The research landscape on vascularized composite allografts: a bibliometric analysis (2002-2021).

OBJECTIVE: Vascularized composite allografts (VCAs) refer to the transplantation of multiple types of tissues during plastic and reconstructive surgery. Several publications have emerged in the field of VCA. However, there are no bibliometric studies on this topic. The aim was to multidimensionally analyze the knowledge base and hotspots in this subject. METHODS: We retrieved all publications related to VCA from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), published from 2002 to 2021. Next, scientometric analysis of different items was performed using various bibliometrics software to explore knowledge base, research hotspots, and advancement trends in this field. RESULTS: We included a total of 3,190 English articles from 2002 to 2021. The number of publications increased steadily annually. The United States produced the highest number of publications, followed by China. Most publications were from Harvard University, followed by Johns Hopkins University. The most authoritative academic journal was Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Transplantation occupied the first rank of co-cited journal list. Maria Z Siemionow may have the highest influence in the VCA field with the highest number of citations (n = 88) and co-cited references (n = 1252). Clinical studies on different allografts, immunosuppression, and tissue engineering were both the knowledge base and recent topics in VCA research. CONCLUSIONS: The first bibliometric study comprehensively summarized the trends and development of VCA research with steady growth over the past two decades. Currently, the most active topics are the clinical application of multiple allografts, immunosuppression strategies/therapies, and translation of tissue engineering to clinical practice.

Successful management of a rare radius schwannoma mimicking malignant bone tumors: A case report and literature review.

Background: Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from Schwann cells, frequently occurring in the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Intraosseous schwannomas, a rare subset, account for approximately 0.2% of schwannomas. Intraosseous schwannomas commonly impinge the mandible, followed by the sacrum and the spine. By far, only three cases of radius intraosseous schwannomas have been reported in PubMed. The tumor was treated differently in all three cases, resulting in different outcomes. Case presentation: A 29-year-old male construction engineer who complained of a painless mass on the radial aspect of the right forearm was diagnosed with an intraosseous schwannoma of the radius based on radiography, three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction, magnetic resonance imaging, pathological examination, and immunohistochemistry. A different surgical approach was employed to reconstruct the radial graft defect using bone microrepair techniques, resulting in more reliable bone healing and early functional recovery. Meanwhile, no clinical and radiographic findings suggestive of recurrence were observed at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: Vascularized bone flap transplantation combined with three-dimensional imaging reconstruction planning might yield better results for repairing small segmental bone defects of the radius caused by intraosseous schwannomas.

Radiosensitization of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Graphene Oxide Nanosheets to Reduce Bcl-2 Level.

There are many treatments for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but none of them are very effective. Radiotherapy is used extensively in NPC treatment, but radioresistance is a major problem. Graphene oxide (GO) has been previously studied in cancer treatment, and this study is aimed to explore its role in radiosensitization of NPC. Therefore, graphene oxide nanosheets were prepared, and the relationship between GO and radioresistance was explored. The GO nanosheets were synthesized by a modified Hummers' method. The morphologies of the GO nanosheets were characterized by field-emission environmental scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The morphological changes and radiosensitivity of C666-1 and HK-1 cells with or without the GO nanosheets were observed by an inverted fluorescence microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Colony formation assay and Western Blot were applied for analysis of NPC radiosensitivity. The as-synthesized GO nanosheets have lateral dimensions (sizes ∼1 µm) and exhibit a thin wrinkled two-dimensional lamellar structure with slight folds and crimped edges (thickness values ∼1 nm). C666-1 cells with the GO was significantly changed the morphology of cells postirradiation. The full field of view visualized by a microscope showed the shadow of dead cells or cell debris. The synthesized graphene oxide nanosheets inhibited cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 in C666-1 and HK-1 cells but increased the level of Bax. The GO nanosheets could affect the cell apoptosis and reduce the pro-survival protein Bcl-2 related to the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. The GO nanosheets could enhance radiosensitivity, which might be a radioactive material in NPC cells.

Prevalence and the factors associated with malnutrition risk in elderly Chinese inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is an under recognized, but common issue in elderly patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of poor nutritional status and identify comprehensive geriatric assessment-based clinical factors associated with increased malnutrition risk to assessing malnutrition risk in hospitalized elderly patients in China. METHODS: A total of 365 elderly hospitalized patients (178 women, 76.37 ± 7.74 years) undertook a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), and have their nutritional status assessed using the short-form mini-nutritional assessment. RESULTS: Among 365 patients, 32 (8.77%) were malnourished and 112 (30.68%) were at risk of malnutrition. A logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-2.23), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.19-3.48), presence or history of cancer or heart failure (OR, 3.48 and 2.86; 95% CI, 1.49-8.13 and 1.12-7.27), depression (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.97-4.17), body mass index (OR, 5.62; 95% CI, 3.62-8.71), being dependent in activity of daily living (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 2.61-5.57), a lower score in instrumental activities of daily living (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 2.09-4.33), recent fall(s) (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.37-2.91), cognitive impairment (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.30-2.53), insomnia (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.07-2.06), hemoglobin and albumin level (OR, 1.72 and 2.86; 95% CI, 1.17-2.50 and 1.53-5.36) were independent correlates of malnutrition in older patients. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that age, alcohol consumption, chronic diseases (cancer and heart failure), depression, body mass index, function status, recent fall(s), cognitive impairment, insomnia, and low hemoglobin and albumin levels were independently associated with malnutrition in these patients. Comprehensive geriatric assessment can provide detailed information of older patients and can be a useful tool for assessing malnutrition risk-associated factors.