Comparison of the effect of combination therapies in the treatment of large varicose ulcers: A real-world cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The primary treatment for varicose ulcers is to address the underlying cause of venous hypertension, additionally, split-thickness skin transplantation (ST) is an effective option for large ulcers. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of venous surgery with or without split-thickness ST in the management of varicose ulcers (diameter ≥6 cm). METHODS: Patients with varicose ulcers between 2013 and 2023 were included in the real-world retrospective cohort study. The endovenous microwave ablation/endovenous laser ablation-high ligation-foam sclerotherapy-compression therapy + ST group (EMA/EVLA-CT-HL-FS + ST) consisted of 32 patients, while the EMA/EVLA-CT-HL-FS group consisted of 48 patients. RESULTS: A difference in ulcer healing time was found between the two groups (the hazard ratio [HR] was 4.4, 95% CI [2.3-8.2], P < 0.0001). However, the healing rate did not differ between the two groups at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: ST has been shown to expedite ulcer healing and ameliorate the symptoms of VVs in the early stages of treatment, while its intermediate to long-term efficacy for ulcer healing and overall patient quality of life may be limited.

Comparison of two ablation procedures combined with high ligation and foam sclerotherapy and compression therapy for patients with venous leg ulcers.

AIM: To compare the ablation techniques' efficacy of endovenous microwave ablation (EMA) combined with high ligation (HL), foam sclerotherapy (FS) and compression therapy (CT) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) combined with HL-FS-CT in the treatment of VLUs. METHOD: 301 consecutive patients with VLUs from 2013 to 2022 in a 3200-bed hospital were intervened by EMA combined with HL-FS-CT and EVLA combined with HL-FS-CT were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four patients underwent EMA+HL-FS-CT and 167 patients underwent EVLA+HL-FS-CT. The primary outcome of the ulcer healing time was 1.45(0.75-1.5) months and 1.86(0.5-2.5) months, respectively, in the two groups (HR for ulcer healing was 1.26, 95% CI [0.96-1.66], p = 0.097). Secondary outcomes included that no significant difference was found in ulcer recurrence and GSV recanalization and complications between the two groups, and the postoperative VCSS and AVVQ were significantly lower than the baseline values in the respective groups (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: EMA+HL-FS-CT and EVLA+HL-FS-CT are both effective at treating VLUs. Both of the two comprehensive treatments were beneficial to the healing of ulcers, but no evidence showed which one was superior in the ulcer healing time.

Short-term efficacy of endovascular procedures for lower extremity thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease).

PURPOSE: Although thrombolysis obliterans (TAO) has been recognized for more than a century, there is no optimal treatment for this disease. The aim of this report was to compare the short-term efficacies of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and CDT+PTA in treating TAO disease. METHOD: Consecutive patients with TAO treated at Ganzhou People's Hospital between 2012 and 2022 were included in this retrospective study. According to the information provided in the medical records, endovascular procedures included CDT, PTA or CDT+PTA. One-year follow-up outcomes of the patients with TAO who underwent endovascular procedures were compared. The primary outcome was major adverse limb event (MALE) and the secondary outcomes were the technical success, complications, ABI at 1 week after surgery and minor amputation. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients with TAO were assessed for inclusion in our single-center study from 2012 to 2022 and received endovascular procedures. Among them, 22 patients underwent CDT, 21 patients underwent PTA, and 26 patients underwent PTA+CDT. The one-year follow-up revealed significant differences in the MALE-free survival rates among the three groups, particularly between the CDT group and the PTA+CDT group (the hazard ratio (HR) for MALE-free survival was 0.173, 95% CI [0.050-0.599], p = 0.006). The technical success rates of the three groups were 63.6%, 90.5%, and 92.3%, respectively. There were differences in the ABI at one week after surgery among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular procedures are effective for TAO in the short term. The effectiveness of CDT alone is suboptimal; combining CDT with PTA achieves the most favorable endovascular treatment outcome; while the effectiveness of PTA falls in between these two procedures.

Identification and verification on prognostic index of glioblastoma immune-related lncRNAs.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common cause of primary brain malignancy. Recently, many immune-related long noncoding ribonucleic acids (ir-lncRNAs) are indicated to be closely related to the regulation of the immune microenvironment and immune cell infiltration of GBM. OBJECTIVES: Through the joint analysis of multiple public databases, key ir-lncRNAs in GBM were screened. The ir-lncRNAs were used to construct risk-scoring models and promote the development of novel GBM biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we performed a three-way Venn analysis combined with a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis on all lncRNAs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and Imm-Lnc datasets, and identified 10 ir-lncRNAs. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to calculate the coefficient and construct a risk-scoring model. RESULTS: By plotting calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the model showed excellent prediction results. Based on the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, the correlation analysis showed that 10 ir-lncRNAs risk scores were related to immune cell infiltration. The enrichment analysis was subsequently performed, which showed that these ir-lncRNAs played an important role in the progression of GBM. Among the 10 lncRNAs, we found that AL354993.1 was highly expressed in GBM, had not been reported, and was shown to be closely related to GBM progression. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the 10 ir-lncRNAs have the potential to predict the prognosis of GBM patients and may play a vital role in the progression of the disease.

Prognostic model and treatment choices for patients with primary intracranial central nervous system lymphoma: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occurs in the CNS. With the advancement of medical care, its prognosis and treatment have also undergone tremendous changes. This study aimed to construct a prognostic model and compare the effects of different treatments for intracranial PCNSL. METHODS: Cases diagnosed as PCNSL between 2004 and 2015 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Nomogram was built and validated using the R program. RESULTS: A total of 2861 PCNSL patients were included in the analysis. Age, year of diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy were independent predictors for both overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). A nomogram was established to predict 3-, 5- and 10-year OS and CSS for patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) showed the nomogram had good predictive performance and clinical application value. We also revealed that gross total resection had significantly better OS and CSS than biopsy alone (P < 0.001). Patients who received only chemotherapy had the best prognosis and did not benefit from additional radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: We developed a nomogram to predict patient survival rates based on independent predictors. It is an effective tool to help clinicians make survival predictions. Our results showed that patients can benefit from gross total resection of tumor, if it is feasible, and chemotherapy. The role of radiotherapy remained to be further assessed.

Risk factors for patients with acute hospital-acquired symptomatic pulmonary thromboembolism.

This study aimed to identify independent risk factors for acute hospital-acquired symptomatic pulmonary embolism (HA-SPE) by comparing the clinical data of HA-SPE and acute nonhospital-acquired symptomatic pulmonary embolism (NHA-SPE). A total of 292 patients were included in the analysis and divided into two groups: 191 patients had acute NHA-SPE, and 101 patients had acute HA-SPE. The average age of these 292 patients was 63.2 years, and the sample included 145 males. Multivariate analysis showed that malignant tumour (OR, 3.811; 95% CI [1.914-7.586], P = 0.000), recent surgery (OR, 7.310; 95% CI 3.392-15.755], P = 0.000), previous VTE (OR, 5.973; 95% CI 2.194 16.262], P = 0. 000), and the length of stay (LOS) (OR, 1.075; 95% CI [1.040-1.111], P = 0.000) were independent risk factors for acute HA-AEP. The c-statistic for this model was 0.758 (95% CI [0.698-0.800], P < 0.0001). The K-M curve showed that the hazard ratio (HR) of the HA group to the NHA group in all-cause mortality was 3.807 (95% CI [1.987, 7.295], P = 0.0061). Strengthening the prevention and control of patients with these risk factors may reduce the incidence of acute HA-SPE.

Acute septic thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities due to foreign body injury and infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Septic thrombophlebitis (STP) of the lower extremities caused by foreign bodies is rare in the clinic, and the symptoms are serious. If the correct treatment is not implemented as soon as possible, the patient may progress to sepsis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 51-year-old normally healthy male who developed fever 3 days after field work. When he was weeding with a lawn mower in the field, a metal foreign body from the grass flew into his left lower abdomen, resulting in an eschar on his left lower abdomen. He was diagnosed with scrub typhus but did not respond well to anti-infective treatment. After a detailed inquiry of his medical history and an auxiliary examination, the diagnosis was confirmed as STP of the left lower limb caused by a foreign body. After surgery, anticoagulation and anti-infection treatment, the infection and thrombosis were controlled, and the patient was cured and discharged. CONCLUSIONS: STP caused by foreign bodies is rare. Early detection of the aetiology of sepsis and early adoption of the correct measures can effectively block the progression of the disease and reduce the patient's pain. Clinicians should identify the source of sepsis through a medical history and clinical examination.

Hepatitis B virus X protein boosts hepatocellular carcinoma progression by downregulating microRNA-137.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent diagnosed malignancy. microRNAs (miRs) are involved in various cellular processes during cancer development. This study attempted to probe the miR-based mechanism in hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) small interfering RNA (siRNA)-treated HCC cells. METHODS: HBx expression in hepatocyte and HCC cells was detected, and cells with highest HBx expression were screened out and transfected with HBx-siRNAs. Then the effect of HBx on HCC cell proliferation was detected. miRs differentially expressed in HBx-siRNA-transfected MHCC97H cells were analyzed and verified. miR-137 methylation was analyzed by bioinformatics, and miR-137 restoration was detected after Aza treatment. Furthermore, miR-137 methylation in MHCC97H cells with HBx knockdown or HBx overexpression was detected by methylation specific PCR. The targeting relationship between miR-137 and Notch1 was verified. Then the gain-and-loss functions of miR-137 or/and Notch1 were performed to estimate their roles in HCC cell proliferation. The effects of HBx-siRNA and overexpressed miR-137 in vivo were observed by tumor xenograft in nude mice and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: HBx-siRNA weakened MHCC97H cell proliferation and tumor growth. miR-137 was highly expressed in HBx-siRNA-treated HCC cells and targeted Notch1. HBx knockdown decreased miR-137 methylation and restored miR-137 expression. miR-137 overexpression prevented HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth, while miR-137 downregulation reversed the repressing effects of HBx-siRNA on HCC cell proliferation. Inhibition of Notch1 reversed HCC cell proliferation induced by miR-137 downregulation. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of miR-137 blocks HCC cell proliferation in HBx-siRNA-treated MHCC97H cells by targeting Notch1. This study may offer novel target for HCC treatment.

A retrospective cohort study comparing two treatments for active venous leg ulcers.

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) have largely replaced traditional surgery for treatment of varicose veins (VVs) with active venous leg ulcers (VLUs), and multiple combined modes have emerged. A retrospective cohort study was performed to compare the effect of traditional surgery (high ligation and stripping followed with compression [compression plus HL-S]) to high ligation-endovenous laser ablation-foam sclerotherapy followed with compression (compression plus HL-EVLA-FS) on the treatment of active VLUs.Data of active VLUs treated in our center from 2008 to 2017 and followed up for 1 year were analyzed. The intervention measures in the first 5 years were compression plus HL-S, and in the following 5 years were compression plus HL-EVLA-FS. The primary outcome was ulcer healing time. The secondary outcomes were the VVs occlusion and clinical success as assessed by a change in venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and complications.The study included 120 patients and 200 patients treated with HL-S and HL-EVLA-FS, respectively, during 2008 to 2017. The average ulcer healing time were 2.3 ±â€Š2.4 and 1.7 ±â€Š1.7 months, respectively. Significant difference was found in the cumulative ulcers healing rate between the two groups (Hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] was respectively 1.458 and 1.140-1.865, P = .0002), but no difference was found in the VVs occlusion (HR and 95% CI was respectively 1.005 and 0.774-1.3071, P = .967). Significant difference occurred in 6 months and 12 months post-operatively in the VCSS change and in the procedure data and some complications between the 2 groups.In conclusion, the treatment of HL-EVLA-FS can accelerate the healing of VLUs, improve the VCSS and present superior procedure data. However, no advantage could be found in the VVs occlusion compared with control group.

Comparison of combined compression and surgery with high ligation-endovenous laser ablation-foam sclerotherapy with compression alone for active venous leg ulcers.

We aimed to assess the ulcer healing time and recurrence rates after treatment with compression therapy (CT) with or without high ligation-endovenous laser ablation-foam sclerotherapy (HL-EVLA-FS) in people with active venous leg ulcers (VLUs). A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 350 patients with active VLUs treated by compression with or without HL-EVLA-FS in our hospital from 2013 to 2017. The primary outcome was the ulcer healing time; secondary outcomes were the 12-month recurrence rates, the relationship between recurrence and venous reflux, and the complications of the two treatments. In total, 193 patients (200 limbs) underwent compression plus HL-EVLA-FS, and 157 patients (177 limbs) underwent CT alone. The ulcer healing time was shorter in the compression plus HL-EVLA-FS group than in the CT alone group (Hazard Ratio [HR] for ulcer healing, 1.845 [95% CI, 1.474-2.309], P = 0.0001). The 12-month ulcer recurrence rates were significantly reduced in the compression plus HL-EVLA-FS group (HR for ulcer recurrence, 0.418 [95% CI, 0.258-0.677], P = 0.0001). Calf perforator vein reflux (CPVR) and isolated superficial venous reflux (ISVR) were risk factors for ulcer recurrence. The combined operation with CT resulted in faster healing of VLUs, a lower ulcer recurrence rate and lower VCSS values after intervention than CT alone.

Risk factors for surgical opportunity in patients with femoral hernia: A retrospective cohort study.

Femoral hernias are extremely easily incarcerated and are recommended for early surgery. In the past, there were a number of definitely diagnosed femoral hernia patients who were not able to undergo elective surgery in a timely fashion, and then, they were obliged to undergo emergency surgery or even to lose the opportunity for surgery. The relevant epidemic factors of femoral hernia were thoroughly investigated in the clinic; however, the impact of these factors on surgical opportunity has not been widely reported. The purpose of this study is to preliminarily evaluate the risk factors affecting the femoral hernia patients' surgical opportunities.One hundred forty-two consecutive patients who were treated for femoral hernia with COD (course of disease) >1 month were analyzed. Depending on the surgical opportunity, the patients were divided into 2 groups: elective surgery and emergency surgery. A retrospective cohort study was performed in the 2 groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors influencing the timing of femoral hernia surgery.Of the 163 patients with femoral hernia in our center between 2013 and 2017, 142 had COD > 1 month, including 66 elective and 76 emergency surgeries. Univariate logistic analyses revealed that age, COD, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cirrhosis, and hypertension were risk factors associated with surgical opportunity for femoral hernia; their corresponding odds ratios (ORs) and P values were (OR 9.931; P = .003), (OR 1.024; P = .000), (OR 14.769; P = .000), (OR 1.093; P = .000), and (OR 3.346; P = .007), respectively. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, COD, COPD, and cirrhosis were independent risk factors associated with the surgical opportunity of patients with femoral hernia; the corresponding ORs and P values were (OR 1.055; P = .026), (OR 1.022; P = .002), (OR 8.688; P = .009), and (OR 11.761; P = .005), respectively.The independent risk factors of patients with femoral hernia surgical opportunity were age, COD, and the comorbidities COPD and cirrhosis. Active treatment of comorbidities in elderly patients with femoral hernia, as well as timely hospitalization, may reduce the frequency of emergency surgery for femoral hernia.

Drug-eluting stents versus control therapy in the infrapopliteal disease: A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials and two cohort studies.

BACKGROUD: Drug-eluting stents (DES) have been proposed for the treatment of infrapopliteal arteries disease. However, the long-term clinical impact of DES treatment in the vascular territory still remains uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane data, CNKI and Wanfang Data were searched until December 20, 2016 for eligible studies according to identical strategies. Additional data were manually retrieved. STATA ver. 12.0 software were used to Meta-analyze the efficacies of DES and control treatment (BMS or PTA) for infrapopliteal arteries disease. A total of 927 patients from 10 studies (8 randomized controlled trials and 2 cohort studies) were assigned to DESs (n = 484) versus control treatment (n = 443). The results showed that infrapopliteal DES therapy yielded higher primary patency and EFS, while decreased the risk of restenosis at 12-months compared to controls significantly. At 3 years there were no significant differences between two groups, pooled RRs and 95% CI were 1.639 [0.526-5.105], P = 0.394; 1.197 [0.432-3.317], P = 0.729 and 0.992 [0.960-1.024], P = 0.661, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that infrapopliteal DES therapy using Sirolimus-eluting stents rather than Everolimus-eluting stents provided higher clinic benefits. Infrapopliteal DES therapy yielded no significant difference for TLR, overall survival, Rutherford-Becker class improvement, limb amputation at 12-months and 3-years compared with control treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present meta-analysis indicate the non-superiority of infrapopliteal DES therapy over control therapies (BMS/PTA) at 3 years, although short-term benefits at 12 months after DES therapy were evident. Further randomized trials with longer follow-up are required to provide the best scientific evidence regarding the preferred endovascular treatment for patients with occlusive disease of infrapopliteal arteries.

Tuberculosis of ultralong segmental thoracic and lumbar vertebrae treated by posterior fixation and cleaning of the infection center through a cross-window.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB) aims at spinal cord decompression, focus debridement, spine stability, and deformity correction. However, several problems exist in treating multiple segmental thoracolumbar TB, including reducing surgical trauma with effective incision exposure; ensuring the effective long-armed fixation, and maintaining the possibility for revisionary surgery in cases of treatment failure. PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and surgical technique of the single posterior midline approach for screw-rod fixation and debridement through the sacrospinalis muscle outer cross-window to treat multiple segmental thoracolumbar spinal TB. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: A group of 17 patients with spinal TB after surgical treatment, with a mean follow-up of 27.9 months (range, 18-48 months). OUTCOME MEASURES: Neurologic recovery, Cobb angle, and graft union assessed by the Moon standard. METHODS: This study was approved by the local ethical committee and recruited patients from January, 2005 to January, 2011. We used a posterior midline incision for internal fixation of a pedicle screw system in the gap of the longissimus and spinal multifidus. Anterior lesion debridement and interbody fusions were performed through bilateral cross-windows in the outer edge of the sacrospinalis muscle. Using this technique, we treated 17 patients (10 men; aged 19 to 68 years; mean 39.8 years) with spinal TB involving more than four vertebrae. Nerve damage was classified by the Frankel classification. All patients were treated with regular anti-TB chemotherapy and were followed for 18 to 48 (mean: 27.9 months) months. RESULTS: The mean (range) for operative time was 4.7 (3.6-6.3) hours, for blood loss during surgery was 1,100 (850-2,300) mL, and for time of interbody fusion was 6.3 (4 to 11) months. The Cobb angle correction rate is 67.1%. Nine of 11 patients' neurologic function returned to normal, which was statistically significant (p=.004). There was no TB recurrence or internal fixation failure. CONCLUSIONS: Combined with anti-TB chemotherapy, the discussed surgical technique can show improved lesion clearance, decompression of the anterior aspect of the spine, bone graft fusion, internal fixation of outside lesions, drainage and lead to positive treatment outcomes.