OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in limb salvage for patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects. METHODS: Between January 2021 and December 2024, 12 patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects caused by trauma were admitted. There were 10 males and 2 females; the age ranged from 18 to 46 years, with an average of 36 years. Among them, 1 case of open comminuted tibiofibular fracture caused bone necrosis and soft tissue infection; 4 cases of open tibiofibular fractures developed bone and soft tissue infections after being fixed with a combined external fixator, resulting in defects; 7 cases of closed tibial fractures that underwent internal fixation developed soft tissue infections, leading to bone and soft tissue necrosis. The time from injury to the formation of bone and soft tissue defects was 2-9 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks. The length of bone defects was 5.0-10.2 cm, with an average of 6.8 cm; the area of soft tissue defects was 32-54 cm ², with an average of 43.9 cm ². After admission, all patients underwent thorough debridement. The limb shortening treatment was performed after the wound had filled with fresh granulation tissue, and an Ilizarov ring-shaped external fixator was placed or replaced. The limb was shortened at a rate of 1 mm/day to reduce bone defects. At the same time, the soft tissue defects were repaired using the in situ tissue regeneration technique. After the wound healed, osteotomy was performed, and limb lengthening was carried out at a rate of 1 mm/day. The lower limb full-length X-ray films were taken, and the lengthening was stopped when the lower limb alignment was restored. The healing condition of the wound was observed and the healing time was recorded. RESULTS: One patient died due to a traffic accident during limb lengthening. The remaining 11 patients completed limb shortening and re-lengthening treatment and were followed up 18-36 months, with an average of 20 months. All 11 patients successfully preserved their limbs. The wound healing time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks; the limb shortening time was 4-8 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks; and the limb lengthening time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks. One patient experienced delayed bone mineralization during bone lengthening, and one had pin tract infection. Both were treated symptomatically. The lower limb mechanical axis of all 11 patients was restored, and they were able to walk independently. CONCLUSION The application of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in the treatment of large bone and soft tissue defects not only effectively avoids the occurrence of nonunion at the apposition ends and increases the stability of the lower limb, but also significantly shortens the wound healing time, avoids the risk of soft tissue infection and increases the limb salvage rate. It can be used as a treatment technique for patients with complex lower limb fractures combined with soft tissue defects.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Limb Salvage/methods* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Bone Lengthening/methods* ; External Fixators ; Lower Extremity/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Regeneration

PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health issue that impacts individuals all over the world and is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity. Decompressive craniectomy is the usual course of treatment. Basal cisternostomy has been shown to be highly effective as an alternative procedure to decompressive craniectomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort of patients who received surgery for severe TBI between January 2019 and March 2023. Inclusion criterias were patients between the ages of 18 and 70 years who met the diagnostic criteria for severe TBI at first presentation and who underwent surgical intervention. The exclusion criteria were patients who have severe multiple injuries at the time of admission; preoperative intracranial pressure > 60 mmHg; cognitive impairment before the onset of the disease; hematologic disorders; or impaired functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys, or other visceral organs. Depending on the surgical approach, the patients were categorized into decompressive craniectomy group as well as basal cisternostomy group. General data and postoperative indicators, including Glasgow coma scale, intracranial pressure, etc., were recorded for both groups of patients. Among them, the Glasgow outcome scale extended assessment at 6 months served as the primary outcome. After that, the data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The trial enrolled 41 patients (32 men and 9 women) who met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 25 patients received decompressive decompressive craniectomy, and 16 patients received basal cisternostomy. Three days postoperative intracranial pressure levels were 10.07 ± 2.94 mmHg and 17.15 ± 14.65 mmHg (p = 0.013), respectively. The 6 months following discharge Glasgow outcome scale extended of patients was 4.73 ± 2.28 and 3.14 ± 2.15 (p = 0.027), respectively. CONCLUSION Our study reveals that basal cisternostomy in patients with surgically treated severe TBI has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing intracranial pressure as well as patient prognosis follow-up and avoids removal of the bone flap. The efficacy of cisternostomy has to be studied in larger, multi-clinical center randomized trials.
Humans ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Decompressive Craniectomy/methods* ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Treatment Outcome

Flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (3GT) is a key enzyme in the glucosidation of anthocyanins. To investigate the 3GT gene in rhododendron, we cloned an open reading frame (ORF) of 3GT gene (named Rh3GT) from Rhododendron hybridum Hort (Red cultivar) and then characterized this gene and the deduced protein in terms of the biochemical characteristics, expression level, and enzymatic function. The results showed that Rh3GT had a full length of 993 bp and encoded 330 amino acid residues. The deduced protein was hydrophilic, stable, weak acid, belonging to the glycosyltransferase family (GT-B type), with glutamine (Q) at position 44 in the PSPG box. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Rh3GT was most closely related to Vc3GT from Vaccinium corymbosum and Vm3GT from Vaccinium myrtillus. Rh3GT was expressed in the stems, leaves, and flowers and almost not expressed in the roots, with the highest expression level in petals during full blooming stage. Introduction of pCAMBIAL1302-Rh3GT into petals significantly up-regulated the expression level of Rh3GT and increased the total anthocyanin accumulation. Rh3GT was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 in the form of inclusion bodies with a size of about 36 kDa. The results of HPLC showed that the recombinant Rh3GT after denaturation, purification, and dilution could catalyze the synthesis of cyanidin and UDP-glucose to synthesize cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, indicating that the expressed protein had 3GT activity. This study provides basic data for further studying the molecular regulation mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis and theoretical support for molecular breeding of rhododendron.
Rhododendron/classification* ; Glucosyltransferases/metabolism* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis* ; Anthocyanins/biosynthesis* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Amino Acid Sequence

BACKGROUND:There is controversy regarding the need for marrow reaming in intertrochanteric fractures of the femur.Some believe that unreaming shortens operative time,reduces bleeding,and decreases intraoperative risk in elderly patients,but there is no basis for whether this move reduces the effectiveness of intramedullary nail support.Others believe that reaming allows for the selection of thicker diameter intramedullary nails for better mechanical support,but basic studies have shown that this approach carries risks such as fat embolism and destruction of bone(especially in elderly patients with osteoporosis). OBJECTIVE:To analyze the mechanical distribution characteristics of reamed and unreamed proximal femoral nail antirotation-Ⅱ in the treatment of type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fractures by finite element analysis. METHODS:A healthy volunteer was included,and CT scans of his femur were obtained in DICOM format,and the files were sequentially imported into Mimics,Geomagic Wrap,SolidWorks,Hypermesh,and Ansys software for processing.The A3.1,A3.2,and A3.3 intertrochanteric fracture models were obtained and assembled with 9 mm,11 mm diameter,and 170 mm length intramedullary nails,respectively,followed by assigning material properties,setting the interaction relationship of each contact surface and defining the load and boundary conditions,and then solved.The femoral stress distribution,internal fixation stress distribution,femoral displacement,and internal fixation displacement were observed in different models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The femoral stress was less than that of unreamed intramedullary nail fixation for each type of fracture,and the maximum stress value of the femur for A3.3 fracture was greater than that of A3.1 and A3.2.(2)The internal fixation stress was greater than that of unreamed intramedullary nail fixation for each type of fracture,and the maximum stress value of internal fixation for A3.3 fracture was greater than that of A3.1.(3)Reamed versus unreamed intramedullary nailing has less effect on femoral and internal fixation displacement and more effect on stress.(4)It is indicated that the use of reamed intramedullary nail fixation results in a reduction in femoral stress,an increase in the stress borne by the internal fixation as a whole,and a reduction in the stress borne by the distal locking nail.The use of reamed intramedullary nail fixation may provide better treatment results compared to unreamed intramedullary nail fixation.

Objective:To investigate the long-term efficacy of self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate in the treatment of unstable atlas fracture.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 20 patients with unstable atlas fracture who were admitted to Affiliated Honghui Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to April 2013, including 14 males and 6 females, aged 23-60 years [(42.7±8.6)years]. All the patients were treated with internal fixation using self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. The fracture reduction was evaluated by CT scan at 3 days after surgery. The bone healing was observed by X-ray (anterior-posterior and lateral views of the cervical spine) and CT scan at 9 months after surgery. The delayed spinal cord injuries were evaluated by Frankel grade at 1 and 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before surgery, at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. The axial rotation, flexion and extension range of the cervical spine at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 121-148 months [(135.0±6.8)months]. The operation duration was 68-122 minutes [(86.0±14.1)minutes], with the intraoperative blood loss of 90-400 ml [(120.0±67.9)ml]. The CT scan of the cervical spine at 3 days after surgery showed all satisfactory fracture reduction. Satisfactory bone reunion was observed at 9 months after surgery. All patients were scaled as Frankel grade E at 1 year, 2 years and at the last follow-up after surgery, with no delayed spinal cord injuries observed. The VAS scores of the cervical spine at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were 2.0(1.3, 3.0)points, 1.0(1.0, 1.8)points, 1.0(0.3, 1.0)points and 1.0(0.3, 1.0)points, which were significantly lower than that before surgery [7.0(6.0, 7.8)points] ( P<0.05), with significantly lower scores at 1-, 2-year after surgeny and at the last follow-up than at 3 months after surgery ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences among the other time points ( P>0.05). The axial rotation ranges of the cervical spine were (103.0±8.3)°, (128.3± 11.4)° and (129.8±13.6)° at 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up respectively, which were significantly higher than that at 3 months after surgery [(85.3±7.0)°] ( P<0.05); It was further improved at 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up compared with that at 1 year after surgery ( P<0.05), with no significant difference at the last follow-up compared with that at 2 years after surgery ( P>0.05). The flexion and extension range of the cervical spine at 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were (65.5±4.8)°, (78.3±6.5)° and (79.3±6.9)° respectively, which were significantly higher than that at 3 months after surgery [(54.3±4.4)°] ( P<0.05); It was further improved at 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up compared with that at 1 year after surgery ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between the last follow-up and 2 years after surgery ( P>0.05). No intraoperative injuries such as arteriovenous injury were observed. No incision infection or dehiscence occurred after surgery, with no complications caused by long-term bed rest such as lung or urinary tract infection, pressure sore formation or deep vein thrombosis occurred. No loosening or breakage of the screw and atlas plate was observed at the long-term follow-up. One patient had mild cervical pain, snap during rotation, and limited range of motion at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate has merits including small surgical wounds, satisfactory reduction, solid fixation, obvious pain relief, effective preservation of the previous cervical motion, few complications, and satisfactory long-term efficacy in the treatment of unstable atlas fracture.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of national bloodstream infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，9 035 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 51 hospitals，of which 7 895（87.4%）were Enterobacteriaceae and 1 140（12.6%）were non-fermenting bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（ n=4 510，49.9%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（ n=2 340，25.9%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（ n=534，5.9%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（ n=405，4.5%）and Enterobacter cloacae（ n=327，3.6%）. The ESBLs-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp. were 47.1%（2 095/4 452），21.0%（427/2 033）and 41.1%（58/141），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（58/4 510）and 13.1%（307/2 340）；62.1%（36/58）and 9.8%（30/307）of CREC and CRKP were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 59.5%（241/405），while less than 5% of Acinetobacter baumannii complex was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 18.4%（98/534）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of main Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CRKP and CRPA（ χ2=20.489 and 20.252， P<0.001）. The prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA，CRAB，ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were higher in provinicial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=11.953，81.183，10.404，5.915，12.415 and 6.459， P<0.01 or <0.05），while the prevalence of CRPA was higher in economically developed regions（per capita GDP ≥ 92 059 Yuan）than that in economically less-developed regions（per capita GDP <92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=6.240， P=0.012）. Conclusions:The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections shows an increasing trend，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of CRKP decreases continuously with time. Decreasing trends are noted in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Low prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and high prevalence in CRAB complex have been observed. The composition ratio and antibacterial spectrum of bloodstream infections in different regions of China are slightly different，and the proportion of main drug resistant bacteria in provincial hospitals is higher than those in municipal hospitals.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Xuandi Ziyin Mixture （玄地滋阴合剂） for central precocious puberty （CPP） in girls with syndrome of yin deficiency and fire exuberance， and to analyse the effect of body mass index （BMI） on the effectiveness. MethodsA total of 236 girls with CPP of yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome were included， and all of them were given Xuandi Ziyin Mixture， 30 ml each time， twice a day， for a total treatment period of 6 months. Before and after treatment， children's weight， height and bone age were measured， BMI and BMI Z-score （BMI Z） and the difference between bone age and actual age were calculated； ultrasound was used to detect uterine and ovarian sizes， and to calculate uterine volume （V_uterus）， bilateral ovarian volume （V_{left ovary}， V_{right ovary}）， and bilateral maximal follicle diameters （r_{left follicle} and r_{right follicle}）； and serum sex hormones were measured， including follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinising hormone （LH）， prolactin （PRL）， estradiol （E₂）， and testosterone （T）， and were scored for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the influence factors of the difference between bone age and actual age， and changes in uterine volume. The children were divided into the normal weight group and the overweight/obesity group according to baseline BMI， and the bone age， the difference between bone age and actual age， V_uterus and BMI Z scores before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. ResultsFinally， 199 children entered the statistical analysis. Compared with pre-treatment， the bone age， BMI and BMI Z scores of the children increased after treatment， and the difference between bone age and actual age， TCM syndrome scores， V_uterus， V_{left ovary}， V_{right ovary}， r_{left follicle} and r_{right follicle} decreased； and the levels of serum FSH， LH， E₂， and T significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The difference between bone age and actual age was negatively correlated with LH and V_uterus （P＜0.05）， and changes in uterine volume were positively correlated with LH （P＜0.01）. Comparing between the groups before and after treatment， the bone age， difference between bone age and actual age， and BMI Z scores of children in the normal weight group （100 cases） were significantly smaller than those in the overweight/obesity group （99 cases） （P＜0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment， the bone age of the children in both groups increased， but the difference between bone age and actual age and V_uterus were significantly smaller （P＜0.01）. Further comparison of Δ bone age and actual age difference and ΔV_uterus （Δ = post-treatment value - pre-treatment value） between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05）. ConclusionsXuandi Ziyin Mixture can reduce bone age， sex hormone level， ovary and uterus size， and improve clinical symptoms in girls with yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome of CPP. It is also effective in overweight/obese children， and the inhibitory effect on bone age in girls with CPP is not affected by BMI， with good safety.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.

‍Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is a group of highly heterogeneous diseases closely associated with metabolic dysfunction. Sarcopenia is a syndrome caused by a continuous decline in muscle mass， strength， and function， and it is often accompanied by NAFLD. Insulin resistance is the main pathological mechanism for sarcopenia and NAFLD， and in addition， factors such as changes in proteins and branched‍-‍chain amino acid， hyperammonemia， intestinal flora， and endocrine dysfunction can also lead to sarcopenia and NAFLD. With the deepening of clinical research， many published prospective studies have confirmed the existence of a bidirectional and complex pathophysiological relationship between sarcopenia and NAFLD. This article reviews the bidirectional relationship between sarcopenia and NAFLD， discusses the common pathogenesis of sarcopenia and NAFLD， summarizes the challenges faced in this field， and proposes new directions for the research on the bidirectional relationship between NAFLD and sarcopenia.