Objective:To analyze the effects of Mulligan technique combined with isokinetic exercise training (IET) on isokinetic muscle strength and neuromuscular control ability in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. A total of 49 patients with KOA who underwent IET at Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2021 to January 2022 were included in the control group. An additional 49 patients with KOA who received Mulligan technique and IET at the same hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were included in the observation group. Both groups were treated for 8 successive weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Lysholm score, proprioception metrics [including average track error (ATE) and test time execution (TTE)], isokinetic muscle strength [peak torque (PT) and average power (AP) for flexors and extensors at 60°/s, 90°/s, and 120°/s)]were compared between the two groups before and after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention. Additionally, Visual Analog Scale score was compared between the two groups at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in WOMAC score, Lysholm score, or PT and AP levels for flexor and extensor muscles at 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s between the two groups before intervention (all P > 0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, the levels of PT and AP for both flexors and extensors at 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s, as well as the Lysholm scores, were significantly higher in the observation group compared with the control group [PT level: t = -0.10, -3.03, -3.85, -0.35, -3.62, -3.95, -0.27, -5.51, -6.52, -1.13, -2.74, -3.68, -0.09, -2.91, -5.79, -0.13, -4.66, -6.05; AP level: t = -0.23, -4.77, -6.15, 0.01, -3.10, -3.75, -0.13, -3.73, -3.44, 0.16, -2.09, -4.05, -0.17, -3.71, -3.51, -0.27, -3.26, -3.69; Lysholm score: t = -7.17, -6.44; all P < 0.05]. After 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, the WOMAC score, ATE, and TTE in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group [WOMAC score: t = 3.68, 0.64; ATE level: t = 3.88, 4.13; TTE level: t = 4.86, 4.60; all P < 0.05]. After 8 weeks of intervention, both groups had lower Visual Analog Scale scores compared with their scores before the intervention (U control group = -8.75, U observation group = -8.63), with the observation group showing significantly lower scores than the control group ( U = -5.95, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The Mulligan technique combined with IET can effectively alleviate knee joint pain in patients with KOA, promote the recovery of knee joint function, enhance proprioceptive recovery, and improve neuromuscular control abilities.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Objective:To analyze the effects of Mulligan technique combined with isokinetic exercise training (IET) on isokinetic muscle strength and neuromuscular control ability in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. A total of 49 patients with KOA who underwent IET at Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2021 to January 2022 were included in the control group. An additional 49 patients with KOA who received Mulligan technique and IET at the same hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were included in the observation group. Both groups were treated for 8 successive weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Lysholm score, proprioception metrics [including average track error (ATE) and test time execution (TTE)], isokinetic muscle strength [peak torque (PT) and average power (AP) for flexors and extensors at 60°/s, 90°/s, and 120°/s)]were compared between the two groups before and after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention. Additionally, Visual Analog Scale score was compared between the two groups at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in WOMAC score, Lysholm score, or PT and AP levels for flexor and extensor muscles at 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s between the two groups before intervention (all P > 0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, the levels of PT and AP for both flexors and extensors at 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s, as well as the Lysholm scores, were significantly higher in the observation group compared with the control group [PT level: t = -0.10, -3.03, -3.85, -0.35, -3.62, -3.95, -0.27, -5.51, -6.52, -1.13, -2.74, -3.68, -0.09, -2.91, -5.79, -0.13, -4.66, -6.05; AP level: t = -0.23, -4.77, -6.15, 0.01, -3.10, -3.75, -0.13, -3.73, -3.44, 0.16, -2.09, -4.05, -0.17, -3.71, -3.51, -0.27, -3.26, -3.69; Lysholm score: t = -7.17, -6.44; all P < 0.05]. After 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, the WOMAC score, ATE, and TTE in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group [WOMAC score: t = 3.68, 0.64; ATE level: t = 3.88, 4.13; TTE level: t = 4.86, 4.60; all P < 0.05]. After 8 weeks of intervention, both groups had lower Visual Analog Scale scores compared with their scores before the intervention (U control group = -8.75, U observation group = -8.63), with the observation group showing significantly lower scores than the control group ( U = -5.95, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The Mulligan technique combined with IET can effectively alleviate knee joint pain in patients with KOA, promote the recovery of knee joint function, enhance proprioceptive recovery, and improve neuromuscular control abilities.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a common tumor in the digestive tract， the formation mechanism of which remains to be fully elucidated. Although surgery， radiation， chemotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy have achieved significant results in the treatment of HCC， these methods are accompanied by a considerable number of adverse reactions and complications. In recent years， Chinese medicine has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of HCC， and both basic experiments and clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Chinese medicine， which exerts therapeutic effects via multiple components and multiple targets. However， the pathogenesis of HCC is exceptionally complex and not fully understood， which means that studies remain to be carried out regarding the specific mechanism of Chinese medicine in preventing and treating HCC. Network pharmacology and molecular biology can be employed to decipher the mechanism of Chinese medicine in the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown that Chinese medicine can regulate various pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， Hedgehog， Wnt/β-catenin， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3）， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad signaling pathways. Chinese medicine can exhibit its anti-HCC effects by inducing cell apoptosis， inhibiting cell proliferation and migration， and blocking the cell cycle via the above pathways. However， the specific mechanisms remain to be systematically studied. This study comprehensively reviews the regulatory effects of Chinese medicine on HCC-related signaling pathways to reveal the molecular mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the treatment of HCC. This view holds the promise of providing new targets， new perspectives， and new therapies for HCC treatment and advancing the modernization and development of Chinese medicine.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and prognostic survival of pembrolizumab combined with apatinib and chemotherapy in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-negative advanced gastric cancer.Methods:Patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer were selected from December 2019 to December 2022 as the study subjects. Forty-five patients who received chemotherapy therapy (fluorouracil+cisplatin) were randomly collected and included in control group, and 52 patients who were treated with pembrolizumab combined with apatinib were randomly selected and enrolled as observation group. The difference in short-term efficacy was compared. The levels of serum tumor markers and immune function (CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD4 +/CD8 +) were recorded. The long-term efficacy and adverse reactions of patients were compared. Measurement data conforming to the normal distribution were expressed as xˉ± s, and the mean comparison between groups was performed by independent sample t test. Chi-square test was used to compare the rate or composition ratio among enumeration data. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:At 6 months after treatment, the disease control rate in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group (78.85% (41/52) vs 57.78% (26/45)) ( χ2=5.01, P=0.025), but there was no statistical significance in objective response rate between groups (36.54% (19/52) vs 24.45% (11/45)) ( χ2=1.65, P=0.199). The levels of pepsinogen I, tissue polypeptide specific antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 199 and CD8 + in both groups were reduced after treatment, and the levels were lower in observation group than those in control group ( t=6.06, 6.78, 4.68, 11.21, 3.45, all P<0.001). The levels of CD3 +, CD4 + and CD4 +/CD8 + were enhanced significantly in the two groups, and the observation group had higher levels after treatment ( t values were 2.10, 3.74, and 5.19; P values were 0.028, <0.001, and <0.001). After 1 year of follow-up, the survival rate in observation group with 59.62% (31/52) was significantly higher than 37.78% (17/45) in control group ( χ2=4.60, P=0.032). The progression-free survival time ((10.22±1.62) months vs (8.13±1.57) months, t=6.43, P<0.001) and overall survival time ((11.62±1.84) months vs (9.73±1.71) months, t=5.21, P<0.001) in observation group were significantly longer compared to control group. There were no statistical differences in the incidence rates of bone marrow suppression ( χ2=1.92, P=0.165), hand-foot syndrome ( χ2=3.47, P=0.062), gastrointestinal reaction ( χ2=0.32, P=0.574), hypertension ( χ2=0.94, P=0.333) and proteinuria ( χ2=2.39, P=0.122) between the two groups. Conclusion:Compared with chemotherapy, pembrolizumab combined with apatinib shows good short-term efficacy and long-term efficacy in patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer.

Objective:To study the safety and feasibility of application of delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) in very preterm and extremely preterm infants.Methods:Based on the previous improvement projects of temperature management and respiratory support, we conducted a prospective study on the effect of umbilical cord clamping quality improvement project using the clinical data of very preterm and extremely preterm infants admitted to Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital. The infants admitted from July to December 2020 who underwent immediate umbilical cord clamping (ICC) were included in the ICC group, and the infants admitted from January to June 2021 who underwent DCC were involved in the DCC group. The incidence of asphyxia, hypothermia, endotracheal intubation within 24 h after birth, endotracheal intubation within 72 h after birth, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and other complications, mechanical ventilation duration and total oxygen therapy duration were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 45 cases were included in ICC group and 54 cases in DCC group. The gestational age of the two groups was (29.3±1.7) weeks and (29.6±1.4) weeks, and the birth weight was (1 250±332) g and (1 257±306) g. The differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of asphyxia, hypothermia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and other complications related to preterm infants, tracheal intubation rates within 24 and 72 h, and the neonatal temperature at admission to NICU ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Delayed umbilical cord clamping does not increase the risks of asphyxia, hypothermia or invasive respiratory support in very preterm and extremely preterm infants.

Objective:To study the risk factors of failure using nasal high frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV) as initial therapy in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs).Methods:From January 2018 to December 2021, VLBWIs with RDS initially supported by nHFOV in NICU of our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. They were assigned into success and failure groups according to the ventilation efficacy. Demographic data and clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared. Risk factors of initial nHFOV failure were analyzed using binary Logistic regression method.Results:A total of 135 infants were included, including 103 in the success group and 32 in the failure group. The initial nHFOV failure rate was 23.7%. The failure group had lower pH (7.26±0.09 vs. 7.33±0.08) and PaO 2 [61.0 (49.6, 77.2) mmHg vs. 83.6 (64.4, 99.0) mmHg] than the success group ( P<0.05) and higher PaCO 2 than the success group [49.0 (42.3, 58.1) mmHg vs. 43.4 (36.0, 50.0) mmHg] ( P<0.05). Using PaCO 2 as predictor, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.682 (95% CI 0.575-0.788) and the cut-off value was 44.8 mmHg for nHFOV failure and the AUC was 0.716 (95% CI 0.615-0.817) and the cut-off value was 67.1 mmHg for nHFOV success. The incidences of early onset sepsis (EOS), shock within 3 d and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in the failure group were significantly higher than the success group (40.6% vs. 7.8%, 53.1% vs. 2.9%, 31.3% vs. 13.6%, P<0.05, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis found that PaO 2<67.1 mmHg ( OR=5.458,95% CI 1.730-17.220) on the first blood gas analysis and shock within 3 d ( OR=26.585,95% CI 3.854-183.396) were independent risk factors for initial nHFOV failure ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The failure of initial nHFOV is correlated with the first blood gas parameters, EOS, hsPDA and shock within 3 d. Shock within 3 d and low PaO 2(<67.1 mmHg) were independent risk factors for initial nHFOV failure.

Hepatic fibrosis characterized by various chronic liver injuries can lead to abnormal activation of hepatic stellate cells， unbalanced production and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins， and excessive deposition that destroys the normal structure of the liver. The aggravated liver fibrosis can cause irreversible cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma， becoming a great challenge to the global health. Ferroptosis is a new form of iron-dependent cell death discovered in recent years， which mainly involves abnormal iron metabolism， lipid peroxide accumulation， and weakening of the antioxidant defense system. A number of studies have reported that inducing ferroptosis in hepatic stellate cells or alleviating ferroptosis in the liver can ameliorate liver fibrosis and reduce liver injury. Chinese medicine widely applied in the treatment of chronic liver diseases has demonstrated good safety， wide therapeutic effects， and easy access compared with Western medicine. Therefore， The intervention of hepatic stellate cells or hepatic ferroptosis by Chinese medicine may be a new direction for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis in the future. This paper summarized the various regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis and expounded how ferroptosis affected the progression of liver fibrosis， providing theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis with Chinese medicine in the future.

Objective:To investigate the impact and interaction of Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility to neonatal sepsis.Methods:A total of 78 cases of neonatal septicemia patients admitted to Baoding Children′s Hospital from July 2018 to August 2021 were prospectively selected as the study group, and 78 cases of healthy newborns in the same period were selected as the control group. The TLR2 and IRF-5 gene polymorphisms and the levels of inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] in different genotypes of infants were compared between the two groups. We evaluated the relationship between TLR2 and IRF-5 genotypes, inflammatory markers, and susceptibility to neonatal sepsis, and analyzed the interaction between their gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to neonatal sepsis.Results:There were significant differences in the distribution of TLR2 (rs3804099) and IRF-5 (rs2004640) loci genotype and Allele frequency between the two groups (all P<0.05); The serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in children with TLR2 (rs3804099) genotype TT genotype [(111.12±30.87)mg/L, (77.50±20.02)pg/ml, (40.27±11.31)pg/ml] were higher than those in children with CC/CT genotype [(72.46±24.51)mg/L, (54.18±17.65)pg/ml, (28.34±9.05)pg/ml], and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels [(113.90±28.94)mg/L, TNF-α (79.84±19.82)pg/ml, IL-6 (41.05±11.49)pg/ml] in children with the IRF-5 (rs2004640) TT genotype were higher than those in children with the GG/GT genotype [(70.88±22.16)mg/L, (52.27±16.73)pg/ml, (27.96±9.75)pg/ml], and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The TT genotypes at TLR2 (rs3804099) and IRF-5 (rs2004640) loci were positively correlated with serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels (all P<0.05); The TT genotypes at TLR2 (rs3804099) and IRF-5 (rs2004640) loci were independent risk factors for susceptibility to neonatal sepsis (all P<0.05); The TT genotype at the TLR2 (rs3804099) locus and the TT genotype at the IRF-5 (rs2004640) locus exhibited a positive interaction in susceptibility to neonatal sepsis ( OR=7.467, γ=1.728). Conclusions:TLR2 (rs3804099) TT genotype and IRF-5 (rs2004640) TT genotype significantly increase the susceptibility to neonatal sepsis, and there is a positive interaction between the two.

Objective:To establish a green fluorescent protein(GFP)and firefly luciferase(Luc)double-labeled Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infec-ted B lymphoblastoid cell lines(B-LCL)and apply them to mouse models,then compare the advantages and disadvantages of models inocu-lated by intravenous(IV)or subcutaneous(SC).Methods:B lymphoblastoid cell lines double-tagged with GFP/Luc(B-LCL-GL)were con-structed through lentivirus transduction,puromycin intervention.Subcutaneous xenograft and hematogenous metastasis models were re-spectively established by subcutaneous or intravenous injection of B-LCL-GL cells at three concentrations in(NOD)/Prkdcscid/IL-2Rγnull(NPG)mice for in vivo bioluminescence imaging.Results:In the B-LCL-GL group,the ratio of the GFP-positive cell population was 92.5%,and the average luminescence intensity was as high as 4.80E+08 Photons/s,which was considerably higher than that of untreated B-LCLs.In the hematogenous metastasis models,tumor bioluminescence was initially located in the peritoneal area and then spread throughout the en-tire body between 7 and 28 days.In the subcutaneous xenograft models,strong central and weak peripheral tumor-related biolumines-cence signal was detected on day 7 in the three groups,which then spread throughout the body on day 28 in the high-dose group.Taken to-gether,there was no significant difference in tumor progression between the two routes of administration when using the same dose of B-LCL-GL cells.However,the survival analysis indicated that the IV injection group,in which all the mice ultimately died,had a shorter time frame for testing than that of the SC injection group,in which the mice survived until day 100 in the low-dose and medium-dose groups,thus allowing for long-term testing.Conclusions:GFP and Luc dual-positive B-LCLs were successfully established to generate hematogenous metastasis and subcutaneous xenograft models,which allow the monitoring of the location and size of lymphomas in vivo.It provide plat-form for the study of tumor characteristics and selecting anti-tumor drugs.