Methods: Cervical radiographs were analyzed. EOP hyperplasia was classified into three subtypes with standardized length measurements. Variables encompassed demographics, ONL-related indices, and sagittal parameters. Subtype comparisons and multivariate regression analyses (with EOP length as dependent variable) were conducted. Results: Analysis of 187 CSM patients (64.2% male) identified gender-specific patterns: males exhibited greater EOP length (9.4±6.8 mm vs. 4.6±3.4 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP demonstrated male predominance (82.4% vs. type I 31.8%, type II 51.4%; p<0.001), with associated longer hyperplasia length (11.6±6.6 mm vs. type II 5.1±1.9 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP was associated with higher ONL prevalence (type III 64.8% vs. type I 45.5%, type II 41.9%; p=0.010) and longer ONL osteophyte length (type III 18.8±9.8 mm vs. type I 14.2±8.1 mm, type II 14.2±9.4 mm; p=0.046). Multivariate regression confirmed male sex (β=–3.82, p=0.009), ONL osteophyte length (β=0.16, p=0.017), T1 slope (β=0.27, p=0.041), and spino-cranial angle (β=–0.19, p=0.009) as factors independently associated with EOP length (adjusted R²=0.382). Conclusions Severe EOP hyperplasia exhibits a male-predominant distribution pattern and demonstrates significant radiological associations with ONL and cervical sagittal imbalance in CSM patients. These findings advocate for EOP evaluation in clinical evaluations to identify high-risk biomechanical profiles.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the status of radiological Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) among school-aged children in Chamdo City, Tibet, through a 3-year monitoring survey, providing epidemiological evidence for prevention and control strategies.Methods:The target areas for this study were Luolong, Bianba, and Basu counties in Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region, identified as having the most severe historical cases of KBD. Children aged 7-12 years attending school were enrolled as study subjects. Anteroposterior X-ray films of the right-hand were taken, and radiological diagnoses were made based on the "Diagnosis of Kashin-Beck Disease" criteria (WS/T 207-2010). Two experienced researchers independently reviewed the X-rays, and intra- and inter-group consistency were assessed using weighted Kappa values and percentage agreement. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2017 and 2020 to describe the X-ray detection rates of KBD, and logistic regression analysis was employed to construct a predictive model of risk factors for radiological KBD cases.Results:In 2017, a total of 5,711 children aged 7-12 years in Chamdo City, Tibet, participated in the baseline cross-sectional survey (average age 9.2 years, 48.0% female), with 28 cases of radiological KBD. The age- and gender-standardized prevalence rate was 0.527%. In 2020, 6,771 participants (average age 9.3 years, 49.5% female) underwent a second cross-sectional survey, with 9 cases of radiological KBD and a standardized prevalence rate of 0.134%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that older age [ OR=2.439, 95% CI(1.299, 4.580), P=0.006] and female gender [ OR=8.157, 95% CI(1.016, 65.528), P=0.048] were independent risk factors for radiological KBD cases. Conversely, higher residential altitude, under the premise of Tibet's high altitude, was a protective factor [ OR=0.995, 95% CI(0.990, 0.999), P=0.032). Conclusion:The radiographically positive detection rate of KBD among school-aged children in Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region, is at an extremely low level and showing a declining trend, reaching the historical standard in 2020. Considering the absence of positive signs in affected children, it suggests that local KBD has been effectively eliminated.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of MRI-based or CT-based measurements and the combined evaluation methods for preoperative bone quality assessment in patients with cervical degenerative diseases.Methods:Patients who underwent spine surgery for cervical degenerative diseases at the Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from September 2020 to March 2022 with available preoperative X-ray, CT, MRI and dule energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DEXA) data were included in this study. Vertebral bone quality score (VBQ) based on MRI T1-weightedimages and CT Hounsfiled unit (HU) values of the cervical spine were measured, and a combined diagnostic formula based on the binary logistic regression was constructed. The patients were divided into normal bone mass (T≥-1.0) and osteopenia/osteoporosis groups (T<-1.0). The student's t-test and Chi-square test were performed for comparisons between groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient was also used to investigate the correlation between DEXA-T scores, cervical VBQ and CT HU values. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were plotted to explore the diagnostic efficacy of VBQ, CT HU and their combined diagnosis. Meanwhile, the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were obtained. Results:A total of 71 patients were included in this study (17 in the normal group and 54 in the osteopenia/osteoporosis group). The student's t-test showed that VBQ (2.90±0.70 vs. 3.83±0.83, t=4.23, P<0.001) and CT HU values (370.26±85.38 vs. 295.20±67.96, t=3.73, P=0.002) were significantly different between the two groups. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for VBQ and CT values of the cervical spine were 0.81 and 0.75, respectively, and the AUC for the combined diagnostic value constructed on the basis of both was 0.85. Applying VBQ scores alone had a diagnostic sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 70%, and the combined diagnosis with VBQ and CT HU had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 75%. Person correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between DEXA T value, cervical VBQ value and CT HU value. The detailed formula was: DEXA T score=-0.63×cervical VBQ+0.64 ( r=-0.55, P<0.001), CT HU value=-40.20×cervical VBQ+458.40 ( r=-0.45, P<0.001), DEXA T score=0.006×CT HU-3.47 ( r=0.45, P<0.001). Conclusion:This study confirmed the feasibility of using cervical VBQ values, CT HU values and combined diagnostics for preoperative bone density screening in patients with degenerative cervical spine diseases. This method allows surgeons to perform an initial preoperative bone density screening based on the patient's existing imaging data, and thus could aid in confirming the indication and scheme of surgery. The method could be a powerful tool for preoperative bone density assessment screening in patients with cervical degenerative diseases.

【Objective】 To investigate the association of thyroid indices with the prevalence of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged euthyroid population. 【Methods】 For this retrospective study, 620 euthyroid patients aged from 18 to 65 years were divided into ischemic stroke group (n=308) and non-ischemic stroke group (n=312). The characteristics of the study population; serum thyroid indices, i.e., free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), were collected from biochemical test results. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for thyroid indices and ischemic stroke. 【Results】 Compared with non-ischemic stroke group, significant differences were observed in age, gender, weight, smoking status, drinking status, history of hypertension and diabetes, SBP, DBP, FBG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, FT3, FT4, FT3/FT4, TFQI, and PTFQI in ischemic stroke patients (all P<0.05). No significant differences were observed for TG, TSH, TSHI, or TT4RI between the two groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower FT3 [OR (95% CI) =0.722 (0.547~0.955) , P=0.022] and FT3/FT4 ratio [OR (95% CI) =0.723 (0.600~0.870) , P=0.001] , FT4 [OR (95% CI) =1.099 (1.011~1.194) , P=0.026] were significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. After stratified analysis by hypertension, FT4 [OR (95% CI) =1.133 (1.021~1.257) , P=0.019] , lower FT3/FT4 ratio [OR (95% CI) =0.723 (0.600~0.870) , P=0.003] , TFQI [ OR (95% CI) =1.854 (1.026~3.350) , P=0.041] , and PTFQI [OR (95% CI) =1.871 (1.065~3.288) , P=0.029] were significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients combined with hypertension, while after stratified analysis by diabetes, we only found that lower FT3/FT4 ratio [OR (95% CI) =0.730 (0.559~0.953) , 0.704 (0.536~0.944) , P=0.021] and FT4 [OR (95% CI) =1.170 (1.025~1.335) , P=0.026] were significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients combined with diabetes. 【Conclusion】 FT3, FT4, and FT3/FT4 ratio are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged euthyroid population; TFQI and PTFQ are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke in patients combined with hypertension.

Fusion surgery has been an effective modality for the treatment of spinal disorders for more than 100 years. With the increasing understanding of the disease and the increasing maturity of surgical techniques, lumbar fusion has become more widely performed and its efficacy has been conclusively proven. However, fusion surgery inevitably disrupts the original physiologic motion of the spine and limits segmental motion, resulting in a significant increase in disc and joint protrusion stress in adjacent segments. When a newly identified degenerative change on imaging is present in an adjacent segment or an existing degeneration is more aggravated, this is known as adjacent segment degeneration. When clinical symptoms such as pain and numbness in the lower extremities are present that are consistent with degeneration, this is known as adjacent segment disease. Real world studies (RWS) have become a major focus in medical research in recent years. Since it is closer to clinical practice and more practical for decision-making compared with randomized controlled trail (RCT), it is gaining importance in clinical practice. By searching major national and international databases, this article provides a review of risk factors as well as advances in the treatment of lumbar adjacent segment disease in RWS. According to the retrieved literature, there are many factors that contribute to the development and progression of adjacent segment degeneration and disease, which are mainly divided into patient-related factors and surgery-related factors. In general, patient age, weight, spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters, and internal diseases influence the progression of adjacent segment degeneration. Surgery-related risk factors include the number of segments operated on, the surgical approach, interference with adjacent segments, and whether the spinal-pelvicsagittal imbalance is corrected. To prevent the development of adjacent segment disease, patients can slow the progression of adjacent segment degeneration by reducing their own weight and controlling their internal diseases. The physician can also avoid the influence of surgery-related factors through adequate surgical planning and careful intraoperative management. At the same time, surgeries may be performed in patients who have developed adjacent segmental disease and for whom conservative treatment has failed. The current revision surgical approaches include endoscopic simple decompression and posterior decompression with extended internal fixation.Short-term RWS revealed that the efficacy of endoscopic treatment of adjacent spondylosis might be equivalent to re-fusion internal fixation surgery. Studies with large samples and long-term follow-up are still needed to guide the treatment of adjacent segment disease in the future, in order to improve clinical decision-making.

Building a strong public health system has become an urgent task in the new era. Based on more than eight years of systematic research， we believe that five aspects need to be prioritized for a strong system. First， we should change the perspective on public health， using the word “gonggong jiankang” to replace “gonggong weisheng” and the word “gonggong jiankang tixi” to replace “gonggong weisheng tixi”， to lead the public health system development. Second， we should develop a suitable public health system and continuously improve the health capacity for governance. Third， we should make it clear that the goal of building a strong system is not far-fetched， and we need to consolidate the existing institutional advantages of China’s public health system： when encountering major problems， we can maintain a unified goal and mobilize the whole society to cooperate effectively to accomplish the goal. However， we need to make up for shortcomings one by one， especially to solve the key problem of lacking a strong coordination mechanism in daily work. Fourth， we should pursue excellence and consolidate the“suitable” mechanism proven in the process of coping with the COVID-19， so that efficient mechanisms to deal with major issues can be used in routine work， and efforts should be made to consolidate the advantages of prevention and control of infectious diseases and emergency response，so as to achieve the balanced development of regions categories and units.Finally， it is necessary to strengthen the coordination of government and research institutions， in the aspects of technological innovation， talent team building and accurate consulting services， and work together to pursue a suitable and strong system to realize the modernization of the health system and capacity for governance.

Objective Through studying the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)alleviating kidney damage caused by unstable circulation function following brain deaths to improve the utilization rate of donation after brain death (DBD) for renal transplantation.Methods Randomly selected 60 DBD patients with unstable circulatory function were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the time of perfusion by ECMO.The first group used ECMO perfusion for 2 h,group 24 h and group 36 h.At the same time,20 cases of stable DBD were randomly selected as the control group.The incidence of primary graft failure,delayed graft function and acute rejection,renal function recovery time,urine volume on the first day after surgery,creatinine and urea nitrogen one year after surgery were compared between two groups.Results The incidence of delayed recovery of renal function in experimental groups 1,2,3 and control group was 10％ (2/20),15％ (3/20),5％(1/20) and 10％ (2/20) respectively.The incidence of acute rejection in experimental groups 1,2,3 and control group was 30％ (6/20),25％ (5/20),35％ (7/20) and 25％ (5/20) respectively.There were no statistically significant differences between the experimental groups and the control group (P ＞0.05).The mean renal function recovery time in the experimental groups 1,2,3 and control group was (9.6 ± 2.0),(9.7 ± 2.7),(9.5 ± 1.9) and (7.3 ± 3.1) days respectively.The average urine volume in experimental groups 1,2,3 and control group was (3 405 ± 755),(3 300 ±600),(3 810±825),and (3 600 ± 80) mL respectively.In experimental groups 1,2,3 and control group,the average creatinine level was (92 ± 28),(92 ± 28),(101 ± 31),and (98 ± 30) μmol/L respectively.The average urea nitrogen in experimental groups 1,2,3 and control group was (4.2 ± 2.2),(5.6 ± 2.6),(5.2 ± 2.6) and (5.5 ± 2.5) mmol/L respectively.The recovery time of renal function in the experimental groups was longer than that in the control group (P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference among the experimental groups (P＞0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental groups and the control group in urine volume one day after surgery and kidney function one year after transplantation (P＞0.05).Only recovery time after operation of the DBD with the unstable circulation function assisted by EMCO was slightly longer than that with stable circulation function,while the rest indexes showed no statistically significant difference.Conclusion DBD with unstable circulation function with ECMO auxiliary circulatory function can protect the renal function and increase the utilization rate of donor organs.

Objective To investigate the effect of Ski on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines from activated astrocytes. Methods Astrocytes were obtained from cerebral cortex of a three-day old Sprague-Dawley rat and cultured in vitro. They were divided into blank group, control group and siRNA group. The Ski gene was silenced in siRNA group. The expression of Ski was tested with Western blotting and immunofluorescence 48 hours later. Then the astrocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in activated astrocytes was detected with ELISA. Results The expression of Ski protein reduced in the siRNA group (P<0.001), as well as the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.001). Conclusion Ski may play a role in inflammatory response of astrocyte.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of endogenous RNA molecules which exceed 200 nt in length, lack complete specific open reading frame, and completely lack or possessvery limited protein-coding capacity. Recent studies have revealed that lncRNAs participate in critical processes such as genomic imprinting, cell differentiation, and immune reaction, etc. lncRNAs regulate gene expression at the epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels by modulating chromatin remodeling and histone modifications, interfering the transcription, regulating patterns of alternative splicing, generating small RNAs, and modulating protein activation and localization. Through their numerous functions, lncRNAs play critical roles in the growth, development, senescence, death, and other important physiological and pathological processes. Further investigation into the regulation of gene expression mediated by lncRNAs will be of great value in the thorough understanding of pathogenies and provide new molecular markers and drug targets of diseases.
Alternative Splicing ; Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly ; Gene Expression ; Open Reading Frames ; Proteins ; RNA, Long Noncoding