BACKGROUND:The plantarflexor weakness is a common muscle defect in patients with spastic cerebral palsy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth,which clinically manifests abnormal gaits,and the relationship between plantarflexor weakness and abnormal gaits is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biomechanical behavior of the lower limb under the action of a single factor of plantarflexor weakness to reveal the mechanism of abnormal gait induced by plantarflexor weakness and to provide guidance for the rehabilitation training of patients with plantarflexor weakness. METHODS:A predictive framework of musculoskeletal multibody dynamics in the sagittal plane was established based on OpenSim Moco to predict lower limb joint angles and muscle activation changes during walking in normal subjects.The validity of the framework was verified by combining the inverse kinematics and electromyogram activation time of the experimental data.Reduced isometric muscle forces were used to model plantarflexor weakness and to compare predicted lower extremity joint angles,joint moments,and muscle energy expenditure with normal subjects to analyze the effects of plantarflexor weakness on lower extremity biomechanics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The Moco-based prediction framework realistically predicted the biomechanical changes of the lower limbs during walking in normal subjects(joint angles:normalized correlation coefficient≥0.73,root mean square error≤7.10°).(2)The musculoskeletal model used a small stride support phase to increase the"heel-walking"gait during plantarflexor weakness.When the plantarflexor weakness reached 80%,the muscle energy expenditure was 5.691 4 J/kg/m,and the maximum activation levels of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were 0.72 and 0.53,which might cause the plantarflexor weakness patients to be more prone to fatigue when walking.(3)Muscle energy expenditure was significantly higher when the weakness of plantarflexors exceeded 40%,and the joint angles and moments of the lower limbs deteriorated significantly when the weakness of plantarflexors exceeded 60%,suggesting that there may be a"threshold"for the effect of plantarflexor weakness on gait,which may correspond to the point at which health care professionals should intervene in the clinical setting.

Objective: To understand the unhealthy listening habits and related factors hearing on impairment among primary and middle school students in Jilin Province, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of hearing impairment in children and adolescents. Methods: From September to November 2021, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 12 847 primary and middle school students in nine cities of Jilin Province who use headphones for more than 0.5 hours daily for a questionnaire survey. Data on unhealthy listening habits, lifestyle habits and hearing impairment were collected. The data were analyzed using the χ 2 test and Logistic regression. Results: Totally 1 702 students(13.25%) experienced hearing impairment within the last month. There were statistical differences between the sexes with the average daily headphone use, the times of using headphones ≥1 h every day for one week use in all environment or noisy environment ( χ 2=47.86, 57.60, 66.31, P <0.01). Logistic regression analysis results showed that factors related to the occurrence of hearing impairment among primary and secondary school students included:average daily headphone use of 1-2 h and more than 2 h ( OR=1.74, 95%CI =1.60-1.90; OR=1.73, 95%CI =1.59-1.90), times of using headphones ≥1 h every day for one week were 1-2 times and >2 times ( OR=1.71, 95%CI =1.59- 1.84 ; OR=1.83, 95%CI =1.71-1.97), the times of using headphones≥1 h every day for one week being 1-2 times and >2 times in noisy environment per week ( OR=1.48, 95%CI =1.40-1.56; OR=1.72, 95%CI =1.61-1.86), economic underdevelopment ( OR=1.85, 95%CI =1.76-1.96), boarding （OR=1.78, 95%CI =1.69-1.89), single parent family ( OR=1.72, 95%CI =1.60- 1.87 ), daily activity duration less than 1 h ( OR=1.71, 95%CI =1.63-1.81), sedentary behavior duration more than 6 h per day ( OR=1.88, 95%CI =1.79-1.98) ( P <0.05). Conclusions The behavior of ear protection among primary and middle school students in Jilin Province needs to be enhanced, focusing on students in economically underdeveloped areas, boarding schools and single parent families. It is necessary to guide primary and middle school students to improve their bad ear habits, increase outdoor activities and reduce the time of sitting.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease with devastating complications and high mortality. It requires rapid and accurate diagnosis and a focus on prognosis. Many laboratory tests are routinely performed in patients with aortic dissection including D-dimer, brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin. D-dimer shows vital performance in the diagnosis of aortic dissection, and brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin exhibits important value in risk stratification and prognostic effect in aortic dissection patients. Our review summarized the clinical utility of these laboratory tests in patients with aortic dissection, aiming to provide advanced and comprehensive evidence for clinicians to better understand these laboratory tests and help their clinical practice.

Objective To screen monoclonal antibodies against different binding sites of connexin 43(Cx43) and establish a double antibody sandwich ELISA method for quantitative detection of Cx43 protein in order to further study the structure,function and subcellular localization of full-length and truncated Cx43 protein.Methods The sequence of Cx43 protein was analyzed by bioinformatics method. The peptide fragments were designed and synthesized for different domains, and coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin(KLH) protein, which were used as immunogen to immunize 15 female BALB/c mice.Hybridoma cells were prepared by cell fusion technology, and cell lines stably secreting monoclonal antibodies against Cx43 protein were screened. The antibodies were purified by Protein G affinity chromatography, and its subtype, affinity and specificity were identified. Two high affinity monoclonal antibodies were used as capture antibody and detection antibody respectively(labeled with HRP) to establish a double antibody sandwich ELISA method. The sealing solution(5% milk-PBS, 3%BSA-PBS), washing solution [0. 01 mol/L PBS(pH 7. 2), 0. 01 mol/L PBS-0. 5% Tween 20(pH 7. 2)(i. e., PBST)] and sample diluent [3% BSA-PBS and 0. 01 mol/L PBS(pH 7. 2)]were optimized, and the method was verified for the linear range, sensitivity, specificity, precision and accuracy. The content of Cx43 protein in mouse brain tissue, intestine tissue, femur tissue and MC3T3-E1 mouse embryonic osteoblast lysate was detected by the established method.Results Three hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against Cx43 were screened and named as 1-1E2, 2-1G11 and 3-2G12 respectively. The antibody subtypes were IgG1, IgG1 and IgG2b respectively, and the antibody sensitivity reached 0. 002 μg/mL, among which 2-1G11 and 3-2G12 had higher affinity. A double antibody sandwich ELISA was developed with 2-1G11 as capture antibody and HRP-labeled 3-2G12 as detection antibody. The optimum sealing solution was 3% BSA-PBS, washing solution was PBST, and sample diluent was 0. 01 mol/L PBS(pH 7. 2). Cx43 protein standard showed a good linear relationship with the mean value of A_(450)in the concentration range of 3. 12-200 ng/mL, R~2> 0. 98. Cx43 protein could be specifically detected by this method, and there was no cross reaction with KLH protein, bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2) and human recombinant TGM2 protein. The CV of precision verification was 7. 72%. The recovery rates of high, medium and low concentrations of test samples were all in the range of 85%-115%. The content of Cx43 protein in MC3T3-E1 mouse embryonic osteoblasts was higher(58. 03 ng/mL), while the content in osteogenic tissue was lower(38. 4 ng/mL).Conclusion Specific monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of human Cx43 were successfully prepared, and a double antibody sandwich ELISA method with high sensitivity and strong specificity for quantitative detection of Cx43 protein was established, which provided a reliable detection method for the study of structure and function of Cx43 protein.

Objective: To analyze the unregistered treatment situation and its influencing factors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for promoting the management of tuberculosis patients and optimizing disease prevention and control strategies. Methods: Data of pulmonary tuberculosis patients including demographic information, etiological results, and mortality status were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System Infectious Disease Reporting and Surveillance System and the Tuberculosis Management Information System. Pulmonary tuberculosis patients not matched in the Tuberculosis Management Information System were defined as unregistered treatment patients, and the unregistered treatment rate was analyzed. Factors affecting unregistered treatment among pulmonary tuberculosis patients were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 10 779 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were reported in Quzhou City from 2017 to 2023, including 7 700 males (71.44%) and 3 079 females (28.56%). There were 5 484 cases aged <65 years, accounting for 50.88%. Among them, 630 cases were unregistered treatment, with an unregistered treatment rate of 5.84% (95%CI: 5.42%-6.38%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged ≥65 years (OR=1.829, 95%CI: 1.512-2.212) had a higher risk of being unregistered treatment than those aged <65 years; patients with non-local household registration (OR=5.710, 95%CI: 4.724-6.901) had a higher risk than local patients; and patients engaged in housework/unemployed (OR=2.001, 95%CI: 1.421-2.818) or other occupations (OR=2.396, 95%CI: 1.789-3.137) had a higher risk than farmers. The mortality of unregistered treatment pulmonary tuberculosis patients was higher than the registered treatment patients (26.67% vs. 5.02%),with a significantly elevated mortality risk (OR=7.147, 95%CI: 5.738-8.902). Conclusions The unregistered treatment rate among pulmonary tuberculosis patients was well controlled in Quzhou City from 2017 to 2023, but the elderly, patients with non-local household registration, and those engaged in housework/unemployed had a higher risk of unregistered treatment. It is recommended to improve medical and social security policies, strengthen health education on tuberculosis prevention, enhance treatment adherence, and reduce mortality risk.

Objective: To analyze the trajectories of body mass index for age z-score (BAZ) and its influencing factors among children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) based on latent class growth modeling (LCGM), so as to provide the evidence for improving treatment measures and optimizing growth management among children with CH. Methods Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Methods: Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results: A total of 299 children with CH were included. There were 140 boys (46.82%) and 159 girls (53.18%). The median of BAZ was 0.50 (interquartile range, 1.68). The LCGM analysis categorized the subjects into three groups: the persistent high-growth pattern group with 24 cases (8.03%), the slow-growth pattern group with 39 cases (13.04%), and the appropriate-growth pattern group with 236 cases (78.93%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the children with CH in the appropriate-growth pattern group, those who started treatment at the age of 30 to 60 days (OR=0.109, 95%CI: 0.016-0.732; OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.032-0.852) had a lower risk of persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns; CH children with TSH levels of 50 to 150 mIU/L at diagnosis (OR=3.554, 95%CI: 1.201-10.514) and those whose paternal had a senior high school/technical secondary school education (OR=2.975, 95%CI: 1.003-8.823) exhibited a higher risk of the persistent high-growth pattern. Conversely, CH children whose paternal reproductive age was 30 to 35 years (OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.034-0.806) had a lower risk of the persistent high-growth pattern. Conclusions The BAZ trajectory of children with CH aged 0 to 3 years exhibited three patterns: persistent high-growth, slow-growth, and appropriate-growth. The persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns were associated with treatment timing, TSH levels at diagnosis, paternal reproductive age, and paternal education level. It is recommended to strengthen early treatment interventions and provide family follow-up guidance.

Objective To compare the application of two endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapies(ERAT)in acute uncomplicated appendicitis.Methods 100 patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis from January 2021 to Jun 2023 were randomly divided into the direct vision group(50 cases)and the control group(50 cases).The control group was treated with conventional ERAT,and the direct vision group was treated with EyeMax Insight pancreaticobiliary imaging system assisted ERAT.The operation time,appendiceal intubation time,success rate of appendiceal intubation,abdominal pain relief time,body temperature recovery time,white blood cell recovery time,hospitalization time,and incidence of surgical complications were compared between the two groups.Results Comparison of appendiceal intubation time and operation time between the two groups:The appendiceal intubation time(5.43±3.51)min and operation time(45.50±10.65)min in the direct vision group were shorter than those in the control group(8.76±5.43)min and(54.32±13.45)min,and the differences were statistically significant(P=0.000).There were no significant differences in the success rate of intubation,recurrence rate,abdominal pain relief time,body temperature recovery time,white blood cell recovery time,hospitalization time and incidence of surgical complications between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion ERAT assisted by EyeMax Insight pancreaticobiliary imaging system can shorten the time of appendiceal intubation and operation,without increasing the incidence of complications,avoiding radiation exposure for patients and medical staff.It is safe and effective and worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To investigate the impact of liraglutide on contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)and prognosis in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM)after PCI.Methods A ret-rospective trial was conducted on 364 elderly T2DM patients undergoing PCI in Department of Cardiology of Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022.According to whether lira-glutide was used in the past,they were divided into liraglutide group(n=145)and control group(n=219).Their general clinical data were collected in the two groups.Propensity score matching was used to adjust confounding factors and to assign the patients.After propensity score matc-hing,there were 220 patients finally included,with 110 in each group.The levels of serum creati-nine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL),hyper-sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),Bax/BCL-2 and Caspase 9,and incidence of CIN were compared before and in 48 h after PCI be-tween the matched patients from the two groups.These patients were followed up for 18 months after discharge.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the effect of liraglutide on the occurrence of CIN.Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and Log rank test were applied to compare the differences in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)be-tween 2 groups.Results The levels of Scr,BUN,NGAL,hs-CRP,and MDA were significantly lower,and SOD level was obviously higher in the liraglutide group than the control group in 48 h after PCI(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The liraglutide group had notably lower incidence of CIN than the control group within 48 h after PCI(7.27％vs 16.36％,P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated liraglutide as an independent protective factor against CIN(OR=0.341,95％CI:0.128-0.906,P=0.031).During the median follow-up period of 14.75(12.60,16.33)months,a lower MACE occurrence rate was seen in the liraglutide group than the control group(log rank x2=5.656,P=0.017).Conclusion Liraglutide can reduce the incidences of CIN and MACE in elderly T2DM patients after PCI,which may be associated with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Objective To investigate the influences of Qishen Yiqi dropping pills on serum IL-18 level and prognosis in elderly hypertension patients complicated with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Methods A prospective study was performed on 330 patients with hypertension compli-cated by ACS treated in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022.They were randomly di-vided into dropping pills treatment group(n=164)and control group(n=166).The control group received standard Western medicine treatment,and on the basis of the treatment,the treat-ment group were given Qishen Yiqi dropping pills.The baseline clinical data,serum IL-18 level,blood pressure,and blood lipid and glucose levels in 1 year after treatment and the incidence rate of MACE within 1 year of follow-up were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify influencing factors for reoccurrence of MACE in elderly patients with hypertension complicated by ACS.ROC curve was plotted to study the value of IL-18 in predicting MACE in the patients.Results In 1 year after treatment,SBP and DBP levels,serum levels of IL-18,LDL-C and TC,and the incidence of MACE were significantly lower in the treatment group than the control group(P＜0.05).Multivarate logistic regression analysis re-vealed that Qishen Yiqi dropping pill was an independent protective factor for MACE(OR=0.259,95％CI:0.087-0.772,P=0.010),while higher serum IL-18 level was a risk factor for MACE(OR=1.075,95％CI:1.046-1.106,P=0.000)in the elderly hypertension patients com-plicated by ACS.The AUC value of serum IL-18 level in predicting MACE in the patients with hypertension complicated by ACS was 0.786(95％CI:0.696-0.877,P＜0.01),with a sensitivity and a specificity of 65.00％and 90.00％respectively.Conclusion Serum IL-18 level has a predic-tive value for prognosis in elderly hypertension patients complicated with ACS.Qishen Yiqi drop-ping pills can reduce serum IL-18 level,blood pressure and lipids,attenuate inflammatory re-sponse,and consequently decrease the risk of MACE and improve prognosis in the patients.

Objective To explore basement membrane markers and potential drugs for treatment in idiopathic pulmona-ry fibrosis(IPF).Methods IPF-related datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,processed to construct basement membrane gene expression matrices associated with IPF,and screened for differential basement membrane genes(DEBMs);DEBMs were enriched for function and pathways,and machine learning algorithms were used to ob-tain candidate signature genes,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to identify signature genes and con-struct a nomogram.We performed ssGSEA analysis to explore the correlation between signature genes and immune cells and their functions and predicted the corresponding miRNAs and therapeutic drugs by signature genes.Results A total of 56 DEBMs were extracted;enrichment analysis showed that DEBMs were mainly enriched in"extracellular matrix tissue","extracellular structural tissue",etc.,and were closely related to"ECM-receptor interaction"and"local adhesion spot"pathways.The ma-chine learning has identified six candidate signature genes(TIMP3,P3H2,ITGA7,ITGA4,ADAMTS2,COL8A2),all of which meet the requirements of the signature genes by the ROC curve test,and the nomogram diagnostic value was outstanding(AUC=0.991 523);B cells and Macrophages in IPF were significantly different from the normal group.Finally,miRNAs were predicted to be dominated by miR-4305,miR-3684,progesterone,and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as therapeutic agents with strong relevance to IPF.Conclusion Signature genes and predictive miRNAs may serve as novel markers for IPF diagnosis,and pre-dictive drugs may be a potential source of drugs for treating IPF.