ObjectiveTo explore the possibility that GREM1, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist, is a mechanical explanation for BMP signal suppression in congenital heart disease associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD/PAH) patients.MethodsSystemic-to-pulmonary shunt induced PAH was surgically established in rats. At the postoperative 12th week, right heart catheterization and echocardiography evaluation were performed to evaluate hemodynamic indexes and morphology of right heart system. Right heart hypotrophy index and pulmonary vascular remodeling were evaluated. Changes of BMP signal pathway related proteins and GREM1 in lungs and plasma GREM1 concentration were detected. The effect of GREM1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) was also explored.ResultsThe hypertensive status was successfully reproduced in rats with systemic-to-pulmonary shunt model. BMP signal pathway was suppressed but GREM1 was up-regulated with no change in hypoxia inducible factor-1 in lungs exposed to systemic-to-pulmonary shunt, while this trend was reversed by systemic-to-pulmonary shunt correction (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated enhanced staining of GREM1 in remodeled pulmonary arteries. In vitro experiments found that BMP signal was down-regulated but GREM1 expression and secretion were up-regulated in proliferative PAECs (P<0.05). Furthermore, BMP2 significantly inhibited PAECs proliferation and promoted PAECs apoptosis (P<0.05), which could be antagonized by GREM1. In addition, plasma level of GREM1 in rats with systemic-to-pulmonary shunt was also increased and positively correlated with pulmonary hemodynamic indexes.ConclusionSystemic-to-pulmonary shunt induces the up-regulation of GREM1 in lungs, which promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling via antagonizing BMP cascade. These results present a new mechanical explanation for BMP pathway suppression in lungs of CHD/PAH patients.
Objective To systematically analyze and compare the casualties’ medical evacuation (ME) in Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes, so as to provide useful references for earthquake casualties’ ME in the future. Methods The data about casualties’ ME in Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes were collected from the field research, work statement of the Ministry of Health, official websites, and literatures. And the descriptive analysis was then performed. Results From Wenchuan to Yushu, the principle of ME tended to be “early evacuation, all evacuation”; the evacuation level was gradually simplified, the casualties were evacuated directly from the disaster area to the rear hospital through highway and railway, or air evacuation became the major method of ME; triage became less prominent, while specialist treatment was strived as early as possible. Conclusion The early establishment of appropriate evacuation principles, building of a simplified evacuation system, ensuring adequate medical transport capacity, and scientific assessment of treatment capacity at all levels are the main issues of effective and safe ME after earthquakes that require to be solved urgently.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prognosis and risk factors of mild to moderate or moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) after Fontan operation.MethodsA total of 34 patients with mild to moderate or moderate AVVR who accepted Fontan operation and atrioventricular valve (AVV) repair between 2004 and 2018 in our center were selected as an AVV repair group. The patients in the same period were matched as a control group by the ratio of 1 : 1-2. Finally 99 patients were included into this study, including 64 males and 35 females, with an average age of 63.4±36.3 months and weight of 17.3±6.7 kg. Grades of AVVR decreased more than 1 was defined as significant improvement. Endpoints of the study were death, Fontan takedown, AVV replacement. Risk factors including Fontan procedures, AVV repair procedures, cardiac anatomy were analyzed.ResultsPatients were followed up for 1.5 (0.3-4.0) years. Overall mortality was 15.2%. Most (82.4%) of AVV repair group accepted single AVV repair procedure while partial annuloplasty was the most common (52.9%). With the extension of follow-up, the degree of AVVR in the whole group showed a gradually increasing trend (r=0.352, P=0.000). Mild to moderate AVVR improved spontaneously after Fontan operation, while moderate AVVR did not. AVV repair could improve the degree of AVVR after moderate regurgitation, without increasing the surgical mortality, and regurgitation significantly decreased in 8.8% patients. AVV repair was not effective for mild to moderate AVVR and would increase surgical mortality. ConclusionAVV function shows a gradual downward trend after Fontan operation. AVV repair is effective for moderate AVVR, does not increase mortality, but the degree of improvement is limited. AVV repair is not effective for mild to moderate AVVR and increases surgical mortality.
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of corticosteroid on peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsThis was a retrospective study and 376 patients were included in the study. The patients were classified into three type: moderate type (118 patients), severe type (215 patients), critical type (43 patients). Six critical patients died. T lymphocyte subsets were analyzed and compared among these patients. In severe patients, T lymphocyte subsets were compared between no corticosteroid therapy patients (178 patients) and patients who were treated with corticosteroid for 3 to 5 days (37 patients).Results(1) In contrast with those in moderate patients, in severe patients total lymphocytes [(1359.2±597.9)×106 vs. (1703.7±702.4)×106/L, LSD-t=4.786, P<0.001], total T lymphocytes [(949.2±454.0)×106 vs. (1235.5±555.7)×106/L, LSD-t=5.175, P<0.001] and CD8+ T cells [(336.8±189.8)×106 vs. (461.7±242.8)×106/L, LSD-t=5.332, P<0.001] decreased significantly, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (1.81±0.92 vs. 1.64±0.74, LSD-t=1.574, P=0.116) was increased. In contrast with those in severe patients, in critical patients CD4+/CD8+ ratio (2.23±1.24 vs. 1.81±0.92, LSD-t=2.627, P=0.009) increased and CD8+ T cells [(232.5±159.8)×106/L vs. (336.8±189.8)×106/L, LSD-t=2.867, P=0.004] decreased significantly, total lymphocytes [(1161.1±583.7)×106/L vs. (1359.2±597.9)×106/L, LSD-t=1.772, P=0.077], total T lymphocytes [(790.5±419.3)×106/L vs. (949.2±454.0)×106/L, LSD-t=1.846, P=0.066] also decreased but without significant difference. There was no significant difference between dead and survived critical patients. (2) In severe type, in contrast with no corticosteroid therapy patients, 37 patients were therapy with corticosteroid for 3 to 5 days, and their total T lymphocytes [(770.6±480.3)×106 vs. (986.3±440.7)×106/L, t=2.666, P=0.008] and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (1.30±0.73 vs. 1.91±0.92, t=3.771, P<0.001) were decreased significantly.ConclusionsIn COVID-19 patients, lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and CD8+ T cells are decreased, but CD4+/CD8+ ratio is increased, and these changes are positively related to the severity of the disease. After corticosteroid therapy, the increase of CD4+/CD8+ ratio is relieved, but T lymphocytes are decreased further.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of irreducible intertrochanteric femoral fracture in the elderly by treating with folding top technique and right-angle pliers prying and pulling under G-arm X-ray fluoroscopy. Methods The clinical data of 74 elderly patients with irreducible intertrochanteric femoral fracture admitted between February 2016 and December 2022 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 38 cases were treated with folding top technique combined with right-angle pliers prying and pulling under G-arm X-ray fluoroscopy and intramedullary nailing fixation (study group), and 36 cases were treated with limited open reduction combined with other reduction methods and intramedullary nailing fixation (control group). There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups, such as age, gender, cause of injury, affected side and classification of fractures, complicated medical diseases, and time from injury to operation (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, fracture reduction time, fracture healing time, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated by Baumgaertner et al. and Chang et al. fracture reduction standards. ResultsPatients in both groups were followed up 10-14 months, with an average of 12 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the study group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). At 2 days after operation, according to the fracture reduction standards of Baumgaertner et al. and CHANG Shimin et al., the quality of fracture reduction in the study group was better than that in the control group, and the fracture reduction time in the study group was shorter than that in the control group, with significant differences (P<0.05). After operation, the fractures of the two groups all healed, and there was no significant difference in healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). During the follow-up, there was no complication such as incision infection, internal fixation failure, deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs, intramedullary nail breakage, spiral blade cutting, or hip varus in the two groups, except for 2 cases of coxa vara in the control group. Conclusion For the irreducible intertrochanteric femoral fracture, using folding top technique combined with right-angle pliers prying and pulling under G-arm X-ray fluoroscopy can obviously shorten the operation time, reduce the intraoperative blood loss, and improve the quality of fracture reduction.
Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of proximal tibial lateral raft plate combined combined with or without Jail screw fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau collapse fractures involved posterior-lateral column. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 106 patients (106 knees) with tibial plateau collapse fracture involved posterior-lateral column admitted between January 2016 and January 2021. According to the combination with Jail screw fixation or not, patients were divided into control group (treated by lateral raft plate without Jail screw fixation, 52 cases) and study group (treated by lateral raft plate with Jail screw fixation, 54 cases). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, affected knee side, cause of injury, Schatzker classification, Tscherne-Gotzen classification, time from injury to operation, and preoperative lateral tibial plateau posterior slope angle (PSA), tibial plateau varus angle (TPVA), Rasmussen anatomical score (P>0.05). The operation time, cumulative fluoroscopy time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, fracture healing time, complications, and lateral tibial plateau PSA, TPVA, Rasmussen anatomical score detected by X-ray films and CT before operation and at 1 year after operation of the two groups were recorded and compared. The number of cases of articular surface collapse in the two groups was recorded at 1 year after operation, and the effectiveness was evaluated by American Special Surgery Hospital (HSS) score. ResultsAll patients were followed up 12-32 months (mean, 19.5 months). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time, cumulative fluoroscopy time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, and fracture healing time (P>0.05). There were 2 patients (3.7%) in the study group and 3 patients (5.8%) in the control group with superficial wound infection, which were cured after debridement and dressing change. There was no significant difference in the incidence between the two groups (χ2=0.252, P=0.616). There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, internal fixation failure, nonunion or malunion of fracture, and deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs in both groups. At 1 year after operation, 9 cases (17.3%) in the control group had joint collapse of 2-3 mm, while only 2 cases (3.7%) in the study group had joint collapse, showing significant difference (χ2=5.271, P=0.022). At 1 year after operation, the PSA, TPVA, and Rasmussen anatomical scores of the two groups were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); the differences of pre- and post-operative PSA, TPVA, Rasmussen anatomical score, and postoperative HSS score in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe lateral raft plate combined with or without Jail screw fixation can achieve satisfactory short-term effectiveness in the treatment of tibial plateau collapse fractures involved posterior-lateral column. Combined with Jail screw, it can enhance the fixation and avoid the occurrence of secondary articular surface collapse, which can be used as a better choice.