The pathogenesis of chronic wound healing is complex. It is often difficult to heal due to a long course of disease， difficulty in treatment， and it seriously affects the quality of life in patients. The active ingredients， couplet medicinals， and compound formulas of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） possess unique advantages in the treatment of chronic wound healing. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway is extremely critical in the treatment of chronic wound healing by regulating a series of biological processes， including cell apoptosis， angiogenesis， and inflammatory responses. This article reviews the relevant research on the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by TCM to promote chronic wound healing. It has been found that the active ingredients of TCM （such as geniposide， astragaloside， and ginsenosides， etc.）， and compound formulas （such as Chonghe ointment， Huanglian ointment， Shirun shaoshang ointment， etc.） mainly reduce inflammatory responses， promote angiogenesis， regulate cell autophagy， and accelerate wound healing by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway； at the same time， there are also a few couplet medicinals（ such as Huangqi-Honghua） and compound formulas （such as Xiangpi Shengji ointment） that exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting this signaling pathway， to promote wound healing.

BACKGROUND:Stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease is characterized by a high degree of vertebral compression and posterior wall defects.Most of the patients are elderly people with severe osteoporosis and various medical diseases.Clinically,some surgical methods are often at high risk and are controversial. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical efficacy of screw placement combined with transpedicular impaction bone grafting in the treatment of stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease. METHODS:The clinical data of injured vertebral screw placement combined with transpedicular impaction bone grafting in treatment of stage Ⅲ Kummell's disease from May 2016 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Visual analog scale score,Oswestry disability index,anterior vertebral heights,kyphotic Cobb angle and American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)impairment scale were used to evaluate the effects of surgery.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss and complications were recorded.CT scans were used to evaluate the healing of injured vertebrae at the final follow-up visit. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 26 patients were included,with 7 males and 19 females,at the age range of 62-81 years[mean(69.7±4.8)years].The follow-up time was 18-60 months[mean(35.1±8.9)months].The average operative duration was 133.5 minutes(100-165 minutes),and the average intraoperative blood loss was 285.3 mL(210-350 mL).(2)Visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index scores 1 week after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery.(3)At 1 week after surgery,the anterior vertebral height corrections and the Cobb angle were(9.0±0.7)mm and(16.2±1.0)°,respectively.During the follow-up period,the loss of vertebral height and kyphosis correction were(5.1±0.3)mm and(8.0±0.4)°,respectively.(4)14 patients(54%)had ASIA grade D before operation,which recovered to grade E at the last follow-up.CT scan showed that all patients achieved good osseous union.(5)Complications occurred in seven patients(27%),including hypostatic pneumonia in two cases,postoperative superficial wound tissue liquefaction in two cases,and adjacent vertebral compression fractures in three cases.(6)It is concluded that screw placement of the injured vertebra combined with transpedicular impaction bone grafting can rapidly rebuild spinal stability,effectively relieve pain and improve neurological function in the treatment of stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease.This technique is an effective and relatively minimally invasive surgical option.

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.

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.

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.

Objectives:To evaluate the diagnostic value of echocardiography in unroofed coronary sinus syndrome(UCSS)with endocardial cushion defect(ECD). Methods:The echocardiographic data of 43 patients of UCSS with ECD who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from July 2017 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by comparing the echocardiographic findings with the intraoperative exploration results. Results:According to Kirklin and Barratt-Boyes classification,there were 26 cases of type Ⅰ(60.5%),9 cases of type Ⅱ(20.9%),2 cases of type Ⅲ(4.7%),4 cases of type Ⅳ(9.3%),and 2 cases of type Ⅲ combined with type Ⅳ(4.7%).There were 26 cases(60.5%)of partial ECD,7 cases(16.3%)of intermediate ECD,10 cases(23.3%)of total ECD.Twenty two cases(51.2%)were associated with single atrium.Twenty seven cases(62.8%)were associated with persistent left superior vena cava(PLSVC).Other coexisting complicated malformations were as follows:2 cases of double outlet of right ventricle,1 case of pulmonary atresia,1 case of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection,and 1 case of aplenia syndrome.The coexisting simple malformations included 4 cases of ostium secundum atrial septal defect,2 cases of ventricular septal defect,3 cases of patent ductus arterial,and 6 cases of patent foramen ovale.Other abnormalities included 5 cases of absence of hepatic segment of inferior vena cava,1 case of hypoplasia of right superior vena cava,1 case of absence of right superior vena cava,3 cases of cor triatriatum,1 case of isolated levocardia,1 case of mirror image dextrocardia,4 cases of right aortic arch.Of the 43 patients,30(69.8%)were correctly diagnosed by preoperative echocardiography and 13(30.2%)by intraoperative exploration.UCSS was misdiagnosed as inferior vena cava type sinus septal defect and PLSVC was missed in 1 case.UCSS was missed in 12 cases,and PLSVC was missed in 3 cases of them. Conclusions:Diagnosis UCSS with ECD by echocardiography is valuable and challenging.It is necessary to strengthen the understanding of the embryonic development and pathological anatomy characteristics of these malformations to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Objectives:To examine the feasibility of using foundation model in computer vision for echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction measurement. Methods:Based on the most extensive publicly accessible repository of echocardiographic loops,EchoNet-Dynamic,featuring 10024 recordings from individual patients,a foundation model in computer vision,VideoMAE V2,was fine-tuned,validated,tested using 7460,1288,and 1276 echocardiographic loops,respectively. Results:The mean absolute error between left ventricular ejection fraction measurements of VideoMAE V2 and expert's measurements was 3.94％ (95％CI:3.79％-4.11％).The Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.91 (95％CI:0.89-0.92).Additionally,VideoMAE V2 demonstrated exceptional accuracy in identifying patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction below 50％,achieving an AUC of 0.96 (95％CI:0.95-0.97). Conclusions:This study validates the feasibility of using foundation model in computer vision for measuring left ventricular ejection fraction in echocardiographic loops and lays the foundation for the development of a generalized multimodal automated interpretation system for echocardiography.

Objective:To compare the efficacies of posterior long segment instrumentation combined with transpedicular impaction bone grafting or with bone cement augmentation in treating stage III Kümmell disease.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 38 patients with stage III Kümmell disease who were admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. The study included 8 male and 30 female patients, with ages ranging from 59 to 81 years [(68.9±4.9)years]. The vertebral fractures occurred at T 8 in 1 patient, T 11 in 9 patients, T 12 in 10 patients, and L 2 in 10 patients. Seventeen patients underwent posterior long segment instrumentation combined with transpedicular impaction bone grafting (impaction bone grafting group), and 21 patients underwent posterior long segment instrumentation combined with bone cement augmentation (bone cement group). The surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, and incidences of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Additionally, the visual analogue score (VAS), Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) score, and Cobb angle were compared before the operation, at 1 week and 3 months post-operation, and at the final follow-up for both groups. The study also compared bone healing at the last follow-up and postoperative complication rates between the two groups. Results:All the patients were followed up for 24-35 months [(28.7±2.9)months]. The impaction bone grafting group had a surgical duration of (150.7±25.4)minutes and intraoperative blood loss of (285.3±48.6)ml, significantly different from those in the bone cement group [(132.0±21.1)minutes, (251.4±44.8)ml] (all P<0.05). Before the operation, there were no significant differences in the VAS, JOA score, or Cobb angle between the two groups (all P>0.05).The VAS was (3.2±0.8)points, (2.7±0.5)points and (2.2±0.7)points in the impaction bone grafting group and was (2.7±0.6)points, (2.6±0.7)points and (2.4±0.8)points in the bone cement group at 1 week and 3 months post-operation and at the final follow-up, respectively. The VAS in the impaction bone grafting group was significantly higher than that in the bone cement group at 1 week post-operation ( P<0.05); however, no significant differences were found at 3 months post-operation or at the last follow-up (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the JOA score between the two groups at 1 week or 3 months post-operation, or at the final follow-up (all P>0.05). The Cobb angle in the impaction bone grafting group was (5.1±1.3)°, (5.9±1.8)° and (6.5±2.5)° at 1 week and 3 months post-operation, and at the final follow-up, significantly lower than that in the bone cement group [(8.4±1.6)°, (12.6±2.1)°, and (14.5±3.3)°] (all P<0.01). All the patients in the impaction bone grafting group achieved bone healing at the last follow-up. One patient in the impaction bone grafting group experienced delayed incision healing, whereas two patients in the bone cement group had poor bone healing. The complication rate was 5.9% (1/17) in the impaction bone grafting group and 9.5% (2/21) in the bone cement group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Posterior long segment instrumentation combined with transpedicular impaction bone grafting or with bone cement augmentation are both effective in alleviating pain and improving the spinal function for stage III Kümmell disease. The former procedure is associated with longer surgical duration and increased intraoperative blood loss, but it can provide superior correction and maintenance of kyphosis deformity, promoting the healing of the injured vertebrae.

Objective:To compare the clinical effect of transpedicular impaction and grafting of allogeneic bone containing enriched bone marrow combined with posterior internal fixation and posterior subtotal vertebrectomy combined with posterior internal fixation in the treatment of stage III Kümmell′s disease.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was made on clinical data of 40 patients with stage III Kümmell′s disease admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from June 2015 to December 2018. There were 10 males and 30 females, at age range of 57-79 years［(67.7±6.1)years］. A total of 19 patients were treated by transpedicular impaction and grafting of allogeneic bone containing enriched bone marrow combined with posterior internal fixation (impaction bone graft group), and 21 patients by posterior subtotal vertebrectomy combined with posterior internal fixation (subtotal vertebrectomy group). Operation time and intraoperative blood loss were compared between the two groups. Degree of pain, lumbar dysfunction and degree of kyphosis were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and kyphotic Cobb angle before operation, at 1 week after operation and at the last follow-up. Bone healing time was compared between the two groups. The complications of the two groups were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 25-64 months［(40.6±10.4)months］. Operation time and intraoperative blood loss were (130.0±10.1)minutes and (284.5±43.5)ml in impaction bone graft group, lower than those in subtotal vertebrectomy group［(253.8±33.2)minutes, (889.1±95.7)ml］(both P<0.01). There were no significant differences in VAS, JOA score or kyphotic Cobb angle between the two groups before operation, at 1 week after operation and at the last follow-up (all P>0.05). Both VAS and JOA score showed significant differences within each group at any time point (all P<0.01). In both groups, the kyphotic Cobb angle reduced significantly at 1 week after operation when compared with that before operation (all P<0.01), and the angle showed a slight increase at the last follow-up, but remained significantly lower than that before operation (all P<0.01). There were no relapse of pain or aggravation of kyphosis. Bone healing time in impaction bone graft group［4.4(4.0, 5.0)months］was significantly shorter than that in subtotal vertebrectomy group［6.4(5.2, 8.1)months］( P<0.01). There were 2 patients with delayed healing of surgical incision in impaction bone graft group, with the complication rate of 11%. There were 2 patients with dural tear and 3 patients with delayed healing of surgical incision in subtotal vertebrectomy group, with the complication rate of 24%. The complication rate was not statistically significant between the two groups ( P>0.05). No loosening or breakage of internal fixation was observed during the follow-up. Conclusions:Transpedicular impaction and grafting of allogeneic bone containing enriched bone marrow combined with posterior internal fixation and posterior subtotal vertebrectomy combined with posterior internal fixation are effective in the treatment of stage III Kümmell disease. However, the former can shorten the operation time, reduce the intraoperative blood loss and accelerate the healing of injured vertebral bone, suggesting a relatively minimally invasive surgical method for reconstruction and maintenance of spinal biomechanical stability.

Objective    To explore the value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to monitor and evaluate aortic insufficiency (AI) within one year after the implantation of the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Methods    We retrospectively collected and analyzed the TTE data of 12 patients who received LVAD implantation from 2018 to 2020 in our hospital. All patients were males, with an average age of 43.3±8.6 years. We analyzed temporal changes in the aortic annulus (AA), aortic sinus (AoS), ascending aorta (AAo), the severity of AI and the opening of aortic valve before operation and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after LVAD implantation. Results    All 12 patients survived within 1 year after LVAD implantation. One patient was bridged to heart transplantation 6 months after implantation, and two patients did not receive TTE after 3 and 6 months. Compared to pre-implantation, AoS increased at 1 month after implantation (31.58±5.09 mm vs. 33.83±4.69 mm). The inner diameters of AA, AoS and AAo increased at 3, 6 and 12 months after LVAD implantation compared to pre-implantation (P<0.05), but all were within the normal range except for one patient whose AoS slightly increased before operation. After LVAD pump speed was adjusted, the opening of aortic  valve improved. The severity of AI increased at 6 and 12 months after LVAD implantation compared to pre-implantation, and increased at 12 months compared to 6 months after LVAD implantation (P<0.05). Conclusion    TTE can evaluate aortic regurgitation before and after LVAD implantation and monitor the optimization and adjustment of LVAD pump function, which has a positive impact on the prognosis after LVAD implantation.