BACKGROUND:The correlation between sacroiliac joint degeneration and lumbar degenerative disease has been analyzed in the literature in the past,but the clinical efficacy and imaging changes after interbody fusion with sacroiliac joint ankylosis in patients with lumbar degenerative disease have not been reported in the literature.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on the clinical efficacy and lumbar sagittal regression after L5/S1 single-segment transforminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative disease.METHODS:Thirty-seven patients who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease with sacroiliac joint ankylosis between June 2020 and September 2023 in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed as group A.Thirty-seven patients with lumbar degenerative disease without sacroiliac joint ankylosis who were matched for general information during the same period were selected as controls in group B.Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale for lumbar and lower limb pain.The lumbar sagittal parameters included lumbar anterior convexity angle,lumbar partial anterior convexity angle,and lower lumbar anterior convexity angle.Pfirrmann grading was used to assess the degree of preoperative disc degeneration,postoperative endplate damage and screw loosening,and to record the fusion of the operated segments at the final postoperative follow-up visit.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in age,body mass index,bone mineral density,operation time,intraoperative bleeding,preoperative primary diagnosis and postoperative follow-up time between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)The preoperative Pfirrmann grading of lumbar disc degeneration in group A patients(3.4±0.9)was significantly higher than that of group B(3.1±0.6),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.059,P=0.044).(3)All patients showed significant improvement in postoperative lumbar sagittal parameters compared with preoperative ones(all P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there was a loss of correction in patients in group A.There was no statistical difference in the lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative period(P＞0.05).The lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle in group A were significantly lower than those of group B patients at both preoperative and final follow-up,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).(4)There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative endplate injury between the two groups(x2=0.181,P=0.670),and screw loosening was significantly higher in group A than in group B,with a statistically significant difference(x2=4.163,P=0.041).(5)At the last follow-up,the incidence of grade 3 fusion and grade 4 fusion was significantly higher in group A than in group B.The difference in the distribution of fusion grades between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=7.848,P=0.031).(6)The Oswestry disability index and lower limb visual analog scale scores at the last follow-up of both groups were significantly improved compared with the preoperative period(P＜0.05).The visual analog scale scores for low back pain at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up of group A were significantly higher than those of group B(t=2.010,P=0.048;t=2.133,P=0.036).(7)It is concluded that regardless of whether it is accompanied by sacroiliac joint ankylosis or not,lumbar degenerative disease patients who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum can achieve good therapeutic effects,but lumbar degenerative disease patients with sacroiliac joint ankylosis who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum at the L5/S1 segments have a poorer improvement of low back pain than patients without sacroiliac joint ankylosis after the operation.Furthermore,patients with preoperative sacroiliac ankylosis who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion had a low fusion rate and were prone to loss of correction of the lumbar sagittal position.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among left behind and non left behind primary and secondary school students in the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NIPRCES) areas of central and western China, so as to provide evidence for improving the nutritional status of children and adolescents. Methods: A survey was conducted among 123 782 students selected by random cluster sampling method in grades 3-9 from NIPRCES in central (Hebei, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Hunan, Hubei, and Hainan) and western (Gansu, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Tibet, Shaanxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Yunnan, Qinghai, and Chongqing) China in 2023. Anthropometric measurements and questionnaires were used to assess nutritional and dietary status. The prevalence of undernutrition was compared between left behind and non left behind students by Chi square test, and associated factors were analyzed by three level Logistic mixed effects model. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition was 8.5% (4 326) in left behind students and 8.1% (5 905) in non left behind students. Three level Logistic mixed effect model analysis showed that whether left behind or non left behind, the undernutrition rates of primary and secondary students in western regions were higher than those of students in central regions [ OR (95% CI )=1.72(1.57-1.87),2.25(2.07- 2.43 )]; the undernutrition risk was lower for those whose fathers had a cultural level of high school or above [ OR (95% CI )=0.69(0.62-0.77),0.90(0.82-0.98)] or junior high school [ OR (95% CI )=0.72(0.66-0.79),0.92(0.85-0.99)] compared to those with primary school or below; picky eating or selective eating increased the risk of undernutrition [ OR (95% CI )=2.36(2.07-2.68),2.28(2.04-2.55)], and primary and secondary school students without nutritional content in health education classes had higher rates of undernutrition [ OR (95% CI )=1.12(1.03-1.23),1.09(1.01-1.17)](all P <0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of undernutrition is slightly higher in left behind primary and secondary students than in non left behind primary and secondary students in central and western NIPRCES areas, with variations across different characteristics.

Objective: To analyze the trends of the frequency of meat, egg, and milk consumption among rural primary and junior high school students in central and western China covered by the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NIPRCES) from 2015 to 2023, so as to provide basis for formulating more targeted nutrition intervention policies and health education strategies. Methods: Using data from six rounds of monitoring and evaluation (2015-2021 and 2023), the study included 323 870 students from grade 3 to 9 across 22 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in central and western China. The consumption frequencies of meat, egg, and milk over the past week were collected via questionnaires. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze temporal trends, and multivariable Logistic regression models were employed to analyze factors associated with the frequency of meat, egg and milk consumption and to test for interaction effects between the year and gender, region, and grade level. Results: From 2015 to 2023, the proportion of students consuming meat, egg, and milk ≥1 time/day increased from 23.20 %, 10.71%, and 0.74% to 35.53%, 22.09%, and 26.63%, respectively. Trend tests indicated a significant upward trend for the daily intake of all three food categories for meat, egg and milk over the years ( Z =67.18, 64.90, 93.14, all P <0.01). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that the daily meat intake was lower in the central region than in the western region ( OR=0.77, 95%CI =0.76-0.78), whereas the daily intake of eggs ( OR=1.19, 95%CI =1.17-1.22) and milk ( OR= 1.27 , 95%CI =1.24-1.29) was higher in the central region (all P <0.05). Compared with grade 3-4 students, junior high school students had lower daily intake of meat, eggs, and milk≥1 time/day ( OR =0.95, 0.77, 0.77, all P <0.05), with a declining trend as grade increased. Girls also had lower daily intake of meat, eggs, and milk ≥1 time/day than boys ( OR =0.95，0.93，0.91, all P < 0.05). Significant interactions were observed between year and region, as well as between year and grade (all P <0.05). Conclusion From 2015 to 2023, the NIPRCES improved the intake level of among rural students, but the situation of relatively insufficient intake of egg and milk among females, junior high school students and those in the western region still exists.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) combined with upper limb intelligent robotic training on muscle tension, motor function and cortical excitability in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP). MethodsFrom March, 2023 to December, 2024, 90 children with USCP admitted to Children's Hospital of Soochow University were selected and randomly divided into control group (n = 30), rPMS group (n = 30) and combined group (n = 30). The control group received conventional occupational therapy. The rPMS group received rPMS intervention followed by conventional occupational therapy. The combined group received rPMS followed by upper limb intelligent robot training, for four weeks. Before and after treatment, muscle tension of biceps brachii was assessed using the modified Ashworth Scale (MAS); upper limb motor function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and upper limb intelligent parameters; and cortical excitability was measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), including resting motor threshold (RMT) and motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude of the affected hemisphere. ResultsAfter treatment, MAS grades improved in all groups (|Z| > 3.523, P < 0.001), and the improvement in the combined group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05). Significant intra-group (F > 65.21, P < 0.001), inter-group (F > 17.94, P < 0.001) and interaction effects (F > 5.36, P < 0.01) were observed in FMA-UE scores, upper limb intelligent parameters and TMS parameters. Post Hoc analysis showed that the combined group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in FMA-UE scores, upper limb intelligent parameters, and TMS parameters compared with both the control and rPMS groups (all P < 0.01). Except for FMA-UE scores, the rPMS group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in upper limb intelligent parameters (mechanical feedback, trajectory, and range of motion) and TMS parameters (RMT and MEP amplitude) (P < 0.05). ConclusionrPMS combined with upper limb intelligent robotic training can reduce upper limb muscle tension, improve motor function, and enhance cortical excitability in children with USCP.

BACKGROUND:The correlation between sacroiliac joint degeneration and lumbar degenerative disease has been analyzed in the literature in the past,but the clinical efficacy and imaging changes after interbody fusion with sacroiliac joint ankylosis in patients with lumbar degenerative disease have not been reported in the literature.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on the clinical efficacy and lumbar sagittal regression after L5/S1 single-segment transforminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative disease.METHODS:Thirty-seven patients who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease with sacroiliac joint ankylosis between June 2020 and September 2023 in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed as group A.Thirty-seven patients with lumbar degenerative disease without sacroiliac joint ankylosis who were matched for general information during the same period were selected as controls in group B.Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale for lumbar and lower limb pain.The lumbar sagittal parameters included lumbar anterior convexity angle,lumbar partial anterior convexity angle,and lower lumbar anterior convexity angle.Pfirrmann grading was used to assess the degree of preoperative disc degeneration,postoperative endplate damage and screw loosening,and to record the fusion of the operated segments at the final postoperative follow-up visit.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in age,body mass index,bone mineral density,operation time,intraoperative bleeding,preoperative primary diagnosis and postoperative follow-up time between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)The preoperative Pfirrmann grading of lumbar disc degeneration in group A patients(3.4±0.9)was significantly higher than that of group B(3.1±0.6),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.059,P=0.044).(3)All patients showed significant improvement in postoperative lumbar sagittal parameters compared with preoperative ones(all P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there was a loss of correction in patients in group A.There was no statistical difference in the lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative period(P＞0.05).The lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle in group A were significantly lower than those of group B patients at both preoperative and final follow-up,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).(4)There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative endplate injury between the two groups(x2=0.181,P=0.670),and screw loosening was significantly higher in group A than in group B,with a statistically significant difference(x2=4.163,P=0.041).(5)At the last follow-up,the incidence of grade 3 fusion and grade 4 fusion was significantly higher in group A than in group B.The difference in the distribution of fusion grades between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=7.848,P=0.031).(6)The Oswestry disability index and lower limb visual analog scale scores at the last follow-up of both groups were significantly improved compared with the preoperative period(P＜0.05).The visual analog scale scores for low back pain at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up of group A were significantly higher than those of group B(t=2.010,P=0.048;t=2.133,P=0.036).(7)It is concluded that regardless of whether it is accompanied by sacroiliac joint ankylosis or not,lumbar degenerative disease patients who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum can achieve good therapeutic effects,but lumbar degenerative disease patients with sacroiliac joint ankylosis who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum at the L5/S1 segments have a poorer improvement of low back pain than patients without sacroiliac joint ankylosis after the operation.Furthermore,patients with preoperative sacroiliac ankylosis who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion had a low fusion rate and were prone to loss of correction of the lumbar sagittal position.

Purpose: Our previous study showed that circulating tumor cell (CTC) count combined with gene mutation detection might help differentiate benign and malignant pulmonary nodules (PNs). Herein, we aimed to expand the study cohort and conduct further sequencing analysis. Materials and Methods: Patients with PNs were included, and CTCs were identified before operation. Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (LC-WGS) and lung cancer-related targeted gene sequencing were performed on CTCs. The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The differences in CTC counts among subgroups classified by demographic–clinical characteristics were analyzed. LC-WGS–based copy number variation (CNV) analysis and targeted gene mutation analysis were conducted. Results: A total of 172 patients were included. CTC count of 2.5 was identified by the ROC curves as the optimal diagnostic cutoff. The sensitivity and specificity of CTC count for differentiating benign and malignant PNs were 54.2% and 78.6%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of combined CTC count, radiological nodule type, and any malignant imaging features were 84.7% and 71.4%, respectively. The CTC counts were significantly greater in patients with aggressive tumors, later stage, and spread through air spaces. CTCs from malignant cases had more CNVs than those from benign cases. Conclusion CTC count can be used in identifying malignant PNs. The diagnostic efficacy can be improved if combined with computed tomography imaging characteristics. Further CNV analysis might help differential diagnosis. Greater CTC count might suggest more aggressive tumors. CTC detection can provide important information and guidance for subsequent management of PNs.

Objective: To analyze the consumption frequency of major foods among Chinese children aged 6-17 years old, and to provide a basis for optimizing the dietary structure of children in China. Methods: Using data from the China Nutrition and Health System Survey and Application Program for Children 0-18 years old, 56 734 children aged 6-17 years old from North, Norththeast East, Central, South, Southwest and Northwest seven regions in China were selected for the study using stratified cluster random sampling from 2019 to 2021. A food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate the intake frequency of eight food groups in a month, including fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, livestock and poultry meats, aquatic products, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and cereals and potatoes. The foods were grouped according to whether they met the recommended intake criteria outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents 2022. The〖KG*2〗χ2 test was used to compare the differences in the proportion of childrens intake frequency of each food group meeting the standard in different regions and age groups. Results: The proportions of Chinese children aged 6-17 years who consumed fresh vegetables and cereals and potatoes ≥3 times/d were 12.1% and 67.2%, respectively. The proportions of children who consumed fresh fruits, livestock and poultry meats, eggs and dairy products ≥1 time/d were 50.8%, 58.8%, 36.0% and 54.3%, respectively. The proportion of legumes consumed ≥4 times/week was 37.4%, and the proportion of aquatic products consumed ≥2 times/week was 39.7%. Fresh vegetables (5.5%), fresh fruits (33.1%), and dairy products (36.4%) had the lowest frequency of meeting the recommended standards in South China, and aquatic products (27.4%) and eggs (21.1%) had the lowest frequency of meeting the recommended standards in Northwest (P<0.008 3). Conclusion The overall intake frequency of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes, and dairy products are insufficient among Chinese children, with significant regional variations.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of interleukin-23(IL-23)and IL-17 and the re-sponsiveness of patients with diabetic macular edema(DME)to ranibizumab and relevant predictive significance.Methods A total of 249 DME patients who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from September 2021 to June 2023 were included in this study.These patients were divided into the sensitive group(72 cases and 72 eyes)and the non-sensitive group(177 cases and 177 eyes)according to their responsiveness to ranibizumab treatment.The baseline glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),central macular thickness(CMT),as well as the IL-23 and IL-17 levels before treatment,1 month after treatment,and 3 months after treatment,were compared between the two groups.Besides,the correlation between the reduction rate of the IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 and 3 months of treatment and the responsiveness to ranibizumab was analyzed.Moreover,the impact of the reduction rate of the IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 month of treatment on the responsiveness to ranibizumab and its predictive value was as-sessed.Results The baseline HbA1c and BCVA in the non-sensitive group were higher than those in the sensitive group,while the baseline CMT in the non-sensitive group was lower than that in the sensitive group(all P＜0.05).The IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 month and 3 months of treatment in both groups were lower than those before treatment.The IL-23 and IL-17 levels in the non-sensitive group were higher than those in the sensitive group after 1 month and 3 months of treat-ment.The reduction rate of IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 month and 3 months of treatment in the non-sensitive group was lower than that in the sensitive group(all P＜0.05).The reduction rate of IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 month and 3 months of treatment was positively correlated with therapeutic responsiveness(both P＜0.05).Before calibration,Logistic regression analysis showed that HbA1c,baseline CMT,baseline BCVA,and the reduction rate of IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 month of treatment were all correlated with the responsiveness of DME patients to ranibizumab(all P＜0.05).After cali-bration,Logistic regression analysis showed that the reduction rate of IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 month of treatment was still correlated with the responsiveness of DME patients to ranibizumab(both P＜0.05).After 1 month of treatment,the AUC of the IL-23 reduction rate and the IL-17 reduction rate alone or their combination for predicting the responsiveness of DME patients to ranibizumab was 0.776,0.755,and 0.930,respectively,indicating a high predictive value of their combi-nation.Conclusion The responsiveness of DME patients to ranibizumab is related to the levels of IL-23 and IL-17.The combination of the reduction rate of serum IL-23 and IL-17 levels after 1 month of treatment exhibits a higher value for pre-dicting the responsiveness of DME patients to ranibizumab.