The National Health Commission's Implementation Plan for the Development of Women and Children in China(2021-2030),released in 2022,has set a clear goal that:by 2030,we should train 1.12 pediatrician practitioners and add up to 3.17 hospital beds for every 1 000 children.Achieving the goal on schedule presents a significant challenge for children's hospi-tals,particularly in terms of attracting and retaining pediatric medical professionals to ensure the health of children.This paper addresses this issue by applying the 4 Ps model of employer branding theory,drawing on the experience of pediatrician recruit-ment and retention in Tianjin.The exploration encompasses several key areas:the work demands of pediatricians,employer brand positioning,human resource offerings,and employer brand promotion.It aims to enhance the appeal of pediatric medical institutions to pediatricians,thereby achieving effective recruitment and retention of talent within these institutions.Furthermore,by reviewing theoretical literature at home and abroad,this paper also proposes systematic ideas and approaches to improving employer branding.The proposed employer branding strategy in the paper is designed to enhance the effectiveness of employer branding for pediatric medical institutions,enabling them to secure a competitive edge in the attraction and retention of talent.Additionally,the paper of-fers a guidance for similar medical institutions,contributing to the advancement and expansion of pediatric medical institutions.

Objective:To summarize long-term clinical follow-up results of segment instability between the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and the adjacent upper vertebra (UIV+1) and to establish the optimal timing for surgery for UIV+1.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 265 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery at the Department of Spinal Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, from January 2014 to December 2018. The cohort included 119 male and 146 female patients, with an average age of 64.93 years (range: 32-86 years). Preoperative dynamic imaging measured sagittal angulation (SA) and sagittal translation (ST) of the UIV+1/UIV segment. Patients with SA>10° or ST>2 mm were categorized into the unstable group, further divided into the unstable non-fusion group and the unstable fusion group based on whether UIV+1 expansion fusion was performed. The remaining patients were classified into the stable group. Imaging indicators, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were compared among the groups, with JOA improvement rates calculated to assess clinical efficacy. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was employed to examine correlations between preoperative imaging indicators and final follow-up JOA improvement rates. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and the maximum Youden index were utilized to determine thresholds for preoperative SA and ST.Results:The follow-up duration for all patients was 73.53±12.92 months (range: 61-108 months). The stable group (124 cases) included 61 males and 63 females, aged 64.31±9.83 years (range: 44-82 years). The unstable non-fusion group (59 cases) included 22 males and 37 females, aged 65.76±11.01 years (range: 32-86 years). The unstable fusion group (82 cases) included 36 males and 46 females, aged 65.26±8.68 years (range: 47-80 years). At the last follow-up, the unstable non-fusion group exhibited ΔSA 0.90°±1.97° and ΔST 0.77±1.27 mm, both significantly higher than the stable group's ΔSA 0.25°±1.57° and ΔST 0.34±0.34 mm ( t=3.564, P<0.001; t=2.311, P=0.022). Clinical improvements were lower in the unstable non-fusion group compared to the other two groups: VAS (2.28±0.83), ODI (5.91%±3.46%), JOA (24.11±1.78), with a JOA improvement rate of 60%. The stable group showed VAS (1.51±0.69), ODI (3.71%±1.75%), JOA (27.33±1.91), with a JOA improvement rate of 83%. The unstable fusion group had VAS (1.46±0.83), ODI (3.46%±1.81%), JOA (26.48±1.66), with a JOA improvement rate of 78%. These differences were statistically significant ( F=32.117, P<0.001; F=24.827, P<0.001; F=92.658, P<0.001; F=93.341, P<0.001). The JOA improvement rate was negatively correlated with preoperative SA ( r=-0.363, P<0.001) to a low extent, and with preoperative ST ( r=-0.596, P<0.001) to a moderate extent. ROC curve analysis determined the preoperative SA threshold as 11.5° and the preoperative ST threshold as 1.85 mm. Conclusion:Pre-existing instability of the responsible segment UIV and UIV+1 (SA>10° or ST>2 mm) may worsen during long-term follow-up after TLIF. When preoperative SA exceeds 11.5° and ST exceeds 1.85 mm between UIV and UIV+1, performing an extended fusion involving UIV+1 can ensure surgical efficacy over long-term follow-up.

With an aging population, the incidence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) is on the rise, posing new challenges for developing personalized treatment strategies. For patients who do not respond to conservative treatment, percutaneous vertebroplasty or percutaneous kyphoplasty (PVP/PKP) remains the preferred surgical option due to its minimal invasiveness and rapid recovery time. However, progressive local kyphosis (PLK) is one of the most severe complications following PVP/PKP, with an incidence rate of 1.5%-25.8%. PLK often presents with recurring thoracic and lower back pain, and in severe cases, spinal stenosis, causing symptoms like numbness and pain in the lower limbs. The severity of PLK varies, and treatments can range from conservative management and bone cement reinforcement to internal fixation or osteotomy. Current studies suggest that re-fracture of the affected vertebra, intervertebral disc degeneration, and osteonecrosis may be underlying mechanisms. These conditions shift the axial load forward, promoting postoperative PLK, which tends to progress over time. Postoperative PLK is closely associated with patient characteristics, fracture details, surgical factors, and post-surgery osteoporosis management. 1) The severity of osteoporosis, as indicated by the T-score from bone mineral density testing, can help predict postoperative PLK. While factors like age and gender influence osteoporosis severity, no direct relationship has been established between these factors and PLK. 2) Thoracolumbar fractures, old nonunion fractures, endplate fractures, or severe preoperative compression changes with kyphosis can increase PLK risk. Surgical factors, including the use of balloons or implants and the distribution of bone cement, also play a role. Personalized treatment plans should be developed based on the patient's general condition and imaging results to ensure adequate bone cement diffusion, as enhanced integration can reduce PLK risk. 3) Postoperative anti-osteoporosis therapy is also crucial; long-term therapy, particularly with teriparatide, can prevent PLK. Recognizing the related risk factors and establishing predictive models can help clinicians tailor treatments. Machine learning models, utilizing big data, are particularly adept at handling complex interrelated risk factors and may provide a powerful tool for personalized treatment in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical research progress of spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL). METHODS: The clinical studies on SEL at home and abroad in recent years were extensively reviewed, and the pathogenesis, clinical and imaging manifestations, and treatment status of SEL were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: SEL is a disease characterized by compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots due to abnormal accumulation of epidural adipose tissue in the spinal canal. Its prevalence and diagnosis rate are low and the pathogenesis is not fully understood. MRI is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic test for SEL. Surgical decompression and removal of excess adipose tissue are the only options for patients with acute SEL or those who have failed conservative management, and conservative management should be considered for other patients. CONCLUSION SEL is a rare disease and related research still needs to be improved. In the future, high-quality, multi-center and large-sample studies will be of great significance for evaluating the choice of treatment methods and effectiveness of SEL patients.
Humans ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Epidural Space/surgery* ; Lipomatosis/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spinal Cord Diseases/surgery*

Ex vivo culture-amplified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been studied because of their capacity for healing tissue injury. MSC transplantation is a valid approach for promoting the repair of damaged tissues and replacement of lost cells or to safeguard surviving cells, but currently the efficiency of MSC transplantation is constrained by the extensive loss of MSCs during the short post-transplantation period. Hence, strategies to increase the efficacy of MSC treatment are urgently needed. Iron overload, reactive oxygen species deposition, and decreased antioxidant capacity suppress the proliferation and regeneration of MSCs, thereby hastening cell death. Notably, oxidative stress (OS) and deficient antioxidant defense induced by iron overload can result in ferroptosis. Ferroptosis may inhibit cell survival after MSC transplantation, thereby reducing clinical efficacy. In this review, we explore the role of ferroptosis in MSC performance. Given that little research has focused on ferroptosis in transplanted MSCs, further study is urgently needed to enhance the in vivo implantation, function, and duration of MSCs.
Humans ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Ferroptosis ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Iron Overload/metabolism*

Model informed precision dosing (MIPD) is a new concept to guide precision dosing for individual patient by modeling and simulation based on the available information about the individual patient, medications and the disease. Compared to the empirical dosing, MIPD could improve the efficacy, safety, economics and adherence of the pharmacotherapy according to the individual's pathophysiology, genotyping and disease progression. This consensus report provides a brief account of the concept, methodology and implementation of MIPD as well as clinical decision supporting systems for MIPD. The status and future advancing of MIPD was also discussed to facilitate the appropriate application and development of MIPD in China.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency on gluco-corticoid induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:Three hundred and eleven patients with RA from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled in the study. One hundred and fifty-eight sex, age-matched normal subjects were recruited as control group. Clinical and laboratory features, daily dosage and treatment duration of glucocorticoid (GC) were recorded in detail. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by biological electrical impedance. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] were examined using electro-chemiluminescence. Bone mineral density (BMD) at total hip and lumbar vertebra were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Numerical data and categorical data comparisons were analyzed using χ2 test, non-parametric test, Logistic regression analysis test. Results:① The prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in RA patients was 33.4%(104/311), which was higher than that in the control group 12.7%(20/158)( χ2=23.267, P<0.01). Percentage of GC taking in 311 RA patients was 56.6%(176/311), and the prevalence of GIOP was 40.9%(72/176). The prevalence of sarcopenia in RA patients was 61.7%(192/311), which was higher than that in the control group [9.0%(14/156), χ2=117.310, P<0.01]. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in RA patients was 81.7%(254/311), which was higher than that in control group [38.0%(60/158), χ2=90.415, P<0.01]. ② The prevalence of OP in RA without sarcopenia was 17.6% (21/119), which was lower than that in patients with sarcopenia [43.2%(83/192), χ2=21.601, P<0.01]. In condition without GC, the prevalence of OP in RA without sarcopenia was 9.8%(6/61), which was significantly lower than that in patients with sarcopenia [35.1%(26/74), χ2=11.834, P<0.01]. Under circumstances with GC, the prevalence of OP in RA without sarcopenia (25.9%, 15/58), which was significantly lower than that in patients with sarcopenia (48.3%, 57/118, χ2=8.103, P<0.01). ③ No matter whether existing vitamin D deficiency or not, the prevalence of OP in RA without GC was 23.7%(32/135), which was significantly lower than that in patients with GC [40.9%(72/176), χ2=10.161, P<0.01]. In patients without vitamin D deficiency, the prevalence of OP in RA without GC was 21.4%(6/28), which was similar to that in patients with GC [31.0%(9/29), χ2=0.678, P>0.05]. In the case of vitamin D deficiency, the prevalence of OP in RA without GC was 24.3%(24/107), which was significantly lower than that in patients with GC [42.9% (63/147), χ2=9.370 2, P<0.01]. ④ In RA patients with GC, age( t=5.313, P<0.01), Sharp score ( Z=2.999, P<0.01), disease duration ( Z=2.141, P<0.05) and treatment duration of GC ( Z=2.460, P<0.05) were higher in group with GIOP than that in group without GIOP, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)( Z=2.262, P<0.05), C-reactive protein levels (CRP) ( Z=2.551, P<0.05) and body mass index (BMI) ( t=2.425, P<0.05) were lower and the composition ratio of X-ray staging was worse ( χ2=12.484, P<0.01).⑤ Logistic regression analysis (LR Backward) showed that female gender [ OR(95% CI)=14.240(3.878, 52.288), P<0.01], age [ OR(95% CI)=1.079(1.042, 1.118), P<0.01] and sarcopenia [ OR(95% CI)=2.470(1.192, 5.120), P<0.05] were the risk factors for GIOP in RA patients. Conclusion:The proportion of treatment with GC in RA patients is very high (about 60%), and the prevalence of GIOP is 40.9%, which is closely related to sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency.

Zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) were synthesized by gel-sol method and employed as the transdermal aloesin (Alo) carriers. ZnO QDs were surface-functionalized with amino using aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Alo was covalently bonded on the surface of ZnO QDs via N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole to obtain Alo NPs, which were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA). TEM images showed that ZnO QDs were analogously sphere and monodisperse with a reasonably narrow size distribution, of which was around 4 nm. The size of Alo NPs increased to around 8 nm due to the surface modification. The intense bands at around 3 400 cm and 1 200 cm in the FTIR spectrum of Alo NPs from the vibration of -OH indicated the linkage of Alo on the surface of ZnO QDs. The results of TGA analysis showed that the mass ratio of ZnO QDs and Alo were 39.27% and 35.14%, respectively. The penetration of Alo NPs was much higher than raw Alo according to the passive penetration experiments with Franz-type diffusion cells instrument using full-thickness cavy skin, which manifested the improvement of the penetration for Alo delivered by ZnO QDs. The pH-controlled drug release behavior was investigated. At pH 7.4, only a small amount of Alo (1.45% ± 0.21%) had been released after 2 h. In contrast, as incubation at pH 5.0 of which pH was similar to endosomal environment, Alo was released very fast (87.63% ± 0.46% in 2 h) from Alo NPs, confirming that Alo NPs could response to the pH and realize the intracellular drug release. The inhibitory effect of Alo NPs on tyrosinase was in a dose dependent manner. When the concentration of Alo NPs was 12.5 μg/mL, the inhibition rate was up to 40.32% ± 1.57%. All the results show that the Alo NPs hold a great potential in transdermal tyrosinase inhibition.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Chromones ; administration & dosage ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; Guinea Pigs ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; metabolism ; Nanoparticles ; Quantum Dots ; Zinc Oxide

Objective: To investigate factors affecting X-ray structure of the spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 206 AS patients were recruited. Clinical and laboratory parameters in AS patients were recorded in detail. Disease activity index [Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAScrp)], X-ray structural damage index-modified stoke ankylosing spondylitis spine score (mSASSS) and grading results of radiographic examination of sacroiliac joint were calculated. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package form Soci-science(SPSS) 17.0 Chi-square test, rank test, Logistics regression analysis and other statistical methods were used. Differences of mSASSS levels, spine involvement (mSASSS>0) and rates of bone bridge formation were compared between different groups. Results: Incidences of spine involvement (100%) and bone bridge formation(65.2%) in AS patients ≥40 years old were significantly higher than those in AS patients <40 years old (90.6%、31.9%)(χ²=4.651, P=0.031; χ²=16.647, P<0.01), and the level of mSASSS was also higher (Z=5.575, P<0.01). In AS patients with BMI ≥24 kg/m², disease duration ≥5 years (49.2%, 50.4%), rates of bone bridge formation was significantly higher than those in AS with BMI <24 kg/m², but the disease duration (34.5%, 19.7%)(χ²=4.014, P=0.045; χ²=18.173, P=0.03), and mSASSS values were significantly higher (Z=2.281, P=0.023, Z=4.828, P<0.01). Bone bridge formation rate in smoking patients (50.6%) was significantly higher than that in non-smoking patients (31.0%) (χ²=7.346, P=0.007) and mSASSS value was significantly higher (Z=2.045, P=0.041). Bone bridge formation rates in AS with high-ESR and high-CRP(48.6%, 49.0%) were significantly higher than those in patients with normal-ESR and normal-CRP(25.6%, 28.9%)(χ²=10.784, P=0.001; χ²=8.102, P=0.004) and mSASSS value was clearly higher(Z=2.379, P<0.01; Z=3.112, P<0.01). Bone bridge formation rate in AS with BASDAI≥4 or ASDAScrp≥2.1 groups (52.8%, 46.4%) were significantly higher than that in AS with BASDAI<4 or ASDAScrp<2.1 groups (34.2%, 30.7%) (χ²=5.681, P=0.017; χ²=4.646, P=0.031) and mSASSS values were significantly higher (Z=3.887, P<0.01; Z=3.895, P=0.004). Rates of bone bridge formation among different X-ray grading of sacroiliac joint (10.8%, 35.6%, 60.3%) and MRI findings (33.3%, 50.0%, 15.4%) differed with each other (χ²=25.714, P<0.01; χ²=6.855, P=0.032). Logistics regression analysis showed that BMI [OR(95%CI)=1.145(1.037, 1.265), P<0.01], disease duration [OR(95%CI)=1.144(1.055, 1.239), P<0.01], smoking [OR(95%CI)=2.832(1.343, 5.969), P<0.01] and sacroiliac joint X-ray staging [OR(95%CI)=2.584(1.337, 4.997), P<0.01] were risk factors for the bone bridge formation in spine of AS. Conclusion Spinal involvement in AS is related to disease activity. Bone bridge formation correlateswith disease duration, BMI and disease-status, especially with smoking.

Objective To explore the prevalence and reference value of disease features of patients with spondyloarthritis. Methods Spondyioarthritis features and laboratory indexes and radiographic indexes of 505 patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) including 353 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 62 patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and 90 patients with peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) were recorded. One-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, x2-test, Logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results Sex ratio ( x2=20.673, P<0.01), age ( x2=22.258, P<0.01), disease duration ( x2=76.052, P<0.01) were different among AS, nr-axSpA and pSpA. Besides, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAScrp), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactionprotein (CRP) and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI)were different among SpA subgroups ( x2/F=13.196-40.028, P<0.01). Prevalence of inflammatory back pain, peripheral arthritis, preceding infection, positive human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and elevated CRP were different among SpA subgroups ( x2=11.416, 32.657, P<0.01). Prevalence of dactylitis in SpA with positive HLA-B27 was lower than that in SpA with negative HLA-B27 ( x2=5.414, P=0.02). Prevalence of enthesitis and dactylitis in SpA patients with peripheral arthritis was higher than that in SpA without peripheral arthritis involvement ( x2=7.177, 14.428, P<0.01). Prevalence of good response to Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAIDs) in patients with anterior uveitis involvement was higher than SpA without anterior uveitis involvement ( x2=4.578, P=0.032). SpA patients were stratified by total number of SpA features into 4 subgroups (n≤1, n=2, n=3, n≥4). Prevalence of inflammatory back pain, positive HLA-B27, good response to NSAIDs were the top three in all subgroups. Inflammatory back pain and HLA-B27 (+) were risk factors for axSpA (OR=3.254, 3.323, P<0.01). Peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, and preceding infection were risk factors for pSpA (OR=3.759, 4.134, 17.044, P<0.01). Conclusion Inflammatory back pain, HLA-B27 (+) and good response to NSAIDs should be emphasized for the diagnosis of SpA. Inflammatory back pain and HLA-B27(+) always means axSpA. Peripheral arthritis, dactylitis and preceding infection always indicates pSpA.