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.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Empathy is a cornerstone in cultivating medical ethics.This article delves into the profound significance of empathy and underscores the importance of promoting it among medical students and practitioners.It also details methods for strengthening empathy and capacity building concerned in students through oral medicine instruction,with the goal of nurturing oral healthcare professionals who provide compassionate care.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of preoperative oral carbohydrate intake on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in elderly patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred elderly patients, aged≥65 yr, with a body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery at the Baoding First Central Hospital from March 2023 to June 2024, were selected. Stratification was conducted by age (65-74 yr/≥75 yr) using an online randomization tool, and the patients were randomly divided into conventional fasting group (group C) and oral carbohydrate group (group P), with 50 cases in each group. Patients took oral carbohydrate drinks of 4 ml/kg at 2 h before operation, with total amount ≤400 ml in group P, while patients received conventional preoperative fasting protocols in group C. The occurrence and severity of PONV within 48 h postoperatively were observed. The visual analogue scale scores for hunger and thirst, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale scores, length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit, duration of hospital stay, time to first flatus, time to first ambulation, and patient′s satisfaction were recorded in the two groups. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence and severity of PONV were significantly decreased within 48 h after surgery, the visual analogue scale scores for hunger and thirst and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale scores were significantly decreased after entering the operating room, the length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit, time to first flatus and time to first ambulation were significantly shortened, and the patient′s satisfaction was significantly increased in group P ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Oral carbohydrate intake before operation can effectively reduce the occurrence and severity of PONV and improve the quality of postoperative recovery in elderly patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Objective:To assess the effects of allergens on interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-18 binding protein a (IL-18BPa), and IL-18 receptor α (IL-18Rα) expression levels in different monocyte subtypes of the peripheral blood samples of allergic asthma (AA) patients, and the correlations between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods:A cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected from 28 healthy controls and 33 patients experiencing acute attack of AA based on a positive skin prick test of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from February 2023 to April 2024. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effects of allergens on IL-18, IL-18BPa, and IL-18Rα expression levels in the classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes of the peripheral blood samples of AA patients. Kruskal-Wallis test and Pairwise test were used to analyze statistical significance between groups. Plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels were estimated using Bioplex assays. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the association between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and the plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Results:Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of classical and non-classical monocytes in the peripheral blood of AA patients were reduced by 20.2% ( Z=-3.89, P<0.001) and 45.8% ( Z=-4.01, P<0.001), respectively. Allergens increased the percentages of classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes in AA patients in vitro by 13.1%-61.5% (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of IL-18 expression in classical monocytes of AA patients was elevated by 1.08-fold ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001), whereas the percentages of IL-18 expression in intermediate and non-classical monocytes were reduced by 52.7% ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001) and 3.23% ( Z=-3.13, P=0.001), respectively. Allergens upregulated IL-18 expression by 16.4%-67.8% in the classical and intermediate monocytes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18BPa expression level was lower in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). However, allergens upregulated IL-18BPa expression by 8.9% and 13.3% in the classical monocytes (both P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18Rα expression was elevated by 1.29-fold in the classical monocytes of AA patients ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001). Allergens upregulated IL-18Rα expression by 17.6%-39.2% in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the AA patients were increased compared to those in healthy controls (all P<0.001), and correlated with the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes ( r=0.451, 0.714; both P<0.05). Conclusions:Allergens may participate in the inflammatory response of AA by inducing the differentiation of monocytes and the expression levels of IL-18, IL-18BPa and IL-18Rα in different blood monocytes subtypes. Classical monocytes are the potential source of elevated plasma IL-18 level in AA patients.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of preoperative oral carbohydrate intake on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in elderly patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred elderly patients, aged≥65 yr, with a body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery at the Baoding First Central Hospital from March 2023 to June 2024, were selected. Stratification was conducted by age (65-74 yr/≥75 yr) using an online randomization tool, and the patients were randomly divided into conventional fasting group (group C) and oral carbohydrate group (group P), with 50 cases in each group. Patients took oral carbohydrate drinks of 4 ml/kg at 2 h before operation, with total amount ≤400 ml in group P, while patients received conventional preoperative fasting protocols in group C. The occurrence and severity of PONV within 48 h postoperatively were observed. The visual analogue scale scores for hunger and thirst, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale scores, length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit, duration of hospital stay, time to first flatus, time to first ambulation, and patient′s satisfaction were recorded in the two groups. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence and severity of PONV were significantly decreased within 48 h after surgery, the visual analogue scale scores for hunger and thirst and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale scores were significantly decreased after entering the operating room, the length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit, time to first flatus and time to first ambulation were significantly shortened, and the patient′s satisfaction was significantly increased in group P ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Oral carbohydrate intake before operation can effectively reduce the occurrence and severity of PONV and improve the quality of postoperative recovery in elderly patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

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.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Objective:To assess the effects of allergens on interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-18 binding protein a (IL-18BPa), and IL-18 receptor α (IL-18Rα) expression levels in different monocyte subtypes of the peripheral blood samples of allergic asthma (AA) patients, and the correlations between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods:A cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected from 28 healthy controls and 33 patients experiencing acute attack of AA based on a positive skin prick test of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from February 2023 to April 2024. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effects of allergens on IL-18, IL-18BPa, and IL-18Rα expression levels in the classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes of the peripheral blood samples of AA patients. Kruskal-Wallis test and Pairwise test were used to analyze statistical significance between groups. Plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels were estimated using Bioplex assays. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the association between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and the plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Results:Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of classical and non-classical monocytes in the peripheral blood of AA patients were reduced by 20.2% ( Z=-3.89, P<0.001) and 45.8% ( Z=-4.01, P<0.001), respectively. Allergens increased the percentages of classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes in AA patients in vitro by 13.1%-61.5% (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of IL-18 expression in classical monocytes of AA patients was elevated by 1.08-fold ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001), whereas the percentages of IL-18 expression in intermediate and non-classical monocytes were reduced by 52.7% ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001) and 3.23% ( Z=-3.13, P=0.001), respectively. Allergens upregulated IL-18 expression by 16.4%-67.8% in the classical and intermediate monocytes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18BPa expression level was lower in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). However, allergens upregulated IL-18BPa expression by 8.9% and 13.3% in the classical monocytes (both P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18Rα expression was elevated by 1.29-fold in the classical monocytes of AA patients ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001). Allergens upregulated IL-18Rα expression by 17.6%-39.2% in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the AA patients were increased compared to those in healthy controls (all P<0.001), and correlated with the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes ( r=0.451, 0.714; both P<0.05). Conclusions:Allergens may participate in the inflammatory response of AA by inducing the differentiation of monocytes and the expression levels of IL-18, IL-18BPa and IL-18Rα in different blood monocytes subtypes. Classical monocytes are the potential source of elevated plasma IL-18 level in AA patients.

Objective:To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of supra-inguinal fascia iliac compartment block (S-FICB)in patients with hip fracture.Methods:This study was a single-center, randomized controlled trial. Forty-eight patients who were admitted to the emergency department due to clinically diagnosed femoral neck or intertrochanteric fractures from April to September 2023 were selected. A random sequence was generated using IBM SPSS Statistics 20, and the patients were divided into 2 groups in a 1∶1 ratio( n=24 each): S-FICB group and infra-inguinal fascia iliac compartment block (I-FICB) group. Both groups received nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance, with an injection of 0.25% ropivacaine 40 ml. The primary outcome measure was sufentanil consumption within 24 h post-block. Secondary outcome measures included the distribution of local anesthetic spread as observed on CT at 0.5 h post-block, the extent of hip skin sensory reduction to pinprick, the time to first analgesic pump pressing, the number of effective analgesic pump pressing within 24 h post-block, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score for pain during passive movement at 0.5 h post-block, and the static NRS scores at baseline (pre-block) and at 0.5, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h post-block. Results:Compared to I-FICB group, the consumption of sufentanil was significantly decreased, the coverage of lumbar plexus nerve branches by local anesthetics was increased, NRS scores were decreased during passive movement, the time to the first analgesic pump pressing was prolonged, the number of effective pump pressing was reduced, and static NRS scores were decreased at 24 h post-block in S-FICB group( P<0.01). In I-FICB group, no local anesthetic coverage of the iliohypogastric or ilioinguinal nerves was observed. Neither group showed coverage of the obturator nerve by the local anesthetic. Conclusions:Compared to I-FICB, S-FICB (0.25% ropivacaine 40 ml) provides a wider range of local anesthetic spread and can cover more branches of the lumbar plexus, which exerts better analgesic efficacy in patients with hip fracture. However, neither approach directly blocks the obturator nerve.