Background: In the era of nucleoside analogs (NA), we investigated the safety of using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive grafts in liver transplantation (LT) using nationwide KOTRY data. Methods: Among 4,265 adult LTs in the KOTRY registry (April 2014–January 2020), 20 (0.5%) used HBsAg(+) grafts. The S(+) group was compared with HBsAg-nega-tive groups, both HBcAb(+) (C[+]) and HBcAb(−) (SC[−]), using 1:1 propensity scorematching. Patient and graft survival were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.Cox regression was used to identify prognostic factors. Results: No significant differences were observed in patient or graft survival be-tween S(+) and C(+) or SC(−) groups. Key prognostic factors for patient survivalincluded age, HCC, MELD score, ascites, and encephalopathy. For graft survival, HCC, preoperative HCC treatment, MELD score, ascites, and encephalopathy were significant. HBV recurrence occurred in the S(+) group, but did not compromise outcomes. Conclusion In HBV-endemic regions, HBsAg(+) liver grafts can be safely used to expand the donor pool without compromising LT outcomes when combined with appropriate prophylaxis.

Objective To investigate correlations of the ratio of specific brain region volume to total brain volume(ratio％),standard uptake value(SUV)of specific brain region based on 18F-FDG PET/MR examination in Alzheimer disease(AD)patients,as well as the relationship between changes of these two.Methods Fifty AD patients were retrospectively collected.Based on FDG PET/MR,the ratio％and the mean SUV(SUVmean)of 40 specific brain regions were obtained,and the correlation between ratio％and SUVmean for each region were evaluated.According to a database of normal brains,Z-scores for ratio％and SUVmean were calculated to represent structural and functional changes in AD patients,and the correlation between these 2 Z-scores was assessed.Results Correlations were found between ratio％and SUVmean,also between Z-scores of these two parameters in 29 brain regions(r=0.288 to 0.778,all P＜0.05).Among them 7 brain regions,i.e.bilateral middle temporal gyrus,right fusiform gyrus,right hippocampus,right precuneus,left lingual gyrus and right parahippocampal gyrus exhibited correlation coefficients greater than 0.6.Conclusion There were some relationships between brain structural and metabolic functions and their changes in AD patients showed on FDG PET/MR.

Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of mortality worldwide.The gut microbiota and its metabolites play an important role in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases,and an imbalance of gut microbiota and its metabolites can promote the progression of cardiovascular diseases.Phenylacetylglutamine is a phenyl-alanine metabolite of intestinal flora.More and more studies have shown that phenylacetylglutamine is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases and a potential biomarker of cardiovascular diseases.It is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases,such as arrhythmia,heart failure,atherosclerosis,etc.Therefore,interventions targeting pheny-lacetylglutamine are expected to become a new strategy for treating cardiovascular diseases.This review focuses on the role of phenylacetylglutamine in the occurrence and development of several common cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of mortality worldwide.The gut microbiota and its metabolites play an important role in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases,and an imbalance of gut microbiota and its metabolites can promote the progression of cardiovascular diseases.Phenylacetylglutamine is a phenyl-alanine metabolite of intestinal flora.More and more studies have shown that phenylacetylglutamine is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases and a potential biomarker of cardiovascular diseases.It is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases,such as arrhythmia,heart failure,atherosclerosis,etc.Therefore,interventions targeting pheny-lacetylglutamine are expected to become a new strategy for treating cardiovascular diseases.This review focuses on the role of phenylacetylglutamine in the occurrence and development of several common cardiovascular diseases.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of phantom-less quantitative computer tomography (PL-QCT) for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:From October 2021 to October 2023, a total of 1 248 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who did not receive anti-osteoporosis treatment in the Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 520 males and 728 females, aged 62.31±9.37 years (range, 40-87 years), height 1.66±0.08 m (range, 1.43-1.89 m), weight 69.04±8.27 kg (range, 49-93 kg). The mean body mass index was 26.11±3.67 kg/m 2 (range, 14.40-37.11 kg/m 2). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and PL-QCT were used to diagnose osteoporosis, and the detection rates of the two diagnostic methods were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis was drawn, the area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results:Among 1 248 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases, 626 (50.2%) were diagnosed as osteoporosis by PL-QCT, 423(33.9%) were diagnosed by spine DXA, 488(39.1%) were diagnosed by hip DXA and 539 patients(43.2%) were diagnosed by dual-site DXA. The detection rate of osteoporosis of PL-QCT was higher than that of spine DXA (χ 2=193.557, P<0.001), hip DXA (χ 2=322.201, P<0.001) and dual-site DXA (χ 2=94.683, P<0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Taking the diagnostic results of spinal DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 81%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.82(0.79, 0.85). Taking the diagnostic results of hip DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 55%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.75(0.71, 0.78). Taking the diagnostic results of two-site DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 75%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.81(0.78, 0.83). Conclusion:Compared with DXA, PL-QCT has a higher detection rate of osteoporosis in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease and good diagnostic efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of lumbar lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods:The data of patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent LLIF or PLIF from February 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 30 patients in the LLIF group, 10 males and 20 females, aged 62.7±5.6 years (range, 53-74 years), including 21 cases of single segment and 9 cases of double segment. There were 46 patients in the PLIF group, including 20 males and 26 females, aged 63.2±8.4 years (range, 43-75 years), 40 cases of single segment and 6 cases of double segment. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), intervertebral space height, intervertebral foramen height and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients were followed up for an average of 21.3±6.4 months (range, 12-32 months). The intraoperative blood loss in the LLIF group was 112.2±76.9 ml, which was significantly lower than 193.9±88.2 ml in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). The VAS scores of back pain and leg pain after operation were significantly lower than those before operation in the two groups ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in back pain VAS scores at preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and final follow-up ( P>0.05); the back pain VAS score at 1 month postoperatively in the LLIF group was 1.6±1.2, which was less than 2.8±0.7 in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in leg pain VAS scores at preoperative, 1 month postoperative, and 6 months postoperative ( P>0.05); the leg pain VAS score at the final follow-up in the LLIF group was 1.2±1.5, which was smaller than 1.8±1.0 in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). The postoperative ODI was smaller than the preoperative one in both groups, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); the preoperative, 1-month postoperative, 6-month postoperative, and final follow-up ODIs in the LLIF group were 45.7%±16.0%, 17.9%±12.0%, 16.2%±11.6%, and 15.7%±11.7%, and those in the PLIF group were 47.9%±15.4%, 20.1%±9.3%, 16.9%±10.6%, and 14.6%±11.0% in the PLIF group, and the difference between the groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The preoperative intervertebral space height in the LLIF group was 10.6±2.0 mm, which was smaller than that in the PLIF group 11.8±2.2 mm ( P<0.05). The intervertebral space heights in the immediate postoperative period and at the final follow-up were 13.3±2.3 mm and 12.3±2.2 mm in the LLIF group and 13.7±1.7 mm and 13.0±1.9 mm in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). The preoperative intervertebral foraminal height in the LLIF group was 18.0±3.2 mm, which was smaller than that of 19.7±2.4 mm in the PLIF group ( P<0.05); the intervertebral foraminal heights in the immediate postoperative period and at the final follow-up were 21.4±2.5 mm and 20.2±2.4 mm in the LLIF group, and in the PLIF group were 20.7±2.4 mm and 19.7±2.6 mm in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). In the LLIF group, 2 cases had femoral nerve injury and 2 cases had transient back pain after operation. There were 2 cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 1 case of screw loosening, and 2 cases of deep vein thrombosis in the PLIF group. In the PLIF group, 2 patients underwent revision, including 1 case due to cage displacement and 1 case due to screw malposition. The fusion settling rate was 21% (8/39) in the LLIF group and 12% (6/52) in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Both LLIF and PLIF can effectively restore the intervertebral height, improve the lumbar function and the symptoms of back and leg pain in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for complications following lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 196 patients who underwent LLIF surgery via the psoas major muscle approach in the Department of Spinal Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin University, from October 2018 to July 2024. The age, gender, body mass index (BMI), presence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, history of lumbar surgery, history of abdominal surgery, history of abdominal inflammation, smoking status, operative time, surgical segments (whether the surgery was single-segment or multi-segments), and use of internal fixation or not were compared between patients with and without postoperative complications, the indicators with P<0.10 were included in the binary variable logistic regression analysis, and determine the independent risk factors for complications after LLIF surgery. Complications included anterior thigh symptoms (pain, numbness, weakness), cage subsidence, surgery-related complications (nerve injury, surgical site infection, postoperative buttock pain, urinary and fecal incontinence, etc.), and medical complications (cerebrovascular accident, deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infection, etc.). Results:All 196 patients were followed up for 27.02 (12.6, 40.69) months. Postoperative complications occurred in 71 cases (96 times), and no complications occurred in 125 cases. In the complication group, there were 15 males and 56 females with a mean age of 61.82±7.57 years; in the non-complication group, there were 43 males and 82 females with a mean age of 62.00± 8.39 years. In the complication group, there were 43 cases of anterior thigh symptoms, 38 cases of cage subsidence, 11 cases of surgical operation-related complications, and 4 cases of medical complications. There were statistically significant differences in gender (χ 2=3.829, P=0.051), operation time ( t=2.391, P=0.018), and surgical segment (χ 2=4.245, P=0.039) between the complication group and the non-complication group. No statistically significant differences were found in age, gender, BMI, presence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, history of lumbar surgery, history of abdominal surgery, history of abdominal inflammation, smoking status, or use of internal fixation ( P>0.10). Binary variable logistic regression analysis indicated that prolonged operative time [ OR=1.007, 95% CI(1.001, 1.013), P=0.019] and multilevel surgery [ OR=2.099, 95% CI(1.095, 4.025), P=0.026] were independent risk factors for complications following LLIF. Conclusion:Prolonged operative time and multi-segments surgery are independent risk factors for complications following LLIF.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) in infants.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 83 cases with secundum ASD who underwent transcatheter closure at the Women and Children′s Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2010 to December 2021. The clinical data included general information, pre- and post-operative echocardiography and electrocardiography, surgery records, and follow-up outcomes. The children who underwent successful occlusion were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of pulmonary hypertension: the normal group and the pulmonary hypertension group. Differences between the two groups in terms of age, weight, right ventricular end-diastolic diameter, maximum ASD diameter, occluder size, and pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) were compared. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon test.Results:Among the 83 infants with secundum ASD, 12 were males and 71 were females, with the age of (10.8±1.6) months. There were 29 cases (35%) with weight-for-age below the median level (less than the 25th percentile), 19 cases (23%) with recurrent or refractory pulmonary infections, and 40 cases (48%) with pulmonary hypertension. In this study, 81 cases (97%) successfully completed the procedure, while 2 cases failed due to soft defect margins. Postoperative arrhythmias occurred in 12 cases, of which 11 were transient arrhythmia; one case of atrioventricular block returned to normal rhythm after surgical removal of the occluder. The 81 infants who underwent successful occlusion were divided into normal group (41 cases) and pulmonary hypertension group (40 cases). The pulmonary artery systolic pressure, maximum diameter of ASD, the size of the occluder, and the cardiothoracic ratio were higher in the pulmonary hypertension group compared to those in the normal group, while the Qp/Qs value was lower (all P<0.05). Follow-up results indicated that infants with ASD who underwent transcatheter closure had no new arrhythmias, residual shunts, or intervention-related mortality. Within one year postoperatively, all infants exhibited normalization of right ventricular dimensions and pulmonary artery pressure. During a 3-year follow-up, all 29 cases that originally had a weight-for-age below the median level exhibited catch-up growth, reaching above the median level. Conclusions:Transcatheter closure for secundum ASD in infants is safe and feasible. Follow-up indicates that early transcatheter closure may be necessary for larger ASD diameters combined with pulmonary hypertension, with significant clinical improvement postoperatively.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pathological changes of the synovium in mice with post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) treated with 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI) and evaluate the therapeutic effects of 4-OI. METHODS: In the phenotypic validation experiment, the mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: wild-type (WT) group, sham group, and destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) group. Through MRI, micro-CT, and histological analysis, it was determined that the DMM surgery induced a mouse PTOA model with significant signs of synovitis. At 12 weeks post-DMM surgery, synovial tissues from the DMM group and WT group mice were collected for ribonucleic acid sequencing analysis. In the 4-OI treatment experiment, mice were randomly divided into the sham group, DMM group, DMM + 4-OI (50 mg/kg) group, and DMM + 4-OI (100 mg/kg) group. Von Frey tests and open field tests were conducted at intervals during the 12 weeks following the DMM surgery. After 12 weeks of surgery, the efficacy of 4-OI treatment on PTOA in mice was evaluated using MRI, micro-CT, histological analysis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Finally, we utilized network pharmacology analysis to predict the mechanism of 4-OI in treating PTOA synovitis and conducted preliminary validation. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Difference was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The DMM surgery effectively induced a PTOA mouse model, which displayed significant symptoms of synovitis. These symptoms included a notable increase in both the number of calcified tissues and osteophytes (p < 0.001), an enlargement of the calcified meniscus and synovial tissue volume (p < 0.001), and thickening of the synovial lining layer attributable to M1 macrophage accumulation (p = 0.035). Additionally, we observed elevated histological scores for synovitis (p < 0.001). Treatment with 4-OI inhibited the thickening of M1 macrophages in the synovial lining layer of PTOA mice (p < 0.001) and reduced fibrosis in the synovial stroma (p = 0.004). Furthermore, it reduced the histological scores of knee synovitis in PTOA mice (p = 0.006) and improved the inflammatory microenvironment associated with synovitis. Consequently, this treatment alleviated pain in PTOA mice (p < 0.001) and reduced spontaneous activity (p = 0.003). Bioinformatics and network pharmacology analyses indicated that 4-OI may exert its therapeutic effects by inhibiting the differentiation of synovial Th17 cells. Specifically, compared to the lipopolysaccharide stimulation group, 4-OI reduced the levels of positive regulatory factors of Th17 cell differentiation (IL-1: p < 0.001, IL-6: p < 0.001), key effector molecules (IL-17A: p < 0.001, IL-17F: p = 0.004), and downstream effector molecules in the IL-17 signaling pathway (CCL2: p < 0.001, MMP13: p < 0.001). CONCLUSION 4-OI is effective in inhibiting synovitis in PTOA, thereby alleviating the associated painful symptoms.
Animals ; Synovitis/etiology* ; Mice ; Osteoarthritis/etiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; X-Ray Microtomography

PURPOSE: The rate of complications among patients undergoing surgery has increased due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other variants of concern. However, Omicron has shown decreased pathogenicity, raising questions about the risk of postoperative complications among patients who are infected with this variant. This study aimed to investigate complications and related factors among patients with recent Omicron infection prior to undergoing orthopedic surgery. METHODS: A historical control study was conducted. Data were collected from all patients who underwent surgery during 2 distinct periods: (1) between Dec 12, 2022 and Jan 31, 2023 (COVID-19 positive group), (2) between Dec 12, 2021 and Jan 31, 2022 (COVID-19 negative control group). The patients were at least 18 years old. Patients who received conservative treatment after admission or had high-risk diseases or special circumstances (use of anticoagulants before surgery) were excluded from the study. The study outcomes were the total complication rate and related factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on complications. RESULTS: In the analysis, a total of 847 patients who underwent surgery were included, with 275 of these patients testing positive for COVID-19 and 572 testing negative. The COVID-19-positive group had a significantly higher rate of total complications (11.27%) than the control group (4.90%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for relevant factors, the OR was 3.08 (95% CI: 1.45-6.53). Patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at 3-4 weeks (OR = 0.20 (95% CI: 0.06-0.59), p = 0.005), 5-6 weeks (OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04-0.59), p = 0.010), or ≥7 weeks (OR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.06-1.02), p = 0.069) prior to surgery had a lower risk of complications than those who were diagnosed at 0-2 weeks prior to surgery. Seven factors (age, indications for surgery, time of operation, time of COVID-19 diagnosis prior to surgery, C-reactive protein levels, alanine transaminase levels, and aspartate aminotransferase levels) were found to be associated with complications; thus, these factors were used to create a nomogram. CONCLUSION Omicron continues to be a significant factor in the incidence of postoperative complications among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. By identifying the factors associated with these complications, we can determine the optimal surgical timing, provide more accurate prognostic information, and offer appropriate consultation for orthopedic surgery patients who have been infected with Omicron.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Nomograms ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors