Objective:To construct a nomogram based on preoperative MRI imaging features for the prediction of muscle-invasive upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma（UTUC）and evaluate its performance.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed the clinical data of 99 UTUC patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from April 2018 to May 2024. Among them，69（69.7%）were male and 30（30.3%）were female，with a median age of 67.0 years. All patients underwent preoperative MRI and radical nephroureterectomy. According to postoperative pathology，tumors staged ≥ T 2 were assigned to the muscle-invasive group，and those staged ≤ T 1 were assigned to the non-muscle-invasive group. Baseline data，pathological information，and imaging characteristics were collected and compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for muscle-invasive UTUC，and a nomogram was constructed. The diagnostic performance of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curves，calibration curves，and decision curve analysis（DCA）. Results:Among the 99 patients，70（70.7%）were diagnosed with muscle-invasive UTUC，and 29（29.3%）with non-muscle-invasive UTUC. The muscle-invasive group had significantly larger tumor size［4.5（2.8，7.0）cm vs. 3.0（2.3，4.5）cm， P = 0.029］，a higher incidence of multifocal tumors［37.1%（26/70）vs. 3.5%（1/29）， P < 0.001］，patchy tumors［30.0%（21/70）vs. 6.9%（2/29）， P = 0.019］，spiculated tumor margins［52.9%（37/70）vs. 17.2%（5/29）， P = 0.001］，tumor compression on renal parenchyma or periureteral/peripelvic fat［68.6%（48/70）vs. 10.3%（3/29）， P < 0.001］，high-grade pathology［92.9%（65/70）vs. 75.9%（22/29）， P = 0.043］，lymph node metastasis［28.6%（20/70）vs. 0， P = 0.001］，and lymphovascular invasion［42.9%（30/70）vs. 10.3%（3/29）， P=0.002］. The apparent diffusion coefficient（ADC）values［0.9（0.8，1.1）× 10 -3 mm2/s vs. 1.1（1.0，1.4）× 10 -3 mm2/s， P < 0.001］and normalized ADC（NADC）values［0.8（0.7，1.0）vs. 0.9（0.8，1.1）， P = 0.002］were significantly lower in the muscle-invasive group. Univariate logistic regression identified multifocality，patchy tumor patterns，spiculated tumor margins，tumor compression on renal parenchyma or periureteral/peripelvic fat，and low NADC values as risk factors for muscle-invasive UTUC（all P < 0.05）. Multivariate analysis revealed multifocality（ OR = 17.903，95% CI 1.650 - 194.253， P = 0.018），tumor compression on renal parenchyma or perirenal / ureteral fat（ OR = 14.690，95% CI 3.069 - 70.323， P < 0.001），and low NADC value（ OR = 0.016，95% CI 0.001 - 0.471， P = 0.017）as independent risk factors. A nomogram was constructed based on these factors. The area under the ROC curve（AUC）of the model was 0.898（95% CI 0.838 - 0.957），with an optimal cutoff value of 0.639. The model showed an accuracy of 83.8%，sensitivity of 81.4%，and specificity of 89.7%. Calibration curves indicated good calibration，and DCA showed that the model provided substantial clinical net benefit. Conclusions:This study constructed a nomogram based on preoperative MRI features，including tumor multifocality，compression on renal parenchyma or periureteral/peripelvic fat and NADC value，which demonstrates good predictive performances for muscle-invasive UTUC.

Objective:To explore the differences between the Phoenix sepsis scoring system including Phoenix sepsis score (PSS) and Phoenix-8 organ dysfunction score (hereinafter referred to as Phoenix-8) and the commonly used pediatric sepsis scores in evaluating clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of pediatric patients with severe sepsis diagnosed under traditional standards, namely the diagnostic criteria from the 2005 International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From December 2020 to March 2023, 202 pediatric patients with severe sepsis meeting the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Based on the sepsis diagnostic criteria outlined in the International Consensus Criteria for Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock (2024), the pediatric patients were categorized into a sepsis group and a non-sepsis group. Sepsis group was further subdivided into a death subgroup and a survival subgroup based on the outcomes. The age, hospitalization costs, disease outcome indicators (e.g., mortality rate and incidence of septic shock), major organ (e.g., heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys) damage and their correlations, as well as PSS, Phoenix-8 and commonly used pediatric sepsis scores (e.g., pediatric sequential organ failure assessment (pSOFA), pediatric risk of mortality score Ⅲ (PRISM Ⅲ), pediatric logistic organ dysfunction-2 score (PELOD-2), pediatric multiple organ dysfunction score (P-MODS), pediatric critical illness score (PCIS), and pediatric early warning score (PEWS)) were collected and compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and precision-recall curve were plotted to evaluate the predictive ability of PSS, Phoenix-8, and commonly used pediatric sepsis scores for mortality risk in pediatric patients with severe sepsis under traditional standards. Predictive performance was quantified using the area under the ROC curve (AUROC). Univariate logistic regression analysis was employed to quantify the odds ratios of PSS and Phoenix-8 for predicting mortality risk. Patients with severe sepsis under traditional standards were further stratified into subgroups based on complications and comorbidities, including central nervous system (CNS) diseases, multiple infections, cardiovascular system diseases, shock, and malignancies. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to assess calibration of PSS and Phoenix-8, and the DeLong test was used to compare whether there were statistically significant differences in the AUROC of PSS and Phoenix-8 for predicting mortality risk among different subgroups of pediatric patients. Results:Compared with those in non-sepsis group, pediatric patients in sepsis group were significantly older ( Z=-2.92, P<0.05) with higher incidences of septic shock and mortality, hospitalization costs, PRISM Ⅲ, PEWS, pSOFA, PELOD-2, PSS, and Phoenix-8 (with χ2 values of 21.28 and 13.64, respectively, Z values of -1.99, -5.33, -5.10, -8.55, -6.91, -10.98, and -9.93, respectively, P<0.05), and lower PCIS ( Z=-3.34, P<0.05). Compared with those in survival subgroup, hospitalization costs, PSS, Phoenix-8, PRISM Ⅲ, PEWS, pSOFA, PELOD-2, and P-MODS of pediatric patients in death subgroup was significantly higher (with Z values of -2.50, -3.50, -2.47, -5.11, -3.84, -2.94, -3.61, and -3.04, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with those in survival subgroup, the incidences of lung damage and liver damage of pediatric patients in death subgroup were also significantly higher (with χ2 values of 6.20 and 10.94, respectively, P<0.05), and 64.7% (97/150) of patients exhibited two or more concurrent organ damage. For predicting mortality risk in pediatric patients with severe sepsis under traditional standards, the AUROC values for PRISM Ⅲ, PCIS, PEWS, pSOFA, PELOD-2, P-MODS, PSS, and Phoenix-8 were approximately 0.70, with optimal cutoff values of 17.5, 91.0, 5.5, 4.5, 2.5, 4.5, 3.5, and 4.5, respectively; PELOD-2 demonstrated the highest sensitivity (0.83); while PRISM Ⅲ, PSS, and Phoenix-8 showed high specificity (>0.80). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that for every 1-point increase in the PSS within 24 hours of pediatric intensive care unit admission, the relative risk of mortality increased by 63.7% (with odds ratio of 1.64, 95% confidence interval of 1.34-1.99, P<0.05). Similarly, for every 1-point increase in the Phoenix-8, the relative risk of mortality increased by 37.5% (with odds ratio of 1.38, 95% confidence interval of 1.18-1.60, P<0.05). The AUROC values (around 0.80) of PSS and Phoenix-8 for predicting mortality risk in pediatric patients with severe sepsis combined with CNS diseases, multiple infections, and cardiovascular system diseases were relatively high. In contrast, the AUROC values (0.60-0.80) for predicting mortality risk in pediatric patients with severe sepsis combined with shock or malignant tumors were moderate. All models passed the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test ( P>0.05). The DeLong test indicated no statistically significant differences in predictive ability between PSS and Phoenix-8 across subgroups of pediatric patients ( P>0.05). Conclusions:PSS and Phoenix-8 exhibited higher specificity than most of the commonly used pediatric sepsis scores in predicting mortality risk under traditional standards. Both scores performed much better in predicting the mortality risk in pediatric patients with severe sepsis combined with CNS diseases, multiple infections, and cardiovascular system diseases.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Vibrio vulnificus ( Vv) quorum-sensing protein LuxS on the homeostasis of pulmonary innate immune cells in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Methods:This study constructed luxS knockout and complemented Vv strains. The time required for wild type, luxS knockout, and complemented Vv strains to grow to an absorbance of 600 nm in liquid medium was measured using a spectrophotometer. Iron-overloaded mice were intraperitoneally infected with 1×10 5 CFU of the above three kinds of Vv strains, respectively. Clinical scoring for sepsis-induced dyspnea was used to evaluate the respiratory quality in mice. At 7 h after infection, the pathological changes in lung tissues were observed by HE staining; the bacterial loads in lung tissues were measured; the single-cell suspension of lung tissues was analyzed by flow cytometry. Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) was used to reduce the dimension of the distribution of CD45 + immune cells in lung tissues of mice in the PBS control group and infection groups with different strains. The frequency and absolute number of innate immune cells in lung tissues were analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry. One-way analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There was no significant difference in the growth rate of wild type, luxS knockout, and complemented Vv strains in liquid medium. Compared with the mice infected with the wild type or complemented strain, the mice infected with the luxS knockout strain exhibited overall alleviated respiratory difficulty, decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues, and reduced bacterial load in lung tissues ( P<0.05). Besides, there was no significant difference in clinical respiratory scores, inflammatory cell infiltration, or bacterial loads between the mice infected with the complemented strain and wild type strain. UMAP analysis showed that compared with the mice infected with the luxS knockout strain, the mice infected with the wild type or complemented strain showed increased proportions of neutrophils and eosinophils in lung tissues. Results of multicolor flow cytometry analysis further verified that the proportions of neutrophils and eosinophils were significantly lower in the mice infected with the luxS knockout strain than in the mice infected with wild type or complemented strain ( P<0.01, P<0.000 1), while the proportion of alveolar macrophages was significantly higher as compared with that in the mice infected with wild type or complemented strain ( P<0.01). Conclusion:During Vv infection, LuxS may promote acute lung injury by affecting the homeostasis of neutrophils, eosinophils and resident macrophages in lung tissues.

Objective To address the bottlenecks in the application of wastewater biological treatment technology under space conditions,an experimental system for the biological treatment of space wastewater was constructed and its biochemical performance examined.The findings of this study will provide technical support for the biological treatment of space wastewater.Methods Based on the Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor(MABR)process,a biological treatment experimental system for space wastewater was constructed and conducted the continuous flow test for 77 days to investigate the performance of PVDF and PP membrane modules in the treatment of simulated air condensate.Results The results demonstrated that both membrane modules exhibited an average TOC removal rate of 90%,indicative of their effective organic matter removal capacity.In the air supply mode,the ammonia oxidation capacity was observed to be comparatively lower,whereas in the oxygen source without bubbling mode,the nitrogen oxidation rate and total nitrogen removal rate could be attained above 90%,indicating a notable degree of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification.The results demonstrated that the mode of gas supply had a significant impact on the nitrogen conversion performance.The abundance of nitrogen-converting bacteria in PP membrane module is higher than that in PVDF membrane module,indicating a better nitrogen-converting performance in PP membrane module.Conclusion The constructed wastewater biological treatment system is optimally suited for the treatment of air condensate,thereby offering a novel technical approach for space wastewater treatment.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Thesium chinense Turcz.(TCT)for antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD).Methods Network pharmacology,KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and molecular docking were used to identify the shared targets and genes of TCT and AAD,the key signaling pathways and the binding between the active components in TCT and the core protein targets.In a Kunming mouse model of AAD established by intragastric administration of lincomycin hydrochloride,the effects of daily gavage of 1%carboxymethyl cellulose sodium or TCT gel solutions at 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg(n=10)on body weight and diarrhea were observed.HE staining,ELISA,16S rRNA sequencing,and Western blotting were used to examine pathologies,expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α,changes in gut microbiota,and protein expressions of EGFR,p-EGFR,PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice.Results We identified a total of 66 active components of TCT and 68 core targets including EGFR,STAT3 and PIK3CA.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the therapeutic effects of TCT was mediated primarily through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Molecular docking showed that EGFR had the highest binding affinity with coniferin,and the EGFR-coniferin complex maintained a stable conformation at 10 ns,whose stability was also confirmed by Gibbs free energy analysis.In the mouse models of AAD,treatment with TCT significantly improved colonic tissue morphology,decreased colonic levels of TNF-α and IL-6,increased gut microbiota diversity,and modulated the relative abundances of the key genera including Lactobacillus and Bacteroides.TCT treatment also markedly reduced protein expressions of p-EGFR,p-PI3K and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice.Conclusion TCT can alleviate AAD in mice by modulating gut microbiota composition,regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,and reducing TNF-α and IL-6 expressions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Thesium chinense Turcz. (TCT) for antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). METHODS: Network pharmacology, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and molecular docking were used to identify the shared targets and genes of TCT and AAD, the key signaling pathways and the binding between the active components in TCT and the core protein targets. In a Kunming mouse model of AAD established by intragastric administration of lincomycin hydrochloride, the effects of daily gavage of 1% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium or TCT gel solutions at 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg (n=10) on body weight and diarrhea were observed. HE staining, ELISA, 16S rRNA sequencing, and Western blotting were used to examine pathologies, expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, changes in gut microbiota, and protein expressions of EGFR, p-EGFR, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice. RESULTS: We identified a total of 66 active components of TCT and 68 core targets including EGFR, STAT3 and PIK3CA. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the therapeutic effects of TCT was mediated primarily through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that EGFR had the highest binding affinity with coniferin, and the EGFR-coniferin complex maintained a stable conformation at 10 ns, whose stability was also confirmed by Gibbs free energy analysis. In the mouse models of AAD, treatment with TCT significantly improved colonic tissue morphology, decreased colonic levels of TNF-α and IL-6, increased gut microbiota diversity, and modulated the relative abundances of the key genera including Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. TCT treatment also markedly reduced protein expressions of p-EGFR, p-PI3K and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice. CONCLUSIONS TCT can alleviate AAD in mice by modulating gut microbiota composition, regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and reducing TNF‑α and IL-6 expressions.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Diarrhea/drug therapy* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the thoracic malignant tumor and accounts for about 15% of lung malignancies and transfer often occurs by the time of diagnosis. Extensive stage-small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) accounts for about 2/3 of all SCLC. For many years, radiotherapy has occupied an important position in the treatment of SCLC, especially in the treatment of ES-SCLC, because SCLC is more sensitive to radiotherapy. However, in recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitor has shown more excellent antitumor activity in the treatment of ES-SCLC and become the mainstream argument for the treatment of ES-SCLC. However, will radiotherapy be buried by the times among the therapeutic approaches for ES-SCLC? In this article, we will review the clinical progress of radiotherapy, immunotherapy and combination therapy for ES-SCLC.
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Humans ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/therapy* ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Immunotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy/methods* ; Combined Modality Therapy

Background and Aims:Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with mesh reinforcement combined with fundoplication has become the standard surgical approach for treating moderate to severe cases.However,intraoperative and postoperative complications remain a significant concern.This study was conducted to explore the causes of common complications and their prevention and management strategies through retrospectively analyzing clinical data from a single center to optimize perioperative care and improve surgical safety.Methods:The clinical data of 432 patients who underwent laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with mesh and fundoplication at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.All procedures were performed by the same surgical team using the standardized seven-step protocol for laparoscopic repair.Postoperative care followed the enhanced recovery after surgery pathway.The incidences of intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded,and univariate analysis was used to identify risk factors for major postoperative complications.Results:The overall complication rate was 15.3％among 432 patients.The most common intraoperative complication was bleeding(6.9％),primarily from the inferior phrenic vessels(3.2％),short gastric vessels(1.6％),and parenchymal organ injuries(1.9％).The most frequent postoperative complication was dysphagia(12.0％),followed by pneumothorax(3.2％),hernia recurrence(1.9％),mesh infection or erosion(0.7％),gas-bloat syndrome(6.3％),and gastroparesis(0.9％).Most complications were relieved through conservative treatment,endoscopic dilation,or interventional procedures.Two patients with persistent dysphagia underwent reoperation to remove the fundoplication wrap.The median follow-up period was 34 months,with a 6.0％loss to follow-up rate and no perioperative mortality.Univariate analysis showed that patients aged ≥50 years and those who underwent Nissen fundoplication had significantly higher rates of postoperative dysphagia(both P＜0.05).Conclusion:Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with mesh and fundoplication is generally safe and effective.However,intraoperative vascular injuries and postoperative dysphagia require special attention.Accurate dissection and identification of anatomical layers are critical during surgery.Surgical strategy should be tailored based on patient age and esophageal motility,with partial fundoplication(Toupet or Dor)preferred when appropriate.Combined with enhanced postoperative recovery protocols,standardized mesh placement and fixation can reduce complication rates and improve long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycopro-tein-G(VSV-G)modification on the mucosal immune efficacy of antigen-loaded engineered exosome vaccines.METHODS In vitro experiments:Dendritic cells(DCs)were divided into three groups:cell-control(treated with culture medium),receptor binding domain(RBD)(transfected with plasmid RBD),and RBD+VSV-G(co-transfected with plasmids RBD and VSV-G).Expression levels of RBD and VSV-G were assessed using Western blotting,flow cytometry,and immunofluorescence.Exosomes were extracted via ultracentrifugation,whose morphology,size distribution,and marker proteins were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy,nanoparticle tracking analysis,and Western blotting that confirmed the expressions of RBD and VSV-G in the exosomes.In vivo experiments:① Female BALB/c mice were divided into the control group Mock exosomes(Mock-Exo)(derived from the supernatant of cell-control),RBD decorated exosomes(RBD-Exo)(derived from the RBD cell supernatant),and RBD and VSV-G decorated exosomes(RBD+VSV-G-Exo)(derived from RBD+VSV-G cell supernatant).Follow-ing intranasal immunization with the respective vaccines,the nasal retention effects were evaluated using in vivo imaging.Flow cytometry was used to assess the ability to recruit immune cells to the nasal tissue.Serum RBD-specific immunoglobulin G(IgG)and mucosal immunoglobulin A(IgA)(bronchoal-veolar lavage fluid/nasal wash)were quantified at 7 and 21 d post-immunization by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay.Body weight changes were monitored and key serum biochemical parameters along with histopathological damage to major organs were analyzed following immunization.② Female BALB/c mice were divided into the Mock-Exo group(intranasally inoculated with Mock-Exo),RBD+VSV-G-Exo group(intranasally inoculated with RBD+VSV-G-Exo),and RBD+VSV-G-Exo(im)group(intramus-cularly injected with RBD+VSV-G-Exo).RESULTS In vitro experiments:RBD and VSV-G were successfully expressed in cells,with positive rates of RBD+and VSV-G+cells at 64.4%and 31.2%,respectively.The extracted exosomes exhibited regular morphology and qualified purity,with a particle size of approximately 138 nm and successfully loaded RBD and VSV-G proteins.In vivo experiments:Compared to Mock-Exo and RBD-Exo,RBD+VSV-G-Exo prolonged nasal retention time to 96 h and markedly increased the numbers of CD49B+natural killer cells,CD11c+dendritic cells,and F4/80+macrophages in nasal tissues.RBD+VSV-G-Exo induced robust RBD-specific immune responses,with serum IgG titers,BALF IgA titers,and nasal wash IgA titers reaching 1∶5 215,1∶2 560,1∶1 114,respec-tively.In contrast,no RBD-specific IgA antibody titers were detected in the BALF and nasal wash of mice treated with RBD+VSV-G-Exo(im).Mice showed stable body weight gain during 30 d post-immu-nization.Major serum biochemical indices were within normal reference ranges,and no obvious patho-logical changes were observed in major organs or olfactory bulbs 7 d after immunization.CONCLU-SION VSV-G modification extends the retention time of engineered exosome vaccines in nasal tissues,enhance their ability to recruit immune cells,and induce a high-level antigen-specific respiratory mucosal immune response.

BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of patellofemoral pain is complex,and poor movement patterns and incorrect muscle activation patterns have been suggested to increase patellofemoral joint stress and cause injury,but the results of current studies are not uniform.Current biomechanical studies of step-down test in patients with patellofemoral pain have focused on kinematic characteristics,and there is a lack of research on surface electromyographic characteristics.In addition,there are no studies that analyze the differences in biomechanical performance between the healthy and affected sides of patellofemoral pain patients compared with healthy subjects during the downward step test.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the kinematic and surface electromyographic characteristics of patients with patellofemoral pain during bilateral lower extremity step-downs.METHODS:Twenty-one men with patellofemoral pain and 21 healthy men were recruited,and both groups of subjects underwent a step-down test.Kinematic,kinetic and surface electromyographic data were synchronously collected using a three-dimensional dynamic capture system,a force platform and a surface electromyographic tester.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Kinematics:Compared with the healthy control group,the affected and healthy sides of the patellofemoral pain group showed a smaller hip flexion angle(P=0.005,P=0.011),a larger hip internal rotation angle(P=0.033,P=0.039),and a larger knee valgus angle(P=0.001,P=0.001),and the affected side of the patellofemoral pain group exhibited a larger hip internal rotation angle(P=0.013),a smaller knee flexion angle(P=0.043),and a smaller ankle dorsiflexion angle(P=0.002);and compared with the healthy side,the affected side exhibited a smaller ankle dorsiflexion angle(P=0.002).(2)Surface electromyography:Compared with the healthy control group,the patellofemoral pain group showed reduced activation of the vastus medialis oblique(P=0.002),reduced activation of the gluteus medius(P=0.015),and a decreased vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis ratio(P=0.010)on the affected side;and compared with the healthy side,there was a reduced activation of the gluteus medius on the affected side(P=0.008).(3)The results indicate that patients with patellofemoral pain have abnormal lower limb biomechanical characteristics during step-down test,which are mainly manifested as changes in kinematic and indexes of the lower limb joints in the sagittal and frontal planes as well as changes in activation levels of the medial femoral and gluteus medius muscles.These changes reflect the fact that patients with patellofemoral pain adopt a stifflanding pattern during step-downs and show pronation of other joints of the lower extremity.In addition,abnormal lower extremity biomechanical characteristics are also present in the healthy limbs of patients with patellofemoral pain,and bilateral lower extremity asymmetry exists in such patients.