Limited value of platelet-related markers in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic values of serum platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume ratio (MPV), platelet count to mean platelet volume ratio (PVR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet to neutrophil ratio (PNR), PC/Albumin-globulin ratio (PC/AGR), and PC/C-reactive protein (PC/ CRP) in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). METHODS: The medical records were retrospectively analyzed of the 158 patients who had undergone hip or knee revisions from January 2018 to May 2022. Of them, 79 cases were diagnosed with PJI and 79 with aseptic loosening (AL). PJI was defined using the Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria. The plasma levels of CRP, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), PC, MPV, PVR, PLR, PNR, PC/AGR, and PC/CRP in the 2 groups were recorded and analyzed. In addition, tests were performed according to different joint types. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of each indicator. The diagnostic value for each indicator was calculated according to the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: The PC, PVR, PLR and PC/AGR levels in the PJI group were significantly higher than those in the AL group, while PC/CRP levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001). The AUC for PC/CRP, and PC/AGR was 0.804 and 0.802, respectively, which were slightly lower than that of CRP (0.826) and ESR (0.846). ROC analysis for PC/CRP, and PC/AGR revealed a cut-off value of 37.80 and 160.63, respectively, which provided a sensitivity of 73.42% and 84.81% and a specificity of 75.95% and 65.82% for PJI. The area under the curve of PLR and PC was 0.738 and 0.702. The area under the curve values for PVR, PNR, and MPV were 0.672, 0.553, and 0.544, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that PC, PLR, PC/CRP, and PC/AGR values do not offer significant advantages over ESR or CRP values when employed for the diagnosis of PJI. PVR, PNR, and MPV were not reliable in the diagnosis of PJI.

[Clinical observation of soft tissue wire rivets in the treatment of large patellar cartilage fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical curative effect of soft tissue wire rivet for the treatment of fracture of patella cartilage. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 25 patients(25 knees) from June 2015 to February 2017 in patients with patellar cartilage fractures. Among them, 19 were male, 6 were female, 11 were left knee, 14 were right knee. The accident occurred in 2 cases, 23 cases of sprained athletes; the average age was(25.12±6.02) years old, the average weight was (62.48±7.91) kg, and the average body mass index was(23.25±1.51) kg/m². The average time from injury to admission was (1.96±1.51) d. The clinical manifestations were swelling of knee joint, positive floating patella sign, severe pain, occasional joint strangulation, limited flexion and extension, obvious tenderness of lateral patella, positive patellar extrapolation test and positive extrapolation fear test. X-ray and CT examination were performed before operation. X-ray showed the continuity of patellar bone and a loose body in the joint cavity. CT and 3D reconstruction showed patellar cartilage and facial defects. All 25 patients were fixed with soft tissue wire rivet. The clinical efficacy included preoperative Lysholm score and Insall evaluation. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 3 to 15 months, with an average of(9.72±4.07) months. The preoperative Lysholm score was 60.32±5.08, and the final follow-up was 88.24±4.37. The postoperative score was better than that before operation(t=-22.926, P<0.05). According to Insall criteria, 21 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, no fracture fragments were found and knee joint adhesion was found. Six weeks after operation, X-ray and CT showed that the fracture was well positioned, the cartilage surface was smooth without obvious steps, and the patella was in good shape. MRI showed the smooth articular surface of patellar cartilage at the 6th month after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissue wire rivet for the treatment of massive patellar cartilage fracture has the advantages of simple operation, rapid postoperative recovery, no need for secondary operation pain, fewer complications, and definite effect, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Serum microRNA-17 functions as a prognostic biomarker in osteosarcoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are a class of small noncoding RNA molecules that have important roles in regulating the expression of target genes associated with the development and progression of cancer. The majority of miRNAs are expressed in a highly tissue- and region-specific manner, and released into the bloodstream as a consequences of different diseases. Furthermore, altered levels of miRNAs have been observed in several diseases, including cancer. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) demonstrated that circulating miR-17 levels were significantly upregulated in patients with osteosarcoma (OS) compared with healthy subjects. RT-qPCR also revealed that high levels of circulating miR-17 expression were inversely correlated with phosphatase and tensin homolog expression, which was identified as a target gene of miR-17 in OS tissues. Furthermore, the overall survival of patients with OS was shorter in those with high miR-17 expression compared with moderate and low expression. Taken together, these findings indicate that miR-17 may function as a useful diagnostic and prognosis biomarker or therapeutic target of OS.