ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of HBV cccDNA in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure （HBV-ACLF） and its correlation with HBV markers and liver histopathological changes. MethodsA total of 30 patients in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACL who were hospitalized in The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from January 2015 to October 2023 were enrolled as liver failure group， and 9 patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB）， matched for sex and age， were enrolled as control group. The content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was measured， and its correlation with clinical data and laboratory markers was analyzed. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and a one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups； the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsThe liver failure group had a significantly lower content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue than the control group （-0.92±0.70 log₁₀ copies/cell vs -0.13±0.91 log₁₀ copies/cell， t=2.761， P=0.009）. In the liver failure group， there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the HBeAg-positive patients and the HBeAg-negative patients （P>0.05）； there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different grades （G0-G2， G3， and G4） of liver inflammatory activity （P>0.05）； there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different stages （S0-S2， S3， and S4） of liver fibrosis （P>0.05）； there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with negative HBV DNA and those with positive HBV DNA （P>0.05）. For the liver failure group， the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was positively correlated with the content of HBV DNA in liver tissue （r=0.426， P=0.043） and was not significantly correlated with the content of HBV DNA in serum （P>0.05）. ConclusionThere is a significant reduction in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACLF. HBV cccDNA exists continuously and stably in liver tissue and can better reflect the persistent infection and replication of HBV than HBV DNA in serum and liver tissue.

Objective To identify the characteristics of complementary and alternative therapies for cancer patients and investigate the effect on symptom clusters in cancer patients,in order to provide references in management of the symptom clusters.Methods A scoping review was conducted to search nine databases,namely PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Embase,PsycINFO,CINAHL,CNKI,Wanfang Data,and VIP,for literatures published between January 2016 and January 2024.Results Twenty articles focusing on complementary and alternative therapies were included.Four themes were identified from the retrieved articles:cancer research subjects,characteristics of complementary alternative therapies,type of symptom cluster and effectiveness of complementary alternative therapies.Specifically,the cancer research subjects in relation to symptom cluster management included those of breast cancer,advanced cancer and the cancer under radio or chemotherapy.The most commonly used types of complementary and alternative therapies in managing the symptom clusters were exercise therapies,cognitive-behavioural interventions,traditional Chinese medicine therapies,multidisciplinary collaborative models and specific interventions.Interventions for symptom clusters predominantly targeted fatigue,mental status,pain,and gastrointestinal symptoms.Conclusion The interventions for symptom clusters in complementary and alternative therapies vary across different types of complementary and alternative therapies,so as the effectiveness.Some of the complementary and alternative therapies have unidentified effects and further investigations are required.The complementary and alternative therapies currently that have been used in managing the symptom clusters were found to have shortcomings.Further studies should focus on sentinel and core symptoms of symptom clusters and emphasize the development of standardised and individualised intervention plans based on symptom management theories,hence to improve the management of symptom clusters in cancer patients.

Objective To assess short-and long-term changes in the upper airway,natural head position and hyoid bone position in skeletal Class Ⅲ patients after bimaxillary surgery.Methods In this retrospective study,the cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT)of skeletal Class Ⅲ patients was taken before surgery(T0),3 months after surgery(T1)and 2 years after surgery(T2).Three-dimensional images were created to assess postoperative changes and the correlation between the upper airway,natural head posi-tion and hyoid bone was analyzed.Results Thirty skeletal Class Ⅲ patients(13 men and 17 women)who underwent bimaxillary sur-gery with a mean(SD)age of 21 years(a range of 17-30 years)were evaluated.A significant decrease was observed in the volume of palatopharynx,glossopharynx and total airway after T1 and T2.There was a significant correlation between changes in the position of the mandible and changes in the volume of the upper airway(P＜0.05).The NSL/OPT angle and the NSL/CVT angle were greater after Tl and T2.The change in the NSL/CVT angle was positively correlated with the change in palatopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal volume(P＜0.05).Conclusion Bimaxillary surgery may cause a decrease in upper airway volume,an increase in the cranio-cervical angle,and a downward and backward movement of the hyoid bone.Changes in the cranio-cervical angle may cause changes in the upper air-way.

AIM:To investigate the alleviating effect of ethyl acetate extract from Platycladus orientalis leaves(EAEPOL)on diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)and its mechanisms.METHODS:Healthy adult C57BL/6 mice were ran-domly divided into normal control group,DCM group,and EAEPOL group.Cardiac structure and function of the mice were assessed by echocardiography.Myocardial fibrosis was evaluated though myocardial hydroxyproline content determi-nation,myocardial Masson and Sirius red staining,and collagen type I(Col I)and collagen type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ)immunohis-tochemistry.The degree of myocardial oxidative stress was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and total antioxidative capacity(T-AOC)levels using kits,as well as detection of nuclear factor E2-re-lated factor-2(Nrf-2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)expression by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Endothelial-mesenchy-mal transition(EndMT)was evaluated by detecting CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)protein expression by Western blot,and cadherin 5(CDH5)and fibroblast specific protein 1(FSP1)mRNA expression by qRT-PCR,as well as α-SMA immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:(1)Mouse echocardiography revealed that compared with normal control group,heart rate(HR)and ejection fraction(EF)were significantly reduced in DCM group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while left ventricular anterior wall thickness at systole and diastole(LVAWs and LVAWd)and left ventricular pos-terior wall thickness at systole and diastole(LVPWs and LVPWd)were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with DCM group,the mice in EAEPOL group showed significant increases in HR and EF(P<0.01),and marked decreases in LVAWs,LVAWd,LVPWs and LVPWd(P<0.05).(2)Compared with normal control group,the content of hydroxypro-line in mouse myocardium,the collagen area ratio shown by Sirius red and Masson staining,and the immunohistochemical positive area ratio of Col I and Col Ⅲ in DCM group were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with DCM group,the above myocardial fibrosis indicators in EAEPOL group were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)Com-pared with normal control group,the myocardial MDA content and the expression of Nrf-2 in DCM group were significantly increased,while the SOD activity,the T-AOC and the expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Com-pared with DCM group,the myocardial MDA content in EAEPOL group was significantly reduced,while the SOD activity,the T-AOC,and the HO-1 and Nrf-2 expression were significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)Compared with normal control group,the myocardial expression of CD31 and CDH5 in DCM group was significantly reduced,the expres-sion of α-SMA and FSP1 was significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the α-SMA positive area ratio by immuno-fluorescence staining was also increased(P<0.01).Compared with DCM group,EAEPOL significantly up-regulated the expression of CD31 and CDH5 and down-regulated the expression of α-SMA and FSP1,and the α-SMA positive area ratio by immunofluorescence staining was evidently decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:EAEPOL may attenuate myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in DCM mice by suppressing oxidative stress and alleviating EndMT.

Objective To explore the genetic polymorphism and mutation rate of 36 Y-STR loci in Sichuan Han population and provide basic data for their forensic applications.Methods Blood samples were collected from 307 unrelated male individuals and 367 father-son pairs in Sichuan Han population using FTA blood sampling cards.The Y41SE-v1.2 kit was used to type 36 Y-STR loci,and the population genetic parameters and mutation rates of each locus were calculated.The genetic relationship between Sichuan Han population and other ethnic populations was analyzed in combination with 19 other populations in China.Results A total of 79 mutations were observed in 36 Y-STR loci in 367 father-son pairs of Sichuan Han population,with an average mutation rate of 6.00×10-3.There were 74(93.67%)one-step mutations and 5(6.33%)multi-step mutations.A total of 383 alleles were found at 36 Y-STR loci in 307 Sichuan Han males.The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 5(0.016 29)to 56(0.182 41),GD ranged from 0.100 02(DYS645)to 0.959 99(DYS385),and 306 haplotypes were found.The HD,DC and HMP values were 0.999 973,99.67%and 0.003 284,respectively.The results of genetic distance(Fst)analysis showed that the Sichuan Han population had the closest genetic distance with the Chongqing Han population(0.000 9)and the furthest genetic distance with the Xinjiang Mongolian group(0.032 0).The MDS based on genetic distance was basically consistent with the results of cluster analysis.Conclusion The 36 Y-STR loci have high genetic polymorphism in the Sichuan Han population.The study data can provide data support for the construction of the Y-STR database in this region,and also provide basic genetic information for forensic investigation and population genetics research.

Objective:To conduct a scoping review on self-transcendence in cancer patients, analyze and summarize the current status of self-transcendence in cancer patients, so as to provide a reference for its future development in cancer.Methods:The relevant research was systematically searched on China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL, with a search period from database establishment to September 5, 2023. The included literature was summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 43 articles were included, consisting of 16 cross-sectional surveys, 8 qualitative studies, and 19 intervention studies. Five aspects were elaborated and summarized, namely theoretical evolution and development, evaluation tools, current situation and influencing factors, implementation approaches, and intervention program characteristics.Conclusions:The research on self-transcendence in cancer patients is in the ascendant. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the development of self-transcendence assessment tools for cancer patients, adopt various research methods to comprehensively understand the changes in self-transcendence level and psychological experience of cancer patients, and improve the scientific and rigorous nature of self-transcendence intervention program for cancer patients.

In recent years, the development of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) has been rapid, with many new structures and target combinations being created. The boom in bsAbs has led to the successive issuance of industry guidance for their development in the US and China. However, there is a high degree of similarity in target selection, which could affect the development of diversity in bsAbs. This review presents a classification of various bsAbs for cancer therapy based on structure and target selection and examines the advantages of bsAbs over monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Through database research, we have identified the preferences of available bsAbs combinations, suggesting rational target selection options and warning of potential wastage of medical resources. We have also compared the US and Chinese guidelines for bsAbs in order to provide a reference for their development.

The end-of-life care education of medical students is related to the development of hospice care in the future. This paper comprehensively reviewed the setting up situations of end-of-life care education courses at home and abroad, as well as the status quo of courses' implementation, including teaching contents, teaching methods, assessment methods, teaching staff, teaching evaluations and effects. Based on these aspects, we have made some thoughts and suggestions, in order to provide reference for the development of end-of-life care education courses in medical colleges and universities in China.

Objective Explore the feasibility and accuracy of using deep learning techniques for gender inference in panoramic dental radiography images of Chinese Han population.Methods A total of 10,600 OPG images from Han individuals aged 18 to 70(5,300 males and 5,300 females)were collected and randomly divided into training set,validation set,and test set in an 8:1:1 ratio.MobileNetV2,Swin Transformer Small,and Swin Transformer Tiny models were trained,and the classification performance of the models was evaluated and visually displayed using accuracy,F1 score,and Grad-CAM algorithm.Results The accuracy of MobileNetV2,Swin Transformer Small,and Swin Transformer Tiny models was 97.57%,95.13%,and 96.28%respectively,with MobileNetV2 model showing the best overall performance.The Grad-CAM algorithm revealed that male OPG images mainly focused on the left and right mandibular branches and alveolar bone,while female OPG images mainly focused on the maxillary sinus,left mandibular branch,and posterior alveolar bone.Conclusion This study demonstrates that the gender inference model based on deep learning techniques for OPG images of Chinese Han population has high accuracy and generalization ability,providing a new approach for forensic gender determination in forensic medicine.

Objective:To investigate the effects of poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase-1(PARP-1) inhibitor fluzoparib on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of pancreatic cancer PANC1 cells.Methods:PANC1 cells cultured in conventional culture medium were used as control group, and PANC1 cells cultured in the medium containing fluzoparib were used as fluzoparib group. The effects of fluzoparib with different concentrations on the proliferation of PANC1 cells were detected by CCK8 method, and the half inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of fluzoparib on PANC1 cells was calculated. The effect of fluzoparib on apoptosis and cell cycle of PANC1 cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the migration ability of PANC1 cells was detected by cell scratch test and Transwell chamber. Results:Compared with control group, with the increase of fluzoparib concentration and the prolongation of the action time, the cell proliferation activity of PANC1 in fluzoparib group was significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). IC 50 of fluzoparib on PANC1 cells cultured for 24 h was 0.03 mmol/L. After 24 h culture, the IC 50 apoptosis rate of fluzoparib group was (32.19±2.48)%, and the apoptosis rate of control group was (21.99±6.30)%. The former was greatly higher than the latter, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The proportion of cells in G 2/M phase was (16.28±0.62)% in the fluzoparib group and (11.64±0.88)% in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The migration rates of PANC1 cells in IC 50 fluzoparib group in 12 h and 24 h culture were (2.59±1.46)% and (19.76±7.84)%; and those in control group were (27.08±2.17)% and (45.92±3.61)%, respectively. The number of transmembrane cells was (348±19) cells/10 visual field in the fluzoparib group and (587±14) cells/10 visual field in the control group. The migration ability of PANC1 cells in fluzoparib group was significantly lower than that in control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Fluzoparib can inhibit the proliferation and migration of PANC1 cells and promote the apoptosis of PANC1 in vitro, which may be an effective drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.