OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical characteristics and treatment analysis of 3 cases of congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture of the forearm and take a reference for clinic. METHODS: A total of 3 patients with congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture of the forearm were admitted between February 2019 and August 2021. Two patients were male and 1 was female, and their ages were 16, 20, and 16 years, respectively. The disease durations were 8, 20, and 15 years, respectively. They all presented with flexion deformity of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the middle, ring, and little fingers in the neutral or extended wrist position, and the deformity worsened in the extended wrist position. The total action motion (TAM) scores of 3 patients were 1 and the gradings were poor. The Carroll's hand function evaluation scores were 48, 55, and 57, and the grip strength indexes were 72.8, 78.4, and 30.5. Preoperative CT of case 2 showed a bony protrusion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon at the proximal end of the ulna; and MRI of case 3 showed that the ulnar flexor digitorum profundus presented as a uniform cord. After diagnosis, all patients were treated with operation to release the denatured tendon, and functional exercise was started early after operation. RESULTS: The incisions of 3 patients healed by first intention. Three patients were followed up for 12, 35, and 12 months, respectively. The hand function and the movement range of the joints significantly improved, but the grip strength did not significantly improve. At last follow-up, TAM scores were 3, 4, and 4, respectively, among which 2 cases were excellent and 1 case was good. Carroll's hand function evaluation scores were 95, 90, and 94, and the grip strength indexes were 73.5, 81.3, and 34.2, respectively. CONCLUSION Congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture is a rare clinical disease that should be distinguished from ischemic muscle contracture. The location of the contracture should be identified and appropriate surgical timing should be selected for surgical release. Active postoperative rehabilitation and functional exercise can achieve good hand function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Forearm/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Tendons/surgery* ; Ulna/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular

Trastuzumab has improved survival rates in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-positive breast cancer(BC),but drug resistance leads to treatment failure.Natural killer(NK)cell-mediated antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity(ADCC)represents an essential antitumor immune mechanism of trastuzumab.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been used for centuries to treat diseases because of its capacity to improve immune responses.Xianling Lianxia formula(XLLXF),based on the principle of"strengthening body and eliminating toxin",exhibits a synergistic effect in the trastuzumab treatment of patients with HER2-positive BC.Notably,this synergistic effect of XLLXF was executed by enhancing NK cells and ADCC,as demonstrated through in vitro co-culture of NK cells and BC cells and in vivo inter-vention experiments.Mechanistically,the augmented impact of XLLXF on NK cells is linked to a decrease in cytokine inducible Src homology 2(SH2)containing protein(CISH)expression,which in turn activates the Janus kinase 1(JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5(STAT5)pathway.Collectively,these findings suggested that XLLXF holds promise for enhancing NK cell function and sensitizing pa-tients with HER2-positive BC to trastuzumab.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 （HER-2）-positive breast cancer has higher predilection to metastasize and invade other organs， leading to poor prognosis. The anti-HER-2 drugs， such as trastuzumab， pertuzumab， and trastuzumab emtansinehas， can remarkably prolong the disease free survival （DFS） of patients. However， frequent multidrug resistance， tumor recurrence and metastasis， and adverse reactions such as cardiotoxicity and gastrointestinal discomfort caused by adjuvant therapy are still challenges for the treatment of HER-2-positive breast cancer. The understanding of breast cancer in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history. In thousands of years of inheritance and innovation， a standardized treatment system with TCM characteristics has been gradually formed， which shows unique advantages and significant curative effects in breast cancer treatment. The treatment principles of ''treatment based on syndrome differentiation''， ''treatment based on stages and types''， ''treatment according to individual conditions''， and ''treatment of different viscera and viscera based on the toxin and pathogen'' are closely related to the precise treatment concept. In view of the challenges in the treatment of HER-2-positive breast cancer， such as multidrug resistance， tumor recurrence and metastasis， cardiotoxicity， and gastrointestinal discomfort， this paper summarizes the characteristics of TCM in reversing the multidrug resistance， inhibiting tumor recurrence and metastasis， prolonging DFS， improving prognosis， reducing adverse reactions caused by adjuvant therapy， and improving the quality of life after breast cancer surgery according to the principles of reinforcing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogen， and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. This article is expected to serve as a reference for TCM treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer.

Objective To investigate the pollution levels of six indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in animal-derived foods in Hebei Province. Methods A total of 96 food samples (including beltfish, snakehead, egg, pork liver, pork and beef meat) were collected from Hebei Province in 2019. The contents of six indicator PCBs (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB180) in different food samples were determined using isotope dilution-high resolution gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). Results The contents of indicative PCBs in fish samples ranged from 0.12 to 0.32 ngg-1 fresh weight, while the content of PCBs in other samples ranged from 0.11 to 1.10 ng g-1 fat. PCB 138 and PCB 153 were the main compounds detected in fish samples, while PCB 28 and PCB 52 were the main compounds detected in other samples. The average estimated daily dietary intake of PCBs for residents in Hebei Province was 0.14 ng kg^-1·bw^-1·d^-1, and the highest contribution rate was beltfish (61.52%). Conclusion The pollution levels of indicator PCBs in animal-derived foods in Hebei Province are relatively low, and the residents has lower health risks through dietary intake of indicator PCBs.

Objective:To propose a strategy for detecting early gastric cancer (EGC) under high-definition gastroscopy.Methods:Data of 469 lesions of EGC or high grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) confirmed by pathology detected at The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2013 to January 2020 were collected and gastroscopic images were re-interpreted. The Helicobacter pylori ( HP) infection status, lesion location in the area of atrophy or at the cardia, morphological type of lesions, lesions with/without clear or regular boundary, and lesion color were analyzed for morphological characteristics of EGC and HGIN under high-definition gastroscopy. Results:Among the 469 lesions of EGC or HGIN, HP-negative lesions accounted for 2.1% (10/469) and ulcerative lesions for 7.7% (36/469). Among non-ulcerative lesions of suspected HP infection ( n=423), there were 28 lesions in the cardia outside the atrophic area and 82.1% (23/28) were reddish under white light imaging. There were 29 non-cardiac lesions outside the atrophic area and 82.8% (24/29) were white or showed clear border under white light imaging. Inside the atrophic area, there were 73 elevated lesions, 95.9% (70/73) of which had clear border or irregular depression on the top. There were 293 flat/depressed lesions in the atrophic area, and 90.8% (266/293) had irregular border or were brown under narrow band imaging. Conclusion:According to the status of HP infection, the location and morphological category of lesions, above endoscopic features can be used as clues to detect EGC and HGIN.

Severe and critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were usually with underlying diseases, which led to the problems of complicated drug use, potential drug-drug interactions and medication errors in special patients. Based on ( 6), and -19: , we summarized the experience in the use of antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, vascular active drugs, antibacterial, probiotics, nutrition support schemes in severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. It is also suggested to focus on medication management for evaluation of drug efficacy and duration of treatment, prevention and treatment of adverse drug reactions, identification of potential drug-drug interactions, individualized medication monitoring based on biosafety protection, and medication administration for special patients.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Critical Illness ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Nutritional Support ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage

Objective:To measure and analyze the distribution characteristics of the micro-hardness of the middle-upper thoracic vertebrae (T 1-T 10) in the human body. Methods:T 1-T 10 vertebrae from three fresh cadavers were divided into vertebral body area and attachment area. 3 mm specimens were cut by a high-precision slow saw and 11 regions were selected and measured on each vertebrae by a Vickers microhardness tester (cortical bone: 1-9, cancellous bone: 10-11). The micro-hardness distribution of T 1-T 10 vertebrae was recorded and analyzed. Results:A total of 330 measurement areas from 30 vertebrae were measured, and 1 650 hardness values were collected. The average hardness values of the overall cortical bone of the middle-upper thoracic vertebrae of the 3 cadavers were 30.55±5.44 HV, 29.94±4.86 HV, and 29.55±4.36 HV, respectively. The difference among the groups was statistically significant ( F=4.680, P=0.009). The average hardness values of the overall cancellous bone were 27.93±5.61 HV, 28.21±4.96 HV, 27.98±3.94 HV, respectively. There was no significant difference among the groups ( F=0.091, P=0.913). There were statistically significant differences between the hardness values in the attachment area and vertebral body area of each cadaver ( t=7.467, 4.750, 6.621, P<0.001); the hardness of the cancellous bone in the attachment area of each cadaver was higher than that of the cancellous bone in the vertebral body ( t=1.785, 3.159, 3.103, P=0.077, 0.002, 0.003). The distribution of microhardness in 11 measurement areas of 3 cadavers were similar: the hardness of the cortical bone of pedicle, lamina and inferior endplate cortex (1, 2, 7) were higher; the hardness of the cortical bone of upper endplate and peripheral cortex (6, 8, 9) were lower. The distribution patterns of the microhardness in different vertebral segments of the 3 cadavers were similar: The hardness values gradually increased from T 1 to T 10. The vertebra with the largest hardness of the cortical bone was T 8; and the vertebra with the largest hardness of the cancellous bone were T 7, T 7 and T 6, respectively. Conclusion:The hardness of the upper endplate and peripheral cortex was low, which could disperse the load to protect the fragile cancellous bone. The hardness of the pedicle was the highest. The hardness of the cortical bone was higher than that of the cancellous bone, and the values of different segments gradually increased from top to bottom, which may be related to the physiological and anatomical morphology, and the gradual increase of the load of muscle force and body weight.

Objective:To prospectively follow up the patients with ileocecal inflammatory lesions, to explore the characteristics of Crohn′s disease(CD) at early stage, and to provide references for early diagnosis of CD.Methods:From January 2013 to December 2018, at Department of Gastroenterology, The Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, 232 patients with unexplained ileocecal inflammatory lesions under colonoscopy examination were enrolled, which were followed up for more than one year. Chi-square test and Fisher exact probability text were used to compare the patients with early CD, with non-specific enteritis and intestinal tuberculosis in abdominal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension, constipation, hematochezia, changes in bowel habits), accompanying symptoms (oral ulcer, arthralgia), the proportion of patients with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, serum antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), anti-saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA), tuberculosis infection of T cells spot test, positive rate of fecal occult blood, lesion size, morphology, involvement site under endoscopy and histopathological results. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of early CD.Results:Among 232 patients, 155 were males and 77 were females, and the age of first diagnosis was (43.9±13.8) years old. The follow-up period (range) was 27 months (12 to 79 months). Twenty-nine cases (12.5%) were diagnosed as early CD, 45 cases (19.4%) were intestinal tuberculosis, 105 cases (45.3%) were non-specific enteritis, and 53 cases (22.8%) as undetermined. All of 29 patients with early CD had abdominal symptoms, which accounted for 16.9% (29/172) of 172 patients with ileoceccal inflammatory lesion as well as abdominal symptoms. In early CD patients, the proportions of patients with abdominal pain, elevated CRP level and ESR level, positive rate of ASCA, positive rate of tuberculosis infection T cells and percentage of patients with thickened intestinal wall were all higher than those in patients with non-specific enteritis (62.1%, 18/29 vs. 33.3%, 35/105; 13.8%, 4/29 vs. 0; 13.8%, 4/29 vs. 1.0%, 1/105; 24.1%, 7/29 vs. 1.0%, 1/105; 20.7%, 6/29 vs. 3.8%, 4/105; 95.7%, 22/23 vs. 0), and the proportion of patients without abdominal symptoms was lower than that of patients with non-specific enteritis (0 vs. 31.4%, 33/105). And the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=6.692, Fisher exact probability text, χ2=7.162, χ2=17.826, χ2=7.497, Fisher exact probability text, and Fisher exact probability text, all P<0.05). Early CD patients were more likely to have multiple lesion sites (55.2%, 16/29), and mainly deep ulcers (55.2%, 16/29) and ulcers with a long diameter of 5 to 10 mm (39.3%, 11/28). The lesions of non-specific enteritis were mostly confined to the end of ileum (75.2%, 79/105), which were mainly superficial ulcers (41.0%, 43/105) and ulcers with a long diameter less than 5 mm (69.0%, 49/71). The proportion of patients without abdominal symptoms and the positive rate of tuberculosis infection of T cells spot test of early CD patients were both lower than those of intestinal tuberculosis group (0 vs. 15.6%, 7/45 and 20.7%, 6/29 vs. 68.9%, 31/45). The positive rate of ASCA and the proportion of patients with thickened intestinal wall were higher than those of intestinal tuberculosis group (24.1%, 7/29 vs. 0 and 95.7%, 22/23 vs. 11/19), and the differences were statistically significant (Fisher exact probability text, χ2=13.713, Fisher exact probability text and χ2=6.710, all P<0.05). The results of multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that abdominal pain and positive ASCA were independent risk factors for early CD (odds ratio ( OR)=2.855, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.014 to 8.037, P=0.047; OR=10.033, 95% CI 2.274 to 44.250, P=0.002). Conclusions:Prospective follow-up for more than one year in patients with unexplained ileocecal inflammatory lesions can effectively identify and diagnose early CD. Ileocecal inflammatory lesions with abdominal symptoms are one of the early manifestations of CD. Abdominal pain and positive serum ASCA at the initial diagnosis are independent risk factors for early diagnosis of CD.

Objective To study the micro-hardness distribution of ulna and explore its correlation with surgical procedures of ulnar fractures,internal fixator,total elbow arthroplasty and the epidemiology of ulna fracture.Methods The ulna wasdivided into proximal metaphysis,diaphysis,and distal metaphysis.The proximal metaphysis was divided into the olecranon and the metaphysis olecranon of ulna.Thedistal epiphysis included the head of ulna.The shaft of the ulna was divided equally into nine segments.Each ulna was sawed by a band saw into twelve parts,which were prepared for the micro-indention testing.The micro-indention testing samples precision cuts were conductedwith a Buehler Isomet 11-1280-250 low speed diamond saw.Each micro-indention sample was cut 3mm thickness and fixed on glass sheet with epoxy resin.The samples surface was polished with progressive grades of sandpaper.Micro-indentation was pedormed on each bone sample sudace using a vicker micro-hardness tester,and the hardness value were measured as Hardness value (HV,HV=kgf/mm2).Twenty indentions were randomly selected on each sample,which were equally divided into four quadrants (anterior,medial,posterior and lateral).Hence,a total of 720 micro-indentations were pedormed on the three ulna.Before indention,each sample was controlled under the optical microscope where the bone surface was intact and not damaged.The micro-indentations were performed on each sample with a load of 50 g.The indentation time was set to 12 s.Hardness value (HV/0.05) was computed for each indentation.The lengths of the diagonals were measured under reflected light microscopy,and the Vickers hardness value was calculated.Indentations in which one diagonal was 10％ longer or more than the other were ignored.The indention was repeated.These preliminary data were used to determine the appropriate sample size of micro =indentation to be performed on each bone segment.SPSS 19.0 statistical software was used for statisticalanalysis.The one =way ANOVA analysis was used to compare the difference of bone micro-hardness values in different parts,and P ＜ 0.05 was statistically significant.Results The hardest part of the ulna is the lower ulnaand the value of micro-hardness was 47.77 HV.The least hard part was the head of ulna and the value of micro-hardness was 29.64 HV.The proximal metaphysis hardness value was 34.39 HV.The shaft hardness value was 43.47 HV.Thedistal metaphysis hardness value was 29.64 HV.The hardness was higher in diaphysis than metaphysis in the ulna with statistical significance.There was no statistically significant difference in the hardness of ulna anterior,medial,posterior and lateral quadrant.Conclusion It is demonstrated that the micro-hardnessof ulna shaft is significant higher than other two parts of ulna.The micro-hardness value difference was not significant among the anterior,medial,posterior and lateral quadrant.This study revealed the distribution rule of ulna micro-hardness and provided data support for the total elbow arthroplasty with human physiological characteristics through 3D printing.

Objective: To investigate the microhardness distribution of cancellous bone in the proximal tibia and its clinical significance. Methods: Three fresh tibias were obtained and examined by X-ray and CT to exclude skeletal pathologies, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis. According to the Heim's square, the proximal tibias were cut off. Each of the proximal tibias was divided into three parts, the medial condyle, the intercondylar area and the lateral condyle. Each part was divided into three sections, proximal, middle and distal sections. Each of the proximal tibias was divided into 9 regions. Bone specimens with a thickness of 3 mm were taken from each region using a high precision low-speed saw and fixed on flat sheets. The microhardness of the bone tissue was measured using a Vickers microhardness tester after polish. Ten effective micro-indentation tests were conducted in each region. After measurement the diagonal length of the indentations, the microhardness values were calculated via software provided by the hardness tester. Analysis of variance and Tukey method were used to compare the microhardness values of different parts, sections and regions of cancellous bone. The microhardness distribution of the proximal tibia was analyzed. Results: A total of 270 effective indentations were made in the specimens, and the microhardness values were obtained. The average microhardness of the three proximal tibias was 40.98±3.44, 34.92±4.64 and 39.49±3.86 HV, respectively. There was a significant difference among the groups (F=55.87, P=0.000). The microhardness distribution of bone tissue in the three proximal tibias was similar. In the comparison of different parts, the microhardness of medial condyle was greater than that of the lateral condyle, which was larger than that of the intercondylar area. The difference between the parts was statistically significant (F=18.42, 8.236, 10.877; P=0.000, 0.001, 0.000). In the comparison of different sections, the microhardness of the distal section was greater than that of the proximal section, which was larger than that of the middle section. The difference between the sections was statistically significant (F=8.720, 17.140, 6.142; P=0.000, 0.000, 0.003). The microhardness distribution was similar among different regions. The region with the highest microhardness is the medial condyle of the distal section with microhardness of 44.87±3.25 HV (range 39.2-49.7 HV). The lowest microhardness was in the intercondylar area of the middle section with hardness of 29.41±4.53 HV (range 24.8-36.2 HV). Conclusion The microhardness value of cancellous bone near the articular surface at the proximal tibia was smaller, which could disperse the load and protect the fragile of articular cartilage. Furthermore, the microhardness of the transition zone is larger. The microhardness value of the cancellous bone in medial tibia condyle is the greatest, which is related to load-bearing.