Objectives:To evaluate the tricuspid valve(TV)geometric remodeling in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension(IPAH)by three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Methods:Two-dimensional and three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography were performed in 30 IPAH patients and 15 healthy controls,and the geometry parameters of TV were obtained by four-dimensional auto tricuspid valve quantitative(4D Auto-TVQ)in the right ventricular-focused apical view.Pulmonary arterial hypertension was determined by right heart catheterization within 48 hours of echocardiography. Results:The 4-chamber diameter,tricuspid annular(TA)perimeter,TA area,maximal tenting height,coaptation point height and tenting volume were larger in IPAH patients than those in healthy controls(all P＜0.05),2-chamber diameter was similar between two groups.In IPAH group,maximal tenting height and coaptation point height were moderately correlated with right ventricular end-diastolic volume(r=0.710,r=0.515,both P＜0.05),while TA perimeter,4-chamber diameter and TA area were moderately correlated with right atrial end-systolic volume(r=0.712,r=0.558,r=0.545,all P＜0.05). Conclusions:IPAH patients have larger maximal tenting height,coaptation point height and tenting volume,TA enlargement is mainly visible in 4-chamber diameter.TV tenting height is associated with right ventricular volume,but TA size is associated with right atrial volume in IPAH patients.

BACKGROUND:The research of dental stem cells in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering has been deepening,bringing hope for the repair of tooth-related tissues and the treatment of systemic diseases.However,there is a lack of systematic research and analysis on the biological characteristics of dental stem cells in different age groups. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biological characteristics of the human deciduous tooth and permanent tooth pulp stem cells cultured in umbilical cord blood platelet lysate to provide a reliable basis for human platelet lysates to replace fetal bovine serum. METHODS:The pulp tissues of deciduous teeth,juvenile permanent teeth and adult permanent teeth were taken out and cultured in DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum or different concentrations(5%,10%and 15%)of human platelet lysates.Cell proliferation in the four groups was detected by cytometry.The optimal concentration of human platelet lysates was selected for subsequent experiments.Under the optimal concentration of human platelet lysates,human deciduous tooth and juvenile and adult permanent tooth pulp stem cells were cultured in vitro.The cell growth status was observed under the microscope.The specific antigen on the cell surface was detected by flow cytometry.The cell proliferation ability was tested by the cell counting method and CCK-8 assay.The cell differentiation ability in vitro was observed by a three-line differentiation assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The cell proliferation rate of the 10%human platelet lysate group was the highest.(2)In all three groups,fusiform fibrous cells grew and expanded from around the tissue block.There was no significant difference between deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent tooth cells,but the adult permanent tooth cells were larger than the deciduous and juvenile permanent tooth cells of the same generation.(3)The results of flow cytometry showed that deciduous teeth,juvenile permanent teeth and adult permanent teeth conformed to the phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells.(4)The proliferative capacity of adult permanent dental pulp stem cells was significantly lower than those of deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent dental pulp stem cells(P<0.01).(5)mRNA expressions of osteoblast-related genes alkaline phosphatase and bone morphogenetic protein 2,lipoprotein lipase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2,mRNA expressions of chondroblast related gene type II collagen α1 and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in adult pulp stem cells of permanent teeth were significantly lower than those of deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent teeth pulp stem cells(P<0.01).(6)Compared with adult dental pulp stem cells,human deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent teeth dental pulp stem cells have the stronger proliferative capacity and multidirectional differentiation potential,and are more suitable for clinical research and disease treatment.

Objective:To explore and validate the targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza in myopia using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods:The TCMSP database was used to extract the targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza.GeneCards, DisGeNET, Malacard and OMIM databases were used to extract the myopia-related targets.The target intersection was taken, and the intersecting targets were selected to extract the corresponding active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and construct the pharmacological regulatory network of TCM using Cytoscape.The protein interaction network map for the key target genes was constructed using the String database, and the relevant proteins were selected to download the three-dimensional structures of the active ingredients from the PubChem database, and molecular docking was performed using AutoDockvina software.Twelve 3-week-old guinea pigs were induced with lens-induced myopia (LIM) in the right eye and randomly divided into normal saline group and sodium danshensu group, with 6 animals in each group.During the maintenance of LIM, periocular injection of 1 ml normal saline or sodium danshensu was performed daily.The contralateral eye was used as a negative control.On days 0, 14, and 28 of the experiment, the axial length of both eyes was measured by A-scan ultrasonography, and the refractive status was assessed with a streak retinoscope.To avoid individual differences, relative spherical equivalent (treated eye-contralateral eye) and relative axial length (treated eye-contralateral eye) were compared.On day 28, the relative expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) proteins were determined by Western blot.The feeding and use of laboratory animals followed the 3R principle, and the research program was approved by the Ethics Committee of Experimental Animal Center of Zhengzhou University (No.ZZU-LAC 202320405[02]). Results:Sixteen intersecting key targets were screened for myopia and TCM components derived from Salvia divinorum.A TCM network pharmacology map and protein interaction map were constructed with Salvia divinorum as a drug candidate, and the corresponding proteins of target genes, such as MMP2, TGFB1, and MMP9 were screened to perform molecular docking with the active ingredients, such as lignocellulosic acid, danshensu, tanshinone ⅡA, and so on.After 14 days of induction, the relative spherical equivalent and relative axial length were (-4.67±1.03)D and (0.67±0.26)mm in sodium danshensu group, and (-6.30±1.22)D and (1.08±0.34)mm normal saline group, indicating slower myopia progression and axial elongation in sodium danshensu group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.412, P=0.039; t=2.750, P=0.049). The relative expression levels of HIF-1α protein were 0.20±0.01, 1.29±0.05 and 0.63±0.02, and the relative expression levels of TGF-β1 protein were 0.93±0.05, 0.25±0.01 and 0.74±0.05 in the negative control, normal saline and sodium danshensu groups, respectively.The expression of HIF-1α protein was higher in sodium danshensu group than in negative control group but lower than in the normal saline group, and the expression of TGF-β1 protein was lower in sodium danshensu group than in negative control group but higher than in the normal saline group, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Natural compounds extracted from Salvia divinorum extracts may serve as potential drug candidates to combat scleral hypoxia and improve scleral extracellular matrix remodeling.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of stage I modified posterior vertebral column resection (mPVCR) in the treatment of postoperative infection after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 11 OVCF patients with post-PVP infection who were admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedics Hospital from January 2016 to June 2022, including 4 males and 7 females, aged 61-81 years [(70.2±6.4)years]. Injured segments included T 9 in 1 patient, T 11 in 2, T 12 in 3, L 1 in 1, L 2 in 2, T 11-T 12 in 1, and T 12-L 1 in 1. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading was grade D in 5 patients and grade E in 6. All the patients were treated with stage I mPVCR. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. The values of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI), and Cobb angle of the lesion segments before, at 2 weeks, 3 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up were compared. The loss of Cobb angle of the lesion segments at 2 weeks after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared, and the ASIA grading at the last follow-up was recorded. The infection control, bone healing, and the incidence of complications were observed at the last follow-up. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-44 months [(26.0±9.4)months]. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were 230-330 minutes [(279.2±28.6)minutes] and 500-1 100 ml [(840.9±184.1)ml] respectively. At 2 weeks, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were (4.0±0.8)points, (2.7±0.9)points, and (2.4±0.7)points respectively, which were all lower than that before surgery [(8.1±1.2)points] ( P<0.01); the ODI was (45.5±5.1)%, (30.0±6.5)%, and (18.5±3.6)% respectively, which were all lower than that before surgery [(78.7±6.2)%] ( P<0.01); the Cobb angle of the lesion segments were (7.9±1.4)°, (8.5±1.4)°, and (9.2±1.5)° respectively, which were lower than that before surgery [(25.5±9.2)°] ( P<0.01). The VAS and ODI were both improved at 3 months after surgery compared with those at 2 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in Cobb angle of the lesion segments ( P>0.05). The ODI was further improved at the last follow-up compared with that at 3 months after surgery ( P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in VAS or Cobb angle of the lesion segments ( P>0.05). The loss of Cobb angle correction of the lesion segment at the last follow-up was 0.96 (0.69, 1.45)° compared with that at 2 weeks after surgery and the rate of loss of Cobb angle correction of the lesion segment was 4.4(2.2, 7.4)%. At the last follow-up, the ASIA grading was grade E for all the patients, who were able to walk normally independently. The infection was all cured and good bony fusion was observed in the operated area at the last follow-up. Two patients had pleural effusion and pulmonary atelectasis, 1 incision fat liquefaction, and 1 pneumonia after the surgery. None of the patients had internal fixation failure and serious complications such as worsening neurological symptoms or death. Conclusion:Stage I mPVCR for the treatment of post-PVP infection in patients with OVCF is proved to attain significant pain relief and functional improvement, good correction results, effective reconstruction of spinal stability, complete removal of infected lesions, and few serious complications.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of one-stage posterior-anterior combined operation for the treatment of abnormal fusion after facet joint dislocation in the subaxial cervical spine.Methods:A retrospective study of case series was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 10 patients with abnormal fusion after facet joint dislocation in the subaxial cervical spine who had been admitted to Department of Spine Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2015 to May 2023. There were 7 males and 3 females with an age of (41.2±3.1) years. Preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading: 5 cases of grade A, 4 cases of grade B, and 1 cases of grade C. All the patients were treated with one-stage posterior-anterior combined operation. The surgical time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. The ASIA grading was used to evaluate the improvements in nerve function of the spinal cord 3 months after surgery. The VAS scores, cervical intervertebral heights, and Cobb angles were compared between pre-surgery, 3 months after surgery, and the last follow-up. The fusion of intervertebral bone graft was evaluated 3 months after surgery using the Bridgell intervertebral fusion criteria. Complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 15.5 (13.8, 20.5) months. The surgical time was (119.5±3.6) minutes, and the intraoperative bleeding volume (141.6±25.6) mL. Significant improvements in VAS score, cervical intervertebral height, and Cobb angle were observed at 3 months after surgery and the last follow-up compared with the pre-surgery values ( P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between 3 months after surgery and the last follow-up ( P>0.05). ASIA grading 3 months after surgery: 4 cases of grade A, 4 cases of grade B, and 2 cases of grade C. By the Bridgell intervertebral fusion criteria at 3 months after surgery: 9 cases of grade Ⅰ and 1 cases of grade Ⅱ, showing good intervertebral fusion. Surgery went on well for all patients, showing no postoperative complications such as aggravation of nerve lesion or vascular injury. Conclusion:In the treatment of abnormal fusion after facet joint dislocation in the subaxial cervical spine, the efficacy of one-stage posterior-anterior combined operation is definite because it can effectively reduce pain, restore the height and physiological curvature of the cervical intervertebral space, and achieve good intervertebral fusion.

Simmering method is one of the traditional processing methods of Chinese materia medica， which has been documented in the herbal literature and medical books of the past dynasties and has a great variety， but at present， there are not many specific varieties of Chinese materia medica involved， and there are few related researches. By reviewing the ancient and modern related information， the authors have organized and analyzed the historical evolution， processing purpose， modern representative Chinese materia medica（processing technology， quality evaluation， pharmacological research） of simmering method. After sorting out， it was found that the simmering method was widely used in ancient times， which was first seen in Huashi Zhongzangjing of the Eastern Han dynasty， and was enriched and developed through the Tang， Song， Jin， Yuan， Ming and Qing dynasties， and entered its heyday in Ming and Qing dynasties along with the economic prosperity and development of the Ming dynasty， involving as many as 159 varieties of Chinese materia medica， and gradually perfecting the processing theory of the simmering method. However， the number of varieties that still use the simmering method in modern times significantly decreased. The main purposes of using simmering method in modern Chinese materia medica are to reduce adverse reactions， moderate medicinal properties， enhance therapeutic effects， remove non-medicinal parts， and facilitate further processing， etc. This paper combed the key information of simmering methods for Chinese materia medica from ancient to modern times， which can provide a literature basis for the clinical application and modern research of simmered products of Chinese materia medica.

Background::Artificial intelligence (AI) technology represented by deep learning has made remarkable achievements in digital pathology, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. The spatial distribution of CD3 + and CD8 + T cells within the tumor microenvironment has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate CD3 CT (CD3 + T cells density in the core of the tumor [CT]) prognostic ability in patients with CRC by using AI technology. Methods::The study involved the enrollment of 492 patients from two distinct medical centers, with 358 patients assigned to the training cohort and an additional 134 patients allocated to the validation cohort. To facilitate tissue segmentation and T-cells quantification in whole-slide images (WSIs), a fully automated workflow based on deep learning was devised. Upon the completion of tissue segmentation and subsequent cell segmentation, a comprehensive analysis was conducted.Results::The evaluation of various positive T cell densities revealed comparable discriminatory ability between CD3 CT and CD3-CD8 (the combination of CD3 + and CD8 + T cells density within the CT and invasive margin) in predicting mortality (C-index in training cohort: 0.65 vs. 0.64; validation cohort: 0.69 vs. 0.69). The CD3 CT was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor, with high CD3 CT density associated with increased overall survival (OS) in the training cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12–0.38, P <0.001) and validation cohort (HR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05–0.92, P = 0.037). Conclusions::We quantify the spatial distribution of CD3 + and CD8 + T cells within tissue regions in WSIs using AI technology. The CD3 CT confirmed as a stage-independent predictor for OS in CRC patients. Moreover, CD3 CT shows promise in simplifying the CD3-CD8 system and facilitating its practical application in clinical settings.

Objectives:To investigate the feasibility of using bedside echocardiography on the evaluation of potential donors with different causes of brain death for adult heart transplantation. Methods:Bedside echocardiographic and clinical data of consecutive potential donors for adult heart transplantation evaluated by the team of our institution from February 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Based on different causes of brain death,the potential donors were divided into stroke(ischemic or hemorrhagic,n=398)and non-stroke(head trauma,brain tumor,anoxia,n=272)groups.The clinical and echocardiographic features were compared between the two groups.A total of 350 donors were assigned to our hospital by the China Organ Transplant Response System and met the inclusion criteria for donor selection.There were 195 cases in the stroke group and 155 in the non-stroke group.Retrieval operations were performed and the retrieval rate of hearts for transplantation in stroke donors was compared to that in non-stroke donors. Results:(1)Among the 670 potential heart donors,compared with the non-stroke group,donors in the stroke group were significantly older,had higher body mass index,larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,thicker interventricular septum,higher rates of echocardiographic abnormalities,higher prevalence of hypertension(all P<0.001).Among the 670 potential heart donors,17.5%(117 cases)did not meet the echo selection criteria,the common causes were left ventricular hypertrophy(59 cases,50.4%),left ventricular ejection fraction<50%(27 cases,23.1%),wall motion abnormalities(21 cases,17.9%),and left ventricular dilation(14 cases,12.0%).(2)Among the 350 donors who had met the selection criteria and assigned to our hospital by the China Organ Transplant Response System and underwent retrieval operation,70.3%(246 cases)were successfully procured,110 cases(44.7%)in the stroke group and 136 cases(55.3%)in the non-stroke group.The retrieval rate of stroke donors(110/195,56.4%)was lower compared with that of non-stroke(136/155,87.7%,P<0.001),104 cases(29.7%)were not retrieved,and the leading cause of unsuccessful organ retrieval was the occlusion of at least one major coronary artery(91 cases,87.5%). Conclusions:Bedside echocardiography is of great value as a screening tool for cardiac donors.Cardiac structures of the potential donor with stroke as the cause of brain death were different from those with non-stroke causes.The retrieval rate of stroke donors was lower than that of non-stroke donors,even if the initial criteria for donor selection were fulfilled.

Objective:To evaluate the application of digital visualization in preoperative planning for surgical clearance of vertebral infection lesions following percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 13 patients with infectious spondylitis following PVP who had undergone one-stage posterior debridement and interbody bone grafting combined with instrumentation at Department of Spinal Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopaedics Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022. They were 4 males and 9 females with an age of (71.4±6.5) years. Before surgery, the CT raw data of the patients were imported into software Mimics to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the spine. After the distribution of bone cement in the model and its relationships with the vertebral plate, pedicle, articular process, and spinal cord were observed, a safe area for spinal canal surgery was designed. Intraoperative operations were carried out according to the preoperative planning. Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, improvements in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading, and postoperative complications were recorded. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by comparisons of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between preoperation, 2 weeks and 3 months postoperation, and the last follow-up.Results:Surgery went on successfully in all the 13 patients according to the preoperative planning. The surgical time was (275.9±28.3) min and the intraoperative blood loss (865.4±183.0) mL. All patients were followed up for (24.7±9.4) months. The levels of ESR, CRP, VAS, and ODI at 2 weeks, 3 months and the last follow-up were significantly lower than those before surgery ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, X-ray and CT examinations showed good positions of internal fixation and sufficient bone graft fusion. The ASIA grading recovered from preoperative D to E in 5 patients. No incision infection, sinus formation, worsening of neurological symptoms, loosening or rupture of internal fixation, or worsening of neurological dysfunction were found. Conclusion:With the assistance of 3D visualization, the spinal cord, bone cement, and debridement area can be visualized directly to reduce nerve injury complications so that a safe and effective preoperative planning can be made for surgical clearance of vertebral infection lesions following PVP.

Promoting the transformation and development of public hospitals into clinical research-oriented hospitals is the necessary way for China to deepen the reform of medicine and health system. In August 2019, Henan Cancer Hospital deeply combined the key elements of clinical research management with the concept of multidisciplinary collaborative governance, created an offline operating end of collaborative governance (including the front collaborative recruitment system, the middle collaborative quality management system, and the terminal collaborative transformation system), built a supporting internet plus intelligent auxiliary end (including the intelligent recruitment manager, the intelligent quality manager and the intelligent transformation manager), and built a clinical research intelligent management mode covering the trinity of subject recruitment, clinical research quality control, and innovation achievements transformation. The hospital focused on management elements such as " focusing on quality, improving efficiency, and increasing motivation" , and drove the front, middle, and terminal ends of the model to work together, to ensure the quality and efficiency of clinical research and achieve a comprehensive improvement in the hospital′s clinical research level. As of December 2023, the hospital had undertaken over 2 000 clinical research projects of various types, with a cumulative amount of clinical research conversion contracts exceeding 53 million yuan. This practice had achieved good results and could provided references for other tertiary public hospitals to promote high-quality development of clinical research.