1.A new perspective on quality control of traditional Chinese medicine based on characteristics of "physical phase structure".
Zhong-Huan QU ; Yan-Jun YANG ; Bing YANG ; Ru-Yu SHI ; Mao-Mao ZHU ; Lu SUN ; Xiao-Bin JIA ; Liang FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3579-3588
Quality control is a key link in the modernization process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Studies have shown that the effects of active components in TCM depend on not only their chemical composition but also their suitable physical forms and states. The physical phase structures, such as micelles, vesicles, gels, and nanoparticles, can improve the solubility, delivery efficiency, and targeting precision of active components. These structures significantly enhance the pharmacological activity while reducing the toxicity and side effects, demonstrating functional activity surpassing that of active components and highlighting the key effects of "structures" on "functions" of active components. Taking the physical phase structure as a breakthrough point, this paper outlines the common types of TCM physical phase structures. Furthermore, this paper explores how to realize the quality upgrading of TCM through the precise regulation of physical phase structures based on the current applications and potential of TCM physical phase structures in processing to increase the efficacy and reduce the toxicity, compounding and decocting processes, drug delivery systems, and quality control, aiming to provide novel insights for the future quality control of TCM.
Quality Control
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
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Drug Delivery Systems
2.Posterior minimally invasive surgery for treating paralytic scoliosis with pelvic obliquity in children following spinal cord injury
Yi CHEN ; Xiaodong QIN ; Zhong HE ; Zhen LIU ; Saihu MAO ; Benlong SHI ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(2):67-76
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and traditional Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) in treating children with paralytic scoliosis with pelvic obliquity (PSPO) following spinal cord injury.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 25 patients with PSPO who underwent surgical treatment at the Drum Tower Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University Medical School from January 2017 to June 2023. The cohort included 4 males and 21 females, aged 12.3±2.8 years (range 9-14 years). Patients were divided into the MIS group (12 cases) and the PSF group (13 cases). Radiological parameters were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, total hospitalization costs, and complications were recorded. The Scoliosis Research Society questionnaires-22 (SRS-22) Chinese version were used to assess patient satisfaction and efficacy.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the MIS and PSF groups in age, gender, Risser sign, preoperative Cobb angle for scoliosis, pelvic tilt angle, or local kyphosis angle ( P>0.05). The MIS group demonstrated surgical time of 176±30 minutes, intraoperative blood loss of 300±70 ml, blood transfusion volume of 280±175 ml, and total hospitalization costs of 87'800± 13'300 yuan, all of which were lower than PSF group, with values of 280±91 minutes, 1'433±116 ml, 1'351±996 ml, and 14'8400±26'100 yuan, respectively. These differences were statistically significant ( t=3.789, P=0.001; t=29.328, P<0.001; t=3.667, P=0.001; t=7.271, P<0.001). In the MIS group, preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up Cobb angles were 79.11°±6.74°, 35.86°±4.98°, and 36.27°±4.84° respectively; pelvic tilt angles were 24.79°±5.58°, 9.18°±3.32°, and 8.79°±2.94°; local kyphosis angles were 38.84°±4.18°, 12.96°±4.87°, and 11.43°±6.08°, respectively. Postoperative and last follow-up angles were significantly reduced compared to preoperative values, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). In the PSF group, preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up Cobb angles were 82.06°±9.26°, 34.75°±5.14°, and 35.15°±5.04° respectively; pelvic tilt angles were 26.60°±6.21°, 10.12°±3.21°, and 9.91°±2.97°; local kyphosis angles were 40.92°±7.04°, 10.92°±7.26°, and 14.02°±5.58°, respectively. Differences from preoperative to postoperative measurements were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, both groups showed no significant loss of scoliosis correction, and there were no statistically significant differences between the groups postoperatively or at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). In the MIS group, one case of superficial surgical site infection and one case of postoperative atelectasis occurred. In the PSF group, two cases of deep surgical site infection, one case of poor screw placement, and two cases were transferred to the ICU postoperatively due to excessive intraoperative bleeding. Preoperative SRS-22 total scores were 2.0±0.6 for PSF and 2.1±0.4 for MIS. Postoperative SRS-22 total scores (excluding satisfaction) were 3.0±0.5 for PSF and 2.9±0.3 for MIS. The within-group differences from preoperative to postoperative were statistically significant ( P<0.05), while the between-group differences from preoperative to postoperative were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to the PSF technique, MIS can shorten surgery time, reduce intraoperative blood loss and perioperative complications, and decrease hospitalization costs. MIS can achieve similar early clinical efficacy.
3.Surgical efficacy evaluation of NF1-related dystrophic lumbosacral deformity: comparative analysis between pelvic and non-pelvic fixation
Song LI ; Zezhang ZHU ; Jie ZHOU ; Saihu MAO ; Shuqi SUN ; Zhen LIU ; Benlong SHI ; Xu SUN ; Jun QIAO ; Yong QIU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(9):604-612
Objective:To analyze the selection of internal fixation methods, surgical outcomes, and complications in patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) accompanied by dystrophic lumbosacral deformities, and to evaluate the indications for pelvic fixation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients with NF1 and associated dystrophic lumbosacral malformations (L 4 to sacrum) who underwent spinal deformity correction surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2009 to November 2022. The cohort included 11 males and 10 females, with a mean surgical age of 15.4±4.7 years (range, 7-24 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on whether pelvic fixation was performed: 10 patients in the non-pelvic fixation group (NP group) and 11 in the pelvic fixation group (P group), where fixation involved second sacral alar-iliac (S 2AI) screws or iliac screws. Radiographic parameters, including the Cobb angle of the lumbosacral fractional curve, main curve, and focal kyphosis, were compared preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Results:The NP group had a significantly lower mean age (13.2±4.9 years) compared to the P group (17.5±3.5 years; t=2.287, P=0.034). Spinal instability (rotational subluxation or spondylolisthesis) due to dystrophic changes was observed in 2 patients in the NP group and 8 in the P group, a statistically significant difference (χ 2=5.838, P=0.030). In the P group, five patients underwent unilateral fixation and six underwent bilateral fixation. Implant types included 2 cases with iliac screws, 1 case with iliac screws plus S 2AI, and 8 cases with S 2AI screws alone. The utilization rate of hooks was significantly higher in the NP group (12.6%±11.5%) compared to the P group (3.5%±6.9%; t=2.230, P=0.038). The preoperative Cobb angle of the lumbosacral fractional curve was significantly smaller in the NP group (13.8°±9.0°) than in the P group (25.5°±13.9°; t=2.228, P=0.039). Postoperatively, the angles were corrected to 6.3°±6.1° and 6.4°±5.3°, respectively ( t=0.901, P=0.969), with correction rates of 57.3%±13.6% and 74.1%±17.8% ( t=2.369, P=0.029). At final follow-up, the angles remained stable (6.6°±6.6° vs. 6.3°±4.8°; t=0.116, P=0.909). For the main curve, preoperative Cobb angles were 52.5°±15.1° (NP) and 61.1°±16.9° (P; t=1.200, P=0.246), corrected to 31.3°±13.8° and 28.0°±8.4°, respectively ( t=0.646, P=0.526). Correction rates were 41.3%±13.0% in the NP group and 53.2%±11.6% in the P group ( t=2.206, P=0.037). At the final follow-up, these values were 32.4°±14.2° and 31.7°±10.3° ( t=0.133, P=0.896). Focal kyphosis, seen in 9 patients, was corrected from 19.7°±10.9° preoperatively to -13.6°±9.5° postoperatively, and remained at -14.1°±9.6° at the final follow-up ( F=33.547, P<0.001). Multi-rod systems were used in 6 cases (NP group) and 7 cases (P group), with no significant difference (χ 2=0.153, P=0.926). Two patients in the NP group developed coronal decompensation three years postoperatively, and one required revision surgery. In the P group, rod breakage occurred in 3 patients, two of whom underwent revision. Conclusions:Dystrophic rotational subluxation or spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine is a primary indication for pelvic fixation in patients with NF1-associated deformities. However, complications related to internal fixation remain common. The combined use of a multi-rod screw-hook hybrid system, particularly when extending across the lumbosacral region, may reduce the risk of instrumentation failure.
4.Development of a visualizable machine learning model for mechanical complication risk in adult spinal deformity surgery
Jie LI ; Zhen TIAN ; Zhong HE ; Xiaodong QIN ; Jun QIAO ; Saihu MAO ; Benlong SHI ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Zhen LIU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(17):1137-1146
Objective:To predict mechanical complications (MC) following spinal deformity surgery for adult spine deformity (ASD) using machine learning models, identify key risk factors, and develop a visualizable tool for individualized risk assessment.Methods:Clinical and radiological data from 525 patients with ASD who underwent surgery in our hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were collected. Patients were randomly assigned to a training set (70%) and a test set (30%) for model development. The cohort included 88 males and 437 females, with a mean age of 42.2±18.1 years. Variables included demographic data, comorbidities, local and systemic radiological parameters, paraspinal muscle fat infiltration (FI), and vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores. Multiple machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), Light GBM, Support Vector Machine (SVM), XGBoost (XGB), and Logistic Regression (LR) were trained and evaluated. Model performance was compared using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and precision-recall curve (PRC). SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) was used to rank risk factors, while LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations) was applied to visualize MC risk in individual cases.Results:Of the 525 patients, 135 (25.7%) developed postoperative MC. Among these, 80 (59.3%) experienced proximal junction kyphosis or failure (PJK/PJF), 7 (5.2%) had distal junction kyphosis or failure (DJK/DJF), 28 (20.7%) sustained rod fractures, and 29 (21.5%) showed significant loss of correction. In the validation cohort, the RF model achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC=0.80), followed by GNB (0.77), XGB (0.76), LR (0.74), LightGBM (0.73), and SVM (0.66). The RF model also demonstrated the best PRC value (0.58), highest sensitivity (0.65), and lowest Brier score (0.20). GNB, Light GBM, and LR models achieved the highest accuracy (0.78 each), while LightGBM exhibited the highest specificity (0.93). SHAP analysis identified higher preoperative VBQ scores, larger T 1 pelvic angle (TPA), and higher paraspinal muscle FI as the main risk factors for MC. Based on the RF model, a LIME-based tool was successfully constructed for individualized MC risk estimation. Conclusion:The RF model demonstrated the best overall predictive performance for MC. A machine learning-based prediction model has the potential to provide valuable guidance for surgical decision-making in ASD patients.
5.Development of an I53-50 nanoparticle-based respiratory syncytial virus vaccine: immunogenicity and protective efficacy
Jie JIANG ; Hai LI ; Lei CAO ; Hongqiao HU ; Zhen ZHU ; Naiying MAO ; Na WANG ; Yuqing SHI ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(11):1889-1896
Objective:To construct a nanoparticle vaccine displaying the prefusion F (preF) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using the I53-50 protein nanoparticle platform, and to systematically evaluate its immunogenicity and protective efficacy.Methods:The RSV preF trimer antigen was genetically fused to I53-50A and assembled in vitro with I53-50B to form preF-I53-50 nanoparticles, theoretically displaying 20 preF antigens per particle. The structure and purity were characterized by size-exclusion chromatography, SDS-PAGE, and negative-stain electron microscopy. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly immunized with varying doses (1 μg or 5 μg) of preF antigen or an equimolar amount of preF-I53-50 nanoparticles. Humoral immunity, B-cell responses, and protective efficacy were assessed following intranasal viral challenge.Results:The preF-I53-50 nanoparticles self-assembled into spherical structures (50-60 nm in diameter) with uniformly arrayed antigens. The nanoparticle vaccine enhanced RSV-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses, promoting a Th1-biased immune profile. At equimolar preF doses, the neutralizing antibody titers induced by 1 μg and 5 μg nanoparticle formulations were 2.8-fold and 2.3-fold higher, respectively, than those elicited by preF alone ( P<0.05). Notably, even the low-dose nanoparticle group outperformed the high-dose preF group (1.6-fold increase). Viral challenge experiments demonstrated that preF-I53-50 effectively suppressed pulmonary viral replication, mitigated pathological damage, and induced stronger germinal center and memory B-cell responses, suggesting enhanced B-cell affinity maturation and long-term immune memory. Conclusion:The preF-I53-50 vaccine improves the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of RSV preF through multivalent antigen display.
6.Association of Dietary Preferences with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: Prospective Cohort Study of 1,160,312 Adults in China.
Wen Ru SHI ; Si Tong WEI ; Qing Mei HUANG ; Huan CHEN ; Dong SHEN ; Bo Feng ZHU ; Chen MAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1120-1128
OBJECTIVE:
Although dietary preferences influence chronic diseases, few studies have linked dietary preferences to mortality risk, particularly in large cohorts. To investigate the relationship between dietary preferences and mortality risk (all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease [CVD]) in a large adult cohort.
METHODS:
A cohort of 1,160,312 adults (mean age 62.48 ± 9.55) from the Shenzhen Healthcare Big Data Cohort (SHBDC) was analyzed. Hazard ratios ( HRs) for mortality were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model.
RESULTS:
The study identified 12,308 all-cause deaths, of which 3,865 (31.4%) were cancer-related and 3,576 (29.1%) were attributed to CVD. Compared with a mixed diet of meat and vegetables, a mainly meat-based diet (hazard ratio [ HR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.02, 1.27) associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality, while mainly vegetarian ( HR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.97) was linked to a reduced risk. Furthermore, there was a stronger correlation between mortality risk and dietary preference in the > 65 age range.
CONCLUSION
A meat-based diet was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, whereas a mainly vegetarian diet was linked to a reduced risk.
Humans
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China/epidemiology*
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Middle Aged
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Male
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Female
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Prospective Studies
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Aged
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Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality*
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Diet/statistics & numerical data*
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Neoplasms/mortality*
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Adult
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Cause of Death
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Food Preferences
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Proportional Hazards Models
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Mortality
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Cohort Studies
7.Surgical outcomes and prognostic analysis of congenital cervicothoracic scoliosis with Klippel-Feil syndrome
Kai SUN ; Saihu MAO ; Song LI ; Jie ZHOU ; Benlong SHI ; Jun QIAO ; Zhen LIU ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Xu SUN
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(5):396-405
Objective:To investigate the surgical outcomes of congenital cervicothoracic scoliosis (CTS) patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) and prognostic characteristics across different subtypes.Methods:A retrospective case series study is conducted. Clinical and radiographic data of 41 CTS patients with KFS who underwent hemivertebra resection with instrumentation at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from March 2012 to September 2022, with a minimum follow-up of two years, were analyzed. The cohort included 16 males and 25 females, aged (8.6±3.7) years (range: 3 to 15 years). Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up cervicothoracic deformity parameters were compared. Patients were classified into three subtypes based on preoperative coronal alignment: shoulder-neck type (type A, 16 cases), trunk-tilt type (type B, 16 cases), and thoracic compensatory curve type (type C, 9 cases). The severity of KFS and the incidence of distal curve progression among subtypes were analyzed. Repeated measurement data were compared by repeated measurement ANOVA, pairwise comparison within groups was performed by Bonferroni method, and categorical variables were compared by Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method.Results:All patients underwent successful surgery. Twenty-one patients (53.7%) had cervical fusion of ≥3 segments, and 63.1% (82/130) of fused cervical segments were located proximally to the instrumentation. Postoperative cervicothoracic Cobb angle, head tilt, head shift, neck tilt, and clavicle angle significantly improved (all P<0.05). The proportion of patients with cervical fusion of ≥3 segments was higher in types B and C (17/25) than that in type A (5/16) ( χ2=5.299, P=0.021). Four type B (4/16) and 5 type C (5/9) patients underwent long-segment fixation, with stable coronal alignment postoperatively. The remaining patients received short-segment fixation. In the short-segment group, the incidence of distal curve progression was significantly higher in types B and C (8/16) than that in type A (1/16) ( P=0.015). Ultimately, 3 type B patients underwent revision surgery, and 1 type C patient met the criteria for revision (distal compensatory thoracic or lumbar curve>40°). Conclusions:CTS patients with KFS are predisposed to develop significant coronal malalignment involving trunk tilt (type B) or thoracic compensatory curve (type C) before surgery. Following hemivertebra resection with short-segment fixation, such patients have a high risk of distal curve progression and potential need for revision surgery.
8.Posterior minimally invasive surgery for treating paralytic scoliosis with pelvic obliquity in children following spinal cord injury
Yi CHEN ; Xiaodong QIN ; Zhong HE ; Zhen LIU ; Saihu MAO ; Benlong SHI ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(2):67-76
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and traditional Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) in treating children with paralytic scoliosis with pelvic obliquity (PSPO) following spinal cord injury.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 25 patients with PSPO who underwent surgical treatment at the Drum Tower Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University Medical School from January 2017 to June 2023. The cohort included 4 males and 21 females, aged 12.3±2.8 years (range 9-14 years). Patients were divided into the MIS group (12 cases) and the PSF group (13 cases). Radiological parameters were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, total hospitalization costs, and complications were recorded. The Scoliosis Research Society questionnaires-22 (SRS-22) Chinese version were used to assess patient satisfaction and efficacy.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the MIS and PSF groups in age, gender, Risser sign, preoperative Cobb angle for scoliosis, pelvic tilt angle, or local kyphosis angle ( P>0.05). The MIS group demonstrated surgical time of 176±30 minutes, intraoperative blood loss of 300±70 ml, blood transfusion volume of 280±175 ml, and total hospitalization costs of 87'800± 13'300 yuan, all of which were lower than PSF group, with values of 280±91 minutes, 1'433±116 ml, 1'351±996 ml, and 14'8400±26'100 yuan, respectively. These differences were statistically significant ( t=3.789, P=0.001; t=29.328, P<0.001; t=3.667, P=0.001; t=7.271, P<0.001). In the MIS group, preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up Cobb angles were 79.11°±6.74°, 35.86°±4.98°, and 36.27°±4.84° respectively; pelvic tilt angles were 24.79°±5.58°, 9.18°±3.32°, and 8.79°±2.94°; local kyphosis angles were 38.84°±4.18°, 12.96°±4.87°, and 11.43°±6.08°, respectively. Postoperative and last follow-up angles were significantly reduced compared to preoperative values, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). In the PSF group, preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up Cobb angles were 82.06°±9.26°, 34.75°±5.14°, and 35.15°±5.04° respectively; pelvic tilt angles were 26.60°±6.21°, 10.12°±3.21°, and 9.91°±2.97°; local kyphosis angles were 40.92°±7.04°, 10.92°±7.26°, and 14.02°±5.58°, respectively. Differences from preoperative to postoperative measurements were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, both groups showed no significant loss of scoliosis correction, and there were no statistically significant differences between the groups postoperatively or at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). In the MIS group, one case of superficial surgical site infection and one case of postoperative atelectasis occurred. In the PSF group, two cases of deep surgical site infection, one case of poor screw placement, and two cases were transferred to the ICU postoperatively due to excessive intraoperative bleeding. Preoperative SRS-22 total scores were 2.0±0.6 for PSF and 2.1±0.4 for MIS. Postoperative SRS-22 total scores (excluding satisfaction) were 3.0±0.5 for PSF and 2.9±0.3 for MIS. The within-group differences from preoperative to postoperative were statistically significant ( P<0.05), while the between-group differences from preoperative to postoperative were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to the PSF technique, MIS can shorten surgery time, reduce intraoperative blood loss and perioperative complications, and decrease hospitalization costs. MIS can achieve similar early clinical efficacy.
9.Surgical efficacy evaluation of NF1-related dystrophic lumbosacral deformity: comparative analysis between pelvic and non-pelvic fixation
Song LI ; Zezhang ZHU ; Jie ZHOU ; Saihu MAO ; Shuqi SUN ; Zhen LIU ; Benlong SHI ; Xu SUN ; Jun QIAO ; Yong QIU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(9):604-612
Objective:To analyze the selection of internal fixation methods, surgical outcomes, and complications in patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) accompanied by dystrophic lumbosacral deformities, and to evaluate the indications for pelvic fixation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients with NF1 and associated dystrophic lumbosacral malformations (L 4 to sacrum) who underwent spinal deformity correction surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2009 to November 2022. The cohort included 11 males and 10 females, with a mean surgical age of 15.4±4.7 years (range, 7-24 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on whether pelvic fixation was performed: 10 patients in the non-pelvic fixation group (NP group) and 11 in the pelvic fixation group (P group), where fixation involved second sacral alar-iliac (S 2AI) screws or iliac screws. Radiographic parameters, including the Cobb angle of the lumbosacral fractional curve, main curve, and focal kyphosis, were compared preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Results:The NP group had a significantly lower mean age (13.2±4.9 years) compared to the P group (17.5±3.5 years; t=2.287, P=0.034). Spinal instability (rotational subluxation or spondylolisthesis) due to dystrophic changes was observed in 2 patients in the NP group and 8 in the P group, a statistically significant difference (χ 2=5.838, P=0.030). In the P group, five patients underwent unilateral fixation and six underwent bilateral fixation. Implant types included 2 cases with iliac screws, 1 case with iliac screws plus S 2AI, and 8 cases with S 2AI screws alone. The utilization rate of hooks was significantly higher in the NP group (12.6%±11.5%) compared to the P group (3.5%±6.9%; t=2.230, P=0.038). The preoperative Cobb angle of the lumbosacral fractional curve was significantly smaller in the NP group (13.8°±9.0°) than in the P group (25.5°±13.9°; t=2.228, P=0.039). Postoperatively, the angles were corrected to 6.3°±6.1° and 6.4°±5.3°, respectively ( t=0.901, P=0.969), with correction rates of 57.3%±13.6% and 74.1%±17.8% ( t=2.369, P=0.029). At final follow-up, the angles remained stable (6.6°±6.6° vs. 6.3°±4.8°; t=0.116, P=0.909). For the main curve, preoperative Cobb angles were 52.5°±15.1° (NP) and 61.1°±16.9° (P; t=1.200, P=0.246), corrected to 31.3°±13.8° and 28.0°±8.4°, respectively ( t=0.646, P=0.526). Correction rates were 41.3%±13.0% in the NP group and 53.2%±11.6% in the P group ( t=2.206, P=0.037). At the final follow-up, these values were 32.4°±14.2° and 31.7°±10.3° ( t=0.133, P=0.896). Focal kyphosis, seen in 9 patients, was corrected from 19.7°±10.9° preoperatively to -13.6°±9.5° postoperatively, and remained at -14.1°±9.6° at the final follow-up ( F=33.547, P<0.001). Multi-rod systems were used in 6 cases (NP group) and 7 cases (P group), with no significant difference (χ 2=0.153, P=0.926). Two patients in the NP group developed coronal decompensation three years postoperatively, and one required revision surgery. In the P group, rod breakage occurred in 3 patients, two of whom underwent revision. Conclusions:Dystrophic rotational subluxation or spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine is a primary indication for pelvic fixation in patients with NF1-associated deformities. However, complications related to internal fixation remain common. The combined use of a multi-rod screw-hook hybrid system, particularly when extending across the lumbosacral region, may reduce the risk of instrumentation failure.
10.Development of a visualizable machine learning model for mechanical complication risk in adult spinal deformity surgery
Jie LI ; Zhen TIAN ; Zhong HE ; Xiaodong QIN ; Jun QIAO ; Saihu MAO ; Benlong SHI ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Zhen LIU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(17):1137-1146
Objective:To predict mechanical complications (MC) following spinal deformity surgery for adult spine deformity (ASD) using machine learning models, identify key risk factors, and develop a visualizable tool for individualized risk assessment.Methods:Clinical and radiological data from 525 patients with ASD who underwent surgery in our hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were collected. Patients were randomly assigned to a training set (70%) and a test set (30%) for model development. The cohort included 88 males and 437 females, with a mean age of 42.2±18.1 years. Variables included demographic data, comorbidities, local and systemic radiological parameters, paraspinal muscle fat infiltration (FI), and vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores. Multiple machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), Light GBM, Support Vector Machine (SVM), XGBoost (XGB), and Logistic Regression (LR) were trained and evaluated. Model performance was compared using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and precision-recall curve (PRC). SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) was used to rank risk factors, while LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations) was applied to visualize MC risk in individual cases.Results:Of the 525 patients, 135 (25.7%) developed postoperative MC. Among these, 80 (59.3%) experienced proximal junction kyphosis or failure (PJK/PJF), 7 (5.2%) had distal junction kyphosis or failure (DJK/DJF), 28 (20.7%) sustained rod fractures, and 29 (21.5%) showed significant loss of correction. In the validation cohort, the RF model achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC=0.80), followed by GNB (0.77), XGB (0.76), LR (0.74), LightGBM (0.73), and SVM (0.66). The RF model also demonstrated the best PRC value (0.58), highest sensitivity (0.65), and lowest Brier score (0.20). GNB, Light GBM, and LR models achieved the highest accuracy (0.78 each), while LightGBM exhibited the highest specificity (0.93). SHAP analysis identified higher preoperative VBQ scores, larger T 1 pelvic angle (TPA), and higher paraspinal muscle FI as the main risk factors for MC. Based on the RF model, a LIME-based tool was successfully constructed for individualized MC risk estimation. Conclusion:The RF model demonstrated the best overall predictive performance for MC. A machine learning-based prediction model has the potential to provide valuable guidance for surgical decision-making in ASD patients.

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