OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel arthroscopic technique of modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge in repairing medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears and evaluate the early effectiveness. METHODS: Between June 2021 and January 2024, 26 patients with medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears who underwent arthroscopic modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge repair and met the selective criteria were included. There were 11 males and 15 females with an average age of 61.4 years (range, 43-74 years). Five patients had a significant history of trauma, while the remaining 21 patients had no apparent cause. The time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 3-25 months (mean, 7.9 months). The effectiveness was evaluated during follow-up, including the scores of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation, and patient's satisfaction. Either MRI or ultrasound examination were used to evaluate structural integrity of the tendon. RESULTS: The operation time was 65-110 minutes (mean, 81.8 minutes). All patients were followed up 12-43 months (mean, 23.0 months). At 3 and 12 months after operation, the shoulder range of flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation, and the scores of VAS, UCLA, and ASES significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The improvement was further observed at 12 months compared to 3 months ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, 13 patients were very satisfied with the effectiveness, 11 patients were satisfied, 1 was relatively satisfied, and 1 was dissatisfied. During follow-up, 15 patients underwent imaging examination and imaging reexamination showed that the re-tear rate of tendon was 6.6%(1/15). The remaining 11 patients refused imaging examination. Complications included partial anchor withdrawal in 1 case, shoulder stiffness in 5 cases, and mild pain in shoulder joint in 2 cases in physical activity or heavy physical activity. CONCLUSION Arthroscopic modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge technique is a novel surgical technique that uses double-loaded suture anchors as medial- and lateral-row anchors. In repairing medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears, 6 sets of double-pulley suture-bridges can be created from one medial-row anchor; knotless medial-row can reduce re-tear rate of the tendon; good early effectiveness is obtained.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Adult ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery* ; Aged ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Suture Anchors ; Rotator Cuff/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Tendon Injuries/surgery* ; Patient Satisfaction

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

Anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of clinic application, in which the star molecules have always been the hotspot of modern drug research, but they are limited by the solubility, stability, targeting, bioactivity or toxicity of the monomer components of traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules and other pharmacokinetic problems, which hinders the traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules for further clinical translation and application. Currently, the nanosystems prepared by supramolecular technologies such as molecular self-assembly and nanomaterial encapsulation have broader application prospects in improving the anti-tumor effect of active components of traditional Chinese medicine, which has attracted extensive attention from scholars at home and abroad. In this paper, we systematically review the research progress in preparation of supramolecular nano-systems from anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine, and summarize the two major categories and ten small classes of carrier-free and carrier-based supramolecular nanosystems and their research cases, and the future development direction is put forward. The purpose of this paper is to provide reference for the research and clinical transformation of using supramolecular technology to improve the clinical application of anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate short-term effectiveness of arthroscopic repair via modified subacromial viewing portal (hereinafter referred to as modified viewing portal) in treatment of LafosseⅠsubscapularis tendon tears. METHODS: A clinical data of 52 patients with LafosseⅠsubscapularis tendon tears, who underwent the arthroscopic repair via modified viewing portal between October 2020 and November 2022 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 37 females with an average age of 63.4 years (range, 41-76 years). Twelve patients had trauma history and the other 40 patients had no obvious inducement. The main clinical symptom was shoulder pain and the hug resistance tests were positive in all patients. The interval between symptom onset and admission ranged from 3 to 26 months (mean, 7.2 months). The shoulder pain and function were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score before operation and at 12 months after operation. The shoulder range of motion (ROM) of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation and the internal rotation strength were measured before operation and at 3 and 12 months after operation. MRI was performed at 3-6 months after operation to assess the tendon healing and the structural integrity and tension of reattached tendon. Patient's satisfactions were calculated at last follow-up. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention, no complication such as incision infection or nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-37 months (mean, 18.5 months). The VAS, UCLA, and ASES scores at 12 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The ROMs of abduction and forward flexion and the internal rotation strength at 3 and 12 months significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05); and the ROMs at 12 months significantly improved compared to that at 3 months ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in the ROM of external rotation at 3 months compared to that before operation; but the ROM at 12 months significantly improved compared to that before operation and at 3 months after operation ( P<0.05). Thirty-one patients underwent MRI at 3-6 months, of which 28 patients possessed intact structural integrity, good tendon tension and tendon healing; 3 patients underwent tendon re-tear. At last follow-up, 41 patients (78.8%) were very satisfied with the effectiveness, 7 were satisfied (13.5%), and 4 were dissatisfied (7.7%). CONCLUSION Arthroscopic repair via modified viewing portal for Lafosse Ⅰsubscapularis tendon tears, which can achieve the satisfactory visualization and working space, can obtain good short-term effectiveness with low overall re-tear risk.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Rotator Cuff/surgery* ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery* ; Shoulder Pain ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Arthroscopy ; Shoulder Joint/surgery* ; Tendons/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular

This study was aimed at exploring the epidemiological characteristics of plague,and the evolutionary relation-ships among the isolated plague strains in the Yunnan border area,to provide clues for further studying epidemic causes and ep-idemiological patterns.Plague epidemic data in the border area during the second epidemic period(1982-2007)were collected and analyzed with descriptive epidemiological methods.Whole genome sequences of 262 strains of Yersinia pestis in the border area were obtained for phylogenetic analysis.Plague outbreaks occurred in 17 counties(cities)among 25 border counties(cit-ies);a total of 552 epidemic foci and 123 human cases were identified.The 1.ORI2,1.ORI3,1.IN3,2.ANT and 2.MED geno-types were identified among Yersinia pestis isolated from the Yunnan border area,among which the 1.ORI2 population was dominant.A total of 258 strains of Yersinia pestis from the 1.OR12 population belonged to four subclusters.The Myanmar and Vietnam clade was embedded within the Yunnan clade in the overall phylogeny.The above results indicated that during the sec-ond period of the epidemic,the intensity of plague epidemics in Yunnan's border areas was high,showing a trend of devel-opment from west to south and east.Our findings indicated a risk of cross-border transmission of plague between Yunnan and neighboring countries;therefore,the surveillance,pre-vention,and control of plague in border areas should be strengthened.

Objective To investigate the effects of Chaihuang Yishen Granules on renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)mice and its underlying mechanisms.Methods Twenty-four 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,and low and high dose groups of Chaihuang Yishen Granules(6 in each group).In control group,only right kidney ureter was exposed and dissected.In model group,the UUO animal model was established by UUO.In low and high dose groups,mice were administered intragastrically at doses of 3.8 and 7.6 g/kg of Chaihuang Yishen Granules respectively,following the model group's method to establish the UUO model.After 7 days,the mice were euthanized and renal samples were collected.HE and Masson staining were used to observe pathological changes and fibrosis degree of the kidneys in each group,Sirius red staining was used to observe collagen deposition.The expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),type Ⅰ collagen(Col-Ⅰ),glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK-3β),and β-catenin related proteins were detected using Western blotting.Changes in A33 and GSK-3β,β-catenin mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR.Additionally,a normal transformed C3H mouse kidney-1(TCMK1)was used as control(normal group);an in vitro fibrosis model was established using TCMK1 stimulated with Transforming Growth Factor-β(TGF-β);and an in vitro drug model was established using TCMK1 treated with serum containing Chaihuang Yishen Granules.A33 was overexpressed in TCMK1 cells using a transfection with an A33 overexpression plasmid,and changes in fibrosis-related indicators and the expression of A33 and GSK-3β,β-catenin mRNA were observed.Results RT-PCR results showed that,compared with control group,A33 level was significantly increased in model group,while it was significantly reduced in both low and high dose groups of Chaihuang Yishen Granules(P＜0.05).Western blotting showed that the expression levels of fibrosis-related factors such as α-SMA,FN,Col-Ⅰ in model group were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.05);while compared with model group,the expression levels of α-SMA,FN,Col-Ⅰ in low and high dose groups of Chaihuang Yishen Granules were significantly lower(P＜0.05).HE,Masson,immunohistochemical staining results showed that model group had severe kidney structural damage,significant increase in collagen deposition,and significantly higher expression levels of GSK-3β and β-catenin proteins compared with those in control group(P＜0.01).In contrast,low and high dose groups of Chaihuang Yishen Granules had good kidney structure,significant improvement in kidney damage and fibrosis,and significantly lower expression levels of GSK-3β and β-catenin proteins compared with those in model group(P＜0.05).In vitro experiment results confirmed that,compared with normal group,A33 overexpression promoted the upregulation of fibrosis-related factors in TCMK1 cells,significantly increase the expression of downstream target genes GSK-3β and β-catenin mRNA in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway(P＜0.05),and A33 overexpression reversed the cellular fibrosis changes downregulated by the serum containing Chaihuang Yishen Granules(P＜0.01).Conclusion Chaihuang Yishen Granules significantly improve renal fibrosis in UUO mice by downregulating the A33/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,suggesting that A33 may be a potential therapeutic target for renal fibrosis.

AIM To investigate the ameliorative effects of Schisandrol A(Sol A)in Suhuang antitussive capsule on post-infectious cough(PIC).METHODS The in vivo mouse PIC model was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)combined with cigarette smoke exposure.The mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the Suhuang antitussive capsule group(14 g/kg),the montelukast sodium positive control group(3 mg/kg),and low and high dose Sol A groups(10,30 mg/kg).The in vitro PIC model was established by stimulating human bronchial epithelial cells(BEAS-2B)with LPS.The cells were divided into the control group,the model group,the Suhuang antitussive capsule group(10 μg/mL)and low and high dose Sol A groups(3,10 μmol/L).HE and Masson staining were used to detect the pathological changes of the lung and bronchial tissues.ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,ROS,MDA,SOD and GSH in the lung tissues.RT-qPCR was used to detect the IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in BEAS-2B cells.And Western blot was applied to detect the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,NOX4,SIRT1,p-ERK,Fibronectin,E-cadherin,Vimentin and α-SMA in mouse lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Sol A or Suhuang antitussive capsule displayed prolonged cough latency(P＜0.01);reduced cough frequency(P＜0.01);relieved pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in PIC mice;decreased pulmonary levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,ROS,MDA and protein expressions of Fibronectin,Vimentin,α-SMA,p-ERK,p-PI3K,p-Akt,and NOX4(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased pulmonary levels of SOD and GSH and protein expressions of E-cadherin and SIRT1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased ROS level,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α mRNA expressions and p-ERK,p-PI3K,p-Akt,NOX4 protein expressions in vitro(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased SIRT1 protein expression in vitro as well(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Being the main antitussive component of Suhuang antitussive capsule upon the PIC model,Sol A inhibits the inflammation via SIRT1/ERK signaling pathway and relieve the oxidative stress via PI3K/Akt/NOX4 signaling pathway.

AIM To explore the effects of praeruptorin A from Suhuang antitussive capsules on cough variant asthma(CVA).METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.5 mg/kg),the Suhuang antitussive capsules group(7 g/kg)and the low,medium and high dose praeruptorin A groups(15,30 and 60 mg/kg).The rat model of CVA was established by intraperitoneal injection of sensitizer(1 mg/mL ovalbumin and 10 mg/mL aluminum hydroxide)and aerosol inhalation of 1%ovalbumin followed by the corresponding dosing of drugs by gavage initiated on the 14th day.Another 14 days later,the rats had their pathological pulmonary changes observed by HE,Masson and PAS stainings;their number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)detected by hematology analyzer;and their levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13 and MUC5AC in BALF detected by ELISA.The RAW264.7 cell inflammatory model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was treated with 4,8,16 μmol/L praeruptorin A or 0.25 mg/mL Suhuang antitussive capsules,respectively.And the cells had their NO level detected by Griess method,and their ROS expression observed using fluorescence microscopy.The detections of the pulmonary and cellular mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,COX-2,iNOS and PPAR-γ by RT-qPCR;and the protein expressions of p-P65,P65,p-IκBα,IκBα,NLRP3,caspase-1(p20)and IL-1β by Western blot were conducted in both the cells and the rats.RESULTS The in vivo result showed that praeruptorin A reduced the cough frequency(P＜0.01);prolonged the cough latency(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced the number of eosinophils and neutrophils in BALF(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased the levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13 and MUC5AC in BALF and the pulmonary mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,COX-2 and iNOS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased the phosphorylation of P65 and IκBα protein and NLRP3,caspase-1(p20)and IL-1β protein expressions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)as well.The in vitro result showed that praeruptorin A inhibited the release of LPS-induced NO and reduce the ROS level(P＜0.01);decreased the mRNA expressions of IL-1β,COX-2 and iNOS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased PPAR-γ mRNA expression(P＜0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation of P65 and IκBα protein and the expression of NLRP3 protein(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Praeruptorin A,one of the main antitussive components of Suhuang antitussive capsules,may improve CVA because of its anti-inflammatory and antitussive role by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscles.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the immunological mechanisms underlying spermatogenetic malfunction in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) based on bioinformatics and machine learning, and to screen out the key genes associated with spermatogenesis failure. METHODS: NOA-related datasets were obtained from the GEO database, and the differentially expressed genes identified by differential analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A model of spermatogenesis scoring was established for analysis of the immunological microenvironment and cell interaction networks related to spermatogenesis failure. The key genes were screened out by machine learning, followed by analysis of their correlation with T cells and macrophages. An NOA mouse model was constructed for validation of transcriptome sequencing. RESULTS: Seventy-five differentially expressed genes were identified for the establishment of the spermatogenesis scoring model. The low spermatogenesis score group showed a higher infiltration of the immune cells, with an increased proportion of T cells and macrophages and a correlation of cell interaction signals with immunity. SOX30, KCTD19, ASRGL1 and DRC7 were identified by machine learning as the key genes related to spermatogenesis, with down-regulated expressions in the NOA group, and their expression levels negatively correlated with the infiltration of T cells and macrophages. The accuracy of the spermatogenesis scoring and machine learning models, as well as the trend of the expression levels of the key genes, was successfully validated with the transcriptome sequencing data on the NOA mouse testis. CONCLUSION The development of NOA is closely associated with enhanced immunological microenvironment in the testis. T cells and macrophages may play important roles in spermatogenesis failure. SOX30, KCTD19, ASRGL1 and DRC7 are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of NOA.
Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Machine Learning ; Animals ; Computational Biology ; Mice ; Humans ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of different internal fixations for Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fracture with defect, and provide reference for the treatment of femoral neck fracture. METHODS: Three-dimensional (3D) finite element models of femoral neck fractures were established based on CT images, including fracture and fracture with defects. Four internal fixations were simulated, namely, inverted cannulated screw(ICS), ICS combined with medial buttress plate, the femoral neck system (FNS) and FNS combined with medial buttress plate. The von Mises stress, model stiffness and fracture displacements of fracture models under 2 100 N axial loads were measured and compared. RESULTS: When femoral neck fracture was fixed by ICS and FNS, the peak stress was mainly concentrated on the surface of the screw near the fracture line, and the peak stress of FNS is higher than that of ICS;When the medial buttress plate was combined, the peak stress was increased and transferred to medial buttress plate, with more obvious of ICS fixation. For the same fracture model, the stiffness of FNS was higher than that of ICS. Compared with femoral neck fracture with defects, fracture model showed higher stiffness in the same internal fixation. The use of medial buttress plate increased model stiffness, but ICS increased more than FNS. The fracture displacement of ICS model exceeded that of FNS. CONCLUSION For Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fracture with defects, FNS had better biomechanical properties than ICS. ICS combined with medial buttress plate can better enhance fixation stability and non-locking plate is recommended. FNS had the capability of shear resistance and needn't combine with medial buttress plate.
Humans ; Femoral Neck Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Bone Screws ; Bone Plates ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis