Application of our self-made Kirschner wire connecting rod in difficult extraction of intramedullary implants / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To report the application of our self-made Kirschner wire connecting rod combined with a conventional intramedullary nail extractor in difficult extraction of intramedullary devices.Methods:From January 2012 to August 2017, 10 patients with a hard-to-remove intramedullary device were treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The Fifth Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University. They were 7 males and 3 females with a mean age of (40.0±9.0) years. In cases where no relevant extractor was available for the intramedullary device or it was impossible to connect the extractor connecting rod to the tail of the intramedullary device, the Kirschner wire was bent and pulled through the screw hole or the hole newly drilled at the tail of the intramedullary device to be tied or fixed with a conventional extractor connecting rod to form an effective connection. Next, our self-made Kirschner wire connecting rod was used to pull out the intramedullary device. In this cohort, 7 intramedullary nails in the tibia, 1 femoral intramedullary nail, 1 humeral intramedullary nail, and 1 tibial elastic nail were removed. The difficult extraction was due to "cold welding" of the tail cap of the intramedullary nail in 3 cases, mismatch between the screw rod of the extractor and the tail screw hole of the intramedullary nail in 4 cases, and unavailability of relevant removal tools in 3 cases. The time for intramedullary device removal, blood loss and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Results:Of this cohort, 9 patients underwent simple removal of the intramedullary device and 1 patient replacement of the intramedullary device. The total time for removal of an intramedullary device was (2.3±0.8) h, ranging from 1.0 to 3.2 h. The amount of blood loss was (159.0±61.0) mL, ranging from 80 to 250 mL. The follow-up was (14.5±2.2) months, ranging from 11 to 18 months. There was no infection or fracture associated with implant removal.Conclusion:Application of our self-made Kirschner wire connecting rod in combination with a conventional intramedullary nail extractor is an easy operation to successfully extract hard-to-remove intramedullary implants, requiring no more special instruments.

Analysis of OTC gene variants in four children with delayed onset Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical manifestation and genetic basis for four children with delayed onset Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD).@*METHODS@#Clinical data of four children with OTCD admitted to the Children's Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to April 2021 were reviewed. Peripheral blood samples of the children and their parents were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Bioinformatic analysis and Sanger sequencing verification were carried out to verify the candidate variants. Impact of the candidate variants on the protein structure was also predicted.@*RESULTS@#The clinical manifestations of the four children included vomiting, convulsion and disturbance of consciousness. WES revealed that the child 1 was heterozygous for a c.421C>T (p.R141X) variant in exon 5, children 2 and 3 were hemizygous for a c.119G>A (p.R40H) variant in exon 2, and child 4 was hemizygous for a c.607T>A (p.S203T) variant in exon 5 of the OTC gene. Among these, the c.607T>A variant was unreported previously and predicted to be pathogenic (PM1+PM2_Supporting+PP3+PP4). Bioinformatic analysis has predicted that the variant may result in breakage of hydrogen bonds and alter the protein structure and function. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the variants in children 2 to 4 have derived from their mothers.@*CONCLUSION@#The pathogenic variants of the OTC gene probably underlay the delayed OTCD in 4 children. The discovery of the c.607T>A variant has enriched the mutational spectrum of the OTC gene.

Avascular necrosis of the metacarpal head: a case report and literature review / 中华骨科杂志

Osteonecrosis is the most common disorder in femoral head and scaphoid. However, avascular necrosis (AVN) in metacarpal head is a rare disease. In the present study, a 14-year-old male patient complained of right-hand pain with a limited range of motion for one month. Physical examination showed that the active flexion was 70° and the extension was limited to 30° of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The grip strength decreased to 60% of the contralateral hand. X-rays demonstrated flattening and sclerotic changes in the long finger and ring finger of metacarpal head. CT scanning indicated cystic, osteochondral defects and sclerotic changes in metacarpal head. Imaging examination further confirmed the diagnosis of AVN in the long metacarpal finger and ring finger. After conservative treatments including splint immobilization, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physiotherapy, the local pain symptoms of the MCP joint gradually disappeared. The range of motion of MCP joint returned to normal with the grip strength score as 105% of the contralateral hand. MRI confirmed excellent remodeling and regeneration in the metacarpal head at two years later. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatments of AVN of metacarpal head were reviewed. Although radiograph examination is commonly used, early-stage osteonecrosis of the metacarpal head should be confirmed by MRI. Given the rarity of this disorder, there is no consensus on the treatments. Metacarpal necrosis is the more common disorder in adolescent patients with a history of trauma. Considering the potential of bone remodeling, juveniles with metacarpal head necrosis could recover by conservative treatments.

Comparing the clinical characteristics and prognosis of seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patients in China: a real-world study / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:In general, patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are considered to show an aggressive disease course. However, the relationship between the two subgroups in disease severity is controversial. Our study is aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of double-seropositive and seronegative RA in China through a real-world large scale study.Methods:RA patients who met the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria or the 2010 ACR/European Anti-Rheumatism Alliance RA classification criteria, and who attended the 10 hospitals across the country from September 2015 to January 2020, were enrolled. According to the serological status, patients were divided into 4 subgroups [rheumatoid factor (RF)(-) anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (-), RF(+), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+), anti-CCP antibody(+)] and compared the disease characteristics and treatment response. One-way analysis of variance was used for measurement data that conformed to normal distribution, Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for measurement data that did not conform to normal distribution; paired t test was used for comparison before and after treatment within the group if the data was normally distributed else paired rank sum test was used; χ2 test was used for count data. Results:① A total of 2 461 patients were included, including 1 813 RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (73.67%), 129 RF(+) patients (5.24%), 245 RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) patients (9.96%), 74 anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (11.13%). ② Regardless of the CCP status, RF(+) patients had an early age of onset [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (51±14) years old, anti-CCP antibody(+) (50±15) years old, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (48±14) years old, RF(+)(48±13) years old, F=3.003, P=0.029], longer disease duration [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 50 (20, 126) months, anti-CCP antibody(+) 60(24, 150) months, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 89(35, 179) months, RF(+) 83(25, 160) months, H=22.001, P<0.01], more joint swelling counts (SJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2(0, 6), Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 5), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 7), RF(+) 2(0, 6), H=8.939, P=0.03] and tender joint counts (TJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 3(0, 8), anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 3(1, 9), RF(+) 2(0, 8), H=11.341, P=0.01] and the morning stiff time was longer [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 30(0, 60) min, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(0, 60) min, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 30(10, 60) min, RF(+) 30(10, 60) min, H=13.32, P<0.01]; ESR [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 17(9, 38) mm/1 h, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(10, 35) mm/1 h, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 26(14, 45) mm/1 h, RF(+) 28(14, 50) mm/1 h, H=37.084, P<0.01] and CRP [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2.3 (0.8, 15.9) mm/L, Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2.7(0.7, 12.1) mm/L, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 5.2(1.3, 17.2) mm/L, RF (+) 5.2(0.9, 16.2) mm/L, H=22.141, P<0.01] of the RF(+)patients were significantly higher than RF(-) patients, and RF(+) patients had higher disease severity(DAS28-ESR) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (4.0±1.8), anti-CCP antibody(+) (3.8±1.6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (4.3±1.8), RF(+) (4.1±1.7), F=7.269, P<0.01]. ③ The RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients were divided into 4 subgroups, and it was found that RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L patients had higher disease severity [RF-H anti-CCP antibody-H 4.3(2.9, 5.6), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-L 4.5(3.0, 5.7), RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L 4.9(3.1, 6.2), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-H 2.8(1.8, 3.9), H=20.374, P<0.01]. ④ After 3-month follow up, the clinical characteristics of the four groups were improved, but there was no significant difference in the improvement of the four groups, indicating that the RF and anti-CCP antibody status did not affect the remission within 3 months. Conclusion:Among RA patients, the disease activity of RA patients is closely related to RF and the RF(+) patients have more severe disease than RF(-) patients. Patients with higher RF titer also have more severe disease than that of patients with low RF titer. After 3 months of medication treatment, the antibody status does not affect the disease remission rate.

The fifth metacarpal neck fracture treated by closed reduction and intramedullary fixation with antegrade Kirschner wire plus rod rotation technique / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To assess the clinical effects of closed reduction and intramedullary fixation with antegrade Kirschner wire plus rod rotation technique in the treatment of the fifth metacarpal neck fracture.Methods:In this retrospective study, 26 patients with the fifth metacarpal neck fracture were treated by closed reduction and intramedullary fixation with antegrade Kirschner wire plus rod rotation technique at Department of Orthopaedics, Central Hospital of Karamay from August 2015 to October 2017. They were 23 males and 3 females, aged from 12 to 53 years with an average age of 25.2 years. In the intramedullary nailing, a Kirschner wire pre-bent by 10° to 15° was inserted from the base of the fifth metacarpal into the medullary canal before closed reduction. After satisfactory reduction was achieved, the Kirschner wire was inserted across the fracture site into the metacarpal head for further reduction and fixation using rod rotation technique. After operation, a plaster was applied to protect the fixation for 2 weeks. Functional exercise was started after removal of the plaster. The Kirschner wire was not removed under local anaesthesia at the outpatient department until about 10 to 16 weeks postoperation when X-ray showed fracture healing. Records of their operation time, head/shaft angle of the fifth affected metacarpal, active range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joints and Total Active Movement (TAM) of hand function at the last follow-up were collected.Results:Their operation time averaged 21 minutes (from 12 to 35 minutes). Anatomical reduction was achieved in 23 cases but not in 3 ones whose metacarpal head/shaft angle and alignment were obviously improved. Follow-ups for 6 to 29 months (average, 15.8 months) showed all the patients obtained solid fracture healing with no infection or delayed fracture healing. The head/shaft angle was improved significantly from preoperative 61.2°±11.2° to postoperative 14.7°±3.5° ( P<0.05) which was not significantly different from that of the healthy side (14.6°±1.7°)( P>0.05). The active range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint was 89.3°±4.2° after fixation removal, not significantly different from that of the healthy side (90.7°±1.5°) ( P>0.05). According to TAM scores at the last follow-up, 22 cases were rated as excellent, 3 as good and one as fair. Conclusion:In the treatment of the fifth metacarpal neck fracture, closed reduction and intramedullary fixation with antegrade Kirschner wire plus rod rotation technique is effective, because it is simple and limitedly invasive, and leads to limited complications, low costs and secondary reduction.

Changes and significance of serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein in children with traumatic brain injury complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To study the changes and significance of serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) in children with traumatic brain injury(TBI) complicaled with acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI). Methods A total of 95 children suffering from TBI hospitalized in the PICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to March 2018 were enrolled in the study. According to the modified Glasgow coma score combined with clinical classification criteria for acute closed head injury, the cases were devided into mild(43 cases),moderate (23 cases),and severe(29 cases). Children were gra-ded according to AGI (AGI Ⅰ42 cases,AGI Ⅱ 30 cases,AGI Ⅲ 13 cases,and AGI Ⅳ 10 cases). Thirty healthy children who underwent physical examination at outpatient service were enrolled as the control group. Blood samples were collected at the time of admission and on the 3rd day after admission. Serum IFABP was detected by ELISA,and the differences of serum IFABP concentrations were compared among groups. The correlations between IFABP with TBI classification and AGI grade were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn,and the predictive values of IFABP for the diagnosis of children with TBI complicated with AGI were evaluated. Results On the day of admission,the serum levels of IFABP in mild,moderate and severe brain injury group were significantly higher than that in control group (all P <0. 01). And serum IFABP concentration gradually increased with the increase of brain injury (all P < 0. 01).Serum IFABP levels in children with AGI grade Ⅰto Ⅳ were significantly higher than those in control group (all P < 0. 01). The levels of serum IFABP also increased with the increase of AGI level (all P < 0. 01). The concentration of serum IFABP was positively correlated with the grade of TBI and AGI (rs = 0. 82,P < 0. 01;rs = 0. 70,P < 0. 01). In each group,the levels of serum IFABP on the 3rd day after admission were lower than those on admission (all P < 0. 01). The ROC curve analysis showed that serum IFABP was of high diag-nostic value in children with TBI complicated with AGI,and the area under the ROC curve was 0. 88. When the cutoff value of IFABP was 431. 36 ng/ L,the sensitivity and specificity were 71. 61％ and 90. 00％ ,re-spectively. Conclusion Serum IFABP can be used as a sensitive indicator for the early diagnosis and disease assessment in children with TBI complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction.

The impact of infliximab on RANK/RANKL/OPG system in rheumatoid arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective Infliximab is a kind of recombinant human mouse chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody. Here we aimed to examine the impact of infliximab therapy on RANK/RANKL/OPG system in the peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Fifty patients with RA were rigorously screened and randomly divided into 2 groups. One group was treated with infliximab (3 mg/kg)and methotrexate (MTX). As control, the other group was treated with MTX alone. Infliximab was administered at weeks 0, 2, 6 and 14. The expression of RANK, RANKL mRNA in the peripheral blood, serum OPG and clinical indicators changes at week 0 and 18 were compared.x2-test or t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results After treated with infliximab, bone damage of joints were slowed down when examined by radiography in RA patients compared with the control group. And the ratio of OPG/RANKL was also decreased in RA peripheral blood (w0: 80.25;w 18: 63.2); (control group w0: 83.37; w18: 30.87)(P＞0.05). Although after the treatment with either MTX alone [w0: (238±15) pg/ml; w18: (118±10) pg/ml] or infliximab combined with MTX [(w0: (223.1±6.2) pg/ml; w18:(162.4±5.5) pg/ml], the serum levels of OPG were all decreased (P＞0.05), the level of OPG in infliximab treatment group was declined slower than those in the control group. Conclusion RA bone destruction can be inhibited by the combination therapy of infliximab and MTX. The mechanism may be partly through the RANK/RANKL/OPG system.

Experimental study on anti-tumor effect with Shenqi compound recipe / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To study the inhibitive effect of SQ on HcaF 16 A 3 cells in vivo.Methods:SQ was given to BALB/C mice after bearng tumors for 10 consecutive days.The therapeutic effect was determined by measurement to tumor weight?immunological function and morphological changes.Flowcytometry and electronic microscope were used to evaluate the distribution of cell cycle.Results:The inhibition rate was 65.68%,NK/M? activities and cytokine production were enhanced by SQ,cell cycle was stopped at the S phase.Necrosis could be seen nuder microscope and characteristic apoptotic body could be seen under electronic microscope.Conclusion:SQ had a significant anti tumor effect by regulate immune system and inhibit tumor cell proliferation.