Objective: To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby deactivating these points. Methods: This study comprised two experimental phases. In phase 1, 27 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups: control 1, model 1, and Tuina 1 groups. Model 1 and Tuina 1 groups underwent an 8-week MTrPs modeling protocol involving blunt impact and eccentric exercise. After successful modeling, rats in Tuina 1 group received manual pressing on nodules or cord-like taut bands on the medial aspect of the left hindlimb. Pain sensitivity and tissue stiffness were evaluated via pressure pain threshold (PPT) and soft tissue tension (STT). Muscle histopathology and fibrosis were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Inflammatory factors in muscle were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen Ⅲ, and TGF-β1. In phase 2, 45 SPF female SD rats were randomized into five groups: control 2, model 2, Tuina 2, TGF-β1 inhibitor (TI), and Tuina + TGF-β1 agonist (Tuina + TA) groups. All groups except control 2 underwent standardized MTrPs modeling. Rats in Tuina 2 group received consistent pressing manipulation. TI group received intraperitoneal injections of oxymatrine, while Tuina + TA group received intraperitoneal injections of SRI-011381 hydrochloride followed by the same pressing protocol as Tuina 2 group. WB was used to detect the expression of collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, and phosphorylated-Smad3 (p-Smad3)/Smad3. Results: In phase 1, Tuina significantly improved PPT and STT in MTrPs of rats (P < 0.01), reversed pathological damages including disorganized muscle fiber arrangement, abnormal myocyte morphology, and exacerbated fibrosis. In addition, in MTrPs of rats in model 1 group, expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) were upregulated, and all exhibited a significant downward trend after Tuina intervention (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). This indicates that the therapeutic effects of Tuina are directly associated with reduced local inflammation and fibrosis in MTrPs. In phase 2, compared with model 2 group, rats in TI and Tuina 2 groups had decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in MTrPs, alongside reduced levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α) and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When co-administered with TGF-β1 agonist, the therapeutic effects of Tuina were significantly attenuated, with rebounded TGF-β1 expression and p-Smad3/Smad3 in local MTrPs, and fibrosis and inflammatory responses were re-exacerbated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion Tuina can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in MTrPs tissue, and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in Tuina-mediated regulation of MTrPs fibrosis.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and pathogenic genes of a family with congenital cataracts.Methods:A pedigree analysis was performed.A Han Chinese family initially diagnosed with congenital cataracts at The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang in March 2024 was enrolled.The proband and selected family members underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations.Potential cataract-associated genetic variants in the proband were identified using whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was employed to confirm the presence of these variants in the proband and other family members.The identified variants were analyzed in accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang (No.20230074). Both the subjects and their guardians were informed of the study purpose and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The pedigree included four generations comprising 15 individuals, with three patients identified across the second, third, and fourth generations.These cases included two males and one female, specifically the proband, his mother, and his eldest son.The observed inheritance pattern aligned with an autosomal dominant mode, characterized by the clinical presentation of bilateral cataracts.WES identified a novel frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene in the proband, resulting in a valine-to-serine substitution at amino acid position 91.This variant induced early termination of translation following the expression of two additional amino acids, loss of 84 amino acids (p.V91Sfs2) and the production of a functionally impaired protein.The Sanger sequencing validation results were consistent with the co-segregation.According to the ACMG classification criteria (PM2+ PP1+ PVS1), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic. Conclusions:The frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA (p.V91Sfs2) in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene is likely the pathogenic cause of congenital cataract in this family.This is the first report of this variant.

Objective:To investigate the application of pedicled or perforator flaps transfer in the stage Ⅰ tissue defect repair after vulvar cancer surgery.Methods:From January 2005 to December 2023, 20 patients with vulvar cancer who underwent extensive episiectomy or extended episiectomy±inguinal lymph node resection+vulvar defect flap transfer were collected in Huanxing Cancer Hospital of Chaoyang District and Cancer Hospital and Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The survival status, appearance structure, sexual function satisfaction, tumor recurrence, and survival were analyzed.Results:(1) The median age of the 20 patients was 59 years (ranged: 29-73 years). There were 14 patients with recurrence and 6 patients with initial treatment. Pathological types: 14 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 4 cases of Paget′s disease, 1 case of malignant melanoma, 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (salivary gland type carcinoma). (2) Among the 20 patients, 6 cases underwent extensive episiotomy and 14 underwent extended episiotomy (1 of them underwent extensive excision of inguinal masses). Simultaneous inguinal lymphadenectomy (or dissection) were performed in 11 cases, including 7 cases of bilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection) and 4 cases of unilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection). Flap source: pedicled flap in 12 cases, perforator flap in 8 cases. All the 20 patients were removed at 10-14 days after operation, and all of them survived with rosy skin color and good elasticity. Seventeen cases of transferred flaps healed at stage Ⅰ, 2 cases healed at about 6 weeks due to incision leakage, and 1 case healed at 6 weeks after incision infection debridement. Six months after the operation, 2 cases felt that the pubic mound was thick and swollen. The other 18 cases showed vulva fullness and elasticity, no displacement of urethral opening, no deviation of urethra during urination, no stenosis of vaginal opening, no vulvar scar pain. In addition to 1 unmarried 29-year-old patient and 6 patients over 65 years old who had no sexual life before and after surgery, the other 13 patients had normal sexual life after surgery. (3) The follow-up period were 6 to 100 months, and 9 cases (45%, 9/20) relapsed during the follow-up period. There were 5 deaths (25%, 5/20), who were due to recurrence of vulvar cancer. The 5-year survival rate of 20 patients was 75%, including 83% in 6 patients with initial treatment and 71% in 14 patients with recurrence and reoperation.Conclusions:The combination of flap transfer for episioplasty with vulvar cancer surgery does not affect the wound healing. Because the external structure of the vulva is repaired, it could effectively improve the local wound healing ability and improve the organ function, and has good clinical application value.

BACKGROUND:Percutaneous kyphoplasty was a common surgical procedure for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.However,there was no research to confirm whether percutaneous kyphoplasty could effectively correct the local kyphoplasty of the spine in patients over 80 years old with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of percutaneous kyphoplasty on local kyphosis in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.METHODS:Single-segment osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty at the Department of Spinal Surgery,Peking University People's Hospital,from March 2016 to August 2022,were selected as the research cohort,and the follow-up data of patients in hospital and out-patient were collected.According to patients'age,patients were divided into the advanced age group(60-79 years old,n=126)and the super-aged group(＞80 years old,n=52).According to gender,body mass index,basic diseases(hypertension,diabetes,and cardiovascular diseases),fracture segments and the presence or absence of preoperative intravertebral cleft,the two groups of patients were matched 1:2 by propensity score matching.The lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture were compared between the two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After matching the propensity score,115 patients were included,with 71 patients in the advanced age group and 44 patients in the super-aged group.There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data,including gender,body mass index,hypertension ratio,diabetes ratio,cardiovascular disease ratio,fracture section,and preoperative intravertebral cleft,between the two groups(P＞0.05).The postoperative Cobb angle of the super-aged patients was significantly smaller than that of the elderly patients(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,postoperative distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture ratio between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)These findings indicate that percutaneous kyphoplasty can effectively correct local kyphosis of the spine in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Objective:To investigate the application of pedicled or perforator flaps transfer in the stage Ⅰ tissue defect repair after vulvar cancer surgery.Methods:From January 2005 to December 2023, 20 patients with vulvar cancer who underwent extensive episiectomy or extended episiectomy±inguinal lymph node resection+vulvar defect flap transfer were collected in Huanxing Cancer Hospital of Chaoyang District and Cancer Hospital and Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The survival status, appearance structure, sexual function satisfaction, tumor recurrence, and survival were analyzed.Results:(1) The median age of the 20 patients was 59 years (ranged: 29-73 years). There were 14 patients with recurrence and 6 patients with initial treatment. Pathological types: 14 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 4 cases of Paget′s disease, 1 case of malignant melanoma, 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (salivary gland type carcinoma). (2) Among the 20 patients, 6 cases underwent extensive episiotomy and 14 underwent extended episiotomy (1 of them underwent extensive excision of inguinal masses). Simultaneous inguinal lymphadenectomy (or dissection) were performed in 11 cases, including 7 cases of bilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection) and 4 cases of unilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection). Flap source: pedicled flap in 12 cases, perforator flap in 8 cases. All the 20 patients were removed at 10-14 days after operation, and all of them survived with rosy skin color and good elasticity. Seventeen cases of transferred flaps healed at stage Ⅰ, 2 cases healed at about 6 weeks due to incision leakage, and 1 case healed at 6 weeks after incision infection debridement. Six months after the operation, 2 cases felt that the pubic mound was thick and swollen. The other 18 cases showed vulva fullness and elasticity, no displacement of urethral opening, no deviation of urethra during urination, no stenosis of vaginal opening, no vulvar scar pain. In addition to 1 unmarried 29-year-old patient and 6 patients over 65 years old who had no sexual life before and after surgery, the other 13 patients had normal sexual life after surgery. (3) The follow-up period were 6 to 100 months, and 9 cases (45%, 9/20) relapsed during the follow-up period. There were 5 deaths (25%, 5/20), who were due to recurrence of vulvar cancer. The 5-year survival rate of 20 patients was 75%, including 83% in 6 patients with initial treatment and 71% in 14 patients with recurrence and reoperation.Conclusions:The combination of flap transfer for episioplasty with vulvar cancer surgery does not affect the wound healing. Because the external structure of the vulva is repaired, it could effectively improve the local wound healing ability and improve the organ function, and has good clinical application value.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnostic approaches,and differential diag-nosis of chordoid glioma(CG)and chordoid meningioma(CM)of the central nervous system(CNS).Methods Clinical data from 4 cases of CG and 10 cases of CM were collected.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the ex-pression of GFAP,EMA,TTF-1,and other markers.Molecular genetic alerations were identified using sequencing techniques and relevant literature was reviewed.Results CG predominantly occurred in the third ventricle but could also arise outside of it.Tumors showed well-defined borders with surrounding tissues.Microscopically,tumor cells were arranged in cords or clusters within a myxoid stroma and expressed GFAP,TTF-1,and other markers.No PRKCA(D463H)mutations were detected in 3 CG cases,however,one case harbored an FLCN ∷ PRKD2 fusion.CM predom-inantly occurred in the supratentorial region but also appeared in the subtentorial area.Histologically,chordoid compo-nents were mixed with classic meningioma features.Chronic inflammatory cell infiltration was noted in the stroma.Tumor cells expressed EMA,PR and SSTR2.One case harbored NF2 mutation and homozygous CDKN2A deletion.Conclusion CG and CM of the CNS shared overlapping morphological characteristics,making histological distinction difficult.Accurate diagnosis required integration of clinical,imaging,immunohistochemical,and molecular pathologi-cal findings.

Objective To investigate an automated pretreatment technology for detecting levels of free silica in workplace dust. Methods An fully automated pretreatment workstation for detecting free silica levels in workplace dust was developed by integrating graphite-controlled digestion temperature, online-controlled dilution of digestion solutions, and filtration endpoint recognition based on monitoring technology, combined with multi-channel synchronous measurements. Results The fully automatic pretreatment workstation was used to digest and filter 14 standard samples of free silica produced by three institutions, and then detected by pyrophosphate method. The result range of high-, medium-, and low-level free silica standard samples detection was 66.5%-84.8%, 40.0%-44.5%, and 2.1%-24.8%, respectively. The mean relative standard deviations were 3.9%, 1.4% and 1.5%. Conclusion The fully automated pretreatment workstation produced results that met relevant requirements. It can effectively replace the manual digestion and filtration steps of the pyrophosphate method to measure free silica levels in workplace dust and enable rapid detection of free silica in dust samples.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and pathogenic genes of a family with congenital cataracts.Methods:A pedigree analysis was performed.A Han Chinese family initially diagnosed with congenital cataracts at The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang in March 2024 was enrolled.The proband and selected family members underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations.Potential cataract-associated genetic variants in the proband were identified using whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was employed to confirm the presence of these variants in the proband and other family members.The identified variants were analyzed in accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang (No.20230074). Both the subjects and their guardians were informed of the study purpose and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The pedigree included four generations comprising 15 individuals, with three patients identified across the second, third, and fourth generations.These cases included two males and one female, specifically the proband, his mother, and his eldest son.The observed inheritance pattern aligned with an autosomal dominant mode, characterized by the clinical presentation of bilateral cataracts.WES identified a novel frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene in the proband, resulting in a valine-to-serine substitution at amino acid position 91.This variant induced early termination of translation following the expression of two additional amino acids, loss of 84 amino acids (p.V91Sfs2) and the production of a functionally impaired protein.The Sanger sequencing validation results were consistent with the co-segregation.According to the ACMG classification criteria (PM2+ PP1+ PVS1), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic. Conclusions:The frameshift insertion variant c. 270_271insA (p.V91Sfs2) in exon 2 of the CRYAB gene is likely the pathogenic cause of congenital cataract in this family.This is the first report of this variant.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnostic approaches,and differential diag-nosis of chordoid glioma(CG)and chordoid meningioma(CM)of the central nervous system(CNS).Methods Clinical data from 4 cases of CG and 10 cases of CM were collected.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the ex-pression of GFAP,EMA,TTF-1,and other markers.Molecular genetic alerations were identified using sequencing techniques and relevant literature was reviewed.Results CG predominantly occurred in the third ventricle but could also arise outside of it.Tumors showed well-defined borders with surrounding tissues.Microscopically,tumor cells were arranged in cords or clusters within a myxoid stroma and expressed GFAP,TTF-1,and other markers.No PRKCA(D463H)mutations were detected in 3 CG cases,however,one case harbored an FLCN ∷ PRKD2 fusion.CM predom-inantly occurred in the supratentorial region but also appeared in the subtentorial area.Histologically,chordoid compo-nents were mixed with classic meningioma features.Chronic inflammatory cell infiltration was noted in the stroma.Tumor cells expressed EMA,PR and SSTR2.One case harbored NF2 mutation and homozygous CDKN2A deletion.Conclusion CG and CM of the CNS shared overlapping morphological characteristics,making histological distinction difficult.Accurate diagnosis required integration of clinical,imaging,immunohistochemical,and molecular pathologi-cal findings.

BACKGROUND:Percutaneous kyphoplasty was a common surgical procedure for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.However,there was no research to confirm whether percutaneous kyphoplasty could effectively correct the local kyphoplasty of the spine in patients over 80 years old with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of percutaneous kyphoplasty on local kyphosis in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.METHODS:Single-segment osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty at the Department of Spinal Surgery,Peking University People's Hospital,from March 2016 to August 2022,were selected as the research cohort,and the follow-up data of patients in hospital and out-patient were collected.According to patients'age,patients were divided into the advanced age group(60-79 years old,n=126)and the super-aged group(＞80 years old,n=52).According to gender,body mass index,basic diseases(hypertension,diabetes,and cardiovascular diseases),fracture segments and the presence or absence of preoperative intravertebral cleft,the two groups of patients were matched 1:2 by propensity score matching.The lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture were compared between the two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After matching the propensity score,115 patients were included,with 71 patients in the advanced age group and 44 patients in the super-aged group.There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data,including gender,body mass index,hypertension ratio,diabetes ratio,cardiovascular disease ratio,fracture section,and preoperative intravertebral cleft,between the two groups(P＞0.05).The postoperative Cobb angle of the super-aged patients was significantly smaller than that of the elderly patients(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,postoperative distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture ratio between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)These findings indicate that percutaneous kyphoplasty can effectively correct local kyphosis of the spine in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.