OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and effectiveness of the "talus home technique (THT) " in the surgery of pronation open ankle fractures (POAF). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 14 patients with POAF admitted between January 2023 and December 2023 who met the selection criteria. There were 7 males and 7 females; age ranged from 26 to 58 years, with a median age of 53 years. Injury causes included 9 cases of traffic accident injury, 3 cases of fall from hight injury, and 2 cases of crush injury. There were 5 cases of type Ⅱ, 6 cases of type ⅢA, and 3 cases of type ⅢB according to Gustilo classification; and 6 cases of pronation-abduction grade Ⅲ and 8 cases of pronation-external rotation grade Ⅳ according to Lauge-Hansen classification. Emergency first-stage debridement of the ankle joint was performed, followed by second-stage open reduction and internal fixation surgery. The THT was used through a limited incision on the lateral malleolus to restore the height of the lateral malleolus, rotational alignment, and anatomical relationship of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (DTFS). Wound healing was observed postoperatively. At 4 months postoperatively, weight-bearing anteroposterior, lateral, and mortise view X-ray films and CT scans of both ankles were reviewed to measure the medial clear space (MCS), tibiofibular clear space (TFCS), distal fibular tip to lateral process of talus (DFTL), and anterior/posterior syndesmosis distances of DTFS, and the quality of reduction of ankle fractures was evaluated. Ankle joint function was assessed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and active dorsiflexion/plantar flexion range of motion were recorded at last follow-up. RESULTS: After second-stage internal fixation, 8 patients achieved wound healing by first intention, 1 case had skin edge necrosis, 2 cases had local skin necrosis, 1 case had extensive medial soft tissue defect, and 2 cases developed medial wound infection with sinus formation. All 14 patients were followed up 13-24 months (mean, 16.8 months). Postoperative X-ray films showed 1 case of delayed union of the lateral malleolus, which healed after bone grafting at 12 months; the remaining 13 cases achieved clinical union at 12-32 weeks (mean, 21.5 weeks). At 4 months postoperatively, X-ray films and CT examination showed no significant differences in MCS, TFCS, DFTL, and anterior/posterior syndesmosis distances of DTFS between the healthy and affected sides ( P>0.05), with no poor DTFS reduction. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score ranged from 80 to 95, with an average of 87.7; ankle range of motion ranged from 10° to 25° (mean, 19.6°) in dorsiflexion and from 32° to 50° (mean, 41.2°) in plantar flexion. CONCLUSION THT is safe and effective in POAF surgery. It can restore lateral malleolar height and rotational alignment, enhance DTFS reduction quality, and obtain satisfactory short-term functional recovery of the ankle.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Ankle Fractures/surgery* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Pronation ; Fractures, Open/surgery* ; Talus/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Debridement/methods* ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of reducing posterior malleolar fractures via the modified Rammelt transfibular approach. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 26 patients with ankle fractures who met the selection criteria and were admitted between September 2023 and May 2024. There were 13 males and 13 females, aged from 14 to 59 years (median, 43.5 years). Causes of injury included traffic accident (1 case), falls (7 cases), and sprains (18 cases). Time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 13 days (mean, 3.9 days). According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, there were 5 supination-external rotation type Ⅲ fractures and 21 supination-external rotation type Ⅳ fractures. According to the Bartoníček classification for posterior malleolar fractures, there were 12 type Ⅱ fractures, 10 type Ⅲ fractures, and 4 type Ⅳ fractures. During operation, the fracture was exposed via the modified Rammelt transfibular approach; then, the fracture reduction was achieved under direct vision using techniques such as towel clip traction, posterolateral compression, and lifting with a posterior transverse periosteal elevator; finally, the fracture was fixed using anteroposterior cannulated screws or Kirschner wires. The incision healing was observed after operation. At 4 months after operation, X-ray film and CT were reviewed to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction. The medial clear space, tibiofibular clear space, and the anterior/posterior tibiofibular syndesmotic distances were measured. At last follow-up, the ankle function was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the range of motion. RESULTS: The marginal necrosis occurred in 2 lateral malleolar incisions, and superficial infection occurred in 1 lateral malleolar incision; the remaining incisions healed by first intention. All 26 patients were followed up 13-21 months (mean, 15.6 months). X-ray films showed that fractures in 25 patients achieved clinical union within 3-8 months (mean, 5.4 months); 1 case had delayed union of the lateral malleolus. At 4 months after operation, no significant difference was found between the injured and healthy sides in the medial clear space, tibiofibular clear space, or the anterior/posterior tibiofibular syndesmotic distances ( P>0.05). No malreduction of the posterior malleolus or the tibiofibular syndesmosis occurred. At last follow-up, the AOFAS score ranged from 80 to 100 (mean, 91.9). The range of motion ranged from 17° to 22° (mean, 21.0°) in active ankle dorsiflexion and from 40° to 49° (mean, 44.6°) in plantar flexion. Internal fixator was removed in 12 patients at 1 year after operation, with no ankle instability occurring. Ankle joint degeneration was observed in 1 patient at last follow-up. CONCLUSION The modified Rammelt transfibular approach is a safe and reliable technique. It enables precise reduction under direct vision, improves the quality of reduction for the distal tibial articular surface and the tibiofibular syndesmosis, and provides satisfactory ankle functional recovery in short-term follow-up.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Ankle Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Adolescent ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; Bone Screws ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Fibula/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular

AIM:Given the uncertain impact of osmotic pressure on embryoid body(EB)differentiation,this study aimed to investigate the effects of increased osmotic pressure on EB differentiation and explore the potential relation-ship between this process and cadherin.METHODS:Polhethylene glycol 300(PEG 300)was used to increase the os-motic pressure of the culture medium used for cultivating EBs under both high osmotic pressure and standard culture condi-tions.The experimental design included a control group,an experimental group(hypertonic group),groups treated with varying concentrations of PEG 300,and an experimental group treated with an inhibitor.Western blot,RT-qPCR,AM/PI staining,CCK-8,and immunocytochemical staining was used to analyze the cell viability and the expression of CDH1 and CDH2 markers of the three germ layers,and pluripotency markers within the EBs.RESULTS:Hypertonicity did not af-fect cell viability.Significant differences were observed in the expression of the cadherin proteins CDH1 and CDH2 in EBs between the experimental and control groups;however,no cleartrend towards an EMT shift was observed.Specifically,CDH2 expression was significantly down-regulated in experimental group,showing a clear correlation with variations in os-motic pressure.Moreover,compared with control group,pluripotency markers in the EBs from experimental group exhibited significantly higher expression levels from the 2nd day to the 5th day.A substantial increase in the expression of mesoder-mal markers was also observed;however,a downward trend was observed for ectodermal markers in experimental group.Intervention using SB431542,which up-regulates CDH2 expression by affecting TGF-β signaling,reversed the expression trend of mesodermal and ectodermal markers in experimental group.CONCLUSION:Elevated osmotic pressure appears to enhance the mesodermal differentiation efficiency in EBs,possibly correlating with CDH1 and CDH2 changes induced by osmotic pressure.Therefore,this study emphasizes the significant role of osmotic pressure in stem cell applications.

Objective:To examine the social isolation(SI)status among the elderly population in China and its effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases(CCVD).Methods:Utilizing data from the Fourth China Urban and Rural Elderly Living Conditions Sample Survey, the social isolation(SI)score was determined based on four components: marital status, living arrangements, frequency of contact with relatives and friends, and social participation.The χ2 test was employed to examine variations among socially isolated individuals, regional disparities within each province, and subgroups within each covariate.Additionally, Logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the impact of SI and its associated factors on CCVD. Results:The final analysis included 218 329 elderly individuals, revealing that the incidence and number of SI in Shandong Province are the highest in China at 18.95%(3 360 out of 17 735).The incidence of SI in the Eastern coastal provinces is notably higher than in the Western region.Factors contributing to a higher prevalence of SI include living in rural areas, being female, older age, belonging to ethnic minorities, having low educational attainment, facing economic disadvantages, smoking, drinking alcohol, lack of exercise, loneliness, poor sleep quality, and dissatisfaction with housing conditions.The study found that SI increased the risk of developing cardiovascular disease even after adjusting for negative emotional experiences or poor lifestyle choices( OR=1.190, 95% CI: 1.016-1.296, P=0.016, OR=1.208, 95% CI: 1.131-1.291, P<0.001), and the risk further increased when both factors were simultaneously adjusted for( OR=1.237, 95% CI: 1.160-1.319, P<0.001). Conclusions:Combining SI with poor lifestyle and negative emotions significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of addressing these factors in the elderly population.

【Objective】 To observe the safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment for mild stroke patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. 【Methods】 The retrospective study enrolled 38 mild stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who received endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University between January 2018 and August 2021. Vascular recanalization rate after endovascular treatment (mTICI≥2b), procedural complications, NIHSS score at discharge, and the rate of good modified Rankin Score (mRS≤2) at 90d were observed. 【Results】 The average age of the 38 patients was 62.89±12.41 years, and there were 21 males (55.3%). The vascular recanalization rate post EVT was 100%, while with three cases of thrombosis escape (7.9%) and one case (2.6%) of sICH of 24 h post EVT. The average NIHSS at discharge was 1 (0-1) point, which significantly decreased compared to the average baseline NIHSS 4 (4-5) points (P<0.01). The 90 d followed-up rate was 89.47%, and among all the followed-up patients, 91.2% of them had mRS≤2. Imaging follow-up showed good vascular flow and no in-stent restenosis. 【Conclusion】 Endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in mild stroke is safe and effective.

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.

Objective:To compare the effects of anterograde elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN-A), retrograde K-wires fixation (KW-R) and retrograde precision shaping of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN-RPS) in the treatment of fractures of distal radial metaphyseal diaphyseal junction (DRMDJ) in children.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 112 eligible children with DRMDJ fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, Children's Hospital, Anhui Medical University and Department of Orthopedics, The People's Hospital of Fuyang City,Anhui Medical University, from January 2016 to May 2022. There were 64 males and 48 females, with an age of (8.4±2.3) years. The children were divided into 3 groups according to different surgical fixation methods: group ESIN-A of 36 cases, group KW-R of 52 cases, and group ESIN-RPS of 24 cases. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, fluoroscopy times, alignment rates and residual angulations by the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films immediately after reduction were compared among the 3 groups. The Gartland-Werley evaluation of wrist function and complications were compared at the last follow-up.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative general data among the 3 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). In the operation time, group KW-R [(71.2±9.2) min] > group ESIN-A [(65.1±13.1) min] > group ESIN-RPS [(51.7±17.1) min]; in the fluoroscopy times, group KW-R [(13.9±6.3) times] > group ESIN-A [(9.0±2.8) times] > group ESIN-RPS [(6.4±2.0) times]; in the alignment rates by the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films immediately after reduction, group ESIN-RPS (93.1%±4.6% and 95.2%±3.3%) > group KW-R (82.1%±11.0% and 88.1%±7.4%) > group ESIN-A (80.4%±9.9% and 86.7%±6.9%); in the residual angulations by the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films immediately after reduction, group ESIN-RPS (3.3°±1.8° and 2.9°±2.1°) < group ESIN-A (5.2°±1.0° and 5.0°±3.2°) < group KW-R (6.6°±1.6°and 7.5°±2.7°). Pairwise comparisons in the above items were statistically significant ( P<0.05). In group ESIN-A, the incision length [(1.8±0.3) cm] was significantlylonger than that in group ESIN-RPS [(1.4±0.2) cm], and the intraoperative blood loss [(8.3±2.2) mL] significantly larger than that in group ESIN-RPS [(5.5±1.6) mL] ( P<0.05). One year after operation, the excellent and good rate by the Gartland-Werley evaluation of wrist function in groups ESIN-RPS, ESIN-A and KW-R, respectively, were 95.8% (23/24), 86.5% (31/36) and 86.1% (46/52), showing no statistically significant difference between the 3 group ( P>0.05), and the major incidence of complications in group KW-R (25.0%, 13/52) and in group ESIN-A (25.0%, 9/36) were significantly higher than that in group ESIN-RPS (4.2%, 1/24) ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of DRMDJ fractures in children, compared with ESIN-A and KW-R, ESIN-RPS is an effective choice due to its advantages of shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, less radiation, better alignment, and fewer complications.

Objective:To explore the value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in evaluating the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) in treating spinal cord injury.Methods:The modified Allen′s method was used to induce a traumatic spinal cord injury in 30 rats who were then divided randomly into an injured group and a treatment group, each of 15. The treatment group was given HOT twice a day for 3 days, then once a day for a total of 4 weeks. The injured group did not receive HOT. DTI was performed (along with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) evaluation) at 0h, 6h, 24h, as well as 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the operation. Two-factor repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to analyze any differences in the DTI results: the fractional anisotropy, mean apparent diffusivity, radial diffusivity and axial diffusivity, as well as the BBB scores. LSD t-tests were performed to analyze the significance of the differences at different time points.Results:At each time point after 24h the average FA value of the treatment group was significantly higher than the injured group′s average, while its average MD and RD values were significantly lower. Beyond 14 days the average AD value of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the injured group. The treatment group′s average BBB score was also significantly higher at all the time points beyond 3 days.Conclusions:DTI results can evaluate spinal cord function and provide valuable information for the dynamic assessment of hyperbaric oxygen therapy after a traumatic spinal cord injury, and the therapy promotes the recovery of motor function, at least in rats.

Objective:To conduct interviews from the perspective of caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to conduct a multi-level and multi-dimensional strategy to provide help for families of children with ASD by exploring the experience of oral health care of such children.Methods:Using the purposive sampling method, a total of 11 family caregivers of children with ASD aged 12 and below who visited Outpatient Department of Pediatric Dental Prevention in Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2020 to May 2021 were selected for semi-structured interviews. The subject was finally determined using Colaizzi's 7-step analysis method and assisted by Nvivo 12 software.Results:The current situation of oral care for children with ASD had three themes, namely, caregiver emotion, care dilemma and needs.Conclusions:More attention should be paid to the mental health of family caregivers with ASD. The oral health of children with ASD not only needs family caregivers, but also needs the common attention and support of the whole society, including multi-disciplinary and multi-department, to provide effective oral health management programs for children with ASD, so as to promote the oral health of this group of children.

Methods:Two thousand standard sections images werre collected from 2 000 clinical retrospective pediatric hip ultrasound videos from January 2019 to January 2021. All standard sections were annotated by the annotation team through the self-designed software based on Python 3.6 environment for image cross-media data annotation and manual review standardization process with unified standards. Among them, 1 753 were randomly selected for training the deep learning system, and the remaining 247 were used for testing the system. Further, 200 standard sections were randomly selected from the test set, and 8 clinicians independently completed the film reading annotation. The 8 independent results were then compared with the AI results.Results:The testing set consists of 247 patients. Compared with the clinician's measurements, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of diagnosing hip joint maturity was 0.865, the sensitivity was 76.19%, and the specificity was 96.9%. The AUC of AI system interpretation under Graf detailed typing was 0.575, the sensitivity was 25.90%, the specificity was 89.10%. The 95% LoA of α-angle determined by Bland-Altman method, of -4.7051° to 6.5948° ( Bias -0.94, P<0.001), compared with clinicians' measurements. The 95% LoA of β-angle, of -7.7191 to 6.8777 ( Bias -0.42, P=0.077). Compared with those from 8 clinicians, the results of AI system interpretation were more stable, and the β-angle effect was more prominent. Conclusion:The AI system can quickly and accurately measure the Graf correlation index of standard DDH ultrasonic standard diagnosis plane.