BACKGROUND:Unilateral biportal endoscopic technique has been widely used in lumbar interbody fusion in recent years,but there is little comparison between its clinical efficacy and that of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(MIS-TLIF)in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease,whether the unilateral biportal endoscopic technique is a safe and effective lumbar fusion remains to be further demonstrated. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion(UBE-LIF)and MIS-TLIF in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases and explore a more efficient lumbar fusion procedure. METHODS:Patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease were enrolled in Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College from October 2020 to February 2022,including 35 patients who underwent UBE-LIF and 286 patients who underwent MIS-TLIF.Propensity score matching was used to eliminate confounders.Four covariates including sex,age,disease type and surgical segment were matched 1:1(caliper value 0.01).After matching,29 patients from each group were included in the study.The perioperative operative time,hemoglobin loss and hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Visual analog scale score and Oswestry disability index were used to evaluate the functional recovery of the two groups before,1,6 months and 1 year after operation.The excellent and good rate of the two groups was evaluated by the modified MacNab standard at the last follow-up.The fusion of the two groups was evaluated by Lenke Dynamic X-ray film. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The operative time in the MIS-TLIF group was shorter than that in the UBE-LIF group(P＜0.05).The amount of intraoperative hemoglobin loss in the MIS-TLIF group was higher than that in the UBE-LIF group.The hospital stay in the MIS-TLIF group was longer than that in the UBE-LIF group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)The visual analog scale scores for lumbago and leg pain,and Oswestry disability index were significantly reduced in both groups 1,6 months,and 1 year after surgery compared to before surgery(P＜0.05).Except for the visual analog scale score for lumbago at 1 month after surgery,there was no significant difference in the visual analog scale score for lumbago and leg pain,and Oswestry disability index between the two groups at the above time points(P＞0.05).(3)At the last follow-up,the modified MacNab standard efficacy evaluation showed that the excellent and good rates were 93%(27/29)in the UBE-LIF group and 90%(26/29)in the MIS-TLIF group;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(4)Lenke dynamic radiographic evaluation system evaluation for lumbar fusion exhibited that the fusion rate was 90%(grade A,21 cases;grade B,5 cases;grade C,3 cases)in the UBE-LIF group;the fusion rate was 86%(grade A,20 cases;grade B,5 cases;grade C,4 cases)in the MIS-TLIF group;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(5)It is indicated that UBE-LIF and MIS-TLIF have similar clinical effects in the treatment of single-level lumbar degenerative disease with the advantages of less trauma,less bleeding and shorter hospital stay.In addition,the early postoperative lumbago was relatively mild and the learning curve was relatively smooth.Although the operative time in the UBE-LIF group was longer than that in the MIS-TLIF group,it was still a safe and effective operation.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and prognosis factors of acute myeloid leukemia with a combination therapy of venetoclax.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of AML patients treated with a combination therapy of venetoclax from March 2020 to April 2023 in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University.The efficacy,adverse reactions and survival were observed,and the influencing factors were analyzed.Results:A total of 74 AML patients were included in this study,including 43 initially treated AML and 31 relapsed or refractory AML(R/R AML).The median age of 43 initially treated AML patients was 65 years old,the composite complete remission(cCR)rate was 67.4％(29/43),the objective response rate(ORR)was 72.1％(31/43),and the median overall survival(OS)was 17.3 months.The median age of 31 R/R AML patients was 51 years old,with a cCR rate of 38.7％(12/31),an ORR of 58.1％(18/31),and a median OS of 7.1 months.Sex,the blood cell count before VEN,gene mutation and prognosis stratification were related to whether to obtain cCR.Failure to obtain cCR was an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes.Conclusion:A combination therapy of venetoclax is safe and efficacious for AML.Its efficacy and survival are affected by molecular biology,cytogenetics and other factors.

Objective:To explore the correlation between gene mutations and clinical characteristics,prognosis of myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS).Methods:Clinical data of 131 patients with MDS were collected from the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from June 2015 to February 2023,which 19 of them developed into secondary acute myeloid leukemia(sAML)during follow-up time.Second generation sequencing technology was used to detect the mutation types of MDS disease-related genes,drawn gene maps,and analyzed their correlation and prognosis based on the clinical data of patients.Results:The median age of 131 MDS patients was 58(17-86)years old.The ratio of male to female was 1.3:1.A total of 148 gene mutations and 25 types were found in the center.U2AF1 and ASXL1 were often co-mutations with other genes,which were accompanied by 20q-and normal karyotype(NK)respectively.SETBP1 and SRSF2 were more common in patients over 60 years old,while NPM1 and WT1 under 60 years.Older patients had a higher the number of genetic mutations than younger patients.The incidence of SF3B1 and RUNX1 in males was higher than females and DNMT3A in females was higher than males.The number of gene mutations in sAML was higher than MDS(1.8 vs 1.0,P=0.006).The univariate and multivariate analysis showed that IPSS-R prognostic score≥ 3.5,TP53 were adverse factors for poor prognosis in MDS patients.Patients with monoallelic mutation(ma-TP53)and wild-type(wt-TP53)TP53 had OS better than biallelic mutation(bi-TP53)(P=0.003).The OS of MDS patients was better than sAML(P=0.01)and transplant patients was significantly better than non-transplant patients(P=0.036).Conclusion:Gene mutation is closely related to cytogenetic indexes and clinical features(peripheral blood cell count,sex,age).IPSS-R prognostic score and TP53 were risk factors affecting OS in MDS patients.

Objective:To evaluate the regeneration and biomechanical property recovery of semitendinosus tendon(ST)/gracilis tendon(GT) after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction using shear wave elastorgraphy (SWE) combined with high-frequency ultrasound(HFUS).Methods:Twenty-five patients who underwent ST/GT autograft reconstruction after ACL rupture at the People′s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2020 to June 2022 were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent HFUS, SWE and flexion strength assessment at pre-operation and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months postoperatively. The morphology, length, cross-sectional area and SWE of ST/GT and flexion strength of knee were recorded at each time point. Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to compare the cross-sectional area and elasticity value of regenerated ST/GT at different time points. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the elasticity value of regenerated ST/GT and flexion strength.Results:The regeneration rates of ST/GT after being harvested for ACL reconstruction were 88% and 92%. The length of the regenerated ST/GT were shorter than before operation(both P<0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the cross-sectional area of regenerated ST/GT, both in terms of time effect and inter-group effect ( F=27.264, 28.980; both P<0.001), but no significant difference was observed in the interaction effect ( F=0.670, P=0.652). The cross-sectional area of regenerated ST/GT was the largest at 3 months postoperatively ( P<0.05), and restored to the preoperative level at 12 and 24 months postoperatively (both P>0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the elasticity values of the regenerated ST/GT were significantly different in terms of time effect, group effect, and interaction effect ( F=265.402, 33.015, 11.475; all P<0.001). The elasticity of regenerated ST/GT post-operation gradually increased over time. The flexion strength level of knee gradually improved post-operation(χ 2=34.83, P<0.001). The elasticity values of the regenerated ST and GT showed significant positive correlations with the flexion strength ( rs=0.755, 0.761; both P<0.001). Conclusions:HFUS discovers that most of ST/GT can be regenerated after being harvested for ACL reconstruction. The flexion strength and elasticity value of regenerated tendon recover gradually with time. It is suggested that the SWE can predict the recovery of biomechanical property of regenerated ST/GT.

Objective:To analyze and compare the practical value of serum cystatin C(Scys C)and serum creatinine(SCr)in the assessment of kidney function in older adults.Methods:A retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed in 2 450 participants who were divided into a non-elderly group(<65 years)and an elderly group(≥65 years).Glomerular filtration rate(GFR), Scys C and SCr were measured by 99mTc-DTPA clearance, particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetry and an oxidase method, respectively.The χ2 test was used to compare increases in percentage of Scys C and SCr at the same GFR level.The screening value of Scys C and SCr for GFR<60 ml·min -1·1.73m -2was evaluated by the area under curve(AUC)of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Values of 95% reference ranges were established for Scys C and SCr at different GFR levels. Results:The proportions of the general population with increased Scys C were 82.74%(556/672)and 94.74%(90/95), respectively, for GFR levels between 30~59 ml·min -1·1.73m -2and <30 ml·min -1·1.73m -2, while only 38.24%(257/672)and 75.79%(72/95)had elevated SCr levels( χ2=278.328, 13.571, both P<0.001).For the above GFR intervals, the proportions of older adults with increased Scys C were 84.81%(240/283)and 100.00%(43/43)respectively, and the proportions for non-elderly adults with increased Scys C were 81.23%(316/389)and 90.38%(47/52)( χ2=1.463, 4.364, P=0.226, 0.037), respectively.The screening value of Scys C for GFR<60 ml·min -1·1.73m -2was slightly better than SCr in terms of sensitivity, specificity and the Youden index.However, the sensitivity and specificity of Scys C in older adults were 76.4% and 75.7%, respectively, both lower than 78.7% and 84.0% in non-older adults.The variability of Scys C increased progressively with age.The reference range for Scys C was higher in older adults than in non-older adults at the same GFR level. Conclusions:When screening for GFR<60 ml·min -1·1.73m -2, the sensitivity and specificity of Scys C are slightly better than those of SCr, but are lower in older adults than in non-older adults.Scys C levels are higher and more variable in older adults.Using Scys C to assess GFR may lead to over-diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in older adults.

The application of new-generation information technologies such as big data, the internet of things(IoT), and cloud computing in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)manufacturing industry is gradually deepening, driving the intelligent transformation and upgrading of the TCM industry. At the current stage, there are challenges in understanding the extraction process and its mechanisms in TCM. Online detection technology faces difficulties in making breakthroughs, and data throughout the entire production process is scattered, lacking valuable mining and utilization, which significantly hinders the intelligent upgrading of the TCM industry. Applying data-driven technologies in the process of TCM extraction can enhance the understanding of the extraction process, achieve precise control, and effectively improve the quality of TCM products. This article analyzed the technological bottlenecks in the production process of TCM extraction, summarized commonly used data-driven algorithms in the research and production control of extraction processes, and reviewed the progress in the application of data-driven technologies in the following five aspects: mechanism analysis of the extraction process, process development and optimization, online detection, process control, and production management. This article is expected to provide references for optimizing the extraction process and intelligent production of TCM.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Quality Control ; Big Data ; Algorithms

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on neurological recovery of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the early postoperative stage.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of TBI patients who underwent craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy. Generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to analyze effects of propofol and sevoflurane on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze effects of the two anesthetics on Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge.Results A total of 340 TBI patients were enrolled in this study. There were 110 TBI patients who underwent craniotomy including 75 in the propofol group and 35 in the sevoflurane group, and 134 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy including 63 in the propofol group and 71 in the sevoflurane group. It showed no significant difference in GCS at admission between the propofol and the sevoflurane groups among craniotomy patients (β = 0.75, 95%CI: -0.55 to 2.05, P = 0.260). However, elevation in GCS from baseline was 1.73 points (95%CI: -2.81 to -0.66, P = 0.002) less in the sevoflurane group than that in the propofol group on postoperative day 1, 2.03 points (95%CI: -3.14 to -0.91, P < 0.001) less on day 3, and 1.31 points (95%CI: -2.43 to -0.19, P = 0.022) less on day 7. The risk of unfavorable GOS (GOS 1, 2, and 3) at discharge was higher in the sevoflurane group (OR = 4.93, 95%CI: 1.05 to 23.03, P = 0.043). No significant difference was observed among two-group decompressive craniectomy patients in GCS and GOS.Conclusions Compared to propofol, sevoflurane was associated with worse neurological recovery during the hospital stay in TBI patients undergoing craniotomy. This difference was not detected in TBI patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy.

Platelets are reprogrammed by cancer via a process called education, which favors cancer development. The transcriptional profile of tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) is skewed and therefore practicable for cancer detection. This intercontinental, hospital-based, diagnostic study included 761 treatment-naïve inpatients with histologically confirmed adnexal masses and 167 healthy controls from nine medical centers (China, n = 3; Netherlands, n = 5; Poland, n = 1) between September 2016 and May 2019. The main outcomes were the performance of TEPs and their combination with CA125 in two Chinese (VC1 and VC2) and the European (VC3) validation cohorts collectively and independently. Exploratory outcome was the value of TEPs in public pan-cancer platelet transcriptome datasets. The AUCs for TEPs in the combined validation cohort, VC1, VC2, and VC3 were 0.918 (95% CI 0.889-0.948), 0.923 (0.855-0.990), 0.918 (0.872-0.963), and 0.887 (0.813-0.960), respectively. Combination of TEPs and CA125 demonstrated an AUC of 0.922 (0.889-0.955) in the combined validation cohort; 0.955 (0.912-0.997) in VC1; 0.939 (0.901-0.977) in VC2; 0.917 (0.824-1.000) in VC3. For subgroup analysis, TEPs exhibited an AUC of 0.858, 0.859, and 0.920 to detect early-stage, borderline, non-epithelial diseases and 0.899 to discriminate ovarian cancer from endometriosis. TEPs had robustness, compatibility, and universality for preoperative diagnosis of ovarian cancer since it withstood validations in populations of different ethnicities, heterogeneous histological subtypes, and early-stage ovarian cancer. However, these observations warrant prospective validations in a larger population before clinical utilities.
Humans ; Female ; Blood Platelets/pathology* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology* ; China

Combination of passive targeting with active targeting is a promising approach to improve the therapeutic efficacy of nanotherapy. However, most reported polymeric systems have sizes above 100 nm, which limits effective extravasation into tumors that are poorly vascularized and have dense stroma. This will, in turn, limit the overall effectiveness of the subsequent uptake by tumor cells via active targeting. In this study, we combined the passive targeting via ultra-small-sized gemcitabine (GEM)-based nanoparticles (NPs) with the active targeting provided by folic acid (FA) conjugation for enhanced dual targeted delivery to tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We developed an FA-modified prodrug carrier based on GEM (PGEM) to load doxorubicin (DOX), for co-delivery of GEM and DOX to tumors. The co-delivery system showed small particle size of ∼10 nm in diameter. The ligand-free and FA-targeted micelles showed comparable drug loading efficiency and a sustained DOX release profile. The FA-conjugated micelles effectively increased DOX uptake in cultured KB cancer cells that express a high level of folate receptor (FR), but no obvious increase was observed in 4T1.2 breast cancer cells that have a low-level expression of FR. Interestingly, in vivo, systemic delivery of FA-PGEM/DOX led to enhanced accumulation of the NPs in tumor and drastic reduction of tumor growth in a murine 4T1.2 breast cancer model. Mechanistic study showed that 4T1.2 tumor grown in mice expressed a significantly higher level of FOLR2, which was selectively expressed on TAMs. Thus, targeting of TAM may also contribute to the improved in vivo targeted delivery and therapeutic efficacy.

The study aims to explore the intervention mechanism of Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction on asthma from the perspective of immune inflammation and intestinal flora, providing a theoretical basis for guiding clinical medication. The ovalbumin (OVA) asthmatic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of OVA sensitization solution and aerosol challenge, and divided into control (CON), model (M), dexamethasone group (DEX, 0.075 mg·kg^-1) and Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction (TLDZ, 3.5 g·kg^-1). Firstly, the effects of Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction on asthma symptoms of rats, lung and trachea pathological changes of asthmatic rats were observed by inducing cough and asthma experiment, phenol red excretion, hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), Masson and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining; the levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-10 in rat serum and the levels of interferon γ (IFN-γ), immunoglobulin E (IgE), IL-4, IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA; the mRNA levels of IL-5, IL-13 and IL-33 in the lung were determined by qRT-PCR; the levels of macrophages and neutrophils in the spleen and the levels of natural killer cell (NK), helper T cell (Thc), dendritic cell (DC), regulatory T cell (Treg) and T helper cell 17 (Th17) in the peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry combined with immunohistochemistry; the intestinal flora of asthmatic rats were analyzed by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. Pathology and inflammatory results showed that Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction could effectively alleviate the asthma symptoms in rats, improve the pathological changes of lung tissue, reduce the production of goblet cells and collagen fibers, and reduce the inflammatory response in asthmatic rats; the results of immune cells showed that Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction could effectively increase the levels of NK, Thc, DC and Treg cells and reduce the levels of macrophages, neutrophils and Th17 cells in asthmatic rats; the results of intestinal flora showed that Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction could increase the levels of Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, Christensenellaceae, Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium]_xylanophilum-group, and decrease the levels of Firmicutes, Desulfovibrio, Mucispirillum and Romboutsia in asthmatic rats. Therefore, it is speculated that Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction can improve the symptom of asthmatic rats by regulating the immune inflammation and intestinal flora in the asthmatic rats. All animal experiments in this article were approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan University of Chinese Medicine.