ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential mechanism of the Xiezhuo Jiedu formula in regulating pyroptosis for the treatment of ulcerative colitis （UC） using bioinformatics and in vivo animal experiments. MethodsDifferentially expressed genes （DEGs） in colon tissues of UC patients were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database. Pyroptosis-related genes were obtained from the GEO and GeneCards databases. The intersection of these datasets yielded pyroptosis-related DEGs （Pyro-DEGs）. Pyro-DEGs were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis using the Metascape database. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed using the STRING database. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） prediction model and receiver operating characteristic （ROC） analysis were conducted to identify core Pyro-DEGs with diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Immune infiltration analysis of the UC datasets was performed using the deconvolution method （CIBERSORT）， along with correlation analysis with core Pyro-DEGs. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a control group， a model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose groups of Xiezhuo Jiedu formula （26.64， 13.32， 6.66 g·kg^-1）， and a mesalazine group （0.27 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. UC was established by intrarectal administration of 3，5-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid （TNBS） dissolved in ethanol. The control and model groups were given distilled water by gavage， while the treatment groups were administered the corresponding drugs for 7 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the colon histopathology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-10， IL-18， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） and Western blot were applied to detect the expression of Caspase-1， gap junction alpha-1 protein （GJA1）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 （S100A8）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to measure mRNA expression of Caspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8. Western blot was performed to assess protein expression levels of Caspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8. ResultsGEO datasets GSE87466 and GSE87473 yielded 64 Pyro-DEGs. KEGG analysis indicated that these genes were enriched in the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway， tumor necrosis factor （TNF） signaling pathway， and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 （HIF-1） signaling pathway. Four core Pyro-DEGs （Caspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8） were identified. Immune infiltration analysis showed that expression of these genes was positively correlated with mast cells， neutrophils， M0 macrophages， M1 macrophages， and dendritic cells. Animal experimental results indicated that compared with the control group， the model group had significantly increased levels of IL-1β and IL-18， significantly decreased levels of IL-10 and TGF-β. The model group showed enhanced Caspase-1， GJA1， and S100A8 staining， and significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of Caspase-1， GJA1， and S100A8 （P<0.01）. In contrast， the expression of PPARG was reduced in the model group （P<0.01）. After treatment， all dosage groups showed varying degrees of improvement （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the high-dose group showing the most significant improvement （P<0.01）. ConclusionCaspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8 are core Pyro-DEGs closely associated with the pathogenesis of UC. These genes may collaborate with immune cells such as mast cells， neutrophils， and M0 macrophages to mediate disease development. The Xiezhuo Jiedu formula may regulate the expression of core Pyro-DEGs through the NOD-like receptor， TNF， and HIF-1 core signaling pathways， thereby modulating immune homeostasis in UC rats and effectively alleviating UC.

ObjectiveKey microRNAs （miRNAs） of colorectal adenoma （CRA） were identified and analyzed by bioinformatics methods， and differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were screened to construct regulatory relationships. The mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu recipe in preventing CRA was speculated and verified by animal experiments. MethodThe miRNAs dataset GSE50194 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database of intestinal mucosal tissue of CRA patients， and the differentially expressed miRNAs were screened by GEO2R and Excel. TargetScan， miRTarbase， and miRDB databases were used to predict the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs， and an intersection was obtained. Key DEGs were screened through the STRING database and Cytoscape software， and the TRRUST database was used to predict downstream binding transcription factors （TFs）. The mRNA intersection was enriched by gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） in the Metascape database. DIANA TOOLS were applied to perform KEGG enrichment analysis of key miRNAs， and the key signaling pathways were selected for animal experiments. In animal experiments， the CRA mice model was established by using sodium glycan sulfate （DSS） drinking combined with intraperitoneal injection of azomethane oxide （AOM）， and Xiezhuo Jiedu recipe and aspirin were given by intragastric administration at the same time. The experiment lasted for nine weeks. The pathological changes in intestinal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-34a-5p in adenoma tissue. Protein expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphoryl-PI3K （p-PI3K）， phosphoryl-Akt （p-Akt）， and B cell lymphoma （Bcl）-2 were detected by Western blot. The expression of Cyclin D1 （CCND1） was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. In situ terminal transferase labeling （TUNEL） was used to detect apoptosis of adenoma tissue cells. ResultThe GEO database screened the GSE50194 dataset， and miR-34a-5p was selected as the research object from CRA and normal tissue. A total of 93 DEGs were selected. Among them， GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were closely related to biological processes such as transcriptional regulatory complex， RNA polymerase Ⅱ transcriptional regulatory complex， enzyme-linked receptor protein signaling pathway， and DNA-binding transcriptional activator activity， cancer pathway， PI3K/Akt pathway， etc. miR-34a-5p is mainly enriched in PI3K/Akt， cell cycle， and colorectal cancer pathways. Five key DEGs were screened out through the Matescape database， among which Bcl-2 and CCND1 were the key DEGs of miR-34a-5p. Further screening of the TFs of key DEGs revealed that E2F transcription factor 1 （E2F1） and tumor protein P53 （TP53） were the main TFs of Bcl-2 and CCND1. Animal experiments showed that Xiezhuo Jiedu recipe could effectively up-regulate mRNA level of miR-34a-5p， down-regulate the expression of PI3K， Akt， Bcl-2， p-PI3K， and p-Akt proteins in the intestinal tissue of CRA mice， down-regulate the positive expression rate of CCND1， and increase the apoptosis rate of intestinal epithelial cells. ConclusionIt is speculated that Xiezhuo Jiedu recipe may inhibit the abnormal proliferation and promote the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in CRA mice by regulating the miR-34a-5p/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， thus playing a role in the prevention of CRA.

Based on the"You Gu Wu Yun"theory in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),this paper believes that"Gu"in"You Gu Wu Yun"is extended to"state"from the perspective of"TCM state".In order to avoid the adverse reactions of TCM,the macro,meso,and micro three views should be used together,and macro,meso,and micro parameters should be integrated.We should also carefully identify the physiological characteristics,pathological characteristics,constitution,syndrome,and disease of human body by combining qualitative and quantitative method,highlighting the relationship between the prescription and the"state".The correspondence between prescription and the"state"will reduce the risk of adverse reactions of TCM.In this paper,we hope to focus on the guiding role of the"You Gu Wu Yun"theory in TCM research,to give full play to the characteristics and advantages of TCM,and to dialectically treat the role of TCM.

In the context of the complex and ever-changing spectrum of diseases, the traditional Chinese medicine compatibility of prescription and drugs is no longer able to fully meet the needs of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, this article is based on the diagnosis and treatment model of the combination of disease, syndrome, and symptom, combined with the development achievements of Western medicine, and explores the principles of formulating traditional prescriptions based on the combination of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy. This article proposes a formulation principle of composing prescriptions with the diagnosis of syndrome as the chief, the diagnosis of disease as the deputy, the treatment of symptoms as the assistant, and the harmonization of medicine as the envoy. This forms a treatment plan with the core link of syndrome differentiation and treatment, disease differentiation and treatment, symptomatic treatment, detoxification, and efficacy enhancement. The purpose of this article is to address the current clinical challenges such as an increasing disease spectrum and the complexity of syndrome patterns and symptom clusters. It aims to provide new insights into traditional Chinese medicine clinical treatment plans and herbal formulation strategies, with the ultimate goal of improving the clinical effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective:To analyze the levels of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1),soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity in the patients with maintenance hemodialysis(MHD),and to discuss their relationships with coronary artery calcification(CAC).Methods:The clinical materials from 102 MHD patients(MHD group)were retrospectively analyzed.Additionally,74 volunteers underwent routine health examination at the same time(health examination group)were selected.The CAC scores(CACs)of the patients in MHD group were detected by multi-slice computed tomography(MSCT),and the patients were categorized into non-calcification group,mild calcification group,moderate calcification group,and severe calcification group.The general data and serum levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,and SOD activities of the subjects in two groups were compared.The levels of calcium(Ca),phosphorus(P),parathyroid hormone(PTH),sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,and SOD activities in serum of the patients with different degrees of calcification were analyzed.Pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations between the levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,and SOD activity in serum of the MHD patients and CACs.Results:Compared with health examination group,the levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in serum of the patients in MHD group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the SOD activity was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with non-calcification group,the levels of PTH,sICAM-1,and sVCAM-1 in serum of the MHD patients in mild,moderate,and severe calcification groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the SOD activities were significantly decreased(P<0.05);the levels of P in serum of the MHD patients in moderate and severe calcification groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with mild calcification group,the levels of P,PTH,sICAM-1,and sVCAM-1 in serum of the MHD patients in moderate and severe calcification groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the SOD activities significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with moderate calcification group,the levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,and P in serum of the MHD patients in severe calcification group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the SOD activity was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The SOD activity in serum of the MHD patients was negatively correlated with CACs(r=-0.484,P<0.01),while the levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were positively correlated with CACs(r=0.441,P<0.01;r=0.561,P<0.01).Conclusion:The levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 and activity of SOD in serum of the MHD patients are abnormal.With the decreasing of the SOD activity and increasing of the levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1,the degree of CAC in the MHD patients is aggravated.

The correspondence between prescription and syndrome is the advantage and characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment.However,the pathogenesis of clinical diseases is complex and the condition is changeable,and the clinical application is difficult to achieve the maximum effect under the existing cognition of the correspondence between prescription and syndrome.In this paper,the five categories of physiological characteristics,pathological characteristics,constitution,syndrome,and disease of the longitudinal classification of"TCM state"are introduced into the correspondence of prescription and syndrome.Under the vertical perspective of"TCM state",the theoretical connotation of the correspondence between prescription and syndrome is interpreted as"correspondence between prescription and state",namely correspondence of"prescription-physiological characteristics",correspondence of"prescription-pathological characteristics",correspondence of"prescription-constitution",correspondence of"prescription-syndrome",and correspondence of"prescription-disease".It is hoped to accurately grasp the corresponding connotation of the correspondence between prescription and syndrome,in order to deepen the clinical thinking mode of TCM.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of bidirectional-traction, Steinmann pin poking reduction,anatomic plate and raft technique in the treatment of hyperextension tibial plateau fractures.Methods:The data of 25 patients with hyperextension tibial plateau fractures admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao) from July 2017 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment methods, they were divided into bidirectional-traction group (treated with bidirectional-traction, Steinmann pin poking reduction, anatomic plate and raft technique) and open reduction group (treated with open reduction, bone grafting and two plates fixation). The bidirectional-traction group included 14 patients, with 8 males and 6 females; the age was 50.29±9.23 years (range, 38-61 years). The cause of the injury was a traffic accident in 4 patients, a fall from height in 7 patients and a fall from standing height in 3 patients. According to Schatzker classification, there were 5 Schatzker type V and 9 type VI fractures. The open reduction group included 11 patients (7 males and 4 females); with a mean age of 58.00±10.58 years (range, 48-69 years). 3 cases were injured by traffic accident, 6 cases by falling from height, and 2 cases by falling from standing height. According to Schatzker classification, there were 4 type V and 7 type VI. Preoperative waiting time, operative time, blood loss and percentage of blood loss, incision length, fracture healing time, tibial posterior inclination, medial proximal tibial angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) on the first day after surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score 6 months after surgery were compared between the two groups.Results:Patients in both groups were followed up for more than 6 months. The follow-up time was 7 to 48 months with an average of 22.76 months. There were significant differences in the preoperative waiting time [6 (4, 8) d vs. 8 (7, 11) d, W=114.00, P=0.043], the incision length [15.0 (12.5, 16.0) cm vs. 30.0 (28.0, 31.0) cm, W=154.00, P<0.001], postoperative VAS [4 (3, 4) points vs. 5 (5, 6) points, W=143.00, P<0.001], blood loss [147 (107, 206) ml vs. 267 (191, 362) ml, W=116.00, P=0.033], blood loss percentage [2.95% (2.58%, 5.20%) vs. 6.40% (4.05%, 7.00%), W=118.00, P=0.027] between the bidirectional-traction group and open reduction group. There were not significant differences in the operation time [120 (118, 120) min vs. 119 (101, 154) min, W=68.50, P=0.656], fracture healing time (8.18±1.03 weeks vs. 8.86±1.27 weeks, t=1.49, P=0.149), HSS score (8.43±3.72 vs. 85.18±7.73, t=1.28, P=0.221) and medial proximal tibial angle 6 months after surgery (87.66°±1.53° vs. 86.47°±2.24°, t=1.57, P=0.130) between the two groups. Postoperative tibial posterior inclination was improved in both groups. There was no significant difference in the tibial posterior inclination before surgery, immediately after surgery and 6 months after surgery (-14.96°±6.44°, 5.55°±1.02°, 5.61°±0.82°) in the bidirectional-traction group and -12.26°±2.93°, 7.07°±3.21° and 7.14°±3.17° in the open reduction group, P>0.05). There were no postoperative complications such as acute compartment syndrome or knee stiffness in both groups. Conclusion:The treatment of hyperextension tibial plateau fracture with bidirectional-traction, Steinmann pin poking reduction, anatomic plate and raft technique can shorten preoperative waiting time, reduce incision length, decrease blood loss and lower VAS. It is a minimally invasive, rapid and effective method, which has achieved good clinical results and is worth promoting.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of lateral elbow dislocation approach with non-dislocation approach for open reduction and internal fixation of distal humeral coronal fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 26 patients with distal humeral coronal fracture admitted to Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) of Shandong University from January 2018 to October 2021, including 10 males and 16 females, aged 15-80 years [(51.6±4.9)years]. According to Dubberley classification, there were 10 patients with type 2A, 5 with type 2B, 6 with type 3A and 5 with type 3B. Overall, 12 patients were operated via lateral elbow dislocation approach (dislocation approach group) and 14 via lateral elbow non-dislocation approach (non-dislocation approach group). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, incision healing, three-dimensional CT assessment of the reduction within one week after surgery (separation or step>2 mm as poor), Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) at 3 months after surgery and fracture healing at the last follow-up were recorded in both groups. Complications were also compared between the two groups.Results:All patients were followed up for 3-18 months [(10.5±3.3)months]. The operation time was (146.9±15.5)minutes in dislocation approach and (122.7±11.1)minutes in non-dislocation approach group ( P>0.05). The intraoperative bleeding volume was (113.3±9.7)ml in dislocation approach and (112.9±10.1)ml in non-dislocation approach group ( P>0.05). All incisions healed uneventfully in stage I. All patients had good reduction in dislocation group, while only 7 patients had good reduction and the other 7 patients presented a separation or step>2 mm in non-dislocation group ( P<0.05). The MEPS was (90.0±1.4)points in dislocation approach group at 3 months after surgery, including 9 patients being rated as excellent and 3 good, with the excellent and good rate of 100%. In constrast, the MEPS was (78.9±2.9)points in non-dislocation approach group at 3 months after surgery, including 5 patients being rated as excellent, 4 good, 4 fair and 1 poor, with the excellent and good rate of 64.3% ( P<0.05). All fractures were healed at the last follow-up. In non-dislocation approach group, osteoarthritis occurred in 7 patients, including 3 with screw protrusion, 2 with heterotopic ossification and 2 of advanced age with osteophyte formation around the joint. In dislocation approach group, osteoarthritis occurred only in 2 patients of advanced age, showing osteophyte formation around the elbow joint, with no screw cutting or heterotopic ossification. Conclusion:For distal humeral coronal fracture, the lateral elbow dislocation approach is able to provide complete exposure of the articular surface, obtain anatomic reduction, restore elbow function and reduce complications when compared with the non-dislocation approach.

Objective:To compare reconstruction of acromioclavicular ligament versus internal fixation of acromioclavicular joint with clavicle hook plate in the treatment of Rockwood Ⅲ-Ⅴ acromioclavicular dislocation by reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligament with suture anchor.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 56 patients who had been treated for Rockwood Ⅲ-Ⅴ acromioclavicular dislocation from January 2015 to June 2019 at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao). Of them, 26 were treated by reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligament with suture anchor plus reconstruction of acromioclavicular ligament (reconstruction group) and 30 by reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligament with suture anchor plus internal fixation of acromioclavicular joint with clavicle hook plate (plate group). The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, Constant-Murley score and Subjective Shoulder Rating System (SSRS) score at the last follow-up, and complications.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there were no significant differences between them in the baseline data before operation ( P>0.05). The reconstruction group was followed up for 6 to 15 months (average, 7.9 months) while the plate group for 7 to 18 months (average, 11.3 months). The average operation time was (79.9±12.6) min for the reconstruction group and (69.1±8.5) min for the plate group, showing a significant difference ( P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in the intraoperative blood loss [(68.5±19.1) mL versus (65.0±16.6) mL] ( P>0.05). The differences were statistically significant between the 2 groups in Constant-Murley score (87.9±3.4 for the reconstruction group versus 91.9±3.5 for the plate group) and in SSRS score (85.1±4.1 for the reconstruction group versus 88.6±3.0 for the plate group) ( P<0.05). All the wounds healed well in the reconstruction group except for one patient who reported numbness around the wound which disappeared spontaneously 3 months postoperation. In the plate group, incision infection occurred in 2 cases, the redness and swelling in one which responded to dressing change 3 weeks later and numbness around the incision in one which was recovered 5 months after operation. Conclusions:Both surgical procedures can achieve good to excellent clinical outcomes. Although reconstruction of both acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments takes more operation time, it may lead to better Constant-Murley and SSRS scores and fewer complications, and spare secondary operation.

Objective: To evaluate a self-designed novel anatomical bone plate for fractures of ulnar coronoid process in cadaveric specimens. Methods: Our database search in the Imaging Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao) yielded CT reconstruction images of 45 normal adult elbows (26 males and 19 females) which met our criteria. On the 3D reformatted CT images, sagittal curvature angle of the ulnar coronal process (△1), tangent angle of the coronal process apex to olecranon fossa (△2), projective length (L) and projective height (H) were measured; the transverse width of the coronal process was also measured at 5 mm and 10 mm from the tip (K1 and K2). The minimum value was used for △2° in order to avoid cutting into the joint while the mean value for other parameters. After the shape of the plate and angles of the screws were designed using computer 3D software, a new anatomic plate for coronal process was produced. Five cadaver specimens were used to test the internal fixation of the coronal process with our novel anatomic bone plate. Attachment of the bone plate to the coronal process and screw penetration into the joint cavity were observed by X-ray and 3D CT scanning. Results: △1 was 45.52°±6.07°, △2 65.25°±7.09° (the minimum value 53.2°), L 52.27±7.78 mm, H 21.62±2.63 mm, K1 16.32±2.22 mm and K2 14.58±2.18 mm. Our new anatomic bone plate was designed based on the above data. X-ray and 3D CT scan after plate internal fixation showed that our self-designed bone plate produced fine attachment and no screws penetrated into the joint. Conclusion Our new anatomical bone plate may perfectly fit the anatomy of the adult ulnar coronal process in size and shape so that the coronary process can be fully covered and no screws will penetrate into the joint cavity.