Testicular histology based on testicular biopsy is an important factor for determining appropriate testicular sperm extraction surgery and predicting sperm retrieval outcomes in patients with azoospermia. Therefore, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to establish the associations between testicular grayscale ultrasound images and testicular histology. We retrospectively included two-dimensional testicular grayscale ultrasound from patients with azoospermia (353 men with 4357 images between July 2017 and December 2021 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China) to develop a DL model. We obtained testicular histology during conventional testicular sperm extraction. Our DL model was trained based on ultrasound images or fusion data (ultrasound images fused with the corresponding testicular volume) to distinguish spermatozoa presence in pathology (SPP) and spermatozoa absence in pathology (SAP) and to classify maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) in patients with SAP. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to analyze model performance. DL based on images achieved an AUC of 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.908-0.935), a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting SPP (including normal spermatogenesis and hypospermatogenesis) and SAP (including MA and SCOS). In the identification of SCOS and MA, DL on fusion data yielded better diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.979 (95% CI: 0.969-0.989), a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 97.1%, and an accuracy of 92.1%. Our study provides a noninvasive method to predict testicular histology for patients with azoospermia, which would avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/diagnostic imaging* ; Deep Learning ; Testis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Objective:To explore the levels of regulatory T cells(Tregs)and cytokines IL-35,TGF-β and IL-10 in peripheral blood of hemophilia A(HA)patients with F Ⅷ inhibitor and their clinical significance.Methods:43 HA patients admitted to the Hematology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from October 2019 to December 2020 were selected,including 6 cases with F Ⅷ inhibitor and 37 cases without FⅧ inhibitor.In addition,20 healthy males who underwent physical examinations were selected as healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of CD4+CD25+CD127-Tregs in peripheral blood of the HA patients and healthy controls,and ELISA assay was used to detect the expression levels of IL-35,TGF-β and IL-10 in serum,and their differences between different groups were compared.Results:Compared with the healthy control group,the level of Tregs in HA patients was decreased,and the level of Tregs in the FⅧ inhibitor positive group was the lowest,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression level of Tregs in HA patients of different severity levels.The serum IL-35,TGF-β,and IL-10 levels in both FⅧ inhibitor negative and positive groups were significantly lower than those in healthy control group,and those in FⅧ inhibitor positive group were significantly lower than those in FⅧ inhibitor negative group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion:The decrease of Tregs,IL-35,TGF-β,and IL-10 levels in HA patients may be related to the formation of FⅧ inhibitors.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of olaparib maintenance therapy combined with gemcitabine+cisplatin(GP)chemotherapy regimen and thermal therapy in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer and analyze the prognosis.Methods Patients with advanced ovarian cancer were divided into control group and treatment group according to the random number table method.The control group was treated with GP chemotherapy regimen and thermal therapy,and given intravenous infusion of 1 250 mg·in-2 of gemcitabine on the 1st day and 8th day and 40 mg·m-2of cisplatin on the 1st day and 3rd day,and given 60 min of local deep thermal therapy(qod)with temperature at 42 ℃ on the 1st day of chemotherapy,and the patients were treated for 4 courses with 21 days as a course.The treatment group was additionally given olaparib maintenance therapy on the basis of the control group,and given continuously oral administration of olaparib 200 mg(bid)during chemotherapy,and the patients were treated for 4 courses with 21 days as a course of treatment.The clinical efficacy,peritoneal carcinomatosis index(PCI),peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets,serum tumor markers[carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),carbohydrate antigen 72-4(CA72-4),human epididymal protein 4(HE4)],progressive-free survival time(PFS),overall survival(OS)and occurrence of adverse drug reactions were compared between both groups of patients.Results There were 37 cases in treatment group and 36 cases in control group.After treatment,the total effective rates in treatment group and control group were 54.05％(20 cases/37 cases)and 30.56％(11 cases/36 cases);the PCI scores were(10.79±2.56)and(12.54±3.17)scores,with significant difference(all P＜0.05).After treatment,the proportions of peripheral blood CD4+cell in treatment group and control group were(33.63±3.17)％and(30.06±3.24)％;the ratios of CD4+/CD8+were 0.78±0.16 and 0.67±0.13;serum CEA levels were(33.17±6.82)and(39.35±7.51)ng·mL-1;CA125 levels were(47.64±8.56)and(55.84±10.02)U·mL-1;CA72-4 levels were(6.35±1.27)and(8.59±1.64)U·mL-1;HE4 levels were(124.62±20.14)and(141.62±21.43)pmol·mL-1,all with significant difference(all P＜0.05).PFS values in treatment group and control group were 9.00 months(95％CI:7.79-10.21)and 8.00 months(95％CI:7.20-8.80),and OS values were 13.00 months(95％CI:12.35-13.65)and 11.00 months(95％CI:10.46-11.54),all with significant difference(all P＜0.05).The adverse drug reactions in treatment group mainly included nausea and vomiting,hypertension and constipation,the adverse drug reactions in control group mainly included nausea and vomiting and stomatitis.The total incidence rates of adverse drug reactions in treatment group and control group were 32.43％and 22.22％,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion Olaparib maintenance therapy combined with GP chemotherapy regimen and thermal therapy has a significant effect in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer,and it can prolong the survival time of patients without increasing adverse drug reactions.

Objective To explore the context and hotspot changes of forensic mixed stain research through bibliometric approach.Methods The literature of forensic mixed stain included in the core col-lection of Web of Science database from 2011 to 2022 were collected as the study object,and the an-nual publication number,countrie(region),institution,journal,keywords,etc.were bibliometrically and visually analyzed using the R-based Bibliometrix 1.1.6 package and VOSviewer 1.6.18 software.Re-sults A total of 732 articles on forensic mixed stain were included from 2011 to 2022,with the an-nual number of articles published and the annual citation frequency showing a steady increase year by year.Among the 59 countries(regions)with the most published articles,the United States ranked first with 246 articles,followed by China with 153 articles.The literature came from 104 journals,and the total number of articles published in the top 10 journals was 633.FORENSIC SCI INT GENET ranked first with 307 articles.Visual analysis using VOSviewer software showed that keywords could be divided into four research clusters,namely the genetic marker development group(blue),the mixed stain typing analysis theory group(red),the sequencing analysis group(yellow),and the case sample research group(green).It can be divided into four development stages in terms of different time peri-ods:early development(2011-2013),middle development(2014-2016),rapid development(2017-2020)and latest development(2021-2022).Conclusion The number of publications by domestic and foreign scholars in the study of mixed stain in forensic science is showing a relatively stable trend.Machine learning,next generation sequencing and other research have been the hottest topics that have attracted the most attention in recent years,which is expected to further develop the theory of mixed stain typing and sequencing analysis in forensic mixed stain research.

Objective Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.Methods Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.Results In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h (P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h (P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.Conclusion Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation;however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.

Objective To explore the short-term outcome and safety of 577 nm subthreshold micropulse laser(SML)in the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy(CSC).Methods The clinical data of 22 patients(24 eyes)with CSC who were admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from April 2023 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The 12 eyes had acute CSC,the 12 eyes had chronic CSC,and all of them were treated with SML.The changes of best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),central macular thickness(CMT),subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT),subretinal fluid height(SRFH),and central macular sensitivity(CMS)before treatment and 1 month after treatment were analyzed.The absorption of subretinal fluid 1 month after treatment and related complications were observed.Results Compared with those before treatment,the CMT,SFCT,and SRFH 1 month after treatment significantly declined(P<0.05).The LogMAR BCVA and CMS 1 month after treatment were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).The CMS(r=-0.555,P=0.006)and LogMAR BCVA(r=0.439,P=0.032)before treatment were significantly correlated with SRFH before treatment.The change of SRFH was significantly correlated with CMT before treatment(r=0.616,P=0.001),but without correlation with SFCT before treatment(r=0.168,P=0.431).One month after treatment,11 eyes had complete absorption of subretinal fluid,12 eyes had varying degrees of absorption,and 1 eye had an increase in SRFH.No related adverse reactions were observed.Conclusion The 577 nm SML has a good therapeutic effect on CSC,which can significantly improve the macular structure and central visual function,with good safety.

Objective:To retrieve, screen, and summarize the best evidence for non-pharmacological management of Parkinson's disease patients with depression, so as to provide evidence-based basis for medical and nursing staff to standardize the non-pharmacological management.Methods:Following the "6S" evidence model, relevant literature was systematically searched from top to bottom in UpToDate, British Medical Journal, Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center Database, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Guidelines International Network, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Medlive, Parkinson's Society of Canada, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data. The search period was from database establishment to March 31, 2023. After conducting methodological quality evaluation based on literature standards, evidence was extracted and summarized from literature that met the standards, and the level of each evidence was determined.Results:A total of 22 articles were included, including one clinical decision-making, three guidelines, 14 systematic reviews, and four expert consensuses. A total of 30 best evidence were formed from six aspects, namely screening and evaluation, psychological intervention, physical therapy, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, exercise, and health education.Conclusions:The best evidence for non-pharmacological management of Parkinson's disease patients with depression summarized provides evidence-based basis for the development of non-pharmacological management plans for Parkinson's disease patients with depression.

Objective:Although Wu Hu Tang has the effect of treating cough variant asthma(CVA),its specific mechanism of action remains unclear.Methods:Predicted targets,autophagy genes,cough variant asthma genes and differentially expressed genes(DEGs)of CVA of Wu Hu Tang were obtained and mined from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Data-base and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine(BAT-MAN-TCM)and TCM Integrated Pharmacology Research Platform v2.0(TCMIP),PubChem,Chemspider,Swiss Target Prediction,GEO,GeneCards and other databases.The intersection tool of line Venn diagram was used to obtain the key genes.Using Cyto-scape3.8.0 software build active ingredient-key network;Wu Hu Tang intervention CVA autophagy targets with autophagy genes corre-lation analysis;Use the STRING database,Cytohubba plug-in build protein interaction network and core gene screening.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of key targets were performed using R Biomanager and ClusterProfiler package,and finally molecular dock-ing was performed.Results:A total of 42 active ingredients,536 potential action targets,7 236 autophagy-related genes,1 987 CVA genes and 460 DEGs of Wu Hu Tang Tang were collected and screened.Thirteen key targets were obtained after taking the intersec-tion,and 12 genes were found to be statistically significant by validated used wilcoxon non-parametric test.The results of the enrich-ment analysis showed that these target genes mainly functioned in cellular autophagy through the VEGF signaling pathway,and some amino acid metabolic pathways.Conclusion:Wu Hu Tang is capable of multi-component,multi-level and multi-target involvement in autophagy-related processes to achieve intervention in CVA,which promotes the development of the idea of combining Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of CVA and provides a new idea for the development of new clinical drugs.