Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca²⁺ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca²⁺ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.

Bone metastases are a common and serious complication of solid tumors such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer, and occur at a high rate in patients with advanced cancer. This pathological process not only frequently leads to skeletal-related events such as severe bone pain, pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia—conditions that severely impact patients’ quality of life—but may also significantly increase the risk of death. Cancer bone metastasis is a complex, multistage cascade involving key steps such as the detachment of tumor cells from the primary tumor, their invasion and entry into the bloodstream, and their colonization, dormancy, and reactivation within the bone microenvironment. In recent years, exercise—as a safe and easily implementable non-pharmacological intervention—has demonstrated significant potential in inhibiting bone metastasis, improving the bone microenvironment, and alleviating related clinical symptoms. Its mechanisms of action may involve multiple levels. First, at the mechanical load level, mechanical signals generated by exercise can directly act on bone cells, inhibiting tumor cell infiltration and colonization by regulating endothelial cell permeability and osteoclast activity. Second, at the endocrine and paracrine levels, exercise can alter the expression profiles of microRNAs (such as miR-486 and miR-34b) carried by extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) in the circulation, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and migration by targeting cell cycle-related genes. Furthermore, exercise can remodel the immune microenvironment, enhance the cytotoxic activity of antitumor immune cells, and improve oxygen supply to tumor tissues, thereby alleviating hypoxia-induced immunosuppression. Finally, at the metabolic intervention level, exercise can induce systemic metabolic reprogramming, increasing the nutritional demands of normal tissues, thereby competing with tumor cells for nutrients and forming a “metabolic barrier” in distal organs such as bones. This article reviews the pathogenesis and classification of bone metastases, including osteolytic, osteogenic, and mixed types, and elaborates in detail on the complex processes by which tumor cells undergo colonization, dormancy, and reactivation within the bone microenvironment. Furthermore, based on a comprehensive analysis of human and animal studies on exercise interventions for bone metastases, this paper highlights the mechanisms by which exercise inhibits tumor formation, growth, and spread through the regulation of mechanical loading, extracellular vesicles and granules, as well as via immune and metabolic pathways, thereby interfering with bone metastasis. However, the array of exercise modalities and intensities available for patients grappling with the challenges of cancer-related bone metastases remains markedly constrained, and the formulation of tailored exercise prescriptions continues to be devoid of robust, evidence-based medical backing. This review aims to explore the effects of exercise on bone health in patients with bone metastases, analyze the factors and considerations that should be taken into account in exercise prescriptions, and provide new theoretical support and insights for developing personalized exercise programs for these patients and further advancing relevant clinical research. Future research directions should include the development of evidence-based, personalized exercise prescriptions and further clarification of the safety boundaries and best practice standards for exercise interventions, thereby promoting the advancement of relevant clinical research and ultimately improving patients’ clinical outcomes and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel arthroscopic technique of modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge in repairing medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears and evaluate the early effectiveness. METHODS: Between June 2021 and January 2024, 26 patients with medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears who underwent arthroscopic modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge repair and met the selective criteria were included. There were 11 males and 15 females with an average age of 61.4 years (range, 43-74 years). Five patients had a significant history of trauma, while the remaining 21 patients had no apparent cause. The time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 3-25 months (mean, 7.9 months). The effectiveness was evaluated during follow-up, including the scores of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation, and patient's satisfaction. Either MRI or ultrasound examination were used to evaluate structural integrity of the tendon. RESULTS: The operation time was 65-110 minutes (mean, 81.8 minutes). All patients were followed up 12-43 months (mean, 23.0 months). At 3 and 12 months after operation, the shoulder range of flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation, and the scores of VAS, UCLA, and ASES significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The improvement was further observed at 12 months compared to 3 months ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, 13 patients were very satisfied with the effectiveness, 11 patients were satisfied, 1 was relatively satisfied, and 1 was dissatisfied. During follow-up, 15 patients underwent imaging examination and imaging reexamination showed that the re-tear rate of tendon was 6.6%(1/15). The remaining 11 patients refused imaging examination. Complications included partial anchor withdrawal in 1 case, shoulder stiffness in 5 cases, and mild pain in shoulder joint in 2 cases in physical activity or heavy physical activity. CONCLUSION Arthroscopic modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge technique is a novel surgical technique that uses double-loaded suture anchors as medial- and lateral-row anchors. In repairing medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears, 6 sets of double-pulley suture-bridges can be created from one medial-row anchor; knotless medial-row can reduce re-tear rate of the tendon; good early effectiveness is obtained.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Adult ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery* ; Aged ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Suture Anchors ; Rotator Cuff/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Tendon Injuries/surgery* ; Patient Satisfaction

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of minimally invasive technique in the treatment of moderate and severe gluteal muscle contracture. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 85 patients (170 sides) with bilateral gluteal muscle contracture admitted from January 2016 to December 2019. All patients were treated with minimally invasive release of tendon knife. There were 32 males and 53 females, ranging in age from 15 to 37 years old, with an average age of (22.3±6.3) years old. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, first postoperative ambulation time, complication rate, recurrence rate, and Harris hip score (HHS) were analyzed and evaluated. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was (16.2±4.6) months, ranging from 12 to 30 months. The operation time ranged from 7 to 15 min, with an average of (10.2±3.1) min. Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 2 to 20 ml, with an average of (8.4±2.2) ml. The incision length ranged from 0.6 to 2.0 cm, with an average of (0.8±0.3) cm. The time to postoperative ambulation ranged from 12 to 28 h, with an average of (20.0±3.2) h. All patients achieved primary wound healing without sciatic nerve injury or recurrence. HHS hip function scores ranged from 90 to 98, with an average score of (96.2±1.4). Complications included intraoperative tendon blade tip fracture in two cases (removed under fluoroscopic guidance) and subcutaneous hematoma in three cases-two resolved with compression and one with open evacuation.. Twenty-nine patients exhibited transient swaying gait postoperatively, of which 24 patients returned to normal after 4 weeks and 5 patients returned to normal after 6 weeks. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive tendon blade release is a safe and effective technique for treating gluteal muscle contracture, offering minimal trauma, rapid recovery, and excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes. However, it exhibits a low risk of blade tip fracture and sciatic nerve injury, warranting experienced surgical handling.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Adolescent ; Retrospective Studies ; Buttocks/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Contracture/surgery* ; Tendons/surgery* ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical efficacy of tibial transverse transport(TTT) combined with antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ABC) and TTT in treating diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients with DFU treated from January 2019 to January 2023. They were divided into bone cement group and bone transfer group according to different treatment methods, with 30 patients in each group. There were 20 males and 10 females in bone cement group, aged from 61 to 76 years old with an average of (68.15±4.85) years old;the course of ulcer disease ranged from 7 to 28 months with an average of (15.28±5.52) months;16 patients were grade 3 and 14 patients were grade 4 according to Wagner classification; TTT combined with ABC treatment was performed. There were 22 males and 8 females in bone transfer group, aged from 60 to 75 years old with average of (67.85±4.62) years old;the course of ulcer disease ranged from 6 to 29 months with an average of (14.35±5.21) months;17 patients were grade 3 and 13 patients were grade 4 according to Wagner classification;TTT was performed. The control time of wound infection, duration of antibiotic use, frequency of debridement, weight-bearing time of the affected limb, healing time of ulcer surface and recurrence of infection were compared between two groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and ankle brachial index (ABI) between two groups was compared before operation and 2 and 6 months after operation. RESULTS: Sixty patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months with average of (17.24±4.42) months. The control time of wound infection, duration of antibiotic use, frequency of debridement, weight-bearing time of the affected limb, and healing time of ulcer surface in bone cement group were (11.02±2.14) days, (12.7±3.5) days, (1.2±0.4) times, (90.02±2.75) days, and (2.32±3.45) months, respectively;while in bone transfer groups were (20.14±3.15) days, (20.4±4.5) days, (2.2±0.8) times, (106.64±8.35) days, and (4.53±3.12) months respectively; bone cement group was superior to bone transfer group, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Comparisons of VAS and ABI before and after treatment between two groups showed preoperative VAS and ABI in bone cement group were (6.71±0.73) points and (0.25±0.04) respectively, and those in bone transfer group were (6.87±0.17) points and (0.27±0.03) respectively. At 2 months after operation, VAS and ABI in bone cement group were (3.71±0.47) points and (0.61±0.03) respectively, and those in bone transfer group were (3.79±0.70) points and (0.59±0.05) respectively;postoperative VAS and ABI at 6 months in bone cement group were (2.26±0.13) points and (0.80±0.05) respectively, and those in bone transfer group were (2.57±0.17) points and (0.79±0.04) respectively;postoperative VAS and ABI between groups were improved at each time points compared with those of before operation (P<0.05). In bone cement group, there were 2 patients with ulcer recurrence and 1 patient with gangrene;while in bone transfer group, 5 patients with recurrence of infection, 2 patients with recurrence of ulcer and 1 patient with gangrene;the recurrence rate of infection in bone cement group were lower than that in bone transfer group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of TTT and ABC in treating DFU has a good therapeutic effect, which could be shorten the infection control time, ulcer healing time and antibiotic use time, effectively relieve pain, reduce the recurrence rate of infection and improve the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Bone Cements/therapeutic use* ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Diabetic Foot/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia/surgery*

Compounds isolated from Epimedium include the total flavonoids of Epimedium , icariin, and its metabolites (icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II), which have similar molecular structures. Modern pharmacological research and clinical practice have proved that Epimedium and its active components have a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in improving sexual function, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immune function regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor activity. To date, we still need a comprehensive source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of Epimedium and its bioactive compounds on the male reproductive system. However, their actions in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. This review critically focuses on the Epimedium , its bioactive compounds, and the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the male reproductive system. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on the Epimedium and its bioactive compounds that protect the male reproductive system and provide some guidances for clinical treatment of related male reproductive disorders.
Male ; Epimedium/chemistry* ; Humans ; Genitalia, Male/drug effects* ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Animals

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Blood transfusion is one of the most commonly used supportive treatments for children with hematological diseases. This guideline provides guidance and recommendations for blood transfusions in children with aplastic anemia, thalassemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. This article presents the evidence and interpretation of the blood transfusion provisions for children with hematological diseases in the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion", aiming to assist in the understanding and implementing the blood transfusion section of this guideline.
Humans ; Child ; Hematologic Diseases/therapy* ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Blood transfusion for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is highly complex and challenging. This guideline provides recommendations on transfusion thresholds and the selection of blood components for these children. This article presents the evidence and interpretation of the transfusion provisions for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with the aim of enhancing the understanding and implementation of the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion".
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Child ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Critically ill children often present with anemia and have a higher demand for transfusions compared to other pediatric patients. This guideline provides guidance and recommendations for blood transfusions in cases of general critical illness, septic shock, acute brain injury, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, non-life-threatening bleeding, and hemorrhagic shock. This article interprets the background and evidence of the blood transfusion provisions for critically ill and severely bleeding children in the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion", aiming to enhance understanding and implementation of this aspect of the guidelines. Citation:Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2025, 27(4): 395-403.
Humans ; Critical Illness ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Child ; Hemorrhage/therapy* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices in pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Children undergoing cardiac surgery are at high risk of bleeding, and the causes of perioperative anemia and coagulation disorders in neonates and children are complex and varied, often necessitating the transfusion of allogeneic blood components. This guideline provides direction and recommendations for specific measures in blood management for children undergoing cardiac surgery before, during, and after surgery. This article interprets the background and evidence for the formulation of the blood transfusion provisions for children undergoing cardiac surgery, hoping to facilitate the understanding and implementation of this guideline.
Humans ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Child ; Practice Guidelines as Topic