BACKGROUND:Osteoporotic fracture is the most serious complication of osteoporosis.Previous studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota has a regulatory effect on skeletal tissue and that gut microbiota has an important relationship with osteoporotic fracture,but the causal relationship between the two is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporotic fractures using Mendelian randomization method. METHODS:The genome-wide association study(GWAS)datasets of gut microbiota and osteoporotic fracture were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS database and the Finnish database R9,respectively.Using gut microbiota as the exposure factor and osteoporotic fracture as the outcome variable,Mendelian randomization analyses with random-effects inverse variance weighted,MR-Egger regression,weighted median,simple model,and weighted model methods were performed to assess whether there is a causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporotic fracture.Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the reliability and robustness of the results.Reverse Mendelian randomization analyses were performed to further validate the causal relationship identified in the forward Mendelian randomization analyses. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of this Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporotic fracture.Elevated abundance of Actinomycetales[odds ratio(OR)=1.562,95%confidence interval(CI):1.027-2.375,P=0.037),Actinomycetaceae(OR=1.561,95%CI:1.027-2.374,P=0.037),Actinomyces(OR=1.544,95%CI:1.130-2.110,P=0.006),Butyricicoccus(OR=1.781,95%CI:1.194-2.657,P=0.005),Coprococcus 2(OR=1.550,95%CI:1.068-2.251,P=0.021),Family ⅩⅢ UCG-001(OR=1.473,95%CI:1.001-2.168,P=0.049),Methanobrevibacter(OR=1.274,95%CI:1.001-1.621,P=0.049),and Roseburia(OR=1.429,95%CI:1.015-2.013,P=0.041)would increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures in patients.Elevated abundance of Bacteroidia(OR=0.660,95%CI:0.455-0.959,P=0.029),Bacteroidales(OR=0.660,95%CI:0.455-0.959,P=0.029),Christensenellacea(OR=0.725,95%CI:0.529-0.995,P=0.047),Ruminococcaceae(OR=0.643,95%CI:0.443-0.933,P=0.020),Enterorhabdus(OR=0.558,95%CI:0.395-0.788,P=0.001),Eubacterium rectale group(OR=0.631,95%CI:0.435-0.916,P=0.016),Lachnospiraceae UCG008(OR=0.738,95%CI:0.546-0.998,P=0.048),and Ruminiclostridium 9(OR=0.492,95%CI:0.324-0.746,P=0.001)would reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures in patients.We identified 16 gut microbiota associated with osteoporotic fracture by the Mendelian randomization method.That is,using gut microbiota as the exposure factor and osteoporotic fracture as the outcome variable,eight gut microbiota showed positive causal associations with osteoporotic fracture and another eight gut microbiota showed negative causal associations with osteoporotic fracture.The results of this study not only identify new biomarkers for the early prediction of osteoporotic fracture and potential therapeutic targets in clinical practice,but also provide an experimental basis and theoretical basis for the study of improving the occurrence and prognosis of osteoporotic fracture through gut microbiota in bone tissue engineering.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication patterns of rituximab (RTX) combined with TCM on treating children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). Methods: One hundred and forty-three children with SDNS who visited the Pediatric Nephrology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled. A cohort study design was adopted, with " RTX treatment" as the exposure factor. Children who met this exposure factor were assigned to the RTX cohort (RTX, glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment), whereas those who did not were assigned to the basic treatment cohort (glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment ), and followed up for 6 months. The frequency of urinary protein recurrences, urinary protein remission duration, proportion and duration of steroid reduction and cessation, cumulative usage of steroids, proportion of recurrence, recurrence amount of steroid used, efficacy of TCM syndrome, and laboratory and safety indicators after treatment, and height and CD19+ B cell count before and after treatment were compared between the two cohorts. The medication patterns of TCM in the two cohorts were analyzed using frequency statistics, association rule analysis, and systematic clustering analysis. Results: Compared with the basic treatment cohort, the RTX cohort showed a decrease in the frequency of urinary protein recurrence, extended sustained remission of urinary protein, an increase in the proportion of steroid reduction and cessation, a shorter duration of steroid reduction and cessation, a decrease in cumulative steroid dosage, a lower recurrence rate, a decrease in CD19+ B cell count, and a decrease in 24-h urinary total protein quantification and the level of cholesterol (P<0.05). No significant difference in the recurrence amount of steroid used, height, TCM syndrome efficacy, albumin, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, platelet count, and safety indicators between the two cohorts. Children with SDNS were mostly characterized by qi and yin deficiency syndrome, followed by spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome. A total of 175 TCMs were included, including 28 high-frequency drugs such as Huangqi, Fuling, Gancao, Baizhu, Dangshen, and Jiuyurou. The primary use of medication is to nourish the qi and spleen, nourish the kidney, and warm yang. The analysis of association rules yielded eight binary associations and ten three-phase associations, with Huangqi, Baizhu, Fuling, and Dangshen, being the most closely related. Cluster analysis identified four TCM combinations, primarily focusing on tonifying kidney and replenishing essence, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and removing blood stasis. Conclusion RTX combined with TCM syndrome differentiation treatment can reduce the recurrence frequency of SDNS, prolong the remission period, reduce the glucocorticoid dosage, and have no marked effect on height growth. No apparent adverse reactions were observed. TCM should focus on nourishing qi and yin while removing blood stasis.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma(ENKTL)with B-lymphocytosis.Methods Two cases of ENKTL with B-lymphocytosis diagnosed in Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from June to September 2023 were collected.HE staining,immunohistochemistry,and in situ hybridisation Epstein-barr virus encoded small RNA(EBER)testing was used to observe the histological features,immunophenotypes,and results of the in situ hybridisation EBER testing.A review of the relevant literature was conducted.Results In two cases of elderly male patients,whose lesion sites were on both the right side of the nasal cavity,histological characteristics of the tumor cells were diffuse distribution.The cells were of different sizes,mainly medium and large cells,with irregular nuclei,stained or transparent cytoplasm,oval nuclei,granular chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli.Nuclear schizophrenia was more common and coagulative necrosis and apoptosis were evident.Foci of small lymphocyte aggregates were seen in the background and lymphoid follicles were distributed in a scattered manner.Immunohistochemical CD2,CD3,CD56,TIA-1 and granzyme B(GrB)were positive.CD20,CD79a and PAX-5 were focal positive.CD21,CD23 and CD35 had residual FDC network,and CD5 was negative.Ki-67 proliferation index was approximately 30%.EBER tumor cells detected by in situ hybridisation were positive.Pathological diagnosis showed ENKTL with B-lymphocytosis.Conclusion NKTL with B-lymphocytosis was rare,especially when B-lymphocyte hyperplasia formed lymphoid follicles.Lack of experience can easily cause diagnostic difficulties,and comprehensive analysis and diagnosis should be combined with the clinical manifestations,histological morphology and immunophenotype.

BACKGROUND:Compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule has good therapeutic effects on early steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head,but the exact mechanism of treatment is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule on fucosyltransferase 8,osteogenic gene and Wnt/β-catenin in bone tissue of rats with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS:Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into blank group,model group,low-,middle-,and high-dose drug groups(n=12 per group).In the latter four groups,animal models of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head were established by subcutaneous injection of imiquimod(once every 2 weeks,2 times in total)and gluteal muscle injection of methylprednisolone(once a week,4 times in total).The low-,middle-and high-dose drug groups were given 1.89,3.78 and 7.56 g/kg per day compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule solution by gavage respectively on the second day after the last modeling.The same amount of saline was given by gavage to the model group.Administration lasted 8 weeks.After the administration,micro-CT scan,histological staining,compression test,RT-qPCR and western blot were performed on the femoral head. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Micro-CT scan results showed that compared with the blank group,trabecular volume fraction,trabecular number and trabecular thickness were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while trabecular separation was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule could increase trabecular volume fraction,trabecular number and trabecular thickness(P<0.05),and decrease trabecular separation(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that compared with the model group,the rate of empty bone lacunae was reduced in a dose-dependent group in the low-,middle-,and high-dose compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule groups(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with the blank group,the protein expression of fucosyltransferase 8,Runx2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 was reduced in the model group(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule increased the protein expression of fucosyltransferase 8,Runx2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).Results from the compression test showed that there was a dose-dependent increase in the maximum load and elastic modulus of the femoral head in the low-,middle-,and high-dose compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule groups compared with the model group(P<0.05).RT-qPCR and western blot results showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of fucosyltransferase 8,Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,osteoblast-specific transcription factor and bone morphogenetic protein 2 were decreased in the model group compared with the blank group(P<0.05);compared with the model group,there was a dose-dependent increase in the mRNA and protein expressions of the above indicators in the low-,middle-,and high-dose compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule groups compared with the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the blank group,the mRNA and protein expression of Wnt2,low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 and β-catenin were decreased(P<0.05)and the mRNA and protein expressions of glycogen synthase kinase 3β were increased(P<0.05)in the model group;compared with the model group,there was a dose-dependent increase in the mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt2,low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 and β-catenin(P<0.05)but a dose-dependent decrease in the mRNA and protein expressions of lycogen synthase kinase 3β(P<0.05)in the low-,middle-,and high-dose compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule groups.To conclude,the mechanism by which the compound Shengmai Chenggu capsule treats steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head may activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through the up-regulation of fucosyltransferase 8,thereby promoting bone formation.

BACKGROUND:The majority of studies on developmental dysplasia of the hip focus on hip malformations,but there are few reports on the effects of acetabular dysplasia on the spine. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the compensation of spinopelvic parameters in coronal and sagittal views in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip,and to explore the correlation between acetabular development and spinopelvic parameters. METHODS:A total of 101 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to June 2022 were selected as the trial group,and 114 healthy subjects were selected as the control group during the same period.The spinopelvic parameters of the subjects were measured through the full-length X-ray films of the coronal and sagittal spines:lumbar lordosis,anterior pelvic tilt,thoracolumbar kyphosis,Cobb angle,and the distance between the C7 plumb line and the center sacral vertical line,sacral slope,pelvic incidence,and thoracic kyphosis.The differences in spinopelvic parameters were compared between the two groups.In addition,the differences in spinopelvic parameters in patients with unilateral,bilateral and different Crowe classifications of developmental dysplasia of the hip were compared.Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between Sharp angle and spinopelvic parameters. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the sagittal view,the lumbar lordosis in the trial group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The pelvic tilt and kyphosis angle of the thoracolumbar segment in the trial group were significantly greater than those in the control group(P<0.05).In the coronary position,the Cobb angle and the distance between the C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line in the trial group were significantly greater than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the remaining spinopelvic parameters between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The lumbar lordosis of patients with bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip was significantly lower than that of patients with unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip(P<0.05).The pelvic tilt,thoracolumbar kyphosis,Cobb angle and the distance between the C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line in bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip patients were significantly greater than those in unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip patients(P<0.05).(3)The lumbar lordosis decreased with the increase of Crowe classification severity(P<0.05).The pelvic tilt increased with the severity of the Crowe classification(P<0.05).(4)Pearson correlation analysis showed that Sharp angle was negatively correlated with lumbar lordosis(P<0.05),while Sharp angle was positively correlated with anterior pelvic tilt,Cobb angle,C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line(P<0.05).(5)It is concluded that the pelvic tilt,thoracolumbar kyphosis,Cobb angle and the distance between the C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line increase,while lumbar lordosis decreases in developmental dysplasia of the hip patients.The degree of acetabular dysplasia was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis,pelvic tilt,Cobb angle,C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line.

BACKGROUND:The problem of intervertebral disc injury and degeneration has been studied in many ways.Many studies have shown that intervertebral disc injury and degeneration is driven by mechanical loading factors.However,the potential relationship between common phenotypes of intervertebral disc injury and degeneration and mechanical loading factors has been rarely summarized. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the types of common structural abnormalities exhibited by intervertebral disc injury and degeneration in the published literature,and sum up the potential links to the types of mechanical loading that lead to these structural abnormalities in in vitro and ex vivo experimental studies. METHODS:Using the terms"intervertebral disc failure,intervertebral disc injury,mechanical load,mechanical factor,load factor,biomechanics"as Chinese and English key words in PubMed,CNKI,and WanFang databases,articles related to intervertebral disc injury degeneration and mechanical load factors were retrieved.Literature screening was performed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,and 88 articles were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Common structural abnormalities of intervertebral discs include decreased intervertebral disc height,disc bulge,osteophyte formation,annulus fibrosus tear,intervertebral disc herniation or disc prolapse,endplate damage,Schmorl nodes and intervertebral disc calcification.Intervertebral discs are susceptible to mechanical load types such as compression,bending,axial rotation,and compound loads.(2)The compressive load mainly causes the decrease of the proteoglycan content and the water-binding ability of the intervertebral disc,leading to the decrease or swelling of the intervertebral disc and further damage and degeneration of the intervertebral disc.In addition,the excessive compressive load causes greater damage to the endplate.(3)Bending load and axial rotation load damage the annulus fibrosus more than the endplate,and prolonged or repeated bending loads can cause tearing of the fibrous annulus and herniation or prolapse of the intervertebral disc,while pure axial rotation loads can induce less damage to the intervertebral disc and only cause the tear of the annulus fibrosus.(4)However,when different load types act in combination,it is more likely to result in high stress on the disc and a greater risk of disc injury.(5)Injury and degeneration of the intervertebral disc present progressive structural damage,and early prevention and protection are particularly important in clinical practice.Future tissue engineering research can start with early repair of the intervertebral disc.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture is a common fracture secondary to osteoporosis,and there is currently a lack of effective predictive indicators and methods for osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the predictive effects of paravertebral muscle degeneration,functional cross-sectional area,and percentage of fat infiltration on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS:The 224 patients with osteoporosis diagnosed from January 2018 to June 2022 were included.They were followed up for more than 2 years.They were divided into fracture group and non-fracture group according to the presence and absence of vertebral fracture.The detailed information of demographics,body mass index,bone mineral density and so on were collected.The functional cross-sectional area and percentage of fat infiltration of bilateral Psoas major muscle and extensor dorsi(Erector spinae muscles muscle and multifidus muscle)at the level of lower endplate of L2 vertebral body were measured and calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)224 patients were ultimately included,of which 126 had fractures as the fracture group and 98 had no fractures as the non-fracture group.There was no statistically significant difference in age,gender,height,body mass,body mass index,and fracture segment between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The bone mineral density of the fracture group was significantly lower than that of the non-fracture group(P<0.05).Functional cross-sectional areas of Psoas major muscle and extensor dorsi in the fracture group were significantly lower than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).The percentage of fat infiltration of the extensor dorsi in the fracture group was significantly higher than that in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in percentage of fat infiltration of Psoas major muscle between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the vertebral bone mineral density,percentage of fat infiltration of extensor dorsi,functional cross-sectional area of extensor dorsi and percentage of fat infiltration of Psoas major muscle were 0.903 g/cm2,35.426%,418.875 mm2,and 6.375%,respectively.The areas under curve were 0.634,0.755,0.876,and 0.585,respectively.(4)These findings indicate that paravertebral muscle degeneration is strongly associated with the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.The functional cross-sectional area of extensor dorsi muscle can effectively predict the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,which is helpful for early prevention and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture is a common fracture secondary to osteoporosis.At present,there is no effective prediction index and method for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the predictive effect of the comprehensive index of lumbar vertebral body bone strength on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. METHODS:233 patients with osteoporosis were divided into a fracture group and a non-fracture group according to whether a vertebral fracture occurred.The demography,body mass index,vertebral bone mineral density and other details were collected.Lateral X-ray films of the lumbar spine were photographed.The vertebral body width,vertebral body length,sacral slope,pelvic tilt,pelvic incidence,lumbar compressive strength index and the lumbar impact strength index were measured,calculated,and analyzed by univariate and multivariate,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed.The survival analysis was conducted according to the cut-off value. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All patients were followed up for 2-4 years,with an average of 3.1 years.During the follow-up period,99 cases(38 cases of L1 vertebral body,61 cases of L2 vertebral body)had fractures(fracture group),and 134 cases(52 cases of L1 vertebral body,82 cases of L2 vertebral body)had no fractures(non-fracture group).Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in age,sex,height,body mass,body mass index and fracture segment between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)Lumbar compressive strength index and lumbar impact strength index in the fracture group were lower than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).Pelvic incidence and pelvic tilt in the fracture group were higher than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).(3)Multivariate analysis showed that lumbar compressive strength index,lumbar impact strength index and pelvic tilt were risk factors for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(P<0.05).(4)Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff values of vertebral bone mineral density,lumbar compressive strength index,lumbar impact strength index,pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence were 0.913 5 g/cm2,1.932,0.903,21.5° and 55°,respectively;areas under the curve were 0.630,0.800,0.911,0.633 and 0.568,respectively.(5)According to the survival analysis(with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture as the end point),the average survival time of the patients with lumbar impact strength index≥0.903 was significantly longer than that of the patients with lumbar impact strength index<0.903(P<0.05).(6)These findings conclude that the comprehensive index of lumbar vertebral body bone strength is more accurate than the bone mineral density of the vertebral body and spine-pelvis sagittal parameters in predicting osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,which is helpful for early prevention and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Objective:To assess the prevalence of dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) and related factors in urban adults in China.Methods:The study was designed as an observational, cross-sectional epidemiological study carried out in adults aged 18-69 years old in seven cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chengdu, Xi′an, Guangzhou, and Harbin) of China. The study was conducted from March 2021 to May 2023. Patients were required to complete a questionnaire regarding the subjects′ socio-economic factors, dietary behavior, oral health behavior and personal antecedent factors. DH was clinically diagnosed by judging whether the tooth cold air stimulation provoked DH or not, and recorded by investigator pain rating Schiff score. Compare the findings of six cities (Harbin excluded) with a similar study conducted in 2008.Results:In total, 11 622 subjects from seven cities in China participated the study. Fifty two point two percent (6 072/11 622) of subjects reported DH in questionnaire, 36.7% (4 266/11 622) of subjects reported experiencing DH in response to cold air stimulation for at least one study tooth. Risk factors including age, sex, city, toothbrush method and acid reflux showed marked associations with DH ( P<0.05). The prevalence of DH of urban residents in six cities (Harbin excluded) was 33.7% (3 335/9 882), higher than that in 2008 [29.7%(2 354/7 939)]. Conclusions:Overall, DH was common among urban adults in China and the prevalence increased in recent years. Better understanding of DH and its associated factors should be considered in its prevention and management by dental professionals.

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of apoptosis small-molecule probe CYS-F for in vivo molecular imaging in acute middle cerebral artery embolization and recalculation models,and to explore its ability to reflect lesions.Materials and Methods Hela cell apoptosis was induced by Adriamycin,and the targeting ability of the probe was verified in vitro.Clinical middle cerebral artery embolization was simulated,acute ischemic stroke model(n=15)and recanalization model(n=15)were constructed,and the vessels were evaluated by magnetic resonance angiography imaging.The distribution of CYS-F was investigated by injecting the probe into the caudal vein.24 hours after modeling,the lesion volume rate was assessed on T2WI,and apoptosis was assessed in vivo by near infrared imaging.Niss and c-fos staining were used to compare the differences between the two groups.Results CYS-F showed a good ability to target apoptosis in vitro.After modeling,Doppler flowmeter and magnetic resonance angiography showed that the middle cerebral artery was successfully embolized in the embolization group,and the artery was recanalized in the recanalization group.Near infrared imaging showed the loss of fluorescence signal in the middle cerebral artery region in the embolized group.24 hours after modeling,T2WI showed that the infarct volume rate in the recanalization group was significantly lower than that in the embolization group(0.055±0.015 vs.0.512±0.220;t=19.761,P<0.001).The fluorescence intensity of the embolization group was significantly stronger than that of the recusing group,the target to background ratio was 1.215±0.162 and 0.731±0.085,respectively(t=10.252,P<0.001).In the embolization group,a large number of activated neurons expressed c-fos protein,and a large number of cells underwent nuclear condensation and lysis by Niss staining.Conclusion The acute embolization model and recalculation model of middle cerebral artery in mice are close to the clinic.CYS-F can be used to image apoptosis in vivo,reflect the lesion degree,and reflect the local tissue blood perfusion at the initial stage of injection.