OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Qushi huoxue decoction in improving metabolic-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） based on the AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/UNC-51-like kinase 1 （AMPK/mTOR/ULK1） autophagy signaling pathway.METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Qushi huoxue decoction groups [4.10， 8.20， 16.40 mg/（g·d）]， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group， mice in the other groups were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the MAFLD model. Starting 24 hours after modeling， mice in each group were administered the drug solution or normal saline once daily for 6 consecutive weeks. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transferase （AST）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were detected according to the kit instructions. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to observe pathological changes in mouse liver tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expression and positive protein expression related to the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 autophagy signaling pathway.RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the serum levels of TC， TG， ALT， AST， and LDL-C in the model group were significantly increased， while the HDL-C level was significantly decreased （ P ＜0.01）. HE staining showed obvious steatosis in hepatocytes of the model group， and oil red O staining showed a large amount of lipid droplet accumulation in liver tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining results showed that the expression levels of p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 proteins， as well as the relative fluorescence intensities of p-mTOR and p62 proteins in liver tissue of the model group， were significantly increased/enhanced （ P ＜0.01）， while the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK， ULK1， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ） proteins， as well as the relative fluorescence intensities of p-AMPK and LC3 proteins， were significantly decreased/weakened （ P ＜0.01）. After intervention with Qushi huoxue decoction， the above pathological changes and abnormal indicators in liver tissue of mice in the low-， medium-， and high-dose groups were significantly reversed， with most indicators showing statistically significant differences （ P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01）.CONCLUSIONS Qushi huoxue decoction can significantly improve liver pathology， blood lipid levels， and liver function in MAFLD model mice； this improvement may be achieved through the activation of the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 autophagy signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of microscopic decompression in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) under single percutaneous tubular retractor system.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 117 DLSS patients with imaging manifestations as non-segmental lumbar instability, admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, 900 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Team from October 2018 to April 2023 were enrolled consecutively. These patients failed in strict conservative treatment and then changed to posterior lumbar spinal canal and nerve root decompression by microscopy and percutaneous tubular retractor system. These patients were followed up for 6-50 months. Pain visual analogue score (VAS) and lumbar Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) were recorded and results of X-rays, CT and MRI of lumbar spines were analyzed 1 d before and 1 week after decompression and at the last follow-up. Modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate the efficacy at the last follow-up. Results:Among the 117 patients, unilateral laminectomy for unilateral decompression was performed in 56 patients (47.9%) and unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression in 61 (52.1%). Single segment decompression was performed in 109 patients (93.2%) and double segment decompression in 8 (6.8%). Dural sac rupture occurred in 4 patients (3.5%), and immediate occlusion was given; no cerebrospinal fluid leakage was noted after decompression. All patients did not experience obvious nerve damage during decompression or intervertebral infection/lumbar instability after decompression. After 18 (13, 24) months of follow-up, VAS scores of the patients at the last follow-up decreased from (5.96±0.85) 1 d before decompression and (1.75±0.61) 1 week after decompression to (1.01±0.59), and lumbar ODI decreased from (63.22±8.33)% 1 d before decompression and (17.66±5.20)% 1 week after decompression to (10.64±3.44)%, with significant differences ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, modified MacNab criteria indicated 46 patients (39.3%) as excellent, 66 (56.4%) as good, 3 (2.6%) as fair, and 2 (1.7%) as poor, with an excellent/good therapeutic rate of 95.7%. Conclusion:For surgical treatment of DLSS patients without evidenced preoperative spinal instability, personalized unilateral or bilateral spinal canal decompression under microscope by combiningsingle percutaneous tubular retractor system can effectively reduce surgical trauma and achieve satisfactory surgical results.

Objective:To compare the morphological differences of psoas major muscles between patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) of lower limb pain and lumbocrural pain based on CT imaging data.Methods:Sixty patients with LDH admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, 900 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Team from January 2012 to February 2023 were included. According to clinical symptoms, they were divided into lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group ( n=30). 3D CT images of the psoas major muscles in the 2 groups were reconstructed; the longest transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the psoas major muscle was chosen as the cross-sectional area, and the maximum psoas major muscle cross-sectional area was calculated; maximum psoas major muscle cross-sectional area index (PI max) was defined as ratio of maximum psoas major muscle cross-sectional area and L 5 vertebral cross-sectional area. PI max difference between lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group was compared; PI max difference among patients with different pain degrees (visual analog scale [VAS] scores) or pain courses was further compared in both lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlations of PI max with pain degree and pain course in the 2 groups. Results:PI max in lower limb pain group was significantly larger than that in lumbocrural pain group (0.62±0.05 vs. 0.54±0.04, t=7.320, P<0.001). PI max in patients with severe pain from both lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group was significantly smaller than that in patients with moderate pain (0.61±0.05 vs. 0.65±0.04, t=2.422, P=0.022; 0.53±0.03 vs. 0.58±0.04, t=3.502, P=0.002). PI max in patients with short pain course from both lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group was significantly larger than that in patients with long pain course (0.64±0.05 vs. 0.59±0.04, t=2.570, P=0.016; 0.57±0.04 vs. 0.53±0.03, t=2.941, P=0.007). Pearson correlation showed that PI max was negatively correlated with pain degree and pain course in LDH patients from both groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Atrophy of psoas major muscles in LDH patients is aggravated with increased pain degree and pain course.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of posterior cervical spinal nerve root decompression under microscope and percutaneous tubular retractor system in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).Methods:A total of 38 patients with CSR, admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, 900 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Team from September 2019 to October 2022 were enrolled consecutively. These patients failed in strict conservative treatment and then changed to posterior cervical spinal nerve root decompression under microscope and percutaneous tubular retractor system. The patients were followed up for (15.71±7.50) months, ranging from 3 to 36 months. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were recorded and the results of X-ray, CT and MRI of cervical spines were analyzed 1 d before decompression, before discharge and at the last follow-up. C 2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was measured and compared on CT reconstruction images before decompression and at the last follow-up. The clinical efficacy of these patients was determined according to the formula of improvement rate=([JOA at the last follow-up-preoperative JOA]/[17-preoperative JOA])×100%: 100% improvement rate was defined as cure, improvement rate>60% as significant effect, 25%

Objective:To investigate the role of NG2 cells in generating and maintaining neuropathic pain in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods:According to random number table method, 100 healthy adult male SD rats were divided into control group ( n=20, without any intervention), sham-operated group ( n=40, exposed T 10 segment without spinal cord impact) and SCI group ( n=40, exposed T 10 segment and constructed SCI model by improved Allen's method). One d before, and 14, 21 and 28 d after surgery, Von Frey fiber probe was used to detect the rat hindlimb mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT); immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells; Western blotting was used to detect chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) expression in spinal dorsal horn of rats. Results:Fourteen, 21 and 28 d after surgery, SCI group had significantly lower hindlimb MWT, and significantly higher proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells and CSPG expression in spinal dorsal horn than control group and sham-operated group ( P<0.05). One d before, and 14, 21 and 28 d after surgery, in SCI group, hindlimb MWT decreased firstly and increased secondly, proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells increased firstly and decreased secondly, and CSPG expression in spinal dorsal horn increased firstly and decreased secondly. Except for those 21 and 28 d after surgery, hindlimb MWT, proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells, and CSPG expression in spinal dorsal horn showed significant differences between each two time points ( P<0.05). In SCI group, hindlimb MWT was negatively correlated with proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells ( r=-0.876, P<0.001), and CSPG expression was positively correlated with proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells ( r=0.927, P<0.001). Conclusion:NG2 cell proliferation and increased CSPG expression secreted by NG2 cells in spinal cord tissues after SCI generate and maintain neuropathic pain.

Objective:To analyze the clinical outcome of nasal symptoms in patients with pituitary lesions after transsphenoidal surgery by microscope.Methods:A perspective study was performed; 53 patients with pituitary lesions treated by transsphenoidal microsurgery in our hospital from March 2012 to January 2013 were enrolled. Sinonasal outcome test (SNOT)-22 was used to evaluate the nasal symptoms in these patients before surgery, and 1 week, 1 month and 4 months after surgery; Toyota and Takagi (T&T) olfactometer was used to evaluate the olfaction before surgery, and 1 week and 4 months after surgery.Results:Among the 53 patients, 47 were with pituitary adenoma and 6 were with Rathke cysts. The common postoperative nasal symptoms included olfactory disorder, nasal obstruction, runny nose, pain in the nasal cavity and dizziness. The total scores and 5-items scores of SNOT-22 in patients 1 week and 1 month after surgery were significantly higher as compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05); there were no significant differences in these scores between before surgery and 4 months after surgery ( P>0.05). The incidence of olfactory disorder in patients 1 week and 4 months after surgery was significantly higher than that before surgery ( P<0.05); the incidence of olfactory disorder in patients 4 months after surgery was decreased as compared with that 1 week after surgery, without significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Olfactory disorder can occur to some extent after transsphenoidal approach with slow recovery, which deserves the attentions.

Objective:To explore the curative efficacy of nerve root sheath plasty under microscope in treatment of patients with Tarlov cysts.Methods:A total of 41 patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts, admitted to our hospital from March 2016 to December 2019, were collected; these patients received surgical treatment by nerve root sheath plasty under microscope and neuroelectrophysiological monitoring. The microsurgical efficacy was evaluated by changes of pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and lumbar Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) before and one week, 3 months, and 6 (or 12) months after surgery.Results:The VAS scores and lumbar ODI of 41 patients one week, 3 months, and 6 (or 12) months after surgery were significantly reduced as compared with those before surgery, and presented a gradually decreased trend, with statistically significant differences between each time point ( P<0.05). The median of improvement rate of lumbar ODI was 72.7% (58.9%, 79.7%): curative effect was excellent in 19 patients (improvement rate of lumbar ODI>75%), good in 14 patients (51%≤improvement rate of lumbar ODI≤75%), passable in 3 patients (26%≤improvement rate of lumbar ODI≤50%), and poor in 5 patients (improvement rate of lumbar ODI≤25%), enjoying rate of excellent and good curative effect as 80.5% (33/41). Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in two patients without infection. Cyst recurrence occurred in one patient on the 3 rd d of surgery due to loosening of the suture of the access hole, and no recurrence occurred after the second surgery. Conclusion:The compression of Tarlov cysts on nerve root can be safely and effectively relieved by nerve root sheath plasty under microscope and neuroelectrophysiological monitoring; the symptom relief rate is high and it is not easy to recur.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of wheat cellulose particles (testa triticum tricum purify, Fiberform) in the treatment of internal hemorrhoid.

METHODSA multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial was adopted. From October 2015 to July 2016, 60 patients with internal hemorrhoid were enrolled from three medical centers, including Department of Anorectum, Shuguang Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Anorectum, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Anorectum, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. Enrollment criteria: Patients aging from 18 to 65 years old; being diagnosed with the second or third grade internal hemorrhoid; having good communication skills and being able to complete the records and follow-ups according to the research program requirements.

EXCLUSION CRITERIAPatients combined with other anal diseases, or whose anus tube or rectum suffering occupying lesions; patients currently using other methods and defecation drugs in the treatment of their hemorrhoids; patients in pregnancy or with diseases of heart, liver, kidney or metabolic disorders; patients suffering from constipation due to other diseases and drugs, and long-term laxatives abusers. According to the random number table method, 60 patients were randomly divided into the combined treatment group [30 cases, wheat cellulose particles 1 bag each time, 2 times per day; Diosmin tablet 2 pills, 2 times per day] and the single treatment group [30 cases, Diosmin tablet 2 pills, 2 times per day]. The treatment courses for both groups were 7 days. According to the four-grade scoring method, the efficacy evaluation would be made on six indicators, which were the degree of hematochezia or bleeding, the degree of pain, hemorrhoid prolapse, the shapes and properties of stool, the defecation frequency and the defecation duration. The higher the score a participant got, the more severe the symptom was. The effectiveness was evaluated by the scoring reduction rate, and marked effectiveness and effectiveness were both found to be effective. Incidence of adverse events was compared between two groups before the treatment, and on postoperative 3-day and 7-day respectively.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between two groups in gender, age, internal hemorrhoids gradings, disease course, and onset time as well as the baseline data, such as the degree of hematochezia or bleeding before the treatment, the degree of pain, hemorrhoid prolapse, the shapes and properties of stool, the defecation frequency and the defecation duration (all P>0.05). After the seven-day treatment, there was significant difference in effective rate between combination group and single group [96.7%(29/30) vs. 66.7%(20/30), Z=-4.376, P=0.000]. Meanwhile, the scores of combined group and single group in hematochezia or bleeding were 0(0, 1) and 0(0, 2) (Z=9.241, P=0.002); in shapes and properties of stool were 0(0, 1) and 0(0, 1) (Z=5.364, P=0.021); in defecation frequency were 0(0, 1) and 0(0, 2) (Z=7.552, P=0.006); and in defecation duration were 0(0, 1) and 0(0, 2) (Z=4.425, P=0.035), whose differences were all significant. The scores of pain degree and hemorrhoid prolapse of two groups also decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). During the treatment, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other adverse reactions were not observed in participants of two groups.

CONCLUSIONCombination therapy of wheat cellulose particles (testa triticum tricum purify, Fiberform) can significantly improve the efficacy of internal hemorrhoid with safety and tolerance.