Efficacy of tibial cortex transverse transport in treating diabetic foot ulcer and its effect on serum omentin-1 and irisin levels.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common and debilitating complication of diabetes that is associated with an increased risk of lower-limb amputation and a reduced life expectancy. Tibial cortex transverse transport (TTT) has become a newly alternative surgical method to facilitate ulcer healing and prevent lower limb amputation. Herein, we investigated the efficacy of TTT in treating DFU and changes of serum omentin-1 and irisin levels. METHODS: This study prospectively recruited 52 consecutive patients with DFU who were treated with TTT. The follow-up was performed weekly during the first 12 weeks postoperatively and every 3 months until 1 year after TTT. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), omentin-1, and irisin in DFU patients undergoing TTT were determined by ELISA methods on the preoperative 1st day, postoperative 2nd week and 4th week. RESULTS: The wound healing rate was 92.3% (48/52) at the 1-year follow-up. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores of patients showed a significant reduction at the 4th week after TTT (p < 0.001). The dorsal foot skin temperature, ankle brachial index, and dorsal foot blood flow of patients were significantly increased at the 4th week after TTT (p < 0.001). Results of ELISA methods showed the serum levels of VEGF, omentin-1, and irisin on the 2nd week and 4th week after TTT were notably elevated compared to the levels determined on the preoperative 1st day (p < 0.001). The serum levels of VEGF, omentin-1, and irisin on the 4th week after TTT were also significantly higher than the levels determined on the 2nd week after TTT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TTT could promote the wound healing and reduce the risk of lower limb amputation, demonstrating promising clinical benefits in the treatment of DFU. Increased expressions of serum proangiogenic factors including VEGF, omentin-1, and irisin were noted in the early stage after TTT, which may provide a new mechanism of TTT promoting wound heal.

Direct Anterior Approach in Lateral Decubitus Position Versus Supine Position for Unilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of the direct anterior approach in lateral decubitus position (L-DAA) and supine position (S-DAA) for unilateral total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 89 patients who underwent primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty in our department between August 2016 and December 2017. There were 46 patients who underwent L-DAA and 43 patients who underwent S-DAA. The body mass index (BMI), operation time, blood loss, preoperative Hb, first day and third day postoperative Hb, incision length, hospital stay, preoperative and postoperative Harris score, preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, radiological evaluation, intraoperative and postoperative complication, postoperative absolute length difference of lower extremity were recorded and analyzed. P < 0.05 was set as the significant difference. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 8-23 months, with an average of 15.6 months. No significant differences were found in preoperative and postoperative Harris scores, preoperative Hb, incision lengths, radiological evaluations, preoperative and postoperative VAS scores, and hospital stay (P > 0.05). However, significant differences were detected in BMI, blood loss, first day and third day postoperative Hb, and operation time (P < 0.05). There were no postoperative complications in the L-DAA and S-DAA groups. During the operation, two cases of proximal femoral fracture occurred in the L-DAA group, four in the S-DAA group, and the difference was statistically significant. There were significant differences found in the postoperative absolute length difference of lower extremity between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Compared with the S-DAA approach, the L-DAA approach had the advantages of shorter operation time and less blood loss. Compared with S-DAA, it was easier to expose the proximal femur, and lower BMI was required in L-DAA. However, it was more difficult to compare the length of both lower extremities in the L-DAA approach than in the S-DAA approach.

CPEB1 Expression Correlates with Severity of Posttraumatic Ankle Osteoarthritis and Aggravates Catabolic Effect of IL-1ß on Chondrocytes.

Most cases of posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis (PTAOA) represent a sequela of ankle fractures. The cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 1 (CPEB1) is an RNA binding protein that controls protein expression. Here, we report the previously unappreciated association of CPEB1 with PTAOA. We found that CPEB1 was upregulated in articular cartilage from patients with PTAOA. Additionally, its expression level positively correlated with disease severity. In human primary chondrocytes cultured in vitro, CPEB1 was upregulated when treated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, i.e., IL-1ß and TNF-α, suggesting that the observed CPEB1 upregulation in articular cartilage of PTAOA patients may be attributed to local inflammatory milieu. Functionally, CPEB1 overexpression aggravated the catabolic effect of IL-1ß on chondrocytes in vitro, and vice versa, its knockdown reduced this effect, together implying a detrimental role of CPEB1 involved in OA progression. In sum, our study identifies CPEB1 as a potential regulator of disease progression of PTAOA.

[ANTERIOR APPROACH DEBRIDEMENT AND BONE GRAFTING WITH SELF-LOCKED TITANIUM PLATE INTERNAL FIXATION FOR TREATING LUMBOSACRAL TUBERCULOSIS].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of stage I anterior approach debridement and autologous iliac crest graft with single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation for the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis. METHODS: Seven cases of lumbosacral tuberculosis were treated by stage I anterior approach debridement, autologous iliac crest graft, and single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation between February 2010 and October 2014. There were 5 males and 2 females, aged 18-65 years (mean, 41.6 years). The disease duration was 5-21 months (mean, 8 months). The patients had signs and symptoms of pain in lumbosacral region, radiating pain in unilateral lower limb or bilateral lower limbs, decreased muscular strength and disorders of superficial sensation. According to Frankel classification for spinal injury, 1 case was rated as grade C, 3 cases as grade D, and 3 cases as grade E. Preoperative imaging examination suggested L5, S1 lesions in line with the manifestations of tuberculosis; the lumbosacral angle was 16.4-28.5° (mean, 18.6°). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 28-105 mm/1 hour (mean, 61 mm/1 hour). All patients received 4-drug antituberculosis therapy. RESULTS: All patients underwent the operation successfully and all incisions healed at stage I, without relevant complication. All patients were followed up 14-70 months (mean, 25.6 months). All symptoms of tuberculosis disappeared and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate returned to normal. At last follow-up, Frankel classification was returned to E from D in 3 cases, returned to D from C in 1 case. Two cases suffered from pains in the lumbosacral region and at the donor site, 1 case suffered from upper abdominal discomfort and poor appetite,but these symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. At last follow-up, X-ray examination indicated that the lumbosacral angle was 23.4-34.2° (mean, 28.6°). According to Bridwell criteria, 5 cases gained grade I bone fusion, and 2 cases gained grade II bone fusion, without migration of bone graft, or loosening or breakage of titanium plate or bolt. CONCLUSIONS: Stage I anterior approach debridement and autologous iliac crest graft with single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation is safe and effective in treating lumbosacral tuberculosis. It can achieve good bone fusion and stable lumbosacral stability, and maintain good deformity correction.

[Surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis with multi-segment lumbar spinal stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical indications, decompression and fusion method, and fusion level selection of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and multi-segment lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: Between April 2000 and November 2011, 46 cases of DLS and multi-segment lumbar spinal stenosis were treated with multi-level decompression by fenestration and crept enlargement plus internal fixation by interbody and posterior-lateral bone graft fusion (5 segments or above). Of 46 cases, 25 were male and 21 were female, with a mean age of 70.2 years (range, 65-81 years) and with a mean disease duration of 6.4 years (range, 4 years and 6 months to 13 years). X-ray films showed that the lumbar Cobb angle was (26.7 ± 10.0) degrees, and the lumbar lordotic angle was (20.3 ± 8.8)degrees. The lumbar CT and MRI images showed three-segment stenosis in 24 cases, four-segment stenosis in 17 cases, and five-segment stenosis in 5 cases. A total of 165 stenosed segments included 12 L1,2, 34 L2,3, 43 L3,4, 45 L4,5, and 31 L5 and S1. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score (29 points) were employed to evaluate effectiveness. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had leakage of cerebrospinal fluid during operation, and no infection was found after corresponding treatment; pulmonary infection and urinary system infection occurred in 4 and 2 patients respectively, who relieved after received antibiotic therapy; 8 patients with poor wound healing received dressing change, adequate drainage, debridement and suture. No death, paralysis, central nervous system infection, or other complication was observed in these patients. Forty-six cases were followed up 12-72 months (mean, 36.2 months). Lumbago and backache and intermittent claudication of lower extremity were obviously improved. During follow-up, no screw incising, loosening and broken screws, or pseudarthrosis was noted under X-ray film and CT scanning. At last follow-up, the lumbar Cobb angle was reduced to (9.8 ± 3.6) degrees, while the lumbar lordotic angle was increased to (34.1 ± 9.4) degrees, which were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (t = 16.935, P = 0.000; t = 15.233, P = 0.000). At last follow-up, VAS, ODI, and JOA scores were 3.2 ± 1.2, 35.5% ± 14.0%, and 26.6 ± 5.7 respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (8.0 ± 2.2, 60.8% ± 13.3%, and 12.9 ± 3.4) (t = 19.857, P = 0.000; t = 16.642, P = 0.000; t = 15.922, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Multi-segment decompression by fenestration and crept enlargement plus internal fixation by interbody and posterior-lateral bone graft fusion is helpful to relieve nerve compression symptoms, rebuild spinal balance, and improve the life quality of the patients. It is a very effective way to treat DLS and multi-segment lumbar spinal stenosis.