Objective To investigate the effects of cinnamic aldehyde(CA)on Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer(Bak)in vascular endothelial cells of diabetic ulcer wound tissues,as well as on cell apoptosis.Methods ① Forty-eight healthy SPF-grade male SD rats(5 weeks old,weighing 180～220 g)were randomly assigned to a control group(12 rats)and a diabetes group(36 rats).The diabetic model was established with an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg STZ-citrate sodium solution and high-fat diet feeding.The diabetes group was further randomly divided into Model group,CA group,and the rb-bFGF group,with 12 animals in each group.Wounds in the Con and Model groups were disinfected and topically treated with normal saline,CA group received topical application of 4 μmol/L CA in PEG 400 gel,and those of the rb-bFGF group were treated with bevacizumab gel.The wound healing rate of each group was calculated at 3,7 and 14 d after intervention.At 14 d after intervention,pathological changes in the wounds were observed with HE staining,and the expression levels of Bax and Bak were detected by Western blotting.② Human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.hy926 was treated with 175 mmol/L glucose for 48 h to establish a cell model of high glucose injury.The experimental cells were divided into control group,model group and CA treatment group.Cell scratch test and tube formation test were performed respectively to determine the migration ability and angiogenesis of the cells.The expression levels of Bax and Bak was detected with immunofluorescence assay,and cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.Results ①The diabetic rats in the Model group exhibited significantly higher blood glucose level(P<0.05),declined wound healing rate at 7 and 14 d after intervention(P<0.05),and enhanced expression levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05)when compared with the control group.Pathological observation revealed that,at 14 d after intervention,accompanied with inflammatory reactions,dense infiltration of inflammatory cells,fewer new blood vessels,and continuous fluid exudation in the wound were observed in the Model group,but the control group presented complete epithelialization in full-thickness skin.Compared with the conditions in the Model group,both CA and rb-bFGF treatment improved the epithelialization process,with mature granulation tissues,showing good healing condition,promoted wound healing rate(P<0.05),and decreased the expression levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05).② The results of cell experiments showed that the cells of the model group showed significantly reduced migration ability and tube formation ability(P<0.05),reduced protein levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05),and lower apoptotic rate(P<0.05)when compared with the cells in the model group.Conclusion CA can inhibit the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bak,promote the migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells,and inhibit the cell apoptosis under high glucose condition,which may be an important reason for its promoting wound healing in diabetic ulcer rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Wenyang Shengji Ointment （温阳生肌膏， WSO） in the treatment of diabetic wounds with yin syndrome. MethodsA total of 24 SD rats were randomly divided into a group （n=6） and modeling group （n=18）. The modeling group rats were fed with high-fat diet for 14 days and then were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to induce diabetic model. After steroid injection， full-thickness skin defects were created on the back of the rats to establish a diabetic wound with yin syndrome model. The normal group was fed with regular diet， and full-thickness skin defects were created surgically on the back of the rats. The 18 successfully modeled rats were further divided into three groups， the model group， the WSO group， and the Beifuxin （Recombinant Bovine Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Gel， BX） group， 6 rats in each group. The WSO group was given the ointment to the wound， the Beifuxin group was givne BX gel， and the normal group and model group was disinfected and treated with saline. All groups had their dressings changed once daily for 14 days. Wound healing was recorded on days 0， 3， 7， and 14， and the wound healing rate was calculated on day 3， 7， and 14. On day 14 after treatment， HE staining was performed to observe the pathological morphology of the wound tissue. Western Blot was used to detect the relative protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. Immunofluorescence was used to measure the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α in the wound tissue， and ELISA was used to detect the methylglyoxal （MGO） content in the wound tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed poor wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with a low wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. HE staining showed scab coverage on the wound， with inflammatory cell infiltration and disorganized collagen arrangement. The relative protein levels of VEGF were significantly reduced， while the relative protein levels of HIF-1α and the MGO content significantly increased （P＜0.01）， and the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α was enhanced. Compared to the model group， the WSO group and Beifuxin group showed better wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with an increased wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. The wound tissue showed clear and complete epithelial structure， reduced inflammatory cells， mature granulation tissue， and organized collagen arrangement. MGO content was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. The relative protein levels of HIF-1α and VEGF both significantly increased in the WSO group， while only VEGF increased in the Beifuxin group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the Beifuxin group， the WSO group had a thicker epidermal layer， prominent collagen formation， significantly increased HIF-1α fluorescence expression， reduced MGO content in the wound tissue， and higher relative protein levels of HIF-1α （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWSO can reduce the accumulation of MGO in diabetic wound tissue with yin syndrome and activate the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway， which could be one of the mechanisms for promoting wound healing.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the effects of Jiedu-Shengji ointment(JDSJG)on wound healing in diabetic rats by modulating the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway in the context of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups:control group,model group,detoxification muscle ointment group,and sulfadiazine silver cream group.All groups,except the control,were administered an intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce diabetes.The control and model groups received daily applications of normal saline,while the detoxification myogen ointment and sulfadiazine silver cream groups received their respective treatments daily.After dressing changes,wounds were bandaged with sterile gauze.Following 14 d of continuous treatment,wound healing was assessed and healing rates calculated.Histopathologi-cal changes in wound tissues were analyzed using HE staining.Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to observe the number,morphology,and swelling of endoplasmic reticulum in the wound tissues.The expression and distribution of PERK,IRE1 and thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)was assessed by immunohistochemistry,while Western blot was used to measure the levels of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),TXNIP and NLRP3.ELISA was conducted to quantify the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18(IL-18)and IL-1β.RE-SULTS:After 14 d of intervention,significant differences were observed in wound tissue parameters across the groups.The model group exhibited a significantly lower wound healing rate compared to the control group(P<0.01),with in-creased wound exudation,poor granulation tissue growth,and elevated the protein levels of PERK,IRE1,TXNIP,CHOP,NLRP3 and ASC(P<0.01),as well as significantly higher levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01).In contrast,the detoxification muscle ointment group showed a marked improvement in wound healing rate(P<0.01),reduced inflamma-tory exudation,improved granulation tissue growth,and significant decreases in TXNIP expression(P<0.01),along with lower levels of PERK,IRE1,CHOP,ASC and NLRP3(P<0.01).Additionally,the IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly reduced(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Jiedu Shengji ointment alleviates excessive ERS and mitigates chronic inflammato-ry responses,thereby promoting the healing of diabetic wounds.These effects may be attributed to the inhibition of exces-sive activation of the PERK/IRE1/NLRP3 pathway.

Purpose To explore the value of multi-modal ultrasound using two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound,ultrasound elastography and superb microvascular imaging in the ultra-high frequency ultrasound mode for evaluating benign and malignant skin tumors.Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 94 patients with skin tumors who were treated and confirmed by surgical pathology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to December 2023,with 45 cases in the benign group and 49 cases in the malignant group.All patients underwent two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound,superb microvascular imaging and ultrasound elastography under the ultra-high frequency ultrasound mode before surgery,all the ultrasound parameters and clinical features were recorded.The differences in parameters between the benign and malignant groups were compared,and independent risk factors for tumor malignancy were analyzed.Results Univariate analysis showed there were statistically significant differences in age,maximum diameter,morphology,margin,superb microvascular imaging rating and ultrasound elastography score between the benign and malignant skin tumors groups(χ2/Z=-4.532-34.321,all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the older the patient(OR=1.052,P=0.023),the larger the maximum diameter of the lesion(OR=1.113,P=0.031),the irregular morphology(OR=21.975,P=0.025)and the higher the ultrasound elastography score(3 score:OR=7.310,P=0.026;4 score:OR=17.916,P=0.008),the higher the risk of tumor progression.Conclusion Older age,larger maximum diameter,irregular morphology and larger ultrasound elastography score(≥3 points)are independent risk factors for predicting malignant skin tumors.Multi-modal ultra-high frequency ultrasound has a certain value for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant skin tumors.

Objective:To study the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City, Shaanxi Province.Methods:From 2018 to 2023, data on tsutsugamushi disease cases reported by various medical institutions at all levels in Ankang City were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. At the same time, individual epidemiological investigation of reported cases was carried out, and electronic medical records of patients were retrieved to verify their diagnosis. In 2023, the rodents and chigger mites were monitored in 3 townships with high incidence of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City by night clamping method, and the chigger mites rate and chigger mites index were calculated. Blood, liver, spleen and kidney samples of rodents were collected, DNA of blood and organ mixture was extracted, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect Orientia tsutsugamushi. Results:A total of 330 cases of tsutsugamushi disease were reported in Ankang City from 2018 to 2023, and the reported incidence rate increased from 0.56/100 000 in 2018 to 5.02/100 000 in 2023. Among them, 139 were males and 191 were females, with a sex ratio of 0.73∶1.00. The age was mainly 45 - 70 years old, accounting for 81.52% (269/330). The occupation was mainly farmers, accounting for 86.97% (287/330). The onset time was mainly concentrated from April to October, with a total of 317 cases, accounting for 96.06% (317/330). The main clinical manifestations were fever (93.20%, 274/294), ulcer or eschar (75.85%, 223/294), headache (44.56%, 131/294), and lymph node enlargement (44.22%, 130/294). The misdiagnosis rate at the first diagnosis was 73.81% (217/294). A total of 452 rodents were captured, of which 91 rodents carried chigger mites, and chigger mites rate was 20.13% (91/452). A total of 1 463 chigger mites were captured, and the chigger mites index was 3.24 (1 463/452). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on blood and organ mixture samples collected from 452 rodents, and one of the organ mixture samples tested positive for Orientia tsutsugamushi. Conclusions:The incidence of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City is relatively high, and the overall incidence is on the rise. The cases are mainly female, middle-aged and elderly, and farmers, with a high misdiagnosis rate at the first diagnosis. There are chigger mites in rodents in townships with high incidence of tsutsugamushi disease.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the effects of Jiedu-Shengji ointment(JDSJG)on wound healing in diabetic rats by modulating the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway in the context of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups:control group,model group,detoxification muscle ointment group,and sulfadiazine silver cream group.All groups,except the control,were administered an intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce diabetes.The control and model groups received daily applications of normal saline,while the detoxification myogen ointment and sulfadiazine silver cream groups received their respective treatments daily.After dressing changes,wounds were bandaged with sterile gauze.Following 14 d of continuous treatment,wound healing was assessed and healing rates calculated.Histopathologi-cal changes in wound tissues were analyzed using HE staining.Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to observe the number,morphology,and swelling of endoplasmic reticulum in the wound tissues.The expression and distribution of PERK,IRE1 and thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)was assessed by immunohistochemistry,while Western blot was used to measure the levels of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),TXNIP and NLRP3.ELISA was conducted to quantify the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18(IL-18)and IL-1β.RE-SULTS:After 14 d of intervention,significant differences were observed in wound tissue parameters across the groups.The model group exhibited a significantly lower wound healing rate compared to the control group(P<0.01),with in-creased wound exudation,poor granulation tissue growth,and elevated the protein levels of PERK,IRE1,TXNIP,CHOP,NLRP3 and ASC(P<0.01),as well as significantly higher levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01).In contrast,the detoxification muscle ointment group showed a marked improvement in wound healing rate(P<0.01),reduced inflamma-tory exudation,improved granulation tissue growth,and significant decreases in TXNIP expression(P<0.01),along with lower levels of PERK,IRE1,CHOP,ASC and NLRP3(P<0.01).Additionally,the IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly reduced(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Jiedu Shengji ointment alleviates excessive ERS and mitigates chronic inflammato-ry responses,thereby promoting the healing of diabetic wounds.These effects may be attributed to the inhibition of exces-sive activation of the PERK/IRE1/NLRP3 pathway.

Objective:To study the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City, Shaanxi Province.Methods:From 2018 to 2023, data on tsutsugamushi disease cases reported by various medical institutions at all levels in Ankang City were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. At the same time, individual epidemiological investigation of reported cases was carried out, and electronic medical records of patients were retrieved to verify their diagnosis. In 2023, the rodents and chigger mites were monitored in 3 townships with high incidence of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City by night clamping method, and the chigger mites rate and chigger mites index were calculated. Blood, liver, spleen and kidney samples of rodents were collected, DNA of blood and organ mixture was extracted, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect Orientia tsutsugamushi. Results:A total of 330 cases of tsutsugamushi disease were reported in Ankang City from 2018 to 2023, and the reported incidence rate increased from 0.56/100 000 in 2018 to 5.02/100 000 in 2023. Among them, 139 were males and 191 were females, with a sex ratio of 0.73∶1.00. The age was mainly 45 - 70 years old, accounting for 81.52% (269/330). The occupation was mainly farmers, accounting for 86.97% (287/330). The onset time was mainly concentrated from April to October, with a total of 317 cases, accounting for 96.06% (317/330). The main clinical manifestations were fever (93.20%, 274/294), ulcer or eschar (75.85%, 223/294), headache (44.56%, 131/294), and lymph node enlargement (44.22%, 130/294). The misdiagnosis rate at the first diagnosis was 73.81% (217/294). A total of 452 rodents were captured, of which 91 rodents carried chigger mites, and chigger mites rate was 20.13% (91/452). A total of 1 463 chigger mites were captured, and the chigger mites index was 3.24 (1 463/452). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on blood and organ mixture samples collected from 452 rodents, and one of the organ mixture samples tested positive for Orientia tsutsugamushi. Conclusions:The incidence of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City is relatively high, and the overall incidence is on the rise. The cases are mainly female, middle-aged and elderly, and farmers, with a high misdiagnosis rate at the first diagnosis. There are chigger mites in rodents in townships with high incidence of tsutsugamushi disease.

Purpose To explore the value of multi-modal ultrasound using two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound,ultrasound elastography and superb microvascular imaging in the ultra-high frequency ultrasound mode for evaluating benign and malignant skin tumors.Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 94 patients with skin tumors who were treated and confirmed by surgical pathology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to December 2023,with 45 cases in the benign group and 49 cases in the malignant group.All patients underwent two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound,superb microvascular imaging and ultrasound elastography under the ultra-high frequency ultrasound mode before surgery,all the ultrasound parameters and clinical features were recorded.The differences in parameters between the benign and malignant groups were compared,and independent risk factors for tumor malignancy were analyzed.Results Univariate analysis showed there were statistically significant differences in age,maximum diameter,morphology,margin,superb microvascular imaging rating and ultrasound elastography score between the benign and malignant skin tumors groups(χ2/Z=-4.532-34.321,all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the older the patient(OR=1.052,P=0.023),the larger the maximum diameter of the lesion(OR=1.113,P=0.031),the irregular morphology(OR=21.975,P=0.025)and the higher the ultrasound elastography score(3 score:OR=7.310,P=0.026;4 score:OR=17.916,P=0.008),the higher the risk of tumor progression.Conclusion Older age,larger maximum diameter,irregular morphology and larger ultrasound elastography score(≥3 points)are independent risk factors for predicting malignant skin tumors.Multi-modal ultra-high frequency ultrasound has a certain value for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant skin tumors.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic performance of CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) derived from standard images (STD), images processed by first-generation (SSF1) and second-generation (SSF2) whole-heart motion correction algorithm, respectively.Methods:Patients who underwent both coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) with FFR examination within 3 months in Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong Univerisity School of Medicine from January 2020 to December 2022 were screened in this retrospective study. Totally of 121 patients (134 lesions) were finally included in the study. CCTA images were reconstructed using iterative reconstruction, iterative reconstruction plus SSF1 and SSF2 algorithms. All images were divided into three groups: STD group, SSF1 group, and SSF2 group. The image quality of the CCTA images was assessed using the Likert scale, and differences between the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis test. The correlation and consistency between CT-FFR and FFR were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots. The diagnostic performance of CCTA and CT-FFR from three groups was compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The area under the curve (AUC) was compared using the DeLong test. Results:Compared to the STD group and SSF1 group, the SSF2 group showed the best performance in image quality score (median=3.7). Best correlation ( r=0.652, P<0.001) and consistency (mean difference=0.03) between CT-FFR and FFR were observed in SSF2 group. ROC analysis results revealed that, at the per-lesion level, in the diagnosis of ischemic lesions, the diagnostic performance of CT-FFR in the SSF2 group was significantly better than that of the SSF1 group (AUC=0.88 vs. 0.76, P=0.003), while no significant difference was observed between STD group and SSF1 group ( P=0.125). At the per-patient level, the SSF2 group also demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance. Conclusion:The SSF2 algorithm significantly improved CCTA image quality and enhanced its diagnostic performance for evaluating stenosis severity and CT-FFR calculations.