BACKGROUND: Femoral intertrochanteric fractures are closely related to sex, age, geographical environment and race. But there is a lack of epidemiology studies on femoral intertrochanteric fractures in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological features of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in Hohhot. METHODS: The clinical data of 1638 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures admitted in four hospitals of Hohhot from May 2008 to April 2015, including their age, gender, the etiology, time of injury, fracture types, were collected and reviewed retrospectively, and the distribution of the epidemiological characteristics were described. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Patients aged 70-79 years accounted for 27.35%, which was the highest in all groups. The overall proportion of older patients was up to 61.17%, among whom, the number of patients with the age of 75-89 years (33.82%) was the highest, and the number of children was the lowest (6.53%). The number of male patients was higher than that of female patients before the age of 50 years, and there was a small peak incidence in age of 10-19 years, but the number of female patients was more than that of male patients after 50 years (P < 0.05). Falling down became the leading cause of femoral intertrochanteric injury, accounting for 50.16% (P < 0.05); in addition, traffic and high falling injuries were also the major injury causes in male patients. The highest incidence of femoral intertrochanteric fractures occurred in winter (36.75%), while the lowest incidence was found in spring (15.75%). The incidence of femoral intertrochanteric fractures showed the epidemic peak in November, while it was lowest in July. According to the Evans classification, type Ⅲ was the most common (35.23%), and the proportion of unstable fracture was significantly higher than that of stable fracture (63.74% vs. 36.26%, P < 0.05). 31-A2 fractures accounted for 57.02% in AO classification. To conclude, the distribution of patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures in Hohhot exhibits certain epidemiological characteristics in the aspects of age, sex, etiology, time of injury, and fracture types.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that apoptosis is closely related to the pathogenesis of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis. The release of cytochrome c plays a very important role in the process of apoptosis.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of cytochrome c on early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.
METHODS:Twenty-four healthy adult male New Zealand rabbits at 5 months old were randomly divided into model group and control group (n=12 per group). Models of early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis were established by intragluteal injection of hormone combined with ear vein injection of horse serum. In the control group, rabbits were given ear vein injection of the same amount of physiological saline. At 2, 4 and 6 weeks after model establishment, histopathological changes of bilateral femoral head were observed by optical microscope, and the ratio of empty lacuna was calculated. Apoptosis of osteocytes was determined by TUNEL assay, and apoptotic index was calculated. Immunohistochemical method was used to determine cytochrome c and to calculate cytochrome c-positive expression rate.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The ratio of empty lacuna and apoptotic index:The model of early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis was successful y established in the experiment. Compared with the control group, ratio of empty lacuna, apoptotic index and expression rate of cytochrome c in osteocytes were significantly higher in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2) Correlation analysis:Ratio of empty lacuna was significantly positively associated with apoptotic index at various time points in the model group (r=0.856, P<0.01). Expression rate of cytochrome c was significantly positively associated with apoptotic index at various time points in the model group (r=0.824, P<0.01). (3) These findings confirm that cytochrome c-involved apoptosis of osteocytes may play an important role in steroid-induced femoral head necrosis. Expression rate of cytochrome c in osteocytes is remarkably positively associated with the occurrence of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in rabbits.

Bone growth factors play an important role in the process of bone metabolism and perform a variety of physio -logical functions such as regulating bone growth , differentiation and remodeling .Meanwhile , these cytokines are associated with orthopedic disorder and therapy .The curative effect of the overturned sartorius iliac flap in repair of acetabular defect in developmental dysplasia of the hip proves to be good , but mechanism between the overturned flap and the surrounding bone tissue is unclear .This review briefly summarizes the functions and applications of several major cytokines in bone for -mation and remodeling , which may provide new ideas and methods for illuminating the mechanism of these cytokines during the repair of the acetabular defect .

Objective To summarise and analyze the clinical effecacy of endovascular treatment(internal holmium laser incision,bal-loon dilation,ureter dilator,rigid ureter dilation)for ureteral stricture.Methods The clinical data of 628 patients from January 2010 to Jan-uary 2015 in our hospital were analyzed.The relevant operation indicators,postoperative complications and recovery condition were recorded and analyzed.Results The operation time was 5.5 to 29 minutes,with average time of 16.5 minutes,no ureteral avulsion,ureteral fragmen-tation and massive haemorrhage happened.All patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months,591 cases(94.1%)were cured,29 cases (4.6%)of postoperative stricture recurrence received endovascular treatment again,8 patients(1.3%)conversion to open ureterolithotomy. Conclusion Endovascular treatment of ureteral stricture is diversified within holmium laser incision,it has the advantages of shorter opera-tion time,fewer complications,less trauma,repeatability and so on,which is an effective and safe treatment method.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of short segment fixation with percutaneous pedicle screws or traditional open surgery for the type A1-A3 thoracolumbar compression fracture.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted on the clinical data of 64 patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture admitted to Shanxi Dayi Hospital between January 2012 and February 2017.There were 44 males and 20 females,aged 21-65 years [(45.4 ± 11.1) years].There was one patient with injured segment at T11,29 at T12,27 at L1 and seven at L2.According to AO typing,there were 39 patients classified as Type A1,two as Type A2 and 23 as Type A3.The patients were divided into minimally invasive surgery group (n =37) and open surgery group (n =27).Minimally invasive surgery group was treated with minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and open reduction.The open surgery group was treated with traditional open pedicle screw short segment fixation and open reduction.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,total hospitalization time,postoperative hospitalization time,visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after operation,local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra,segmental kyphosis and complications in two groups were recorded.Results All patients were followed up for 12-29 months,with an average of 13.2 months.Between the minimally invasive surgery group and open surgery group,no significant difference was found in the operation time [(106.4± 37.3) minutes vs.(131.3 ± 33.6) minutes] (P ＞ 0.05),and significant differences were found in intraoperative blood loss [(71.2 ± 34.9) ml vs.(409.3 ± 267.5) ml],total hospitalization time [(11.7 ± 7.2) days vs.(21.6 ± 12.8) days] and postoperative hospitalization time [(8.1 ± 7.4) days vs.(16.6 ± 10.6) days] (P ＜ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,VAS was (6.5 ±1.1) points preoperatively and was (2.3 ± 0.7) points and (1.0 ± 0.3) points immediately after operation and at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,VAS was (6.9 ± 1.0)points preoperatively and was (4.2 ± 1.0) points and (0.9 ± 0.4) points immediately after operation and at final follow-up (P ＜0.05).Compared with the preoperative VAS,those immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the preoperative VAS and VAS at final follow-up between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05),but significant difference was found in VAS immediately after operation between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,the local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra was (19.3 ± 3.8) °preoperatively,(3.4 ± 1.7) ° immediately after operation,and (4.6 ± 1.9) ° at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,the local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra was (19.6 ± 6.8) ° before operation,(1.6 ± 0.8) ° immediately after operation,and (2.4 ± 1.1) ° at final follow-up.The kyphosis of fractured vertebra immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups compared with the preoperative kyphosis(P ＜0.05),but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,the segmental kyphosis Cobb angle was (16.1 ± 9.1) ° before operation,(3.0-± 1.8) ° immediately after operation,and (5.9 ±1.8) ° at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,the segmental kyphosis Cobb angle was (15.2±12.0) ° before operation,(3.1 ± 1.4) ° immediately after operation,and (5.6 ± 2.1) ° at final follow-up.The segmental kyphosis Cobb angle immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups compared with the preoperative Cobb angle (P ＜ 0.05),but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).No spinal cord injuries because of pedicle screws were observed after operation in either group.In the open surgery group,there was one patient with wound infection who recovered after dressing change,and no infection case was found in the minimally invasive surgery group.Conclusion For type A1-A3 thoracolumbar compression fractures,both the minimally invasive posterior pedicle screw fixation and the traditional open pedicle screw fixation can achieve satisfactory near-term results,and the former is better in intraoperative blood loss,immediate relief of pain after operation and shorter hospital stay than the latter.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods Forty male C57BL/J6 mice were divided into normal group,NAFLD group,low dose Tβ4 group and high dose Tβ4 group with 10 mice in each group.NAFLD mice model was established by feeding with high fat and high sugar diet for 16 weeks.The mice in low-dose Tβ4 group and high dose Tβ4 group were intraperitonealy injected with Tβ4 at 0.05 mg · kg-1 · d-1 and 0.20 mg · kg-1 · d-1,respectively,for eight weeks.The liver function indexes and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level were detected;the pathological changes of liver tissue were observed under optical microscope and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) was evaluated.The protein expression levels of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) and nuclear factor κB inhibit protein a (IκBa) at the protein level in liver tissue were measured by Western blotting method.The expression of TNF-α in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Mean integral absorbance (MIA) was calculated.T test was performed for groups comparison.Results The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),γ-glutamine transferase (GGT) and serum TNF-α levels of high dose Tβ4 group were all lower than those of NAFLD group ((28±17) U/L vs.(76±29) U/L,(61±39) U/L vs.(102±56) U/L,(144.1± 48.2) ng/L vs.(187.3±58.8) ng/L,respectively),and the differences were statistically significant (t=4.52,2.78 and 2.30,all P＜0.05).The NAS of low dose Tβ4 group and high dose Tβ4 group were both lower than that of NAFLD group (3.7±40.4,2.3±0.3 vs.4.6±0.3),and the differences were statistically significant (t=5.69 and 17.14,both P＜0.01).The relative expression level of Tβ4 protein of NAFLD group was lower than that of normal group (0.2±0.1 vs.1.4±0.6),and the difference was statistically significant (t=6.24,P＜0.01).The relative expression levels of Tβ4 and IκBa of high dose Tβ4 group were higher than those of NAFLD group (1.0±0.3,0.5±0.3 vs.0.2±0.1),and the differences were statistically significant (t=8.00 and 3.00,both P＜0.01).The relative expression level of NF-κB p65 in liver tissue of high dose Tβ4 group was lower than that of NAFLD group (0.6±0.3 vs.1.5±0.7),and the difference was statistically significant (t=3.74,P＜0.01).The MIA of high dose Tβ4 group was lower than that of NAFLD group (0.4±0.2 vs.0.7±0.3),and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.63,P＜ 0.01).Conclusion Tβ4 can effectively treat NAFLD probably through inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of surgical site infection after posterior lumbar interbody fusion and internal fixation in elderly patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:The clinical data of elderly patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion and internal fixation for degenerative diseases of lumbar spine in Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Eighteen elderly patients with postoperative incision infection were included into the infection group, and according to the ratio of 1∶3, 54 elderly patients without incision infection during the same period were randomly selected and included in the non-infection group.The general data of patients, surgical related data and perioperative laboratory indexes were compared between groups using univariate analysis.The screened out indicators with close correlation with incision infection and with significantly statistical significance were included in binary Logistic regression analysis.Risk factors related to postoperative incision infection were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).The quantitative data of risk factors related to postoperative incision infection were selected for receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)analysis.Results:When comparing the infected versus non-infected groups, the operative time was(197.1±39.5)min vs.(171.4±37.2)min, preoperative lymphoid count was(1.6±0.5)×10 9/L vs.(1.9±0.6)×10 9/L, and postoperative neutrophil count was[(7.2(6.2-9.5)×10 9/L vs.6.3(4.8-7.2)×10 9/L], percentage of neutrophils(82.5±8.8), % vs.(71.1±6.7), percentage of lymphocytes(1.1±0.6)×10 9/L vs.(1.7±0.7)×10 9/L, percentage of lymphocytes(11.0±5.6)% vs.(19.8±6.0)%, number of neutrophils vs.Lymphocyte count ratio(NLR)[8.5(5.2-15.0) vs.3.6(2.6-4.9)]and serum albumin concentration(31.4±2.5)g/L vs.(33.3±2.4)g/L, all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus( OR=6.649, 95% CI: 1.233-35.853), operation time( OR=1.025, 95% CI: 1.004-1.047), and percentage of postoperative neutrophils( OR=1.261, 95% CI: 1.125-1.414)were independent risk factors of incision infection after posterior interbody fusion and internal fixation in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases(all P<0.05).ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of operation time was 0.680, and the cut-off value was 177.5 min.The area under the curve of the percentage of neutrophils after operation was 0.841, and the cut-off value was 78.85%. Conclusions:In patients with posterior interbody fusion and internal fixation for lumbar degenerative diseases complicated with diabetes, long operation time, and increased percentage of neutrophils after surgery can independently increase the risk of incision infection.

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of microRNA-124(miR-124)and microRNA-1976(miR-1976)in the serum of patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:A total of 58 patients with PD were selected from September 2020 to June 2022 and categorized as the PD group.The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS)score was used to divide the PD patients into two groups: those with a UPDRS score≤60(25 patients)and those with a UPDRS score >60(33 patients). The Hoehn-Yahr grading scale was used to grade the PD patients.Additionally, 30 healthy individuals who had undergone a physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.After collecting the subjects' serum, we performed real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)to detect the expressions of miR-124 and miR-1976 in the serum.Logistic regression analysis was employed to analyze the influencing factors, and the diagnostic significance of serum miR-124 and miR-1976 in PD patients was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.To predict the target genes of miR-1976, we utilized several software including TargetScan and Mirtarbase.Results:Compared to the control group, the PD group showed a significant down-regulation of serum miR-124 expression[(1.49±0.36) vs.(1.02±0.32)]( t=8.85, P<0.001), while miR-1976 expression was sharply up-regulated[(0.98±0.30) vs.(1.33±0.37)]( t=6.92, P<0.001). The low expression of serum miR-124 and the overexpression of miR-1976 were identified as independent risk factors for PD( OR>1, P<0.05). The Hoehn-Yahr rating of PD patients with a UPDRS score above 60 was higher than that of patients with a UPDRS score below 60[(3.42 ± 0.73) vs.(2.16 ± 0.42)]( t=3.05, P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum miR-124 and miR-1976 expression between groups with different UPDRS scores[miR-124: (1.09±0.26) vs.(0.98±0.38)( t=0.89, P>0.05); miR-1976: (1.42±0.43) vs.(1.23±0.68)( t=0.62, P>0.05)]. The ROC analysis results demonstrated that miR-124 and miR-1976 had area under the curve(AUC)values of 0.832 and 0.797, respectively, in diagnosing PD.The corresponding cutoff values were 1.205 and 1.196, respectively.The sensitivity for miR-124 was 74.1%, while for miR-1976 it was 51.8%.The specificity for miR-124 was 77.8%, and for miR-1976 it was 90.1%.When both miR-124 and miR-1976 were combined in the diagnosis of PD, the AUC was 0.912, with a sensitivity of 76.4% and a specificity of 93.2%.Furthermore, it was found that miR-1976 targeted the PINK1 gene, suggesting its potential as a target gene in PD. Conclusions:The expression of miR-124 was found to be decreased in PD patients, while the expression of miR-1976 was increased.Both miR-124 and miR-1976 showed some reference value in PD diagnosis, and their combined diagnostic value was higher.This suggests that further study on their significance is warranted.However, it should be noted that the expressions of miR-124 and miR-1976 were not found to be correlated with the UPDRS score of PD patients.