BACKGROUND:Cellular pyroptosis is an important pathological mechanism of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Buyang Huanwu Tang is a classic formula for the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke in traditional Chinese medicine,and cellular pyroptosis may be an effective target of Buyang Huanwu Tang in the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tang on pyroptosis in brain tissues of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion rats.METHODS:Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Astragalus membranaceus group and Buyang Huanwu Tang group.Except for the sham operation group,all groups were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion for ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 72 hours.The rats in the Astragalus membranaceus group and Buyang Huanwu Tang group were continuously gavaged with the corresponding volume of drugs until ischemia and reperfusion for 72 hours after awakening from the modeling,once in the morning and once in the evening.Zea Longa score was used to observe the neurological deficits of rats.TTC staining was performed to observe cerebral infarct size in rats.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the brain tissue.Immunofluorescence was used to observe the co-expression of Tunel and Cleaved-Caspase-1 in the brain tissue and the expression of the junction protein ASC.Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins in rat brain tissues.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,the neurological deficit score of rats was significantly higher in the model group(P<0.01),and compared with the model group,the neurological deficit score of rats was significantly lower in the Buyang Huanwu Tang group and the Astragalus membranaceus group(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the model group,the volume ratio of cerebral infarction was lower in the Astragalus membranaceus group and Buyang Huanwu Tang group(P<0.01).(3)In the model group,the nuclei of neuronal cells in the brain tissue were deeply stained or lysed,and arrangement of the cells was disorganized.Compared with the model group,the pathologic damage of the brain was less severe in the Buyang Huanwu Tang group and the Astragalus membranaceus group.(4)Compared with the sham operation group,the number of Tunel and Cleaved-Caspase-1 double-positive cells and immunofluorescence intensity of ASC in the brain tissue was significantly increased in the model group,and the expression of Cleaved-Caspase-1,NLRP3,interleukin 18,and interleukin 1β was significantly elevated in the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the number of Cleaved-Caspase-1 and Tunel double-positive cells,immunofluorescence intensity of ASC,and the expression of Cleaved-Caspase-1,NLRP3,interleukin 18,and interleukin 1β were all significantly decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tang group and the Astragalus membranaceus group(P<0.01).The results indicate that Buyang Huanwu Tang and its monarch drug Astragalus membranaceus can effectively alleviate brain tissue injury in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neuronal cell pyroptosis.

Rotator cuff injury is a shoulder disease most commonly seen with the elderly, and as China enters an aging society, the number of patients with rotator cuff injury is rapidly increasing. For patients with poor results of conservative treatment and serious conditions, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair has become the first choice due to less trauma and better efficacy. However, the rehabilitation exercise time required for postoperative functional recovery is long, and at the same time, the existence of a series of complications seriously affects patients' postoperative recovery and quality of life. The purpose of this article is to summarize the complications and preventive measures after arthroscopic rotator cuff injury repair, and to provide help for the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications and postoperative rehabilitation.

Objective:To investigate the radiation field distribution characteristics in a 9 MeV electron FLASH (e-FLASH) linear accelerator treatment room.Methods:The Geant4 Monte Carlo program was employed for physical simulating of the radiation field distribution inside and outside the treatment room under a single-beam delivery condition with a total dose of 50 Gy at the reference point and a dose rate of 250 Gy/s. High-sensitivity radiation detectors (AT1123) were used to validate the measurements at key points.Results:The dose rate at the reference point was approximately 9×10 11 μSv/h. Due to the scattering and shielding effects, the deviation of the attenuation rate from the inverse-square law was observed and the isodose lines exhibited spatial drift. Measured dose rates at key points showed good agreement with the simulation result, with a maximum deviation within 30%. Conclusions:The complex radiation field distribution can be effectively simulated using Geant4 in an e-FLASH treatment room. This indicated the Geant4 is not only applicable for the shielding calculations in e-FLASH radiotherapy facilities, but also for the design optimization through, reduction of trial-and-error iterations and engineering costs.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of suture-bridge techniques assisted by our self-designed novel auxiliary sleeve in arthroscopic repair of large rotator cuff tear.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 35 patients with large rotator cuff tear who had been treated by the arthroscopic suture-bridge technique assisted by our novel auxiliary sleeve at Department of Orthopaedics, The People’s Hospital of Shanxi Province from July 2022 to January 2024. The 35 patients were set as an observation group [14 males and 21 females with an age of (58.3±10.3) years]. According to a 1:1 ratio, another 35 patients with large rotator cuff tear who had been treated by simple arthroscopic suture-bridge technique from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as a control group [15 males and 20 females with an age of (55.3±10.5) years]. The perioperative efficacy between the 2 groups was evaluated by comparing operation time, total length of incision, and disparity in hemoglobin level between preoperation and postoperative day 1. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score at 3 months after operation were compared between the 2 groups to evaluate the functional recovery and shoulder pain relief, and comparisons of the 3 scores were also made between preoperation and 3 months after operation in each group.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the general preoperative data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). The 70 patients were followed up for 5.7 (5.0, 7.0) months after operation. No such complications as recurrent rotator cuff tear, poor wound healing, infection, or anchor withdrawal occurred in either group after operation. The operation time in the observation group was 133.3 (120.0, 140.0) min, significantly shorter than 171.7 (140.0, 200.0) min in the control group ( P < 0.05). In the control group, the ASES and UCLA scores increased significantly from 29.1 (27.5, 31.4) points and 11.8 (10.0, 13.0) points before operation to 56.0 (51.9, 59.5) points and 24.6 (22.0, 27.0) points at 3-month follow-up, respectively, and the VAS pain score decreased significantly from preoperative 8.1 (7.0, 10.0) points to 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) points at 3-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). In the observation group, the ASES and UCLA scores increased significantly from 29.9 (29.1, 31.2) points and 12.6 (11.0, 14.0) points before operation to 58.8 (53.1, 62.2) points and 26.7 (25.0, 29.0) points at 3-month follow-up, respectively, and the VAS pain score decreased significantly from preoperative 8.0 (7.0, 9.0) points to 1.9 (2.0, 2.0) points at 3-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). At 3 months after operation, the UCLA score for the observation group was significantly better than that for the control group ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in total length of incision, hemoglobin level disparity, ASES score or VAS pain score at 3 months after operation ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:In arthroscopic repair of large rotator cuff tear with suture-bridge techniques, application of our novel auxiliary sleeve can shorten operation time, simplify surgical procedures, and achieve good shoulder joint function and efficacy without increasing the length of surgical incision.

Rotator cuff injury is a shoulder disease most commonly seen with the elderly, and as China enters an aging society, the number of patients with rotator cuff injury is rapidly increasing. For patients with poor results of conservative treatment and serious conditions, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair has become the first choice due to less trauma and better efficacy. However, the rehabilitation exercise time required for postoperative functional recovery is long, and at the same time, the existence of a series of complications seriously affects patients' postoperative recovery and quality of life. The purpose of this article is to summarize the complications and preventive measures after arthroscopic rotator cuff injury repair, and to provide help for the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications and postoperative rehabilitation.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of suture-bridge techniques assisted by our self-designed novel auxiliary sleeve in arthroscopic repair of large rotator cuff tear.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 35 patients with large rotator cuff tear who had been treated by the arthroscopic suture-bridge technique assisted by our novel auxiliary sleeve at Department of Orthopaedics, The People’s Hospital of Shanxi Province from July 2022 to January 2024. The 35 patients were set as an observation group [14 males and 21 females with an age of (58.3±10.3) years]. According to a 1:1 ratio, another 35 patients with large rotator cuff tear who had been treated by simple arthroscopic suture-bridge technique from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as a control group [15 males and 20 females with an age of (55.3±10.5) years]. The perioperative efficacy between the 2 groups was evaluated by comparing operation time, total length of incision, and disparity in hemoglobin level between preoperation and postoperative day 1. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score at 3 months after operation were compared between the 2 groups to evaluate the functional recovery and shoulder pain relief, and comparisons of the 3 scores were also made between preoperation and 3 months after operation in each group.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the general preoperative data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). The 70 patients were followed up for 5.7 (5.0, 7.0) months after operation. No such complications as recurrent rotator cuff tear, poor wound healing, infection, or anchor withdrawal occurred in either group after operation. The operation time in the observation group was 133.3 (120.0, 140.0) min, significantly shorter than 171.7 (140.0, 200.0) min in the control group ( P < 0.05). In the control group, the ASES and UCLA scores increased significantly from 29.1 (27.5, 31.4) points and 11.8 (10.0, 13.0) points before operation to 56.0 (51.9, 59.5) points and 24.6 (22.0, 27.0) points at 3-month follow-up, respectively, and the VAS pain score decreased significantly from preoperative 8.1 (7.0, 10.0) points to 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) points at 3-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). In the observation group, the ASES and UCLA scores increased significantly from 29.9 (29.1, 31.2) points and 12.6 (11.0, 14.0) points before operation to 58.8 (53.1, 62.2) points and 26.7 (25.0, 29.0) points at 3-month follow-up, respectively, and the VAS pain score decreased significantly from preoperative 8.0 (7.0, 9.0) points to 1.9 (2.0, 2.0) points at 3-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). At 3 months after operation, the UCLA score for the observation group was significantly better than that for the control group ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in total length of incision, hemoglobin level disparity, ASES score or VAS pain score at 3 months after operation ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:In arthroscopic repair of large rotator cuff tear with suture-bridge techniques, application of our novel auxiliary sleeve can shorten operation time, simplify surgical procedures, and achieve good shoulder joint function and efficacy without increasing the length of surgical incision.

Objective:To investigate the radiation field distribution characteristics in a 9 MeV electron FLASH (e-FLASH) linear accelerator treatment room.Methods:The Geant4 Monte Carlo program was employed for physical simulating of the radiation field distribution inside and outside the treatment room under a single-beam delivery condition with a total dose of 50 Gy at the reference point and a dose rate of 250 Gy/s. High-sensitivity radiation detectors (AT1123) were used to validate the measurements at key points.Results:The dose rate at the reference point was approximately 9×10 11 μSv/h. Due to the scattering and shielding effects, the deviation of the attenuation rate from the inverse-square law was observed and the isodose lines exhibited spatial drift. Measured dose rates at key points showed good agreement with the simulation result, with a maximum deviation within 30%. Conclusions:The complex radiation field distribution can be effectively simulated using Geant4 in an e-FLASH treatment room. This indicated the Geant4 is not only applicable for the shielding calculations in e-FLASH radiotherapy facilities, but also for the design optimization through, reduction of trial-and-error iterations and engineering costs.

Objective To investigate the correlation of imaging parameters of CT perfusion scan-ning combined with serum suPAR and Mac-2BP with END and poor outcomes in patients with BAD.Methods A total of 176 BAD patients admitted to Department of Neurology of Zhengzhou People's Hospital from June 2019 to March 2024 were prospectively enrolled,and according to whether END occurred within 72 h after onset,they were divided into END group(42 cases)and non-END group(134 cases).Based on their outcomes at 90 d of follow-up,they were also assigned into good outcome group(129 cases)and poor outcome group(47 cases).The serum suPAR and Mac-2BP levels were compared between the END and non-END groups,as well as the good and poor outcome groups.ROC curves were plotted to analyze the accuracies of serum suPAR and Mac-2BP in predicting END and poor outcomes.Results The END group had significantly higher suPAR and Mac-2BP levels,longer MTT and TTP,and larger proportions of DWMH,basal gan-glia EPVS and cerebral perfusion impairment,but lower CBV and CBF when compared with the non-END group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Obviously higher suPAR and Mac-2BP levels,NIHSS score at END,longer MTT and TTP,and larger proportions of EDN,basal ganglia EPVS and cerebral perfusion impairment,but lower CBV and CBF were observed in the poor outcome group than the good outcome group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).suPAR and Mac-2BP levels,cerebral perfusion impair-ment and DWMH were independent risk factors for END(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).suPAR,Mac-2BP,NIHSS score at END,END,cerebral perfusion impairment,and basal ganglia EPVS were inde-pendent risk factors for poor outcomes(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The AUC value of combined suPAR and Mac-2BP in predicting END was 0.8844(95％CI:0.822-0.947),and the value in predicting poor outcomes was 0.8742(95％CI:0.810-0.938)in BAD patients.Conclusion Cerebral perfu-sion impairment,suPAR and Mac-2BP are independent risk factors for END and poor outcome at 90 d in BAD patients.Combined detection can is helpful in evaluating the patient's condition and predicting the prognosis.

Objective To investigate the correlation of imaging parameters of CT perfusion scan-ning combined with serum suPAR and Mac-2BP with END and poor outcomes in patients with BAD.Methods A total of 176 BAD patients admitted to Department of Neurology of Zhengzhou People's Hospital from June 2019 to March 2024 were prospectively enrolled,and according to whether END occurred within 72 h after onset,they were divided into END group(42 cases)and non-END group(134 cases).Based on their outcomes at 90 d of follow-up,they were also assigned into good outcome group(129 cases)and poor outcome group(47 cases).The serum suPAR and Mac-2BP levels were compared between the END and non-END groups,as well as the good and poor outcome groups.ROC curves were plotted to analyze the accuracies of serum suPAR and Mac-2BP in predicting END and poor outcomes.Results The END group had significantly higher suPAR and Mac-2BP levels,longer MTT and TTP,and larger proportions of DWMH,basal gan-glia EPVS and cerebral perfusion impairment,but lower CBV and CBF when compared with the non-END group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Obviously higher suPAR and Mac-2BP levels,NIHSS score at END,longer MTT and TTP,and larger proportions of EDN,basal ganglia EPVS and cerebral perfusion impairment,but lower CBV and CBF were observed in the poor outcome group than the good outcome group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).suPAR and Mac-2BP levels,cerebral perfusion impair-ment and DWMH were independent risk factors for END(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).suPAR,Mac-2BP,NIHSS score at END,END,cerebral perfusion impairment,and basal ganglia EPVS were inde-pendent risk factors for poor outcomes(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The AUC value of combined suPAR and Mac-2BP in predicting END was 0.8844(95％CI:0.822-0.947),and the value in predicting poor outcomes was 0.8742(95％CI:0.810-0.938)in BAD patients.Conclusion Cerebral perfu-sion impairment,suPAR and Mac-2BP are independent risk factors for END and poor outcome at 90 d in BAD patients.Combined detection can is helpful in evaluating the patient's condition and predicting the prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Cellular pyroptosis is an important pathological mechanism of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Buyang Huanwu Tang is a classic formula for the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke in traditional Chinese medicine,and cellular pyroptosis may be an effective target of Buyang Huanwu Tang in the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tang on pyroptosis in brain tissues of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion rats.METHODS:Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Astragalus membranaceus group and Buyang Huanwu Tang group.Except for the sham operation group,all groups were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion for ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 72 hours.The rats in the Astragalus membranaceus group and Buyang Huanwu Tang group were continuously gavaged with the corresponding volume of drugs until ischemia and reperfusion for 72 hours after awakening from the modeling,once in the morning and once in the evening.Zea Longa score was used to observe the neurological deficits of rats.TTC staining was performed to observe cerebral infarct size in rats.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the brain tissue.Immunofluorescence was used to observe the co-expression of Tunel and Cleaved-Caspase-1 in the brain tissue and the expression of the junction protein ASC.Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins in rat brain tissues.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,the neurological deficit score of rats was significantly higher in the model group(P<0.01),and compared with the model group,the neurological deficit score of rats was significantly lower in the Buyang Huanwu Tang group and the Astragalus membranaceus group(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the model group,the volume ratio of cerebral infarction was lower in the Astragalus membranaceus group and Buyang Huanwu Tang group(P<0.01).(3)In the model group,the nuclei of neuronal cells in the brain tissue were deeply stained or lysed,and arrangement of the cells was disorganized.Compared with the model group,the pathologic damage of the brain was less severe in the Buyang Huanwu Tang group and the Astragalus membranaceus group.(4)Compared with the sham operation group,the number of Tunel and Cleaved-Caspase-1 double-positive cells and immunofluorescence intensity of ASC in the brain tissue was significantly increased in the model group,and the expression of Cleaved-Caspase-1,NLRP3,interleukin 18,and interleukin 1β was significantly elevated in the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the number of Cleaved-Caspase-1 and Tunel double-positive cells,immunofluorescence intensity of ASC,and the expression of Cleaved-Caspase-1,NLRP3,interleukin 18,and interleukin 1β were all significantly decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tang group and the Astragalus membranaceus group(P<0.01).The results indicate that Buyang Huanwu Tang and its monarch drug Astragalus membranaceus can effectively alleviate brain tissue injury in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neuronal cell pyroptosis.