Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Aim To evaluate the continuous flow exposure sys-tem at the air-liquid interface(ALI)in vitro to provide reference data for in vitro studies on inhalation toxicology,and to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the inhalation toxicity of the com-pound limonene by using the system in conjunction with an ALI culture model of Calu-3 cells.Methods Fluorescein sodium(Na-flu)dosimetry supplemented with quartz microbalance(QCM)was used to evaluate the deposition volume and pore-to-pore homogeneity of the ALI continuous flow exposure system;limonene aerosol was exposed to an ALI-cultured model of Calu-3 cells for 3 h using the ALI continuous flow exposure system at exposure doses of high(0.213 μg·cm-2),medium(0.104μg·cm-2),low(0.064 5 μg·cm-2),clean air exposure was used as a negative control group,and the activity,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release,trans-epithelial electrical resist-ance(TEER),mucin MUC5AC and inflammatory factor gene expression of the exposed cells were detected after 24 h to evalu-ate the inhalation toxicity of limonene.Results The deposition of sodium fluorescein in the ALI continuous flow exposure system was 0.085±0.007 μg/30 min/well,and inter-well homogeneity was optimized from the initial 26％to less than 10％after sever-al debugging sessions;compared with the control group,there was no significant change in cellular activity and IL-8 gene ex-pression,but cellular IL-6 gene expression increased after limo-nene aerosol exposure;the mid-exposure dose of limonene pro-moted cellular release of LDH and inflammatory factor gene ex-pression.The medium exposure dose of limonene induced the cells to release LDH＞10％and decreased the expression of cel-lular tumor necrosis factor TNF-α gene;the high exposure dose of limonene decreased the cellular TEER value,impaired the cellular barrier function,and increased the expression of cellular mucin MUC5AC gene.Conclusions The ALI continuous flow exposure system can be used for inhalation toxicity in vitro stud-ies after commissioning;high and medium exposure doses of limonene are inhalation toxic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in atherosclerotic plaques for regulating inflammatory responses during atherosclerosis (AS) progression. METHODS: Human coronary artery specimens from autopsy cases were examined for ATF3 protein expression and localization using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mouse models of AS induced by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 12 weeks were subjected to tail vein injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) to knock down ATF3 expression. After an additional 5 weeks of HFD feeding, the mice were euthanized for analyzing structural changes of the aortic plaques, and the expression levels of ATF3, inflammatory factors (CD45, CD68, IL-1β, and TNF-α), and NF-κB pathway proteins (P-IKKα/β and P-NF-κB p65) were detected. In the cell experiment, THP-1-derived foam cells were transfected with an ATF3-overexpressing plasmid or an ATF3-specific siRNA to validate the relationship between ATF3 and NF‑κB signaling. RESULTS: In human atherosclerotic plaques, ATF3 expression was significantly elevated and partially co-localized with CD68. ATF3 knockout in ApoE^-/- mice significantly increased aortic plaque volume, upregulated the inflammatory factors, enhanced phosphorylation of the NF‑κB pathway proteins, and increased the expressions of VCAM1, MMP9, and MMP2 in the plaques. In THP-1-derived foam cells, ATF3 silencing caused activation of the NF‑κB pathway, while ATF3 overexpression suppressed the activity of the NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSIONS AS promotes ATF3 expression, and ATF3 deficiency exacerbates AS progression by enhancing plaque inflammation via activating the NF-κB pathway, suggesting the potential of ATF3 as a therapeutic target for AS.
Animals ; Activating Transcription Factor 3/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Apolipoproteins E ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat

Aim To evaluate the continuous flow exposure sys-tem at the air-liquid interface(ALI)in vitro to provide reference data for in vitro studies on inhalation toxicology,and to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the inhalation toxicity of the com-pound limonene by using the system in conjunction with an ALI culture model of Calu-3 cells.Methods Fluorescein sodium(Na-flu)dosimetry supplemented with quartz microbalance(QCM)was used to evaluate the deposition volume and pore-to-pore homogeneity of the ALI continuous flow exposure system;limonene aerosol was exposed to an ALI-cultured model of Calu-3 cells for 3 h using the ALI continuous flow exposure system at exposure doses of high(0.213 μg·cm-2),medium(0.104μg·cm-2),low(0.064 5 μg·cm-2),clean air exposure was used as a negative control group,and the activity,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release,trans-epithelial electrical resist-ance(TEER),mucin MUC5AC and inflammatory factor gene expression of the exposed cells were detected after 24 h to evalu-ate the inhalation toxicity of limonene.Results The deposition of sodium fluorescein in the ALI continuous flow exposure system was 0.085±0.007 μg/30 min/well,and inter-well homogeneity was optimized from the initial 26％to less than 10％after sever-al debugging sessions;compared with the control group,there was no significant change in cellular activity and IL-8 gene ex-pression,but cellular IL-6 gene expression increased after limo-nene aerosol exposure;the mid-exposure dose of limonene pro-moted cellular release of LDH and inflammatory factor gene ex-pression.The medium exposure dose of limonene induced the cells to release LDH＞10％and decreased the expression of cel-lular tumor necrosis factor TNF-α gene;the high exposure dose of limonene decreased the cellular TEER value,impaired the cellular barrier function,and increased the expression of cellular mucin MUC5AC gene.Conclusions The ALI continuous flow exposure system can be used for inhalation toxicity in vitro stud-ies after commissioning;high and medium exposure doses of limonene are inhalation toxic.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging neuroimaging technique, strengthened by the advantages of non-invasiveness, operational convenience, real-time monitoring, and well compatibility. In recent years, its application has shown great promise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders among children and adolescents. This article provides an overview of the fundamental principles of fNIRS. It focuses on its effectiveness in the diagnosis, symptom assessments, and treatment monitoring of mental disorders in children and adolescents.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging neuroimaging technique, strengthened by the advantages of non-invasiveness, operational convenience, real-time monitoring, and well compatibility. In recent years, its application has shown great promise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders among children and adolescents. This article provides an overview of the fundamental principles of fNIRS. It focuses on its effectiveness in the diagnosis, symptom assessments, and treatment monitoring of mental disorders in children and adolescents.

Objectives:To analyze the status and temporal changes of disability-adjusted life year (DALY) for stomach and colorectal cancers among registered permanent residents in Changning District of Shanghai Municipality, and provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of stomach and colorectal cancers in this district.Methods:Using the cancer registration data of stomach and colorectal cancers from 2002 to 2019, we estimated the indices such as the DALYs, the DALY crude rates, the age-standardized DALY rates, etc. Then we used the Joinpoint regression model to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC) to explore the temporal variations in different periods.Results:The DALYs of stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District from 2002 to 2019 were 55 931 person years and 65 252 person years, respectively. The crude rates of DALY were 512.16/10 5 and 597.51/10 5, respectively. We observed a higher disease burden in men than in women, and the peak rate of DALY in stomach cancer was in the 75-79 years age group, while in colorectal cancer the rate was in the 85-years-or-older age group. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that from 2002 to 2019, the age-standardized DALY rate of stomach cancer showed a downward trend (AAPC=-3.86%, P＜0.05), while the trend of colorectal cancer was not statistically significant(AAPC=-0.08%, P＞0.05). However, the trends in the age-standardized DALY rates of colorectal cancer were different between males and females, with males showing an upward trend (AAPC=1.24%, P＜0.05) and females showing a downward trend (AAPC=-1.67%, P＜0.05). Conclusions:The DALY of stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District of Shanghai showed a decreasing trend. Males and the middle-aged and elderly populations are still the key targets for disease prevention and control in this district.

Objective To investigate the endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)features of benign esophageal stenosis in children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data of the children who were diagnosed with benign esophageal stenosis from February 2019 to February 2022.The clinical manifestations,EUS findings,and treatment outcome were analyzed to summarize the EUS features of benign esophageal stenosis in children.Results A total of 42 children with benign esophageal stenosis were included.Among these children,19(45% )had anastomotic stenosis after surgery for esophageal atresia,with unclear echogenic boundary of the esophageal walls and uneven thicknesses of the surrounding wall on EUS,and had 0-12 sessions of endoscopic treatment(average 2.1 sessions);5 children(12% )had corrosive esophageal stenosis and 1 child(2% )had physical esophageal stenosis,with unclear stratification of the esophageal walls on EUS,and they had 2-9 sessions of endoscopic treatment(average 5.3 sessions);1 child(2% )had patchy irregular hypoechoic areas of the esophageal walls on EUS and was diagnosed with tracheobronchial remnants with reference to pathology;16 children(38% )had unexplained esophageal stenosis and unclear stratification of the esophageal walls on EUS,among whom 6 received endoscopic treatment.During follow-up,95% (40/42)of the children had significant alleviation of the symptoms such as vomiting and dysphagia.Conclusions For benign esophageal stenosis in children,EUS can help to evaluate the degree of esophageal wall involvement in esophageal stenosis lesions,possible etiologies,and the relationship between the esophagus and the lesion and provide an important basis for selecting treatment modality and avoiding complications,thereby helping to optimize the treatment regimen.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):169-173]