BACKGROUND:Scholars at home and abroad consider New Zealand rabbits to be an ideal model animal because of the similar anatomical morphology of the lumbar spine to that of the human lumbar spine.There is a lack of systematic comparison of different ways to establish rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration models under X-ray guidance. OBJECTIVE:To establish a rabbit model of lumbar disc degeneration using X-ray guided acupuncture,end-plate injection and combined method,and to compare the modeling effects of these three methods. METHODS:Eighteen 6-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were randomly selected and divided into four groups:acupuncture group,endplate injection group,combined group and blank control group.In the acupuncture group,three consecutive segments of the intervertebral discs(L2/3,L3/4,L4/5)were needled and modeled;in the endplate injection group,50 μL of anhydrous ethanol was injected at a single point on the endplates of the three consecutive segmental discs;in the combined group,three consecutive segmental intervertebral discs were needled and injected with 50 μL of anhydrous ethanol at four azimuthal points on the endplates of the corresponding segmental discs;and the blank control group received no interventions.X-ray examination was performed to measure the disc height index at 2,4,and 8 weeks after surgery.The intervertebral disc tissues were then taken for anatomical observation and pathological examination. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Anatomical examination showed that fibrous annulus rupture,nucleus pulposus degeneration,and total disc structure disorder were the main manifestation in the acupuncture group,endplate injection group,and combined group,respectively.(2)X-ray examination showed that the disc height index showed the most obvious reduction in the acupuncture group at 2 weeks after operation,significant reductions in the endplate injection group at 2 and 4 weeks after operation,and significant reductions in the combined group at 2,4,and 8 weeks after operation.(3)Pathological examination showed that the fibrous ring structure was damaged and the inner annulus fibrosus protruded inward in the acupuncture group;endplate fissure,disordered arrangement and nucleus loss were observed in the endplate injection group;total disc structure disorder with the nucleus pulposus losing water and shrinking and no obvious border with the broken annulus fibrosus was found in the combined group.To conclude,acupuncture,endplate injection and the modified endplate injection method can establish the rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration model.Compared with the single method,the modified endplate injection method can greatly accelerate and aggravate the degeneration of the intervertebral disc,and can effectively shorten the experiment period.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms distinguishing metabolically healthy from unhealthy phenotypes within the same BMI categories remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between regional fat distribution and metabolically unhealthy phenotypes in Chinese adults across different BMI categories. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involving 11833 Chinese adults aged 20 years and older. Covariance analysis, adjusted for age, compared the percentage of regional fat (trunk, leg, or arm fat divided by whole-body fat) between metabolically healthy and unhealthy participants. Trends in regional fat percentage with the number of metabolic abnormalities were assessed by the Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression models. All analyses were performed separately by sex. RESULTS: In non-obese individuals, metabolically unhealthy participants exhibited higher percent trunk fat and lower percent leg fat compared to healthy participants. Additionally, percent trunk fat increased and percent leg fat decreased with the number of metabolic abnormalities. After adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as BMI, higher percent trunk fat was associated with increased odds of being metabolically unhealthy [highest vs. lowest quartile: ORs (95%CI) of 1.64 (1.35, 2.00) for men and 2.00 (1.63, 2.46) for women]. Conversely, compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs (95%CI) of metabolically unhealthy phenotype in the highest quartile for percent arm and leg fat were 0.64 (0.53, 0.78) and 0.60 (0.49, 0.74) for men, and 0.72 (0.56, 0.93) and 0.46 (0.36, 0.59) for women, respectively. Significant interactions between BMI and percentage of trunk and leg fat were observed in both sexes, with stronger associations found in individuals with normal weight and overweight. CONCLUSIONS Trunk fat is associated with a higher risk of metabolically unhealthy phenotype, while leg and arm fat are protective factors. Regional fat distribution assessments are crucial for identifying metabolically unhealthy phenotypes, particularly in non-obese individuals.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Adipose Tissue ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Surveys ; Phenotype

BackgroundGenetic factor plays an important role in the pathogenesis of panic disorder. Previous studies have revealed that immune system dysregulation is closely related to mental disorders such as panic disorder， while the relationship between panic disorder and immune-related gene expression remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the expression of CXCL8， IL6R， JUN， PTGS2， TGFBR1， TLR2， CCR4 genes and panic disorder， providing references for the diagnosis and treatment of panic disorder. MethodsA total of 52 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder according to the Diagnosed and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fourth edition （DSM-IV） were enrolled at the Psychosomatic Medicine Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to March 2021. Another 72 healthy individuals matched for age and gender from Chengdu were concurrently recruited as control group. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale （PDSS） was used to assess the severity of symptoms in panic disorder patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was used to detect gene expression levels in two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to determine the correlation between PDSS score and immune-related gene expression in research group. ResultsThe expression of the JUN， PTGS2 and TGFBR1 genes were significant higher in panic disorder patients than those in control group （Z=-4.172， -2.086， -3.018， P<0.05 or 0.01）. After false discovery rate （FDR） correction for multiple testing， the differential expression of JUN and TGFBR1 genes remained statistically significant between two groups （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the expression of CCR4， CXCL8， IL6R and TLR2 genes between two groups （P>0.05）. Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of the JUN gene in panic disorder patients was positively correlated with PDSS score （r=0.360， P<0.01）， while the CCR4， CXCL8， IL6R， PTGS2， TGFBR1 and TLR2 genes showed no statistically significant correlation with the PDSS score （P>0.05）. ConclusionThe expression of the JUN and TGFBR1 genes may be associated with panic disorder， and the expression of the JUN gene correlated with the severity of panic disorder. ［Funded by Science and Technology Plan Project of Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology （number， 2021YJ0440）］

Nowadays,the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is constantly rising in China and globally,and its incidence rate is increasing year by year,which has seriously affected human life and health.Lipophagy is molecular chaperone-mediated autophagy and has the functions of promoting lipolysis,maintaining the lipid homeostasis of hepatocytes,and alleviating hepatocyte fatty degeneration.Lipophagy has three main processes of lipid droplet catabolism,lipid droplet autophagy,and fatty acid β-oxidation,which are regulated by key genes,receptors,and enzymes.Currently,important advances have been achieved for the intervention methods of traditional Chinese medicine,Western medicine,diet,and exercise in the research on lipophagy,which provides new perspectives for the prevention and treatment strategies for NAFLD.

Objective:The preliminary results was reported regarding the treatment of mesenteric torsion by mesenteric fixation in the last decade, especially preventing recurrence of mesenteric torsion by mesenteric fan-shaped fixation.Methods:We selected 12 patients who received emergency operation in Chongqing Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from December 2010 to March 2022. All of them were made a definite diagnose of mesenteric torsion by the preoperative CT scan or exploratory laparotomy. The recurrence of mesenteric torsion will be prevented by taking the operation of mesenteric fan-shaped fixation. This technique is suitable for the patient who is suffering total mesenteric torsion, but enteric necrosis is excluded affirmatively. The operation is consists of the following progress: (1) Exploratory laparotomy to check for necrosis of the bowel and for lesions other than torsion. (2) Mesenteric torsion derotation.(3) Mesenteric linear fixation; the right posterior lower border of the small mesentery (terminal ileal mesentery) is intermittently sutured to the posterior peritoneum of the right lower quadrant to increase the width of the base of the small mesentery. (4) Mesenteric fan-shaped fixation, which is fan-shaped to the lower left and fixed in the posterior peritoneum, shortening the length of the mesentery and further increasing the width of the mesentery and posterior peritoneal fixation.Results:A total of 12 patients with mesenteric torsion were treated by operation for 15 times in all. Among them, 3 cases received resection of most small bowel were performed without recurrence; 3 patients received only derotation for a total of 4 times, 2 cases recurred, 1 of them recurred twice; 4 cases underwent derotation and mesenteric linear fixation,and 1 case recurred. Four patients with derotation and mesenteric fan-shaped fixation recovered well without recurrence.Conclusion:Mesenteric fan-shaped fixation may be an effective operative type to reduce or avoid postoperative recurrence of mesenteric torsion.

Objective:To compare the effects of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBaP) versus traditional right ventricular pacing (RVP) on left ventricular function in patients after dual-chamber pacemaker implantation.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation from March 2017 to April 2021 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. The patients were divided into the LBBaP group and RVP group based on the placement of the ventricular lead. Follow-up was conducted until March 2022, comparing baseline and follow-up echocardiographic parameters, pacing parameters, and the incidence and timing of complications between the two groups. The complications included ventricular electrode perforation, dislocation, pericardial effusion, tricuspid valve perforation, etc.Results:A total of 163 patients aged (68.3±13.5) years were included, including 82 (50.3%) men, with 80 patients in the LBBaP group and 83 in the RVP group. Baseline left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ((50.49±4.95) mm vs. (47.43±8.15) mm, P=0.01) and left atrium (LA) ((33.14±5.94) mm vs. (30.18±3.92) mm, P=0.001) in the LBBaP group were significantly higher than those in the RVP group. Follow-up LA diameter ((37.10±6.70) mm vs. (40.10±8.90) mm, P=0.016) showed a statistically significant difference in the LBBaP group compared to the RVP group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in baseline QRS duration( P=0.490). Postoperative QRS duration in the LBBaP group was significantly lower ((110.69±24.01) ms vs. (139.65±29.85) ms, P<0.010). Intraoperative threshold in the LBBaP group was significantly higher ((0.83±0.32) V/0.48 ms vs. (0.71±0.23) V/0.48 ms, P=0.004), while impedance was lower ((754.53±205.59) Ω vs. (905.41±302.75) Ω, P<0.01). Comparing with the RVP group, postoperative ventricular pacing ratio (VP) ((87.39±20.92) % vs. (79.49±25.76) %, P=0.034), threshold ((0.90±0.38) V/0.48 ms vs. (0.69±0.27) V/0.48 ms, P<0.01) in the LBBaP group were higher, and impedance ((507.45±77.37) Ω vs. (620.52±197.29) Ω, P<0.01) in the LBBaP group was lower. Postoperative follow-up period was 5 to 51 months, with a median follow-up time of 17 months. No statistically significant difference in overall complications between the LBBaP and RVP groups was found (13.8% (11/80) vs. 7.2% (6/83), P>0.05). The median time to occurrence of complications after surgery was significantly earlier in the LBBaP group (29.74 (95% CI 27.21-32.26) months vs. 46.17 (95% CI 42.48-49.86) months, P=0.030). Conclusion:LBBaP demonstrates more stable pacing parameters, substantial improvement in clinical left ventricular function, with a relatively higher threshold compared to traditional RVP, and complications occurs relatively early.

Objective To explore the value of dynamic ultrasound combined with 3.0T MRI for diagnosing and typing synovial plica of knee joint.Methods Dynamic ultrasound and 3.0T MRI data of 100 patients with suspected synovial plica of knee joint were retrospectively analyzed.Taking the results of arthroscopy as standards,the efficacy of dynamic ultrasound and 3.0T MRI alone and their combination for diagnosing synovial plica of knee joint were evaluated and compared.The length and thickness of synovial plica of knee joint measured with dynamic ultrasound,3.0T MRI alone and their combination were compared with those of arthroscopy,and the consistencies of the location and classification of synovial plica of knee joint with arthroscopy were analyzed.Results Synovial plica was detected in 70 cases,including 11 cases of supropatellar synovial plica,15 cases of infrapatellar synovial plica,medial patellar in 30 cases and lateral patellar synovial plica in 14 cases,among them type A,B,C and D were classified in 9,35,23 and 3 cases,respectively.No significant difference of sensitivity was found between dynamic ultrasound and 3.0T MRI alone for diagnosing synovial plica of knee joint(P＞0.05),which were both lower than that of their combination(both P＜0.05).The length and thickness of knee synovial plica measured with dynamic ultrasound and 3.0T MRI alone were lower than those measured with their combination and arthroscopy(all P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference between the results of their combination and arthroscopy(both P＞0.05).Dynamic ultrasound,3.0T MRI alone and their combination had high consistency of location(Kappa=0.755,0.826,0.897)and classification of knee synovial plica with those of arthroscopy(Kappa=0.721,0.744,0.860).Conclusion Dynamic ultrasound combined with 3.0T MRI was valuable for diagnosing and typing of synovial plica of knee joint.

Purpose To explore the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasound(US)combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in breast lesions and to analyze the related factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy.Materials and Methods From January 2022 to February 2023,the clinical data and ultrasound images of 784 patients who underwent breast US and CEUS examination with definite pathological results were retrospectively collected in the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital.The diagnostic efficacy of US combined with CEUS in benign and malignant breast lesions was analyzed,respectively.The independent risk factors for diagnostic errors were analyzed via Logistic regression.Results The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of US combined with CEUS in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions were 89.2%,84.4%and 88.7%,respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.932.The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the diagnosis error rate increased when the lesions were non-mass type(odds ratio,OR=1.927,P=0.047),complex cystic and solid(OR=3.729,P=0.000),and high-enhanced CEUS(OR=1.937,P=0.023),while the diagnosis error rate decreased when the lesions were large(OR=0.688,P=0.004)and with US-detect suspicious lymph node(OR=0.143,P=0.011).Conclusion When the breast lesions are non-mass type,complex cystic and solid lesions and hyper-enhancement,the diagnosis error rate of US combined with CEUS increased.It is necessary to further explore the enhancement patterns of different lesions.

Purpose To explore the correlation between phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine kinase(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway and elastic characteristics of breast lesions.Materials and Methods A total of 115 breast lesions were prospectively analyzed in 114 patients who underwent surgery from May 2021 to May 2022 at Chinese PLA General Hospital.Ultrasound and shear wave elastography were performed preoperatively.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of PI3K/AKT protein levels in the tissue specimens,and the correlation between the staining results and the elastic parameters of shear wave elastography was analyzed.Results Surgical pathology revealed benign breast lesions in 50 cases and malignant lesions in 65 cases(25 cases with axillary lymph node metastasis).The maximum modulus of elasticity(F=40.47),the average modulus of elasticity(F=45.11),the ratio of elasticity of the lesion to that of the surrounding tissue(F=48.98),the detection rate of"hard ring sign"(χ2=62.25),the expression level of PI3K/p-PI3K(F=15.19,58.95)and AKT/p-AKT(F=46.94,74.21)were found in benign and malignant lesions without axillary lymph node metastasis,malignant lesions with axillary lymph node metastasis(all P<0.05).The expression levels of PI3K/p-PI3K and AKT/p-AKT were positively correlated with the maximum elastic modulus value,the mean elastic modulus value,and the ratio of elasticity of the lesion to the surrounding tissues(r=0.475,0.475,0.451;r=0.533,0.540,0.542;r=0.371,0.402,0.445;r=0.482,0.455,0.545,all P<0.05).Conclusion The expression level of PI3K/AKT in breast lesions is correlated with elastic characteristics,suggesting that it plays an important role in the regulation of elastic characteristics of breast lesions.

Renal glomus tumor is rare, and this report describes two cases of it. Two patients, aged 37 and 60 years old, were admitted to the hospital due to renal masses discovered during physical examinations. Both cases underwent preoperative ultrasound and CT examinations, which revealed a left kidney tumor and a fully endogenous renal tumor in the left kidney, respectively. Subsequently, they received appropriate surgical interventions, with one case undergoing radical nephrectomy and the other undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Postoperative pathology revealed a glomus tumor and a glomus tumor of undetermined malignant potential, respectively. No recurrence or metastasis was observed in either case. At the 121-month and 14-month follow-up, respectively, there was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis.