BACKGROUND:β-Caryophyllene has a variety of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic,which may have a better therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of β-caryophyllene on mouse osteoarthritis.METHODS:Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham group,model group,low-dose β-caryophyllene group and high-dose β-caryophyllene group,with 10 mice in each group.Hulth method was used to construct an osteoarthritis model in the latter three groups.Four weeks after modeling,70 and 140 mg/kg/d β-caryophyllene was intragastrically given in the low-and high-dose β-caryophyllene groups,respectively,and normal saline was given by gavage in the sham group and the model group,once a day,for 4 weeks.After administration,knee joint morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,serum levels of inflammatory factors(tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and interleukin-10)were detected by ELISA,and oxidative stress indexes(glutathione peroxidase,superoxide dismutase,and malondialdehyde)were detected by chemiluminescence.The expression levels of key proteins in the Sonic hedgehog(Shh)/glioma associated oncogene homolog 1(Gli1)signaling pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham group,a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the knee joint of mice in the model group,cartilage tissue was seriously damaged,serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,interleukin-10 and malondialdehyde were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the relative expression levels of Shh and Gli1 in the knee joint were significantly increased(P＜0.01).(2)Compared with the model group,in the low-and high-dose β-caryophyllene groups,inflammatory cell infiltration in the mouse knee joint was decreased,cartilage tissue injury was alleviated,serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1 β,interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the expression levels of Shh and Gli1 in the knee joint were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The above-mentioned improvements were more significant in the high-dose β-caryophyllene group than the low-dose β-caryophyllene group.To conclude,β-caryophyllene can improve osteoarthritis,and its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress damage by regulating the Shh/Gli1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:β-Caryophyllene has a variety of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic,which may have a better therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of β-caryophyllene on mouse osteoarthritis.METHODS:Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham group,model group,low-dose β-caryophyllene group and high-dose β-caryophyllene group,with 10 mice in each group.Hulth method was used to construct an osteoarthritis model in the latter three groups.Four weeks after modeling,70 and 140 mg/kg/d β-caryophyllene was intragastrically given in the low-and high-dose β-caryophyllene groups,respectively,and normal saline was given by gavage in the sham group and the model group,once a day,for 4 weeks.After administration,knee joint morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,serum levels of inflammatory factors(tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and interleukin-10)were detected by ELISA,and oxidative stress indexes(glutathione peroxidase,superoxide dismutase,and malondialdehyde)were detected by chemiluminescence.The expression levels of key proteins in the Sonic hedgehog(Shh)/glioma associated oncogene homolog 1(Gli1)signaling pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham group,a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the knee joint of mice in the model group,cartilage tissue was seriously damaged,serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,interleukin-10 and malondialdehyde were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the relative expression levels of Shh and Gli1 in the knee joint were significantly increased(P＜0.01).(2)Compared with the model group,in the low-and high-dose β-caryophyllene groups,inflammatory cell infiltration in the mouse knee joint was decreased,cartilage tissue injury was alleviated,serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1 β,interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the expression levels of Shh and Gli1 in the knee joint were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The above-mentioned improvements were more significant in the high-dose β-caryophyllene group than the low-dose β-caryophyllene group.To conclude,β-caryophyllene can improve osteoarthritis,and its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress damage by regulating the Shh/Gli1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between bone metabolism marker β-CTX and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 279 postmenopausal women with T2DM who were admitted to the Endocrinology Department of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from February 2023 to February 2024 were included. Among them, 152 patients had MAFLD. The bone metabolism markers were measured in all the subjects. The logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between β-CTX and the risk of MAFLD.Results:In postmenopausal T2DM women, serum β-CTX level in the MAFLD group [352.50 (248.60, 442.95)pg/ml ] was significantly lower than that in the non-MAFLD group [643.20 (446.10, 781.90) pg/ml]( Z=-10.896, P0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that reduced β-CTX( OR=0.986, 95% CI:0.981-0.991), BMI( OR=1.232, 95% CI: 1.046-1.451) and fasting insulin (FINS)( OR=1.155, 95% CI: 1.041-1.281) were independent risk factors for the risk of MAFLD in postmenopausal T2DM women (all P0.05), and β-CTX was negatively correlated with the occurrence of MAFLD ( β=-0.013, P0.001). Additionally, in postmenopausal T2DM women with MAFLD, serum β-CTX level was significantly negatively correlated with BMI ( r=-0.191) and TG ( r=-0.128) (both P0.05). Conclusions:The bone metabolism index β-CTX in postmenopausal women with T2DM is significantly negatively correlated with the risk of MAFLD.

Objective To evaluate the predictive ability and clinical application value of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the benign and malignant differentiation and pathological type of pulmonary nodules, and to summarize clinical application experience. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with pulmonary nodules admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, from February 2016 to February 2025. Firstly, pulmonary nodules were divided into benign and non-benign groups, and the discriminative abilities of AI systems and clinicians were compared. Subsequently, lung nodules reported as precursor glandular lesions (PGL), microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in postoperative pathological results were analyzed, comparing the efficacy of AI systems and clinicians in predicting the pathological type of pulmonary nodules. Results In the analysis of benign/non-benign pulmonary nodules, clinical data from a total of 638 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 257 males (10 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively) and 381 females (18 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively), with a median age of 55.0 (47.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis of the two groups of variables showed that, except for nodule location, the differences in the remaining variables were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), average density, spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were independent influencing factors for non-benign pulmonary nodules, among which age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were positively correlated with non-benign pulmonary nodules, while average density was negatively correlated with the occurrence of non-benign pulmonary nodules. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the malignancy risk value given by the AI system in predicting non-benign pulmonary nodules was 0.811, slightly lower than the 0.898 predicted by clinicians. In the PGL/MIA/IAC analysis, clinical data from a total of 411 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 149 males (8 patients of double primary lesions) and 262 females (17 patients of double primary lesions), with a median age of 56.0 (50.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis results showed that, except for gender, nodule location, and vascular convergence sign, the differences in the remaining variables among the three groups of PGL, MIA, and IAC patients were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multinomial multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the differences between the parameters in the PGL group and the MIA group were not statistically significant (P>0.05), and the maximum diameter and average density of the nodules were statistically different between the PGL and IAC groups (P<0.05), and were positively correlated with the occurrence of IAC as independent risk factors. The average AUC value, accuracy, recall rate, and F1 score of the AI system in predicting lung nodule pathological type were 0.807, 74.3%, 73.2%, and 68.5%, respectively, all better than the clinical physicians’ prediction of lung nodule pathological type indicators (0.782, 70.9%, 66.2%, and 63.7% respectively). The AUC value of the AI system in predicting IAC was 0.853, and the sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff value were 0.643, 0.943, and 50.0%, respectively. Conclusion This AI system has demonstrated high clinical value in predicting the benign and malignant nature and pathological type of lung nodules, especially in predicting lung nodule pathological type, its ability has surpassed that of clinical physicians. With the optimization of algorithms and the adequate integration of multimodal data, it can better assist clinical physicians in formulating individualized diagnostic and treatment plans for patients with lung nodules.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between bone metabolism marker β-CTX and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 279 postmenopausal women with T2DM who were admitted to the Endocrinology Department of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from February 2023 to February 2024 were included. Among them, 152 patients had MAFLD. The bone metabolism markers were measured in all the subjects. The logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between β-CTX and the risk of MAFLD.Results:In postmenopausal T2DM women, serum β-CTX level in the MAFLD group [352.50 (248.60, 442.95)pg/ml ] was significantly lower than that in the non-MAFLD group [643.20 (446.10, 781.90) pg/ml]( Z=-10.896, P0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that reduced β-CTX( OR=0.986, 95% CI:0.981-0.991), BMI( OR=1.232, 95% CI: 1.046-1.451) and fasting insulin (FINS)( OR=1.155, 95% CI: 1.041-1.281) were independent risk factors for the risk of MAFLD in postmenopausal T2DM women (all P0.05), and β-CTX was negatively correlated with the occurrence of MAFLD ( β=-0.013, P0.001). Additionally, in postmenopausal T2DM women with MAFLD, serum β-CTX level was significantly negatively correlated with BMI ( r=-0.191) and TG ( r=-0.128) (both P0.05). Conclusions:The bone metabolism index β-CTX in postmenopausal women with T2DM is significantly negatively correlated with the risk of MAFLD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization （D-TACE） combined with infusion chemotherapy via superior mesenteric artery versus D-TACE alone in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） complicated by portal vein tumor thrombus （PVTT）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the data of patients with HCC and PVTT who underwent interventional treatment in The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2022 to December 2023， among whom 15 patients received D-TACE combined with infusion chemotherapy via superior mesenteric artery and were enrolled as observation group， and after propensity score matching at a ratio of 1∶1， 15 patients who received D-TACE alone were enrolled as control group. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the upper abdomen was performed at 1， 2， and 3 months after surgery and every 3 months thereafter to evaluate the conditions of liver tumor and PVTT. Objective response rate （ORR） and disease control rate （DCR） were compared between the two groups. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon test was used for comparison of preoperative and postoperative data； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to calculate the cumulative survival rate， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsBoth groups had a technical success rate of 100%， with no serious complications after surgery. The patients were followed up for 3-26 months （mean 10.5±6.7 months）. At 3 months after surgery， there were no significant differences between the observation group and the control group in ORR （73.3% vs 53.3%， χ²=1.292， P=0.256） and DCR （93.3% vs 80.0%， χ²=1.154， P=0.283） for liver tumors， and compared with the control group， the observation group had significantly higher ORR and DCR for PVTT （ORR： 46.7% vs 13.3%， χ²=3.968， P=0.046； DCR： 100% vs 73.3%， χ²=4.615， P=0.032）. The 3-， 6-， and 12-month cumulative progression-free survival rates were 93.3%， 86.2%， and 68.9%， respectively， for the observation group and were 80.0%， 62.2%， and 24.9%， respectively， for the control group （P=0.028）， and the 3-， 6-， and 12-month cumulative overall survival rates were 100%， 88.9%， and 88.9%， respectively， for the observation group and were 93.3%， 85.6%， and 70.0%， respectively， for the control group （P=0.340）. ConclusionCompared with D-TACE alone， D-TACE combined with infusion chemotherapy via the superior mesenteric artery shows better short-term efficacy in the treatment of HCC complicated by PVTT.

By analysing the similarity between defense qi and leukocytes in terms of function， site of action， and circadian rhythm， it is proposed that in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， the pathogenesis of leukopenia is defense qi deficiency. By analyzing the relevant discussions on the generation and transmission of defense qi in TCM classics， it is believed that the original qi in lower jiao （焦） is the source of defense qi， while the water and grain qi in middle jiao enriches defense qi， and the upper jiao transmits and distributes defense qi to the whole body. Therefore， when treating leukopenia after chemotherapy with TCM， Guilu Erxian Gelatin （龟鹿二仙胶） and Yougui Pill （右归丸） are often used to tonify the kidney and supplement essence， and moxibustion at Guanyuan （CV 4） and Qihai （CV 6） is usually accompanied to replenish the original qi in lower jiao and enrich the source of defense qi. Guipi Decoction （归脾汤）， Buzhong Yiqi Decoction （补中益气汤）， Shenling Baizhu Powder （参苓白术散）， and Sijunzi Decoction （四君子汤） are often suggested to strengthen spleen and replenish qi， in combination with moxibustion at Zhongwan （CV 12） and Zusanli （ST 36） to transport the spleen and stomach in the middle jiao to enrich the defense qi. Modified Guizhi Decoction （桂枝汤） to harmonize nutrient and defensive aspects is often used， and moxibustion at Dazhui （GV 14） and Feishu （BL 13） or scraping is added to dredge the striae and interstice in the upper jiao and promote transmission and dissemination of the defense qi. Considering the whole process of generation and distribution of defense qi， it is suggested to choose the most appropriate treatment modality flexibly， and combine internal treatment with external treatment， in order to provide ideas for the treatment of leukopenia in tumour patients.

Objective:To explore the technical points and efficacy of gradual traction-unlocking closed reduction technique (GT-UCRT) for Tile C old pelvic fractures.Methods:From August 2012 to June 2021, 6 patients with Tile C old pelvic fracture were treated and followed up at Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center, General Hospital of Chinese PLA. They were 4 males and 2 females with an age of (35.8±10.5) years. By Tile classification: 4 cases of type C1.2, 1 case of type C1.3, and 1 case of type C2; time from injury to surgery: 153.8 (64.3, 204.8) days. The 6 patients were treated with GT-UCRT. The time for gradual traction reduction, operation time, hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss and complications were recorded. The modified Matta score was used to evaluate the reduction quality of pelvic fractures, and the Majeed score was used to evaluate the pelvic function at the last follow-up.Results:The 6 patients were followed up for (40.3±22.9) months (from 12 to 72 months) after surgery. The time for gradual traction reduction was (26.7±4.6) days, operation time (119.2±4.6) minutes, hospital stay (11.5±2.9) days, and intraoperative blood loss (533.3±189.6) mL. By the modified Matta score, the pelvic reduction after surgery was rated as satisfactory in 5 cases and as unsatisfactory in 1 case. The length disparity between both lower limbs in the 6 patients was (6.9±1.6) cm before surgery and (1.0±0.4) cm immediately after surgery, showing a statistically significant difference ( t=11.135, P<0.001). One fracture healed 3 months after surgery and 5 fractures 6 months after surgery. The Majeed pelvic score at the last follow-up was (80.8±9.0) points for the 6 patients, yielding 2 excellent cases, 3 good cases and 1 fair case. Delayed wound healing was reported in 1 patient, calf intermuscular venous thrombosis in 2 cases, and emotional anxiety and sleep disorder in 1 patient. No new lumbosacral plexus injury was found in any patient. Conclusions:In the treatment of Tile C old pelvic fractures, since our self-designed GT-UCRT combines the advantages of Ilizarov technique and unlocking closed reduction technique, it can not only protect the lumbosacral plexus but also obtain satisfactory reduction of the fracture.

【Objective】 To investigate the resource allocation status of blood testing laboratories in 14 blood stations in Gansu Province, explore the impact of differences in basic conditions on the comprehensive testing ability of laboratories, so as to promote the homogenization and standardization of blood screening capacity in blood stations in Gansu and improve blood safety and effectivenes. 【Methods】 An evaluation index system of laboratory resource allocation was constructed and a question-naire was designed. The data of human resources, infrastructure and key equipment of 14 blood stations were collected. The entropy weight -TOPSIS method was used to evaluate and rank the resource allocation of 14 blood stations. 【Results】 In the comprehensive evaluation of blood testing laboratory resource allocation in 14 blood stations in Gansu, the top three were laboratories A, B and I, and the last three were laboratories G, M and J. On the whole, the main issue was unreasonable structure of human resources: most laboratories had unreasonable age structure; except for Laboratory A, there was no personnel with bachelor's degree or above in laboratories; most laboratories had not established a team with intermediate professional titles. In terms of infrastructure, the size of seven laboratories could not meet the needs of modern laboratory testing, and all eight blood stations had no spare nucleic acid laboratories nor a mutual spare laboratory with other blood stations As for the key equipment, 5 laboratories had no automatic blood grouping diagnostic instrument, 5 laboratories only had one set of enzyme immunoassay detection system, 3 laboratories had no spare equipment for the key equipment, which means if the equipment failure could not be repaired in time, the release of results would be affected. 【Conclusion】 There were significant differences in human resources, infrastructure and key equipment of blood testing laboratories in 14 blood stations in Gansu, which had a great impact on laboratory testing capacity and subsequent development. It is suggested that governments at all levels and health administrative departments optimize the input of laboratory resource allocation according to the blood collection volume of blood stations to gradually narrow the differences in resource distribution between different regions, improve the degree of laboratory automation and optimize the personnel structure, so as to build high-quality and efficient blood testing laboratories and ensure the safety of clinical blood use.

Objective:To analyze the expression and clinical significance of SHC SH2-binding protein 1(SHCBP1)in lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).Methods:Oncomine,TIMER,UALCAN,GEPIA,Kaplan-Meier plotter and STRING databases were used to explore the effect of SHCBP1 on progression and immune infiltration of LUAD.Results:Expression of SHCBP1 mRNA in LUAD tissue was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissue(P<0.05).Expression of SHCBP1 mRNA was significantly increased in LUAD patients with smoking history,nodal metastasis,late clinical stage and TP53 mutation(P<0.05).Survival analysis by GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases showed that LUAD patients with high SHCBP1 mRNA expression had a lower overall survival rate(P<0.05).SHCBP1 mRNA was correlated with immune cell infiltration,immune cell markers and immune checkpoint expression in LUAD.Conclusion:High expression of SHCBP1 is related to poor prognosis and tumor immune infiltration of LUAD patients.