Intervertebral disc degeneration （IVDD） is the core cause of chronic low back pain， which severely impairs patients’ quality of life and imposes a heavy social and medical burden. The hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） is the core pathological mechanism driving the initiation and progression of IVDD. Natural active ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have become a research hotspot in the field of IVDD prevention and treatment due to their advantages of multi-target effects， favorable efficacy， and low toxicity. This paper systematically reviews the mechanism of HIF-1α-mediated hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade in degenerative nucleus pulposus tissue and the intervention of related active ingredients. It is found that natural active ingredients such as baicalein， curcumin and resveratrol can intervene in the HIF-1α-mediated pathological cascade through four core links to delay IVDD progression： targeting the HIF-1α oxygen sensing pathway to block the initiation of pyroptosis cascade， inhibiting NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation to cut off the cascade amplification of inflammatory signals， intervening in the Gasdermin D-mediated pyroptosis execution stage to protect cell membrane integrity， and regulating extracellular matrix metabolism to reconstruct intervertebral disc homeostasis.

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.

BACKGROUND:Several observational studies have found a close relationship between thyroid function levels and sarcopenia,but the causal relationship between thyroid function levels and the onset of sarcopenia is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between thyroid function levels and sarcopenia using a two sample Mendelian randomization method. METHODS:A two sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using genome-wide association study data on thyrotropin,free triiodothyronine,free tetraiodothyronine,subclinical hyperthyroidism,subclinical hypothyroidism,and four related phenotypes of sarcopenia-lefthand grip strength,right hand grip strength,limb lean mass,and gait speed.The inverse-variance weighted method,weighted median method,simple mode method,weighted median estimator method,and MR Egger regression method were used as analysis methods,while heterogeneity test,pleiotropy test,MR-PRESSO,leave-one-out method,funnel plot and other methods were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone increased left-(β=0.02,SE=0.01,P=0.01)and right-handed grip strength(β=0.02,SE=0.01,P=0.01),an increase in free triiodothyronine decreased left-(β=-0.06,SE=0.02,P=9.5×10-5)and right-handed grip strength(β=-0.07,SE=0.02,P=9.3×10-5),and subclinical hyperthyroidism decreased gait speed(β=-4.4×10-3,SE=1.7×10-3,P=0.01).The sensitivity analysis results were basically consistent with the main analysis results.To conclude,an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone is a protective factor for sarcopenia,and elevation of free triiodothyronine and subclinical hyperthyroidism may increase the risk of sarcopenia.

The concept of"musculoskeletal imbalance with soft tissue primacy"posits that tendon injury induced by intervertebral disc degeneration constitutes the core pathogenesis of spinal musculoskeletal imbalance.This study systematically elucidates the pathological mechanisms through which tendon injury leads to spinal instability by integrating traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)"musculoskeletal balance"theory with contemporary biomechanical research on disc degeneration.In the process of intervertebral disc degeneration,the change of stress distribution revealed by modern biomechanics is highly consistent with the TCM principle of"tendon impairment affecting bone".Finite element analysis revealing the"stability-instability-restabilization"process further validates the pathological progression from musculoskeletal imbalance to rebalance.This integrated TCM-Western medicine perspective establishes a novel theoretical framework for predicting disease progression and developing personalized therapeutic strategies,particularly in guiding clinical practice of"treating bone disorders through tendon regulation".

BACKGROUND:Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a systemic,non-inflammatory disease characterized by calcification and ossification of ligaments,tendons,and their attachments,predominantly affecting men over the age of 50.Studies have shown a higher prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis among obese individuals;however,the causal relationship between the two remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis using Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The study utilized single nucleotide polymorphisms from the Genome Wide Association Study database as instrumental variables,incorporating data related to obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to assess the causal relationship between obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis,with evaluations for pleiotropy,heterogeneity,and sensitivity.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant positive causal relationship between obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.The inverse-variance weighted method indicated that"obesity"(odds ratio[OR]=1.111,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.068-1.156,P=1.598×10-7),"obesity due to excess calories"(OR=1.093,95%CI:1.042-1.146,P=0.000),and"obesity,other/unspecified"(OR=1.109,95%CI:1.069-1.152,P=4.908×10-8)were significantly associated with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.Conversely,the reverse Mendelian randomization analysis did not find a causal relationship between diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and obesity.The robustness of the Mendelian randomization analysis results was confirmed by pleiotropy,heterogeneity and sensitivity tests,indicating that while obesity significantly increases the risk of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis,but diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis does not pose a risk factor for obesity.

The concept of"musculoskeletal imbalance with soft tissue primacy"posits that tendon injury induced by intervertebral disc degeneration constitutes the core pathogenesis of spinal musculoskeletal imbalance.This study systematically elucidates the pathological mechanisms through which tendon injury leads to spinal instability by integrating traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)"musculoskeletal balance"theory with contemporary biomechanical research on disc degeneration.In the process of intervertebral disc degeneration,the change of stress distribution revealed by modern biomechanics is highly consistent with the TCM principle of"tendon impairment affecting bone".Finite element analysis revealing the"stability-instability-restabilization"process further validates the pathological progression from musculoskeletal imbalance to rebalance.This integrated TCM-Western medicine perspective establishes a novel theoretical framework for predicting disease progression and developing personalized therapeutic strategies,particularly in guiding clinical practice of"treating bone disorders through tendon regulation".

BACKGROUND:Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a systemic,non-inflammatory disease characterized by calcification and ossification of ligaments,tendons,and their attachments,predominantly affecting men over the age of 50.Studies have shown a higher prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis among obese individuals;however,the causal relationship between the two remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis using Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The study utilized single nucleotide polymorphisms from the Genome Wide Association Study database as instrumental variables,incorporating data related to obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to assess the causal relationship between obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis,with evaluations for pleiotropy,heterogeneity,and sensitivity.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant positive causal relationship between obesity and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.The inverse-variance weighted method indicated that"obesity"(odds ratio[OR]=1.111,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.068-1.156,P=1.598×10-7),"obesity due to excess calories"(OR=1.093,95%CI:1.042-1.146,P=0.000),and"obesity,other/unspecified"(OR=1.109,95%CI:1.069-1.152,P=4.908×10-8)were significantly associated with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.Conversely,the reverse Mendelian randomization analysis did not find a causal relationship between diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and obesity.The robustness of the Mendelian randomization analysis results was confirmed by pleiotropy,heterogeneity and sensitivity tests,indicating that while obesity significantly increases the risk of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis,but diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis does not pose a risk factor for obesity.

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.

BACKGROUND:Multiple clinical observational studies have suggested a close relationship of serum trace elements and nutrients with osteonecrosis,but it remains unclear whether there is a genetic causal effect between serum trace elements and nutrients on osteonecrosis. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal effects of serum trace elements and nutrients on osteonecrosis using the Mendelian randomization approach. METHODS:The exposure factors of serum trace elements and vitamins with mononucleotide polymorphisms were obtained from the published UK Biobank database and publicly available databases of genome-wide association studies.The outcome event of osteonecrosis was derived from the FinnGen Biobank database.Mendelian randomization methods were employed to explore the causal relationship between seven trace elements and three nutrients with osteonecrosis.Causal inference was conducted using inverse variance weighting,MR-Egger,and weighted median methods.F-statistic was calculated to ensure the robustness of instrumental variables.Cochran's Q test and leave-one-out method were used for heterogeneity testing.MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO were employed for horizontal pleiotropy testing.PhenoScanner database was utilized to remove mononucleotide polymorphisms with horizontal pleiotropy to ensure the reliability of the results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Causal relationships were found between serum selenium,phosphate,vitamin C,vitamin E,and osteonecrosis through Mendelian randomization analysis.Serum selenium,vitamin C,and vitamin E were found to have a protective effect on osteonecrosis,while excessive intake of phosphate increased the risk of osteonecrosis.No heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was observed during the study,and Mendelian randomization statistical power(Power value>80%)indicated the reliability of the aforementioned four results.These findings have important clinical implications for the development of targeted preventive and therapeutic measures for osteonecrosis.

Osteosarcoma(OS)is a common primary malignant bone tumor occurring predominantly in children and adolescents.The main treatments for OS are surgical resection and chemotherapy.Although overall survival rates have improved,progress has stalled in recent years,particularly in cases of recurrence and metastasis.The tumor microenvironment(TME)is closely related to tumor development,and macrophages are among the most abundant immune cells within the tumor environment.As a new target for tumor immunotherapy,mac-rophages have gained increasing attention due to their significant role in tumor progression.In this review,we explore the role of macro-phages in the OS microenvironment and discuss their clinical significance and involvement in the occurrence and development of OS.Fur-thermore,we summarize the therapeutic strategies targeting macrophages for OS treatment.