Objective To determine the level of ieptin (LEP) and soluable leptin receptor (sLEP-R) in the peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The change of LEP/sLEP-R in patients with RA and the relationship between LEP/sLEP-R with osteoporosis is also investigated. Methods Sixty-four patients with RA and 60 normal controls were involved. Levels of LEP and sLEP-R were measured by ELISA. Bone mineral density (BMD) of non-dominant forearm, lumbar vertebrae(L_(1～4)) and hip were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results ① Compared with normal controls, the level of LEP in RA increased significantly,but the level of sLEP-R in RA decreased significantly (P<0.01). ② BMD of all detected regions in RA were significantly reduced than those in the normal controls (P<0.01). There was a higher incidence of osteoporosis in patients with RA (35.9%) than in normal controls (15.0%)(P<0.01). ③ There was a positive lineary correlation between age and the level of LEP in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.01). There was negative lineary correlations between BMD and level of LEP in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.05). There was a negative lineary correlation between age and level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.01). There was positive lineary correlation between BMD and level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.05). There was no correlations between clinical or laboratory parameters and level of LEP/sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA. ④ Analysis of Logistic Regression showed that the level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA was an independent protective factor for the occurrence of osteoporosis in RA (OR=3.089, P=0.017, 95%CI: 0.017-7.108). Conclusion The level of LEP in RA increases significantly, while the level of sLEP-R decreases significantly. There is a closely correlation between bone metabolism status and the level of LEP or sLEP-R in RA. The level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA is an independent protective factor for the occurrence of osteoporosis in RA.

Objective:To explore an applicative value of a 5-type precise diagnostic technique in integrated precise repair and reconstruction of digit-tip injuries.Methods:From March 2012 to June 2022, 45 digit-tip injuries (38 patients, with an average age of 33 years old) were classified under microscope on the basis of effectiveness of blood vessels remained in the severed tissue. Among the injured digits, there were 15 thumbs, 9 index fingers, 16 middle fingers, 4 ring fingers and 1 little finger. The diagnosis was categorised into 5 types according to involvement of blood vessels: Type I, injury of proper palmar digital artery (10 digits) ; Type II, injury of small artery (5 digits) ; Type Ⅲ, injury of whole vein (4 digits) ; Type IV, injury of superficial palmar arch (4 digits) ; and Type V, vessels missing (22 digits). The timing and therapeutic method of surgery were selected based on the precise classification of 5 types of diagnosis: (1) For type Ⅰ-Ⅳ injuries, 16 patients (23 digits) received in situ tissue replantation after emergency classification. Of which, type Ⅰ-Ⅱ injuries received conventional replantation, type Ⅲ injuries had replantation with arterialised vein, and type IV injuries received replantation with artery-vein shunt. (2) For the type V injuries, 22 patients (22 digits), staged and categorised flap reconstruction with toe flaps were performed. Of which, 7 were performed in emergency surgery, 12 in subemergency surgery and 3 in elective surgery. Based on the severity of defects, small tissue flaps of toe were used in reconstruction of type V injuries and following toe flaps were employed: 9 hallux nail flaps, 3 hallux nail flaps (for reconstruction of distal phalanx), 5 hallux fibular flaps, 3 hallux abdominal flaps and 2 compound tissue flaps with nail bed of the second toe. The sizes of the 45 replanted/transferred tissues flaps were 1.0 cm×0.6 cm×0.4 cm-2.2 cm×1.5 cm×0.8 cm. Donor sites directly sutured. Medical APP was applied in the rehabilitation exercises. Functions of digits were assessed by scheduled follow-ups at outpatient clinic and via remote medical APP to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results:All small tissue blocks and (or) tissue flaps survived after replantation and (or) flap reconstruction of 45 injured digits. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 6 months to 7 years, with 36 months in average. The appearances of the reconstructed digit-tips were close to normal digits, with TPD at 3-7 mm. According to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), 32 patients (37 digits) were in excellent, 5 patients (7 digits) in good, and 1 patient (1 digit) in poor, with 97.78% of excellent and good rate.Conclusion:Five-type precise diagnostic technique is the key to the integrated and precise reconstruction of digit-tip injuries. This method has been clinically validated and achieved realistic recovery from the injured digits.

Objective:To explore a modified flap bridging procedure in primary free flap transfer to reconstruct defects in calf and with secondary reconstruction of the great saphenous vein of the calf according to the diagnoses of 3 types of traumatic calf ulcers, and to observe the clinical effect.Methods:A research on evidence-based medicine was applied from April 2010 to June 2023 in the Department of Orthopaedics of the Second People's Hospital of Hefei on 25 patients with calf traumatic ulcers. The traumatic calf ulcers were classified into 3 types: Type I, a defect type (5 patients), Type II, a scar type (8 patients), and Type Ⅲ, a osteomyelitis type (12 patients). The age of patients ranged from 22 to 67 years old, with an average of 44 years old. The course of calf traumatic ulcers from 3 months to 36 years, with 17 in left calf and 8 in the right. The preoperative Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) was 37.07 points±18.92 points. The modified flap bridge surgery was planned in 2 stages. The first stage surgery was simultaneously performed by 2 surgical teams, with surgical team 1 carried out ulcer debridement and preparation for a flap bridging surgery. According to the 3 types of diagnosis, the infected and unhealthy tissues were completely removed by individualised debridement, the sizes of defect were 5 cm×11 cm-14 cm×27 cm. Medial flaps were dissected to prepare a flap bridging (including great saphenous vein) with the proximal calf of the healthy side as the rotation point. Both lower legs were then fixed together. For an unhealed Type I or III fracture, the tibial fracture was reduced and fixed with an external fixator and then fixed with the contralateral tibia. For a healed Type II or III fracture, both calcaneus were fixed together with a Steinmann pin in obliquely penetration. The surgical team 2 carried out the task of harvest of a free flap. The flap with both adjustable design and anatomy was selected. The flap donor sites with a larger area and dominant vein were the best: anterolateral thigh flap (13 patients), thoracoumbilical flap (9 patients) and lateral thoracic flap (3 patients). The sizes of the transferred flaps were of 6 cm×12 cm-15 cm×28 cm. Eighteen patients had direct suture of donor sites and 7 were reconstructed with medium-thick skin grafts. The 2 teams then worked together: to cover the defect with the flap, anastomose the artery carried by flap with the posterior tibial artery of the bridge, flap dominant vein with the great saphenous vein of the bridge and flap, and non-dominant vein with the dominant posterior tibial vein of the bridge respectively, and then suture the wounds. Stage II surgery: it was carried out at 5-6 weeks later. In which, pedicle of the flap bridge was disconnected, and the great saphenous vein (including 3-4 venous valves) with a ≥10 cm in length, was dissected to the proximal end of the flap bridge. The end of it was anastomosed with the great saphenous vein proximal to the end of the affected limb. The flap bridge and the vascular bundle behind the tibia were restored and replanted. Postoperative wound management and follow-up were carried out and LEFS were collected.Results:All 25 patients were included in the postoperative follow-up for 6-18 (average 10.5) months. CDU showed that the reconstructed great saphenous veins were unobstructed. All the ulcers were cured and the appearances of the calfs were satisfactory with good texture, and without recurrence of ulcers. There was a linear scar in donor sites and without scar formation at the sites of skin graft and skin extraction. The last LEFS was 67.32 points±8.43 points. All patients returned to normal life and work.Conclusion:Classification of traumatic calf ulcer into 3 types has a theoretical basis in selection and modification of flap bridging surgery. The surgery has characteristics of individuation and modularisation, it not only benefits the reconstruction of ulcerative defect, but also prevents the recurrence of ulcer. It is a safe and effective surgical procedure with clinical proof.