Background: To investigate directional deviations between pilot holes and final pedicle screw trajectories in freehand placement and analyze risk factors for misplacement. While pedicle screws are widely used in thoracolumbosacral surgery, directional deviations between pilot holes and final screw trajectories remain understudied as potential risk factors for misplacement. Methods: Thirty-three patients undergoing posterior fixation were prospectively enrolled. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) tracked the spatial positions of pedicle finders and screwdrivers via custom software. Surgeons (n = 6) were stratified into senior, middle, and junior groups. Analyzed variables included the use of tapping, surgeon experience, spinal deformity status, screw tip morphology, and surgical parameters. Results: Among 198 implanted screws (6.00 ± 2.88/patient), all exhibited trajectory deviations (8.12° ± 3.47°). Tapping significantly reduced deviations (7.23° ± 3.23° vs. 8.87° ± 3.31°, p < 0.01). Senior surgeons achieved smaller deviations (7.34° ± 3.33°) than the middle group (8.60° ± 3.51°, p = 0.039) and junior group (8.68° ± 3.49°, p = 0.022). Multivariate analysis confirmed tapping (p = 0.001) and senior experience (p = 0.023) as protective factors. No significant associations emerged for spinal deformity (8.43° ± 3.73° vs. 7.97° ± 3.35°, p = 0.377), screw tip type (cylindrical, 8.43° ± 3.26° vs. tapered, 8.07 ± 3.51°; p = 0.637), obesity, or surgical position parameters. Conclusions Freehand pedicle screw placement consistently produces trajectory deviations from pilot holes, and surgeon experience and tapping are modifiable protective factors. The IMU-based tracking system enables quantitative surgical motion analysis, suggesting its utility for training optimization and technique standardization.

Objective To quantitatively analyze the volumetric characteristics of each subregion of the basal ganglia in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration （also known as Wilson disease ，WD） using brain magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and brain segmentation technology， to explore the specific imaging findings of choreiform symptoms， and to assess the clinical value of caudate nucleus atrophy as an imaging indicator for this symptom. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 40 WD patients with choreiform symptoms and 40 patients without choreiform symptoms from June 2023 to June 2025， and clinical indicators were compared between the two groups. In addition， the two groups were compared in terms of the volume of the basal ganglia after estimated total intracranial volume （eTIV） correction， and the correlation between the volume of differential brain regions and the chorea subscale score of Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale （UWDRS） was explored. Results There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups. UWDRS scores showed that the choreiform group had a higher neurological function score （P=0.005）， a significantly higher chorea subscale score （P<0.01）， and a lower hepatic function score （P<0.01）. The choreiform group had a significantly smaller caudate nucleus volume than the non-choreiform group （P<0.001）， suggesting severe subregional atrophy， and in contrast， the choreiform group had a significant increase in thalamus volume （P=0.002）. Caudate nucleus volume ratio was significantly negatively correlated with chorea subscale score in the choreiform group （P<0.001）. Conclusion Caudate nucleus atrophy is a specific imaging finding of choreiform symptoms in WD patients， and a quantitative analysis of caudate nucleus volume is expected to become an objective imaging indicator for assessing the severity of choreiform symptoms and monitoring disease progression in WD.

Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen, also known as Tinglizi, originates from Brassicaceae plants Descurainia sophia or Lepidium apetalum. The former is commonly referred to as "Southern Tinglizi(Descurainiae Semen)", while the latter is known as "Northern Tinglizi(Lepidii Semen)". To scientifically and accurately identify the origin of Tinglizi medicinal materials and traditional Chinese medicine products, this study developed a specific DNA mini-barcode based on chloroplast genome sequences. By combining the DNA mini-barcode with DNA metabarcoding technology, a method for the qualitative and quantitative identification of Tinglizi medicinal materials and Chinese patent medicines was established. In this study, chloroplast genomes of Southern Tinglizi and Northern Tinglizi and seven commonly encountered counterfeit products were downloaded from the GenBank database. Suitable polymorphic regions were identified to differentiate these species, enabling the development of the DNA mini-barcode. Using DNA metabarcoding technology, medicinal material mixtures of Southern and Northern Tinglizi, as well as the most common counterfeit product, Capsella bursa-pastoris seeds, were analyzed to validate the qualitative and quantitative capabilities of the mini-barcode and determine its minimum detection limit. Additionally, the mini-barcode was applied to Chinese patent medicines containing Tinglizi to authenticate their botanical origin. The results showed that the developed mini-barcode(psbB) exhibited high accuracy and specificity, effectively distinguishing between the two authentic origins of Tinglizi and commonly encountered counterfeit products. The analysis of mixtures demonstrated that the mini-barcode had excellent qualitative and quantitative capabilities, accurately identifying the composition of Chinese medicinal materials in mixed samples with varying proportions. Furthermore, the analysis of Chinese patent medicines revealed the presence of the adulterant species(Capsella bursa-pastoris) in addition to the authentic species(Southern and Northern Tinglizi), indicating the occurrence of adulteration in commercially available Tinglizi-containing products. This study developed a method for the qualitative and quantitative identification of multi-origin Chinese medicinal materials and related products, providing a model for research on other multi-origin Chinese medicinal materials.
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Drug Contamination ; Genome, Chloroplast ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

In this study,an ON/OFF type micro-valve with a sandwich(glass-silicon-glass)structure was designed and fabricated based on the micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS)technique.The deformable membrane of this micro-valve was prepared on the silicon on insulator(SOI)substrate and sealed using Si-Si bonding and anodic bonding methods.The micro-valve had high-temperature stability and was suitable for integration with other gas chromatography components.The deformable membrane with a thickness of 10 μm was processed on the top silicon of the SOI substrate.The flow control of the micro-valve could be achieved by changing the driving pressure applied to the deformable membrane to deform it.Compared with polymer membranes,the deformable membrane prepared on the top layer silicon of SOI had better temperature stability and could be released using the deep reactive ion etching technique after silicon-silicon bonding,avoiding deformation during the preparation process.In addition,due to the small gap between the membrane and the inlet/outlet holes,the dead volume of the microvalve was very small.The test results indicated that the micro-valve achieved flow control and ON/OFF functions with good repeatability.

A monolithic integrated gas chromatography chip,consisting of a micro gas chromatography column(μGCC)and a micro helium discharge ionization detector(μHDID)was proposed.The chip was fabricated using micro electromechanical system(MEMS)technique,and its sensitivity was improved from two aspects.On one hand,open tubular column was selected as the separation device,and the auxiliary helium channel width of μHDID was modulated based on the microchannel width of the μGCC to match the flow rates of μHDID and μGCC.On the other hand,the electrode structure inside the μHDID collection zone was optimized,a bias electrode group around the collection electrode was constructed,and the ion collection efficiency was improved.After coating HKUST-1 as the stationary phase,the monolithic integrated gas chromatography chip could achieve baseline separation and detection of light hydrocarbon gas mixture(methane,ethane,propane,andn-butane),with a detection limit for propane as low as 25 pg.The chip could carried out test under temperature-programmed conditions,with a resolution of 9.24 for ethane and propane.

A micro gas chromatographic column with mesoporous surface micro column array prepared by anodization method was proposed.A porous support layer with a characteristic pore size of about 30 nm inside the chromatographic column was prepared in situ using anodization method,and a uniform alumina stationary phase was deposited on the mesoporous support layer using atom layer deposition(ALD)technique.The existence of a mesoporous support layer increased surface area of the chromatographic column,thereby increasing the total amount of stationary phase loading and enhancing column capacity,which facilitated chromatographic separation.The test results showed that the porous support layer significantly reduced the longitudinal molecular diffusion and mass transfer resistance of the micro gas chromatographic column,and significantly increased the number of theoretical plates(n-nonane increased by 290.2%).Furthermore,column efficiency of the chromatographic column was less affected by flow rate,which was conducive to rapid separation of heavy hydrocarbon mixtures.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of paeonol(PAE)on autophagy in human neuroblastoma cells(SH-SY5Y)induced by overexpression of α-synuclein(α-Syn),and to explore its related mechanism.Methods SH-SY5Y cells served as control group,while those induced with A53T-α-Syn mutation were used as model group.Additional groups included PAE(150 μg/ml)group,3-MA(1 mmol/L)group,and PAE(150 μg/ml)+3-MA(1 mmol/L)group.Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 method,cell morphology was observed under an optical microscope,and protein expressions of α-Syn,LC3-Ⅱ,p62,Beclin-1,phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK),and p-Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting.Results Compared with control group,model control exhibited decreased cell survival(P＜0.01),increased α-Syn expression(P＜0.001),reduced expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),elevated autophagy substrate protein p62(P＜0.05),and decreased expression of autophagy pathway-related proteins p-JNK and Bcl-2(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with model group,PAE group showed increased cell survival(P＜0.01),decreased α-Syn and p62 protein expression(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),and increased expression of LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin-1,p-JNK and Bcl-2(P＜0.05).Compared with PAE group,3-MA+PAE group demonstrated increased α-Syn expression(P＜0.05).Conclusions PAE could attenuate the injury of SH-SY5Y cells induced by A53T-α-Syn and eliminate over-expressed α-Syn by activating autophagy pathway,which may be associated with the upregulation of JNK/Bcl-2 mediated autophagy pathway.

The inflammatory status in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)is closely associated with cardiovascular events,infections,and other complications,and is a powerful indicator for prognosis assessment.The core view of the"gut-kidney axis"theory reveals the relationship among inflammatory state,microbiota dysbiosis,and deterioration of renal function.The microbiota alters the microenvironment through structural changes and metabolites with different properties,subsequently leading to microbiota translocation,inducing inflammatory lesions,and damaging the kidneys.Recent studies have proposed that targeted microbiota intervention strategies such as probiotics,prebiotics,and synbiotics can modulate the microbiota structure,regulate the microenvironment,relieve renal inflammation,and affect the progression of renal disease,representing a potentially promising research direction in the future.This review discusses the characteristics of how intestinal microbiota influence the inflammatory status in CKD,focusing on the research progress of targeted microbiota intervention,aiming to discuss the effectiveness and scientific basis of these strategies,providing a foundation for the treatment of CKD and the expansion of targeted microbiota research,as well as offering references for the clinical application of probiotics,prebiotics,and synbiotics.

Objective To assess the efficacy of a novel inguinal tourniquet in healthy individuals and to investigate the relationship between localized inguinal compression and femoral artery blood flow occlusion.Methods A self-controlled study was conducted.From November 9 to November 30,2024,11 volunteers were recruited at the Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.Three compression methods--finger pressure,a novel groin tourniquet,and a SAM junction tourniquet(SJT)—were applied bilaterally to the inguinal region until distal blood flow signals disappeared.Each compression method was tested in 22 trials with a 5-minute interval between operations.Differences in hemostatic efficacy between bilateral inguinal regions and across compression methods were compared.Subsequently,the novel tourniquet was incrementally pressurized in 120 mmHg multiples using an integrated pressure device to analyze trends in popliteal artery blood flow velocity.Observational indicators included the internal pressure of the tourniquet pressurization device,peak systolic velocity(PSV)of popliteal artery,inguinal surface pressure magnitude,inguinal surface pressure distribution,and pain scores(assessed using a single-dimensional numerical rating scale).Results No statistically significant difference was observed in the minimum pressure required to occlude femoral artery blood flow bilaterally(P>0.05).The success rates of femoral artery blood flow occlusion at the inguinal region were 100%for the novel inguinal tourniquet,SJT,and finger pressure.The novel inguinal tourniquet induced the highest pain scores,ranging from 5 to 8.A significant reduction in PSV of popliteal artery was noted when the intra-tourniquet pressure reached 360 mmHg and 480 mmHg(P<0.05),with a 95%hemostasis efficacy observed within the range of 360-600 mmHg.No significant association was observed between the recovery of popliteal artery blood flow after limb movement and inguinal pressure distribution(P>0.05).The PSV of popliteal artery exhibited the strongest negative correlation with the average pressure within the inguinal compression area(r=-0.79,P<0.001),with a linear regression fitting line of y=69.69-0.13x(P<0.001,R2=0.58).Conclusions The novel inguinal tourniquet effectively occludes femoral artery blood flow within a pressure range of 360-600 mmHg,accompanied by moderate-to-severe pain.Its hemostatic mechanism mainly relies on increasing the mean pressure within the inguinal compression area.