Anterolateral thigh flow-through flap: A versatile method for reconstruction of complex extremity defects.

BACKGROUND: Flow-through flaps have been widely applied only for the reconstruction of complex defects in the extremities because they can be used for arterial reconstruction and soft tissue coverage simultaneously. This report attempts to fully demonstrate the role of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flow-through flap as a versatile method for reconstructing complex defects in the extremities. METHODS: From February 2011 to March 2017, we retrospectively analyzed the use of a reconstructive surgical technique based on the ALT flow-through flap to treat complex extremity defects in 87 patients (trauma, n = 79; diabetic ulcers, n = 5; squamous cell carcinoma, n = 3). Emergency surgery was performed in 12 patients to bridge a major artery gap and was followed by elective reconstruction in the remaining patients. Applications of the ALT flow-through flap included bridging major artery gaps, preserving recipient blood vessel integrity, reconstructing blood vessel continuity, protecting vascular anastomoses, avoiding difficult end-to-side anastomoses in the recipient area, and balancing blood flow, as well as combined application with an additional flap. RESULTS: The flap size ranged from 6 × 3 cm to 17 × 9 cm. ALT flow-through flaps were used in combination with an additional flap (n = 4) and in vascular reconstruction (n = 83). Three patients required of the microvascular anastomostic reexploration for venous congestion, total necrosis occurred in two patients, and partial necrosis occurred in one patient. At the donor site, there were three cases of infection and two cases of wound dehiscence. At the recipient site, one case of infection and two cases of wound dehiscence were observed. One patient presented with deep infection secondary to renal failure and underwent amputation. During the follow-up period (range, 1-33 months), all other flaps (84 cases) survived uneventfully, with normal texture and color. CONCLUSION: The ALT flow-through flap plays many roles as it is a versatile method for reconstructing complex defects of the extremities and serves various other clinical purposes.

Pretreatment drug resistance in people living with HIV: A large retrospective cohort study in Chongqing, China.

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) caused by increased usage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) represents a significant challenge to HIV management. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of PDR in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Chongqing, China. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of 1110 ART-naïve PLWH in Chongqing from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021. HIV-1 genotypes and drug resistance were analyzed using the HIV-1 pol sequence. Risk factors associated with PDR were evaluated via the logistic regression model. RESULTS: Nine genotypes were detected among 1110 participants, with CRF07_BC (55.68%) being the dominant genotype, followed by CRF01_AE (21.44%), CRF08_BC (14.14%), and other genotypes (8.74%). Of all the participants, 24.14% exhibited drug resistance mutations (DRMs). The predominant DRMs for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were V179D/E/A/DIN (13.60%) and M184V/I (1.44%), respectively, whereas only two major DRMs (M46L and I54L) were identified for protease inhibitors (PIs). The total prevalence of PDR was 10.54%, with 2.43%, 7.66%, and 1.71% participants exhibiting PDR to NRTIs, NNRTIs, and PIs, respectively. Furthermore, female PLWH, delays in ART initiation, and the CRF08_BC genotype were associated with a higher risk of PDR. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the first large cohort data on the prevalence of PDR in Chongqing, China. HIV-1 genotypes are diverse and complex, with a moderate level of PDR, which does not reach the threshold for the initiation of a public health response. Nevertheless, continuous surveillance of PDR is both useful and advisable.

Reconstruction of massive tibial bone and soft tissue defects by trifocal bone transport combined with soft tissue distraction: experience from 31 cases.

BACKGROUND: Large post-traumatic tibial bone defects combined with soft tissue defects are a common orthopedic clinical problem associated with poor outcomes when treated using traditional surgical methods. The study was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of trifocal bone transport (TFT) and soft-tissue transport with the Ilizarov technique for large posttraumatic tibial bone and soft tissue defects. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients with massive posttraumatic tibial bone and soft tissue defects from May 2009 to May 2016. All of the eligible patients were managed by TFT and soft-tissue transport. The median age was 33.4 years (range, 2-58 years). The mean defect of bone was 11.87 cm ± 2.78 cm (range, 8.2-18.2 cm) after radical resection performed by TFT. The soft tissue defects ranged from 7 cm × 8 cm to 24 cm × 12 cm. The observed results included bone union time, wound close time and true complications. The Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) scoring system was used to assess bone and functional results and postoperative complications were evaluated by Paley classification. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up after frame removal was 32 months (range, 12-96 months). All cases achieved complete union in both the elongation sites and the docking sites, and eradication of infection. The mean bone transport time was 94.04 ± 23.33 days (range, 63.7-147 days). The mean external fixation time was 22.74 ± 6.82 months (range, 14-37 months), and the mean external fixation index (EFI) was 1.91 ± 0.3 months/cm (range, 1.2-2.5 months/cm). The bone results were excellent in 6 patients, good in 14 patients, fair in 8 patients and poor in 3 patients. The functional results were excellent in 8 patients, good in 15 patients, fair in 5 patients and poor in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: TFT, in conjunction with soft tissue transport technique, can give good results in most patients (in this article, good and excellent results were observed in 64% of patients). Soft tissue transport is a feasible method in providing good soft tissue coverage on the bone ends. Although it has no advantages over microvascular techniques, it might be an good alternative in the absence of an experienced flap surgeon. Nonetheless, high-quality controlled studies are needed to assess its long-term safety and efficacy.

TRPV4 is involved in levonorgestrel-induced reduction in oviduct ciliary beating.

Previous studies revealed the increasing risk of tubal pregnancy following failure of levonorgestrel (LNG)-induced emergency contraception, which was attributed to the reduced ciliary motility in response to LNG. However, understanding of the mechanism of LNG-induced reduction in the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) is limited. The transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 4 channel is located widely in the female reproductive tract and generates an influx of Ca2+ following its activation under normal physiological conditions, which regulates the CBF. The present study aimed to explore whether LNG reduced the CBF in the Fallopian tubes by modulating TRPV4 channels, leading to embryo retention in the Fallopian tubes and subsequent tubal pregnancy. The study provided evidence that the expression of TRPV4 was downregulated in the Fallopian tubes among patients with tubal pregnancy and negatively correlated with the serum level of progesterone. LNG downregulated the expression of TRPV4, limiting the calcium influx to reduce the CBF in mouse oviducts. Furthermore, the distribution of ciliated cells and the morphology of cilia did not change following the administration of LNG. LNG-induced reduction in the CBF and embryo retention in the Fallopian tubes and in mouse oviducts were partially reversed by the progesterone receptor antagonist RU486 or the TRPV4 agonist 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD). The results indicated that LNG could downregulate the expression of TRPV4 to reduce the CBF in both humans and mice, suggesting the possible mechanism of tubal pregnancy. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Effects of Levonorgestrel and progesterone on Oviductal physiology in mammals.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study indicated that emergency contraception, including levonorgestrel and progesterone, could lead to ectopic pregnancy following contraception failure. However, our understanding of the effects of levonorgestrel and progesterone on oviductal physiology is limited. METHODS: The receptivity of the fallopian tubal epithelium after levonorgestrel and progesterone treatment was examined through western blots for receptivity markers and JAr-spheroid-fallopian tubal epithelial cell attachment assays. The ciliary beat frequency was analyzed using an inverted bright-field microscope. Furthermore, an in vivo animal model of embryo-tubal transplantation was also studied to determine the effects of levonorgestrel- and progesterone-induced ciliary beat reduction. RESULTS: Our results showed that levonorgestrel and progesterone did not change the levels of fallopian tubal epithelial cell receptive markers, including LIF, STAT3, IGFBP1, ITGB3, MUC1, and ACVR1B, or affect JAr-spheroid implantation. However, levonorgestrel and progesterone reduced the ciliary beat frequency in fallopian tubes in a dose-dependent manner. An in vivo model also showed that levonorgestrel and progesterone could lead to embryo retention in the oviducts. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that levonorgestrel and progesterone can reduce the ciliary beat frequency without altering receptivity, indicating a possible mechanism for progesterone- or levonorgestrel-induced tubal pregnancy.

Staphylococcus Aureus Induces Osteoclastogenesis via the NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND Osteomyelitis is one of the refractory diseases encountered in orthopedics, while Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the most common causative organism in osteomyelitis. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the bone loss caused by S. aureus infection have not been well defined. Here, we investigated the effect of S. aureus on osteoclast differentiation and the probable molecular mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS RAW 264.7 cells were treated for 5 days with live S. aureus, inactivated S. aureus, and S. aureus filtrate. Then, the formation of osteoclast-like cells and resorption pits was observed, and the expression of osteoclast-specific genes (TRAP, MMP-9, cathepsin K, CTR and Atp6v0d2) was detected by real-time PCR. Moreover, key proteins in the signaling pathway associated with osteoclast differentiation were detected with Western blot. RESULTS The data showed that live S. aureus, inactivated S. aureus, and S. aureus filtrate induced osteoclast formation, promoted bone resorption, and increased the expression of osteoclast-specific genes in a dose-dependent manner in the absence RANKL. In addition, we found that the S. aureus-induced osteoclastogenesis was related to the degradation of IκB-a, phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, and increased expression of NFATc1. Thus, we used JSH-23 to inhibit NF-κB transcriptional activity. The effect of the S. aureus-induced osteoclastogenesis and the expression of osteoclast-specific genes and NFATc1 were inhibited, which indicated that the NF-κB signaling pathway plays a role in S. aureus-induced osteoclastogenesis. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that S. aureus induces osteoclastogenesis through its cell wall compound and secretion of small soluble molecules, and the NF-κB signaling pathway plays a role in this process.

Reconstruction of Moderate-Sized Hand Defects Using a Superficial Lateral Sural Artery Perforator Flap.

BACKGROUND: The skin on the lower leg has abundant perforators and, thus, is an excellent donor site for transplant tissue flaps. However, due to vascular variations and body positions, tissue flaps at the posterolateral proximal portion of the lower leg are rarely used for transplantation. This study reports our experience with the use of superficial lateral sural artery perforator (SLSAP) flaps in the repair of moderate-sized hand wounds. METHODS: From March 2012 to April 2015, the hand wounds of 15 patients were planned for repair using a superficial sural artery perforator flap. In total, 6 patients had a defect in the palm of the hand, 5 in the dorsum of the hand, and 3 in the finger; 1 patient sustained a contracture of the first web space. RESULTS: In 12 of the 15 cases, an SLSAP flap was successfully harvested. In the remaining 3 cases, the planned harvest of an SLSAP flap was converted to the harvest of a superficial medial sural artery perforator flap during the operation. The flaps ranged in area from 1.8 × 3.8 cm to 5.5 × 6.5 cm. Primary suture of the donor site was performed in all cases. Dissection of the muscular tissue was avoided. After the operation, venous crisis occurred in 1 case, and a partial area of necrosis developed at the distal end in 1 case. The flap survived in all other cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience showed that the SLSAP flap is suitable for reconstruction of moderate-sized hand defects.

The Role of the Distal Runoff Vessel of the Descending Branch of the Lateral Circumflex Femoral System in Anterolateral Thigh Flap Surgery: A Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: As a distal portion of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral system (LCFS), the role of the distal runoff vessel in anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap surgery has long been overlooked. Recently, however, the distal runoff vessel has been increasingly used in many aspects of ALT flap surgery, and it has exhibited superior properties in solving some difficult problems. METHODS: Fourteen ALT flaps using the distal runoff vessel of the descending branch of the LCFS for extremity defects were retrospectively reviewed, and recent reports on using the distal runoff vessel were reviewed to determine the role of this vessel in ALT flap surgery. RESULTS: In our series, the distal runoff vessel was used as a flow-through pattern in 10 cases, as a recombined chimeric flap in 2 cases, and as a backup vessel for flap salvage in 2 cases. All of the ALT flaps completely survived. None of the donor sites presented with additional morbidity as a result of harvesting the distal runoff vessel. In the literature review, the following are 5 other options for using the distal runoff vessel: in interposition artery and vein grafts, as the pedicle of the reverse-flow ALT flap, as the recipient vessel, to avoid twisting, and as a monitoring method. CONCLUSIONS: The distal runoff vessel of the descending branch of the LCFS could be used for many aspects of the ALT flap surgery, and this vessel plays an irreplaceable role in some difficult reconstruction surgeries.

Post Traumatic Reconstruction of the Pediatric Heel and Achilles Tendon: A Review of Pedicle Flap Options in 31 Motorcycle Spoke Trauma Patients.

Severe motorcycle spoke injuries of the heel lead to Achilles tendon defects, calcaneal tubercle exposure or loss, and overlying soft tissue defects, which are challenging to treat. Given the special physiological and developmental characteristics of children, severe spoke injuries of the heel in children are especially troublesome.We report details of 31 cases of severe motorcycle spoke injuries of the heel in children. The reconstruction timing depended on the time since injury, systematic conditions, and concurrent injuries. Eighteen cases were reconstructed at the time of emergency surgery, and 13 cases underwent delayed reconstruction. Appropriate flap transfer and Achilles tendon repair were conducted based on the defect size of the Achilles tendon, the main location of the soft tissue defect, and the distal residues of the Achilles tendon.Of the 31 cases, 16 cases were reconstructed with sliding gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flaps, 7 cases had saphenous neurocutaneous flaps, 4 cases had posterior tibial perforator flaps, 3 cases had sural neurocutaneous flaps, and 1 case was repaired with a peroneal artery perforator flap. All flaps healed uneventfully except for 3 cases of flap partial necrosis and 1 case of local infection of the Achilles tendon. During 6 months to 4 years of follow-up, dorsiflexion of the ankle was obviously limited at first but gradually recovered and enabled normal walking. However, due to the possibilities of calcaneal defects, epiphyseal injuries, and Achilles tendon problems, long-term follow-up is indicated.

Enzymatic hydrolysis optimization of Paphia undulata and lymphocyte proliferation activity of the isolated peptide fractions.

BACKGROUND: The immune system is important in preventing and controlling various infectious diseases. Immunoactive peptides derived from food proteins could exert immunomodulatory activity without side effects. Paphia undulata with high-protein is suitable for the production of immunoactive peptides. The objective of this study was to optimize the hydrolysis parameters to maximize the immune activity of hydrolysates from Paphia undulata. RESULTS: Hydrolysis parameters, including temperature, time and the ratio of alkaline protease to Paphia undulata meat (E/S), were optimized by response surface methodology with a central composite design. The optimum conditions were obtained as follows: temperature, 51 °C; time, 3.14 h; E/S, 4,321 U g(-1) (Paphia undulata meat). Furthermore, hydrolysates obtained under the optimum conditions were fractionated by ultrafiltration and gel filtration on a Sephadex G-25 column. After two-step isolation, the isolated fractions (P2 and P3) including the peptides Pro-His-Thr-Cys, Val-Gly-Try-Thr, Glu-Phe, Leu-Phe, and Glu-Gly-Ala-Lys, Trp-Ile or Trp-Leu, respectively, could significantly enhance lymphocyte proliferation ability. CONCLUSION: These results showed that response surface methodology and two-step separation were efficient for recovery of low-molecular-weight peptides with high spleen lymphocyte proliferation activity, and the isolated fractions of Paphia undulata hydrolysates are potential ingredients for development of functional foods.

Traumatic Forefoot Reconstructions With Free Perforator Flaps.

The forefoot is critical to normal walking; thus, any reconstruction of forefoot defects, including the soft tissues, must be carefully done. The free perforator flap, with its physiologic circulation, lower donor site morbidity, and minimal thickness is the most popular technique in plastic and microsurgery, and is theoretically the most suitable for such forefoot reconstruction. However, these flaps are generally recognized as more difficult and time-consuming to create than other flaps. In 41 patients with traumatic forefoot defects, we reconstructed the forefoot integument using 5 types of free perforator flaps. The overall functional and cosmetic outcomes were excellent. Three flaps required repeat exploration; one survived. The most common complications were insufficient perfusion and the need for second debulking. The key to our success was thoroughly debriding devitalized bone and soft tissue before attaching the flap. Forefoot reconstruction with a free perforator flap provides better function, better cosmesis, better weightbearing, and better gait than the other flaps we have used.

Rapid and sensitive detection of human astrovirus in water samples by loop-mediated isothermal amplification with hydroxynaphthol blue dye.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to develop a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method for rapid, sensitive and inexpensive detection of astrovirus. RESULTS: The detection limit of LAMP using in vitro RNA transcripts was 3.6 × 10 copies·µL⁻¹, which is as sensitive as the presently used PCR assays. However, the LAMP products could be identified as different colors with the naked eye following staining with hydroxynaphthol blue dye (HNB). No cross-reactivity with other gastroenteric viruses (rotavirus and norovirus) was observed, indicating the relatively high specificity of LAMP. The RT-LAMP method with HNB was used to effectively detect astrovirus in reclaimed water samples. CONCLUSIONS: The LAMP technique described in this study is a cheap, sensitive, specific and rapid method for the detection of astrovirus. The RT-LAMP method can be simply applied for the specific detection of astrovirus and has the potential to be utilized in the field as a screening test.

Implant-related infection in the tibia: surgical revision strategy with vancomycin cement.

The development of a deep wound infection in the presence of internal hardware presents a clinical dilemma. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of vancomycin cement with other advances of surgical techniques for implant-related infection (IRI) in the tibia. This study included 217 consecutive patients who had sustained IRI of the tibia. Of them, 152 patients had soft tissue defects and the internal hardware was exposed. Repeated debridement and negative pressure assisted closure were used. All the infected internal hardware was removed. External fixations and flaps were used. Custom-made vancomycin cement was inserted into the dead space of the wounds and left in site for a month. The follow-up was from 12 months to 108 months, averaging 37.5 months. For all the 217 patients, the general osteomyelitis healing rate and bone union rate were 86.6% and 97.2%, respectively. This study shows high rates of healing of IRI in the tibia if the new advances of surgery could be effectively combined into the treatment strategy with vancomycin cement as an important treatment.

Clinical application of digital technology in the use of anterolateral thigh lobulated perforator flaps to repair complex soft tissue defects of the limbs.

Background: It is challenging to repair wide or irregular defects with traditional skin flaps, and anterolateral thigh (ALT) lobulated perforator flaps are an ideal choice for such defects. However, there are many variations in perforators, so good preoperative planning is very important. This study attempted to explore the feasibility and clinical effect of digital technology in the use of ALT lobulated perforator flaps for repairing complex soft tissue defects in limbs. Methods: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed on 28 patients with complex soft tissue defects of the limbs, and the CTA data were imported into Mimics 20.0 software in DICOM format. According to the perforation condition of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the size of the limb defect, one thigh that had two or more perforators from the same source vessel was selected for 3D reconstruction of the ALT lobulated perforator flap model. Mimics 20.0 software was used to visualize the vascular anatomy, virtual design and harvest of the flap before surgery. The intraoperative design and excision of the ALT lobulated perforator flap were guided by the preoperative digital design, and the actual anatomical observations and measurements were recorded. Results: Digital reconstruction was successfully performed in all patients before surgery; this reconstruction dynamically displayed the anatomical structure of the flap vasculature and accurately guided the design and harvest of the flap during surgery. The parameters of the harvested flaps were consistent with the preoperative parameters. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients, but all flaps survived uneventfully. All of the donor sites were closed directly. All patients were followed up for 13-27 months (mean, 19.75 months). The color and texture of each flap were satisfactory and each donor site exhibited a linear scar. Conclusions: Digital technology can effectively and precisely assist in the design and harvest of ALT lobulated perforator flaps, provide an effective approach for individualized evaluation and flap design and reduce the risk and difficulty of surgery.

EEG microstate analysis reveals large-scale brain network alterations in depressed adolescents with suicidal ideation.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence showed abnormalities in brain network connectivity in depressive individuals with suicidal ideation (SI). We aimed to investigate the large-scale brain network dynamics in adolescents with SI and major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: We recruited 47 first-episode drug-naïve adolescents with MDD and SI, 26 depressed adolescents without SI (noSI), and 26 age-matched healthy controls (HC). The Columbia Suicidal Ideation Severity Scale (C-SSRS) was utilized to assess suicide ideation. We acquired 64-channel resting-state EEG recordings from all subjects and used microstate analysis to investigate the large-scale brain network dynamics. RESULTS: We observed a significant reduction in the occurrence and coverage of microstate B within the SI group when contrasted with the noSI group. Conversely, there was a significant increase in the occurrence and coverage of microstate A in the SI group as compared to the HC group. Additionally, we observed heightened transition probabilities from microstates D and C to microstate A in the SI group; meanwhile, transitions from microstate D to B were more prevalent in the noSI group. Furthermore, the noSI group exhibited a significant decline in the transition probabilities from microstate D to microstate C. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature limits the capacity to determine whether microstate dynamics have prognostic significance for SI. CONCLUSION: We provided evidence that depressed adolescents with SI have a distinct pattern in microstate dynamics compared to those without SI. These findings suggest that microstate dynamics might serve as a potential neurobiomarker for identifying SI in depressed adolescents.

Staphylococcal protein A, Panton-Valentine leukocidin and coagulase aggravate the bone loss and bone destruction in osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Osteomyelitis is a debilitating infectious disease of the bone which is predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the S. aureus virulence factors, i.e. protein A (SpA), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and coagulase (Coa) on osteomyelitis. METHODS: The effect of SpA, PVL and Coa on osteoblasts was studied through the following aspects including osteoblast proliferation, apoptosis, bone formation, bone mineralization and RANK-L expression. S. aureus overexpressing PVL, SpA or Coa was constructed and used to study the role of PVL, SpA and Coa, respectively. S. aureus silencing PVL, SpA or Coa was also constructed and used for reversing verification. Osteoblast proliferation was detected by MTT tetrazolium dye reduction assay. Apoptosis was determined by Annexin V-FITC staining. The levels of pro-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 3, pro-caspase 9 and cleaved-caspase 9 were detected by western blot. Bone formation markers including collagen I, osteopontin and osteocalcin were detected by real time RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured by adding p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a phosphatase substrate. Von kossa stain and alizarin red stain were applied for determining phosphate and calcium deposition, respectively. The RANK-L expression was tested by ELISA. RESULTS: PVL, SpA and Coa inhibited osteoblast proliferation, induced osteoblast apotosis, prohibited bone formation and mineralization and upregulated RANK-L expression. CONCLUSIONS: PVL, SpA and Coa play a critical role on bone loss and bone destruction of osteomyelitis.

Foot and ankle reconstruction: an experience on the use of 14 different flaps in 226 cases.

The aim of this report was to present our experience on the use of different flaps for soft tissue reconstruction of the foot and ankle. From 2007 to 2012, the soft tissue defects of traumatic injuries of the foot and ankle were reconstructed using 14 different flaps in 226 cases (162 male and 64 female). There were 62 pedicled flaps and 164 free flaps used in reconstruction. The pedicled flaps included sural flap, saphenous flap, dorsal pedal neurocutaneous flap, pedicled peroneal artery perforator flap, pedicled tibial artery perforator flap, and medial plantar flap. The free flaps were latissimus musculocutaneous flap, anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap, groin flap, lateral arm flap, anterolateral thigh perforator flap, peroneal artery perforator flap, thoracdorsal artery perforator flap, medial arm perforator flap. The sensory nerve coaptation was not performed for all of flaps. One hundred and ninety-four cases were combined with open fractures. One hundred and sixty-two cases had tendon. Among 164 free flaps, 8 flaps were completely lost, in which the defects were managed by the secondary procedures. Among the 57 flaps for plantar foot coverage (25 pedicled flaps and 32 free flaps), ulcers were developed in 5 pedicled flaps and 6 free flaps after weight bearing, and infection was found in 14 flaps. The donor site complications were seen in 3 cases with the free anterolateral thigh perforator flap transfer. All of limbs were preserved and the patients regained walking and daily activities. All of patients except for one regained protective sensation from 3 to 12 months postoperatively. Our experience showed that the sural flap and saphenous flap could be good options for the coverage of the defects at malleolus, dorsal hindfoot and midfoot. Plantar foot, forefoot and large size defects could be reconstructed with free anterolateral thigh perforator flap. For the infected wounds with dead spce, the free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap remained to be the optimal choice.

Serum vitamin D status in a cohort of infants with food protein­induced gastrointestinal disease.

Increases in the prevalence of food allergy and vitamin D deficiency have been observed in recent years. The association between vitamin D levels and food allergy remains to be fully elucidated, and research focused on the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in infants with food protein-induced gastrointestinal disease in Chengdu, Sichuan is lacking. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] insufficiency and sufficiency in infants with food protein-induced gastrointestinal disease. The present study also aimed to identify the potential predisposing factors of 25-(OH)D insufficiency. The present retrospective study analyzed data obtained from Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital spanning between June 2021 and February 2022. Children with a confirmed diagnosis of food protein-induced gastrointestinal disease were enrolled in the present study. Blood indicators, including serum 25-(OH)D, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), specific IgE against allergens, and hemoglobin were measured during the course of the disease. Clinical characteristics of patients and blood examination results were obtained from the hospital electronic database. A total of 361 patients were included in the study group and 45 healthy individuals were included in the control group. The results of the present study demonstrated that serum 25-(OH)D levels of infants with protein-induced gastrointestinal disease were significantly lower compared with the control group. Notably, female participants with higher serum total IgE levels exhibited insufficient serum 25-(OH)D levels. However, the results of the logistic regression analysis revealed no predisposing factors associated with serum 25-(OH)D insufficiency. In conclusion, infants with food protein-induced gastrointestinal disease may exhibit a higher risk of low serum 25-(OH)D levels and this risk may be greater in females with higher total IgE.

Two new chemical constituents from the leaves of Illicium dunnianum.

One new phenolic glycoside (1) and one new benzofuran derivative (2) were isolated from the leaves of Illicium dunnianum. The structures of these compounds were established by using comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis, including the 1D and 2D NMR, IR, HR-ESI-MS, electronic circular dichroism and comparison with literature data. All isolates were evaluated for the inhibition against the production of NO by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.