Objective To investigate the predictive value of quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating kidneys from donation after brain death (DBD) for the occurrence of delayed graft function (DGF) in recipients. Methods The clinical data of 134 DBD donors and 202 corresponding kidneys and recipients were retrospective analyzed. The recipients were divided into DGF group (n=39) and non-DGF group (n=163) according to the renal function after kidney transplantation. Conventional ultrasound, CEUS parameters, and clinical data were compared between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal cut-off values for predicting DGF using CEUS parameters, clinical parameters, and their combination, based on the highest Youden index. The predictive ability of different parameters for DGF was evaluated. Results There were statistically significant differences in cortical peak intensity (PIc), medullary peak intensity (PIm), donor albumin (ALB), serum creatinine (Scr) after admission, and the Na⁺ concentration of recipients between the two groups (all P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting DGF using the combination of CEUS parameters PIc and PIm was 0.711, with an optimal cut-off value of 0.193 and a Youden index of 0.382. The AUC for predicting DGF using the combination of CEUS parameters PIc, PIm and clinical parameters was 0.808, with an optimal cut-off value of 0.191 and a Youden index of 0.517. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.769 and 0.613 for the former, and 0.769 and 0.748 for the latter, respectively. The AUC for predicting DGF using CEUS parameters PIc and PIm combined with clinical parameters was significantly higher than that using CEUS parameters PIc and PIm (P<0.05). Conclusions The CEUS quantitative parameters PIc and PIm have good predictive value in assessing kidneys from DBD donors for DGF in recipients, and the diagnostic efficacy is better when combined with clinical parameters.

OBJECTIVE:The clinical efficacy and safety of preoperative intravenous glucocorticoids in patients undergoing lower limb joint arthroplasty remain controversial.Therefore,we conducted a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative intravenous glucocorticoids for clinical treatment using lower limb joint arthroplasty. METHODS:We systematically searched randomized controlled trials on the effects of preoperative intravenous glucocorticoids on the efficacy and safety of lower limb joint arthroplasty in Chinese and foreign databases up to June 2023,including PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,WanFang Data,and CNKI.The trial group was injected with intravenous glucocorticoid before operation to control pain.The control group received placebo or intravenous saline.Outcome measures included postoperative resting pain score,postoperative C-reactive protein,postoperative 5-m walking test pain score,length of hospital stay,operation time,postoperative morphine opioid supplemental dose,postoperative nausea and vomiting reaction,and postoperative periprosthesis infection complications. RESULTS:(1)A total of nine randomized controlled trials included 613 patients(n=311 in the glucocorticoid group,n=302 in the control group).(2)Compared with the control group,preoperative intravenous administration of glucocorticoids significantly reduced the resting pain scores of patients at 6 and 12 hours after surgery,as well as the pain scores of patients walking for 5 m on the first day after surgery.In addition,the need for additional morphine opioids and postoperative nausea and vomiting were reduced in the glucocorticoid group.The inflammatory C-reactive protein was lower than that of the control group within three days after surgery,and the length of hospital stay was shortened after intravenous glucocorticoid injection(P<0.05).(3)However,there were no significant differences in the incidence of infection after arthroplasty,operation time,and pain scores at 24 and 48 hours between the two groups. CONCLUSION:As an effective perioperative multi-modal analgesia protocol,intravenous injection of glucocorticoids before surgery is an effective and safe method to reduce hyperacute pain and improve joint mobility in patients with lower limb joint arthroplasty.More research is needed to determine the optimal dose and type of glucocorticoids for maximum pain control.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of ankle arthroscopy combined with closed reduction guide and conventional surgical incision in the treatment of trimalleolar fracture.Methods A total of 60 patients with ankle fracture were divided into two groups according to different surgical plans:the ankle arthroscopy combined with closed reduction guide surgery group(arthroscopy group)and the conventional incision surgery group(incision group),with 30 cases in each group.The operative time,intraoperative blood loss and complications of the two groups were observed and compared.Pain and functional recovery of patients were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot&Ankle Society(AOFAS)ankle and hind foot scores and Foot and Ankle Disability Index(FADI)scores.Results All 60 patients were followed up.Compared with the arthroscopy group,patients in the incision group had a longer surgical time,a shorter incision length in the medial malleolus,a reduced number of cases of skin numbness and reduced bleeding(P＜0.05).The AOFAS score and the FADI score at 12 months after surgery were higher in the arthroscopic group than those of the incision group(P＜0.05).After 12 months of surgery,the AOFAS score in patients without cartilage injury of the arthroscopic group were higher than those of patients with cartilage injury(P＜0.05),while there were no significant differences in pain and force line scores between patients with cartilage injury and patients without cartilage injury(P＞0.05).Conclusion The application of ankle arthroscopy combined with closed reduction guide in the treatment of trimalleolar fracture can achieve better postoperative results,but it has no obvious advantages in operation time and incision infection compared with the incision surgery.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of a new type of "firebreak" drainage with skin preservation in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene.Methods:This technique is suitable for patients with perianal necrotizing fasciitis who can tolerate surgery without large area of skin blackness and necrosis. Procedure and key points: (1) The dividing line between inflammatory tissue and normal tissue was determined according to imaging examination and intraoperative exploration; (2) The abscess cavity was cut along the most obvious part of the abscess fluctuation, with a long diameter of 3~4 cm and a short diameter of 1~2 cm; (3) Necrotic tissue was discreetly separated and removed from the main incision to the outer edge of the infection. A fusiform incision was made every 3 to 5 cm, with a long diameter of 2 to 3 cm and a short diameter of 1 cm, and discreetly separated until the normal tissue, and a hose was hung between the adjacent incisions for drainage. (4) Each adjacent edge cut between the stealth separation and hanging hose drainage, forming a "firebreak"; (5) Rinse the wound repeatedly; (6) If the infection invades the rectum, colostomy is performed as required. The case data of 11 patients with perianal necrotizing fasciitis admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from July 2019 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with emergency surgical debridement by "firebreak" drainage with skin preservation.Results:All 11 cases were cured with 100%. One case underwent multiple operations. The hospitalization time was 11-46 days, with an average of 22 days. The wound healing time was 28-75 days, with an average of 43 days. Except for 1 patient with trauma, all the other patients had no significant anal function injury after surgery. All the 11 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital with a median follow-up of 136 (115-413) days.Conclusions:The "firebreak" drainage based on skin preservation has the advantages of less trauma and faster recovery, and do not cause obvious anal function damage.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of a new type of "firebreak" drainage with skin preservation in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene.Methods:This technique is suitable for patients with perianal necrotizing fasciitis who can tolerate surgery without large area of skin blackness and necrosis. Procedure and key points: (1) The dividing line between inflammatory tissue and normal tissue was determined according to imaging examination and intraoperative exploration; (2) The abscess cavity was cut along the most obvious part of the abscess fluctuation, with a long diameter of 3~4 cm and a short diameter of 1~2 cm; (3) Necrotic tissue was discreetly separated and removed from the main incision to the outer edge of the infection. A fusiform incision was made every 3 to 5 cm, with a long diameter of 2 to 3 cm and a short diameter of 1 cm, and discreetly separated until the normal tissue, and a hose was hung between the adjacent incisions for drainage. (4) Each adjacent edge cut between the stealth separation and hanging hose drainage, forming a "firebreak"; (5) Rinse the wound repeatedly; (6) If the infection invades the rectum, colostomy is performed as required. The case data of 11 patients with perianal necrotizing fasciitis admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from July 2019 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with emergency surgical debridement by "firebreak" drainage with skin preservation.Results:All 11 cases were cured with 100%. One case underwent multiple operations. The hospitalization time was 11-46 days, with an average of 22 days. The wound healing time was 28-75 days, with an average of 43 days. Except for 1 patient with trauma, all the other patients had no significant anal function injury after surgery. All the 11 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital with a median follow-up of 136 (115-413) days.Conclusions:The "firebreak" drainage based on skin preservation has the advantages of less trauma and faster recovery, and do not cause obvious anal function damage.

Downstaging treatment by local therapy combined with systemic therapy before liver transplantation for patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can control tumor progression and reduce tumor burden, which resulting in reducing the push-out rate of patients during the waiting period for liver transplantation, providing an oncological observation window, enabling patients of beyond Milan criteria downstaged with better survival benefit. The authors introduce the clinical experience of a case with recurrent HCC of beyond Milan criteria who under-went liver transplantation after receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combined with local therapy. Results show the patient achieving pathological complete remission without postoperative rejection and obtaining a good prognosis with life status improved.

Objective To explore the major risk factors of post transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and analyze the correlation between tacrolimus and PTDM after kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 123 kidney transplant recipients were collected. All recipients were divided into the PTDM group (n=19) and non-PTDM group (n=104). Clinical data of all recipients in two groups were analyzed. The risk factors of PTDM were analyzed by binary logistic regression. Twenty-four mice were evenly divided into the control group (normal saline), low-dose tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg), medium-dose tacrolimus (0.75 mg/kg) and high-dose tacrolimus groups (1.5 mg/kg). The solutions were given twice a day. The effect of tacrolimus on blood glucose metabolism in mice was evaluated. Results The incidence of PTDM was 15.4% (19/123) within 1 year after kidney transplantation. Age≥48 years old and the trough concentration of tacrolimus≥9 ng/mL within 3 months after kidney transplantation were the risk factors for PTDM after kidney transplantation (both P < 0.05). The fasting blood glucose levels of mice after administration in the low-, medium- and high-dose tacrolimus groups were significantly lower than those before administration (all P < 0.05) in a dose-independent manner (P=0.750). In the low-, medium- and high-dose tacrolimus groups, the postprandial blood glucose levels of mice after administration were significantly higher than those before administration (all P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner (P=0.012). Conclusions Tacrolimus is intimately correlated with the incidence of PTDM after kidney transplantation. Age≥48 years old and the trough concentration of tacrolimus ≥9 ng/mL within 3 months after kidney transplantation are the independent risk factors of PTDM. Tacrolimus affects the postprandial blood glucose levels of mice in a dose-dependent manner.

Objective:To investigate the effect of radon on the expressions of miR-16, miR-106b, miR-449a, let-7g, miR-21, miR-221 and miR-34a in peripheral blood plasma of miners.Methods:A total of 46 randomly selected miners worked underground(the underground group)and 38 miners worked aboveground (the control group). MiRNA levels in the underground and control groups were detected by qRT-PCR and their relationship with cumulative effective dose was further analyzed.Results:The levels of miR-106b, miR-21, miR-221 in plasma of the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group( Z=-2.32, -2.47, -2.79, P<0.05), the corresponding Fc values were 1.61, 1.75, 1.30, respectively. The levels of miR-16, miR-449a, let-7g and miR-34a were slightly higher than those in the control group ( P>0.05). After controlling of confounding factors such as age, BMI and smoking, the alteration of miR-16, miR-106b, let-7g, miR-21 and miR-221 in plasma of the underground group were positively correlated with the cumulative effective dose( t=2.50, 3.31, 2.60, 2.95, 3.25, P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the plasma levels of miR-449a and miR-34a between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:miR-106b, miR-21 and miR-221 could be used as potential biomarkers of radon exposure.

In the study of oral orthodontics, the dental tissue models play an important role in finite element analysis results. Currently, the commonly used alveolar bone models mainly have two kinds: the uniform and the non-uniform models. The material of the uniform model was defined with the whole alveolar bone, and each mesh element has a uniform mechanical property. While the material of the elements in non-uniform model was differently determined by the Hounsfield unit (HU) value of computed tomography (CT) images where the element was located. To investigate the effects of different alveolar bone models on the biomechanical responses of periodontal ligament (PDL), a clinical patient was chosen as the research object, his mandibular canine, PDL and two kinds of alveolar bone models were constructed, and intrusive force of 1 N and moment of 2 Nmm were exerted on the canine along its root direction, respectively, which were used to analyze the hydrostatic stress and the maximal logarithmic principal strain of PDL under different loads. Research results indicated that the mechanical responses of PDL had been affected by alveolar bone models, no matter the canine translation or rotation. Compared to the uniform model, if the alveolar bone was defined as the non-uniform model, the maximal stress and strain of PDL were decreased by 13.13% and 35.57%, respectively, when the canine translation along its root direction; while the maximal stress and strain of PDL were decreased by 19.55% and 35.64%, respectively, when the canine rotation along its root direction. The uniform alveolar bone model will induce orthodontists to choose a smaller orthodontic force. The non-uniform alveolar bone model can better reflect the differences of bone characteristics in the real alveolar bone, and more conducive to obtain accurate analysis results.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Computer Simulation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Models, Biological ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tooth Movement Techniques

Wet detoxification has traditionally been seen as the most promising technology for treating chromium-contaminated sites. However, the addition of chemicals in the wet detoxification process not only increases the cost but also introduces extra pollutants. Moreover, the chromium-containing slag may be re-dissolved in the form of Cr(VI), and the increased concentration of Cr(VI) results in a serious "returning to yellow" phenomenon in the chromium-contaminated sites, causing undesirable secondary pollution. Microbial remediation is a promising technology to address the re-dissolution of chromium-containing slag after wet detoxification, and this article reviews the advances in this area. Firstly, the toxicity, current situation and conventional technologies for treating the chromium-containing slag were briefly summarized. The mechanisms of the inevitable re-dissolution of chromium-containing slag after wet detoxification were summarized. Three main mechanisms, namely bioreduction, biosorption and biomineralization, which are involved in the environmental-friendly and efficient microbial remediation technology, were reviewed. The variation of microbial species and the succession of microbial community during the bioremediation of chromium-contaminated sites were discussed. Finally, future research directions were prospected with the aim to develop long-term, stable and sustainable technologies for remediating the chromium-contaminated sites.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Chromium/toxicity* ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*