ObjectiveTo explore the effect of respiratory training based on core stabilization training on lumbar disc herniation. MethodsFrom January, 2023 to October, 2024, 96 patients with lumbar disc herniation admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University were divided into control group (n = 32), core group (n = 32) and respiratory group (n = 32). All the groups underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy, with core stabilization training in the core group and respiratory training combined with core stabilization training in the respiratory group, additionally, for four weeks. Before and after training, the scores of Visual Analogue Scale, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) were compared, the average electromyographic value (AEMG) and root mean square (RMS) value of the multifidus and transversus abdominis were detected by surface electromyography (sEMG); and the thickness of the multifidus and transversus abdominis were measured by musculoskeletal ultrasonography bilaterally. ResultsThe intra-group effect (F > 597.796, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 16.535, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 49.622, P < 0.001) were significant in the scores of VAS, JOA and ODI; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.05), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 7971.631, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 177.760, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 478.771, P < 0.001) were significant in the thickness of the transversus abdominis and multifidus; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 144303.007, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 1495.458, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 3121.361, P < 0.001) were significant in the RMS of the multifidus and transversus abdominis; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 1890.532, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 607.132, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 824.923, P < 0.001) were significant in the AEMG of the multifidus and transversus abdominis; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). ConclusionCore training combined with respiratory training can more effectively reduce pain and improve dysfunction by enhancing the strength and control of the core muscles， thus improving the quality of life of patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a medical condition characterized by cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload in cardiomyocytes have been recognized as biological hallmarks in DCM; however, the specific factors underlying these abnormalities remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of a cardiac-specific long noncoding RNA, D830005E20Rik (Trdn-as), in DCM. Our results revealed the remarkably upregulation of Trdn-as in the hearts of the DCM mice and cardiomyocytes treated with high glucose (HG). Knocking down Trdn-as in cardiac tissues significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in the DCM mice. Conversely, Trdn-as overexpression resulted in cardiac damage resembling that observed in the DCM mice. At the cellular level, Trdn-as induced Ca²⁺ overload in the SR and mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses identified calsequestrin 2 (Casq2), a primary calcium-binding protein in the junctional SR, as a potential target of Trdn-as. Further investigations revealed that Trdn-as facilitated the recruitment of METTL14 to the Casq2 mRNA, thereby enhancing the m⁶A modification of Casq2. This modification increased the stability of Casq2 mRNA and subsequently led to increased protein expression. When Casq2 was knocked down, the promoting effects of Trdn-as on Ca²⁺ overload and mitochondrial damage were mitigated. These findings provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of DCM and suggest Trdn-as as a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
Animals ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/pathology* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Mice ; Calsequestrin/genetics* ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Male ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mitochondria/metabolism*

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the etiology and progression of various diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine, the whole plants of Thesium chinense Turcz. and its preparations (e.g. Bairui Granules) have been employed to manage inflammatory conditions. While flavonoids were previously considered the primary anti-inflammatory components, other potentially active constituents have been largely overlooked and not thoroughly investigated. This study presents a novel finding that the total alkaloids of T. chinense (BC-Alk) are potent active substances underlying the traditional and clinical applications of T. chinense and Bairui Granules as anti-inflammatory agents. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified the composition of BC-Alk as quinolizidine alkaloids. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of BC-Alk was evaluated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation model in mice. Results demonstrated that BC-Alk significantly mitigated LPS-induced lung inflammation, attenuated the overproduction of IL-1β and the overproduction of inflammatory factors (TNF-α), and ameliorated lung tissue hyperplasia in mice in vivo. Mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that BC-Alk upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream proteins NQO1 and glutamate-cystine ligase and modifier subunit (GCLM), inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation, and suppressed NLRP3 activation. Collectively, these findings indicate that BC-Alk exerts potent inhibitory effects against lung inflammation by modulating Nrf2, NF-κB, and NLRP3 pathways. This study provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory constituents of T. chinense and Bairui Granules.
Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Pneumonia/genetics*

Objective To explore the predictive value of radiomics for postoperative pancreatic fistula, infection, and long-term survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods 206 patients who received radical resection of pancreatic cancer in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2014 to December 2020 and were pathologically confirmed as PDAC after surgery were retrospectively selected, all of whom had complete surgical data and long-term follow-up data. Pyradiomics was used to analyze the enhanced CT images of all patients and extract radiomics features. LASSO dimensionality reduction combined with logistic regression analysis was used to construct a predictive model for pancreatic fistula and abdominal infection after PDAC surgery, and evaluating the model’s effectiveness using ROC curves. A long-term survival prediction model for PDAC patients was constructed using LASSO dimensionality reduction combined with Cox regression analysis, and patient risk scores were calculated. The patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the median, and the survival curves were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. The imaging omics features with the highest weight were divided into high expression group and low expression group according to the median, and the prognostic differences and clinical features were compared. Radiomics and clinical features were combined to analyze the influencing factors of long-term prognosis and construct a clinical imaging comprehensive model. Results A total of 1 595 radiomics features were extracted. A predictive model for pancreatic fistula and infection after PDAC surgery was constructed, with AUC values of 0.81 and 0.79, respectively. The PDAC long-term survival prediction model was successfully constructed, and the prognosis of the high-risk group was worse than that of the low-risk group (P<0.001). The weight of the radiomics feature “log-sigma-5-mm-3D_glszm_ZonePercentage” was 59.557. The CA19-9 level in the high expression group is higher than that in the low expression group (P=0.017), and there is a statistically significant difference in survival curves between the two groups (P=0.021). The comprehensive clinical imaging model suggested that age, AJCC stage, lymph infiltration, CA19-9 level and imaging characteristics were risk factors for long-term prognosis of PDAC patients (HR=1.028, 4.084, 2.566, 1.232 and 2.536). Conclusions The predictive model based on radiomics has good predictive performance for pancreatic fistula, infection, and long-term prognosis after PDAC surgery. Patients with high expression of the radiomics feature “log-sigma-5-mm-3D_glszm_ZonePercentage” face poorer prognosis.

Objective:This study aims to explore the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in patients and the screening value of serological indicators for HEV infection patients.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on 97 440 cases of anti-HEV IgM and IgG simultaneously tested in two Beijing hospitals from January 1, 2018 to August 31, 2023. Among them, there were 61 005 males and 36 435 females, with an average age of 51.65±13.05 years old. According to the positivity of anti HEV specific antibodies, they were divided into anti-HEV IgM positive group (3 588 cases), anti-HEV IgG positive group (18 083 cases), and anti-HEV antibody negative group (78 892 cases). Results of HEV RNA, liver function, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ and PT were collected, and their basic clinical information were recorded. The prevalence of HEV infection in patients, as well as the relationship between the positivity of anti-HEV specific antibodies and the patient′s age group, HEV RNA, and clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results:Among 97 440 patients who tested anti-HEV IgM and IgG simultaneously, the positivity rate of anti-HEV IgM was 3.68% (3 588/97 440), and was 18.56% for anti-HEV IgG (18 083/97 440). The overall positivity rates of anti-HEV IgM in two Beijing hospitals from 2018 to 2023 were 2.51%, 2.53%, 3.02%, 4.59%, 5.72%, and 4.26% ( χ2=1 401.73, P<0.001), while the positivity rates of anti-HEV IgG were 12.56%, 12.32%, 12.85%, 22.65%, 27.42%, and 26.66% ( χ2=1 058.29, P<0.001). These rates showed a gradual increase until 2023 when a decline was observed. The positivity rates of anti-HEV IgM (2.28%, 3.60%, 4.47%) ( χ2=89.62, P<0.001) and IgG (4.71%, 17.86%, 25.94%) ( χ2=2 017.32, P<0.001) increased with age in patients who aged 1-30, >30-60, and over 60 years old. The age and ALB values of patients in the anti-HEV IgM positive group were lower than the IgG-positive group, while the proportion of males, TBIL, ALT, AFP and PT values were higher than the IgG-positive group, and the differences were statistically significance ( P<0.05). Furthermore, patients in both the anti-HEV IgM and IgG positive groups had higher age, male proportion, TBIL, ALT, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ, and PT values than the anti-HEV negative group. Additionally, both groups had lower ALB values than the anti-HEV negative group, all of which were statistically significant ( P<0.05). 2 162 HEV infected patients were grouped based on HEV RNA positivity. The proportion of anti-HEV IgM single positive, IgG single positive, IgM+IgG double positive, and antibody negative patients in the HEV RNA positive group were 5.42% (18/332), 3.62% (12/332), 90.36% (300/332), and 0.60% (2/332), respectively. Among them, the proportion of anti-HEV IgM+IgG double positive patients in the HEV RNA positive group was higher than that in the HEV RNA negative group ( χ2=302.87, P<0.001), while the proportion of anti-HEV IgG single positive ( χ2=174.36, P<0.001) and anti-HEV antibody negative patients ( χ2=59.28, P<0.001) were lower than that in the HEV RNA negative group, both of which were statistically significant ( P<0.001). In addition, the positive rates of HEV RNA in anti-HEV IgM positive, IgG positive, and antibody negative patients were 29.23% (318/1 088), 17.59% (312/1 774), and 0.65% (2/306), respectively. Conclusion:The HEV infection rate among patients declined in 2023. HEV infection is age-related, with older individuals being more susceptible. Abnormal liver function and jaundice were commonly observed during HEV infection. It is crucial to note that the absence of anti-HEV specific antibodies cannot rule out HEV infection; therefore, additional testing for HEV RNA and/or HEV Ag is necessary for accurate diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate the effects of puerarin on bone density in rats and mice through a meta-analysis. Methods The databases, including CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang data, VIP, PubMed, EMBase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus from their inception to November 6, 2023, were searched for literature on the effects of puerarin treatment on bone density in rats and mice. Inclusion criteria for the literature were randomized controlled trials with a placebo or blank control group; the subject animals were rats or mice; the intervention was puerarin; and the results included bone density measurements. Exclusion criteria included combination therapy with puerarin; lack of original research data; unpublished studies; and using mandible as the measurement site for bone density. Risks of bias were assessed using SYRCLE's RoB tool. Data analysis was conducted with Stata 16.0 and Rev Man 5.3 software. Results After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 429 records were identified and 42 articles covering 41 studies were ultimately included. 925 animals were involved and the data analysis results indicated that puerarin improved bone density in rats and mice compared to the control group: femur [37 studies, n=824, standardized mean difference （SMD)=2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.69-2.54, P < 0.000 1], lumbar spine (13 studies, n=271, SMD=2.25, 95% CI=1.49-3.01, P < 0.000 1), tibia (4 studies, n=95, SMD=0.94, 95% CI=0.05-1.83, P=0.04), and the whole body (4 studies, n=94, SMD=1.89, 95% CI=0.50-3.29, P=0.008), with all inter-group differences in bone density being statistically significant. Conclusion Puerarin can improve bone density in rats and mice. This study provides a valuable reference for clinical studies on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis with puerarin.

OBJECTIVE To study the difference of Huangqin decoction combined with Paeoniae Radix Alba(BS) and Paeoniae Radix Rubra(CS)'s effect on ulcerative colitis(UC) based on network pharmacological analysis and animal experiment. METHODS The active constituents of BS and CS were retrieved from TCMSP database and literature, and the potential target was predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. Ulcerative Colitis was used as key words to search disease targets in DisGenet, OMIM, and Genecard databases. The intersection target was obtained by Venny 2.1.0. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct network of drug-consumption targets. The STRING platform was used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis, and Metascape database was applied for GO/WIKI analysis. A dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) induced UC mouse model was established to compare the anti-UC effects of Huangqing decoction combined with BS(HQT-BS) and CS(HQT-CS), respectively. RESULTS There were 7 active components of HQT-BS and 11 active components of HQT-CS in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, respectively, 5 of which were the same. There were 146 and 157 targets respectively, 106 of which were the same. The core targets of HQT-BS were SRC, HSP90AA1, and PIK3R1, while the core targets of HQT-CS were SRC, HSP90AA1, and STAT3. WIKI enrichment analysis showed that several signaling pathways were shared by both BS and CS, such as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, Notch signaling pathway. EGF/EGFR signaling pathway was the specific pathway related to BS, while Nuclear receptors meta-pathway and Kit receptor signaling pathway were the specific pathways related to CS, respectively. Animal experiments showed that both HQT-BS and HQT-CS could significantly improve colon shortening and tissue pathological alternation induced by DSS. However, HQT-CS was more effective in reducing the expression of interleukin-6 and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein1. CONCLUSION Both HQT-BS and HQT-CS have anti-UC effect, and HQT-CS is the better one.

Objective To explore the effect of robotic training under position limitation on upper limb of patients with shoulder sub-luxation after stroke. Methods From March to December,2023,sixty patients with shoulder subluxation after stroke in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University were randomized into conventional group(n = 20),robot group(n = 20)and position-limited group(n = 20).All the groups accepted conventional rehabilitation,while the robot group underwent robot training and the position-limited group underwent robot training under position limitation,for four weeks.Before and after treatment,Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE)and modified Bar-thel Index(MBI)were used for evaluation,surface electromyography(sEMG)was used to measure the average electromyography(AEMG)and root mean square(RMS)of posterior deltoid fasciculus and supraspinatus during contraction,and musculoskeletal ultrasonography was used to determine the distance of acromion-greater tuber-osity(AGT)of the affected side. Results After treatment,FMA-UE score,MBI score,AEMG,RMS and the distance of AGT improved in all the groups(|t|>10.850,P<0.001),and all the indexes were optimal in the position-limited group(F>42.031,P<0.001). Conclusion Robotic training for upper limb under postural limitation can further improve upper limb function and sub-luxation status,activities of daily living,and peri-shoulder muscle in patients with shoulder subluxation after stroke.

Objective To investigate the differences in treatment experience and quality of life between adolescent orthodontic pa-tients using clear aligners and fixed braces.Methods A total of 104 adolescent patients were selected who underwent orthodontic treat-ment with either clear aligners or fixed braces at Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Stomatological Hospital from January 2022 to June 2022.The patients were divided into two treatment groups based on the type of orthodontic appliance,with 52 patients in each group.Within a 6-month period of using clear aligners or fixed braces,adolescent orthodontic patients were surveyed using the child oral health impact profile-short form 19(COHIP-SF19)and other individual items.The differences in mean satisfaction,quality of life,and statistical scores were compared using independent samples t-tests,while the differences in subjective responses were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.Results There were no significant differences in mean quality of life and statistical scores between the two groups,but patients in the clear aligner group reported higher satisfaction.The clear aligner group reported greater difficulty with eating,while patients with fixed braces were more likely to experience negative emotions.Additionally,there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of adaptation time to the appliance,maintaining dental hygiene,and feeling attractive.Conclusion Patients in both groups were generally satisfied with their treatment.Adolescent orthodontic patients treated with clear a-ligners or fixed braces for at least 6 months exhibit similar overall quality of life.