BACKGROUND:For thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch,accurate nail placement is difficult using traditional fluoroscopy-assisted techniques.O-arm navigation assistance systems offer higher precision in general vertebral arch nail placement,but there is scarce literature on the application of O-arm navigation-assisted nail placement in thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch both domestically and abroad. OBJECTIVE:To explore the accuracy of percutaneous vertebral arch nail placement assisted by O-arm navigation in patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 53 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebral arch screw fixation surgery at Department of Orthopedics,General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLA for thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch from January 2021 to March 2023.Totally 208 cases of vertebral arch developmental stenosis were found(cases with multiple vertebral arch developmental stenosis were counted separately).Based on the surgical approach,the patients were divided into two groups:O-arm navigation group(n=98)and C-arm fluoroscopy group(n=110).Postoperative imaging data were compared between the two groups,including anatomical perforation score,functional perforation score,actual vs.expected nail trajectory in the horizontal plane,and sagittal plane angle differences. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant difference in the narrowest width of the pedicle isthmus(pow)between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The proportions of different degrees of narrowing(mild:6 mm≤pow<7 mm,moderate:5 mm≤pow<6 mm,severe:pow<5 mm)were also not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The overall grade and scores of anatomical perforation and functional perforation were lower in the O-arm group compared to the C-arm group,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).In terms of the angular deviation between the actual and planned screw trajectories,the O-arm group had smaller deviations,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)In the mild and moderate narrowing groups,the O-arm group showed significant advantages in anatomical perforation,functional perforation,and angular deviation between actual and planned screw trajectories,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).(4)The O-arm group demonstrated better performance in anatomical perforation and functional perforation,especially in the T12-L2 segment,with more significant advantages.Additionally,the O-arm group had better angular deviations in actual and planned screw trajectories in all segments compared to the C-arm group.(5)Therefore,the use of O-arm navigation-assisted percutaneous screw placement for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with developmental pedicle isthmal narrowing provides higher accuracy and safer surgery.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical course and explore the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion duration （NCD） in asymptomatic and mild-symptomatic patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. MethodsClinical data were collected from 244 confirmed cases of corona virus disease （COVID-19） with Omicron variant infection admitted to a temporal makeshift hospital in Shanghai from April 9， 2022 to May 20， 2022. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed， with a primary focus on the time of COVID-19 nucleic acid conversion. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to determine identify risk factors associated with NCD. ResultsThe median duration of negative RNA conversion was 9 days （ranged 7‒12 days）. The percentage of patients with positive nucleic acid results on the 5th， 7th， 10th， and 14th days after confirmed infection was 68.4%， 47.1%， 20.1%， and 5.7%， respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves indicated a median nucleic acid conversion time of 12 days （ranged 10‒14 days） for patients with hypertension， 9 days （ranged 7‒11 days） in patients without hypertension， and 11 days （ranged 9‒13 days） for patients aged ≥60 years， and 9 days （ranged 7‒11 days） for patients aged <60 years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that only hypertension was an independent risk factor of NCD （RR=1.60； 95% CI： 1.03‒2.49， P=0.036）. ConclusionIn asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients infected with the Omicron variant， 20.1% patients continue to exhibit positive viral nucleic acid on the 10^th days of infection. The independent risk factor associated with the conversion of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid to negative is hypertension.

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics and antibiotic resistance of pathogen in children with hematological disorders and cancers complicated with sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Methods:The clinical data of children with hematological disorders and cancers complicated with sepsis hospitalized at Shenzhen Children′s Hospital affiliated to China Medical University from January 2016 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into survival group and death group based on the outcome of sepsis on 28 days after diagnosis.Results:A total of 202 sepsis episodes occurred in 176 children were enrolled in this study. Among all, 144 (71.3%) cases of bloodstream infection, 59 (29.2%) cases of pulmonary infection, 21 (10.4%) cases of abdominal infection, 9 (4.5%) cases of soft tissue infection, 9 (4.5%) cases of nervous system infection, and 3 (1.5%) cases of urinary tract infection. A total of 244 pathogenic strains were identified, in which 74 (30.3%) cases were gram-positive bacteria. The top 3 pathogens isolated were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (21 strains), Staphylococcus aureus (19 strains) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (13 strains). Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 122 (50.0%) strains, in which top 3 were Klebsiella pneumonia (33 strains), Escherichia coli (25 strains), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23 strains). Fungi comprised 48 (19.7%) strains:the top 3 were Candida tropicalis (14 strains), Candida albicans (10 strains), Aspergillus and Pneumocystis jirovecii (7 strains each). The incidence of Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were significantly higher in death group compared to survival group[9.0%（6/67）vs. 2.3%（4/177）, χ2＝3.971 ，P＝0.046; 9.0%（6/67）vs. 1.1%（2/177）, χ2＝7.080 ，P＝0.008;16.4%（11/67）vs. 6.8%（12/177）, χ2＝5.288 ，P＝0.021]. The samples of 57 cases were simultaneously detected by both culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Pathogens were detected in 25 cases by both culture and mNGS. In 30 cases, pathogen detection were mNGS positive but culture negative. Two cases showed positive results only with culture. A total of 79 (46.8%) strains were multi-drug resistant bacteria, including 27 (34.2%) strains of gram-positive bacteria and 52 (65.8%) strains of gram-negative bacteria. A total of 174 (86.1%) children with sepsis received empirical anti-infective drugs within 24 hours of fever onset. A total of 124 (61.4%) cases were appropriately covered by the initial empirical antibiotics, while 40 (19.8%) cases were not adequately covered and 10 (5.0%) cases had incomplete coverage. Despite the inclusion of pathogenic in the coverage, resistance to initial antibiotics was observed in 22 (10.9%) cases. Fifty-one patients died. Conclusion:The predominant pathogens responsible for sepsis in PICU with hematological disorders and cancers is gram-negative bacteria, followed by gram-positive bacteria and fungi. In comparison to healthy children with sepsis, there is a higher incidence of fungal infections among hematological disorders and cancers. The proportion of multi-drug resistant bacteria infection is high. Early identification and combination of local etiological distribution and drug resistance, along with the empirical selection of appropriate anti-infection treatment strategies, can greatly enhance survival rate.

Objective:To evaluate the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion for thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 22 patients who had been treated for thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury at Department of Orthopaedic, General Hospital of Central Theater Command from June 2016 to June 2021. There were 15 males and 7 females, aged 43.50 (29.75, 52.25) years. By the AO classification, there were 12 cases of type B2, 10 cases of type C3. All the patients were treated by the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior vertebral height ratio (AVHR), kyphosis Cobb angle (KCA), vertebral wedge angle (VWA) and spinal canal encroachment rate (SCER) were compared between pre-surgery, 1 week post-surgery, 3 months post-surgery and the last follow-up. Their neurological function was graded according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale and interbody fusion evaluated according to their 3D CT at the last follow-up.Results:All the 22 patients were followed up for (26.1±1.3) months. In all patients, the VAS and ODI were significantly lower at 1 week post-surgery than the pre-surgery ones ( P<0.05), and then decreased significantly at 3 months post-surgery and at the last follow-up compared with the values at 1 week post-surgery ( P<0.05). For all patients, there were significant improvements in AVHR, KCA, VWA and SCER at 1 week post-surgery, 3 months post-surgery and the last follow-up compared with the pre-surgery values ( P<0.05), and the SCER at the last follow-up was significantly decreased compared with that at 1 week post-surgery ( P<0.05). All patients experienced improved neurological function in different degrees at the last follow-up, and all intervertebral spaces achieved solid bony fusion. Conclusion:In the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury, the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion can lead to satisfactory long-term therapeutic efficacy, because this strategy can effectively reduce spinal canal encroachment, restore the height of the injured vertebra, reconstruct the curvature of the fracture area and ensure reliable intervertebral fusion.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of Group A Streptococcal(GAS) toxic shock syndrome (STSS) in children. Methods:The clinical data of 10 STSS children hospitalized in Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from January 2015 to March 2022 were downloaded from the electronic medical record system.The clinical manifestations were analyzed and treatment experience was summarized respectively.Results:There were 5 males and 5 females, with an average age of (5.29±2.87) years.All the patients were healthy in the past.The diagnoses were confirmed by blood culture in 2 cases, pus culture in 5 cases, and blood metagenomics next generation sequencing in 3 cases.The rapid detection of GAS antigen was positive in 7 cases.All cases had fever, and 9 cases of them developed fever after viral infection, including pneumonia in 7 cases, skin and soft tissue infections in 6 cases, necrotizing fasciitis in 3 cases, and purulent meningitis in 1 case.All cases also presented with shock.Six cases had liver function injury, and 4 cases suffered from acute kindey injury.Four cases had infection-related encephalopathy, and 7 cases were afflicted with disseminated intravascular coagulation.Two cases had respiratory failure, and 2 cases had rhabdomyolysis.There were 3 cases with a decreased white blood cell (WBC) count and 7 cases with an increased WBC count on admission.Seven cases were found to have thrombocytopenia, but their platelet levels were all elevated after recovery.C-reactive protein and procalcitonin and the proportion of neutrophils were markedly increased in all cases.All cases suffered from hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia and hypocalcemia.All the 10 positive strains were sensitive to Penicillin, Ceftriaxone/Cefotaxime and Vancomycin.Eight cases were treated with combined antibiotics after admission.Eight patients received intravenous immunoglobulin.All cases were cured and discharged.Conclusions:The STSS progresses rapidly in children, so pediatricians should pay great attention to the disease.Early identification, diagnosis of infection sources, infusion of antibiotics and surgical treatment are the keys to disease management.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and significance of related receptors of Notch signaling pathway in mouse model of allergic rhinitis (AR). METHOD: Sixteen BALB/c mice of seven-eight weeks old were randomly assigned to two groups,including controls group and model group. AR model mice was sensitized with ovalbumin(OVA). Symptom score, hematoxylin-eosin for pathological alteration and infiltration of inflammatory cells in nasal mucosa were analyzed as well as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was taken to detect IgE in pe- ripheral serum. Nasal septum mucosa and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 16 BALB/c mouse(8 Allegic rhinitis,8 controls). Notch 1-4 were checked by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry from different levels. RESULT: BALB/c mice model of allergic rhinitis was established successfully. The mRNA of Notch1, Notch3, Notch4 in nasal septum mucosa of allergic rhinitis mice model groups were obviously higher than that in normal controls, and the difference were statistically significant (P < 0.01). However, The expression of Notch2 is lower than the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In line with the above, the protein expression of Notch1, Notch3, Notch4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of model groups were significantly higher than that in health controls, and the difference were statistically significant (P < 0.01). But comparing control, expression of Notch2 was lower and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION There were significant changes of Notch genes in mouse model of AR. This intimated that related genes of Notch signaling pathway may paly important roles in the development and progression of AR and provide ideas for in depth study of the pathogenesis of AR.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nasal Mucosa ; RNA, Messenger ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial