Necrotising myositis – learnings for a plastic surgeon

BackgroundNecrotising myositis (NM) is a life-threatening emergency. Prompt treatment is associated with more favourable outcomes, but early diagnosis is challenging. The initial absence of cutaneous signs and symptoms coupled with delayed recognition commonly result in higher rates of morbidity and mortality.ObjectivesAnalyse data regarding demographics, epidemiology, aetiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of previously reported cases. This publication is intended for plastic surgeons in training to help them look out for this disease.Search methods/criteriaPublications reporting necrotising myositis between 1974 to January 2020 were identified from Embase, Medline All, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial.Data collection and analysis: Identified studies were exported to an end note library. In animal studies, studies relating to statin-induced myotoxicity and auto-immune myositis were excluded. The quality of included case reports was assessed using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports.Main resultsThe most common initial presentation was a few days of antecedent prodromal flu-like symptoms associated with muscle pain. The mean age was 43.3 years and 82% had no significant medical history. The most frequent misdiagnoses were muscle strain (11%), deep vein thrombosis (10%) and viral illness (9%). Seventy-four per cent of presentations were due to Group A Streptococcus infections and only 3.5% of cases were polymicrobial. The most common clinical course following the initial presentation was rapid deterioration into profound sepsis and progression into multi-organ failure. The overall mortality rate was 36.5%.ConclusionsNM is a life-threatening muscle infection. It is a diagnostic conundrum as initial presentation is often only myalgia without features of preceding trauma. We propose that a high index of suspicion and increased awareness will reduce morbidity.OtherPROSPERO (registration number CRD42018087060). Nil funding/conflict of interest.     

Is the T-shaped acetabular fracture really likes a "T"? A study based on three-dimensional fracture mapping

ObjectivesTo explore the morphological pattern of T-shaped acetabular fractures (T-SAFs) by mapping the fracture line using 3D software.Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 1298 consecutive patients with acetabular fractures, and a total of 56 T-SAF patients were enrolled. After the simulated reduction of each fracture in the software, the fracture lines of all patients were overlaid and plotted on a template. A frequency heat map was generated according to the differences in fracture line density distribution. According to the location of fracture lines, all cases were divided into three groups: posterior group, anterior group, extra-posterior group. In surgically treated patients, the surgical approach, fixation methods, and reduction quality were recorded or evaluated.ResultsThe transverse fracture line was sinuous without involving the acetabular roof, and the longitudinal fracture line sloped forward or backward along the edge of the acetabular fossa to split the obturator foramen. The anterior and posterior edges of the acetabular fossa, the transition zone of the acetabular roof and anterior wall, the transition zone of the superior pubic ramus and anterior wall, and the posterior wall near the greater sciatic notch were areas with high rates of fracture incidence. The posterior group included 26 patients (46.4%) and the distribution of fracture lines resembled a “T” or “Y”. The anterior group included 25 patients (44.6%) and the distribution of fracture lines resembled a “7″. The extra-posterior group included 5 patients (8.9%) and the fracture lines run through the ischial body. The surgical strategies vary among different groups of T-SAF patients.ConclusionOur findings shed light on the characteristics of fracture lines for T-SAFs and provide a reference for surgical treatment strategies.     

稽留流产孕早期预测模型的构建与验证

目的构建稽留流产(missed abortion,MA)患者在孕早期流产危险因素列线图。方法纳入2017年2月至2019年10月因稽留流产于中国建筑第二工程局职工医院治疗的孕妇125例为研究组,随机纳入同时期正常孕妇126例为对照组,分析两组患者临床基本资料:年龄、环境因素、动物接触史、叶酸使用、文化程度、流产情况、疾病史、激素水平等。采用Logistic回归分析对孕早期发生稽留流产的危险因素进行分析,应用R软件建立孕早期稽留流产预测列线图,并进行验证。结果研究组孕妇年龄、睾酮(testosterone,T)水平高于对照组,而催乳素(prolactin,PRL)、雌二醇(estradiol,E2)、孕酮(progesterone,P)水平低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);Logistic回归分析提示孕妇年龄(OR=1.809,P=0.003)、吸烟饮酒(OR=78.120、P=0.044)、职业暴露(OR=61.238,P=0.021)、T水平(OR=5.432,P=0.001)是孕早期发生MA的危险因素。PRL(OR=0.376,P=0.003)、E2(OR=0.258,P=0.016)、P(OR=0.396,P=0.005)是孕早期发生MA的保护因素。预测孕早期MA发生的相关危险因素的C-index为0.912(95%CI:0.874-0.943)。结论列线图中孕妇年龄、环境因素、激素水平能较准确的预测孕早期发生MA的风险。     

Quality of life in caregivers of a family member with serious mental illness: Evidence from China

Purpose

To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and social support among family caregivers of a family member with a mental illness and to identify factors associated with the QoL.

干扰素在恶性淋巴瘤自体移植后早期干预的应用

目的:观察非霍奇金淋巴瘤（non-Hodgkin's lymphoma，NHL）患者自体造血干细胞移植（autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation，ASCT）术后应用重组人α-2b干扰素（α-2b IFN）进行早期干预治疗的临床疗效。方法:选取18例行ASCT的NHL患者为研究对象，移植前疾病评估均未达到完全缓解（complete remission，CR），试验组血象恢复后给予IFN 3 000 000 U次/隔日干预治疗，3个月后停用；对照组未行干扰素干预治疗，分析总体疗效及两组对比的生存情况。结果:随访中位时间为34（10~50）个月，患者中位生存时间为37（31~45）个月，3年总体无进展生存（progressive free survival，PFS）、总生存（overall survivial，OS）分别为54.7%、66.8%。ASCT后试验组1年内无疾病复发，2年内复发率为12.5%；对照组1年内复发率为20%，2年内复发率为30%。结论:NHL患者在ASCT后给予重组人α-2b IFN早期干预治疗，患者耐受性好，可能降低移植后早期复发率。     

A population-based study on the epidemiology of firearm-related injury in Nova Scotia

ObjectiveFirearm-related trauma is a significant cause of preventable mortality. In 2020, Nova Scotia experienced the largest mass shooting in Canadian history. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of firearm-related injury and death in Nova Scotia and to assess for factors associated with mortality.MethodsA retrospective observational study of all major trauma patients in Nova Scotia who sustained firearm-related injuries between 2001 and 2020 was conducted. Data was collected from the Nova Scotia Trauma Registry and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service. Injury rates were evaluated over time, by age/sex, and by intent (assault/homicide, self-harm, other), and were mapped by municipality. Characteristics of survivors and non-survivors were compared using t-tests and chi-square analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model was created to assess for predictors of mortality.ResultsA total of 776 firearm-related injuries occurred over the 19-year study period, for an overall age- and sex-adjusted firearm injury rate of 4.44 per 100,000 population. Patients ranged in age from 6 to 92 years (mean 45.0±19.2 years) and most were male (95.6%; 742/776). Injuries were predominantly self-inflicted (65%; 504/776). The majority of patients died from their injuries (72%; 558/776); 64% (497/776) died at the scene. The overall age- and sex-adjusted firearm mortality rate was 3.18 per 100,000. Most non-survivors had injuries that were self-inflicted (83.2%; 464/558). Increasing age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04) and increasing Injury Severity Score (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.15) were associated with greater likelihood of mortality. Activation of the trauma team was associated with survival (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.02-0.10).ConclusionTrauma patients with firearm-related injuries were predominantly male and most injuries were self-inflicted among middle-aged to older patients. Younger patients tended to be victims of homicide/assault and were more likely to survive their injuries.     

隔药灸崔氏四花穴治疗小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘疗效观察及对机体免疫功能的影响

目的观察隔药灸崔氏四花穴治疗小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘的疗效及对机体免疫功能的影响。方法选择小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘患者90例,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组45例。观察组给予隔药灸崔氏四花穴治疗,对照组给予口服孟鲁斯特钠咀嚼片治疗,治疗6周后观察咳嗽症状评分、肺气道功能指标、血清嗜酸性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白、免疫球蛋白E及CD^3﹢、CD^4﹢、CD^8﹢、CD^4﹢/CD^8﹢的变化,并统计临床疗效。结果观察组治疗后咳嗽症状评分,血清EOS、ECP及IgE水平,CD^4﹢、CD^8﹢、CD^4﹢/CD^8﹢水平均明显低于对照组(P<0.05);血清CD8﹢水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组治疗后在肺气道功能指标(MEF75%,MEF50%,MEF25%)方面明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组、对照组临床疗效总有效率分别为91.1%、75.6%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论隔药灸崔氏四花穴可以有效改善小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘患者的咳嗽症状,提高小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘患者的免疫功能。     

膜辅助蛋白CD46 rs1970530遗传变异对肝癌发病风险的影响

背景与目的：膜辅助蛋白CD46可保护宿主细胞免受补体依赖的细胞毒性作用，研究表明，CD46可能作为肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma，HCC）患者的潜在生物标志物。探讨CD46基因表达及启动子区遗传变异与HCC发病风险的关系。方法：通过基因表达谱交互分析（gene expression profiling interactive analysis，GEPIA）在线网站分析HCC组织和正常肝组织CD46表达的差异；2011—2015年在华北理工大学附属唐山市工人医院和华北理工大学附属唐山市人民医院经病理学检查确诊且未经放化疗的240例HCC患者作为病例组，对照组为同时期入院体检的500名健康人群。采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析（polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism，PCR-RFLP）法进行基因分型，检测两组基因型频率和等位基因频率，评估CD46 rs1970530遗传变异与HCC发病风险的关系。结果：CD46在HCC组织与正常组织中的表达差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。经非条件logistic回归分析发现，CD46 rs1970530至少携带一个G等位基因型在病例组及对照组之间差异有统计学意义（OR=0.666，95% CI：0.448~0.990，P<0.05）；两组间等位基因G频率差异有统计学意义（OR=0.689，95% CI：0.478~0.994，P<0.05）。分层分析结果显示，至少携带一个G等位基因者可降低高年龄组（>60岁）（P=0.048）和男性（P=0.023）人群的HCC发病风险，在女性和低年龄组（≤60岁）中差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。按吸烟状态进行分层分析，rs1970530变异与HCC易感性无明显关联（P>0.05）。结论：HCC中CD46基因高表达及CD46 rs1970530遗传变异影响HCC发病风险。