BACKGROUND:At present,research has only shown that the cervical lordosis ratio can be an important factor in predicting the loss of lordosis curvature after laminoplasty,and no one has studied whether the cervical lordosis ratio,a dynamic level indicator,can be one of the decision-making factors for the selection of posterior cervical surgical procedures. OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether the cervical lordosis ratio,an index of cervical hyperextension and hyperflexion,can be used as a selective index for laminoplasty and laminectomy fusion. METHODS:A retrospective review of 141 patients who had undergone posterior cervical surgery more than one year of follow-up due to multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy from December 2015 to March 2020 was performed.Among them,63 patients received laminectomy and fusion(laminectomy and fusion group)and 78 patients received laminoplasty(laminoplasty group).The demographic statistics(gender,age,body mass index,follow-up time),imaging indexes such as C2-7 Cobb angle,C2-7 range of motion,flexion Cobb angle,extension Cobb angle,flexion range of motion and extension range of motion,clinical effect indexes such as Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and visual analog scale score were compared between the two groups.The evaluation index of cervical lordosis alignment change was C2-7 Cobb angle difference before and after operation(ΔCL).Cervical lordosis ratio was equal to 100%×flexion range of motion/C2-7 range of motion.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the role of cervical lordosis ratio in predicting postoperative severe cervical lordosis loss(ΔCL≤-10°).According to the critical value of cervical lordosis ratio(68.5%),all patients were divided into low cervical lordosis ratio group and high cervical lordosis ratio group.In these two ratio groups,the cervical lordosis alignment index and clinical effect index between the two operation groups were discussed again. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Cervical lordosis alignment decreased after laminectomy and fusion and laminoplasty(P=0.039,P=0.002),and cervical lordosis alignment change in laminoplasty group(ΔCL)was greater than that of laminectomy and fusion group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.(2)Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,cervical lordosis ratio in predicting severe cervical lordosis alignment change(ΔCL≤-10°)had good identification ability(area under the curve=0.792).(3)In low cervical lordosis ratio group,there was no significant difference in cervical lordosis alignment change(ΔCL)between laminectomy and fusion group and laminoplasty group(P=0.141).(4)In high cervical lordosis ratio group,the ΔCL of laminoplasty group was greater than that in laminectomy and fusion group(P=0.001),which had a higher probability of postoperative severe cervical lordosis alignment change(ΔCL≤-10°)(43%,29%).(5)It is indicated that cervical lordosis ratio can be used as a decision-making index for the choice of posterior surgery for multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Laminoplasty can be considered in the low cervical lordosis ratio group,while laminectomy and fusion can be considered in the high cervical lordosis ratio group.

ObjectiveTo develop the Evidence Grading Scale for Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine， assess its reliability and validity， and apply it in practice to provide multi-source evidence for clinical practice guidelines development. MethodsLiterature retrieval was conducted to extract and screen existing evaluation dimensions， then the initial items were summarized using thematic analysis. Experts in the clinical medicine， medical history and literature participated in the Delphi questionnaire survey to evaluate and refine the items. An expert consensus meeting was conducted to finalize the included items， refine the method for items evaluation and evidence grading. The evidence quality rating scale for ancient classical traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） prescriptions was then established and tested for reliability and validity. ResultsThrough literature review， extraction， screening and summarization， a total of 3 dimensions and 12 initial items were formed. Questionnaires were sent to 69 experts to evaluate the initial items， with a questionnaire response rate of 100% and an expert authority coefficient of 0.92. All 12 items were retained for they had importance scores above 4. The Evidence Grading Scale on Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine includes 3 dimensions with 12 items. The 3 dimensions includes ancient evidence， inheritance status， and modern application. Each dimension contains 4 items， and each item has a full score of 5 points. The evidence was rated as high-level， moderate-level， and low-level according to the final scores. The content validity index （CVI） of the 12 items was ＞0.9， the average CVI of the scale was 0.98， and the intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC） was 0.90. ConclusionThe Evidence Grading Scale on Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine has good reliability and validity， which is practical for use in the development of TCM clinical guidelines and can better support clinical decision-making.

Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.

Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.

Oral cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the head and neck regions. few patients benefit from current clinical therapy. Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) are one of the largest transcription factor family proteins in the human genome. ZNFs bind to DNA, RNA, and proteins through their unique three-dimensional structure created by zinc ions to regulate gene transcription, RNA packaging, and protein folding. In recent years, the number of studies focused on the functional mechanism of ZNFs in regulating the progression of oral cancer has been increasing, with focuses on: ① ZNF677, ZNF460, ZNF154, ZNF132, ZNF281, Kaiso, and ZNF582, which regulate the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells; ② ZNF750 and PEST-containing nuclear protein (PCNP), which regulate the cell cycle; ③ ZNFs, which are involved in forming the tumor immune microenvironment, such as ZNF71 and myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1). For example, methylation modification modulates the reduction of ZNF677 in oral cancer and reduces the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral cancer cells by inhibiting the protein kinase B/forkhead box O3a (AKT/FOXO3a) pathway; and ZNF460 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral cancer cells by regulating microRNA-320a/alpha thalassemia/mental retardation, X-linked (ATRX) axis. In addition, ZNF750 inhibits the growth and metastasis of oral cancer by suppressing cell cycle transcription factor activity. Further, ZNF71 promotes the progression of oral cancer by reducing the infiltration of tumor immune cells. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanism, regulatory meshwork, and pro-tumor and anti-tumor roles of ZNFs in the pathogenesis of oral cancer. Our study may provide a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer.

Supercooling preservation technology, as a groundbreaking innovation in the field of organ preservation, significantly reduces the metabolic rate of cells and inhibits ice crystal formation by placing organs in a low-temperature environment near or below the freezing point. This technology extends the preservation time of organs and maintains their biological activity. Compared with the traditional low-temperature preservation at 4 °C, supercooling preservation effectively avoids cell damage and the accumulation of metabolic products, demonstrating significant advantages in the preservation of cells, tissues and organs. In recent years, important progress has been made in the optimization of cryoprotectants, the application of antifreeze proteins, the improvement of vitrification technology, and the development of nanotechnology-based rewarming techniques. These advancements provide new pathways to address the challenges of toxicity, ice crystal formation and uneven rewarming rates during supercooling preservation. This review summarizes the basic principles of supercooling preservation, the application of key technologies, and their practical effects in organ transplantation. It also analyzes the challenges of toxicity and rewarming efficiency, aiming to provide theoretical support and research directions for the future optimization of organ low-temperature preservation technology and its clinical application.

Hypothalamic neural stem cells (htNSCs) are a type of glial-like neural stem cell located in the hypothalamus, possessing unique biological characteristics. They not only have the capacity to proliferate and differentiate but can also migrate into the parenchymal regions of the hypothalamus, further developing into neurons and successfully integrating into neural circuits. HtNSCs play multiple key physiological roles in the adult hypothalamus, including contributing to the formation of the blood-hypothalamic barrier (BHB), which is crucial for maintaining the stability of the hypothalamic environment. Through the BHB, htNSCs facilitate the effective diffusion of small molecules between the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and hypothalamic parenchyma, thereby ensuring the proper transmission of nutrients and signaling molecules. In addition, htNSCs can sense fluctuations in blood glucose levels and regulate the release of neuropeptides accordingly, thus influencing the body’s energy metabolism and endocrine balance. However, as the body ages, the function of htNSCs gradually declines. Studies have shown that the aging of htNSCs has significant adverse effects on energy metabolism, sex hormone secretion, and overall hypothalamic function. During the aging process, the proliferative and differentiative capacities of htNSCs diminish, leading to reduced neuronal replenishment and subsequently impairing the hypothalamus’s ability to regulate energy balance. Furthermore, aging htNSCs may secrete inflammatory factors that disrupt the endocrine functions of the hypothalamus, thereby affecting sex hormone secretion. This impact extends beyond the hypothalamus itself and may exert widespread effects on the entire endocrine system through pathways such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Fortunately, research has found that transplanting young htNSCs can effectively alleviate neurological and skeletal muscle dysfunction associated with aging. This transplantation therapy replenishes active htNSCs, restoring normal hypothalamic function and thereby improving the body’s energy metabolism and neuromuscular function. These findings offer new perspectives and potential therapeutic strategies for anti-aging interventions. In recent years, the role of htNSCs in regulating energy metabolism and promoting aging has attracted significant attention from researchers. Studies have shown that the aging of htNSCs is closely linked to the development of various diseases. For instance, in obesity and metabolic syndrome, htNSC dysfunction may lead to disturbances in energy metabolism. Moreover, the aging of htNSCs has also been associated with the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, in-depth research into the mechanisms underlying htNSC aging is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of these conditions. This article briefly reviews the classification of htNSCs, the impacts of their aging on bodily functions, their relationship with related diseases, and the regulatory mechanisms that promote htNSC regeneration. Some strategies aimed at promoting htNSC regeneration and counteracting their aging appear to influence the overall aging phenotype of organisms. For example, studies have shown that modulating specific signaling pathways or gene expression can promote htNSC regeneration, thereby delaying the aging process. Additionally, certain natural products or pharmacological agents may also influence htNSC aging. Further research on htNSC aging will enhance our understanding of the hypothalamus’s role in systemic aging and elucidate the reasons behind gender differences in aging patterns. Moreover, these studies may offer novel approaches and therapeutic targets for improving energy metabolism disorders and treating diseases associated with gonadal hormone abnormalities. In summary, htNSCs play a vital role in the physiological functions of the hypothalamus and the aging process. Further investigation into the mechanisms and regulatory pathways of htNSC aging will aid in the development of new anti-aging therapies and provide innovative strategies for the treatment of related diseases.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that significantly impacts patients’ independence and quality of life, imposing a substantial burden on both individuals and society. Although dopaminergic replacement therapies provide temporary relief from various symptoms, their long-term use often leads to motor complications, limiting overall effectiveness. In recent years, non-invasive deep brain stimulation (DBS) techniques have emerged as promising therapeutic alternatives for PD, offering a means to modulate deep brain regions with high precision without invasive procedures. These techniques include temporal interference stimulation (TIs), low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (LITFUS), transcranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS), non-invasive optogenetic modulation, and non-invasive magnetoelectric stimulation. They have demonstrated significant potential in alleviating various PD symptoms by modulating neural activity within specific deep brain structures affected by the disease. Among these approaches, TIs and LITFUS have received considerable attention. TIs generate low-frequency interference by applying two slightly different high-frequency electric fields, targeting specific brain areas to alleviate symptoms such as tremors and bradykinesia. LITFUS, on the other hand, uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to non-invasively stimulate deep brain structures, showing promise in improving both motor function and cognition in PD patients. The other three techniques, while still in early research stages, also hold significant promise for deep brain modulation and broader clinical applications, potentially complementing existing treatment strategies. Despite these promising findings, significant challenges remain in translating these techniques into clinical practice. The heterogeneous nature of PD, characterized by variable disease progression and individualized treatment responses, necessitates flexible protocols tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying these treatments is crucial for refining protocols and maximizing their therapeutic potential. Personalized medicine approaches, such as the integration of neuroimaging and biomarkers, will be pivotal in customizing stimulation parameters to optimize efficacy. Furthermore, while early-stage clinical trials have reported improvements in certain symptoms, long-term efficacy and safety data are limited. To validate these techniques, large-scale, multi-center, randomized controlled trials are essential. Parallel advancements in device design, including the development of portable and cost-effective systems, will improve patient access and adherence to treatment protocols. Combining non-invasive DBS with other interventions, such as pharmacological treatments and physical therapy, could also provide a more comprehensive and synergistic approach to managing PD. In conclusion, non-invasive deep brain stimulation techniques represent a promising frontier in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. While they have demonstrated considerable potential in improving symptoms and restoring neural function, further research is needed to refine protocols, validate long-term outcomes, and optimize clinical applications. With ongoing technological and scientific advancements, these methods could offer PD patients safer, more effective, and personalized treatment options, ultimately improving their quality of life and reducing the societal burden of the disease.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that with the advancement of technology such as computers and cell phones, neck and back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome have become common in daily life. Aim: Estimating the effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding treatment for chronic neck pain. Materials and Methods: The study used a randomized clinical trial, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with treatment (n=40) and control (n=40) groups. The study included 80 patients with chronic neck pain, and the results were evaluated in the two groups before and after treatment using the “Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), “Neck Disability Index”, and “Quality of Life Questionnaire” (EQ-5D). Results: Acupoint catgut embedding and acupuncture treatment for chronic neck pain increased the neck’s range of motion by 2-5 degrees. Standard acupuncture treatment and acupoint catgut embedding treatment reduce neck pain and improve the neck disability index. Acupoint catgut embedding treatment improves the quality of life of patients with chronic neck pain, especially reducing anxiety and fear scores with statistical significance. Conclusion 1. Standard acupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding treatment are equally effective in relieving chronic neck pain. 2. Acupoint catgut embedding treatment increased the range of motion in the same way as standard acupuncture. 3. Acupoint catgut embedding treatment also reduced the patient’s Neck Disability Index and improved Quality of life.

Ovarian cancer （OC） is a common gynecological malignant tumor in clinical practice. In the early stage，it is often asymptomatic，while in the late stage，it mainly presents with non-specific symptoms such as abdominal distension，poor appetite，and dull abdominal pain. Some patients may also have cachexia such as weight loss and anemia. Early diagnosis is difficult，and the mortality rate ranks first among gynecological malignant tumors，making OC a major challenge in clinical treatment. The classic Chinese medicine formula Guizhi Fulingwan comes from the Jingui Yaolue and has the effects of promoting blood circulation，removing blood stasis，and reducing abdominal lumps. In recent years，it has been widely used to treat OC with good results. This article summarized the clinical application of Guizhi Fulingwan in the treatment of OC from two aspects：The analysis of its basic prescriptions and clinical research. In terms of basic prescriptions，the formula has the ability to promote blood circulation，remove blood stasis，and reduce abdominal lumps. It can exert therapeutic effects considering both water and blood aspects and reduce abdominal lumps， with characteristics of simultaneous Yang warming and heat clearing and parallel supplementation and elimination. Through the methods of "circulation" and "supplementation"， it strengthens the body，dispels evil，and eliminates underlying symptoms. In clinical studies，Guizhi Fulingwan can be applied to various stages of patients with OC，which not only promotes the recovery of the body after OC surgery but also can be combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy to synergistically treat advanced OC and enhance treatment efficacy. In addition，the formula can also alleviate various adverse reactions caused by chemotherapy，with high safety，improve patients' quality of life，prolong survival，and optimize tumor control effects. Based on the above analysis，this article elaborated on the current clinical research status of Guizhi Fulingwan combined with Western medicine in the treatment of OC and proposed suggestions and improvements to address the shortcomings in current clinical research，so as to provide reference for the clinical application of this formula in the treatment of OC and the construction of a combined traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment model.