OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and early effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic thoracic spine surgery via the trench technique for ventral decompression in central calcified thoracic disc herniation (CCTDH) and thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL). METHODS: Seven patients with single-segment CCTDH or T-OPLL admitted between June 2017 and May 2020 and meeting the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 4 females with an average age of 51.7 years ranging from 41 to 62 years. There were 2 patients with T-OPLL (T _{1, 2} in 2 cases) and 5 patients with CCTDH (T _{1, 2} in 1 case, T _{7, 8} in 1 case, T _{10, 11} in 2 cases, T _{11, 12} in 1 case). Five patients with thoracic axial pain and intercostal neuralgia had a preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 6.0 (5.0, 6.5), and 7 patients had a preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score of 21 (21.0, 22.0). Transforaminal approach was used in 4 cases and transpedicular approach in 3 cases. Ventral decompression of thoracic spinal cord was performed by thoracic endoscopy combined with trench technique. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded. Thoracic spine CT and MRI were performed preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate the surgical decompression, VAS score was used to evaluate the pain of thoracic back and lower limbs, and JOA score was used to evaluate the functional recovery. Modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness. RESULTS: All surgeries were successfully completed. The operation time ranged from 60 to 100 minutes, with an average of 80.4 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss ranged from 40 to 75 mL, with an average of 57.1 mL; the postoperative hospital stay ranged from 4 to 7 days, with an average of 5.4 days. CT and MRI examinations indicated that the decompression was adequate. All 7 patients were followed up 3-22 months, with an average of 13.3 months. One case developed postoperative wound infection, and 1 case developed pneumonia; the remaining patients did not have any complications such as wound infection or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Five patients with thoracic axial pain and intercostal neuralgia had VAS scores of 2.0 (1.5, 2.5) at 1 day after operation and 2.0 (1.0, 2.0) at last follow-up, both of which were significantly lower than the preoperative scores ( P<0.05). At 1 day after operation, the JOA scores for all 7 patients were 22.0 (21.0, 24.0), which showed no significant difference compared to the preoperative score ( P>0.05); however, at last follow-up, the score improved to 24.0 (24.0, 26.0), which was significant compared to the preoperative scores ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was assessed using the modified MacNab criteria, the results were excellent in 2 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 71.4%. CONCLUSION Using the trench technique, percutaneous endoscopic thoracic spine surgery can achieve the ventral decompression in CCTDH and T-OPLL, providing a new approach for surgical treatment of CCTDH and T-OPLL.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Adult ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Spinal Cord Compression/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods*

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect and prognosis of percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (PKP) for diabetic patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures.Methods:A total of 105 patients with diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures who received diagnosis and treatment in our hospital from May. 2017 to Feb. 2020, who were followed up to Mar. 2022 were selected as the research subjects, and all were treated with PKP. Time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, incidence of secondary vertebral fracture, anterior height of injured vertebral body, Sagittal kyphosis Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI index were investigated. The patients were divided into good prognosis group ( n=82) and poor prognosis group ( n=23) according to the presence or absence of secondary vertebral fractures during the follow-up period. Binary Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the prognosis. Results:After PKP treatment, the efficiency of all 105 patients was 87.62% and the incidence of secondary vertebral fracture was 21.90%. The operative time was (83.52±16.85) min, the intraoperative blood loss was (32.11±1.52) ml, and the length of hospital stay was (10.62±1.65) d. The height of the anterior edge of the injured vertebra was (24.62±5.16) mm and (24.67±5.03) mm at the last follow-up and 3 months after surgery, respectively, higher than that before surgery ( t=15.21, 15.63, P=0.000). The Cobb angle of sagittal kyphosis was (10.03±1.27) ° and (10.10±1.25) °, respectively, and the VAS score was (3.11±0.52) and (1.00±0.11) points, respectively, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. The ODI indexes were (11.25±2.85) % and (5.32±1.01) %, respectively, lower than those before surgery ( t3 months after surgery=28.84, 18.17, 29.21, tlast follow-up=25.68, 27.49, 42.78, P=0.000). There were significant differences in age, BMD, bone cement leakage, bone cement distribution and use of anti-osteoporosis drugs between the good prognosis group and the poor prognosis group ( t=4.03, 5.22, χ2=12.50, 22.694, 26.22, P=0.000). Logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR=1.309, 95%CI=1.134-1.511, P=0.000), BMD ( OR=126.660, 95%CI=13.376-1199.376, P=0.000), bone cement leakage ( OR=4.698, 95%CI=1.306-16.902, P=0.018), dense distribution of bone cement ( OR=9.697, 95%CI=2.679-34.869, P=0.001), no use of anti-osteoporosis drugs ( OR=7.586, 95%CI=2.197-26.193, P=0.001) was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with diabetes complicated with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture. Conclusion:PKP has a high rate of excellence in the treatment of diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures, but factors such as age, BMD, bone cement leakage, bone cement dense distribution, and no postoperative use of anti-osteoporotic drugs will increase risks of secondary fractures, which in turn affects their prognosis.

Objective:To investigate surgical treatment of carotid artery diseases in neck tumor surgery. Methods:A retrospective analysis of the clinical data on carotid artery treatment was conducted in the five cases of neck tumor surgeries treated at Department of Surgical Oncology, the First Peoples Hospital of Lanzhou from March 2010 to May 2020. Surgical methods, including carotid artery resection and ligation, tumor-involved artery resection and vascular reconstruction, and tumor peeling and carotid rupture repairing were used, respectively. Results:Five cases were successfully operated on. One case of carotid artery ligation was followed by intermittent dizziness and decreased contra-lateral limb strength after the surgery. The remaining patients exhibited no neurological complications. A patient with cervical low-grade myofibroblastoma developed into lung metastases 8 months after the surgery. Another patient with cervical lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer developed into lung metastases 24 months after the surgery. Conclusion:Currently, surgical methods for clinical treatment of diseased carotid arteries include carotid artery resection and ligation, simple tumor peeling, tumor invasion artery resection and vascular reconstruction, and interventional therapy. Each surgical method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the choice of treatment depends on the patient's specific conditions, physician's clinical experience, and the equipment available.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Carotid Arteries/pathology* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology*

Objective: To understand physical activity status of children and adolescents in Tujia inhabited areas, and to provide reference for the intervention model of physical activity of children and adolescents in minority areas. Methods: A cluster sample of 2 466 Tujia pupils from two primary schools in Lichuan City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hubei Province was selected to investigate physical activity status of Tujia pupils. The univariate χ 2 test was used to analyze the physical activity status of Tujia children and adolescents and its influencing factors. Results: The median duration of high intensity activity was 49.9 minutes/day in the last week, and 47.93% of participants met the physical activity standard( χ 2=80.47, P <0.01), the median duration of sitting was 396.1 minutes/day in the last week, and the qualified rate of screen time was 78.99%, and the differences of qualified rate between daystudents and residential students were of statistical differences( χ 2=35.12, P <0.01)). Conclusion The children and adolescents in the Tujia community are lack of physical activity. Therefore, it is necessary to take effective intervention measures to pay attention to the children and adolescents physical activity.

Objective: To understand the prevalence of low vision among Tujia and Han children and adolescents in Tujia inhabited areas, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents in minority areas. Methods: A cluster sampling of Tujia and Han primary school students from two primary schools in Lichuan City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province (2 466 Tujia and 971 Han) were selected for visual acuity assessment. Univariate χ 2 test and multivariate Logistic analysis were used. Low vision and associated factors between Tujia and Han nationality were compared. Results: The overall detection rate of low vision among children and adolescents in Tujia inhabited areas was 44.9%. There were differences in the degree of low vision in the left and right eyes of individuals, and the detection rate of low vision varied significantly by ethnic, gender and grade ( χ 2=22.10, 18.43, 19.06, 17.97 for the left eye, 17.52, 20.44, 21.49, 18.61 for the right eye, P < 0.05). There were many factors affecting low vision among children and adolescents in Tujia inhabited areas, overweight and obesity were negatively associated with low vision ( OR=1.81, 1.70, 95%CI=1.76-1.92, 1.66-1.82, P <0.01). Conclusion Low vision is highly prevalent in Tujia children and adolescents. Effective intervention measures should be taken to treat and prevent myopia in children and adolescents.

Objective:To preliminarily disclose the biological properties of recombinant human tau441 (P301S) protein, such as aggregation, antigenicity and immunogenicity.Methods:The recombinant plasmid tau441 (P301S) was expressed by prokaryotic expression system and purified by nickel column affinity chromatography. The protein concentrations were determined via BCA kit. The purity of protein was determined by SDS-PAGE gel coomassie brilliant blue staining. Western blot (WB) and negative staining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to identify the recombinant proteins. The antigenicity was detected through indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the immunogenicity was detected by specific antibody titers of mouse immune serum.Results:The purity of recombinant human tau441 (P301S) was 70%. WB showed specific bands at relative molecular mass (Mr.×10 3) 64 and higher relative molecular mass. Negative staining TEM showed that tau441 (P301S) was aggregated, and the area was significantly larger than tau wild-type control protein (t=6.439, P=0.003). After 9 days of incubation at 4 ℃, tau441 (P301S) formed obvious fibrotic structure. Indirect ELISA result showed that tau441 (P301S) could be recognized by anti-tau monoclonal antibody HT7 (1∶80 000). The specific antibody titer of the immunized serum was 1∶128 000 and WB showed that the immunized serum recognized the brain lysate extract of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) transgenic mice. Conclusions:The recombinant human tau441 (P301S) protein had the characteristics of enhanced aggregation in vitro, but its antigenicity and immunogenicity were not changed.

BACKGROUND: The blocking of the programmed cell death protein (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis has been found to have an anticancer activity against various types of cancer by enhancing T cell immunity, while there are no studies linking the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to chemotherapy drugs in osteosarcoma (OS). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of blocking PD-1/PD-L1 axis on the cisplatin chemotherapy in OS in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to detect PD-L1 mRNA in OS tissues. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays, respectively. In vivo, the syngeneic mice were treated with cisplatin and anti-PD-1 antibody alone or jointly. RESULTS: In this study, it revealed that PD-L1 mRNA was highly expressed in OS tissues. Further inhibitory evaluation showed that the K7M2-LV cells (PD-L1 overexpression) co-cultured with PD-1 lymphocytes could promote K7M2 cell proliferation. Meanwhile, the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody and cisplatin significantly decreased the proliferation and increased the apoptosis of K7M2 cells in a co-culture system. In vivo, the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody and cisplatin significantly inhibited tumor growth, while the mechanisms did not involve regulatory T cells. CONCLUSION The present data suggested that the blocking of PD-1/PD-L1 axis had a positive prognostic value, which can enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of cisplatin in OS. These findings provide a rationale for utilizing PD1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies as a single agent to cure refractory OS in patients receiving cisplatin treatment.

Objective To explore efficacy and safety of simulated artificial pancreas in modulating stress hyperglycemia in critically ill patients. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was performed. Seventy-two critically ill patients with stress hyperglycemia, aged 18-85 years, acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) score over 15, two consecutive random blood glucose 11.1 mmol/L or higher, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) below 0.065, unable to eat food for 3 days after inclusion, or only accepting parenteral nutrition, admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in Shanghai Punan Hospital of Pudong New District from January 1st, 2015 to June 30th, 2017 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to the random number table method, high-intensity group and low-intensity group were injected Novolin R (high-intensity group 2/3 dosage, low-intensity group 1/3 dosage) to modulate stress hyperglycemia by simulated artificial pancreas. Simulated artificial pancreas consisted of Guardian real time glucose monitoring system (GRT system), close-circle control algorithm and micro-pump;subcutaneous injection of Humulin 70/30 was applied to modulate stress hyperglycemia in humulin group. Real-time glucose levels of interstitial fluid in abdominal wall, equivalent to blood glucose levels, 10 minutes each time, were monitored by using of GRT system for all patients in three groups. Fasting serum levels of stress hormones including epinephrine and cortisol and insulin resistance index (IRI) were recorded within 24 hours after inclusion. Mean blood glucose, blood glucose variation coefficient, blood glucose target-reaching rate, blood glucose target-reaching time, hypoglycemia rate and 6-month mortality were measured. Twenty healthy adults from health administration department of the hospital were recruited as healthy control group. Results A total of 60 eligible critically ill patients were included in this study, each group with 20 patients. There was no significant difference in gender, age, APACHE Ⅱ scores among three groups. The levels of serum epinephrine, cortisol and IRI within 24 hours after inclusion in the three groups were significantly higher than those in healthy control group. The mean blood glucose levels of humulin group, low-intensity group, high-intensity group were decreased (mmol/L: 10.2±3.2, 8.4±2.6, 8.1±2.2), the blood glucose target-reaching rate were increased [40.2% (3 295/8 196), 71.1% (5 393/7 585), 80.4% (6 286/7 818)], the blood glucose target-reaching time were shortened (hours: 49.1±5.8, 24.6±4.6, 17.5±4.2), the hypoglycemia rates were increased respectively [1.3% (108/8 196), 2.8% (211/7 585), 4.0% (313/7 818)], with statistically significant differences (all 1 = 0.000). There was no significant difference in blood glucose variation coefficient and 6-month mortality among three groups [blood glucose variation coefficient: (29.4±3.7)%, (28.5±5.3)%, (26.1±4.6)%, 6-month mortality: 55.0%, 45.0%, 40.0%, all 1 > 0.05]. Conclusions Simulated artificial pancreas could effectively and safely modulate stress hyperglycemia in critically ill patients, high-intensity modulation could bring about better efficacy in the regulation of hyperglycemia. High-frequency blood glucose monitoring by using GRT system could promptly identify hypoglycemia and help it to be corrected.

Objective To explore the influence of social network on the quality of life of elderly stroke patients in communities. Methods The general situation questionnaire, the stroke impact scale ( SIS) and social network scale for the elderly were used to investigate the community elderly stroke patients. Results The total score of social network was(39. 82±5. 87). The scores of social participation,social con-tact and social support were(11. 79±1. 61),(14. 90±3. 31) and (13. 13±3. 19). Results of univariate a-nalysis showed there were statistically significant differences ( P<0. 05) in quality of life among stroke pa-tients of different ages (F=7. 803),educational level (F=2. 664),family income (F=4. 754),smoking (F=5. 467),alcohol consumption (F=7. 058),physical exercise (F=10. 393),body mass index (t=4. 841) and hypertension (t=-2. 862). Multiple linear regression results showed that 3 times or more exercises per week ( B=5. 689),normal body mass index (B=6. 613),high degree of social support (B=0. 710),social partici-pation (B=1. 421) and social contact (B=1. 372) were protective factors for the quality of life of stroke pa-tients. Age 80 years and above (B=-10. 426),frequent smoking (B=-9. 005),frequent drinking (B=-8. 419) and hypertension ( B=-5. 224) were risk factors for quality of life. Conclusion The elderly stroke patients should quit smoking and alcohol,strengthen exercise,maintain a normal body mass index and avoid overweight and obesity in daily life. While promoting health-related behaviors,more attention should be paid to the promotion effect of social network on treatment,rehabilitation and overall quality of life of stroke patients.

This paper performs a comprehensive study on the computer-aided detection for the medical diagnosis with deep learning. Based on the region convolution neural network and the prior knowledge of target, this algorithm uses the region proposal network, the region of interest pooling strategy, introduces the multi-task loss function: classification loss, bounding box localization loss and object rotation loss, and optimizes it by end-to-end. For medical image it locates the target automatically, and provides the localization result for the next stage task of segmentation. For the detection of left ventricular in echocardiography, proposed additional landmarks such as mitral annulus, endocardial pad and apical position, were used to estimate the left ventricular posture effectively. In order to verify the robustness and effectiveness of the algorithm, the experimental data of ultrasonic and nuclear magnetic resonance images are selected. Experimental results show that the algorithm is fast, accurate and effective.