Atherosclerosis （AS） is a vascular disease primarily affecting large and medium-sized arteries. It serves as the pathological basis for many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and is associated with a relatively high incidence of complications and mortality worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of AS， demonstrating unique therapeutic advantages through multiple targets and pathways. Ligusticum chuanxiong， a commonly used Chinese medicine in clinical practice， contains key active components against AS， including ligustrazine， senkyunolide， ligustilide， quercetin， ferulic acid， vanillic acid， chlorogenic acid， gallic acid， protocatechuic acid， caffeic acid， chrysophanol， and β-sitosterol. Recent literature indicates that these active components can regulate AS through multiple mechanisms， including improving endothelial cell dysfunction， alleviating lipid metabolism disorders， inhibiting macrophage foam cell formation， suppressing the invasion， proliferation， and migration of smooth muscle cells， inhibiting apoptosis， exerting anticoagulant effects and inhibiting platelet activation， protecting mitochondrial function， and modulating intestinal flora and its metabolites， demonstrating significant pharmacological activity and clinical potential. Clinically， L. chuanxiong is often combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza， Paeonia lactiflora， Angelica sinensis， and borneol to form compound formulations， enhancing therapeutic effects and achieving synergistic anti-AS activity. Compound treatment with L. chuanxiong primarily focuses on promoting blood circulation and shows significant efficacy for different AS syndrome types. This article provides an in-depth review of the active components， drug pairs， and compound preparations of L. chuanxiong in the prevention and treatment of AS， aiming to lay a foundation for subsequent theoretical research and clinical applications in managing AS and its related complications.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules on JNK signaling molecules and their phosphorylated proteins in postmenopausal osteoporosis model female mice.Methods:The rats were divided into sham-operation group, blank group, model group, positive drug group, and Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group according to the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. The model group, the positive drug group and the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group were prepared by bilateral ovarian detomy to prepare a female mouse model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The positive drug group was given 0.9 mg/kg of alendronate sodium, the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group was given was Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules 1.944 g/kg for gavage, and the blank group, sham-operation group, and model group were given the same volume of normal saline for gavage, once a day for a total of 13 weeks. Rat vaginal exfoliated cells were stained with Wright's staining; serum Omentin-1 and 25(OH)D 3 levels were determined by ELISA; renal tissue and femoral structure were observed by HE staining; JNK and p-JNK protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemical staining; JNK mRNA levels were detected by PCR. Results:Compared with the model group, the serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and Omentin-1 in the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group and the positive drug group increased ( P<0.01), the mean gray values of JNK and p-JNK protein in bone and kidney tissues decreased ( P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of JNK in bone and kidney tissues decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules can effectively improve the bone microstructure of postmenopausal osteoporotic rats, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of JNK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Nuanxin Capsules(NXC)in ischemic heart failure(IHF)using network pharmacology and in vivo experimental validation.Methods Active components of NXC were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and SwissTargetPrediction database.Potential IHF-related targets were predicted via OMIM and GeneCards databases.Shared targets between NXC and IHF were identified to construct a"NXC-shared targets-IHF"network.Key bioactive components were screened,and protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were built using STRING database.Core target modules were analyzed via CytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape 3.7.2.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses were performed using Metascape.For in vivo validation,an IHF mouse model was established by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.After 4-week intervention,cardiac function/structure was assessed by echocardiography,histopathology by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,lymphatic vessel density by immunofluorescence,and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGFC)and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3(VEGFR3)by Western Blot.Results Network pharmacology identified 242 shared targets between NXC and IHF,with core components including apigenin,pongapin,naringenin,4',5,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone,and tangeretin.Four core molecular clusters were identified(e.g.,VEGFC,FLT4/VEGFR3).GO analysis revealed enrichment in cellular response to nitrogen compounds,positive regulation of cell migration/phosphorus metabolism,and inflammatory response modulation.KEGG pathways included cancer,lipid/atherosclerosis,and endocrine resistance pathways.In vivo experiments demonstrated that NXC significantly improved cardiac function,attenuated pathological changes and inflammatory infiltration,promoted lymphangiogenesis,and upregulated VEGFC/VEGFR3 protein expression in IHF mice.Conclusion NXC may ameliorate IHF by promoting cardiac lymphangiogenesis via VEGFC/VEGFR3 signaling.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Objective:To investigate the association between quantified CT (QCT)-measured body composition and metabolic syndrome (MS) components in obese populations before bariatric surgery.Methods:A cross-sectional study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 97 obese patients scheduled for weight-loss surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from January 2021 to March 2023. The patients′ body mass index (BMI), biochemical parameters and body composition measurements obtained by QCT were recorded. The patients were stratified into groups based on gender, obesity severity and the number of MS components. Differences in body composition among the groups were compared. Additionally, the correlations between each body composition parameter and metabolic indicators were analyzed. The diagnostic efficacy of each body composition parameter for identifying obese individuals with different MS components was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results:There were 75 females (77.3%). Male obese patients had higher total abdominal fat area [(693.23±148.90) vs (574.99±114.89) cm 2, t=-3.958, P<0.001], visceral fat area [(289.65±57.67) vs (195.60±57.37) cm 2, t=-6.753, P<0.001], fat content of pancreatic head [27.45%(21.65%, 45.48%) vs 21.60%(17.6%, 26.9%), Z=-2.675, P=0.007], and skeletal muscle index [73.36(68.74, 81.26) vs 61.52(55.74, 66.41) cm 2/m 2, Z=-5.246, P<0.001]. With the increase of obesity, abdominal fat mainly increases in subcutaneous fat. With the increase of MS components (MS2 group, MS3 group, MS4 group, MS5 group), the abdominal fat area, abdominal fat/subcutaneous fat, liver fat content, pancreatic head fat content, and skeletal muscle index of patients all increased accordingly. In diagnosing the presence of two components of MS, area under the curve of visceral fat area was the largest (AUC=0.706, 95% CI=0.577-0.834). For diagnosing the presence of three, four and five components of MS, area under curve of liver fat content were all the largest (MS3=0.712, 95% CI=0.605-0.818; MS4=0.652, 95% CI=0.537-0.766; MS5=0.706, 95% CI=0.576-0.836). Conclusion:There are differences in QCT body composition among obese patients with different MS components, and there is a correlation between each body composition and MS component. Among them, intra-abdominal fat area and liver fat content are of great value in evaluating obese patients with different MS components.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of roxadustat and recombination human erythropoietin （rHuEPO） on coronary artery calcification in maintenance hemodialysis （MHD） patients. METHODS In retrospective analysis， MHD patients prescribed roxadustat in the Blood Purification Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April 2019 to June 2021 were selected as the ROX group （56 patients）， and MHD patients prescribed rHuEPO during the same period were selected as the EPO group （60 patients）， and follow-up observation was conducted for 12 months. The differences in laboratory index， coronary artery calcification score （CACS）， and cardiac ultrasound parameters before and after treatment as well as the occurrence of cardiac and cerebrovascular adverse events during follow-up period were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There was no statistical difference in CACS between the two groups before and after treatment （P＞0.05）； but the difference of CACS in the ROX group was significantly lower than the EPO group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in cardiac ultrasound parameters and laboratory indexes between the two groups before and after treatment （P＜0.05）. The incidence of apoplexy and myocardial infarction in the ROX group was lower than that in the EPO group （P＜0.05）， and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of hospitalization due to heart failure between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with rHuEPO， roxadustat may have a positive effect on delaying coronary artery calcification in MHD patients and may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of myocardial infarction and apoplexy in MHD patients.

Objective:A novel anatomic posterior malleolus locking plate for Chinese people was designed, researched, developed, and tested biomechanically.Methods:An anatomic parameter database of posterior malleolus of Chinese people was established by collecting CT images of ankle joints from 100 healthy volunteers in Shanghai Tongji hospital from June 2022 to May 2023. Combined with relevant computer-aided technologies, a novel anatomic posterior malleolus locking plate for Chinese people was designed and produced. In addition, model verification and biomechanical test were carried out on vertical displacements under different fixation modes and different axial loads (500, 1 000, and 1 500 N). Failure loads at a displacement of 2 mm and maximum failure loads at the complete failure of internal fixation were also tested and recorded.Results:Based on the imaging anatomic measurement, the width quartile of posterior malleolus was 19.4, 26.6, 35.0 mm. The 3D reconstruction models of ankle joint CT corresponded to small, medium, and large basic posterior malleolus plates. Height of the screw safety zone was 5.5(5.3, 5.7) mm. The tip-back angle was 153.0°(148.5°, 157.5°) and tip-back height was 20.0(19.7, 20.9) mm. The novel anatomic posterior malleolus locking plate based on tibiofibular and ankle joint CT scan and relevant computer-aided technologies fit well with posterior malleolus of tibia, showing anatomic fitting. Based on the associate biomechanical test, the novel plate fixation had smaller vertical displacements of posterior malleolus fragment under axial loads of 500, 1 000, and 1 500 N compared with the control plate, but greater failure loads when the vertical displacement of the posterior malleolus fragment was 2 mm and greater maximum failure loads at complete failure of the internal fixation. At an axial load of 500 N, the vertical displacements of the posterior malleolus fragment after posterior malleolus fixation with a control plate, a 6-hole anatomical locking plate, and a 5-hole anatomical locking plate were 0.60±0.02, 0.45±0.04, and 0.52±0.04 mm, respectively with significant difference ( F=88.287, P<0.001); at an axial load of 1 000 N, the vertical displacements were 2.22±0.03, 1.10±0.03, and 1.15±0.03 mm for the three fixation modes, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=10 061.890, P<0.001); At an axial load of 1 500 N, the vertical displacements were 2.81±0.04, 1.50±0.03 and 1.67±0.03 mm for the three fixation modes, respectively with significant difference ( F=9 774.019, P<0.001). When the vertical displacement of the posterior malleolus fragment was 2 mm, the failure loads for the three fixation modes were 0.80(0.73, 0.80)、2.00(1.93, 2.00) and 1.70(1.70, 1.70) kN, respectively with significant differences ( H=54.245, P<0.001). The maximum failure loads at complete failure of the internal fixation for the three fixation modes were 1.90(1.90, 1.98)、4.30(4.30, 4.30) and 3.70(3.63, 3.70) kN, respectively with significant differences ( H=53.863, P<0.001). Conclusions:The novel anatomic posterior malleolus locking plate for Chinese people was well matched to the posterior malleolus with high mechanical strength and good stability, showing a promising future for clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the finite element model of varus-type ankle arthritis and to implement the finite element mechanical analysis of different correction models for tibial anterior surface angle (TAS) in supramalleolar osteotomy. METHODS: A female patient with left varus-type ankle arthritis (Takakura stage Ⅱ, TAS 78°) was taken as the study object. Based on the CT data, the three-dimensional model of varus-type ankle arthritis (TAS 78°) and different TAS correction models [normal (TAS 89°), 5° valgus (TAS 94°), and 10° valgus (TAS 99°)] were created by software Mimics 21.0, Geomagic Wrap 2021, Solidworks 2017, and Workbench 17.0. The 290 N vertical downward force was applied to the upper surface of the tibia and 60 N vertical downward force to the upper surface of the fibula. Von Mises stress distribution and stress peak were calculated. RESULTS: The finite element model of normal TAS was basically consistent with biomechanics of the foot. According to biomechanical analysis, the maximum stress of the varus model appeared in the medial tibiotalar joint surface and the medial part of the top tibiotalar joint surface. The stress distribution of talofibular joint surface and the lateral part of the top tibiotalar joint surface were uniform. In the normal model, the stress distributions of the talofibular joint surface and the tibiotalar joint surface were uniform, and no obvious stress concentration was observed. The maximum stress in the 5° valgus model appeared at the posterior part of the talofibular joint surface and the lateral part of the top tibiotalar joint surface. The stress distribution of medial tibiotalar joint surface was uniform. The maximum stress of the 10° valgus model appeared at the posterior part of the talofibular joint surface and the lateral part of the top tibiotalar joint surface. The stress on the medial tibiotalar joint surface increased. CONCLUSION With the increase of valgus, the stress of ankle joint gradually shift outwards, and the stress concentration tends to appear. There was no obvious obstruction of fibula with 10° TAS correction. However, when TAS correction exceeds 10° and continues to increase, the obstruction effect of fibula becomes increasingly significant.
Humans ; Female ; Tibia/surgery* ; Finite Element Analysis ; Ankle ; Arthritis ; Fibula/surgery* ; Ankle Joint/surgery*

Objective:To compare the efficacy of staged versus elective operation for treating acute closed fracture-dislocation of tarsometatarsal joint complex.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 26 patients with acute closed fracture-dislocation of tarsometatarsal joint complex admitted to Tongji Hospital of Tongji University from January 2017 to January 2021, of whom 18 were males and 8 were females, aged 32-52 years [(44.3±5.2)years]. According to the time from injury to admission, 14 patients admitted within 8 hours after injury underwent staged surgical treatment (staged group), and 12 patients admitted more than 8 hours after injury underwent elective surgery (elective group). In the staged group, emergency reduction and temporary internal fixation with K-wire were done under the supervision of a C-arm X-ray machine in the first stage, while after the swelling subsided, open reduction and internal fixation were done for tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation in the second stage. In the elective group, open reduction and internal fixation were performed for tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation on a scheduled basis after the swelling subsided. The operation time, hospitalization time and fracture healing time were recorded. The visual analogue score (VAS) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score were evaluated before operation, at 1, 6, 12 months after operation and at the final follow-up. The rate of complications was observed after operation.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-24 months [(18.5±3.8)months]. The operation time, hospitalization time and fracture healing time in the staged group were (77.3±5.6)minutes, (14.3±2.2)days and (12.3±1.2)weeks, respectively, significantly shorter than those in the elective group [(101.5±7.5)minutes, (20.3±5.2)days and (14.3±2.2)weeks] (all P<0.01). VAS significantly decreased and AOFAS midfoot score significantly increased in both groups as postoperative time increased (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS between the two groups before operation, at 12 months after operation or at the final follow-up (all P>0.05). The VAS at 1, 6 months after operation was (4.4±0.8)points and (2.1±0.4)points in the staged group, significantly lower than those in the elective group [(6.0±1.0)points and (3.5±0.6)points] (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in preoperative AOFAS midfoot score between the two groups ( P>0.05). The AOFAS midfoot score at 1, 6, 12 months after operation and at the final follow-up was (67.6±4.5)points, (75.7±5.2)points, (83.6±2.2)points and (85.9±4.3)points in the staged group, significantly higher than those in the elective group [(60.2±3.9)points, (70.2±3.4)points, (75.4±3.3)points and (78.7±4.4)points] (all P<0.01). The rate of complications was 14.3% (2/14) in the staged group, significantly lower than that in the elective group [33.3% (4/12)] ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to traditional elective surgery, staged surgery for acute closed fracture-dislocation of tarsometatarsal joint complex has the advantages of shortened operation time, hospitalization time and fracture healing time, eary pain relief, improved functional recovery of the foot and reduced postoperative complications.