Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of nuclear pore membrane protein 121(POM121)in head and neck mucosal melanoma(HNMM)and its effect on the migration and invasion of HNMM cells.Methods The cancer tissues from 63 patients with HNMM and 20 adjacent normal oral epithelial tissues who were treated in the Harbin Cancer Hos-pital of Harbin Medical University from March 1,2011 to March 30,2015 were collected,and the expression of POM121 was detected by immunohistochemistry.The relationship between the expression of POM121 and the clinicopathological features of HNMM patients and its effect on the prognosis of patients were analyzed.Western blot was used to detect the expression of POM121 in HNMM cells(MM9H-1 cells)and human oral epithelial cells(human oral keratinocytes,HOK cells).After knocking down POM121 with small in-terfering RNA(siRNA),the effects on the migration and invasion of HNMM cells were detected by Scratch assay and Transwell assay.Results Immunohistochemistry showed that expression of POM121 was significantly higher in HNMM tissues than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.001).The expression of POM121 was associated with tumor size and stage(P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of patients with low expression of POM121 were significantly longer than those with high expression of POM121.Cox regression analysis showed that POM121 expression,AJCC stage and lymph node metasta-sis were influencing factors for OS and DFS of HNMM patients(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that the expression of POM121 protein in MM9H-1 cells was significantly higher than that in HOK cells(P<0.05).After knocking down POM121,the cell migration rate and cell invasion ability were significantly reduced(P<0.001).Conclusion POM121 is highly expressed in HNMM tissues and cells,and down-regulation of POM121 significantly inhibits the migration and invasion of HNMM cells.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of nuclear pore membrane protein 121(POM121)in head and neck mucosal melanoma(HNMM)and its effect on the migration and invasion of HNMM cells.Methods The cancer tissues from 63 patients with HNMM and 20 adjacent normal oral epithelial tissues who were treated in the Harbin Cancer Hos-pital of Harbin Medical University from March 1,2011 to March 30,2015 were collected,and the expression of POM121 was detected by immunohistochemistry.The relationship between the expression of POM121 and the clinicopathological features of HNMM patients and its effect on the prognosis of patients were analyzed.Western blot was used to detect the expression of POM121 in HNMM cells(MM9H-1 cells)and human oral epithelial cells(human oral keratinocytes,HOK cells).After knocking down POM121 with small in-terfering RNA(siRNA),the effects on the migration and invasion of HNMM cells were detected by Scratch assay and Transwell assay.Results Immunohistochemistry showed that expression of POM121 was significantly higher in HNMM tissues than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.001).The expression of POM121 was associated with tumor size and stage(P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of patients with low expression of POM121 were significantly longer than those with high expression of POM121.Cox regression analysis showed that POM121 expression,AJCC stage and lymph node metasta-sis were influencing factors for OS and DFS of HNMM patients(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that the expression of POM121 protein in MM9H-1 cells was significantly higher than that in HOK cells(P<0.05).After knocking down POM121,the cell migration rate and cell invasion ability were significantly reduced(P<0.001).Conclusion POM121 is highly expressed in HNMM tissues and cells,and down-regulation of POM121 significantly inhibits the migration and invasion of HNMM cells.

Background: Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) measurement is the initial diagnostic test for Cushing’s syndrome (CS). We compared UFC determination by both direct and extraction immunoassays using Abbott Architect, Siemens Atellica Solution, and Beckman DxI800 with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In addition, we evaluated the value of 24-hr UFC measured by six methods for diagnosing CS. Methods: Residual 24-hr urine samples of 94 CS and 246 non-CS patients were collected.A laboratory-developed LC-MS/MS method was used as reference. UFC was measured by direct assays (D) using Abbott, Siemens, and Beckman platforms and by extraction assays (E) using Siemens and Beckman platforms. Method was compared using Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plot analyses. Cut-off values for the six assays and corresponding sensitivities and specificities were calculated by ROC analysis. Results: Abbott-D, Beckman-E, Siemens-E, and Siemens-D showed strong correlations with LC-MS/MS (Spearman coefficient r = 0.965, 0.922, 0.922, and 0.897, respectively), while Beckman-D showed weaker correlation (r = 0.755). All immunoassays showed proportionally positive bias. The areas under the curve were 0.975 for Abbott-D, 0.972 for LCMS/MS, 0.966 for Siemens-E, 0.948 for Siemens-D, 0.955 for Beckman-E, and 0.877 for Beckman-D. The cut-off values varied significantly (154.8–1,321.5 nmol/24 hrs). Assay sensitivity and specificity ranged from 76.1% to 93.2% and from 93.0% to 97.1%, respectively. Conclusions Commercially available immunoassays for measuring UFC show different levels of analytical consistency compared to LC-MS/MS. Abbott-D, Siemens-E, and Beckman-E have high diagnostic accuracy for CS.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included a total of 155 patients who underwent single-level lumbar fusion, with 81 patients in the traditional group and 74 patients in the Wiltse group (less paraspinal muscle damage). QCT was used to measure the volumetric BMD (vBMD), Hounsfield unit value, and cross-sectional area of the paraspinal muscles at the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV), vertebrae one segment above the UIV (UIV+1), and the vertebrae one segment above the UIV+1 (UIV+2). Statistical analyses were performed. Results: No significant differences in general data were observed between the two groups (p>0.05). Strong correlations were noted between the preoperative and 1-week postoperative vBMD of each segment (p<0.01), with no significant difference between the two time points in both groups (p>0.05). Vertebral BMD loss was significantly higher in UIV+1 and UIV+2 in the traditional group than in the Wiltse group (−13.6%±19.1% vs. −4.2%±16.5%, −10.8%±20.3% vs. −0.9%±37.0%; p<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the percent vBMD changes in the UIV segment between the two groups (37.7%±70.1% vs. 36.1%±78.7%, p>0.05). Conclusions QCT can reliably determine BMD in the instrumented spine after lumbar interbody fusion. With QCT, we found that reducing paraspinal muscle destruction through the Wiltse approach during surgery can help preserve the adjacent vertebral BMD; however, it does not help increase the BMD in the instrumented vertebrae.

Objective To investigate the correlation of vertebral bone quality(VBQ)and paraspinal muscle changes with adjacent segment degeneration(ASD)after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF)through a retrospective analysis of patients who have undergone TLIF for lumbar degenerative diseases(LDD).Methods A total of 98 patients who underwent TLIF surgical treatment for LDD between January 2016 and December 2022 at Shenzhen People's Hospital were selected.Well-established follow-up imaging data were available for all subjects who were divided into two groups,the ASD group(n=43)and the non-ASD(N-ASD)group(n=55),according to whether they met the ASD evaluation criteria.Data on the basic characteristics of the patients in both groups were collected,and the relevant parameters,including VBQ and the total cross-sectional area(TCSA)and the functional cross-sectional area(FCSA)of psoas major(PM),erector spinae(ES),and multifidus(MF),were measured by magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine performed preoperatively and at the last follow-up.Then,the relative fat infiltration(RFI)was calculated from the above metrics accordingly.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the risk factors for ASD.Results The incidence of ASD was 43.9％(n=43)at the final follow-up.The mean follow-up time was(27.23±4.15)months.The age,body mass index(BMI),preoperative bone mineral density(BMD),preoperative VBQ,△RFIPM,and△RFIES+MF showed significant differences between the ASD and N-ASD groups(P＜0.05).According to the results of the logistic regression analysis,BMI(odds ratio[OR]=1.450,95％confidence interval[CI]:1.081-1.945,P=0.013),preoperative VBQ(OR=6.191,95％CI:1.692-22.657,P=0.006),and △RFIES+MF(OR=1.117,95％CI:1.007-1.238,P=0.037)were independent risk factors for ASD.Conclusion The incidence of postoperative ASD in patients who have undergone TLIF for LDD was found to be associated with higher BMI,preoperative VBQ,and increased postoperative relative fat infiltration of the ES and MF muscles.Consequently,it is advisable to prioritize the intraoperative protection of the paraspinal muscles during TLIF.In the postoperative period,it is essential to strengthen exercises of the lower back muscles and to optimize bone mass and weight management,which is conducive to reducing the risk of ASD in the postoperative period.

A young female patient with acne and elevated testosterone level underwent plasma steroid hormones testing and found a significant increase in aldosterone. We excluded testing interference and verified the absence of hypertension, hypokalemia, and adrenal occupancy, as well as primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism. During follow-up, a temporal correlation was found between aldosterone levels and the use of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets. It was observed that the combination of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol could lead to the increase of aldosterone level and the concentration ratio of aldosterone to direct renin through different mechanisms. Drospirenone exerts an antagonistic effect on mineralocorticoid receptor to prevent the development of hypertension or hypokalemia. In clinical practice, it is necessary to pay attention to the effect of this drug on screening markers for primary aldosteronism. In the laboratory examination, when female patients with no symptoms of hypertension and hypokalemia but with elevated aldosterone levels are encountered, it can be verified whether they have a history of use of compound estrogen-progestin such as drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets, and appropriate tips are provided in the report.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of standardized incision and conventional incision for reduction and internal fixation of multiple rib fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 192 patients with multiple rib fracture treated in 909th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force (Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xianmen University Medical College) from January 2020 to January 2022. There were 101 males and 91 females; aged 32-94 years [(51.5±16.6)years]. The patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with nickel-titanium shape memory alloy embracer via standard incision such as anterior axillary longitudinal incision (standard incision group, n=96) or conventional incision such as posterolateral incision (conventional incision group, n=96). The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of fixed fractures, indwelling time of closed thoracic drainage tube, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, postoperative spontaneous ambulation time and length of hospital stay were compared in the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain at 1 month after operation. Postoperative complications were recorded. Results:All patients were followed up for 1-16 months [4.0(3.0, 10.5)months]. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, indwelling time of closed thoracic drainage tube, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, postoperative spontaneous ambulation time, length of hospital stay and VAS at postoperative 1 month in standard incision group [(12.1±1.6)cm, (51.4±13.0)minutes, (191.5±16.8)ml, (2.8±0.6)days, (568.9±109.0)ml, (4.1±0.7)days, (11.4±1.7)days, (2.5±0.7)points] were better than those in conventional incision group [(13.7±1.9)cm, (62.0±8.8)minutes, (248.9±65.4)ml, (4.8±1.1)days, (655.9±121.9)ml, (5.2±0.9)days, (15.3± 1.7)days, (3.5±0.7)points] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the number of fixed fractures between standard incision group and conventional incision group (5.1±0.8 vs. 5.4±0.9) ( P>0.05). In standard incision group, there were 3 patients with poor wound healing, 5 with pulmonary infection, 3 with atelectasis and 3 with small pleural effusion. In conventional incision group, there were 11 patients with poor wound healing, 9 with pulmonary infection, 7 with atelectasis and 7 with small pleural effusion. The incidence of postoperative complications was 14.6% (14/96) in standard incision group and 35.4% (34/96) in conventional incision group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:For multiple rib fracture, standard incision is superior to conventional incision reduction in shortening the incision length, operation time, indwelling time of drainage tube, postoperative spontaneous ambulation time and length of hospital stay, reducing the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative thoracic drainage volume, alleviating the pain and reducing the postoperative complications.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventilation therapy in the treatment of severe blast lung injury.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 37 patients with severe blast lung injury admitted to 909th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force (Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xianmen University Medical College) from January 2000 to December 2021, including 23 males and 14 females; aged 26-50 years [(36.3±11.1)years]. The chest abbreviated injury score (AIS) was 3-5 points. In all, 16 patients were treated with ECMO from January 2017 to December 2021 (ECMO group) and 21 with ventilator from January 2000 to December 2016 (ventilator group). Blood gas analysis indexes [arterial pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), blood lactate (Lac)] and hemodynamics indexes [central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output index (CI), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PAWP)] were compared in the two groups at 30 minutes before treatment and at 2, 4, 6 hours after treatment. The mechanical ventilation time, ICU length of stay, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and mortality were measured at 7 days after treatment. Results:All patients were followed up for 24-48 months [(33.6±8.2)months]. The blood gas analysis and hemodynamic indexes were significantly improved in the two groups at 2, 4, 6 hours after treatment when compared with those at 30 minutes before treatment (all P<0.05), and the improvements were still statistically significant in ECMO group at 4, 6 hours after treatment when compared with those at 2 hours after treatment (all P<0.05), while not in ventilator group (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in blood gas analysis indexes or hemodynamic indexes between the two groups at 30 minutes before treatment (all P>0.05). After treatment for 2, 4, 6 hours, blood gas analysis indexes and hemodynamic indexes in ECMO group were statistically different from those in ventilator group (all P<0.05). After treatment for 7 days, the mechanical ventilation time, ICU length of stay, APACHE II score and mortality were (3.2±1.2)days, (5.4±1.3)days, (14.1±3.3)points and 12.5% (2/16) in ECMO group, significantly different from (5.1±1.6)days, (7.6±1.6)days, (10.2±2.6)days and 28.6% (6/21) in ventilator group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:For severe blast lung injury, ECMO can attain rapid and continuous improvement of refractory hypoxemia and dyspnea, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay and reduce the mortality rate when compared with ventilator therapy.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of severe chest trauma complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods:A case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 120 patients with severe chest trauma admitted to 909th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force (Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xianmen University Medical College) from January 2018 to December 2020. There were 75 males and 45 females; aged 21-72 years [(42.2±4.8)years]. The causes of injury were traffic injury in 57 patients, crush injury in 21, fall injury in 21, smash injury in 11 and others in 10. There were 34 patients accompanied by fracture of the limb, spine and pelvis, 23 by abdominal organ injury and 8 by head trauma, with the exception of simple thoracic trauma in 55 patients. The patients were divided into ARDS group ( n=25) and non-ARDS group ( n=95) according to the condition of concurrent ARDS. The two groups were compared regarding the gender, age, causes of injury, respiratory rate, lung contusion, lung infection, flail chest, chest abbreviated injury scale (AIS), hemothorax, blood pressure, partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2), initial central venous pressure (CVP) on admission, combined fracture of the limb, spine and pelvis, combined head injury and combined abdominal organ injury. The correlation between the above indexes and ARDS after severe chest trauma was analyzed by univariate analysis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for ARDS after severe chest trauma. Results:Univariate analysis showed a positive correlation of ARDS with age, respiratory rate, lung contusion, lung infection, flail chest, chest AIS, hemothorax, blood pressure, PaO 2, initial CVP on admission, combined fracture of the limb, spine and pelvis and combined abdominal organ injury ( P<0.05 or 0.01), but not with gender, causes of injury or combined head injury (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥60 years ( OR=2.45, 95% CI 1.81-7.50, P<0.01), dyspnea (respiratory rate ≥28 times/minute or <10 times/minute) ( OR=9.55, 95% CI 2.26-9.38, P<0.01), lung contusion ( OR=6.78, 95% CI 1.84-6.96, P<0.01), lung infection ( OR=27.71, 95% CI 11.97-64.14, P<0.01), flail chest ( OR=8.97, 95% CI 2.29-14.97, P<0.01), chest AIS score ( OR=5.77, 95% CI 2.85-9.20, P<0.01), above medium amount of hemothorax ( OR=6.84, 95% CI 1.69-13.39, P<0.01), blood pressure <90 mmHg ( OR=7.93, 95% CI 1.64-11.84, P<0.01), PaO 2<60 mmHg ( OR=6.39, 95% CI 1.06-9.47, P<0.01) and absent initial CVP on admission ( OR=4.56, 95% CI 1.86-8.44, P<0.01) were significantly correlated with ARDS. Conclusion:Age ≥60 years, dyspnea (respiratory rate ≥28 times/minute or <10 times/minute), lung contusion, lung infection, flail chest, chest AIS, above medium l amount of hemothorax, blood pressure <90 mmHg, PaO 2<60 mmHg and absent initial CVP on admission are independent risk factors for ARDS in patients with severe chest trauma.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of fusion and non-fusion hybrid operation with Dynesys system with the traditional fusion operation with rigid instrumentation in the patients with multi-segment lumbar degenerative disease.Methods:A total of 30 patients with multi-segment lumbar degenerative disease who were subjected to operation from January 2017 to October 2019 in Shenzhen People's Hospital were included in the study. There were 13 males and 17 females, age: 60.8±13.2 years, range: 25 to 83 years. 28 patients with two segments, 1 with three segments, and 1 with four segments. The patients were divided into two groups, i.e the hybrid operation group (13 cases, 9 males and 4 females, average age: 56.6 years, range: 25 to 83 years) versus the traditional fusion group (17 cases, 4 males and 13 females, average age: 63.9 years, range: 46 to 80 years). The main outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), range of motion (ROM), adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) and complications.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in operation data, such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and length of hospitalization, between the two groups. There were no significant differences for ROM in the surgical segments between the two groups before operation (hybrid group and traditional group were 9.6°±4.9° vs. 8.9°±6.1°, t=0.341, P=0.736, respectively). However, after 12 months follow-up, the ROM disappeared in the traditional group and was partially preserved in the hybrid group, with statistically significant differences (hybrid group and traditional group were 5.4°±2.7° vs. 0°, t=9.104, P=0.001, respectively). There was a statistical difference in intervertebral disc height between the two groups at 12 months post-operation, though no statistical difference was found before operation (8.8±1.9 mm vs. 10.5±1.7 mm, t=2.927, P=0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in the intervertebral disc height of the upper adjacent vertebrae between the two groups before and after operation. There were statistically significant differences in ODI scores before operation (63.4%±11.0% vs. 71.3%±9.2%, t=2.146, P=0.041), and 12 months post-operation (17.2%±2.1% vs. 15.5%±2.3%, t=2.091, P=0.046), while no statistical difference was found in VAS scores. Conclusion:The fusion and non-fusion hybrid operation with Dynesys system has comparable clinical efficacy with the traditional fusion operation with rigid instrumentation in the treatment of multisegment lumbar degenerative disease. Meanwhile, the hybrid surgery can preserve the motion of surgical segments and provide a dynamic stability of the vertebral body. The hybrid surgery can be used as a new surgical method for multi-segment lumbar degenerative disease.