Polyethylene (PE) is widely used due to its excellent properties. However, the improper disposal of PE waste has led to serious environmental pollution. Microbial degradation of PE is a low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient method of homogeneous recycling. The use of microbial degradation technology to treat polyethylene waste has become one of the current research hotspots. As a result, employing microbial degradation technology to address polyethylene waste has become a key focus of current research. A PE-degrading strain ETX1 was screened from waste plastics in a landfill by the enrichment culture method. The strain was identified as Lysinibacillus sp.. After incubating PE powder with the strain for 20 days, a weight loss of 29.41% was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that special absorption peaks such as carbonyl and hydroxyl groups appeared, proving that ETX1 had the effect of degrading PE. The degradation effect of this strain was characterized by the weight loss of PE film, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle. The results showed that ETX1 reduced the PE film weight by up to 5.23% within 120 days. The film structure was damaged, with holes formed by erosion on the film surface, and the hydrophilicity was enhanced. Additionally, a stronger carbonyl absorption peak appeared. The discovery of the PE-degrading strain ETX1 not only enriches the resources of PE plastic-degrading strains but also lays a foundation for mining efficient PE-degrading elements, obtaining degrading enzymes, and deciphering related degradation pathways.
Polyethylene/chemistry* ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Bacillaceae/classification* ; Plastics/metabolism*

Immunoinflammation mediates the development of hypertensive nephropathy,and aberrant activation of the complement system,an important component of the innate immune system,plays an important role in the development of hypertensive nephropathy.Complement inhibition is expected to be a potential strategy for the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.In this article,we summarized and reviewed relevant studies on the complement system in the development of hypertensive nephropathy,and complement-targeted drug therapy,aiming to provide new ideas for clinicians on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.

Objective:To investigate the current status of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) in China in 2024 and to provide recommendations for ensuring the consistency of PGT-A results.Methods:This study was a nationwide external quality assessment research. The National Center for Clinical Laboratories of the National Health Commission conducted two surveys in June and December 2024, with participation from 31 laboratories across China. During each survey, quality control samples of varying concentrations were distributed: the first survey distributed 6 samples (Batch Nos. 202401-202406) and the second survey distributed 3 samples (Batch Nos. 202431-202433). Participating laboratories were required to submit information including detection platforms, single-cell amplification methods, library construction methods, sequencing instruments, and test results. Collected data were statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel to evaluate laboratories' PGT-A testing capabilities and determine whether results met predefined quality control requirements.Results:All 31 laboratories submitted results for both surveys. In the first survey, 90.3% (28/31) met qualification criteria with a 9.7% failure rate (3/31). For individual batches, pass rates were 90.3% (28/31) for batches 202401-202403 and 100% (31/31) for batches 202404-202406. The second survey achieved 100% (31/31) compliance across all three batches (202431-202433), with each batch maintaining a 100% pass rate.Conclusion:The detection quality of PGT-A in China is generally good, but with differences, and factors such as sample concentration, transportation conditions and detection methods affect the consistency of the results. The study highlights the urgent need for nationwide external quality assessment of PGT-A in China. This will help identify issues in laboratories in a timely manner and ensure the consistency of PGT-A test results.

Objective:To investigate the current status of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) in China in 2024 and to provide recommendations for ensuring the consistency of PGT-A results.Methods:This study was a nationwide external quality assessment research. The National Center for Clinical Laboratories of the National Health Commission conducted two surveys in June and December 2024, with participation from 31 laboratories across China. During each survey, quality control samples of varying concentrations were distributed: the first survey distributed 6 samples (Batch Nos. 202401-202406) and the second survey distributed 3 samples (Batch Nos. 202431-202433). Participating laboratories were required to submit information including detection platforms, single-cell amplification methods, library construction methods, sequencing instruments, and test results. Collected data were statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel to evaluate laboratories' PGT-A testing capabilities and determine whether results met predefined quality control requirements.Results:All 31 laboratories submitted results for both surveys. In the first survey, 90.3% (28/31) met qualification criteria with a 9.7% failure rate (3/31). For individual batches, pass rates were 90.3% (28/31) for batches 202401-202403 and 100% (31/31) for batches 202404-202406. The second survey achieved 100% (31/31) compliance across all three batches (202431-202433), with each batch maintaining a 100% pass rate.Conclusion:The detection quality of PGT-A in China is generally good, but with differences, and factors such as sample concentration, transportation conditions and detection methods affect the consistency of the results. The study highlights the urgent need for nationwide external quality assessment of PGT-A in China. This will help identify issues in laboratories in a timely manner and ensure the consistency of PGT-A test results.

Immunoinflammation mediates the development of hypertensive nephropathy,and aberrant activation of the complement system,an important component of the innate immune system,plays an important role in the development of hypertensive nephropathy.Complement inhibition is expected to be a potential strategy for the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.In this article,we summarized and reviewed relevant studies on the complement system in the development of hypertensive nephropathy,and complement-targeted drug therapy,aiming to provide new ideas for clinicians on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.

Objective:To investigate the necessity of internal fixation of the fibular fracture in the treatment of degree Ⅱ ankle supination-external rotation injury by the Dias-Tachdjian classification in children.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 69 children with ankle fracture (degree Ⅱ ankle supination-external rotation injury by the Dias-Tachdjian classification) who had been treated at Department of Orthopedic Trauma, The People's Hospital of Weifang and Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital from January 2015 to October 2021. There were 41 males and 28 females with an age of (10.1±1.4) years, and 37 left and 32 right sides affected. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether internal fixation of the fibular fracture was performed. Group A consisted of 21 cases with fibular internal fixation and group B of 48 cases without fibular internal fixation. The preoperative data, operation time and operation expenses were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. At the last follow-up, the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of bilateral full length lower limbs and ankle joints were taken; the lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) and the anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA) on the affected side, and the disparity between bilateral ankle tibiotalar angles were measured; ankle function was assessed according to the ankle-hindfoot score of American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS); the occurrence of premature physeal closure (PPC) was recorded.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (19.5±4.1) months. At the last follow-up, the LDTA on the affected side was 89.6° (87.9°, 90.5°) in group A and 88.6°±1.9° in group B; the ADTA on the affected side was 80.9° (79.0°, 81.4°) in group A and 80.0° (78.6°, 81.2°) in group B; the disparity between bilateral ankle tibiotalar angles was 1.1°±0.5° in group A and 1.2°±0.5° in group B; the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (89.5±5.2) points in group A and 89.0 (87.0, 92.0) points in group B. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the above items ( P>0.05). The incidence of PPC was, respectively, 14.3% (3/21) and 14.6% (7/48) in groups A and B, showing no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of degree Ⅱ ankle supination-external rotation injury in children, internal fixation of the fibular fracture has no significant effect on the imaging angles or the function of the ankle joint. After anatomic reduction of the distal tibia, the fibular fracture can be treated without internal fixation to reduce operational trauma, shorten operation time and reduce operation expenses.

Objective:To study the efficacy of closed reduction with a self-developed T-frame plus robotic navigation in the treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures of Gartland type Ⅲ in children.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 67 children with supracondylar fracture of Gartland type Ⅲ who had undergone surgery at The Fifth Hospital of Harbin from January 2023 to March 2024. There were 35 males and 32 females with an age of (5.6±1.2) years. The children were divided into 2 groups according to different surgical methods. The control group (33 cases) was treated by closed reduction and internal fixation with percutaneous K-wire and the study group (34 cases) by closed reduction with a self-developed T-frame plus robotic navigation for internal fixation with percutaneous K-wire. The operation time, anatomical reduction, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, intraoperative needle adjustment, Flynn score at the last follow-up and complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All children were followed up for (6.3±2.5) months after surgery. There were no significant differences in operation time, Flynn score at the last follow-up or incidence of complications between the study and the control groups ( P>0.05). The rate of anatomical reduction in the study group (97.1%, 33/34) was significantly higher than that in the control group (54.5%, 18/33), and the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency [(11.6±2.5) times] and needle adjustment (5.6±1.2) times in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group [(37.2±2.1) times and (28.7±3.9) times] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures of Gartland type Ⅲ in children, our self-developed T-frame can play a good role in fracture reduction and temporary fixation, avoiding iatrogenic secondary injuries caused by freguent reduction and adjustment of needle threading in the course of robotic navigation.

Objective:To establish Chinese grading standards for elderly disability and dementia, in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health(ICF)items, and to develop visual assessment tools that can be easily understood by patients, family members, and health workers.The aim is to verify the reliability and validity of these tools.Methods:In this study, we established five categories of elderly disability classification, along with corresponding ICF items and visual evaluation tools.The appropriateness and compatibility of the tools were assessed using questionnaires, which included illustrations, GIF dynamic pictures, and ICF items.Correlation analysis was conducted to screen the items, and the validity of the visual evaluation tools was determined through a picture-text matching validity test.Reliability was evaluated using internal consistency or test-retest reliability, and validity was assessed through content validity.Results:Each grade of disability was initially divided into five levels.However, after expert consultations and classification revision, each level was ultimately simplified into four levels with clearer descriptions.The Pearson correlation coefficients between all items and the total scores of each part were found to exceed 0.3, and the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.05).The average and mode of the illustrations and GIF dynamic pictures, when matched with related descriptions, were both above 3, with consistency rates surpassing 50%.Statistical differences were observed in eight items between the two visual assessment tools.The Cronbach's α coefficients, which reflect internal consistency, were all above 0.60.The intra-group correlation coefficients, which indicate test-retest reliability, were all greater than 0.70.The content validity index of the questionnaire at the overall level was above 0.90, while the item-level content validity index was more than 0.78. Conclusions:The Chinese grading standards for elderly disability and dementia, which are aligned with the ICF, have been preliminarily established.Visual assessment tools have also been developed, which demonstrate good reliability and validity.Among the two visual assessment tools, GIF dynamic pictures were found to be more popular and easier to understand.

Objective:To explore the mediating effect of carotid atherosclerosis on serum triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and silent lacunar infarction (SLI) in non-diabetic population.Methods:A total of 2 482 patients were selected from the Health Examination Center of Hebei General Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. The basic demographic information, biochemical parameters, calculated TyG index and carotid plaque score were collected. SLI was diagnosed according to the criteria formulated by Chinese Society of Neurology. Participants were divided into SLI group and non-SLI group according to whether there was SLI in brain magnetic resonance imaging, and the non-SLI group was normal without lacunar infarction. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between TyG index and carotid plaque score. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effects of TyG index and carotid plaque score on SLI. Bootstrap was used to explore whether carotid plaque score mediated the association between TyG index and SLI.Results:There were 471 patients (18.98%) who had SLI, and 2 011 patients (81.02%) did not. Carotid plaque score [2(0, 5) vs 1(0, 3)] and TyG index [7.17(6.81, 7.64) vs 7.12(6.77, 7.54)] were increased in the SLI group compared with the non-SLI group ( Z=-4.213, Z=-2.636, P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that carotid plaque score was positively correlated with TyG index ( r=0.083, P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that carotid plaque score ( OR=1.047, 95% CI 1.002-1.094) and TyG index ( OR=1.329, 95% CI 1.106-1.598) were independent risk factors for SLI ( P<0.05). Mediated effect analysis showed that TyG index had a direct effect on the incidence of SLI (β=0.265, 95% CI 0.102-0.428). Carotid plaque score partially mediated the effect of TyG index on the incidence of SLI (β=0.024, 95% CI 0.009-0.043), and the mediating effect accounted for 8.30% of the total effects. Conclusion:In non-diabetic population, TyG index and carotid plaque score are predictors of SLI, and the carotid plaque score is a partial mediator in the effect of TyG index on the incidence of SLI.

Objective:To delineate the surgical methodology and therapeutic paradigm of proximal tibial notch retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for ameliorating deformities due to osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) in a pediatric population.Methods:A retrospective assessment was conducted on the medical records of individuals undergoing orthopedic osteotomy complemented by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for OFD of the tibia from January 2016 to December 2019. The cohort comprised 15 patients, with a follow-up exceeding three years, documenting complete data sets. The patient profile included 8 males and 7 females, with 8 left-side and 7 right-side afflictions. The mean age at the time of surgery was 10.1±2.5 years, ranging from 7.1 to 12.6 years. Parameters measured were preoperative and postoperative imaging findings, which encompassed the scope of the lesion (longitudinal lesion length relative to tibial length), coronal and sagittal limb alignments, and lower limb length discrepancies.Results:The mean follow-up duration was 3.4±1.3 years, ranging from 3 to 6.6 years. Preoperatively, prominent anterior tibial arch deformities and limping were present, with 7 cases reporting fatigue-induced pain and 3 instances of pathological fractures. Post-surgery, pain symptoms were resolved, gait disturbances were improved in 9 patients, and completely resolved in 6. Tibial osteotomy or fracture healing of 15 patients averaged 3.9±0.7 months (range 3-5 months). The lesion range before surgery was 0.41±0.17, immediately after surgery was 0.38±0.17, and at the last follow-up was 0.30±0.16, with no statistical significance ( F=0.101, P=0.904). Lesion range showed no significant change throughout treatment, but radiographic density within the lesion notably increased post-surgery, suggesting bone improvement. The anterior tibial arch Angle was 28.30°±6.62° (range 20°-45°) before surgery, 4.73°±1.53° immediately after surgery, and 6.87°±1.36° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( F=159.739, P<0.001). A significant correction in the anterior tibial arch deformity was achieved and maintained postoperatively. There was no significant angular deformity of the tibia in the coronal plane before operation, and the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) were 87.50°±1.46° and 88.30°±1.62°, 88.40°±1.46° and 88.70°±1.45° immediately after surgery, and 88.00°±1.39° and 89.10°±1.53° at the last follow-up, the differences were statistically significant ( F=1.741, P=0.188; F=1.016, P=0.371), there was no coronal deformity of tibia. The limb length discrepancy (LLD) was 0.60±0.98 cm before surgery, 0.18±0.93 cm at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( t=0.096, P=0.761). There were no incidents of postoperative complications such as infection. Conclusion:In pediatric cases of tibial deformities attributed to osteofibrous dysplasia, a therapeutic strategy involving osteotomy for lower limb realignment, sans curettage or bone grafting of the lesion, followed by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing, yields favorable outcomes. Importantly, this implantation technique does not compromise the integrity of the proximal tibial epiphyseal plate in children and adolescents.