Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is largely attributed to impaired endogenous repair. Nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells (NPSCs) senescence leads to endogenous repair failure. Small extracellular vesicles/exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (mExo) have shown great therapeutic potential in IDD, while whether mExo could alleviate NPSCs senescence and its mechanisms remained unknown. We established a compression-induced NPSCs senescence model and rat IDD models to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of mExo and investigate the mechanisms. We found that mExo significantly alleviated NPSCs senescence and promoted disc regeneration while knocking down thioredoxin (TXN) impaired the protective effects of mExo. TXN was bound to various endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. Autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) mediated TXN K63 ubiquitination to promote the binding of TXN on ESCRT proteins and sorting of TXN into mExo. Knocking down exosomal TXN inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). NRF2 and AP-1 inhibition reduced endogenous TXN production that was promoted by exosomal TXN. Inhibition of NRF2 in vivo diminished the anti-senescence and regenerative effects of mExo. Conclusively, AMFR-mediated TXN ubiquitination promoted the sorting of TXN into mExo, allowing exosomal TXN to promote endogenous TXN production in NPSCs via TXN/NRF2/AP-1 feed-forward circuit to alleviate NPSCs senescence and disc degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the early clinical efficacy of a three-stage external treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of talar bone contusion caused by acute ankle sprain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 360 patients with primary lateral ankle sprain admitted from September 2021 to July 2024. Patients with talar bone contusion were selected based on MRI examination, and 73 cases were finally included. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into the observation group and the control group. The observation group consisted of 35 cases, including 16 males and 19 females, aged 24 to 37 years old with an average of (30.34±2.68) years old, and received the three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol. The control group included 38 cases, including 18 males and 20 females, aged 24 to 35 years old with an average of (29.87±2.57) years old, and was treated with the "POLICE" protocol alone. The volume of bone marrow edema (BME) area shown by MRI before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment was measured using 3D Slicer software, and the BME improvement rate was calculated. The "Figure of 8" measurement method was used to assess ankle swelling before treatment and at 1 and 3 weeks after treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate ankle pain before treatment and at 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. At 6 weeks after treatment, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson ankle function score system were used to evaluate the improvement of ankle function. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients with talar bone contusion caused by ankle sprain completed the 6-week follow-up. At 6 weeks after treatment, the BME improvement rate in the observation group was (39.18±0.06)%, which was higher than (26.75±0.03)% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 1 week of treatment, the VAS score in the observation group was (2.89±0.72) points, lower than (3.37±0.79) points in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The ankle swelling degree in the observation group was (50.20±3.19) cm, lower than (52.00±3.60) cm in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in ankle swelling between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson score in the observation group were (87.43±4.18) and (82.77±5.93) points, respectively, which were higher than (82.92±4.87) and (76.45±6.85) points in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). According to the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, 8 cases were excellent and 27 cases were good in the observation group;2 cases were excellent, 33 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=7.089, P=0.029). CONCLUSION The three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol has a significant early clinical efficacy. It can significantly reduce ankle pain and swelling in patients with bone contusion caused by acute lateral ankle sprain, promote the absorption of bone marrow edema, and accelerate the recovery of ankle function.
Ankle Injuries/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Talus/injuries* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Contusions/etiology* ; Visual Analog Scale ; Musculoskeletal Pain/etiology* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of different technical combinations in treating ischemic diabetic foot (DF). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 35 patients with DF who were treated with vascular interventional opening technique, periosteal distraction technique and bone cement coverage technique from January 2024 to November 2024. They were divided into comprehensive group and periosteal distraction group according to whether the vascular interventional opening technique was used in combination or not. There were 5 patients in comprehensive group, including 4 males and 1 female, aged from 59 to 73 years old with an average of (64.40±5.46) years old;the duration of diabetes ranged from 0.17 to 30.00 years with an average of (14.63±12.02) years;the courses of DF ranged from 30 to 150 days with an average of (84.00±61.48) days;2 patients were grade 2, 2 patients were grade 3, and 1 patient was grade 4 according to Wagner classification;combined vascular interventional opening, periosteal distraction and bone cement coverage surgery for treatment. There were 30 patients in periosteal stretch group, including 22 males and 8 females, aged from 58 to 86 years old with an average of (72.63±7.84) years old;the duration of diabetes was 10.00 (6.75, 16.75) years;the courses of DF was 30.00 (15.00, 37.50) days;14 patients were grade 2, 11 patients were grade 3, and 5 patients were grade 4 according to Wagner classification; combined periosteal distraction and bone cement coverage surgery for treatment. Changes of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT), toe skin temperature, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were compared between two groups before operation and 1 week after operation. The number of operations, healing period, healing number, toe amputation number, preoperative fever situation and the number of complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Both groups were followed up for at least 6 months. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of operations, healing period, toe amputation rate, wound healing rate and complications between two groups (P>0.05). Before operation, the toe skin temperature of comprehensive group (26.98±0.88) ℃ was lower than that of periosteal distraction group (28.17±1.45) ℃, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);while there were no statistically significant difference in CRP, IL-6, PCT, toe SpO2 and VAS between two groups (P>0.05). At 1 week after operation, IL-6, toe skin temperature, toe SpO₂ and VAS in comprehensive group were 12.29(7.92, 22.15) pg·ml-1, (36.02±0.23) ℃, (95.80±0.84) % and(1.40±0.55) respectively, while those in periosteal distraction group were 5.49(4.36, 7.45) pg·ml^-1, (31.36±1.57) ℃, (84.53±6.38) %, (2.20±0.81);and there were statistically significant differences between two groups(P<0.05). CRP, IL-6 and VAS at 1 week after operation in both groups were decreased compared with those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The toe skin temperature and SpO₂ were increased compared with those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.001). CONCLUSION The multi-technique combination therapy, including vascular interventional opening technique, periostealdistraction technique and bone cement covering technique, could protect each other, enhance efficacy, effectively promote the wound healing of ischemic diabetic foot ulcer, and reduce the toe amputation rate. For moderate to severe ischemic DF, the combined use of periosteal distraction and bone cement coverage techniques has a satisfactory effect. For extremely severe ischemic DF with inflow tract lesions, vascular interventional opening techniques need to be added.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Diabetic Foot/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ischemia/surgery* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism*

The Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis （GS/CACM 337-2023） was released by the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 13^th， 2023. This expert consensus was developed by experts in methodology， pharmacy， and Chinese medicine in strict accordance with the development requirements of the China Association of Chinese Medicine （CACM） and based on the latest medical evidence and the clinical medication experience of well-known experts in the fields of respiratory medicine （pulmonary diseases） and pediatrics. This expert consensus defines the application of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of cough and excessive sputum caused by phlegm-heat obstructing lung， acute bronchitis， and acute attack of chronic bronchitis from the aspects of applicable populations， efficacy evaluation， usage， dosage， drug combination， and safety. It is expected to guide the rational drug use in medical and health institutions， give full play to the unique value of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid， and vigorously promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese patent medicines.

Objective To survey the free influenza vaccination status and willingness among the elderly in Deqing County,Zhejiang Province,and analyze the influencing factors.Methods Based on population data and the electronic medical system of Deqing County,the influenza vaccine coverage from 2018 to 2022 after the implementation of the free influenza vaccination policy was calculated.A proportional stratified random sampling method was used to select elderly individuals aged 60 and above from six streets/towns in Deqing County.A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess influenza vaccination behaviors from 2020 to 2022 and vaccination willingness for the 2023 influenza season.The chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze potential factors associated with vaccination behavior and subsequent willingness among the elderly.Results An average of influenza vaccines for the elderly per year were 56.2 thousand,with influenza vaccination coverage rate of 46.16%in average over the five years.Among 729 subjects,the vaccination rate increased from 69.3%in 2020 to 75.3%in 2022,and 81.9%of them were willing to receive influenza vaccines in the next flu season.Logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with agricultural household registration(OR=3.05,95%CI:1.82-8.99),lower education levels(OR=2.82,95%CI:1.15-6.93),awareness of the free vaccine policy(OR=4.65,95%CI:1.82-11.91),and belief in vaccine efficacy(OR=6.61,95%CI:3.20-13.61)had higher vaccination rates.Factors associated with a more positive vaccination willingness included an annual household income of<150 thousand CNY(OR=1.65,95%CI:1.04-2.60),awareness of the free vaccine policy(OR=3.07,95%CI:1.84-5.12),perceived vaccine efficacy(OR=4.39,95%CI:2.77-6.96),and perceived vaccine safety(OR=1.57,95%CI:1.01-2.43).The main reasons for non-vaccination were concerned about the side effects of the vaccine(37.9%),thoughts that they were in good health and did not need to be vaccinated(30.3%),and influenza vaccines were ineffective(21.2%).The main reasons for vaccination were to protect themselves(89.1%),vaccination was free(65.5%)and to protect their families(60.6%).Conclusion The elderly in Deqing County had a relatively high influenza vaccination rate and follow-up vaccination willingness rate,but there still existed a gap to reach at target rate recommended by WHO.The local government should strengthen health education related to influenza vaccine knowledge,and publicize free vaccination policy to improve the vaccination rate and willingness in next season.

Transfer-RNA derived small RNA(tsRNA),a re-cently discovered class of non-coding RNA,is produced by ma-ture tRNA or tRNA precursor through the mediation of specific endonucleases.By regulating gene expression at the transcrip-tional and post transcriptional levels and acting as an epigenetic regulator,tsRNA plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes of many organisms.Therefore,it has gradually become a research hotspot in biomedicine and attracted widespread attention.Moreover,there is increasing evidence that tsRNA is involved in the occurrence and development of many neuropsychiatric diseases through participating in stress re-sponse,cell proliferation and apoptosis,neural development,synaptic plasticity,neuroinflammation and immune regulation,epigenetic regulation,RNA processing,and protein translation regulation.This article mainly discusses the generation,classifi-cation and biological functions of tsRNA,and elaborates on the role and possible mechanisms of tsRNA in neurodevelopment and neuropsychiatric disorders,thereby further revealing the poten-tial of tsRNA as a reliable biomarker and therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of death in the world,and related western drugs usually have obvious side effects.Traditional Chinese medicine,characterized by its multi-component and multi-target,has unique advantage in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.Cornus Officinal is a histor-ically used plants with medicinal and edible properties.Ancient books and modern literatures have shown that Cor-nus Officinal has the potential to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.With the in-depth study of the chemical composition and pharmacological effect of Cornus Officinal,its pharmacodynamic substances and mechanism in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are gradually clear.This article reviews the pathways and targets of Cornus Officinal in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in recent years,and summarizes its potential effective components,in order to provide theoretical support for the clinical application and traditional Chinese medicine development.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of death in the world,and related western drugs usually have obvious side effects.Traditional Chinese medicine,characterized by its multi-component and multi-target,has unique advantage in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.Cornus Officinal is a histor-ically used plants with medicinal and edible properties.Ancient books and modern literatures have shown that Cor-nus Officinal has the potential to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.With the in-depth study of the chemical composition and pharmacological effect of Cornus Officinal,its pharmacodynamic substances and mechanism in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are gradually clear.This article reviews the pathways and targets of Cornus Officinal in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in recent years,and summarizes its potential effective components,in order to provide theoretical support for the clinical application and traditional Chinese medicine development.

Objective To survey the free influenza vaccination status and willingness among the elderly in Deqing County,Zhejiang Province,and analyze the influencing factors.Methods Based on population data and the electronic medical system of Deqing County,the influenza vaccine coverage from 2018 to 2022 after the implementation of the free influenza vaccination policy was calculated.A proportional stratified random sampling method was used to select elderly individuals aged 60 and above from six streets/towns in Deqing County.A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess influenza vaccination behaviors from 2020 to 2022 and vaccination willingness for the 2023 influenza season.The chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze potential factors associated with vaccination behavior and subsequent willingness among the elderly.Results An average of influenza vaccines for the elderly per year were 56.2 thousand,with influenza vaccination coverage rate of 46.16%in average over the five years.Among 729 subjects,the vaccination rate increased from 69.3%in 2020 to 75.3%in 2022,and 81.9%of them were willing to receive influenza vaccines in the next flu season.Logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with agricultural household registration(OR=3.05,95%CI:1.82-8.99),lower education levels(OR=2.82,95%CI:1.15-6.93),awareness of the free vaccine policy(OR=4.65,95%CI:1.82-11.91),and belief in vaccine efficacy(OR=6.61,95%CI:3.20-13.61)had higher vaccination rates.Factors associated with a more positive vaccination willingness included an annual household income of<150 thousand CNY(OR=1.65,95%CI:1.04-2.60),awareness of the free vaccine policy(OR=3.07,95%CI:1.84-5.12),perceived vaccine efficacy(OR=4.39,95%CI:2.77-6.96),and perceived vaccine safety(OR=1.57,95%CI:1.01-2.43).The main reasons for non-vaccination were concerned about the side effects of the vaccine(37.9%),thoughts that they were in good health and did not need to be vaccinated(30.3%),and influenza vaccines were ineffective(21.2%).The main reasons for vaccination were to protect themselves(89.1%),vaccination was free(65.5%)and to protect their families(60.6%).Conclusion The elderly in Deqing County had a relatively high influenza vaccination rate and follow-up vaccination willingness rate,but there still existed a gap to reach at target rate recommended by WHO.The local government should strengthen health education related to influenza vaccine knowledge,and publicize free vaccination policy to improve the vaccination rate and willingness in next season.

Transfer-RNA derived small RNA(tsRNA),a re-cently discovered class of non-coding RNA,is produced by ma-ture tRNA or tRNA precursor through the mediation of specific endonucleases.By regulating gene expression at the transcrip-tional and post transcriptional levels and acting as an epigenetic regulator,tsRNA plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes of many organisms.Therefore,it has gradually become a research hotspot in biomedicine and attracted widespread attention.Moreover,there is increasing evidence that tsRNA is involved in the occurrence and development of many neuropsychiatric diseases through participating in stress re-sponse,cell proliferation and apoptosis,neural development,synaptic plasticity,neuroinflammation and immune regulation,epigenetic regulation,RNA processing,and protein translation regulation.This article mainly discusses the generation,classifi-cation and biological functions of tsRNA,and elaborates on the role and possible mechanisms of tsRNA in neurodevelopment and neuropsychiatric disorders,thereby further revealing the poten-tial of tsRNA as a reliable biomarker and therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders.