Background: The morphology of the suprascapular notch (SSN) and the ossification of the superior transverse suprascapular ligament (STSL) are risk factors for injury of the suprascapular nerve (SN) during arthroscopic shoulder procedures. The purpose of the current study was to compare preoperative clinical and radiologic characteristics between patients with and without STSL ossification and to evaluate SSN morphology in patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructed model. Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and were given a computed tomography (CT) scan from March 2018 to August 2019 were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those without STSL ossification (group I) and those with STSL ossification (group II). Tear size of the rotator cuff and fatty infiltration of rotator cuff muscles were assessed in preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The morphology of the SSN was classified following Rengachary’s classification. The transverse and vertical diameters of the SSN and the distances from anatomical landmarks to the STSL were measured. All measurements were completed using a 3D CT reconstructed scapula model. Results: A total of 200 patients were included in this study. One hundred seventy-eight patients (89.0%) without STSL ossification were included in group I, and 22 patients (11.0%) with STSL ossification were included in group II. Group II showed a significantly advanced age (61.0 ± 7.4 vs. 71.0 ± 7.3 years, p < 0.001) and a shorter transverse diameter of SSN (10.7 ± 3.1 mm vs. 6.1 ± 3.7 mm, p < 0.001) than group I. In the logistic regression analysis, age was an independent prognostic factor for STSL ossification (odds ratio, 1.201; 95% confidence interval, 1.112–1.296; p < 0.001). Patients in type VI showed significantly shorter transverse diameters than other types (p < 0.001). The patient with type I showed a significantly shorter distance from the articular surface of the glenoid to the SSN than those with other types (p < 0.001). Conclusions In the 3D morphological analysis, age was the independent factor associated with STSL ossification in patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Type VI showed significantly shorter transverse diameters than other types. Type I showed a significantly shorter distance from the articular surface of the glenoid to the SSN than other types.

Background: The present study compared the clinical effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with that of ultrasound (US)-guided shoulder steroid injection therapy in patients with supraspinatus tendinitis. We hypothesized that the two treatments would show comparable results. Methods: The inclusion criteria were age over 20 years and diagnosis of supraspinatus tendinitis using US. Ultimately, 26 patients were assigned using blocked randomization: 13 in the US-guided shoulder injection group and 13 in the ESWT group. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using the pain visual analog scale (pVAS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score, and the Constant score at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Results: At 1 month after the intervention, pVAS, ASES, and constant score were significantly higher in the US-guided shoulder injection group than in the ESWT group, but not at 3 months after the intervention. Both groups showed clinically significant treatment effects at 3 months after the intervention compared to baseline. No significance was shown using equivalence testing. Conclusions US-guided shoulder injection therapy was not superior to ESWT therapy. Considering the complications and rebound phenomenon of steroid injections, interventions using ESWT may be a good alternative to treat patients with supraspinatus tendinitis.

Objective:To analyze the cardio-pulmonary ultrasound features of cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) and pneumonia in adults with acute dyspnea, and to construct a differential diagnosis model.Methods:Seven hundred and forty-three patients with sudden acute dyspnea admitted to Hebei General Hospital from November 2018 to May 2022 were retropectively included. Ultrasonographer A performed lung ultrasound with 12 zone method, and interpreted and recorded the ultrasonic signs (including A-lines area, B-lines area, consolidation area and pleural effusion area) together with ultrasonographer B. According to the ultrasonic characteristics of the whole lung, it was divided into A-profile and B-profile. According to the continuity and symmetry of the distribution of B-lines in bilateral lung fields, it could be divided into bilateral lung continuous and discontinuous B-profile, bilateral lung symmetric and asymmetric B-profile. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular filling pressure (E/e′), right ventricular dilatation, tricuspid annular systolic displacement (TAPSE) and inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) were evaluated by echocardiography, and all the indexes were transformed into binary variables. According to the final clinical diagnosis and treatment results, the disease was divided into CPE group and pneumonia group. Binary Logistic regression model was used to screen independent influencing factors, and partial regression coefficient β value was used as a weight to assign a score, and a differential diagnosis model was established based on the total score. The predictive value of the model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under curve (AUC). After the model was built, 30 patients with CPE or pneumonia were independently collected by ultrasonographer C as external validation data, which were included in the model to draw ROC curve and evaluate the differential diagnosis efficiency of the model. The consistencies between ultrasonographer A and B, A and C in observing lung ultrasound were explored.Results:A total of 743 patients from 43 clinical departments were included, including 246 cases in CPE group and 497 cases in pneumonia group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that bilateral lung continuous B-profile, bilateral lung symmetric B-profile, ≥1 pleural effusion area, LVEF<50%, E/e′>14 were the risk factors for CPE (all OR>1, P<0.05), and ≥1 consolidation area and ≥1 pleural sliding disappearance area were the protective factors for CPE (all OR>1, P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of combined cardio-pulmonary ultrasound index β value weight score in the differential diagnosis of CPE and pneumonia were 0.939, 0.956 and 0.986, respectively. The AUC of external validation data was 0.904. Ultrasonographer A and B, A and C had good consistency in the interpretation of lung ultrasound signs ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The differential diagnosis model based on combined cardio-pulmonary ultrasound indexes has high differential diagnosis efficiency for CPE and pneumonia, and can be used in bedside cardio-pulmonary ultrasound practice.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcome of Robot-assisted sacroiliac screw fixation in the treatment of fragility fracture of the sacrum in the elderly.Methods:From March 2016 to June 2022, a retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patients with fragility fractures of the sacrum in the elderly who accepted robot-assisted sacroiliac screw to treat fragility fractures of the sacrum in our hospital. There were 12 males and 18 females with average age 71.03±8.25 years (range, 60-89 years). According to the classification of fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) in the elderly, there were 22 patients with FFP II, 2 patients with FFP III, and 6 patients with FFP IV. Surgical planning was based on the average CT value of S 1 channel and whether there is a transsacral screw channel. Robot-assisted sacroiliac screw fixation was performed during surgery. The pain of pre-operation and post-operation was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the position of sacroiliac screws was evaluated by Gras grading, and the degree of functional recovery after surgery was evaluated using the Majeed function score. Results:All 30 patients successfully completed the operation. The mean operation time was 27.00±6.68 min (range, 18-35 min), the mean fluoroscopy times were 27.13±5.16 (range, 18-34), and the mean blood loss was 30.53±6.61 ml (range, 23-38 ml). All patients were followed up, and the mean follow-up time was 19.03±7.8 months (range, 8-25 months). The VAS was 5(5, 6), 4(3, 4), 3(2, 3), 0(0, 1) points before surgery, 1 week, 2 months and 6 months after surgery, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H=103.26, P<0.001). After the surgery of 2 months, 6 months and the last follow-up time, the Majeed function scores were 88(83, 90), 91(87, 92), 92(90, 93) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H=19.59, P<0.001). Screw position was evaluated according to Gras grading at 3 days after surgery, including 28 cases of level I, 2 cases of level II, and no screw penetrated the cortical bone or entered the sacral canal or sacral foramen. No vascular or nerve injury occured during the operation. 28 patients with FFS met the fracture healing criteria, and the healing time was 4.54±1.57 months (range, 3-7 months). Two patients had bone nonunion, one of whom underwent anterior ring plate removal due to infection of the pelvic anterior wound, and one month later, pelvic CT scan revealed loosening of the sacroiliac screw; the other one is considered to be related to too early weight bearing. Conclusion:For fragility fractures of the sacrum in elderly, Robot-assisted sacroiliac screw is an effective minimally invasive treatment, with high accuracy of screw placement, effective pain reduction, improved fracture healing rate, and achieve the satisfactory clinical efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of robot-assisted sacroiliac screw implantation in the treatment of proximal dysplasia sacral fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 191 patients admitted to the Pelvic Department of Tianjin Hospital from May 2016 to January 2021 who underwent robot assisted sacroiliac screw implantation with sacral fractures, including 105 males and 86 females, aged 38.5±6.5 years (ranging from 19 to 69 years old). Among them, there were 85 patients with dysplasia of proximal sacrum. According to the classification of proximal sacral dysplasia, the patients were divided into five groups: the steep sacral alar slope group ( n=60), the mastoid protrusion group ( n=30), the lumbar sacralization group ( n=25), the sacral foramen oval degeneration group ( n=23) and the S 1 anterior cortical depression group ( n=10). The remaining 106 patients were normal group. Iliac cortical density (ICD) line typing was recorded in the 85 patients. The the completion of sacroiliac screw implantation, the Gras score of screw position after operation, the postoperative complications, the minimum diameter of S 1 screw channel (R1), the angle ∠A between the S 1 sacroiliac screw in the coronal plane and the cephalic side, and the angle ∠B between the S 1 sacroiliac screw in the water plane and the ventral side were recorded and compared with those of normal development patients. Results:The incidence of steep sacral alar slope was the highest (31.4%, 60/191). There were 2 or more developmental abnormalities in 24 cases. In 85 cases with dysplasia of proximal sacrum, ICD line type I was found in 8 cases, type II in 12 cases and type III in 65 cases. 49 patients (58.8%, 49/85) were able to complete the implantation of S 1 sacroiliac screw, while 36 patients (35.3%, 36/85) were only able to complete the implantation of S 2 sacroiliac screw. The Gras score of postoperative screw position was 90.05% for grade I, 9.94% for grade II, and 0 for grade III. In 1 case the sacroiliac screw pierced through the anterior cortex of the sacrum, and in 1 case the screw partially threaded into the sacral foramen, and there were no symptoms of iatrogenic nerve injury. The R1 values of the preoperative steep sacral alar slope group, the mastoid protrusion group, the sacral foramen oval degeneration group, the lumbar sacralization group, the sacral foramen oval degeneration group and normal development patient group were 11.4±3.0, 11.6±3.2, 9.8±3.0, 8.8±4.2, 6.5±4.4, and 11.4±3.4 mm, respectively. The differences between the lumbar sacralization group, the sacral foramen oval degeneration group, and the S1 anterior cortical depression group with the normal development patients were statistically significant, respectively ( t=-3.05, P=0.005; t=-2.32, P=0.022; t=-3.45, P=0.006). The postoperative angle ∠A of the above six groups were 33.8°±4.2°, 20.8°±3.5°, 25.8°±2.5°, 35.5°±4.5, 27.8°±3.5° and 26.8°±5.0°, respectively. The postoperative angle ∠B of the above six groups were 27.8°±3.5°, 36.2°±3°, 26.3°±1.8°, 29.8°±2.7°, 14.8°±1.5° and 37.2±4.2°, respectively. The differences between the ∠A of the steep sacral alar slope group, the mastoid protrusion group, and tthe lumbar sacralization group with that of the normal development patients were statistically significant, respectively ( t=9.17, -7.48, 7.97, P<0.001). The differences between the ∠B of the steep sacral alar slope group, the lumbar sacralization group, the sacral foramen oval degeneration group, and the S 1 anterior cortical depression group with that of the normal development patients were statistically significant, respectively ( t=-14.68, -10.93, -19.79, -35.8, P<0.001). Conclusion:This study proposes the "absolute stenosis" of the S 1 screw channel; In the treatment of patients with abnormal proximal sacral fracture, attention should be paid to S 1 anterior cortical depression and lumbar sacralization, and robot-assisted sacroiliac screw implantation can further improve the safety and accuracy of sacroiliac screw implantation.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of the horizontal plate plus raft screws above the acetabulum and fixation with screws only for acetabular fractures combined with dome impaction in the aged patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 20 aged patients with acetabular fractures combined with dome impaction, who were admitted to Tianjin hospital between May 2013 and January 2023, including 5 males and 15 females, aged 61-84 years [(72.2±7.3)years]. According to Letournel and Judet classification, 13 patients had anterior column fracture, 5 anterior column fracture combined with posterior transverse fracture and 2 two-column fracture. All the patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation through an anterior approach. Of them, 11 patients were treated with the fixation with the horizonal plate plus raft screws above the acetabulum (plate plus raft screw group) and 9 with the screws only (screw only group). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times were compared between the two groups. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated with the Matta′s radiographic criteria at 3 days after surgery and the function of the hip joint was assessed with Merle D′Aubigné and Postel scoring system at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up as well as the excellent and good rate at te last follow-up. The occurrence of postoperative complications was observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-18 months [(13.1±3.1)months]. There were no significant differences in the operative time, intraoperative blood loss or intraoperative fluoroscopy times between the two groups ( P>0.05). According to the Matta′s radiographic criteria at 3 days after surgery, patients with anatomical reduction and satisfactory reduction accounted 6 and 5 in the plate plus raft screw group, compared to 5 and 4 respectively in the screw only group ( P>0.05). The values of Merle D′Aubigné and Postel score at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were (14.0±2.4)points and (15.8±2.2)points in the plate plus raft screw group, which were higher than those in the screw only group [(11.0±2.6)points and (13.0±3.1)points] ( P<0.01). The values of Merle D′Aubigné and Postel score at the last follow-up of both groups were further enhanced from those at 3 months after surgery ( P<0.01). At the last follow-up, 3 patients were rated excellent, 6 good, 1 fair and 1 poor in the plate plus raft screw group, with an excellent and good rate of 81.8%, while in the screw only group, 3 were rated good, 2 fair and 4 poor, with an excellent and good rate of 33.3% ( P<0.05). One patient in the plate plus raft screw group and 5 in the screw only group had displacement of the dome impaction fragment combined with traumatic arthritis after surgery ( P<0.05). Conclusion:For acetabular fractures combined with dome impaction in the aged patients, the horizontal plate plus raft screw above the acetabulum can effectively improve the function restoration of the hip joint and reduce the occurrence of the displacement of the dome impaction fragment and traumatic arthritis after surgery compared to the fixation with screws only.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a plasma component of autologous blood containing a high concentration of platelets. PRP is used to promote healing of damaged tissues. However, there are not many studies on the composition and expression patterns of active proteins in PRP. The purpose of this study was to identify unknown factors that contribute to tissue healing by proteomic analysis of proteins in PRP. METHODS: Three men in their 30s with no basal disease participated in this study. All identified proteins were classified for tissue healing-related functions on the basis of the gene ontology analysis of adhesion molecule with Ig-like domain 2 (AmiGO2). PRP was prepared by using the ACP kit and GPS III kit. RESULTS: We identified a total of 125 proteins related to wound healing, along with three proteins for angiogenesis involved in wound healing, two proteins for fibroblast migration, four proteins for collagen biosynthesis process, two proteins for glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis process, and 13 proteins for glycosaminoglycan binding. So, in addition to the growth factors that have been already known to be involved in tissue healing, 25 new proteins were identified. CONCLUSIONS We identified the unknown proteins associated with tissue healing in PRP. Our findings may serve as a foundation for the establishment of basic medical evidence for PRP applications.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of safflower polysaccharide on apoptosis and autophagy of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS Human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2， SMMC-7721 and Huh-7 cells were selected as subjects， and safflower polysaccharide was used as intervention drug to screen sensitive cells， intervention concentration and intervention time. The sensitive cells were selected as the object and intervened with different concentrations of safflower polysaccharide； the apoptosis， migration， clone formation， morphology and autophagy of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells were observed； the expressions of apoptosis， autophagy and phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammals rapamycin target protein （mTOR） signaling pathway related protein were detected. RESULTS safflower polysaccharide could inhibit the proliferation of 3 kinds of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells， and the half inhibition concentration of it to SMMC-7721 cells was significantly lower than to other two kinds of cells （P＜0.05）. After 48 h intervened with low， medium and high concentrations of safflower polysaccharide （20， 40， 80 μmol/L）， the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was increased compared with the control group， and cell migration rates at 24 and 48 h （except for safflower polysaccharide low- dose group at 24 h） and clone formation rate at 24 h were significantly decreased compared with the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）. Compared with the control group， cell number in safflower polysaccharide groups was significantly decreased， and autophagy levels were improved to some extent； the relative expressions of cleaved caspase-3， caspase-9， Bax and beclin-1 protein and ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ were significantly increased， and the relative protein expressions of Bcl-2， p62， PI3K， mTOR and Akt were significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Safflower polysaccharide could effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis and autophagy of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells， the mechanism of which may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the volatile oil of Linderae Radix on the apoptosis and autophagy of human gastric cancer cell line AGS， and to explore the regulatory role of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway in this process. MethodThe volatile oil of Linderae Radix was extracted by steam distillation， and the effect of the volatile oil on the viability of AGS cells was detected by thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） colorimetry. The optimal intervention dose and time were determined according to the half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） for subsequent research. The blank， low， medium， and high-dose volatile oil （0， 15， 30， 60 mg·L^-1） groups and the positive drug cyclophosphamide （CTX， 350 mg·L^-1） group were designed. AGS cells were treated with different doses of volatile oil for 48 h. The changes in cell proliferation， cycle， and migration were measured by colony formation assay， flow cytometry， and cell scratch test， respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the changes of cell morphology， Annexin-V/propidium iodide （PI） double staining to measure the apoptosis， and acridine orange （AO） staining to measure the autophagy level of the cells. Western blotting was employed to determine the expression of the autophagy effectors Beclin-1， p62， microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3 （LC3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase （PARP）， adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK）， mTOR， and phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR）. ResultCompared with the blank group， 24 h and 48 h of intervention with the volatile oil of Linderae Radix inhibited the viability of AGS cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the volatile oil decreased the cell proliferation and migration （P<0.05， P<0.01） and blocked the AGS cell cycle in G₂/M phase （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a concentration-dependent manner. The cells treated with the volatile oil became spherical and smaller， with the formation of apoptotic bodies and increased apoptosis rate （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As the dose of the volatile oil increased， the number of autophagosomes increased and the red fluorescence gradually enhanced， indicating the elevated level of autophagy. Compared with the blank group， different doses of volatile oil up-regulated the protein levels of Beclin-1， LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved PARP， Bax/Bcl-2， and AMPK （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated the protein levels of p62 and p-mTOR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe volatile oil of Linderae Radix induces the apoptosis and exerts the autophagy-mediated growth inhibition of AGS cells by regulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the anti-inflammatory effect of Duhuo Jishengtang （DHJST） on collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） model rats and its effect on the Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodForty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into the following six groups （n=8）： normal group， model group， methotrexate （MTX） group， low-dose DHJST （DHJST-L） group， medium-dose DHJST （DHJST-M） group， and high-dose DHJST （DHJST-H） group. The CIA model was established by injecting bovine type Ⅱ collagen into the rat tail root with the collagen antibody induction method. After model induction， rats were treated with drugs by gavage. The rats in the MTX group received MTX at 2.0 mg·kg^-1， three times a week， and those in the DHJST groups received DHJST at 3.8， 7.6， 15.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1 for 28 days. The rats in the normal group and the model group were given the same dose of normal saline. The weight of the rats was recorded， and the paw swelling degree was observed. The arthritis index and immune organ index were measured， and the changes in the microcirculation indexes of the rats were detected with a microcirculation detector. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to detect the pathological morphologic changes in rat synovial tissues and the apoptosis rate of synovial cells was detected by flow cytometry to determine the therapeutic effect of DHJST on rheumatoid arthritis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the changes in serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-17A， and interferon-γ （IFN-γ）. The protein expression of TLR2， NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， p38 MAPK， and p-p38 MAPK was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced body weight （P<0.01）， increased paw swelling degree， arthritis index， and immune organ index （P<0.01）， increased comprehensive microvascular score and vascular resistance （P<0.01）， significant hyperplasia of synovial tissues and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells as revealed by pathological sections， and up-regulated expression levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-17A， and IFN-γ in serum， and TLR2， p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in synovial tissues （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the DHJST groups showed increased body weight of rats （P<0.01）， decreased paw swelling degree， arthritis index， and immune organ index （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced comprehensive microvascular score and vascular resistance （P<0.05， P<0.01）， improved synovial histopathological injury， increased apoptosis rate of synovial cells （P<0.01）， and down-regulated levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-17A， and IFN-γ in serum （P<0.05， P<0.01） and TLR2， p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in synovial tissues （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDHJST may alleviate the inflammatory reaction in CIA rats by regulating the TLR2/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway， thus exerting its anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect.