Objective:To evaluate the effect of combining contralateral high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with biofeedback-controlled empty swallowing training on dysphagia among stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty dysphagic stroke survivors were divided at random into a control group, a biofeedback group, an rTMS group and a combined treatment group, each of 20. In addition to routine dysphagia rehabilitation, the biofeedback group and the rTMS group received empty swallowing training based on biofeedback or high-frequency rTMS applied to the healthy motor cortex as appropriate. The combined treatment group was given both. The treatment was administered once daily, 5 days a week for 3 consecutive weeks. Before and after the treatment, all of the subjects′ swallowing was evaluated using the penetration aspiration scale (PAS), functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and a standardized swallowing assessment (SSA). The latency and amplitude of the mylohyoid muscle′s motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were also recorded before and after the treatment.Results:After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the average PAS, FOIS and SSA scores as well as in the latency and amplitude of the MEPs in the four groups. The average results in the combined treatment group were significantly better than in the other 3 groups. The latency of the mylohyoid muscle′s MEP was significantly shorter in the combined group than in the control and biofeedback groups on average, while the amplitude was significantly greater than in the control group.Conclusion:Combining contralateral high frequency rTMS with empty swallowing training based on biofeedback can better improve the swallowing of dysphagic stroke survivors.

BACKGROUND:Hyperhomocysteinemia is closely related to the function of islet β cells,but its specific molecular mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of N6 methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3)in homocysteine(Hcy)-induced autophagy of mouse islet β cells. METHODS:The 3rd and 4th generation mouse islet β cells were taken for the experiment.(1)Cell modeling and grouping:cells in control group were not treated with Hcy,while those in homocysteine group were treated with 100 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours.(2)The mouse islet β-cells were transfected with the plasmids overexpressing Ad-METTL3 and si-METTL3 according to the instructions of LipofectamineTM 2000.Three different interfering fragments were designed,and the one with the best interfering efficiency was verified and screened by PCR.(3)After transfection,the cells were divided into control group,Hcy group,Ad-NC(negative control)+Hcy group,Ad-METTL3+Hcy group,si-NC(negative control)+Hcy group and si-METTL3+Hcy group.(4)qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of METTL3 and autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62 in cells.Insulin level was determined by ELISA to evaluate insulin secretion capacity of islet cells.Autophagy-related proteins and insulin level were detected after overexpression and interference with METTL3. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the expression level of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was increased(P＜0.05),the expression of p62 was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),and the insulin secretion capacity was significantly decreased(P＜0.05)in the Hcy group.Compared with the control group,the protein and mRNA levels of METTL3 were reduced in the Hcy group(P＜0.05).After METTL3 silencing in islet β cells,Hcy further upregulated the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ(P＜0.05),significantly dowregulated the expression of p62(P＜0.05),and increased the insulin level(P＜0.05).After overexpression of METTL3,Hcy significantly decreased the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression and increased the p62 expression in islet β cells(P＜0.05).To conclude,METTL3 is involved in the Hcy-induced autophagy regulation of islet β cells and plays a role in the regulation of insulin secretion.

AIM:To investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)with overexpression or si-lencing of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)SNHG8 on the viability,migration,angiogenesis,and the expression of vasoac-tive factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).METHODS:Identification of ADSCs derived from morbidly obese patients(O-ADSCs)was conducted using flow cytometry and induction of lipogenesis and osteogenesis.The expression of lncRNA SNHG8 in healthy human ADSCs(H-ADSCs)and O-ADSCs was detected by RT-qPCR.Tran-swell method was used to establish the indirect co-culture system of ADSCs and HUVECs for 48 h,and the cells were di-vided into O-ADSCs+HUVECs group,H-ADSCs+HUVECs group,and HUVECs alone group.The mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),endothelin-1(ET-1)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)in HUVECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The lncRNA SNHG8 overexpression and silencing lentiviruses were con-structed and used to infect O-ADSCs.The indirect co-cultured ADSCs and HUVECs were divided into O-ADSCs-OE-SNHG8+ HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-OE-NC+HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-sh-SNHG8+HUVECs group,and O-ADSCs-sh-NC+HUVECs group.After co-culture for 48 h,the viability,migration and tubule formation of HUVECs were detected by CCK-8,scratch and angiogenesis assays,respectively.The mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ,ET-1 and eNOS in HU-VECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.The nitrate reductase method was used to detect the con-tent of NO in HUVECs.RESULTS:(1)The cultured cells were identified as ADSCs.(2)Compared with H-ADSCs,ln-cRNA SNHG8 expression was significantly up-regulated in O-ADSCs(P<0.01).(3)Compared with H-ADSCs+HUVECs group and HUVECs group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in HUVECs in O-ADSCs+HU-VECs group were up-regulated(P<0.01).(4)Overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs enhanced the viability,mi-gration and tube formation ability of HUVECs,up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1,down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of eNOS,and decreased the content of NO in HUVECs(P<0.05).However,silencing of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs exerted opposite results(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:(1)The O-ADSCs can promote endothelial cell viability,migration and tubule formation through paracrine effects.(2)The O-ADSCs with overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 promote the imbalance of diastolic and contractile factors secreted by endo-thelial cells,and induce the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility,safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted laparo-scopic buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty in the treatment of complex long proximal ureteral stricture.Methods:The clinical data of 20 patients with proximal ureteral stricture undergoing robot-assisted lapa-roscopic buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty admitted to the Department of Urology,Peking University First Hospital and Beijing Jiangong Hospital from July 2022 to January 2023 were prospectively collected and analyzed.Intraoperative conditions,postoperative complications and follow-up data were also recorded and analyzed.Results:The operations under robot-assisted laparoscopy were performed successfully in all the 20 patients without conversion to traditional laparoscopic surgery or open surgery.The study in-cluded 14 males and 6 females with a mean age of(41±11)years(range:19 to 60 years)and a mean body mass index of(24.3±3.6)kg/m2(range:18.2 to 31.8 kg/m2).There were 9 cases on the left side and 11 cases on the right side.The strictures of all the patients were located in the proximal segment of the ureter(including the ureteropelvic junction).The mean preoperative serum creatinine was(92.2±23.3)μmol/L(range:49.2 to 138.9 μmol/L),and the mean length of ureteral stricture was(2.8±0.9)cm(range:1.0 to 4.0 cm).Ten patients had previously undergone unsuccessful reconstructive surgery.During the operation,12 patients received posteriorly augmented anastomosis with ventral onlay.The mean length of the buccal mucosa graft harvested during the operation was(3.1±0.6)cm(range:2.0 to 4.3 cm),and the median width was 1.5 cm(range:1.0 to 2.0 cm).The omentum flap was used to wrap the reconstructed ureteral segment in all the 20 cases.The median operative time was 154 min(range:113 to 300 min),and the median estimated blood loss was 45 mL(range:0 to 100 mL).The median postoperative hospital stay was 4 d(range:4 to 14 d).The mean postoperative follow-up time was(15.0±1.7)months(range:12.5 to 17.9 months),and the surgical success rate was 100.0％in this study.After surgery,11 patients reported mild discomfort at the oral donor site,2 patients deve-loped urinary tract infection,and no postoperative complications were reported in the other 7 patients.The mean serum creatinine was(90.9±23.9)μmol/L(range:60.0 to 153.0 μmol/L)six months after surgery.Conclusion:Robot-assisted laparoscopic buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty for the treatment of complex long proximal ureteral stricture has satisfactory efficacy without severe complications,which has shown good feasibility,safety and effectiveness.However,large sample studies and long-term follow-up are still needed to evaluate its long-term efficacy.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of antegrade transabdominal nasobiliary duct placement in the treatment of fine diameter choledocholithiasis in the elderly.Methods:From June 2021 to June 2022, 60 elderly patients with fine diameter common bile duct stones who were treatment in the Shandong Chengwu County People′s Hospital were enrolled. All patients underwent laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE), 28 patients in the experimental group were underwent antegrade transabdominal placement of nasal bile ducts, 32 patients in the control group were treated with T-tube drainage. The operative index, postoperative complications and total medical expenses, postoperative patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.Results:The operation was successful in both groups, and no conversion to laparotomy or death occurred. The indwelling time of common bile duct drainage, postoperative hospital stay in the experimental group were shorter than those in the control group, the incidence of postoperative pain was lower than that in the control group, the postoperative patient satisfaction was higher than that in the control group: (6.46 ± 1.04) d vs. (33.63 ± 1.19) d, (8.11 ± 0.74) d vs. (10.38 ± 1.54) d, 3.6%(1/28) vs. 21.9%(7/32), (9.21 ± 0.83) scores vs. (7.56 ± 0.62) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The surgical time, postoperative activity time, gastrointestinal function recovery time and total medical expenses between the two groups had no statistical differences( P>0.05). The postoperative complications between the two groups had no statistical differences ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Anterior transabdominal nasobiliary duct placement can shorten the retention time and hospitalization time of the common bile duct drainage tube, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, and promote rapid recovery. It is a safe and effective surgical method.

AIM:To investigate the role of specific long noncoding RNA SLC25a6(lncSLC25a6)in homocys-teine(Hcy)-induced cuproptosis in cardiomyocytes.METHODS:Rat cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into control group and Hcy group.After 48 h of intervention,the expression levels of cuproptosis-related proteins,ferre-doxin 1(FDX1)and heat shock protein 70(HSP70),were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.The oxidative stress state of cardiomyocytes was assessed using fluorescence staining,and the intracellular Cu2+levels were measured using a copper ion assay kit.Furthermore,the impact of Hcy on the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins in cardiomyocytes was analyzed following overexpression of lncSLC25a6.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,80 μmol/L Hcy significantly accelerated cardiomyocyte damage,with a notable underexpression of lncSLC25a6(P<0.05).Western blot results indicated that,compared with the control group,the expression level of FDX1 in the Hcy intervention group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while the expression level of HSP70 was significantly elevated(P<0.05),and the expression level of copper ions in cardiomyocytes of the Hcy group was increased(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant reduction in FDX1 fluorescence intensity and a significant increase in HSP70 fluorescence in-tensity in the Hcy group.Further overexpression of lncSLC25a6 significantly mitigated Hcy-induced cuproptosis in cardio-myocytes,resulting in elevated expression of FDX1 and reduced expression of HSP70(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that the expression level of lncSLC25a6 was negatively correlated with FDX1 protein expression(r=-0.676,P=0.046)and positively correlated with HSP70 expression(r=0.680,P=0.044).CONCLUSION:lnc-SLC25a6 significantly mitigates Hcy-induced cuproptosis in cardiomyocytes,positioning it as a potential therapeutic target for managing Hcy-induced cardiac injury.

The incidence of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture (OTLVF) in the elderly is gradually increasing. The kyphotic deformity caused by various factors has become an important characteristic of OTLVF and has received increasing attention. Its clinical manifestations include pain, delayed nerve damage, sagittal imbalance, etc. Currently, the definition and diagnosis of OTLVF with kyphotic deformity in the elderly are still unclear. Although there are many treatment options, they are controversial. Existing guidelines or consensuses pay little attention to this type of fracture with kyphotic deformity. To this end, the Lumbar Education Working Group of the Spine Branch of the Chinese Medicine Education Association and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized the experts in the relevant fields to jointly develop Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity in the elderly ( version 2024), based on evidence-based medical advancements and the principles of scientificity, practicality, and advanced nature, which provided 18 recommendations to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of Yiqi Jiedu Recipe(YQ)on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells,and to explore its mechanisms of action on proliferation,migration,and invasion through the TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling pathway.Methods(1)The 5-8F cells were divided into four groups:solvent control group,YQ 0.5 mg·mL-1 group,YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,and 5-fluorouracil 2 μg·mL-1 group.Cell proliferation was monitored using real-time cell analysis(RTCA).Wound healing experiment was conducted to assess cell migration.After 24 hours of drug intervention,transwell assay was employed to measure cell invasion.The protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 in the cells were evaluated using the Western Blot method.(2)The 5-8F cells were divided into five groups:solvent control group,TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1 group,TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1+YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,and LY3200882 10 μmol·L-1 group.Cell proliferation was monitored using RTCA.Wound healing experiment was conducted to assess cell migration.After 24 hours of drug intervention,transwell assay was employed to measure cell invasion.The protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 in the cells were evaluated using Western Blot.(3)The nude mice were randomly assigned into the model group,YQ group,and 5-fluorouracil group.Subcutaneous injection of 5-8F cell suspension was performed to establish the xenograft nude mouse model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.After the tumors reached a certain size,the 5-fluorouracil group received intraperitoneal injection of 5-Fu once every 2 days,while the other groups were orally administered corresponding drugs once a day for three consecutive weeks.Tumor volume was measured every 3 days.Western Blot was conducted to assess the protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,and N-cadherin in the tissues of each group.Results Compared with the solvent control group,the proliferation curves of 5-8F cells in the YQ(0.5 mg·mL-1,1.0 mg·mL-1)groups showed a decrease.The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were both reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly increased(P＜0.01),while the protein expression of β-catenin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 all decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the transplanted tumor volume of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the YQ group significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the protein expression of β-catenin and N-cadherin in the transplanted tissues of the YQ group was significantly downregulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while the expression of E-cadherin protein was significantly upregulated(P＜0.01).After the addition of the activator and inhibitor of TGF-β1 signaling pathway,compared with the YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,the TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1+YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group showed a significant increase in the expression of TGF-β1,SMAD3,β-catenin,and N-cadherin proteins(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and obvious enhancement of the abilities of cell proliferation,migration,and invasion(P＜0.01).Conclusion Yiqi Jiedu Recipe can inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion by regulating the TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling pathway.

Periarticular fracture of the shoulder is a common type of fractures in the elderly. Postoperative adverse events such as internal fixation failure, humeral head ischemic necrosis and upper limb dysfunction occur frequently, which seriously endangers the exercise and health of the elderly. Compared with the fracture with normal bone mass, the osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder is complicated with slow healing and poor rehabilitation, so the clinical management becomes more difficult. At present, there is no targeted guideline or consensus for this type of fracture in China. In such context, experts from Youth Osteoporosis Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatrics Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Osteoporosis Group of Youth Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Chinese Integrative Medicine developed the Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder in the elderly ( version 2023). Nine recommendations were put forward from the aspects of diagnosis, treatment strategies and rehabilitation of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder, hoping to promote the standardized, systematic and personalized diagnosis and treatment concept and improve functional outcomes and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder.