BACKGROUND:Since percutaneous injection of bone cement vertebroplasty has been successful y used in treatment of spine fracture, percutaneous vertebroplasty is trying to be utilized in the treatment of vertebral hemangiomas.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous injection of bone cement vertebroplasty in the treatment of symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas.
METHODS:Total y nine patients with symptomatic thoracic vertebral hemangioma patients, including two males and seven females, had back pain. Of them, two cases suffered from nerve root irritation. Percutaneous vertebroplasty with bone cement was used alone. Postoperative clinical and radiographic fol ow-up was conducted.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The success rate was 100%, and no pulmonary embolism or nerve injury appeared. Postoperative imaging showed no leakage of spinal canal or foramen. At 24 hours after treatment, the symptoms had eased;nine cases were fol owed up for 3 to 36 months, showing that the original symptoms and signs disappeared or almost disappeared, no recurrence of vascular tumors. Results indicated that the percutaneous injection of bone cement vertebroplasty for the treatment of symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas is a safe and effective treatment;it can not only relieve symptoms, but also can increase the stability of the vertebral body, and prevent compression fracture and recurrence.

BACKGROUND:Bal oon kyphoplasty is a new technique of microtraumatic surgery of spine developed in recent years, and brings a new pathway for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous bal oon kyphoplasty on osteoporotic vertebral fracture, and to explore the main point of injecting bone cement.
METHODS:A total of 22 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture at the age of 60-78 years underwent percutaneous bal oon kyphoplasty under C-arm fluoroscopy. In accordance with the standards of WHO, antalgic effects were evaluated. The injection time, manner and dose of bone cement were analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al patients were fol owed up for 1-12 months. Postoperative pain was completely lessened in 15 patients, and partial y relieved in 7 cases, with an effective rate of 100%. Spinal mobility increased. No incision surgery was needed in al patients. No complications such as pulmonary embolism or nerve injury appeared. These results indicate that percutaneous bal oon kyphoplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures is minimal y invasive and simple, has less complication and effectively reconstructs vertebral body strength, and can better al eviate the pain, is an effective minimal y invasive spinal treatment technology. To strictly understand the main treatment point can obtain satisfactory clinical curative effects, including precise diagnosis of the disease, identification whether patient’s pain is induced by fractures, preoperative intraoperative exact localization of the affected vertebra, perfect puncturing technique, suitable postoperative treatment and nursing. It is also important to strictly master the time of injecting bone cement and the dose of bone cement. Bone cement injection was commonly done in drawing-wire stage. Too early injection easily induced leakage and toxic reaction. Too late injection affected the expansion of bone cement and therapeutic effects. The injection of bone cement should be finished under a perspective environment, which can effectively avoid bone cement leakage.

Objective To explore the value of an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis (ARGO) combined with comprehensive rehabilitation treatment in rehabliltating complete spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods Twelve patients with complete SCI at the T4~L2 level were fitted with an ARGO. Before and after fitting the ARGO,comprehensive rehabilitative excecises were conducted. After training, ambulation was evaluated, and competence in the activities of daily living was evaluated using the Barthel index and Functional Independence Measure. Results The patients' ambulation improved markedly after fitting the ARGO and training. Barthel index and FIM scres improved significantly. All 12 patients achieved therapeutic or functional ambulation. Conclusion With the aid of an ARGO, patients suffering from complete SCI below the T4 level can achieve functional walking and improve their quality of life.

Objective To investigate the effect of occupational therapy on motor function of upper limbs and activities of daily living(ADL)of patients with hemiplegia.Methods 51 patients with hemiplegia were randomly divided into the treatment group(n=26)and control group(n=25).Both two groups were received routine training,and besides,patients in the treatment group were added with occupational therapy.The motor function of upper limbs was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer scale before and after treatment,and ADL and hand function were also evaluated at same time.Results After treatment,the scores of Fugl-Meyer scale,ADL and hand function of all patients in two groups improved(P<0.05),but the therapeutic effect of the treatment group was superior to the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The occupational therapy can strengthen the upper limbs and hands function,and effectively improve fine motors.

Objective To evaluate the role of preoperative serological indexes in predicting long-term survival and tumor recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after liver transplantation, aiming to explore its significance in expanding the Milan criteria. Methods Clinical data of 669 recipients undergoing liver transplantation for HCC were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cut-off value was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The risk factors affecting the overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates of HCC patients after liver transplantation were identified by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The correlation between preoperative serum liver enzymes and pathological characteristics in HCC patients was analyzed. The predictive values of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) combined with γ -glutamyl transferase (GGT) and different liver transplant criteria for the survival and recurrence of HCC patients after liver transplantation were compared. Results Exceeded Milan criteria, total tumor diameter (TTD) > 8 cm, AFP > 200 ng/mL and GGT > 84 U/L were the independent risk factors for the overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates of HCC patients after liver transplantation (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that preoperative serum GGT level was correlated with TTD, number of tumor, venous invasion, microsatellite lesions, capsular invasion, tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, Child-Pugh score and exceeded Milan criteria (all P < 0.05). Milan-AFP-GGT-TTD (M-AGT) criteria were proposed by combining Milan criteria, TTD with serum liver enzyme indexes (AFP and GGT). The 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates of HCC recipients who met the M-AGT criteria (111 cases of exceeded Milan criteria) were significantly higher than those who met Hangzhou criteria (both P < 0.05), whereas had no significant difference from their counterparts who met the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) criteria (both P > 0.05). Conclusions Preoperative serological indexes of AFP and GGT could effectively predict the long-term survival and tumor recurrence of HCC patients after liver transplantation. Establishing the M-AGT criteria based on serological indexes contributes to expanding the Milan criteria, which is convenient and feasible.

Objective: To investigate the expression of Apelin and Snail proteins in breast cancer and their relationship with the clinicopathological features and prognosis. Methods: The expression of Apelin and Snail proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry in 89 cases of breast cancer and 50 cases of mammary adenosis collected from January to June in 2008 at Fujian Cancer Hospital; the expression was correlated with the clinicopathological features and outcome of the patients. Results: Apelin and Snail were expressed in 42 cases(47.2%)and 36 cases(40.4%)of breast cancers, respectively, and the expression was higher than that of control group (P<0.01). The expression of Apelin was positively correlated with Snail (r=0.230, P<0.05). Apelin expression was associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM staging(P<0.05). Snail expression was associated with lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the prognosis of Apelin positive group was worse than that of Apelin negative group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in prognosis between Snail negative and positive groups (P>0.05). The prognosis of Apelin and Snail in both positive groups was worse than that of Apelin and Snail both negative groups (P<0.01). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that Apelin and TNM staging could be used as independent prognostic factors for breast cancer (P<0.05). Conclusions Apelin and Snail are highly expressed in breast cancer, and associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. There is a positive correlation between Apelin and Snail expression, which may suggest a role in breast carcinogenesis. The prognosis of breast cancer with expression of Apelin and co-expression of Apelin and Snail is poor. Therefore, Apelin may be used as an effective indicator to evaluate the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Objective:To investigate the influence of effects of transarterial chemoembo-lization (TACE) before liver transplantation on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 311 hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing TACE before liver transplantation who were admitted to the Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2005 to December 2012 were collec-ted. There were 276 males and 35 females, aged from 47 to 59 years, with a median age of 52 years. All the 311 patients underwent TACE before liver transplantation. Observation indicators: (1) effects of hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing TACE and its relationship with clinicopathological factors; (2) follow-up; (3) influencing factors for prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect recurrence and metastasis of tumor and survival and graft loss of patients up to December 2017. The patients were followed up every 2 to 4 weeks within 3 months after liver transplantation, and once every 1 to 3 months thereafter. Measurement data with normal distri-bution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the nonparametric rank sum test. The COX regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and calculate survival rates, and the Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Effects of hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing TACE and its relationship with clinicopathological factors. Of the 311 patients undergoing TACE, 57 cases had pathologic complete response (pCR) and 254 cases had pathologic partial response (pPR), respectively. Cases with alpha fetoprotein (AFP) <20 μg/L,20?400 μg/L, >400 μg/L, cases with microvascular invasion, cases with tumor number as single nodule, cases with tumor distribution at right lobe of liver, cases with tumor caliber of feeding artery (CFA) >1 mm were 26, 26, 5, 51, 6, 43, 46 in patients with pCR, versus 87, 64, 103, 158, 59, 125, 159 in patients with pPR, showing significant differences in the above indicators ( Z=3.35, χ2=4.54, 15.71, 12.89, 6.79, P<0.05). (2) Follow-up. All the 311 patients were followed up for 47.0 to 59.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 44.6 months. There were 11 cases undergoing tumor recurrence and 11 cases undergoing tumor metastasis in the 57 patients with pCR, and there were 96 cases undergoing tumor recurrence and 66 cases under-going tumor metastasis in the 254 patients with pPR. The 1-, 3-, 5-year tumor recurrence free rates were 98.2%, 91.1%, 80.3% in the 311 patients, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year tumor recurrence free rates were 100.0%, 91.1%, 80.3% in the 57 patients with pCR, versus 82.0%, 68.4%, 59.4% in the 254 patients with pPR, showing significant differences in the above indicators ( χ2=13.47, P<0.05). Cases with graft loss were 11 and 96 in the 57 patients with pCR and the 254 patients with pPR, respectively, showing a significant difference ( χ2=7.06, P<0.05). (3) Influen-cing factors for prognosis of hepatocellular carci-noma patients after liver transplantation. Results of univariate analysis showed that gender, basic diseases as viral hepatitis C, AFP (20?400 μg/L, >400 μg/L), Milan criteria, microvascular invasion, tumor number, tumor distribution, tumor CFA, times of TACE, effects of TACE were related factors influencing prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation ( hazard ratio=0.49, 3.97, 1.78, 1.84, 2.41, 1.96, 3.00, 1.76, 0.19, 2.01, 3.07, 95% confidence interval as 0.30?0.81, 2.23?7.05, 1.03?3.06, 1.18?2.85, 1.63?3.56, 1.28?3.01, 2.04?4.40, 1.20?2.59, 0.13?0.28, 1.28?3.14, 1.63?5.76, P<0.05). Results of multi-variate analysis showed that AFP >400 μg/L, exceeding Milan criteria, tumor number as multiple nodule,effects of TACE as pPR were independent risk factors influencing prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation ( hazard ratio=1.59, 2.06, 1.99, 2.05, 95% confidence interval as 1.22?2.07, 1.35?3.13, 1.29?3.07, 1.02?4.10, P<0.05) and tumor CFA >1 mm was an independent protective factor influencing prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation ( hazard ratio=0.10, 95% confidence interval as 0.05?0.19, P<0.05). Conclusions:The effects of TACE are related to AFP, microvascular invasion, tumor number, tumor distribution and tumor CFA. AFP >400 μg/L, exceeding Milan criteria, tumor number as multiple nodule,effects of TACE as pPR are independent risk factors influencing prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation and tumor CFA >1 mm is an independent protective factor influencing prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation.

Objective:To explore the prognostic factors of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC), construct a nomogram model, and evaluate the prognosis of EOC patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinicopathological data of 208 cases of EOC patients who received initial treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from August 11, 2016 to July 11, 2018, including age, preoperative ascites, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical method, pathological type, pathological differentiation degree, surgical pathology stage, preoperative and post-chemotherapy serum cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) level, human epididymal protein 4 (HE4) level, platelet count and platelet/lymphocyte number ratio (PLR). The univariate and multivariate Cox risk ratio models were used to analyze the related factors affecting progression free survival (PFS) in EOC patients, and the prediction nomogram of PFS in EOC patients was established to evaluate its efficacy in predicting PFS. Results:Univariate analysis showed that preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pathological type, pathological differentiation degree, surgical pathology stage, serum CA 125 and HE4 level before operation and after chemotherapy, platelet count and PLR before operation and after chemotherapy were significantly correlated with PFS in EOC patients (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that surgical pathology stage, preoperative PLR, serum CA 125 and HE4 level after chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors affecting PFS of EOC patients (all P<0.01). The index coefficient of the prediction model for the prognosis of EOC patients established by this method was 0.749 (95% CI: 0.699-0.798), which had good prediction ability, and could help clinicians to more accurately evaluate the prognosis of EOC patients. Conclusion:The nomogram model constructed based on surgical pathology stage, preoperative PLR, serum CA 125 and HE4 level after chemotherapy could effectively predict the PFS of EOC patients after initial treatment, could help clinicians to screen high-risk patients, provide individualized treatment, and improve the prognosis of EOC patients.

Objective:To investigate the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided posterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) combined with cocktail therapy after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery.Methods:A randomized controlled study was conducted on 87 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACLR surgery at the Yan'an Branch of Peking University Third Hospital (Yan'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine) from February 2021 to April 2023. The patients were randomly divided into three groups using the random number table method: Group A ( n = 29), Group B ( n = 29), and Group C ( n = 29). Group A received ultrasound-guided posterior QLB, Group B received cocktail therapy, and Group C received a combination of ultrasound-guided posterior QLB and cocktail therapy. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, knee function, intraoperative and postoperative general conditions, stress responses, inflammatory pain mediators, and adverse reactions were compared among the three groups. Results:At 2, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, VAS scores in Group C were (3.25 ± 0.41) points, (2.03 ± 0.28) points, and (0.65 ± 0.09) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in Group A [(4.68 ± 0.65) points, (3.28 ± 0.39) points, (1.68 ± 0.22) points, t = 10.02, 14.02, 23.34, all P < 0.001] and Group B [(4.79 ± 0.72) points, (3.20 ± 0.36) points, (1.72 ± 0.24) points, t = 9.49, 13.82, 22.48, all P < 0.001]. At 1 month after surgery, the Knee Society Score and Hospital for Special Surgery knee score in Group C were (92.02 ± 3.33) points and (90.05 ± 3.46) points, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than those in Group A [(81.85 ± 2.27) points, (82.57 ± 2.34) points, t = 13.59, 9.64, both P < 0.001] and Group B [(81.46 ± 2.38) points, (83.22 ± 2.40) points, t = 13.89, 8.73, both P < 0.001]. There were no statistically significant differences in maximum active range of motion and quadriceps strength among the three groups at 72 hours after surgery (both P > 0.05). The time to first ambulation, time to first straight leg raise, rate of rescue analgesia, and the number of effective activations of the analgesic pump in Group C were (22.08 ± 4.36) hours, (2.26 ± 0.30) hours, 3.45%, and (0.75 ± 0.16) times, respectively, all of which were significantly lower than those in Group A ( t = 3.24, 8.20, χ2 = 7.73, t = 19.29, all P < 0.001) and Group B ( t = 3.01, 7.51, χ2 = 6.44, t = 17.34, all P < 0.001). At 24 hours after surgery, serum levels of angiotensin II, adrenocorticotropin, β-endorphin, and prostaglandin E 2 in Group C were significantly lower than those in Groups A and B (all P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:The combination of cocktail therapy and ultrasound-guided posterior QLB can improve knee function in patients after arthroscopic ACLR surgery and provides effective and safe analgesia.

Objective:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a common metabolic disorder in overweight and obese children,and its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear,lacking effective preventive and therapeutic measures.This study aims to explore the association between whole blood copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium and iron levels and NAFLD in overweight and obese children aged 6 to 17 years,providing a scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of early NAFLD in overweight and obese children. Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used to collect relevant data from overweight and obese children who visited the Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 through questionnaire surveys.Fasting blood samples were collected from the subjects,and various indicators such as blood glucose,blood lipid,and mineral elements were detected.All children were divided into an overweight group(n=400)and a NAFLD group(n=202).The NAFLD group was divided into 2 subgroups according to the ALT level:A non-alcoholic fatty liver(NAFL)group and a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)group.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between minerals(copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,and iron)and NAFLD,NAFL and NASH. Results:A total of 602 subjects were included,of whom 73.6%were male,with a median age of 10(9,11)years,and a body mass index(BMI)of 24.9(22.7,27.4)kg/m2.The intergroup comparison results showed that compared with the overweight group,the NAFLD group had higher levels of age,BMI,diastolic blood pressure(DBP),systolic blood pressure(SBP),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein(LDL),alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and lower level of high density lipoprotein(HDL).The NAFL group had higher levels of age,BMI,DBP,SBP,ALT,and AST,and lower levels of HDL compared with the overweight group.The levels of age,BMI,DBP,SBP,TG,LDL,ALT,and AST of NASH were higher than those in the overweight group,while the level of HDL was lower than that in overweight group(all P<0.017).After adjusting for a variety of confounders,the OR of NAFLD for the highest quantile of iron was 1.79(95%CI 1.07 to 3.00)compared to the lowest quantile,and no significant association was observed between copper,zinc,calcium,and magnesium,and NAFLD.The subgroup analysis of NAFLD showed that the OR for the highest quantile of iron in children with NAFL was 2.21(95%CI 1.26 to 3.88),while no significant association was observed between iron level and NASH.In addition,no significant associations were observed between copper,zinc,calcium,and magnesium levels and NAFL or NASH. Conclusion:High iron level increases the risk of NAFLD(more likely NAFL)in overweight and obese children,while copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,and other elements are not associated with the risk of NAFLD in overweight and obese children.