） of the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly increased （P<0.01）. The phosphorylation level of PTEN in gastric mucosal tissue was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. The phosphorylation levels of PI3K， Akt， and nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the UI of the treatment group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The phosphorylation level of PTEN in gastric mucosal tissue was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K， Akt， and NF-κB were significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe application of network pharmacology prediction， molecular docking simulation， and animal experimental validation confirms that SHXXT regulates the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway to regulate the inflammatory response of rats and thus protects the gastric mucosa of SGU rats.

Here, we report a previously unrecognized syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder associated with biallelic loss-of-function variants in the RBM42 gene. The patient is a 2-year-old female with severe central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities, hypotonia, hearing loss, congenital heart defects, and dysmorphic facial features. Familial whole-exome sequencing (WES) reveals that the patient has two compound heterozygous variants, c.304C>T (p.R102*) and c.1312G>A (p.A438T), in the RBM42 gene which encodes an integral component of splicing complex in the RNA-binding motif protein family. The p.A438T variant is in the RRM domain which impairs RBM42 protein stability in vivo. Additionally, p.A438T disrupts the interaction of RBM42 with hnRNP K, which is the causative gene for Au-Kline syndrome with overlapping disease characteristics seen in the index patient. The human R102* or A438T mutant protein failed to fully rescue the growth defects of RBM42 ortholog knockout ΔFgRbp1 in Fusarium while it was rescued by the wild-type (WT) human RBM42. A mouse model carrying Rbm42 compound heterozygous variants, c.280C>T (p.Q94*) and c.1306_1308delinsACA (p.A436T), demonstrated gross fetal developmental defects and most of the double mutant animals died by E13.5. RNA-seq data confirmed that Rbm42 was involved in neurological and myocardial functions with an essential role in alternative splicing (AS). Overall, we present clinical, genetic, and functional data to demonstrate that defects in RBM42 constitute the underlying etiology of a new neurodevelopmental disease which links the dysregulation of global AS to abnormal embryonic development.
Female ; Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics* ; Facies ; Cleft Palate ; Muscle Hypotonia

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy between a single palmar lateral transverse approach and the modified Henry approach in the locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 82 patients with distal radius fracture who had undergone locking plate fixation through either a single palmar lateral approach or the modified Henry approach between January 2016 and December 2022 at Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics, Taihe Hospital, Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine. There were 25 males and 57 females, with an age of (53.8±12.7) years. Based on the difference in surgical approach, the patients were divided into a single transverse approach group ( n=42) and a modified Henry approach group ( n=40). The 2 groups were compared in terms of injury cause, injury location, time from injury to surgery, AO fracture classification, tourniquet time during surgery, incision length, fracture reduction, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS & OSAS) and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score at the last follow-up, and complications after surgery. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (8.2±3.5) months. Follow-ups revealed one case of injury to the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve but no other complications like infection, non-union, internal fixation failure, or tendon injury in the single transverse approach group. The single transverse approach group was significantly superior over the modified Henry approach group in incision length [(2.4±0.9) cm versus (5.3±1.6) cm], OSAS (8.1±4.2 versus 10.3±5.7), and PSAS (10.1±5.8 versus 14.7±6.4) ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in tourniquet time, fracture reduction quality, and DASH score at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures, in comparison with the modified Henry approach, a single palmar lateral approach is more minimally invasive so that more aesthetically pleasing outcomes can be achieved to facilitate patients' rapid return to work and society.

With the development of computer-aided surgery and rapid prototyping via 3D printing technology, digital surgery has rapidly advanced in clinical practice, especially in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. 3D printing technology has been applied to the functional restoration and reconstruction of the jawbone. Before surgery, a 3D digital model is constructed through software to plan the scope of the osteotomy, shape the bone graft and plan the placement of the implant. Additionally, 3D models of personalized surgical instrument guides are printed prior to surgery. With these 3D-printed models and guides, accurate excision of the jaw tumor, accurate placement of the grafted bone and precise placement of implants can be achieved during surgery. Postoperative evaluation of accuracy and function shows that 3D printing technology can aid in achieving the biomechanical goals of simultaneous implant placement in jaw reconstruction, and in combination with dental implant restoration, the technology can improve patients' postoperative occlusal and masticatory functions. Nevertheless, 3D printing technology still has limitations, such as time-consuming preparation before surgery. In the future, further development of 3D printing technology, optimization of surgical plans, and alternative biological materials are needed. Based on domestic and foreign literature and our research results, we have reviewed the process and clinical application prospects of jaw reconstruction via 3D printing technology to provide a reference for oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT) is a foot and ankle disease characterized by ankle pain, which may impact the joint function and life quality. If managed improperly, it may lead to a further ankle arthritis, severely compromising the prognosis. The therapeutic effect of conservative treatment for OLT is still uncertain. Surgery is still the main treatment modality for OLT with various techniques. However, the optimized surgical technique is still inconclusive, furthermore, regeneration and repair of cartilage after debridement is also a great challenge for the treatment of OLT. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with good repair effect on cartilage injury is gradually applied in the treatment of OLT. However, there still lacks the unified understanding of the technique and specification of PRP for the treatment of OLT. Therefore, National Orthopedics Center of Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital allied Foot Ankle Basic Research & Orthopedics Group, Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons; Foot and Ankle Committee of Chinese Association of Sports Medicine Physicians; and Foot and Ankle Group of Orthopedic Specialized Branch of Shanghai Medical Association to organize related experts to formulate the Expert consensus on platelet- rich plasma treatment for osteochondral lesion of talus ( version2023). Fifteen recommendations were put forward upon PRP preparation, indications, contraindications and treatment methods of PRP for OLT, so as to standardize the PRP treatment for OLT.

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effects and prognostic factors of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of a total of 148 patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma enrolled in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2007 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients received 5-Fu/Cisplatin or Paclitaxel/Cisplatin for chemotherapies. The total treatment dose for the radiotherapy was delivered at 36-40Gy under conventional fractionation. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates, and Log-rank test and Cox model were performed for univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, respectively.Results:The overall survival (OS) rates of 1-, 3-and 5-year were 74%, 51% and 51%, respectively, with a median survival time (MST) of 72.4 months. The carcinoma/disease-free survival (DFS) rates for 1, 3, 5 years were 60%, 51%, 45%, respectively, with a median time of 60.1 months. The 1-, 3-and 5-year OS rates of the pCR group were 86%, 70%, 70%, the ones of which in the non-pCR group were 70%, 44%, 43%, respectively ( P=0.002). The 1-, 3-and 5-year DFS rates were 76%, 71%, 68% for the pCR group, and 53%, 43%, 37% for the non-pCR group, respectively ( P=0.002). In pN(-) group and pN(+ ) group, the 1-, 3-and 5-year OS rates were 83%, 56%, 55% and 50%, 38%, 38%( P=0.004), respectively. Further, the 1-, 3-and 5-year DFS rates were 66%, 56%, 51% for the pN(-) group, and 43%, 38%, 31% for the pN(+ ) group ( P=0.006), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that pCR and pN status were independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS ( P=0.012, 0.011 and P=0.025, 0.033). Conclusion:Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, while pCR and pN status served as independent prognostic factors.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative deep wound infection after open reduction and internal fixation for closed calcaneal fractures.Methods From January 2014 to January 2017,190 patients with closed calcaneal fracture were treated at Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics,Taihe Hospital.They were 118 males and 72 females with an average of 39.8 years (range,from 18 to 73 years).They were divided into a deep infection group and a non deep infection group according to the presence or absence of deep wound infection in the follow-up period.The 2 groups were compared in the general clinical data.In statistical analysis,the related risk factors were first screened by single factor analysis and followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the independent risk factors associated with the postoperative deep wound infection in patients with closed calcaneal fracture.Results The 190 patients were followed up for an average of 21.3 months(range,from 13 to 31 months).Postoperative deep wound infection occurred in 11 patients,giving an overall incidence of 5.7％ (11 / 190).The single factor analysis showed that the deep infection group incurred significantly longer time for tourniquet and used significantly more conventional extensile lateral approach than the non deep infection group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in general data,injury cause,fracture type,drainage,or incision closure technique (P ＞ 0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that tourniquet time ＞ 80 min (OR=5.949,95％ CI:1.216～ 29.108,P=0.028) and conventional extensile lateral approach (OR =5.414,95％ CI:1.507 ～ 19.452,P =0.01) were independent risk factors fo r the postoperative deep wound infection in patients with closed calcaneal fracture after open reduction and internal fixation.Conclusions Tourniquet time and conventional extensile lateral approach may be the independent risk factors for postoperative deep wound infection in patients with closed calcaneal fracture after open reduction and internal fixation.Therefore,it is important to adopt the sinus tarsi approach and control tourniquet time within 80 minutes for prevention of deep wound infection as long as the surgical quality is ensured.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of oral candidiasis (OC) in in-patients with rheumatism, in order to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of OC in rheumatism patients. Methods: One thousand eight hundred and eight in-patients were recruited in the Department of Rheumatology, the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2017 to December 2017. The patients included 607 males and 1 201 females. Their average age was (49.5±15.5) years old with a ranging from 14 to 81 years. According to occurrence of OC or not, the patients were divided into OC group and non-OC group. The differences of general data, primary diseases, laboratory examinations, usage of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy were compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of OC occurrence were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and sixty-nine patients had OC and 1 539 patients had no OC. Age [(54.9±14.7) years], duration of illness [(9.4±4.4) years] and hospital stay [(15.3±5.7) d] in OC group were significantly longer than those in non-OC group. OC incidence in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) [17.40% (193/1 109)] was higher than that in non-CTD patients [10.87% (75/699)] (P<0.001). OC most likely occurred in patients with such CTD as Sjögren syndrome (SS) and Behcet syndrome. OC incidence in non-CTD patients with osteoarthritis (OA) was highest. The salivary flow rate in OC group [(0.65±0.45) ml/min] was significantly lower than that in non-OC group [(0.78± 0.39) ml/min] (t=2.394, P=0.017). There was no statistical differences in other laboratory examinations between the two groups, including white blood cells (WBC), lymphocyte, platelet count, liver function, renal function, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin A, C₃, C₄ and so on. OC incidence in patients using prednisone≥15 mg/d [17.16% (133/775)] was higher than that in patients using prednisone<15 mg/d [12.53% (94/750)] and patients not using prednisone [14.84% (42/283)] (P<0.05). The incidence of OC in patients with immunosuppressant therapy [16.11% (226/1 403)] was statistically higher than that in non-immunosuppressant patients [10.62% (43/405)] (P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of OC occurrence included primary diseases (P<0.001), age (P<0.001), duration of illness (P=0.001) and duration of hospitalization (P=0.002). Conclusions OC occurred commonly in rheumatism in-patients, especially in elder patients, patients with long duration of illness and hospital stay. OC incidence in CTD patients is significantly higher than that in non-CTD patients. Glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy might significantly reduce the anti-fungal immunity of the patients.

Objective To determine the treatment outcome of nimotuzumab in combination with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods A total of 23 ESCC patients were enrolled.The preoperative strategies consisted of nimotuzumab (200 mg per week in week 1-5),concurrent chemotherapy by paclitaxel (45 mg/m2 per week in week 2-5) and cisplatin (20 mg/m2 per week in week 2-5) and radiotherapy by a total dose of 40 Gy (2.0 Gy/d,5 days per week in week 2-5).Esophagectomy was performed 4 weeks after the completion of preoperative therapies.Results All of the 23 patients enrolled completed the planned combined therapy method,and 22 patients underwent final surgery.The clinical response rate of nimotuzumab in combination with preoperative chemoradiotherapy was 96％.The most frequent Grade 1/2 toxicities observed were gastrointestinal reaction,bone marrow suppression,and esophagitis.The rate of radical resection was 100％,and the pathological complete response rate was 41％.The incidence rate of postoperative pulmonary infection,anastomotic leak,hoarseness,and arrhythmia were 14％,9％,4％,and 4％,respectively.No perioperative deaths occurred in our study.The 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate for all the patients were 86％,52％ and 52％,respectively.The median survival time (MST) was 28.9 months.Postoperative pathologic results showed 15 patients with lymph node negative and 7 patients with lymph node positive.the 1-,3-,and 5-year OS for pN0 group were 100％,62％ and 62％,versus 57％,29％ and 29％ for pN+ group (P=0.033).The MST for pNo group was 42.6 months versus 14.2 months for pN + group.Conclusions The regimen of nimotuzumab in combination with preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is safe and effective for locally advanced ESCC.Patients with lymph node negative after surgery have significantly improved long-term survival.