Objective:To explore the efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture.Methods:A retrospective series study was conducted on the clinical data of 26 patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture who were admitted to Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China between January 2023 and June 2024, including 18 males and 8 females, aged 14-58 years [(37.2±12.7)years]. Fractured segments included T 12 in 2 patients, L 1 in 3, L 2 in 9, L 3 in 7, and L 4 in 5. According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale, 2 patients were classified as grade C and 24 as grade D. All the patients were treated with UBE decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. The anterior vertebral height ratio (AVHR), vertebral wedge angle (VWA), kyphosis Cobb angle (KCA), vertebral compression efficiency ratio (VCER), visual analogue scale (VAS) and ASIA grade were compared preoperatively, at 3 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up. Postoperative complications were observed. Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-12 months [(8.7±1.9)months]. At 3 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up, AVHR [(93.7±2.2)%, (88.8±2.5)%], VWA [(3.9±1.2)°, (4.4±1.3)°] and KCA [(5.4±1.4)°, (6.1±1.4)°] were significantly improved compared with those preoperatively [(76.7±3.1)%, (7.0±2.9)°, (12.3±3.4)°, respectively] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, AVHR was decreased but VWA and KCA were increased in comparison with those at 3 days postoperatively ( P<0.05). VCER was (18.5±6.9)% at 3 days postoperatively and (18.1±6.4)% at the last follow-up, which were improved in comparison with that preoperatively [(53.6±7.7)%] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VCER at the last follow-up and at 3 days postoperatively ( P>0.05). The VAS score was decreased from (8.5±0.7)points preoperatively to (3.5±0.7)points at 3 days postoperatively and further to (1.0±0.8)points at the last follow-up ( P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between the VAS scores at 3 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, 2 patients with ASIA grade C recovered to grade D, while 24 patients with ASIA grade D recovered to grade E ( P<0.01). Asymptomatic epidural hematoma was found in 1 patient and drainage tube-related limb pain in 1, but no instances of incision infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, decreased muscle strength, loosening or breakage of internal fixation were observed in other patients. Conclusion:The combined application of UBE decompression and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation demonstrates significant clinical advantages in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures, including fracture reduction of the injured vertebra, spinal canal decompression, thoracolumbar back pain relief, neurological function recovery and lower complication rates.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on postoperative delirium (POD) in diabetic patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia.Methods:In this randomized controlled trial, 92 diabetic patients of either sex, aged 30-80 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=46 each) using a table of random numbers: control group (group C) and acupuncture group (group A). Group A received acupuncture at the Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24) and Sishencong (EX-HN1) acupoints before anesthesia. The needles were retained for 30 min, with manual stimulation applied every 10 min for 10 s each time. After 4 stimulations, routine anesthesia was carried out. Group C received routine anesthesia only. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation was recorded on admission to the operating room (T 0), after anesthesia induction (T 1), at the start of surgery (T 2), at the end of surgery (T 3), and immediately after tracheal extubation (T 4). The POD developed within 3 days after surgery was assessed. The occurrence of needle-related adverse effects such as fainting, subcutaneous bleeding, and local paresthesia was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of POD was significantly reduced, and the regional cerebral oxygen saturation was increased at T 1, 4 in group A ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Acupuncture can decrease the development of POD in diabetic patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia, which is related to an increase in regional cerebral oxygen saturation.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture.Methods:A retrospective series study was conducted on the clinical data of 26 patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture who were admitted to Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China between January 2023 and June 2024, including 18 males and 8 females, aged 14-58 years [(37.2±12.7)years]. Fractured segments included T 12 in 2 patients, L 1 in 3, L 2 in 9, L 3 in 7, and L 4 in 5. According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale, 2 patients were classified as grade C and 24 as grade D. All the patients were treated with UBE decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. The anterior vertebral height ratio (AVHR), vertebral wedge angle (VWA), kyphosis Cobb angle (KCA), vertebral compression efficiency ratio (VCER), visual analogue scale (VAS) and ASIA grade were compared preoperatively, at 3 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up. Postoperative complications were observed. Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-12 months [(8.7±1.9)months]. At 3 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up, AVHR [(93.7±2.2)%, (88.8±2.5)%], VWA [(3.9±1.2)°, (4.4±1.3)°] and KCA [(5.4±1.4)°, (6.1±1.4)°] were significantly improved compared with those preoperatively [(76.7±3.1)%, (7.0±2.9)°, (12.3±3.4)°, respectively] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, AVHR was decreased but VWA and KCA were increased in comparison with those at 3 days postoperatively ( P<0.05). VCER was (18.5±6.9)% at 3 days postoperatively and (18.1±6.4)% at the last follow-up, which were improved in comparison with that preoperatively [(53.6±7.7)%] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VCER at the last follow-up and at 3 days postoperatively ( P>0.05). The VAS score was decreased from (8.5±0.7)points preoperatively to (3.5±0.7)points at 3 days postoperatively and further to (1.0±0.8)points at the last follow-up ( P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between the VAS scores at 3 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, 2 patients with ASIA grade C recovered to grade D, while 24 patients with ASIA grade D recovered to grade E ( P<0.01). Asymptomatic epidural hematoma was found in 1 patient and drainage tube-related limb pain in 1, but no instances of incision infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, decreased muscle strength, loosening or breakage of internal fixation were observed in other patients. Conclusion:The combined application of UBE decompression and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation demonstrates significant clinical advantages in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures, including fracture reduction of the injured vertebra, spinal canal decompression, thoracolumbar back pain relief, neurological function recovery and lower complication rates.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of buccal acupuncture in the treatment of refractory tinnitus in the elderly.Methods In this study,50 elderly patients with refractory tinnitus were randomly divided into two groups:the experimental group(n=26)received buccal acupuncture therapy on the neck,upper neck,scapula zone,shoulder,back,mastoid process,thoracic plexus,abdominal plexus and pelvic plexus on the affected side,and the control group(n=24)received sound therapy.After 8 weeks of treatment intervention,the two groups were comprehensively evaluated for the changes in the tinnitus evaluation scale(TEQ),self-rating depression scale(SDS),and blood rheological indexes,including whole blood high-cut viscosity(HSV),plasma viscosity(PSV)and fibrinogen in blood(FIB)clotting.Results After treatment,the total effective rate of the experimental group was 84.6％(22/26),higher than 54.2％(13/24)in the con-trol group.The difference in total effective rate and efficacy level between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).TEQ and SDS were significantly lower in the two groups compared to pre-treatment(P＜0.05),and HSV,PSV and FIB in the experimental group were significantly lower compared to pre-treatment(P＜0.05).The experimental group demonstrated better post-treatment outcomes in TEQ,SDS,HSV,and FIB compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Buccal acupuncture treatment is effective in improving the symptoms of refractory tinnitus in the elderly,relie-ving the depression complicated by tinnitus,and is helpful in changing blood flow resistance and reducing blood coagulation probably.

Objective:To investigate the effect of donor blood lipid levels and the degree of fat deposition on the pancreatic surface on the outcome of islet isolation.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 171 cases of islet isolation data from organ donors between May 2015 and December 2024. According to the percentage of fat deposition area on the surface of the pancreatic capsule after trimming, the samples were divided into three groups: mild surface fat group (<30%, 60 cases) , moderate surface fat group (30%–70%, 55 cases) , and severe surface fat group (>70%, 56 cases). The modified Ricordi method was used to digest pancreatic tissue, and islets were purified by continuous density gradient centrifugation. The digestion efficiency, digestion time, islet yield (islet equivalent/quantity) , purity, score, and size were analyzed and compared among groups. One-way ANOVA was used for inter-group comparisons, and Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between blood lipid levels and islet isolation parameters.Result:The severe surface fat group had significantly higher pre-purification and post-purification islet equivalents, islet number, amount of digested pancreatic tissue, donor triglyceride levels, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels than the other groups (all P<0. 05) . Correlation analysis showed that LDL level was positively correlated with pre-purification islet equivalents (62 cases, r=0. 298, P=0. 019) and islet number (58 cases, r=0. 285, P=0. 030) . Donor high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was negatively correlated with post-purification islet equivalents (54 cases, r= – 0. 282, P=0. 039) ; donor triglyceride level was positively correlated with the amount of digested tissue (56 cases, r=0. 268, P=0. 046) and negatively correlated with purity (51 cases, r= - 0. 297, P=0. 035) ; donor very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) level was positively correlated with the amount of digested tissue (67 cases, r=0. 337, P=0. 005) and negatively correlated with purity (61 cases, r=- 0. 348 , P=0. 006) ; donor total cholesterol level was negatively correlated with pancreatic digestion efficiency (34 cases, r= - 0. 370, P=0. 032) , and the above differences were all statistically significant. Conclusion:Pancreata with heavier surface fat deposition can yield a higher number of islets. Meanwhile, donor blood lipid levels are correlated with islet isolation outcomes and can serve as important indicators for donor pancreas selection.

Objective To develop a composite nutritional preparation that can effectively improve exercise performance under calorie restriction(CR)condition.Methods A total of 24 male C57BL/6J mice(weighing 23～26 g,8 weeks old)were randomly divided into control group(CON),CR,CR+basal nutrient group(CRN1),and CR+compound nutrient group(CRN2).All groups underwent moderate-intensity running training 5 d per week,for totally 3 weeks.The grip strength of the forelimbs were measured weekly,and in 3 weeks after training,exhaustion and post-exhaustion distance tests were conducted to evaluate exercise performance.Blood biochemical indicators,levels of skeletal muscle and liver redox biomarkers,and histopathological conditions were measured and observed.Results After 21 d of intervention,the CR group and CRN1 group had the post-exhaustion running distance prolonged by 278%and 289%,respectively,reduced blood glucose level,and decreased muscle mass,subcutaneous fat and epididymal fat mass when compared with the CON group(P<0.05).Compared with the CON group,the CRN1 and CRN2 groups demonstrated significantly higher gastrocnemius glycogen content.The CRN2 group obtained even longer post-exhaustion distance(increased by 52%and 36%respectively,compared with the CON group and CRN1 group,P<0.05),enhanced grip strength of the forelimbs(raised by 9%,17%and 15%,respectively than the CON,CR and CRN1 groups,P<0.05),elevated brown fat mass(compared to the CON group and CRN1 group,P<0.05),increased blood glucose level(compared to the CRN1 group,P<0.05),decreased blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level(compared to the CON and CR groups,P<0.05),and increased glutathione peroxidase content in the gastrocnemius muscle(compared to the CON group,P<0.05).Conclusion Supplementing with compound nutritional supplements in mice under CR can promote exercise performance,including improving fatigue recovery after exhaustive exercise and enhancing forelimb grip strength.

Objective:To establish a model for the combined detection of serum copeptin and inflammatory markers in acute stroke (AS), and to explore the value of copeptin and inflammatory marker detection in the clinical diagnosis and prognosis assessment of AS.Methods:A total of 75 patients were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) [46 males, age (64.1±11.7) years] and 45 patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) [28 males, age (61.0±13.9) years] who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine through the emergency department from January 1 to July 31, 2024, were included as the observation group. Meanwhile, 60 healthy individuals [39 males, age (64.4±8.2) years] were selected as the control group (HC). The differences in serum copeptin levels and inflammatory markers among different groups were compared. ROC curves were drawn to analyze the value of copeptin and inflammatory markers in the clinical diagnosis and prognosis assessment of AIS. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves to analyze the in-hospital survival rates of patients in different groups. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors affecting the prognosis of AIS patients.Results:The level of copeptin was significantly elevated in AS, with the results showing ICH>AIS>HC ( H=100.11, P<0.001). Copeptin demonstrated the highest efficacy in the early diagnosis of AIS and ICH (AUC=0.893, sensitivity 89.3%, specificity 75.0%; AUC=0.986, sensitivity 95.6%, specificity 93.3%) and the assessment of prognosis (AUC=0.997, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.8%; AUC=0.907, sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 86.7%), outperforming other single indicators. The combined detection of copeptin with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SIIRI) was the best combination for the early diagnosis of AIS and ICH (AUC=0.937, sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 98.3%; AUC=0.989, sensitivity 95.6%, specificity 95.0%) and for the assessment of prognosis (AUC=0.996, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.8%; AUC=0.944, sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 90.0%). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that AIS patients in the low-value group of copeptin and NLR had a higher survival rate during hospitalization than those in the high-value group ( HR 54.46, 7.608, P<0.01, respectively), and ICH patients in the low-value group of copeptin, SIIRI, SIRI, and SII had a higher survival rate during hospitalization than those in the high-value group ( HR 12.67, 7.923, 3.567, 5.925, P<0.05); Cox regression showed that copeptin, NLR, NIHSS, and mRS were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with AIS ( HR 1.421, 1.368, 1.158, and 1.188, respectively, P<0.05), copeptin and SIIRI were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of ICH ( HR 1.308, 1.113, P<0.05), and GCS was a protective factor affecting ICH prognosis ( HR=0.741, P<0.05). Conclusion:Copeptin and inflammatory indicators can reflect the severity of different subtypes of stroke. The single or combined detection shows good value in the clinical application of AS. The combination of copeptin-NLR and copeptin-SIIRI is respectively the best comprehensive biomarker combination for the early diagnosis and prognosis assessment of AIS and ICH.

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate to evaluate the performance of equilibrium dialysis combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the accurate measurement of free testosterone in clinical samples. Mthods We conducted a prospective observational study using 161 serum samples from healthy women of reproductive 26(24, 32)years at the Gynecology Outpatient department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June to September 2024, and their concentrations were determined. In this study, after equilibrium dialysis of serum samples, free testosterone was extracted from the dialysate using a magnetic bead-based method. It was then directly derivatized using hydroxylamine hydrochloride in situ after elution from the magnetic bead and further quantified by LC-MS/MS.Method:validation assessed linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, matrix effects, and carryover according to established guidelines. Data were analyzed using Origin 2019 and WPS Office 2019.Results:The method demonstrated excellent linearity ( R2>0.99) across 1-250 pg/ml with an LOQ of 1 pg/ml. The coefficients of variation for both intra-day and inter-day imprecision were less than 10% while recovery rates ranged from 92.60% to 99.10%. Matrix effect deviations were all within the range of 6% and carryover was negligible. Conclusions:In this study, the established method of magnetic bead-based extraction followed by in situ derivatization combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry performed well, and could be further applied to the detection of free testosterone concentration in childbearing age women.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on postoperative delirium (POD) in diabetic patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia.Methods:In this randomized controlled trial, 92 diabetic patients of either sex, aged 30-80 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=46 each) using a table of random numbers: control group (group C) and acupuncture group (group A). Group A received acupuncture at the Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24) and Sishencong (EX-HN1) acupoints before anesthesia. The needles were retained for 30 min, with manual stimulation applied every 10 min for 10 s each time. After 4 stimulations, routine anesthesia was carried out. Group C received routine anesthesia only. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation was recorded on admission to the operating room (T 0), after anesthesia induction (T 1), at the start of surgery (T 2), at the end of surgery (T 3), and immediately after tracheal extubation (T 4). The POD developed within 3 days after surgery was assessed. The occurrence of needle-related adverse effects such as fainting, subcutaneous bleeding, and local paresthesia was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of POD was significantly reduced, and the regional cerebral oxygen saturation was increased at T 1, 4 in group A ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Acupuncture can decrease the development of POD in diabetic patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia, which is related to an increase in regional cerebral oxygen saturation.

[Objective]To explore the medication patterns of Zhejiang school of febrile diseases school in treating epidemic diseases through data mining in relevant articles in the Great Compendium of Febrile Diseases.[Methods]By reviewing TCM professional monographs and related literature with search terms such as"epidemic","plague"and"febrile disease",the monographs on the Zhejiang school of febrile disease and plague in the Great Compendium of Febrile Diseases were organized and summarized.Taking into account the regional climate and specific political and social factors in Zhejiang,the plague types were categorized.Using the R language platform(version 4.3.2),frequency statistics,classification statistics and systematic clustering analysis of Chinese medicine prescriptions were conducted.[Results]The study included a total of 14 monographs,and the selected prescriptions were obtained 84 in total,with 209 kinds of Chinese herbs.The plague types were categorized into wind-heat evil toxin syndrome,summer-dampness syndrome and lingering evil syndrome.Among them,there were 34 prescriptions for wind-heat evil toxin syndrome,26 for summer-dampness syndrome and 24 for lingering evil syndrome.In the classification of Chinese herbs,wind-heat evil toxin syndrome was mainly dominated by heat-clearing and exterior-releasing herbs,summer-dampness syndrome was mainly dominated by heat-clearing and diuretic and dampness-dispelling herbs,and lingering evil syndrome was most widely dominated by tonifying and heat-clearing herbs.Cluster analysis yielded a total of 8 core prescription groups,mainly focusing on heat-clearing herbs,diuretic and dampness-dispelling herbs,and tonifying herbs.[Conclusion]The treatment of plague by Zhejiang school of febrile disease is mostly combined with heat-clearing,dampness-percolating,deficiency-tonifying and exterior-releasing herbs.The wind-heat evil toxin syndrome is treated with pungent-cool and bitter-cold herbs to clear and relieve stagnated heat,combined with a small amount of pungent-warm herbs.In the summer-dampness syndrome,the three methods of promoting the upper-Jiao,unblocking the middle-Jiao and seeping the lower-Jiao are used to open and promote tri-Jiao,and aromatic herbs may also be combined to promote Qi movement and resolve dampness.In the case of the syndrome with lingering pathogenic factors,the therapeutic principle of clearing and dispersing to resolve and ventilate is adopted to expel the residual pathogenic factors.At the same time,the method of tonifying deficiency and promoting the production of body fluids is applied to support the healthy Qi,thereby achieving the effect of tonifying the healthy Qi and dispelling pathogenic factors These principles not only provide new methods for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of different types of plague,but also expand the ideas for subsequent medical research.