Objective To retrospectively analyze the one-year outcomes of modified single-armed suture technique for microsurgical vasoepididymostomy in men with epididymal obstructive azoospermia (EOA).Methods From February,2012 to November,2013,microsurgical longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomies using a modified single-armed suture technique in 51 men with EOA was performed.The followed-up period was designed as 1 year.The correlations between the sperm motility in epididymal fluid,unilateral or bilateral procedure,anastomotic site,and the female partner age and the patency or pregnancy rate were analyzed.Results Followups were carried out for 39 (76.5％) men.The patency was noted in 24 (61.5％) men and pregnancy was reported in 15 (38.5％) female partners,including 1 received in vitro fertilization using fresh ejaculated sperm.Motile sperms in epididymal fluid were observed intraoperatively in 14 (58.3％) patent men and 3 (20.0％) nonpatent men,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).In patent cohort,the mean ages of the pregnant and non-pregnant female partners were 26.5 and 32.7 years(P ＜ 0.05),respectively.Conclusion The modified single-armed suture technique showed favourable patency and pregnancy rates in this study.It's a practical alternative in the areas without the specialized double armed suture.

BACKGROUND: The structure of nanometer chitosan-sodium/collagen (nano-CS/COL) is similar to that of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the nanometer level. Whether this can promote the adhesion and growth of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the calcification?OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro histocompatibility of nano-CS/COL. DESIGN: Single sample observation.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, First Hospital, Jinan University. MATERIALS: This study was performed at the Experimental Center, First Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University between March 2007 and July 2007. Ten 4-week-old female SD rats, of SPF grade, weighing 200 g, were provided by the Guangdong Provincial Laboratory Center [Permission No. SCXK (yue) 2003-0002]. The protocol was carried out in accordance with animal ethics guidelines for the use and care of animals. Nano-CS/COL METHODS: Bone marrow MSCs were isolated from SD rats and cultured. Cell surface antigen was detected by loss cellanalyticalmethod.Nano-CS/COLscaffold waspreparedbypolyelectrolyte confocallaser-scanning microscopy. The well-grown cells of the third passage were co-cultured in vitro on the nano-CS/COL scaffold. Taking simple nano-CS/COL scaffold material as control, the histocompatibility of scaffold material and cells were comprehensively evaluated by cell adherence rate, growth curve, cell activity and cycle, and scanning electron microscope observation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Identification of cell surface antigen marker after isolation and culture of bone marrow MSCs. ②The histocompatibility of nano-CS/COL material and bone marrow MSCs 2, 4 and 8 days after nano-CS/COL material compounded with cells. ③Determination of adherence rate of cells to nano-CS/COL material. ? Cell circle and activity detected 5 days after nano-CS/COL material compounding with cells. RESULTS: ① Detection results of cell surface antigen marker: The expression of CD29, CD106, CD44, CD34 and CD45 was 90.86%, 73.38%, 82.61%, 0.76% and 0.60%, respectively. ②Histocompatibility of bone marrow MSCs and nano-CS/COL material: It was shown under the scanning electron microscope that nano-CS/COL scaffold presented porous three-dimensional structure, and different sizes of macropoles and interconnected small pores. The interval porosity determined by quality assay was 85%-90%, and aperture averaged 150 μm (range 50 - 300u m). Two days after bone marrow MSCs compounded to nano-CS/COL scaffold, bone marrow MSCs presented globular shape and were scattered; Four days later, bone marrow MSCs presented shuttle shape, extended and anchored on the surface of nano-CS/COL by pseudopods; Eight days later, bone marrow MSCs proliferated and fused each other, and they secreted a lot of extracellular matrix, then which covered most material particles. ③ The adherence rate of bone marrow MSCs to nano-CS/COL: Bone marrow MSCs and nano-CS/COL were co-cultured 2 and 6 hours separately. The adherence rate of bone marrow MSCs was higher to nano-CS/COL scaffold than to simple chitosan scaffold. ④ Comparison of cells and cell cycle between on nano-CS/COL scaffold and on the chitosan scaffold: On the nano-CS/COL scaffold, cell activity was 96.67%, cell cycle at G0-G1 was 90.81%, at G2-M was 0.52% and at S was 8.66%. G2/G1 was 1.81. On the simple chitosan scaffold, cell activity was 95.27%, cell cycle at G0-G1 was 87.14%, at G2-M was 9.69%, and at S was 4.16%. G2/G1 was 1.80.CONCLUSION: Nano-CS/COL scaffold can be used as tissue engineering biomaterials because bone marrow MSCs can well grow on it.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the ratio of signal intensity of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)sequence lesion side／contralateral side and the onset time of acute ischemic stroke. Methods Forty-three consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology,Dongguan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2016 to January 2018 were enrolled retrospectively. They were all first onset and were diagnosed by MRI,and the onset time was 0. 5 to 6. 0 h. According to the time window of effective rescue of the penumbra,43 patients were divided into a ≤4. 5 h group (n＝19)and a ＞4. 5-6. 0 h group (n＝24). The signal intensity values of FLAIR, diffusion-weighted imaging,signal intensity of apparent diffusion coefficient sequence on the lesion side and contralateral brain tissue in the two groups of patients were measured respectively,and the relative signal intensity (RSI)was calculated and compared between the two groups. Taking RSI as the dependent variable and onset time as the independent variable,a general linear regression analysis was performed. Results (1)In FLAIR sequence,the signal intensity value and RSI value of patients in the≤4. 5 h group were lower than those in the ＞4. 5-6. 0 h group. There were significant differences between the 2 groups (disease side signal intensity value:531 ± 109 vs. 681 ± 306,t ＝2. 04;RSI value:1. 19 ± 0. 13 vs. 1. 45 ± 0. 18,t＝5. 29,all P＜0. 05). There was no significant difference in the signal intensity values on the contralateral sides between the two groups (P＞0. 05). (2)In diffusion weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient sequence,there were no significant differences in the signal intensity value and RSI value on the disease side and the contralateral side between the the≤4. 5 hours group and the ＞4. 5-6. 0 h group (all P＞0. 05). (3)In the FLAIR sequence,with the prolongation of the time of the disease,RSI gradually increased,and was positively correlated (r＝0. 756,P＜0. 01). Conclusions The quantitative measurement of the disease side／contralateral side of FLAIR sequence might reflect the onset time of acute ischemic stroke. Its RSI value increased with the prolonged onset time.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of a novel artery first and uncinate process first approach for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD), emphasizing the left lateral and posterior dissection of uncinate process (UP) via Treitz ligament approach. Methods: From April to November 2016, 18 patients received LPD with a novel approach in Pancreas Center of the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University. All patients were diagnosed as pancreatic head or peri-ampulla tumor, without major vessel invasion nor distant metastasis. For resection, routine caudal view was used in the first step, to dissect the anterior medial border between uncinate process and superior mesenteric vein(SMV). Lymphatic tissues were completely dissected form anterior surface of hepatoduodenal ligament. In the second step, left lateral view with camera from left para-umbilical trocar was used, Treitz ligament was incised, SMA root was exposed. After anticlockwise rotation and retraction of mesentery, the anatomic relationship between SMA trunk, inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery(IPDA), jejunal branch of SMV, and distal part of UP, could be perfectly exposed from left lateral view. SMA was dissected from its root until the position above the uncinate process and duodenum, IPDA was transected, distal part of UP was freed from SMA. In the third step, right lateral view and caudal view were alternatively used; proximal UP mesentery was completely dissected out from SMA root, CA root and posterior surface of hepatoduodenal ligament. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was completed in the forth step after transection of pancreatic neck and common hepatic duct. Results: The SMA root and distal UP were successfully dissected out via Treitz ligament approach in all 18 patients, among them, distal UP was completely excised in 8 patients from left view. Postoperative pathology showed R0 resection rate in 69%. Postoperative complication included intra-abdominal hemorrhage in 1 patient, pancreatic fistula in 7 patients(6 cases with grade A and 1 case with grade B), delayed gastric emptying in 4 patients (2 cases with grade A, 2 cases with grade B). Average postoperative hospital stay was (15.5±6.8)days. Conclusion The novel artery first and uncinate process first approach through Treitz ligament could help surgeons to completely dissect the full length of meso-pancreas along celiac axis-SMA axis in LPD.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for periampullary diseases.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 2 019 patients with periampullary diseases who underwent PD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected. There were 1 193 males and 826 females, aged 63(15) years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative conditions; (3) postoperative pathological examinations; (4) prognosis of patients with periampullary carcinoma. Regular follow-up was conducted by telephone interview and outpatient examination once every 3 months within the postoperative first year and once every 6 months thereafter to detect the survival of patients with periampullary carcinoma. The follow-up was up to December 2021. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(IQR) or M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers and (or) percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed by the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and calculate survival rates, and Log-Rank test was used to conduct survival analysis. Results:(1) Surgical situations: of 2 019 patients, 1 116 cases were admitted from 2016-2018 and 903 cases were admitted from 2019-2020. There were 1 866 cases undergoing open PD and 153 cases undergoing laparoscopic or robot-assisted PD. There were 1 049 cases under-going standard PD and 970 cases undergoing pylorus-preserved PD. There were 215 cases combined with portal mesenteric vein resection, 3 cases combined with arterial resection. The operation time of 2 019 patients was 255(104)minutes and the volume of intraoperative blood loss was 250(200)mL. The intraoperative blood transfusion rate was 31.401%(623/1 984), with the blood transfusion data of 35 cases missing. The proportions of pylorus-preservation, combination with portal mesenteric vein resection, intraoperative blood transfusion were 585 cases(52.419%), 97cases(8.692%), 384 cases(34.941%) for patients admitted in 2016-2018, versus 385 cases(42.636%), 118 cases(13.068%), 239 cases(27.006%) for patients admitted in 2019-2020, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=19.14,10.05,14.33, P<0.05). (2) Postoperative conditions: the duration of postoperative hospital stay of 2 019 patients was 13 (10) days. One of 2 019 patients lacked the data of postopera-tive complications. The overall postoperative complication rate was 45.292%(914/2 018), of which the incidence rate of grade B or C pancreatic fistula was 23.439%(473/2 018), the rate of grade B or C hemorrhage was 8.127%(164/2 018), the rate of grade B or C delayed gastric emptying was 15.312%(309/2 018), the rate of biliary fistula was 2.428%(49/2 018) and the rate of abdominal infection was 12.884%(260/2 018). The reoperation rate of 2 019 patients was 1.932%(39/2 019), the in-hospital mortality was 0.644%(13/2 019), the postoperative 30-day mortality was 1.238%(25/2 019), and the postoperative 90-day mortality was 2.675%(54/2 019). There were 541 cases(48.477%) with overall postoperative complications, 109 cases(9.767%) with grade B or C hemorr-hage, 208 cases(18.638%) with grade B or C delayed gastric emptying , 172 cases(15.412%) with abdominal infection, 39 cases(3.495%) with postoperative 90-day mortality of 1 116 patients admitted in 2016-2018. The above indicators were 373 cases(41.353%), 55 cases(6.098%), 101 cases(11.197%), 88 cases(9.756%), 15 cases(1.661%) of 902 patients admitted in 2019-2020, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between them( χ2=10.22, 9.00, 21.30, 14.22, 6.45 , P<0.05). The in-hospital mortality occurred to 11 patients(0.986%) of 1 116 patients admitted in 2016-2018 and to 2 cases(0.221%) of 903 patients admitted in 2019-2020, showing a significant difference between them ( P<0.05). (3) Postoperative pathological examinations. Disease area of 2 019 patients reported in postoperative pathological examinations: there were 1 346 cases(66.667%) with lesions in pancreas, including 1 023 cases of carcinoma (76.003%) and 323 cases(23.997%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 250 cases(12.382%) with lesions in duodenal papilla, including 225 cases of carcinoma (90.000%) and 25 cases(10.000%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 174 cases(8.618%) with lesions in bile duct, including 156 cases of carcinoma (89.655%) and 18 cases(10.345%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 140 cases(6.934%) with lesions in ampulla, including 134 cases of carcinoma (95.714%) and 6 cases(4.286%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 91 cases(4.507%) with lesions in duodenum, including 52 cases of carcinoma (57.143%) and 39 cases(42.857%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 18 cases(0.892%) with carcinoma in other sites. Postoperative pathological examination showed carcinoma in 1 608 cases(79.643%), benign diseases or low potential malignancy in 411 cases(20.357%). The histological types of 1 608 patients with carcinoma included adenocarcinoma in 1 447 cases (89.988%), intra-ductal papillary mucinous carcinoma in 37 cases(2.301%), adenosquamous carcinoma in 35 cases(2.177%), adenocarcinoma with other cancerous components in 29 cases(1.803%), neuroendocrine carcinoma in 18 cases(1.119%), squamous carcinoma in 1 case (0.062%), and other histological malignancies in 41 cases(2.550%). The histological types of 411 patients with benign or low poten-tial malignancy included intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in 107 cases (26.034%), chronic or autoimmune inflammatory disease in 62 cases(15.085%), neuroendocrine tumor in 58 cases(14.112%), pancreatic serous cystadenoma in 52 cases(12.652%), pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumor in 36 cases(8.759%), gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 29 cases(7.056%), villous ductal adenoma in 20 cases(4.866%), pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma in 2 cases(0.487%), pancreatic or duodenal trauma in 2 cases(0.487%) and other histological types in 43 cases(10.462%). (4) Prognosis of patients with periampullary carcinoma. Results of survival analysis of 1 590 patients with main locations of periampullary carcinoma showed that of 1 023 patients with pancreatic cancer, 969 cases were followed up for 3.0-69.6 months, with a median follow-up time of 30.9 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients were 19.5 months [95% confidence interval ( CI) as 18.0-21.2 months], 74.28%, 29.22% and 17.92%. Of 225 patients with duodenal papillary cancer, 185 cases were followed up for 3.0-68.9 months, with a median follow-up time of 36.7 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were unreached, 94.92%, 78.87% and 66.94%. Of 156 patients with distal bile duct cancer, 110 cases were followed up for 3.0-69.5 months, with a median follow-up time of 25.9 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 50.6 months (95% CI as 31.4 to not reached), 90.37%, 56.11% and 48.84%. Of 134 patients with ampullary cancer, 100 cases were followed up for 3.0-67.8 months, with a median follow-up time of 28.1 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 62.4 months (95% CI as 37.8 months to not reached), 90.57%, 64.98% and 62.22%. Of 52 patients with duodenal cancer, 38 cases were followed up for 3.0-69.5 months, with a median follow-up time of 26.2 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 52.0 months (95% CI as 30.6 months to not reached), 93.75%, 62.24% and 40.01%.There was a significant difference in overall survival after PD between patients with different locations of periampullary malignancies ( χ2=163.76, P<0.05). Conclusions:PD is safe and feasible in a high-volume pancreas center, but the incidence of overall postoperative complications remains high. With the increase of PD volume, the incidence of overall postoperative complications has significantly decreased. There is a significant difference in overall survival time after PD among patients with different locations of periampullary malignancies. The 5-year survival rate after PD for duodenal papillary cancer, ampullary cancer, duodenal cancer and distal bile duct cancer is relatively high, whereas for pancreatic cancer is low.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), Fibroscan, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI), and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) and their combination for early stage liver cirrhosis. Methods: Three hundred and twenty-two hospitalized patients who had been diagnosed with chronic viral liver disease from March 2016 to April 2018 were included. According to the clinical diagnosis, patients were divided into chronic hepatitis and the early stage liver cirrhosis group (Child-Pugh A grade). All patients were examined by Fibroscan to detect liver stiffness measurement (LSM), ARFI to detect liver virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) value, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and EUS to detect esophagogastric varices, laboratory and imaging examination. The index of EUS, Fibroscan, ARFI, and APRI was analyzed and the regression model was established by binary logistic regression, and the diagnostic efficacy of the above index and regression model for early stage of cirrhosis was evaluated by the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs). Results: An early stage cirrhosis group had significantly higher detection rate with EUS (esophagogastric varices), Fibroscan (LSM), ARFI (VTQ) and APRI than chronic hepatitis group [76.7% vs. 10.7%, 10.4 (7.8, 17.3) vs. 6.1 (5.2, 8.4) kPa, 1.71(1.48, 2.07) m/s vs. 1.25(1.14, 1.43) m/s and 0.65 (0.38, 1.15) vs. 0.38(0.26, 0.62), respectively]. The corresponding chi-square test were 140.86, Z = -9.069, Z = -9.948 and Z = -5.764, respectively and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and regression model were 0.830 (0.783 ~ 0.877), 0.793 (0.744 ~ 0.841), 0.821 (0.775 ~ 0.868), 0.686 (0.628 ~ 0.744) and 0.947 (0.925 ~ 0.969) for the diagnosis of early stage cirrhosis, respectively. Among them, the regression model of three indices (EUS, LSM and VTQ) had the largest AUROCs (0.947) and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 0.878 and 0.867, respectively. Conclusion The combination of EUS, LSM and ARFI had a superior diagnostic value for early stage liver cirrhosis, and may improve the diagnosis rate and reduce the misdiagnosis rate.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which Ginkgo flavone aglycone （GA） reduces the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin （DOX） based on transcriptomics and proteomics. METHODS Thirty-six mice were randomly assigned to control group （CON group， tail vein injection of equal volume of physiological saline every other day+daily intragastric administration of an equal volume of physiological saline）， DOX group （tail vein injection of 3 mg/kg DOX every other day）， and GDOX group （daily intragastric administration of 100 mg/kg GA+tail vein injection of 3 mg/kg DOX every other day）， with 12 mice in each group. The administration of drugs/physiological saline was continued for 15 days. Mouse heart tissues were collected for RNA-Seq transcriptomic sequencing and 4D-Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis to screen differentially expressed genes and proteins， which were then subjected to Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis. The expression levels of Apelin peptide （Apelin）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， and protein kinase B （Akt） mRNA and protein in mouse heart tissues， as well as the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins， were verified. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into control group （CON group）， DOX group （2 μmol/L）， and GDOX group （2 μg/mL GA+2 μmol/L DOX） to determine cell viability and the levels of key glycolytic substances in the cells. RESULTS Six common pathways were identified from transcriptomics and proteomics， including the Apelin signaling pathway， the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway， and insulin resistance. Among them， the Apelin and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways were the most enriched in terms of gene numbers. Target validation experiments showed that compared to the CON group， the relative expression of Apelin， PI3K and Akt mRNA and protein levels， as well as the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins， were significantly decreased in the DOX group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The relative expression of Apelin， PI3K and Akt mRNA and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins were significantly increased in the GDOX group as compared with the DOX group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Cellular experiments indicated that compared to the CON group， cell viability in the DOX group was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， the relative uptake of glucose and the relative production of pyruvate and lactate were significantly increased （P＜0.05）， and the relative production of ATP was significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared to the DOX group， cell viability in the GDOX group was significantly increased （P＜ 0.05）， and the relative production of pyruvate and lactate was significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS GA may alleviate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of Apelin， PI3K， and Akt in heart tissues， and regulating glycolytic processes.