BACKGROUND:Neuroinflammation is a major cause of exacerbation after spinal cord injury.In recent years,pyroptosis has received much attention due to its remarkable pro-inflammatory features.Some of these natural products can significantly inhibit the inflammatory response and improve the damaged nerve function by regulating the level of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury,which provides a new therapeutic idea for spinal cord injury.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of action of natural products in regulating pyroptosis for the treatment of spinal cord injury,with a view to providing lessons and references for future research on the treatment of spinal cord injury.METHODS:The search terms"spinal cord injury,pyroptosis,inflammasome,natural products,natural compounds,traditional Chinese medicine"in Chinese and English were used to search for relevant literature since the establishment of the database up to September 2024 in the databases of PubMed,Web of Science,WanFang,and CNKI.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,75 relevant articles were finally obtained.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Pyroptosis is an important pro-inflammatory pathway in spinal cord injury,and controlling pyroptosis is an effective way to improve damaged nerve function.(2)Some natural products can regulate pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1 classical pyroptosis pathway,the NF-κB-related pathway,other upstream pathways such as Nrf2/HO-1,and autophagy,thereby affecting the level of tissue inflammation and accelerating neurological recovery after spinal cord injury.(3)The anti-pyroptosis effects of these natural products are mostly dependent on the NLRP3 classical pyroptosis pathway,and there is a lack of studies on other pyroptosis pathways.(4)There are still many problems in this field,such as the fact that these natural products are not currently supported by evidence from appropriate clinical studies.(5)The natural product has great potential in regulating pyroptosis and is expected to be a powerful weapon in the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Cholesterol-lowering therapy is necessary in patients with hypercholesterolaemia, particularly those at high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD). However, in clinical practice, it is important to avoid initiating lipid-modifying treatment indiscriminately without first identifying the underlying cause. Several key principles should be emphasized in lipid management. First, cholesterol reduction should be appropriate, avoiding excessive lowering that could lead to overcorrection. Second, comprehensive management is crucial; for patients with ASCVD, lifestyle modification, including weight reduction, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol consumption, and alleviating anxiety, as important as lipid-modifying therapy. Additionally, attention should be paid to the potential adverse effects of low cholesterol levels, which warrant close monitoring throughout treatment. Finally, further evidence is needed to address the ongoing controversies regarding certain clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of action of Qihuang Zhuyu formula(QHZYF)in improving depression after myocardial infarction(MI),with a focus on revealing its regulatory effect on the inflammatory response of the heart and brain.METH-ODS The active ingredients of QHZYF and the action targets for intervening in depression after MI were analyzed by using ultra-per-formance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking.A rat model of depression after MI was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery com-bined with chronic restraint stress.Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson stai-ning were used to evaluate myocardial injury,behavioral tests were used to detect melancholic behaviors,Nissl staining was used to e-valuate hippocampal neuron injury.Western blot detection of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2(TNFR2),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated seronine protein kinase(p-AKT),seronine protein kinase(AKT),tumor necrosis factor receptor 1(TNFR1),phosphorylated nuclear factor κB(p-NF-κB),and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)in cardiac and hippocampal tissues was conducted.The levels of serum IL-6 and IL-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 was detected by immunohistochemical technique(IHC).In vitro experiments,co-culture of rat cardiomyocyte line H9C2 cells and rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line with high differentiation PC12 cells was conducted,TNFR1 inhibitor(H398)and TNFR2 agonist(C-6His)were administered for intervention,and the expression of TNFR2,PI3K,p-AKT,AKT,TN-FR1,NF-κB,p-NF-κB was detected by Western blot.Observe the apoptosis of cells by TUNEL staining,ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in the cell supernatant.RESULTS Network pharmacological analysis indicates that the TNF signaling pathway was a key target for the treatment of depression after MI with the QHZYF.In vivo experiments have confirmed that the interven-tion of QHZYF could significantly improve the cardiac function,myocardial tissue and hippocampal neuron structure damage of de-pressed rats after MI,and improve their depression-like behaviors.At the molecular level,the high-dose group of QHZYF significant-ly upregulated TNFR2,p-AKT/AKT,and IL-10 in cardiac and hippocampal tissues(P＜0.01),and downregulated TNFR1,p-NF-κB/NF-κB and IL-6(P＜0.01).In vitro experiments showed that the drug-containing serum of QHZYF significantly upregulated the expression of TNFR2,p-AKT/AKT and IL-10 in H9C2 and PC12 cells(P＜0.01),downregulated the expression of TNFR1,p-NF-κB/NF-κB and IL-6(P＜0.01),and significantly inhibited cell apoptosis(P＜0.01).Furthermore,experiments on the combined ap-plication of H398 or C-6His further confirmed that its protective and anti-inflammatory effects were mediated by regulating the TN-FR2/PI3K/AKT and TNFR1/NF-κB pathways.CONCLUSION QHZYF improves the homeostasis of heart and brain inflammation by regulating the TNF pathway,and ameliorates myocardial injury and depressive state in depressed rats after MI.

Objective To explore the value of inflammatory load index(IBI)in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer patients.Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery in the Department of General Surgery of the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed,and the patients were divided into the high IBI group and the low IBI group based on the optimal cut-off value of IBI.ROC curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of IBI,and the survival curve was constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the differences between groups were examined using the Log-rank test.Cox regression analysis was performed to study the prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients.Results The best cut-off value for IBI diagnosis was 8.796,and the best cut-off value for prognosis was 28.75.IBI was related to the clinical case characteristics of gastric cancer patients,such as surgical access,the degree of differentiation,CK7,CK20,LMP-1,and Ki-67(P＜0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that intraoperative bleeding,preoperative CEA,preoperative CA125,preoperative CA199,IBI,tumor diameter size,margins of incision,vascular invasion,nerve invasion,pT stage and pN stagewere the influencing factors on the prognosis of gastric cancer patients(P＜0.05).The results of multifactorial regression analysis showed that intraoperative bleeding,preoperative CEA,preoperative CA199,IBI,tumor diameter size,pT stage and pN stagewere independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of gastric cancer patients(P＜0.05).The median OS of patients in the high IBI group and low IBI group were 32.9 months and 74.8 months,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).Conclusion IBI is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer,and it has a good predictive value in diagnosis and prognosis.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest (POCA) in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia.Methods:This case-control study enrolled elderly patients aged ≥60 yr who underwent surgery under general anesthesia at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2013, and November 30, 2024. The case group consisted of patients who experienced POCA, defined as cessation of cardiac mechanical activity and loss of effective circulation, requiring immediate chest compressions and/or defibrillation within 24 h from entering the operating room to the end of anesthesia. The control group consisted of elderly patients without POCA, matched to cases by sex and date of surgery in a ratio of 1∶3. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for POCA based on patients′ baseline and surgical characteristics.Results:A total of 53 POCA cases and 159 matched controls were included. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis identified an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ ( OR=4.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 2.21-10.89, P<0.001) and the presence of peripheral vascular disease ( OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.10-5.81, P=0.028) as independent risk factors for POCA. Higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration was found to be a protective factor ( OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P<0.001). Conclusions:An American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ and comorbid peripheral vascular disease are independent risk factors for POCA in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia, while higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration serves as a protective factor.

Objective To explore the value of inflammatory load index(IBI)in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer patients.Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery in the Department of General Surgery of the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed,and the patients were divided into the high IBI group and the low IBI group based on the optimal cut-off value of IBI.ROC curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of IBI,and the survival curve was constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the differences between groups were examined using the Log-rank test.Cox regression analysis was performed to study the prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients.Results The best cut-off value for IBI diagnosis was 8.796,and the best cut-off value for prognosis was 28.75.IBI was related to the clinical case characteristics of gastric cancer patients,such as surgical access,the degree of differentiation,CK7,CK20,LMP-1,and Ki-67(P＜0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that intraoperative bleeding,preoperative CEA,preoperative CA125,preoperative CA199,IBI,tumor diameter size,margins of incision,vascular invasion,nerve invasion,pT stage and pN stagewere the influencing factors on the prognosis of gastric cancer patients(P＜0.05).The results of multifactorial regression analysis showed that intraoperative bleeding,preoperative CEA,preoperative CA199,IBI,tumor diameter size,pT stage and pN stagewere independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of gastric cancer patients(P＜0.05).The median OS of patients in the high IBI group and low IBI group were 32.9 months and 74.8 months,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).Conclusion IBI is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer,and it has a good predictive value in diagnosis and prognosis.

Cholesterol-lowering therapy is necessary in patients with hypercholesterolaemia, particularly those at high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD). However, in clinical practice, it is important to avoid initiating lipid-modifying treatment indiscriminately without first identifying the underlying cause. Several key principles should be emphasized in lipid management. First, cholesterol reduction should be appropriate, avoiding excessive lowering that could lead to overcorrection. Second, comprehensive management is crucial; for patients with ASCVD, lifestyle modification, including weight reduction, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol consumption, and alleviating anxiety, as important as lipid-modifying therapy. Additionally, attention should be paid to the potential adverse effects of low cholesterol levels, which warrant close monitoring throughout treatment. Finally, further evidence is needed to address the ongoing controversies regarding certain clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of action of Qihuang Zhuyu formula(QHZYF)in improving depression after myocardial infarction(MI),with a focus on revealing its regulatory effect on the inflammatory response of the heart and brain.METH-ODS The active ingredients of QHZYF and the action targets for intervening in depression after MI were analyzed by using ultra-per-formance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking.A rat model of depression after MI was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery com-bined with chronic restraint stress.Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson stai-ning were used to evaluate myocardial injury,behavioral tests were used to detect melancholic behaviors,Nissl staining was used to e-valuate hippocampal neuron injury.Western blot detection of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2(TNFR2),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated seronine protein kinase(p-AKT),seronine protein kinase(AKT),tumor necrosis factor receptor 1(TNFR1),phosphorylated nuclear factor κB(p-NF-κB),and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)in cardiac and hippocampal tissues was conducted.The levels of serum IL-6 and IL-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 was detected by immunohistochemical technique(IHC).In vitro experiments,co-culture of rat cardiomyocyte line H9C2 cells and rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line with high differentiation PC12 cells was conducted,TNFR1 inhibitor(H398)and TNFR2 agonist(C-6His)were administered for intervention,and the expression of TNFR2,PI3K,p-AKT,AKT,TN-FR1,NF-κB,p-NF-κB was detected by Western blot.Observe the apoptosis of cells by TUNEL staining,ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in the cell supernatant.RESULTS Network pharmacological analysis indicates that the TNF signaling pathway was a key target for the treatment of depression after MI with the QHZYF.In vivo experiments have confirmed that the interven-tion of QHZYF could significantly improve the cardiac function,myocardial tissue and hippocampal neuron structure damage of de-pressed rats after MI,and improve their depression-like behaviors.At the molecular level,the high-dose group of QHZYF significant-ly upregulated TNFR2,p-AKT/AKT,and IL-10 in cardiac and hippocampal tissues(P＜0.01),and downregulated TNFR1,p-NF-κB/NF-κB and IL-6(P＜0.01).In vitro experiments showed that the drug-containing serum of QHZYF significantly upregulated the expression of TNFR2,p-AKT/AKT and IL-10 in H9C2 and PC12 cells(P＜0.01),downregulated the expression of TNFR1,p-NF-κB/NF-κB and IL-6(P＜0.01),and significantly inhibited cell apoptosis(P＜0.01).Furthermore,experiments on the combined ap-plication of H398 or C-6His further confirmed that its protective and anti-inflammatory effects were mediated by regulating the TN-FR2/PI3K/AKT and TNFR1/NF-κB pathways.CONCLUSION QHZYF improves the homeostasis of heart and brain inflammation by regulating the TNF pathway,and ameliorates myocardial injury and depressive state in depressed rats after MI.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.