BACKGROUND:Many factors can cause disc degeneration,including aging,nutritional deficiency,and mechanical factors.The mechanical load is considered to be a very important factor,but its mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of sclerostin(SOST)and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in inducing degeneration of endplate cartilage. METHODS:Cartilage endplate cells were extracted from 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats.Compressive stress was applied to endplate chondrocytes in vitro using a mechanical loading apparatus,and the cell viability was determined by the cell counting kit-8 assay at 1,3,5,and 7 days after compression.Western blot,reverse transcription quantitative PCR,and cellular immunofluorescence techniques were employed to examine intracellular cartilage markers(Aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen)as well as calcification-related factors(Runx2 and osteocalcin).The expression of extracellular matrix degradation enzyme and genes related to the signaling pathway(SOST and β-catenin)was also analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under compressive stress,the cell activity of endplate chondrocytes increased with both the duration and intensity of stress.Furthermore,the expression levels of Aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen decreased in endplate cells under compressive stress,while those of calcification-related factors(Runx2 and osteocalcin)increased.Additionally,compressive stress promoted extracellular matrix degradation in endplate chondrocytes,leading to an increase in matrix metalloproteinase 3 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 expression.Abnormalities were observed in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway within these cells under compressive stress,characterized by a decrease in specific inhibitory factor SOST expression accompanied by abnormal accumulation of β-catenin.To conclude,decreased SOST expression in endplate chondrocytes under compressive stress activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,thereby promoting calcification,degeneration and extracellular matrix degradation in the cartilage endplate.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of different surgical methods for temporomandibular joint disc reduction and anchoring surgery, providing reference for optimizing this surgical procedure. Method: The study was approved by the hospital ethics committee. 173 patients (195 joints) who underwent temporomandibular joint disc repositioning and anchoring surgery were selected for retrospective analysis. Patients were categorized into groups A (traditional preauricular incision-scalpel/tissue scissors anterior attachment release), 35 patients (40 joints), B (traditional preauricular incision-plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode anterior attachment release), 42 patients (46 joints), C (revised tragus incision - scalpel/tissue scissors anterior attachment release), 50 patients (58 joints), and D (revised tragus incision-plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode anterior attachment release), 46 patients (51 joints). After a 6-month postoperative follow-up, the differences in maximum mouth opening (MMO), visual analogue scale (VAS), effective rate of joint disc reduction, incidence of preauricular numbness, obvious scars among patients in each group at 1, 3, and 6 months were compared postoperatively. Results: After surgery, the MMO of all four groups of patients initially shrunk and then gradually increased compared to before surgery. At the 1-month follow-up after surgery, the plasma bipolar radiofrequency release (B+D) group had a smaller impact on the patient’s MMO compared to the surgical knife/tissue scissors release (A+C) group (P < 0.05). Postoperative VAS scores for all four groups showed a gradual decrease from pre-operative levels, with the (B+D) group scoring significantly lower in the first month post-surgery compared to the (A+C) group (P < 0.05). Six months post-surgery, the rate of joint disc reduction of the four groups were higher than 95%, with no significant differences observed between the groups (P > 0.05). Patients in the revised tragus incision (C+D) group experienced a lower rate of preauricular numbness compared to those in the traditional preauricular incision (A+B) group (4.59% vs. 12.79%, P < 0.05), The incidence of obvious scars in the (C+D) group was significantly lower than that in the (A+B) group (3.67% vs. 23.26%, P < 0.05). Conclusion The revised tragus incision is superior to traditional preauricular incision in terms of protecting the auriculotemporal nerve and the scars were more inconspicuous. Further, the plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode is superior to the scalpel/tissue scissors in terms of mouth opening recovery and pain control. For temporomandibular joint disc reduction and anchoring surgery, a modified tragus incision combined with plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode to release the anterior attachment of the joint disc can be recommended as a surgical option.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria（CSU） and to explore its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsSeventy CSU patients were randomly divided into loratadine group and acupuncture + bloodletting group， with 35 patients in each group. The loratadine group received oral loratadine tablets， 10 mg once daily in the evening. The acupuncture + bloodletting group received acupuncture at Zhongwan （CV 12）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， Tianshu （ST 25）， Zusanli （ST 36）， Sanyinjiao （SP 6）， Xuehai （SP 10）， Quchi （LI 11）， Hegu （LI 4）， Taichong （LR 3）， Baihui （GV 20）， and Shenting （GV 24）， once daily，along with bloodletting and cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and Geshu （BL 17）， every other day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 7-day urticaria activity score（UAS7） was assessed before and after the treatment， and levels of serum immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， eosinophil cationic protein （ECP）， plasma tissue factor （TF）， activated factor Ⅶ （FⅦa）， prothrombin fragment 1+2 （F1+2）， D-dimer （D-D） and complement component 5a （C5a） were detected. ResultsA total of 65 patients were included in the final analysis， 32 in the loratadine group and 33 in the acupuncture + bloodletting group. Before treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， ECP levels， or plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， C5a levels between groups （P＞ 0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， and plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， and C5a levels compared to those before treatment （P＜0.01）. However， after treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score and serum ECP， IgE， IL-4， IL-5 levels between groups （P＞0.05）. The acupuncture + bloodletting group showed lower plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D and C5a levels compared to the loratadine group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionAcupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping can effectively improve the skin symptoms of CSU patients and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. The potential mechanism of action may involve the regulation of the coagulation-complement-mast cell activation axis， thereby inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

Objective To analyze the adverse reaction reports （ADRs） of drug-induced liver injury in recent ten years, explore the characteristics and related rules of drug-induced liver injury, and provide reference for clinical safe drug use. Methods ADRs in our hospital from 2011 to 2021 which belonged to drug-induced liver injuries were collected, and Pareto analysis was carried on. Results In 259 ADR reports, the most common type of drug-induced liver injury was hepatocellular injury （37.84%）. The age of drug-induced liver injury was mainly over 46 years, totaling 195 （75.28%）. Drugs were mainly distributed in cardiovascular system medicine （44.02%）, anti-infective medicine （23.94%）and anti-tumor medicine （11.58%）. Among the cardiovascular drugs, atorvastatin calcium 40mg and over 40mg were the highest proportion, with 53 cases （46.49%）. The main anti-infectious drugs were cephalosporins （29.03%）, carbapenem （19.35%）， antifungal （17.74%）and quinolones （11.29%）. Adverse reactions occurred within 6 days （69.88%）, the duration of adverse reactions was 1-2 weeks （31.66%）, and most patients were improved （47.88%） or cured （37.07%）. Conclusion For middle-aged and elderly patients, when the application of cardiovascular system drugs, anti-infective drugs or anti-tumor drugs, it is necessary to monitor the liver function changes of patients for at least 6 days. If there are abnormalities, the drugs should be stopped or given treatment in time, to avoid the progress of drug-induced liver injury.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Shujin Jiannao Formula （舒筋健脑方） for cerebral palsy. MethodsThirty 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， and Shujin Jiannao Formula group， with 10 rats in each group. The model group and Shujin Jiannao Formula group established a cerebral palsy model by the classic Rice-Vannucci method. After successful modeling， rats in Shujin Jiannao Formula group were given Shujin Jiannao Formula 16 g/（kg·d） by gavage， while the normal group and model group were given normal saline 10 ml/（kg·d） by gavage once a day. After one week of intervention， the rats' body weight was measured， and Zea-Longa scores， the righting reflex test， and the hindlimb suspension test were conducted for assessment； hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in brain tissue， and the number of Nissl-positive neurons was counted； enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure levels of inflammatory cytokines in the brain tissue， specifically interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）； immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of neurofilament protein 200 （NF200） and myelin basic protein （MBP） in brain tissue； Western Blot analysis was conducted to determine the protein levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt/PKB/Rac）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly higher Zea-Longa scores and lower scores in the hindlimb suspension test （P＜0.01）； pathological findings revealed loose structure in the cerebral cortex， hippocampal atrophy， and neuronal damage in brain tissue. Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α elevated， and the number of Nissl-stained positive neurons in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region reduced， and immunofluorescence intensity of NF200 and MBP， as well as protein expression levels of PI3K and mTOR， significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， rats in Shujin Jiannao Formula group showed decreased Zea-Longa scores and increased hindlimb suspension test scores （P＜0.05）； pathological damage in brain tissue alleviated， levels of IL-1β and TNF-α reduced， the number of Nissl-stained positive neurons in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region increased， and the immunofluorescence intensity of NF200 and MBP， as well as the protein levels of PI3K and mTOR， significantly elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups in body weight， body-turning time， or AKT protein levels in brain tissue （P＞0.05）. ConclusionShujin Jiannao Formula can improve the neurological function of rats with cerebral palsy， exert neurorestorative effects， and its mechanism of action may be related to the reduction of inflammatory response in brain tissue and the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To assess the quality of gross α and β radioactivity measurements conducted by radiological health service institutions and disease prevention and control centers in Gansu Province, China, and regulate their measurement methods. Methods The samples were distributed by Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention as the organizer of the inter-comparison through mail. The institutions participated in the inter-comparison carried out the measurements in accordance with national standards, and submitted the inter-comparison reports in the form required by the inter-comparison scheme. Results A total of 13 institutions participated in the 2023 inter-comparison of gross α and β radioactivity measurement capabilities, and all measurement results met the required standards. The absolute Z-scores for gross α inter-comparison ranged from 0 to 1.21, and the absolute Z-scores for gross β inter-comparison ranged from 0.08 to 1.85. The comprehensive scores ranged from 74.5 to 93.0. Conclusion The measurement capacities of the institutions participated in the 2023 inter-comparison showed improvement compared with the previous year. However, 12 institutions participated in the inter-comparison showed issues in data processing, report formatting, and laboratory quality control. It is necessary to strengthen technical training, standardize the measurement procedures, and improve the measurement capabilities and skills to ensure the quality of services.

AIM: To explore the efficacy and safety of repeated low-energy red light irradiation combined with visual training for the treatment of adolescent myopia based on vision and tear film function.METHODS: A total of 104 adolescent myopic patients(208 eyes)from the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2022 to July 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups by random number table method, with 52 cases(104 eyes)in the control group and 52 cases(104 eyes)in the study group. Both groups were treated with orthokeratology lenses, while the control group received visual training and the study group received repeated low-energy red light treatment on top of visual training. Follow-up for 1 a, the improvement of vision, changes in the choroid, tear film function, adverse events, and visual acuity growth after 1 a were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS: The uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)and axial length of the study group were lower than those of the control group after 6 mo and 1 a of treatment(all P<0.05). The thickness of the choroid under the center recess and the density of choroidal capillary blood flow were higher in the study group than in the control group at 6 mo and 1 a after treatment(all P<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the thickness of tear film lipid layer and tear film break-up time between the two groups at different time points(all P>0.05); and the incidence of adverse events during the treatment period of the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05). After treatment for 1 a and removing the orthokeratology lens for 2 wk, there was no significant difference in the uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)between the study group and the control group before treatment(P>0.05), and the uncorrected visual acuity of the control group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Repeated low-energy red light combined with visual training can effectively improve the choroid, control the axial length growth, effectively correct the vision of the cornea, and does not affect the tear film function, with high safety.

ObjectiveTo explore the impacts of material type and loading volume of rigid containers on the hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma sterilization of thoracoscopic instruments, to identify the best rigid containers and loading volume of thoracoscopic instruments. MethodsThoracoscopic instruments sterilized by STERRAD^® 100NX hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital affiliated to Tongji University from August to September 2024 were selected as the research items. According to the material of rigid containers, the instruments were divided into polyethylene case group (A), stainless steel case group (B) and silicone resin case group (C). In terms of the loading volume, the rigid containers were divided into (loading capacity <80%) groups of 8, 10 and 12 instruments. The results of physical monitoring, the first type of chemical indicator card monitoring, and the five types of card luminal chemical process challenge device (PCD) monitoring of the 9 groups of A8, A10, A12, B8, B10, B12, C8, C10 and C12 were compared and evaluated. ResultsCompared to A8, A10 A12, C8, C10 or C12 groups, the thoracoscope instruments in the stainless steel containers in B8, B10 or B12 group had higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations and shorter elapsed time in the pressure check phases 1 and phases 2, with the differences statistically significant (P<0.05), followed by the silicone resin case group and the polyethylene case group. The nine groups of physical parameter monitoring, the first type of chemical indicator monitoring, and the five types of chemical PCD monitoring for lumen sterilization achieved 100% qualification rates, and there were no significant differences in the qualified rates of sterilization among the 9 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionWhen using hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma to sterilize thoracoscopic instruments, it is recommended to use stainless steel or silicone resin rigid containers with a controlled loading capacity (≤12) to ensure optimal sterilization quality.

Objective: To construct an index system of public health risk assessment for air pollution emergency, so as to provide a tool of evaluating the public health risks of air pollution emergency. Methods: Index system of public health risk assessment for air pollution emergency was established through literature review and group discussions. The index system was determined through two rounds of Delphi expert consultations involving specialists in environmental health, toxicology, epidemiology, health emergency response, and atmospheric monitoring. The effectiveness of the consultation was evaluated by positive coefficient, authority coefficient and coordination coefficient. The weights of index were determined using a combination weighting method of the expert scoring method and the entropy weight method. Results: Fifteen experts participated in the consultation, including 11 males and 4 females. There were 8 experts with a doctor degree, 6 experts with a master degree, 1 experts with a bachelor degree. A total of 11 experts with senior professional titles, and 4 experts with associate senior professional titles. The average work experience was (23.73±10.48) years. The expert positive coefficients for the two rounds of consultations were 83.33% and 100%, respectively. The expert authority coefficients were 0.794 and 0.811, respectively. The coefficients of variation for the importance, feasibility, and sensitivity scores of each index in the two rounds of comsultations were 0.097 to 0.352, 0.078 to 0.478, 0.115 to 0.388, and 0.049 to 0.133, 0.052 to 0.153, 0.049 to 0.178, respectively. The Kendall's coefficients of concordance were 0.237 and 0.440 (both with P<0.05) for the two rounds of consultations. The constructed assessment index system included "likelihood" "hazard" "vulnerability" "controllability" with comprehensive weights of 0.206 7, 0.059 6, 0.378 1, and 0.355 5, respectively. Among the 13 second indicators, "monitoring capability" had the highest comprehensive weight of 0.192 6. Among the 40 tertiary indicators, "real-time monitoring of atmospheric pollutants" "retrospective evaluation of early forecasting results" "types, quantities, and combined effects of atmospheric pollutants" "exposure modes of the population to atmospheric pollutants" had relatively high comprehensive weights of 0.089 5, 0.043 1, 0.041 1 and 0.040 3, respectively. Conclusion The constructed index system of public health risk assessment for air pollution emergency can be applied to the public health risk assessment for air pollution emergencies.

This paper explores the research progress of acupuncture for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis. According to the fundamental pathogenesis of AD in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which attributes to kidney deficiency, marrow depletion, and impaired mental faculties, as well as the governor vessel's connection between the kidney and brain, the concept of the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is proposed. The theoretical basis of the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is analyzed based on the meridian pathway and physiological functions of the governor vessel, as well as the interdependent and mutually reinforcing relationships among the kidney, governor vessel, and brain. The relationship between AD and the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is elucidated from both traditional medical theories and modern biological perspectives. Integrating clinical and mechanistic research on AD prevention and treatment based on this axis, it is suggested that the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis provides valuable insights and references for future research on AD prevention and treatment.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Kidney/blood supply* ; Brain/blood supply* ; Meridians ; Blood Vessels/physiopathology*