OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) in the regulation of neuronal activity and expression of synapse-related proteins in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) of insomnia rats treated by acupuncture. METHODS: A total of 36 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of clean grade were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, an acupuncture group, and an acupuncture+antagonist group, with 9 rats in each group. The model group, the acupuncture group, and the acupuncture+antagonist group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) to establish insomnia model. After successful modeling, the acupuncture group and the acupuncture+antagonist group received acupuncture at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) once daily for 5 consecutive days. Thirty min before each acupuncture session, the acupuncture+antagonist group was intraperitoneally injected with methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA), an α7-nAChR antagonist, at a dosage of 5 mg/kg while the acupuncture group received the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The rats' daytime spontaneous activity was observed. Neuronal discharge in the TRN was detected using neuroelectrophysiological methods. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect parvalbumin-positive (PV⁺) neurons and co-expression of PV⁺ and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) in the TRN. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the model group showed increased daytime spontaneous activity (P<0.01); decreased average fluorescence intensity and positive number of PV⁺ neurons in the TRN (P<0.01); decreased neuronal discharge frequency (P<0.01), prolonged inter-discharge intervals (P<0.01) in the TRN; reduced number of PV⁺/PSD-95 double-positive cells in the TRN (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed decreased daytime spontaneous activity (P<0.01); increased average fluorescence intensity and positive number of PV⁺ neurons in the TRN (P<0.01); increased neuronal discharge frequency (P<0.01), shortened inter-discharge intervals (P<0.01) in the TRN; increased number of PV⁺/PSD-95 double-positive cells in the TRN (P<0.05). Compared with the acupuncture group, the acupuncture+antagonist group exhibited increased daytime spontaneous activity (P<0.01); reduced average fluorescence intensity and positive number of PV⁺ neurons in the TRN (P<0.01); decreased neuronal discharge frequency (P<0.05), prolonged inter-discharge intervals (P<0.05) in the TRN; reduced number of PV⁺/PSD-95 double-positive cells in the TRN (P<0.01). CONCLUSION α7-nAChR are involved in mediating the regulatory effect of acupuncture on circadian rhythm disturbances in PCPA-induced insomnia rats. Blocking α7-nAChR attenuates the activating effect of acupuncture on TRN neurons, and reduces the expression of PSD-95 protein on GABAergic neurons.
Animals ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Humans ; Thalamic Nuclei/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein

Objective To study the clinical features and treatment outcomes of otitis media caused by antineu-trophil cytoplasmic antibody ANCA-associated vasculitis[otitis media with AAV(OMAAV)].Methods A total of 19 cases of OMAAV diagnosed between September 2015 to September 2022 were studied.OMAAV was defined using the criteria introduced by Japan Society of Otology.Results Median age of all patients was 61.8 years old,predominantly proteinase 3(PR3)positive(47.3％).Averaged score of vasculitis activity was 6.6.Disease also in-volved lung(84.2％),nose(73.7％)and facial nerve(21.0％).Pathological biopsy was performed in nine pa-tients,and two reports indicated ANCA-related disease.Fourteen affected ears of eight patients showed mixed hear-ing loss.The administration of corticosteroid together with an immunosuppressant significantly improved hearing,from averaged air conduction of 75.1±23.2 dB HL to 50.5±22.1 dB HL after treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion Otologists shall be aware of OMAAV when handling intractable otitis media in elderly patients if bone conduction hearing gets worse and there are other affected organs.Immunological serum test is an important diagnostic basis.Most patients were misdiagnosed for certain time,and hearing level might not be improved unless early diagnose and proper treatment.

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.

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.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS)is a complex three-dimensional deformity involving coronal,sagittal,and axial planes,with a prevalence that should not be overlooked.With advancements in technology and in-depth research,an increasing number of hospitals and physicians are exploring standardized diagnostic and treatment approaches for AIS.Comprehensive and in-depth understanding is required for AIS,including its etiology,screening and diagnosis,classification,assessment and examination,treatment options,exploration of current focus,and evaluation of quality of life.Such understanding ensures that the diagnostic and treatment are scientific,standardized,and timely.Based on the principles of evidence-based medicine,a consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of AIS is reached after multiple discussions among spinal surgery experts,aiming to provide reference and guidance for clinical practice.

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of TINAVI orthopaedic robot-assisted pedicle screw placement and free-hand pedicle screw placement in the treatment of lumbar spondylolysis in adolescents.Methods:The clinical data of 65 adolescents with lumbar spondylolysis who underwent surgery in Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2021 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively, including 20 males and 45 females with an age of (21.5 ± 4.3) years. The distribution of spondylolysis included 2 cases of L 3, 13 cases of L 4, 50 cases of L 5. According to the Meyerding classification of spondylolisthesis degree, there were 52 cases of grade Ⅰ, 5 cases of grade Ⅱ and 8 cases without spondylolisthesis, all of which were complicated with intractable back pain. All patients were treated with double segmental pedicle screw reduction and autogenous iliac bone graft. According to different screw placement methods, they were divided into TINAVI orthopedic robot-assisted screw placement group (robot group, 32 cases) and free-hand screw placement group (free-hand group, 33 cases). CT was re-examined after operation. The satisfactory rate of pedicle screw placement and cortical penetration rate were calculated according to Neo standard, and the superior articular process invasion rate of screw was calculated by Babu standard. The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative drainage, hospital stay, satisfactory rate of screw placement, cortical puncture rate and superior articular process invasion rate were compared between the two groups, and the operative complications and bony fusion time of isthmus were recorded. The visual analogue score (VAS) of lumbar pain, the score of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and the score of Oswestry dysfunction (ODI) were compared between the two groups before operation, 1 month after operation and 1 year after operation. Results:There was no significant difference in preoperative general data between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients completed the operation successfully, anatomical reduction was achieved in patients with spondylolisthesis. No serious operative complications such as nerve and vascular injury occurred during surgery. The operation time in the robot group was longer than that in the free-hand group: (82.6 ± 6.8) min vs. (60.5 ± 7.1) min. There was no significant difference in intra-operative blood loss, post-operative drainage and hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). A total of 128 screws were placed in the robot group, and 132 screws were placed in the freehand group. There were significant differences in the satisfaction rate of screw insertion, cortical penetration rate and articular process invasion rate between the two groups: 96.9%(124/128) vs. 90.9%(120/132), 3.1%(4/128) vs. 9.1%(12/132), 2.3%(3/128) vs. 7.6%(10/132) ( P<0.05). One year after surgery, the isthmus of all patients fused well, the reduction was not lost, the intervertebral disc had no degeneration, and the instrumentation was removed. The VAS, JOA score and ODI score of the two groups at 1 month and 1 year after operation were significantly better than those before operation ( P<0.05). The VAS of the robot group was lower than that of the free-hand group at 1 month and 1 year after operation: (1.6 ± 0.8) points vs. (2.7 ± 0.9) points, (0.3 ± 0.1) points vs. (1.5 ± 0.2) points, the difference is statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in JOA score and ODI score between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:TINAVI orthopaedic robot assisted screw placement and free-hand screw placement can both effectively treat lumbar spondylolysis in adolescents. Compared with free-hand screw placement, TINAVI orthopedic robot assisted screw placement can further improve the accuracy and improve patients′ lumbodorsal pain.

Objective To study the clinical features and treatment outcomes of otitis media caused by antineu-trophil cytoplasmic antibody ANCA-associated vasculitis[otitis media with AAV(OMAAV)].Methods A total of 19 cases of OMAAV diagnosed between September 2015 to September 2022 were studied.OMAAV was defined using the criteria introduced by Japan Society of Otology.Results Median age of all patients was 61.8 years old,predominantly proteinase 3(PR3)positive(47.3％).Averaged score of vasculitis activity was 6.6.Disease also in-volved lung(84.2％),nose(73.7％)and facial nerve(21.0％).Pathological biopsy was performed in nine pa-tients,and two reports indicated ANCA-related disease.Fourteen affected ears of eight patients showed mixed hear-ing loss.The administration of corticosteroid together with an immunosuppressant significantly improved hearing,from averaged air conduction of 75.1±23.2 dB HL to 50.5±22.1 dB HL after treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion Otologists shall be aware of OMAAV when handling intractable otitis media in elderly patients if bone conduction hearing gets worse and there are other affected organs.Immunological serum test is an important diagnostic basis.Most patients were misdiagnosed for certain time,and hearing level might not be improved unless early diagnose and proper treatment.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of TINAVI orthopaedic robot-assisted pedicle screw placement and free-hand pedicle screw placement in the treatment of lumbar spondylolysis in adolescents.Methods:The clinical data of 65 adolescents with lumbar spondylolysis who underwent surgery in Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2021 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively, including 20 males and 45 females with an age of (21.5 ± 4.3) years. The distribution of spondylolysis included 2 cases of L 3, 13 cases of L 4, 50 cases of L 5. According to the Meyerding classification of spondylolisthesis degree, there were 52 cases of grade Ⅰ, 5 cases of grade Ⅱ and 8 cases without spondylolisthesis, all of which were complicated with intractable back pain. All patients were treated with double segmental pedicle screw reduction and autogenous iliac bone graft. According to different screw placement methods, they were divided into TINAVI orthopedic robot-assisted screw placement group (robot group, 32 cases) and free-hand screw placement group (free-hand group, 33 cases). CT was re-examined after operation. The satisfactory rate of pedicle screw placement and cortical penetration rate were calculated according to Neo standard, and the superior articular process invasion rate of screw was calculated by Babu standard. The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative drainage, hospital stay, satisfactory rate of screw placement, cortical puncture rate and superior articular process invasion rate were compared between the two groups, and the operative complications and bony fusion time of isthmus were recorded. The visual analogue score (VAS) of lumbar pain, the score of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and the score of Oswestry dysfunction (ODI) were compared between the two groups before operation, 1 month after operation and 1 year after operation. Results:There was no significant difference in preoperative general data between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients completed the operation successfully, anatomical reduction was achieved in patients with spondylolisthesis. No serious operative complications such as nerve and vascular injury occurred during surgery. The operation time in the robot group was longer than that in the free-hand group: (82.6 ± 6.8) min vs. (60.5 ± 7.1) min. There was no significant difference in intra-operative blood loss, post-operative drainage and hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). A total of 128 screws were placed in the robot group, and 132 screws were placed in the freehand group. There were significant differences in the satisfaction rate of screw insertion, cortical penetration rate and articular process invasion rate between the two groups: 96.9%(124/128) vs. 90.9%(120/132), 3.1%(4/128) vs. 9.1%(12/132), 2.3%(3/128) vs. 7.6%(10/132) ( P<0.05). One year after surgery, the isthmus of all patients fused well, the reduction was not lost, the intervertebral disc had no degeneration, and the instrumentation was removed. The VAS, JOA score and ODI score of the two groups at 1 month and 1 year after operation were significantly better than those before operation ( P<0.05). The VAS of the robot group was lower than that of the free-hand group at 1 month and 1 year after operation: (1.6 ± 0.8) points vs. (2.7 ± 0.9) points, (0.3 ± 0.1) points vs. (1.5 ± 0.2) points, the difference is statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in JOA score and ODI score between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:TINAVI orthopaedic robot assisted screw placement and free-hand screw placement can both effectively treat lumbar spondylolysis in adolescents. Compared with free-hand screw placement, TINAVI orthopedic robot assisted screw placement can further improve the accuracy and improve patients′ lumbodorsal pain.

Objective:To evaluate the guiding value of ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block in the surgical treatment of multilevel lumbar degeneration.Methods:Retrospective case-control study was used. Clinical data of 47 patients with multi-level lumbar degeneration who underwent decompression surgery in Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into nerve root block group ( n=22)and non-nerve root block group( n=25) according to whether ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block was performed before decompression surgery. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of decompression laminae, postoperative drainage volume and length of stay of the two groups were recorded and compared. The visual analogue scale of low back pain, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of leg pain, the Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were all compared before surgery and during follow-up between the two groups. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and the comparison between groups was conducted using the paired t-test. Chi-square test was used for counting data. Results:All 47 patients successfully completed the operation without any serious complications such as neurovascular injury. All patients were followed up for (27.6±7.5)months. In the nerve root block group, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of decompression laminae, postoperative drainage volume and hospital stay were (90.5±12.6) min, (110.5±15.8) mL, 1.2±0.8, (85.6±15.8) mL, (6.2±2.8) d, respectively. In the non-root block group, they were (190.6±25.5) min, (450.5±24.8) mL, 3.8±1.6, (210.5±16.8) mL, (9.5±2.2) d, respectively. The above indexes in the nerve root closure group were less than those in the non-root closure group, and the difference was significant between the two groups ( P< 0.05). The scores of VAS of low back pain and leg pain, JOA and ODI in both groups were significantly improved after surgery and during the follow-up period when compared with those of pre-operation ( P< 0.05). The VAS scores of low back pain on the 3rd day, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the nerve block group were 3.2±1.4, 1.4±0.8, 0.5±0.2, the JOA scores were 15.8±4.3, 21.3±5.6, 25.6±1.4, and the ODI scores were 50.6±10.3, 22.8±7.8, 16.8±4.2, respectively. The VAS scores of low back pain on the 3rd day, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the non-nerve block group were 5.1±1.8, 3.4±1.2, 1.8±0.5, the JOA scores were 14.1±4.8, 20.5±3.2, 24.2±1.8, and the ODI scores were 60.5±9.8, 31.6±8.2 and 21.3±5.5, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the VAS scores of leg pain between the two groups after surgery and during follow-up ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the internal fixation position of the two groups was good, no loosening and displacement, and bone graft fusion was good. Conclusion:For patients with multi-level lumbar degeneration, ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block before surgery can identify the responsible segment, and selective decompression and fusion based on this can effectively reduce surgical trauma, while improving patients′ back and leg pain and physical function, which has important surgical guidance value.