Effect of Agkistrodon halys antivenom in patients bit by green pit viper and the prognostic role of the disease - a retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: In Mainland China and Hong Kong, health authorities utilize antivenom in the treatment of patients who sustained bites from green pit vipers. However, the treatment benefit of antivenom among such patients is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the coagulation parameters normalization time of antivenom in patients who sustained green pit viper bites and explore independent risk factors of patient prognosis.

Development of an intensive simulating training program in emergency medicine for medical students in China.

Background: A national standardized emergency medicine (EM) curriculum for medical students, including specific competencies in procedural skills, are absent in many countries. The development of an intensive simulating training program in EM, based on a tight schedule, is anticipated to enhance the competency of medical students.

Methods: A 3-day intensive EM training program, consisting of four procedural skills and 8-hour case-based learning (CBL), was developed by experienced physicians from the EM department in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH).

Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in immunocompetent patients with septic shock.

Background: The use of corticosteroids in septic shock has been studied for many decades but yielded conflicting results. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of corticosteroids in immunocompetent patients with septic shock.

Methods: Medline via PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched from inception to March 2020.

Venous thromboembolism in the emergency department: A survey of current best practice awareness in physicians and nurses in China.

Background: For emergency department (ED) patients, risk assessment, prophylaxis, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are essential for preventing morbidity and mortality. This study aimes to investigate knowledge amongst emergency medical staff in the management of VTE.

Methods: We designed a questionnaire based on multiple scales.

Transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion : Treatment of thoracic myelopathy caused by anterior compression.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the early clinical safety and efficacy of transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion (TTIF) with interbody cage application for thoracic myelopathy caused by anterior compression (TMAC).

Methods: A total of 10 patients who underwent TTIF for TMAC from July 2009 to July 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Thoracic spinal lesions included thoracic disc herniation, thoracic ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, thoracic vertebral compression fracture, and thoracic spine fracture dislocation.

Microstructure study of normal lunates with micro-computed tomography.

In order to study the microstructure characteristics of normal lunate bones, eight fresh cadaver normal lunates were scanned with micro-computed tomography. High-resolution images of the micro-structure of normal lunates were obtained and we analyzed the nutrient foramina. Then nine regions of interest (ROI) were chosen in the central sagittal plane so that we could obtain the parameters of trabecular bones of ROIs.

The effect of growing Rod treatment on coronal balance during serial lengthening surgeries in early onset scoliosis.

Background: Gaining and maintaining spinal balance after surgery is of great importance for early onset scoliosis (EOS). However, tendency of balance on the coronal plane after growing rod surgery has not been studied before. This study evaluated the effect of growing rod treatment on coronal balance (CB) during serial lengthening surgeries in EOS.

Effect of Resveratrol on Preventing Steroid-induced Osteonecrosis in a Rabbit Model.

Background: Prevention of osteonecrosis (ON) has seldom been addressed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on preventing steroid-induced ON in rabbits.

Methods: Seventy-two rabbits were divided into four groups: (1) NEC (ON) group: thirty rabbits were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) once, then with methylprednisolone (MPS) daily for 3 days; (2) PRE (prevention) group: thirty rabbits were given one dose of LPS, then MPS daily for 3 days, and resveratrol on day 0 and daily for 2 weeks; (3) RES (resveratrol) group: six rabbits were given resveratrol for 2 weeks but without LPS/MPS; (4) CON (control) group: six rabbits were given alcohol for 2 weeks but without LPS/MPS.

Surgical Fixation of Fourth and Fifth Metacarpal Shaft Fractures with Flexible Intramedullary Absorbable Rods: Early Clinical Outcomes and Implications.

Background: To avoid the irritation of tendons and soft tissues as well as hardware-related problems, we designed an intramedullary fixation with bioabsorbable rods for the treatment of the metacarpal shaft fractures.

Methods: Five patients with nine shaft fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpi were treated with intramedullary absorbable implants and followed up with an average of 4.2 months postoperatively.

Multilevel thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum coexisted with/without lumbar spinal stenosis: staged surgical strategy and clinical outcomes.

Background: Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF) is a progressively disabling disease. Isolated or continuous TOLF has been frequently reported in literature, however there are very few reports of multilevel or non-continuous TOLF. The purpose of the study was to discuss the surgical strategy of multilevel TOLF and evaluate safety and efficacy of a two-stage operation regimen.

Dual growing rod treatment in early onset scoliosis: the effect of repeated lengthening surgeries on thoracic growth and dimensions.

Purpose: To investigate changes in thoracic dimensions (TDs) following repeated lengthening surgeries after dual growing rod treatment of early onset scoliosis and thereby its effect on thoracic growth.

Methods: All EOS patients treated with dual growing rod technique in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2004 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Thoracic spine height (T1-T12), total spine height (T1-S1), maximal coronal chest width and pelvic inlet width (PIW) were measured on the posteroanterior X-ray images after initial growing rod insertion surgery and after each lengthening surgery.

Role of corticotrophin releasing hormone in cerebral infarction-related gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction.

Background: Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) is believed to mediate stress-induced behaviors, implying a broader, integrative role for the hormone in the psychological stress response, and studies on CRH in physical stress are few. This study was undertaken to investigate whether CRH plays an important role in cerebral infarction-related gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction.

Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a pseudo-operation group (group C, n=10), a cerebral infarction group (group I, n=10), and a cerebral infarction + ic α-helical-CRH (9-41) group (group Aic, n=10).