BACKGROUND:At present,modern medical treatment has certain limitations on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.Traditional Chinese medicine alkaloids can effectively prevent and treat knee osteoarthritis through various mechanisms. OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism of alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis,providing a scientific basis for the clinical development of drugs for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,Web of Science and Google Scholar were retrieved for relevant literature published from database inception to May 2024.The key words were"knee osteoarthritis""osteoarthritis""osteoclast""chondrocyte""alkaloids"in Chinese and English.Duplicates and obsolete non-referenced literature were excluded,and a total of 68 eligible papers were included for further review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Although traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of treating knee osteoarthritis,only a small number of natural compounds are in the preclinical stage of research against knee osteoarthritis.Alkaloids have a greater potential for the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis,among which,sophocarpidine,oxymatrine,sinomenine,and betaine have been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis by modulating multiple signaling pathways.Alkaloids can delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting inflammatory response,exerting antioxidant response,inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis,promoting chondrocyte proliferation,and inhibiting osteoclast formation and differentiation.

Objective To analyze the factors influencing early-onset sepsis in preterm infants and construct nomogram model.Methods A total of 124 neonates with premature sepsis admitted to Shanxi Children's Hospital(Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hos-pital)from January 2020 to December 2021 were collected.According to gestational age,the neonates were divided into premature group(n=33)and full-term group(n=91),and the clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared,and nomogram model was es-tablished to internally validate the predictiveness and accuracy of the model.Results Compared with the full-term group,the proportion of females in premature group was higher(x2=7.147,P＜0.05),the 1min Apgarscore in premature group was lower(x2=-3.398,P＜0.05),the proportion of perinatal mothers with pregnancy complications in premature group was higher(x2=7.846,P＜0.05),the incidence of pneumonia and poor response in preterm infants of premature group were higher(x2=18.210,P＜0.05;x2=14.814,P＜0.05),but the incidence of jaundice in premature group was lower(x2=10.400,P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that female and pneumonia were risk factors for early-onset sepsis in preterm infants(P＜0.05).The results of the nomogram model showed that the C-index of the model was 0.886.The predicted incidence was generally consistent with the actual incidence,the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.886,and the decision curve showed a high net benefit value at threshold proba-bilities of 4％-100％.Conclusion Female,preterm infants with pneumonia have a higher risk of early-onset sepsis.The nomogram model of premature sepsis constructed in this study has high clinical value and can provide a reference basis for clinical prevention of early-onset sepsis in preterm infants.

Objective:To investigate the expression of retinoic acid receptor responsive gene 2 (RARRES2), microtubule microfilament cross-linking factor 1 (MACF1), and core protein polysaccharide (DCN) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with neurosyphilis, and their diagnostic value for neurosyphilis.Methods:A total of 64 non neurosyphilis syphilis patients (syphilis group) and 78 neurosyphilis patients (neurosyphilis group) admitted to the Second Hospital of Nanjing between June 2020 and September 2022 were included. Among neurosyphilis patients, there were 48 early neurosyphilis patients (early group) and 30 late neurosyphilis patients (late group). Patients with neurosyphilis are treated with routine symptomatic therapy and antibiotic therapy to expel syphilis. The mRNA levels of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN in CSF of patients with neurosyphilis before and after treatment were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate the neurological function of patients with neurosyphilis before and after treatment. The diagnostic value of various indicators for neurosyphilis was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results:The mRNA levels of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN in CSF of patients with neurosyphilis were higher than those in the syphilis group (all P<0.001). The mRNA levels of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN in the CSF of patients with advanced neurosyphilis were higher than those in the early group (all P<0.001). Compared with before treatment, the NIHSS score and RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN mRNA levels of neurosyphilis patients decreased after treatment (all P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of the combined diagnosis of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN mRNA in CSF for neurosyphilis were 0.995%, 100.00%, and 93.75%, respectively. The AUC and sensitivity were higher than those of individual diagnosis. Conclusions:The expression of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN is elevated in CSF of patients with neurosyphilis, and is associated with disease severity and treatment response. These three genes may be candidate biomarkers for diagnosing neurosyphilis.

Objective To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation versus thyroidectomy in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTN) and to explore the influencing factors of prognosis. Methods A total of 282 BTN patients were enrolled and divided into ablation group (treated with ultrasound-guided microwave ablation, n=172) and resection group (treated with thyroidectomy, n=110) based on treatment methods. Perioperative indicators and thyroid function indices before and after surgery were compared between the two groups. Patients were followed up for 1 year and divided into good prognosis group [volume reduction rate (VRR)≥80%, n=210] and a poor prognosis group (VRR < 80%, n=72) based on the VRR. Factors influencing the prognosis of BTN patients were analyzed. Results The ablation group had shorter operative time and hospital stay, less intraoperative blood loss, and lower postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores compared to the resection group (P < 0.05). One month after surgery, serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels were higher, while free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were lower than preoperative levels in both groups, however, TSH level was lower, and FT3 and FT4 levels were higher in the ablation group compared to the resection group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative TSH levels, the proportion of solid nodules, and the proportion of nodules in the risk zone were lower, while preoperative FT4 levels were higher in the good prognosis group compared to the poor prognosis group (P < 0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that nodule type, nodule location, preoperative TSH, and preoperative FT4 were all influencing factors for the prognosis of BTN patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion Compared to thyroidectomy, ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for BTN offers advantages such as less intraoperative blood loss, milder postoperative pain, shorter operative time and hospital stay, and less damage to thyroid function. Preoperative TSH and FT4 levels, nodule type, and nodule location are closely related to the prognosis of BTN patients and should be given attention in clinical practice.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of high-definition diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)sequence combined with T1 WI-fat suppression(FS)dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE)sequence for preoperative T-stage of rectal cancer by using 3.0T MRI standardized scanning.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on MRI images of 57 patients with rectal cancer confirmed by pathology.Before surgery,the patients underwent 3.0T MRI standardized rectal cancer scan methods,including routine sequence,high-definition DWI sequence,and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,etc.Then two experienced physicians evaluated the T-stage of preoperative rectal cancer through high-definition DWI(transverse and sagittal sections)and T1 WI-FS DCE sequences in the double-blind method.Using the postoperative pathological results of rectal cancer as the"gold standard",two sequences were combined to evaluate the accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of rectal cancer T-stage.Results Among the 57 cases,there were 9 cases of upper rectal cancer,39 cases of middle rectal cancer,and 9 cases of lower rectal cancer.The accuracy rates of preoperative T-stage diagnosis for rectal cancer by two evaluator were both 85.7％(6/7)in T1 stage,88.2％(15/17)and 94.1％(16/17)in T2 stage,96.9％(31/32)and 93.8％(30/32)in T3 stage,and both 100.0％(1/1)in T4 stage.For evaluator 1,the sensitivity and specificity of the rectal cancer T-stage diagnosis were 96.1％and 83.3％,and for evaluator 2 were 94.1％and 83.3％,respectively.For rectal cancer MRI diagnosis,the accuracy rates and sensitivity were higher when combining the high-definition DWI sequence and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,compared with a single high-definition DWI sequence or T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,and the difference was statistically significant.The average preoperative apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of rectal cancer was compared between the corresponding postoperative pathological T1 to T4 stage groups,and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion The combination of high-definition DWI sequence and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence improves the accuracy of rectal cancer T-stage,providing assistance for personalized clinical treatment.

Objective To evaluates the impact of early application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)on muscle strength,clinical outcomes,and long-term quality of life improvements in patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods A total of 75 patients diagnosed with SAP and ARDS admitted in Department of Critical Care Medicine of our hospital from September 2022 to August 2023 were recruited and then randomly divided into NMES group(n=37)and control group(n=38).After 16 patients were excluded,including 8 died during treatment,3 discharged and 5 received palliative care,there were finally 29 patients in the NMES group and 30 in the control group.Within 48 h after ICU admission,the NMES group received NMES 1 h per day,for 7 d in addition to standard rehabilitation intervention.While,the control group were given conventional interventions for rehabilitation.Assessments at baseline and post-treatment included the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness(ICU-AW),Medical Research Council(MRC)score,duration of mechanical ventilation,lengths of ICU and total hospital stays,and activity,thickness and thickening fraction of the diaphragm.Mortality rates and Barthel index(BI)for self-care ability in 1,3 and 6 months after discharge were recorded for follow-up assessments.Results The NMES group had significantly lower incidence of ICU-AW(P＜0.05),higher upper and lower limb MRC scores and overall MRC score at ICU discharge(P＜0.05),shorter durations of mechanical ventilation,ICU stay,and total hospital stay when compared with the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistical difference in the BI at 1 month post-discharge between the 2 groups,but the indexes at 3 and 6 months were notably higher in the NMES group than the control group(P＜0.05).No obvious differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of diaphragm activity,thickness,or thickening scores at enrollment,ICU discharge,or hospital discharge,nor in mortality rates at 1,3,and 6 months after discharge.Conclusion Combined NMES and early rehabilitation therapy can improve muscle strength and reduce length of hospital stay in SAP patients complicated with ARDS,and may enhance long-term quality of life.However,it does not significantly affect diaphragm function or mortality rates.

The management of hospital volunteers is one of the main tasks of medical social workers.In practical work,they are often in a dilemma due to ethical problems,which restricts the scientific development of hospital volunteer organizations.Based on the experience of frontline medical social workers in the"Guangji Boat"Volunteer Service Alliance of the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine,while investigating other public hospitals,this paper summarized and organized ethical issues,analyzed their causes,and proposed improvement strategies.The ethical dilemma of hospital volunteer service was mainly in the conflict between the dual relationship of human emotion and norm,the conflict between incentive mechanism and non-reward value,as well as the conflict between participation motivation and organizational goal.The ethical dilemma in the management of hospital volunteers was attributed to the lack of standardized practical operation systems.Based on the above ethical dilemmas,combined with the development experience of volunteer service in public hospitals,this paper proposed reasonable countermeasures to provide a reference for the management of hospital volunteers.

Objective:To investigate the application value of intraoperative motor nerve monitoring in cervical neurogenic tumor surgery.Methods:The efficacy of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) was analyzed retrospectively in 18 patients, including 6 males and 12 females, aged from 15 to 74 years, treated in Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University from June 2019 to September 2022 who underwent total cystectomy of cervical neurogenic tumors under intraoperative nerve monitoring.Results:All 18 patients had complete tumor removal, including 8 patients with tumors from the vagus nerve and 10 patients with tumors from the brachial plexus nerve. Postoperative nerve functions were normal in patients with tumors from brachial plexus nerve, and incomplete vocal cord paralysis occurred in 2 patients with tumors from vagus vagus nerve. The total incidence of motor nerve injury was 11.1% (2/18). All patients were followed up for 6 to 45 months, with no tumor recurrence.Conclusion:Intraoperative neuromonitoring has significant values in surgery of cervical neurogenic tumors, which is helpful to remove completely the tumors on the basis of protecting the nerve functions to the maximum extent.

Animals ; Monkeypox/drug therapy* ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases/therapeutic use* ; Macaca fascicularis

Background:Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)is a common digestive system disease with typical symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn,and high sensitivity of esophagus is an important cause of heartburn and other symptoms.TRPV1 and NaV1.8 may play an important role in the regulation of esophageal hypersensitivity,and the specific mechanism is not yet clear.Aims:To detect the expression levels of TRPV1 and NaV1.8 in esophageal sensory neuron in GERD state and explore their role in mediating esophageal hypersensitivity.Methods:Twelve guinea pigs were randomly divided into control group and GERD group.The GERD guinea pig model was established by drinking hydrochloric-pepsinogen acid water,the body mass of guinea pigs was monitored,the esophageal inflammatory histological score was performed,and the successful construction of the GERD model was verified by measuring the expression indicators of inflammatory factors.The heart rate variability method was used to detect whether the guinea pigs were in the state of visceral hypersensitivity.The expression and co-expression of TRPV1 and NaV1.8 in esophagus,nodular ganglion and jugular ganglion were detected by immunofluorescence,Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantification.Results:Compared with the control group,the score of esophageal inflammatory histology in GERD group was much higher than that in the control group(0.96 vs.0.22).The contents of esophageal inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 were decreased(P<0.05).The index of heart rate variability,low frequency to high frequency ratio(LF/HF)had no significant difference between the GERD group and the control group(P>0.05),and the LF/HF in the GERD group was higher than that in the control group after the molding(P<0.05).In esophagus and jugular,the expression levels of TRPV1 and NaV1.8 in GERD group were increased and the co-expression levels were up-regulated(P<0.05),while the expression levels in nodose were not significantly changed(P>0.05).Conclusions:In the case of esophageal acid exposure,the expression levels of TRPV1 and NaV1.8 in the esophageal mucosal epithelium increased,while the expression levels in jugular ganglion were up-regulated,thus promoting the transmission of pain signals in the vagus nerve pathway,and ultimately leading to the occurrence of esophageal hypersensitivity.