Objective To study the clinical outcome of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for the s disease who had been suffering severe back pain even after conservative therapy for months were treated with PVP. Their preoperative CT images indicated nonunion of factures and "vacuum signs". Dynamic X-ray films demonstrated formation of pseudoarthrosis in the involved vertebral bodies in some eases. Their back pain was evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS). Their preoperative and postoperative VAS scores and radiological indexes were compared. Results The mean VAS scores were 7.0±1.2 preoperatively, but 3.1±1.5 at the follow-up (P < 0.05) . The height of anterior margin of involved vertebral body was (2.1±0.3) cm pre-operatively, but (2.3±0.2) cm at the follow-up (P < 0.05). The ratio of anterior margin height to posterior margin height of the involved vertebral body was 0. 67±0. 10, but 0.84±0.08 at the follow-up (P<0.05), The focal kyphosis angle was 27.3°± 6.4° preoperatively but 20.7°±5.0° at the follow-up (P < 0.05). No pulmonary embolisms or neurological injuries happened. Conclusion PVP is an effective method for anterior margin of the involved vertebral body partially, and decrease the focal kyphosis.

Objective: To evaluate the association of smoking with the risk of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods: A total of 16 383 186 AS-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 378 smoking initiation associated SNPs and 126 lifetime smoking score-associated SNPs were collected from three large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The association of smoking phenotypes with the risk of AS was examined using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) with AS as a outcome variable, smoking initiation and lifetime smoking score as exposure factors and SNPs with strong associations with smoking as instrumental variables, and sensitivity analyses were performed with maximum likelihood-based method, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test and MR-Egger regression analysis. Results: A 33.5% increased risk of AS was found among genetically predicted smokers relative to non-smokers (OR=1.335, 95%CI: 1.059-1.682), and an increase in predicted lifetime smoking by per standard deviation resulted in a 101.4% increased risk of AS (OR=2.014, 95%CI: 1.341-3.024). The maximum likelihood-based method and MR-PRESSO test showed consistent correlated effect estimations and MR-Egger regression analysis identified no evidence of pleiotropy. Conclusion It is genetically predicted that smoking is associated with an increased risk of AS.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Antigens, Surface ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Trophoblasts ; immunology

AIM:To explore the effect of tomatidine(TA)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nerve cell in-jury and the underlying mechanism.METHODS:The neuroinflammation model was induced by treating SH-SY5Y cells with LPS.These cells were divided into control(CON),LPS,and LPS+TA groups.The LPS group was treated with 5 μg/mL LPS for 24 h to establish an inflammatory model.The LPS+TA group was first treated with 5 μmol/L tomatidine for 24 h and then co-cultured with 5 μg/mL LPS for 24 h.Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 assay.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β).The protein expression of transcription factor EB(TFEB),p-TFEB,P62,and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)expression was detected through Western blot.TFEB localization and cleaved caspase-3 expression were detected through immunofluorescence.The cell apoptosis rate was detected through flow cytometry.RESULTS:(1)Compared with the CON group,the LPS group exhibited significant increases in IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA levels(P＜0.05),the cell apoptosis rate,and the p-TFEB level(P＜0.01).By contrast,P62,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,and TFEB protein ex-pression levels decreased significantly(P＜0.05),and TFEB was mainly localized in the cytoplasm.(2)Compared with the LPS group,tomatidine treatment significantly decreased the p-TFEB protein expression level(P＜0.01),increased the TFEB protein expression level(P＜0.01),and promoted the TFEB protein to migrate into the nucleus.After treatment of tomatidine,the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ protein expression level significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the cell apoptosis rate signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.01).In addition,the TNF-α mRNA level significantly decreased after tomatidine treatment(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Tomatidine improves autophagy dysfunction,inflammatory reaction,and cell apoptosis induced by LPS via activating the transcription factor EB.

Scutellaria barbata D. Don is widely used in TCM clinical practice, so it is important to delve the information of its system biology. In this paper, we integrate its natural compounds and genomics information. The Herb-Prince complex networks algorithm is used to delve potential associated genes, gene families and KEGG signal pathways for Scutellaria barbata D. Don, and the information is verified by literature. The top 100 genes, 4 gene families and 10 KEGG signaling pathways were found. The related results are highly consistent with the clinical and pharmacological studies of Scutellaria barbata D. Don, which provide decision support for researchers to study pharmacological activities of Scutellaria barbata D. Don at the molecular level.

Objective:To explore the correlation between high cholinergic pathway signaling and cognitive function in patients with Parkinson disease(PD) accompanied with sleep disorder.Methods:PD patients admitted from 2017 to 2022 were divided into PD with sleep disorder group (PD-SD group) ( n=56) and PD without sleep disorder group (PD-NSD group) ( n=41) according to the Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS) score. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination.All patients were evaluated by the PDSS, Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA), and cholinergic pathways hyper intensities scale (CHIPS). The difference of cognitive function between the two groups and the correlation between CHIPS and cognitive function were analyzed.Independent sample t-test, Spearman correlation analysis, and binary Logistic regression analysis were performed on the data by SPSS 26.0 statistical software. Results:(1)The MoCA score of the PD-SD group (22.00 (5.00)) was lower than that of the PD-NSD group (26.00 (5.00)) ( Z=-3.830, P<0.05). The total and all aspects scores of CHIPS in PD-SD group were higher than those in PD-NSD group(the total score of the low external capsule: 12.00(8.00), 0(8.00), the total score of the high external capsule: 12.00(2.00), 6.00(9.00), the total score of the radial crown: 8.00(0), 4.00(4.00), the total score of the centrum semiovale: 3.00(4.00), 0(2.00), the total score of the right side: 16.00(9.00), 5.00(10.00), the total score of the left side: 17.00(6.00), 7.00(9.00), the total score of CHIPS: 32.00(14.00), 14.00(20.00))( Z=-5.081, -5.873, -4.933, -3.211, -5.562, -6.232, -5.995, all P<0.05). (2)The correlation analysis between the score of CHIPS and cognitive function in the PD-SD group showed that, the total score of the low external capsule ( r=-0.286), the total score of the centrum semiovale ( r=-0.307), the total score of the right side ( r=-0.376), the total score of the left side ( r=-0.284) and the total score of CHIPS ( r=-0.349) were negatively correlated with MoCA(all P<0.05). (3)Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that white matter lesions in centrum semiovale, low inner capsule, right and left leukodystrophy were not influence factors for cognitive impairment (all P>0.05). Conclusion:PD patients with sleep disorders have lower cognitive function scores, higher CHIPS scores, and significant changes in white matter lesions compared to those without sleep disorders. In PD patients with sleep disorders, the higher the CHIPS score, the lower the cognitive function score, and the more significant the rate of cognitive impairment occurrence and development.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of sleep disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and its correlation with homocysteine.Methods:Totally 75 PD patients hospitalized in the department of neurology from January 2017 to June 2021 were selected and divided into sleep disorder group ( n=39) and non-sleep disorder group ( n=36)according to polysomnography, Parkinson's disease sleep scale(PDSS) and Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS). The basic clinical data, hematological examination results, scale evaluation data and polysomnography monitoring data of the above patients were collected during hospitalization to analyze the sleep characteristics of patients with Parkinson's disease and its correlation with homocysteine.SPSS 26.0 statistical analysis software was used for t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson analysis, Spearman analysis and multivariate Logistic analysis. Results:The sleep efficiency (56.82±19.07)%, N2 phase ratio(48.67±17.70)%, N3 phase ratio(9.20%(19.00%)) and the leg movement micro-arousal index(0(1.20)) in the sleep disorder group were lower than those in the non-sleep disorder group (sleep efficiency (82.15±5.55)%, N2 phase ratio(57.02±2.80)%, N3 phase ratio(20.01%(3.93%)), the leg movement micro-arousal index(1.15(1.80)). The differences were statistically significant ( t/ Z=-6.087, -2.905, -3.773, -3.683, all P<0.05). The proportion of AHI (0.90(14.60)), N1 stage (19.50%(15.70%)), and periodic limb index (0(24.80)) in sleep disorder group were higher than those in non-sleep disorder group (AHI (0.60(0.30)), N1 stage (12.15%(3.15%)), and periodic limb index (0(0)). The difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.154, 5.250, 3.559, all P<0.05). The homocysteine (15.80(3.90) μmol/L), NMSS-insomnia correlation score (3.00(5.00)), MDS-UPDRS-Ⅰ(7.00 (10.00)), MDS-UPDRS-Ⅲ (23.00 (16.00)) in the sleep disorder group were higher than those in the non-sleep disorder group (homocysteine (14.10 (4.20)μmol/L), NMSS-insomnia correlation score (0(1.00)), MDS-UPDRS-Ⅰ(3.00 (2.00)), MDS-UPDRS-Ⅲ (17.00 (4.00)), and the differences were statistically significant( Z=2.557, 4.487, 2.952, 2.180, all P<0.05). The NMSS-olfactory correlation scores (2.00(4.00)) and PDSS (99.00 (40.00)) were lower than those in the non-sleep disorder group (NMSS-olfactory correlation scores (4.50 (7.00)) and PDSS (122.00 (28.00)), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=2.450, 4.126, both P<0.05). Hcy was positively correlated with sleep disorder in PD patients ( r=0.297, P<0.05). Binariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated homocysteine level might be a risk factor for sleep disorder in PD patients ( β=0.193, OR=1.213, 95% CI=1.029-1.430). Conclusion:Parkinson's disease patients with sleep disorder have the characteristics of sleep structure disorder, often accompanied by more serious motor disorders, and the olfactory function impairment is relatively mild. Elevated homocysteine levels may be a risk factor for sleep disorder in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in elderly patients with early-stage mild ischemic stroke (IS). Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, controlled study.Ninety-four elderly patients with mild IS admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were randomized into a thrombolysis arm (TA, n=46) and a control arm (CA, n=48). The short-term endpoints were the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores on 3^rd, 7^th, 14^thday after admission and the secondary endpoints were the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score and the morbidity of recurrence IS within 90 days.Safety was evaluated by the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (IH) and early neurological deterioration (END) during hospitalization. Results: The baseline NIHSS scores of patients in the TA and CA groups were similar [(4.1±0.7) vs.(4.1±0.7)]. However, there were significant differences in the NIHSS score on 3^rd [(3.4±1.2) vs.(4.2±1.4)], 7^th[(3.0±1.8) vs.(4.1±1.6)] and 14^thday [(2.5±2.0) vs.(3.4±1.6)], respectively, between the TA group and the CA group.Furthermore, the TA group was associated with a significantly higher proportion of patients with good prognosis (mRS, 0-2), compared with the CA group (71.7% vs.35.4%, P<0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that patients with baseline NIHSS>3 could benefit from thrombolytic therapy.There were 1 case of symptomatic IH and 1 case of progressive stroke in the TA group, and 1 case of IH and 2 cases of progressive stroke in the control group.There were no significant differences in the rate of either END or IH between the two groups (P>0.05). Two patients in the TA group and three patients in the control group had recurrent IS within 90 days and the recurrence rate of IS was also similar within 90 days (P>0.05). Conclusions Intravenous thrombolytic therapy with rt-PA can improve the prognosis of elderly patients with mild stroke without increased risk of END, IH, or recurrence of IS.

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) is a rare and fatal malignant eye tumor. In this study, we deciphered a novel anti-CM mechanism of a natural tetracyclic compound named as cucurbitacin B (CuB). We found that CuB remarkably inhibited the proliferation of CM cells including CM-AS16, CRMM1, CRMM2 and CM2005.1, without toxicity to normal cells. CuB can also induce CM cells G2/M cell cycle arrest. RNA-seq screening identified KIF20A, a key downstream effector of FOXM1 pathway, was abolished by CuB treatment. Further target identification by activity-based protein profiling chemoproteomic approach revealed that GRP78 is a potential target of CuB. Several lines of evidence demonstrated that CuB interacted with GRP78 and bound with a K _d value of 0.11 μmol/L. Furthermore, ATPase activity evaluation showed that CuB suppressed GRP78 both in human recombinant GRP78 protein and cellular lysates. Knockdown of the GRP78 gene significantly induced the downregulation of FOXM1 and related pathway proteins including KIF20A, underlying an interesting therapeutic perspective. Finally, CuB significantly inhibited tumor progression in NCG mice without causing obvious side effects in vivo. Taken together, our current work proved that GRP78-FOXM1-KIF20A as a promising pathway for CM therapy, and the traditional medicine CuB as a candidate drug to hinder this pathway.