Objective To summarize the clinical experience of 38 cases of cardiac surgery with full sternotomy through minimal skin incision.Methods A total of 38 cases of selective cardiac surgery were performed from June 2004 to December 2005.The operation was conducted under full sternotomy through a skin mini-incision.Results The operation was successfully completed in all the 38 cases.The total operation time was 175~359 min(mean,84 min),the drainage volume was 110~760 ml(median,380 ml),and the postoperatine hospital stay,7~32 d(mean,10 d).Postoperative short-term complications included 1 case of arrhythmia and 2 cases of pyrexia,all of which were cured.No thoracotomy for hemostasis was required.The incision healed by first intention without infection or separation.Follow-up examinations for 3~18 months(mean,9 months) in 38 cases showed significat improrement of symptoms.The left ventricular ejection fraction after operation was 0.45~0.73(mean,0.62).Conclusions Full sternotomy through minimal skin incision for cardiac surgery is safe and micro-traumatic.This procedure provides advantages of simplicity of performance,no need of special surgical instruments,and good cosmetic outcomes.

Objective To establish a double TaqMan real-time fluorescence nested PCR method for rapid detection of α-thalassemia SEA deletion.Methods One hundred blood samples for thalassemia screening were collected from May to July of 2010 in the Tianhe Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangzhou.Seven fetal specimens for prenatal diagnosis were collected from December 2010 to February 2011 in Dongguan TungWah Hospital(2 villi and 5 amniotic fluid specimens).Fifty samples of α-thalassemia SEA deletion with genotyping results were selected from the sample bank of our laboratory.The double TaqMan real-time fluorescence nested PCR was applied to detect the truncated sequence of SEA deletion and the normal sequence within deletion range simultaneously for all these samples with the same detecting system.The genotype of α-thalassemia SEA deletion was accurately acquired according to the positive result of fluorescent PCR combined with the Ct value difference.Meanwhile,the accuracy and feasibility of this method were verified and analyzed by parallely detecting these samples with routine gapPCR for α-thalassemia SEA deletion.The genotype could be obtained according to PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis.Results Two amplification efficiencies of the optimized dual TaqMan real-time fluorescence nested PCR system established in this study were both close to 100% with the slops of -3.153 and -3.182,respectively.The results of 50 samples of α-thalassemia SEA deletion with genotyping results showed that this method could not only realize rapid diagnosis,but also effectively avoid false negative or false-positive misdiagnosis by accurately determine the external contamination in the sample.Among 100 blood samples,eleven samples with SEA deletion were detected respectively and the diagnosis coincidence rate of these two methods was 100%,3 samples with SEA deletion were detected by gap-PCR,but 2 samples with SEA deletion and 1 villi sample with normal genotype but contaminated by SEA were detected by this method among 7 fetal samples.Conclusions A double TaqMan real-time fluorescence nested PCR method for α-thalassemia SEA deletion was developed.The method is a rapid and reliable test with simple operation,and is suitable for large-scale population screening and routine molecular diagnosis.

Objective     To share the clinical experience of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomic basal segmentectomy by single-direction method. Methods     The clinical data of 352 patients who underwent VATS anatomic basal segmentectomy in West China Hospital between April 2015 and April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, including 96 males and 256 females with a median age of 50 (range, 26-81) years. All basal segmentectomies were performed under thoracoscopy, through the interlobar fissure or inferior pulmonary ligament approach, and following the strategy of single-direction and the method of "stem-branch". Results    All patients underwent basal segmentectomy successfully (49 patients of uniportal procedure, 3 patients of biportal procedure and 300 patients of triportal procedure) without addition of incisions or conversion to thoracotomy and lobectomy. The median operation time was 118 (range, 45-340) min, median intraoperative blood loss was 20 (range, 5-500) mL, median drainage time was 2 (range, 1-22) d and median postoperative hospital stay was 4 (range, 2-24) d. The postoperative complications included pneumonia in 6 patients, prolonged drainage (air leakage duration>5 d or drainage duration>7 d) in 18 patients, cerebral infarction in 1 patient and other complications in 2 patients. All patients were treated well and discharged without main complaints. No perioperative death happened. Conclusion    VATS anatomic basal segmentectomy is feasible and safe. It can be performed in a simple manner following the strategy of single-direction.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and P2X3 receptors in dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) of rats with neuropathic pain (NP).Methods Thirty-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 4-6 weeks,weighing 180-200 g,in which IT catheters were successfully implanted,were divided into 3 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (group S),group NP and endogenous H2S synthase (cystathionine beta-syntheses [CBS]) inhibitor animooxyacetic acid (AOAA) group (group A).NP was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve at 3 days after IT catheters were successfully implanted.AOAA (10 μg/kg) 10 μl and normal saline 10 μl were intrathecally injected once a day for 14 consecutive days starting from 1 day after CCI in group A,and normal saline 20 μl was intrathecally injected instead in S and NP groups.At 1 day before CCI and 1,3,7,10 and 14 days after CCI,the thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) and mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) were measured at 30 min after intrathecal injection.The animals were sacrificed at 7 and 14 days after CCI,and ipsilateral DRGs of the lumbar segment (L4-6) were removed for detection of the expression of CBS and P2X3 receptors by Western blot.Results Compared with group S,the TWL was significantly shortened,MWT was decreased,and the expression of CBS and P2X3 receptors in DRGs was up-regulated at each time point after CCI in group NP (P＜0.05).Compared with group NP,the TWL was significantly prolonged,the MWT was increased,and the expression of CBS and P2X3 receptors in DRG s was down-regulated at each time point after CCI in group A (P＜0.05).Conclusion H2S in DRG s can up-regulate the expression of P2X3 receptors,which may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of NP in rats.

Objective To observe the clinical characteristics in schoolchildren diagnosed with allergic rhi-nitis(AR)and nonallergic rhinitis(NAR)three years ago,and to compare the prevalence of asthma and chronic cough among them and the impacts of AR and NAR on the quality of life. Methods Totally 146 AR children and 108 NAR ones diagnosed between September 2013 and March 2014 were surveyed using a questionnaire by tele-phone and all the children were not complicated with chronic cough and asthma. The statistical analysis was per-formed by a professional statistician using SPSS 12.0 statistical software. Results A total of 111 questionnaires were completed in AR group and 76 in NAR group. The prevalence of asthma was 11.7%(13/111)in AR group while 6.6%(5/76)in NAR group and there was no statistically significant difference(χ2=1.366,P=0.242). The prevalence of chronic cough was 26.1%(29/111)in AR group and 13.2%(10/76)in NAR group and there was sta-tistically significant difference(χ2=4.596,P=0.032). The score of rhinitis visual scale(VAS)and rhinoconjunc-tivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ)was significant higher in AR group than that in NAR group(t = 2.570 and 2.467,P=0.012 and 0.016). Conclusions Children with NAR may also have the risk for the development of asthma as those with AR. The prevalence of chronic cough is higher in children with AR than in those with NAR. AR might bring more impacts on children′s quality of life than NAR.

BACKGROUND:Endogenous neurogenesis and exogenous stem cell transplantation in the brain show great therapeutic potential for neurological diseases including ischemic stroke,repairing and replacing lost neurons,promoting synaptic remodeling,and inhibiting apoptosis.Traditional Chinese medicine and compound therapy for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation for the treatment of neurological dysfunction after ischemia have certain advantages,targeting nerve repair through a variety of ways,including promoting endogenous neurogenesis and exogenous stem cell survival,proliferation,homing,and inducing neuronal differentiation. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and compound for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation to promote nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke,in order to provide a reference for the research and treatment of new drugs in ischemic stroke. METHODS:The articles from CNKI and PubMed databases about traditional Chinese medicine and compound for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation in promotion of nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke from 2010 to 2022 were searched,with"supplementing qi and activating blood circulation;inducing resuscitation;traditional Chinese medicine(TCM);compounds;ischemic stroke;nerve repair;stem cells"as Chinese and English search terms.After excluding old and duplicate views,the retrieved literature was analyzed and collated,and a total of 124 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The definition of stem cells,ischemic stroke and the nerve repair pathway in the acute phase of ischemic stroke were sorted out.(2)The mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine and compound for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation to promote nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke was summarized,mainly including promoting stem cell proliferation,improving stem cell viability and survival rate,promoting nerve cell homing,inducing stem cell differentiation to neurons,inhibiting apoptosis of nerve cells,promoting axon regeneration,regulating angiogenesis and remodeling,improving the level of neurotrophic factors and repairing the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.(3)Through the existing research,the relevant factors and signaling pathways of traditional Chinese medicines and compounds for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation to promote nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke were summarized,such as Nestin protein expression,DCX protein expression,brain-derived neurotrophic factor,vascular endothelial growth factor and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,Notch signaling pathway,PI3k/Akt signaling pathway,BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway and ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.It provides a relevant reference for future research on ischemic stroke-specific drugs and new clinical treatment methods.

BACKGROUND:The aging of mesenchymal stem cells is one of the main causes of aging-related diseases,and seriously affects its clinical application.Traditional Chinese medicine has a good anti-aging effect,and it can inhibit the aging of mesenchymal stem cells to promote its application in tissue engineering and prevent and treat aging-related diseases. OBJECTIVE:To review the effect and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine on inhibiting the aging of mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:We searched CNKI and PubMed for the literature on inhibiting mesenchymal stem cell aging with traditional Chinese medicine from 2012 to 2022.The keywords were"traditional Chinese medicine,mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs),aging"in Chinese and English,respectively.Finally,92 articles were included for further review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)We summarized five main mechanisms of the aging of mesenchymal stem cells:DNA damage,telomere shortening,oxidative stress,autophagy disorder and mitochondrial dysfunction.(2)This paper reviewed the phenotypic characteristics of senescent mesenchymal stem cells,including increases in cell volume,decreases in proliferation and multi-directional differentiation,increases in β-galactosidase activity,and activation of p21 and p16 pathways,and so on.(3)We summarized the main mechanisms of Chinese medicine inhibiting the senescence of mesenchymal stem cells at present,including inhibiting the activation of the Wnt pathway,inhibiting the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species,promoting the silencing of information regulator factor 2 homolog 1,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B,adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 pathway activation,and promoting the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase.(4)At present,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are the most widely studied in the research of traditional Chinese medicine to inhibit the aging of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and the effect is better.(5)Zuogui Wan,Bushen Tiaogan Formula,resveratrol,Astragalus membranaceus and other traditional Chinese medicines can prevent and treat osteoporosis by promoting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of aging mesenchymal stem cells.However,the mechanism of Chinese medicine in improving the paracrine function of mesenchymal stem cells and preventing other aging-related diseases by inhibiting the aging of mesenchymal stem cells needs to be further explored.

BACKGROUND:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease,which often leads to the death of neurons in the brain and spinal cord.The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is extremely complex,with high refractory rate and mortality rate.There are only two kinds of drugs for its treatment,so it is urgent to develop new treatment methods to improve the prognosis of patients. OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism of Chinese medicine and mesenchymal stem cells regulating the immune response in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS:"Traditional Chinese medicine,medical stem cells,ALS,immune response"were Chinese and English search terms.Articles were retrieved from WanFang,CNKI,PubMed,Web of Science and other databases from 2010 to 2023.Finally,69 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The article summarizes in detail the five mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine regulating the immune response in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:mainly including the promotion of expression of closed zone protein-1 and closed protein-5 by traditional Chinese medicine such as borneol and astragaloside IV to rebuild the integrity of the blood central nervous system barrier.Fufangteng Mixture can regulate the receptor molecules on the surface of the natural killer cells to inhibit their autotoxicity.The complement system factors such as Scutellaria barbata and patchouli can inhibit their abnormal activation.Tripterygium wilfordii and Uncaria rhynchophylla inhibit the activation of microglia by mediating the production of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase.Zuogui Pill and Trichosanthes kirilowii Root promote the expression of interleukin-10 and regulate T cells to improve the immune environment.(2)Through existing research,five mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells regulating the immune response in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been summarized,mainly including reducing the expression of aquaporin 4 and reducing endothelial nitric oxide synthase signal transduction to repair the integrity of the immune barrier;releasing indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase,prostaglandin E2 and other factors to resist natural killer cell toxicity;secretion factor H interferes with the activity of invertase and inhibits abnormal activation of the complement system;regulating the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 system axis or secreting transforming growth factors β,which can change the phenotype of microglia and inhibit its activity by other ways;increasing the expression of interleukin-10 or activating the STATS phosphorylation pathway to restore T cell function.(3)At present,there are few studies on the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Relevant research reports have shown that Jiweiling Injection can promote stem cell proliferation and differentiation and that Buyang Huanwu decoction combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.In the future,further exploration is needed to explore the synergistic treatment effect of both on refractory amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Parkinson's disease （PD） is a common neurological degenerative disease in the middle-aged and elderly， characterized by pathological changes of progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and Lewy body formation， with high prevalence and long course of disease. The drug is mainly used to treat PD in western medicine， and the early curative effect is remarkable. However， with the progression of the disease and the long-term use of the drug， the efficacy will be significantly reduced， or there may be sports complications， and the long-term efficacy is not good. As a traditional medical system， traditional Chinese medicine has a unique understanding of PD. Traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in the treatment of PD， which is natural， mild， safe， and effective， and it can cooperate with western medicine to enhance its efficacy and reduce the adverse reactions of western medicine. The pathogenesis of PD is complex， involving multiple levels such as mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Neuroinflammation is also involved in the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD. The Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway is a classic inflammatory pathway， and its expression changes play an important role in the occurrence and development of inflammatory response in the body. In recent years， the research on this pathway in TCM is increasing. This paper summarized the literature of traditional Chinese and western medicine in the past 10 years and reviewed the relevant mechanism of TCM regulation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway in the treatment of PD from the aspects of TCM monomer， compound， and other TCM therapies， so as to provide some references for the search for new targets of drug therapy and gene therapy and the in-depth study of TCM prevention and treatment of PD.

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury （CIRI） is a complex cascade reaction process in which the blood flow and oxygen supply of brain tissue in the infarcted area recover after cerebral ischemia， resulting in secondary injury of ischemic brain tissue. At present， thrombolysis as soon as possible and restoration of cerebral blood supply are still the only strategies for the treatment of stroke， but a considerable number of patients' symptoms will be more serious after reperfusion， making patients face adverse outcomes such as neurological function injury and even death and seriously affecting the quality of life and safety of patients. Therefore， an in-depth exploration of the mechanism and treatment strategy of CIRI has important clinical significance. The phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway is one of the classic anti-apoptosis/reproductive-promoting signal transduction pathways， which is responsible for cell proliferation， growth， and differentiation. It is the key cascade signaling pathway of CIRI， located at the core site in many mechanisms such as mitochondrial disorder， apoptosis， autophagy， oxidative stress， and inflammation. It is closely related to the occurrence and development of CIRI. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used in the clinical treatment of stroke and its complications for thousands of years， and the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of CIRI has been affirmed by a large number of research results in recent years. It is further clarified that the monomers， active components， and their compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine can directly or indirectly regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by virtue of the biological advantages of multi-targets， multi-components， and multi-pathways and play an overall protective role in CIRI. By analyzing the related research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in China and abroad in recent years， the authors summarized the role and mechanism of regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the prevention and treatment of CIRI， so as to provide further theoretical basis for the study of the mechanism of clinical prevention and treatment of CIRI.