Objective To optimize the formulation of metoprolol succinate ( MS) controlled release pellets by central composite design-response surface methodology .Methods MS sustained-release pellets were prepared using sugar pellet cores as starter beads , ethyl cellulose as coating materials and MS itself as a pore former .The formulation of MS sustained-release pellets was optimized by a central composite design with two factors at five levels .These two factors ( two independ-ent variables) were the pore former level and coating level , and the evaluated indexes ( namely dependent variables ) included the in vitro cumulative release percentages of MS at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 h, respectively.Results and Conclusion The results of mathematical equation fitting suggested that the second-order quadratic model was the optimal fitting equa-tion.According to the response surfaces , the optimum values at the pore former level and coating level weve ranged from 16%to 18%and 20% to 25%, respectively .The in vitro cumulative release percentage of MS from the pellets at 1 h reached 9.15%,which consequently eliminated the lag phase in the initial release period and exhibited a good sustained-release effect.Central composite design-response surface methodology can be applied to optimizing the coating formulation for MS sustained release pellets .

Based on the resources of military sanatorium, we developed a mode of rehabilitation that combined the hospital-, sanatorium- and community-based rehabilitation as a whole.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in the diagnosis and treatment of azoospermia.

METHODSWe examined 385 azoospermia patients using the techniques of PESA and TESE.

RESULTSOf the total number of the azoospermia patients, 64 (16.62%) had sperm in the epididymis and 45 (11.69%) in the testis. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was applied to 64 of the patients with sperm in the epididymis or testis. The pregnancy rate after the embryo transfer was 39.07%.

CONCLUSIONPESA and TESE, as an effective therapy for azoospermia, can further the classification of azoospermia and provide chances of procreation to azoospermia patients with partial obstruction.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Epididymis ; cytology ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods ; Testis ; cytology ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investugate the unique electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics of fulminant myocarditis (FM) patients and provide important clues for the diagnosis of FM.Methods:This was a retrospective study. Patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 2017 to April 2022 were enrolled and divided into fulminant myocarditis group (FM) and non-fulminant myocarditis group (NFM) according to clinical diagnosis. A total of 246 healthy people who underwent physical examination in the Health examination Center of Tongji Hospital at the same period were selected as the control group. The clinical data and ECG characteristics of the above 3 groups were analyzed and compared. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influence of ECG parameters on left ventricular ejection fraction in FM patients. Receiver operating curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive value of different ECG parameters for FM.Results:A total of 180 patients were included in this study (FM group: n=123; NFM group: n=57), with an age of (35.0±16.2) years and 106 males (58.89%). Compared with NFM group, ECG was significantly abnormal in FM group, with a higher incidence of sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, escape rhythm, right bundle branch block, third degree atrioventricular block, ST-segment elevation, low voltage, prolonged QTc interval, and widened QRS wave in the FM group (all P<0.05). The ECG parameters showed that the amplitude of the full lead QRS wave in FM group was lower than that in NFM group ( P<0.01). The average heart rate and QTc interval of FM group were significantly higher than those of NFM and control groups (all P<0.05). Although ST-segment elevation had a higher incidence in the FM group, ECG parameters showed that except for leads Ⅲ and aVF, the ST segment levels in all leads in the FM group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in some ST segment changes between FM and NFM groups, while there was no statistical difference between the NFM and control groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that widened QRS wave and increased heart rate were the influencing factors for left ventricular systolic dysfunction in FM patients ( OR=16.914, 95% CI: 1.367-209.224, P=0.028; OR=1.026, 95% CI: 1.010-1.042, P=0.001). Receiver operating curve analysis showed that heart rate>86.90 beat/min, QTc>431.50 ms, and RV5+SV1<1.72 mV had certain predictive value for FM diagnosis. Conclusions:FM patients displayed marked and severe ECG abnormalities, and characteristic changes in ECG can provide important first clues for the diagnosis of FM.