BACKGROUND:Previous studies of the research group have found that icariin-containing serum can delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis,promote chondrocyte proliferation and stem cell cartilage differentiation in rats,but there is still a lack of sufficient basis for clinical application.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the repair effect of icariin-containing serum on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory damage of human chondrocytes.METHODS:The effect of icariin-containing serum on chondrocyte viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 method,and the optimal volume fraction and time of icariin-containing serum were screened.The cells were then divided into blank group,lipopolysaccharide group,icariin-containing serum group and lipopolysaccharide+icariin-containing serum group.After grouping,immunofluorescence was used to detect the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes in each group.Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of related genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Icariin-containing serum showed good biosafety characteristics for human chondrocytes,and the cell viability reached the highest level after 48 hours of intervention when the icariin-containing serum volume fraction was 15％,and the follow-up experiments were carried out according to the conditions.(2)Compared with the blank group,lipopolysaccharide significantly inhibited the expression of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes,while icariin-containing serum showed a positive mobilization effect,which could effectively promote the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes under normal and inflammatory conditions.(3)The mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen and Aggrecan in chondrocytes decreased significantly under lipopolysaccharide stimulation,and the mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 increased significantly.Icariin-containing serum promoted the mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen in human chondrocytes under inflammatory conditions and reduced the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 in chondrocytes after lipopolysaccharide intervention.Therefore,these findings indicate that the icariin-containing serum has good safety for human chondrocytes and plays an important role in maintaining the normal physiological functions of chondrocytes,promoting the synthesis of extracellular matrix,and inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies of the research group have found that icariin-containing serum can delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis,promote chondrocyte proliferation and stem cell cartilage differentiation in rats,but there is still a lack of sufficient basis for clinical application.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the repair effect of icariin-containing serum on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory damage of human chondrocytes.METHODS:The effect of icariin-containing serum on chondrocyte viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 method,and the optimal volume fraction and time of icariin-containing serum were screened.The cells were then divided into blank group,lipopolysaccharide group,icariin-containing serum group and lipopolysaccharide+icariin-containing serum group.After grouping,immunofluorescence was used to detect the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes in each group.Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of related genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Icariin-containing serum showed good biosafety characteristics for human chondrocytes,and the cell viability reached the highest level after 48 hours of intervention when the icariin-containing serum volume fraction was 15％,and the follow-up experiments were carried out according to the conditions.(2)Compared with the blank group,lipopolysaccharide significantly inhibited the expression of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes,while icariin-containing serum showed a positive mobilization effect,which could effectively promote the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes under normal and inflammatory conditions.(3)The mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen and Aggrecan in chondrocytes decreased significantly under lipopolysaccharide stimulation,and the mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 increased significantly.Icariin-containing serum promoted the mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen in human chondrocytes under inflammatory conditions and reduced the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 in chondrocytes after lipopolysaccharide intervention.Therefore,these findings indicate that the icariin-containing serum has good safety for human chondrocytes and plays an important role in maintaining the normal physiological functions of chondrocytes,promoting the synthesis of extracellular matrix,and inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors.

Objective To investigate the distribution patterns of TCM syndrome elements and syndrome types in Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia.Methods The study adopted a retrospective research method to collect the basic demographic data,pathogenic characteristics,TCM syndrome patterns,and four diagnostic examination information(including tongue and pulse manifestations)of hospitalized patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia at Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from September 2022 to June 2024.Based on clustering analysis and factor analysis,the study explored the characteristics of TCM syndrome elements and the distribution patterns of TCM syndromes in Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia.Results A total of 365 patients(236 males,129 females)aged 23-100 years were included.Statistical analysis identified 33 core syndrome items,with cough being the most frequent(66.0%),followed by viscous phlegm(42.2%);the most common tongue characteristics were red tongue(50.4%)and greasy coating(45.8%),with slippery pulse being predominant(54.0%).Clustering analysis revealed four syndrome types:lung-kidney yin deficiency,phlegm-dampness with qi deficiency,yang deficiency with water overflow,and phlegm-heat obstructing the lung.Phlegm-heat obstructing the lung was the most prevalent(38.1%),followed by yang deficiency with water overflow(22.5%)and lung-kidney yin deficiency(22.2%).Factor analysis identified four common factors encompassing 21 variables,with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 74.888%.The results of syndrome elements were divided into phlegm,heat,qi stagnation,water retention,dampness,yang deficiency,yin deficiency,qi deficiency,and lung,kidney,heart,spleen based on pathological syndrome elements and pathological location syndrome elements.Conclusion Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia primarily affects the lungs,kidneys,heart,and spleen,with the lungs being the key organ.The most common TCM syndrome types are phlegm-heat obstructing the lung,lung-kidney yin deficiency,yang deficiency with water overflow,and phlegm-dampness with qi deficiency,among which phlegm-heat obstructing the lung is the most prevalent.

Objective To investigate the distribution patterns of TCM syndrome elements and syndrome types in Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia.Methods The study adopted a retrospective research method to collect the basic demographic data,pathogenic characteristics,TCM syndrome patterns,and four diagnostic examination information(including tongue and pulse manifestations)of hospitalized patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia at Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from September 2022 to June 2024.Based on clustering analysis and factor analysis,the study explored the characteristics of TCM syndrome elements and the distribution patterns of TCM syndromes in Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia.Results A total of 365 patients(236 males,129 females)aged 23-100 years were included.Statistical analysis identified 33 core syndrome items,with cough being the most frequent(66.0%),followed by viscous phlegm(42.2%);the most common tongue characteristics were red tongue(50.4%)and greasy coating(45.8%),with slippery pulse being predominant(54.0%).Clustering analysis revealed four syndrome types:lung-kidney yin deficiency,phlegm-dampness with qi deficiency,yang deficiency with water overflow,and phlegm-heat obstructing the lung.Phlegm-heat obstructing the lung was the most prevalent(38.1%),followed by yang deficiency with water overflow(22.5%)and lung-kidney yin deficiency(22.2%).Factor analysis identified four common factors encompassing 21 variables,with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 74.888%.The results of syndrome elements were divided into phlegm,heat,qi stagnation,water retention,dampness,yang deficiency,yin deficiency,qi deficiency,and lung,kidney,heart,spleen based on pathological syndrome elements and pathological location syndrome elements.Conclusion Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia primarily affects the lungs,kidneys,heart,and spleen,with the lungs being the key organ.The most common TCM syndrome types are phlegm-heat obstructing the lung,lung-kidney yin deficiency,yang deficiency with water overflow,and phlegm-dampness with qi deficiency,among which phlegm-heat obstructing the lung is the most prevalent.

Objective To analyze the current status and emerging technology trends in domestic medical drainage tube patents,so as to explore possible factors for low patent conversion rates.Methods Patents associated with"drainage tube","medical drainage tube","surgical drainage tube"and related terms were retrieved from the National Intellectual Property Administration Database and the Innojoy Patent Search Engine,covering the period from 2010 to 2020.Screening and visual analysis were conducted using Excel and SPSS 27.0.Results A total of 2 895 relevant patents were identified,comprising 2 489 utility model patents,367 invention patents and 39 design patents.The number of patent applications demonstrated a year-on-year growth trend,with a higher concentration in eastern coastal regions and provinces housing numerous top-tier hospitals and medical institutions.Approximately 49.26％of the patents filed by individuals were affiliated with hospitals,universities,or enterprises.Innovation hotspots included the design,functionality,performance,and safety aspects of drainage tubes and probes.Of the patents,72.61％were invalid,and 61.73％had a survival period of three years or less.Only 5.15％were commercially utilized through transfers,pledges,or licensing.Conclusion Domestic patent applications for medical drainage tubes have seen rapid growth,with a focus on enhancing tube structures such as sleeves,balloons,drainage holes,and threaded designs.However,the unsatisfactory situation of patent conversion and operation have been mainly limited by factors such as weak core technology of patents,insufficient awareness of achievements conversion,poor operation of patent conversion mechanism,insufficient market promotion,and insufficient integration of industry,academia,and research.To address this issue,enhancing intellectual property protection,revitalizing valid patents,and expanding transformation channels would benefit patients and facilitate hospitals'high-quality development,injecting new vitality into the health industry.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcome of estimating the target length of the free margin of the leaflet by diameter of the prosthesis graft used to reconstruct the aortic root during the modified root remodeling procedure.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 11 patients with aortic root aneurysm who underwent modified aortic root remodeling procedure with external sub-valvular ring from July 2021 to May 2024 at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College were analyzed. The age of the patients was (42.3±14.4) years (range:23 to 61 years), including 9 males and 2 females. The aortic valve of all patients was tri-leaflet configuration. Marfan syndrome was diagnosed in 3 cases. The diameter of the prosthesis graft was determined according to the Lansac group′s criteria based on the diameter of the aortic annulus, and a graft ring of the same diameter was used as the external sub-valvular ring. The free margin of the leaflet was treated with central plication according to the standard of “target length of free margin of the leaflet=the diameter of the selected graft+3 to 5 mm”. The surgical results and postoperative aortic valve closure function were observed.Results:All 11 patients successfully completed the operation without in-hospital death or complications. The graft with a diameter of 28 mm were used in 7 cases, 26 mm in 3 cases, and 30 mm in 1 case. 4 patients required central plication of the free margin of 3 leaflets, 2 patients required treatment of 2 leaflets, 3 patients required treatment of 1 leaflet, and 2 patients did not need treatment of the free margin of the leaflets. The functional status of aortic valve closure was significantly improved in all patients after surgery, and the degree of residual aortic regurgitation was not more than mild. After reconstruction of the aortic root, the measured effective height was (8.8±1.3) mm (range:7 to 11 mm) and the measured coaptation length was (5.2±0.9) mm (range:4 to 7 mm). All patients were re-examined 3 months after surgery. Echocardiography showed that the degree of aortic regurgitation was mild or lower, and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was (49.4±6.1) mm (range: 36 to 56 mm), which was smaller than that before the operation ((58.5±7.0) mm (range: 47 to 72 mm)). Eight patients were followed up for more than 6 months, and 5 patients were followed up for more than 1 year. The degree of aortic regurgitation in these patients was mild or below.Conclusions:The method based on the diameter of the selected prosthesis graft to deal with the length of the free margin of the leaflet can be effectively used in the modified aortic root remodeling procedure with external sub-valvular ring. The early postoperative results are satisfactory .

Objective:To explore the effect of exercise on the memory of rats modeling vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and also its effects on the hippocampal Sema3G/neuropilin-2 (Nrp2)/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, and an exercise group, each of 6. The model and exercise groups underwent VCI modeling via bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, while the sham-operated group received the same surgical procedure without vessel ligation or transection. Beginning forty-eight hours after the surgery, the exercise group carried out daily 30-minute treadmill training sessions, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks, while the other two groups were placed on the same treadmill with it not in operation. After the intervention, cognitive functioning was assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) test and a Y-maze test. Western blotting was employed to evaluate the expression of Sema3G, Nrp2, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of Nrp2 and PlexinA4 in the hippocampus.Results:Compared with the model group, the exercise group exhibited significantly higher NOR indices during both the short-term and long-term memory testing phases after the intervention. Those rats also tended to have significantly longer total exploration times in the novel arm of the Y-maze test. The western blotting revealed that the expression levels of Sema3G, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus were significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the model group, on average. Immunofluorescence showed significantly increased PlexinA4 fluorescence intensity in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the hippocampus, and significantly elevated Nrp2 fluorescence intensity in the CA3 region in the exercise group compared to the model group. The Pearson correlation coefficients for Nrp2/PlexinA4 co-localization in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the model group.Conclusions:Exercise training significantly improves memory function in rats with VCI, and this effect may be associated with activation of the hippocampal Sema3G/Nrp2/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, prognosis, and the impact of different secondary prevention strategies on stroke recurrence in patients with carotid web (CaW)-associated acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 401 patients with acute anterior circulation LVO who underwent mechanical thrombectomy at 2 advanced stroke centers, Xingtai Central Hospital and Xingtai People′s Hospital, from January 2018 to June 2024. CaW was identified using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and other imaging modalities. Based on the presence of CaW, patients were divided into CaW group and non-CaW group. Differences between the 2 groups in baseline characteristics, clinical features, and clinical outcomes were compared, and long-term follow-up was conducted for the CaW group.Results:Among the 401 patients, the CaW group consisted of 16 patients (4.0%), while the non-CaW group included 385 patients (96.0%). Compared to the non-CaW group, patients in the CaW group were younger [53 (46, 58) years vs 65 (56, 76) years, Z=-3.811, P<0.001], had a higher proportion of M1 segment middle cerebral artery occlusion [13/16 vs 54.0% (208/385), χ2=4.602, P=0.032] and a lower proportion of internal carotid artery terminus occlusion [1/16 vs 40.0% (154/385), χ2=6.024, P=0.014]; the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was significantly lower in the CaW group [1.00 (0, 1.75) vs 3.00 (1.00, 4.00), Z=14.210, P<0.001], and the proportion of patients with favorable functional independence (mRS score 0-2) was significantly higher [15/16 vs 45.7% (176/385), χ2=12.350, P<0.001] in the CaW group; the incidence of pneumonia in the CaW group was significantly lower [2/16 vs 42.6% (164/385), χ2=4.562, P=0.033]. Among the 16 CaW patients, 10 received antiplatelet therapy, 4 underwent carotid artery stenting (CAS), and 2 underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). During a median follow-up of 29 months, patients who underwent CAS and CEA had no stroke recurrence, while 2 patients who received antiplatelet therapy had stroke recurrence and subsequently underwent CAS and CEA. Conclusions:The proportion of CaW among patients with acute anterior circulation LVO was 4.0%. The patients with CaW were younger and had a higher proportion of M1 segment middle cerebral artery occlusion. Following mechanical thrombectomy, patients in the CaW group had good functional outcomes. Simple drug therapy may be insufficient to prevent stroke recurrence in CaW patients, and CAS and CEA may be effective therapeutic options.

Objective:To analyze the incidence, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) patients presenting with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) as an initial symptom.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on BAO patients with PSH manifestations who received endovascular treatment at Xingtai Central Hospital between January 2018 and August 2024. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, imaging findings, and follow-up information were collected.Results:A total of 136 BAO patients were included, of whom 22 cases (16.2%) were diagnosed with PSH. The age of the patients was (56.81±9.92) years, with males accounting for 86.4%(19/22). On admission, the Glasgow Coma Scale score was 4(3, 5), and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 30(25, 35). The successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction 2b-3) rate was 90.9%(20/22). In-hospital mortality was 50.0%(11/22), symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation occurred in 4.5% (1/22), and any type of intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 9.1%(2/22). Clinical features of PSH included tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, fever, diaphoresis, and increased muscle tone. Imaging analysis showed a high proportion of cerebellar (100.0%, 22/22) and midbrain (72.7%, 16/22) involvement. The 90-day follow-up showed that 72.7%(16/22) of the patients had poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 4-6), and the 90-day mortality rate was 59.1%(13/22).Conclusions:Among patients with BAO undergoing endovascular therapy, the incidence of PSH as the initial manifestation was 16.2%(22/136). These patients were predominantly middle-aged men and commonly presented with tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, fever, diaphoresis, and increased muscle tone. Imaging findings mainly involved the cerebellum and midbrain. Despite a relatively high rate of recanalization, patients with PSH exhibited a higher risk of mortality and poor functional outcomes.

Objective To explore the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index(SⅡ)at admission and occurrence of early neurological deterioration(END)in patients with branch atheromatous disease(BAD).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 326 BAD patients admitted in Department of Neurology of Handan Central Hospital from October 2021 to February 2024.Based on occurrence of END or not,they were divided into END group(97 cases)and non-END group(229 cases).Clinical data of the patients were collected,and multivari-ate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the END risk variables in BAD patients.ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the value of NIHSS score,hs-CRP and SⅡ in predicting the inci-dence of END in the patients.Results Significantly advanced age,higher NIHSS score at admis-sion,and elevated hs-CRP level,neutrophil count and SⅡ,but lower platelet and lymphocyte counts were observed in the END group than the non-END group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multi vari-ate logistic regression analysis indicated that NIHSS score at admission(OR=1.134,95％CI:1.050-1.226,P=0.001),hs-CRP(OR=1.131,95％CI:1.024-1.249,P=0.015),and SⅡ(OR=1.001,95％CI:1.001-1.002,P=0.003)were independent risk factors for END in BAD patients.The AUC value of SⅡ in the prediction of END was 0.660,which was significantly higher than that of NIHSS score and hs-CRP in BAD patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion SⅡ is an independent risk factor for END in BAD patients,and SⅡ at admission has a certain predictive value for the oc-currence of END in these patients.