Objective:To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of using a posterior "S" shape incision versus a medial small incision with suture anchors in the treatment of avulsion fractures at the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on clinical data from patients with PCL tibial avulsion fractures who met surgical criteria and were treated at Department of Joint 2, Tangshan Second Hospital from March 2021 to May 2023. Among those patients, there were 25 cases classified as Meyers-McKeever type Ⅱ and 41 cases as type Ⅲ. 32 patients who underwent surgery through the posterior "S" shape incision served as the control group; based on matched baseline characteristics, 34 patients who underwent surgery through the medial small incision were selected as the observation group. Both groups received fixation of the avulsion fracture with suture anchors. Surgical indicators, as well as Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, range of motion (ROM) of the injured knee, the difference in posterior tibial translation between both sides (calculated by measuring the posterior translation on both sides), and the incidence of postoperative complications were collected at 1, 3, and 6 months post-surgery. Comparative analyses were conducted to evaluate postoperative functional recovery. Chi-square tests were used for categorical data comparison, and t-tests were employed for normally distributed continuous data.Results:The observation group had shorter incision lengths ((5.71±1.85) cm), less intraoperative blood loss ((74.87±20.74) mL), and shorter operation times ((48.76±6.46) min) compared to the control group ((12.45±1.52) cm, (120.29±31.12) mL, (61.14±10.23) min), and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 16.21, 7.02, 5.92, respectively; all P<0.001). At 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the Lysholm ((79.67±3.08), (91.16±2.23) points) and IKDC scores ((84.67±5.08), (93.16±3.23) points) in the observation group were significantly higher than those ((65.29±3.84), (79.52±2.98), (79.29±4.84), (85.32±3.98) points) in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 16.72, 18.04, 4.40, 8.81, respectively; all P<0.001). At 3 and 6 months, the VAS scores ((2.83±0.38), (2.12±0.34) points) in the control group were significantly higher than those ((2.41±0.25), (1.73±0.49) points) in the observation group ( t values were 5.34 and 3.73 respectively, both P<0.001). At 6 months post-surgery, all fractures had healed, in the observation group and control group the ROM ((130.56±5.96)° and (121.45±7.32)°) of the injured knee had increased, and the difference in posterior tibial translation ((1.17±0.61) and (1.94±0.57) mm) had decreased. However, the ROM in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group, and the difference in posterior tibial translation was significantly lower in the observation group, with statistically significant differences ( t values were 5.56 and 5.29 respectively; both P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared to the posterior "S" shape incision approach, the medial small incision approach with suture anchors for treating PCL tibial avulsion fractures offers advantages such as reduced trauma, shorter operation time, and less intraoperative blood loss, which is more beneficial for knee joint functional recovery.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which exosomes(EXOs)derived from neural stem cells(NSCs)pretreated with astragaloside IV(ASIV)alleviate brain damage in rats after ischemic stroke.METHODS:Rat NSCs were isolated from fetal rats within 24 h of birth,cultured for 3 d,and subsequently treated with ASIV for additional 5 d.The EXOs from untreated NSCs and ASIV-pretreated NSCs(ASIV-EXOs)were isolated via ultracentrifugation of the cell supernatant.These EXOs were characterized using Western blot to detect specific markers such as CD63,tumor sus-ceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and calnexin.Nanoparticle analysis was employed to determine the size,and the morpholo-gy of the EXOs was observed under electron microscope.Six to eight-week-old SD male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups:sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)model group,edaravone(EDA)treatment(MCAO/R+EDA)group,EXOs treatement(MCAO/R+EXOs)group and ASIV-EXOs treatment(MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs)group.Tail vein injections were administered within 2 h following the successful establishment of the MCAO/R model.The Zea Longa method was utilized to evaluate neurological deficits,while the TTC method was employed to assess brain infarc-tion.Pathological changes were examined through HE staining,and TUNEL and caspase-1 immunofluorescence double staining were conducted to detect cellular pyroptosis.Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured us-ing ELISA,and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of caspase-1,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),gasdermin D(GSDMD),and IL-18 proteins in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex across all groups.RE-SULTS:The MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological deficit scores compared to the sham group(P＜0.01)and lower scores in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Cerebral infarction was mark-edly increased in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the infarction area was reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly el-evated in the MCAO/R group versus the sham group(P＜0.01)and were lower in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01).Moreover,IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group were lower than those in the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).HE staining revealed pronounced sieve-like infarction foci in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex in MCAO/R group,characterized by disorganized neuronal arrangements,reduced or absent Nys-trom's vesicles,shrunken or fragmented nuclei,and numerous red neurons.In contrast,drug-treated groups exhibited milder pathological changes with clearer neuronal structures and a significant reduction in red neuron counts.Immunofluo-rescence double staining indicated a significant increase in double-positive cells in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),with a decrease in double-positive cells in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05)and a further reduction in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of caspase-1,NLRP3,ASC,IL-18 and GSDMD proteins in the ischemic region of the rat cerebral cortex were significantly reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01),with further re-duction observed in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).CONCLU-SION:Exosomes derived from ASIV-pretreated NSCs attenuate brain damage in ischemic stroke rats,potentially through a mechanism involving the inhibition of pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway.

Objective:To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of using a posterior "S" shape incision versus a medial small incision with suture anchors in the treatment of avulsion fractures at the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on clinical data from patients with PCL tibial avulsion fractures who met surgical criteria and were treated at Department of Joint 2, Tangshan Second Hospital from March 2021 to May 2023. Among those patients, there were 25 cases classified as Meyers-McKeever type Ⅱ and 41 cases as type Ⅲ. 32 patients who underwent surgery through the posterior "S" shape incision served as the control group; based on matched baseline characteristics, 34 patients who underwent surgery through the medial small incision were selected as the observation group. Both groups received fixation of the avulsion fracture with suture anchors. Surgical indicators, as well as Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, range of motion (ROM) of the injured knee, the difference in posterior tibial translation between both sides (calculated by measuring the posterior translation on both sides), and the incidence of postoperative complications were collected at 1, 3, and 6 months post-surgery. Comparative analyses were conducted to evaluate postoperative functional recovery. Chi-square tests were used for categorical data comparison, and t-tests were employed for normally distributed continuous data.Results:The observation group had shorter incision lengths ((5.71±1.85) cm), less intraoperative blood loss ((74.87±20.74) mL), and shorter operation times ((48.76±6.46) min) compared to the control group ((12.45±1.52) cm, (120.29±31.12) mL, (61.14±10.23) min), and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 16.21, 7.02, 5.92, respectively; all P<0.001). At 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the Lysholm ((79.67±3.08), (91.16±2.23) points) and IKDC scores ((84.67±5.08), (93.16±3.23) points) in the observation group were significantly higher than those ((65.29±3.84), (79.52±2.98), (79.29±4.84), (85.32±3.98) points) in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 16.72, 18.04, 4.40, 8.81, respectively; all P<0.001). At 3 and 6 months, the VAS scores ((2.83±0.38), (2.12±0.34) points) in the control group were significantly higher than those ((2.41±0.25), (1.73±0.49) points) in the observation group ( t values were 5.34 and 3.73 respectively, both P<0.001). At 6 months post-surgery, all fractures had healed, in the observation group and control group the ROM ((130.56±5.96)° and (121.45±7.32)°) of the injured knee had increased, and the difference in posterior tibial translation ((1.17±0.61) and (1.94±0.57) mm) had decreased. However, the ROM in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group, and the difference in posterior tibial translation was significantly lower in the observation group, with statistically significant differences ( t values were 5.56 and 5.29 respectively; both P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared to the posterior "S" shape incision approach, the medial small incision approach with suture anchors for treating PCL tibial avulsion fractures offers advantages such as reduced trauma, shorter operation time, and less intraoperative blood loss, which is more beneficial for knee joint functional recovery.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which exosomes(EXOs)derived from neural stem cells(NSCs)pretreated with astragaloside IV(ASIV)alleviate brain damage in rats after ischemic stroke.METHODS:Rat NSCs were isolated from fetal rats within 24 h of birth,cultured for 3 d,and subsequently treated with ASIV for additional 5 d.The EXOs from untreated NSCs and ASIV-pretreated NSCs(ASIV-EXOs)were isolated via ultracentrifugation of the cell supernatant.These EXOs were characterized using Western blot to detect specific markers such as CD63,tumor sus-ceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and calnexin.Nanoparticle analysis was employed to determine the size,and the morpholo-gy of the EXOs was observed under electron microscope.Six to eight-week-old SD male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups:sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)model group,edaravone(EDA)treatment(MCAO/R+EDA)group,EXOs treatement(MCAO/R+EXOs)group and ASIV-EXOs treatment(MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs)group.Tail vein injections were administered within 2 h following the successful establishment of the MCAO/R model.The Zea Longa method was utilized to evaluate neurological deficits,while the TTC method was employed to assess brain infarc-tion.Pathological changes were examined through HE staining,and TUNEL and caspase-1 immunofluorescence double staining were conducted to detect cellular pyroptosis.Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured us-ing ELISA,and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of caspase-1,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),gasdermin D(GSDMD),and IL-18 proteins in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex across all groups.RE-SULTS:The MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological deficit scores compared to the sham group(P＜0.01)and lower scores in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Cerebral infarction was mark-edly increased in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the infarction area was reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly el-evated in the MCAO/R group versus the sham group(P＜0.01)and were lower in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01).Moreover,IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group were lower than those in the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).HE staining revealed pronounced sieve-like infarction foci in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex in MCAO/R group,characterized by disorganized neuronal arrangements,reduced or absent Nys-trom's vesicles,shrunken or fragmented nuclei,and numerous red neurons.In contrast,drug-treated groups exhibited milder pathological changes with clearer neuronal structures and a significant reduction in red neuron counts.Immunofluo-rescence double staining indicated a significant increase in double-positive cells in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),with a decrease in double-positive cells in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05)and a further reduction in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of caspase-1,NLRP3,ASC,IL-18 and GSDMD proteins in the ischemic region of the rat cerebral cortex were significantly reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01),with further re-duction observed in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).CONCLU-SION:Exosomes derived from ASIV-pretreated NSCs attenuate brain damage in ischemic stroke rats,potentially through a mechanism involving the inhibition of pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway.

As a ligand-dependent transcription factor,retinoid-associated orphan receptor γt(RORyt)that controls T helper(Th)17 cell differentiation and interleukin(IL)-17 expression plays a critical role in the pro-gression of several inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.An emerging novel approach to the therapy of these diseases thus involves controlling the transcriptional capacity of RORyt to decrease Th17 cell development and IL-17 production.Several RORyt inhibitors including both antagonists and inverse agonists have been discovered to regulate the transcriptional activity of RORyt by binding to orthosteric-or allosteric-binding sites in the ligand-binding domain.Some of small-molecule inhibitors have entered clinical evaluations.Therefore,in current review,the role of RORyt in Th17 regulation and Th17-related inflammatory and autoimmune diseases was highlighted.Notably,the recently developed RORyt inhibitors were summarized,with an emphasis on their optimization from lead compounds,ef-ficacy,toxicity,mechanisms of action,and clinical trials.The limitations of current development in this area were also discussed to facilitate future research.

Objective: To investigate the positive rate for 2019-nCoV tests and co-infections in Wuhan district. Methods: A total of 8 274 cases in Wuhan were enrolled in this cross-sectional study during January 20 to February 9, 2020, and were tested for 2019-nCoV using fluorescence quantitative PCR. Both respiratory tract samples (nasopharynx, oropharynx, sputum and alveolar lavage fluid) and non-respiratory tract samples (urine, feces, anal swabs, blood and conjunctival sac swabs) were collected. If both orf1ab and N genes are positive, they are classified as nucleic acid test positive group; if both orf1ab and N genes are negative, they are classified as negative group; if single gene target is positive, they are classified as suspicious group. Individuals were divided into male group and female group according to sex. At the same time, 316 patients were tested for 13 respiratory pathogens by multiplex PCR. Results: Among the 8 274 subjects, 2 745 (33.2%) were 2019-nCoV infected; 5 277 (63.8%) subjects showed negative results in the 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test; and 252 cases (3.05%) was not definitive (inconclusive result). The age of cases with COVID-19 patients and inconclusive cases was significantly higher than that of cases without 2019-nCoV infection (40 vs 56, t=27.569, P<0.001; 52 vs 56, t=6.774, P<0.001). The positive rate of 13 respiratory pathogens multiple tests was significantly lower in 104 subjects who were positive for 2019-nCoV compared with those in subjects who were negative for 2019-nCoV test (5.77% vs 18.39%, χ²=24.105, P=0.003). Four types of respiratory tract samples and five types of non-respiratory tract samples were found to be positive for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test. Conclusion The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid positive rate in male is higher than in female. Co-infections should be pay close attention in COVID-19 patients. 2019-nCoV nucleic acid can be detected in non-respiratory tract samples.

Objective: To analyze and compare the changes of cardiac structure and function in patients with borderline pulmonary hypertension. Methods: Echocardiographic data of 617 outpatients from February to October 2018 in Peking University People′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the estimated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), the patients were divided into normal group (mPAP<19 mmHg), borderline group (19 mmHg≤mPAP<25 mmHg) and elevated group (mPAP≥25 mmHg). Results: ①Compared with normal group，the patients were older in borderline group and elevated group[(39.2±10.1)years old vs (46.5±13.5)years old vs (51.8±14.2)years old，all P<0.001] and the proportions of male were relatively lower (69.9% vs 58.9% vs 54.4%，all P<0.01). The incidences of smoking，drinking and cardiovascular complications increased significantly. ②Compared with normal group，the left atrium[(30.2±8.2)ml/m² vs (34.5±9.7)ml/m²，P<0.001]，left ventricle[(57.4±11.6)ml/m² vs (60.6±12.5)ml/m²，P<0.01]and right atrium[(19.5±5.9)ml/m² vs (22.6±7.0)ml/m²，P<0.001] were enlarged in borderline group.Left ventricular global long-axis strain (GLS_LV) increased[(-20.1±2.5)% vs (-21.1±3.1)%，P<0.001]，but the long-axis strain in the middle segment of right ventricular free wall (GLS_RVFWmid) decreased[(-31.4±6.6)%对(-27.2±8.8)%，P<0.001] in borderline group.Meanwhile，left ventricular diastolic function was impaired. ③Age，sex，right atrial volume，right ventricular area，RV-S′，GLS_LV，GLS_RVFWmid and mitral valve E/e′ were independent risk factors for mPAP elevation. Conclusions Early changes of cardiac structure and function exist in the patients with borderline pulmonary hypertension. Echocardiography is critical for the early diagnosis and follow-up monitoring of pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To analyze and compare the classification of left atrial size by different echocardiographic measurements based on the latest large sample of normal Chinese adults'echocardiographic data . Methods The echocardiography data of 1067 unselected adult outpatients were retrospectively analyzed . The outpatients were divided into normal or enlarged groups according to the left atrialantero-posteriordiameter(LAD)andleftatrialvolume(LAV),respectively.Results ①LADand LAV enlargement were found in 299 (28 .0％ ) patients and 449 (42 .1％ ) patients of the total population , respectively . ②There was a good positive linear correlation between LAD and LAV ( r = 0 .642 , P =0 .000) ,but the agreement for the classification of left atrial size by LAD and LAV was not ideal ( Kappa =0 .392 , P = 0 .000) . The majority of the patients ( 74 .6％ ) with abnormal LAD had abnormal LAV . Conversely ,among the patients with abnormal LAV ( 50 .3％ ) had normal LAD . ③ The sensitivity and specificity of judging left atrial enlargement were 76 .8％ and 66 .8％ for LAD>3 .7 cm in male ,and 74 .9％and 70 .6％ for LAD>3 .4 cm in female ,respectively . The sensitivity and specificity of judging severely left atrial enlargement were 75 .5％ and 78 .7％ for LAD>4 .0 cm in male ,and 84 .2％ and 75 .8％ for LAD>3 .7 cm in female ,respectively . Conclusions The agreement of the classification of left atrial size by LAD and LAV is limited . LAD-based assessment may result in an underestimation of left atrial size . When LAD is larger than 4 .0 cm for male or 3 .7 cm for female ,the accuracy of LAD in the diagnosis of left atrial enlargement is better .

The clinical data of 31 patients with congenital heart disease(CHD)receiving minimally invasive surgical closure through chest or femoral venous catheter from June 2016 to September 2017 were analyzed retrospectively.All patients were diagnosed with esophageal echocardiography before operation.During the operation,the insert of guide wire and the sheath tube,and the placement of the sealing parasol were monitored and guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).Satisfactory results were obtained in 30 patients.In 1 patients,the sealing parasol was detached,and open chest surgery was performed to remove the detached parasol and to repair the defect.TEE-guided minimally invasive surgical closure through chest or femoral vein catheter is safe and effective in the treatment of congenital heart disease and has certain clinical applicative value.

Objective: To observe left and right ventricular mechanical sequence in systole and diastole by dual Doppler Echocardiography in healthy subjects. Methods: Dual Doppler echocardiography was performed in 100 normal subjects with dual-outflow-tract-view and apical four chamber view to simultaneously record the spectrum of left/right ventricular outlfow tract (LVOT)/(RVOT) and left/right ventricular inlfow tract (LVIT)/(RVIT) at the same cardiac cycle. The time cycles of blood lfow spectrum from the peak of QRS complex to aorta, pulmonary artery, mitral valve (MV) and tricuspid valve (TV) were measured, the starting time differences for blood lfow spectrum of aorta and pulmonary artery, MV and TV were calculated to assess the mechanical sequence of left and right ventricle in systole and diastole respectively. Results: There were 48/100 (48%) subjects having LV ejection preceded than RV (95% CI 0.38-0.58), 46 (46%) having RV ejection preceded than LV (95% CI 0.36-0.56) and 6 (6%) having LV, RV simultaneous ejection (95% CI 0.01-0.11). There were 96/100 (96%) subjects having RV iflling prior to LV (95% CI 0.90-0.99), 3 (3%) having LV iflling prior to RV (95% CI 0.01-0.08) and 1 (1%) having LV, RV simultaneous iflling (95% CI 0.00-0.05). Conclusion: There is a regular pattern for mechanical sequence of LV and RV in systole and diastole in healthy subject; in systole, the sequence of LV varies from person to person, while in diastole, RV is always preceded. Based on normal ventricular mechanical sequence, optimizing programming parameter of pace maker and choosing cardiac sequence in diastole might be the ifnal criteria for cardiac resynchronization therapy in the future.