PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Patients with SCI in our hospital from January 2019 to March 2023 were collected. According to the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) at different sites, the patients were divided into the lumbar spine group and the hip joint group. According to the BMD value, the patients were divided into the normal bone mass group (t > -1.0 standard deviation) and the osteopenia group (t ≤ -1.0 standard deviation). The influencing factors accumulated as follows: gender, age, height, weight, cause of injury, injury segment, injury degree, time after injury, start time of rehabilitation, motor score, sensory score, spasticity, serum value of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus. The trend chart was drawn and the influencing factors were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis. Correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the BMD values of the lumbar spine and bilateral hips. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of osteoporosis after SCI. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The incidence of bone loss in patients with SCI was 66.3%. There was a low concordance between bone loss in the lumbar spine and the hip, and the hip was particularly susceptible to bone loss after SCI, with an upward trend in incidence (36% - 82%). In this study, patients with SCI were divided into the lumbar spine group (n = 100) and the hip group (n = 185) according to the BMD values of different sites. Then, the lumbar spine group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 53) and the osteopenia group (n = 47); the hip joint group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 83) and the osteopenia group (n = 102). Of these, lumbar bone loss after SCI is correlated with gender and weight (p = 0.032 and < 0.001, respectively), and hip bone loss is correlated with gender, height, weight, and time since injury (p < 0.001, p = 0.015, 0.009, and 0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of bone loss after SCI was high, especially in the hip. The incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in the lumbar spine and hip were different. Patients with SCI who are male, low height, lightweight, and long time after injury were more likely to have bone loss.
Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Incidence ; Adult ; Bone Density ; Middle Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Osteoporosis/etiology* ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic/etiology* ; Aged ; Risk Factors

Inertial microfluidics,as a microfluidic technology with the ability to precisely manipulate particles and cells with high throughput,has attracted widespread attention.However,challenges remain in achieving particle focusing with insensitivity to flow rates in large-scale channels,mainly due to the instability of secondary flows within the inertial microfluidic chip.This study developed a microstructure-assisted ultra-low aspect ratio spiral microchannel,which utilized the stability and acceleration of secondary flows to achieve inertial particle focusing.The research results demonstrated successful particle focusing within a 1 mm-wide spiral channel chip,for different diameter sizes(7.3 μm and 15.5 μm),within a wide range of flow rates(0.5-3 mL/min).The focusing efficiencies for these particles were measured to be above 94%and 99%,respectively.Additionally,it was observed that the particle focusing position was approximately 100 μm away from the channel walls,significantly larger than other inertial focusing chips.Consequently,by incorporating ordered microstructures within the spiral channel chip,the stability and enhancement of secondary flows were achieved,resulting in flow rate and particle size-insensitive inertial focusing.Compared to traditional methods of inertial focusing,this design had advantages of not requiring additional sheath flow operations,and boasted high throughput and ease of manufacturing.This innovative structure opened up vast prospects for the development of portable inertial microfluidic chips,and could be used in the fields such as cell analysis and detection,flow cytometry,and online sample processing.

PURPOSE: The long-term situation of children with spinal cord injury (SCI) was investigated, and suggestions for helping them better return to the society were provided. METHODS: SCI patients less than 18 years old hospitalized in Beijing Boai Hospital from January 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Information including motor function, complications, characteristic changes, self-care abilities, school attendance and social participation were collected by telephone interview and electronic questionnaire. All the answers were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 86 cases were enrolled, 77 girls and 9 boys, with a median injury age of 6 years and 2 months. The follow-up time was 3-130 months. The main cause of trauma in these children was sport injury (66.3%), the thoracic spinal cord was involved the most (91.9%), and complete SCIs accounted for the majority (76.7%). In terms of complications, children with complete SCIs were more likely to have urinary incontinence, constipation and characteristic changes (p < 0.05); whereas the incomplete SCIs often have spasticity (p < 0.05). As to the daily living abilities, children with incomplete lumbar SCIs were more capable to accomplish personal hygiene, transfer, and bathing independently than those with complete injuries, or cervical/thoracic SCIs, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, children older than 9 years care more able to dress and transfer independently than the youngers (p < 0.05). Wheelchair users accounted for 84.9% and more than half of them were able to propel wheelchair independently, and those who move passively in wheelchairs were mostly introverted kids (p < 0.05). Almost all (93.8%) children with incomplete injuries were able to walk independently. Most (79.1%) children continued to attending school, and 41.9% participated in interest classes. Unfortunately, 67.4% of the children spent less time playing with their peers than before the injury. CONCLUSION SCIs impair physical structures and function of children, affect their independence in daily living, and restrict school attendance and social interaction. Comprehensive rehabilitation after injury is a systematic work. Medical staff and caregivers should not only pay attention to neurological function, but also help them improve self-care abilities. It is also important to balance rehabilitation training and school work and social participation.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Adolescent ; Follow-Up Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications* ; Prognosis

Management and treatment of terminal metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains heavily debated. We sought to investigate the efficacy of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor plus anlotinib as a potential solution for terminal mCRPC and further evaluate the association of genomic characteristics with efficacy outcomes. We conducted a retrospective real-world study of 25 mCRPC patients who received PD-1 inhibitor plus anlotinib after the progression to standard treatments. The clinical information was extracted from the electronic medical records and 22 patients had targeted circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) next-generation sequencing. Statistical analysis showed that 6 (24.0%) patients experienced prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response and 11 (44.0%) patients experienced PSA reduction. The relationship between ctDNA findings and outcomes was also analyzed. DNA-damage repair (DDR) pathways and homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway defects indicated a comparatively longer PSA-progression-free survival (PSA-PFS; 2.5 months vs 1.2 months, P = 0.027; 3.3 months vs 1.2 months, P = 0.017; respectively). This study introduces the PD-1 inhibitor plus anlotinib as a late-line therapeutic strategy for terminal mCRPC. PD-1 inhibitor plus anlotinib may be a new treatment choice for terminal mCRPC patients with DDR or HRR pathway defects and requires further investigation.
Male ; Humans ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Treatment Outcome ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant/drug therapy* ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) modulating the gut microbiome and trimethylamine oxide (TAMO) to exert cardioprotective effects. METHODS: Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed in rats to induce heart failure (HF). Except for the sham-operation group (n=10), 36 operation-induced models were randomized into 3 groups using a random number table (n=12 in each group): the model group, the BYHWD group (15.02 g/kg BYHWD), and the positive group (4.99 g/kg metoprolol succinate). After 4-week treatment (once daily by gavage), echocardiography was applied to evaluate the cardiac function and the Tei index (the ratio of ventricular isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic diastolic time (IVRT) to ejection time (ET)) was calculated; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was observed to characterize the pathology of the myocardium and small intestinal villi. D-lactic acid was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens (ZO-1) were detected by Western blot. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) sequencing was used to explore the changes in the intestinal flora. TMAO was detected via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: In the echocardiography, the Tei index was considerably lower in the positive and BYHWD groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Besides, BYHWD improved the pathology of myocardium and small intestine of HF rats and lowered the D-lactic acid content in the serum, when compared with the model group (P<0.05). BYHWD also improved the expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P<0.05); in the gut microbiota analysis, BYHWD slowed down modifications in the structure distribution of gut microbiota and regulated the diversity of intestinal flora in HF rats. The content of TMAO in the serum was significantly lowered by BYWHT compared with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION BYHWD may delay progression of HF by enhancing the intestinal barrier structure, and regulating intestinal flora and TAMO.
Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Claudin-1 ; Occludin ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Heart Failure

With the improved understanding of driver mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), expanding the targeted therapeutic options improved the survival and safety. However, responses to these agents are commonly temporary and incomplete. Moreover, even patients with the same oncogenic driver gene can respond diversely to the same agent. Furthermore, the therapeutic role of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in oncogene-driven NSCLC remains unclear. Therefore, this review aimed to classify the management of NSCLC with driver mutations based on the gene subtype, concomitant mutation, and dynamic alternation. Then, we provide an overview of the resistant mechanism of target therapy occurring in targeted alternations ("target-dependent resistance") and in the parallel and downstream pathways ("target-independent resistance"). Thirdly, we discuss the effectiveness of ICIs for NSCLC with driver mutations and the combined therapeutic approaches that might reverse the immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment. Finally, we listed the emerging treatment strategies for the new oncogenic alternations, and proposed the perspective of NSCLC with driver mutations. This review will guide clinicians to design tailored treatments for NSCLC with driver mutations.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Mutation ; Tumor Microenvironment/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: Physical exercise, a common non-drug intervention, is an important strategy in cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism remains largely unknown. Due to the importance of hypoxia and cancer stemness in the development of HCC, the present study investigated whether the anti-HCC effect of physical exercise is related to its suppression on hypoxia and cancer stemness. METHODS: A physical exercise intervention of swimming (30 min/d, 5 d/week, for 4 weeks) was administered to BALB/c nude mice bearing subcutaneous human HCC tumor. The anti-HCC effect of swimming was assessed in vivo by tumor weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67. The expression of stemness transcription factors, including Nanog homeobox (NANOG), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), v-Myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (C-MYC) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), was detected using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A hypoxia probe was used to explore the intratumoral hypoxia status. Western blot was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and proteins related to protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. The IHC analysis of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), and the immunofluorescence co-location of CD31 and desmin were used to analyze tumor blood perfusion. SMMC-7721 cells were treated with nude mice serum. The inhibition effect on cancer stemness in vitro was detected using suspension sphere experiments and the expression of stemness transcription factors. The hypoxia status was inferred by measuring the protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α. Further, the expression of proteins related to Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was detected. RESULTS: Swimming significantly reduced the body weight and tumor weight in nude mice bearing HCC tumor. HE staining and IHC results showed a lower necrotic area ratio as well as fewer PCNA or Ki67 positive cells in mice receiving the swimming intervention. Swimming potently alleviated the intratumoral hypoxia, attenuated the cancer stemness, and inhibited the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, the desmin⁺/CD31⁺ ratio, rather than the number of CD31⁺ vessels, was significantly increased in swimming-treated mice. In vitro experiments showed that treating cells with the serum from the swimming intervention mice significantly reduced the formation of SMMC-7721 cell suspension sphere, as well as the mRNA expression level of stemness transcription factors. Consistent with the in vivo results, HIF-1α and Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway were also inhibited in cells treated with serum from swimming group. CONCLUSION Swimming alleviated hypoxia and attenuated cancer stemness in HCC, through suppression of the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. The alleviation of intratumoral hypoxia was related to the increase in blood perfusion in the tumor. Please cite this article as: Xiao CL, Zhong ZP, Lü C, Guo BJ, Chen JJ, Zhao T, Yin ZF, Li B. Physical exercise suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by alleviating hypoxia and attenuating cancer stemness through the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 184-193.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Nude ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/genetics* ; beta Catenin/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Desmin/therapeutic use* ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hypoxia ; RNA, Messenger/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation

Objective:To investigate the role of cervical core muscle group exercise and massage in the change of cervical spine curvature during radiotherapy for head and neck tumors and the effect on set-up errors.Methods:A total of 40 patients with head and neck tumours receiving radiotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from March 2020 to July 2021 were prospectively selected, and all of them underwent different degrees of changes in cervical spine curvature during radiotherapy. The cervical core muscle exercise and manual massage were used to do treatment intervention on the change in the cervical spine curvature. Changes in cervical spine curvature at the time of the curvature change of the cervical spine and at 1 d, 3 d and 5 d after the intervention were observed by using cone beam CT, and then data were recorded in 3 dimensions. The set-up error when cervical spine curvature changed was compared with that after the muscle group exercise and manipulation, and Pearson was used to analyze the linear correlation of set-up errors in each direction.Results:There were 23 males and 17 females, with a median age of 41 years (26-62 years). The significant improvement of cervical curvature at 1 d, 3 d and 5 d after the intervention could be found in 2 cases (5.0%), 20 cases (50.0%) and 39 cases (97.5%). Using the cervical 4 vertebrae as the matching standard, the set-up errors at the time of change in cervical spine curvature and at 1 d, 3 d and 5 d after treatment were (1.3±0.9) mm, (1.2±0.8) mm, (1.3±0.7) mm and (1.3±0.7) mm in the left-right direction respectively; (2.0±0.7) mm, (1.7±0.8) mm, (1.8±0.7) mm and (1.9±0.8) mm in the head-foot direction respectively; (4.9±0.7) mm, (4.6±0.7) mm, (3.4±0.7) mm, (1.7±0.6) mm in the anterior-posterior direction respectively. The set-up error in the anterior-posterior directions at 3 d and 5 d after treatment intervention was lower than that at the time of change in cervical spine curvature and at 1 d after treatment intervention (all P < 0.01), and that at 5 d after treatment intervention was lower than that at 3 d after treatment intervention ( P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the left-right direction and head-foot direction at each time point (all P > 0.05). There was no correlation between left-right direction and head-foot direction ( r = 0.049, P = 0.540), between left-right direction and anterior-posterior direction ( r = 0.041, P = 0.607), and between head-foot direction and anterior-posterior direction ( r = 0.003, P = 0.931) in terms of set-up errors. Conclusions:Core cervical muscle group training and massage could improve the change in cervical spine curvature, increase the repeatability of the set-up, which provides a favourable guarantee for accurate treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To develop monoclonal antibodies that can specifically recognize human von Willebrand factor (VWF) propeptide (VWFpp) in plasma, and establish a rapid and reliable method for the detection of VWFpp antigen in plasma by using the double-antibody sandwich ELISA with the obtained anti-VWFpp monoclonal antibody. METHODS: The recombinant human VWFpp (D1 and D2 regions) protein expressed in eukaryotic cells was used as immunogen to immunize BALB/c mice with routine method, so as to obtain clones of fusion cells. After screening and identification, hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against VWFpp were selected, and then double-antibody sandwich ELISA assay was used to construct VWFpp antigen detection kit for the determination of VWFpp in human plasma. The levels of VWFpp antigen in plasma of 12 leukemia patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation were dynamically detected. RESULTS: Two hybridoma cell lines that can be subcultured continuously and secrete monoclonal antibodies against VWFpp were obtained and named SZ175 and SZ176 respectively. Identified by ELISA and Western blot, the antibodies could both specifically recognize VWFpp but couldn't recognize mature VWF (without propeptide). Based on the principle of double-antibody sandwich ELISA, monoclonal antibodies SZ175 and SZ176 were successfully made into a kit for detecting VWFpp antigen. The plasma VWFpp levels of leukemia patients before and after bone marrow transplantation were dynamically detected. The results showed that the plasma VWFpp levels of the patients after transplantation were significantly higher than those before transplantation. CONCLUSION Two monoclonal antibodies against VWFpp were successfully prepared, and a double-antibody sandwich ELISA detection kit for VWFpp antigen was constructed, which provides a powerful tool for further study on the biological function of VWFpp, the clinical diagnosis and classification of von Willebrand disease (VWD), and the prognostic monitoring of endothelial injury-related diseases.
Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; von Willebrand Factor ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Protein Precursors/metabolism* ; von Willebrand Diseases/diagnosis* ; Prognosis