Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with its primary risk factor arising from elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) due to an imbalance between aqueous humor production and outflow. This study aims to establish quantitative correlations among IOP, iris mechanical properties, channel microstructures, and aqueous humor dynamics through three-dimensional modeling and finite element analysis, overcoming the limitations of conventional experimental techniques in studying aqueous flow within the trabecular meshwork (TM) outflow pathway. A three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model incorporating the layered TM structure, Schlemm's canal (SC), iris, and other anterior segment tissues was developed based on human ocular anatomy. FSI simulations were performed to quantify the effects of IOP variations and iris Young's modulus on tissue morphology and aqueous humor dynamics parameters. The computational results demonstrated that axial iris deformation showed significant correlations with IOP and iris Young's modulus. Although elevated IOP exhibited minimal effects on hydrodynamic parameters in the anterior and posterior chambers, it markedly suppressed aqueous flow velocity in the TM region. Additionally, wall shear stress in SC and collector channels displayed high sensitivity to IOP variations. These findings reveal that the tissue mechanics-FSI mechanism modulates outflow resistance by regulating aqueous humor dynamics, offering valuable references for developing clinical therapies targeting IOP reduction in glaucoma management.
Humans ; Trabecular Meshwork/anatomy & histology* ; Finite Element Analysis ; Aqueous Humor/metabolism* ; Intraocular Pressure/physiology* ; Glaucoma/physiopathology* ; Iris/anatomy & histology* ; Computer Simulation ; Models, Biological

This study aimed to introduce a modified Byars staged procedure and investigate its application value in patients with severe hypospadias. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with severe hypospadias admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between October 2012 and October 2022. In total, 31 patients underwent the conventional Byars procedure (conventional group), and 45 patients underwent the modified Byars staged procedure (modified group). Our modified strategy was built upon the standard Byars procedure by incorporating glansplasty during the first stage and employing a Y-shaped flap in conjunction with a glandular tunnel for urethroplasty during the second stage. Notably, there were no statistically significant differences in the preoperative baseline characteristics, duration of surgery, amount of blood loss, or occurrence of postoperative complications, including urethral fistula, stricture and diverticulum, or penile curvature, between the conventional and modified groups. However, there was a significantly lower incidence of coronal sulcus fistula (0 vs 16.1%, P = 0.02) and glans dehiscence (0 vs 12.9%, P = 0.02) in the surgical group than that in the conventional group. In addition, the modified group exhibited a notably greater rate of normotopic urethral opening (100.0% vs 83.9%, P = 0.01) and a higher mean score on the Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation (HOPE; mean ± standard error of mean: 8.6 ± 0.2 vs 7.9 ± 0.3, P = 0.02) than did the conventional group. In conclusion, the modified Byars staged procedure significantly reduced the risks of glans dehiscence and coronal sulcus fistula. Consequently, it offers a promising approach for achieving favorable penile esthetics, thereby providing a reliable therapeutic option for severe hypospadias.
Humans ; Hypospadias/surgery* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods* ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Urethra/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Surgical Flaps ; Penis/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Infant

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Wnt signaling pathway and miRNAs mechanism of extracts of Plastrum Testudinis (PT) in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). METHODS: Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by random number table method, including sham group, ovariectomized group (OVX), ovariectomized groups treated with high-, medium-, and low-dose PT (160, 80, 40 mg/kg per day, respectively), with 6 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy to simulate OP and received PT by oral gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. After treatment, bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone microstructure was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining; and the expressions of osteogenic differentiation-related factors were detected by immunochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) was used to inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and miRNA overexpression was used to evaluate the effect of miR-214 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Subsequently, PT extract was used to rescue the effects of Dkk-1 and miR-214, and its impacts on the osteogenic differentiation-related factors of BMSCs were evaluated. RESULTS: PT-M and PT-L significantly reduced the weight gain in OVX rats (P<0.05). PT also regulated the bone mass and bone microarchitecture of the femur in OVX rats, and increased the expressions of bone formation-related factors including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein type 2, collagen type I alpha 1, and runt-related transcription factor 2 when compared with the OVX group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, different doses of PT significantly rescued the inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway-related factors in OVX rats, and increased the mRNA or protein expressions of Wnt3a, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PT stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs inhibited by Dkk-1 and activated the Wnt signaling pathway. In addition, the expression of miR-214 was decreased in OVX rats (P<0.01), and it was negatively correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs (P<0.01). MiR-214 mimic inhibited Wnt signaling pathway in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conversely, PT effectively counteracted the effect of miR-214 mimic, thereby activating the Wnt signaling pathway and stimulating osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION PT stimulates bone formation in OVX rats through β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling pathway, which may be related to inhibiting miR-214 in BMSCs.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics* ; Osteogenesis/genetics* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Bone Density/drug effects* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy* ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Rats ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for determining the contents of clopidogrel （CLP）， clopidogrel carboxylate （CLP-C）， clopidogrel acyl-β-D-glucuronide （CLP-G） and contents of clopidogrel active metabolite （CAM） in rat plasma， and to investigate their in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics. METHODS The Shisedo CAPCELL ADME column was used with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile （both containing 0.1% formic acid） in a gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min， and the column temperature was maintained at 20 ℃. The injection volume was 2 μL. The analysis was performed in positive ion mode using electrospray ionization with multiple reaction monitoring. The ion pairs for quantitative analysis were m/z 322.1→211.9 （for CLP）， m/z 308.1→197.9 （for CLP-C）， m/z 322.1→154.8 （for CLP-G）， m/z 504.1→154.9 [for racemic CAM derivative （CAMD）]. Six rats were administered a single intragastric dose of CLP （10 mg/kg）. Blood samples were collected before medication and at 0.08， 0.33， 0.66， 1， 2， 4， 6， 10， 23 and 35 hours after medication. The established method was used to detect the serum contents of various components in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were then calculated using WinNonlin 6.1 software. RESULTS The linear ranges for CLP， CLP-C and CAMD were 0.08-20.00， 205.00-8 000.00， and 0.04-25.00 ng/mL， respectively （r≥0.990）. The relative standard deviations for both intra-day and inter-day precision tests were all less than 15%， and the relative errors for accuracy ranged from －11.68% to 14.40%. The coefficients of variation for the matrix factors were all less than 15%， meeting the requirements for bioanalytical method validation. The results of the pharmacokinetic study revealed that， following a single intagastric administration of CLP in rats， the exposure to the parent CLP in plasma was extremely low. Both the area under the drug concentration-time curve （AUC0-35 h） and the peak concentration of the parent CLP were lower than those of its metabolites. The AUC0-35 h of the active metabolite CAM was approximately 43 times that of CLP， though it had a shorter half-life （2.53 h）. The inactive metabolite CLP-C exhibited the highest exposure level， but it reached its peak concentration the latest and was eliminated slowly. The AUC0-35 h of CLP-G was about four times that of CAM， and its half-life was similar to that of CLP-C. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully established an liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of CLP and its three metabolites， and revealed their pharmacokinetic characteristics in rats. Specifically， the parent drug CLP was rapidly eliminated， while the inactive metabolites CLP-C and CLP-G exhibited long half-lives， and active metabolite CAM displayed a transient exposure pattern.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the mainstay for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the performance of the embolization material is crucial in TAE. With the development of medical imaging and the birth of "X-ray-free" technologies, we designed a new dual-mode imaging material of dimethoxy tetraphenyl ethylene (DMTPE) via emulsification by mixing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNA) with lipiodol and fluorocarbons, which was evaluated for temperature sensitivity, stability, and dual-mode visualization in vitro. Additionally, blood vessel casting embolization and renal artery imaging were assessed in healthy rabbits. In a rabbit model with a VX2 tumor, the effectiveness of TAE for treating HCC was examined, with an emphasis on evaluating long-term outcomes of embolization and its effects on tumor growth, necrosis, and proliferation through imaging techniques. In vitro experiments confirmed that the temperature-sensitive dual-oil-phase Pickering emulsion had good flow, stable contrast, and embolism when the oil-to-oil ratio and water-to-oil ratio were both 7:3 ( v/v) and stabilized with 8% PNA. Similarly, in vivo, arterial embolization confirmed the excellent properties of DMTPE prepared at the abovementioned ratios. It was observed that DMTPE not only has an antitumor effect but can also achieve dual imaging using X-rays and ultrasound, making it a promising excellent vascular embolization material for TAE in tumor treatment.

ObjectiveAlthough expression of the TEAD1 protein in preadipocytes has been established, its function remains unclear. In this study, we sought to detect transcripts of TEAD1 in chicken and to examine the effects of this protein on the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation of immortalized chicken preadipocyte cell lines (ICP1). MethodsThe full-length sequence of the TEAD1 gene was cloned and the two transcripts were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. The subcellsular localization of TEAD1 transcripts was determined based on indirect immunofluorescence. The effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on the proliferation of ICP1 cells were examined by RT-qPCR, CCK-8, and EdU assays; the effects of TEAD1 transcripts on ICP1 cells migration were examined based on the scratch test; and the effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on ICP1 cells apoptosis were analyzed using apoptosis-Hoechst staining and RT-qPCR. The expression of TEAD1 transcripts in different tissues, cells lines, and ICP1 at different periods of differentiation was analyzed by RT-qPCR. The effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on lipid droplet accumulation and adipogenic-related gene expression in ICP1 cells were analyzed based on Oil Red O and BODIPY staining, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Finally, the content of triglyceride (TG) was measured in TEAD1 overexpressed ICP1 cells. ResultsThe full-length TEAD1 was cloned and two TEAD1 transcripts were identified. The TEAD1-V1 protein was found to be localized primarily in the cell nucleus, whereas the TEAD1-V2 protein is localized in the cell cytoplasm and nucleus. The overexpression of both TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ICP1 cells. Whereas the overexpression of TEAD1-V1 promoted ICP1 cell migration, the overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no significant effects on ICP1 migration; the overexpression of both TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 significantly promoted the apoptosis of ICP1 cells. We found that the different transcripts of TEAD1 have similar expression pattern in different tissues and cells lines. During induced preadipocyte differentiation, the expression of these genes initially declined, although subsequently increased. Overexpression of TEAD1-V1 promoted a significant reduction in lipid droplet formation and inhibited C/EBPα expression during the differentiation of ICP1 cells (P<0.05). However, the overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no significant effect on lipid droplet accumulation or the expression of adipogenic-related proteins (P>0.05). Overexpression of TEAD1-V1 significantly decreased triglyceride content in ICP1 cells (P<0.05), while overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no effect on triglyceride content in ICP1 cells (P>0.05). ConclusionIn this study, for the first time, identified two TEAD1 transcripts. Overexpressed transcripts TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 both inhibited the proliferation of chicken preadipocytes and promoted apoptosis of chicken preadipocytes. TEAD1-V1 inhibited the differentiation of preadipocytes and promoted the migration of preadipocytes, while TEAD1-V2 had no effect on the differentiation and migration of preadipocytes.

Objective:To study the clinical safety and validity of retrograde new endoscopic field of vision in miniature pigs.Methods:6 live miniature pigs were selected as study subjects,En-doscopic Retrograde New View(ERNV)was selected.The performance,image quality and intraoper-ative and postoperative complications were evaluated.To evaluate whether all the experimental ani-mals could complete the relevant endoscopy.Verify ERNV's operating performance,including whether the duodenoscope can enter the biliary tract smoothly,and made sure whether the injection,suction,and instrument channels were unobstructed.Choledochoscope image clarity,color resolu-tion,image deformation and distortion,accurate evaluation of lumen conditions and clear observation of mucosal surface conditions were analyzed.Whether there were operant injuries such as bleeding and perforation,as well as adverse events such as respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.The sur-vival status and adverse reactions of all pigs were observed.Results:The choledochoscope was successfully inserted into the bile duct of 6 miniature pigs.The product had good operation perfor-mance and could enter the bile duct through the duodenoscope smoothly.The injection,suction and instrument channels were relatively smooth.In addition,the endoscopic images are clear,with better color resolution,and without image deformation and distortion,which can realize accurate evaluation of the conditions in the lumen and observe the mucosal surface conditions more clearly.No bile duct stenosis or dilatation occurred in all miniature pigs,and the bile duct mucosa was smooth,without hyperemia and edema,and no abnormal thickening or bending of mucous vessels.During the exami-nation,there were no operational injuries such as bleeding and perforation,and no adverse events such as respiratory depression and cardiac arrest occurred.The vital signs of all miniature pigs tended to be stable after operation,and the survival state was good,and there were no complications such as cholangitis,bleeding and perforation.Conclusion:ERNV has good clinical safety and efficacy,ex-cellent operation performance and excellent image quality,and is worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between mutated genes and clinical features in patients with essential thrombocythemia(ET).Methods:The clinical data of 69 patients with ET from October 2018 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to driver mutation type,patients were divided into JAK2 group,CALR group and triple-negative group.The sex,age,cardiovascular risk factors,thrombosis,splenomegaly,routine blood test and coagulation status of patients in three groups were analyzed.Results:Among 69 ET patients,46 cases were associated with JAK2 mutation,14 cases with CALR mutation,8 cases with triple-negative mutation,and one with MPL gene mutation.There were no significant differences in age and sex among the three groups(P＞0.05).The highest thrombotic rate was 26.09％(12/46)in JAK2 group,then 12.5％(1/8)in triple-negative group,while no thrombotic events occurred in CALR group.The incidence of splenomegaly was the highest in JAK2 group(34.78％),while no splenomegaly occurred in triple-negative group.The white blood cell(WBC)count in JAK2 group was(9.00±4.86)× 109/L,which was significantly higher than(6.03±2.32)× 109/L in CALR group(P＜0.05).The hemoglobin(Hb)and hematocrit(HCT)in JAK2 group were(148.42±18.79)g/L and(0.44±0.06)％,respectively,which were both significantly higher than(131.00±15.17)g/L and(0.39±0.05)％in triple-negative group(P＜0.05).The platelet(PLT)in JAK2 group was(584.17±175.77)× 109/L,which was significantly lower than(703.07±225.60)× 109/L in CALR group(P＜0.05).The fibrinogen(Fg)in JAK2 and triple-negative group were(2.64±0.69)g/L and(3.05±0.77)g/L,respectively,which were both significantly higher than(2.24±0.47)g/L in CALR group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)in triple-negative group was(28.61±1.99)s,which was significantly decreased compared with(31.45±3.35)s in CALR group(P＜0.05).Conclusions:There are differences in blood cell count and coagulation status among ET patients with different driver gene mutations.Among ET patients,JAK2 mutation is most common.Compared with CALR group,the thrombotic rate,WBC and Fg significantly increase in JAK2 group,while PLT decrease.Compared with triple-negative group,the incidence of splenomegaly and HCT significantly increase.Compared with CALR group,Fg significantly increases but APTT decreases in triple-negative group.