Since its establishment in 2016, the National Rare Diseases Registry System of China (NRDRS) has accumulated valuable case data and bio-specimen for basic and clinical research on rare diseases in China. However, the emerging challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases make it unable for data and resource platform to fully meet the diversified needs. Under this backdrop, we have developed a protocol to optimize and upgrade the system based on the core functions of the NRDRS platform. The goal is to leverage intelligent digital technologies to transform NRDRS into a new platform integrating multimodal data and auxiliary diagnostic and treatment functions. It is specified as the development and construction of "one platform and four intelligent tools." Currently, we have upgraded and developed NRDRS platform, intelligent tool for genotype-phenotype analysis of rare diseases, AI-assisted diagnostic tool for rare diseases, remote multidisciplinary diagnosis and teaching tool for rare diseases, drug screening and validation tool for rare diseases. The next step will focus on the promotion of the application of these tools in clinical settings in order to address the issue of severe imbalance in the allocation of resources for the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. This article provides an overview of the digital and intelligent upgrades of the NRDRS, the trials in applications in clinical settings, and direction in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of single three-dimensional (3D)-printed microporous titanium prostheses and flap combined prostheses implantation in the treatment of large segmental infectious bone defects in limbs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 76 patients with large segmental infectious bone defects in limbs who were treated between January 2019 and February 2024 and met the selection criteria. Among them, 51 were male and 25 were female, with an age of (47.7±9.4) years. Of the 76 patients, 51 had no soft tissue defects (single prostheses group), while 25 had associated soft tissue defects (flap combined group). The single prostheses group included 28 cases of tibial bone defects, 11 cases of femoral defects, 5 cases of humeral defects, 4 cases of radial bone defects, and 3 cases of metacarpal, or carpal bone defects, with bone defect length ranging from 3.5 to 28.0 cm. The flap combined group included 3 cases of extensive dorsum of foot soft tissue defects combined with large segmental metatarsal bone defects, 19 cases of lower leg soft tissue defects combined with large segmental tibial bone defects, and 3 cases of hand and forearm soft tissue defects combined with metacarpal, carpal, or radial bone defects, with bone defect length ranging from 3.8 to 32.0 cm and soft tissue defect areas ranging from 8 cm×5 cm to 33 cm×10 cm. In the first stage, vancomycin-loaded bone cement was used to control infection, and flap repair was performed in the flap combined group. In the second stage, 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses were implanted. Postoperative assessments were performed to evaluate infection control and bone integration, and pain release was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: All patients were followed up postoperatively, with an average follow-up time of (35.2±13.4) months. In the 61 lower limb injury patients, the time of standing, walk with crutches, and fully bear weight were (2.2±0.6), (3.9±1.1), and (5.4±1.1) months, respectively. The VAS score at 1 year postoperatively was significantly lower than preoperative one ( t=-10.678, P<0.001). At 1 year postoperatively, 69 patients (90.8%) showed no complication such as infection, fracture, prosthesis displacement, or breakage, and X-ray films indicated good integration at the prosthesis-bone interface. According to the Paley scoring system for the healing of infectious bone defects, the results were excellent in 37 cases, good in 29 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 7 cases. In the single prostheses group, during the follow-up, there was 1 case each of femoral prostheses fracture, femoral infection, and tibial infection, with a treatment success rate of 94.1% (48/51). In lower limb injury patients, the time of fully bear weight was (5.0±1.0) months. In the flap combined group, during the follow-up, 1 case of tibial fixation prostheses screw fracture occurred, along with 2 cases of recurrent foot infection in diabetic patients and 1 case of tibial infection. The treatment success rate was 84.0% (21/25). The time of fully bear weight in lower limb injury patients was (5.8±1.2) months. The overall infection eradication rate for all patients was 93.4% (71/76). CONCLUSION The use of 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses, either alone or in combination with flaps, for the treatment of large segmental infectious bone defects in the limbs results in good effectiveness with a low incidence of complications. It is a feasible strategy for the reconstruction of infectious bone defects.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Titanium ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Adult ; Prosthesis Implantation/methods* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Prostheses and Implants ; Bone Diseases, Infectious/surgery* ; Extremities/surgery* ; Prosthesis Design

As an important strategy in antiviral drug development, nucleoside analogs (NAs) have attracted considerable attention due to their unique mechanisms of action and favorable safety profile. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the mechanisms of action of NAs, focusing on the following four aspects: (1) Targeting viral polymerases, inhibiting viral replication through mechanisms such as non-absolute termination, delayed chain termination and induction of viral RNA mutations in addition to classical chain termination, which has been newly discovered; (2) Regulating RNA methylation modifications—for instance, competitively inhibiting methyltransferases, which significantly reduces viral replication efficiency; (3) Depleting nucleotide pools—by affecting host cell purine nucleotide synthesis pathways, thereby indirectly inhibiting viral replication; and (4) Immunomodulatory functions—including activation of the STING pathway to promote interferon production. Furthermore, this review systematically discusses the breakthrough progress in prodrug technologies for addressing key clinical challenges such as drug resistance and off-target toxicity of NAs. These advances provide crucial technical support for the clinical translation of NAs. These advances provide key technical support for the clinical translation of NAs. This review clarifies the multi-target action rules of NAs and provides a theoretical framework for the design of next-generation broad-spectrum antiviral agents.

Objective:To investigate the quantification assessment of segmental volume after thigh liposuction utilizing three-dimensional(3D) scanning technology.Methods:This retrospective study was performed with the analysis of 3D scanning images of patients who had undergone bilateral thigh liposuction in Body Contouring & Fat Grafting Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2018 to September 2022. Preoperative and postoperative 3D scanning were performed to build visual 3D models of bilateral thighs. From top to the bottom, bilateral thighs were segmented into seven sections with a space of 5 cm in acquired 3D model. Certain measurements and calculation of preoperative and postoperative volume and volume change rate of the overall thigh and each segment were conducted, to validate the efficiency of liposuction (EOL). Additionally, EOL of each thigh segment was computed and the symmetry of bilateral thighs was analyzed before and after surgery. The volume differences were computed using the paired Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was exerted to assess the symmetry of bilateral thighs before and after surgery.Results:A total of 36 female patients were included in the study, with an age range of 18 to 49 years and a mean age of (28.6±7.6) years. Follow-up duration ranged from 23 to 1 133 days postoperatively, with a mean follow-up period of 274.7 days. The results of 3D scanning measurements indicated significant changes ( P<0.01) in both the overall volume of the thigh and the volumes of each segment before and after surgery. The highest volume change rate and EOL were observed in the uppermost segment, and the volumetric change rate and EOL exhibited a descending trend across the segments of the thigh from the uppermost to the lowermost segments. The ICC of the volume of each segment consistently surpassed 0.950 whether preoperatively or postoperatively, indicating a high level of symmetry between the bilateral thighs, and the ICC of overall volume showed a notable increase from 0.992 preoperatively to 0.997 postoperatively. Conclusion:3D scanning technology can be exerted to quantify the volume changes before and after thigh liposuction. This study provided quantitative and objective evidence to confirm the efficacy of thigh liposuction procedure, elucidating that the most significant liposuction effects observed in the uppermost segment of the thigh. Moreover, postoperative assessments reveal a further enhancement in bilateral thigh symmetry.

Objective:To prepare hydroxyapatite(HA)coating on polyether ether ketone(PEEK)surface by magnetron sputtering technique and to study its biosafety.Methods:Sulfonated PEEK was used to increase the binding area and HA coating was constructed on it using magnetron sputtering technology.SEM and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDAX)were used to detect the construction effect.Cell adhesion assay,cytoskeletal fluorescence staining and SEM validation were used to assess cytologrcal safety.In vivo safety tests were conducted in SD rats and golden hamsters.Results:HA coating with gradient morphology was successfully constructed on the PEEK surface using above technique.The coating promoted cell adhesion,extension and proliferation.No systemic toxicity and no sig-nificant influence in HE staining of the main infernal organs samples were observed.The coating alleviated the oral mucosal irritation caused by simple sulfonation to a certain extent.Conclusion:HA coating can be prepared stably with magnetron sputtering technology and can meet the biosafety needs for clinical applications.

Objective:To investigate the quantification assessment of segmental volume after thigh liposuction utilizing three-dimensional(3D) scanning technology.Methods:This retrospective study was performed with the analysis of 3D scanning images of patients who had undergone bilateral thigh liposuction in Body Contouring & Fat Grafting Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2018 to September 2022. Preoperative and postoperative 3D scanning were performed to build visual 3D models of bilateral thighs. From top to the bottom, bilateral thighs were segmented into seven sections with a space of 5 cm in acquired 3D model. Certain measurements and calculation of preoperative and postoperative volume and volume change rate of the overall thigh and each segment were conducted, to validate the efficiency of liposuction (EOL). Additionally, EOL of each thigh segment was computed and the symmetry of bilateral thighs was analyzed before and after surgery. The volume differences were computed using the paired Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was exerted to assess the symmetry of bilateral thighs before and after surgery.Results:A total of 36 female patients were included in the study, with an age range of 18 to 49 years and a mean age of (28.6±7.6) years. Follow-up duration ranged from 23 to 1 133 days postoperatively, with a mean follow-up period of 274.7 days. The results of 3D scanning measurements indicated significant changes ( P<0.01) in both the overall volume of the thigh and the volumes of each segment before and after surgery. The highest volume change rate and EOL were observed in the uppermost segment, and the volumetric change rate and EOL exhibited a descending trend across the segments of the thigh from the uppermost to the lowermost segments. The ICC of the volume of each segment consistently surpassed 0.950 whether preoperatively or postoperatively, indicating a high level of symmetry between the bilateral thighs, and the ICC of overall volume showed a notable increase from 0.992 preoperatively to 0.997 postoperatively. Conclusion:3D scanning technology can be exerted to quantify the volume changes before and after thigh liposuction. This study provided quantitative and objective evidence to confirm the efficacy of thigh liposuction procedure, elucidating that the most significant liposuction effects observed in the uppermost segment of the thigh. Moreover, postoperative assessments reveal a further enhancement in bilateral thigh symmetry.

Objective:To construct and validate a nomogram for prediction of in-hospital postoperative heart failure(PHF)in elderly patients with hip fracture.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study.The patients aged ≥65 years undergoing hip fracture surgery in Peking University Third Hospital from July 2015 to December 2023 were enrolled.The patients admitted from July 2015 to December 2021 were divided into a development cohort,and the others admitted from January 2022 to December 2023 in to a validation cohort.The patients'clinical data were collected from the electronic medical record sys-tem.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were employed to screen the predictors for PHF in the patients.The R software was used to construct a nomogram.Internal and external validation were per-formed by the Bootstrap method.The discriminatory ability of the model was determined by the area un-der the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).The calibration was evaluated by the calibration plot and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed to assess the clinical utility.Results:In the study,944 patients were eventually enrolled in the development co-hort,and 469 were in the validation cohort.A total of 54(5.7％)patients developed PHF in the deve-lopment cohort,and 18(3.8％)patients had PHF in the validation cohort.Compared with those from non-PHF group,the patients from PHF group were older,had higher prevalence of heart disease,hyper-tension and pulmonary disease,had poorer American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)classification(Ⅲ-Ⅳ),presented with lower preoperative hemoglobin level,lower left ventricular ejection fraction,higher preoperative serum creatinine,received hip arthroplasty and general anesthesia more frequently.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=1.071,95％CI:1.019-1.127,P=0.008),history of heart disease(OR=5.360,95％CI:2.808-10.234,P＜0.001),preoperative he-moglobin level(OR=0.979,95％CI:0.960-0.999,P=0.041),preoperative serum creatinine(OR=1.007,95％CI:1.001-1.013,P=0.015),hip arthroplasty(OR=2.513,95％CI:1.259-5.019,P=0.009),and general anesthesia(OR=2.024,95％CI:1.053-3.890,P=0.034)were the independent predictors for PHF in elderly patients with hip fracture.Four preoperative predictors were incorporated to construct a preoperative nomogram for PHF in the patients.The AUC values of the nomo-gram in internal and external validation were 0.818(95％CI:0.768-0.868)and 0.873(95％CI:0.805-0.929),indicating its good accuracy.The calibration plots and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test(internal validation:x2=9.958,P=0.354;external validation:x2=5.477,P=0.791)showed its satisfactory calibration.Clinical usefulness of the nomogram was confirmed by decision curve analysis.Conclusion:An easy-to-use nomogram for prediction of in-hospital PHF in elderly patients with hip fracture is well developed.This preoperative risk assessment tool can effectively identify patients at high risk of PHF and may be useful for perioperative management optimization.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(EDS)is a rare inherent connective tissue disorder.The prev-alence of EDS in the population is estimated at one out of ten thousand to one out of a hundred thousand.The vascular EDS(vEDS)are rare among the subtypes but are the worst in prognosis.The article reports a case of vEDS admitted to the hospital.The patient was a young man complaining of a sudden onset of aphasia in right hemiparalysis and severe left abdominal pain for unknown reasons.The diagnosis was made after the genetic testing.The patient suffered from vEDS.Then,the multi-disciplinary team(MDT)made a treatment plan tailored to this young patient.The complexity in classification and delusive presentations of the EDS make the correct diagnosis very challenging.This article hopes to report this case and to share the experiences to the bet-ter understanding of this disease.

BACKGROUND:The most prominent transcription factor activated by tumor stem cells in osteosarcoma is EZH2,and silencing of EZH2 has been reported to inhibit osteosarcoma cell growth.Studies have confirmed that bovine serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticles are a drug delivery vector with excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability,and the albumin carrier can provide tumor-targeted drug delivery function. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of bovine serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticles loaded with EPZ6438(EZH2 inhibitor)for the treatment of osteosarcoma. METHODS:(1)Bovine serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticles loaded with and without EPZ6438 were prepared.The drug encapsulation rate and drug release rate of serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticles loaded with EPZ6438 were detected.(2)MG-63 cells were divided into four groups and added with PBS(control group),serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticle extract solution(blank nanoparticle group),EPZ6438 solution(free drug group),and serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticle extract loaded with EPZ6438(drug-loaded nanoparticle group),respectively.After 3 days of culture,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and the expression of caspase-3 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.(3)Twelve nude mice were selected and the subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse model was established by injecting MG-63 cell suspension under the armpit.After successful modeling,the mice were randomly divided into four groups for intervention.Normal saline(control group),serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticle solution(blank nanoparticle group),EPZ6438 solution(free drug group)and serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticle solution loaded with EPZ6438(drug-loaded nanoparticle group)were injected into tumor tissues,with three animals in each group.After 7 days of injection,the tumor volume and frozen sections of tumor tissue were observed by TUNEL staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The drug encapsulation rate of the nanoparticles was about 8.8%,and the nanoparticles had a good drug release effect in pure water.The drug release amount was(34.72±1.93)μg at 24 hours,(48.58±1.10)μg at 72 hours,(49.18±1.24)μg at 120 hours,and(50.25±1.13)μg at 168 hours.The drug release reached the plateau at 120 hours,and the release rate was about 97.9%.(2)After 3 days of cell culture with MG-63,the apoptotic rate in the control group and blank nanoparticle group was lower than that in the free drug group and drug-loaded nanoparticle group(P<0.001),and the expression of caspase 3 mRNA was lower than that in the free drug group and drug-loaded nanoparticle group(P<0.000 1).(3)After 7 days of injection,the tumor volume of nude mice in the drug-loaded nanoparticle group was smaller than that in the other three groups(P<0.05),and the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in tumor tissue was higher than that in the other three groups(P<0.000 1).(4)The results verify that serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticles loaded with EPZ6438 can inhibit the growth of osteosarcoma by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells.

Biological toxins are toxic molecules produced by specific microorganisms,plants or animals.Due to their wide range of sources and high toxicity,the availability of protein and non-protein toxins is becoming increasingly important,some of which are used for military purposes and developed as biotoxin warfare agents.In this paper,the classification and mechanism of action of biological toxins are discussed.In addition,the strategies for prevention and control of biological toxins as well as their therapeutic applications are reviewed.