1.Research progress and clinical challenges in immunosuppressive regimens for xenotransplantation
Yu ZHANG ; Kun WANG ; Xuyuan ZHU ; Yuxiang CHEN ; Tao LI ; Xiaojie MA ; Hongtao JIANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):28-35
As a pivotal strategy to alleviate the shortage of organ donors, xenotransplantation has achieved remarkable advances in both pre-clinical and clinical studies in recent years, driven by continuous optimization of gene modification techniques and immunosuppressive regimens. Nevertheless, clinical translation still confronts formidable challenges, including rejection and heightened infection risks, which severely compromise long-term graft survival. Consequently, the role of immunosuppressive regimens in xenotransplantation has become increasingly prominent. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying xenogeneic immune rejection, the latest developments in immunosuppressive regimens, cutting-edge strategies for inducing immune tolerance and the major hurdles facing clinical xenotransplantation. It delves into potential optimization strategies and directions for future clinical research, aiming to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the safe and effective application of clinical xenotransplantation.
2.Analysis of Differential Metabolites of Pinelliae Rhizoma at Different Browning Stages Based on Widely Targeted Metabolomics
Jing TAO ; Honghong LIANG ; Ruoshi LI ; Zhouli XU ; Minzhao LI ; Aien TAO ; Guihua JIANG ; Li AI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):191-199
ObjectiveTo investigate differential metabolites associated with browning in the post-harvest processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma, providing data support for elucidating the key metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in browning, and developing safe and efficient sulfur-free processing techniques. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS) was used to detect the metabolites of Pinelliae Rhizoma at different browning stages(0, 8, 16 h) for widely targeted metabolomics. Subsequently, Multivariate statistical analysis of metabolites was conducted using principal component analysis(PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and K-means cluster analysis. Differential metabolites at different browning stages were screened based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and |log2fold change(FC)|≥1, and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). ResultsA total of 1 416 metabolites were identified across the three browning stages of Pinelliae Rhizoma, predominantly comprising amino acids and their derivatives(239), lipids(219), alkaloids(156), phenolic acids(121), terpenoids(113), and flavonoids(111). A two-by-two comparison of the three browning phases, yielded 622 differential metabolites that were significantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and purine metabolic pathway. Further analysis revealed that carbohydrates such as D-mannose and turanose, phenolic acids such as 1-O-caffeoyl-6-O-glucosyl-β-D-glucose, dicaffeoylshikimic acid, and flavonoids such as epigallocatechin gallate, vitexin-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-(6″-malonyl)glucoside-5-O-arabinoside, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, isovitexin-7-O-glucoside-2″-O-rhamnoside, apigenin-7-O-rutinoside-4ʹ-O-sophoroside, 3,5,3ʹ,4ʹ,5ʹ-penta-hydroxyflavan-7-gallate may act as browning substrates and play important roles in the browning process. ConclusionCarbohydrates, phenolic acids, and flavonoids may serve as key substrates in the browning process of Pinelliae Rhizoma, involving pathways such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and purine metabolism, which can provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of the browning mechanism.
3.Research Progress on the Role of Programmed Cell Death in Flap Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Jiwei ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Xinshan WANG ; Xingzhang YAO ; Zhenxing JIANG ; Zhijun HE ; Tao LIU ; Jianliang LI ; Hui YAO ; Jie AN ; Qiuyue ZHAO ; Xiaotao WEI ; M Rayan GHAZI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):851-861
Flap transplantation is a critical surgical strategy for the reconstruction of tissue defects caused by trauma, tumor resection, and congenital malformations, and its survival rate directly determines surgical efficacy and patient prognosis. Following transplantation, flaps inevitably undergo ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, during which oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and metabolic disturbances are intricately intertwined, ultimately leading to cellular injury and tissue necrosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that multiple forms of programmed cell death—including apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and PANoptosis—play central roles in flap I/R injury. The extensive crosstalk and molecular interactions among these pathways form a highly complex cell death network. Specifically, apoptosis is mediated by the imbalance of Bcl-2 family proteins and the activation of cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease (caspase) cascades; pyroptosis is driven by the NLRP3-caspase-1-GSDMD axis, resulting in membrane pore formation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines; ferroptosis is characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and dysfunction of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4); necroptosis is triggered by the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)-RIPK3-MLKL signaling complex, leading to membrane rupture; and PANoptosis represents an integrated form of inflammatory cell death that coordinates multiple death pathways. Importantly, these forms of programmed cell death are not independent but are interconnected through extensive signaling crosstalk. Key regulatory molecules, including caspase-8, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), collectively modulate the dynamic balance among these pathways. Therefore, the multidimensional interplay and spatiotemporal dynamics of programmed cell death constitute a fundamental pathological basis of flap I/R injury. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in the mechanisms and interactions of various programmed cell death pathways in flap I/R injury, aiming to elucidate the underlying regulatory network. These insights may provide novel theoretical foundations for optimizing flap protection strategies, improving flap survival, and promoting tissue repair.
4.Re-entry mechanism of blood donors with single-reagent reactive syphilis ELISA results based on S/CO values and TPPA confirmatory results
Zhanghui LI ; Wenjia HU ; Tao FENG ; Chen WU ; Nizhen JIANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(8):1117-1124
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of re-entry for blood donors deferred for single-reagent reactive anti-TP ELISA results, to assess the ability of ELISA S/CO values of different kits to discriminate true-from false-positive samples and to determine the optimal cutoff value for each kit, thereby providing a scientific basis for improving blood donor reentry strategies. Methods: Data of two donor cohorts were retrospectively collected: (1) a re-entry cohort of 106 donors who applied for re-entry at Jiangsu Province Blood Center from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2025, all previously deferred for single-reagent reactive anti-TP ELISA results (58 reactive with the Xinchuang kit and 48 with the Kehua kit); (2) a routine screening confirmation cohort of 39 donors found to be single-reagent reactive in routine donation screening and additionally tested by TPPA between April 2024 and June 2026 (17 Xinchuang and 22 Kehua). Using TPPA results as the gold standard, the two cohorts were pooled (75 Xinchuang, 70 Kehua), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed separately for each kit. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the area under the curve (AUC) was estimated with 2 000 bootstrap replicates, and the optimal S/CO cutoff of each kit was determined by the maximum Youden index; sensitivity analysis was performed by cohort source. In addition, TPPA-confirmed positivity rates were compared between single-and dual-reagent reactive samples at re-entry testing. Results: Of the 106 donors in the re-entry cohort, 73 were successfully requalified and 33 failed. The mean S/CO value at deferral testing in successfully requalified donors was 1.930 (median 1.570), significantly lower than 3.487 (median 2.592) in failed donors (P<0.001). Among the 33 donors who failed requalification, 16 samples were TPPA positive; at re-entry testing, 7 were dual-reagent reactive (6 TPPA positive), 25 remained single-reagent reactive (9 TPPA positive), and 1 was ELISA non-reactive (TPPA positive). The TPPA positivity rate of dual-reagent reactive samples at re-entry testing was 85.7% (6/7), significantly higher than 36.0% (9/25) of single-reagent reactive samples (P=0.033); the agreement between the two kits at re-entry testing was poor (Kappa=0.231). ROC analysis of pooled samples showed that for the Xinchuang kit (n=75, 14 TPPA positive), the AUC was 0.837 (95%CI:0.731-0.929) with an optimal cutoff of 2.025, corresponding to a sensitivity of 92.9% (13/14), a specificity of 65.6% (40/61) and a negative predictive value of 97.6% (40/41); for the Kehua kit (n=70, 13 TPPA positive), the AUC was 0.787 (95%CI:0.649-0.900) with an optimal cutoff of 1.733, corresponding to a sensitivity of 92.3% (12/13), a specificity of 56.1% (32/57) and a negative predictive value of 97.0% (32/33). Sensitivity analysis by cohort showed that the AUCs calculated separately for the re-entry and screening cohorts were consistent in direction with the pooled analysis. Conclusion: S/CO values of both the Xinchuang and Kehua ELISA kits can discriminate TPPA-confirmed true from false positives, but their optimal cutoffs differ. Dual-reagent reactivity at re-entry testing strongly indicates TPPA-confirmed positivity; the TPPA positivity rate of single-reagent reactive samples increases in a gradient with rising S/CO values, and single-reagent reactive samples with low S/CO values are mostly false positives. Incorporating kit-specific stratified management based on quantitative S/CO thresholds into the re-entry mechanism may help establish a fast-track re-entry pathway for low-risk false-positive donors.
5.Analysis of the burden and changing trends of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer attributable to high fasting plasma glucose in China, 1990-2021
Yancheng TAO ; Shoucai HU ; Chenglong YANG ; Haotian MA ; Yipeng JIANG ; Qingxin LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(09):1419-1427
Objective To analyze the disease burden and its changing trends of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL) attributable to high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) in China from 1990 to 2021, and to provide key strategic evidence for the prevention and treatment of TBL. Methods Data related to TBL attributable to HFPG in China from 1990 to 2021 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 database, including mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized rates, and other indicators. The Joinpoint regression model was applied to analyze the temporal trends of these indicators. Furthermore, the grey prediction model GM (1, 1) was used to forecast the disease burden of TBL attributable to HFPG in China from 2022 to 2031. Results From 1990 to 2021, the overall disease burden of TBL attributable to HFPG in China showed an upward trend. The total number of deaths, DALYs, crude mortality rate, age-standardized mortality rate, crude DALYs rate, and age-standardized DALYs rate increased from 4700, 121300 person-years, 0.40/100000, 0.61/100000, 10.31/100000, and 14.10/100000 in 1990 to 17400, 386500 person-years, 1.22/100000, 0.82/100000, 27.16/100000, and 17.72/100000 in 2021, with growth rates of 270.21%, 218.63%, 205.00%, 34.43%, 163.43%, and 25.67%, respectively. The increase rates among females were higher than those among males. Analysis using the Joinpoint regression model indicated that both the age-standardized mortality rate and age-standardized DALYs rate exhibited a significant upward trend, with average annual percentage changes (AAPC) of 1.01% and 0.82%, respectively, during 1990-2021 (P<0.05). The disease burden across different age and gender groups generally increased from 1990 to 2021. Mortality and DALYs rates for both males and females rose with advancing age, with elderly individuals and males constituting the primary affected populations. The GM (1, 1) grey prediction model projected continued increases in mortality rate, age-standardized mortality rate, DALYs rate, and age-standardized DALYs rate of TBL attributable to HFPG in China from 2022 to 2031, reaching 1.64/100000, 1.06/100000, 36.45/100000, and 21.81/100000, respectively, by 2031. Conclusion The disease burden of TBL attributable to HFPG remains substantial in China from 1990 to 2021, with males and elderly populations bearing the highest burden. However, the growth rate of disease burden is faster among females compared to males. It is predicted that the disease burden will continue to rise over the next decade, necessitating enhanced focus on early diagnosis and treatment for women and older adults.
6.Fourth national survey of traditional Chinese medicine resources and protection of traditional knowledge of medication use among ethnic minorities.
Jiang-Wei DU ; Xiao-Bo ZHANG ; Jian-Zhi CUI ; Shao-Hua YANG ; Hai-Tao LI ; Zhi-Yong LI ; Lu-Qi HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2349-2355
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources are the essential material foundation for the development of TCM. The national survey of TCM resources serves as a periodic summary of these resources, ensuring the continuity, prosperity, and development of TCM in China. Since 1949, four national surveys of TCM resources have been conducted. The fourth survey incorporated an investigation into traditional knowledge related to TCM resources, including the traditional medicinal knowledge of Chinese ethnic minorities, with the goal of systematically exploring, preserving, and inheriting this knowledge. This manuscript provides an overview of the basic findings from the first three national surveys of TCM resources, while also clarifying the concepts, categories, forms, carriers, and acquisition pathways of traditional knowledge related to TCM resources. A preliminary summary of the findings from traditional knowledge investigations reported in current literature is also presented. Based on the fourth survey, this manuscript emphasizes the urgency of developing public medical knowledge through empirically-based investigations, the excavation, and compilation of traditional knowledge. It also outlines the potential for conducting "precise" investigations based on first-hand data obtained from the survey, as well as facilitating the discovery and evaluation of new medicines using traditional knowledge related to ethnic minority medicinal practices. This manuscript is expected to provide valuable insights for promoting the health and industrial development of ethnic minority populations in the post-"survey" phase.
Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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China/ethnology*
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Minority Groups
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Ethnicity
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/ethnology*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
7.Research progress on molecular mechanisms of ginsenosides in alleviating acute lung injury.
Han-Yang ZHAO ; Xun-Jiang WANG ; Qiong-Wen XUE ; Bao-Lian XU ; Xu WANG ; Shu-Sheng LAI ; Ming CHEN ; Li YANG ; Zheng-Tao WANG ; Li-Li DING
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4451-4470
Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Acute Lung Injury/immunology*
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Animals
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Panax/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
8.Effectiveness of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using a "sandwich" patch combined with platelet-rich plasma injection in treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.
Wen ZOU ; Ming ZHOU ; Shaoyong FAN ; Huiming HOU ; Li GONG ; Tao XU ; Liangshen HU ; Jiang JIANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(10):1285-1289
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate effectiveness of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using a "sandwich" patch combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.
METHODS:
A clinical data of 15 patients (15 sides) with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, who were admitted between September 2020 and March 2023 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 7 females with an average age of 62.1 years (range, 40-80 years). The rotator cuff tears were caused by trauma in 7 cases and other reasons in 8 cases. The disease duration ranged from 5 to 25 months, with an average of 17.7 months. According to the Hamada grading, the rotator cuff tears were rated as grade 1 in 2 cases, grade 2 in 8 cases, and grade 3 in 5 cases. All patients were underwent superior capsular reconstruction using the "sandwich" patches (autologous fascia lata+polypropylene patch+autologous fascia lata) combined with PRP injection on patches. The pre- and post-operative active range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joint, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, University of California, Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were recorded. The subacromial space was measured on the imaging and rotator cuff integrity was assessed based on Sugaya grading.
RESULTS:
All incisions healed by first intention after operation without any complications such as infection. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.4 months). At last follow-up, the active ROMs of flexion, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation of the shoulder joint, subacromial space, ASES score, Constant-Murley score, and UCLA score increased, and VAS score decreased, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the Sugaya grading between last follow-up and immediately after operation ( P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
For massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using the "sandwich" patches combined with PRP injection can restore stability of the shoulder joint, relieve pain, promote rotator cuff healing, and achieve good short-term effectiveness.
Humans
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Platelet-Rich Plasma
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Female
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Rotator Cuff Injuries/therapy*
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Arthroscopy/methods*
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Adult
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Retrospective Studies
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Aged, 80 and over
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Treatment Outcome
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Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
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Rotator Cuff/surgery*
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Range of Motion, Articular
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Shoulder Joint/surgery*
9.Orthopedic manipulation combined with percutaneous reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation for Sanders typeⅡand Ⅲ calcaneal fractures.
Feng DAI ; Jin-Tao LIU ; Zhi-Gang ZHANG ; Xue-Qiang SHEN ; Li-Ming WU ; Peng-Fei YU ; Hong JIANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(3):306-310
OBJECTIVE:
To explore clinical effects of bone setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirschner needle internal fixation in treating SandersⅡ-Ⅲ calcaneal fracture.
METHODS:
Clinical data of 52 patients with types Sanders Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fracture (foot) treated with bone-setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirscher needle internal fixation from July 2017 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 9 females, aged from 31 to 72 years old with an average of (50.83±10.48) years old; 15 patients with Sanders typeⅡ and 37 patients with Sanders type Ⅲ. The changes of Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneus width and calcaneus height before operation and 24 months after operation were compared, and Maryland foot function score was performed to evaluate clinical effects.
RESULTS:
All patients were followed up from 24 to 60 months with an average of (41.50±9.86)months. The fracture healed normally and the healing time was (11.00±0.95) weeks. Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal bone width and calcaneal bone height were increased from (16.37±8.36)°, (96.27±9.62)°, (46.82±4.67) mm, (38.41±3.58) mm before operation to (31.48±8.24)°, (111.62±8.69)°, (42.06±4.83) mm, (44.21±3.82) mm at 24 months after operation, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.01). Postoperative Maryland score at 24 months was (93.04±8.83), 40 patients got excellent result, 7 good and 5 fair.
CONCLUSION
Orthopedic manipulation combined with percutaneous reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation could significantly improve Bühler angle, Gissane angle, width, and height of Sanders typeⅡ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures, and the curative effect is satisfactory.
Humans
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Male
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Female
;
Calcaneus/surgery*
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Middle Aged
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Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
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Adult
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Aged
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Fractures, Bone/therapy*
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Retrospective Studies
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Bone Wires
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Manipulation, Orthopedic/methods*
10.Research progress of spinal-pelvic characteristics in adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis.
Zi-Cheng WEI ; Zhi-Zhen LYU ; Zi-Han HUA ; Qiong XIA ; Tao LI ; Yuan-Shen HUANG ; Chao YANG ; Li-Jiang LYU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(10):1076-1082
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common spinal deformity in adolescents, with potential causes etiologies associated with mesenchymal stem cells, genetic factors, histological features, and biomechanical aspects. Biomechanically, the pelvis, serving as the central and majort load-bearing structure, exhibits morphological and alignment abnormalities highly correlated with the development of AIS. Recent studies have extensively explored three-dimensional pelvic parameters and kinematics, demonstrating that abnormal pelvic characteristics may contribute to AIS onset and progression and are increasingly incorporated into clinical interventions. This review summarizes sagittal and coronal features of the spine-pelvis, as well as the influence of three-dimensional kinematic features on the pathogenesis of AIS, providing insights for advancing the study of spine-pelvis features related to AIS.
Humans
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Scoliosis/pathology*
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Adolescent
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Spine/pathology*
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Pelvis/pathology*
;
Biomechanical Phenomena

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