Diabetic kidney disease （DKD）， a common complication of diabetes mellitus， is a leading global cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. Current therapeutic strategies primarily focus on symptomatic management but exhibit limited efficacy in halting disease progression to ESRD， and some drugs carry non-negligible toxic side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history in treating DKD， with single TCM and TCM compounds demonstrating unique advantages in multi-target， multi-pathway， and multi-effect therapeutic interventions. Tripterygium wilfordii （TW）， known for its effects in promoting blood circulation， dredging collaterals， dispelling wind， removing dampness， reducing swelling， and alleviating pain， contains bioactive components such as Tripterygium glycosides （TWG）， triptolide （TPL）， tripdiolide （TPD）， and celastrol （CEL）. The active ingredients possess various functions， including regulating immune-inflammatory balance， ameliorating renal fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis， combating oxidative stress， protecting podocytes， and improving glucose and lipid metabolism， all of which play a significant role in the treatment of DKD. This review summarized the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of T. wilfordii and its active ingredients on DKD， aiming to provide insights for clinical management and novel drug development of DKD.

Objective To summarize the diagnostic ideas, clinical characteristics and treatment methods of the rupture of pseudoaneurysm in the pararenal artery, so as to provide reference for the management of such condition.Methods The diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to rupture of pseudoaneurysm in the left pararenal artery admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University were reported, and relevant literature was retrieved to summarize the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.Results The patient was a 49-year-old male who presented with sudden onset of lumbar and abdominal pain.After admission, enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan indicated a cystic lesion in the left kidney, along with fluffy high-density and fluidic density shadows around the kidney.There was extensive extravasation of contrast agent in the lower polar artery of the left kidney, with rupture shadows, retention of contrast agent, and the extent of extravasation expanding in the venous phase and delayed phase, suggesting that the renal artery or pararenal artery had ruptured and bled.After consultation by the Department of Intervention, an urgent superselective left renal artery embolization procedure was performed.During the operation, angiography showed the “jetting sign” in the arterial phase, and the stenosis at the neck of the tumor.In the delayed phase, the contrast agent was retained accompanied with the “chimney sign”, which was consistent with the characteristics of a pseudoaneurysm.The final diagnosis was rupture and bleeding of a pseudoaneurysm of the left pararenal artery, along with the formation of a hematoma, as well as accumulation of blood and fluid in the abdominal and pelvic cavities.The patient recovered well after surgery.After a follow-up of 6 months, CT scan showed that the hematoma was basically absorbed and there were no obvious abdominal pain or other discomforts.Conclusion Rupture of pseudoaneurysm in the pararenal artery is rare in clinical practice.Treatment should be tailored to the anatomical features and the patients' condition.Multidisciplinary collaboration, precise imaging evaluation, and the application of interventional techniques can achieve efficient diagnosis and treatment, and protect the renal function to the greatest extent.

Nephrotic syndrome （NS） is a glomerular disease characterized by massive proteinuria， hypoalbuminemia， edema， and hyperlipidemia. Tripterygium wilfordii exhibits remarkable efficacy in the prevention and treatment of renal diseases； however， its hepatotoxicity， nephrotoxicity， and other factors limit its clinical application. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms of pharmacological effects and detoxification of T. wilfordii and its active ingredients in the treatment of NS. The results show that the main active components of T. wilfordii include tripterygium glycosides， triptolide， and triptriolide， etc. T. wilfordii and its active ingredients exert significant renal protective effects by protecting glomerular podocytes， repairing the glomerular filtration barrier， regulating abnormal immune and inflammatory responses， inhibiting oxidative stress injury， and blocking renal fibrosis， thereby effectively reducing proteinuria， improving renal function， and lowering the recurrence rate of NS. Traditional Chinese medicine compatibility （e.g. T. wilfordii combined with Lysimachia christinae ， Cuscuta chinensis ethanol extract， and Paeonia lactiflora ， respectively） can regulate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant levels and optimize drug metabolic pathways. Combined with modern preparation technologies （e.g.， triptolide self-microemulsion drug delivery system）， these strategies can effectively antagonize the hepatotoxicity， nephrotoxicity， and other factors of T. wilfordii .

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy （IgAN） is a common primary glomerular disease and a frequent cause of chronic renal failure. Tripterygium wilfordii is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine， which possesses the effects of promoting blood circulation， relieving swelling and pain， and dispelling wind and dampness. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that T. wilfordii multiglucoside exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects， inhibit mesangial cell proliferation， protect podocytes， ameliorate endothelial cell injury， and regulate gut microbiota disturbances. Triptolide also possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties， suppresses mesangial cell proliferation， and protects podocytes. Celastrol demonstrates anti- inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions as well as the ability to improve endothelial cell damage. Through these mechanisms， T. wilfordii and its active components can play a role in alleviating clinical symptoms and delaying disease progression in the treatment of IgAN. Future research should focus on in-depth analysis and mechanistic investigation of these active ingredients， promote high-quality clinical studies， systematically evaluate the synergistic effects among them， and emphasize strategies for reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy， thereby providing more comprehensive and reliable evidence-based foundations for the clinical treatment of IgAN.

The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) has recently updated and published the "2024 EACTS guidelines on perioperative medication in adult cardiac surgery". Based on the latest evidence, the guidelines have been updated in multiple aspects including underlying disease management, antithrombotic medication, arrhythmia treatment and other supportive care, etc. This paper aims to summarize and interpret the guidelines, in order to promote clinicians’ understanding and optimize perioperative medical treatment in adult cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of "olfactory three needles" on cognition, learning and memory abilities, as well as hippocampal microglia (MG) phagocytic activity in vascular dementia (VD) rats, and explore the mechanisms of acupuncture in regulating MG activation and improving remyelination, so as to ameliorate VD. METHODS: Among 38 SD rats meeting experimental requirements, 9 rats were randomly assigned to a sham-operation group, and the remaining rats underwent permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation to establish VD model. Eighteen successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, with 9 rats in each one. In the EA group, EA was performed at "olfactory three needles" ("Yintang" [GV24⁺] and bilateral "Yingxiang" [LI20]), at disperse-dense wave, the frequency of 2 Hz/15 Hz and the current intensity of 1 mA, for 15 min per intervention, once daily. One course was composed of 7 days, and 2 courses were required, with the interval of 2 days. The novel object recognition test was employed to assess the cognition of rats, and the Morris water maze was adopted to observe learning and memory abilities. Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining was performed to evaluate myelin sheath loss in the hippocampus, the Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) and proteolipid protein (PLP) in the hippocampus; and the immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the positive expression of PLP, sex determining region Y-box 10 (SOX10), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1)⁺ TREM2⁺ and Iba1⁺ lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)⁺ in the hippocampus. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the rats in the model group exhibited the prolonged escape latency on day 3 and 4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), the increase of the total distance traveling (P<0.01) and the decrease of the recognition index (RI) and platform crossing frequency (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the rats in the EA group showed the shortened escape latency on day 3 and 4 (P<0.05), the decrease of total distance traveling (P<0.01) and the increase of RI and platform crossing frequency (P<0.05, P<0.01). When compared with the sham-operation group, the rats of the model group presented uneven staining, sparse arrangement of myelin sheath fibers, unclear contours, and prominent vacuole-like changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. When compared with the model group, the EA group showed more dense staining, the increase of myelin sheath fibers with more orderly alignment, and fewer vacuolar changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group exhibited the increase of TREM2 protein expression and the decrease of PLP protein expression in the hippocampus (P<0.01), whereas the EA group showed the up-regulation of TREM2 and PLP protein expression when compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The positive expression of the hippocampal PLP, SOX10, and Iba1⁺LAMP1⁺ in the model group was reduced in comparison with the sham-operation group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the positive expression of Iba1⁺ TREM2⁺ was elevated (P<0.05). In the EA group, the positive expression of PLP, SOX10, Iba1⁺TREM2⁺, and Iba1⁺ LAMP1⁺ was higher compared with that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Olfactory three needles" can improve the learning and memory, and cognitive functions of VD rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the up-regulation of TREM2 and LAMP1 to adjust MG phagocytic activity and intracellular degradation, and promote remyelination.
Animals ; Dementia, Vascular/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Remyelination ; Memory ; Hippocampus/cytology* ; Cognition ; Electroacupuncture ; Needles

OBJECTIVE: To review and summarize the research progress on repairing segmental bone defects using three-dimensional (3D)-printed bone scaffolds combined with vascularized tissue flaps in recent years. METHODS: Relevant literature was reviewed to summarize the application of 3D printing technology in artificial bone scaffolds made from different biomaterials, as well as methods for repairing segmental bone defects by combining these scaffolds with various vascularized tissue flaps. RESULTS: The combination of 3D-printed artificial bone scaffolds with different vascularized tissue flaps has provided new strategies for repairing segmental bone defects. 3D-printed artificial bone scaffolds include 3D-printed polymer scaffolds, bio-ceramic scaffolds, and metal scaffolds. When these scaffolds of different materials are combined with vascularized tissue flaps ( e.g., omental flaps, fascial flaps, periosteal flaps, muscular flaps, and bone flaps), they provide blood supply to the inorganic artificial bone scaffolds. After implantation into the defect site, the scaffolds not only achieve structural filling and mechanical support for the bone defect area, but also promote osteogenesis and vascular regeneration. Additionally, the mechanical properties, porous structure, and biocompatibility of the 3D-printed scaffold materials are key factors influencing their osteogenic efficiency. Furthermore, loading the scaffolds with active components such as osteogenic cells and growth factors can synergistically enhance bone defect healing and vascularization processes. CONCLUSION The repair of segmental bone defects using 3D-printed artificial bone scaffolds combined with vascularized tissue flap transplantation integrates material science technologies with surgical therapeutic approaches, which will significantly improve the clinical treatment outcomes of segmental bone defect repair.
Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Humans ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Bone and Bones/surgery* ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Bone Substitutes ; Osteogenesis

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the biomechanical research progress on different fixation methods in medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) and provide references for selecting appropriate fixation methods in clinical applications of MOWHTO for treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: Recent domestic and international literature on the biomechanical studies of MOWHTO fixation methods was reviewed to analyze the characteristics and biomechanical performance of various fixation techniques. RESULTS: The medial-specific osteotomy plate system has become the mainstream due to its high stiffness and stability, but issues such as soft tissue irritation and stress shielding remain. The use of filler blocks significantly enhances fixation stability and promotes bone healing when the osteotomy gap is large, reducing axial displacement by 73%-76% and decreasing plate stress by 90%. Auxiliary screws improve axial and torsional stability, particularly in cases with large correction angles, effectively preventing lateral hinge fractures. Alternative fixation methods like external fixators hold unique clinical value by minimizing soft tissue irritation and allowing postoperative adjustment. CONCLUSION There is currently no unified standard for selecting MOWHTO fixation methods. Clinical decisions should comprehensively consider factors such as bone quality, correction angle, and postoperative rehabilitation needs.
Humans ; Osteotomy/instrumentation* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Tibia/surgery* ; Bone Plates ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Bone Screws ; External Fixators ; Knee Joint/surgery*

This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety profile of antaitasvir phosphate combined with yiqibuvir in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) of various genotypes, without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:394 cases with CHC from 22 centers were collected from October 2021 to April 2023. They were randomly assigned to receive either the experimental drugs (antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg) or placebo treatment in a 3∶1 ratio. The patients were administered drugs once a day for 12 consecutive weeks, and then followed up for 24 weeks after treatment cessation. All subjects were unblinded at the four-week follow-up following drug discontinuation, with the experimental drug group continuing to complete subsequent post-discontinuation follow-up. The placebo group was switched to receive the experimental drugs for a repeated 12-week treatment period and followed up for another 24 weeks after discontinuation of the drug (placebo delayed treatment phase).The sustained virologic response rate (SVR12) was observed for subjects in the double-blind phase and the placebo delayed-treatment phase at 12 weeks after treatment cessation.Virological resistance analysis was performed on subjects who failed treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR12. The number and percentage of subjects who achieved "HCV RNA