Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Denosumab (Dmab) is a receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) inhibitor with better efficacy and safety. Dmab has been approved to treat patients with osteoporosis (OP), giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), multiple myeloma (MM) and bone metastases from solid tumors. However, in clinical practice, Dmab is faced with problems such as drug duration, drug withdrawal sequence and local recurrence. This article reviewed the clinical application and challenges of Dmab in OP and neoplastic bone disease, aiming to provide evidence for clinical treatment.

The seventh article of Measures for the Ethical Review of Biomedical Research Involving Humans (2016) stipulated that medical and health institutions without an ethics committee shall not carry out biomedical research involving Humans. The Opinions on Strengthening the Governance of Ethics in Science and Technology, issued in March 2022, clearly stated that the institutions that do not meet the conditions for establishing a scientific and technological ethics (review) committee should entrust other institutions to conduct the review. The fourteenth article of Measures for Ethical Review of Life Science and Medical Research Involving Humans (2023) proposes that if an institution, which carries out life science and medical research involving humans, has not established an ethics committee or its ethics committee is not competent for ethics review, it can entrust a competent ethics committee or regional ethics committee in writing to carry out ethical review. Most medical institutions at or above the second level in China have set up ethics committees. While most universities and colleges, scientific research institutions, enterprises and grass-roots medical and health institutions have not set up ethics committees, which lack a working system to protect the safety and interests of the participants, and is difficult to conduct life sciences and medical research involving humans. At present, there is a need for some research institutions that do not have the conditions to establish ethics committees to entrust their projects of life science and medical research involving humans to other institutions for ethical review. The entrusted review is still in the exploratory stage, and there is no relevant specification. The hasty implementation of entrusted review may not achieve the goal of effectively protecting the safety and interests of the participants, and even cause legal disputes. Based on the thematic discussion, with reference to the relevant laws and regulations, departmental rules, ethical standards, and the experience of the ethics committees of some domestic institutions in implementing the entrusted review, the guideline was formulated for the reference of the current entrusted review to ensure the safety and interests of the participants.

Objective:To investigate the role of plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) in diagnosing and differentiating Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy-Parkinsonian subtype (MSA-P).Methods:Forty PD patients and 23 MSA-P patients admitted to Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2019 to December 2021 were recruited; 27 healthy subjects accepted physical examination during the same period were selected as controls. Ultrasensitive Simoa technology was used to measure the plasma NfL. Differences in clinical data and plasma NfL were compared among all subjects. Correlations of plasma NfL with clinical characteristics, such as disease course, Hoehn-Year (H-Y) staging, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease for Autonomic Symptoms (SCOPA-AUT) and levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD), were analyzed with Pearson correlations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of plasma NfL in diagnosing and differentiating PD and MSA-P.Results:Compared with MSA-P group, PD group had significantly longer disease course and statistically lower scores of UPDRS-II and SCOPA-AUT ( P<0.05). The plasma NfL in MSA-P group, PD group and healthy control group was decreased successively ([37.69±10.47] pg/mL, [17.85±4.23] pg/mL, [12.86±3.14] pg/mL, respectively), with statistical differences ( P<0.05). In MSA-P patients, Pearson correlations showed positive correlation between plasma NfL and age ( r=0.442, P=0.035); and Partial correlations showed positive correlations between plasma NfL and scores of UPDRS-I and UPDRS-III ( P<0.05), and plasma NfL showed no significant correlation with H-Y staging, UPDRS-III, MoCA, LEDD or SCOPA-AUT scores ( P>0.05). In PD patients, Pearson correlations showed that plasma NfL was positively correlated with age ( r=0.342, P=0.031); partial correlations showed that plasma NfL was positively correlated with H-Y staging and UPDRS-III, and negatively correlated with MoCA scores ( P<0.05); plasma NfL showed no significant correlation with disease course, scores of UPDRS-I and UPDRS-II, LEDD, and SCOPA-AUT scores ( P>0.05). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of plasma NfL in diagnosing PD was 0.814 (95% CI: 0.712-0.920, P<0.001); AUC of plasma NfL in differentiating and diagnosing PD and MSA-P was 0.980 (95% CI: 0.954-1.000, P<0.001); AUC of plasma NfL in diagnosing MSA-P was 0.998 (95% CI: 0.993-1.000, P<0.001). Conclusions:Plasma NfL is correlated with severity of motor symptoms in MSA-P patients; plasma NfL is correlated with cognitive function and disease course in PD patients. Besides, plasma NfL has high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating PD and MSA-P, therefore, plasma NfL could serve as a biomarker to diagnosis and differentiate PD.

Objective:To analyze the immunology-related risk factors for short-term prognosis in patients with demyelinating diseases of central nervous system, and to evaluate their predictive value.Methods:From January 2012 to October 2022 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University and General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, the clinical data of 362 patients with demyelinating diseases of central nervous system were analyzed, including neuromyelitis optic spectrum disease (NMOSD) 181 cases, multiple sclerosis (MS) 129 cases, anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD) 38 cases, acute disseminated encephalomyelopathy (ADEM) 14 cases. According to the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score at discharge, the patients were divided into good prognosis group (EDSS≤3 scores, 267 cases) and poor prognosis group (EDSS>3 scores, 95 cases). The clinical data, admission severity (admission EDSS score), treatment, autoantibodies and immunoglobulin level and serum inflammatory factor level were compared between two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of short-term prognosis in patients with demyelinating diseases of central nervous system; and the predictive efficacy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:Compared with the good prognosis group, the admission EDSS score in the poor prognosis group was significantly higher: 2.5 (1.5) scores vs. 6.5 (3.5) scores. The positive rates of autoimmune disease-related antibody, systemic autoantibody, anti-nuclear antibody, anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibody, thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroid globulin antibody were significantly higher: 89.5% (85/95) vs. 59.6% (159/267), 75.8% (72/95) vs. 52.1% (139/267), 65.3% (62/95) vs. 38.6% (103/267), 42.1% (40/95) vs. 23.2% (62/267), 40.0% (38/95) vs. 19.1% (51/267) and 42.1% (40/95) vs. 19.9% (53/267). The serum IgM was significantly lower: 0.84 (0.78) g/L vs. 1.00 (0.75) g/L. The serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2 receptor and cerebrospinal fluid IgG were significantly higher: 8 055 (3 118) pg/L vs. 6 830 (3 515) pg/L, 348 (175) kU/L vs. 314 (146) kU/L and 47.50 (46.50) g/L vs. 33.00 (24.00) g/L. And there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that the admission EDSS score and anti-nuclear antibody positive were the independent risk factors of short-term prognosis in patients with demyelinating diseases of central nervous system ( OR = 5.034 and 6.942, 95% CI 3.289 to 7.705 and 2.250 to 21.422, P<0.01). ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under the curve of anti-nuclear antibody positive combined with admission EDSS score predicted the short-term prognosis in patients with demyelinating diseases of central nervous system was 0.972, with a sensitivity of 90.5%, and a specificity of 92.5%. Conclusions:The admission EDSS score and anti-nuclear antibody positive are the independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with demyelinating diseases of central nervous system. And the combination of two indexes can better predict the short-term prognosis.