Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) offers substantial advantages in the management of degenerative spinal diseases, including accelerated postoperative recovery. However, its technical complexity and steep learning curve pose risks for nerve root injury. Optimizing nerve root protection in full-endoscopic facet-sparing TLIF (FE fs-TLIF) and full-endoscopic facet-resecting TLIF (FE fr-TLIF) is essential for enhancing surgical safety. This study aimed to improve the nerve root protection in FE fs-TLIF and FE fr-TLIF by optimizing cage glider selection and insertion techniques based on the specific cage shape—banana-shaped or bullet-shaped. The goal was to ensure safe cage positioning and mitigate nerve root injury during discectomy, endplate preparation, and cage insertion. These strategies were validated through cadaveric simulations and clinical implementation. In FE fr-TLIF utilizing bullet-shaped (straight) cages, one-tip and two-tip cage gliders effectively protected the traversing nerve root by facilitating medial cage entry, thereby minimizing irritation of the exiting nerve root. Conversely, in FE fr-TLIF with banana-shaped cages, the lateral tilt of the cage holder during implantation required the use of a two-tip cage glider to protect the traversing and exiting nerve roots, thereby mitigating the potential risk of nerve irritation. In FE fs-TLIF, a one-tip cage glider is preferred for safeguarding the exiting nerve root, while the traversing root is inherently protected by the medial wall of the facet joint. The use of a two-tip cage glider in FE fs-TLIF can cause injury to the nerve root during glider insertion. In addition to the selection of cage gliders, improper cage insertion steps can also contribute to postoperative neurapraxia. The appropriate selection of cage gliders with corresponding insertion techniques is critical for nerve root protection in endoscopic TLIF. Tailoring these choices to the specific approach (FE fs-TLIF or FE fr-TLIF) and cage type (banana or bullet) enhances surgical safety and clinical outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) regimen in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor sintilimab as neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients and the feasibility of the following selective bladder sparing surgery. Materials and Methods: Patients with histopathologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma without distant metastases (T2-4a, N ≤ 1, M0, American Joint Committee of Cancer 8th) and with adequate organ function will be enrolled. The therapeutic regimen was sintilimab 200 mg once on day 8, gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 once on days 1 and 8, every 21 days for four cycles. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR, pT0N0) rate. The secondary end points were ypT < 2 rate, R0 resection rate, event-free survival, and safety. Results: From May 4, 2020, to May 20, 2023, 55 patients were enrolled. Forty-six patients were evaluated for efficacy. Among the 42 patients who underwent surgery, 16 patients (38.0%) achieved pCR. Thirty-three patients (78.6%) achieved pT < 2. With a median follow-up of 15.7 months, the 1-year event-free survival was 91.3%. Notwithstanding the poor pathological baseline characteristic of a high T3-T4a proportion (39.1%), a promising bladder preservation (including 22 patients transurethral resection of bladder tumor, 5 patients partial cystectomy, and 4 surveillances) rate was achieved (67.4%). The most common grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events was neutropenia (n=15, 27.3%), which was related to chemotherapy. There were no grade 3 immune-related adverse events. Conclusion Neoadjuvant GP plus sintilimab is a promising regimen for MIBC patients, with relatively high pT < 2 rate and triggering the emerging roles for the multi-disciplinary team decision-making for bladder sparing surgery.

By reviewing the physical biological research on the activation of acupoint effects by acupuncture， this paper explains the activation mechanism from the perspective of the generation and transmission of mechanical signals caused by acupuncture， and reveals the physical-chemical coupling processes in the acupoint microenvironment. Future research should focus on locally mechanosensitive cells， further exploring how acupuncture mechanical signals trigger dynamic changes in cells and molecules in the acupoints， and the physical-chemical information transduction mechanism， which will provide scientific evidence for the acupoint activation during acupuncture. Related studies will contribute to a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind acupuncture and promote its clinical application and development.

Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

Background: and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking. Methods: This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance. Results: Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal. Conclusions The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.

Objective: Whether elevation in plasma levels of amyloid and tau protein biomarkers are better indicators of cognitive decline than higher baseline levels in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains understudied. Methods: We included 67 participants with twice testing for AD-related plasma biomarkers via immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) assays (amyloid beta [Aβ]1-40, Aβ1-42, total tau [t-Tau], phosphorylated tau [p-Tau] 181, and alpha-synuclein [α-Syn]) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) over a 1-year interval. We examined the correlation between biomarker levels (baseline vs. longitudinal change) and annual changes in the MMSE scores. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to compare the biomarkers. Results: After adjustment, faster cognitive decline was correlated with lower baseline levels of t-Tau (β=0.332, p=0.030) and p-Tau 181 (β=0.369, p=0.015) and rapid elevation of t-Tau (β=-0.330, p=0.030) and p-Tau 181 levels (β=-0.431, p=0.004). However, the levels (baseline and longitudinal changes) of Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and α-Syn were not correlated with cognitive decline. aMCI converters had lower baseline levels of p-Tau 181 (p=0.002) but larger annual changes (p=0.001) than aMCI non-converters. The change in p-Tau 181 levels showed better discriminatory capacity than the change in t-Tau levels in terms of identifying AD conversion in patients with aMCI, with an area under curve of 86.7% versus 72.2%. Conclusion We found changes in p-Tau 181 levels may be a suitable biomarker for identifying AD conversion.

Objective:Mendelian randomization analysis (MR) was used to investigate the causal association between nine cathepsins and cholelithiasis.Methods:Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites closely associated and mutually independent with nine cathepsins and cholelithiasis were screened out from the Genome-Wide Association Study database and the FinnGen Biobank database, respectively. SNP corresponding to exposure factors were selected as instrumental variables. Two-sample bidirectional MR analysis was conducted with methods of inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median and MR-Egger regression. Additionally, multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) was conducted to estimate the direct effect of cathepsins on cholelithiasis. Cochran's Q test, MR-PRESSO method and MR Egger regression were used to evaluate the levels of heterogeneity and pleiotropy. And the leave-one-out method was performed for the sensitivity analysis. Results:The univariable Mendelian randomization analysis results indicated that elevated cathepsin B levels increased the overall risk of cholelithiasis (IVW: OR=1.054, 95% CI: 1.025-1.083, P<0.001). The reverse MR analyses did not support a causal effect of cholelithiasis on cathepsin B (IVW: OR=0.998, 95% CI: 0.920-1.083, P=0.969). A multivariable analysis showed that elevated cathepsin B levels were still strongly associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW: OR=1.038, 95% CI: 1.003-1.073, P=0.031). None evidence of significant pleiotropy and heterogeneity was observed, which was verified by sensitivity analysis. Conclusion:Cathepsin B may serve as a marker for cholelithiasis, and has important guiding significance in cholelithiasis treatment.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction in improving podocyte injury in rats with IgA nephropathy based on Gprc5b/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.Methods Totally 130 SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group(n=20)and a modeling group(n=110).The IgA nephropathy model was established using a compound modeling method,and 100 modeling rats were randomly divided into model group,losartan potassium group(5 mg/kg),and Tongluo Baoshen Decoction low-,medium-,and high-dosage groups(5.3,10.6,21.2 g/kg),with 20 rats in each group.The administration group was given the corresponding dosage of medication by gavage,while the normal group and model group were given an equal amount of distilled water by gavage once a day.After 4 and 8 weeks of administration,urine samples were collected for 24 hours,and blood and kidney tissue specimens were collected.24-hour urinary protein quantification(24 h-UTP),urinary Nephrin,serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and blood uric acid(BUA)contents were detected;RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of G protein coupled receptor C-family 5b(Gprc5b),nuclear factor(NF)-κB p50,NOD like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),Caspase-1,interleukin(IL)-1β,Nephrin mRNA and protein in renal tissue,respectively;HE,PAS,PASM,Masson staining were used to observe the morphology of renal tissue,immunofluorescence was used to observe IgA deposition in the mesangial area of renal tissue,and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of podocytes.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group rats showed significantly increased contents of 24 h-UTP,urinary Nephrin and BUA(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of Gprc5b,NF-κB p50,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β in renal tissue were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expressions of Nephrin were significantly decreased(P<0.01),with mild to moderate proliferation of mesangial cells in the glomerulus,increased mesangial matrix,and immunofluorescence showed clustered and linear deposition of IgA in the mesangial area,electron microscopy showed partial fusion of the foot processes.Compared with the model group,the 24 h-UTP and urinary Nephrin contents in different dosage groups of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction and the losartan potassium group after 4 and 8 weeks administration significantly decreased(P<0.01),with a decrease in BUA content in Tongluo Baoshen Decoction high-dosage group(P<0.05),the mRNA and protein expressions of Gprc5b,NF-κB p50,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β in renal tissue of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction groups and losartan potassium group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expressions of Nephrin increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),with the proliferation of mesangial cells,the increase of mesangial matrix,the deposition of IgA in the mesangial area,and the fusion of foot processes in renal tissue were alleviated to varying degrees in different dosage groups of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction,with the most significant improvement observed in the high-dosage group.Compared with the 4-week administration,Tongluo Baoshen Decoction high-dose group showed further reductions in 24 h-UTP and urinary Nephrin contents after 8 weeks of administration(P<0.01),further decreases in the mRNA and protein expressions of Gprc5b,NF-κB p50,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β in renal tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01),and further increases in the mRNA and protein expressions of Nephrin(P<0.01).Conclusion Tongluo Baoshen Decoction can reduce proteinuria,alleviate renal tissue lesions and improve podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy rats,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Gprc5b/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in renal tissue.

Objective:To investigate the effect of low-dose aspirin combined with dydrogesterone in the treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) complicated with infertility and its influence on hormones and helper T cytokines.Methods:300 PCOS patients with infertility in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University were selected from January 2018 to October 2023. A prospective randomized controlled study was performed. The study subjects were divided into control group and observation group by random envelope method, with 150 cases in each group. The control group was treated with dydrogesterone on the basis of routine intervention, while the observation group was combined with low-dose aspirin on the basis of the control group. The efficacy, pregnancy rate, hormones, Th1 and Th2 cytokines and incidence of adverse reactions were compared in between groups. Measurement data with normal distribution was represented by xˉ± s. Comparison between groups was performed by two-sample t-test and paired t-test was used for comparison before and after treatment. Enumeration data was represented by n(%). Comparison between groups was performed by χ2 test. Results:After treatment, the total effective rate of treatment and pregnancy rate in observation group were higher than those in control group [86.00%(129/150) vs. 74.67% (112/150), 63.33% (95/150) vs. 47.33% (71/150)] ( χ2=6.10, P=0.014, χ2=6.73, P=0.010). Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in both groups were lower after treatment than those before treatment, and the levels in observation group were lower than those in control group [(5.27±1.01) U/L vs. (6.40±1.13) U/L, (6.78±0.87) U/L vs. (7.16±0.91) U/L], and serum estradiol level was higher than that before treatment, and the level in observation group was higher compared to control group [(93.35±8.17) ng/L vs. (82.45±9.14) ng/L] ( t=9.13, 3.70, 10.89, all P<0.001). After treatment, serum γ-interferon, interleukin (IL-2), IL-4 and IL-6 levels were all lower in both groups than those before treatment, and the above levels were lower in observation group than those in control group [(56.96±4.64) ng/L vs. (61.36±4.41) ng/L, (38.74±7.43) ng/L vs.(45.63±8.64) ng/L, (41.03±7.06) ng/L vs. (43.36±8.12 ng/L), (23.14±4.33) ng/L vs. (27.14±5.14) ng/L] ( t=8.42, 7.40, 2.65, 7.29, P<0.001, <0.0 010.008, <0.001). There was no statistical significance in the total incidence rate of adverse reactions between observation group and control group [12.67%(22/150) vs. 9.33% (14/150), χ2=0.85, P=0.356]. Conclusions:Low-dose aspirin combined with dydrogesterone has a significant clinical effect in the treatment of PCOS with infertility, and it can improve 3-month pregnancy rate, and effectively regulate hormones levels and Th1 and Th2 cytokines, and it will not increase adverse reactions, with high safety.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of intestinal flora and its correlation with peripheral blood microinflammatory factors in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with diabetes mellitus(PTB-DM).Methods A total of 162 patients with PTB-DM admitted to the hospital from September 2022 to September 2024 were selected as the PTB-DM group,and another 150 healthy subjects who underwent physi-cal examinations during the same period in the hospital were selected as the control group.The clinical data of all research subjects was collected.The composition of intestinal flora of the research subjects was analyzed by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology.The levels of peripheral blood microinflammatory factors[inter-feron-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]in all research subjects were detected.The clinical data,composition of intestinal flora and levels of microinflammatory factors of the PTB-DM group were compared with those of the control group.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the relative abundance of intestinal flora and the levels of peripheral blood microin-flammatory factors in patients with PTB-DM.Results The relative abundances of Bacteroidales and Clostridi-ales in the PTB-DM group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the relative abun-dances of Enterobacterales and Actinobacteriales were significantly higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α in the PTB-DM group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically signifi-cant(P<0.05).The relative abundances of Bacteroidales and Clostridiales in the PTB-DM group were nega-tively correlated with the levels of IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α.The relative abundances of Enterobacterales and Actinobacteriales were positively correlated with the levels of IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α(all P<0.05).Conclu-sion There is a significant imbalance of intestinal flora in patients with PTB-DM,and the levels of microin-flammatory factors IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood are significantly increased,and are closely re-lated to the relative abundance of specific flora.