Objective:To analyze the correlation between paraspinal muscle parameters and the angle of degenerative thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis.Methods:From November 2021 to April 2023, a total of 90 female patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 67.62±4.98 years (range, 60-80 years), and the average height was 1.58±0.05 m (range, 1.48-1.70 m). Weight 63.79±9.13 kg (range, 47-90 kg), body mass index 25.48±3.35 kg/m 2 (range, 18.37-36.05 kg/m 2). The angle of kyphosis of the thoracolumbar segments was 6.65°±10.38° (range, -17.34° to 9.34°). Disease diagnosis: 32 cases of lumbar disc herniation and 58 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis. Frontal and lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar segments in the standing position were taken to measure the angle of kyphosis of the thoracolumbar segments; quantitative CT of the thoracolumbar segments and Osirix software were used to measure the parameters of the paravertebral muscles at the levels of T 12, L 3, and L 5, including paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area, skeletal muscle area, and tissue density, the proportion of fat infiltration, and the height-corrected skeletal muscle area index. The correlation between paraspinal muscle parameters and the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis was analyzed, and the factors affecting the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results:Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis and the tissue density of T 12 skeletal muscle ( r=-0.303, P=0.004) and L 5 skeletal muscle ( r=-0.219, P=0.038). Age was negatively correlated with T 12 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.263, P=0.012), T 12 height-corrected skeletal muscle area index ( r=-0.221, P=0.036), T 12 paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area ( r=-0.280, P=0.007), L 3 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.266, P=0.011) and L 5 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.290, P=0.006). There was no correlation between bone mineral density and paravertebral muscle parameters ( P>0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that T 12 skeletal muscle tissue density ( β=-1.125, P<0.001), T 12 fat-infiltrated proportion ( β=-0.849, P=0.001), L 3 skeletal muscle tissue density ( β=0.996, P<0.001), and L 3 fat-infiltrated proportion ( β=0.496, P=0.020) were independent factors influencing the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis . Conclusion:T 12 and L 3 paraspinal muscle density and fat-infiltrated proportion are independent factors affecting the angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis. The smaller the density and fat-infiltrated proportion of T 12 paraspinal muscle, and the larger the density and fat-infiltrated proportion of L 3 paraspinal muscle, the larger the angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis.

Objective To analyze the changes of serum humoral immunity related indicators, including immunoglobulins (Ig), complement and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with occupational medicamentose-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene (OMDT) at different stages. Methods A total of 131 OMDT patients were selected as the study subjects using a retrospective analysis method, and liver function and humoral immunity related indicators were collected for analysis in the early stage and the recovery stage of the disease. Results The abnormality of liver function among study subjects was 89.3% (117/131) in the early stage of the disease, with mild, moderate, and severe liver damage accounting for 61.8%, 5.3%, and 22.1%, respectively. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, total bile acid, IgG and CRP in the early stage increased ( all P<0.01), while the level of serum cholinesterase and C3 decreased (both P<0.01) compared with the recovery stage. However, there was no significant difference in the level of serum albumin, globulin, IgA, IgM and C4 or albumin/globulin ratio between the early stage and the recovery stage (all P>0.05). The level of patients′ serum IgA in the group with severe liver function injury was lower than that in the group with mild to moderate liver function injury in the recovery stage (P<0.05). The level of serum C3 in the patients with severe liver function injury was lower than that in the group with mild to moderate liver function injury in the early stage (P<0.05). Conclusion Serum IgG and CRP levels increased and C3 level decreased in OMDT patients at the early stage of the disease, which was correlated with the degree of liver function injury. It is suggested that humoral immune response is involved in the autoimmune liver injury in OMDT patients.

This paper summarized professor ZHANG Boli's experience in treating stubborn bi （痹） with the herbal pair of Ruxiang （Olibanum）- Moyao （Myrrha）. The basic pathogenesis of stubborn bi is channel and collateral stasis and obstruction. Ruxiang and Moyao are thus used in mutual reinforcement to rectify qi and diffuse bi， activate blood and relieve pain， thereby removing static and obstructed qi and blood， unblocking the obstructed channels and colla-terals， which is especially suitable for stubborn bi caused by channel and collateral obstruction. In clinical practice， the herbal pair of Ruxiang-Moyao is used together with qi-moving and blood-activating medicinals to treat chest bi by expelling stasis and diffusing stagnation， dissipating cold and unblocking vessels. To treat long-term wither and weakness in late stage of stroke， the medicinals of boosting qi and invigorating blood， unblocking channels and venting collaterals can be added to the herbal pair so as to soothe and drain vessels and collaterals， harmonize and regulate qi and blood. Simiao Yongan Decoction （四妙勇安汤） can be integrated in the treatment of vessel bi by moving qi and dissolving stasis， and for the long-term stubborn vessel bi， integrated internal and external treatment is suggested by external use of Ruxiang-Moyao to vent bi with aromatics. Moreover， it is emphasized to use the herbal pair of Ruxiang-Moyao in accordance with indications and cautions.

Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Crohn Disease/drug therapy* ; Dextran Sulfate ; Colitis/metabolism* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Disease Models, Animal ; Colon/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the changes in adaptive phenotypes of Yersinia pestis ( Yp) during successive passages in macrophages. Methods:A Yp strain of 201-MI was induced by 50 successive passages of Yp 201 strain in Raw264.7 cells. Phenotypic characteristics of 201 and 201-MI strains were compared by analyzing their survival rates in macrophages, growth curves, biofilm formation abilities, acid and hydrogen peroxide-stress tolerance, and virulence to mammal cells (Raw264.7 and HeLa cells) and mice. Results:Comparing with 201 strain, 201-MI strain showed various phenotypic changes, including higher survival rate in Raw264.7 cells, faster growth in iron-deficient medium, higher tolerance to acid and hydrogen peroxide, decreased biofilm formation ability, and less damages to Raw264.7 and HeLa cells. More-over, 201-MI strain showed decreased virulence to mice in both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal challenges. Preliminary comparative genomics analysis revealed some indel and nonsense mutations in 201-MI strain, which might account for its phenotype changes.Conclusions:After successive passages in macrophages, Yp showed some phenotypic changes, which might reflect its adaptive evolution under the pressure of macrophages. Detailed multi-omics analysis would be of great help to understand the underlying genetic mechanisms of these changes, and the related Yp-macrophage interaction processes as well.

Objective To investigate the prevalence rate of non-obese fatty liver disease and its influencing factors, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease. Methods A total of 23 545 individuals who underwent physical examination in Karamay Central Hospital from January to December 2015 and had complete data of abdominal ultrasound, body mass index (BMI), age, and sex were screened out to analyze the prevalence rate of fatty liver disease, and 7484 individuals with normal BMI who had complete data of triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were further screened out to perform a multivariate analysis. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate independent influencing factors for non-obese fatty liver disease. Results In 2015, the prevalence rate of fatty liver disease was 30.2% (7116/23 545) among the individuals who underwent physical examination in Karamay Central Hospital. A stratified analysis based on BMI showed that the individuals with emaciation, normal BMI, overweight, and obesity had a prevalence rate of 0.8% (6/706), 9.3% (919/9899), 38.4% (3404/8870), and 68.5% (2787/4070), respectively (all P < 0.05), and male individuals had a significantly higher prevalence rate of fatty liver disease than female individuals (all P < 0.05). Among the 919 patients with non-obese fatty liver disease, young, middle-aged, and elderly patients accounted for 40.7% (374/919), 46.1% (424/919), and 13.2% (121/919), respectively. For the individuals with normal BMI, there was no significant difference in the prevalence rate of fatty liver disease between middle-aged and elderly individuals (14.5% vs 16.8%, P > 0.05), while both of them had a significantly higher prevalence rate than the young individuals (14.5%/16.8% vs 6.0%, P < 0.05). Young and middle-aged male individuals had a significantly higher prevalence rate of fatty liver disease than their female counterparts ( χ 2 =99.40 and 43.29, both P < 0.001), while the elderly male individuals had a significantly lower prevalence rate than their female counterparts ( χ 2 =9.81, P =0.002). For the individuals with normal BMI, the individuals with normal TG had a prevalence rate of fatty liver disease of 5.0% (311/6273), while those with elevated TG had a prevalence rate of 26.8% (325/1211), with a significant difference between the two groups ( χ 2 =624.90, P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, BMI, ALT, fasting blood glucose, TG, and serum uric acid level were independent influencing factors for fatty liver disease in individuals with normal BMI (all P < 0.001). Conclusion There is a relatively high prevalence rate of non-obese fatty liver disease among individuals undergoing physical examination in Karamay Central Hospital, and 61.5% of the patients with non-obese fatty liver disease have glucose or lipid metabolic disorders. Serum TG level may be used as a simple and effective screening index for non-obese fatty liver disease.

Objective:To investigate the curative efficacy of radical prostatectomy (RP) for T 4 stage prostate cancer invading bladder neck. Methods:The clinical data of 22 patients with T 4 stage prostate cancer invading bladder neck treated with RP from April 2013 to March 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was (64.09±6.33) years, and the preoperative blood PSA was 57.70(39.40, 68.56) ng/ml. Preoperative MRI or PSMA-PET examination revealed bladder neck invasion, including 16 cases (72.73%) of urinary retention. Clinical stage of T 4N 0M 0 accounted for 40.91% (9/22), T 4N 1M 0 accounted for 45.45% (10/22), and T 4N 1M 1 accounted for 13.64% (3/22). Preoperative patients were not treated with neoadjuvant endocrine or chemotherapy. Laparoscopic or robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed. Results:The 22 operations were successfully completed without conversion. The operation time was(184.27±34.82) min, the amount of intraoperative bleeding was (210.91±83.03) ml, the retention time of drainage tube was (4.73 ± 1.03) days, the recovery of gastrointestinal function took 3 (2, 3) days, and the postoperative hospital stay was (6.68 ± 1.39) days. Postoperative pathology showed that the Gleason score of 7 points accounted for 4.54% (1/22), 8 points accounted for 13.64% (3/22), and 9 points accounted for 81.82% (18/22). The positive rate of margin was 81.82% (18/22). Pathological stage of T 4N 0M 0 accounted for 22.73% (5/22), T 4N 1M 0 accounted for 63.64% (14/22), and T 4N 1M 1 accounted for 13.64% (3/22), of which extracapsular or seminal vesicle invasion accounted for 90.91% (20/22). The incidence of postoperative complications above grade 3 was 9.09% (2/22), and the rate of urinary control recovery after 3 months of surgery was 90.91% (20/22). 16 patients with preoperative urinary retention were able to urinate normally after operation. All patients were treated with adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with or without antiandrogens, and 13 cases (59.09%) were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. The postoperative PSA value before adjuvant treatment was 2.53 (0.51, 5.44) ng/ml. The median survival time was not reached. Two patients died of prostate cancer at 71 and 84 months and one patient died of heart disease at 28 months. Conclusions:RP surgery could effectively relieve the condition of urinary retention with low incidence of operative complications. Although the positive rate of surgical margin is high, RP could be used as one of the treatment options for T 4 stage prostate cancer invading bladder neck, while the long-term effect is still needed to be further analyzed.

Objective: To explore the features of close contacts of coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) cases in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing, so as to provide evidence for the management of close contacts and the control of the epidemic. Methods: Demographic characteristics, contact history and medical records of close contacts of COVID-19 cases in Jiulongpo District from January 22 to April 10, 2020 was collected according to the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Program ( sixth version ) . Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: Totally 602 close contacts were found, and 30 of them were infected, with an attack rate of 4.98%. Twenty-seven cases were diagnosed before February 10. The close contacts mainly aged from 20 to 59 years ( 457, 75.91% ) ; most were relatives of COVID-19 cases ( 219, 36.38% ) , and 64 (10.63%) were medical staff. Most contacted occasionally ( 338, 56.15% ), at home ( 190, 31.56% ) , and through the same meal ( 181, 30.07% ) . The attack rate of close contacts aged 40 years and over was 7.49%, which was higher than 2.37% of those aged under 40 years ( P<0.05 ). The attack rate of close contacts increased with contact frequency ( P<0.05 ) . The attack rates of close contacts were significantly different in different relations with cases, contact places and contact modes ( P<0.05 ); the attack rates of colleagues and relatives were 20.41% and 8.68%; the attack rates of close contacts in the workplace settings and family were 17.54% and 10.00%; the attack rates of sharing the same bed, living in the same room and working in the same room were 44.44%, 18.60% and 17.24%. Conclusions The close contacts of COVID-19 cases in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing who aged 40 years or above, exposed in family settings and in the workplace were associated with higher risk of infection.

Fracture healing is a complex physiological process involving osteoblasts, osteoclasts and other cells and molecules. Typical fracture healing can be divided into four stages: inflammatory response, soft callus formation, hard callus formation, and bone remodeling. Osteoclasts play a leading role in hard callus formation and bone remodeling. Alendronate can inhibit osteoclast activity and bone loss in patients with osteoporosis, but it may also inhibit fracture healing. Therefore, whether alendronate can be used after osteoporotic fracture is controversial. In recent years, it has been found that alendronate can not affect the fracture healing, but also reduce the risk of secondary fracture and improve the prognosis of patients. In this article, the mechanism of alendronate and its effect on osteoporotic fracture healing by systemic and local use are reviewed, which can provide a reference for clinical selection of therapeutic drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether kirenol, the major pharmacologically active compound of the Chinese medicinal herb , can protect mice from dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: C57BL/6 mice with or without kirenol pretreatment were treated with DSS in drinking water for 7 days to induce UC. The symptoms of UC including weight loss, diarrhea and bloody stool were observed daily and graded using the disease activity index (DAI). Colon injury of the mice was assessed by measuring the length of the colon and HE staining of the colon tissue. The levels of inflammatory cytokines produced by the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) lymphocytes were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the apoptosis of the lymphocytes and CD4 T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The mice receiving pretreatment with kirenol showed obviously ameliorated symptoms of UC and milder pathological changes in the colon as compared with the control mice. Kirenol treatment significantly down-regulated the secretion of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-6 and TNF-α by the MLNs lymphocytes and increased the apoptosis of lymphocytes, especially CD4 T cells in the DSS-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS Kirenol can protect against T cell-mediated colon injury in DSS-treated mice possibly by suppressing the secretion of inflammatory mediators and inducing apoptosis of the inflammatory lymphocytes.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Cytokines ; Dextran Sulfate ; Diterpenes ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes