OBJECTIVE: To explore the methods, fixation points, and effectiveness of staged therapy using external fixation frame in treatment of infectious nonunion near knee joint. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 60 patients with infectious nonunion near knee joint, who underwent staged therapy using external fixation frame between June 2021 and June 2024 and were followed up. There were 48 males and 12 females with an average age of 47.9 years (range, 16-70 years). The disease duration ranged from 9 months to 20 years, with a median of 14 months. Among them, 21 cases of infectious nonunion located in the distal femur, 36 cases in the proximal tibia, and 3 cases in the patella; 12 cases exhibited segmental bone defects (≥4 cm), while 48 cases presented with localized bone defects (<4 cm). Osteomyelitis was classified using the Cierny-Mader system, with 3 cases classified as type Ⅰ, 6 cases as type Ⅱ, 35 cases as type Ⅲ, and 16 cases as type Ⅳ. Preoperative C-reactive protein levels ranged from 15.1 to 55.8 mg/L (mean, 36.4 mg/L). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 35-80 mm/1 h (mean, 56.9 mm/1 h). The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score for knee joint was 69.3±17.7 and the range of motion was (70.61±40.60)°. After debridement and placement of antibiotic carriers at the first-stage operation, unilateral orbital frames ( n=14), combined frames ( n=27), or Ilizarov frames ( n=19) were used for cross joint fixation ( n=9) or joint preservation fixation ( n=51). After 6-8 weeks of infection control, the bone grafting or bone transport was performed at the second-stage operation based on the type of bone defect, with internal fixation employed as an adjunct if necessary. After operation, the infection control and fracture healing were observed and the bone healing time was recorded. The knee joint function was assessed using the HSS score, and the knee joint range of motion was measured as well as the angle of motion loss. Patients were grouped according to the site of nonunion, type of external fixation frame, and fixation method. The bone healing time, change value of HSS score, and knee joint range of motion loss (difference between pre- and post-operation) were compared between groups. RESULTS: All infection markers returned to the normal range within 6 weeks after the first-stage operation. All patients were followed up 12-48 months (mean, 22.0 months) after the second-stage operation. There were 5 cases of needle tract infection during the external fixation period, and 3 cases of infection recurrence after the second-stage operation, all of which were cured after symptomatic treatment. The bone healing time was 6-18 months (mean, 11.0 months). At last follow-up, the HSS score was 88.5±7.9 and the range of motion was (61.84±40.59)°, with significant differences compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05); the knee joint range of motion loss was (8.77±11.07)°. The bone healing time was significantly longer in the distal femur group than in the proximal tibia group ( P<0.05), and in the unilateral orbital frames group than in the Ilizarov frames group and the combined frames group ( P<0.05). The angle of motion loss was significantly larger in the Ilizarov frames group than in the unilateral orbital frames group and the combined frames group ( P<0.05). The change value of HSS score was significantly higher in the cross joint fixation group than in the joint preservation fixation group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION During the first-stage operation, debridement is performed and antibiotic carriers are placed to control infection. External fixation frames are then precisely positioned based on the distance between the lesion and the joint surface, avoiding the infected wound while ensuring mechanical balance. During the second-stage operation, bone grafting options are selected according to the extent of bone defects to enhance the bone union. Postoperative early functional exercises of the knee joint are permitted to improve joint function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Fractures, Ununited/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators ; Aged ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteomyelitis/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation/instrumentation* ; Bone Transplantation ; Tibial Fractures/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of primary interventional revascularization combined with secondary perforator composite flap in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) accompanied by soft tissue defects around the ankle. METHODS: Between January 2022 and January 2025, 12 patients with PAD and soft tissue defects around the ankle were admitted. Among them, there were 9 males and 3 females; their ages ranged from 52 to 82 years, with an average of 68.9 years. The causes of injury included 4 cases of traffic accident, 5 cases of falls, 1 case of falling from height, 1 case of foreign body puncture injury, and 1 case of electric shock injury. The infection duration ranged from 1 month to 35 years, with a median duration of 3.5 months. The wound size ranged from 5.5 cm×3.0 cm to 15.0 cm×9.0 cm. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was 0.32±0.12. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain was 3.3±0.5. Preoperative vascular stenosis assessment was performed in all patients, with primary intervention to dredge large and medium-sized arteries, followed by secondary repair of the wound using a perforator composite flap. The flap size ranged from 6.5 cm×4.0 cm to 16.0 cm×10.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or repaired with skin grafts. After two stages of treatment, the effectiveness was evaluated by measuring ABI, observing flap survival and wound healing, assessing VAS scores, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. RESULTS: All 12 cases completed two stages of treatment; all patients were followed up after the second-stage treatment, with a follow-up period ranging from 7 to 28 months, with an average of 16.8 months. After the first-stage treatment, the skin temperature around the ankle was significantly higher than that before treatment, and the ABI increased to 0.71±0.07, with a significant difference ( t=9.918, P<0.001). After the second-stage treatment, the blisters on the distal end of the skin flap occurred in 3 cases. The flaps survived and the wounds healed, with a healing time ranging from 10 to 14 days (mean, 11.8 days). The incisions at the donor site healed by first intention, and the skin grafts survived. The VAS score was 0.5±0.5 at 3 weeks, which was significantly lower than that before treatment ( t=13.675, P<0.001). No infection recurrence occurred during follow-up. At 6 months after the second-stage treatment, the AOFAS score of the ankle joint ranged from 92 to 97, with an average of 94.7, all reaching excellent. CONCLUSION Interventional revascularization combined with perforator composite flap for staged treatment of PAD with ankle soft tissue defects can obtain good effectiveness, by unclogging the main blood vessels, improving lower limb blood supply, and improving the survival rate of the skin flap.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Peripheral Arterial Disease/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ankle/blood supply* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Skin Transplantation/methods*

BACKGROUND: Syringomyelia is a progressive chronic disease that leads to nerve pain, sensory dissociation, and dyskinesia. Symptoms often do not improve after surgery. Stem cells have been widely explored for the treatment of nervous system diseases due to their immunoregulatory and neural replacement abilities. METHODS: In this study, we used a rat model of syringomyelia characterized by focal dilatation of the central canal to explore an effective transplantation scheme and evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells and induced neural stem cells for the treatment of syringomyelia. RESULTS: The results showed that cell transplantation could not only promote syrinx shrinkage but also stimulate the proliferation of ependymal cells, and the effect of this result was related to the transplantation location. These reactions appeared only when the cells were transplanted into the cavity. Additionally, we discovered that cell transplantation transformed activated microglia into the M2 phenotype. IGF1-expressing M2 microglia may play a significant role in the repair of nerve pain. CONCLUSION Cell transplantation can promote cavity shrinkage and regulate the local inflammatory environment.Moreover, the proliferation of ependymal cells may indicate the activation of endogenous stem cells, which is important for the regeneration and repair of spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is the most common monogenic diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of MODY in phenotypic type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among Chinese young adults. METHODS: From April 2015 to October 2017, this cross-sectional study involved 2429 consecutive patients from 46 hospitals in China, newly diagnosed between 15 years and 45 years, with T2DM phenotype and negative for standardized glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody at the core laboratory. Sequencing using a custom monogenic diabetes gene panel was performed, and variants of 14 MODY genes were interpreted as per current guidelines. RESULTS: The survey determined 18 patients having genetic variants causing MODY (6 HNF1A , 5 GCK , 3 HNF4A , 2 INS , 1 PDX1 , and 1 PAX4 ). The prevalence of MODY was 0.74% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-1.08%). The clinical characteristics of MODY patients were not specific, 72.2% (13/18) of them were diagnosed after 35 years, 47.1% (8/17) had metabolic syndrome, and only 38.9% (7/18) had a family history of diabetes. No significant difference in manifestations except for hemoglobin A1c levels was found between MODY and non-MODY patients. CONCLUSION The prevalence of MODY in young adults with phenotypic T2DM was 0.74%, among which HNF1A -, GCK -, and HNF4A -MODY were the most common subtypes. Clinical features played a limited role in the recognition of MODY.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Mutation ; Prevalence ; Phenotype

To evaluate the implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) in schistosomiasis-endemic foci, two schistosomiasis-endemic counties were selected from two provinces of Sichuan and Anhui. Professional staff working in province-, city-, county- and township-level disease control and prevention institutions, parasitic disease control institutions or medical institutions were recruited, and the understanding, use and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) were investigated using questionnaires and interviews. The awareness, use, proportion of propagation and implementation and correct rate of answering questions pertaining to Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) were analyzed. A total of 270 questionnaires were allocated, and 269 were recovered, including 254 valid questionnaires. The overall awareness of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) was 84.64% (215/254), and propagation and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) was not performed in 23.28% (17/73) of the survey institutions following implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017), with meeting training and allocation of propagation materials as the main type of propagation and implementation. Among 254 respondents, 77.16% (196/254) were familiar with the standard, 66.14% (168/254) understood the conditions for use of the standard during snail surveys, and 96.85% (246/254) had the approach for identifying snails. In addition, there were 41.73% (106/254), 50.78% (129/254) and 7.48% (19/254) of respondents that considered the operability of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) was very good, good and general, respectively. The findings demonstrate that the issue and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) has filled the gap for the standardization of snail control techniques, and which plays an importang guiding role in the national schistosomiasis control program.

Objective:To explore the effect of coronary injection of recombinant human prourokinase (rhPro-UK) during PCI for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.Methods:A total of 124 STEMI patients treated in Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Hebei Province from November 2018 to November 2019 were selected as the research objects.They were simply randomized by random number table method into the observation group(63 cases) and the control group(61 cases). Thrombus aspiration was used.The control group was treated with 25 μg/kg tirofiban, and the observation group was injected with 20 mg rhPro-UK into the coronary arteries.After that, both groups underwent emergency PCI treatment.The bleeding degree, myocardial microcirculation indexes, plasma fibrinolytic factor changes, vascular recanalization, ST segment fall of electrocardiogram and changes in left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac index (CI) were recorded.Results:The peak value of creatine kinase isoenzymes MB (CK-MB) (184.64±21.47) U/L and the peak time of CK-MB (14.32±2.02) h in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group((258.94±31.64) U/L, (16.58±2.09) h), the differences were statistically significant ( t=15.345 and 6.123, all P<0.001). After treatment, human tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) (0.85±0.28) kU/L in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.74±0.24) kU/L, human plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) (0.16±0.05) kU/L.compared with the control group (0.32±0.08) kU/L significantly decreased ( t=2.345, P=0.021; t=13.401, P<0.001); 77.78% (49/63) of the ST-segment complete fall in observation group was significantly higher than 54.10% (33/61) of the control group ( Z=7.758; P=0.005), and 4.76% (3/63) in the observation group without a fall in ST segment was significantly lower than 19.67% (12/61) of the control group ( Z=6.480; P=0.011). The LVEDD at 7 days, 14 days and the LVESD at 7 days and 14 days in the observation group were (49.37±3.14) mm, (48.34±3.03) mm, (33.19±2.23) mm and (32.05±2.23) mm respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group at 7 days, (50.64±3.03) mm, (49.66±2.83) mm, (34.86±1.73) mm and 14 days, (33.74±1.97) mm respectively ( P<0.05 or P<0.001). The LVEF of 7 days and 14 days after treatment were (56.32±4.97)% and (59.23±5.11)%, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (54.46±4.87)% and (57.18±4.33)% ( P<0.05 or P<0.001). CI at 7 days and 14 days after treatment were (3.65±0.22) L/ (min·m 2) and (3.76±0.21) L/(min·m 2), which were significantly higher than those of the control group (3.48±0.25) L/(min·m 2) and (3.56±0.24) L/(min·m 2)( P<0.05 or P<0.001). Conclusion:STEMI patients treated by intraoperative coronary injection of Rhpro-UK versus tirofeban, can further improve the total bleeding rate and the vascular recanalculation rate, and also significantly improve plasma fibrinolysis factor, myocardial microcirculation and cardiac function.This provides an alternative to the treatment of myocardial infarction in patients with STEMI.

Alanine Transaminase ; Amikacin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aztreonam ; Bilirubin ; Carbapenems ; Ceftazidime ; China ; Creatinine ; Cross Infection ; Escherichia coli ; Fibrosis ; Fungi ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Length of Stay ; Leukocyte Count ; Linezolid ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vancomycin

Objective: To investigate the history, risk factors for prognosis of malignant biliary stricture (MBS) patients receiving conservative therapy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) and to set up a predictive model for overall survival (OS). Methods: MBS patients who underwent ERCP and conservative therapy in Xijing Hospital and PLA No.451 Hospital from January 2009 to December 2013 were enrolled to the present study. Predictive factors associated with OS were identified in the training cohort by stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis. A predictive model was then developed and externally validated in the validation cohort. Results: Between January 2009 and December 2013, 152 and 149 patients were eligible to the training and validation cohort respectively. In the training cohort, tumors were mainly originated from bile duct (33.6%), pancreas (23.5%) or ampulla (20.4%). 76.3% (116/152) patients died during the observation period. The median OS for the training population was 5.0 months (3.9-6.2 months). CA19-9≥1 000 U/mL, non-ampulla tumor, metastasis, pre-ERCP total bilirubin≥7 mg/dL and hilar stricture were identified as independent predictive factors of poor OS (all P<0.05). Based on these factors, the COMTH predictive model was developed. The median OS of patients with COMTH>8 in the training and validation cohorts were both 3.0 months, which were significantly shorter than those with COMTH≤8 (10.0 and 6.9 months in the training and validation cohorts respectively, both P<0.001). Conclusion The prognosis of MBS patients undergoing ERCP is poor. The survival chance of patients with COMTH>8 is even more dismal.

Objective To explore the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) recognized at primary diagnosis on clinical features and outcomes of patients with AF in emergency service.Methods Data were collected from consecutive patients admitted in resuscitation room in the Department of Emergency (ED) of a major comprehensive teaching hospital,from January 1,2011 through December 31,2015.Patients were checked by electrocardiogram examination and / or monitored in resuscitation room after admission,and were divided into patients with AF recognized at a primary diagnosis and those with AF judged by alternative primary diagnoses in ED.The main criteria of prognosis were the length of resuscitation room stay,number of repeated ED visits,and outcome scale (such as death,transferred to intensive units,transferred to general wards,or direct discharge).Non-paired student t test,x2,and circular distribution analysis were performed using SPSS 10.0 and EXCEL 2007 software.Results A total of 929 patients with mean age of (70.3 ± 12.7) years,and 502 (54.0％) female were enrolled.There were 122 cases with AF not recognized at primary diagnosis but by an alternative primary diagnosis (non-primary group,NPG),and 807 cases with AF recognized at primary diagnosis (primary group,PG).Compared with the PG,the patients were older [(76.9 ±9.3) vs.(68.7 ± 14.4),P ＜0.01],had more comorbidities [(1.75 ± 1.26) vs.(0.08±0.39),P＜0.01],higher APACHE Ⅱ scores [(17.89±8.19) vs.(8.64±4.15),P＜ 0.01],longer resuscitation room stay (P ＜ 0.01),higher mortality (11.5％ vs.0.2％,OR =52.176,95％ CI:11.698-232.710,x2 =78.928,P ＜ 0.01) and a higher percentage of transferring to intensive careunit (14.8％ vs.5.1％,OR=3.234,95％CI:1.791-5.838,x2 =16.674,P＜0.01) in NPG.There were no significant difference in number of repeated-visits in ED between the PG and the NPG.Conclusion Patients with AF in the ED judged by alternative primary diagnosis are older and have more comorbidities,higher mortality and higher probability to be transferred to intensive care unit than patients with AF directly recognized by a primary diagnosis.This cohort of patients with special characteristics should be meticulously cared for and be distinguished from the patients with AF crystal clear at a primary diagnosis.Future studies are needed to examine the specific impact of AF on outcomes in the setting of primarydiagnoses in ED.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and repeated emergency department (ED) visits.Methods Patients with AF were examined and analyzed retrospectively.Data were collected from consecutive patients from resuscitation room in the Department of Emergency of a large-scale general teaching hospital,from January 1,2011 to December 31,2015.The patients were verified by electrocardiographic examination and/or monitoring.The main outcomes were length of resuscitation room stay and outcome scales (defined as death,transfer to intensive units,to ordinary wards,or direct discharge).Results 908 patients were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 70.3 ± 12.8 years,and 494(54.4％) were female.There were 262(28.9％) cases visited ED for more than one time,and 646(71.1％) visited ED without repetition.Compared with the patients without repeated visit,patients with repeated visits were older (73.0 ± 9.8 years versus 69.2 ± 13.6 years,t=4.705,P＜0.001),and had a larger proportion of patients with CHADS2-VASc score greater or equals to 2(70.6％ versus 60.2％,x2 =8.660,P=0.003),whereas those patients had a shorter stay in the resuscitation room (13.6 ± 27.1h versus 27.0 ± 89.7h,t=3.370,P=0.001),and a higher percentage of directly discharge (73.3％ versus 61.9％,x2=10.607,P=0.001).In multiple logistic regression analysis,a higher CHADS2-VASc score and a lower quartile of the resuscitation room stay were independently predictive factors of repeated ED visits.Conclusion Patients with AF and repeated ED visits would have relatively complex condition and more comorbidities.High CHADS2-VASc score and short ED stay are independently predictive factors for repeated ED visits.