Objective To identify core targets of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using bioinformatics and specific algorithms, explore their relationships with immune cells, and investigate the causal relationships between immune cells and HCC through Mendelian randomization. Methods Relevant genes associated with the development of HCC were screened using the GEO and TCGA databases. Immune infiltration analysis was conducted using GSVA and CIBERSORT algorithms. A bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis was then performed to explore the causal relationships between immune cells and HCC. Results A total of 284 HCC-related genes were identified, with 120 genes recognized within the protein interaction network. Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant correlations between key genes and immune cells. Mendelian randomization results indicated that HLA DR on CD33⁺ HLA DR⁺ CD14dim (OR=1.097, 95%CI: 1.002–1.201, P=0.045, P_Bonferroni=0.091) and CD8 on CD28⁺ CD45RA⁺ CD8⁺ T cell (OR=1.123, 95%CI: 1.027–1.228, P=0.011, P_Bonferroni=0.022) were the risk factors for HCC. Conversely, HLA DR⁺⁺ monocyte absolute count was identified as a protective factor for HCC (OR=0.812, 95%CI: 0.702–0.938, P=0.005, P_Bonferroni=0.139). Conclusion The occurrence and development of liver cancer may be related to CDK1, CCNB1, and CDC20, showing a high degree of correlation with Th2 cells, T helper cells, Th17 cells, and DCs. Mendelian randomization shows that HLA DR on CD33⁺HLA DR⁺ CD14dim and CD8 on CD28⁺CD45RA⁺CD8⁺T cells are associated with an increased risk of HCC. The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with a decrease in the level of HLA DR⁺⁺monocyte absolute count.

Objective Through in vitro experiments,biomechanical data of the transtibial pullout suture(TPS),tendon reconstruction(TR),and tendon reconstruction with suture augmentation(TRS)were collected,so as to evaluate the biomechanical effectiveness of tendon reconstruction for repairing medial meniscus posterior root tear(MMPRT).Methods Eighteen porcine knee joint models were divided into TPS,TR,and TRS groups.Sutures were used to fix the meniscal root in TPS group.Tendons were passed through an incision at the meniscal root in TR group.Tendons were passed through an incision at the meniscal root and secured at tendon-meniscus contact area with additional sutures in TRS group.The sutures and tendons were pulled out through tibial tunnels and fixed at the anteromedial tibia.All groups underwent failure load tests,and ultimate failure load,displacement at failure load,load at clinical failure,stiffness,and failure modes of the samples were recorded.Results The maximum failure load in TPS group was significantly higher than that in TR group(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between TPS group and TRS group(P＞0.05).The maximum failure load in TRS group was significantly higher than that in TR group(P＜0.05).The displacement under failure load in TR group and TRS group was significantly lower than that in TPS group(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between TR group and TRS group(P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in the load under clinical failure among the 3 groups(P＞0.05).The stiffness of TRS group was significantly greater than that of TPS group(P＜0.05),but no significant difference was observed between TR group and TPS group,as well as between TR group and TRS group(P＞0.05).All failures were caused by suture or tendon cutting through the meniscus.Conclusions The tendon reconstruction techniques is superior to the TPS in terms of failure displacement and stiffness,while the TRS further enhances the stability of the repair.

Objective:To explore the association between acute muscle wasting during hospitalization and poor prognosis in older patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) in emergency department.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study. From January 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022, consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who met the diagnostic criteria of SCAP and had an interval of 14 days between two CT scans in the emergency department of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital were enrolled. The general clinical data and cross-sectional area of the erector spinae muscle (ESMcsa) of the thoracic 12 level derived from chest CT on day 1 and day 14 were recorded and the differences between the two measurements were calculated. Patients were divided into survival group and non-survival group based on whether they died within 28 days. Two independent samples t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used to compare the dynamic changes of ESMcsa between two groups, and paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare the changes of ESMcsa within two groups. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for 28-day mortality, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the predictive value of ESMcsa loss for 28-day mortality. The optimal cutoff value was determined on the basis of the Youden index (YI), patients were divided into a high muscle loss group and a low muscle loss group, and Kaplan Meier survival curve was drawn. Results:A total of 106 older patients with SCAP were included, with a median age of 82.0 years and 59 were men (55.7%). The ESMcsa levels of patients in non-survival group were lower than those in survival group both at admission and on the 14th day (both P<0.01). The ESMcsa levels on admission were lower than those on the 14th day in non-survival group ( P<0.001). The loss of ESMcsa in non-survival group [3.01 (-1.51, 7.73) cm 2vs. 0.80 (-2.58, 4.57) cm 2, P=0.020] was higher than that in the survival group. Multivariable Cox regression showed that ESMcsa loss was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality ( HR=1.116, 95%CI: .029-1.210, P=0.010), the AUC for predicting 28-day mortality was 0.646 (95% CI: 0.528-0.763, P=0.020), and the optimal cut-off value was 6.22 cm 2. Kaplan Meier survival curve showed that the 28-day mortality risk in the high muscle loss group was higher than that in the low muscle loss group ( χ2=11.412, P=0.001). Conclusion:Acute muscle wasting during hospitalization was associated with 28-day mortality among older patients with SCAP, which provides a basis for improving patient prognosis from a muscle perspective.

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Yourenji Capsules(YRJ) in improving osteoporosis by combining network pharmacology and proteomics technologies. The SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were subjected to gavage administration with the corresponding drugs, and the blank serum, drug-containing serum, and YRJ samples were compared using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) to analyze the main components absorbed into blood. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted based on the YRJ components absorbed into blood to obtain related targets of the components and target genes involved in osteoporosis, and Venn diagrams were used to identify the intersection of drug action targets and disease targets. The STRING database was used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis of potential target proteins to construct a PPI network. Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed using Enrichr to investigate the potential mechanism of action of YRJ. Ovariectomy(OVX) was performed to establish a rat model of osteoporosis, and the rats were divided into a sham group, a model group, and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. The femurs of the rats were subjected to label-free proteomics analysis to detect differentially expressed proteins, and GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the differentially expressed proteins. With the help of network pharmacology and proteomics results, the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis was predicted. The analysis of the YRJ components absorbed into blood revealed 23 bioactive components of YRJ, and network pharmacology results indicated that key targets involved include tumor necrosis factor(TNF), tumor protein p53(TP53), protein kinase(AKT1), and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9). These targets are mainly involved in osteoclast differentiation, estrogen signaling pathways, and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathways. Additionally, the proteomics analysis highlighted important pathways such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR) signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways, and β-alanine metabolism. The combined approaches of network pharmacology and proteomics have revealed that the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis may be closely related to the regulation of inflammation, osteoblast, and osteoclast metabolic pathways. The main pathways involved include the NF-κB signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, and PPAR signaling pathways, among others.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Osteoporosis/metabolism* ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Network Pharmacology ; Female ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Capsules ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Accurate timing of myelination is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Here, we identified a de novo heterozygous mutation in TMEM63A (c.1894G>A; p. Ala632Thr) in a 7-year-old boy exhibiting hypomyelination. A Ca²⁺ influx assay suggested that this is a loss-of-function mutation. To explore how TMEM63A deficiency causes hypomyelination, we generated Tmem63a knockout mice. Genetic deletion of TMEM63A resulted in hypomyelination at postnatal day 14 (P14) arising from impaired differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Notably, the myelin dysplasia was transient, returning to normal levels by P28. Primary cultures of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs presented delayed differentiation. Lentivirus-based expression of TMEM63A but not TMEM63A_A632T rescued the differentiation of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs in vitro and myelination in Tmem63a^-/- mice. These data thus support the conclusion that the mutation in TMEM63A is the pathogenesis of the hypomyelination in the patient. Our study further demonstrated that TMEM63A-mediated Ca²⁺ influx plays critical roles in the early development of myelin and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation/physiology* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice ; Male ; Myelin Sheath/metabolism* ; Humans ; Child ; Cells, Cultured ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the predictive value of β3-adrenergic receptor(β3-AR)expression levels for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods Patients with AF who underwent their first radiofrequency ablation in the Department of Cardiology from January 2022 to February 2024(AF group,n=166)and healthy individuals undergoing routine medical check-ups during the same period(control group,n=100)were selected as study subjects.Based on whether AF recurred after the procedure during follow-up,AF patients were divided into a non-recurrence group and a recurrence group.General clinical data and relevant laboratory indices of AF patients were collected.The relative expression lev-el of lymphocyte β3-AR mRNA was measured using fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR.Multivariate lo-gistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for AF recurrence after surgery,and receiver operat-ing characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was employed to evaluate the predictive value of β3-AR mRNA ex-pression levels for AF recurrence after ablation.Results After 9 months of follow-up post-radiofrequency ab-lation,among 166 AF patients,42 experienced recurrence,with a recurrence rate of 25.3%.Compared with the non-recurrence group,patients in the recurrence group had significantly higher levels of sST2,IL-6 and left at-rial diameter(LAD),with a statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The relative expression level of β3-AR was higher in the recurrence group than in the non-recurrence group,with a statistically significant differ-ence(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAD,sST2,IL-6,and β3-AR were inde-pendent risk factors for AF recurrence after surgery(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve for β3-AR mRNA relative expression level in predicting AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation was 0.884(95%CI:0.794 to 0.975;P<0.05).Conclusion High preoperative expression levels of β3-AR in AF patients are associated with recurrence after radiofrequency ablation,and β3-AR can serve as a potential biological marker for predicting AF recurrence.

Objective Through in vitro experiments,biomechanical data of the transtibial pullout suture(TPS),tendon reconstruction(TR),and tendon reconstruction with suture augmentation(TRS)were collected,so as to evaluate the biomechanical effectiveness of tendon reconstruction for repairing medial meniscus posterior root tear(MMPRT).Methods Eighteen porcine knee joint models were divided into TPS,TR,and TRS groups.Sutures were used to fix the meniscal root in TPS group.Tendons were passed through an incision at the meniscal root in TR group.Tendons were passed through an incision at the meniscal root and secured at tendon-meniscus contact area with additional sutures in TRS group.The sutures and tendons were pulled out through tibial tunnels and fixed at the anteromedial tibia.All groups underwent failure load tests,and ultimate failure load,displacement at failure load,load at clinical failure,stiffness,and failure modes of the samples were recorded.Results The maximum failure load in TPS group was significantly higher than that in TR group(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between TPS group and TRS group(P＞0.05).The maximum failure load in TRS group was significantly higher than that in TR group(P＜0.05).The displacement under failure load in TR group and TRS group was significantly lower than that in TPS group(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between TR group and TRS group(P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in the load under clinical failure among the 3 groups(P＞0.05).The stiffness of TRS group was significantly greater than that of TPS group(P＜0.05),but no significant difference was observed between TR group and TPS group,as well as between TR group and TRS group(P＞0.05).All failures were caused by suture or tendon cutting through the meniscus.Conclusions The tendon reconstruction techniques is superior to the TPS in terms of failure displacement and stiffness,while the TRS further enhances the stability of the repair.

46XY simple gonadal hypoplasia, also known as Sweyer syndrome, patients often due to primary amenorrhea or pubertal secondary sex characteristics do not develop the doctor, its combined gonadal tumor is more likely, in the treatment process is often recommended prophylactic removal of gonads, postoperative hormone replacement therapy. We describe two patients diagnosed with Sweyer syndrome, one with gonadowlastoma and mature teratoma, and one with nodular Leydig cell hyperplasia and ectopic adrenal tissue, and reviews the literature.

Objective:To analyze the epidemic characteristics of reported tuberculosis incidence in Kashgar from 2015 to 2022, and use the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model to predict the incidence, providing references for the local control of pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:The reported incidence data of tuberculosis in the Kashgar area of Xinjiang from January 2015 to August 2023 were collected through the"Infectious Disease Monitoring System", a subsystem of the "Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System". The epidemic characteristics of reported incidence in this area from 2015 to 2022 were analyzed. Two SARIMA models of monthly reported incidence number and rate were established. The prediction performance of the two models was evaluated using the reported incidence data of tuberculosis from January 2023 to August 2023. The χ2 test was used to analyze population characteristics, and the Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze annual incidence. Results:From 2015 to 2022, 133 972 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported in Kashgar, with a yearly reported incidence rate of 383.64/100 000, showing a rising trend ( TCA=77.03, P<0.001) and then a declining trend ( TCA=176.16, P<0.001). The proportion of pathogenic positive pulmonary tuberculosis had increased yearly ( TCA=132.66, P<0.001). The reported onset time was concentrated from January to June each year, with a peak in April. Yengisar County, Zepu County and Yopurga County had the highest reported incidence rate in Kashgar. The sex ratio of men to women was 1.03∶1, and the reported incidence rate of men was higher than that of women ( χ2=27.04, P<0.001). The reported incidence rate of the group aged 60 years and older was the highest. The patient′s occupation was mainly farmers (84.99%). The average relative errors of the SARIMA ( 1, 1, 2) ( 0, 1, 1) 12 model and SARIMA ( 0, 1, 1)( 0, 1, 1) 12 model in predicting the reported monthly incidence number and rate were 11.67% and -9.81%, respectively. Both models had good prediction accuracy (MAPE=33.55%, MAPE=38.22%). Conclusion:The average reported incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in the Kashgar area shows a rising trend first and then a declining trend. The patients are mainly men and farmers, and attention should be paid to the prevention and control of tuberculosis among the elderly in winter and spring. The SARIMA ( 1, 1, 2) ( 0, 1, 1) 12 model and SARIMA ( 0, 1, 1)( 0, 1, 1) 12 model can fit the trend of reported tuberculosis incidence in the Kashgar area well and have good predictive performance.