As the core vehicle for preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） academic thought and clinical experience， the establishment of a robust quality evaluation system for TCM clinical case reports is a crucial component in the current standardization and modernization of TCM. Based on the practical experience of constructing the China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of critical challenges， including insufficient authenticity and unfocused evaluation criteria. It proposed a three-dimensional evaluation framework grounded in the structure-process-outcome logic， encompassing three dimensions of authenticity and standardization， characteristics and advantages， application and translational impact. This framework integrated 12 key evaluation indicators in a systematic manner. The model preserved the academic characteristics of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment， while aligning with modern scientific research standards， achieving a balance between individualized TCM experience and standardized evaluation. Concurrently， this study provided theoretical foundations and methodological guidance for evaluating the quality of TCM clinical cases， contributing significantly to the inheritance of TCM knowledge， evidence-based practice， and the reform of talent evaluation mechanisms.

Anxiety disorder is a highly prevalent psychological illness, and research has shown that obesity is a significant risk factor for its development. This study explored the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of saponins from Panax japonicus(SPJ) on anxiety disorder in mice fed a high-fat diet(HFD). Fifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control diet(NCD) group, HFD group, and low-and high-dose SPJ groups. At week 12, six mice from the HFD group were further divided into a control group(treated with DMSO) and an exogenous fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21) group(administered rFGF21). The anxiety-like behavior of the mice was assessed using the open field test and elevated plus maze test. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining were performed to observe pathological changes in the liver and adipose tissue. Glucose metabolism was evaluated through the glucose tolerance test(GTT) and insulin tolerance test(ITT). Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of FGF21 and its downstream-related proteins in the liver and cortex, along with the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), disks large homolog 4(DLG4), and synaptophysin(SYP) in the cortex. Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR(qPCR) was used to detect the expression of FGF21 and its receptor genes in the liver and cortex. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to examine the expression of neuronal activator c-Fos, FGF21, and the FGF21 co-receptor β-klotho in the cerebral cortex. The results showed that SPJ significantly improved the frequency of activity in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the central area of the open field in HFD mice, up-regulated the expression of BDNF, DLG4, and SYP, and effectively alleviated anxiety-like behaviors in HFD mice. Compared with the NCD group, HFD mice exhibited up-regulated expression of FGF21 in the liver and cerebral cortex, while the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1(FGFR1) and β-klotho was significantly down-regulated, suggesting that HFD mice exhibited FGF21 resistance. SPJ markedly up-regulated the β-klotho levels in HFD mice, reversing FGF21 resistance. Further comparison with exogenously administered FGF21 revealed that SPJ activates brain cortical regions in a consistent manner, and additionally, SPJ promotes the number and colocalization of c-Fos and β-klotho positive cells in the brain cortex. In summary, SPJ effectively alleviates anxiety-like behaviors in HFD mice. Its mechanism is associated with up-regulation of β-klotho expression in the brain, reversal of FGF21 resistance, and subsequent activation of neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala.
Animals ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/genetics* ; Mice ; Male ; Panax/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics* ; Humans ; Liver/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive computed tomography angiography (CTA)-based fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) could become a gatekeeper to invasive coronary angiography. Deep learning (DL)-based CT-FFR has shown promise when compared to invasive FFR. To evaluate the performance of a DL-based CT-FFR technique, DeepVessel FFR (DVFFR). METHODS: This retrospective study was designed for iScheMia Assessment based on a Retrospective, single-center Trial of CT-FFR (SMART). Patients suspected of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and undergoing both CTA and invasive FFR examinations were consecutively selected from the Beijing Anzhen Hospital between January 1, 2016 to December 30, 2018. FFR obtained during invasive coronary angiography was used as the reference standard. DVFFR was calculated blindly using a DL-based CT-FFR approach that utilized the complete tree structure of the coronary arteries. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty nine patients (60.5 ±10.0 years and 209 men) and 414 vessels with direct invasive FFR were included in the analysis. At per-vessel level, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of DVFFR were 94.7%, 88.6%, 90.8%, 82.7%, and 96.7%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was 0.95 for DVFFR and 0.56 for CTA-based assessment with a significant difference (P < 0.0001). At patient level, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of DVFFR were 93.8%, 88.0%, 90.3%, 83.0%, and 95.8%, respectively. The computation for DVFFR was fast with the average time of 22.5 ± 1.9 s. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that DVFFR was able to evaluate lesion hemodynamic significance accurately and effectively with improved diagnostic performance over CTA alone. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a critical disease in which coronary artery luminal narrowing may result in myocardial ischemia. Early and effective assessment of myocardial ischemia is essential for optimal treatment planning so as to improve the quality of life and reduce medical costs.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Objective:To evaluate the detection rate, anatomical distribution, and influencing factors of bone marrow edema-like signal (BMELS) in the knees of amateur marathon runners.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. This study publicly recruited amateur marathon runners through the Hangzhou Long-distance Running Association from January 2019 to December 2024. Based on knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, participants were divided into a BMELS-positive group (BMELS present in at least one knee) and a BMELS-negative group. General clinical information was collected from participants using a questionnaire. All participants underwent a knee MRI scan to screen for the presence of BMELS and to assess its severity. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the associated factors of BMELS in amateur marathon runners, while Spearman′s correlation analysis assessed the correlation between BMELS grade and these factors.Results:A total of 60 subjects (120 knee joints) were enrolled, including 39 males (65%), aged (40.0±8.4) years. Of these, 39 were in the BMELS-positive group, and 21 were in the BMELS-negative group. The BMELS detection rate for the 120 knee joints of these 60 subjects was 53.3% (64/120). BMELS were detected in 43.3%(52/120) of the femur, 34.2% (41/120) of tibia and 17.5% (21/120) of patella. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent positive correlation between monthly running volume and knee BMELS in amateur marathon runners ( OR=1.007, 95% CI: 1.000-1.013, P=0.035). Spearman′s correlation analysis showed a weak positive correlation between the BMELS grade of the knees and the monthly running volume of amateur marathon runners ( r s=0.360, P=0.005). Conclusions:The detection rate of knee BMELS is high in amateur marathon runners, and they are distributed in a way that is characteristic of the region, with a higher incidence in the medial femoral condyle. In this population, monthly running volume is independently associated with knee BMELS, with a higher grade associated with greater monthly running volume.

Objective:To explore a selective resection strategy for combined lumbosacral hemivertebra (LSHV) and thoracolumbar hemivertebra/lumbar hemivertebra (TLHV/LHV) double-balanced hemivertebra deformities.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients aged over 10 years with lumbosacral and thoracolumbar or lumbar combined hemimetameric segmental shift (HMMS) deformities who underwent surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between May 2009 and October 2022. The cohort included 7 males and 14 females, with a mean surgical age of 21.5±10.9 years (range: 12-55 years) and a mean follow-up duration of 32.8±15.9 months (range: 24-74 months). Patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative coronal balance: the balanced group (Type A) and the unbalanced group (Type C). Radiographic parameters, including the major Cobb angle, lumbosacral take-off angle, kyphotic angle, coronal balance distance (CBD), and the deviation of the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV), were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Surgical complications were also recorded.Results:Of the 21 patients, 11 were classified as preoperatively balanced, and 10 as unbalanced. The deformity angular ratio of thoracolumbar to lumbosacral curves was significantly higher in the balanced group than in the unbalanced group (0.9±0.3 vs. 0.6±0.2; t=2.143, P=0.045). The preoperative main curve Cobb angles in the balanced and imbalanced groups were 71.3°±22.3° and 58.6°±8.2°, respectively. One week postoperatively, these angles were reduced to 38.4°±17.6° and 31.3°±5.6°, and were maintained at 40.0°±18.1° and 32.6°±5.6° at the final follow-up, all differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The preoperative lumbosacral take-off angles were 37.5°±9.1° in the balanced group and 36.7°±7.7° in the imbalanced group, which decreased to 18.4°±9.4° and 19.2°±5.5° at 1 week postoperatively, and remained at 19.4°±10.1° and 19.6°±5.8° at the final follow-up. These changes were also statistically significant ( P<0.05). In the balanced group, the UIV tilt angle, the CBD and the deviation of the UIV, were all significantly reduced compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). Among the 21 patients, LSHV resection was performed in 15 cases, and TLHV/LHV resection was performed in 7 cases. Among the 15 patients with kyphosis, TLHV/LHV resection was performed in 6 cases. In the balanced group, 9 patients maintained type A postoperatively, including 4 patients with LSHV resection, 2 with TLHV/LHV resection, 2 with both LSHV and TLHV/LHV resection, 1 without resection of both hemivertebra. Two patients in the balanced group who underwent TLHV/LHV resection experienced postoperative deterioration to type C. In the unbalanced group, 8 cases with LSHV resection improved to type A, while 1 case with LSHV resection and 1 case with neither resection maintained C-type. In the LSHV resection group, CBD improved from 29.8±15.2 mm to 13.9±5.7 mm postoperatively and remained stable at 14.6±8.6 mm at final follow-up. Only 1 patient in this group experienced worsened coronal imbalance. In contrast, in the non-LSHV resection group, CBD worsened from 17.2 ± 8.7 mm to 19.7±12.1 mm postoperatively, progressing further to 20.5±13.0 mm at follow-up. Three patients in this group had worsening coronal imbalance, and 2 required revision surgery. Reported complications included 3 cases of internal fixation fracture, 1 case of proximal junctional kyphosis, and 1 case of acute incision infection. Conclusions:Effective resection of lumbosacral hemivertebrae is the preferred selective strategy, particularly for patients with preoperative coronal imbalance, as it significantly reduces the risk of worsening coronal imbalance and internal fixation-related complications. However, selective resection involving only TLHV or LHV without addressing LSHV in preoperatively balanced patients may increase the risk of postoperative coronal imbalance.

Objective:To analyze the selection of internal fixation methods, surgical outcomes, and complications in patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) accompanied by dystrophic lumbosacral deformities, and to evaluate the indications for pelvic fixation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients with NF1 and associated dystrophic lumbosacral malformations (L 4 to sacrum) who underwent spinal deformity correction surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2009 to November 2022. The cohort included 11 males and 10 females, with a mean surgical age of 15.4±4.7 years (range, 7-24 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on whether pelvic fixation was performed: 10 patients in the non-pelvic fixation group (NP group) and 11 in the pelvic fixation group (P group), where fixation involved second sacral alar-iliac (S 2AI) screws or iliac screws. Radiographic parameters, including the Cobb angle of the lumbosacral fractional curve, main curve, and focal kyphosis, were compared preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Results:The NP group had a significantly lower mean age (13.2±4.9 years) compared to the P group (17.5±3.5 years; t=2.287, P=0.034). Spinal instability (rotational subluxation or spondylolisthesis) due to dystrophic changes was observed in 2 patients in the NP group and 8 in the P group, a statistically significant difference (χ 2=5.838, P=0.030). In the P group, five patients underwent unilateral fixation and six underwent bilateral fixation. Implant types included 2 cases with iliac screws, 1 case with iliac screws plus S 2AI, and 8 cases with S 2AI screws alone. The utilization rate of hooks was significantly higher in the NP group (12.6%±11.5%) compared to the P group (3.5%±6.9%; t=2.230, P=0.038). The preoperative Cobb angle of the lumbosacral fractional curve was significantly smaller in the NP group (13.8°±9.0°) than in the P group (25.5°±13.9°; t=2.228, P=0.039). Postoperatively, the angles were corrected to 6.3°±6.1° and 6.4°±5.3°, respectively ( t=0.901, P=0.969), with correction rates of 57.3%±13.6% and 74.1%±17.8% ( t=2.369, P=0.029). At final follow-up, the angles remained stable (6.6°±6.6° vs. 6.3°±4.8°; t=0.116, P=0.909). For the main curve, preoperative Cobb angles were 52.5°±15.1° (NP) and 61.1°±16.9° (P; t=1.200, P=0.246), corrected to 31.3°±13.8° and 28.0°±8.4°, respectively ( t=0.646, P=0.526). Correction rates were 41.3%±13.0% in the NP group and 53.2%±11.6% in the P group ( t=2.206, P=0.037). At the final follow-up, these values were 32.4°±14.2° and 31.7°±10.3° ( t=0.133, P=0.896). Focal kyphosis, seen in 9 patients, was corrected from 19.7°±10.9° preoperatively to -13.6°±9.5° postoperatively, and remained at -14.1°±9.6° at the final follow-up ( F=33.547, P<0.001). Multi-rod systems were used in 6 cases (NP group) and 7 cases (P group), with no significant difference (χ 2=0.153, P=0.926). Two patients in the NP group developed coronal decompensation three years postoperatively, and one required revision surgery. In the P group, rod breakage occurred in 3 patients, two of whom underwent revision. Conclusions:Dystrophic rotational subluxation or spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine is a primary indication for pelvic fixation in patients with NF1-associated deformities. However, complications related to internal fixation remain common. The combined use of a multi-rod screw-hook hybrid system, particularly when extending across the lumbosacral region, may reduce the risk of instrumentation failure.