Atherosclerosis （AS） is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response， which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS， is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently， the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However， they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function， drug tolerance， target vessel restenosis， and stent thrombosis， which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by multiple components， multiple targets， and multi-pathway synergy， shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways， such as nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Toll-like receptors （TLRs）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers， TCM pairs， and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets， regulating lipid metabolism disorders， and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS， so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.

Atherosclerosis （AS） is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response， which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS， is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently， the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However， they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function， drug tolerance， target vessel restenosis， and stent thrombosis， which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by multiple components， multiple targets， and multi-pathway synergy， shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways， such as nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Toll-like receptors （TLRs）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers， TCM pairs， and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets， regulating lipid metabolism disorders， and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS， so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that anterior knee pain is related to the biomechanics of the lower limbs,but there is still a lack of research on the effects of gluteal muscle training on the knee joint and daily activities of the lower limbs.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of gluteal muscle activation exercise therapy on the muscle strength of hip and knee joint muscle groups and pain in young male patients with anterior knee pain.METHODS:Twenty-five young male patients with anterior knee pain were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups:gluteal muscle activation group(n=12)and blank control group(n=13).The gluteal muscle activation group performed gluteal muscle activation exercises,40 minutes each,3 times/week,for 6 weeks.The blank control group did not perform any intervention.Assessments were conducted at the time of enrollment and again after 6 weeks.The relative peak torque,total work,ratio of flexors and extensors,and muscle endurance values of the affected hip and knee joints were evaluated through isokinetic flexion and extension tests at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s.At the same time,floors at which climbing was stopped in the stair-climbing test were detected and the visual analog scale score was assessed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Isokinetic knee extension and flexion test:For the hip joint,the gluteal muscle activation group showed a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 29.74%and 25.95%respectively after intervention(P=0.022,P=0.024);the blank control group showed a 12.12%decrease in muscle endurance at 180(°)/s compared to before intervention(P=0.000).For the knee joints,the gluteal muscle activation group had a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 18.69%and 7.27%respectively after intervention(P=0.006,P=0.033);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(2)Stair-climbing test:The number of floors climbed to cessation in the gluteal muscle activation group was(6.41±6.1)floors,which was higher than that in the blank control group(P=0.024),and increased by 33.11%compared with before intervention(P=0.016);there were no significant changes in all the indicators of the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(3)Pain assessment:After intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the gluteal muscle activation group was significantly lower than that of the blank control(P=0.036),and also decreased compared to before intervention(P=0.000);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).To conclude,the 6-week gluteal activation exercise therapy can improve the explosive power and endurance of the lower limb muscles,and reduce the degree of anterior knee pain.For patients with anterior knee pain,gluteal muscle training is necessary to promote recovery.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and genetic characteristics of osteopetrosis (OPT) in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 14 children with OPT. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect pathogenic genes, and clinical phenotypes and genotypic features were summarized. RESULTS: Among the 14 children (10 males and 4 females), the median age at diagnosis was 8 months. Clinical manifestations included systemic osteosclerosis (14 cases, 100%), anemia (12 cases, 86%), infections (10 cases, 71%), thrombocytopenia (9 cases, 64%), hepatosplenomegaly (8 cases, 57%), and developmental delay (5 cases, 36%). Malignant osteopetrosis (MOP) cases had lower platelet counts, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and serum calcium levels, but higher white blood cell counts, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase levels compared to non-MOP cases (P<0.05). Genetic testing identified 15 variants in 12 patients, including 8 variants in the CLCN7 gene (53%), 6 in the TCIRG1 gene (40%), and 1 in the TNFRSF11A gene (7%). Three novel CLCN7 variants were identified: c.2351G>C, c.1215-43C>T, and c.1534G>A. All four patients with TCIRG1 variants exhibited MOP clinical phenotypes. Of the seven patients with CLCN7 variants, 4 presented with intermediate OPT, 2 with benign OPT, and 1 with MOP. CONCLUSIONS Clinical phenotypes of OPT in children are heterogeneous, predominantly involving CLCN7 and TCIRG1 gene variants, with a correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes.
Humans ; Osteopetrosis/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics* ; Child ; Chloride Channels/genetics* ; Mutation ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B

OBJECTIVE: To standardize the operative procedure for tissue-engineered cartilage repair, by demonstrating surgical technique of arthroscopic implantation of decalcified cortex-cancellous bone scaffolds, and summarizing the surgical experience of the sports medicine department team at Peking University Third Hospital. METHODS: This article elaborates on surgical techniques and skills, focusing on the unabridged implantation technology and surgical procedure of decalcified cortex-cancellous bone scaffolds under arthroscopy: First, the patient was placed in the supine position. After anesthesia had been established, the surgeon established an arthroscope and explored the damaged area under the scope. After confirming the size and location of the injury site, the surgeon cleaned the damaged cartilage, and also trimmed the edges of the cartilage to ensure that the cut surface was smooth and stable. the surgeon performed the micro-fracture surgery in the area of cartilage injury, and then measured the size of the injured area under the scope. Next, the surgeon manually trimmed the tissue-engineered scaffold based on the measurements taken under the arthroscope, and then directly implanted the scaffold using a sleeve. A honeycomb-shaped fixator was used to implant absorbable nails to fix the scaffold. After the scaffold was installed, the knee was repeatedly flexed and extended for 10-20 times to ensure stability and range of motion. Finally, the arthroscope was withdrawn and the wound was closed. RESULTS: Decalcified cortex-cancellous bone scaffolds possessed unparalleled advantages over synthetic materials in terms of morphology and biomechanics. The cancellous bone part of the scaffold provided a three-dimensional, porous space for cell growth, while the cortical bone part offered the necessary mechanical strength. The surgery was performed entirely under arthroscopy to minimize invasiveness to the patient. Absorbable pins were used for fixation to ensure the stability of the scaffold. This technique could effectively improve the prognosis of the patients with cartilage injuries and standardized the surgical procedures for arthroscopic tissue-engineered scaffold operations in the patients with cartilage damage. CONCLUSION With the standard arthroscopic tissue-engineered scaffold repair technique, it is possible to successfully repair damaged cartilage, alleviate symptoms in the short term, and provide a more ideal long-term prognosis. The author and their team explain the surgical procedures for tissue-engineered scaffolds under arthroscopy, with the aim of guiding future clinical practice.
Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Cartilage, Articular/surgery*

BACKGROUND:It has been found that anterior knee pain is related to the biomechanics of the lower limbs,but there is still a lack of research on the effects of gluteal muscle training on the knee joint and daily activities of the lower limbs.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of gluteal muscle activation exercise therapy on the muscle strength of hip and knee joint muscle groups and pain in young male patients with anterior knee pain.METHODS:Twenty-five young male patients with anterior knee pain were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups:gluteal muscle activation group(n=12)and blank control group(n=13).The gluteal muscle activation group performed gluteal muscle activation exercises,40 minutes each,3 times/week,for 6 weeks.The blank control group did not perform any intervention.Assessments were conducted at the time of enrollment and again after 6 weeks.The relative peak torque,total work,ratio of flexors and extensors,and muscle endurance values of the affected hip and knee joints were evaluated through isokinetic flexion and extension tests at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s.At the same time,floors at which climbing was stopped in the stair-climbing test were detected and the visual analog scale score was assessed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Isokinetic knee extension and flexion test:For the hip joint,the gluteal muscle activation group showed a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 29.74%and 25.95%respectively after intervention(P=0.022,P=0.024);the blank control group showed a 12.12%decrease in muscle endurance at 180(°)/s compared to before intervention(P=0.000).For the knee joints,the gluteal muscle activation group had a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 18.69%and 7.27%respectively after intervention(P=0.006,P=0.033);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(2)Stair-climbing test:The number of floors climbed to cessation in the gluteal muscle activation group was(6.41±6.1)floors,which was higher than that in the blank control group(P=0.024),and increased by 33.11%compared with before intervention(P=0.016);there were no significant changes in all the indicators of the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(3)Pain assessment:After intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the gluteal muscle activation group was significantly lower than that of the blank control(P=0.036),and also decreased compared to before intervention(P=0.000);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).To conclude,the 6-week gluteal activation exercise therapy can improve the explosive power and endurance of the lower limb muscles,and reduce the degree of anterior knee pain.For patients with anterior knee pain,gluteal muscle training is necessary to promote recovery.

Objective:To analyze two families with inherited dysfibrinogenemia,and explore the molecular pathogenic mechanisms.Methods:The coagulation indexes of the probands and their family members were detected.The FGA,FGB,and FGG exons and their flanking sequences were amplified by PCR,and the mutation sites were identified by sequencing.SIFT,PolyPhen2,LRT,ReVe,MutationTaster,phyloP,and phastCons bioinformatics software were used to predict the functional impact of the mutation sites.Protein structure and amino acid conservation analysis of the variant were conducted using PyMOL and Clustal X software.Results:The thrombin time(TT)of the proband in family 1 was prolonged to 37.00 s,and Fg:C decreased to 0.52 g/L.The TT of the proband in family 2 was 20.30 s,and Fg:C was 1.00 g/L,which was lower than the normal range.Genetic analysis revealed that the proband in family 1 had a heterozygous mutation c.80T＞C in FGA,resulting in the substitution of phenylalanine 27 with serine(Phe27Ser).The proband in family 2 had a heterozygous mutation c.1007T＞A in FGG,resulting in the substitution of methionine 336 with lysine(Met336Lys).Bioinformatics software prediction analysis indicated that both mutations were deleterious variants.PyMOL mutation models revealed that the Aα chain mutation(Phe27Ser)in family 1 and y chain mutation(Met336Lys)in family 2 resulted in alterations in spatial structure and reduced protein stability.Clustal X results showed that both Aα Phe27 and γMet336 were highly conserved across homologous species.Conclusion:Heterozygous mutations of FGA gene c.80T＞C and FGG gene c.1007T＞A are both pathogenic variants,causing inherited dysfibrinogenemia.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features and molecular genetic characteristics of esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation, and to summarize the experiences in its diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A total of 17 cases of esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation diagnosed in Ningbo Clinical Pathological Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China from June 2011 to December 2022 were collected. The clinical information and pathological diagnosis was reviewed. The tumor histological features and immunohistochemical results were analyzed. The next-generation sequencing was performed to detect and analyze the gene mutations in tumor samples.Results:The 17 patients included in this study were 54-77 years old, with a median age of 66 years. There were 16 males and 1 female. Among them, 9 cases were mainly carcinoma with ductal differentiation. The squamous epithelium on the tumor′s surface was accompanied by high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. The tumor and atypical squamous epithelium were transitional, and the focus was accompanied by various proportions of squamous cell carcinoma component (less than 10%). The other 8 cases were mostly squamous cell carcinoma, basaloid squamous cell carcinoma or sarcomatoid carcinoma with various degrees of tumor specific differentiation and focal area of carcinoma with ductal differentiation (less than 10%). The tumor cells in the area with ductal differentiation were mainly arranged in small tubes, while the tubes showed a double-layer structure, including the inner cells and outer cells of the lumen. Immunohistochemical results showed that the outer cells of the tumorous tubules expressed p63, p40, CK5/6 and CK34βE12, while the inner cells expressed CK7. Compared with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma reported in the literature, the frequency of gene mutations such as MYC ( P=0.002), TP63 ( P=0.002), CDKN1C ( P=0.002) and NFE2L2 ( P=0.045) was significantly lower in this group of cases. At the signaling pathway level, the mutation frequency of NOTCH signaling pathway ( P=0.041) was significantly higher, while the mutation frequencies of NRF2 pathway ( P=0.013) and PI3K pathway ( P=0.009) were significantly lower than that of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion:Esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation is a type of esophageal carcinoma with unique morphology, and its molecular changes are also significantly different from those of conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective:To evaluate knee biomechanics of patients about 12 months after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction during cutting and determine the abnormal biomechanical characteristics.Methods:Sixteen males about 12 months after ACL reconstruction were recruited for this study.Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected during cutting movement.Knee joint angles and moments were calculated.Paired t-tests were used to compare the differences in knee biomechanics be-tween the surgical leg and nonsurgical leg.Results:The peak posterior ground reaction force(surgical leg:0.380±0.071;nonsurgical leg:0.427±0.069,P=0.003)and vertical ground reaction force(surgical leg:1.996±0.202,nonsurgical leg:2.110±0.182,P=0.001)were significantly smaller in the surgical leg than in the nonsurgical leg.When compared with the uninjured leg,the surgical leg demonstrated a smaller knee flexion angle(surgical leg:38.3°±7.4°;nonsurgical leg:42.8°±7.9°,P＜0.001)and larger external rotation angle(surgical leg:10.3°±2.4°;nonsurgical leg:7.7°±2.1°,P=0.008).The surgical leg also demonstrated a smaller peak knee extension moment(surgical leg:0.092±0.031;nonsurgical leg:0.133±0.024,P＜0.001)and peak knee external rotation moment(surgical leg:0.005±0.004;nonsurgical leg:0.008±0.004,P=0.015)when com-pared with the nonsurgical leg.Conclusion:The individuals with ACL reconstruction mainly showed asymmetrical movements in the sagittal and horizontal planes.The surgical leg demonstrated a smaller peak knee flexion angle,knee extension moment,and knee external rotation moment,with greater knee external rotation angle.

Objective To investigate the clinical phenotypes and genotypes of children with congenital fibrinogen disorder(CFD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 16 children with CFD.Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify all exons and flanking sequences of the FGA,FGB,and FGG genes,and sequencing was performed to analyze mutation characteristics.Results Among the 16 children,there were 9 boys(56%)and 7 girls(44%),with a median age of 4 years at the time of attending the hospital.Among these children,9(56%)attended the hospital due to bleeding events,and 7(44%)were diagnosed based on preoperative examination.The children with bleeding events had a significantly lower fibrinogen activity than those without bleeding events(P<0.05).Genetic testing was conducted on 12 children and revealed a total of 12 mutations,among which there were 4 novel mutations,i.e.,c.80T>C and c.1368delC in the FGA gene and c.1007T>A and C.1053C>A in the FGG gene.There were 2 cases of congenital afibrinogenemia caused by null mutations of the FGA gene,with relatively severe bleeding symptoms.There were 7 cases of congenital dysfibrinogenemia mainly caused by heterozygous missense mutations of the FGG and FGA genes,and their clinical phenotypes ranged from asymptomatic phenotype to varying degrees of bleeding.Conclusions The clinical phenotypes of children with CFD are heterogeneous,and the severity of bleeding is associated with the level of fibrinogen activity,but there is a weak association between clinical phenotype and genotype.