Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease （AD）， Parkinson's disease （PD）， and Huntington's disease （HD） are increasingly becoming major challenges to global public health. The pathogenesis of these diseases is highly complex， with oxidative damage and ferroptosis emerging as potential core factors. Oxidative damage primarily results from the accumulation of reactive oxygen species （ROS） within cells， a process that impairs cellular function and viability. Ferroptosis， an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death， plays a crucial role in neuronal injury and apoptosis. Multiple studies indicate a significant interaction between oxidative damage and ferroptosis. This interplay not only accelerates the progression of neurodegenerative diseases but also offers new directions for potential therapeutic targets. This review systematically analyzes the mechanisms of oxidative damage and ferroptosis in various neurodegenerative diseases， evaluates current research frontiers， and explores feasible therapeutic strategies， aiming to provide new insights and perspectives for in-depth research in this field.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of uni-portal non-coaxial spinal endoscopic surgery (UNSES) via crossing midline approach (CMA) in the treatment of free lumbar disc herniation (FLDH). METHODS: Between March 2024 and June 2024, 16 patients with FLDH were admitted and treated with UNSES via CMA. There were 9 males and 7 females with an average age of 55.1 years (range, 47-62 years). The disease duration was 8-30 months (mean, 15.6 months). The pathological segments was L _{3, 4} in 4 cases, L _{4, 5} in 5 cases, and L ₅, S ₁ in 7 cases. The preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.9±0.9 and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) was 57.22%±4.16%. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative hospital stay, and incidence of complications were recorded. The spinal pain and functional status were evaluated by VAS score and ODI, and effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria. CT and MRI were used to evaluate the effect of nerve decompression. RESULTS: All 16 patients underwent operation successfully without any complications. The operation time was 63-81 minutes (mean, 71.0 minutes). The intraoperative bleeding volume was 47.3-59.0 mL (mean, 55.0 mL). The length of hospital stay after operation was 3-4 days (mean, 3.5 days). All patients were followed up 1-3 months, with 15 cases followed up for 2 months and 14 cases for 3 months. The VAS score and ODI gradually decreased over time after operation, and there were significant differences between different time points ( P<0.05). At 3 months after operation, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 12 cases and good in 2 cases according to the modified MacNab criteria, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. CT and MRI during follow-up showed a significant increase in the diameter and cross-sectional area of the spinal canal, indicating effective decompression of the canal. CONCLUSION When using UNSES to treat FLDH, choosing CMA for nerve decompression has the advantages of wide decompression range, large operating space, and freedom of operation. It can maximize the preservation of the articular process, avoid fracture and breakage of the isthmus, clearly display the exiting and traversing nerve root, and achieve good short-term effectiveness.
Humans ; Male ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Operative Time ; Pain Measurement ; Length of Stay

Objective To investigate the value of prone-position MRI of lumbar spine for diagnosing pediatric occult tethered cord syndrome(OTCS).Methods A total of 67 children with suspected tethered cord syndrome(TCS)and confirmed OTCS by surgery were prospectively enrolled as OTCS group,while 73 healthy subjects were recruited as control group.Supine-and prone-position lumbar MR examinations were performed in both groups.The position of filum terminale on prone axial T2WI and the presence or absence of"sunset sign"(i.e.filum terminale located within the dorsal 1/2 of spinal canal on prone axial T2WI)were observed,spinal cord conus mobility was calculated.The efficacy of"sunset sign"for diagnosing OTCS in children was calculated through comparison between groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of spinal cord conus mobility.Results On prone-position axial T2WI,"sunset sign"was found in 58 cases(58/67,86.57％)but not in 9 cases(9/67,13.43％)in OTCS group,which was not even observed in control group.The sensitivity of"sunset sign"for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 86.57％(58/67),with specificity of 100％(73/73),positive predictive value of 100％(58/58)and negative predictive value of 89.02％(73/82).The spinal cord conus mobility was(19.30±5.89)％in OTCS group and(31.71±6.58)％in control group,being statistically different between groups(t=-11.722,P＜0.001).The sensitivity,specificity and AUC of spinal cord conus mobility for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 80.60％,90.41％and 0.920,respectively.Conclusion Prone-position MRI of lumbar spine could be used in diagnosing pediatric OTCS.

Objective:To investigate the association of skeletal muscle function(including muscle strength and physical performance) and insulin resistance as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:The retrospective study included 942 patients who visited the Department of Geriatrics at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between October 2020 and July 2024. Low skeletal muscle function was defined as either reduced muscle strength or impaired physical performance. Muscle strength was assessed by grip strength, while physical performance was evaluated using the 5-time chair stand test. The associations between muscle function, insulin resistance, and T2DM were analyzed.Results:A significant association was observed between decreased skeletal muscle function and a higher prevalence of T2DM( P=0.001). Further analysis revealed that decreased physical performance was significantly associated with increased T2DM prevalence( P<0.001), whereas reduced muscle strength showed no significant association with T2DM prevalence( P=0.331). Linear regression analysis indicated that both the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA2-IR) and fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly with longer chair stand times( P<0.05). Restrictive cubic spline(RCS) analysis demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between chair-rising time and HOMA2-IR. Notably, when the cumulative chair-rising time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increased significantly with prolonged chair stand time. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with patients with normal physical performance, those with decreased physical performance had significantly higher odds of T2DM( OR=2.64, P<0.001) and insulin resistance( OR=2.34, P=0.002). Conclusion:Decline in physical performance is significantly positively associated with insulin resistance and the risk of T2DM. Morever, when the cumulative chair stand time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increases progressively with further prolongation of chair stand time.

This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; China ; Consensus ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Dermal Fillers

Acute liver injury (ALI) serves as a critical precursor and major etiological factor in the progression and ultimate manifestation of various hepatic disorders. The prevention and treatment of ALI is still a serious global challenge. Given the limited therapeutic options for ALI, exploring novel targeted therapeutic agents becomes imperative. The potential therapeutic efficacy of inhibiting RIPK2 is highlighted, as it may provide significant benefits by attenuating the MAPK pathway and NF-κB signaling. Herein, we propose a CMD-OPT model, a two-stage molecular optimization tool for the rapid discovery of RIPK2 inhibitors with optimal properties. Compound RP20, which targets the ATP binding site, demonstrated excellent kinase specificity, ideal oral pharmacokinetics, and superior therapeutic effects in a model of APAP-induced ALI, positioning RP20 as a promising preclinical candidate. This marks the first application of RIPK2 inhibitors in ALI treatment, opening a novel therapeutic pathway for clinical applications. These results highlight the efficacy of the CMD-OPT model in producing lead compounds from known active molecules, showcasing its significant potential in drug discovery.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar crop. Biotic and abiotic stresses such as diseases, cold, and drought are major factors limiting sugarcane production. β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), a member of the pathogenesis-related protein family, plays an essential role not only in the plant defenses against pathogens but also in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. To systematically investigate the sugarcane β-1,3-glucanase gene family, 132 glycoside hydrolase (GH) 17 family members were identified in the genomes of the sugarcane wild species Saccharum spontaneum 'Np-X', the tropical species S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', and the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570'. The results of the phylogenetic analysis categorized them into four subfamilies, of which subfamily Ⅳ had the largest proportion of members (102). The members of the sugarcane GH17 gene family contained five conserved motifs and 0-16 introns. The majority of the GH17 genes exhibited a genome-wide replication pattern, with 89.50% originating from S. spontaneum 'Np-X' and S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', while 58.10% of them in the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570' belonged to the discrete replication type. Four major classes of cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters, including the elements related to plant growth, development, and tissue-specific expression (14.21%), light-responsive elements (38.24%), biotic or abiotic stress-responsive elements (9.18%), and hormone-responsive elements (38.37%), which suggested that this gene family was involved in plant growth, development, hormone responses, and stress responses. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses showed that the sugarcane GH17 genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and were differentially expressed under low temperature, drought, and hormone treatments, as well as during the interactions between different sugarcane genotypes and Sporisorium scitamineum, suggesting their potential roles in plant defenses. In addition, some SsGlu genes (SsGlu5, SsGlu20, SsGlu21, SsGlu25, SsGlu28, and SsGlu39) were expected to serve as candidate stress-related genes. This study lays a foundation for further revealing the molecular mechanisms of the stress resistance of sugarcane via β-1,3-glucanase genes.
Saccharum/physiology* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase/metabolism* ; Multigene Family ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

To explore the diagnostic value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with modified biopsy forceps for suspected malignant biliary obstruction, 72 patients with suspected malignant biliary obstruction who underwent ERCP using modified biopsy forceps from January 2017 to April 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine were selected as the modified group, while 61 contemporaneous patients who underwent ERCP with traditional biopsy forceps were selected as the control group at the same time. The stenosis site was identified during the operation, and the effective pathological tissue was obtained by biopsy. Benign or malignant tumor was determined according to the medical history and clinical follow-up data. The sensitivity and specificity of the two groups were compared. The success rate of biopsy was 100.00% in the two groups. All patients had no serious complications and were diagnosed histologically. Sixty-seven cases were finally diagnosed as malignant and 5 cases were benign in the modified group. In the control group, 58 cases were malignant and 3 cases were benign. The sensitivity for diagnosis of malignant biliary stricture was 79.10% (54/67) in the modified group, and 60.34% (35/58) in the control group, with significant difference ( χ2=6.218, P= 0.013). The specificity of the two methods for the diagnosis of malignant stenosis was 100.00%. Therefore, it is safe and effective to apply ERCP combined with the modified biopsy forceps in the diagnosis of extrahepatic malignant bile duct stenosis.

Objective To develop a nomogram-based predictive model for assessing the risk of respiratory distress syndrome(RDS)in premature infants in the high-altitude region of Dali.The predictive performance and clinical applicability of the model will be systematically evaluated to provide evidence-based guidance for the early diagnosis and clinical management of respiratory distress in premature infants.Methods A total of 680 preterm infants admitted to the Dali Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024 were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into a training set(n=476)and a validation set(n=204)at a ratio of 7∶3.Independent predictors were identified through univariate logistic regression and multivariate stepwise regression analyses,and a nomogram model was subsequently developed using R software.The performance of the model,including its discrimination,calibration,stability,and clinical applicability,was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,bootstrap resampling method,and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results The final model incorporated seven independent variables:gestational age,birth weight,Apgar score,blood oxygen saturation,gestational hyperglycemia,prenatal glucocor-ticoid therapy,and maternal history of infection.The areas under the curve(AUCs)for the training and validation sets were 0.88(95%CI:0.84～0.92)and 0.83(95%CI:0.76～0.89),respectively,with all Hosmer-Lemeshow test p-values exceeding 0.05.The bootstrap-corrected AUC was 0.85(95%CI:0.81～0.89).DCA indicated that the model achieved the highest net benefit at a risk threshold range of 10%to 35%.Conclusions This model integrates multiple risk factors associated with the occurrence of RDS in plateau environments,demonstrating robust predictive performance for RDS in preterm infants residing in high-altitude areas such as Dali.It can serve as a valuable tool for risk stratification and clinical decision-making,and may also provide a reference for future multicenter prospective studies.

Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4～L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4～L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4～L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.