Objective:To analyze the efficacy of anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty(EODL)in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy,and to discuss the selection of surgical methods for the patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods:The retrospective analysis was conducted of 70 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent surgery at Affilated Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Capital Medical University from July 2017 to July 2020.Based on the different surgical methods,the patients were divided into anterior group(n=35)and posterior group(n=35).The patients in anterior group underwent Hybrid surgery[anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)combined with artificial cervical disc replacement(ACDR)],and the patients in posterior group underwent EODL.The hospitalization time,operation time,intraoperative blood loss,and postoperative drainage volume of the patients in two groups were recorded;the efficacy was evaluated by Japanese orthopaedic association(JOA)score,JOA improvement rate,neck disability index(NDI),visual analogue scale(VAS)for pain,and postoperative satisfaction score;the complications of the patients in two groups after surgery were recorded.Results:Compared with posterior group,the intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage volume,hospitalization time,and operation time of the patients in anterior group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the preoperative score had no significant difference(P>0.05).At the final follow-up after surgery,compared with posterior group,the JOA score and JOA improvement rate of the patients in anterior group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the NDI score and VAS score were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with before surgery,the JOA scores of the patients in two groups at the final follow-up after surgery were increased(P<0.01),and the NDI and VAS scores were significant decreased(P<0.01).The postoperative satisfaction of the patients in two groups was high based on the postoperative satisfaction score.There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complication of the patients between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Both the anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and EODL achieve the satisfactory results in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Hybrid surgery has the advantages of less bleeding and shorter surgery time,and the most suitable surgical method should be chosen clinically based on the actual situation of the patients.

Objective:To explore the utility of applying low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the acute stage of ischemic stroke in terms of improving upper limb motor function.Methods:Eighty ischemic stroke survivors in the acute stage were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 40 in each. In addition to routine rehabilitation, the experimental group was given low frequency rTMS, while the control group was provided with sham rTMS. Before and after 4-weeks of treatment, upper limb motor function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer rating scale (FMA), Wolf motor function tests (WMFTs), the modified Barthel index (MBI) and in terms of motor evoked potential (MEP) latency and amplitude.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before the treatment. Afterward, however, the average FMA, WMFT, MBI scores had improved significantly more in the experimental group, on average, as had the average MEP amplitude.Conclusion:Low frequency rTMS in the acute phase of ischemic stroke can improve upper limb motor function and ability in the activities of daily living.

Dysfunction of nuclear receptors(NRs),which are critical for maintaining renal lipid homeostasis,largely contributes to the progression of diabetic nephropathy(DN)by promoting renal lipid accumulation.However,there are few thera-pies in modern medicine that effectively inhibit re-nal lipid accumulation by modulating NRs.In this review,we first summarize recent advances in NRs-mediated renal lipid accumulation in DN.Then,we summarize recent studies on the effects and mech-anisms of Chinese herbal medicines on DN and highlight the effects of Chinese herbal medicines on renal lipid accumulation via NRs.In addition,the advantages and limitations of traditional Chi-nese medicine in the treatment of DN via NRs-me-diated renal lipid accumulation are analyzed,and the modulation of renal lipid accumulation via NRs is emphasized as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of DN.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of Grunenwald incision in cervicothoracic junction surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 25 patients with cervicothoracic junction tumor and 1 patient with cervicothoracic junction trauma in the single treatment group of Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2011 to September 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, including 19 males and 7 females, aged 9-73 years old. Among the 26 patients, there were 9 cases of upper mediastinal tumor, 6 cases of superior sulcus tumor, 4 cases of thyroid tumor invading the upper mediastinal, 4 cases of chest wall tumor, 2 cases of esophageal cancer combined with supraclavicular lymph node metastasis, and 1 case of foreign body penetrating injury at the cervicothoracic junction. Grunenwald incision or additional posterolateral thoracic incision, median sternal incision, neck collar incision were used in all patients. The degree of tumor resection was evaluated. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay were observed, and the postoperative follow-up was analyzed.Results:There was no perioperative death in the whole group. 14 cases were treated with Grunenwald incision alone, 6 cases with additional posterolateral chest incision, 4 cases with additional neck collar incision, and 2 cases with additional median sternal incision. The tumors were completely resection in 22 cases, palliative tumor resection in 3 cases, and complete foreign body removal in 1 case. Postoperative pathology included 4 cases of schwannoma; 3 cases of lung adenocarcinoma, thyroid cancer and myofibroblastoma, respectively; 2 cases of supraclavicular lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer and lung squamous carcinoma, respectively; 1 case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, metastatic carcinoma of the first rib after lung squamous cell carcinoma, ganglioneuroma, nodular goiter, hemangioma, well differentiated liposarcoma, vascular endothelial tumor and cavernous angioma, respectively. The operation time was 120-430 min, with a mean of(226.92±88.40)min. The intraoperative blood loss was 100-1 000 ml, with a mean of(273.46±196.34)ml. The length of hospital stay was 6-26 days, with a mean of(12.73±4.46 )days. 26 patients were followed up for 6-130 months, with a mean of(57.88±43.64) months. During the follow-up period, 6 patients died.Conclusion:Grunenwald incision can provide good exposure of the structures near the cervicothoracic junction, preserve the integrity of sternoclavicular joint, reduce shoulder deformity, and has advantages for patients with cervicothoracic junction tumors, high rib resection, and cervicothoracic junction trauma.

Objective:To investigate the value of serum gastrin 17 (G-17), pepsinogen I (PG I), pepsinogen II (PG II), and programmed cell death protein 5 (PDCD5) in the identification of gastric precancerous state and the diagnosis of early gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 86 patients with early gastric cancer who received treatment at the Marine Police Corps Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force from July 2018 to June 2022 were included in the gastric cancer group. Eighty patients with gastric precancerous states who concurrently received treatment in the same hospital were included in the precancerous state group. An additional 80 partiapants who concurrently received physical examination in the same hospital were included in the healthy group.The value of G-17, PG I, PG II, and PDCD5 in the diagnosis of early gastric cancer was analyzed.Results:The levels of G-17 and PG II in the precancerous state group [(10.87 ± 3.23) pmol/L, (15.78 ± 3.33) μg/L] and gastric cancer group [(18.78 ± 4.10) pmol/L, (21.25 ± 4.48) μg/L] were significantly higher compared with the healthy group [(5.56 ± 1.43) pmol/L, (13.52 ± 3.02) μg/L, F = 362.65, 94.12, all P < 0.05]. The levels of PG I and PDCD5 in the precancerous state group [(79.52 ± 16.62) μg/L, (1.35 ± 0.15) μg/L] and gastric cancer group [(50.06 ± 15.58) μg/L, (0.85 ± 0.13) μg/L] were significantly lower than those in the healthy group [(110.12 ± 30.23) μg/L, (1.60 ± 0.12) μg/L, F = 151.07, 650.56, all P < 0.05)].There were significant differences between the precancerous state and the gastric cancer groups in terms of family history of gastric cancer, consumption of high salt fried foods, alcohol consumption history, and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection ( χ2 = 10.39, 4.68, 11.47, 36.49, all P < 0.05). Family history of gastric cancer ( OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.03-1.96) and Hp infection ( OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.30-10.85) were identified as risk factors for gastric cancer ( P < 0.05). The combination of G-17, PG I, PG II, and PDCD5 had the highest predictive efficiency for early gastric cancer ( P < 0.05), with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve being 0.982, sensitivity and specificity of 98.84% and 90.00%, respectively. Conclusion:Family history of gastric cancer and Hp infection are risk factors for gastric cancer. Patients with precancerous state and early gastric cancer have elevated serum levels of G-17 and PG II and reduced serum levels of PG I and PDCD5 protein. Combined detection of these four indicators has a high diagnostic value for early gastric cancer.

Objective:To analyze whether patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) have cognitive impairment and changes of brain structure, and explore the possible mechanisms of cognitive impairment in MG patients from the perspective of brain structure.Methods:Twenty-eight patients with MG admitted to Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from July 2019 to December 2021 were selected as MG group, and 30 family members from MG patients or healthy subjects who underwent physical examination in Physical Examination Center during the same period were selected as healthy control group. Neuropsychological test was used to evaluate the cognitive function. VBM was used to analyze the changes of brain structure on structural MRI (sMRI). Correlations of gray matter volumes of different brain regions with cognitive function between the two groups were analyzed.Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the MG group had significantly decreased scores of Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Painting Test (CDT), and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), and significantly decreased Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) immediate memory and delayed memory scores, while statistically increased time consuming in Making Track Test Part A (TMT-A), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores ( P<0.05). Compared with healthy control group, MG group had significantly decreased gray matter volumes of the left orbital superior frontal gyrus, right orbital middle frontal gyrus, right triangular inferior frontal gyrus, left insula, left middle frontal gyrus, right superior limbic gyrus, right anterior cingulate gyrus, right lateral cingulate gyrus, left medial cingulate gyrus, left lateral cingulate gyrus, left medial superior frontal gyrus, and left dorsalateral superior frontal gyrus ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that gray matter volume in the left insula was negatively correlated with time consuming in Stroop Color-Word Test-A ( r=-0.407, P=0.035). Conclusion:Patients with MG may have cognitive decline and gray matter cortical atrophy of some brain regions, and brain areas with gray matter cortical atrophy correspond to areas of cognitive impairment.

Migraine is a complex disorder of brain function. The hypothalamus has been identified to play a crucial role in attack generation and secretes various neuropeptides. The orexinergic system plays a role in energy metabolism, arousal, sleep, stress and pain modulation. These disorders are closely related to clinical symptoms of migraine. Therefore, the study of the mechanism of hypothalamic orexinergic system in migraine may provide a new perspective for treatment. This article discusses the relationship between hypothalamic orexin system and migraine premonitory symptoms, and briefly summarizes the possible role and mechanism of hypothalamic orexin system in migraine.

With technological innovations in computer, navigation and robotics, more and more robot-assisted orthopaedic surgeries have been put into clinical practice, such as joint replacement surgery, spine surgery, bone tumor surgery, arthroscopy and fracture fixation surgery, providing a new direction for minimally invasive, precise and personalized treatment of diseases in clinic. TiRobot, an orthopedic robotic system independently developed by China, has been widely used in spine and trauma orthopedic surgery. This article reviews the applications of TiRobot in fracture surgery and in remote surgery, and introduces the progress in application of TiRobot to assist treatments of spinal and cervical fractures, thoracolumbar fractures, pelvic and acetabular fractures, hip fractures, and hand and foot fractures.

Objective:To compare and analyze the differences in the setup accuracy of different immobilization method in breast cancer radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 60 patients who received radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery from January to August, 2021. These patients were divided into two groups. One group consisted of 30 cases who were immobilized using a modified body thermoplastic membrane combined with a multifunction body board during the breast cancer radiotherapy and was called the modified body thermoplastic membrane group. The other group comprised 30 cases immobilized using a vacuum cushion during breast cancer radiotherapy and was referred to as the vacuum cushion group. The setup errors, 3D vector errors, the proportion of errors of > 5 mm, and the dosimetric differences in the planning target volume (PTV) and the clinical target volume (CTV) before and after simulated treatment bed moving (including the PTV_ V100, PTV_ V95, and CTV_ V95 before simulated treatment bed moving and the PTV_ V100 S, PTV_ V95 S, and CTV_ V95 S after simulated treatment bed moving) were compared between two groups. Moreover, for the modified body thermoplastic membrane group, the changes in the average setup errors at different radiotherapy stages were also analyzed. Results:A total of 369 cone-beam CT scans were conducted for 60 patients, including 195 CT scans for the modified body thermoplastic membrane group and 174 CT scans for the vacuum cushion group. The setup errors in the x, y, and z directions (right-left, anterior-posterior, and superior-inferior, respectively) of the modified body thermoplastic membrane group were (2.59±1.98) mm, (2.38±2.04) mm, and (1.45±1.16) mm, respectively, while those of the other group were (2.24±1.63) mm, (2.78±2.17) mm, and (2.70±1.88) mm, respectively. The 3D vector errors of both groups were (4.32±2.28) mm and (5.13±2.14) mm, respectively. Therefore, the setup error in direction z and the 3D vector error of the modified body thermoplastic membrane group were less than those of the vacuum cushion group ( t = -7.77, -3.41, P<0.05). Moreover, the proportion of setup errors of > 5 mm in the x direction of the vacuum cushion group was lower than that of the modified body thermoplastic membrane group ( χ2 = 7.13, P<0.05), while such proportion in the z direction of the modified body thermoplastic membrane group was lower than that of the vacuum cushion group ( χ2= 5.90, P<0.05). After the simulated treatment bed moving, the PTV_ V100 S of the modified body thermoplastic membrane group was better than that of the vacuum cushion group ( t = 2.47, P < 0.05). Furthermore, for the modified body thermoplastic membrane group, the setup errors in the x direction in the first week were higher than those in the 2-3 weeks and 4-5 weeks ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The modified body thermoplastic membrane combined with a multifunction body board yield better immobilization effects than a vacuum cushion. However, it produces high setup errors in the x direction in the first week of the radiotherapy, to which special attention should be paid.

Tocilizumab has been reported to attenuate the "cytokine storm" in COVID-19 patients. We attempted to verify the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab therapy in COVID-19 and identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label multicenter trial among COVID-19 patients. The patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab in addition to standard care or standard care alone. The cure rate, changes of oxygen saturation and interference, and inflammation biomarkers were observed. Thirty-three patients were randomized to the tocilizumab group, and 32 patients to the control group. The cure rate in the tocilizumab group was higher than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (94.12% vs. 87.10%, rate difference 95% CI-7.19%-21.23%, P = 0.4133). The improvement in hypoxia for the tocilizumab group was higher from day 4 onward and statistically significant from day 12 (P = 0.0359). In moderate disease patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions, the hypoxia ameliorated earlier after tocilizumab treatment, and less patients (1/12, 8.33%) needed an increase of inhaled oxygen concentration compared with the controls (4/6, 66.67%; rate difference 95% CI-99.17% to-17.50%, P = 0.0217). No severe adverse events occurred. More mild temporary adverse events were recorded in tocilizumab recipients (20/34, 58.82%) than the controls (4/31, 12.90%). Tocilizumab can improve hypoxia without unacceptable side effect profile and significant influences on the time virus load becomes negative. For patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions and elevated IL-6 levels, tocilizumab could be recommended to improve outcome.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome