BACKGROUND:Gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds can mimic unique anatomical features in musculoskeletal tissues,showing great potential for repairing injured musculoskeletal tissues. OBJECTIVE:To review the latest research advances in gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds for tissue engineering in the musculoskeletal system and describe their advantages and fabrication strategies. METHODS:The first author of the article searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases for articles published from 2000 to 2023 with search terms"gradient,bone regeneration,scaffold".Finally,76 papers were analyzed and summarized after the screening. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)As an important means of efficient and high-quality repair of skeletal system tissues,gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds are currently designed bionically for the natural gradient characteristics of bone tissue,bone-cartilage,and tendon-bone tissue.These scaffolds can mimic the extracellular matrix of native tissues to a certain extent in terms of structure and composition,thus promoting cell adhesion,migration,proliferation,differentiation,and regenerative recovery of damaged tissues to their native state.(2)Advanced manufacturing technology provides more possibilities for gradient artificial bone repair scaffold preparation:Gradient electrospun fiber scaffolds constructed by spatially differentiated fiber arrangement and loading of biologically active substances have been developed;gradient 3D printed scaffolds fabricated by layered stacking,graded porosity,and bio-3D printing technology;gradient hydrogel scaffolds fabricated by in-situ layered injections,simple layer-by-layer stacking,and freeze-drying method;and in addition,there are also scaffolds made by other modalities or multi-method coupling.These scaffolds have demonstrated good biocompatibility in vitro experiments,were able to accelerate tissue regeneration in small animal tests,and were observed to have significantly improved histological structure.(3)The currently developed gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds have problems such as mismatch of gradient scales,unclear material-tissue interactions,and side effects caused by degradation products,which need to be further optimized by combining the strengths of related disciplines and clinical needs in the future.

Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.

Objective: This study aimed to construct an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis and to evaluate it comprehensively. Methods: The HFpEF mouse model was constructed using a combination of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a high-fat diet. According to the random number table method, SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control, L-NAME, high-fat diet, and model groups, 10 in each group. Comprehensive observations and data collection on macroscopic signs (e.g., fur condition, mental state, stool and urine, oral and nasal condition, paw and body condition, etc.) and cardiac function were performed after 10 and 16 weeks of model induction. Additionally, the syndrome evolution was elucidated based on diagnostic criteria for clinical syndromes of heart failure. Furthermore, pathological and molecular biological examinations of myocardial tissue were performed to assess the stability and reliability of the model. Results: Mice in the model group showed typical characteristics of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, as well as syndrome of internal heat accumulation, including lethargy, slow response, dull paw color and oral/nasal color, exercise intolerance, abnormal platelet activation, dry feces, and dark yellow urine. The time window for these syndromes was between 10 and 16 weeks post-modeling. Cardiac function assessments revealed severe diastolic dysfunction, concentric myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis in the model group. Pathological examinations showed a significantly increased collagen deposition in the myocardial interstitium, enlarged cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and sparse coronary microvasculature in the model group. Molecular biological analyses indicated marked activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory pathway and significantly elevated inflammation levels in the myocardial tissue of the model group. Although mice in the L-NAME and high-fat diet groups also showed certain manifestations of qi deficiency syndrome, the substantial cardiac damage was relatively limited compared to the control group. Conclusion This study has constructed an animal model of HFpEF that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of this model are consistent with the manifestations of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, toxin syndrome, and syndrome of internal heat accumulation. Moreover, it can stably simulate the HFpEF state and reflect phenotypic changes in human disease. This model provides a suitable experimental platform to explore the pathogenesis of HFpEF, evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment regimens, and promote in-depth research on TCM syndromes of heart failure.

BACKGROUND:Bone mineral density is the clinical gold standard for determining bone strength,but bone mineral density is less sensitive to changes in bone mass,with large changes in bone mineral density only occurring when bone mass is significantly reduced,so bone mineral density has limited ability to predict changes in bone strength and fracture risk. OBJECTIVE:A model of the normal and osteoporotic hip joint was developed to analyze the stresses and deformation in the hip of normal and osteoporotic patients under single-leg standing conditions. METHODS:A healthy adult female volunteer at the age of 36 years was selected as the study subject.The CT data of the hip joint of this volunteer were obtained and saved in DICOM format.The hip joint model was reconstructed in three dimensions,and the material properties were assigned by the gray value assignment method to obtain the normal and osteoporotic hip joint models according to the empirical formula.The same boundary conditions and loads were set to simulate the stresses and deformation in the normal and osteoporotic hip joints in the single-leg standing position. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the finite element model of the normal and osteoporotic hip,the stress distribution was more concentrated in the medial region of the femoral neck.(2)In the hip bone,the stress distribution was mainly concentrated in the upper part of the acetabulum.(3)The stress peaks in the medial femoral neck and upper acetabulum were larger in the normal hip model than in the osteoporotic hip model,probably due to the reduced bone strength of the osteoporotic bone.(4)The peak Von Mises of both normal and osteoporotic hip models were concentrated on the medial femoral neck,and the peak Von Mises of the hip bone was smaller,indicating that the overall effect of osteoporosis on hip bone stresses was relatively small.(5)In terms of deformation in the single-leg standing position,the maximum deformation in the normal hip model was located at the acetabulum and femoral head,and the maximum deformation was located at the upper part of the greater trochanter of the femur.(6)It is suggested that the finite element analysis method to model the values of parameters related to bone tissue in osteoporosis may improve clinical prediction of bone strength changes and fracture risk.It is explained from the biomechanical view that the intertrochanteric femur and femoral neck are good sites for osteoporotic hip fractures.

BACKGROUND:Based on different algorithms of machine learning,how to carry out clinical research on lumbar disc herniation with the help of various algorithmic models has become a trend and hot spot in the development of intelligent medicine at present. OBJECTIVE:To review the characteristics of different algorithmic models of machine learning in the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation,and summarize the respective advantages and application strategies of algorithmic models for the same purpose. METHODS:The computer searched PubMed,Web of Science,EMBASE,CNKI,WanFang,VIP and China Biomedical(CBM)databases to extract the relevant articles on machine learning in the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation.Finally,96 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Different algorithm models of machine learning provide intelligent and accurate application strategies for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation.(2)Traditional statistical methods and decision trees in supervised learning are simple and efficient in exploring risk factors and establishing diagnostic and prognostic models.Support vector machine is suitable for small data sets with high-dimensional features.As a nonlinear classifier,it can be applied to the recognition,segmentation and classification of normal or degenerative intervertebral discs,and to establish diagnostic and prognostic models.Ensemble learning can make up for the shortcomings of a single model.It has the ability to deal with high-dimensional data and improve the precision and accuracy of clinical prediction models.Artificial neural network improves the learning ability of the model,and can be applied to intervertebral disc recognition,classification and making clinical prediction models.On the basis of the above uses,deep learning can also optimize images and assist surgical operations.It is the most widely used model with the best performance in the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation.The clustering algorithm in unsupervised learning is mainly used for disc segmentation and classification of different herniated segments.However,the clinical application of semi-supervised learning is relatively less.(3)At present,machine learning has certain clinical advantages in the identification and segmentation of lumbar intervertebral discs,classification and grading of the degenerative intervertebral discs,automatic clinical diagnosis and classification,construction of the clinical predictive model and auxiliary operation.(4)In recent years,the research strategy of machine learning has changed to the neural network and deep learning,and the deep learning algorithm with stronger learning ability will be the key to realizing intelligent medical treatment in the future.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) performed by endoscopists for solid pancreatic lesions requiring tissue for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining with different approach of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA).Methods:After screening 1 573 cases who underwent EUS-TA operation at the Endoscopy Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between August 2018 and October 2022, a total of 65 cases of solid pancreatic lesions whose diagnosis rely on IHC staining was collected and summarized with clinical data of each case. Among 65 cases, there were 46 cases of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), 13 cases of pancreatic solid pseudo-papillary tumors (SPTs), and 6 cases of lymphomas and mesenchymal. Patients were categorized into ROSE group (36 cases) and non-ROSE group (29 cases) according to the presence or absence of endoscopists performed ROSE during EUS-TA operation. They were further divided into subgroups of FNA-ROSE (26 cases), FNB-ROSE (10 cases), FNA-non-ROSE (24 cases) and FNB-non-ROSE (5 cases) according to the type of EUS-TA. Diagnostic accuracy and IHC success rate were compared between different groups and subgroups. Binomial logistic multifactorial regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of ROSE and EUS-TA type on diagnostic accuracy and IHC success rate.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between ROSE group and non-ROSE group in terms of age, gender, bilirubin level, CA19-9 level, lesion site, lesion size, composition ratio of diagnosis, and surgical rate. The differences in mean size of lesions, needle gauge, location of puncturation, and number of needle pass between subgroups were not statistically significant. The diagnostic accuracy was 88.9% in ROSE group and 79.3% in non-ROSE group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.023). The diagnostic accuracy of FNA-ROSE group was higher than that of FNA-non-ROSE group (88.5% vs 75.0%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.100). The differences in diagnostic accuracy and success rate of IHC between FNB-ROSE group and FNB-non-ROSE group were not statistically significant. Binomial logistic multifactorial regression analysis did not reveal any independent influences on diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions:ROSE performed by endoscopists improved diagnostic accuracy of EUS-TA in solid pancreatic lesions requiring IHC staining, and therefore is potentially valuable for improving the diagnostic efficiency of EUS-TA for such diseases.

ObjectiveTo analyze the long-term trends of the disease burden of diabetes attributed to metabolic factors in China from 1990 to 2019, and provide scientific recommendations for diabetes prevention and control in China. MethodsDescriptive analysis was conducted on the disease burden data of diabetes attributed to metabolic factors in China from 1990 to 2019, obtained from GBD 2019, encompassing death form diabetes, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), years of life lost (YLL), and years lived with disability (YLD). Joinpoint regression models were employed to analyze the long-term trends in mortality and DALY rates. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of two metabolic risk factors, high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and high body mass index (BMI) levels, on the disease burden of diabetes. ResultsFrom 1990 to 2019, the overall standardized mortality and DALY rates attributed to metabolic factors for diabetes in the general population in China showed an upward trend, with both average annual percent changes (AAPCs) of 0.1% in the total population. The trend was upward in males with AAPCs of 0.9% and 0.6%, while it was downward in females with AAPCs of -0.4% and -0.3%. As age increased, the disease burden of diabetes attributed to metabolic factors showed an upward trend, with high FPG and high BMI ranking as the top two attributing risk factors. The disease burden of diabetes attributed to metabolic factors was higher in Chinese males than females. ConclusionThe disease burden of diabetes attributed to metabolic factors is increasing among the overall population and particularly among males, while the burden for female is declining. There is a need to increase intervention efforts for males aged 65 and above, provide scientific guidance on residents’ diet and lifestyle habits, and control blood glucose and body weight.

Aural vertigo frequently encountered in the otolaryngology department of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） mainly involves peripheral vestibular diseases of Western medicine， such as Meniere's disease， benign paroxysmal positional vertigo， vestibular neuritis， and vestibular migraine， being a hot research topic in both TCM and Western medicine. Western medical therapies alone have unsatisfactory effects on recurrent aural vertigo， aural vertigo affecting the quality of life， aural vertigo not relieved after surgery， aural vertigo with complex causes， and children's aural vertigo. The literature records and clinical practice have proven that TCM demonstrates unique advantages in the treatment of aural vertigo. The China Association of Chinese medicine sponsored the "17th youth salon on the diseases responding specifically to TCM： Aural vertigo" and invited vertigo experts of TCM and Western medicine to discuss the difficulties and advantages of TCM diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo. The experts deeply discussed the achievements and contributions of TCM and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo， the control and mitigation of the symptoms， and the solutions to disease recurrence. The discussion clarified the positioning and advantages of TCM treatment and provided guidance for clinical and basic research on aural vertigo.

When skin injuries are healing, complex wound environments can be easily created, which can result in wound infection, excessive inflammation caused by neutrophil accumulation and inflammatory factors, and excessive reactive oxygen species, resulting in high levels of oxidative stress. As a result of these factors, cell membranes, proteins, DNA, etc. may become damaged, which adversely affects the repair function of normal cells around the wound, resulting in the formation of chronic wounds. The effectiveness of wound dressings as a treatment is well known. They can offer temporary skin damage protection, prevent or control wound infection, create an environment that is conducive to mending skin damage, and speed wound healing. Traditional dressings like gauze, cotton balls, and bandages, however, have the drawbacks of having no antimicrobial properties, having weak adhesive properties, having poor mechanical properties, being susceptible to inflammation, obstructing angiogenesis, needing frequent replacement, and being unable to create an environment that is conducive to wound healing. As an innovative bandage, self-assembled hydrogel has great water absorption, high water retention, superior biocompatibility, biodegradability and three-dimensional (3D) structure. With properties including hemostasis, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, the synthesized raw material itself and the loaded active compounds have a wide range of potential applications in the treatment of skin injuries and wound healing. This research begins by examining and discussing the mechanism of cross-linking in self-assembled hydrogels. The cross-linking modes include non-covalent consisting of physical interaction forces such as electrostatic interactions, π-stacking, van der Waals forces, hydrophobic interactions, and metal-ligand bonds, covalent cross-linking formed by dynamic covalent bonding such as disulfide bonding and Schiff bases. And hybrid cross-linking with mixed physical forces and dynamic covalent bonding. The next part describes the special structure and excellent functions of self-assembled hydrogels, which include an extracellular matrix-like structure, the removal of exogenous microorganisms, and the mitigation of inflammation and oxidative stress. It goes on to explain the benefits of using self-assembled hydrogels as dressings for skin injuries. These dressings are capable of controlling cell proliferation, loading active ingredients, achieving hemostasis and coagulation, hastening wound healing, and controlling the regeneration of the injured area. The development of self-assembly hydrogels as dressings is summarized in the last section. The transition from purely non-covalent or covalent cross-linking to hybrid cross-linking with multiple networks, from one-strategy action to multi-strategy synergy in exerting antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects and from single-function to multi-functioning in a single product. Additionally, it is predicted that future developments in self-assembled hydrogels will focus on creating biomimetic gels with multi-strategy associations linkage from naturally self-assembling biomolecules peptides, lipids, proteins and polysaccharides; improving the properties and cross-linking of raw materials to enhance the storage capabilities of hydrogels and cross-linking techniques, realizing the recycling of hydrogels; conducting additional research and exploration into the cross-linking process of hydrogels; and realizing the gel’s controllable rate of degradation. Furthermore, combining 3D printing and 3D microscopic imaging technology to design and build one-to-one specialized gel dressings; using computer simulation and virtual reality to eliminate the time factor, resulting in self-assembled hydrogels that perfectly fit the ideal dressing.

Background Self-perceived burden,anxiety and depression are among the most important factors affecting quality of life.At present,there is a lack of understanding on the research status and influencing factors of self-perceived burden in liver transplant recipients.Previous studies have shown that self-perceived burden,anxiety,depression and quality of life are correlated in pairs,but the effecting path among the three are not yet clear.Objective To explore the correlation of self-perceived burden and anxiety/depression with quality of life in liver transplant recipients,so as to provide guidance for psychological nursing intervention in clinical patients.Methods A total of 200 patients liver transplant recipients were enrolled from the liver transplantation inpatient and outpatient clinics of Jiangsu Province Hospital and Qinhuai Medical Area,General Hosptial of Eastern Theater Command of People's Liberation Army of China from March 2022 to February 2023.Patients were evaluated using Self-perceived Burden Scale(SPBS),Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)and the Chinese version of Post Liver Transplant Quality of Life Questionnaire(pLTQ).Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation among the scales.A structural equation model using Mplus 8.3 was utilized to testify the relationship among self-perceived burden,anxiety/depression and quality of life in liver transplant recipients.Bootstrap method was used to test the effecting pathway.Results There were statistically significant differences in SPBS scores of liver transplant recipients with different levels of education and fannual family income(H=9.656,18.796,P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in HADS scores of liver transplant recipients with different numbers of somatic symptoms(H=9.859,P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the Chinese version of pLTQ scores of liver transplant recipients with different levels of education,postoperative survival time and numbers of somatic symptoms(H=6.892,8.023,16.099,P<0.05).The total and each dimension scores in SPBS of liver transplant recipients were positively correlated with the total score and anxiety/depression dimension scores in HADS(r=0.464～0.586,0.460～0.593,0.286～0.408,0.464～0.583,P<0.01)and negatively correlated with the total score and each dimension scores in the Chinese version of pLTQ(r=-0.572～-0.416,-0.599～-0.441,-0.365～-0.213,-0.559～-0.428,P<0.01).Structural equation model denoted that self-perceived burden negatively affected quality of life(β=-0.186,P<0.01).Anxiety/depression also negatively affected quality of life(β=-0.679,P<0.01).The self-perceived burden indirectly affected the quality of life of liver transplant recipients through anxiety and depression,with an effect value of-0.429,accounting for 69.76％of the total effect.Conclusion The quality of life in liver transplant recipients may be related to their self-perceived burden and anxiety/depression.Self-perceived burden may affect the quality of life of liver transplant patients through anxiety and depression.