BACKGROUND:The incidence rate of chronic non-specific neck pain is high and the etiology is unknown.Myofascial pain and deep cervical flexor atrophy are the key factors.Extracorporeal shockwave therapy can improve microcirculation,relieve local pain,and delay the degenerative development of the cervical spine,while motion control training can significantly improve neck muscle strength and endurance and reduce neck pain.However,both methods have limited effectiveness when applied individually.OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave intervention combined with motion control training at the upper trapezius muscle on chronic non-specific neck pain.METHODS:Forty-two patients with chronic non-specific neck pain recruited from Shenyang Sport University were randomly divided into three groups:a shock wave group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle was given for 10-15 minutes,once a week for 4 weeks;a training group(n=14),in which motion control training was given for 40-50 minutes,three times a week for 4 weeks;and a combination group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle combined with motion control training was performed for 4 weeks.Patients were assessed for pain intensity,cervical spine function,upper trapezius muscle thickness,hemodynamic parameters,and serum interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels before intervention,1 week and 4 weeks after intervention.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the three groups were lower after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the combination group were lower than those of the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the upper trapezius thickness increased in the training group and the combination group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05);the upper trapezius thickness was greater in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).(3)The shock wave group and the combination group had an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,while the training group showed an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 4 weeks of intervention.The peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery in the combination group was higher(P＜0.05)and the resistance index was lower(P＜0.05)than those in the shockwave group and the training group after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention.(4)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were reduced in the shock wave and combination groups after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and in the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).After 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were lower in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).To conclude,extracorporeal shock wave combined with motion control training for chronic non-specific neck pain significantly reduces pain and improves neck function,and the mechanism of action may be to promote the blood flow velocity at the trigger point,reduce blood flow resistance,reduce the serum levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α,and increase the thickness of the upper trapezius muscle.

BACKGROUND:The incidence rate of chronic non-specific neck pain is high and the etiology is unknown.Myofascial pain and deep cervical flexor atrophy are the key factors.Extracorporeal shockwave therapy can improve microcirculation,relieve local pain,and delay the degenerative development of the cervical spine,while motion control training can significantly improve neck muscle strength and endurance and reduce neck pain.However,both methods have limited effectiveness when applied individually.OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave intervention combined with motion control training at the upper trapezius muscle on chronic non-specific neck pain.METHODS:Forty-two patients with chronic non-specific neck pain recruited from Shenyang Sport University were randomly divided into three groups:a shock wave group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle was given for 10-15 minutes,once a week for 4 weeks;a training group(n=14),in which motion control training was given for 40-50 minutes,three times a week for 4 weeks;and a combination group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle combined with motion control training was performed for 4 weeks.Patients were assessed for pain intensity,cervical spine function,upper trapezius muscle thickness,hemodynamic parameters,and serum interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels before intervention,1 week and 4 weeks after intervention.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the three groups were lower after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the combination group were lower than those of the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the upper trapezius thickness increased in the training group and the combination group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05);the upper trapezius thickness was greater in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).(3)The shock wave group and the combination group had an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,while the training group showed an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 4 weeks of intervention.The peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery in the combination group was higher(P＜0.05)and the resistance index was lower(P＜0.05)than those in the shockwave group and the training group after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention.(4)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were reduced in the shock wave and combination groups after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and in the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).After 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were lower in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).To conclude,extracorporeal shock wave combined with motion control training for chronic non-specific neck pain significantly reduces pain and improves neck function,and the mechanism of action may be to promote the blood flow velocity at the trigger point,reduce blood flow resistance,reduce the serum levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α,and increase the thickness of the upper trapezius muscle.

BACKGROUND:How to repair bone defect has been a clinical problem for a long time.The effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine have good biological activity and therapeutic effect,and the combination of effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and tissue engineering materials has a broad prospect in the field of bone repair.The combination of different effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and scaffolds has similarities in their functional relationships. OBJECTIVE:To collect the cases of the combinations of effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and scaffolds,then analogize tissue engineering scaffolds and effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine into two types of traditional Chinese medicine that generate compatibility relationships based on the inspiration of the compatibility of seven emotions and summarize the relationship between the two based on their functional relationships. METHODS:Relevant articles from January 1998 to January 2024 were searched in PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),using English search terms"traditional Chinese medicine,Chinese medicine,traditional Chinese medicine monomers,bone defect,bone repair,bone tissue engineering,tissue engineering,scaffold"and Chinese search terms"traditional Chinese medicine,effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,traditional Chinese medicine monomers,bone tissue engineering,bone tissue engineering scaffold,scaffold,tissue engineering,bone defect,bone repair."A total of 88 articles were included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Both tissue engineering scaffold materials and active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine have been widely used in the field of bone repair.Although they have obvious advantages in osteogenesis,there are still many shortcomings.Many studies are dedicated to preparing composite materials from the two,hoping to exert a detoxification and synergism through the interaction between the two.(2)Some drugs and materials can promote each other in osteogenesis,antibacterial,and promoting angiogenesis,enhancing their original effects.Inspired by the traditional concept of prescription compatibility,this article summarized it as a"Mutual promotion"relationship and provided examples to support it.(3)Some drugs can enhance the strength of materials,while some materials can achieve sustained release and controlled release effects,increase drug loading and stability,or achieve targeted delivery of drugs loaded on them.The article summarized this unilateral enhancement effect as a"Mutual assistance"relationship.(4)The combination of some traditional Chinese medicine and materials can reduce the toxic side effects of the other party.The article summarizes this detoxification relationship as"Mutual restraint and detoxification."(5)The article provided a new perspective on traditional Chinese medicine composite scaffolds,inspired by the seven emotions compatibility relationship and based on the classification of action relationships.It introduced traditional Chinese medicine concepts into the field of tissue engineering,providing new research ideas for subsequent researchers of composite scaffolds,and providing certain convenience in material selection and matching.

Objective To evaluate the performance of the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)nucleic acids on the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR(RT-PCR)analyzer to determine its clinical applicability.Methods 20 clinical sputum samples were collected,and MTB bacterial suspensions were serially diluted to prepare the samples.After extraction of nucleic acids using thermal lysis,MTB DNA was amplified by real-time fluorescent PCR(RT-PCR)using the MTB nucleic acid detection reagent on the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR analyzer to evaluate the performance of the method,including the limit of detection(LOD),precision,cross-reactivity,anti-interference ability,personnel and inter-instrument comparison,and methodological compliance rate.Results The minimum detection limit of the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR analyzer for detecting MTB DNA was 1×102 bacteria/ml,which aligns with the requirements of the reagent specification.The intra-batch coefficient of variation(CV)was 1.04%,1.61%and 1.29%for 3 repetitions of 5×102 bacteria/ml samples.The intra-batch CVs were 0.92%,0.74%and 0.59%for 3 repetitions of 5×103 bacteria/ml samples,which were all<5%.Common respiratory pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Nocardia,Proteus mirabilis,Legionella pneumophila,Pneumocystis japonicus,Influenza A virus,Influenza B virus,Mycoplasma pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2 do not cross-react with MTB.There was no statistically significant difference in the change in cycle threshold(Ct)values before and after the addition of the interfering substances Hemoglobin,Mucin,Rifampicin,Isoniazid,Amoxicillin and Levofloxacin to the MTB-positive specimens(all P>0.05).Comparison CVs between the two operators and all three PCR instruments were less than 5 percent.The positive compliance rate,negative compliance rate and total compliance rate of MTB DNA detected by the ABI 7500 real-time PCR analyzer and the CFXOpus 96 Dx real-time PCR analyzer were 100%.Conclusion The LoD,precision,cross-reactivity,anti-interference ability,personnel and inter-instrument comparison,and methodological compliance rate of the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR analyzer for the detection of MTB DNA are all in line with the requirements of clinical molecular biology testing,which can provide a reliable basis for clinical testing.

Objective:To evaluate the anti-reflux effect of digestive tract reconstruction using esophageal-tubular gastric asymmetric anastomosis after radical resection of esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer.Methods:The main steps were as follows:(1)oblique incision of the lower esophagus;(2)curved incision of the tubular anterior gastric wall;(3)the lower end of the esophagus was anastomosed to the tubular gastric incision with a 90-degree torsion; (4)The anterior wall of the anastomosis was reinforced with a transverse-inverted suture,the posterior wall with a folded suture,and the corners of the gastric stump were buried with sutures.The anastomosis operation time,postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay were recorded;the reconstructed structure and anti-reflux effect of the anastomosis were observed by digestive tract radiography,gastroscopy and follow-up investigation.Results:The Department of Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Surgery of Huaian First People's Hospital, affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, treated 5 patients of esophagogastric junction cancer and 20 esophageal cancer cases between August 2022 and November 2024, including 19 men and 6 women, with a mean age of (66.7±7.4) years. The mean anastomosis time was (35.4±5.9) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (117.6±33.4) ml and the mean postoperative hospital stay was(16.6±5.2) days, with no complications such as anastomotic leakage and bleeding. Postoperative digestive tract radiography (Trendelenburg position)showed that all the patients had no contrast reflux,gastroscopy showed no signs of reflux esophagitis and bile reflux gastritis, the anastomosis showed an inverted whiskers valve-like structure. The median follow-up time was (16.8±6.3) months, and all patients had no reflux symptoms such as acid reflux and belching,and no acid suppressive medication was needed.Conclusion:The esophageal-tubular gastric asymmetric anastomosis is a safe and effective antireflux reconstruction technique.

Objective:To assess any effect of combining kinesio taping with Baduanjin in the management of upper cross syndrome (UCS).Methods:Thirty-nine college students with UCS were randomly divided into a kinesio taping group ( n=14), a Baduanjin group ( n=12) and a combined treatment group ( n=13). The kinesio taping and Baduanjin groups received taping and underwent Baduanjin training, respectively, while the combined treatment group received both interventions for 6 weeks. Before, as well as 3 and 6 weeks after the intervention, all were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), a neck disability index (NDI), and for forward head extension (FHA), round shoulder angle (FSA) and vital capacity (VC). Results:A significant decrease in the average VAS ratings and NDI scores, and better average FHA and FSA was observed in both groups after the experiment. There was also a significant increase in VC. At 6 weeks, all of the indicators were significantly better than three weeks earlier. The kinesio taping and Baduanjin groups showed significantly smaller average improvements than the combined group.Conclusions:Kinesio taping combined with Baduanjin can effectively alleviate pain associated with UCS, relieve cervical dysfunction, correct abnormal posture and increase lung capacity. Its efficacy is superior to that achieved through single interventions.

Objective:To evaluate the anti-reflux effect of digestive tract reconstruction using esophageal-tubular gastric asymmetric anastomosis after radical resection of esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer.Methods:The main steps were as follows:(1)oblique incision of the lower esophagus;(2)curved incision of the tubular anterior gastric wall;(3)the lower end of the esophagus was anastomosed to the tubular gastric incision with a 90-degree torsion; (4)The anterior wall of the anastomosis was reinforced with a transverse-inverted suture,the posterior wall with a folded suture,and the corners of the gastric stump were buried with sutures.The anastomosis operation time,postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay were recorded;the reconstructed structure and anti-reflux effect of the anastomosis were observed by digestive tract radiography,gastroscopy and follow-up investigation.Results:The Department of Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Surgery of Huaian First People's Hospital, affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, treated 5 patients of esophagogastric junction cancer and 20 esophageal cancer cases between August 2022 and November 2024, including 19 men and 6 women, with a mean age of (66.7±7.4) years. The mean anastomosis time was (35.4±5.9) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (117.6±33.4) ml and the mean postoperative hospital stay was(16.6±5.2) days, with no complications such as anastomotic leakage and bleeding. Postoperative digestive tract radiography (Trendelenburg position)showed that all the patients had no contrast reflux,gastroscopy showed no signs of reflux esophagitis and bile reflux gastritis, the anastomosis showed an inverted whiskers valve-like structure. The median follow-up time was (16.8±6.3) months, and all patients had no reflux symptoms such as acid reflux and belching,and no acid suppressive medication was needed.Conclusion:The esophageal-tubular gastric asymmetric anastomosis is a safe and effective antireflux reconstruction technique.

Objective:To assess any effect of combining kinesio taping with Baduanjin in the management of upper cross syndrome (UCS).Methods:Thirty-nine college students with UCS were randomly divided into a kinesio taping group ( n=14), a Baduanjin group ( n=12) and a combined treatment group ( n=13). The kinesio taping and Baduanjin groups received taping and underwent Baduanjin training, respectively, while the combined treatment group received both interventions for 6 weeks. Before, as well as 3 and 6 weeks after the intervention, all were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), a neck disability index (NDI), and for forward head extension (FHA), round shoulder angle (FSA) and vital capacity (VC). Results:A significant decrease in the average VAS ratings and NDI scores, and better average FHA and FSA was observed in both groups after the experiment. There was also a significant increase in VC. At 6 weeks, all of the indicators were significantly better than three weeks earlier. The kinesio taping and Baduanjin groups showed significantly smaller average improvements than the combined group.Conclusions:Kinesio taping combined with Baduanjin can effectively alleviate pain associated with UCS, relieve cervical dysfunction, correct abnormal posture and increase lung capacity. Its efficacy is superior to that achieved through single interventions.

Objective To evaluate the performance of the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)nucleic acids on the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR(RT-PCR)analyzer to determine its clinical applicability.Methods 20 clinical sputum samples were collected,and MTB bacterial suspensions were serially diluted to prepare the samples.After extraction of nucleic acids using thermal lysis,MTB DNA was amplified by real-time fluorescent PCR(RT-PCR)using the MTB nucleic acid detection reagent on the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR analyzer to evaluate the performance of the method,including the limit of detection(LOD),precision,cross-reactivity,anti-interference ability,personnel and inter-instrument comparison,and methodological compliance rate.Results The minimum detection limit of the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR analyzer for detecting MTB DNA was 1×102 bacteria/ml,which aligns with the requirements of the reagent specification.The intra-batch coefficient of variation(CV)was 1.04%,1.61%and 1.29%for 3 repetitions of 5×102 bacteria/ml samples.The intra-batch CVs were 0.92%,0.74%and 0.59%for 3 repetitions of 5×103 bacteria/ml samples,which were all<5%.Common respiratory pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Nocardia,Proteus mirabilis,Legionella pneumophila,Pneumocystis japonicus,Influenza A virus,Influenza B virus,Mycoplasma pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2 do not cross-react with MTB.There was no statistically significant difference in the change in cycle threshold(Ct)values before and after the addition of the interfering substances Hemoglobin,Mucin,Rifampicin,Isoniazid,Amoxicillin and Levofloxacin to the MTB-positive specimens(all P>0.05).Comparison CVs between the two operators and all three PCR instruments were less than 5 percent.The positive compliance rate,negative compliance rate and total compliance rate of MTB DNA detected by the ABI 7500 real-time PCR analyzer and the CFXOpus 96 Dx real-time PCR analyzer were 100%.Conclusion The LoD,precision,cross-reactivity,anti-interference ability,personnel and inter-instrument comparison,and methodological compliance rate of the CFX Opus 96 Dx real-time fluorescence PCR analyzer for the detection of MTB DNA are all in line with the requirements of clinical molecular biology testing,which can provide a reliable basis for clinical testing.

Background::Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) ranks among the foremost factors responsible for mortality on a global scale. The mortality patterns of CVDs and temporal trends in China need to be well-illustrated and updated.Methods::We collected mortality data on patients with CVD from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Disease Surveillance Points (CDC-DSP) system. The mortality of CVD in 2020 was described by age, sex, residence, and region. The temporal trend from 2013 to 2019 was evaluated using joinpoint regression, and estimated rates of decline were extrapolated until 2030 using time series models.Results::In 2019, the age-standardized mortality in China (ASMRC) per 100,000 individuals was 113.2. The ASMRC for males (137.7/10 5) and rural areas (123.0/10 5) were both higher when stratified by gender and urban/rural residence. The central region had the highest mortality (126.5/10 5), the western region had a slightly lower mortality (123.5/10 5), and the eastern region had the lowest mortality (97.3/10 5). The age-specific mortality showed an accelerated upward trend from aged 55-59 years, with maximum mortality observed in individuals over 85 years of age. The age-standardized mortality of CVD decreased by 2.43% (95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.81%) annually from 2013 to 2019. Notably, the age-specific mortality of CVD increased from 2013 to 2019 for the age group of over 85 years. In 2020, both the absolute number of CVD cases and the crude mortality of CVD have increased compared to their values in 2019. The estimated total deaths due to CVD were estimated to reach 2.3 million in 2025 and 2.4 million in 2030. Conclusion::The heightened focus on the burden of CVD among males, rural areas, the central and western of China, and individuals aged 75 years and above has emerged as a pivotal determinant in further decreasing mortalities, consequently presenting novel challenges to strategies for disease prevention and control.