Intervertebral disc degeneration （IVDD） is the core cause of chronic low back pain， which severely impairs patients’ quality of life and imposes a heavy social and medical burden. The hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） is the core pathological mechanism driving the initiation and progression of IVDD. Natural active ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have become a research hotspot in the field of IVDD prevention and treatment due to their advantages of multi-target effects， favorable efficacy， and low toxicity. This paper systematically reviews the mechanism of HIF-1α-mediated hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade in degenerative nucleus pulposus tissue and the intervention of related active ingredients. It is found that natural active ingredients such as baicalein， curcumin and resveratrol can intervene in the HIF-1α-mediated pathological cascade through four core links to delay IVDD progression： targeting the HIF-1α oxygen sensing pathway to block the initiation of pyroptosis cascade， inhibiting NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation to cut off the cascade amplification of inflammatory signals， intervening in the Gasdermin D-mediated pyroptosis execution stage to protect cell membrane integrity， and regulating extracellular matrix metabolism to reconstruct intervertebral disc homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation combined with bone grafting versus percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation alone for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: The clinical data of 54 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fractures who met the selection criteria between January 2023 and February 2024 were retrospectively analysed. Based on whether bone grafting was performed on the injured vertebra, the patients were divided into a control group (28 cases, percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation alone) and a study group (26 cases, percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation combined with bone grafting using a self-made minimally invasive bone grafting funnel). No significant difference was observed between the two groups ( P>0.05) in baseline data, including age, gender, surgical segment, cause of injury, AO classification, and preoperative anterior-vertebral height compression ratio, mid-vertebral height compression ratio, Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing status, removal time of internal fixator, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Effectiveness was assessed using anterior-vertebral height compression ratio, mid-vertebral height compression ratio, Cobb angle, VAS scores, and ODI taken preoperatively, at 1 week postoperatively, and at last follow-up. RESULTS: All patients in both groups successfully underwent surgery. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the control group were significantly less than those in the study group ( P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the follow-up time between the study group [(14.46±2.00) months] and control group [(14.36±1.83) months] ( P>0.05). The fracture healing time of the study group was significantly shorter than that of the control group ( P<0.05). One patient in the study group was found to have bilateral titanium rod breakage by X-ray reexamination at 8 months after operation, and there was no subsequent vertebral height collapse occurred, and the internal fixator was removed following complete fracture healing. The other patients had no complication such as spinal cord injury, internal fixator loosening and breakage. There was no significant difference in the removal time of internal fixator between the two groups ( P<0.05). The anterior-vertebral height compression ratio, mid-vertebral height compression ratio, Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI significantly improved in both groups at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up ( P<0.05). Among them, the VAS score, and ODI further improved at last follow-up when compared with at 1 week after operation, Cobb angle lost a little at 1 week after operation, while anterior-vertebral height compression ratio and mid-vertebral height compression ratio slightly increased when compared with 1 week after operation, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in Cobb angle at last follow-up, VAS score and ODI at 1 week after operation ( P>0.05), while the other indicators in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group at all time points ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Compared to percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation alone, the technique combined with intravertebral bone grafting can shorten fracture healing time, effectively restore and maintain vertebral body height, correct kyphotic deformity, and improve clinical outcomes for patients with thoracolumbar fractures.
Humans ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Pedicle Screws ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Operative Time ; Aged

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To explore the correlation between abnormal vital signs (e.g., heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature) and acute exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as to evaluate the clinical value of continuous monitoring via wearable devices for the early warning and intervention.Methods:A multicenter cross-sectional study enrolled 335 patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from 12 community health centers in Beijing and Chengdu between June 2023 and May 2024. General demographic and clinical data were collected, and each participant underwent continuous monitoring of resting heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature using wearable devices for 21 days. Based on whether participants had experienced acute exacerbations requiring outpatient, emergency, or inpatient treatment within the previous year, they were categorized into the acute exacerbation group and the non-exacerbation group. Differences in physiological parameters between the acute exacerbation group and non-exacerbation group were analyzed, and contributing factors were assessed using logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 335 patients with stable COPD were enrolled, including 252 cases (75.22%) in the acute exacerbation group and 83 cases (24.78%) in the non-acute exacerbation group. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex distribution, comorbidities, or baseline lung function between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the non-acute exacerbation group, patients in the acute exacerbation group had a faster resting heart rate((76.01 ± 7.78) beats/min vs. (72.72 ± 7.35) beats/min, t=3.126, P=0.002), a higher proportion of patients with decreased oxygen saturation (1.75% (0.97%, 3.03%) vs. 0.86% (0.44%, 1.65%), Z=11.086, P=0.001), and a higher proportion of patients with elevated body temperature (0.60% (0.39%, 1.03%) vs. 0.31% (0.17%, 0.54%), Z=7.314, P=0.007). Logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age ( OR=1.051, 95% CI: 1.023-1.080), increased heart rate ( OR=1.055, 95% CI:1.013-1.098), decreased oxygen saturation ( OR=1.197, 95% CI:1.023-1.400), and elevated body temperature ( OR=1.777, 95% CI:1.148-2.752) were positively associated factors for acute exacerbation of COPD. Conclusions:Abnormalities in physiological indicators such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature are associated with acute exacerbations in COPD patients. Continuous monitoring using wearable devices may provide a new method for early warning and timely intervention in COPD exacerbations.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Scutellariae Radix combined with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors （EGFR-TKIs） on cell proliferation， apoptosis， cancer stem cell （CSC） marker expression， and metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） cells. MethodsThe anti-tumor effects of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs （gefitinib or osimertinib） in NSCLC cells were evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） double staining apoptosis assay. The activity of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs in three-dimensional （3D） cultures of NSCLC cells was assessed using the CellTiter-Glo® 3D cell viability assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CSC markers， sex determining region y box protein 2 （SOX2） and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 （ALDH1A1）， were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were detected by ROS staining， and the redox ratio was detected by femtosecond laser labeling free imaging （FLI）. ResultsUnder both two-dimensional （2D） and 3D culture conditions， compared with the blank group and EGFR-TKI group， the combination group showed significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis rate （P<0.05）. Compared with the EGFR-TKI group， the mRNA and protein levels of CSC markers were significantly downregulated in the combination group （P<0.05）. Additionally， the redox ratio was significantly elevated （P<0.05）， and ROS levels were also increased in the combination group compared with the EGFR-TKI group. ConclusionIn NSCLC cells， Scutellariae Radix enhances the redox ratio and increases ROS levels， thereby inhibiting the expression of CSC markers and strengthening the anti-tumor effects of EGFR-TKIs. This provides a novel molecular mechanism by which Scutellariae Radix may enhance the sensitivity of targeted therapies.

Historically,with the decentralisation of county-level medical service price management,inconsistencies in large urban county medical service prices have arisen,facing a serious challenge to the allocation of regional medical resources and the fairness of patients' access to healthcare.There is therefore an urgent need to integrate and standardise county medical service prices.It provides a comprehensive overview of the integration process of county medical service prices in Zhengzhou,focusing on the establishment of integration principles,the determination of programme parameters,the initial integration phase,and the refinement of measurement mechanisms.It also puts forward a series of recommendations and strategies for enhancement,including the further rationalisation of the ratio-price relationship among items,the gradual promotion of price adjustment,and the establishment of a continuous dynamic monitoring mechanism.It also puts forward suggestions and strategies for improvement in terms of further rationalising the price relationship between items and gradually promoting price adjustment,and establishing a continuous dynamic monitoring mechanism.

Recent studies have shown that the physiological homeostasis of oral mucosal cells is regulated by the circadian clock.Dis-ruption or dysfunction of the circadian clock is closely associated with the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Research based on the circadian clock offers a novel perspective on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for OSCC.However,there is current-ly limited research on this topic,and people generally have insufficient understanding and recognition of the circadian clock.Given the complexity and challenges of circadian clock which is the fourth dimension of medical research,we organize relevant experts based on summarizing the current research results of circadian clock in the pathogenesis and precision diagnosis and treatment of OSCC,combining the scientific principles of the circadian clock's role and their long-term research experience,then summarizes and recommends the con-sensus opinions for the research of circadian clock in the pathogenesis mechanism and precision diagnosis and treatment of human OSCC,with the hope of providing guidance for the basic research and clinical application of circadian clock or circadian rhythm in the pathogene-sis mechanism and precision diagnosis and treatment of oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective To analyze the drug resistance and genomic characteristics of clinically isolated hypermuco-viscous Klebsiella pneumoniae(hmKp).Methods Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens from the sentinel hospitals of National Pathogen Identification Network in Huai'an City from 2019 to 2023 were collected,strains were identified by VITEK 2 Compact,mucus phenotype was determined by string test,resistance of hmKp was determined by microbroth dilution method.Molecular typing was conducted by whole-genome sequencing tech-nology,annotation of virulence and resistance genes carried by strains was performed.Results A total of 60 strains of hmKp were collected,mainly isolated from sputum specimens(33.33％)and blood specimens(28.33％).The average genome size of 60 strains was 5.6 Mb,with an average GC content of 57.09％.Multilocus sequence typing(MLST)showed that there were 28 ST types,with the dominant ST types being ST1 1(11.67％),ST15(11.67％),and ST412(10.00％).Core genome MLST(cgMLST)analysis revealed that some strains were highly homologous,and no outbreak strains were found.Multidrug-resistant strains accounted for 60.00％,while imipe-nem-resistant strains accounted for 28.33％.64 types of resistance genes were carried,84.38％of which were loca-ted on mobile element.The carriage rates of fosfomycin-related resistance genes and extended-spectrum β-lactam an-tibiotic-related resistance genes were relatively high in the strains,at 100％and 98.33％,respectively.Among car-bapenem-resistance gene blaKPC-2,21.67％was carried by ST11,ST1,and ST15 strains,among bla NDM-5 gene,3.33％was carried by ST76 strain.A total of 101 virulence genes were carried,most were Colibactin and type Ⅵsecretion system-related virulence genes.All strains carried capsule synthesis regulation-related genes(rcsA,rcsB),efflux pump-related genes(acrA,acrB),and enterobacterin-related genes(entABCEF,fepABCDFG,fes).Conclusion Clinically isolated hmKp in Huai'an exhibits multidrug resistance,with dominant ST types ST11,ST15,and ST412,carrying multiple horizontally transferable resistance and virulence genes,prevention and control measures should be strengthened.

AIM:To investigate the effect of resistance exercise on the function of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)in type 2 diabetic rats and explore the mechanism of myokine irisin in this process.METHODS:Forty 6-week-old healthy male SD rats were selected,ten of which were used as control group,and the rest were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin injection for diabetic modeling.The rats were randomly divided into model group and model exercise group,with 15 rats in each group.The animals in the control and model groups were kept quiet-ly,and those of model exercise group underwent tail-loaded ladder climbing training for 12 weeks(3 times/week).72 hours after the last training,plasma,gastrocnemius and femur were separated.The irisin content of each tissue and mRNA as well as protein expression of fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5(FNDC5)in the gastrocnemius and femur were measured.Bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells were isolated and cultivated,and then treated with exoge-nous irisin for 48 hours.The cell viability and adhesion function of endothelial progenitor cells were detected by CCK-8 and adhesion assay,respectively.The endothelial repair ability was detected by carotid artery injury model in nude mice.The protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3-K)/Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)signaling pathway was detected by Western blot.RESULTS:(1)In vivo experiment:compared with the control group,the model group showed a decrease in plasma,gastrocnemius muscle,and femoral irisin content,as well as a decrease in gastrocne-mius muscle FNDC5 mRNA and protein expression levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the levels of irisin in plasma,gastrocnemius muscle and femur,as well as the expression of FNDC5 mRNA and protein in gastrocnemius mus-cle,increased in the model exercise group(P＜0.05).There was no significant change in the expression of FNDC5 mRNA and protein in the femurs of each group(P＜0.05).(2)Cell experiment:① endothelial progenitor cells without irisin treatment:compared with the control group,the cell viability,adhesion function,and endothelial injury repair ability of endothelial progenitor cells reduced(P＜0.05),and the expression of PI3-K,Akt,eNOS signaling pathway down-regulated in the model group(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the model exercise group showed improvement in endothe-lial progenitor cell function(P＜0.05)and up-regulation of protein expression in the PI3-K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway(P＜0.05).② Endothelial progenitor cells treated with irisin:supplementation with irisin improved the function of endotheli-al progenitor cells and increased the expression of various proteins in the PI3-K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway in the model group and model exercise group compared with those without irisin treatment(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Regular resis-tance exercise can improve the function of endothelial progenitor cells in type 2 diabetic rats,and its mechanism may be re-lated to the regulation of PI3-K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway by myokine irisin released from skeletal muscle.

With population aging worldwide,Alzheimer's disease(AD)has become a serious human health issue.Owing in part to the complexity of the pathogenesis of AD,effective therapeutic options are lacking.Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(MSC-Exos)have powerful regenerative properties and repair functions,providing a new direction for treatment.They are donor-derived,easily stored,natural carriers,with low immunogenicity and a low risk of tumor formation.They have shown great potential in the treatment of AD and post-treatment rehabilitation.This article introduces the pathological mechanisms of AD and characteristics of MSC-Exos,provides a detailed review of the roles of MSC-Exos in the treatment of AD,including anti-inflammatory effects,immunomodulatory effects,and related signaling pathway modulation,and summarizes recent research progress,with the aim of providing a basis for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to AD.