Objective To investigate the effects of extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived from synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients on angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells,and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Synovial fluid samples of knee joint were collected from 20 patients with RA and 20 patients with osteoarthritis(OA)in this study.EVs were purified using ultracentrifugation.The morphology and size of EVs were observed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis.CD9,CD63,cytochrome c(Cyt-c),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),lysyl oxidase(LOX),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)in EVs were detected using Western blot.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were treated with the EVs.The growth,migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC were observed by CCK8 assay,TranswellTM chamber assay,scratch test and matrigel angiogenesis assay,respectively.The effect of EVs on the PI3K/AKT pathway in HUVEC was assessed using Western blot.Results Both EVs from RA synovial fluid(RA-EVs)and OA synovial fluid(OA-EVs)were cup-shaped,mainly between 30-400 nm in diameter,expressing CD63 and CD9,but not Cyt-c.RA-EVs carried more VEGF,LOX,MMP2,TNF-α and TGF-β1 than OA-EVs.Compared with the OA-EVs intervention,RA-EVs significantly promoted the proliferation,migration,and angiogenesis of HUVECs,as well as upregulated PI3K/AKT phosphorylation.The inhibitor of PI3K suppressed angiogenesis induced by EVs.Conclusion EVs in synovial fluid of RA carried more cytokines and enzymes that related angiogenesis and inflammation.These EVs exert their pro-angiogenic effects by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway,then contributing to the pathological progression of RA.

Objective To investigate the effects of extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived from synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients on angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells,and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Synovial fluid samples of knee joint were collected from 20 patients with RA and 20 patients with osteoarthritis(OA)in this study.EVs were purified using ultracentrifugation.The morphology and size of EVs were observed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis.CD9,CD63,cytochrome c(Cyt-c),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),lysyl oxidase(LOX),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)in EVs were detected using Western blot.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were treated with the EVs.The growth,migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC were observed by CCK8 assay,TranswellTM chamber assay,scratch test and matrigel angiogenesis assay,respectively.The effect of EVs on the PI3K/AKT pathway in HUVEC was assessed using Western blot.Results Both EVs from RA synovial fluid(RA-EVs)and OA synovial fluid(OA-EVs)were cup-shaped,mainly between 30-400 nm in diameter,expressing CD63 and CD9,but not Cyt-c.RA-EVs carried more VEGF,LOX,MMP2,TNF-α and TGF-β1 than OA-EVs.Compared with the OA-EVs intervention,RA-EVs significantly promoted the proliferation,migration,and angiogenesis of HUVECs,as well as upregulated PI3K/AKT phosphorylation.The inhibitor of PI3K suppressed angiogenesis induced by EVs.Conclusion EVs in synovial fluid of RA carried more cytokines and enzymes that related angiogenesis and inflammation.These EVs exert their pro-angiogenic effects by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway,then contributing to the pathological progression of RA.

Objective To investigate the distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, so as to provide insights into assessment of the visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk and formulation of visceral leishmaniasis control measures. Methods A total of 12 natural villages were sampled from Shilou County, Lishi District, Lanxian County, Linxian County and Wenshui County in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province from June to September, 2023, and sandflies were captured using light traps from 7 breeding habitats, including farmers’ houses, sheep pens, cattle pens, chicken coops, pig pens, mule and horse pens, and loess-cave dwellings. Following morphological identification of the sandfly species, the distribution of sandflies and the seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density were analyzed. In addition, the Leishmania was detected in sandflies using a real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Results A total of 2 831 sandflies were captured with 156 light traps in Lüliang City from June to September, 2023, including 2 638 female sandflies (93.18%) and 193 male sandflies (6.82%), and the average density was 16.91 sandflies/(light-night). The seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density all appeared a unimodal distribution in all survey sites, and the sandfly density peaked in July and then declined rapidly. Among all types of breeding habitats, the greatest sandfly density was found in sheep pens [39.04 sandflies/(light-night)]. In addition, 4.08% (2/49) of the sandfly samples were tested positive for Leishmania nucleic acid as revealed by the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Conclusions Sandflies were widely distributed in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province in 2023, and the peak of the sandfly density was observed in July, which had a visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk. Intensified surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis and sandfly vectors is required and targeted vector control is recommended.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a new type of thermoplastic engineering plastic, has good biological activity, elastic modulus close to human cortical bone and radiation permeability, and has been widely used in medical field. This study aims to explore the safety and clinical efficacy of using 3D printing personalized PEEK materials to repaire scapular bone defects after bone tumor resection. A total of 6 patients who underwent the implantation of 3D printed PEEK scapular prosthesis from January 2020 to December 2021 in Yunnan Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 3 females, with age ranged from 14 to 52 years. There were 1 case of synovial sarcoma, 1 of Ewing's sarcoma, and 4 of chondrosarcoma. PEEK prosthesis was designed and fabricated based on CT data before surgery. Tumor resection and prosthesis replacement were performed under the premise of ensuring safe surgical boundaries, including 2 cases of total scapular prosthesis replacement and 4 cases of partial scapular prosthesis replacement. The operation time was 90-170 min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 100-400 ml. All 6 patients received satisfactory follow-up, with a tumor progression free survival time of 16-28 months. No tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed, and all patients survived tumor free. At last follow-up, the Constant-Murley shoulder joint score was a minimum of 62 points and a maximum of 68 points. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association's shoulder joint score was 63 points minimum and 78 points maximum. Computer-aided design 3D printing PEEK material prosthesis has certain advantages in the treatment of scapular tumor limb salvage. It has light weight, well adapted, relatively simple installation, good histocompatibility, and can obtain a better appearance and function of the shoulder joint after operation. It can become one of the options for limb salvage treatment of scapular tumor.

Some Chinese herbs have been used to prevent and treat diseases, and are also used as common food ingredients. These Chinese herbs are potential resource for research and development of new drugs. Leek roots is a typical medicine of food and medicine continuum. It has a long history of medicinal applications and edible food in China. In this paper, the origin, biological active components, pharmacological action and clinical application of leek roots were introduced. We hope that this review will contribute to the development of leek roots for pharmaceutical research and clinical applications, as well as related health products.

Objective:To compare the technique between concave distraction and convex resection in the treatment of congenital cervicothoracic scoliosis and evaluate its curative effect.Methods:Data of congenital cervicothoracic scoliosis patients from January 2010 to January 2020 were collected, among which 5 were males and 3 were females. The patients' age was 12.5±4.5 years old (range 6-20 years old). One case had C 7 wedged vertebra, 4 cases had T 1 hemivertebra and unbalanced vertebra, 2 cases had T 2 hemivertebra and 1 case had fused facet joint and wedged lamina in T 1. All patients had different degrees of vertebra fusion. Convex resection technique (one stage anterior and posterior combined hemivertebrae resection and annular osteotomy) was used to treat 4 cases before 2015; Concave distraction technique (A combination of anterior and posterior release, intervertebral space and facet space distraction, cage placed and fusion) was used to treat 4 cases after 2015 and 2 of them had 2 segments distraction. Perioperative neurological, vascular and wound related complications were recorded. The main parameters were structure Cobb angle, cephalic and caudal compensatory Cobb angle, mandibular incline, neck tilt, shoulder balance and head shift were measured pre-operation, post-operation and at the last follow-up. Results:All patients' surgeries were completed successfully. In convex resection group, the duration of surgery was 201±100 min (range 113-300 min) per vertebra, the estimated blood loss was 294±153 ml (range 100-450 ml) per vertebra, the hospital stay was 14±3 d (range 11-18 d) and follow up time was 51±11 months (range 36-60 months). In concave distraction group, the duration of surgery was 117±14 min (range 101-129 min) per vertebra, the estimated blood loss was 119±36 ml (range 85-167 ml) per vertebra, hospital stay was 17±3 d (range 14-20 d) and follow up time was 28±21 months (range 12-60 months). Convex resection group had longer operation time and more blood loss per vertebra than concave distraction group. In convex resection group, structural Cobb angle was 45.1°±21.0° pre-operation and 22.7°±15.3° post-operation, which was corrected significantly ( Z=6.53, P=0.038). The correction rate was 54.8%±30.9%. Cephalic compensatory Cobb angle was 22.1°±8.2° pre-operation and 8.2°±5.8° post-operation, which was corrected significantly ( F=6.01, P=0.049). The correction rate was 66.8%±15.1%. Mandible incline was 7.8°±3.1° pre-operation and 3.5°±1.5° post-operation, which was corrected significantly ( F=8.02, P=0.018). The correction rate was 51.0%±29.7%. In concave distraction group, structural Cobb angle was 32.2°±27.2° pre-operation and 16.3°±16.7° post-operation, which was corrected significantly ( F=7.43, P=0.024) . The correction rate was 59.0%±24.7%. Caudal compensatory Cobb angle was 18.9°(17.2°, 32.1°) pre-operation and 9.5°±10.3° post-operation, which was corrected significantly ( Z=6.00, P=0.049). The correction rate was 64.0%±24.1%. Clavicle angle was 3.9°±2.3° pre-operation and 0.3°±0.4° post-operation, which was corrected significantly ( F=1.75, P=0.040). The correction rate was 97.0% (48.5%, 99.8%). There was no significant difference in the correction rate of all radiographic parameters between the two groups. At the last follow-up, the patients' appearance of head, neck and shoulder were improved compared with those before surgery. In convex resection group, 2 patients showed nerve root stimulation symptoms postoperatively on convex side. One patient developed C 5 nerve root palsy which weakened deltoid muscle and the other patients presented with reduced triceps muscle strength. In concave distraction group, one patient developed C 5 nerve root palsy on convex side. All these symptoms recovered by conservative treatment 3 months after operation. Conclusion:It is safe and effective to treat congenital cervicothoracic scoliosis with convex resection technique and concave distraction technique. The concave distraction technique has the advantages of more safety, less operating time, less blood loss and easier to perform and has a wider application prospect.

Objective: To detect the differences in the expression of Yes-associated protein(YAP) in non-cardia gastric cancer and normal gastric tissue and analyze the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) in the YAP gene andits protein expression,and to preliminarily discuss the correlationbetween YAP and the development of non-cardia gastric cancer,so as to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of non-cardia gastric cancer. Methods: 126 casesofnon-cardia gastric cancer tissues and 104 cases of paracancerous normal tissues were collected and set as case group and control group,respectively. Immunohistochemical SP assay was used to detect the expression of YAP in non-cardia gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Taqman method was used for genotyping. The unconditional logistic regression method was used to calculate the odds ratio(OR) and its 95%confidence interval(CI) to detect the associations between YAP SNPs and the expression of YAP protein under Codominant,Dominant,Overdominant,Recessive,and Log-additive genetic models. Results: The expression of YAP protein in non-cardia gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal gastric tissues(P<0. 001).The expression level of YAP protein was negatively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation(P<0. 05).There was no correlationbetween the expression level of YAP protein and gender,age,lymph node metastasis and tumor size respectively(P>0. 05). No associations were found between SNP rs11225163 and rs1820453 and the expression of YAP protein under Codominant,Dominant,Overdominant,Recessive and Log-additive genetic models.Haplotype was constructed by Haploview 4. 2 software,and the association between haplotype and YAP protein expression was analyzed. Conclusion YAP may be involved in the development of non-cardia gastric cancer.

Objective:To explore the safety, feasibility, and short-term outcome ofdistraction on the concave side in the treatment of patients with congenital cervical scoliosis.Methods:Between August 2015 and December 2019, 11 patients with congenital cervical scoliosis underwent distraction technique on concave side, among which 5 were males and 6 were females. Age was 9.9±3.1 years old (range 6-16 years old). The primary cervical spine deformity was hemi-vertebra with different degrees of vertebra fusion. 7 cases were in C 3, 3 cases were in C 4 and 1 case was in C 5. Anterior-posterior combined approach was used. Firstly, discectomy and soft tissue release on concave side were made through anterior approach, then distraction on concave side and fusion with internal fixation were made through posterior approach and at last fixation and fusion in anterior approach were made. In this study we measured structure Cobb angle, compensatory Cobb angle, mandibular incline, shoulder balance and the angle difference of trapezius muscle preoperation and post operation. Perioperative neurological,vascular and wound related complicationswere recorded. Results:All patients' surgeries were completed successfully. Eight patients received single site distraction and 3 patients received distraction in two sites. The duration of surgery was 466±141 min (range 150-659 min), the estimated blood losswas 387±191 ml (range 100-660 ml) and follow up time was 12.2±9.5 months (range 3-24 months). Structural Cobb angle was 28.9°±13.1° pre-operation and 7.4°(3.0°, 27.7°) post-operation at 3 months, which was corrected significantly ( Z=-2.934, P=0.003). The correction rate was 58.1±26.1% (range 18.8%-97.6%). Structural Cobb angle was 13.2°±12.3°at 1 year post operation and had no significant difference compared with 3 months post operation ( t=1.960, P=0.107). Compensatory Cobb angle was 18.3°±6.1° pre-operation and 9.4°±7.3° post-operation at 3 months, which was corrected significantly ( t= 5.071, P<0.001) and the correction rate was 51.3%±28.3% (range 2.4%-94.7%). Compensatory Cobb angle was 8.9°±7.7° at 1 year follow up and was corrected significantly ( t=5.253, P=0.003) compared to 3 months after surgery and the correction rate was 61.4%±26.9%. Two patients developed C 5 nerve root dysfunction and 1 patient developed numbness on the index and middle fingers after surgery. All of them occurred on the concave side and recovered by conservative treatment. Conclusion:The application of distraction on the concave side in the treatment of congenitalcervical scoliosis is with good feasibility and clinical safety. Short-term follow-up showed excellent resultswith a promising future.

Objective To investigate the expressions of large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1) and large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) proteins in gastric cancer tissues, and to explore the correlation between expressions of LATS1 and LATS2 proteins and the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Methods A total of 93 gastric cancer paraffin tissues and the corresponding adjacent gastric normal mucosa in the Department of Pathology in Baotou Cancer Hospital from September 2008 to June 2010 were collected. The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of LATS1 and LATS2 proteins in gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues. The differences of the expressions of LATS1 and LATS2 proteins in gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues were compared by usingχ2 test. The relationship between the expressions of LATS1 and LATS2 proteins and the clinicopathological features was also analyzed. Results In gastric cancer tissues, LATS1 was negatively expressed in 54 cases (58.1％), weakly positive expressed in 15 cases (16.1％), moderately positive expressed in 16 cases (17.2％), and strongly positive expressed in 8 cases (8.6％);in adjacent normal tissues, LATS1 was negatively expressed in 17 cases (18.3％), weakly positive expressed in 16 cases (17.2％), moderately positive expressed in 31 cases (33.3％), and strongly positive expressed in 29 cases (31.2％). The positive expression rate of LATS1 in gastric cancer tissues was lower than that in adjacent normal tissues, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=37.460, P<0.01). In gastric cancer tissues, LATS2 was negatively expressed in 28 cases (30.1％), weakly positive expressed in 17 cases (18.3％), moderately positive expressed in 33 cases (35.5％), strongly positive expressed in 15 cases (16.1％);in adjacent normal tissues, LATS2 was negatively expressed in 5 cases (5.4％), weakly positive expressed in 7 cases (7.5％), moderately positive expressed in 32 cases (34.4％), strongly positive expressed in 49 cases (52.7％). The positive expression rate of LATS2 in gastric cancer tissues was lower than that in adjacent normal tissues, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=38.275, P<0.01). The expressions of LATS1 and LATS2 were not related to patients'age, gender, lymph node metastasis, degree of differentiation and tumor diameter (all P>0.05). Conclusion LATS1 and LATS2 proteins may be involved in the occurrence of gastric cancer and have the inhibiting effect on the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.

Objective To compare 2 kinds of artificial dermis Lando(R) versus Pelnac(R) combined with induced membrane technique in the treatment of composite trauma in rabbit bilateral femurs.Methods Twenty-seven male rabbits,weighing from 1.92 kg to 2.21 kg (average,2.04 kg),were used in the experiments.After models of composite trauma were created in the bilateral femurs of all the rabbits,the bilateral femurs of 9 random rabbits were subjected to the treatment of artificial dermis Lando(R) plus induced membrane (Lando(R) group),the bilateral femurs of another 9 random rabbits to the treatment of artificial dermis Pelnac(R) plus induced membrane (Pelnac(R) group),the left femur of the remaining 9 rabbits to the treatment of induced membrane (control group) and the right femur of the remaining 9 rabbits to no treatment (sham operation group).Three rabbits from each group (the same for the control and sham operation groups) were randomly sacrificed at 2,4 and 6 weeks after operation.Samples from the operation sites were taken for gross observation of the induced membrane and observation of the microstructure of the membrane by conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining.In addition,the microvessel density (MVD) was counted under microscopy taking CD34 immunohistochemistry as the standard.The data were statistically analyzed.Results The collagen sponge layer was completely degraded 2 weeks after operation in the Lando(R) group but not in the Pelnac(R) group.The MVD [(0.90 ± 0.55)/HPF] in the Lando(R) group was significantly greater than that in the Pelnac(R) group [(0.28 ± 0.13)/HPF] (P ＜ 0.05).The collagen sponge layer was degraded 4 weeks after operation in the Lando(R) and Pelnac(R) groups and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in MVD [(3.61 ± 1.31)/HPF versus (4.34 ± 0.77)/HPF] (P ＞ 0.05).At 6 weeks postoperatively,the MVD [(4.97 ±0.76)/HPF] in the Lando(R) group was significantly smaller than that in the Pelnac(R) group [(7.06 ± 1.03)/HPF] (P ＜ 0.05).At 2 weeks after operation,the MVD was (0.11 ±0.19)/HPF in the control group and the sham operation group,showing a significant difference compared with the Lando(R) group (P ＜ 0.05) but no significant difference compared with the Pelnac(R) group (P ＞ 0.05).The MVD at 4 and 6 weeks after operation in the control and the sham operation groups were all significantly different from those in the Lando(R) and the Pelnac(R) groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In the treatment of composite trauma in rabbits,the 2 kinds of artificial dermis combined with the induction membrane technique can lead to formation of induced membrane structure,providing a new alternative treatment for patients with bone and soft tissue defects caused by various causes in the clinic.The Lando(R) artificial dermis may accelerate the vascularization of induced membrane at 2 weeks while the Pelnac(R) may accelerate the vaseularization at 4 and 6 weeks.