Sufficient bone tissue is required to ensure the long-term stability of implants. Based on the principles of guided bone regeneration, Dr. Istvan Urban proposed the “sausage technique”. Research indicates that the horizontal bone augmentation observed with the sausage technique averages (5.3 ± 2.3) mm and the vertical bone augmentation averages (4.2 ± 1.9) mm, which is significantly greater than the outcomes achieved with traditional guided bone regeneration techniques. The sausage technique is reliable because the biological membrane has sufficient elasticity and toughness with the application of membrane screws, which stabilizes the mixture of autologous bone and bone graft materials in the bone grafting area and prevents the grafting materials from being displaced. Using substitute materials for autologous bone graft balances the osteogenic activity and the low graft absorption rate. A ball drill is used to prepare nourishing holes in the cortical bone of the recipient area, providing a pathway for mesenchymal stem cells and bone progenitor cells to migrate to the bone regeneration area. Furthermore, this method accelerates the early angiogenesis of wound healing, fully reduces tension during suturing, and ensures that excessive pressure is not applied to the healing area during suturing. Thus, the sausage technique is consistent and reliable. Despite the good outcomes demonstrated by the sausage technique in clinical applications, its potential complications related to soft and hard tissue have attracted widespread attention. These complications negatively affect the patient’s recovery process and influence the final results of the surgery. Therefore, a complete understanding of the complications associated with the sausage technique and their underlying causes is necessary to enhance the clinical safety and effectiveness of the sausage technique. This article summarizes the application principles, clinical effects, barrier membrane applications, selection of bone transplant materials, and related complications of the sausage technique, aiming to provide a reference for clinical application.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, causing dementia and affecting millions of individuals. One prominent characteristic in the brains of AD patients is glucose hypometabolism. In the context of galactose metabolism, intracellular glucose levels are heightened. Galactose mutarotase (GALM) plays a crucial role in maintaining normal galactose metabolism by catalyzing the conversion of β-D-galactose into α-D-galactose (α-D-G). The latter is then converted into glucose-6-phosphate, improving glucose metabolism levels. However, the involvement of GALM in AD progression is still unclear. In the present study, we found that the expression of GALM was significantly increased in AD patients and model mice. Genetic knockdown of GALM using adeno-associated virus did not change the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and APP-cleaving enzymes including a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10), β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and presenilin-1 (PS1). Interestingly, genetic overexpression of GALM reduced APP and Aβ deposition by increasing the maturation of ADAM10, although it did not alter the expression of BACE1 and PS1. Further electrophysiological and behavioral experiments showed that GALM overexpression significantly ameliorated the deficits in hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning and memory in AD model mice. Importantly, direct α-D-G (20 mg/kg, i.p.) also inhibited Aβ deposition by increasing the maturation of ADAM10, thereby improving hippocampal CA1 LTP and spatial learning and memory in AD model mice. Taken together, our results indicate that GALM shifts APP processing towards α-cleavage, preventing Aβ generation by increasing the level of mature ADAM10. These findings indicate that GALM may be a potential therapeutic target for AD, and α-D-G has the potential to be used as a dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Animals ; ADAM10 Protein/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/pathology* ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Mice ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Transgenic ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/pathology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Female ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Long-Term Potentiation/physiology*

Humans ; Amyloidosis ; Amyloid ; Cardiomyopathies

Objective To analyze the risk factors of intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing radical thyroidectomy under laparoscopy and to construct a nomogram prediction model. Methods A total of 336 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical thyroidectomy were selected as study subjects. According to intraoperative body temperature, they were divided into hypothermia group (195 cases) and normal temperature group (141 cases). The risk factors of intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical thyroidectomy were analyzed using the Logistic regression model. The nomogram prediction model was constructed using R software. The prediction performance of the nomogram prediction model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Results There were significant differences in age, intraoperative blood loss, amount of fluid infusion, and operation time between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age>60 years, intraoperative blood loss >60 mL, amount of fluid infusion>1 000 mL, and operation time>2.5 h were risk factors for intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical thyroidectomy (P < 0.05). A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the four risk factors. The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve was 0.912 (95%CI, 0.884 to 0.941). The calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the slope of the calibration curve was close to 1 (χ²=9.140, P=0.243). Conclusion The nomogram prediction model based on age, intraoperative blood loss, amount of fluid infusion, and operation time has good predictive value for intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical thyroidectomy.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of cardiac MR (CMR) compression sensing (CS) ultrafast cine sequence in evaluating left and right ventricular systolic function by comparing with traditional segmented acquisition cine sequence (Seg).Methods:Twenty-seven patients with various heart disease were prospectively included. Seg, breath holding CS (bhCS) and free breathing CS (fbCS) covering the left and right ventricles using multi slices in short axis were performed in random order. Friedman test was used to evaluate the overall image quality (grade 1-5 score), blood pool myocardial signal ratio (BMC) and edge sharpness under different methods. Biventricular end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular myocardial mass (Mass) were measured for all three methods. The agreements of the functional measurements between bhCS and Seg (gold standard), and between fbCS and Seg were analyzed by Bland-Altman, and the correlation test was performed.Results:Twenty-four patients with diagnostic images(overall image quality score≥2) for all three methods were included in further analysis. The total imaging time of Seg, bhCS and fbCS decreased successively[375.0 (332.0, 405.6) vs. 50.0 (47.8, 53.7) vs. 20.0 (17.8, 23.7) s, χ 2=48.00, P<0.001]. The overall image quality of fbCS was slightly lower than that of Seg ( Z=-2.67, P=0.023), and there was no difference between Seg and bhCS ( Z=-1.44, P=0.447), bhCS and fbCS ( Z=1.23, P=0.660). There were no differences in edge sharpness (χ 2=1.08, P=0.582) and BMC (χ 2=0.58, P=0.747) for three methods. Bland-Altman polts showed good agreement for biventricular functional measurements between bhCS and Seg, and between fbCS and Seg. All functional measurements of bhCS and fbCS were highly correlated with that of seg ( r>0.96, P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared with traditional sequences, CS ultrafast cine sequences can save scanning time and provide similar image quality. No matter whether breath holding or not, the cardiac functional results of CS sequence and traditional cine sequence have good agreement and high correlation.

Humans ; Neoplasms, Second Primary/epidemiology* ; Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Prognosis

Objective:To investigate the value of T 1ρ mapping in the assessment of myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods:Forty HCM patients and 16 healthy volunteers who underwent CMR examination between December 2021 and May 2022 were prospectively enrolled. T 1ρ mapping, pre-and post-contrast T 1 mapping, and gadolinium contrast-enhanced delayed enhancement (LGE) imaging were performed in HCM patients, while T 1ρ mapping and T 1 mapping were performed in volunteers. HCM patients were further divided into LGE-positive (LGE+) and LGE-negative (LGE-) groups based on the presence or absence of LGE. The T 1ρ and pre-contrast T 1 values of the left ventricular myocardium of HCM patients and volunteers were measured, and the extracellular volume fraction (ECV) of the left ventricular myocardium of HCM patients was measured using pre-and post-contrast T 1 mapping. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the T 1ρ and pre-contrast T 1 values among the LGE+, LGE-, and volunteer groups, and pairwise comparisons were further corrected using the Bonferroni method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of pre-contrast T 1 and T 1ρ values in distinguishing LGE+ and LGE- patients from volunteers. The chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability test was used for categorical variable comparisons. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between T 1ρ and pre-contrast T 1, and ECV. Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, and body surface area among the LGE+, LGE-, and healthy control groups ( P>0.05). Compared to the HC group, both the T 1ρ value ( t=5.74, P<0.001) and the pre-contrast T 1 value ( t=3.99, P<0.001) increased in LGE positive group, as well as in the LGE negative group (T 1ρ: t=4.19, P<0.001; T 1: t=2.06, P<0.044). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of T 1ρ and pre-contrast T 1 in distinguishing LGE+patients from healthy controls were 0.93 (sensitivity 84.0%, specificity 93.8%) and 0.87 (sensitivity 84.0%, specificity 87.5%), respectively. The AUC of T 1ρ and pre-contrast T 1 in distinguishing LGE-patients from healthy controls were 0.84 (sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 68.8%) and 0.68 (sensitivity 60%, specificity 68.8%), respectively. The correlation analysis showed that the T 1ρ value of the left ventricular myocardium was positively correlated with the pre-contrast T 1 value ( r=0.31, P=0.02) and ECV value ( r=0.38, P=0.02). Conclusion:Without the use of contrast agents, T 1ρ mapping shows good performance for myocardial replacement fibrosis and diffuse fibrosis in HCM patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) characteristics of heart involvement in patients with Fabry disease (AFD).Methods:From January 2018 to March 2021, eight AFD patients [3 males and 5 females, mean age (50±11) years old, range 26-60 years old] confirmed by genetic testing or pathology in Fuwai Hospital were retrospectively included in this study. At the same time, sixteen patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) [6 males and 10 females, mean age (46±15) years old] and 16 healthy individuals [6 males and 10 females, mean age (51±11) years old] were included as controls. The clinical baseline data and CMR data of the patients were collected and analyzed. The CMR data were analyzed using the software CVI42, with the corresponding parameters automatically generated. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the differences in the parameters among the three groups. Independent-samples t test, Fisher precise test or Mann-Whitney U test were used for the comparison between each two groups. Results:Statistically significant difference was found in renal insufficiency between the HCM group and the AFD group; No other significant difference was found in other clinical factors and ECG results (all P>0.05). CMR results showed that in the AFD group, there were 5 cases with symmetric or roughly symmetric hypertrophy, and 3 with asymmetric hypertrophy. The late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) showed myocardial enhancement in 5 patients, mainly presenting as multiple intermural enhancement, and partially as local subendocardial enhancement. In the HCM group, fourteen cases suffered mainly asymmetric ventricular septal thickening, with or without thickening of other parts of left ventricular wall; and 2 cases had thickening of middle and distal part of the left ventricle. The LGE showed myocardial enhancement in 14 patients, which manifested as focal or patchy enhancement in hypertrophic myocardium, including focal enhancement in the right ventricular insertion of ventricular septum (more common) and subendocardial enhancement in the middle and far segments of left ventricle. Statistically significant difference was found in the differences between the left atrial anterior posterior diameter, the maximum wall thickness of left ventricular, the left ventricular myocardial mass index (LVMI) and the native T 1 value among the three groups (all P<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the left atrial anterior posterior diameter and the maximum wall thickness of left ventricular between AFD group and HCM group ( P>0.05). The LVMI in AFD group was higher than that in healthy group and HCM group (all P<0.05). Significant difference was found in the native T 1 value among the three groups, with the native T 1 value of the AFD group [(1 177.4±46.0) ms] was significantly lower than that of the healthy group [(1 244.5±34.3) ms] and the HCM group [(1 278.8±41.6) ms], with ( F=13.10, P<0.001). Conclusions:The clinical characteristics of AFD and HCM are quite similar. When AFD is suspected, CMR imaging should be the first choice for imaging examination. Especially, T 1 mapping imaging can provide important information for the diagnosis of AFD.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of vasa previa (VP) with low-lying placenta (LP).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted on pregnant women with VP who delivered at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from January 2015 to August 2021. According to the status of LP, these cases were classified into VP with LP (VP+LP) and VP without LP (VP-LP) group. The cases diagnosed with placenta previa (PP, n=128) during the same period were collected as control. Maternal-fetal clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared among the three groups using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test). Results:During the study period, 116 VP cases were diagnosed, accounting for 0.085% (116/136 450) of all deliveries. Apart from one case of intrauterine death caused by non-VP reasons in the third trimester, there were 64 in the VP+LP group and 51 in the VP-LP group. VP+LP cases accounted for about 2.9% (64/2 219) of all the cases with PP or LP. The proportions of multiparae and women with a history of cesarean section were significantly higher in the VP+LP group than in the VP-LP group [62.5% (40/64) vs 39.2% (20/51), χ 2= 6.17, P=0.013; 31.3% (20/64) vs 13.7% (7/51), χ 2= 4.85, P=0.028]. Besides, a rare type of VP (type Ⅲ) was only found in the VP+LP group (9.4%, 6/64). The median gestational age at first diagnosis by prenatal ultrasound was significantly larger in the VP+LP group than in the VP-LP group [28.3 (23.6-31.7) vs 23.9 (23.3-25.9) weeks, Z=2.61, P=0.007]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of antepartum hemorrhage between the two groups. In contrast, the amount of postpartum hemorrhage was significantly increased in the VP+LP group [550 (436-732) vs 420 (300-540) ml, Z=3.37, P=0.001]. Compared with the VP-LP group, the VP+LP group showed a lower incidence of lower neonatal Apgar score (<7 at 5 min) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy [0.0%(0/64) vs 6.9%(4/58), 0.0%(0/64) vs 8.6% (5/58), Fisher's exact test, both P<0.05]. No neonatal death was reported in the VP+LP and VP-LP groups. No significant difference in the incidence of antepartum hemorrhage was found between the VP+LP group and the PP group. Still, the median time at delivery was earlier [36.0 (34.3-36.9) vs 37.0 (35.7-37.3) weeks, Z=3.79, P<0.001], and the incidence of abnormal fetal heart rate was higher [10.9% (7/64) vs 3.1% (4/128), Fisher's exact test , P=0.044] in the VP+LP group. Furthermore, the neonatal NICU admission rate and the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome were significantly higher in the VP+LP group than in the PP group [36.4% (24/66) vs 12.1% (16/132), χ 2= 16.04, P<0.001; 25.8% (17/66) vs 12.1% (16/132), χ 2= 5.89, P=0.015]. Conclusions:For VP+LP cases, there might be an additional type (type Ⅲ VP). Patients with VP+LP would have more blood loss within 24 h after delivery and a higher risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Intensive attention should be paid to those diagnosed with LP during the third trimester to identify any VP.