BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with chronic rheumatic immunity.Soft tissue ossification and fusion and spinal stiffness can cause biomechanical changes. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct the lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis by finite element analysis,and to study the range of motion of each segment of T11-S1 and the biomechanical characteristics of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. METHODS:The imaging data were obtained from an ankylosing spondylitis patient with lumbar kyphosis.The original CT image data of continuously scanned spine were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format,and T11-S1 was reconstructed respectively.The established model was imported into 3-Matic software in the format of"Stl"to reconstruct the intervertebral disc,and the fibrous intervertebral disc model was obtained.The improved model was further imported into Hypermesh software,and the vertebra,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus and ligament were mesh-divided.After the material properties were given,the model was imported into ABAQUS software to observe the range of motion of each vertebral body in seven different working conditions of T11-S1,and analyze the biomechanical characteristics of each segment of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The range of motion of L1 vertebrae was higher than that of other vertebrae under six different working conditions:extension,forward flexion,rotation(left and right),and lateral flexion(left and right).The maximum range of motion was 2.18° during L1 vertebral flexion,and the minimum range of motion was 0.12° during L5 vertebral extension.(2)The annular fiber flexion at L2-L3 segments was greater than the extension(P<0.05),and the annular fiber flexion at L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments was less than the extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of L1-L2 annular fibers was greater than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion of the annulus was greater than the right flexion in L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4,L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments(P<0.05).(3)The nucleus pulposus stresses of T11-L12,L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments in forward flexion were greater than in extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of T12-L1 and L3-L4 segments was smaller than the right rotation(P<0.05),and that of T11-T12,L1-L2,and L2-L3 segments was larger than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion was larger than the right flexion in the T11-S1 segment.(4)It is concluded that in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis,the minimum range of motion of the vertebral body is located at the L5 vertebral body in extension.To prevent fractures,it is recommended to avoid exercise in the extension position.During the onset of lumbar kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,the maximum stress of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus is located in the L1-L2 segment,which is fixed and will not alter with the change of body position.The late surgical treatment and correction of deformity should focus on releasing the pressure of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in this segment to avoid the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the injury of the nucleus pulposus.

BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive inflammation of spinal stiffness deformity caused by tissue ossification and fibrosis.The posture of ankylosing spondylitis patients is abnormal and their activities are limited that minor injuries can lead to thoracolumbar fractures.Traditional medical image observation limits doctors'preoperative decision planning and postoperative disease prevention for ankylosing spondylitis treatment. OBJECTIVE:Based on the spinal model of ankylosing spondylitis patients before and after posterior spinal cancellous ossification osteotomy("Y"osteotomy for short),to explore the biomechanical changes of"Y"osteotomy and fixation in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS:Based on the preoperative and postoperative CT images of an ankylosing spondylitis patient who went to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University,a three-dimensional spine model(T11-S1)before and after"Y"osteotomy(L3 osteotomy)was reconstructed in Mimics 19.0 software.A 7.5 Nm torque was applied to the top of T11 vertebral body to simulate the movement of the spine under six conditions:flexion,extension,left bending,right bending,left rotation and right rotation.Finally,the range of motion of each vertebral body,the stress of each intervertebral disc,and the stress of the screw rod system were simulated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After"Y"type osteotomy and posterior fixation,the range of motion of all vertebrae in the spine decreased,and the loss rate of upper vertebrae was large(L1:77.95%).(2)The maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc before operation occurred at the L1-L2 segment(0.55 MPa),and the maximum stress of the spinal intervertebral disc after operation occurred at the T11-T12 segment(0.50 MPa),and the stress of intervertebral disc below T12 was far less than that before operation.(3)The maximum stress of the screw rod system(166.67 MPa)occurred in the upper and middle segments of the rod body and the root of the pedicle screw.(4)In conclusion,the"Y"type posterior fixation operation enhances the stability of the spine and reduces the range of motion of the spine.The vertebral body decompression of the fixed segment is great and the stress-shielding phenomenon of the lower vertebral body is significant.The stiffness of the rod body and the stress concentration area of the pedicle screw should be strengthened to avoid the fracture of the rod caused by stress fatigue.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of how Notch1 interference regulates the apoptosis of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.Methods:During January to December 2022, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were transfected with Notch1 siRNA, and the cell viability in each group was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The level of reactive oxygen species was determined using flow cytometry, while cell apoptosis was assessed using the same technique. After treatment with Notch1 siRNA, the protein expression levels of Notch1, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 in the human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were detected using western blot assay.Results:The expression level of Notch1 mRNA in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells was significantly lower in the blank control and si-Notch1 groups than that in the siNC group ( t = 11.25, 9.47, both P < 0.05). Additionally, the optical density value and Bcl-2 protein expression level in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + Notch1 siRNA group were significantly higher than those in the LPS and LPS + siRNA groups ( t = 11.26, 11.68, both P < 0.05). The level of reactive oxygen species and the apoptosis rate of cells were significantly lower in the LPS + Notch1 siRNA group compared with the LPS and LPS + siRNA groups ( t = 11.68, 11.87, both P < 0.05). Furthermore, the protein expression levels of Notch1 and Caspase-3 were also significantly lower in the LPS + Notch1 siRNA group compared with the LPS and LPS + siRNA groups ( t = 5.08, 6.60, 3.84, 5.83, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Notch1 interference may interference in the apoptosis of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells through regulating the level of reactive oxygen species, downregulating the protein expression of Notch1 and Caspase-3, and upregulating the protein expression of Bcl-2. These actions may contribute to the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective To establish a method for simultaneous determination of HPLC fingerprint and multi-target ingredients in Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(AMR),in order to provide reference for its quality control.Methods HPLC-DAD multi-wavelength switching method was used to establish fingerprint of AMR,similarity evaluation combined with hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA),principal components analysis(PCA)and discriminant analysis of partial least squares(PLS-DA)were used to carry out chemometric study.The contents of differential component such as atractylenolide Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and atractylon were determined simultaneously.Results The HPLC fingerprint of 37 batches of AMR was established.Nine common peaks were marked,and 4 of them were identified as atractylon,atractylenolide Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ.The similarity degrees were between 0.539 and 0.996,the quality of AMR from different origin and different batches varies greatly.Atractylon,atractylenolide Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and one unknown component(peak 9)are the important factors affecting the quality of AMR.Conclusion The combination methods of HPLC fingerprint and simultaneous determinations of multiple components are simple,stable,accurate and reliable,which can provide reference for the quality evaluation of AMR and the improvement of quality standard,as well as lay a foundation for the basic research of its pharmacodynamic substances and related compound.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and therapeutic effects of a self-designed portable enteral nutrition (EN) kit for home EN in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) .Methods:A total of 60 patients suffered from moderately severe AP and severe AP and needed home EN in Department of Gastroenterology of First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University between April 2022 and June 2023 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to portable EN group (observation group, n=28) and routine EN group (control group, n=29) according to random number table. All patients were given EN guidance before discharge. After discharge, all patients were given weekly telephone follow-up to guide the resolution of home EN problems. Patients were followed up from discharge to extubation. The age, gender, body mass index (BMI), disease severity, laboratory indicators (white blood cell, hemoglobin, albumin, total protein), AP related complications before discharge were recorded. During the follow-up period, changes in BMI, laboratory indicators, gastrointestinal symptoms, infection related complications, nutrition tube related complications and Barthel index were recorded. Results:all indicators in the two groups were not significantly statistically different, which comparable at baseline. During the 1-week, 2-week, 3-week and 4-week follow-up period, there was no significant difference on the incidence of infection and complications related to nutrition tube between the two groups, while the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the 3-week and 4-week follow-up, the BMI [ (22.38±3.84) vs (20.38±3.56) kg/m 2; (22.59±3.77) vs (20.54±3.37) kg/m 2], hemoglobin [ (125.00±13.46) vs (113.4±13.64) g/L; (126.20±14.37) vs (114.3±13.25) g/L], and albumin [ (40.96±3.07) vs (39.17±3.31) g/L; (41.79±2.73) vs (39.97±2.67) g/L] levels of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group; the living ability score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (87.32±5.85 vs 82.59±9.79; 89.64±1.31 vs 83.97±8.80) ; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P value <0.05) . Conclusions:The application of portable EN kit can help reduce the gastrointestinal symptoms of AP patients who need long-term home EN, improve nutritional status and life ability.

Objective To investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation on rehabilitation of stroke-related sarcopenia patients with diabetes mellitus.Methods Forty-seven stroke-related sarcopenia patients with diabetes mellitus admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2021 to September 2023 were selected and divided into observation group(24 cases)and control group(23 cases)according to random number table method.Patients in both groups were given normal diabetic diet,conventional drug therapy and rehabilitation training,and patients in observation group were given whey protein powder orally every day for 4 weeks.The non-hemiplegic hand grip strength,appendicular skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI),modified Barthel index(MBI),Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA),mini-nutritional assessment short-form(MNA-SF),serum albumin(Alb),C-reactive protein(CRP)were compared between two groups before and after intervention.Results After intervention,the grip strength,ASMI,FMA,MBI of two groups were significantly higher than before ntervention,and CRP level was significantly lower than before intervention(P<0.05).The grip strength,ASMI,FMA,MBI,MNA-SF score and Alb of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group,while CRP was significantly lower than that of control group(P<0.05).ASMI was positively correlated with Alb,MNA-SF score and grip strength(P<0.05),while CRP was negatively correlated with Alb,MNA-SF score and ASMI(P<0.05).Conclusion Supplementation of whey protein can improve the nutritional status,muscle strength and muscle mass of patients with stroke-related sarcopenia complicated with diabetes mellitus,and improve the physical motor function and the ability of daily living.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of participation in free health check-up among community residents.Methods:From 2012 to 2022 Xinzhuang Community Health Service Center of Shanghai Minhang district provided 5 free health check-up for local residents, once every 2 years. Among 5 904 eligible community residents with a mean age of (66.01±5.87) years, 682 (11.55 %), 912 (15.45 %), 842 (14.26 %), 934 (15.82 %), 1 061 (17.97 %) and 1 473 (24.95 %) participated in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0 health check-ups during 10 years, respectively. The influencing factors of participant frequency were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression model.Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age 65 years and above ( OR=0.685, 95% CI: 0.625-0.751, P<0.001), exercising once a week or more ( OR=1.142, 95% CI: 1.031-1.266, P=0.011), and underweight ( OR=0.665, 95% CI:0.496-0.891, P=0.006) were independent factors influencing the participant in free health check-up among community residents. Conclusion:Community residents with older age or underweight are less likely to participate free health check-up, while those with frequent exercise like to participate.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of all-cause death in hypertensive patients in the community.Methods:A cohort of 4 049 hypertensive patients who participated in annual health checkups at Xinzhuang Community Health Service Centre of Shanghai Minhang district from January to December 2012 were enrolled in the study. All-cause death was the endpoint event of this study, and patients were divided into a fatal group and a survival group. The collection date for the endpoint event was December 2022. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyse the independent risk factors of all-cause mortality among hypertensive patients in the community.Results:Among 4 049 patients aged (67.9±7.1) years, 1 856 (45.8%) were males. There were 610 cases in the fatal group and 3 439 cases in the survival group. Multivariate Cox proportional regression showed that male gender ( HR=1.446, 95% CI: 1.200-1.742, P<0.001), older age ( HR=1.130, 95% CI: 1.118-1.143, P<0.001), higher waist-to-height ratio ( HR=8.117, 95% CI: 2.235-29.481, P=0.001), positive urinary protein ( HR=2.974, 95% CI: 2.202-4.016, P<0.001), high fasting blood glucose ( HR=1.070, 95% CI: 1.012-1.131, P=0.017), and history of stroke ( HR=1.819, 95% CI: 1.414-2.340, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in hypertensive patients, while exercise≥1/week ( HR=0.816, 95% CI: 0.668-0.996, P=0.046) and taking lipid-lowering medications ( HR=0.459, 95% CI: 0.223-0.947, P=0.035) were protective factors for all-cause mortality. Conclusion:For hypertensive patients, male gender, older age, higher waist-to-height ratio, positive urinary protein, high fasting blood glucose, and history of stroke are risk factors for all-cause mortality, while exercise≥1/week and taking lipid-lowering medications are protective factors.

Objective:To analyze the association between sleep status and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring indicators in community-dwelling hypertensive patients.Methods:It was a cross sentional study. Hypertensive patients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring from May 2021 to April 2023 in Shanghai Xinzhuang Town were enrolled. The demographic information and sleep status of patients were obtained from the questionnaire. A TM-2430 blood pressure monitor was used to measure 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, and the relevant indicators, including blood pressure level and blood pressure coefficient of variation were documented. The association between sleep status and blood pressure indicators was analyzed with multivariate linear regression model.Results:A total 1 135 patients aged (65.07±12.61) years were enrolled, and 473 (41.67%) of whom were males. The sleep time was<7 hours in 76 cases, 7- 8 hours in 219 cases and >8 hours in 840 cases; the bedtime was earlier than 22∶00 in 415 cases, between 22∶00 and 23∶00 in 474 cases and later than 23∶00 in 246 cases; the wake-up time was before 6∶00 in 230 cases, between 6∶00 and 7∶00 in 521 cases and after 7∶00 in 384 cases. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that after controlling for gender and age, the sleep time was negatively associated with diurnal, noctumal and 24-hour diastolic blood pressure levels (all P<0.05), and positively associated with diurnal and noctumal systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation, noctumal diastolic blood pressure coefficient of variation, and 24-hour systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation (all P<0.05).The bedtime was positively associated with diurnal, noctumal and 24-hour diastolic blood pressure (all P<0.05), diastolic blood pressure (all P<0.05); and negatively associated with diurnal systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation, diurnal diastolic blood pressure coefficient of variation, noctumal systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation, 24-hour systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation, and 24-hour diastolic blood pressure coefficient of variation (all P<0.05). The wake-up time was positively associated with diurnal systolic blood pressure, diurnal, noctumal and 24-hour diastolic blood pressure (all P<0.05), and positively associated with diurmal systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Sleep status is closely associated with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring indicators in community-dwelling hypertensive patients.

Humans ; Parkinson Disease/diagnosis* ; Machine Learning