BACKGROUND:The cervical facet joint,as an important anatomical structure of the posterior column of the cervical spine,plays an important role in neck activity,stress transmission,and maintaining cervical stability. In recent years,anatomical and biomechanical studies have shown that asymmetry of cervical facet joints can cause degeneration of facet joints,which may be the main cause of cervical spine degeneration in young people. Existing research is mostly focused on adults,and there are also reports on preschool and school-age children in China,while there are few reports on the morphological parameters of cervical facet joints in adolescents.OBJECTIVE:Through three-dimensional reconstruction of the cervical facet joints in adolescents,measuring their relevant morphological parameters,and comparing them with those in children and adults,we explored the age-related changes in the morphological development of cervical facet joints,providing a theoretical basis for the diagnosis,treatment,and prevention of cervical spondylosis arising from cervical facet joints.METHODS:A total of 62 adolescents aged 13-18 years were selected to undergo spiral CT scan of cervical vertebrae and 3D reconstruction,requiring no bone destruction,tumor,deformity,or fracture,no changes in vertebrae morphology and structure,no previous spinal operations. The guardian's informed consent to the experimental protocol was obtained. By age group,group A was 13-14 years old;group B was 15-16 years old;group C was 17-18 years old. Thecorrelation morphometry and statistical analysis of C2-C7 facet joints were performed in adolescents of each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) In three groups of subjects,the facet joint surface heights and widths displayed decreasing and increasing trends in relation to the change of vertebra order. The facet joint surfaces on the inferior surface showed larger height and width compared to the corresponding indicators on the superior surface. (2) The intra-articular height of the articular process was lowest in C5 among the three groups of ages,and it showed a positive correlation with age. (3) Among the three groups,the gaps between the articular surfaces of the joints in C4-5 of group A,C3-4 of group B,and C4-5 of group C weresignificantly larger than the rest of the gaps in each group. Except for C4-5,there were no significant differences between the two groups. Except for C2-3,the remaining gaps between the vertebrae in group C were significantly larger than those in the two groups. (4) It is indicated that the morphology of the cervical facet joint surface gradually transitions from circular to elliptical as the vertebral order increases. In inter-group comparison,facet joint surface height is significantly affected by age compared to facet joint surface width. The area of the lower facet joint surface of each segment is greater than that of the upper facet joint surface,with only significant differences in the shape and area of C4-5 and C5-6. In addition,the minimum height of the facet joint is located at C5,and the significantly widened gap between the facet joint surfaces is mainly located at C3-4 and C4-5. Therefore,cervical instability often occurs at the mid-level.

Objective:To investigate the effects of ascites grading and the application of non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) on the 1-year prognosis of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:1 386 ascitic cases with ACLF were graded and followed up for one year. The 1-year prognostic effect of ascites grade and NSBBs was analyzed on ACLF by the Kaplan Meier Log-rank test, Cox stepwise regression, and multivariate regression.The t-test, Mann-Whitney U, or Kruskal-Wallis test were used for intergroup comparison of measurement data. The χ2 test was used for intergroup comparison of numerical data. Results:The incidence rate of ascites at admission was 77.56% in 1 386 ACLF cases. The Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) of the 1-year survival curve test for 1 386 ACLF patients with ascites grade was 21.384, P<0.01. Multivariate regression and Cox stepwise regression analysis showed that ascites grade, age, gastrointestinal bleeding, pulmonary infection, acute kidney injury, prothrombin activity (PTA), urea, MELD-Na score, and the use of NSBBs were closely related to the 1-year prognosis of ACLF. The log rank (Mantel-Cox) of NSBBs treatment in the grade 2/3 ascites group was 6.113, P=0.013, and the difference was statistically significant, suggesting that NSBBs treatment can help improve the 1-year survival rate in ACLF patients with grade 2 and 3 ascites. Conclusions:Ascites grading and the use of NSBBs affect the prognostic factor of ACLF at one year. NSBBs may be beneficial for the long-term prognosis of ACLF, and treatment can be continued in patients who have already received NSBBs prior to the onset of ACLF.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of 4-(arylethynyl)-pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidine (10b) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like behaviors and ERK1/2-SGK1 signaling pathway in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mouse models exposed to single prolonged stress (SPS) were treated with daily gavage of saline, 10b at low, moderate and high doses, or paroxetine for 14 days. The changes in PTSD-like behaviors of SPS mice with different treatments were observed using behavioral tests. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the protein expression levels of mGluR5, p-ERK, and SGK1 in the hippocampus of the mice. Pathological changes in the liver and kidney tissues of the mice were examined using HE staining. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses were employed to evaluate the binding stability between the compound 10b and mGluR5. RESULTS: Compared to the normal control mice, the SPS mice exhibited obvious PTSD-like behaviors with increased hippocampal expressions of mGluR5 and p-ERK proteins and decreased SGK1 protein expression. Compound 10b significantly ameliorated behavioral abnormalities in SPS mice, inhibited mGluR5 expression, and reversed the dysregulation of p-ERK and SGK1. No obvious liver or kidney toxicity was observed after 10b treatment. Molecular docking and dynamics studies demonstrated a stable interaction between 10b and mGluR5. CONCLUSIONS The compound 10b ameliorates PTSD-like behaviors induced by SPS in mice possibly by inhibiting mGluR5 expression to modulate the ERK1/2-SGK1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/drug therapy* ; Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Pyrimidines/pharmacology* ; Immediate-Early Proteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Male ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Hippocampus/metabolism*

BACKGROUND:The cervical facet joint,as an important anatomical structure of the posterior column of the cervical spine,plays an important role in neck activity,stress transmission,and maintaining cervical stability. In recent years,anatomical and biomechanical studies have shown that asymmetry of cervical facet joints can cause degeneration of facet joints,which may be the main cause of cervical spine degeneration in young people. Existing research is mostly focused on adults,and there are also reports on preschool and school-age children in China,while there are few reports on the morphological parameters of cervical facet joints in adolescents.OBJECTIVE:Through three-dimensional reconstruction of the cervical facet joints in adolescents,measuring their relevant morphological parameters,and comparing them with those in children and adults,we explored the age-related changes in the morphological development of cervical facet joints,providing a theoretical basis for the diagnosis,treatment,and prevention of cervical spondylosis arising from cervical facet joints.METHODS:A total of 62 adolescents aged 13-18 years were selected to undergo spiral CT scan of cervical vertebrae and 3D reconstruction,requiring no bone destruction,tumor,deformity,or fracture,no changes in vertebrae morphology and structure,no previous spinal operations. The guardian's informed consent to the experimental protocol was obtained. By age group,group A was 13-14 years old;group B was 15-16 years old;group C was 17-18 years old. Thecorrelation morphometry and statistical analysis of C2-C7 facet joints were performed in adolescents of each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) In three groups of subjects,the facet joint surface heights and widths displayed decreasing and increasing trends in relation to the change of vertebra order. The facet joint surfaces on the inferior surface showed larger height and width compared to the corresponding indicators on the superior surface. (2) The intra-articular height of the articular process was lowest in C5 among the three groups of ages,and it showed a positive correlation with age. (3) Among the three groups,the gaps between the articular surfaces of the joints in C4-5 of group A,C3-4 of group B,and C4-5 of group C weresignificantly larger than the rest of the gaps in each group. Except for C4-5,there were no significant differences between the two groups. Except for C2-3,the remaining gaps between the vertebrae in group C were significantly larger than those in the two groups. (4) It is indicated that the morphology of the cervical facet joint surface gradually transitions from circular to elliptical as the vertebral order increases. In inter-group comparison,facet joint surface height is significantly affected by age compared to facet joint surface width. The area of the lower facet joint surface of each segment is greater than that of the upper facet joint surface,with only significant differences in the shape and area of C4-5 and C5-6. In addition,the minimum height of the facet joint is located at C5,and the significantly widened gap between the facet joint surfaces is mainly located at C3-4 and C4-5. Therefore,cervical instability often occurs at the mid-level.

Objectives:To apply the anterior tilt slope(ATS)for the first time to assess the degree of cervical anteversion,and to explore and analyze the correlations between the cervical anteversion and cervical curvature changes and sagittal spinal alignment parameters in patients with cervical spondylosis.Methods:A total of 201 patients with cervical spondylosis who were treated in the Department of Orthopedics(Cervical Spine)outpatient clinic from May 2020 to July 2023 were included in the study,consisting of 79(39％)males and 122(61％)females,aged 25.6±6.5(18-40)years.Imaging parameters were measured on the total spinal lateral X-ray films,including the cervical parameters,such as cervical lordosis(CL),upper cervical Cobb an-gle,C1-7 Cobb angle,and T1 slope(T1S),cervical sagittal vertical axis(cSVA),Borden value of cervical cur-vature,anterior tilt slope(ATS);thoracolumbar parameters,such as thoracic kyphosis(TK)and lumbar lordosis(LL);as well as pelvic parameters,such as sacral slope(SS),pelvic tilt(PT),pelvic incidence(PI),sagittal vertical axis(SVA).The curvature changes and cervical anteversion were staged according to the Borden value and ATS in the cervical spine parameters,and their relationships with each spinal sagittal parameter in different classification were compared.Results:According to ATS,the cercical anteversion of patients was classified into type Ⅰ of 67 cases,type Ⅱ of 70 cases,type Ⅲ of 40 cases,and type Ⅳ of 24 cases.According to the Borden value,the cervical curvature was classified into type kyphotic of 65 cases,type straight of 92 cases,type lordotic of 29 cases,and type sigmoid of 15 cases.There were significant positive correlations between Borden values and CL,C1-7 Cobb angle,and T1S(P＜0.001).ATS had significant positive correlations with T1S and cSVA(P＜0.001),and positive correlations with CL,C1-7 Cobb angle,and Borden value(P＜0.05).SVA was significantly positively correlated with C1-7 Cobb angle,T1S,cSVA,Borden value,ATS,and SS(P＜0.001),whereas there was no significant correlation between each of the cervical spine parameters and pelvic parameters.In different cervical anteversion classifications,significant differences were observed between cSVA,T1S,TK,and SVA(P＜0.001),and severe degree of cervical anteversion further aggravated the sagittal imbalance.In different types of cervical curvature,there were significant differences between CL,C1-7 Cobb angle,T1S,Borden value,TK,SS,SVA,and ATS(P＜0.05),and when the curvature straightened or became kyphotic,it would cause compensatory reduction of the cervicothoracic junction.Conclusions:In patients with cervical spondylosis,cervical anteversion and curvature changes exhibit significant correlations with thoracic parameters among the sagittal parameters.When cervical anteversion is aggravated and changes in cervical curvature mainly cause compensatory changes in the T1S and TK angles,the SVA is significantly larger in those with significant cervical anteversion.

Objective:To investigate the effects of ascites grading and the application of non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) on the 1-year prognosis of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:1 386 ascitic cases with ACLF were graded and followed up for one year. The 1-year prognostic effect of ascites grade and NSBBs was analyzed on ACLF by the Kaplan Meier Log-rank test, Cox stepwise regression, and multivariate regression.The t-test, Mann-Whitney U, or Kruskal-Wallis test were used for intergroup comparison of measurement data. The χ2 test was used for intergroup comparison of numerical data. Results:The incidence rate of ascites at admission was 77.56% in 1 386 ACLF cases. The Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) of the 1-year survival curve test for 1 386 ACLF patients with ascites grade was 21.384, P<0.01. Multivariate regression and Cox stepwise regression analysis showed that ascites grade, age, gastrointestinal bleeding, pulmonary infection, acute kidney injury, prothrombin activity (PTA), urea, MELD-Na score, and the use of NSBBs were closely related to the 1-year prognosis of ACLF. The log rank (Mantel-Cox) of NSBBs treatment in the grade 2/3 ascites group was 6.113, P=0.013, and the difference was statistically significant, suggesting that NSBBs treatment can help improve the 1-year survival rate in ACLF patients with grade 2 and 3 ascites. Conclusions:Ascites grading and the use of NSBBs affect the prognostic factor of ACLF at one year. NSBBs may be beneficial for the long-term prognosis of ACLF, and treatment can be continued in patients who have already received NSBBs prior to the onset of ACLF.

Objectives:To apply the anterior tilt slope(ATS)for the first time to assess the degree of cervical anteversion,and to explore and analyze the correlations between the cervical anteversion and cervical curvature changes and sagittal spinal alignment parameters in patients with cervical spondylosis.Methods:A total of 201 patients with cervical spondylosis who were treated in the Department of Orthopedics(Cervical Spine)outpatient clinic from May 2020 to July 2023 were included in the study,consisting of 79(39％)males and 122(61％)females,aged 25.6±6.5(18-40)years.Imaging parameters were measured on the total spinal lateral X-ray films,including the cervical parameters,such as cervical lordosis(CL),upper cervical Cobb an-gle,C1-7 Cobb angle,and T1 slope(T1S),cervical sagittal vertical axis(cSVA),Borden value of cervical cur-vature,anterior tilt slope(ATS);thoracolumbar parameters,such as thoracic kyphosis(TK)and lumbar lordosis(LL);as well as pelvic parameters,such as sacral slope(SS),pelvic tilt(PT),pelvic incidence(PI),sagittal vertical axis(SVA).The curvature changes and cervical anteversion were staged according to the Borden value and ATS in the cervical spine parameters,and their relationships with each spinal sagittal parameter in different classification were compared.Results:According to ATS,the cercical anteversion of patients was classified into type Ⅰ of 67 cases,type Ⅱ of 70 cases,type Ⅲ of 40 cases,and type Ⅳ of 24 cases.According to the Borden value,the cervical curvature was classified into type kyphotic of 65 cases,type straight of 92 cases,type lordotic of 29 cases,and type sigmoid of 15 cases.There were significant positive correlations between Borden values and CL,C1-7 Cobb angle,and T1S(P＜0.001).ATS had significant positive correlations with T1S and cSVA(P＜0.001),and positive correlations with CL,C1-7 Cobb angle,and Borden value(P＜0.05).SVA was significantly positively correlated with C1-7 Cobb angle,T1S,cSVA,Borden value,ATS,and SS(P＜0.001),whereas there was no significant correlation between each of the cervical spine parameters and pelvic parameters.In different cervical anteversion classifications,significant differences were observed between cSVA,T1S,TK,and SVA(P＜0.001),and severe degree of cervical anteversion further aggravated the sagittal imbalance.In different types of cervical curvature,there were significant differences between CL,C1-7 Cobb angle,T1S,Borden value,TK,SS,SVA,and ATS(P＜0.05),and when the curvature straightened or became kyphotic,it would cause compensatory reduction of the cervicothoracic junction.Conclusions:In patients with cervical spondylosis,cervical anteversion and curvature changes exhibit significant correlations with thoracic parameters among the sagittal parameters.When cervical anteversion is aggravated and changes in cervical curvature mainly cause compensatory changes in the T1S and TK angles,the SVA is significantly larger in those with significant cervical anteversion.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for 6-month prognosis of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 133 patients with TSCI who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University from January 2017 to August 2021. The patients with TSCI were categorized into an improved group ( n=82) and a non-improved group ( n=51) according to the improvements in the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading between admission and 6 months after injury. To identify the risk factors that might affect the prognosis of TSCI patients at 6 months after injury, univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted of indicators such as gender, age, length of MRI spinal cord signal change, maximum canal compromise (MCC), maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC), brain and spinal cord injury center(BASIC)score, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) within 3 days after injury, ASIA grading within 3 days after injury, mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 3 days after operation, and presence of complications. Results:The univariate analysis showed significant differences between the improved and non-improved groups in length of MRI spinal cord signal change, MCC, MSCC, BASIC, NLR within 3 days after injury, ASIA grading within 3 days after injury, MAP at 3 days after operation, and presence of complications (all P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that NLR ( OR=0.463, 95% CI: 0.287 to 0.748, P=0.002) and ASIA grading ( OR=11.684, 95% CI: 1.684 to 81.086, P=0.013) within 3 days after injury, as well as MAP at 3 days after operation ( OR=2.224, 95% CI: 1.306 to 3.787, P=0.003), were risk factors affecting the 6-month prognosis in TSCI patients. Conclusion:The NLR and ASIA grading within 3 days after injury, and MAP at 3 days after operation are risk factors that may affect the prognosis of TSCI patients at 6 months after injury.

BACKGROUND:Due to the young age of children,the occipital condyle and foramen magnum are not fully developed,and they are prone to various diseases and injuries in the occipitocervical junction,which requires surgical treatment in severe cases.However,anatomical parameters for the development of the occipital condyle and foramen magnum in children are lacking. OBJECTIVE:To measure the morphological structure of the occipital condyle and foramen magnum by three-dimensional reconstruction technique,and to provide important anatomical parameters for occipitocervical junction lesions,related surgical procedures and forensic identification. METHODS:Imaging data of 389 cases of primitive children and adolescents involved in skull base undergoing spiral CT scanning(247 males and 142 females)aged 1-18 years were collected and divided into 1-3-year-old group,4-6-year-old group,7-9-year-old group,10-12-year-old group,13-15-year-old group,and 16-18-year-old group according to their age.Mimics 16.0 software was used to reconstruct the skull base and measure the length and width of the foramen magnum.A formula was used to calculate the area and index of the foramen magnum.We measured the length,width and height of the occipital condyle,the angle between the long axis and the sagittal axis of the occipital condyle(O-S angle),the included angle between the midpoint of the front and back edges of the foramen magnum and the connection between the back edge of occipital condyle and the intersection point of the foramen magnum(F-O angle),and the included angle between the midpoint of the front and back edges of the foramen magnum and the midpoint of the back wall of the sublingual neural tube(F-H angle).Gender,side and age differences were analyzed among the indicators. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In foramen magnum measurement,there was no significant difference between sexes in the index of the foramen magnum(P>0.05),but there were significant differences in length,width and area of the foramen magnum(P<0.05).(2)The O-S angle,F-O angle and F-H angle of the occipitral condyle were not significantly different between genders(P>0.05),but length,width and height of the occipital condyle were significantly different between genders(P<0.05).(3)There were no significant differences in the length of the occipital condyle among different groups(P>0.05),but there were significant differences in the width and height of the occipital condyle,O-S angle,F-O angle and F-H angle among different groups(P<0.05).(4)Length,width and area of the foramen magnum,length,width and height of the occipital condyle showed a wavy increasing trend with the increase of age,while O-S,F-O and F-H angles showed a wavy decreasing trend with the increase of age,while the index of the foramen magnum showed no significant change.(5)In conclusion,there are gender and lateral differences in the morphological indexes of the foramen magnum and the occipital condyle in children.These differences can provide an important reference for clinical surgical approach selection and forensic examination.

Objective:To prepare nanoprobes by using polydopamine (PDA) as a carrier which is modified with the sonosensitizer protoporphyrin Ⅸ (PpⅨ) and labeled with 131I, 99Tc m or 177Lu, and to explore the value of these new nanoprobes in diagnosis and combination therapy of breast cancer. Methods:PDA particles were synthesized by aqueous oxidation, and a layer of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and PpⅨ were modified on the surface to product PDA-PEG-PpⅨ. Then the nuclides 131I, 99Tc m and 177Lu were labeled on PDA, respectively, and the labeling yield and stability were determined. The cytotoxicity test was conducted by comparing the viabilities of 4T1 tumor cells in free 131I group and 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ group. The 4T1 cells were divided into 7 groups according to different treatment methods: PDA-PEG-PpⅨ group, PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ photothermal therapy (PTT) group, PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ sonodynamic therapy (SDT) group, 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ PTT group, 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ SDT group, 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ PTT+ SDT group (100 μg/ml PDA-PEG-PpⅨ, 925 kBq/ml 131I), and the control group (DMEM culture medium). The cell viabilities of those groups were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effect. 4T1 tumor bearing mouse models were established, then 99Tc m-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ was injected through the tail vein (29.6 MBq) or intratumorally (14.8 MBq) to perform gamma imaging. The independent-sample t test and one-way analysis of variance were used for data analysis. Results:The PDA particles were uniform in size, with a particle size of (160.0±1.5) nm. They had a good photothermal conversion effect. A characteristic peak consistent with PpⅨ (400 nm) appeared in the UV-Vis absorption spectrum of PDA-PEG-PpIX. In the cytotoxicity test, when the radioactivity was 1.850 or 3.700 or 7.400 MBq/ml, the cell viabilities of free 131I group and 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ group were significantly different ((72.18±6.57)% vs (86.07±5.17)%, (59.31±9.06)% vs (80.85±4.21)%, (42.90±1.30)% vs (72.99±5.73)%; t values: 3.71, 4.82, 11.46, P values: 0.006, 0.001, <0.001). The 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ PTT+ SDT combination therapy had a better killing effect on 4T1 tumor cells than the combination of 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ PTT and 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ+ SDT (cell viabilities: (10.09±2.50)% vs (16.04±2.63)%, (28.65±4.72)%; F=351.66, P<0.001). In vivo imaging showed that 99Tc m-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ was stable in mouse models and could be effectively enriched in tumors. Conclusions:A multifunctional nanoprobe based on PDA is successfully prepared. The radionuclide labeling method is simple and effective, with a good stability. 131I-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ can kill 4T1 cells efficiently. 99Tc m-PDA-PEG-PpⅨ has an obvious tumor concentration effect in mouse models.