Objective Exploring the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A(BTX-A)combined with pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods A total of 80 patients with PHN were collected.They were randomly divided into experimental group(Group B)and control group(Group C),Group B was treated with BTX-A intradermal injection combined with PRF,and Group C was treated with lidocaine intradermal injection combined with PRF.Numeric pain score(NRS),Simplified McGill Pain Questionnaire(SF-MPQ)and Sleep Quality Score(QS)were used to assess the patients'pain level and sleep quality preoperatively,1,3,and 7 days postoperatively,and 1,2,and 3 months postoperatively.The patients'postoperative adverse reac-tions were collected.Interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)levels in patients'serum were measured preoperatively and 3 days postoperatively.Results The NRS scores,SF-MPQ scores,and QS scores of group B and group C were significantly lower at all postoperative time points compared to preoperative ones(P<0.05).The NRS and SF-MPQ score were significantly lower in group B at 1,2,and 3 months postoperatively compared with group C(P<0.05);and group B had significantly lower QS scores at 2 and 3 months postoperatively(P<0.05).The effective rate of pain relief at 3 months postoperatively in group B(90%)was statistically signifi-cant(P<0.05)compared with group C(56.7%).No serious adverse reactions occurred in either group.The levels of IL-1β and CGRP in serum of patients in both groups were significantly decreased at 3 days after surgery compared with the preoperative period,and the degree of decrease of IL-1β and CGRP in group B was more significant than that in group C(P<0.05).Conclusion BTX-A combined with PRF treatment for PHN can effectively reduce its pain level,improve the quality of sleep,and is safe.

BACKGROUND:The specific molecular mechanism of the transformation from normal healthy people to acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy has not been clear,which needs to be further studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differential expression of serum proteomics between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,and to find and identify potential specific serum markers between them. METHODS:The serum samples of eight patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and eight normal healthy people were collected,and the proteomic screening and analysis were performed by tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology,in order to explore and identify serum proteins differentially expressed in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 183 significantly differential proteins were screened by tandem mass tag technology,and 11 significantly differential proteins were identified(P＜0.05).Compared with normal healthy people,three differential proteins were significantly up-regulated,including human leukocyte antigen-A,secretoglobin family 1a member 1,and protein 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase,and seven differential proteins were significantly down-regulated,such as immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 3,skin factor,and myosin light chain 3,in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that these differential proteins participated in antigen binding,immunoglobulin receptor binding and other molecular functions.Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that among the common differential proteins between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,HLA-A,HPD,PSMA3,DMKN,SCGB1A1,and MYL3 were located at the nodes of the functional network,and were closely related to the systems of body immunity,cellular inflammatory response,energy metabolism,and mechanical pressure.The significantly differential proteins HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 were verified by western blot,and the results were consistent with those of proteomics.To conclude,tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology can be used to find the differentially expressed proteins in serum between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.It is preliminarily believed that HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 may be specific serum markers of acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,providing a new direction for further research on its pathogenesis.

Objective:To compare the effects of two methods of marking surface landmarks on the patient’s positional stability when using a multifunctional body board in combination with thermoplastics to fix the abdominal and pelvic areas for radiotherapy patients.Methods:50 subjects who underwent positional fixation using a multifunctional body board in combination with thermoplastics from August 2022 to January 2023. The subjects were divided into two groups, A and B, with 25 cases each, according to the different methods of body surface marking. In group A, landmarks were marked on the body surface on the top edge of the thermoplastics. In group B, three sets of surface landmarks were marked on the patient’s body according to the laser line on the projection of the patient’s body surface when the thermoplastics were completed. Manual registration is performed using L3 to L5 as the main registration targets. The pre-treatment CBCT image is used to analyze the first-time positioning pass rate, setup errors in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions, and the distribution of positive and negative setup errors in both groups of patients. Results:The pass rates of the first-time positioning of patients in Groups A and B were 76.9% and 86.1%, respectively, which met the clinical requirements. Group B had a better first-time positioning pass rate than group A, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The pendulum errors of group B were smaller than those of group A in both the x-axis and y-axis (all P < 0.05), and the difference between the two groups in terms of the pendulum errors in the z-axis direction was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The difference in the frequency distribution of the pendulum error in the positive and negative directions of the x- and z-axis between the two groups was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The difference in the frequency of distribution of the pendulum error in the positive and negative directions of the y-axis between the two groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The proposed two methods of surface landmark marking are generally in line with the positioning requirements for conventional fractionation radiotherapy for abdominal and pelvic patients. Using a laser line on the projection of the patient’s body surface for three sets of surface landmark markings produces smaller setup errors and is better than using the top edge of the thermoplastics for surface landmark markings, improving the positional stability of abdominal and pelvic patients.

Objective:To explore the relationship between serum lactate level and early prognosis after liver transplantation (LT) in children.Methods:Between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020, 675 pediatric LT recipients were recruited. Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed, early postoperative serum lactate level and clearance rate recorded and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve plotted for determining optimal cut-off values. The inter-group differences in early postoperative complications and patient/graft survival rates were compared.Results:According to ROC, blood lactate levels >1.99 mmol/L at 12 h postoperatively were associated with early postoperative graft loss (AUC 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.84, P=0.01). Age and weight of recipients in high-level group were 7.17(5.70-10.40) month and 7.00(6.00-8.60) kg and both were significantly lower than those in low-level group [7.80(6.21-13.58) month and 7.20(6.45-9.00) kg]. The inter-group differences were statistically significant ( P=0.017, P=0.034). Blood plasma transfusion volume, red blood cell transfusion volume, portal vein pressure pre-closure, postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay, ventilator use time, early allograft dysfunction rate, early postoperative pulmonary infection rate and recipient mortality rate in high-level group were 400 (200-400) ml, 2.00 (2.00-4.00) U, (15.71±4.44) mmHg, 2.50(2.00-3.00) day, 3.81(2.47-8.50) hour, 22.95%(42/185), 16.76%(31/185) and 6.49%(12/185) respectively. The above values were significantly higher than those in low-level group 200(100-400) ml, 2.00 (2.00-3.00) U, (14.69±4.68) mmHg, 2.00(2.00-3.00) day, 3.53(2.34-6.12) hour, 14.69%(72/490), 11.02%(54/490) and 1.43%(7/490) respectively. The inter-group differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001, P=0.014, P=0.015, P=0.037, P=0.043, P=0.011, P=0.045 & P<0.001). The incidence of early postoperative acute cellular rejection was significantly lower in high-level group than that in low-level group [11.89%(22/185) vs 22.86%(112/490)]. The inter-group difference was statistically significant ( P=0.01). The 1/3-month cumulative survival rates of patient/graft were 94.6%, 94.1% and 92.4%, 91.4% in high-level group versus 99.2%, 98.6% and 99.0%, 98.4% in low-level group. There were significant inter-group differences ( P=0, P<0.000 1). With a rising level of lactate at 12 h postoperatively, risk of early graft loss and early recipient mortality spiked markedly ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Serum lactate level post-operation is a valid predictor of early prognosis after LT in children.

Objective To explore the clinical value of neurography and nerve root sealing in treatment of multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbar instability using Endo-P/TLIF.Methods A total of 60 patients with multi-segment lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar instability hospitalized in our hospital were included in this study From January 1,2022 to June 21,2022.All patients underwent nerve root closure angiography before surgery to confirm the responsible segments,and then the responsible segments were treated with Endo-P/TLIF.The patients were followed up for 6 months.The basic information on the age,gender,course of disease,surgical time,intraop-erative bleeding,hospitalization time,and off-bed ambulation time was collected.Then the data on VAS score,ODI score,JOA score,lumbar lordosis angle,intervertebral height,dural cross-sectional area,sacral inclination angle,pelvic projection angle,and pelvic inclination angle before,right after,3 months and 6 months after the operation were calculated.The number of responsible segments indicated by MRI and confirmed by nerve root closure angiography and the number of the single segment,double segments,3 segments,and above finally decompressed were statisti-cally analyzed.Results All patients went through the surgery safely.During the 6-month follow-up,one patient did not return to the hospital for consultation on time,and one patient was out of contact.Finally,the follow-up data of 58 patients were completely collected for statistical analysis.Fifty-five cases were remarkably improved,2 better,and 1 moderately,6 months after the operation,with a total effectiveness rate of 100%.The number of unilateral and bilateral single responsible segments confirmed by nerve root angiography and sealing was significantly larger than by MRI(P<0.05),but the number of unilateral and unilateral double,or multiple responsible segments was signifi-cantly smaller(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative VAS score,ODI score,JOA score,VAS score,ODI score,JOA score,lumbar lordosis angle,intervertebral height,dural cross-sectional area,sacral inclination angle,pelvic inclination angle as compared to the preoperative data(P＜0.05).The pelvic projection angle was insignificantly improved as compared to the preoperative condition(P ? 0.05).Conclusion The accurate diagnosis with selective neurography and nerve root sealing improves the confirmation of responsible nerve segments before operation.Base on the accurate diagnosis,multi-segment lumbar spinal canal stenosis with lumbar instability can be effectively treated with Endo-P/TLIF,the responsible segment decompressed,trauma and bleeding reduced,hospital stay shortened,spinal physiological curvature well recovered,and clinical efficacy improved.Therefore,the method is worthy of extensive application in clinical practice.

Objective:To study the impact of donor left hepatic vein classification and the reconstruction methods on hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) after pediatric living-donor liver transplantation using left lateral liver segments.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on the clinical data of 653 children recipients who underwent living-donor liver transplantation with left lateral liver segments from January 2014 to December 2020 at Tianjin First Central Hospital. There were 309 males and 344 females, aged 7.0 (6.0, 10.0) months, with an age range of 3-121 months. Based on the left hepatic vein on preoperative donor enhancement CT as well as the intraoperative reconstruction methods, the recipients were divided into 3 groups: type Ⅰ group ( n=514), anastomosis using a single opening was performed directly between the donor and the recipient; type Ⅱ group ( n=118), angioplasty was performed on two adjacent recipient venous orifices before anastomosis, and type Ⅲ group ( n=21), an interposition vessel was anastomosed to two widely spaced openings or the two veins were anastomosed separately. The preoperative general status of the patient, postoperative HVOO incidences, and graft and recipient survival rates were compared among the three groups. The patients were followed up by outpatient reexamination or telephone. Results:Graft to recipient weight ratio in the type Ⅲ group was smaller than that in the type Ⅰ group and the type Ⅱ group ( P<0.05). For all the 653 patients, the incidence of postoperative HVOO was 4.59% (30/653), with the incidences of HVOO in the 3 groups of patients were 4.1% for the type Ⅰ group (21/514), 5.1% for the type Ⅱ group (6/118), and 14.3% for the type Ⅲ group (3/21), respectively. There was no significant difference among the groups ( P>0.05). The recipient cumulative survival rates at 1 and 3 years after surgery in the type I group were 97.8% and 97.0%, and the corresponding rates in the type Ⅱ group were 96.5% and 94.2%, and in the type Ⅲ group were 94.1% and 86.9%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ groups ( P=0.048). The graft cumulative survival rates at 1 and 3 years in the type Ⅰ group were 97.4% and 96.9%, and the corresponding rates in the type Ⅱ group were 94.9% and 92.5%, and in the type Ⅲ group were 94.1% and 86.9%, respectively. The difference in the postoperative graft cumulative survival rates between the type Ⅰ group and type Ⅱ group was significant ( P=0.044). Conclusions:The anatomy of the left hepatic vein supplying the left lateral liver segment was highly variable, and the majority of the variations could be reconstructed. A reasonable reconstructive method could reduce the incidence of postoperative HVOO and improved the outcomes of the graft.

Objective:To explore the impact of graft recipient weight ratio(GRWR)on pediatric whole liver transplantation in infants aged under 1 year.Methods:From January 2014 to December 2019, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 140 children aged under 1 year with whole liver transplantation.They were divided into 3 groups of low GRWR(GRWR<2.5%, 48 cases), middle GRWR(2.5%≤GRWR<5%, 73 cases)and high GRWR(GRWR≥5%, 19 cases). Basic profiles, major postoperative complications and survival rate of graft/recipient were compared.Results:There were 62 males and 78 females with an average age of (7.34±1.81)months and an average weight of(6.81±1.09)kg.The median GRWR was 3.27%(1.33%~8.12%). The higher level of GRWR, the greater age, weight and graft weight of donor in three groups and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); operative duration, postoperative ICU stay and hospital stay were longer in low GRWR group than those in middle GRWR group and there was statistical difference( P<0.05); The incidence of postoperative hepatic artery thrombosis was higher in low GRWR group than that in middle GRWR group(31.3%vs 8.2%)and there was statistical difference( P<0.05); 4 cases of small-for-size syndrome occurred in low GRWR group, it was significantly different from the other two groups and there was statistical difference( P<0.05); the median follow-up period was(50.7±23.4)months.The survival rates of grafts at 3-month and 1/5-year were 89.6%, 91.8%, 100%; 87.5%, 87.7%, 100%; 87.5%, 87.7%, 100%and there was no inter-group difference( P>0.05). The survival rates of recipients at 3 months, 1 year and 5 years post-operation were 93.8%, 91.8%, 100%; 91.7%, 87.7%, 100%; 91.7%, 87.7%, 100%and there was no inter-group difference( P>0.05). Conclusions:Different from pediatric living donor transplantation, GRWR≥5%does not affect the survival rate of recipient/graft during whole liver transplantation.And GRWR<2.5%may boost the postoperative incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis and small liver syndrome.

Objective:To explore the clinicalfactors related to allograft fibrosis after pediatric liver transplantation.Methods:The clinical data were respectively analyzed for 94 pediatric recipients from January 2013 to December 2016 at Tianjin First Central Hospital.The Patients were assigned into fibrotic and non-fibrotic groups based upon the results of protocol liver biopsies. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed for examining the risk factors of fibrosis after pediatric livertransplantation. Then Logistic regression model was established to obtain the predicted value of combined predictive factors.Thereceiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of combined predictive factors.Results:A total number of 54(57.5%) patients occurred fibrosis among the 94 patients. There weresignificant differences in cold ischemia time (Z=2.094), warm ischemia time (Z=2.421), biliary stricture( χ2=4.560), drug-induced liver injury ( χ2=7.389), hepatic artery thrombosis and rejection ( χ2=6.955)between two groups ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that cold ischemia time (OR=1.003, 95%CI: 1.000~1.007, P=0.044), biliary stricture(OR=6.451, 95%CI: 1.205~33.295), rejection(OR=2.735, 95%CI: 1.057~7.077)and drug-induced liver injury (OR=4.977, 95%CI: 1.207~20.522, P=0.026) were independent risk factors for fibrosis 5 years after liver transplantation. The area under the ROC curve was 0.786(95%CI: 0.691~0.881), for predicting patient outcome.If using 0.311as a cutoff Value, the sensitivity was 90.70%, and the specificity was 60.00%. However, through the ROC curve comparison, there was statistical significance between combined predictive factors and the other independent risk factors ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of fibrosis 5 years after pediatricliver transplantation is 57.5%. Prolonged cold ischemia time, biliarystricture, rejectionand drug-induced liver injury after liver transplantation are independent risk factors for fibrosis 5 years after pediatric liver transplantation.And the combined predictive factors have a high predictive value forallograftfibrosis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of basiliximab plus single steroid induced immunotherapy during donor-recipient ABO-compatible pediatric liver transplantation(LT).Methods:From January 1, 2019 to January 19, 2020, a total of 150 children of donor-recipient ABO-compatible LT were randomly divided into basiliximab group(basiliximab plus single steroid induction and postoperative immunosuppression with tacrolimus alone)and steroid group(conventional dose of steroid induction plus postoperative immunosuppression with tacrolimus and steroid). Clinical characteristics, survival rate of recipients and liver allografts, rejection rate and infection rate were observed.Results:The median follow-up time was 9.2(0.7~15.5)months.No significant inter-group differences existed in survival rate of recipients/grafts or the incidence of acute rejection, early postoperative pulmonary infection, cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus infection. However, in 56 living donor LT, acute rejection(6cases, 10.7%)occurred in basiliximab group versus(12cases, 25.5%)in steroid group. During living donor LT, the incidence of acute rejection declined markedly in bsiliximab group as compared with steroid group( P=0.043). Conclusions:Both safe and effective for donor-recipient ABO-compatible pediatric LT, basiliximab plus single steroid induced immunotherapy can significantly lower the occurrences of acute rejection during living donor LT.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of de novo non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)in pediatric recipients in early stage post liver transplantation(LT)to enhance our understanding of this rare complication.Methods:The clinical data of 8 recipients who underwent liver transplantation in the children's organ transplantation Department of Tianjin first central hospital from January 2014 to December 2019 and developed NAFLD within 3 months after operation were retrospectively analyzed. Taking liver biopsy as the standard for the diagnosis of NAFLD, the clinical and histological characteristics of early NAFLD after transplantation were summarized and analyzed.The median time from LT to NAFLD was 1.55(0.63, 2.93)months and the median follow-up period 23.60(8.74, 32.58)months.Results:NAFLD was all pathologically confirmed by liver biopsy. Seven cases had abnormal liver function and 1 case of steatosis was detected by ultrasound pre-biopsy. There were acute cellular rejection(2 cases)and drug-induced graft injury(1 case). The median period of recovery for graft function was 32.0(12.0, 34.0)days. Macrovesicular graft steatosis predominated.Conclusions:Occurring earlier in children after LT, NAFLD is frequently accompanied by abnormal graft function. Liver biopsy is required for making a definite diagnosis. Abnormal graft function persists a long time. However, prognosis is generally decent.