This paper interprets the disease name related to bi （痹） disease in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） from the perspective of micropathological phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. By systematically reviewing classical TCM literature on the pathogenesis and clinical features of different subtypes such as damp-retention bi， bone bi， and tendon bi， and integrating these with current research on pathological subtypes of KOA including the synovitis type， cartilage-meniscus type， and subchondral bone type， the study explores the correlation between traditional disease terms and modern micropathological phenotypes. The author proposes subtype classifications of damp-retention bi corresponding to synovial inflammation， bone bi related to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling， and tendon bi representing cartilage and meniscus degeneration. This approach provides a microscopic biological explanation for TCM syndrome differentiation and offers new perspectives for advancing integrative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both Chinese and western medicine.

BACKGROUND:Titanium implants are widely used in clinical practice because of their high strength and good biocompatibility.However,during implantation,bacterial infection and tissue damage environment produce a large number of reactive oxygen species,which can easily lead to delayed tissue healing and surgical failure.Consequently,the development of titanium implants with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties becomes paramount. OBJECTIVE:Considering the potent antimicrobial attributes of copper ions and the remarkable antioxidant qualities of polyphenols,we proposed the fabrication of polyphenol-mediated copper ion coatings on titanium surfaces.These coatings were subsequently assessed for their in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. METHODS:Nanostructures were generated on the titanium surface using the alkali thermal method.The titanium was immersed in a solution containing tannic acid and copper ions to achieve polyphenol-mediated copper ion coatings.The surface morphology and water contact angle were detected.The loading and release of copper ions were examined using atomic absorption spectroscopy.Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated on the surface of pure titanium sheet(blank group),alkali heat treated titanium sheet(control group),and polyphenol mediated copper ion modified titanium sheet(experimental group)to observe the bacterial survival status.Osteoblast precursor cells MC3T3-E1 were co-cultivated on the surface of three groups of titanium sheets to assess their antioxidant properties and bioactivity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scanning electron microscopy showed that the polyphenol-mediated copper ion modified titanium sheet had rod-like nanostructures and no cracks on the surface.The surface hydrophilicity of copper ion modified titanium sheet mediated by polyphenol was close to that of pure titanium sheet.Atomic absorption spectrometry results showed a 51%increase in the loading capacity of copper ions after polyphenol mediation,with a uniform release of copper ions.(2)The antibacterial rates of titanium sheets in the blank group,control group,and experimental group were 0%,21.65%,and 93.75%,respectively.The live/dead staining and CTC staining showed that the live bacteria on the surface of titanium plates in the blank group were the most,and the live bacteria on the surface of titanium plates in the experimental group were the least.(3)The results of live/dead staining and CCK-8 assay showed that the three groups of titanium sheets had good cytocompatibility,and the titanium sheets in the experimental group were more conducive to the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.Active oxygen fluorescence probe detection exhibited that compared with the other two groups,the fluorescence intensity of active oxygen on the surface of the experimental group was significantly reduced.The results of alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red S staining showed that the osteogenic differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells on the surface of titanium sheets in the experimental group were stronger than those in the other two groups.(4)These results show that the polyphenol-mediated copper ion coating has strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties and promotes osteogenic differentiation.

OBJECTIVES: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility rates have been steadily rising worldwide. Identifying risk factors for contrast agent reflux into the myometrium during hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) is of clinical significance in reducing this complication and improving infertility treatment. However, there is currently no standardized pre-evaluation method for predicting intra-myometrial contrast reflux, with clinical assessment often relying on physician experience and patient symptoms. This study aims to identify imaging risk factors for contrast agent reflux into the myometrium using four-dimensional (4D) HyCoSy and to construct a nomogram-based predictive model to assist in clinical decision-making. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 274 infertile women who underwent 4D HyCoSy at the Women and Children's Hospital of Hunan and the the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 1, 2020, to December 15, 2022. Patients were divided into a reflux group (n=234) and a non-reflux group (n=1 040) based on the presence of intra-myometrial contrast reflux. Univariate and multivariable Logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant predictors, which were then used to construct a nomogram model. Internal validation was performed using 500 bootstrap resamples. RESULTS: The age of the reflux group was significantly higher than that of the non-reflux group [(31.82±5.27) years vs (30.66±4.83) years, P=0.001 1]. Primary infertility was more common in the non-reflux group (50.96%), while secondary infertility dominated in the reflux group (76.50%), with 72.65% having a history of gynecological surgery (P<0.001). Abnormal menstrual volume and discomfort during the procedure were more common in the reflux group, while the non-reflux group tolerated higher contrast agent doses (P<0.001). Imaging differences included endometrial thickness, tubal wall smoothness, and peritoneal contrast dispersion, with the non-reflux group showing thicker endometrium and smoother, more patent tubes. The nomogram model yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.854, indicating good predictive performance. The AUC of the decision curve analysis (DCA) for internal validation of the model was 0.737. When the threshold probability for contrast agent reflux into the myometrium ranged from 0.05 to 0.95, the maximum net benefit reached 0.18. The net benefit of applying the nomogram predictive model exceeded that of either full intervention or no intervention, indicating that the model demonstrates good clinical predictive performance. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram model, based on infertility type, endometrial thickness, contrast agent dose, and discomfort symptoms, effectively predicts intra-myometrial contrast agent reflux after 4D HyCoSy. It provides a valuable tool for clinicians to implement early preventive measures and reduce the risk of contrast leakage and associated complications.
Humans ; Female ; Nomograms ; Contrast Media/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Hysterosalpingography/methods* ; Infertility, Female/diagnostic imaging* ; Myometrium/diagnostic imaging* ; Risk Factors

Objective:To explore the activation characteristics and synergistic mode of lumbar and abdominal core muscle group during abdominal breathing training.Method:Thirty-two healthy college students were recruited and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group with 16 cases in each group.The control group received stan-pile training,while the experimental group received abdominal breathing and stan-pile training 5 times a week for 8 weeks.The sur-face electromyography of the lumbar and abdominal core muscles was collected before and after the interven-tion.Non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)was used to extract extract muscle synergy patterns from the EMG data.Result:In terms of cooperative elements,the number of cooperative elements increased after intervention in both groups compared with baseline,but there was no significant difference in the number of cooperative ele-ments between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05),and there was a significant difference in the num-ber of cooperative elements after intervention(P<0.05).In terms of cooperative patterns,the cooperative pat-terns before intervention in the two groups were similar.After intervention,the cooperative patterns in the two groups were different,the control group showed coactivation of the right transversus abdominis,left internal oblique,right erector spinae,and bilateral multifidus throughout the breathing cycle.In contrast,the experimen-tal group exhibited pronounced activation of bilateral erector spinae and multifidus during inhalation,and bilater-al transversus abdominis,left external oblique,and left erector spinae during exhalation.The activation curves before intervention in the two groups were similar,and the activation curves after intervention in the two groups trended towards slowing down,with the time feature of the activation curve in the experimental group being more obvious.Conclusion:Abdominal breathing training can increase the number of cooperative tuples of the waist and abdo-men muscles,and the muscles perform efficient division of labor after training to form an adaptive coopera-tive mode.

BACKGROUND:Iron overload is an independent factor inducing osteoporosis,but the action mechanism is currently unclear.Therefore,exploring the effects of iron overload on osteoblast-related cells will help to deeply understand the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and provide potential strategies for osteoporosis treatment.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of iron overload environment on osteoblast precursor cell activity,ferroptosis,and osteogenic differentiation.METHODS:Osteoblast precursor cells(MC3T3-E1 cells)were divided into blank group,iron overload group,fer-1 group,and deferoxamine group.The iron overload group was treated with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate in the culture medium for 48 hours to simulate the iron overload microenvironment.The cells in fer-1 group and deferoxamine group were pretreated with 5 μmol/L antioxidant fer-1 and 5 μmol/L deferoxamine for 8 hours,respectively,and then added with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate for 48 hours.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the cell viability.Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were detected employing a reactive oxygen species fluorescent probe.Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored with a mitochondrial membrane potential fluorescent probe.Mitochondrial morphology was observed employing transmission electron microscopy.Cellular glutathione levels were measured with a reduced glutathione colorimetric assay kit.Lipid peroxidation levels were assessed with a malondialdehyde colorimetric assay kit.Cellular ferrous ion levels were determined with a ferrous ion colorimetric assay kit.The osteogenic and mineralization capabilities of the cells were verified by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.Collagen secretion ability was detected using Sirius Red staining.The expression of osteogenic/ferroptosis-related genes and proteins was examined through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In an iron-overload environment,the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells decreased and their structure was compromised,with an elevation in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels and a downregulation of genes and proteins associated with ferroptosis resistance.However,pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine led to an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and partial restoration of morphology,a reduction in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels,and an upregulation of genes and proteins related to ferroptosis resistance.(2)In an iron-overload environment,the levels of cellular alkaline phosphatase,the formation of mineralized nodules,and the synthesis of collagen fibers were all found to be decreased.Pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine was observed to upregulate the expression of osteogenic differentiation in cells.(3)In summary,iron overload could increase intracellular oxidative stress levels,mediate ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibit osteogenic differentiation,thereby inducing osteoporosis.Therefore,maintaining iron homeostasis and inhibiting osteogenesis-related ferroptosis may be potential strategies to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Objective:To explore the activation characteristics and synergistic mode of lumbar and abdominal core muscle group during abdominal breathing training.Method:Thirty-two healthy college students were recruited and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group with 16 cases in each group.The control group received stan-pile training,while the experimental group received abdominal breathing and stan-pile training 5 times a week for 8 weeks.The sur-face electromyography of the lumbar and abdominal core muscles was collected before and after the interven-tion.Non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)was used to extract extract muscle synergy patterns from the EMG data.Result:In terms of cooperative elements,the number of cooperative elements increased after intervention in both groups compared with baseline,but there was no significant difference in the number of cooperative ele-ments between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05),and there was a significant difference in the num-ber of cooperative elements after intervention(P<0.05).In terms of cooperative patterns,the cooperative pat-terns before intervention in the two groups were similar.After intervention,the cooperative patterns in the two groups were different,the control group showed coactivation of the right transversus abdominis,left internal oblique,right erector spinae,and bilateral multifidus throughout the breathing cycle.In contrast,the experimen-tal group exhibited pronounced activation of bilateral erector spinae and multifidus during inhalation,and bilater-al transversus abdominis,left external oblique,and left erector spinae during exhalation.The activation curves before intervention in the two groups were similar,and the activation curves after intervention in the two groups trended towards slowing down,with the time feature of the activation curve in the experimental group being more obvious.Conclusion:Abdominal breathing training can increase the number of cooperative tuples of the waist and abdo-men muscles,and the muscles perform efficient division of labor after training to form an adaptive coopera-tive mode.

BACKGROUND:Iron overload is an independent factor inducing osteoporosis,but the action mechanism is currently unclear.Therefore,exploring the effects of iron overload on osteoblast-related cells will help to deeply understand the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and provide potential strategies for osteoporosis treatment.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of iron overload environment on osteoblast precursor cell activity,ferroptosis,and osteogenic differentiation.METHODS:Osteoblast precursor cells(MC3T3-E1 cells)were divided into blank group,iron overload group,fer-1 group,and deferoxamine group.The iron overload group was treated with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate in the culture medium for 48 hours to simulate the iron overload microenvironment.The cells in fer-1 group and deferoxamine group were pretreated with 5 μmol/L antioxidant fer-1 and 5 μmol/L deferoxamine for 8 hours,respectively,and then added with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate for 48 hours.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the cell viability.Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were detected employing a reactive oxygen species fluorescent probe.Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored with a mitochondrial membrane potential fluorescent probe.Mitochondrial morphology was observed employing transmission electron microscopy.Cellular glutathione levels were measured with a reduced glutathione colorimetric assay kit.Lipid peroxidation levels were assessed with a malondialdehyde colorimetric assay kit.Cellular ferrous ion levels were determined with a ferrous ion colorimetric assay kit.The osteogenic and mineralization capabilities of the cells were verified by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.Collagen secretion ability was detected using Sirius Red staining.The expression of osteogenic/ferroptosis-related genes and proteins was examined through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In an iron-overload environment,the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells decreased and their structure was compromised,with an elevation in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels and a downregulation of genes and proteins associated with ferroptosis resistance.However,pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine led to an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and partial restoration of morphology,a reduction in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels,and an upregulation of genes and proteins related to ferroptosis resistance.(2)In an iron-overload environment,the levels of cellular alkaline phosphatase,the formation of mineralized nodules,and the synthesis of collagen fibers were all found to be decreased.Pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine was observed to upregulate the expression of osteogenic differentiation in cells.(3)In summary,iron overload could increase intracellular oxidative stress levels,mediate ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibit osteogenic differentiation,thereby inducing osteoporosis.Therefore,maintaining iron homeostasis and inhibiting osteogenesis-related ferroptosis may be potential strategies to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis and knee osteoarthritis often co-occur and are closely related in terms of epidemiology， clinical symptoms， pathogenesis and other aspects. Therefore， it is necessary to manage the co-morbidity and treat the two as a whole. Based on the overall relationship between wei （痿） and bi （痹） in TCM， it is believed that osteoporosis and knee osteoarthritis have marrow loss and bone atrophy as the core pathogenesis of co-morbidity， and microfractures as the central pathological link. The overall treatment is rooted in boosting kidney， supplementing marrow and strengthening the bones. According to the pathological manifestations of microfractures in the process of co-morbidity， and the different deficiency and excess characteristics of wei and bi， it can be divided into three types， "wei emerging with mild bi"， "wei and bi progressing simultaneously"， and "emphasis on both wei and bi"， for treatment. In terms of "wei emerging with mild bi"， that is the early stage of osteoporosis， the traditional Daoyin （导引） is the main therapy. For "wei and bi progressing simultaneously"， it can be divided into three stages further， including the onset stage， remission stage， and recovery stage of knee pain， treated with Taohong Siwu Decoction （桃红四物汤）， Bushen Huoxue Formula （补肾活血方） and self-made Bushen Qianggu Formula （补肾强骨方） as the main formula respectively. For "emphasis on both wei and bi"， the proven formula， Qianggu Zhitong Formula （强骨止痛方）， is taken as the main prescription.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Guizhi Jia Longgu Mulitang on the expression difference of interleukin-10 （IL-10） and tumor necrosis factor -α （TNF-α） in related organs of insomnia rats with sensory dysfunction dominated by lung and study the mechanism of Guizhi Jia Longgu Mulitang in improving insomnia. MethodSD rats were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， western medicine group， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） group， with 10 rats in each group. The rats were deprived of sleep by shallow water environment method in a long platform， and the modeling lasted for 42 d. The blank group and model group were given 0.05 mL·kg^-1 normal saline by gavage， and the western medicine group and TCM group were given drugs during modeling. To be specific， the western medicine group was given 0.105 mg·kg^-1 dexzopiclone tablet by gavage， while the TCM group was given 7 600 mg·kg^-1 Guizhi Jia Longgu Mulitang by gavage， both lasting for 28 days. After successful modeling， the Morris water maze experiment was performed on the 42nd day to detect the motion and spatial memory ability of rats. The levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein expression of IL-10 and TNF-α in the lung and brain tissue of rats was detected by Western blot. The levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in the lung and brain tissue of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultCompared with the blank group， the sleep stages non-rapid eye movement ( NREM ) and rapid eye movement ( REM ) of the model group were significantly shortened （P<0.5， P<0.01）， and the wake stage was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The total time and distance of platform exploration were significantly increased （P<0.01）. In the target quadrant （the third quadrant）， the percentage of exploration time and the times of crossing the platform were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ELISA results showed that the serum IL-10 level was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and TNF-α level was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of IL-10 in brain and lung tissue of rats was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the protein expression of TNF-α was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of IL-10 in the brain and lung tissue of rats was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and that of TNF-α was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the NREM stage and REM stage of the western medicine group and the TCM group were significantly increased （P<0.5， P<0.01）， and the wake stage was shortened （P<0.5）. The total time and distance of platform exploration were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In the target quadrant （the third quadrant）， the percentage of exploration time and the times of crossing the platform were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The serum IL-10 level was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the serum TNF-α level was significantly decreased according to the ELISA results （P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of IL-10 in brain tissue and lung tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the protein expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of IL-10 in brain tissue and lung tissue was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGuizhi Jia Longgu Mulitang can improve the expression of IL-10 and TNF-α in brain and lung tissue of insomnia rats with sensory dysfunction dominated by lung， prolong sleep time， and then improve insomnia. The mechanism may be related to improving the expression level of inflammatory factors.

Objective To investigate the expression change of serum antioxidant markers in cranofacial herpes zoster and its relationship with clinical severity and postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods Totally 109 cases of cranofacial herpes zoster(cranofacial group)and 169 cases of non-cranofacial herpes zoster(non-cranofacial grlup)hospitalized in the Department of Dermatology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and 200 cases of health check-ups without underlying diseases(healthy control group)from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected,and the serum antioxidant markers including uric acid(UA),total bilirubin(TBIL),and albumin(ALB)of the patients in the three groups group were compared.Meanwhile,the relationship between these markers and clinical severity and PHN of cranofacial herpes zoster was assessed.Results The serum levels of UA,TBIL and ALB in the cranofacial group and non-cranofacial were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group(P＜0.05).Serum UA,TBIL and ALB levels in cranofacial group were significantly lower than those in non-cranofacial group(P＜0.05),and were nega-tively correlated with disease severity(P＜0.05).Serum UA,TBIL and ALB levels in cranofacial group were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of PHN(P＜0.05),and had predictive value for PHN in cranofacial herpes zoster(P＜0.05).Conclusion Reactivation of cranofacial herpes zoster virus,acute nerve injury and PHN may all be related to the low antioxidant status of the body,and the antioxidant biomarkers UA,TBIL and ALB may be protective factors for herpes zoster,but more studies are needed to clarify the un-derlying mechanisms.