BACKGROUND:Recent research indicates that disc degeneration is closely related to abnormal stress load,and mechanotransduction proteins play a key role in it. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role and mechanism of mechanotransduction proteins in the mechanotransduction process induced by abnormal mechanical stimulation in disc degeneration,and to summarize the current treatment strategies targeting mechanotransduction to delay intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS:Using"intervertebral disc,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,cartilaginous endplate,cell,mechanics,signal transduction,protein,biomechanics"as Chinese search terms,and"intervertebral disc,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,cartilaginous endplate,cell,mechanical stimulation,signal transduction,protein,biomechanics"as English search terms,relevant literature in the PubMed and CNKI databases was searched.A total of 88 articles were ultimately included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Disc cells can sense external mechanical stimulation through various mechanotransduction proteins and convert it into biological responses within the cells.These transduction proteins mainly include collagen proteins in the extracellular matrix,cell membrane surface receptors(such as integrins and ion channels),and cytoskeleton structural proteins.Their regulation of mechanotransduction processes primarily involves the activation of multiple pathways,such as the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway,and Ca2+/Calpain2/Caspase3 pathway.Mechanotransduction proteins play a key role in the mechanotransduction of disc cells.Abnormal expression of these proteins or resulting changes in the extracellular matrix environment can disrupt the mechanical balance of disc cells,leading to disc degeneration.In-depth study of the expression and regulatory mechanisms of mechanotransduction proteins in disc cells,and identification of key pathological links and therapeutic targets,is of significant importance for developing treatment strategies for disc degeneration.Current strategies to delay intervertebral disc degeneration by targeting mechanotransduction mainly include regulation of transduction proteins and improvement of the extracellular matrix.However,research in this area is still in its early stages.As research continues,new breakthroughs are expected in the regulation of disc degeneration by mechanotransduction proteins.

To promote the development of extracellular vesicles of herbal medicine especially the establishment of standardization, led by the National Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, research experts in the field of herbal medicine and extracellular vesicles were invited nationwide with the support of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, Professional Committee on Extracellular Vesicle Research and Application, Chinese Society of Research Hospitals and the Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. Based on the collation of relevant literature, we have adopted the Delphi method, the consensus meeting method combined with the nominal group method to form a discussion draft of "Consensus statement on research and application of Chinese herbal medicine derived extracellular vesicles-like particles (2023)". The first draft was discussed in online and offline meetings on October 12, 14, November 2, 2022 and April and May 2023 on the current status of research, nomenclature, isolation methods, quality standards and research applications of extracellular vesicles of Chinese herbal medicines, and 13 consensus opinions were finally formed. At the Third Academic Conference on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, held on May 26, 2023, Kewei Zhao, convenor of the consensus, presented and read the consensus to the experts of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. The consensus highlights the characteristics and advantages of Chinese medicine, inherits the essence, and keeps the righteousness and innovation, aiming to provide a reference for colleagues engaged in research and application of Chinese herbal vesicles at home and abroad, decode the mystery behind Chinese herbal vesicles together, establish a safe, effective and controllable accurate Chinese herbal vesicle prevention and treatment system, and build a bridge for Chinese medicine to the world.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common clinical spine disease, which can lead to lower limb pain, weakness, numbness and even tingling and burning nerve paraesthesia, seriously affecting the quality of life of the patients. At present, X-ray, CT and MRI are commonly used in clinical imaging. However, in the process of diagnosis and treatment of LDH, clinical symptoms often do not coincide with imaging results, and MRI cannot show the degree of nerve injury. MRI diffusion imaging technique is currently the only method to measure the diffusion motion and imaging of water molecules in vivo, mainly including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In recent years, with the improvement of pulse sequence technology and the application of high-intensity magnetic field, MRI diffusion imaging technology has been gradually applied to the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar nerve injury, which can obtain non-invasive images of the stenosis or interruption of the involved nerve fibers. Based on the principle of diffusion imaging technology, this article analyzes the current status of its application in the diagnosis and treatment of LDH, and analyzes its limitations and discusses the future development direction, in order to provide basis and ideas for the realization of accurate diagnosis and treatment of LDH.

N1-methyladenosine(m1A)RNA methylation is critical for regulating mRNA translation;however,its role in the development,progression,and immunotherapy response of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)remains largely unknown.Using Tgfbr1 and Pten conditional knockout(2cKO)mice,we found the neoplastic transformation of oral mucosa was accompanied by increased m1A modification levels.Analysis of m1A-associated genes identified TRMT61A as a key m1A writer linked to cancer progression and poor prognosis.Mechanistically,TRMT61A-mediated tRNA-m1A modification promotes MYC protein synthesis,upregulating programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression.Moreover,m1A modification levels were also elevated in tumors treated with oncolytic herpes simplex virus(oHSV),contributing to reactive PD-L1 upregulation.Therapeutic m1A inhibition sustained oHSV-induced antitumor immunity and reduced tumor growth,representing a promising strategy to alleviate resistance.These findings indicate that m1A inhibition can prevent immune escape after oHSV therapy by reducing PD-L1 expression,providing a mutually reinforcing combination immunotherapy approach.

Objective:To provide references for the application of finite element model in the study of cervical vertebra by statistically analysing the frequency, numerical value, properties, and boundary setting of the finite element model and the corresponding material features as well as boundary settings in the literature.Methods:The literature on cervical vertebra-related finite element models was collected from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from January 2013 to December 2023. The quality assessment was followed by manual screening. The data sources, application classification, material properties (Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio), and boundary conditions of cervical vertebra, cervical intervertebral, and cervical ligaments were statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 102 papers were included. The finite element models of the cervical vertebra were derived from medical image reconstruction modeling techniques, predominantly CT plain scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Among the 102 cervical vertebra models, the C3-C7 (lower cervical segment) model appeared with the highest frequency (19). The Young’s modulus of the cortical bone, cancellous bone, and posterior structure of cervical vertebrae were set at about 12 000 or 10 000, 440, and 3 600 MPa, respectively, and the Poisson’s ratios were mainly set at about 0.29 or 0.30, 0.29, and 0.29. The Young’s modulus of the cervical intervertebral disc endplate, nucleus pulposus, and annulus fibrosus were concentrated around 500 or 2 000, 1, and 100 MPa, respectively, and the Poisson’s ratios were set at about 0.40, 0.50, and 0.40, respectively. The Young’s modulus of the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, transverse ligament, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligament, capsular ligament, and articular cartilage of the cervical spine were set around 30, 20, 20, 6-10, 4-8, 10 or 20, 10 MPa, and the Poisson’s ratios were set at aoubt 0.30, 0.30, 0.30, 0.30, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.30, respectively. The Young’s modulus of the upper cervical interdental ligament, lamina, cruciate ligament, nuchal ligament, and pterygoid ligament were set at about 10, 10, 10 or 20, 20, and 5 MPa, respectively, and the Poisson’s ratios were set at about 0.30. Head weight settings were more common at 50, 74, and 100 N.Conclusions:The finite element model of the cervical vertebra has great value in the study of cervical spondylosis, but further optimization is still needed in the assignment of material properties, mesh division, and model verification to improve the accuracy and clinical applicability of the model.

Objective To analyze the changes in morphology of intervertebral foramina in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) treated with fixedpoint lateral flexion and rotation manipulation based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology, so as to provide references for the effectiveness of manipulation treatment. MethodsForty patients with CSR were treated with fixed point lateral flexion and rotation manipulation once every other day for a total of 7 times and 2 weeks as a course of treatment. CT data of the patients before and after treatment were analyzed by using multifunctional CT, Mimics 21.0, Geomagic and SolidWorks 2017. The area of the intervertebral foramen, anterior and posterior diameter of the intervertebral foramen, upper and lower diameter of the intervertebral foramen were measured before and after treatment, as well as the infrared thermal imaging temperature differences of the bilateral neck and shoulder, front and back of the upper limb, and the VAS scores of the patients were observed before treatment, 7 d after treatment, 14 d after treatment and 1 month follow-up. Results Foraminal area, anterior and posterior diameters, upper and lower diameters of 40 patients were improved after treatment, and the temperature differences of infrared thermal imaging of patients before and after treatment were statistically significant. The VAS score of the patients decreased progressively. Conclusions Fixed point lateral flexion manipulation can significantly improve the shape of the intervertebral foramen in patients with CSR, so as to achieve the treatment purpose of relieving nerve compression.

Objective:To observe the effects of "pushing patella and extending knee" manipulation on the protein and mRNA expression levels of integrin β1 (ITGβ1) and phosphorylated adhesion plaque kinase (p-FAK) in rabbit knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model, and to investigate the mechanism of manipulations in the treatment of KOA.Methods:Twenty healthy 6-month-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into the normal group, the model group, the acupuncture group, and the manipulation group according to the random number table method. Among them, the model group, the acupuncture group, and the manipulation group were modeled using the modified Hulth method for KOA. After 7 d of successful modeling, the normal group and the model group did not receive any intervention, while the acupuncture group and the manipulation group received one acupuncture intervention and one "pushing patella and extending knee" manipulation intervention daily, respectively. After 2 weeks of treatment, the rabbit KOA model was executed by air embolization, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of ITGβ1 and p-FAK in knee cartilage were measured by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively.Results:Compared with the normal group, the ITGβ1 protein expression level was decreased ( P<0.05) and p-FAK protein expression level was increased ( P<0.05), and the mRNA expression levels of ITGβ1 and p-FAK did not change significantly (all P>0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the ITGβ1 protein expression level was increased ( P<0.05), the p-FAK protein expression level decreased ( P<0.05), and the mRNA expression levels of both ITGβ1 and p-FAK increased (all P<0.05) in the acupuncture group. Compared with the acupuncture group, ITGβ1 protein expression level increased ( P<0.05), p-FAK protein expression level decreased ( P<0.05), and mRNA expression levels of both ITGβ1 and p-FAK increased (all P<0.01) in the manipulation group. Conclusions:The "pushing patella and extending knee" manipulation can optimize the protein and mRNA expression levels of ITGβ1 and p-FAK in the articular cartilage of the rabbit KOA model.

A strong animal survival instinct is to approach objects and situations that are of benefit and to avoid risk. In humans, a large proportion of mental disorders are accompanied by impairments in risk avoidance. One of the most important genes involved in mental disorders is disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), and animal models in which this gene has some level of dysfunction show emotion-related impairments. However, it is not known whether DISC1 mouse models have an impairment in avoiding potential risks. In the present study, we used DISC1-N terminal truncation (DISC1-N
Animals ; Interneurons/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism* ; Parvalbumins/metabolism*

A strong animal survival instinct is to approach objects and situations that are of benefit and to avoid risk. In humans, a large proportion of mental disorders are accompanied by impairments in risk avoidance. One of the most important genes involved in mental disorders is disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), and animal models in which this gene has some level of dysfunction show emotion-related impairments. However, it is not known whether DISC1 mouse models have an impairment in avoiding potential risks. In the present study, we used DISC1-N terminal truncation (DISC1-N

Objective:To observe and compare the changes of pulmonary function in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis regular treatment for 3 months.Methods:From April 2018 to June 2019, 500 tuberculosis patients who received regular anti tuberculosis treatment in our hospital were selected.The pulmonary function of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was measured before treatment and at the end of three months; the results of pulmonary ventilation function, lung volume, diffusing capacity, and the value of forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1), maximum expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV 1/FVC), total lung volume (TLC), residual volume (RV), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (D LCO) were compared. Results:252 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were included. Before treatment and at the end of three months, the abnormal pulmonary function results were 204 cases (80.95%) and 193 cases (76.59%), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Among them, abnormal pulmonary ventilation function is the most common, especially with obstructive, followed by abnormal diffusing capacity. At the end of three months, the proportions of patients with normal pulmonary ventilation function and normal lung volume were higher than that before treatment ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the proportion of normal diffusing capacity before and after treatment ( P>0.05). The values of FVC, FEV 1, TLC and D LCO at the end of three months were higher than those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-6.414, -6.754, -3.863, -3.311, all P<0.01). Conclusions:Most patients with pulmonary tuberculosis have abnormal pulmonary function. At the end of the three months treatment, the normal rates of the pulmonary ventilation function and lung volume as well as the values of FVC, FEV 1, TLC and D LCO in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were significantly improved compared with those before treatment.