Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic effect of femoral resection on patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh with cortical bone involvement.Methods:This retrospective study included patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh diagnosed and treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2014 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether femoral resection and reconstruction were performed with 20 in the resection group and 86 in the non-resection group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control confounding variables. Overall Survival, recurrence free survival, metastasis free survival, and postoperative functional outcomes were compared between groups before and after PSM. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors for death, recurrence, and metastasis.Results:Before PSM, the 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 46.7% and 36.7% in the resection group, compared to 69.7% and 60.3% in the non-resection group without significant differences ( P>0.05). However, the 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) rate was significantly lower in the resection group (40.0%) compared to the non-resection group (73.1%) ( P=0.021). After PSM, the 5-year OS, RFS, and MFS in the resection group were 46.7%, 36.7%, and 35.9%, respectively, compared to 45.0%, 39.4%, and 67.7% in the non-resection group, with no significant differences ( P>0.05). The median postoperative MSTS functional score after PSM was significantly lower in the resection group 23(18, 25) points than in the non-resection group 26.5(24.3, 27.8) points ( U=43.000, P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified grade III histology ( HR=3.794, P=0.002) and tumor involvement angle around the femur greater than 180° ( HR=2.729, P=0.030) as independent risk factors for death. Age over 55 years ( HR=4.185, P=0.015), tumor diameter greater than 8 cm ( HR=4.290, P=0.014), and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=3.794, P=0.017) were associated with increased risk of local recurrence. Grade III histology ( HR=3.848, P=0.006) and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=2.500, P=0.045) were associated with distant metastasis. Conclusion:For patients with thigh soft tissue sarcoma involving femoral cortex involvement but no medullary cavity invasion, bone resection did not improve survival, recurrence or metastasis compared with patients in non-resection group. A relatively more conservative surgical approach may be advisable to preserve limb function without compromising oncological prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic effect of femoral resection on patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh with cortical bone involvement.Methods:This retrospective study included patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh diagnosed and treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2014 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether femoral resection and reconstruction were performed with 20 in the resection group and 86 in the non-resection group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control confounding variables. Overall Survival, recurrence free survival, metastasis free survival, and postoperative functional outcomes were compared between groups before and after PSM. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors for death, recurrence, and metastasis.Results:Before PSM, the 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 46.7% and 36.7% in the resection group, compared to 69.7% and 60.3% in the non-resection group without significant differences ( P>0.05). However, the 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) rate was significantly lower in the resection group (40.0%) compared to the non-resection group (73.1%) ( P=0.021). After PSM, the 5-year OS, RFS, and MFS in the resection group were 46.7%, 36.7%, and 35.9%, respectively, compared to 45.0%, 39.4%, and 67.7% in the non-resection group, with no significant differences ( P>0.05). The median postoperative MSTS functional score after PSM was significantly lower in the resection group 23(18, 25) points than in the non-resection group 26.5(24.3, 27.8) points ( U=43.000, P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified grade III histology ( HR=3.794, P=0.002) and tumor involvement angle around the femur greater than 180° ( HR=2.729, P=0.030) as independent risk factors for death. Age over 55 years ( HR=4.185, P=0.015), tumor diameter greater than 8 cm ( HR=4.290, P=0.014), and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=3.794, P=0.017) were associated with increased risk of local recurrence. Grade III histology ( HR=3.848, P=0.006) and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=2.500, P=0.045) were associated with distant metastasis. Conclusion:For patients with thigh soft tissue sarcoma involving femoral cortex involvement but no medullary cavity invasion, bone resection did not improve survival, recurrence or metastasis compared with patients in non-resection group. A relatively more conservative surgical approach may be advisable to preserve limb function without compromising oncological prognosis.

Objective:To observe any effect of retinoic acid (RA) concentration on nerve repair and PI3K/Akt signaling after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods:Primary cultured hippocampal neural stem cells were randomly divided into a control group, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 50μmol/L RA model groups and 5μmol/L RA+ PI3K inhibitor group. The RA groups and the RA+ PI3K inhibitor group were given those treatments at the appropriate concentrations on the 5th day of culture, and then all except the control group underwent cellular oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) on the following day. The RA+ PI3K inhibitor group was given PI3K inhibitor LY294002 2h before the OGD treatment. The cell viability of each group was detected using the CCK8 method at 12, 24 and 48 hours after the start of the OGD. Twenty-four hours later, the expression levels of RARα, PI3K, Akt, β-catenin, cyclin D1 protein and mRNA were detected using a reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.Results:The OD value of the 5μmol/L RA group was significantly higher than that of the model group 24 and 48h after the OGD, suggesting significant nerve injury repair. Also, 24h after the OGD the cell viability in the model and RA+ PI3K inhibitor groups was significantly lower than in the 5μmol/L RA group. The expressions of RARα, PI3K, cyclin D1 protein and mRNA in the 5μmol/L RA group were significantly higher than in the model group, and those of β-catenin protein and mRNA in the 10μmol/L RA group were also significantly higher than in the model group. RARα, PI3K, Akt, β-catenin, cyclin D1 protein and mRNA in the RA+ PI3K inhibitor group were significantly lower than in the 5μmol/L RA group.Conclusions:RA of appropriate concentration can up-regulate RARα expression and activate PI3K/Akt signaling and its downstream cyclin D1, thereby effectively promoting the proliferation and repair of hippocampal stem cells after OGD.

Objective:To investigate the application value of laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 9 pairs of donors and recipients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplanta-tion in People′s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January to April 2024 were collected. Of the donors, there were 8 males and 1 female, aged (39±18)years and with body mass index (BMI) of (20±4)kg/m 2. Of the recipients, there were 7 males and 2 females, aged (41±13)years and with BMI of (24±4)kg/m 2. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Surgical conditions. Of the 9 recipients, 7 recipients underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation successfully, 1 recipient with severe portal hypertension converted to open surgery with reverse L-shaped incision due to the hemorrhage during the dissection of the first hepatic portal after completing liver mobilization under laparoscopy, and 1 recipient underwent trans-umbilical extension incision through the middle of the epigastric region due to the limited space for operation in the implantation of the donor liver. The total operation time for 7 recipients who successfully underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation was (648±31)minutes, with a time of anhepatic phase of (57±5)minutes, the volume of intraoperative blood loss of (1 322±627)mL, the donor liver mass of (1 195±232)g, and the ratio of donor liver mass to recipient body mass of 1.86%±0.42%. The operation time for laparoscopic liver dissection and porta hepatis dissection in 8 recipients during surgery was (212±35)minutes. (2) Postoperative conditions. All 9 recipients recovered smoothly after surgery, without any vascular or biliary related complications, and the surgical incision recovered well. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of 7 recipients who successfully underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation was (14.2±2.0)days. (3) Follow-up. All 9 recipients were followed up for 3 months after surgery. During the follow-up period, there was no vascular or bile duct related complication.Conclusion:Laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation can be applied to recipients who meet surgical conditions and achieve good short-term clinical efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the application value of laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 9 pairs of donors and recipients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplanta-tion in People′s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January to April 2024 were collected. Of the donors, there were 8 males and 1 female, aged (39±18)years and with body mass index (BMI) of (20±4)kg/m 2. Of the recipients, there were 7 males and 2 females, aged (41±13)years and with BMI of (24±4)kg/m 2. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Surgical conditions. Of the 9 recipients, 7 recipients underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation successfully, 1 recipient with severe portal hypertension converted to open surgery with reverse L-shaped incision due to the hemorrhage during the dissection of the first hepatic portal after completing liver mobilization under laparoscopy, and 1 recipient underwent trans-umbilical extension incision through the middle of the epigastric region due to the limited space for operation in the implantation of the donor liver. The total operation time for 7 recipients who successfully underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation was (648±31)minutes, with a time of anhepatic phase of (57±5)minutes, the volume of intraoperative blood loss of (1 322±627)mL, the donor liver mass of (1 195±232)g, and the ratio of donor liver mass to recipient body mass of 1.86%±0.42%. The operation time for laparoscopic liver dissection and porta hepatis dissection in 8 recipients during surgery was (212±35)minutes. (2) Postoperative conditions. All 9 recipients recovered smoothly after surgery, without any vascular or biliary related complications, and the surgical incision recovered well. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of 7 recipients who successfully underwent laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation was (14.2±2.0)days. (3) Follow-up. All 9 recipients were followed up for 3 months after surgery. During the follow-up period, there was no vascular or bile duct related complication.Conclusion:Laparoscopic-assisted total liver transplantation can be applied to recipients who meet surgical conditions and achieve good short-term clinical efficacy.

Objective:To observe any effect of retinoic acid (RA) concentration on nerve repair and PI3K/Akt signaling after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods:Primary cultured hippocampal neural stem cells were randomly divided into a control group, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 50μmol/L RA model groups and 5μmol/L RA+ PI3K inhibitor group. The RA groups and the RA+ PI3K inhibitor group were given those treatments at the appropriate concentrations on the 5th day of culture, and then all except the control group underwent cellular oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) on the following day. The RA+ PI3K inhibitor group was given PI3K inhibitor LY294002 2h before the OGD treatment. The cell viability of each group was detected using the CCK8 method at 12, 24 and 48 hours after the start of the OGD. Twenty-four hours later, the expression levels of RARα, PI3K, Akt, β-catenin, cyclin D1 protein and mRNA were detected using a reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.Results:The OD value of the 5μmol/L RA group was significantly higher than that of the model group 24 and 48h after the OGD, suggesting significant nerve injury repair. Also, 24h after the OGD the cell viability in the model and RA+ PI3K inhibitor groups was significantly lower than in the 5μmol/L RA group. The expressions of RARα, PI3K, cyclin D1 protein and mRNA in the 5μmol/L RA group were significantly higher than in the model group, and those of β-catenin protein and mRNA in the 10μmol/L RA group were also significantly higher than in the model group. RARα, PI3K, Akt, β-catenin, cyclin D1 protein and mRNA in the RA+ PI3K inhibitor group were significantly lower than in the 5μmol/L RA group.Conclusions:RA of appropriate concentration can up-regulate RARα expression and activate PI3K/Akt signaling and its downstream cyclin D1, thereby effectively promoting the proliferation and repair of hippocampal stem cells after OGD.

OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprint of the Zhuang medicine preparation Fuzheng capsules and a method for the determination of multi-ingredient content for quality evaluation. METHODS High-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） was used in conjunction with the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2004A edition） to establish the fingerprint of 12 batches of Fuzheng capsules， evaluate their similarity and confirm the common peaks. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0 software with the peak areas of the common peaks in the fingerprint as variables. The same HPLC method was adopted to determine the content of liquiritin， specnuezhenide， 3，6′-disinapoyl sucrose and ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the 12 batches of samples. RESULTS A total of 22 common peaks were identified in the fingerprints of the 12 batches of Fuzheng capsules， with the similarities greater than 0.91. Four common peaks were identified as liquiritin （peak 8）， specnuezhenide （peak 10）， 3，6′-disinapoyl sucrose （peak 11）， and ammonium glycyrrhizinate （peak 21）. The 12 batches of samples could be clustered into 3 categories， with 200801， 200802 and 200803 as category Ⅰ， samples 1 to 8 as category ， and 221101 as category Ⅲ. The sample 200802 had the highest comprehensive score （2.540）. The contents of liquiritin， specnuezhenide， 3，6′-disinapoyl sucrose and ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the 12 batches of samples were 0.44 to 0.73， 1.28 to 2.47， 0.08 to 0.12， and 1.31 to 1.81 mg per capsule， respectively. CONCLUSIONS The main components of the 12 batches of Fuzheng capsules were similar， but the content varied， with the sample 200802 indicating the highest quality. The established fingerprint and multi-ingredient content determination method were highly specific and accurate， which can be used for the quality evaluation of Fuzheng capsules in combination with chemical pattern recognition analysis.

Humans ; Presbycusis ; Speech Perception ; Hearing Aids ; Cognition ; Noise