BACKGROUND:According to different locations of lumbar disc herniation,it can be classified into many types.Among them,patients with intradural sac type lumbar disc herniation have severe clinical symptoms,which greatly affect their quality of life.Therefore,this article studies the risk factors for its onset,and improving the preoperative diagnostic rate is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of this disease.OBJECTIVE:To explore the risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 15 patients with intradural lumbar disc herniation(herniation group)admitted to three hospitals in Xuzhou city from May 2014 to November 2022.Propensity score matching was used to match patients with lumbar disc herniation who did not protrude into the dura mater in a ratio of 1:4.A total of 59 patients were selected and included in the non-herniation group.Clinical data were observed in the two groups.Univariate and binary logistic regression analysis,multiple linear regression,and PROBIT regression analysis were utilized to identify the relevant risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of univariate analysis showed that the average disease course,proportion of segments,modified Pfiirmann grading,sacral tilt angle,proportion of previous lumbar spine surgery history,and proportion of heavy manual workers,proportion of lumbar spinal stenosis,redundancy of the cauda equina,and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament all showed statistical differences in the herniation and non-herniation groups(P＜0.05).(2)Multivariate regression analysis showed that duration of disease,protruding segment,history of lumbar surgery,modified Pfiirmann grading,cauda equina redundancy,and lumbar spinal stenosis were independent risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.(3)Based on the influencing factors,an receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed,with an area under curve of 0.956(95％CI:0.913-0.998),indicating good discrimination.(4)There was a significant correlation between the duration of the disease,the protruded segment,the history of lumbar spine surgery,the modified Pfirmann classification,cauda equina redundancy,lumbar spinal canal stenosis,and the incidence rate of intradural lumbar disc herniation.

Dampness-heat syndrome of the spleen and stomach refers to the evil dampness-heat invading the spleen and stomach,the abnormal rise and fall of the middle jiaoqi machinery,dampness-heat depression and steaming,the physiological dysfunction of the spleen and stomach,with abdominal distention and distention,nausea and lethargy of the limbs,poor loose stool,red tongue and yellow greasy fur,and slippery pulse as the main symptoms of the syndrome,most common in digestive system diseases,among which chronic gastritis is the first.This paper summarized the research results in the past decade and related fields.In the mode of combination of disease and syndrome,based on the principle of corresponding prescription and syndrome,combined with the etiology and pathogenesis evolution of spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome,the biological connotation of spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome was explained from various aspects such as inflammation and immune disorders,gastrointestinal motivity disorders,water and humidity loss,endoplasmic reticulum function,and micro-ecological disorders.Enrich the research of the essence of syndrome.

BACKGROUND:Cross-sectional area and fat infiltration are the standard parameters for quantifying paravertebral muscle,but it is too cumbersome and time-consuming to introduce new quantifying indicators. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between paravertebral muscle and spinopelvic sagittal parameters and the predictive value of lumbar indentation value for sagittal balance in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis.METHODS:The study included 87 patients diagnosed with spondylolisthesis,all of whom had grade Ⅱ spondylolisthesis according to Meyerding classification,including 40 males and 47 females,with a mean age of (51.4±9.1) years. The sagittal vertical axis,pelvic incidence angle,pelvic inclination angle,sacral inclination angle,lumbar lordosis,thoracic kyphosis,and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis were measured. The total cross-sectional area,functional cross-sectional area,and fat infiltration of lumbar paracolateral muscles were measured. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between sagittal parameters and paravertebral muscle measurements. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effects of lumbar indentation value,age,sex,and body mass index on spinopelvic sagittal balance. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find the best cut-off point of the indentation value of the lumbar spine,and the relationship of sagittal vertical axis and pelvic incidence with lumbar lordosis was evaluated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) According to Pearson correlation analysis,the total cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.464,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.306,P<0.01). The functional cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.367,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.228,P<0.05). The indentation value of lumbar spine was significantly correlated with the sagittal vertical axis (r=-0.300,P<0.01),lumbar lordosis(P=0.417,P<0.01),thoracic kyphosis (r=0.351,P<0.01),and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.319,P<0.01). (2) According to multiple linear regression analysis,the indentation value of lumbar spine was independently correlated with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis and the sagittal vertical axis. 55％ (11/20) of patients with lumbar indentation value ≤11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm,while 96％(64/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm. 30％ (6/20) of patients with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°,while 66％ (44/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°. (3) It is concluded that both total cross-sectional area and functional cross-sectional area were significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis. Lumbar indentation value,as a new indicator for the evaluation of paravertebral degeneration,was independently correlated with the sagittal vertical axis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis,and had certain predictive value for postoperative sagittal plane correction. It was a simple and practical method for the evaluation of spinopelvic sagittal plane and paravertebral muscle degeneration. The degeneration of the paravertebral muscle is related to spinopelvic sagittal balance.

BACKGROUND:Cross-sectional area and fat infiltration are the standard parameters for quantifying paravertebral muscle,but it is too cumbersome and time-consuming to introduce new quantifying indicators. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between paravertebral muscle and spinopelvic sagittal parameters and the predictive value of lumbar indentation value for sagittal balance in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis.METHODS:The study included 87 patients diagnosed with spondylolisthesis,all of whom had grade Ⅱ spondylolisthesis according to Meyerding classification,including 40 males and 47 females,with a mean age of (51.4±9.1) years. The sagittal vertical axis,pelvic incidence angle,pelvic inclination angle,sacral inclination angle,lumbar lordosis,thoracic kyphosis,and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis were measured. The total cross-sectional area,functional cross-sectional area,and fat infiltration of lumbar paracolateral muscles were measured. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between sagittal parameters and paravertebral muscle measurements. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effects of lumbar indentation value,age,sex,and body mass index on spinopelvic sagittal balance. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find the best cut-off point of the indentation value of the lumbar spine,and the relationship of sagittal vertical axis and pelvic incidence with lumbar lordosis was evaluated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) According to Pearson correlation analysis,the total cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.464,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.306,P<0.01). The functional cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.367,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.228,P<0.05). The indentation value of lumbar spine was significantly correlated with the sagittal vertical axis (r=-0.300,P<0.01),lumbar lordosis(P=0.417,P<0.01),thoracic kyphosis (r=0.351,P<0.01),and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.319,P<0.01). (2) According to multiple linear regression analysis,the indentation value of lumbar spine was independently correlated with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis and the sagittal vertical axis. 55％ (11/20) of patients with lumbar indentation value ≤11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm,while 96％(64/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm. 30％ (6/20) of patients with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°,while 66％ (44/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°. (3) It is concluded that both total cross-sectional area and functional cross-sectional area were significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis. Lumbar indentation value,as a new indicator for the evaluation of paravertebral degeneration,was independently correlated with the sagittal vertical axis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis,and had certain predictive value for postoperative sagittal plane correction. It was a simple and practical method for the evaluation of spinopelvic sagittal plane and paravertebral muscle degeneration. The degeneration of the paravertebral muscle is related to spinopelvic sagittal balance.

BACKGROUND:According to different locations of lumbar disc herniation,it can be classified into many types.Among them,patients with intradural sac type lumbar disc herniation have severe clinical symptoms,which greatly affect their quality of life.Therefore,this article studies the risk factors for its onset,and improving the preoperative diagnostic rate is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of this disease.OBJECTIVE:To explore the risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 15 patients with intradural lumbar disc herniation(herniation group)admitted to three hospitals in Xuzhou city from May 2014 to November 2022.Propensity score matching was used to match patients with lumbar disc herniation who did not protrude into the dura mater in a ratio of 1:4.A total of 59 patients were selected and included in the non-herniation group.Clinical data were observed in the two groups.Univariate and binary logistic regression analysis,multiple linear regression,and PROBIT regression analysis were utilized to identify the relevant risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of univariate analysis showed that the average disease course,proportion of segments,modified Pfiirmann grading,sacral tilt angle,proportion of previous lumbar spine surgery history,and proportion of heavy manual workers,proportion of lumbar spinal stenosis,redundancy of the cauda equina,and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament all showed statistical differences in the herniation and non-herniation groups(P＜0.05).(2)Multivariate regression analysis showed that duration of disease,protruding segment,history of lumbar surgery,modified Pfiirmann grading,cauda equina redundancy,and lumbar spinal stenosis were independent risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.(3)Based on the influencing factors,an receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed,with an area under curve of 0.956(95％CI:0.913-0.998),indicating good discrimination.(4)There was a significant correlation between the duration of the disease,the protruded segment,the history of lumbar spine surgery,the modified Pfirmann classification,cauda equina redundancy,lumbar spinal canal stenosis,and the incidence rate of intradural lumbar disc herniation.

Dampness-heat syndrome of the spleen and stomach refers to the evil dampness-heat invading the spleen and stomach,the abnormal rise and fall of the middle jiaoqi machinery,dampness-heat depression and steaming,the physiological dysfunction of the spleen and stomach,with abdominal distention and distention,nausea and lethargy of the limbs,poor loose stool,red tongue and yellow greasy fur,and slippery pulse as the main symptoms of the syndrome,most common in digestive system diseases,among which chronic gastritis is the first.This paper summarized the research results in the past decade and related fields.In the mode of combination of disease and syndrome,based on the principle of corresponding prescription and syndrome,combined with the etiology and pathogenesis evolution of spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome,the biological connotation of spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome was explained from various aspects such as inflammation and immune disorders,gastrointestinal motivity disorders,water and humidity loss,endoplasmic reticulum function,and micro-ecological disorders.Enrich the research of the essence of syndrome.

Objective:To explore the variables associated with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant during the epidemic in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).Methods:A cross-sectional study. During the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant pandemic from December 15, 2022, to March 15, 2023, COVID-19 related data for patients with MPN who were treated at Peking University People′s Hospital were collected through an online questionnaire-based survey. All questionnaires and clinical data were checked by medical assistants. Logistic multivariate analysis was used to explore the prevalence and variables associated with the severity of COVID-19 in patients with MPN.Results:A total of 239 patients with MPN, including 90 (37.7%) presenting with essential thrombocythemia (ET), 50 (20.9%) with polycythemia vera (PV), and 99 (41.4%) with myelofibrosis (MF), were enrolled in the study. The 99 patients with MF included 87 (87.9%) with primary MF, 5 (5.1%) with post-PV MF, and 7 (7.1%) with post-ET MF. Overall, 239 (100%) patients reported that they experienced COVID-19 during the pandemic. Of these, 226 (94.6%) had mild disease, 4 (1.7%) had moderate disease, 7 (2.9%) had severe disease, and 2 (0.8%) had critical disease. Two (0.8%) patients with severe COVID-19 died, one of which suffered from MT and the other from PV. Multivariate analysis showed that older age ( OR=2.36, 95% CI 1.24-4.49), MF ( OR=10.22, 95% CI 1.13-92.80), or comorbidity ( OR=5.25, 95% CI 1.25-22.03) were associated with a significantly higher risk of developing moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19. Among patients with MF, higher risk stratification reflected an increased risk of developing moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19 ( P=0.034). Conclusion:During the omicron pandemic, older age, MF (especially higher-risk categories), and comorbidity were associated with a higher risk of developing moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19.

Objective:To compare the safety of radial artery puncture in elderly patients aged 75 years and older who are undergoing neurointerventional procedures.Methods:A single-center retrospective study was conducted, involving 350 elderly patients aged 75 years and older who received neurointerventional treatment at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June to December 2022.The participants were divided into two groups based on the puncture site: femoral artery puncture and radial artery puncture.The safety indicators compared between the two groups included puncture failure, changes in puncture site, general puncture complications(such as subcutaneous bleeding, puncture site hematoma, and vasospasm), severe puncture complications(including distal limb ischemia and pseudoaneurysm), and lower limb venous thrombosis.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of different puncture methods on the occurrence of complications.Results:Among the 350 patients, 280 underwent femoral artery puncture, while 70 underwent radial artery puncture.There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(all P>0.05).The proportions of patients using antiplatelet drugs prior to surgery, puncture failure rates, rates of change in puncture sites, and the incidence of severe complications-including distal limb ischemia and pseudoaneurysm-were not significantly different between the two groups( χ2=2.051, 0.075, 0.588, 3.175; P=0.152, 0.784, 0.443, 0.075).In the femoral artery puncture group, 20.4%(57 cases)of patients experienced general puncture complications(including subcutaneous bleeding, puncture site hematoma, and vasospasm), whereas only 8.6%(6 cases)in the radial artery puncture group experienced such complications, revealing a statistically significant difference between the two groups( χ2=5.720, P=0.022).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that, compared to femoral artery puncture, radial artery puncture was associated with a reduced risk of all complications( OR=0.272, 95% CI: 0.139-0.532, P<0.001), general puncture complications( OR=0.375, 95% CI: 0.153-0.919, P=0.032)and lower limb venous thrombosis( OR=0.219, 95% CI: 0.050-0.954, P=0.043). Conclusions:In elderly patients aged 75 years and older who are undergoing neurointerventional procedures, radial artery puncture is associated with a reduced incidence of general puncture complications and lower limb venous thrombosis when compared to femoral artery puncture, indicating a superior safety profile.

Genkwa Fols, Kansui Radix, and Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix in Shizao Decoction(SZD) are toxic to intestinal tract. Jujubae Fructus in this prescription can alleviate the toxicity, but the mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the mechanism. To be specific, 40 normal Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were classified into the normal group, high-dose and low-dose SZD groups, and high-dose and low-dose SZD without Jujubae Fructus(SZD-JF) groups. The SZD groups were given(ig) SZD, while SZD-JF groups received the decoction without Jujubae Fructus. The variation of body weight and spleen index were recorded. The patho-logical changes of intestinal tissue were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. The content of malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione(GSH) and activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in intestinal tissue were measured to evaluate the intestinal injury. Fresh feces of rats were collected to detect intestinal flora structure by 16S ribosomal RNA gene(16S rDNA) sequencing technology. The content of fecal short chain fatty acids and fecal metabolites was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer(GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer ultra-fast liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer(UFLC-Q-TOF-MS), separately. Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to analyze the differential bacteria genera and differential metabolites. RESULTS:: showed that high-dose and low-dose SZD-JF groups had high content of MDA in intestinal tissue, low GSH content and SOD activity, short intestinal villi(P<0.05), low diversity and abundance of intestinal flora, variation in the intestinal flora structure, and low content of short chain fatty acids(P<0.05) compared with the normal group. Compared with high-dose and low-dose SZD-JF groups, high-dose and low-dose SZD groups displayed low content of MDA in intestinal tissue, high GSH content and SOD activity, recovery of the length of intestinal villi, increased abundance and diversity of intestinal flora, alleviation of dysbacteria, and recovery of the content of short chain fatty acids(P<0.05). According to the variation of intestinal flora and fecal metabolites after the addition of Jujubae Fructus, 6 differential bacterial genera(Lactobacillus, Butyricimonas, Clostridia＿UCG-014, Prevotella, Escherichia-Shigella, Alistipes),4 differential short chain fatty acids(such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid) and 18 differential metabolites(such as urolithin A, lithocholic acid, and creatinine) were screened out. Beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus were in positive correlation with butyric acid and urolithin A(P<0.05). The pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella were in negative correlation with propionic acid and urolithin A(P<0.05). In summary, SZD-JF caused obvious intestinal injury to normal rats, which could lead to intestinal flora disorder. The addition of Jujubae Fructus can alleviate the disorder and relieve the injury by regulating intestinal flora and the metabolites. This study discusses the effect of Jujubae Fructus in relieving the intestinal injury caused by SZD and the mechanism from the perspective of intestinal flora-host metabolism, which is expected to serve as a reference for clinical application of this prescription.
Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Propionates/pharmacology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/pharmacology* ; Butyrates/pharmacology*

Hypereosinophilia (HE) is a kind of hematology disorder affecting multiple organs. Multiple studies demonstrated that HE was correlated with ischemic stroke, and it could be a rare and reversible cause for ischemic stroke. Therefore, more and more concerns have been concentrated by neurologists in recent years. Based on the research data, the definition, typical characteristics, possible mechanism, diagnosis and treatment principles of HE related ischemic stroke were summarized systematically, in order to provide possible personalized treatment strategies for this disease.