Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is the fastest-growing cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 30% of the global population.Imaging is vital for detecting, quantifying, and monitoring hepatic steatosis—the defining abnormality of MASLD—and subsequent fibrosis—the key determinant of liver-related outcomes. This review summarizes the principles, clinical usage, efficacy, and advancements in various imaging modalities for the noninvasive assessment of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, with an emphasis on ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Additionally, this review explores the evolving landscape of MASLD diagnostic approaches, including machine-learning techniques, opportunistic screening, standardized imaging guidelines, and therapies, emphasizing the pivotal role that radiologists can play in shaping these developments.

Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the suture anchor technique without knots for reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) combined with the reinforcement of the inferior extensor retinaculum in treating chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). METHODS: The clinical data of 31 patients with CLAI who were admitted between August 2017 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 13 females, with an age range from 20 to 48 years (mean, 34.6 years). All patients had a history of repeated ankle sprain, with a disease duration of 6-18 months (mean, 9.65 months). The anterior drawer test and inversion stress test were positive, and tenderness was present in the ligament area. Stress X-ray films of the ankle joint showed a talar tilt angle of (10.00±2.78)° and an anterior talar displacement of (9.48±1.96) mm on the affected side. MRI revealed discontinuity, tortuosity, or disappearance of the ATFL structure. Preoperatively, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 5.2±2.1, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 62.9±7.1. All patients underwent arthroscopic debridement of the ankle joint followed by reconstruction of the ATFL using the suture anchor technique without knots combined with reinforcement of the inferior extensor retinaculum. Postoperatively, pain and function were assessed using the VAS and AOFAS scores. Stress X-ray films were taken to measure the talar tilt angle and anterior talar displacement to evaluate changes in ankle joint stability. Patient satisfaction was assessed according to the Insall criteria. RESULTS: All 31 surgeries were successfully completed. One case had wound exudation, while the remaining surgical incisions healed by first intention. Two cases experienced numbness on the lateral aspect of the foot, which disappeared within 1 month after operation. All patients were followed up 15-84 months (mean, 47.2 months). No complication such as anchor loosening, recurrent lateral ankle instability, superficial peroneal nerve injury, rejection reaction, or wound infection occurred postoperatively. The anterior drawer test and inversion stress test were negative at 3 months after operation. Stress X-ray films taken at 3 months after operation showed the talar tilt angle of (2.86±1.72)° and the anterior talar displacement of (2.97±1.32) mm, both of which were significantly different from the preoperative values ( t=12.218, P<0.001; t=15.367, P<0.001). At last follow-up, 2 patients had ankle swelling after exercise, which resolved spontaneously with rest; all 31 patients returned to their pre-injury level of sports or had no significant discomfort in daily activities. At last follow-up, 25 patients were pain-free, 4 had mild pain after exercise, and 2 had mild pain after walking more than 2 000 meters. The VAS score was 0.8±0.9 and the AOFAS score was 91.6±4.1, both of which were significantly different from the preoperative scores ( t=10.851, P<0.001; t=-19.514, P<0.001). According to the Insall criteria, 24 patients were rated as excellent, 4 as good, and 3 as fair, with a satisfaction rate of 90.3%. CONCLUSION The suture anchor technique without knots for reconstruction of the ATFL combined with reinforcement of the inferior extensor retinaculum provides satisfactory short- and mid-term effectiveness in treating CLAI.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Joint Instability/surgery* ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Ankle Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Young Adult ; Suture Anchors ; Treatment Outcome ; Suture Techniques ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Chronic Disease ; Ankle Injuries/surgery*

Objective : To explore the differences in oxidative stress levels between patients with and without non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI) behavior in depressive disorders, and their correlation with depressive symptoms, disease duration, and self-injury frequency. Methods : A total of 95 subjects were included in the study, including 65 patients with depression(patient group). They were divided into NSSI subgroup(31 cases) and Non-NSSI subgroup(34 cases) based on whether they had NSSI. 30 healthy control group cases(HC). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione peroxidase(GPX), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein(OxLDL) in the peripheral blood of the subjects. The Hamilton depression rating scale(HAMD-17) was used to assess the patient′s condition, and the Ottawa self-injury inventory(OSI) was used to quantitatively evaluate the self-injury frequency of NSSI group patients. Results : The levels of SOD, CAT,MDA,GPX and OxLDL in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). The levels of SOD, CAT, MDA,GPX and OxLDL in the NSSI subgroup were significantly higher than those in the Non-NSSI subgroup and the control group(P<0.05).The duration of the NSSI subgroup was positively correlated with the levels of SOD,CAT,and MDA(r=0.504,P=0.004; r=0.568,P=0.001; r=0.404,P=0.024),and the HAMD-17 score was positively correlated with the levels of SOD,CAT,and MDA(r=0.573,P=0.001; r=0.577,P=0.001; r=0.477,P=0.007). The frequency of self-injury was positively correlated with the levels of SOD and MDA(r=0.558,P=0.001; r=0.494,P=0.005). Conclusion The OS level of patients with depression is significantly higher than that of the healthy population,and among them,patients with depression accompanied by NSSI have a more significant increase in oxidative stress level. Elevated levels of OS may affect the severity,duration,and frequency of self-injurious behavior in patients with depression accompanied by NSSI.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of the reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) technique and iliac crest bone grafting (ICBG) in the treatment of adult noninfectious long bone nonunion of the lower extremity, and to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the RIA technique.Methods:A retrospective review was conducted of 42 adult patients with noninfectious long bone nonunion of the lower extremity treated surgically at Zhengzhou Orthopaedic Hospital from January 2021 to June 2024. The cohort included 33 men and 9 women with a mean age of 47.0±14.4 years (range, 18-62 years). Twenty-three patients had nonunion on the left side and 19 on the right. Initial surgical fixation methods included plate fixation (19 cases), intramedullary nail (16 cases), external fixator (5 cases), and combined plate-and-nail fixation (2 cases). Revision procedures included debridement and freshening of the nonunion ends, revision or adjustment of internal fixation, and autologous bone grafting. Nineteen patients underwent graft harvesting with the RIA technique (RIA group), and 23 received autograft harvested from the iliac crest (iliac group). Baseline and perioperative variables compared between the two groups included sex, age, body-mass index, preoperative comorbidities, anatomical site of the nonunion (tibial or femoral), duration from the index fracture operation to the current revision, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, volume of blood transfusion and rate of perioperative complications, nonunion fracture sites, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score at the fracture site, donor-site morphology and functional appearance scores, and radiographic union score for tibial fractures (RUST).Results:There was no significant difference in age between the RIA and ICBG groups (45.1±14.1 vs. 48.5±14.7 years, t=0.746, P=0.449). However, intraoperative blood loss was higher in the RIA group [300 (150, 720) ml, Z=-3.072, P=0.002] and the transfusion rate was higher (14/19 vs. 8/23, χ 2=6.313, P=0.012). The harvested bone volume was very similar [40(35, 60) cm 2vs. 40(35, 40) cm 2, Z=-1.077, P=0.281]. All patients were followed for a mean of 16.5±2.8 months (range, 7-40 months). VAS scores at the surgical site showed no significant difference between groups at 3 months (3.2±1.0 vs. 3.3±1.4, t= 4.754, P=0.720) and 6 months (1.6±0.8 vs. 1.8±1.2, t=6.841, P=0.542). Donor-site morphology and functional scores were significantly better in the RIA group at 3 months [14.5(13.0, 15.5) vs. 9.0(7.0, 10.0), Z=-3.748, P<0.001] and 6 months [15.5(15.0, 16.0) vs. 11.0(10.0, 13.0), Z=-3.782, P<0.001]. At 12 months postoperatively, RUST scores did not differ significantly between groups (10.6±1.2 vs. 10.4±1.5, t=0.483, P=0.632). The incidence of perioperative complications was comparable [42%(8/19) vs. 30%(7/23), χ 2=0.617, P=0.432]. Conclusions:Both RIA and ICBG achieved favorable clinical outcomes in the treatment of adult noninfectious lower-extremity long bone nonunion. Although RIA was associated with greater intraoperative blood loss, it resulted in less donor-site morbidity and better cosmetic and functional outcomes. Bone healing capacity and overall complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. These findings suggest that the RIA technique is safe and effective for use in the Chinese patient population.

Objective:To investigate the association between serum ferritin levels, erythrocyte parameters, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 11 408 subjects aged 40 to 70 years who underwent physical examinations at a hospital in Qingdao from 2014 to 2015 were enrolled in the study. Data were collected through questionnaires, physical examinations, and assessments of blood biochemical indices, serum ferritin, and related erythrocyte parameters. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the relationship of serum ferritin and red cell parameters with type 2 diabetes mellitus, while a linear regression model was utilized to examine the association between serum ferritin, red cell parameters and fasting blood glucose levels.Results:The median ( Q1, Q3) age of the subjects was 51 (45, 58) years, with 55.3% (6 305) being male. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in women was 5.9% (300/5 103), which was lower than that in men [13.0% (817/6 305)] ( P<0.001).After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, and family history of diabetes, serum ferritin levels were found to be positively associated with both type 2 diabetes and fasting blood glucose levels, with OR (95% CI) and β(95% CI) values of 1.70 (1.37, 2.11) and 0.002 (0.002, 0.003), respectively. Additionally, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and hematocrit were positively correlated with type 2 diabetes and fasting blood glucose, with OR (95% CI) values of 1.72 (1.32, 2.24), 1.91 (1.51, 2.41), and 1.52 (1.17, 1.97), and β (95% CI) values of 0.008 (0.006, 0.011), 0.365 (0.286, 0.445), and 2.543 (1.564, 3.521), respectively. Conversely, mean erythrocyte volume was negatively associated with type 2 diabetes and fasting blood glucose, with OR (95% CI) and β (95% CI) values of 0.54 (0.45, 0.66) and -0.017 (-0.023, -0.011), respectively (all P values<0.001). Conclusion:The findings indicate that serum ferritin and related erythrocyte parameters are significantly correlated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and fasting blood glucose levels.

Objective:To evaluate the application of the reaming-irrigation-aspirator (RIA) technique in autologous bone grafting for non-union of lower limb fracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 16 patients with non-union of lower limb fracture who had undergone autologous bone grafting using the RIA technique at Department of Lower Limb Orthopaedics Ⅰ, Zhengzhou Orthopaedic Hospital from July 2023 to March 2024. There were 12 males and 4 females with an age of (47.2±14.3) years. Sites of non-union: the femur in 14 cases and the tibia in 2 cases. Initial surgical fixation: intramedullary nail fixation in 5 cases, plate fixation in 10 cases, and intramedullary nail plus plate fixation in 1 case. The time for fracture non-union was (21.0±12.0) months. Intraoperatively, autologous bone reaming was conducted using a drill bit of RIA system, and simultaneous flushing using irrigation fluid. The bone debris carried out by the irrigation fluid was collected into a filtration device through negative pressure aspiration. After the filter was opened to squeeze out congestion, bone paste was taken out for standby. Internal fixation methods were adjusted according to the non-union condition of the fractures. Finally, the bone paste was implanted into bone defects. The time for autologous bone harvest, amount of bone harvested, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain at a donor site, fracture healing, functional recovery of a lower limb and occurrence of complications were recorded.Results:In 2 of the 16 patients, fracture of the RIA drill bit occurred when bone marrow was harvested from the tibia, and their operation was completed only after the drill bits were replaced. In the 16 patients, time for bone harvest was (31.4±6.1) min, bone harvest volume (42.6±9.5) mL, and intraoperative blood loss (815.6±238.6) mL. The incisions in this cohort healed primarily after operation, and 4-week follow-up revealed that no patients had pain symptoms at a donor site. The 16 patients were followed up for (8.0±2.0) months after operation. All patients achieved bone union after (4.4±0.5) months. Follow-ups showed that no patients had complications like delayed infection, donor site fracture, or loosening or fracture of an internal fixator. According to the rating scale for lower limb function at the last follow-up, the function of affected limb was evaluated as excellent in 7 cases, as good in 8 cases, and as fair in 1 case.Conclusion:Application of RIA technique for autologous bone grafting to treat non-union of lower limb fracture can lead to fine fracture healing and good lower limb function, but no long-term pain symptoms in the donor area for the patients.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for new adjacent vertebral fracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) and their predictive efficacy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 476 OVCF patients admitted to The Affiliated Wuxi People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2024, including 74 males and 402 females, aged 49-91 years [71(65, 79)years]. Among them, 397 patients underwent single-level PKP, while 79 received multi-level PKP. Surgical segments involved T 6 in 9 patients, T 7 in 9, T 8 in 14, T 9 in 12, T 10 in 9, T 11 in 50, T 12 in 110, L 1 in 173, L 2 in 77, L 3 in 46, L 4 in 31, and L 5 in 13. The patients were divided into adjacent vertebral fracture group ( n=55) and non-adjacent vertebral fracture group ( n=421) according to whether adjacent vertebral fracture was observed during the follow-up. The following data were collected in both groups: gender, age, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density T-value, underlying diseases (hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease), prior cerebral infarction, history of OVCF, long-term glucocorticoid use, thoracolumbar fracture, number of operated vertebrae, cement injection approach (unilateral or bilateral), mean cement dose, postoperative vertebral height restoration rate, postoperative Cobb angle correction, postoperative thoracolumbar kyphosis angle correction, and cement distribution score. Univariate and multivariate Logistic stepwise regression analysis were performed to assess and identify independent risk factors for adjacent vertebral fracture in OVCF patients after PKP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the risk factors′ predictive performance for adjacent vertebral fracture in OVCF patients after PKP. Results:Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in age, bone mineral density T-value, history of OVCF, long-term glucocorticoid use, number of operated vertebrae, and cement distribution score between the two groups ( P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that the bone mineral density T-value ( OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.48, 0.95, P<0.05) and cement distribution score ( OR=0.61, 95% CI 0.49, 0.76, P<0.01) were significantly correlated with new adjacent vertebral fractures after PKP. The ROC curve analysis showed that bone cement distribution score showed better predictive performance (AUC=0.72, 95% CI 0.64, 0.79), compared with bone mineral density T-value (AUC=0.62, 95% CI 0.54, 0.70), while the combined predictive performance of the two factors was the best (AUC=0.75, 95% CI 0.68, 0.81). Conclusions:Bone mineral density T-value and cement distribution score are independent risk factors for new adjacent vertebral fracture in OVCF patients after PKP. The predictive performance of cement distribution score is proved to be good and can be better in combination with bone mineral density T-value.