OBJECTIVE: To explore, identify, and develop novel blood-based indicators using machine learning algorithms for accurate preoperative assessment and effective prediction of postoperative complication risks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including RA patients who underwent unilateral TKA between January 2019 and December 2024. Inpatient and 30-day postoperative outpatient follow-up data were collected. Six machine learning algorithms, including decision tree, random forest, logistic regression, support vector machine, extreme gradient boosting, and light gradient boosting machine, were used to construct predictive models. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), F1-score, accuracy, precision, and recall. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values were employed to interpret and rank the importance of individual variables. RESULTS: According to the inclusion criteria, a total of 1 548 patients were enrolled. Ultimately, 18 preoperative indicators were identified as effective predictive features, and 8 postoperative complications were defined as prediction labels for inclusion in the study. Within 30 days after surgery, 453 patients (29.2%) developed one or more complications. Considering overall accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, the random forest model [AUC=0.930, 95% CI (0.910, 0.950)] and the extreme gradient boosting model [AUC=0.909, 95% CI (0.880, 0.938)] demonstrated the best predictive performance. SHAP analysis revealed that anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, interleukin-6, body mass index, age, and smoking status made significant contributions to the overall prediction of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION Machine learning-based models enable accurate prediction of postoperative complication risks among RA patients undergoing TKA. Inflammatory and immune-related blood biomarkers, such as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor, interleukin-6, play key predictive roles, highlighting their potential value in perioperative risk stratification and individualized management.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood* ; Machine Learning ; Postoperative Complications/blood* ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Preoperative Period ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Risk Assessment

Objective:To construct a eukaryotic expression vector for bacteriophage D29 LysinB/Holin fusion protein and study its bactericidal efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb) in a cell infection model. Methods:A recombinant plasmid pET32a-LysinB was constructed and induced to express LysinB. The polyclonal antibody against LysinB was prepared after the purification of LysinB. A recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+ )-LysinB/Holin was constructed and transfected into mononuclear macrophages RAW264.7. After the expression of the prepared polyclonal antibody was identified, a cell infection model was established and the bactericidal efficacy of LysinB/Holin fusion protein was measured by acid-fast staining and colony counting.Results:The polyclonal antibody against LysinB was successfully prepared. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+ )-LysinB/Holin could effectively express LysinB/Holin fusion protein in eukaryotic cells without inducing significant cytotoxicity. LysinB/Holin fusion protein was effective in killing Mtb in cells. Conclusions:The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+ )-LysinB/Holin has a better killing effect on intracellular Mtb without inducing obvious cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells, showing a potential in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of using autologous mandibular outer cortex "sandwich" grafting to augment mandible for correcting lower facial asymmetry with normal occlusal relationships.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with lower facial asymmetry treated at the Department of Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from January 2016 to December 2019. Preoperative cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans of the maxillofacial region were obtained to acquire three-dimensional data of the maxillofacial skeleton. Computer-aided design was used to determine the osteotomy range of the mandibular outer cortex and design osteotomy guide template. The outer cortex of the larger mandibular side (donor site) was harvested according to the osteotomy guide template and sectioned. The segmented mandibular outer cortex was then contoured to match the arc of the recipient side’s mandibular outer cortex and fixed to the inner side of the recipient mandibular outer cortex, thus increasing the width and thickness of the expanded mandible. Follow-up was conducted at 7th day and 6 months postoperatively, CBCT scan was performed to measure the changes in ramus height (Co-Go), mandibular body length (Go-Me), and mandibular outer cortex thickness, and volume, and the patient satisfaction with facial appearance (1 to 5 points, with higher scores indicating higher satisfaction), were assessed to evaluate surgical outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 12.0 software. Paired t-tests were used to compare patient satisfaction scores preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Repeated measurement ANOVA was used to compare Co-Go and Go-Me measurements preoperatively, 7th day, and 6 months postoperatively. If a statistically significant difference is found, further analysis using post-hoc testing(Tukey’s HSD test) will be conducted to examine the data. Results:Sixteen patients with lower facial asymmetry were included, comprising of 5 males and 11 females, aged 18 to 40 years, with an average age of 25.2 years. Surgical method included contralateral mandibular outer cortex "sandwich" grafting to the expanded mandible in 9 cases and simultaneous genioplasty in 7 cases. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 5 years, with an average follow-up of 18.6 months. All patients experienced numbness of the lower lip postoperatively, which resolved within six months, and no severe complications occurred. The symmetry of lower facial contour improved significantly and remained stable. Patient satisfaction score for facial appearance increased from (1.63±0.62) points preoperatively to (4.19±0.75) points six months postoperatively( P<0.01). The differences in Co-Go on the donor side and Go-Me on the recipient side across the three time points(preoperatively, 7th day and 6 months postoperatively) were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). However, the differences in Go-Me on the donor side and Co-Go on the recipient side across the three time points were statistically significant(all P<0.05). On the donor side, the mandibular outer cortex thickness decreased by a maximum of 6 mm on 7th day postoperatively and increased by a maximum of 2 mm at 6 months postoperatively compared to 7th day. On the recipient side, mandibular outer cortex thickness increased by a maximum of 6 mm on 7th day postoperatively and decreased by a maximum of 2 mm at six months postoperatively compared to 7th day. The volume of the mandibular outer cortex on the recipient side increased by (4 415.94±1 017.21)mm 3 at 7th day postoperatively compared to preoperatively, and decreased by (202.63±300.85)mm 3 at 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion:For lower facial asymmetrical with normal occlusal relationships and no occlusal plane deviation, contralateral mandibular outer cortex "sandwich" bone grafting can effectively increase the width and volume of the mandible on the grafted side, achieving favorable clinical outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of using autologous mandibular outer cortex "sandwich" grafting to augment mandible for correcting lower facial asymmetry with normal occlusal relationships.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with lower facial asymmetry treated at the Department of Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from January 2016 to December 2019. Preoperative cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans of the maxillofacial region were obtained to acquire three-dimensional data of the maxillofacial skeleton. Computer-aided design was used to determine the osteotomy range of the mandibular outer cortex and design osteotomy guide template. The outer cortex of the larger mandibular side (donor site) was harvested according to the osteotomy guide template and sectioned. The segmented mandibular outer cortex was then contoured to match the arc of the recipient side’s mandibular outer cortex and fixed to the inner side of the recipient mandibular outer cortex, thus increasing the width and thickness of the expanded mandible. Follow-up was conducted at 7th day and 6 months postoperatively, CBCT scan was performed to measure the changes in ramus height (Co-Go), mandibular body length (Go-Me), and mandibular outer cortex thickness, and volume, and the patient satisfaction with facial appearance (1 to 5 points, with higher scores indicating higher satisfaction), were assessed to evaluate surgical outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 12.0 software. Paired t-tests were used to compare patient satisfaction scores preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Repeated measurement ANOVA was used to compare Co-Go and Go-Me measurements preoperatively, 7th day, and 6 months postoperatively. If a statistically significant difference is found, further analysis using post-hoc testing(Tukey’s HSD test) will be conducted to examine the data. Results:Sixteen patients with lower facial asymmetry were included, comprising of 5 males and 11 females, aged 18 to 40 years, with an average age of 25.2 years. Surgical method included contralateral mandibular outer cortex "sandwich" grafting to the expanded mandible in 9 cases and simultaneous genioplasty in 7 cases. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 5 years, with an average follow-up of 18.6 months. All patients experienced numbness of the lower lip postoperatively, which resolved within six months, and no severe complications occurred. The symmetry of lower facial contour improved significantly and remained stable. Patient satisfaction score for facial appearance increased from (1.63±0.62) points preoperatively to (4.19±0.75) points six months postoperatively( P<0.01). The differences in Co-Go on the donor side and Go-Me on the recipient side across the three time points(preoperatively, 7th day and 6 months postoperatively) were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). However, the differences in Go-Me on the donor side and Co-Go on the recipient side across the three time points were statistically significant(all P<0.05). On the donor side, the mandibular outer cortex thickness decreased by a maximum of 6 mm on 7th day postoperatively and increased by a maximum of 2 mm at 6 months postoperatively compared to 7th day. On the recipient side, mandibular outer cortex thickness increased by a maximum of 6 mm on 7th day postoperatively and decreased by a maximum of 2 mm at six months postoperatively compared to 7th day. The volume of the mandibular outer cortex on the recipient side increased by (4 415.94±1 017.21)mm 3 at 7th day postoperatively compared to preoperatively, and decreased by (202.63±300.85)mm 3 at 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion:For lower facial asymmetrical with normal occlusal relationships and no occlusal plane deviation, contralateral mandibular outer cortex "sandwich" bone grafting can effectively increase the width and volume of the mandible on the grafted side, achieving favorable clinical outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of W-shaped genioplasty in the correction of broad and short chin deformity.Methods:Thirty-eight patients (5 males, 33 females, aged 20 to 41 years, mean 27.3 years) complained with broad and short chin were admitted to the Affiliated Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospitalof Nanjing Medical University from January 2019 to December 2021. CBCT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed to design osteotomy line and determine the distance of chin lengthening, narrowing and advancing or retrocession preoperatively. Under general anesthesia, the W-shaped osteotomy was performed using an intraoral incision, and the angle between the bilateral free bone fragments, the distance of downward and forward movement were adjusted to change the curvature, width, length and prominence of the lower edge of the chin according to the preoperative designs. The results were evaluated by clinical appearances and image analyses at a follow-up of 3-24 months.Results:The amount of vertical lengthening of the chin in 38 cases were 2 mm to 5 mm, with an average of 3.02 mm. The horizontal narrowing width distances were 3-7 mm, with an average of 5.6 mm. The patients were followed up for 3-24 months, with an average of 10.6 months. There were no complications such as hematoma, wound dehiscence, accidental fracture, surgical area infection and permanent neurosensory disorder. 38 patients had transient sensory loss in the lower lip region of varying degrees, but all recovered spontaneously during routine follow-up period. All patients were satisfied with the improvement of facial contour.Conclusions:W-shaped geinoplasty preserves the central bone of the chin and the attachment of genioglossus muscle, which does not affect the normal anatomy and physiological function of the oral cavity. After osteotomy, the bone is removed and the bilateral bone fragments move flexibly. It can effectively change the radian, width, length and protrusion of the lower edge of the chin in three dimensions, so as to correct the wide and short deformity of the chin.

ObjectiveTo investigate the demand, supply and satisfaction of the Chinese people on assistive technology. MethodsBased on the data from the World Health Organization rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) questionnaire in six provinces and cities in China, the assistive technology of the whole population in China was described from three aspects of demand, supply and satisfaction. ResultsA total of 15 234 valid questionnaires were obtained. In terms of demand, the proportion of visual impairment was the highest in all the functional impairment categories, the highest demands in the list were glasses (low-vision, short/long distance etc.) and walking sticks (canes/sticks, tripod and quadripod), while the highest demand outside the list was anti-skid pad. In terms of supply, the private sector was the main one, followed by government facility and public hospital, and most users took "paid out-of-pocket (self)" to obtain assistive technology, the distance to access the assistive technology was concentrated at "less than five kilometers", and the biggest obstacle to obtain assistive technology was lack of knowledge about assistive technology. Overall satisfaction with assistive technology was optimistic, the adaptation degree and service quality of assistive technology were the most unsatisfactory factors for users. ConclusionIn China, the satisfaction of assistive technology is optimistic, and there is a few amount of unmet assistive technology. It is necessary to propagandize assistive technology, and its manual should be readable, the assistive technical service team should be multidisciplinary, enterprises should promote independent innovation, and the professionals should be regulated.

Objective To analyze and evaluate the clinical characteristics of imported falciparum malaria cases and the antimalarial effect of artemisinin-based drugs, to promote rational and standardized drug use, and to improve the clinical cure rate of falciparum malaria. Methods A total of 116 imported cases of falciparum malaria admitted to the provincial malaria designated hospital in Wuhan were collected, and the clinical characteristics of the patients and use of artemisinin, and the therapeutic effects of the artemisinin-based drugs were retrospectively analyzed. Results The clinical manifestations of imported falciparum malaria were complicated and varied and had many complications, including mainly fever, anorexia, anemia, and jaundice, etc. The symptoms were alleviated or disappeared after treatment with artemisinin, without obvious adverse drug reactions. The median time of fever reduction was 2 days, the median time of Plasmodium becoming negative was 3 days, and the median time of clinical symptom relief was 3 days. 109 cases of common falciparum malaria were treated by oral artemisinin compound or artesunate injection combined with oral artemisinin compound, including 30 cases of oral artemisinin compound treatment for 1 to 4 days (1 case relapsed) and 79 cases of artesunate injection combined with oral artemisinin compound for 4 to 6 days (4 cases relapsed). Seven severe cases were cured after long-term and high-dose treatment with artesunate injection combined with oral multiple artemisinin compounds, and the total cure rate was 95.69% (111/116). Conclusion The present study demonstrates that the treatment of falciparum malaria by oral injection of artemisinin is safe and effective, and the cure rate is high. However, some patients have recurrence of the malaria parasite after stopping artemisinin drugs. It is necessary to ensure the use of artemisinin-based drugs in a ^“standardized, full-process, and adequate^” way to contain the risk of severe illness and drug resistance.

Objective:To investigate the effect of electroporation-mediated local gene therapy on the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in callus of distraction gap during mandibular distraction osteogenesis of rabbits.Methods:The experiments were conducted in the laboratory of the Affiliated Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2019 to December 2019. Forty eight New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control group (group A), gene therapy group (group B) and normal saline group (group C), with 16 rabbits in each group. After bilateral mandible osteotomy and distractors were implanted, the distractors were activated at a speed of 0.8 mm/d on 4th day, postoperatively, and lasted for 7 days, followed by consolidation period. Group A distracted only, group B was subject to local injection of recombinant plasmid pIRES-hBMP2-hVEGF165 in the distraction gap and electroporation stimulation at the beginning of activation distractors; and group C local injection of the same dose of normal saline in the distraction gap and electroporation stimulation at the beginning of activation distractors. Four animals in each group were sacrificed on the day at the end of distraction, 7th, 14th, 28th days of consolidation period, respectively. The callus in the distraction gap was taken for immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR to detect the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin, and image analysis was performed. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results:Immunohistochemical staining showed that Wnt3a and β-catenin were mainly located in the cytoplasm and nuclei of fibroblasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts in callus tissue. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin reached a peak at the end of distraction. With the disappearance of distraction tension, the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin gradually decreased. After gene therapy intervention, the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin was significantly increased, and the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in group B was the highest at each time point, with statistically significant difference compared with groups A and C ( F=96.3, P<0.01). Conclusions:Gene therapy promotes the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in the callus of distraction gap, regulating the balance of the bone reconstruction system and thus promoting the formation of new bone in the distraction gap.

Turner syndrome (TS) complicated with Madelung deformity and complex brachydactyly are rare clinically, and it is even rarer to combine with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This article reports a case of a 36 year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with "ankylosing spondylitis" due to repeated back, hip and knee pain for 11 years and aggravated for 1 month. After admission, the karyotype showed "46, X, i (Xq)" due to short stature, dysplasia of secondary sexual characteristics, limb deformity etc, thus confirming TS. Further examination revealed bilateral Madelung deformity and complex brachydactyly characterized by shortening of the fourth metacarpal, multiple missing and shortened middle phalanxes. By reviewing the relevant literature, we believe that autoimmune diseases such as AS should be excluded in TS patients. TS aggravates the inflammatory response of AS, but the combination of TS and AS is more likely to be an accidental event. Patients with Madelung deformity should be careful to exclude TS. Madelung deformity and shortening of the fourth metacarpal are mainly associated with haploinsufficiency of SHOX gene. Brachydactyly characterized by multiple loss and shortening of the middle phalanx may be a new clinical manifestation of TS, especially the karyotype of 46, X, i (Xq). It is possible that there are some genes on the short arm of X chromosome, which regulate the number, growth and development of fingers. Early estrogen replacement therapy can greatly benefit patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of eyebrow arch augmentation with personalized polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implant assisted by endoscope.Methods:From January 2019 to August 2021, 9 patients with low and flat eyebrow arch requiring eyebrow arch augmentation were treated in the plastic surgery department of the Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. The cranial and maxillofacial CT scanning data were obtained before operation, the eyebrow arch elevation range and height were designed according to the patient's requirements, and personalized peek implants were manufactured. During the operation, a small temporal hairline incision was used to accurately separate the implantation cavity of individualized peek implants under the periosteum of the eyebrow arch implantation area with the aid of endoscope. Personalized PEEK implants were implanted under endoscope to make them fully fit with the eyebrow arch bone and fixed with titanium nails. Photos were taken and analyzed before and after operation.Results:All patients were followed up for 3 months to 2 years. Their facial expressions were normal, and there were no motor nerve injury, rejection and iatrogenic infection. The patients were satisfied with the postoperative effect. Compared with before operation, the low level of orbital bone in eyebrow area was improved, and the facial contour was three-dimensional and harmonious.Conclusions:The eyebrow arch augmentation with individualized peek implant assisted by endoscope is safe and effective. It can greatly reshape the upper contour of the face, deepen the upper eyelid fossa and improve the convex eye phenomenon, so as to achieve the cosmetic effect of enhancing the three-dimensional sense of the eyebrow orbital area, which is worthy of clinical application.