Novel antibacterial drug target against Gram-negative bacteria: lipopolysaccharide transport protein LptDE and its inhibitors / 药学学报

The outer membrane composed predominantly of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential biological barrier for most Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. Lipopolysaccharide transport protein (Lpt) complex LptDE is responsible for the critical final stage of LPS transport and outer membrane assembly. The structure and function of LptDE are highly conserved in most G- bacteria but absent in mammalian cells, and thus LptDE complex is regarded as an attractive antibacterial target. In recent 10 years, the deciphering of the three-dimensional structure of LptDE protein facilities the drug discovery based on such "non-enzyme" proteins. Murepavadin, a peptidomimetic compound, was reported to be the first compound able to target LptD, enlightening a new class of antibacterial molecules with novel mechanisms of action. This article is devoted to summarize the molecular characteristics, structure-function of LptDE protein complex and review the development of murepavadin and related peptidomimetic compounds, in order to provide references for relevant researches.

Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis fibular notch typing and its clinical significance based on CT / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the morphological typing and clinical significance of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis fibular notch based on CT images. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion ceiteria‚ the imaging data of patients undergoing ankle joint CT examination were analyzed‚ and the inferior tibiofibular joint fibula notch was classified according to the morphological characteristics. The measurements included 8 distances. There were 123 males and 102 females‚ all of whom were Han nationality‚ aged 18-60 years old. Results Retrospectively analyzed the result of 225 patients from December 2013 to December 2022. The distal tibiofibular syndesmosis fibular notch was divided into four types according to morphological characteristics‚ C-shaped (50. 67%)‚ V-shaped (26. 67%)‚ flat-shaped (15. 11%) and L-shaped (7. 56%). The angle between the anterior and posterior facets of the flat shape (145. 56 ± 9. 25)° was the largest and the angle between the anterior and posterior facets of the L shape (125. 07 ± 13. 54)° was the smallest(P< 0. 05); the depth of the notch in the flat shape (3. 11 ± 0. 83) mm was the smallest and in the L shape (4. 47±1. 11) mm was the largest(P<0. 05);The posterior facet length (13. 06 ± 3. 56) mm and anterior tibiofibular gap (3. 83±1. 49) mm on left were larger than on the right side (P<0. 05); The posterior facet length (13. 36 ± 3. 46) mm‚ fibular notch depth (3. 93 ± 1. 10) mm and vertical distance of tibiofibular overlap (9. 10 ± 2. 55) mm larger in men than in women (P<0. 05). Conclusion In this study‚ the data related to the inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis notch were measured and divided into four types according to the shape. The flat inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis notch is more likely to have chronic ankle instability‚ and the fibula is more likely to move forward during anatomical reduction. The inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis of L-shaped and C-shaped notches is more prone to posterior displacement of fibula or poor rotation reduction during anatomical reduction.

Association between index finger and ring finger length ratios and polymorphism of homeobox A11 gene locus among Ningxia college students / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the association between the index finger and ring finger length ratio (2D ∶ 4D) and of four loci (rs6461992‚ rs6968828‚ rs7801581‚ rs17427875) polymorphism of homeobox (HOX) A11 gene among Ningxia college students. Methods Digit camera was used to collect frontal hand photos of 667 Han college students (348 males and 319 females) from Ningxia province; Image analysis software was used to mark the anatomical points and measure finger lengths of the index and ring fingers of both hands; multiplex PCR was used to detect each locus polymorphisms of HOXA11 gene; statistical software was used to compare and analyze the differences and associations of 2D ∶4D and gene polymorphisms between different genders. Results Among Ningxia Han college students‚ both left hand and right hand 2D ∶ 4D were significantly higher in females than those of in males (all P< 0. 05)‚ and there were no significant sex differences in right-left hand 2D ∶4D; the genotypes and allele frequencies of rs7801581 locus of HOXA11 gene differed significantly between genders (all P < 0. 05)‚ and none of the other locus polymorphisms showed any significant sex differences; only female left hand 2D ∶4D was significantly associated with rs6461992 locus genotype in the relationship between 2D ∶4D and HOXA11 polymorphisms (P<0. 05). Conclusion There were significant sex differences in 2D ∶ 4D among Han college students in Ningxia‚ and the rs6461992 locus polymorphism of HOXA11 gene may be associated with the formation of 2D ∶4D in females.

Tongxie Yaofang Regulates Expression of NKG2DL to Enhance Anti-tumor Effect of NK Cells in Colon Cancer under Chronic Stress / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Tongxie Yaofang on the function of tumor-related natural killer （NK） cells under chronic stress and explore the possible molecular mechanism. MethodFifty SPF-grade BABL/C male mice were randomized into normal， model， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （6.825， 13.65， and 27.3 g·kg-1， respectively） Tongxie Yaofang groups， with 10 mice in each group. Other groups except the blank group were subjected to 7 days of chronic restraint stress， and then forced swimming and tail suspension tests were carried out to evaluate the modeling performance. After the successful modeling， rats in Tongxie Yaofang groups were administrated with low-， medium-， and high-doses of Tongxie Yaofang by gavage， while those in the other groups were administrated with normal saline by gavage. After 14 days， each group of mice was inoculated with subcutaneous colon cancer to establish the model of colon cancer under chronic stress. The pathological changes of the tumor tissue in each group of mice were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The content of CD49b-positive cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue of mice was measured by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the content of molecules associated with NK cell activation in the peripheral blood. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ polypeptide-related sequences A and B （MICA+MICB） and UL-16-binding protein 1 （ULBP1） in the tumor tissue. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） content and an increase in corticosterone （CORT） content in the serum （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， Tongxie Yaofang increased the 5-HT content and decreased the CORT content （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the modeling increased the tumor volume and weight （P<0.05）， while Tongxie Yaofang inhibited such increases with no statistical significance. The tumor cells in the model group presented neat arrangement， irregular shape， uneven size， obvious atypia， common nuclear division， and small necrotic area， and blood vessels were abundant surrounding the tumor cells. Compared with the model group， Tongxie Yaofang groups showed sparse arrangement of tumor cells， different degrees of patchy necrosis areas in the tumor， and karyorrhexis， dissolution， and nuclear debris in the necrotic part. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced CD49b-positive cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Tongxie Yaofang increased CD49b-positive cells （medium dose P<0.01， high dose P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the modeling lowered the serum levels of granzymes-B （Gzms-B）， perforin （PF）， interferon （IFN）-γ， and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， low-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of PF， Gzms-B， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and medium-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of Gzms-B， PF， IFN-γ， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， high-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of PF， IFN-γ， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the model group presented down-regulated protein level of ULBP1 （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose Tongxie Yaofang up-regulated the protein level of ULBP1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and medium- and high-dose Tongxie Yaofang up-regulated the protein level of MICA+MICB （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTongxie Yaofang may promote NK cell activation by up-regulating the expression of MICA+MICB and ULBP1， thereby delaying the progression of colon cancer under chronic stress.

The expression mechanism of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 and its role in immunomodulatory ability of mesenchymal stem cells / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an important immunosuppressive molecule, which inhibits the function of T cells and other immune cells by binding to the receptor programmed cell death-1. The PD-L1 expression disorder plays an important role in the occurrence, development, and treatment of sepsis or other inflammatory diseases, and has become an important target for the treatment of these diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a kind of pluripotent stem cells with multiple differentiation potential. In recent years, MSCs have been found to have a strong immunosuppressive ability and are used to treat various inflammatory insults caused by hyperimmune diseases. Moreover, PD-L1 is deeply involved in the immunosuppressive events of MSCs and plays an important role in the treatment of various diseases. In this review, we will summarize the main regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 expression, and discuss various biological functions of PD-L1 in the immune regulation of MSCs.

Multisensory Conflict Impairs Cortico-Muscular Network Connectivity and Postural Stability: Insights from Partial Directed Coherence Analysis / 神经科学通报·英文版

Sensory conflict impacts postural control, yet its effect on cortico-muscular interaction remains underexplored. We aimed to investigate sensory conflict's influence on the cortico-muscular network and postural stability. We used a rotating platform and virtual reality to present subjects with congruent and incongruent sensory input, recorded EEG (electroencephalogram) and EMG (electromyogram) data, and constructed a directed connectivity network. The results suggest that, compared to sensory congruence, during sensory conflict: (1) connectivity among the sensorimotor, visual, and posterior parietal cortex generally decreases, (2) cortical control over the muscles is weakened, (3) feedback from muscles to the cortex is strengthened, and (4) the range of body sway increases and its complexity decreases. These results underline the intricate effects of sensory conflict on cortico-muscular networks. During the sensory conflict, the brain adaptively decreases the integration of conflicting information. Without this integrated information, cortical control over muscles may be lessened, whereas the muscle feedback may be enhanced in compensation.

Effect of Edaravone and dexborneol on oxidative stress pathway in peripheral blood of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Edaravone and dexborneol(Eda.B)on oxidative stress pathway in peripheral blood of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:A total of 87 elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke in the Department of Neurology, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital from July 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the study subjects.According to the random number table, they were divided into control group(44 cases)and edaravone dexborneol group(43 cases). Each group was divided into <12 h group, 12-24 h group and 24-48 h group according to the time of onset.Peripheral blood was collected in each group at admission and discharge, respectively.The serum levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS), Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1(Keap1), nuclear factor-E2-associated factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6), as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content were detected.Results:Elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke receving Eda.B treatment after admission could reduce the serum concentration of ROS, TNF-α and IL-6, as well as MDA content, and increase the concentration of Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 and SOD activity.Except for ROS concentration in <12 h group and SOD activity in <12 h and 12 h-24 h groups, the differences between the other groups were statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). Compared with the control group, the serum concentration of TNF-α and IL-6 of patients in the Eda.B group at discharge decreased, while the concentration of Nrf2(24-48 h group)and HO-1(24-48 h group), and SOD activity increased, the differences were statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). In the control group at discharge, the concentrations of ROS(24-48 h group), TNF-α(<12 h group, 24-48 h group)and IL-6, as well as MDA content decreased, while the concentrations of Keap1, Nrf2(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)and HO-1(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)increased, the differences were also statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). Compared with admission, the concentration of Keap1(24-48 h group)and HO-1(24-48 h group), the activity of SOD(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)increased and the content of MDA(12-24 h group)in the Eda.B group decreased at discharge( P<0.05 for all). Conclusions:Eda.B can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response in peripheral blood of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke by acting on the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

Application of three-dimensional printed endoprosthesis for reconstruction after metaphysis-involved intercalary tumor resection / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To describe the design, manufacture and use of three-dimensional (3D)-printed endoprosthesis for reconstruction after metaphysis-involved intercalary tumor resection and to evaluate its outcome.Methods:Forty-three patients who received metaphysis-involved intercalary tumor resection followed by 3D-printed endoprosthetic reconstruction in Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital between January 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 25 males and 18 males with an average age of 20.1±15.2 years (range, 4-58 years). The pathological diagnosis included 24 cases of osteosarcomas, 6 cases of Ewing sarcomas, 5 cases of chondrosarcomas, 2 cases of pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcomas, 3 cases of soft-tissue sarcomas (liposarcoma, synovial sarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor for each) and 3 others (adamantinoma, recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst and recurrent osteofibrous dysplasia for each). The tumors located at femur in 25 patients (58%), including 14 lesions involving distal femoral metaphysis and 11 lesions involving both proximal and distal metaphysis; the tumors located at tibia in 11 patients (26%), including 4 lesions involving distal tibial metaphysis, 5 lesions involving proximal tibial metaphysis and 2 lesions involving both proximal and distal tibial metaphysis; the tumors located at humerus in 7 patients (16%), including 1 lesion involving distal humeral metaphysis, 3 lesions involving proximal humeral metaphysis and 3 lesions involving both proximal and distal humeral metaphysis. The endoprosthesis was designed in a semi-modular fashion and consisted of three parts: a diaphysis-fixing component, a semi-modular lap joint component, and a custom-made 3D-printed metaphysis-fixing component which was designed as two types with 3D-printed porous bone-contacting surfaces according to the osteotomy plane (Type I on meta-diaphyseal region, Type II on meta-epiphyseal region). The functional outcome was assessed using Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 system.Results:All surgeries were accomplished sucessfully. The median resection length and the distance from osteotomy plane to adjacent joint was 16.0 (13.0, 22.0) cm and 4.5 (3.5, 6.0) cm, respectively. 59 metaphysis-fixing components were installed in 43 patients. Type I components were used in single and dual ends of endoprosthesis in 12 and 6 cases respectively. Type II components were used in single and dual ends in 15 and 5 cases respectively. Hybrid endoprosthesis with Type I and II components were used in 5 cases. The mean follow-up time was 26.0 (17, 37) months (range, 12-54 months). The mean MSTS 93 score was 29.0 (28.0, 30.0) points (range, 21-30 points). Implant failures were found in 5 patients, including 2 cases of aseptic loosening (loosening was observed in the cementing diaphysis-fixing stems while no evidence of loosening in metaphysis-fixing components) and 3 cases of local tumor progression. The 2-year implant survival rate was 90.3% (95% CI: 0.81, 0.99). Conclusion:Using 3D-printed intercalary endoprosthesis for reconstruction after intercalary resection of metaphysis-involved bone tumor shows satisfactory functional outcome and implant survival. Moreover, by assembling endoprosthetic components according to the different osteotomy plane, the semi-modularized endoprosthesis also provids a comprehensive and individualized reconstruction for patients with metaphysis-involved intercalary tumor.

Application of newly designed modular hinged ankle prosthesis in the reconstruction of defect after surgical treatment of malignant tumor at the distal tibia / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the outcome of surgical treatment of malignant tumor at the distal tibial after reconstruction with modular hinged ankle prosthesis.Methods:The data of 9 patients with malignant tumor at the distal tibia at Musculoskeletal Tumor Center of PKUPH from June 2020 to November 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. They were male patients with age of 17 (14, 24) years (range 11-56 years). There were five tumors at the left sides and four at the right sides. There were eight patients with osteosarcoma who received the neo-chemotherapy. Among eight osteosarcomas, one was Enneking IIA and seven Enneking IIB. Furthermore, there was only one patient with renal carcinama and with solitary metastatic lesion at the distal tibia. After the resection of tumor at the distal tibia, talus cartilage was removed and talus component was fixed by lag screws. The proper tibia component was used to restore the defect of tibia and the reduction of tibia and talus components were performed. The following clinical data were collected: baseline demographic features, surgical and follow-up data. The baseline demographic features included gender, age, side, lung or/and other metastasis at initial diagnosis, Enneking stage or systematic progression for renal carcinama, histological type. The surgical data included: surgery time, blood loss, length of bone involved by the tumor, prosthesis type. Monitoring data was also recorded: complications (ankle pain when loading, talar collapse, component loosing, infection and wound dehiscence), local recurrence, pulmonary and systematic metastasis, radiological image and the function at the last follow-up (MSTS and VAS evaluation).Results:Among these nine patients, the average blood loss was 245.6±103.9 ml (range 100-400 ml) and the mean surgery time was 178.9±56.9 mins (range 120-300 min). No patient was lost during the follow-up period and the average follow-up was 21.4±5.6 months (range 12.5-27.2 months). The excision length of tibia was 14 (11, 17) cm (range 11-28 cm). There were one case with 2# prosthetic base, three cases with 3# and five cases with 4#. Five had cement fixation of prosthetic stem and four had the pressing fixation. No pulmonary and other organ metastasis occurred among eight patients with osteosarcoma and one patient with distal tibia matastasis of renal carcinama. One patient with OShad the local recurrence and received the resection. One sustained the deep infection after four months and received the removal of prosthesis and spacer implant. At the final follow-up, except one with deep infection and receiving the removal of prosthesis and spacer implant, eight patients were assessed for the function. The average MSTS was 97.1%±3.3% (range 93%-100%). The VAS of all patients was 0. One patient with prosthesis removal had no functional evaluation. At the final follow-up, all patients walked without crutch. No breakage and loosening of prosthetic stem, talar collapse, prosthetic sinking and ankle pain occurred at the final follow-up.Conclusion:The early satisfactory outcome can be obtained for patients with segmental defect after resection of malignant tumor at the distal tibia, who received the newly designed modular hinged ankle prosthesis. Meanwhile, it's worth promoting in the reconstruction of large segmental defect at the distal tibia.

Physeal-sparing distal femur megaprothesis for skeletally immature patients with osteosarcoma / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcome of a special physeal sparing knee prosthesis for pediatric distal femoral osteosarcoma regarding the functional outcome, retention of the growth potential of the proximal tibia, and postoperative complications.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to review 37 pediatric patients with osteosarcoma of distal femur who were treated in a single musculuskeletal tumor center between August 2015 and January 2019. Among them, 21 were boys and 16 were girls, aged from 5 to 12 years at the time of operation, with an average age of 9.1±2.1 years and the height of 115 to 160 cm, with an average of 140±10 cm. Tumor resection of distal femur was performed and the bone defect was reconstructed by a special hinged knee prosthesis which can preserve the proximal tibial epiphyseal plate. Demographic data was recorded. Overall leg length and tibial length was assessed by full-length standing anteroposterior radiographs of bilateral lower extremity with the patella pointing anteriorly preoperativelly and postoperativelly at each follow up. And the growth potential of the affected proximal tibia was calculated by comparing with the preoperative length of tibia. Meanwhile, the functional outcome was assessed by using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) system, and the postoperative complications were analysed.Results:All patients underwent the tumor resection and reconstruction operation successfully. The average operation duration was 143±41 minutes, ranging 90 to 250 minutes. The average intraoperative blood loss was 314±397 ml, ranging 30 to 2 200 ml. The patients were followed up for 24 to 64 months, averaging 42.3±12.1 months. The postoperative knee range of motion was 100-130 degrees, with an average of 115.6±7.2 degrees. The postoperative MSTS score was 23-30, with an average of 26.7±1.6. To the last follow-up, the limb length discrepancy of the lower limb was 1.3 to 10 cm, and the length of the tibia was shortened from 0 to 3.8 cm compared with the opposite side, with an average of 1.3±1.0 cm. The growth percentage of the proximal tibial epiphysis on the affected side was 30% to 100%, with an average of 70%±17%. Totally, 13 patients suffered postoperative complication, the overall incidence of complications was 35% (13/37), and prosthesis-related complications were 16% (6/37). Three patients with wound dehiscence were managed by debridement and antibiotics. Radiographs revealed femoral stem loosening in a single patient 3 years after the initial operation and then the prosthesis was converted to an adult tumor knee endoprosthesis. Two cases experienced breakage of the femoral stem at 30 and 33 months, respectively, due to an accidental injury. They received revision surgery, and a new femoral prosthesis component was replaced. One patient developed femoral stem breakage at 10 months after surgery due to fatigue fracture, which treated with revision surgery. Tumor recurrence occurred in 6 patients. Among them, tumor recurrence in soft tissue occurred in 4 patients, and treated with regional resection without further recurrence. The other 2 patients experienced tumor recurrence at the distal femoral site, and treated with resection and prosthetic revision.Conclusion:The physeal sparing pediatric knee prosthesis can preserve the growth potential of the proximal tibial epiphyseal plate with good postoperative function and low incidence of prosthesis complications. Therefore, it can be an alternativeespecially for skeletally immature patients with distal femur osteosarcoma.

Evaluation of utilizing cement-in-cement technique for endoprosthetic revision surgeries around the knee / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of cement-in-cement (CiC) technique for endoprosthetic revision surgeries of noninfectious causes around the knee.Methods:All of 128 patients who had received cement-in-cement technique for endoprosthetic revision from February 2002 to August 2020 including 71 males and 57 females, whose mean age was 33.5±15.4 years (range, 8-77 years). 128 patients included 73 cases of osteosarcoma, 38 cases of giant cell tumors, 8 cases of undifferentiated sarcoma, 4 cases of chondrosarcoma, 2 cases of Ewing sarcoma, 2 cases of fibrosarcoma and 1 case of synovial sarcoma, with 105 cases in distal femur and 23 cases in proximal tibia. The failure mode classification included 64 cases of aseptic loosening, 47 cases of structure failure and 17 cases of tumor progression. 16 out of the 19 endoprosthese failure after the first cement-in-cement procedure received a second cement-in-cement procedure. The survival of revised prostheses, duration of the operation, the amount of blood loss, epidemiological data, complications and limb function were enrolled and statistical analyzed.Results:The mean follow-up from CiC revision was 127±33 months (range, 6-326 months). There were 25 (19.5%) complications for the first CiC procedure and 19 (14.8%) of the 25 complications lead to the protheses failure including 5 (3.9%) structure failure, 6 (4.7%) aseptic loosening, 2 (1.6%) tumor recurrence and 6 (4.7%) infection. The other 6 cases included 5 poor superficial wound healing and 1 patellar ligament rupture. All were recovered after debridement and tendon repair. The cumulative survival rates of first CiC procedure were 85.0%, 76.6% and 70.7% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Limb salvage rate was 97.7%. Sixteen of the 19 cases received a second CiC revision. The mean operative time (206±51 min vs. 258±41 min, t=3.18, P=0.399), blood loss (596±217.99 ml vs. 621±245.84 ml, t=0.30, P=0.926) and the median MSTS 93 score (26.38±2.47 vs. 25.06±2.11, t=1.61, P=0.376) of the first and second CiC procedure for the 16 cases were similar. Conclusion:CiC technique is a repeatable, conservative and viable option for endoprosthetic revision surgeries of noninfectious causes around the knee, with acceptable prosthetic survival rate, complication rate and limb function.

Analysis of clinical outcomes in en bloc resection for spinal tumors / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To assess the clinical outcome of patients with spinal tumors who received en bloc resection in our center and to provide theoretical basis for developing novel surgical technique in en bloc resection for spinal tumor.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and follow-up data of 113 patients who received en bloc resection for spinal tumors in Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2021. There were 68 males and 45 females with an average age of 38.7±16.7 (10-79) years. Primary malignant spinal tumors, primary aggressive spinal tumors and solitary metastatic spinal tumors were diagnosed in 55, 27 and 31 patients, respectively. The surgeries were planned according to the surgical classification for en bloc resection for spinal tumors proposed by Boriani et al, which classified the en bloc resection for spinal tumor into 7 types. The general condition (gender, age, histological diagnosis, location of the lesion, number of involved vertebrae, pre-operative neurological function), surgical procedure (type of surgery, stage of surgery, reconstruction method for anterior structure, duration of surgery, intra-operative haemorrhage, surgical margin), peri- and post-operative complication (intra- and peri-operative complication, post-operative neurological function), and survival [overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and implant survival (IS)] of patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:All surgeries accomplished uneventfully except one intra-operative death owing to the haemorrhagic shock caused by injury of major blood vessel. Mean duration of surgery and volume of intra-operative haemorrhage was 517.6±267.4 min and 3802.7±3039.4 ml, respectively. R0 resection was achieved in 48 patients. Three patients died in peri-operative period. Intra- and peri-operative complications were identified in 44 patients (38.9%). 109 patients were followed up with a mean time of 39.4±35.2 months. 27 patients died during follow-up period. The average post-operative overall survival (OS) was 115.4[95% CI (97.9, 133.0)]months and the 5-year OS rate was 64.1%[95% CI (52.3%, 75.9%)]. In patients with primary malignant spinal tumors, the OS of patients with R2 resection was significantly poorer than that of patients with R0/R1 resection ( P=0.024); in patients with metastatic tumors, no difference of OS was observed in patients with different surgical margins ( P=0.612). There were 29 recurrences, and the mean RFS was 105.8 [95% CI (87.5, 124.1)] months. In patients with primary malignant and aggressive spinal tumors, the RFS of patients underwent R2 resection was significantly lower than that of patients underwent R0/R1 resection ( P=0.008, P=0.027); in patients with metastatic spinal tumors, no significant difference of RFS was found in patients with different surgical margin (P=0.707). Conclusion:Although en bloc resection for spinal tumors indicates high morbidity, it significantly improves the OS of patients with primary malignant spinal tumors and the local control of primary malignant and aggressive spinal tumors.

Prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics of fetal cortical dysplasia during second trimester / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To analyze the fetal ultrasonographic features of malformation of cortical development (MCD) during the second trimester, and explore and summarize the relevant diagnostic clues, so as to improve the ability of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fetal MCD.Methods:A total of 313 fetuses with brain abnormalities suspected on ultrasound in Chengdu Women′s and Children′s Central Hospital from April 2018 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The fetuses were examined using MRI. The ultrasonographic characteristics of fetal MCD were summarized, and the fetal ultrasound and MRI imaging data were compared for fetal MCD.Results:Nineteen fetuses were diagnosed with MCD from 313 fetuses(6.07%, 19/313). Seventeen cases of MCD were identified by ultrasonography and subsequently validated by fetal MRI, including 6 cases of schizencephaly, 2 cases of hemimegalencephaly(HMEG), 3 cases of periventricular nodular heterotopia(PVNH), 3 cases of lissencephaly, 2 cases of microcephaly and 1 case of polymicrogyria(PMG). There were 3 cases with two concurrent MCD, 1 case of HMEG, and MRI increased the diagnosis of left parietal PMG; 1 case of lissencephaly, and MRI increased the diagnosis of PVNH. The other case was PMG, and MRI increased the diagnosis of lissencephaly. Two cases of fetal MCD were not indicated by ultrasonography, one of which was diagnosed as tuberous sclerosis and another one as schizencephaly by MRI, both due to ventriculomegaly.Conclusions:Various types of MCD in the second trimester have ultrasonographic characteristics. Abnormal lateral ventricles, intracranial structural changes such as sulci and gyrus can provide reliable ultrasound diagnostic clues for fetal MCD.

Smart Hip Ultrasound Technology in Screening for Infant Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo develop a deep learning system for early ultrasound screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip （DDH）， a new smart-hip ultrasound technique （S-hip）， and to validate its clinical application. MethodsWe selected 11，100 annotated and reviewed coronal ultrasound images of infant hips between November 2021 and August 2022， 8，100 of which were used for the training set and 3，000 for the test set， to build a S-hip deep learning system. To verify the consistency between the automated measurement by S-hip and the manual measurements by sonographers， 174 standard coronal ultrasound images of 87 infants' bilateral hips were acquired， then α angle， β angle and femoral head coverage （FHC） were measured by S-hip， an ultrasound expert and a resident. The measurement data and the time required for the measurements were recorded and statistically analyzed. Another 100 standard coronal ultrasound images of the hips were randomly selected and measured twice respectively by the ultrasound expert and resident to assess the intra-sonographer repeatability. ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC） （95% CI） values of α angle， β angle and FHC results measured by S-hip and ultrasound expert were 0.799 （0.738， 0.847）， 0.798 （0.737， 0.846） and 0.934 （0.954， 0.975）， respectively. Those values measured by the ultrasound expert and resident were 0.725 （0.645， 0.789）， 0.674 （0.583， 0.748） and 0.931 （0.908， 0.949）， respectively. The mean absolute errors （MAE） of α angle， β angle and FHC results between measurements by S-hip and ultrasound expert were 2.69 °， 4.43 ° and 2.47%， respectively. The time required for measurements by S-hip， ultrasound expert and resident was （1.59±0.36） s， （18.76±2.23） s and （19.45±2.76） s， respectively. The automated measurement by S-hip cost much shorter time than the manual measurements by sonographers and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.001）. The ICC （95% CI） values of α angle， β angle and FHC results between two measurements by the ultrasound expert were 0.943 （0.916， 0.961）， 0.959 （0.940， 0.972）， and 0.981 （0.971， 0.987）， respectively. Those values by the ultrasound resident were 0.884 （0.833， 0.921）， 0.921 （0.884， 0.946）， and 0.962 （0.944， 0.974）. ConclusionThe S-hip based on a deep learning system is a highly reliable automated technique to accurately measure α angle， β angle and FHC. Compared with ultrasound residents， S-hip allows for a more simplified and significantly quicker measurement， which may enhance the widespread use of hip ultrasound screening in infants.

SBC (Sanhuang Xiexin Tang combined with Baihu Tang plus Cangzhu) alleviates NAFLD by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and ameliorating inflammation in obese patients and mice / 中国天然药物

In the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by dysregulated lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, the quest for safe and effective therapeutics targeting lipid metabolism has gained paramount importance. Sanhuang Xiexin Tang (SXT) and Baihu Tang (BHT) have emerged as prominent candidates for treating metabolic disorders. SXT combined with BHT plus Cangzhu (SBC) has been used clinically for Weihuochisheng obese patients. This retrospective analysis focused on assessing the anti-obesity effects of SBC in Weihuochisheng obese patients. We observed significant reductions in body weight and hepatic lipid content among obese patients following SBC treatment. To gain further insights, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of SBC in HFD-fed mice. The results demonstrated that SBC treatment mitigated body weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice. Pharmacological network analysis suggested that SBC may affect lipid metabolism, mitochondria, inflammation, and apoptosis-a hypothesis supported by the hepatic transcriptomic analysis in HFD-fed mice treated with SBC. Notably, SBC treatment was associated with enhanced hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis and the inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, SBC treatment alleviates NAFLD in both obese patients and mouse models by improving lipid metabolism, potentially through enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis. These effects, in turn, ameliorate inflammation in hepatocytes.

Association between early-life factors and pubertal timing in girls / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the association between early-life factors (including birth weight, method of birth, gestational age, and history of gestational metabolic disorders) and pubertal timing in girls.@*METHODS@#The stratified cluster sampling method was used to select the girls in grades 2-3 and 7-8 from three primary schools and three middle schools in Guangzhou, China from March to December, 2019, and breast development was examined for all girls. A questionnaire survey was performed to collect the information on early-life factors. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association of gestational metabolic disorders, birth weight, method of birth, and gestational age with pubertal timing in girls. The Bootstrap method was used to assess the mediation effect of body mass index (BMI) (Z score) between high birth weight (≥4 000 g) and pubertal timing.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1 665 girls were enrolled, among whom 280 (16.82%) were judged to have early pubertal timing. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high birth weight was associated with the increased risk of early pubertal timing (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.19-3.66, P=0.008). Nevertheless, no significant association was observed between other early-life factors and pubertal timing (P>0.05). The OR for the mediation effect of BMI (Z score) between high birth weight and early pubertal timing was 1.25 (95%CI: 1.09-1.47), accounting for 29.33% of the total effect of high birth weight on early pubertal timing.@*CONCLUSIONS@#High birth weight is associated with the increased risk of early pubertal timing in girls, and overweight/obesity may play a partial mediating role in the association between high birth weight and early pubertal timing in girls.

Comparison of the predictive value of anthropometric indicators for the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia in southern China / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to compare the predictive value of six selected anthropometric indicators for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Males over 50 years of age who underwent health examinations at the Health Management Center of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (Changsha, China) from June to December 2020 were enrolled in this study. The characteristic data were collected, including basic anthropometric indices, lipid parameters, six anthropometric indicators, prostate-specific antigen, and total prostate volume. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for all anthropometric parameters and BPH were calculated using binary logistic regression. To assess the diagnostic capability of each indicator for BPH and identify the appropriate cutoff values, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the related areas under the curves (AUCs) were utilized. All six indicators had diagnostic value for BPH (all P ≤ 0.001). The visceral adiposity index (VAI; AUC: 0.797, 95% CI: 0.759-0.834) had the highest AUC and therefore the highest diagnostic value. This was followed by the cardiometabolic index (CMI; AUC: 0.792, 95% CI: 0.753-0.831), lipid accumulation product (LAP; AUC: 0.766, 95% CI: 0.723-0.809), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; AUC: 0.660, 95% CI: 0.609-0.712), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR; AUC: 0.639, 95% CI: 0.587-0.691), and body mass index (BMI; AUC: 0.592, 95% CI: 0.540-0.643). The sensitivity of CMI was the highest (92.1%), and WHtR had the highest specificity of 94.1%. CMI consistently showed the highest OR in the binary logistic regression analysis. BMI, WHtR, WHR, VAI, CMI, and LAP all influence the occurrence of BPH in middle-aged and older men (all P ≤ 0.001), and CMI is the best predictor of BPH.

Clinical observation on syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for autism spectrum disorder / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training and simple rehabilitation training for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).@*METHODS@#A total of 60 children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. In the control group, routine rehabilitation training was applied; in the observation group, syndrome-differentiation acupuncture (the main points were Baihui [GV 20], Dingshenzhen, Niesanzhen, etc., the supplementary acupoints were selected according to syndrome-differentiation) combined with rehabilitation training were applied, all the treatments were given once a day, 5-day continuous treatment with 2-day interval, 12 weeks were required. Before treatment and after 6, 12 weeks of treatment, the autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC), childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior checklist (ABC) scores were observed, the therapeutic effect and safety were evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, except for the sensory perception score after 6 weeks of treatment in the control group, the item scores and total scores of ATEC, CARS scores and ABC scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, the social score and total score of ATEC, CARS score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); after 12 weeks of treatment, the item scores and total score of ATEC, CARS score and ABC score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 80.0% (24/30), which was higher than 56.7% (17/30) in the control group (P<0.05). There was no serious adverse reactions in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training could improve the core symptoms in children with ASD, especially sensory perception and social ability, and with good safety, which is superior to simple rehabilitation training.

Association between hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases gene family single-nucleotide polymorphisms and digit ratio / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the association between 8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) gene family and human digit ratio (2D ∶ 4D). Methods Randomly selected 808 college students (400 males and 408 females) as subjects, the digit ratio of left and right fingers were measured and calculated using computer image software. Eight SNPs (rs1000283, rs2236903, rs5479, rs56303414, rs676387, rs4445895, rs2066474, rs8190478) in HSD11B and HSD17B gene families were genotyped by multiplex PCR. The association between 2D ∶4D and different genotypes was analyzed by One-Way ANOVA. Results Female left hand(L)2D ∶ 3D, L2D ∶4D, L3D ∶4D, right hand(R)2D ∶4D, R2D ∶5D were significantly higher than male (P0. 05). The genotypes frequency of the 8 SNPs were not significantly associated with digit ratio (2D ∶4D) in both males and females (P>0. 05). Conclusion There are significant gender differences in digit ratio in Ningxia Han college students, but there is no correlation between digit ratio and 8 SNPs in HSD11B and HSD17B gene families, suggesting that HSD11B and HSD17B gene families may have nothing to do with the formation of human digit ratio.

Digit ratio in men with schizophrenia / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the relationship between digit ratio and schizophrenia in men from Ningxia Han nationality. Methods Using anthropometry, digital camera was used to obtain finger photographs of both hands of 216 male subjects (nonnal control; 116, schizophrenia patient; 100). The anatomical points were marked and the length of each finger of both hands were measured by computer image analysis software (Image-Pro Plus 6 . 0 ) . Differences of the mean digit ratio of left and right hand 2D:3D, 2D:4D, 2D:5D, 3D:4D, 3D:5D, 4D:5D between the control group and the patient group were compared. The correlation between 2D :4D and onset age in the patient group were analyzed. Results Except for left and right hand 3D :4D, digit ratios in patient group were significantly higher than those in control group (2D :4D and 3D :5D in both hands, right hand 3D :5D, p all0. 05). Conclusion Digit ratio is related to the occurrence of schizophrenia in Ningxia Han male.