BACKGROUND:The asymmetrical biomechanical environment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to further wedge deformation of the vertebral body,which may affect cardiopulmonary function and compress nerves in severe cases.Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with different degrees of scoliosis should be treated with exercise,bracing,and surgery.However,the mechanical mechanism of selecting an orthopedic approach remains unclear due to the individual variability of patients.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical mechanism of different orthopedic modalities for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to provide a basis for clinical selection of treatment modalities based on the spine model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.METHODS:Based on the CT images of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient,a scoliosis model(C7-L5)was reconstructed in Mimics software in three dimensions,and lateral thrust force was applied at the T8/T9 thorax and vertical distraction force was applied over the C7 vertebra with the magnitude of 20,40,60,80,100,and 120 N.The intervertebral disc stress and vertebral displacement in concave and convex sides,and Cobb angle of the spine were analyzed under two orthopedic modalities.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With lateral thrust,there was no significant change in the C7T1-T7T8 intervertebral disc.The concave and convex stress of T7T8-L4L5 segment decreased first and then increased with the increase of lateral thrust force.The correction effect of lateral thrust on the segment near T8T9 was obvious and weakened with the extension of the segment to the cephalic and caudal ends.At 120 N of lateral thrust,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 32.5° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 43.9°.(2)With the vertical distraction,the thoracic intervertebral disc stresses first decreased and then increased,and all the lumbar disc stresses decreased.The C7 displacement was the most obvious,and the correction effect gradually diminished with the segment extended to the caudal end.At a vertical distraction force of 120 N,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 39.4° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 47.6°.(3)It is concluded that both orthopedic modalities provide improvement in the degree of scoliosis,with the thoracic correction being greater than the lumbar correction.Also,the asymmetric stress distribution on the concave and convex sides is improved,which contributes to normal bone growth.A vertical distraction approach is appropriate for larger Cobb angles,and a lateral thrust approach is appropriate for smaller Cobb angles.The results of this study help to understand the mechanism of spinal orthosis and provide a theoretical basis for the choice of orthopedic approach.

This paper presents a rare case of renal amyloidosis complicated with primary minimal change disease. The patient initially presented with edema and proteinuria, accompanied by IgG-λ monoclonal immunoglobulinemia, leading to a diagnosis of primary systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis with renal involvement. Following treatment, the patient achieved both hematologic and renal remission. However, a renal relapse occurred two years later, presenting as nephrotic syndrome without hematologic disease recurrence. A repeat renal biopsy revealed no obvious change in amyloid deposition, but demonstrated markedly enlarged effacement of podocyte foot processes. Based on these findings, a secondary diagnosis of primary minimal change disease was established. The patient exhibited a rapid response to immunosuppressive therapy, achieving sustained long-term remission. This case underscores the importance of remaining vigilant to etiological changes in the treatment of renal diseases and highlights the role of repeated renal biopsy in refining the diagnosis and guiding treatment.

BACKGROUND:The asymmetrical biomechanical environment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to further wedge deformation of the vertebral body,which may affect cardiopulmonary function and compress nerves in severe cases.Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with different degrees of scoliosis should be treated with exercise,bracing,and surgery.However,the mechanical mechanism of selecting an orthopedic approach remains unclear due to the individual variability of patients.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical mechanism of different orthopedic modalities for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to provide a basis for clinical selection of treatment modalities based on the spine model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.METHODS:Based on the CT images of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient,a scoliosis model(C7-L5)was reconstructed in Mimics software in three dimensions,and lateral thrust force was applied at the T8/T9 thorax and vertical distraction force was applied over the C7 vertebra with the magnitude of 20,40,60,80,100,and 120 N.The intervertebral disc stress and vertebral displacement in concave and convex sides,and Cobb angle of the spine were analyzed under two orthopedic modalities.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With lateral thrust,there was no significant change in the C7T1-T7T8 intervertebral disc.The concave and convex stress of T7T8-L4L5 segment decreased first and then increased with the increase of lateral thrust force.The correction effect of lateral thrust on the segment near T8T9 was obvious and weakened with the extension of the segment to the cephalic and caudal ends.At 120 N of lateral thrust,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 32.5° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 43.9°.(2)With the vertical distraction,the thoracic intervertebral disc stresses first decreased and then increased,and all the lumbar disc stresses decreased.The C7 displacement was the most obvious,and the correction effect gradually diminished with the segment extended to the caudal end.At a vertical distraction force of 120 N,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 39.4° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 47.6°.(3)It is concluded that both orthopedic modalities provide improvement in the degree of scoliosis,with the thoracic correction being greater than the lumbar correction.Also,the asymmetric stress distribution on the concave and convex sides is improved,which contributes to normal bone growth.A vertical distraction approach is appropriate for larger Cobb angles,and a lateral thrust approach is appropriate for smaller Cobb angles.The results of this study help to understand the mechanism of spinal orthosis and provide a theoretical basis for the choice of orthopedic approach.

This paper presents a rare case of renal amyloidosis complicated with primary minimal change disease. The patient initially presented with edema and proteinuria, accompanied by IgG-λ monoclonal immunoglobulinemia, leading to a diagnosis of primary systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis with renal involvement. Following treatment, the patient achieved both hematologic and renal remission. However, a renal relapse occurred two years later, presenting as nephrotic syndrome without hematologic disease recurrence. A repeat renal biopsy revealed no obvious change in amyloid deposition, but demonstrated markedly enlarged effacement of podocyte foot processes. Based on these findings, a secondary diagnosis of primary minimal change disease was established. The patient exhibited a rapid response to immunosuppressive therapy, achieving sustained long-term remission. This case underscores the importance of remaining vigilant to etiological changes in the treatment of renal diseases and highlights the role of repeated renal biopsy in refining the diagnosis and guiding treatment.

BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with chronic rheumatic immunity.Soft tissue ossification and fusion and spinal stiffness can cause biomechanical changes. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct the lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis by finite element analysis,and to study the range of motion of each segment of T11-S1 and the biomechanical characteristics of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. METHODS:The imaging data were obtained from an ankylosing spondylitis patient with lumbar kyphosis.The original CT image data of continuously scanned spine were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format,and T11-S1 was reconstructed respectively.The established model was imported into 3-Matic software in the format of"Stl"to reconstruct the intervertebral disc,and the fibrous intervertebral disc model was obtained.The improved model was further imported into Hypermesh software,and the vertebra,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus and ligament were mesh-divided.After the material properties were given,the model was imported into ABAQUS software to observe the range of motion of each vertebral body in seven different working conditions of T11-S1,and analyze the biomechanical characteristics of each segment of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The range of motion of L1 vertebrae was higher than that of other vertebrae under six different working conditions:extension,forward flexion,rotation(left and right),and lateral flexion(left and right).The maximum range of motion was 2.18° during L1 vertebral flexion,and the minimum range of motion was 0.12° during L5 vertebral extension.(2)The annular fiber flexion at L2-L3 segments was greater than the extension(P<0.05),and the annular fiber flexion at L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments was less than the extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of L1-L2 annular fibers was greater than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion of the annulus was greater than the right flexion in L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4,L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments(P<0.05).(3)The nucleus pulposus stresses of T11-L12,L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments in forward flexion were greater than in extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of T12-L1 and L3-L4 segments was smaller than the right rotation(P<0.05),and that of T11-T12,L1-L2,and L2-L3 segments was larger than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion was larger than the right flexion in the T11-S1 segment.(4)It is concluded that in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis,the minimum range of motion of the vertebral body is located at the L5 vertebral body in extension.To prevent fractures,it is recommended to avoid exercise in the extension position.During the onset of lumbar kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,the maximum stress of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus is located in the L1-L2 segment,which is fixed and will not alter with the change of body position.The late surgical treatment and correction of deformity should focus on releasing the pressure of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in this segment to avoid the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the injury of the nucleus pulposus.

BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive inflammation of spinal stiffness deformity caused by tissue ossification and fibrosis.The posture of ankylosing spondylitis patients is abnormal and their activities are limited that minor injuries can lead to thoracolumbar fractures.Traditional medical image observation limits doctors'preoperative decision planning and postoperative disease prevention for ankylosing spondylitis treatment. OBJECTIVE:Based on the spinal model of ankylosing spondylitis patients before and after posterior spinal cancellous ossification osteotomy("Y"osteotomy for short),to explore the biomechanical changes of"Y"osteotomy and fixation in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS:Based on the preoperative and postoperative CT images of an ankylosing spondylitis patient who went to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University,a three-dimensional spine model(T11-S1)before and after"Y"osteotomy(L3 osteotomy)was reconstructed in Mimics 19.0 software.A 7.5 Nm torque was applied to the top of T11 vertebral body to simulate the movement of the spine under six conditions:flexion,extension,left bending,right bending,left rotation and right rotation.Finally,the range of motion of each vertebral body,the stress of each intervertebral disc,and the stress of the screw rod system were simulated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After"Y"type osteotomy and posterior fixation,the range of motion of all vertebrae in the spine decreased,and the loss rate of upper vertebrae was large(L1:77.95%).(2)The maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc before operation occurred at the L1-L2 segment(0.55 MPa),and the maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc after operation occurred at the T11-T12 segment(0.50 MPa),and the stress of intervertebral disc below T12 was far less than that before operation.(3)The maximum stress of the screw rod system(166.67 MPa)occurred in the upper and middle segments of the rod body and the root of the pedicle screw.(4)In conclusion,the"Y"type posterior fixation operation enhances the stability of the spine and reduces the range of motion of the spine.The vertebral body decompression of the fixed segment is great and the stress-shielding phenomenon of the lower vertebral body is significant.The stiffness of the rod body and the stress concentration area of the pedicle screw should be strengthened to avoid the fracture of the rod caused by stress fatigue.

Emerging research suggests a potential association of progression of Alzheimer's disease(AD)with al-terations in synaptic currents and mitochondrial dynamics.However,the specific associations between these pathological changes remain unclear.In this study,we utilized Aβ42-induced AD rats and primary neural cells as in vivo and in vitro models.The investigations included behavioural tests,brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)analysis,Nissl staining,thioflavin-S staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,Golgi-Cox staining,trans-mission electron microscopy(TEM),immunofluorescence staining,proteomics,adenosine triphosphate(ATP)detection,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)assess-ment,mitochondrial morphology analysis,electrophysiological studies,Western blotting,and molecular docking.The results revealed changes in synaptic currents,mitophagy,and mitochondrial dynamics in the AD models.Remarkably,intervention with Dengzhan Shengmai(DZSM)capsules emerged as a pivotal element in this investigation.Aβ42-induced synaptic dysfunction was significantly mitigated by DZSM intervention,which notably amplified the frequency and amplitude of synaptic transmission.The cognitive impairment observed in AD rats was ameliorated and accompanied by robust protection against structural damage in key brain regions,including the hippocampal CA3,primary cingular cortex,prelimbic system,and dysgranular insular cortex.DZSM intervention led to increased IDE levels,augmented long-term potential(LTP)amplitude,and enhanced dendritic spine density and length.Moreover,DZSM intervention led to favourable changes in mitochondrial parameters,including ROS expression,MMP and ATP contents,and mitochondrial morphology.In conclusion,our findings delved into the realm of altered synaptic currents,mitophagy,and mitochondrial dynamics in AD,concurrently highlighting the therapeutic potential of DZSM intervention.

Nursing homes treat a large number of elderly people such as frail, dementia, disability, and advanced age. During the occurrence of major public health emergencies, it is a key institution for management, prevention and control. This paper proposes the concept of "resilient nursing homes" and analyzes the connotation and structure of resilient nursing homes based on the complex adaptive system theory. This paper also proposes strategies to improve the resilience of nursing homes in order to help nursing homes optimize their existing management systems and models, and improve their ability to respond to public health emergencies.

Objective:To investigate the effect of treadmill training on spasticity and the expression of potassium chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) after blocking BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in rats with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods:Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group (Sham group), an SCI+ phosphate-buffered saline group (SCI/PBS group), an SCI-treadmill training+ PBS group (SCI-TT/PBS group), an SCI/TrkB-IgG group and an SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG group. All of the rats underwent 1 week of intrathecal catheterization, and then T 10 incomplete SCI was induced. In the Sham group the spinal cord was only exposed. Seven days later, BDNF-TrkB signaling was blocked in the SCI/TrkB-IgG and SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG groups using the TrkB-IgG. The remaining three groups were controls treated with PBS. The SCI-TT/PBS and SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG groups began exercising 7 days after the SCI and continued for 4 weeks. The spasticity in their hind limbs was assessed using the Asworth assessment and H reflex (H-max/M-max ratio). The expression of KCC2 in the distal spinal cord was detected using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results:After the SCI the average Ashworth spasticity grades of the four SCI groups increased significantly compared with the Sham group. The average Ashworth spasticity grade of the SCI-TT/PBS group was significantly lower than those of the SCI/PBS and SCI/TrkB-IgG groups in the 3rd through the 5th week, and the SCI-TT/PBS group′s average grade was significantly less than that of the SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG group after 4 weeks. Within 5 weeks the average H-max/M-max ratio of the Sham group remained unchanged, significantly lower than the other 4 groups′ averages. There was no significant difference in the H-max/M-max ratio among the 4 groups of injured rats within 2 weeks after the SCI, but after 3-5 weeks the average H-max/M-max ratio of the SCI-TT/PBS group was significantly lower than those of the SCI/PBS, SCI/TrkB-IgG and SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG groups. At the 4th and 5th week the average H-max/M-max ratio in the SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG group was significantly lower than that in the SCITrkB-IgG group. And after 5 weeks the average expression of KCC2 in the anterior horn of the injured spinal cord was significantly lower in the 4 SCI groups than in the Sham group. Exercise significantly increased the expression of KCC2 in the SCI-TT/PBS group, and its immune intensity and relative optical density were significantly higher than those in the SCI/PBS, SCI/TrkB-IgG and SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG groups. However, there was no significant difference between the SCI/TrkB-IgG group and the SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG group.Conclusions:Treadmill training can improve spasticity after incomplete SCI and the expression of KCC2 in the distal spinal cord, at least in rats.

Objective:To develop an diagnostic equipment with artificial intelligence (AI) real-time assistance under endoscopy (endoscopic AI equipment) for the detection of gastrointestinal protruding lesions, and to evaluate its performance and safety.Methods:From January to December 2017, at Endoscopy Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, the endoscopic images of individuals who underwent routine gastroscopy and colonoscopy were collected. The model was established based on convolutional neural network and the endoscopic AI equipment was developed. From June to December 2019, a prospective, single center, blinded and parallel controlled study was conducted to compare the differences in evaluation of protruding lesions of the same patient under gastroscopy or colonoscopy between endoscopist and the endoscopic AI equipment and to evaluated the impact of lesion size (lesions <5 mm and ≥5 mm) on the detection of endoscopic AI equipment. The main outcome measure was the detection time difference in reporting the protruding lesion between endoscopic AI equipment and endoscopist; and the secondary indicator was the accuracy of endoscopic AI equipment in detecting the protruding lesion. Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 71 582 white light endoscopy images were used for endoscopic AI equipment training, which included 41 376 images of protruding lesions. The endoscopic AI equipment was successfully developed and obtained the registration certificate of medical devices of the People′s Republic of China (Sichuan Instrument Standard, 20202060049). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of endoscopic AI equipment in detecting protruding lesions were 96.4%, 95.1% and 92.8%, respectively. The detection time of each protruding lesions under gastroscopy of endoscopic AI equipment was 1.524 seconds faster than that of endoscopist; but the detection time of each protruding lesions under colonoscopy was 0.070 seconds slower than that of endoscopist, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-5.505 and -4.394, both P<0.01). The detection time of each protruding lesions under gastroscopy or colonoscopy of endoscopic AI equipment was not inferior to that of endoscopist. The detection rate of protruding lesions under colonoscopy by endoscopic AI equipment was 89.9% (249/277) and the sensitivity was 89.9%; the detection rate of protruding lesions under colonoscopy was 87.0% (450/517) and the sensitivity was 86.9%. There were no statistically significant differences in the detection time difference, sensitivity and missed diagnostic rate between the lesions <5 mm and ≥5 mm detected by endoscopic AI equipment under gastroscopy (all P>0.05). The sensitivity of endoscopic AI equipment in detecting the lesions ≥5 mm under colonoscopy was higher than that of lesions <5 mm (96.8% vs. 84.9%), and the missed diagnostic rate was lower than that of lesions <5 mm (3.2%, 3/94 vs. 15.1%, 61/405), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=9.615 and 9.612, both P=0.002). No adverse events on patients and medical staffs occurred, and there were no cases of equipment electricity leakage, and abnormal work reported during the use of endoscopic AI equipment. Conclusions:The endoscopic AI equipment can report the protruding lesions simultaneously with endoscopists, and the accuracy is close to 90%, which is expected to be a practical assistant for endoscopists to avoid missed detection of protruding lesions.