PURPOSE: The rate of complications among patients undergoing surgery has increased due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other variants of concern. However, Omicron has shown decreased pathogenicity, raising questions about the risk of postoperative complications among patients who are infected with this variant. This study aimed to investigate complications and related factors among patients with recent Omicron infection prior to undergoing orthopedic surgery. METHODS: A historical control study was conducted. Data were collected from all patients who underwent surgery during 2 distinct periods: (1) between Dec 12, 2022 and Jan 31, 2023 (COVID-19 positive group), (2) between Dec 12, 2021 and Jan 31, 2022 (COVID-19 negative control group). The patients were at least 18 years old. Patients who received conservative treatment after admission or had high-risk diseases or special circumstances (use of anticoagulants before surgery) were excluded from the study. The study outcomes were the total complication rate and related factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on complications. RESULTS: In the analysis, a total of 847 patients who underwent surgery were included, with 275 of these patients testing positive for COVID-19 and 572 testing negative. The COVID-19-positive group had a significantly higher rate of total complications (11.27%) than the control group (4.90%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for relevant factors, the OR was 3.08 (95% CI: 1.45-6.53). Patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at 3-4 weeks (OR = 0.20 (95% CI: 0.06-0.59), p = 0.005), 5-6 weeks (OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04-0.59), p = 0.010), or ≥7 weeks (OR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.06-1.02), p = 0.069) prior to surgery had a lower risk of complications than those who were diagnosed at 0-2 weeks prior to surgery. Seven factors (age, indications for surgery, time of operation, time of COVID-19 diagnosis prior to surgery, C-reactive protein levels, alanine transaminase levels, and aspartate aminotransferase levels) were found to be associated with complications; thus, these factors were used to create a nomogram. CONCLUSION Omicron continues to be a significant factor in the incidence of postoperative complications among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. By identifying the factors associated with these complications, we can determine the optimal surgical timing, provide more accurate prognostic information, and offer appropriate consultation for orthopedic surgery patients who have been infected with Omicron.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Nomograms ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic causal relationship of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: Using LTL as the exposure factor and prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis as outcome factors, we mined the Database of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Then, we analyzed the causal relationship of LTL with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by Mendelian randomization using inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the main method and weighted median and MR-Egger regression as auxiliary methods, determined the horizontal multiplicity by MR-Egger intercept test, and conducted sensitivity analysis using the leaving-one-out method. RESULTS: A total of 121 related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in this study. IVW showed LTL to be a risk factor for prostatitis (OR = 1.383, 95% CI: 1.044－1.832, P = 0.024), and for orchitis and epididymitis as well (OR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.275－2.456, P = 0.000 6). CONCLUSION Genetic evidence from Mendelian randomized analysis indicates that shortening of LTL reduces the risk of prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis.
Humans ; Male ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Epididymitis/genetics* ; Prostatitis/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Leukocytes ; Orchitis/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Telomere ; Risk Factors

Tandem occlusion of the anterior circulation is a specific acute large vessel occlusion, which is defined in most of the literature as a combination of intracranial large vessel occlusion and high degree of stenosis or occlusion of the ipsilateral extracranial internal carotid artery.Tandem occlusion is presented in approximately 15% patients with acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation who receive endovascular treatment. In patients with tandem occlusion, endovascular treatment is more effective than drug therapy; however, controversy still exists regarding the optimal management strategy of endovascular treatment. This article reviews the recent advance in endovascular treatment of tandem occlusion in the anterior circulation in recent years, to improve the overall care standard for acute ischemic stroke with tandem occlusion of the anterior circulation.

The feasibility of fecal-oral transmission of Trichinella spiralis larva and infectivity in feces were assessed.Six Wistar rats were infected with 4 000 T.spiralis larvae at one time.The feces of three rats(group A)were collected at 0,4,8,12,16,24,and 48 h,and then divided into four aliquots and stored at room temperature for 0,24,48,and 72 h,respectively.The number of larvae in the feces was counted under a microscope,and each aliquot containing T.spiralis larvae was fed to five Kunming mice.All mice were killed 42 days after infection.The number and reproductive capacity index(RCI)of T.spir-alis larva were calculated.The feces from another three Wistar rats(group B)were collected from 1 to 23 days after infection and DNA was extracted from each fecal sample for PCR detection of the mitochondrial atp6 gene of T.spiralis.The results showed that T.spiralis was discharged in feces at 4-16 h after infection,peaking at 8 h,with no detection after 24 h.The numbers of T.spiralis larva in fecal samples of three rats in group A were 350,400,145,and 40 at 4,8,12,and 16 h after infection,respectively.The RCI values of T.spiralis larva for samples collected at 4 h were 112.5,20.5,and 2 after storage at room temperature for 0,24,and 48 h,66.7 and 9 for samples collected at 8 h after 0 and 24 h,13.3 and 5 for samples collected at 12 after 0 and 24 h,and 10 for samples collected at 16 h after 0 h,respectively.Of the three rats in group B,two were posi-tive for the atp6 gene for 18 consecutive days,and the third was positive for 20 consecutive days.These results indicate that one-time ingestion of T.spiralis larva in quantity can discharge infectious T.spiralis larvae,which can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route.PCR analysis is appropriate for detection of the T.spiralis atp6 gene in feces,but not infectivity of T.spiralis.

Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To explore the efficiency of artificial intelligence and radiomics-assisted X-ray in diagnosis of lumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCF).Methods The clinical data of 455 patients diagnosed as lumbar OVCF by MRI in our hospital were selected.The patients were divided into the training group(n=364)and the validation group(n=91),X-ray films were extracted,the image delineation,feature extraction and data analysis were carried out,and the artificial intelligence radiomics deep learning was applied to establish a diagnostic model for OVCF.After verifying the effectiveness of the model by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve,and decision curve analysis(DCA),the efficiencies of manual reading,model reading,and model-assisted manual reading of X-ray in the early diagnosis of OVCF were compared.Results The ROC curve,AUC and calibration curve proved that the model had good discrimination and calibration,and excellent diagnostic performance.DCA demonstrated that the model had a higher clinical net benefit.The diagnostic efficiency of the manual reading group:the accuracy rate was 0.89,the recall rate was 0.62.The diagnostic efficiency of the model reading group:the accuracy rate was 0.93,the recall rate was 0.86,the model diagnosis showed good predictive performance,which was significantly better than the manual reading group.The diagnostic efficiency of the model-assisted manual reading group:the accuracy rate was 0.92,the recall rate was 0.72,and the recall rate of the model-assisted manual reading group was higher than that of the manual reading group,but lower than that of the model reading group,indicating the superiority of the model diagnosis.Conclusion The diagnostic model established based on artificial intelligence and radiomics in this study has reached an ideal level of efficacy,with better diagnostic efficacy compared with manual reading,and can be used to assist X-ray in the early diagnosis of OVCF.

Objective To develop a clinical prediction model for predicting risk factors for prolonged hospital stay after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF).Methods The clinical data of 914 patients underwent ACDF treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)were retrospectively analyzed.According to the screening criteria,800 eligible patients were eventually included,and the patients were divided into the development cohort(n=560)and the validation cohort(n=240).LASSO regression was used to screen variables,and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to establish a prediction model.The prediction model was evaluated from three aspects:differentiation,calibration and clinical effectiveness.The performance of the model was evaluated by area under the curve(AUC)and Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was used to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the model.Results In this study,the five factors that were significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay were male,abnormal BMI,mild-to-moderate anemia,stage of surgery(morning,afternoon,evening),and alcohol consumption history.The AUC of the development cohort was 0.778(95%CI:0.740 to 0.816),with a cutoff value of 0.337,and that of the validation cohort was 0.748(95%CI:0.687 to 0.809),with a cutoff value of 0.169,indicating that the prediction model had good differentiation.At the same time,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had a good calibration degree,and the DCA proved that it was effective in clinical application.Conclusion The prediction model established in this study has excellent comprehensive performance,which can better predict the risk of prolonged hospital stay,and can guide clinical intervention as soon as possible,so as to minimize the postoperative hospital stay and reduce the cost of hospitalization.

Objective To explore the risk factors for surgical site infection(SSI)after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF)for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods A total of 1 000 patients who underwent TLIF for lumbar degenerative diseases in our hospital were included and divided into the infection group(n=23)and the non-infection group(n=977)according to whether the surgical incision was infected.General data,surgical and laboratory indicators of patients were collected,and potential risk factors of SSI were screened by univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis,a nomogram model was established,and its predictive efficiency was validated by the receive operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The incidence of SSI in patients after TLIF was 2.3％.The results of univariate analysis showed that age,operative time,intraoperative blood loss,preoperative C-reactive protein(CRP),smoking,and diabetes mellitus were the significant risk factors for the occurrence of SSI.Multivariate regression analysis showed that older age,longer operation time,more intraoperative blood loss,smoking and diabetes mellitus were the independent risk factors for postoperative SSI.ROC curve showed that the nomogram model established in this study has good predictive efficiency.Conclusion Older age,longer operation time,more intraoperative blood loss,smoking,and diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for postoperative SSI.For patients with these high risk factors,corresponding intervention measures should be taken before operation to reduce the incidence of SSI.

Objective To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in the eNOS gene and genetic susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)in Hainan.Methods Blood samples were collected from SLE patients(SLE group,n=214)and healthy controls(control group,n=214)from January 2020 to December 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College and Hainan Provincial People's Hospital.The bases of eNOS gene rs3918188,rs1799983 and rs1007311 loci in each group were detected by SNaPshot sequencing technology.Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between genotypes,alleles and gene models(dominant model,recessive model,and overdominant model)of the above 3 target loci of the eNOS gene and genetic susceptibility to SLE.Haplotype analysis was conducted using HaploView 4.2 software to investigate the relationship between haploid and genetic susceptibility to SLE at each site.Results The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the CC genotype and the C allele at rs3918188 locus were risk factors for genetic susceptibility to SLE(CC vs.AA:OR=2.449,P<0.05;C vs.A:OR=2.133,P<0.001).In recessive model at rs3918188 locus,CC genotype carriers had an increased risk of SLE development compared with AA+AC genotype carriers(OR=2.774,P<0.001).In contrast,in overdominant model at this locus,AC genotype carriers had a decreased risk of SLE occurrence compared with AA+CC genotype carriers(OR=0.385,P<0.001).In addition,polymorphisms of rs1799983 and rs1007311 were not associated with susceptibility to SLE in genotype,allele type and the 3 genetic models(P>0.05).Haplotype analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium between the rs1007311 and rs1799983 loci of the eNOS gene,but no significant correlation was found between haplotype and genetic susceptibility to SLE(P>0.05).Conclusion The CC genotype and C allele at rs3918188 locus of eNOS gene may be risk factors for SLE in Hainan,while the risk of SLE occurrence is reduced in carriers of AC genotype under the overdominant model.