ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation versus surgical treatment for type A distal radius fracture （DRF） and to explore the factors influencing the choice of treatment. MethodsA multi-center retrospective study was conducted， collecting data from 1237 type A DRF patients treated in 11 hospitals in Jiangsu province from September， 2023 to April， 2025. Among them， 851 patients in the TCM group received manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation， and 386 patients in the surgical group underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Visual analog scale （VAS） scores for pain and radiographic indicators including palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and radial height were compared before treatment， 5-7 days after treatment， and 4-6 weeks after treatment. The wrist joint function scores including Dienst and Gartland-Werley scores at 12 weeks after treatment were recorded. Subgroup analysis was conducted for the excellent rate of Dienst and Gartland-Werley scores， stratified by age （＜50， 50-59， 60-69， ≥70 years old） and AO subtypes （A1， A2， A3）. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent factors influencing treatment choice. ResultsOn 5-7 days after treatment， the surgical group had lower VAS scores than the TCM group， while 4-6 weeks after treatment， the TCM group showed lower VAS scores than the surgical group （P＜0.01）. In terms of radiographic indicators， except for the palmar tilt before treatment being higher in the surgical group than in the TCM group （P＜0.01）， there were no significant differences in palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and radial height at other timepoints （P＞0.05）. Twelve weeks after treatment， the surgical group had a higher average Gartland-Werley score and the excellent rate than the TCM group （P＜0.01）. Subgroup analysis showed that in patients with A2 type DRF aged 50-59 and 60-69 years old， the excellent rates of Dienst and Gartland-Werley scores in the TCM group were higher than those in the surgical group （P＜0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age， palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and the degree of swelling on the affected side were independent factors influencing the choice of treatment （P＜0.05）. ConclusionBoth TCM manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation and surgical treatment for type A DRF can achieve good therapeutic effects. TCM manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation has certain advantages in medium- and long-term pain relief， especially in elderly patients， where wrist joint function recovery is more stable. Age， palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and swelling degree are the main factors influencing the treatment choice.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and radiographic outcomes of manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation in the treatment of distal radius fractures. MethodsThe clinical data of 1051 patients with distal radius fractures were retrospectively collected from five hospitals included in the Jiangsu Diagnosis and Treatment Data Platform for Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM） Dominant Diseases. Propensity score matching at a 1∶4 ratio was applied， resulting in 580 cases selected for final analysis， which comprised 448 patients in the TCM group（manipulative reduction plus small splint fixation） and 132 in the surgical treatment group（open reduction and internal fixation）. Each group was further stratified into type A， B， and C subgroups based on AO fracture classification. Radiographic indicators including palmar tilt， radial inclination， and radial height were compared between groups before treatment and 1 day， 1 week， and 4-6 weeks after treatment， and pain visual analog scale（VAS） scores before treatment and 1 week and 4-6 weeks after treatment were also compared. Wrist joint function was assessed 12 weeks after treatment， using the Dienst wrist function score and the Gartland and Werley（G-W） wrist function score. Additionally， the radiographic indicators at different timepoints and the 12-week wrist function levels were compared between groups across different fracture types. ResultsNo statistically significant difference was observed in radiographic indicators and VAS scores at all timepoints before and after treatment， as well as wrist joint function grades assessed by the Dienst score and the G-W score at 12 weeks after treatment （P＞0.05）. Compared to those before treatment， both groups showed increased palmar tilt， radial inclination， and radial height 1 week and 4-6 weeks after treatment， and decreased VAS scores （P＜0.05）. Compared to those 1 week after treatment， both groups showed a decrease in palmar tilt， an increase in radial inclination and radial height， and a reduction in VAS score 4-6 weeks after treatment（P＜0.05）. In type A and B subgroups， the surgical treatment group had a higher radial inclination than the TCM group 4-6 weeks after treatment， while in the type C subgroup， a higher radial height was shown in the surgical treatment group than in the TCM group 4-6 weeks after treatment（P＜0.05）. In type C subgroup， there was significant difference between groups in the wrist joint function by G-W scores 12 weeks after treatment（P＜0.05）. ConclusionManipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation can maintain fracture alignment and alleviate pain in treating distal radius fractures， which achieves therapeutic outcomes comparable to surgical treatment. It is particularly suitable for type A and B fractures and can be considered an effective treatment option for distal radius fractures.

ObjectiveTo construct an automatic measurement model for palmar tilt and radial inclination suitable for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） clinical scenarios， and to validate its accuracy and efficiency in TCM manipulative reduction settings. MethodsData on anteroposterior （AP） and lateral X-rays of distal radius fractures were collected from patients admitted to 18 TCM/ integrated TCM and western medicine hospitals in Jiangsu province between September 1st， 2023， and September 1st， 2024， via the Jiangsu Diagnosis and Treatment Big Data Platform for TCM Dominant Diseases. A medical image segmentation framework based on multi-scale feature fusion and edge-awareness was employed， combined with anatomical knowledge specific to TCM orthopedics， to optimize the feature extraction strategy of an artificial intelligence （AI） model. This framework enabled automatic segmentation of fracture regions and measurement of distal radius palmar tilt and radial inclination. The accuracy of the AI model in measuring radial inclination and volar tilt was validated， and the measurement time and average time gain rate of the AI model were compared to those of manual measurement. ResultsA total of 15,444 AP and lateral X-ray images of distal radius fractures were collected， and were divided into a training set （11,144 images， 5066 AP and 6078 lateral）， a validation set （3700 images， 1840 AP and 1860 lateral）， and an independent test set （600 images， 300 AP and 300 lateral） after preprocessing. In the measurement of 300 AP X-rays in the independent test set for radial inclination， when the degree error between AI measurement and manual measurement was ＜3° and ＜5°， AI measurement accuracy was 83% and 93%， respectively. In 300 lateral X-rays in the test set for palmar tilt， when AI measurements had an error of ＜3° and ＜5° compared to manual measurements， corresponding accuracy rate was 78% and 90%， respectively. For 50 X-ray images， AI measurement time was （1.37±0.05） min for radial inclination while manual measurement time was （22.57±2.52） min （P＜0.001）； in terms of palmar tilt， the AI measurement time was （1.33±0.14） min， shorter than （23.70±2.80） min for manual measurement time （P＜0.001）. Average time gain rates for manual and AI measurements were 93.93% and 94.39% respectively. ConclusionAn automatic measurement model for palmar tilt and radial inclination in distal radius fractures has been established， enabling more accurate and efficient assessment as well as providing a tool to support the quantitative evaluation of the efficacy of TCM manipulative reduction and large-sample clinical research.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of liver-targeted fibroblast growth factor 21 （FGF21） overexpression against CCl₄-induced acute liver injury （ALI） and its association with silent information regulator 1/glutathione peroxidase 4 （SIRT1/GPX4） expression and ferroptosis-related markers. MethodsFemale ICR mice （8 weeks old） were randomly divided into Control， CCl₄， adeno-associated virus （AAV）-FGF21， and AAV-FGF21 + CCl₄ groups. Liver-targeted FGF21 overexpression was achieved via tail vein injection of AAV8-FGF21 virus with green fluorescent protein （GFP） labeling. ALI was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ （0.3 mL/kg）， with sample collection at 12 hours. Body weight and liver weight were recorded to calculate the liver weight/body weight. Alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels were measured using a biochemical analyzer. FGF21 expression in liver tissues was detected by immunofluorescence. Hepatic histopathology was evaluated by HE staining. RT-qPCR was performed to assess mRNA expression of ferroptosis and iron metabolism-related genes （ACSL4， PTGS2， HJV， FPN， GPX4）， FGF21， and SIRT1. Protein expression of FGF21， SIRT1， and GPX4 were determined by Western blot. Iron content， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity in liver homogenate were quantified using assay kits. ResultsCompared with the Control group， the FGF21 mRNA and protein expression elevated in CCl₄ group； serum ALT/AST levels and liver weight/body weigh increased. The HE staining results showed that the liver cell membranes were ruptured. The mRNA levels of ACSL4 and PTGS2， the iron content and MDA levels all increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA levels of SIRT1， GPX4， HJV， and FPN， the GSH level and SOD activity all decreased （P<0.05）， and the protein levels of SIRT1 and GPX4 both decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the CCl₄ group， the serum levels of ALT and AST in the AAV-FGF21 + CCl4 group were decreased （P<0.01）， and the liver/body ratio of mice decreased （P<0.01）. The results of HE staining showed that the degree of liver injury was alleviated. The mRNA levels of ACSL4 and PTGS2， iron content and MDA level all decreased （P<0.01）， while the mRNA levels of SIRT1， GPX4， HJV， FPN， GSH level and SOD activity all increased （P<0.05）. The protein levels of SIRT1 and GPX4 both increased （P<0.05）. ConclusionFGF21 overexpression is associated with enhanced SIRT1/GPX4 expression and suppression of ferroptosis features， thereby contributing to the alleviation of CCl₄-induced ALI.

Schizophrenia (SZ) stands as a severe psychiatric disorder. This study applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data in conjunction with graph neural networks to distinguish SZ patients from normal controls (NCs) and showcases the superior performance of a graph neural network integrating combined fractional anisotropy and fiber number brain network features, achieving an accuracy of 73.79% in distinguishing SZ patients from NCs. Beyond mere discrimination, our study delved deeper into the advantages of utilizing white matter brain network features for identifying SZ patients through interpretable model analysis and gene expression analysis. These analyses uncovered intricate interrelationships between brain imaging markers and genetic biomarkers, providing novel insights into the neuropathological basis of SZ. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of graph neural networks applied to multimodal DTI data for enhancing SZ detection through an integrated analysis of neuroimaging and genetic features.
Humans ; Schizophrenia/pathology* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Brain/metabolism* ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; White Matter/pathology* ; Gene Expression ; Nerve Net/diagnostic imaging* ; Graph Neural Networks

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) that causes oral mucosal tissue sclerosis, and even cancer transformation, is a chronic, progressive fibrosis disease. However, despite some advancements in recent years, no targeted antifibrotic strategies for OSF have been approved; likely because the complicated mechanisms that initiate and drive fibrosis remain to be determined. In this review, we briefly introduce the epidemiology and etiology of OSF. Then, we highlight how cell-intrinsic changes in significant structural cells can drive fibrotic response by regulating biological behaviors, secretion function, and activation of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. In addition, we also discuss the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and how they contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF. Finally, we summarize strategies to interrupt key mechanisms that cause OSF, including modulation of the ECM, inhibition of inflammation, improvement of vascular disturbance. This review will provide potential routes for developing novel anti-OSF therapeutics.
Humans ; Oral Submucous Fibrosis/immunology* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Myofibroblasts

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease characterized by self-digestion of pancreatic tissue and inflammatory responses. Recent studies have revealed a close connection between gut microbiota and AP. The gut microbiota community, a complex ecosystem composed of trillions of microorganisms, is closely associated with various physiological activities of the host, including metabolic processes, immune system regulation, and intestinal structure maintenance. However, in patients with AP, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota are believed to play a key role in the occurrence and progression of the disease. This dysbiosis not only impairs the integrity of the intestinal barrier, but may also exacerbate inflammatory responses through multiple mechanisms, thereby affecting the severity of the disease and patient' clinical prognosis. This article reviews the mechanisms of action of gut microbiota in AP, explores how gut microbiota dysbiosis affects disease progression, and evaluates current clinical treatment methods to regulate intestinal flora, including probiotic supplementation, fecal microbiota transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and early enteral nutrition. In addition, this article discusses the efficacy and safety of the aforementioned therapeutic approaches, and outlines future research directions, aiming to provide novel perspectives and strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic evaluation of AP. Through in-depth understanding the interaction between gut microbiota and AP, it is expected that more precise and personalized therapeutic regimens will be developed to improve patients' quality of life and clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Dysbiosis ; Pancreatitis/microbiology* ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Acute Disease ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Enteral Nutrition

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

This study explores whether the current external quality assessment (EQA) level and acceptable bias for basic semen analysis in China are clinically useful. We collected data of semen EQA from Andrology laboratories in the Hunan Province (China) in 2022 and searched for data in the published literature from January 2000 to December 2023 in China. On the basis of these data, we analyzed the coefficients of variation and acceptable biases of different quality control materials for basic semen analysis through robust statistics. We compared these findings with quality specifications based on biological variation from optimal, desirable, and minimum levels of bias to seek a unified and more suitable semen EQA bias evaluation standard for China's national conditions. Different sources of semen quality control material exhibited considerable variation in acceptable biases among laboratories, ranging from 8.2% to 56.9%. A total of 50.0% of the laboratories met the minimum quality specifications for progressive motility (PR), whereas 100.0% and 75.0% of laboratories met only the minimum quality specifications for sperm concentration and total motility (nonprogressive [NP] + PR), respectively. The Z value for sperm concentration and PR+NP was equivalent to the desirable performance specification, whereas the Z value for PR was equivalent only to the minimum performance specification. This study highlights the feasibility of operating external quality assessment schemes for basic semen analysis using quality specifications based on biological variation. These specifications should be unified among external quality control (EQC) centers based on biological variation.
Semen Analysis/standards* ; Humans ; China ; Male ; Quality Control ; Sperm Motility ; Sperm Count/standards*