Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of endoscopic posterior transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-PTLIF) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 56 patients with single-segment lumbar degenerative diseases treated at Xiuzhou District People's Hospital between September 2020 and March 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach: the Endo-PTLIF group (24 cases, 11 males and 13 females; mean age: 56.5±8.4 years, range: 43-72 years) and the MIS-TLIF group (32 cases, 10 males and 22 females; mean age: 54.5±10.4 years, range: 37-73 years). Perioperative parameters, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbar lordosis (LL), disc height (DH), and dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) were compared between the two groups.Results:No significant differences were observed between the two groups in baseline characteristics, preoperative VAS, ODI, LL, DH, or DSCA ( P>0.05). However, the operative time in the Endo-PTLIF group (173.9±12.3 minutes) was significantly longer than in the MIS-TLIF group (136.5±19.5 minutes, P<0.05). Similarly, the Endo-PTLIF group required more fluoroscopy exposures (15.9±1.8) than the MIS-TLIF group (13.0±1.6, P<0.05). In contrast, intraoperative blood loss in the Endo-PTLIF group (68.9± 12.9 ml) was significantly lower than in the MIS-TLIF group (126.7±35.4 ml, P<0.05). Additionally, the Endo-PTLIF group had a shorter hospital stay [7.00 (6.25, 7.75) days] compared to the MIS-TLIF group [10.00 (9.25, 11.00) days, P<0.05]. At one week and one month postoperatively, the Endo-PTLIF group had significantly lower back pain VAS scores [2.00 (2.00, 3.00) and 2.00 (2.00, 2.00), respectively] and a lower ODI (25.83%±3.83%) compared to the MIS-TLIF group [3.00 (2.25, 4.00), 2.50 (2.00, 3.00), and 30.09%±4.02%, respectively; P<0.05]. Beyond one month postoperatively, there were no significant differences in leg pain VAS scores between the groups, and back pain VAS and ODI showed no significant differences after six months ( P>0.05). At the final follow-up, the excellent and good rates, according to MacNab criteria, were 95.8% in the Endo-PTLIF group and 93.8% in the MIS-TLIF group, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, both groups showed significant improvements in LL, DH, and DSCA compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05). The fusion rates were 96% in the Endo-PTLIF group and 94% in the MIS-TLIF group, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). Complications included one case of dural tear in the Endo-PTLIF group, and one case of dural tear and one case of incision infection in the MIS-TLIF group. Conclusion:Endo-PTLIF achieves comparable clinical efficacy to MIS-TLIF in the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative diseases, with the added advantages of reduced intraoperative blood loss and faster postoperative recovery.

Objective:To investigate the influence of the complexity metrics of the multi-leaf collimator (MLC) on the γ-pass rate of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods:A total of 60 VMAT plans for NPC were selected to measure the γ-pass rate. The MLC data across all control points (CPs) in each VMAT plan were analyzed to calculate the mean field area (MFA), average leaf gap (ALG), small aperture score (SAS), and their corresponding weighted metrics including MFAW, ALGW, and SASW, considering dose weight (W). Pearson′s bivariate correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlations between MLC complexity metrics and the γ-pass rate. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to assess the predictive efficacy of MLC complexity metrics on dose verification result.Results:Under the 3%/3 mm, 3%/2 mm, and 2%/2 mm criteria, the MFA in the 60 VMAT plans exhibited a positive correlation with the γ-pass rate ( r=0.82, 0.79, 0.72, P<0.05), and the MFAW was also positively correlated with the γ-pass rate ( r=0.83, 0.81, 0.75, P<0.05). The ALG manifested a positive correlation with the γ-pass rate ( r=0.82, 0.79, 0.74, P<0.05), as did the ALGW ( r=0.83, 0.81, 0.77, P<0.05). The SAS(0-1 cm), SAS(1-2 cm), SAS(2-3 cm), and SAS(3-4 cm) displayed negative correlations with the γ-pass rate ( r= -0.86, -0.82, -0.71, -0.84, -0.82, -0.72, -0.79, -0.79, -0.73, -0.30, -0.35, -0.42, P<0.05), whereas the SAS(4-5 cm), SAS(5-6 cm), and SAS(6-40 cm) showed positive correlations with the γ-pass rate ( r=0.49, 0.45, 0.33, 0.73, 0.71, 0.59, 0.79, 0.79, 0.76, P<0.05). The outcomes of SASW reveal slightly stronger correlations than those of SAS. In terms of correlations among complexity metrics, a positive correlation was observed between MFA and ALG ( r=0.98, P<0.05). ALG was negatively correlated with SAS(0-1 cm), SAS(1-2 cm), SAS(2-3 cm), and SAS(3-4 cm) ( r= -0.95, -0.94, -0.89, -0.39, P<0.05), and positively correlated with SAS(4-5 cm), SAS(5-6 cm), and SAS(6-40 cm) ( r=0.51, 0.77, 0.92, P<0.05). The weighted result mirrored these correlations. The ROC-derived analytical result indicate that MFA, MFAW, ALG, ALGW, SAS(0-1 cm), SAS(1-2 cm), SAS(2-3 cm), SAS(6-40 cm), SASW(0-1 cm), SASW(1-2 cm), SASW(2-3 cm), and SASW(6-40 cm) demonstrated exceptional predictive efficacy for dose verification result [Area under the curve (AUC) > 0.9, P<0.05]. Conclusions:The γ-pass rate of VMAT plans for NPC is strongly correlated with MLC complexity metrics, which demonstrate excellent predictive efficacy for dose verification result. The increased uncertainty in dose calculations and measurements caused by narrow fields generated by the MLC is a significant factor contributing to the reduced γ-pass rate of VMAT plans. This finding is associated with discrepancies in the precision of treatment planning system (TPS) modeling and the accuracy of dose verification tools, providing a reference for similar challenges.

Objective:To investigate the differences in dosimetric parameters for target volumes and organs at risk (OARs), radiation doses to reconstructed tissues, and beam-on time in radiotherapy among helical tomotherapy (HT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (F_IMRT) following immediate breast reconstruction for breast cancer, thereby providing a reference for the selection of clinical radiotherapy techniques.Methods:This study retrospectively investigated 15 breast cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy following modified radical mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction at the Liuzhou Worker′s Hospital from August 2018 to July 2023. During target volume delineation, precautions were taken to avoid the reconstructed tissues, which were delineated separately. Customized HT, VMAT, and F_IMRT treatment plans were designed for each patient. The plans were categorized into the HT, VMAT, and F_IMRT groups based on different radiotherapy techniques employed. They were comparatively analyzed through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with multiple comparisons further conducted in the case of significant differences.Results:Statistical analyses reveal significant differences in various parameters of target volumes among the three groups of plans ( F = 38.73, 14.95, 37.01, 48.05, 35.55, 22.56, 34.30, P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons indicate that the maximum dose ( D2%), minimum dose ( D98%), mean dose ( Dmean), and the proportion of high-dose volumes within the target volume ( V107%and V110%) in both the HT and VMAT groups were significantly better than those in the F_IMRT group. The HT group demonstrated the optimal conformity index (CI), while the VMAT group displayed the superior homogeneity index (HI) compared to the other two groups. In terms of OAR, the V20 of the ipsilateral lung was the lowest in the HT group ( F = 14.31, P < 0.05) and the highest in the F_IMRT group ( F = 14.31, P < 0.05). However, the V5 and Dmean for both the ipsilateral and contralateral lungs in the HT group significantly surpassed those of the other groups ( F = 39.16, 31.91, P < 0.05). The mean dose Dmean ( F = 5.57, P < 0.05) of the contralateral breast was significantly reduced in the VMAT group compared to the other two groups. No statistically significant differences were observed for other OARs, including the heart, spinal cord PRV, thyroid, and humeral head ( P > 0.05). The radiation doses to reconstructed tissues ( Dmax, V53.5, Dmean) ascended in the order of HT, VMAT, and F_IMRT groups ( F = 17.69, 17.53, 15.11, P < 0.05). The HT and F_IMRT groups showed similar beam-on times ( P > 0.05), both exceeding that of the VMAT group by several folds ( F = 28.72, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The comparative analysis indicates that the three radiotherapy techniques exhibit distinct advantages and limitations, with F_IMRT demonstrating the least comprehensive advantage. HT can enhance the conformity of target volumes while reducing the overall radiation doses to reconstructed tissues and the crucial indicator V20 in the ipsilateral lung. VMAT demonstrates the highest treatment efficiency, yielding improved dose uniformity in the target volume and reduced radiation doses to the contralateral breast. It is advisable to prioritize HT or VMAT based on actual clinical conditions.

Objective:To compare the arthroscopic autologous osteochondral transfer (AOT) and arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation (ASA) in the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation complicated with scapular glenoid bone injury less than 20%.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 42 patients who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation complicated with scapular glenoid bone injury less than 20% from January 2022 to January 2023. There were 30 males and 12 females, with an age of (32.2±15.2) years. Altogether 12 left shoulders and 30 right shoulders were affected. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their surgical methods: an AOT group in which 15 cases were treated with AOT and an ASA group in which 27 cases treated with ASA. The Rowe score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and shoulder range of motion were compared between groups at the last follow-up. All the above indexes were compared between pre-surgery and post-surgery in each group. The incidence of complications in the 2 groups was recorded.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). A total of 42 patients were followed up for (17.2±5.9) months after surgery. At the last follow-up, in the ASA group and the AOT group respectively, the Rowe score was (97.0±4.4) points and (98.3±2.4) points, the ASES score (97.9±5.2) points and (99.1±3.7) points, and the VAS score 0 (0, 0) point and 0 (0, 1) point, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05). The above items in the 2 groups were significantly improved compared with those before surgery ( P < 0.05). At the last follow-up, in ASA group and AOT group respectively, shoulder abduction was 169.2°±3.0° and 168.3°±3.1°, and flexion 171.9°±4.0° and 173.3°±4.1°, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05); the abduction 90° external rotation was 67.3°±3.2° in the AOT group, significantly better than that in the ASA group (64.4°±3.5°) ( P < 0.05). The above items in the 2 groups were significantly improved compared with those before operation ( P < 0.05). Follow-ups revealed no infection or osteoarthritis. After surgery, 1 case of shoulder re-dislocation and 6 cases of shoulder pain occurred in the ASA group, while no cases of shoulder re-dislocation or shoulder pain occurred in the AOT group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of complications ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation complicated with scapular glenoid bone injury less than 20%, both AOT and ASA can improve shoulder function, but AOT is superior to ASA in 90° external rotation.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

GBA1 gene mutation is an important genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD). This paper reports a case of a 43-year-old male PD patient carrying a rare heterozygous Thr408Met mutation in the GBA1 gene identified through whole-exome sequencing, leading to a diagnosis of GBA1-associated PD. The patient’s motor symptoms were primarily characterized by bradykinesia and rigidity, without significant cognitive decline. Treatment with low-dose levodopa combined with a dopamine agonist resulted in significant symptomatic improvement.

BACKGROUND: The optimal antidepressant dosages remain controversial. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of antidepressants and characterize their dose-response relationships in the treatments of major depressive disorders (MDD). METHODS: We searched multiple databases, including the Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Web of Science, for the studies that were conducted between January 8, 2016, and April 30, 2023. The studies are double-blinded, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the adults (≥18 years) with MDD. The primary outcomes were efficacy of antidepressant and the dose-response relationships. A frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted, treating participants with various dosages of the same antidepressant as a single therapy. We also implemented the model-based meta-analysis (MBMA) using a Bayesian method to explore the dose-response relationships. RESULTS: The network meta-analysis comprised 135,180 participants from 602 studies. All the antidepressants were more effective than the placebo; toludesvenlafaxine had the highest odds ratio (OR) of 4.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.65-7.72), and reboxetine had the lowest OR of 1.34 (95%CI: 1.14-1.57). Moreover, amitriptyline, clomipramine, and reboxetine showed a linear increase in effect size from low to high doses. The effect size of toludesvenlafaxine increased significantly up to 80 mg/day and subsequently maintained the maximal dose up to 160 mg/day while the predictive curves of nefazodone were fairly flat in different dosages. CONCLUSIONS: Although most antidepressants were more efficacious than placebo in treating MDD, no consistent dose-response relationship between any antidepressants was observed. For most antidepressants, the maximum efficacy was achieved at lower or middle prescribed doses, rather than at the upper limit. REGISTRATION No. CRD42023427480; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?
Humans ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy* ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of autologous osteochondral tissue and periosteum transplantation on tendon-bone healing of rotator cuff in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into autologous osteochondral tissue and periosteum transplantation group (experimental group, n=12) and simple suture group (control group, n=12). Both groups were subjected to acute supraspinatus tendon injury and repaired with corresponding techniques. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation, 4 specimens from each group were taken from the right shoulder joint for histological examination (HE staining, Masson staining, and Safranin O-fast green staining), and the left shoulder was subjected to biomechanical tests (maximum tensile load and stiffness). RESULTS: Both groups of animals survived until the completion of the experiment after operation. At 4 weeks after operation, both groups showed less collagen fibers and disorder at the tendon-bone junction. At 8 weeks, both groups showed reduced inflammation at the tendon-bone junction, with more organized and denser collagen fibers and chondrocytes. The experimental group showed better results than the control group. At 12 weeks, the experimental group showed typical tendon-bone transition structure, with increased generation of collagen fibers and chondrocytes, and the larger cartilage staining area. Both groups showed an increase in maximum tensile load and stiffness over time ( P<0.05). The stiffness at 4 weeks and the maximum tensile load at 4, 8, and 12 weeks in the experimental group were superior to control group, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in stiffness at 8, 12 weeks between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Autologous osteochondral tissue and periosteum transplantation can effectively promote the fiber and cartilage regeneration at the tendon-bone junction of rotator cuff and improve the biomechanical effect of shoulder joint in rabbits.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Male ; Wound Healing ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Periosteum/transplantation* ; Rotator Cuff Injuries ; Rotator Cuff/surgery* ; Tendons/surgery* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Chondrocytes/transplantation* ; Tendon Injuries/surgery* ; Tensile Strength

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of dynamic AI ultrasonic intelligent assisted diagnosis system for preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules with diameter ≤1.0 cm.Methods:From Apr. 1, 2023, to Dec. 30, 2023, 742 thyroid nodules with diameter ≤1.0 cm were removed from 532 patients with thyroid nodule disease who received surgical treatment in the Department of Thyroid (hernia) of the First Medical Center of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital. Among them, 423 were d≤0.5 cm. 319 cases (235 males and 507 females) with 0.5

Peritoneal metastasis is a common form of distant metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer, and it is typically associated with a poor prognosis. The development of peritoneal metastasis involves complex molecular mechanisms and multifactorial regulation of the tumor microenvironment. Due to the presence of the blood-peritoneal barrier, only a small amount of systemic medication reaches the peritoneal cavity, resulting in limited efficacy against peritoneal metastasis. Intraperitoneal administration shows significant therapeutic advantages as it can directly target the tumor microenvironment, maintain high local drug concentrations, and reduce systemic toxicity. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, especially hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, has become a cornerstone therapeutic strategy in the clinical treatment of peritoneal metastasis. When selecting chemotherapy drugs and drug combinations, pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and safety must be comprehensively considered to optimize the treatment outcomes. In addition, the unique microenvironment of the peritoneal cavity provides new treatment approaches for biological treatment strategies, including antitoxins, vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, etc. Techniques such as pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy and novel drug delivery systems demonstrate potential for enhanced efficacy, offering promising alternatives to improve patient outcomes. This article will review peritoneal barrier characteristics, intraperitoneal drug transport, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and intraperitoneal biological therapies, thereby establishing a theoretical framework for precision therapy in colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis.