OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Qingre antai decoction improves pregnancy outcomes of threatened abortion rats with blood heat syndrome. METHODS The pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， dydrogesterone group （0.002 g/kg）， and Qingre antai decoction group （44.1 g/kg）， with 13 rats in each group. Except for normal group， other groups were given warming-yang Chinese medicine and corresponding drugs intragastrically， once a day， for 12 consecutive days. On the 13th day of pregnancy， a single intragastric administration of mifepristone （5 mg/kg） was performed to establish a model of threatened abortion with blood heat syndrome. On the 14th day of pregnancy， the abortion rate and uterine coefficient were calculated； the pathological morphology of pregnant uterine was observed； the serum levels of 3，5，3′-triiodothyronine （T3）， thyroid hormone （T4）， thyroid stimulating hormone （TSH）， as well as the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and nitric oxide （NO） in the pregnant uterus were all determined； the expressions of mRNA and protein related to Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （AKT） pathways were detected. RESULTS Compared with normal group， the model group exhibited endometrial tissue damage， a reduced number of decidual cells， and a significant presence of blood stasis within the uterus； abortion rate， the serum levels of T3， T4 and TSH， the mRNA expressions of JAK2， STAT3 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 （SOCS3） as well as protein expressions of p-JAK2， p-STAT3 and SOCS3 in the pregnant uterus were increased significantly （ P ＜0.05）； uterine coefficient， the levels of VEGF and NO in pregnant uterus， mRNA expressions of VEGFR2， PI3K， AKT and endothelial nitric oxide synthase（eNOS）， protein expressions of VEGFR2， PI3K and eNOS as well as phosphorylation level of AKT in the pregnant uterus were significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the endometrial tissue damage and congestion in the Qingre antai decoction group were significantly improved， and the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Qingre antai decoction can improve the pregnancy outcomes in rats with threatened abortion of blood heat syndrome， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway and activating PI3K/AKT pathway.

Objective:To explore a staged repair procedure for whole foot skin degloving injury and evaluate the clinical outcome.Methods:From August 2020 to March 2023, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients, 12 males and 8 females, with who had whole foot skin avulsion injuries and were treated at the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital of Wuxi City. Nine injuries of foot skin avulsion were on the left feet and 11 on the right. All patients underwent a primary in situ replantation of the avulsed skin, and a stage-II surgery based on clinical manifestations and combined together with plantar pressure analysis in order to design a contralateral free medial plantar flap for reconstruction of the weight-bearing area of the affected foot. Eleven patients received the reconstructive surgery for forefoot weight-bearing area, and 9 had the reconstructive surgery for the heel weight-bearing area. The flap sizes ranged from 4 cm×4 cm to 13 cm×8 cm. All flap donor sites were closed with full-thickness skin grafts from ipsilateral thigh. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups at outpatient clinic were conducted to observe the flap survival, appearance and texture of the foot skin. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot functional scores and the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) sensory function scale for flap sensation evaluation were used for assessment of the surgical outcomes, as well as the patient satisfaction. Pre- and postoperative plantar pressure analyses were performed to compare the weight-bearing area, load ratio and average plantar pressure. Statistical analysis was conducted using One-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The postoperative follow-up lasted for 10 to 24 months, with an average of 12.1 months. All 20 flaps survived. The flap swelling, appearance and wear resistance were good with AOFAS scores at 70 - 88 points. The sensation recovery reached S 2 to S 3. Patient satisfaction was excellent in 19 patients and good in 1 patient. The preoperative weight-bearing area was measured at 84 cm 2 to 140 cm 2, and 93 cm 2 to 145 cm 2 after surgery. The preoperative load ratio was 25% to 40%, and 30% to 43% after surgery. The preoperative plantar pressure was 185 grams/cm 2 to 356 grams/cm 2, and that was 205 grams/cm 2 to 381 grams/cm 2 after surgery. The postoperative weight bearing area, load ratio and mean plantar pressure of the patients were found all superior to those before surgery, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In primary surgery, the avulsed skin is in situ replanted meanwhile have the original plantar skin preserved as much as possible. In the stage-II surgery, a contralateral medial free plantar flap is precisely designed to reconstruct the foot weight-bearing area, according to the healing of the in situ replanted skin and the wear resistance of the skin in weight-bearing area, and an analysis of plantar pressure should be performed. This is a reliable surgical procedure in the treatment of a degloving injury of whole foot.

Objective:To explore a staged repair procedure for whole foot skin degloving injury and evaluate the clinical outcome.Methods:From August 2020 to March 2023, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients, 12 males and 8 females, with who had whole foot skin avulsion injuries and were treated at the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital of Wuxi City. Nine injuries of foot skin avulsion were on the left feet and 11 on the right. All patients underwent a primary in situ replantation of the avulsed skin, and a stage-II surgery based on clinical manifestations and combined together with plantar pressure analysis in order to design a contralateral free medial plantar flap for reconstruction of the weight-bearing area of the affected foot. Eleven patients received the reconstructive surgery for forefoot weight-bearing area, and 9 had the reconstructive surgery for the heel weight-bearing area. The flap sizes ranged from 4 cm×4 cm to 13 cm×8 cm. All flap donor sites were closed with full-thickness skin grafts from ipsilateral thigh. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups at outpatient clinic were conducted to observe the flap survival, appearance and texture of the foot skin. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot functional scores and the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) sensory function scale for flap sensation evaluation were used for assessment of the surgical outcomes, as well as the patient satisfaction. Pre- and postoperative plantar pressure analyses were performed to compare the weight-bearing area, load ratio and average plantar pressure. Statistical analysis was conducted using One-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The postoperative follow-up lasted for 10 to 24 months, with an average of 12.1 months. All 20 flaps survived. The flap swelling, appearance and wear resistance were good with AOFAS scores at 70 - 88 points. The sensation recovery reached S 2 to S 3. Patient satisfaction was excellent in 19 patients and good in 1 patient. The preoperative weight-bearing area was measured at 84 cm 2 to 140 cm 2, and 93 cm 2 to 145 cm 2 after surgery. The preoperative load ratio was 25% to 40%, and 30% to 43% after surgery. The preoperative plantar pressure was 185 grams/cm 2 to 356 grams/cm 2, and that was 205 grams/cm 2 to 381 grams/cm 2 after surgery. The postoperative weight bearing area, load ratio and mean plantar pressure of the patients were found all superior to those before surgery, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In primary surgery, the avulsed skin is in situ replanted meanwhile have the original plantar skin preserved as much as possible. In the stage-II surgery, a contralateral medial free plantar flap is precisely designed to reconstruct the foot weight-bearing area, according to the healing of the in situ replanted skin and the wear resistance of the skin in weight-bearing area, and an analysis of plantar pressure should be performed. This is a reliable surgical procedure in the treatment of a degloving injury of whole foot.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Pangshi antai zhixue decoction in the improvement of spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome by regulating the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome.METHODS The binding activities of 13 main components in Pangshi antai zhixue decoction with NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC),and caspase-1 precursor (pro-caspase-1) were predicted by molecular docking.Sixty 1-day-old pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,dexamethasone group (0.002 g/kg),and Pangshi antai zhixue decoction low-,medium-,and high-dose groups (11.025,22.05,44.10 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.Each group was given distilled water/corresponding medicinal solution intragastrically,once a day,for 12 consecutive days.Except for normal group,other groups were given traditional Chinese medicine for warming yang and mifepristone to establish a model of spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome.24 h after the last medication,serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3),thyroxine (T4),interleukin-2 (IL-2),IL-4,IL-6,IL-10,and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were all detected;the abortion rate and uterine coefficient were calculated;the pathological morphology of the pregnant uterus was observed;protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were detected.RESULTS The molecular docking results showed that the binding energies of 13 main components of Pangshi antai zhixue decoction with NLRP3,ASC,and pro-caspase-1 were all less than-5 kJ/moL.The animal experiment results showed that compared with normal group,the uterine coefficient and serum levels of IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10 were decreased significantly in model group (P<0.05);the abortion rate and serum levels of T3,T4,IL-2 and IFN-γ as well as protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were increased significantly (P<0.05);there were abortion lesions in the pregnant endometrium.Compared with the model group,most of the quantitative indicators mentioned above were significantly reversed in Pangshi antai zhixue decoction groups (P<0.05),and the endometrial miscarriage lesions in pregnancy were improved to varying degrees.CONCLUSIONS Pangshi antai zhixue decoction influences the immune balance between mother and fetus by regulating the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome,down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-2,and up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10,thereby improving spontaneous abortion with heat syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effects of arbutin on myocardial fibrosis （MF） model rats and its mechanism. METHODS The network pharmacology was used to predict the potential target of arbutin in improving MF and molecular docking was used to validated. Totally 50 SD rats were given isoprenaline subcutaneously （5 mg/kg， once a day， for 14 consecutive days） to induce the MF model. Modeled rats were randomly divided into model group， captopril group （9 mg/kg）， arbutin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （50， 100， 200 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 healthy rats were included as normal group. Each group was given the corresponding drugs， once a day， for 28 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the final administration， electrocardiograms and heart-related indexes [heart weight index （HWI）， left ventricular weight index （LVWI）] of rats were detected； the levels of creatine kinase （CK）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and type Ⅰ collagen （Col Ⅰ） and Col Ⅲ were detected in myocardial tissue of rats； the pathological changes of myocardial tissue were observed， and protein and mRNA expressions of adenosine deaminase （ADA） and adenosine kinase （ADK） were detected in the myocardial tissue of rats. RESULTS The results of network pharmacology showed that the main targets of arbutin improving MF were ADA and ADK. The results of molecular docking showed that arbutin bind stably with ADA and ADK. The results of experimental verification showed that compared with model group， the amplitude of ST and T waves in electrocardiogram were improved in administration groups， and the symptoms of atrial flutter were alleviated； HWI （except for arbutin medium-dose group）， LVWI， the levels of CK， LDH， NT-proBNP， Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ in the myocardial tissue of rats were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the degree of myocardial fibrosis in rats decreased； protein and mRNA expressions of ADA and ADK in the myocardial tissue were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Arbutin can improve cardiac fibrosis and cardiac function of MF model rats， the mechanism of which may be associated with up-regulating protein and mRNA expressions of ADA and ADK，influencing the nucleotide metabolism and collagen generation. zhangminghao@hactcm.edu.cn

Objective:To investigate the application of 3-D ultrasonography enabled by a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer in the localisation of perforating vessels of a free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) before surgery, and to guide microsurgeons in precise design and harvest of a ALTPF.Methods:From May 2020 to October 2022, a retrospective study was carried out on 35 patients who had soft tissue defects and undertaken free ALTPF surgery in Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Wuxi No.9 People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University. ALTPFs were transfered for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of foot in 25 patients and of ankle in 10 patients. The age of patients were 20 to 66 years old. The defects were 11.0 cm×8.0 cm-28.0 cm×9.0 cm in size. The sizes of ALTPFs were at 12.0 cm×9.0 cm-29.0 cm×10.0 cm. Before surgery, ultrasound scans with a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer were performed to locate the perforating vessels. The 3-D ultrasound images showing the perforating vessels of ALTPFs were acquired and the number, location and classification of the perforating vessels were saved. After the appropriate perforating vessels had been determined, ALTPFs were designed for precisely intraoperative incision. The accuracy of preoperative location of perforating vessels by the linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer was investigated in surgery. All patients received the scheduled postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinics.Results:Of the 72 perforating vessels discovered in surgery, 70 matched with those being located by ultrasound before surgery. It was found that a total of 67 perforating vessels located before surgery by ultrasonography were consistently mapped with the perforators discovered in surgery. Of the 67 consistently mapped perforating vessels, 19 were Kimura type I, 27 of Kimura type II and 21 of Kimura type III perforators. The rate of sensitivity and positive prediction were 95.7% and 93.1%, respectively, in the preoperative localisation of perforating vessels of ALTPFs with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer. Twenty-five ALTPFs were harvested subfascially and 10 superfascially. Average size of ALTPFs was 17.7 cm × 8.6 cm. The perforating vessels revealed during the harvest of all ALTPFs were basically consistent with the preoperative 3-D ultrasound. All flaps survived after surgery without any incident. The postoperative follow-up lasted 8 to 20 months, with 12.7 months in average.Conclusion:The 3-D ultrasonography with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer can accurately locate the perforating vessels of ALTPF before surgery. This technique has many advantages in the design and harvest of super-thin ALTPFs.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of anterolateral thigh Flow-through flap transfer surgery combined with Masquelet technique in reconstruction of Gustilo IIIC open fractures of distal tibia.Methods:Between July 2017 and May 2021, 7 patients who had Gustilo IIIC injuries in the lower limb were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital by emergency surgery with transfer of anterolateral thigh Flow-through flap combined with Masquelet technique. The patients were 5 males and 2 females, aged 36 to 63 (50.0±10.4) years old. Size of soft tissue defects was 11 cm × 4 cm to 23 cm × 7 cm, the length of bone defects was 3.5-7.5 (5.34±1.52) cm and the bridging length for vascular defects was 7-12 (9.21 ± 2.34) cm. The size of the flaps was 12 cm × 5 cm - 24 cm × 8 cm. All patients received postoperative follow-up at the outpatient clinic and complications of wound, fracture healing and the recovery of limb function were observed.Results:All flaps survived uneventfully and successful limb salvage were achieved in all 7 patients, together with all bone grafts healed without infection. The follow-up lasted for 12-38 (26.69±10.73) months. At the last follow-up, the appearance and functional recovery of the lower limbs were satisfactorily. The function of ankle was evaluated according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) : 3 patients in excellent, 3 in good and 1 in fair.Conclusion:Emergency anterolateral thigh Flow-through flap transfer surgery with Masquelet technique is a safe, effective and feasible surgical procedure for Gustilo IIIC open fractures of distal tibia. It allows to close the wound and rebuild the blood supply in distal limb in the primary or emergency surgery, and allows to perform bone grafting and internal fixation in stage-II surgery. The patients benefit from high rate of success in limb salvage and good function recovery of the affected limb.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of minimally invasive-locking block modified Krackow (MI-LBMK) and open giftbox technique in the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture.Methods:Fifty-six patients with Achilles tendon rupture from January 2016 to December 2018 were collected, including 54 males and 2 females, aged 40.7±9.4 years (range 26 to 65 years). The MI group (30 patients) used two minimally invasive incisions without exposing the rupture site, and the LBMK technique was used to repair the Achilles tendon. The open group (26 patients) used a posteromedial longitudinal incision and the giftbox technique was used to repair the rupture tendon. The Achilles tendon was repaired with 6-strand sutures in both groups. Early rehabilitation programs were adopted for postoperative rehabilitation, and regular follow-up (6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation) was performed to record the Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score (AOFAS), Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS). The rupture gap and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured by MRI at 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery.Results:A total of 30 patients in the MI group and 26 in the open group were enrolled. The differences between the two groups in age, body mass index, interval from injury to operation, and tendon rupture site were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up to 24 months after surgery. There were no wound complications in MI group, and 2 cases of superficial infection and 1 case of wound skin necrosis occurred in open group. There was no re-rupture in both groups. The relative ATRA of MI group was -6.32°±0.99°, -3.90°±1.05°, -2.38°±0.84°, -0.25°±1.37° at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation, respectively. The relative ATRA of open group was -7.88°±3.71°, -6.16°±1.10°, -4.53°±0.95°, -3.01°±0.95° at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation, respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The ATRS of minimally invasive group at 6 months and 12 months were 72.70±7.41 and 92.97±3.35 respectively, and the ATRS of open group at 6 months and 12 months were 68.08±6.64 and 90.85±4.27 respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The AOFAS of minimally invasive group at 6 months and 12 months were 88.60±2.76 and 93.83±1.98 respectively, and the AOFAS of open group at 6 months and 12 months were 85.77±3.20 and 92.08±2.64 respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The difference in the gap between the tendon rupture ends measured by MRI sagittal plane T2WI between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon in the MI group was higher than that of the open group at 12 weeks ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The MI-LBMK technique may protect the peritendon tissue and has fewer complications, and can enable the patient to return to daily life faster, with lower postoperative Achilles tendon elongation and better recovery of Achilles tendon function.

Objective : To explore the prognostic value of chemoradiotherapy based on the depth of invasion (DOI) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methods : Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who received surgical treatment in a hospital from 2008 to 2016 were enrolled. The chi-square test was used to compare the effects of DOI on postoperative cervical lymph node metastasis and local recurrence. The effects of chemoradiotherapy on postoperative cervical lymph node metastasis, local recurrence, and survival were analyzed based on the DOI. Results: A total of 111 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study. The postoperative local recurrence rate (P<0.05) and cervical lymph node metastasis rate (P<0.05) of patients with 5 mm < DOI ≤ 10 mm and DOI > 10 mm were significantly higher than those with DOI ≤ 5 mm. The time of postoperative recurrence was concentrated within two years after the operation. The greater the DOI was, the shorter the time to postoperative recurrence (P<0.05). The addition of postoperative chemoradiotherapy did not significantly improve the postoperative local recurrence rate, cervical lymph node metastasis or survival rate of patients with different DOIs (P > 0.05). Conclusion DOI has important predictive value for postoperative recurrence, cervical lymph node metastasis and survival rate. However, DOI cannot be used as an independent index to guide whether chemoradiotherapy is needed after oral cancer surgery.

Objective: In this study, black tea and Citrus maxima (BT-CM), yellow tea and C. maxima (YT-CM), green tea and C. maxima (GT-CM) as subjects, the active ingredient content and antioxidant activity of three tea and C. maxima (T-CM) were analyzed. The effects of three T-CMs on apoptosis of liver cells in vitro and its mechanism were further explored. Methods: National standard method and HPLC were used for active ingredient analysis. MTT, cell flow cytometry and Western blot were used to analyze the effects of three T-CMs on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and its underlying molecular mechanism. Results: The content of tea polyphenols, free amino acids, ratio of polyphenols and amino acids, ester catechins, non-ester catechins and caffeine in YT-CM and GT-CM was significantly higher than that of BT-CM. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of YT-CM and GT-CM was also significantly stronger than that of BT-CM. Three T-CMs had the effects of inhibiting proliferation, arresting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis in HepG2 and Bel7402 cells, especially YT-CM and GT-CM. Western blot analysis showed three T-CMs activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and regulated the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3/9. YT-CM and GT-CM had better ability to change the signal pathway than BT-CM. Conclusion: In short, T-CMs, which combined different degrees of fermentation tea with C. maxima, were rich in nutrients and biologically active substances. T-CMs, especially YT-CM and GT-CM, are healthy drinks that help to prevent and treat liver cancer.