Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the differences in acute mountain sickness between individuals en-tering the plateau for the first time and those with multiple plateau experiences,and to examine the impact on psychological stress.Methods A total of 2 337 young plateau-acclimatized individuals from an acclimatization rotation area during November 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the study subjects.Those entering the plateau for the first time were classified into Group A(n=425),while those with previous plateau experience(at least one prior visit)were classified into Group B(n=1 912).Differences were analyzed between the two groups in terms of general characteristics,as well as acute mountain sickness(AMS)scores,Self-Rating De-pression Scale(SDS)scores,Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90)scores,and various vital signs at the following time points:before entering the plateau(T0),on the 1st day(T1),4th day(T2),7th day(T3),and 10th day(T4)after entering the plateau.Results Group A was younger than Group B,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).At T1,T2,and T3,AMS scores in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B(P<0.05).At T4,there was no statistically significant difference in AMS scores between the two groups(P>0.05).At T1,T2,and T3,blood oxygen saturation was lower and heart rate higher in Group A than in Group B,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).After high-altitude acclimatization,no statistically significant differences in blood oxygen saturation or heart rate were observed between the groups at T4(P>0.05).At T1,there were no statistically significant differences in systolic or diastolic blood pres-sure between the groups(P>0.05).At T2,both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.05).At T3 and T4,after high-altitude acclimatization,systolic blood pressure de-creased in both groups but remained higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.05).On the SDS scale,men-tal-emotional and somatic symptom scores were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.001).On the SCL-90,all nine symptom factor scores were higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.05).Conclusion Indi-viduals entering high-altitude areas for the first time experience more severe acute mountain sickness and more pronounced psychological stress.Therefore,enhanced monitoring,psychological counseling,and tailored pre-vention and treatment strategies should be implemented.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint application for post-stroke depression (PSD) by regulating gastrointestinal function. A secondary objective is to explore the potential mechanism underlying this approach from the perspective of gut microbiota.MethodsThis multicenter, randomized, double-blind (patients and assessors), placebo-controlled trial will enroll 80 patients with PSD, and include a 1-week run-in period, a 4-week treatment phase, and a 12-week follow-up. Eligible participants will randomly be assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the acupoint application or placebo (non-acupoint) groups. Treatments will be administered thrice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) score. Secondary outcomes include the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, Social Adaptation Self–Evaluation Scale (SASS), and gut microbiota profiling. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline (prior to treatment), during treatment (weeks 2 and 4), and during follow-up (weeks 8, 12, and 16). The Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) will be used for evaluation throughout the 4-week treatment phase.DiscussionThe results of this study will provide important evidence supporting a novel treatment strategy for PSD that targets gastrointestinal regulation, potentially informing future clinical practice.

At present,the quality and safety management of multiple districts of hospital still has problems such as low informatization level,inconsistent quality and safety management mode,and insufficient quality and safety management concept.It takes an orthopedic hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an example to explore the quality and safety management practice of multiple districts of hospital under the homogenization strategy.A three-level quality control management system composed of leadership,executive level and guidance level was constructed,and the general framework of the integrated quality management system and the specific work contents of quality management in each hospital were proposed,in order to provide a standardized and operable management mode for medical institutions to carry out medical quality management.

At present,the quality and safety management of multiple districts of hospital still has problems such as low informatization level,inconsistent quality and safety management mode,and insufficient quality and safety management concept.It takes an orthopedic hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an example to explore the quality and safety management practice of multiple districts of hospital under the homogenization strategy.A three-level quality control management system composed of leadership,executive level and guidance level was constructed,and the general framework of the integrated quality management system and the specific work contents of quality management in each hospital were proposed,in order to provide a standardized and operable management mode for medical institutions to carry out medical quality management.

At present,the quality and safety management of multiple districts of hospital still has problems such as low informatization level,inconsistent quality and safety management mode,and insufficient quality and safety management concept.It takes an orthopedic hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an example to explore the quality and safety management practice of multiple districts of hospital under the homogenization strategy.A three-level quality control management system composed of leadership,executive level and guidance level was constructed,and the general framework of the integrated quality management system and the specific work contents of quality management in each hospital were proposed,in order to provide a standardized and operable management mode for medical institutions to carry out medical quality management.

At present,the quality and safety management of multiple districts of hospital still has problems such as low informatization level,inconsistent quality and safety management mode,and insufficient quality and safety management concept.It takes an orthopedic hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an example to explore the quality and safety management practice of multiple districts of hospital under the homogenization strategy.A three-level quality control management system composed of leadership,executive level and guidance level was constructed,and the general framework of the integrated quality management system and the specific work contents of quality management in each hospital were proposed,in order to provide a standardized and operable management mode for medical institutions to carry out medical quality management.