Objective:To investigate the risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance in patients with type A degenerative scoliosis and to refine the Qiu classification by reclassifying type A patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with type A degenerative scoliosis classified by the Qiu classification who underwent corrective surgery at our hospital from January 2017 to April 2022. A total of 69 patients were enrolled in the study, including 3 males and 66 females, with an age of 60.6±6.8 years (range: 47-71 years). Based on the preoperative CBD, type A patients were further divided into three subtypes: Aa with CBD≤1 cm, Ab with CBD>1 cm with C 7 plumb line deviation toward the concave side, and Ac with CBD>1 cm with C 7 plumb line deviation toward the convex side. The incidence of coronal imbalance was compared among subtypes. During follow-up, patients with CBD ≤3 cm were classified as balanced, and those with CBD>3 cm as imbalanced. Radiographic parameters including coronal Cobb's angle (CA), CBD, L 4 tilt angle, L 5 tilt angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured in the standing radiographs preoperatively, 2-weeks postoperatively and 2-years follow-up. Differences in radiographic parameters between balanced and imbalanced groups were compared, and binary logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance. Results:In the imbalanced Group (22 patients), there were 6 patients of type Aa (27%), 5 patients of type Ab (23%), and 11 patients of type Ac (50%), and in the balanced Group (47 patients), there were 20 patients of type Aa (43%), 18 patients of type Ab (38%), and 9 patients of type Ae (19%). The difference in subtype distribution between the two groups was significant (χ 2=6.939, P=0.029). The CBD in the imbalanced group was significantly larger than in the balanced group at the 2-years follow-up (4.18±0.86 cm vs. 1.31±0.78 cm, t=-13.813, P<0.001). The preoperative L 4 tilt angle was significantly larger in the imbalanced group compared to the balanced group (23.59°±6.86° vs. 17.64°±8.34°, t=-2.914, P=0.005). And the postoperative and 2-years follow-up L 4 tilt angles were also significantly larger than the balanced group (18.6°±5.5° vs. 11.5°±5.7°, t=-4.904, P<0.001; 18.0°±5.6° vs. 11.1°±5.7°, t=-4.691, P<0.001). Regression analysis identified the Ac type [ OR=3.937, 95% CI(1.07, 14.55), P=0.040] and excessive postoperative L 4 tilt angle [ OR=1.288, 95% CI(1.09, 1.52), P=0.003] as risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance in type A patients. Conclusions:In the A-type of Qiu classification, patients with preoperative CBD>1 cm and trunk tilting towards the convex side (Ac type), as well as those with a large L 4 tilt angle after surgery, are more likely to experience coronal plane imbalance after surgery.

Objective:To investigate the difference of Roussouly ideal classification in predicting postoperative proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) between adult degenerative spinal deformity patients with and without pelvic fixation and the potential reasons.Methods:From January 2017 to January 2020, a total of 95 patients (4 males, 91 females; with an average age of 62.03±6.30 years) with degenerative spinal deformities were retrospectively analyzed. There were 35 patients in the non-pelvic group (1 male, 34 females) and 60 patients in the pelvic group (3 males, 57 females). The radiographic parameters included coronal Cobb's angle (CA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), and proximal junctional angle (PJA) were measured in the standing radiographs preoperatively, postoperatively at 2 weeks, and 2-year follow-up. Changes in PT and SS were calculated for patients at 2 weeks and the 2-year follow-up. Based on the revised Roussouly classification, 95 patients were classified into different types preoperatively, postoperatively at 2 weeks, and during the 2-year follow-up. Changes in the classification of patients were documented postoperatively at 2 weeks. Roussouly types were determined using preoperative pelvic parameters, and a match was defined when the 2-week postoperative classification aligned with the ideal type. The occurrence of PJK and the relationship with classification matching were recorded in the group. Independent t-tests were used for intergroup comparisons of radiographic parameters, and chi-square tests were employed to assess classification changes and predictive accuracy of the Roussouly classification. Results:Preoperative PT, TPA and SVA in non-pelvic group were significantly smaller than those in pelvic group, and preoperative SS and LL larger than those in pelvic group ( P<0.05). The changes of PT and SS in non-pelvic group were significantly lower than those in pelvic group 2 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05). The proportion of classification changes in the pelvic group was significantly higher than that in the non-pelvic group (60% vs. 34%, χ 2=5.847, P=0.016). Among the 95 patients, a total of 29 experienced PJK during the follow-up, with 3 cases progressing to PJF. The incidence of PJK in mismatched patients was 37% with no significant difference compared with matched patients (19%) (χ 2=3.357, P=0.067). In the sacral spine group of 60 patients, 22 experienced PJK, with 3 cases progressing to PJF. Among them, 19 patients with PJK had a classification mismatch with the ideal classification at 2 weeks postoperatively. The PJK incidence was significantly higher in mismatched patients (45%) compared to matched patients (17%) (χ 2=4.429, P=0.035). In the non-pelvic group, 7 patients developed PJK, with 3 mismatched cases. The PJK incidence in mismatched vs. matched patients was 18% vs. 22%, showing no significant difference (χ 2=0.114, P=0.735). Conclusions:For the patients with degenerative spinal deformity, pelvic fixation leads to a more complete restoration of the ideal Roussouly classification. Restoration of the Roussouly type in patients with pelvic fixation is a reliable predictor of postoperative PJK. However, in patients without pelvic fixation, the alignment with the ideal Roussouly classification does not significantly correlate with PJK development.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of corrective surgery in patients with different subtypes of "Ω"-type severe scoliosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 79 patients with "Ω"-type severe scoliosis treated at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from August 2010 to July 2020. The cohort included 37 males and 42 females, with a mean age of 21.4±7.4 years (range, 8-52 years). The mean duration of preoperative halo traction was 72.6±27.5 days (range, 14-150 days). Etiologies included congenital scoliosis (33 cases), idiopathic scoliosis (27 cases), Marfan syndrome (9 cases), neurofibromatosis (8 cases), and neuromuscular disorders (2 cases). Based on the classification by Karikari et al., 58 patients were classified as type 2P, 13 as type 2D, and 8 as type 2PD. Outcome measures included coronal and kyphotic Cobb angles, the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and visual analog scale (VAS).Results:All surgical procedures were successfully completed, and all patients were followed up for an average of 27.5±3.9 months (range, 24 to 40 months). The duration of Halo gravity traction was 72.6±27.5 days (range, 14-150 days). In the 2D group, the changes after traction were 26.0°±12.5° for the coronal Cobb angle and 10.1°±7.9° for the kyphotic Cobb angle. In the 2PD group, the traction effect was 13.4°±5.7° for the coronal and 8.3°±5.9° for the kyphotic Cobb angle. In the 2P group, the preoperative coronal Cobb angle was 128.9°±29.1°, postoperative was 84.5°±24.5°, and at the last follow-up was 87.7°±25.0°, yielding a correction rate of 34%±12%. The kyphotic Cobb angle in this group changed from 112.9°±27.1° preoperatively to 77.6°±22.9° postoperatively, and 80.2°±22.8° at the final follow-up, corresponding to a correction rate of 30%±16%. In the 2D group, the coronal Cobb angle was 113.1°±19.9° preoperatively, 71.2°±16.3° postoperatively, and 73.8°±16.3° at the final follow-up, with a correction rate of 37%±11%. The kyphotic Cobb angle in this group was 87.2°±14.0° preoperatively, 61.6°±18.5° postoperatively, and 65.1°±18.5° at the final follow-up, with a correction rate of 31%±22%. In the 2PD group, the coronal Cobb angle improved from 119.6°±29.0° preoperatively to 78.3°±20.8° postoperatively, and 87.0°±23.0° at the last follow-up, corresponding to a correction rate of 35%±8%. The kyphotic Cobb angle in this group was 124.6°±16.8° preoperatively, 82.1°±19.9° postoperatively, and 90.9°±16.9° at the final follow-up, with a correction rate of 33%±16%. At the last follow-up, SRS-22 scores across all four domains had improved in all three groups compared to preoperative values. In the 2PD group, however, the differences in the pain and self-image domains before and after surgery were not statistically significant ( P>0.05), while improvements in the other domains were significant ( P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups either preoperatively or at the final follow-up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Combined Halo-gravity traction and spinal corrective surgery are effective in improving both radiographic and functional outcomes in patients with "Ω"-type severe scoliosis. Nonetheless, patients in the 2PD subtype demonstrate reduced traction responsiveness and relatively limited postoperative recovery compared to the 2P and 2D subtypes.

Organ transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage organ failure, but postoperative infections and rejection reactions are key factors affecting the survival of the patients. Recently, the incidence of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection following transplantation has increased. B19V is a non-enveloped virus that primarily infects the upper respiratory tract and exhibits significant tropism for erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow, leading to the lysis of erythrocytes and hematological abnormalities. After B19V viremia, it may further infect other cells, triggering inflammatory responses and tissue damage. B19V infection may lead to chronic anemia in organ transplant patients, thereby affecting the success of the transplant and the survival of the patients. Therefore, it is essential to diagnose and monitor B19V infection post-transplantation. Due to the immunosuppressive therapy following transplantation, traditional serological detection methods, such as IgM and IgG antibody tests, are often unreliable. In contrast, molecular biological detection, especially real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technology, provides more accurate results. However, the diversity of B19V genotypes may lead to the missed detection of some genotypes. Thus, it is necessary to use different detection techniques to improve the diagnostic accuracy of B19 virus infections. Additionally, there is a need to explore more precise diagnostic methods to enhance the early identification and management of B19V infection, further improving the survival and life quality of the patients.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel sleep-aid decoction in treating elderly insomnia patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types, and its effects on neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels. Methods A total of 200 patients with four different TCM constitutions-peaceful, Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient-were recruited. Peripheral blood neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels were measured for variations among insomnia patients across different constitutions. These patients were treated using the novel sleep-aid decoction, the effects of which were evaluated based on changes in neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors. Results Compared to the peaceful constitution group, insomnia patients with Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient constitutions exhibited significantly elevated baseline levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT, GABA) and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP). Following the treatment, the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient groups showed a marked increase in 5-HT levels, restored balance of Glu, GABA, and melatonin, and significant reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The overall effective rate was 83.5%, with optimal efficacy observed in the Qi-deficient (97.72%) and Yin-deficient (95.34%) groups. Conclusion The novel sleep-aid decoction is effective in treating insomnia in elderly patients, with the best results observed in the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient constitution groups.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical/therapeutic use* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/blood* ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple systems, characterized by the development of harmful autoantibodies and immune complexes that lead to damage in organs and tissues. Chinese medicine (CM) plays a role in mitigating complications, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and reducing toxicity of concurrent medications, and ensuring a safe pregnancy. However, CM mainly solves the disease comprehensively through multi-target and multi-channel regulation process, therefore, its treatment mechanism is often complicated, involving many molecular links. This review introduces the research progress of pathogenesis of SLE from the aspects of genetics, epigenetics, innate immunity and acquired immunity, and then discusses the molecular mechanism and target of single Chinese herbal medicine and prescription that are commonly used and effective in clinic to treat SLE.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, long-term survival, and prognosis of childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).Methods:Case summary.The clinical data of 43 T-ALL children who were diagnosed and treated in Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2010 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.They were stratified for treatment according to the CCCG-ALL regimen, and the correlation of prognosis with the condition at initial diagnosis, early treatment response, and induced remission was analyzed.The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the survival rate, and the survival rates were compared between groups by the Log-rank test.The multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the impact of multiple factors on the long-term survival of children.Results:T-ALL patients accounted for 9.5% (43/451) of the total number of acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients admitted to the hospital at the same period.The median onset age of the 43 T-ALL patients was 7 years (1-13 years).Of the 43 patients included, 14 patients (32.6%) had concomitant mediastinal widening, 8 patients (18.6%) had concomitant giant mediastinal masses, and 4 patients (9.3%) had early precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) at initial diagnosis.These 43 children were treated according to the CCCG-ALL intermediate- and high-risk group regimen.Among them, 33 children (76.7%) achieved sustained remission, 5 children died, and 5 children had a relapse.As of September 30, 2024, the median follow-up time was 62 months (1-170 months), the 10-year event-free survival rate was (80.2±6.4)%, and the 10-year overall survival rate was (86.6±5.8)%.The median relapse time and 10-year cumulative relapse rate of the 5 relapsed children were 28 months (7-58 months) and (13.7±5.8)%, respectively.The relationship of prognosis with clinical characteristics at initial diagnosis and induced remission in 43 T-ALL children was analyzed.The results showed that patients aged ≥10 years, with a grade-1 non-central nervous system at initial diagnosis, ETP-ALL, abnormal chromosome number and structure, non-M1 status of bone marrow and minimal residual disease (MRD)≥ 1% on day 19 of induction treatment, and MRD ≥ 0.01% on day 46 to 55 of induction treatment had poorer long-term survival(all P<0.05).The multivariate analysis showed that age ≥10 years, ETP-ALL, and abnormal chromosome number and structure were risk factors of poor prognosis ( P=0.045, 0.030, 0.021). Conclusions:The CCCG-ALL regimen has a good overall therapeutic effect in children with T-ALL.Age ≥10 years, abnormal chromosome number and structure, ETP-ALL, grade-1 non-central nervous system at initial diagnosis, and early remission are risk factors of poor prognosis.Treatment after relapse in children with T-ALL is difficult.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance in patients with type A degenerative scoliosis and to refine the Qiu classification by reclassifying type A patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with type A degenerative scoliosis classified by the Qiu classification who underwent corrective surgery at our hospital from January 2017 to April 2022. A total of 69 patients were enrolled in the study, including 3 males and 66 females, with an age of 60.6±6.8 years (range: 47-71 years). Based on the preoperative CBD, type A patients were further divided into three subtypes: Aa with CBD≤1 cm, Ab with CBD>1 cm with C 7 plumb line deviation toward the concave side, and Ac with CBD>1 cm with C 7 plumb line deviation toward the convex side. The incidence of coronal imbalance was compared among subtypes. During follow-up, patients with CBD ≤3 cm were classified as balanced, and those with CBD>3 cm as imbalanced. Radiographic parameters including coronal Cobb's angle (CA), CBD, L 4 tilt angle, L 5 tilt angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured in the standing radiographs preoperatively, 2-weeks postoperatively and 2-years follow-up. Differences in radiographic parameters between balanced and imbalanced groups were compared, and binary logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance. Results:In the imbalanced Group (22 patients), there were 6 patients of type Aa (27%), 5 patients of type Ab (23%), and 11 patients of type Ac (50%), and in the balanced Group (47 patients), there were 20 patients of type Aa (43%), 18 patients of type Ab (38%), and 9 patients of type Ae (19%). The difference in subtype distribution between the two groups was significant (χ 2=6.939, P=0.029). The CBD in the imbalanced group was significantly larger than in the balanced group at the 2-years follow-up (4.18±0.86 cm vs. 1.31±0.78 cm, t=-13.813, P<0.001). The preoperative L 4 tilt angle was significantly larger in the imbalanced group compared to the balanced group (23.59°±6.86° vs. 17.64°±8.34°, t=-2.914, P=0.005). And the postoperative and 2-years follow-up L 4 tilt angles were also significantly larger than the balanced group (18.6°±5.5° vs. 11.5°±5.7°, t=-4.904, P<0.001; 18.0°±5.6° vs. 11.1°±5.7°, t=-4.691, P<0.001). Regression analysis identified the Ac type [ OR=3.937, 95% CI(1.07, 14.55), P=0.040] and excessive postoperative L 4 tilt angle [ OR=1.288, 95% CI(1.09, 1.52), P=0.003] as risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance in type A patients. Conclusions:In the A-type of Qiu classification, patients with preoperative CBD>1 cm and trunk tilting towards the convex side (Ac type), as well as those with a large L 4 tilt angle after surgery, are more likely to experience coronal plane imbalance after surgery.

Objective:To investigate the difference of Roussouly ideal classification in predicting postoperative proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) between adult degenerative spinal deformity patients with and without pelvic fixation and the potential reasons.Methods:From January 2017 to January 2020, a total of 95 patients (4 males, 91 females; with an average age of 62.03±6.30 years) with degenerative spinal deformities were retrospectively analyzed. There were 35 patients in the non-pelvic group (1 male, 34 females) and 60 patients in the pelvic group (3 males, 57 females). The radiographic parameters included coronal Cobb's angle (CA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), and proximal junctional angle (PJA) were measured in the standing radiographs preoperatively, postoperatively at 2 weeks, and 2-year follow-up. Changes in PT and SS were calculated for patients at 2 weeks and the 2-year follow-up. Based on the revised Roussouly classification, 95 patients were classified into different types preoperatively, postoperatively at 2 weeks, and during the 2-year follow-up. Changes in the classification of patients were documented postoperatively at 2 weeks. Roussouly types were determined using preoperative pelvic parameters, and a match was defined when the 2-week postoperative classification aligned with the ideal type. The occurrence of PJK and the relationship with classification matching were recorded in the group. Independent t-tests were used for intergroup comparisons of radiographic parameters, and chi-square tests were employed to assess classification changes and predictive accuracy of the Roussouly classification. Results:Preoperative PT, TPA and SVA in non-pelvic group were significantly smaller than those in pelvic group, and preoperative SS and LL larger than those in pelvic group ( P<0.05). The changes of PT and SS in non-pelvic group were significantly lower than those in pelvic group 2 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05). The proportion of classification changes in the pelvic group was significantly higher than that in the non-pelvic group (60% vs. 34%, χ 2=5.847, P=0.016). Among the 95 patients, a total of 29 experienced PJK during the follow-up, with 3 cases progressing to PJF. The incidence of PJK in mismatched patients was 37% with no significant difference compared with matched patients (19%) (χ 2=3.357, P=0.067). In the sacral spine group of 60 patients, 22 experienced PJK, with 3 cases progressing to PJF. Among them, 19 patients with PJK had a classification mismatch with the ideal classification at 2 weeks postoperatively. The PJK incidence was significantly higher in mismatched patients (45%) compared to matched patients (17%) (χ 2=4.429, P=0.035). In the non-pelvic group, 7 patients developed PJK, with 3 mismatched cases. The PJK incidence in mismatched vs. matched patients was 18% vs. 22%, showing no significant difference (χ 2=0.114, P=0.735). Conclusions:For the patients with degenerative spinal deformity, pelvic fixation leads to a more complete restoration of the ideal Roussouly classification. Restoration of the Roussouly type in patients with pelvic fixation is a reliable predictor of postoperative PJK. However, in patients without pelvic fixation, the alignment with the ideal Roussouly classification does not significantly correlate with PJK development.