PURPOSE: To methodically assess the effectiveness of augmentative plating (AP) and exchange nailing (EN) in managing nonunion following intramedullary nailing for long bone fractures of the lower extremity. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to gather clinical studies regarding the use of AP and EN techniques in the treatment of nonunion following intramedullary nailing of lower extremity long bones. The search was conducted up until May 2023. The original studies underwent an independent assessment of their quality, a process conducted utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were retrieved from these studies, and meta-analysis was executed utilizing Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 8 studies involving 661 participants, with 305 in the AP group and 356 in the EN group. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the AP group exhibited a higher rate of union (odds ratio: 8.61, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.12 - 17.99, p < 0.001), shorter union time (standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.08, 95% CI: -1.79 - -0.37, p = 0.003), reduced duration of the surgical procedure (SMD: -0.56, 95% CI: -0.93 - -0.19, p = 0.003), less bleeding (SMD: -1.5, 95% CI: -2.81 - -0.18, p = 0.03), and a lower incidence of complications (relative risk: -0.17, 95% CI: -0.27 - -0.06, p = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the time for union in the AP group in nonisthmal and isthmal nonunion of lower extremity long bones was shorter compared to the EN group (nonisthmal SMD: -1.94, 95% CI: -3.28 - -0.61, p < 0.001; isthmal SMD: -1.08, 95% CI: -1.64 - -0.52, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION In the treatment of nonunion in diaphyseal fractures of the long bones in the lower extremity, the AP approach is superior to EN, both intraoperatively (with reduced duration of the surgical procedure and diminished blood loss) and postoperatively (with an elevated union rate, shorter union time, and lower incidence of complications). Specifically, in the management of nonunion of lower extremity long bones with non-isthmal and isthmal intramedullary nails, AP demonstrated shorter union time in comparison to EN.
Humans ; Bone Nails/adverse effects* ; Bone Plates/adverse effects* ; Femoral Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/methods* ; Fractures, Ununited/surgery* ; Lower Extremity/injuries*

PURPOSE: We carried out the study aiming to explore and analyze the risk factors, the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, and their antibiotic-resistance characteristics influencing the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI), to provide valuable assistance for reducing the incidence of SSI after traumatic fracture surgery. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study enrolling 3978 participants from January 2015 to December 2019 receiving surgical treatment for traumatic fractures was conducted at Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University. Baseline data, demographic characteristics, lifestyles, variables related to surgical treatment, and pathogen culture were harvested and analyzed. Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to reveal the independent risk factors of SSI. A bacterial distribution histogram and drug-sensitive heat map were drawn to describe the pathogenic characteristics. RESULTS: Included 3978 patients 138 of them developed SSI with an incidence rate of 3.47% postoperatively. By logistic regression analysis, we found that variables such as gender (males) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.012, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.235 - 3.278, p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.848, 95% CI: 3.513 - 9.736, p < 0.001), hypoproteinemia (OR = 3.400, 95% CI: 1.280 - 9.031, p = 0.014), underlying disease (OR = 5.398, 95% CI: 2.343 - 12.438, p < 0.001), hormonotherapy (OR = 11.718, 95% CI: 6.269 - 21.903, p < 0.001), open fracture (OR = 29.377, 95% CI: 9.944 - 86.784, p < 0.001), and intraoperative transfusion (OR = 2.664, 95% CI: 1.572 - 4.515, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for SSI, while, aged over 59 years (OR = 0.132, 95% CI: 0.059 - 0.296, p < 0.001), prophylactic antibiotics use (OR = 0.082, 95% CI: 0.042 - 0.164, p < 0.001) and vacuum sealing drainage use (OR = 0.036, 95% CI: 0.010 - 0.129, p < 0.001) were protective factors. Pathogens results showed that 301 strains of 38 species of bacteria were harvested, among which 178 (59.1%) strains were Gram-positive bacteria, and 123 (40.9%) strains were Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (108, 60.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (38, 30.9%) accounted for the largest proportion. The susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to Vancomycin and Linezolid was almost 100%. The susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria to Imipenem, Amikacin, and Meropenem exceeded 73%. CONCLUSION Orthopedic surgeons need to develop appropriate surgical plans based on the risk factors and protective factors associated with postoperative SSI to reduce its occurrence. Meanwhile, it is recommended to strengthen blood glucose control in the early stage of admission and for surgeons to be cautious and scientific when choosing antibiotic therapy in clinical practice.
Humans ; Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Aged ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Logistic Models ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Incidence ; Bacteria/drug effects*

Pyroptosis is an identified programmed cell death that has been highly linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamics. However, the crucial proteins for modulating dynamic ER membrane curvature change that trigger pyroptosis are currently not well understood. In this study, a biotin-labeled chemical probe of potent pyroptosis inducer α-mangostin (α-MG) was synthesized. Through protein microarray analysis, reticulon-4 (RTN4/Nogo), a crucial regulator of ER membrane curvature, was identified as a target of α-MG. We observed that chemically induced proteasome degradation of RTN4 by α-MG through recruiting E3 ligase UBR5 significantly enhances the pyroptosis phenotype in cancer cells. Interestingly, the downregulation of RTN4 expression significantly facilitated a dynamic remodeling of ER membrane curvature through a transition from tubules to sheets, consequently leading to rapid fusion of the ER with the cell plasma membrane. In particular, the ER-to-plasma membrane fusion process is supported by the observed translocation of several crucial ER markers to the "bubble" structures of pyroptotic cells. Furthermore, α-MG-induced RTN4 knockdown leads to pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-dependent conventional caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME) cleavages for pyroptosis progression. In vivo, we observed that chemical or genetic RTN4 knockdown significantly inhibited cancer cells growth, which further exhibited an antitumor immune response with anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1). In translational research, RTN4 high expression was closely correlated with the tumor metastasis and death of patients. Taken together, RTN4 plays a fundamental role in inducing pyroptosis through the modulation of ER membrane curvature remodeling, thus representing a prospective druggable target for anticancer immunotherapy.
Pyroptosis/immunology* ; Humans ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/immunology* ; Animals ; Nogo Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Xanthones/pharmacology* ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mice, Nude

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), explore the influencing factors of the therapeutic effect and construct a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect.Methods:A single retrospective study was conducted in IMN patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2017 to December 2022. All patients received monotherapy with RTX and were followed up for at least 12 months. RTX regimen adopted a B-cell guided regimen to achieve 0 cells/μl of peripheral blood CD19+ B cells through multiple administrations, followed by monitoring every 2?3 months and adding doses as needed to maintain this state. The complete response rate, partial response rate, and composite response rate at 6 months, 12 months and the end of follow up were analyzed. Logistic stepwise regression and R language were applied to construct a nomogram model for efficacy prediction. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to internally validate the nomogram model.Results:A total of 147 IMN patients were included in the study, with age of 56 (47, 65) years, 99 (67.4%) males. There were 69 (46.9%) newly treated patients, 78 (53.1%) retreatment patients. The follow-up time was 14.4 (12.0, 15.0) months. The total RTX dose was 1 800 (1 200, 2 400) mg. The composite response rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 36.7% (54/147), 59.9% (88/147) and 63.3% (93/147), respectively. The complete remission rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 6.1% (9/147), 13.6% (20/147) and 19.7% (29/147), respectively. Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years ( OR=0.335, 95% CI 0.135?0.833), retreatment ( OR=0.333, 95% CI 0.144?0.771), high cholesterol ( OR=0.716, 95% CI 0.577?0.888), high serum creatinine ( OR=0.978, 95% CI 0.963?0.993) and B-cell reconstruction within 6 months ( OR=0.273, 95% CI 0.115?0.645) were independent correlated factors affecting composite remission. Based on these factors, a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect of RTX in IMN patients was constructed. The ROC curve indicated that the accuracy of this model in predicting composite remission was good ( AUC=0.814, 95% CI 0.744-0.883). The calibration curve showed that the predicted composite response rate had a good fit with the actual response rate (Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ2=11.917, P=0.155). Conclusions:RTX has good efficacy and safety as a monotherapy for IMN patients. The constructed nomogram prediction model has high discrimination and accuracy to predict the efficacy of RTX treatment for IMN.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of different patches in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair surgery for young male patients with inguinal hernia.Method:This study used a retrospective study design,117 young male patients with inguinal hernia who were admitted to our hospital from April 2022 to April 2024 were selected,all patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair surgery,they were divided into Group A(41 cases,used polypropylene patches),Group B(37 cases,used self fixing patches)and Group C(39 cases,used 3D Max patches)according to the type of patch.Surgical indicators,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores at different time points,inflammatory stress indicators levels before and 1d after surgery[high sensitivity c-reactive protein(hs-CRP),cortisol(Cor),β-endorphine(β-EP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]and the incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence rate were compared among three groups.Result:The operation time and hospitalization time of Group B and Group C were shorter than those of Group A,and the intraoperative blood loss was less than that of Group A(P＜0.05).Compared with 1 d after surgery,VAS scores of the three groups at 3 d after surgery,7 d after surgery gradually decreased,VAS scores of the Group B at 3 d after surgery,7 d after surgery were lower than those in the Group A,VAS scores of the Group C at 3 d after surgery,7 d after surgery were lower than those in the Group B(P＜0.05).Compared with before surgery,hs-CRP,TNF-α,Cor and[3-EP increased among three groups at 1 d after suegrey,hs-CRP,TNF-α,Cor and β-EP of Group B at 1 d after surgery were lower than those of Group A(P＜0.05).hs-CRP,TNF-α,Cor and[3-EP of Group C at 1 d after surgery were lower than those of Group B(P＜0.05).The total incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence rate of Group B and Group C were lower than those of Group A(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the total incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence rate between Group B and Group C(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Compared with polypropylene patches,3D Max patches and self fixing patches can better shorten surgical time and hospitalization time,reduce intraoperative blood,but 3D Max patches are more effective in reducing pain and inflammatory stress response.

Objective To investigate the value of MRI of the sternal end of clavicle in bone age assessment in Chinese population,especially its applicability in the determination of criminal responsible age.Methods A total of 431 patients aged from 10.00 to 29.99 years with neck or chest MRI were retrospectively collected.According to the Schmeling grading method,the epiphyseal development of the clavicle MRI was divided into five grades.The consistency of methods was evaluated.The correlation and general descriptive analysis between MRI grades and age was analyzed.The sex difference was analyzed.Curve fitting was used to establish a nonlinear model between age and grades.Results The grades of clavicle MRI showed a significant age-related trend(Figure 2),and the correlation was 0.861(0.887 in males and 0.840 in females).Except for grade 1,there was no significant difference between males and females in other grades.The minimum age of male grade 3 was greater than 14 years old,and the minimum age of female grade 3 was greater than 16 years old.The minimum age in grade 4 and grade 5 was over 18 years old in both sexes.The best curve fitting model was cubic model for both sexes(R2=0.805 for men and 0.722 for women).Conclusion Clavicle MRI can be used for the assessment of bone age in Chinese population.Complete epiphyseal plate closure can be used as a reliable indicator for the determination of age at 18 years old,and it is expected to achieve radiation-free forensic bone age assessment.

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical characteristics of the nontuberculous Mycobacteria pulmonary dis-ease(NTMPD)patients with previous pulmonary tuberculosis(PPTB)and analyze the clinical difference from the recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis.METHODS By means of retrospective survey,the patients who were diag-nosed with NTMPD and recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis in Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital from Mar.2021 to Oct.2023 were recruited as the research subjects,a total of 395 patients with NTMPD were enrolled in the study and were divided into the PPTB-NTMPD group with 92 cases and the NPPTB-NTMPD group with 303 cases according to the history of PPTB.The baseline data,clinical symptoms,imaging findings,underlying diseases,pulmonary diseases,and species of nontuberculous Mycobacteria(NTM)were observed and compared.Totally 92 patients with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis were randomly screened and assigned as the recurrent pulmonary tuberculo-sis group in a 1:1 ratio by matching the PPTB-NTMPD group with the gender and age.The major clinical charac-teristics were compared between the two groups.The 92 patients with PPTB-NTMPD were divided into the 1-10 years group with 40 cases,the 10-30 years group with 37 cases,and the more than 30 years group with 15 cases according to the interval between the initial diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and the diagnosis of NTMPD.The major clinical characteristics were compared among the groups.RESULTS The age was(64.21±10.71)years old in the PPTB-NTMPD group,(60.26±11.83)years old in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(t=3.020,P=0.003).The proportion of patients with body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2 was 59.78％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,41.25％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=6.155,P=0.013);the proportion of patients with cough was 77.17％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,65.68％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=4.313,P=0.038);the inci-dence of cavitary shadow was 50.00％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,35.31％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=6.414,P=0.011);the incidence of emphysema and pulmonary bullae was 29.35％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,12.87％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=13.766,P＜0.001);the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)was 22.83％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,14.19％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=3.875,P=0.049);the incidence of damaged lung was 9.78％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,2.97％in the NPPTB-NT-MPD group(x2=7.530,P=0.014);there were significant differences.Mycobacterium intracellulare and Myco-bacterium abscessus were the predominant species of NTM in both the PPTB-NTMPD group and the NPPTB-NT-MPD group,there was no significant difference in the distribution of NTM species between the two groups of pa-tients.The incidence of patch shadow of the PPTB-NTMPD group was lower than that of the recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis group(P＜0.05),the incidence of bronchiectatic shadow of the PPTB-NTMPD group was higher than that of the recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis group(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the age,incidence of pleural thickening and incidence of COPD among the patients with different time intervals between ini-tial diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and the diagnosis of NTMPD in the PPTB-NTMPD group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The previous pulmonary tuberculosis mainly affect the body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2 and the post-tuberculosis pulmonary diseases such as cough,pulmonary cavity,emphysema,pulmonary bullae,COPD and damaged lung of the NTMPD patients.The NTMPD patients with previous pulmonary tuberculosis are more likely to have bronchiectasia than the patients with recurrent tuberculosis.It is necessary for the clinicians to attach great importance.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of different patches in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair surgery for young male patients with inguinal hernia.Method:This study used a retrospective study design,117 young male patients with inguinal hernia who were admitted to our hospital from April 2022 to April 2024 were selected,all patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair surgery,they were divided into Group A(41 cases,used polypropylene patches),Group B(37 cases,used self fixing patches)and Group C(39 cases,used 3D Max patches)according to the type of patch.Surgical indicators,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores at different time points,inflammatory stress indicators levels before and 1d after surgery[high sensitivity c-reactive protein(hs-CRP),cortisol(Cor),β-endorphine(β-EP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]and the incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence rate were compared among three groups.Result:The operation time and hospitalization time of Group B and Group C were shorter than those of Group A,and the intraoperative blood loss was less than that of Group A(P＜0.05).Compared with 1 d after surgery,VAS scores of the three groups at 3 d after surgery,7 d after surgery gradually decreased,VAS scores of the Group B at 3 d after surgery,7 d after surgery were lower than those in the Group A,VAS scores of the Group C at 3 d after surgery,7 d after surgery were lower than those in the Group B(P＜0.05).Compared with before surgery,hs-CRP,TNF-α,Cor and[3-EP increased among three groups at 1 d after suegrey,hs-CRP,TNF-α,Cor and β-EP of Group B at 1 d after surgery were lower than those of Group A(P＜0.05).hs-CRP,TNF-α,Cor and[3-EP of Group C at 1 d after surgery were lower than those of Group B(P＜0.05).The total incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence rate of Group B and Group C were lower than those of Group A(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the total incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence rate between Group B and Group C(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Compared with polypropylene patches,3D Max patches and self fixing patches can better shorten surgical time and hospitalization time,reduce intraoperative blood,but 3D Max patches are more effective in reducing pain and inflammatory stress response.

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical characteristics of the nontuberculous Mycobacteria pulmonary dis-ease(NTMPD)patients with previous pulmonary tuberculosis(PPTB)and analyze the clinical difference from the recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis.METHODS By means of retrospective survey,the patients who were diag-nosed with NTMPD and recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis in Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital from Mar.2021 to Oct.2023 were recruited as the research subjects,a total of 395 patients with NTMPD were enrolled in the study and were divided into the PPTB-NTMPD group with 92 cases and the NPPTB-NTMPD group with 303 cases according to the history of PPTB.The baseline data,clinical symptoms,imaging findings,underlying diseases,pulmonary diseases,and species of nontuberculous Mycobacteria(NTM)were observed and compared.Totally 92 patients with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis were randomly screened and assigned as the recurrent pulmonary tuberculo-sis group in a 1:1 ratio by matching the PPTB-NTMPD group with the gender and age.The major clinical charac-teristics were compared between the two groups.The 92 patients with PPTB-NTMPD were divided into the 1-10 years group with 40 cases,the 10-30 years group with 37 cases,and the more than 30 years group with 15 cases according to the interval between the initial diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and the diagnosis of NTMPD.The major clinical characteristics were compared among the groups.RESULTS The age was(64.21±10.71)years old in the PPTB-NTMPD group,(60.26±11.83)years old in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(t=3.020,P=0.003).The proportion of patients with body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2 was 59.78％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,41.25％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=6.155,P=0.013);the proportion of patients with cough was 77.17％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,65.68％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=4.313,P=0.038);the inci-dence of cavitary shadow was 50.00％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,35.31％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=6.414,P=0.011);the incidence of emphysema and pulmonary bullae was 29.35％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,12.87％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=13.766,P＜0.001);the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)was 22.83％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,14.19％in the NPPTB-NTMPD group(x2=3.875,P=0.049);the incidence of damaged lung was 9.78％in the PPTB-NTMPD group,2.97％in the NPPTB-NT-MPD group(x2=7.530,P=0.014);there were significant differences.Mycobacterium intracellulare and Myco-bacterium abscessus were the predominant species of NTM in both the PPTB-NTMPD group and the NPPTB-NT-MPD group,there was no significant difference in the distribution of NTM species between the two groups of pa-tients.The incidence of patch shadow of the PPTB-NTMPD group was lower than that of the recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis group(P＜0.05),the incidence of bronchiectatic shadow of the PPTB-NTMPD group was higher than that of the recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis group(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the age,incidence of pleural thickening and incidence of COPD among the patients with different time intervals between ini-tial diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and the diagnosis of NTMPD in the PPTB-NTMPD group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The previous pulmonary tuberculosis mainly affect the body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2 and the post-tuberculosis pulmonary diseases such as cough,pulmonary cavity,emphysema,pulmonary bullae,COPD and damaged lung of the NTMPD patients.The NTMPD patients with previous pulmonary tuberculosis are more likely to have bronchiectasia than the patients with recurrent tuberculosis.It is necessary for the clinicians to attach great importance.

Objective To investigate the value of MRI of the sternal end of clavicle in bone age assessment in Chinese population,especially its applicability in the determination of criminal responsible age.Methods A total of 431 patients aged from 10.00 to 29.99 years with neck or chest MRI were retrospectively collected.According to the Schmeling grading method,the epiphyseal development of the clavicle MRI was divided into five grades.The consistency of methods was evaluated.The correlation and general descriptive analysis between MRI grades and age was analyzed.The sex difference was analyzed.Curve fitting was used to establish a nonlinear model between age and grades.Results The grades of clavicle MRI showed a significant age-related trend(Figure 2),and the correlation was 0.861(0.887 in males and 0.840 in females).Except for grade 1,there was no significant difference between males and females in other grades.The minimum age of male grade 3 was greater than 14 years old,and the minimum age of female grade 3 was greater than 16 years old.The minimum age in grade 4 and grade 5 was over 18 years old in both sexes.The best curve fitting model was cubic model for both sexes(R2=0.805 for men and 0.722 for women).Conclusion Clavicle MRI can be used for the assessment of bone age in Chinese population.Complete epiphyseal plate closure can be used as a reliable indicator for the determination of age at 18 years old,and it is expected to achieve radiation-free forensic bone age assessment.