Objective To investigate the distribution of plantar pressures and bone stresses of the foot with high,normal and low arch morphologies,and reveal the influence of arch morphology on foot biomechanical properties.Methods A total of 127 young females were recruited.The foot type was classified by collecting the morphological data of the foot with the three-dimensional(3D)foot scanner,and three types of the foot arch morphology were selected for analysis.The geometric model of foot bone was obtained by CT scanning,so as to establish the biomechanical finite element model of the foot.A load of 50％human body weight was applied to the model to simulate the state of bipedal standing.Results The calculated plantar contact area was compared with the measured results,and the relative error values were smaller than 10％,which proved the validity of the finite element model.The peak plantar pressure under three types of arch morphologies was located in the hind foot region,and the heel pressure of high-and low-arched foot was higher than that of normal-arched foot.Compared with normal-arched foot,high-arched foot showed a significant increase in stress in the hind foot area,the peak stress of soft tissues was 299.45％higher,and the peak bone stress was 93.19％higher.For low-arched foot,the plantar contact area increased by 13.28％and calcaneal stress increased by 98.09％.The peak bone stresses of high-,normal-and low-arched foot were located at the talus,which were 9.903,19.921 and 36.308 MPa,respectively.Conclusions This study supports the association between abnormal arch morphology,foot pain and foot diseases,and provides a basis and direction for the design of orthopedic insoles and arch support structures for abnormal feet.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and associated factors of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) coexisting with restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted, enrolling hospitalized patients diagnosed with OSA or RLS at Peking University Sixth Hospital from June 2015 to May 2023. Participants were divided into three groups: OSA with RLS (comorbid group, n=26), OSA alone ( n=60, RLS-excluding), and RLS alone ( n=45, OSA-excluding). Demographic characteristics, clinical data, laboratory indicators (i.e., hemoglobin, ferritin, serum iron, folate, vitamin B 12, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fasting glucose), and polysomnography (PSG) parameters were collected. Group differences were analyzed using ANOVA, chi-square tests, and non-parametric tests. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with OSA comorbid RLS. Results:Laboratory analyses revealed that patients in the comorbid group had significantly lower hemoglobin ( P=0.046) and ferritin levels ( P=0.024) than the OSA-alone group. Conversely, serum phosphorus was markedly elevated in the comorbid group compared to both control groups ( F=2.23, P<0.01). Polysomnography test found significantly higher periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) in the comorbid group vs. OSA-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P=0.001), reduced minimum oxygen saturation in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001), and increased respiratory-related microarousals in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted for covariates confirmed that periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) ( OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.02-1.07, P=0.001) and serum phosphorus ( OR=6.51, 95% CI=1.86-27.40, P=0.003) independently contributed to OSA-RLS comorbidity. Conclusion:The coexistence of OSA and RLS manifests as dual dysregulation in iron-phosphorus metabolism and synchronized respiratory-motor dysfunction. Mechanistically, hypoxia-induced systemic inflammation may serve as a nexus linking metabolic perturbations and sleep fragmentation in this clinical subpopulation, highlighting potential biomarkers for targeted management.

Genetic transformation is a fundamental tool in molecular biology research of medicinal plants. Tailoring transgenic technologies to each distinct medicinal plant would necessitate a substantial investment of time and effort. Here, we present a simple hairy root transformation method that does not require sterile conditions, utilizing Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain K599 and the visible RUBY reporter system. Transgenic hairy roots were obtained for six tested medicinal plant species, roots or rhizomes of which have recognized medicinal value, spanning four botanical families and six genera (Platycodon grandiflorus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Scutellaria baicalensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Furthermore, two previously identified Glycyrrhiza uralensis UGTs that convert liquiritigenin into liquiritin in heterologous systems were studied in planta using the method. Our results indicate that overexpression of GuUGT1 but not GuUGT10 and Cas9-mediated knockout of GuUGT1 profoundly influenced the accumulation of liquiritin and isoliquiritin in licorice roots. Therefore, the method described here represents a simple, rapid and widely applicable hairy root transformation method that enables fast gene functional study in medicinal plants.

OBJECTIVE: In Pakistan, traditional medicines are an important component of the medical system, with numerous varieties and great demands. However, due to the scattered resources and the lack of systematic collection and collation, adulteration of traditional Pakistani medicine (TPM) is common, which severely affects the safety of their medicinal use and the import and export trades. Therefore, it is urgent to systematically organize and unify the management of TPM and establish a set of standards and operable methods for the identification of TPM. METHODS: We collected and organized the information on 128 TPMs with regard to their medicinal parts, efficacy, usage, and genetic material, based on Pakistan Hamdard Pharmacopoeia of Eastern Medicine: Pharmaceutical Codex. The genetic information of TPM is summarized from national center for biotechnology information (NCBI) and global pharmacopoeia genome database (GPGD). Furthermore, we utilized bioinformatics technology to supplement the chloroplast genome (cp-genome) data of 12 TPMs. To build the web server, we used the Linux + Apache + MySQL + PHP (LAMP) system and constructed the webpage on a PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) model view controller (MVC) framework. RESULTS: We constructed a new genomic database, the traditional Pakistani medicine genomic database (TPMGD). This database comprises five entries, namely homepage, medicinal species, species identification, basic local alignment search tool (BLAST), and download. Currently, TPMGD contains basic profiles of 128 TPMs and genetic information of 102 TPMs, including 140 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and 119 mitochondrial genome sequences from Bombyx mori, 1 396 internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences and 1 074 intergenic region (psbA-trnH) sequences specific to 92 and 83 plant species, respectively. Additionally, TPMGD includes 199 cp-genome sequences of 82 TPMs. CONCLUSION TPMGD is a multifunctional database that integrates species description, functional information inquiry, genetic information storage, molecular identification of TPM, etc. The database not only provides convenience for TPM information queries but also establishes the scientific basis for the medication safety, species identification, and resource protection of TPM.

Objective To investigate the distribution of plantar pressures and bone stresses of the foot with high,normal and low arch morphologies,and reveal the influence of arch morphology on foot biomechanical properties.Methods A total of 127 young females were recruited.The foot type was classified by collecting the morphological data of the foot with the three-dimensional(3D)foot scanner,and three types of the foot arch morphology were selected for analysis.The geometric model of foot bone was obtained by CT scanning,so as to establish the biomechanical finite element model of the foot.A load of 50％human body weight was applied to the model to simulate the state of bipedal standing.Results The calculated plantar contact area was compared with the measured results,and the relative error values were smaller than 10％,which proved the validity of the finite element model.The peak plantar pressure under three types of arch morphologies was located in the hind foot region,and the heel pressure of high-and low-arched foot was higher than that of normal-arched foot.Compared with normal-arched foot,high-arched foot showed a significant increase in stress in the hind foot area,the peak stress of soft tissues was 299.45％higher,and the peak bone stress was 93.19％higher.For low-arched foot,the plantar contact area increased by 13.28％and calcaneal stress increased by 98.09％.The peak bone stresses of high-,normal-and low-arched foot were located at the talus,which were 9.903,19.921 and 36.308 MPa,respectively.Conclusions This study supports the association between abnormal arch morphology,foot pain and foot diseases,and provides a basis and direction for the design of orthopedic insoles and arch support structures for abnormal feet.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and associated factors of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) coexisting with restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted, enrolling hospitalized patients diagnosed with OSA or RLS at Peking University Sixth Hospital from June 2015 to May 2023. Participants were divided into three groups: OSA with RLS (comorbid group, n=26), OSA alone ( n=60, RLS-excluding), and RLS alone ( n=45, OSA-excluding). Demographic characteristics, clinical data, laboratory indicators (i.e., hemoglobin, ferritin, serum iron, folate, vitamin B 12, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fasting glucose), and polysomnography (PSG) parameters were collected. Group differences were analyzed using ANOVA, chi-square tests, and non-parametric tests. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with OSA comorbid RLS. Results:Laboratory analyses revealed that patients in the comorbid group had significantly lower hemoglobin ( P=0.046) and ferritin levels ( P=0.024) than the OSA-alone group. Conversely, serum phosphorus was markedly elevated in the comorbid group compared to both control groups ( F=2.23, P<0.01). Polysomnography test found significantly higher periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) in the comorbid group vs. OSA-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P=0.001), reduced minimum oxygen saturation in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001), and increased respiratory-related microarousals in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted for covariates confirmed that periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) ( OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.02-1.07, P=0.001) and serum phosphorus ( OR=6.51, 95% CI=1.86-27.40, P=0.003) independently contributed to OSA-RLS comorbidity. Conclusion:The coexistence of OSA and RLS manifests as dual dysregulation in iron-phosphorus metabolism and synchronized respiratory-motor dysfunction. Mechanistically, hypoxia-induced systemic inflammation may serve as a nexus linking metabolic perturbations and sleep fragmentation in this clinical subpopulation, highlighting potential biomarkers for targeted management.

Objective:To explore the repair effect of nucleus pulposus spherical cell clusters in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration and its potential therapeutic application.Methods:The degradation and rheological properties of SupraGel hydrogel were characterized, and the biocompatibility of spherical nucleus pulposus cell clusters in SupraGel hydrogel was tested by live-dead cytological staining. A caudal disc puncture degeneration model was established in 20 SD rats, and the rats were divided into groups and intervention measures: puncture of degenerated segment without intervention (positive control group), puncture of degenerated segment injection of SupraGel hydrogel (hydrogel group), puncture of degenerated segment injection of spherical cell clusters (cell cluster group), puncture of degenerated segment injection of SupraGel hydrogel loaded with spherical cell clusters (hydrogel + cell cluster group) and healthy segment (negative control group). X-rays and MRI examinations were performed at the 4th and 8th weeks after intervention, and the disc degeneration was evaluated according to the disc height index and Pfirrmann grading. HE staining, safranin O-fast green staining and COL-2 immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the changes in the disc structure and extracellular matrix.Results:The degradation residual rate of SupraGel hydrogel was 73.7% after 10 h, which showed excellent shear thinning and self-recovery properties. Nucleus pulposus cells could spontaneously aggregate in SupraGel hydrogel to form stable spherical cell clusters, which remained active on the 7th day. In the in vivo experiment, the intervertebral height index of the hydrogel + cell cluster group was 88.12%±4.55% and 74.13%±4.09% at 4 and 8 weeks after intervention, which were higher than those of the positive control group and hydrogel group, and lower than those of the negative control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the Pfirrmann grades were 2.40±0.55 and 2.60±0.89, which were lower than those of the positive control group and hydrogel group at 4 weeks, and lower than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group at 8 weeks, and higher than those of the negative control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the morphological scores were 6.60±0.55 and 9.40±1.14, which were lower than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group at 4 weeks, at the 8th week, the levels of collagen type II were lower than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group, but higher than those of the negative control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The optical density of type II collagen was 0.12±0.01 and 0.10±0.01, respectively, which were higher than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group at the 4th week, and higher than those of the positive control group and hydrogel group at the 8th week, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Nucleus pulposus spherical cell clusters can be successfully constructed and have been shown to have the effect of delaying degeneration in the rat intervertebral disc degeneration model.

Objective:To explore the repair effect of nucleus pulposus spherical cell clusters in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration and its potential therapeutic application.Methods:The degradation and rheological properties of SupraGel hydrogel were characterized, and the biocompatibility of spherical nucleus pulposus cell clusters in SupraGel hydrogel was tested by live-dead cytological staining. A caudal disc puncture degeneration model was established in 20 SD rats, and the rats were divided into groups and intervention measures: puncture of degenerated segment without intervention (positive control group), puncture of degenerated segment injection of SupraGel hydrogel (hydrogel group), puncture of degenerated segment injection of spherical cell clusters (cell cluster group), puncture of degenerated segment injection of SupraGel hydrogel loaded with spherical cell clusters (hydrogel + cell cluster group) and healthy segment (negative control group). X-rays and MRI examinations were performed at the 4th and 8th weeks after intervention, and the disc degeneration was evaluated according to the disc height index and Pfirrmann grading. HE staining, safranin O-fast green staining and COL-2 immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the changes in the disc structure and extracellular matrix.Results:The degradation residual rate of SupraGel hydrogel was 73.7% after 10 h, which showed excellent shear thinning and self-recovery properties. Nucleus pulposus cells could spontaneously aggregate in SupraGel hydrogel to form stable spherical cell clusters, which remained active on the 7th day. In the in vivo experiment, the intervertebral height index of the hydrogel + cell cluster group was 88.12%±4.55% and 74.13%±4.09% at 4 and 8 weeks after intervention, which were higher than those of the positive control group and hydrogel group, and lower than those of the negative control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the Pfirrmann grades were 2.40±0.55 and 2.60±0.89, which were lower than those of the positive control group and hydrogel group at 4 weeks, and lower than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group at 8 weeks, and higher than those of the negative control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the morphological scores were 6.60±0.55 and 9.40±1.14, which were lower than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group at 4 weeks, at the 8th week, the levels of collagen type II were lower than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group, but higher than those of the negative control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The optical density of type II collagen was 0.12±0.01 and 0.10±0.01, respectively, which were higher than those of the positive control group, hydrogel group and cell cluster group at the 4th week, and higher than those of the positive control group and hydrogel group at the 8th week, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Nucleus pulposus spherical cell clusters can be successfully constructed and have been shown to have the effect of delaying degeneration in the rat intervertebral disc degeneration model.

Objective To analyze the research literature on Abelmoschus manihot utilizing the CiteSpace visualization software and summarize the current research hotspots and trends in this field. Methods Relevant literature relating Abelmoschus manihot was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. The CiteSpace 5.7.R5 software was employed to conduct a visual analysis of researchers, research institutions, and key words in the selected literature that met the inclusion criteria. Results A total of 319 relevant articles were retrieved, of which 284 articles were ultimately included for analysis. The earliest research on Abelmoschus manihot could be traced back to 1979. Core authors included LIU Zhihui, TAN Xianhe, ZHU Huayun, etc. Institutions with a higher volume of publications included Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Jiangsu Suzhong Pharmaceutical Group, and Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Research hotspots encompassed active ingredients, empirical prescriptions, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, Crohn's disease, calcium overload, component identification, and preparation processes. Conclusion The visual analysis of Abelmoschus manihot research presented in the form of knowledge maps reveals that current research spans multiple disciplines. However, collaboration among research institutions needs to be strengthened.

Klein-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare disease characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia and cognitive and behavioral dysfunction. In addition, all functions remain intact during the intermittent period. Infection is a common risk factor for its onset. In this case, a 17-year-old patient with KLS was admitted to our hospital in March 2023 who first developed KLS symptoms and relapsed after being infected with influenza A Virus (H1N1). Based on the typical symptoms occurred during the patient′s attack, the absence of symptoms and signs during the interval, and the absence of other triggers, the patient was diagnosed with KLS recurrence secondary to influenza A Virus (H1N1). This case report aims to reveal that influenza A Virus (H1N1) may be contribute to the recurrence of KLS and that preventing infection is important in the treatment of KLS to draw the attention of clinical physicians.