ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria（CSU） and to explore its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsSeventy CSU patients were randomly divided into loratadine group and acupuncture + bloodletting group， with 35 patients in each group. The loratadine group received oral loratadine tablets， 10 mg once daily in the evening. The acupuncture + bloodletting group received acupuncture at Zhongwan （CV 12）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， Tianshu （ST 25）， Zusanli （ST 36）， Sanyinjiao （SP 6）， Xuehai （SP 10）， Quchi （LI 11）， Hegu （LI 4）， Taichong （LR 3）， Baihui （GV 20）， and Shenting （GV 24）， once daily，along with bloodletting and cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and Geshu （BL 17）， every other day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 7-day urticaria activity score（UAS7） was assessed before and after the treatment， and levels of serum immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， eosinophil cationic protein （ECP）， plasma tissue factor （TF）， activated factor Ⅶ （FⅦa）， prothrombin fragment 1+2 （F1+2）， D-dimer （D-D） and complement component 5a （C5a） were detected. ResultsA total of 65 patients were included in the final analysis， 32 in the loratadine group and 33 in the acupuncture + bloodletting group. Before treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， ECP levels， or plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， C5a levels between groups （P＞ 0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， and plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， and C5a levels compared to those before treatment （P＜0.01）. However， after treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score and serum ECP， IgE， IL-4， IL-5 levels between groups （P＞0.05）. The acupuncture + bloodletting group showed lower plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D and C5a levels compared to the loratadine group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionAcupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping can effectively improve the skin symptoms of CSU patients and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. The potential mechanism of action may involve the regulation of the coagulation-complement-mast cell activation axis， thereby inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

BACKGROUND:Pravastatin is a clinically effective drug for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and is now found to play a beneficial role in the treatment of CNS injury;however,the mechanism remains unknown. OBJECTIVE:To ascertain the possible mechanism of action and whether pravastatin medication can expedite functional recovery following sciatic nerve crush injury. METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into:pravastatin(sciatic nerve crush injury+pravastatin gavage),negative control(sciatic nerve crush injury+saline gavage),and sham operation(sciatic nerve exposure but no injury+saline gavage).While the other two groups received comparable amounts of saline gavage,the pravastatin group received postoperative pravastatin(5 mg/kg)by gavage for 1 week.The general conditions of the rats in each group were observed after operation.Sciatic function index was evaluated at the end of the 2nd,4th,6th,and 8th week after operation,and the wet mass ratio of the gastrocnemius muscle was measured at the end of the 8th week after operation.The levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum were measured using ELISA.Histomorphometrics was used to measure the number of myelinated nerve fibers,fiber diameter,axon diameter,and myelin sheath thickness.RT-qPCR assay was used to measure the relative mRNA expression of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor,and western blot was used to measure the protein expression of growth-associated protein 43. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the negative control group,the sciatic function index in the pravastatin group recovered faster(P<0.05)and was closer to the level of the sham operation group,the expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in serum was lower(P<0.05)and close to that of the sham operation group,and the relative mRNA expression of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the sciatic nerve increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the relative protein expression of growth-associated protein 43 in the sciatic nerve was also significantly increased(P<0.05),the number of myelinated nerve fibers was increased more,and the values of fiber diameter,axon diameter,and myelin sheath thickness were larger(P<0.01)and closer to those of the sham operation group.To conclude,treatment with pravastatin accelerates functional recovery from sciatic nerve crush injury by a possible mechanism of inhibiting the expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 and promoting the secretion of neurotrophic factors nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the strategies and technical points for breast reconstruction using free lower abdominal skin flap transplantation through lateral chest incision.Methods:The data of patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with free lower abdominal flap transplantation using lateral thoracic incision in Hunan Cancer Hospital from October 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Lateral thoracic incision was used in the recipient area. Firstly suitable radical mastectomy was performed for patients with early onset of breast cancer or recurrence after breast-conserving surgery, and prosthetic dilator removal or breast capsule release was performed for patients with dilator removed or capsular contracture after breast cancer prosthesis reconstruction. After that, the free lower abdominal skin flap breast reconstruction was completed under the same incision. During the operation, blood vessel preparation in the recipient area, skin flap preparation in the donor area, blood vessel anastomosis and breast shaping were completed successively according to the actual situation of the patient. Postoperative observation of complications, follow-up evaluation of reconstructed breast appearance and donor site healing were carred out.Results:A total of 15 female patients were included, aged range from 24 to 57 years old, with an average of 42.3 years old. There were 9 cases of early breast cancer, 2 cases of breast cancer recurrence after breast conserving surgery, 2 cases of breast cancer with dilator removed after breast reconstruction, and 2 cases of capsule contracture after breast cancer prosthesis reconstruction. The length of the lateral chest incision was 7.5-11.2 cm, with an average of 8.7 cm. Six cases were performed with 3/4 of the lower abdominal skin flaps, using a unilateral inferior abdominal vascular pedicle. The volume of the flaps ranged from 19.0 cm × 10.0 cm × 4.5 cm to 23.0 cm × 13.0 cm × 6.0 cm. The weight ranged from 280 to 510 g, with an average of 370 g. Nine cases were performed by cutting the entire lower abdominal skin flap and using bilateral inferior abdominal vascular pedicle. The volume of the skin flaps ranged from 27.0 cm × 11.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 30.0 cm × 14.0 cm × 6.5 cm. The weight ranged from 420 to 730 g, with an average of 530 g. Nine cases were selected as the main trunk of the thoracic and dorsal blood vessels, 4 cases were selected as the anterior serratus branch of the thoracic and dorsal blood vessels, and 2 cases were selected as the main trunk of the thoracic and dorsal blood vessels combined with the anterior serratus branch. One flap experienced venous crisis and the surgery failed, while the remaining 14 flaps survived smoothly. Follow-up period was 6-17 months, with an average of 10.4 months. The reconstructed breast had a satisfactory appearance and texture, without skin flap contraction or deformation. The skin flap donor area and breast recipient area only had linear scars, and there was no significant impact on abdominal wall and shoulder joint function. There was no tumor recurrence or metastasis during follow-up.Conclusion:When the side chest incision is used to perform the related operations of breast cancer radical resection, the free lower abdominal skin flap can be transplanted into the same incision for breast reconstruction. The effect is satisfactory, and the damage of the affected area is further reduced.

Objective:To explore the clinical value and therapeutic effects of endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy combined with immediate breast reconstruction using an oblique pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap(ORAMF).Methods:The data of patients admitted to Hunan Cancer Hospital from May to September 2023 who underwent breast cancer resection followed by immediate breast reconstruction with ORAMF were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical methods: firstly, axillary anterior sentinel lymph node biopsy and subcutaneous glandular excision for breast cancer were performed through a lateral chest incision using an endoscopic technique. Subsequently, a unilateral ORAMF was prepared by removing the epidermis and creating subcutaneous tunnels on the surface of the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap under direct visualization. The subcutaneous tunnel of the flap was then extended to the deep surface of the breast with the assistance of an endoscope, allowing for the transfer of the ORAMF to reconstruct the breast. Post surgery, the flap survival was monitored, and after discharge, patients received enhanced anti-scar treatment and functional rehabilitation exercises. Follow-up assessments included the evaluation of the reconstructed breast shape, incision scarring in both the donor and recipient areas, abdominal wall function, tumor recurrence and metastasis.Results:A total of 8 female patients with unilateral breast cancer were included in this study, aged between 27 and 52 years, with a mean age of 41.7 years old. The body mass index of the patients ranged from 19.1 to 22.5 kg/m 2. All patients had early-stage breast cancer. During the operation the average mass of the resected breast was 245 g(ranging from 220 to 285 g). The length of the lateral thoracotomy incision varied from 6.9 to 9.5 cm, with a mean length of 7.7 cm. In 3 cases, the ipsilateral ORAMF was used for breast reconstruction, while in 5 cases, the contralateral ORAMF was utilized. The dimensions of the flap were as follows: length (20.4±0.7) cm, width (10.8±1.5) cm, thickness (5.4±0.9) cm, with the volume of the flap cutting ranging from 19.7 cm×9.2 cm×4.4 cm to 21.2 cm×11.8 cm×5.9 cm. All of the flaps exhibited good blood supply and survived successfully without the need for additional anastomotic vessels. The patients were followed up for a period of 8 to 10 months post-operation, with an average follow-up of 8.7 months. The reconstructed breasts maintained a good shape and texture, showing no contracture or deformation of the flap, and were generally symmetrical with the healthy breast. The incisions in both the flap donor area and the recipient area had healed well, leaving only linear scars, and the function of the abdominal wall was not significantly compromised. No recurrence or metastasis was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion:The endoscopic technique helps to preserve the integrity of the breast skin tissue to the greatest extent possible, reducing scarring and assisting in the creation of subcutaneous tunnels to facilitate the transposition of the ORAMF for breast reconstruction. For carefully selected patients with moderately small breasts and ample subcutaneous tissue in the lower abdomen, the preparation of a unilateral ORAMF for breast reconstruction can yield superior results. This approach minimizes additional damage to the donor area, enhancing the safety of the surgery while significantly reducing the complexity of the operation.

Objective:To explore the strategies and technical points for breast reconstruction using free lower abdominal skin flap transplantation through lateral chest incision.Methods:The data of patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with free lower abdominal flap transplantation using lateral thoracic incision in Hunan Cancer Hospital from October 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Lateral thoracic incision was used in the recipient area. Firstly suitable radical mastectomy was performed for patients with early onset of breast cancer or recurrence after breast-conserving surgery, and prosthetic dilator removal or breast capsule release was performed for patients with dilator removed or capsular contracture after breast cancer prosthesis reconstruction. After that, the free lower abdominal skin flap breast reconstruction was completed under the same incision. During the operation, blood vessel preparation in the recipient area, skin flap preparation in the donor area, blood vessel anastomosis and breast shaping were completed successively according to the actual situation of the patient. Postoperative observation of complications, follow-up evaluation of reconstructed breast appearance and donor site healing were carred out.Results:A total of 15 female patients were included, aged range from 24 to 57 years old, with an average of 42.3 years old. There were 9 cases of early breast cancer, 2 cases of breast cancer recurrence after breast conserving surgery, 2 cases of breast cancer with dilator removed after breast reconstruction, and 2 cases of capsule contracture after breast cancer prosthesis reconstruction. The length of the lateral chest incision was 7.5-11.2 cm, with an average of 8.7 cm. Six cases were performed with 3/4 of the lower abdominal skin flaps, using a unilateral inferior abdominal vascular pedicle. The volume of the flaps ranged from 19.0 cm × 10.0 cm × 4.5 cm to 23.0 cm × 13.0 cm × 6.0 cm. The weight ranged from 280 to 510 g, with an average of 370 g. Nine cases were performed by cutting the entire lower abdominal skin flap and using bilateral inferior abdominal vascular pedicle. The volume of the skin flaps ranged from 27.0 cm × 11.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 30.0 cm × 14.0 cm × 6.5 cm. The weight ranged from 420 to 730 g, with an average of 530 g. Nine cases were selected as the main trunk of the thoracic and dorsal blood vessels, 4 cases were selected as the anterior serratus branch of the thoracic and dorsal blood vessels, and 2 cases were selected as the main trunk of the thoracic and dorsal blood vessels combined with the anterior serratus branch. One flap experienced venous crisis and the surgery failed, while the remaining 14 flaps survived smoothly. Follow-up period was 6-17 months, with an average of 10.4 months. The reconstructed breast had a satisfactory appearance and texture, without skin flap contraction or deformation. The skin flap donor area and breast recipient area only had linear scars, and there was no significant impact on abdominal wall and shoulder joint function. There was no tumor recurrence or metastasis during follow-up.Conclusion:When the side chest incision is used to perform the related operations of breast cancer radical resection, the free lower abdominal skin flap can be transplanted into the same incision for breast reconstruction. The effect is satisfactory, and the damage of the affected area is further reduced.

Objective:To explore the clinical value and therapeutic effects of endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy combined with immediate breast reconstruction using an oblique pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap(ORAMF).Methods:The data of patients admitted to Hunan Cancer Hospital from May to September 2023 who underwent breast cancer resection followed by immediate breast reconstruction with ORAMF were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical methods: firstly, axillary anterior sentinel lymph node biopsy and subcutaneous glandular excision for breast cancer were performed through a lateral chest incision using an endoscopic technique. Subsequently, a unilateral ORAMF was prepared by removing the epidermis and creating subcutaneous tunnels on the surface of the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap under direct visualization. The subcutaneous tunnel of the flap was then extended to the deep surface of the breast with the assistance of an endoscope, allowing for the transfer of the ORAMF to reconstruct the breast. Post surgery, the flap survival was monitored, and after discharge, patients received enhanced anti-scar treatment and functional rehabilitation exercises. Follow-up assessments included the evaluation of the reconstructed breast shape, incision scarring in both the donor and recipient areas, abdominal wall function, tumor recurrence and metastasis.Results:A total of 8 female patients with unilateral breast cancer were included in this study, aged between 27 and 52 years, with a mean age of 41.7 years old. The body mass index of the patients ranged from 19.1 to 22.5 kg/m 2. All patients had early-stage breast cancer. During the operation the average mass of the resected breast was 245 g(ranging from 220 to 285 g). The length of the lateral thoracotomy incision varied from 6.9 to 9.5 cm, with a mean length of 7.7 cm. In 3 cases, the ipsilateral ORAMF was used for breast reconstruction, while in 5 cases, the contralateral ORAMF was utilized. The dimensions of the flap were as follows: length (20.4±0.7) cm, width (10.8±1.5) cm, thickness (5.4±0.9) cm, with the volume of the flap cutting ranging from 19.7 cm×9.2 cm×4.4 cm to 21.2 cm×11.8 cm×5.9 cm. All of the flaps exhibited good blood supply and survived successfully without the need for additional anastomotic vessels. The patients were followed up for a period of 8 to 10 months post-operation, with an average follow-up of 8.7 months. The reconstructed breasts maintained a good shape and texture, showing no contracture or deformation of the flap, and were generally symmetrical with the healthy breast. The incisions in both the flap donor area and the recipient area had healed well, leaving only linear scars, and the function of the abdominal wall was not significantly compromised. No recurrence or metastasis was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion:The endoscopic technique helps to preserve the integrity of the breast skin tissue to the greatest extent possible, reducing scarring and assisting in the creation of subcutaneous tunnels to facilitate the transposition of the ORAMF for breast reconstruction. For carefully selected patients with moderately small breasts and ample subcutaneous tissue in the lower abdomen, the preparation of a unilateral ORAMF for breast reconstruction can yield superior results. This approach minimizes additional damage to the donor area, enhancing the safety of the surgery while significantly reducing the complexity of the operation.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of quercetin on mitochondrial energy metabolism function after myocardial ischemia. METHODS H9c2 cells were divided into blank group， model group， quercetin high-dose， medium-dose and low-dose groups （40， 20， 10 μmol/L）， and positive control group （cyclosporine A， 1 μmol/L）. Reactive oxygen species （ROS）， mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）， openness of mitochondrial permeability transition pore （MPTP）， adenosine triphosphate （ATP）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and creatine kinase （CK） were observed after cell hypoxia treatment. Rats were randomly assigned into sham operation group， model group， quercetin high-dose， medium-dose and low-dose groups （100， 50， 25 mg/kg）， and positive control group （trimetazidine， 6.3 mg/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. They were given relevant medicine intragastrically， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. After the last medication， myocardial ischemia model was induced by the ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The contents of LDH， MDA， creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB （CK-MB）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， complex Ⅰ， complex Ⅳ and ATP in serum were all determined. RESULTS Compared with the model group， ROS fluorescence intensity， openness of MPTP， the contents of CK， LDH and MDA were significantly decreased in quercetin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups， and positive control group， while the contents of MMP and ATP were all increased significantly （P＜0.01）； the contents of CK-MB， LDH and MDA in serum were all decreased significantly in quercetin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups， and positive control group， while the contents of SOD， complex Ⅰ， complex Ⅳ and ATP （except for positive control group） were increased significantly （P＜ 0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Quercetin can effectively reduce myocardial hypoxic injury， promote endogenous energy production and improve mitochondrial function after myocardial ischemia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of early intervention with Yishen Huazhuo prescription （YHP） on the learning and memory of accelerated aging model mice， as well as its underlying mechanism. MethodForty-eight 3-month-old male SAMP8 mice were randomly assigned into four groups， including the model group， low-dose YHP group， high-dose YHP group， and donepezil group. Additionally， 24 SAMR1 mice of the same age were divided into a control group and a YHP treatment control group， each consisting of 12 mice. The YHP groups received YHP at doses of 6.24 g·kg^-1 and 12.48 g·kg^-1， while the donepezil group was treated with donepezil at a dose of 0.65 mg·kg^-1. The model group and control groups were given physiological saline. The mice were gavaged once daily for a duration of four weeks. Spatial learning and memory abilities of mice were assessed using the Morris water maze test. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to evaluate neuronal density as well as expression levels of M1 microglial （MG） polarization marker inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and M2 MG polarization marker arginase-1 （Arg-1） in the hippocampus region. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure serum levels of pro-inflammatory factor interleukin 1β （IL-1β） and anti-inflammatory factor transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）. Furthermore， Western blot analysis was conducted to determine expressions of amyloid β peptide1-42 （Aβ_1-42） along with triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 （TREM2）/nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway-related proteins TREM2， phospho （p）-NF-κB p65， and phospho-inhibitory kappa B kinase β （IKKβ） in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a significantly prolonged escape latency （P<0.01）， a significant reduction in neuron-specific nuclear protein （NeuN） expression in the hippocampus， a significant increase in iNOS expression in MG， and a significant decrease in Arg-1 expression. The serum IL-1β content was significantly increased， while the TGF-β₁ content was significantly decreased. Additionally， there was a significant decrease in TREM2 expression in the hippocampus and significant increases in p-NF-κB p65， p-IKKβ， and Aβ_1-42 expressions （P<0.05， P<0.01）. However， no significant changes were observed in escape latency， times of crossing the platform， and hippocampal NeuN expression in the YHP treatment control group. Conversely， iNOS expression in MG as well as the hippocampal p-NF-κB p65， p-IKKβ， and Aβ_1-42 expressions were significantly decreased. Furthermore， TREM2 expression was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In comparison to the model group， the low-dose YHP group showed a significantly shortened escape latency and an increased number of crossing the platform （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the high-dose YHP group， the escape latency was significantly shortened （P<0.05）. In the low-dose YHP group， high-dose YHP group， the expression of NeuN in the hippocampus was significantly increased， the expression of iNOS in MG was significantly decreased， and the expression of Arg-l was significantly increased. The serum IL-1β content was significantly decreased， while the TGF-β₁ content was significantly increased. Furthermore， the expression of TREM2 in the hippocampus was significantly increased， and the expressions of p-NF-κB p65， p-IKKβ， and Aβ_1-42 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionEarly YHP intervention may promote the transformation of hippocampal MG from M1 to M2 by regulating the TREM2/NF-κB signaling pathway， reduce the release of neuroinflammatory factors， protect hippocampal neurons， and reduce the deposition of Aβ_1-42， and finally delay the occurrence of learning and memory decline in SAMP8 mice.