Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Ankle Fractures ; Femoral Fractures ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Patella/surgery* ; Patellar Dislocation/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of TRIM21 in modulating the invasive phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and its mechanism of action. METHODS: RNA interference technique was used to knock down the expression of TRIM21 and β-catenin, alone or in combination, in HCC cell lines 97H and LM3, and the interfering efficiency and the activity of closely related pathways were determined using Western blotting. The two cells with TRIM21 knockdown (siTRIM21 97H and siTRIM21 LM3 cells) were assessed for their invasion ability in vitro using Transwell invasion assay, and the lung metastasis capacity of siTRIM21 LM3 cells following tail vein injection was evaluated in nude mice. The binding of TRIM21 with β-catenin and the ubiquitylation level of β-catenin in TRIM21-overexpressing HEK293 cells were determined with Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation assay. We also compared the overall survival of patients with CTNNB1^highTRIM21^high and CTNNB1^highTRIM21^low HCC subtypes using Kaplan-Meier method based on filtrated and grouped HCC clinical data from TCGA database. RESULTS: TRIM21 knockdown significantly enhanced the invasion ability of 97H and LM3 cells in vitro (P < 0.01 or 0.05) and the lung metastasis ability of LM3 cells in nude mice (P < 0.01), and simultaneous knockdown of β -catenin obviously suppressed the in vitro invasiveness of the cells (P < 0.0001 or 0.05). Co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that TRIM21 was capable of directly binding with β-catenin protein to accelerate the ubiquitination and degradation of the latter, leading to inhibition of nuclear translocation of β-catenin and hence reduced invasiveness of HCC cells. Bioinformatic analysis showed that compared patients with CTNNB1^highTRIM21^low HCC subtype where Wnt pathway was activated, the patients with CTNNB1^highTRIM21^high HCC subtype had a significantly better survival outcomes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION A high expression of TRIM21 suppresses the invasion of HCC cells by promoting β-catenin ubiquitylation and degradation, which possibly explains the poor prognosis of CTNNB1^highTRIM21^low HCC patients.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Ribonucleoproteins/genetics* ; Ubiquitination ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin/metabolism*

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cross-linked hyaluronic acid Revanesse Ultra for treatment of nasolabial folds in Chinese population .Methods A total of 120 participants were enrolled in this prospective , randomized , positive controlled , non-inferiority clinical trial in accordance to inclusion and ex-clusion criteria , and signed informed consents were obtained .The participants were numbered in the order of en-rollment and randomized into Restylane group and Revanesse group , receiving hyaluronic acid injection to correct bilateral nasolabial folds .Each person received 1 or 2 times of injection ( a touch-up injection could be adminis-tered 4 weeks post the first injection ) .According to the original depth of the wrinkles , no more than 2 ml hyalu-ronic acid was injected into each side .All the participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the last injection and standardized photographs were taken at each visit .All the participants were asked to fill the form of local adverse events within the first 15 days after injection.Investigators and the participants both evalu-ated wrinkles based on Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale ( WSRS) .The WSRS score according to the pictures of 6 months post-injection were compared with the pictures which were taken before the injection ( baseline) by in-dependent staff at the end of the trial .One or more grades of WSRS improvement compared with the baseline was considered as effective .Laboratory tests including blood and urine routine , liver and renal function tests were carried out at screening visit and 6 months after injection.Results The baseline features between the two groups were comparable (all P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the WSRS 6 months after injec-tion between the two groups ( P>0.05 ) .There was no significant difference in the WSRS improvement com-pared with baseline between the two groups ( P=0.105 ) .There was no significant difference in the rate of ef-fectiveness between the two groups ( 93.0% vs.96.7%, P=0.431 ) .Two participants reported minor ad-verse events, although both of which might not be associated with the product or procedure .No laboratory test change was found during the trial .Conclusions No severe adverse event associated with the injection material was observed during this clinical trial .According to the result , Revanesse Ultra may have good histocompati-bility and tolerance .It could provide obvious improvement in the nasolabial folds , with effectiveness comparable to that of Restylane .

BACKGROUNDPancreatic beta-cell apoptosis induced by lipotoxicity, to a large extent, contributes to the progression of type 2 diabetes. To investigate the mechanism of free fatty acid induced apoptosis, we aimed to study the effects of palmitic acid (PA) on the apoptosis and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression in βTC3 cells as well as the possible role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in this process.

METHODSHoechst 33258 was used to detect βTC3 cell apoptosis, which was induced by PA stimulation for 12 hours. PGC-1α expression was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, IκB kinase β (IKKβ), IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and Rel-B expressions were analyzed by Western blotting. MG132 was employed to block the endogenous IκBα degradation before PA administration, and then its effect on PA-inducing cell apoptosis and PGC-1α mRNA expression was analyzed.

RESULTSSignificant increased cell apoptosis was found at the concentration of 0.5 mmol/L and 1.0 mmol/L PA administration. PA (0.5 mmol/L) could extensively reduced the expression of PGC-1α mRNA. After exposing βTC3 cells to 0.5 mmol/L PA for different time periods (0, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours), IKKβ protein expression increased while IκBα, NIK and Rel-B protein expression declined in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment with MG132 to inhibit the degradation of IκBα, partially prevented the down-regulation of PGC-1α mRNA expression after 12-hour PA treatment in accordance with the decrease of PA induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSNF-κB canonical pathway was activated in PA-mediated βTC3 cell apoptosis, whereas non-canonical pathway was inhibited. Reduced PGC-1α expression by PA in βTC3 cells could involve the activation of canonical NF-κB pathway, so as to deteriorate the PA induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Leupeptins ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Palmitic Acid ; pharmacology ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo measure the male anterior hairline (AH) and provide data for hair transplantation.

METHODS205 males were randomly involved and divided into different age groups, as the young group( age 18-29), the middle-aged group (age 30-49) and the old group (age 50+). Their AH shape and height were measured. The data was then analyzed.

RESULTSAccording to the morphological classification of AH, the linear type was most common in the young and middle-aged groups (48.40% and 37.33%), the anterior protrusion type was most common in the old group (34.80%). The mean height of AH was 6.42 cm (5.00-8.50 cm)for the median line, and there was no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05); the mean ratio of median line AH height to facial length was 0.30 (0.22-0.37), there were significant differences between the old group against the young, or the middle-aged group (P < 0.05), and no difference between the young group and the middle-aged group (P > 0.05); the mean height of AH was 5.83 cm (3.5-8.0 cm) for the paramedian line, and there was no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05); the mean height of AH was 8.34 cm (5.5-10.5 cm) for the lateral line, there were significant differences between the young group against the middle-aged, or the old group (P < 0.05), and no difference between the middle-aged group and the old group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe shape and height of AH were age-associated. The linear type is most common in the young and middle-aged groups, the anterior protrusion type is most common in the old group. The change first occurs on the lateral lines since the age of 30, and the central portion is involved since the age of 50. The older the age gets, the higher the hairline is.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Forehead ; anatomy & histology ; Hair ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the quality of life in outpatients after liver transplantation. Methods A quality of life scale for patients of liver cancer developed by Wan Chonghua was used to evaluate the quality of life in outpatients after liver transplantation according to age, postoperative time, education background and family incomes. Results There was significant difference in social function and total score of quality of life between patients older than 60s and patients younger than 60s. There was statistical difference in education background and family incomes. Conclusions The qulity of life in outpatients after liver transplantation was affected by age, education background and family incomes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of distraction osteogenesis on correction of craniofacial dysostosis.

METHODSLe Fort III osteotomy was applied through coronal route on patients with craniofacial dysostosis such as Crouzon and Apert syndrome. The procedures included disconnecting the skeletal midface from base of cranium, setting up a RED II distraction device, and directing the device bars. The distraction was started 5 days after the surgery, with a rate of 1 mm forward per day. When midface approaching the right position, i.e. a slightly over correction of occlusion was reached, stopped distraction and kept the device for 2 - 4 months.

RESULTSEight cases completed all the therapy. The average blood lose was 300 ml and the average operation time was 3.5 hours. The midface had been moved averagely 9 mm forwardly and 1.5 mm downwards. The features had been improved obviously and the occlusion reached nearly normal. No serious complications occurred except for 1 case of seroma and 1 case of infection around pin on scalp. No recurrence was found in the 5 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSMidface distraction osteogenesis is propitious to teenage or severe cases of craniofacial dysostosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Craniofacial Dysostosis ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Osteotomy, Le Fort ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective The aim of the present study was not only to assess the retrograde degenerative changes in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) after injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the striatum, but also to use this 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease to explore the possible neuroprotective effect of R-apomorphine (R-APO). Methods The partial lesion was obtained by intrastriatal administration of 6-OHDA. R-APO administration (10 mg/kg, s.c.) started 15 min prior to lesioning and continued daily for another 22 days post surgery. Testing was carried out 5 weeks after lesioning. We investigated the histology and associated behavior and neurochemical changes. Structural and functional deficits were quantified by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) / Nissl-staining cell number counting, striatal dopamine (DA) content determination and amphetamine-induced rotation analysis. Results R-APO-treatment attenuated the amphetamine-induced ipsiversive rotation 5 weeks after the lesion induction. R-APO administration for 22 days significantly reduced the size of the lesion at the level of the SN from 50% (control group) to 69%. Moreover, the cell shape resembled that observed in the intact animals. R-APO treatment significantly increased the number of cells in both the lesion and the intact sides of VTA by 60%, suggesting selective neurotrophic effect of R-APO in this area. Finally, R-APO-treatment significantly attenuated the 6-OHDA-induced striatal DA depletion and normalized dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA ratios. Conclusion We conclude that R-APO has neuroprotective and possible neurotrophic effect on a striatal lesion with 6-OHDA, suggesting that this drug may have rescuing properties in patients with early stage Parkinson's disease. These effects are more pronounced in VTA and enhance with duration of treatment.

Objective To study interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1R) and connexin(Cx36) gene expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neuron. Methods Rat embryo cortical neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days were exposed to Mg 2+-free media to induce seizure. At different time after Mg 2+-free treatment, real-time RT-PCR was used to detect IL-1R and Cx36 mRNA expression. Results 1. IL-1R mRNA expression transiently decreased after Mg 2+-free treatment in neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. Then the levels of IL-1R mRNA expression recovered in neurons cultured for 6 days, but IL-1R mRNA expression were increased in neurons cultured for 17 days compared with control group and the peak was at 24 hours. 2. In neurons cultured for 6 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression increased after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. But in neurons cultured for 17 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression decreased at 6 hours after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. Conclusions IL-1R mRNA and Cx36 mRNA expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures are different between the neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. This is possibly related to the different neuron injury between 6 and 17 days in vitro following seizures.