ObjectiveTo investigate the spontaneous premature cardiac aging in SHJH^hr mice. MethodsA comparative study was conducted between SHJH^hr mice (SHJH^hr group) and wild-type ICR mice (WT group) at different ages (10 and 24 weeks). Cardiac function was analyzed using a small animal in vivo ultrasound imaging system. After euthanasia, organs were collected and weighed to assess the extent of cardiac atrophy. Cardiac pathological damage was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiac fibrosis was analyzed using Masson staining. Myocardial cell area was analyzed after wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining. The activities of oxidative damage indicators in myocardial tissue, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT), as well as the content of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of factors associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. Colorimetric assay was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ResultsCompared to WT group mice of the same age, 10-week-old mice in the SHJH^hr group showed no significant differences in stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), or heart and lung weights. However, at 24 weeks of age, mice in the SHJH^hr group had significantly lower SV, EF, and FS values compared to mice of the same age in the WT group (P<0.05), with no significant change in lung weight but a significant reduction in heart weight (P<0.05). Histological analysis of heart tissue from 24-week-old mice revealed no significant difference in cardiac fibrosis levels between SHJH^hr and WT groups, but WGA staining showed a significant reduction in myocardial cell area in mice in the SHJH^hr group (P<0.05). PCR analysis revealed a significant downregulation of mRNA levels of oxidative stress factors Sod2, Gpx1, and Cat genes (P<0.05). Biochemical assays indicated significantly reduced activities of oxidative damage-related enzymes SOD, GPX, and CAT in myocardial tissue (P<0.05), while the levels of oxidative damage markers 8-OHdG and MDA significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionMice in the SHJH^hr group exhibit premature cardiac aging, which may be associated with oxidative stress damage in myocardial tissue.

Objective:To explore the application value and treatment effects of multiple free anterolateral perforator flaps of calf for reconstruction of multiple digital wounds in single hand.Methods:From August 2020 to March 2022, 12 patients with soft tissue defects in 35 digits were treated in Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital. Ten patients were male and 2 were female, aged 25 to 58 years old. Of the patients, 1 had soft tissue defects in 5 digits, 3 in 4 digits, 2 in 3 digits and 6 in 2 digits. The size of defects was from 1.2 cm ×1.2 cm to 7.0 cm×3.5 cm after debridement. The vascular perforators discovered from intraoperative explorations were found originating from the superficial peroneal artery in 24 flaps, from the peroneal artery in 7 flaps and from the anterior tibial artery in 4 flaps. During surgery, the perforator artery and accompanying veins of the flaps were anastomosed with the proper digital artery and palmar or dorsal subcutaneous veins in the recipient site, respectively. The size of the flaps was from 1.5 cm×1.5 cm to 7.5 cm×4.0 cm. No nerve was affected in the surgery. The wound at donor sites in the calf was sutured directly. Regular postoperative follow-ups were conducted at outpatient clinics. The comprehensive evaluation scale of flap was used to assess the conditions of the donor and recipient sites.Results:In this study, all 35 soft tissue defects of digits in 12 patients were reconstructed by the anterolateral perforator flaps of calf. All the 35 flaps survived after surgery, with a 100% of survival rate. The patients were instructed to carry out early functional training after surgery. Follow-up lasted 6 to 24 months, with an average of 11 months. Twenty-five flaps were found in slightly swollen, and further flap thinning surgery were carried out 3 months after the primary surgery, while the rest of the flaps had good appearance and texture. At 6 months after surgery, all flaps recovered a partial deep and shallow sensory and sense of touch. All wound at donor sites in calf had one-stage healing without dysfunction. The comprehensive evaluation scale was excellent in 28 flaps and good in 7 flaps. The excellent and good rate was 100%.Conclusion:It is an effective method to use multiple free anterolateral perforator flaps of calf to reconstruct multiple digit defects in single hand. The flaps can be conveniently harvested and the multiple digital defects in single hand can be reconstructed in primary surgery with small damages to the donor sites and together with satisfactory clinical outcomes.

ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors of dementia among healthy elderly individuals in the middle of their lives. MethodsA total of 175 participants aged 55 to 75 from two communities in Beijing were included from July, 2021 to April, 2023. Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) related risk factors and other demographic data were collected. According to the CAIDE assessment, participants with scores ≥ 9 were as high-risk group, and those with scores < 9 were as low-risk group. They were evaluated with Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT), two elements 1-back task paradigm and the revised Trail Making Test (TMT); measured the grip strength, 30 s forearm flexion tests and five sit-to-stand tests; the average step speed and step length of a 10-meter walk were recorded. ResultsThe average total score of CAIDE was 9.86 in the high-risk group, and was 4.95 in the low-risk group. There was no difference in age between two groups (P = 0.188). There were differences in the proportion of participants of male, less than seven years' education, systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg, cholesterol > 6.5 mmol/L, body mass index > 30 kg/m², and lack of physical activity between two groups (χ² > 3.116, P < 0.05). The grip strength (t = -4.174), walking speed (t = -2.414), SCWT accuracy (Z = -2.684) were all worse in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that walking speed (OR = 25.483), grip strength (OR = 1.133) and SCWT accuracy (OR = 37.430) were independent influencing factors of dementia (P < 0.05). ConclusionWeaker grip strength, slower gait speed and worse inhibitory control might be independent influencing factors of dementia.

Objective To summarize the application of double valve ring enlargement combined with mitral Chimney technique (Chimney Commando) in the secondary valve replacement and to analyze the efficacy in the near and medium term. Methods Patients who underwent the secondary aortic valve and mitral valve (double valve) replacement by Chimney Commando in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from 2019 to 2022 were included, and their clinical data were retrospectively collected to analyze the safety and feasibility of this procedure in secondary valve replacement of small aortic root patients. Results A total of 49 patients (44 females and 5 males) were included. The body surface area was 1.64±0.17 m2. The time from the first operation was 13.10±5.90 years. Except for 4 patients whose first operation was valvuloplasty, the remaining 45 patients were all patients after valve replacement, 41 patients of double valves replacement, including 39 patients with mechanical valve and 2 patients with biological valve. The majority of the aortic valves were St.Jude regent 19 mm or St.Jude regent 21 mm, accounting for 30.61% and 34.69%, respectively. The mitral valves were predominantly St.Jude 25 mm mechanical valves, making up 65.31%. All patients underwent Chimney Commando double valve ring enlargement, and the mean time of aortic occlusion was 154.00±45.40 min. The mean size of the aortic valve was 23.90±1.40 mm and that of the mitral valve was 28.20±1.20 mm, and the transvalvular pressure difference across the aortic valve was 20.16±5.76 mm Hg at 6 months postoperatively. There was one death during hospitalization due to multi-organ failure. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 24 months with a median time of 8 months. Two patients were implanted with permanent pacemakers during the follow-up period and 1 patient died due to massive stroke and malignant arrhythmia. Conclusion Chimney Commando is safe and effective in patients with secondary double valve replacement, and the postoperative prosthetic valves have good hemodynamics, and can achieve good clinical results in the near and medium term.

Objective To investigate the surgical method and clinical outcome using the free anterolateral thigh flap with the medial gastrocnemius artery as the recipient artery for the repair of complex wounds in the lower leg. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 11 patients with complex wounds in the lower leg admitted to Suzhou Ruihua Orthopedic Hospital from October 2020 to September 2022. All patients had extensive skin and subcutaneous soft tissue defects in the lower leg and received free anterolateral thigh flap repair with the medial gastrocnemius artery as the recipient artery. The skin of donor site was directly sutured. Results All 11 free skin flap survived in 11 patients, and both the donor and recipient sites healed in stage I. All patients were followed up after discharge, with a follow-up time of 12 to 35 months. The follow-up results at 12 months postoperatively showed good wound healing, good flap appearance and elasticity, restoration of normal knee and ankle joint function, and independent living ability. The donor site wounds healed well without significant scar hyperplasia. At the last follow-up, the flap sensory function was graded as S₃ in 2 patients and S₂ in 9 patients. The functional score of the affected limb was excellent in 5 patients and good in 6 patients, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The medial gastrocnemius artery has a suitable vessel caliber for anastomosis and a constant location. The use of the free anterolateral thigh flap with this artery as the recipient artery for the repair of severe wounds in the lower leg can effectively cover soft tissue defects and avoid injuring the residual main vessels in the lower leg, resulting in satisfactory outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the application effects of self-developed rapid tracheotomy apparatus for acute tracheotomy.Methods:A total of 120 patients who underwent an acute tracheotomy in the Weihai Branch of The 970 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2019 to December 2020 were included in this study. These patients were randomly divided into a rapid group and a conventional group, with 60 patients in each group. Patients in the rapid group underwent tracheotomy with a self-developed rapid tracheotomy apparatus. Patients in the conventional group underwent the standard steps of traditional tracheostomy. The operation time, incision length, amount of bleeding, and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:The operation time in the rapid group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional group [(4.5 ± 0.9) minutes vs. (19.3 ± 4.7) minutes, t = 23.86, P < 0.001]. The length of incision in the rapid group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional group [(2.8 ± 0.3) cm vs. (4.2 ± 1.3) cm, t = 8.68, P < 0.001]. The amount of bleeding during the surgery in the rapid group was significantly less than that in the conventional group [(4.4 ± 1.6) mL vs. (11.8 ± 4.1) mL, t = 12.99, P < 0.001]. The incidence of postoperative complications in the rapid group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group ( χ2 = 4.66, P = 0.031). Conclusion:The self-developed rapid tracheotomy apparatus for acute tracheotomy can be used to establish an artificial airway quickly and minimally invasively by simplifying the operational steps. It is remarkably innovative to increase safety with open-view operations and decrease the incidence of complications. It can be repeatedly sterilized and reused, which is worthy of clinical application and popularization.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of bilobated superficial peroneal artery perforator flap in repairing two adjacent wounds of the fingers.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2021 to January 2022, 15 patients with two adjacent wounds of the fingers who met the inclusion criteria were hospitalized in Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital, including 10 males and 5 females, aged 25 to 51 years. The area of single wound after debridement was from 2.5 cm×2.0 cm to 7.5 cm×2.5 cm. All the wounds were repaired by the bilobated superficial peroneal artery perforator flap from the lower leg. The single lobe area of bilobated flap was from 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 8.0 cm×3.0 cm. The wounds in all the donor sites were sutured directly. During the operation, the number of resected flaps, the number and type of carried perforators were recorded, and the calibers of perforator and superficial peroneal artery and the length of vascular pedicle were measured. The survival of flap and the wound healing in the donor and recipient sites were recorded after operation. The recovery of donor and recipient sites were recorded during follow-up. At the last follow-up, the repair effect of flap was evaluated by the comprehensive evaluation scale, and the sensory function of flap was evaluated by the sensory function evaluation standard of British Medical Research Association.Results:During the operation, 15 bilobated flaps were successfully resected, carrying 36 superficial peroneal artery perforators, all of which were septocutaneous perforators with the caliber of 0.2-0.8 mm. The caliber of superficial peroneal artery was 0.4-1.1 mm and the length of vascular pedicle was 3-8 cm. After operation, all the flaps survived with no vascular crisis occurred, and the wounds in donor and recipient sites healed well. During the follow-up of 6 to 12 months, the color and texture of flaps were similar to those of normal tissue in the hand and the appearance of flap was good in 10 cases; the other 5 cases underwent the stage Ⅱ flap thinning and plastic surgery 6 months after operation due to the bloated appearance of flaps. There was only linear scar in the donor site of lower leg, with no obvious scar hyperplasia or pigmentation, and there was no obvious adverse effect on the sensation or motor function of the distal limbs in the donor area. At the last follow-up, the repair effect of flap of 15 patients was excellent in 11 cases and good in 4 cases, and the sensory function of the flap was evaluated as grade S 2 in all cases. Conclusions:The bilobated superficial peroneal artery perforator flap has high proportion of septocutaneous perforator, and the blood supply is sufficient and reliable. Using this flap to repair two adjacent wounds of the fingers causes minimal damage to the donor area, only one group of blood vessels is needed to be anastomosed to repair two wounds, the difficulty of microoperation is reduced, and good flap repair effect and sensory function can be obtained.

Objective:To investigate the effects of tibial second toe free flap bridged with blood flow and nerve in the treatment of severe flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From March 2013 to October 2019, 9 patients with severe flexion contracture (type Ⅲ) of the proximal interphalangeal joint after trauma operation, conforming to the inclusion criteria, were hospitalized in Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital, including 5 males and 4 females, aged from 17 to 62 years. After the contracture tissue affecting the extension of the proximal interphalangeal joint was cut off, and the scar tissue was resected, the size of the volar wound near the proximal interphalangeal joint in extended position was 2.0 cm×1.0 cm-2.5 cm×1.5 cm, with the length of proper digital artery and nerve defect being 1.0-1.5 cm. A free flap of the same size as the wound was cut from the tibial side of the second toe and transplanted to repair the wound, and the defective proper digital artery and nerve was repaired by bridging with the tibial proper plantar digital artery and nerve of about 1.5 cm in length. The full-thickness skin graft was taken from the proximal tibial side of the lower leg to repair the wound at flap donor site. The wound at skin graft donor site was sutured directly. The survival of flap and skin graft was observed after operation. The patients were followed up, and at the last follow-up, the recovery of the affected finger and the second toe, including the donor and recipient areas were observed, the two-point discrimination distances of the flap repaired site and the pulp of the affected finger were observed and measured at the same time, the blood flow patency of bridged vessel of the affected finger was examined by Allen test, and the function of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the affected finger was evaluated according to Chinese Medical Association's standard for the range of motion of proximal interphalangeal joint.Results:The flaps and skin grafts survived smoothly after operation. The follow-up after operation lasted for 5 to 22 months, with a mean of 10 months. At the last follow-up, the flap repaired site had good shape, good color and texture, with the two-point discrimination distance being 9-12 mm, and the two-point discrimination distance of the pulp of the affected finger was 6-10 mm; the Allen test results of the affected fingers were all negative (i.e., the bridged vessels had good blood flow patency), with no recurrence of flexion contracture, and the function of the proximal interphalangeal joint was evaluated as excellent; the skin graft area of the second toe was not ruptured but was a little pigmented, and the flexion and extension activities of toe were good.Conclusions:The tibial second toe free flap bridged with blood flow and nerve has reliable therapeutic effect in the treatment of severe flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint, and the color and texture of the flap repaired area are good. Bridging to repair the severely contracted proper digital artery and nerve is beneficial to improve the blood supply of the finger body and rebuild the sensation.

Objective:To investigate clinical effects of anterolateral thigh flap with blood supply source of medial femoral perforator in repairing the wounds on extremities.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From October 2018 to June 2021, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopedic Hospital admitted 12 patients (11 males and 1 female, aged 24-64 years) who met the inclusion criteria, and did not have the lateral circumflex femoral artery during anterolateral thigh flap resection, or changed to medial femoral perforator as a source of blood supply due to small perforator to repair the wound with flap transplantation. The wounds were on the upper limbs in 7 cases and on the lower limbs in 5 cases. The wound area after debridement was 8.0 cm×5.0 cm-24.0 cm×6.5 cm, and the applied flap area was 9 cm×6 cm-25 cm×7 cm. During transplantation, the perforating branch or source artery of the flap was anastomosed end to end with the vascular pedicle of the recipient area. Subcutaneous beauty suture was performed on all the donor wounds. After operation, the survival of the flap and vascular crisis were observed; and the wound healing at the donor site was observed. During follow-up, the texture of the flap and complications at the donor site were observed. At the last follow-up, the effect of flap repair was evaluated by using the modified self-made comprehensive efficacy rating table.Results:After operation, all the flaps of patients survived without vascular crisis; the wounds in the donor site healed smoothly. During follow-up of 6 to 26 months, the flaps had good texture; only linear scars remained in the donor area without scar contracture, pain or other discomfort. At the last follow-up, the total score of flap repair effect of 12 patients was 75-95, with an average of 87, of which 5 cases were rated as excellent, 6 cases as good, and 1 case as fair, and the proportion of excellent and good patients was 11/12.Conclusions:The application of anterolateral thigh flap with blood supply from the medial femoral perforator to repair wounds on extremities is an alternative method for the vascular variations such as no descending branch, oblique branch, or small perforator of the lateral circumflex femoral artery during the resection of the anterolateral thigh flap. This operation has the advantages of simple operation, small trauma, and others, which effectively ensures the smooth operation.

Objective:To investigate the curative effects of the superficial peroneal artery perforator flap carrying two and more homologous perforators in repairing hand and foot wounds.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January to September 2021, 23 patients with hand and foot wounds combined with bone or tendon exposure who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital, including 16 males and 7 females, aged 23 to 68 years. After expansion of the wound, the wound area was 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 11.0 cm×4.0 cm. All the wounds were repaired with the superficial peroneal artery perforator flap carrying two and more homologous perforators. The area of the resected flap was 4.0 cm×2.0 cm to 12.0 cm×5.0 cm. All the wounds in donor areas were sutured directly. During the operation, the resection of the flap, the number and caliber of carried perforators, the caliber of superficial peroneal artery, the length of vascular pedicle, and the number of accompanying veins of the superficial peroneal artery were recorded. The survival of the flap, the occurrence of complications, and the wound healing in the donor area were observed after operation. The recovery of the donor and recipient areas was followed up. At the last follow-up, the comprehensive evaluation scale was used to evaluate the curative effect of flap repair, and the sensory grading scale was used to evaluate the sensory function of the recipient area.Results:Totally 24 flaps were successfully resected in surgical operations, carrying 56 superficial peroneal artery perforators in total, with the caliber of perforators of 0.20-0.70 mm. The calibers of all perforators carried by 7 flaps were smaller than 0.40 mm. Nineteen flaps carried 2 perforators each, 3 flaps carried 3 perforators each, 1 flap carried 4 perforators, and 1 flap carried 5 perforators. During the operation, the superficial peroneal artery was resected with a caliber of 0.40-1.50 mm, the vascular pedicle was 2-6 cm in length, and each superficial peroneal artery had two accompanying veins. After operation, all the flaps survived smoothly, no vascular crisis or distal necrosis occurred, and the wounds healed well in the donor area. During the follow-up of 6 to 10 months after operation, the color, texture, and elasticity of the recipient area were good. Among them, 6 recipient areas were thinned and reshaped because of bloating. There was only linear scar and no obvious scar hyperplasia or pigmentation in the donor area, without significant change in sensory or motor function. At the last follow-up, the curative effect evaluation of flap repair was excellent in 22 flaps and good in 2 flaps, and the sensory function evaluation of the recipient area was grade S 3 in 1 area and grade S 2 in 23 areas. Conclusions:The superficial peroneal artery perforator flap with two and more homologous perforators has sufficient and reliable blood supply and is effective in repairing hand and foot wounds. It provides an ideal solution for the clinical problem in which the original operation scheme is abandoned due to the existence of only multiple slender perforators of caliber smaller than 0.40 mm, and only a single perforator in the operative field that cannot satisfy the needs of the flap blood supply and recipient area.