Middle cingulate cortex function contributes to response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in cervical spondylosis patients: a preliminary resting-state fMRI study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cervical spondylosis (CS) is often accompanied by persistent cervical pain, and psychological complications including depression and anxiety, which aggravate pain. Past studies have revealed brain alterations in chronic pain patients. However, the cortical mechanism for NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) responders relative to non-responders is still lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the brain functional differences between responders to NSAID relative to non-responders using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and dynamic functional connectivity variance (DFCV). To our knowledge, our study is the first to investigate the DFCV in CS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first explored the differences in psychological inventories in CS patients who respond to NSAID vs non-responders. The voxel-wise ALFF was calculated and compared between CS patients and healthy controls. The ALFF within the resultant clusters were extracted and compared between responders and non-responders. DFCV among the resulting clusters was compared in responders vs non-responders. RESULTS: We found that (1) compared to responders, non-responders exhibited higher levels of anxiety and depression; (2) relative to healthy controls, CS patients exhibited altered ALFF within the middle cingulate cortice (MCC), cerebellum, and middle frontal gyrus (MFG); (3) moreover, compared with responders, non-responders exhibited lower ALFF within MCC; furthermore, non-responders also exhibited increased DFCV between MCC and cerebellum, and between MCC and MFG. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that psychological comorbidities (e.g., anxiety) influence response to NSAID in CS patients. Relative to NSAID responders, non-responders had altered MCC function, which may be associated with anxiety in CS patients.

Limb Fractures Treated With the Novel Plate Osteosynthesis Application Technique: Second to Minimally Invasive Plates osteosynthesis.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this article was to propose a new concept of minimally invasive surgery for treating limb fractures, named as second to minimally invasive plates osteosynthesis (STMIPO). METHODS: We have described the STMIPO technique in a step-wise and standardized manner based on our findings from a study involving six patients treated at our institution. All patients with fracture achieved satisfactory outcomes. RESULTS: Ours clinical trials have shown that the STMIPO technique can be successfully applied in various limb fractures, including fibula fractures, tibial fractures, femur fractures, humerus fractures, ulna fractures, and radius fractures. All fracture patients achieved satisfactory outcomes. CONCLUSION: As a new minimally invasive technology, the STMIPO technique can serve as an alternative solution for fractures that are difficult to reduce with minimally invasive plates osteosynthesis (MIPO).

Effectiveness of acupuncture plus music therapy for post-stroke depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a prevalent complication of stroke that adversely affects patient outcomes. The etiology of PSD is complex, and no universally effective treatment exists. Acupuncture, with its historical use, combined with music therapy, presents a novel approach for PSD treatment. This study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining acupuncture with music therapy for PSD through a meta-analysis. METHODS: We systematically searched both Chinese and English literature in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and the Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP Database) for randomized controlled trials evaluating acupuncture combined with music therapy for PSD. Two independent evaluators conducted quality assessments and data extraction. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0 software. RESULTS: This article contains 11 studies, involving a total of 698 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the test group showed significant improvement on multiple outcome measures: HAMD score [mean difference (MD) = -3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-3.61, -2.76), P < .00001], Self-Rating Depression Scale score [MD = -5.12, 95% CI (-6.61, -3.63), P < .00001], Pittsburgh sleep quality index score [MD = -2.40, 95% CI (-2.96, -1.84), P < .00001], BI score [MD = 14.16, 95% CI (4.37, 23.94), P = .005] were all significantly lower, significantly higher effectiveness [risk ratio = 1.21, 95% CI (1.11, 1.33), P < .0001]. These differences were also statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The use of acupuncture combined with music therapy is effective in reducing depression in PSD patients.

Identification of biomarkers related to angiogenesis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and prediction of potential drugs.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) refers to the secondary damage to myocardial tissue that occurs when blood perfusion is rapidly restored following myocardial ischemia. This process often exacerbates the injury to myocardial fiber structure and function. The activation mechanism of angiogenesis is closely related to MIRI and plays a significant role in the occurrence and progression of ischemic injury. In this study, we utilized sequencing data from the GEO database and employed WGCNA, Mfuzz cluster analysis, and protein interaction network to identify Stat3, Rela, and Ubb as hub genes involved in MIRI-angiogenesis. Additionally, the GO and KEGG analysis of differentially expressed genes highlighted their broad participation in inflammatory responses and associated signaling pathways. Moreover, the analysis of sequencing data and hub genes revealed a notable increase in the infiltration ratio of monocytes and activated mast cells. By establishing key cell ROC curves, using independent datasets, and validating the expression of hub genes, we demonstrated their high diagnostic value. Moreover, by scrutinizing single-cell sequencing data alongside trajectory analysis, it has come to light that Stat3 and Rela exhibit predominant expression within Dendritic cells. In contrast, Ubb demonstrates expression across multiple cell types, with all three genes being expressed at distinct stages of cellular development. Lastly, leveraging the CMap database, we predicted potential small molecule compounds for the identified hub genes and validated their binding activity through molecular docking. Ultimately, our research provides valuable evidence and references for the early diagnosis and treatment of MIRI from the perspective of angiogenesis.

Integrating machine learning and single-cell transcriptomic analysis to identify potential biomarkers and analyze immune features of ischemic stroke.

This study employs machine learning and single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis to unearth novel biomarkers and delineate the immune characteristics of ischemic stroke (IS), thereby contributing fresh insights into IS treatment strategies.Our research leverages gene expression data sourced from the GEO database. We undertake weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to filter pertinent genes and subsequently employ machine learning algorithms for the identification of feature genes. Concurrently, we rigorously execute quality control measures, dimensionality reduction techniques, and cell annotation on the scRNA-seq data to pinpoint differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The identification of core genes, denoted as Hub genes, among the feature genes and DEGs, is achieved through meticulous overlapping analysis. We illuminate the immune characteristics of these Hub genes using a suite of analytical tools, encompassing CIBERSORT, MCPcounter, and pseudotemporal analysis, all based on immune cell annotations and single-cell transcriptome data.Subsequently, we harness the CMap database to prognosticate potential therapeutic drugs and scrutinize their associations with the identified Hub genes. Our findings unveil robust linkages between three pivotal Hub genes-namely, RNF13, VASP, and CD163-and specific immune cell types such as T cells and neutrophils. These Hub genes predominantly manifest in macrophages and microglial cells within the scRNA-seq immune cell population, exhibiting variances across different stages of cellular differentiation. In conclusion, this study unearths highly pertinent biomarkers for IS diagnosis and elucidates IS-induced immune infiltration characteristics, thus providing a firm foundation for a comprehensive exploration of potential immune mechanisms and the identification of novel therapeutic targets for IS.

Effects of muscle damage indicators and antioxidant capacity after interval training on the 800-m records of adolescent middle-distance runners.

To examine the effect of 10-week interval training (IT) at varying intensities on serum muscle damage indicators and antioxidant capacity and determine its effect on the 800-m records of adolescent middle-distance runners. Twenty male high-school middle-distance runners were randomized between the high-intensity IT (HIIT; n=10) and the medium-intensity IT (MIIT; n=10) groups. Three sessions/week for 10 weeks (total of 30 sessions) were performed; one session of IT was for 60 min. The high and medium exercise intensities were set at 90%-95% and 60%-70% heart rate reserve (HRR), respectively. Intensity at rest was 40% HRR for both groups. Weight training was performed at 60%-70% of one repetition maximum for two sessions/week. The changes in serum muscle damage indicators and antioxidant capacity in the two groups were measured, and their effects on the 800-m records were analyzed. The 10-week training reduced serum muscle damage indicators in middle-distance runners, but only the HIIT group displayed a decrease in creatine kinase. For the change in antioxidant capacity, the two groups demonstrated no significant change in malondialdehyde (MDA), whereas the HIIT group exhibited a significant increase in super-oxide dismutase (SOD). IT also reduced the 800-m records in middle-distance running, and the effect was stronger in the HIIT group. In conclusion, 10-week HIIT can have a positive effect on muscle damage indicators, showed a significant increase in SOD as a key indicator of anti-oxidant capacity, and improved the 800-m records in middle-distance runners.

Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of the Gexia Zhuyu Decoction in the Treatment of NAFLD and the Molecular Mechanism Underlying the TRPM4 Pathway Regulation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological syndrome of abnormal lipid deposition in the liver mediated by nonalcohol intake. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction, a classic traditional Chinese medicine compound, is widely used in the clinical treatment of NAFLD. However, its specific efficacy and underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of the Gexia Zhuyu decoction using pharmacodynamics and to explore its molecular mechanisms in conjunction with proteomics. High-fat diets and methionine choline-deficient diets were used to induce various NAFLD progression stages in mouse models. The effects of oral Gexia Zhuyu decoction administration on NAFLD were evaluated by measuring the serum and liver indicators of the treated mice before and after drug intervention and by comparing the changes in liver tissue. Liver TRPM4 mRNA and protein levels were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Experimental data showed that serum ALT, AST, and liver triglyceride (TG) levels in each disease stage group of drug intervention mice decreased, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels increased. Liver TG levels decreased after drug intervention in the liver fibrosis mice, but serum TG levels increased. Furthermore, cellular fatty changes, inflammatory changes, and fibrous tissue proliferation were all relieved. The TRPM4 protein and mRNA levels in the liver tissue were decreased, and the microRNA (miRNA)-24 expression was increased. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction has a clear therapeutic effect at each stage of NAFLD. It likely acts by altering miRNA-24 expression and regulating the target TRPM4 protein pathway to achieve NAFLD treatment.

PD-1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood cells and its modulation characteristics in cancer patients.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors that block the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway have been used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Although results have been promising, significant inter-individual and inter-tumor variability has been observed. It is believed that better clinical outcome could be achieved if the treatment was individually designed based on the functional status of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling and the cellular immunity. In this study, we analyzed the mRNA expression of PD-1 and other immunomodulatory genes in peripheral blood from cancer patients, and immunomodulatory gene expression during radiotherapy and immunomodulation therapy with cytokines. Our results show that the PD-1 mRNA expression is significantly increased in peripheral blood in cancer patients. Anti-cancer treatments can significantly modulate the PD-1 expression, but this is largely dependent on the initial immune status. Moreover, the PD-1 expression on peripheral lymphocytes can be immunoactivation-derived. These results suggest that the regulation and expression pattern of PD-1/PD-L1 signal is complicated which will influence the effect of blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway for cancer treatment. Through combined analysis of PD-1, CTLA-4, and other immune markers in peripheral blood, we may accurately evaluate the functional status of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling and cellular immunity, thereby providing clues for guiding anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 treatment.

Isolated splenic metastasis from a thymic carcinoma: A case report.

Thymic carcinomas are rare tumors that arise in the anterior mediastinum. Most of these malignancies develop local metastases limited in the thorax. Splenic metastases from thymic carcinomas are extremely rare. Here we report a case of isolated splenic metastasis from a 38-year-old female patient with Stage IV thymic carcinoma, who was treated with chemoradiotherapy. At twenty-2 months follow-up, the patient was found to have an isolated spleen metastasis, which was treated by Cyberknife with a reduced size of the metastasis, representing a partial response. Although splenic metastasis is a rare phenomenon, physicians need to be aware of the possibility of such metastases.