Objective To investigate the mechanism of inducing macrophage polarization induced by acupoint effect of electroacupuncture to promote the repair of acute skeletal muscle injury.Methods 45 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group(EA group),sodium chrominate group (DSCG group) and electroacupuncture+sodium chrominate group (hereinafter referred to as EA+DSCG group),with 9 rats in each group. The rats in the EA group and the EA+DSCG group were subjected to EA intervention at the right "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan"(GB34),with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz. The gait changes of rats were recorded by animal gait analyzer. The morphological changes of the right gastrocnemius were observed by HE staining. The changes of mast cell aggregation and degranulation in local skin muscles of "chengshan" point were observed by toluidine blue staining. The expressions of Pax7,MyoD and skin mast cells and 5-HT in the right gastrocnemius were detected by immunofluorescence method. The positive expressions of CD68 and CD206 in right gastrocnemius macrophage was observed by immunohistochemical staining.Results Compared with blank group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in model group and DSCG group increased,stride length decreased,HE staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration,myocyte enlargement,degeneration and necrosis. The degranulation rate of local skin mast cells in "Chengshan" (BL57) area increased,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD,CD68 and CD206 increased (P<0.05). Compared with model group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in EA group and EA+DSCG group decreased,stride length increased,HE staining showed that inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced,muscle cells were uniform in size and arranged neatly. Mast cell degranulation rate increased significantly in EA group,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with EA+DSCG group,the degranulation rate of mast cells and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion EA "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) can stimulate acupuncture points to locally induce mast cell degranulation,promote the polarization of macrophages,and then activate muscle satellite cells to play the regulatory process of repairing skeletal muscle injury.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the impact of implant robots on the oral func-tion and aesthetic effects of immediate implant patients in the aesthetic area of anterior teeth.Methods A total of 68 patients with single anterior tooth defects admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were enrolled and divided into a study group of 34 cases and a control group of 34 cases randomly.In the study group,anterior tooth immediate implantation was performed with the assistance of an oral implantation robot,while the control group underwent conventional immediate anterior tooth implantation.The implantation accuracy,postopera-tive bite function,aesthetic restoration,and occurrence of complications were compared between the two groups,and complications were all recorded.Results After final restoration,all patients were followed up for 2 years,and the implant success rate was 100%(68/68 cases).The study group exhibited significantly lower postoperative apical point error and implant angle error compared to the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant differ-ence in speech clarity,bite pressure,and pain intensity between the two groups(P＞0.05).The ratio of implant bite pressure to that of the contralateral homonymous tooth was higher in the study group than in the control group(P＜0.05).The postoperative pink esthetic score(PES)and white esthetic score(WES)in the study group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P＞0.05).Patient satisfaction in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The use of oral implantation robots for immediate implantation in the aesthetic zone of anterior teeth resulted in higher intraoperative positioning accuracy and yielded favorable outcomes in postoperative restoration of bite function and aesthetics.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of children carrying the m.8344A>G variant of MT-TK gene.Methods:A case series study was conducted to retrospectively collect data of 22 children with mitochondrial disease caused by MT-TK gene m.8344A>G variation who were treated at the Department of Neurology of Beijing Children′s Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2012 to January 2024. Their clinical data, laboratory tests, muscle pathology, genetic testing, and the follow-up results were analyzed. Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis.Results:Among the 22 children, there were 13 boys and 9 girls. The age of onset was 5.00 (2.75, 9.00) years. Fifteen children had myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF), 3 had Leigh syndrome (LS), and 4 had LS-MERRF overlap syndrome (LS-MERRF). Myoclonus presented and worsened progressively in all 15 MERRF children, with 10 as the initial symptom and 5 developing progressively during the disease course. Myoclonus was predominantly focal, worsening with fine motor tasks or stress. Electroencephalogram monitoring in the 15 MERRF children revealed myoclonic seizures in 10 children, with 6 classified as myoclonic epilepsy, and 4 as subcortical myoclonus. Two children had generalized myoclonic seizures, and 1 each had absence seizures and generalized seizures. Twelve children had cerebellar ataxia, 10 children exhibited exercise intolerance, and 8 children had muscle weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed periventricular white matter involvement in 1 child and bilateral hippocampal involvement in 1 child, likely due to frequent seizures. All 3 children with LS exhibited developmental regressions, accompanied with 2 symptoms include cerebellar ataxia, muscle weakness, and dysphagia. The clinical manifestations of 4 LS-MERRF overlap children presented with combined features of MERRF and LS. Cranial MRI in the 7 LS and LS-MERRF children showed brainstem involvement (all affecting the midbrain) in 6 children and basal ganglia involvement in 4 children. Among the 22 children, 12 had m.8344A>G variant levels >90%, 3 had >80%-90%, 4 had >70%-80%, and 3 had >60%-70%. Higher variant level correlated with the LS phenotype and earlier onset age ( r=0.47, -0.50; P=0.018 and 0.029, respectively). Sanger sequencing in 19 mothers revealed m.8344A>G variations in 18, with 4 showing exercise intolerance. Follow-up of 13 children on antimyoclonic treatment showed>75% reduction in seizures with levetiracetam monotherapy in 2 children, with combination therapy required in others. Most achieved >50% seizures reduction within 2 years, but the effectiveness declined with disease progression. Conclusions:The m.8344A>G variant is rare, with MERRF being the most common phenotype, while LS and LS-MERRF are less common. Children with higher ratio of the m.8344A>G variant are more likely to present LS phenotype. Myoclonus, primarily focal, is a key feature, with levetiracetam as the first-line treatment and benzodiazepines recommended for refractory cases.

The adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, IrtAB, plays a vital role in the replication and viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), where its function is to import iron-loaded siderophores. Unusually, it adopts the canonical type IV exporter fold. Herein, we report the structure of unliganded Mtb IrtAB and its structure in complex with ATP, ADP, or ATP analogue (AMP-PNP) at resolutions ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 Å. The structure of IrtAB bound ATP-Mg2+ shows a "head-to-tail" dimer of nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), a closed amphipathic cavity within the transmembrane domains (TMDs), and a metal ion liganded to three histidine residues of IrtA in the cavity. Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) structures and ATP hydrolysis assays show that the NBD of IrtA has a higher affinity for nucleotides and increased ATPase activity compared with IrtB. Moreover, the metal ion located in the TM region of IrtA is critical for the stabilization of the conformation of IrtAB during the transport cycle. This study provides a structural basis to explain the ATP-driven conformational changes that occur in IrtAB.
Siderophores/metabolism* ; Iron/metabolism* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/metabolism* ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters

Objective    To summarize the experience of robot-assisted lung basal segmentectomy, and analyze the clinical application value of intersegmental tunneling and pulmonary ligament approach for S9 and/or S10 segmentectomy. Methods    The clinical data of 78 patients who underwent robotic lung basal segmentectomy in our hospital between January 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 32 males and 46 females with a median age of 50 (33-72) years. The patients who underwent S9 and/or S10 segmentectomy were divided into a single-direction group (pulmonary ligament approach, n=19) and a bi-direction group (intersegmental tunneling, n=19) according to different approaches, and the perioperative outcomes between the two groups were compared. Results    All patients successfully completed the operation, without conversion to thoracotomy and lobectomy, serious complications, or perioperative death. The median operation time was 100 (40-185) min, the blood loss was 50 (10-210) mL, and the median number of dissected lymph nodes was 3 (1-14). There were 4 (5.1%) patients with postoperative air leakage, and 4 (5.1%) patients with hydropneumothorax. No patient showed localized atelectasis or lung congestion at 6 months after the operation. Further analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the operation time, blood loss, thoracic drainage time, complications or postoperative hospital stay between the single-direction and bi-direction groups (P>0.05). However, the number of dissected lymph nodes of the bi-direction group was more than that of the single-direction group [6 (1-13) vs. 5 (1-9), P=0.040]. Conclusion    The robotic lung basal segmentectomy for pulmonary nodules is safe and effective. The  perioperative results of robotic S9 and/or S10 complex segmentectomy using intersegmental tunneling and pulmonary ligament approach are similar.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible peripheral analgesic mechanism of electroacupuncture （EA） at promimal and distal acupoints in treatment of myofascial pain syndrome （MPS）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， proximal group， and distal group， with six rats in each group. MPS model was prepared by “strike combined with centrifugal exercise” in all groups except for the blank group. After modeling， the rats in the proximal group received EA at the local myofascial trigger points （MTrPs）， namely the Ashi points， with dilatational waves of frequency of 2/100 HZ and voltage of 2-4 V， current intensity depending on a slight trembling of the left lower limbs， once a day， 15min each time，for 14 days. The rats in the distal group received EA at “Yanglingquan” （GB 34） and “Yinlingquan” （SP 9）， with the same operations as the proximal group. The rats in the blank group and the model group were only grasped and hedged， without other interventions. After intervention， the paw withdrawl mechanical threshold （PWMT） was measured， and variability between the left and right hind paws was calculated. Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging and electromyography monitoring were performed on the left lower extremity vastus medialis. The morphological changes of vastus medialis muscle of the left lower extremity were observed by HE staining. The positive expression of substance P （SP）， calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP）， CD68 and CD206 in muscle tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Abdominal aortic serum interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and interleukin-8 （interleukin-8） were detected by ELISA. ResultsCompared to those in the blank group， the fibers of the vastus medial muscle of the rats in the model group were broken and distorted with thickness in variation， and the myofascia was broken， with fibrillation potential， enlarged muscle cells， inward moved nucleus， and widened muscle space； the variability of PWMT between the left and right hind paws significantly increased， as well as the levels of SP， CGRP， CD68， and CD206 in the vastus medialis muscle （P＜0.01）， and the serum IL-8 and TNF-αlevels were significantly elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the model group， the muscle fibers in the proximal and distal group were complete in shape and arranged in an orderly manner， with continued non-broken myofascia， regular shape of muscle cells， and significantly reduced level of IL-8 （P＜0.01）； the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous discharge in the proximal group significantly decreased， as well as the variability of PWMT between the left and right hind paws， and the levels of SP， CGRP， and CD68 in the vastus medialis muscle， while the CD206 level increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ）； there was complex discharges in the distal group， with significantly decreased level of CD68 in the vastus medialis muscle and increased level of CD206 （P＜0.01）. Compared to the proximal group， the level of IL-8 in the distal group was significantly higher （P＜0.05）. ConclusionsEA at proximal acupoints can significantly improve the pain threshold and local muscle tissue morpho-logy in rats， and its mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of pain-causing substances and related inflammatory factors and promoting the polarization of macrophages. The analgesic effect of EA at distal acupoints is not obvious， and the mechanism is still unclear.

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Objective:To investigate the etiology of epilepsy onset before 6 months old and improve clinical understanding.Methods:The medical history, electroencephalogram, brain imaging, genetic examination and other clinical data of 340 patients who were diagnosed with epilepsy with onset under 6 months of age and were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Rank sum test was used to compare the ages of onset of different etiologic groups.Results:Of the 340 patients, 196 were males and 144 were females. The age of onset was 90.5 (48.0, 135.5) days. In the 250 (73.5%) underwent genetic test, 103 (41.2%) had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, involving 43 single gene variants and 2 chromosomal abnormalities. Seventy-nine patients (23.2%) had genetic etiology, 66 (19.4%) had structural etiology, 19 (5.6%) had metabolic etiology, 13 (3.8%) had multiple etiologies, and 163 (47.9%) had unknown etiology. In the 79 cases with genetic etiology, 30 single gene variants were detected, including 19 cases of PRRT2, 10 cases of KCNQ2, 7 cases of SCN1A, 6 cases of SCN2A, 6 cases of STXBP1, 5 cases of CDKL5, 2 cases of ARX, and 1 case of each of 23 gene variants. Two cases had chromosomal abnormalities which were 21-trisomy and 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome respectively. Among the 66 cases with structural etiologies, 37 cases had acquired factors such as perinatal brain injury, 28 cases had congenital factors such as cortical malformation and 1 case was perinatal brain injury combined megalencephaly. The onset age of genetic etiology was 95 (26, 128) days, that of structural etiology was 90 (58, 30) days, and that of metabolic etiology was 57 (30, 90) days. The onset age of metabolic etiology was earlier than that of structural etiology ( U=436.500, P=0.044). Conclusions:Genetic etiology is the most common defined etiology of infants with early-onset epilepsy aged 0-6 months, and there are certain differences in the age of onset between different etiologies. Proper application of genetic test is helpful to identify the etiology and guide treatment.

Biomechanical factors play a crucial role in the steady-state maintenance of articular cartilage. The primary cilium (PC) is a kind of organelle which can sense mechanical and chemical signals at the same time. It is also distributed on the surface of chondrocyte membrane. It is involved in multiple signal transduction pathways as well as in the process of chondrocyte phenotype maintenance and material metabolism. Abnormalities in PC are also associated with a variety of human bone and joint diseases. This paper mainly discusses the mechanism of PC in mechanical microenvironment of chondrocytes and the interaction with other signaling pathways, and explores its relationship with bone and joint diseases, so as to provide some scientific basis for clinical and basic research in orthopedics.

Objective:To understand the situation and distribution of fluoride in rural centralized water supply in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia for short), and provide a reference for adjustment of prevention and control measures.Methods:From 2014 to 2018, 836, 947, 1 033, 1 068, 1 099 rural centralized water supply monitoring sites were designated in 77 banners (counties, districts) separately in Inner Mongolia, and factory water and tip water samples were collected during plentiful phase and exhausted phase every year, respectively, and fluoride content was tested. Descriptive analysis was done according to time, water period (plentiful phase and exhausted phase), water sample type (factory water and tip water), water treatment method (conventional treatment, sedimentation and filtration, only disinfection and untreated), area distribution [eastern region (Hulunbuir, Xing'an League, Tongliao and Chifeng), central region (Hohhot, Baotou, Ulanqab and Xilinhot) and western region (Ordos, Bayannur and Alashan)], and the results were analyzed visually by ArcMAP 10.2.Results:From 2014 to 2018, 3 251, 3 671, 4 058, 4 087 and 4 395 water samples were collected, the medians fluoride were 0.69, 0.70, 0.69, 0.64 and 0.66 mg/L, and the annual compliance rates of fluoride were 80.31% (2 611/3 251), 81.83% (3 004/3 671), 83.14% (3 374/4 058), 85.91% (3 511/4 087) and 84.57% (3 717/4 395). The difference of compliance rate of fluoride in rural centralized water supply in different years was statistically significant (χ 2=51.748, P < 0.01), and the compliance rate of fluoride showed an increasing trend with the years (χ 2=41.140, P < 0.01). The compliance rates of fluoride in plentiful phase and exhausted phase were 83.36% (8 128/9 750) and 83.29% (8 089/9 712), respectively, and the difference was not significant statistically (χ 2=0.020, P > 0.05). As for water sample type, the compliance rates of fluoride in factory water and tip water were 83.55% (6 583/7 879) and 83.17% (9 628/11 576), and the difference was not significant statistically (χ 2=0.485, P > 0.05). The difference of compliance rate of fluoride in different water treatment methods was statistically significant (χ 2=192.014, P < 0.01). The compliance rates of fluoride in water with conventional treatment and only disinfection were higher [95.51% (404/423) and 94.44% (986/1 044)]; and the untreated water had the lowest compliance rate of fluoride [81.75% (13 073/15 991)]. There was a statistically significant difference in compliance rates of fluoride in the eastern, central and western regions (χ 2=629.256, P < 0.01), with the eastern region had the highest compliance rate of 89.17% (7 337/8 228); the central region had the lowest compliance rate of 74.67% (5 391/7 220). The visualization results showed that the compliance rate of fluoride was obviously low in the central region north of Yin Mountains and west of Greater Higgnan Mountains. Conclusions:From 2014 to 2018, the compliance rates of fluoride in rural centralized water supply increase year by year, and some achievements have been made in fluorine reduction and water improvement project in Inner Mongolia. However, there are still some rural areas with low level of water fluoride compliance rates which mainly distribute in the central region of Inner Mongolia in the north of Yin Mountains and west of Greater Higgnan Mountains. The current focus of prevention and control should be shifted from "general control" to "precise fluorine control". In the future, it is necessary to implement treatment projects in key areas of fluorine pollution from the aspects of policy implementation and technological innovation to ensure the drinking water safety of local rural residents.