OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of puerarin for alleviating synovitis in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: In a SD rat model of CIA, we tested the effects of daily gavage of puerarin at low, moderate and high doses (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks, with tripterygium glycosides (GTW, 10 mg/kg) as the positive control, on swelling in the hind limb joints regions evaluated by arthritis index scoring. Mass fraction of the liver of the rats was calculated, and pathologies in joint synovial membrane were observed with HE staining. The expressions of transforming growth factor β‑activated kinase-1 (TAK1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and nuclear factor kappa-Bp65 (NF‑κB p65) at the mRNA and protein levels in the synovial tissues were detected using Real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the rats in GTW group and high-dose puerarin group showed significantly reduced mass fraction of the liver. Treatment with GTW and puerarin at the 3 doses all significantly alleviated plantar swelling, lowered arthritis index scores, and improved synovitis in CIA rats (P<0.05), and the effects of puerarin showed an obvious dose dependence. Both GTW and puerarin treatments significantly lowered TAK1, TLR4, and NF‑κB p65 mRNA and protein expressions in the synovium of CIA rats. CONCLUSIONS Puerarin alleviates synovium damages in CIA rats possibly by suppressing the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway via downregulating TAK1 expression.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Isoflavones/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the mechanism of circadian clock protein Bmal1(Bmal1)on renal injury with chronic periodontitis,we established an experimental rat periodontitis model.Methods Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and periodontitis groups(n=6,each group).The first maxillary molars on both sides of the upper jaw of rats with periodontitis were ligated by using orthodontic ligature wires,whereas the control group re-ceived no intervention measures.After 8 weeks,clinical periodontal parameters,including probing depth,bleeding index,and tooth mobility,were evaluated in both groups.Micro-CT scanning and three-dimensional image recon-struction were performed on the maxillary bones of the rats for the assessment of alveolar bone resorption.Histopatholo-gical observations of periodontal and renal tissues were conducted using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)staining.Renal function indicators,such as creatinine,albumin,and blood urea nitrogen levels,and oxida-tive stress markers,including superoxide dismutase,glutathione,and malondialdehyde levels,were measured using bio-chemical assay kits.MitoSOX red staining was used to detect reactive oxygen species(ROS)content in the kidneys.The gene and protein expression levels of Bmal1,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in rat renal tissues were assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and immuno-histochemical staining.Results Micro-CT and HE staining results showed significant bone resorption and attachment loss in the maxillary first molar region of the periodontitis group.Histological examination through HE and PAS staining revealed substantial histopathological damage to the renal tissues of the rats in the periodontitis group.The findings of the assessment of renal function and oxidative stress markers indicated that the periodontitis group exhibited abnormal levels of oxidative stress,whereas the renal function levels showed abnormalities without statistical significance.Mito-SOX Red staining results showed that the content of ROS in the renal tissue of the periodontitis group was significantly higher than that of the control group,and RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression levels of Bmal1,Nrf2,and HO-1 in the renal tissues of the rats in the periodontitis group showed a decreasing trend.Conclu-sion Circadian clock protein Bmal1 plays an important role in the oxidative damage process involved in the renal of rats with periodontitis.

Objective This study aims to explore changes in uncoupling protein 2(UCP2)in experimental periodonti-tis-associated renal injury induced by ligation and investigate the effect of UCP2 on renal injury induced by periodontitis.Methods Twelve Wistar male rats were randomly divided into two groups:control and periodontitis groups.A periodon-tal model was built by ligating the maxillary first molars area with 0.2 mm orthodontic ligature wire.After 8 weeks,the in-traoral condition of the rats was observed and periodontal clinical indices such as gingival bleeding index(BI),periodontal probing depth(PD),and tooth mobility(TM)were detected.The maxillary bone was scanned by Micro CT to observe the alveolar bone resorption.The tissue mineral density(TMD),bone mineral density(BMD),bone volume fraction(BV/TV),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),trabecular bone separation(Tb.Sp)were recorded,and the distance from the enamel bone boundary to the alveolar crest(CEJ-ABC)of the maxillary first molar was measured.The oxidative stress indexes such as malondialdehyde,glutathione(GSH),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected using frozen rat kidney tissue.The gene expression of UCP2,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α(PGC-1α)was observed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)test.The gingival tissue of the rats was used for immunohistochemical staining to observe the expression of the UCP2 protein.The fixed rat kidney tissue was used for hematoxylin-eosin(HE),periodic acid-schiff(PAS),MitoSOX Red,JC-1,and immu-nohistochemical staining to observe the renal histopathology,the level of reactive oxygen species(ROS),the level of mito-chondrial membrane potential,and the expression of UCP2,Nrf2,and PGC-1α protein.Rat serum was collected to detect renal function indices,namely,blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cre),and albumin(Alb).Results Compared with the control group,the periodontitis group showed red,swollen,and soft gingival tissue,with gingival probing bleeding,periodontal PD increased,tooth loosening,alveolar bone resorption,decreased TMD,BMD,BV/TV,and Tb.Th indices,and increased Tb.Sp index,CEJ-ABC,and gingival UCP2 protein expression.Compared with the control group,the levels of MDA and ROS in the kidney tissue of periodontitis rats and the gene and protein expression of UCP2 increased,and the levels of MMP,GSH,and SOD and the gene and protein expression of Nrf2 and PGC-1α decreased.Renal functional indi-ces,namely,BUN,Cre,and Alb,were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion UCP2 may play a role in renal injury induced by periodontitis through oxidative stress.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of closed-loop target-controlled deep versus moderate neuromuscular blockade in gynecological laparoscopic surgery.Methods:This was a prospective study. Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or Ⅱ patients, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery in the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from March 2020 to March 2021, were allocated into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: closed-loop target-controlled moderate neuromuscular blockade group (group TOF) and closed-loop target-controlled deep neuromuscular blockade group (group PTC). Rocuronium was given by closed-loop target-controlled infusion in both groups. In group TOF, the target muscle relaxation was considered as train-of-four stimulation (TOF) of 1 or 2. In group PTC, the target muscle relaxation was considered as post-titanic count of 1 or 2. The score for operator′s satisfaction with muscle relaxation, grading, satisfaction rate, mean pneumo-peritoneum pressure, consumption of rocuronium, recovery index, recovery time to a TOF ratio 0.9 and time to extubation were recorded. The postoperative visual analogue scale score for abdominal pain and use of rescue analgesics were recorded, and the occurrence of complications such as shoulder pain, arm pain, nausea, vomiting and hypoxemia was also recorded within 48 h after surgery. Results:Compared with group TOF, the score for operator′s satisfaction with muscle relaxation, grading and satisfaction rate were significantly increased, the mean pneumo-peritoneum pressure was decreased, the total and average consumption of rocuronium was increased, the recovery time of a TOF ratio 0.9 was prolonged, and the postoperative visual analogue scale score for abdominal pain and usage rate of flurbiprofenate were decreased in group PTC ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the recovery index, tracheal extubation time or postoperative incidence of hypoxemia, shoulder pain, arm pain and nausea and vomiting between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the closed-loop target-controlled moderate neuromuscular blockade, the closed-loop target-controlled deep neuromuscular blockade provides more satisfactory surgical conditions for gynecological laparoscopic surgery, decreases pneumoperitoneum pressure and reduces related complications, without increasing the development of postoperative adverse reactions.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of free posterior interosseous artery perforator flap on reconstruction of the soft tissue defects of multiple fingers in one hand.Methods:Clinical data of 9 patients with soft tissue defect of multiple fingers in one hand admitted to the Department of Hand Surgery, Yongkang Orthopedic Hospital between January 2021 and August 2023 were retrospectively studied. The patients were 7 males and 2 females, aged between 19 and 55 years old. The soft tissue defects of 2 patients with 3 fingers injury and 7 patients with 2 fingers injury were reconstructed with free posterior interosseous artery perforator flaps. The size of defects in single finger was 1.5 cm×2.5 cm-3.0 cm×4.5 cm. The size of flap was 2.5 cm×7.0 cm-3.5 cm×13.0 cm. The posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm were sutured to the intrinsic nerve of palmar side of the 14 fingers. Donor sites in forearm were directly sutured. After discharge, regular follow-up at outpatient clinic and through WeChat interviews were conducted to observe the appearance and texture of the flaps, finger fullness, donor site function and appearance, as well as patient satisfaction. For the flaps with anastomosis of cutaneous nerve, the recovery of TPD of the flap was tested. Sensory recovery was assessed according to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) sensory function assessment criteria. Hand functions were evaluated using the Total Active Movement (TAM) of fingers of the Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association.Results:All of the 20 flaps survived and were evaluated through follow-up visits, which ranged from 6 to 25 months with an average of 13 months. The flaps were soft, unbloated and without obvious pigmentation. The protective sensations were recovered with an average static TPD of 14 flaps anastomosed with cutaneous nerve was of 9.7 (7-13) mm. Among them, S 3+ 10 fingers, S 3 4 fingers; 6 fingers of flap without sutured cutaneous nerve, S 2 5 fingers, S 1 1 finger. According to the TAM of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent for 15 fingers and good for 5 fingers. There was no scar contracture in the forearm donor sites and motor function was not affected. Conclusion:Posterior interosseous artery perforator flap has the advantages of thin flap, similar texture to the hand, good recovery in sensory, and minimal damage to the donor site. Therefore, it is a good option in reconstruction of soft tissue defects of multiple fingers in one hand.

Objective:To develop and validate a nomogram model for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on preoperative enhanced computed tomography imaging features and clinical data.Methods:The clinical data of 210 patients with HCC undergoing surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from May 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 172 males and 38 females, aged (59±10) years old. Patients were randomly divided into the training group ( n=147) and validation group ( n=63) by systematic sampling at a ratio of 7∶3. Preoperative enhanced computed tomography imaging features and clinical data of the patients were collected. Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the risk factors for HCC with MVI, and a nomogram model containing the risk factors was established and validated. The diagnostic efficacy of predicting MVI status in patients with HCC was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) of the subjects in the training and validation groups. Results:The results of multifactorial analysis showed that alpha fetoprotein ≥400 μg/ml, intra-tumor necrosis, tumor length diameter ≥3 cm, unclear tumor border, and subfoci around the tumor were independent risk factors predicting MVI in HCC. A nomogram model was established based on the above factors, in which the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC were 0.866 (95% CI: 0.807-0.924) and 0.834 (95% CI: 0.729-0.939) in the training and validation groups, respectively. The DCA results showed that the predictive model thresholds when the net return is >0 ranging from 7% to 93% and 12% to 87% in the training and validation groups, respectively. The CIC results showed that the group of patients with predictive MVI by the nomogram model are highly matched with the group of patients with confirmed MVI. Conclusion:The nomogram model based on the imaging features and clinical data could predict the MVI in HCC patients prior to surgery.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of acute pancreatitis.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 558 patients with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from June 2015 to June 2023 were collected. There were 352 males and 206 females, aged (46±15)years. Observation indicators: (1) general situations of acute pancreatitis patients; (2) etiology of acute pancreatitis patients; (3) severity of acute pancreatitis patients; (4) chronic diseases in acute pan-creatitis patients; (5) complications in acute pancreatitis patients; (6) subgroup analysis of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the rank sum test. Bonferroni correction was used for pairwise comparison. Results:(1) General situations of acute pancreatitis patients. There were significant differences in gender, age, total duration of hospital stay, smoking, and alcohol consumption between the first episode of acute pancreatitis patients and the recurrent acute pancreatitis patients ( P<0.05). (2) Etiology of acute pancreatitis patients. There were significant differences in gallstones and hyperlipidemia between the first episode of acute pancreatitis patients and the recurrent acute pancreatitis patients ( P<0.05). (3) Severity of acute pancreatitis patients. Of the 443 patients with first episode of acute pancreatitis and 115 patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis, cases with mild acute pancreatitis, cases with moderate-severe acute pancreatitis, cases with severe acute pan-creatitis were 320 and 83, 24 and 9, 99 and 23, showing no significant difference between them ( P>0.05). (4) Chronic diseases in acute pancreatitis patients. There were significant differences in com-plication as hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and diabetes between the first episode of acute pancreatitis patients and the recurrent acute pancreatitis patients ( P<0.05). (5) Complications in acute pancrea-titis patients. There was no significant difference in terms of acute necrotic collection, acute peripan-creatic fluid accumulation, walled-off necrosis, pancreatic pseudocyst, infectious pancreatic necrosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, respiratory system complications, circulatory system complications, renal complications, sepsis, abdominal compartment syndrome, or pancreatic ence-phalopathy between the first episode of acute pancreatitis patients and the recurrent acute pancrea-titis patients ( P>0.05). (6) Subgroup analysis of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis. ① Combination with chronic diseases. Of the 115 patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis, cases with mild acute pancreatitis, cases with moderate-severe acute pancreatitis, cases with severe acute pancreatitis were 83, 9, 23, and there were 25, 8, 11 cases of them with hyperlipidemia, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( P<0.05). ② Complications. Of the 115 patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis, there were 44 cases with hyperlipidemia and 71 cases without hyper-lipidemia, and there were significant differences in acute peripancreatic fluid accumulation and renal complications between them ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Recurrent acute pancreatitis is more common in males. Compared with first episode of acute pancreatitis, cases with recurrent acute pancreatitis usually have younger age, shorter total duration of hospital stay, higher proportion of smoking and drinking. The etiology of recurrent acute pancreatitis is composed of lower levels of biliary diseases and higher levels of hyperlipidemia. Patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis have higher proportion of comorbidities as hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and diabetes. There was no signifi-cant difference in the incidence of complications between first episode of acute pancreatitis and recurrent acute pancreatitis. Compared with recurrent acute pancreatitis patients without concomi-tant hyperlipidemia, recurrent acute pancreatitis patients with concomitant hyperlipidemia are more prone to acute peripancreatic fluid accumulation and renal complications.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of pedicled omental flap transplantation in repairing secondary rejection wounds after brain pacemaker implantation.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January to August 2021, 5 patients with secondary rejection wounds after brain pacemaker implantation who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Wound Repair Center of Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, including 3 males and 2 females, aged 56-69 years, with the wound developed at the pulse generator implantation site in the chest in 2 cases, at the connection site of the wire and electrode behind the ear in 2 cases, and at both the chest and the back of the ear in 1 case. All the wounds were repaired by pedicled omental flap transplantation. The wound area after debridement was 2-15 cm 2. After operation, the wound healing and related complications (pain, infection, incisional hernia, omental flap necrosis, etc.) were observed. During follow-up, the recurrence of the wound was observed. Results:The wounds of all 5 patients healed within 2 weeks after operation, without related complications. During follow up of 12-18 months, 1 patient got a recurrence of rejection wound behind the left ear 4 months after surgery and eventually had the brain pacemaker removed; the other 4 patients had no recurrence of wounds.Conclusions:Pedicled omental flap transplantation can repair the secondary rejection wounds after brain pacemaker implantation safely and effectively, with few postoperative complications.

Objective:To evaluate the optimization efficacy of transversus thoracic muscle plane block (TTPB)-pectoral nerve block (PECS) with compound lidocaine-general anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer.Methods:Ninety female patients, aged 40-64 yr, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ and body mass index <30 kg/m 2, undergoing elective modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using the random number table method: general anesthesia group (group C), TTPB-PECS with compound lidocaine-general anesthesia group (group L), and TTPB-PECS with ropivacaine-general anesthesia group (group R). The laryngeal mask was used for total intravenous anesthesia.PECS I, PECS II and TTPB were performed sequentially after laryngeal mask placement in L and R groups, and 0.4% compound lidocaine 15, 15 and 10 ml (group L) and 0.375% ropivacaine 15, 15 and 10 ml (group R) were injected at the above three points, respectively.Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was performed with sufentanil at patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) dose of 2 ml/dose and a lockout time of 15 min at the end of operation, and when visual analog scale (VAS) score ≥ 3 points, sufentanil 5 μg was given intravenously for rescue analgesia.The intraoperative consumption of propofol and remifentanil, emergence time, and laryngeal mask removal time were recorded.The Ramsay sedation score and duration of postoperative analgesia were recorded at 10 min after removal of the laryngeal mask.The consumption of sufentanil, ratio of the effective pressing times to the total pressing times of PCA (D 1/D 2 ratio), requirement for rescue analgesia, and occurrence of adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting, skin pruritus, bradycardia, and respiratory depression within 48 h after surgery were recorded. Results:Compared with C group, the intraoperative consumption of propofol and remifentanil was significantly reduced, the emergence time and laryngeal mask removal time were shortened, Ramsay sedation scores was decreased, postoperative VAS scores were decreased, duration of postoperative analgesia was prolonged, D 1/D 2 ratios were increased, the consumption of sufentanil was reduced, and the requirement for rescue analgesia and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting were decreased in R and L groups ( P<0.05). Compared with R group, the duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly prolonged, D 1/D 2 ratio was increased, the consumption of sufentanil was decreased, and the requirement for rescue analgesia was decreased in L group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with general anesthesia, TTPB-PECS with compound lidocaine-general anesthesia used in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer is helpful in achieving a low-opioid anesthetic mode, which is more conducive to suppressing postoperative hyperalgesia and promoting early postoperative recovery, and the optimization efficacy is more significant than that of ropivacaine.

Objective:To evaluate the dose-effect relationship of compound lidocaine hydrochloride for transverse abdominal plane-rectus abdominis sheath block (TAP-RSB) for postoperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colon cancer surgery with general anesthesia.Methods:Elderly patients of either sex, aged≥65 yr, with body mass index <30 kg/m 2, of American Society Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective laparoscopic radical colon cancer surgery with general anesthesia, were selected.After induction of general anesthesia, compound lidocaine hydrochloride was given under ultrasound guidance for bilateral TAP block (20 ml on each side) and for bilateral RSB (10 ml on each side), with the initial concentration of 0.4%.Each time the concentration increased/decreased in the next patient depending on whether or not the analgesia was effective.The ratio between the two successive concentrations was 1.00∶1.15.The analgesic effects were evaluated by the Numerical Rating Scale at 1 h intervals from the time of postoperative admission to the post-anesthesia care unit until 8 h after TAP-RSB (Numerical Rating Scale ≤ 3 was considered as effective analgesia). The probit method was used to calculate the half effective concentration (EC 50) and 95% effective concentration (EC 95) and 95% confidence interval of compound lidocaine hydrochloride. Results:The EC 50 and EC 95(95% confidence interval)of compound lidocaine hydrochloride for TAP-RSB were 0.289% (0.232%-0.352%) and 0.404% (0.345%-0.970%), respectively, when used for postoperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colon cancer surgery with general anesthesia. Conclusions:The EC 50 and EC 95 of compound lidocaine hydrochloride for TAP-RSB are 0.289% and 0.404%, respectively, when used for postoperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colon cancer surgery with general anesthesia.