Diabetic retinal neurodegeneration is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus, manifested by apoptosis and gliosis, and its pathogenesis is closely related to the oxidative stress induced by high glucose levels. The increase in blood glucose in the body leads to excessive production of reactive oxygen species and the downregulation of antioxidant defense signaling pathways, which leads to oxidative stress in the body, which in turn induces apoptosis, mitochondrial damage and autophagy, resulting in diabetic retinal neurodegeneration. Antioxidant stress therapy with gene therapy, flavonoids, recombinant Ad-β-catenin carriers, and autophagy inducers to exert neuroprotective effects. In the future, more clinical trials are needed to explore the effective dosage and side effects of drugs, and to develop new drugs and treatment strategies for oxidative stress to prevent and treat diabetic retinal neurodegeneration and protect retinal nerve function.

Objective:To analyze the radiographic improvements after Halo-gravity traction in severe kyphoscoliosis patientswith type III spinal cord on preoperative apex MRI, and to assess the clinical outcomes and surgical safety of Halo-gravity traction in this cohort.Methods:A total of 47 severe thoracic kyphoscoliosis patients with type III spinal cord on preoperative apex MRI who underwent preoperative Halo-gravity traction followed by one-stage posterior spinal fusion from February 2019 to June 2021 in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 29 females with an average age of 22.5±12.8 years (range, 9-60 years). The average duration of traction was 7.4±3.9 weeks (range, 4-16 weeks). Radiographic parameters were measured including the coronal Cobb angle, distance between C 7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line (C 7PL-CSVL), sagittalglobal kyphosis (GK) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) atpre-traction, post-traction and post-operation, respectively. The traction correction rate was measured as "traction degree before traction-traction degree after traction)/traction degree before traction" and the surgical correction rate was represented as "traction degree before traction-postoperative degree)/ traction degree before traction". The Frankel scoring system was used for the evaluation of neurological status at pre-traction, post-traction and post-operation. Results:All of 47 patients underwent the Halo-gravity traction and posterior spinal correction surgery. The C 7PL-CSVL was 35.7±16.9 mm at initial visit. At post-operation, C 7PL-CSVL was improved to 22.0±13.7 mm ( t=13.75, P<0.001), and the improvement rate was 39.9%±15.5%. The GK was 110.9°±22.1° at initial visit, which was improved to 84.1°±19.9° ( t=8.84, P<0.001) after Halo-gravity traction with an average correction of 23.7%±8.9%. At post-operation, GK was improved to 65.3°±19.3° ( t=10.63, P<0.001), and the improvement rate were 40.1%±20.7%. The SVA was 43.8±19.5 mm at initial visit. At post-operation, SVA was improved to 21.1±14.9 mm ( t=10.32, P<0.001), and the improvement rate were 53.1%±27.0%. A total of 14 patients showed neurological deficits of lower limbs at pre-traction, of which 8 patients had significant neurological improvement after Halo gravity traction; 3 patients had significant neurological improvement after surgery, and the remaining 3 patients had no significant neurological improvement during treatment. No new neurological deficits were observed after Halo-gravity traction or surgery. Conclusion:For severe kyphoscoliosis patients with type III spinal cord on preoperative apex MRI, the Halo-gravity traction could effectively correct the deformity, improve neurological function, enhance the tolerance of spinal cord to surgery and reduce the risk of intraoperative iatrogenic neurological deficit.

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of SRS-Schwab Grade VI osteotomy in the management of severe angular kyphosis and to assess perioperative and postoperative complications.Methods:A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted on 19 patients diagnosed with severe angular kyphosis who underwent SRS-Schwab Grade VI osteotomy between June 2011 and June 2021. Various radiographic parameters, including global kyphosis (GK), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), and sacral slope (SS), were quantified through standing radiographs obtained preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the most recent follow-up. Incidences of intraoperative and postoperative complications were meticulously recorded. The Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) score was utilized to gauge patient quality of life, while neurological function was appraised using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system.Results:The mean follow-up duration was 24.9±9.5 months, ranging from 12 to 49 months. The intraoperative blood loss averaged 2 995.3±1 357.6 ml, with a mean operative time of 414.5±65.8 minutes. The osteotomy was performed across an average of 2.4±0.6 segments, with 11.0±1.7 segments subsequently fused. Statistically significant alterations were observed in multiple parameters including GK ( F=658.56, P<0.001), SVA ( F=18.86, P<0.001), LL ( F=180.73, P<0.001), TK ( F=166.12, P<0.001), PT ( F=14.68, P<0.001), and SS ( F=6.03, P=0.005) when compared at preoperative, immediate postoperative, and ultimate follow-up intervals. PI remained statistically invariable ( F=0.29, P=0.750). Preoperative mean values for GK and SVA were 107.4°±9.1° and 38.4±19.7 mm, respectively. Postoperatively, GK was dramatically reduced to 39.7°±12.1° ( t=25.59, P<0.001), reflecting a correction rate of 63.2%±10.1%. Concurrently, SVA was markedly improved to 18.1±10.6 mm ( t=4.22, P=0.001). Notably, the correction remained stable during subsequent follow-ups. Functional and self-image domain scores exhibited a significant elevation at the final follow-up in comparison to preoperative values. Seven patients experienced intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring events, but no enduring neurological deficits were discerned postoperatively. A singular case of postoperative neurological impairment was attributed to spinal cord hematoma. Moreover, proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) manifested in six patients during follow-up, while implant failure was conspicuously absent. Conclusion:SRS-Schwab Grade VI osteotomy demonstrates a commendable efficacy in the correction of severe angular kyphosis, with the resultant alignment proving to be durably maintained throughout the follow-up period.

In causal inference, the concept of temporality (or directionality) has not been fully clarified. Starting from causal thinking, this paper divides the time axis in nature into three time domains and two time points by the occurrence timings of both a real cause and a real effect. This has anchored that causal inference can only be realized in the third domain. The measured temporalities can be divided into five types: cross-first-to-third-domain longitudinal (or experimental temporalities), cross-second-to-third-domain longitudinal, within-domain longitudinal, within-domain reversely longitudinal, and within-domain transversal (or observational temporalities). This new classification encompasses all measurement strategies, either for first or multiple measurements, or timely and delayed measurements. Except that the actual measurement for the cause occurs either before its occurrence (only in experiment) or within the second domain, all other measurements are similar to the act of historical reconstruction or "archaeology" , where the importance of measured temporalities may be inferior to the accuracy of the measurements. From the point of view that research design should integrate bias design, this new classification for measured temporalities based on the time axis in Nature, which has a clear meaning and helps to judge the possible biases in the observation methods, provides a basis for correct causal inferences.

Due to the flaws inherited in synchronicity, statistical association and survivor bias on variables under measurement, a common 'consensus’ has been reached on "cross-sectiional studies (CSS) can lead to failure on causal inference". In this paper, under both causal thinking and diagram, the real and measured cross-sections are clearly defined that these two concepts only exist theoretically. In real CSS research, the temporal orders of measured variables are all non-synchronic, equivalent to the assumption that measurement variables are independent to each other, or there is no differentiated classification bias. Similar to cumulative case-control or historical cohort studies, both exposure and outcome that exist or occur before their measurements in cross-sectional studies, are actions of historical reconstruction or doing 'Archaeology’. One of the common preconditions for causal inference in such studies is that: there must be a causal relation between the measured variables and their historical counterparts. The measured variables are all agents of their corresponding real counterparts, and the temporal orders are not that important in causal inference. It is necessary to better understand the analytic role of the CSS.

Epidemiological analysis describes and compares the characteristics of a certain number of people to make causal inferences. The formation of the study population is always the first step. In this paper, we first define the concepts of cross-sections at both individual level and population level and introduce the three assumptions needed in the measurements in observational studies, i. e. the true values of the attributes are stable with time, the attribute variables are independent and the individuals are independent during the measuring process. We also determine that the causal inference research should be unified based on the time of the occurrence or beginning of a postulated cause, or exposure, should be in. Then, based on the dual roles of the population cross-section with causal thinking, we propose that research designs can be classified into two types with different characteristics: history reconstruction research and future exploration research. Finally, we briefly analyze the research design framework and the relationship between estimated effects and different designs. The discussion of the formation of a study population from the perspective of causal thinking can make a foundation for the classification of causal inference research design with appropriate effect parameters, which needs to be further studied.

ObjectiveTo review the classification of orthopedic insoles, common techniques of 3D printing orthopedic insoles, common materials and their application for flatfoot. MethodsLiteratures were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang Data from 2012 to 2022, and the relevant contents were summarized. ResultsA total of ten studies were finally included, from 5 countries, involving 290 participants, which published from 2019 to 2022. Orthotic insoles were classified as prefabricated, semi-custom, and custom, while custom ones were classified as traditional custom and 3D printed custom. 3D printed orthotic insoles were often made with selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling (FDM) and PolyJet printing technologies, and commonly used materials included ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polylactic acid, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyamide, and polypropylene. For flatfoot, 3D printed orthotic insoles could improve plantar pressure, relieve foot pain and the combined use of insole posting could control rearfoot valgus. Conclusion3D printed custom insoles can be made more efficiently and accurately than traditional custom insoles. The printing technologies and materials often chosen for 3D printed orthotic insoles are mainly FDM and EVA. 3D printed orthotic insoles is effective on plantar pressure, comfort and foot movement function of flatfoot.

To investigate the differences in postoperative short-term complications and long-term prognosis of pancreatic cancer(PC) patients after total pancreatectomy(TP) and pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD).

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by synovitis and progressive damage to the bone and cartilage of the joints, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. This study was a randomized clinical trial comparing the outcomes between withdrawal and dose reduction of tofacitinib in patients with RA who achieved sustained disease control. METHODS: The study was designed as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients who were taking tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) and had achieved sustained RA remission or low disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28] ≤3.2) for at least 3 months were enrolled at six centers in Shanghai, China. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three treatment groups: continuation of tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily); reduction in tofacitinib dose (5 mg daily); and withdrawal of tofacitinib. Efficacy and safety were assessed up to 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 122 eligible patients were enrolled, with 41 in the continuation group, 42 in the dose-reduction group, and 39 in the withdrawal group. After 6 months, the percentage of patients with a DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of <3.2 was significantly lower in the withdrawal group than that in the reduction and continuation groups (20.5%, 64.3%, and 95.1%, respectively; P  < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The average flare-free time was 5.8 months for the continuation group, 4.7 months for the dose reduction group, and 2.4 months for the withdrawal group. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of tofacitinib in patients with RA with stable disease control resulted in a rapid and significant loss of efficacy, while standard or reduced doses of tofacitinib maintained a favorable state. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chictr.org, ChiCTR2000039799.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; China ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Piperidines/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Pyrroles/therapeutic use*

Objective: To understand the consciousness of the cancer early detection among urban residents and identify the influencing factors from 2015 to 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect population, socioeconomic indicators, self-cancer risk assessment, regular participation in physical examination and other information. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the factors of people who had not regularly participated in the regular physical examination in the past five years. Results: The self-assessment results of 32 357 residents showed that there were 27.54% (8 882) of total study population with self-reported cancer risk, 45.48% (14 671) without cancer risk and 26.98% (8 704) with unclear judgement on their own cancer risk. Among population with cancer risk, 79.84% (7 091) considered physical examination accounted. In the past five years, there were 21 105 (65.43%) residents participated in regular physical examination and 11 148 (34.56%) participated in non-scheduled one, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with unmarried and western region residents, divorced, middle and eastern region residents had a stronger consciousness to participate in the regular physical examination (P<0.05). Compare with residents with annual household income less than 20 000 CNY in 2014, cancer risk assessment/screening intervention population, and self-assessment with cancer risk, residents with annual household income between 20 000 CNY and 59 000 CNY in 2014, occupational population, community residents, cancer patients, self-reported cancer-free risk, and self-assessment with unclear judgement of cancer risk were less likely to participate in the regular physical examination (all P values <0.05). Conclusion From 2015 to 2017, the Chinese urban residents had a acceptable consciousness of the cancer early detection. The marital status, annual household income, population group and self-assessment of cancer risk were related to the consciousness of the cancer early detection of people who had not participated in the regular physical examination in the past five years.