The immediate effect of cervical rotation-traction manipulation on cervical paravertebral soft tissue: a study using soft tissue tension cloud chart technology.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the reliability of the Soft Tissue Tension Cloud Chart (STTCC) technology, an original method combining multi-point Cervical Paravertebral Soft Tissue Test (CPSTT) with MATLAB software, we conducted a preliminary analysis on the immediate effects of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (OMT) on cervical paravertebral soft tissue. METHODS: 30 patients with Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy (CSR) were included in this study. We analyzed the differences in CPSTT before and after treatment with Cervical Rotation-Traction Manipulation (CRTM), a representative OMT technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine, using the STTCC technology. RESULTS: The STTCC results demonstrated that post-treatment CPSTT levels in CSR patients were significantly lower than pre-treatment levels after application of CRTM, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Additionally, pre-treatment CPSTT levels on the symptomatic side (with radicular pain or numbness) were higher across the C5 to C7 vertebrae compared to the asymptomatic side (without symptoms) (P < 0.001). However, this difference disappeared after CRTM treatment (P = 0.231). CONCLUSIONS: The STTCC technology represents a reliable method for analyzing the immediate effects of OMT. CSR patients display uneven distribution of CPSTT characterized by higher tension on the symptomatic side. CRTM not only reduces overall cervical soft tissue tension in CSR patients, but can also balance the asymmetrical tension between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (Website: . https://www.chictr.org.cn .) on 20/04/2021 and the Registration Number is ChiCTR2100045648.

Simulation test study on filling flow law of gangue slurry in goaf.

The disposal and utilization of solid waste of coal gangue is one of the main problems in coal mining in China. Injecting coal gangue into goaf in the form of slurry can effectively solve the problems of ground stacking and environmental pollution prevention. In order to obtain the flow law of gangue slurry in the void of the accumulated rock in the goaf, a visualization simulation test device for gangue slurry permeation grouting in the goaf was independently designed. The flow and diffusion characteristics, flow and diffusion velocity changes, void pressure changes, and viscosity changes of three mass concentrations (76%, 78%, 80%) of gangue slurry in the void between caved rock blocks in goaf were studied by visual grouting simulation test. The results show that: (1) The seepage process of gangue slurry in the goaf simulation test is divided into three diffusion forms, namely radial diffusion, axial diffusion, and bidirectional diffusion. The three diffusion forms are interrelated and inseparable. (2) The initial flow velocity of the slurry with different concentrations is different under the same permeation grouting pressure, and the higher the slurry concentration, the smaller the initial flow velocity of the slurry. The velocity of the slurry has a nonlinear relationship with the diffusion distance of the slurry. (3) With the permeation and diffusion of slurry, pressure sensors at different positions are subjected to pressure from bottom to top and enter the pressure boost stage, gradually forming stress peaks. When the slurry exceeds the position of the pressure sensor, the pressure on the pressure sensor is weakened and begins to enter the pressure relief stage, and the stress decline trend gradually becomes gentle with time. (4) The water loss effect occurs during slurry flow interaction with rock mass, resulting in slurry viscosity increasing. The viscosity of the slurry affects the difference in the amount of viscosity change. The research results can provide a certain theoretical basis for the goaf gangue slurry filling project.

Effects of economic regional differences and family on adolescents' aggressive behaviors: Perspective of ecosystem integration.

INTRODUCTION: Based on the ecological systems theory and cumulative risk model, the current study aimed to determine the mediating effects of parenting styles, peer relationship, and psychological capital on family socioeconomic status and adolescents' aggressive behaviors, as well as the moderating effects of economic regional differences. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design, 1271 Chinese adolescents were recruited to complete the MacArthur Scale, the short-form Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran, the Positive PsyCap Questionnaire, the peer support subscale in the Student Personal Perception of Classroom Climate, and the Aggression Questionnaire. RESULTS: After controlling for gender and age, parenting style, peer relationship, and psychological capital not only mediated, but also constituted multiple chains mediation between family socioeconomic status and aggressive behaviors. Moreover, economic regional differences moderated the multiple chains mediation model between family socioeconomic status and aggressive behaviors. CONCLUSION: The accumulation of multiple adverse factors increases the probability of inducing aggressive behaviors, and the development of psychological capital helps reduce the occurrence of aggressive behaviors in adolescents.

HIF­1α: Its notable role in the maintenance of oxygen, bone and iron homeostasis (Review).

Hypoxia is a characteristic feature of numerous diseases, including metabolic bone disease, solid tumors, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration and inflammation. It is also a risk factor for a poor prognosis in various diseases. Hypoxia­inducible factor­1α (HIF­1α) is activated by hypoxia to regulate a series of pathophysiological pathways, which is of utmost significance for maintaining body homeostasis. The present review highlights the role of the HIF­1α in oxygen, bone and iron homeostasis, and alludes on the biological complexity and dual functions of HIF­1α regulation. In addition, the pathophysiological significance of HIF­1α in bone formation, bone absorption, angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, oxidative stress, energy metabolism, iron death, etc., is discussed An accurate understanding of all these processes may aid in the identification of possible therapeutic targets that may then be used in the treatment of related diseases. However, further studies are required to unravel the extensive complexity of HIF­1α regulation and to develop more precise treatment strategies.

Bu-Gu-Sheng-Sui decoction promotes osteogenesis via activating the ERK/Smad signaling pathways.

Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic skeletal disease, which becomes a common public health problem that seriously endangers people's health. Bu-Gu-Sheng-Sui decoction (BGSSD) is a safe and effective Chinese medicine formulation for the treatment of osteoporosis. Numerous studies have indicated that it played a significant role in bone anabolism. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we selected senescence-accelerated mice prone 6 (SAMP6) and MC3T3-E1 cells to study the effects of BGSSD on osteogenesis and then investigated the potential mechanism of BGSSD. Our research found that BGSSD protected the bone mass in SAMP6, increased the expression of osteogenic specific factor Runx2, and improved bone trabecular structure. In vitro, BGSSD accelerated the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, which was characterized by stimulating the activity of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and raising the expression of Runx2. Moreover, BGSSD could effectively boost the expression levels of ERK and Smad in SAMP6 and MC3T3-E1. Therefore, we speculate that BGSSD may promote bone formation through ERK/Smad pathways. Collectively, our results highlight the importance of BGSSD as a compound in promoting osteogenic differentiation and osteogenesis, demonstrating that BGSSD may become a latent drug to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

IL-6 and Leptin Are Potential Biomarkers for Osteoporotic Fracture Risk Assessment and Prediction of Postmenopausal Women with Low Bone Mass: A Follow-Up Study Using a Regional Sample Cohort.

Osteoporotic fracture, a major complication which is known as the outcome postmenopausal osteoporosis, seriously threatens the health of postmenopausal women. At present, the traditional osteoporotic fracture prediction methods are characterized by inconvenient application and time-consuming statistical results, while predictive serum biomarkers can make up for this shortcoming. Accurate and advanced risk prediction of osteoporotic fracture is meaningful to early prevention and intervention, effectively avoiding the risk of this disease and the secondary fracture in the surgical treatment. In this study, based on the BEYOND cohort, a 2-year follow-up study was conducted after subjects participated to survey if OF occurred. Independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to analyze the differences of bone metabolism biomarkers between the OF and non-OF group. Cox proportional hazard model was used to screen the potential biomarkers might be used to predict OF risk. ROC curves and AUCs were used to analyze the predictive accuracy, and the Delong's test was used to compare the differences between the AUCs. 15 postmenopausal women with low bone mass and OF were found, and other 60 subjects without OF were matched with 1 : 4, age, and BMI classification as control group. The serum IL-6 (OR = 1.139, 95%CI = 1.058 - 1.226) and leptin (OR = 0.921, 95%CI = 0.848 - 1.000) were found as OF risk predictive biomarkers for postmenopausal women with low bone mass with high accuracy (IL - 6 = 0.871) (leptin = 0.813) and accuracy enhanced when they were combined (AUC = 0.898). The results of Delong's test showed that the difference of AUC between leptin and IL-6&Leptin was meaningful (P = 0.024) but meaningless between IL-6 and leptin (P = 0.436), IL-6 and IL-6&Leptin (P = 0.606). To sum up, IL-6 and leptin are the predictive biomarkers of OF for postmenopausal women with low bone mass. The IL-6 can improve the prediction accuracy of leptin (P = 0.024), but not vice versa (P = 0.606). Trial Information. Registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry already. (Registration Number: ChiCTR-SOC-17013090).

Understanding the Stony Bridge between Osteoporosis and Vascular Calcification: Impact of the FGF23/Klotho axis.

A relationship between osteoporosis (OP) and vascular calcification (VC) is now proposed. There are common mechanisms underlying the regulation of them. Fibroblast growth factor- (FGF-) 23 and Klotho are hormones associated with the metabolic axis of osteovascular metabolism. Most recently, it was suggested that the FGF23-klotho axis is associated with increasing incidence of fractures and is potentially involved in the progression of the aortic-brachial stiffness ratio. Herein, we discussed the potential role of the FGF23/Klotho axis in the pathophysiology of OP and VC. We want to provide an update review in order to allow a better understanding of the potential role of the FGF23/Klotho axis in comorbidity of OP and VC. We believe that a better understanding of the relationship between both entities can help in proposing new therapeutic targets for reducing the increasing prevalence of OP and VC in the aging population.

Quantitative Proteomics Revealed the Pharmacodynamic Network of Bugu Shengsui Decoction Promoting Osteoblast Proliferation.

Background and Objective: With high morbidity and disability, osteoporosis is a worldwide bone metabolism disease, regulated by complex pathological processes. Insufficient osteogenesis is greatly essential to osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese Medicine, a complex natural herbal medicine system, has increasingly attracted attention all over the world. Bugu Shengsui Decoction, a compound formula for osteoporosis, has significant clinical effects in the treatment of osteoporosis. Yet the detailed mechanisms are unclear. Thus, we investigated the effects and mechanism of Bugu Shengsui Decoction on osteoporotic rats and osteoblasts in vitro. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the effect of Bugu Shengsui Decoction in an animal model of orchiectomy. Multi-pharmacology indexes revealed that Bugu Shengsui Decoction obviously improved bone metabolism, bone mineral density, bone morphology, and biomechanics in the castrated rats. Then, serum pharmacology was employed to unveil that Bugu Shengsui Decoction promoted the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Moreover, quantitative proteomics combined with RNA interference assay was used to analyze and verify the pathway and key targets in pro-proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Results: Bugu Shengsui Decoction obviously improved the worse parameters of bone metabolism, bone mineral density, bone morphology, and biomechanics in a castrated rat model. In vitro, Bugu Shengsui Decoction exerted proliferation- and differentiation-promoting effects of osteoblasts induced by serum starvation. Moreover, quantitative proteomics analysis combined with RNA interfere assay illustrated that Bugu Shengsui Decoction promoted osteogenesis via the PI3K-AKT pathway. Conclusion: Summarily, our discoveries certify that Bugu Shengsui Decoction is an effective treatment for osteoporosis via PI3K-AKT. This study is not only a beneficial attempt to explore the detailed mechanism of Traditional Chinese formula but also will provide inspiration for the treatment strategy of osteoporosis.