OBJECTIVE:Most of the existing studies are based on traditional Meta-analysis to study the efficacy of single stimulation protocols such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on lower limb motor dysfunction in stroke patients,and it is not possible to clarify which stimulation protocol is the optimal choice.This study used network meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of different regimens of non-invasive brain stimulation in the treatment of lower limb motor dysfunction after stroke.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Medline and Web of Science databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials on different regimens of non-invasive brain stimulation for lower limb motor dysfunction after stroke from inception to October 1,2024.Data extraction was performed on the included studies.RevMan 5.4.1 software was used for traditional meta-analysis and the quality of the included studies was evaluated.Stata 17.0 software was used for network meta-analysis.RESULTS:(1)A total of 39 studies involving 2 920 patients were included,involving 6 treatment methods:conventional rehabilitation training,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta burst stimulation,continuous theta burst stimulation,and transcranial direct current stimulation.(2)The results of network meta-analysis showed that high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta burst stimulation,and transcranial direct current stimulation were superior to conventional rehabilitation training in the Fugl-Meyer assessment for lower extremity motor function.(3)In terms of improving Berg balance scale score,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,and intermittent theta burst stimulation were significantly different from conventional rehabilitation training(P＜0.05),and there was a significant difference between high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and intermittent theta burst stimulation(P＜0.05).(4)In improving modified Barthel index and Barthel index,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta burst stimulation,and transcranial direct current stimulation were superior to conventional rehabilitation training.(5)Under the cumulative ranking chart,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation showed the best efficacy in Fugl-Meyer assessment for lower extremity motor function,Berg balance scale score,modified Barthel index and Barthel index,followed by low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.CONCLUSION:Both high-and low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the lower limb motor function and balance function of patients with stroke,and can improve the activities of daily living of patients to varying degrees.Moreover,the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is better than that of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE:Most of the existing studies are based on traditional Meta-analysis to study the efficacy of single stimulation protocols such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on lower limb motor dysfunction in stroke patients,and it is not possible to clarify which stimulation protocol is the optimal choice.This study used network meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of different regimens of non-invasive brain stimulation in the treatment of lower limb motor dysfunction after stroke.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Medline and Web of Science databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials on different regimens of non-invasive brain stimulation for lower limb motor dysfunction after stroke from inception to October 1,2024.Data extraction was performed on the included studies.RevMan 5.4.1 software was used for traditional meta-analysis and the quality of the included studies was evaluated.Stata 17.0 software was used for network meta-analysis.RESULTS:(1)A total of 39 studies involving 2 920 patients were included,involving 6 treatment methods:conventional rehabilitation training,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta burst stimulation,continuous theta burst stimulation,and transcranial direct current stimulation.(2)The results of network meta-analysis showed that high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta burst stimulation,and transcranial direct current stimulation were superior to conventional rehabilitation training in the Fugl-Meyer assessment for lower extremity motor function.(3)In terms of improving Berg balance scale score,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,and intermittent theta burst stimulation were significantly different from conventional rehabilitation training(P＜0.05),and there was a significant difference between high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and intermittent theta burst stimulation(P＜0.05).(4)In improving modified Barthel index and Barthel index,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta burst stimulation,and transcranial direct current stimulation were superior to conventional rehabilitation training.(5)Under the cumulative ranking chart,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation showed the best efficacy in Fugl-Meyer assessment for lower extremity motor function,Berg balance scale score,modified Barthel index and Barthel index,followed by low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.CONCLUSION:Both high-and low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the lower limb motor function and balance function of patients with stroke,and can improve the activities of daily living of patients to varying degrees.Moreover,the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is better than that of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety differences between the triple immunosuppressive regimen of mizoribine (MZR) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with tacrolimus (Tac) and glucocorticoids of kidney transplant recipients in one year after transplantation. Methods A single-center retrospective cohort study design was adopted. The clinical data of 156 patients who underwent the first allogeneic kidney transplantation at the Third Hospital of Peking University from January 2022 to December 2024 were included. The patients were divided into the MZR group (78 cases) and the MMF group (78 cases) based on the initial immunosuppressive regimen after transplantation. The baseline data, medication use in one year after transplantation, blood routine indicators, adverse events and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. For the repeated-measurement longitudinal data, repeated-measurement analysis of variance was used to evaluate the main effects of the groups, time and their interaction effects. Results At the primary efficacy endpoint, there were no statistically significant differences in the one-year survival rate, graft survival rate and incidence of acute rejection between the two groups (all P > 0.05). In terms of medication patterns and laboratory test indicators, there were significant time main effects and "time × group" interaction effects for Tac dosage (all P < 0.05). The Tac dosage in the MZR group was lower than that in the MMF group from 2 to 3 months after transplantation, and it was higher in the MZR group than in the MMF group from 7 to 12 months and one year after transplantation. White blood cell count in the MZR group was higher at one month after transplantation, and the platelet count was higher one year after transplantation (all P < 0.05). In terms of infection, the incidence of novel coronavirus and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia infections in the MZR group was lower (all P < 0.05). In terms of metabolic indicators, the post-transplantation uric acid level was better in the MZR group than in the MMF group, but the total cholesterol level was higher one year after transplantation (all P < 0.05). In terms of liver function, there was a brief and mild increase in transaminase in the early stage after transplantation in the MZR group. Conclusions During the one-year follow-up after transplantation, both the MZR and MMF regimens demonstrate comparable immunosuppressive efficacy and overall safety in Chinese kidney transplant recipients. The MZR regimen shows clear advantages in reducing specific infection risks, alleviating bone marrow suppression and improving uric acid metabolism, but its potential impact on blood lipids needs to be monitored. Therefore, the MZR regimen may be an effective and safe alternative immunosuppressive option for kidney transplant recipients, especially those with high infection risk, poor hematological tolerance, or comorbid hyperuricemia.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effectiveness of tumor lesion curettage and allogeneic bone grafting via the fovea of femoral head through the surgical hip dislocation approach in children and adolescents with femoral head chondroblastoma (FHCB).Methods:Case series study.The clinical data of 7 FHCB patients [3 males and 4 females with a mean age of 13.7 years (11-19 years)] treated at the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2016 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent lesion curettage and allogeneic bone grafting via the fovea of femoral head through the surgical hip dislocation approach.The healing, local recurrence and complications were assessed via clinical and radiological tests.Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) scoring system.A paired t-test was used to compare the MSTS scores before the operation and at the final follow-up. Results:All patients were followed up for 30 months on average (18-48 months).The average healing time for bone grafting was 4.9 (3-8) months.Local recurrence and serious postoperative complications such as avascular necrosis of femoral head, secondary osteoarthritis, ectopic ossification and nonunion of greater trochanter osteotomy end were not observed in all patients up to the last follow-up.The average MSTS score at the last follow-up was (29.14±0.45) points.Conclusions:Curettage and bone grafting via the fovea of femoral head through the surgical hip dislocation approach is effective and safe in the treatment of FHCB in children and adolescents.This method can maintain the integrity of the articular surface and growth plate, and also preserve the blood supply of the femoral head and the normal function of the hip joint, with satisfactory short-term effects.

Objective To explore the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics of patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever and to provide empirical data to support the application of TCM in diagnosing and treating Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect clinical data(sex,age,days since onset,and comorbidity underlying disease conditions)and TCM with four-examination information(symptoms,tongue manifestations,and pulse manifestations)from 255 patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever who visited Lecong Hospital of Shunde,Foshan,the Third People's Hospital of Shunde District of Foshan,Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University Affiliated Chencun Hospital between July 23 and July 29,2025.Factor and cluster analyses were used to summarize TCM syndrome characteristics and analyze core pathogenesis in conjunction with clinical features.Results Among the 255 patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever,131 were male and 124 were female,with a age of(49.05±17.93)years and a disease duration of(3.26±1.78)days.Among the four types of examination information in TCM,35 items exhibited a frequency exceeding 10%.The most prevalent symptoms were arthralgia(180 patients,70.59%),exanthem(153 patients,60.00%),fatigue(99 patients,38.82%),anhidrosis(98 patients,38.43%),pruritus(96 patients,37.65%),and fever(92 patients,36.08%).Tongue and pulse manifestations were primarily white fur(155 patients,60.78%),pink tongue(111 patients,43.53%),slippery pulse(143 patients,56.08%),and greasy fur(134 patients,52.53%).Patients with disease onset≤3 d had a higher incidence of arthralgia,fatigue,fever,aversion to cold,generalized muscle pain,aversion to wind,insomnia,headache,sweating,low-grade fever,poor appetite,loose stool,hyperhidrosis,and red tongue than those with disease onset≥4 d(P<0.05).Patients with disease onset≥4 d had a higher incidence of pink tongue and thick fur than those with disease onset≤3 d(P<0.05).The syndrome elements in patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever predominantly manifested on the defensive exterior,with involvement of the sinew-bone joints,skin-muscle,and spleen.Pathogenic factors were primarily characterized by external winds,dampness,and heat.Factor and cluster analysis result indicated three TCM pathogenesis progression patterns:imbalance of the defensive exterior with wind-dampness conflict and heat transformation;dampness-heat flowing into muscles and meridians causing joint obstruction and qi blood stasis;and dampness-heat congelation resulting in qi mechanism obstruction,consumption of body fluids,and infiltration of the skin.Conclusion Patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever primarily present with fever,joint pain,and rashes.In TCM,this condition falls under the category of"dampness-warmth"syndrome.Its etiology is attributed to pathogens,with transmission occurring through mosquito bites.The core pathogenesis of TCM is the invasion of the defensive exterior and dampness-toxic heat accumulation.The therapeutic principles focus on clearing heat pathogens,resolving dampness pathogens,dispersing wind pathogens,and promoting the resolution of rashes.

Renal cell carcinoma(RCC)is a highly aggressive malignant tumor,for which traditional 18F-FDG positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)exhibits insufficient sensitivity in diagnosing primary lesions.This article reviews the recent advances in novel PET/CT tracers for the diagnosis and treatment of RCC,focusing on tracers targeting carbonic anhydrase Ⅸ(CAⅨ),prostate-specific membrane antigen(PSMA),fibroblast activation protein(FAP),somatostatin receptor(SSTR),and C-methionine(c-MET).This article aims to provide reference for the early diagnosis and optimization of treatment strategies for RCC,so as to drive innovations in the field of oncologic imaging.These novel tracers demonstrate significant advantages in improving the sensitivity and specificity of detecting primary and metastatic RCC lesions,as well as in assessing treatment response,thereby addressing the limitations of traditional 18F-FDG PET/CT.Although these novel PET/CT tracers show great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of RCC,their efficacy and safety require further validation through large-scale trials.In the future,the development of multi-target tracers combined with artificial intelligence is expected to achieve precise diagnosis and individualized treatment of RCC.

Objective To explore the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics of patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever and to provide empirical data to support the application of TCM in diagnosing and treating Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect clinical data(sex,age,days since onset,and comorbidity underlying disease conditions)and TCM with four-examination information(symptoms,tongue manifestations,and pulse manifestations)from 255 patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever who visited Lecong Hospital of Shunde,Foshan,the Third People's Hospital of Shunde District of Foshan,Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University Affiliated Chencun Hospital between July 23 and July 29,2025.Factor and cluster analyses were used to summarize TCM syndrome characteristics and analyze core pathogenesis in conjunction with clinical features.Results Among the 255 patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever,131 were male and 124 were female,with a age of(49.05±17.93)years and a disease duration of(3.26±1.78)days.Among the four types of examination information in TCM,35 items exhibited a frequency exceeding 10%.The most prevalent symptoms were arthralgia(180 patients,70.59%),exanthem(153 patients,60.00%),fatigue(99 patients,38.82%),anhidrosis(98 patients,38.43%),pruritus(96 patients,37.65%),and fever(92 patients,36.08%).Tongue and pulse manifestations were primarily white fur(155 patients,60.78%),pink tongue(111 patients,43.53%),slippery pulse(143 patients,56.08%),and greasy fur(134 patients,52.53%).Patients with disease onset≤3 d had a higher incidence of arthralgia,fatigue,fever,aversion to cold,generalized muscle pain,aversion to wind,insomnia,headache,sweating,low-grade fever,poor appetite,loose stool,hyperhidrosis,and red tongue than those with disease onset≥4 d(P<0.05).Patients with disease onset≥4 d had a higher incidence of pink tongue and thick fur than those with disease onset≤3 d(P<0.05).The syndrome elements in patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever predominantly manifested on the defensive exterior,with involvement of the sinew-bone joints,skin-muscle,and spleen.Pathogenic factors were primarily characterized by external winds,dampness,and heat.Factor and cluster analysis result indicated three TCM pathogenesis progression patterns:imbalance of the defensive exterior with wind-dampness conflict and heat transformation;dampness-heat flowing into muscles and meridians causing joint obstruction and qi blood stasis;and dampness-heat congelation resulting in qi mechanism obstruction,consumption of body fluids,and infiltration of the skin.Conclusion Patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever primarily present with fever,joint pain,and rashes.In TCM,this condition falls under the category of"dampness-warmth"syndrome.Its etiology is attributed to pathogens,with transmission occurring through mosquito bites.The core pathogenesis of TCM is the invasion of the defensive exterior and dampness-toxic heat accumulation.The therapeutic principles focus on clearing heat pathogens,resolving dampness pathogens,dispersing wind pathogens,and promoting the resolution of rashes.

Renal cell carcinoma(RCC)is a highly aggressive malignant tumor,for which traditional 18F-FDG positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)exhibits insufficient sensitivity in diagnosing primary lesions.This article reviews the recent advances in novel PET/CT tracers for the diagnosis and treatment of RCC,focusing on tracers targeting carbonic anhydrase Ⅸ(CAⅨ),prostate-specific membrane antigen(PSMA),fibroblast activation protein(FAP),somatostatin receptor(SSTR),and C-methionine(c-MET).This article aims to provide reference for the early diagnosis and optimization of treatment strategies for RCC,so as to drive innovations in the field of oncologic imaging.These novel tracers demonstrate significant advantages in improving the sensitivity and specificity of detecting primary and metastatic RCC lesions,as well as in assessing treatment response,thereby addressing the limitations of traditional 18F-FDG PET/CT.Although these novel PET/CT tracers show great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of RCC,their efficacy and safety require further validation through large-scale trials.In the future,the development of multi-target tracers combined with artificial intelligence is expected to achieve precise diagnosis and individualized treatment of RCC.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which exosomes(EXOs)derived from neural stem cells(NSCs)pretreated with astragaloside IV(ASIV)alleviate brain damage in rats after ischemic stroke.METHODS:Rat NSCs were isolated from fetal rats within 24 h of birth,cultured for 3 d,and subsequently treated with ASIV for additional 5 d.The EXOs from untreated NSCs and ASIV-pretreated NSCs(ASIV-EXOs)were isolated via ultracentrifugation of the cell supernatant.These EXOs were characterized using Western blot to detect specific markers such as CD63,tumor sus-ceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and calnexin.Nanoparticle analysis was employed to determine the size,and the morpholo-gy of the EXOs was observed under electron microscope.Six to eight-week-old SD male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups:sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)model group,edaravone(EDA)treatment(MCAO/R+EDA)group,EXOs treatement(MCAO/R+EXOs)group and ASIV-EXOs treatment(MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs)group.Tail vein injections were administered within 2 h following the successful establishment of the MCAO/R model.The Zea Longa method was utilized to evaluate neurological deficits,while the TTC method was employed to assess brain infarc-tion.Pathological changes were examined through HE staining,and TUNEL and caspase-1 immunofluorescence double staining were conducted to detect cellular pyroptosis.Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured us-ing ELISA,and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of caspase-1,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),gasdermin D(GSDMD),and IL-18 proteins in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex across all groups.RE-SULTS:The MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological deficit scores compared to the sham group(P＜0.01)and lower scores in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Cerebral infarction was mark-edly increased in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the infarction area was reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly el-evated in the MCAO/R group versus the sham group(P＜0.01)and were lower in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01).Moreover,IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group were lower than those in the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).HE staining revealed pronounced sieve-like infarction foci in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex in MCAO/R group,characterized by disorganized neuronal arrangements,reduced or absent Nys-trom's vesicles,shrunken or fragmented nuclei,and numerous red neurons.In contrast,drug-treated groups exhibited milder pathological changes with clearer neuronal structures and a significant reduction in red neuron counts.Immunofluo-rescence double staining indicated a significant increase in double-positive cells in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),with a decrease in double-positive cells in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05)and a further reduction in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of caspase-1,NLRP3,ASC,IL-18 and GSDMD proteins in the ischemic region of the rat cerebral cortex were significantly reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01),with further re-duction observed in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).CONCLU-SION:Exosomes derived from ASIV-pretreated NSCs attenuate brain damage in ischemic stroke rats,potentially through a mechanism involving the inhibition of pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) using the partition injection technique in the treatment of Kümmell’s disease of stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 30 patients with stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ Kümmell’s disease (the partition group) who had been treated by PVP using the partition injection technique at Department of Spinal Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022. The data of another 30 patients who had been treated at the same department and the same period using conventional PVP for stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ Kümmell's disease were selected as the conventional group. In the partition group, there were 13 males and 17 females, with an age of (72.3±10.1) years and disease duration of (3.1±1.5) months. Seventeen thoracic and 13 lumbar vertebrae were affected. In the conventional group, there were 11 males and 19 females, with an age of (75.5±12.7) years and disease duration of (3.5±1.8) months. Eighteen thoracic and 12 lumbar vertebrae were affected. Surgical time, volume of bone cement injected, bone cement leakage, and bone cement distribution were compared between the 2 groups. The heights of the anterior and middle vertebral bodies, kyphotic Cobb angle, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed postoperatively at 1 day, 6 months, and the last follow-up and compared between the 2 groups.Results:No significant differences were found in the baseline data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (17.3±3.1) months. There were no significant differences in the surgical time or bone cement leakage between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). The volume of bone cement injected in the partition group was significantly higher [(6.3±1.5) mL] than that in the conventional group [(4.9±1.0) mL] ( P<0.05). Bone cement distribution was significantly better in the partition group than that in the conventional group ( P<0.05). At postoperative 1 day, 6 months, and the last follow-up, the partition group was significantly better than the conventional group in anterior vertebral body height, middle vertebral body height, and kyphotic Cobb angle ( P<0.05). At the 6-month and the last follow-ups, the partition group was also significantly better than the conventional group in VAS pain score and ODI ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of Kümmell’s disease of stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ, compared with conventional PVP, PVP using the partition injection technique may lead to better long-term outcomes due to its better bone cement distribution, more adequate cement injection, and better restoration of vertebral body heights and correction of local deformity.