OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical effect of the L-shape technique combined with concentrated growth factor on the horizontal bone defects of maxillary anterior teeth. METHODS: Twenty-five implants from 25 patients who underwent single maxillary anterior tooth implantation with simultaneous bone grafting were selected as the study subjects. Based on the bone grafting techniques, the patients were divided into a test group (L-shaped technique with guided bone regeneration combined with concentrated growth factor, 11 cases) and a control group (traditional guided bone regeneration combined with concentrated growth factor, 14 cases). The early discomfort and wound healing conditions in the two groups at two weeks after surgery were compared. The horizontal bone thickness, vertical bone thickness, and grayscale values in the augmentation area were measured immediately postsurgery and six months after surgery. Implant stability, hard tissue resorption within six months, and grayscale values were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Differences in early discomfort, wound healing, implant stability, and grayscale values between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Vertical bone thickness in the test group was significantly better than that in the control group at six months after surgery (P<0.05). The variation in horizontal bone thickness in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The application of the L-shape technique with concentrated growth factor for horizontal bone defects in the anterior maxillary area yielded satisfactory short-term results in terms of bone augmentation, early discomfort, wound healing, and implant stability at six months after surgery.
Humans ; Maxilla/diagnostic imaging* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/therapeutic use* ; Wound Healing ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous/methods* ; Bone Regeneration ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Dental Implants, Single-Tooth ; Middle Aged

The aim of this study was to understand the internal genetic diversity and population history dynamics of ticks in Inner Mongolia,to provide data for designing effective vector control programs and revealing ticks'transmission mechanisms.From 2022 to 2023,the manual collection method was used to collect samples in Inner Mongolia.The 16S rDNA and COI gene sequences of ticks were used to identify Hyalomma marginatum,Haemaphysalis concinna,and Argas persicus,and analyze the sequence characteristics and genetic diversity within the populations.Base composition analysis indicated that the average A+T content of the 16S rDNA gene and CO I gene in the three ticks was significantly higher than that of C+G.Moreover,22 haplotypes of the COI gene and 12 haplotypes of the 16S rDNA sequence were identified in Hyalomma marginatum.Eleven haplotypes were identified according to the COI gene,and nine haplotypes were identified according to the16S rDNA sequence of Haemaphysalis concinna.Two haplotypes were identified on the basis of the COI gene,and six haplotypes were identified on the basis of the 16S rDNA sequence of Ar gas persicus.The minimum 16S rDNA haplotype diversity was 0.264 for Ar gas persicus and 0.579 for the other two species.The nucleotide diversity of the three tick species was less than 0.05.Tajima's val-ue and Fu's Fs value of the neutrality test were negative.Base saturation substitution analysis indicated that neither of the two genes in the three tick species reached saturation.The phylogenetic tree revealed that Hyalomma marginatum,Haema physalis concinna,and Ar gas persicus in Inner Mongolia independently aggregated into branches.In conclusion,the base content of Hyalomma marginatum,Haemaphysalis concinna,and Argas persicus genes in Inner Mongolia was consist-ent with the characteristics of insect mitochondrial DNA content.Furthermore,the three tick populations showed rapid evolu-tionary population expansion,and the phylogeny of three tick species showed independent aggregation into clades,with no pop-ulation isolation.

Objective To explore the value of spectral CT quantitative parameters combined with clinical and CT features for predicting lymphovascular invasion(LVI)of colorectal cancer.Methods Clinical,pathological and preoperative abdominal spectral CT data of 98 colorectal cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed.According to pathological results,the patients were divided into LVI group(n=36)and non-LVI group(n=62).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to compared clinical,pathological,conventional CT manifestations and spectral CT quantitative parameters between groups to screen independent predictors for LVI of colorectal cancer,and then a regression model was constructed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn,and the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy of each single independent predictor and regression model for predicting LVI of colorectal cancer.Results Serum carbohydrate antigen 724,CT showed periintestinal fat infiltration and effective atomic number(Zeff)at venous phase were all independent predictors of LVI of colorectal cancer(OR=4.723,7.301 and 18.912,all P＜0.05).AUC of the above independent predictors was 0.582,0.723 and 0.691,respectively,while of the regression model was 0.837.Conclusion Spectral CT quantitative parameters combined with clinical and CT features could effectively predict LVI of colorectal cancer.

Spine fracture and dislocation are common traumatic spinal conditions that often require surgical intervention due to compromised spinal stability. Surgical approaches include anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior spinal procedures. According to the specific surgical requirements, patients may be placed in the prone position or repositioned between prone and supine positions during surgery. Intraoperative repositioning has become an essential step in patient positioning. However, during repositioning, patients with spinal fracture and dislocation are at increased risk for complications such as hemodynamic instability, nerve injury, and pressure injuries to the skin and soft tissue. Notably, due to the instability of the spinal cord, even minor manipulations can further exacerbate the damage, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paraplegia. Although the current clinical guidelines provide instructive recommendations for standard position, there remains no specific protocols for intraoperative repositioning in patients with spine fracture and dislocation. With a concern for the lack of clinical studies on positioning techniques, risk prevention, and operational norms for special patients, no applicable guidelines or standards are available. A consensus was required to provide clinical reference, meet the requirements of surgical treatment, and minimize the safety risks of patients caused by improper placement of positions. Professional Committee of Operating Room Nursing of Shaanxi Nursing Association organized experts in nursing management and operating room nursing from major hospitals across China to formulate Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spinal fracture and dislocation ( version 2025). The consensus provides 11 recommendations covering pre-repositioning preparation, intraoperative maneuvers, and post-repositioning observation, aiming to provide references for clinical standardization of the intraoperative repositioning process and protection of patients′ safety.

Objective:This study aimed to analyze the genetic variation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 39 genomes and to predict and screen the dominant T-cell and B-cell epitopes of the viral early proteins (E1, E2, E6, E7) and late proteins (L1, L2).Methods:A total of 70 full-length sequences of HPV39 variants were retrieved from the clinical samples and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to construct a phylogenetic tree, analyze genetic polymorphisms, and predict the physicochemical properties of the viral proteins. Next, T-cell and B-cell epitopes were predicted using IEDB and ABCpred, and potential dominant epitopes were further selected based on parameters such as the secondary structure of the epitope region, peptide flexibility, hydrophilicity, surface accessibility and antigenicity. Finally, a homology analysis of the potential dominant epitopes was performed with 12 high-risk HPV types.Results:HPV39 variants from different sources can be clustered into two lineages (A and B), each exhibiting distinct mutation patterns. The mutation rate was the highest in E7 and the lowest in E1 among the different viral genes. However, these nucleotide/amino acid mutations did not significantly impact the physicochemical properties of the viral proteins. After prediction and screening, 5 and 6 potential dominant B-cell epitopes were identified in both L1 and L2, respectively. E1, E2, E6, and E7 yielded 18, 10, 4, and 1 potential dominant HLA-I restricted T-cell epitopes, respectively. Additionally, E1, E2, and E6 yielded 7, 3, and 2 potential dominant HLA-II restricted T-cell epitopes, respectively. Homology analysis indicated that T-cell dominant epitopes in E1, E2, and E6, as well as B-cell epitopes in L2, showed high homology (93%-100%) with HPV68, HPV33, HPV45, and HPV59.Conclusions:Bioinformatics analysis and prediction revealed that HPV39 variants can be clustered into two main evolutionary branches, A and B, each exhibiting a specific mutation pattern. The viral proteins contain potential dominant T-cell and B-cell epitopes that can be further investigated, providing valuable theoretical support for the development of HPV39-related peptide-based vaccines and therapeutics.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and potential mechanism of sulfasalazine (SASP) therapy for intrahepatic cholestasis.Methods:Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group (carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%), a model group (carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%), a SASP group (sulfasalazine 150 mg/kg), and an ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA 100 mg/kg) group, with ten rats in each group. The cholestatic liver injury model was induced using α-naphthylisothiocyanate. Blood samples were collected to detect liver biochemistry and cholestasis indexes. Rat liver tissue was collected for hematoxylin-eosin staining and Mason staining. Liver tissue was analyzed using transcriptome sequencing, real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and flow cytometry. Simultaneously, the level of inflammatory factors, total cholesterol, and total bile acids were measured in liver tissue. A t-test or a nonparametric test was selected based on the distribution and variance characteristics of the data. Results:The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase [(386.88±155.77) U/L], aspartate aminotransferase [(593.13±251.44) U/L], alkaline phosphatase [(561.25±167.54) U/L], total bilirubin [(38.00±29.75) mol/L] and total bile acids [(191.31±91.48) mol/L] were significantly lower in the SASP than the model groups [(778.75±313.59) U/L, (1 159.38±274.62) U/L, (801.25±161.28) U/L, (86.63±27.83) mol/L, (432.63±151.54) mol/L, P<0.05]. Liver histopathology showed that the inflammatory cells in the manifold area, the bile duct proliferation and dilation, and the collagen deposition in the manifold area were significantly improved under the pathological state of cholestasis in the SASP group. The results of transcriptome sequencing demonstrated that SASP activated the peroxisome proliferator actived receptor α (PPAR α) and inhibited Th17 cell differentiation. The PPARα mRNA level in the liver tissue of rats was significantly increased in the SASP group compared with that in the model group [(0.41±0.28) vs. (0.16±0.04), P<0.05], and the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase was decreased compared with that in the model group [(3.09±1.16) vs. (8.19±2.19), P<0.05], which was also verified at the protein level. The concentrations of total cholesterol [(0.31±0.34) mmol/g] and total bile acids [(2.58±0.99) μmol/g] were lower than the model group [(0.83±0.62) mmol/g and (4.07±0.91) μmol/g] ( P<0.05), and at the same time it was accompanied by lower levels of inflammatory factors ( P<0.05). SASP treatment decreased the expression of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt gene ( P<0.05) and the proportion of Th17 ( P<0.05). Conclusion:SASP can improve cholestatic liver injury, and its mechanism is related to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and the inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation.

Objective A new occipital bone removal technology was applied to improve the success rate of brain removal.Methods The skull was sawed based on the traditional brain removal technology,and part of the occipital bone was removed downward centered in external occipital protuberance to the foramen magnum,then exposed the telencephalon,cerebellum and posterior medulla oblongata.After that,removed the tentorium cerebelli and cut down the medulla oblongata and the related cranial nerves at the skull base,then removed the brain tissues.Results The removed brain tissues had structurally intact telencephalon,cerebellum and brain stem,clear vessels in the cerebral sulci,and relatively intact optic chiasm,olfactory tracts and vertebro-basilar arteries.Conclusion Brain removal through a fenestration on the external occipital protuberance can effectively preserve the integrity of brain specimens,and improve the success rate of brain removal,which is of great significance for central nervous system teaching and improvement of human brain tissue repositories.

Objective:To analyse the clinical characteristics of 214 cases of paediatric high altitude pulmonary edema（HAPE）and the efficacy of dexamethasone in adjunctive therapy.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 214 pediatric cases of HAPE admitted to the Department of Paediatrics of the General Hospital of Tibetan Military between June 2015 to June 2017 and June 2019 to June 2021.Patients were divided into dexamethasone-treated group and dexamethasone-untreated group.Baseline data，clinical characteristics were collected to evaluate the treatment efficacy and drug side effects.Results:There were 107 children in each of the two groups with a median age of 8（5，11）years. The median age of the dexamethasone-treated group was 9（6，12）years and the mean age of the dexamethasone-untreated group was 7（3，10）years. The proportion of male children was 69.60%（149/214）；the onset of illness was mostly concentrated within 72 hours，accounting for 97.20%（208/214）of the cases；83.18%（178/214）of the cases had symptoms of combined upper respiratory tract infection before entering the plateau. The most important clinical symptoms of the children were cough（86.92%，186/214），cyanosis（70.09%，150/214），and shortness of breath（66.36%，142/214）. The proportion of auscultatory rhonchi was 83.18%（178/214），and all cases showed positive findings on chest radiography. After the dexamethasone regimen，the overall cure rate of the children was 94.39%，the average disappearance time of the symptoms and signs was（40.52±7.85）h，and the average hospital stay was（3.60±1.90）d. After treatment with the dexamethasone-free regimen，the overall cure rate was 92.52%，the mean time to disappearance of symptoms and signs was（42.10±7.62）h，and the mean length of stay in the hospital was(3.84±2.08)d. There was no significant difference in the cure rate，the disappearance time of symptoms and signs，and the average hospitalisation days between the two groups（ P>0.05），but a total of 11 children in the dexamethasone-treated group experienced adverse drug reactions，and no children in the dexamethasone-untreated group experienced adverse drug reactions. Conclusion:Han Chinese male children，particularly those with upper respiratory infections，should be closely monitored for HAPE risk within three days of ascending to high altitudes. This study does not recommend the use of dexamethasone for pediatric HAPE due to the lack of therapeutic benefits and potential adverse effects.