BACKGROUND:The correlation between sacroiliac joint degeneration and lumbar degenerative disease has been analyzed in the literature in the past,but the clinical efficacy and imaging changes after interbody fusion with sacroiliac joint ankylosis in patients with lumbar degenerative disease have not been reported in the literature.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on the clinical efficacy and lumbar sagittal regression after L5/S1 single-segment transforminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative disease.METHODS:Thirty-seven patients who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease with sacroiliac joint ankylosis between June 2020 and September 2023 in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed as group A.Thirty-seven patients with lumbar degenerative disease without sacroiliac joint ankylosis who were matched for general information during the same period were selected as controls in group B.Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale for lumbar and lower limb pain.The lumbar sagittal parameters included lumbar anterior convexity angle,lumbar partial anterior convexity angle,and lower lumbar anterior convexity angle.Pfirrmann grading was used to assess the degree of preoperative disc degeneration,postoperative endplate damage and screw loosening,and to record the fusion of the operated segments at the final postoperative follow-up visit.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in age,body mass index,bone mineral density,operation time,intraoperative bleeding,preoperative primary diagnosis and postoperative follow-up time between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)The preoperative Pfirrmann grading of lumbar disc degeneration in group A patients(3.4±0.9)was significantly higher than that of group B(3.1±0.6),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.059,P=0.044).(3)All patients showed significant improvement in postoperative lumbar sagittal parameters compared with preoperative ones(all P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there was a loss of correction in patients in group A.There was no statistical difference in the lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative period(P＞0.05).The lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle in group A were significantly lower than those of group B patients at both preoperative and final follow-up,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).(4)There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative endplate injury between the two groups(x2=0.181,P=0.670),and screw loosening was significantly higher in group A than in group B,with a statistically significant difference(x2=4.163,P=0.041).(5)At the last follow-up,the incidence of grade 3 fusion and grade 4 fusion was significantly higher in group A than in group B.The difference in the distribution of fusion grades between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=7.848,P=0.031).(6)The Oswestry disability index and lower limb visual analog scale scores at the last follow-up of both groups were significantly improved compared with the preoperative period(P＜0.05).The visual analog scale scores for low back pain at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up of group A were significantly higher than those of group B(t=2.010,P=0.048;t=2.133,P=0.036).(7)It is concluded that regardless of whether it is accompanied by sacroiliac joint ankylosis or not,lumbar degenerative disease patients who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum can achieve good therapeutic effects,but lumbar degenerative disease patients with sacroiliac joint ankylosis who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum at the L5/S1 segments have a poorer improvement of low back pain than patients without sacroiliac joint ankylosis after the operation.Furthermore,patients with preoperative sacroiliac ankylosis who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion had a low fusion rate and were prone to loss of correction of the lumbar sagittal position.

BACKGROUND:The correlation between sacroiliac joint degeneration and lumbar degenerative disease has been analyzed in the literature in the past,but the clinical efficacy and imaging changes after interbody fusion with sacroiliac joint ankylosis in patients with lumbar degenerative disease have not been reported in the literature.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on the clinical efficacy and lumbar sagittal regression after L5/S1 single-segment transforminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative disease.METHODS:Thirty-seven patients who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease with sacroiliac joint ankylosis between June 2020 and September 2023 in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed as group A.Thirty-seven patients with lumbar degenerative disease without sacroiliac joint ankylosis who were matched for general information during the same period were selected as controls in group B.Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale for lumbar and lower limb pain.The lumbar sagittal parameters included lumbar anterior convexity angle,lumbar partial anterior convexity angle,and lower lumbar anterior convexity angle.Pfirrmann grading was used to assess the degree of preoperative disc degeneration,postoperative endplate damage and screw loosening,and to record the fusion of the operated segments at the final postoperative follow-up visit.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in age,body mass index,bone mineral density,operation time,intraoperative bleeding,preoperative primary diagnosis and postoperative follow-up time between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)The preoperative Pfirrmann grading of lumbar disc degeneration in group A patients(3.4±0.9)was significantly higher than that of group B(3.1±0.6),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.059,P=0.044).(3)All patients showed significant improvement in postoperative lumbar sagittal parameters compared with preoperative ones(all P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there was a loss of correction in patients in group A.There was no statistical difference in the lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative period(P＞0.05).The lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle in group A were significantly lower than those of group B patients at both preoperative and final follow-up,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).(4)There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative endplate injury between the two groups(x2=0.181,P=0.670),and screw loosening was significantly higher in group A than in group B,with a statistically significant difference(x2=4.163,P=0.041).(5)At the last follow-up,the incidence of grade 3 fusion and grade 4 fusion was significantly higher in group A than in group B.The difference in the distribution of fusion grades between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=7.848,P=0.031).(6)The Oswestry disability index and lower limb visual analog scale scores at the last follow-up of both groups were significantly improved compared with the preoperative period(P＜0.05).The visual analog scale scores for low back pain at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up of group A were significantly higher than those of group B(t=2.010,P=0.048;t=2.133,P=0.036).(7)It is concluded that regardless of whether it is accompanied by sacroiliac joint ankylosis or not,lumbar degenerative disease patients who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum can achieve good therapeutic effects,but lumbar degenerative disease patients with sacroiliac joint ankylosis who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum at the L5/S1 segments have a poorer improvement of low back pain than patients without sacroiliac joint ankylosis after the operation.Furthermore,patients with preoperative sacroiliac ankylosis who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion had a low fusion rate and were prone to loss of correction of the lumbar sagittal position.

OBJECTIVE To explore the antidepressant mechanism of Wenyang jieyu granules （WYJYG） via the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3）/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）/Caspase-1 pathway. METHODS A rat model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with single-housing for 42 consecutive days.The experiment set up blank group， model group， MCC950 （NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor） group （10 mg/kg）， fluoxetine group （positive control，2.08 mg/kg），low-dose WYJYG（3.78 g/kg） and high-dose WYJYG group （7.56 g/kg），with 10 rats in each group. From the 22nd day of the experiment， rats in the fluoxetine group， low-dose and high-dose WYJYG groups were intragastrically administered with the corresponding drugs and intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Rats in the MCC950 group were intraperitoneally injected with MCC950 at the corresponding concentration and intragastrically administered with an equal volume of distilled water. Rats in the blank group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage and an equal volume of normal saline by intraperitoneal injection. All interventions were performed once a day for 21 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were conducted once a week. After the last administration， the contents of ASC， ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba1）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and IL-18 in hippocampal tissues were detected. The protein expressions of NLRP3， cluster of differentiation 68 （CD68）， Caspase-1， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein were determined， and neuronal apoptosis was observed. RESULTS After the last administration， compared with the model group， the open-field activity time was significantly prolonged （ P ＜0.05）， and the latency to feed in a novel environment was significantly shortened （ P ＜0.05） in rats of the high-dose WYJYG group. In hippocampal tissue， the contents of ASC， Iba1， IL-1β， and IL-18， as well as the protein expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and CD68， and the positive rate of neuronal apoptosis were all significantly decreased/downregulated （ P ＜0.05）. Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly upregulated （ P ＜0.05）， and the density of neuronal apoptosis-positive cells was significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS WYJYG play on antidepressant role by inhibiting the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway， reducing microglia-mediated neuroinflammation， and inhibiting hippocampal neurons apoptosis.

Objective:This study aimed to compare short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in saliva between patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) and healthy controls, and to explore the relationship between these SCFAs and the salivary microbiota.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted, enrolling 36 patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) who visited the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital between February and November 2023. All patients were diagnosed via pharyngeal pH monitoring. The LPRD group included 30 males and 6 females, aged 20-53 years (30.61±7.83 years). In addition, 39 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group, comprising 25 males and 14 females, aged 18–58 years (28.64±7.97 years). Unstimulated mixed saliva samples were collected from all participants. Concentrations of eight SCFAs (acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, hexanoic acid, and heptanoic acid) in saliva were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Salivary DNA was extracted, followed by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to analyze the microbiota composition at the genus level. The SCFA concentrations and the differences in bacterial species between the LPRD and control groups were compared, and the correlation between SCFA concentrations and the relative abundance of different bacterial genera in the salivary microbiota was analyzed. All statistical analyses were performed using R version 3.6.1 and SPSS version 26.0, while, microbiome analyses were conducted using R language.Results:Salivary hexanoic acid concentration was significantly higher in the LPRD group than in the control group [(29.50±19.61) ng/ml vs. (10.15±3.65) ng/ml; t=-2.72, P<0.05]. Significant differences in the relative abundance of 17 bacterial genera were observed between the two groups ( P<0.05), including Prevotella, Butyrivibrio, Streptococcus, and Actinomyces. Correlation analysis revealed that hexanoic acid concentration was significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Butyrivibrio (γ=0.73, P<0.05) and Streptococcus (γ=0.78, P<0.05), while showing a significant negative correlation with Actinomyces (γ=-0.73, P<0.05). Conclusion:Elevated salivary hexanoic acid levels may be associated with the development of LPRD. Dysbiosis of the salivary microbiota might contribute to LPRD pathogenesis by altering the concentrations of SCFA, particularly hexanoic acid.

[Purpose]To analyze the trends of incidence and age at onset of leukemia in Jiangsu cancer registration areas from 2009 to 2019.[Methods]The continuous monitoring data of leukemia from 2009 to 2019 were collected from 16 cancer registries in Jiangsu Province.All datasets were checked and evaluated based on data quality control criteria and were included in the analysis.Crude incidence rate(CIR),age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard population(ASIRC),the average annual percentage change(AAPC),the standardized average age at onset,the changes in the age structure of incidence and the changes in the birth cohort by year were calculated.[Results]The incidence rate of leukemia significantly increased from 5.22/105 in 2009 to 7.88/105 in 2019,with a significant upward trend(for CIR,AAPC=4.95％,95％CI:3.82％～6.09％;for ASIRC,AAPC=2.97％,95％CI:1.52％～4.43％).The incidence rates were in-creased in all age groups and increased with the birth cohort by years.There was a tendency of backward shift for the age composition of the population,with the increasing of composition for those over 60 years old.The mean age at onset increased from 48.62 years old in 2009 to 57.96 years old in 2019,with a backward shift in the mean age(β=0.773,P＜0.001),and the mean age at onset increased with the year only in rural areas after standardization(β=0.428,P=0.017).[Conclusion]Leukemia incidence rate in Jiangsu Province increased from 2009 to 2019,and the age at onset has shifted backwards.It's important to strengthen the early prevention and control of leukemia.

Objective:The 5th edition of the WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in 2021 made significant revisions to the nomenclature and grading system of solitary fibrous tumors (SFT). This study aimed to explore the changes in the grading of CNS SFT and its relationship with clinical pathological features and prognosis.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological data of 82 patients with CNS SFT diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from March 2006 to June 2021, reassessed their grading according to the WHO 5th edition CNS tumor classification, and conducted a comprehensive analysis of their histological morphology, immunohistochemical characteristics, and clinical imaging data.Results:The age of the patients ranged from 21 to 83 years, with a median age of 48 years. Follow-up was completed for 82 patients, during which 10 patients died, 24 recurred, and 5 metastasized. MRI imaging showed that SFT exhibited isointense signals on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and complex signals on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), with signal intensity decreasing as the content of collagen fibers increased. According to the 2021 grading criteria, there was a significant change in the grading of SFT, with the number of grade 1 SFT increasing from 10 cases under the 2016 standard to 39 cases, while the number of grade 2 and 3 SFT decreased accordingly. The 2016 grading system was significantly correlated with the overall survival (OS) of patients ( P=0.009), while the 2021 grading system did not reach statistical significance. Both grading systems were correlated with histological phenotype, Ki-67 index, mitotic figures, and necrosis ( P＜0.05). All cases expressed STAT6, and showed varying degrees of expression of vimentin, CD99, BCL-2, and CD34. The staining intensity of type Ⅳ collagen fibers, as analyzed semi-quantitatively, was correlated with the OS of the patients ( P=0.017). Conclusions:The new grading system for CNS SFT has undergone significant changes, and its association with OS requires further validation. In-depth study of the content and fine structure of collagen fibers in SFT may have important clinical significance for the prognosis assessment and the formulation of treatment plans for patients. Moreover, quantitative analysis of T2WI signal intensity may provide a new method for preoperative preliminary assessment of the collagen fiber content in SFT.

Objective:To analyze the influencing factors of low fall alertness in elderly inpatients,construct a risk prediction model and validate it,providing a reference for clinical medical staff to identify elderly inpatients with low fall alertness in the early stage.Methods:A total of 605 elderly inpatients treated in Yijishan Hospital affiliated to Wannan Medical College from Oct 2023 to Mar 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into the training group(n=423)and validation group(n=182)at a ratio of 7∶3.The patients were evaluated using a general information questionnaire,the Social Frailty Screening Tool(HALFT),the Tilburg Frailty Indicator(TFI),and the Self-Awareness of Falls in Elderly scale(SAFE).Multivariate logistic analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of low fall alertness in elderly inpatients.RStudio was used to construct a risk prediction model of low fall alertness.The discrimination,calibration,and clinical net benefit of the model were verified using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration plots,and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results:Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the history of falls,monthly income,previous physical activity time,social frailty score and TFI score were independent risk factors for low fall alertness in elderly inpatients.The Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 test showed that χ2=8.863,P=0.354,indicating good calibration of the prediction model.The area under the ROC curve of the training group and the validation group were 0.860(95%CI:0.815-0.904)and 0.937(95%CI:0.888-0.986),respectively,and the maximum Youden indices of the model was 0.576 and 0.788,respectively,indicating good discrimination of the model.The DCA decision curve showed that the model had good clinical effectiveness.Conclusion:The constructed model has a good prediction effect and can help clinical medical staff quickly and effectively screen out elderly inpatients at risk of low fall alertness.

Objective To investigate whether microRNA-21-5p(miR-21)plays a protective role in hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury(HALI)by regulating ferroptosis through the STAT3/P53/SLC7A11 axis.Methods The interaction between STAT3 and P53 was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP).Fifty 9-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normoxia(Control)group,HALI group,miR-21 overexpression(miR-21)group,STAT3 inhibitor(HY-13818)group,and ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)group.After the mice from the miR-21 group received miR-21-5p AAV6 or empty vector via tracheal catheter instillation,the animals were then monitored for 3 weeks.The HY-13818 group was intraperitoneally injected with HY-13818(10 mg/kg)3 times weekly for 2 weeks.The Fer-1 group received 0.8 mg/kg ferrostatin-1 via tail vein injection once daily for 2 consecutive days during modeling.The HALI model was established by exposure to>90%oxygen.After 48 h of hyperoxia,blood samples were collected via orbital sampling for RT-PCR analysis of miR-21 expression.Lung tissues were harvested for wet/dry weight ratio and assessment of histopathological changes via HE staining for lung injury score.Activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),Fe2?,glutathione(GSH),and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were measured using photocolorimetry,spectrophotometry and fluorometry.Western blotting was used to evaluate the protein expression of STAT3,P53,SLC7A11,and GPX4.Results The results of Co-IP showed that STAT3 could bind to P53.The HALI group exhibited obviously destroyed alveolar structure,disordered arrangement,thickened interval,with a large number of infiltrated neutrophils and collapsed alveoli,and had significantly increased pathological score of lung injury and ratio of lung Wwet/Ddry weight when compared with the Control group(P<0.05).In the miR-21 group,HY-13818 group and Fer-1 group,the severity of lung injury was significantly reduced,and the pathological score of lung injury and the ratio of Wwet/Ddry weight were decreased(P<0.05)when compared with the HALI group.Compared with the control group,the contents of MDA,Fe2+and ROS were increased(P<0.05),the activity of SOD and content of GSH were declined(P<0.05),the protein levels of STAT3 and P53 were increased(P<0.05),and those of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were decreased(P<0.05)in the HALI group.Compared with the HALI group,decreased MDA and ROS levels(P<0.05),enhanced SOD activity,Fe2+and GSH levels(P<0.05),down-regulation of STAT3 and P53(P<0.05)and up-regulation of SLC7A11 and GPX4(P<0.05)were observed in the miR-21 group and HY-13818 group.Conclusion MiR-21 alleviates HALI,which may be related to its inhibition of ferroptosis through the STAT3/P53/SLC7A11 axis.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the mechanism of buprenorphine in attenuating neuroinflammation in microglia and the MAM domain-containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor gene 1 ( MDGA1). Methods:The human microglial cell line HMC-3 was cultured in vitro and divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a table of random numbers: control group (Con group), lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group, buprenorphine + LPS group (Bup+ LPS group) and buprenorphine + LPS + MDGA1 knockdown group (Bup+ LPS+ shMDGA1 group). LPS group was incubated with LPS at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml for 4 h. Bup+ LPS group was incubated with buprenorphine at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml for 1 h, followed by incubation with LPS at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml for 4 h. Bup+ LPS+ shMDGA1 group was transfected with MDGA1-specific shorthairpin RNA for knockdown, and the remaining treatment was similar to those previously described in Bup+ LPS group. The expression of MDGA1 in microglia was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Compared with Con group, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS in the supernatant were significantly increased, and the expression of MDGA1 in microglia was down-regulated in LPS group ( P<0.05). Compared with LPS group, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS in the supernatant were significantly decreased, and the expression of MDGA1 in microglia was up-regulated in Bup+ LPS group ( P<0.05). Compared with Bup+ LPS group, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS in the supernatant were significantly increased, and the expression of MDGA1 in microglia was down-regulated in Bup+ LPS+ sh MDGA1 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which buprenorphine alleviates neuroinflammation in microglia may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of MDGA1.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic features of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) of the stomach and duodenum.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively analyze 238 biopsy specimens of gastric and duodenal EGE (75 cases) and 133 biopsy specimens of chronic active gastroenteritis (97 cases) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China from 2012 to 2023. The eosinophil count, infiltration site and other pathological features (e.g., infiltration of neutrophils into the epithelium, edema, and increase of background lymphocytes and plasma cells) were examined under a microscope. Chi-square test, chi-square multiple comparison ( Bonferroni method) and modified Poisson regression were used to analyze the data. Results:The results showed that there were significant differences in eosinophil count ( χ2=43.926, P<0.01), location ( χ2=31.391, P<0.01), neutrophilic infiltration of the epithelium ( χ2=5.199, P=0.023), edema ( χ2=3.934, P=0.047), and lymphoplasmacytosis ( χ2=36.813, P<0.01) between the EGE and control cases. The results of Chi-square multiple comparisons showed that eosinophils distributed in clusters or sheets (versus other grades of eosinophil presence) were statistically associated with EGE. When eosinophils infiltrated the epithelium (versus eosinophils in other locations of the mucosa), there was a statistically significant association with EGE. Modified Poisson regression also showed that EGE was more likely to have eosinophilic infiltration of epithelium [ RR=1.661, P=0.001,95% CI (1.397,1.973)] and that of muscularis mucosa [ RR=1.818, P<0.01,95% CI (1.491,2.216)]. Conclusions:The important pathological features for diagnosing EGE of the stomach and duodenum are that eosinophils are clustered or distributed in sheets with epithelial infiltration. However, epithelial infiltration by neutrophils, edema and background lymphoplasmacytosis are relatively rare.