BACKGROUND:Achilles tendon adhesion after Achilles tendon injury can lead to decreased biomechanical properties,weakened healing ability,and ultrastructural changes of Achilles tendon,which further affects patients'daily life and work ability.Therefore,how to effectively deal with and prevent Achilles tendon adhesion has become a hot and difficult problem in clinical treatment. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effects of biological amniotic membranes on postoperative Achilles tendon adhesion,biomechanics,and ultrastructural changes in rats with Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS:Sixty 6-week-old SD rats were selected to establish bilateral Achilles tendon rupture models and divided into two groups(n=30 per group)by the random number table method.In the model group,the severed end of the tendon was sutured directly.In the amniotic membrane group,the biological amniotic membrane was wrapped around the broken anastomosis and fixed by a suture.The adhesion,biomechanics,morphology,and structure of the Achilles tendon and the expression of p38 and ERK1/2 protein were evaluated 1,2,and 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)1 week after operation,the Achilles tendon and peritendinous tissues of the two groups were mildly edema,and the adhesion of the Achilles tendon tissues in the model group was more obvious.2 weeks after the intervention,the Achilles tendon and peritendinous tissues of the model group still had edema,and the adhesion degree between the Achilles tendon and the surrounding tissues was heavier than that of the amniotic membrane group.4 weeks after operation,there was no edema around the Achilles tendon in both groups,and the healing was well.The adhesion degree of the Achilles tendon in the amniotic membrane group was less than that in the model group.The maximum tension of Achilles tendons in the amniotic membrane group was higher than that in the model group at 2 and 4 weeks after operation(P<0.001).(2)Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy revealed that 1 week after operation,the tendon structure of rats of the two groups was disordered and the collagen fibers were sparsely arranged,in which the model group demonstrated obvious inflammatory reaction and adhesion to the Achilles tendon.Two weeks after operation,the model group still demonstrated obvious inflammatory response,adhesion of Achilles tendon,and irregular ordering of collagen fibers.The amniotic membrane group exhibited an orderly arrangement of collagen fibers and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum of fibroblasts.At 4 weeks after operation,the collagen fibers of the Achilles tendon in the model group were thickened and disordered,and the rough endoplasmic reticulum was less in the fibroblasts,while the collagen fibers in the amniotic membrane group were ordered and thin,and the fibroblasts contained a large number of rough endoplasmic reticulum.(3)Four weeks after operation,western blot assay exhibited that the expressions of p38 and ERK1/2 protein in the Achilles tendon tissue of rats in the amniotic membrane group were lower than those in the model group(P<0.05).(4)The results confirm that the biologic amniotic membrane can promote the healing and inhibit the adhesion of Achilles tendon after the operation of the ruptured Achilles tendon,which may be associated with the regulation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Objective:Based on the questionnaire, to analyze the current status of children′s bone age assessment in China, especially the application of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted bone age assessment system in the clinic.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was adapted by ourselves through the literature method and expert interview method, and the whole volume included 22 questions, which were released in the form of WeChat applet questionnaire star to the physician groups of several associations and entrusted to the radiology and paediatricians with senior titles. The results of the different types of questions were summarised and analyzed, and the chi-square test was used to compare the count data.Results:A total of 450 valid questionnaires were collected from 162 medical institutions in 26 provinces and cities and autonomous regions, of which 232 (51.6%) were from 87 (53.7%) tertiary hospitals and 218 (48.4%) from 75 (46.3%) secondary hospitals. Of the respondents, 115 (25.6%) were senior, 137 (30.4%) middle and 198 (44.0%) junior. Child bone age measurement was performed at 75.9% (66/87) of tertiary care organizations and 26.7% (20/75) of secondary care organizations, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=39.10, P<0.001). Left wrist radiographs were predominantly used for bone age assessment (76.0%, 123/162), with 72.8% (118/162) of sites using the ATLAS method of assessment and 17.9% (29/162) using the scoring method. A total of 98.4% (443/450) of respondents agreed that AI technology should be used to assist in bone age assessment, but only 9.3% (15/162) of healthcare organizations used AI-assisted technology. Conclusion:At present, bone age assessment is widely used in medical institutions, but there are problems with non-standardized examination methods, inconsistent assessment standards, and imprecise assessment results. Expectations for AI technology-assisted diagnosis exist among a wide range of physicians, but there are fewer users.

Objective:This study aimed to develop a rapid and accurate integrated nucleic acid detection method tailored for the influenza virus.Methods:We designed primers and probes targeting the predominant influenza virus strains circulating in China in recent years. These were integrated with extraction and amplification reagents and a point of care testing (POCT) system to facilitate a seamless and expedited process involving nucleic acid extraction, reaction system preparation, amplification, and result interpretation for the influenza virus. The specificity of the POCT system was evaluated using cultured influenza viruses, while its cross-reactivity was assessed against common respiratory pathogens, including adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.Results:Our study successfully developed duplex amplification primers and probes for both influenza A and B viruses, achieving a detection threshold as low as 500 copies/ml. Specificity tests confirmed that the detection reagents did not show cross-reactivity with other respiratory pathogens such as adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. The POCT-based rapid nucleic acid detection method for influenza virus was established, it is capable of completing the entire process from nucleic acid extraction to amplification and result interpretation within 50 minutes, while enabling real-time data upload.Conclusions:The POCT-based rapid influenza virus detection kit developed in this study offers a " sample in, results out" convenience, making it suitable for rapid influenza virus detection in primary care settings. This innovation has significant potential for clinical application.

Objective To develop a highly sensitive and rapid nucleic acid detection method for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2). Methods We designed,developed,and manufactured an integrated disposable device for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction and detection.The precision of the liquid transfer and temperature control was tested.A comparison between our device and a commercial kit for SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction was performed using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The entire process,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification,was evaluated. Results The precision of the syringe transfer volume was 19.2±1.9 μL(set value was 20),32.2±1.6(set value was 30),and 57.2±3.5(set value was 60).Temperature control in the amplification tube was measured at 60.0±0.0 ℃(set value was 60)and 95.1±0.2 ℃(set value was 95)respectively.SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction yield through the device was 7.10×106 copies/mL,while a commercial kit yielded 2.98×106 copies/mL.The mean time to complete the entire assay,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification detection,was 36 min and 45 s.The detection limit for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was 250 copies/mL. Conclusion The integrated disposable devices may be used for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care test(POCT).

Objective To construct and validate a risk prediction model for enteral nutrition feeding intolerance (FI) in patients with severe cerebral hemorrhage based on machine learning algorithms. Methods The clinical data of 485 patients with cerebral hemorrhage admitted to the neurological intensive care unit of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were randomly divided into training set (n=339) and validation set (n=146) in a 7 to 3 ratio. Five machine learning algorithms were used to construct FI risk prediction models. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the model with the best predictive performance was selected based on the area under the curve (AUC). A nomogram model was constructed based on the optimal model. The calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the calibration and clinical net benefit of the nomogram model. Results The incidence of enteral nutrition FI in patients with severe cerebral hemorrhage was 38.4%(186/485). Among the five machine learning algorithm models, the Logistic regression model had the best predictive performance(AUC=0.88). The analysis results of the Logistic regression model showed that the use of diuretics, mechanical ventilation, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤5, vasoactive drugs, and albumin level<35 g/L were risk factors for enteral nutrition FI in patients with severe cerebral hemorrhage. A nomogram model was further constructed based on these five risk factors. The calibration curve analysis showed that the calibration curve fitted well with the ideal curve, indicating a high calibration degree of the nomogram model. The DCA results showed that when the threshold probability was 5% to 73%, the application of the nomogram model for screening could clinically benefit patients. Conclusion The construction of a nomogram model for predicting the risk of enteral nutrition FI in patients with severe cerebral hemorrhage based on machine learning methods can help to early screen high-risk patients for enteral nutrition FI and timely formulate preventive measures, thereby reducing the incidence of enteral nutrition FI in patients with severe cerebral hemorrhage.

Objective To analyze the problems and solutions in the diagnosis of a patient with occupational radiogenic neoplasms. Methods The dose conversion method was selected in dose estimation. Personal dose equivalent, skin absorbed dose, and reported detection data were converted into red bone marrow absorbed dose. The upper 95% confidence limit of the probability of causation (PC 95%) was calculated. Results The PC 95% of cancer due to radiation in the worker was 66.38%, which suggested occupational radiogenic neoplasms. Personal dose data were missing in dose estimation. The current dose estimation standard lacked bedside radiography and CT operation type, and the dose conversion formula was not perfect. Conclusion In the judgment of occupational radiogenic neoplasms, the estimated dose showed uncertainty. There is an urgent need to formulate and promulgate dose estimation standards that are operational and in line with the current development of radiological diagnosis and treatment technology and equipment.

Objective:To compare the efficacy between percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) with unilateral double-target puncture approach plus side opening propeller and traditional PVP in the treatment of Kümmell disease.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 40 patients with Kümmell disease admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022, including 11 males and 29 females; aged 61-95 years [(74.3±9.5)years]. Twenty patients received the PVP with unilateral double-target puncture approach plus side opening propeller (observation group), and 20 patients were treated with traditional PVP (control group). The operation time, volume of cement injection and distribution levels of bone cement were compared between the two groups, as well as the visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI), Cobb angle, anterior height of the vertebral body before operation and at 1 day and 6 months after operation. The incidence of complications was also compared between the two groups.Results:All patients were followed up for 6-12 months [(9.1±2.8)months]. The operation time was (40.3±4.5)minutes in the observation group and (38.6±3.5)minutes in the control group ( P>0.05). The volume of cement injection was (6.5±1.3)ml in the observation group, significantly more than that in the control group [(5.4±1.0)ml] ( P<0.01). The distribution levels of bone cement in the observation group (0 patient in Grade 1, 3 in Grade 2, and 17 in Grade 3) were better than those in the control group (1 patient in Grade 1, 15 in Grade 2, and 4 in Grade 3) ( P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the VAS, ODI, Cobb angle or anterior height of the vertebral body between the two groups before operation (all P>0.05). One day after operation, the VAS in the observation group and control group was (1.6±0.7)points and (2.5±0.8)points, with the ODI of 16.1±3.3 and 21.3±4.1, Cobb angle of (18.4±2.9)° and (21.4±2.0)° and anterior height of the vertebral body of (23.7±1.8)mm and (20.1±1.7)mm. Six months after operation, the VAS in the observation group and control group was (1.3±0.5)points and (2.3±0.9)points, with the ODI of 15.0±3.8 and 20.8±3.9, Cobb angle of (19.3±2.9)° and (22.4±1.7)°, and anterior height of the vertebral body of (23.4±1.8)mm and (19.8±1.6)mm. The VAS, ODI, Cobb angle and anterior height of the vertebral body in the observation group were better than those in the control group at 1 day and 6 months after operation (all P<0.01). The VAS, ODI, Cobb angle and anterior height of the vertebral body were significantly improved in the two groups at 1 day and 6 months after operation compared with those before operation (all P<0.01), but there were no significant differences between 1 day and 6 months after operation (all P>0.05). The incidence of complications was not significantly different between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The PVP with unilateral double-target puncture approach plus lateral opening propeller not only allows for adequate and evenly distributed injection of bone cement, but also effectively reduces the pain, improves the quality of life, corrects the kyphosis and restores the height of the vertebral body in treating Kümmell disease compared with the traditional PVP.

The Omicron family of SARS-CoV-2 variants are currently driving the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we analyzed the clinical laboratory test results of 9911 Omicron BA.2.2 sublineages-infected symptomatic patients without earlier infection histories during a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Shanghai in spring 2022. Compared to an earlier patient cohort infected by SARS-CoV-2 prototype strains in 2020, BA.2.2 infection led to distinct fluctuations of pathophysiological markers in the peripheral blood. In particular, severe/critical cases of COVID-19 post BA.2.2 infection were associated with less pro-inflammatory macrophage activation and stronger interferon alpha response in the bronchoalveolar microenvironment. Importantly, the abnormal biomarkers were significantly subdued in individuals who had been immunized by 2 or 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 prototype-inactivated vaccines, supporting the estimation of an overall 96.02% of protection rate against severe/critical disease in the 4854 cases in our BA.2.2 patient cohort with traceable vaccination records. Furthermore, even though age was a critical risk factor of the severity of COVID-19 post BA.2.2 infection, vaccination-elicited protection against severe/critical COVID-19 reached 90.15% in patients aged ≽ 60 years old. Together, our study delineates the pathophysiological features of Omicron BA.2.2 sublineages and demonstrates significant protection conferred by prior prototype-based inactivated vaccines.
Humans ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics/prevention & control* ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Vaccination

Objective:To evaluate a novel distraction reductor in the surgical treatment of unstable distal radius fractures with metaphyseal volar comminution.Methods:From January 2019 to December 2020, 27 patients with unstable distal radius fracture complicated with metaphyseal volar comminution were treated at Department of Orthopaedics, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences. They were 6 males and 21 females, with an age of (69.4±9.4) years. All fractures were unilateral and closed, involving the right side in 17 cases and the left side in 10 cases. All patients were treated by internal fixation with an anatomical locking plate through the volar approach and the novel distraction reductor was used to reduce the fracture ends. Regular imaging examinations were performed to evaluate the reduction, maintenance and union of fractures after surgery. One year after operation, the curative efficacy was assessed by evaluation of the range of wrist motion, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, Gartland-Werley score and Bartra radiology score.Results:All the operations went on successfully with a duration of (92.3±8.9) min. All the incisions healed primarily. The follow-up time was (15.9±2.9) months. The radial height, palmar tilt, ulnar inclination and articular surface step-off immediately after operation [(11.23±1.51) mm, 12.10°±3.44°, 20.54°±3.44°, and (0.95±0.42) mm] were not significantly lost compared with those one year after operation [(11.22±1.55) mm, 12.07°±3.44°, 20.51°±3.33°, and (0.93±0.40) mm] (all P>0.05). One year after operation, the range of wrist motion was good with dorsiflexion of 59.7°±5.5°, palm flexion of 63.0°±9.1°, pronation of 66.5°±5.5°, supination of 61.2°±5.6°, radial deviation of 22.7°±4.8°, and ulnar deviation of 30.3°±6.1°; DASH score was 13.5±5.5; Bartra radiology score was 88.6±6.5, giving an excellent and good rate of 88.9% (24/27);Gartland-Werley score was 2.7±2.1, giving an excellent and good rate of 92.6% (25/27). Follow-ups observed no poor fracture healing, internal fixation failure, tendon or nerve injury or traumatic arthritis. Conclusion:In the surgical treatment of unstable distal radius fractures with metaphyseal volar comminution, the novel distraction reductor can lead to ideal reduction of displaced fractures and effectively correct the shortening caused by volar cortex comminution to achieve satisfactory functional effects in clinic.

Objective:To report the sampling study design and radiography protocol of a large-sample investigation on skeletal maturation of 3 to 18-year-old children in China.Methods:Multi-stage stratified random sampling was employed in this study. Two provinces, municipalities, or autonomous regions were randomly selected from each of the seven regions of China, including Northeast China, Northwest China, North China, Central China, East China, Southwest China, and South China. Then one rural and one urban investigation site were randomly selected from each province, municipality, or autonomous region. In total 28 sites were included. Among those sites, four residential districts were randomly selected from each urban site, and four townships from each rural site. For each residential district or township, 1-4 kindergartens, primary schools, and middle schools were chosen. Random cluster sampling was used to extract 3-<6-year-old children in kindergartens, and 6-18-year-old children in primary schools and middle schools. The investigation on skeletal maturation was sampled proportionate to the sampling of the whole study. The estimated simple size was 780 for each site, and 21 840 for all 28 sites in total. There were six groups of 3-<6-year-old children classified at 0.5-year intervals, and 12 groups of 6-18-year-old children classified at 1-year intervals. Posteroanterior position radiography of the left hand and wrist was achieved for all subjects.Results:The study was performed from August 26, 2019 to October 16, 2021. In total, 20 444 children received posteroanterior position radiography of the left hand and wrist, including 10 196 males and 10 248 females, 9 711 urban and 10 733 rural, respectively. The 3-<6-year-old group included 1 611 (male 819, female 792) subjects, and the 6 to 18-year-old group included 18 833 (male 9 377, female 9 456) subjects.Conclusion:This nationwide investigation on skeletal maturation of 3 to 18-year-old children in seven regions of China was successfully preformed. The results of this study can provide an important reference for establishing the current evaluation criteria of bone age in Chinese children and adolescents.