OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique (for regaining consciousness and opening orifice) on methylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), and key methyltransferases and demethylases, so as to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). METHODS: Of 68 male Sprague-Dawley rats of SPF grade, 15 rats were randomly selected as a sham-operation group, and the remaining rats were subjected to the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture ligation. CIRI was induced by ischemia for 2 h followed by reperfusion. Rats that failed to modeling or died were excluded. The rest 45 rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e. model group, acupuncture group, and non-point acupuncture group, with 15 rats in each group. The rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Shuigou" (GV26). In the non-point acupuncture group, acupuncture was delivered at three non-points, located 3 mm below the bilateral midaxillary line and 3 mm lateral to the tip of the coccyx. One intervention was operated in these two acupuncture groups and the needles were retained for 30 min. Before modeling start and 2 h after ischemia, a laser speckle flowmeter was used to monitor the cerebral blood perfusion. In 2 h of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion, the neurological behavioral score was evaluated. The volume of rat cerebral infarction was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and the level of m6A methylation in ischemic cortical area was detected by Dot blot, and the protein and mRNA expression of the demethylase i.e. fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) and key methyltransferases, i.e. methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14), and Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP) in ischemic cortical area were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR. RESULTS: Cerebral blood perfusion decreased by>70% after 2 h ischemia. Compared with the sham-operation group, the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume increased in the model group (P<0.01); the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area increased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression of FTO decreased (P<0.01), and that of ALKBH5, METTL3, and METTL14 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group. When compared with the model group and the non-point acupuncture group, the acupuncture group showed a decrease in the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume (P<0.01), the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA expression of FTO was elevated (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique presents its protective effect on the brain in the rats with CIRI, which is related to up-regulating the expression of FTO and modulating m6A methylation.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Rats ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Humans ; Adenosine/metabolism* ; Methylation ; Acupuncture Points ; Cerebral Cortex/metabolism*

Objective:To discuss the effect of fingertip reconstruction with V-Y advancement flap and nailbed suture treating Allen’s type Ⅲ amputations unsuitable for vascular anastomosis.Methods:From September 2018 to December 2020, clinical data of patients with Allen’s type Ⅲ fingertip amputations treated in Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The fingertips were reconstructed with V-Y advancement flap and nailbed suture. The infeasibility of vascular anastomosis was checked under the microscope. Following fixation of the distal phalanx, the nailbed was stretched as flat as possible and sutured. If the nail plate was missing, a manual nail plate made from a plastic transfusion pipe would be fixed to cover the exposed nailbed. The palmar soft tissue of the amputated fingertip was excised, and periosteum, hyponychium, nailbed, and dorsal soft tissue were retained. The proximal volar skin was incised until the subcutaneous adipose layer to get a V-Y advancement flap. The volar defect was repaired with the V-Y advancement flap distally sutured with the pre-retained hyponychium. Postoperatively, burn cream was smeared on the nail for moisturizing, without lamp heating, and intravenous antibiotics was administered routinely. The main indexes were collected including nail appearance, pulp plumpness, static two-point discrimination, motion loss of the distal interphalangeal joint, and patients’ self-evaluation of the appearance. Chinese Medical Association trial standard of upper limb partial function assessment (CMA evaluation) was used to evaluate finger function.Results:A total of 16 patients with 18 fingertips were included. There were 9 males and 7 females, aged (31.5±6.1) years (21-52 years). There were 14 cases of single fingertips injury and 2 cases of multiple fingertips injury. Damaged finger: 2 of thumb, 3 of indicator finger, 6 of middle finger, 5 of ring finger, 2 of little finger. All 18 fingertips survived postoperatively and followed up for 7-16 months (median 12 months). One case underwent a second surgery due to infection and mild bone exposure followed by good healing. One case had a slightly hooked nail. The fingertip appearance was satisfying or acceptable by all the patients except the above two. Good results were got for all patients such as bone healing, smooth nail, plump pulp, and flexible distal interphalangeal joint. At the latest follow-up, motion loss of the distal interphalangeal joint was 0°-3.6° (mean 2.4°) for extension and 2.0°-12.0° (mean 7.6°) for flexion. The static two-point discrimination was 2.5-4.6 mm (mean 3.8 mm). Respectively, the functional evaluation of the affected finger was excellent in 11 cases, good in 3 cases and fair in 2 cases according to the CMA evaluation.Conclusion:Fingertip reconstruction with V-Y advancement flap and nailbed suture is a good technique to treat Allen’s type Ⅲ amputations, with advantages of preserved fingertip length, smooth nail, plump pulp, good sensory and flexible distal interphalangeal joint. The technique is simple with a high success rate and good results.

Objective:To discuss the effect of fingertip reconstruction with V-Y advancement flap and nailbed suture treating Allen’s type Ⅲ amputations unsuitable for vascular anastomosis.Methods:From September 2018 to December 2020, clinical data of patients with Allen’s type Ⅲ fingertip amputations treated in Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The fingertips were reconstructed with V-Y advancement flap and nailbed suture. The infeasibility of vascular anastomosis was checked under the microscope. Following fixation of the distal phalanx, the nailbed was stretched as flat as possible and sutured. If the nail plate was missing, a manual nail plate made from a plastic transfusion pipe would be fixed to cover the exposed nailbed. The palmar soft tissue of the amputated fingertip was excised, and periosteum, hyponychium, nailbed, and dorsal soft tissue were retained. The proximal volar skin was incised until the subcutaneous adipose layer to get a V-Y advancement flap. The volar defect was repaired with the V-Y advancement flap distally sutured with the pre-retained hyponychium. Postoperatively, burn cream was smeared on the nail for moisturizing, without lamp heating, and intravenous antibiotics was administered routinely. The main indexes were collected including nail appearance, pulp plumpness, static two-point discrimination, motion loss of the distal interphalangeal joint, and patients’ self-evaluation of the appearance. Chinese Medical Association trial standard of upper limb partial function assessment (CMA evaluation) was used to evaluate finger function.Results:A total of 16 patients with 18 fingertips were included. There were 9 males and 7 females, aged (31.5±6.1) years (21-52 years). There were 14 cases of single fingertips injury and 2 cases of multiple fingertips injury. Damaged finger: 2 of thumb, 3 of indicator finger, 6 of middle finger, 5 of ring finger, 2 of little finger. All 18 fingertips survived postoperatively and followed up for 7-16 months (median 12 months). One case underwent a second surgery due to infection and mild bone exposure followed by good healing. One case had a slightly hooked nail. The fingertip appearance was satisfying or acceptable by all the patients except the above two. Good results were got for all patients such as bone healing, smooth nail, plump pulp, and flexible distal interphalangeal joint. At the latest follow-up, motion loss of the distal interphalangeal joint was 0°-3.6° (mean 2.4°) for extension and 2.0°-12.0° (mean 7.6°) for flexion. The static two-point discrimination was 2.5-4.6 mm (mean 3.8 mm). Respectively, the functional evaluation of the affected finger was excellent in 11 cases, good in 3 cases and fair in 2 cases according to the CMA evaluation.Conclusion:Fingertip reconstruction with V-Y advancement flap and nailbed suture is a good technique to treat Allen’s type Ⅲ amputations, with advantages of preserved fingertip length, smooth nail, plump pulp, good sensory and flexible distal interphalangeal joint. The technique is simple with a high success rate and good results.

Objective: To observe and evaluate the clinical effect of cement reinforced pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures and its effect on the quality of life. Methods: From April 2015 to June 2017, 60 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures were selected from Shanxi Coal Center Hospital.The patients were divided into two groups according to different treatment method, with 30 cases in each group.Routine percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed in the control group, and bone cement reinforced pedicle screw fixation was performed in the observation group.The scores of health and function, life satisfaction score, the scores of social and economic factors, self-concept score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Cobb's angle were calculated and evaluated before operation and 6 months after operation in the two groups. Results: The scores of health and function, life satisfaction, social and economic factors, self-concept in the observation group at 6 months after operation were (60.2±6.0)points, (39.8±4.0)points, (32.0±3.5)points, (47.7±4.0)points, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group[(48.0±5.5)points, (32.4±3.0)points, (29.3±2.0)points, (44.0±3.3)points], the differences were statistically significant (t=8.988.106, 3.668, 3.908, all P<0.05). The VAS score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 6 months after operation[(1.5±0.4)points vs.(2.3±0.8)points](t=4.898, P<0.05). The Cobb angle of the observation group[(5.3±1.0)°] was significantly lower than that of the control group[(14.0±2.2)°] at 6 months after operation (t=19.718, P<0.05). Conclusion Treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture with bone cement reinforced pedicle screw fixation has better clinical effect and can obviously improve the quality of life.

Objective: To explore the effect of reconstructing the finger extension function by using partial flexor digitorum profundus tendon transposition. Methods: Twelve patients were treated by using the partial proximal end of the tendon core of flexor digitorum profundus tendon regionⅠand part of region Ⅱ to cut off to the base of the distal digital phalanx, and puncturing at the end of the phalanx with a 2.0 drill. The tendon strips were pierced to the back overlap sutured to the proximal end of the avulsion of the extensor tendon . Results: In 3-18 month follow-up, the average follow-up duration was 10.6 months. According to Dargan function evaluation method, 12 cases were excellent and one case was poor. Conclusions The method of reconstructing the extensor tendon by partial flexor deep tendon is a reliable method for the treatment of Mallet finger.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect and complications of total hip replacement (THR) in novel femoral neck fracture,old femoral neck fracture, aseptic necrosis of femoral head and coxa degenerative osteoarthropathy. To provide instructions to surgical indications and treatment effects analysis.Methods One hundrde and four patients were divided into 4 groups by disease type: novel femoral neck fracture group (n = 32 ), old femoral neck fracture group (n = 22) ,aseptic necrosis of femoral head group (n =34) and coxa degenerative osteoarthropathy group (n = 16). These patients were followed-up for 12 - 144 months after THR, their Harris standard score and complications data, before and after operation, were analyzed retrospectively. Results After operation, the Harris standard scores were 92. 6 ± 5.8,90. 1 ± 5. 2,86. 3 ± 4. 6,81.9 ±4. 1 in novel femoral neck fracture,old femoral neck fracture,aseptic necrosis of femoral head and coxa degenerative osteoarthropathy groups respectively, which were significantly higher than the scores before operation (25.6±1.8,36.7±2.6,52.9±4.3,42. 1 ±3.8,Ps ＜0.05). Conclusion THR has good effects in the four types of diseases. Short length of stay and high healing rate are marked characteristics of THR. More attention shoud be paid to the complications of THR.