BACKGROUND:Cross-sectional area and fat infiltration are the standard parameters for quantifying paravertebral muscle,but it is too cumbersome and time-consuming to introduce new quantifying indicators. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between paravertebral muscle and spinopelvic sagittal parameters and the predictive value of lumbar indentation value for sagittal balance in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis.METHODS:The study included 87 patients diagnosed with spondylolisthesis,all of whom had grade Ⅱ spondylolisthesis according to Meyerding classification,including 40 males and 47 females,with a mean age of (51.4±9.1) years. The sagittal vertical axis,pelvic incidence angle,pelvic inclination angle,sacral inclination angle,lumbar lordosis,thoracic kyphosis,and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis were measured. The total cross-sectional area,functional cross-sectional area,and fat infiltration of lumbar paracolateral muscles were measured. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between sagittal parameters and paravertebral muscle measurements. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effects of lumbar indentation value,age,sex,and body mass index on spinopelvic sagittal balance. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find the best cut-off point of the indentation value of the lumbar spine,and the relationship of sagittal vertical axis and pelvic incidence with lumbar lordosis was evaluated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) According to Pearson correlation analysis,the total cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.464,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.306,P<0.01). The functional cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.367,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.228,P<0.05). The indentation value of lumbar spine was significantly correlated with the sagittal vertical axis (r=-0.300,P<0.01),lumbar lordosis(P=0.417,P<0.01),thoracic kyphosis (r=0.351,P<0.01),and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.319,P<0.01). (2) According to multiple linear regression analysis,the indentation value of lumbar spine was independently correlated with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis and the sagittal vertical axis. 55％ (11/20) of patients with lumbar indentation value ≤11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm,while 96％(64/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm. 30％ (6/20) of patients with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°,while 66％ (44/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°. (3) It is concluded that both total cross-sectional area and functional cross-sectional area were significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis. Lumbar indentation value,as a new indicator for the evaluation of paravertebral degeneration,was independently correlated with the sagittal vertical axis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis,and had certain predictive value for postoperative sagittal plane correction. It was a simple and practical method for the evaluation of spinopelvic sagittal plane and paravertebral muscle degeneration. The degeneration of the paravertebral muscle is related to spinopelvic sagittal balance.

Purpose To investigate the expression of LAMB3 and ITGB4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and analyze their associations with clinicopathological features.Methods Bioinformatics was used to assess the expression of LAMB3 and ITGB4 in pan-cancer and ESCC.Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate their expression and distribution in ESCC tissues,and correlations clinicopathological features were analyzed.Follow-up data were collected to construct Kaplan-Meier survival curves,and Cox regression analysis was proformed to determine their prognostic significance.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that LAMB3 and ITGB4 were highly expressed in ES-CC tissues(P＜0.001).Immunohistochemistry confirmed that both proteins were localized in the cytoplasm and membrane of tumor cells.High LAMB3 expression was significantly associated with poor differentiation(P＜0.001),lymph node metastasis(P=0.015),and T staging(P＜0.001).High ITGB4 expression was significantly correlated with poor differentiation(P=0.004)and advanced T staging(P=0.004).Cox regression analysis identified high ex-pression of LAMB3 and ITGB4 as independent prognostic factors for overall survival[HR=4.97(95％CI:2.73-9.02);HR=2.33(95％CI:1.36-3.99)].Conclusion LAMB3 and ITGB4 are highly expressed in ESCC.High LAMB3 expression is associated with tumor differentiation,lymph node metastasis,and T staging,while high ITGB4 expression is correlated with tumor differentiation and T staging.Patients with high expression of LAMB3 or ITGB4 have poorer overall survival,suggesting that these proteins may serve as prognostic biomarkers for unfavorable outcome in ESCC.

BACKGROUND:According to different locations of lumbar disc herniation,it can be classified into many types.Among them,patients with intradural sac type lumbar disc herniation have severe clinical symptoms,which greatly affect their quality of life.Therefore,this article studies the risk factors for its onset,and improving the preoperative diagnostic rate is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of this disease.OBJECTIVE:To explore the risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 15 patients with intradural lumbar disc herniation(herniation group)admitted to three hospitals in Xuzhou city from May 2014 to November 2022.Propensity score matching was used to match patients with lumbar disc herniation who did not protrude into the dura mater in a ratio of 1:4.A total of 59 patients were selected and included in the non-herniation group.Clinical data were observed in the two groups.Univariate and binary logistic regression analysis,multiple linear regression,and PROBIT regression analysis were utilized to identify the relevant risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of univariate analysis showed that the average disease course,proportion of segments,modified Pfiirmann grading,sacral tilt angle,proportion of previous lumbar spine surgery history,and proportion of heavy manual workers,proportion of lumbar spinal stenosis,redundancy of the cauda equina,and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament all showed statistical differences in the herniation and non-herniation groups(P＜0.05).(2)Multivariate regression analysis showed that duration of disease,protruding segment,history of lumbar surgery,modified Pfiirmann grading,cauda equina redundancy,and lumbar spinal stenosis were independent risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.(3)Based on the influencing factors,an receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed,with an area under curve of 0.956(95％CI:0.913-0.998),indicating good discrimination.(4)There was a significant correlation between the duration of the disease,the protruded segment,the history of lumbar spine surgery,the modified Pfirmann classification,cauda equina redundancy,lumbar spinal canal stenosis,and the incidence rate of intradural lumbar disc herniation.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided subcostal quadratus lumborum block combined with general anesthesia in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.Methods:In this prospective randomized controlled study, 80 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱpatients, aged 18-40 yr, with a body mass index of 30-45 kg/m 2, of cardiac function classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February 2023 to May 2023, were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=40 each) using a table of random numbers: general anesthesia group (GA group) and subcostal quadratus lumborum block combined with general anesthesia group (SQB+ GA group). Both groups received combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia. Patients in SQB+ GA group underwent bilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal quadratus lumborum block with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine before anesthesia induction. Oxycodone was administered for analgesia during the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with sufentanil and granisetron was used after returning to the ward. When the visual analog scale score >4 within 24 h after surgery, flurbiprofen axetil 50 mg was intravenously given as rescue analgesic. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil and use of vasoactive drugs were recorded. The effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia and requirement for rescue analgesia were recorded. The tracheal extubation time, PACU stay time, use of oxycodone during PACU stay, and occurrence of hypoxemia after tracheal extubation and occurrence of adverse reactions within 24 h after surgery was also recorded. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at discharge from PACU. Results:Compared with GA group, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly reduced, the usage rate of oxycodone, effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia and rate of rescue analgesia were significantly decreased, the PaO 2 and PaCO 2 at discharge from PACU were decreased, the tracheal extubation time and PACU stay time were shortened, and the incidence of hypoxemia after tracheal extubation and postoperative nausea and vomiting was decreased in SQB+ GA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with general anesthesia alone, ultrasound-guided subcostal quadratus lumborum block combined with general anesthesia can reduce the intraoperative consumption of opioids, alleviate postoperative pain, and decrease the occurrence of postoperative adverse reactions when used in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of suture-bridge techniques assisted by our self-designed novel auxiliary sleeve in arthroscopic repair of large rotator cuff tear.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 35 patients with large rotator cuff tear who had been treated by the arthroscopic suture-bridge technique assisted by our novel auxiliary sleeve at Department of Orthopaedics, The People’s Hospital of Shanxi Province from July 2022 to January 2024. The 35 patients were set as an observation group [14 males and 21 females with an age of (58.3±10.3) years]. According to a 1:1 ratio, another 35 patients with large rotator cuff tear who had been treated by simple arthroscopic suture-bridge technique from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as a control group [15 males and 20 females with an age of (55.3±10.5) years]. The perioperative efficacy between the 2 groups was evaluated by comparing operation time, total length of incision, and disparity in hemoglobin level between preoperation and postoperative day 1. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score at 3 months after operation were compared between the 2 groups to evaluate the functional recovery and shoulder pain relief, and comparisons of the 3 scores were also made between preoperation and 3 months after operation in each group.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the general preoperative data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). The 70 patients were followed up for 5.7 (5.0, 7.0) months after operation. No such complications as recurrent rotator cuff tear, poor wound healing, infection, or anchor withdrawal occurred in either group after operation. The operation time in the observation group was 133.3 (120.0, 140.0) min, significantly shorter than 171.7 (140.0, 200.0) min in the control group ( P < 0.05). In the control group, the ASES and UCLA scores increased significantly from 29.1 (27.5, 31.4) points and 11.8 (10.0, 13.0) points before operation to 56.0 (51.9, 59.5) points and 24.6 (22.0, 27.0) points at 3-month follow-up, respectively, and the VAS pain score decreased significantly from preoperative 8.1 (7.0, 10.0) points to 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) points at 3-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). In the observation group, the ASES and UCLA scores increased significantly from 29.9 (29.1, 31.2) points and 12.6 (11.0, 14.0) points before operation to 58.8 (53.1, 62.2) points and 26.7 (25.0, 29.0) points at 3-month follow-up, respectively, and the VAS pain score decreased significantly from preoperative 8.0 (7.0, 9.0) points to 1.9 (2.0, 2.0) points at 3-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). At 3 months after operation, the UCLA score for the observation group was significantly better than that for the control group ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in total length of incision, hemoglobin level disparity, ASES score or VAS pain score at 3 months after operation ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:In arthroscopic repair of large rotator cuff tear with suture-bridge techniques, application of our novel auxiliary sleeve can shorten operation time, simplify surgical procedures, and achieve good shoulder joint function and efficacy without increasing the length of surgical incision.

Objective:To screen the optimal machine learning model for predicting the recurrence condition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at different time points post-surgery, based on the cutoff value of the Ki67 positive proliferation index condition calculated from recurrence-free survival and combined with various clinical features.Methods:retrospective study included initially treated patients with solitary HCC who underwent radical surgery at the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to March 2023. Data included general clinical data, preoperative laboratory parameters, and surgical pathology information about the subjects. The postoperative recurrence status was assessed by querying the medical record system or by telephone follow-up. The Ki67 positive index cutoff value was determined by the X-tile software based on the patient's recurrence-free survival status and time analysis. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and survival curves were plotted. The study population was randomly divided into training and testing groups in a 7:3 ratio using a computer-generated random number method. The minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) method was used for feature variable selection. Predictive models for postoperative HCC recurrence conditions in patients with HCC were constructed using random forest, support vector machine, logistic regression, and gradient boosting decision tree machine learning algorithms. Inter-group comparisons for continuous data were performed using the t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Inter-group comparisons of enumeration data were performed using the Pearson χ2 test, continuity-corrected χ2 test, or Fisher's exact test. Results:The cutoff values for the Ki67 positivity index were 0.3 and 0.5 in 510 cases, with a follow-up time ranging from 1.2 to 11.4 years (median: 6.2 years). The recurrence-free survival time was between 1 and 135 months (median: 32 months), with recurrence-free survival rates post-surgery at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were 87.5%, 77.1%, 61.2%, and 54.5%, respectively. The top five variables predicted HCC recurrence and non-recurrence conditions following surgical follow-up at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and beyond 2 years, in accordance with information obtained by the mRMR screen out. The Ki67 positivity index screened a successfully constructed machine learning model to predict HCC recurrence and non-recurrence conditions following surgical follow-up at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and beyond 2 years. The machine learning model based on the gradient boosting decision tree algorithm had the best prediction performance among them (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting HCC recurrence within six months in the training and validation sets were 0.996 and 0.946, and accuracies were 0.972 and 0.935, respectively).Conclusion:A machine learning model was successfully constructed using the Ki67 positivity index combined with four readily available clinical features to predict HCC recurrence. The machine learning model based on the gradient boosting decision tree algorithm demonstrated the best performance in terms of predicting HCC recurrence within six months after surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided subcostal quadratus lumborum block combined with general anesthesia in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.Methods:In this prospective randomized controlled study, 80 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱpatients, aged 18-40 yr, with a body mass index of 30-45 kg/m 2, of cardiac function classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February 2023 to May 2023, were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=40 each) using a table of random numbers: general anesthesia group (GA group) and subcostal quadratus lumborum block combined with general anesthesia group (SQB+ GA group). Both groups received combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia. Patients in SQB+ GA group underwent bilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal quadratus lumborum block with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine before anesthesia induction. Oxycodone was administered for analgesia during the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with sufentanil and granisetron was used after returning to the ward. When the visual analog scale score >4 within 24 h after surgery, flurbiprofen axetil 50 mg was intravenously given as rescue analgesic. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil and use of vasoactive drugs were recorded. The effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia and requirement for rescue analgesia were recorded. The tracheal extubation time, PACU stay time, use of oxycodone during PACU stay, and occurrence of hypoxemia after tracheal extubation and occurrence of adverse reactions within 24 h after surgery was also recorded. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at discharge from PACU. Results:Compared with GA group, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly reduced, the usage rate of oxycodone, effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia and rate of rescue analgesia were significantly decreased, the PaO 2 and PaCO 2 at discharge from PACU were decreased, the tracheal extubation time and PACU stay time were shortened, and the incidence of hypoxemia after tracheal extubation and postoperative nausea and vomiting was decreased in SQB+ GA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with general anesthesia alone, ultrasound-guided subcostal quadratus lumborum block combined with general anesthesia can reduce the intraoperative consumption of opioids, alleviate postoperative pain, and decrease the occurrence of postoperative adverse reactions when used in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND:According to different locations of lumbar disc herniation,it can be classified into many types.Among them,patients with intradural sac type lumbar disc herniation have severe clinical symptoms,which greatly affect their quality of life.Therefore,this article studies the risk factors for its onset,and improving the preoperative diagnostic rate is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of this disease.OBJECTIVE:To explore the risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 15 patients with intradural lumbar disc herniation(herniation group)admitted to three hospitals in Xuzhou city from May 2014 to November 2022.Propensity score matching was used to match patients with lumbar disc herniation who did not protrude into the dura mater in a ratio of 1:4.A total of 59 patients were selected and included in the non-herniation group.Clinical data were observed in the two groups.Univariate and binary logistic regression analysis,multiple linear regression,and PROBIT regression analysis were utilized to identify the relevant risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of univariate analysis showed that the average disease course,proportion of segments,modified Pfiirmann grading,sacral tilt angle,proportion of previous lumbar spine surgery history,and proportion of heavy manual workers,proportion of lumbar spinal stenosis,redundancy of the cauda equina,and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament all showed statistical differences in the herniation and non-herniation groups(P＜0.05).(2)Multivariate regression analysis showed that duration of disease,protruding segment,history of lumbar surgery,modified Pfiirmann grading,cauda equina redundancy,and lumbar spinal stenosis were independent risk factors for intradural lumbar disc herniation.(3)Based on the influencing factors,an receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed,with an area under curve of 0.956(95％CI:0.913-0.998),indicating good discrimination.(4)There was a significant correlation between the duration of the disease,the protruded segment,the history of lumbar spine surgery,the modified Pfirmann classification,cauda equina redundancy,lumbar spinal canal stenosis,and the incidence rate of intradural lumbar disc herniation.

BACKGROUND:Cross-sectional area and fat infiltration are the standard parameters for quantifying paravertebral muscle,but it is too cumbersome and time-consuming to introduce new quantifying indicators. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between paravertebral muscle and spinopelvic sagittal parameters and the predictive value of lumbar indentation value for sagittal balance in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis.METHODS:The study included 87 patients diagnosed with spondylolisthesis,all of whom had grade Ⅱ spondylolisthesis according to Meyerding classification,including 40 males and 47 females,with a mean age of (51.4±9.1) years. The sagittal vertical axis,pelvic incidence angle,pelvic inclination angle,sacral inclination angle,lumbar lordosis,thoracic kyphosis,and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis were measured. The total cross-sectional area,functional cross-sectional area,and fat infiltration of lumbar paracolateral muscles were measured. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between sagittal parameters and paravertebral muscle measurements. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effects of lumbar indentation value,age,sex,and body mass index on spinopelvic sagittal balance. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find the best cut-off point of the indentation value of the lumbar spine,and the relationship of sagittal vertical axis and pelvic incidence with lumbar lordosis was evaluated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) According to Pearson correlation analysis,the total cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.464,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.306,P<0.01). The functional cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis (r=0.367,P<0.01) and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.228,P<0.05). The indentation value of lumbar spine was significantly correlated with the sagittal vertical axis (r=-0.300,P<0.01),lumbar lordosis(P=0.417,P<0.01),thoracic kyphosis (r=0.351,P<0.01),and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.319,P<0.01). (2) According to multiple linear regression analysis,the indentation value of lumbar spine was independently correlated with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis and the sagittal vertical axis. 55％ (11/20) of patients with lumbar indentation value ≤11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm,while 96％(64/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had sagittal vertical axis ≤ 50 mm. 30％ (6/20) of patients with the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°,while 66％ (44/67) of patients with lumbar indentation value>11.5 mm had the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis ≤ 10°. (3) It is concluded that both total cross-sectional area and functional cross-sectional area were significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis. Lumbar indentation value,as a new indicator for the evaluation of paravertebral degeneration,was independently correlated with the sagittal vertical axis and the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis,and had certain predictive value for postoperative sagittal plane correction. It was a simple and practical method for the evaluation of spinopelvic sagittal plane and paravertebral muscle degeneration. The degeneration of the paravertebral muscle is related to spinopelvic sagittal balance.

Purpose To investigate the expression of LAMB3 and ITGB4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and analyze their associations with clinicopathological features.Methods Bioinformatics was used to assess the expression of LAMB3 and ITGB4 in pan-cancer and ESCC.Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate their expression and distribution in ESCC tissues,and correlations clinicopathological features were analyzed.Follow-up data were collected to construct Kaplan-Meier survival curves,and Cox regression analysis was proformed to determine their prognostic significance.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that LAMB3 and ITGB4 were highly expressed in ES-CC tissues(P＜0.001).Immunohistochemistry confirmed that both proteins were localized in the cytoplasm and membrane of tumor cells.High LAMB3 expression was significantly associated with poor differentiation(P＜0.001),lymph node metastasis(P=0.015),and T staging(P＜0.001).High ITGB4 expression was significantly correlated with poor differentiation(P=0.004)and advanced T staging(P=0.004).Cox regression analysis identified high ex-pression of LAMB3 and ITGB4 as independent prognostic factors for overall survival[HR=4.97(95％CI:2.73-9.02);HR=2.33(95％CI:1.36-3.99)].Conclusion LAMB3 and ITGB4 are highly expressed in ESCC.High LAMB3 expression is associated with tumor differentiation,lymph node metastasis,and T staging,while high ITGB4 expression is correlated with tumor differentiation and T staging.Patients with high expression of LAMB3 or ITGB4 have poorer overall survival,suggesting that these proteins may serve as prognostic biomarkers for unfavorable outcome in ESCC.