AIM: To investigate the risk factors associated with the recurrence of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO-ME)after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)therapy.METHODS:A total of 32 patients(32 eyes)with BRVO-ME who were treated at the ophthalmology department of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from February 2021 to June 2022 were selected. They were treated with a 3+pro re nata (PRN)anti-VEGF regimen and followed up for 6 mo. Following 3 consecutive anti-VEGF injections, patients were categorized into a non-recurrence group and a recurrence group based on central macular thickness(CMT)measured by optical coherence tomography(OCT)at 6 mo post-treatment. Aqueous humor levels of various cytokines levels were quantified using suspension assay method. Demographic characteristics, CMT, and cytokine levels were compared between the two groups, and their correlations with the recurrence of BRVO-ME after anti-VEGF treatment were analyzed.RESULTS:At 6 months post-treatment, ME resolved in 19 eyes(no recurrence group), while 13 eyes showed persistent or recurrent ME(recurrence group). Compared to baseline, the CMT significantly improved in both groups at 1 d, 1, and 6 mo post-treatment(all P<0.05). However, the recurrence group exhibited significantly higher baseline, 1 d and 6 mo post-treatment CMT values than the non-recurrence group(all P<0.05). The aqueous humor levels of VEGF and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)at baseline were significantly higher in the recurrence group than the non-recurrence group(all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed positive associations between baseline CMT and interlukin IL-1β, IL-5, IL-12, MCP-1 and IP-10 levels(all P<0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis identified baseline CMT and MCP-1 levels as independent risk factors for BRVO-ME recurrence(OR>1, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Elevated baseline CMT and aqueous humor MCP-1 levels were identified as independent risk factors for BRVO-ME recurrence after anti-VEGF therapy. Patients exhibiting higher baseline CMT and MCP-1 levels demonstrated significantly increased susceptibility to recurrence.

Background Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type II (PTPN2) is essential for the regulation of inflammation and immunity, but the specific mechanism of action of Ptpn2 in silicosis is unknown. Objective To investigate the regulatory role of overexpression of Ptpn2 in SiO₂-mediated inflammatory response in alveolar type II epithelial cells based on transcriptome sequencing. Methods This study was an in vitro study. A negative control group (vector transferred) and an overexpression of Ptpn2 group of mouse lung epithelial cell line MLE-12 cells were firstly constructed. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed mRNAs, and differentially expressed ncRNAs in the two groups of MLE-12 cells, and then the DEGs were analyzed by the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Constructed MLE-12 cells and A549 cells were stimulated using SiO₂ suspension, and divided into a negative control group (vector transferred), an overexpression of Ptpn2 group, a negative control + SiO₂ group, and an overexpression of Ptpn2 + SiO₂ group, respectively. Protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-2, IL-1β were detected by Western blot. Positive TNF-α expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Results The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression level of PTPN2 was up-regulated in the overexpressed Ptpn2 group compared with the negative control group (P < 0.05). The volcano plot and clustering heat map showed that there were 1122 DEGs, 3681 differentially expressed mRNAs, and 474 differentially expressed ncRNAs in the overexpressed Ptpn2 group compared with the negative control group. The results of GO enrichment showed that, in terms of the biological process, the DEGs were mainly related to the regulation of metal ion transport, extracellular matrix organization, and extracellular structural organization; in terms of cellular composition, the DEGs were mainly related to collagen-containing extracellular matrix, receptor complexes, and basement membranes; in terms of molecular function, the DEGs were mainly related to the extracellular matrix structural constituents, glycosaminoglycan binding, and semaphorin receptor binding. The results of KEGG enrichment showed that the DEGs were closely related to cytokin-cytokine receptor interaction, IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway. In MLE-12 and A549 cells, the results of Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of TNF-α , IL-17A, IL-2, and IL-1β were up-regulated in the negative control + SiO₂ group compared with the negative control group (P < 0.05), and the protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-2, and IL-1β were down-regulated in the overexpression of Ptpn2 + SiO₂ group compared with the negative control + SiO₂ group (P < 0.05). The immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of TNF-α was increased in the negative control + SiO₂ group compared with the negative control group, and decreased in the overexpression of Ptpn2 + SiO₂ group compared with the negative control + SiO₂ group. Conclusion Overexpression of Ptpn2 inhibits SiO₂-mediated inflammatory response in MLE-12 cells and A549 cells.

Objective To investigate the changes of sex hormone levels in polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in infertile population after the assisted reproductive technology treatment,and to provide an evidence for the choice of the treatment.Methods The medical data of patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2016 to June 2021 were collected and divided into PCOS group(103)and non-PCOS group(589)according to whether they were diagnosed with PCOS,and the sex hormone changes of the two groups were compared.Results The patients in PCOS group were younger and had the higher BMI,more sinus follicles,higher AMH value,and lower total Gn usage.The number of LH/FSH>2 in PCOS group was higher than that in non-PCOS group(P<0.05).After the treatment,LH in both groups decreased,FSH,E2 and(P<0.05)increased;The difference of LH and E2 before and after the treatment in PCOS group was greater than that in non-PCOS group<0.05).Conclusion Compared with non-PCOS infertile patients,the changes of sex hormone indexes in PCOS infertile patients before and after the treatment were more obvious.In order to obtain the better clinical effect in patients with polycystic ovaries,it is recommended to pay attention to the changes of related sex hormone levels in the course of subsequent treatment,and choose a reasonable treatment plan.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy between arthroscopically assisted reduction versus open reduction in the treatment of paediatric humeral lateral condylar fractures with Kirschner wire fixation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 28 children with humeral lateral condylar fracture who had undergone surgery at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from August 2023 to September 2023. There were 24 males and 4 females with an age of (6.5±1.6) years, 24 cases of type Ⅱ and 4 cases of type Ⅲ fractures according to the Jacob classification, and 1 case of type Ⅰ and 27 cases of type Ⅱ fractures according to the Milch classification. The time from injury to surgery averaged (71.6±21.3) hours. The children were divided into 2 groups according to their reduction methods: an arthroscopic group of 16 cases treated by arthroscopically assisted reduction and K-wire fixation and an open reduction group of 12 cases treated by open reduction and K-wire fixation. The operation time, incision length, Kirschner wire removal time, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and the incidence of lateral bony spur on the X ray at the last follow-up were compared between the 2 groups; the flexion-extension and carrying angle of the elbow were compared between the healthy side and the affected side within each group at the last follow-up.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). The 28 pediatric patients were followed up for (4.9±0.4) months after surgery. The incision length [(1.3±0.4) cm] and Kirschner wire removal time [(42.8±3.5) d] in the arthroscopic group were significantly shorter than those in the open reduction group [(4.8±0.5) cm and (95.5±16.4) d] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the operation time between the 2 groups [(70.6±15.5) min versus (61.7±14.5) min] ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the flexion-extension or in the carrying angle between the healthy and affected sides within each group at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference either in the MEPS score or in the incidence of lateral bony spur between the 2 groups at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). Follow-up revealed pin infection in 1 patient in the arthroscopic group, and exposure of Kirschner wire tail in 1 patient in the open reduction group. Conclusions:In the treatment of humeral lateral condylar fractures, arthroscopically assisted reduction and Kirschner wire fixation can allow for debridement of the fracture ends in a minimally invasive way, visual fracture evaluation and reduction. Compared with open reduction, arthroscopically assisted reduction can reduce operative trauma without significantly increasing operation time.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified biliary-intestinal anasto-mosis by pancreaticoduodenectomy and influencing factors of postoperative biliary leakage.Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopatholo-gical data of 165 patients with benign and malignant diseases around the ampullary who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from June 2014 to October 2020 were collected. There were 92 males and 73 females, aged (59±10)years. Of the 165 patients, 44 patients undergoing modified biliary-intestinal anastomosis within pancreatico-duodenectomy were divided into the modified group, and 121 patients undergoing traditional biliary-intestinal anastomosis within pancreaticoduodenectomy were divided into the traditional group. Observation indicators: (1) propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching; (2) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (3) analysis of influencing factors of biliary leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Propensity score matching was done by the 1:1 nearest neighbor matching method, with the caliper setting as 0.05. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Univariate analysis was conducted using the corresponding statistical methods based on data type. All indicators in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model. Results:(1) Propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching. Of the 165 patients, 72 cases were successfully matched, including 36 cases in the modified group and 36 cases in the traditional group, respectively. The elimination of jaundice, preoperative reduction of jaundice and hypertension confounding bias ensured comparability between the two groups after propensity score matching. (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. All patients in the two groups underwent surgery successfully. The operation time, postoperative pathological type (lower bile duct cancer, pancreatic head cancer, pancreatic cystic tumor, chronic pancreatitis, duodenal cancer), time of no drainage fluid in the drainage tube around biliary-intestinal anastomosis were 371(270,545)minutes, 6, 12, 1, 2, 15, (12±7)days in patients of the modified group, versus 314(182,483) minutes, 13, 14, 1, 4, 4, (16±8)days in patients of the traditional group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-3.54, χ2=10.01, t=-2.34, P<0.05). Cases with postoperative grade A biliary leakage was 0 in patients of the modified group, versus 6 in patients of the traditional group, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). Cases with postoperative grade B biliary leakage, cases with postoperative grade B pancreatic fistula, cases with postoperative bleeding, cases with abdominal infection, cases with incision infection, cases with delayed gastric emptying, cases undergoing unplanned readmission were 1, 0, 1, 4, 1, 5, 1 in patients of the modified group, versus 0, 1, 2, 5, 2, 5, 2 in patients of the traditional group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). Cases with postoperative grade A pancreatic fistula, cases with overall complications, cases with Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ complications, cases with Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ complications were 6, 12, 6, 6 in patients of the modified group, versus 7, 14, 8, 6 in patients of the traditional group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( χ2=0.09, 0.24, 0.36, 0.00, P>0.05). None of patient in the two groups had postoperative grade C biliary leakage and postoperative grade C pancreatic fistula. (3) Analysis of influencing factors of biliary leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Results of multivariate analysis showed that preoperative reduction of jaundice and traditional biliary-intestinal anastomosis were independent risk factors for biliary leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy ( odds ratio=11.37, 12.27, 95% confidence interval as 1.76-73.35, 1.14-131.23, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with traditional biliary-intestinal anastomosis, modified biliary-intestinal anastomosis within pancreaticoduodenectomy is safe and feasible. Preoperative reduction of jaundice and traditional biliary-intestinal anastomosis are independent risk factors for biliary leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objective:To evaluate the role of sonic hedgehog (Shh)/glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) signaling pathway in sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment in young mice.Methods:Forty-eight SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks, weighing 14-16 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) by the random number table method: control group (C group), sleep deprivation group (SD group) and Shh agonist SAG group (SD+ SAG group). Multi-platform water environment method was used to prepare the sleep deprivation model in mice, and the sleep deprivation was 20 h a day for 10 consecutive days.In SD+ SAG group, SAG 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 5 min before each sleep deprivation, while the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in group C and group SD.The mice underwent novel object recognition and Y-maze tests at 24 h after development of the model.Mice were sacrificed after the behavioral testing, and the hippocampi were isolated for determination of the density of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region (by Golgi staining), expression of Gli1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal tissues (by Western blot), and expression of Gli1 and BDNF mRNA in hippocampal tissues (by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with group C, the preference index in novel object recognition and Y-maze tests and density of dendritic spines in CA1 region were significantly decreased, and the expression of Gli1 and BDNF protein and mRNA in hippocampus was down-regulated in group SD ( P<0.05). Compared with group SD, the preference index in novel object recognition and Y-maze tests and density of dendritic spines in CA1 region were significantly increased, and the expression of Gli1 and BDNF protein and mRNA in hippocampus was up-regulated in group SD+ SAG ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Inhibition of Shh/Gli1 signaling pathway and reduction of plasticity of dendritic spines of hippocampal neurons are involved in sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment in young mice.

The complexity of oral ulcerations poses considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to oral specialists. The expert consensus was conducted to summarize the diagnostic work-up for difficult and complicated oral ulcers, based on factors such as detailed clinical medical history inquiry, histopathological examination, and ulceration-related systemic diseases screening. Not only it can provide a standardized procedure of oral ulceration, but also it can improve the diagnostic efficiency, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
Consensus ; Humans ; Oral Ulcer/therapy*

Objective:To study the differences in the cumulative dose between deformable image registration (DIR) and simple dose-volume histogram (DVH) summation in the fractionated brachytherapy of cervical cancer, and to analyze the feasibility of the application of DIR in the dosimetry assessment of targets and organs-at-risk (OARs) in the brachytherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for 13 cases with primary cervical cancer treated with four fractions of interstitial brachytherapy guided by CT images. The four CT images of each cases were registered using an intensity-based DIR. Then, the cumulative doses (the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, and D0.1 cm 3 of the bladder, rectum, intestine, and colon and the D90for targets) after DIR were calculated and compared to those obtained using simple DVH summation. Afterward, the correlation between the dose difference and dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was analyzed. With the dose difference (the remaining dose of OARs caused by the DIR) as limits, a new plan was made for the latest CT to calculate the dose increase to targets. Results:Compared to simple DVH summation, DIR allowed the cumulative doses of the D2 cm 3 and D1 cm 3 of bladder to be decreased by (2.47±1.92) and (2.82±2.73) Gy, respectively on average ( t=-3.65, -2.93, P < 0.05), those of the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, and D0.1 cm 3 of rectum to be decreased by (2.05 ± 1.61) Gy, (1.51 ± 1.58), and (3.21 ± 2.50) Gy, respectively on average ( t=-4.02, -3.02, -4.06, P < 0.05), and those of the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, and D0.1 cm 3 to be decreased by (1.42 ± 0.99), (1.55 ± 1.28) Gy, and (2.43 ± 1.95) Gy, respectively on average ( t=-3.52, -2.96, -3.06, P < 0.05). There was no significant statistical difference in the D90 of targets, the D0.1 cm 3 of the bladder, and the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, D0.1 cm 3 of the colon ( P > 0.05) between both methods, and there was no distinct correlation between DSC and dose difference ( P > 0.05). The DIR increased the dose to targets, with a median value of 150 cGy. However, the accuracy of the DIR should be improved. Conclusions:In clinical practice of multiple fractions of brachytherapy for cervical cancer, it′s still recommended to adopt the simple dose summation method to assess the doses to targets and OARs.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for abdominal infection after liver transplantation (LT).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 356 patients who underwent LT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to December 2018 were collected. There were 273 males and 83 females, aged from 21 to 67 years, with the median age of 46 years. Observation indications: (1) abdominal infec-tion after LT and distribution of pathogens; (2) analysis of risk factors for abdominal infection after LT; (3) follow-up and survival. Follow-up was performed using outpatient examination and tele-phone interview to detect postoperative 1-year survival rate and cases of death up to June 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD. Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M(range). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages. Univariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test, t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact probability. Multivariate analysis was done using the Logistic regression model. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate sruvival time and survival rates. Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Abdominal infection after LT and distribution of pathogens: 63 of 356 recipients had abdominal infection after LT, with the overall incidence of 17.70%(63/356). Of the 63 recipients, 41 cases had abdominal infection within postoperative 2 weeks, 17 cases had multi-drug resistant organism infection. A total of 116 strains of bacteria were isolated from 63 recipients with abdominal infection, 52 of which were gram-negative bacteria, 48 were gram-positive bacteria, 16 were fungi. (2) Analysis of risk factors for abdominal infection after LT: results of univariate analysis showed that preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, preoperative serum albumin, preoperative leukocytes, preoperative prothrombin time, preoperative alanine aminotransferase, preoperative aspartate aminotransferase, operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, days of postoperative antibiotic use, postoperative renal failure, postoperative delayed graft function,duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay were related factors for abdominal infection after LT ( Z=-2.456, t=-1.982, Z=-3.193, -2.802, -2.336, -2.276, -2.116, -3.217, χ2=15.807, 10.395, 6.750, Z=-4.468, P<0.05). Liver retransplantaiton and postoperative bile leakage were related factors for abdominal infection after LT ( P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that preoperative MELD score>20 and liver retransplantation were independent risk factors for abdominal infection after LT ( odds ratio=2.871, 12.875, 95% confidence interval as 1.106-7.448, 1.290-128.521, P<0.05). (3) Follow-up and survival: 356 recipients were followed up for 1-66 months, with a median follow-up time of 32 months. The postoperative 1-year overall survival rate of 63 recipients with abdominal infection and 293 recipients without abdominal infection were 84.60% and 97.03%, respectively, showing a significant difference ( χ2=11.660, P<0.05). During the follow-up, 58 recipients died. Conclusion:Preoperative MELD score>20 and liver retransplantation are independent risk factors for abdominal infection after LT.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on neurogenesis decline in sleep-deprived infancy rats.Methods:Seventy-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 7 days, weighing 10-15 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=26 each) using a random number table method: control group (group Con), sleep deprivation group (group SD) and sleep deprivation plus NMN group (group SD+ NMN). Sleep deprivation model was established by gentle stimulation method with a brush (10 h per day) for 14 consecutive days.NMN 500 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group SD+ NMN, while the equal volume of aqua pura was given instead in Con and SD groups.5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) 100 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected immediately after the end of sleep deprivation to label the new-born cells.At 24 h after completion of sleep deprivation, the stem cell pluripotency transcription factor (SOX2) and doublecortin (DCX) positive cells in the hippocampal DG region were counted using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical methods, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography was used to observe the metabolism of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in the hippocampus.At 4 weeks after completion of sleep deprivation, the number of neuronal nuclei antigen (NeuN)/BrdU and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)/BrdU positive cells in hippocampal DG region was recorded using immunofluorescence, and novel object recognition test was performed to evaluate the cognitive function. Results:Compared with group Con, the number of SOX2 and DCX positive cells was significantly reduced, the standard uptake value of glucose in the hippocampus was decreased, the number of NeuN/BrdU and GFAP/BrdU positive cells was reduced, and discrimination index in novel object recognition test was decreased in group SD ( P<0.05). Compared with group SD, the number of SOX2, DCX NeuN/BrdU and GFAP/BrdU positive cells was increased, the standard uptake value of glucose in the hippocampus was increased, and discrimination index in novel object recognition test was increased in group SD+ NMN ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Nicotinamide mononucleotide can promote neurogenesis, thus improving cognitive function, and the mechanism is related to increasing the metabolism of hippocampal glucose in sleep-deprived infancy rats.