OBJECTIVES: A stable, reliable, and easily implementable clinical diagnostic method for marginal velopharyngeal insufficiency (MVPI) was established on the basis of the subjective hearing judgement of hypernasality and objective examination of velopharyngeal closure to address the lack of unified diagnostic criteria for MVPI. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal fiberscopy and speech assessment results were collected from postoperative patients with cleft palate. These results were used to analyze the differences in the distribution of nasal resonance in patients with different velopharyngeal closure ratios and the correlation between velopharyngeal closure ratios and nasal resonance status. Mild-to-moderate hypernasality with its corresponding elopharyngeal closure ratio was employed to establish the diagnostic criteria of MVPI. The reproducibility of the criteria and whether the patients with MVPI diagnosed by using the criteria exhibited significantly different speech characteristics compared with other patients were verified. RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between velopharyngeal closure ratios and nasal resonance (P<0.001). Mild-to-moderate hypernasality mainly corresponded to velopharyngeal closure ratios ranging from 90% to 99%, and the combination of the two characteristics as the diagnostic criteria for MVPI demonstrated good consistency (Kappa value=0.789, P<0.001). Moreover, under the diagnostic criteria, significant differences in nasal resonance (P<0.001), nasal emission (P=0.007), and misarticulation (P<0.001) were found between patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency and those with MVPI. CONCLUSIONS Combining the subjective hearing judgement of mild-to-moderate hypernasality with velopharyngeal closure ratios over 90% under nasopharyngeal fiberscopy provides a reliable and effective clinical method for diagnosing MVPI.
Humans ; Velopharyngeal Insufficiency/physiopathology* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Cleft Palate/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Child

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of a combined anterior and posterior approach in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for fused/ankylosed hip.Methods:37 patients who underwent THA for fused/ankylosed hip from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 28 males and 9 females, with an average age of 47.9±12.0 years (range, 26-72 years). Etiologies included 23 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, 9 cases of infectious arthritis of the hip in youth, and 5 cases of traumatic arthritis after acetabulum or femoral neck fracture. All patients underwent THA with combined anterior and posterior approach. These factors include operation time, blood loss, amount of transfused blood, blood transfusion rate, preoperative and postoperative Harris score, postoperative range of motion of the hip, and perioperative complications, etc. were evaluated. Postoperative radiography of the hip was performed to evaluate acetabular abduction angle, anterior inclination angle, the prosthesis fixation, osteolysis and heterotopic ossification around the hip.Results:A total of 37 patients were enrolled. The mean operative time was 147.6±16.8 min (range, 129-190 min); the mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 850.0±10.8 ml (range, 600-1,200 ml); the blood transfusion rate was 59% (22/37), and the mean blood transfusion was 420±45.0 ml (range, 0-800 ml). All patients were followed up for 4.2±0.9 years (range, 1.2-7.2 years). The average abductor angle of the acetabular was 43.7°±5.4° (range, 31°-55°), and the average inclination angle was 20.9°±6.7° (range, 10°-35°); the preoperative Harris score was 47.1±9.9 (range, 40-55) and the mean Harris score at the last follow-up was 83.4±12.4 (range, 75-90). The preoperative range of motion of the hip in all directions was 0°. Postoperative hip range of motion was good, with a mean hip flexion of 95.5°±12.2° (range, 80°-110°), mean extension of 10.5°±3.4° (range, -10°-25°), and mean abduction of 38.0°±8.2° (range, 10°-50°). Postoperative complications were minor, including 2 case with poor wound healing, 2 cases with paresthesia or tingling sensation in the anterior or anterolateral thigh, which returned to normal within 3 months after surgery, and no deep infection or dislocation occurred. The acetabular cup was in poor position in 2 cases and the femoral stem was varus in 1 case, but the prosthesis was stable and no treatment was needed. All the acetabular cups and femur stems were confirmed with bone ingrowth on the last follow-up radiographs, and one patient had heterotopic ossification (Brooker grade 1). No osteolysis or wear of the acetabular liner was observed.Conclusion:Combined anterior and posterior approach (Gibson posterolateral approach + modified Hardinge approach) in THA for fusion/ankylosed hip can fully expose the operative field and sufficiently release the soft tissue, and the function of hip recovered well postopratively.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-osteotomy total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the treatment of Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).Methods:From Jan 2013 to Sep 2021, 46 patients (46 hips) in our department who underwent total hip arthroplasty without osteotomy for unilateral Crowe IV DDH were retrospectively analyzed, including 6 males and 40 females, with an average age of 41.2±7.2 years (25-61 years). The reduction of the femoral head was achieved successfully through moderate upward-posterior displacement of the movement center, gradual osteotomy of the calcar femorale, proper sinking of the femoral prosthesis and sufficient soft tissue release. The evaluation indexes included the basic condition of the operation (operation time, blood loss, blood transfusion, volume), clinical evaluation (Harris score of hip joint function, patient satisfaction, Trendelenburg sign), imaging evaluation (measurement of limb length and pelvic inclination) and incidence of complications.Results:The mean follow-up time was 72.2±8.8 months (8-101 months). The operation time was 97.2±12 min (84-112 min). The average intraoperative bleeding volume was 550±60 ml (350-850 ml). No patient had periprosthetic infection or fracture, no periprosthetic osteolysis or prosthesis loosening, and no patient needed revision surgery at the last follow-up of all cases. The average HHS score of patients increased from 42.5±12.3 points before surgery to 89.2±10.8 points at the last follow-up, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=19.35, P<0.001). Patient self-rated satisfaction: none was very dissatisfied, 1 patient were less satisfied (2%, 1/46), 4 patients were average (9%, 4/46), 19 patients were relatively satisfied (41%, 19/46), and 22 patients were very satisfied (48%, 22/46). The Trendelenburg sign of 46 cases was positive before operation, and all were negative at the last follow-up. The patients' true leg length discrepancy (LLD) measurement was -2.5±0.6 mm before surgery and 11.5±3.2 mm at the last follow-up ( t=29.17, P<0.05). Patients' perceived LLD was 28.2±5.1 mm before surgery and 3.4±1.4 mm at the last follow-up ( t=32.18, P<0.05). The length of the residual calcar femorale was 3.2±0.4 mm after THA. The limb extended distance of affected limb was 45.2±4.6 mm. The preoperative iliolumbar angle was -6.5°±2.3°, which returned to -0.5°±1.3° at the last follow-up ( F=651.97, P<0.05). Conclusion:For patients with unilateral type IV DDH, non-osteotomy THA is a safe and effective surgical method with simple operation and few complications. It can quickly correct pelvic tilt and lumbar compensatory scoliosis postoperatively.

Objective:To explore the impact of a modified blood management strategy on blood loss and transfusion rates during outpatient total hip arthroplasty(THA).Methods:The retrospective research was performed in a total of 125 patients (125 hips) who underwent outpatient primary THA from January 2019 to December 2021 at a medical center. According to whether a modified blood management protocol was used or not, all patients were divided into two groups. Group A was used the original perioperative blood management strategies (1 g tranexamic acid, intravenously, 10 minutes before skin incision), and group B was used the modified perioperative blood management strategy (on the basis of the original protocol, 2 g tranexamic acid was sprayed locally in the joint cavity before the incision was closed, 1 g tranexamic acid was injected intravenously 3 hours after surgery, and 1 g tranexamic acid was injected intravenously again on the first day after surgery). There were 52 cases in group A, including 32 males and 20 females, aged 58.5±9.8 years (range, 39-69 years), 13 cases were developmental hip dysplasia (Crowe I°-II°), 24 cases were avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 10 cases were hip osteoarthritis, 3 cases were ankylosing spondylitis involving hip joint, and 2 cases were femoral neck fracture. Among the 73 patients in group B, there were 43 males and 30 females, aged 55.8±10.4 years (range, 42-67 years), including 17 cases of developmental hip dysplasia (Crowe I°-II°), 32 cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 16 cases of hip osteoarthritis, 7 cases of ankylosing spondylitis involving hip joint, and 1 case of femoral neck fracture. Intraoperative blood loss, transfusion, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) events (vascular ultrasound, 2w Postop.), the hemoglobin (Hb) drop, the hematocrit (Hct) drop and other complications were recorded.Results:After using the modified strategy, the intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced (305.6±38.6 ml vs. 416.2±88.3 ml, t=9.51, P<0.001), and the drop of hemoglobin was significantly decreased (18.1±4.0 g/L vs. 22.3±5.8 g/L, t=4.97, P<0.001). The drop of Hct also decreased significantly (7.3%±0.7% vs. 9.6%±1.3%, t=10.21, P<0.001), and total blood loss decreased significantly (720.6±57.4 ml vs. 919.6±86.3 ml, t=15.49, P<0.001). The hidden blood loss was also significantly lower than that in group A (414.9±71.1 ml vs. 503.5±96.4 ml, t=5.91, P<0.001). One patient (in group A) developed intra-articular hemorrhage 2 h after surgery and was transferred back to the inpatient ward for treatment after transfusion. Three patients (2.4%, 1 in group A and 2 in group B) developed symptomatic anemia and were discharged successfully after conservative treatment. Calf muscular venous thrombosis occurred in 3 patients (2.4%), but no symptomatic deep vein thrombosis occurred in all patients. Conclusion:According to this retrospective research, the use of modified blood management strategy during outpatient THA can further reduce intraoperative blood loss, hidden blood loss and postoperative hematocrit drop, and does not increase the occurrence of perioperative thrombosis-related complications.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic debilitating disease among middle-aged and old people,which can occur in the hip,knee,ankle,spine and other joints,but it is most commonly seen in the knee.The clinical manifestations of the knee osteoarthritis (KOA) include pain,swelling,stiffness,joint deformity,seriously affectting the quality of life.Mechanical and metabolic factors have been shown to play roles in the initiation and progression of this disease,resulting in a slow,progressive pathological process,and the normal balance of anabolic and catabolic activities of the chondrocytes has been disrupted.The mechanical factors are the joint imbalance caused by cartilage degeneration and ligament damage,and biochemical factors are mainly the changes of the joint microenvironment caused by the dysregulation of chondrocytes and synovitis.Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP)is situated in the lower part of patella and femoral condyle,between tibia condyle and the patellar ligament,and it is an intracapsular but extrasynovial elastic fiber adipose tissue.Researches have shown that besides the synovial membrane,ligament,cartilage and bone,IPFP may play an important role in the onset and progression of KOA and knee pain.IPFP has long been regarded as a structural fatty tissue without metabolic reactions,thus often been neglected,what's more,to get a clear vision in knee surgery,IPFP is often partially or totally resected,but recently owning to its potential biological mechanics,endocrine function,which can produce a variety of inflammatory cytokines,chemokines,rich in nerve fiber structure and IPFP-adipose derived stem cells,more and more scholars pay attention to the IPFP.IPFP may play a protective role in the early stage of KOA by cushioning shock,stabilizing lubrication,but this article emphatically explain how IPFP play a desctructive role in the initiation and progressionof KOA through leptin,adiponectin,and many other adipocytokines,or inflammatory mediators,so as to get further understanding of KOA,and discuss whether IPFP should be resected or not in knee surgery,providing a new method to the prevention and treatment of KOA.

BACKGROUND:Postoperative acute mental disorders refer to patients without mental disorders suffer from neurological dysfunction after surgery. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the association between psychological resilience and postoperative acute mental disorders after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS:Convenience sampling, the Chinese Version of Connor and Davidson's resilience scale (CD-RISC), was used to measure the levels of psychological resilience in 832 patients undergoing TKA. The questionnaire covered three dimensions:tenacity, self-improvement and optimism. The incidence of postoperative acute mental disorders was observed after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The CD-RISC scores of the patients with TKA surgery were (57.64±10.07), lower than the average scores of the elderly community in China. 20 (2.4%) patients had postoperative acute mental disorders. (2) Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated the negative correlation between the levels ofresilience and the incidence of postoperative acute mental disorders (r=-2.43, P<0.05). (3) Patients with lower psychological resilience levels had a higher incidence of postoperative acute mental disorders. Developing psychological resilience may become an important strategy to reduce the occurrence of postoperative acute mental disorders.

BACKGROUND:Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important cytokine signaling pathway, which plays an important role in inflammatory diseases. However, it is unclear whether gene polymorphism of STAT3 is associated with rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese Han population. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of gene polymorphism of STAT3 with rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese Han population. METHODS:Four tag-single-nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) in STAT3 were selected from the Chinese Han population of HapMap database. The study was performed with 228 rheumatoid arthritis cases and 228 normal controls. Four tag-SNPs (rs12601982, rs2293152, rs8078731 and rs9912773) were examined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The frequency of GG genotype at rs9912773 was 18.9% and 10.5% respectively in rheumatoid arthritis and control groups, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). These results indicate the possible association between the STAT3 gene polymorphism at rs9912773 and the susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND:Calcium phosphate has the similar mineral component of natural bones with good bioactivity, osteoconductivity and degradability. It has been widely used in bone defect repair and coatings of implants. OBJECTIVE:To review the major properties of different-phase calcium phosphate and to summarize the application of calcium phosphate in scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering. METHODS:A computer-based search of PubMed, CNKI and VIP database was performed for relevant articles published from January 2000 to February 2015 with the key words of “osteochondral; calcium phosphate (including hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polyphosphate); tissue engineering” in Chinese and English, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Since the calcium phosphate has a variety of phases and crystaline types, a variety of materials with different structure and size can be obtained using different techniques, such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polyphosphate, amorphous calcium phosphate. These materials have some differences in their biological and mechanical properties, and hydroxyapatite is the most widely used. Biocomposite scaffolds with calcium phosphates appeared to have promising potential in osteochondral tissue engineering.

BACKGROUNDIt has rarely been reported about the changes of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) in elderly patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aimed to evaluate the changes of Hb and Hct after TKA or THA in elderly patients, and analyze its relationship with sex and type of arthroplasty.

METHODSThis is a prospective cohort study, including 107 patients receiving TKA or THA without allogeneic blood transfusion. There were 54 males and 53 females, with a mean age of 69.42 years. Levels of Hb and Hct were examined preoperatively and during the 6 months follow-up after operation.

RESULTSLevels of Hb and Hct decreased postoperatively and reached their minimum points on postoperative day 4. Thereafter, Hb and Hct recovered to their preoperative levels within 6-12 weeks. No significant differences in the levels of Hb and Hct were noticed between different sexes. THA patients showed significantly greater drop in Hb and Hct than TKA patients in the first 4 days postoperatively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLevels of Hb and Hct decreased during the first 4 days after arthroplasty and gradually returned to their normal levels within 6-12 weeks postoperatively. THA may be associated with higher postoperative blood loss than TKA.

Arthroplasty ; methods ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Hip ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies

Objective To initially investigate the time - dependent relation between breviscapine with peroxisome proliferator‐ac‐tivated receptor‐alpha(PPAR‐α) ,apolipoprotein A5 (apoA5) and triglyceride(TG) in HepG2 cells in different time points by ob‐serving the effect of breviscapine on the expression and contents of PPAR‐α ,apoA5 and TG in order to lay a certain foundation for further exploring the concrete mechanism for its regulating TG metabolism .Methods On the basis of earlier stage experiment ,100 mmol/L breviscapine was selected to treat the HepG2 cells at different time points (0 ,6 ,12 ,24 ,36 ,48 h) .The levels of PPAR‐αand apoA5 gene and protein ,and the TG content in HepG2 cells were detected .Results Breviscapine could increase the levels of PPAR‐α and apoA5 gene and protein and decrease the TG content in HepG2 cells (P< 0 .05) ,moreover which showed the time -dependence .Conclusion Breviscapine may decrease the TG level in HepG2 cells ,its mechanism may be realized by increasing the expression of PPAR‐α ,thus increacing the expression of apoA5 in HepG2 cell .