Objective To investigate the expression profile, prognostic value, gene co-expression network, and immunomodulatory role of BRF1 in a pan-cancer context, and to explore its biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The pan-cancer dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was utilized to analyze the differential expression of BRF1 in tumor versus normal tissues, its association with patient survival, pathway enrichment for co-expressed genes, and immune features (including immune checkpoints, cytokines, and immune cell infiltration). The expression profile of BRF1 in ESCC was validated using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In vitro, BRF1 was knocked down in ESCC cells using siRNA. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of proliferation- and migration-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. The correlation between BRF1 and ferroptosis was analyzed using TCGA data. Results BRF1 was significantly upregulated in over 20 types of cancer, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma. BRF1 was found to positively regulate the T-cell-mediated cell death pathway in esophageal adenocarcinoma and was associated with the circadian rhythm regulation pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The correlation of BRF1 with immune checkpoints, cytokine networks, and immune cell infiltration was found to be cancer type-specific. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knocking down BRF1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cells, accompanied by the downregulation of the proliferation marker PCNA. Cell migration was also significantly impaired, with decreased expression of Vimentin and MMPs and increased expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, the expression of BRF1 was positively correlated with that of ferroptosis-antagonizing genes, such as GPX4, HSPA5, and SLC7A11. Conclusion BRF1 plays complex roles in pan-cancer, participating in the regulation of tumorigenesis, progression, and immune infiltration. BRF1 promotes the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells, a mechanism potentially associated with the regulation of ferroptosis resistance. These findings suggest that BRF1 could be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective To explore the effects of combined exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and high-fat diet on liver lipid metabolism and hepatocyte senescence in mice, and to elucidate the potential mechanisms of the onset and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Specific pathogen free C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups, with 10 mice with equal numbers of each sex in each group. The mice in the control group and the simple BPA group were fed with regular diet, while others four groups of mice were fed with high-fat diet. At the same time, the mice in the simple BPA group were intragastric administered with BPA at a dose of 50 μg/kg body weight, while the mice in the low-, medium- and high-dose BPA+high-fat groups were intragastric administered with BPA at doses of 5, 50 and 500 μg/kg body weight respectively. The mice in the control group and the high-fat group were intragastric administered with the same volume of corn oil once per day for 90 consecutive days. Liver tissues were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Oil Red O staining. Liver coefficients and lipid-stained area ratios were calculated. Serum level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relative expression of cholesterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), CCAAT enhancer binding protein α, P16, and phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) in liver tissues was detected using Western blotting. The interaction effect of the combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet was observed based on the result of mice in the control group, the simple high-fat group, the simple BPA group, and the medium-dose BPA group+high-fat group (the combined exposure group) using a 2×2 factorial design. The results of mice in the simple high-fat group and the low-, medium-, and high-dose BPA+high-fat groups were used to observe the effect of BPA exposure dose under high-fat diet conditions. Results i) The interactive effect of combined exposure to BPA and high fat. The HE and Oil Red O staining results indicated that the combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet successfully established NAFLD in mice. The interactive effect of combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet on serum ALT activity and the relative expression of P16 in the liver tissue of female mice, as well as the serum ALT and AST activities and the relative expression of SREBP1 in the liver tissue of male mice was significant (all P<0.05). Specifically, the serum ALT activity of male mice in the combined exposure group was higher than that in the simple high-fat group (P<0.05), while the ALT activity in the serum of female mice in the combined exposure group was lower than that in the simple BPA group (P<0.05). The relative expression of SREBP1 protein in the liver tissue of male mice in the combined exposure group was higher than that in the control group, the simple high-fat group, and the simple BPA group (all P<0.05). For the other indicators, there were no significant differences in the interactive effect of combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet (all P>0.05). ii) Dose effects of BPA exposure. The HE and Oil Red O staining result showed that the degree of vacuolar steatosis in the liver of female and male mice of medium- and high-dose BPA + high-fat groups was aggravated, and the range of inflammatory cell infiltration was expanded when compared with same-sex mice in the simple high-fat group. The serum ALT activity and the fat stained area ratio, as well as the relative expression of P16 in liver tissue of female mice in high-dose BPA + high-fat group increased (all P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 in liver tissue decreased (P<0.05), compared with the female mice in simple high-fat group. The serum ALT activity, the TNF-α level in liver tissue, and the relative expression of SREBP1, P16 and γ-H2AX proteins in liver tissue of male mice in high-dose BPA + high-fat group increased (all P<0.05), while the IL-6 level in liver tissue decreased (P<0.05), compared with the male mice in simple high-fat group. For the female or male mice in the low- and medium-dose BPA + high-fat groups, only some of the above indicators showed significant changes (all P<0.05). Conclusion The combined exposure to BPA and high-fat diet has a synergistic effect on the onset and development of NAFLD. The mechanism may be related to inducing cellular senescence and modulation of lipid synthesis pathways, thereby affecting liver steatosis. The exposure dose of BPA may affect the synergistic effect.

ObjectiveTo investigate the application of the novel inflammatory factor adsorption column CA280 combined with low-dose plasma exchange （LPE） in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF）. MethodsA prospective cohort study was designed， and a total of 93 ACLF patients who were admitted to The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from June 2023 to January 2025 were enrolled and randomly divided into DPMAS+LPE group with 50 patients and CA280+LPE group with 43 patients. In addition to comprehensive medical treatment， the patients in the DPMAS+LPE group received DPMAS and LPE treatment， and those in the CA280+LPE group received CA280 and LPE treatment. The two groups were observed in terms of routine blood test results， liver function parameters， renal function markers， electrolytes， coagulation function parameters， cytokines， adverse events， and 28-day prognosis before surgery （baseline）， during surgery （DPMAS or CA280）， and after surgery （after sequential LPE treatment）. The paired t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group， and the independent-samples t test was used for comparison between groups； the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups， and the Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAfter CA280 treatment， the ACLF patients had significant reductions in the levels of cytokines （IL-6， IL-8， IL-10， TNF-α， and IFN-γ）， liver function parameters （ALT， AST， ALP， TBil， DBil， Alb， and glutathione reductase）， and the renal function marker urea nitrogen （all P<0.05）， and in terms of coagulation function parameters， there were significant increases in prothrombin time， activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）， thrombin time， and international normalized ratio （INR） and significant reductions in prothrombin activity （PTA） and fibrinogen （FIB） （all P<0.05）. Compared with the DPMAS+LPE group， the CA280+LPE group showed better improvements in the serum cytokines IL-8 （Z=-2.63， P=0.009）， IL-10 （Z=-3.94， P<0.001）， and TNF-α （Z=-1.53， P=0.023）， and the two artificial liver support systems had a similar effect in improving liver function （ALT， AST， GGT， GR， TBil， and DBil） （all P >0.05）， but the CA280+LPE group showed a significantly greater reduction in Alb （Z=-2.08， P=0.037）. CA280+LPE was more effective in reducing uric acid （Z=-2.97， P=0.003）. Compared with DPMAS+LPE， CA280+LPE treatment resulted in a significant reduction in INR （Z=-4.01， P<0.001）， a significant increase in APTT （Z=-2.53， P=0.011）， and significant greater increases in PTA （Z=-6.28， P<0.001） and FIB （Z=-3.93， P<0.001）. There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of adverse reactions and the rate of improvement at discharge between the two groups （all P>0.05）. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that IL-6 was significantly correlated with WBC （r=0.22， P=0.042）， TBil （r=0.29， P=0.005）， and FIB （r=-0.33， P=0.003）； IL-8 was positively correlated with APTT （r=0.37， P<0.001） and INR （r=0.25， P=0.013）； TNF-α was significantly correlated with WBC （r=0.40， P<0.001） and TBil （r=0.34， P<0.001）. ConclusionCompared with DPMAS， CA280 combined with LPE can effectively clear proinflammatory cytokines and improve liver function in ACLF patients， but it has a certain impact on Alb and coagulation function. This regimen provides a new option for the individualized treatment of ACLF and can improve the short-term prognosis of patients， but further studies are needed to verify its long-term efficacy.

Objective To explore the latent profile analysis of oral frailty in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions and to analyze the influencing factors of different potential profiles in order to provide a theoretical basis for constructing clinical intervention programs.Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions in a tertiary hospital in Hefei City from July to December 2024 as the survey subjects.General information questionnaire,the Chinese version of the Oral Frailty Index-8,Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form,Consumer Health Activation Index and Family APGAR Index Questionnaire were used to conduct the survey,and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors.Results A total of 418 elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions were included,with a total oral frailty score of(7.21±2.83).Oral frailty in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions can be classified into 3 potential profiles,namely severe oral frailty-low oral functioning group(60.53％),moderate oral frailty-high social behaviors group(8.85％),mild oral frailty-high oral health behavior group(30.62％).Age,family care,type of chronic disease,type of oral medication,and consumer health activation index were influential factors for different potential profiles(P＜0.05).Conclusion The oral frailty in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions was heterogeneous.Caregivers should focus on the severe oral frailty-low oral functioning group and the moderate oral frailty-high social behavior group,and develop targeted interventions according to the patients'different profile characteristics and influencing factors to prevent and delay the occurrence of oral frailty.

Objective:To explore the application value of cinematic rendering reconstruction technology in laparoscopic resection of giant adrenal tumors.Methods:As many as 21 patients with large adrenal tumors who underwent laparoscopic resection in Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, with a median age of 54.0 (40.5, 58.0) years and a median tumor diameter of 7.3 (6.8, 8.8) cm. All patients underwent preoperative cinematic rendering 3D reconstruction imaging. All patients underwent enhanced CT scans. Their CT images were three-dimensionally reconstructed on the post-processing workstation platform. By changing image perspectives, adjusting the visualization of organs or blood vessels, and using physical volume rendering, real-shadow-rendered images were obtained. With these images, surgeons can intuitively understand important preoperative information, like the relationship between the tumor and surrounding organs and the path of tumor-feeding blood vessels, for preoperative planning. Following thorough preoperative preparation, laparoscopic transabdominal resection was performed. During surgery, 20 tumors were found to be located in the adrenal gland, and 1 in the retroperitoneum, with 13 on the left side and 8 on the right side. Preoperative cinematic rendering 3D imaging was consistent with intraoperative findings.Results:All 21 patients underwent successful surgeries, with an average operation time of (199.0±95.3) minutes, a median blood loss of 220 (150, 500) ml, and a median blood transfusion volume of 200 (150, 400) ml. No significant damage of vital organs or major blood vessels occurred, and there were no case of conversion to open surgery.Conclusions:For retroperitoneal giant adrenal tumors, utilizing cinematic rendering 3D reconstruction imaging enables a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the tumor and surrounding organs and vessels preoperatively. This approach can reduce intraoperative bleeding and collateral injuries, improve the success rate of laparoscopic resection, and enhance overall surgical safety.

Objective:To clarify the effects of simple subtalar fusion on distribution of plantar pressures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 19 patients who had undergone simple subtalar fusion between January 2006 and December 2020 at Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. There were 13 males and 6 females with an age of (42.1±11.8) years and a duration of disease of 1.7 (1.0, 2.0) years. Another 14 normal subjects were recruited as normal controls [7 males and 7 females, with an age of (25.0±1.9) years]. The data of plantar pressure distribution were detected and analyzed by a Belgian Footscan? plantar pressure tester. The affected and healthy sides of the patients were compared with those of the normal group to analyze the peak pressures on different foot regions.Results:There was no significant difference in height or weight between the patients and the normal subjects ( P>0.05). The peak pressures on the first to the third metatarsal region of the forefoot and the medial region of the hindfoot of the affected foot were significantly lower than those of the normal foot in the patients ( P<0.05). The peak pressure on the forefoot region of a normal foot appeared in the third metatarsal region. In the patients, the peak pressure on the forefoot region of a healthy side shifted inward and appeared in the second metatarsal region, but the peak pressure on the forefoot region of an affected side shifted laterally and appeared in the fourth metatarsal region. The peak pressure on the midfoot of an affected side [(4.38±2.17) N/cm 2] was significantly higher than that on a healthy side [(3.04±1.80) N/cm 2] in the patients ( P=0.035). The peak pressures on the medial and lateral hindfoot regions of a healthy side were (7.12±1.91) N/cm 2 and (7.98±2.03) N/cm 2, respectively, showing no significant difference ( P=0.086). The peak pressure on the lateral hindfoot region of an affected side [(10.77±4.21) N/cm 2] was significantly higher than that on the medial hindfoot region [(8.71±2.89) N/cm 2] ( P=0.009). The peak plantar pressures on the affected side shifted to the lateral side in the patients. Conclusions:Subtalar fusion can exert significant effects on the distribution of plantar pressures. Specifically, the plantar pressures shift to the lateral side of an affected foot during all the gait stages while the plantar pressures on the healthy forefoot may compensate by transferring to the medial side in the patients.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of early precise lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.Methods:A restropective multi-center study was conducted to enroll the eligible 120 patients with malleolar fracture who received the same surgical treatment from March 2023 to December 2023 at the trauma centers in 7 tertiary hospitals according to the inclusion criteria. They were assigned into a study group ( n=60) for precise lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation with the assistance of intelligent lower limb walking rehabilitation crutches and a control group ( n=60) for conventional weight-bearing functional rehabilitation which was gradually increased according to their own feelings under the protection of a walking boot. All the 60 patients in the study group completed their final follow-ups. They were 25 males and 35 females, with an age of (43.8±16.6) years and a body mass index of (25.3±2.3) kg/m 2. Only 51 patients in the control group completed their final follow-ups. They were 27 males and 24 females, with an age of (45.1±16.4) years and a body mass index of (24.7±2.3) kg/m 2. When their incisions healed and their sutures were removed 2 weeks after operation, the patients were guided to start lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation, and exercises for foot and ankle joint mobility and lower limb muscles. The end point of follow-up was 12 weeks after operation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of the crutch-off rates, thigh circumferences, calf circumferences, dorsiflexions, plantarflexions, ankle swellings, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 6 and 12 weeks after operation. The complications were also recorded in the 2 groups. Results:No statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks after operation, the crutch-off rates [41.7% (25/60) and 100.0% (60/60)], dorsiflexions (69.3%±21.6% and 82.9%±26.3%) and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores [(68.5±7.6) points and (96.9±3.7) points] in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group [13.7% (7/51) and 39.2% (20/51), 61.5%±16.5% and 72.0%±14.3%, (61.9±9.3) points and (90.1±7.2) points] ( P<0.05). At 6 weeks after operation, the thigh circumference (97.4%±1.9%), calf circumference (97.3%±1.9%), and plantarflexion (76.6%±19.8%) in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (95.9%±2.5%, 94.6%±3.2%, and 63.9%±16.9%) ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in ankle swelling at 6 or 12 weeks after operation, or thigh or calf circumference, plantarflexion, or VAS pain score at 12 weeks after operation ( P>0.05). No wound complications, secondary fracture displacement, or loosening of internal fixation occurred in either group during the follow-up period. There were no cases of nonunion or delayed union. Conclusions:Early lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures demonstrates good safety. Precise weight-bearing rehabilitation accelerates functional recovery of the ankle, enabling earlier return to normal daily activities.

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.

BACKGROUND:The asymmetrical biomechanical environment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to further wedge deformation of the vertebral body,which may affect cardiopulmonary function and compress nerves in severe cases.Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with different degrees of scoliosis should be treated with exercise,bracing,and surgery.However,the mechanical mechanism of selecting an orthopedic approach remains unclear due to the individual variability of patients.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical mechanism of different orthopedic modalities for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to provide a basis for clinical selection of treatment modalities based on the spine model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.METHODS:Based on the CT images of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient,a scoliosis model(C7-L5)was reconstructed in Mimics software in three dimensions,and lateral thrust force was applied at the T8/T9 thorax and vertical distraction force was applied over the C7 vertebra with the magnitude of 20,40,60,80,100,and 120 N.The intervertebral disc stress and vertebral displacement in concave and convex sides,and Cobb angle of the spine were analyzed under two orthopedic modalities.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With lateral thrust,there was no significant change in the C7T1-T7T8 intervertebral disc.The concave and convex stress of T7T8-L4L5 segment decreased first and then increased with the increase of lateral thrust force.The correction effect of lateral thrust on the segment near T8T9 was obvious and weakened with the extension of the segment to the cephalic and caudal ends.At 120 N of lateral thrust,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 32.5° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 43.9°.(2)With the vertical distraction,the thoracic intervertebral disc stresses first decreased and then increased,and all the lumbar disc stresses decreased.The C7 displacement was the most obvious,and the correction effect gradually diminished with the segment extended to the caudal end.At a vertical distraction force of 120 N,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 39.4° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 47.6°.(3)It is concluded that both orthopedic modalities provide improvement in the degree of scoliosis,with the thoracic correction being greater than the lumbar correction.Also,the asymmetric stress distribution on the concave and convex sides is improved,which contributes to normal bone growth.A vertical distraction approach is appropriate for larger Cobb angles,and a lateral thrust approach is appropriate for smaller Cobb angles.The results of this study help to understand the mechanism of spinal orthosis and provide a theoretical basis for the choice of orthopedic approach.

Objective To discuss the effect of interleukin-17A(IL-17A)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)on the benign tracheal stenosis after tracheal injury in experimental dogs.Methods The trachea stenosis model of healthy Beagle dogs was established by burning the middle part of trachea with electric snare under bronchoscopy guidance.A total of 21 dogs were divided into normal group(n=3,receiving normal feeding),molding group(n=12,after airway modeling every 3 dogs were sacrificed each week for 4 weeks),IL-17A suppression group(n=3,receiving Secukinumab after airway modeling),and IL-17A inhibitor+TGF-β1 inhibitor group(n=3,receiving Secukinumab and SB43154 after airway modeling).Bronchoscopy and CT scan were performed once a week,and the stenosis degree was calculated.RT-qPCR,immunohistochemistry,and HE staining of the obtained tracheal tissues were performed.Results Within 1-4 weeks after molding,in module-making dogs the degree of stenosis of the injured trachea gradually increased,and the expressions of ECM-related proteins,TGF-β1 and IL-17A were up-regulated.After treatment with IL-17A inhibitors,the inflammatory infiltration and granulation tissue hyperplasia were reduced and the early tracheal stenosis was improved(P＜0.05).The combination use of IL-17A inhibitor and TGF-β1 inhibitor had a better remission effect(P＜0.05).Conclusion IL-17A and TGF-β1 may synergistically affect the formation of tracheal stenosis.