[The 505th case: refractory ascites and monoclonal immunoglobulin].

A 52-year-old woman was admitted with a primary complaint of abdominal distension and increased abdominal circumference for more than half a year. There was no evidence of infection or solid tumor on abdominocentesis or laparoscopic surgery. Concurrently, smoldering multiple myeloma was diagnosed. Due to refractory ascites and portal hypertension, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was performed, but the efficacy was not satisfactory. As the anemia progressed, she was finally diagnosed with active multiple myeloma after monoclonal plasma cells were detected in the ascites by flow cytometry. Treated with a triplet regimen that included bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (BCD), she achieved a very good partial response and ascites regressed.

[Intraoperative optical coherence tomography guided precise corneal suture in the treatment of acute keratoconus].

Objective: This study aimed to observe the clinical efficacy of precise suturing of posterior elastic layer fissures guided by intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) in conjunction with anterior chamber puncture and drainage, and corneal thermokeratoplasty for the treatment of severe acute edematous keratoconus. Methods: Non-randomized controlled trial. Data were collected for a study involving 31 cases of acute edematous keratoconus patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Shandong Eye Hospital between June 2017 and July 2021. Among them, there were 30 male and 1 female patients, with an age range of 11 to 32 years and a mean age of (19.80±5.80) years. Eighteen patients in the study group underwent precise suturing of posterior elastic layer fissures guided by intraoperative OCT, in combination with anterior chamber puncture and drainage, and corneal thermokeratoplasty. Thirteen patients in the control group did not undergo suturing. Preoperative visual acuity, corneal edema diameter, corneal thickness, and posterior elastic layer fissure length were collected. Evaluation was performed using slit lamp microscopy, anterior segment OCT, and other methods to assess the time of initial postoperative corneal edema resolution and closure of the posterior elastic layer fissure. Deep lamellar keratoplasty was performed 2 to 4 weeks after edema resolution, and the corneal bed scar repair and visual acuity of the two groups were compared. Results: In the suturing group, the corneas of all 18 patients were accurately sutured to the deep stromal layer near the posterior elastic layer. The time for corneal edema resolution was 2.50 (1.00, 6.25) days in the suturing group and 7.00 (6.00, 10.50) days in the control group. The fissure healing time was 7.50 (7.00, 12.00) days in the suturing group and 14.00 (9.00, 14.00) days in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After 2 weeks, the central corneal thickness decreased to (529.80±174.50) µm in the suturing group and (612.00±205.12) µm in the control group. The suturing group showed accurate corneal suturing to the deep stromal layer near the posterior elastic layer, resulting in central corneal flattening, closure of voids in the stroma, and a significant decrease in corneal thickness. All 18 patients in the suturing group successfully completed deep lamellar keratoplasty, with 6 cases (6/18) experiencing mild graft bed leakage during surgery but without affecting the deep lamellar keratoplasty. One year postoperatively, the visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum resolution angle) was 0.23±0.12 in the suturing group and 0.33±0.11 in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions: In the treatment of severe acute edematous keratoconus, precise suturing of posterior elastic layer fissures guided by intraoperative OCT, in conjunction with anterior chamber puncture and drainage, and corneal thermokeratoplasty, can rapidly alleviate corneal edema and promote the healing of posterior elastic layer fissures. This approach achieves better visual outcomes for subsequent lamellar keratoplasty surgeries. The use of intraoperative OCT guidance allows accurate positioning of the posterior elastic layer fissure in terms of location, direction, and depth of corneal stromal voids, thereby assisting surgeons in precise suturing.

[Long-term outcomes of childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcomes and risk factors in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on newly onset SSNS admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2006 to December 2010 and 105 cases with follow-up for more than 10 years were included. Clinical data including general characteristics, clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis. The primary outcome was the clinical cure, and the secondary outcomes were relapse or ongoing immunosuppressive treatment within the last 1 year of follow-up and complications at the last follow-up. According to the primary outcome, the patients were divided into clinical cured group and uncured group. Categorical variables were compared between 2 groups using the χ2 or Fisher exact test, and continuous variables by t or Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple Logistic regression models were used for multivariate analysis. Results: Of the 105 children with SSNS, the age of onset was 3.0 (2.1, 5.0) years, and 82 (78.1%) were boys, 23(21.9%) were girls. The follow-up time was (13.1±1.4) years; 38 patients (36.2%) had frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS or SDNS) and no death or progression to end-stage kidney disease. Eighty-eight patients (83.8%) were clinically cured. Seventeen patients (16.2%) did not reach the clinical cure criteria, and 14 patients (13.3%) had relapsed or ongoing immunosuppressive treatment within the last year of follow-up. The proportion of FRNS or SDNS (12/17 vs. 29.5% (26/88), χ2=10.39), the proportion of treatment with second-line immunosuppressive therapy (13/17 vs. 18.2% (16/88), χ2=21.39), and the level of apolipoprotein A1 at onset ((2.0±0.5) vs. (1.7±0.6) g/L, t=2.02) in the uncured group were higher than those in the clinical cured group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy had an increased risk of not reaching clinical cure in the long term (OR=14.63, 95%CI 4.21-50.78, P<0.001). Of the 55 clinically cured patients who had relapsed, 48 patients (87.3%) did not relapse after 12 years of age. The age at last follow-up was 16.4 (14.6, 18.9) years, and 34 patients (32.4%) were ≥18 years of age. Among the 34 patients who had reached adulthood, 5 patients (14.7%) still relapsed or ongoing immunosuppressive treatment within the last year of follow-up. At the last follow-up, among the 105 patients, 13 still had long-term complications, and 8 patients were FRNS or SDNS. The proportion of FRNS or SDNS patients with short stature, obesity, cataracts, and osteoporotic bone fracture was 10.5% (4/38), 7.9% (3/38), 5.3% (2/38), and 2.6% (1/38), respectively. Conclusions: The majority of SSNS children were clinically cured, indicating a favorable long-term prognosis. History of treatment with second-line immunosuppressive therapy was the independent risk factor for patients not reaching the clinical cure criteria in the long term. While it is not uncommon for children with SSNS to persist into adulthood. The prevention and control of long-term complications of FRNS or SDNS patients should be strengthened.

[Acute toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene poisoning leads to neurological sequelae: a case report].

This article reports a poisoning case after occupational exposure to toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene for 3 days. The main clinical manifestation of the patient was consciousness disorder. After dehydration, cerebral awakening, anti-epileptic and anti-myoclonic treatment, the patient had secondary epilepsy and cerebellar ataxia for a long time. According to diagnostic criteria, the patient was diagnosed with occupational acute chemical poisoning (severe) , occupational acute chemical poisoning sequelae. It is suggested that the clinical awareness of benzene compound poisoning should be strengthened, early diagnosis and early treatment should be carried out to improve the prognosis of patients.

[Utility and prognostic value of PET/CT, bone marrow biopsy and aspirate for detection of bone marrow involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

Objective: This study aimed to determine the value of bone marrow biopsy (BMB) , bone marrow aspiration (BMA) , and positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) in bone marrow (BM) involvement and prognosis evaluation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) . Methods: The clinical data of patients with DLBCL who underwent PET/CT, BMB, and BMA of the iliac crest were retrospectively analyzed in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2015 to November 2017. The BM involvement on PET/CT was defined as the ratio of maximal standardized uptake values of iliac crest BM to liver parenchyma intensity ≥1. Results: A total of 76 patients without liver involvement were enrolled, there were 32 males, and the median age was 53 (17-79) . Moreover, 16 patients (21.1%) had BM involvement on PET/CT, 12 (15.8%) had positive BMB, and 13 (17.1%) had positive BMA. Excellent correlation between BMA and BMB (κ=0.943) was found, including good correlation between PET/CT and BMB/BMA (κ=0.763 and 0.776, respectively) . After a median follow-up of 52 (0-82) months, BM involvement by BMB (P=0.037) and BMA (P=0.007) were poor prognostic factors for overall survival, positive PET/CT had no significant effect on prognosis (P>0.05) . Conclusion: PET/CT, BMB, and BMA are effective methods to detect BM involvement with great concordance. However, iliac crest BMB and BMA showed superior performance in prognosis evaluation.

[Treatment effectiveness and long-term prognosis of childhood-onset lupus nephritis].

Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment effectiveness and long-term prognosis of childhood-onset lupus nephritis (LN), and to explore the risk factors for progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical data including general conditions, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, treatment, following up (till December 31st, 2020) and prognosis of 343 children with LN who were treated and followed up in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2019 were analyzed. Complete remission rates were compared between different pathological types according to renal biopsies and flare rates were compared between complete remission group and partial remission group according to the treatment effectiveness after 6 months of induction treatment. To investigate the risk factors of ESRD, the prognosis of flare and non-flare cases, and of cases with normal and elevated serum creatinine levels at baseline, was compared. Chi-squared tests were used for comparison between groups, and cumulative survival rate and renal survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Risk factors for ESRD were analyzed by COX regression model. Results: Among the 343 children, 68 were males (19.8%) and 275 were females (80.2%) with a median age of 13.0 (11.0, 16.0) years. Regarding the renal symptoms, 305 (88.9%) children had proteinuria and 245 (71.4%) had hematuria; while for extra-renal manifestations, 273 (79.6%) had anemia, 183 (53.4%) had rashes and 165 (48.1%) had fever. A total of 212 (61.8%) children had severely active SLE at initial presentation. After 6 months of induction treatment, the complete remission rate was 63.8% (219/343) and the partial remission rate was 27.1% (93/343). The complete remission rate was significantly higher in type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ LN compared to type Ⅳ LN (10/12 vs. 82/135 (60.7%), χ²=3.936, P=0.047). One hundred and ten children who achieved remission, including complete remission and partial remission, experienced renal flare with a flare rate of 35.3% and a mean time to flare was (43.2±28.4) months. There was no significant difference in flare rates between complete and partial remission group (36.1% (79/219) vs. 33.3% (31/93), χ²=3.394, P=0.065). The follow-up time of all the children was 60.4 (32.3, 100.9) months. During the follow-up period, 15 children died and the cumulative survival rates at 3, 5 and 10 years were 97.2%, 96.4% and 93.3%, respectively; 14 children progressed to ESRD and the cumulative renal survival rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 99.2%, 97.1%, and 93.4%, respectively. COX multivariate analysis demonstrated that elevated serum creatinine at baseline, nephritic flare and nephrotic flare were independent risk factors for progression of ESRD (hazard ratio (HR)=3.575, 21.550 and 8.590, 95%CI 1.127-11.341, 2.394-194.027 and 1.042-70.823, P=0.031, 0.006, and 0.046, respectively). Conclusions: Children with LN are characterized by high SLE disease activity and multi-system involvement at onset. After 6 months of induction treatment, most of LN children could achieve clinical remission but some would experience renal flare. Nephritic flare, nephrotic flare and elevated serum creatinine at onset are independent risk factors for the progression of ESRD in children with LN.

[Diagnostic and predictive values of three criterias of acute kidney injury in children with chronic kidney disease].

Objective: To compare the consistency in diagnosing and staging acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to three criterias. Methods: Children with CKD hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat sen University from January 2013 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients underwent serum creatinine examination more than twice during hospitalization. The AKI diagnosis and staging were performed for each patient according to the 2007 pRIFLE, 2012 KDIGO and 2018 pROCK criteria respectively. All the children were followed up for 1 year after discharge through outpatient visit, re-hospitalization or online consultation. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of CKD children with or without AKI that were diagnosed by 3 criteria were compared. Analysis of variance and chi-squared tests were used for the comparison among groups. Concordance between the different diagnostic criteria was evaluated using Cohen's kappa coefficient. Result: A total of 2 551 children with CKD were included in this study, with an age of (8±4) years. There were 1 628 boys and 923 girls. Nephrotic syndrome was the most prevalent primary disease (55.4%), followed by lupus nephritis (11.2%) and purpura nephritis (8.2%). Among all stages of CKD, CKD category G1 was the most common type (2 146 cases, 84.1%), followed by CKD category G2 (221 cases, 8.7%). AKI occurence rates according to pRIFLE, KDIGO and pROCK criteria were 33.9% (866/2 551), 26.2%(669/2 551) and 19.5% (498/2 551) respectively (χ²=136.3,P<0.01). The diagnostic consistency within three criteria for AKI was high in children with CKD (κ=0.702), but AKI staging consistency was low (κ=0.329). Both the diagnosis and staging consistency of three AKI criteria were poor in children with CKD category G5 (all κ<0.400). The length of hospital stay (LOS), hospitalization costs, the occurence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in children with AKI diagnosed by different criteria (P<0.05). After 1-year follow-up, the repeated admission rate and CKD staging progress significantly increased in children with AKI (P<0.05). In children with baseline serum creatinine≥200 µmol/L, compared with children who did not experience AKI during hospitalization, the LOS and the hospitalization costs in children who were diagnosed AKI according to pRIFLE or pROCK criteria was significantly higher (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the LOS and hospitalization costs between children with or without AKI who were diagnosed according to KDIGO criteria (all P>0.05). Conclusions: AKI diagnosed by all of the three criteria (pRIFLE, KDIGO and pROCK criteria) was associated with the poor prognosis in children with CKD. However, in those whose baseline serum creatinine≥ 200 µmol/L, AKI diagnosed by pRIFLE and pROCK criteria could better reflect the poor outcomes than by KDIGO criteria.

[Analysis of the clinical characteristics and prognosis of 36 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with bone marrow monoclonal plasma cell ratio of less than 10].

Objective: To improve the understanding of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients with bone marrow (BM) monoclonal plasma cell ratio of less than 10%. Methods: The clinical characteristics, laboratory examination, response to treatment, and prognosis of 36 NDMM patients with BM plasma cell ratio of less than 10% at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to December 2017 were summarized retrospectively. In the same period, other age- and gender-matched 72 NDMM patients were selected as the control group, whose BM plasma cell ratio was equal to or greater than 10%. Results: First, the patients in the study group accounted for 4.4% of the whole MM population (36/818) , among which only 11 (30.6%) were classified as International Staging System (ISS) Ⅲ, which was significantly lower than that in the control group[45 (62.5%) ] (P=0.002) . Extramedullary disease (EMD) was more common in the study group (33.3%vs 5.6%, P<0.001) . The median quantity of serum M protein (g/L) in the less than 10% group was 1.04 (0-50.10) , which was significantly lower than that in the control group [4.50 (0-63.10) ] (P=0.016) , similar to the median quantity of 24-h urinary light chain (510 mg vs 2800 mg, respectively, P=0.023) . Second, the median progression-free survival (PFS) times of front-line regimen in the study and control groups were 26.4 and 19.9 months, respectively (HR=1.703, 95%CI 0.167-0.233, P=0.002) . In addition, the overall survival (OS) times were 65.8 and 46.2 months, respectively (HR=2.626, 95%CI 0.439-0.541, P=0.058) . Third, the study group was reclassified based on the quantity of M protein. The median OS times in patients with low/high tumor load were 66.4 and 24.0 months, respectively (HR=2.349, 95%CI 0.603-0.696, P=0.046) . The median PFS times were 33.1 and 15.5 months, respectively (HR=1.806, 95%CI 0.121-0.399, P=0.077) . Bortezomib-based regimens did not affect the clinical outcomes. Conclusion: The subpopulation of patients with MM with BM monoclonal plasma cell ratio less than 10% has specific clinical characteristics, including an early disease stage and a lower overall tumor load. Although more patients of this minor group presented with an extramedullary disease, their response rate to the initial treatment and survival outcome are better than those of patients with BM monoclonal plasma cell ratio more than 10%.

Investigation on the mechanism of p38MAPK in the failure of autogenous arteriovenous fistula caused by stenosis.

The present study aimed to probe into the mechanism of p38MAPK in the failure of autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) caused by stenosis. A total of 24 patients with maintenance hemodialysis and the autologous AVF as the hemodialysis route were enrolled in the present study. In the experimental group, the internal fistula operation mode was the end-to-side anastomosis, and patients were those who needed autogenous AVF repair due to the venous hyperplasia and stenosis of the internal fistula anastomosis (n = 12). The control group was composed of patients who underwent autogenous AVF surgery for the first time (n = 12). The discarded venous tissues in each group were used for immunohistochemistry and Western blot detection of ASK1, P38, and ATF-2. SPSS 17.0 and GraphPad Prism 5 software were adopted for data analysis. The measurement data were expressed as means ± standard deviations ( x ± s), and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results of immunohistochemistry staining: the expressions of ASK1, P38, and ATF-2 in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The results of Western blot: the expression of P38 in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of ASK1 and ATF-2 between the experimental group and the control group (P > 0.05). In stenotic AVF, the expressions of ASK1, P38, and ATF-2 all significantly increased, indicating that the p38MAPK signaling pathway might be involved in the formation of venous stenosis in AVF, and the p38MAPK signaling pathway might become a therapeutic target in preventing and treating the vascular stenosis in the fistula.

Lamin B1 deficiency promotes malignancy and predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a kind of global malignancy. However, the expression pattern and clinical relevance of lamin B1 in GC remain to be elucidated. We endeavored to investigate how GC is influenced by lamin B1 and the related mechanisms. The lamin B1 expression in GC tissues from 71 patients was assessed by using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression of lamin B1 was connected with the clinical stage, depth of invasion, and poorer overall survival. Colony formation assays and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) were used to assess cell viability. The migration ability of GC cells was determined by cell scratch assay and Transwell invasion assay. Moreover, we used two cell lines of GC to explore the underlying mechanism of lamin B1 in boosting the GC cells proliferation and invasion in vitro by assessing the effects on related signal transduction pathways. Our data demonstrated that the expression level of lamin B1 was downregulated in GC tissues, and low expression level of lamin B1 was significantly correlated with higher clinical stage, depth of invasion, nodal stage, and poor prognosis. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that lamin B1 knockdown promoted, whereas lamin B1 overexpression inhibited, gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration. We also observed that lamin B1 knockdown could promote the activity of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathway with a decrease in the p53/p21WAF1/CIP1 expression, whereas lamin B1 overexpression contributed to the opposite results. In conclusion, our studies indicate that lamin B1 deficiency is crucial in GC progression. Furthermore, the results elucidating the biological mechanisms of lamin B1 may potentially contribute to current GC treatment modalities.

Optimising Radium 223 Therapy for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer -5-year Real-World Outcome: Focusing on Treatment Sequence and Quality of Life.

AIMS: Real-world evidence of radium 223 (Ra-223) for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is emerging. In this prospective single-centre service evaluation, we report for the first time in the UK, real-world quality of life (QoL) and survival outcomes, including the sequencing impact, in 228 treated patients. We aim to share our 5-year experience on how to optimise Ra-223 treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who received Ra-223 therapy between 2014 and 2018 at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK were included in this evaluation. Demographics, clinical characteristics, blood parameters, treatment sequencing and QoL data using abbreviated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate questionnaires were prospectively collected and analysed. RESULTS: In total, 228 patients were included; median age 72 years (51-87). The medium overall survival was 11.1 months. Overall survival in post-chemotherapy and chemotherapy-naïve patients was 8.1 and 12.3 months, respectively (P = 0.02, hazard ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.17); in pre-enzalutamide and post-enzalutamide patients was 11.3 and 10.4 months, respectively (P = 0.65, hazard ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.63-1.33); in pre-abiraterone and prednisolone and post-abiraterone and prednisolone patients was 11.8 and 10.5 months, respectively (P = 0.08, hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.51-1.06); in this latter group, the fracture rate was 24% (15/63). QoL post Ra-223 (n = 101 evaluated) showed that pain scores improved in 54%, there was no change in 17% and pain scores worsened in 30% of treated patients. Overall QoL scores showed a similar trend. QoL was not significantly associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Ra-223 palliates pain and improves disease-related QoL in most patients in the real-world setting. Our survival outcome is comparable with other real-world studies. Chemotherapy-naïve patients seemed to have better survival than those who received prior chemotherapy. No significant survival differences were observed between pre- and post-abiraterone and prednisolone or enzalutamide patients. The fracture rate in the post-abiraterone and prednisolone group seemed to be high. Bone health evaluation and protection should be incorporated as standard of care.

Associations of TNF-α -308 G>A and TNF-ß 252 A>G with Physical Function and BNP-Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations of TNF-α -308 G>A (rs1800629) and TNF-ß 252 A>G (rs909253) with physical function and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). METHODS: Data of 1747 community-dwelling elders from the ageing arm of the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study was used. Physical function was measured by handgrip strength, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and 5-meter walking test (5MWT). RESULTS: AA genotype of the TNF-α -308 G>A was associated with higher mean time of TUG test and 5MWT (multivariable adjusted ß=5.75 and 5.70, respectively, p<0.05), compared with GG genotype. For the TNF-ß 252 A>G polymorphism, GG genotype was associated with higher mean time of TUG test and 5MWT (multivariable adjusted ß=1.55 and 0.83, respectively, p<0.05) and lower handgrip strength (multivariable adjusted ß=-0.69, p<0.05), compared with AA genotype. Further, GG was associated with greater odds of low handgrip strength (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.06-2.04), low speed of TUG test (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.20-2.01) and elevated BNP (OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.08-1.84). GG also interacted with elevated BNP to be associated with greater odds of low handgrip strength and 5MWT. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-ß 252 A>G was associated with physical function measurements, plasma BNP level, and odds of elevated BNP in an elderly population. TNF-ß 252 A>G also interacted with elevated BNP to be associated with greater odds of physical function measurements.

Genetic Variants of Homocysteine Metabolism, Homocysteine, and Frailty - Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, elevated homocysteine was reported to be associated with frailty in cross-sectional studies. However, whether homocysteine is causally associated with frailty is unknown. Here, we explore the inter-relationships between five non-synonymous genetic variants of homocysteine metabolic four genes, plasma homocysteine levels, and frailty. METHOD: Data of 1480 individuals aged 70-87 years from the ageing arm of Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study were used. Five variants of the four homocysteine metabolic enzyme genes were genotyped. Frailty was defined using Fried's phenotype criteria. RESULTS: The percentage of high homocysteine (>15µmol/L) is 33.3%. Two functional variants that decrease methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activities, C677T (Ala222Val, rs1801133) and A1298C (Glu429Ala, rs1801131), were significantly associated with increased homocysteine levels (ß=-1.16, p=0.01; and ß=1.46, p<0.001, respectively). In addition, homocysteine increase gradually from CC-CC, CC-AC, CT-AC, CT-AA, CC-AA, to TT-AA genotypes of the C677T-A1298C combinations. The five polymorphisms in the homocysteine metabolic gene was not associated with frailty. However, homocysteine was significantly associated with frailty with an OR of 2.27 (95% 1.36-3.78) for high homocysteine after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Elevated homocysteine is not a causal factor but a biomarker that manifests greater possibility of frailty in high risk elderly individuals for prevention.

[Incidence and risk factors of ulnar nerve dysfunction after open reduction and internal fixation of humeral intercondylar fractures].

Objective: To investigate the incidence and related risk factors of ulnar nerve dysfunction after open reduction and internal fixation of humeral intercondylar fractures. Methods: A total of 168 patients who underwent open reduction and plate and screw fixation of a humeral intercondylar fracture between January 2013 and May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 85 males and 83 females, aged from 14 to 77 years with a mean age of (43±17) years. Diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy was defined as documentation of sensory and motor dysfunction of the ulnar nerve in the medical record. The explanatory (independent) variables included age, gender, injury type, AO typing, time from injury to surgery, surgery approach, plates fixation methods and whether the nerve was transposed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine risk factors associated with postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction. Results: Acute injury-related ulnar nerve neuropathy was diagnosed in 12(7.1%) of 168 patients. Among the other 156 patients without preoperative ulnar nerve neuropathy,the total postoperative ulnar neuropathy was found in 52 patients (33.3%), and in 26(16.7%) at the final follow-up, according to the McGowan grades system; 23(88.5%) of 26 patients were clinically graded as grade 1, and 3(11.5%) were graded as grade 2. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that triceps sparing approach (OR=2.639, P=0.039) and parallel double plate fixation (OR=3.089, P=0.046) were associated with a risk of postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction. Conclusion: There is a substantial incidence of postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction after open reduction and plate and screw fixation of humeral intercondylar fracture, postoperative ulnar neuropathy may occur from the time of injury through the long-term follow-up period, triceps sparing approach and parallel double plate fixation are the risk factors for ulnar neuropathy.