Objective To investigate any potential and independent demographic and serologic risk factors contributing to bone destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) . Methods A total of 445 patients with RA were recruited in this study. Three autoantibodies including rheumatoid factor ( RF) , anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody ( anti-CCP antibody) and anti-citrullinated alpha-enolase peptide 1 antibody ( anti-CEP-1 antibody) were quantified by using specific ELISA kits. The hand radiographs of all subjects were graded by using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score ( Sharp score) . The potential and in-dependent risk factors were assessed by using univariate linear regression analyses and the stepwise multiple regression analysis, respectively. Results Based upon the univariate regression analyses, 7 covariates were identified as the potential risk factors for bone destruction in patients with RA, which were female (β=0. 100, P=0. 035), longer disease duration (β=0. 498, P=3. 26×10-29), RF (β=0. 096, P=0. 042), younger age at onset (β=-0. 312, P=1. 60 × 10-11 ), anti-CCP antibody positive (β=0. 202, P=1.74×10-5), anti-CEP-1 antibody positive (β=0.148, P=0.017) and positive for either anti-CCP or anti-CEP-1 antibodies (β=0. 157, P=1. 42×10-3). However, smoking (β=-0. 121, P=0. 018) were identi-fied as the potential protective factors. The multiple regression analysis indicated that the longer disease du-ration (P=2. 24×10-15) and anti-CCP antibody positive (P=0. 012) were independent risk factors for bone destruction. Conclusion Female, longer disease duration, younger age at onset, RF, anti-CCP and anti-CEP-1antibodies are potential risk factors for bone damage in patients with RA. Moreover, longer disease du-ration and anti-CCP antibody are two independent risk factors contributing to bone destruction in RA.

BACKGROUND:The emergence of a large number of hidden blood loss during perioperative period of intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly not only increases the risk of perioperative period and complications, but also affects the postoperative recovery of joint function. At present, there is no relevant report about nutritional status and the hidden blood loss before surgery in and outside China.
OBJECTIVE:To identify the effect of nutritional status on preoperative hidden blood loss in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture.
METHODS:183 elderly patients with fresh and initial femoral intertrochanteric fracture were included. Laboratory serological examinations on admission and preoperation were completed. By mini nutritional assessment, patients were randomly divided into normal-nourishment group, malnourishment at risk group, and malnourishment group. The original blood volume and preoperative hidden blood loss were calculated depending on height, weight, hematocrit on admission and preoperation. According to the proportion of mean preoperative hidden blood loss on the original blood volume, patients were divided into low and high hidden blood loss groups. We compared preoperative hidden blood loss, and their proportion on the original blood volume and the preoperative incidence of high hidden blood loss, and analyzed the correlations between preoperative high hidden blood loss and preoperative nutritional status.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The nutritional status of elderly intertrochanteric fracture patients measured by mini nutritional assessment score was that the number of patients was 48 cases (26%) in normal-nourishment group, 64 cases (35%) in the malnourishment at risk group, and 71 cases (39%) in the malnourishment group. There were no obvious differences in the preoperative complications between any two groups (P>0.05). (2) Thirty-eight cases affected high hidden blood loss. The mean preoperative hidden blood loss was 260.43 mL. The proportion of preoperative hidden blood loss to the original blood volume was 6%. (3) The preoperative hidden blood loss, their proportion on the original blood volume and the incidence of high hidden blood loss were significantly higher in the malnourishment at risk group and malnourishment group than in the normal-nourishment group. Paired comparison showed significant differences (P<0.05). (4) Results confirmed that preoperative hidden blood loss, their proportion on the original blood volume and the incidence of high hidden blood loss gradual y increased with deterioration of nutritional status. The nutritional status is an important factor influencing the occurrence of preoperative hidden blood loss, and can be used as an important index for judging the high hidden blood loss and prognosis in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture.

Abstract: Objective To establish a rapid detection assay based on fluorescence recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) targeting Necator americanus eggs, and to evaluate its efficacy, providing technical support for rapid detection of Necator americanus in fecal samples. Methods The fluorescence RPA primers and probe were designed based on the cox1 gene of Necator americanus and then screened the optimal combination to develop the assay. The genomic DNA of Necator americanus eggs was diluted to 7 concentration gradients including 100 pg/µL, 10 pg/µL, 1 pg/µL, 100 fg/µL, 10 fg/µL, 1 fg/µL, 0.1 fg/µL, to determine the detection limit of the assay. The specificity of the assay was demonstrated by detected genomic DNA from Schistosoma japonicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Clonorchis sinensis and Fasciola hepatica. A total of 44 fecal samples were collected and DNA extraction was performed, and the modified Kato-Katz method, semi-nest PCR method, and fluorescent RPA method were simultaneously used for detection to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity. Results The established fluorescence RPA assay can specifically amplify a fragment of 194 bp of the Necator americanus cox1 gene within 20 min, with a detection limit of 10 fg/µL. There was no cross-reactivity with Schistosoma japonicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola hepatica after specificity validation. In 44 fecal samples, 27 positive samples were detected by the fluorescence RPA assay, and 26 positive samples were detected by both the Kato-Katz and the semi-nested PCR. The fluorescence curve of sample number 1 was slightly higher than the negative control in the later stage of the reaction, but did not show a similar trend to the positive control, and was therefore judged to be a suspected negative sample. Compared with the Kato-Katz method and the semi-nest PCR method, The sensitivity of the fluorescent RPA method were 100.00% and the specificity were 94.44%, and the consistency of the detection results was good (Kappa=0.953>0.75). Conclusions The assay based on the fluorescence RPA is an efficient, sensitive and specific technique for detecting Necator americanus and it can be applied for surveillance and early warning of hookworm infection.

BACKGROUND:Perioperative high hidden blood loss affects the recovery of joint function after total hip replacement. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the reliability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment on evaluating the nutritional status in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture on admission, and to investigate the effect of nutritional status variation on hidden blood loss after total hip replacement. METHODS:234 elderly patients with femoral neck fracture underwent total hip replacement. By using Mini Nutritional Assessment, patients were randomly divided into three groups:wel-nourishment group (n=52), malnourishment at risk group (n=92), and malnourishment group (n=90). The results were used to analyze the correlation of Mini Nutritional Assessment and serological nutrition indicators, and to hidden blood loss. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Hidden blood loss:101 patients suffered from high hidden blood loss. Hidden blood loss, its proportion to total blood loss and incidence of high hidden blood loss gradual y increased with the deterioration of the nutritional status (P<0.05). (2) Mini Nutritional Assessment:Pre-operative Mini Nutritional Assessment score, and the incidence of hidden blood loss evaluated by albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, lymphocyte count, the percentage of lymphocytes and hemoglobin was significantly higher in patients with high hidden blood loss than those with low hidden blood loss (P<0.01). (3) Results of correlation analysis:High hidden blood loss was positively correlated with pre-operative Mini Nutritional Assessment, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, the percentage of lymphocytes and hemoglobin (P<0.05). (4) These findings confirm that risk evaluation with Mini Nutritional Assessment is a reliable method to assess the nutritional status in elderly patients undergoing total hip replacement. Its combination with various serum nutrition indicators can determine high hidden blood loss and the prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of initiative and passive perioperative function exercises on hidden blood loss (HBL).

METHODSTwo hundreds and thirty elderly patients with hip fractures aging from 67 to 87 years (average age of 73.6 years) who underwent total hip replacement were included. By the intensity and the manner of perioperative function exercises, patients were divided into four groups: little initiative function exercises group (group A, n=51), little initiative and passive function exercises group (group B, n=54), normal initiative function exercises group (group C, n=65), normal initiative and passive function exercises group (group D, n=60). The true total blood loss, HBL and their proportion on the original blood volume and total blood loss was calculated depending on height, weight, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative blood loss, pre- and post-operative hematocrit, and blood transfused. According to the proportion of mean HBL on total blood loss, patients were divided into low HBL group and high HBL group. The data were analyzed by t test.

RESULTSThe mean HBL was 517 ml, 41.9% of the total blood loss. Thereinto, the mean HBL was 695 ml in group A, 49.3% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 66.7% (34/51); the mean HBL was 625 ml in group B, 46.9% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 59.3% (32/54); the mean HBL was 446 ml in group C, 38.4% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 30.8% (20/65); the mean HBL was 346 ml in group D, 32.3% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 20.0% (12/60). Mean HBL, mean HBL/total blood loss, prevalence of high HBL were lower in group C than that in group A and group B (all P<0.05); and were lower in group D than that in group C (all P<0.05). The prevalence was 57.4% (132 cases) in low HBL group, and 42.6% (98 cases) in high HBL. The proportion of little initiative function exercises patients in high HBL group was obviously higher than that in low HBL group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe intensity and the manner of perioperative function exercises are strongly associated with the HBL in elderly patients with total hip replacement. The initiative combined with the passive function exercises could be effectively prevent and reduce the incidence of high HBL.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Exercise Therapy ; adverse effects ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans ; Postoperative Hemorrhage

Objective: To investigate the effects of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on healing of wounds with full-thickness skin defects in mice. Methods: ADSCs were isolated from the lumbar and abdominal fat donated voluntarily by a healthy woman undergoing liposuction in the Department of Plastic Surgery of Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Area Command, and the cells were cultured and identified. ADSCs of the second passage were used in the following experiments. The venous blood of the volunteer was taken, and PRP was obtained by secondary centrifugation. Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were divided into simple injury group (n=12), simple ADSCs treatment group (n=12), and ADSCs+ PRP treatment group (n=12) according to the random number table. Each mouse was inflicted with a 1 cm×1 cm wound with full-thickness skin defect on the back. Immediately after injury, the wounds of mice in simple injury group were subcutaneously injected with 1 mL normal saline, the wounds of mice in simple ADSCs treatment group were subcutaneously injected with 1 mL phosphate buffer solution-blended ADSCs suspension (with concentration of 5×10⁵ /mL, the same below), and the wounds of mice in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group were subcutaneously injected with 1 mL mixture of PRP and ADSCs (1∶2 volume ratio). Three mice in each group were taken on post injury day (PID) 3, 5, 7, and 14 to observe the gross condition of wound, and the wound healing rate was calculated. On PID 3, 5, and 7, the non-healing wound tissue and 0.5 cm normal skin tissue around the wound margin were taken after gross observation. The inflammation, re-epithelialization, and angiogenesis of tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the re-epithelialization rate was calculated. The collagen synthesis of tissue was observed by masson staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression of macrophages of tissue samples collected on PID 3 and 5. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design and Least-Significant Difference test. Results: (1) On PID 3, the wounds of mice in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group were with granulation tissue regeneration, redness, and swelling, and the wounds of mice in the other two groups were ruddy and with effusion. On PID 5, the wounds of mice in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group had less redness and swelling, which were dry with obvious scab, and wounds of mice in the other two groups were obviously red and swollen. On PID 7, scab formed basically on wounds of mice in the three groups. On PID 14, the wounds of mice in the three groups basically healed, and their crusts were off. On PID 3, 5, 7, and 14, the wound healing rates of mice in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group were obviously higher than those of the other two groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). On PID 5 and 7, the wound healing rates of mice in simple ADSCs treatment group were obviously higher than those of simple injury group (P<0.01). (2) On PID 3, granulation tissue regeneration of wounds in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group was more than that in the other two groups. On PID 5, inflammatory reaction of wounds of mice was mild in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group, which was severe in the other two groups. On PID 7, the re-epithelialization process of wounds of mice was almost completed in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group, and the number of new vessels was more in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group than in the other two groups. The migration distance of regenerated epithelia around the wound edge in simple injury group and simple ADSCs treatment group was short. On PID 3, 5, and 7, the re-epithelialization rates of wounds of mice in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group were (37.6±4.5)%, (59.1±1.3)%, and (89.2±4.3)%, respectively, significantly higher than (25.7±1.5)%, (34.5±4.4)%, and (50.8±2.7)% in simple injury group and (29.1±0.8)%, (42.6±2.9)%, and (72.9±3.0)% in simple ADSCs treatment group (P<0.01). On PID 5 and 7, the re-epithelialization rates of wounds of mice in simple ADSCs treatment group were significantly higher than those in simple injury group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3) On PID 3 and 5, a quite large number of new collagen fibers appeared in granulation tissue of wounds of ADSCs+ PRP treatment group, while the collagen fibers in the other two groups were less. On PID 7, the granulation tissue of mice in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group decreased, and a large number of new collagen fibers appeared. The collagen fibers in wounds tissue of mice in simple ADSCs treatment group increased, while the collagen fibers deposited in wounds tissue of mice in simple injury group was still less. (4) On PID 3 and 5, the numbers of macrophages in wounds tissue of mice in simple ADSCs treatment group were 4.7±0.6 and 5.3±0.6 respectively, obviously lower than 6.3±0.6 and 7.7±0.6 in injury group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the numbers of macrophages in wounds tissue of mice in ADSCs+ PRP treatment group were 3.0±1.1 and 2.7±0.5, significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions Human PRP and ADSCs are involved in the early inflammation, metaphase of tissue proliferation, and re-epithelialization and shaping process of late stage of wounds with full-thickness skin defects in mice. The combination of ADSCs and PRP may be a comparatively good combination to improve the speed and quality of wound healing.

Objective:To summarize retrospectively the postoperative therapeutic effect of composite orbital fracture.Methods:587 patients with orbital fracture were assessed and diagnosed according to their clinical symptoms and 3D-CT reports before surgeries where incarcerated soft tissue is released and replaced thoroughly, with orbit reset as well as implants used to fix it, and then we evaluated the surgical outcomes by comparing the postoperative outlines of patients’ orbits, the functions of eyeballs along with their 3D-CT evidences.Results:After 10-month to 2-year postoperative follow-up, 12 cases of 587 who had apparent enophthalmos preoperatively still have slightly postoperative symptoms. Although the diplopia of 9 cases is partially recovered, their eye movement remain slightly restricted. In addition, the eye function of other patients didn’t dramatically decline in comparison with that of pre-trauma, except for those undergoing enucleation of eyeballs due to ophthalmorrhexis.Conclusions:Orbital fracture should be diagnosed and evaluated rigorously based on patients’ symptoms and 3D-CT reports, improving treatment effects by accurate reset, fixation and repair at early stage.

Objective:To summarize retrospectively the postoperative therapeutic effect of composite orbital fracture.Methods:587 patients with orbital fracture were assessed and diagnosed according to their clinical symptoms and 3D-CT reports before surgeries where incarcerated soft tissue is released and replaced thoroughly, with orbit reset as well as implants used to fix it, and then we evaluated the surgical outcomes by comparing the postoperative outlines of patients’ orbits, the functions of eyeballs along with their 3D-CT evidences.Results:After 10-month to 2-year postoperative follow-up, 12 cases of 587 who had apparent enophthalmos preoperatively still have slightly postoperative symptoms. Although the diplopia of 9 cases is partially recovered, their eye movement remain slightly restricted. In addition, the eye function of other patients didn’t dramatically decline in comparison with that of pre-trauma, except for those undergoing enucleation of eyeballs due to ophthalmorrhexis.Conclusions:Orbital fracture should be diagnosed and evaluated rigorously based on patients’ symptoms and 3D-CT reports, improving treatment effects by accurate reset, fixation and repair at early stage.

Objective:In general, patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are considered to show an aggressive disease course. However, the relationship between the two subgroups in disease severity is controversial. Our study is aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of double-seropositive and seronegative RA in China through a real-world large scale study.Methods:RA patients who met the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria or the 2010 ACR/European Anti-Rheumatism Alliance RA classification criteria, and who attended the 10 hospitals across the country from September 2015 to January 2020, were enrolled. According to the serological status, patients were divided into 4 subgroups [rheumatoid factor (RF)(-) anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (-), RF(+), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+), anti-CCP antibody(+)] and compared the disease characteristics and treatment response. One-way analysis of variance was used for measurement data that conformed to normal distribution, Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for measurement data that did not conform to normal distribution; paired t test was used for comparison before and after treatment within the group if the data was normally distributed else paired rank sum test was used; χ2 test was used for count data. Results:① A total of 2 461 patients were included, including 1 813 RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (73.67%), 129 RF(+) patients (5.24%), 245 RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) patients (9.96%), 74 anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (11.13%). ② Regardless of the CCP status, RF(+) patients had an early age of onset [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (51±14) years old, anti-CCP antibody(+) (50±15) years old, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (48±14) years old, RF(+)(48±13) years old, F=3.003, P=0.029], longer disease duration [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 50 (20, 126) months, anti-CCP antibody(+) 60(24, 150) months, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 89(35, 179) months, RF(+) 83(25, 160) months, H=22.001, P<0.01], more joint swelling counts (SJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2(0, 6), Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 5), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 7), RF(+) 2(0, 6), H=8.939, P=0.03] and tender joint counts (TJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 3(0, 8), anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 3(1, 9), RF(+) 2(0, 8), H=11.341, P=0.01] and the morning stiff time was longer [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 30(0, 60) min, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(0, 60) min, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 30(10, 60) min, RF(+) 30(10, 60) min, H=13.32, P<0.01]; ESR [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 17(9, 38) mm/1 h, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(10, 35) mm/1 h, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 26(14, 45) mm/1 h, RF(+) 28(14, 50) mm/1 h, H=37.084, P<0.01] and CRP [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2.3 (0.8, 15.9) mm/L, Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2.7(0.7, 12.1) mm/L, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 5.2(1.3, 17.2) mm/L, RF (+) 5.2(0.9, 16.2) mm/L, H=22.141, P<0.01] of the RF(+)patients were significantly higher than RF(-) patients, and RF(+) patients had higher disease severity(DAS28-ESR) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (4.0±1.8), anti-CCP antibody(+) (3.8±1.6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (4.3±1.8), RF(+) (4.1±1.7), F=7.269, P<0.01]. ③ The RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients were divided into 4 subgroups, and it was found that RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L patients had higher disease severity [RF-H anti-CCP antibody-H 4.3(2.9, 5.6), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-L 4.5(3.0, 5.7), RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L 4.9(3.1, 6.2), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-H 2.8(1.8, 3.9), H=20.374, P<0.01]. ④ After 3-month follow up, the clinical characteristics of the four groups were improved, but there was no significant difference in the improvement of the four groups, indicating that the RF and anti-CCP antibody status did not affect the remission within 3 months. Conclusion:Among RA patients, the disease activity of RA patients is closely related to RF and the RF(+) patients have more severe disease than RF(-) patients. Patients with higher RF titer also have more severe disease than that of patients with low RF titer. After 3 months of medication treatment, the antibody status does not affect the disease remission rate.

Objective:To improve the prognosis stratification, especially early mortality(EM), of elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(NDMM).Methods:In this retrospective study, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify the independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival(OS)and the chi-square test and multivariate Logistic analysis were used to identify the prognostic factors associated with EM in 223 elderly patients(age≥65 years)with NDMM from three centers in the country.Results:Increased NT-pro-BNP(≥300 pg/ml), ECOG-PS≥2 and stage Ⅲ R-ISS were identified as three independent adverse prognostic factors of OS.The rates of EM3, EM6, EM12 and EM24 were 12.1%, 20.1%, 32.2% and 60%, respectively.The most common cause for EM6(particularly EM3)was disease-related complications resulting from ineligibility for treatment due to poor physical performance, severe organ dysfunction or treatment discontinuation due to treatment intolerance, while the most common cause for EM12(particularly EM24)was disease progression or relapse mainly as a result of inadequate treatment.R-ISS staging failed to predict EM, while decreased eGFR, ECOG-PS≥2, and increased NT-pro-BNP were able to estimate the risk of EM, with increased NT-pro-BNP as a common independent factor for EM12( P=0.03)and EM24( P=0.015). Conclusions:R-ISS staging, which primarily reflects MM biology, cannot predict EM.However, factors such as NT-pro-BNP, eGFR and ECOG-PS associated with frailty and impairment of organ functions can be used to estimate the risk of EM, among which NT-pro-BNP may be the most important independent factor for EM.Therefore, incorporation of these frailty-related biomarkers into R-ISS staging may be able to more precisely estimate the prognosis and particularly early death of elderly patients with NDMM.