ObjectiveTo investigate the status of overlapping hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection and the serological characteristics of such patients. MethodsA total of 8 637 patients with HCV infection who were hospitalized from January 1， 2010 to December 31， 2020 and had complete data of HBV serological markers were enrolled， and the composition ratio of patients with overlapping HBV serological markers was analyzed among the patients with HCV infection. The patients were divided into groups based on age and year of birth， and serological characteristics were analyzed， and the distribution of HBV-related serological characteristics were analyzed across different HCV genotypes. ResultsThe patients with HCV/HBV overlapping infection accounted for 5.85%， and the patients with previous HBV infection accounted for 48.10%； the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 14.67%， while the patients with a lack of protective immunity against HBV accounted for 31.39%. The patients were divided into groups based on age： in the 0 — 17 years group， the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 61.41% （304 patients）； the 18 — 44 years group was mainly composed of patients with previous HBV infection （698 patients， 37.31%）， the 45 — 59 years group was predominantly composed of patients with previous HBV infection （1 945 patients， 50.38%）， and the ≥60 years group was also predominantly composed of patients with previous HBV infection （1 486 patients， 61.66%）. The patients were divided into groups based on the year of birth： in the pre-1992 group， the patients with previous HBV infection accounted for 51.63% （4 112 patients）； in the 1992 — 2005 group， the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 54.72% （168 patients）； in the post-2005 group， the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 64.38% （235 patients）. In this study， 6 301 patients underwent HCV genotype testing： the patients with genotype 1b accounted for the highest proportion of 51.71% （3 258 patients）， followed by those with genotype 2a （1 769 patients， 28.07%）， genotype 3b （63 patients， 1.00%）， genotype 3a （10 patients， 0.16%）， genotype 4 （21 patients， 0.33%）， and genotype 6a （5 patients， 0.08%）. ConclusionWith the implementation of hepatitis B planned vaccination program in China， there has been a significant reduction in the proportion of patients with previous HBV infection among the patients with HCV/HBV overlapping infection， but there is still a relatively high proportion of patients with a lack of protective immunity against HBV.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the regulatory role of nucleotide-bound oligomerized domain-like receptor containing pyrin-domain protein 6 (NLRP6) in liver lipid metabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Mouse models with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 16 weeks (n=6) or with methionine choline-deficient diet (MCD) feeding for 8 weeks (n=6) were examined for the development of NAFLD using HE and oil red O staining, and hepatic expressions of NLRP6 were detected with RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Cultured human hepatocytes (LO2 cells) with adenovirus-mediated NLRP6 overexpression or knock-down were treated with palmitic acid (PA) in the presence or absence of compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), and the changes in cellular lipid metabolism were examined by measuring triglyceride, ATP and β-hydroxybutyrate levels and using oil red staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. RESULTS: HFD and MCD feeding both resulted in the development of NAFLD in mice, which showed significantly decreased NLRP6 expression in the liver. In PA-treated LO2 cells, NLRP6 overexpression significantly decreased cellular TG content and lipid deposition, while NLRP6 knockdown caused the opposite effects. NLRP6 overexpression in PA-treated LO2 cells also increased mRNA and protein expressions of PGC1A and CPT1A, levels of ATP and β-hydroxybutyrate, and the phosphorylation level of AMPK pathway; the oxidative decomposition of lipids induced by Ad-NLRP6 was inhibited by the use of AMPK inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS NLRP6 overexpression promotes lipid oxidation and decomposition through AMPK/CPT1A/PGC1A to alleviate lipid deposition in hepatocytes.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; Animals ; Hepatocytes/metabolism* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mice ; Humans ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction

Objective To observe the clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic manifestations of mitral annular disjunction(MAD).Methods Transthoracic echocardiographic data of 990 individuals were retrospectively analyzed.Based on the distance between the attachment point of posterior mitral valve and posterior wall of left ventricle measured on echocardiography,whether there was MAD was judged,and the subjects were divided into MAD group and non-MAD(NMAD)group,and clinical data and echocardiographic parameters were compared between groups.Taken parameters being significantly different between groups as independent variables and the presence or absence of MAD as dependent variable,multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore correlations of patients' clinical characteristics and transthoracic echocardiographic parameters of MAD.Results MAD was detected in 186 cases(186/990,18.79％).Patients' age,left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricle diameter(LVD),late diastolic velocity of mitral valve(A)and early diastolic velocity of mitral valve orifices(E)/A in MAD group were all lower than those in NMAD group,while the proportion of moderate and above mitral regurgitation in MAD group was higher than that in NMAD group(all P＜0.05).Patients' age,A and E/A measured with transthoracic echocardiography were all correlated with MAD(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic manifestations of MAD had certain characteristics.

Objective To analyze relevant literature on the essence of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes using bibliometric methods;To understand the current research status and hotspots in this field;To provide references for relevant research.Methods Research literature about the essence of TCM syndromes was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data and CBM from 1st Jan.1979 to 30th June 2024.CiteSpace 6.2 software was used to conduct visualization analysis on authors,institutions,keywords,etc.Results A total of 695 articles were included,with an overall upward trend in publication volume followed by stabilization.The authors who published more articles included Luo Ren(13 articles),Zhao Xiaoshan(13 articles),Li Zegeng(12 articles),etc.The institutions with more publications included Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(35 articles),Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(33 articles),Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(26 articles),etc.Institutions were clustered regionally,and cooperation was mostly between TCM universities and their affiliated hospitals,with less cross regional communication.High frequency keywords included kidney yang deficiency syndrome,metabolomics,animal models,TCM syndrome types,coronary heart disease,lung qi deficiency syndrome,spleen qi deficiency syndrome,liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,etc;Keyword clustering covered aspects such as biomolecules and metabolism,TCM syndromes,pathology,disease models,and animal research.Conclusion Research in the field of the essence of TCM syndromes is gradually receiving more attention.Exploring the essence of TCM syndromes at the molecular level through techniques such as genomics,transcriptomics,metabolomics and proteomics is a research hotspot and trend in this field.

With the rapid development of competitive sports, the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is on the rise. Such injuries may shorten athletes′ career and lead to other long-term adverse consequences. Although athletes generally recover well after ACL reconstruction, many still struggle to return to their pre-injury performance levels. Advances in the understanding of ACL anatomy and injury mechanisms, along with the evolution of surgical techniques and rehabilitation methods, have provided more individualized and tailored options for athletes following ACL injuries. However, there is currently no consensus in China regarding surgical and rehabilitation strategies for competitive athletes aiming to return to sports after ACL injuries. To this end, the Sports Medicine Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Trauma jointly formulated the Expert consensus on surgical treatment and rehabilitation for competitive sports athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament injury ( version 2025), and presented 14 recommendations covering surgical indications, preoperative rehabilitation, surgical timing, surgical strategies and postoperative rehabilitation strategies, aiming to improve the surgical treatment and rehabilitation system for ACL injuries in competitive athletes and facilitate their return to high-level sports performance after injury.

BACKGROUND:The reduction of contact area,edge load,and stress increase of adjacent cartilage caused by knee cartilage defect are considered to easily cause degenerative changes in this tissue,which may develop into knee osteoarthritis.Growth factors are considered to be a treatment method to promote the healing of damaged cartilage and delay the progression of degenerative arthritis.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the hotspots and prospects of growth factor-promoted knee cartilage regeneration research by bibliometric methods.METHODS:The first author retrieved 321 articles related to growth factor-promoted knee cartilage regeneration research from the Web of Science core set database.VOSviewer 1.6.19 software was used to analyze the publication volume,country,institution,keyword,and literature citation status of the articles,and investigate the research hotspots.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)From 2000 to 2024,the annual number of publications in the field of growth factor-promoted knee cartilage regeneration showed an overall upward trend,with the highest number of publications in 2021.Harvard University in the United States published the most papers.(2)Keyword analysis showed that the frequency of keywords such as growth factor,cartilage,cartilage repair,platelet-rich plasma,and cartilage regeneration was high.In addition,the keyword co-occurrence network diagram showed that growth factor was closely related to keywords such as cartilage repair and cartilage regeneration,indicating that growth factor research plays an important role in the field of cartilage regeneration.(3)The results of literature citation analysis showed that the combination of platelet-rich plasma and muscle-derived stem cells may provide a new and effective treatment strategy for patients with osteoarthritis,which can deepen the understanding of cartilage repair mechanisms by promoting stem cell proliferation and cartilage formation.Fibroblast growth factor 2,fibroblast growth factor 18,and insulin growth factor 1 play a key role in cartilage repair and can promote chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis.In particular,fibroblast growth factor 18 can promote the repair of damaged cartilage,thereby alleviating patients'pain and dysfunction,which deserves further in-depth study in the future.The latest research has developed a new Polyhedrin Delivery System(PODS)that can continuously release growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 and 7,significantly promoting chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage repair.This system provides a new perspective and potential therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis.(4)Therefore,bone morphogenetic protein 2,7,insulin growth factor 1,and recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18 are promising growth factor therapies for promoting cartilage regeneration.In the future,further in-depth research on the mechanism of action of growth factors,optimization of treatment strategies,and strengthening of long-term efficacy and safety evaluation are needed.

The lab module of exploratory experiment is newly designed in the practical course of bio-chemistry.Here we describe one of the experimental projects,and it originates from new scientific re-search results on the dynamic structure of ATP synthase.This exploratory experiment is organized in the form of real scientific research,which would fully mobilize the initiative and creativity of students in learning theoretical knowledge and experimental technology.Students work in groups and start with refer-ence reading.Through cooperation,they must develop certain experimental plan,handle samples with photocrosslinking technique and utilize the high-throughput electrophoresis method to analyze the dynamic structural change of ε subunit in ATP synthase under different physiological conditions.High quality re-sults from high-throughput electrophoresis can only be obtained through optimized operation and treat-ment,from which students would experience the process of technological innovation.The teaching process of this lab module embodies the student-centered teaching concept and is widely approved and supported by students.The project of ATP synthase closely combines the content of lab course with cut-ting-edge technology.Students can deeply experience the importance of experimental technology innova-tion in solving scientific problems.The practical ability of students would be comprehensively improved through this lab module.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.