ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects and mechanism of Mimenghua prescription in modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase （MEK）/rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog （Ras）/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma kinase （Raf）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory responses in a dry eye animal model. MethodsA total of 60 C57BL/6J mice （eight weeks old， half male and half female） were used in the experiment. Ten mice were randomly selected as the blank control group， while the remaining 50 were exposed to a controlled dry system and received instillation of 0.2% benzalkonium chloride （BAC） into the eyes for four weeks to establish a dry eye mouse model. After successful modeling， the mice were randomly divided into five groups： Model group， sodium hyaluronate group， and Mimenghua prescription groups with low dose （4.83 g·kg^-1）， medium dose （9.67 g·kg^-1）， and high dose （19.34 g·kg^-1）. The mice in the model group received an equal volume of normal saline via gavage for four weeks. The mice in the sodium hyaluronate group received instillation of sodium hyaluronate eye drops twice daily for 14 consecutive days. The tear secretion volume， tear film break-up time （TBUT）， and corneal fluorescein staining were evaluated once every two weeks. After four weeks of administration， mice were euthanized， and their lacrimal gland tissues and corneas were harvested. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess histopathological morphology. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of MEK， Ras， Raf， and ERK. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the contents and expressions of MEK， Ras， Raf， ERK， and interleukin （IL）-1β in lacrimal gland and corneal tissues of the mice in each group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine mRNA expression levels of MEK， Ras， Raf， and ERK. ResultsThe Mimenghua prescription groups and the sodium hyaluronate group exhibited significantly increased tear secretion volume （P<0.05） and prolonged TBUT （P<0.05） after treatment. Ocular surface damage of mice was visibly recovered. Western blot results indicated that protein expression levels of MEK， Ras， Raf， and ERK in the lacrimal gland and corneal tissues were significantly downregulated in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription group with high dose （P<0.05）. ELISA results showed that IL-1β levels were highest in the model group but significantly reduced in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription groups （P<0.05）. Both ELISA and Real-time PCR results demonstrated that the expression levels of MEK， Ras， Raf， and ERK in the lacrimal glands and corneal tissues were significantly elevated in the model group （P<0.05）， but markedly downregulated in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription groups （P<0.05）， suggesting that Mimenghua prescription can decrease the expressions of MEK， Ras， Raf， and ERK in the lacrimal glands and corneal tissues. ConclusionMimenghua prescription can reduce inflammatory responses， increase tear secretion， prolong TBUT， and promote corneal recovery by inhibiting the MEK， Ras， Raf， and ERK signaling pathways in lacrimal gland and corneal tissues.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of the treatment of dry eye with liver-meridian constraint-heat syndrome by Runmu Xiaoyao Powder （润目逍遥散） by miR-146a-5p and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1/tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6/nuclear factor-κB （IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB） signalling pathway. MethodsEighty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， agonist group， inhibitor group， sodium hyaluronate group， and Runmu Xiaoyao Powder high-， medium-， and low-dose groups， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group， the mice of dry eye with liver-meridian constraint-heat syndrome were modeled by using benzalkonium chloride solution eye drops combined with chronic pain stimulation. Beginning on the 30th day of modelling， mice in Runmu Xiaoyao Powder high-， medium-， and low-dose groups were given 29， 14.5， and 7.25 g/kg of Runmu Xiaoyao Powder respectively twice daily by gavage； mice in sodium hyaluronate group were given 5 μl of sodium hyaluronate drops twice daily； mice in the agonist group were given 2 nmol of agomir-146a-5p drops in each eye at a time， and those in the inhibitor group were given 5 nmol of antagomir-146a-5p drops in each eye， with every other day， 3 times per week； mice in the normal and model groups were gavaged with deionised water at 1 ml/（100 g·d）. The intervention was continued for 14 days in each group， and mice in each group were examined for tear secretion， tear film rupture time， corneal fluorescein staining， and irritability scores on the day following the last intervention； HE staining was used to observe the pathological conditions of the cornea and lacrimal glands in each group； corneal and lacrimal gland inflammatory factors， such as interleukin 1β （IL-1β）， tumour necrosis factor α （TNF-α）， miR-146a-5p expression， were examined； matrix metalloproteinase 3 （MMP-3） and matrix metalloproteinase 9 （MMP-9） expression in cornea， IRAK1， TRAF6， nuclear factor κB p65 （NF-κB p65） protein and mRNA expression in cornea and lacrimal gland， and phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65） protein expression were detected. ResultsCompared with the normal group， mice in the model group showed reduced tear secretion， shorter tear film rupture time， higher irritability score （P＜0.05）， and pathological examination showed staining in the centre of the cornea， obvious corneal damage， increased volume of lacrimal gland follicular cells， disordered arrangement， a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration， and increased neovascularisation； corneal and lacrimal gland tissues showed elevated expression of IL-1β and TNF-α， decreased expression of miR -146a-5p， elevated expression of IRAK1， TRAF6， NF-κB p65， p-NF-κB p65 protein and IRAK1， TRAF6， NF-κB p65 mRNA， and elevated expression of MMP-3， MMP-9 protein in the cornea （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， all of the above indexes were significantly improved in high-dose group of Runmu Xiaoyao Powder， while some indexes were improved in the sodium hyaluronate group and the middle- and low-dose Runmu Xiaoyao Powder groups （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， corneal and lacrimal IRAK1 and TRAF6 mRNA and IRAK1， TRAF6 and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression decreased in the agonist group； compared with the inhibitor group， IRAK1， TRAF6， NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in the cornea and lacrimal gland in the Runmu Xiaoyao Powder groups decreased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionRunmu Xiaoyao Powder can negatively regulate the IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB signalling pathway in the cornea and lacrimal gland of mice with dry eye of liver-meridian constraint-heat syndrome by up-regulation of miR-146a-5p， so as to inhibit inflammatory response and reduce the damage of the ocular surface tissues， and the high doses group showed the best effect.

Objective:To summarise the advantages and disadvantages of applying the method of retrograde replantation with an operative position of foot stepping and knee bending for replantation of rotational avulsed and fractured great toes.Methods:From January 2016 to June 2021, 11 rotational avulsed and fractured great toes were replanted with the method of retrograde replantation in an operative position of foot stepping and knee bending. Of the 11 patients, 10 were males and 1 was female, aged 18 to 50 years old with an average of 32 years old. Causes of injury: 5 of driving belt, 4 of machinery crush and 2 of car accident. Injury sites: 4 on left great toes and 7 on right great toes. All of the injuries were with fracture and exposure of proximal tendons of flexor and extensor. Seven patients had the follow-up reviews by outpatient clinic visiting, 2 over mobile phone and 2 via WeChat.Results:After surgery, 9 great toes completely survived and 2 great toes had necrosis. The survival rate of toe replantation was 81.8%(9/11). The operation time was 2 to 3 hours, with an average of 2.5 hours. Postoperative X-ray film showed that 8 to 12 weeks after the operation, the fracture and joint fusion were healed at first stage in the survived toes. All patients were entered in follow-up for 3 to 18 months with 10.5 months in average. The survived great toes were plump and the toenail grown well. At the final follow-up, the static TPD at the toes was 8-12 mm, with an average of 10 mm. There was no effect shown on either walking or running.Conclusion:The retrograde replantation method with an operative position of foot stepping and knee bending for great toe replantation has the characteristics of a good field of view and convenient in operation under microscope, a short operation time, and a high survival rate of replantation.

Objective:At present, emergency acute heart failure unit has been gradually carried out in China. This study is to analyze the impact of acute heart failure unit on the mortality and readmission rate of acute heart failure (AHF) within 6 months after discharge.Methods:Patients with AHF admitted to Emergency Department and Department of Cardiology, Peking University People's Hospital between December 2019 and December 2020, were prospectively collected. Patients with complicated malignant tumor, stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease, automatic discharge, and incomplete medical history were excluded. The baseline data, past medical history, admission condition, and auxiliary examination were collected. After discharge, the information of oral drugs, hospital readmission and death were collected through outpatient medical records in clinical data center or telephone consultation. Patients were divided into the emergency acute heart failure unit treatment group (emergency AHFU group), emergency routine treatment group (outside AHFU group) and cardiology treatment group according to the different treatment locations. SPSS 25.0 software was used for comparison between groups, and a P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. ResuIts:A total of 238 patients with AHF were enrolled, 28 patients died in hospital, and 210 patients were followed up. Four cases were excluded from malignant tumor during follow-up, and 6 cases were lost to follow-up. There were 40 cases in the emergency AHFU group, 67 cases in the outside AHFU group, and 93 cases in the cardiology treatment group. According to the prognosis, the patients were divided into the poor prognosis group ( n=83) and good prognosis group ( n=145). The age, sex, vital signs and cardiac function of patients in the emergency AHFU group were basically the same as those in the outside AHFU group at admission, and the proportion of patients in the emergency AHFU group using non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was higher (52.5% vs. 32.8%, P<0.05). The utilization rate of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor enkephalinase inhibitors, β-blockers, diuretics and other oral drugs was higher in the emergency AHFU group after discharge, and patients also had more regular follow-up (95% vs. 79.1%, P<0.05). The 6-month readmission rate (15.0% vs. 40.3%, P<0.05) and the 6-month readmission and mortality composite results of patients in the emergency AHFU group (17.5% vs. 43.3%, P<0.05) were significantly lower than those in the outside AHFU group. COX regression analysis showed that the readmission rate of patients in the emergency AHFU group was lower than that in the outside AHFU group ( OR=2.882, 95% CI:1.267~6.611, P=0.12). Compared with the cardiology treatment group, the AHFU group had higher systolic blood pressure, faster heart rate, NT-probNP level, higher proportion of NYHA grade Ⅳ and Killip grade Ⅲ cardiac function (all P<0.05). The proportion of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in the AHFU group was significantly higher than that in the cardiology treatment group (52.5% vs. 30.1%, P<0.05). After discharge, there were no significant differences between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor enkephalinase inhibitors and β-blockers. There were also no significant differences in readmission and mortality rate 6 months after discharge. Binary logistics regression analysis found that the independent risk factors of AHF were routine emergency treatment, age, female sex, coronary heart disease, and BUN peak. Conclusions:The emergency acute heart failure unit is an independent protective factor for acute heart failure and reduced readmission rates within 6 months and readmission and mortality composite outcomes. Older age, female sex, coronary heart disease and elevated BUN peak are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of AHF, which should be identified and preventive measures should be taken early.

Objective:To analyze the predictive value of enhanced MRI in the outcome of prolapsed and sequestrated lumbar disc herniation through a retrospective analysis.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the data of 64 patients with prolapsed and sequestrated lumbar disc herniation from January 2015 to December 2018, including 38 males and 26 females; age 35.72±12.44 years (range, 22-64 years) ; 43 cases of prolapsed type, 21 cases of sequestrated type. Conservative treatment was the first choice for all patients, in case of surgical indications during the treatment, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy or fenestration discectomy will be performed. Enhanced MRI was performed at the first and last inspections, the volume of the protrusion, the thickness of rim enhancement (Tr), and the extent of rim enhancement (Er) were measured and calculated at the same time. According to the ring around the protrusion, the size of the rim-enhancement area was divided into type I-III; then compared the relationship between the rim-enhancement signal differentiation and the resorption rate of protrusions, and the correlation between Tr, Er values and the resorption rate of protrusions during the initial inspection.Results:Among the 64 patients, 42 patients completed conservative treatment, and 22 received surgical treatment. According to the rim-enhancement signal differentiation, 23 cases were treated conservatively for type I, 3 cases were treated by surgery; 16 cases were treated for type II conservatively, 7 cases were treated by surgery; 3 cases were treated for type III conservatively, and 12 cases were treated by surgery. All patients were followed up for 12 to 34 months. Among 42 conservatively treated patients, The volume of the protrusion before treatment was 2 645.67±690.86 mm 3, and the volume of the protrusion after treatment was 842.76±573.35 mm 3. The volume of protrusions before and after treatment was statistical significance ( t=11.897, P<0.001), Tr was 1.38±0.83 mm, and Er was 73.08%±34.39%, the resorption rate of protrusions was 65.10%±24.50%, and 39 cases (92.86%, 39/42) reached the standard for protrusion resorption (resorption rate ≥30%); 23 cases of type I , the resorption rate was 76.54%±18.62%; 16 cases of type II had an resorption rate of 56.81%±21.44%; 3 cases of type III had an resorption rate of 21.58%±12.19%. The resorption rate of type III were compared by single factor analysis of variance, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=12.885, P<0.001); 32 cases of both type I and II (82.05%, 32/39) had significant resorption (resorption rate ≥50%), and no case of type Ⅲ had significant resorption, comparing with type I and II, the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.010); Tr was positively correlated with resorption rate ( r=0.569, P<0.001), Er was positively correlated with resorption rate ( r=0.677, P<0.001). Conclusion:Under close clinical observation, parts of the prolapsed or sequestrated lumbar disc herniations can be conservatively treated, and the herniated disc can be resorption in many people and the clinical symptoms were alleviated. Rim-enhancement signal differentiation by enhanced MR has a better predictive value for the outcome of the herniation, type I is more prone to resorption, preferred conservative treatment, type Ⅲ is not easy to resorption, preferred surgery treatment, and the higher thickness of rim enhancement, the greater extend the rim-enhancement, the more prone to resorption phenomenon.

Redox-altered plasticity refers to redox-dependent reversible changes in synaptic plasticity

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of antibiotic articular cement spacer on shoulder joint infection in the elderly patients during stage-one operation.Methods:The data of 3 patients were analyzed retrospectively who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University for shoulder infection from May 2018 to December 2019. They were one man and 2 women with an average age of 65.3 years (from 64 to 67 years). One case of infection followed shoulder puncture, another proximal humeral fracture and another shoulder prosthesis replacement. All the 3 patients underwent radical debridement and implantation of antibiotic shoulder cement spacer in stage-one operation but no stage-two operation. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scoring, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) scoring, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and range of shoulder motion.Results:The 3 patients were followed up for 18 to 28 months (mean, 22.7 months). There was no recurrence of infection and the spacers were in good position. The microorganisms detected were Bifidobacterium brevis in one case and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 2 cases. At the final follow-up, the ASES scores averaged 54.4 (from 46.3 to 60.0), Quick-DASH scores 45.1 (from 40.8 to 50.0), VAS scores 2.3 (from 2 to 3), ranges of elevation 65.7 °, ranges of abduction 43.8° and ranges of external rotation 21.7°.Conclusion:For the elderly patients with shoulder infection, implantation of antibiotic shoulder cement spacer after radical debridement can well control infection, relieve pain and improve shoulder functions, sparing them secondary operation.

A quantitative analysis method of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS) for simultaneous determination of six marker compounds (one from phenolic acids and five from phthalides) in Chuanxiong Rhizoma was established by applying HPLC and using butylidenephthalide as the internal reference substance. And also the feasibility and accuracy of the established method for quality evaluation and application of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were investigated and validated. The analysis was performed with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile - 0.2% aqueous formic acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL . min-1 and the column temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The detection wavelengths were set at 252 nm (for ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and butylidenephthalide) and 266 nm (for senkyunolide I, senkyunolide A, and coniferyl ferulate), separately, and 20 µL was injected for analysis with gradient elution. The results showed that there were no significant differences observed between the HPLC-QAMS method and the external standard method (RSD <5%). The relative correction factors were credible (RSD < 5%) in changed chromatographic conditions. The established HPLC-QAMS method can be accurately used for simultaneously evaluating and controlling the quality of Chuanxiong Rhizoma with multi-components.

BACKGROUND:A series of pathological changes were found in atlas, including atlas dislocation, atlanto-occipital junction instability and vertebral fractures. Atlantoaxial pedicle screw, nail and rod fixation or nail plate fixation is a novel repair method recently proposed, and has certain advantages. OBJECTIVE:To compare the repair effects of atlas pedicle screw on different types of atlas lesions. METHODS:A total of 42 fresh vertebrae were obtained from Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical School, Inner Mongolia Medical University. In accordance with bone thickness of sagittal vertebral artery groove bottom, vertebrae were divided into three types:type I (common type), type II (light variation), and type III (severe variation). Al samples were subjected to atlas pedicle screw fixation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The screw pul out force in different bone densities of vertebrae was not the same. Vertebrae with great thickness and great bone density had big screw pul out force (P<0.05). However, the screw in different cortical bone of vertebrae had the same function. No compression on blood vessels or phenomenon affecting vertebral activity was visible. These results indicated that atlas pedicle screw implantation showed good safety, no side effects, did not affect the normal work and life of patients.