Compared with traditional therapies for chronic liver disease （CLD）， Bifidobacterium has the characteristics of multi-target intervention， high biosafety， and good host compatibility and provides new strategies for intervention of CLD progression in terms of microecological regulation. Various studies have shown that Bifidobacterium regulates liver homeostasis and exerts a therapeutic effect on CLD by regulating intestinal flora， maintaining antioxidation， promoting energy consumption， alleviating inflammation， improving glycolipid metabolism， and exerting an antitumor effect. This article systematically reviews the studies on Bifidobacterium in the treatment of CLD in China and globally， explores their different mechanisms， and elaborates on the interaction between related signaling pathways （such as the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway and the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway） and the liver， in order to provide a basis for probiotic intervention in liver pathology， as well as new ideas for the comprehensive treatment of CLD.

AIM:This study aimed to confirm the glycolytic inhibitory activity of 3-bromopyruvic acid(3BP)and to assess whether this inhibition could ameliorate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.METHODS:PAH model rats were generated from normal SD rats via exposure to normal pressure and hypoxia.Intervention groups I and II(6 rats per group)were then intraperitoneally injected with 3BP(15 mg/kg),and the normal and hypoxia groups(6 rats per group)were given the same amount of normal saline for a total of 21 d.The average pulmonary artery pressure of the rats in each group was measured via right heart catheterisation,and hilar tissue measurements.The right ventricle(RV),left ventricle,and interventricular septum(LV+S)were weighed,and the ratio of RV/(LV+S)was calculated as an index of right ventricular hypertrophy.Right lower lung tissues were fixed in 4%paraformaldehyde-PBS buffer,sec-tioned in conventional paraffin(5 μm thick),stained with HE and Masson,photographed under a microscope.Then the thickness ratio of the tunica media and the area ratio of collagen fibres were calculated.The expression of pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2(PKM2),nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),and pyruvate de-hydrogenase(PDH)proteins in the hilar tissues of each group were detected by western blot,whereas interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 contents were detected using ELISA,and lactic acid content was detected using a lactic acid kit.RE-SULTS:The results showed that 3-brpa effectively inhibited glycolysis and significantly improved hypoxia-induced pulmo-nary hypertension in rats.Compared with the hypoxia group,in intervention group II,PKM2 expression was decreased(P<0.05),PDH expression increased significantly(P<0.01),and NLRP3 expression was decreased(P<0.05).The IL-18 and IL-1β contents decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01,respectively).Pulmonary hemodynamic indexes showed that the pro-portion of the right ventricle and the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01,respectively).The HE and Masson staining results showed that the thickness ratio of the tunica media and the area ratio of collagen fibres decreased significantly(P<0.01).Lactic acid content was significantly decreased(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:This study showed that 3BP can inhibit glycolysis and alleviate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

AIM:This study aimed to confirm the glycolytic inhibitory activity of 3-bromopyruvic acid(3BP)and to assess whether this inhibition could ameliorate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.METHODS:PAH model rats were generated from normal SD rats via exposure to normal pressure and hypoxia.Intervention groups I and II(6 rats per group)were then intraperitoneally injected with 3BP(15 mg/kg),and the normal and hypoxia groups(6 rats per group)were given the same amount of normal saline for a total of 21 d.The average pulmonary artery pressure of the rats in each group was measured via right heart catheterisation,and hilar tissue measurements.The right ventricle(RV),left ventricle,and interventricular septum(LV+S)were weighed,and the ratio of RV/(LV+S)was calculated as an index of right ventricular hypertrophy.Right lower lung tissues were fixed in 4%paraformaldehyde-PBS buffer,sec-tioned in conventional paraffin(5 μm thick),stained with HE and Masson,photographed under a microscope.Then the thickness ratio of the tunica media and the area ratio of collagen fibres were calculated.The expression of pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2(PKM2),nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),and pyruvate de-hydrogenase(PDH)proteins in the hilar tissues of each group were detected by western blot,whereas interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 contents were detected using ELISA,and lactic acid content was detected using a lactic acid kit.RE-SULTS:The results showed that 3-brpa effectively inhibited glycolysis and significantly improved hypoxia-induced pulmo-nary hypertension in rats.Compared with the hypoxia group,in intervention group II,PKM2 expression was decreased(P<0.05),PDH expression increased significantly(P<0.01),and NLRP3 expression was decreased(P<0.05).The IL-18 and IL-1β contents decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01,respectively).Pulmonary hemodynamic indexes showed that the pro-portion of the right ventricle and the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01,respectively).The HE and Masson staining results showed that the thickness ratio of the tunica media and the area ratio of collagen fibres decreased significantly(P<0.01).Lactic acid content was significantly decreased(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:This study showed that 3BP can inhibit glycolysis and alleviate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the status of radiological Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) among school-aged children in Chamdo City, Tibet, through a 3-year monitoring survey, providing epidemiological evidence for prevention and control strategies.Methods:The target areas for this study were Luolong, Bianba, and Basu counties in Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region, identified as having the most severe historical cases of KBD. Children aged 7-12 years attending school were enrolled as study subjects. Anteroposterior X-ray films of the right-hand were taken, and radiological diagnoses were made based on the "Diagnosis of Kashin-Beck Disease" criteria (WS/T 207-2010). Two experienced researchers independently reviewed the X-rays, and intra- and inter-group consistency were assessed using weighted Kappa values and percentage agreement. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2017 and 2020 to describe the X-ray detection rates of KBD, and logistic regression analysis was employed to construct a predictive model of risk factors for radiological KBD cases.Results:In 2017, a total of 5,711 children aged 7-12 years in Chamdo City, Tibet, participated in the baseline cross-sectional survey (average age 9.2 years, 48.0% female), with 28 cases of radiological KBD. The age- and gender-standardized prevalence rate was 0.527%. In 2020, 6,771 participants (average age 9.3 years, 49.5% female) underwent a second cross-sectional survey, with 9 cases of radiological KBD and a standardized prevalence rate of 0.134%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that older age [ OR=2.439, 95% CI(1.299, 4.580), P=0.006] and female gender [ OR=8.157, 95% CI(1.016, 65.528), P=0.048] were independent risk factors for radiological KBD cases. Conversely, higher residential altitude, under the premise of Tibet's high altitude, was a protective factor [ OR=0.995, 95% CI(0.990, 0.999), P=0.032). Conclusion:The radiographically positive detection rate of KBD among school-aged children in Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region, is at an extremely low level and showing a declining trend, reaching the historical standard in 2020. Considering the absence of positive signs in affected children, it suggests that local KBD has been effectively eliminated.

The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in pediatric care has a long history，proven efficacy，and distinctive characteristics.The China Association of Chinese Medicine has organized a series of youth salons to discuss the clinical advantages of treating diseases.Experts at this seminar proposed that the superior disease categories in pediatric TCM are significant for showcasing the unique strengths and advantages of TCM in the treatment of pediatric diseases，enhancing diagnostic and treatment levels，inheriting TCM knowledge，promoting the integration of TCM and Western medicine，and meeting patients' needs.The strengths of pediatric TCM are summed up as "having what others do not，excelling at what others have，being special in what others excel at，and ensuring safety in what others specialize in." The scope of superiority in pediatric TCM covers multiple systems，including respiratory，digestive，endocrine，psychological，and dermatological systems.This article summarized the advantages of TCM in treating 13 diseases discussed in the salon，such as upper respiratory tract infections，coughs，pneumonia，allergic rhinitis，bronchial asthma，atopic dermatitis，functional dyspepsia，functional constipation，enuresis，marginal short stature，simple obesity，attention deficit hyperactivity disorder，and tic disorders.The overall advantages were reflected in three aspects：First，the holistic concept and treatment based on syndrome differentiation in TCM highlight the advantage of treating the root causes of diseases，making the treatment methodical and precise.Second，most traditional Chinese herbs are natural and have strong safety profiles.Third，TCM treatment methods are abundant，especially the external treatment methods，which are widely used in pediatrics，highly accepted by parents，and have definite efficacy，as well as good safety and compliance.

Botulinum toxin(BoNT)is currently the first-line method for treating focal dystonia,which causes muscle paralysis by chemical denervation.Recent neuroimaging studies have found that BoNT treatment could alter neuroplasticity in the brain of patients with focal dystonia.However,the specific central nervous system mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.To this end,here we review the neuroimaging studies on BoNT treatment for dystonia from three aspects:functional magnetic resonance imaging,structural magnetic resonance imaging,and positron emission tomography imaging.It suggests that BoNT may improve the symptoms of dystonia patients by affecting functional connectivity,microstructure,and metabolic levels of the cortex,basal ganglia,thalamus,and cerebellum,etc.Therefore,this review will provide a theoretical reference for further exploring the mechanism and developing potential therapeutic targets of dystonia.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of combined tissue flap transplantation in repairing giant chest wall defects.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From August 2013 to December 2020, 31 patients with chest wall tumor or radiation ulcer after radical resection of chest wall tumor and conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Breast Oncoplastic Surgery of Hunan Cancer Hospital, including 12 males and 19 females, aged 25-71 years. After resection of tumor or ulcer and wound debridement, the area of secondary chest wall defect was 300-600 cm 2 with length of 16-35 cm and width of 16-32 cm. According to the actual situation of the patients and the preoperative design, the chest wall defects were repaired with the flexible combination of perforator flaps and myocutaneous flaps from different donor sites, and the area of the combined tissue flap was 260-540 cm 2 with length of 20-30 cm and width of 13-20 cm. Free posteromedial thigh perforator flap+free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap were used in 2 patients, free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap+free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap were used in 5 patients, free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap+pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap+free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap were used in 7 patients, free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap+pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap+pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were used in 2 patients, and bilateral free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps were used in 15 patients. For the remaining small area of superficial tissue defect after being repaired by combined tissue flaps, skin graft was used to repair or delayed local flap transfering was performed after the tissue flaps survived and edema subsided. The appropriate blood vessels in the donor and recipient sites were selected for anastomosis to reconstruct the blood supply of tissue flaps. The wounds in the donor sites of tissue flaps that can be directly sutured were sutured directly; for those that cannot be sutured directly, the skin grafting or delayed suture was performed. The anastomosis of blood vessels in the recipient sites, operation length, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The survivals of tissue flaps and skin grafts, the shape and texture of reconstructed chest wall, the wound healing, scar formation, and function of donor sites of tissue flaps, and the scar formation of the donor sites of skin grafts were observed after operation. Tumor recurrence and death of recurrent patients were followed up after operation. Results:The blood vessels in the recipient sites were anastomosed as follows: proximal internal thoracic vessels for 24 times, distal internal thoracic vessels for 12 times, trunk of thoracodorsal vessels for 4 times, anterior serratus branches of thoracodorsal vessels for 8 times, and thoracoacromial vessels for 12 times. The operation length was 6.0 to 8.5 hours, and the postoperative hospital stay was 9 to 21 days. Necrosis at the edge of partial tissue flaps occurred in 4 patients after operation, which healed after dressing change, and the tissue flaps and skin grafts of the other patients survived completely. The shape and texture of the reconstructed chest wall were good. Four patients had poor wound healing in the donor sites of abdominal tissue flaps, which healed after dressing change and local drainage. Only linear scar was left in the donor sites of all tissue flaps, and there was no obvious dysfunction in the donor sites of tissue flaps. Mild hypertrophic scar was left in the donor sites of skin grafts. During follow-up of 9 to 36 months after operation, 6 patients had tumor recurrence, and the recurrence time was 5 to 20 months after operation. After comprehensive treatment for patients with tumor recurrence, 3 patients died.Conclusions:Transplantation of combined tissue flaps in repairing the giant chest wall defects can shorten the time of total operation and hospital stay, and avoid multiple operations. After operation, patients had good chest wall appearance, with reduced tumor recurrence in patients with chest wall tumor.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of postoperative complication of venous thromboembolism(VTE)in glioma pa-tients,and to construct Nomogram model.Methods The clinical data of 401 glioma patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from September 2018 to April 2023 were collected,and the risk factors of VTE in glioma were explored using univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.After constructing the Nomogram model,the discriminative efficacy of the model was examined using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,the calibration degree of the model was evaluated by calibration curve,the calibration curve was examined by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,the model was internally validated using the Boot-strap self-sampling method,and the clinical benefit was analyzed by the decision curve analysis(DC A).Results Logistic regression a-nalysis showed that age,body mass index,platelets,leukocytes,D-dimer,and IDH phenotype were independent risk factors for the oc-currence of VTE after glioma surgery;the Nomogram model predicted that the area under the ROC curve for the occurrence of VTE after glioma surgery was 0.898;the calibration curves,C-index,and external validation suggested that the model had a high degree of accura-cy,and the DCA showed that the model had good clinical validity.Conclusion The prediction model constructed based on the risk fac-tors for postoperative VTE in glioma patients in this study was internally and externally validated,showing good diagnostic efficacy and pro-viding a basis for clinical decision-making.

ObjectiveTo analyze the distribution characteristics of common non-bacterial pathogens in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection(ARTI) in Suzhou from 2021 to 2023, and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of children with ARTI. MethodsA total of 14 953 patients with ARTI admitted to the internal medicine ward of the Children’s Hospital of Soochow University from September 2021 to July 2023 were retrospectively selected. Multiple RTFQ-PCR and capillary electrophoresis were used to detect 13 respiratory pathogens from throat swab samples, and the pathogen distribution was analyzed. ResultsThe total detection rate of respiratory virus in the14 953 hospitalized children with ARTI was 76.23% (11 398/14 953). Single infection accounted for 75.10% (8 560/11 398), while mixed infection accounted for 24.90% (2 838/11 398). The top three pathogens detected were rhinovirus (23.35%, 3 492/14 953), respiratory syncytial virus (19.53%, 2 920/14 953), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) (13.31%, 1 990/14 953). The detection rate of human Bocavirus and rhinovirus were higher in boys than that in girls (P=0.008, P<0.001), while the detection rate of MP was higher in girls than that in boys (P<0.01). The detection rates of RSV and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) were the highest in children under 1 year of age. Parainfluenza virus human, Bocavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus and coronavirus were most commonly detected in children aged between 1‒3 years. The detection rates of influenza A virus, influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus and metapenu⁃movirus were the highest in children aged between 3‒6 years. The detection rates of influenza B virus and MP were the highest in children older than 6 years. The detection rates of influenza A virus, influenzaA (H1N1) virus and RSV were the highest in spring. The detection rates of influenza A (H3N2) virus and MP were the highest in summer. The detection rates of parainfluenza virus, human Bocavirus, rhinovirus and metapenu-movirus were the highest in autumn. The detection rate of influenza B virus was the highest in winter. The detection rate of respiratory tract viruses varied by type of disease, and the difference is statistically significant (χ²=220.280, P<0.001). The positive rate of respiratory tract virus was 79.15% and 78.83% in patients with bronchitis and bronchopneumonia, respectively. Rhinovirus was the most commonly detected pathogen in patients with bronchitis (42.71%), bronchopneumonia (22.58%), and severe pneumonia (23.19%). ConclusionIn recent years, respiratory tract infections in children in the Suzhou area have primarily been viral infections, with rhinovirus, RSV and MP being the main pathogens. The detection rates of respiratory pathogens vary by age and season.