Objective To investigate the relationship between regulatory T(Treg)cells and recurrence after treatment with mometasone furoate in children with adenoid hypertrophy complicated with allergic rhinitis.Methods A total of 104 children with adenoid hyperplasia complicated with allergic rhinitis admitted to Chan-gzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected as the study subjects.All the children were treated with mometasone furoate for 1 month.According to whether the drug relapsed after 3 months,the patients were divided into recurrence group and the non-recurrence group.The pe-ripheral blood Treg cells,intracellular cytokine interleukin-10(IL-10),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),IgE,IgG4 levels,and eosinophilic count(EOS)were measured in both groups before and after treatment.The adenoid/nasopharynx(A/N)value and symptom scores of allergic rhinitis were measured 3 months after drug withdrawal in the two groups.Pearson analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between Treg cells and A/N value and symptom scores.The effectiveness of Treg cells,IL-10,TGF-β1,IgE,IgG4,and EOS in predicting the recurrence was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The recur-rence rate of 104 children with adenoid hypertrophy complicated with allergic rhinitis was 41.35％(43/104).After treatment,Treg cells,IL-10,TGF-β1 and IgG4 in the recurrent group were lower than those in the non-recurrent group,while IgE,EOS,A/N value and symptom score were higher than those in the non-recurrent group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Pearson analysis showed that Treg cells were negatively corre-lated with A/N value(r=-0.470,P＜0.001)and rhinitis symptom scores(r=-0.872,P＜0.001).The accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of Treg cells in predicting the prognosis were 94.6％,95.1％and 93.0％respectively.Conclusion Treg cells are effective in predicting the prognosis of children with adenoid hypertro-phy complicated with allergic rhinitis.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of self-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (SCH) gel on endometrium recovery after artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted across 18 hospitals from December 2021 to February 2023, involving 382 women who underwent artificial abortion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either treatment with SCH gel (SCH group) or no treatment (control group) in a 1∶1 ratio. The primary outcome was endometrium thickness in 14 to 18 days after the first postoperative menstruation. Secondary outcomes included changes in menstrual volume during the first postoperative menstruation, menstruation resumption within 6 postoperative weeks, time to menstruation resumption, duration of the first postoperative menstruation, and incidence of dysmenorrhea.Results:Baseline characteristics of participants were comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05), with 95.3% (182/191) in SCH group and 92.7% (177/191) in the control group completed the study. The postoperative endometrial thickness in SCH group was significantly greater than that in the control group [(9.78±3.15) vs (8.95±2.32) mm; P=0.005]. SCH group also had significantly fewer participants with reduced menstrual volume [23 cases (12.6%, 23/182) vs 31 cases (17.5%, 31/177); P=0.038]. Although SCH group experienced less dysmenorrhea during the first postoperative menstrual period, this difference was not statistically significant [28.5% (51/179) vs 37.1% (65/175); P=0.083]. Outcomes were similar between SCH group and the control group regarding the proportion of participants who resumed menstruation within 6 weeks postoperatively, time to menstruation resumption, and duration of the first postoperative menstruation ( P=0.792, 0.485, and 0.254, respectively). No serious adverse events were observed during the study period, and no adverse events were attributed to SCH gel treatment. Conclusion:The application of SCH gel after artificial abortion is safe and might aid in the recovery of the endometrium.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block (SNB) and paraverteral nerve block (PVB) in treating postherpetic neuralgia.Methods:A total of 52 patients with postherpetic neuralgia who visited the Pain Clinic of the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from February 2020 to December 2022 were selected and randomly divided into an ultrasound-guided SNB group and a PVB group using a random number table method, with 26 patients in each group. Patients in the SNB group received ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block therapy; The PVB group received ultrasound-guided paraverteral nerve block treatment. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) scores, and total effective rate were observed in two groups of patients before treatment, 2 weeks after treatment, 1 month after treatment, 3 months after treatment, and 6 months after treatment. Complications during treatment were also observed.Results:The total effective rates of SNB group patients at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were significantly higher than those of PVB group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores of both groups of patients at each time point were significantly reduced compared to before treatment (all P<0.05); The VAS scores of patients in the SNB group were lower than those in the PVB group at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores between SNB and PVB groups before nerve block treatment (all P>0.05). The MCS and PCS scores of the two groups of patients were significantly higher than before treatment at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment (all P<0.05). The MCS scores of the SNB group were significantly higher than those of the PVB group at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment (all P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in PCS scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). Both groups of patients did not experience any serious complications related to the treatment in this study during the follow-up period. Conclusions:Both ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block and paraverteral nerve block can safely and effectively treat postherpetic neuralgia. The clinical effect of ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block in treating postherpetic neuralgia is better than that of paraverteral nerve block.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of using indocyanine green angiography in mapping the superficial temporal vessels and assisting design and harvesting of the superficial temporal artery based forehead flap. METHODS: A clinical data of 14 patients with facial soft tissue defects repaired with superficial temporal artery based forehead flaps between October 2015 and November 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 5 females with a median age of 9.5 years (range, 3-38 years). The forehead flaps were used to reconstruct facial soft tissue defects following excision of facial scar (8 cases) or congenital melanocyte nevus (6 cases). The size of defects ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 24 cm×9 cm. Before operation, the indocyanine green angiography was used to map the superficial temporal artery and vein, and to analyze the relationship of the arteries and veins. The forehead flaps with unilateral superficial temporal fascia as the pedicle was transferred to repair the small facial defect in 2 cases. The facial pedicle contained the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and 2 cm of the superficial temporal fascia around the vessel, and the tiny accompanying vein of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery was used as the outflow of the flap. The forehead flaps with the skin pedicle including bilateral or unilateral superficial temporal fascia and the overlying skin was pre-expanded and transferred to repair the large facial defect in 12 cases. The skin pedicle contained the frontal branch of superficial temporal artery and one of main branches of superficial temporal vein. Among the 12 cases, the frontal branch of superficial temporal vein was used as the outflow in 4 cases, and the parietal branch was used as the outflow in 8 cases. The size of the flaps ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 30 cm×13 cm. The skin pedicles were divided at 3 weeks after the flap transfer. RESULTS: Indocyanine green angiography could clearly showed the course and branching of the superficial temporal artery and vein. Individual differences existed in the location where the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery entered the forehead. The superficial temporal vein had great variability and did not follow the artery. One patient had expander-related complication, which resulted in 3-cm flap necrosis. The necrotic tissue was debrided and repaired with skin grafting. The other flaps totally survived and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-24 months, with a median of 11.5 months. The color, texture, and thickness of the flaps matched well with those of recipient sites. Hypertrophic scar was not observed in recipient or donor site. All patients were satisfied with the reconstructive outcomes. CONCLUSION Indocyanine green angiography can clearly visualize the course and the branches of the superficial temporal arteries and veins, which can help surgeons understand the position, distribution, and concomitant relationship of the superficial temporal vessels, and make a rational surgical plan of the forehead flap.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Temporal Arteries/surgery* ; Indocyanine Green ; Forehead/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Angiography ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of the principle and clinical application of keloid core excision technique. METHODS: The literature on keloid core excision technique at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the principle, development history, indications, advantages and disadvantages of this technique were summarized, and the existing controversies were analyzed. RESULTS: Keloid core excision is a technique to remove the inner fibrous core from the keloid and cover the defect with the keloidal flap. It reduces the wound tension, yields good aesthetic results in the treatment of ear keloids, and reduces the recurrence rate of keloids combining with adjuvant therapies. CONCLUSION The keloid core excision technique has specific advantages, yet its overall efficacy remains controversial. Further studies are imperative to explore the mechanisms regarding keloid recurrence and the vascular supply principles of the keloidal flap. It is also necessary to define appropriate surgical indications and safety protocols of this technique.
Humans ; Keloid/pathology* ; Recurrence ; Surgical Flaps/pathology* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Treatment Outcome

Pain caused by surgery is an important clinical issue that seriously affects postoperative rehabilitation and health-related quality of life. Failure to effectively manage postoperative pain not only leads to a decrease in patient quality of life, increases medical expenses, but also has a negative impact on patient recovery. Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to address the challenges of acute postoperative pain management, find effective management strategies, and improve the quality of pain management. This article summarizes the current status of acute postoperative pain management in recent years, including the mechanism of pain occurrence, pain assessment methods, drug and non drug management strategies, and predictive factors for chronic postoperative pain. It also looks forward to future research directions and application prospects.

【Objective】  To predict the active components and action targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) based on network pharmacology, explore possible mechanisms of the treatment through animal experiments, and provide a scientific basis for clinical applications of Wuyao (Linderae Radix). 【Methods】  Possible active components and targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of CPID were obtained applying network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. CPID rat models were established using the mixed Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Ureaplasma urealyticum plus the performance of mechanical injury. Hematoxylineosin (HE) staining was applied to observe the pathological changes in the uterus, fallopian tube, and spleens of rat models. The contents of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of rats were determined with the use of corresponding detection kits. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to measure the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the serum of rat models. Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentage of CD4+ and CD8a+ T cells as well as CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the spleen of rat models. 【Results】  A total of nine potential active components and four core therapeutic targets related to inflammatory response in Wuyao (Linderae Radix) were obtained. The animal experiments showed that Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly inhibited uterus swelling, regulated morphological changes in the fallopian tube and spleen,  effectively reduced inflammatory infiltration and injuries in the uterus and fallopian tube, and improved spleen functions in CPID rats. Moreover, Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly reduced the levels of NO, IL-6, and MDA, and increased the levels of IL-10 and SOD in the serum of rats. Wuyao (Linderae Radix) also elevated the percentage of CD4+T cells and the CD4+ T/CD8a+ T cell ratio, reduced the percentage of CD8a+ T cells, and raised the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs that had been abnormally decreased in rat models (P < 0.05). 【Conclusion】  Wuyao (Linderae Radix) could have therapeutic effects on CPID rats by relieving oxidative stress, mitigating inflammatory levels, and regulating the immuno-function of T cell subgroups to improve the pathological changes in CPID rats. It is a medicinal herb worth being further explored for its clinical values.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of levosimendan on acute kidney injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in rats.Methods:Twenty-five healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group ( n=5), levosimendan group ( n=10) and experimental group ( n=10). A cardiac arrest-cardiopulmonary resuscitation model was established using smothering method in the experimental group and levosimendan group. The levosimendan group was treated with levosimandan during and after resuscitation, while the experimental group was given equivalent volume of saline solution during and after resuscitation, and the control group was only given equivalent volume of saline without performance of CPR. The rats in the three groups were sacrificed at 6 h after resuscitation. The serum and kidney tissue samples were collected. Serum biochemical indicators [serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (Bun), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] were measured. HE staining and Paller score were used to identify the degree of kidney damage. Apoptosis was estimated by TUNEL staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the mean values of normally distributed measurement data between groups. Comparisons between groups were performed using the least significant difference t-test. Results:Scr (85.02±1.31) μmol/L, Bun (7.36±0.13) mmol/L, Paller score (7.3±0.2), IL-1β (302.20±17.35) pg/mL, IL-6 (564.60±23.24) pg/mL and TNF-α (1346±83.73) pg/mL in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group [(15.94±0.96) μmol/L, (2.95±0.18) mmol/L, (0.7±0.2), (7.27±0.44) pg/mL, (51.30±2.87) pg/mL, and (10.39±0.52) pg/mL] (all P<0.01). Compared with the experimental group, Scr (63.88±2.01) μmol/L, Bun (5.45±0.47) mmol/L, paller score (4.8±0.2), IL-1β (78.61±3.66) pg/mL, IL-6 (297.90±13.64) pg/mL and TNF-α (276.2±20.18) pg/mL were significantly decreased in the levosimendan group (all P<0.01). TUNEL staining showed that levosimendan could improve the apoptosis of renal cells ( P<0.01). The expression of p-ERK protein in the levosimendan group was significantly higher than that in the experimental group ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Lovosimendan could attenuate acute kidney injury following cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation via suppression apoptosis. The mechanism of levosimendan protective effect might be associated with activation of ERK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric differences between volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with a flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter-free (FFF) VMAT in fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases. Methods Seventeen patients with brain metastases were divided into FF-VMAT group (VMAT plans with the FF mode) and FFF-VMAT group (VMAT plans with the FFF mode). The two groups were compared in terms of target volume dose parameters (D_98%, D_2% and D_mean), the conformal index (CI), the gradient index (GI), the gradient, normal brain tissue dose parameters (V_5Gy, V_10Gy, V_12Gy and D_mean), monitor units, and beam-on time. Results Compared with the FF-VMAT group, the FFF-VMAT group had significantly lower GI (3.33 ± 0.37 vs 3.27 ± 0.35, P = 0.001), a significantly lower gradient [(0.85 ± 0.20) cm vs (0.84 ± 0.19) cm, P = 0.002], a significantly shorter beam-on time [(177.05 ± 62.68) s vs (142.71 ± 34.59) s, P = 0.001], and significantly higher D_2% [(65.69 ± 2.15) Gy vs (66.99 ± 2.03) Gy, P = 0.001] and D_mean [(58.77 ± 1.60) Gy vs (59.95 ± 1.43) Gy, P <0.001]. There were no significant differences in the CI, the D_98% of the target volume, the V_5Gy, V_10Gy, V_12Gy and D_mean of the normal brain tissue, and monitor units between FFF-VMAT and FF-VMAT. Conclusion FFF-VMAT can better protect the normal tissue around the target volume, reduce the beam-on time, and improve treatment efficiency.

Objective To investigate the dose calculation accuracy of two algorithms in Monaco TPS for self-made phantoms with different cavity thickness, and analyze the influence of phantoms with different cavity thickness on dose verification of upper esophageal cancer. Methods The phantoms with different cavity thickness were placed on the simulated CT positioning machine to scan and acquire images. In Monaco TPS, the irradiation fields with energy of 6 MV, 100 MU and different square field sizes were added to the acquired images. The dose of the cavity of the ionization chamber was calculated by two algorithms, and measured on the accelerator by dosimeter under the same conditions. At the same time, 20 patients with upper esophageal cancer who received dynamic intensity modulation in fixed field were randomly selected and included in the study, and two algorithms were used for dose verification on phantoms with different cavity thickness. The results were statistically analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software. Results The maximum deviations between the calculated values and the measured values were 0.66% and −1.8%, in the calculation of phantoms with different cavity thickness by algorithms of Monte Carlo and Pencil Beam. In Monte Carlo algorithm, the result of RD pair t test is P > 0.05. Paired t test of AD (0 mm, 10 mm), (5 mm, 10 mm) and (10 mm, 20 mm) groups showed no significant difference (P < 0.05). The maximum deviation was 1.1%, and the rest groups were not statisticely significant (P > 0.05); In Pencil Beam algorithm the t test results of RD (0 mm, 20 mm) and (5 mm, 20 mm) pairs were (P < 0.05), the maximum deviation was 0.58%, and the rest groups were (P > 0.05). In AD group, (P < 0.05), the maximum deviation was 2.78%; The paired t test between the two algorithms was (P < 0.05), and the maximum deviations in RD and AD groups were 2.49% and 4.14%, respectively. Conclusion Monte Carlo algorithm has accurate calculation and high gamma pass rate of dose verification, and there is no clinical difference in gamma pass rate of dose verification among phantoms with different cavity thickness, pencil Beam algorithm is not recommended in cavity phantom calculation.