Objective:To explore the outcome of sponge forceps assisted threading with Speedbridge technique for the treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 20 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture treated in Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from December 2019 to December 2021. There were 18 males and 2 females, with age range of 24-43 years [(29.5±7.6)years]. All patients were with unilateral injury, involving the left side in 13 patients and right side in 7. Examinations revealed a palpable defect in the Achilles tendon and positive Thompson test. A longitudinal incision was made at the medial edge of the ruptured tendon. Three nonabsorbable sutures were passed through the proximal stump with sponge forceps, bypassed the rupture site and fixed directly into the calcaneal bone. The disrupted tendon ends were aligned by the tendon-bundle technique using 4-0 absorbable sutures. The operation time and incision length were documented. The ankle joint range of motion (dorsiflexion/plantar flexion), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) in the affected and healthy side were compared at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The wound healing and complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-16 months [(13.2±2.5)months]. The operation time was 40-66 minutes [(52.0±10.3)minutes], with the incision length of 3-4 cm [(3.3±0.7)cm]. In the affected side at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the ankle joint dorsiflexion [(5.6±1.5)°, (10.5±0.2)°] and plantar flexion [(28.4±3.2)°, (33.5±1.5)°] showed statistically significant difference compared with the healthy side (all P<0.05). The ankle joint dorsiflexion [(13.9±0.7)°] and plantar flexion [(38.3±4.4)°] in the affected side were not statistically different from that of the healthy side at 12 months postoperatively (all P>0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (58.3±5.4)points, (84.9±7.1)points and (91.8±6.3)points at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, showing a gradual rise (all P<0.05). The ATRS was (60.5±4.9)points, (85.5±9.0)points and (93.1±5.7)points at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, showing a gradual rise (all P<0.05). All incisions were healed primarily. No patients had wound infection, nerve injury or re-rupture. Pain at the anchor insertion site occurred in 2 patients at 1 month after operation and relieved after active functional rehabilitation at 4 months after operation. Transient pain at the Achilles tendon insertion occurred in 1 patient at 6 months after operation, and relieved after 2 weeks of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment. Conclusion:For acute closed Achilles tendon rupture, sponge forceps assisted threading with Speedbridge technique can attain short operation time, small incision and good functional recovery, with few complications.

Objective:To explore the risk factors in leukemia transformation (LT) in those with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:From January 2012 to December 2020,data on 320 patients with newly diagnosed primary MDS were gathered from the MDS center. The clinical features and molecular characteristics are explored. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of risk factors for the development of acute leukemia from MDS was done.Results:The median follow-up was13.6 (0.4-107.3) months. 23.4% (75/320) of the MDS patients had LT group. Significant differences between the LT group and non-LT group can be seen in age ( P<0.001) , bone marrow blast percentage ( P<0.001) , bone marrow fibrosis ( P=0.046) , WHO classification ( P<0.001) , IPSS-R ( P<0.001) and IPSS-R karyotype group ( P=0.001) . The median number of mutation of LT group was 1 (1, 3) , that in non-LT group was 1 (0, 2) ,which had a statistical difference ( P=0.003) .At the time of the initial diagnosis of MDS, the LT group had higher rates of the TP53 mutation ( P=0.034) , DNMT3A mutation ( P=0.026) , NRAS mutation ( P=0.027) and NPM1 mutation ( P=0.017) . Compared with the mutations at first diagnosis and LT of six patients, the number of mutations increased and the variant allele frequencies (VAF) increased significantly in LT patients. Higher bone marrow blast percentage (Refer to <5% , 5% -10% : HR=4.587, 95% CI 2.214 to 9.504, P<0.001, >10% : HR=9.352, 95% CI 4.049 to 21.600, P<0.001) , IPSS-R cytogenetic risk groups ( HR=2.603, 95% CI 1.229-5.511, P=0.012) , DNMT3A mutation ( HR=4.507, 95% CI 1.889-10.753, P=0.001) , and NPM1 mutation ( HR=3.341, 95% CI 1.164-9.591, P=0.025) were all independently associated with LT in MDS patients, according to results of multivariate Cox regression. Conclusion:Bone marrow blast percentage, IPSS-R cytogenetic risk groups, DNMT3A mutation, and NPM1 mutation are independent risk factors in LT for MDS patients.

Objective:Diagnostic value assessment of sternal bone marrow cell morphology in patients with acquired hypocellular bone marrow failure syndromes (BMFS) characterized by normal cytogenetics.Methods:A total of 194 eligible patients with an acquired hypocellular BMFS pre-sternum diagnosis in Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College from June 2014 to January 2019 were reviewed. Sternal bone marrow evaluation was performed, and a post-sternum diagnosis was made. Clinical characteristics and overall survival (OS) were then compared among patients with different post-sternum diagnosis. Binary logistic regression was used to develop a predictive scoring system.Results:In 152 patients with pre-sternum AA diagnosis, 29 patients with a pre-sternum idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) diagnosis, and 13 patients with a pre-sternum clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) diagnosis, sternal bone marrow evaluation resulted in a change of diagnosis to hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (hypo-MDS) in 42.8% (65/152) , 24.1% (7/29) , and 30.8% (4/13) , respectively. Patients with a post-sternum hypo-MDS diagnosis showed a significant difference in OS compared with patients with a post-sternum AA diagnosis ( P=0.005) . Patients with ICUS/CCUS showed no difference in OS compared with AA and hypo-MDS ( P=0.095 and P=0.480, respectively) . A 4-item predictive scoring system to identify hypocellular BMFS patients that need sternal bone marrow evaluation was developed, including age > 60 years old ( OR=6.647, 95% CI 1.954-22.611, P=0.002, 2 points) , neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score ≤ 160 ( OR=2.654, 95% CI 1.214-5.804, P=0.014, 1 point) , abnormal erythroid markers evaluated by flow cytometry on iliac bone marrow ( OR=6.200, 95% CI 1.165-32.988, P=0.032, 2 points) , and DAT (DNMT3A, ASXL1, TET2) genes mutation ( OR=4.809, 95% CI 1.587-14.572, P=0.005, 1 point) . The Akaike information criterin (AIC) was 186.1. Conclusion:Patients with a pre-sternum acquired hypocellular BMFS diagnosis characterized by normal cytogenetics may not reach accurate diagnostic categorization without sternal bone marrow cell morphology evaluation, which could be considered a diagnostic tool for this patient population. A predictive scoring system was developed, and when the total score is ≥ 2 points, sternal bone marrow evaluation should be performed for accurate diagnostic categorization that is critical to optimal patient care.

Objective:To explore if there is premature senescence of chondrocytes in patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and osteoarthritis.Methods:Five knee cartilage samples of KBD, osteoarthritis and control groups were collected, respectively, from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. DNA was then extracted from cartilage samples and DNA methylation was analyzed by Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. At the same time, based on genome-wide methylation data, the online DNA methylation aging clock calculator (https://dnamage.genetics.ucla.edu/home) was used to calculate the DNA methylation age (DNAm age) of samples, and the results were compared with their actual ages.Results:In the comparison between KBD group and control group, 1 212 differentially methylated CpG sites were found, including 497 hypermethylated CpG sites and 715 hypomethylated CpG sites, corresponding to 264 hypermethylated genes and 368 hypomethylated genes, respectively. In the comparison between osteoarthritis group and control group, 656 differentially methylated CpG sites were found, including 343 hypermethylated CpG sites and 313 hypomethylated CpG sites, corresponding to 177 hypermethylated genes and 174 hypomethylated genes, respectively. In the above comparison, 367 overlapped CpG sites (corresponding to 182 genes) were found, which were differentially methylated in both KBD and control groups and osteoarthritis and control groups. The results of DNA methylation aging clock showed that the average age acceleration differences between DNAm age and actual age of KBD, osteoarthritis and control groups were 2.549, 0.017, and - 5.364 years, respectively, the DNAm ages of KBD and osteoarthritis groups were greater than the actual ages.Conclusion:The chondrocytes show premature senescence in both KBD and osteoarthritis.

Objective:To explore predictors of overall survival (OS) in Chinese patients with polycythemia vera (PV) .Methods:A total of 906 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with PV seen at the Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from June 2007 to February 2020 were included, and their data were collected. PV was diagnosed according to 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic definitions. OS and prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 906 patients, 439 were male (48.5%) and 467 were female (51.5%) . The median age was 57 years (range: 18-91 years) . 31.6% (276/874) of the patients had a thrombosis history at diagnosis, and 4.6% (25/541) of the patients had abnormal cytogenetics. The median follow-up was 54 months (95% confidence interval [ CI] 8-130 months) . The 5- and 10-year cumulative deaths were 5.8% (95% CI 4.8%-6.7%) and 11.1% (95% CI 9.3%-12.9%) , respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age ≥60 years, thrombosis history, white blood cells (WBC) ≥15×10 9/L, platelet (PLT) ≥450×10 9/L, and platelet distribution width (PDW) ≥15 fl significantly correlated with worse OS, and palpable spleen correlated with better OS. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥60 years ( HR=4.3, 95% CI 2.1-9.2, P<0.001) and PDW ≥15 fl ( HR=2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0, P=0.023) were independent prognostic factors for worse OS. The 5-year cumulative death for patients with PDW ≥15 fl or PDW<15 fl was 8.6% (95% CI 5.9%-11.3%) or 4.4% (95% CI 3.4%-5.4%) , respectively. The 5-year cumulative death for patients defined as low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients by international working group score system for PV (IWG-PV) were 0.8% (95 CI 0.2%-1.4%) , 4.0% (95% CI 2.7%-5.3%) , and 12% (95% CI 9.6%-14.4%) , respectively, with a significant difference among the three cohorts ( P<0.05) . PDW ≥ 15 fl significantly affected OS for intermediate- and high-risk patients ( HR=2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.2, P=0.009) defined by IWG-PV score system, but not for low-risk patients ( HR=3.1, 95% CI 0.2-52.0, P=0.405) . Conclusions:Age ≥60 years and PDW ≥15 fl were independent prognostic factors for worse OS in PV. IWG-PV score system effectively predicted OS for Chinese patients with PV.

TORCH, which is considered as a series of pathogens, including the Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus or Herpes simplex virus, often infects the pregnant women to induce the the fetus or newborn infection by transplacental infection or exposure to contaminated genital tract secretions at delivery. Increasing evidence have been confirmed that the infection of TORCH may cause the miscarriage, premature birth, malformed fetus, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation, neonatal multiple organ dysfunction and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. For most TORCH-infections cases may lacking the effective treatments during pregnancy, and it is important to achieve the effacing monitoring of TORCH infections before and during pregnancy. The laboratory testing of TORCH has the great significance. However, the consensus opinions still need to improve the the standardization of TORCH testing process and the correct interpretation. Based on the characteristics of the TORCH detection method, this article gives a consensus opinion on the standardized detection and clinical application of TORCH from the laboratory perspective according to the characteristics and types of infection of different pathogens.

Objective To evaluate Evans lateral lengthening calcaneal osteotomy(E-LLCOT) in the treatment oftalocalcaneal coalitions (TCCs) with forefoot abduction deformity in the teenagers.Methods From February 2014 to August 2018,11 teenaged patients (14 feet) were treated at Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery,Zhengzhou Orthopaedics Hospital for TCCs with severe forefoot abduction deformity.They were 6 males (8 feet) and 5 females (6 feet),aged from 13 to 17 years (average,15 years).Their diseases involved bilateral feet in 3 cases and unilateral foot in 8,the left foot in 7 cases and the right in 7.All patients underwent TCCs resection followed by E-LLCOT.Their talonavicular coverage angles (TCA) and talar-second metatarsal angles (T2-MT) on the anteroposterior film and talar horizontal angles (TH) and talar-first metatarsal angles (T1-MT) on the lateral film were measured preoperatively and at the last follow-up.The foot functions were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up using the ankle-hindfoot scores of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and visual analogue scale (VAS).Results All the 11 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (average,16.5 months).The mean preoperative TCA (22.3°,from 20° to 26°) was improved to 10.5° (from 8° to 13°) at the last follow-up;the mean T-2MT was improved from preoperative 17.6° (from 16° to 20°) to 6.5° (from 5° to 11°) at the last follow-up;the mean TH on the lateral view was improved from preoperative 35° (from 25° to 40°) to 17.5° (from 16° to 21°) at the last follow-up;the mean T-1MT was improved from preoperative 15.5° (from 10° to 22°) to 3.5° (from 2° to 6°) at the last follow-up;the mean AOFAS score was improved from 56.5 (from 50 to 62) preoperatively to 90.6 (from 75 to 95) at the last follow-up;the mean VAS score was improved from 6.0 (from 5 to 7) preoperatively to 2 (from 0 to 3) at the last follow-up.Conclusion For TCCs with severe forefoot abduction deformity in the geenagers,E-LLCOT after TCCs resection can effectively correct deformity,relieve pain and achieve significant functional and radiographic improvements.

Objective:To analyze the therapeutic effect of ankle arthrodesis with reverse proximal humerus internal locking system plating plus cannulated screwing via the transfibular approach in the treatment of end-stage ankle arthrosis.Methods:From April 2014 to January 2018, 19 patients (19 ankles) with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis were treated at Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopaedics Hospital by ankle arthrodesis with reverse PHILOS plating plus cannulated screwing via the transfibular approach for multi-plane fixation. They were 9 men and 10 women, aged from 36 to 65 years (average, 46.7 years). The disorder was further diagnosed as traumatic arthritis in 9 cases, as osteoarthritis in 6, as talar necrosis in 2 and as equinovarus in 2, and affected the left ankle in 11 cases and the right in 8. All cases belonged to stage Ⅲ osteoarthritis according to the Morrey-Wiedeman imaging classification. Their American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS), joint fusion and complications were observed preoperatively and at the last follow-up.Results:All the 19 patients were followed up for 18 to 62 months (average, 31.5 months). Their AOFAS scores were improved from preoperative 46.3±2.1 to 81.6±0.9 at the last follow-up, and their VAS was reduced from preoperative 7.1±0.2 to 2.0±0.2 at the last follow-up, showing significant differences ( P<0.001). All their ankle joints obtained bony fusion after 9 to 14 weeks (mean, 11.5 weeks). No implant loosening or breakage was observed. All the patients were satisfied with their operative results at the last follow-up. Dorsal lateral foot numbness was observed in one patient who became asymptomatic after neurotrophic medication for 3 months. Lateral distal wound dehiscence happened during removal of stitches at 2 weeks after operation in another patient but healed after debridement. The last follow-up found subtalar joint degeneration in 2 cases and talonavicular joint degeneration in one but no clinical symptoms in the 3. Conclusion:Ankle arthrodesis with reverse PHILOS plating plus cannulated screwing via the transfibular approach is a fine treatment for end-stage ankle arthrosis, because it leads to reliable fixation, short fusion time, alleviated pain and improved ankle function.

Objective:To explore the genetic characteristics, clinical features, and prognostic values of RAS mutations in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) .Methods:We analyzed 112-gene targeted sequencing data from 226 patients who had a diagnosis of either primary myelofibrosis (PMF) or post-polycythemia vera/post-essential thrombocythemia (post-PV MF and post-ET MF) from December 2011 to December 2019. A retrospective analysis of the genetic characteristics, clinical features, and prognosis of RAS mutations was performed.Results:Among 266 patients diagnosed PMF or post-PV/ET MF, RAS mutations were found in 14 (6.2%) cases, including 9 (4.0%) cases of NRAS mutations, 8 (3.5%) cases of KRAS mutations, and 3 (1.3%) cases of both NRAS and KRAS mutations. All of the NRAS mutations were located in codons 12 and 13. The median VAFs of RAS mutations were significantly lower than those of the driver mutations, confirming that they represent sub-clonal events that are acquired during the disease course. SETBP1, SRSF2, and MPL tended to be clustered with RAS mutations. Patients with RAS mutations had a higher number of additional oncogenic mutations (median, 3.36 vs 1.17, P<0.001) . RAS mutations had a statistically significant association with elevated monocyte cell counts ( P=0.003) , lower platelet counts ( P=0.026) , higher bone marrow blasts ( P=0.022) , splenomegaly ( P=0.005) , and very high-risk (VHR) karyotype abnormality percentage ( P=0.031) . In univariate analysis, the OS of patients with NRAS mutations were significantly inferior in the entire MF and PMF cohorts ( P=0.001, P=0.008) . In a multivariate model, NRAS retained an independent negative prognostic factor in PMF. Conclusion:RAS gene mutations were constantly related to elevated monocyte cell counts, lower platelet counts, higher bone marrow blasts, and VHR karyotype abnormality percentage that usually defined high-risk disease and often occurred as sub-clonal events. NRAS mutation is an independent poor prognostic factor in PMF.

Objective: Analysis of the molecular characteristics of eosinophilia. Methods: Targeting sequence to 24 patients with chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) with rearrangement of PDGFRA, PDGFRB, or FGFR1 and 62 patients with hyper-eosinophilic syndrome (HES). Mutation annotation and analysis of amino acid mutation using authoritative databases to speculate on possible pathogenic mutation. Results: Thirty-seven kinds of clonal variant were detected from 17 patients with CEL, no recurrent mutation site and hot spot region were found. No pathogenic mutation was detected in 19 patients with PDGFRA rearrangement, but pathogenic mutations of ASXL1, RUNX1 and NRAS were detected from 2 patients with FGFR1 rearrangement who progressed to acute myeloid leukemia and 1 patient with PDGFRB rearrangement who progressed to T lymphoblastic lymphoma, respectively. One hundred and two kinds of clonal abnormalities were detected in 49 patients with HES. The main hot spot mutation regions included: CEBPA Exon1, TET2 Exon3, ASXL1 Exon12, IDH1 Y208C, and FGFR3 L164V. CRRLF2 P224L and PDGFRB R370C point mutations were detected separately in 2 patients with HES who treated with imatinib monotherapy and achieved hematologic remission. Conclusion The pathogenesis of CEL with PDGFRA, PDGFRB or FGFR1 rearrangement is usually single, and the progression of the disease may involve other driver mutation. A variety of genes with hot mutation regions may be involved in the pathogenesis of HES, and some mutation sites are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.