Co-infection of hepatitis D virus （HDV） and hepatitis B virus （HBV） is the most severe form of viral hepatitis and is associated with accelerated progression of liver disease and a significant increase in the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nucleo（s）tide analogues for HBV treatment are ineffective against HDV infection， necessitating the urgent need for developing specific and effective antiviral therapies for HDV. In recent years， significant advances have been made in the research and development of specific antiviral drugs against HDV， including entry inhibitors targeting viral entry （Bulevirtide） and monoclonal antibody drugs （Libevitug）， which bring ground-breaking advances in the treatment of HDV infection. This article briefly reviews the latest research advances in therapeutic drugs for HDV， introduces the mechanism of action and clinical research data of new drugs recently approved for the treatment of HDV， and discusses the challenges that need to be solved in the field of HDV treatment， in order to provide a reference for understanding the current status of hepatitis D treatment.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Banxia Xiexin Tang （BXT） regulates the advanced glycation end products （AGE）/receptor for advanced glycation end products （RAGE） signaling pathway to reduce neuroinflammatory responses and ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in the rat model of vascular dementia （VD）. MethodsThe components of BXT were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole -orbitrap-tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS）， and the core components and key action pathways were screened out by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly allocated into the sham and modeling groups by the random number table method. The VD model was replicated by the modified bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries （2-VO） method. The successfully modeled rats were randomly allocated into the model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （3.748 5， 7.497， 14.994 g·kg^-1） BXT （BXT-L， BXT-M， and BXT-H）， and nimodipine （NMP， 0.002 7 g·kg^-1） groups according to the random number table method. The rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage， and the sham and model groups received the same amount of normal saline for 14 consecutive days. The Morris water maze， Y-maze， and new object recognition experiments were conducted to evaluate the cognitive dysfunction of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to evaluate the histopathological changes of the hippocampal tissue in rats. The mRNA levels of AGE， RAGE， and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B p65 （p-NF-κB p65） in the hippocampal tissue of rats were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expression of related proteins in the AGE/RAGE pathway in the hippocampal tissue of rats was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The levels of neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators in the rat serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultsThe chemical components of BXT were detected by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified the AGE/RAGE pathway as the key pathway. The results of the water maze， Y maze， and novel object recognition tests showed that compared with the sham group， the model group demonstrated prolonged successful latency and decreases in number of platform crossings， alternation rate， number of entries into the new arm， preference index， and discrimination index （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BXT-H and BXT-M groups showed shortened successful latency （P0.01） and increases in number of platform crossings （P0.05）， alternation rate （P0.01）， number of entries into the new arm （P0.05）， preference index （P0.01）， and discrimination index （P0.01）. HE results showed that compared with the sham group， the cells of model rats were loosely and disorderly arranged， and the nuclei were condensed. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes of the hippocampus in the BXT group were mitigated. Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group presented up-regulated mRNA levels of AGE， RAGE， and p-NF-κB p65 in the hippocampus （P0.01）， and compared with the model group， the BXT-H and BXT-M groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of AGE， RAGE， and p-NF-κB p65 （P0.01）. Western blot results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group presented up-regulated expression of AGE， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） （P0.05）， and compared with the model group， the BXT-H group presented down-regulated expression of AGE， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65， and TNF-α （P0.05）. IHC results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group had increased expression of RAGE （P0.01）， and compared with the model group， the BXT-H and BXT-M groups had reduced expression of RAGE （P0.01）. ELISA results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group exhibited elevated levels of TNF-α and Interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and declined levels of acetylcholine （ACh） and dopamine （DA） in the serum （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BXT-L， BXT-M， and BXT-H groups showed lowered levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum （P0.05） and elevated levels of ACh and DA （P0.05）. ConclusionBXT may ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in the rat model of VD by down-regulating the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， reducing neuroinflammatory responses， and regulating neurotransmitter levels.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Banxia Xiexin Tang （BXT） regulates the advanced glycation end products （AGE）/receptor for advanced glycation end products （RAGE） signaling pathway to reduce neuroinflammatory responses and ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in the rat model of vascular dementia （VD）. MethodsThe components of BXT were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole -orbitrap-tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS）， and the core components and key action pathways were screened out by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly allocated into the sham and modeling groups by the random number table method. The VD model was replicated by the modified bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries （2-VO） method. The successfully modeled rats were randomly allocated into the model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （3.748 5， 7.497， 14.994 g·kg^-1） BXT （BXT-L， BXT-M， and BXT-H）， and nimodipine （NMP， 0.002 7 g·kg^-1） groups according to the random number table method. The rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage， and the sham and model groups received the same amount of normal saline for 14 consecutive days. The Morris water maze， Y-maze， and new object recognition experiments were conducted to evaluate the cognitive dysfunction of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to evaluate the histopathological changes of the hippocampal tissue in rats. The mRNA levels of AGE， RAGE， and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B p65 （p-NF-κB p65） in the hippocampal tissue of rats were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expression of related proteins in the AGE/RAGE pathway in the hippocampal tissue of rats was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The levels of neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators in the rat serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultsThe chemical components of BXT were detected by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified the AGE/RAGE pathway as the key pathway. The results of the water maze， Y maze， and novel object recognition tests showed that compared with the sham group， the model group demonstrated prolonged successful latency and decreases in number of platform crossings， alternation rate， number of entries into the new arm， preference index， and discrimination index （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BXT-H and BXT-M groups showed shortened successful latency （P<0.01） and increases in number of platform crossings （P<0.05）， alternation rate （P<0.01）， number of entries into the new arm （P<0.05）， preference index （P<0.01）， and discrimination index （P<0.01）. HE results showed that compared with the sham group， the cells of model rats were loosely and disorderly arranged， and the nuclei were condensed. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes of the hippocampus in the BXT group were mitigated. Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group presented up-regulated mRNA levels of AGE， RAGE， and p-NF-κB p65 in the hippocampus （P<0.01）， and compared with the model group， the BXT-H and BXT-M groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of AGE， RAGE， and p-NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）. Western blot results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group presented up-regulated expression of AGE， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） （P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， the BXT-H group presented down-regulated expression of AGE， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65， and TNF-α （P<0.05）. IHC results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group had increased expression of RAGE （P<0.01）， and compared with the model group， the BXT-H and BXT-M groups had reduced expression of RAGE （P<0.01）. ELISA results showed that compared with the sham group， the model group exhibited elevated levels of TNF-α and Interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and declined levels of acetylcholine （ACh） and dopamine （DA） in the serum （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BXT-L， BXT-M， and BXT-H groups showed lowered levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum （P<0.05） and elevated levels of ACh and DA （P<0.05）. ConclusionBXT may ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in the rat model of VD by down-regulating the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， reducing neuroinflammatory responses， and regulating neurotransmitter levels.

Objective To conduct the biomechanical analysis on a new power-assisted knee orthosis.Methods A self-force source power-assisted knee orthosis was used,and four motions(level walking,sitting and standing,ascending and descending stairs)were measured before and after wearing the orthosis.A musculoskeletal multibody dynamic model was adopted to calculate the joint angles and pressures at the knee,patellofemoral and hip joints.The effects of power-assisted knee orthosis on biomechanical changes of lower limbs were investigated by comparing the joint angles and pressures before and after wearing this orthosis.Results The orthosis would reduce the knee angles during level walking,as well as the knee pressures during sitting and standing on the wearing side.Wearing the orthosis did not significantly affect the joint angles during sitting and standing;however,it led to a significant decrease in joint pressures at both bilateral knee joints and patellofemoral joints.During ascending and descending stairs,the knee angle change on the wearing side was opposite to that on the non-wearing side.The increase of the peak knee angle was(14.3±3.6)%on the non-wearing side during ascending stairs.Conclusions The power-assisted knee orthosis can offer a conservative treatment for individuals with various knee diseases by reducing joint angles and pressures in daily motions.

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.

Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of multi-disciplinary treatment (MDT) combined with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for the elderly patients with osteoporotic ankle fracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the 88 elderly patients with osteoporotic ankle fracture who had been treated with MDT combined with ERAS or non-MDT at Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024. According to whether MDT was adopted or not, this cohort was assigned into 2 groups using the propensity score matching method: a MDT group and a non-MDT group with a matching ratio of 1∶1 (44 cases per group). The 2 groups were compared in terms of choice of intraoperative fixation, hospital stay, time for return to work/daily life, patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ-18) during hospitalization, ankle range of motion at 1 and 3 months after surgery, ankle-hindfoot score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, gait, and incidence of complications.Results:There were no significant differences in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P<0.05). The choice of intraoperative fixation, PSQ-18 [(78.4±8.5) points], AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at 3 months after operation [(75.4±8.2) points], and gait in the MDT group were significantly better than those in the non-MDT group [(74.2±9.6) points and (70.9±9.4) points] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the hospital stay or time for return to work/daily life between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference either in ankle dorsiflexion or plantarflexion, VAS for pain, or incidence of complications between the 2 groups at 1 or 3 months after surgery, as well as in AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score or gait at 1 month after surgery ( P>0.05). Conclusion:MDT combined with ERAS can effectively increase the therapeutic efficacy for the elderly patients with osteoporotic ankle fracture, improve their function of affected limbs, and enhance their patient satisfaction.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of early precise lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.Methods:A restropective multi-center study was conducted to enroll the eligible 120 patients with malleolar fracture who received the same surgical treatment from March 2023 to December 2023 at the trauma centers in 7 tertiary hospitals according to the inclusion criteria. They were assigned into a study group ( n=60) for precise lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation with the assistance of intelligent lower limb walking rehabilitation crutches and a control group ( n=60) for conventional weight-bearing functional rehabilitation which was gradually increased according to their own feelings under the protection of a walking boot. All the 60 patients in the study group completed their final follow-ups. They were 25 males and 35 females, with an age of (43.8±16.6) years and a body mass index of (25.3±2.3) kg/m 2. Only 51 patients in the control group completed their final follow-ups. They were 27 males and 24 females, with an age of (45.1±16.4) years and a body mass index of (24.7±2.3) kg/m 2. When their incisions healed and their sutures were removed 2 weeks after operation, the patients were guided to start lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation, and exercises for foot and ankle joint mobility and lower limb muscles. The end point of follow-up was 12 weeks after operation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of the crutch-off rates, thigh circumferences, calf circumferences, dorsiflexions, plantarflexions, ankle swellings, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 6 and 12 weeks after operation. The complications were also recorded in the 2 groups. Results:No statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks after operation, the crutch-off rates [41.7% (25/60) and 100.0% (60/60)], dorsiflexions (69.3%±21.6% and 82.9%±26.3%) and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores [(68.5±7.6) points and (96.9±3.7) points] in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group [13.7% (7/51) and 39.2% (20/51), 61.5%±16.5% and 72.0%±14.3%, (61.9±9.3) points and (90.1±7.2) points] ( P<0.05). At 6 weeks after operation, the thigh circumference (97.4%±1.9%), calf circumference (97.3%±1.9%), and plantarflexion (76.6%±19.8%) in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (95.9%±2.5%, 94.6%±3.2%, and 63.9%±16.9%) ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in ankle swelling at 6 or 12 weeks after operation, or thigh or calf circumference, plantarflexion, or VAS pain score at 12 weeks after operation ( P>0.05). No wound complications, secondary fracture displacement, or loosening of internal fixation occurred in either group during the follow-up period. There were no cases of nonunion or delayed union. Conclusions:Early lower limb weight-bearing functional rehabilitation after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures demonstrates good safety. Precise weight-bearing rehabilitation accelerates functional recovery of the ankle, enabling earlier return to normal daily activities.

Objective To conduct the biomechanical analysis on a new power-assisted knee orthosis.Methods A self-force source power-assisted knee orthosis was used,and four motions(level walking,sitting and standing,ascending and descending stairs)were measured before and after wearing the orthosis.A musculoskeletal multibody dynamic model was adopted to calculate the joint angles and pressures at the knee,patellofemoral and hip joints.The effects of power-assisted knee orthosis on biomechanical changes of lower limbs were investigated by comparing the joint angles and pressures before and after wearing this orthosis.Results The orthosis would reduce the knee angles during level walking,as well as the knee pressures during sitting and standing on the wearing side.Wearing the orthosis did not significantly affect the joint angles during sitting and standing;however,it led to a significant decrease in joint pressures at both bilateral knee joints and patellofemoral joints.During ascending and descending stairs,the knee angle change on the wearing side was opposite to that on the non-wearing side.The increase of the peak knee angle was(14.3±3.6)%on the non-wearing side during ascending stairs.Conclusions The power-assisted knee orthosis can offer a conservative treatment for individuals with various knee diseases by reducing joint angles and pressures in daily motions.

Objective:To study the distribution characteristics of current patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner (referred to as Morin Banner), and provide suggestions for service management.Methods:Information of KBD current patients in Morin Banner was collected from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2024 using the "KBD Current Patient Survey System" provided by the Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A descriptive study method was used to analyze the basic information and clinical data of current patients.Results:As of June 30, 2024, a total of 6 223 KBD current patients were reported in Morin Banner, and the patients were distributed in 15 townships (towns). There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of KBD among different townships (towns, χ 2 = 3 069.01, P < 0.001). The minimum age of the KBD current patients was 27 years old, and the maximum was 98 years old, mainly concentrated in the age range of 45 - 74 years old, accounting for 95.7% (5 954/6 223). There was a significant difference in the prevalence rate of KBD among different age groups (χ 2 = 5 912.76, P < 0.001). The male to female ratio was 1.00∶1.14 (2 910 ∶ 3 313), and there was a statistically significant difference in prevalence rate of KBD between genders(χ 2 = 44.38, P < 0.001). The KBD current patients mainly had a primary school education, married, and farmers, accounting for 59.2% (3 685/6 223), 89.8% (5 590/6 223), 93.2% (5 802/6 223), respectively; and the clinical grading of patients is mainly degree Ⅰ. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of limb disability among patients with different clinical grades (χ 2 = 64.26, P < 0.001). The rate of limb disability in males was higher than that in females (χ 2 = 10.36, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The KBD current patients in Morin Banner are distributed in various township (town), with middle-aged and elderly famers being the main ones. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring of KBD, and pay attention to personalized treatment and management of KBD current patients.