BACKGROUND:Early exercise treatment is the main prevention way for traumatic joint contracture and is also a research focus.Swimming may be a potential intervention for joint contracture due to the special physical properties of water. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of swimming on the development of joint contracture in a rat model and study its mechanisms. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group(n=8)and a joint contracture group(n=16).After the surgical operation of knee joint contracture rat models,the joint contracture group was randomly subdivided into a surgical control group(n=8)and a swimming treatment group(n=8).Swimming started in the swimming treatment group in the second week after surgery and lasted for a total of 5 weeks.At the 6th week after surgery,the body mass,knee joint range of motion,and quadriceps diameter were tested,and the diameter/body mass index was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the knee joint capsule and quadriceps muscle,and Masson staining was used to observe fibrotic changes in the knee joint capsule.Furthermore,the protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen in the knee joint capsule was quantified by immunohistochemical assay and western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of MuRF1 in the quadriceps femoris. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,the knee range of motion decreased in the surgical control and swimming treatment groups(P<0.01),and knee extension deficit and arthrogenic extension deficit were significantly increased(P<0.01),the diameter of the quadriceps muscle was decreased(P<0.01),the joint capsule showed significant fibrosis,the quadriceps muscle was atrophied,and the diameter/body mass index was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,the swimming treatment group showed a significant increase in knee joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter(P<0.01),and significant improvement in joint capsule fibrosis and quadriceps atrophy.Compared with the blank control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen were increased in the joint capsule of rats in both the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen protein in the joint capsule were decreased in the swimming treatment group.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the surgical control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the swimming treatment group was decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,early swimming intervention reduces transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen expression in the joint capsule of traumatic joint contracture rats,decreases MuRF1 expression in the quadriceps muscle,and increases joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter,thereby inhibiting the development of joint contracture.

OBJECTIVE To explore the improvement effect and mechanism of salidroside on radiation-induced parotid gland injury in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly assigned into normal group， radiation group， salidroside low-dose （salidroside-L， 50 mg/kg） group， salidroside high-dose （salidroside-H， 100 mg/kg） group， and salidroside-H+inhibitor （100 mg/kg salidroside+0.1 µmol/kg H-89） group， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in the other groups were subjected to radiation exposure to establish a model of radiation-induced parotid gland injury. Rats in each group were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding drug or normal saline， once a day， for 40 consecutive days. After the last administration， the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and amylase in serum were detected； the pathological changes of parotid gland tissue were observed； the apoptosis rate of parotid gland tissue cells， the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and its associated X protein （Bax）， mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 （IL- 6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， the protein expression levels of type Ⅲ collagen （Col Ⅲ）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， and the phosphorylation level of protein kinase A （PKA） in parotid gland tissue were determined. RESULTS Compared with normal group， the levels of ROS， amylase， apoptosis rate， Bax expression level， mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF- α， and protein expression level of Col Ⅲ in the radiation group were significantly increased， while the levels of cAMP， SOD， Bcl-2 expression level， VIP protein expression level and PKA phosphorylation level were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with radiation group， the above indicators in the salidroside-L group and salidroside-H group were significantly improved （P＜0.05）， and the improvement in the salidroside-H group was more significant （P＜0.05）； inhibitor H-89 significantly reversed the changes in the above indicators of the salidroside-H group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Salidroside can effectively alleviate radiation-induced parotid gland injury in rats， and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the VIP-cAMP pathway.

Objective:To discuss the diagnostic value of levels of growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein(ST2),carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),and human epididymis protein 4(HE4)in serum of the ovarian cancer patients,and to clarify their relationships with clinicopathological parameters of the ovarian cancer patients.Methods:A total of 136 patients with ovarian benign lesions or primary ovarian malignancies in our hospital confirmed by postoperative histopathology were randomly selected,including 53 cases in ovarian benign ovarian disease group and 83 cases in ovarian cancer group.Additionally,55 healthy female volunteers during the same period were enrolled as healthy control group.The fasting venous blood from all the subjects was collected on the first day of admission,and serum was retained;cyclic enhanced fluorescence immunoassay was used to detect ST2 levels of the subjects in various groups;chemiluminescence method was used to detect serum CA125 and HE4 levels of the subjects in various groups;receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to assess the diagnostic performance of each indicator;the Cut-off value and area under the ROC curve(AUC)were calculated,with AUC representing the diagnostic performance;Kendall's method was used to analyze the correlations between serum ST2 levels and TNM stage,maximum tumor diameter,distant metastasis,lymphnode metastasis,peritoneal metastasis,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),CA125,carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199),HE4,P53,and Kiel-67(Ki67)in the ovarian cancer patients.Results:Compared with healthy control group,the serum CA125 level of the patients in ovarian benign ovarian disease group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with healthy control group and ovarian benign group,the serum levels of ST2,CA125,and HE4 of the patients in ovarian cancer group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The AUC values were 0.719(95%CI:0.616-0.822)for ST2,0.868(95%CI:0.794-0.942)for CA125,and 0.867(95%CI:0.793-0.942)for HE4.The combined detection of ST2+CA125+HE4 yielded an AUC of 0.894(95%CI:0.832-0.955).Significant differences were observed in serum ST2,CA125,and HE4 levels among ovarian cancer patients with different TNM stages,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,and peritoneal metastasis(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in the patients with different ages or maximum tumor diameters(P>0.05).The ST2 level in serm of the ovarian cancer patients was positively correlated with TNM stage,distant metastasis,lymph node metastasis,peritoneal metastasis,CA125 level,HE4 level,and Ki67 level(P<0.05),but was not correlated with maximum tumor diameter,CEA,CA199 level,or P53 level(P>0.05).Conclusion:ST2,CA125,and HE4 are highly expressed in the serum of the ovarian cancer patients.Combined detection of serum ST2,CA125,and HE4 exhibits good sensitivity and specificity for ovarian cancer screening and improves diagnostic efficacy.ST2 is associated with advanced TNM stage and metastasis in ovarian cancer and may participate in the occurrence and progression of ovarian cancer.

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder （ADHD） is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by age-inappropriate inattention， excessive activities incongruous with setting， and emotional impulsivity. Subthreshold ADHD （sADHD） is clinically defined as the presence of ADHD symptoms that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Children with sADHD exhibit deficits in executive function， demonstrate more conduct， learning， and anxiety-related problems compared to typically developing children， and show even poorer working memory performance than children diagnosed with ADHD. Currently， there is limited epidemiological research on sADHD in China， with few studies simultaneously investigating the prevalence of both ADHD and sADHD in children. ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of ADHD and sADHD among children aged 6–13 years in Chongqing， analyzing their distribution characteristics within this population， with the aim of providing references for developing preventive measures against both ADHD and sADHD. MethodsFrom October to November 2023， a total of 3 398 students in grades 1–6 from six primary schools in Jiangbei District， Chongqing were selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The occurrence of ADHD and sADHD was evaluated by using the short version （18-item version） of the Swanson， Nolan， and Pelham IV rating scales （SNAP-IV） and the Chinese vision of Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School-aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version （K-SADS-PL）. ResultsThe ADHD detection rate among children in Chongqing was 1.90% （95% CI： 0.014–0.024）. Boys showed a significantly higher ADHD detection rate than girls （χ²=7.733， P=0.005）. No statistically significant differences were found in ADHD detection rates across different grades or age groups （χ²=7.347， 12.362， P>0.05）. The sADHD detection rate was 6.32% （95% CI： 0.054–0.072）. Similarly， boys exhibited significantly higher sADHD detection rates than girls （χ²=21.005， P<0.01）. Significant differences emerged across different grades （χ²=20.559， P=0.001）， while no statistically significant difference was observed in age groups （χ²=12.070， P=0.060）. ConclusionThe ADHD detection rates were comparable across all grade levels and age groups from 6–13 years old. Second-grade children demonstrated notably higher sADHD rates compared to other grades， while boys demonstrated higher prevalence rates than girls for both ADHD and sADHD. ［Funded by Science and Health Joint Medical Research Project in Jiangbei District， Chongqing City in the Second Half of 2023 （number， 2023JBKWLH022）］

Objective To noninvasively predict isocitrate dehydrogenase(IDH)status of glioma via combining imaging and clini-cal features before surgery,so as to provide basis for individualized clinical treatment decision.Methods A total of 47 patients with glioma confirmed by pathological and molecular genetic tests were included,including 20 with IDH mutant type and 27 with IDH wild type.After diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)scanning,fractional anisotropy(FA)and mean diffusivity(MD)values of tumor paren-chyma were calculated.Combining DTI parameters with MRI morphological features of tumor,blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and patient's age,binary logistic regression model was established to effectively predict IDH status of glioma patients before surgery.Results There were significant differences in FAmean/FANAWM,MDmin,NLR,tumor location and age between IDH mutant type and IDH wild type groups(P<0.05).The binary logistic regression model concluding,FAmean/FANAWM,MDmin,cystic degeneration,NLR and age,predicted IDH status of glioma with area under the curve(AUC)of 0.961 and 95%confidence interval(CI)of 0.914-1.00.Conclusion The regression model established via combining DTI,MRI morphological features and blood NLR has great performance in classifying IDH status of glioma,and can help predict IDH status noninvasively before surgery,so as to assist clinical individualized treatment.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of folic acid on melanocytes under oxidative stress.Methods:The normal human melanocyte cell line (PIG1) was cultured in vitro and divided into 5 groups to receive corresponding treatments: control group (normal culture for 48 hours without other treatment), H 2O 2 treatment group (normal culture for 24 hours followed by the treatment with 1 mmol/L H 2O 2 for another 24 hours), and 3 folic acid pretreatment groups (pretreatment with folic acid at concentrations of 50, 125, and 250 μmol/L for 24 hours followed by the treatment with 1 mmol/L H 2O 2 for another 24 hours). The cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay, the intracellular melanin content was measured by the sodium hydroxide solubilization method, cell apoptosis rates were detected by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining, levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using the fluorescent probe CM-H2DCFDA, the mitochondrial membrane potential was determined using the fluorescent probe JC-1, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Comparisons among multiple groups were performed using one-way analysis of variance, and multiple comparisons were performed using Tukey test. Results:Compared with the control group, the H 2O 2 treatment group showed decreased cell viability (83.62% ± 3.77% vs. 99.99% ± 5.06%, P = 0.031), intracellular melanin content (68.48% ± 4.17% vs. 100.11% ± 2.30%, P < 0.001) and mitochondrial membrane potential (2.96 ± 0.26 vs. 5.86 ± 0.56, P = 0.002), but increased cell apoptosis rate (16.35% ± 1.20% vs. 6.45% ± 1.34%, P = 0.001) and intracellular ROS level (138.98% ± 2.74% vs. 100.00% ± 0.64%, P = 0.004). Compared with the H 2O 2 treatment group, the 125-μmol/L and 250-μmol/L folic acid pretreatment groups showed increased cell viability (106.21% ± 6.34%, 101.64% ± 6.77%, respectively; both P < 0.05) and intracellular melanin content (77.24% ± 3.85%, 88.34% ± 2.65%, respectively; both P < 0.05) ; the 50-μmol/L, 125-μmol/L and 250-μmol/L folic acid pretreatment groups all showed decreased cell apoptosis rates (9.40% ± 0.99%, 9.00% ± 1.13%, 6.50% ± 0.28%, P = 0.007, 0.005, 0.001, respectively) ; the 125-μmol/L and 250-μmol/L folic acid pretreatment groups showed decreased intracellular ROS levels (112.99% ± 4.21%, 101.36% ± 10.60%, P = 0.023, 0.005, respectively), but increased mitochondrial membrane potential (4.93 ± 0.25, 5.67 ± 0.35, P = 0.012, 0.003, respectively). Transmission electron microscopy showed damaged mitochondrial ultrastructure in melanocytes in the H 2O 2 treatment group, characterized by a substantial number of vacuolated mitochondria, intimal swelling, and reduced ridges, compared with the control group; compared with the H 2O 2 treatment group, the 250-μmol/L folic acid pretreatment group exhibited decreased degree of mitochondrial damage, manifesting as reduced mitochondrial vacuolization, clearer mitochondrial ultrastructure, and slight swelling of mitochondrial ridges. Conclusion:Folic acid could reduce the oxidative stress level in melanocytes, thus protecting melanocytes from oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Tiaoqi Zhike Prescription(Ephedrae Herba,Armeniacae Semen Amarum,Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus,Scutellariae Radix,Trichosanthis Semen,etc.)on airway inflammation in cough variant asthma rats based on the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods Cough variant asthma rat model was established by ovalbumin sensitization.SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Dexamethasone group(0.5 mg·kg-1),Montelukast group(1.0 mg·kg-1)and Tiaoqi Zhike Prescription low-,medium-and high-dose groups(9.6,19.2,38.4 g·kg-1),with 10 rats in each group.Intragastric administration was given once a day for 14 consecutive days.The general condition of rats was observed and the number of coughs in rats within two minutes after atomization was recorded.HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue in rats.The levels of serum interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by ELISA.The protein expression levels of p38 MAPK,p-p38,NF-κB p65 and p-p65 in lung tissue were detected by Western Blot.The mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 in lung tissue were detected by RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the blank group,the times of coughs in the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the pathological score of lung injury and the area ratio of collagen fibers were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The levels of serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of p-p38,p-p65,p-p38/p38 and p-p65/p65 in lung tissue were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),and the mRNA expressions of p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the cough frequency of rats in each administration group was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),the pathological score of lung injury and the area ratio of collagen fibers were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),the levels of serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the protein expressions of p-p38 and p-p65 and the mRNA expressions of p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 in lung tissue were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The protein expression ratios of p-p3/p38 and p-p65/p65 in the lung tissue of rats in the high-dose group of Tiaoqi Zhike Prescription were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the Dexamethasone group and the Montelukast group,the number of coughs in the high-dose group of Tiaoqi Zhike Prescription was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the Dexamethasone group,the serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in the high-dose group of Tiaoqi Zhike Prescription were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with the Montelukast group,the levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α in the high-dose group of Tiaoqi Zhike Prescription were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Tiaoqi Zhike Prescription can improve the cough symptoms of ovalbumin-induced cough variant asthma model rats,reduce airway inflammatory cell infiltration and airway remodeling,and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the value of shear wave viscoelastography(SWV)for differentiating lung peripheral inflammatory masses and malignant tumors.Methods Conventional gray-scale ultrasound and SWV were prospectively performed in 70 patients with lung peripheral inflammatory mass or malignant tumor.The patients were divided into malignant group(n=42)and inflammatory group(n=28)according to pathological results.Clinical and ultrasonic data,including the maximum diameter of lesions,the mean Young's modulus(Emean),mean viscosity(Vmean),and mean dispersion slope(Dmean)were compared between groups.Receiver operating characteristic curves of ultrasonic parameters being significantly different between groups were drawn,and area under the curves(AUCs)were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of each parameter for differentiating lung peripheral inflammatory mass or malignant tumor.Results In malignant group,the maximum diameter and Emean of lesions were both higher,while Vmean and Dmean of lesions were both lower than those in inflammatory group(all P＜0.05).Vmean and Dmean of lesions had moderately/good efficacy for differentiating lung peripheral inflammatory mass or malignant tumor(AUC=0.843,0.866),both better than that of conventional ultrasound and Emean(AUC=0.673,0.685)(all P＜0.05).The combination of Emean,Vmean and Dmean had good efficacy for differentiating lung peripheral inflammatory masses and malignant tumors,with AUC of 0.874.Conclusion The viscous parameters of SWV could effectively differentiating lung peripheral inflammatory masses and malignant tumors.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of self-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (SCH) gel on endometrium recovery after artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted across 18 hospitals from December 2021 to February 2023, involving 382 women who underwent artificial abortion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either treatment with SCH gel (SCH group) or no treatment (control group) in a 1∶1 ratio. The primary outcome was endometrium thickness in 14 to 18 days after the first postoperative menstruation. Secondary outcomes included changes in menstrual volume during the first postoperative menstruation, menstruation resumption within 6 postoperative weeks, time to menstruation resumption, duration of the first postoperative menstruation, and incidence of dysmenorrhea.Results:Baseline characteristics of participants were comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05), with 95.3% (182/191) in SCH group and 92.7% (177/191) in the control group completed the study. The postoperative endometrial thickness in SCH group was significantly greater than that in the control group [(9.78±3.15) vs (8.95±2.32) mm; P=0.005]. SCH group also had significantly fewer participants with reduced menstrual volume [23 cases (12.6%, 23/182) vs 31 cases (17.5%, 31/177); P=0.038]. Although SCH group experienced less dysmenorrhea during the first postoperative menstrual period, this difference was not statistically significant [28.5% (51/179) vs 37.1% (65/175); P=0.083]. Outcomes were similar between SCH group and the control group regarding the proportion of participants who resumed menstruation within 6 weeks postoperatively, time to menstruation resumption, and duration of the first postoperative menstruation ( P=0.792, 0.485, and 0.254, respectively). No serious adverse events were observed during the study period, and no adverse events were attributed to SCH gel treatment. Conclusion:The application of SCH gel after artificial abortion is safe and might aid in the recovery of the endometrium.

Objective To explore the effect and possible mechanism of berberine on the macro-phage polarization of human myeloid leukemia monocytic cell line THP-1 induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL).Methods THP-1 cells were induced into macrophages by PMA,and then according to different concentrations of berberine,the cells were divided into con-trol group,and 5,10,20,40 and 50 μmol/L berberine groups.After intervention for 24 or 48 h,CCK8 assay was used to detect cell viability for optimal concentration and time of berberine treat-ment.PMA-induced THP-1 macrophages were assigned into blank group,model group(ox-LDL),berberine group,inhibitor group(phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor LY294002)and berberine+inhibitor group(berberine+LY294002).The contents of inducible nitric oxide syn-thase(iNOS)and TGF-β1 were detected by ELISA.qPCR was employed to measure the mRNA expression of TNF-α,arginase 1(Arg1),PI3K and protein kinase B Akt1,and Western blotting was applied to detect the protein levels of Akt1 and phosphorylated protein kinase B antibody(p-Akt1).Results In 24 h after intervention,the macrophage activity was significantly lower in the 40 and 50 μmol/L berberine groups than the control group(P＜0.05),and after 48 h,the ac-tivity in all the 5 doses of berberine groups was obviously lower than that in the control group[(0.89±0.02)％,(0.82±0.03)％,(0.71±0.02)％,(0.62±0.03)％and(0.53±0.02)％vs(1.01±0.01)％,P＜0.05].Berberine treatment of 20 μmol/L for 24 h had little effect on cell viability,and the dose and the time were regarded as the best concentration and time.Compared with the blank group,iNOS content and TNF-α mRNA level were increased in the model group,while TGF-β1 content,mRNA levels of Arg1,PI3K and Akt1,and p-Akt1/Akt1 protein levels were de-creased(P＜0.05).iNOS content and TNF-α mRNA level were decreased,while TGF-β1 content,mRNA levels of Arg1,PI3K and Akt1 and protein levels of p-Akt1/Akt1s were increased in the berberine group than the model group(P＜0.05).Compared with the berberine group,iNOS con-tent and TNF-α mRNA level were increased,while mRNA levels of Arg1,PI3K and Akt1 and protein levels of p-Akt1/Akt1 were decreased in the berberine+inhibitor group(P＜0.05).Con-clusion Berberine can inhibit the inflammatory response of THP-1 macrophages induced by ox-LDL by activating PI3K/Akt1 pathway,and inhibit the M1 polarization and promote the M2 polarization of macrophages.