Objective To explore the diagnostic value of SPECT/CT on fracture healing.Methods A total of 28 patients (13 males,15 females; average age 45.3 years) with fracture were enrolled.All underwent metal fixation.SPECT/CT scans were performed at least 6 months after the metal fixation.X-ray examination before SPECT/CT showed equivocal fracture healing.The fracture delayed union or nonunion were judged by degree of uptake as well as uptake pattern around fracture site.Final diagnosis was confirmed by surgery or follow-up X-ray film.Results Among 28 patients,15 showed delayed union (confirmed by follow-up),and 13 showed nonunion (confirmed by surgery).There were 13 screws in 6 patients showed abnormal uptake,suggesting screw loose (confirmed by surgery).Conclusions SPECT/CT imaging could be of clinical significance in assessing fracture healing.

Objective To evaluate the MRI findings of synovial hemangioma.Methods Twenty-three patients with synovial hemangioma were analyzed retrospectively,and MRI characteristics were summarized.Results Of the 23 patients,there were localized type in 6 and diffuse type in 17.Localized tumors located in the articular synovial tissue and didn't invade articular capsule and peripheral tissues.T hey had envelope,well-defined margin and regular shape.5 cases showed heterogeneous signal with iso-intense or hypo-intense on T1WI,hyper-intense and internal patchy or multiple pinstripe hypo-intense on T2WI and fat-suppression sequence.Diffuse tumors distributed inside and outside the articulation,and invaded the articular capsule or peripheral tissues.17 cases were heterogeneous signal with iso-intense or hypo-intense and internal patchy or sinuous hyper-intense on T1WI,hyper-intense and internal patchy,nodular and multiple pinstripe hypo-intense on T2WI and fat-suppression sequence.Thick flow void of the vessels were showed in 6 cases and phlebolithes were showed in 3 cases.15 cases underwent contrast-enhanced scan,and the tumors showed patchy,nodular or tortuous vascular heterogeneous enhancement with internal patchy,nodular or cord-like non-enhanced areas.Conclusion Fatty-fibrous tissues and flow void of the vessels in the tumor are valuable MRI features for diagnosis of the synovial hemangioma.

Objective:To present the clinical results and potential complications of modified maxillary distraction osteogenesis in the treatment of moderate to severe maxillary hypoplasia for patients with cleft lip and palate.Methods:All the cases were treated with a modified distraction osteogenesis in the Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from July 2017 to December 2019. A rigid external distraction(RED) with intranasal bone-borne traction hooks was performed after the Le Fort Ⅰ osteotomy and a maxillary internal rigid fixation was done immediately after 3-4 weeks of RED device distraction. Paired-samples t-test was used to analyze the three-dimensional reconstruction and measurements of the patient’s preoperative (T0) and immediate completion of traction (T1) cranial CT maxillofacial bony structures. Results:Fifteen patients (12 males and 3 females, ranging from 14 to 25 years in age) with moderate to severe maxillary hypoplasia were analyzed retrospectively. There were significant differences ( P<0.05) in all measures of maxillary and mandibular morphology at the completion of distraction compared to preoperatively. The mean advancement of A point (subspinale) was (10.69±9.01) mm, and the mean increase in ANB (subspinale-nasion-supramental) was (13.53±7.14)°. The average increase of alveolar plane and mandibular plane was (3.97±5.87)° and (4.65±3.67)° separately. The average growth of anterior facial height was (5.63±4.41) mm. The maxilla moved forward and downward, increasing the midface prominence and improving the facial contour. The traction process had an effect on the position of the mandible, with 5 in 15 patients experiencing moderate to severe decreased mouth opening, and the mouth opening limitation was relieved by mouth opening training after fixation at the end of distraction. One patient experienced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation, which was relieved by manual repositioning and mouth opening training after maxillary fixation and sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Conclusions:Modified maxillary distraction osteogenesis can effectively advance the maxilla, allowing clockwise rotation of mandible, improving facial contour, and significantly shortening the traction time. Limited mouth opening and TMJ dislocation may occur during traction.

Cleft palate is one of the most common maxillofacial birth defects, which can occur alone or accompany with many known deformities. Palatal selves need to complete the process of vertical growth, elevation, adhesion and fusion in a specific time window of embryo development. Any abnormality in this process will lead to cleft palate. Although previous studies have identified many molecular networks that regulate the growth, location and fusion of palatal selves, there are still many unknown mechanisms for palatal development. The pathogenesis of cleft palate has not been clarified so far. In recent years, the molecular research on palate development has been deepened continuously. Here we summarize major recent advances and integrate the genes and molecular pathways with the cellular and morphogenetic processes of palatal shelf growth, patterning, elevation, adhesion, and fusion, in order to comprehensively understand the genotype-phenotype functional relationship and provide assistance in formulating effective prevention strategies for cleft palate disease.

Objective:To present the clinical results and potential complications of modified maxillary distraction osteogenesis in the treatment of moderate to severe maxillary hypoplasia for patients with cleft lip and palate.Methods:All the cases were treated with a modified distraction osteogenesis in the Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from July 2017 to December 2019. A rigid external distraction(RED) with intranasal bone-borne traction hooks was performed after the Le Fort Ⅰ osteotomy and a maxillary internal rigid fixation was done immediately after 3-4 weeks of RED device distraction. Paired-samples t-test was used to analyze the three-dimensional reconstruction and measurements of the patient’s preoperative (T0) and immediate completion of traction (T1) cranial CT maxillofacial bony structures. Results:Fifteen patients (12 males and 3 females, ranging from 14 to 25 years in age) with moderate to severe maxillary hypoplasia were analyzed retrospectively. There were significant differences ( P<0.05) in all measures of maxillary and mandibular morphology at the completion of distraction compared to preoperatively. The mean advancement of A point (subspinale) was (10.69±9.01) mm, and the mean increase in ANB (subspinale-nasion-supramental) was (13.53±7.14)°. The average increase of alveolar plane and mandibular plane was (3.97±5.87)° and (4.65±3.67)° separately. The average growth of anterior facial height was (5.63±4.41) mm. The maxilla moved forward and downward, increasing the midface prominence and improving the facial contour. The traction process had an effect on the position of the mandible, with 5 in 15 patients experiencing moderate to severe decreased mouth opening, and the mouth opening limitation was relieved by mouth opening training after fixation at the end of distraction. One patient experienced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation, which was relieved by manual repositioning and mouth opening training after maxillary fixation and sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Conclusions:Modified maxillary distraction osteogenesis can effectively advance the maxilla, allowing clockwise rotation of mandible, improving facial contour, and significantly shortening the traction time. Limited mouth opening and TMJ dislocation may occur during traction.

ObjectiveTo construct traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） diagnostic scale of turbid toxin syndrome in order to provide corresponding reference for the standardization of TCM syndromes and studies. MethodsWe systematically searched the Chinese Medical Dictionary （CMD）， China Knowledge Network （CNKI）， Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform （WF） and VIP database for TCM classics and modern literature on turbid toxin syndrome， and initially screened the four diagnosis information of turbid toxin syndrome， established a pool of information entries， and conducted a cross-sectional clinical survey. Discrete trend method， correlation coefficient method， Cronbach's coefficient method， and factor analysis method were applied to objectively screen the entries. The diagnostic scale of turbid toxin syndrome were constructed through three rounds of Delphi method expert survey to determine the scale entries， using hierarchical analysis to get the judgement matrix scores and relative weight of each entry， after passing consistency test and then isometric expansion of the relative weight of the entries to get the weight of each entry and assign the value. ResultsA total of 35 articles were included， 45 entries were obtained after the initial screening. After the clinical investigation， 12 entries were not suitable by the discrete trend method， 23 entries not suitable by correlation coefficient method， 13 entries by the internal consistency screening were removed with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient rising， and 10 entries not suitable by the factor analysis method. Twenty-two entries were retained after objective screening by the combined use of the four statistical methods. The positive coefficients of experts in the three rounds of Delphi method of expert consultation were 96.67%， the coefficients of expert authority were 0.834， 0.856， and 0.867， and the coefficients of co-ordination were 0.126， 0.326， and 0.312， respectively. After consulting with clinical experts， and three rounds of Delphi method survey and hierarchical analysis method weight assignment， the diagnostic scale entries of turbid toxin syndrome were finally established. Primary symptoms： dark red or purple and dusky tongue， yellowish greasy or dry coating （10 points）； sticky and unpleasant stools （8 points）； disharmony of tastes including halitosis， sticky and greasy taste in the mouth， dry mouth and bitter taste in the mouth （6 points）； unfavourable or yellowish or red urination （5 points）； and dark complexion （4 points）. Secondary symptoms： heavy body （3 points）； dizziness （3 points）； profuse， sticky， foul-smelling secretions （2 points）； wiry and slippery， or slippery， or slippery and rapid pulse （2 points）； feeling of hardness in the abdomen （1 point）. ConclusionUsing Delphi method combined with the hierarchical analysis method， combining qualitative and quantitative study， a diagnostic scale of turbid toxin syndrome was initially developed.

Tocilizumab has been reported to attenuate the "cytokine storm" in COVID-19 patients. We attempted to verify the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab therapy in COVID-19 and identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label multicenter trial among COVID-19 patients. The patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab in addition to standard care or standard care alone. The cure rate, changes of oxygen saturation and interference, and inflammation biomarkers were observed. Thirty-three patients were randomized to the tocilizumab group, and 32 patients to the control group. The cure rate in the tocilizumab group was higher than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (94.12% vs. 87.10%, rate difference 95% CI-7.19%-21.23%, P = 0.4133). The improvement in hypoxia for the tocilizumab group was higher from day 4 onward and statistically significant from day 12 (P = 0.0359). In moderate disease patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions, the hypoxia ameliorated earlier after tocilizumab treatment, and less patients (1/12, 8.33%) needed an increase of inhaled oxygen concentration compared with the controls (4/6, 66.67%; rate difference 95% CI-99.17% to-17.50%, P = 0.0217). No severe adverse events occurred. More mild temporary adverse events were recorded in tocilizumab recipients (20/34, 58.82%) than the controls (4/31, 12.90%). Tocilizumab can improve hypoxia without unacceptable side effect profile and significant influences on the time virus load becomes negative. For patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions and elevated IL-6 levels, tocilizumab could be recommended to improve outcome.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome