OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound (HFCDU) in detecting perforators in the deep adipose layers for harvesting super-thin anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). METHODS: Between August 2019 and January 2023, 45 patients (46 sides) with skin and soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle were treated, including 29 males and 16 females, aged from 22 to 62 years, with an average of 46.7 years. The body mass index ranged from 19.6 to 36.2 kg/m ², with an average of 23.62 kg/m ². The causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, heavy object crush injury in 20 cases, mechanical injury in 8 cases, heat crush injury in 1 case, and chronic infection in 1 case. There were 20 cases on the left side, 24 cases on the right side, and 1 case on both sides. After thorough debridement, the wound size ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 17 cm×11 cm. All patients underwent free super-thin ALTF transplantation repair. HFCDU was used to detect the location of the perforators piercing the deep and superficial fascia, as well as the direction and branches of the perforators within the deep adipose layers before operation. According to the preoperative HFCDU findings, the dimensions of the super-thin ALTF ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. The donor sites of the flaps were directly sutured. RESULTS: A total of 55 perforators were detected by HFCDU before operation, but 1 was not found during operation. During operation, a total of 56 perforators were found, and 2 perforators were not detected by HFCDU. The positive predictive value of HFCDU for identifying perforator vessels was 98.2%, and the sensitivity was 96.4%. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, the orientation of the perforators in the deep adipose layers was confirmed during operation. There were 21 perforators (38.9%) traveled laterally and inferiorly, 12 (22.2%) traveled medially and inferiorly, 14 (25.9%) traveled laterally and superiorly, 5 (9.3%) traveled medially and superiorly, and 2 (3.7%) ran almost vertically to the body surface. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, 35 were identified as type 1 perforators and 12 as type 2 perforators (HFCDU misidentified 7 type 2 perforators as type 1 perforators). The sensitivity of HFCDU in identifying type 1 perforators was 100%, with a positive predictive value of 83.3%. For type 2 perforators, the sensitivity was 63.2%, and the positive predictive value was 100%. The surgeries were successfully completed. The super-thin ALTF had a thickness ranging from 2 to 6 mm, with an average of 3.56 mm. All super-thin ALTF survived, however, 1 flap experienced a venous crisis at 1 day after operation, but it survived after emergency exploration and re-anastomosis of the veins; 1 flap developed venous crisis at 3 days after operation but survived after bleeding with several small incisions; 3 flaps had necrosis at the distal edge of the epidermis, which healed after undergoing dressing changes. All 45 patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.6 months). Three flaps required secondary defatting procedures, while the rest had the appropriate thickness, and the overall appearance was satisfactory. CONCLUSION Preoperative application of HFCDU to detect the perforator in the deep adipose layers can improve the success and safety of the procedure by facilitating the harvest of super-thin ALTF.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Thigh/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Prospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Burns ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Crush Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap ; Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of Huaiqihuang granules （HQH） on immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis （IgAVN） mice and explore the underlying therapeutic mechanism. MethodFifty SPF-grade male Kunming mice were randomly divided into a normal group， an IgAVN model group， a dexamethasone group （2.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， a low-dose HQH group （4 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and a high-dose HQH group （8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The mouse model was established using oral administration of gliadin combined with intravenous injection of India ink. After successful modeling， the mice were euthanized after 4 weeks of gastric gavage according to groups. The 24 h urinary total protein （24 h UTP）， urine β₂-microglobulin （β₂-MG）， serum total protein， albumin， IgA， etc. were detected in each group. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of T helper 17 （Th17） cells in spleen cell suspension. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α （AMPKα）， phosphorylated AMPKα （p-AMPKα）， acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 （ACC1）， and phosphorylated ACC1 （p-ACC1） in Th17 cells. Pathological changes in the spleen and kidneys were observed. ResultCompared with the normal group， the IgAVN model group showed significant increases in 24 h UTP， urine β₂-MG， total cholesterol （P<0.05）， serum interleukin-17 （IL-17）， IgA， Th17 proportion in the spleen cell suspension， and IL-17 expression in the spleen tissue （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased serum total protein， albumin， p-AMPKα/AMPKα， and p-ACC1/ACC1 expression of Th17 cells （P<0.01）. Compared with the IgAVN model group， in the 4th week， the 24 h UTP， urine β₂-MG， serum IL-17， IgA levels， and renal IgA deposition were significantly reduced in each treatment group （P<0.01）， and the Th17 proportion and IL-17 expression in spleen tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum albumin levels significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the IgAVN model group， the dexamethasone group and the high-dose HQH group showed increases in serum total protein （P<0.01）， p-AMPKα/AMPKα， and p-ACC1/ACC1 expression of Th17 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose HQH group showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol level （P<0.05）. Various treatment groups showed different degrees of improvement in spleen and kidney pathological changes. ConclusionHQH may affect Th17 cell differentiation by regulating the AMPK/ACC pathway， correcting immune inflammatory disorders， and exerting therapeutic effects on IgAVN.

The gut microbiome shows changes under a plateau environment, while the disbalance of intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, the relationship between the two remains unexplored. In this work, we followed up a healthy cohort for up to a year before and after living in a plateau environment and performed 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing analysis of their fecal samples. Through evaluating the participants' clinical symptoms, combined with an IBS questionnaire, we screened the IBS sub-population in our cohort. The sequencing results showed that a high-altitude environment could lead to changes in the diversity and composition of gut flora. In addition, we found that the longer the time volunteers spent in the plateau environment, the more similar their gut microbiota composition and abundance became compared to those before entering the plateau, and IBS symptoms were significantly alleviated. Therefore, we speculated that the plateau may be a special environment that induces IBS. The taxonomic units g_Alistipes, g_Oscillospira, and s_Ruminococcus_torques, which had been proved to play important roles in IBS pathogenesis, were also abundant in the IBS cohort at high altitudes. Overall, the disbalance of gut microbiota induced by the plateau environment contributed to the high frequency of IBS and the psychosocial abnormalities associated with IBS. Our results prompt further research to elucidate the relevant mechanism.

Objective:To explore the effects of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) assisted by Huoxue Yigu Decoction on bone healing and postoperative recovery of lumbar function in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 79 elderly patients with OVCF admitted to Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University were enrolled as the research objects between October 2017 and February 2021. According to random number table method, they were divided into observation group (40 cases) and control group (39 cases). The patients in the control group were treated with PKP, then they were given off-bed activities with thoracolumbar braces at 2 d after surgery and the braces were removed at 1 month after surgery, while the observation group was treated with Huoxue Yigu Decoction for 7 d on the basis of control group treatment. Before surgery and at 3 months after surgery, TCM syndromes were scored. The lumbar function was evaluated by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA). The pain degree was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) at 7 d and 1 month after surgery. Before surgery and at 7 d after surgery, levels of serum osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were detected by radioimmunoassay. The levels of serum IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. The erythrocyte aggregation index, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were detected by full-automatic blood rheometer. Before and at 3 months after surgery, loss rate of anterior margin vertebral height and sagittal kyphosis Cobb angle were detected by X-ray films. The bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral shaft was measured by dual-energy bone densitometer. The occurrence of postoperative complications was recorded.Results:There was no significant difference in total response rate between the observation group and control group [97.5% (39/40) vs. 92.3% (36/39); χ2=0.29, P=0.590]. At 3 months after surgery, scores of TCM syndromes in observation group were significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=5.63, P<0.01), and JOA score was significantly higher than that of the control group ( t=3.93, P<0.01). At 1 month after surgery, VAS score in observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=6.90, P<0.01). At 7d after surgery, levels of osteocalcin [(4.19±0.65) μg/L vs. (3.21±0.61) μg/L, t=6.91] and BMD [(0.86±0.17) g/cm 2vs. (0.71±0.15) g/cm 2, t=4.16] in observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01), while BALP [(20.07±3.19) U/L vs. (22.16±3.52) U/L, t=2.77] was significantly lower than that of the observation group ( P<0.01). At 3 months after surgery, loss rate of anterior margin vertebral height and sagittal kyphosis Cobb angle in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.59, 2.81, P<0.01). At 7d after surgery, erythrocyte aggregation index, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.92, 6.33, 4.64, P<0.01), and levels of serum IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.33, 2.47, 3.45, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in incidence of postoperative complications between observation group and control group [2.50% (1/40) vs. 10.26% (4/39); χ2=2.00, P>0.05]. Conclusion:Huoxue Yigu Decoction can alleviate postoperative pain, promote bone healing and recovery of lumbar function, improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation level in elderly OVCF patients undergoing PKP.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of minimally invasive-locking block modified Krackow (MI-LBMK) and open giftbox technique in the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture.Methods:Fifty-six patients with Achilles tendon rupture from January 2016 to December 2018 were collected, including 54 males and 2 females, aged 40.7±9.4 years (range 26 to 65 years). The MI group (30 patients) used two minimally invasive incisions without exposing the rupture site, and the LBMK technique was used to repair the Achilles tendon. The open group (26 patients) used a posteromedial longitudinal incision and the giftbox technique was used to repair the rupture tendon. The Achilles tendon was repaired with 6-strand sutures in both groups. Early rehabilitation programs were adopted for postoperative rehabilitation, and regular follow-up (6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation) was performed to record the Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score (AOFAS), Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS). The rupture gap and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured by MRI at 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery.Results:A total of 30 patients in the MI group and 26 in the open group were enrolled. The differences between the two groups in age, body mass index, interval from injury to operation, and tendon rupture site were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up to 24 months after surgery. There were no wound complications in MI group, and 2 cases of superficial infection and 1 case of wound skin necrosis occurred in open group. There was no re-rupture in both groups. The relative ATRA of MI group was -6.32°±0.99°, -3.90°±1.05°, -2.38°±0.84°, -0.25°±1.37° at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation, respectively. The relative ATRA of open group was -7.88°±3.71°, -6.16°±1.10°, -4.53°±0.95°, -3.01°±0.95° at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation, respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The ATRS of minimally invasive group at 6 months and 12 months were 72.70±7.41 and 92.97±3.35 respectively, and the ATRS of open group at 6 months and 12 months were 68.08±6.64 and 90.85±4.27 respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The AOFAS of minimally invasive group at 6 months and 12 months were 88.60±2.76 and 93.83±1.98 respectively, and the AOFAS of open group at 6 months and 12 months were 85.77±3.20 and 92.08±2.64 respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The difference in the gap between the tendon rupture ends measured by MRI sagittal plane T2WI between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon in the MI group was higher than that of the open group at 12 weeks ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The MI-LBMK technique may protect the peritendon tissue and has fewer complications, and can enable the patient to return to daily life faster, with lower postoperative Achilles tendon elongation and better recovery of Achilles tendon function.

Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (ACA) is a cerebellar syndrome mediated by autoimmune mechanisms, and ACA with positive anti-Homer3 antibody is very rare. This article reports a 55-year-old male patient admitted to Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, due to dizziness and walking instability for 22 days. The serum and cerebrospinal fluid showed positive results for anti-Homer3 antibody, and the symptoms improved after intravenous immunoglobulin combined with hormone therapy. Based on the review of the case data and relevant literature reports, the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, treatment and prognosis of ACA with positive anti-Homer3 antibody are analyzed, so as to deepen the understanding of clinicians and improve the diagnosis and treatment level.

Objective:To investigate mechanisms underlying the signal crosstalk of VEGF-IL-6-STAT3 between cutaneous melanoma cells and vascular endothelial cells.Methods:EC-304 vascular endothelial cells were divided into 3 groups: control group cultured in conventional endothelial cell-conditioned medium, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) group cultured in endothelial cell-conditioned medium containing 50 μg/L VEGF 165, A375 co-culture group co-cultured with a melanoma cell line A375. After 24-, 48- and 72-hour treatment, the culture medium was collected, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) . Cultured A375 cells were divided into 4 groups: control group receiving conventional culture in Dulbecco′s modified Eagle′s medium (DMEM) , A375+ EC-304 group co-cultured with EC-304 cells, A375+ EC-304+ IL-6 group co-cultured with EC-304 cells in DMEM containing 50 μg/L IL-6 (an agonist of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 [STAT3] pathway) , A375+ EC-304+ JSI-124 group co-cultured with EC-304 cells in DMEM containing 1 μmol/L JSI-124 (a STAT3 pathway inhibitor) . After 24-, 48- and 72-hour treatment, cells were collected, and Western blot analysis, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay and Transwell invasion assay were performed to determine the protein expression of STAT3 and phosphorylated (p) -STAT3, cellular proliferative activity and invasive activity, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The level of IL-6 significantly increased in the culture medium of EC-304 cells in the VEGF group and A375 co-culture group compared with the control group ( FVEGF = 29.63, P < 0.001; FA375 = 11.09, P = 0.020) . Compared with the control group, the A375+ EC-304 group showed significantly enhanced protein expression of p-STAT3 in A375 cells ( P < 0.001) , increased cell activity ( P < 0.001) , and increased number of invasive cells (152.66 ± 16.04 vs. 86.13 ± 7.24, t= 4.43, P < 0.001) ; compared with the A375+ EC-304 group, the A375+ EC-304+ IL-6 group showed significantly increased protein expression of p-STAT3 ( P < 0.001) , enhanced cell activity ( P < 0.001) , and increased number of invasive cells (187.34 ± 14.38, t= 2.17, P < 0.001) ; compared with the A375+ EC-304 group, the A375+ EC-304+ JSI-124 group showed significantly decreased protein expression of p-STAT3 ( P < 0.001) , decreased cell activity ( P < 0.001) , and decreased number of invasive cells (124.92 ± 8.72, t=-1.86, P < 0.001) . Conclusion:There is a signal crosstalk of VEGF-IL-6-STAT3 between cutaneous melanoma cells and vascular endothelial cells, which may play an important role in the proliferation and invasion of A375 cells.

Objective:To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical bacteria isolated from blood culture in China.Methods:The clinical bacterial strains isolated from blood culture from member hospitals of Blood Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System (BRICS) were collected during January 2018 to December 2019. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted with agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by US Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). WHONET 5.6 was used to analyze data.Results:During the study period, 14 778 bacterial strains were collected from 50 hospitals, of which 4 117 (27.9%) were Gram-positive bacteria and 10 661(72.1%) were Gram-negative bacteria. The top 10 bacterial species were Escherichia coli (37.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.7%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (8.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.7%), Enterococcus faecium (3.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii(3.4%), Enterobacter cloacae (2.9%), Streptococci(2.8%) and Enterococcus faecalis (2.3%). The the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were 27.4% (394/1 438) and 70.4% (905/1 285), respectively. No glycopeptide-resistant Staphylococcus was detected. More than 95% of S. aureus were sensitive to amikacin, rifampicin and SMZco. The resistance rate of E. faecium to vancomycin was 0.4% (2/504), and no vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis was detected. The ESBLs-producing rates in no carbapenem-resistance E. coli, carbapenem sensitive K. pneumoniae and Proteus were 50.4% (2 731/5 415), 24.6% (493/2001) and 35.2% (31/88), respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistance in E. coli and K. pneumoniae were 1.5% (85/5 500), 20.6% (518/2 519), respectively. 8.3% (27/325) of carbapenem-resistance K. pneumoniae was resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination. The resistance rates of A. baumannii to polymyxin and tigecycline were 2.8% (14/501) and 3.4% (17/501) respectively, and that of P. aeruginosa to carbapenem were 18.9% (103/546). Conclusions:The surveillance results from 2018 to 2019 showed that the main pathogens of bloodstream infection in China were gram-negative bacteria, while E. coli was the most common pathogen, and ESBLs-producing strains were in majority; the MRSA incidence is getting lower in China; carbapenem-resistant E. coli keeps at a low level, while carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae is on the rise obviously.

Objective:To analyze the survival benefits and treatment related toxic effects of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-RT) for non-operative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.Methods:The data of 2 132 ESCC patients who were not suitable for surgery or rejected operation, and underwent radical radiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 in 10 hospitals of Jing-Jin-Ji Esophageal and Esophagogastric Cancer Radiotherapy Oncology Group (3JECROG) were analyzed. Among them, 518 (24.3%) cases underwent SIB (SIB group) and 1 614 (75.7%) cases did not receive SIB (No-SIB group). The two groups were matched with 1∶2 according to propensity score matching (PSM) method (caliper value=0.02). After PSM, 515 patients in SIB group and 977 patients in No-SIB group were enrolled. Prognosis and treatment related adverse effects of these two groups were compared and the independent prognostic factor were analyzed.Results:The median follow-up time was 61.7 months. Prior to PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years overall survival (OS) rates of SIB group were 72.2%, 42.8%, 35.5%, while of No-SIB group were 74.3%, 41.4%, 31.9%, respectively ( P=0.549). After PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years OS rates of the two groups were 72.5%, 43.4%, 36.4% and 75.3%, 41.7%, 31.6%, respectively ( P=0.690). The univariate survival analysis of samples after PSM showed that the lesion location, length, T stage, N stage, TNM stage, simultaneous chemoradiotherapy, gross tumor volume (GTV) and underwent SIB-RT or not were significantly associated with the prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Cox model multivariate regression analysis showed lesion location, TNM stage, GTV and simultaneous chemoradiotherapy were independent prognostic factors of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Stratified analysis showed that, in the patients whose GTV volume≤50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 34.7 and 30.3 months ( P=0.155), respectively. In the patients whose GTV volume>50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 16.1 and 20.1 months ( P=0.218). The incidence of radiation esophagitis and radiation pneumonitis above Grade 3 in SIB group were 4.3% and 2.5%, significantly lower than 13.1% and 11% of No-SIB group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The survival benefit of SIB-RT in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is not inferior to non-SIB-RT, but without more adverse reactions, and shortens the treatment time. SIB-RT can be used as one option of the radical radiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Objective:To analyze the survival benefits and treatment related toxic effects of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-RT) for non-operative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.Methods:The data of 2 132 ESCC patients who were not suitable for surgery or rejected operation, and underwent radical radiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 in 10 hospitals of Jing-Jin-Ji Esophageal and Esophagogastric Cancer Radiotherapy Oncology Group (3JECROG) were analyzed. Among them, 518 (24.3%) cases underwent SIB (SIB group) and 1 614 (75.7%) cases did not receive SIB (No-SIB group). The two groups were matched with 1∶2 according to propensity score matching (PSM) method (caliper value=0.02). After PSM, 515 patients in SIB group and 977 patients in No-SIB group were enrolled. Prognosis and treatment related adverse effects of these two groups were compared and the independent prognostic factor were analyzed.Results:The median follow-up time was 61.7 months. Prior to PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years overall survival (OS) rates of SIB group were 72.2%, 42.8%, 35.5%, while of No-SIB group were 74.3%, 41.4%, 31.9%, respectively ( P=0.549). After PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years OS rates of the two groups were 72.5%, 43.4%, 36.4% and 75.3%, 41.7%, 31.6%, respectively ( P=0.690). The univariate survival analysis of samples after PSM showed that the lesion location, length, T stage, N stage, TNM stage, simultaneous chemoradiotherapy, gross tumor volume (GTV) and underwent SIB-RT or not were significantly associated with the prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Cox model multivariate regression analysis showed lesion location, TNM stage, GTV and simultaneous chemoradiotherapy were independent prognostic factors of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Stratified analysis showed that, in the patients whose GTV volume≤50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 34.7 and 30.3 months ( P=0.155), respectively. In the patients whose GTV volume>50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 16.1 and 20.1 months ( P=0.218). The incidence of radiation esophagitis and radiation pneumonitis above Grade 3 in SIB group were 4.3% and 2.5%, significantly lower than 13.1% and 11% of No-SIB group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The survival benefit of SIB-RT in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is not inferior to non-SIB-RT, but without more adverse reactions, and shortens the treatment time. SIB-RT can be used as one option of the radical radiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer.