Ulcerative colitis(UC)is an inflammatory disease characterized by a continuous diffuse lesion in the colorectal mucosa.Macrophages,as key players in the inflammatory microenvironment,are significantly correlated with the development of UC.Based on the TCM pathogenesis of UC,this article reviewed the current research status of targeted regulation of macrophages in the treatment of UC using TCM,summarized the biological processes related to macrophages and their role in the progression of UC,and concluded the molecular mechanism of TCM treatment of UC targeting macrophages.It found that the active components of Chinese materia medica,TCM compounds,and TCM non-pharmacological therapies mainly regulate macrophage activity by regulating macrophage polarization,autophagy,pyroptosis,metabolic reprogramming,oxidative stress,and other processes,thereby delaying the progression of UC.This article aimed to provide references for in-depth exploration of the pathogenesis of UC and the TCM prevention and treatment of UC.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Objective To investigate the functional changes of dendritic cells(DCs)in patients at different stages of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection and analyze the mechanisms underlying DC dysfunction.Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing dataset GSE182159 was downloaded from the GEO database and classified into healthy control(HC),immune active(IA),and immune tolerant(IT)groups based on infection stage.Peripheral blood samples were collected from 7 IA patients,7 IT patients,and 12 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to isolate classical dendritic cells(cDC)and plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDC).The expression levels of transcription factors in cDC and pDC were measured by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).Bioinformatics analyses were per-formed using R and Python package.Results The proportions of DCs in IA and IT groups were higher than that in HC group.Func-tional enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)of cDCs in the IA group were primarily enriched for the processes,such as inflammatory response,MHC classⅡantigen processing and presentation,cell migration,signal transduction,metabolism,and immune response.In contrast the IT group exhibited lower enrichment intensity and a significant reduction in interfer-on responses.The DEGs of pDC in the IA group were enriched in the processes of MHC-Ⅱantigen presentation,Fc receptor signal transduction,and metabolism,whereas those in the IT group were showed enrichment only in Fc receptor signal transduction and me-tabolism with a lower intensity.Both groups exhibited reduced synthesis of typesⅠandⅡinterferons in pDC,with the IT group showing a more pronounced downregulation.Cell-cell communication analysis demonstrated enhanced interactions between myeloid cells(except pDC)and T cells in the IA group,whereas the interactions between cDC/pDC and T cells in the IT group were reduced.Transcription factor analysis revealed that STAT2,STAT3,IRF1,and IRF5 were highly expressed in the IA group but their expression exhibited low-er expression levels in the IT group.In contrast,BHLHE40 was broadly upregulated in both cDC and pDC subsets within the IT group.The qRT-PCR results were consistent with the findings from the single-cell transcription factor analysis.Conclusion The IT phase of hepatitis B infection represents a critical period for cDC dysfunction,characterized by significant suppression of MHCⅡantigen presen-tation,metabolism,and interferon responsiveness.The functional impairment of pDC precedes that of cDC,as evidenced by a marked downregulation of interferon synthesis capacity observed during the IA phase.

Objective To investigate the functional changes of dendritic cells(DCs)in patients at different stages of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection and analyze the mechanisms underlying DC dysfunction.Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing dataset GSE182159 was downloaded from the GEO database and classified into healthy control(HC),immune active(IA),and immune tolerant(IT)groups based on infection stage.Peripheral blood samples were collected from 7 IA patients,7 IT patients,and 12 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to isolate classical dendritic cells(cDC)and plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDC).The expression levels of transcription factors in cDC and pDC were measured by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).Bioinformatics analyses were per-formed using R and Python package.Results The proportions of DCs in IA and IT groups were higher than that in HC group.Func-tional enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)of cDCs in the IA group were primarily enriched for the processes,such as inflammatory response,MHC classⅡantigen processing and presentation,cell migration,signal transduction,metabolism,and immune response.In contrast the IT group exhibited lower enrichment intensity and a significant reduction in interfer-on responses.The DEGs of pDC in the IA group were enriched in the processes of MHC-Ⅱantigen presentation,Fc receptor signal transduction,and metabolism,whereas those in the IT group were showed enrichment only in Fc receptor signal transduction and me-tabolism with a lower intensity.Both groups exhibited reduced synthesis of typesⅠandⅡinterferons in pDC,with the IT group showing a more pronounced downregulation.Cell-cell communication analysis demonstrated enhanced interactions between myeloid cells(except pDC)and T cells in the IA group,whereas the interactions between cDC/pDC and T cells in the IT group were reduced.Transcription factor analysis revealed that STAT2,STAT3,IRF1,and IRF5 were highly expressed in the IA group but their expression exhibited low-er expression levels in the IT group.In contrast,BHLHE40 was broadly upregulated in both cDC and pDC subsets within the IT group.The qRT-PCR results were consistent with the findings from the single-cell transcription factor analysis.Conclusion The IT phase of hepatitis B infection represents a critical period for cDC dysfunction,characterized by significant suppression of MHCⅡantigen presen-tation,metabolism,and interferon responsiveness.The functional impairment of pDC precedes that of cDC,as evidenced by a marked downregulation of interferon synthesis capacity observed during the IA phase.

Ulcerative colitis(UC)is an inflammatory disease characterized by a continuous diffuse lesion in the colorectal mucosa.Macrophages,as key players in the inflammatory microenvironment,are significantly correlated with the development of UC.Based on the TCM pathogenesis of UC,this article reviewed the current research status of targeted regulation of macrophages in the treatment of UC using TCM,summarized the biological processes related to macrophages and their role in the progression of UC,and concluded the molecular mechanism of TCM treatment of UC targeting macrophages.It found that the active components of Chinese materia medica,TCM compounds,and TCM non-pharmacological therapies mainly regulate macrophage activity by regulating macrophage polarization,autophagy,pyroptosis,metabolic reprogramming,oxidative stress,and other processes,thereby delaying the progression of UC.This article aimed to provide references for in-depth exploration of the pathogenesis of UC and the TCM prevention and treatment of UC.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Objective Investigate the expression level and clinical significance of microRNA-223-3p(miR-223-3p)in the serum of pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes(PPROM).Methods A total of 91 pregnant women who underwent cesarean delivery at the Xuzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital affiliated with Xuzhou Medical University between April and September 2023 were selected for the study.This included 60 cases of PPROM and 31 cases of term normal pregnant women as the research subjects.The study group was divided based on the pathological results of the membranes into:PPROM group without histological chorioamnionitis(HCA)(PPROM group,n = 37),and PPROM group with HCA(PPROM+HCA group,n = 23).Serum samples from pregnant women were collected before hospital treatment,and the expression level of miR-223-3p in the serum was detected by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).The levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α in the serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The expression level of miR-223-3p in the serum of the PPROM+HCA group was significantly higher than that of the PPROM group and the normal group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α in the serum of the PPROM+HCA group were also significantly higher than those of the PPROM group and the normal group(P＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between the expression level of miR-223-3p in the serum of the PPROM+HCA group and the expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α(r = 0.553,0.505,0438,0.656,P＜0.05).Conclusion The upregulation of miR-223-3p in the serum of pregnant women with PPROM+HCA is associated with the severity of inflammation in PPROM.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objective To explore the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on central facial paralysis after ischemic stroke. Methods From June, 2020 to June, 2021, 54 patients with central facial palsy after ischemic stroke who were hospitalized in the Rehabilitation Department of Xuzhou Central Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 27) and experimental group (n = 27). Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation treatment, including medication and facial muscle rehabilitation training. The experimental group was treated with 5 Hz rTMS on the affected primary motor cortex, and the control group was treated with the same parameters of sham stimulation at the same site. Before treatment and four weeks after treatment, the House-Brackmann Grading System 2.0 (HBGS-2), the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, the horizontal distance difference between the bilateral mouth corners to the lower center of the philtrum at rest, the horizontal distance difference between the bilateral mouth corners to the intersection of the mandibular central incisor when showing the teeth at the best effort and the angle of the tongue midline deviating from the facial midline when the tongue was stretched out were used to evaluate the facial nerve function of the patient. Results One case dropped down in each group. Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the scores of HBGS-2 and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, the horizontal distance difference between the bilateral mouth corners to the lower center of the philtrum at rest, the horizontal distance difference between the bilateral mouth corners to the intersection of the mandibular central incisor when showing the teeth at the best effort, and the angle of the tongue midline deviating from the facial midline when the tongue was stretched out between two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, all the indexes significantly improved in both groups (|t| > 8.987, P < 0.001), and were better in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.939, P < 0.01). Conclusion 5 Hz rTMS on the affected primary motor cortex is effective on the facial nerve function of patients with central facial palsy after ischemic stroke.