Objective: To explore the clinical safety and efficacy of a single-position robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomy (RRUN) in the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 136 UTUC patients who underwent RRUN (n=35) and laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LRUN，n=101) in our hospital during Dec.2020 and Aug.2023.The perioperative and safety indicators of the two groups were compared.The intravesical recurrence-free survival (IVRFS)，recurrence-free survival (RFS)，and overall survival (OS) of the two groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: There were no significant differences in the baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05).All surgeries were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery.RRUN demonstrated superior perioperative outcomes compared to LRUN in overall postoperative complication rate [37.1%(13/35) vs. 56.4%(57/101)]，postoperative hospital stay [6(5,7) days vs. 7(6,8) days]，and catheter indwelling time [3(2，4) days vs. 4(3，5) days]，with statistically significant differences (P<0.05).Safety indicators of both surgical approaches were similar (P>0.05).Survival analysis showed no significant difference in oncological outcomes between the two groups [IVRFS (1 year：92.1%，2 years：85.2%)，RFS (1 year:82.4%，2 years:74.9%)，OS (1 year:90.6%，2 years:84.2%)] (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with retroperitoneal LRUN，single-position RRUN for UTUC demonstrates comparable safety and oncological efficacy，while offering significant advantages in perioperative outcomes such as reducing postoperative complication rate and shortening hospital stay.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pathological changes of the synovium in mice with post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) treated with 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI) and evaluate the therapeutic effects of 4-OI. METHODS: In the phenotypic validation experiment, the mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: wild-type (WT) group, sham group, and destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) group. Through MRI, micro-CT, and histological analysis, it was determined that the DMM surgery induced a mouse PTOA model with significant signs of synovitis. At 12 weeks post-DMM surgery, synovial tissues from the DMM group and WT group mice were collected for ribonucleic acid sequencing analysis. In the 4-OI treatment experiment, mice were randomly divided into the sham group, DMM group, DMM + 4-OI (50 mg/kg) group, and DMM + 4-OI (100 mg/kg) group. Von Frey tests and open field tests were conducted at intervals during the 12 weeks following the DMM surgery. After 12 weeks of surgery, the efficacy of 4-OI treatment on PTOA in mice was evaluated using MRI, micro-CT, histological analysis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Finally, we utilized network pharmacology analysis to predict the mechanism of 4-OI in treating PTOA synovitis and conducted preliminary validation. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Difference was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The DMM surgery effectively induced a PTOA mouse model, which displayed significant symptoms of synovitis. These symptoms included a notable increase in both the number of calcified tissues and osteophytes (p < 0.001), an enlargement of the calcified meniscus and synovial tissue volume (p < 0.001), and thickening of the synovial lining layer attributable to M1 macrophage accumulation (p = 0.035). Additionally, we observed elevated histological scores for synovitis (p < 0.001). Treatment with 4-OI inhibited the thickening of M1 macrophages in the synovial lining layer of PTOA mice (p < 0.001) and reduced fibrosis in the synovial stroma (p = 0.004). Furthermore, it reduced the histological scores of knee synovitis in PTOA mice (p = 0.006) and improved the inflammatory microenvironment associated with synovitis. Consequently, this treatment alleviated pain in PTOA mice (p < 0.001) and reduced spontaneous activity (p = 0.003). Bioinformatics and network pharmacology analyses indicated that 4-OI may exert its therapeutic effects by inhibiting the differentiation of synovial Th17 cells. Specifically, compared to the lipopolysaccharide stimulation group, 4-OI reduced the levels of positive regulatory factors of Th17 cell differentiation (IL-1: p < 0.001, IL-6: p < 0.001), key effector molecules (IL-17A: p < 0.001, IL-17F: p = 0.004), and downstream effector molecules in the IL-17 signaling pathway (CCL2: p < 0.001, MMP13: p < 0.001). CONCLUSION 4-OI is effective in inhibiting synovitis in PTOA, thereby alleviating the associated painful symptoms.
Animals ; Synovitis/etiology* ; Mice ; Osteoarthritis/etiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; X-Ray Microtomography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitor combined with azacitidine and HAG regimen in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML). METHODS: This study is a prospective, single-arm, phase II clinical trial that included R/R AML patients who met the inclusion criteria and were treated at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2020 to August 2023. Patients could undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) after salvage therapy. The efficacy and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled, including 14 males and 6 females, with an average age of (50.7±15.3) years. The overall response rate (ORR) after one cycle of the treatment was 75.0% (15/20), and 35.0% (7/20) of the patients achieved complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) after two cycles of the treatment. Eight patients received allo-HSCT. The main adverse events were hematologic toxicities, and no grade 5 adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION The combination of PD-1 inhibitor, azacitidine, and the HAG regimen is a feasible and relatively safe treatment option for R/R AML, thus, to be worth further study.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Azacitidine/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Adult ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Aged

Epimedin B(EB)is one of the main flavonoid ingredients present in Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.,a traditional herb widely used in China.Our previous study showed that EB was a stronger inducer of melanogenesis and an activator of tyrosinase(TYR).However,the role of EB in melanogenesis and the mechanism underlying the regulation remain unclear.Herein,as an extension to our previous investi-gation,we provide comprehensive evidence of EB-induced pigmentation in vivo and in vitro and eluci-date the melanogenesis mechanism by assessing its effects on the TYR family of proteins(TYRs)in terms of expression,activity,and stability.The results showed that EB increased TYRs expression through microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-mediated p-Akt(referred to as protein kinase B(PKB))/glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)/β-catenin,p-p70 S6 kinase cascades,and protein 38(p38)/mitogen-activated protein(MAP)kinase(MAPK)and extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)/MAPK pathways,after which EB increased the number of melanosomes and promoted their maturation for melanogenesis in melanoma cells and human primary melanocytes/skin tissues.Furthermore,EB exerted repigmentation by stimulating TYR activity in hydroquinone-and N-phenylthiourea-induced TYR inhibitive models,including melanoma cells,zebrafish,and mice.Finally,EB ameliorated monobenzone-induced depigmentation in vitro and in vivo through the enhancement of TYRs stability by inhibiting TYR misfolding,TYR-related protein 1 formation,and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum and then by downregulating the ubiquitination and proteolysis processes.These data conclude that EB can target TYRs and alter their expression,activity,and stability,thus stimulating their pigmentation function,which might provide a novel rational strategy for hypopigmentation treatment in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

BACKGROUND:Peripheral nerves play an important role in bone metabolism.In clinical practice,the specific impact of nerve injury on bone transport technology needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of tibial nerve injury on the treatment of tibial slip by single-plane osteotomy. METHODS:Thirty-two patients with tibial bone defects admitted to Tangshan Second Hospital from May 2011 to June 2022 were selected.According to the presence or absence of tibial nerve injury,patients were divided into the tibial nerve injury group(n=16)and the non-tibial nerve injury group(n=16).Both groups were treated with single-plane osteotomy and bone slip.After treatment,the patients were followed up to collect the mineralization zone healing index,external fixation index,docking point healing and needle infection.After the removal of external fixation,the bone healing and functional evaluation were evaluated by a classification of the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov(ASAMI). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All 32 patients were followed up for(25.28±4.79)months.There were no significant differences in bone healing time,external fixation time,healing index and external fixation index between the two groups(P＞0.05).Needle infection occurred in two cases of the tibial nerve injury group and one case of the non-tibial nerve injury group,all of which were PALEY I,and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The non-union rate of the occlusal end of the tibial nerve injury group was 31%,and that of the non-tibial nerve injury group was 13%;there was no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The excellent and good rate of ASAMI bone healing score in the two groups was 100%;the excellent and good rate of limb score was 81%in the tibial nerve injury group and 94%in the non-tibial nerve injury group;there was no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)Our research shows that tibial nerve injury has no significant effect on the mineralization speed,external fixation time,union of the occlusal end,infection of the needle tract,and the quality of bone formation in the mineralized area of the single-plane osteotomy.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy in elderly patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the patients with unresectable/advanced HCC who attended six hospitals from January 1,2019 to March 31,2021,and all patients received camrelizumab monoclonal antibody treatment,among whom 84.8%also received targeted therapy.According to the age of the patients,they were divided into elderly group(≥65 years)and non-elderly group(＜65 years).The two groups were assessed in terms of overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and immune-related adverse events(irAE).The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups;the independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival curves.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to determine the independent influencing factors for PFS and DCR at 6 months.Results A total of 99 HCC patients were enrolled,with 27 in the elderly group and 72 in the non-elderly group.The elderly group had an OS rate of 67.8%,an ORR of 44.4%,and a DCR of 74.1%at 12 months and a median PFS of 6.4(95%confidence interval[CI]:3.0-12.4)months,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(all P＞0.05).The median OS was unavailable for the elderly group,while the non-elderly group had an OS of 18.9(95%CI:13.0-24.8)months;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.485).The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that major vascular invasion(MVI)was an independent risk factor for PFS(hazard ratio[HR]=2.603,95%CI:1.136-5.964,P=0.024)and DCR(HR=3.963,95%CI:1.671-9.397,P=0.002)at 6 months,while age,sex,etiology of HBV infection,presence of extrahepatic metastasis,Child-Pugh class B,and alpha-fetoprotein＞400 ng/mL were not associated with PFS or DCR at 6 months.For the elderly group,the incidence rates of any irAE and grade 3/4 irAE were 51.9%and 25.9%,respectively,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(P＞0.05),and skin disease was the most common irAE in both groups(39.4%).Conclusion Camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy has similar efficacy and safety in patients with unresectable/advanced HCC aged≥65 years and those aged＜65 years.MVI is associated with suboptimal response to immunotherapy and poor prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the influence of ankle acupuncture on the cognitive impairment caused by sevoflurane in elderly rats and the expression of hippocampal phosphorylated phospholipase Cγ (p-PLCγ).Methods:Fifteen SPF-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 530-600 g, were allocated into 3 groups ( n=5 each) using a random number table method: sham surgery group (S group), cognitive dysfunction group (CD group) and ankle acupuncture group (A group). The cognitive dysfunction model was prepared by inhaling the mixture of 3% sevoflurane and air, with ankle acupuncture applied to the right hind limb 1-3 region for 30 min prior to anesthesia in A group. S group received sham stimulation. Two days later, the cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze test. The rats were subsequently sacrificed and hippocampal tissues were collected for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (using HE staining and Nissl staining) and for determination of the expression of p-PLCγ, phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (p-CaMKⅡ) and phosphorylated inositol-1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor (p-IP3R). Results:Compared with S group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform quadrant was reduced, and the expression of p-PLCγ, p-CaMKII and p-IP3R was up-regulated in CD group and A group ( P<0.05). Compared with CD group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform quadrant was increased, and the expression of p-PLCγ, p-CaMKII and p-IP3R was down-regulated in A group ( P<0.05). The pathological changes were significantly reduced in A group compared with CD group. Conclusions:Ankle acupuncture can ameliorate cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane in elderly rats, and the mechanism is related to inhibition of hippocampal p-PLCγ expression.

Objective To explore the standardized process and method of atrial septum puncture(ASP)in swine guided by X-ray fluoroscopy and make ASP more safe and effective.Methods ASP was performed in 48 Pudong swines guided by X-ray fluoroscopy.Three protocols for precise location of atrial septal puncture points were recommended.(1)Site of atrial septal puncture point in cranial-caudal direction was determined under posterior-anterior projection,which was confined to the cranial side of the coronary sinus(CS)orifice at a distance of 1 cone body height along the midline of spine.(2)With 10° intervals,the fluoroscopy of the CS catheter was completed according to the right anterior oblique 10°～60° and the left anterior oblique 10°～60°,and the connection line of the CS 5-6 and 7-8 electrodes was perpendicular to the oval fossa,so as to confirm the perspective angle of the CS 5-6 and 7-8 electrodes in the same straight line.(3)The arch feature of puncture needle and distal part of sheath turned into a straight line under the perspective angle,of which the CS 5-6 and 7-8 electrodes were in the same straight line.Results ASP was successfully performed in 48 Pudong swines without any complications.Echocardiography showed left to right shunt through atrial septum after ASP.The average time of ASP was(25.7±11.5)minutes,the average X-ray exposure time is(14.0±3.4)min and the average radiation dose was(47.6±20.2)Gmy.Conclusions Using the coronal sinus electrode as a reference,atrial septal puncture in swine guided by X-ray fluoroscopy was safe and reliable.

Objective : To investigate the partial mechanism and effect of transplanting with human umbilical cordderived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC⁃MSCs) to repair articular cartilage defects in a rat model. Methods : Critical⁃sized osteochondral defects were created in the trochlear grooves of rat femurs. The hUC⁃MSCs were transplanted into the defect of experimental knees. Sham group and model group knees were transplanted with saline. The effects of articular cartilage repair were evaluated at 10 weeks after surgery with International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) repair score , histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis. The effects of hUC⁃MSCs on the proliferation and migration of chondrocytes were detected by Transwell in vitro. Results : After transplanting with hUC⁃MSCs , the articular surfaces of the defect sites were changed smoother thanthose of the model group , and the cellular morphology and arrangement were also improved in Safranin O staining or Masson staining results. Similar to surrounding normal articular cartilage tissue after treatment for 10 weeks , and the ICRS repair score was signifision of type Ⅱ (Col Ⅱ ) collagen and decrease the level of type Ⅰ collagen( Col Ⅰ ) in the articular defect site. Meanwhile , the increased protein expression of SOX9 and protein transportation to the nucleus were observed after treatment with hUC⁃MSCs for 10 weeks. In vitro , chondrocytes could be proliferated and migrated after co⁃cultured with hUC⁃MSCs. Conclusion Transplanting with hUC⁃MSCs can promote cartilage repair, and its role maybe related to the protection of the cartilage matrix and the promotion of chondrocyte proliferation and migration.

Objective: To understand the status of childcare center disinfection around the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs of professional technical support, so as to give advice for improvement measures. Methods: Using multi stage stratified sampling method, one was selected from each area of northern and southern Anhui Province, with 3 counties/districts selected from each city. A total of 54, 58, 60 childcare institutions were selected. A questionnaire survey, as well as on site visits and data check were administered in these childcare centers in Anhui Province were implemented. Information regarding the three stage disinfection work from 2019 to 2022 and technical support needs were collected. Results: A total of 54, 58, 60 childcare centers were investigated in 2019, 2020 and 2021-2022. Most of the childcare centers recorded disinfection work (96.3%, 96.6%, 98.3%), while few of them ( 26.4% , 26.3%, 58.3%) monitored disinfection factor intensity. The implementing rate of disinfection effect evaluation was 68.3% at the stage of normal prevention and control, the highest demand rate for professional technical support was guidance and training ( 95.0% ), and the highest demand rate for training content was disinfectant preparation method (81.7%). There were significant differences in the rate of disinfection tableware room allocation (A: 93.3%, B: 70.0%), and the rate of disinfection effect evaluation among different cities (A: 53.3%, B: 83.3%)( χ 2=6.24, 5.46, P <0.05). Conclusions From 2019 to 2022, childcare center disinfection has significantly improved, however, disinfection factor intensity monitoring and disinfection effect evaluation are neglected during the stage of normal prevention and control. The demand for professional technical institutions to provide disinfectant preparation method guidance and training is high.It is suggested to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of disinfection and related technical guidance.