Objective To investigate the mediating effect of psychological flexibility on the relationship between pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH),so as to provide references for relief from kinesiophobia of the patients.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 256 patients with LDH as the research subjects from the Outpatient Department of Spinal Orthopaedics of a Grade IIIA hospital in Guangdong Province between May and December 2023.The subjects were surveyed with a general information questionnaire,the kinesiophobia assessment scale,psychological flexibility inventory for pain patients,and chronic pain self-efficacy scale.The mediation effect of psychological flexibility on pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia was analysed using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS 3.5 macro.Results The scores for kinesiophobia,psychological flexibility and pain self-efficacy among the LDH patients were 31.66±4.73,55.26±11.06 and 68.14±17.48,respectively.Kinesiophobia was positively correlated with the psychological flexibility(r=0.545,P<0.001)and negatively correlated with the pain self-efficacy(r=-0.599,P<0.001).The psychological flexibility was negatively correlated with the pain self-efficacy(r=-0.510,P<0.001).Psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationship between pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia,with a mediating effect of-0.045,accounting for 27.78%of the total effect.Conclusion The patients who have LDH and under conservative treatment exhibit a high level of kinesiophobia and with a moderate levels of pain self-efficacy and psychological flexibility.The medical staff can improve the self-efficacy and psychological flexibility of patients,so as to reduce kinesiophobia level and its incidence.

Objective To investigate the mediating effect of psychological flexibility on the relationship between pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH),so as to provide references for relief from kinesiophobia of the patients.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 256 patients with LDH as the research subjects from the Outpatient Department of Spinal Orthopaedics of a Grade IIIA hospital in Guangdong Province between May and December 2023.The subjects were surveyed with a general information questionnaire,the kinesiophobia assessment scale,psychological flexibility inventory for pain patients,and chronic pain self-efficacy scale.The mediation effect of psychological flexibility on pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia was analysed using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS 3.5 macro.Results The scores for kinesiophobia,psychological flexibility and pain self-efficacy among the LDH patients were 31.66±4.73,55.26±11.06 and 68.14±17.48,respectively.Kinesiophobia was positively correlated with the psychological flexibility(r=0.545,P<0.001)and negatively correlated with the pain self-efficacy(r=-0.599,P<0.001).The psychological flexibility was negatively correlated with the pain self-efficacy(r=-0.510,P<0.001).Psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationship between pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia,with a mediating effect of-0.045,accounting for 27.78%of the total effect.Conclusion The patients who have LDH and under conservative treatment exhibit a high level of kinesiophobia and with a moderate levels of pain self-efficacy and psychological flexibility.The medical staff can improve the self-efficacy and psychological flexibility of patients,so as to reduce kinesiophobia level and its incidence.

Objective To investigate the effects of exosomes derived from hypoxia-treated mesenchymal stem cells on chondrocyte injury.Methods After mesenchymal stem cells were subjected to hypoxic treatment,the secreted exosomes were collected and co-cultured with IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes.Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,while apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and the measurement of Caspase-3 and PARP activities.Intracellular levels of ROS,Fe2+,and MDA were quantified using commercial assay kits.The expression of GPX4,SLC7A11,and ACSL4 was analyzed at both mRNA and protein levels via qRT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.Additionally,the secretion of COL2A1,MMP13,ADAMTS5,TNF-α,IL-6,and PGE2 was determined by ELISA.Results Chondrocyte viability was significantly enhanced following the uptake of exosomes derived from hypoxia-treated mesenchymal stem cells(H-Exo)(P<0.05).IL-1β treatment reduced chondrocyte viability,increased Caspase-3 and PARP activities,and promoted apoptosis(P<0.05);however,H-Exo effectively reversed IL-1 β-induced apoptotic effects.Furthermore,IL-1 β markedly down-regulated the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11,up-regulated ACSL4 expression,and elevated intracellular levels of ROS,Fe2+,and MDA(P<0.05),indicating the induction of ferroptosis.Both the ferroptosis inhibitor and H-Exo significantly attenuated IL-1β-triggered ferroptosis,and H-Exo counteracted the detrimental effects of IL-1β as well as those induced by a ferroptosis inducer.Additionally,IL-1β suppressed the expression of the chondrogenic marker COL2A1,up-regulated the catabolic enzymes MMP13 and ADAMTS5,and enhanced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cyto-kines TNF-α,IL-6,and PGE2(P<0.05).Notably,H-Exo alleviated IL-1β-mediated inflammation and restored the balance between chondrogenic anabolism and catabolism.Conclusions Exosomes secreted by mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxic conditions can effectively inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis,thereby alleviating cellular injury.These findings suggest that such exosomes exert a protective effect on chondrocytes and hold prom-ise as a novel therapeutic strategy for cartilage repair.

Purpose To investigate the changes in quadriceps femoris microcirculatory perfusion level after low-load blood flow restriction training and its relationship with muscle strength.Materials and Methods Twenty-five healthy subjects were prospectively recruited in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from September to November 2022.A 200 mmHg pressure cuff was applied at the root of the left thigh for blood flow restriction,and the subjects completed regular knee extension training within 4 weeks.Before the first training session and within 24 hours after the last training session,all subjects underwent scanning with the 3.0T MRI intravoxel incoherent motion sequence and the multi-echo steady-state acquisition three-dimentional imaging sequence.After image post-processing,the quadriceps femoris cross-sectional area,perfusion fraction and pseudo-diffusion coefficient were obtained,and the peak torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.The MRI and muscle strength test parameters before and after training were compared,and correlation analyses were performed between the change of peak torque and the change of perfusion fraction,cross-sectional area,and pseudo-diffusion coefficient respectively.Results After low-load blood flow restriction training,the cross-sectional area of the left quadriceps femoris in subjects increased(t=-4.515,P<0.05).Among its components,the cross-sectional area of the left rectus femoris,vastus intermedius and vastus lateralis all increased(t=-3.302,-2.877,-3.207,all P<0.05).The perfusion fraction value of the left quadriceps femoris increased(t=-5.447,P<0.05);the perfusion fraction values of the left rectus femoris,vastus intermedius,vastus lateralis and vastus medialis all increased(t=-5.723,-4.621,-3.767,-4.682,all P<0.05);the muscle strength of the left quadriceps femoris increased(t=-3.983,P<0.05).There was a highly positive correlation between change of perfusion fraction and peak torque of the left quadriceps femoris in subjects(r=0.708,P<0.05).Conclusion After low-load blood flow restriction training,the changes in quadriceps femoris muscle microperfusion quantified by intravoxel incoherent motion are related to muscle strength,which is helpful for formulating rehabilitation training strategies for young patients.

Purpose To investigate the changes in quadriceps femoris microcirculatory perfusion level after low-load blood flow restriction training and its relationship with muscle strength.Materials and Methods Twenty-five healthy subjects were prospectively recruited in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from September to November 2022.A 200 mmHg pressure cuff was applied at the root of the left thigh for blood flow restriction,and the subjects completed regular knee extension training within 4 weeks.Before the first training session and within 24 hours after the last training session,all subjects underwent scanning with the 3.0T MRI intravoxel incoherent motion sequence and the multi-echo steady-state acquisition three-dimentional imaging sequence.After image post-processing,the quadriceps femoris cross-sectional area,perfusion fraction and pseudo-diffusion coefficient were obtained,and the peak torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.The MRI and muscle strength test parameters before and after training were compared,and correlation analyses were performed between the change of peak torque and the change of perfusion fraction,cross-sectional area,and pseudo-diffusion coefficient respectively.Results After low-load blood flow restriction training,the cross-sectional area of the left quadriceps femoris in subjects increased(t=-4.515,P<0.05).Among its components,the cross-sectional area of the left rectus femoris,vastus intermedius and vastus lateralis all increased(t=-3.302,-2.877,-3.207,all P<0.05).The perfusion fraction value of the left quadriceps femoris increased(t=-5.447,P<0.05);the perfusion fraction values of the left rectus femoris,vastus intermedius,vastus lateralis and vastus medialis all increased(t=-5.723,-4.621,-3.767,-4.682,all P<0.05);the muscle strength of the left quadriceps femoris increased(t=-3.983,P<0.05).There was a highly positive correlation between change of perfusion fraction and peak torque of the left quadriceps femoris in subjects(r=0.708,P<0.05).Conclusion After low-load blood flow restriction training,the changes in quadriceps femoris muscle microperfusion quantified by intravoxel incoherent motion are related to muscle strength,which is helpful for formulating rehabilitation training strategies for young patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of lysophosphatidyllecithin acyltransferase 4 （LPCAT4） in pancreatic cancer and its effect on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. MethodsIn this study， the differentially expressed genes of patients with KRAS mutant and wild-type pancreatic cancer were analyzed by online database LinkedOmics. The LPCAT4 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues was analyzed online by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis （UALCAN）， Sangerbox and gene expression profile interaction analysis 2 （GEPIA2）. Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was used to explore the correlation between LPCAT4 and the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. The expression of LPCAT4 in human pancreatic cancer cells were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. LPCAT4 was knocked down in the high-expressing SW1990 cell line and overexpressed in the low-expressing MIA PaCa-2 cell line. The effects of LPCAT4 expression on cell proliferation were assessed using CCK-8 and EdU assays. STRING and GEPIA2 databases were used to obtain LPCAT4 binding and coexpressed genes in tumors， which were then analyzed by GO and KEGG. ResultsAnalysis of the LinkedOmics online database revealed a significant upregulation of LPCAT4 in patients with KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer compared to patients with KRAS wild-type pancreatic cancer. The online analysis of GEPIA2， UALCAN and Sangerbox 3.0 showed that the expression of LPCAT4 was higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal tissues. Analysis of the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database revealed that high LPCAT4 expression was associated with poorer prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.Western blot and qPCR results showed that expression of LPCAT4 in pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly higher than in normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Knockdown of LPCAT4 in SW1990 cells inhibited proliferation， while overexpression in MIA PaCa-2 cells promoted proliferation. Enrichment analysis indicated that LPCAT4 was closely related to sulfur metabolism. ConclusionsLPCAT4 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and is associated with poor prognosis of patients. It plays a significant regulatory role in the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells， with its expression level closely correlated with cell proliferation capacity. These findings reveal the critical role of LPCAT4 in the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer and provide important evidence for its potential as a therapeutic target.

Objective To analyze the disease burden of hip osteoarthritis(HOA)and its changing trends in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2021 database,age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR),age-standardized prevalence rate(ASPR),and age-standardized disability adjusted life years(DALY)rate(ASDR)of HOA were compared and analyzed in China,globally,and in regions with high sociodemographic index(SDI)from 1990 to 2021.Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trend of disease burden,and age and gender were combined to deeply analyze the disease burden of HOA in China.Meanwhile,the age-period-cohort model was used to analyze the influencing factors and the Bayesian age-period-cohort model to predict the trend of China's HOA disease burden in the next 10 years.Results The ASIR,ASPR,and ASDR of HOA in China showed an increasing trend from 1990 to 2021[average annual percentage change(AAPC)were 0.87％,0.82％,and 0.81％,respectively,P＜0.001],and their AAPCs were higher than those of the global and high SDI regions,but in 2021,the ASIR,ASPR,and ASDR of China were lower than those of the global and high SDI regions.Crude incidence,crude prevalence,and crude DALY rate in Chinese HOA increased with age,with the highest number of incidence in the 55-59 age group and the highest number of prevalence,DALY,in the 65-69 age group.In 2021,the ASIR,ASPR and ASDR of HOA in Chinese males were 1.25,1.24 and 1.25 times higher than those in females.Changes in the incidence of HOA in China from 1990 to 2021 were influenced by age,period,and birth cohort.Compared with 2021,new cases of HOA are expected to increase by 37.78％by 2035,and the number of incidence cases in people aged 60 years and above will increase significantly.Conclusion The disease burden of HOA in China continued to rise from 1990 to 2021,and prevention and control need to be strengthened,with a focus on men,high BMI,and middle-aged and older populations.

[Objective]To summarize Professor GAO Xiangfu's experience in treating chronic kidney disease with drug pairs and triangular drugs.[Methods]By following the Professor during clinical consultations,organizing medical cases and reviewing literature,this paper summarized Professor GAO's understanding of the pathogenesis and the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease,and the composition,compatibility principles,clinical applications,common doses,and compatibility significance of Professor GAO's commonly using drug pairs and triangular drugs in treatment chronic kidney disease and a medical case was attached for evidence.[Results]Professor GAO believes that the pathological condition of chronic kidney disease is deficient in origin and excess in superficiality.The core pathogenesis of disease progression is characterized by"vital Qi is deficient and toxins are hiding,essence and blood are leaking,vital Qi is attenuating and toxins are enhancing".The deficiency of vital Qi is mainly manifested as deficiency of the spleen and kidney,while the hidden toxins are mainly turbid toxins,blood stasis toxins and heat toxins.In treatment,the priorities should be put on the origin and the superficiality of the pathogenesis,and a case being acute or chronic should be distinguished first,following the principle of treatment that"treating acute cases as the emerging diseases and treating the chronic cases as the primary disease".For acute progressive cases of this disease,drug pairs for eliminating hidden toxins are commonly combined with classic prescriptions.For chronic protracted cases,drug pairs are often used to formulate prescriptions directly.Particularly,Professor GAO commonly uses"Astragalus membranaceus-Angelica sinensis""Astragalus membranaceus-Atractylodes macrocephala"and"Astragalus membranaceus-Cimicifuga foetida-Bupleurum chinense"are used to tonify spleen Qi and invigorate middle-Jiao;he uses"Radix rehmanniae-Dioscorea opposita-Poria cocos""Herba epimedii-Cistanche deserticola"to nourish kidney Yin and tonify kidney Yang,uses"Herba plantaginis-Rheum officinale""Salvia miltiorrhiza-Centella asiatica"to eliminate turbid and blood stasis,and clear stagnated heat,and uses"Rhizoma imperatae-Agrimonia pilosa""Rosa laevigata-Semen euryales"to calm the blood collaterals and control essence.In the attached medical case,a patient with chronic kidney disease was treated with a main formula consisting of five drug pairs including"Astragalus membranaceus-Angelica sinensis""Radix rehmanniae-Dioscorea opposita-Poria cocos""Herba plantaginis-Rheum officinale""Salvia miltiorrhiza-Centella asiatica"and"Rhizoma imperatae-Agrimonia pilosa",which was adjusted according to the symptoms,and ultimately achieved good results.[Conclusion]Professor GAO's approach to treating chronic kidney disease with drug pairs and triangular drugs is characterized by mild medication,hierarchical compatibility and remarkable efficacy,which is worth summarizing and promoting.

Objective To investigate the effects of exosomes derived from hypoxia-treated mesenchymal stem cells on chondrocyte injury.Methods After mesenchymal stem cells were subjected to hypoxic treatment,the secreted exosomes were collected and co-cultured with IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes.Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,while apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and the measurement of Caspase-3 and PARP activities.Intracellular levels of ROS,Fe2+,and MDA were quantified using commercial assay kits.The expression of GPX4,SLC7A11,and ACSL4 was analyzed at both mRNA and protein levels via qRT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.Additionally,the secretion of COL2A1,MMP13,ADAMTS5,TNF-α,IL-6,and PGE2 was determined by ELISA.Results Chondrocyte viability was significantly enhanced following the uptake of exosomes derived from hypoxia-treated mesenchymal stem cells(H-Exo)(P<0.05).IL-1β treatment reduced chondrocyte viability,increased Caspase-3 and PARP activities,and promoted apoptosis(P<0.05);however,H-Exo effectively reversed IL-1 β-induced apoptotic effects.Furthermore,IL-1 β markedly down-regulated the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11,up-regulated ACSL4 expression,and elevated intracellular levels of ROS,Fe2+,and MDA(P<0.05),indicating the induction of ferroptosis.Both the ferroptosis inhibitor and H-Exo significantly attenuated IL-1β-triggered ferroptosis,and H-Exo counteracted the detrimental effects of IL-1β as well as those induced by a ferroptosis inducer.Additionally,IL-1β suppressed the expression of the chondrogenic marker COL2A1,up-regulated the catabolic enzymes MMP13 and ADAMTS5,and enhanced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cyto-kines TNF-α,IL-6,and PGE2(P<0.05).Notably,H-Exo alleviated IL-1β-mediated inflammation and restored the balance between chondrogenic anabolism and catabolism.Conclusions Exosomes secreted by mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxic conditions can effectively inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis,thereby alleviating cellular injury.These findings suggest that such exosomes exert a protective effect on chondrocytes and hold prom-ise as a novel therapeutic strategy for cartilage repair.

Objective To analyze the disease burden of hip osteoarthritis(HOA)and its changing trends in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2021 database,age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR),age-standardized prevalence rate(ASPR),and age-standardized disability adjusted life years(DALY)rate(ASDR)of HOA were compared and analyzed in China,globally,and in regions with high sociodemographic index(SDI)from 1990 to 2021.Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trend of disease burden,and age and gender were combined to deeply analyze the disease burden of HOA in China.Meanwhile,the age-period-cohort model was used to analyze the influencing factors and the Bayesian age-period-cohort model to predict the trend of China's HOA disease burden in the next 10 years.Results The ASIR,ASPR,and ASDR of HOA in China showed an increasing trend from 1990 to 2021[average annual percentage change(AAPC)were 0.87％,0.82％,and 0.81％,respectively,P＜0.001],and their AAPCs were higher than those of the global and high SDI regions,but in 2021,the ASIR,ASPR,and ASDR of China were lower than those of the global and high SDI regions.Crude incidence,crude prevalence,and crude DALY rate in Chinese HOA increased with age,with the highest number of incidence in the 55-59 age group and the highest number of prevalence,DALY,in the 65-69 age group.In 2021,the ASIR,ASPR and ASDR of HOA in Chinese males were 1.25,1.24 and 1.25 times higher than those in females.Changes in the incidence of HOA in China from 1990 to 2021 were influenced by age,period,and birth cohort.Compared with 2021,new cases of HOA are expected to increase by 37.78％by 2035,and the number of incidence cases in people aged 60 years and above will increase significantly.Conclusion The disease burden of HOA in China continued to rise from 1990 to 2021,and prevention and control need to be strengthened,with a focus on men,high BMI,and middle-aged and older populations.