BACKGROUND:Spondylolisthesis is a common disease,and there is a lack of effective drugs to treat it.There is still a need to further define the pathogenesis and screen out more suitable therapeutic targets for spondylolisthesis.Mendelian randomization analysis can be used to explore the drugable genes associated with spondylolisthesis and provide valuable guidance for the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic drugs.OBJECTIVE:To explore potential therapeutic targets and effective drugs for spondylolisthesis by means of pharmaceutically available genome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:Using the Finnish database,eQTLGen consortium,drug signature database,drug-gene interaction database,protein-protein interaction database,organic small molecule biological activity database and protein structure database,which contains genome and health information of half a million Finns,data on druggable genes were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis and co-localization analysis with data from genome-wide association studies of spondylolisthesis to identify genes highly associated with spondylolisthesis.In addition,GO and KEGG enrichment analysis,protein network construction,drug prediction and molecular docking were performed to provide valuable guidance for the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic agents.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In this study,we identified 34 potential drug target genes that were significantly associated with spondylolisthesis,particularly the gene APOBEC3G.This gene showed a significant association with spondylolisthesis outcomes through Mendelian analysis and co-localization analysis,suggesting that APOBEC3G may be a priority therapeutic target.As for other potential mechanisms and drugs,we still need to conduct more in-depth research to determine their roles.This study used a database from a European population,which can be used as a reference for the study of population genetics in China.

BACKGROUND:Upper lumbar spinal stenosis is a multifactorial degenerative disorder of the spine.For narrowing of the spinal canal in the upper lumbar region(L1-L4),surgical decision-making is particularly complex.Existing minimally invasive surgeries each have their own advantages and limitations.Currently,there are few reports on biomechanical comparison and finite element analysis of different surgical methods for the treatment of high lumbar spinal stenosis.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical impact of endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression,transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression,and cross-overtop decompression in the treatment of upper lumbar spinal stenosis using endoscopy,and to verify the reliability and effectiveness of these three surgical techniques in treating upper lumbar spinal stenosis,providing a biomechanical basis for clinical decision-making.METHODS:The CT images of the lumbar spine of a healthy volunteer were selected,and the finite element model M0 of the normal lumbar L1-L5 segments was established using Mimics,Geomagic,Solid works,and Ansys software.The L2-L3 segment,representing upper lumbar characteristics,was chosen.Based on this model,the surgical models for endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression(M1),transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression(M2),and cross-overtop decompression(M3)were established.Using software,the changes in the range of motion of the entire lumbar segment and the maximum Von Mises stress of the intervertebral discs were simulated and evaluated for each group of models under six loading conditions:flexion,extension,left lateral bending,right lateral bending,left rotation,and right rotation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with model MO,the range of motion in M1,M2,and M3 increased under all six conditions,with M1 showing a greater increase.(2)M1 and M2 demonstrated significant increases in range of motion under forward bending,extension,and right rotation,while the increase under other conditions remained below 7％.(3)Compared with model M3,model M1 exhibited slightly increased overall joint range of motion during extension and left bending,while no significant changes were observed in other aspects,and the L1-L5 lumbar segments did not reach an unstable state.(4)In model M1,the maximum Von Mises stress of the intervertebral discs increased most significantly under flexion and extension loading conditions.However,under left lateral bending,right lateral bending,left rotation,and right rotation loading conditions,the increase did not exceed 5％.(5)These findings suggest that due to the sagittal anatomical characteristics of the facet joints,the unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression technique,while decompressing,involves resection of more facet joints,which impacts overall segmental stability.The transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression technique is suitable for patients with foraminal stenosis but cannot achieve complete decompression for those with severe ventral central stenosis.The Cross-Overtop technique effectively enlarges the volume of the central canal and lateral recess,optimizing decompression,and shows unique advantages in treating upper lumbar spinal stenosis.

BACKGROUND:The most common complication of traumatic femoral neck fractures after internal fixation is femoral head necrosis.Currently,many studies have reported on the risk factors that affect the occurrence and development of postoperative femoral head necrosis,but there is still a lack of tools to predict the risk of femoral head necrosis after internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.OBJECTIVE:To develop a predictive model that estimates the risk of femoral head necrosis shortly after patients with femoral neck fractures receive cannulated screw internal fixation.METHODS:A retrospective analysis reviewed clinical records of 172 patients who underwent cannulated screw internal fixation for femoral neck fractures at Department of Orthopedics of Mianyang Central Hospital from January 2013 to June 2023.Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of femoral head necrosis within one year post-operation:the necrosis group and the non-necrosis group.Univariate analysis,Lasso regression,and multivariate Logistic regression techniques were employed to identify the determinants of femoral head necrosis.A nomogram prediction model was constructed using R language's"rms"package,version 4.0.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the discriminatory ability of the model.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the goodness of fit of the model,and the decision curve analysis was used to determine its clinical application benefits.Internal validation of the study was conducted using the Bootstrap method,involving 1 000 repeated samplings.To delve deeper into the primary factors influencing femoral head necrosis post-internal fixation of the femoral neck,this paper employed the SHAP method for data set analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The risk factors leading to femoral head necrosis in the short term after cannulated screw fixation of femoral neck fractures include:smoking,diabetes,Garden classification,fracture line location,reduction quality,age,and operation time.(2)The prediction model demonstrated robust performance,evidenced by an area under the curve of 0.940(95％Confidence Interval:0.903 to 0.977),indicating a high level of prediction accuracy.The model achieved a sensitivity of 90.2％and a specificity of 87.6％,indicating that its diagnostic performance was stable.The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test yielded a chi-square value of 6.593 with a P-value of 0.581,confirming that the model's predictions closely align with the observed outcomes.(3)The calibration curve of the model also performed well,and its overall trend was very close to the ideal curve,further proving the high accuracy of the model.(4)The internal validation was carried out by the Bootstrap method with 1 000 repeated samplings,and the area under the curve of the model internal validation was still as high as 0.939,proving that the model had good stability.(5)Through the decision curve,it is found that within the probability threshold range of 1％to 92％,the model can obtain the maximum net benefit value.(6)The SHAP analysis results show that among the risk factors analyzed in this study,the location of the fracture line serves as the most significant predictor of femoral head necrosis following internal fixation with cannulated screws in femoral neck fractures,and subcapital fractures are extremely prone to femoral head necrosis after surgery.(7)It is concluded that the validated prediction model demonstrates strong discriminative power and reliability,offering practical clinical utility.It serves as a useful reference tool for short-term risk assessment of femoral head necrosis following internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND:The local immune microenvironment plays an important regulatory role in the process of bone formation,and the immune system is intricately linked to the skeletal system.OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the promotion of bone regeneration from three aspects:immune cell regulation of microenvironment,regulation of immune response by small extracellular vesicles,and induction of immune response by bone biomaterials,and to elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms involved in bone regeneration.METHODS:Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed,CNKI,WanFang Database,and VIP Database,using the search terms of"osteoimmunology,immune microenvironment,small extracellular vesicles,bone regeneration,bone tissue repair,biomaterials,and tissue engineering"in English and Chinese.Repeat and irrelevant literature was screened and removed,and 92 articles that met the criteria were selected for intensive reading and review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Multiple immune cells and bone cells are in the same microenvironment,and immune cells can regulate the differentiation and activity of bone cells,collectively forming an immune microenvironment that affects bone regeneration.Neutrophils can significantly reduce local inflammatory responses in the early stages of bone injury,creating a favorable microenvironment for bone regeneration.M1 macrophages can clear foreign bodies and reduce early inflammatory responses,while M2 macrophages can promote the expression of osteogenic markers and factors,playing an important role in the repair process of bone injury.B cells and T cells can directly or indirectly affect the generation and activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts,regulate bone metabolism,and promote bone regeneration.Extracellular vesicles of small cells regulate the local immune microenvironment through paracrine secretion,promoting bone formation and angiogenesis at the site of bone injury.The metal ions,surface hydrophilicity,porosity,pore size,surface morphology,and surface roughness on the surface of biomaterials can directly regulate local immune responses,and have anti-inflammatory,angiogenic,and osteogenic effects,thereby accelerating bone regeneration.

BACKGROUND:Forskolin,a diterpenoid natural compound extracted from Coleus forskohlii,has a crucial regulatory role in skeletal muscle repair.However,the regulatory role of forskolin on myogenic differentiation of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells has not been fully explored.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of forskolin on the differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cell line and probe into the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:C2C12 cells were treated with 0,0.1,0.25,0.5,1,5,10 and 20 μmol/L forskolin during growth,and cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 and qRT-PCR.C2C12 cells were treated with 0,0.25,0.5 and 1 μmol/L forskolin during the induction of myogenic differentiation.Immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR were used to detect C2C12 cells differentiation.Western blot was used to detect the expression level of myogenic differentiation-related signaling pathway proteins.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The viability of C2C12 cells was decreased and cell proliferation was inhibited after treatment with high concentrations(＞1 μmol/L)of forskolin.(2)The qRT-PCR results showed that forskolin up-regulated the expression of Myh2,Myh4,Myomaker,but down-regulated the expression of Myh7 compared with the 0 μmol/L group,when C2C12 cells were differentiated for 4 days.Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the fusion index and myotube diameter of C2C12 cells were increased after forskolin treatment,and the number of myotubes was also increased.(3)Western blot results showed that the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 expression was inhibited;however,the phosphorylated protein kinase B was promoted after treatment with forskolin.The protein expression level of the myogenic differentiation transcription factor Myogenin was significantly up-regulated after treatment with forskolin.The above results demonstrate that forskolin may promote myogenic differentiation of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and protein kinase B signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Spondylolisthesis is a common disease,and there is a lack of effective drugs to treat it.There is still a need to further define the pathogenesis and screen out more suitable therapeutic targets for spondylolisthesis.Mendelian randomization analysis can be used to explore the drugable genes associated with spondylolisthesis and provide valuable guidance for the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic drugs.OBJECTIVE:To explore potential therapeutic targets and effective drugs for spondylolisthesis by means of pharmaceutically available genome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:Using the Finnish database,eQTLGen consortium,drug signature database,drug-gene interaction database,protein-protein interaction database,organic small molecule biological activity database and protein structure database,which contains genome and health information of half a million Finns,data on druggable genes were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis and co-localization analysis with data from genome-wide association studies of spondylolisthesis to identify genes highly associated with spondylolisthesis.In addition,GO and KEGG enrichment analysis,protein network construction,drug prediction and molecular docking were performed to provide valuable guidance for the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic agents.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In this study,we identified 34 potential drug target genes that were significantly associated with spondylolisthesis,particularly the gene APOBEC3G.This gene showed a significant association with spondylolisthesis outcomes through Mendelian analysis and co-localization analysis,suggesting that APOBEC3G may be a priority therapeutic target.As for other potential mechanisms and drugs,we still need to conduct more in-depth research to determine their roles.This study used a database from a European population,which can be used as a reference for the study of population genetics in China.

ObjectiveBased on the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway， this study explores the protective effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwutang against retinal vasculitis （RV） from the perspective of angiogenesis. MethodsSPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were used to establish a RV model induced by experimental autoimmune uveitis （EAU）， and the protective effect of Taohong Siwutang on RV was investigated. Fifty mice were randomly assigned to a blank group， model group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Taohong Siwutang groups （3.315、6.63、13.26 g·kg^-1，10 mice in each group）. After modeling， gavage administration was performed for 20 consecutive days. A small-animal retinal imaging system and fluorescein sodium angiography were used to observe pathological changes in the retinal tissue and vessels. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess retinal histopathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate CD31-positive expression. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of JAK2， phosphorylated （p）-JAK2， STAT3， p-STAT3， and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 （VEGFR2） in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the relative expression level of VEGFR2 mRNA in retinal vessels. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed relative optic disc swelling， multiple areas of inflammatory cell infiltration around retinal veins with partial vascular occlusion， vessel thickening and morphological alterations， uneven retinal thickness， wrinkling and bending of inner and outer layers， vascular dilation， and disordered cellular arrangement. Compared with the model group， the Taohong Siwutang groups showed markedly reduced CD31-positive expression and effectively improved perivascular inflammatory infiltration， vascular tortuous dilation， angiogenesis， vascular occlusion， and hemorrhage. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group， the expression of VEGFR2 and the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups （P0.01）. Real-time PCR results indicated that VEGFR2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups compared with the model group （P0.05）. ConclusionTaohong Siwutang can effectively alleviate angiogenesis in RV and， through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， reduce angiogenesis and improve retinal pathological injury， thereby exerting a protective effect on retinal vessels.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the chemical composition of the reference sample of Jinshui Liujunjian and its distribution characteristics in blood and tissues of rats. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS） was used to detect the reference sample solution， plasma， and tissue samples of Jinshui Liujunjian under positive and negative ion modes， respectively. Qualitative Analysis 10.0 software and a self-constructed database were employed for primary mass spectrum matching.Compound identification was further validated by comparing retention times， secondary mass spectral fragments， reference standards， and literature data to deduce fragmentation pathways. ResultsA total of 122 compounds were identified in the reference sample of Jinshui Liujunjian， including 47 flavonoids， 5 amino acids， 13 iridoids， 16 triterpenoid saponins， etc.， of which 42 compounds were confirmed by comparison with reference substances. A total of 21 prototype components were identified in blood components； 50 prototype components were identified in different tissues， among which 13， 10， 7， 21， 11， 6， 14， and 40 prototype components were identified in the heart， liver， spleen， lung， kidney， brain， large intestine， and stomach， respectively. Among them， 7 compounds such as ferulic acid， glycyrrhizic acid， and nobiletin were exposed in the target organs of lung and kidney. ConclusionThis study elucidates the material basis of the reference samples of Jinshui Liujunjian， primarily composed of flavonoids and triterpenoid saponins， along with their in vivo distribution characteristics. These findings provide a scientific basis for establishing quality evaluation indicators and offer references for subsequent pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic investigations.

ObjectiveBased on the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway， this study explores the protective effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwutang against retinal vasculitis （RV） from the perspective of angiogenesis. MethodsSPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were used to establish a RV model induced by experimental autoimmune uveitis （EAU）， and the protective effect of Taohong Siwutang on RV was investigated. Fifty mice were randomly assigned to a blank group， model group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Taohong Siwutang groups （3.315、6.63、13.26 g·kg^-1，10 mice in each group）. After modeling， gavage administration was performed for 20 consecutive days. A small-animal retinal imaging system and fluorescein sodium angiography were used to observe pathological changes in the retinal tissue and vessels. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess retinal histopathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate CD31-positive expression. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of JAK2， phosphorylated （p）-JAK2， STAT3， p-STAT3， and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 （VEGFR2） in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the relative expression level of VEGFR2 mRNA in retinal vessels. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed relative optic disc swelling， multiple areas of inflammatory cell infiltration around retinal veins with partial vascular occlusion， vessel thickening and morphological alterations， uneven retinal thickness， wrinkling and bending of inner and outer layers， vascular dilation， and disordered cellular arrangement. Compared with the model group， the Taohong Siwutang groups showed markedly reduced CD31-positive expression and effectively improved perivascular inflammatory infiltration， vascular tortuous dilation， angiogenesis， vascular occlusion， and hemorrhage. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group， the expression of VEGFR2 and the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups （P0.01）. Real-time PCR results indicated that VEGFR2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups compared with the model group （P0.05）. ConclusionTaohong Siwutang can effectively alleviate angiogenesis in RV and， through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， reduce angiogenesis and improve retinal pathological injury， thereby exerting a protective effect on retinal vessels.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the chemical composition of the reference sample of Jinshui Liujunjian and its distribution characteristics in blood and tissues of rats. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS） was used to detect the reference sample solution， plasma， and tissue samples of Jinshui Liujunjian under positive and negative ion modes， respectively. Qualitative Analysis 10.0 software and a self-constructed database were employed for primary mass spectrum matching.Compound identification was further validated by comparing retention times， secondary mass spectral fragments， reference standards， and literature data to deduce fragmentation pathways. ResultsA total of 122 compounds were identified in the reference sample of Jinshui Liujunjian， including 47 flavonoids， 5 amino acids， 13 iridoids， 16 triterpenoid saponins， etc.， of which 42 compounds were confirmed by comparison with reference substances. A total of 21 prototype components were identified in blood components； 50 prototype components were identified in different tissues， among which 13， 10， 7， 21， 11， 6， 14， and 40 prototype components were identified in the heart， liver， spleen， lung， kidney， brain， large intestine， and stomach， respectively. Among them， 7 compounds such as ferulic acid， glycyrrhizic acid， and nobiletin were exposed in the target organs of lung and kidney. ConclusionThis study elucidates the material basis of the reference samples of Jinshui Liujunjian， primarily composed of flavonoids and triterpenoid saponins， along with their in vivo distribution characteristics. These findings provide a scientific basis for establishing quality evaluation indicators and offer references for subsequent pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic investigations.