ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group， low drug-containing serum group， medium drug-containing serum group， high drug-containing serum group， and positive drug group. After drug intervention， cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin （OCN）， osteopontin （OPN）， and runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a， β-catenin， and Dickkopf-1 （DKK-1） were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05）. The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect （P<0.01）. The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN， OPN， and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts， thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression， further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and analyze the surgical approach differences using CT parameters between mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MO-TLIF) and minimally invasive surgery of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases.Methods:A total of 68 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar diseases undergoing surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2022 to January 2023 were randomized into the MO-TLIF group (34 cases, percutaneous screw-assisted posterior midline MO-TLIF) and the MIS-TLIF group (34 cases, Wiltse approach MIS-TLIF using the Quadrant channel). Perioperative indicators (operative time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, postoperative bedrest duration, and hospital stay) and complications were compared. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed preoperatively and at 3 days, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Effective cross-sectional area (eCSA) of paraspinal muscles was evaluated on MRI preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. CT parameters of surgical approaches, including spinous process-midline distance (SM), Wiltse-midline distance (WM), surgical approach angle, depth, and multifidus muscle displacement were compared. Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to explore associations between CT parameters, operative time, blood loss, and eCSA atrophy.Results:Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group exhibited shorter operative time (109.85±7.82 min vs. 133.82±20.22 min), reduced blood loss (77.21±21.83 ml vs. 141.18±31.44 ml), smaller incision length (6.09±0.22 cm vs. 7.00±0.43 cm), shorter bedrest duration (1.59±0.49 d vs. 2.38±0.50 d), and shorter hospital stay (8.93±1.44 d vs. 10.35±1.45 d), but higher fluoroscopy frequency (19.53±1.92 times vs. 16.29±1.78 times) compared to the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Complications included fat liquefaction (5 cases) and dural tears (2 cases). Both groups showed improved VAS and ODI postoperatively ( P<0.05). At 3 d postoperatively, the MO-TLIF group had lower VAS (2.74±0.47 points vs. 3.35±0.48 points) and ODI (27.46%±2.16% vs. 30.42%±2.52%) than the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Postoperative eCSA decreased significantly in the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05) but remained stable in the MO-TLIF group ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group demonstrated smaller SM (8.43±1.81 mm vs. 31.15±6.53 mm), approach angle, depth, and muscle displacement ( P<0.05). CT parameters in the MO-TLIF group showed no correlation with operative time, blood loss, or eCSA atrophy ( r<0.3, P>0.05), whereas parameters in the MIS-TLIF group correlated positively with these outcomes (0.3< r<0.6, P<0.05). Multivariate regression revealed a significant association between CT parameters and eCSA atrophy in the MIS-TLIF group ( R 2=0.474, P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to MIS-TLIF, MO-TLIF reduces intraoperative blood loss, accelerates recovery, and minimizes paraspinal muscle trauma.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and analyze the surgical approach differences using CT parameters between mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MO-TLIF) and minimally invasive surgery of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases.Methods:A total of 68 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar diseases undergoing surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2022 to January 2023 were randomized into the MO-TLIF group (34 cases, percutaneous screw-assisted posterior midline MO-TLIF) and the MIS-TLIF group (34 cases, Wiltse approach MIS-TLIF using the Quadrant channel). Perioperative indicators (operative time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, postoperative bedrest duration, and hospital stay) and complications were compared. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed preoperatively and at 3 days, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Effective cross-sectional area (eCSA) of paraspinal muscles was evaluated on MRI preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. CT parameters of surgical approaches, including spinous process-midline distance (SM), Wiltse-midline distance (WM), surgical approach angle, depth, and multifidus muscle displacement were compared. Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to explore associations between CT parameters, operative time, blood loss, and eCSA atrophy.Results:Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group exhibited shorter operative time (109.85±7.82 min vs. 133.82±20.22 min), reduced blood loss (77.21±21.83 ml vs. 141.18±31.44 ml), smaller incision length (6.09±0.22 cm vs. 7.00±0.43 cm), shorter bedrest duration (1.59±0.49 d vs. 2.38±0.50 d), and shorter hospital stay (8.93±1.44 d vs. 10.35±1.45 d), but higher fluoroscopy frequency (19.53±1.92 times vs. 16.29±1.78 times) compared to the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Complications included fat liquefaction (5 cases) and dural tears (2 cases). Both groups showed improved VAS and ODI postoperatively ( P<0.05). At 3 d postoperatively, the MO-TLIF group had lower VAS (2.74±0.47 points vs. 3.35±0.48 points) and ODI (27.46%±2.16% vs. 30.42%±2.52%) than the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Postoperative eCSA decreased significantly in the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05) but remained stable in the MO-TLIF group ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group demonstrated smaller SM (8.43±1.81 mm vs. 31.15±6.53 mm), approach angle, depth, and muscle displacement ( P<0.05). CT parameters in the MO-TLIF group showed no correlation with operative time, blood loss, or eCSA atrophy ( r<0.3, P>0.05), whereas parameters in the MIS-TLIF group correlated positively with these outcomes (0.3< r<0.6, P<0.05). Multivariate regression revealed a significant association between CT parameters and eCSA atrophy in the MIS-TLIF group ( R 2=0.474, P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to MIS-TLIF, MO-TLIF reduces intraoperative blood loss, accelerates recovery, and minimizes paraspinal muscle trauma.

Objective To establish a combined model of spectral CT multi-parameters and clinical features to distinguish between gastric poorly cohesive carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma.Methods A total of 87 patients with gastric cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively selected,including 26 patients with poorly cohesive carcinoma and 61 patients with tubular adenocarcinoma.Predictors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses,and a combined model was established.The area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the differential diagnostic efficiency of the parameters and the model.The AUC was compared by DeLong method.Results The gender[odds ratio(OR)5.124,P=0.004],normalized iodine density in the arterial phase(nIoDAP)(OR 5.789,P=0.017),arterial enhancement fraction(AEF)(OR 7.007,P=0.002)and ΔIoD(OR 0.025,P=0.021)were identified as independent predictors for poorly cohesive carcinoma by logistic regression analysis.The AUC of combined model established by four variables in distinguishing poorly cohesive carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma was 0.837[95％confidence interval(CI)0.716-0.907],which was significantly higher than that of single tumor spectral CT parameters(P＜0.01).Conclusion The combined model based on patients'gender and tumor spectral CT parameters(nIoDAP,AEF and ΔIoD)can effectively distinguish gastric poorly cohesive carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma,providing a basis for gastric cancer patients'individualized treatment strategy.

Objective To establish a combined model of spectral CT multi-parameters and clinical features to distinguish between gastric poorly cohesive carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma.Methods A total of 87 patients with gastric cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively selected,including 26 patients with poorly cohesive carcinoma and 61 patients with tubular adenocarcinoma.Predictors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses,and a combined model was established.The area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the differential diagnostic efficiency of the parameters and the model.The AUC was compared by DeLong method.Results The gender[odds ratio(OR)5.124,P=0.004],normalized iodine density in the arterial phase(nIoDAP)(OR 5.789,P=0.017),arterial enhancement fraction(AEF)(OR 7.007,P=0.002)and ΔIoD(OR 0.025,P=0.021)were identified as independent predictors for poorly cohesive carcinoma by logistic regression analysis.The AUC of combined model established by four variables in distinguishing poorly cohesive carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma was 0.837[95％confidence interval(CI)0.716-0.907],which was significantly higher than that of single tumor spectral CT parameters(P＜0.01).Conclusion The combined model based on patients'gender and tumor spectral CT parameters(nIoDAP,AEF and ΔIoD)can effectively distinguish gastric poorly cohesive carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma,providing a basis for gastric cancer patients'individualized treatment strategy.

Objective:To conduct a survey of the current status of education service offered to professional master's students in clinical medicine in a grade-A tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China based on the SERVQUAL model, and to discuss the problems with education service as well as measures for improvement.Methods:Based on the SERVQUAL model, a questionnaire consisting of 30 items in 5 dimensions was designed. Each item was rated for an expected score and a perceived score. Medical professional master's students in a Chongqing grade-A tertiary hospital in the first half year of 2022 were surveyed for the expected and perceived quality of education service to calculate service quality (SQ). SPSS 26.0 was used for reliability and validity analyses and descriptive statistical analyses. The results were analyzed using a two-dimensional quadrant graph.Results:A total of 263 valid questionnaires were returned, with an effective response rate of 97.77%. For both the expectation scale and the perception scale, the Cronbach's α values were >0.8, and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin values were >0.7, indicating good reliability and validity. The mean expected value of education service quality was 4.28, the mean perceived value was 3.96, and the mean gap value was -0.32. The SQ scores for all the items were negative, except for "provide neat suits for work". The two-dimensional quadrant analysis showed that 6 items were located in quadrant III (low-expectation and low-perception area), and 7 items were located in quadrant IV (high-expectation and low-perception area).Conclusions:The evaluation scale based on the SERVQUAL model can effectively reflect problems in postgraduate education for medical master's students, helping develop strategies to improve the quality of education service.

Background::C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CRP/Alb ratio, CAR) has been suggested as a potential prognostic biomarker in lung cancer. This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between CAR and lung cancer prognosis in current literature.Methods::A systematic search of databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to April 2023. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between CAR and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and recurrence-free survival (RF) in lung cancer patients.Results::This meta-analysis includes 16 studies with a total of 5337 patients, indicating a significant association between higher CAR and poorer OS, PFS, and RFS in lung cancer patients, with a pooled HR of 1.78 (95% CI = 1.60–1.99), 1.57 (95% CI = 1.36–1.80), and 1.97 (95% CI = 1.40–2.77), respectively.Conclusions::This updated meta-analysis provides evidence for the potential prognostic role of CAR in lung cancer, suggesting its utility as an effective and noninvasive biomarker for identifying high-risk patients and informing treatment decisions in a cost-effective manner. However, further large-scale studies will be necessary to establish the optimal cut-off value for CAR in lung cancer and confirm the present findings.

Ankylosing spondylitis （AS） is an inflammatory autoimmune disease with chronic low back pain as the main clinical manifestation， which mainly affects the axial joints， peripheral joints and various organs. In severe cases， the spine is stiff or deformed， which affects the quality of life and health of patients. The pathogenic factors of AS are complex， which are related to heredity， immunity and intestinal flora. The pathogenesis of AS is not clear yet. Among them， inflammatory reaction， bone destruction and heterotopic ossification are the main pathological features of AS， which play an important role in the disease process of AS. Traditional Chinese medicine has multi-target， multi-channel and multi-component pharmacological effects， which can prevent and treat AS by anti-inflammation， inhibiting bone destruction and preventing heterotopic ossification， and the clinical effect is remarkable， but there is no relevant literature report. Therefore， this review expounds the relationship between inflammatory reaction， bone destruction and heterotopic ossification and the occurrence and development of AS， and summarizes the latest research reports of traditional Chinese medicine in treating AS from anti-inflammatory， inhibiting bone destruction and preventing heterotopic ossification， aiming at providing reference and new ideas and directions for further research on the prevention and treatment of AS by traditional Chinese medicine.

Background::C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CRP/Alb ratio, CAR) has been suggested as a potential prognostic biomarker in lung cancer. This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between CAR and lung cancer prognosis in current literature.Methods::A systematic search of databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to April 2023. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between CAR and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and recurrence-free survival (RF) in lung cancer patients.Results::This meta-analysis includes 16 studies with a total of 5337 patients, indicating a significant association between higher CAR and poorer OS, PFS, and RFS in lung cancer patients, with a pooled HR of 1.78 (95% CI = 1.60–1.99), 1.57 (95% CI = 1.36–1.80), and 1.97 (95% CI = 1.40–2.77), respectively.Conclusions::This updated meta-analysis provides evidence for the potential prognostic role of CAR in lung cancer, suggesting its utility as an effective and noninvasive biomarker for identifying high-risk patients and informing treatment decisions in a cost-effective manner. However, further large-scale studies will be necessary to establish the optimal cut-off value for CAR in lung cancer and confirm the present findings.