For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.

Objective To construct a prediction model for targeted biopsy(TB)of the prostate based on multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)and prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)to predict the outcomes TB in patients with a score of 4-5 on the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System(PI-RADS).Methods Clinical data of 669 patients with PI-RADS 4-5 receiving transperineal TB in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The data were divided into the training set and validation set with a ratio of 2∶1.Independent predictors of TB results were identified with univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct a formula for the prediction model.A prediction model was subsequently constructed and validated using the validation set to assess its efficacy and predictive performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).The relative importance of each independent predictor in the formula was analyzed.Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age,total number of lesions,histological location,PI-RADS score and PSAD were significantly associated with the TB outcomes(P＜0.05)and could be used as independent predictors,with PI-RADS score and PSAD making the highest contribution to outcome prediction,accounting for 27.59％and 37.58％,respectively.The training set had an AUC of 0.840(95％CI:0.800-0.881),which was more predictive than other single predictors,and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.833 increased the positive biopsy rate from 79.3％to 94.4％.The validation set had an AUC of 0.865(95％CI:0.810-0.920),and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.594 increased the positive biopsy rate from 80.0％to 96.2％.Conclusion The prediction model has good predictive ability for lesions with PI-RADS 4-5,which can significantly improve the positive detection rate and reduce a large number of unnecessary systematic puncture.

Aim To explore the mechanism of ligustil-ide(LIG)improving demyelination by inhibiting in-flammatory response in mice with distal middle cerebral artery occlusion(dMCAO)through AIM2/caspase-1 signal pathway.Methods Thirty C57BL/6N male mice were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(Sham group,n=10),model group(dMCAO group,n=10)and treatment group(LIG group,n=10).The dMCAO mouse model was estab-lished by electrocoagulation in dMCAO group and LIG group.The mice were scored by Longa after waking up,and the changes of cerebral blood flow were moni-tored by laser speckle blood flow imaging system after dMCAO.One hour after modeling,LIG(30 mg·kg-1·d-1)was injected intraperitoneally in LIG group,and the same amount of normal saline was injected in sham group and dMCAO group for one week until the end of the experiment.The mice in each group were stained with TTC,and the brain injury was observed pathologically.Fatigue turning bar test and open field test were used to evaluate the motor function and anxie-ty degree of mice,and then the brain tissues of mice were taken for black gold staining to compare the chan-ges of myelin sheath in each group.Immunofluores-cence staining was used to detect the average fluores-cence intensity of MBP,IBA1 and GFAP in CC,CPU and CX regions of mouse brains.ELISAwas used to de-tect the contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-17A and BDNF in brain tissue proteins of mice.Western blot-ting was used to detect the protein expressions of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC-in each group.Results Compared with the dMCAO group,the infarct area was reduced,the behavior was significantly improved and the demyelination was reduced in the LIG group.The expression of MBP protein in CC,CPU and CX regions increased(P＜0.05),the expression of IBA1 in CX decreased(P＜0.01),and the expression of GFAP in-creased in CC,CPU and CX regions(P＜0.01).The results of ELISA showed that the levels ofTNF-α(P＜0.01),IL-6(P＜0.01),IL-1β(P＜0.05)and IL-17A(P＜0.01)significantly decreased,while the ex-pression of BDNF increased(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC in mouse brain decreased after treatment(P＜0.01).Conclusion LIG has a protective effect on demyelina-tion in dMCAO mice,which may be related to the inhi-bition of AIM2/caspase-1 signaling pathway and in-flammation and to the promotion of BDNF secretion.

Objective To longitudinally analyze the changes in perioperative nutritional indicators in elderly patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)and their correlation with the score of modified Rankin scale(mRS)score.Methods A total of 295 elderly ICH patients ad-mitted to the neurosurgery intensive care unit of North China University of Science and Technolo-gy Affiliated Hospital from June 2022 to November 2024 were consecutively enrolled in this study.The levels of relevant nutritional indicators were measured before(T1),and in 1(T2),3(T3),5(T4)and 7 d(T5)after surgery.According to the mRS score in 90 d after onset of the disease,they were divided into a good prognosis group(mRS score≤ 2,114 cases)and a poor prognosis group(mRS score≥3,181 cases).The general data and levels of nutritional indicators at above time points were compared between the two groups.Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to study the relationship between the perioperative nutritional indicator levels and the prognosis in elderly patients with spontaneous ICH.Results The poor prognosis group had significantly higher SBP,larger proportions of stroke history,hemorrhage in the brainstem and midline dis-placement,and increased NIHSS score than the good prognosis group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Obvi-ously lower BMI(56.48±9.54 kg vs 66.62±8.12 kg),decreased serum levels of albumin[40.24(39.10,41.16)g/L vs 43.30(40.65,45.50)g/L],prealbumin[203.00(164.00,261.00)mg/L vs 229.00(180.00,282.00)mg/L]and TC[4.68(4.11,5.39)mmol/L vs 4.91(4.47,5.66)mmol/L],reduced lymphocyte count[1.58(0.95,2.03)× 109/L vs 1.77(1.99,1.91)× 109/L],and reduced GCS[7.00(5.00,10.00)vs 9.00(7.00,13.00)]and Barthel[55.00(43.00,64.00)vs 61.00(52.00,69.00)]scores at admission were observed in the poor prognosis group than the good prognosis group(all P＜0.01).At all different time points,the poor prognosis group also got notably higher Controlling Nutritional Status(CONUT)scores(reaching the highest levels at 3 d after opera-tion),and lower Prognostic Nutritional Index(PNI)score and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index(GNRI)score(both declining the lowest levels at same time)when compared with the poor prog-nosis group(all P＜0.01).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that COUNT scores,PNI scores and GNRI scores before(T1)and at 1(T2),3(T3),5(T4)and 7 d(T5)after operation were independent risk factors for 90-day poor prognosis in elderly patients with spontaneous ICH.Conclusion The fluctuations of 3 nutritional indicators at different time points in the periopera-tive period are closely associated with the 90-day prognosis of elderly ICH patients.Monitoring the changes in the nutritional indicators can quickly and conveniently predict the prognosis of the pa-tients,which has high clinical application value.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Due to the treatment intolerance and side effects, CRC rank the top among various cancers regarding the incidence and mortality rates. Therefore, exploring new therapies is of great significance for the treatment of CRC. Aerobic glycolysis(AEG) plays an important role in the microenvironment formation, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence of CRC and other tumor cells. It has been confirmed that intervening in the AEG pathway can effectively curb CRC. The active ingredients and compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can effectively inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance and regulate the apoptosis of tumor cells by modulating AEG-associated transport proteins [eg, glucose transporters(GLUT)], key enzymes [hexokinase(HK) and phosphofructokinase(PFK)], key genes [hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1) and oncogene(c-Myc)], and signaling pathways(MET/PI3K/Akt/mTOR). Accordingly, they can treat CRC, reduce the recurrence, and improve the prognosis of CRC. Although AEG plays a key role in the development and progression of CRC, the specific mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this article delves into the intrinsic connection of the targets and mechanisms of the AEG pathway with CRC from the perspective of tumor cell glycolysis and explores how active ingredients(oxymatrine, kaempferol, and dioscin) and compound prescriptions(Quxie Capsules, Jiedu Sangen Decoction, and Xianlian Jiedu Prescription) of TCM treat CRC by intervening in the AEG pathway. Additionally, this article explores the shortcomings in the current research, aiming to provide reliable targets and a theoretical basis for treating CRC with TCM.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Objective To construct a prediction model for targeted biopsy(TB)of the prostate based on multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)and prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)to predict the outcomes TB in patients with a score of 4-5 on the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System(PI-RADS).Methods Clinical data of 669 patients with PI-RADS 4-5 receiving transperineal TB in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The data were divided into the training set and validation set with a ratio of 2∶1.Independent predictors of TB results were identified with univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct a formula for the prediction model.A prediction model was subsequently constructed and validated using the validation set to assess its efficacy and predictive performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).The relative importance of each independent predictor in the formula was analyzed.Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age,total number of lesions,histological location,PI-RADS score and PSAD were significantly associated with the TB outcomes(P＜0.05)and could be used as independent predictors,with PI-RADS score and PSAD making the highest contribution to outcome prediction,accounting for 27.59％and 37.58％,respectively.The training set had an AUC of 0.840(95％CI:0.800-0.881),which was more predictive than other single predictors,and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.833 increased the positive biopsy rate from 79.3％to 94.4％.The validation set had an AUC of 0.865(95％CI:0.810-0.920),and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.594 increased the positive biopsy rate from 80.0％to 96.2％.Conclusion The prediction model has good predictive ability for lesions with PI-RADS 4-5,which can significantly improve the positive detection rate and reduce a large number of unnecessary systematic puncture.

Aim To explore the mechanism of ligustil-ide(LIG)improving demyelination by inhibiting in-flammatory response in mice with distal middle cerebral artery occlusion(dMCAO)through AIM2/caspase-1 signal pathway.Methods Thirty C57BL/6N male mice were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(Sham group,n=10),model group(dMCAO group,n=10)and treatment group(LIG group,n=10).The dMCAO mouse model was estab-lished by electrocoagulation in dMCAO group and LIG group.The mice were scored by Longa after waking up,and the changes of cerebral blood flow were moni-tored by laser speckle blood flow imaging system after dMCAO.One hour after modeling,LIG(30 mg·kg-1·d-1)was injected intraperitoneally in LIG group,and the same amount of normal saline was injected in sham group and dMCAO group for one week until the end of the experiment.The mice in each group were stained with TTC,and the brain injury was observed pathologically.Fatigue turning bar test and open field test were used to evaluate the motor function and anxie-ty degree of mice,and then the brain tissues of mice were taken for black gold staining to compare the chan-ges of myelin sheath in each group.Immunofluores-cence staining was used to detect the average fluores-cence intensity of MBP,IBA1 and GFAP in CC,CPU and CX regions of mouse brains.ELISAwas used to de-tect the contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-17A and BDNF in brain tissue proteins of mice.Western blot-ting was used to detect the protein expressions of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC-in each group.Results Compared with the dMCAO group,the infarct area was reduced,the behavior was significantly improved and the demyelination was reduced in the LIG group.The expression of MBP protein in CC,CPU and CX regions increased(P＜0.05),the expression of IBA1 in CX decreased(P＜0.01),and the expression of GFAP in-creased in CC,CPU and CX regions(P＜0.01).The results of ELISA showed that the levels ofTNF-α(P＜0.01),IL-6(P＜0.01),IL-1β(P＜0.05)and IL-17A(P＜0.01)significantly decreased,while the ex-pression of BDNF increased(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of AIM2,caspase-1 and ASC in mouse brain decreased after treatment(P＜0.01).Conclusion LIG has a protective effect on demyelina-tion in dMCAO mice,which may be related to the inhi-bition of AIM2/caspase-1 signaling pathway and in-flammation and to the promotion of BDNF secretion.

Objective To longitudinally analyze the changes in perioperative nutritional indicators in elderly patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)and their correlation with the score of modified Rankin scale(mRS)score.Methods A total of 295 elderly ICH patients ad-mitted to the neurosurgery intensive care unit of North China University of Science and Technolo-gy Affiliated Hospital from June 2022 to November 2024 were consecutively enrolled in this study.The levels of relevant nutritional indicators were measured before(T1),and in 1(T2),3(T3),5(T4)and 7 d(T5)after surgery.According to the mRS score in 90 d after onset of the disease,they were divided into a good prognosis group(mRS score≤ 2,114 cases)and a poor prognosis group(mRS score≥3,181 cases).The general data and levels of nutritional indicators at above time points were compared between the two groups.Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to study the relationship between the perioperative nutritional indicator levels and the prognosis in elderly patients with spontaneous ICH.Results The poor prognosis group had significantly higher SBP,larger proportions of stroke history,hemorrhage in the brainstem and midline dis-placement,and increased NIHSS score than the good prognosis group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Obvi-ously lower BMI(56.48±9.54 kg vs 66.62±8.12 kg),decreased serum levels of albumin[40.24(39.10,41.16)g/L vs 43.30(40.65,45.50)g/L],prealbumin[203.00(164.00,261.00)mg/L vs 229.00(180.00,282.00)mg/L]and TC[4.68(4.11,5.39)mmol/L vs 4.91(4.47,5.66)mmol/L],reduced lymphocyte count[1.58(0.95,2.03)× 109/L vs 1.77(1.99,1.91)× 109/L],and reduced GCS[7.00(5.00,10.00)vs 9.00(7.00,13.00)]and Barthel[55.00(43.00,64.00)vs 61.00(52.00,69.00)]scores at admission were observed in the poor prognosis group than the good prognosis group(all P＜0.01).At all different time points,the poor prognosis group also got notably higher Controlling Nutritional Status(CONUT)scores(reaching the highest levels at 3 d after opera-tion),and lower Prognostic Nutritional Index(PNI)score and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index(GNRI)score(both declining the lowest levels at same time)when compared with the poor prog-nosis group(all P＜0.01).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that COUNT scores,PNI scores and GNRI scores before(T1)and at 1(T2),3(T3),5(T4)and 7 d(T5)after operation were independent risk factors for 90-day poor prognosis in elderly patients with spontaneous ICH.Conclusion The fluctuations of 3 nutritional indicators at different time points in the periopera-tive period are closely associated with the 90-day prognosis of elderly ICH patients.Monitoring the changes in the nutritional indicators can quickly and conveniently predict the prognosis of the pa-tients,which has high clinical application value.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.