Methods: Cervical radiographs were analyzed. EOP hyperplasia was classified into three subtypes with standardized length measurements. Variables encompassed demographics, ONL-related indices, and sagittal parameters. Subtype comparisons and multivariate regression analyses (with EOP length as dependent variable) were conducted. Results: Analysis of 187 CSM patients (64.2% male) identified gender-specific patterns: males exhibited greater EOP length (9.4±6.8 mm vs. 4.6±3.4 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP demonstrated male predominance (82.4% vs. type I 31.8%, type II 51.4%; p<0.001), with associated longer hyperplasia length (11.6±6.6 mm vs. type II 5.1±1.9 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP was associated with higher ONL prevalence (type III 64.8% vs. type I 45.5%, type II 41.9%; p=0.010) and longer ONL osteophyte length (type III 18.8±9.8 mm vs. type I 14.2±8.1 mm, type II 14.2±9.4 mm; p=0.046). Multivariate regression confirmed male sex (β=–3.82, p=0.009), ONL osteophyte length (β=0.16, p=0.017), T1 slope (β=0.27, p=0.041), and spino-cranial angle (β=–0.19, p=0.009) as factors independently associated with EOP length (adjusted R²=0.382). Conclusions Severe EOP hyperplasia exhibits a male-predominant distribution pattern and demonstrates significant radiological associations with ONL and cervical sagittal imbalance in CSM patients. These findings advocate for EOP evaluation in clinical evaluations to identify high-risk biomechanical profiles.

Alzheimer's disease(AD),a progressive dementia,is one of the most common neurodegenerative dis-eases.Clinical trial results of amyloid-β(Aβ)and tau regulators based on the pretext of straightforward amyloid and tau immunotherapy were disappointing.There are currently no effective strategies for slowing the progression of AD.Herein,we spotlight the dysregulation of lipid metabolism,particularly the elevation of ceramides(Cers),as a critical yet underexplored facet of AD pathogenesis.Our study delineates the role of Cers in promoting microglial pyroptosis,a form of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis and necroptosis,characterized by cellular swelling,and membrane rupture mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.Utilizing both in vivo experiments with amyloid precursor protein(APP)/presenilin 1(PS1)transgenic mice and in vitro assays with BV-2 microglial cells,we investigate the activation of microglial pyroptosis by Cers and its inhibition by icariin(ICA),a flavonoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Our findings reveal a significant increase in Cers levels and pyroptosis markers(NOD-like receptor family,pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain,caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),and interleukin-18(IL-18))in the brains of AD model mice,indicating a direct involvement of Cers in AD pathology through the induction of microglial pyroptosis.Conversely,ICA treatment effec-tively reduces these pyroptotic markers and Cer levels,thereby attenuating microglial pyroptosis and suggesting a novel therapeutic mechanism of action against AD.This study not only advances our un-derstanding of the pathogenic role of Cers in AD but also introduces ICA as a promising candidate for AD therapy,capable of mitigating neuroinflammation and pyroptosis through the cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)-NLRP3 inflammasome-gasdermin D(GSDMD)axis.Our results pave the way for further exploration of Cer metabolism disorders in neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the therapeutic potential of tar-geting microglial pyroptosis in AD.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive dementia, is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical trial results of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau regulators based on the pretext of straightforward amyloid and tau immunotherapy were disappointing. There are currently no effective strategies for slowing the progression of AD. Herein, we spotlight the dysregulation of lipid metabolism, particularly the elevation of ceramides (Cers), as a critical yet underexplored facet of AD pathogenesis. Our study delineates the role of Cers in promoting microglial pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis and necroptosis, characterized by cellular swelling, and membrane rupture mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Utilizing both in vivo experiments with amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) transgenic mice and in vitro assays with BV-2 microglial cells, we investigate the activation of microglial pyroptosis by Cers and its inhibition by icariin (ICA), a flavonoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our findings reveal a significant increase in Cers levels and pyroptosis markers (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, caspase-1, gasdermin D (gasdermin D (GSDMD)), and interleukin-18 (IL-18)) in the brains of AD model mice, indicating a direct involvement of Cers in AD pathology through the induction of microglial pyroptosis. Conversely, ICA treatment effectively reduces these pyroptotic markers and Cer levels, thereby attenuating microglial pyroptosis and suggesting a novel therapeutic mechanism of action against AD. This study not only advances our understanding of the pathogenic role of Cers in AD but also introduces ICA as a promising candidate for AD therapy, capable of mitigating neuroinflammation and pyroptosis through the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-NLRP3 inflammasome-gasdermin D (GSDMD) axis. Our results pave the way for further exploration of Cer metabolism disorders in neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting microglial pyroptosis in AD.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors and prognosis of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) complicated with myocardial injury.Methods:A retrospective selection was made of 108 PLA patients treated in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2016 to June 2022 as the research subjects. Patients were divided into the myocardial injury group and non-myocardial injury group according to the occurrence of myocardial injury. Baseline characteristics, laboratory test data, imaging and etiological examination results, echocardiographic indicators, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. A logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for PLA complicated with myocardial injury.Results:Among the 108 PLA patients, 24 cases (22.2%) were complicated with myocardial injury. The age of the myocardial injury group was (71±13)years, which was significantly higher than that of the non-myocardial injury group [(59±14)years, P<0.05]. The levels of neutrophil ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and D-dimer in the myocardial injury group were significantly higher than those in the non-myocardial injury group, while the levels of platelet count (PLT) and albumin (ALB) were significantly lower, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). In terms of blood culture, the positive detection rate in the myocardial injury group was as high as 54.2%(13/24), among which the detection rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae was 41.7%(10/24); the positive rate of blood culture in the non-myocardial injury group was only 17.9%(15/84), and the detection rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae was 14.3%(12/84), with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction in the myocardial injury group was lower than that in the non-myocardial injury group, and the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, the incidence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, the proportion of transfer to emergency intensive care unit (EICU), shock, and death were significantly higher than those in the non-myocardial injury group (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age was an independent risk factor for myocardial injury in PLA patients ( P<0.05), and for each 1-year increase in age, the risk of myocardial injury increased by 11.9%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of age for myocardial injury, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.729( P<0.05), and the cut-off value calculated by Youden index was 64.5 years. Conclusions:Age is an independent risk factor for myocardial injury in PLA patients. PLA patients complicated with myocardial injury have poor cardiac function, higher incidence of transfer to EICU, shock, and death, and poor prognosis.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors and prognosis of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) complicated with myocardial injury.Methods:A retrospective selection was made of 108 PLA patients treated in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2016 to June 2022 as the research subjects. Patients were divided into the myocardial injury group and non-myocardial injury group according to the occurrence of myocardial injury. Baseline characteristics, laboratory test data, imaging and etiological examination results, echocardiographic indicators, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. A logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for PLA complicated with myocardial injury.Results:Among the 108 PLA patients, 24 cases (22.2%) were complicated with myocardial injury. The age of the myocardial injury group was (71±13)years, which was significantly higher than that of the non-myocardial injury group [(59±14)years, P<0.05]. The levels of neutrophil ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and D-dimer in the myocardial injury group were significantly higher than those in the non-myocardial injury group, while the levels of platelet count (PLT) and albumin (ALB) were significantly lower, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). In terms of blood culture, the positive detection rate in the myocardial injury group was as high as 54.2%(13/24), among which the detection rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae was 41.7%(10/24); the positive rate of blood culture in the non-myocardial injury group was only 17.9%(15/84), and the detection rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae was 14.3%(12/84), with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction in the myocardial injury group was lower than that in the non-myocardial injury group, and the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, the incidence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, the proportion of transfer to emergency intensive care unit (EICU), shock, and death were significantly higher than those in the non-myocardial injury group (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age was an independent risk factor for myocardial injury in PLA patients ( P<0.05), and for each 1-year increase in age, the risk of myocardial injury increased by 11.9%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of age for myocardial injury, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.729( P<0.05), and the cut-off value calculated by Youden index was 64.5 years. Conclusions:Age is an independent risk factor for myocardial injury in PLA patients. PLA patients complicated with myocardial injury have poor cardiac function, higher incidence of transfer to EICU, shock, and death, and poor prognosis.

The fluid status and rate of blood flow through the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) are two important factors affecting hemodynamic in hemodialysis patients; however, their effects on pulmonary hypertension have rarely been studied. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effects of these factors in hemodialysis patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional survey included 219 maintenance hemodialysis patients (139 [63.5%] male). The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was 13.6% (30 of 219). Pulmonary artery pressure was measured by echocardiography, fluid status was measured objectively using bioimpedance spectroscopy, and blood flow rate in the AVF (Qa) was determined using Doppler ultrasound. Results: The overall mean overhydration before hemodialysis was 1.5 L (range, 0.6–2.8 L). The mean overhydration in patients with and without pulmonary hypertension was 3.6 L (range, 2.3–4.6 L) and 1.4 L (range, 0.6–2.4 L), respectively (p < 0.001). The overall mean Qa was 780 mL/min (range, 570–1,015.5 mL/min). The mean Qa of patients with and without pulmonary hypertension was 672 mL/min (range, 505.7–982.2 mL/min) and 790 mL/min (range, 591–1,026 mL/min), respectively (p = 0.27). Overhydration (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.97; p = 0.01), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP; OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.09–1.71; p = 0.007), and left atrial diameter (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01–1.28; p = 0.03) were risk factors. Conclusion: Pulmonary hypertension is strongly associated with overhydration, NT-proBNP, and left atrial diameter in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Exosomes derived from breast cancer have been reported to play a role in promoting cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, which has the potential to accelerate the healing process of diabetic wounds. The aim of this investigation was to examine the function of exosomes originating from 4T1 mouse breast carcinoma cells (TEXs) in the process of diabetic wound healing. METHODS: The assessment of primary mouse skin fibroblasts cell proliferation and migration was conducted through the utilization of CCK-8 and wound healing assays, while the tube formation of HUVECs was evaluated by tube formation assay. High-throughput sequencing, RT-qPCR and cell experiments were used to detect the roles of miR-126a-3p in HUVECs functions in vitro. The in vivo study employed a model of full-thickness excisional wounds in diabetic subjects to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of TEXs. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent techniques were utilized to evaluate histological changes in skin tissues. RESULTS: The findings suggested that TEXs facilitate diabetic wound healing through the activation of cell migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. An upregulation of miR-126a-3p has been observed in TEXs, and it has demonstrated efficient transferability from 4T1 cells to HUVEC cells. The activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway has been attributed to miR-126a-3p derived from TEXs. CONCLUSIONS The promotion of chronic wound healing can be facilitated by TEXs through the activation of cellular migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. The activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway by miR-126a-3p originating from TEXs has been discovered, indicating a potential avenue for enhancing the regenerative capabilities of wounds treated with TEXs.

Objective To establish an HPLC method for the determination of alkaloids(epiberberine,coptisine,palma-tine,berberine)and catalpol in different ratios(1∶1,1∶10)of ancient and modern Qianjin Huanglian Pills,and to compare the differences in their contents.The content differences were compared to preliminarily evaluate the differences in the efficacy of Qianjin Huanglian Pills in the treatment of diabetes under different preparation processes and different ratios.Methods The alkaloid solvent was methanol∶ hydrochloric acid(100∶1).The detection conditions were as follows:C18 column,acetonitrile-0.05 mol·L-1 potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution(50∶50),detection wavelength 345 nm,column temperature 30℃,flow rate 1 mL·min-1,injection volume 10 μL.The catalpol solution was methanol∶ water(20∶80).The detection conditions were as follows:chromatographic column C18 column,methanol-0.1%phosphoric acid solution(1∶ 99),detection wavelength 210 nm,column temperature 30℃,flow rate 1 mL·min-1,injection volume 10 μL.Results The established method was spe-cific,and the separation effect of the five components was good.It exhibited a good linear relationship(R2＞0.999)in their respec-tive linear ranges.The repeatability,precision,stability,and sample recovery rate all met the requirements.The content of four alka-loids in the ancient method 1∶1 was the highest,and the content of catalpol was the lowest.The content of four alkaloids in the ancient method 1∶10 was the lowest;the content of 1∶1 in the present method was higher than that in the ancient method 1∶10,and the content of berberine in the present method 1∶10 was slightly lower than that in the present method 1∶1,and the rest were higher than that in the present method 1∶1.The PCA results showed that the chemical composition contents of the four kinds of Qianjin Huanglian pills were very different.Conclusion The method is simple,accurate,and reproducible,making it suitable for the quality control of Qianjin Huanglian Pills.It provides a theoretical basis for exploring the difference in efficacy of Qianjin Huanglian Pills.

Objective This study aimed to explore the effect of pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1(PTT-G1)on the invasion and proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)cell lines under the action of miR-362-3p.Methods The bioinformatics online database was used to query the expression of PTTG1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC).The expression of PTTG1 in the Cal-27,HN-30,and HOK cell lines was detected by Western blot.A wound-healing assay was used to determine the effect of PTTG1 on the migration ability of the OSCC cells.The Transwell assay was used to examine the changes in cell-invasion ability.5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)cell-proliferation assay was used to detect changes in cell-proliferation ability.Bioinformatics approach predicted the upstream miRNA of PTTG1.The targeting relationship between miR-362-3p and PTTG1 was examined by the dual luciferase assay,and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to determine the expression of miRNA in OSCC tissues.Results The ENCORI database showed that PTTG1 expression was up-regulated in OSCC tissues.Western blot confirmed that PTTG1 expression was up-regulated in Cal-27 and HN-30 cells than HOK cells.PTTG1 knockout can inhibit the migration,invasion,and prolif-eration of Cal-27 and HN-30 cells(P<0.05).Bioinformatics prediction websites predicted that the upstream miRNA of PTTG1 was miR-362-3p,and PTTG1 can bind to miR-362-3p.Results of qRT-PCR showed that miR-362-3p expression was downregulated in OSCC tissues compared with normal tissue(P<0.05).Transwell and EdU experiments confirmed that miR-362-3p knockdown can promote the invasion and proliferation of Cal-27 and HN-30 after PTTG1 knockdown.Conclusion miR-362-3p can inhibit the invasion and proliferation of Cal-27 and HN-30 cells by targeting PTTG1.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically evaluate the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation on the motor function of patients with Parkinson's disease,and to compare the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation at different targets on the motor function of patients with Parkinson's disease,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the target selection of transcranial direct current stimulation in clinical practice. METHODS:Cochrane Library,PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,VIP,WanFang Data were retrieved for randomized controlled trials on the improvement of motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease by transcranial direct current stimulation published from the database inception to January 2023.The keywords were"Parkinson,transcranial direct current stimulation"in English and Chinese.The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane 5.1.0 risk of bias assessment tool and the PEDro scale.Meta-analysis of outcome indicators was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 17.0 software. RESULTS:Fifteen randomized controlled trials were finally included,and the PEDro scale showed that all were high-quality or very high-quality studies.Meta-analysis showed that transcranial direct current stimulation significantly improved Unified-Parkinson Disease Rating Scale part III score[mean difference(MD)=-2.49,95%confidence interval(CI):-4.42 to-0.55,P<0.05),step frequency score(MD=0.07,95%CI:0.03-0.11,P<0.05)and step speed score(MD=0.02,95%CI:0.00-0.05,P<0.05),but not for Berg Balance Scale scores(MD=2.57,95%CI:-0.74 to 5.87,P>0.05).Network Meta-analysis probability ranking:In terms of Unified-Parkinson Disease Rating Scale part III scores,the probability ranking results of target stimulation efficacy were dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex(52.4%)>primary motor cortex(45.8%)>central point of the brain(1.8%)>conventional rehabilitation(0%);in terms of gait frequency scores,the probability probability ranking results of target stimulation efficacy were cerebellum(50.1%)>central point of the brain(45.8%)>dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex(3.9%)>primary motor cortex(0.2%)>conventional rehabilitation(0%);in terms of gait speed scores,the probability ranking results of target stimulation efficacy were cerebellum(64.8%)>dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex(23.8%)>central point of the brain(9.4%)>primary motor cortex(1.7%)>conventional rehabilitation(0.4%);in terms of Berg Balance Scale scores,the probability ranking results of target stimulation efficacy were cerebellum(77.4%)>dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex(20.7%)>central point of the brain(0.7%)>conventional rehabilitation(0.2%). CONCLUSION:Transcranial direct current stimulation significantly improves motor function of patients with Parkinson's disease,with better motor coordination in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and better walking and balance in the cerebellum.