Objective:To investigate the correlation between postoperative spinal sagittal parameters and reinforced vertebral recompression fractures in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) who have undergone percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods:Data on patients with OVCFs treated with PKP at the Department of Orthopaedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from August 2020 to August 2024, were collected. Among these, 31 patients who underwent single-segment PKP experienced postoperative reinforced vertebral recompression fractures (recompression fracture group), comprising 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 73.74±8.76 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 23.83±1.87 kg/m 2, and a bone mineral density T-value of -2.29±0.55. The remission rate of the visual analogue scale (VAS) after surgery was 80.14%±4.86%, with a mean volume of bone cement used at 5.37±0.69 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 5 (1 case), T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (9 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (4 cases), L 3 (2 cases), and L 4 (2 cases). Following a 1∶1 matching principle, 31 patients whose vertebrae did not experience reinforced recompression fractures during the same period (non-recompression fracture group) were included. This group also comprised 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 74.88±8.31 years, a BMI of 23.15±2.04 kg/m 2, a bone mineral density T-value of -2.76±0.64, and a VAS remission rate of 79.75%±5.01%. The mean volume of bone cement used in this group was 5.41±0.72 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (8 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (5 cases), L 3 (2 cases), L 4 (2 cases), and L 5 (1 case). There were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned indicators between the two patient groups ( P>0.05). A comparison of the postoperative spinal sagittal parameters between the two groups was conducted, focusing on the local kyphosis angle (LKA), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and the lumbar-pelvic matching value (PI-LL). Indicators that exhibited statistically significant differences were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of spinal sagittal parameters following PKP on the recompression of the reinforced vertebral. Results:The time to reinforced vertebral recompression fractures after PKP ranged from 35 to 184 d, with a median of 69 d. The TK in the recompression fracture group (46.56°±7.02°) was significantly greater than that in the non-recompression fracture group (41.95°±5.76°). Additionally, the LKA, PI and SS were all smaller in the recompression fracture group (9.84°±2.13°, 41.36°±4.27°, 22.69°±5.53°, respectively) compared to the non-recompression fracture group (12.37°±2.64°, 48.09°±6.33°, 28.41°±7.64°), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the LL, PT, and PI-LL values ( P>0.05). TK, LKA, PI, and SS were included in the binary logistic regression analysis, which indicated that TK [ OR=1.533, 95% CI(1.47, 1.59)] after PKP was positively correlated with the occurrence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures. Conversely, LKA [ OR=0.882, 95% CI(0.80, 0.96)], PI [ OR=0.815, 95% CI(0.71, 0.91)], and SS [ OR=0.833, 95% CI(0.73, 0.93)] were negatively correlated. Conclusions:The incidence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures following PKP is associated with spinal sagittal parameters, including TK, LKA, PI, and SS. Specifically, a larger TK and smaller values of LKA, PI, and SS are correlated with an elevated risk of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures.

Objective:To investigate the influence of TGF-β1 on the malignant transformation of bystander cells after proton irradiation simulating space radiation, and its underlying mechanism.Methods:Normal human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B were exposed to proton irradiation at 0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 Gy to simulate space radiation. Supernatants from cell culture media were collected as a conditioned medium (CM) for treating bystander BEAS-2B cells. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect TGF-β1 levels within the CM. The soft agar colony formation assay was performed to assess the rate of malignant transformation of bystander cells. Immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques were utilized to examine the localization of β-arrestin1 in CM-treated bystander cells, with or without the TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor SB525334. The malignant transformation of bystander cells was assessed via soft agar colony formation assay under CM treatment, combined with either a TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor or β-arrestin1 knockdown. Additionally, mRNA and protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related genes (e.g., E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Fibronectin1, and Vimentin) were analyzed through qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.Results:Contrasting with the 0 Gy group, the proton irradiation groups exhibited a dose-dependent increase in TGF-β1 secretion after 24 h ( t=3.38, 8.32, 10.96, P<0.05), and a corresponding rise in the soft agar colony formation rate of CM-treated bystander cells ( t=5.04, 7.20, 10.78, P<0.05). Immunofluorescence and Western blot results indicated that with escalating doses, CM-treated bystander cells showed increased β-arrestin1 into nuclei ( t=7.57, 7.51, P<0.05), being stimulated by TGF-β1 and inhibited by SB525334. The SB525334 application or β-arrestin1 knockdown significantly inhibited the malignant transformation and EMT induced by proton irradiation in bystander cells. This inhibition further reduced the soft agar colony formation rate ( t=2.84, 3.39, P<0.05), and increased mRNA and protein levels of the E-cadherin gene in CM-treated bystander cells exposed to 1 Gy proton irradiation ( t=7.33, 5.38, P<0.05) while reducing the mRNA and protein levels of N-cadherin, Fibronectin1, and Vimentin genes ( t=4.37, 4.10, 5.29, 10.65, 5.15, 3.11, P<0.05). Conclusions:Proton irradiation simulating space radiation can enhance TGF-β1 secretion from lung epithelial cells, inducing β-arrestin1 into nuclei in bystander cells, thereby spurring the malignant transformation of cells. The TGF-β1/β-arrestin1 pathway plays a crucial role in this process.

Objective:To investigate the differential responses of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-to-apoptosis cascade induced by proton ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation between lung epithelial and lung cancer cells.Methods:Human lung epithelial cells (KT) and lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were irradiated with protons, and divided into Ctrl, CONV and FLASH groups. Survival curves were generated using colony formation assay. Protein and mRNA expressions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis regulators were assessed via Western blot and RT-qPCR. The concentration of IL-6 secreted into the culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:In KT cells, compared to the CONV group, FLASH irradiation resulted in a significantly higher survival fraction ( P<0.05), increased GRP78 protein expression ( t= 7.52, P < 0.05) and UPR-related genes PERK, ATF4, and CHOP. In A549, the cell survival rate did not differ significantly between the CONV and FLASH groups ( P > 0.05). UPR pathway was not activated in either group. However, both CONV and FLASH irradiation significantly promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=4.31, 4.47, P<0.05), while no difference was identified between two groups. In KT, both irradiation promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=7.43, 3.07, P<0.05) while IL-6 concentration in FLASH group was significantly lower than that in CONV group ( t=7.63, P<0.05). Additionally, a pro-apoptotic propensity in KT cells following FLASH irradiation and in A549 cells following both FLASH and CONV irradiation was identified. Conclusions:In KT cells, FLASH irradiation cleared misfolded proteins through activating UPR pathway, promoted apoptosis of damaged cells, suppressed IL-6 secretion to attenuate inflammatory injury, and ultimately enhanced cell survival. Furthermore, proton FLASH irradiation bypasses ER stress activation in A549 cells, instead directly priming an apoptotic disposition with concomitant IL-6 hypersecretion. This paracrine damage amplification cascade potentiates radiation-induced tumoricidal efficacy through sustained cytotoxic microenvironment remodeling.

Osteosarcoma(OS)is a common primary malignant bone tumor with high mortality,disability,metastasis,and recurrence rates and a complex pathogenesis,Resulting in serious effects on patient quality of life and huge economic burdens on families and society.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has"multi-target,multi-component and multi-pathway"characteristics.Recent studies using animal and cell models demonstrated that the mechanism of OS progression was related to Notch,mitogen-activated protein kinase,Wnt/β-catenin,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT,Hedgehog and nuclear factor-κB,transforming growth factor-β/Smad and signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways.TCM can exert anti-tumor effects by influencing biological processes such as cell proliferation,migration,invasion,apoptosis,and autophagy via interfering with the above signaling pathways.This review considers the roles of these signaling pathways in OS and summarizes the current research status of TCM interventions in the prevention and treatment of OS,with the aim of providing a reference for future studies of TCM treatments of OS and to provide new ideas for its clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for determining the content of multiple components in Astragalus membranaceus,compare the content differences of Astragalus membranaceus in different regions and with different extraction methods in Gansu,and e-valuate the quality of Astragalus membranaceus from different origins of Gansu.METHODS Astragalus membranaceus samples from 40 origins in Gansu were collected on site.The content of Astragaloside Ⅳ,Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,Ononin,Form-ononetin and Calycosin was determined by HPLC external standard method,and the quality differences of Astragalus membranaceus from 40 origins of Gansu were analyzed by combining bar graphs and line graphs.RESULTS Weiyuan County and Min County of Dingxi City showed high Astragaloside Ⅳ content in both extraction methods,indicating that the Astragalus membranaceus in these two regions has advantages in Astragaloside Ⅳ as an active component;for Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and Ononin,although the performance of different regions in different extraction methods was different,in general,Weiyuan County and Min County of Dingxi City and Longnan City showed high content in both extraction methods.Water extraction method was more conducive to the extraction of Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and Ononin,while alcohol extraction method was more conducive to the extraction of Astragalo-side Ⅳ,Calycosin and Ononin.CONCLUSION The content of chemical components of Astragalus membranaceus from different ori-gins is quite different,and the choice of extraction method has a significant effect on the content of active components,while the change trend of different compounds in the two extraction methods is basically the same.The established HPLC multi-component content de-termination method of Astragalus membranaceus is stable and reliable,which can provide a scientific basis for the quality control and comprehensive evaluation of Astragalus membranaceus medicinal materials.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between postoperative spinal sagittal parameters and reinforced vertebral recompression fractures in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) who have undergone percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods:Data on patients with OVCFs treated with PKP at the Department of Orthopaedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from August 2020 to August 2024, were collected. Among these, 31 patients who underwent single-segment PKP experienced postoperative reinforced vertebral recompression fractures (recompression fracture group), comprising 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 73.74±8.76 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 23.83±1.87 kg/m 2, and a bone mineral density T-value of -2.29±0.55. The remission rate of the visual analogue scale (VAS) after surgery was 80.14%±4.86%, with a mean volume of bone cement used at 5.37±0.69 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 5 (1 case), T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (9 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (4 cases), L 3 (2 cases), and L 4 (2 cases). Following a 1∶1 matching principle, 31 patients whose vertebrae did not experience reinforced recompression fractures during the same period (non-recompression fracture group) were included. This group also comprised 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 74.88±8.31 years, a BMI of 23.15±2.04 kg/m 2, a bone mineral density T-value of -2.76±0.64, and a VAS remission rate of 79.75%±5.01%. The mean volume of bone cement used in this group was 5.41±0.72 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (8 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (5 cases), L 3 (2 cases), L 4 (2 cases), and L 5 (1 case). There were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned indicators between the two patient groups ( P>0.05). A comparison of the postoperative spinal sagittal parameters between the two groups was conducted, focusing on the local kyphosis angle (LKA), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and the lumbar-pelvic matching value (PI-LL). Indicators that exhibited statistically significant differences were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of spinal sagittal parameters following PKP on the recompression of the reinforced vertebral. Results:The time to reinforced vertebral recompression fractures after PKP ranged from 35 to 184 d, with a median of 69 d. The TK in the recompression fracture group (46.56°±7.02°) was significantly greater than that in the non-recompression fracture group (41.95°±5.76°). Additionally, the LKA, PI and SS were all smaller in the recompression fracture group (9.84°±2.13°, 41.36°±4.27°, 22.69°±5.53°, respectively) compared to the non-recompression fracture group (12.37°±2.64°, 48.09°±6.33°, 28.41°±7.64°), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the LL, PT, and PI-LL values ( P>0.05). TK, LKA, PI, and SS were included in the binary logistic regression analysis, which indicated that TK [ OR=1.533, 95% CI(1.47, 1.59)] after PKP was positively correlated with the occurrence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures. Conversely, LKA [ OR=0.882, 95% CI(0.80, 0.96)], PI [ OR=0.815, 95% CI(0.71, 0.91)], and SS [ OR=0.833, 95% CI(0.73, 0.93)] were negatively correlated. Conclusions:The incidence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures following PKP is associated with spinal sagittal parameters, including TK, LKA, PI, and SS. Specifically, a larger TK and smaller values of LKA, PI, and SS are correlated with an elevated risk of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures.

Objective:To investigate the influence of TGF-β1 on the malignant transformation of bystander cells after proton irradiation simulating space radiation, and its underlying mechanism.Methods:Normal human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B were exposed to proton irradiation at 0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 Gy to simulate space radiation. Supernatants from cell culture media were collected as a conditioned medium (CM) for treating bystander BEAS-2B cells. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect TGF-β1 levels within the CM. The soft agar colony formation assay was performed to assess the rate of malignant transformation of bystander cells. Immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques were utilized to examine the localization of β-arrestin1 in CM-treated bystander cells, with or without the TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor SB525334. The malignant transformation of bystander cells was assessed via soft agar colony formation assay under CM treatment, combined with either a TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor or β-arrestin1 knockdown. Additionally, mRNA and protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related genes (e.g., E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Fibronectin1, and Vimentin) were analyzed through qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.Results:Contrasting with the 0 Gy group, the proton irradiation groups exhibited a dose-dependent increase in TGF-β1 secretion after 24 h ( t=3.38, 8.32, 10.96, P<0.05), and a corresponding rise in the soft agar colony formation rate of CM-treated bystander cells ( t=5.04, 7.20, 10.78, P<0.05). Immunofluorescence and Western blot results indicated that with escalating doses, CM-treated bystander cells showed increased β-arrestin1 into nuclei ( t=7.57, 7.51, P<0.05), being stimulated by TGF-β1 and inhibited by SB525334. The SB525334 application or β-arrestin1 knockdown significantly inhibited the malignant transformation and EMT induced by proton irradiation in bystander cells. This inhibition further reduced the soft agar colony formation rate ( t=2.84, 3.39, P<0.05), and increased mRNA and protein levels of the E-cadherin gene in CM-treated bystander cells exposed to 1 Gy proton irradiation ( t=7.33, 5.38, P<0.05) while reducing the mRNA and protein levels of N-cadherin, Fibronectin1, and Vimentin genes ( t=4.37, 4.10, 5.29, 10.65, 5.15, 3.11, P<0.05). Conclusions:Proton irradiation simulating space radiation can enhance TGF-β1 secretion from lung epithelial cells, inducing β-arrestin1 into nuclei in bystander cells, thereby spurring the malignant transformation of cells. The TGF-β1/β-arrestin1 pathway plays a crucial role in this process.

Objective:To investigate the differential responses of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-to-apoptosis cascade induced by proton ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation between lung epithelial and lung cancer cells.Methods:Human lung epithelial cells (KT) and lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were irradiated with protons, and divided into Ctrl, CONV and FLASH groups. Survival curves were generated using colony formation assay. Protein and mRNA expressions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis regulators were assessed via Western blot and RT-qPCR. The concentration of IL-6 secreted into the culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:In KT cells, compared to the CONV group, FLASH irradiation resulted in a significantly higher survival fraction ( P<0.05), increased GRP78 protein expression ( t= 7.52, P < 0.05) and UPR-related genes PERK, ATF4, and CHOP. In A549, the cell survival rate did not differ significantly between the CONV and FLASH groups ( P > 0.05). UPR pathway was not activated in either group. However, both CONV and FLASH irradiation significantly promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=4.31, 4.47, P<0.05), while no difference was identified between two groups. In KT, both irradiation promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=7.43, 3.07, P<0.05) while IL-6 concentration in FLASH group was significantly lower than that in CONV group ( t=7.63, P<0.05). Additionally, a pro-apoptotic propensity in KT cells following FLASH irradiation and in A549 cells following both FLASH and CONV irradiation was identified. Conclusions:In KT cells, FLASH irradiation cleared misfolded proteins through activating UPR pathway, promoted apoptosis of damaged cells, suppressed IL-6 secretion to attenuate inflammatory injury, and ultimately enhanced cell survival. Furthermore, proton FLASH irradiation bypasses ER stress activation in A549 cells, instead directly priming an apoptotic disposition with concomitant IL-6 hypersecretion. This paracrine damage amplification cascade potentiates radiation-induced tumoricidal efficacy through sustained cytotoxic microenvironment remodeling.

Objective:The study investigated the full-time Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) working in hospitals on their current working situation and explored affecting factors to provide suggestions for a professional and systemic clinical research workforce establishment in municipal medical institutions.Methods:A questionnaire survey was designed for CRCs in municipal hospitals in Shanghai, descriptive and one-way cross-tabulation analysis were conducted, using t-test for continuous numerical variables, rank-sum test for count variables and chi-square test for categorical variables.Results:Totaling 177 CRCs in 9 municipal hospitals in Shanghai answered the questionnaire. The average age of the respondents was 28.56±7.299 years old. Their professional background was mainly nursing and pharmacy (139/177, 87.53%), and bachelor degree (114/177, 64.41%). Averagely worked 2.50±1.632 years, the average number of research projects undertaken by CRC was 3.45±2.179, and the average number of cumulative projects involved was 8.72±9.341. The CRCs employed by hospitals mainly undertook Investigator-Initiated clinical Trial/Research projects (IITs) (26/36, 72.22%), while the CRCs employed by SMO companies mainly undertook Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trial (IST) projects (96/141, 68.09%). 85.88% (152/117) of CRCs held GCP certificates valid within three years, and the proportion of CRCs employed by hospitals held GCP certificates was lower than that of SMO companies ( P<0.05). Among the CRCs employed by hospitals, 23 (63.89%) said they had no position or were not clear about their position; The CRCs in SMO companies were mainly primary and intermediate (χ 2=84.119, P<0.05). The average number of research projects undertaken by CRC was 3.45±2.179, and the average number of cumulative projects involved was 8.72±9.341. Conclusions:With the development of clinical research, the full-time specialized CRCs in medical institutions mainly have 2 sources: from SMO/CRO companies or self-employment by medical institutions. In general, there are still problems in the CRC talent team as unclear entry standards, insufficient, lack career positioning planning, large mobility, imperfect training system, and imperfect promotion mechanism. It is suggested to unify occupational access standards and set specialty in colleges or universities. Strengthen post-service education and training system, establish multi-party collaborative training mechanism, standardize the assessment and evaluation, improve the job title promotion system, to promote the rapid development of CRC team.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for determining the content of multiple components in Astragalus membranaceus,compare the content differences of Astragalus membranaceus in different regions and with different extraction methods in Gansu,and e-valuate the quality of Astragalus membranaceus from different origins of Gansu.METHODS Astragalus membranaceus samples from 40 origins in Gansu were collected on site.The content of Astragaloside Ⅳ,Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,Ononin,Form-ononetin and Calycosin was determined by HPLC external standard method,and the quality differences of Astragalus membranaceus from 40 origins of Gansu were analyzed by combining bar graphs and line graphs.RESULTS Weiyuan County and Min County of Dingxi City showed high Astragaloside Ⅳ content in both extraction methods,indicating that the Astragalus membranaceus in these two regions has advantages in Astragaloside Ⅳ as an active component;for Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and Ononin,although the performance of different regions in different extraction methods was different,in general,Weiyuan County and Min County of Dingxi City and Longnan City showed high content in both extraction methods.Water extraction method was more conducive to the extraction of Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and Ononin,while alcohol extraction method was more conducive to the extraction of Astragalo-side Ⅳ,Calycosin and Ononin.CONCLUSION The content of chemical components of Astragalus membranaceus from different ori-gins is quite different,and the choice of extraction method has a significant effect on the content of active components,while the change trend of different compounds in the two extraction methods is basically the same.The established HPLC multi-component content de-termination method of Astragalus membranaceus is stable and reliable,which can provide a scientific basis for the quality control and comprehensive evaluation of Astragalus membranaceus medicinal materials.