[Objective]To evaluate the efficacy of ureteral dilation versus ureteral reimplantation in treating pediatric primary obstructive megaureter(POM).[Methods]A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 53 pediatric patients with POM treated in the Department of Urology,Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital from April 2019 to September 2023.The cohort included 37 boys and 16 girls with 5 bilateral and 48 unilateral cases.The age ranged from 1 to 157 months,with a median age of 17.00(5.50-48.00)months.Patients were assigned to 3 groups based on the management of the ureteral stricture segment:dilation group(18 cases,19 sides),Cohen group(20 cases,24 sides),and Lich-Gregoir group(15 cases,15 sides).The duration of the operations,postoperative hospital stays,postoperative indwelling catheters,postoperative D-J stents;changes in renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and ureteral diameter;and postoperative complications were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effects.[Results]All 53 patients successfully underwent surgery.The dilation group showed significantly shorter operative time,postoperative hospital stay,and postoperative catheterization duration compared to the Cohen and Lich-Gregoir groups(P＜0.05).However,the postoperative D-J stent time was longer in the dilation group than in the other 2 groups(P＜0.05).Upon follow-ups for 6-12 months after stent removal,all groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and ureteral diameter compared to preoperative values(P＜0.05).No significant differences were observed among the 3 groups in hydronephrosis resolution rates(P＞0.05).Additionally,the incidence of postoperative complications(urinary tract infection,vesicoureteral reflux,and reoperation for restenosis)did not differ significantly among the groups(P＞0.05).[Conclusions]Ureteral dilation demonstrated non-inferior short-term clinical efficacy compared to ureteral reimplantation in managing POM in pediatric patients.With reduced operative time,minimal invasiveness,and technical simplicity,ureteral dilation may be considered a preferential treatment option for children with POM.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and prognostic influencing factors of endovascular therapy for periprocedural acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)after cardiac surgery,and to analyze the pathological characteristics of thrombi leading to LVO.Methods This study retrospectively and consecutively enrolled patients who experienced AIS-LVO during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery at the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from June 1,2017,to March 31,2024.The patients were divided into a surgical group and a non-surgical group based on whether they received endovascular treatment.The clinical and imaging data of the patients were collected,including gender,age,hypertension,diabetes,history of smoking,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,cardiac surgical methods(coronary artery bypass grafting,total arch replacement[TRA],cardiac valve replacement,other types of surgery[valve repair,atrial septal repair,ventricular septal repair,heart transplantation]),time from cardiac surgery to AIS onset,location of vascular occlusion(vertebral-basilar artery,right internal carotid artery,left internal carotid artery),National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score at the onset of stroke,time from stroke onset to puncture,stroke etiology(embolism,arterial dissection,atherosclerotic stenosis),and imaging data including Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS)of the anterior circulation,ASPECTS of the posterior circulation(pc-ASPECTS)and CT angiography,CT perfusion,etc.The thrombus samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and martius scarlet blue staining.According to the proportion of red blood cells(RBC)in the thrombus,the thrombi were classified as erythrocyte-rich thrombi(RBC proportion≥70%),mixed thrombi(RBC proportion 31%-69%),and fibrin-rich thrombi(RBC proportion≤30%).At 90d after stroke onset,the modified Rankin scale(mRS)was used for both outpatient and telephone follow-up.The mRS score 0-2 indicated a good prognosis,3-6 indicated a poor prognosis,and 6 points indicated death.Factors with P＜0.1 in univariate Logistic regression and those factors may influence the prognosis according to clinical experience were included and further analyzed with multivariate Logistic regression to analyze the 90 d prognostic influencing factors after stroke onset for AIS-LVO patients during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery.Results A total of 102 patients who experienced AIS-LVO during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery(68 males,34females,with mean age of[58±14]years)were enrolled in this study,50 were in the non-surgery group and 52 in the surgery group.(1)Significant differences were observed between the surgical and non-surgical group in hypertension(32.7%[17/52]vs.54.0%[27/50],P=0.030),NIHSS score at stroke onset(12.3[12.3,21.8]vs.35.0[18.0,35.0],P＜0.01),vascular occlusion site(P=0.048),cardiac surgery type(P＜0.01),ASPECTS/pc-ASPECTS(9[8,9]vs.4[3,6],P＜0.01),favorable90-day prognosis rate(75.0%[39/52]vs.10.0%[5/50],P＜0.01)and 90-day mortality rate(7.7%[4/52]vs.68.0%[34/50],P＜0.01).Other clinical and imaging data showed no significant differences(all P＞0.05).In the surgery group,86.5%(45/52),7.7%(4/52),and 5.8%(3/52)patients were attributed to embolism,arterial dissection,and atherosclerotic stenosis,respectively.(2)Univariate Logistic regression analysis identified NIHSS score at stroke onset,TRA,endovascular therapy,and ASPECTS/pc-ASPECTS score as prognostic factors affecting the 90-day prognosis after stroke.Set the patient's 90-day prognosis(assign favorable prognosis as 1 and poor prognosis as 0)as dependent variable,incorporate factors with P＜0.1 in the univariate Logistic analysis and location of vascular occlusion in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis.The results showed that high NIHSS score on stroke onset(OR,0.86,95%CI 0.78-0.95,P=0.002)and non endovascular therapy(OR,6.93,95%CI 1.05-45.55,P=0.044)were independent risk factors of poor prognosis 90-day after stroke onset for AIS-LVO patients during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery.(3)Among 45 cardioembolic patients,thrombus samples from 33 patients were analyzed.The analysis revealed no erythrocyte-rich thrombi,3 mixed thrombi,and 30 fibrin-rich thrombi,with 12having a fibrin proportion exceeding 90%.Conclusion Endovascular therapy improved the prognosis and reduces mortality rate in patients with periprocedural AIS-LVO after cardiac surgery,and thrombi in these patients are predominantly fibrin-rich.

BACKGROUND:The energy metabolism and polarization state of macrophages play a crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has shown significant therapeutic potential for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage metabolic pathways.OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress in AMP-activated protein kinase regulation of macrophage energy metabolism and polarization and explore the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.METHODS:A computerized search was conducted on the databases including Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI,covering relevant literature up to June 2024.The search terms were"AMPK,fatty acid oxidation,macrophage polarization,Traditional Chinese Medicine,atherosclerosis,coronary heart disease"in Chinese and English.A total of 62 articles were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shiftin macrophage energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis plays a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis.The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in macrophages promotes fatty acid oxidation and M2 polarization,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and stabilizing arterial plaques.TCM monomers(such as ginseng,astragalus,and polygonatum)and compounds(such as Huanglian Jiedu Decoction,Yangxin Shumai Granules,and Tiaogan Daozhuo Formula)influence macrophage metabolism and cellular function by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and intervening in multiple signaling pathways,such as nuclear factor-κB,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ,and mammalian target of rapamycin,thereby achieving therapeutic effects.Future research should focus on the interactions between AMP-activated protein kinase,metabolism,and polarization pathways,as well as how TCM exerts its therapeutic effects through these pathways,providing new strategies for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and prognostic influencing factors of endovascular therapy for periprocedural acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)after cardiac surgery,and to analyze the pathological characteristics of thrombi leading to LVO.Methods This study retrospectively and consecutively enrolled patients who experienced AIS-LVO during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery at the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from June 1,2017,to March 31,2024.The patients were divided into a surgical group and a non-surgical group based on whether they received endovascular treatment.The clinical and imaging data of the patients were collected,including gender,age,hypertension,diabetes,history of smoking,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,cardiac surgical methods(coronary artery bypass grafting,total arch replacement[TRA],cardiac valve replacement,other types of surgery[valve repair,atrial septal repair,ventricular septal repair,heart transplantation]),time from cardiac surgery to AIS onset,location of vascular occlusion(vertebral-basilar artery,right internal carotid artery,left internal carotid artery),National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score at the onset of stroke,time from stroke onset to puncture,stroke etiology(embolism,arterial dissection,atherosclerotic stenosis),and imaging data including Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS)of the anterior circulation,ASPECTS of the posterior circulation(pc-ASPECTS)and CT angiography,CT perfusion,etc.The thrombus samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and martius scarlet blue staining.According to the proportion of red blood cells(RBC)in the thrombus,the thrombi were classified as erythrocyte-rich thrombi(RBC proportion≥70%),mixed thrombi(RBC proportion 31%-69%),and fibrin-rich thrombi(RBC proportion≤30%).At 90d after stroke onset,the modified Rankin scale(mRS)was used for both outpatient and telephone follow-up.The mRS score 0-2 indicated a good prognosis,3-6 indicated a poor prognosis,and 6 points indicated death.Factors with P＜0.1 in univariate Logistic regression and those factors may influence the prognosis according to clinical experience were included and further analyzed with multivariate Logistic regression to analyze the 90 d prognostic influencing factors after stroke onset for AIS-LVO patients during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery.Results A total of 102 patients who experienced AIS-LVO during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery(68 males,34females,with mean age of[58±14]years)were enrolled in this study,50 were in the non-surgery group and 52 in the surgery group.(1)Significant differences were observed between the surgical and non-surgical group in hypertension(32.7%[17/52]vs.54.0%[27/50],P=0.030),NIHSS score at stroke onset(12.3[12.3,21.8]vs.35.0[18.0,35.0],P＜0.01),vascular occlusion site(P=0.048),cardiac surgery type(P＜0.01),ASPECTS/pc-ASPECTS(9[8,9]vs.4[3,6],P＜0.01),favorable90-day prognosis rate(75.0%[39/52]vs.10.0%[5/50],P＜0.01)and 90-day mortality rate(7.7%[4/52]vs.68.0%[34/50],P＜0.01).Other clinical and imaging data showed no significant differences(all P＞0.05).In the surgery group,86.5%(45/52),7.7%(4/52),and 5.8%(3/52)patients were attributed to embolism,arterial dissection,and atherosclerotic stenosis,respectively.(2)Univariate Logistic regression analysis identified NIHSS score at stroke onset,TRA,endovascular therapy,and ASPECTS/pc-ASPECTS score as prognostic factors affecting the 90-day prognosis after stroke.Set the patient's 90-day prognosis(assign favorable prognosis as 1 and poor prognosis as 0)as dependent variable,incorporate factors with P＜0.1 in the univariate Logistic analysis and location of vascular occlusion in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis.The results showed that high NIHSS score on stroke onset(OR,0.86,95%CI 0.78-0.95,P=0.002)and non endovascular therapy(OR,6.93,95%CI 1.05-45.55,P=0.044)were independent risk factors of poor prognosis 90-day after stroke onset for AIS-LVO patients during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery.(3)Among 45 cardioembolic patients,thrombus samples from 33 patients were analyzed.The analysis revealed no erythrocyte-rich thrombi,3 mixed thrombi,and 30 fibrin-rich thrombi,with 12having a fibrin proportion exceeding 90%.Conclusion Endovascular therapy improved the prognosis and reduces mortality rate in patients with periprocedural AIS-LVO after cardiac surgery,and thrombi in these patients are predominantly fibrin-rich.

BACKGROUND:The energy metabolism and polarization state of macrophages play a crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has shown significant therapeutic potential for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage metabolic pathways.OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress in AMP-activated protein kinase regulation of macrophage energy metabolism and polarization and explore the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.METHODS:A computerized search was conducted on the databases including Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI,covering relevant literature up to June 2024.The search terms were"AMPK,fatty acid oxidation,macrophage polarization,Traditional Chinese Medicine,atherosclerosis,coronary heart disease"in Chinese and English.A total of 62 articles were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shiftin macrophage energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis plays a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis.The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in macrophages promotes fatty acid oxidation and M2 polarization,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and stabilizing arterial plaques.TCM monomers(such as ginseng,astragalus,and polygonatum)and compounds(such as Huanglian Jiedu Decoction,Yangxin Shumai Granules,and Tiaogan Daozhuo Formula)influence macrophage metabolism and cellular function by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and intervening in multiple signaling pathways,such as nuclear factor-κB,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ,and mammalian target of rapamycin,thereby achieving therapeutic effects.Future research should focus on the interactions between AMP-activated protein kinase,metabolism,and polarization pathways,as well as how TCM exerts its therapeutic effects through these pathways,providing new strategies for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

[Objective]To evaluate the efficacy of ureteral dilation versus ureteral reimplantation in treating pediatric primary obstructive megaureter(POM).[Methods]A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 53 pediatric patients with POM treated in the Department of Urology,Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital from April 2019 to September 2023.The cohort included 37 boys and 16 girls with 5 bilateral and 48 unilateral cases.The age ranged from 1 to 157 months,with a median age of 17.00(5.50-48.00)months.Patients were assigned to 3 groups based on the management of the ureteral stricture segment:dilation group(18 cases,19 sides),Cohen group(20 cases,24 sides),and Lich-Gregoir group(15 cases,15 sides).The duration of the operations,postoperative hospital stays,postoperative indwelling catheters,postoperative D-J stents;changes in renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and ureteral diameter;and postoperative complications were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effects.[Results]All 53 patients successfully underwent surgery.The dilation group showed significantly shorter operative time,postoperative hospital stay,and postoperative catheterization duration compared to the Cohen and Lich-Gregoir groups(P＜0.05).However,the postoperative D-J stent time was longer in the dilation group than in the other 2 groups(P＜0.05).Upon follow-ups for 6-12 months after stent removal,all groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and ureteral diameter compared to preoperative values(P＜0.05).No significant differences were observed among the 3 groups in hydronephrosis resolution rates(P＞0.05).Additionally,the incidence of postoperative complications(urinary tract infection,vesicoureteral reflux,and reoperation for restenosis)did not differ significantly among the groups(P＞0.05).[Conclusions]Ureteral dilation demonstrated non-inferior short-term clinical efficacy compared to ureteral reimplantation in managing POM in pediatric patients.With reduced operative time,minimal invasiveness,and technical simplicity,ureteral dilation may be considered a preferential treatment option for children with POM.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,some scholars in the field of tendon bone injury have attached stromal cell-derived factor 1 to tissue engineering scaffolds to promote tendon bone healing,and achieved good results.However,whether stromal cell-derived factor 1 promotes tendon bone healing mechanisms and participates in the repair of natural healing has not yet been defined. OBJECTIVE:To study the expression of stroma-cell derived factor 1 during tendon bone healing after rupture of the whole supraspinatus muscle of the rabbit rotator cuff and its migration effect and optimal in vitro migration promoting concentration on stem cells during tendon bone injury. METHODS:Totally 18 adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly selected to establish rotator cuff injury models,and an additional 3 rabbits were selected as blank controls.At 3,5,7,14,21,and 28 days after modeling,three rabbits were executed separately and the rabbits in the blank group were sacrificed.The tissues of tendon bone junction were taken and stored in a-80℃refrigerator.The expression of stromal cell-derived factor 1 was detected by ELISA at each time point after injury.Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the bone marrow of young rabbit femur,cultured,and identified.Transwell assay was performed to verify the migration-promoting effect of stromal cell-derived factor 1 on stem cells and the optimal migration-promoting concentration in vitro.The stem cells cultured to P3 were co-cultured with BrdU and injected into the rabbit ear marginal vein,and immunohistochemical staining was used to verify whether the stem cells migrated to the injury site. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stromal cell-derived factor 1 gene expression was bimodal during rotator cuff tendon bone healing.Stromal cell-derived factor 1 gene expression increased significantly at 3 days post-injury(P<0.01)and then decreased,reaching a minimum at 5 days post-injury.It increased again and reached a peak 14 days after injury(P<0.01)and then decreased.(2)Cell immunohistochemical staining displayed that stem cells labeled with BrdU did migrate to the injury site.(3)The results of the transwell experiment exhibited that 60-80 ng/mL stromal cell-derived factor 1 had the best effect on promoting migration of stem cells,while a concentration of 200 ng/mL inhibited migration.(4)Stromal cell-derived factor 1 is involved in the healing of rotator cuff tendon bone during the inflammatory response phase and the proliferation phase.The mechanism of action may be to promote the migration of stem cells to the injury and their differentiation into various types of cells to promote repair.In addition,the pro-migration effect of stromal cell-derived factor 1 exists at a range of concentrations,beyond which it may act as an inhibitor.

BACKGROUND:As a dominant breed pig in southwest China,the southern Yunnan small-ear pig has been widely used as an experimental animal in the basic research of other disciplines,but there are still no reports on its application in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. OBJECTIVE:To establish a large animal model of the southern Yunnan small-ear pig with anterior cruciate ligament with autologous Achilles tendon was established. METHODS:Twenty adult female Yunnan small-ear pigs were equally randomized into two groups.In the autologous Achilles tendon group,the right knee anterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed with autologous Achilles tendon as a graft,while in the sham-operated group,a similar operation was performed on the right knee without any treatment of the anterior cruciate ligament.General conditions of each pig were observed and recorded before and 12 months after surgery.Ligaments and grafts were taken for gross observation and MAS scoring.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe morphological characteristics of ligaments.The staining and arrangement of type I and type Ⅲ collagen were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the type,size,diameter,ratio,and distribution of collagen fibers in ligaments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:All animals had normal diet and activity,good wound healing,no obvious inflammatory reaction,no local purulent infection,and no significant changes in mental and urinary conditions compared with those before surgery.The reconstructed cruciate ligament of the knee was intact,with no stiffness and normal range of motion.Both the anterior drawer and Lachman tests were negative.Gross observation of the graft:12 months after surgery,the grafts was in good position,with good integrity,obvious tension,ligament color close to the original anterior cruciate ligament,and complete surface synovial coverage.Most of the intraarticular ligaments in the autologous Achilles tendon group were defined as MAS I type and a few were defined as MAS Ⅱ type.In the sham-operated group,the intraarticular ligament was defined as MAS I type.Hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated that,12 months after surgery,collagen fibers in the autologous Achilles tendon group began to appear bundled,isotropic,and uniformly arranged,with more obvious isotropic corrugations,and the nuclei were mainly linear or spindle-shaped,which were similar to those in normal anterior cruciate ligament tissue of the sham-operated group.Immunohistochemistry results indicated that,12 months after surgery,there was a higher expression of type I collagen and significantly less expression of type Ⅲ collagen in the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament in the autologous Achilles tendon group.The degree of type I and type Ⅲ staining was similar in the two groups.Under the transmission electron microscope,the diameter,arrangement and density of collagen fibers in the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament of the autologous Achilles tendon group were similar to those of the original anterior cruciate ligament at 12 months after surgery,indicating that the ligament remodeling process had been basically completed in the autologous Achilles tendon group at 12 months after surgery.Through a comprehensive evaluation of animal general conditions,ligament general view,MAS score,hematoxylin-eosin staining,immunohistochemistry,and transmission electron microscopy observation,we successfully established a large animal model of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous Achilles tendon in southern Yunnan small-ear pigs,with good morphological,histological and ultrastructural results.

Objective To investigate the relationship between platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase gene Arg92His(4, 275; G→A), Ile198Thr(7, 593; T→C) and Val279Phe(9, 994; G→T) mutation and cerebral artery athero-sclerosis stenosis. Methods Six hundred forty-twopatients with cerebral infarction underwent cerebral digital subtrac-tion angiography (DSA).The patients were then divided into cerebral artery atherosclerosis stenosis (CAAS) group(n=477) and control group(n=81) accroding to the site and severity of their cerebral artery stenosis. Furthermore, the CAAS group were divided into intracranial artery stenosis(ICAS) subgroup(n=251), extracranial artery stenosis(ECAS) subgroup (n=115) and extracranial-intracerebral artery stenosis(ECAS) subgroup(n=111). The distributions of genotype and allele frequencies of Arg92His,Ile198Thr and Val279Phe mutation of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase gene were ex-amined and comparied in different groups. Results There were significant differences in the distributions of genotype and allele of Arg92His mutation between ICAS subgroup and control group(42.6% vs. 30.3%;23.3% vs. 16.4%, P <0.05). These associations were not detected in ECAS and IECAS subgroups. There was no significant association be-tween Ile198Thr and Val279Phe and stenosis at any site(P>0.05). The distributions of genotype and allele of Arg92His, Ile198Thr and Val279Phe mutation were no significantly difference between CAAS group and control group (P >0.05). Conclusions Arg92His mutation may be associated with intracranial artery atherosclerotic stenosis.

The curative efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) in the treatment of patients with ischemia cerebrovascular disease caused by artery stenosis was explored. The clinical data of 111 patients with ischemia cerebrovascular disease receiving PTAS in Guangdong Province General Hospital from Aug. 2007 to Nov. 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. In total 132 stents were implanted in the 111 patients. The mortality and rate of neural and non-neural complications were assessed perioperatively. Outcomes [including the frequency of transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, or death from vascular diseases) were assessed after operation. NIHSS rating was performed in all cases before and at first week, 6th month and 12th month after the operation. The PTAS success rate was 100%. The degree of stenosis was reduced after PTAS. The total complication rate during perioperative period was 15.3% (the rate of neural complications was 3.6%). Sixty-seven patients were followed up. Three patients (4.48%) developed cerebrovascular events within 1 month, containing one case of TIA, one case of ipsilateral mild stroke and one case of contralateral mild stroke. No severe stroke or death was observed. During a follow-up period of 12 months 7 patients had cerebrovascular events (10.44%), including 2 cases of ipsilateral TIA (2.99%), 2 cases of ipsilateral mild stroke and 2 cases of contralateral mild stroke (2.99%), one case of severe stroke (1.49%). In 13 patients receiving DSA re-examination one year after PTAS, 2 patients (15.38%) had in-stent restenosis. NIHSS scores were obviously decreased during a follow-up period as compared with those pre-operation (P<0.05). It was concluded that PTAS could significantly alleviate the neural function deficit of the patients with ischemia cerebrovascular disease. The success rate of PTAS was high, and the rate of complications was lower and the clinical outcomes were satisfactory. PTAS is a safe and effective therapeutic method, though the long-term outcomes need further study.