OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between microscopic varicocelectomy and laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele（VC）with male infertility. METHODS: A total of 307 patients who were diagnosed with VC complicated with male infertility and admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2018 to October 2022 were recruited for retrospective analysis. The patients were divided into the microscopic group (180 cases) and laparoscopic group (127 cases) according to the surgery method. The pre- and postoperative clinical data of these two groups were analyzed, including the degree of dilatation and reflux time of internal spermatic vein，hemodynamic parameters of testicular capsular artery，proportion of progressive motility spermatozoa (PR), concentration of spermatozoa, proportion of normal morphology sperm，the pregnancy outcome of spouses and the incidence of complications related with surgery within 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: All the surgeries for the 307 patients in this study were successful. There was no significant difference in operation time, hospitalization time and management expenses between the microscopic group and the laparoscopic group (P>0.05). Compared to the patients in laparoscopic group, the patients in the microscopic group received a better improvement in venous diameter, reflux time of spermatic veins and hemodynamic parameters of testicular capsular artery (P<0.05). Moreover, the semen analysis showed that the PR, spermatozoa concentration and proportion of normal morphology sperm in the microscopic group were also obviously increased than those in the laparoscopic group (P<0.05). During the 2-year follow-up period, the conception rate of spouses in the microscopic group was 67.2%, while only 47.2% in the laparoscopic group, in which the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Besides, the time-to-pregnancy ( TTP ) within 2 years postoperatively in the microscopic group was significantly shorter than that in the laparoscopic group（P<0.05). Meanwhile, the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the microscopic group was also significantly lower than that in the laparoscopic group (P<0.05). It is worth mentioned that the spontaneous conception rate of spouses with successful pregnancy in the microscopic group was also significantly higher than that in the laparoscopic group (P<0.05). Severe complication such as testicular atrophy, bleeding and infection did not appear in both of two groups. However, the incidences of testicular hydrocele and recurrence of VC postoperatively in the laparoscopic group were significantly higher than those in the microscopic group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both microscopic varicocelectomy and laparoscopic varicocelectomy can be applied to the management of VC combined with male infertility. But microscopic varicocelectomy showed better clinical efficacy in improving the testicular hemodynamic parameters, semen quality, pregnancy outcome and postoperative complications, which is worthy of further clinical applications.
Humans ; Male ; Varicocele/complications* ; Laparoscopy ; Infertility, Male/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Microsurgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Pregnancy ; Female

Objective To investigate the effects of Simo decoction on duodenal microinflammation and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1)/gasdermin D(GSDMD)signaling pathway in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD).Methods The FD model was established by multifactorial method.SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group(FD model),positive control group(gavage administration of 0.305 mg·kg-1 mosapride injection)and experimental-H,-M,-L groups(gavage administration of 5.62,2.81,1.40 g·kg-1 Simo decoction).Small intestinal advancement rate and gastric emptying rate was determined;the levels of interleukin(IL)-1 β and IL-18 in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);the protein expression of NLRP3 and GSDMD in duodenal tissue was detected by Western blotting.Results The gastric emptying rates of normal,model,positive control and experimental-H,-M,-Lgroupswere(58.34±5.72)％,(29.16±8.37)％,(48.77±6.10)％,(48.35±6.04)％,(48.20±3.49)％and(39.24±4.20)％;the small intestinal propulsion rates were(82.01±7.55)％,(41.95±9.53)％,(64.61±10.18)％,(75.04±9.76)％,(60.58±7.13)％and(45.89±7.40)％;serum IL-1 β expression were(12.86±0.88),(43.73±4.60),(18.84±0.86),(24.61±1.57),(19.14±0.77)and(29.04±0.72)pg·mL-1;IL-18 expressions were(95.00±3.74),(170.60±8.78),(108.50±3.05),(118.90±3.45),(99.90±8.70)and(141.00±3.71)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of NLRP3 proteins were 0.32±0.02,0.84±0.05,0.42±0.03,0.48±0.02,0.61±0.04 and 0.62±0.05;the relative expression levels of GSDMD proteins were 0.34±0.05,0.93±0.06,0.35±0.03,0.52±0.02,0.53±0.06 and 0.55±0.05,respectively.Compared with the normal group,the above indexes in the model group have statistical significance;compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group and the positive control group also have statistical significance(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).Conclusion Simo decoction can effectively improve the general condition and duodenal microinflammation in FD rats,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of duodenal NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the literature related to diphenidol tablets poisoning,the characteristics of poisoning were summarized to provide reference for controlling the suicidal abuse risk of diphenidol tablets.Methods The global literature on suicide,overdose,poisoning,shock,and death related to difenidol published from January 1,2011 to December 31,2022 was analyzed,including gender,age,dosage,cardiac(blood)concentration,poisoning symptoms,etc.Results Young women were the majority of people with poisoning.The highest proportion of the age group is 11 to 30 years group.Patients who take medication doses greater than 3 000 mg may have a higher risk of death;patients with a heart(blood)concentration greater than 6 μg·mL-1 may have a higher risk of death.Malignant arrhythmia,consciousness disorders,coma,and apnea are common serious adverse events during poisoning.Conclusion It is recommended that the drug regulatory authorities should require the Listing permit holder of difenidol tablets to add the risk and symptoms of poisoning into the instructions.It is suggested that restricting individual consumers from purchasing large amounts of difenidol tablets in the short term.It is recommended that canceling the high-dose sales packaging of difenidol tablets.It is suggested that converting difenidol tablets into prescription drugs,even consider canceling the registration certificate of difenidol tablets.

Protein as the allergens could lead to allergy. In addition, a widespread class of allergens were known as glycans of N-glycoprotein. N-glycoprotein contained oligosaccharide linked by covalent bonds with protein. Recently,studies implicated that allergy was associated with glycans of heterologous N-glycoprotein found in food, inhalants, insect toxins, etc. The N-glycan structure of N-glycoprotein allergen has exerted an influence on the binding between allergens and IgE, while the recognition and presentation of allergens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were also affected. Some researches showed thatN-glycan structure of allergen was remodeled by N-glycosidase, such as cFase I, gpcXylase, as binding of allergen and IgE partly decreased. Thus, allergic problems caused by N-glycoproteins could potentially be solved by modifying or altering the structure ofN-glycoprotein allergens, addressing the root of the issue. Mechanism of N-glycans associated allergy could also be elaborated through glycosylation enzymes, alterations of host glycosylation. This article hopes to provide a separate insight for glycoimmunology perspective, and an alternative strategy for clinical prevention or therapy of allergic diseases.

Objective To explore the impact of high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)treatment on ovarian reserve capacity in adenomyosis.Methods Clinical data of 106 adenomyosis patients who underwent HIFU treatment from May 2019 to December 2020 at some hospital were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients were treated with HIFU,and color Doppler ultrasonography was performed before and after 6 months of treatment,respectively.The resistance index,pulsatility index,vascularization index,blood flow index,vascularization blood flow index and sinus follicle number were obtained,and serum anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteinizing hormone(luteinizing hormone)were measured.The correlation between serum AMH levels and FSH and LH levels was analyzed.SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results After 6 months of treatment serum FSH,LH,value of FSH/LH,resistance index and pulsatility index significantly decreased while vascularization index,blood flow index,vascularization blood flow index,number of sinus follicles,and serum AMH level obviously increased when compared with those before treatment,with the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).Serum AMH levels were negatively correlated with FSH and LH levels(r=-0.448,-0.527,P＜0.05)after 6 months of treatment.Conclusion HIFU treatment reduces sex hormone levels,elevates serum AMH levels and sinus follicle number,and may improve ovarian reserve capacity in patients with adenomyosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):67-70]

Objective To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota. Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs(OH-PAHs)in 36-month-old children.Subsequently,37 children were categorized into low-and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs.Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples.Furthermore,fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. Results The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group(variable importance for projection>1,P<0.05).Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene,fluorine,and phenanthrene(r=0.336-0.531).The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states,including amino acid,lipid,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances(r=0.34-0.55),which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment. Conclusion Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis,particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites.Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Humans ; Adolescent ; Acne Vulgaris/therapy* ; Skin Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Cognition ; China ; Skin

Asthenozoospermia is one of the major causes of male infertility,with complex pathogenesis,which involves abnor-malities in sperm morphology,signaling pathways,sperm motility-related energy metabolism,and other factors.Currently,extracellu-lar vesicles(EV)in the seminal plasma have been found with a positive effect on the spermatogenic process by releasing such self-en-capsulated molecules as DAN,RNA and proteins into target cells through direct fusion with the structure similar to the lipid bilayer on the surface,and thereby regulating their function.This article reviews the research progress in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia,aiming to provide some theoretical evidence for its further studies.

Objective To evaluate the short-term clinical efficacy of photodynamic therapy(PDT)assisted mechanical debridement(MD)in the treatment of peri-implantitis.Methods According to the new international classification of periodontal diseases and peri-implant diseases in 2018,single tooth implants diagnosed as peri-implantitis were included.Before treatment,the probing depth(PD),modified sulcus bleeding index(mSBI),and modified plaque index(mPLI)were recorded as the baseline,with mSBI≥1 sites as the treatment sites.The MD group was a control group,and only mechanical subgingival debridement was performed.The PDT group was treated with photodynamic therapy twice,immediately after subgingival debridement and one week after.Follow-up was ar-ranged at 6 and 12 weeks after the end of treatment to examine the changes in PD,mSBI,and mPLI at the included implant treatment sites.Results A total of 35 patients were included in this study,with 38 teeth affected by peri-implantitis and 154 treatment sites.The PDT group and MD group included 20 and 18 implants respectively,with a total of 78 treatment sites included in the PDT group,51 sites with PD≥6 mm,and 27 sites with PD＜6 mm.A total of 76 treatment sites were included in the MD group,including 53 sites with PD≥6 mm and 23 sites with PD＜6 mm.At baseline,there was no statistically significant difference in PD,mSBI,and mPLI between the two groups.At 6 and 12 weeks after treatment,there were statistically significant differences in clinical indicators between the two groups compared to baseline(P＜0.05).Among them,the mSBI in the PDT group was significantly lower than that in the MD group at 6 weeks after treatment(P＜0.05).At sites with PD≥6 mm,the mSBI of the PDT group was significantly lower than that of the MD group at 6 and 12 weeks after treatment(P＜0.05).The number of implants in the PDT group and MD group that reached the treatment endpoint at 12 weeks follow-up was 70.00%and 55.56%,respectively,and there was no difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Photodynamic therapy assisted with mechanical debridement can effectively treat peri-implantitis and is a safe and ef-fective auxiliary method,and has significant therapeutic effects on in-flammation control and improvement of mSBI in those sites with PD≥6 mm.

Objective To evaluate the quality and authenticity of Ophiopogon japonicus in Shengmaiyin,establish ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)for the determination of three characteristic components(methylophiopogonanone A,liriopeside B and liriope muscari baily saponin C),and provide technical support for drug supervision.Methods Samples were analyzed on a Phenomenex Kinetex F5 C18 column(100 mm×3.0 mm,2.6 μm)in a gradient elution mode with 0.1％formic acid water and-0.1％formic acid acetonitrile as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min,the column temperature was 30 ℃,and the injection volume was 1 μL.Mass spectrometer detector,electro spray ion source of positive and negative ions,and multi-reaction monitoring mode were used.Results The linear ranges of methylophiopogonanone A,liriopeside B and liriope muscari baily saponin C were 0.016 7-1.666 0,0.039 7-15.872 0 and 0.022 5～8.988 0 ng(r＞0.999 9),respectively.The average recovery rates of these three components were 85.16％,86.95％and 95.07％,respectively,with RSSDs of 2.65％,1.45％and 1.14％(n=6).The content of methylophiopogonanone A in thirty-eight batches was quite different.Seven batches of liriopeside B or liriope muscari baily saponin C were detected.Conclusion The method is simple and sensitive,and suitable for determining of three characteristic components in Shengmaiyin,which provides references for the quality control of Ophiopogon japonicus in Shengmaiyin.