Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of 3D printing technology combined with computer navigation-assisted screw implantation in the treatment of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) complicated by vertebral artery anomalies.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 23 patients with AAI complicated by vertebral artery anomalies who were admitted to Honghui Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University between January 2019 and January 2023, including 10 males and 13 females, aged 19-70 years [(51.0±13.3)years]. Vertebral artery anomalies were categorized into unilateral high-riding vertebral artery with unilateral dominance ( n=14), bilateral high-riding vertebral arteries with unilateral dominance ( n=6), and ponticulus posticus ( n=3). All the patients underwent preoperative planning using a 3D-printed model of the atlantoaxial complex with the vertebral artery, followed by posterior atlantoaxial pedicle screw fixation with computer-assisted navigation. Operative duration and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was assessed at 3 days postoperatively using the Gertzbein-Robbins classification. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated preoperatively, at 3 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Bony fusion was assessed using cervical CT with 3D reconstruction at the last follow-up. Complications were also observed. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-19 months [(15.1±1.9)months]. The operative duration was 125-167 minutes [(140.6±10.9)minutes] and intraoperative blood loss was 200-600 ml [(295.7±77.8)ml]. At 3 days postoperatively, all the 66 pedicle screws were safely placed, with 60 screws (91%) rated as Gertzbein-Robbins Grade 0 and 6 screws (9%) as Grade 1. At 3 days and 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were (4.0±1.0)points, (2.0±0.6)points, and (1.3±0.5)points, and the JOA scores were (14.2±1.2)points, (16.0±0.8)points, and (16.6±0.5)points, both of which were not only significantly improved compared with preoperative (5.6±1.3)points and (12.8±1.5)points, but also further improved over time ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, 22 patients (96%) achieved satisfactory atlantoaxial bony fusion. No vertebral artery injury, spinal cord or nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or screw loosening were observed in any patients. Conclusion:For patients with AAI complicated by vertebral artery anomalies, 3D printing combined with computer navigation-assisted navigation for atlantoaxial pedicle screw implantation offers multiple advantages, including minimal surgical trauma, high screw placement accuracy, pain relief, neurological function improvement, high fusion rate, and lowered incidence of complications.

Objective To investigate the effects of saikosaponin D(SSD)on the growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)Eca109 cells and the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-2α(HIF-2α)/nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65)pathway.Methods Different concentrations of SSD(0,3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24 μmol·L-1)were used to treat Het-1a normal esophageal squamous epithelial cells and Eca109 ESCC cells to screen the experimental concentration of SSD.Eca109 cells were separated into control(NC)group,HIF-2α inhibitor(PT2385)group,SSD low and high concentration(SSD-L,SSD-H)groups,SSD-H+empty lentivirus(LV-NC)group,and SSD-H+HIF-2α recombinant lentivirus(LV-HIF-2α)group.MTT assay was applied to detect cell viability.Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was applied to detect the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-8 in cell culture media.Western blot was applied to detect cell proliferation,apoptosis,and protein expression related to the HIF-2α/NF-κB p65 pathway.The Eca109 cell tumor bearing nude mouse model was established to verify the effect of SSD on the in vivo growth of Eca109 cells.Results 6 and 12 μmol·L-1 SSD were selected as experimental concentrations.Compared with the NC group,the cell viability,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8 levels in cell culture medium,PCNA,Bcl-2,HIF-2α,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein levels,subcutaneous transplant tumor volume and weight in nude mice,serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8 levels,and positive expression of HIF-2α and NF-κB p65 proteins in the PT2385 group,SSD-L group,and SSD-H group were lower,the apoptosis rate,Bax,and Cleaved-caspase3 protein levels were higher(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Overexpression of HIF-2α prominently weakened the inhibitory effects of SSD on the proliferation of Eca109 cells and the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumors in nude mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion SSD can inhibit the proliferation of Eca109 cells,induce cell apoptosis,and suppress the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumors of Eca109 cells in nude mice.Its effect may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the HIF-2α/NF-κB p65 pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of saikosaponin D(SSD)on the growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)Eca109 cells and the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-2α(HIF-2α)/nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65)pathway.Methods Different concentrations of SSD(0,3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24 μmol·L-1)were used to treat Het-1a normal esophageal squamous epithelial cells and Eca109 ESCC cells to screen the experimental concentration of SSD.Eca109 cells were separated into control(NC)group,HIF-2α inhibitor(PT2385)group,SSD low and high concentration(SSD-L,SSD-H)groups,SSD-H+empty lentivirus(LV-NC)group,and SSD-H+HIF-2α recombinant lentivirus(LV-HIF-2α)group.MTT assay was applied to detect cell viability.Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was applied to detect the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-8 in cell culture media.Western blot was applied to detect cell proliferation,apoptosis,and protein expression related to the HIF-2α/NF-κB p65 pathway.The Eca109 cell tumor bearing nude mouse model was established to verify the effect of SSD on the in vivo growth of Eca109 cells.Results 6 and 12 μmol·L-1 SSD were selected as experimental concentrations.Compared with the NC group,the cell viability,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8 levels in cell culture medium,PCNA,Bcl-2,HIF-2α,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein levels,subcutaneous transplant tumor volume and weight in nude mice,serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8 levels,and positive expression of HIF-2α and NF-κB p65 proteins in the PT2385 group,SSD-L group,and SSD-H group were lower,the apoptosis rate,Bax,and Cleaved-caspase3 protein levels were higher(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Overexpression of HIF-2α prominently weakened the inhibitory effects of SSD on the proliferation of Eca109 cells and the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumors in nude mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion SSD can inhibit the proliferation of Eca109 cells,induce cell apoptosis,and suppress the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumors of Eca109 cells in nude mice.Its effect may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the HIF-2α/NF-κB p65 pathway.

Thoracolumbar trauma, including fractures, dislocations and spinal cord injuries, often result from high-energy injuries such as traffic accidents and falls from heights. It not only causes severe pain and restricted movement for patients, but also leads to neurological damage and even permanent disability. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment of thoracolumbar trauma are faced with many problems, such as possible missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, lack of individualized and standardized treatment plans, and lack of objective and quantitative metrics for postoperative assessment. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology offers innovative ideas to these problems. Among them, the core AI technology such as machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), computer vision, and robotics has demonstrated outstanding capabilities in medical image analysis, clinical decision support, etc., which can significantly improve the diagnostic precision, surgical planning efficiency, and postoperative management level of thoracolumbar trauma. At present, application of AI technology in cross-modal data integration, clinical decision support, and long-term efficacy prediction in the field of thoracolumbar trauma remains to be systematically sorted out. To this end, the authors reviewed the research progress of AI technology in the diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative management of thoracolumbar trauma, providing a reference for a wide application of AI technology in the management of thoracolumbar trauma.

Thoracolumbar trauma, including fractures, dislocations and spinal cord injuries, often result from high-energy injuries such as traffic accidents and falls from heights. It not only causes severe pain and restricted movement for patients, but also leads to neurological damage and even permanent disability. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment of thoracolumbar trauma are faced with many problems, such as possible missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, lack of individualized and standardized treatment plans, and lack of objective and quantitative metrics for postoperative assessment. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology offers innovative ideas to these problems. Among them, the core AI technology such as machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), computer vision, and robotics has demonstrated outstanding capabilities in medical image analysis, clinical decision support, etc., which can significantly improve the diagnostic precision, surgical planning efficiency, and postoperative management level of thoracolumbar trauma. At present, application of AI technology in cross-modal data integration, clinical decision support, and long-term efficacy prediction in the field of thoracolumbar trauma remains to be systematically sorted out. To this end, the authors reviewed the research progress of AI technology in the diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative management of thoracolumbar trauma, providing a reference for a wide application of AI technology in the management of thoracolumbar trauma.

Objective:To analyse the pathogenicity of a family with Fabry disease and to characterise its clinical phenotype and genetic variants.Methods:A proband with Fabry disease admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University in December 2021 was enrolled. Clinical data, including medical history, biochemical parameters, echocardiography, and electrocardiogram, were collected from the proband and family members. The proband and his daughter underwent α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme activity assay and Sanger sequencing of the GLA gene. Candidate variants were analyzed and classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.Results:The male proband (69 years old) presented with chronic renal insufficiency, electrocardiogram findings of ST-T changes, bundle branch block, and left ventricular high voltage, and echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. His α-Gal A activity was markedly reduced, and genetic testing identified a hemizygous GLA c.511G>C (p.Gly171Arg) variant on the X chromosome. The proband′s asymptomatic daughter also exhibited significantly decreased α-Gal A activity and carried the heterozygous GLA c.511G>C (p.Gly171Arg) variant. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, this variant was classified as “likely pathogenic” and considered the underlying cause of Fabry disease in this family.Conclusion:The proband manifested chronic renal insufficiency and cardiac hypertrophy, with the GLA c.511G>C (p.Gly171Arg) variant identified as the likely-pathogenic cause of Fabry disease in this family.

BACKGROUND: Disease-modifying therapies have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The present study aims to examine the safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with RMS. METHODS: This non-randomized, multi-center, 24-week, prospective study enrolled RMS patients with variant (c.421C>A) or wild type ABCG2 who received once-daily oral teriflunomide 14 mg. The primary endpoint was the relationship between ABCG2 polymorphisms and teriflunomide exposure over 24 weeks. Safety was assessed over the 24-week treatment with teriflunomide. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were assigned to variant ( n  = 42) and wild type groups ( n  = 40), respectively. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (SD) of pre-dose concentration (variant, 54.9 [38.0] μg/mL; wild type, 49.1 [32.0] μg/mL) and area under plasma concentration-time curve over a dosing interval (AUC tau ) (variant, 1731.3 [769.0] μg∙h/mL; wild type, 1564.5 [1053.0] μg∙h/mL) values at steady state were approximately similar between the two groups. Safety profile was similar and well tolerated across variant and wild type groups in terms of rates of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE), treatment-related TEAE, grade ≥3 TEAE, and serious adverse events (AEs). No new specific safety concerns or deaths were reported in the study. CONCLUSION: ABCG2 polymorphisms did not affect the steady-state exposure of teriflunomide, suggesting a similar efficacy and safety profile between variant and wild type RMS patients. REGISTRATION NCT04410965, https://clinicaltrials.gov .
Humans ; Crotonates/adverse effects* ; Toluidines/adverse effects* ; Nitriles ; Hydroxybutyrates ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics* ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/genetics* ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult ; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics* ; East Asian People

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of 3D printing technology combined with computer navigation-assisted screw implantation in the treatment of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) complicated by vertebral artery anomalies.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 23 patients with AAI complicated by vertebral artery anomalies who were admitted to Honghui Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University between January 2019 and January 2023, including 10 males and 13 females, aged 19-70 years [(51.0±13.3)years]. Vertebral artery anomalies were categorized into unilateral high-riding vertebral artery with unilateral dominance ( n=14), bilateral high-riding vertebral arteries with unilateral dominance ( n=6), and ponticulus posticus ( n=3). All the patients underwent preoperative planning using a 3D-printed model of the atlantoaxial complex with the vertebral artery, followed by posterior atlantoaxial pedicle screw fixation with computer-assisted navigation. Operative duration and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was assessed at 3 days postoperatively using the Gertzbein-Robbins classification. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated preoperatively, at 3 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Bony fusion was assessed using cervical CT with 3D reconstruction at the last follow-up. Complications were also observed. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-19 months [(15.1±1.9)months]. The operative duration was 125-167 minutes [(140.6±10.9)minutes] and intraoperative blood loss was 200-600 ml [(295.7±77.8)ml]. At 3 days postoperatively, all the 66 pedicle screws were safely placed, with 60 screws (91%) rated as Gertzbein-Robbins Grade 0 and 6 screws (9%) as Grade 1. At 3 days and 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were (4.0±1.0)points, (2.0±0.6)points, and (1.3±0.5)points, and the JOA scores were (14.2±1.2)points, (16.0±0.8)points, and (16.6±0.5)points, both of which were not only significantly improved compared with preoperative (5.6±1.3)points and (12.8±1.5)points, but also further improved over time ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, 22 patients (96%) achieved satisfactory atlantoaxial bony fusion. No vertebral artery injury, spinal cord or nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or screw loosening were observed in any patients. Conclusion:For patients with AAI complicated by vertebral artery anomalies, 3D printing combined with computer navigation-assisted navigation for atlantoaxial pedicle screw implantation offers multiple advantages, including minimal surgical trauma, high screw placement accuracy, pain relief, neurological function improvement, high fusion rate, and lowered incidence of complications.

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.