Objective: To investigate the health-related quality of life and its influencing factors in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome (MS), so as to provide the evidence for improving health-related quality of life in older adults with chronic diseases. Methods: In 2021, elderly MS patients aged ≥60 years from four districts in Nanjing City were selected as the study subjects using a multi-stage random sampling method. Data on social demographic information, lifestyle, disease history and blood biochemical indicators were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examination and laboratory tests. Health utility value and EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) score were assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimension 3-level questionnaire. Factors affecting health-related quality of life were identified with the Tobit regression model and multiple linear regression model. Results: A total of 3 378 elderly MS patients were included, with a median age of 67.00 (interquartile range, 7.00) years. There were 1 558 males (46.12%) and 1 820 females (53.88%). The median (interquartile range) of health utility value and EQ-VAS score were 1.00 (0.03) and 80.00 (15.00). Tobit regression and multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender (female, β=-0.034), education level (middle school, β=0.024; junior college and above, β=0.046), marital status (married, β=0.014), physical activity (sufficient, β=0.013), vegetable intake (meet standard, β=-0.009) and fruit intake (meet standard, β=0.016) were the influencing factors of health utility value. Residence (urban area, β=1.933) and alcohol consumption (yes, β=1.761) were influencing factors of EQ-VAS score. Age, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, malignant tumors and chronic respiratory diseases were the influencing factors of health utility value and EQ-VAS score. Conclusion Age, sex, marital status, residence, lifestyle and disease are mainly associatied with the health-related quality of life in elderly MS patients.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic efficacy between femoral neck system (FNS) and cannulated compression screws (CCS) in the fixation of femoral neck fractures in the elderly patients aged 65 to 75 years old.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 39 patients aged 65 to 75 years old who had been treated for femoral neck fractures at Department of Trauma Surgery, Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from January 2015 to September 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their internal fixation methods. In the FNS group of 18 cases subjected to FNS fixation, there were 8 male and 10 females with an age of (71.1±2.8) years. In the CCS group of 21 cases subjected to CCS fixation, there were 7 males and 14 females with an age of (70.1±2.9) years. The 2 groups were compared in terms of intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, hospitalization costs, fracture healing time, internal fixation failure, and Harris hip score, changes in neck shaft angle, and femoral neck shortening at 1 year after surgery.Results:The differences were not statistically significant in the preoperative general data or follow-up time between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). In the FNS group, the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency [(15.1±2.3) times] was significantly lower than that in the CCS group [(19.5±3.5) times], the surgical time [(49.2±5.2) minutes] was significantly shorter than that in CCS group [(62.4±11.2) minutes], and the intraoperative bleeding [(74.2±15.6) mL] and hospitalization costs [(39,928.7±1,438.3) yuan] were significantly higher than those in the CCS group [(53.1±17.3) mL and (23,527.9±2,126.3) yuan] (all P<0.05). The difference in fracture healing time was not statistically significant between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). In the FNS group, the decreased neck shaft angle (2.65°±1.66°) and femoral neck shortening (3.9±1.3 mm) were significantly smaller than those in the CCS group [4.18°±2.13° and (6.3±2.5) mm] at 1 year after surgery, and the Harris hip score [(82.2±7.2) points] was significantly higher than that in the CCS group [(76.4±5.9) points] (all P<0.05). Internal fixation failure occurred in 1 case in the FNS group and in 4 cases in the CCS group, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with CCS fixation, FNS fixation may lead to better therapeutic efficacy in patients with femoral neck fracture aged 65 to 75 years old. However, the risk of internal fixation failure should also be taken into consideration.

Objective:The emergence of polymyxin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(KPN)in clinical settings necessitates an analysis of its antibiotic resistance characteristics,epidemiological features,and risk factors for its development.This study aims to provide insights for the prevention and control of polymyxin-resistant KPN infections. Methods:Thirty clinical isolates of polymyxin-resistant KPN were collected from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.Their antibiotic resistance profiles were analyzed.The presence of carbapenemase KPC,OXA-48,VIM,IMP,and NDM was detected using colloidal gold immunochromatography.Hypervirulent KPN was initially screened using the string test.Biofilm formation capacity was assessed using crystal violet staining.Combination drug susceptibility tests(polymyxin B with meropenem,tigecycline,cefoperazone/sulbactam)were conducted using the checkerboard method.Polymyxin-related resistance genes were detected by PCR.Multi-locus sequence typing(MLST)was performed for genotyping and phylogenetic tree construction.The study also involved collecting data from carbapenem-resistant(CR)-KPN polymyxin-resistant strains(23 strains,experimental group)and CR-KPN polymyxin-sensitive strains(57 strains,control group)to analyze potential risk factors for polymyxin-resistant KPN infection through univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression.The induction of resistance by continuous exposure to polymyxin B and colistin E was also tested. Results:Among the 30 polymyxin-resistant KPN isolates,28 were CR-KPN,all producing KPC enzyme.Four isolates were positive in the string test.Most isolates showed strong biofilm formation capabilities.Combination therapy showed additive or synergistic effects.All isolates carried the pmrA and phoP genes,while no mcr-1 or mcr-2 genes were detected.MLST results indicated that ST11 was the predominant type.The phylogenetic tree suggested that polymyxin-resistant KPN had not caused a hospital outbreak in the institution.The use of two or more different classes of antibiotics and the use of polymyxin were identified as independent risk factors for the development of polymyxin-resistant strains.Continuous use of polymyxin induced drug resistance. Conclusion:Polymyxin-resistant KPN is resistant to nearly all commonly used antibiotics,making polymyxin-based combination therapy a viable option.No plasmid-mediated polymyxin-resistant KPN has been isolated in the hospital.Polymyxin can induce resistance in KPN,highlighting the need for rational antibiotic use in clinical settings to delay the emergence of resistance.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effects of intramedullary nail fixation, simple tibial plate fixation, and tibial plate + posterior-to-anterior screw fixation in the surgical treatment of lower 1/3 spiral fracture of the tibia combined with posterior malleolar fracture.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 78 patients with lower 1/3 spiral fracture of the tibia combined with posterior malleolar fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, The Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from June 2015 to June 2022. There were 46 males and 32 females with an age of (48.9±14.6) years. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their fixation methods. Group A (18 patients) underwent simple intramedullary nail fixation, group B (40 patients) simple tibial plate fixation, and group C (20 patients) tibial plate fixation for tibial fractures and posterior-to-anterior screw fixation for posterior malleolar fractures. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture union time, postoperative complications, as well as ankle-hindfoot scores of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Baird-Jackson scores at pre- and post-operation were compared among the 3 groups.Results:The differences in the preoperative baseline data were not statistically significant among the 3 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (24.9±10.1) months. The fracture union time in Group A was 14.0(13.0, 14.0) weeks, significantly longer than that in groups B and C [13 (13, 14) weeks] ( P<0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and Baird-Jackson score at the last postoperative follow-up in all patients were better than those before surgery ( P<0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores at the last follow-up in groups B and C [95.5 (86.0, 96.0) points and 96.0 (89.5, 98.5) points] were significantly higher than that in group A [86.5 (78.0, 93.0) points] ( P<0.05), and the Baird-Jackson scores at the last follow-up in groups B and C [93.0 (88.8, 95.0) points and 95.0 (91.0, 98.0) points] were also significantly higher than that in group A [86.0 (78.0, 89.5) points] ( P<0.05). All the 7 cases of complications (3 ones of poor fracture union and 4 ones of anterior knee pain) were observed in group A. Conclusion:In the surgical treatment of lower 1/3 spiral fracture of the tibia combined with posterior malleolar fracture, tibial plate fixation and tibial plate + posterior-to-anterior screw fixation can achieved better therapeutic effects than intramedullary nail fixation.

Objective:To investigate whether cavitation induced by ultrasound stimulated perfluorobutane microbubbles can enhance the therapeutic effect of colchicine and reduce its side effects on acute gouty arthritis (AGA) in rats.Methods:The AGA rat model was established by injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (A: blank control group, B: model control group, C: cavitation group, D: standard concentration drug group, E: low concentration drug cavitation group, F: standard concentration drug cavitation group) according to whether they were given different doses of colchicine. The area under the curve (AUC) of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was calculated at 7 h and 8 h after MSU injection to compare the effect of cavitation on ankle blood perfusion. The symptoms of AGA were evaluated according to the degree of ankle swelling and gait score at 24 h. The infiltration of neutrophils was detected by HE staining, and the inflammatory response was analyzed by detecting the level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in plasma. Vascular dilatation was analyzed by detecting the concentration of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The degree of adverse reactions in each group was analyzed by gastrointestinal reaction score.Results:The CEUS blood perfusion and AUC values of the three groups with cavitation (groups C, E and F) were significantly higher than those of the non-cavitation groups (groups A, B and D) (all P<0.05). Compared with group D, there were no significant differences in the degree of ankle swelling, gait score, and plasma IL-1β level in group E (all P>0.05), but the plasma eNOS concentration was higher and the incidence of gastrointestinal reactions was significantly lower in group E (all P<0.05). Compared with group D, the degree of ankle swelling and gait score in group F were decreased, and HE staining showed that the degree of synovial infiltration of neutrophils in the ankle joints of AGA rats in group F was lighter (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in plasma IL-1β level and the incidence of gastrointestinal reactions between group D and group F (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The cavitation of perfluorobutane microspheres stimulated by ultrasound can enhance the blood perfusion of the ankle joint of AGA rats, enhance the therapeutic effect of local colchicine, and help to reduce the dosage of colchicine and its side effects.

ObjectiveTo analyze the community structure of endophytes in Panax quinquefolium root and explore the dominant endophytic bacteria and fungi， to provide scientific basis for the establishment of endophytic microbial bank in P. quinquefolium root. MethodInternal Transcribed Spacer （ITS） sequencing and 16S sequencing were performed on six P. quinquefolium root samples collected from Wendeng， Shandong province on PacBio Sequel Ⅱ. ResultA total of 8 phyla， 11 classes， 23 orders， 27 families and 53 genera of endophytic bacteria were identified in P. quinquefolium root， among which an unidentified Burkholderiaceae and an unidentified Rhizobiaceae were dominant. A total of 9 phyla， 23 classes， 35 orders， 43 families and 48 genera of endophytic fungi were identified in P. quinquefolium root， among which an unclassified Helotiales and Pseudogymnoascus were dominant. The community structure of endophytic bacteria revealed that the roots were selectively enriched with nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as unidentified Rhizobiaceae， Bradyrhizobium and Herbaspirillum， which suggested that nitrogen is important for the growth of P. quinquefolium root. The community structure of endophytic fungi indicated that P. quinquefolium in Shandong province might be infected by unclassified Helotiales. ConclusionThere is a rich diversity of endophytic bacteria and fungi in P. quinquefolium root， which provides scientific basis for studying the interaction of the plant with endophytic microorganisms and screening the endophytes to promote the growth of P. quinquefolium root.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of internal fixation using double reverse traction reducers in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures.Methods:This study retrospectively examined the medical records of 48 patients who underwent surgical intervention for tibial plateau fractures at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2021 and September 2022. The cohort, aged between 35 to 68 years (mean: 53.0±7.9 years), included 23 males and 25 females. Fractures were classified according to the Schatzker system, with 9 type III, 23 type IV, 11 type V, and 5 type VI fractures recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach: the minimally invasive group underwent treatment with double reverse traction reducers for reduction and internal fixation in 24 cases, while the open group received conventional open reduction and internal fixation in 24 cases. Comparative parameters included operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, early postoperative knee mobility, and weight-bearing timelines. Postoperative radiographic images were appraised using the Rasmussen imaging score, and knee functionality was assessed at the final follow-up with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score.Results:The preoperative general data were statistically indifferent between groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed for 13.5±4.3 months (range, 9.5-24 months). In the minimally invasive group, operative time was 88.96±19.04 minutes, intraoperative blood loss was 65±32 ml, and hospital stay was 11.8±3.9 days. Early postoperative knee joint activity commenced at 8.96±2.84 days, significantly earlier compared to the open group, which recorded 178.63±67.75 minutes of surgery, 114.16±65.05 ml blood loss, a 15.3±4.8 days hospital stay, and 16.83±4.09 days to knee joint movement. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). No significant variation was observed in the time to bone healing between the minimally invasive group at 12.6±3.8 weeks and the open group at 13.21±4.98 weeks ( P>0.05). Rasmussen imaging criteria revealed 21 excellent and 3 good outcomes in the minimally invasive group, and 19 excellent and 5 good in the open group, with no statistical significance in the excellent-good rate differentiation ( P>0.05). Bone healing occurred within 3.2±0.8 months (range, 2.5-6.0 months), with 79% (19/24) in the minimally invasive group and 75% (18/24) in the open group achieving healing within 3 months. The open group had one incidence of superficial skin infection, and one patient in the minimally invasive group developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT); no other related complications were documented. Conclusion:Minimally invasive treatment of tibial plateau fractures using double reverse traction reducers offers significant benefits, including reduced surgical time, minimal blood loss, less soft tissue trauma, and enhanced joint function recovery. This approach is particularly advantageous in managing complex tibial plateau fractures compared to traditional open reduction and internal fixation methods.

Tendon injuries often need surgical treatment, which enables to repair the structure and stability of the tendons to a certain extent, whereas it is difficult to restore to their normal strength. The primary reason is that the natural healing ability of tendons is limited and the functions of the repaired tendons cannot be restored completely. As further researches on tendon healing are conducted, biological technology provides a novel orientation for tendon repair. One of the research hotspots of tendon repair currently is to facilitate tendon healing using biological auxiliaries, including tendon stem /progenitor cells(TSPCs) and growth factors. The authors review the research progress in mechanism of TSPCs and growth factors accelerating tendon healing in order to provide a reference for the biological treatment of tendon injuries.

Hoffa fracture of tibial plateau is a special type of coronal fracture of tibial plateau, among which occult fracture accounts for a large proportion, resulting in missing diagnosis and delayed treatment. The current studies are all case reports, and the incidence, diagnostic protocol, injury characteristics and injury mechanism of Hoffa fracture have not been systematically studied. The commonly used classifications such as AO type, Schatzker type, three-column classification and comprehensive classification of tibial plateau cannot cover this type. In this study, a retrospective case series study was performed for the clinical data of 3 086 patients with tibial plateau fractures. There were 13 patients with Hoffa fracture of tibial plateau, and 23% of them were occult ones. The injury mechanism of this fracture was as follows: under the state of knee joint flexion, axial violence through femur concentrated on the posterior half of tibial plateau, with the knee joint in transient varus and pronation position, leading to the posteromedial coronal splitting fracture. According to the position and degree of fracture displacement involving the joint, the fracture was divided into three type: type I involving the articular surface of tibial plateau fracture less than 1/4, type II involving the articular surface of tibial plateau equal to or more than 1/4 and less than 1/2, type III involving the joint face equal to or more than 1/2. Each fracture type was divided into three subtypes, of which subtype A was non-displaced fracture, subtype B had articular surface displacement<2 mm, and subtype C had articular surface displacement≥2 mm. According to the classification characteristics, the treatment principles were proposed. The authors systematically summarized the Hoffa fracture of tibial plateau for the first time in aspects of the incidence, injury characteristics, injury mechanism, fracture classification and treatment principles, which is helpful to avoid missed diagnosis and improve treatment efficacy.

Objective:To understand and verify the biomechanical mechanism of tibial plateau Hoffa (coronal) fracture by simulating high-altitude falls and traffic injuries using knee joint specimens.Methods:Ten specimens of lower limb knee joint were used. They were from 6 males and 4 females, with an average age of 57.4 years (from 42 to 65 years). They were divided into 2 equal groups: one subjected to simulation of high-altitude falls (fall group) and the other to simulation of traffic injury (traffic injury group). After injury simulation, standard orthographic and lateral X-ray examinations and CT scans were performed of the knee joints in the extended position to observe whether there was a fracture, where the fracture occurred, and how the fracture line went.Results:A tibial plateau coronal fracture was successfully simulated in 6 cases, but not in the other 4 cases. The failure was attributed to femoral fractures and other types of tibial plateau fracture. In the 3 successful fractures simulated by high-altitude fall, the fracture line was located all on the posterior medial side, involving the posterior 1/3, 2/5, and 1/2 of the tibial plateau, respectively. The fracture line and the coronal plane formed angles of 21°, 19° and 12°, respectively. The fracture was not shown on X-ray film in one case which was a posterior medial fracture on CT. In the other 3 successful fractures simulated by traffic injury, the fracture line involved 1/6, 1/4 and 1/3 of the posterior tibial plateau, respectively. The angles between the fracture line and the coronal plane were 47°, 56° and 63°, respectively. One case showed no obvious fracture signs on the X-ray but a coronal fracture on CT.Conclusions:This study has confirmed for the first time that both high-altitude falls and traffic injuries can cause coronal fractures of the tibial plateau which vary significantly in the extent of involvement and morphology. X-rays are not sufficient to fully diagnose this type of fractures, suggesting that patients with a clear history of knee flexion or axial violence injury should be routinely scanned by CT to reduce risks of missed diagnosis and insufficient treatment.