Objective:To compare the antiosteoporosis effect of conventional treatment and conventional treatment combined with Denosumab after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 211 patients with OVCF admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2020 to September 2022. All the patients were female, aged 56-90 years [(71.4±8.1)years]. The bone mineral density T-score of the lumbar spine was (-2.6±1.0)SD before operation. Fracture segments included T 1-T 9 in 45 patients, T 10-L 2 in 146, and L 3-L 5 in 69. Of all, 174 patients were treated with single-segment surgery, 25 with two-segment surgery and 12 with surgery involving three or more segments. According to the wishes of the patients, 107 patients were treated with daily oral administration of calcium and active Vitamin D after PKP (conventional treatment group) and 104 patients with Denosumab combined with the conventional treatment after PKP (Denosumab therapy group). The bone mineral density T-scores of the lumbar spine of the two groups were compared before surgery and at the last follow-up. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) before surgery, at 3 days, 6 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up were evaluated and the refracture rate after surgery was detected. Possible adverse effects after medication during anti-osteoporosis treatment were observed in two the groups. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-24 months [(13.5±2.0)months]. Before surgery, the bone mineral density T-score of the lumbar spine was (-2.7±1.1)SD in the Denosumab therapy group and (-2.5±0.8)SD in the conventional treatment group ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the bone mineral density T-score of the lumbar spine was (-2.1±1.1)SD in the Denosumab therapy group, significantly higher than (-2.5±0.9)SD in the conventional treatment group ( P<0.05). In the Denosumab therapy group, the bone mineral density T-score of the lumbar spine at the last follow-up was significantly increased compared to that before surgery ( P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in the conventional treatment group ( P<0.05). Before surgery and at 3 days after surgery, the VAS scores and ODI values were (8.5±0.9)points, (2.8±0.8)points, 48.7±4.8 and 25.6±4.0 in the Denosumab therapy group, which was not statistically different from those in the conventional treatment group [(8.5±1.3)points and (2.8±0.9)points, 47.9±7.0 and 25.9±3.7] ( P>0.05). At 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores and ODI values were (2.2±0.8)points, (1.7±0.8)points, 24.2±3.6 and 23.2±4.1 in the Denosumab therapy group, significantly lower than those of the conventional treatment group [(2.8±0.9)points, (2.8±1.1)points, 26.4±3.2 and 27.3±4.0] ( P<0.01). The VAS scores at each time point after surgery in both groups decreased significantly compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). The VAS scores continued to decrease after surgery in the Denosumab therapy group ( P<0.05), while no significant difference was found among those at different time points in the conventional treatment group ( P>0.05). The ODI values at each time point after surgery in both groups significantly decreased compared to those before surgery ( P<0.05). The ODI values continued to decrease after surgery in the Denosumab therapy group ( P<0.05), while in the conventional treatment group, no significant difference was found between those at 6 months after surgery and those at 3 days after surgery ( P>0.05) and they were improved at the last follow-up compared with those at 3 days after surgery ( P<0.05). The refracture rate after surgery was 6.7% (7/104) in the Denosumab therapy group, significantly lower than 16.8% (18/107) in the conventional treatment group ( P<0.05). No serious complications were observed during the antiosteoporosis period in either group. Conclusion:Compared with daily oral administration of Calcium and active Vitamin D after PKP, the conventional treatment combined with Denosumab after PKP can effectively increase the bone density, relieve pain continuously, improve functional restoration, and reduce the risk of refracture in OVCF patients.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

Objective:To explore the etiology and characteristics of chronic wet cough in children in Qingdao.Methods:Patients with chronic wet cough treated at respiratory clinic of the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from July 2018 to June 2019 were included in this study.After three-month follow-up, the etiological data was analyzed.Results:(1)A total of 213 children were included, ranging in age from 1 month to 14 years old, including 38 cases of 1 month~1 year old, 47 cases of 1~3 years old, 87 cases of 3~6 years old, and 41 cases of 6~14 years old.The median age was 4.7 years.The top four causes of chronic wet cough in children were upper airway cough syndrome(33.8%), protracted bacterial bronchitis(20.7%), asthma with upper airway cough syndrome(15.5%), and asthma with infection(10.8%). Other causes were postinfection cough, pertussis syndrome, bronchiectasis, gastroesophageal reflux, bronchial foreign body, abnormal airway development, cystic fibrosis and so on.(2)The first cause of chronic wet cough in different age groups: 1 month to 3 years old group was protracted bacterial bronchitis; 3 to 14 years old group was upper airway cough syndrome.(3)The causes of chronic wet cough showed seasonal differences.Upper airway cough syndrome and cough after infection had a more balanced incidence throughout the year; protracted bacterial bronchitis and pertussis syndrome were common in winter; asthma with upper airway cough syndrome and asthma with infection were common in spring and autumn.Conclusion:Upper airway cough syndrome, protracted bacterial bronchitis, asthma with upper airway cough syndrome, and asthma with infection are the 4 leading causes for children with chronic wet cough in Qingdao.The causes of chronic wet cough have age and seasonal differences.

Objective:To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) levels at different baseline on the risk of new-onset acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods:The subjects were from the Kailuan Study Cohort and divided into 3 groups according to baseline BMI levels: BMI<24 kg/m 2, normal weight; BMI 24-28 kg/m 2, overweight; BMI≥28 kg/m 2, obesity. The incidence of new-onset AP in these three groups was analyzed. The survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative incidence was calculated and tested by log-rank method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate HR of baseline BMI levels for AP. Results:A total of 123 841 subjects were included and followed up for (11.94±2.13) years, during which, 395 cases were found with AP. The incidence of AP was 2.67 per 10 000 person years in total population, and the incidences of AP were 2.20, 2.72 and 3.58 per 10 000 person-years in the normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively. The cumulative incidences of AP was 0.32%, 0.40% and 0.49% in normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively, which showed a significant inter-group difference by log-rank test ( χ2=13.17, P<0.01). The results of multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that obesity group ( HR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.92) had a higher risk for AP compared with the normal BMI group. The subgroup analyses by age and sex showed that compared with the normal weight group,the HRs for AP in the obesity group was 1.58(95% CI:1.14-2.19) and 1.40(95% CI:1.03-1.90) among subjects younger than 60 years old and male subjects, respectively. After excluded onset AP within two years from baseline,with a control group from normal weight,the results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that the AP in the obesity group was 1.60 (95% CI: 1.18-2.15). Conclusion:Obesity may increase the risk of developing AP, particularly among young and middle-aged men.

Objective To explore the impact of oral nutritional supplements in the local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving chemoradiotherapy. Methods From 2016 to 2018, we prospectively collected 114 patients into our study, including intervention group ( n=58) and control group ( n=56) . Patients in the intervention group were given oral nutritional supplements from the beginning of radiotherapy, while the control group patients were receiving usual diet care. We collected data of weight, hematological index and nutrition related information before, during and after treatments. Results All patients experienced weight loss during radiotherapy. The declining trend was more obvious in intervention group but with no statistical difference ( P>0.05) . Radiotherapy interruption was lower, completion rate of 2 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy was higher( 78% vs 64%, P=0.02) and level of total serum protein and albumin was more stable ( P=0.003, 0.001) in the intervention group. No difference was found in acute toxicities between the two groups ( P>0.05) . During the treatment period, the nutrition risk screening score declined, more patients with NRS 2002 ≥3 in the control group than the intervention group ( P<0.05) , while no statistically significant difference was found in PG-SGA between the two groups ( P>0.05 ) . Conclusions Oral nutritional supplements can improve treatment tolerance and keep the stability of serum protein level, nevertheless, it has no obvious advantage in maintenance of weight and short-term nutritional status

Objective To investigate the effects of fasting serum triglycerides (TG) levels at different baseline on the risk of new-onset acute pancreatitis (AP) in in-service and retired employees of Kailuan Group.Methods A total of 125 178 in-service and retired employees of Kailuan Group who received health check-ups from 2006 to 2009 and had no AP history but had complete TG data were prospectively enrolled.According to quantile level,the baseline serum fasting TG level of study subjects were divided into ＜1.01 mmol/L group (n=42 128),1.01 to 1.64 mmol/L group (n=41 711) and ＞ 1.64 mmol/L group (n=41 339).The incidence of new-onset AP of these three groups was analyzed.The survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method.The cumulative incidence rate was calculated and tested by log-rank method.And multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) of baseline fasting serum TG level for AP.Results After followed up for (7.36±1.23) years,a total of 193 cases of AP occurred.The incidences of AP in ＜1.01 mmol/L group,1.01 to 1.64 mmol/L group and ＞ 1.64 mmol/L group were 1.43 events/10 000 person-years,2.37 events/10 000 person-years and 2.49 events/10 000 person-years,respectively.The cumulative incidence rates of AP in ＜1.01 mmol/L group,1.01 to 1.64 mmol/L group and ＞1.64 mmol/L group were 0.10％ (44/42 128),0.18％ (73/41 711) and 0.18％ (76/41 339),respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =9.998,P=0.007).The results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that the risk of AP increased in 1.01 to 1.64 mmol/L group and ＞ 1.64 mmol/L group compared with that of ＜1.01 mmol/L group,HR and 95％ confidence interval (CI) were 1.56 (1.07 to 2.29) and 1.57 (1.06 to 2.32),respectively.After excluded onset AP within one year,with a control group of ＜1.01 mmol/L group,the results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that the HR and 95％CI for AP of 1.01 to 1.64 mmol/L group and ＞ 1.64 mmol/L group were 1.70 (1.11 to 2.58) and 1.69 (1.10 to 2.60),respectively.Conclusion Baseline fasting serum TG levels over 1.01 mmol/L may increase the risk of AP.

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of three different modalities in treatment of lung oligometastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC) after radiotherapy and to identify a more appropriate treatment modality.Methods The clinical data of 87 cases of lung oligometastases from NPC were analyzed retrospectively.Among them, 33 patients underwent local small-field irradiation+/-chemotherapy, 28 underwent whole-lung irradiation+chemotherapy, and 26 underwent simple chemotherapy.The survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.The differences among the modalities were evaluated using the log-rank test.Cox univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the influencing factors.Results The 3-year lung metastasis survival ( LMS) rates of patients with lung metastasis undergoing the three treatment modalities ( local small-field irradiation +/-chemotherapy, whole-lung irradiation+chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone) were 89.3%, 72.7%, and 72.4%, respectively, showing a significant difference between the groups ( P=0.003 ) .Further subgroup analysis showed that the 5-year LMS rate was significantly higher in the local small-field irradiation+/-chemotherapy group than that in the whole-lung irradiation+chemotherapy group and chemotherapy alone group (P=0.001).The 2y-ear progression -free survival (PFS ) rates of the three groups were 571.%, 25.8%and 3.8%, respectively, showing significant intergroup differences ( P=0.002 and P<0 .001 ) . Multivariate analysis indicated that compared with the whole lung irradiation group and the chemotherapy alone group, the local irradiation+/-chemotherapy is an independent favorable prognostic factor for LMS and PFS (P<0.05). Conclusion Local radiotherapy combined with systemic chemotherapy is the best therapeutic modality for lung oligometastases derived from NPC after radiotherapy, improving the LMS and prolonging the PFS.

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of three different modalities in treatment of lung oligometastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC) after radiotherapy and to identify a more appropriate treatment modality.Methods The clinical data of 87 cases of lung oligometastases from NPC were analyzed retrospectively.Among them, 33 patients underwent local small-field irradiation+/-chemotherapy, 28 underwent whole-lung irradiation+chemotherapy, and 26 underwent simple chemotherapy.The survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.The differences among the modalities were evaluated using the log-rank test.Cox univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the influencing factors.Results The 3-year lung metastasis survival ( LMS) rates of patients with lung metastasis undergoing the three treatment modalities ( local small-field irradiation +/-chemotherapy, whole-lung irradiation+chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone) were 89.3%, 72.7%, and 72.4%, respectively, showing a significant difference between the groups ( P=0.003 ) .Further subgroup analysis showed that the 5-year LMS rate was significantly higher in the local small-field irradiation+/-chemotherapy group than that in the whole-lung irradiation+chemotherapy group and chemotherapy alone group (P=0.001).The 2y-ear progression -free survival (PFS ) rates of the three groups were 571.%, 25.8%and 3.8%, respectively, showing significant intergroup differences ( P=0.002 and P<0 .001 ) . Multivariate analysis indicated that compared with the whole lung irradiation group and the chemotherapy alone group, the local irradiation+/-chemotherapy is an independent favorable prognostic factor for LMS and PFS (P<0.05). Conclusion Local radiotherapy combined with systemic chemotherapy is the best therapeutic modality for lung oligometastases derived from NPC after radiotherapy, improving the LMS and prolonging the PFS.

Taxol is one of the most potent anti-cancer agents, which is extracted from the plants of Taxus species. Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPI) catalyzes the reversible transformation between IPP and DMAPP, both of which are the general 5-carbon precursors for taxol biosynthesis. In the present study, a new gene encoding IPI was cloned from Taxus media (namely TmIPI with the GenBank Accession Number KP970677) for the first time. The full-length cDNA of TmIPI was 1 232 bps encoding a polypeptide with 233 amino acids, in which the conserved domain Nudix was found. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the sequence of TmIPI was highly similar to those of other plant IPI proteins, and the phylogenetic analysis showed that there were two clades of plant IPI proteins, including IPIs of angiosperm plants and IPIs of gymnosperm plants. TmIPI belonged to the clade of gymnosperm plant IPIs, and this was consistent with the fact that Taxus media is a plant species of gymnosperm. Southern blotting analysis demonstrated that there was a gene family of IPI in Taxus media. Finally, functional verification was applied to identify the function of TmIPI. The results showed that biosynthesis of β-carotenoid was enhanced by overexpressing TmIPI in the engineered E. coli strain, and this suggested that TmIPI might be a key gene involved in isoprenoid/terpenoid biosynthesis.

Objective To observe the effect of methylprednisolone on the expression levels of aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) and S100 protein in brain tissue of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in rats and to investigate the treatment timing and the possible neuroprotective mechanism of methylprednisolone for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods Sixty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:a sham operation group ( n= 8 ), a control group ( n= 8 ), and a methylprednisolone group ( n= 48 ). The methylprednisolone group was redivided into 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hsubgroups (n=8 in each subgroup) according to the modeling to the time intervals of methylprednisolone treatment. Methylprednisolone was administered intraperitoneal y (30 mg/kg fol owed by 15 mg/kg every 6 hours for 3 d) at the corresponding time points in the methylprednisolone group, and the equal volume normal saline was administered intraperitoneal y in the control group. Neurological behavior score was conducted at 24 and 72 h after methylprednisolone treatment. The dry-wet weight method was used to measure hemispheric water content. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the expression changes of AQP-4 mRNA and AQP-4 protein respectively. Double staining immunohistochemistry was used to detect AQP-4 and S100 protein. Results Compared with the sham operation group, the expression level of AQP-4 and brain water content in the control group were significantly increased (al P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, the neurological scores, expression levels of AQP-4 mRNA and protein, as wel as the brain water content in early methylprednisolone subgroups (2 h, 4 h and 8 hsubgroups) were significantly decreased (al P<0. 05). Double staining immunohistochemistry showed that expression levels of AQP-4 and S100 protein in early methylprednisolone subgroups (2 h, 4 h and 8 hsubgroups) were significantly decreased than those in the control group (al P<0. 05). Conclusions Early methylprednisolone may downregulate the expression levels of AQP-4 and S100 protein in the brain tissue after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in rats, and thus attenuate brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage.