To elucidate the mechanism by which steaming affects the quality of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers, methods such as LSCM, RVA, dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, LF-NMR, and LC-MS were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect changes in starch gelatinization characteristics, water distribution, and material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers under different steaming durations. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, the correlation between differences in gelatinization parameters, water distribution, and terpenoid material composition was investigated. The results indicate that steaming affects both starch gelatinization and water distribution in C. kwangsiensis. During the steaming process, transformations occur between amylose and amylopectin, as well as between semi-bound water and free water. After 60 min of steaming, starch gelatinization and water distribution reached an equilibrium state. The content of amylopectin, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and parameters such as gelatinization temperature, viscosity, breakdown value, and setback value were significantly correlated(P≤0.05). Additionally, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio was significantly correlated with total free water and total water content(P≤0.05). Steaming induced differences in the material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers. Clustering of primary metabolites in the OPLS-DA model was distinct, while secondary metabolites were classified into 9 clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Differential terpenoid metabolites such as(-)-α-curcumene were significantly correlated with zerumbone, retinal, and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Curcumenol was significantly correlated with isoalantolactone and ursolic acid(P<0.05), while all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with both zerumbone and retinal(P<0.05). Alpha-tocotrienol exhibited a significant correlation with retinal and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Amylose was extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and α-tocotrienol(P<0.05). Amylopectin was significantly correlated with zerumbone(P<0.05) and extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid(P<0.01). The results provide scientific evidence for elucidating the mechanism of quality formation of steamed C. kwangsiensis root tubers as a medicinal material.
Curcuma/chemistry* ; Starch/chemistry* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Water/chemistry* ; Terpenes/analysis* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Plant Tubers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis (LS) and the proportion of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis (SS) in China, and to evaluate the musculoskeletal status of patients with LS and SS. METHODS: Spine Computed Tomography (CT) images were collected from community populations aged 40 and above in a nationwide multi-center project. LS was diagnosed, and SS was graded by an experienced radiologist. Bone mineral density (BMD) and paraspinal muscle parameters were quantified based on CT images. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen patients of a total of 3,317 individuals were diagnosed with LS, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 3.53%. 63 of the 1,214 males (5.18%) and 54 of the 2,103 females (2.57%) were diagnosed with LS. SS occurred in 64/121 vertebrae (52.89%). BMD was not associated with LS ( P = 0.341). The L5 extensor paraspinal muscle density was higher in the LS group than in the non-LS group. In the LS group, patients with SS had a smaller L5 paraspinal extensor muscle cross-sectional area than those without SS ( P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The prevalence of LS in Chinese adults was 3.53%, with prevalence rates of 5.18% in males and 2.57% in females. Patients with LS have higher muscle density, whereas those with SS have smaller muscle cross-sectional areas at the L5 level.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Spondylolysis/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Aged, 80 and over ; Spondylolisthesis/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

Objective:To explore the relationship between corrected serum calcium level and clinical characteristics in patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM), as well as the influencing factors of concomitant hypercalcemia.Methods:A retrospective case cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of newly-diagnosed MM patients who were admitted to Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were collected. When serum albumin (ALB) was less than 40 g/L, the serum calcium level was corrected. The hypercalcemia group was defined as the corrected serum calcium level >2.60 mmol/L, the normal blood calcium group was defined as 2.20-2.60 mmol/L, and the hypocalcemia group was defined as <2.20 mmol/L; the combination of normal blood calcium group and hypocalcemia group was the non-hypercalcemia group. The age, gender, immune typing, ALB, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), β 2-microglobulin (β 2-MG), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of patients in the hypercalcemia group and the non-hypercalcemia group were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used for the correlation analysis. The logistic regression model was used to conduct multivariate analysis on the influencing factors of hypercalcemia. Results:Before correction, there were 31 cases (26.5%), 48 cases (40.0%) and 38 cases (32.5%) of MM patients in the hypocalcemia group, normal blood calcium group and hypercalcemia group, respectively. After correction, there were 17 cases (14.5%), 58 cases (49.6%) and 42 cases (35.9%), respectively. The corrected serum calcium level for male MM patients was (2.58± 0.41) mmol/L, while for females it was (2.53±0.38) mmol/L, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( t = 0.79, P > 0.05). The corrected serum calcium levels for patients in stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ of the International Staging System (ISS) were (2.31±0.15) mmol/L, (2.52±0.37) mmol/L and (2.65±0.42) mmol/L, respectively, and the difference between the three groups was statistically significant ( F = 53.62, P < 0.01). Corrected serum calcium showed a negative correlation with patients' serum ALB ( r = -0.201, P < 0.05), and positive correlations with Scr, BUN and β 2-MG levels ( r values were 0.470, 0.247 and 0.469, respectively, all P < 0.01), but it had no correlation with age or ALP ( r values were -0.013 and 0.078, respectively, both P > 0.05). There were 15 cases (17.1%), 48 cases (54.5%) and 25 cases (28.4%) of patients with normal renal function in the hypocalcemia group, normal blood calcium group and hypercalcemia group, respectively; there were 2 cases (6.9%), 10 cases (34.5%) and 17 cases (58.6%) of patients with impaired renal function in the hypocalcemia group, normal blood calcium group and hypercalcemia group, respectively; there were statistically significant differences between the hypocalcemia group and the hypercalcemia group, as well as between the normal blood calcium group and the hypercalcemia group ( χ2 = 4.57, P < 0.05; χ2 = 6.67, P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the hypocalcemia group and the normal calcium group ( χ2 = 0.29, P>0.05). The patients with approximately normal bone status in the hypocalcemia group, normal blood calcium group and hypercalcemia group were 3 cases (13.0%), 17 cases (74.0%) and 3 cases (13.0%), respectively, and the patients with bone damage were 14 cases (14.9%), 41 cases (43.6%), and 39 cases (41.5%), respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference between the normal blood calcium group and the hypercalcemia group ( χ2 = 7.48, P < 0.01), while there was no statistically significant difference between the hypocalcemia group and the hypercalcemia group ( χ2 = 1.46, P > 0.05). The proportions of patients with Scr > 177 μmol/L and β 2-MG > 3.5 mg/L in the hypercalcemia group were higher than those in the non-hypercalcemia group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). The results of logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that β 2-MG >3.5 mg/L was an independent risk factor for hypercalcemia in newly-diagnosed MM patients ( OR = 1.178, 95% CI: 1.058-1.311, P = 0.003). Conclusions:Corrected serum calcium level may be an important indicator for evaluating the severity of disease, renal function and bone status in newly-diagnosed MM patients.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Background: Optimizing cultivation techniques for traditional Chinese medicine has become a crucial means to improve the quality of medicinal materials. Microbial agents, as environmentally friendly and efficient plant growth promoters and soil conditioners, have increasingly attracted attention in eco-agriculture research. Objective: Our understanding remains limited regarding how the application of microbial agents, alone or in combination, affects changes in the rhizosphere microbiome and its association with the bioactive components of medicinal materials. Methods: In this study, Epimedium pubescens Maxim. was employed as a model plant to examine the effects of 2 microbial agents(Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and Bacillus subtilis) applied individually and in combination on plant growth and the accumulation of bioactive components. Additionally, this study explored the relationship between the rhizosphere microbiome and plant development. Results: The application of microbial agents increased the yield of E. pubescens leaves by 20.30% to 33.66% and enhanced the total flavonol glycosides content by 11.40% to 29.94%. Meanwhile, microbial treatments reshaped the rhizosphere microbiome, promoted the enrichment of beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Frankia and Paenibacillus), suppressed phytopathogenic fungi such as Didymella and Scytalidium, and enhanced the stability of the soil microbial co-occurrence network. The partial least squares path model suggested that microbial agents not only directly impact the quality of medicinal herbs but also indirectly alter the accumulation of bioactive components by modulating the soil microbiome. Conclusion: These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between medicinal plant quality and rhizosphere microbiomes as mediated by microbial agents. They also provide a basis for designing and manipulating synthetic microbial communities to promote sustainable development in eco-agriculture.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of the Chikungunya fever outbreak in Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province in July 2025 and the risk factors associated with delayed viral RNA clearance.Methods:A total of 562 patients with Chikungunya fever admitted to three designated hospitals in Shunde District from July 10 to 30, 2025 were enrolled. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings were collected. Patients were categorized into four age groups including minors (<18 years), young adults (18 to 39 years), middle-aged adults (40 to 64 years) and elderly adults (≥65 years). The differences of clinical characteristics among these age groups were analyzed. Intergroup comparisons were performed using chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, or Kruskal-Wallis H test. Pairwise comparisons between groups were conducted using the Bonferroni or Games-Howell or Dunn method. Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze risk factors associated with delayed viral RNA clearance (>7 days). Results:The mean age of the 562 enrolled Chikungunya fever patients was (44.8±21.3) years. Fever, arthralgia and rash were the three core symptoms, with incidence rates of 87.5% (492/562), 88.4%(497/562) and 69.6%(391/562), respectively. At discharge, only 54.1%(304/562) of patients achieved complete symptom resolution, while 26.5%(149/562) still had arthralgia and 36.1%(203/562) had residual rash. Significant differences were observed among age groups in the incidence of fever ( χ2=9.43, P=0.024), peak body temperature ( F=6.54, P<0.001), incidence of arthralgia ( χ2=26.89, P<0.001), duration of arthralgia ( F=12.68, P=0.001), incidence of rash ( χ2=68.99, P<0.001), rate of residual rash at discharge ( χ2=32.37, P<0.001), lymphocyte count ( F=12.94, P<0.001), platelet count ( F=14.95, P<0.001), and C-reactive protein levels (CRP) ( H=94.18, P<0.001). Further pairwise comparisons revealed that compared to the middle-aged and elderly groups, the minor group had a higher incidence of fever and a lower incidence of arthralgia, and the duration of arthralgia was shorter than the elderly group (all P<0.008 3). Compared with the other three groups, the elderly group had lower incidence and residual rate of rash, and lower platelet counts (all P<0.008 3), and higher levels of CRP (all P<0.05). The elderly group had lower lymphocyte counts compared to the minor and young adult groups (both P<0.05). Significant differences were found among age groups in the time to viral RNA clearance ( F=5.77, P=0.003) and length of hospital stay ( F=11.64, P<0.001), with the elderly group having significantly longer duration for both compared to the other three groups (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age (odds ratio ( OR)=1.049, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.015 to 1.083), longer duration of fever ( OR=1.529, 95% CI 1.086 to 2.155) and longer duration of arthralgia ( OR=1.927, 95% CI 1.318 to 2.817) were independent risk factors for delayed viral RNA clearance (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Patients with Chikungunya fever in Shunde District primarily present with fever, arthralgia and rash. The incidence and characteristics of these three core symptoms show age-related variations. Elderly patients and those with longer durations of fever or arthralgia are more likely to experience delayed viral clearance.

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of Zaogong Erteng decoction (ZGETD) in the treatment of endometritis.Methods:Femal mice were injected 2.5 mg/mL lipopolysaccharide into uterine horn to induce endometritis model. After modelling, low-dose ZGETD, high-dose ZGETD or amoxicillin was given once a day for 7 d. The appearance of the uterus and pathological changes of uterine tissue were observed 7 d later, and the uterine index was calculated. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in mouse uterine tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in mouse uterine tissue was measured by redox reaction. The active ingredients of ZGETD and the target and signal pathway of treatment of endometritis were analyzed by network pharmacology. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), P65, p-P65, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and p-IRF3 proteins and chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL8 in the mouse uterus, respectively. Terminal dUTP nick end labeling detected endometrial cell apoptosis and endometrial thickness was measured. After treatment, the female rats were mated with the male rats, and the mating rate, the pregnancy rate and the number of implantation sits in the injected uterine horn on day 8 of gestation were counted. Results:Both ZGETD and amoxicillin have atherapeutic effect on endometritis, but compared with low-dose ZGETD and amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD can significantly alleviate the edema and congestion of uterine tissue and reduce the uterine index (all P=0.001). After treatment, the uterine cavity epithelium of mice was smooth and complete, the uterine gland structure was normal, and no bleeding area and inflammatory cell aggregation were observed. Compared with amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and MPO activity (all P<0.001). The expression of chemokines ( CXCL5 and CXCL8) was significantly reduced (all P<0.05). The signaling pathways TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and TNF related to the treatment of endometritis by ZGETD were screened by network pharmacology, and their action targets (TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3) were verified. Quercetin, fisetin and luteolin were found to be the most active ingredients acting on these targets. High-dose ZGETD significantly inhibited the activation of TLR4/NF-κB and TLR4/IRF3 pathways ( P<0.05), decreased endometrial cell apoptosis ( P<0.05), and increased endometrial thickness ( P<0.001), mating rate ( P<0.001), pregnancy rate ( P<0.001) and implantation site number of uterine horn on the injection side of LPS after treatment ( P=0.001). Conclusion:High-dose ZGETD has a significant therapeutic effect on endometritis, which may be closely related to the down-regulation of TLR4 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the transfer of blastocysts that have not re-expanded after 2-4 h of thawing on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed to analyze the clinical data from 2 428 vitrified frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the 901st Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA between January 2015 and March 2024. Based on the re-expansion status of the blastocoel cavity after thawing, the cycles were divided into group A (110 non-re-expanded) and group B (2 318 re-expanded). After propensity score matching, there were 109 cycles in each group. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between the two groups were compared.Results:Before propensity score matching, there were statistical differences in percentage of good-quality blastocyst transfer, percentage of degree 4 blastocyst, percentage of endometriosis and others in reasons for infertility between the two groups (all P<0.05). After propensity score matching, there were no statistical differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate [27.52% (30/109)], the ongoing pregnancy rate [21.10% (23/109)] and the live birth rate [19.27% (21/109)] in group A were all significantly lower than those in group B [61.47% (67/109), 51.38% (56/109), 47.70% (52/109), all P<0.001]. Neonatal outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of birth weight, neonatal length, malformation rate, monozygotic twin rate and male neonatal rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Transfer of non-re-expanded blastocysts after thawing may reduce clinical pregnancy rate but does not negatively affect neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical and immunological features of children with primary immune thrombocytopenia (pITP) or connective tissue disease (CTD) with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation at initial diagnosis, and to provide a basis for early differentiation. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 236 children with pITP (pITP group) or CTD with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation (CTD-TP group) who were admitted from January 2019 to August 2024. Clinical and immunological indicators were compared between the two groups to identify potential influencing factors for early differentiation and their discriminative validity. RESULTS: Compared with the pITP group, the CTD-TP group had a significantly older age of onset and significantly lower leukocyte count, eosinophil count, lymphocyte count, and complement C4 level (P<0.05), as well as significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, IgE, and IgM (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that age, IgE, IgM, total B cells, and complement C4 were predictive factors for early differentiation between pITP and CTD-TP (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a combination of these five factors had a good discriminative validity, with an area under the curve of 0.944. The correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between IgG and platelet count in the pITP group (r_s=-0.363, P<0.05) and a positive correlation between NK cells and platelet count in the CTD-TP group (r_s=0.713, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is heterogeneity in the clinical and immunological indicators between children with pITP and CTD-TP at initial diagnosis, and these research findings can help with the early differentiation between the two diseases.
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/immunology* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Connective Tissue Diseases/immunology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Early Diagnosis ; Age of Onset ; Leukocyte Count ; Complement C4/immunology* ; C-Reactive Protein/immunology* ; Immunoglobulin E/immunology* ; Immunoglobulin M/immunology* ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Adolescent ; Biomarkers/blood*

Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.