Objective To explore the application value of computed tomography (CT) three-dimensional reconstruction in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A total of 102 patients who underwent TKA in our hospital between April 2022 and April 2025 were enrolled and divided using a random number table into a traditional group (51 cases, routine preoperative evaluation) and a study group (51 cases, CT three-dimensional reconstruction-assisted surgery). The therapeutic efficacy at 3 months postoperatively and perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. The hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle was measured preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were recorded preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Complications were documented. Results The excellent/good rate in the study group (92.16%) was higher than that in the traditional group (74.51%) (P<0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and hospital stay in the study group were (69.52 ± 7.11) min, (102.69 ± 8.54) mL, (167.33 ± 12.35) mL, and (10.93 ± 2.37) days, respectively, which were shorter than those in the traditional group [(78.45 ± 5.98) min, (108.36 ± 10.02) mL, (175.96 ± 14.93) mL, and (12.04 ± 1.95) days] (P<0.05). At 3 months postoperatively, the HKA angle was 178.02° ± 1.05° in the study group and 177.45° ± 1.34° in the traditional group, both were significantly improved compared with those before operation, with the study group showing better improvement (P<0.05). The HSS knee and WOMAC scores in both groups at 3 and 6 months postoperatively were improved compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05). At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the study group showed higher HSS knee score and lower WOMAC score than the traditional group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group (3.92%) was lower than that in the traditional group (17.65%) (P<0.05). Conclusion TKA guided by CT three-dimensional reconstruction improved the excellent/good rate, optimized HKA angle and knee function, shortened operation time and hospital stay, reduced intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume, and decreased the incidence of complications.

Objective To explore the application value of computed tomography (CT) three-dimensional reconstruction in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A total of 102 patients who underwent TKA in our hospital between April 2022 and April 2025 were enrolled and divided using a random number table into a traditional group (51 cases, routine preoperative evaluation) and a study group (51 cases, CT three-dimensional reconstruction-assisted surgery). The therapeutic efficacy at 3 months postoperatively and perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. The hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle was measured preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were recorded preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Complications were documented. Results The excellent/good rate in the study group (92.16%) was higher than that in the traditional group (74.51%) (P<0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and hospital stay in the study group were (69.52 ± 7.11) min, (102.69 ± 8.54) mL, (167.33 ± 12.35) mL, and (10.93 ± 2.37) days, respectively, which were shorter than those in the traditional group [(78.45 ± 5.98) min, (108.36 ± 10.02) mL, (175.96 ± 14.93) mL, and (12.04 ± 1.95) days] (P<0.05). At 3 months postoperatively, the HKA angle was 178.02° ± 1.05° in the study group and 177.45° ± 1.34° in the traditional group, both were significantly improved compared with those before operation, with the study group showing better improvement (P<0.05). The HSS knee and WOMAC scores in both groups at 3 and 6 months postoperatively were improved compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05). At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the study group showed higher HSS knee score and lower WOMAC score than the traditional group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group (3.92%) was lower than that in the traditional group (17.65%) (P<0.05). Conclusion TKA guided by CT three-dimensional reconstruction improved the excellent/good rate, optimized HKA angle and knee function, shortened operation time and hospital stay, reduced intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume, and decreased the incidence of complications.

Objective To explore the application value of computed tomography (CT) three-dimensional reconstruction in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A total of 102 patients who underwent TKA in our hospital between April 2022 and April 2025 were enrolled and divided using a random number table into a traditional group (51 cases, routine preoperative evaluation) and a study group (51 cases, CT three-dimensional reconstruction-assisted surgery). The therapeutic efficacy at 3 months postoperatively and perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. The hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle was measured preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were recorded preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Complications were documented. Results The excellent/good rate in the study group (92.16%) was higher than that in the traditional group (74.51%) (P<0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and hospital stay in the study group were (69.52 ± 7.11) min, (102.69 ± 8.54) mL, (167.33 ± 12.35) mL, and (10.93 ± 2.37) days, respectively, which were shorter than those in the traditional group [(78.45 ± 5.98) min, (108.36 ± 10.02) mL, (175.96 ± 14.93) mL, and (12.04 ± 1.95) days] (P<0.05). At 3 months postoperatively, the HKA angle was 178.02° ± 1.05° in the study group and 177.45° ± 1.34° in the traditional group, both were significantly improved compared with those before operation, with the study group showing better improvement (P<0.05). The HSS knee and WOMAC scores in both groups at 3 and 6 months postoperatively were improved compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05). At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the study group showed higher HSS knee score and lower WOMAC score than the traditional group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group (3.92%) was lower than that in the traditional group (17.65%) (P<0.05). Conclusion TKA guided by CT three-dimensional reconstruction improved the excellent/good rate, optimized HKA angle and knee function, shortened operation time and hospital stay, reduced intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume, and decreased the incidence of complications.

BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster infection and affects patients' quality of life. Acupuncture therapy is regarded as a competitive method of treatment for analgesia. OBJECTIVE: To summarize evidence from systematic reviews (SRs) and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different acupuncture therapies for treating PHN. METHODS: Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to August 5, 2022, including 4 international electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) and 4 Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database and Wanfang Database). Methodological quality was assessed by A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2). The Risk of Bias in Systematic Review (ROBIS) tool was used to assess the risk of bias in SRs. Evidence level was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: Totally, 7 SRs were included, including 128 studies and 9,792 patients. In AMSTAR 2, most of the SRs were of low or critically low levels since they had more than 1 critical deficiency. In ROBIS, 1 SR (14.29%) was rated as high risk, and the other 6 (85.71%) were rated as low risk. In the GRADE system, 9 outcomes (28.13%) were valued as high level, 5 (15.63%) as moderate level, 1 (3.13%) as low, and 17 (53.13%) as very low. In the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy, the group "moxibustion vs. original medical treatment" [mean difference (MD)=-1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.80 to -1.08, I²=99%, P<0.00001] was of the highest heterogeneity and the group "bloodletting vs. original medical treatment" (MD=-2.80, 95% CI: -3.14 to -2.46, I²=0, P<0.00001) was of the lowest heterogeneity. Six SRs have reported the safety of their studies and no serious events were shown in the treatment and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture therapy seems to be effective in treating PHN. Despite the evidence that suggested the advantages of acupuncture therapy in relieving pain and promoting efficacy and safety, the methodological quality was quite low. Further studies should pay more attention to the quality of original studies and evidence for SRs to confirm these findings. (PROSPERO registration No. CRD42022344790).
Humans ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Systematic Reviews as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2). SMT was administered once every other day for 30 min per session, totally 14 treatment sessions over a span of 4 weeks. HCs did not receive SMT treatment and underwent only one fMRI scan. Additionally, participants in LDH group completed clinical questionnaires on pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, whereas HCs did not undergo clinical scale assessments. The effects on the brain were jointly characterized using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Correlation analyses were conducted between specific brain regions and clinical scales. RESULTS: Following SMT treatment, pain symptoms in LDH patients were notably alleviated and accompanied by evident activation of effects in the brain. In comparison to TP1, TP2 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Sup_R and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Paracentral_Lobule_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Additionally, the most substantial enhancement in ReHo values was observed for the Cuneus_R, while the most prominent reduction was noted for the Olfactory_R (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Moreover, a comparative analysis revealed that, in contrast to HCs, LDH patients at TP1 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Pole_Sup_L and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Frontal_Mid_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Furthermore, the most significant enhancement in ReHo values was observed for Postcentral_L, while the most prominent reduction was identified for ParaHippocampal_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Notably, correlation analysis with clinical scales revealed a robust positive correlation between the Cuneus_R score and the rate of change in the VAS score (r=0.9333, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Long-term chronic lower back pain in patients with LDH manifests significant activation of the "AUN-DMN-S1-SAN" neural circuitry. The visual network, represented by the Cuneus_R, is highly likely to be a key brain network in which the analgesic efficacy of SMT becomes effective in treating LDH patients. (Trial registration No. NCT06277739).
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Manipulation, Spinal/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management ; Rest ; Case-Control Studies

Emerging evidences have indicated the role of ferroptosis in the progression of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD); thus, inhibiting ferroptosis is a promising strategy for the development of MAFLD therapeutics. Recent studies have demonstrated the antioxidative effect of the gut commensal bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muc); however, whether it can alleviate ferroptosis remains unclear. The current study indicates A. muc intervention efficiently reversed high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHFD)-induced lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in the liver. These beneficial effects were mediated by activation of the hepatic AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α axis, as evidenced by the finding that AMPK deficiency abrogated the amelioration of lipid peroxidation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were enriched upon A. muc treatment, and acetate was identified as a key activator of hepatic AMPK signalling. Mechanistically, microbiota-derived acetate was transported to the liver and metabolized to adenosine monophosphate (AMP), which triggered AMPK activation. Furthermore, a colonization assay in germ-free mice confirmed that A. muc mediated antiferroptotic effects in the absence of other microbes. These data indicated that A. muc exerts antiferroptotic effects against MAFLD, at least partially by producing acetate, which activates the hepatic AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α axis to alleviate ferroptosis via the inhibition of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthesis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder for which no effective pharmacological treatments are currently available. One of the pharmacological targets that merits further research is the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), which is found on pancreatic acinar cells and responds to the neuropeptide substance P (SP) that participates in AP. Although a few studies have stated the involvement of SP/NK1R in neurogenic inflammation in AP development, the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that following activation of NK1R by SP, β-arrestin1, a scaffold protein of NK1R, down-regulated transcription of Adss, Adsl, and Ampd in the purine nucleotide cycle, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial function through fumarate depletion. Interestingly, we identified magnolol as a new and natural NK1R inhibitor with a non-nitrogenous biphenyl core structure. It exhibited a beneficial effect on AP by restoring purine nucleotide cycle metabolic enzymes and fumarate levels. Our study not only provides new therapeutic strategies, leading compounds, and drug translation possibilities for AP, but also provides important clues for the study of downstream mechanisms driven by SP in other diseases.

Immunotherapy has become a pivotal modality in clinical cancer treatment. However, its effectiveness is limited to a small subset of patients due to the low antigenicity, impaired innate response, and various adaptive immune resistance mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Accumulating evidence reveals the critical roles of metal elements in shaping immunity against tumor progression and metastasis. The marriage of metalloimmunotherapy and nanotechnology further presents new opportunities to optimize the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of metal ions in a precise spatiotemporal control manner. Several metallodrugs have demonstrated encouraging immunotherapeutic potential in preliminary studies and are currently undergoing clinical trials at different stages, yet challenges persist in scaling up production and addressing long-term biosafety concerns. This review delineates how metal materials modulate biological activities across diverse cell types to orchestrate antitumor immunity. Moreover, it summarizes recent progress in smart drug delivery-release systems integrating metal elements, either as cargo or vehicles, to enhance antitumor immune responses. Finally, the review introduces current clinical applications of nanomedicines in metalloimmunotherapy and discusses potential challenges that impede its widespread translation into clinical practice.

Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca²⁺ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals ; Laminin/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Pyramidal Cells/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction