BACKGROUND:With the continuous advancement of medical technology,stem cell therapy has been used to treat a variety of diseases,including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of stem cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,and prospect the development trend of this field. METHODS:PubMed,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),and WanFang Data were searched for articles published from 1995 to 2024 using the key words"amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,mesenchymal stem cells,neural stem/progenitor cells,pluripotent stem cells."A total of more than 1 700 articles were retrieved,and 58 articles were finally included in this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that affects lower motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord and upper motor neurons in the motor cortex.The related research of stem cells in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has become a research hotspot.In this review,we summarize the application of different types of stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research,including mesenchymal stem cells,neural stem progenitor cells,and induced pluripotent stem cells,and evaluate the key points of preclinical research such as stem cell source,cell volume,stem cell modification methods,and drug delivery routes,which lays the foundation for the future application of stem cell therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of primary interventional revascularization combined with secondary perforator composite flap in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) accompanied by soft tissue defects around the ankle. METHODS: Between January 2022 and January 2025, 12 patients with PAD and soft tissue defects around the ankle were admitted. Among them, there were 9 males and 3 females; their ages ranged from 52 to 82 years, with an average of 68.9 years. The causes of injury included 4 cases of traffic accident, 5 cases of falls, 1 case of falling from height, 1 case of foreign body puncture injury, and 1 case of electric shock injury. The infection duration ranged from 1 month to 35 years, with a median duration of 3.5 months. The wound size ranged from 5.5 cm×3.0 cm to 15.0 cm×9.0 cm. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was 0.32±0.12. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain was 3.3±0.5. Preoperative vascular stenosis assessment was performed in all patients, with primary intervention to dredge large and medium-sized arteries, followed by secondary repair of the wound using a perforator composite flap. The flap size ranged from 6.5 cm×4.0 cm to 16.0 cm×10.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or repaired with skin grafts. After two stages of treatment, the effectiveness was evaluated by measuring ABI, observing flap survival and wound healing, assessing VAS scores, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. RESULTS: All 12 cases completed two stages of treatment; all patients were followed up after the second-stage treatment, with a follow-up period ranging from 7 to 28 months, with an average of 16.8 months. After the first-stage treatment, the skin temperature around the ankle was significantly higher than that before treatment, and the ABI increased to 0.71±0.07, with a significant difference ( t=9.918, P<0.001). After the second-stage treatment, the blisters on the distal end of the skin flap occurred in 3 cases. The flaps survived and the wounds healed, with a healing time ranging from 10 to 14 days (mean, 11.8 days). The incisions at the donor site healed by first intention, and the skin grafts survived. The VAS score was 0.5±0.5 at 3 weeks, which was significantly lower than that before treatment ( t=13.675, P<0.001). No infection recurrence occurred during follow-up. At 6 months after the second-stage treatment, the AOFAS score of the ankle joint ranged from 92 to 97, with an average of 94.7, all reaching excellent. CONCLUSION Interventional revascularization combined with perforator composite flap for staged treatment of PAD with ankle soft tissue defects can obtain good effectiveness, by unclogging the main blood vessels, improving lower limb blood supply, and improving the survival rate of the skin flap.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Peripheral Arterial Disease/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ankle/blood supply* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Skin Transplantation/methods*

Objective To establish a new program of blood cell processing apparatus(NGL-BBS)for the preparation of washed mixed plateletsand to study the effect on biological activity of platelets compared with tradi-tional manual method.Methods Mixed concentrated platelets were separated and prepared from whole blood by white membrane method.Blood cell processing apparatus with new program set(experimental group)and manual method(control group)was used for thepreparation of washed mixed platelets.The expression rate of CD62P and CD63 in the two groups of washed mixed platelets was compared by flow-cytometry.Thrombus elastography(TEG)was used to measure and compare the MA value between the two groups.Results The expression rate of CD62P and CD63 in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group(t = 4.11,P<0.01;t = 10.78,P<0.01).TheTEG MA valueof the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(t = 6.67,P<0.01).Conclusion The present study demonstrates that the use of NGL-BBS for the preparation of washed mixed plate-lets has a lesser impact on biological activity compared to manual preparation methods.

Hepatitis B is mostly a chronic, progressive disease that, if not treated promptly and effectively, can slowly progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, antiviral therapy, i.e., a "complete therapy" strategy, should be started as long as the virus is positive. Immediate antiviral treatment is not recommended for infected patients who are only in the immune-tolerant phase, mainly because of the milder conditions and poor antiviral therapy efficacy, according to antiviral indications in China's Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2022 Version). The relevant issues of why hepatitis B virus infection in the immune-tolerant phase is the last mile of "complete therapy," with an emphasis on the disease’s characteristics and antiviral treatment strategies, are discussed here.

Objective To investigate the value of dual-energy CT(DECT)quantitative parameters combined with clinical laboratory indicators in differentiation of portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)from thrombosis(PVT).Methods A case-control study was conducted on 65 patients diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis(n=39)or tumor embolus(n=26)who underwent abdominal dual-energy enhanced CT examination in our department from May 2022 to March 2024.Their clinical and imaging data were collected.Linear blending image(LB),non-linear blending image(NLB),40 keV and 100 keV virtual monoenergetic image(VMI),iodine image and electron density/effective atomic number image(Rho/Zeff)were reconstructed with the aid of post-processing workstation.The image characteristics of thrombus were evaluated in LB images,including whether the vessel wall at the thrombus was smooth,whether the vessel at the thrombus was widen,and whether the embolus was neovascularization.The quantitative parameters and clinical laboratory indicators of PVT and PVTT in DECT were compared.Laboratory indicators included apha-fetoprotein(AFP),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to analyze DECT quantitative parameters,embolus image characteristics and clinical laboratory indicators.Then receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the quantitative parameters and combined model of DECT.Results Among the DECT parameters,except for Rho,the other parameters in PVTT were significantly higher than those in PVT(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there were obvious differences in LB,NLB,CEA and AST(P＜0.05),and NLB had better diagnostic efficacy(AUC:0.830,sensitivity:53.85％,specificity:100.00％,accuracy:81.54％).The combined model based on DECT quantitative parameters and clinical laboratory indicators(LB+NLB+CEA+AST)obtained the best diagnostic efficacy(AUC:0.983,sensitivity:96.15％,specificity:92.31％,accuracy:93.85％).Conclusion The combined imaging and clinical model based on DECT provides a reliable reference for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant portal vein embolus,and it has potential application prospects.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of blood routine,chest computed tomography(CT)imaging and short-term evolution of hemodialysis patients infected with Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrom coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).Methods A total of 204 patients diagnosed with Omicron variant infection in the First Hospital of Hohhot from September 2022 to September 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.Among them,89 patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD)who were receiving hemodialysis were included in the hemo-dialysis group.The remaining 115 patients were control group,and the first blood routine results chest com-puted tomography(CT)imaging data were observed.Thirty-four patients in the hemodialysis group and 29 patients in the control group had complete pulmonary CT imaging data on the day of admission,5-6 days and 10-12 days after admission.The characteristics and chest CT scores of all cases were analyzed.Results 1)The percentage of monocytes,neutrophils,neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and chest CT score of the hemo-dialysis group were higher than those of the control group,while the white blood cells,lymphocytes and lymphocyte percentage were lower than those of the control group.2)The positive rate of first chest CT was 49.4%in hemo-dialysis group and 35.7%in control group.3)The chest CT scores of the hemo-dialysis group and the control group on day 5 and day 6 were higher than those of first check.Chest CT was reexamined on days 10-12,and scores were higher in the hemo-dial-ysis group than in the control group.Conclusions Hemo-dialysis patients with COVID-19 have higher blood routine indexes,higher positive rate of lung CT and slower absorption than non-hemodialysis patients.

Objective:To measure and assess relevant radiation doses at the radiotherapy site of the first domestic single-vault proton therapy system.Methods:The radiation levels of the therapy system during and after beam irradiation were measured, and annual effective doses were assessed for personnel at the site.Results:During beam irradiation, the highest radiation dose was detected at the shielded door of the equipment floor, with a gamma radiation level of 2.140 μSv/h and a neutron radiation level of 0.850 μSv/h. Neutron radiation disappeared immediately once the beams stopped. In contrast, the radiation activated originated mostly from gamma rays. A longer time after beams stopped was associated with lower induced radiation intensity at the same location. Furthermore, a farther distance from the irradiated object corresponded to lower induced radiation intensity at the same time. The assessment result reveal that the annual effective doses to the personnel were at the safe level, with physicists exposed to the highest dose of 2.138 mSv.Conclusions:The radiation level at the studied proton therapy site meets the safety requirement, and the treatment can be performed safely at this site.

BACKGROUND:Achilles tendon adhesion after Achilles tendon injury can lead to decreased biomechanical properties,weakened healing ability,and ultrastructural changes of Achilles tendon,which further affects patients'daily life and work ability.Therefore,how to effectively deal with and prevent Achilles tendon adhesion has become a hot and difficult problem in clinical treatment. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effects of biological amniotic membranes on postoperative Achilles tendon adhesion,biomechanics,and ultrastructural changes in rats with Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS:Sixty 6-week-old SD rats were selected to establish bilateral Achilles tendon rupture models and divided into two groups(n=30 per group)by the random number table method.In the model group,the severed end of the tendon was sutured directly.In the amniotic membrane group,the biological amniotic membrane was wrapped around the broken anastomosis and fixed by a suture.The adhesion,biomechanics,morphology,and structure of the Achilles tendon and the expression of p38 and ERK1/2 protein were evaluated 1,2,and 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)1 week after operation,the Achilles tendon and peritendinous tissues of the two groups were mildly edema,and the adhesion of the Achilles tendon tissues in the model group was more obvious.2 weeks after the intervention,the Achilles tendon and peritendinous tissues of the model group still had edema,and the adhesion degree between the Achilles tendon and the surrounding tissues was heavier than that of the amniotic membrane group.4 weeks after operation,there was no edema around the Achilles tendon in both groups,and the healing was well.The adhesion degree of the Achilles tendon in the amniotic membrane group was less than that in the model group.The maximum tension of Achilles tendons in the amniotic membrane group was higher than that in the model group at 2 and 4 weeks after operation(P<0.001).(2)Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy revealed that 1 week after operation,the tendon structure of rats of the two groups was disordered and the collagen fibers were sparsely arranged,in which the model group demonstrated obvious inflammatory reaction and adhesion to the Achilles tendon.Two weeks after operation,the model group still demonstrated obvious inflammatory response,adhesion of Achilles tendon,and irregular ordering of collagen fibers.The amniotic membrane group exhibited an orderly arrangement of collagen fibers and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum of fibroblasts.At 4 weeks after operation,the collagen fibers of the Achilles tendon in the model group were thickened and disordered,and the rough endoplasmic reticulum was less in the fibroblasts,while the collagen fibers in the amniotic membrane group were ordered and thin,and the fibroblasts contained a large number of rough endoplasmic reticulum.(3)Four weeks after operation,western blot assay exhibited that the expressions of p38 and ERK1/2 protein in the Achilles tendon tissue of rats in the amniotic membrane group were lower than those in the model group(P<0.05).(4)The results confirm that the biologic amniotic membrane can promote the healing and inhibit the adhesion of Achilles tendon after the operation of the ruptured Achilles tendon,which may be associated with the regulation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture is a common fracture secondary to osteoporosis.At present,there is no effective prediction index and method for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the predictive effect of the comprehensive index of lumbar vertebral body bone strength on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. METHODS:233 patients with osteoporosis were divided into a fracture group and a non-fracture group according to whether a vertebral fracture occurred.The demography,body mass index,vertebral bone mineral density and other details were collected.Lateral X-ray films of the lumbar spine were photographed.The vertebral body width,vertebral body length,sacral slope,pelvic tilt,pelvic incidence,lumbar compressive strength index and the lumbar impact strength index were measured,calculated,and analyzed by univariate and multivariate,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed.The survival analysis was conducted according to the cut-off value. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All patients were followed up for 2-4 years,with an average of 3.1 years.During the follow-up period,99 cases(38 cases of L1 vertebral body,61 cases of L2 vertebral body)had fractures(fracture group),and 134 cases(52 cases of L1 vertebral body,82 cases of L2 vertebral body)had no fractures(non-fracture group).Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in age,sex,height,body mass,body mass index and fracture segment between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)Lumbar compressive strength index and lumbar impact strength index in the fracture group were lower than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).Pelvic incidence and pelvic tilt in the fracture group were higher than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).(3)Multivariate analysis showed that lumbar compressive strength index,lumbar impact strength index and pelvic tilt were risk factors for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(P<0.05).(4)Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff values of vertebral bone mineral density,lumbar compressive strength index,lumbar impact strength index,pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence were 0.913 5 g/cm2,1.932,0.903,21.5° and 55°,respectively;areas under the curve were 0.630,0.800,0.911,0.633 and 0.568,respectively.(5)According to the survival analysis(with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture as the end point),the average survival time of the patients with lumbar impact strength index≥0.903 was significantly longer than that of the patients with lumbar impact strength index<0.903(P<0.05).(6)These findings conclude that the comprehensive index of lumbar vertebral body bone strength is more accurate than the bone mineral density of the vertebral body and spine-pelvis sagittal parameters in predicting osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,which is helpful for early prevention and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture is a common fracture secondary to osteoporosis,and there is currently a lack of effective predictive indicators and methods for osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the predictive effects of paravertebral muscle degeneration,functional cross-sectional area,and percentage of fat infiltration on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS:The 224 patients with osteoporosis diagnosed from January 2018 to June 2022 were included.They were followed up for more than 2 years.They were divided into fracture group and non-fracture group according to the presence and absence of vertebral fracture.The detailed information of demographics,body mass index,bone mineral density and so on were collected.The functional cross-sectional area and percentage of fat infiltration of bilateral Psoas major muscle and extensor dorsi(Erector spinae muscles muscle and multifidus muscle)at the level of lower endplate of L2 vertebral body were measured and calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)224 patients were ultimately included,of which 126 had fractures as the fracture group and 98 had no fractures as the non-fracture group.There was no statistically significant difference in age,gender,height,body mass,body mass index,and fracture segment between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The bone mineral density of the fracture group was significantly lower than that of the non-fracture group(P<0.05).Functional cross-sectional areas of Psoas major muscle and extensor dorsi in the fracture group were significantly lower than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).The percentage of fat infiltration of the extensor dorsi in the fracture group was significantly higher than that in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in percentage of fat infiltration of Psoas major muscle between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the vertebral bone mineral density,percentage of fat infiltration of extensor dorsi,functional cross-sectional area of extensor dorsi and percentage of fat infiltration of Psoas major muscle were 0.903 g/cm2,35.426%,418.875 mm2,and 6.375%,respectively.The areas under curve were 0.634,0.755,0.876,and 0.585,respectively.(4)These findings indicate that paravertebral muscle degeneration is strongly associated with the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.The functional cross-sectional area of extensor dorsi muscle can effectively predict the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,which is helpful for early prevention and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.