The application of sensors to the monitoring of spinal morphology and motion was reviewed in terms of the research object and monitoring index.The present situation of the application of sensors was introduced,such as inertial sensor,stretchable strain sensor and electromagnetic sensor.The deficiencies of sensors applied to the monitoring of spinal morphology and motion were analyzed,and the future directions of the application were pointed out.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):105-110]

Objective To explore the similarities and differences in clinical efficacy and mRNA transcriptomics characteristics between acupuncture and shallow needling at non-acupoints and to provide a basis for determining whether shallow needling at non-acupoints is suitable as a sham acupuncture control in acupuncture clinical trials.Methods Eighty patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria(CSU)who visited the Dermatology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 8,2018 and to July 29,2019,were included.The patients were randomly divided into the acupuncture group(n=41)and the sham acupuncture group(n=39)using a computerized complete random design.Additionally,12 healthy individuals were included as the healthy control group.For patients in the acupuncture group,"Baihui(GV20),""Shenting(GV24),""Zhongwan(CV12),"and bilateral"Quchi(LI11),""Tianshu(ST25),""Xuehai(SP10),""Zusanli(ST36),"and"Sanyinjiao(SP6)"were selected for regular acupuncture.The sham acupuncture group received non-acupoint shallow needling at eight non-acupoints on the head,upper limbs,lower limbs,and abdomen.Both groups underwent daily treatment,with five consecutive days constituting one treatment course followed by a two-day interval.A total of two courses were administered.The urticaria activity score(UAS)was used to evaluate wheals and pruritus,whereas the visual analog scale(VAS)score was used to evaluate the degree of pruritus.Blinding effectiveness was also evaluated.Based on clinical evaluation and sample quality,serum samples from six patients in each treatment group before and after the intervention,along with those from six healthy individuals,were selected for RNA sequencing using the BGISEQ-500 sequencer.Differentially expressed mRNAs were identified using the"DEGseq"software package,and the similarities and differences in mRNA expression between the two groups were analyzed.Results UAS and VAS scores decreased in both groups at 1,2,3,and 4 weeks of treatment compared with before treatment(P＜0.01).The decrease in UAS and VAS scores in both groups was time-dependent(P＜0.01)but not related to the grouping or the interaction between grouping and time(P＞0.05).By the end of the second week of treatment,the number of patients in both groups who believed they had received true acupuncture was similar between the two groups,with no significant difference.mRNA transcriptomic sequencing revealed that,before and after treatment,the enrichment types and degrees of differentially expressed mRNA were similar between the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups at the biological process,cellular component,and molecular function levels.In terms of biological processes,both groups were commonly enriched in coagulation,hematoma,oxygen transport,and gas transport.In terms of cellular components,both groups exhibited enrichment in hemoglobin complexes,platelet alpha granules,extracellular exosomes,extracellular organelles,and extracellular vesicles.At the molecular function level,both groups were commonly enriched in actin filament-binding substances,haptoglobin,peroxidase activity,and oxygen blood binding.In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis,both groups showed common enrichment in multiple entries such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,ECM-receptor interaction,microRNAs in cancer,proteoglycans in cancer,bladder cancer,and malaria.Conclusion Acupuncture and sham acupuncture exhibited similar clinical treatment effects and mRNA transcriptomics profiles.In the design of acupuncture clinical trials,disease specificity should be carefully considered.Sham acupuncture control using non-acupoint shallow needling may not be suitable for skin diseases such as urticaria.

Objective To explore the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati(RP)on arterial aging in naturally aging Wistar rats.Methods SPF Wistar rats aged 72 weeks were divided randomly divided into 4 groups:an old group and RP low,medium,and high-dose groups(n=14 rats per group).Another 14 male SPF Wistar rats aged 8～12 weeks were selected as the young group.Rats in the RP high,medium,and low-dose groups were administered with 4,2,and 1 g/kg RP,respectively,by gavage,and rats in the old and young groups were given the same amount of distilled water once a day for 12 weeks.Seven rats from each group were sacrificed under anesthesia at weeks 4 and 12 and aortas were isolated.The relative smooth muscle cell(SMC)and collagen fiber(CF)contents were analyzed,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured,and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins in arterial tissue were detected by Western Blot.Results Rats in the old group showed obvious signs of vascular aging but there was no significant changes in arterial vascular tissue indexes in the old group with increased age.Aortas were obviously injured,relative contents of SMC and CF were significantly increased(P＜0.01),T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px contents were significantly decreased and MDA was increased(P＜0.01)in the old group compared with the young group at 4 and 8 weeks,and expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).RP intervention significantly decreased the relative SMC and CF contents and MDA levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and significantly increased T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were also significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).High-dose RP had the greatest effect.Conclusions Arterial aging is relatively stable in the short term in naturally aging rats.RP could delay arterial aging in naturally aging rats by regulating the level of oxidative stress and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins.

Central nervous system(CNS)degenerative disorders refer to a spectrum of pathological alterations triggered by struc-tural damage to cerebral neural tissues,clinically manifested as diverse neurological dysfunction syndromes,including multiple sclerosis(MS),neurodegenerative diseases(NDs),and ische-mic stroke.The hallmark pathological features of these disorders involve irreversible neuronal damage and decompensation of functional neural networks,ultimately leading to progressive neurological deficits.Notably,with the accelerating global popu-lation aging,the incidence of these diseases has surged signifi-cantly.According to WHO statistics,they now rank among the top three global causes of disability and mortality.Current re-search has confirmed that the pathogenesis of CNS degenerative disorders exhibits high heterogeneity,encompassing multifaceted pathophysiological processes such as genetic predisposition,oxi-dative stress,protein misfolding,and metabolic dysregulation.This intricate pathogenic network not only complicates clinical differential diagnosis but also poses substantial challenges to the development of precision therapeutic strategies.Importantly,re-cent studies have revealed that mitochondrial homeostasis disrup-tion-induced inflammatory cascades(termed mitochondrial in-flammation)play a pivotal regulatory role in neurodegenerative progression.Key molecular mechanisms include impaired mito-phagy,aberrant mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)release and NL-RP3 inflammasome activation.This review systematically deci-phers the molecular regulatory network of mitochondrial inflam-mation,with a focus on its biological effects in critical pathologi-cal events such as blood-brain barrier disruption,microglial hy-peractivation and neuronal apoptosis.The overarching aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for developing innovative thera-peutic strategies targeting mitochondrial homeostasis restoration.

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)agents plus panretinal photocoagulation(PRP)for treating young and middle-aged patients with proliferative diabetic reti-nopathy(PDR).Methods A retrospective case study was conducted on young and middle-aged PDR patients presenting to the Ophthalmology Department of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital between January 1,2021 and October 1,2024.The patients were divided into three groups according to Chinese Clinical Guidelines for Diabetic Retinopathy(2022):se-vere non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR),early proliferative diabetic retinopathy(E-PDR)and fibrous prolifera-tive diabetic retinopathy(F-PDR).A total of 53 patients(94 eyes)were included in this study,and the mean age was(41.66±10.24)year old.There were 17 cases(31 eyes)in the NPDR group,18 cases(33 eyes)in the E-PDR group,and 18 cases(30 eyes)in the F-PDR group.All the patients were treated with the intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents(0.5 mg ranibizumab)about 3.5 mm from the sclerocorneal limbus at the inferior temporal sector,once a month,for three consecutive months.Routine PRP treatment was given 1 week after the first injection.Best-corrected visual acuity[BCVA(logMAR)],intraocular pressure,slit-lamp,slit-lamp fundus,optos fundus photography and OCT examinations were per-formed.The central macular thickness(CMT),average macular thickness(AMT),and the incidence of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage and emerging epiretinal membrane were recorded 1 month and 3 months after the first injection.Results Pa-tients in the F-PDR group were younger than those in NPDR and E-PDR groups(all P＜0.05).The BCVA values of eyes in all the three groups increased to varying degrees after 3 months of treatment,compared with those before treatment(all P＜0.05).The eyes in the F-PDR group had poorer vision than those in NPDR and E-PDR groups after 3 months of treat-ment(all P＜0.05).CMT and AMT decreased in all groups after 3 months of treatment,compared with those before treat-ment(all P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in CMT and AMT among the three groups at the same period(all P＞0.05).Eyes in the F-PDR group had higher risk of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage and emerging epiretinal membrane than those in NPDR and E-PDR groups 3 months after treatment(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy combined with PRP can effectively slow the progression of PDR and improve vision acuity in young and middle-aged pa-tients.PDR patients with fibrovascular proliferation are at higher risk of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage and emerging epireti-nal membrane during the treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy plus PRP.These patients need a close follow-up,and vitrectomy should be performed in a timely manner to relieve vitreous traction when necessary.

AIM:To establish a cell model of visceral hypersensitivity and nerve hyperplasia in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)by conducting an in vitro co-culture of mouse P815 mast cells and N2a nerve cells and explore its possible mechanism.METHODS:Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)with three replicates was used to confirm the C48/80-induced P815 degranulation.The length of neurites was observed under bright field microscopy to determine the number of differentiated neurons,thereby selecting the concentration of retinoic acid(RA)for stimulating the differentia-tion of N2a cells,with four replicates.A co-culture system of P815 and N2a cells was established using Transwell cham-bers with four replicates.The following groups were established:N2a cells cultured alone,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells plus C48/80,and N2a cells plus RA group.After co-culturing,the num-ber of differentiated N2a cells was observed under bright field.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF),tyrosine ki-nase receptor A(TRKA),growth-associated protein-43(GAP43),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),synapsin(SYN),and postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95)at both protein and gene levels in N2a cells was detected using Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR),with four replicates.RESULTS:The best condition for N2a differentiation was stimulation with 10 μmol/L RA for 24 hours,whereas the best condition for degranulation was stimulation of P815 cells with 20 mg/L C48/80 for 24 hours.Compared with N2a cells cultured alone,the differentiation ratio of the N2a+P815+C48/80 and N2a+RA groups was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF,TRKA,GAP43,NSE,SYN,and PSD-95 were significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results revealed that mast cell degranulation enhances the level of nerve hyperplasia in enteric nerve cells and promotes changes in nerve structure and function.Synaptic remodeling regulated by abnormal expression of key proteins such as NGF,TRKA,and GAP43 is involved in the nerve hyperplasia induced by mast cell degranulation.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of guggulsterone(GS)on diethylnitrosamine(DEN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its mechanism.Methods DEN-induced liver fibrosis model was established in SD rats.The successful model rats were randomly divided into model group(n=6),GS group(n=6,50 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks),GS+SRI group(n=6,50 mg/kg+30 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks),and control group(n=6,without DEN-induced).Rats in the control group and the model group were injected with the same amount of normal saline.The pathological changes of the liver were detected by HE staining.Serum liver function indexes including alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),albumin(ALB)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer.The serum levels of pro-collagen Ⅲ(PC-Ⅲ),collagen Ⅳ(Ⅳ-C),hyaluronidase(HA),laminin(LN),malondialdehyde(MDA),reduced glutathione(GSH),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and catalase(CAT)were detected by ELISA assay.The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1,Smad2,and p-Smad3/Smad3 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting.Results Compared with the control group,the model group showed typical pathological changes of liver fibrosis;the serum ALB,GSH,SOD and CAT levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,MDA,PC-Ⅲ,Ⅳ-C,HA,LN and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1,Smad3 and protein expression of TGF-β1,p-Smad3 in liver tissues were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the pathological changes of liver fibrosis in the GS group were alleviated,and the serum levels of ALB,GSH,SOD and CAT were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,MDA,PC-Ⅲ,Ⅳ-C,HA and LN,the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3,and protein expression of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3 in liver tissues were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).In addition,after the administration of SRI,TGF-β1 signaling pathway activator,compared with the GS group,the GS+SRI group showed significantly decreased serum ALB,GSH,SOD and CAT levels(P＜0.05),but significantly increased serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,MDA,PC-Ⅲ,Ⅳ-C,HA and LN as well as the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 and protein expression of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3 in liver tissues(P＜0.05).Therefore,SRI attenuated the anti-fibrotic effect of GS on rats with liver fibrosis.Conclusion GS has certain inhibitory effect on DEN-induced liver fibrosis in rats,and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress level and the inhibition of the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological dynamics and spatiotemporal diffusion trend of brucellosis in China from 2010 to 2024.Methods:Data on reported human brucellosis cases in mainland China from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2024, were collected via the"China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention", including detailed information on the date of onset, gender, age, occupation, and residential address of the cases. The Joinpoint regression and spatial interpolation techniques were used to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics and population distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions, as well as urban and rural areas, and explore the epidemic trends of the disease.Results:From 2010 to 2024, pastoral/semi-pastoral regions reported 252 094 brucellosis cases, with a mean annual incidence rate of 36.57±7.28 per 100 000. In contrast, other regions cumulatively recorded 519 748 cases during the same period, demonstrating a significantly lower mean annual incidence rate of 2.54±0.74 per 100 000. The incidence rate of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral regions exhibited a declining-rebounding-declining trend. Specifically, the incidence rate decreased significantly from 2010 to 2017 (APC=-7.20; P<0.001) and increased notably from 2017 to 2021 (APC=18.00; P=0.015) with a decline again from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-7.53; P=0.027). In other regions, the incidence rate showed a fluctuating upward trend. Specifically, the incidence rate increased significantly from 2010 to 2015 (APC=20.37; P<0.001) and decreased notably from 2015 to 2018 (APC=-21.78; P<0.001), followed by an increase again from 2018 to 2024, a significant upward trend in incidence rate from 2018 to 2021 (APC=26.73; P<0.001) and a non-significant decline from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-0.99; P=0.735), resulting in the maintenance of a relatively high incidence level. Rural areas demonstrated significantly higher brucellosis incidence rates than urban settings (all P<0.001). Brucellosis exhibited a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions between 2010 and 2024. The age structure of patients in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas differed significantly from that in other regions. Specifically, in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas, the incidence rate was higher among the 35-49 age groups, while in other regions, the incidence rate was higher among those aged 55-64. Conclusion:There are notable disparities in the incidence of human brucellosis between pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions in China. Human brucellosis exhibits a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI)for the treatment of primary aortic valve regurgitation(NAVR)and to compare the difference in the choice of prosthetic valve size and the difference in complications with aortic stenosis(AS).Methods According to the definition of Valve Academic Research Consortium(VARC-3),143 patients with NAVR/AS treated with TAVI and patients with NAVR treated with surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR)at Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,China,from March 2019 to September 2024 were selected,and clinical data on baseline,perioperative,and primary endpoint events were were retrospectively collected and compared.Results Forty-three patients with NAVR were treated with TAVI,with a device success rate of 86.0％and a surgical success rate of 95.3％.Subgroup comparisons:(1)NAVR-TAVI group than NAVR-SAVR group:patients in the TAVI group had a significantly shorter operative time than those in the SAVR group(P＜0.001);complete left bundle branch block was more likely to occur after TAVI(P=0.042),and complete right bundle branch block was more likely to occur after SAVR(P=0.044).SAVR postoperatively The incidence of congestive heart failure was higher(P=0.013),and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the SAVR group than in the TAVI group(P=0.019).(2)NAVR-TAVI group than AS-TAVI group:the differences in access selection,THV size[28(22,34)mm vs.24(22,32)mm,P=0.044]and proportion of THV overdiameter[14％(7％,20％)vs.7％(3％,11％),P＜0.001]were statistically significant.patients in AS and NAVR groups had 1 case of permanent pacing after TAVI treatment.In the AS and NAVR groups,there was 1 case of permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVI.2 patients in the AS group were converted to surgical treatment,and 6 patients died.Conclusions The use of"off-label"(transfemoral)and"on-label"(transapical)TAVI devices(both from domestic sources)is safer than SAVR for the treatment of NAVR,especially in elderly and high-risk patients.Compared with patients with AS treated with TAVI,larger diameter annulas are usually selected for NAVR,with higher rates of valve migration,but overall safety and efficacy are comparable to AS.

Objective To investigate the role of the prefrontal cortex in the generation and adaptation of chro-nic subjective tinnitus using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI).Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan were acquired from 20 patients with chronic subjective tinnitus and 20 healthy controls.Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(fALFF)and seed-based whole-brain functional connectivity(FC)methods were used to detect abnormal prefrontal cortex activity in tinnitus patients and to investi-gate interactions between prefrontal cortex activity and brain regions associated tinnitus perception.The analysis aimed to assess the relationship between prefrontal cortex spontaneous neural activity,atypical functional connectivi-ty across various brain regions,and clinical characteristics of tinnitus.Results Compared with healthy controls,pa-tients with chronic tinnitus showed a significant reduction in fALFF values in some specific brain areas of prefrontal cortex,including the left/right medial superior frontal gyrus and the left/right middle frontal gyrus.Functional con-nectivity values were notably enhanced between the left medial superior frontal gyrus and the left anterior insula,as well as between the right medial superior frontal gyrus and the left superior temporal gyrus.Furthermore,increased functional connectivity was observed between the left middle frontal gyrus and the right middle temporal gyrus,as well as between the right middle frontal gyrus and the left parahippocampal gyrus,left superior parietal lobule,and left supplementary motor area.Importantly,the functional connectivity between the left middle frontal gyrus and the right superior temporal gyrus exhibited a negative correlation with tinnitus handicap inventory scores(r=-0.627,P=0.003)and visual analogue scale scores(r=-0.596,P=0.005).Conclusion There are abnormal brain function changes in medial prefrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients with chronic subjec-tive tinnitus,accompanied by changes in the intensity of functional connections with the salience and auditory net-works.These abnormalities are highly related to the severity of tinnitus.The prefrontal cortex may play an impor-tant role in the sensory prediction and auditory regulation of tinnitus.