BACKGROUND:Cervical disc herniation can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area,as well as radiating pain in the upper limbs.The incidence rate is increasing year by year and tends to affect younger individuals.Fully understanding the biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine in adolescents is of great significance for preventing and delaying the onset of cervical disc herniation in this age group. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct cervical spine models for both healthy adolescents and adolescent patients with cervical disc herniation utilizing finite element analysis techniques,to analyze the motion range of the C1-T1 cervical vertebrae as well as the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and the cartilage of the small joints. METHODS:A normal adolescent's cervical spine and an adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation were selected in this study.The continuous scan cervical spine CT raw image data were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format.The C1-T1 vertebrae were reconstructed separately.Subsequently,the established models were imported into the 3-Matic software for disc reconstruction.The perfected models were then imported into Hypermesh software for meshing of the vertebrae,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,and ligaments,creating valid geometric models.After assigning material properties,the final models were imported into ABAQUS software to observe the joint motion range of the C1-C7 cervical vertebrae segments under different conditions,and to analyze the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and small joint cartilage of each cervical spine segment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In six different conditions,the joint motion range of the C1 vertebra in the cervical spine models of both normal adolescent and adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation was higher than that of the other vertebrae.Additionally,the joint motion range of each cervical spine segment in normal adolescent was greater than that in adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation.(2)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress values in the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus were found on the left side during C2-3 flexion conditions(0.43 MPa and 0.17 MPa,respectively).In the cervical spine model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress values were found on the left side during C7-T1 flexion conditions(0.54 MPa and 0.18 MPa,respectively).(3)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the upper endplate of C3 during flexion conditions(1.46 MPa).In the model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the lower endplate of C7 during flexion conditions(1.32 MPa).(4)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value in the small joint cartilage was found in the C2-3 left rotation conditions(0.98 MPa).In adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the stress in the small joint cartilage significantly increased under different conditions,especially in C1-2,with the maximum stress found during left flexion(3.50 MPa).(5)It is concluded that compared to normal adolescent,adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation exhibits altered cervical curvature and a decrease in overall joint motion range in the cervical spine.In adolescent with cervical disc herniation,there is a significant increase in stress on the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,and endplates in the C7-T1 segment.The stress on the left articular cartilage of the C1-2 is notable.Abnormal cervical curvature may be the primary factor causing these stress changes.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is an immune system disease with an unclear etiology. Guided by the yang-reinforcing method， it is believed that the fundamental pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis lies in the disharmony between water and fire and the reckless movement of the ministerial fire. The failure of the spleen and stomach to maintain warmth， leading to the production of phlegm and blood stasis， is an important pathogenesis. The invasion of external pathogenic toxins， deeply penetrating into the interior， is considered a triggering factor for the disease. The treatment focuses on supplementing the yang， consolidating the kidney， drawing fire back to its source， warming the yang， benefiting the kidney， and nourishing the spleen to generate metal. It also emphasizes unblocking the yang， transforming turbidity， and eliminating phlegm and blood stasis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination status, transmission risk and drug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) on the object surfaces in the surrounding environment of hospitalized patients infected with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) , so as to provide a scientific guidance for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infection. MethodsSamples from the surfaces of objects in the surrounding environment of CRKP infected patients living in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hand specimens from healthcare workers were collected for KP isolation and identification, as well as drug susceptible test in a medical institution located in Minhang District, Shanghai from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the influencing factors associated with KP contamination in the hospital environment. ResultsA total of 546 surface samples were collected from the surrounding environment objects of 15 patients infected with CRKP, with a KP detection rate of 6.59% (36/546).The KP detection rate in the ICU of general ward (10.22%) was higher than that in the ICU of emergency department (2.94%) (χ²=12.142, P<0.001). Moreover, the KP detection rate on the surfaces of patient-contacted items (15.66%) was higher than that on shared-use items (6.25%), cleaning items (10.00%), and medical supplies (3.30%) (χ²=17.943, P<0.001). Besides, the detection rate of KP in items sent out of hospital for disinfection (15.38%) was higher than that in those self-disinfected (4.20%) (χ²=19.996, P<0.001).The highest detection rate of KP was observed in high-temperature washing (15.13%, 18/119) (χ²=21.219, P<0.001), while the lowest detection rate was observed in antibacterial hand sanitizer with trichlorohydroxydiphenyl ether sanitizing factor (0, 0/60) ( χ²=21.219, P<0.001).The detection rate of KP in samples taken more than 24 hours after the last disinfection (23.08%) was higher than that in those taken at 4 to24 hours (12.90%) and less than 4 hours (4.22%) (χ²=23.398,P<0.001).ICU of general ward (OR=4.045, 95%CI: 2.206‒7.416), patient-contacted items (OR=3.113, 95%CI: 1.191‒8.141), and self-disinfection ( OR=0.241, 95%CI:0.144‒0.402) were influencing factors for KP contamination in environmental surface. From 2021 to 2023, the drug resistance rates of hospital environmental KP isolates showed an upward trend (P<0.001) to antibiotics such as ceftazidime and gentamicin. Furthermore, high drug resistance rates of KP (>90%) were observed to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefepime. ConclusionCRKP can be transmitted outward through the surfaces of objects in the patients’ surroundings, and the drug resistance situation is severe. In clinical settings, it is necessary to implement isolation measures for CRKP infection patients, to increase the frequency of disinfection for objects in their surroundings, to strengthen hand hygiene practices, and to use antibiotics appropriately.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has a promising future in the treatment of ocular diseases due to its high efficiency, specificity, and low toxicity in inhibiting the expression of target genes and proteins. However, due to the unique anatomical structure of the eye and various barriers, delivering nucleic acids to the retina remains a significant challenge. In this study, we rationally design PACD, an A-B-C type non-viral vector copolymer composed of a hydrophilic PEG block (A), a siRNA binding block (B) and a pH-responsive block (C). PACDs can self-assemble into nanosized polymeric micelles that compact siRNAs into polyplexes through simple mixing. By evaluating its pH-responsive activity, gene silencing efficiency in retinal cells, intraocular distribution, and anti-angiogenesis therapy in a mouse model of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we demonstrate the efficiency and safety of PACD in delivering siRNA in the retina. We are surprised to discover that, the PACD/siRNA polyplexes exhibit remarkable intracellular endosomal escape efficiency, excellent gene silencing, and inhibit retinal angiogenesis. Our study provides design guidance for developing efficient nonviral ocular nucleic acid delivery systems.

Humans ; Aged ; Lung Diseases ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Administration, Inhalation ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy*

Important forensic diagnostic indicators of sudden death in coronary atherosclerotic heart dis-ease,such as acute or chronic myocardial ischemic changes,sometimes make it difficult to locate the ischemic site due to the short death process,the lack of tissue reaction time.In some cases,the de-ceased died of sudden death on the first-episode,resulting in difficulty for medical examiners to make an accurate diagnosis.However,clinical studies on coronary instability plaque revealed the key role of coronary spasm and thrombosis caused by their lesions in sudden coronary death process.This paper mainly summarizes the pathological characteristics of unstable coronary plaque based on clinical medi-cal research,including plaque rupture,plaque erosion and calcified nodules,as well as the influencing factors leading to plaque instability,and briefly describes the research progress and technique of the atherosclerotic plaques,in order to improve the study on the mechanism of sudden coronary death and improve the accuracy of the forensic diagnosis of sudden coronary death by diagnosing different patho-logic states of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of neck seven-line method combined with periauricular acupuncture as salvage treatment for sudden hearing loss in non-acute stage. MethodsSixty-six patients with non-acute stage of sudden hearing loss with a disease duration of 15-90 days were randomly divided into 33 cases each in treatment group and control group. The treatment group was given neck seven-line method combined with acupuncture at periauricular points； the control group used sham acupuncture and sham electroacupuncture at the same points. Both groups were treated 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequencies were examined before treatment， after treatment finish and at follow-up （week 10）， and the difference between pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequencies before and after treatment was calculated； calculate the proportion of patients with ≥10 dB improvement in pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency after treatment and at follow-up； compare the patients' Tinnitus Evaluation Scale （TEQ） scores， Chinese Medicine Quality of Life Assessment Scale （CQ-11D） health utility values and the difference between before and after treatment， and record the occurrence of adverse events. ResultsThe pure tone average of impaired frequency in the treatment group were （50.57±18.07） dB and （47.70±17.42） dB at post-treatment and follow-up respectively， and （54.38±21.77） dB and （53.36±20.99） dB in the control group at post-treatment and follow-up. Compared with the pre-treatment period， the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency in the two groups significantly decreased （P＜0.05） at post-treatment and follow-up. The difference of pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency in the treatment group after treatment and at the follow-up visit compared to that before treatment was lower than those in the control group （P＜0.05）. After treatment， 13 patients （39.39%） in the treatment group and 10 patients （30.30%） in the control group showed improvement of ≥10 dB in pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency； at the follow-up visit， 18 patients （54.55%） in the treatment group and 10 patients （30.30%） in the control group showed improvement of ≥10 dB in the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency， and there was no statistical significance for comparison between groups at the time of post-treatment and follow-up （P＞0.05）. The TEQ score of the treatment group significantly lower than that before treatment （P＜0.05）； the TEQ score of the treatment group and the difference between before and after treatment significantly lower than that of the control group （P＜0.05）. The difference in CQ-11D health utility values and the difference between before and after treatment were not statistically significant between the two groups （P＞0.05）. Eight cases of acupuncture-related adverse events occurred among 66 patients， including subcutaneous haematomas after needling， severe pain during needling and needle fainting， which disappeared after symptomatic treatment and did not affect the following treatment. ConclusionNeck seven-line method combined with periauricular acupuncture could be used as salvage treatment for sudden hearing loss in non-acute stage to improve the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency， alleviate tinnitus， with safety.

Objective To establish a low density, high purity and high stability in vitro culture method of primary hippocampal neurons of fetal rats by co-culturing hippocampal and cortical cells, so as to obtain higher purity and better vitality of primary hippocampal neurons disease. Methods The fetal rat hippocampal tissue was isolated from 16-18 days pregnant SD rats, then cut and digested by 0.125% trypsin. The obtained cell suspension was filtered by 200 mesh cell sieve, and then the obtained cell suspensions were then inoculated into the inner layer and outer ring of the culture plate in a surrounding form. They were co-cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing 10% horse serum. After 4-6 hours of cell adhesion, the culture medium was changed to maintenance medium (Neurobasal+2% B27+0.5 mmol/L glutamine). Then the cell viability was detected with CCK-8 kit and the purity of hippocampal neurons was detected by immunofluorescent staining. Results Hippocampal neurons grew well and formed crisscross neural networks after 5 days. And it could survive for 3 weeks. The purity of hippocampal neurons was up to 98%. Conclusion The method of co-culturing hippocampal and cortical cells can obtain high-purity, high activity, high survival rate, and high stability primary hippocampal neurons from fetal rats, which can provide certain experimental conditions for the study of hippocampal neuron related diseases in the nervous system and is worthy of promotion and application.

Decoction is the most commonly used dosage form in the clinical treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). During boiling, the violent movement of various active ingredients in TCM creates molecular forces such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic interactions, which results in the formation of self-assembled aggregates in decoction (SADs), including particles, gels, fibers, etc. It was found that SADs widely existed in decoction with biological activities superior to both effective monomers and their physical mixtures, providing a new idea to reveal the pharmacodynamic material basis of Chinese herbal medicine from the perspective of component interactions-phase structure. Recently, SADs have become a novel focus of research in TCM. This paper reviewed their relevant studies in recent years and found some issues to be concerned in the research, such as the polydispersity of decoction system, instability of active ingredient interactions during boiling, uncertainty of the aggregates self-assembly rules, and stability, purity, yield of the products. In this regard, some solutions and new ideas were presented for the integrated development and clinical application of SADs.