Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca²⁺ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca²⁺ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.

Background: and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis. Methods: This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs. Conclusions Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.

Total knee arthroplasty(TKA)is mainly used for the treatment of advanced knee osteoarthritis.Accurate preoperative planning and rapid prosthesis recognition are essential for smooth operation and postoperative rehabilitation.However,manual prosthesis recognition rely on doctors'experience,easily leading to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.Recent years,artificial intelligence(AI)had been integrated with medical imaging,represented by machine learning(ML)and its branch deep learning(DL),and displayed relatively powerful auxiliary functions in TKA.The research status and application progresses of AI combined with imaging in TKA were reviewed in this article.

Objective To explore strategies for further subdivision of DRG in gastrointestinal surgery cases,providing references to enhance the differentiation of DRG subgroups.Methods A total of 5 108 gastrointestinal surgery cases were selected from a tertiary grade A hospital and a tertiary hospital in Hubei Province,spanning from January 2019 to June 30,2023,and another secondary hospital's data from 2020 and 2021.It employs single factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis to identify factors influencing case costs.Additionally,the opinions of nine clinicans were gathered regarding factors affecting resource consumption in gastrointestinal surgery cases.The four selected case groups were further subdivided considers the peak characteristics of disease costs.It compares subdivided groups with the DRG Payment Subgroups Scheme(Version 2.0).Results Groups GB1,GB2,GC1,and GC2 were subdivided into 7,4,7,and 6 DRG groups,respectively.The coefficient of variation of each subdivided DRG were reduced,homogeneity was increased,and inter-group differentiation was increased.The results were consistent with the DRG Payment Subgroups Scheme(Version 2.0).Conclusion Based on DRG grouping,the DRG groups can be further subdivided according to the peak characteristics presented by case costs.This subdivision strategy is helpful to provide new ideas for case grouping of Medicare payment.

Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.

Objective:To investigate the anti-tumor effect of the Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor ACY-738 and its underlying mechanisms in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) .Methods:The expression of HDAC6 in various tumors and DLBCL was analyzed using bioinformatics. DLBCL cells were treated with different concentrations of ACY-738. Cell viability, DNA synthesis, and clone formation were assessed by CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, and soft agar assay, respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by fluorescence microscopy. Morphological changes in cells were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mitochondrial ROS levels and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of apoptosis-related and autophagy-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.Results:HDAC6 was highly expressed in DLBCL ( P<0.05). ACY-738 inhibited the proliferation, DNA synthesis, and colony formation of DLBCL cells in a dose-dependent manner ( P<0.05). Treatment with ACY-738 increased intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels in DLBCL cells in a dose-dependent manner ( P<0.05). TEM revealed that after ACY-738 treatment, mitochondria in cells were swollen and ruptured, mitochondrial cristae were reduced or absent, autolysosomes appeared, and features characteristic of apoptosis were observed. Western blotting showed that after ACY-738 treatment, the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 was downregulated, while the expression of Cleaved-PARP, Cleaved caspase-3, and BAX was upregulated ( P<0.05). The expression of autophagy-related proteins Atg7, Atg3, LC3B, and P62 was downregulated, and the expression of acetylated P53 protein was upregulated ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The HDAC6 inhibitor ACY-738 induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and autophagy in DLBCL cells by acetylating P53, thereby inhibiting DLBCL cell proliferation.

Objective:To assess the application effects of an energy-restricted diet combined with high-protein, high-dietary-fiber meal replacement powder and probiotics in overweight/obese adults.Methods:It was a randomized controlled trial. A consecutive sample of 150 overweight/obese adults who underwent physical examinations at the Health Care Center of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University between November 2021 and March 2022. The participants were randomly assigned into the combined group, the high-protein group, and the common group (50 participants per group) using a random number table method. All three groups of subjects received weight loss health education, energy-restricted diet, and interventions with meal replacement powder and probiotics (or probiotic placebo). The combined group was given high-protein and high-dietary fiber meal replacement powder and probiotics. The high-protein group was given high-protein meal replacement powder and probiotic placebo. The common group was given ordinary meal replacement powder and probiotic placebo. The meal replacement powder was packaged in 35 g per bag, with main components of varying amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and trace elements. Both the probiotic powder and the probiotic placebo came in 2 g sachets. The primary components of probiotic powder were various Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and excipients, while the main component of probiotic placebo was excipients. The meal replacement powder and the probiotic powder or probiotic placebo were taken twice a day for a total of 12 weeks, one sachet of each time, followed by a 4-week follow-up. The body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, abdominal circumference and hip circumference were measured before the trial (week 0) and at the end of weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16. The change rates of each indicator were calculated. Biochemical indicators, trace elements, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured at the end of week 0, 4, 8, and 12. A product evaluation questionnaire was conducted at the end of week 12. A total of 19 cases dropped out due to various reasons. Finally, 46 cases in the combined group, 42 cases in the high-protein group, and 43 cases in the common group were included in the analysis. Paired-samples t test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, one-way analysis of variance, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences in weight-loss and maintenance effects, safety and patient acceptance among the three intervention groups, and to analyze the application effect of the energy-restricted diet combined with high-protein and high-dietary fiber meal replacement powder plus probiotics in overweight/obese adults. Results:Among the 131 overweight/obese adults included in the analysis, there were 57 males and 74 females, with a mean age of (37.30±8.33) years. By the end of the week 12, the body mass index [26.87(25.77, 30.38) vs 29.61(27.96, 33.09) kg/m2; 27.10(24.70, 31.37) vs 29.40(27.20, 34.17) kg/m2; 27.98(26.43, 30.12) vs 29.88(28.22, 31.93) kg/m2] and body fat masses [22.15(17.70, 30.15) vs 30.75(25.63, 35.40) kg; 23.35(19.12, 28.70) vs 29.45(26.20, 37.05) kg; 26.80(24.10, 31.60) vs 30.00(26.00, 34.70) kg] in the combined group, the high-protein group and the common group were all lower than those at baseline (week 0) (all P<0.05). At the end of the week 12, the change rates of body fat mass and body mass index in the combined group were both higher than those in the high-protein group and the common group [(25.98%±9.58%) vs (23.88%±11.15%) and (9.35%±11.00%), 9.29%(7.23%, 11.58%) vs 7.96% (5.51%, 10.92%) and 5.77% (2.68%, 10.03%)] (all P<0.05). At the end of the week 12, the body fat mass in the combined group and the high-protein group were both lower than that in the common group [22.15(17.70, 30.15), 23.35(19.12, 28.70) vs 26.80(24.10, 31.60) kg] (both P<0.05). At the end of the week 12, the decreased values of uric acid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the combined group were both higher than those in the high-protein group and the common group [17.15(13.02, 23.45) vs 1.50(0.22, 28.60) and 4.20(0.15, 19.95) μmol/L, 0.43(0.24, 0.60) vs 0.21(0.06, 0.43) and 0.28(-0.04, 0.88) mg/L](both P<0.05). No serious adverse events were observed during the intervention period and at the end of the intervention. In the product evaluation questionnaire, the combined group scored higher than the high-protein group and the common group on items such as usage frequency, taste, satiety, willingness to continue use, willingness to recommend to others, and willingness to purchase [4(3, 4) vs 3(3, 4) and 3(2, 4) points, 4(3, 4) vs 3(3, 4) and 3(2, 4) points, 4(3, 4) vs 3(3, 4) and 3(3, 3) points, 4(3, 4) vs 3(3, 4) and 3(3, 4) points, 4(3, 4) vs 3(3, 4) and 3(3, 3) points, 3(3, 4) vs 3(3, 4) and 3(2, 3) points] (all P<0.05). Conclusion:An energy-restricted diet combined with high-protein, high-dietary-fiber meal replacement powder and probiotics demonstrates superior weight-loss and weight-maintenance effects in overweight/obese adults, with high safety and great user acceptability.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and cytokines expression characteristics in infants with mild and severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.Methods:From May 2023 to December 2023, plasma samples and clinical information were collected from 16 infants with RSV infection and 14 control infants. Cytek Aurora flow cytometry (Cytek, America) and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the expression levels of 25 cytokines after mild and severe RSV infection.Results:Cough and nasal obstruction were the main clinical manifestations in infants with mild RSV infection, accompanied by polypnea, wheezing and other symptoms. The main symptoms of severe RSV infection were cough and rales, accompanied by fever and polypnea. In comparison with the control group, the expression levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-13, IL-22, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-β, MIP-1β, I-TAC, ENA-78, GROα, Eotaxin, and MCP-1 in the RSV infection group all exhibited an upregulation trend. Both IP-10 and MIP-3α demonstrated a downward trend in the RSV infection group; however, there was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, and IL-8 in the RSV infection group were significantly higher than those in the control group, whereas the levels of MIG, TARC, and RANTES in the RSV infection group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-22, IFN-β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-8, I-TAC, MIP-1β, Eotaxin, and MCP-1 in the mild RSV infection group were significantly higher than those in the severe RSV infection group ( P>0.05). Among these, the levels of MIG, RANTES, TARC, MIP-3α, and ENA-78 in the mild infection group were all lower than those in the severe infection group. The expressions of ENA-78 and MIP-1α in the severe infection group were significantly higher than those in the mild infection group and also higher than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in IP-10 and GROα between the mild and severe RSV infection groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The differences in clinical features and cytokines between infants with mild and severe RSV infection provide important data support for the prevention and treatment of RSV infection in infants.

Objective:To establish 30-day of age transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) reference curves for healthy neonates, and to investigate regional variations in bilirubin dynamics.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 220 950 healthy neonates born at a gestational age of 35-<42 weeks, with a birth weight ≥2 000 g, who did not receive phototherapy within 60 h after birth were recruited. All of them underwent remote TcB monitoring using the Bilibaby remote jaundice monitoring system between August 1 st, 2020 and December 31 st, 2024 in 426 hospitals. TcB data were collected within the period from birth to 30-day of age. The P40, P75, and P95 of TcB values were calculated, and dynamic TcB curves for 30-day of age were constructed. Patterns of bilirubin change, rates of change, and transition outcomes were described. Regional comparisons between South and North were conducted using linear mixed-effects models for TcB trajectories and Pearson′s chi-square test for outcome differences. Results:A total of 220 950 neonates were included, of whom 101 711 (46.03%) were female. Gestational age at birth was (38.75±1.12) weeks, and birth weight was (3 272±417) g. TcB levels increased rapidly within 3-day of age, peaked at 4-6-day of age, with peak values at P40, P75, and P95 of 200.6, 239.7 and 275.4 μmol/L (11.8, 14.1 and 16.2 mg/dl), respectively. TcB levels gradually declined thereafter and stabilized after 13-day of age, with values at P40, P75, and P95 fluctuating between 147.9-159.8, 190.4-200.6, and 231.2-239.7 μmol/L (8.7-9.4, 11.2-11.8, 13.6-14.1 mg/dl), respectively. Notably, among neonates categorized as low-or low-intermediate-risk within 3-day of age, 6 700 (12.76%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. Before 13-day of age, TcB levels in the southern regions were consistently higher than those in the northern regions ( P=0.039); from 14 to 30 days of age, the overall TcB levels had no statistically difference, but the temporal changes in TcB still showed regional differences (degrees of freedom=3, all interaction P<0.05). Among neonates classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, 25 326 were from southern regions, of whom 4 254 (16.80%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. In northern regions, 27 193 neonates were classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, among whom 2 446 (8.99%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk. The risk progression between the 2 regions had statistically difference ( χ2=716.49, P<0.001). Conclusions:A TcB percentile curve for neonates within 30-day of age was established, revealing that both the overall TcB level and its temporal trend were higher in southern than in northern newborns. These findings provide baseline data to support continuous management of neonatal jaundice.