Application and diagnostic value of low dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs in chest trauma / 中国医学装备

Objective:To explore the application and diagnostic value of low-dose scan technique of chest computed tomography(CT)combined with three dimensional(3D)reconstruction for ribs in chest trauma.Methods:A total of 118 patients with highly suspected rib fracture who admitted to the 904th Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Service Support Force were selected,and all cases underwent low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs.The image qualities of chest CT scans with different low-doses combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs were analyzed,and the diagnostic accuracies among low dose scan technique of chest CT,3D reconstruction for ribs and the combination of them for chest trauma were compared.Results:Both the sharpness and clarity of the edges of the bronchi,blood vessels,lung parenchyma,interlobular septum,mediastinum and ribs were poorer,and the artifacts of soft tissue were more and the noise were more when the tube current of CT scan was 50 Ma.Both the sharpness and clarity of the edges of the bronchi,blood vessels,lung parenchyma,interlobular septum,mediastinum and ribs were general,and a part of soft tissues existed artifacts and the noise amounts were less when the tube current of CT scan was 70 Ma,which did not affect the diagnosis.The radiation dose as 50 mA was significantly higher than that as 70 mA,with a statistically significant difference(t=10.969,P<0.05).In 118 patients with chest trauma,the examination of low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs indicated that there were 112 cases of rib fractures and 7 cases of costal cartilage fractures.In the examined 388 fractures of rib and costal cartilage,355 fractures(91.49%)were rib fractures and 33 fractures(8.51%)were costal cartilage fractures.In 118 patients with chest trauma,76 cases(64.41%)complicated with pulmonary contusions and lacerations,and 41 cases(35.75%)complicated with pleural effusion,and 10 cases(8.47%)complicated with thoracic vertebral fractures,and 6 cases(5.08%)complicated with splenic contusions and lacerations,and 5 cases(4.24%)complicated with mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysemas.The most direct imaging sign of rib fracture was visible and transparent low-density shadow.Chest CT scan can generally better display dislocation of the fractured end.The 3D reconstruction image showed a visibly line-like shadow on one side of rib if only one side of ribs fractured and the other side was intact.A total of 395 rib and costal cartilage fractures were confirmed by 3D reconstruction,which included 363 rib fractures(91.90%)and 32 costal cartilage fractures(8.10%).A total of 410 rib and costal cartilage fractures were confirmed by low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs,which included 375 rib fractures(91.46%)and 35 costal cartilage fractures(8.54%).In the comparison of 418 rib injuries that were confirmed during surgery,the accuracy of low-dose scan technique of chest CT was 92.82%(388/418)in diagnosing rib and costal cartilage fractures,and the accuracy of 3D reconstruction for ribs was 94.50%(395/418)in diagnosing that,and the accuracy of low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs was 95.69%(410/418)in diagnosing that.There was a significant difference in accuracy among the three types of examinations(x2=13.062,P<0.05).Conclusion:Low dose scan technique of chest CT combines with 3D reconstruction for ribs can be used in the diagnosis of chest trauma,which has higher accuracy and can provide reliable imaging information for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Exploring the oral-gut microbiota during thyroid cancer: Factors affecting the thyroid functions and cancer development.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is categorized into papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The TC is increasing in several countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Japan, Spain, and Italy. Thus, this review comprehensively covers the factors that affect thyroid gland function, TC types, risk factors, and symptoms. Lifestyle factors (such as nutrient consumption and smoking) and pollutants (such as chemicals and heavy metals) increased the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels which are directly related to TC prevalence. The conventional and recent TC treatments are also highlighted. The role of the oral and gut microbiota as well as the application of probiotics on TC are also discussed. The variations in the composition of oral and gut microbes influence the thyroid function indirectly through alteration in metabolites (such as short-chain fatty acids) that are eminent for cellular energy metabolism. Maintenance of healthy gut and oral microbiota can help in regulating thyroid function by regulating iodine uptake. Oral or gut microbial dysbiosis can be considered as an early diagnosis factor or TC marker. High TSH during TC can increase the oral microbial diversity while disrupting the high ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the gut. Supplementation of probiotics as an adjuvant in TC treatment is beneficial. However, needs more extensive research to explore the direct effect of probiotics on thyroid function.

A single-center retrospective study on epidemiological and Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome characteristics of 21010 patients with reflux/heartburn symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a basis for the clinical identification of true and false reflux, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and psychosomatic treatment, we conducted a retrospective study of the etiology and epidemiological and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome characteristics of patients with reflux/heartburn symptoms. METHODS: The 210 10 patients with reflux/heartburn treated at Tianjin Nankai Hospital from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, were divided into four groups according to their pathogenesis. Sex, age, course of disease, incidence rate, gastroscopy, 24-h pH-impedance, esophageal manometry, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) / Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, 8-week proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment effect, and TCM syndrome characteristics were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 21010 patients (8864 men and 12146 women), with reflux/heartburn symptoms were screened, including 6284 (29.9%) patients with reflux esophagitis (RE), 10427 (49.6%) patients with non-erosive reflux esophagitis (NERD), 2430 (11.6%) patients with reflux hypersensitivity (RH), and 1870 (8.9%) patients with functional heartburn (FH). The incidence of the disease was higher in women than in men (0.0001). The ranking of the incidence of anxiety and depression in these four groups was FH>RH>NERD>RE ( 0.0001). There were more women than men in the groups with anxiety and more men than women in the groups with depression ( 0.0001), and there was no significant difference in the distribution of anxiety and depression between men and women ( 0.5689). There were significant differences in TCM syndrome characteristics between NERD, RE, and functional esophageal diseases ( 0.01). The highest proportion of functional esophageal disease TCM symptoms was stagnation and phlegm obstruction syndrome (36.16%), and there was no significant difference between RH and FH. The effective rates of PPI treatment at 8 weeks in patients in the RE, NERD, RH, and FH groups were 89%, 72%, 54%, and 0%, respectively. RE was classified into grades A, B, C, and D according to the Los Angeles grading system. The ranking of the incidence of these four grades was A>B>C>D ( 0.0001). The effective rates of PPI treatment at 8 weeks were 91%, 81%, 69%, and 63% in patients with grade A, B, C, and D RE, respectively ( 0.0001). The highest proportion of TCM syndrome types of NERD and RE was the stagnated heat syndrome in the liver and stomach syndrome, 38.99% and 33.90%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Reflux/heartburn symptoms are relatively common in middle-aged women, and NERD is the most common etiology, followed by RE, RH, and FH. The most common TCM syndrome characteristics in NERD and RE were stagnated heat syndrome in the liver and stomach syndrome, and stagnation and phlegm obstruction syndrome in functional esophageal diseases. Most patients with reflux/heartburn symptoms also experienced anxiety and depression.

Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury (version 2023) / 中华创伤杂志

Pulmonary blast injury has become the main type of trauma in modern warfare, characterized by externally mild injuries but internally severe injuries, rapid disease progression, and a high rate of early death. The injury is complicated in clinical practice, often with multiple and compound injuries. Currently, there is a lack of effective protective materials, accurate injury detection instrument and portable monitoring and transportation equipment, standardized clinical treatment guidelines in various medical centers, and evidence-based guidelines at home and abroad, resulting in a high mortality in clinlcal practice. Therefore, the Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized military and civilian experts in related fields such as thoracic surgery and traumatic surgery to jointly develop the Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury ( version 2023) by combining evidence for effectiveness and clinical first-line treatment experience. This guideline provided 16 recommended opinions surrounding definition, characteristics, pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment, and in-hospital treatment of pulmonary blast injury, hoping to provide a basis for the clinical treatment in hospitals at different levels.

Mechanism and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, with the clinical manifestations of oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, and anovulatory infertility, and it is often accompanied by metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. Women with PCOS often have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other metabolic-associated diseases, and PCOS and NAFLD are related in terms of pathogenesis and treatment. This article reviews the research advances in PCOS with NAFLD in recent years.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of cultured autologous melanocyte transplantation for patients with non-segmental vitiligo complicated by autoimmune thyroid diseases: a clinical observation and long-term follow-up / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate clinical efficacy and safety of cultured autologous melanocyte transplantation for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo accompanied by autoimmune thyroid diseases.Methods:From May 2008 to December 2018, a total of 2 284 patients with non-segmental vitiligo were retrospectively collected, who received cultured autologous melanocyte transplantation in Hangzhou Third People′s Hospital. Among these patients, 75 were also diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid diseases, including hyperthyroidism (42 cases) , hypothyroidism (18 cases) and Hashimoto′s thyroiditis (15 cases) . Efficacy and safety were compared between the vitiligo patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (concomitant group) and those without (non-concomitant group) . Chi-square test was used to compare enumeration data.Results:Among the 2 284 patients, 1 085 were males and 1 199 were females, with an age of 25.0 ± 1.2 years and a disease duration of 5.1 ± 2.3 years. Six months after transplantation, 1 873 out of 2 209 patients in the non-concomitant group achieved favorable clinical response, with a response rate of 84.8%, including 1 162 achieving complete clinical response (52.6%) ; 46 out of 75 patients in the concomitant group achieved favorable clinical response, with a response rate of 61.3%, including 20 achieving complete clinical response (26.7%) ; the response rate and recovery rate were both significantly lower in the concomitant group than in the non-concomitant group ( χ2 = 29.72, 19.54, respectively, both P < 0.001) . Moreover, the response rate was significantly lower in the hypothyroidism group than in the hyperthyroidism group ( χ2 = 6.61, P = 0.010) . The incidence of isomorphic response at the donor site was significantly higher in the concomitant group than in the non-concomitant group (9.3% vs. 4.3%, χ2 = 4.31, P = 0.038) , so were the recurrence rates of vitiliginous patches at the recipient site after 1, 3, 5 and 10 years (concomitant group: 6.7%, 14.7%, 17.3%, 8.7%, respectively; non-concomitant group: 0.7%, 1.4%, 2.1%, 3.6%, respectively; χ2 = 29.96, 70.69, 67.23, 41.61, respectively, all P < 0.001) . Conclusion:Concomitant autoimmune thyroid diseases negatively affect the efficacy of cultured autologous melanocyte transplantation in the treatment of vitiligo, so effective measures should be taken to prevent isomorphic response and recurrence at the recipient site for patients with non-segmental vitiligo complicated by autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Efficacy of systemic glucocorticoid treatment and its related factors in patients with progressive vitiligo / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of systemic glucocorticoid treatment and its related factors in progressive vitiligo patients with vitiligo disease activity (VIDA) scores ≥ 2 points.Methods:A total of 272 progressive vitiligo patients with VIDA scores ≥ 2 points and skin lesion area < 1% of body surface area, who received no systemic glucocorticoid treatment, were collected from Department of Dermatology, the Third People′s Hospital of Hangzhou from June 2018 to June 2019. The area and type of skin lesions, VIDA scores, predisposing factors and special clinical markers (trichrome vitiligo, confetti-like depigmentation, Koebner phenomenon and inflammatory vitiligo) were analyzed. These patients were randomly divided into 3 groups by a random number table: topical glucocorticoid group (62 cases) , oral prednisone + topical glucocorticoid group (76 cases) and compound betamethasone injection + topical glucocorticoid group (134 cases) , and the latter two groups were also called as the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group. The patients in the topical glucocorticoid group were treated with halometasone cream or 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream once a day; during the oral prednisone treatment, the dose was adjusted once every 7 days, and gradually reduced from 30 mg/d to 20, 15, 10 and 5 mg/d, and the treatment lasted 35 days; during the treatment with compound betamethasone injection, intramuscular injection was performed once every 20 days at a dose of 1 ml for 2 sessions. The stable disease rate (defined as the proportion of patients experiencing no progression during the study among the analyzed patients) was calculated in these groups after 3 months of treatment, and changes in vitiligo types were evaluated after 1 year of follow-up. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact test. Results:After 3-month treatment, there was a significant difference in the expansion rate of skin lesion area among the 3 groups ( H = 12.468, P < 0.001) , and the expansion rate of skin lesion area was significantly lower in the oral prednisone + topical glucocorticoid group and compound betamethasone injection + topical glucocorticoid group than in the topical glucocorticoid group ( P < 0.001, = 0.005, respectively, α = 0.016 7) ; among the patients with slowly progressive vitiligo (VIDA scores = 2 or 3 points) , the stable disease rate was significantly higher in the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group than in the topical glucocorticoid group ( χ2 = 23.973, 11.877, respectively, both P < 0.001) ; the stable disease rate also significantly differed among the patients with different VIDA scores (VIDA scores = 2, 3 or 4 points) in the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group ( χ2 = 17.122, P < 0.001) . After 3-month treatment, the patients with predisposing factors or special clinical markers showed significantly decreased stable disease rate (47.3% [35/74], 41.2% [47/114], respectively) compared with those without predisposing factors or special clinical markers (70.6% [96/136], 87.5% [84/96]; χ2 = 11.098, 47.548, respectively, both P < 0.001) . After 1 year of follow-up, the proportion of patients with localized vitiligo converted into non-localized vitiligo was significantly higher in the topical glucocorticoid group (41.9%, 26/62) than in the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group (21.9%, 46/210; χ2 = 10.328, P = 0.006) , and higher in the group with predisposing factors or special clinical markers than in that without predisposing factors or special clinical markers respectively (both P < 0.01) . Conclusions:Early systemic glucocorticoid treatment should be performed in the progressive vitiligo patients with high VIDA scores, predisposing factors and special clinical markers.

Application value of thromboelastography in patients with multiple trauma in emergency department / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To explore the value of thromboelastography (TEG) in patients with multiple trauma in emergency department. Methods The clinical data of 302 patients with multiple trauma hospitalized in the emergency department of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital from August 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The general clinical data of the patients were collected. The patients were divided into three groups according to injury severity score (ISS): mild injury group (ISS ≤ 16), serious injury group (ISS 17-25), and severe injury group (ISS > 25). The results of vital signs, routine coagulation test, blood routine, blood biochemistry, and arterial blood gas analysis were recorded, and the National early warning score (NEWS) was calculated. TEG parameters were analyzed. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between TEG indicators and NEWS score. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of TEG indicators for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in patients with severe injury. Results 299 patients were enrolled in the final analysis, including 92 patients in the mild injury group, 109 in the serious injury group and 98 in the severe injury group. With the increase in trauma severity, the NEWS score and TEG indicators including coagulation reaction time (R value) and blood clot generation time (K value) were gradually increased [NEWS score in mild, serious, and severe injury group was 3.46±0.89, 5.85±0.62, 9.75±1.76, R value (minutes) was 5.8±2.8, 7.8±2.6, 11.7±3.0, and K value (minutes) was 2.4±1.0, 4.2±1.4, 5.5±2.9, respectively], and blood clot generation rate (α angle), maximum width value (MA value) and coagulation index (CI) were gradually decreased [α angle (°) in mild, serious, and severe injury group was 66.9±13.5, 55.7±22.9, 46.8±26.3, MA value (mm) was 51.8±9.7, 48.1±17.0, 38.5±15.2, and CI was 2.0±3.6, -2.8±3.5, -6.7±2.9, respectively], the differences were statistically significant among the groups (all P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the NEWS score was positively correlated with R and K values (r value was 0.463,0.588, respectively, both P < 0.01), and it was negatively correlated with α angle, MA value and CI (r value was -0.622, -0.689, -0.902, respectively, all P < 0.01). Linear correlation analysis showed that for every 1 minute increase in R value, NEWS score increased by 0.882 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.691 to 1.073]; for every 1 minute increase in K value, NEWS score increased by 0.484 (95%CI = 0.408 to 0.559); for every 1°increase in α angle, NEWS score decreased by 2.910 (95%CI = -3.325 to -2.494); for every 1 mm increase in MA value, NEWS score decreased by 2.223 (95%CI = -2.488 to -1.958); for every 1 increase in CI, NEWS score decreased by 1.292 (95%CI =-1.362 to -1.221). The R and K values in DIC patients (n = 37) of the severe injury group were significantly higher than those in non-DIC patients [n = 61; R value (minutes): 15.8±5.6 vs. 9.8±2.6, K value (minutes): 7.6±3.1 vs. 4.3±2.2], and α angle, MA value and CI were significantly lowered [α angle (°): 48.7±19.8 vs. 59.6±26.2, MA value (mm):37.5±19.2 vs. 49.2±18.6, CI: -8.5±3.4 vs. -5.2±3.1], the differences were statistically significant between the two groups (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the R and K values for predicting DIC was 0.999 and 0.958, respectively. When the optimal cut-off value of R value was 12.3 minutes, the sensitivity and specificity were 97.5% and 100%; when the optimal cut-off value of K value was 5.7 minutes, the sensitivity and specificity were 92.5% and 82.0%. The AUC of α angle, MA value and CI were 0.084, 0.060 and 0.114, which had no predictive value. Conclusions TEG indicators have clinical value on predicting the severity of illness in patients with multiple trauma. The changes in R and K values are effective indicators to judge the risk of DIC in patients with severe multiple trauma.

Research of the training methods and structure design of intelligent knee prosthesis based on physiological gait / 生物医学工程学杂志

The performance of intelligent prosthetic knee has an important effect on the realization of physiological gait of transfemoral amputees. A new type of single axis hydraulic damping knee prosthesis was designed based on the analysis of physiological gait. The training methods of the stance and swing phase were proposed. Knee prosthesis test was done through simulation and measurement device. The control target of peak flexion angle during swing of knee prosthesis is chosen to be 60-70°. When the damper valve closure was 0%, maximum swing-phase knee flexion angle of knee prosthesis were (86±2)°, (91±3)° and (97±3)° with the speed of 0.8 m/s, 1.2 m/s and 1.8 m/s, respectively. Once the valve closure was changed, maximum swing-phase knee flexion angle with different speeds could be adjusted between 60° and 70° and the required valve closure percentage were separately 25%, 40% and 70%. The damping adjustment law of intelligent knee prosthesis to achieve physiological gait was revealed.

Relationship between the severity of isomorphic response at the donor site and the therapeutic effect of cultured melanocyte transplantation in patients with vitiligo / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the value of the severity of isomorphic response at the donor site in evaluation of the therapeutic effect of cultured melanocyte transplantation.Methods A total of 172 vitiligo patients,who received cultured melanocyte transplantation or non-cultured epidermal suspension transplantation at the Department of Dermatology of Hangzhou Third Hospital from May 2008 to August 2016 and developed isomorphic response at the donor site,were enrolled into this study.According to the area of isomorphic response,these patients were divided into 2 groups:incomplete isomorphic response group whose area of isomorphic response was less than the suction area,and complete isomorphic response group whose area of isomorphic response was equal to the suction area.The correlation between therapeutic effects of melanocyte transplantation and isomorphic response was analyzed.Results Of the 172 patients,83 had incomplete isomorphic response,and 89 had complete isomorphic response at the donor site.In the incomplete isomorphic response group,21 (25.3％) patients were cured,and 17 (20.5％) were markedly improved,while 4 (4.5％) patients were cured,and 11 (12.4％) were improved in the complete isomorphic response group.Additionally,the response rate was significantly higher in the incomplete isomorphic response group than in the complete isomorphic response group (45.8％ vs.16.9％,x2 =31.581,P ＜ 0.001).Furthermore,the duration of stable phase was also significantly longer in the incomplete isomorphic response group than in the complete isomorphic response group (18.5 ± 15.3 months vs.10.2 ± 7.3 months,t =4.581,P ＜ 0.001).Correlation analysis showed that the duration of stable phase,which was classified into 5 grades including 6-11 months,12-23 months,24-35 months,36-47 months and ≥ 48 months,was negatively correlated with the severity (incomplete or complete) of isomorphic response (rs =-0.322,P ＜ 0.001),but positively correlated with repigmentation rates of the skin lesions (rs =0.675,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The length of duration of stable phase is an important factor affecting the therapeutic effect of melanocyte transplantation in vitiligo patients with isomorphic response at the donor site,and the severity of isomorphic response can indicate the length of duration of stable phase and predict the therapeutic effect of melanocyte transplantation.

Relationship between the severity of isomorphic response at the donor site and the therapeutic effect of cultured melanocyte transplantation in patients with vitiligo / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the value of the severity of isomorphic response at the donor site in evaluation of the therapeutic effect of cultured melanocyte transplantation.Methods A total of 172 vitiligo patients,who received cultured melanocyte transplantation or non-cultured epidermal suspension transplantation at the Department of Dermatology of Hangzhou Third Hospital from May 2008 to August 2016 and developed isomorphic response at the donor site,were enrolled into this study.According to the area of isomorphic response,these patients were divided into 2 groups:incomplete isomorphic response group whose area of isomorphic response was less than the suction area,and complete isomorphic response group whose area of isomorphic response was equal to the suction area.The correlation between therapeutic effects of melanocyte transplantation and isomorphic response was analyzed.Results Of the 172 patients,83 had incomplete isomorphic response,and 89 had complete isomorphic response at the donor site.In the incomplete isomorphic response group,21 (25.3％) patients were cured,and 17 (20.5％) were markedly improved,while 4 (4.5％) patients were cured,and 11 (12.4％) were improved in the complete isomorphic response group.Additionally,the response rate was significantly higher in the incomplete isomorphic response group than in the complete isomorphic response group (45.8％ vs.16.9％,x2 =31.581,P ＜ 0.001).Furthermore,the duration of stable phase was also significantly longer in the incomplete isomorphic response group than in the complete isomorphic response group (18.5 ± 15.3 months vs.10.2 ± 7.3 months,t =4.581,P ＜ 0.001).Correlation analysis showed that the duration of stable phase,which was classified into 5 grades including 6-11 months,12-23 months,24-35 months,36-47 months and ≥ 48 months,was negatively correlated with the severity (incomplete or complete) of isomorphic response (rs =-0.322,P ＜ 0.001),but positively correlated with repigmentation rates of the skin lesions (rs =0.675,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The length of duration of stable phase is an important factor affecting the therapeutic effect of melanocyte transplantation in vitiligo patients with isomorphic response at the donor site,and the severity of isomorphic response can indicate the length of duration of stable phase and predict the therapeutic effect of melanocyte transplantation.

Severe kyphosis in thoracolumbar fracture patients with injured intervertebral disc after posterior fixation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Thoracolumbar fracture often accompanies with the injury of adjacent intervertebral disc. Traditional posterior short-segment fixation does not deal with the injured intervertebral disc, which may be the main reason for kyphosis in patients after surgery. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of injured intervertebral disc on kyphosis angle in patients with single vertebral thoracolumbar fracture after treated with posterior short-segment fixation alone. METHODS:From January 2009 to June 2014, 40 cases of thoracolumbar fractures were treated in Jinan Central Hospital. They were folowed-up at preoperation, 2 and 12 months after operation and 6 months after internal fixation removal. Data were obtained from X-ray and MRI scanning. According to the preoperative MRI images, cases were assigned to observation group (17 cases) and control group (23 cases) according to injury and non-injury intervertebral disc. Data of vertebral wedge angle, sagittal plane kyphosis, proximal intervertebral disc angle, sagittal index and degeneration classification of proximal intervertebral disc angle from two different groups were analyzed at each folow-up time point (18-30 months, averagely 23.6 months). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Imaging parameters: sagittal plane kyphosis was significantly severer at 6 months than that at 2 months in both groups (P < 0.05). Sagittal plane kyphosis, proximal intervertebral disc angle and sagittal index were greater in the observation group than in the control group at 12 months after surgery and 6 months after fixator removal (P < 0.05). (2) Degeneration classification of proximal intervertebral disc angle: Pearce degeneration grade of proximal intervertebral disc was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group at 2 months after surgery and 6 months after internal fixation removal (P < 0.05). (3) Results suggested that kyphosis may appear in the patients with thoracolumbar fracture after a posterior short-segment fixation alone, and the injured disc may lead to more severe kyphosis.

Autologous melanocyte transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo in patients with abnormal thyroid function:a clinical observation / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of autologous melanocyte transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo in patients with abnormal thyroid function.Methods A total of 60 patients with vitiligo were enrolled in this study,including 30 with abnormal thyroid function and 30 without.Epidermal sheets were obtained by suction blister biopsy from the normal skin of all the patients followed by melanocyte isolation and culture.After 2-5 passages of subculture,the melanocytes were transplanted onto vitiliginous lesions,which were abraded previously by ultra-pulsed CO2 laser,in the corresponding patients.All the patients were followed for 6-12 months.Results Of the 30 patients with abnormal thyroid function,7 patients achieved more than 90％ repigmentation,9 patients 50％-89％ repigmentation,53.3％ more than 50％ repigmentation,with the average repigmentation rate being 47％ within 6 months after the transplantation.Meanwhile,13 out of the 30 patients without abnormal thyroid function showed more than 90％ repigmentation,11 showed 50％-89％ repigmentation,with the average repigmentation rate being 75％.Both the cure rate and response rate were significantly higher in the patients without abnormal thyroid function than in those with (cure rate,43.3％ vs.23.3％,P＜ 0.05; response rate,80％ vs.53.3％,P＜ 0.05).Significant differences were also found in the response rate for lesions on the face or neck and for those sized more than 20 cm2 between the two groups of patients (both P ＜ 0.05).The lesions transplanted with epidermal melanocytes from the waist exhibited the lowest cure rate and response rate.Conclusion Clinical or subclinical thyroid dysfunction may have a negative impact on the efficacy of autologous melanocyte transplantation in vitiligo.

Optimization of cell seeding density in the treatment of vitiligo by transplantation of cultured autologous melanocytes / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the relationship between cell seeding density and clinical efficacy of autologous cultured melanocyte transplantation in the treatment of vitiligo.Methods A total of 632 patients with vitiligo were enrolled in this study,and randomly classified into 4 groups to be treated with transplantation of autologous cultured melanocytes at 4 different seeding densities respectively,i.e.,(3.0-4.9)× 104/cm2 (n =201),(5.0-7.9) × 104/cm2 (n =303),(8.0-9.9) × 104/m2 (n =82),(10.0-12.0) × 104/cm2 (n =46).Epidermal sheets were obtained by suction blister biopsy from the normal skin of the vitiligo patients,and subjected to the isolation and culture of melanocytes.After 2 to 5 passages,the cultured autologous melanocytes were transplanted at different seeding densities to vitiligous lesions,which were abraded previously by ultra-pulsed CO2 laser,of these patients.All the patients were followed for 6-12 months.Results At 6 months after the transplantation,52.85％of these patients achieved more than 90％ repigmentation,and 82.28％ more than 50％ repigmentation,with no differences in the cure rate and response rate between the 4 groups (both P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of patients obtaining excellent color matching was significantly higher in the group treated with transplantation of melanocytes at a seeding density of (5.0-7.9) × 104/cm2 than in the other 3 groups at 6,12 and 24 months after treatment (all P ＜ 0.05),and higher in all the 4 groups at 12-and 24-month points compared with the 6-month point (all P ＜ 0.05),but no statistical difference was observed between the 12-and 24-month point in any of these groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The transplantation of autologous cultured pure melanocytes is effective for the treatment of stable vitiligo with the optimal cell seeding density of melanocytes being (5.0-7.9) × 104/cm2,and the color matching appears to improve with time.

Exploring the role of a nonablative laser (1320 nm cooltouch laser) in skin photorejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: Nonablative laser has been used for the treatment and prevention of skin aging for many years. Although the mechanism has not been elucidated, histological evaluation showed that the dermal fibroblasts and its collagen production should be the main target for this rejuvenation. In order to determine the effects of a 1320 nm nonablative laser on the human dermal fibroblasts, the two main secretion factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor ß1(TGF-ß1), in vitro were detected. METHODS: The human dermal fibroblasts were cultured and irradiated with a 1320 nm laser at the dose of 15, 20, and 24 J/cm(2) respectively. The number of fibroblasts was counted and the levels of bFGF and TGF-ß1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the time points of 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after irradiation. RESULTS: The results showed that both the number of fibroblasts and the secretion of bFGF increased after the irradiation at the dose of 20 and 24 J/cm(2) (P<0.05) compared with that of the control cells. The bFGF secretion in the group exposed to 20 J/cm(2) was more significant than that of 24 J/cm(2), and the peak level was 24 h after irradiation. The level of TGF-ß1 secretion decreased after irradiation in a dose-dependent manner (15 and 20 J/cm(2), both P<0.05; 24 J/cm(2), P<0.01), and reached a nadir at 24 h. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the 1320 nm nonablative laser accelerates the vitality of fibroblasts, promotes the secretion of bFGF, and inhibits TGF-ß1 secretion by fibroblasts.

Evaluation of clinical efficacy of three different placental preparations in the treatment of childhood vitiligo / 中华皮肤科杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of three different placental preparations in the treatment of childhood vitiligo.MethodsEighty-two children with vitiligo were divided into 3 groups to be topically treated with melagenine,human placental tissue fluid and human placental lipopolysaccharide respectively.All the patients were additionally treated with infrared rays for 20 minutes twice daily.The drugs were topically applied with an interval of 5 minutes during the irradiation.ResultsThe response rate was 75.65％,35.00％ and 44.44％ respectively in the melagenine-,human placental tissue fluid- and human placental lipopolysaccharide-treated patients,and significant differences were observed between the three groups of patients(all P ＜ 0.05).In particular,melagenine was superior to the other two preparations for the treatment of large areas of vitiligo on the scalp.ConclusionThe 3 placental preparations combined with infrared irradiation show favorable efficacy for the treatment of childhood vitiligo.

Establishment and application of individualized culture system for melanocytes / 中华皮肤科杂志

ObjectiveTo establish an individualized culture system for melanocytes, and to estimate its efficacy for the treatment of large-area vitiligo. MethodsHu 16 medium was used for in vitro primary culture of melanocytes isolated from patients with stable segmental vitiligo.Doubling time(DOT), melanin content (M), melanin production(MP) and number of dendrites were examined to evaluate the biological activity of melanocytes. To obtain melanocytes with better biological activity, the components of Hu16 culture medium were adjusted. Ultra pulse CO2 laser was utilized to shave the vitiligous lesions and remove the epidermis followed by autologous transplantation. Follow-up was carried out. ResultsMelanocytes were obtained from 10 patients with stable segmental vitiligo and cultured. The melanocytes from 6 patients showed relatively short DOT, stable M and MP during the first and seventh passage, and were considered to be at initial or growth stage and applicable to transplantation. The remaining melanocytes from the other 4 patients had displayed long DOT, instable M, MP and dendrite quantity since the third passage; by adjusting the components of culture medium, these cells were induced into growth stage and finally applied to transplantation. A 12-month follow-up revealed that the repigmentation rate was higher than 90％ in 7 patients, ranged between 70％ and 80％ in the remaining 3 patients, with the transplantation area being 116.8 + 75.6 cm2. ConclusionsThe individualized culture system with adjusted components in culture medium yields melanocytes with satisfying biological activity, which are proved to be effective for the treatment of large-area, segmental and stable vitiligo.

Relationship of apoptosis in epidermal keratinocytes with efficacy of epidermal grafting in patients with vitiligo / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between apoptosis in epidermal keratinocytes and efficacy of epidermal grafting. Methods Epidermal specimens were obtained from donor sites and depigmented area of 44 patients with vitiligo receiving epidermal grafting. The apoptosis in keratinocytes was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, and the expressions of caspase 3, 8, 9 as well as bcl-2 and P53 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results As TUNEL assay showed, the number of apoptotic keratinocytes in epidermis from depigmented area differed significantly from that from donor sites.The expressions of caspase 3, 8 and 9 were mainly located in the membrane and cytoplasm of keratinocytes,and positive keratinocytes were predominately distributed in the middle and lower layer of the epidermis. Of the 44 patients, 19, 15 and 16 were positive for the expressions of caspase 3, 8 and 9 in the depigmented epidermis,respectively, and 9, 5 and 4 for those in the donor epidermis, respectively. P53 was expressed in neither donor epidermis nor depigmented epidermis, while Bcl-2 was weakly positive in donor epidermis and negative in depigmented epidermis. The number of apoptotic keratinocytes was higher in donor epidermis from patients failing to respond to the transplantation than in that from patients successfully treated by transplantation (15.83 ± 2.69 vs.9.24 ± 1.80, t = 10.96, P < 0.01 ). Conclusions There is an obvious apoptosis in keratinocytes from depigmented epidermis of patients with vitiligo, together with an increase in the expression of caspase 3, 8 and 9. The apoptosis in keratinocytes may be related to the efficacy of epidermal transplantation.

Expression of NF-E2 related factor in vitiligo lesions / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the level of NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf 2) in vitiligo lesions.Methods Tissue samples were obtained by press suction blisters at lesional and donor sites of 12 patients with vitiligo who were managed with epidermal transplantation. Four lesional samples from the patients were subjected to primary culture and the level of Nrf 2 was detected by AEC immunohistochemistry after 48hours of culture. Western blotting was utilized to further detect the level of cytoplasmic and nuclear Nrf 2 in tissue samples from the other 8 patients with vitiligo. Results Immunohistochemistry revealed that Nrf 2 was predominantly expressed in cytoplasm, rather than nuclei, of keratinocytes in vitiligo lesions compared with the normal skin of patients. The level of nuclear Nrf 2 was significantly lower in lesions than that in normal skin (0.10 ± 0.03 vs 0.26 ± 0.03, P ＜ 0.01) of the patients. In contrast, there was no significant dif- ference in the level of cytoplasmic Nrf2 between lesional and normal skin (0.61 ± 0.03 vs 0.60 ～ 0.02, P ＞0.05) of patients. Conclusion These results reveal an abnormality of nuclear translocation of Nrf 2 in vitili-go lesions.