Background: Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor that has a high tendency to metastasis to the bone, leading to cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP). Ghrelin can not only stimulate appetite and regulate energy balance, but also alleviate CIBP by inducing NPY expression. Octanoic acid (OA), a type of medium chain fatty acids, provides an energy substrate and promotes acylation of ghrelin. However, it remains to be elucidated whether an OA-rich diet can alleviate CIBP by activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Methods: First, thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham, CIBP, CIBP + OA (20), CIBP + OA (40), CIBP + OA (60) and CIBP + OA (80) groups to investigate the effects of diets with different ratios of OA on CIBP and the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Next, a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor was exogenously administered to investigate whether an OA-rich diet alleviated CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Results: An OA-rich diet significantly alleviated nociceptive behaviors and increased the levels of acyl-ghrelin and NPY in a dose-dependent manner in cancer-bearing rats. With the exogenous administration of the GOAT inhibitor, the beneficial effects of an OA-rich diet on the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway and its pain-relieving effects were attenuated. Conclusions An OA-rich diet could alleviate CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acylghrelin/NPY pathway.

Background: Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor that has a high tendency to metastasis to the bone, leading to cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP). Ghrelin can not only stimulate appetite and regulate energy balance, but also alleviate CIBP by inducing NPY expression. Octanoic acid (OA), a type of medium chain fatty acids, provides an energy substrate and promotes acylation of ghrelin. However, it remains to be elucidated whether an OA-rich diet can alleviate CIBP by activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Methods: First, thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham, CIBP, CIBP + OA (20), CIBP + OA (40), CIBP + OA (60) and CIBP + OA (80) groups to investigate the effects of diets with different ratios of OA on CIBP and the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Next, a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor was exogenously administered to investigate whether an OA-rich diet alleviated CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Results: An OA-rich diet significantly alleviated nociceptive behaviors and increased the levels of acyl-ghrelin and NPY in a dose-dependent manner in cancer-bearing rats. With the exogenous administration of the GOAT inhibitor, the beneficial effects of an OA-rich diet on the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway and its pain-relieving effects were attenuated. Conclusions An OA-rich diet could alleviate CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acylghrelin/NPY pathway.

Background: Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor that has a high tendency to metastasis to the bone, leading to cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP). Ghrelin can not only stimulate appetite and regulate energy balance, but also alleviate CIBP by inducing NPY expression. Octanoic acid (OA), a type of medium chain fatty acids, provides an energy substrate and promotes acylation of ghrelin. However, it remains to be elucidated whether an OA-rich diet can alleviate CIBP by activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Methods: First, thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham, CIBP, CIBP + OA (20), CIBP + OA (40), CIBP + OA (60) and CIBP + OA (80) groups to investigate the effects of diets with different ratios of OA on CIBP and the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Next, a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor was exogenously administered to investigate whether an OA-rich diet alleviated CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Results: An OA-rich diet significantly alleviated nociceptive behaviors and increased the levels of acyl-ghrelin and NPY in a dose-dependent manner in cancer-bearing rats. With the exogenous administration of the GOAT inhibitor, the beneficial effects of an OA-rich diet on the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway and its pain-relieving effects were attenuated. Conclusions An OA-rich diet could alleviate CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acylghrelin/NPY pathway.

Background: Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor that has a high tendency to metastasis to the bone, leading to cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP). Ghrelin can not only stimulate appetite and regulate energy balance, but also alleviate CIBP by inducing NPY expression. Octanoic acid (OA), a type of medium chain fatty acids, provides an energy substrate and promotes acylation of ghrelin. However, it remains to be elucidated whether an OA-rich diet can alleviate CIBP by activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Methods: First, thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham, CIBP, CIBP + OA (20), CIBP + OA (40), CIBP + OA (60) and CIBP + OA (80) groups to investigate the effects of diets with different ratios of OA on CIBP and the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Next, a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor was exogenously administered to investigate whether an OA-rich diet alleviated CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Results: An OA-rich diet significantly alleviated nociceptive behaviors and increased the levels of acyl-ghrelin and NPY in a dose-dependent manner in cancer-bearing rats. With the exogenous administration of the GOAT inhibitor, the beneficial effects of an OA-rich diet on the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway and its pain-relieving effects were attenuated. Conclusions An OA-rich diet could alleviate CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acylghrelin/NPY pathway.

Background: Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor that has a high tendency to metastasis to the bone, leading to cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP). Ghrelin can not only stimulate appetite and regulate energy balance, but also alleviate CIBP by inducing NPY expression. Octanoic acid (OA), a type of medium chain fatty acids, provides an energy substrate and promotes acylation of ghrelin. However, it remains to be elucidated whether an OA-rich diet can alleviate CIBP by activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Methods: First, thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham, CIBP, CIBP + OA (20), CIBP + OA (40), CIBP + OA (60) and CIBP + OA (80) groups to investigate the effects of diets with different ratios of OA on CIBP and the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Next, a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor was exogenously administered to investigate whether an OA-rich diet alleviated CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway. Results: An OA-rich diet significantly alleviated nociceptive behaviors and increased the levels of acyl-ghrelin and NPY in a dose-dependent manner in cancer-bearing rats. With the exogenous administration of the GOAT inhibitor, the beneficial effects of an OA-rich diet on the acyl-ghrelin/NPY pathway and its pain-relieving effects were attenuated. Conclusions An OA-rich diet could alleviate CIBP through increasing the level of acyl-ghrelin and activating the acylghrelin/NPY pathway.

Objective:To compare the difference between the operation of ureteral calculi patients with COVID-19 infection during COVID-19 infection and after recovery to find out the best timing for surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 327 ureteral calculi patients with COVID-19 infection were retrospectively analyzed, including 141 cases who underwent ureteroscopic surgery. According to the time of ureteroscopic surgery, the patients were divided into two groups: operation before recovery of COVID-19 infection group ( n=81) and operation after recovery of COVID-19 infection group ( n=60). The success rate of primary surgery, stone removal incidence, complication inciednce, mortality, operation time, postoperative hemoglobin decline, hospital stay, and total hospitalization cost and other indicators of the two groups were compared between the two groups. Measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), independent t-test was used for inter-group comparison. Chi-test or continuous correction Chi-test was used for inter-group comparison for count data. Results:The success rate of primary surgery (38.3%, 31/81), stone removal rate (86.4%, 70/81) in the operation before recovery of COVID-19 infection group were significantly lower than those in the operation after recovery of COVID-19 infection group [80.0% (48/60), 98.3% (59/60)], and the differences were statistically significant ( P< 0.05). The incidence of complication, postoperative hemoglobin decline [(2.1±0.6) g/L vs (0.6±0.3) g/L], hospital stay [(14.7±3.6) d vs (4.1±1.1) d], total hospitalization cost [(34 733.3±4 412.4) yuan vs (21 919.7±3 251.3) yuan] of the operation before recovery of COVID-19 infection group were significantly higher than those in the operation after recovery of COVID-19 infection group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P< 0.001). The operation time of the operation before recovery of COVID-19 infection group was shorter [(16.9±5.4) min vs (37.7±8.9) min], and the difference was statistically significant ( P< 0.001). There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (3.7% vs 0, P> 0.05). Conclusion:The risk of surgical treatment for ureteral calculi patients with COVID-19 infection is high, The treatment of them should mainly be conservative treatment, and operation should be performed after COVID-19 infection is cured.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic debridement combined with in situ ulnar nerve release in patients with osteoarthritic elbow stiffness complicated by tardy ulnar neuritis.Methods:A retrospective chart review was conducted on 36 patients with osteoarthritic elbow stiffness and tardy ulnar neuritis who underwent arthroscopic debridement and in situ ulnar nerve release between January 2018 and October 2022. The mean patient age was 51.3±6.5 years (range: 40-62 years), with 29 males and 7 females. The procedure was performed on 28 right and 8 left elbows, all on the dominant side. Radiographic classification of elbow osteoarthritis (OA) revealed 16 cases of Kellgren-Lawrence grade II, 15 cases of grade III, and 5 cases of grade IV. The duration of OA was 4.2±1.8 years (range: 2-8 years), and the duration of ulnar nerve compression symptoms was 4.6±3.2 months (range: 2 months-1 year). Elbow function and pain were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively using flexion-extension range of motion, the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. Ulnar nerve function was evaluated through grip strength, pinch strength, two-point discrimination of the little finger, and motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (MNCV and SNCV).Results:The mean operation time was 151.4±16.2 minutes (range: 125-180 minutes), with an average hospital stay of 6.5±1.0 days (range: 5-8 days). One patient (2.8%) experienced skin necrosis at the ulnar nerve release incision, while all other incisions healed at the first stage. At the 12-month follow-up, significant improvements were observed in elbow extension [26.00° (20.00°, 30.00°) vs. 6.00° (5.00°, 10.00°), Z=-5.235, P<0.001], flexion range of motion [98.00° (88.25°, 100.00°) vs. 120.50° (109.00°, 128.00°), Z=-5.234, P<0.001], VAS pain scores (7.5±0.9 vs. 1.8±0.8, t=32.788, P<0.001), and MEPI [32.50 (26.25, 43.75) vs. 85.00 (80.00, 85.00), Z=-5.269, P<0.001]. Improvements in grip strength (24.1±2.4 N vs. 35.0±2.7 N, t=30.745, P<0.001), pinch strength (16.2±1.3 N vs. 23.8±1.7 N, t=40.239, P<0.001), two-point discrimination [16.00 (14.00, 18.00) mm vs. 5.00 (3.00, 7.00) mm, Z=-5.270, P<0.001], and MNCV (27.5±3.0 m/s vs. 41.6±3.0 m/s, t=53.673, P<0.001) / SNCV (25.1±2.7 m/s vs. 35.0±2.9 m/s, t=47.538, P<0.001) were also noted. At the 12-month follow-up, 5 patients (13.9%) had an elbow extension lag greater than 15° (range: 18°-20°), though elbow flexion recovered to at least 100°, sufficient for daily activities. One patient (2.8%) had incomplete relief of ulnar nerve symptoms postoperatively, but was generally satisfied with the outcome. Three patients (8.3%) experienced temporary worsening of ulnar nerve symptoms during rehabilitation, which improved with adjusted exercise routines, and the symptoms resolved by the 1-year follow-up. Conclusion:Arthroscopic debridement combined with in situ ulnar nerve release is a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritic elbow stiffness complicated by tardy ulnar neuritis. This minimally invasive procedure is associated with a low complication rate and yields significant functional improvements.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in the treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) with concomitant lateral discoid meniscus.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 13 patients (16 knees) who underwent UKA for medial compartment OA of the knee associated with lateral discoid meniscus at Central Hospital of Cangzhou between January 2016 and July 2021. The mean age of the patients was 59.1±7.7 years (range, 49-74 years), with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.9±1.7 kg/m 2 (range, 25.2-31.3 kg/m 2). Of the 13 patients, 7 were male (9 knees) and 6 were female (7 knees). The procedure was performed on 10 knees of the left leg and 6 knees of the right leg. Preoperative radiographic assessment showed that all patients had Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3-4 knee OA (9 knees with grade 3, 7 knees with grade 4). The average duration of knee pain was 6.0±1.5 years (range, 3-8 years). No surgical intervention was performed on the lateral discoid meniscus during the UKA procedure. The alignment of the lower limbs was assessed by measuring the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle using full-length weight-bearing X-rays. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Oxford knee score (OKS), and American Knee Society (AKS) knee and function scores. The presence of lateral knee pain or tenderness along the lateral joint line was used to assess symptoms related to lateral meniscus injury. Results:The average surgical time for the 16 knees was 55.9±4.5 min (range, 48-62 min), and the mean length of hospital stay was 10.2±3.2 days (range, 7-15 days). The mean follow-up duration was 53.2±11.1 months (range, 36-68 months). At 6 months, 1 year, and the final follow-up, significant improvements were observed in HSS scores [57.00(54.25, 58.00) vs. 91.00 (89.25, 92.00) vs. 95.50(92.00, 97.00) vs. 96.50 (95.00, 97.75)], OKS [37.00(36.00, 39.00) vs. 15.00(15.00, 16.00) vs. 14.00(13.00, 14.00) vs. 13.00(12.25, 13.00)], AKS knee scores [52.00(50.00, 53.75) vs. 91.50(91.00, 92.00) vs. 95.00(95.00, 97.00) vs. 96.50 (95.00, 97.00)], and AKS function scores [53.00(45.00, 55.00) vs. 90.00(90.00, 90.00) vs. 95.00(92.00, 99.25) vs. 95.00(95.00, 100.00)] compared to preoperative values ( P<0.001). Statistically significant differences were found between the 6-month follow-up and the 1-year or final follow-up ( P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed between the 1-year and final follow-up ( P>0.05). Preoperative HKA angle was 8.00°(6.25°, 9.75°) of varus, whereas the postoperative HKA angle was 3.00° (3.00°, 3.75°) of varus. The postoperative alignment showed a significant reduction in varus deformity, with a statistically significant difference compared to preoperative values ( Z=-3.419, P=0.001). One knee developed symptomatic intra-articular loose body at 5 years postoperatively, which was successfully treated with arthroscopic removal. At the final follow-up, all prostheses were well-positioned, with no signs of loosening, subsidence, periprosthetic infection, or the need for revision surgery. No symptoms were indicative of lateral discoid meniscus injury were observed. Conclusion:UKA for the treatment of medial compartment knee OA in patients with lateral discoid meniscus yields favorable clinical outcomes, with significant improvements in knee function and pain relief, as well as stable midterm prosthesis performance.

Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)is widely expressed in human tissues.ALP plays an important role in the dephosphorylation of proteins and nucleic acids.Therefore,quantitative analysis of ALP plays a vital role in disease diagnosis and the development of biological detection methods.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)catalyzes continuous polymerization of deoxynucleotide triphosphates at the 3'-OH end of single-stranded DNA in the absence of a template.In this study,we developed a highly sensitive and selective method based on TdT and endonuclease Ⅳ(Endo Ⅳ)to quantify ALP activity.After ALP hydrolyzes the 3'-PO4 end of the substrate and generates 3'-OH,TdT can effectively elongate the 3'-OH end with deoxynucleotide adenine triphosphate(dATP)and produce a poly A tail,which can be detected by the poly T probes.Endo Ⅳ digests the AP site in poly T probes to generate a fluorescent signal and a new 3'-OH end,leading to the generation of exponential fluorescence signal amplification.The substrate for TdT elongation was optimized,and a limit of detection of 4.3×10-3 U/L was achieved for ALP by the optimized substrate structure.This method can also detect ALP in the cell lysate of a single cell.This work has potential applications in disease diagnosis and biomedical detection.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of vertebral trabecular and endplate HU values on cage subsidence after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), hope to provide reference for surgical planning.Methods:All of 72 patients with lumbar disc herniation that underwent PLIF were retrospectively reviewed, who were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of cage subsidence at one-year follow up. Cage subsidence was defined as more than 4 mm subsidence into the vertebrae valuated by CT at one-year follow up. There were 18 patients enrolled into Subsidence group and 54 patients enrolled into N-Subsidence group. The lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, intervertebral height, off-bed time, hospital stay, complications, the trabecular and endplate HU values of upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) and lower instrumented vertebrae (LIV) were compared between the two groups. ROC was used to explore the thresholds of HU values.Results:There were 14 patients presented cage subsidence into the L4, 4 patients presented cage subsidence into the L5. There was no significant difference in lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, intervertebral height, off-bed time, hospital stay, or complications between the two groups. Both UIV and LIV trabecular and endplate showed a lower HU value in Subsidence group than those in N-Subsidence group. The most appropriate thresholds of HU value were 146, 172, 307, 254 for trabecular of UIV, trabecular of LIV, lower endplate of UIV, and upper endplate of LIV, respectively.Conclusion:Vertebral trabecular and endplate HU values could effectively predict the cage subsidence after PLIF, patients should be completely informed the risk of cage subsidence and larger cage should be recommended if they presented HU values under the certain threshold.