BACKGROUND:The capability of repairing articular cartilage damage is very limited,and tissue engineering technology provides new therapeutic options for repairing damaged cartilage,in which the interaction and induction between chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and synovial mesenchymal stem cells is the basis of autologous healing of cartilage damage. OBJECTIVE:To construct the chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system to simulate the in vitro microenvironment of chondrocytes,and to explore the optimal cell inoculation ratio,meanwhile to observe the effects of icariin-containing serum on the proliferation of chondrocytes and the chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells in the system. METHODS:Rat knee chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells were extracted,cultured and identified,and a chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell non-contact co-culture system was constructed according to different cell inoculation ratios.After 72 hours of co-culturing,the chondrocyte proliferative activity and phenotypic ability were observed,and the co-culture system with the best overall effect was selected.New Zealand white rabbits were gavaged with icariin solution(0.25 mg/mL)to prepare icariin-containing serum,and cultured in conventional complete medium(high sugar DMEM culture medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum and 1%double antibody by volume)as the control group,while the experimental group was intervened by adding 10%icariin-containing serum by volume on the basis of above.The proliferative activity of chondrocytes and the expression of collagen type II were tested for the two groups after 24 and 48 hours.The differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes in the co-culture system was tested by immunofluorescence staining after 14 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The three kinds of cells grew normally adherently to the wall in different ratios of co-culture,where chondrocytes showed the best proliferative activity and phenotypic ability in the co-culture system when chondrocytes:bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells:synovial mesenchymal stem cells=2:1:1.(2)Compared with the control group,the proliferative activity and type II collagen expression of chondrocytes in the experimental group were significantly increased after 24 hours(P<0.01),and the two groups still had difference after 48 hours(P<0.05).The two groups showed obvious chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells after 14 days(P<0.01),and some of the cells appeared round or oval,and the cytoplasmic type II collagen immunofluorescence staining was positive.The fluorescence intensity of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.01).(3)The results showed that the chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system could be successfully established by the non-contact co-culture method,and the best chondrocyte proliferative activity and phenotypic ability could be obtained when the cell ratio was 2:1:1.Icariin-containing serum had the promoting effect on chondrocyte proliferation,and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells in the system.

ObjectiveTo find out whether there is any difference in the monitoring results of mosq-ovitraps placed in different orientations in multi-storey residential areas, so as to provide a scientific basis for routine and emergency monitoring of Aedes albopictus with mosq-ovitraps in residential areas. MethodsFrom July 6th to October 26th 2023, one mosquito ovitrap was set up in each of the 4 orientations of east, south, west and north around the buildings in a multi-storey residential area in Jinhui Town, Fengxian District, Shanghai. Data was collected and recorded 72 hours after placement. The chi-square test was used to compare the mosquito ovitrap indices (MOIs) of two independent samples, and the Kruskal⁃Wallis H test was used to compare the MOIs of multiple independent samples. ResultsAfter 16 weeks of surveillance, 997 mosquito ovitraps were recovered, of which 211 were positive, with the mosquito ovitrap index (MOI) of 21.16% and the Aedes albopictus density index of 1.03 mosquitoes·ovitrap^-1. The MOIs were higher in September (24.22%) and October (23.96%), and the MOIs in the west, south and north within the two months were all above 20.00%. From July to October, the MOIs in the east, west, south and north were 20.70%, 22.20%, 25.50% and 16.20%, respectively, and the difference in MOIs among the 4 orientations was not statistically significant (χ²=6.647, P=0.084). Stratified analysis by month showed that in August, the south side of the multi-storey residential areas had the highest MOI (31.30%), the north side had the lowest MOI (1.30%), and there was a statistically significant difference in MOI in the east, west, south and north (χ²=25.986, P<0.001). In October, the MOI in the west was the highest (33.30%) and the MOI in the east was the lowest (6.30%), the difference in MOIs of the 4 orientations was statistically significant (χ²=12.007, P=0.007). The MOIs in the south side of the building in the outskirts of the residential area from the 1st week in July to the 4th week in October was lower (19.20%) than that in the south side of the inner building (31.70%), and the difference in MOI was statistically significant (χ²=5.118, P=0.024). ConclusionThe study of MOI in different orientations in a multi-storey residential area is a preliminary exploration based on field work, and the results show that there is a difference in MOIs in different orientations during the peak breeding period of mosquitoes. Further indicators such as temperature, humidity and wind speed in different orientations can be collected to explore the influencing factors of MOIs.

Elevated glucose metabolism is a prominent characteristic of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the efficacy of inhibiting a single target of glucose metabolism in FLS using small molecular inhibitors is limited for RA treatment. Herein, the synergistic inhibition of FLS' survival, proliferation, and activation by combining two glucose metabolism inhibitors, diclofenac (DC) and lonidamine (LND) was first verified. Subsequently, DC and LND were individually conjugated to cystamine-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) to prepare two polymer-prodrug conjugates. A HAP-1 peptide-modified dual polymer-prodrug conjugates-assembled nanoparticles system (^HAP-1NP_DC+LND) was further tailored in the optimal synergistic ratio for targeted and synergistic metabolic modulation of FLS to alleviate RA symptoms. Upon targeted uptake by FLS in inflamed joints, ^HAP-1NP_DC+LND released DC and LND within the intracellular reductive microenvironment, where DC hinders glucose uptake and LND suppresses glycolytic enzymes to eliminate FLS synergistically. Additionally, the secretion of lactic acid and pro-inflammatory factors from FLS were reduced, thereby disrupting the crosstalk between FLS and pro-inflammatory macrophages. Finally, ^HAP-1NP_DC+LND demonstrated promising efficacy in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Overall, this research provides valuable insights into novel therapeutic strategies for the safe and effective of treatment RA through targeted and synergistic metabolic modulation of FLS.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans ; Female ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; China/epidemiology* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Adult ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Risk Score ; East Asian People

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of early rehabilitation treatment after repair surgery of skin and soft tissue defects accompanied by extensor tendon injury on the back of hand.Methods:This study was a retrospective non-randomized controlled study. From February 2015 to February 2023, 24 patients (15 males and 9 females, aged 12-55 years) with skin and soft tissue defects accompanied by extensor tendon injury on the back of hand, who met the inclusion criteria and were repaired with flap transplantation and tendon grafting or tendon anastomosis, were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University. According to different intervention time for postoperative rehabilitation treatment of patients, the patients were divided into conventional rehabilitation group and early rehabilitation group, with 12 cases in each group. Patients in early rehabilitation group received rehabilitation treatment immediately after surgery under the rehabilitation guidance of specialized rehabilitation physicians based on the characteristics of different postoperative periods. Patients in conventional rehabilitation group began rehabilitation treatment from the third week after surgery, and their rehabilitation treatment was the same as that of patients in early rehabilitation group from the second week after surgery. The patients in 2 groups were treated in the hospital until the sixth week after surgery. The occurrence of flap vascular crisis and tendon rupture were observed within 6 weeks after surgery. After 6 weeks of surgery, the manual muscle test was used to measure the pinching force between the index finger and thumb, lateral pinching force, three-point pinching force, and grip force of the affected hand; the total action motion method was used to evaluate the finger joint range of motion of the affected hand, and the excellent and good ratio was calculated; the Carroll upper extremity function test was used to score and rate the function of the affected hand.Results:Within 6 weeks after surgery, only 1 patient in conventional rehabilitation group suffered from venous crisis, and the flap survived after the second surgical exploration and anastomosis of blood vessels; there was no occurrence of tendon rupture in patients of 2 groups. After 6 weeks of surgery, there were no statistically significant differences in pinching force between the index finger and thumb, lateral pinching force, three-point pinching force, or grip force of the affected hand between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05); the excellent and good ratio of the finger joint range of motion of the affected hand of patients in early rehabilitation group was 11/12, which was higher than 7/12 in conventional rehabilitation group, but there was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05); the affected hand function score of patients in early rehabilitation group was 90±6, which was significantly higher than 83±8 in conventional rehabilitation group ( t=2.41, P<0.05); the function rating of the affected hand of patients in early rehabilitation group was obviously better than that in conventional rehabilitation group ( Z=2.04, P<0.05). Conclusions:Early rehabilitation treatment for patients with skin and soft tissue defects accompanied by extensor tendon injury on the back of hand after repair surgery can improve hand function, but it would not increase surgery related complications, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and clinical effects of unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap combined with contralateral centripetal advancement flap in repairing huge pressure ulcers in the sacrococcygeal region.Methods:The study was a retrospective observational study. From June 2020 to April 2023, 15 patients with stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers with sacrococcygeal defect area greater than 10.0 cm×10.0 cm who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 8 males and 7 females, aged from 30 to 86 years. The pressure ulcers before debridement were all accompanied by different degree of infection and necrosis. Debridement and negative pressure sealing and irrigation treatment were performed in stage Ⅰ. After debridement, the skin and soft tissue defect area was 12.0 cm×10.5 cm to 20.0 cm×17.0 cm. After the wound bed infection was controlled, unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap combined with contralateral centripetal advancement flap was used to repair the pressure ulcer wounds in stage Ⅱ. The perforator flap area was 12.0 cm×7.0 cm to 16.0 cm×10.5 cm. The donor area wound was sutured directly. After operation, the survival, complications, and wound healing of flap donor area were observed. During regular follow-up, the recurrence of pressure ulcers, the appearance and texture of the flap, and the scars in the donor site were observed.Results:After operation, 1 patient had fluid accumulation under the flap and survived after drainage and dressing change. The flaps of the other patients survived well without infection, local necrosis, and sinus formation under the flap. The wounds in the donor area healed well. All patients were followed up for more than 6 months, and there was no recurrence of pressure ulcers. The appearance of the flap was not bloated, the texture was soft, and the compression resistance and elasticity were good. The donor site wound healed well without obvious scar.Conclusions:The surgical method of repairing giant sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers with unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap combined with contralateral centripetal advancement flap is simple and easy to operate. It can repair large defect area with the donor area being sutured directly, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To discuss the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection in prone position.Methods:From August 2023 to January 2024, a total of eight patients with retroperitoneal tumors from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed, including two males and six females. The average age was (47.4±12.5) years, average BMI was (24.4±3.5) kg/m 2 and median ASA grade was 2(2, 3). Retroperitoneal tumors were identified preoperatively through CT or MRI. The imaging revealed 4 cases of adrenal tumors located on the left side, 2 on the right side, and 2 non-adrenal tumors situated on the left side. The preoperative diagnoses included 2 cases of non-functional adrenal tumors, 2 cases of pheochromocytoma, 1 case of Cushing’s syndrome, 1 case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and 2 cases of non-adrenal tumors. Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection was performed with all patients in prone position. The inferior margin of the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) was determined by the line connecting the highest points of the iliac crests bilaterally. Subsequently, the inferior margins of the L1-L3 vertebrae were sequentially identified. The surgical field was then divided into three equal segments, utilizing the posterior midline of the spine and the midaxillary line as boundaries. The medial division was situated approximately at the lateral border of the vertical spinal muscles, while the lateral division was placed near the tip of the 12th rib. A longitudinal incision of approximately 3 cm in length was created within the lateral division between L2 and L3 for the insertion of a camera trocar. The extraperitoneal space was subsequently dilated using a self-made balloon, and two 8 mm trocars were placed as operative ports along the medial division and the midaxillary line, respectively, under finger guidance. Assistance trocars, one or two 12 mm in diameter, were introduced above the level of the iliac crest. During the operation, the extraperitoneal adipose tissue was removed and the Gerota's fascia was opened. For non-adrenal retroperitoneal tumours, the major blood vessels around the tumour were suspended and fixed, by titanium clips or Hem-o-lok clips to dissect the small arteries and veins, and the tumour was carefully isolated and completely resected. For adrenal tumours, the fat capsule around the upper pole of the kidney were removed, the adrenal gland was exposed, and then the tumour was removed completely along its capsule. If total adrenalectomy is performed, the central adrenal vein was clamped and dissected. The periphery of the adrenal gland was gradually dissected until the adrenal gland was completely removed.The perioperative data, including patient positioning time, trocar placement time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative drainage tube removal time, as well as recurrence and metastasis, were recorded.Two patients underwent partial nephrectomy due to renal tumor, and only the time for retroperitoneal tumor resection was included in calculating operation time. Results:All 8 surgeries were successfully completed without dramatic blood pressure fluctuations.There was no conversion to open surgery or abdominal organ injury. The patient positioning time was (5.1±0.4) minutes, trocar placement time was (16.6±1.3) minutes, operation time was (28.8±13.8) minutes, intraoperative blood loss was (65.0±28.7) ml, postoperative hospital stay was (3.6±0.9) days, and drainage tube removal time was (2.8±1.0) days. No intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusions were required. Postoperatively diagnosed pathologies included: 2 cases of adrenal pheochromocytoma, 2 cases of adrenal sebaceous adenoma, 2 cases of retroperitoneal schwannoma, 1 case of adrenal myelolipoma, and 1 case of adrenal metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The average tumor size for all patients was (4.3±1.5) cm. After a follow-up of 2.0-7.2 months, there were no recorded postoperative complications, including haemorrhage, infections, acute hypotension, or adrenocortical insufficiency. Additionally, no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed up during foolow-up.Conclusions:Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection in prone position could be a safe and feasible surgical approach with short operative time, low bleeding, and fast postoperative recovery.

BACKGROUND:Kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome are common traditional Chinese medicine syndromes observed in knee osteoarthritis,which serve as fundamental pathogenesis factors.There exists a significant connection between the two.Previous studies have demonstrated that kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome effectively contribute to knee joint cartilage degeneration and the progression of knee osteoarthritis.However,the mechanisms underlying the promotion of knee joint cartilage damage remain unclear and require further investigation. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome on the progression of knee osteoarthritis in Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS:Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:a model observation group and a control group,with eight rats in each group.Animal models of kidney deficiency were induced by ovary removal in the model observation group,while the control group was given a sham procedure for ovarian removal.Two months after modeling,both groups underwent modified HULTH surgery to induce knee osteoarthritis.One week after modified HULTH surgery,the model observation group was subcutaneously given adrenaline hydrochloride to make blood stasis models,while the control group was subcutaneously given normal saline.At the 5th week after modified HULTH surgery,blood rheology,coagulation parameters,triiodothyronine,tetraiodothyronine,and estradiol levels were measured.Knee joint X-ray images were taken,and knee joint sections were stained with safranin O-fast green,hematoxylin-eosin,and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the model observation group exhibited significant increases in whole blood viscosity at low,medium,and high shear rates,as well as increased plasma viscosity.Fibronectin levels in the coagulation parameters were significantly increased,while prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly decreased.Triiodothyronine,tetraiodothyronine,and estradiol levels were all significantly decreased.Radiographic results showed that the model observation group exhibited more severe degree of knee joint space narrowing and surface roughness,with the appearance of high-density shadows.Hematoxylin-eosin and safranin O-fast green staining demonstrated more severe cartilage damage in the model observation group,with significantly higher OARSI and Mankin scores compared with the control group.Compared with the control group,immunohistochemistry results showed a significant reduction in the expression of extracellular matrix type II collagen and aggrecan protein in the cartilage of the model observation group rats.Moreover,there was a significant increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and aggrecanase 5,which are inflammatory factors.These results indicate that the Sprague-Dawley rat model of knee osteoarthritis with kidney deficiency and blood stasis was successfully established.Kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome further aggravate cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and cartilage degeneration by promoting the expression of inflammatory factors,thereby promoting the progression of knee osteoarthritis in rats.

Objective:To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine combined with chloroprocaine on epidural anesthesia for cesarean section.Methods:A total of 133 women who underwent epidural anesthesia for cesarean section at the Department of Anesthesiology, Jinhua People's Hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were included in this prospective case-control study. These women were divided into a ropivacaine group ( n = 66) and a chloroprocaine group ( n = 67) using a random number table method. The ropivacaine group received epidural anesthesia with dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine, while the chloroprocaine group received epidural anesthesia with dexmedetomidine combined with chloroprocaine. The anesthesia effect (anesthesia onset time, anesthesia duration, peak effect time), changes in blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure), adverse reactions (shivering, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, skin itching, numbness of lower limbs), and satisfaction with muscle relaxation were observed in the two groups. Results:The anesthesia onset time, anesthesia duration, and peak effect time in the chloroprocaine group were (6.91 ± 1.54) minutes, (61.54 ± 5.31) minutes, and (11.79 ± 4.12) minutes, respectively, which were significantly shorter than those in the ropivacaine group [(9.65 ± 1.92) minutes, (83.57 ± 6.69) minutes, (18.32 ± 4.81) minutes, t = 9.08, 21.05, 8.41, all P < 0.001). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased in both groups after 10 minutes of anesthesia and at the end of the procedure; however, the increments observed in the chloroprocaine group were relatively smaller. There were significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, measured at 10 minutes of anesthesia and at the end of the procedure, between the two groups ( F = 7.36, P < 0.001; F = 5.12, P = 0.001). There were significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between different time points ( F = 10.03, P < 0.001; F = 6.72, P < 0.001). The group-by-time interaction effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure was also highly significant ( F = 9.83, P < 0.001; F = 8.01, P < 0.001). The chloroprocaine group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of adverse reactions compared with the ropivacaine group [4.48% (3/67) vs. 15.15% (10/66), χ2 = 4.29, P < 0.05). Additionally, the chloroprocaine group had a significantly higher satisfaction rate with muscle relaxation compared with the ropivacaine group [94.03% (63/66) vs. 81.82% (54/66), Z = 5.73, P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The combination of dexmedetomidine and chloroprocaine offers remarkable benefits in epidural anesthesia for cesarean sections. This combined approach not only enhances epidural anesthesia but also stabilizes the blood pressure of puerperants, reduces adverse reactions, and provides exceptional muscle relaxation. It deserves consideration for clinical application.