Shengjihuayu formula ameliorates the oxidative injury in human keratinocytes via blocking JNK/c-Jun/MMPs signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The reactive oxygen species (ROS) surge in the chronic wound tissue of diabetic ulcers (DUs) aggravates the inflammatory response. The oxidative stress state during inflammation will exacerbate inflammation and cause tissue damage, resulting in prolonged wound healing. Shengjihuayu Formula (SJHYF) is a renowned Chinese medicine prescription for treating chronic wounds in diabetic ulcers. Growing clinical evidence has demonstrated that SJHYF exhibits superior therapeutic efficacy and has a favorable safety profile. However, the underlying mechanisms by which SJHYF ameliorates oxidative damage under pathological conditions of DUs remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytoprotective properties of SJHYF on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell damage in human HaCaT keratinocytes and to explore its potential targets and molecular pathways in treating DUs using RNA-seq. METHODS: HaCaT cells were incubated with H2O2 for 24 h to construct an oxidative stress cell model. Cell viability and proliferation were measured using the MTT and EdU assays, respectively. Cell migration was assessed using the scratch assay, and the fluorescence intensity of ROS was measured using the DCFH-DA probe. The chemical components of SJHYF were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, while the therapeutic effects of SJHYF on H2O2-induced HaCaT cells were analyzed using RNA-Seq. The potential target genes were validated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). At the same time, the pathway phenotype expression of SJHYF on the protection of H2O2-induced HaCaT cells was explored using Western Blot. RESULTS: The application of SJHY at a concentration of 0.25 mg/mL promoted cell proliferation, cell migration, and reduced ROS production. In addition, SJHYF was detected to have a total of 93 active compounds, including key components such as Galloyl-beta-D-glucose, Danshensu, Procyanidin B2, Catechin, and Alkannin. The RNA-seq analysis identified several core targets namely KRT17, TGM1, JUNB, PRDX5, TXNIP, PRDX1, HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, HSPA8, and TNF-α. Western blot revealed the presence of the JNK/c-Jun/MMPs pathway and its related transcription factors. CONCLUSION: SJHYF displays significant protective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative cell damage in HaCaT cells via blocking the JNK/c-Jun/MMPs pathway.

A Modified Surgical Technique of Fovea-Sparing Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling: Continuous Arc-Shaped Foldback Peeling.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of management of high myopic foveoschisis (MF) with a modified surgical technique of arc-shaped foldback fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. METHODS: A 23-gauge vitrectomy was performed in five patients with high MF. A long strip of ILM was peeled at the temporal side of the central fovea. Next, an ILM forceps was used to grasp the outer side of the ILM flap, and it was moved forward slowly from the outside to the paracentral fovea, followed by folding ILM back in an arc-shaped manner and then removing it. The above operations were repeated, and all ILM flaps were removed from the outside to paracentral fovea until a narrow strip of ILM remained. Finally, the narrow strip of ILM was excised using a vitreous cutter. RESULTS: At the patients' last visits, the foveoschisis almost disappeared completely and the fovea reattached. The central macular thickness statistically decreased from 399.0 ± 96.33 µm preoperatively to 164.60 ± 34.20 µm postoperatively (t = 4.289; P=0.013). The preoperative mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (1.64 ± 0.65) significantly improved to 0.72 ± 0.18 postoperatively (t = 3.265, P=0.031). The average follow-up time was 11.80 ± 3.35 months (range; 8-16 months). CONCLUSION: The arc-shaped foldback fovea-sparing ILM peeling technique for high MF is safe and effective.

Treatment effect, postoperative complications, and their reasons in juvenile thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Fifty-four juvenile cases under 18 years of age with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis underwent focus debridement, deformity correction, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation. The treatment effects, complications, and reasons were analyzed retrospectively. MATERIAL AND METHOD: There were 54 juvenile cases under 18 years of age with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. The average age was 9.2 years old, and the sample comprised 38 males and 16 females. The disease types included 28 thoracic cases, 17 thoracolumbar cases, and 9 lumbar cases. Nerve function was evaluated with the Frankel classification. Thirty-six cases were performed with focus debridement and deformity correction and were supported with allograft or autograft in mesh and fixed with pedicle screws from a posterior approach. Eight cases underwent a combined anterior and posterior surgical approach. Nine cases underwent osteotomy and deformity correction, and one case received focus debridement. The treatment effects, complications, and bone fusions were tracked for an average of 52 months. RESULTS: According to the Frankel classification, paralysis was improved from 3 cases of B, 8 cases of C, 18 cases of D, and 25 cases of E preoperatively. This improvement was found in 3 cases of C, 6 cases of D, and 45 cases of E at a final follow-up postoperatively. No nerve dysfunction was aggravated. VAS was improved from 7.8 ± 1.7 preoperatively to 3.2 ± 2.1 at final follow-up postoperatively. ODI was improved from 77.5 ± 17.3 preoperatively to 28.4 ± 15.9 at final follow-up postoperatively. Kyphosis Cobb angle improved from 62.2° ± 3.7° preoperatively to 37° ± 2.4° at final follow-up postoperatively. Both of these are significant improvements, and all bone grafts were fused. Complications related to the operation occurred in 31.5% (17/54) of cases. Six cases suffered postoperative aggravated kyphosis deformity, eight cases suffered proximal kyphosis deformity, one case suffered pedicle penetration, one case suffered failure of internal devices, and one case suffered recurrence of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: As long as the treatment plan is fully prepared, the surgical option can achieve a satisfactory curative effect in treating juvenile spinal tuberculosis despite some complications.

Surgical treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis by one-stage debridement and anterior instrumentation with allograft through an extraperitoneal anterior approach.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the clinical outcome of lumbosacral tuberculosis treatment by one-stage radical debridement with bone allograft reconstruction and anterior instrumentation via a retroperitoneal approach. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a series of 43 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis in whom the lumbosacral junction was exposed via an anterior midline retroperitoneal approach. After radical debridement, two parallel tricortical iliac crest bone allografts were placed to reconstruct the anterior column, and then anterior fixation was performed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 34 months (range, 24-91 months), during which no obvious loss of correction was observed. No case experienced recurrence, tuberculous peritonitis, erectile dysfunction, or retrograde ejaculation. CONCLUSIONS: The midline retroperitoneal approach provides direct and safe access to lesions of lumbosacral tuberculosis. Two parallel structural iliac crest allografts and anterior instrumentation effectively stabilize the lumbosacral junction.

Treatment of traumatic spondylolisthesis of the lower cervical spine with concomitant bilateral facet dislocations: risk of respiratory deterioration.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to retrospectively examine 36 cases of bilateral cervical facet dislocations (BCFD) of the lower cervical spine who were at risk for respiratory deterioration. METHODS: The cases of 36 subjects with BCFD of the lower cervical spine who failed to achieve closed reduction were retrospectively studied. The extents of neurological injuries included posterior neck pain without neurological deficit (n=2), incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI) (n=21), and complete spinal cord injury (CSCI) (n=13). RESULTS: Among the subjects, 26 (72.22%) had dyspnea, 6 required mechanical ventilation due to respiratory muscle paralysis, 11 required tracheostomy, and 9 required intubation. All patients received posterior approach reduction, stabilization, and fusion treatment for BCFD in one operative session. For the 26 quadriparetic patients with dyspnea, priority was given to treating their respiratory problems. For the other 10 patients without dyspnea, surgical treatment for irreducible lower cervical spine dislocation was given priority. After an average follow-up period of 63 months, 21 complications were found, but all patients exhibited fusion. Twenty-one patients with ISCI exhibited improvements in their conditions of 1 or 2 grades on the American Spinal Injury Association scale, whereas those with CSCI did not improve. All 26 apnea cases improved. The majority (26) of the 36 cases with BCFD of the lower cervical spine suffered dyspnea. CONCLUSIONS: Although further study is required, our study suggests that the posterior surgical approach to the cervical spine is safe and effective for patients with traumatic spondylolisthesis of the lower cervical spine concomitant with BCFD who are at risk of respiratory deterioration.

Short segmental pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term outcomes of short segmental pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: Twenty patients who suffered from nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures were treated by short segmental pedicle screw fixation for burst fracture and by percutaneous vertebroplasty for compression fracture. X-rays, CT and MRI scans were conducted using the same protocol before and after surgery and during follow-up. Pre-and post-operative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades, fusion of fracture sites, visual analog scale (VAS) of back pain, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were accessed. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for an average period of 12 months. The sagittal profile of the thoracolumbar spine was restored satisfactorily. No patient had neurologic deterioration after surgery, and 9 patients with incomplete lesions improved postoperatively by at least one ASIA grade. The fusion rate was 100%. The average VAS of back pain was 7.6 preoperatively and 3.2 postoperatively. The average ODI was 72.5 preoperatively and 35.5 postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Short segmental pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures exhibits such advantages as preserving functional segment units, reliable fixation, good neurologic recovery and early mobilization and, therefore, is suitable for treating nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures.

Repair of large segmental bone defects using bone marrow stromal cells with demineralized bone matrix.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of tissue-engineered constructs on repair of large segmental bone defects in goats. METHODS: Allogenic demineralized bone matrix (aDBM) was seeded with autologous marrow stromal cells (aMSC) for seven days to construct DBM-MSC grafts prior to implantation. 24 goats were randomly divided into three groups (eight in each). In each group, 3 cm diaphyseal femoral defects were created unilaterally, and subsequently filled with the DBM-MSC grafts, DBM alone and an untreated control, respectively. Radiological analysis and biomechanical evaluation were performed at 12 and 24 weeks after operation. RESULTS: Obvious increases in radiological scoring and biomechanical strength were found in the DBM-MSC group when compared to the DBM group. X-ray examination showed excellent bone healing in the DBM-MSC group, whereas only partial bone repair was seen in the DBM group, and no healing in untreated controls. Histologically, a tendency to bone regeneration and remodeling was far more obvious for the DBM-MSC group than the DBM only and untreated controls. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that transplantation of bone MSC within a DBM could have advantages for the bone repair of large segmental defects.