Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is the fastest-growing cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 30% of the global population.Imaging is vital for detecting, quantifying, and monitoring hepatic steatosis—the defining abnormality of MASLD—and subsequent fibrosis—the key determinant of liver-related outcomes. This review summarizes the principles, clinical usage, efficacy, and advancements in various imaging modalities for the noninvasive assessment of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, with an emphasis on ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Additionally, this review explores the evolving landscape of MASLD diagnostic approaches, including machine-learning techniques, opportunistic screening, standardized imaging guidelines, and therapies, emphasizing the pivotal role that radiologists can play in shaping these developments.

In the context of an aging society,the number of elderly cancer patients is constantly increasing,and geriatric oncology has garnered significant attention in recent years.Given the heterogeneity in the health status of older patients,it has become increasingly important to provide individualized diagnosis,treatment,follow-up,and care.Thus,it must be emphasized the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment(CGA)for elderly patients,which encompasses their physical function,nutritional status,cognitive function,emotional state,comorbidities,polypharmacy,social situation,and treatment preferences.This article provides consensus recommendations on CGA tools for elderly patients prior to anticancer treatment,offering valuable references and insights for clinical practice in China.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of the induction of gastric cancer cell line AGS death by p97 inhibitor eeyarestatin Ⅰ(Eer Ⅰ).Methods AGS cells were treated with Eer Ⅰ.Then liquid chro-matography-mass spectrometry was used to perform proteome analysis for screening differentially expressed proteins and to find underlying signaling pathways.At the same time,the proteins of related pathway were investi-gated by protein immunoblotting.Cell proliferation was detected using the CCK-8 test kit;Cell apoptosis was detec-ted using TUNEL staining test kit;Liperfluo probe was used to detect ferroptosis-related lipid peroxides.Results In Eer Ⅰ treatment group,there were significant changes in proteins(fold change＞1.5 and P＜0.05),in which 125 proteins were increased and 132 proteins were decreased.The enrichment analysis of these DEPs showed that Eer Ⅰ might significantly affect cell apoptosis and ferroptosis-related signaling pathways.Furthermore,Eer Ⅰcould increase genomic DNA fragmentation related to cell apoptosis,increase of lipid peroxides in the ferroptosis pathway,causes changes in cell death related proteins,and inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells.Conclusions p97 inhibitor Eer Ⅰ can induce cell apoptosis and ferroptosis in AGS cells,thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of O-arm navigation-assisted and freehand posterior pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) associated with lower cervical fractures in adults.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 29 adult AS patients with lower cervical fractures admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from June 2020 to September 2024, including 22 males and 7 females, aged 35-72 years [(52.3±11.1)years]. Injured segments involved C 5~6 in 6 patients, C 6 in 8, C 6~7 in 8, and C 7 in 7. Accirdubg to AO classification, the fracture was classified as type B3 in 22 patients and type C in 7. All the patients underwent posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation, among whom 15 patients were treated with navigation-assisted screw placement (navigation screw placement group, with 120 screws) and 14 with freehand technique (freehand screw placement group, with 112 screws). The two groups were compared in terms of the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage volume. The accuracy of screw placement, penetration rate of the pedicle cortex and fracture healing time were evaluated in the two groups. The Cobb angle before surgery and at 3 days after surgery and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification before surgery and at the last follow-up were recorded in the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and neck dysfunction index (NDI) before surgery, at 1 week, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative complications was also investigated. Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-57 months [(29.3±14.1)months]. The operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage volume were (166.0±31.4)minutes, (256.7±70.7)ml, and (91.0±14.4)ml in the navigation screw placement group, which were shorter or less than (219.29±31.7)minutes, (342.1±60.7)ml, and (123.2±20.7)ml in the freehand screw placement group ( P<0.01). The accuracy of screw placement in the navigation screw placement group was 98.3% (118/120) and penetration rate of the pedicle cortex was 5.8% (7/120), which were both superior to 89.3% (100/112) and 18.8% (21/112) in the freehand screw placement group ( P<0.01). No significant difference was detected in fracture healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the Cobb angle before surgery and at 3 days after surgery, as well as in the ASIA grading before surgery and at the last follow-up between the two groups ( P>0.05). The Cobb angle and ASIA classification at 3 days after surgery and at the last follow-up were improved compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). Before surgery, at 1 week, 3 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were 8.0(7.0, 9.0)points, 4.0(3.0, 4.0)points, 2.0(1.0, 2.0)points, and 0.0(0.0, 1.0)points in the navigation screw placement group, which were not significantly different from 8.0(7.0, 9.0)points, 4.0(3.0, 4.0)points, 1.5(1.0, 2.0)points, and 0.0(0.0, 1.0)points in the freehand screw placement group ( P>0.05); the JOA scores were (7.5±1.4)points, (10.9±1.2)points, (13.2±1.5)points, and (15.7±1.0)points in the navigation screw placement group, which were not significantly different from (7.2±2.8)points, (10.1±3.2)points, (11.8±3.8)points, and (14.1±4.3)points in the freehand screw placement group ( P>0.05); the NDI were 48.0(44.0, 56.0)%, 30.0(30.0, 34.0)%, 18.0(16.0, 22.0)%, 8.0(6.0, 10.0)% in the navigation screw placement group, which were not significantly different from 44.0(40.0, 52.0)%, 30.0(29.0, 34.5)%, 17.0(16.0, 20.0)%, and 8.0(5.5, 10.0)% in the freehand screw placement group ( P>0.05). The VAS scores, JOA scores, and NDI were improved at 1 week, 3 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up in both groups, compared to those before surgery and they were gradually improved with the passage of the follow-up time ( P<0.05). One patient in the navigation screw placement group developed postoperative pulmonary infection and recovered after symptomatic treatment, with an incidence of complications 7% (1/15). Two patients in the freehand screw placement group had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and dural rupture and recovered after symptomatic treatment, with an incidence of complications 14% (2/14). Throughout the follow-up period, no complications such as screw breakage, implant loosening, or loss of correction were found in either group. Conclusion:Compared with freehand screw placement, the O-arm navigation system-assisted posterior pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of AS associated with lower cervical fractures in adults demonstrates significant advantages, including reduced operative time, decreased intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume, improved accuracy of screw placement, and reduced penetration rate of the pedicle cortex.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of whole-process visualization system-assisted pedicle screw internal fixation and free-hand pedicle screw internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF) without neurologic symptoms.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 64 patients with TLBF without neurologic symptoms admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from December 2020 to October 2022, including 41 males and 23 females, aged 23-52 years [(42.1±6.6)years]. The injured vertebrae involved T 11 in 26 patients, T 12 in 17, L 1 in 12, and L 2 in 9. The Wiltse approach was used in all the patients, 31 of whom were treated with pedicle screw internal fixation assisted by the whole-process visualization system (visualization system-assisted screw placement group) and 33 of whom were treated with free-hand pedicle screw internal fixation (free-hand screw placement group). The two groups were compared in terms of operation time, single screw placement time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative total radiation dose and total length of hospital stay. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement and penetration rate of the pedicle cortex were evaluated in the two groups. The Cobb angle and lumbar visual analogue scale (VAS) before surgery, at 1 week, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative complications was also investigated. Results:All the patients were followed up for 10-33 months [(17.5±4.8)months]. The operation time was (106.9±11.8)minutes in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, shorter than (121.3±11.4)minutes in the free-hand screw placement group ( P<0.01). The single screw placement time was (9.1±1.0)minutes in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, shorter than (11.7±1.5)minutes in the free-hand screw placement group ( P<0.01). The total radiation dose was (10.4±2.4)mGy in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, lower than (51.8±7.2)mGy in the screw placement group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss or total length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was 96.6% (197/204) in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, significantly higher than 89.3% (191/214) in the free-hand screw placement group ( P<0.01). Both groups showed significant improvements in Cobb angle and VAS scores at 1 week, 3 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in Cobb angle or VAS scores between the two groups at each time point ( P>0.05). In the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, one patient had incision infection at 4 days after operation, which was cured with antibiotics. One patient in the free-hand screw placement group developed the symptoms of nerve root irritation at 2 days after surgery, which disappeared at 7 days after revision. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). During the follow-up, no patients had broken screws, loosening of internal fixation, or loss of correction in either group. Conclusions:Compared with free-hand pedicle screw internal fixation, the whole-process visualization system-assisted pedicle screw internal fixation in the treatment of TLBF without neurologic symptoms can shorten the time of operation and screw placement, reduce the radiation dose, and improve the accuracy of pedicle screw placement, suggesting that it is a safer and more effective auxiliary method for pedicle screw placement.

Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.

Fermented traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has a long history of medicinal use, such as Sojae Semen Praeparatum, Arisaema Cum Bile, Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata, red yeast rice, and Jianqu. Fermentation technology was recorded in the earliest TCM work, Shen Nong's Classic of the Materia Medica. Microorganisms are essential components of the fermentation process. However, the contamination of fermented TCM by toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins due to unstandardized fermentation processes seriously affects the quality of TCM and poses a threat to the life and health of consumers. In this paper, the characteristics, microbial composition, and mycotoxin profile of fermented TCM are systematically summarized to provide a theoretical basis for its quality and safety control.
Fermentation ; Mycotoxins/analysis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Fungi/classification* ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Drug Contamination ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

This study investigated the effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on striatal neuronal apoptosis in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) based on the B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)/caspase-3 signaling pathway. Twenty-four 3-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were randomly divided into a model group, a methylphenidate group(2 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata group(2.4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). Age-matched male Wistar Kyoto(WKY) rats were used as the normal control group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats were administered by gavage for 28 days. Body weight and food intake were recorded for each group. The open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to assess hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. Nissl staining was used to detect changes in striatal neurons and Nissl bodies. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) fluorescence staining was used to detect striatal cell apoptosis. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 proteins in the striatum. The results showed that compared with the model group, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata significantly reduced the total movement distance, average movement speed, and central area residence time in the open field test, and significantly reduced the ratio of open arm entries, open arm stay time, and head dipping in the elevated plus maze test. Furthermore, it increased the number of Nissl bodies in striatal neurons, significantly downregulated the apoptosis index, significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and reduced Bax and caspase-3 protein expression. In conclusion, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can reduce hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors in ADHD rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathway in the striatum, enhancing the anti-apoptotic capacity of striatal neurons.
Animals ; Male ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neurons/cytology* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Humans ; Corpus Striatum/cytology* ; Plant Extracts