OBJECTIVE To investigate the variations in taste， aroma and volatile organic compounds of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces derived from different sources， and to identify their origins. METHODS The flavor， odor and volatile organic compounds of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces from different sources were compared and analyzed by using electronic tongue， electronic nose， and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS）. Principal component analysis （PCA）， partial least squares-discriminant analysis （PLS-DA）， orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） and Fisher discriminant analysis were employed to identify the origins of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces and establish the basis discrimination criteria. RESULTS The differences in taste of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces from 3 origins were primarily characterized by bitterness， astringency， and bitter-astringent aftertaste. In terms of smell， variations were mainly observed in inorganic sulfides， organic sulfides containing aromatic components， methane and other short-chain alkanes， alcohols， ethers， aldehydes and ketones， as well as nitrogen oxides. Differentially volatile organic compounds mainly consisted of alcohols， aldehydes and ketones. Furthermore， the samples from 8 batches could be effectively classified into 3 categories.Three types of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces can be effectivily identified based on the peak intensity ratio between volatile substances. For example， when the peak intensity of 2-acetylfuran was 3-19 times that of isobutyric acid [dimer]， it was considered as Rheum officinale Baill. CONCLUSIONS The discriminant models established in this study， along with the criteria for determining the origins based on the peak intensity ofcharacteristic volatile compounds， can be utilized for the identification of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces.

Objective:To delineate the surgical methodology and therapeutic paradigm of proximal tibial notch retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for ameliorating deformities due to osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) in a pediatric population.Methods:A retrospective assessment was conducted on the medical records of individuals undergoing orthopedic osteotomy complemented by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for OFD of the tibia from January 2016 to December 2019. The cohort comprised 15 patients, with a follow-up exceeding three years, documenting complete data sets. The patient profile included 8 males and 7 females, with 8 left-side and 7 right-side afflictions. The mean age at the time of surgery was 10.1±2.5 years, ranging from 7.1 to 12.6 years. Parameters measured were preoperative and postoperative imaging findings, which encompassed the scope of the lesion (longitudinal lesion length relative to tibial length), coronal and sagittal limb alignments, and lower limb length discrepancies.Results:The mean follow-up duration was 3.4±1.3 years, ranging from 3 to 6.6 years. Preoperatively, prominent anterior tibial arch deformities and limping were present, with 7 cases reporting fatigue-induced pain and 3 instances of pathological fractures. Post-surgery, pain symptoms were resolved, gait disturbances were improved in 9 patients, and completely resolved in 6. Tibial osteotomy or fracture healing of 15 patients averaged 3.9±0.7 months (range 3-5 months). The lesion range before surgery was 0.41±0.17, immediately after surgery was 0.38±0.17, and at the last follow-up was 0.30±0.16, with no statistical significance ( F=0.101, P=0.904). Lesion range showed no significant change throughout treatment, but radiographic density within the lesion notably increased post-surgery, suggesting bone improvement. The anterior tibial arch Angle was 28.30°±6.62° (range 20°-45°) before surgery, 4.73°±1.53° immediately after surgery, and 6.87°±1.36° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( F=159.739, P<0.001). A significant correction in the anterior tibial arch deformity was achieved and maintained postoperatively. There was no significant angular deformity of the tibia in the coronal plane before operation, and the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) were 87.50°±1.46° and 88.30°±1.62°, 88.40°±1.46° and 88.70°±1.45° immediately after surgery, and 88.00°±1.39° and 89.10°±1.53° at the last follow-up, the differences were statistically significant ( F=1.741, P=0.188; F=1.016, P=0.371), there was no coronal deformity of tibia. The limb length discrepancy (LLD) was 0.60±0.98 cm before surgery, 0.18±0.93 cm at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( t=0.096, P=0.761). There were no incidents of postoperative complications such as infection. Conclusion:In pediatric cases of tibial deformities attributed to osteofibrous dysplasia, a therapeutic strategy involving osteotomy for lower limb realignment, sans curettage or bone grafting of the lesion, followed by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing, yields favorable outcomes. Importantly, this implantation technique does not compromise the integrity of the proximal tibial epiphyseal plate in children and adolescents.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of plating after lengthening to assist the consolidation of tibial shortening deformity in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 10 children with tibial shortening who were treated with circular external fixator lengthening and replacement with plate-assisted internal fixation (study group) in the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics of Tianjin Hospital from November 2019 to October 2022, and 16 children who were treated by circular external fixator only during the same period were enrolled as the external fixator group (control group). Among the 26 cases, there were 15 males and 11 females, 10 left knees and 16 right knees. The average age at the time of surgery was 8.8±4.7 years (range 5.1-13.8 years). The gender, side, age at the time of surgery were compared between the two groups. The extension length, external fixator index, healing index, Kolcaba comfort scale score, knee and ankle joint range of motion, complications and average total hospitalization costs were recorded.Results:There were no significant differences in gender, side, age at the time of surgery between the study group and control group. The extended lengths were 5.44±1.25 cm and 5.78±1.11 cm respectively without significant difference ( t=0.096, P=0.096). The external fixator index and healing index were 17.86±2.94 d/cm vs. 50.97±7.03 d/cm and 40.94±6.63 d/cm vs. 45.24±5.98 d/cm in study group and the control group with significant differences ( t=13.299, P<0.001; t=1.289, P=0.033). The Kolcaba comfort scale score of the children in the study group was higher than that of the control group, with significant difference ( t=6.821, P=0.001). Comparing the range of motion of the knee and ankle joints between the two groups, there were no significant differences before surgery, at the end of extension surgery, and at the final follow-up. When the extension end was healed, the range of motion of the knee joint was137.89°±4.40° vs. 114.09°±13.60° and ankle joint was 64.35°±5.50° vs. 56.65°±8.86° in the study group and control group with significant difference ( t=17.235, P<0.001; t=7.821, P=0.002). In the study group, 4 cases had pin tract infection, but no refracture occurred; in the control group, pin tract infection occurred in 13 cases, and refracture occurred in 2 cases after removal of the external fixator. The average total hospitalization cost of the study group was higher than that of the control group with significant difference ( t=3.745, P=0.036). Conclusion:The clinical effect of replacing plate-assisted internal fixator during the mineralization period of tibial shortening in children is reliable, and can significantly shorten the time for using external fixator. It is beneficial to the healing of the extended end of the osteotomy and the functional recovery of the knee and ankle joints. Being more comfortable for children with fewer complications, it is applicable for children who need long-distance extension, multiple extensions with limited joint function, poor tolerance for external fixators and low treatment compliance.

The rapid development of big data and artificial intelligence technologies has propelled the large-scale, multi-center, and diverse forms of clinical research, and how to efficiently integrate and utilize clinical research data resources has become an urgent problem to be solved. Based on the U. S. geological survey(USGS) scientific data life cycle model, the National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics has devised the " S-C-V-C-R-A" data management platform framework, which determined six data management principles: Standardization, Controllability, Visibility, Credibility, Reliability, and Availability. By solving three key technologies: data aggregation, data standardization, and data sharing, an integrated clinical research data platform was built to realize standardized data management plans, controllable data acquisition, visible data processing, credible data analysis, reliable data storage, and accessible data publication and sharing. As of July 2023, the platform has aggregated data from 487 096 elderly patients, carried out more than 10 scientific research projects, supported over 200 collaborative innovation network units, and established four cohorts of elderly populations with distinct characteristics. The platform has achieved a one-stop, comprehensive service of data management planning, acquisition, processing, analysis, storage, publication, and sharing, thus achieving the objectives of enhancing research efficiency, promoting collaborative research, and facilitating data sharing.

Open fund projects play an important role in strengthening discipline construction and enhancing research capabilities. The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics of West China Hospital, Sichuan University (hereinafter referred to as the Center) initiated the establishment of open fund projects in 2018. However, due to their strong disciplinary and autonomous nature, as well as the presence of uncertainty, these projects posed new challenges to project management. Therefore, based on the theory of project integration management, the Center has established an integrated management system for open fund projects. This system was achieved by identifying the construction objectives of open fund projects, defining their scope of application, and integrating the four essential elements of project management: execution, processes, control, and support. It ensured standardized execution through organizational and institutional measures, optimized management processes, implemented control through the development of milestone lists, risk registration lists, superior funding lists, and non-performing lists, and integrated technology and platforms as support. The system was implemented since 2020, realizing comprehensive and holistic management of open fund projects across all stages and elements, thereby effectively enhancing management efficiency and quality. As of December 2023, 112 open fund projects have been approved, with a total funding of 31.943 million yuan. These projects have yielded a series of achievements in cohort study and platform construction, academic output, and have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in projects and talents cultivation. The construction and application of this system can provide reference for medical institutions in managing open fund projects.

Objective:To improve the prognosis stratification, especially early mortality(EM), of elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(NDMM).Methods:In this retrospective study, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify the independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival(OS)and the chi-square test and multivariate Logistic analysis were used to identify the prognostic factors associated with EM in 223 elderly patients(age≥65 years)with NDMM from three centers in the country.Results:Increased NT-pro-BNP(≥300 pg/ml), ECOG-PS≥2 and stage Ⅲ R-ISS were identified as three independent adverse prognostic factors of OS.The rates of EM3, EM6, EM12 and EM24 were 12.1%, 20.1%, 32.2% and 60%, respectively.The most common cause for EM6(particularly EM3)was disease-related complications resulting from ineligibility for treatment due to poor physical performance, severe organ dysfunction or treatment discontinuation due to treatment intolerance, while the most common cause for EM12(particularly EM24)was disease progression or relapse mainly as a result of inadequate treatment.R-ISS staging failed to predict EM, while decreased eGFR, ECOG-PS≥2, and increased NT-pro-BNP were able to estimate the risk of EM, with increased NT-pro-BNP as a common independent factor for EM12( P=0.03)and EM24( P=0.015). Conclusions:R-ISS staging, which primarily reflects MM biology, cannot predict EM.However, factors such as NT-pro-BNP, eGFR and ECOG-PS associated with frailty and impairment of organ functions can be used to estimate the risk of EM, among which NT-pro-BNP may be the most important independent factor for EM.Therefore, incorporation of these frailty-related biomarkers into R-ISS staging may be able to more precisely estimate the prognosis and particularly early death of elderly patients with NDMM.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of composite pin-rod external fixation in the treatment of open tibial fractures in children.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 21 pediatric patients with open tibial fracture who had been treated at Department of Pediatric Orthopeadics, Tianjin University by composite pin-rod external fixation from January 2019 to December 2021. There were 15 boys and 6 girls, and 9 left sides and 12 right sides. The age at the time of operation was (8.6±4.1) months. According to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, there were 3 cases of type Ⅰ, 12 cases of type Ⅱ, 3 cases of type ⅢA, 1 case of type ⅢB, and 2 cases of type ⅢC. Twenty cases had a concomitant fibular fracture, 3 cases multiple injuries, and 3 cases a segmental fracture. All the operations were performed at the emergency department. After debridement, the fractures were reduced and immobilized with a triangle external fixation of composite pin-rod system. In the patients whose conditions permitted, the wounds were closed at one stage, and no other external fixation was added after operation. Wound healing, fracture healing, frame time, knee and ankle functional results and complications were evaluated.Results:All patients were followed up for (20.7±15.8) months. Primary wound closure was achieved in 18 cases; the wound was covered by vacuum sealing drainage after debridement and reverse skin removal in the other 3 cases, of which 2 healed smoothly, and 1 was complicated with superficial infection of Gustilo type ⅢC treated eventually by an anterolateral thigh flap. Fractures healed satisfactorily in 20 cases, with a frame time of (4.5±1.7) months. At the last follow-up, there was no significant difference in the range of motion of the knee and ankle joints on the affected side compared with the uninjured side ( P>0.05). According to the Johner-Wruhs evaluation criteria, the functional recovery was excellent in 16 cases and good in 4 cases. Fracture nonunion happened in one child after skin flap operation, but fracture occurred again after reoperation for fracture, yielding a poor Johner-Wruhs evaluation. Needle tract infection was found in 9 cases but responded to therapy with no other complications. Conclusions:In the treatment of open tibial fractures in children, the composite pin-rod external fixation may lead to satisfactory clinical outcomes. It is easy in operation, provides stable fixation, and allows early rehabilitation after surgery. It can be used as a terminal treatment for wounds that can be closed at one stage.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of open exploration, ulnar osteotomy and annular ligament reduction (three-in-one surgery) in the treatment of chronic Monteggia fracture in children.Methods:The data were analyzed retrospectively of the 35 children with chronic Monteggia fracture who had been admitted to Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Tianjin University from June 2017 to September 2021. There were 22 boys and 13 girls, and 19 left and 16 right sides, with an age of (6.8±2.5) years. Anterolateral dislocation of the radial head occurred in 30 cases and anterolateral dislocation in 5 ones. The time from injury to operation was (17.9±9.9) months. All patients were treated with three-in-one surgery. The elbow flexion and extension, forearm rotation and The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score were measured and compared in all patients at 12 months after operation. Their complications were also recorded.Results:All children were followed up for 12 months. The osteotomy ends of the ulna achieved bony union 1.5 to 4.0 months after operation. The elbow extension (-1.0°±5.9°) and flexion (128.5°±4.9°) at 12 months after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (-9.3°±18.0° and 108.4°±17.3°) ( P<0.05). The forearm pronation (61.5°±19.4°) at 12 months after operation was significantly limited compared with that before operation (72.7°±22.4°) ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the forearm supination (86.7°±4.5°) at 12 months after operation and that before operation (81.0°±17.4°) ( P>0.05). The HSS elbow score at 12 months after operation (93.5±5.2) was significantly higher than that (80.6±9.3) before operation ( P<0.05). The efficacy evaluated by the HSS elbow score at 12 months after operation was excellent in 21 cases, good in 12 cases, and fair in 2 cases, giving an excellent and good rate of 94.3% (33/35). Postoperative re-subluxation was observed in one patient. Conclusion:Open exploration, ulnar osteotomy and annular ligament reduction are a safe and effective three-in-one surgery for chronic Monteggia fracture in children, because it may lead to significantly improved elbow flexion and extension after operation, though the forearm pronation may be limited.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of CT volume rendering technology in the assessment of the physeal bar in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the relevant CT data of 20 patients with physeal bar from January 2019 to December 2021, 13 boys and 7 girls, age 9.94±2.91 years. The etiology included 17 cases of trauma, 1 cases of tumor, and 2 cases of unknown. The affected sites included 9 cases of distal femur, 5 cases of proximal tibia, 3 cases of distal tibia, and 3 cases of distal radius. Evaluate using volume rendering technology and traditional surface reconstruction technology respectively and the index include the size and type of physeal bar.Results:All the children were successfully examined at one time, and none of them required sedation. The average exposure time was 3.81±0.83 s. During scanning, only low-dose radiation was performed on the affected joints, and routine radiation protection was performed. Using volume rendering technology to evaluate the proportion of the physeal bar, the results obtained by the three testers were 25.36%±15.36%, 24.75%±16.18%, 26.70%±17.72%, and the intraclass correlation coefficient value ( ICC) was 0.976, the three repeated measurements by one tester were 25.36%±15.36%, 25.41%±15.20%, 25.74%±16.00% ( ICC=0.990). Compared with the traditional curved planar reconstruction technical evaluation, the results obtained by the three testers were 28.36%±16.74%, 23.66%±19.87%, 35.25%±15.92% ( ICC=0.737), the three repeated measurement results by one tester were 28.36%±16.74%, 31.66%±13.06%, 30.89%±12.52% ( ICC=0.875). The volume rendering technology was better than the curved planar reconstruction technique. Paired t test was performed on the measurement results of three evaluators and the three repeated measurements of the same evaluator, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The same results were acquired by using volume rendering technology to evaluate the type of phseal bar with three testers; but there were 18 cases had the same results by using curved planar reconstruction technology and 2 cases had differences, showing the volume rendering technology was more accurate. Conclusion:Low-dose CT scanning volume rendering technology is an effective method to evaluate the physeal bar in children. It can more intuitively and accurately evaluate the proportion and type of the bar while reducing the radiation exposure of children. The consistency with inter-group and intra-group is better than traditional curved planar reconstruction technique with good reproducibility and clinical significance.

Objective:To investigate the Graf classification results and risk factors of infants for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) by B-ultrasound screening in Tianjin.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted from January 2013 to December 2020 using the three-tier maternal and child health care management and the Tianjin maternal and child health information system for the early B-ultrasound screening data of 6-8 weeks old infants. The "2+1" screening model of "primary screening-re-screening-diagnostic treatment" was applied. The positive screening rate and age of infants at the time of referral for treatment in different years and different Graf classifications were analyzed, and the differences in positive infants with different sex, parity, fetal position, mode of production, gestational age, birth weight, and family history were compared. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for DDH.Results:A total of 807 889 babies were screened, and 2 039 children (2 841 hips) were detected with B-ultrasound Graf classification count IIa and above, with the positive rate was 2.52‰ (2 039/807 889). Among the abnormal hips, 685 were type IIa(+) hips, 959 were type IIa(-) hips, 367 were type IIb hips, 262 were type IIc hips, 227 were type D hips, 265 were type III hips, and 76 were type IV hips. Type IIa(-) was the most common, accounting for 33.76% (959/2 841), type IIa(+) accounted for 24.11% (685/2 841), type D and above was 19.99%(568/2 841). The abnormality rate of the left hip was 2.02‰ (1 632/807 889), which was greater than 1.50‰ (1 209/807 889) of the right side, and the difference is statistically significant (χ 2=63.09, P<0.001). The rate of hip abnormalities in female infants was 3.27‰ (2 541/777 272), greater than 0.36‰ (300/838 506) in male infants, which the difference between the sexes had statistically significant (χ 2=1 947.871, P<0.001). The positive rate of DDH in male infants was 0.50‰ (209/419 253), and that in female infants was 4.71‰ (1 830/388 636). The detection ratio of male to female infants was 1∶8.76, and the difference in the positive rate of DDH between the sexes was statistically significant (χ 2=1 420.102, P<0.001). Different fetal position (cephalic position/breech presentation), delivery method (normal delivery/cesarean section), birth weight (normal/low weight), family history (with DDH/without DDH) showed statistically significant differences in the positive rate of DDH ( P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the positive rate of DDH at different parity (first/second and above) and gestational age (term/premature) ( P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender ( OR=10.50, P<0.001) and fetal position ( OR=3.40, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for DDH, and gestational age ( OR=0.91, P<0.001) was a protective factor for DDH. Differences in referral age of infants with different B-ultrasound Graf classification from year to year were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Through the "2+1" screening model of "primary screening-re-screening-diagnostic treatment", the DDH positive rate in 6-8 weeks old infants in Tianjin was 2.52‰, and the positive rate of DDH in female infants and left hip was higher. The more severe the Graf classification of B-ultrasound was, the younger the age of referral was. Women and infants with breech presentation had a higher risk of developing DDH, and the risk of DDH in preterm infants was lower.