Objective: To investigate the mechanism of shed syndecan-4 (sSDC4) in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) in rats, aiming to provide experimental evidence for its prevention and treatment. Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Twelve 6-week-old female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups. They received a single intra-articular injection into the bilateral superior cavity of temporomandibular joint, which consisted of either 50 μL of 4 mg/mL monosodium iodoacetate (TMJOA model group) or 50 μL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, control group). After 4 weeks, the mandibular condylar cartilage was harvested for hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining, Safranin O-fast green (SO) staining, and type II collagen (Col-Ⅱ) immunohistochemical staining to assess the degree of cartilage degeneration. The synovium of the temporomandibular joint was collected for immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to evaluate the degree of synovial inflammation. Synovial fluid from the temporomandibular joint cavity was collected to measure sSDC4 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, 12 6-week-old female SD rats were randomly divided into a His-SDC4 group and a control group, receiving injections into the bilateral superior cavity of temporomandibular joint of either 100 ng/mL (50 μL) of His-SDC4 protein or 50 μL of PBS once every 3 days for a total of 28 days. The same experimental procedures were performed for H&E staining, SO staining, and immunohistochemical staining (Col-Ⅱ IL-6, TNF-α) to observe condylar cartilage degeneration and detect synovial inflammation. Rat synovial fibroblasts and condylar chondrocytes were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into a His-SDC4-stimulated (10 ng/mL) group and control group. Perform CCK-8 cytotoxicity assays and observe cellular morphology under optical microscopy, the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Results: Compared with the control group, the TMJOA group showed decreased condylar cartilage thickness, percentage of SO-positive area, and percentage of Col-Ⅱ-positive area (all P<0.001); an increased synovitis score (P<0.001) and increased percentages of IL-6- and TNF-α-positive cells in the synovium (all P<0.001); and a significant increase in sSDC4 levels in the synovial fluid (P=0.011). Following intra-articular injection of His-SDC4, condylar cartilage thickness, percentage of SO-positive area, and percentage of Col-Ⅱ-positive area all decreased (all P<0.001); the synovitis score increased (P=0.006), and the percentages of IL-6- and TNF-α-positive cells in the synovium increased (all P<0.001). In vitro experiments showed that His-SDC4 stimulation significantly upregulated the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in both synovial fibroblasts and condylar chondrocytes (all P<0.01), and the levels of these two cytokines in the culture supernatants also significantly increased (all P<0.01). Conclusion During TMJOA progression, the level of sSDC4 in the synovial fluid is significantly elevated, which can directly stimulate synovial fibroblasts and condylar chondrocytes to secrete more pro-inflammatory cytokines, forming a vicious cycle that accelerates TMJOA progression.

Objective To evaluate the current situation of disease control in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and analyze the relationship with disease cognition. Methods Among the 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively selected as research subjects, and the COPD Assessment Test Questionnaire (CAT), COPD Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ) and the hampion Health Belief Model Scale were used to evaluate disease control, disease cognition and health beliefs in COPD patients. The Pearson chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between disease control level and disease cognition and health beliefs in older patients with COPD. Results A total of 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, 112 were in the complete control group, 189 were in the partial control group, and 59 were in the uncontrolled group, the disease control rate was 83.61%. The differences in disease cognitive scores, severity cognition, susceptibility cognition, disorder cognition, benefit cognition, health motivation, self-efficacy score and total health belief scores in middle-aged and elderly COPD patients with different disease control conditions are statistically significant. The scores of the complete control group were higher than those of partial control group and uncontrolled group, and the scores of partial control group were higher than those of the uncontrolled group (P <0.05). The disease control level of middle-aged and elderly patients with COPD is positively correlated with disease cognitive level and health belief in all dimensions. The higher the disease control level, the higher the disease cognitive level and health belief in the patient . Conclusions Middle-aged and elderly COPD patients still have insufficient awareness of the disease, and the level of disease control needs to be improved. There is a significant correlation between disease cognition, health beliefs and the level of disease control, and the improved cognitive level may help to improve the disease management and control effect. For middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, the community can provide health education courses, personalized health guidance and self-management training to enhance their awareness of diseases, so as to improve the long-term management of COPD and the quality of life of patients.

Objective To explore the potential causality between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) investigations were carried out, employing genetic variants closely linked with VAT as instrumental variables. The summary data for aforementioned gastrointestinal disorders were obtained from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) in UK biobank and Finn Gen databases, respectively. The inverse variance-weighted method (IVW) was employed as the primary analytical method, bolstered by a sequence of sensitivity analyses to verify the robustness of MR. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was conducted to amalgamate the findings derived from both databases. Results This study included a total of 42 single nucleotide polymorphisms that were strongly associated with visceral adipose tissue as instrumental variables. Statistically significant correlations were found between VAT and peptic ulcer (OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.08-1.27, P < 0.01), gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.18, P = 0.02), and irritable bowel syndrome (OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.12, P = 0.03). There was no statistical significance between VAT and inflammatory bowel disease (OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.79-1.12, P = 0.65). Conclusion VAT exhibits a causal linkage with peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Accurately assessing VAT levels via imaging methods, screening individuals at high-risk, and actively controlling abdominal obesity bear important clinical significance.

Currently, transcatheter intervention is the preferred treatment for patients with anatomically suitable atrial septal defects. However, the use of nickel-titanium alloy occluders in interventional procedures results in lifelong presence of the implant in the body, leading to complications such as metal allergies and arrhythmias in some patients. To overcome the short-term and long-term complications associated with the presence of metal, and to avoid radiation exposure and metal toxicity, this paper reports a case of successful transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in a pediatric patient with metal allergies using fully biodegradable occluder under ultrasound guidance, achieving excellent results by interventional therapy.

Objective: To construct and validate a clinical diagnostic model to differentiate between pulmonary tuberculosis and non-tuberculous lung diseases. Methods : Information was collected from 258 patients with respiratory system diseases, and they were divided into a training set of 152 cases and a test set of 106 cases with a ratio of 6 ∶4 using the random number seed method in R software. The training set was further divided into a tuberculosis group of 95 cases and a non-tuberculosis group of 57 cases, and the test set into a tuberculosis group of 65 cases and a non-tuberculosis group of 41 cases based on the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. A diagnostic model was constructed using multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the influencing factors of pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnostic value and clinical utility of the model were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis(DCA). Results : CD161+%(OR=0.768; 95%CI0.697-0.845;P<0.001), AST(OR=0.961; 95%CI0.930-0.993;P=0.019), and smoking history(OR=3.181; 95%CI1.149-8.804;P=0.026) were identified as independent risk factors for the occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis. In both the training and test sets, the area under the ROC curve(AUC) reached 0.870(95%CI0.816-0.924) and 0.887(95%CI0.827-0.948), respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed a good fit(training set χ2=6.213,P=0.623; test set χ2=6.197,P=0.625). DCA indicated that the model had good reference significance for the diagnosis of the probability of pulmonary tuberculosis occurrence. Conclusion The diagnostic model constructed using the percentage of CD161+%, AST levels, and smoking history has certain diagnostic performance, facilitating rapid clinical differentiation between pulmonary tuberculosis and non-tuberculous lung diseases.

Objective : To investigate the effect and mechanism of sex-determining region Y-box transcription factor 4(SOX4) on autophagy in small cell lung cancer(SCLC) cells. Methods : Human SCLC cell line NCI-H446 was transfected with small interfering RNA(siRNA) to knockdown SOX4. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to verify the transfection efficiency. NCI-H446 cells were divided into control group, si-SOX4 group, si-SOX4+oe-Beclin1 group and oe-Beclin1 group. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ expression and the expression of Beclin1 and p62 in different groups of cells. The transcriptional regulation of Beclin1 by SOX4 was detected by dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR(ChIP-PCR) assay. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of NCI-H446 cells in different groups. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of NCI-H446 cells in different groups. Transwell assay was performed to determine the cell migration and invasion ability in different groups. Results: Compared with the control group or the si-NC group, the relative mRNA and protein expression level of SOX4 in si-SOX4 group were down-regulated(P<0.05), and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ protein expression and the relative protein expression level of Beclin1 in si-SOX4 group decreased(P<0.05), the relative protein expression of p62 increased(P<0.05). The relative luciferase activity of Beclin1 WT in the si-SOX4 group was lower than that in the si-NC group(P<0.05); the relative enrichment of Beclin1 promoter in the Anti-SOX4 group was higher than that in the Anti-Ig G group( P<0. 05). Compared with control group,cell proliferation activity decreased,cell apoptosis rate increased,migration number and invasion number decreased in si-SOX4 group( P<0. 05). Compared with the si-SOX4 group,the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ protein expression and the relative protein expression of Beclin1 increased in si-SOX4 + oe-Beclin1 group,while the relative protein expression of p62 decreased,cell proliferation activity increased,apoptosis rate decreased,migration number and invasion number increased( P<0. 05). Conclusion Down-regulation of SOX4 can inhibit autophagy,decrease proliferation activity of NCI-H446 cells,and inhibit cell migration and invasion by inhibiting Beclin1 expression.

Objective To analyze the spatial distribution of Helicobacter Pylori (Hp) infection and its correlation with gastrointestinal tumors in the physical examination population of Xi&#39;an city, and to provide reference for the prevention of gastrointestinal tumors in this area. Methods A total of 23 200 subjects who underwent physical examination in 25 public hospitals in Xi&#39;an from January 2019 to January 2023 were selected as the research objects. The basic Information of the patients was derived through the Hospital Information System (HIS), and all subjects underwent 13C-breath test and gastroenterological endoscope. ArcGIS 10.6 software was used to draw a statistical map of Hp infection in Xi 'an for spatial autocorrelation analysis. Hp infection in patients with different gastrointestinal tumors was analyzed. Results In this study population, there were 10 858 cases of Hp infection , with an infection rate of 46.80% ; among them , 5 491 cases were male, with an infection rate of 46.60% , and 5,367 cases were female, with an infection rate of 47.01% , and there was no significant difference in the infection rate between genders (P>0.05). The prevalence of HP infection was higher in the 30-year-old and 20-year-old groups, 55.62% and 42.71%, respectively, and the infection rate showed a first increase and then a decreasing trend with age (χ²_trend = 6201.21, 6945.22 , P<0.001 ). The spatial distribution of Hp infection rate in the physical examination population of each administrative region county in Xi&#39;an was globally spatially positively correlated, with spatial clustering (Moran&#39;s I=0.14, P=0.02). Local spatial autocorrelation showed that the five districts and counties presented high-high clustering. A total of 418 cases of gastrointestinal tumors were detected, with a detection rate of 1.80% , including 156 cases of gastric cancer , 85.90% of Hp infection rate, 106 cases of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, 83.02% of Hp infection rate, 98 cases of colon cancer, 80.61% of Hp infection rate, 58 cases of rectal cancer, 84.48% of Hp infection rate, and the differences were statistically significant (χ²=13.49, 16.16, 17.27, 24.66, P<0.05 for all). Conclusion The distribution of Hp infection in the physical examination population of Xi&#39;an city has the characteristics of spatial aggregation and is related to gastrointestinal tumor diseases. It is suggested to carry out Hp infection education for the population in key areas to prevent the occurrence of gastrointestinal tumor diseases.

Objective To investigate the hormone resistance and analyze its influencing factors in 510 children with nephrotic syndrome. Methods The clinical data of 510 children with primary nephrotic syndrome admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to August 2023 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. After 8 weeks of continuous treatment with conventional full-dose prednisone, urine protein detection was performed. Urine protein (+-+++) was listed as drug-resistant group, and urine protein (-) was regarded as control group. The general data, pathological types, and laboratory indicators were compared. Univariate analysis and Logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors for hormone resistance in children with nephrotic syndrome. Results (1) After the end of 8 weeks of treatment, among the 510 children, there were 19 children with urine protein (+), 22 children with urine protein (++), 12 children with urinary protein (+++) and 457 children with urine protein (-). The total number of children with hormone resistance (drug-resistant group) was 53 cases (10.39%, 53/510), and the number of children with hormone sensitivity (control group) was 457 cases (89.61%, 457/510). (2) The proportions of children with onset age>8 years old and pathological type of focal stage glomerulosclerosis in drug-resistant group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). (3) Univariate analysis showed that the urine protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell count, CD8, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, D-dimer and β2-microglobulin at disease onset were higher in drug-resistant group than those in control group (P<0.05) while the CD4 and 25-hydroxyvitamin at disease onset were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). (4) Multivariate analysis showed that high urine protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CD₈, serum creatinine, D-dimer and β2-microglobulin, and low 25-hydroxyvitamin and CD₄ at disease onset were risk factors for hormone resistance in children with nephrotic syndrome (P<0.05). Conclusion For children with onset age later than 8 years old and high urine protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CD₈, serum creatinine, D-dimer and β2-microglobulin and low 25-hydroxyvitamin and CD₄ at disease onset, it is necessary to take targeted anticoagulation, immune regulation and other treatments as soon as possible in order to achieve the best efficacy and improve the prognosis.

Objective To analyze the long-term outcome of modified Morrow surgery (interventricular septal cardiomyectomy) in the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) in children. Methods The clinical data of the children with HOCM (aged≤14 years) who underwent modified Morrow surgery from January 2010 to August 2022 in Guangdong Provincial People&#39;s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including changes in hospitalization status, perioperative period, and long-term 15-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiography. Results A total of 29 patients were collected, including 22 males and 7 females, aged 10.00 (5.00, 12.00) years. Five (17.9%) patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ. Ventricular septal cardiomyectomy was performed in all patients. All 29 patients survived and their cardiac function recovered after operation. Before discharge, right bundle branch block was observed in 2 patients and left bundle branch block in 6 patients. After surgery, in the left ventricular septal cardiomyectomy, the left atrial diameter decreased (P＜0.001), left ventricular end-systolic diameter increased (P=0.009), the peak pressure gradient of left ventricular outflow tract decreased (P＜0.001), and the thickness of ventricular septum decreased (P＜0.001). The systolic anterior motion of mitral valve disappeared and mitral regurgitent jet area decreased (P＜0.001). The flow velocity and peak pressure gradient of right ventricular outflow tract also decreased in the patients who underwent right ventricular septal cardiomyectomy. The average follow-up of the patients was 69.03±10.60 months. All the patients survived with their NYHA cardiac function grading Ⅰ or Ⅱ. No new-onset arrythmia event was found. Echocardiography indicated that the peak pressure gradient of the left ventricular outflow tract remained low (P<0.001). Moderate mitral regurgitation occurred in 2 patients, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with moderate mitral regurgitation occurred in 1 patient after simple right ventricular septal cardiomyectomy. Conclusion Right ventricular or biventricular obstruction is frequent in the children with HOCM and they usually have more symptoms before surgery. Modified Morrow surgery can effectively relieve outflow tract obstruction and improve their cardiac function. The long-term outcome is satisfactory. However, the posterior wall of the left ventricle remains hypertrophic. Also, there is an increased risk of a conduction block.

OBJECTIVE To study effects of Jinshui Liujun decoction(JLD) on pulmonary water metabolism and TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway in asthmatic mice. METHODS After 1 week of acclimatization, 10 mice were randomly selected by body weight as a blank control group, and the rest of the mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injections of ovalbumin sensitizing solution on the 1st, 8th, and 15th day of the experiment. On the 22nd day, they were randomly divided into model control group, positive control group and JLD low, medium and high dose(4.1, 8.2, 16.4 g·kg−1) group, and replicated the asthma mouse model by inhaling nebulized excitation solution(1% ovalbumin) once every other day for 2 consecutive weeks, and at the same time, were given atomized excitation solution(1% ovalbumin) every other day for two weeks to replicate the asthmatic mouse model, and were given the test drug by gavage daily. The effects of JLD on the behavior, lung wet-dry weight ratio, AQP1, AQP5, TNF-α, NF-κB, and NF-κB mRNA expression in asthmatic mice were observed. RESULTS JLD reduced the number of animals with asthma attacks, alleviated asthma symptoms, decreased the lung index and lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, increased the expression level of AQP1 and AQP5 in lung tissues, reduced the content of TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues, and down-regulated the expression level of NF-κB and its genes in lung tissues(P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION JLD has an anti-asthma effect and its mechanism of action is partially due to its inhibition of the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway, upregulation of AQP1 and AQP5, and improvement of pulmonary water metabolism.