A foot structure study of new arch flexibility grading system based on three-dimensional arch volume / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Different arch structures may cause different foot function injuries. In the past, the arch structure and flexibility of the foot were often defined by the height of the arch, and there was no three-dimensional (3D) structure classification method. In order to form a more complete 3D description, we propose a new classification system of arch volume flexibility (AVF), and then use this new classification system to investigate the relationship between the AVF and arch index (AI), and the arch height flexibility (AHF) and AI, respectively.@*METHODS@#It is proposed to recruit 180 young male adults for the test. We obtained arch volume and AI through 3D scanning and obtained the navicular height through manual measurement. Based on these data, we calculated the AHF and the AVF. Using the quintile method, these arches are divided into very stiff, stiff, neutral, flexible, and very flexible. According to AI value, all arches were divided into cavus, rectus, and planus. The distribution of AVF was compared using χ2 goodness of fit test. The spearman correlation test was used to compare the AHF and AVF. A p < 0.05 indicates that the difference is statistically significant.@*RESULTS@#All participants' plantar data was obtained through 3D scanning, but only 159 of them were complete, so only 318 feet had valid data. The left AHF is (21.23 ± 12.91) mm/kN, and the right AHF is (21.71 ± 12.69) mm/kN. The AVF of the left foot arch is (207.35 ± 118.28) mm3/kg, while the right one is (203.00 ± 117.92) mm3/kg, and the total AVF of the arch was (205.17 ± 117.94) mm3/kg. There was no statistical difference in the AVF between the left and right feet for the same participant (n = 159, p = 0.654). In cavus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 21.4% (very stiff), 21.4% (stiff), 14.3% (neutral), 7.1% (flexible), and 35.7% (very flexible). In rectus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 23.9% (very stiff), 19.6% (stiff), 14.7% (neutral), 24.5% (flexible), and 17.2% (very flexible). In planus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 14.9% (very stiff), 20.6% (stiff), 27.0% (neutral), 16.3% (flexible), and 21.3% (very flexible). Moreover, the correlation between AHF and AVF is not significant (p = 0.060).@*CONCLUSION@#In cavus, rectus, and planus, different AVF accounts different percentage, but the difference is not statistically significant. AVF is evenly distributed in the arches of the feet at different heights. We further found the relationship between AHF and AVF is not significant. As a 3D index, AVF may be able to describe the flexibility of the arch more comprehensively than AHF.

Long-term survival of gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN), which consists of neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components, is quite rare. Until now, most data on gastric MiNEN come from clinical cases, without large-scale retrospective studies or controlled clinical trials. Consequently, no consensus regarding the origin, molecular characteristics, or appropriate treatment of MiNEN has been reached so far. We conducted chemotherapy of irinotecan plus cisplatin (IP regimen) and surgery in two patients with gastric MiNEN, which had never been used in treating this kind of tumor, leading to their long-term survival for more than 3 and 7 years, respectively. CASE SUMMARY: We present two patients (one male and one female) with gastric MiNEN, with the primary manifestation of recurrent upper abdominal pain. After they were referred to our hospital, a diagnosis of gastric MiNEN was defined with the help of CT scan, and histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations on the samples of gastrointestinal endoscopy or radical surgery. The male patient (case 1) were found to have metastases in the reginal lymph nodes and the left liver. He received four cycles of IP regimens first, then the gastrectomy and partial left liver resection, followed by additional two cycles of IP chemotherapy. The female patient (case 2) underwent a laparoscopic gastrectomy, and received six cycles of IP regimen. She was found to have metastatic lesions in the right lung 2 years after that, and underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) of the lower lobe of the right lung. The two patients have now survived for more than 3 years and 7 years, respectively, without any evidence of recurrence or metastases. CONCLUSION: IP regimen, combined with curative-intent surgery if feasible, could be considered as the priority in the choice of front-line chemotherapy for gastric MiNEN.

Development of an isotopic stream index connecting physiographic characteristics of montane catchments.

This study is to develop an isotopic catchment-effect index (CEI) connecting the physiographic characteristics of stream catchments. A CEI, describing the extent of difference in stable water isotopic compositions (δ values) between stream water and local precipitation at any given sampling site, can help in judging whether water resource management should be focused on upstream regions of streams or local hydrology issues. To establish the isotopic CEI, this study measured δ values of stream water and derived δ18 O of local precipitation based on regional isotopic altitude gradient at montane catchments of various sizes. Results indicate that the CEI is strongly related to catchment physiographic characteristics, such as length of main stream, mean area, mean elevation, perimeter, and slope. These characteristics are considered important indices of streamflow. Based on mathematical regression modeling describing the relationships between CEI and respective physiographic factors, CEI values can predict respective physiographic factors and vice versa. Moreover, according to the multiple equations derived in this study, catchments of larger size and steeper slope give elevated CEI values while greater stream length reduces the CEI's value. A greater CEI value indicates that local stream water is principally sourced from upstream reaches rather than contributions from local precipitation. In addition, CEI values are greater in winter than in summer resulting from monsoon effect. Consequently, this study establishes CEI as a useful descriptor of the physiographic characteristics of catchments.