BACKGROUND:For thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch,accurate nail placement is difficult using traditional fluoroscopy-assisted techniques.O-arm navigation assistance systems offer higher precision in general vertebral arch nail placement,but there is scarce literature on the application of O-arm navigation-assisted nail placement in thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch both domestically and abroad. OBJECTIVE:To explore the accuracy of percutaneous vertebral arch nail placement assisted by O-arm navigation in patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 53 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebral arch screw fixation surgery at Department of Orthopedics,General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLA for thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch from January 2021 to March 2023.Totally 208 cases of vertebral arch developmental stenosis were found(cases with multiple vertebral arch developmental stenosis were counted separately).Based on the surgical approach,the patients were divided into two groups:O-arm navigation group(n=98)and C-arm fluoroscopy group(n=110).Postoperative imaging data were compared between the two groups,including anatomical perforation score,functional perforation score,actual vs.expected nail trajectory in the horizontal plane,and sagittal plane angle differences. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant difference in the narrowest width of the pedicle isthmus(pow)between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The proportions of different degrees of narrowing(mild:6 mm≤pow<7 mm,moderate:5 mm≤pow<6 mm,severe:pow<5 mm)were also not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The overall grade and scores of anatomical perforation and functional perforation were lower in the O-arm group compared to the C-arm group,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).In terms of the angular deviation between the actual and planned screw trajectories,the O-arm group had smaller deviations,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)In the mild and moderate narrowing groups,the O-arm group showed significant advantages in anatomical perforation,functional perforation,and angular deviation between actual and planned screw trajectories,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).(4)The O-arm group demonstrated better performance in anatomical perforation and functional perforation,especially in the T12-L2 segment,with more significant advantages.Additionally,the O-arm group had better angular deviations in actual and planned screw trajectories in all segments compared to the C-arm group.(5)Therefore,the use of O-arm navigation-assisted percutaneous screw placement for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with developmental pedicle isthmal narrowing provides higher accuracy and safer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomical parameters of the cervical uncinate process "inflection point" through cervical CT angiography (CTA) and MRI measurements, offering a reliable and safe anatomical landmark for anterior cervical decompression surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the cervical CTA and MRI imaging data of normal adults who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2024. The CTA dataset included 326 cases, with 200 males and 126 females, aged 22-55 years (mean, 46.7 years). The MRI dataset included 300 cases, with 200 males and 100 females, aged 18-55 years (mean, 43.7 years). Based on the CTA data, three-dimensional models of C ₃-C ₇ were constructed, and the following measurements were obtained from the superior view: uncinate process "inflection point" to vertebral artery distance (UIVD), uncinate process tip to vertebral artery distance (UTVD), uncinate process "inflection point" to "inflection point" distance (UID), uncinate process long-axis to sagittal angle (ULSA), and uncinate process "inflection point" to transverse foramen-sagittal angle (UITSA). From the anterior view, the anterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (AUSA) was measured. From the posterior view, the posterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (PUSA) was measured. Based on the MRI data, uncinate process "inflection point" to dural sac distance (UIDD) and dural sac width (DSW) were measured. The trends in measurement parameters of C ₃-C ₇ were observed, and the differences in measurement parameters between genders and between the left and right sides of the same segment were compared, as well as the difference in UID and DSW within the same segment was compared. RESULTS: The measurement parameters from C ₃ to C ₇ in the CTA data showed a general increasing trend, with no significant difference between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UIVD, UTVD, and UID were greater in males than in females, with significant differences observed in the UIVD and UTVD at C ₃ and C ₆ and UID at C ₃, C ₆, and C ₇ ( P<0.05). The MRI measured DSW showed a general increasing trend from C ₃ to C ₇, and the DSW at C ₆ was greater in females than in males, with a significant difference ( P<0.05). The UIDD showed a gradual decreasing trend, with the smallest value at C ₆. There was no significant difference between males and females or between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UID was greater than the DSW at C ₃-C ₇, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The uncinate process "inflection point" is a constant anatomical structure located at the anteromedial aspect of the uncinate process tip and laterally to the dural sac. It maintains a certain safe distance from the vertebral artery. As a decompression landmark in anterior cervical spine surgery, it not only ensures surgical safety but also guarantees complete decompression.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Vertebral Artery/anatomy & histology* ; Anatomic Landmarks/diagnostic imaging*

Salmonellosis represents a global epidemic, and the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella and its sustained transmission worldwide constitutes a significant public health concern. Flagellum-mediated motility serves as a crucial virulence trait of Salmonella that guides the pathogen toward the epithelial surface, enhancing gut colonization. Artemisia argyit essential oil, a traditional herb extract, demonstrates efficacy in treating inflammation-related symptoms and diseases; however, its effects on flagellum assembly and expression mechanisms in anti-Salmonella activity remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which Artemisia argyit essential oil addresses Salmonella infections. Network pharmacological analysis revealed that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Artemisia argyit exhibited anti-Salmonella infection potential and inhibited flagellum-dependent motility. The application of Artemisia argyit essential oil induced notable motility defects through the downregulation of flagellar and fimbriae expression. Moreover, it significantly reduced Salmonella-infected cell damage by interfering with flagellum-mediated Salmonella colonization. In vivo studies demonstrated that Artemisia argyit essential oil administration effectively alleviated Salmonella infection symptoms by reducing bacterial loads, inhibiting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production, and diminishing pathological injury. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified forty-three compounds in Artemisia argyit essential oil, with their corresponding targets and active ingredients predicted. Investigation of an in vivo model of Salmonella infection using the active ingredient demonstrated that alpha-cedrene ameliorated Salmonella infection. These findings suggest the potential application of Artemisia argyit essential oil in controlling Salmonella, the predominant food-borne pathogen.
Artemisia/chemistry* ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Animals ; Flagella/drug effects* ; Salmonella Infections/microbiology* ; Humans ; Mice ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Salmonella/pathogenicity*

Objective: To explore the mechanism of action of hepatic leukemia factor (HLF) in diabetes mellitus and to construct a conditional animal model of mice with islet β ⁃cell⁃specific HLF gene knockout. Methods: At the cellular level , the effects of HLF inhibition or overexpression on the proliferation of MIN6 cells was verified by the CCK⁃8 assay. The effects of HLF inhibition or overexpression were detected at the mRNA level and protein level by Cre + / - mice (C57BL/6J) to obtain offspring mice. The genotypes of the mice were identified by the PCR method.The differences in the expression levels of the HLF gene at the mRNA and protein levels in islet β ⁃cell knockout mice (HLFflox/flox Cre + / - ) and control mice (HLFflox/flox ) were detected by RT⁃qPCR technology and Western blot technology to verify the knockout effect. At the same time , the islet tissues of the mice in two groups were taken to make paraffin sections and analyzed by hematoxylin⁃eosin (HE) staining. Results: HLF gene inhibition or overex⁃pression had no significant effect on the proliferation of MIN6 cells. When the HLF gene was inhibited in MIN6 cells , the mRNA expression level decreased by 74% compared with the control group , and the protein expression level decreased by 60% compared with the control group. After overexpressing the HLF gene , the mRNA expres⁃sion level was 2. 13 times compared with that of the control group , and the protein expression level was 1. 8 times compared with that of the control group. The mRNA expression level of the HLF gene in the knockout mice de⁃creased by 89% compared with the control group , and the protein expression level decreased by 65% compared with the control group. The results of HE staining showed that there was no significant difference in the cell mor⁃phology in the islet tissues between the knockout mice and the control mice. Inhibiting HLF increased the glycogen content in MIN6 cells by approximately 20% . Conclusion The HLF gene knockout mice are successfully con⁃structed , providing an animal model for studying the role of HLF in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is closely associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. This article reviews the manifestations, mechanisms, and interventions of cognitive impairment in patients with ICAS, aiming at increasing attention to ICAS, early identification and intervention, and delaying the occurrence and deterioration of cognitive impairment.

To investigate the expression of mRNA in esophageal cancer (ESCA) tissues and its potential and diagnostic and prognostic value by high-throughput sequencing data. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database in USA by integrative bioinformatics analysis methods, the gene expression profiles and clinical data of 173 patients with ECSA were collected. The mRNA expression levels in ESCA tissue and para-cancerous tissue samples were analyzed using DESeq2, edgeR and limma to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs-related protein network diagrams were drawn. GO and KEGG function enrichment analysis were performed and the hub genes were screened and the survival analysis of hub genes was analyzed. Genes related to the prognosis of ESCA were selected and their prognostic value in ESCA was analyzed. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate its diagnostic value. The results showed that using TCGA cancer data, a total of 620 up-regulated DEGs and 668 down-regulated DEGs with significant differential expression between ESCA and para-cancerous tissues were screened. DEGs were mainly involved in receptor complexes, ubiquitin ligase complexes, etc., playing GTPase activity, phospholipid binding, and other molecular functions, and participating in the regulation of intracellular substance transport, small molecule metabolism, and other biological processes. Protein functional enrichment analysis showed that these proteins were mainly enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Epstein-Barr virus infection, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and other pathways involved in the formation and development process of ESCA. Survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate of ESCA patients with high expression of KIF4A, RAD51AP1, and CDKN3 was significantly shortened, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the areas under the curve (AUC) of KIF4A, RAD51AP1, and CDKN3 for diagnosing esophageal cancer were 0.956, 0.951 and 0.979, respectively, with sensitivities and specificities both exceeding 80%. Additionally, ROC results of the combined diagnostic model of these three genes showed an AUC of 0.979, with sensitivities and specificities of 0.914 and 1, respectively. This indicates that KIF4A, RAD51AP1 and CDKN3 have individual or combined auxiliary diagnostic value for ESCA. In conclusion, KIF4A, RAD51AP1 and CDKN3 have high diagnostic efficiency for ESCA, and their increased expression is closely related to the prognosis, suggesting that these three genes could be used as auxiliary diagnostic and prognostic factors for ESCA.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Objective:To evaluate the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion for thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 22 patients who had been treated for thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury at Department of Orthopaedic, General Hospital of Central Theater Command from June 2016 to June 2021. There were 15 males and 7 females, aged 43.50 (29.75, 52.25) years. By the AO classification, there were 12 cases of type B2, 10 cases of type C3. All the patients were treated by the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior vertebral height ratio (AVHR), kyphosis Cobb angle (KCA), vertebral wedge angle (VWA) and spinal canal encroachment rate (SCER) were compared between pre-surgery, 1 week post-surgery, 3 months post-surgery and the last follow-up. Their neurological function was graded according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale and interbody fusion evaluated according to their 3D CT at the last follow-up.Results:All the 22 patients were followed up for (26.1±1.3) months. In all patients, the VAS and ODI were significantly lower at 1 week post-surgery than the pre-surgery ones ( P<0.05), and then decreased significantly at 3 months post-surgery and at the last follow-up compared with the values at 1 week post-surgery ( P<0.05). For all patients, there were significant improvements in AVHR, KCA, VWA and SCER at 1 week post-surgery, 3 months post-surgery and the last follow-up compared with the pre-surgery values ( P<0.05), and the SCER at the last follow-up was significantly decreased compared with that at 1 week post-surgery ( P<0.05). All patients experienced improved neurological function in different degrees at the last follow-up, and all intervertebral spaces achieved solid bony fusion. Conclusion:In the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury, the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion can lead to satisfactory long-term therapeutic efficacy, because this strategy can effectively reduce spinal canal encroachment, restore the height of the injured vertebra, reconstruct the curvature of the fracture area and ensure reliable intervertebral fusion.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of microwave ablation in the colorectal cancer with simultaneously multiple liver metastases that was initially evaluated as potentially resectable.Methods The patients with potentially resectable colorectal cancer with simultaneous multiple liver metastases treated in the De-partment of General Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University,the Center of Minimally Invasive Therapy in Oncology of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing U-niversity of Chinese Medicine,and the Second Department of General Surgery in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from October 1,2018 to October 1,2020 were selected in this study.The general data,pathological features,treatment methods,and clinical efficacy of the patients were collected.According to the treatment methods,the patients were assigned into a surgical resection group(conversion therapy + laparoscopic primary resection +hepatectomy)and a microwave ablation group(conversion therapy +laparoscopic primary re-section +microwave ablation).The surgical indicators(operation duration,time to first postoperative anal ex-haust,hospital stay,etc.)and postoperative complications(anastomotic stenosis,anastomotic hemorrhage,incision infection,etc.)were compared between the two groups.The survival period was followed up,including the overall survival period and disease-free survival period,and the survival curves were drawn to analyze the clinical efficacy of the two treatment regimens.Results A total of 198 patients with potentially resectable color-ectal cancer with simultaneous multiple liver metastases were included in this study.Sixty-six patients were cured by neoadjuvant chemotherapy(FOLFOX or FOLFIRI),including 30 patients in the surgical resection group and 36 patients in the microwave ablation group(with 57 tumors ablated).After the first ablation,54(94.74%)tumors achieved complete ablation,and all of them reached no evidence of disease status after re-ablation.The microwave ablation group had shorter operation duration,less intraoperative blood loss,shorter time to first post-operative anal exhaust,shorter time of taking a liquid diet,shorter hospital stay,and lower hospitalization cost than the surgical resection group(all P<0.001).In addition,the microwave ablation group had lower visual analogue scale score(P<0.001)than the surgical resection group.The incidences of complications such as inci-sion infection(P =0.740),anastomotic fistula(P =1.000),and anastomotic stenosis(P =1.000),the over-all survival period(P =0.191),and the disease-free survival period(P =0.934)showed no significant differ-ences between the two groups.Conclusions For patients with colorectal cancer with simultaneous multiple liver metastases initially assessed as potentially resectable,laparoscopic primary resection +surgical resection/microwave ablation after conversion therapy was safe,effective,and had similar survival outcomes.Microwave ablation outper-formed surgical resection in postoperative recovery,economy,and tolerability,being worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To investigate the clinical application of 3D printed bolus with specific density in breast cancer radiotherapy,and to evaluate its effects on dose distribution and positioning.Methods Forty post-mastectomy patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy were randomly enrolled for 3D printed bolus(n=20)and conventional bolus(n=20),and all patients were fixed in the supine position using styrofoam.Conventional positioning was performed based on in-room lasers and body markers,with daily Catalyst HD optical surface monitoring combined with weekly CBCT verification.The absolute dose,patients'skin surface dose,surgical incision,planned field,target area doses(VCTV50Gy,VPTV50Gy)and organs-at-risk doses in patients with different boluses were recorded,and the conformity index and homogeneity index were calculated,and the setup errors using CBCT and Catalyst HD were also analyzed.Results The difference in absolute dose between different boluses was trivial,but the skin surface dose with 3D printed bolus was significantly higher than with conventional bolus[(54.83±0.44)Gyvs(54.43±0.51)Gy,P<0.05].Patients with 3D printed boluses had a higher conformity index than with conventional boluses(0.69±0.04 vs 0.65±0.02).For different boluses,there was no significant difference in VCTV50 Gy,while the VPTV50 Gy and organs-at-risk doses were lower in those with 3D printed bolus than conventional boluses(P<0.05),with heart Vmean of 9.68%±3.24%vs11.43%±3.60%.In patients with 3D printed boluses,both planned field arrangement and surgical incision affected the target doses,and the doses of the target area without an internal breast wrap was greater than those with internal breast wrap(P<0.05).When the field was not wrapped around the internal breast,the surgical incisions only affected VPTV50 Gy,and the VPTV50 Gy was greater with the transverse fusiform incision than with the oblique vertical incision(P<0.05),which were 95.58%±0.51%vs95.44%±0.71%.The optical monitoring accuracies with different boluses differed only in the left-right direction(P<0.05),with(0.08±0.57)cm and(-0.15±0.46)cm for 3D printed and conventional boluses.Conclusion Compared with conventional bolus,3D printed bolus can improve dose distribution and optical monitoring accuracy.The surgical incision and planned field arrangement under 3D-printed bolus would exert effects on target doses.