The sternum is the pivotal component of the thoracic cavity. It is connected with the clavicle and ribs on the upper part and both sides respectively, and plays an important role in protecting the stability of the chest wall. Sternal resection usually results in a large segmental chest wall defect that causes the chest wall to float and requires sternal reconstruction. This paper reports a 62 years male patient with thymic squamous cell carcinoma with sternal metastasis, who underwent thymotomy, sternal tumor resection and autologous lilum graft combined with sternal reconstruction by titanium plate after relevant examination was completed and surgical contraindications were eliminated. The patient was followed up for 6 months, the respiratory and motor functions were normal and the thoracic appearance was good.

Objective To explore the protective effect and possible mechanism of Periplaneta americana powder on rats with spinal cord injury.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation,saline,Periplaneta americana powder,and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)inhibitor groups.Except for the sham operation group,a rat spinal cord hemi-transection injury model was established in the other three groups.The sham operation group received no treatment after the operation,saline and drug groups were subjected to intragastric administration of equal volumes of normal saline and Periplaneta americana powder(630 mg/kg),respectively,and the TLR4 inhibitor group was administered an intraperitoneal injection of TLR4 inhibitor(3 mg/kg).On days 1,3,7,and 14 after the operation,the motor function of rat hind limbs was evaluated by the Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan(BBB)score.Histopathological changes of the spinal cord were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Changes in the number of neurons were observed by immunohistochemistry.The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1,IL-6,IL-10,and TNF-α were measured by ELISA,and expression of TLR4,myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and NF-κB p65 was detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the BBB score and number of neurons in the saline group were significantly decreased,while the degree of pathological damage,and IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB p65 levels were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the saline group,periplaneta americana powder and TLR4 inhibitor groups showed an increase in BBB scores and the number of neurons,and decreases in the degree of pathological damage and IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB p65 levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the TLR4 inhibitor group,the periplaneta americana powder group had better increases in the BBB score,number of neurons and decreases in the degree of pathological damage and expression of IL-1 and TNF-α.Conclusions Periplaneta americana powder reduces the production of inflammatory factors after spinal cord injury by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway,protects nerves,and promotes motor recovery.

We reported a 32 years female patient in whom lung metastasis from breast cancer was presented as solitary pulmonary pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesion. The patient received rational preoperative examinations and surgery though the preoperative diagnosis was not accurate. Because of different therapy strategies and purposes, it is crucial to make distinction of atypical metastases from primary cancers. Thus, for patients with a history of malignancy, possible metastasis should be taken into consideration if new GGO was found on the CT. Besides this, the follow-up interval of CT should be shortened appropriately, preoperative examinations and surgical procedures should be made according to the suggestions of multidisciplinary team.

BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury involves mechanisms such as oxidative stress,inflammation,apoptosis and autophagy.Activation of autophagy can improve neuromotor function after spinal cord injury and play a protective role in the spinal cord. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Periplaneta americana powder on hindlimb motor function and the autophagy protein Beclin-1 in the injured site of rats after spinal cord hemisection. METHODS:Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats,6-8 weeks of age,were randomly divided into three groups(n=10 per group).In the sham-operated group,the lamina was just opened to exposure the spinal cord followed by suturing.Normal saline group and Periplaneta americana powder group both underwent left hemisection of the spinal cord to prepare animal models of spinal cord hemisection.The normal saline group was continuously gavaged with normal saline for 14 days,and the Periplaneta americana powder group was continuously gavaged with Periplaneta americana powder for 14 days.The Basso Beattie Bresnahan scale score was performed at the 6th hour,1st day,3rd day,7th day and 14th day after operation to observe the hindlimb motor function.After 14 days of administration,the rats were sacrificed and sampled.Immunohistochemistry,western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of Beclin-1 in the injured site of the spinal cord after hemisection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After operation,the Basso Beattie Bresnahan scale scores were gradually increased in the normal saline group and Periplaneta americana powder group.Compared with the sham-operated group,the Basso Beattie Bresnahan scale scores were significantly reduced in the normal saline group and Periplaneta americana powder group at the 6th hour,1st day,3rd day,7th day and 14th day after operation(P<0.05).The Basso Beattie Bresnahan scale scores in the Periplaneta americana powder group were significantly higher than those in the normal saline group at the 7th and 14th days after operation(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining showed that Beclin-1 was weakly positive in the sham-operated group,mainly expressed in the cytoplasm;in the normal saline group,Beclin-1 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and partially expressed in the nuclear membrane;in the Periplaneta americana powder group,Beclin-1 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and partially expressed in the nuclear membrane.The proportion of Beclin-1 positive cells was higher in the normal saline and Periplaneta americana powder groups than in the sham-operated group(P<0.05),while the proportion of Beclin-1 positive cells was higher in the Periplaneta americana powder group than in the normal saline group(P<0.05).Western blot assay and immunofluorescence staining showed that the Beclin-1 protein expression was higher in the normal saline and Periplaneta americana powder groups than in the sham-operated group(P<0.05),and moreover,the Beclin-1 protein expression was higher in the Periplaneta americana powder group than in the normal saline group(P<0.05).To conclude,Periplaneta americana powder could improve the hindlimb motor function of rats with spinal cord hemisection injury,and the mechanism may be that polysaccharides in the Periplaneta americana powder increase the expression of Beclin-1.

Objective To explore the high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT)imaging findings and prognosis for the welder pneumoconiosis.Methods The HRCT imaging findings and follow-up changes in 11 cases of welder pneumoconiosis diag-nosed by occupational diseases were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 7 cases(63.7%)showed central lobular nodule shadow,5 cases(45.5%)developed patchy ground glass shadows in the center of the lobule("light ink sign"),5 cases(45.5%)showed branching fine line shadow,2 cases(18.2%)showed interlobular septal thickening,and 3 cases(37.5%)showed better ima-ging performance than before.Conclusion HRCT imaging findings of welder pneumoconiosis mainly include diffuse distribution of nodules in the center of lobules,"light ink sign",and branching fine line shadows in both lungs,with rare hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy and calcification.When the image shows nodule shadow or"light ink sign"in the center of the lobule,it is more likely to improve after leaving environment exposure.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of total laparoscopic technique in the treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures.Methods:A total of 7 patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from April 2017 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 2 females, aged 43.9±9.9 years (range, 27-56 years). There was 1 pelvic fracture (Tile B3) and 6 acetabular fractures, Letournel typing transverse in 2 cases, double column in 1 case, transverse combined anterior column in 1 case, anterior column in 1 case, and "T" shape in 1 case. The causes of injury included traffic accident in 4 cases, falling from height in 1 case, falling in 1 case, and heavy object injury in 1 case. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, iatrogenic injuries of blood vessels, nerves, bladder and rectum, and incidence of postoperative complications were recorded. Matta imaging criteria was used to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction, and the hip function was evaluated by modified Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score.Results:All 7 patients were successfully operated and followed up for 12.0 (7.0, 72.0) months (range, 7-77 months). The operation time was 251.1±80.2 min (range, 150.0-370.0 min), and the intraoperative blood loss was 100.0 (50.0, 300.0) ml (range, 50-350 ml). There was no nerve, blood vessel, bladder or rectum injury during operation. Postoperative pelvic X-ray and CT showed no internal fixation into the joint. Anatomic reduction was achieved in 5 cases and satisfactory reduction in 2 cases. One patient with a transverse acetabular fracture had a slight separation and displacement of the posterior column, but the acetabular articular surface was flat as a whole without obvious steps and was not fixed. One patient with pelvic fracture had a comminuted anterior pelvic ring with severe displacement and did not achieve anatomical repositioning intraoperatively, but the anterior pelvic ring was a non-intra-articular fracture, and the fracture ends were immobilized with bilateral plates, and the morphology and stability of the anterior pelvic ring recovered well after the operation. The Merle d'Aubigné - Postel score at the final follow-up was 18.0 (17.0, 18.0) points (range, 17.0-18.0 points), with 4 excellent and 3 good cases. All 7 patients achieved clinical healing with a healing time of 2.5 (2.5, 3.0) months (range, 1.0-3.0 months). No delayed union or nonunion occurred. At the last follow-up, there were no complications such as internal fixation fracture, incision and internal fixation infection, and deep vein thrombosis.Conclusion:Total laparoscopic technique for the treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures has less intraoperative blood loss, less surgical trauma, and satisfactory clinical efficacy. It can be used as a new choice of minimally invasive treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of periarticular cocktail injection analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery.Methods:From June 2020 to May 2021, 120 patients with rotator cuff tears were treated at Shandong University Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. The cohort included 45 males and 75 females, aged 61.35±5.75 years (range 57-67 years), with 58 cases involving the left shoulder joint and 62 cases involving the right shoulder joint. Patients were randomly divided into a cocktail group (receiving periarticular injections of ropivacaine, morphine, adrenaline, and compound betamethasone) and an analgesic pump group (using an analgesic pump). Standardized protocols were used for perioperative and postoperative analgesia. The visual analog scale (VAS) of pain and shoulder joint range of motion were recorded on the day of surgery, the first and second postoperative days, the day of discharge, and at follow-up at 2 and 6 weeks. The postoperative demand for temporary analgesics (celecoxib), as well as adverse reactions to cocktail injections and analgesic pump applications were also recorded.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, surgical time, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, preoperative VAS score, surgical time, postoperative hospital stay, rotator cuff tear area, and intraoperative anchor number between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). Patients who received periarticular cocktail injections performed better in terms of postoperative VAS scores and functional recovery. Compared with the analgesic pump group, the temporary use of analgesics in the cocktail group was significantly reduced at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. After 12 hours of surgery, the cocktail group received 3(3, 4) points and the analgesic pump group received 5(5, 6) points, with statistically significant differences ( Z=143.004, P=0.003); 18 hours after surgery, the VAS score in the cocktail group showed a rebound, rising to 4(3, 4) points, but still lower than 5(4, 5) points in the analgesic pump group. There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the cocktail group and the analgesic pump group at 24-48 hours after surgery ( P>0.05). The use of cocktail injections was associated with lower VAS scores at 12 hours post-surgery ( OR=4.125; 95% CI: 2.672, 4.328; P=0.015). There is no correlation between age, BM, ASA, pre-operative VAS, surgical time, rotator cuff tear size, number of anchor bolts used, and postoperative VAS score at 12 hours. Multivariate regression analysis of postoperative 24-hour VAS scores showed that no factors were associated with postoperative 24-hour VAS scores. Conclusion:Periarticular cocktail injection can significantly reduce the need for postoperative pain relief and improve patient satisfaction, without posing significant risks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant immunotherapy combined chemotherapy after radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) with high recurrence risk (pT 2 with positive lymph nodes, and pT 3-4a with or without positive lymph nodes). Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 217 patients with bladder cancer admitted to Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital from August 2016 to January 2022. Among them, 183 were male (84.3%) and 34 were female (15.7%), with an average age of (67.3±8.6) years old. All 217 patients underwent radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Based on postoperative adjuvant treatment, the patients were divided into an observation group (147 cases, 67.7%) and a treatment group (70 cases, 32.3%). The observation group and treatment group had similar demographic and pathological characteristics. The age of the observation group and treatment group was (67.4±9.0) years and (66.3±7.6) years, respectively ( P=0.14). The postoperative pathological stages T 2 with lymph node positivity were observed in 8 cases (5.4%) in the observation group and 6 cases (8.6%) in the treatment group. For stages T 3-4awith lymph node positivity, there were 34 cases (23.1%) in the observation group and 18 cases (25.7%) in the treatment group. And there were 105 cases (71.5%) in the observation group and 46 cases (65.7%) in the treatment group of stages T 3-4a without lymph node positivity, respectively( P>0.05). Tumor diameter ≥3 cm was found in 118 cases (80.3%) in the observation group and 54 cases (77.1%) in the treatment group ( P>0.05), while tumor diameter <3 cm was observed in 29 cases (19.7%) in the observation group and 16 cases (22.9%) in the treatment group ( P>0.05).In the treatment group, 36 patients (16.6%) received postoperative chemotherapy with gemcitabine (1 000 mg/m 2, days 1 and 8) and cisplatin (75 mg/m 2, days 2 to 4) (chemotherapy group), while 34 patients (15.7%) received postoperative immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (intravenous infusion of sintilimab 200 mg, terlizumab 200 mg, or toripalimab 240 mg on day 1) in combination with albumin-bound paclitaxel (200 mg on day 2)(immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group). The age of the chemotherapy group and immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group was (66.8±8.4) years and (65.8±6.8) years, respectively ( P>0.05). Postoperative pathological stages T 2 with lymph node positivity were observed in 3 cases (8.3%) in the chemotherapy group and 3 cases (8.8%) in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group ( P>0.05). For stages T 3-4awith lymph node positivity, there were 6 cases (16.7%) in the chemotherapy group and 12 cases (35.3%) in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group. And there were 27 cases (75.0%) in the observation group and 19 cases (55.9%) in the treatment group of stages T 3-4a without lymph node positivity, respectively( P>0.05). Lymph node involvement was seen in 9 cases (25.0%) in the chemotherapy group and 15 cases (44.1%) in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group ( P>0.05). Tumor diameter ≥3 cm was found in 30 cases (83.3%) in the chemotherapy group and 10 cases (29.4%) in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group ( P>0.05), while tumor diameter <3 cm was observed in 6 cases (16.7%) in the chemotherapy group and 24 cases (70.6%) in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group ( P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression test were used to analyze the overall survival (OS) at 1 and 3 years in the observation group and treatment group, as well as the disease-free survival (DFS) at 1 and 3 years in the chemotherapy group and immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group. Additionally, common adverse events were evaluated and compared between the chemotherapy group and immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group based on the criteria published by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Results:The median follow-up time in this study was 18.4 (8.2, 34.7) months. The median follow-up time in the observation group and treatment group was 19.0 (8.3, 35.2) months and 17.5 (7.9, 33.2) months, respectively. The 1-year survival rate was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the observation group (90.0% vs. 76.2%, χ2=6.92, P=0.009). Similarly, the 3-year survival rate was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the observation group (82.9% vs. 57.8%, χ2=13.22, P<0.01). The median OS was 35.9 months in the observation group and was not reached in the treatment group, with a statistically significant difference ( HR=2.51, 95% CI 1.36-4.65, P=0.003).In the chemotherapy group and immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group, the median follow-up time was 10.7 (7.4, 22.1) months and 14.4 (6.3, 40.7) months, respectively. The 1-year disease-free survival rate was significantly higher in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group compared to the chemotherapy group (91.2% vs. 67.6%, χ2=4.60, P=0.032). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was significantly higher in the chemotherapy group compared to the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group (88.2% vs. 55.6%, χ2=8.37, P=0.004). The median DFS was 27.7 months in the chemotherapy group and was not reached in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group, with a statistically significant difference ( HR=3.39, 95% CI 1.46-7.89, P=0.016).The treatment group had complications classified as follows: 140 cases of grade 1, 39 cases of grade 2, 8 cases of grade 3, 2 cases of grade 4, and 0 case of grade 5 adverse reactions. In the chemotherapy group and the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group, there were both 5 cases with adverse reactions of grade 3 or higher. Specifically, in the chemotherapy group, there were 2 cases of anemia, 2 cases of decreased platelet count, and 1 case of decreased neutrophil count. In the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group, there was 1 case of anemia, 1 case of decreased platelet count, and 2 cases of decreased neutrophil count. Additionally, there was 1 case with elevated gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) in the immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group. The incidence of adverse events of grade 3 or higher in the chemotherapy group and immunotherapy combined chemotherapy group was 13.9% and 14.7%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference( χ2=0.01, P=0.922). Conclusions:Adjuvant therapy significantly prolongs the overall survival in high risk of recurrence for MIBC patients after radical cystectomy. For patients intolerant to platinum-based chemotherapy or refusing platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors combined with albumin-bound paclitaxel can be considered as an effective and well-tolerated adjuvant treatment after radical cystectomy.

Objective:To compare treatment effect of the new multi-dimensional cross locking plate-II (MDC-LP-II) and locking compression plate (LCP) as additional plates in the treatment of nonunion after intramedullary nailing treatment of subtrochanteric fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 23 patients with nonunion after subtrochanteric fractures treated with intramedullary nails from January 2019 to January 2021. According to the type of additional plate, it was divided into MDC-LP-II group and LCP group. There were 12 patients in MDC-LP-II group, including 10 males and 2 females, with an age of 36.83±12.61 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 25.09±2.37 kg/m 2, the time from the last operation to this treatment was 12.25±2.93 months, the number of previous operations was 1.33±0.65, 5 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, 7 cases of atrophic nonunion, and the length of bone nonunion defect was 1.19±0.78 cm. In the LCP group, there were 11 cases, 9 males and 2 females, aged 30.55±8.85 years, BMI was 26.74±5.05 kg/m 2, a time of 12.82±4.40 months after the last operation, the number of previous operations was 1.36±0.96, 5 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, 6 cases of atrophic nonunion, and the length of bone nonunion defect was 1.20±0.57 cm. The incision length, additional plate length, number of screws, number of bicortical screws, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, healing time of nonunion, Harris hip score, lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) and the medical outcomes study item short from health survey-36 (SF-36) were compared between the two groups. Results:All 23 patients were followed up. The follow-up time of MDC-LP-II group was 14.17±2.55 months, and that of LCP group was 14.45±3.75 months, with no significant difference ( t=0.22, P=0.834). In MDC-LP-II group, the incision length was 7.25±2.01 cm, the plate length was 9.25±0.62 cm, the number of screws was 7.17±0.94, the number of bicortical screws was 7.17±0.94, the intraoperative blood loss was 279.17±169.84 ml, and the blood transfusion was 166.67±187.05 ml. In LCP group, the incision length was 15.45±4.72 cm, the plate length was 15.51±2.38 cm, the number of screws was 5.09±0.95, the number of bicortical screws was 1.82±1.72, the intraoperative blood loss was 481.82±227.24 ml, and the blood transfusion was 685.45±299.95 ml. There were significant differences in incision length ( P<0.05), plate length ( P<0.05), number of screws ( P<0.05), number of bicortical screws ( P<0.05), intraoperative blood loss ( P<0.05), and blood transfusion volume ( P<0.05) between the two groups. The fracture healing rate was 100% in MDC-LP-II group and 64% in LCP group at 6 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). At 12 months after operation, the healing rate of LCP group was 91%, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.478). The Harris score 92.83±8.04 and LEFS 74.92±6.68 at the last follow-up in MDC-LP-II group and the Harris hip score 83.36±9.89 and LEFS 66.27±7.68 at the last follow-up in LCP group were significantly different between the two groups ( P<0.05). In terms of SF-36, scores of physical function, physical pain, general health status, vital vitality and mental health of MDC-LP-II group were higher than those of LCP group. No complications related to the use of MDC-LP-II or LCP fixation were observed in both groups. Conclusion:On the basis of preserving the original intramedullary nail, MDC-LP-II compared with LCP as additional plates in the rebuilding of nonunion after intramedullary nailing treatment of subtrochanteric fractures, it can effectively enhance the stability of the broken ends in a much smaller operating range, reduce the surgical trauma, protect the local blood supply and accelerate the healing of the broken end of the fracture. The patients who received MDC-LP-II treatment had better lower limb function recovery and quality of life.

Objective:To compare the biomechanical differences of dynamic condylar screw (DCS), locking compression plate (LCP) combined with DCS and medial anatomic buttress plate (MABP) combined with DCS in the revision of medial defective intertrochanteric fractures by finite element analysis.Methods:The femoral CT imaging data provided by a healthy adult volunteer were used to reconstruct the solid three-dimensional model of femur by Mimics 21.0 and Geomagics Studio 12. Evans-Jensen II B intertrochanteric fracture was established by Ansys Workbench18.0. The three-dimensional models of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA), DCS, LCP and MABP were reconstructed in Solidworks 2015. The PFNA was assembled with the fracture model, and then the PFNA was removed to establish the postoperative failure model of femoral intertrochanteric fracture and then simulated the fixation in the hip-preserving revision surgery of femoral intertrochanteric fractures: non-medial support reconstruction group (DCS); indirect medial support reconstruction group (DCS+LCP) and partial direct medial support reconstruction group (DCS+MABP). Finally, the forces on the hip joint of 70 kg normal people during standing (700 N), slow walking (1,400 N), brisk walking (1,750 N) and going up and down stairs (2,100 N) were simulated in Abaqus 6.14, the relative displacement and stress peak value of fracture end and stress distribution and stress peak value of internal fixation in different models were recorded.Results:At 700 N axial load, the relative displacement of fracture end fixed by DCS, DCS+LCP and DCS+MABP was 0.28, 0.13 and 0.09 mm; the peak stress of the fracture end was 49.01, 15.29 and 1.35 MPa; the peak stress of internal fixation was 230, 220 and 174 MPa, respectively. At 1,400 N axial load, the relative displacement of the fracture end of the three internal fixation methods was 0.56, 0.24 and 0.16 mm; the peak stress of fracture end was 108.49, 28.96 and 3.12 MPa; the peak stress of internal fixation was 469, 352 and 324 MPa, respectively. At 1,750 N axial load, the relative displacement of the fracture end of the three group was 0.70, 0.30 and 0.20 mm; the peak stress of the fracture end was 139.59, 37.57 and 4.17 MPa; the peak stress of internal fixation was 594, 421 and 393 MPa, respectively. At 2,100 N axial load, the relative displacement of the fracture end of the three internal fixation methods was 0.85, 0.35 and 0.23 mm; the peak stress of the fracture end was 170.05, 46.36 and 5.24 MPa; the peak stress of internal fixation was 724, 504 and 460 MPa, respectively.Conclusion:The partial direct reconstruction of medial support under the neck by DCS+MABP may have better biomechanical properties in the revision of medial defective intertrochanteric fractures.