OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanical properties of four internal fixation methods in a lower cervical spine injury model using the finite element method. METHODS: Cervical CT data of a 28-year-old healthy adult male were utilized to establish a finite element model of the normal cervical spine and a lower cervical spine three-column injury model. Four internal fixation methods were then applied to the three-column injury model, resulting in four groups:Group A, anterior cervical locked-plate(ACLP) fixation system model(anterior approach);Group B, posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation model (posterior approach);Group C, combined anterior and posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation model; Group D, Novel composite anterior cervical internal fixation model. A 75 N axial compressive load and a 1.0 N·m pure moment were applied to the upper surface of the cervical spine model to simulate flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending movements. The intervertebral range of motion(ROM) and stress distribution of the internal fixators under different motion conditions were compared across all models. RESULTS: Compared with the normal model, the reductions in overall intervertebral ROM for each group under flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending were as follows:Group A, 24.04°, 23.12°, 6.24°, and 9.06°;Group B, 24.42°, 24.34°, 6.48°, and 9.20°;Group C, 25.43°, 25.29°, 7.17°, and 9.57°;Group D, 24.75°, 25.5°, 6.71°, and 9.12°. The peak stress values of the internal fixators in each group were:Group A, 53.9 MPa, 79.9 MPa, 61.4 MPa, and 80.3 MPa;Group B, 218.3 MPa, 105.4 MPa, 206.6 MPa, and 186.8 MPa;Group C, 40.8 MPa, 97.2 MPa, 47.1 MPa, and 39.4 MPa;Group D, 93.0 MPa, 144.0 MPa, 64.8 MPa, and 106.3 MPa. CONCLUSION The biomechanical properties of the novel composite anterior cervical internal fixation method are similar to those of the combined anterior-posterior fixation method, and superior to both the anterior cervical ACLP plate-screw fixation and posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation methods.
Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Cervical Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Male ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Adult ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Range of Motion, Articular

Coronavirus-related diseases pose a significant challenge to the global health system. Given the diversity of coronaviruses and the unpredictable nature of disease outbreaks, the traditional "one bug, one drug" paradigm struggles to address the growing number of emerging crises. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic agents with broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity. Here, we provide evidence that ATV006, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoside analog targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), has broad antiviral activity against human and animal coronaviruses. Using mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) as a model, we show that ATV006 has potent prophylactic and therapeutic activity against murine coronavirus infection in vivo. Remarkably, ATV006 successfully inhibits viral replication in mice even when administered 96 h after infection. Due to its oral bioavailability and potency against multiple coronaviruses, ATV006 has the potential to become a useful antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and other circulating and emerging coronaviruses in humans and animals.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the value of ferroptose-related genes in the diagnosis and prediction of ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: We used UC dataset from the GEO database to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in UC. The DEGs related to ferroptositis were screened from the FerrDb database and their functions were analyzed. The hub genes were identified by constructing the protein-protein interaction network (PPI), the differences in immune infiltration levels between UC and the control group were evaluated using CIBERSORT, and the diagnostic values of the hub genes for UC were verified by using the training set. In a mouse model of UC, we examined the expression levels of the hub genes in the colon tissues of the mice using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). RESULTS: We identified a total of 76 DEGs related to ferroptosis. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were significantly enriched in ferroptosis and hypoxia pathways. The PPI network identified 10 hub genes, and 9 of them were highly expressed in UC. Analysis of immune cell infiltration showed that 27 cell types were significantly increased in UC (P<0.05), and the immune checkpoints-related genes had the strongest correlation with the hub gene PPARG (P<0.05). Verification analysis using the training set showed that P4HB, PPARG and STAT3 had the best predictive value for UC (P<0.05). In the UC mouse model, the expression of PPARG was significantly decreased and the expressions of P4HB and STAT3 were significantly increased in the colon tissues of the mice as compared with the normal mice. CONCLUSIONS Ferroptose-related genes have significant value for diagnosis and prediction of UC.
Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Animals ; Mice ; Ferroptosis/genetics* ; Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Profiling ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics*

Early correction of childhood malocclusion is timely managing morphological, structural, and functional abnormalities at different dentomaxillofacial developmental stages. The selection of appropriate imaging examination and comprehensive radiological diagnosis and analysis play an important role in early correction of childhood malocclusion. This expert consensus is a collaborative effort by multidisciplinary experts in dentistry across the nation based on the current clinical evidence, aiming to provide general guidance on appropriate imaging examination selection, comprehensive and accurate imaging assessment for early orthodontic treatment patients.
Humans ; Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging* ; Child ; Consensus

Glutamine provides carbon and nitrogen to support the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the precise reason why cancer cells are particularly dependent on glutamine remains unclear. In this study, we report that glutamine modulates the tumor suppressor F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) to promote cancer cell proliferation and survival. Specifically, lysine 604 (K604) in the sixth of the 7 substrate-recruiting WD repeats of FBW7 undergoes glutaminylation (Gln-K604) by glutaminyl tRNA synthetase. Gln-K604 inhibits SCFFBW7-mediated degradation of c-Myc and Mcl-1, enhances glutamine utilization, and stimulates nucleotide and DNA biosynthesis through the activation of c-Myc. Additionally, Gln-K604 promotes resistance to apoptosis by activating Mcl-1. In contrast, SIRT1 deglutaminylates Gln-K604, thereby reversing its effects. Cancer cells lacking Gln-K604 exhibit overexpression of c-Myc and Mcl-1 and display resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Silencing both c-MYC and MCL-1 in these cells sensitizes them to chemotherapy. These findings indicate that the glutamine-mediated signal via Gln-K604 is a key driver of cancer progression and suggest potential strategies for targeted cancer therapies based on varying Gln-K604 status.
Glutamine/metabolism* ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/genetics* ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7/genetics* ; Cell Survival ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis

Dental treatments for children and adolescents have unique clinical characteristics that differ from dental care for adults in terms of children's physiology, psychology, and behavior. These differences impose specific requirements on the application of local anesthesia in pediatric dental procedures. This article presents expert consensus on the principles of local anesthesia techniques in pediatric dental therapies, including the use of common anesthetic drugs and dosage control, safety and efficacy evaluation, and prevention and management of complications. The aim is to improve the safety and quality of pediatric dental treatments and offer guidance for clinical application by dentists.
Humans ; Child ; Anesthesia, Local/methods* ; Consensus ; Anesthesia, Dental/methods* ; Adolescent ; Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage* ; Dental Care for Children

Objective To investigate the feasibility of mimics software in analyzing a new type of complex anterior cervical fixation—anterior transpedicular screw fixation+zero notch internal fixation.Methods From January 2021 to September 2022,50 normal pedestrians who underwent cervical spine CT scanning were selected for C1-C7 segment scanning,including 27 males and 23 females,aged from 25 to 65 years old with an average of(46.0±9.0)years old.The dicom format is exported and engraved into the CD,and use the mimics software to perform 3D reconstruction of each segment.A simulated screw is placed on the image according to the critical value of zero notch screw(head and tail angle 44°,internal angle 29°).The posi-tion of zero notch screw in each segment is observed to determine the feasibility of anterior transpedicular screw fixation plus zero notch internal fixation.Results For the upper zero notch screws the three-dimensional images of the cervical spine across all 50 subjects within the C3-C7 segments demonstrated safe position,wwith no instances of intersection with ATPS.For the lower zero notch screw,in C3-C4 and C4-C5,4 out of 50 subjects are in the safe position in the three-dimensional images of cervical ver-tebrae,and 46 cases could achieve secure screw placement when the maximum caudal angle is(32.3±1.9)° and(36.1±2.2)°,respectively.In C5-C6 and C6-C7 segments,no lower zero notch screws intersected with ATPS,and all screws are in safe posi-tions.Conclusion Lower cervical anterior pedicle screw fixation plus zero notch internal fixation can achieve successful nail placement through the selected entry point and position.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mRNA expression levels of various aquaporins （AQPs） in luteinized granulosa cells from follicles of different diameters. MethodsFrom March 25， 2022 to September 23， 2022 in our reproductive medicine center， 48 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization （IVF） were enrolled and divided into the antagonist group and the agonist group according to the ovarian stimulation protocol. Follicular fluid samples were collected on the day of oocyte pick-up and granulosa cells were extracted from follicles of different diameters： small （<13 mm）， medium （13~18 mm） and large （≥18 mm）. After RNA quantification， 22 cases （66 samples） were included for analysis and mRNA expression levels of AQPs were compared among the three follicle groups. ResultsThe mRNA expression of aquaporin 2 （AQP2） in luteinized granulosa cells increased with the increase of follicle diameter （linear trend P = 0.004） and the difference was statistically significant between two groups of large and small follicles （P = 0.017）. Statistical difference was found in the antagonist group （P = 0.049 6）， but not in the agonist group （P = 0.108）. ConclusionThe mRNA level of AQP2 in luteinized granulosa cells increases with the increase of follicle diameter and its expression is related to the ovarian stimulation protocol， suggesting that AQP2 may play a role in follicle growth and follicular fluid formation， and its mRNA expression level may be regulated by follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） and luteinizing hormone （LH）.

In this study, we investigated the anti-osteoporotic activity and mechanism of action of extract of Panax quiquefolium L. based on zebrafish model combined with metabolomics technology. A zebrafish model of prednisolone-induced osteoporosis was used to compare the anti-osteoporotic activity of Panax quiquefolium L., and the expression of osteoblast-associated genes and osteoclast-associated genes in zebrafish was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), using bone fluorescence area and fluorescence density as evaluation indexes. Metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to explore the change patterns of biomarkers and the metabolic pathways affected. The results showed that the 50% ethanol extracts of Panax quiquefolium L. from Jilin, Canada, Wenden and the United States can significantly improve the bone fluorescence area of zebrafish compared with model group. Furthermore, four sources 50% ethanol extracts of Panax quiquefolium L. except United States also can significantly improve the bone fluorescence density of zebrafish. In addition, PCR showed that extract of Panax quiquefolium L. can significantly up-regulated the expression of vitamin D receptor b (vdrb), collagen type I α2 (col1a2) and cysteine-rich acidic secreted protein (sparc) genes, and down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (mmp9), anti-tartrase acid phosphatase (trap) and cathepsin K (ctsk) genes. Metabolomic analysis identified 24 key differential metabolites. Furthermore, pathway analysis showed that Panax quiquefolium L. could regulate the levels of 10 key biomarkers by participating in purine metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate metabolism and improve the osteoporosis status of zebrafish. This study preliminically revealed the anti-osteoporosis mechanism of 50% ethanol extract from Panax quiquefolium L. through multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway and also provides theoretical basis for clinical development and utilization of anti-osteoporosis products of Panax quiquefolium L. This experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Biology, Shandong Academy of Sciences (approval number: SWS20181002).