A terahertz meta-sensor array for 2D strain mapping.

Large-scale stretchable strain sensor arrays capable of mapping two-dimensional strain distributions have gained interest for applications as wearable devices and relating to the Internet of Things. However, existing strain sensor arrays are usually unable to achieve accurate directional recognition and experience a trade-off between high sensing resolution and large area detection. Here, based on classical Mie resonance, we report a flexible meta-sensor array that can detect the in-plane direction and magnitude of preloaded strains by referencing a dynamically transmitted terahertz (THz) signal. By building a one-to-one correspondence between the intrinsic electrical/magnetic dipole resonance frequency and the horizontal/perpendicular tension level, arbitrary strain information across the meta-sensor array is accurately detected and quantified using a THz scanning setup. Particularly, with a simple preparation process of micro template-assisted assembly, this meta-sensor array offers ultrahigh sensor density (~11.1 cm-2) and has been seamlessly extended to a record-breaking size (110 × 130 mm2), demonstrating its promise in real-life applications.

SIRT1 and ZNF350 as novel biomarkers for osteoporosis: a bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis (OP) is characterized by bone mass decrease and bone tissue microarchitectural deterioration in bone tissue. This study identified potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of OP and elucidated the mechanism of OP. METHODS: Gene expression profiles were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for the GSE56814 dataset. A gene co-expression network was constructed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify key modules associated with healthy and OP samples. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted using the R clusterProfiler package for modules to construct the transcriptional regulatory factor networks. We used the "ggpubr" package in R to screen for differentially expressed genes between the two samples. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was employed to further validate hub gene expression levels between normal and OP samples using RT-PCR and immunofluorescence to evaluate the potential biological changes in various samples. RESULTS: There was a distinction between the normal and OP conditions based on the preserved significant module. A total of 100 genes with the highest MM scores were considered key genes. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that the top 10 biological processes, cellular component and molecular functions were enriched. The Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, osteoclast differentiation, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway were identified by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. SIRT1 and ZNF350 were identified by Wilcoxon algorithm as hub differentially expressed transcriptional regulatory factors that promote OP progression by affecting oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis, PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling, and p53 pathway. According to RT-PCR and immunostaining results, SIRT1 and ZNF350 levels were significantly higher in OP samples than in normal samples. CONCLUSION: SIRT1 and ZNF350 are important transcriptional regulatory factors for the pathogenesis of OP and may be novel biomarkers for OP treatment.

Osteoporosis and depression in perimenopausal women: From clinical association to genetic causality.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis and major depressive disorder (MDD) represent two significant health challenges globally, particularly among perimenopausal women. This study utilizes NHANES data and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the link between them, aiming to provide a basis for intervention strategies for this group. METHODS: The study analyzed NHANES 2007-2018 data using weighted logistic regression in R software to evaluate the link between MDD and osteoporosis risk. Then, a two-sample MR analysis with GWAS summary statistics was performed, mainly using the IVW method. Additional validation included MR Egger, Weighted Median, Mode, and MR-PRESSO methods. RESULTS: The research analysis indicated a significant link between MDD and the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis. Our analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between MDD and both femoral neck osteoporosis (OR = 6.942 [95 % CI, 1.692-28.485]) and trochanteric osteoporosis (OR = 4.140 [95 % CI, 1.699-10.089]). In analyses related to osteopenia, a significant positive correlation was observed between MDD and both total femoral osteopenia (OR = 3.309 [95 % CI, 1.577-6.942]) and trochanteric osteopenia (OR = 2.467 [95 % CI, 1.004-6.062]). Furthermore, in the MR analysis, genetically predicted MDD was causally associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis via the IVW method (P = 0.013). LIMITATIONS: Our study was limited by potential selection bias due to excluding subjects with missing data, and its applicability was primarily to European and American populations. CONCLUSION: Integrating NHANES and MR analyses, a robust correlation between MDD and osteoporosis was identified, emphasizing the significance of addressing this comorbidity within clinical practice and meriting further investigation.

Effects of calcitonin on lumbar spinal stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE: There is some controversy about the effects of calcitonin (CT) on lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). This systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the strength of the evidence supporting the use of CT in the treatment of patients with LSS. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed an electronic search depicting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) through 4 databases from the date of database creation to January 2023. 3 different researchers conducted independent literature screening, data extractions, and quality assessments. The outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS), walking distance, and oswestry disability index (ODI). Meta-analysis and trial sequence analysis (TSA) were carried out using RevMan 5.4, Stata 16.0, and TSA 0.9. GRADE 3.6 was used to evaluate the evidence quality. RESULTS: We accepted 9 studies with 496 participants. The meta-analysis revealed that CT offered no significant improvement in VAS, walking distance, or ODI in patients with LSS. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that CT has a benefit in patients with LSS, either alone or in combination with other treatments, or depending on the route of administration, according to the systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant RCTs.

An evidence-based guideline on treating lumbar disc herniation with traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH), as one of the most common causes of lower back pain, imposes a heavy economic burden on patients and society. Conservative management is the first-line choice for the majority of LDH patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important part of conservative treatment and has attracted more and more international attention. STUDY DESIGN: Evidence-based guideline. METHODS: We formed a guideline panel of multidisciplinary experts. The clinical questions were identified on the basis of a systematic literature search and a consensus meeting. We searched the literature for direct evidence on the management of LDH and assessed its certainty-generated recommendations using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: The guideline panel made 20 recommendations, which covered the use of Shentong Zhuyu decoction, Shenzhuo decoction, Simiao San decoction, Duhuo Jisheng decoction, Yaobitong capsule, Yaotongning capsule, Osteoking, manual therapy, needle knife, manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, Chinese exercise techniques (Tai Chi, Baduanjin, or Yijinjing), and integrative medicine, such as combined non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, neural nutrition, and traction. Recommendations were either strong or weak, or in the form of ungraded consensus-based statement. CONCLUSION: This is the first LDH treatment guideline for TCM and integrative medicine with a systematic search, synthesis of evidence, and using the GRADE method to rate the quality of evidence. We hope these recommendations can help support healthcare workers caring for LDH patients.

Exploring flatfeet morphology in children aged 6-12 years: relationships with body mass and body height through footprints and three-dimensional measurements.

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between flatfoot morphology and body mass and height in children aged 6-12 years. A total of 6471 Chinese children (mean age 9.0 ± 1.9 years, 41% female) were assessed for foot morphometry, body height, and body mass index. Foot morphology, including foot length, width, girth, arch height, hallux valgus angle, and rearfoot valgus angle, was measured using a 3D laser scanner. Flatfoot evaluations were conducted using the Sztriter-Godunov index (KY) from footprints. All measurements were analyzed by age and sex using the mean values of the left and right sides. Comparisons were performed between flatfoot groups, between body mass index (BMI) groups, and between body height groups. The study revealed a significant decrease in the incidence of bipedal flatfoot with age (p < 0.001), whereas the prevalence of obesity remained consistent (p > 0.05). Bipedal flatfoot was associated with distinct morphological changes, including lower arches, reduced instep height, diminished ankle heights and a greater rearfoot valgus angle (p < 0.05). When comparing the BMI groups, overweight children had larger and thicker feet (p < 0.05), but no differences were found in arch height and ankle height (p > 0.05). When comparing the body height groups, short-statured children had a shorter feet girth, shorter arches, and shorter ankle height (p < 0.05), but no differences were found in the rearfoot valgus angle (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The main characteristics of flat feet include lower arches and instep heights and ankle heights but higher rearfoot valgus angles. In general, overweight children's feet do not have the common features of flat feet. In contrast, short children had similar features of flatfoot except for rearfoot valgus. Assessment of posture, such as rearfoot valgus, can be critical in identifying children with flat feet. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The morphology of children's feet is associated with body growth, but the relationship between flatfeet and body mass and height remains controversial. WHAT IS NEW: • Three-dimensional foot measurement shows that body mass is generally not associated with flatfeet, while short children have lower arches but no rearfoot valgus.

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.

Emerging trends in the blood spinal-cord barrier: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is a unique protective barrier located between the circulatory system and the central nervous system. BSCB plays a vital role in various diseases. However, there is little systematic research and recording in this field by bibliometrics analysis. We aim to visualize this field through bibliometrics to analyze the hotspots and trends of BSCB and in order to facilitate an understanding of future developments in basic and clinical research. METHODS: To conduct a bibliometric study of original publications and their references, the keywords Blood Spinal-Cord Barrier and BSCB are searched and filtered from the Web of Science database (2000-2022), focusing on citations, authors, journals, and countries/regions. Additionally, clustering of the references and co-citation analysis was completed, including a total of 1926 articles and comments. RESULTS: From the results, 193 authors were identified, among which Sharma Hs played a key role. As far as the analysis result of the clustering of the references is concerned, the most common type in cluster analysis is spinal cord injury (SCI) which is a current and developing research field. The keywords are also the specific content under these clusters. The most influential organization is Univ Calif San Francisco, and "Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America" magazine is the most cited magazine. CONCLUSION SUBSECTIONS: The research on BSCB is booming focusing mainly on "BSCB in SCI" including "activation," "pathway," and "drug delivery" which is also the trend of future research.

Rotation-traction manipulation induced intradiskal pressure changes in cervical spine-an in vitro study.

Objective: Evaluate the effect of rotation-traction manipulation on intradiskal pressure in human cervical spine specimen with different force and duration parameters, and compare the intradiskal pressure changes between rotation-traction manipulation and traction. Methods: Seven human cervical spine specimens were included in this study. The intradiskal pressure was measured by miniature pressure sensor implanting in the nucleus pulposus. rotation-traction manipulation and cervical spine traction were simulated using the MTS biomechanical machine. Varied thrust forces (50N, 150N, and 250N) and durations (0.05 s, 0.1 s, and 0.15 s) were applied during rotation-traction manipulation with Intradiscal pressure recorded in the neutral position, rotation-anteflexion position, preloading, and thrusting phases. Futuremore, we documented changes in intradiscal pressure during cervical spine traction with different loading forces (50N, 150N, and 250N). And a comparative analysis was performed to discern the impact on intradiscal pressure between manipulation and traction. Results: Manipulation application induced a significant reduction in intradiscal pressure during preloading and thrusting phases for each cervical intervertebral disc (p < 0.05). When adjusting thrust parameters, a discernible decrease in intradiscal pressure was observed with increasing thrust force, and the variations between different thrust forces were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conversely, changes in duration did not yield a significant impact on intradiscal pressure (p > 0.05). Additionally, after traction with varying loading forces (50N, 150N, 250N), a noteworthy decrease in intradiscal pressure was observed (p < 0.05). And a comparative analysis revealed that rotation-traction manipulation more markedly reduced intradiscal pressure compared to traction alone (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Both rotation-traction manipulation and cervical spine traction can reduce intradiscal pressure, exhibiting a positive correlation with force. Notably, manipulation elicits more pronounced and immediate decompression effect, contributing a potential biomechanical rationale for its therapeutic efficacy.

VO2 Films Decorated with an MXene Interface for Decreased-Power-Triggered Terahertz Modulation.

VO2, which exhibits semiconductor-metal phase transition characteristics occurring on a picosecond time scale, holds great promise for ultrafast terahertz modulation in next-generation communication. However, as of now, there is no reported prototype for an ultrafast device. The temperature effect has been proposed as one of the major obstacles. Consequently, reducing the excitation threshold for the phase transition would be highly significant. The traditional strategy typically involves chemical doping, but this approach often leads to a decrease in phase transition amplitude and a slower transition speed. In this work, we proposed a design featuring a highly conductive MXene interfacial layer between the VO2 film and the substrate. We demonstrate a significant reduction in the phase transition threshold for both temperature and laser-induced phase transition by adjusting the conductivity of the MXene layers with varying thicknesses. Our observations show that the phase transition temperature can be decreased by 9 °C, while the pump fluence for laser excitation can be reduced by as high as 36%. The ultrafast phase transition process on a picosecond scale, as revealed by the optical-pump terahertz-probe method, suggests that the MXene layers have minimal impact on the phase transition speed. Moreover, the reduced phase transition threshold can remarkably alleviate the photothermal effect and inhibit temperature rise and diffusion in VO2 triggered by laser. This study offers a blueprint for designing VO2/MXene hybrid films with reduced phase transition thresholds. It holds significant potential for the development of low-power, intelligent optical and electrical devices including, but not limited to, terahertz modulators based on phase transition phenomena.

Stanniocalcin-1 Promotes PARP1-Dependent Cell Death via JNK Activation in Colitis.

Stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) is upregulated by inflammation and modulates oxidative stress-induced cell death. Herein, the function of STC1 in colitis and stress-induced parthanatos, a newly identified type of programmed necrotic cell death dependent on the activation of poly-ADP ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1) is investigated. Results show that STC1 expression is markedly increased in the inflamed colonic mucosa of Crohn's disease (CD) patients and chemically-induced mice colitis models. Evaluation of parthanatos severity and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression shows that intestinal-specific Stc1 knockout (Stc1INT-KO ) mice are resistant to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and exhibit lower disease severity. STC1-overexpressing cells show an increased degree of parthanatos and proinflammatory cytokine expression, whereas STC1-knockout cells show a decreased degree of parthanatos. Co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and proteomic analyses indicate that STC1 interacts with PARP1, which activates the JNK pathway via PARP1-JNK interactions. Moreover, inhibition of PARP1 and JNK alleviates parthanatos and inflammatory injuries triggered by STC1 overexpression. Finally, following restoration of Stc1 and Parp1 expression by adeno-associated viruses, and overexpression of Stc1 and Parp1 aggravated DSS-induced colitis in Stc1INT-KO mice. In conclusion, STC1 mediates oxidative stress-associated parthanatos and aggravates inflammation via the STC1-PARP1-JNK interactions and subsequent JNK pathway activation in CD pathogenesis.

Traditional Chinese exercises on pain and disability in middle-aged and elderly patients with lumbar disc herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) have played a significant role in treating various diseases. However, there is limited research assessing the efficacy of TCEs in treating Lumbar disc herniation (LDH). This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of four commonly used TCEs (Baduanjin, Yijinjing, Taichi, and Wuqinxi) on pain and disability in elderly patients with LDH. Objectives: To assess the quality of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to provide evidence support for the treatment of LDH. Methods: RCTs were identified through eight databases. Meta-analysis and trial sequence analysis (TSA) were conducted using RevMan 5.4, Stata 17.0, and TSA 0.9. Results: A total of 22 RCTs, involving 1931 patients, were included in the analysis. TCEs exhibited a superior effectiveness in treating LDH compared to the control group. However, the TSA analysis suggested the possibility of false positives, indicating the need for more high-quality RCT evidence. Nevertheless, TCEs showed reliable results in significantly improving the VAS score and JOA score of LDH patients. Conclusion: Current evidence indicates that the four TCEs have advantages in treating LDH in middle-aged and elderly individuals. However, considering the limitations of this study, we need to exercise caution in drawing conclusions, and further research is required to validate these findings. Systematic Review Registration: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier [CRD42023431633].

Efficacy and safety of yoga for the management of chronic low back pain: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: Yoga is a non-pharmacological conservative therapeutic modality that can be employed for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP). In this overview, we have summarized and evaluated data from current systematic reviews (SRs) on the use of yoga for CLBP. Methods: We comprehensively searched SRs on the use of yoga for CLBP in nine electronic databases from inception to September 2023. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Review Scale-2 (AMSTAR-2). The reporting quality of the included SRs was evaluated using the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis-2020 (PRISMA-2020), and the quality of data was graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Two independent researchers performed the screening, data extraction, and quality assessment process of SRs. Results: A total of 13 SRs were included. The results of the AMSTAR-2 indicated that the methodological quality of the included studies was relatively low. The PRISMA-2020 checklist evaluation results indicated that methodological limitations in reporting, especially regarding data processing and presentation, were the main weaknesses. The GRADE assessment indicated that 30 outcomes were rated moderate, 42 were rated low level, and 20 were rated very low level. Downgrading factors were mainly due to the limitations of the included studies. Conclusion: Yoga appears to be an effective and safe non-pharmacological therapeutic modality for the Management of CLBP. Currently, it may exhibit better efficacy in improving pain and functional disability associated with CLBP. However, the methodological quality and quality of evidence for SRs/MAs in the included studies were generally low, and these results should be interpreted cautiously.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 reinfection during the epidemic period in Yangzhou city, Jiangsu province.

Background: With the continuous progress of the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and the constant mutation of the virus strain, reinfection occurred in previously infected individuals and caused waves of the epidemic in many countries. Therefore, we aimed to explore the characteristics of COVID-19 reinfection during the epidemic period in Yangzhou and provide a scientific basis for assessing the COVID-19 situation and optimizing the allocation of medical resources. Methods: We chose previously infected individuals of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reported locally in Yangzhou city from January 2020 to November 30, 2022. A telephone follow-up of cases was conducted from February to March 2023 to collect the COVID-19 reinfection information. We conducted a face-to-face survey on that who met the definition of reinfection to collect information on clinical symptoms, vaccination status of COVID-19, and so on. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Results: Among the 999 eligible respondents (92.24% of all the participants), consisting of 42.28% males and 57.72% females, the reinfection incidence of females was significantly higher than that of male cases (χ2 = 5.197, P < 0.05); the ages of the respondents ranged from 1 to 91 years, with the mean age of 42.28 (standard deviation 22.73) years; the most of the sufferers were infected initially with Delta variant (56.88%), followed by the Omicron subvariants BA.1/BA.2 (39.52%). Among all the eligible respondents, 126 (12.61%) reported COVID-19 reinfection appearing during the epidemic period, and the intervals between infections were from 73 to 1,082 days. The earlier the initial infection occurred, the higher the reinfection incidence and the reinfection incidence was significantly increased when the interval was beyond 1 year (P < 0.01) .119 reinfection cases (94.4%) were symptomatic when the most common symptoms included fever (65.54%) and cough (61.34%); compared with the initial infection cases, the proportion of clinical symptoms in the reinfected cases was significantly higher (P < 0.01). The reinfection incidence of COVID-19 vaccination groups with different doses was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Fewer reinfections were observed among the respondents with three doses of COVID-19 vaccination compared to the respondents with two doses (χ2 = 14.595, P < 0.001) or without COVID-19 vaccination (χ2 =4.263, P = 0.039). Conclusion: After the epidemic period of COVID-19, the reinfection incidence varied with different types of SARS-CoV-2 strains. The reinfection incidence was influenced by various factors such as virus characteristics, vaccination, epidemic prevention policies, and individual variations. As the SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate, vaccination and appropriate personal protection have practical significance in reducing the risk of reinfection.

[Advantages, development opportunities, and practice paths of traditional Chinese medicine in prevention and treatment of elderly comorbidities].

This article focused on the significant public health issue of comorbidities in the elderly population and highlighted the important role of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the prevention and treatment of comorbidities in the elderly. It suggested that TCM should fully utilize its advantages in holistic perspective, syndrome differentiation and treatment, and preventive medicine in the process of preventing and treating comorbidities in the elderly. At the same time, in response to the significant shift in the disease spectrum of the elderly, the increasingly innovative concepts in diagnosis and treatment, the growing demand for proactive health by the el-derly population, and the current emphasis on patient-centered evaluation standards, it is necessary to further conduct basic theoretical and experimental research on comorbidities in the elderly using TCM, emphasize clinical research on comorbidities in the elderly, explore appropriate efficacy evaluation systems, improve TCM prevention and treatment strategies and comprehensive intervention programs for comorbidities in the elderly, and leverage the unique role of TCM in the rehabilitation of elderly comorbidity patients. By analyzing the potential of TCM in the field of comorbidities in the elderly, this article is expected to provide new insights for future clinical practice and scientific research.

[Analysis of clinical efficacy and risk factors of relapse in young patients with cervical instability treated by manipulation].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy of different manipulation in the treatment of cervical instability in young people, and to analyze the risk factors of relapse of cervical instability in young people. METHODS: From March 2021 to June 2022, the clinical data of 120 young patients with cervical instability were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different treatment methods, they were divided into rotation group (60 cases, 3 cases of loss) and tendon group (60 cases, 5 cases of loss). There were 25 males and 32 females in rotation-traction manipulation group;age ranged from 22 to 44 years old with a median of 28 years old;course of disease ranged from 0.17 to 120 months with amedian of 22 months. There were 22 males and 33 females in tendon-regulating manipulation group;age ranged from 21 to 42 years old with a median of 27 years old;course of disease ranged from 0.23 to 180 months with a median of 24 months. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks, once every other day for 7 times, and were followed up for 1 year. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated, and the visual analogue scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI) were observed before and after treatment. One year after the course of treatment, patients with effective treatment were followed up to make statistics on recurrence. Patients with recurrence were included in the recurrence group, while those without recurrence were included in the non-recurrence group. Factors that may affect symptom recurrence were analyzed, and univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The 13 patients who failed the treatment (4 cases in the rotation-traction manipulation group and 9 cases in the tendon-regulating manipulation group) were not followed up. All the 99 patients who were effective in treatment were followed up ranged from 303 to 406 days with a median of 359 days. No complications occurred in all patients. There were significant differences in VAS and NDI between the two groups after treatment and before treatment (P<0.05), and there were significant differences in VAS and NDI between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). Ninety-nine patients achieved follow-up, 56 (56.57%) relapsed and 43 (43.43%) did not. Univariate correlation analysis showed that NDI index, the time spent at the desk every day, the time spent using electronic products every day and angular displacement of anterior flexion before treatment in the relapse group were significantly higher than those in the non-relapse group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the time spent at the desk every day [OR=2.447, 95%CI(1.255, 4.771)], the time spent using electronic products every day [OR=1.892, 95%CI(1.066, 3.358)] and the angular displacement of anterior flexion of the cervical before treatment [OR=1.246, 95%CI(1.045, 1.485) ]were the risk factors for relapse. CONCLUSION: Both rotation-traction manipulation and tendon-regulating manipulation can effectively treat cervical instability in young people, and rotation-traction manipulation has more advantages than tendon-regulating manipulation in improving cervical pain and cervical dysfunction in patients. The time spent at the desk every day, the time spent using electronic products every day, and the increase of cervical flexion angle displacement will increase the risk of relapse in patients.

[Salvianolic acid A contributes to cartilage endplate cell restoration by regulating miR-940 and miR-576-5p].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Salvianolic acid A (SAA) can restore cartilage endplate cell degeneration of intervertebral discs and to identify the mechanism via regulation of micro-RNA. METHODS: Cartilage endplate cells were isolated from lumbar intervertebral disc surgical samples and were treated with serum containing a series of concentrations of SAA (2, 5, and 10 ?M) for 24, 48, and 72 h to identify a proper dose and treatment time of SAA. The effect SAA on interlenkin-1ß (IL-1ß)-induced extracellular matrix degradation of cartilage endplate cells were analyzed by Alcian blue staining and assessment of the expression levels of ADAMTS-5, MMP3 and Col2a1. Further, the potential target miRNAs were preliminarily screened by micro-RNA sequencing combining qRT-PCR and Western blot, and then, the miRNAs mimics and inhibitors were used to verify the regulatory effect of SAA on potential target miRNAs. RESULTS: The 10 µM SAA treatment for 48 h significantly enhanced the viability of cartilage endplate cells, and increased Col2a1 expression and glycosaminoglycan accumulation that were repressed by IL-1ß, and reduced the effect of IL-1ß on ADAMTS-5, and MMP3. Screening analysis based on micro-RNA sequencing and Venny analysis identified the downstream micro-RNAs, including miR-940 and miR-576-5p. Then, the miR-940-mimic or miR-576-5p-mimic were transfected into CEPCs. Compared with the SAA group, the expression of ADAMTS-5 and MMP3 increased significantly and the expression of COL2A1 obviously decreased after overexpression of miR-940 or miR-576-5p in CEPCs. CONCLUSION: Salvianolic acid A attenuated the IL-1ß-induced extracellular matrix degradation of cartilage endplate cells by targeting regulate the miR-940 and the miR-576-5p.

Study on the mechanical parameters of neuromuscular joint facilitation rehabilitation techniques for lumbar intervention.

[Purpose] To measure the reliability of and quantify the force on the spinous process during lumbar neuromuscular joint facilitation using mechanical measuring gloves. [Participants and Methods] We recruited 12 healthy participants. The operator wore a mechanical measuring glove and performed evaluations in the four modes of neuromuscular joint facilitation of the lumbar spine. The mechanical glove was used to measure the force applied by the fingers on the spinous process during the intervention. [Results] The reliability of measuring the supraspinous force during lumbar neuromuscular joint facilitation with mechanical gloves was found to be good; the force was 30.9 ± 6.6 N for front lifting, 37.1 ± 9.1 N for rear descent, 36.8 ± 9.0 N for forward descent, and 24.6 ± 4.7 N for rear lifting. Overall, the average force was 32.3 ± 9.0 N. No statistical difference was observed between passive and resistance motion. [Conclusion] This study confirmed that the measurement of the force on the spinous process in lumbar neuromuscular joint facilitation using mechanical measurement gloves has good reliability. Furthermore, we determined the average force exerted on the spinous process during lumbar neuromuscular joint facilitation and quantified the operation specifications of this manipulation were.

Annual incidence and fatality rates of notifiable infectious diseases in southeast China from 1950 to 2022 and relationship to socioeconomic development.

Background: Over the past 70 years, China has advanced significantly in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases while simultaneously undergoing a socioeconomic transformation, making it a useful source of data for analysing relationships between public health policy and the control of infectious diseases. Methods: We collected data on the incidence of notifiable infectious diseases and associated fatalities in Jiangsu province in southeast China from the Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, and the Nationwide Notifiable Infectious Diseases Reporting Information System. We compared data from different historical periods using descriptive statistical methods, joinpoint regression, and correlation analysis. Results: During 1950-2022, 75 754 008 cases of 46 notifiable infectious diseases were reported in Jiangsu, with an average annual incidence was 1679.49 per 100 000 population and a fatality rate of 1.82 per 1000 persons. The incidence of classes A-B decreased (average annual percent change (AAPC) = -2.1) during the entire study period, while the incidence of class C increased (AAPC = 10.8) after 2004. The incidence of intestinal diseases (AAPC = -4.4) and vector-borne and zoonotic diseases (AAPC = -8.1) decreased rapidly, while the incidence of sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases (AAPC = 1.8) increased. The number of medical and health institutions and the per capita gross domestic product correlated negatively with the annual incidence of diseases in classes A-B, but not with fatality rates. Conclusions: Although the annual incidence of many severe infectious diseases has decreased in Jiangsu since 1950, the incidence of sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases increased. Socioeconomic growth and sustainable investment in health systems are associated with better control of infectious diseases.