Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies for elderly patients with ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods The imaging features and postoperative pathological findings of the elderly patients with pulmonary GGO receiving surgery in our hospital from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an elderly patient group and a non-elderly patient group based on their age. Results Finally 575 patients were included in the study. There were 281 elderly patients, including 83 males and 198 females, with an average age of (67.0±5.3) years. There were 294 non-elderly patients, including 88 males and 206 females, with an average age of (49.1±7.3) years. Compared with the non-elderly patients, elderly GGO patients showed the following distinct clinical features: long observation time for lesions (P=0.001), high proportion of rough edges of GGO (P<0.001), significant pleural signs (P＜0.001) and bronchial signs (P＜0.001), and high proportion of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO (P<0.001), lobectomy type (P=0.013), and invasive lesions reported in postoperative pathology (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the average hospital stay between the two groups (P=0.106). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GGO diameter and GGO type were the main factors affecting the operation. Observation time, GGO diameter, GGO type and pleural signs were the main influencing factors for postoperative pathological infiltrative lesions. The cut-off value of GGO diameter in predicting infiltrating lesions was 10.5 mm in the elderly patients group. Conclusion The size and type of GGO are important factors in predicting invasive lesions and selecting surgical methods. Elderly patients with radiographic manifestations of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO lesions with a diameter greater than 10.5 mm should be closely followed up.

Objective To analyze the clinical outcomes of extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) patients under different surgical approaches, and to determine the factors affecting the prognosis of MG. Methods The MG patients who underwent extended thymectomy from January 2014 to March 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively collected. According to the surgical approach, they were divided into a subxiphoid group and an intercostal group, and the perioperative results and prognosis were compared between the two groups. A “good outcome” was defined as complete stable remission (CSR), pharmacological remission (PR) or minimal manifestations state (MMS); a “poor outcome” was defined as outcomes worse than MMS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with the good outcomes. Results A total of 187 MG patients were included in the study, including 82 males and 105 females, with a median age of 50 (36, 60) years. There were 134 patients in the intercostal group and 53 patients in the subxiphoid group. Compared with the intercostal group, although the operation time of the subxiphoid group was longer [200.0 (172.0, 232.0) min vs. 141.0 (118.0, 169.0) min, P<0.001], the intraoperative blood loss was less [10.0 (10.0, 20.0) mL vs. 20.0 (10.0, 50.0) mL, P<0.001], the postoperative hospital stay was shorter [3.0 (2.5, 4.0) d vs. 5.0 (3.0, 7.0) d, P<0.001], and the incidence of complications was lower [1 (1.9%) vs. 26 (19.4%), P=0.001]. A total of 159 (85.0%) patients were followed up for a median period of 46 (13, 99) months, with a good outcome rate of 90.6% and CSR rate of 33.3%. There were no statistical differences in PR, MMS or overall good outcome rates between the two groups (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age≤50 years was an independent predictor for "good outcome" of MG patients. Conclusion Extended thymectomy via subxiphoid for MG is a safe, feasible and effective surgical approach.

Objective:To screen the characteristic gut microbiota and fecal metabolites related to the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis, to analyze the relationship between gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, and to evaluate the predictive value of relevant markers for the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis.Methods:This is a case-control study, 34 patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis who were treated in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from October 2021 to July 2022 were selected as the research objects, and were divided into chemotherapy effective group (20 cases) and chemotherapy ineffective group (14 cases) according to the efficacy evaluation criteria. Logistic regression was used to construct a prediction model to screen the microbiota and metabolic markers capable of predicting the effect of chemotherapy, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and survival analysis curve were plotted to evaluate the predictive effect of related microbiota and metabolites on the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Results:There was no significant difference in the α and β diversity of gut microbiota between the patients in the chemotherapy effective group and in the ineffective group (all P>0.05). In terms of species, the relative abundance of 5 species was up-regulated and 10 species were down-regulated in the chemotherapy-effective group compared with the chemotherapy-ineffective group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05), among which Prevotella salivae could effectively predict the chemotherapy effect (AUC=0.750, P=0.007), with a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 71.4%. The overall survival of patients with high abundance (17 cases) was lower than that of patients with low abundance (17 cases) ( χ 2=5.239, P=0.022). In terms of metabolites, 20 metabolites were up-regulated and 4 metabolites were down-regulated in the chemotherapy-effective group compared with the chemotherapy-ineffective group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05), among which threonine and prostaglandin F2α-1-ethanolamide could distinguish between patients who responded to chemotherapy and those who did not respond to chemotherapy (AUC=0.743, 0.707, all P<0.05), and the overall survival of patients with high levels of relative abundance (17 cases) was higher than that of patients with low levels (17 cases) ( χ 2=4.748, 5.407, all P<0.05). The Logistic regression model of Prevotella salivae and prostaglandin F2α-1-ethanolamide was obtained through screening analysis, and the ROC curve results showed that the model had a good predictive value (AUC=0.836, sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 78.6%), and the overall survival of patients with high predict probability (17 cases) predicted by the model was higher than that of patients with low predict probability (17 cases) ( χ 2=9.260, P=0.002). Conclusion:Prevotella salivae and prostaglandin F2α-1-ethanolamide can be used as predictive biomarkers of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer liver metastasis, and the model has good clinical reference value for prognosis assessment of patients in this cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of supramalleolar osteotomy (SMOT) as a therapeutic intervention for varus-type ankle arthritis, while also examining the associated risk factors that may contribute to treatment failure. METHODS: The clinical data of 82 patients (89 feet) diagnosed with varus-type ankle arthritis and treated with SMOT between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patient cohort consisted of 34 males with 38 feet and 48 females with 51 feet, with the mean age of 54.3 years (range, 43-72 years). The average body mass index was 24.43 kg/m ² (range, 20.43-30.15 kg/m ²). The preoperative tibial anterior surface angle (TAS) ranged from 77.6° to 88.4°, with a mean of 84.4°. The modified Takakura stage was used to classify the severity of the condition, with 9 feet in stage Ⅱ, 41 feet in stage Ⅲa, and 39 feet in stage Ⅲb. Clinical functional assessment was conducted using the Maryland sore, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and psychological and physical scores in Health Survey 12-item Short From (SF-12). Radiology evaluations include TAS, talar tilt (TT), tibiocrural angle (TC), tibial medial malleolars (TMM), tibiocrural distance (TCD), tibial lateral surface angle (TLS), and hindfoot alignment angle (HAA). The results of clinical failure, functional failure, and radiology failure were statistically analyzed, and the related risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 45 to 88 minutes, with an average of 62.2 minutes. No complication such as fractures and neurovascular injuries was found during operation. There were 7 feet of poor healing of the medial incision; 9 pin tract infections occurred in 6 feet using external fixator; there were 20 cases of allograft and 3 cases of autograft with radiographic bone resorption. Except for 1 foot of severe infection treated with bone cement, the remaining 88 feet were primary healing, and the healing area was more than 80%. All patients were followed up 24-82 months, with an average of 50.2 months. Maryland score, VAS score, SF-12 psychological and physiological scores, and TAS, TC, TLS, TCD, TT, TMM, HAA, and Takakura stage were significantly improved at last follow-up ( P<0.05). Postoperative clinical failure occurred in 13 feet, functional failure in 15 feet, and radiology failure in 23 feet. Univariate analysis showed that obesity, TT>10°, and Takakura stage Ⅲb were risk factors for clinical failure, HAA≥15° and Takakura stage Ⅲb were risk factors for functional failure, and TT>10° was risk factor for radiographic failure ( P<0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that TT>10°, HAA≥15°, and TT>10° were risk factors for clinical failure, functional failure, and radiographic failure, respectively ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION SMOT is effective in the mid- and long-term in the treatment of varus-type ankle arthritis, but it should be used with caution in patients with obesity, severe hindfoot varus, severe talus tilt, and preoperative Takakura stage Ⅲb.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Ankle ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Osteoarthritis/surgery* ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Risk Factors

Objective Construct a scientific and reasonable evaluation index system for clinical specialties of tradi-tional Chinese medicine in Shandong Province to provide a scientific basis for improving the service capacity of clini-cal specia lties of traditional Chinese medicine.Methods Based on relevant policies and literature research,the analytic hierarchy process and Delphi expert consultation method were used to determine the index system and its weight,and 509 clinical specialties of traditional Chinese medicine capacity levels of 178 medical institutions in Shandong Province were evaluated.Results A scientific and effective evaluation index system for clinical specialty capacity of traditional Chinese medicine in Shandong Province was constructed,with 23 secondary indicators in 5 dimen-sions.It comprehensively evaluats the service capacity and management level of orthopedics and traumatology de-partments of traditional Chinese medicine class hospitals in Shandong Province,uses orthopedics and traumatology as an example.Conclusion Driven by the dynamic monitoring of the evaluation index system,improve the service ca-pacity for clinical specialties of traditional Chinese medicine,guide it to strengthen the internal construction of tradi-tional Chinese medicine,and give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine characteristics.Increase the support for clinical specialties of traditional Chinese medicine in Shandong Province,and then promote the high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective:To observe the curative effects of triplane intra-articular osteotomy in the treatment of malunion of calcaneal intra-articular fracture.Methods:The 16 patients were retrospectively analyzed who had been admitted to Foot and Ankle Surgery Department, Honghui Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 for malunion of calcaneal intra-articular fracture. They were 12 males and 4 females, with an average age of 43.4 years (from 31 to 58 years). The left side was affected in 10 cases and the right side in 6 cases. All malunions were type Yu Ⅱ (compressed bone fragments on the posterior articular surface) and treated with triplane intra-articular osteotomy. The curative effects were assessed by comparing the radiological parameters, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, pain visual analog scale (VAS) and psychological and physical scores in Health Survey 12-item Short Form (SF-12) between preoperation and the final follow-up.Results:All the patients were followed up for 20 to 60 months (average, 42.9 months); the bone healing time was 10 to 14 weeks (average, 11.5 weeks). At the final follow-up, their B?hler angle (25.7°±2.3°), Gissane angle (117.1°±5.8°), Meary angle (2.9°±1.3°), talocalcaneal angle (31.3°±3.0°), hindfoot alignment angle (3.9°±1.8°), ankle height [(82.3±2.6) mm], calcaneus height [(56.9±2.4) mm], calcaneus width [(41.4±2.1) mm], AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score [(82.3±7.3) points], median VAS score [3 (2, 3) points], SF-12 psychological score [(46.6±3.6) points], and SF-12 physiological score [(43.6±3.5) points] were significantly improved than the preoperative values [8.4°±2.7°, 137.5°±9.3°, 8.3°±4.3°, 24.6°±3.7°, -4.6°±3.2°, (76.1±3.1) mm, (53.8±3.0) mm, (50.2±2.2) mm, (51.9±7.7) points, 6 (6, 7) points, (37.5±3.8) points, and (31.0±2.6) points] (all P<0.01) Conclusion:In the treatment of type Yu Ⅱ malunion of calcaneal intra-articular fracture, triplane osteotomy can anatomically reduce the bone fragments of collapsed posterior articular surface, reshape the normal anatomy of the calcaneus, and preserve the subtalar joint, leading to positive short- and mid-term follow-up effects.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has spread quickly across 114 countries/territories/areas in six continents worldwide and has been announced as a pandemic by WHO. This study analyzed global COVID-19 epidemiological trends, examined impact of the pandemic on global health security, diplomacy, and social environment in China, and provided short- and long-term strategic policy recommendations for China’s subsequent preparedness and responses.

Objective: To monitor the WT1 mRNA level and its dynamic changes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) after hypomethylating agents (HMA) , as well as to assess the significance of WT1 mRNA levels and its dynamic changes in evaluating the efficacy of HMA and distinguishing the disease status of heterogeneous patients with stable disease (SD) . Methods: Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples of 56 patients with MDS who underwent hypomethylating agents (≥4 cycles) from November 2009 to March 2018 were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the expression of WT1 mRNA, and to observe the correlation between the dynamic changes of WT1 mRNA expression and clinical efficacy and prognosis of patients. Results: WT1 mRNA expression levels of MDS patients decreased significantly after 3 cycles of hypomethylating agent treatment. Besides, the WT1 mRNA expression levels of patients increased significantly after diseases progression. According to the dynamic changes of WT1 mRNA expression levels during SD, 45 cases could be further divided into increased group and non-increased group. In those SD patients with increased WT1 mRNA expression level, the ratio of suffering disease progression or transformation to AML was 95.65% (22/23) , whereas the ratio turned to be 9.09% (2/22) for the non-increased group (χ²=33.852, P<0.001) . Compared with those SD patients reporting no increase in WT1 mRNA expression level, the overall survival[17 (95%CI 11-23) months vs not reached, P<0.001] and progression-free survival [13 (95%CI 8-18) months vs not reached, P<0.001] of those SD patients reporting increase in WT1 mRNA expression level were significantly shorter. Conclusion WT1 mRNA expression level is a useful indicator to assess the efficacy of hypomethylating agents in MDS patients. Especially in patients with SD, detection of the changes in WT1 mRNA expression level is able to predict disease progression and help to make clinical decision.

Objective: To know condom use negotiation with clients and regular sex partners and condom use in female sex workers (FSWs), and provide reference for the development of comprehensive HIV/AIDS intervention for FSWs. Methods: The cross sectional survey was conducted in Jianshui county and Mengzi county in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture. A total of 476 FSWs aged 16 years and above were recruited from entertainment venues, and the information about their demographic characteristics, condom use negotiation and condom use were collected by using questionnaires. Logistic regression model was used to analyze related factors of condom use after negotiation between FSWs and clients unwilling use condom. Results: A total of 852 FSWs who aged (24.29±8.44) years old participated in the survey. In past month, 499 FSWs had negotiation for condom use with unwilling clients (58.6%, 499/852), after negotiation, 441 FSWs (88.4%, 441/499) had consistent condom use in each sex with the clients. In the past one month, 99 FSWs had negotiation for unwilling use condom with regular sex partners (14.4%, 99/687), after negotiation, 54 FSWs (54.5%, 54/99) had consistent condom use in each sex with regular sex partners. Among the FSWs, 266 (53.3%, 266/499) reported that they could say "It is a mandatory requirement" to persuade clients who were unwilling to use condom. 97(19.4%, 97/499) reported that they could say "There is risk for infection" to persuade clients who were unwilling to use condoms. 115 (23.1%,115/499) reported that they could say "It is a mandatory requirement" and "there is risk for infection" to persuade their unwilling clients to use condoms. 21 (4.2%, 21/499) reported that they used other strategies. 22 (4.4%, 22/499) felt that it was difficult to persuade clients to use condoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with FSWs who felt difficult in persuading clients to use condoms, FSWs who felt moderate difficulty were more likely to have consistent condom use after negotiation (OR=4.00, 95%CI: 1.55-10.32) and FSWs who felt easy in persuading clients to use condoms were also more likely to have consistent condom use (OR=30.17, 95%CI: 3.22-282.44). Compared with FSWs used other strategies to persuade their clients to use condoms, FSWs who said it was a mandatory requirement were more likely to have consistent condom use after negotiation (OR=4.44, 95%CI: 1.41-14.01) and FSWs who said it was a mandatory requirement and there was risk for infection were also more likely to have consistent condom use (OR=5.52, 95%CI: 1.55-19.73). Conclusions Negotiation for condom use increased the rate of condom use in FSWs in sex with clients who were unwilling to use condom. The negotiation strategy of "It is a mandatory requirement" would promote condom use in FSWs in sex with clients who were unwilling to use condom. Besides, the negotiation strategy of saying "there is risk for infection" had additional effects.

Objective: To explore the expression of KIF20A (kinesin family member 20A) in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and to analyze the relationship between KIF20A expression level and clinicopathological factors in CRC patients. Meth-ods: Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to analyze KIF20A mRNA expression in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. A total of 105 paraffin samples were obtained from CRC patients who had undergone surgery at Huai He Hospital of Henan University, from January 2011 to December 2012. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was performed to examine KIF20A pro-tein expression in tumor samples for which complete clinical and pathological data were available. Statistical analyses were applied to analyze the association between KIF20A expression and the clinical data, as well as with survival outcomes. Results: Bioinformatics analysis showed that the mRNA expression level of KIF20A was upregulated in CRC tissues and normal tissues (P<0.001). IHC revealed significantly higher expression of KIF20A in CRC tissues from 67 patients (64%) and lower or undetectable expression in 38 patients (36%). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Overexpression of KIF20A in CRC tissues was significantly associated with depth of invasion, lymphatic node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage (all P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high levels of KIF20A expression had poor prognosis compared to patients with low levels of KIF20A expression. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that KIF20A was an independent prognostic factor in patients with CRC. Conclusions:KIF20A is upregulated in CRC tissues and could serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for CRC patients.