Objective To observe the effect of acupoint sticking therapy along meridians on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients after lumbar internal fixation surgery.Methods From January 2020 to March 2022,125 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases were admitted to our hospital's Department of Orthopaedics and divided into two groups:control(n = 62)and acupoint sticking therapy(n = 63).The control group received standard postoperative care for lumbar internal fixation,while the experimental group received routine care based on acupoint sticking therapy along meridians.The NVAS scores for postoperative nausea and vomiting,abdominal distension and pain,bowel sound,initial exhaust,and defecation time were compared between the two groups.Results Both groups experienced gastrointestinal problems to varied degrees following surgery.The experimental group had signifi-cantly lower rates of nausea,NVAS score,vomiting grade,abdominal distension,return to normal bowel sounds,and time of first exhaust and bowel movement compared to the control group(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences in abdominal pain and abdominal circumference(P>0.05).There were no adverse reactions in either group.The incidence of postoperative abdominal distension,nausea and vomiting in the observation group was lower than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint sticking therapy along meridians could accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal function of patients after lumbar internal fixation,promote rapid recovery after surgery,and improve quality of life.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum periostin (POSTN) level and bone mineral density in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods Ninety-five patients who had received MHD treatment for more than 3 months in the Hemodialysis Center of Qingdao Municipal Hospital from October 2022 to October 2023 were enrolled as experimental group. Meanwhile, 50 healthy individuals undergoing health examinations in the Physical Examination Center of the same hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. Clinical data such as gender and age were collected for both groups. Fasting venous blood samples were collected before dialysis to measure parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, and other indicators. Serum POSTN levels in MHD patients and healthy individuals were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between serum POSTN levels and bone mineral density in MHD patients was explored. Univariate and multivariate binary Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for low bone mineral density in MHD patients and assess the clinical value of serum POSTN level in predicting low bone mineral density in these patients. Results The serum POSTN level in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). These patients were divided into two groups based on T-values: normal bone mass group(47 cases, T value >-1.0) and low bone mineral density (48 cases, T value≤-1.0). The low bone mineral density group had significantly higher serum POSTN levels, dialysis vintage, PTH, ALP, serum phosphorus, β₂-microglobulin levels, and a higher proportion of females compared to the normal bone mass group (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed negative correlations of bone mineral density T values with serum POSTN, dialysis vintage, C-reactive protein, PTH, ALP, serum phosphorus, and β₂-microglobulin in MHD patients (r=-0.695, -0.688, -0.246, -0.528, -0.216, -0.309, -0.293; P < 0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors such as dialysis vintage, PTH, and ALP, high serum POSTN level was an independent risk factor for low bone mineral density in MHD patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) for serum POSTN level in predicting low bone mineral density in MHD patients was 0.901, with a cut-off value of 29.66 ng/L. Conclusion MHD patients have higher serum POSTN levels than healthy individuals, and this marker is associated with low bone mineral density in MHD patients.

The management of antibiotic-resistant, bacterial biofilm infections in skin wounds poses an increasingly challenging clinical scenario. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is difficult to eradicate because of biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. In this study, we identified a new benzothiazole derivative compound, SN12 (IC₅₀ = 43.3 nmol/L), demonstrating remarkable biofilm inhibition at nanomolar concentrations in vitro. In further activity assays and mechanistic studies, we formulated an unconventional strategy for combating P. aeruginosa-derived infections by targeting the two-component (Gac/Rsm) system. Furthermore, SN12 slowed the development of ciprofloxacin and tobramycin resistance. By using murine skin wound infection models, we observed that SN12 significantly augmented the antibacterial effects of three widely used antibiotics-tobramycin (100-fold), vancomycin (200-fold), and ciprofloxacin (1000-fold)-compared with single-dose antibiotic treatments for P. aeruginosa infection in vivo. The findings of this study suggest the potential of SN12 as a promising antibacterial synergist, highlighting the effectiveness of targeting the two-component system in treating challenging bacterial biofilm infections in humans.

Objective:To investigate the role of IL-6 trans-signaling pathway in perioperative neurocognitive disorder in mice.Methods:Eighty-four SPF healthy male C57BL/6 wild-type mice and 84 SPF healthy male IL-6R -/- mice, aged 12-14 weeks, weighing 25-35 g, were used.The 84 wild-type mice were divided into 4 groups ( n=21 each) using a random number table method: sham group (SH group), surgery group (S group), sgp130Fc (specific IL-6 trans-signaling pathway blocker) group (F group), and sgp130Fc+ surgery group (FS group). In S group and FS group, internal fixation was performed under general anesthesia with sevoflurane after tibial fracture.Mice only received anaesthesia with sevoflurane in SH group and F group.In FS group and F group, sgp130Fc 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected before anesthesia.Blood samples were collected from the celiac vein at 24 h after surgery for determination of the concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then the mice were sacrificed, brains were removed, and hippocampal tissues were obtained for measurement of the contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α (by ELISA) and for observation of activation of microglias in the hippocampal DG region (by immunofluorescence staining, n=6). Cognitive function was evaluated by contextual fear conditioning test ( n=15) on 3 days after surgery.Eighty-four IL-6R -/- mice were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=21 each): sham group (KO-SH group), surgery group (KO-S group), saline group (KO-C group), and hyper IL-6 (specific IL-6 trans-signaling pathway activator) group (KO-H group). The treatment in KO-SH group and KO-S group was the same as those previously described in SH group and S group, respectively.0.9% NaCl solution 100 μl was intraperitoneally injected in KO-C group, 100 μl hyper IL-6 40 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in KO-H group, and 24 h later blood was collected from the celiac vein for measurement of the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in plasma by ELISA.Then the mice were sacrificed, brains were removed, and hippocampal tissues were obtained for determination of the contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α (by ELISA) and for observation of activation of microglias in the hippocampal DG region (by immunofluorescence staining, n=6). Cognitive function was evaluated by contextual fear conditioning test ( n=15) on 3 days after surgery. Results:Compared with SH group, the percentage of freezing time in the contextual fear conditioning test was significantly decreased, and the activation of microglias in the hippocampal DG region and levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in plasma and hippocampi were increased in S group ( P<0.05). Compared with S group, the percentage of freezing time in the contextual fear conditioning test was significantly increased, and the activation of microglias in the hippocampal DG region and levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in plasma and hippocampus were decreased in FS group ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the percentage of freezing time, activation of microglias in the hippocampal DG region, and levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in plasma and hippocampi between KO-S group and KO-SH group ( P>0.05). Compared with KO-C group, the percentage of freezing time in the contextual fear conditioning test was significantly decreased, and the activiation of microglias in the hippocampal DG region and levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in plasma and hippocampus were increased in KO-H group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:IL-6 trans-signaling pathway is involved in the process of perioperative neurocognitive disorder in mice.

Sepsis is a major problem in the pediatric critical care medicine.The related research indi-cates that the nutrition risk may be one of the risk factors that affect the incidence and mortality of sepsis. Through nutritional risk screening and assessment,it can be used to provide reference for assessing the nutri-tional risk,the nutritional support and the effect of nutritional support on prognosis of children with sepsis.At present,there are few studies on the nutritional risk and nutritional support in children with sepsis.In this arti-cle,we reviewed the research progress on nutritional risk and nutritional support in children with sepsis.

Objective To construct and identify lentiviral vector pGC-FU-CXCR4 gene. Methods CXCR4 gene amplification was used by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The target gene fragments with the digested plasmids were exchange. Then the lentiviral vector pGC-FU-CXCR4 was constructed successfully. Use the constructed lentiviral vector to infect the competent escherichia coli cells. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to identify the cultural clones and DNA sequencing and comparative analysis were used to positive fragments. The successfully constructed plasmids had the same sequence with the target gene. Results Polymerase chain reaction tests showed that am-plified target genes were inserted in pGC-FU vectors. The electrophoresis results,digestion showed that the reconstructed plasmid was consist-ent with the theoretical fragment and the sequence result of the positive fragments were exactly the same with the target gene. Conclusion Lentiviral vectors of CXCR4 gene over-expression were successfully constructed.

Objective To evaluate the effect of selenomethionine (Se-Met) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced oxidative damage to human HaCaT keratinocytes,and to explore its possible mechanisms.Methods Cultured HaCaT cells were divided into several groups:normal control group receiving no treatment,Se-Met groups treated with Se-Met at concentrations of 1,10,50,100,200 nmol/L and 1 μmol/L for 24 hours respectively,UVB groups irradiated with UVB of 30,60 and 90 mJ/cm2 respectively,Se-Met + UVB groups treated with Se-Met at concentrations of 1,10,50,100,200 nmol/L and 1 μmol/L for 24 hours firstly,then irradiated with UVB of 30,60 and 90 mJ/cm2 respectively.Subsequently,methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to estimate cellular proliferative activity,flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis,colorimetry to evaluate superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.Statistical analysis was carried out by using factorial design analysis of variance (ANOVA),one-way ANOVA and least significant difference (LSD) test.Results Factorial design ANOVA showed that UVB radiation had an inhibitory effect on the proliferative activity of HaCaT cells (F =128.04,P ＜ 0.05),which significantly decreased along with the increase of UVB doses,with significant differences between the three UVB groups (P ＜ 0.05).Se-Met pretreatment also affected cellular proliferative activity (F =5.95,P ＜ 0.05),which was significantly increased in Se-Met (10 nmol/L-1 μmol/L) + UVB groups compared with the UVB groups at corresponding doses (all P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant interaction effect on cellular proliferative activity between UVB radiation and Se-Met pretreatment (F =1.65,P ＞ 0.05).The apoptosis rate of HaCaT cells in the 30-mJ/cm2 UVB group was 31.9％ ± 2.67％,significantly higher than that in the normal control group (4.1％ ± 0.67％,P＜ 0.05) and in the 10-,50-,100-,200-nmol/L and 1-μmol/L Se-Met + 30-mJ/cm2 UVB groups (21.9％ ± 3.72％,17.2％ ± 1.67％,4.6％ ±-0.85％,7.5％ ± 1.86％ and 13.5％ ± 1.95％ respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Similarly,SOD and GSH-Px activities were significantly weaker (both P ＜ 0.05),while MDA levels were higher (all P ＜ 0.05) in the 30-mJ/cm2 UVB group than in the normal control group;however,there was a significant increase in SOD and GSH-Px activities but a decrease in MDA levels in the Se-Met (10 nmol/L-1 μmol/L) + 30-mJ/cm2 UVB groups compared with the 30-mJ/cm2 UVB group (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Se-Met can reduce UVB-induced oxidative damage to HaCaT cells,likely by enhancing antioxidase activity and decreasing oxygen radicals.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of sodium selenite ( Na2 SeO3 ) on human keratinocytes under ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation.METHODS: The cultured HaCaT cells were divided into 4 groups: (1) normal control group;(2) Na2 SeO3 group:pretreated with Na2 SeO3 at doses of 10 nmol/L, 50 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L, 200 nmol/L and 1 μmol/L for 24 h;(3) UVB group: irradiated with UVB at doses of 300, 600 and 900 J/m2; (4) Na2SeO3 +UVB group:after pretreated with Na2SeO3 for 24 h, irradiated with UVB at doses of 300, 600 and 900 J/m2.The cell pro-liferation was detected by MTT assay .The apoptotic rates of HaCaT cells treated with UVB at dose of 300 J/m2 were as-sessed by flow cytometry .RESULTS:Compared with normal control group , the cell proliferation activity in UVB group de-creased significantly ( P<0.05 ) .The cell activity was inversely correlated with the irradiation intensity .No significant difference of the cell activity between Na 2 SeO3 group and normal control group was observed .The cell proliferation in Na2SeO3 +UVB group was higher than that in UVB group significantly (P<0.05).Na2SeO3 at concentration of 100 nmol/L showed the strongest activity to promote cell proliferation .After 300 J/m2 UVB irradiation, the apoptotic rate in Na2SeO3+UVB group decreased significantly ( P<0.05) compared with UVB group .The inhibitory effect of Na 2 SeO3 at concentra-tion of 100 nmol/L on apoptosis was the strongest .CONCLUSION: The damage of human keratinocytes by UVB irradia-tion is in a dose-dependent manner .The photoprotection performance of Na 2 SeO3 reduces the damage of human keratino-cytes induced by UVB irradiation .

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate crystals in patients with gout.Methods One hundred and eight patients who experienced unilateral arthrocele and (or) joint pain in the past two weeks were enrolled into our study.DECT were performed for the upper or lower extremity.Ninety-five patients were enrolled into the gout study group based on the American rheumatism association (ACR) classification standard;The 0.3 linear blended images group were regarded as conventional CT group,DE (80 kV and 140 kV) datasets were reconstructed via gout-recognition software,the pseudo-color images group as the postprocessed group.Imagings were reviewed independently by two senior radiologists.Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis with the SPSS 13.0software.Results In the conventional CT group,DECT scans revealed a total of 298 areas of urate deposition in 51 patients;The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 53.7％,84.6％,and 57.4％.In the postprocessed group,401 areas of green urate deposition were detected in 69 patients,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 72.6％,100.0％,75.9％ respectively,the differences had statistical significance (x2 =7.329 and 8.333,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions DECT gout recognition technology can detect smaller amount of monosodium urate in the other parts of the body,with a great potential in early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of patients with gout.

Objective To evaluate the value of dual energy computed tomography (DECT) for the diagnosis of gout.Methods Twenty-fivc consccutive patients with gout were selected as the experimental group and 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were selected as the control group.DECT scans were performed for every patient (all peripheral joints for the experimental group and affected joints for the control group).And every patient with gout had X-ray examination of the involved joints.x2 test and t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results All 25 patients with gout showed urate deposits on their DECT scans,whereas none of 20 controls showed urate deposits (P＜0.01).DECT scans revealed a total of 184 areas of urate deposition in 25 patients,in which 107 (58.2％) were at feet and ankle,72 (39.1％) were at knees,4 (2.2％) were at hands and wrists,1 (0.5％) was at elbows,whereas physical examination only showed 64 areas of urate deposition,in which 38(59.4％) were at feet and ankle,24(37.5％) were at knees,2(3.1％) at hands and wrists,0 was at elbows(P＜0.01 ).Only 6 patients with gout showed nonspecific manifestations on X-ray.Conclusion DECT scans may have potential value for the diagnosis of gout since it could produce evident colour displays for urate deposits and help to identify subclinical tophus deposits.