BACKGROUND:Traditional surgery for lumbar disc herniation involves extensive excision of tissue surrounding the nerve for decompression and removal of protruding lumbar intervertebral discs,which poses various risks and complications such as nerve damage causing paralysis,lumbar instability,herniation recurrence,intervertebral space infection,and adjacent vertebral diseases. OBJECTIVE:To propose the symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous technique for lumbar spine symmetrically decompression,showing the induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous phenomenon and early clinical efficacy,and then analyze its decompression mechanism. METHODS:214 patients with lumbar disc herniation at Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled in this study.Among them,81 patients received conservative treatment as the control group,and 133 patients received symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous treatment as the trial group.Before surgery,immediately after surgery(7-14 days),and early after surgery(over 1 year),MRI images were used to measure the volume changes of lumbar disc herniation.CT images were used to measure the posterior displacement distance of the lumbar spinous process ligament complex,as well as the width and height of the lateral recess.Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were used to evaluate the patient's neurological function recovery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Control group:81 patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated conservatively,with a total of 171 herniated lumbar discs.The average follow-up time was(22.7±23.1)months.The first and second MRI measurements of 171 herniated lumbar discs showed herniated lumbar disc volumes of(551.6±257.9)mm3 and(792.2±330.4)mm3,respectively,with an average volume increase rate of(53.2±44.4)%,showing statistically significant differences(P<0.001).Out of 171 herniated lumbar discs,4 experienced natural shrinkage,with an absorption ratio of 2.3%(4/171)and an absorption rate of(24.5±9.9)%.(2)Trial group:133 patients with lumbar disc herniation had a total of 285 herniated lumbar discs.(1)Immediately after surgery:All patients were followed up immediately after surgery.229 out of 285 herniated lumbar discs experienced retraction,with an absorption ratio of 80.3%(229/285)and an average absorption rate of(21.5±20.9)%,with significant and complete absorption accounting for 6.5%.There were a total of 70 herniated lumbar discs in the upper lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 85.7%(60/70),an average absorption rate of(23.1±19.5)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 86.6%.There were 215 herniated lumbar discs in the lower lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 78.6%(169/215),an average absorption rate of(21.0±21.3)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 83.2%.Significant and complete absorption of the upper and lower lumbar vertebrae accounted for 5.7%and 6.5%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The average distance of posterior displacement of the spinous process ligament complex immediately after surgery was(5.2±2.8)mm.There were no significant differences in the width and height of the left and right lateral recess before and immediately after surgery(P>0.05).The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score immediately after surgery increased from(10.1±3.4)before surgery to(17.0±4.8),and the immediate effective rate after surgery reached 95.6%.(2)Early postoperative period:Among them,46 patients completed the early postoperative follow-up.There were 101 herniated lumbar discs,with an absorption ratio of 94%(95/101)and an average absorption rate of(36.9±23.7)%.Significant and complete absorption accounted for 30.6%,with a maximum absorption rate of 100%.Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 remained unchanged in volume,with a volume invariance rate of 2.97%(3/101).Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 had an increased volume of herniated lumbar discs,with an increase ratio of 2.97%(3/101)and an increase rate of(18.5±18.4)%.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from preoperative(9.3±5.1)to(23.5±4.0),with an excellent and good rate of 93.4%.(3)The early postoperative lumbar disc herniation absorption ratios of the control group and trial group were 2.3%and 85.9%,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).(4)Complications:There were two cases of incision exudation and delayed healing in the trial group.After conservative treatment such as dressing change,no nerve injury or death occurred in the incision healing,and no cases underwent a second surgery.(5)It is concluded that symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous is a new method for treating lumbar disc herniation that can avoid extensive excision of the"ring"nerve and achieve satisfactory early clinical efficacy.It does not damage the lumbar facet joints or alter the basic anatomical structure of the lateral recess,fully preserves the herniated lumbar discs,and can induce significant or even complete induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous.Symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous provides a new basis and method for the clinical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diversity of Duffy blood group gene among ethnic Hui population from Henan Province using PacBio long-read sequencing technique. METHODS: Randomly select 30 individuals with three generations of Hui ancestry from Henan as the study subjects. Full-length sequences of the Duffy blood group gene were obtained through PacBio long-read sequencing. Distribution of the predicted phenotype and genotype frequency were determined, and the linkage between Duffy haplotypes and variation sites was analyzed. Genetic diversity, natural selection pressure, and population genetic characteristics were evaluated. This study was approved by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2022223). RESULTS: The predicted Duffy blood group phenotype in the Henan Hui population was predominantly Fy(a+b-). Three novel SNPs in the FY*01 allele were identified, with a total frequency of 13.33%, among which FY*01.NEW1 (c.199C>T) was the most common. A total of 32 variant sites were identified, with 28 located in intronic regions, indicating that genetic diversity was primarily concentrated in introns. The Duffy blood group gene was under negative selection pressure (dN/dS < 1, Tajima's D, Fu and Li's D* and F* significantly deviated from 0), suggesting overall conservation. The allele frequencies of Duffy blood group in the Henan Hui population was similar to that of the Xinjiang Hui, Xinjiang Kazakh, Inner Mongolia Mongolian, and Yuncheng Han populations, but significantly different from those of most Han and other ethnic groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study revealed the characteristics of the Duffy blood group gene among the Henan Hui population and demonstrated the significant advantages of PacBio long-read sequencing technique in haplotype analysis, genetic diversity study, and novel mutation identification.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Asian People/ethnology* ; China/ethnology* ; Duffy Blood-Group System/genetics* ; Ethnicity/genetics* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Variation ; Haplotypes ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Cangxi Tongbi capsules （CXTB） in regulating the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteine protease-1 （Caspase-1） signaling pathway to inhibit pyroptosis of cartilage cells in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. MethodSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， low， medium， and high dose CXTB groups， and a positive control group， with 10 rats per group. The modified Hulth method was employed to establish a rat model of KOA. According to their respective assignments， rats were administered CXTB （0.25， 0.5， 1.0 g·kg^-1） and Celecoxib （24 mg·kg^-1） by gavage. The sham operation and model groups were given an equivalent volume of physiological saline. Treatment was performed once daily for 28 days. Micro-computed tomography （Micro-CT） was used to assess bone volume/total volume （BV/TV） and trabecular separation （Tb.Sp）. Joint degeneration was evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， safranin-fast green （SO） staining， and Osteoarthritis Research Society International （OARSI） scoring. Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the expression levels of p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK）， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and gasdermin D （GSDMD） proteins. Real-time PCR was used to assess mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD genes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-1 beta （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18）. After knee replacement surgery， cartilage tissue was analyzed using Western blot to assess the protein expression levels of p38 MAPK， p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD， and Real-time PCR was used to evaluate gene expression levels of p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD. ResultMicro-CT analysis revealed significant narrowing of the joint space and increased bone spur formation in KOA rats compared with the sham operation group， with a decrease in BV/TV ratio and an increase in Tb.Sp value （P<0.01）. Serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 were elevated （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in cartilage were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were also enhanced （P<0.01）. Significant differences in protein expression of p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were observed between normal and diseased cartilage tissues after knee replacement surgery （P<0.05）， and the gene expression of p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were also significantly different （P<0.01）. HE and SO staining showed roughened joint surfaces， reduced cartilage thickness， and disordered cellular arrangement in KOA rats. OARSI scores were significantly higher （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， treatment with low， medium， and high concentrations of CXTB resulted in increased BV/TV ratios and decreased Tb.Sp values in the knee joints of rats （P<0.01）. HE and SO staining indicated a trend towards smoother joint surfaces and reduced OARSI scores （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were notably decreased （P<0.05）， as were the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD （P<0.01）. Additionally， serum concentrations of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-18 were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. ConclusionCXTB intervention may alleviate knee joint degeneration in KOA rats and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and pyroptosis of cartilage cells， thereby protecting cartilage. The underlying mechanism may involve modulation of the p38 MAPK/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Mechanical stimulation has been confirmed to promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal stem cells,but the mechanism is unknown.Primary cilia are important mechanoreceptors and regulate various signaling pathways such as TGF-β1/BMP-2/SMAD.They are likely to be important targets for mechanical regulation of bone marrow stromal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of fluid shear stress on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal stem cells. METHODS:Rat bone marrow stromal stem cells were divided into control group,mechanical stimulation group(fluid shear mechanics intervention by shaking table),mechanical stimulation + IFT88 silencing group(mechanical stimulation + silencing IFT88 expression with siRNA).After 24 hours of intervention,qRT-PCR was utilized to determine the expression of transforming growth factor β1 and bone morphogenetic protein 2.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of phosphorylated SMAD2/3 protein.Immunofluorescent staining of primary cilia was conducted and morphology was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Shear stress stimulation could promote the transcriptional activity of transforming growth factor β1 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 genes,and increase the expression of phosphorylated SMAD2/3 protein.After siRNA interfered with primary cilia,this mechanical response effect was significantly reduced.There was a Spearman correlation between the change ratio of the primary cilium area of bone marrow stromal stem cells and the increased ratio of transforming growth factor β1 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 gene transcription.These findings indicate that primary cilia/intraflagellar transport mediates the activation of fluid shear stress-responsive transforming growth factor β1/bone morphogenetic protein 2/SMAD signaling pathway and promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal stem cells.

Objective:To explore the disease characteristics and TCM constitutions of patients with nonunion; To analyze the risk factors of nonunion and its correlation with TCM constitution; To provide research ideas for the prevention and treatment of nonunion with TCM based on the concept of "prevention of disease".Methods:This study was an observational case-control study. 334 orthopedic patients who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2020 to September 2022 were selected. 167 patients were collected according to the diagnostic criteria of nonunion, then 167 patients who met the criteria of fracture healing were included as the control group. General information and the classification of TCM constitutions of the patients were collected. The distribution rules of TCM constitution and patients' risk factors were statistically analyzed, and the correlation between the two was explored.Results:The unbalanced constitution was found in 126 cases (75.45%) in the bone nonunion group and 108 cases (62.87%) in the fracture healing group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.63, P=0.032). The proportion of TCM constitutional types distributed among the patients with nonunion were in the following order: phlegm-dampness constitution, yang-deficiency constitution, mild constitution, qi-deficiency constitution, yin-deficiency constitution, damp-heat constitution, qi-stagnation constitution, blood-stasis constitution and inherited-special constitution. There was statistical significance between the nonunion group and the fracture healing group in the phlegm-dampness and yang-deficiency in men and yang-deficiency in women ( χ 2 values were 19.12, 4.96, 4.92, respectively, P<0.01 or P<0.05). Diabetes [ OR (95% CI): 2.672(1.067, 6.693), P=0.036], BMI≥24 [ OR (95% CI): 1.903 (1.182,3.063), P=0. 008], phlegm-dampness [ OR (95% CI): 3.099 (1.624,5.913), P=0.001] and yang-deficiency [ OR (95% CI): 2.424 (1.252,4.693), P=0.009] as independent risk factors for the development of nonunion in multifactorial logistic regression analysis. Conclusions:The proportion of unbalanced constitution in patients with nonunion is significantly higher than that in patients with fracture healing. Phlegm-dampness constitution and yang-deficiency constitution are independent risk factors for the development of nonunion. TCM constitutional types can be an important factor in the risk assessment of nonunion and the prevention and treatment of nonunion based on the concept of "prevention of disease" has a sound theoretical basis and wide application prospects.

Objective:To explore the RH genotype for a female with RhD(-) blood type and its molecular basis. Methods:A 26-year-old female who had attended the outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in August 2019 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and her parents for Rh phenotyping with gel card method. PCR-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) and DNA sequencing were used to determine the RHD zygosity and RH genotype of the proband and her parents. Homology modeling of Rh proteins was performed with bioinformatic software, and protein structural alterations caused by the variant was simulated by molecular dynamics. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2023-KY-0870-003). Results:Serological tests showed that the proband and her father both had weakened e antigen of the Rh phenotype. PCR-SBT and DNA sequencing showed that the genotypes of the proband and her parents were dce/ dCE, dce/ DcE and dCE/ DcE, respectively. And the genotypes of the RHD and RHCE of the proband were RHD*01N.01/ RHD*01N.16, RHCE*01.01/RHCE*04, respectively. Protein simulation and molecular dynamics analysis revealed that the ce_16C variant resulted from RHCE* ce (c.48G>C) may alter the structure of intracellular and extracellular loops, mainly affecting the mobility of extracellular loops 2, 6 and intracellular loops 3, 4. Conclusion:Variant of the RHCE* ce allele c. 48G>C probably underlay the weakened e antigen in this proband.

BACKGROUND: Since the popularization of computed tomography (CT) technology, the detection rate of pulmonary ground glass nodules (GGNs) with imaging follow-up as the main management method has increased significantly. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively analyze the changes of pulmonary GGNs during the follow-up process with three-dimensional reconstruction technology, explore the natural progression of pulmonary GGNs, and provide effective basis for clinical guidance for patients to conduct reasonable management of nodules. METHODS: A total of 115 cases of pulmonary GGNs with regular follow-up in the Combined Outpatient Department of Zhoushan Hospital from March 2015 to November 2022 were enrolled. Quantitative imaging features of nodules were extracted by semi-automatic segmentation of 3D Slicer software to evaluate the growth of nodules and clinical intervention during follow-up. RESULTS: The average baseline age of the patients was (56.9±10.1) yr. The mean follow-up time was (48.8±18.9) months. The two-dimensional diameter of baseline CT scan was (7.9±2.9) mm, and the maximum three-dimensional diameter was (10.1±3.4) mm. The two-dimensional diameter of the last CT scan was (9.9±4.7) mm, and the maximum three-dimensional diameter was (11.4±5.1) mm. A total of 27 cases (23.5%) showed an increase during follow-up, with a median volume doubling time of 822 days and a median mass doubling time of 1,007 days. 32 cases were surgically resected, including 6 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC), 16 cases of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), 8 cases of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and 2 cases of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH). Five nodules underwent surgical intervention due to the progression of two-dimensional diameter, which was pathologically confirmed as pre-invasive lesions, but their three-dimensional maximum diameter showed no significant change. Nodular morphology, lobulated sign, spiculated sign and vacuole signs all promoted the growth of nodules in univariate analysis. There were significant differences in age, baseline diameter, mean CT value, median CT value, 10% and 90% percentile CT number between the growth group and the stable group (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age and average CT value were risk factors for nodule growth (P<0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis results indicated that the age ≥63 years old, the baseline three-dimensional maximum diameter ≥9.2 mm, and the average CT value ≥-507.8 HU were more likely to accelerate the growth of GGNs. The maximum three-dimensional diameter ≥14.4 mm and the average CT value ≥-495.7 HU may be a higher malignant probability. CONCLUSIONS GGNs show an inert growth process, and the use of three-dimensional measurements during follow-up is of greater significance. For persistent glass grinding nodules ≥63 years old, the baseline three-dimensional maximum diameter ≥9.2 mm, and the average CT value ≥-507.8 HU are more likely to increase. However, most nodules still have good prognosis after progression, and long-term follow-up is safe.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Retrospective Studies ; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules/pathology* ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology*

Objective:To analyze any changes in the functional connectivity between the seed points of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the whole brain, as well as any fluctuations in the low-frequency amplitude among persons with post-stroke depression (PSD). The aim was to develop correlations among functional imaging results, clinical scales, and inflammation indicators including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 17a (IL-17a) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ).Methods:Between 2016 and 2020, 55 ischemic stroke survivors were tested. The 28 scoring 7 or more on the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) formed the PSD group, while the 27 others formed the control group. Functional magnetic resonance images were collected, and serum inflammation indicators were determined.Results:When seed points in the left DLPFC were used, in the PSD group the frontal cortex (FC) decreased in one cluster, with a voxel of 129mm3 and the MNI coordinates (x=9, y=30, z=33) indicating that the anatomical automatic labeling (AAL) brain regions were the Cingulum_Ant_L, Cingulum_Mid_R and the frontal_Sup_Medial_L. When the right DLPFC was used as the seed point the FC again decreased in one cluster, with voxels of 44mm 3 and the MNI coordinates (x=-27, y=12, z=47) referring to the AAL brain region of the frontal_Mid_L. In the PSD group, the FC value of abnormal brain areas with the R-DLPFC as the seed point was positively correlated with time since stroke. In the control group, the FC value of abnormal brain areas with L-DLPFC as the seed point was negatively correlated with MoCA, while with R-DLPFC as the seed point it was positively correlated with IFN-γ. The FC values of abnormal areas of the brain showed no significant correlation with other clinical scales, inflammation indicators or lesion volume. Conclusion:Abnormal functional connections within the executive control network and between the salience networks may participate in the mechanism of PSD, and may be related to the time since stroke, cognitive functioning, and IFN-γ levels.

Objective:To explore the methods, complications and follow-up results of limb salvage for primary malignant tumors of the femoral shaft.Methods:From October 2006 to October 2019, 41 cases of primary malignant tumors of femoral shaft were analyzed retrospectively, 37 cases were followed up, including 22 males and 15 females, aged 8-46 years with an average age of 20.56±4.72 years old. All the lesions were located in the femoral shaft, and The Enneking stage was IIB. Tumor lesion ranged in the femur from 10 cm to 24 cm, and there was no pathological fracture. Pre-operative puncture biopsy was performed in all cases.22 cases were confirmed as osteosarcoma, 8 as chondrosarcoma, 5 as Ewing sarcoma, 2 as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been used to treat both osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Among the 37 patients, 8 cases of patients received total femoral prosthesis replacement, 14 cases of intramedullary nail fixation with allogenic bone graft, 8 cases of allograft-prosthetic composite (APC), and 7 cases of 3D printed prosthesis. The limb function was graded according to MSTS 93 system.Results:37 out of 41 patients were followed up, and the average follow-up time was 23.15±16.74 months (6-62 months). There were 9 patients with pulmonary metastases (26.47%), among which 6 patients passed away due to multiple metastases. 28 patients survived without tumor at last follow-up. The MSTS score was18-28 (average of 22.55±2.57). The average score of 3D printing prosthesis group was 27±1.74, allogeneic bone transplantation group was 22.85±2.59, total femoral prosthesis replacement group was 20.25±2.25, and the APC prosthesis group was 20.5±2.07. There was statistical difference between 3D printing group and other groups. The overall excellent and good rate of lower limb function was 79.41%, in which the 3D group was 100%, allogeneic bone group was 78.5%, APC prosthesis group was 87.5%, total femoral prosthesis replacement group was 62.5%. There was no statistical difference in the excellent and good rate of limb function among the groups. There weren't any cases of hip joint dislocation after total femoral prosthesis replacement. Delayed union of bone healing was seen in 3 cases of allogeneic bone transplantation and 2 cases APC patients. One patient suffered from the postoperative hemorrhage-related diseases-sciatic nerve compression, and the nerve recovered after emergency debridement. One patient suffered from poor wound healing. The overall complication rate was 24.32% (9/37).Conclusion:The patients with primary malignant tumors of the femoral shaft can effectively recover the lower extremity function by choosing the appropriate surgical scheme, in order to achieve the purpose of limb preservation and improve the quality of life of the patients. 3D printing prosthesis provides a new choice in the treatment of femoral shaft tumors.

Objective To evaluate the short?term efficacy and safety of endoscopic photodynamic therapy ( PDT ) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC ) and precancerous lesion. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patients with early ESCC or precancerous lesions who received PDT between September 2013 and April 2015 in Endoscopy Center, Henan Tumor Hospital,and its indications were summarized. The main outcomes including histological complete response rate ( CR ) , recurrence rate and adverse events after treatment of one year were analyzed. Results Three patients with middle grade dysplasia( MGD) , 18 with high grade dysplasia( HGD) and 4 with squamous cell carcinoma in situ, all negative lymph node metastasis, received PDT. CRs were 72?0%(18/25) and 88?0%(22/25)after one PDT session in 3 months and 12 months, respectively. One?year follow?up showed 3 recurrences ( 12?0%) ,4 ( 16?0%) severe strictures, and no perforation. Five patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma received palliative PDT. Partial remission rate was 60?0%( 3/5) after one PDT session in 3 months, and 40?0% ( 2/5) after 12 months. Two died of tumor metastasis, one died of gastrointestinal bleeding one year after PDT. No perforation occurred. Conclusion Endoscopic photodynamic therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions is safe and feasible, with remarkable short?term effect. As for the patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma, it is equally safe and effective in the short term.