Research hotspots and trends in railway workers' health at home and abroad: A bibliometric analysis / 环境与职业医学

Background The development of railways has a long history, but there is limited research on the health of railway workers at home and abroad. China's high-speed railway development has attracted worldwide attention in recent years, and it is of great significance to study how to promote the health of this occupational population to ensure the safety of railway transportation. Objective To identify development trends and hotspots in the field of railway workers' health at home and abroad. Methods The research literature related to the health of railroad workers dated from January 1, 1973 to December 31, 2022 was searched using the China Knowledge Network Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science Core Collection (WoS) databases. After screening and cleaning, the included literature was subjected to bibliometric analysis by applying CiteSpace 6.1R6 software to visualize and analyze literature co-citation, keyword emergence, and keyword timeline graphs, and by VOSviewer 1.6.19 to visualize and analyze country/region collaboration, keyword co-occurrence, and keyword clustering. Results During the period from 1973 until 2022, a total of 273 Chinese literature and 165 English literature were found to report studies related to the health of railway workers. The Chinese literature began to grow rapidly in 2009 and peaked in 2015, and the number of English literature published in a relatively flat state over the studied period. The country with the most papers indexed by Science Citation Index (SCI) was the United States (58 papers), which also presented the richest international collaborations. The document with the highest domestic citation frequency was published in the Chinese Journal of Mental Health in 1994, and the document with the highest SCI citation frequency was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 1994. The keyword co-occurrence analysis showed that the included Chinese literature mainly focused on health checkups, health management, hypertension, mental health, and chronic diseases and their prevalence; the included English literature focused on mortality, lung cancer, epidemiology, and diesel engine exhaust and its exposure. The analysis of emergent words showed that health management, frontline workers, and occupational stress were the topics of interest in Chinese literature in the last five years, while occupational stress, diesel exhaust emissions, and noise exposure were the topics of interest in English literature in the last ten years. The results of the timeline graph analysis suggested that the recent research directions in Chinese literature were health intervention, humanistic care, staff canteens, etc. There were few English-language articles related to this area after 2010. Conclusion The research hotspots of railroad practitioners' health will keep changing with the development of high-speed railways in countries around the world. The outstanding rise of Chinese literature issued in the last decade has been in striking contrast to the slow progress and decreasing of English literature. The Chinese literature has gradually expanded the hotspots from chronic diseases to health management, occupational stress, and sleep disorders.

Genetically predicted waist circumference and risk of atrial fibrillation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

INTRODUCTION@#Observational studies have revealed an association between waist circumference (WC) and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is difficult to infer a causal relationship from observational studies because the observed associations could be confounded by unknown risk factors. Therefore, the causal role of WC in AF is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the causal association between WC and AF using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.@*METHODS@#In our two-sample MR analysis, the genetic variation used as an instrumental variable for MR was acquired from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of WC (42 single nucleotide polymorphisms with a genetic significance of P <5 × 10 -8 ). The data of WC (from the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits consortium, containing 232,101 participants) and the data of AF (from the European Bioinformatics Institute database, containing 55,114 AF cases and 482,295 controls) were used to assess the causal role of WC on AF. Three different approaches (inverse variance weighted [IVW], MR-Egger, and weighted median regression) were used to ensure that our results more reliable.@*RESULTS@#All three MR analyses provided evidence of a positive causal association between high WC and AF. High WC was suggested to increase the risk of AF based on the IVW method (odds ratio [OR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-1.58, P = 2.51 × 10 -13 ). The results of MR-Egger and weighted median regression exhibited similar trends (MR-Egger OR = 1.40 [95% CI, 1.08-1.81], P = 1.61 × 10 -2 ; weighted median OR = 1.39 [95% CI, 1.21-1.61], P = 1.62 × 10 -6 ). MR-Egger intercepts and funnel plots showed no directional pleiotropic effects between high WC and AF.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our findings suggest that greater WC is associated with an increased risk of AF. Taking measures to reduce WC may help prevent the occurrence of AF.

Catechin interferes with SCD1 expression and prevents liver fibrosis in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate whether catechin can play against CCl

Assessment of Risk Factors Affecting Refractive Outcomes after Phacovitrectomy for Epiretinal Membrane

Purpose@#To investigate factors associated with refractive outcomes after phacovitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM). @*Methods@#Retrospective review of patients undergoing phacovitrectomy for ERM was done. The main outcome measure was predictive refraction error (PE), defined as observed refraction error – target refraction error, calculated by the SRK/T, Haigis, and SRK II formulae. PE was measured at postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate factors associated with PE. @*Results@#A total of 53 eyes of 53 patients were included. The mean PEs at postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months were all negative, implying myopic shift in all patients regardless of the intraocular lens formula used. Haigis formula showed the least myopic shift among the three formulae (p = 0.001, Friedman test). There was no significant difference in PE depending on preoperative central macular thickness (CMT) in subgroup analysis. On stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, ERM etiology (β = 0.759, p = 0.004, SRK/T formula; β = 0.733, p = 0.008, Haigis formula; β = 0.933, p < 0.001, SRK II formula), preoperative anterior chamber depth (β = –0.662, p = 0.013, Haigis formula; β = –0.747, p = 0.003, SRK II formula), and decrease of CMT (β = –0.003, p = 0.025, SRK/T formula) were significantly associated with PE at postoperative 6 months. @*Conclusions@#Myopic shift in PE was observed after combined phacovitrectomy for epiretinal membrane. ERM etiology, preoperative anterior chamber depth, and decrease of CMT were significantly associated with PE at postoperative 6 months. There was no difference in PE after surgery between the two groups defined by CMT (≥500 and <500 μm).

A Case of Orbital Eccrine Hidrocystoma

Purpose@#To report the first domestic case of orbital eccrine hidrocystoma.Case summary: A 40-year-old man visited our clinic after an orbital mass was discovered in the left eye. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined 1 cm mass on the superomedial side of the orbit, slightly posterior to the globe. The mass was excised completely without rupture through an incision to the upper eyelid skin. The mass appeared more like a cyst than a hemangioma. The diagnosis of eccrine hidrocystoma was confirmed histopathologically. The patient recovered and there was no recurrence at the 6-month follow-up. @*Conclusions@#Although orbital eccrine hidrocystoma is very rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of orbital tumors.

The Lived Experiences of Patient’s Families with the Intensive Care Unit Diary / 중환자간호학회지

Purpose@#: Intensive care unit (ICU) diaries have been implemented across the international ICU community. This study aimed to comprehend the meaning and nature of the lived experience of patients’ families using the ICU diary in Korea. @*Methods@#: This qualitative study adopted van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenology. The participants comprised eight women and two men who were the family members of patients in the ICU for more than three days. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observation from July 2018 to January 2019. @*Results@#: Patients’ families who experienced the ICU diary recognized it with six beings according to time: a good idea, forgotten stuff, burdensome work, touching service, my stuff, and a thing in the memory. The ICU diary had three essential meanings for the families: communication, solace and hope, and a record of life. These findings were rearranged according to van Manen’s fundamental existential, and the lived things and lived others were remarkably confirmed. @*Conclusion@#: Patients’ families experienced various ICU diary forms over time and recognized an ICU diary as a means of communication. Therefore, the ICU diary is expected to be used as an intervention between families and healthcare providers in the ICU to support mutual communication.

Effects of Atomoxetine for the Treatment of Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients With Alpha-synucleinopathies: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and a Focus-Group Discussion

Background@#and PurposeNeurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) is one of the most important nonmotor symptoms in patients with α-synucleinopathies. Atomoxetine is a selective norepinephrine transporter blocker that is a treatment option for nOH. This systematic review and expert focus-group study was designed to obtain evidence from published data and clinical experiences of Korean movement-disorder specialists about the efficacy and safety of atomoxetine for the pharmacological treatment of nOH in patients with α-synucleinopathies. @*Methods@#The study comprised a systematic review and a focus-group discussion with clinicians. For the systematic review, multiple comprehensive databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and KoreaMed were searched to retrieve articles that assessed the outcomes of atomoxetine therapy. A focus-group discussion was additionally performed to solicit opinions from experts with experience in managing nOH. @*Results@#The literature review process yielded only four randomized controlled trials on atomoxetine matching the inclusion criteria. Atomoxetine effectively increased systolic blood pressure and improved OH-related symptoms as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. Its effects were pronounced in cases with central autonomic failure, including multiple-system atrophy (MSA). Atomoxetine might be a safe monotherapy regarding the risk of supine hypertension. @*Conclusions@#Atomoxetine is an effective and safe option for short-term nOH management, which could be more evident in patients with central autonomic dysfunction such as MSA. However, there is a paucity of evidence in the literature, and data from the focus-group discussion were inadequate, and so further investigation is warranted.

Mitochondria in reproduction / 대한생식의학회지

In reproduction, mitochondria produce bioenergy, help to synthesize biomolecules, and support the ovaries, oogenesis, and preimplantation embryos, thereby facilitating healthy live births. However, the regulatory mechanism of mitochondria in oocytes and embryos during oogenesis and embryo development has not been clearly elucidated. The functional activity of mitochondria is crucial for determining the quality of oocytes and embryos; therefore, the underlying mechanism must be better understood. In this review, we summarize the specific role of mitochondria in reproduction in oocytes and embryos. We also briefly discuss the recovery of mitochondrial function in gametes and zygotes. First, we introduce the general characteristics of mitochondria in cells, including their roles in adenosine triphosphate and reactive oxygen species production, calcium homeostasis, and programmed cell death. Second, we present the unique characteristics of mitochondria in female reproduction, covering the bottleneck theory, mitochondrial shape, and mitochondrial metabolic pathways during oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ovarian aging, a diminished ovarian reserve, a poor ovarian response, and several reproduction problems in gametes and zygotes, such as aneuploidy and genetic disorders. Finally, we briefly describe which factors are involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and how mitochondrial function can be recovered in reproduction. We hope to provide a new viewpoint regarding factors that can overcome mitochondrial dysfunction in the field of reproductive medicine.

Role of enkephalin derivative in promoting wound healing and scar remodeling via increased epidermal growth factor in a mouse model

Background@#Enkephalin, an endogenous neuropeptide, binds to the delta (δ) opioid receptor and exerts an antinociceptive effect. Recent studies have suggested that neuropeptides might effectuate cutaneous wound healing. Therefore, we investigated the effects of an enkephalin derivative on wound healing and scar formation in vivo. @*Methods@#Enkephalin derivatives (leucine-enkephalin) were synthesized using the alanine scan method, and the most promising derivative (E10) was selected for further testing. In 15 C57BL/6N mice, two full-thickness skin defects (10 mm in diameter) were made on both sides of the back (left side, enkephalin group; right side, control group). The enkephalin group was administered 100 μL of E10 (AGGFL, 200 μg/mL), and the control group received phosphate-buffered saline. The wound size was digitally analyzed on days 2, 4, 7, and 10. After 21 days, the scar tissues were histologically evaluated for the scar depression index (SDI), and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. @*Results@#The skin defect percentages were 98.4%±17.9% (day 2), 83.2%±24.0% (day 4), 39.7%±17.4% (day 7), and 16.2%±10.0% (day 10) in the control group and 86.1%±15.0% (day 2), 61.4%±11.6% (day 4), 26.6%±8.8% (day 7), and 16.4%±8.8% (day 10) in the enkephalin group. The SDI values were significantly lower in the enkephalin group (0.06±0.19) than in the control group (0.22±0.13, P<0.001). The EGF level was significantly higher in the enkephalin group (102.2±22.6 pg/mL) than in the control group (42.1±20.5 pg/mL, P<0.001). @*Conclusions@#An enkephalin derivative promoted wound healing and reduced depressed scar formation in a mouse model.

Effect of amantadine dimer adjuvant on humoral immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2 protein vaccine in mice / 中国生物制品学杂志

Effect of amantadine dimer adjuvant on humoral immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2 protein vaccine in mice@#Objective To investigate the effect of amantadine dimer adjuvant on humoral immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2 crown protein vaccine in mice.Methods The amantadine dimer was synthesized by substitution reaction ligation,hydrolytic acidification reaction ligation and amide condensation reaction ligation,with which as adjuvant,female BALB/c mice were immunized with the receptor-binding domain(RBD).The mice were randomly divided into five groups,six for each as follows:R6A+RBD group[21 μg(0.033 μmol)amantadine dimer+10 μg RBD],Ada+RBD group[10 μg(0.066 μmol)amantadine+10 μg RBD],Alu+RBD group(35 μg aluminum adjuvant+10 μg RBD),RBD group(10 μg RBD)and Blank group(0.9% normal saline),which were immunized i.m.on day 0,14 and 28 respectively.Serum samples were collected from tail vein of mice 7 d after the second dose and 14 d after the last dose and determined for specific IgG antibody levels by ELISA.Results The amantadine dimer was purified by thin layer chromatography(TLC)and identified by electrospray ionization-MS(ESI-MS)positive/negative ion mode.After two times of immunization,the antibody levels in sera at various dilutions of mice in R6A+RBD group were all higher than those of Ada+RBD group,while lower than those of Alu+RBD group.However,after three times of immunization,the antibody levels in sera at various dilutions of mice in R6A+RBD group were all significantly higher than those of Ada+RBD and Alu+RBD groups(each F > 30,each P < 0.000 1 and each P < 0.01).Conclusion Amantadine dimer adjuvant enhanced humoral immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2 protein vaccine in mice with good adjuvant effect,which may be used as an alternative adjuvant.This strategy based on existing drug transformation provided a new idea for the development of novel adjuvants.

A consensus on the management of allergy in kindergartens and primary schools / 中国学校卫生

Abstract@#Allergic diseases can occur in all systems of the body, covering the whole life cycle, from children to adults and to old age, can be lifelong onset and even fatal in severe cases. Children account for the largest proportion of the victims of allergic disease, Children s allergies start from scratch, ranging from mild to severe, from less to more, from single to multiple systems and systemic performance, so the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases in children is of great importance, which can not only prevent high risk allergic conditions from developing into allergic diseases, but also further block the process of allergy. At present, there is no consensus on the management system of allergic children in kindergartens and primary schools. The "Consensus on Allergy Management and Prevention in Kindergartens and Primary Schools", which includes the organizational structure, system construction and management of allergic children, provides evidence informed recommendations for the long term comprehensive management of allergic children in kindergartens and primary schools, and provides a basis for the establishment of the prevention system for allergic children.

CT-Based Weighted Radiomic Score Predicts Tumor Response to Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To develop a CT-based weighted radiomic model that predicts tumor response to programmed death-1(PD-1)/PD-ligand 1(PD-L1)immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.Methods The patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated by PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2015 to February 2022 were retrospectively studied and classified as responders(partial or complete response)and non-responders(stable or progressive disease).Original radiomic features were extracted from multiple intrapulmonary lesions in the contrast-enhanced CT scans of the arterial phase,and then weighted and summed by an attention-based multiple instances learning algorithm.Logistic regression was employed to build a weighted radiomic scoring model and the radiomic score was then calculated.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was used to compare the weighted radiomic scoring model,PD-L1 model,clinical model,weighted radiomic scoring + PD-L1 model,and comprehensive prediction model.Results A total of 237 patients were included in the study and randomized into a training set(n=165)and a test set(n=72),with the mean ages of(64±9)and(62±8)years,respectively.The AUC of the weighted radiomic scoring model reached 0.85 and 0.80 in the training set and test set,respectively,which was higher than that of the PD-L1-1 model(Z=37.30,P<0.001 and Z=5.69,P=0.017),PD-L1-50 model(Z=38.36,P<0.001 and Z=17.99,P<0.001),and clinical model(Z=11.40,P<0.001 and Z=5.76,P=0.016).The AUC of the weighted scoring model was not different from that of the weighted radiomic scoring + PD-L1 model and the comprehensive prediction model(both P>0.05).Conclusion The weighted radiomic scores based on pre-treatment enhanced CT images can predict tumor responses to immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Multiple Injections of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Improve Graft Survival in Human-to-Rat Skin Xenotransplantation through Immune Modulation

BACKGROUND@#Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) exert immunomodulatory effects in the treatment of transplant rejection. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ADSCs on the skin graft survival in a human-to-rat xenograft transplantation model and to compare single and multiple injections of ADSCs. @*METHODS@#Full-thickness human skin xenografts were transplanted into the backs of Sprague–Dawley rats. The rats were injected subcutaneously on postoperative days 0, 3, and 5. The injections were as follows: triple injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS group), a single injection of ADSCs and double injections of PBS (ADSC 9 1 group), and triple injections of ADSCs (ADSC 9 3 group). The immunomodulatory effects of ADSCs on human skin xenografts were assessed. @*RESULTS@#Triple injections of ADSCs considerably delayed cell-mediated xenograft rejection compared with the PBS and ADSC 9 1 groups. The vascularization and collagen type 1–3 ratios in the ADSC 9 3 group were significantly higher than those in the other groups. In addition, intragraft infiltration of CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, and CD68-positive cells was reduced in the ADSC 9 3 group. Furthermore, in the ADSC 9 3 group, the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-c) were decreased and immunosuppressive prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) was increased in the xenograft and lymph node samples. @*CONCLUSION@#This study presented that triple injections of ADSCs appeared to be superior to a single injection in suppressing cell-mediated xenograft rejection. The immunomodulatory effects of ADSCs are associated with the downregulation of IFN-c and upregulation of PGES in skin xenografts and lymph nodes.

Reliability of a chairside CAD-CAM surgical guide for dental implant surgery on the anterior maxilla: An in vitro study

PURPOSE@#. This study evaluated the reliability of the chair-side CAD-CAM surgical guide (CSG) in the anterior maxilla by comparing its accuracy with the laboratory 3D-printed surgical guide (3DSG) and manual surgical guide (MSG) concerning different levels of dentists' surgical experience. @*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#. Ten surgical guides of each type (MSG, 3DSG, and CSG) were fabricated on a control study model with missing right and left central incisors. Sixty implants were placed in 30 study models by two dentists (one inexperienced and one experienced) using three different types of surgical guides. Horizontal deviations at shoulder and at apex, vertical, and angular deviations were measured after superimposing the planned and placed implant positions in the software. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the accuracy of three types of surgical guides in each dentist group and the accuracy of each surgical guide between two dentists (α = .05). @*RESULTS@#. There were no significant differences in any deviations between CSG and 3DSG, apart from angular deviation, for both dentists’ groups. Moreover, both CSG and 3DSG showed no significant differences in accuracy between the two dentists (P > .05). In contrast, MSG demonstrated significant differences from CSG and 3DSG and a significant difference in accuracy between the two dentists (P < .05). @*CONCLUSION@#. CSG provides superior accuracy to MSG in implant placement in the maxillary anterior region and is comparable to 3DSG at different levels of surgical experience, while offering the benefits of shorter manufacturing time and reduced patient visits.

Postoperative Refractive Outcomes of Biometric Formulas in Phacovitrectomy with Gas Tamponade

Purpose@#To investigate the refractive accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation for biometric formulas in phacovitrectomy. @*Methods@#This retrospective study included 357 eyes of 357 patients who underwent phacovitrectomy using four commonly available IOL power formulas: Hoffer Q (87 eyes), Holladay 1 (78 eyes), Holladay 2 (91 eyes), and SRK/T (101 eyes). The mean refractive error (ME) and the mean absolute refractive error (MAE) were calculated based on the predicted postoperative refraction error, and they were compared using analysis of variance test. Subjects were divided into high myopic eyes (axial length, ≥26 mm) and nonhigh myopic eyes (axial length, <26 mm). @*Results@#The ME and the MAE after phacovitrectomy did not show a significant difference among the four IOL power formulas (p = 0.546 and p = 0.495, respectively). There was no significant statistical difference in formulas when the eyes were grouped into high myopia and nonhigh myopia (ME: p = 0.526 and p = 0.482, respectively; MAE: p = 0.715 and p = 0.627, respectively). The ME showed myopic shift in all formulas regardless of IOL formula used. The ME showed greater myopic shift in high myopia group than nonhigh myopia group in all formulas. @*Conclusions@#Our study did not find evidence for superiority of any formula in phacovitrectomy. However, in phacovitrectomy, possible myopic shift should be considered for IOL power calculation. Especially, in phacovitrecotmy in patients with high myopia, more myopic shift should be considered when selecting IOL.

Survey of Foodservice Management Status according to Welfare Facility Type for Disabled Persons

This study aimed to determine foodservice and hygiene management statuses at welfare facilities catering to disabled persons by facility type to provide basic data for foodservice management guidelines. An online survey was distributed to workers at 1,984 welfare facilities for disabled persons in Korea, and 531 facilities responded, which represented a response rate of 26.8%. The survey requested general information about the facilities, facility users, meals, hygiene, and management. Statistical analyses were performed, and frequency analysis and the chi-square test were used to investigate responses by facility type. The survey results revealed that daycare centers were most common and accounted for 27.4% of responses. Residential facilities for the severely disabled and sheltered workshops accounted for 16.9% and 16.4%, respectively, and residential facilities by disability type accounted for 13.0%. The presence of dietitians at welfare facilities varied by facility type. Welfare centers for the disabled (94.7%) had the highest percentage of dietitians, followed by residential facilities for the severely disabled (87.8%). On the other hand, sheltered workshops and daycare centers for disabled persons had the lowest percentages of dietitians (10.3% and 4.1%, respectively). This study highlights the variations that exist in foodservice management across different welfare facilities for disabled persons and emphasizes the challenges faced by those responsible for managing foodservices and maintaining hygiene, particularly in large facilities with no dietitians. Therefore, we recommend tailored meal management guidelines be developed for each type of welfare facility for disabled persons.

Extraction of mandibular third molars: relationship of preoperative anxiety with body mass index, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, and visual analog scale scores and predictors of postoperative complications

Objectives@#Patients undergoing oral surgery exhibit high anxiety, which may elevate their cortisol levels and affect postoperative recovery. Overweight patients are often encountered in the dental clinic due to the increasing prevalence of overweight. We aimed to investigate the relationships between preoperatively assessed body mass index (BMI), serum cortisol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores and preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing mandibular third molar (MM3) extraction and to identify predictors of postoperative complications. @*Patients and Methods@#We analyzed 43 patients (age, 20-42 years) undergoing MM3 extraction. At the first visit, patients completed the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) questionnaires. Their BMI and VAS scores were also calculated. The participants underwent blood tests 1 hour before MM3 extraction. On the first postoperative day, the participants’ VAS scores and serum hs-CRP levels were reevaluated. @*Results@#We found that BMI was significantly correlated with preoperative VAS scores. Further, BMI and preoperative hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated among women and patients undergoing extractions of fully impacted MM3s. No correlations were found between serum cortisol and other variables. The preoperative MDAS and VAS scores were significantly positively correlated, especially among patients undergoing extractions of fully impacted MM3s. Multiple linear regression showed that BMI and the eruption status of the MM3 were significant predictors of postoperative hsCRP levels and VAS scores, respectively. @*Conclusion@#In MM3 removals, patients with higher BMI showed elevated hs-CRP and higher VAS scores before surgery. Patients with higher anxiety among those undergoing extractions of fully impacted MM3s showed higher preoperative VAS scores. The two main predictors of postoperative complications were BMI and MM3 eruption status.

The double-barrier technique using platelet-rich fibrin for closure of oroantral fistulas

An oroantral fistula (OAF) or oroantral communication (OAC) is an opening between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus. If left untreated, these openings may cause chronic maxillary sinusitis. Although small defects (diameter <5 mm) may close spontaneously, larger communications require surgical intervention. Various studies have been conducted on OAC closure using a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane; most of these prior studies have involved simple direct application of PRF clots. This study introduces a new “double-barrier technique” using PRF for closure of an OAF involving sinus mucosal lifting and closure. The PRF material is inserted into the prepared maxillary sinus space, and the buccal advancement flap covers the oral side. This technique was successfully used to treat two patients with chronic OAF in the posterior maxillary region after implant removal or tooth extraction. The use of a PRF membrane in a double-barrier technique may have advantages in soft-tissue healing and could enable easy closure of chronic OAF with minimal trauma.

Clinical observation of postoperative visual perceptual training in children with intermittent exotropia on the recovery of visual function at all levels / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the role of visual perception training on the recovery of visual function at all levels and the improvement of perceptual eye position in children with intermittent exotropia(IXT).METHODS: Prospective clinical study. A total of 74 patients with IXT who received corrective surgery for strabismus in the Ophthalmology Department of the First People's Hospital of Lanzhou City from January to June 2022 were collected and followed up for 3mo. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups at 1d after surgery: 35 patients in the training group received binocular visual perception training, and 39 patients in the control group did not receive visual training. The changes of visual function and perceived eye position at all levels were observed at 1d and 3mo after operation.RESULTS: There were 24 patients(69%)with simultaneous perception in the training group at 1d after surgery and 34 patients(97%)with recovered visual function at 3mo after surgery, which was significantly higher than 1d after surgery(P=0.002). Furthermore, there were 22 cases(56%)of fusion function in the control group at 3mo after surgery, 13 cases(33%)of far stereopsis, 20 cases(51%)of dynamic stereopsis and 17 cases(44%)of static fine stereopsis. In the training group, there were 31 cases(89%)of fusion function, 25 cases(71%)of far stereopsis, 30 cases(86%)of dynamic stereopsis and 27 cases(77%)of static fine stereopsis, which were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P&#x003C;0.05). The degree of perceived eye displacement in the training group decreased more significantly than that in the control group(all P&#x003C;0.05).CONCLUSION: Postoperative visual perceptual training in children with IXT can promote recovery of visual function at all levels, improve perceptual eye position and enhance the control of eye position at the perceptual level of the brain.

Clinical and radiologic comparison between oblique lateral interbody fusion and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the short-term clinical efficacy and radiologic differences between oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on 58 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with OLIF or MIS-TLIF from April 2019 to October 2020. Among them, 28 patients were treated with OLIF (OLIF group), including 15 males and 13 females aged 47 to 84 years old with an average age of (63.00±9.38) years. The other 30 patients were treated with MIS-TLIF(MIS-TLIF group), including 17 males and 13 females aged 43 to 78 years old with an average age of (61.13±11.10) years. General conditions, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, complications, lying in bed, and hospitalization time were recorded in both groups. Radiological characteristics, including intervertebral disc height (DH), intervertebral foramen height (FH), and lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), were compared between two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate the clinical effect.@*RESULTS@#The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, lying in bed, and hospitalization time in OLIF group were significantly less than those in the MIS-TLIF group (P<0.05). The intervertebral disc height and intervertebral foramen height were significantly improved in both groups after the operation (P<0.05). The lumbar lordosis angle in OLIF group was significantly improved compared to before the operation(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the MIS-TLIF group before and after operation(P>0.05). Postoperative intervertebral disc height, intervertebral foramen height, and lumbar lordosis were better in the OLIF group than in the MIS-TLIF group (P<0.05). The VAS and ODI of the OLIF group were lower than those of the MIS-TLIF group within 1 week and 1 month after the operation (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in VAS and ODI at 3 and 6 months after the operation between the two groups(P>0.05). In the OLIF group, 1 case had paresthesia of the left lower extremity with flexion-hip weakness and 1 case had a collapse of the endplate after the operation;in the MIS-TLIF group, 2 cases had radiation pain of lower extremities after decompression.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with MIS-TLIF, OLIF results in less operative trauma, faster recovery, and better imaging performance after lumbar spine surgery.