OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Xiaoyao San (XYS), a herbal medicine formula, on exercise capacity and liver mitochondrial metabolomics in a rat model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). METHODS: A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (C), CUMS control group (M), Venlafaxine positive treatment group (V), and XYS treatment group (X). Depressive behaviour and exercise capacity of rats were assessed by body weight, sugar-water preference test, open field test, pole test, and rotarod test. The liver mitochondria metabolomics were analyzed by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. TCMSP database and GeneCards database were used to screen XYS for potential targets for depression, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. RESULTS: Compared with C group, rats in M group showed significantly lower body weight, sugar water preference rate, number of crossing and rearing in the open field test, climbing down time in the pole test, and retention time on the rotarod test (P < 0.01). The above behaviors and exercise capacity indices were significantly modulated in rats in V and X groups compared with M group (P < 0.05, 0.01). Compared with C group, a total of 18 different metabolites were changed in the liver mitochondria of rats in M group. Nine different metabolites and six metabolic pathways were regulated in the liver mitochondria of rats in X group compared with M group. The results of network pharmacology showed that 88 intersecting targets for depression and XYS were obtained, among which 15 key targets such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF were predicted to be the main differential targets for the treatment of depression. Additionally, a total of 1 553 GO signaling pathways and 181 KEGG signaling pathways were identified, and the main biological pathways were AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and calcium signaling pathway. CONCLUSION XYS treatment could improve depressive symptoms, enhance exercise capacity, positively regulate the changes of mitochondrial metabolites and improve energy metabolism in the liver of depressed rats. These findings suggest that XYS exerts antidepressant effects through multi-target and multi-pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique in the treatment of alar reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients who underwent alar reduction from February 2019 to June 2022. A spindle-shaped incision line was designed along the outer edge of the base of the nasal lobule, with a width of 4-5 mm and a length of 8-12 mm. The incision line was 1-2 mm away from the alar groove, and the inner side of the design line was extended to the inside of the nasal vestibule. After the incision was made, the subcutaneous tissue was undermining dissected with curved sharp scissors, and the shape of the extended excision tissue was similar to that of jujube core. After reduction, the incision was closed with vertical mattress suture. The surgical effect and complications were followed up after surgery, and an independent attending plastic surgeon evaluated the outcome and scarring based on photos before and at the last postoperative follow-up using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and the Vancouver scar scale (VSS). GAIS is graded as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, and the lower the score, the better the improvement(≤3 points as effective improvement). VSS includes four parameters: color (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), vascular distribution (0-3 points), and softness (0-5 points). The higher the score, the more significant the scar is.Results:A total of 20 patients were enrolled, including 6 males and 14 females, aged 20 to 33 years, with an average age of 24.9 years. Before the operation, there were different degrees of alar flare and alar hypertrophy. After surgery, 13 patients had mild swelling, ecchymosis, which resolved after 3 days. There were no major complications as infection, incision dehiscence, and delayed healing. After 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, 2 patients gradually developed cartilage deformation and affected the appearance of the nostrils 6 to 9 months after surgery due to the combination of rib-based rhinoplasty, and the satisfactory results were obtained after revision surgery. The symmetry of the nostrils was significantly improved. The GAIS score of 20 patients was (1.20±0.41) points, of which, 16 patients were rated as 1 point and 4 patients were rated as 2 points, all of which met the improvement criteria, and the VSS score was (1.45±0.60) points, in which the average score for color, thickness, vasculature and compliance are 0.60, 0.05, 0.55 and 0.30 points respectively.Conclusion:The application of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique for alar reduction can increase the amount of tissue removal with the same incision width, which can not only fully narrow the alar effectively but also correct the hypertrophy of the alar tissue.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique in the treatment of alar reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients who underwent alar reduction from February 2019 to June 2022. A spindle-shaped incision line was designed along the outer edge of the base of the nasal lobule, with a width of 4-5 mm and a length of 8-12 mm. The incision line was 1-2 mm away from the alar groove, and the inner side of the design line was extended to the inside of the nasal vestibule. After the incision was made, the subcutaneous tissue was undermining dissected with curved sharp scissors, and the shape of the extended excision tissue was similar to that of jujube core. After reduction, the incision was closed with vertical mattress suture. The surgical effect and complications were followed up after surgery, and an independent attending plastic surgeon evaluated the outcome and scarring based on photos before and at the last postoperative follow-up using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and the Vancouver scar scale (VSS). GAIS is graded as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, and the lower the score, the better the improvement(≤3 points as effective improvement). VSS includes four parameters: color (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), vascular distribution (0-3 points), and softness (0-5 points). The higher the score, the more significant the scar is.Results:A total of 20 patients were enrolled, including 6 males and 14 females, aged 20 to 33 years, with an average age of 24.9 years. Before the operation, there were different degrees of alar flare and alar hypertrophy. After surgery, 13 patients had mild swelling, ecchymosis, which resolved after 3 days. There were no major complications as infection, incision dehiscence, and delayed healing. After 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, 2 patients gradually developed cartilage deformation and affected the appearance of the nostrils 6 to 9 months after surgery due to the combination of rib-based rhinoplasty, and the satisfactory results were obtained after revision surgery. The symmetry of the nostrils was significantly improved. The GAIS score of 20 patients was (1.20±0.41) points, of which, 16 patients were rated as 1 point and 4 patients were rated as 2 points, all of which met the improvement criteria, and the VSS score was (1.45±0.60) points, in which the average score for color, thickness, vasculature and compliance are 0.60, 0.05, 0.55 and 0.30 points respectively.Conclusion:The application of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique for alar reduction can increase the amount of tissue removal with the same incision width, which can not only fully narrow the alar effectively but also correct the hypertrophy of the alar tissue.

Objective:To study the clinical effects of portal vein embolization (PVE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate copolymer (NBCA) and with gelatin sponge (GS) as embolization materials in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 90 patients with initial unresectable HCC who underwent PVE treatment at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from November 2014 to April 2020 were included. There were 77 males and 13 females, aged 48 (25, 67) years old. Patients were divided into two groups according to the embolization materials selected in PVE: NBCA group ( n=60) and GS group ( n=30). Forty-eight and 18 patients finally underwent secondary hepatectomy in NBCA group (resectable NBCA group) and GS group (resectable GS group), respectively. Clinical data including future liver remnant (FLR) growth rate and secondary hepatectomy rate were analyzed. Survivals after hepatectomy was followed up by telephone, WeChat, and outpatient review. Results:The secondary hepatectomy rate in NBCA group was higher than that in GS group [80%(48/60) vs. 60%(18/30), P=0.043]. The waiting time from primary intervention to secondary hepatectomy in resectable NBCA group was 15 (7, 96) d, which was shorter than that in resectable GS group [40 (28, 118) d, P<0.001]. The FLR growth rate of resectable NBCA group was 9.03 (1.24, 29.64) ml/d, which was faster than that in resectable GS group [3.76 (0.08, 8.03) ml/d, P<0.001]. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates of patients in resectable NBCA group were 69.1%, 62.0% and 44.7% at 1, 2 and 3 years after surgery, and the overall survival (OS) rates were 76.4%, 69.5% and 59.6%, respectively. The RFS rates of patients in resectable GS group were 60.6%, 48.5% and 35.4% at 1, 2 and 3 years after surgery, and the OS rates were 66.7%, 60.6% and 42.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences in RFS and OS between two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:PVE with NBCA and GS as embolization material showed good efficacy in patients with initially unresectable HCC. The FLR growth rate and secondary hepatectomy rate of patients using NBCA were better than those of patients using GS.

AIM: To find specific metabolic markers for women entering peri-menopausal period and patients with menopausal syndrome based on

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of a cartilage graft fixation method in the context of rib-based rhinoplasty.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent costal cartilage based rhinoplasty in the Center of Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A 20 ml syringe needle was used to drill several micropores about 1 mm in diameter on the surface of the cartilage grafts prior to its placement. "septal extension grafts with micropores" were prepared, and the preparation of the remaining grafts was conventional.Results:A total of 30 female patients aged 21-45 years, with an average age of 36 years underwent primary or repaired autogenous costal cartilage rhinoplasty without severe damage to the nasal septum cartilage (at least retention of L-shaped scaffolds larger than 10 mm) were enrolled. All operations were successful, the cartilage scaffold was stable and durable. There were no serious complications such as infection, septal hematoma and cartilage exposure. Postoperative patients were followed up for a duration of 6-24 months. Two out of 30 patients were not satisfied with the postoperative appearance. During the revision surgery, the septal perichondrium was separated, mucosal tissue had grown into the bilateral holes which further verified of the feasibility of drilling. The other patients were satisfactied with the results.Conclusion:Nasal septum extension graft based on drilling technique is beneficial to maintain the long-term stability of cartilage scaffold after comprehensive costal cartilage nasal surgery, which justifies its application in comprehensive nasal plastic surgery.

Chaigui granules(CG)are a compound composed of six herbal medicines with significant antidepressant effects.However,the antidepressant mechanism of CG remains unclear.In the present study,we attempted to elucidate the antidepressant mechanism of CG by regulating purine metabolism and purinergic signaling.First,the regulatory effect of CG on purine metabolites in the prefrontal cortex(PFC)of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)rats was analyzed by ultra high-performance liquid chro-matography tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)targeted quantitative analysis.Meanwhile,purinergic receptors(P2X7 receptor(P2X7R),A1 receptor(A1R)and A2A receptor(A2AR))and signaling pathways(nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome pathway and cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate(cAMP)-protein kinase A(PKA)pathway)associated with purine metabolism were analyzed by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Besides,antidepressant mecha-nism of CG by modulating purine metabolites to activate purinergic receptors and related signaling pathways was dissected by exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of puri-nergic receptors in vitro.An in vivo study showed that the decrease in xanthine and the increase in four purine nucleosides were closely related to the antidepressant effects of CG.Additionally,purinergic re-ceptors(P2X7R,A1R and A2AR)and related signaling pathways(NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and cAMP-PKA pathway)were also significantly regulated by CG.The results of exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of purinergic receptors showed that excessive accumulation of xanthine led to activation of the P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway,and the reduction of adenosine and inosine inhibited the A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway,which was significantly ameliorated by CG.Overall,CG could promote neuroprotection and ultimately play an antidepressant role by inhibiting the xanthine-P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and activating the adenosine/inosine-A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of a cartilage graft fixation method in the context of rib-based rhinoplasty.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent costal cartilage based rhinoplasty in the Center of Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A 20 ml syringe needle was used to drill several micropores about 1 mm in diameter on the surface of the cartilage grafts prior to its placement. "septal extension grafts with micropores" were prepared, and the preparation of the remaining grafts was conventional.Results:A total of 30 female patients aged 21-45 years, with an average age of 36 years underwent primary or repaired autogenous costal cartilage rhinoplasty without severe damage to the nasal septum cartilage (at least retention of L-shaped scaffolds larger than 10 mm) were enrolled. All operations were successful, the cartilage scaffold was stable and durable. There were no serious complications such as infection, septal hematoma and cartilage exposure. Postoperative patients were followed up for a duration of 6-24 months. Two out of 30 patients were not satisfied with the postoperative appearance. During the revision surgery, the septal perichondrium was separated, mucosal tissue had grown into the bilateral holes which further verified of the feasibility of drilling. The other patients were satisfactied with the results.Conclusion:Nasal septum extension graft based on drilling technique is beneficial to maintain the long-term stability of cartilage scaffold after comprehensive costal cartilage nasal surgery, which justifies its application in comprehensive nasal plastic surgery.

Objective:To introduce a new method of lateral nasal osteotomy. The key of this method is to fully dissect the tissue around the piriform foramen to achieve nasal osteotomy under direct vision. The osteotomy line in the whole process can be seen, which provides a more reliable control for the degree of osteotomy during the operation, and also makes the postoperative outcome more predictable.Methods:Patients whom were treated with open external osteotomy combined with autologous costal cartilage implantation for augmentation rhinoplasty (with 24 cases of hump nose correction) from October 2018 to October 2020. During the surgery, the whole nasal dorsum was exposed, the superior lateral cartilage was separated from the nasal septum, and the whole process was carried out through the mucosa from the intranasal approach under direct view. The osteotomy line was evaluated at the same time.Results:A total of 33 female patients were retrospectively analyzed. All the operations were successful, and the local swelling occurred after operation. The follow-up time was 3-18 months. After 3 months, the nasal contour and dorsal curves were smooth. Severe infections, major injuries like nasolacrimal duct, lacrimal sac, medial canthus ligament, nerve branches were not noticed in all patients. During the long-term follow-up, two patients exhibited slightly widened nasal bone, but did not require surgical intervention. The shape of nose was greatly improved. Patients were satisfied with the result . The subjective evaluation had "very satisfactory" in 24 cases (72.7%) and "satisfactory" in 9 cases (27.3%). The IGAIS evaluation were also positive: the average score of 33 patients was 1.26±0.34, including 30 cases (90.9%) scoring 1 point and 3 cases (9.1%) scoring 2 points.Conclusions:The open osteotomy technique has better control than that of conventional blind operation. It is more reliable, safer for the surgeons who are new to rhinoplasty and the experienced ones.

Objective:To investigate subalar change after rhinoplasty with costal cartilage.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on patients who received cartilaginous rhinoplasty at the Rhinoplasty Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from May 2019 to August 2020. The facial three-dimensional(3D) and CT scanning data of young female cases was analyzed. Pre-operative and more than 6 months follow-up data was matched. The 3D facial coordinate system was established. Preoperative and postoperative location of the subnasale and the lateral point of nasal-facial junction, the angle between endocanthion-alare and coronal plane and the nasolabial angle were analyzed with paired samples t-test. The volume of subalar area was analyzed with one-sample t-test. Results:Eighteen female cases aged (27.30±4.41) years were enrolled in the study with (10.61±3.53) months follow-up. One case (5.6%) suffered from nostril asymmetry one month after the surgery. The subnasale moved forward from (74.30±1.97) mm to (77.67±2.37) mm [average difference (3.36±0.96) mm]. The lateral point of nasal-facial junction moved forward from (65.51±2.45) mm to (68.05±2.52) mm [average difference (2.53±1.50) mm]. Nasolabial angle was (88.79±11.21) degree preoperatively and (101.37±5.53) degree postoperatively [average difference (12.57±7.57) degree]. Angle between endocanthion-alare and coronal plane increased from (9.01±3.24) degree to (12.73±3.27) degree [average difference (3.72±2.22) degree]. The differences between pre- and post-operative data were statistically significant ( P<0.01). The volume of subalar area increased by (282.59±103.22) mm 3. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Rhinoplasty with costal cartilage could make subalar area move forward.