Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and analyze the surgical approach differences using CT parameters between mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MO-TLIF) and minimally invasive surgery of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases.Methods:A total of 68 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar diseases undergoing surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2022 to January 2023 were randomized into the MO-TLIF group (34 cases, percutaneous screw-assisted posterior midline MO-TLIF) and the MIS-TLIF group (34 cases, Wiltse approach MIS-TLIF using the Quadrant channel). Perioperative indicators (operative time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, postoperative bedrest duration, and hospital stay) and complications were compared. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed preoperatively and at 3 days, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Effective cross-sectional area (eCSA) of paraspinal muscles was evaluated on MRI preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. CT parameters of surgical approaches, including spinous process-midline distance (SM), Wiltse-midline distance (WM), surgical approach angle, depth, and multifidus muscle displacement were compared. Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to explore associations between CT parameters, operative time, blood loss, and eCSA atrophy.Results:Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group exhibited shorter operative time (109.85±7.82 min vs. 133.82±20.22 min), reduced blood loss (77.21±21.83 ml vs. 141.18±31.44 ml), smaller incision length (6.09±0.22 cm vs. 7.00±0.43 cm), shorter bedrest duration (1.59±0.49 d vs. 2.38±0.50 d), and shorter hospital stay (8.93±1.44 d vs. 10.35±1.45 d), but higher fluoroscopy frequency (19.53±1.92 times vs. 16.29±1.78 times) compared to the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Complications included fat liquefaction (5 cases) and dural tears (2 cases). Both groups showed improved VAS and ODI postoperatively ( P<0.05). At 3 d postoperatively, the MO-TLIF group had lower VAS (2.74±0.47 points vs. 3.35±0.48 points) and ODI (27.46%±2.16% vs. 30.42%±2.52%) than the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Postoperative eCSA decreased significantly in the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05) but remained stable in the MO-TLIF group ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group demonstrated smaller SM (8.43±1.81 mm vs. 31.15±6.53 mm), approach angle, depth, and muscle displacement ( P<0.05). CT parameters in the MO-TLIF group showed no correlation with operative time, blood loss, or eCSA atrophy ( r<0.3, P>0.05), whereas parameters in the MIS-TLIF group correlated positively with these outcomes (0.3< r<0.6, P<0.05). Multivariate regression revealed a significant association between CT parameters and eCSA atrophy in the MIS-TLIF group ( R 2=0.474, P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to MIS-TLIF, MO-TLIF reduces intraoperative blood loss, accelerates recovery, and minimizes paraspinal muscle trauma.

Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor that produces catecholamines, leading to elevated blood pressure and metabolic changes in patients. It can result in serious complications affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels, potentially becoming a primary cause of death. Most pheochromocytoma patients present with atypical symptoms, making misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis common. This article reports a case of pheochromocytoma crisis misdiagnosed as severe viral myocarditis and includes a review of the relevant literature.

ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the epidemiological trends of birth defects in perinatal infants in Fengxian District, Shanghai from 2018 to 2022, so as to provide a scientific evidence for the formulation of related prevention and control strategies. MethodsBased on the data from the National Birth Defects Surveillance System, statistical analysis was conducted on the perinatal birth defects from monitored hospitals within the region from 2018 to 2022. ResultsFrom 2018 to 2022, a total of 20 870 perinatal infants delivered in the monitored hospitals in Fengxian District, with 472 cases with birth defects, showing a significant increase in the prevalence of birth defects (PRR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.39‒1.59). The risk of birth defects increased with maternal age, especially for advanced maternal age (PRR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.12‒2.25). Infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes had a higher prevalence of birth defects compared to those without gestational diabetes (PRR=1.99, 95%CI: 1.46‒2.70). Infants with birth defects were more likely to be born prematurely (PRR=2.07, 95%CI:1.56‒2.76). The top three types of birth defects were congenital heart disease (CHD), other anomalies of the external ear, and polydactyly. ConclusionThe prevalence of birth defects in Fengxian District monitored hospitals showed an upward trend from 2018 to 2022. Advanced maternal age and gestational diabetes were identified as risk factors for birth defects. CHD is the leading type of birth defect in Fengxian District over the five-year period. To reduce the prevalence of birth defects, it is crucial to implement comprehensive prevention and treatment measures for CHD.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and analyze the surgical approach differences using CT parameters between mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MO-TLIF) and minimally invasive surgery of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases.Methods:A total of 68 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar diseases undergoing surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2022 to January 2023 were randomized into the MO-TLIF group (34 cases, percutaneous screw-assisted posterior midline MO-TLIF) and the MIS-TLIF group (34 cases, Wiltse approach MIS-TLIF using the Quadrant channel). Perioperative indicators (operative time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, postoperative bedrest duration, and hospital stay) and complications were compared. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed preoperatively and at 3 days, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Effective cross-sectional area (eCSA) of paraspinal muscles was evaluated on MRI preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. CT parameters of surgical approaches, including spinous process-midline distance (SM), Wiltse-midline distance (WM), surgical approach angle, depth, and multifidus muscle displacement were compared. Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to explore associations between CT parameters, operative time, blood loss, and eCSA atrophy.Results:Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group exhibited shorter operative time (109.85±7.82 min vs. 133.82±20.22 min), reduced blood loss (77.21±21.83 ml vs. 141.18±31.44 ml), smaller incision length (6.09±0.22 cm vs. 7.00±0.43 cm), shorter bedrest duration (1.59±0.49 d vs. 2.38±0.50 d), and shorter hospital stay (8.93±1.44 d vs. 10.35±1.45 d), but higher fluoroscopy frequency (19.53±1.92 times vs. 16.29±1.78 times) compared to the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Complications included fat liquefaction (5 cases) and dural tears (2 cases). Both groups showed improved VAS and ODI postoperatively ( P<0.05). At 3 d postoperatively, the MO-TLIF group had lower VAS (2.74±0.47 points vs. 3.35±0.48 points) and ODI (27.46%±2.16% vs. 30.42%±2.52%) than the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05). Postoperative eCSA decreased significantly in the MIS-TLIF group ( P<0.05) but remained stable in the MO-TLIF group ( P>0.05). The MO-TLIF group demonstrated smaller SM (8.43±1.81 mm vs. 31.15±6.53 mm), approach angle, depth, and muscle displacement ( P<0.05). CT parameters in the MO-TLIF group showed no correlation with operative time, blood loss, or eCSA atrophy ( r<0.3, P>0.05), whereas parameters in the MIS-TLIF group correlated positively with these outcomes (0.3< r<0.6, P<0.05). Multivariate regression revealed a significant association between CT parameters and eCSA atrophy in the MIS-TLIF group ( R 2=0.474, P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to MIS-TLIF, MO-TLIF reduces intraoperative blood loss, accelerates recovery, and minimizes paraspinal muscle trauma.

Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor that produces catecholamines, leading to elevated blood pressure and metabolic changes in patients. It can result in serious complications affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels, potentially becoming a primary cause of death. Most pheochromocytoma patients present with atypical symptoms, making misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis common. This article reports a case of pheochromocytoma crisis misdiagnosed as severe viral myocarditis and includes a review of the relevant literature.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Dingkundan on Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） at a stable phase. MethodA randomized controlled clinical design method was adopted， and 60 patients who were diagnosed with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome in COPD at a stable phase in the outpatient and inpatient departments of the respiratory department of Guang' anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from June 2019 to December 2019 were divided into observation group and control group according to 1∶1. During the study period， there was no dropout， loss of follow-up， or exclusion between the two groups. On the basis of both groups receiving traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） lung rehabilitation training， the observation group took Dingkundan 7 g/time orally， twice a day. The control group received oral administration of the same specification of Dingkundan starch simulator of 7 g/time， twice a day. Both groups have a treatment period of 12 weeks. The COPD Assessment Test （CAT）， modified Medical Research Council （mMRC）， fatigue scale-14 （FS-14）， self-rating anxiety scale （SAS）， self-rating depression scale （SDS）， 6-minute walk distance （6MWD）， and pulmonary function before and after treatment were evaluated. ResultAfter treatment， both groups showed improvements in CAT， mMRC， FS-14， SAS scores， and 6MWD （P<0.05）. The observation group also showed improvements in SDS scores and lung function indicators （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed more significant improvement in CAT， FS-14， SAS， SDS scores， and 6MWD （P<0.05）. ConclusionDingkundan has a clear therapeutic effect on Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome in patients with COPD at a stable phase. It can reduce symptom burden， enhance exercise capacity， and improve psychological status and has the potential to improve lung function.

BACKGROUND:Heterotopic ossification is a dynamic growth process.Diverse heterotopic ossification subtypes have diverse etiologies or induction factors,but they exhibit a similar clinical process in the intermediate and later phases of the disease.Acquired heterotopic ossification produced by trauma and other circumstances has a high incidence. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the molecular biological mechanisms linked to the occurrence and progression of acquired heterotopic ossification in recent years. METHODS:The keywords"molecular biology,heterotopic ossification,mechanisms"were searched in CNKI,Wanfang,PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,and Google Scholar databases for articles published from January 2016 to August 2022.Supplementary searches were conducted based on the obtained articles.After the collected literature was screened,131 articles were finally included and summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The occurrence and development of acquired heterotopic ossification is a dynamic process with certain concealment,making diagnosis and treatment of the disease difficult.(2)By reviewing relevant literature,it was found that acquired heterotopic ossification involves signaling pathways such as bone morphogenetic protein,transforming growth factor-β,Hedgehog,Wnt,and mTOR,as well as core factors such as Runx-2,vascular endothelial growth factor,hypoxia-inducing factor,fibroblast growth factor,and Sox9.The core mechanism may be the interaction between different signaling pathways,affecting the body's osteoblast precursor cells,osteoblast microenvironment,and related cytokines,thereby affecting the body's bone metabolism and leading to the occurrence of acquired heterotopic ossification.(3)In the future,it is possible to take the heterotopic ossification-related single-cell osteogenic homeostasis as the research direction,take the osteoblast precursor cells-osteogenic microenvironment-signaling pathways and cytokines as the research elements,explore the characteristics of each element under different temporal and spatial conditions,compare the similarities and differences of the osteogenic homeostasis of different types and individuals,observe the regulatory mechanism of the molecular signaling network of heterotopic ossification from a holistic perspective.It is beneficial to the exploration of new methods for the future clinical prevention and treatment of heterotopic ossification.(4)Meanwhile,the treatment methods represented by traditional Chinese medicine and targeted therapy have become research hotspots in recent years.How to link traditional Chinese medicine with the osteogenic homeostasis in the body and combine it with targeted therapy is also one of the future research directions.(5)At present,the research on acquired heterotopic ossification is still limited to basic experimental research and the clinical prevention and treatment methods still have defects such as uncertain efficacy and obvious side effects.The safety and effectiveness of relevant targeted prevention and treatment drugs in clinical application still need to be verified.Future research should focus on clinical prevention and treatment based on basic experimental research combined with the mechanism of occurrence and development.

Objective:To investigate the application effect of Precede-Proceed model nursing in postoperative anti-osteoporosis treatment of patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture (OTLF).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 168 patients with OTLF admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2021 to June 2022, including 32 males and 136 females, aged 56-81 years [(72.0±6.6)years]. The fractured segments were T 1-T 10 in 29 patients, T 11-L 2 in 114 and L 3-L 5 in 25, all of whom were treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). The 86 patients admitted from September 2021 to January 2022 were treated with conventional care (conventional nursing group) and the 82 patients admitted from February to June 2022 with Precede-Proceed model care (Precede-Proceed model nursing group). The compliance rates of anti-osteoporosis treatment at 1 and 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups, mainly including standardized medication, balanced diet, exercise and regular return visit. Chinese Osteoporosis Quality of Life (COQOL) questionnaire, including pain degree, physical function, social interaction ability, psychological and mental function, and total score were assessed before, at 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. Bone mineral density was measured preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Recurrence rate was recorded at the last follow-up. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-16 months [(13.2±1.0)months]. There were 3 patients in the conventional nursing group and 2 in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group who were lost to follow-up. The compliance rates of standardized medication and regular return visit at 1 month after surgery were 97.5% (78/80) and 98.8% (79/80) in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group, which had no significant difference compared with 90.3% (75/83) and 96.4% (80/83) in the conventional nursing group ( P>0.05). The compliance rates of balanced diet and exercise at 1 month after surgery were 92.5% (74/80) and 91.3% (73/80) in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group, which were higher than those in the conventional nursing group [78.3% (65/83) and 73.5% (61/83)] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The compliance rates of standardized medication, balanced diet, exercise and regular return visit at 6 months after surgery were 86.3% (69/80), 83.8% (67/80), 82.5% (66/80) and 90% (72/80) in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group, which were higher than those in the conventional nursing group [57.8% (48/83), 60.2% (50/83), 38.6% (32/83) and 37.3% (31/83)] ( P<0.01). At the last follow-up, the compliance rates of all the aspects in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group were 80% (64/80), 75% (60/80), 70% (56/80) and 82.5% (66/80), which were all higher than those of the conventional nursing group [36.1% (30/83), 54.2% (45/83), 26.5% (22/83) and 27.7% (23/83)] ( P<0.01). There were no statistical differences in COQOL scores including pain degree, physical function, social interaction ability, psychological and mental function and total scores between the two groups before surgery ( P>0.05). The pain degree, social interaction ability, psychological and mental function and total scores of COQOL in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group were lower than those in conventional nursing group at 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the physical function of COQOL scores at 6 months after surgery ( P>0.05). The physical function of COQOL scores in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group were significantly lower than that of the conventional nursing group at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in preoperative bone mineral density between the two groups ( P>0.05). Bone mineral density in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group was (-2.7±0.9)SD at the last follow-up, which was higher than that in the conventional nursing group [(-3.1±0.9)SD] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, bone mineral density of the Precede-Proceed model nursing group was significantly improved compared with that before surgery ( P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in the conventional nursing group ( P>0.05). The incidence of refracture in the Precede-Proceed model nursing group was 3.8% (3/80), which was lower than that in conventional nursing group [13.3% (11/83)] ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the conventional nursing mode, the Precede-Proceed model nursing can significantly improve the compliance rate of OTLF patients with postoperative anti osteoporosis treatment, improve their quality of life and bone quality, and reduce the incidence of refracture.

Objective To preliminarily study the effectiveness and safety of stereotactic ablative brachytherapy (SABT) for lung metastases from cervical cancer. Methods We analyzed the clinical data of 18 patients with cervical cancer with lung metastasis treated with SABT to compare gross tumor volume (V_GTV) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen before and after SABT. The clinical benefit rate (CBR) and adverse reactions were recorded. Results After SABT treatment, there were significant decreases in V_GTV (t=1.708, P<0.05) and the SCC antigen level (t=1.704, P<0.05). CBR reached 94.4%. Adverse reactions of grades 3-4 did not occur in any patient. Fourteen patients had mild complications, including 1 case of bloody sputum and 1 case of a small pneumothorax. Ten cases developed mild radiation-induced lung injury, with grade 2 radiation pneumonitis in 4 cases. The Karnofsky performance status score and needle depth were not associated with the occurrence of adverse reactions, while the radius of GTV and interstitial lung disease were associated with the occurrence of adverse reactions. Conclusion SABT is a safe and effective alternative to the treatment of lung metastases from cervical cancer.

Objective:To evaluate the role of NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation-mediated macrophage polarization in myocardial injury after ischemic stroke in diabetic mice.Methods:Wild-type C57BL/6J mice and NLRP3 -/- mice, aged 4-6 weeks, were fed a high fat diet combined with streptozotocin administration to develop the diabetic model. Twenty-four diabetic wild type C57BL/6J mice and 23 diabetic NLRP3 -/- mice were divided into wild type sham operation group (WT D-SHAM group, n=9) , wild type ischemic stroke group (WT D-MCAO group, n=15) , NLRP3 -/- sham operation group (NLRP3 -/-D-SHAM group, n=9) and NLRP3 -/- ischemic stroke group (NLRP3 -/-D-MCAO group, n=14). The ischemic stroke model was developed by middle cerebral artery occlusion in the animals anesthetized with isoflurane. Echocardiography and electrocardiography were carried out at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after developing the model. Mice were sacrificed under deep anesthesia, and myocardial tissues were taken at 28 days after surgery for determination of the expression of macrophage marker F4/80 and M2 type macrophage marker CD206 mRNA (by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with WT D-SHAM group, the cardiac output, mass of left ventricle and corrected mass of left ventricle were significantly decreased at 28 days after surgery, and QT interval and QTc interval were prolonged at 14 and 28 days after developing the model in WT D-MCAO group ( P<0.05). Compared with NLRP3 -/-D-SHAM group, the cardiac output, mass of left ventricle and corrected mass of left ventricle were significantly decreased, and QT interval and QTc interval were prolonged at 3 days after surgery in NLRP3 -/-D-MCAO group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in CD206 and F4/80 mRNA expression between WT D-SHAM group and WT D-MCAO group and between NLRP3 -/-D-SHAM group and NLRP3 -/-D-MCAO group ( P>0.05). Compared with WT D-MCAO group, the QT interval and QTC interval were significantly shortened at 14 and 28 days after developing the model, and the expression of F4/80 mRNA was down-regulated and the expression of CD206 mRNA was up-regulated at 28 days after developing the model in NLRP3 -/-D-MCAO group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated polarization of macrophages to M2 phenotype is involved in myocardial injury after ischemic stroke in diabetic mice.