OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of self-made anatomical tower-shaped pads combined with splint plaster fixation in the treatment of unstable 2nd to 5th metacarpal fractures and to provide a reference for clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 98 patients with unstable 2nd to 5th metacarpal fractures treated with self-made anatomical tower-shaped pads combined with splint plaster fixation between January 2019 and December 2022. There were 74 males and 24 females, aged from 19 to 63 years old with an average of (41.58±7.23) years old. The total active movement (TAM) score was used to evaluate the metacarpophalangeal joint function. Complications and fracture healing time were recorded. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for a period ranging from 1 to 5 months, with an average duration of (3.45±1.03) months. Among the 98 patients, anatomical alignment was achieved in 75 patients, with 68 patients still maintaining anatomical alignment after fixation removal. Functional alignment was achieved in 23 patients, with 20 patients maintaining functional alignment even after fixation removal. There were 10 patients with displacement after reduction. The average fracture healing time was (5.78±1.14) weeks, and the fracture healed well without any angular or rotational deformities. TAM score was utilized to assess the hand function of patients 3 months post-treatment. The extension range of motion (10.72±1.35)° and flexion range of motion (83.19±4.08)° of the metacarpophalangeal joint were significantly higher than the pre-treatment values of (8.25±0.68)° and (70.35±2.36)°, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). TAM outcomes were excellent in 92 cases, good in 5, fair in 1, and poor in none. CONCLUSION The implementation of self-made anatomical tower-shaped pad combined with splint plaster fixation is effective for the conservative management of unstable 2nd to 5th metacarpal fractures.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Metacarpal Bones/surgery* ; Splints ; Retrospective Studies ; Fractures, Bone/therapy* ; Casts, Surgical ; Young Adult ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gansu, China, providing foundational data for intervention strategies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 159 PKU families who attended Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to December 2024. Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, whole exome sequencing, and deep intronic variant analysis were used to analyze the PAH gene. RESULTS: For the 1 159 children with PKU, 2 295 variants were identified in 2 318 alleles, resulting in a detection rate of 99.01%. The detection rates were 100% (914/914) in 457 classic PKU families, 99.45% (907/912) in 456 mild PKU families, and 96.34% (474/492) in 246 mild hyperphenylalaninemia families. The 2 295 variants detected comprised 208 distinct mutation types, among which c.728G>A (14.95%, 343/2 295) had the highest frequency, followed by c.611A>G (4.88%, 112/2 295) and c.721C>T (4.79%, 110/2 295). The cumulative frequency of the top 23 hotspot variants reached 70.28% (1 613/2 295), and most variant alleles were detected in exon 7 (29.19%, 670/2 295). CONCLUSIONS Deep intronic variant analysis of the PAH gene can improve the genetic diagnostic rate of PKU. The development of targeted detection kits for PAH hotspot variants may enable precision screening programs and enhance preventive strategies for PKU.
Humans ; Phenylketonurias/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Phenylalanine Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Mutation ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Child ; Infant

Objective To analyze the pathogenic characteristics and drug sensitivity of candidaemia,and construct a short-term mortality risk prediction scoring model.Methods The clinical data of patients with candidaemia admitted to the 909 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed,and the composition of pathogen composition,drug sensitivity test results and incidence of hospitalized patients were analyzed.324 cases of candidaemia were randomly divided into modeling group(190 cases)and validation group(134 cases),and the risk factors were screened by binary logistic regression.According to the odds ratio(OR)score,the 30 day mortality risk prediction scoring model was constructed,and the predictive performance of the model was verified both in modeling and validation groups.Results 356 strains of Candida including 126 strains of C.albicans(35.39%),79 strains of C.tropicalis(22.19%),74 strains of C.parapsilosis(20.79%),48 strains of C.glabrata(13.48%),14 strains of C.guilliermondii(3.93%),8 strains of C.krusei(2.25%),and 7 strains of other Candida(1.97%)were detected in 336 patients with candidemia.The incidence of candidaemia among hospitalized patients increased from 0.20 ‰ in 2011 to 0.48 ‰ in 2020.The resistance rate of candida to amphotericin B was significantly lower than that of fluconazole,voriconazole and itraconazole(P＜0.05).Among the 324 cases included in the model,95 patients died in 30 days after diagnosis,and the mortality rate was 29.32%.The proportion of males,fever,and parenteral nutrition in modeling group was significantly higher than that in validation group(P＜0.05),while the proportion of chronic lung disease and surgical history within one month were lower than those in validation group(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that chronic renal failure,mechanical ventilation,severe neutropenia,failure to receive anti-fungal treatment within 72 hours,and APACHE Ⅱ≥20 were risk factors for short-term death of candidaemia,the OR values were 3.179,1.970,2.979,2.080,and 2.399,and the risk scores were 6,4,6,4,and 5,respectively.The area under the curve(AUC)of the risk scoring model for modeling group was 0.792(95%CI 0.721-0.862),and the result of Hosmer-Lemeshow(H-L)test was P=0.305;The AUC of validation group was 0.796(95%CI 0.735-0.898),and the H-L test result was P=0.329.A risk score≤8 indicated a low risk group for short-term mortality,a score of 9-15 indicated a medium risk group,and a score≥16 indicated a high risk group.Conclusions The incidence of candidemia in hospitalized patients is increasing and the mortality is high.The risk prediction score model can effectively predict the short-term prognosis and facilitate the early identification of the prognosis.

Secondary organic aerosol(SOA)produced by photooxidation of styrene and other aromatic compounds is a major part of fine particles in urban atmosphere.In this study,the measurement of component and content of SOA formed from photooxidation of styrene in smog chamber using synchronous radiation vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer(VUV-PIAMS)was conducted.Photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA was detected by synchrotron radiation photon with 10.5 eV,and the proportion of main components was quantified based on the peak area of each ion peak.The photoionization efficiency curve of ion peak was obtained under synchrotron radiation photons in the range from 7.5 to 11.5 eV,and then the ionization potential was acquired for qualitative analysis of the component structure.The results showed that the photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA mainly contained ion peaks at m/z 106,108,120 and 122,and the ionization potentials of each peak were(9.41±0.03)eV,(8.93±0.03)eV,(9.24±0.03)eV and(9.25±0.03)eV,respectively.Combined with quantum chemistry calculation and off-line measurement verification of infrared absorption spectra and electrospray ionization mass spectra,it was determined that benzaldehyde,benzyl alcohol,4-vinylphenol and benzoic acid were main components of styrene SOA,accounting for 32.5%,17.5%,25%and 15%of the measured components,respectively,and the generated quantity ratio was 13∶7∶10∶6.VUV-PIAMS could overcome the disadvantages of off-line method,and could on-line detect component and content of SOA,proving a useful tool to measure the chemical components and reveal the formation process of SOA particles.

Objective To investigate the disease spectrum and pathogenic genes of inherited metabolic disorder(IMD)among neonates in Gansu Province of China.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the tandem mass spectrometry data of 286 682 neonates who received IMD screening in Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021.A genetic analysis was conducted on the neonates with positive results in tandem mass spectrometry during primary screening and reexamination.Results A total of 23 types of IMD caused by 28 pathogenic genes were found in the 286 682 neonates,and the overall prevalence rate of IMD was 0.63‰(1/1 593),among which phenylketonuria showed the highest prevalence rate of 0.32‰(1/3 083),followed by methylmalonic acidemia(0.11‰,1/8 959)and tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency(0.06‰,1/15 927).In this study,166 variants were identified in the 28 pathogenic genes,with 13 novel variants found in 9 genes.According to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines,5 novel variants were classified as pathogenic variants,7 were classified as likely pathogenic variants,and 1 was classified as the variant of uncertain significance.Conclusions This study enriches the database of pathogenic gene variants for IMD and provides basic data for establishing an accurate screening and diagnosis system for IMD in this region.

Humans ; Fibrosarcoma/surgery* ; Sarcoma ; Temporal Bone ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/surgery*

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Yudantong decoction in mice with α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis, as well as its targets and mechanism based on intestinal flora and intestinal barrier function. Methods A total of 24 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, Yudantong decoction group (YDTF group), and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) group, with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the model group, the YDTF group, and the UDCA group were given ANIT 35 mg/kg/day by gavage on days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13, and those in the YDTF group and the UDCA group were given Yudantong decoction or UDCA by gavage for 15 consecutive days; related samples were collected on day 16. Liver histopathology was observed, and liver function parameters were measured; immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein expression levels of caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and FXR in the liver, and flow cytometry was used to measure the percentages of CD11b + , CD86 + , and CD45 + immune cells in the liver; 16S rDNA sequencing and information analysis were performed for fecal microorganisms; immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein expression of the intestinal FXR/NLRP3 pathway, and immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the protein expression of intestinal E-cadherin and occludin. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data with homogeneity of variance between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Welch test was used for comparison of data with heterogeneity of variance between multiple groups, and the Games-Howell test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results HE staining showed that the model group had partial hepatocyte fatty degeneration, massive necrosis of hepatocytes in hepatic lobules, damage of lobular structure, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, and the YDTF group and the UDCA group had alleviation of hepatocyte fatty degeneration and hepatocyte necrosis in hepatic lobules, with a reduction in inflammatory cells. Compared with the control group, the model group had significantly higher serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), and total bile acid (TBA) (all P < 0.05); compared with the model group, the YDTF group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, TBil, DBil, and TBA (all P < 0.05), and the UDCA group had significant reductions in the serum levels of GGT, TBil, DBil, and TBA (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of caspase-1 and IL-1β and a significant reduction in the expression of FXR in the liver (all P < 0.05); compared with the model group, the YDTF group had significant reductions in the levels of caspase-1 and IL-1β in the liver and the UDCA group had a significant reduction in the level of IL-1β in the liver, and both the YDTF group and the UDCA group had a significant increase in the expression level of FXR in the liver (all P < 0.05). The model group had a significant change in the composition of intestinal flora compared with the control group ( P < 0.05); there was a significant difference in the structure of intestinal flora between the YDTF group and the model group ( P < 0.05), and there was also a significant difference in the composition of intestinal flora between the UDCA group and the control/model groups ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had a significant increase in the abundance of intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila and a significant reduction in the abundance of Lactobacillus johnsonii (both P < 0.05); compared with the model group, both the YDTF group and the UDCA group had a significant reduction in the abundance of intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila , and the YDTF group had a significant increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus murinus , while the UDCA group had significant increases in the abundance of Lactobacillus murinus and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had a significant reduction in the protein expression of intestinal FXR, a significant increase in the protein expression of intestinal NLRP3, and significant reductions in the expression of intestinal E-cadherin and occludin (all P < 0.05); compared with the model group, both the YDTF group and the UDCA group had a significant increase in the protein expression of intestinal FXR, a significant reduction in the protein expression of intestinal NLRP3, and significant increases in the expression of intestinal E-cadherin and occludin (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Yudantong decoction can alleviate liver injury in mice with ANIT-induced cholestasis, possibly by improving intestinal flora and enhancing intestinal barrier function.

Tuber rot has become a serious problem in the large-scale cultivation of Gastrodia elata. In this study, we compared the resistance of different ecotypes of G. elata to tuber rot by field experiments on the basis of the investigation of G. elata diseases. The histological observation and transcriptome analysis were conducted to reveal the resistance differences and the underlying mechanisms among different ecotypes. In the field, G. elata f. glauca had the highest incidence of tuber rot, followed by G. elata f. viridis, and G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca×G. elata f. elata showed the lowest incidence. Tuber rot showcased obvious plant source specificity and mainly occurred in the buds and bottom of G. elata plants. After infection, the pathogen spread hyphae in host cortex cells, which can change the endophytic fungal community structure in the cortex and parenchyma of G. elata. G. elata f. glauca had thinner lytic layer and more sugar lumps in the parenchyma than G. elata f. elata. The transcription of genes involved in immune defense, enzyme synthesis, polysaccharide synthesis, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, hydroxylase activity, and aromatic compound synthesis had significant differences between G. elata f. glauca and G. elata f. elata. These findings suggested that the differences in resis-tance to tuber rot among different ecotypes of G. elata may be related to the varied gene expression patterns and secondary metabolites. This study provides basic data for the prevention and control of tuber rot and the improvement of planting technology for G. elata.
Ecotype ; Gastrodia/microbiology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Plant Tubers/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the levels of Th9 cells and interleukin-9 (IL-9), and to assess the regulatory activity of Th9/IL-9 to anti-tumor immune response in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: Thirty-four patients with gastric cancer who received operation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between October 2018 and August 2019 were included. Twenty individuals who received physical examination in the same period were also enrolled. Peripheral blood was collected, and then plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and autologous gastric cancer cells were isolated from resected gastric cancer tissues. CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, and CD4(+) CCR4(-)CCR6(-)CXCR3(-) cells were purified from PBMCs and TILs. Plasma IL-9 level was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The percentage of CD3(+) CD4(+) IL-9(+) Th9 cells in PBMCs and TILSs was assessed by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of IL-9 and transcriptional factors purine-rich nucleic acid binding protein 1 (PU.1) were semi-quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). PBMCs and TILs from gastric cancer patients were stimulated with recombinant human IL-9. Cellular proliferation was measured by cell counting kit-8. The phosphorylation levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT6 were investigated by western blot. Cytokine production was measured by ELISA. Purified CD8(+) T cells from TILs of gastric cancer patients were stimulated with recombinant human IL-9. CD8(+) T cells and autologous gastric cancer cells were cocultured in direct contact and indirect contact manner. The percentage of target cell death was calculated by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. These cretion of γ-Interferon (γ-IFN) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured by ELISA. CD4(+) CCR4(-)CCR6(-)CXCR3(-)cells, CD8(+) T cells, and autologous gastric cancer cells were directly cocultured, and anti-IL-9 neutralizing antibody was added. The target cell death was measured. Results: The percentages of CD3(+) CD4(+) IL-9(+) Th9 cells in PBMCs of control group and PBMCs of gastric cancer group were (1.21±0.25)% and (1.14±0.19)%, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.280). The percentage of CD3(+) CD4(+) IL-9(+) Th9 cells in TILs of gastric cancer group was (2.30±0.55)%, which was higher than those in PBMCs of control group and PBMCs of gastric cancer group (P<0.001). The plasma IL-9 level in control group and gastric cancer group were (5.04±1.51) and (4.93±1.25) ng/ml. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.787). The relative levels of IL-9 mRNA in PBMCs of control group and PBMCs of gastric cancer group were 1.33±0.39 and 1.36±0.27. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.691). The relative level of IL-9 mRNA in TILs of gastric cancer group was 2.90±0.75, which was higher than those in PBMCs of control group (P<0.001) and PBMCs of gastric cancer group (P<0.001). The relative levels of PU.1 mRNA in PBMCs of control group and PBMCs of gastric cancer group were 1.21±0.12 and 1.20±0.11. The difference was not statistically significant (t=0.21, P=0.833). PU.1 mRNA relative level in TILs of gastric cancer group was 2.81±0.65, which was higher than those in PBMCs of control group (P<0.001) and PBMCs of gastric cancer group (P<0.001). Recombinant human IL-9 stimulation did not affect the proliferation of PBMCs and TILs of gastric cancer patients (P>0.05), but elevated the phosphorylation level of STAT6 and induced the secretions of γ-IFN, IL-17, and IL-22 by TILs (P<0.05). In direct contact culture system, IL-9 stimulation promoted tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells-induced autologous gastric cancer cell death [(20.62±2.27)% vs. (16.08±2.61)%, P<0.01)]. In indirect contact culture system, IL-9 stimulation did not increase CD8(+) T cell-induced autologous gastric cancer cell death [(5.21±0.70)% vs. (5.31±1.22)%, P=0.998)]. However, the secretion levels of γ-IFN were elevated in response to IL-9 stimulation in both culture systems [direct contact culture system: (100.40±12.05) pg/ml vs. (76.45±8.56) pg/ml; indirect contact culture system: (78.00±9.98) pg/ml vs. (42.09±10.71) pg/ml; P<0.01]. The TNF-α secretion level did not significantly changed (P>0.05). In direct contact culture system, the percentage of target cells was (22.01±3.05) % and γ-IFN secretion level was (104.5±12.84) pg/ml in CD4(+) CCR4(-)CCR6(-)CXCR3(-) cells+ CD8(+) T cells+ gastric cancer cells group, which was higher than (16.08±2.61)% and (76.45±8.56) pg/ml in CD8(+) T cells+ gastric cancer cells group (P<0.01). However, the percentage of target cells was (14.47±3.14)% and γ-IFN secretion level was (70.45±19.43) pg/ml in CD4(+) CCR4(-)CCR6(-)CXCR3(-) cells+ CD8(+) T cells+ gastric cancer cells+ anti-IL-9 neutralizing antibody group, which were lower than those in CD4(+) CCR4(-)CCR6(-)CXCR3(-) cells+ CD8(+) T cells+ gastric cancer cells group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Tumor-infiltrating Th9 cells and the secreting IL-9 promote the activity of CD8(+) T cells in gastric cancer patients, and enhance anti-tumor immune response.
Humans ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/pathology* ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the long-term effect of Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsule（FTZ） on hemoglobin A1c（HbA1c）in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） based on real-world data. Method:T2DM patients who were provided with FTZ （FTZ group） and those receiving conventional hypoglycemic drugs （control group） were extracted from the hospital information system （HIS） of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University， followed by propensity score matching （PSM） for balancing the confounding factors between groups. With HbA1c as the efficacy evaluation index， the difference in efficacy between the two groups was compared using t-test and χ² test. For repeated measurement data of the same patient， the difference in efficacy and the stability of FTZ against HbA1c were analyzed by generalized estimating equation （GEE）. The factors that might affect the efficacy of FTZ against HbA1c were subjected to multivariate linear regression analysis （MLRA）， and the subgroup analyses were then conducted after the stratification of relevant factors. Result:There were 46 patients included in the FTZ group and 1 208 patients in the control group. PSM yielded 42 pairs of samples with balanced covariates between groups. As revealed by one-year observation， ① HbA1c in the FTZ group after treatment was 6.51%±1.09%. No significant difference was observed either in pre- and post-treatment comparison in the FTZ group or in its comparison with the control group. At the same time， the HbA1c compliance rate in the FTZ group was 73.8% after treatment. No significant difference was observed either in pre- and post-treatment comparison in the FTZ group or in its comparison with the control group. ② The GEE results showed that the post-treatment HbA1c levels in the two groups were not significantly different from each other. Moreover， the HbA1c level remained stable over treatment time. ③ MLRA and subgroup analyses results demonstrated that FTZ was more effective in patients with high baseline HbA1c ［β=-0.530，95% confidence interval（CI） -0.850～-0.209，P<0.01］ or those who were complicated with hypertension （β=-0.918，95%CI -1.614～-0.222，P<0.05）. Conclusion:In the real world， FTZ is able to control the blood sugar， and its effect is similar to those of conventional hypoglycemic drugs. Besides， it is capable of stabilizing the blood sugar for a long time.