BACKGROUND:With changing lifestyles and aging,sagittal spinal imbalance has become a common orthopedic issue significantly affecting knee and pelvic function.Understanding the impact of sagittal spinal imbalance and its compensatory mechanisms is crucial for improving the clinical management of chronic pain.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the alignment of the spine-pelvis-lower extremities using whole-body EOS imaging,analyze the correlation between spinal sagittal imbalance and knee joint parameters,and explore their compensatory mechanisms.METHODS:A total of 71 patients with chronic low back pain or patellofemoral pain who visited Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 1,2021 and December 31,2023 were included.Radiographic measurements were performed using whole-body EOS to determine pelvic tilt,pelvic incidence,lumbar lordosis,sagittal vertical axis,global tilt,hip-knee-angle,knee flexion angle,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle.Patients were classified into normal group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜10°),compensated group(10°＜pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜20°),and decompensated group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＞20°)based on the SRS-Schwab spinal deformity classification according to pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis difference.The differences in radiographic parameters among the groups were analyzed.The differences in American Knee Society Knee Score and Oswestry Disability Index scores were compared among each group.Patients were divided into chronic low back pain group and non-chronic low back pain group,patellofemoral pain group and non-patellofemoral pain group based on clinical symptoms,and the relationship between radiographic parameter differences and clinical symptoms was analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was less than 20°,lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle tended to stabilize.When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was greater than 20°,it showed a linear correlation with lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle,with lateral distal femoral angle increasing and medial proximal tibial angle decreasing with increasing pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values.(2)Compared with the normal group,the compensated group had significantly increased pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),while knee joint parameters hip-knee-angle and knee flexion angle showed no significant differences;the decompensated group showed significant increases in pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),and decreases in hip-knee-angle,and knee flexion angle(P＜0.01).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in hip-knee-angle(P＜0.05),but had no significant differences in pelvic tilt and knee flexion angle.(3)Compared with the non-patellofemoral pain group,patients with patellofemoral pain had significant decreases in spinal lumbar lordosis,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis(P＜0.05).(4)Patients with low back pain had significant differences in radiographic parameters compared with the non-chronic low back pain group(P＜0.05).(5)Compared with the normal group,both the compensated and decompensated groups showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).(6)Pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values increased with age and were higher in females compared with males.(7)This study systematically reveals the spine and lower limbs play an important role in disease progression and clinical symptoms.Associated symptoms low back pain and patellofemoral pain are related to the stability of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity alignment.Furthermore,spinal sagittal imbalance is more severe in elderly and female patients.

Objective:To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 992 patients who underwent radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer at the Pancreatic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to June 2024. In this study, 577 (58.2%) were male and 415 (41.8%) were female,with an age of (65±9) years (range: 26 to 86 years). Follow-up continued until June 2024. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.Results:Among 992 patients,open surgery was the predominant approach (89.1%, 884/992), and radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) was performed in 317 patients (32.0%). Combined organ resection,venous resection,and arterial resection were performed in 23.5%, 9.3%,and 11.2% of patients,respectively. The rates of R0, R1-1 mm, and R1-direct resections were 49.8% (494/992),41.5% (412/992), and 8.7% (86/992),respectively. Stage ⅡB was the most common TNM stage (32.2%,319/992). A total of 801 patients (80.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 32.0(8.8) months(range:3.2 to 105.3 months),during which 508 patients (51.2%) died. The overall median survival (OS) was 26.4 months,with 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates of 79.0%,40.0%, and 29.0%, respectively. In the recent five years (from 2020 to 2024), the median OS improved significantly to 34.1 months compared to 20.0 months from 2016 to 2019 ( P<0.01). Histological subtype analysis showed that the median OS time was 26.7 months for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n=855),58.9 months for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC, n=32),and 15.7 months for adenosquamous carcinoma of pancreas (ASCP, n=73) ( P=0.001). Among PDAC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival (29.1 months vs. 14.4 months, P<0.01);in IPMC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy also extended survival (65.7 months vs. 58.9 months, P=0.047). Although ASCP patients receiving chemotherapy had a longer median OS time than those without (18.8 months vs. 8.9 months),the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.151). Multivariate Cox regression analysis in PDAC patients indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection, T stage,N stage,and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors ( P<0.01). The median OS time by TNM stage was:not reached for stage ⅠA, 51.6 months for ⅠB, 25.5 months for ⅡA, 23.7 months for ⅡB, 23.0 months for Ⅲ, and 14.4 months for Ⅳ. The median OS time for R0,R1-1 mm,and R1-direct resections was 34.1,24.7,and 15.7 months,respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Adjuvant chemotherapy,R0 resection,tumor stage,and differentiation are independent prognostic factors for pancreatic body and tail cancer.

BACKGROUND:With changing lifestyles and aging,sagittal spinal imbalance has become a common orthopedic issue significantly affecting knee and pelvic function.Understanding the impact of sagittal spinal imbalance and its compensatory mechanisms is crucial for improving the clinical management of chronic pain.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the alignment of the spine-pelvis-lower extremities using whole-body EOS imaging,analyze the correlation between spinal sagittal imbalance and knee joint parameters,and explore their compensatory mechanisms.METHODS:A total of 71 patients with chronic low back pain or patellofemoral pain who visited Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 1,2021 and December 31,2023 were included.Radiographic measurements were performed using whole-body EOS to determine pelvic tilt,pelvic incidence,lumbar lordosis,sagittal vertical axis,global tilt,hip-knee-angle,knee flexion angle,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle.Patients were classified into normal group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜10°),compensated group(10°＜pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜20°),and decompensated group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＞20°)based on the SRS-Schwab spinal deformity classification according to pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis difference.The differences in radiographic parameters among the groups were analyzed.The differences in American Knee Society Knee Score and Oswestry Disability Index scores were compared among each group.Patients were divided into chronic low back pain group and non-chronic low back pain group,patellofemoral pain group and non-patellofemoral pain group based on clinical symptoms,and the relationship between radiographic parameter differences and clinical symptoms was analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was less than 20°,lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle tended to stabilize.When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was greater than 20°,it showed a linear correlation with lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle,with lateral distal femoral angle increasing and medial proximal tibial angle decreasing with increasing pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values.(2)Compared with the normal group,the compensated group had significantly increased pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),while knee joint parameters hip-knee-angle and knee flexion angle showed no significant differences;the decompensated group showed significant increases in pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),and decreases in hip-knee-angle,and knee flexion angle(P＜0.01).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in hip-knee-angle(P＜0.05),but had no significant differences in pelvic tilt and knee flexion angle.(3)Compared with the non-patellofemoral pain group,patients with patellofemoral pain had significant decreases in spinal lumbar lordosis,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis(P＜0.05).(4)Patients with low back pain had significant differences in radiographic parameters compared with the non-chronic low back pain group(P＜0.05).(5)Compared with the normal group,both the compensated and decompensated groups showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).(6)Pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values increased with age and were higher in females compared with males.(7)This study systematically reveals the spine and lower limbs play an important role in disease progression and clinical symptoms.Associated symptoms low back pain and patellofemoral pain are related to the stability of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity alignment.Furthermore,spinal sagittal imbalance is more severe in elderly and female patients.

Objective:To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 992 patients who underwent radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer at the Pancreatic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to June 2024. In this study, 577 (58.2%) were male and 415 (41.8%) were female,with an age of (65±9) years (range: 26 to 86 years). Follow-up continued until June 2024. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.Results:Among 992 patients,open surgery was the predominant approach (89.1%, 884/992), and radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) was performed in 317 patients (32.0%). Combined organ resection,venous resection,and arterial resection were performed in 23.5%, 9.3%,and 11.2% of patients,respectively. The rates of R0, R1-1 mm, and R1-direct resections were 49.8% (494/992),41.5% (412/992), and 8.7% (86/992),respectively. Stage ⅡB was the most common TNM stage (32.2%,319/992). A total of 801 patients (80.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 32.0(8.8) months(range:3.2 to 105.3 months),during which 508 patients (51.2%) died. The overall median survival (OS) was 26.4 months,with 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates of 79.0%,40.0%, and 29.0%, respectively. In the recent five years (from 2020 to 2024), the median OS improved significantly to 34.1 months compared to 20.0 months from 2016 to 2019 ( P<0.01). Histological subtype analysis showed that the median OS time was 26.7 months for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n=855),58.9 months for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC, n=32),and 15.7 months for adenosquamous carcinoma of pancreas (ASCP, n=73) ( P=0.001). Among PDAC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival (29.1 months vs. 14.4 months, P<0.01);in IPMC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy also extended survival (65.7 months vs. 58.9 months, P=0.047). Although ASCP patients receiving chemotherapy had a longer median OS time than those without (18.8 months vs. 8.9 months),the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.151). Multivariate Cox regression analysis in PDAC patients indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection, T stage,N stage,and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors ( P<0.01). The median OS time by TNM stage was:not reached for stage ⅠA, 51.6 months for ⅠB, 25.5 months for ⅡA, 23.7 months for ⅡB, 23.0 months for Ⅲ, and 14.4 months for Ⅳ. The median OS time for R0,R1-1 mm,and R1-direct resections was 34.1,24.7,and 15.7 months,respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Adjuvant chemotherapy,R0 resection,tumor stage,and differentiation are independent prognostic factors for pancreatic body and tail cancer.

Background: and Purpose Accurately predicting long-term functional outcomes of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains challenging. We compared the predictive performance of the baseline, 24-hour, and 72-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores for 90-day BAO functional outcomes using the Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Endovascular Thrombectomy versus Standard Medical Treatment (ATTENTION) trial data. We identified the optimal assessment time point, determined treatment-specific NIHSS cutoff values, and explored the role of early neurological function in treatment effects. Methods: This retrospective post hoc analysis included 324 patients with acute BAO with baseline NIHSS scores ≥10 and complete NIHSS assessments at each time point. The primary outcome was a favorable 90-day functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–3). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the predictive ability of NIHSS scores. The optimal 72-hour NIHSS predictive cutoff values were determined for the endovascular treatment (EVT) and best medical management (BMM) subgroups. Results: The 72-hour NIHSS score showed the highest predictive accuracy for the primary outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.954), outperforming the 24-hour (AUC: 0.903) and baseline (AUC: 0.688) scores; its optimal predictive cut-off value was ≤11 in the EVT group (sensitivity: 85.6%, specificity: 92.9%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 91.8%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 87.4%) and ≤9 in the BMM group (sensitivity: 84.6%, specificity: 95.1%, PPV: 84.6%, NPV: 95.1%). Conclusions The 72-hour NIHSS score outperformed the baseline and 24-hour scores in predicting 90-day functional outcomes and mediating the effects of EVT. Treatment-specific 72-hour NIHSS cut-off values may guide early risk stratification and prognostic assessments.

Background China has the largest elderly population in the world, and age-related cognitive impairment has become an increasingly important public health issue. Objective To investigate the associations of exposure to selected essential metals (EMs) and non-essential metals (NEMs) with cognitive function among rural older adults and to examine whether EMs modified the association between NEW exposure and cognitive functions. Methods A total of 1045 adults aged 60 years and above were enrolled using baseline survey data from a cohort study. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine urinary concentrations of five EMs (selenium, cobalt, vanadium, manganese, and boron) and five NEMs (arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lithium, and tin). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale was used to assess cognitive function. Generalized linear models (GLMs) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to examine the associations of individual EMs and NEMs with MMSE scores. Quantile g-calculation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to evaluate the associations of EM and NEM mixtures with MMSE scores. Results The mean age of the participants was (69.72±6.63) years, and 511 participants (48.90%) were male. The mean MMSE score was 21.06±5.79. After adjustment for covariates, GLM analysis showed that cobalt (β=0.575, 95%CI: 0.233, 0.918), selenium (β=0.440, 95%CI: 0.045, 0.836), and vanadium (β=0.633, 95%CI: 0.251, 1.016) were positively associated with MMSE scores, whereas tin (β=−0.379, 95%CI: −0.728, −0.029) was negatively associated with MMSE scores. After categorizing metal concentrations into quartiles and including them in the GLM, cobalt (β_{Q4 vs. Q1}=1.697, 95%CI: 0.806, 2.589) and vanadium (β_{Q4 vs. Q1}=1.598, 95%CI: 0.719, 2.477) remained positively associated with MMSE scores, whereas tin (β_{Q4 vs. Q1}=−0.890, 95%CI: −1.771, −0.008) and lithium (β_{Q4 vs. Q1}=−0.794, 95%CI: −1.689, −0.007) were negatively associated with MMSE scores. RCS model showed linear positive associations of cobalt and vanadium with MMSE scores, a linear negative association of tin with MMSE scores, and an inverted U-shaped association between lithium and MMSE scores. Both QGC and BKMR models indicated that the EMs mixture was positively associated with MMSE scores, with cobalt contributing the most. The NEM mixture showed a negative but nonsignificant association with MMSE scores, with lithium contributing the most. When EMs and NEMs were jointly modeled, no significant association was observed between the overall metal mixture and MMSE scores. Interaction analysis suggested a positive interaction between EMs and NEMs in relation to MMSE scores. Stratified analysis showed that, compared with participants with high cobalt or EMs exposure, those with low cobalt or EMs exposure had a more pronounced and statistically significant negative association between NEMs exposure and MMSE scores. Conclusion The EM mixture is significantly and positively associated with MMSE scores, whereas the NEMs mixture shows a negative but nonsignificant association. EMs and NEMs have a positive interaction on MMSE scores; EMs attenuate the association between NEMs and MMSE scores.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of different classes of antibacterial agents in hospitalized adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia （CAP）.METHODS PubMed， Embase，the Cochrane Library，Web of Science，CNKI，and Wanfang data were searched from inception to January 1，2026，to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated different classes of antibacterial agents in hospitalized adults with CAP.After screening the literature， extracting the data， and evaluating the quality of the literature， a network meta-analysis was performed using Stata 18.0.RESULTS A total of 25 studies were included，involving 7 863 patients. In terms of efficacy，compared with carbapenems，penicillins，cephalosporins，macrolides，and pleuromutilins were associated with significantly higher treatment failure rates （ P ＜0.05），carbapenems and traditional tetracyclines were ranked as the top two by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve area （SUCRA）. No statistically significant differences were observed in mortality among the interventions （ P ＞0.05），carbapenems and other quinolones were ranked as the top two by SUCRA. In terms of safety，no statistically significant differences were observed among the interventions in the incidence of adverse events or discontinuation rates （ P ＞0.05）；traditional tetracyclines and novel tetracyclines were ranked as the top two by SUCRA for the incidence of adverse events，while novel tetracyclines and pleuromutilins were ranked as the top two by SUCRA for discontinuation rates.CONCLUSIONS Carbapenems significantly reduced the treatment failure rate in hospitalized adults with CAP. The safety profiles of all antibacterial agents were comparable， with novel tetracyclines showing a more favorable safety profile.

Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in myopia control research through the application of diffuse optical technology(DOT)spectacle lenses. Myopia has emerged as a global public health challenge, affecting nearly half of the world's population, with childhood and adolescent myopia rates continuing to rise. DOT lenses represent an innovative myopia control intervention based on retinal contrast signal theory. These lenses incorporate micro-light scattering dots distributed across the lens surface to reduce retinal imaging contrast and modulate the influence of visual input on axial elongation, thereby slowing myopia progression. The core mechanism operates through refractive index differences between the lens substrate(1.53)and scattering dots(1.50), which generate optical scattering effects. This design maintains clear vision through a central 5 mm optical zone while effectively reducing contrast signal intensity in the peripheral retina. Large-scale randomized controlled trials, including the CYPRESS study, have demonstrated significant myopia control efficacy in children aged 6-10 years: 12-month follow-up data revealed a 74% reduction in myopia progression and a 50% reduction in axial elongation, with sustained safety and visual quality maintained over 4-year long-term follow-up. However, several aspects of DOT technology remain contentious and require further clinical validation, including its applicability across different age groups, optimal scattering dot density configurations, combined application effects with other myopia control methods, and long-term visual adaptation during extended use. This review systematically examines the theoretical foundations, design characteristics, clinical application progress, and future development directions of DOT technology, providing scientific evidence for clinical myopia prevention and control strategy formulation.

Microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), rapidly transition from a resting to an active state in the acute phase of ischemic brain injury. This active state mediates a pro-inflammatory response that can exacerbate the injury. Targeting the pro-inflammatory response of microglia in the semi-dark band during this acute phase may effectively reduce brain injury. Shionone (SH), an active ingredient extracted from the dried roots and rhizomes of the genus Aster (Asteraceae), has been reported to regulate the inflammatory response of macrophages in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. However, its function in post-stroke neuroinflammation, particularly microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, remains uninvestigated. This study found that SH significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), in microglia in vitro. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that SH alleviated infarct volume and improved behavioral performance in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice, which may be attributed to the inhibition of the microglial inflammatory response induced by SH treatment. Mechanistically, SH potently inhibited the phosphorylation of serine-threonine protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). These findings suggest that SH may be a potential therapeutic agent for relieving ischemic stroke (IS) by alleviating microglia-associated neuroinflammation.
Animals ; Microglia/immunology* ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain Ischemia/immunology* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy* ; Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics* ; Lipopolysaccharides