Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of adjustable external fixation traction combined with arthroscopic microfracture in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 27 OLT patients who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital from May 2017 to March 2022. There were 16 males and 11 females, aged (32.4±7.2) years. Lesion site: 23 medial and 4 lateral cases; Hepple staging: 7 cases at stage Ⅰ, 15 cases at stage Ⅱ, and 5 cases at stage Ⅲ; disease duration: (10.6±3.3) months. All the patients were treated by adjustable external fixation traction combined with arthroscopic microfracture. Recorded were the patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores at 6 months and 12 months after surgery, levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor- α (TNF- α) at 1 month after surgery, lesion area at 12 months after surgery, and incidence of complications. Results:The follow-up time for this cohort was (16.2±6.7) months. The AOFAS score was (61.52±6.75) points before surgery, (84.15±5.56) points at 6 months after surgery and (95.67±4.30) points at 12 months after surgery. The VAS score was (5.88±1.02) points before surgery, (2.12±0.48) points at 6 months after surgery and (0.66±0.36) points at 12 months after surgery. The two-by-two comparisons between the 3 time points for the above items were statistically significant ( P<0.05). IL-1 was (32.37±6.64) pg/mL, IL-6 (34.04±7.12) pg/mL, and TNF- α (17.89±4.96) ng/L at 1 month after surgery in the 27 patients, all of which were significantly lower than their preoperative levels [(96.63±14.80) pg/mL, (102.33±20.42) pg/mL, and (54.48±9.33) ng/L] ( P<0.05). The lesion area was (28.66±6.52) mm 2 at 12 months after surgery, significantly smaller than the value before surgery [(128.52±11.32) mm 2] ( P<0.05). Infection at the adjustable external fixation needle track occurred in 1 patient and lower limb thrombosis in 2 patients. Conclusion:In the treatment of OLT, adjustable external fixation and traction combined with arthroscopic microfracture can achieve satisfactory results and improve symptoms for the patients.

Objective To investigate the role and prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP7)in the migration and immune cell infiltration of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods MMP7_siRNA for downregulating the target gene MMP7 and pMMP7 for upregulating MMP7 were constructed and were used to transfect hepatocellular carcinoma cell line(MHCC97H).RT-qPCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of the target gene in cells.Scanning electron microscopy and Transwell assay were used to observe the changes in cell pseudopodia and migration ability,and bioinformatics methods were used to investigate the correlation of MMP7 with immune cells and immune infiltration score in TCGA and TIMER databases in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,as well as the association between MMP7 and the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.The Spearman method was used for correlation analysis.Sanger Box online tool was used to assess the value of MMP7 in the overall survival curve and disease-specific survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves,and the Log-rank test was used for comparison of prognosis between different samples.Results After MHCC97H cells were transfected with MMP7_siRNA or pMMP7,there was a significant reduction or increase in the expression of the target gene MMP7;after downregulation of MMP7,there were significant reductions in the number and length of the pseudopodia,while after MMP7 overexpression,there were significant increases in the number and length of filopodia with radial arrangement.The Transwell chamber assay showed that MMP7_siRNA2 significantly reduced the migration ability of cells(P<0.05),and there was a significant increase in migration ability after pMMP7 transfection.The expression of MMP7 was significantly correlated with B lymphocytes(r=0.37,P<0.05),CD4+T lymphocytes(r=0.40,P<0.05),neutrophils(r=0.49,P<0.05),macrophages(r=0.49,P<0.05),and dendritic cells(r=0.47,P<0.05).In the TCGA database,the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into MMP7 high expression group with 267 patients and MMP7 low expression group with 146 patients based on overall survival,and the results showed that the MMP7 high expression group had a significantly shorter overall survival time than the MMP7 low expression group(P<0.05);based on the disease-specific survival time,the patients were divided into MMP7 high expression group with 257 patients and MMP7 low expression group with 145 patients,and the analysis showed that the MMP7 high expression group also had a significantly shorter disease-specific survival time than the MMP7 low expression group(P<0.05).Conclusion MMP7 promotes the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and plays a major role in immune cell infiltration,and the expression of MMP7 is also significantly associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective:Interruption of aortic arch(IAA)is a rare congenital heart disease.This study aims to investigate echocardiographic features and pathological ultrastructural characteristics of fetal IAA and to further analyze its pathological evolution. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on prenatal echocardiographic,post-surgical,or autopsy findings of fetuses prenatally diagnosed with IAA.Prenatal echocardiographic tracking was used to observe the internal diameters and Z-scores of different segments of the aortic arch and the changes in the narrowed section.These observations were combined with autopsy and pathological findings to explore the potential intrauterine evolution of IAA and its cytological basis. Results:The study included 34 fetuses with IAA,with 3,3,and 28 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with aortic arch dysplasia(AAD),coarctation of aorta(CoA),and IAA,respectively.The 3 AAD and 3 CoA fetuses chose termination of pregnancy 1 to 2 weeks after prenatal ultrasound diagnosis,and autopsy confirmed IAA.Among the 28 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with IAA,6 cases of CoA progressively worsened,eventually evolving into type A IAA as observed through echocardiographic follow-up.The remaining 22 cases were diagnosed as IAA on the first prenatal ultrasound.Postnatal surgery corrected 3 cases,while 27 cases opted for pregnancy termination,and 4 cases resulted in intrauterine death.Echocardiographic features of the fetal IAA included a significantly smaller left ventricle compared with the right or negligible difference on the four-chamber view,a significantly smaller aorta than the pulmonary artery on the three-vessel view,and a lack of connection between the aorta and the descending aorta on the three-vessel-trachea and aortic arch views.The aortic arch appears less curved and more rigid,losing the normal"V"shape between the aorta,ductus arteriosus,and descending aorta.Color Doppler ultrasound showed no continuous blood flow signal at the interruption site,with reversed blood flow visible in the ductus arteriosus.Transmission electron microscopy of 7 IAA fetuses revealed numerous disorganized smooth muscle cells between the elastic membranes near the aortic arch interruption site,significantly increased in number compared with the proximal ascending aorta.The elastic membranes were thicker and more twisted near the interruption site.The interruption area lacked normal endothelial cells and lumen,with only remnants of necrotic endothelial cells,disorganized short and thick elastic membranes,and randomly arranged smooth muscle cells. Conclusion:Prenatal echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool for fetal IAA.Post-surgical follow-up and autopsy help identify complications and disease characteristics,enhancing diagnostic accuracy.Some fetal IAA may evolve from AAD or CoA,with potential pathogenesis related to ischemia,hypoxia,and migration of ductal constrictive components.

OBJECTIVES: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) frequently leads to myocardial ischemia and cardiac dysfunction. Even genotype-positive/phenotype-negative (G⁺/P^-) individuals, carriers of pathogenic sarcomere gene mutations without left ventricular hypertrophy, remain at risk of progression to clinical HCM. This study aims to evaluate myocardial perfusion and contractile function in familial HCM patients and their first-degree relatives using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and velocity vector imaging (VVI), in order to identify early myocardial dysfunction and at-risk individuals within families. METHODS: Thirty-five genetically confirmed HCM patients with left ventricular hypertrophy were assigned to a G⁺/P⁺ group. A total of 30 first-degree relatives carrying sarcomere mutations but without echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy were assigned to a G⁺/P^- group. A total of 38 age- and sex-matched gene-negative healthy family members served as controls. All participants underwent MCE and VVI assessments. Myocardial perfusion parameters, including peak intensity (PI), time to peak concentration (TP), and the ratio of declining intensity and declining time (dI/dT), as well as strain parameters including global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) were recorded and analyzed for differences and correlations. RESULTS: Compared to both the G⁺/P^- and normal control groups, the G⁺/P⁺ group had significantly lower PI, dI/dT, GLS, and GRS, along with significantly increased TP (all P<0.05). GLS and GRS were positively correlated with PI (r=0.629 and r=0.613, respectively; both P<0.01) and negatively correlated with TP (r=-0.597 and r=-0.571, respectively; both P<0.01). Compared to the normal control group, the G⁺/P^- group showed a significant reduction in GLS (P<0.05), but no significant differences in GRS, GCS, PI, TP, or dI/dT (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Myocardial contractile dysfunction in HCM patients is closely related to impaired perfusion. Even in the absence of wall hypertrophy, sarcomere mutation carriers show early signs of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. MCE and VVI can quantitatively assess myocardial perfusion and function, offering valuable tools for early detection and risk stratification in HCM patients and their relatives.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Myocardial Contraction/physiology* ; Echocardiography/methods* ; Adult ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/genetics* ; Middle Aged ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial/genetics* ; Family ; Mutation

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of tibial transverse bone transport assisted by nose ring drainage (NRD) in the treatment of foot and ankle chronic osteomyelitis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 32 patients with foot and ankle chronic osteomyelitis who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital from March 2013 to February 2022. The patients were assigned into a study group and a control group. In the control group, there were 12 males and 3 females, aged (39.5±8.8) years. The osteomyelitis was located at the distal tibia in 4 cases, at the talus in 1 case, at the calcaneus in 2 cases, at the midfoot in 4 cases and at the forefoot in 4 cases. According to the Crerny-Mader classification, there were 5 cases of type Ⅰ and 10 cases of type Ⅱ. The control group was treated with Ilizarov transverse tibial bone transport in combination with thorough debridement and anti-infection therapy. In the study group, there were 12 males and 5 females, aged (42.3±13.4) years. The osteomyelitis was located at the distal tibia in 4 cases, at the talus in 1 case, at the calcaneus in 3 cases, at the midfoot in 5 cases and at the forefoot in 4 cases. According to the Crerny-Mader classification, there were 7 cases of type Ⅰ and 10 cases of type Ⅱ. The study group was treated with NRD drainage in addition to the procedures in the control group. The curative effects were evaluated by comparing the cure, recurrence, amputation (toe amputation), antibiotic use time, wound healing time, relevant inflammatory indicators [WBC, neutrophil percentage (NEU), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP)], and postoperative functional recovery between the 2 groups.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there was no statistically significant difference in the general data between them ( P>0.05). The follow-up period was (36.0±9.8) months. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the cure or amputation (toe amputation) ( P>0.05), but the recurrence rate in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The antibiotic use time [(20.7±3.6) d] and wound healing time [(88.3±17.1) d] in the study group were significantly shorter than those [(37.9±6.5) d and (102.2±22.6) d] in the control group ( P<0.05). The ESR, IL-6 and CRP at 1 week after operation in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the WBC, NEU or PCT at 1 week after operation ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference either in the inflammatory indicators between the 2 groups at 1 month after operation ( P>0.05). In all patients, the inflammatory indicators like WBC, NEU, ESR, PCT, IL-6 and CRP at 1 week and 1 month after operation were significantly better than those before operation, and the Maryland foot functional score at 12 months after operation was significantly higher than the preoperative one ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the Maryland foot functional score at 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of foot and ankle chronic osteomyelitis, compared with the Ilizarov transverse tibial bone transport, our tibial transverse bone transport assisted by NRD can achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects, shorten antibiotic use time and treatment cycle, and reduce recurrence rate.

Objective:To explore the method of ultrasonography for detecting the fetal umbilical vein diameter, blood flow volume and normalized volume blood flow and establish normal reference ranges with umbilical vein diameter, blood flow volume and normalized blood flow and Z-scores for umbilical vein diameter and blood volume flow.Methods:This was a prospective study on 907 normal fetuses in the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University and Women and Children Healthcare Hospital of Zhuzhou from March 2019 to December 2020. The umbilical vein diameter (Duv), umbilical vein blood flow volume (Quv) and normalized volume blood flow (nQ = Quv/estimated fetal weight) of the free loop of umbilical vein (FUV) and fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein (IUV) were collected. And the mean values and 90% confidence intervals of Duv, Quv and nQ in two segments of umbilical veins at different gestational ages were calculated. Regression analysis of Duv, Quv and nQ were performed with gestational age (GA), and the parameters of umbilical vein in different segments were compared. Finally, with gestational age (GA) as the independent variable, Z-scores of the Duv and Quv were built.Results:The mean values and 90% confidence intervals of Duv, Quv, and nQ in 858 (94.6%) normal fetal umbilical veins were successfully obtained. The Duv, Quv of the FUV and IUV increased as pregnancy progressed. The Quadratic curve of Duv and Linear curve of Quv were of the highest fitnesses, respectively( r=0.951, 0.941, 0.986, 0.982; all P<0.001). While nQ increased with GA followed by a decreased trend, and the Quadratic curve was the highest fitting curve of nQ( r=0.610, 0.611; all P<0.001). Duv-FUV was greater than Duv-IUV( P<0.001), nQ-FUV was bigger than Quv-IUV( P=0.001), and he difference was not statistically significant between Quv-FUV and Quv-IUV( P=0.133). Z-scores models of Duv and Quv were successfully established, and all Z-scores were Gaussian distribution. Conclusions:The normal ranges and Z-scores of umbilical vein parameters are useful to improve the evaluation of placental circulation and provide a strong basis for the monitoring of fetus-related diseases and the evaluation of pregnancy prognosis. The choice of FUV or IUV umbilical vein to evaluate placental circulation may depend on the actual situation in clinical application.

The initiation and operation of the tissue repair program between the broken ends after fracture is very important for fracture healing, which goes through three intertwined and gradual evolution stages: hematoma inflammatory organization stage, primitive callus formation stage and callus remodeling stage. It is completed by a variety of tissues, cells and cytokines in the bone marrow cavity. In the study of the mechanism of fracture healing, it is found that there are many signal pathways and molecules regulating bone repair, including bone formation, bone remodeling and neovascularization. At the cellular level, it regulates osteoblasts, chondrocytes, osteoclasts and endothelial cells. Hippo signaling pathway is a signal pathway that maintains the size of organs and the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, and also plays an important role in maintaining bone homeostasis and bone metabolism. In the process of regulating bone development and repair, it regulates the physiological activities of cells in microenvironment through protein kinase cascade reaction and transcriptional coactivator. The upstream and downstream effectors of Hippo signal pathway directly or indirectly regulate the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of bone metabolic cells, and the interaction with Wnt signal pathway, Notch signal pathway and other important pathways related to bone repair show that Hippo signal pathway plays an important role in the regulation of fracture healing and may become a new target to promote fracture healing. This article reviews the regulatory mechanism of Hippo signaling pathway and its regulatory role in the process of fracture healing, and looks forward to the research prospect of promoting bone healing by using it as a target.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of hepatic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma,and to explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies of hepatic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.Methods A retrospectively analysis on 13 patients with liver lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in Union Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,between March 2005 and May 2019 were carried out.Results 8 cases were male,5 were female,median age was 45years (27 to 68 y).There were 8 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocytic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma,4cases of hepatocytic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma,and 1 case of mixed hepatocytic and cholangiocytic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.All patients received partial hepatectomy and postoperative comprehensive treatment.The patients were followed from 6 months to 7 years.Only one patient died,and the other patients were all in a tumor-free state.Conclusion Primary hepatic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a rare liver cancer.It is confirmed mainly by pathological examination and immunohistochemistry.With surgery as the main treatment,prognosis is usually fair.

PURPOSE: Details of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in mainland China are lacking. To improve disease control and reduce economic burden, a large sample survey among this patient population is indispensable. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals of 29 regions in mainland China during the period 2013 to 2014. Demographic features, pre-admission conditions, exacerbation details, and outcomes were summarized. Risk factors for exacerbation severity were analyzed.RESULTS: There were 3,240 asthmatic patients included in this study (57.7% females, 42.3% males). Only 28.0% used daily controller medications; 1,287 (39.7%) patients were not currently on inhaled corticosteroids. Acute upper airway infection was the most common trigger of exacerbation (42.3%). Patients with severe to life-threatening exacerbation tended to have a longer disease course, a smoking history, and had comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and food allergy. The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, comorbidities of hypertension, COPD, and food allergy were independent risk factors for more severe exacerbation. The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation varied with seasons, peaking in March and September. Eight patients died during the study period (mortality 0.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhanced education on asthma self-management in China during recent years, few patients were using daily controller medications before the onset of their exacerbation, indicating that more educational efforts and considerations are needed. The findings of this study may improve our understanding of hospital admission for asthma exacerbation in mainland China and provide evidence for decision-making.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; China ; Comorbidity ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Medication Adherence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking

To investigate whether ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) can promote the recovery of left ventricular impaired regional or global longitudinal systolic function.
 Methods: The trial was divided into a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) group, an PCI+IPTC group and a control group. Thirty-two patients with anterior acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent the first emergency PCI in the PCI group, 28 patients with anterior acute STEMI underwent the combination of PCI and IPTC in the PCI+IPTC group, while 30 patients underwent coronary angiography in the control group. Two-dimensional dynamic echocardiography was collected before operation, 0.5 h, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after operation, respectively. The longitudinal strain parameters at different time points were analyzed and compared in the 3 groups.
 Results: The regional longitudinal strain of infracted segments in the PCI+IPTC group after the operation within 1 week was higher than that in the PCI group (P<0.05). The left ventricular global longitudinal strain in the PCI+IPTC group seemed to be higher than that in PCI group after the operation within 1 week, but there was not statistically difference (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the long-term regional and global longitudinal strains of left ventricle between the PCI+IPTC group and the PCI group (both P>0.05).
 Conclusion: The IPTC can improve the short-term longitudinal systolic function of the reperfused myocardium in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI after PCI.
Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction ; Humans ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Myocardium ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Function, Left