BACKGROUND:Currently,different methods of model establishment have been derived from different injury modes of spinal cord injury.Traditional physical injury modeling methods have their own advantages and disadvantages,and there is a lack of more effective and stable animal models of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To establish a reproducible,controllable,trauma-free,low-mortality,more stable,widely applicable,and short-term postoperative care rat model of spinal cord injury. METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats with similar body mass and ages were randomly divided into a control group and an improved group,with 20 rats in each group.Animal models of spinal cord injury in the control group were constructed using a clip model method,while the improved group used a modified ligation method based on the compression method to make the spinal cord injury models using suture ligation based on fenestration.Postoperative comparisons were made between the two groups,assessing urination behavior,hematuria,pyuria(infection rate),mortality,scoliosis rate and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores at 1,3,5,and 7 days after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the conventional modeling method,the modified ligation method based on the compression method resulted in faster recovery of urination behavior,lower hematuria rate,lower infection rate,lower mortality rate,lower scoliosis rate,and more concentrated and stable Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores(all below 2 points within 1 week).This proves that the modified ligation method based on compression is more suitable for the establishment of spinal cord injury models in rats.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using composite autologous patch graft combined with tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon in the treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (IMRCT).Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed on 11 IMRCT patients who were admitted to Affiliated Fuyang Hospital of Bengbu Medical University (Fuyang People′s Hospital) from May 2020 to June 2022, including 7 males and 4 females, aged 54-74 years [(62.6±7.3)years]. All the patients were treated with arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using composite patch graft combined with tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Acromiohumeral Distance (AHD), Constant-Murley score and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score and active range of motion of the shoulder joint before, at 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. At the last follow-up, the integrity of reconstructed superior capsule and the long head of the biceps tendon was evaluated using MRI of the shoulder joint. Postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 13-39 months [16(13, 36)months]. The VAS score, AHD, Constant-Murley score, and UCLA score were 2(2, 3)points, (9.1±1.1)mm, (56.1±5.4)points, and (19.7±2.8)points respectively at 6 months after surgery, which were all significantly improved from those before surgery [6(5, 7)points, (5.1±1.2)mm, (37.9±2.2)points, and (11.8±1.2)points] ( P<0.05). The VAS score, AHD, Constant-Murley score, and UCLA score were 0(0, 1)points, (8.4±0.9)mm, (83.6±3.8)points, and (28.2±2.3)points respectively at the last follow-up, which were all significantly improved from those before surgery ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the VAS score or AHD were not significantly improved from those at 6 months after surgery ( P>0.05); Constant-Murley score and UCLA score were both significantly improved from those at 6 months after surgery ( P<0.05). At 6 months after surgery, shoulder active ranges of motion in forward flexion, abduction and external rotation were (134.6±13.5)°, (124.6±18.6)° and 45(40, 50)° respectively, which were all significantly improved compared with those before surgery [(63.2±36.1)°, (65.0±23.1)°, and [30(20, 40)°] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, shoulder active ranges of motion in forward flexion, abduction and external rotation were (144.1±12.6)°, (139.6±15.4)° and 60(45, 65)° respectively, which were all significantly improved compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in active range of motion of the shoulder in forward flexion, abduction and external rotation between 6 months after surgery and the last follow-up ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, MRI revealed integrity of the reconstructed superior joint capsule and the long head of the biceps tendon in 10 patients. One patient developed resorption of the greater tuberosity and 1 showed a partial tear of the supraspinatus tendon at 1 year after surgery. Conclusion:Arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using composite autologous patch graft combined with tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon can relieve shoulder pain, decrease upward displacement of the humerus head, improve the function and range of motion of the shoulder joint, and reduce complications in the treatment of IMRCT.

Background::There is a need for effective and safe therapies for psoriasis that provide sustained benefits. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab, an anti-interleukin-23p19 monoclonal antibody, for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Chinese patients.Methods::In this multi-center, double-blind, phase III trial, patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive subcutaneous tildrakizumab 100 mg or placebo at weeks 0 and 4. Patients initially assigned to placebo were switched to receive tildrakizumab at weeks 12, 16, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Patients in the tildrakizumab group continued with tildrakizumab at week 16, and every 12 weeks until week 52. The primary endpoint was the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) response rate at week 12.Results::At week 12, tildrakizumab demonstrated significantly higher PASI 75 response rates (66.4% [73/110] vs. 12.7% [14/110]; difference, 51.4% [95% confidence interval (CI), 40.72, 62.13]; P <0.001) and Physician’s Global Assessment (60.9% [67/110] vs. 10.0% [11/110]; difference, 49.1% [95% CI, 38.64, 59.62]; P <0.001) compared to placebo. PASI 75 response continued to improve over time in both tildrakizumab and placebo-switching to tildrakizumab groups, reaching maximal efficacy after 28 weeks (86.8% [92/106] vs. 82.4% [89/108]) and maintained up to 52 weeks (91.3% [95/104] vs. 87.4% [90/103]). Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild and not related to tildrakizumab. Conclusion::Tildrakizumab demonstrated durable efficacy through week 52 and was well tolerated in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.Trial registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05108766.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between nutritional status and quality of life in inpatients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to analyze the factors affecting nutritional status,so as to provide evidence for clinical nutritional support treatment.Methods:In this study,we retrospectively collected data from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the Head and Neck Oncology Department of Zunyi Medical University Affiliated Hospital from 2014 to 2019.The NRS 2002 scale was used for nutritional risk screening,the PG-SGA scale for nutritional status assessment and the EORTCQLQ-C30 V3.0 scale for quality of life assessment.To further explore the correlation between nutritional status and quality of life,as well as the factors affecting nutritional status.Results:A total of 216 patients were collected,including 168 male(77.78%);average age(50.5±10.58)years;26.85%were at nutritional risk(NRS 2002 score≥3);28.70%were moderate malnutrition(PG-SGA score 4-8),and 23.15%were severe malnutrition(PG-SGA score≥9).There were significant differences in several physical examinations(such as body weight,body mass index,muscle circumference at the midpoint of the upper arm,etc.)and blood biochemical indexes(such as prealbumin,neutrophils,urea nitrogen,etc.)of patients with different nutritional status were differed between groups(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that age≥65 years was a risk factor for the development of severe malnutrition(OR:3.429,95%CI:1.467 to 8.014,P=0.004),whereas a high level of education(senior high school and above)was a protective factor(OR:0.027,95%CI:0.011 to 0.064,P=0.000).The poorer the nutritional status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients,the lower the quality of life.Conclusion:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients have a high incidence of malnutrition;the poorer the nutritional status of the patient,the lower the quality of life;routine nutritional diagnosis and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after admission to the hospital is recommended to improve clinical outcomes.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

AIM To investigate the effects of total Astragalus saponins on the improvement of sarcopenia in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS The rats were divided into the normal group for a normal feeding and the model group for the feeding of high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of STZ to establish a T2DM model.The successful model rats were randomly divided into the model group,the metformin group(0.2 g/kg)and the total Astragalus saponins group(80 mg/kg),and given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.After 12 weeks administration,the rats had their FBG,postprandial blood glucose(PG2h)and wet weight of skeletal muscle measured;their serum levels of INS,C-peptide(C-P),IGF-1,TNF-α and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their morphological changes of skeletal muscle observed by HE staining;their protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR,S6K1,FoxO1 and Murf1 in skeletal muscle detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor in skeletal muscle detected by RT-qPCR method.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the total Astragalus saponins group displayed decreased levels of FBG,PG2h,OGTT-AUC,HOMA-IR,TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);increased levels of INS,C-P,IGF-1 and wet weight of skeletal muscle(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);improved skeletal muscle atrophy and increased protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR and S6K1 in skeletal muscle(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased protein expressions of FoxO1 and Murf1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION The improvement effects of total Astragalus saponins on sarcopenia in T2DM rats may be associated with the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inflammatory effects of Cinobufotalin on monocytes in resting state and macrophages in activated state and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: THP-1 cells were stimulated with Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to induce differentiation into macrophages. Lipopolysaccharides was added to activate macrophages in order to establish macrophage activation model. Cinobufotalin was added to the inflammatory cell model for 24 h as a treatment. CCK-8 was used to detect cell proliferation, Annexin V /PI double staining flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis, flow cytometry was used to detect macrophage activation, and cytometric bead array was used to detect cytokines. Transcriptome sequencing was used to explore the gene expression profile regulated by Cinobufotalin. Changes in the significantly regulated molecules were verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: 1∶25 concentration of Cinobufotalin significantly inhibited the proliferation of resting monocytes(P<0.01), and induced apoptosis(P<0.01), especially the activated macrophages(P<0.001, P<0.001). Cinobufotalin significantly inhibited the activation of macrophages, and significantly down-regulated the inflammatory cytokines(IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8) released by activated macrophages(P＜0.001). Its mechanism was achieved by inhibiting TLR4/MYD88/P-IκBa signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Cinobufotalin can inhibit the inflammatory factors produced by the over-activation of macrophages through TLR4/MYD88/P-IκBa pathway, which is expected to be applied to the treatment and research of diseases related to the over-release of inflammatory factors.
Humans ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/genetics* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; NF-kappa B

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

Objective: To investigate the effect of low-dose X-ray ionizing radiation on thyroid function of radiation workers. Methods: From January to December 2021, a total of 1039 medical workers in some tertiary hospitals in Wuhan were selected as the survey subjects, of which 518 radiation workers were selected as the exposure group, and 521 non-radiation workers were selected as the control group. The general conditions of the two groups were collected, and 5 indicators of thyroid function were measured, including total thyroxine (TT(4)) , total triiodothyronine (TT(3)) , free triiodothyronine (FT(3)) , thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) , and free thyroxine (FT(4)) . The annual cumulative dose of ionizing radiation exposure in the exposure group was collected. Pearson χ(2) test and independent sample t test were used to compare the general conditions, 5 indicators of thyroid function and abnormal rate between the two groups. Linear regression model was used to analyze the correlation between the annual cumulative dose and 5 indicators of thyroid function in the exposure group. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of thyroid dysfunction in the exposure group. Results: The TT(4) levels of the workers in the control group and the exposure group were (7.95±1.07) μg/dl and (8.26±1.41) μg/dl, respectively, and the FT(4) levels were (16.33±2.19) pmol/L and (17.15±2.42) pmol/L, respectively, the rate of thyroid dysfunction was 4.80% (25/521) and 8.49% (44/518) , and the above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . Linear regression analysis showed that the annual cumulative dose of the exposure group was significantly correlated with TT(4), TT(3), FT(4), and TSH (P<0.05) . For every 1 mSv increase in the annual cumulative dose, TT(4) increased by 1.661 μg/dl, FT(4) increased by 1.422 pmol/L, TT(3) decreased by 0.113 ng/ml, and TSH decreased by 0.731 μIU/ml. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the older the radiation workers, the higher the risk of thyroid dysfunction (OR=1.080, 95% CI: 1.016-1.148, P=0.013) ; the greater the annual cumulative dose, the higher the risk of thyroid dysfunction (OR=6.400, 95%CI: 1.796-22.811, P=0.004) . Conclusion: The annual cumulative dose of low-dose X-ray ionizing radiation is positively correlated with thyroid function TT(4) and FT(4) of radiation workers, and negatively correlated with TT(3) and TSH; the greater the age and annual cumulative dose, the higher the risk of thyroid dysfunction.
Humans ; Triiodothyronine ; Thyroxine ; Thyroid Gland/radiation effects* ; X-Rays ; Thyrotropin ; Radiation, Ionizing

OBJECTIVE: The association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with subclinical macrovascular and microvascular diseases has been less investigated. We sought to examine the association between NLR and new-onset subclinical macrovascular and microvascular abnormalities in the Chinese population. METHODS: From a community cohort, we included 6,430 adults aged ≥ 40 years without subclinical macrovascular and microvascular diseases at baseline. We measured subclinical macrovascular and microvascular abnormalities separately using the ankle-brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and albuminuria. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 4.3 years, 110 participants developed incident abnormal ABI, 746 participants developed incident elevated baPWV, and 503 participants developed incident albuminuria. Poisson regression analysis indicated that NLR was significantly associated with an increased risk of new-onset abnormal ABI, elevated baPWV, and albuminuria. Compared to overweight/obese participants, we found a much stronger association between NLR and subclinical vascular abnormalities in participants with normal weight. Furthermore, we found an interaction between the NLR and body mass index (BMI) on the risk of new-onset abnormal ABI ( P for interaction: 0.01). CONCLUSION NLR was associated with subclinical macrovascular and microvascular diseases in the Chinese population. Furthermore, in participants with normal weight, the association between NLR and subclinical vascular abnormalities was much stronger.
Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymphocytes/cytology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils/cytology* ; Poisson Distribution ; Prospective Studies ; Vascular Diseases/etiology*