The pedicle screw internal fixation system plays a crucial role in spinal surgery, with the advantage of enhancing spinal stability. However, potential complications such as internal fixation loosening and screw pullout still exist clinically. Currently, pullout of strength is commonly used to evaluate the short-term biomechanical properties of internal fixation, fatigue test is performed to evaluate the long-term biomechanical properties of internal fixation, and torque is used to evaluate the interaction between screws and spinal bone. Factors that influence the biomechanical properties of pedicle screws include spine-related factors (bone density) and screw-related factors (screw size, screw design, and screw augmentation materials). In bones with high bone density, pullout of strength is significantly increased, and fixation strength can also be improved by increasing screw diameter and length, improving screw design, and using screw augmentation materials. Biomechanical research on pedicle screw internal fixation provides key information for achieving individualized and functional optimal channel selection. Designing screw channels with optimal fixation strength is expected to reduce the risk of screw loosening and the occurrence of surgical complications, and improve surgical effects.

Purpose To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions(GPLs)(diameter≥10 mm).Materials and Methods A prospective enrollment of 229 patients with GPLs who underwent cholecystectomy in 17 hospitals from December 1 2021 to June 30 2024 was conducted to analyze the relationship between general data,conventional ultrasound,CEUS characteristics and the nature of GPLs.Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps,the differential diagnostic value of different indicators was compared.Results Among 229 patients with GPLs,there were 108 cases of cholesterol polyps,102 cases of adenoma and 19 cases of gallbladder cancer.Age(Z=-4.476,P<0.001),polyp number(χ2=15.561,P<0.001),diameter(Z=-8.149,P<0.001),echogenicity(χ2=9.241,P=0.010),vascularity(χ2=23.107,P<0.001),enhancement intensity(χ2=47.610,P<0.001),enhancement pattern(χ2=6.468,P=0.011),vascular type(χ2=84.470,P<0.001),integrity of gallbladder wall(χ2=7.662,P=0.006)and stalk width(Z=-9.831,P<0.001)between cholesterol polyps and neoplastic polyps were statistically significant.Age,location,diameter,echogenicity,enhancement pattern,vascular type and stalk width between adenoma and gallbladder cancer were statistically significant(Z=-4.333,-3.902,-5.042,all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyper-enhancement,branched vascular type and stalk width were independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps(OR=4.563,5.770,3.075,all P<0.001).The combination of independent risk factors was better than single factor and diameter in the differential diagnosis of cholesterol polyps and neoplastic polyps(all P<0.01).Conclusion CEUS can effectively identify the nature of GPLs and provide a valuable imaging reference for the selection of treatment methods.

Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Robotics ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Orthopedics ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

As a ligand-dependent transcription factor,retinoid-associated orphan receptor γt(RORyt)that controls T helper(Th)17 cell differentiation and interleukin(IL)-17 expression plays a critical role in the pro-gression of several inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.An emerging novel approach to the therapy of these diseases thus involves controlling the transcriptional capacity of RORyt to decrease Th17 cell development and IL-17 production.Several RORyt inhibitors including both antagonists and inverse agonists have been discovered to regulate the transcriptional activity of RORyt by binding to orthosteric-or allosteric-binding sites in the ligand-binding domain.Some of small-molecule inhibitors have entered clinical evaluations.Therefore,in current review,the role of RORyt in Th17 regulation and Th17-related inflammatory and autoimmune diseases was highlighted.Notably,the recently developed RORyt inhibitors were summarized,with an emphasis on their optimization from lead compounds,ef-ficacy,toxicity,mechanisms of action,and clinical trials.The limitations of current development in this area were also discussed to facilitate future research.

Objective:To study the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of adult thyroid nodules in Wuhan City, and to analyze the influencing factors of thyroid nodules, so as to provide basis for prevention and treatment of adult thyroid nodules in Wuhan City.Methods:From 2019 to 2021, two communities or towns were selected from each of the 13 districts in Wuhan City using multi-stage cluster random sampling method. One hundred permanent residents over the age of 16 were selected from each community or town according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria (age and sex ratio balanced), for questionnaire survey, physical examination, urinary iodine test and thyroid ultrasound examination. The influencing factors of thyroid nodules was analyzed using logistic regession and Spearman correlation.Results:A total of 2 578 adults were investigated, including 1 168 men and 1 410 women. The age was (41.79 ± 13.01) years. The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 35.49% (915/2 578). The prevalence of single nodules was 19.16% (494/2 578), which was higher than that of multiple nodules [16.33% (421/2 578), χ 2 = 2 577.00, P < 0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female ( OR = 2.033, 95% CI: 1.631 - 2.535), older ( OR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.290 - 1.528), history of thyroid disease ( OR = 1.351, 95% CI: 1.211 - 1.506) and diabetes ( OR = 1.449, 95% CI: 1.083 - 1.938) were independent risk factors for adult thyroid nodules ( P < 0.05). The median urinary iodine of residents in Wuhan City was 185.32 μg/L, at an appropriate level of iodine nutrition, there was no correlation between urinary iodine and thyroid nodules ( r = 0.02, P = 0.391). Conclusions:The prevalence of thyroid nodules of adults in Wuhan City is high. Women, older, a history of thyroid diseases and diabetes are all risk factors for thyroid nodules. No correlation is found between urinary iodine level and thyroid nodules.

Objective:To investigate short-term safety, efficacy and the learning curve of this self-developed novel transcatheter valve repair system (Neonova?) in patients with mitral regurgitation, and explore the role of perioperative echocardiography.Methods:Ten patients who visited the Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June 2021 to March 2022 and met the inclusive criteria were prospectively enrolled. All the patients were at high risk of surgery with moderate to severe or severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Clamps of Neonova? were implanted under guidance of transesophageal echocardiography and digital subtraction angiography. Clinical outcomes, echocardiography indexes and learning curves of this technique were evaluated immediately after intervention, 7 d, 1 month and 3 months post-intervention.Results:The technical success rate was 100% with MR relieved in all patients immediately after intervention. The device and procedural success rates were both 90.0% with 1 patient received surgical replacement at 37 days post-intervention while the others′ reduced to mild (8/9) and moderate (1/9) MR. New York Heart Association class and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire improved significantly (all P<0.001). Mean mitral valve pressure gradient didn′t increase significantly after intervention when compared with that before intervention( P=0.324), and no mitral stenosis was observed. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased significantly ( P=0.008) during follow up.Procedure duration ranged from 60 to 300 (175.8±75.2)minutes. The simple linear regression model between procedure volume and duration showed that procedure duration decreased significantly with the increase of procedure volume ( F=15.857, P=0.004). Conclusions:Neonova? implantation can improve MR severity and clinical symptoms safely and effectively. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography are essential for perioperative management of transcatheter mitral valve repair.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of types of inflammatory bowel disease with high recurrence. Recent studies have highlighted that microbial dysbiosis as well as abnormal gut immunity are crucial factors that initiate a series of inflammatory responses in the UC. Modulating the gut microbiota-intestinal immunity loop has been suggested as one of key strategies for relieving UC. Many Chinese herbal medicines including some of single herb, herbal formulas and the derived constituents have been reported with protective effect against UC through modulating gut microbiome and intestinal immunity. Some clinical trials have shown promising results. This review thus focused on the current knowledge on using Chinese herbal medicines for treating UC from the mechanism aspects of regulating intestinal homeostasis involving microbiota and gut immunity. The existing clinical trials are also summarized.

Objective:To study the status of iodized salt consumption, iodine nutrition and thyroid nodules among adults in Wuhan City, so as to provide a basis for continuing implement the salt iodization policy in Wuhan City.Methods:From 2019 to 2021, a multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used in 13 districts of Wuhan City. Two communities or townships were selected from each district, and 100 permanent residents over 16 years old were selected from each community or township. Household salt samples and individual random urine samples were collected. Physical examination, salt iodine test, urinary iodine test and thyroid ultrasound examination were performed.Results:A total of 2 578 permanent residents over 16 years old in Wuhan City were surveyed, with an iodized salt coverage rate of 92.09% (2 374/2 578) and a qualified iodized salt consumption rate of 86.11% (2 220/2 578). The median adult urinary iodine was 185.32 μg/L. The detection rate of thyroid nodules was 35.49% (915/2 578). The detection rate of thyroid nodules was significantly lower in males than in females (χ 2 = 62.43, P < 0.001), with a trend of increasing with age (χ 2trend = 91.83, P < 0.001), with a lower detection rate in central urban areas than in remote urban areas (χ 2 = 23.17, P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the iodine content of edible salt, iodized salt coverage rate, qualified iodized salt consumption rate, and urinary iodine content between adults with and without thyroid nodule, as well as between the single nodule group and the multiple nodule group ( P > 0.05). According to Spearman correlation analysis, there was no correlation between the detection rate of thyroid nodules and the iodine content in edible salt and urine ( r = - 0.012, 0.017, P > 0.05). Conclusions:After the salt industry reform, the qualified iodized salt consumption rate among adults in Wuhan City has slightly decreased, and the iodine nutritional status is at an appropriate level. The prevalence of thyroid nodules is relatively high, and increases with age, which is higher in females than in males. Iodine nutrition and iodized salt consumption are not found to be associated with thyroid nodules.

Objective:To understand the iodine nutrition status of pregnant women in Wuhan, and to provide a basis for guiding pregnant women to supplement iodine scientifically and adjust the prevention and control strategy of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods:From May 2016 to September 2020, each district of 13 administrative districts in Wuhan was divided into 5 areas according to east, west, south, north and middle. One township (street) was selected from each area, and 20 pregnant women were selected from each township (street). Edible salt and urine samples were collected to detect the contents of salt iodine and urinary iodine. Salt iodine was determined by direct titration, Sichuan salt and other fortified edible salt by arbitration method; urinary iodine was detected by arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry. Salt iodine and urinary iodine were analyzed according to different years, regions (central and far urban areas), age [low age (< 25 years old), appropriate age (25 - 34 years old), old age (≥35 years old)], and pregnancy [early pregnancy (< 13 weeks), middle pregnancy (13 - 27 weeks), and late pregnancy (28 - 40 weeks)].Results:A total of 5 200 edible salt samples from pregnant women's homes were collected, and the median salt iodine was 24.41 mg/kg. Among them, there were 32 non-iodized salts, 4 962 qualified iodized salts, and 206 unqualified iodized salts. The coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.38% (5 168/5 200), and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 95.42% (4 962/5 200). A total of 5 200 pregnant women's urine samples were tested, and the median urinary iodine was 161.24 μg/L. Urinary iodine < 150 μg/L was found in central urban area, early pregnancy, middle pregnancy, low age and old age pregnant women in 2016 (141.74, 149.00, 132.34, 135.17, 121.00 μg/L); in early pregnancy, middle pregnancy and old age pregnant women in 2017 (128.00, 149.00, 141.41 μg/L); and in middle pregnancy and old age pregnant women in 2020 (148.95, 138.00 μg/L), which was at iodine deficiency level.Conclusions:Pregnant women in Wuhan are generally at iodine appropriate level, but close to the lower limit of the appropriate value, some pregnant women are at risk of iodine deficiency. It is still necessary to pay close attention to iodine nutrition status of pregnant women, and advocate pregnant women to eat qualified iodized salt actively.

Objective:To study the learning curve and inflection point of robot-assisted L 4 and L 5 pedicle screw insertion for lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the data of 43 patients with L 4 and L 5 pedicle screw insertion for lumbar spondylolisthesis from January 2016 to December 2020 using surgical robot, including 19 males and 24 females, aging 59 (48, 66) years old. According to Meyerding classification, there were 23 grade I slippage, 18 grade II slippage, and 2 grade III slippage. The screw deviation and screw accuracy grade were assessed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) was used to analyze the learning curve, and the learning curve is divided into early and late learning stages according to morphology. T test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for statistical analysis and comparison of indicators between early and late learning stages. Results:43 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis successfully completed the operation, with 60 L 4 pedicle screws and 70 L 5 pedicle screws inserted. The accuracy of L 4 pedicle screw placement began to improve since the 23rd placement, and the accuracy of L 5 pedicle screw placement began to improve since the 20th placement. Using the 23rd pedicle screw (the 14th patient) to divide the learning curve as the early stage and the late stage. There was no statistically significant difference in the operation time (225.0±74.0 min vs. 207.0±81.2 min, t=0.65, P=0.521), intraoperative blood loss[200 (75, 500) ml vs. 100 (60, 200) ml, Z=1.30, P=0.195], the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies[10 (6, 10) vs. 10 (6, 10), Z=-0.37, P=0.712] and postoperative complications (8% vs. 0, P=0.302) between the early stage and late stage of learning curve. In the late stage of learning, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter[4.5 (3, 6) d vs. 6.0 (5, 9) d, Z=2.00, P=0.046]and the pedicle screw insertion accuracy was higher[L 4: 1.33 (1.06, 1.79) mm vs. 2.23 (1.12, 4.55) mm, Z=2.43, P=0.015; L 5: 1.47 (0.98, 1.87) mm vs. 3.21 (1.64, 4.87) mm, Z=3.90, P=0.001]. The accuracy of screw placement was similar between the early and late stages[L 4: 95%(21/22) vs. 97%(37/38), P=1.000; L 5: 91%(20/22) vs. 96%(46/48), P=0.585]. Conclusion:Robot-assisted L 4 and L 5 pedicle screw placement in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis had a relatively obvious learning curve. Starting from the placement of the 23rd screws, the accuracy of screw placement gradually increased.