[Early-term effectiveness comparison of suture hook suture via double posteromedial approaches and Fast-Fix total internal suture in treatment of Ramp lesions].

Objective: To compare the short-term effectiveness of suture hook suture via double posteromedial approaches and Fast-Fix total internal suture in treatment of Ramp lesions. Methods: A clinical data of 56 patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture combined with Ramp lesions, who met the selection criteria and admitted between December 2021 and February 2023, was retrospectively analyzed. The Ramp lesions were sutured using suture hook via double posteromedial approaches under arthroscopy in 28 cases (group A) and treated with Fast-Fix total internal suture under arthroscopy in 28 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, cause of injury, type of injury, time from injury to operation, side of injury, body mass index, and preoperative Lysholm score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Tegner score between the two groups ( P>0.05). The patients were followed up regularly after operation, and the clinical and imaging healing of the Ramp lesion was evaluated according to the Barrett clinical healing standard and the MRI evaluation standard. Lysholm score, VAS score, and Tegner score were used to evaluate the function and pain degree of knee joint, and the results were compared with those before operation. Results: The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.9 months). Postoperative McMurray tests were negative in both groups. The clinical healing rates of group A and group B were 71.4% (20/28) and 64.3% (18/28) at 6 months after operation, and 92.9% (26/28) and 82.1% (23/28) at 12 months after operation, respectively. The differences between the two groups was not significant ( χ 2=0.327, P=0.567; χ 2=0.469, P=0.225). There was no significant difference in Lysholm score, VAS score, and Tegner score between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). The postoperative scores in the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the scores at 12 months after operation further improved when compared with those at 6 months after operation, showing significant differences between the different time points in the two groups ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, MRI examination of the knee joint showed that there were 26 (92.9%), 2 (7.1%), and 0 (0) cases of complete healing, partial healing, and nonunion in the Ramp lesion of group A, and 25 (89.3%), 1 (3.6%), and 2 (7.1%) cases in group B, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-0.530, P=0.596). Conclusion: Suture hook suture via double posteromedial approaches and Fast-Fix total internal suture under arthroscopy are safe and reliable in the treatment of Ramp lesion, and the knee joint function significantly improves after operation.

Image Reconstruction for Accelerated MR Scan With Faster Fourier Convolutional Neural Networks.

High quality image reconstruction from undersampled k -space data is key to accelerating MR scanning. Current deep learning methods are limited by the small receptive fields in reconstruction networks, which restrict the exploitation of long-range information, and impede the mitigation of full-image artifacts, particularly in 3D reconstruction tasks. Additionally, the substantial computational demands of 3D reconstruction considerably hinder advancements in related fields. To tackle these challenges, we propose the following: 1) A novel convolution operator named Faster Fourier Convolution (FasterFC), aims at providing an adaptable broad receptive field for spatial domain reconstruction networks with fast computational speed. 2) A split-slice strategy that substantially reduces the computational load of 3D reconstruction, enabling high-resolution, multi-coil, 3D MR image reconstruction while fully utilizing inter-layer and intra-layer information. 3) A single-to-group algorithm that efficiently utilizes scan-specific and data-driven priors to enhance k -space interpolation effects. 4) A multi-stage, multi-coil, 3D fast MRI method, called the faster Fourier convolution based single-to-group network (FAS-Net), comprising a single-to-group k -space interpolation algorithm and a FasterFC-based image domain reconstruction module, significantly minimizes the computational demands of 3D reconstruction through split-slice strategy. Experimental evaluations conducted on the NYU fastMRI and Stanford MRI Data datasets reveal that the FasterFC significantly enhances the quality of both 2D and 3D reconstruction results. Moreover, FAS-Net, characterized as a method that can achieve high-resolution (320, 320, 256), multi-coil, (8 coils), 3D fast MRI, exhibits superior reconstruction performance compared to other state-of-the-art 2D and 3D methods.

An Efficient LiDAR Point Cloud Map Coding Scheme Based on Segmentation and Frame-Inserting Network.

In this article, we present an efficient coding scheme for LiDAR point cloud maps. As a point cloud map consists of numerous single scans spliced together, by recording the time stamp and quaternion matrix of each scan during map building, we cast the point cloud map compression into the point cloud sequence compression problem. The coding architecture includes two techniques: intra-coding and inter-coding. For intra-frames, a segmentation-based intra-prediction technique is developed. For inter-frames, an interpolation-based inter-frame coding network is explored to remove temporal redundancy by generating virtual point clouds based on the decoded frames. We only need to code the difference between the original LiDAR data and the intra/inter-predicted point cloud data. The point cloud map can be reconstructed according to the decoded point cloud sequence and quaternion matrices. Experiments on the KITTI dataset show that the proposed coding scheme can largely eliminate the temporal and spatial redundancies. The point cloud map can be encoded to 1/24 of its original size with 2 mm-level precision. Our algorithm also obtains better coding performance compared with the octree and Google Draco algorithms.

[Clinical application of slope-reducing tibial osteotomy and anterior cruciate ligament revision in patients with abnormally increased posterior tibial slope].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of slope-reducing tibial osteotomy and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision in the treatment of patients with primary ACL reconstruction failure and abnormally increased posterior tibial slope (PTS). METHODS: The clinical data of 9 patients with primary ACL reconstruction failure and abnormally increased PTS (≥17°) who met the selection criteria between January 2018 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 1 female; the age ranged from 21 to 42 years, with a median age of 30 years. Lachman test was positive in 9 patients. Pivot-shift test was negative in 6 cases, degree Ⅰ positive in 2 cases, and degree Ⅱ positive in 1 case. The PTS was (17.78±1.09)° and the anterior tibial translation (ATT) was (11.58±1.47) mm. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 51.0±3.8, Lysholm score was 49.7±4.6, and Tegner score was 3.7±0.7. The time from primary reconstruction to revision was 12-33 months, with an average of 19.6 months. Slope-reducing tibial osteotomy and ACL revision were performed. The improvement of knee function was evaluated by IKDC score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score; Lachman test and Pivot-shift test were used to evaluate the stability of knee joint. PTS and ATT were measured to observe the morphological changes of knee joint. RESULTS: All the incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as incision infection, fat liquefaction, necrosis, deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities, and neurovascular injury. All 9 patients were followed up 12-36 months, with an average of 25.8 months. At last follow-up, Lachman test and pivot-shift test were negative. IKDC score was 85.0±4.0, Lysholm score was 87.7±2.8, Tegner score was 6.8±0.7, PTS reduced to (9.89±0.60)°, and ATT shortened to (0.91±0.29) mm, which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Slope-reducing tibial osteotomy and ACL revision in the treatment of patients with primary ACL reconstruction failure and abnormally increased PTS has a satisfactory short-term effectiveness. It can improve the stability of knee joint and maintain the normal shape of knee joint.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome According to Absolute and Relative Values of Muscle Strength in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases with age, obesity, low physical activity, and decreased muscle strength. Although many studies have reported on grip strength and MetS, few studies have been conducted on leg strength. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of MetS according to absolute and relative leg strength values in middle-aged and older women. The participants were 1053 women who visited the healthcare center: middle-aged (n = 453) and older (n = 601). MetS was diagnosed using the criteria established by the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III and the World Health Organization's Asia Pacific guidelines for waist circumference. For leg strength, knee flexion and extension were performed using isokinetic equipment. Grip strength was measured using a grip dynamometer and classified into quartiles. Analysis of prevalence using logistic regression showed that MetS was present in 21.2% of middle-aged and 39.4% of older women. The lowest relative leg extension increased 2.5 times in the middle-aged and 1.5 times in older women (p < 0.05). However, leg flexion did not have a significant prevalence in either age group. The prevalence of MetS in middle-aged and older women with the lowest relative grip strength increased 1.5 and 1.2 times, respectively. Conversely, the lower the absolute leg extension strength, the lower the MetS prevalence was at 0.520 in middle-aged and 0.566 in older women (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the prevalence of MetS increased in women with low relative grip and leg strengths. Specifically, the lower the relative leg extension muscle strength, the higher the prevalence of MetS. In addition, the prevalence of MetS increased in the high-frequency alcohol consumption and non-physical activity group.

Four targeted genes for predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer: A bioinformatics analysis case.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been clarified. The purpose of the present study was to identify key genes that may serve as novel therapeutic targets or prognostic predictors in patients with CRC using bioinformatics analysis. Four gene expression datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which revealed 19 upregulated and 34 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The downregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in eight pathways according to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed with 52 DEGs and 458 edges. Ten key genes were identified according to the degree value, betweenness centrality and closeness centrality. Survival analysis revealed that low expression of four of the ten genes, carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 7 (CEACAM7), solute carrier family 4 member 4 (SLC4A4), glucagon (GCG) and chloride channel accessory 1 (CLCA1) genes, were associated with unfavorable prognosis in CRC. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that two pathways were significantly enriched in the CEACAM7 low-expression group. Thus, CEACAM7, SLC4A4, GCG and CLCA1 may be prognostic markers or therapeutic targets of CRC. Low CEACAM7 expression may be associated with the activation of glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis-chondroitin sulfate and extracellular matrix receptor interaction pathways and may affect the prognosis of CRC.

[ARTHROSCOPICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT OF POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT AVULSION FRACTURE WITH MENISCUS POSTERIOR HORN TEAR].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopically assisted treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibial eminence avulsion fractures associated with meniscus posterior horn tear. METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2014, 21 patients with PCL avulsion fracture and meniscus posterior horn tear were arthroscopically treated with polyester suture and hollow screw fixation. There were 10 males (10 knees) and 11 females (11 knees), aged 14-53 years (mean, 35.7 years). The causes included sport injury in 11 cases, traffic accident injury in 9 cases, and daily life injury in 1 case. Based on the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films, CT, and MRI, PCL avulsion fractures were diagnosed, and 2 cases had anterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures. The results of posterior drawer test were positive in all patients, with no end point in 14 cases and with soft end point in 7 cases; all patients showed tibial sink. The preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm score were 46.5±5.5 and 43.3±4.5 respectively. The time from injury to operation was 6-22 days (mean, 10 days). RESULTS: The operation time was 60-100 minutes (mean, 75 minutes). Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, without no complication of infection. The mean follow-up time was 27.4 months (range, 12-46 months). The results of posterior drawer test were negative in 19 cases, and positive in 2 cases (having hard end point). Tibial sink disappeared. At last follow-up, X-ray film showed good healing of fracture, and no displacement. The patients had no locking knee, snapping or tenderness of joint space, and the Mcmurray sign was negative; the IKDC score and Lysholm score were significantly improved to 92.0±2.5 and 92.7±2.6 respectively (t=-39.903, P=0.000; t=-43.242, P=0.000). The range of motion was normal in 20 patients (0-130°) except 1 patient having limited flexion (0-80°), whose range of motion returned to 0-120° after release. CONCLUSIONS: The arthroscopic fixation technique has satisfactory results for the reduction and fixation of PCL avulsion fracture associated with meniscus posterior horn tear because of easy operation, firm fixation, and economic price.

[ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TIBIAL EMINENCE AVULSION FRACTURE IN ADOLESCENTS WITH EPIPHYSEAL UNCLOSURE].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopic treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial eminence avulsion fractures in adolescents with epiphyseal unclosure. METHODS: Between January 2011 and October 2013, 35 knees with ACL tibial eminence avulsion fractures (35 patients with epiphyseal unclosure) were arthroscopically treated with suture fixation. There were 25 males and 10 females, aged 8-16 years (mean, 14.7 years). The causes included sports injury in 24 cases, traffic accident injury in 9 cases, and daily life injury in 2 cases. According to Meyers-McKeever classification criteria, there were 27 cases of type II and 8 cases of type III. Five cases had meniscus injury. The preoperative the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 48.7 ± 3.2, and Lysholm score was 51.2 ± 4.5. The time from injury to operation was 2-16 days (mean, 5 days). RESULTS: Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. The mean follow-up time was 22.4 months (range, 12-32 months). Anatomical reduction was achieved in 28 cases and satisfactory reduction in 7 cases. X-ray films showed all fractures healing at last follow-up. There was no limb shortening deformity, varus knee, or valgus knee. Lachman test results were all negative. The other knees had normal range of motion except 1 knee with limited flexion, whose range of motion returned to 0-120° after treatment. At last follow-up, the IKDC score was significantly improved to 93.2 ± 4.1 (t = -53.442, P = 0.000), and the Lysholm score was significantly increased to 96.2 ± 2.5 (t = -56.242, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The arthroscopic fixation technique has satisfactory results for the reduction and fixation of ACL tibial eminence avulsion fracture in the adolescents with epiphyseal unclosure because of little trauma and quick recovery.

A novel surgical approach for the treatment of tumors in the lesser trochanter.

The proximal femur is a common location for the development of primary benign bone tumors. However, there is currently no surgical technique designed specifically for treating tumors located in the lesser trochanter. In the present study, a novel procedure was developed for directly exposing the lesser trochanter for surgical intervention. This technique may be particularly suited to treating tumors that extend toward the lateral and anterior forward of the lesser trochanter. The new approach involved passing through the femoral triangle, separating the femoral nerve and femoral vessels (artery and vein) and resecting the tumor between the iliopsoas and pectineal muscles. The procedure was performed on six patients with various types of tumor, including one case with osteoid osteoma, one case with non-osteogenic fibroma, one case with osteoma, one case with liposarcoma and two cases of osteochondroma. The preliminary results indicated that the surgical durations were short (60-100 min), blood loss was minimal (30-200 ml) and that pain relief was achieved following surgery. Only one patient continued to experience mild pain, scoring 18 mm on a visual analog scale. The other patients were fully relieved of pain. Sensory dysfunction was experienced by one patient following surgery, with persistent numbness and paresthesias in the distribution of the femoral nerve. No cases of deep vein thrombosis, femur head necrosis, hip joint degeneration disease or local recurrence were identified in any patients during the follow-up period. In order to clarify the virtual tissue, such vessels, nerves and the available space in our approach area, we collected 20 cadaveric specimens and performed anatomical examinations in and around the formal triangle. The spaces between the femoral artery and femoral nerve were measured and analyzed, with the results demonstrating that a definite space existed. Therefore, the novel approach presented in the study may be useful in the resection of benign tumors and the preoperative palliative resection of malignant tumors. The technique may be particularly suited to tumors extending toward the lateral and anterior of the lesser trochanter.

[Treatment of instability of patellofemoral joint through athroscopic repair of medial patellofemoral ligament for adolescents with epiphyseal non-closure by allogenic tendon].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of arthroscopic repair of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) for adolescents with epiphyseal non-closure by allogenic tendon in the treatment of instable patellofemoral joint. METHODS: There were a total of 38 cases including 61 knees with patellofemoral instability from June 2008 to January 2010 at our department. They were diagnosed according to the history of illness, apprehension test and tangential position radiograph in patellofemoral joint. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with 52 knees were followed up for an average of 12 months (range: 8 - 19). All apprehension tests were negative. No recurrent displacement was found. The pre-operative Lysholm score of 75.5 ± 4.7 increased to 91.1 ± 5.7. There was significant difference. CONCLUSION: Arthroscope-assisted allograft reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament tendon is both mini-invasive and reliable for the treatment of epiphyseal non-closure adolescents with traumatic patellofemoral instability.

Rapid increase in the incidence of clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Chinese in Harbin between 1999 and 2005.

AIM: To examine the recent trend in the incidence of clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes during the period of 1999-2005 in Harbin, China. METHODS: The records of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes from hospitals and clinics in Harbin were reported to the Harbin Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. About 3 million (33%) of the total population were from six metropolitan districts and over 6 million (67%) from the surrounding counties. Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: During the observational period, 26,953 new cases of diagnosed type 2 diabetes were reported. Among them, 16,367 were from the metropolitan region and 10,586 from the surrounding counties. The incidence rate of type 2 diabetes in the metropolitan region was 3.19 (95% CI: 3.11, 3.27) times as high as that in the surrounding counties. Females had higher incidence rates in younger age groups (<54 years) and lower rates in older age groups (55+ years) than their male counterparts. The incidence increased over time during the period of 1999-2005 by an average of 12% per year (IRR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.13). Similar increasing rates were observed in both the county and metropolitan regions. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes has increased dramatically in recent years. Although an increasing trend in the incidence of type 2 diabetes exists in both metropolitan and county regions, the county region currently has a substantially lower incidence rate than the metropolitan region.