BACKGROUND:The previous study of the research group confirmed that Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction can regulate bone metabolism and play an anti-osteoporosis role,and nanocrystalline collagen-based bone can assist in the repair of limb bone defects.OBJECTIVE:To explore the repair effect of nanocrystalline collagen-based bone combined with Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction on osteoporotic bone defects.METHODS:Totally 84 female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group(n=6,no modeling)and a bilateral ovariectomy group(n=78).After 12 weeks of bilateral ovariectomy,the sham operation group(n=6)and the bilateral ovariectomy group(n=6)were selected for osteoporosis modeling verification.The remaining 72 rats in the bilateral ovariectomy group were randomly divided into 6 intervention groups,with 12 rats in each group:groups A-E had femoral defect models(diameter 3.5 mm,depth 4 mm)established 12 weeks after bilateral ovariectomy.Group A was given double distilled water by gavage(once a day)after surgery;group B was given Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction by gavage(once a day)after surgery;group C had nanocrystalline collagen-based bone filled in the bone defect and then given double distilled water by gavage(once a day);group D had nanocrystalline collagen-based bone filled in the bone defect and then given alendronate sodium by gavage(once a week);group E had nanocrystalline collagen-based bone filled in the bone defect and then given Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction by gavage(once a day);group F had femoral defect models established at the same time after bilateral ovariectomy,and bone defect sites were filled with nanocrystalline collagen-based bone and then given Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction by gavage(once a day).All drugs were given continuously for 12 weeks.12 hours after the last administration,serum levels of type Ⅰ procollagen amino-terminal propeptide,type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide,and estradiol were detected;bone volume in the bone defect area was detected by Micro-CT.The expression of type Ⅰ collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor in the bone defect area was detected by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with group A,the serum level of type Ⅰ procollagen amino-terminal propeptide in groups D and E was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with groups A and C,the serum estradiol level in groups D,E,and F was increased(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the bone volume in the defect area between groups A-F(P＞0.05).(2)Immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with group A,the expression of typeⅠ collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor in groups B,D,and E increased(P＜0.05).Compared with group C,the expression of type Ⅰ collagen in groups B,D,E,and F increased(P＜0.05),and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in groups D,E,and F increased(P＜0.05).(3)The results show that nanocrystalline collagen-based bone combined with Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction may have the potential to repair bone defects in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats.

BACKGROUND:In 2019,the modified cortical bone trajectory technique was proposed by our team,significantly improving traditional methods.Previous studies have highlighted its superior biomechanical properties for segment fixation.However,a comprehensive systematic analysis of its specific biomechanical effects on adjacent segment degeneration is lacking,particularly regarding its influence on range of motion and intervertebral disc stress in posterior lumbar interbody fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion techniques.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical effects of modified cortical bone trajectory screw techniques on adjacent segment degeneration in posterior lumbar interbody fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.METHODS:CT scans were performed on three human cadaver specimens to establish and validate three-dimensional intact finite element models of the L1-S1 segment.For each of these,the posterior lumbar interbody fusion or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with three different fixation techniques was reconstructed at the L4-L5 segment.The L4-L5 segment was fixed using three different internal fixation techniques(modified cortical bone trajectory,cortical bone trajectory,and traditional pedicle screws).The range of motion and von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc of the L3-L4 and L5-S1 segments were recorded with a 400 N compressive load and 7.5 N moments in flexion,extension,left-right bending,and left-right rotation.The impacts of the three internal fixation techniques on adjacent segment degeneration in the two kinds of fusion were compared and analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the posterior lumbar interbody fusion model,the modified cortical bone trajectory screw group showed a reduced range of motion on adjacent segments(L3-L4,L5-S1)under six loading conditions compared to both the cortical bone trajectory screw group and traditional bone trajectory screw group.Specifically,the modified cortical bone trajectory screw group significantly reduced the maximum stress on the intervertebral disc in the superior adjacent segment(L3-L4)during extension compared to the traditional bone trajectory screw group(P=0.005),while the stress on the intervertebral disc in the inferior adjacent segment(L5-S1)exhibited greater dispersion.Similarly,the cortical bone trajectory screw group also significantly reduced the maximum stress on the intervertebral disc in the superior adjacent segment(L3-L4)during extension compared with the traditional bone trajectory screw group(P=0.03).(2)Compared with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion,the three internal fixation techniques(modified cortical bone trajectory,cortical bone trajectory,and traditional pedicle screws)showed a trend of reduced range of motion in the inferior adjacent segment(L5-S1)under six loading conditions.In contrast,the maximum stress on the intervertebral discs in both the superior and inferior adjacent segments(L3-L4,L5-S1)exhibited an increasing trend in the posterior lumbar interbody fusion model.(3)It is concluded that in the posterior lumbar interbody fusion model,the modified cortical bone trajectory screw exhibited superior biomechanical properties in reducing the range of motion at adjacent segments,which may have a beneficial effect on reducing the risk of adjacent segment degeneration.

BACKGROUND:The previous study of the research group confirmed that Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction can regulate bone metabolism and play an anti-osteoporosis role,and nanocrystalline collagen-based bone can assist in the repair of limb bone defects.OBJECTIVE:To explore the repair effect of nanocrystalline collagen-based bone combined with Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction on osteoporotic bone defects.METHODS:Totally 84 female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group(n=6,no modeling)and a bilateral ovariectomy group(n=78).After 12 weeks of bilateral ovariectomy,the sham operation group(n=6)and the bilateral ovariectomy group(n=6)were selected for osteoporosis modeling verification.The remaining 72 rats in the bilateral ovariectomy group were randomly divided into 6 intervention groups,with 12 rats in each group:groups A-E had femoral defect models(diameter 3.5 mm,depth 4 mm)established 12 weeks after bilateral ovariectomy.Group A was given double distilled water by gavage(once a day)after surgery;group B was given Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction by gavage(once a day)after surgery;group C had nanocrystalline collagen-based bone filled in the bone defect and then given double distilled water by gavage(once a day);group D had nanocrystalline collagen-based bone filled in the bone defect and then given alendronate sodium by gavage(once a week);group E had nanocrystalline collagen-based bone filled in the bone defect and then given Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction by gavage(once a day);group F had femoral defect models established at the same time after bilateral ovariectomy,and bone defect sites were filled with nanocrystalline collagen-based bone and then given Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction by gavage(once a day).All drugs were given continuously for 12 weeks.12 hours after the last administration,serum levels of type Ⅰ procollagen amino-terminal propeptide,type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide,and estradiol were detected;bone volume in the bone defect area was detected by Micro-CT.The expression of type Ⅰ collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor in the bone defect area was detected by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with group A,the serum level of type Ⅰ procollagen amino-terminal propeptide in groups D and E was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with groups A and C,the serum estradiol level in groups D,E,and F was increased(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the bone volume in the defect area between groups A-F(P＞0.05).(2)Immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with group A,the expression of typeⅠ collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor in groups B,D,and E increased(P＜0.05).Compared with group C,the expression of type Ⅰ collagen in groups B,D,E,and F increased(P＜0.05),and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in groups D,E,and F increased(P＜0.05).(3)The results show that nanocrystalline collagen-based bone combined with Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction may have the potential to repair bone defects in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats.

BACKGROUND:In 2019,the modified cortical bone trajectory technique was proposed by our team,significantly improving traditional methods.Previous studies have highlighted its superior biomechanical properties for segment fixation.However,a comprehensive systematic analysis of its specific biomechanical effects on adjacent segment degeneration is lacking,particularly regarding its influence on range of motion and intervertebral disc stress in posterior lumbar interbody fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion techniques.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical effects of modified cortical bone trajectory screw techniques on adjacent segment degeneration in posterior lumbar interbody fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.METHODS:CT scans were performed on three human cadaver specimens to establish and validate three-dimensional intact finite element models of the L1-S1 segment.For each of these,the posterior lumbar interbody fusion or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with three different fixation techniques was reconstructed at the L4-L5 segment.The L4-L5 segment was fixed using three different internal fixation techniques(modified cortical bone trajectory,cortical bone trajectory,and traditional pedicle screws).The range of motion and von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc of the L3-L4 and L5-S1 segments were recorded with a 400 N compressive load and 7.5 N moments in flexion,extension,left-right bending,and left-right rotation.The impacts of the three internal fixation techniques on adjacent segment degeneration in the two kinds of fusion were compared and analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the posterior lumbar interbody fusion model,the modified cortical bone trajectory screw group showed a reduced range of motion on adjacent segments(L3-L4,L5-S1)under six loading conditions compared to both the cortical bone trajectory screw group and traditional bone trajectory screw group.Specifically,the modified cortical bone trajectory screw group significantly reduced the maximum stress on the intervertebral disc in the superior adjacent segment(L3-L4)during extension compared to the traditional bone trajectory screw group(P=0.005),while the stress on the intervertebral disc in the inferior adjacent segment(L5-S1)exhibited greater dispersion.Similarly,the cortical bone trajectory screw group also significantly reduced the maximum stress on the intervertebral disc in the superior adjacent segment(L3-L4)during extension compared with the traditional bone trajectory screw group(P=0.03).(2)Compared with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion,the three internal fixation techniques(modified cortical bone trajectory,cortical bone trajectory,and traditional pedicle screws)showed a trend of reduced range of motion in the inferior adjacent segment(L5-S1)under six loading conditions.In contrast,the maximum stress on the intervertebral discs in both the superior and inferior adjacent segments(L3-L4,L5-S1)exhibited an increasing trend in the posterior lumbar interbody fusion model.(3)It is concluded that in the posterior lumbar interbody fusion model,the modified cortical bone trajectory screw exhibited superior biomechanical properties in reducing the range of motion at adjacent segments,which may have a beneficial effect on reducing the risk of adjacent segment degeneration.

OBJECTIVE To explore the intervention mechanism of Bushen anzhi decoction （BSAZD） in rats with insomnia induced by kidney failing to store spirit. METHODS A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， eszopiclone group （positive control group， 0.27 mg/kg）， and low-， medium- and high-dose BSAZD groups （5.85， 11.70， 23.40 g/kg）， with 6 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in the remaining groups were subjected to combined administration of D-galactose and DL-4-chlorophenylalanine to establish the rat model of insomnia due to kidney failing to store spirit. After successful modeling， corresponding liquid medicine or normal saline was intragastrically administered once daily for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration， behavioral indicators and hippocampal histopathological morphology of rats were detected. Untargeted metabolomics was adopted to screen serum differential metabolites and enrich relevant signaling pathways. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the high-dose BSAZD group exhibited significantly increased open arm entries ， open arm time and sleep time （ P ＜0.05）， accompanied by markedly decreased closed arm entries， closed arm time and sleep latency （ P ＜0.05）. Hippocampal neurons in the high-dose BSAZD group were arranged regularly， and the size， morphology and location of cell nuclei were nearly normal. Untargeted metabolomics analysis identified oxidized glutathione， glutamate and other differential metabolites in serum of rats in the high-dose BSAZD group； these differential metabolites were mainly enriched in GABAergic synapse， glutamatergic synapse， cAMP signaling pathway and 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism pathway. CONCLUSIONS BSAZD can improve sleep quality， relieve anxiety-like behaviors in rats with insomnia due to kidney failing to store spirit. Its therapeutic mechanism may be associated with regulating GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic pathways to restore neurotransmitter balance and further alleviate oxidative stress injury， modulating the cAMP signaling pathway to facilitate neural repair， and intervening the 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism pathway to optimize energy supply.

OBJECTIVE To explore the intervention mechanism of Bushen anzhi decoction （BSAZD） in rats with insomnia induced by kidney failing to store spirit. METHODS A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， eszopiclone group （positive control group， 0.27 mg/kg）， and low-， medium- and high-dose BSAZD groups （5.85， 11.70， 23.40 g/kg）， with 6 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in the remaining groups were subjected to combined administration of D-galactose and DL-4-chlorophenylalanine to establish the rat model of insomnia due to kidney failing to store spirit. After successful modeling， corresponding liquid medicine or normal saline was intragastrically administered once daily for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration， behavioral indicators and hippocampal histopathological morphology of rats were detected. Untargeted metabolomics was adopted to screen serum differential metabolites and enrich relevant signaling pathways. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the high-dose BSAZD group exhibited significantly increased open arm entries ， open arm time and sleep time （ P ＜0.05）， accompanied by markedly decreased closed arm entries， closed arm time and sleep latency （ P ＜0.05）. Hippocampal neurons in the high-dose BSAZD group were arranged regularly， and the size， morphology and location of cell nuclei were nearly normal. Untargeted metabolomics analysis identified oxidized glutathione， glutamate and other differential metabolites in serum of rats in the high-dose BSAZD group； these differential metabolites were mainly enriched in GABAergic synapse， glutamatergic synapse， cAMP signaling pathway and 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism pathway. CONCLUSIONS BSAZD can improve sleep quality， relieve anxiety-like behaviors in rats with insomnia due to kidney failing to store spirit. Its therapeutic mechanism may be associated with regulating GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic pathways to restore neurotransmitter balance and further alleviate oxidative stress injury， modulating the cAMP signaling pathway to facilitate neural repair， and intervening the 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism pathway to optimize energy supply.

OBJECTIVE: Exploring the formation and aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) (amylin) fibers is significant for promoting the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Flavones in pomelo peel have visible biological activity in the anti-diabetes aspect. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of five flavones [naringin (NRG), narirutin (NRR), nobiletin (NOB), sinensetin (SIN), and neohesperidin (NHP)] in pomelo peel on peptide aggregation and explore its possible mechanisms. The cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation was also evaluated. METHODS: The thioflavin T (ThT) assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for evaluating the inhibition and disaggregation of flavones on peptide aggregation. The interaction mechanism was analyzed by endogenous fluorescence, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and immune assays were performed to characterize the cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation. RESULTS: The five flavones showed a decrease in fluorescence intensity, fiber number and size under incubation with different molar ratios of hIAPP. The compounds can bind to the aromatic tyrosine (Tyr) residueTyr 37, resulting in the intrinsic fluorescence quenching of the peptides. Five flavones can form hydrogen bonds with hIAPP, which is likely to be based on their phenolic hydroxyl structure. They showed strong binding affinity with peptides. The reaction system of NRG and NRR observed an exothermic reaction, and the others were endothermic reactions. The absorption peaks of the compounds with hIAPP changed and showed hypochromic effects, indicating that there may be π-π stacking interaction. Flavones noticeably increased the cell viability in the presence of amyloid peptides and reduced the absorption intensity induced by peptide oligomers. CONCLUSION A total of five flavones in pomelo peel have inhibitory and depolymerization effects on amyloid fibrils, and can significantly protect cells from the toxic effect of hIAPP and reduce the production of toxic oligomers.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy and pharmacotherapy alone in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH).Methods:Firstly, retrospective case series study was conducted. Thirty cases of CSDH that had received body posture combined with pharmacotherapy at Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from December 2016 to October 2020 were studied retrospectively. Twenty-seven patients were male, and 3 patients were female. The age of patients ( M(IQR)) was 66(16) years (range:28 to 84). Nineteen patients had unilateral hematoma, and 11 patients had bilateral hematoma. All patients received pharmacotherapy and body posture therapy that was to raise their lower limbs 20 to 30 cm with leg lift pad and get abdominal compressed with customized abdominal belt in supine position. Patients were required to maintain the body posture as much as possible, with the maximum to 16 to 18 hours per day. Patients with unilateral hematoma should tilt the head to the affected side and avoid tilting it to the opposite side. For patients with bilateral hematoma, there was no need for head lateralization. Patient were treated with oral dexamethasone and atorvastatin simultaneously. The preliminary efficacy of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy was determined by hematoma improvement rate which was analyzed by Clopper-Pearson method. Then, the multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial had carried out in 9 medical centers from August 2020 to November 2021. The stratified block randomization method was adopted. Patients were randomized in a ratio of 1∶1 to either receive pharmacotherapy alone(the control group) or body posture combined with pharmacotherapy(the experiment group) for 3 months and followed up for 6 months. Effective treatment was defined as complete absorption of hematoma, or the hematoma volume decreased by more than 10 ml and Markwalder grading scale score had improved by more than 1 point compared to the baseline. The efficacy rate and surgery conversion rate at 3 months and recurrence at 6 months were observed. Comparison between groups was performed with paired sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, corrected χ2 test, or Fisher exact probability method. Logistic regression was used to compare the effective rate and operation rate between the two groups. Results:In the respective study, 30 patients completed follow-up 13 to 353 days after treatment. At the last follow-up, the incidence of almost complete absorption or significantly absorption of hematoma (hematoma volume was significantly reduced accompanied by symptom improvement) was 93.3%. The 95% CI for the incidence that analyzed by the Clopper-Pearson method was 77.9% to 99.2%. One hundred and six patients were enrolled in the multicenter study. Fifty-five patients underwent body posture combined with pharmacotherapy. The age was 74(17) years (range:26 to 92). Thirty-nine patients were males and 16 were females. Fifty-one patients underwent pharmacotherapy alone. The age was 69(12) years (range:48 to 84). Thirty-seven patients were males and 14 were females. The length of body posture recorded in diary card was (15.7±2.3) hours(range:7.6 to 19.3 hours). The efficacy rate in the body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group and pharmacotherapy alone group were 83.6% (46/55) and 56.9% (29/51), respectively at 3 months. The result of the logistic regression analysis showed that the efficacy of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group was better than that of pharmacotherapy alone group ( OR=3.88,95% CI:1.57 to 9.58, P=0.003). Surgery rate in the body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group and pharmacotherapy alone group were 5.5% (3/55) and 21.6% (11/51) respectively. The result of Logistic regression showed that the pharmacotherapy alone group was more likely to be converted to surgery ( OR=0.21,95% CI:0.05 to 0.80, P=0.023). At the 6 months, no recurrence of cases was found in the body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group. However, the recurrence rate of pharmacotherapy alone group was 6.3% (3/48), there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The effect of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy for chronic subdural hematoma is better than that of pharmacotherapy alone.

Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

Objective To predict the radiation impact of discharging wastewater containing uranium within the specified limit generated during the normal operation of a new production line at a nuclear fuel plant on the receiving water body and its downstream, and to provide a reference for the management of radioactive liquid effluent discharge from nuclear facilities. Methods Based on the technical guidelines for environmental impact assessment, literature on radiation environmental impact assessment, and data collected from on-site investigations, appropriate hydrological parameters and prediction models were selected to analyze and predict the variation pattern of radioactive nuclide uranium along the receiving water body and the radiation exposure of nearby residents. Results The maximum increase in uranium concentration in the receiving water body and its downstream caused by the discharge of uranium-containing wastewater was 1.14 μg/L. The maximum predicted concentration was 2.75 μg/L after adding the background data of the water body. The resulting maximum individual annual effective dose for the public was 1.49 × 10⁻⁴ mSv/a. Conclusion The maximum predicted uranium concentration in the receiving water body and its downstream is lower than the uranium concentration limit of 30 μg/L specified in the Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB 5749-2022). The maximum individual annual effective dose for the public is much lower than the control value of 0.2 mSv/a specified in the Radiation Protection Regulations for Uranium Processing and Fuel and Fuel Manufacturing Facilities (EJ 1056-2018). The radiation impact is acceptable.