Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy between proximal femoral bionic nails (PFBN) and 3G Gamma nails in the fixation intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 78 elderly patients with intertrochanteric femoral fracture who had been admitted to Department of Trauma Surgery, The Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from October 2021 to December 2022. There were 35 males and 43 females with an age of (76.0±7.9) years. By Evans classification: 6 cases of type Ⅰ, 21 cases of type Ⅱ, 24 cases of type Ⅲ, 23 cases of type Ⅳ, and 4 cases of type Ⅴ. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their internal fixation methods: a PFBN group of 35 patients fixed by PFBN and a Gamma group of 43 cases fixed with 3D Gamma nails. The time from injury to operation, hospital stay, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, weight-bearing time, fracture healing time, and Harris hip score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and incidence of complications at 6 months after operation were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (14.0±4.0) months. There were no significant differences between the PFBN and Gamma groups in operation time [(58.9±8.2) min versus (58.1±6.8) min], intraoperative blood loss [(138.0±24.9) mL versus(126.8±25.7) mL], hospital stay [(10.9±2.9) d versus (10.3±4.0) d],fracture healing time [(5.0±1.3) months versus (5.1±1.3) months], or good and excellent rate by the Harris hip score [82.9% (29/35) versus 76.7% (33/43)], VAS score [0(0, 1) points versus 1(0, 1) points], or incidence of complications at 6 months after operation [2.9% (1/35) versus 4.7% (2/43)] (all P>0.05). However, the complete weight-bearing time for the PFBN group was (5.3±1.2) weeks, significantly earlier than that for the Gamma group [(6.9±1.4) weeks] ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the fixation of intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly patients, both PFBN and 3D Gamma nails can achieve satisfactory short-term efficacy, but PFBN is more beneficial to the functional recovery of the hip joint because it leads to earlier complete weight-bearing time than 3D Gamma nails.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic efficacy between femoral neck system (FNS) and cannulated compression screws (CCS) in the fixation of femoral neck fractures in the elderly patients aged 65 to 75 years old.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 39 patients aged 65 to 75 years old who had been treated for femoral neck fractures at Department of Trauma Surgery, Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from January 2015 to September 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their internal fixation methods. In the FNS group of 18 cases subjected to FNS fixation, there were 8 male and 10 females with an age of (71.1±2.8) years. In the CCS group of 21 cases subjected to CCS fixation, there were 7 males and 14 females with an age of (70.1±2.9) years. The 2 groups were compared in terms of intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, hospitalization costs, fracture healing time, internal fixation failure, and Harris hip score, changes in neck shaft angle, and femoral neck shortening at 1 year after surgery.Results:The differences were not statistically significant in the preoperative general data or follow-up time between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). In the FNS group, the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency [(15.1±2.3) times] was significantly lower than that in the CCS group [(19.5±3.5) times], the surgical time [(49.2±5.2) minutes] was significantly shorter than that in CCS group [(62.4±11.2) minutes], and the intraoperative bleeding [(74.2±15.6) mL] and hospitalization costs [(39,928.7±1,438.3) yuan] were significantly higher than those in the CCS group [(53.1±17.3) mL and (23,527.9±2,126.3) yuan] (all P<0.05). The difference in fracture healing time was not statistically significant between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). In the FNS group, the decreased neck shaft angle (2.65°±1.66°) and femoral neck shortening (3.9±1.3 mm) were significantly smaller than those in the CCS group [4.18°±2.13° and (6.3±2.5) mm] at 1 year after surgery, and the Harris hip score [(82.2±7.2) points] was significantly higher than that in the CCS group [(76.4±5.9) points] (all P<0.05). Internal fixation failure occurred in 1 case in the FNS group and in 4 cases in the CCS group, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with CCS fixation, FNS fixation may lead to better therapeutic efficacy in patients with femoral neck fracture aged 65 to 75 years old. However, the risk of internal fixation failure should also be taken into consideration.

Objective:To compare the efficacy between locking plate internal fixation combined with iliac bone graft and separate locking plate internal fixation in the treatment of comminuted proximal humeral fracture in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 42 elderly patients with comminuted proximal humeral fracture admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2018 to January 2020. There were 20 males and 22 females, aged 65-75 years [(69.5±8.5)years]. According to Neer classification, there were 26 patients with three-part fracture and 16 with four-part fracture. Eighteen patients were treated by locking plate internal fixation combined with autologous iliac bone grafting (bone grafting group), and 24 patients were treated by locking plate internal fixation alone (non-bone grafting group). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospitalization time, and fracture healing time were documented. Shoulder joint range of motion (forward flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation) and degree of humeral head height loss were measured at 1, 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The Neer score and visual analogue score (VAS) of shoulder joint were evaluated at 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-24 months [(18.5±3.8)months]. There were no significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and hospitalization time between the two groups (all P>0.05). The fracture healing time in bone grafting group was (3.1±0.7)months, shorter than (4.2±0.9)months in non-bone grafting group ( P<0.05). In the two groups, the postoperative shoulder joint range of motion and degree of humeral head height loss increased significantly over time (all P<0.05). At 1, 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up, the shoulder forward flexion range of motion in bone grafting group was (136.2±7.4)°, (139.3±6.9)°, (146.6±6.1)° and (148.4±4.7)°, higher than that in non-bone grafting group [(134.5±6.7)°, (136.5±7.0)°, (137.9±9.2)° and (138.3±7.9)°]; the shoulder extension range of motion in bone grafting group was (37.1±6.3)°, (40.5±4.4)°, (43.1±3.1) ° and (46.6±4.2)°, higher than that in non-bone grafting group [(35.5±4.6)°, (37.9±5.1)°, (41.3±2.5)° and (43.9±3.1)°]; the shoulder internal rotation range of motion in bone grafting group was (50.5±3.2)°, (54.1±5.6)°, (56.6±4.2)° and (58.9±3.6)°, higher than that in non-bone grafting group [(46.9±5.1)°, (50.3±4.2)°, (53.5±2.7)° and (55.4±5.1)°]; the shoulder external rotation range of motion in bone grafting group was (52.2±3.6)°, (55.6±4.3)°, (58.7±4.4)° and (60.2±5.6)°, higher than that in non-bone grafting group [(50.1±4.7)°, (52.6±5.7)°, (55.3±3.2)° and (57.3±4.1)°] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). At 1, 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up, the degree of humeral head height loss in bone grafting group was (0.8±0.1)mm, (1.1±0.2)mm, (1.4±0.3)mm and (1.6±0.3)mm, smaller than that in non-bone grafting group [(1.1±0.2)mm, (1.4±0.3)mm, (1.7±0.6)mm and (2.0±0.5)mm] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). In the two groups, the postoperative shoulder joint range of motion and degree of humeral head height loss increased significantly over time (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Neer score of shoulder joint between the two groups before operation ( P<0.05). At 1, 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up, the Neer score of shoulder joint in bone grafting group was (80.2±5.4)points, (82.1±5.0)points, (85.4±5.8) points and (90.3±4.6)points, higher than that in non-bone grafting group [(75.6±5.1)points, (80.4±5.5)points, (83.5±2.2)points and (87.4±4.8)points] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There was no significant difference in VAS between the two groups before operation, at 1, 6, 12 months after operation or at the last follow-up (all P>0.05). The complication rate was 11.1% (2/18) in bone grafting group and was 20.8% (5/24) in non-bone grafting group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:For comminuted proximal humeral fractures in the elderly, locking plate internal fixation combined with autogenous iliac bone grafting can accelerate fracture healing, improve shoulder joint range of motion, promote functional recovery, and reduce complications in comparison with locking plate internal fixation alone.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of internal fixation using double reverse traction reducers in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures.Methods:This study retrospectively examined the medical records of 48 patients who underwent surgical intervention for tibial plateau fractures at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2021 and September 2022. The cohort, aged between 35 to 68 years (mean: 53.0±7.9 years), included 23 males and 25 females. Fractures were classified according to the Schatzker system, with 9 type III, 23 type IV, 11 type V, and 5 type VI fractures recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach: the minimally invasive group underwent treatment with double reverse traction reducers for reduction and internal fixation in 24 cases, while the open group received conventional open reduction and internal fixation in 24 cases. Comparative parameters included operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, early postoperative knee mobility, and weight-bearing timelines. Postoperative radiographic images were appraised using the Rasmussen imaging score, and knee functionality was assessed at the final follow-up with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score.Results:The preoperative general data were statistically indifferent between groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed for 13.5±4.3 months (range, 9.5-24 months). In the minimally invasive group, operative time was 88.96±19.04 minutes, intraoperative blood loss was 65±32 ml, and hospital stay was 11.8±3.9 days. Early postoperative knee joint activity commenced at 8.96±2.84 days, significantly earlier compared to the open group, which recorded 178.63±67.75 minutes of surgery, 114.16±65.05 ml blood loss, a 15.3±4.8 days hospital stay, and 16.83±4.09 days to knee joint movement. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). No significant variation was observed in the time to bone healing between the minimally invasive group at 12.6±3.8 weeks and the open group at 13.21±4.98 weeks ( P>0.05). Rasmussen imaging criteria revealed 21 excellent and 3 good outcomes in the minimally invasive group, and 19 excellent and 5 good in the open group, with no statistical significance in the excellent-good rate differentiation ( P>0.05). Bone healing occurred within 3.2±0.8 months (range, 2.5-6.0 months), with 79% (19/24) in the minimally invasive group and 75% (18/24) in the open group achieving healing within 3 months. The open group had one incidence of superficial skin infection, and one patient in the minimally invasive group developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT); no other related complications were documented. Conclusion:Minimally invasive treatment of tibial plateau fractures using double reverse traction reducers offers significant benefits, including reduced surgical time, minimal blood loss, less soft tissue trauma, and enhanced joint function recovery. This approach is particularly advantageous in managing complex tibial plateau fractures compared to traditional open reduction and internal fixation methods.

Objective:To evaluate the deformity changes in the treatment of congenital clubfoot in infants by ultrasound, and to explore its clinical application value.Methods:Seventeen infants with congenital clubfoot treated in the Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2020 to June 2021 and 27 normal infants in the same period were selected. The distance between medial malleolus and scaphoids (MM-N distance) of all feet was measured by ultrasound. The distance from the tangent line of the lateral edge of calcaneus to the midpoint of the lateral edge of the chondroid bone (C-C distance), medial soft tissue thickness and tibial calcaneal angle were measured by ultrasound. The data before, after treatment and during follow-up were statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 88 feet of 44 infants were evaluated. The mean number of cast was 4.7±1.1, the follow-up time was (96.9±59.3)days. The MM-N distance, C-C distance and posterior tibial calcaneal angle in the clubfoot group were improved after treatment and at the last follow-up, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). During the treatment, 1 case had false correction, and 2 cases recurred in the last follow-up. Conclusions:Ultrasound can clearly display the medial, dorsal, lateral and posterior articular structures of normal and clubfoot, and can observe the deformity changes of clubfoot during the correction process, which can provide guidance for the clinical treatment of clubfoot.

OBJECTIVETo observe the regional homogeneity (ReHo) of resting-state brain function in the healthy subjects of gastric distention treated with acupuncture at the back- and front- points of the stomach, Weishu (BL 21) and Zhongwan (CV 12) and the correlation with gastric motility so as to explore the mechanism on the central integration of the front- and back- points of the stomach.

METHODSThe crossover test design was adopted. Twenty-four healthy subjects were assigned to a Weishu group, a Zhongwan group and a combined-point group separately, 8 cases in each one in each of the three times. Totally, 24 subjects were included in each group. Under the water load condition, the subjects received acupuncture at Weishu (BL 21), Zhongwan (CV 12) and the combined Weishu (BL 21) and Zhongwan (CV 12). Before and after each acupuncture, the resting-state brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan and electrogastrogram (EGG) test were applied. The ReHo value was calculated in the collected fMRI imaging data. The changes in ReHo values were analyzed and compared before and after acupuncture in each group, as well as among the groups. The gastric motility was analyzed before and after acupuncture. Additionally, the correlative analysis was conducted between the gastric motility and ReHo changes before and after acupuncture.

RESULTS(1) After acupuncture, EGG amplitudes in the subjects of each group were lower remarkably as compared with those before acupuncture (all <0.01). The EGG frequencies were not different significantly as compared with those before acupuncture (all >0.05). The EGG amplitudes in the Weishu group and the Zhongwan group were higher than those in the combined-point group (both <0.05). (2) As compared with the conditions before acupuncture, acupuncture at the combined front- and the back- points as well as Weishu (BL 21) and Zhongwan (CV 12) separately all induced the changes in the brain ReHo. Acupuncture at the combined front- and the back- points significantly increased Reho values in the right inferior temporal gyrus, the left thalamus, the precuneus and the posterior cingulate gyrus (all <0.05) and remarkably reduced the ReHo values in the the middle temporal gyrus of the right temporal pole, sulcus calcarinus and precuneus (all <0.05). Compared with the single point groups, acupuncture at the combined front- and the back- points induced the increase of ReHo value in the posterior cingulate gyrus and the decrease of ReHo in the temporal pole (all <0.05). (3) The correlative analysis showed that the changes in the ReHo values in the posterior cingulate gyrus, the thalamus and the precuneus were positively correlated to the changes of the gastric motility amplitudes. The changes in the ReHo values in the temporal pole was negatively correlated to the changes of the gastric motility amplitudes.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at the combined back- and front- points of the stomach, as well as acupuncture at single Weishu (BL 21) and Zhongwan (CV 12) induce the ReHo changes in the different brain regions. Acupuncture at the combined back- and front- points of the stomach may induce the ReHo changes in some new brain regions as compared with the acupuncture at the single point. The thalamus, the posterior cingulate gyrus and the precuneus may be the the important integrated brain regions for acupuncture at the back- and the front- points in regulating the gastric motility. The effects of acupuncture at the back- and the front- points for the regulation of the gastric motility are closely related to the thalamus, the limbic system and the default network of the brain regions.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Cross-Over Studies ; Electroencephalography ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Stomach ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo research the central molecular mechanism of gastric motility in functional dyspepsia (FD) rats treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at and points of stomach.

METHODSA total of 30 SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a Zhongwan+Weishu group, a Weishu group and a Zhongwan group, 6 rats in each group. FD rats were established by moderate clipping tail infuriation and irregular feeding except in the blank group. EA was used at "Zhongwan"(CV 12),"Weishu"(BL 21), and"Zhongwan"(CV 12) +"Weishu"(BL 21) in the corresponding groups for 7 days, once a day, and 20 min a time. No intervention was used in the blank and model groups. Grabbing and fixation were applied in the model group. Gastric antrum motion range and frequency were recorded by gastrointestinal pressure transducer. The expression of subunit NR1 of N-methyl-D-aspartate recepter (NMDAR) in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) was determined by Western blotting. The content of serum nitric oxide (NO) was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, the gastric antrum motion range and NR1 in the DMV decreased and the serum NO content increased in the model group (all <0.05). Compared with the model group, the gastric antrum motion range and NR1 in the DMV increased and the serum NO content decreased in the three EA groups (all <0.05). Compared with the Zhongwan and Weishu groups, the gastric antrum motion range and NR1 in the DMV increased in the Zhongwan + Weishu group (all <0.05). Compared with Zhongwan + Weishu and Zhongwan groups, the expression of NO in the Weishu group decreased (both <0.05). The gastric antrum motion frequency among the 5 groups had no statistical significance (all >0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at the and points can regulate the gastric motility in FD rats which may be by modulating the activity of NMDAR in the central DMV region, thus regulating the serum NO content.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Dyspepsia ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; N-Methylaspartate ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach ; Vagus Nerve ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the partial action mechanism and the myocardial protective effect differences between electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning at "Neiguan"(PC 6) and "Taiyuan"(LU 9) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODSNinety-six Wistar rats were randomly assigned into a sham-operation group, a model group, a Neiguan group and a Taiyuan group, 24 rats in each one. The rats in the Neiguan group and Taiyuan group were treated with EA (2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity) at "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Taiyuan" (LU 9) respectively, 20 min per treatment, once a day for consecutive 7 days. The rats in the sham-operation group and model group were treated with immobilization for the same time, and no EA was given. The model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was established in the model group, Neiguan group and Taiyuan group 24 h after the end of EA, while the rats in the sham-operation group were treated with sham operation (no ligation was made during surgery). The myocardial ischemic size, infarction size, activity of protein kinase C (PKC) and expression of aquaporin1 (AQP1) in each group were detected.

RESULTSCompared with sham-operation group, the myocardial ischemic size, infarction size, AQP1 expression and PKC activity in the model group were significantly increased (all<0.01); compared with the model group and Taiyuan group, the myocardial ischemic size, infarction size, PKC activity and AQP1 expression were significantly decreased in the Neiguan group (<0.01,<0.05). By Pearson correlation analysis, the changes of AQP1 expression were positively correlated with those of PKC activity after EA preconditioning.

CONCLUSIONSEA preconditioning at "Neiguan" (PC 6) could significantly decrease myocardial AQP1 expression and PKC activity in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injuing, but the effect of EA preconditioning at "Taiyuan"(LU 9) is not obvious; its protective effect is likely to be achieved by inhibiting PKC activity and AQP1 expression.

Objective: To study the clinical value of serum cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9/NGAL-1 measurements for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Methods: This study included 102 patients with hepatitis B virus related ACLF and 31 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were enrolled as controls. Biomarkers including serum cystatin C, NGAL and MMP-9/NGAL-1 were measured twice in the patients with ACLF at admission and at the time progressed to AKI and once in the controls. Results: In patients with ACLF, serum cystatin C levels was higher than that of the CHB control (t=3.609, P=0.000), whereas NGAL and MMP-9/NGAL-1 levels were lower in patients with ACLF than that of CHB controls (t=3.016, P=0.003; t=7.514, P=0.000, respectively). Thirty-three patients (32.4%) progressed to AKI during hospitalization period. In AKI group of the patients serum cystatin C levels was higher than that of non-AKI group of the patents (t=4.543, P=0.000). MMP-9/ NGAL-1 and NGAL levels were not different in patients with and without AKI (t=0.905, P=0.368; t=0.061, P=0.952). Serum cystatin C in patients with mild AKI (serum creatinine<1.5 mg/dl) and AKI serum creatinine>1.5 mg/dl were 33.59± 9.19 ng/ml and 43.32±9.02 ng/ml respectively. That was higher than that of non-AKI patients (27.94±7.93 ng/ml, P=0.022, 0.000, respectively). Serum cystatin C was the independent risk factors associated with development of AKI by a multivariate logistic regression in patients with ACLF. Conclusions Serum cystatin C measurement may contribute to more earlier diagnosis of AKI even in patients with S. creatinine<1.5 mg/dl. NGAL and MMP-9/NGAL-1 may be the biomarker of progress for ACLF.

Objective: To investigate the effect of different doses of perindopril on peripheral endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and vascular endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) .
Methods: A total of 84 CAD patients with coronary angiography confirmed diagnosis were divided into 3 groups: Control group, the patients received routine medication, n=27. Low-dose group, the patients received routine medication with perindopril for 4mg, n=29. High-dose group, the patients received routine medication with perindopril for 8mg, n=28. All patients were treated for 12 weeks. The EPCs level was detected by flow cytometry assay, flow-mediated-dilation (FMD) function in brachial artery was measured by ultrasound and plasma levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), angiotensin II (AngII) were examined in all groups.
Results: ① After12 weeks of treatment, the EPCs level and FMD function had certain improvement, hs-CRP level decreased in various degrees in all 3 groups, P<0.05, and AngII level decreased in both perindopril groups, P<0.05.②After treatment, compared with Control group, both perindopril groups had the increased EPCs level and FMD function, while decreased levels of hs-CRP and AngII, P<0.01.③Compared with Low-dose group, High-dose
group showed increased EPCs level and FMD function, decreased levels of hs-CRP and AgnII, P<0.05.
Conclusion: Perindopril may mobilize peripheral EPCs at certain point, and therefore improve endothelial function, the higher dose of perindopril may have better effect.