Objective:To investigate the rate-limiting steps of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, analyze the relevant factors affecting surgical difficulty, and subsequently construct a mathematical model to predict the difficulty of the procedure preoperatively.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 100 kidney donors who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy performed by the same surgeon at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024. Preoperative demographic data, imaging findings, general condition, donor kidney size, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed. The surgeon′s subjective rating (1-3 points) was used as a quantitative measure of surgical difficulty. ANOVA and Chi-square tests were employed to explore the differences in postoperative complications, recovery, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss among groups with varying levels of difficulty. The main procedure was divided into four steps (excluding abdominal closure): Trocar placement, renal hilar dissection, perinephric dissection, and kidney retrieval. The time for each step and the total operative time were recorded. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between each step and the total operative time, and ANOVA test was used to assess the time differences between steps and to determine if the time for the same step varied across different difficulty subgroups, thereby identifying the rate-limiting step of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. In terms of the risk factors influencing the difficulty of surgery, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used to investigate the relationship between preoperative donor data and surgical difficulty scores, and a predictive model was constructed using multiple linear regression. Finally, the model was internally and externally validated to confirm its accuracy and effectiveness.Results:As the surgical difficulty increased (groups 1, 2, and 3), the postoperative drainage tube duration was correspondingly prolonged [(5.92±1.48) d, (8.00±1.75) d, and (11.88±4.45) d, respectively, P<0.05], and the severity of postoperative complications also significantly increased (the incidence of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2 was 5.66%, 31.82% and 64.00%, respectively, P<0.01). In the analysis of rate-limiting steps, the time taken for all steps, except for Trocar placement, showed significant differences among the difficulty subgroups ( P<0.001). However, the average time for renal hilar dissection was (19.82±5.65) min, which was significantly longer than the other steps ( P<0.001). Therefore, renal hilar dissection was identified as the rate-limiting step of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. In terms of the influencing factors of surgical difficulty, donor obesity, kidney width, abdominal anteroposterior sagittal diameter, number of renal arteries, distance from renal artery bifurcation to the abdominal aorta, degree of renal artery calcification, and mayo adhesive probability (MAP) score were all correlated with the surgical difficulty score ( P<0.05). However, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only the number of renal arteries and the MAP score were the independent risk factors for higher surgical difficulty of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. The predictive equation was: surgical difficulty=0.649×number of renal arteries+ 0.770×MAP score. Both internal and external validation confirmed the model's good accuracy. Conclusions:This study established a reliable and objective predictive model for the difficulty of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy based on the number of renal arteries and the MAP score. Renal hilar dissection was identified as the rate-limiting step of the procedure. This provides a reference for selecting an appropriate surgeon based on the predicted surgical difficulty.

OBJECTIVE: Cassiae Semen (CS, Juemingzi in Chinese) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with a variety of pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones of CS (AQS) for adiposity. METHODS: The chemical components of the AQS were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict potential anti-obesity targets of action for AQS. We constructed high fat with high sugar water diet-induced obese mice and observed their body weight and whole-body lipid metabolism to evaluate the efficacy of AQS in promoting lipid metabolism. Subsequently, the epidermal temperature at the brown adipose tissue (BAT) before and after cold stimulation was observed and the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver and BAT tissues was detected to clarify the mechanism of action of AQS. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis showed that AQS was involved in the regulation of liver and adipose tissue function under obesity. Pathological and biochemical results showed that AQS reduced lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue induced by an unhealthy diet. With the increase of cold tolerance, the volume and weight of BAT were increased by AQS, suggesting that it regulated the body heat production dominated by BAT. After AQS treatment, the levels of genes related to uncoupling protein1 (UCP1)-mediated adaptive thermogenesis in BAT tissues and lipid metabolism in the liver were also increased, which further proved that AQS activated BAT function to promote lipid metabolism in the whole body. CONCLUSION This study revealed the pharmacological effects of AQS, thereby providing a scientific basis for regulating BAT thermogenesis and liver lipid metabolism to alleviate obesity and providing clues for further exploring the application of natural active ingredients in the treatment of metabolism-related diseases.

Objective To study the effect of incorporating comprehensive geriatric assessment(CGA)into the whole-process WeChat-based case health management in elderly population who took annual physical examinations,thereby to improve their ability in health self-management.Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted to select 100 elderly people who took annual physical examinations in our hospital from July 2022 to June 2023.The elderly were randomly divided into a control group and an trial group,with 50 people per group.CGA was applied to both groups,but the control group was under conventional health management,while the trial group received the incorporation of CGA into a whole-process WeChat-based case health management.The self-rated abilities for health practices scale(SRAHP)was used to compare the scores between the two groups before intervention,at 3,6 and 12 months after intervention.The scores of fatigue,resistance,ambulation,illnesses&loss of weight scale(FRAIL)and the mini nutritional assessment-short form(MNA-SF)were compared between the two groups before intervention and at 12 months after intervention.Incidence of falls was also evaluated after intervention.Results All the participants completed the study.Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that total SRAHP scores had statistical significances in main effect on time,group and interaction(Ftime=193.451,P<0.001;Fgroup=23.661,P<0.001;Finteraction=29.970,P<0.001).Further analysis revealed that the elderly in trial group had higher total scores in SRAHP than those in the control group at 6 and 12 months after intervention(both P<0.001).At 12 months after intervention,the trial group showed better scores in FRAIL and MNA-SF than the control group(both P<0.05)as well as with a lower incidence of falls(P<0.05).Conclusion Incorporation of CGA into a comprehensive WeChat-based case health management,over a long-term,can effectively enhance the ability in health self-management among elderly individuals who take annual health examinations,improve frailty and nutritional status and reduce the incidence of falls.The health self-management discovered from this study provides a valuable reference for health management among the elderly people who take annual physical examinations.

Objective:To investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the clinical characteristics of upper urinary tract calculi in pediatric patients.Methods:This study was a retrospective case series. The clinical data of 179 children under the age of 14 with upper urinary tract calculi treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital，Capital Medical University，from August 2014 to February 2023 were analyzed. There were 121 males（67.60%）and 58 females（32.40%），with a median age at onset of 2.10（1.14，5.17）years. Thirty-three cases（18.44%）had a family history of urinary stone disease. Stone characteristics was defined by CT，with a median stone burden（sum of the diameters of all stones）of 1.3（1.00，1.60）cm. Fifty-four（30.17%）children had staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were present in 92 cases（51.40%），and bilateral stones in 52 cases（29.05%），with hydronephrosis was present in 119 children（66.48%）. The median follow-up time was 67 months，and 36 children（20.11%）experienced stone recurrence. Dietary habits and related information were collected by electronic questionnaire，including a total of 115 children（64.25%）with an unbalanced diet，101（56.42%）with insufficient water intake，and 32 children（17.88%）with a preference for a high-protein diet. Tap water was used as the source of drinking water by 128 patients（71.51%），and 107（59.78%）took dietary supplements. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that 55 children（30.73%）carried pathogenic mutations in stone-related genes. Binary logistic regression was used for univariate analysis of above risk factors. Variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis and without multicollinearity were included in multivariate logistic regression to further screen for independent risk factors. Results:Multivariate analysis confirmed that carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.06，95% CI 1.25?7.45， P = 0.014）and insufficient water intake（ OR = 3.28，95% CI 1.14?9.47， P = 0.028）were independent risk factors for higher stone burden. A high-protein diet（ OR = 2.40，95% CI 1.03?5.63， P = 0.044），carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 4.57，95% CI 2.21?9.46， P<0.01），and a family history of stones（ OR = 3.18，95% CI 1.28 ~ 7.91， P = 0.013）were independent risk factors for staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were closely associated with a family history of stones（ OR = 2.66，95% CI 1.15-6.17， P = 0.022）and carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.22，95% CI 1.60-6.48， P = 0.001）. Moreover，carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 5.19，95% CI 2.52?13.82， P < 0.01）were an independent risk factor for stone recurrence，whereas dietary supplement intake was a protective factor（ OR = 0.26，95% CI 0.11?0.62， P = 0.002）. Conclusions:Genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the occurrence and development of pediatric upper urinary tract stones. A high-protein diet as well as a positive family history of stones are independent risk factors for staghorn calculi，and insufficient water intake is a critical environmental factor for stone formation，while appropriate use of dietary supplements may help reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Genetic testing indicates that approximately 30% of children carry stone-related pathogenic gene mutations，and these patients prone to severe stone and an increased risk of recurrence.

ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal （HPG） axis by modified Erxian decoction in rats with perimenopausal syndrome （PMS） and to further analyze the expression of proteins related to the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/hypothalamic kisspeptin （Kisspeptin）/gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） signaling pathway in the arcuate nucleus region （ARC） of the hypothalamus， so as to reveal the potential target of action and molecular biological mechanism of modified Erxian decoction for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. MethodsAn animal model was established via the incomplete castration method， with successful modeling confirmed by the exfoliated cervical cell smear method. The 48 rats were divided into six groups based on the randomization principle after successful modeling， including a sham operation group， a model group， an estradiol valerate group （0.09 mg∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups （7.614， 3.807，1.903 5 g∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. The estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium- and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days， and the indicators were detected 24 hours after the last administration. Body weights and uterine indices were measured. The pathological changes of the uterus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of estradiol （E₂）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of SIRT1， Kisspeptin， kisspeptin receptor （GPR54）， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor （GnRH-R） in pituitary. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， rats in the model group had a significantly increased body weight （P0.01）， reduced wet weight and index of uterus （P0.01）， endometrial thinning or atrophy， glandular atrophy， and a decreasing number of glands. Additionally， serum levels of E₂ and the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus significantly decreased （P0.01）. Serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， the expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， and GnRH-R in pituitary significantly increased （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium-dose modified Erxian decoction groups had significantly reduced body weight， serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， and expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and GnRH-R in pituitary （P0.05， P0.01） and significantly increased wet weight and index of uterus， serum level of E₂， and expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus （P0.05， P0.01）. In addition， they showed thickened endometrium， increased number of endometrial glands， and improved glandular atrophy. ConclusionModified Erxian decoction regulates the function of the HPG axis through multi-targets， and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， the inhibition of the over-activation of the Kisspeptin/GnRH signaling pathway， the regulation of the expression of GnRH-R in the pituitary， the restoration of secretion balance of gonadotropins， and the elevation of the estrogen level. This study provides an experimental basis for the interpretation of the scientific connotation of modified Erxian decoction in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome and a theoretical reference for the development of a novel therapeutic strategy based on the SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH pathway.

Objective:To investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the clinical characteristics of upper urinary tract calculi in pediatric patients.Methods:This study was a retrospective case series. The clinical data of 179 children under the age of 14 with upper urinary tract calculi treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital，Capital Medical University，from August 2014 to February 2023 were analyzed. There were 121 males（67.60%）and 58 females（32.40%），with a median age at onset of 2.10（1.14，5.17）years. Thirty-three cases（18.44%）had a family history of urinary stone disease. Stone characteristics was defined by CT，with a median stone burden（sum of the diameters of all stones）of 1.3（1.00，1.60）cm. Fifty-four（30.17%）children had staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were present in 92 cases（51.40%），and bilateral stones in 52 cases（29.05%），with hydronephrosis was present in 119 children（66.48%）. The median follow-up time was 67 months，and 36 children（20.11%）experienced stone recurrence. Dietary habits and related information were collected by electronic questionnaire，including a total of 115 children（64.25%）with an unbalanced diet，101（56.42%）with insufficient water intake，and 32 children（17.88%）with a preference for a high-protein diet. Tap water was used as the source of drinking water by 128 patients（71.51%），and 107（59.78%）took dietary supplements. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that 55 children（30.73%）carried pathogenic mutations in stone-related genes. Binary logistic regression was used for univariate analysis of above risk factors. Variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis and without multicollinearity were included in multivariate logistic regression to further screen for independent risk factors. Results:Multivariate analysis confirmed that carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.06，95% CI 1.25?7.45， P = 0.014）and insufficient water intake（ OR = 3.28，95% CI 1.14?9.47， P = 0.028）were independent risk factors for higher stone burden. A high-protein diet（ OR = 2.40，95% CI 1.03?5.63， P = 0.044），carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 4.57，95% CI 2.21?9.46， P<0.01），and a family history of stones（ OR = 3.18，95% CI 1.28 ~ 7.91， P = 0.013）were independent risk factors for staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were closely associated with a family history of stones（ OR = 2.66，95% CI 1.15-6.17， P = 0.022）and carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.22，95% CI 1.60-6.48， P = 0.001）. Moreover，carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 5.19，95% CI 2.52?13.82， P < 0.01）were an independent risk factor for stone recurrence，whereas dietary supplement intake was a protective factor（ OR = 0.26，95% CI 0.11?0.62， P = 0.002）. Conclusions:Genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the occurrence and development of pediatric upper urinary tract stones. A high-protein diet as well as a positive family history of stones are independent risk factors for staghorn calculi，and insufficient water intake is a critical environmental factor for stone formation，while appropriate use of dietary supplements may help reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Genetic testing indicates that approximately 30% of children carry stone-related pathogenic gene mutations，and these patients prone to severe stone and an increased risk of recurrence.

Objective To study the effect of incorporating comprehensive geriatric assessment(CGA)into the whole-process WeChat-based case health management in elderly population who took annual physical examinations,thereby to improve their ability in health self-management.Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted to select 100 elderly people who took annual physical examinations in our hospital from July 2022 to June 2023.The elderly were randomly divided into a control group and an trial group,with 50 people per group.CGA was applied to both groups,but the control group was under conventional health management,while the trial group received the incorporation of CGA into a whole-process WeChat-based case health management.The self-rated abilities for health practices scale(SRAHP)was used to compare the scores between the two groups before intervention,at 3,6 and 12 months after intervention.The scores of fatigue,resistance,ambulation,illnesses&loss of weight scale(FRAIL)and the mini nutritional assessment-short form(MNA-SF)were compared between the two groups before intervention and at 12 months after intervention.Incidence of falls was also evaluated after intervention.Results All the participants completed the study.Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that total SRAHP scores had statistical significances in main effect on time,group and interaction(Ftime=193.451,P<0.001;Fgroup=23.661,P<0.001;Finteraction=29.970,P<0.001).Further analysis revealed that the elderly in trial group had higher total scores in SRAHP than those in the control group at 6 and 12 months after intervention(both P<0.001).At 12 months after intervention,the trial group showed better scores in FRAIL and MNA-SF than the control group(both P<0.05)as well as with a lower incidence of falls(P<0.05).Conclusion Incorporation of CGA into a comprehensive WeChat-based case health management,over a long-term,can effectively enhance the ability in health self-management among elderly individuals who take annual health examinations,improve frailty and nutritional status and reduce the incidence of falls.The health self-management discovered from this study provides a valuable reference for health management among the elderly people who take annual physical examinations.

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Objective:To explore the clinical features and prognosis of simultaneous double primary and single primary colorectal cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 45 patients with simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer, 53 patients with single primary colon cancer and 59 patients with single primary rectal cancer in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2015 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age, drinking history, smoking history, body mass index (BMI), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), hemoglobin, albumin, TNM stage. The clinicopathological characteristics of the three groups were compared. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method to compare the overall survival of the three groups.Results:The age of simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer patients was (63±11) years old, including 28 males and 17 females; the age of single primary colon cancer patients was (61±12) years old, including 30 males and 23 females; the age of single primary rectal cancer patients was (60±11) years old, including 30 males and 29 females. There was a significant difference in BMI between patients with double primary cancer and single primary colon cancer ( P = 0.041), but there were no significant differences in gender, age, drinking history, smoking history, CEA, CA199, hemoglobin, albumin and TNM stage (all P > 0.05). There were significant differences in BMI, CEA and CA199 between patients with double primary cancer and single primary rectal cancer (all P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in gender, age, drinking history, smoking history, hemoglobin, albumin and TNM stage (all P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates of the double primary cancer patients were 95.56%, 77.78% and 62.22%, the single primary colon cancer patients were 94.34%, 81.13% and 69.81%, and the single primary rectal cancer patients were 100.00%, 88.14% and 72.88%, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS among patients with double primary cancer, single primary rectal cancer and single primary rectal cancer (both P > 0.05). Conclusions:Abnormally elevated BMI may be associated with the risk of developing simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer. Detection of CEA and CA199 is helpful in monitoring rectal cancer patients for the combination of other primary tumors. The prognosis of patients with single primary colon or rectal cancer is comparable to that of patients with simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of pectoralis major muscle flap combined with negative pressure lavage in one-stage repair of refractory wounds after thoracotomy.Methods From January 2020 to January 2023,21 patients with refractory wounds after thoracotomy were retrospectively selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University,including 16 males and 5 females,aged 35 to 75 years old,with an average age of(62.2±11.3)years old.The wound area was 6cm×3cm to 25cm×5cm.The infected sternum was removed.According to the location and size of the residual cavity,the pectoralis major muscle of the corresponding segment on both sides of the free wound was sutured and filled.The irrigation tube was reserved below the muscle flap.After the muscle flap covered the residual cavity,the skin around the wound was sutured without tension,and the negative pressure suction of-30 to-20 kPa was given.From the first day after operation,physiological saline was used for lavage,2000ml per day.The character,color and amount of lavage fluid and the systemic symptoms of patients were observed.After the lavage fluid was clear,the tube and the negative pressure device were removed.The wound was changed once every other day,and the stitches were removed 2 weeks after operation.Results Nineteen patients achieved primary healing within 14 days after operation.Two patients had scattered wounds of about 1 cm×1 cm in size,and continued dressing change.All patients healed one month after operation.The patients were followed up for half a year to 2 years.The patient's chest shape was beautiful.There was no effect on the activity of the forebody and upper limbs,and there was no significant change in the muscle strength of the upper limbs.Conclusion For the refractory wounds after thoracotomy,after removing the infected sternum,using the pectoralis major muscle flap combined with negative pressure lavage to close the wound in one stage can reduce the risk of wound infection and death,shorten the hospital stay of patients,and the operation is simple and the trauma to patients is less.