In recent decades, the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout has increased dramatically due to lifestyle changes. The drugs currently recommended for hyperuricemia are associated with adverse reactions that limit their clinical use. In this study, we report that berberine (BBR) is an effective drug candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia, with its mechanism potentially involving the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolite, succinic acid. BBR has demonstrated good therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic animal models of hyperuricemia. In a clinical trial, oral administration of BBR for 6 months reduced blood uric acid levels in 22 participants by modulating the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides and a decrease in Clostridium sensu stricto_1. Furthermore, Bacteroides fragilis was transplanted into ICR mice, and the results showed that Bacteroides fragilis exerted a therapeutic effect on uric acid similar to that of BBR. Notably, succinic acid, a metabolite of Bacteroides, significantly reduced uric acid levels. Subsequent cell and animal experiments revealed that the intestinal metabolite, succinic acid, regulated the upstream uric acid synthesis pathway in the liver by inhibiting adenosine monophosphate deaminase 2 (AMPD2), an enzyme responsible for converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to inosine monophosphate (IMP). This inhibition resulted in a decrease in IMP levels and an increase in phosphate levels. The reduction in IMP led to a decreased downstream production of hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid. BBR also demonstrated excellent renoprotective effects, improving nephropathy associated with hyperuricemia. In summary, BBR has the potential to be an effective treatment for hyperuricemia through the gut-liver axis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound (HFCDU) in detecting perforators in the deep adipose layers for harvesting super-thin anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). METHODS: Between August 2019 and January 2023, 45 patients (46 sides) with skin and soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle were treated, including 29 males and 16 females, aged from 22 to 62 years, with an average of 46.7 years. The body mass index ranged from 19.6 to 36.2 kg/m ², with an average of 23.62 kg/m ². The causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, heavy object crush injury in 20 cases, mechanical injury in 8 cases, heat crush injury in 1 case, and chronic infection in 1 case. There were 20 cases on the left side, 24 cases on the right side, and 1 case on both sides. After thorough debridement, the wound size ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 17 cm×11 cm. All patients underwent free super-thin ALTF transplantation repair. HFCDU was used to detect the location of the perforators piercing the deep and superficial fascia, as well as the direction and branches of the perforators within the deep adipose layers before operation. According to the preoperative HFCDU findings, the dimensions of the super-thin ALTF ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. The donor sites of the flaps were directly sutured. RESULTS: A total of 55 perforators were detected by HFCDU before operation, but 1 was not found during operation. During operation, a total of 56 perforators were found, and 2 perforators were not detected by HFCDU. The positive predictive value of HFCDU for identifying perforator vessels was 98.2%, and the sensitivity was 96.4%. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, the orientation of the perforators in the deep adipose layers was confirmed during operation. There were 21 perforators (38.9%) traveled laterally and inferiorly, 12 (22.2%) traveled medially and inferiorly, 14 (25.9%) traveled laterally and superiorly, 5 (9.3%) traveled medially and superiorly, and 2 (3.7%) ran almost vertically to the body surface. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, 35 were identified as type 1 perforators and 12 as type 2 perforators (HFCDU misidentified 7 type 2 perforators as type 1 perforators). The sensitivity of HFCDU in identifying type 1 perforators was 100%, with a positive predictive value of 83.3%. For type 2 perforators, the sensitivity was 63.2%, and the positive predictive value was 100%. The surgeries were successfully completed. The super-thin ALTF had a thickness ranging from 2 to 6 mm, with an average of 3.56 mm. All super-thin ALTF survived, however, 1 flap experienced a venous crisis at 1 day after operation, but it survived after emergency exploration and re-anastomosis of the veins; 1 flap developed venous crisis at 3 days after operation but survived after bleeding with several small incisions; 3 flaps had necrosis at the distal edge of the epidermis, which healed after undergoing dressing changes. All 45 patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.6 months). Three flaps required secondary defatting procedures, while the rest had the appropriate thickness, and the overall appearance was satisfactory. CONCLUSION Preoperative application of HFCDU to detect the perforator in the deep adipose layers can improve the success and safety of the procedure by facilitating the harvest of super-thin ALTF.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Thigh/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Prospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Burns ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Crush Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the application of 3-D ultrasonography enabled by a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer in the localisation of perforating vessels of a free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) before surgery, and to guide microsurgeons in precise design and harvest of a ALTPF.Methods:From May 2020 to October 2022, a retrospective study was carried out on 35 patients who had soft tissue defects and undertaken free ALTPF surgery in Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Wuxi No.9 People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University. ALTPFs were transfered for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of foot in 25 patients and of ankle in 10 patients. The age of patients were 20 to 66 years old. The defects were 11.0 cm×8.0 cm-28.0 cm×9.0 cm in size. The sizes of ALTPFs were at 12.0 cm×9.0 cm-29.0 cm×10.0 cm. Before surgery, ultrasound scans with a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer were performed to locate the perforating vessels. The 3-D ultrasound images showing the perforating vessels of ALTPFs were acquired and the number, location and classification of the perforating vessels were saved. After the appropriate perforating vessels had been determined, ALTPFs were designed for precisely intraoperative incision. The accuracy of preoperative location of perforating vessels by the linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer was investigated in surgery. All patients received the scheduled postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinics.Results:Of the 72 perforating vessels discovered in surgery, 70 matched with those being located by ultrasound before surgery. It was found that a total of 67 perforating vessels located before surgery by ultrasonography were consistently mapped with the perforators discovered in surgery. Of the 67 consistently mapped perforating vessels, 19 were Kimura type I, 27 of Kimura type II and 21 of Kimura type III perforators. The rate of sensitivity and positive prediction were 95.7% and 93.1%, respectively, in the preoperative localisation of perforating vessels of ALTPFs with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer. Twenty-five ALTPFs were harvested subfascially and 10 superfascially. Average size of ALTPFs was 17.7 cm × 8.6 cm. The perforating vessels revealed during the harvest of all ALTPFs were basically consistent with the preoperative 3-D ultrasound. All flaps survived after surgery without any incident. The postoperative follow-up lasted 8 to 20 months, with 12.7 months in average.Conclusion:The 3-D ultrasonography with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer can accurately locate the perforating vessels of ALTPF before surgery. This technique has many advantages in the design and harvest of super-thin ALTPFs.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the compositional differences between Fructus Tritici Levis and Triticum aestivum， and to provide reference for identification and quality control of both. METHODS Twenty batches of Fructus Tritici Levis and three batches of T. aestivum were collected， and their fingerprints were acquired by high-performance liquid chromatography and the similarities were evaluated by the Evaluation System of Similarity of Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 version）. Cluster analysis （CA）， principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were performed to analyze the difference of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum from different regions， and the differential components were screened. The contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum were determined. RESULTS The similarities of the fingerprints of Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.928 to 0.996， and the relative similarities of T. aestivum with Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.761 to 0.773. A total of 19 common peaks were calibrated， and six components including linolenic acid， linoleic acid， 5-heptadecylresorcinol， 5-nonadodecylresorcinol， 5- heneicosylresorcinol， and 5-tricosylresorcinol were identified. The results of CA and PCA showed that Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum could be clearly distinguished； the distribution of Fructus Tritici Levis from Anhui province was relatively concentrated. The results of OPLS-DA showed that linolenic acid， linoleic acid， and other six unknown compounds were the differential components between Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The average contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis were 0.100 9， 1.094 0， 0.005 1， 0.030 9， 0.098 2，and 0.024 8 mg/g， respectively； the contents of linolenic acid and linoleic acid in Fructus Tritici Levis were significantly higher than those in T. aestivum （P＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS The established qualitative and quantitative methods are simple and reliable， and can be used for the identification and quality evaluation of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The identified differential components， such as linolenic acid and linoleic acid， can also provide clues for the differentiation and pharmacological study of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the compositional differences between Fructus Tritici Levis and Triticum aestivum， and to provide reference for identification and quality control of both. METHODS Twenty batches of Fructus Tritici Levis and three batches of T. aestivum were collected， and their fingerprints were acquired by high-performance liquid chromatography and the similarities were evaluated by the Evaluation System of Similarity of Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 version）. Cluster analysis （CA）， principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were performed to analyze the difference of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum from different regions， and the differential components were screened. The contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum were determined. RESULTS The similarities of the fingerprints of Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.928 to 0.996， and the relative similarities of T. aestivum with Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.761 to 0.773. A total of 19 common peaks were calibrated， and six components including linolenic acid， linoleic acid， 5-heptadecylresorcinol， 5-nonadodecylresorcinol， 5- heneicosylresorcinol， and 5-tricosylresorcinol were identified. The results of CA and PCA showed that Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum could be clearly distinguished； the distribution of Fructus Tritici Levis from Anhui province was relatively concentrated. The results of OPLS-DA showed that linolenic acid， linoleic acid， and other six unknown compounds were the differential components between Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The average contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis were 0.100 9， 1.094 0， 0.005 1， 0.030 9， 0.098 2，and 0.024 8 mg/g， respectively； the contents of linolenic acid and linoleic acid in Fructus Tritici Levis were significantly higher than those in T. aestivum （P＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS The established qualitative and quantitative methods are simple and reliable， and can be used for the identification and quality evaluation of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The identified differential components， such as linolenic acid and linoleic acid， can also provide clues for the differentiation and pharmacological study of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of subretinal fluid extraction combined with intravitreal conbercept and gas injection in treating polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV)complicated with serous retinal pigment epithelium detachment(sPED).Methods From July 2019 to February 2021,13 patients(13 eyes)with PCV complicated with sPED who were treated with subretinal fluid extraction combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept and gas in the Weifang Eye Hospital were selected.All affected eyes received at least 3 times(once a month)of intravitreal anti-vas-cular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)(ranibizumab)injections before the surgery,and the treatment was ineffective.The changes in best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),central retinal thickness(CRT),macular foveal PED height and width before and 1 week,1 month,3 months and 6 months after the operation were observed,and the intraoperative and postop-erative complications were recorded.Results The BCVA of the affected eyes 1 week after operation was better than that before operation,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=-3.237,P=0.001).The CRT of the affected eyes at 1 week,1 month,3 months and 6 months after the operation were thinner than that before the operation,and the differ-ence was statistically significant(Z=-3.180,-3.180,-3.110 and-3.180,P=0.001,0.001,0.002 and 0.001).The height and width of PED at 1 week,1 month,3 months and 6 months after the operation were lower than those before the operation,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Thirteen eyes received an average of(4.15±1.40)intravitreal injections(ranibizumab)before the surgery,and the treatment duration was(5.92±3.95)months(equivalent to one injection every 6 weeks).During the 6-month follow-up,13 eyes received an average of(2.31±1.97)intravitreal injections(conbercept)(equivalent to once every 10 weeks).Partial correlation analysis showed a weak positive correla-tion between the increase in BCVA and the decrease in CRT 6 months after operation(r=0.416,P=0.203).There was no significant correlation between the increase in BCVA and the changes in PED height and width 6 months after operation(r=0.218,0.209,P=0.520,0.538).At 1 month after the operation,9 eyes had PED recurrence or different degrees of retinal nerve subepithelial effusion,and PED improved after repeated intravitreal injection of conbercept.At 6 months after opera-tion,subfoveal PED completely disappeared in 3 eyes,and the retina was completely reattached.There was still active exu-dation in the retina of 1 eye.No systemic or severe ocular complications occurred in 13 eyes during the follow-up period.Conclusion Subretinal fluid extraction combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept and gas in the treatment of PCV complicated with sPED can safely and effectively reduce CRT,improve PED,and reduce the damage to the retina caused by long-term PED,but it has no significant effect on the improvement of BCVA at 6 months after the operation.

Objective To investigate the effect of resveratrol(Rsv)on inhibiting miR-149-5p-mediated ferroptosis and impro-ving lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte(H9C2)injury.Methods Different concentrations of Rsv were used to treat H9C2 cells,followed by LPS stimulation to observe the effect of Rsv on LPS-induced injury in H9C2 cells.The H9C2 cells were divided into different groups,including the Control group,LPS group,LPS+Rsv group,LPS+miRNA-inhibitor-NC group,LPS+miR149-5p-inhibitor group,and LPS+miR149-5p-inhibitor+Rsv group.CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability,and a kit was used to measure changes in lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),glutathione(GSH),and malondialdehyde(MDA)release in H9C2 cells.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to determine the level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in H9C2 cells.Iron ion colorimetry was used to observe changes in Fe2+content in cardiomyocytes,and RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-149-5p in cells.Results Rsv significantly reduced LPS-induced injury in H9C2 cells.Compared with the LPS group,the Rsv+LPS group showed in-creased cell viability,reduced LDH secretion,increased GSH release,reduced lipid ROS generation,decreased Fe2+content,reduced MDA release,and increased miR-149-5p expression.Compared with the LPS+miR-149-5p-inhibitor group,the LPS+miR-149-5p-inhibitor+Rsv group showed increased cell viability,reduced LDH content,increased GSH,reduced ROS production,re-duced lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation,and increased miR-149-5p expression.Conclusion Rsv may inhibit ferroptosis by upregulating miR-149-5p expression and thus alleviate LPS-induced injury in H9C2 cells.

Objective:To evaluate the role of microRNA-149-5p (miR-149-5p) in resveratrol-induced reduction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte injury in rats.Methods:Rat cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2 was cultured and then divided into 5 groups ( n=27 each) using a random number method: control group (C group), LPS group, resveratrol group (RSV group), miR149-5p inhibitor negative control group (LRN group), and miR149-5p inhibitor group (LRI group). A cardiomyocyte injury model was prepared by incubating cells with culture medium containing 10 μg/ml LPS for 24 h. RSV group was incubated with resveratrol (final concentration of 10 μmol/L) for 24 h, followed by incubation with culture medium containing 10 μg/ml LPS for another 24 h. LRN group and LRI group were transfected with miR149-5p inhibitor negative control and miR149-5p inhibitor, respectively, and then the other treatments were similar to those previously described in RSV group. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, the apoptosis rate by flow cytometry, the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and content of glutathione (GSH) in the supernatant by microplate method, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) by TBA reaction method, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) by WST-1 method, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the supernatant by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of miR-149-5p by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with C group, the expression of miR-149-5p was significantly down-regulated, the cell viability was decreased, the concentrations of LDH, TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant, apoptosis rate, ROS level and MDA content were increased, and the GSH content and SOD activity were decreased in LPS group ( P<0.05). Compared with LPS group, the expression of miR-149-5p was significantly up-regulated, the cell viability was increased, the concentrations of LDH, TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant, apoptosis rate, ROS level and MDA content were decreased, and the GSH content and SOD activity were increased in RSV group ( P<0.05). Compared with RSV group or LRN group, the expression of miR-149-5p was significantly down-regulated, the cell viability was decreased, the concentrations of LDH, TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant, apoptosis rate, ROS level and MDA content were increased, and the GSH content and SOD activity were decreased in LRI group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which resveratrol alleviates LPS-induced cardiomyocyte injury is associated with the up-regulation of miR-149-5p expression and inhibition of cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in rats.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of anterolateral thigh Flow-through flap transfer surgery combined with Masquelet technique in reconstruction of Gustilo IIIC open fractures of distal tibia.Methods:Between July 2017 and May 2021, 7 patients who had Gustilo IIIC injuries in the lower limb were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital by emergency surgery with transfer of anterolateral thigh Flow-through flap combined with Masquelet technique. The patients were 5 males and 2 females, aged 36 to 63 (50.0±10.4) years old. Size of soft tissue defects was 11 cm × 4 cm to 23 cm × 7 cm, the length of bone defects was 3.5-7.5 (5.34±1.52) cm and the bridging length for vascular defects was 7-12 (9.21 ± 2.34) cm. The size of the flaps was 12 cm × 5 cm - 24 cm × 8 cm. All patients received postoperative follow-up at the outpatient clinic and complications of wound, fracture healing and the recovery of limb function were observed.Results:All flaps survived uneventfully and successful limb salvage were achieved in all 7 patients, together with all bone grafts healed without infection. The follow-up lasted for 12-38 (26.69±10.73) months. At the last follow-up, the appearance and functional recovery of the lower limbs were satisfactorily. The function of ankle was evaluated according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) : 3 patients in excellent, 3 in good and 1 in fair.Conclusion:Emergency anterolateral thigh Flow-through flap transfer surgery with Masquelet technique is a safe, effective and feasible surgical procedure for Gustilo IIIC open fractures of distal tibia. It allows to close the wound and rebuild the blood supply in distal limb in the primary or emergency surgery, and allows to perform bone grafting and internal fixation in stage-II surgery. The patients benefit from high rate of success in limb salvage and good function recovery of the affected limb.

At present, clinical interventions for chronic kidney disease are very limited, and most patients rely on dialysis to sustain their lives for a long time. However, studies on the gut-kidney axis have shown that the gut microbiota is a potentially effective target for correcting or controlling chronic kidney disease. This study showed that berberine, a natural drug with low oral availability, significantly ameliorated chronic kidney disease by altering the composition of the gut microbiota and inhibiting the production of gut-derived uremic toxins, including p-cresol. Furthermore, berberine reduced the content of p-cresol sulfate in plasma mainly by lowering the abundance of g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and inhibiting the tyrosine-p-cresol pathway of the intestinal flora. Meanwhile, berberine increased the butyric acid producing bacteria and the butyric acid content in feces, while decreased the renal toxic trimethylamine N-oxide. These findings suggest that berberine may be a therapeutic drug with significant potential to ameliorate chronic kidney disease through the gut-kidney axis.