Background: and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis. Methods: This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs. Conclusions Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Objective To analyze and evaluate the early warning efficacy of D-dimer/albumin ratio(DAR)combined with interleukin-6(IL-6)and fibrin degradation products(FDP)in the postoperative treatment of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection(ATAAD).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 284 ATAAD patients who underwent the Sun's procedure at our hospital from July 2024 to March 2025.Patients were divided into a non-adverse outcome group(n=196)and an adverse outcome group(n=88)based on the occurrence of postop-erative complications within 30 days,including acute renal failure requiring dialysis,secondary thoracotomy for hemostasis,severe neurological complications,multiple organ failure,or all-cause mortality.Preoperative baseline data,perioperative parameters,and laboratory indicators were collected via the electronic medical record system.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between groups for continuous variables that did not conform to the normal distribution,and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was selected for statistical difference analysis according to the frequency distribution characteristics of categorical variables.On the basis of univariate analysis,multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between the non-adverse and adverse outcome group in age,cardiopulmonary bypass time,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),IL-6,D-dimer(D-D),FDP,and DAR levels(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed that DAR,IL-6,D-D,FDP,and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time were independent risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes(P<0.05).Combined detection analysis demonstrated that the combination of DAR,IL-6,FDP,and cardiopulmonary bypass time yielded the highest predictive efficacy,with an area under the ROC curve of 0.886(95％CI:0.846～0.927).Conclusion The combination of DAR,IL-6,FDP,and cardio-pulmonary bypass time effectively predicts adverse postoperative outcomes in ATAAD patients.This biomarker panel may serve as a robust predictive tool for postoperative risk stratification.

Objective To analyze and evaluate the early warning efficacy of D-dimer/albumin ratio(DAR)combined with interleukin-6(IL-6)and fibrin degradation products(FDP)in the postoperative treatment of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection(ATAAD).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 284 ATAAD patients who underwent the Sun's procedure at our hospital from July 2024 to March 2025.Patients were divided into a non-adverse outcome group(n=196)and an adverse outcome group(n=88)based on the occurrence of postop-erative complications within 30 days,including acute renal failure requiring dialysis,secondary thoracotomy for hemostasis,severe neurological complications,multiple organ failure,or all-cause mortality.Preoperative baseline data,perioperative parameters,and laboratory indicators were collected via the electronic medical record system.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between groups for continuous variables that did not conform to the normal distribution,and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was selected for statistical difference analysis according to the frequency distribution characteristics of categorical variables.On the basis of univariate analysis,multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between the non-adverse and adverse outcome group in age,cardiopulmonary bypass time,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),IL-6,D-dimer(D-D),FDP,and DAR levels(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed that DAR,IL-6,D-D,FDP,and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time were independent risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes(P<0.05).Combined detection analysis demonstrated that the combination of DAR,IL-6,FDP,and cardiopulmonary bypass time yielded the highest predictive efficacy,with an area under the ROC curve of 0.886(95％CI:0.846～0.927).Conclusion The combination of DAR,IL-6,FDP,and cardio-pulmonary bypass time effectively predicts adverse postoperative outcomes in ATAAD patients.This biomarker panel may serve as a robust predictive tool for postoperative risk stratification.

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.

Objective To explore the application value of serological markers in the screening of malignant tumor bone metastasis.Methods A total of 113 patients with malignant tumor bone metastasis first diag-nosed in a hospital from June 2023 to February 2024 were selected as case group.Another 80 patients with malignant tumor without bone metastasis diagnosed in the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of serological markers[serum calcium(Ca),parathyroid hormone(PTH),Ca/PTH,procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide(P1NP),beta-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen(β-CTX)and N-terminal mid-fragment of osteocalcin]were compared between the two groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to analyze the value of serological markers in screening for bone metastases of lung canc-er,prostate cancer and breast cancer.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of malignant tumor bone metastasis.Results The levels of Ca,Ca/PTH,β-CTX and P1NP in case group were significantly higher than those in control group,while PTH in case group was lower than that in control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).ROC curve results showed that Ca,PTH,Ca/PTH,P1NP and β-CTX had high efficacy in screening malignant tumor bone metastases,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.718,0.699,0.712,0.648 and 0.593,respectively.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Ca/PTH and P1NP were the influencing factors of bone metastasis in malignant tumor(OR=5.036,1.013,P<0.05).The AUC of Ca,PTH and Ca/PTH screening for bone metastasis of lung cancer were 0.781,0.652 and 0.669,respectively.The AUC of β-CTX and P1NP screening for bone metastasis of prostate cancer were 0.800 and 0.815 respectively.The AUC of Ca and P1NP screening for breast cancer with bone metastasis was 0.751 and 0.794,respectively.Conclusion Serological markers(Ca,PTH,Ca/PTH,P1NP and β-CTX)are valuable in screening for malignant tumor bone metastasis.

Bone metastasis is a serious complication in the course of malignant tumors and has a poor prog-nosis.The incidence of breast cancer,prostate cancer and lung cancer is the highest.A highly sensitive and highly specific test method for the early diagnosis of malignant bone metastases of these tumors,which is es-sential for reducing the incidence of bone-related events and improving the prognosis of patients with malig-nant tumors,is urgently needed.At present,the diagnosis of bone metastasis in patients with malignant tumors mainly relies on imaging.However,due to limitations in the development of imaging technology,its clinical use is still limited by sensitivity,cost-effectiveness,availability,and others.Close clinical follow-up and monitoring of patients diagnosed with malignant tumors are essential for effective patient management.Based on the current literature,this review aims to summarize the early diagnosis and detection methods for bone metastases in breast cancer,prostate cancer and lung cancer,including imaging techniques,pathology,bio-chemistry and molecular methods,and to review the development trends of future diagnostic techniques.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Astragalus (AST) on osteoporosis (OP) and the downstream mechanisms. METHODS: Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were induced to differentiate into osteogenic cells. After transfection with relevant plasmids, cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis were assessed. Alizarin red staining was used to detect calcium nodules in the cells, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was used to detect ALP activity in the cells, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine RUNX2 and Osterix expression levels. An OP rat model was established using ovariectomy and micro-computed tomography scanning. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to evaluate the pathological conditions of bone tissues, while immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect RUNX2 in bone tissues. RESULTS: AST promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, reduced miR-181d-5p expression levels, and increased SOX11 expression levels. Restoring miR-181d-5p expression or reducing SOX11 expression levels reversed the effects of AST on the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. miR-181d-5p was found to target SOX11 in hBMSCs. AST improved OP in rats, and miR-181d-5p overexpression or SOX11 inhibition reversed the therapeutic effects of AST on OP in rats. CONCLUSION AST promoted the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs and alleviated OP by targeting SOX11 via miR-181d-5p.
Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Tiaozhou Ziyin(TZZY)recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)and explore the possible mechanisms.Methods We used bioinformatics analyses and network pharmacology to identify the main active ingredients in TZZY recipe and their core targets,which were verified by Western blotting.We tested the efficacy and safety of the recipe in 60 POI patients,who were randomized into control group(n=30)with Femoston treatment and TZZY group(n=30)with additional TZZY recipe treatment for 3 menstrual cycles.Results The core active ingredients of TZZY recipe included kaempferol,β-sitosterol,luteolin,and quercetin.The core targets included SRC,TP53,STAT3,PIK3CA,and MAPK3,which were involved in positive regulation of cell movement and protein phosphorylation,the cancer pathways and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients had good binding ability with the core targets.In female rat models of POI,TZZY recipe treatment significantly up-regulated ovarian expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins.In the clinical trial,treatment with Femoston and Femoston plus TZZY recipe both significantly increased E2 levels and reduced FSH and LH levels and Kupperman scores of the patients,and the combined treatment produced significantly stronger effects.Both treatments increased the number of antral follicles of the patients,but the combined treatment also significantly increased the levels of AMH.Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of TZZY recipe for POI involves multiple active ingredients,multiple therapeutic targets and multiple pathways,and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway is one of its main mechanisms of action,to improve ovarian reserve function,alleviate clinical symptoms,and enhance clinical efficacy in POI patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of Tiaozhou Ziyin (TZZY) recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: We used bioinformatics analyses and network pharmacology to identify the main active ingredients in TZZY recipe and their core targets, which were verified by Western blotting. We tested the efficacy and safety of the recipe in 60 POI patients, who were randomized into control group (n=30) with Femoston treatment and TZZY group (n=30) with additional TZZY recipe treatment for 3 menstrual cycles. RESULTS: The core active ingredients of TZZY recipe included kaempferol, β-sitosterol, luteolin, and quercetin. The core targets included SRC, TP53, STAT3, PIK3CA, and MAPK3, which were involved in positive regulation of cell movement and protein phosphorylation, the cancer pathways and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients had good binding ability with the core targets. In female rat models of POI, TZZY recipe treatment significantly up-regulated ovarian expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins. In the clinical trial, treatment with Femoston and Femoston plus TZZY recipe both significantly increased E₂ levels and reduced FSH and LH levels and Kupperman scores of the patients, and the combined treatment produced significantly stronger effects. Both treatments increased the number of antral follicles of the patients, but the combined treatment also significantly increased the levels of AMH. CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic mechanism of TZZY recipe for POI involves multiple active ingredients, multiple therapeutic targets and multiple pathways, and activating the PI3K /Akt pathway is one of its main mechanisms of action, to improve ovarian reserve function, alleviate clinical symptoms, and enhance clinical efficacy in POI patients.
Female ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Rats ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Signal Transduction ; Sitosterols/therapeutic use* ; Kaempferols/therapeutic use*

Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, and Qwen are emerging as transformative technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. With their exceptional long-context reasoning capabilities, LLMs are proficient in clinically relevant tasks, particularly in medical text analysis and interactive dialogue. They can enhance diagnostic accuracy by processing vast amounts of patient data and medical literature and have demonstrated their utility in diagnosing common diseases and facilitating the identification of rare diseases by recognizing subtle patterns in symptoms and test results. Building on their image-recognition abilities, multimodal LLMs (MLLMs) show promising potential for diagnosis based on radiography, chest computed tomography (CT), electrocardiography (ECG), and common pathological images. These models can also assist in treatment planning by suggesting evidence-based interventions and improving clinical decision support systems through integrated analysis of patient records. Despite these promising developments, significant challenges persist regarding the use of LLMs in medicine, including concerns regarding algorithmic bias, the potential for hallucinations, and the need for rigorous clinical validation. Ethical considerations also underscore the importance of maintaining the function of supervision in clinical practice. This paper highlights the rapid advancements in research on the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of LLMs across different medical disciplines and emphasizes the importance of policymaking, ethical supervision, and multidisciplinary collaboration in promoting more effective and safer clinical applications of LLMs. Future directions include the integration of proprietary clinical knowledge, the investigation of open-source and customized models, and the evaluation of real-time effects in clinical diagnosis and treatment practices.
Humans ; Large Language Models ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed