Objective As important components in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and hydrogen sulfide(H2S)participate in various biological processes that regulate the development and progression of HCC.Through the co-culture of HSCs and HCC cells,this article aims to investigate the role and mechanism of HSCs in regulating the apoptosis of HCC cells by secreting H2S.Methods The HSC cell line(LX-2)and HCC cell lines(HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5)were used for experiment.RT-qPCR and Western Blot(WB)were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of cystathionine γ-lyase(CSE),a key synthase for H2S;ELISA was used to measure the concentration of H2S in supernatant;next-generation sequencing,cell immunofluorescence assay,chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP),and WB were used to measure the JNK/JunB-TNFSF14 signaling pathway genes,binding sites,and related proteins after HepG2 cells were treated by H2S.LX-2 cells were co-cultured with HepG2 or PLC/PRF/5 cells in a Transwell chamber;CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to measure the viability and apoptosis of HCC cells,and WB was used to measure the H2S-TNFSF14 signaling pathway-related proteins.All cell experiments were repeated three times.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups;a one-way analysis of variance or the analysis of variance with repeated measures was used for comparison between multiple groups,and the Dunnett-t test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results LX-2 cells synthesized H2S mainly through CSE,and the concentration of H2S in supernatant of LX-2 cells gradually increased over time(22.89±0.08 pg/mL vs 28.29±0.15 pg/mL vs 36.19±1.90 pg/mL,F=79.63,P<0.05).In LX-2 cells,the mRNA expression level of CSE was significantly higher than that of CBS and MPST(1.008±0.13 vs 0.320±0.014 vs 0.05±0.02,F=80.84,P<0.05).When CSE was inhibited by PPG,the concentration of H2S decreased with the increase in the concentration of PPG(P<0.05).LX-2 cells were co-cultured with HepG2 or PLC/PRF/5 cells,and over the time of culture,there were significant reductions in the viability of HepG2 cells(87.48%±0.82%vs 70.48%±0.641%vs 52.89%±0.57%vs 45.20%±0.69%,F=1 517.13,P<0.001)and PLC/PRF/5 cells(92.41%±0.48%vs 74.10%±0.73%vs 53.70%±0.60%vs 44.00%±0.27%,F=2626.21,P<0.001)and significant increases in the apoptosis of HepG2 cells(12.88%±0.64%vs 15.5%±0.16%vs 18.43%±0.37%vs 13.01%±0.58%,F=142.15,P<0.001)and PLC/PRF/5 cells(8.51±0.05 vs 12.80±0.33 vs 15.59±0.21 vs 10.72±0.30,F=676.40,P<0.001),with the most significant changes on day 3.Next-generation sequencing showed that endogenous H2S and NaHS(endogenous H2S donor)were involved in regulating the expression of various genes in HepG2 cells.By releasing H2S,NaHS and LX2 activated the JNK/JunB signaling pathway and upregulated the expression of the apoptosis gene TNFSF14 in HCC cells,with increased binding between p-JunB and the transcriptional regulatory regions of the TNFSF14 gene.Conclusion In the microenvironment of HCC,HSCs activate the JNK/JunB signaling pathway in HCC cells through the signal molecules CSE/H2S,and there is an increase in the expression of TNFSF14,thereby promoting the apoptosis of HCC cells.

The non-randomized controlled study design was adopted. A total of 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated in Beijing Yuetan Community Health Service Center from September 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled in the study, including 45 patients received patellar loosening and then the quadriceps femoris pain point release (successive group) and remaining 45 patients received two manipulations simultaneously (simultaneous group). Patients were treated 3 times in a week, and each time received 5 groups of manipulation. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Lysholm scores were measured before treatment, immediately after treatment and 3 months after treatment. There was no exfoliation and no adverse events in both groups. There were no significant differences in VAS and Lysholm scores between the two groups before treatment ( P>0.05). Immediately after treatment, the VAS pain score in the simultaneous group was lower than that in the successive group ((3.36±1.12) vs.(2.24±0.93), P<0.01), while the Lysholm score in the simultaneous group was higher than that in the successive group ((89.76±6.61) vs.(74.07±16.80), P<0.01); the proportion of VAS score as“painless/mild pain”(88.9% (40/45) vs.64.4% (29/45), P<0.01) and Lysholm score as “excellent/good”(91.1% (41/45) vs. 44.4% (20/45), P<0.01) in the simultaneous group was significantly higher than that in the successive groups. At 3 months after treatment, there were still significant differences in VAS and Lysholm scores between the two groups. The simultaneous manipulations of patellar loosening and quadriceps femoris pain point release can better relieve the pain of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of infant dyschezia in Xi′an city based on the Rome Ⅳ Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infants/Toddlers, and to analyze the related risk factors so as to provide epidemiological basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:It was a cross-sectional survey conducted in the child health department of community health service center or hospital in Xi′an from October 2020 to October 2021 using the multi-stage cluster random sampling method.Infants aged 0-12 months were enrolled and their caregivers were interviewed by face-to-face electronic questionnaire.The prevalence and influencing factors of defecation difficulty in infants aged 0-9 months were analyzed according to the Rome Ⅳ Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infants/Toddlers.The prevalence of dyschezia in infants aged over 9 months was explored as well.The counting data were compared by Chi- square test.Univariable and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for dyschezia. Results:A total of 1 446 infants were collected, including 735 boys (50.8%) and 711 girls (49.2%), with an average age of (5.94±3.27) months.The prevalence of dyschezia aged 0-9 months in Xi′an was 3.46% (42/1 215), which gradually decreased with the increased age.Infants with dyschezia could defecate 2-3 times a day, or once a few days.Family history of defecation disorders ( OR=3.785, 95% CI: 1.912-7.494) was the risk factor for infant dyschezia, while complementary food ( OR=0.193, 95% CI: 0.075-0.495) was the protective factor for infant dyschezia ( P<0.05). Breastfeeding ( OR=8.126, 95% CI: 2.258-29.236) was the risk factor for dyschezia in infants who defecated less frequently ( P<0.05). Only 2 cases of 10-month-old infants had defecation-like symptoms, manifested as crying for a long time before defecation. Conclusions:The prevalence of dyschezia in infants aged 0-9 months in Xi′an is 3.46%.Dyschezia infants may also have a lower frequency of defecation.Timely addition of complementary food is beneficial to alleviate infant dyschezia, while infant who defecated less frequently are more likely to have dyschezia while breastfeeding.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Erchentang on the expression of key molecules in the Jagged1/Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway in lung tissues of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and explore its anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism on COPD through the Jagged1/Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Erchentang groups （5， 10， 20 g·kg^-1）， and γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT group （0.02 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The COPD model was induced in rats by cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Rats were treated with corresponding drugs by gavage， while those in the normal group and the model group were treated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The serum levels of Notch1， soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （sICAM-1）， activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule （ALCAM）， and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 （sVCAM-1） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， Notch1 intracellular domain （NICD1）， and Hes1 in lung tissues of rats was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased serum content of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1 （P<0.01）， increased mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 in lung tissues （P<0.01）， and increased protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， NICD1， and Hes1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose modified Erchentang groups and the DAPT group showed decreased serum content of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1 （P<0.05， P<0.05）， down-regulated mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， NICD1， and Hes1（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Erchentang may inhibit the inflammatory response in the lung of COPD rats， and its mechanism may be related to the resistance of inflammatory injury in the lung by decreasing the mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 and inhibiting the release of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1.

Pulmonary blast injury has become the main type of trauma in modern warfare, characterized by externally mild injuries but internally severe injuries, rapid disease progression, and a high rate of early death. The injury is complicated in clinical practice, often with multiple and compound injuries. Currently, there is a lack of effective protective materials, accurate injury detection instrument and portable monitoring and transportation equipment, standardized clinical treatment guidelines in various medical centers, and evidence-based guidelines at home and abroad, resulting in a high mortality in clinlcal practice. Therefore, the Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized military and civilian experts in related fields such as thoracic surgery and traumatic surgery to jointly develop the Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury ( version 2023) by combining evidence for effectiveness and clinical first-line treatment experience. This guideline provided 16 recommended opinions surrounding definition, characteristics, pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment, and in-hospital treatment of pulmonary blast injury, hoping to provide a basis for the clinical treatment in hospitals at different levels.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of bone cement leakage after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods:A multi-center, large-sample, case-control study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of 2 273 OVCF patients (2 689 vertebrae) undergone PVP at four hospitals between May 2018 and October 2021, including 994 males and 1 279 females, with the age of 52-91 years [(69.1±3.1)years]. Of all, 581 patients (604 vertebrae) were allocated to leakage group and 1 692 patients (2 085 vertebrae) to no leakage group according to the occurrence of bone cement leakage. The gender, age, fracture sites, vertebral compression degree, endplate integrity of fractured vertebrae, surgical segments, surgical approaches and bone cement injection volume were recorded. Univariate analysis was used to investigate the correlation between those indicators with bone cement leakage. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for bone cement leakage.Results:Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, fracture sites, vertebral compression degree, bone cement injection volume were related to bone cement leakage after PVP ( P<0.05 or 0.01), but no correlation was found in the endplate integrity of fractured vertebrae, surgical segments and surgical approaches (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that fracture sites ( OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.11-2.55, P<0.05), vertebral compression degree more than 40% ( OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.29-3.02, P<0.01), bone cement injection volume greater than or equal to 5.5 ml ( OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.07-2.26, P<0.05) were significantly associated with bone cement leakage after PVP. Conclusion:Thoracic vertebral fracture, vertebral compression degree more than 40% and bone cement injection volume greater than or equal to 5.5 ml are independent risk factors for bone cement leakage after PVP in OVCF.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology, characteristics and risk factors of functional constipation (FC) in children aged 0-4 years in Xi′an.Methods:From October, 2020 to June, 2021, a prevalence survey was conducted among 2 615 children aged 0-4 years in Xi′an by group sampling. The related factors of FC were investigated by questionnaire designed based on Rome Ⅳ diagnostic criteria.The children were divided into FC group and non-FC group. The prevalence, symptoms and signs of FC were analyzed, and its risk factors were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression.Results:A total of 2 985 valid questionnaires were handed out, and 2 711 (90.8%) were received back. A total of 2 615 questionnaires were valid, with an effective rate of 96.5%. There were 1 338 males (51.2%) and 1 277 females (48.8%). There were 260 cases in FC group and 2 355 cases in non-FC group. The prevalence of FC in children aged 0-4 years in Xi ′an was 10.6%.There were significant differences in FC prevalence among children of different ages and sex (χ 2=14.58,4.39, both P<0.05), but not in urban or rural residence (χ 2=3.29, P=0.070). The main symptoms of FC group in the last month were large-diameter feces (73.5%, 191/260), painful defecation or dry and hard defecation (65.8%, 171/260). In the last month, FC group had higher incidences of the Bristol type 1, 2 and 3 stool, fecal retention, prolonged defecation, abdominal pain and incomplete defecation compared with non-FC group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Parental history of childhood constipation ( OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.55-2.92), fever in the last month ( OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.32-2.63), history of constipation ( OR=3.24, 95% CI 2.46-4.26) and taking probiotics in the last month ( OR=1.45, 95% CI 1.11-1.91) were risk factors of FC in children aged 0-4 years. Stratified with age, the results showed that complementary feeding earlier than 5 months of age or later than 6 months of age ( OR=2.42, 95% CI 1.13-5.20), dry stools during the complementary feeding ( OR=11.27, 95% CI 5.15-24.66), history of constipation ( OR=2.29, 95% CI 1.23-4.29) and taking probiotics in the last month ( OR=1.88, 95% CI 1.10-3.23) were risk factors of FC in children aged 0-<1 year, and breastfeeding ( OR=0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.94) was a protective factor of FC in children aged 0-<1 year. Family members′ recent constipation history ( OR=2.02, 95% CI 1.06-3.85) and past history of constipation ( OR=3.06, 95% CI 1.74-5.38) were FC risk factors for children aged 1-<2 years. Parental history of childhood constipation ( OR=3.12, 95% CI 2.00-4.85), frequency of eating vegetables less than 3 times per week ( OR=3.28, 95% CI 2.00-5.38), history of constipation ( OR=3.66, 95% CI 2.42-5.53) and taking antibiotics in the last month ( OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.06-2.55) were risk factors for FC in children aged 2-4 years. Conclusions:FC in children aged 0-4 years in Xi′an is mainly manifested with large-diameter feces and painful defecation or dry and hard defecation in the last month. It is associated with a variety of risk factors, which are different in different age groups.

The surgical treatment of pectus excavatum has a history of more than 100 years, which has gone through from traditional open surgery to the current popular minimally invasive surgery. Nuss procedure, as the most classic minimally invasive operation, has been improved in accordance with the clinical needs since its inception to achieve fewer complications and better results, but there are still limitations that are difficult to break through, attracting a large number of scholars to make continuous innovation and develop updated devices and operation methods. This article reviews the history of funnel chest surgery, application and improvement of Nuss operation, double compression and complete fixation bar system and Wang procedure.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of bulk-fill composite resin combined with transparent preformed crowns for aesthetic restoration of deciduous incisor of children. Methods: A predesigned clinical prospective randomized controlled research method was used to select 90 patients (123 teeth). The random number table method was divided into three groups: A, B, and C. Group A was treated with a bulk-fill composite resin of SF (SonicFill) combined with a transparent preformed crown (41 teeth in 30 cases), and group B was treated with a large block of Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill Composite resin combined with transparent preformed crowns (39 teeth in 29 cases). Group C was treated with 3M Z350 XT universal nano resin combined with transparent preformed crowns (43 teeth in 31 cases). The visual analog scale (VAS) and the modified USPHS standard were used to evaluate the completeness, marginal steps, marginal discoloration, surface condition, secondary caries and satisfaction of the parents with prostheses after 12 months. Results : Twelve months after the operation, the evaluation indexes of group A were better than those of group B and group C, and the differences were statistically significant, including edge integrity (χ2=10.847, P=0.028), edge step (χ2=7.799, P=0.020), edge discoloration (χ2=10.391, P=0.034), surface state (χ2=11.476, P=0.021), and secondary caries (χ2=10.447, P=0.034). The satisfaction of parents in group A on the overall contour (χ2=10.238, P=0.037), shape and texture (χ2=11.521, P=0.021) were better than those in group B and group C, and the differences were statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the evaluation of color satisfaction among the three groups (χ2=0.990, P=0.610). Conclusion SonicFill bulk-fill composite resin combined with transparent preformed crown is good for short-term aesthetic restoration of deciduous incisor, and parental satisfaction is high.

Objective:To investigate the difference of curative effect between zero-profile bridge-shaped locking cage (ROI-C) and anterior cage combined with titanium plate fixation in the treatment of two-level and three-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods:A total of 85 patients (43 males and 42 females), aged 52.3±8.0 years (range from 28 to 66 years) with bi- and three-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy who received surgical treatment from June 2017 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 63 cases of two levels and 22 cases of three levels. 45 cases were treated with zero-profile bridge-shaped locking cage ROI-C (ROI-C group), and 40 cases with anterior cage combined with titanium plate fixation (titanium plate group). The main observation indicators include operation time, intraoperative blood loss, cervical Cobb angle, fusion segment Cobb angle, average intervertebral height, pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Score and neck disability index (NDI).Results:All of 85 patients were followed up for 16.9±2.0 months (range 12 to 22 months). The operation time of two-level ROI-C group was 110.37±8.25 min, which was shorter than 139.5±10.54 min of titanium plate group; the intraoperative blood loss was 15.74±8.10 ml, which was less than 23.71±9.70 ml of titanium plate group; the operation time of three-level ROI-C group was 130.00±5.70 min, which was shorter than 162.83±5.59 min of titanium plate group, while the difference in the intraoperative blood loss between the two groups had no statistical significance. One year after operation, Cobb angle of cervical vertebra in double and three-level ROI-C groups were 15.31°±1.55° and 15.20°±0.42°, respectively, which were largerthan 11.23°±2.03° and 9.20°±1.14° before operation; in titanium plate group, they were 15.89°±1.13° and 16.08°±1.88°, which were higher than 11.25°±2.01° and 9.00°±1.60° before operation, and the differences had statistical significance. The differences between the two groups before operation and 1 year after operation had no statistical significance. One year after operation, the VAS scores of double and three-level ROI-C groups were 1.83±0.66 points and 2.60±0.52 points, respectively, which were less than the preoperative 7.49±0.51 points and 7.60±0.52 points; the titanium plate group was 1.79±0.50 points and 2.41±0.51 points, which were less than the preoperative 7.61±0.63 points and 7.42±0.52 points, and the differences had statistical significance. There was no significant difference between the two groups before operation and 1 year after operation. One year after operation, the JOA scores of double and three-level ROI-C groups were 15.00±0.84 points and 14.70±0.95 points, respectively, which were higher than the preoperative 7.20±0.87 points and 6.60±1.27 points; the scores of titanium plate group were 15.29±0.85 points and 14.83±0.58 points, which were higher than the preoperative 6.89±1.03 points and 6.92±0.67 points, and the differences had statistical significance. The differences between the two groups had no statistical significance. The postoperative JOA improvement rate was excellent. Postoperative dysphagia occurred in 1 case (2.22%, 1/45) in ROI-C group and 8 cases (20.00%, 8/40) in titanium plate group, and the difference in the incidence rate between two groups had statistical significance ( χ2=5.32, P=0.02). Conclusion:Both ROI-C and anterior cage combined with titanium plate fixation in the treatment of double and three-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy can achieve good short-term clinical efficacy, with shorter operation time and lower incidence rate of postoperative dysphagia using ROI-C.