OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the partial biomechanical properties of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, and obliquus capitis inferior) in patients with cervical vertigo. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with cervical vertigo admitted from April 2024 to September 2024 were included in the vertigo group, and 30 age-and gender-matched healthy subjects were recruited as the normal group. In the vertigo group, there were 21 females and 9 males, with an average age of (24.00±2.25) years;in the normal group, there were 22 females and 8 males, with an average age of (23.00±3.00) years. Shear wave elastography was used to measure the thickness and stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles in both groups. RESULTS: In the vertigo group, there were no statistically significant differences in the Young's modulus values (E) of stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) between the left and right sides(P>0.05). The Young's modulus values(E) of stiffness of the right posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) in the cervical vertigo group were (39.66±8.21) kPa, (45.61±5.85) kPa, and (43.73±5.22) kPa, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the normal group 33.97(17.76) kPa, 41.38(8.99) kPa, 38.27(12.58) kPa, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In the vertigo group, the Young's modulus values(E) of stiffness of the left rectus capitis posterior major and left obliquus capitis inferior were (40.41±9.13) kPa and (42.11±6.20) kPa, respectively, which were significantly greater than those in the normal group (33.30±11.31) kPa, 38.94(14.62) kPa, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);however, there was no statistically significant difference in the left rectus capitis posterior minor between the two groups(P>0.05). In the vertigo group, there were no statistically significant differences in the stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) between the left and right sides(P>0.05). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in the thickness of the bilateral posterior occipital muscles between the vertigo group and the normal group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The posterior occipital muscles of patients with cervical vertigo are stiffer than those of healthy individuals, while there is no significant difference in muscle thickness between the two groups.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods* ; Adult ; Vertigo/physiopathology* ; Neck Muscles/physiopathology* ; Young Adult

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) is a pathological process involving multiple injury factors and cell types, with different stages. Currently, protective drugs targeting a single condition are limited in efficacy, and interventions on immune cells will also be accompanied by a series of side effects. In the current bottleneck research stage, the multi-target and obvious clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine (CM) is expected to become a breakthrough point in the research and development of new drugs. In this review, we summarize the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in various stages of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion and on various types of cells. Combined with the current research progress in reducing ROS/RNS with CM, new therapies and mechanisms for the treatment of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion are discussed.
Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Reactive Nitrogen Species/metabolism* ; Humans ; Liver/drug effects* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Objective:To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density of calcaneus in adults.Methods:Data of the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank study from Tongxiang of Zhejiang Province were used. A total of 2 896 participants aged 44-84 years were included in the final analysis. Overweight was defined as 23.0 kg/m 2≤BMI<25.0 kg/m 2, and obesity was defined as BMI ≥25.0 kg/m 2 based on the criteria recommended by WHO/West Pacific Region. Multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between BMI and calcaneus bone mineral density. Restricted cubic splines were used to investigate the dose-response relationship between BMI and calcaneus bone mineral density. Results:The calcaneus bone mineral density in the study subjects were as follow ( x± SE): the broadband ultrasound attenuation was (109.4±12.1) dB/MHz, the speed of ultrasound was (1 545.9±33.8) m/s, and the stiffness index was 85.7±15.8. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, waist circumference, diabetes and hypertension prevalence, BMI was positively associated with calcaneus stiffness index in non-overweight and non-obese adults, with β of 2.30 (95% CI: 1.11-3.49) for men ( P<0.001) and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.38-1.78) for women ( P=0.003), respectively. In addition, BMI was positively associated with calcaneus stiffness index in overweight and obese women ( β=0.90, 95% CI: 0.38-1.42) ( P<0.001), and null association was found in overweight and obese men ( β=0.06, 95% CI: -0.92-1.04) ( P=0.900). Restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between BMI and calcaneus stiffness index. Conclusion:Non-linear association was found between BMI with calcaneus bone mineral density in adults.

Objective:To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density of calcaneus in adults.Methods:Data of the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank study from Tongxiang of Zhejiang Province were used. A total of 2 896 participants aged 44-84 years were included in the final analysis. Overweight was defined as 23.0 kg/m 2≤BMI<25.0 kg/m 2, and obesity was defined as BMI ≥25.0 kg/m 2 based on the criteria recommended by WHO/West Pacific Region. Multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between BMI and calcaneus bone mineral density. Restricted cubic splines were used to investigate the dose-response relationship between BMI and calcaneus bone mineral density. Results:The calcaneus bone mineral density in the study subjects were as follow ( x± SE): the broadband ultrasound attenuation was (109.4±12.1) dB/MHz, the speed of ultrasound was (1 545.9±33.8) m/s, and the stiffness index was 85.7±15.8. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, waist circumference, diabetes and hypertension prevalence, BMI was positively associated with calcaneus stiffness index in non-overweight and non-obese adults, with β of 2.30 (95% CI: 1.11-3.49) for men ( P<0.001) and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.38-1.78) for women ( P=0.003), respectively. In addition, BMI was positively associated with calcaneus stiffness index in overweight and obese women ( β=0.90, 95% CI: 0.38-1.42) ( P<0.001), and null association was found in overweight and obese men ( β=0.06, 95% CI: -0.92-1.04) ( P=0.900). Restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between BMI and calcaneus stiffness index. Conclusion:Non-linear association was found between BMI with calcaneus bone mineral density in adults.

Aim To explore the mechanism of the syn-ergistic effect of the ferroptosis inducer erastin com-bined with shikonin in promoting ferroptosis in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts(HSFBs).Methods Hypertrophic scar tissues provided by the General Hos-pital of Ningxia Medical University were collected,and HSFBs were extracted.HSFBs were identified by HE staining and immunofluorescence.The inhibitory rates of Era and SHK on HSFBs at different concentrations were detected by CCK-8 assay,and the IC50 value was calculated.CompuSyn software was used to calculate the co-use index(CI).Control group,Erastin(Era)group,shikonin(SHK)group and Era+SHK group were set up,and the number and morphological chan-ges of cells were observed after 24 hours of interven-tion.The ability of cell migration and invasion was de-tected by scratch test and Transwell test.The changes of malondialdehyde(MDA),total iron ion and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by corresponding biochemical kits.The expressions of collagen I,α-SMA and GOT1,SLC7A11,GPX4 and FTH1 were detected by Western blot.Results The IC50 value of Era and SHK of primary HSFBs was 2.22 μmol·L-1 and 3.94μmol·L-1 respectively,which was used as the single drug concentration for subsequent experiments.The CompuSyn software was employed to calculate the CI value when the two drugs were used in combination,and the concentrations corresponding to CI=0.39597(Era:1.2 μmol·L-1+SHK:1.5 μmol·L-1)were selected as subsequent combination concentrations(Because when CI was equal to 0.395 97,the concen-tration of each drug was lower than the concentration of single drug,and the inhibition rate of combined drug was greater than 50％).Compared with the monother-apy group,the number of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group was significantly reduced,cell membrane showed breakage and vesiculation,cell wrinkling became smal-ler,and cytoplasm was concentrated.The migration and invasion ability of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group were obviously weakened(P＜0.05),and the expres-sion of fibrosis-related proteins collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA was reduced(P＜0.05);the contents of MDA,total i-ron ions,and ROS in HSFBs of the SHK+Era group increased(P＜0.05),and the protein expression lev-els of SLC7A11,GOT1,GPX4,and FTH1 further de-creased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Erastin in combi-nation with shikonin can synergistically inhibit the pro-liferation,migration and fibrosis levels of HSFBs.The mechanism may be that erastin enhances the inhibition of shikotin on GOT1,increases the levels of cellular i-ron ions,ROS,and lipid peroxides,thereby promoting ferroptosis in HSFBs.

Aim To explore the mechanism of the syn-ergistic effect of the ferroptosis inducer erastin com-bined with shikonin in promoting ferroptosis in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts(HSFBs).Methods Hypertrophic scar tissues provided by the General Hos-pital of Ningxia Medical University were collected,and HSFBs were extracted.HSFBs were identified by HE staining and immunofluorescence.The inhibitory rates of Era and SHK on HSFBs at different concentrations were detected by CCK-8 assay,and the IC50 value was calculated.CompuSyn software was used to calculate the co-use index(CI).Control group,Erastin(Era)group,shikonin(SHK)group and Era+SHK group were set up,and the number and morphological chan-ges of cells were observed after 24 hours of interven-tion.The ability of cell migration and invasion was de-tected by scratch test and Transwell test.The changes of malondialdehyde(MDA),total iron ion and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by corresponding biochemical kits.The expressions of collagen I,α-SMA and GOT1,SLC7A11,GPX4 and FTH1 were detected by Western blot.Results The IC50 value of Era and SHK of primary HSFBs was 2.22 μmol·L-1 and 3.94μmol·L-1 respectively,which was used as the single drug concentration for subsequent experiments.The CompuSyn software was employed to calculate the CI value when the two drugs were used in combination,and the concentrations corresponding to CI=0.39597(Era:1.2 μmol·L-1+SHK:1.5 μmol·L-1)were selected as subsequent combination concentrations(Because when CI was equal to 0.395 97,the concen-tration of each drug was lower than the concentration of single drug,and the inhibition rate of combined drug was greater than 50％).Compared with the monother-apy group,the number of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group was significantly reduced,cell membrane showed breakage and vesiculation,cell wrinkling became smal-ler,and cytoplasm was concentrated.The migration and invasion ability of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group were obviously weakened(P＜0.05),and the expres-sion of fibrosis-related proteins collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA was reduced(P＜0.05);the contents of MDA,total i-ron ions,and ROS in HSFBs of the SHK+Era group increased(P＜0.05),and the protein expression lev-els of SLC7A11,GOT1,GPX4,and FTH1 further de-creased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Erastin in combi-nation with shikonin can synergistically inhibit the pro-liferation,migration and fibrosis levels of HSFBs.The mechanism may be that erastin enhances the inhibition of shikotin on GOT1,increases the levels of cellular i-ron ions,ROS,and lipid peroxides,thereby promoting ferroptosis in HSFBs.

BACKGROUND:For the replacement treatment of long-segment tracheal defects,although tissue engineering research has made some progress in recent years,it is still not perfect,and one of the biggest difficulties is that the hemodynamic reconstruction of the tracheal replacement cannot be achieved rapidly. OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily explore the potential of polycaprolactone scaffolds modified with exosome-loaded hydrogels to construct a rapidly vascularized tracheal substitute. METHODS:Exosomes were extracted from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of SD rats.After preparation of hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution,the exosome solution was mixed with hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution at a volume ratio of 1:1.Hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogels loaded with exosomes were prepared under ultraviolet irradiation for 5 minutes.The degradation of exosome-unloaded hydrogels and the controlled release of exosome-loaded hydrogels were detected.Polycaprolactone scaffolds were prepared by 3D printing.The pure hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution and the exosome-loaded hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution were respectively added to the surface of the scaffold.Hydrogel-modified scaffolds and exosome-modified scaffolds were obtained after ultraviolet irradiation.Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rats in each group and subcutaneously implanted with simple scaffolds,hydrogel-modified scaffolds and exosome-modified scaffolds,respectively.At 30 days after surgery,the scaffolds and surrounding tissues of each group were removed.Neovascularization was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining and the expression of CD31 was detected by immunofluorescence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)As time went by,the hydrogel degraded gradually,and the exosomes enclosed in the hydrogel were gradually released,which could be sustained for more than 30 days.The exosome release rate was faster than the degradation rate of the hydrogel itself,and nearly 20%of the exosomes were still not released after 30 days of soaking.(2)Under a scanning electron microscope,the surface of the simple polycaprolactone scaffold was rough.After hydrogel modification,a layer of gel was covered between the pores of the scaffold,and the scaffold surface became smooth and dense.(3)After 30 days of subcutaneous embedding,hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining showed that more neovascularization was observed inside the scaffolds of the exosome-modified scaffold group compared with the hydrogel-modified scaffold group.The hydrogels on the scaffolds of the two groups were not completely degraded.Immunofluorescence staining showed that CD31 expression in the exosome-modified scaffold group was higher than that in the hydrogel-modified scaffold group(P<0.000 1).(4)These results indicate that hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogels can be used as controlled-release carriers for exosomes.The 3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffold modified by hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogel loaded with exosomes has good biocompatibility and has the potential to promote the formation of neovascularization.

Objective:To explore the effect of early eschar dermabrasion combined with antimicrobial soft silicone foam dressing (hereinafter referred to as foam dressing) in treating the deep partial-thickness burn wounds in children.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From June 2021 to December 2022, 78 pediatric patients with deep partial-thickness burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns in Guiyang Steel Plant Employees Hospital. According to the random number table, the pediatric patients were divided into two groups, with 38 cases left in combined treatment group (with 20 males and 18 females, aged 26.00 (16.75, 39.75) months) and 39 cases in foam dressing group (with 21 males and 18 females, aged 19.00 (14.00, 31.00) months) after the exclusion of one dropped-out child in follow-up. The pediatric patients in combined treatment group underwent eschar dermabrasion of the wound within 48 hours after injury, the wound was covered with foam dressing after operation, and the dressing was replaced once every 7 days; for the pediatric patients in foam dressing group, the wound was sterilized within 48 hours after injury and covered with foam dressing, and the dressing was replaced once every 2 to 3 days. After the wound healing, the children in both groups were routinely applied with silicone gel twice a day for 3 weeks before started wearing elastic sleeves for more than 18 hours a day, and continuously for over than 6 months. The degree of pain during dressing change was evaluated using the children's pain behavior inventory FLACC. The adverse reactions during the treatment period, number of dressing changes, and wound healing time were observed and recorded. Six months after wound healing, the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was used to evaluate the condition of the wound scar.Results:When changing dressing, the FLACC score for pain of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was 3.5 (2.0, 5.0), which was significantly lower than 6.0 (5.0, 8.0) in foam dressing group ( Z=-5.40, P<0.05). During the treatment period, no adverse reactions such as wound edema, fluid accumulation, or peripheral skin rash allergies occurred in any pediatric patient in both groups. The number of dressing changes of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was 3 (3, 4) times, which was significantly less than 8 (7, 10) times in foam dressing group ( Z=-7.58, P<0.05). The wound healing time of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was (19±5) days, which was significantly shorter than (25±6) days in foam dressing group ( t=-4.48, P<0.05). Six months after wound healing, the VSS score for scar of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was 5 (2, 8), which was significantly lower than 7 (5, 10) in foam dressing group ( Z=-3.05, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with using foam dressings alone, early eschar dermabrasion combined with foam dressings can reduce the number of dressing changes, alleviate the pain during dressing changes, and shorten the wound healing time in treating children with deep partial-thickness burns, and effectively alleviate scar hyperplasia by combining with anti-scar treatment post burns.

Objective:To establish an in vivo infection model of West Nile virus (WNV) pseudovirus and evaluate the neutralizing activity of antibody WNV-XH1.Methods:A stable cell line that can package the WNV pseudovirus was established in the early stage to prepare the pseudovirus supernatant. The supernatant was concentrated and infected BHK21 cells to detect the titer of the pseudovirus. After intraperitoneal injection of the pseudovirus into C57BL/J mice, bioluminescence imaging was performed to observe the infection status of the pseudovirus in the mice. After simultaneous infection, blood was collected and ELISA was used to detect NS1 levels in mouse serum. The in vivo functional activity of antibody WNV-XH1 was evaluated using the established mouse infection model.Results:Fluorescence was detected in C57BL/J mice infected with WNV pseudovirus, and the NS1 levels in the peripheral blood serum of mice infected with pseudovirus were significantly higher than those of non infected mice (1.453±0.09vs0.305±0.018). After intravenous administration of WNV-XH1 antibody before the attack, the fluorescence signal in the mice decreased and the serum NS1 level decreased (0.384±0.015).Conclusions:A successful in vivo infection model of WNV pseudovirus was established, and it was confirmed that the antibody WNV-XH1 had a protective effect against WNV pseudovirus infection in vivo.

Objective Recombinase-aided polymerase chain reaction(RAP)is a sensitive,single-tube,two-stage nucleic acid amplification method.This study aimed to develop an assay that can be used for the early diagnosis of three types of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA),and Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)in the bloodstream based on recombinant human mannan-binding lectin protein(M1 protein)-conjugated magnetic bead(M1 bead)enrichment of pathogens combined with RAP. Methods Recombinant plasmids were used to evaluate the assay sensitivity.Common blood influenza bacteria were used for the specific detection.Simulated and clinical plasma samples were enriched with M1 beads and then subjected to multiple recombinase-aided PCR(M-RAP)and quantitative PCR(qPCR)assays.Kappa analysis was used to evaluate the consistency between the two assays. Results The M-RAP method had sensitivity rates of 1,10,and 1 copies/μL for the detection of SA,PA,and AB plasmids,respectively,without cross-reaction to other bacterial species.The M-RAP assay obtained results for<10 CFU/mL pathogens in the blood within 4 h,with higher sensitivity than qPCR.M-RAP and qPCR for SA,PA,and AB yielded Kappa values of 0.839,0.815,and 0.856,respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion An M-RAP assay for SA,PA,and AB in blood samples utilizing M1 bead enrichment has been developed and can be potentially used for the early detection of bacteremia.