Objective To investigate the incidence and the types of gene mutations of α-thalassemia in the child-bearing pop-ulation of Conghua District,Guangzhou.Methods Blood samples from 24 083 people of childbearing age were screened by blood cell analysis and hemoglobin electrophoresis,α-globin gene variation was detected by GAP-PCR and PCR reverse dot blot in the positive cases,and 17 common β-globin gene mutations were detected by PCR reverse Dot blot.Results A total of 2 596 cases of α-thalassemia gene abnormality were detected by gene identification,and the abnormal rate was 10.78%.A sum of 170 cases(0.71%)had a compound mutation of α-β gene.There were 2 550 cases(98.23%)of deletion and 46 cases(1.77%)of non-deletion in the mutant genes.There were 14 types of gene mutation,including 5 types of HbH disease(with--SEA/-α3.7 primarily),4 mild types(with 68.61%of--SEA/αα genotype),and 5 quiescent types(the top two genotypes were-α3.7/αα and-α4.2/αα).A total of 23 types of αβ complex gene mutation were detected,and the top six types were--SEA/βCD41-42,-α3.7/βCD41-42,--SEA/β654,--SEA/-28,-α3.7/β654 and-α3.7/βCD17,which accounted for 75.27%of all the complex types.Conclusion The gene abnormality rate of α-thalassemia in Conghua District of Guangzhou City was high.The gene mutation type and constitu-ent ratio,which have their own characteristics,is a special region of α-thalassemia.

BACKGROUND:Nanocomposite hydrogel has great research prospects and application potential in the treatment of osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of nanocomposite hydrogel in osteoarthritis and cartilage repair. METHODS:Databases such as CNKI and PubMed were searched.The English key words were"nanocomposite hydrogel,nanogel,osteoarthritis,cartage,physical encapsulation,electrostatic interaction,covalent crosslinking",and the Chinese key words were"nanocomposite hydrogel,nanogel,osteoarthritis,cartage,physical encapsulation,physical encapsulation,electrostatic effect,covalent cross-linking".After an initial screening of all articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,71 articles with high correlation were retained for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In cell or animal experiments,nanocomposite hydrogel has the effect of improving osteoarthritis.Nanocomposite hydrogel can promote cartilage repair,improve the internal environment of osteoarthritis,and achieve the therapeutic purpose of osteoarthritis by improving the mechanical environment between joints,carrying targeted drugs,and promoting the chondrogenesis of seed cells.At present,the research of nanocomposite hydrogel in osteoarthritis disease still has a huge space to play.It is expected to open up a new way for the clinical treatment of osteoarthritis by continuing to deepen the research of material preparation and actively carrying out cell and animal experiments.

BACKGROUND:Currently,there is a lack of large sample studies to analyze the bone metabolism level of patients with femoral head necrosis of different etiologies and stages,which is not conducive to the development of better necrosis-promoting repair strategies. OBJECTIVE:To study the bone metabolism of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head with different etiologies and Association Research Circulation Osseous(ARCO)stages. METHODS:A retrospective study was performed on 401 patients diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the femoral head as the trial group,and 81 healthy subjects as the control group.The trial group could be divided into three groups according to different etiologies:steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head,alcoholic osteonecrosis of the femoral head and traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head,and were divided into stages Ⅱ/Ⅲ/Ⅳ according to different ARCO stages.Seven bone metabolism-related indicators of all subjects were collected,including bone metabolism-regulating hormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone conversion markers:N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen,degradation product of type Ⅰ collagen,n-terminal middle molecular fragment of osteocalcin,general biochemical markers of bone metabolism:serum calcium,serum phosphorus,serum alkaline phosphatase.The bone metabolism levels of each group were compared and the independent factors associated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head were determined by binary Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,levels of degradation product of type Ⅰ collagen,N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen,n-terminal middle molecular fragment of osteocalcin,serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in the trial group were significantly increased(all P＜0.05).Based on the presence or absence of the disease,according to binary Logistic regression analysis,degradation product of type Ⅰ collagen,N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen,and n-terminal middle molecular fragment of osteocalcin were independent factors associated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.The levels of degradation product of type Ⅰ collagen and N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen in three groups of patients with different etiologies were higher than normal reference values.The bone metabolism-regulating hormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum calcium in the alcoholic osteonecrosis of the femoral head group were higher than those in the other two groups(P＜0.05).The level of bone metabolism-regulating hormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D in steroid-induced and traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head groups was lower than the normal value.There were no significant differences in seven bone metabolism-related indicators in patients with ARCO stages Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ osteonecrosis of the femoral head(all P＞0.05),but degradation product of type Ⅰ collagen and N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen in these three groups were higher than normal reference values.Bone metabolism-regulating hormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D in patients with ARCO stage Ⅱ and ARCO stage Ⅳ was lower than the normal reference value.It is concluded that the bone metabolism level of osteonecrosis of the femoral head patients was abnormal.The degradation product of type Ⅰ collagen and N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen of osteonecrosis of the femoral head patients with different etiologies and ARCO stages were all higher than the normal reference value,and they were in a state of high bone turnover.Degradation product of type Ⅰ collagen,N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen and n-terminal middle molecular fragment of osteocalcin may be risk factors for the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Objective:To explore the impact of whole blood organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardant exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults.Methods:In this panel study, five repeated population-based epidemiological surveys and biological sample collection were conducted from September 2018 to January 2019, with 76 healthy older adults aged 60-69 years in the Dianliu Community of Jinan, Shandong Province. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics, diet, and health status of the respondents was systematically gathered through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting venous blood was collected to determine the levels of OPEs, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T 3), and thyroxine (T 4). A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the impact of OPEs exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults. Results:Each of the 76 subjects participated in at least two follow-up visits, resulting in a total of 350 person visits. The age of the study participants was (65.07±2.76) years, with 38 participants of both sexes. A total of eight OPEs were included with a detection rate exceeding 50%, and the M ( Q 1, Q3) for ∑OPEs was 3.85 (2.33, 5.74) ng/ml, with alkyl-OPEs being the major type of OPEs with an M ( Q 1, Q3) of 1.27 (0.64, 2.50) ng/ml. The M ( Q 1, Q3) for TSH, T 3, and T 4 was 3.74 (2.55, 5.69) μIU/ml, 1.32 (1.10, 1.60) ng/ml, and 45.04 (36.96, 53.27) ng/ml, respectively. Linear mixed-effects model showed that TSH was significantly decreased by 9.93% (95% CI:-15.17%, -4.36%) and 11.14% (95% CI:-15.94%, -6.06%) in older adults for each quartile level increase in TnBP and TEHP exposures, respectively. Gender-stratified analysis indicated that TEHP exposure was negatively associated with TSH levels in male older adults, whereas a decrease in TSH levels among female older adults was associated with TnBP exposure. Conclusion:Exposure to whole blood OPEs is associated with decreased TSH levels among healthy older adults, with notable gender differences.

Recent epidemiological studies have increasingly found that pregnant women who are exposed to air pollutants (for example airborne particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, and sulfur dioxide) increase the risk of various birth defects in their offspring, such as congenital heart disease, neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, and hypospadias. Hypospadias not only impairs the sexual function of infants but also causes major social and psychological problems during their growth period, therefore, the prevention and treatment of hypospadias infant carry substantial public health importance. However, the association between prenatal exposure to air pollution and hypospadias remains controversial. The study reviews the epidemiological research progress and potential biological mechanisms of prenatal maternal exposure to air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and the risk of hypospadias in offspring. The study also summarizes the limitations of previous research and looks forward to future research directions, to provide scientific evidence for creating a healthy living environment for pregnant women, and reducing the risk of hypospadias in offspring.

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of high-dose- rate interstitial brachytherapy and particle implantation radiotherapy in the treatment of lymph nodes with pelvic metastases in the field after external radiotherapy.Methods:Clinical data of 42 patients with residual or newly metastatic pelvic lymph nodes after radiotherapy at Cangzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital who met the inclusion criteria from January 2017 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 12 patients were male and 30 females, aged 39-82 years, (61.6±9.64) years on average. According to the treatment method, all patients were divided into the high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy group ( n=18) and particle implantation radiotherapy group ( n=24). During 3-year follow-up, the local control rate (LCR), incidence of complications and overall survival (OS) were compared between two groups. Age and operation time conforming to normal distribution were analyzed by t-test. The remaining indexes were analyzed by the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The OS and LCR were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results:There was no significant difference in baseline data between two groups (all P>0.05). The operation time in the high-dose- rate interstitial brachytherapy group was longer than that in the particle implantation radiotherapy group [(66.39±11.07) : (45.75±9.19) min, P<0.001]. During subsequent follow-up, there was no significant difference in the LCR between two groups (1-year LCR 88.9% vs. 87.5%, P=0.927; 2-year LCR 72.2% vs. 62.5%, P=0.874). There was no significant difference in the median OS between two groups (31.6 vs. 29.8 months, P=0.798). There was no significant difference in the incidence of early complications between two groups [ (4/18) vs. 5/24 (20.8%), P=1.000]. No late complications observed. Conclusion:High-dose- rate interstitial brachytherapy yields equivalent efficacy and safety to particle implantation radiotherapy in the treatment of lymph nodes with pelvic metastases.

Objective:To explore the impact of whole blood organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardant exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults.Methods:In this panel study, five repeated population-based epidemiological surveys and biological sample collection were conducted from September 2018 to January 2019, with 76 healthy older adults aged 60-69 years in the Dianliu Community of Jinan, Shandong Province. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics, diet, and health status of the respondents was systematically gathered through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting venous blood was collected to determine the levels of OPEs, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T 3), and thyroxine (T 4). A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the impact of OPEs exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults. Results:Each of the 76 subjects participated in at least two follow-up visits, resulting in a total of 350 person visits. The age of the study participants was (65.07±2.76) years, with 38 participants of both sexes. A total of eight OPEs were included with a detection rate exceeding 50%, and the M ( Q 1, Q3) for ∑OPEs was 3.85 (2.33, 5.74) ng/ml, with alkyl-OPEs being the major type of OPEs with an M ( Q 1, Q3) of 1.27 (0.64, 2.50) ng/ml. The M ( Q 1, Q3) for TSH, T 3, and T 4 was 3.74 (2.55, 5.69) μIU/ml, 1.32 (1.10, 1.60) ng/ml, and 45.04 (36.96, 53.27) ng/ml, respectively. Linear mixed-effects model showed that TSH was significantly decreased by 9.93% (95% CI:-15.17%, -4.36%) and 11.14% (95% CI:-15.94%, -6.06%) in older adults for each quartile level increase in TnBP and TEHP exposures, respectively. Gender-stratified analysis indicated that TEHP exposure was negatively associated with TSH levels in male older adults, whereas a decrease in TSH levels among female older adults was associated with TnBP exposure. Conclusion:Exposure to whole blood OPEs is associated with decreased TSH levels among healthy older adults, with notable gender differences.

Recent epidemiological studies have increasingly found that pregnant women who are exposed to air pollutants (for example airborne particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, and sulfur dioxide) increase the risk of various birth defects in their offspring, such as congenital heart disease, neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, and hypospadias. Hypospadias not only impairs the sexual function of infants but also causes major social and psychological problems during their growth period, therefore, the prevention and treatment of hypospadias infant carry substantial public health importance. However, the association between prenatal exposure to air pollution and hypospadias remains controversial. The study reviews the epidemiological research progress and potential biological mechanisms of prenatal maternal exposure to air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and the risk of hypospadias in offspring. The study also summarizes the limitations of previous research and looks forward to future research directions, to provide scientific evidence for creating a healthy living environment for pregnant women, and reducing the risk of hypospadias in offspring.

Objectives:To compare the early clinical effects between the two-dimensional(2D)navigation and X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy(PETD)in the treatment of lumbar disc hemiation(LDH).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 80 LDH patients who were treated with PETD from January 2022 to December 2022.40 patients were treated with 2D navigation-guided PETD(2D navigation group),including 24 males and 16 females,aged 28-55 years(40.5±7.7 years);10 cases were of L3/4,18 cases were of L4/5,and 12 cases were of L5/S1.The other 40 patients were treated with X-ray fluoroscopy-guided PETD(X-ray fluoroscopy group),including 22 males and 18 females,aged 28-54 years(41.7±7.7 years);7 cases were of L3/4,19 cases were of L4/5,and 14 cases were of L5/S1.There were no statistical differences in age,gender,and surgical segment between the two groups(P＞0.05).The patients were followed up for 11-16 months(13.3±1.2 months).The operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume,intraopera-tive fluoroscopy times,and complications of the two groups were analyzed.Visual analogue scale(VAS)scores of leg pain were evaluated before surgery,on 3d after operation,and at 12 months after surgery,and Os-westry disability index(ODI)was evaluated before surgery and at 1 month and 12 months after surgery.The clinical efficacy was evaluated using the modified MacNab efficacy evaluation criteria at 12 months after surgery.Results:All the patients successfully underwent the operation.The operation time in the 2D naviga-tion group was 40.6±5.4min,the intraoperative bleeding volume was 10.4±2.1mL,and the fluoroscopy times were 2.4±0.5;The operation time in the X-ray fluoroscopy group was 58.7±4.0min,the intraoperative bleeding volume was 11.3±2.4mL,and the fluoroscopy times were 10.6±4.0.The operation time was less and fluo-roscopy times were fewer in the 2D navigation group than those in the X-ray fluoroscopy group,and the dif-ferences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no statistical difference between the two groups in in-traoperative bleeding(P＞0.05).There were 2 cases in the 2D navigation group and 3 cases in the X-ray fluo-roscopy group occurred short-term postoperative numbness,and the incidence was not statistically different be-tween groups(P＞0.05).The VAS scores of leg pain and ODI in both groups at various time points after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The VAS score of leg pain in the 2D navigation group was lower than that in the X-ray fluoroscopy group on 3d after surgery,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in VAS scores of leg pain and ODI at other time points during follow-up(P＞0.05).The final follow-up modified MacNab efficacy evaluation:36 cases were excellent,3 cases were good,and 1 case was fair in the 2D navigation group,and the excellent and good rate was 97.5％(39/40);30 cases were excellent,8 cases were good,and 2 cases were fair in the X-ray fluoroscopy group,and the ex-cellent and good rate was 95％(38/40),there was no statistical difference in the excellent and good rate be-tween the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions:Both 2D navigation and X-ray fluoroscopy-guided PETD can achieve good clinical results in treating LDH,and 2D navigation guided PETD needs shorter operation time and fewer fluoroscopy times.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the predictive performance of non-contrast CT (NCCT) signs for hemorrhagic growth after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) when stratified by onset-to-imaging time (OIT). Materials and Methods: 1488 supratentorial ICH within 6 h of onset were consecutively recruited from six centers between January 2018 and August 2022. NCCT signs were classified according to density (hypodensities, swirl sign, black hole sign, blend sign, fluid level, and heterogeneous density) and shape (island sign, satellite sign, and irregular shape) features. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between NCCT signs and three types of hemorrhagic growth: hematoma expansion (HE), intraventricular hemorrhage growth (IVHG), and revised HE (RHE). The performance of the NCCT signs was evaluated using the positive predictive value (PPV) stratified by OIT. Results: Multivariable analysis showed that hypodensities were an independent predictor of HE (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 7.99 [4.87–13.40]), IVHG (3.64 [2.15–6.24]), and RHE (7.90 [4.93–12.90]). Similarly, OIT (for a 1-h increase) was an independent inverse predictor of HE (0.59 [0.52–0.66]), IVHG (0.72 [0.64–0.81]), and RHE (0.61 [0.54– 0.67]). Blend and island signs were independently associated with HE and RHE (10.60 [7.36–15.30] and 10.10 [7.10–14.60], respectively, for the blend sign and 2.75 [1.64–4.67] and 2.62 [1.60–4.30], respectively, for the island sign). Hypodensities demonstrated low PPVs of 0.41 (110/269) or lower for IVHG when stratified by OIT. When OIT was ≤ 2 h, the PPVs of hypodensities, blend sign, and island sign for RHE were 0.80 (215/269), 0.90 (142/157), and 0.83 (103/124), respectively. Conclusion Hypodensities, blend sign, and island sign were the best NCCT predictors of RHE when OIT was ≤ 2 h. NCCT signs may assist in earlier recognition of the risk of hemorrhagic growth and guide early intervention to prevent neurological deterioration resulting from hemorrhagic growth.