Objective To investigate the protective effect of Indigo Naturalis on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. Methods The mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) was established using the filament ligation method. Mice were randomly divided into five groups: sham surgery, model, positive drug control, low-dose Indigo Naturalis, and high-dose Indigo Naturalis. After 7 d of drug administration, the relevant experiments were performed. Neurological function was assessed via behavioral scoring, balance beam test, forelimb grip strength, and tail lift test. Brain infarct volume was quantified using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Histopathological changes and neuronal apoptosis were systematically analyzed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, and TUNEL staining. Finally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and microglial polarization markers (CD32, CD206) in the mouse cerebral cortex. Results Compared with the model group, the neurological function scores of mice in the high-dose Indigo Naturalis group showed significant improvement, and the motor ability recovery in each drug-administration group was remarkable (P<0.05, P<0.01). The cerebral infarct volume in the high-dose Indigo Naturalis group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Histological results revealed that Indigo Naturalis could alleviate pathological damage in brain tissue and reduce neuronal apoptosis (P<0.01). PCR results demonstrated that after treatment with Indigo Naturalis, the expression of inflammatory factors and CD32 was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of CD206 was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). Conclusion Indigo Naturalis could improve motor function in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and its effects might be related to regulating inflammatory responses and reducing neuronal damage.

Severe intra-abdominal infections are life-threatening conditions and a significant challenge for surgeons. This article presents a case of an elderly patient with a severe intra-abdominal infection complicated by an anastomotic leak. This patient had experienced prolonged sepsis and multiple surgical traumas. Upon admission to our department, exploratory surgery revealed extensive bowel edema and adhesions, an anastomotic leak, and abdominal contamination with infection. In accordance with the principles of damage control surgery, the anastomotic leak was exteriorized, the abdomen was left open, and continuous intra-abdominal lavage with dual-lumen catheters was implemented to effectively control the infection. Negative pressure wound therapy was used to manage the open abdomen, and a negative pressure-assisted drainage device was used to manage the enteroatmospheric fistula. After granulation of the abdominal wound, split-thickness skin grafting was performed. The enteroatmospheric fistula was converted into an enterocutaneous fistula. A 3D-printed stoma baseplate was used to manage the digestive fistula. Concurrently, enhanced parenteral and enteral nutritional support was provided. Six months later, the patient successfully underwent definitive fistula resection and abdominal wall defect repair.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the comprehensive management of full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence following pelvic exenteration (PE).Methods:This study employed a descriptive case series design. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 29 patients who developed postoperative perineal wound infections with full-thickness dehiscence after PE. These cases included 16 patients from the Department of General Surgery at Jiangyin People's Hospital (Jiangsu Province) and 13 patients from the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital). VSD was applied to manage the dehisced wounds, with outcomes assessed based on wound healing time, complications, and follow-up data.Results:A total of 29 patients were included in the study. The operative time for PE was (498 ± 83) minutes. Among them, 23 patients underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection. The median number of VSD devices used was 28 (22, 39). The postoperative perineal wound healing time was 95 (82, 110) days in patients who underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection, 74 (63, 89) days in those without sacrococcygeal resection, 93 (79, 102) days in those treated with simple pelvic-abdominal isolation using a biological basement membrane mesh and 76 (60, 91) days in those who received combined pelvic packing with a pedicled omental flap. All patients uniformly developed Clavien-Dindo grade III complications at 2 weeks postoperatively, manifesting as perineal wound infection and dehiscence, which were successfully managed with VSD therapy. Subsequent evaluation identified delayed (>30 days) grade III complications, including enterocutaneous (3 cases) and urinary (2 cases) fistulae, all requiring surgical revision. All patients completed the follow-up at 6 months postoperatively. Three patients still presented with minimal exudate from the perineal wound, which resolved after standardized wound care and packing with alginate silver ion dressings. Four cases (13.8%) developed stoma high-output syndrome, which improved after oral medication. Eight patients (27.6%) developed adhesive intestinal obstruction, which improved with conservative treatment.Conclusions:VSD demonstrates unique advantages in managing complex wounds. For full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence after PE, VSD is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the comprehensive management of full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence following pelvic exenteration (PE).Methods:This study employed a descriptive case series design. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 29 patients who developed postoperative perineal wound infections with full-thickness dehiscence after PE. These cases included 16 patients from the Department of General Surgery at Jiangyin People's Hospital (Jiangsu Province) and 13 patients from the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital). VSD was applied to manage the dehisced wounds, with outcomes assessed based on wound healing time, complications, and follow-up data.Results:A total of 29 patients were included in the study. The operative time for PE was (498 ± 83) minutes. Among them, 23 patients underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection. The median number of VSD devices used was 28 (22, 39). The postoperative perineal wound healing time was 95 (82, 110) days in patients who underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection, 74 (63, 89) days in those without sacrococcygeal resection, 93 (79, 102) days in those treated with simple pelvic-abdominal isolation using a biological basement membrane mesh and 76 (60, 91) days in those who received combined pelvic packing with a pedicled omental flap. All patients uniformly developed Clavien-Dindo grade III complications at 2 weeks postoperatively, manifesting as perineal wound infection and dehiscence, which were successfully managed with VSD therapy. Subsequent evaluation identified delayed (>30 days) grade III complications, including enterocutaneous (3 cases) and urinary (2 cases) fistulae, all requiring surgical revision. All patients completed the follow-up at 6 months postoperatively. Three patients still presented with minimal exudate from the perineal wound, which resolved after standardized wound care and packing with alginate silver ion dressings. Four cases (13.8%) developed stoma high-output syndrome, which improved after oral medication. Eight patients (27.6%) developed adhesive intestinal obstruction, which improved with conservative treatment.Conclusions:VSD demonstrates unique advantages in managing complex wounds. For full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence after PE, VSD is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy.

Severe intra-abdominal infections are life-threatening conditions and a significant challenge for surgeons. This article presents a case of an elderly patient with a severe intra-abdominal infection complicated by an anastomotic leak. This patient had experienced prolonged sepsis and multiple surgical traumas. Upon admission to our department, exploratory surgery revealed extensive bowel edema and adhesions, an anastomotic leak, and abdominal contamination with infection. In accordance with the principles of damage control surgery, the anastomotic leak was exteriorized, the abdomen was left open, and continuous intra-abdominal lavage with dual-lumen catheters was implemented to effectively control the infection. Negative pressure wound therapy was used to manage the open abdomen, and a negative pressure-assisted drainage device was used to manage the enteroatmospheric fistula. After granulation of the abdominal wound, split-thickness skin grafting was performed. The enteroatmospheric fistula was converted into an enterocutaneous fistula. A 3D-printed stoma baseplate was used to manage the digestive fistula. Concurrently, enhanced parenteral and enteral nutritional support was provided. Six months later, the patient successfully underwent definitive fistula resection and abdominal wall defect repair.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of Huzhang Qingmai decoction (HZQMY) on the improvement of cognitive function in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia from the perspective of intestinal flora. Methods A mouse model of chronic cerebral ischemia was established by placing microcoils around the bilateral common carotid arteries to induce bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). After 12 weeks of intragastric administration, the cognitive function of the mice was measured by the Morris water maze; the myelin damage was analyzed by LFB staining; The contents of the cecum of the mice in each group were extracted and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results The results of the water maze experiment showed that the mice in the HZQMY group had a significantly shorter escape latency, increased the number of crossings platform and the percentage of target quadrants. LFB staining showed that the white matter damage in the model group was severe; the white matter damage in the HZQMY group was milder. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that compared with the model group, the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota, Akkermansia, and ErysiPelatoclostridium capsulatum in the intestinal flora in HZQMY group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the abundances of Eubacterium_xylanoPhilum and Allobaculum were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion The protective effect of HZQMY, which has the effect of improving cognitive function in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia, may be related to the regulation of intestinal flora in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of preconception expanded carrier screening (PECS) in Chinese Han population of childbearing age.Methods:The gene detection results of infertile couples with PECS in the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to May 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The carrier rate of pathogenic gene, the detection rate of high-risk couples and the clinical outcome of high-risk couples were counted and analyzed.Results:A total of 1 565 patients received PECS and they were all Chinese Han. A total of 504 patients received the 108 extended monogenic diseases testing, including 420 females and 84 males, the overall carrier rate of the target genes was 30.75% (129/420), and the detection rate of high-risk couples was 1.19% (1/84), the higher carrier rates of the tested genes were MMACHC [2.58% (13/504)], ATP7B [2.38% (12/504)], SLC22A5 [2.18% (11/504)], GALC [1.79% (9/504)], PAH [1.79% (9/504)] and MLC1 [1.19% (6/504)], the rest are less than 1%. There were 555 patients accepted FMR1 gene detection, and 5 patients with FMR1 gene mutation, accounting for 0.90%. Testing for direct relatives of patients with complete mutations, her mother is a pre mutation carrier with a CGG repeat count of 105. A total of 502 patients accepted SMN1 gene testing. Totally 14 femals and 2 males were found to be SMN1 gene carriers in this study, with a carrier rate of 3.19%. Conclusion:The carryier rate of single gene recessive disorder is high in the population. Screening before pregnancy can provide birth health guidance for patients, help them to choose preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene disorders (PGT-M) and prenatal diagnosis, to avoid the birth of silk children.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of preconception expanded carrier screening (PECS) in Chinese Han population of childbearing age.Methods:The gene detection results of infertile couples with PECS in the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to May 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The carrier rate of pathogenic gene, the detection rate of high-risk couples and the clinical outcome of high-risk couples were counted and analyzed.Results:A total of 1 565 patients received PECS and they were all Chinese Han. A total of 504 patients received the 108 extended monogenic diseases testing, including 420 females and 84 males, the overall carrier rate of the target genes was 30.75% (129/420), and the detection rate of high-risk couples was 1.19% (1/84), the higher carrier rates of the tested genes were MMACHC [2.58% (13/504)], ATP7B [2.38% (12/504)], SLC22A5 [2.18% (11/504)], GALC [1.79% (9/504)], PAH [1.79% (9/504)] and MLC1 [1.19% (6/504)], the rest are less than 1%. There were 555 patients accepted FMR1 gene detection, and 5 patients with FMR1 gene mutation, accounting for 0.90%. Testing for direct relatives of patients with complete mutations, her mother is a pre mutation carrier with a CGG repeat count of 105. A total of 502 patients accepted SMN1 gene testing. Totally 14 femals and 2 males were found to be SMN1 gene carriers in this study, with a carrier rate of 3.19%. Conclusion:The carryier rate of single gene recessive disorder is high in the population. Screening before pregnancy can provide birth health guidance for patients, help them to choose preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene disorders (PGT-M) and prenatal diagnosis, to avoid the birth of silk children.

Objective To explore the mechanism of motherwort in the treatment of nerve injury. Methods The active components of motherwort were obtained by searching TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases. The action targets of candidate compounds were collected and predicted from TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction (STP) databases. The target genes corresponding to the active components of motherwort were obtained by using the standardized database of disease targets (Uniprot). The potential targets of motherwort in the treatment of nerve injury were obtained by mapping the disease genes of nerve injury with the three databases of Genecards, DisGenet and OMIM. The network topology analysis software Cytoscape 3.6.0 was used to construct the action target network of motherwort active components. The protein interaction platform database (STRING) was used to construct the interaction relationship between action targets. The target protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by introducing Cytoscape 3.6.0 software. Through STRING database, GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out to analyze the target points of motherwort in the treatment of nerve injury. Results 19 active components were screened from motherwort, involving 654 action targets, including 426 action targets related to nerve injury and 6 key targets. These target genes were mainly involved in biological regulation, oxidative stress response and cell communication and other biological processes. Molecular functions were mainly related to protein binding, ion binding and catalytic reduction. They were enriched outside the cell membrane. Its mechanism was related to signal pathways such as MAPK, Toll-like receptor, PI3K-Akt, TNF, IL-17, and apoptosis. Conclusion The active components of motherwort may play a protective role on nerve injury through anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and promoting cell growth.

Innate immunity is the host's first line defense against pathogens invading to the body. Detection of abnormal nucleic acids in the cytoplasm showed that some conserved pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) triggered type I interferon (IFN) -mediated innate immune responses. The DNA sensor— cGAS (cGAMP Synthase) recognizes and binds to host or pathogen cytoplasmic DNA, promotes the formation of the second messenger cGAMP (cyclic GMP-AMP), and triggers STING (stimulator of interferon genes) dependent downstream signaling. Here we briefly describe the latest progress of the cGAS-cGAMP-STING pathway and its important role in antivirus, and provide new ideas for virus prevention research and new direction for the development of antiviral drugs.