AIM:To compare the efficacy and safety of early combination therapy with ranibizumab and dexamethasone intravitreal implants versus ranibizumab monotherapy for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on a total of 62 cases(64 eyes)of patients who were first diagnosed with RVO-ME at the Eye Centre of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University between February 2022 and February 2023. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the different treatment regimens: 32 cases(34 eyes)in the monotherapy group received only ranibizumab [3+pro re nata(PRN)regimen], and 30 cases(30 eyes)in the combination therapy group were injected with ranibizumab once first, followed by dexamethasone intravitreal implant 3 wk later(1+DEX regimen). The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central retina thickness(CRT), foveal avascular zone(FAZ)area, macular vascular density(MVD)at the level of the deep vascular complex(DVC)of the retina, the incidence of ocular adverse effects, the number of drug injections, and the total cost between the two groups were compared before and after treatment.RESULTS: At 3 wk, 3 and 6 mo, and at the final follow-up of the two groups of patients, the improvement in BCVA, CRT, and MVD in the DVC layer was significantly better than that before treatment(all P<0.05); there were differences in the comparisons of BCVA and CRT between the two groups at 6 mo and the final follow-up(all P<0.05), and the increase in the number of letters of BCVA was the most pronounced in the combination therapy group at 6 mo of treatment. Statistical significant difference was observed in the comparison of MVD in the DVC layer between the two groups at 3 and 6 mo after treatment and at the final follow-up(all P<0.05). However, no significant change in FAZ area was evident before and after treatment in both groups(P>0.05). The combination therapy group exhibited a reduced number of injections and total cost in comparison to the monotherapy group. The combination therapy group exhibited a slightly higher incidence of high intraocular pressure and cataract progression compared to the monotherapy group, with no statistical significant difference(all P>0.05). Furthermore, no serious adverse events were observed in either group following treatment.CONCLUSION:Compared with ranibizumab alone, ranibizumab combined with dexamethasone intravitreal implant significantly improved vision, reduced macular edema, and lowered the frequency of injections and total treatment cost in patients with RVO-ME. CRT and MVD in the DVC layer are reliable prognostic indicators for patients with RVO-ME.

African swine fever virus(ASFV)I177L gene deletion vaccine is one of the key directions of African swine fever(ASF)live attenuated vaccine research and development.In order to effec-tively distinguish between the wild-type ASFV strain and the I177L gene-deleted strain,specific primers and probes were designed based on ASFV B646L and I177L genes,respectively.After screening and optimization,a duplex real-time PCR method was developed that can simultaneously detect these two genes.The results showed that ASFV B646L and I177L genes were detected spe-cifically and simultaneously by the method developed without cross-reactions with porcine circovir-us type 2,Seneca virus A,classical swine fever virus,foot-and-mouth disease virus,porcine respira-tory and reproductive syndrome virus.The detection limits of the duplex real-time PCR for recom-binant plasmids pUC57-B646L and pUC57-I177L were 1×103 copies/mL.The intra-and inter-as-say coefficients of variation were less than 4％,respectively.Detection of 122 pork and pork prod-ucts using the duplex real-time PCR developed and the real-time PCR recommended by WOAH showed that the coincidence rates of the two methods for B646L gene detection was 100％with two amplification curves appeared in the positive results of the established methods.The method established in this study can be used for the detection of ASFV I177L gene deletion strains,which provides technical support for ASF surveillance and epidemiological investigation.

Objective:To systematically review the profile of lymph node dissection (LND) for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in China.Methods:Using the key words "intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma" "intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma" "lymph node dissection" "lymphadenec-tomy" "lymph node metastasis", the databases including China Zhiwang, Wanfang, Weipu, Sinomed, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library were systematically searched. Cohort studies or randomized controlled clinical trials with intraoperative LND documentation and with analysis on the clinicopathologic characteristics or prognostic influences on patients with ICC were included into this meta-analysis from the date of database creation to April 20, 2022. The risk of bias in non-randomized controlled trials was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A meta-analysis of preoperative imaging lymph node enlargement rates, LND rates, and pathological lymph node metastasis rates were performed using R software.Results:Thirty-three relevant studies that met the systematic evaluation criteria were included, all of which were retrospective cohort studies. All these publications were of medium to high quality. Patients’ enrollment ranged from 1993 to 2020. Patients were enrolled from 20 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities with a total of 39 medical centers and 4 278 patients. The meta-analysis indicated that the LND rate, preoperative imaging lymph node enlargement rate, pathological lymph node metastasis rate were 47.8%(95% CI: 41.3%-54.3%), 18.5%(95% CI: 7.5%-29.6%) and 51.2%(95% CI: 43.8%-58.6%), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed the LND rate was 36.0%(95% CI: 27.0%-45.0%) in studies with a median year of enrollment before 2010, 48.3% (95% CI: 38.1%-58.6%) in studies from 2010 to 2017, and 53.3%(95% CI: 43.3%-63.2%) in studies after 2017. The LND rates were statistically different in the studies in the different periods of patient enrollment ( P=0.032). Conclusion:The meta-analysis indicated that the overall LND rate for ICC in China was not high but showed an increasing tendency.

Objective:To study the efficacy of endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) in the treatment of non-dilated small choledocholithiasis.Methods:Clinical data of 142 patients with non-dilated small choledocholithiasis admitted to Zhanjiang Central People's Hospital from April 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 63 males and 79 females, aged (55.1±15.4) years old. Patients were divided into the EPBD group ( n=63) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) group ( n=79). Blood amylase, liver enzymology, liver metabolism, and blood routine were monitored before and 48 hours after treatment. The occurrences of intraoperative bleeding, perforation, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), and cholangitis were compared between the groups. Patients were followed up and screened for stone recurrence by outpatient review 3 to 12 months from discharge. Results:Compared to preoperative data, the white blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bili-rubin, and direct bilirubin decreased 48 hours after treatment (all P<0.05). The operation time in EPBD group was slightly longer than that in EST group [(43.1±5.9) min vs. (38.5±4.5) min, P=0.064] without statistical significance. There were no case of perforation in both groups. The incidences of intraopera-tive bleeding [3.17%(2/63) vs. 6.33%(5/79)], PEP [17.46%(11/63) vs. 10.53%(8/79)], and postoperative cholangitis [4.76%(3/63) vs. 1.27%(1/79)] were comparable between the groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:EPBD could be feasible for non-dilated small choledocholithiasis, which does not increase the operation time and incidence of adverse events compared to EST.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of the muscle strength around the knee joint of chondromalacia patellae patients, and to explore the difference with normal people.Methods In March, 2021, 70 knee-onset chondromalacia patellae patients (experimental group) and 35 normal people (control group) were measured isokinetic muscle strength of flexion and extension of knee in angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s.Results At 60°/s and 180°/s, the peak torque, the peak torque-to-weight ratio and the total work of the flexor and extensor muscles on the affected side in the experimental group were lower than that of the control group (U > 1097.0, P<0.001). The peak torque, the peak torque-to-weight ratio and the total work of the flexor and extensor muscles at 60°/s and extensor muscles at 180°/s were lower on the affected side than on the healthy side in the experimental group (|Z| > 2.121, P<0.05). The peak torque ratios at 60°/s and 180°/s were more in the affected knees than in the healthy knees of experimental group and in the control group (U > 1810.0, |Z| >3.691, P<0.01).Conclusion The explosive force and endurance of the knee flexor and extensor has weakened in patients with chondromalacia patellae, and there is imbalance in knee joint muscle strength.

With the development of immunotherapy in clinical application, immunotherapy also takes advantage in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 show significant antitumor activity and safety in immunotherapy for patients with advanced ESCC.

Objective: To investigate the early clinical effects of tantalum augment assisted with 3D technology in treating acetabular bone defects of Paprosky type III in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: From May 2013 to July 2017, a total of 16 patients (18 hips) undergoing revision THA were retrospectively analyzed, including 11 males and 5 females aged 58.06±8.29 years (range 44-69 years). There were 3 cases with infective loosening and 15 cases with aseptic loosening, 13 cases with Paprosky IIIA type bone defects and 5 cases with IIIB type bone defects. 3D technology was used for precise planning before operation. The tantalum augment and cup were used to repair acetabular bone defects during operation. Cup anteversion, abduction angle, ratio of the lateral and contralateral vertical distance of the center of rotation, ratio of the lateral and contralateral horizontal distance of the center of rotation and femoral offset were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. The percentages of hips located in Lewinnek safe zone were calculated preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative radiographic evidence of loosening and Harris score were collected at the end of the follow-up. Results: The percentage of the hips located in Lewinnek safe zone increased from 22% (4/18) preoperatively to 61% (11/18) postoperatively. The mean anteversion of the operative side was 11.99°±6.91° (range 1.71°-26.36°) postoperatively. The mean abduction angle of the operative side was 44.91°±5.93° (range 35.6°-56.0°). The mean ratio of the lateral and contralateral vertical distance of the center of rotation was 1.10±0.20 (range 0.87-1.62). The mean ratio of the lateral and contralateral horizontal distance of the center of rotation was 1.00±0.18 (range 0.69-1.46) and the mean ratio of the lateral and contralateral femoral offset was 1.01±0.66 (range 0.51-3.56). All the patients were followed-up for an average of 27.72±12.18 months (range 14-53 months). No complications, such as periprosthetic joint infection, dislocation or aseptic loosening, were observed in all patients. The mean Harris score was 77.28±4.80 (range 65-85) at 6 months postoperatively and 80.9±5.2 (range 69-89) at the end of the follow-up. Conclusion Using tantalum augmentassisted with 3D technology to re construct Paprosky type III severe bone defects of the hip can increase the accuracy of the acetabular cup positioning. The short-term outcomes are satisfying and no early prosthetic loosening was observed.

The plants of genus osmunda have abundant germplasm resource, which are widely distributed in the world. They have long been used for the treatment of viral, fugal and inflammation diseases. These plants have broad bioactivities and contain various chemical constituents such as flavonoids, esters and steroids. They also have high nutrition value, food value and ornamental value with composition of protein, lipids, carbohydrates, cellulose and trace elements (K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, etc). The world wide research progresses of the genus osmunda on plant resources, chemical constituents, bioactivities in the past few decades were collected and summarized. This paper provided the evidences and references for further research and exploitment.

Objective: To analyze the facial profile of the patients with congenitally missing 2 mandibular incisors, and to investigate the changes of facial profile of the patients before and after orthodontic treatment by extraction of 2 maxillary premolars. Methods: The cephalometrics of 64 patients with congenitally missing 2 mandibular incisors were collected. The initial cephalometrics of 64 patients were used to characterize the facial profile. A total of 38 cases among all the 64 patients underwent the orthodontic treatment by extraction of 2 maxillary premolars, and the initial and final cephalometrics were used to compare the changes of facial profile before and after treatment. The cephalometric measurement (including hard tissue and soft tissue items) was performed and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: Compared with the normal values, the overjet, overbite, ANB, U1-NA angle, face angle, Y axis, Pg-NB, face convexity, soft tissue facial angle, H angle, and men to labial sulcus to H-Line in the patients with congenitally missing 2 mandibular incisors were increase d, SNB, L1-NB angle, L1-NB distance, L1-MP, occlusal plane angle, mentolabial sulcus angle were decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05). After orthodontic extraction treatment, the overjet, overbite, U1-NA angle, U1-NA distance, U1-SN, H angle, and subnasale to H-Line of the patients were decreased, the L1-NB angle, L1-NB distance, L1-MP, occlusal plane angle, Pg-NB, and mentolabial sulcus angle were increased; the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The mandibular development is insufficient but the chin development is adequate in the patients with congenitally missing 2 mandibular incisors, with larger overjet and overbite, lingually inclined mandibular incisors, deeper and sharper mentolabial sulcus. After treatment by extraction of 2 maxillary premolars, the overall appearance of the lateral profile of the patients remains unchanged, but the occlusion of anterior teeth is significantly improved.

Objective SIV30 protein of simian immunodeficiency virus(SIV)was prepared by genetic engineering technique as an antigen diagnostic reagent, to establish an immune comb method for the specific detection of anti SIV IgG in monkey serum. Methods Recombinant expression plasmid of SIV SIV30 gene was constructed by prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and expressed in the competent BL21 cells. The recombinant protein was purified as a diagnostic antigen, and a standardized procedure for the detection of immune comb was established and applied for clinical detection. Results The optimum coating amount of antigen was 0.02 mg/mL. The prepared IC was able to specifically detect the positive serum of SIV. There was no cross reaction between the sera of other viruses. It showed a high specificity of the detection method. Sensitivity analysis showed that the SIV30 protein was able to detect 1:400 times diluted SIV positive sera. The result of stability and repeatability test(the same sample was repeated 3 times) showed that the coefficient of variation(CV)was less than 10%. The serum samples of 10 suspicious monkeys were detected by this method, showing a consistent rate of comb method and ELISA test result of 100%, Kappa =1.000. Conclusions SIV30 protein is expressed in prokaryotic cells. The immune comb is prepared,and is successfullyl applied in clinical examination. It shows that the method has a high sensitivity, strong specificity, good reproducibility and practicability.