Objective To investigate the expression patterns of Gli1,Gli2 and Gli3 genes and proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tissue and their correlation with prognosis.Methods Gli gene expression in 315 HCC samples were analyzed using the cBioportal database,and Gli protein expression was examined in 40 HCC and other liver tissue samples through immunohistochemistry.Results Gli gene alterations were found in 57 cases(18.1%)of HCC samples,with alteration frequencies of 19 cases(6.0%),13 cases(4.1%)and 25 cases(7.9%)for Gli1,Gli2 and Gli3,respectively.Gli1 showed significant co-occurrence with both Gli2 and Gli3(P＜0.05),while Gli2 and Gli3 exhibited a tendency toward mutual exclusivity.Increased Gli1 gene expression significantly correlated with decreased disease-free survival(P＜0.01).Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that Gli1 protein expression was significantly higher in HCC tissue than that in normal liver tissue,adjacent tissue,hepatitis and cirrhotic tissue(P＜0.05).In HCC tissue,strong positive correlation was observed between the three Gli proteins(Gli1 vs.Gli2:rs=0.796;Gli1 vs.Gli3:rs=0.759;Gli2 vs.Gli3:rs=0.891,all P＜0.01).High expression levels of all three Gli proteins were detected in 53.3%(8/15)of HCC samples,compared to only 11.8%(2/17)in non-cancerous liver tissue.Conclusion Gli1,Gli2 and Gli3 proteins commonly exhibit synergistic high expression and significant positive correlation in HCC tissue,with Gli1 showing a special expression pattern of independent high expression.

Objective To investigate the expression patterns of Gli1,Gli2 and Gli3 genes and proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tissue and their correlation with prognosis.Methods Gli gene expression in 315 HCC samples were analyzed using the cBioportal database,and Gli protein expression was examined in 40 HCC and other liver tissue samples through immunohistochemistry.Results Gli gene alterations were found in 57 cases(18.1%)of HCC samples,with alteration frequencies of 19 cases(6.0%),13 cases(4.1%)and 25 cases(7.9%)for Gli1,Gli2 and Gli3,respectively.Gli1 showed significant co-occurrence with both Gli2 and Gli3(P＜0.05),while Gli2 and Gli3 exhibited a tendency toward mutual exclusivity.Increased Gli1 gene expression significantly correlated with decreased disease-free survival(P＜0.01).Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that Gli1 protein expression was significantly higher in HCC tissue than that in normal liver tissue,adjacent tissue,hepatitis and cirrhotic tissue(P＜0.05).In HCC tissue,strong positive correlation was observed between the three Gli proteins(Gli1 vs.Gli2:rs=0.796;Gli1 vs.Gli3:rs=0.759;Gli2 vs.Gli3:rs=0.891,all P＜0.01).High expression levels of all three Gli proteins were detected in 53.3%(8/15)of HCC samples,compared to only 11.8%(2/17)in non-cancerous liver tissue.Conclusion Gli1,Gli2 and Gli3 proteins commonly exhibit synergistic high expression and significant positive correlation in HCC tissue,with Gli1 showing a special expression pattern of independent high expression.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

Objective:To compare the setup errors in the supraclavicular regions of two different postures (arms placed on each side of the body, namely the body side group; arms crossed and elbows placed above forehead, namely the uplifted group) using the chest and abdomen flat frame fixation device in lung and esophageal cancer.Methods:Clinical data of patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅳ lung or esophageal cancer who received three-dimensional radiotherapy with chest and abdomen flat frame fixation device in our institution from November 2020 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The setup errors of two postures were compared.Results:A total of 56 patients were included, including 31 patients (55%) in the body side group and 25 patients (45%) in the uplifted group. A total of 424 CBCTs were performed in the whole group. The overall setup errors in the X, Y and Z directions were similar in both groups ( P>0.05). The setup errors of sternoclavicular joint in the X and RZ directions in the body side group were significantly smaller than those in the uplifted group [(0.163±0.120) cm vs. (0.209 ±0.152) cm, P=0.033; 0.715°±0.628° vs. 0.910°±0.753°, P=0.011]. The setup errors of acromioclavicular joint in the Y, Z and RZ directions in the body side group were significantly smaller than those in the uplifted group [(0.233±0.135) cm vs. (0.284±0.193) cm, P=0.033; (0.202±0.140) cm vs. (0.252±0.173) cm, P=0.005; 0.671°±0.639° vs. 0.885°±0.822°, P=0.023]. The margins of target volume for setup errors were smaller in the X (0.45 cm vs. 0.54 cm) and Y (0.54 cm vs. 0.65 cm) directions of the sternoclavicular joint, as well as in the Y (0.59 cm vs. 0.78 cm) and Z directions (0.53 cm vs. 0.72 cm) of the acromioclavicular joint in the body side group. Conclusions:For lung and esophageal cancer patients requiring supraclavicular irradiation, the body side group yields smaller setup errors and corresponding margins of target volume than the uplifted group. In clinical practice, it is necessary to take comprehensive consideration of the accuracy of radiotherapy and additional radiation of the limbs to select appropriate posture.

Objective To understand the infected strains and prevalence of brucellosis in occupational population in Tacheng and Kashgar regions,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Methods In September 2015,blood samples from occupational population (including herders,semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral,veterinarians) and non-occupational population (including students and cadres) were collected to detect Brucellaspecific antibody and bacterial nucleic acids by rose bengal plate test (RBPT),serological standard tube agglutination test (SAT) and PCR methods,respectively.The positive products of PCR were sent to Shanghai Sangon Biotechnology Co.,LTD.Then the sequence results were retrieved online using the basic alignment search tool (BLAST) in GenBank web page and uploaded to NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information).Results A total of 546 blood samples were tested,including 300 males,aged (55-± 15) years old,and 246 females,aged (54 ± 12) years old.The positive rates were 17.58％ (96/546) and 6.78％ (37/546) in 546 blood samples by serological method and genetic markers targeting omp22 and omp2,respectively.The positive rates were statistically significant (x2 =29.8,P ＜ 0.05).Additionally,based on BLAST analysis of outer membrane protein omp22 and omp2 genes,the positive products were identified as Brucella abortus,and the sequence similarity was 100.00％ (253/253,863/863 bp) to Brucella abortus strain Wisconsin genome assembly,chromosome (LT651712).Conclusions Brucellosis has a high infection rate in the occupational population of some animal husbandry-based groups in Xinjiang.The infection strain is abortive species Brucella,and health education for the occupational population and prevention of brucellosis should be strengthened to reduce the infection rate.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Kamistad gel on oral ulcer healing and the expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) after oral administration in ulcer tissue of rats and to provide animal experimental data for the clinical application of Kamistad gel. Methods: The oral ulcer rat model was established by chemical cauterization. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: Kamistad group (Kamistad gel), befuxin group (befuxin gel), lidocaine group (lidocaine cream), blank control group (normal saline), with 12 rats in each group. The ulcer area of the rats in each group was measured before and 1, 3 and 5 days after treatment; at 1 day after treatment, the duration of swabbing behavior within 3 minutes of intraoral capsaicin infusion was recorded to evaluate the degree of pain; the ulcer tissue was collected at 5 days after treatment, and the histopathological changes were observed by HE staining, the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and EGF in the ulcer tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Results: At 1 day after treatment, the duration of mouth wiping induced by capsaicin was significantly shorter in the Kamistad group than in the blank control and befuxin groups (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the Kamistad and lidocaine groups (P >0.05). At 5 days after treatment, the ulcer area was significantly smaller in the Kamistad group than in the blank control and lidocaine groups (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the Kamistad and befuxin groups (P >0.05). At 5 days after treatment, H&E staining of the oral ulcer tissue sections showed significantly reduced levels of inflammatory cells and significantly proliferated fibroblasts and better epithelial hyperplasia in the Kamistad group compared with those in the lidocaine and blank control groups, and there were no differences between the Kamistad and befuxin groups. At 5 days after treatment, the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and EGF in the ulcer tissue of rats in each group were significantly different (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control and lidocaine groups, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly decreased and the expression of EGF was significantly increased in the Kamistad group (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences in the expression of the above three factors between the Kamistad and befuxin groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Kamistad gel exhibited anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing effects on experimental oral ulcers.

Objective: To determine differences in pain, salivary components and taste between burning mouth syn⁃ drome (BMS) patients and the normal population and to study the effects of intramuscular injections of vitamin B1 (VitB1) and vitamin B12 (VitB12) on BMS. Methods: Before treatment: We observed and compared differences in un⁃ stimulated salivary flow rate (USFR); stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR); salivary amylase, cortisol, and secretory im⁃ munoglobulin A (SIgA) concentrations; and taste levels between BMS patients and normal controls. After treatment: The treatment group received an intramuscular injection of 100 mg VitB1 and 0.5 mg VitB12 in the buttocks once per day for 10 days. The above indexes were recorded before and after treatment and compared. A visual analog scale (VAS) score was used to assess the degree of pain relief in patients and as a clinical evaluation index. Results: Before treat⁃ ment: SSFR, salivary amylase levels and bitter taste levels of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The concentration of SIgA was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the USFR and the cortisol concentration were not significant different from the those of the control group (P > 0.05). After treatment: The total effective rate of VitB1 and VitB12 on BMS was up to 70%. USFR was increased signifi⁃ cantly after treatment (P < 0.05), and the concentration of SIgA decreased (P < 0.05). There were no significant differ⁃ ences in the SSFR or the cortisol and salivary amylase concentrations (P > 0.05). Taste levels improved by varying de⁃ grees. Conclusions The abnormal decreases in SSFR, salivary amylase levels, and taste sensitivity and the abnormal increase in SIgA levels seen in BMS patients may be sensitive salivary indicators for the diagnosis of BMS. A VitB1 and VitB12 intramuscular injection is an effective treatment for patients with BMS, who showed pain relief. Changes in SIgA levels may be used as an indicator during follow⁃up and for the prognosis of BMS patients.

BACKGROUND:Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a common bone disease characterized as high morbidity and poor prognosis,but the pathogenesis is unclear.Oxidative stress treatment is closely related to the occurrence and development of SONFH,and has tremendous potential in the treatment of SONFH,which can be realized by Nano-Se.OBJECTIVE:To observe the protective effect of porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite on chondrocytes by antioxidant stress,and to further explore its mechanism of protection and treatment of SONFH.METHODS:(1) In vitro experiment:The rat chondrocytes were isolated,cultured and identified.Then,the chondrocytes were cultured with porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite to suppress the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).(2) In vivo experiment:A total of 36 rats were randomly divided into three groups.Steroid-induced group and experimental group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone to induce SON FH models.Seven days after modeling,the experimental group was intraperitoneally injected with porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite.No intervention was done in control group (blank control).At 8 weeks after modeling,rat bilateral femoral heads were taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining and Micro-CT scanning.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Results from the ROS detection and TUNEL apoptosis tests showed that the level of ROS in the chondrocytes was significantly reduced after intervention with Se@SiO2 (P ＜ 0.05).Micro-CT scanning findings showed that the bone mineral density,bone volume,bone area/bone volume,trabecular number,trabecular thickness,and trabecular separation in the steroid-induced and experimental groups were significantly different from those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed smooth femoral head,normal bone cells,chondrocytes and trabecular bone,as well as few empty bone lacunae and fat cells in the control group,while in the steroid-induced group,there was bone trabecular fracture,fat cell hypertrophy fusion,a large number of empty bone lacunae and obvious osteonecrosis.These manifestations were significantly improved in the experimental group.To conclude,the porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite has good antioxidative stress ability,suppresses the ROS production and exerts therapeutic effects on SONFH.

Objective To study the significance of level changes of serum hydrogen sulfide(H2 S) and interleukin-6(IL-6)in children with hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD).Methods Nity-two cases with HFMD were enrolled and divided into severe HFMD group(48 cases)and common HFMD group(44 cases).Forty-six healthy children were enrolled as healthy control group.The serum H2 S and IL-6 were detected.Results Acute phase:compared to the healthy control group[H2 S(55.76 ±7.80)μmol /L,IL-6 (61.31 ±13.43)ng /L],the level of serum H2 S significantly reduced and the level of IL-6 significantly increased in severe HFMD group[H2 S(21.72 ±7.52)μmol /L;IL-6(131.33 ±17.82)ng /L]and common HFMD group[H2 S(31.86 ±8.41 )μmol /L;IL-6(95.48 ±15.07)ng /L](P ﹤0.01 ),and there was signifi-cantly difference between the severe HFMD group and common HFMD group(P ﹤0.01 ).Recovery phase:compared to the healthy control group,the serum H2 S level[(34.54 ±13.21 )μmol /L]was lower and IL-6 [(92.73 ±15.25)ng /L]was higher in severe HFMD group(P ﹤0.01 ).The serum H2 S level was negatively correlated with IL-6 in severe HFMD group and common HFMD group(r =-0.31 ,P ﹤0.01 ;r =-0.45, P ﹤0.01 ).Conclusion The serum H2 S and IL-6 participate in the pathological process of HFMD,and the level change can be used as one of indicators of early diagnosis.