[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.002.].

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern to activate the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling in macrophages, promoting tissue inflammation. However, its role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear. Macrophage-specific Sting1 knockout mice were used to validate STING's pathological role in AMI. Cardiac and liver mtDNA were used to activate macrophages in co-culture systems with cardiomyocytes to assess fibrosis and hypertrophy. Panaxatriol saponin (PTS) was tested for its ability to block mtDNA-driven macrophage activation and subsequent cardiomyocyte damage. STING-PTS binding ability was analyzed. AMI rats received PTS to evaluate its effects on myocardial inflammation and ventricular remodeling. In vivo, macrophage-specific Sting1 knockout reduced myocardial inflammation and injury after AMI. In vitro, mtDNA-activated macrophages induced cardiomyocyte fibrosis and hypertrophy through STING signaling. PTS suppressed mtDNA-driven macrophage activation by directly binding STING, thereby blocking inflammatory cascades. In AMI rats, PTS treatment attenuated acute inflammation and reversed ventricular remodeling. These findings establish the mtDNA-STING axis in macrophages as a critical driver of post-AMI inflammation and identify pharmacological STING inhibition with PTS as a promising therapeutic strategy. The study bridges genetic validation with translational applications, highlighting macrophage STING as a novel target for ischemic heart disease management.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer in Chinese children from 2006-2017, and to explore the correlation between hepatitis B and liver cancer in Children. Methods　The data of childhood liver cancer from 2006 to 2017 were collected from the Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report. Joinpoint regression program was used to analyze the trends of standardized incidence. Analysis was conducted to determine the distributions of incidence by region, sex and age group. The data of hepatitis B were collected from China Public Health Science Data Center. Pearson correlation was used to explore the incidence correlation between hepatitis B and liver cancer. Results　From 2006 to 2017, the standardized incidence rate of childhood liver cancer in China showed a downward trend before 2010, and then remained relatively stable (AAPC=-5.09%，95%CI:-13.22%~3.80%，P=0.253). The standardized incidence rate of liver cancer showed a decreased trend in urban children (AAPC=-3.52%，95%CI:-6.82%~-0.10%，P=0.045), while the standardized incidence rate was on an upward trend in rural children (AAPC=4.95%，95%CI:1.40%~8.63%，P=0.011). The incidence rates of liver cancer were higher in urban children than in rural children (ｚ=-4.071， P<0.001), in boys than in girls (ｚ=-2.425， P=0.015), and in children of the 0~4 age group than in children of the 5~9 and 10~14 age groups (H=22.285, P<0.001). The incidence rates of both hepatitis B and liver cancer showed a downward trend from 2006 to 2017， and there was a significant correlation（r=0.775，95%CI:0.319~0.927，P=0.005). Conclusion From 2006 to 2017, the incidence of liver cancer in Chinese children showed a decreased trend with significant differences between urban-rural areas, both sexes and age groups. Boys in urban areas and children in the 0~4 years age group should be the key targets for prevention and control in the future.

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

Objective:To simulate the neuroendoscopy assisted contralateral cervical 7 (C 7) nerve transfer via prespinal route and measure its relevant anatomical landmarks to explore the clinical feasibility and efficacy of this surgical approach for central upper limb spastic paralysis. Methods:(1) Six fresh cadaver specimens of the head and neck were obtained. Linear incisions of approximately 5 cm were made above the midpoint of the bilateral clavicles to simulate neuroendoscopy assisted contralateral C 7 nerve transfer via prespinal route. With the superior margin of midpoint of the clavicle as central point, distance to the distal bifurcation of the C 7 nerve, distances to the superior or inferior trunks of the proximal brachial plexus nerves, and distances to the exit of the intervertebral foramina of the C 6, C 7, and C 8 nerves were measured. (2) One patient with upper limb spastic paralysis after intracerebral hemorrhage accepted neuroendoscopy assisted contralateral C 7 nerve transfer via prespinal route; the clinical data and efficacy of the patient were retrospectively analyzed. Results:(1) The C 7 nerve, the upper trunk of brachial plexus formed by the C 5 and C 6 nerves and the lower trunk of brachial plexus formed by the C 8 and T 1 nerves could be exposed after neuroendoscopy assisted contralateral C 7 nerve transfer via prespinal route. The distance between the superior margin of midpoint of the clavicle and the distal bifurcation of the C 7 nerve is (2.20±0.11) cm, and its distance to the superior trunk of the proximal brachial plexus is (2.62±0.10) cm, and its distance to the inforior trunk of the proximal brachial plexus nerve is (2.72±0.11) cm. The distance between the superior margin of midpoint of the clavicle and the proximal C 7 nerve (at the exit of the intervertebral foramen) is (7.22±0.15) cm, its distance to the proximal C 6 nerve (at the exit of the intervertebral foramen) is (7.84±0.12) cm, and its distance to the proximal C 8 nerve (at the exit of the intervertebral foramen) is (6.96±0.12) cm. (2) The patient with central upper limb spastic paralysis accepted neuroendoscopy assisted contralateral C 7 nerve transfer via prespinal route successfully, with surgical time lasting for 2 h and bleeding amount of 20 mL. After surgery, the incision healed well, and the patient experienced pain and numbness in the healthy side of the upper limb with subsided symptoms one month after surgery. The spasticity symptoms of the affected upper limb obviously improved after surgery with decreased muscle tone. Follow-up after discharge was performed for 14 months, and the muscle strength of the affected upper limb recovered to level 1 +. Conclusion:Neuroendoscopy assisted contralateral C 7 nerve transfer via prespinal route can expose the proximal and distal C 7 nerves, with minimal invasion; this clinical study has preliminarily confirmed the safety and effectiveness of this transfer via prespinal route in central upper limb spastic paralysis.

Objective To explore the value of machine learning(ML)models based on non-contrast CT(NCCT)radiomics features for predicting the severity of acute phase traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods Totally 600 TBI patients were retrospectively collected as observation group,other 65 TBI patients were taken as external validation set,while 50 TBI patients were prospectively enrolled as prospective validation set.Patients in observation group were divided into high-risk subgroup(n=240)and low-risk subgroup(n=360)according to Glasgow outcome scale(GOS)at discharge.The severity of acute phase TBI in observation group was assessed by doctor A and B with the same criteria,then an artificial model was established based on clinical and NCCT data at the time of first diagnosis using logistic regression(LR)method for predicting the severity of acute phase TBI.Patients in observation group were divided into training set(n=420,including 168 in high-risk subgroup and 252 in low-risk subgroup)and test set(n=180,including 72 in high-risk subgroup and 108 in low-risk subgroup)at the ratio of 7∶3.Based on NCCT of training set,radiomics features were extracted and selected,and LR,support vector machine(SVM),random forest(RF)and K-nearest neighbor(KNN)were used to establish 4 ML models.The efficacies of the above models were validated in test set,external validation set(including 34 cases of high-risk and 31 cases of low-risk TBI)and prospective validation set(including 21 cases of high-risk and 29 cases of low-risk TBI),respectively.Results The area under the curve(AUC)of doctor A and B for evaluating the severity of acute phase TBI in observation group was 0.606 and 0.771,respectively,of artificial model was 0.824.Based on NCCT in training set,6 optimal radiomics features were selected to construct LR,SVM,RF and KNN ML models,with AUC of 0.983,0.971,0.970 and 0.984 in test set,respectively,while the AUC of artificial model was 0.708.The AUC of LR,SVM,RF,KNN ML models and artificial model in external validation set was 0.879,0.881,0.984,0.863 and 0.733,while in prospective validation set was 0.984,0.873,0.982,0.897 and 0.704,respectively.Conclusion ML models based on CT radiomics could effectively predict the severity of acute phase TBI.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a kind of malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality in the digestive system. The aim of this study is to explore the function of lnc-ABCA12-3 in the development of ESCC and its unique mechanisms. RT-PCR was applied to detect gene transcription levels in tissues or cell lines like TE-1, EC9706, and HEEC cells. Western blot was conducted to identify protein expression levels of mitochondrial apoptosis and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)uclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. CCK-8 and EdU assays were carried out to measure cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. ELISA was used for checking the changes in glycolysis-related indicators.Lnc-ABCA12-3 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells, which preferred it to be a candidate target. The TE-1 and EC9706 cells proliferation and glycolysis were obviously inhibited with the downregulation of lnc-ABCA12-3, while apoptosis was promoted. TLR4 activator could largely reverse the apoptosis acceleration and relieved the proliferation and glycolysis suppression caused by lnc-ABCA12-3 downregulation. Moreover, the effect of lnc-ABCA12-3 on ESCC cells was actualized by activating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome. Taken together, the lnc-ABCA12-3 could promote the proliferation and glycolysis of ESCC, while repressing its apoptosis probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome.

Objective:To explore the correlation of serum albumin level at admission with clinical prognoses in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:One hundred and fifty-four patients with acute moderate-extreme severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] scores of 3-12 at admission) in Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Western Theater Command from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were chosen. The comprehensive clinical data of these patients were collected, including age, gender, GCS scores, serum albumin level (hypoalbuminemia defined as<35 g/L), hemoglobin level, comorbidities, treatment measures, and prognoses 6 months after discharge (poor prognosis defined as Glasgow outcome Scale [GOS] scores of 1-2, and good prognosis defined as GOS scores of 3-5). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regressions were used to identify the independent factors for clinical prognoses of these patients, and differences in poor prognosis rate, length of ICU stay, and total hospital cost were compared between different groups.Results:Among the 154 patients, 43 had poor prognosis and 111 had good prognosis. Serum albumin level at admission ( OR=0.916, 95% CI: 0.843-0.996, P=0.001) and GCS scores at admission ( OR=0.701, 95% CI: 0.594-0.828, P<0.001) were independent factors for prognosis. Patients with hypoalbuminemia ( n=70) displayed significantly higher poor prognosis rate, longer ICU stays, and increased total hospitalization cost compared with those without hypoalbuminemia ( n=84, P<0.05); specifically, in patients with GCS scores of 9-12 at admission ( n=58), those with hypoalbuminemia ( n=27) exhibited significantly higher poor prognosis rate, longer ICU stays, and higher total hospitalization cost than their non-hypoalbuminemia counterparts ( n=31, P<0.05); similarly, in patients with GCS scores of 3-8 at admission ( n=96), those with hypoalbuminemia ( n=74) had significantly higher poor prognosis rate than their non-hypoalbuminemia counterparts ( n=22, P<0.05). In patients with good prognosis, those with hypoalbuminemia ( n=56) showed significantly longer total hospital stays, prolonged ICU stays, and increased total hospitalization cost compared with those without hypoalbuminemia ( n=55, P<0.05). Conclusion:Low serum albumin level at admission is likely to lead to poor prognosis, prolonged ICU stays and increased total hospitalization cost in patients with acute TBI.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis and high mortality. In this study, we demonstrated a novel vaccine targeting HCC and tumor neovascular endothelial cells by fusing recombinant MHCC97H cells expressing porcine α-1,3-galactose epitopes (αGal) and endorphin extracellular domains (END) with dendritic cells (DCs) from healthy volunteers. END⁺/Gal⁺-MHCC97H/DC fusion cells induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). CTLs targeted cells expressing αGal and END and tumor angiogenesis. The fused cell vaccine can effectively inhibit tumor growth and prolong the survival time of human hepatoma mice, indicating the high clinical potential of this new cell based vaccine.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of spinal manipulation on chronic, non-specific neck pain.Methods:Thirty patients with chronic, nonspecific neck pain were divided randomly into an observation group ( n=15) and a control group ( n=15). Patients in the observation group were given 20 minutes of a novel 4R spinal manipulation (resetting joint malalignment, resetting abnormal muscle, resetting joint stabiliazation, resetting sensorimotor control) twice a week for 2 weeks while the control group were given 20 minutes of medium frequency and high frequency conventional physiotherapy 4 times a week, also for 2 weeks. Before the treatment, right after, and one and three months later, both groups were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a neck disability index (NDI). Right before and after the treatment, cervical flexion and extension range of motion (ROM) were measured. The surface electromyography was employed to record the root mean square (RMS) of the EMG amplitude and the median frequency (MF) from the erector spinae and upper trapezius. Results:Before the treatment no significant differences were found in any of the measurements between the two groups. Afterward and one and three months later the average VAS, NDI and cervical ROM results of both groups had improved significantly, with the improvements in the observation group significantly greater than those in the control group on average. After 2 weeks of treatment, the average RMS and MF values had improved in both groups, again with the observation group′s average values significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusion:Spinal manipulation can effectively improve the strength and stamina of cervical muscle groups in patients with chronic, non-specific neck pain.