ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of proanthocyanidins （PC） on rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） complicated with cognitive impairment （CI） and to explore its potential mechanism by inhibiting the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1 （Caspase-1） pathway. MethodsA T2DM rat model was established by high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal streptozotocin （STZ） injection. Thirty-six diabetic rats complicated with CI were screened by Morris water maze test and randomly divided into model group， PC low-dose （50 mg/kg） group， PC medium-dose （100 mg/kg） group， and PC high-dose （200 mg/kg） group. Another 9 normal rats served as the normal control group. Each group was administered with the corresponding doses of PC or an equal volume of distilled water by gavage for 8 weeks. After the intervention， spatial learning and memory abilities were evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Fasting blood glucose， body weight， and organ coefficients were measured. Pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels， as well as levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in hippocampal tissue， were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and IL-18 in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal control group， the model group exhibited significantly increased blood glucose and decreased body weight （P<0.05）. In the Morris water maze test， the model group showed prolonged escape latency， fewer platform crossings， and lower percentages of time and path length in the target quadrant （P<0.05）. Disordered arrangement and pyknotic nuclei were observed in hippocampal neurons. ROS and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were elevated， and the protein expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， IL-1β and IL-18 were upregulated （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all PC-treated groups， especially the high-dose group， presented dose-dependent improvements in the above indicators， including reduced blood glucose （P<0.05）， improved spatial memory performance in the Morris water maze （P<0.01）， alleviated hippocampal pathological damage， decreased ROS and inflammatory cytokine levels （P<0.05）， and significantly downregulated expression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway-related proteins （P<0.05）. ConclusionProanthocyanidins can ameliorate glycolipid metabolic disorder， visceral organ injury as well as cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats. The underlying mechanism may be associated with reduced hippocampal ROS levels， inhibition of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway， and attenuated neuroinflammation in the hippocampus， with the optimal effect observed at a dose of 200 mg/kg.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the numbers of peripheral blood CD4 +T cell subpopulations in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) and its clinical significance. Methods:A total of 188 patients with newly diagnosed RA in the department of rheumatology and immunology of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023 were collected, including 48 cases of EORA (age of onset: ≥60 years old), 140 cases of young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) (18 years old ≤ age of onset < 60 years old). Meanwhile, 151 healthy controls (HC) were collected, of which 31 persons aged 60-85 years were included as HC group 1 (HC 1) and 120 individuals aged 18-59 years were included as HC group 2 (HC 2). Peripheral blood CD4 +T lymphocyte subsets of these participants were assessed by flow cytometry. Differences between groups were analyzed using independent-samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. Results:Compared with healthy individuals, the absolute counts and percentages of peripheral blood Treg cells in patients with EORA were significantly decreased [absolute counts: 32.65 (23.04, 47.73) cells/μl vs. 23.03 (15.28, 32.12) cells/μl, Z=-3.35, P=0.001; percentages: 5.12%(4.13%, 6.16%) vs. 3.72% (2.79%, 4.82%), Z=-4.10, P<0.001], while the Th17/Treg cell ratio was increased [0.16 (0.12, 0.29) vs. 0.26 (0.18, 0.46), Z=-2.94, P=0.003], the differences are all significant. There was a tendency with higher absolute counts and percentages of Treg [absolute counts: 23.03 (15.28, 32.12) cells/μl vs. 20.97 (14.01, 30.64) cells/μl, Z=-0.58, P=0.561; percentages: 3.72%(2.79%, 4.82%) vs. 3.38% (2.39%, 4.71%), Z=-1.06, P=0.287] and lower Th17/Treg ratios [0.26 (0.18, 0.46) vs. 0.27 (0.19, 0.46), Z=-0.32, P=0.751] in EORA when compared to patients with YORA, but no significant differences were observed. Conclusion:Patients with EORA also have the reduced numbers of peripheral blood Treg cells and immune imbalance of Th17/Treg, suggesting that immune imbalance or dysfunction caused by defects in Treg cell counts and/or function contributes to the development of EORA, and that targeting Treg cells may be a promising therapeutic strategy for EORA.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the numbers of peripheral blood CD4 +T cell subpopulations in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) and its clinical significance. Methods:A total of 188 patients with newly diagnosed RA in the department of rheumatology and immunology of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023 were collected, including 48 cases of EORA (age of onset: ≥60 years old), 140 cases of young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) (18 years old ≤ age of onset < 60 years old). Meanwhile, 151 healthy controls (HC) were collected, of which 31 persons aged 60-85 years were included as HC group 1 (HC 1) and 120 individuals aged 18-59 years were included as HC group 2 (HC 2). Peripheral blood CD4 +T lymphocyte subsets of these participants were assessed by flow cytometry. Differences between groups were analyzed using independent-samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. Results:Compared with healthy individuals, the absolute counts and percentages of peripheral blood Treg cells in patients with EORA were significantly decreased [absolute counts: 32.65 (23.04, 47.73) cells/μl vs. 23.03 (15.28, 32.12) cells/μl, Z=-3.35, P=0.001; percentages: 5.12%(4.13%, 6.16%) vs. 3.72% (2.79%, 4.82%), Z=-4.10, P<0.001], while the Th17/Treg cell ratio was increased [0.16 (0.12, 0.29) vs. 0.26 (0.18, 0.46), Z=-2.94, P=0.003], the differences are all significant. There was a tendency with higher absolute counts and percentages of Treg [absolute counts: 23.03 (15.28, 32.12) cells/μl vs. 20.97 (14.01, 30.64) cells/μl, Z=-0.58, P=0.561; percentages: 3.72%(2.79%, 4.82%) vs. 3.38% (2.39%, 4.71%), Z=-1.06, P=0.287] and lower Th17/Treg ratios [0.26 (0.18, 0.46) vs. 0.27 (0.19, 0.46), Z=-0.32, P=0.751] in EORA when compared to patients with YORA, but no significant differences were observed. Conclusion:Patients with EORA also have the reduced numbers of peripheral blood Treg cells and immune imbalance of Th17/Treg, suggesting that immune imbalance or dysfunction caused by defects in Treg cell counts and/or function contributes to the development of EORA, and that targeting Treg cells may be a promising therapeutic strategy for EORA.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Objective:To explore the effects of the toolkit program for managing symptom clusters of adverse reactions to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer based on the comprehensive symptom management model on the symptom status, self-care ability and quality of life of ovarian cancer patients, and to provide guidance for clinical guidance on symptom management of adverse reactions to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer patients.Methods:A non-simultaneous before-and-after control was used to facilitate the selection of 45 ovarian cancer chemotherapy patients from the Department of Gynecology, Fenyang Hospital, Shanxi Province, from August 2022 to January 2023 as the control group, and 45 ovarian cancer chemotherapy patients from February to July 2023 as the experimeatal group. Routine care was used in the control group, and the experimental group used the Symptom Cluster Management Toolkit program based on the control group. Before intervention and after the end of the first, second, and third chemotherapy cycles, two groups of patients were evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Generic scale and Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale; after the end of the first, second, and third chemotherapy cycles, Adverse Reaction Events Evaluation Criteria 5.0 was used to evaluate the two groups. The symptom status, self-care ability, and quality of life between two groups of patients were compared.Results:Finally 43 cases in control group and 41 cases in experimental group were included, age of control group was (59.37 ± 8.61) years old and experimental group was (57.10 ± 9.97) years old. After intervention, at the end of the first, second, and third chemotherapy cycles were assessed for side effects, respectively: the nausea rating of the experimental group were 1 (1, 2), 1(1, 2), 2(1, 2), and the control group were 2 (1, 2), 2(1, 2), 2(1, 2); the vomiting rating of the experimental group were 1 (1, 2), 1(1, 2), 1(1, 2), and the control group were 2 (1, 2), 2(1, 2), 2(1, 2); peripheral sensory nerve disorder rating of the experimental group were 1 (1, 1), 1(1, 1), 1(1, 2), and the control group were 1 (1, 1), 1(1, 2), 2(1, 2); peripheral motor nerve disorder rating of the experimental group were 1 (1, 1), 1(1, 1), 1(1, 1), and the control group had a 1 (1, 1), 1(1, 2), 2(1, 2); the cognitive impairment rating of the experimental group were 1 (1, 1), 1(1, 1), 1(1, 1), and the control group were 1 (1, 1), 1(1, 2), 1(1, 2). All the differences were all statistically significant (Wald χ2 were from 4.41 to 6.54, all P<0.05); the control group′s self-care competence scores at the end of the first, second, and third cycles of chemotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer were (106.30 ± 13.03), (109.53 ± 13.85) and (111.95 ± 13.49) points, and (113.68 ± 11.33), (118.95 ± 11.39) and (123.66 ± 11.67) points in the experimental group, and the level of self-care ability of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group when comparing the two groups ( F = 8.61, P<0.05); and the level of quality of life at the end of the first, second, three chemotherapy cycles were (65.35 ± 7.58), (68.58 ± 7.61) and (70.95 ± 7.56) points in the control group, and (70.51 ± 5.89), (74.10 ± 5.70) and (77.00 ± 5.55) points in the experimental group, and the level of quality of life in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group in the comparison between groups ( F = 10.16, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of the toolkit intervention program for the management of symptom clusters of adverse reactions to chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer can reduce the symptom load of patients, improve self-care ability, and improve the quality of life.

Objective:To analyze the relationship between serum inflammatory factors and prognosis in children with severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).Methods:According to the severity of the disease, 100 children with HFMD-treated in the Xingtai Third Hospital from June 2022 to December 2023 were divided into severe group (38 cases) and mild group (62 cases), and 52 children admitted for physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group for retrospective analysis. Serum levels of inflammatory factors in the three groups were compared, Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the severity of the disease and the levels of inflammatory factors in the three groups, the levels of inflammatory factors in the mild group and the severe group with different prognosis after treatment were compared, and the factors affecting the prognosis of the children with HFMD were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.Results:The levels of interleukin 2, 6, 10, 17 (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-α (IFN-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the severe group before treatment [(7.89±2.04)ng/L, (59.15±14.21)ng/L, (81.54±12.54)ng/L, (59.63±12.17)ng/L, (33.74±9.55)ng/L, (91.37±23.44)ng/L, (116.48±15.77)ng/L] were higher than those in the mild and the control groups ( P<0.05). The levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-α and IFN-γ in the mild group [(4.77±1.12)ng/L, (28.68±8.12)ng/L, (45.41±11.28)ng/L, (36.77±10.29)ng/L, (22.45±6.68)ng/L, (68.42±15.99)ng/L, (39.58±9.45)ng/L] were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the severity of HFMD was positively correlated with IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-α and IFN-γ (all P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-α and IFN-γ of the children with poor prognosis in the mild and severe groups were higher than those of the children with good prognosis (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-γ were the risk factors affecting the prognosis of children with severe HFMD ( OR=2.370, 1.937, 2.065, 2.344, 2.264, 2.370, 2.020, all P<0.05). Conclusions:With the occurrence and aggravation of HFMD, the level of inflammatory factors in children shows an increasing trend, which is a risk factor affecting prognosis and can predict the therapeutic effect to a certain extent.