Objective To analyze the efficacy of the"sandwich"technique for treating varicocele(VC).Methods A total of 310 patients with VC(365 affected veins)were selected and divided into interventional treatment group and non-interventional treatment group.The baseline data,hospitalization data,and 6-month follow-up data of the two groups were analyzed.Results The age of patients in the interventional treatment group was significantly lower than that in the non-interventional treatment group(P＜0.05).The surgical time and hospital stay in the interventional treatment group were significantly lower than those in the non-interventional treatment group(P＜0.05).In the non-interventional treatment group,two patients experienced surgical site infections,and one patient opted for interventional treatment due to recurrence after non-interventional treatment.After surgery,the diameter of the spermatic vein significantly decreased in both the interventional and non-interventional treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion The"sandwich"technique(embolization coil combined with foam sclerotherapy)is an effective treatment for VC.

Objective:To investigate the differential expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs(LncRNAs) and messenger RNAs(mRNAs) regulated by soluble dipeptidyl peptidase-4(sDPP4) during vascular smooth muscle cell calcification, and to explore the potential underlying calcification mechanisms.Methods:DPP4 levels in blood vessels and peripheral blood of diabetic patients were measured using Western blotting(WB) and real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). A cellular calcification model was established by treating human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(HASMCs) with sDPP4. The effects of sDPP4 on HASMCs were assessed by WB, RT-qPCR, alizarin red staining, and calcium content determination. High-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the differential expression profiles of LncRNA and mRNA following sDPP4 treatment. Among them, LncRNA ENST00000540293, which exhibited the most pronounced downregulation and was located adjacent to the matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) gene, was selected for further investigation. The osteogenic transdifferentiation of HASMCs after silencing LncRNA ENST00000540293 was evaluated using WB, RT-qPCR, alizarin red staining, and immunofluorescence-based cytoskeletal staining.Results:DPP4 expression was significantly elevated in both blood vessels and peripheral blood of diabetic patients. sDPP4 stimulation upregulated the protein levels of osteopontin(OPN) and runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2) in HASMCs, enhanced alizarin red staining, and increased intracellular calcium deposition. RNA sequencing revealed significant downregulation of LncRNA ENST00000540293 following sDPP4 exposure, while GO and pathway analysis indicated a marked increase in extracellular matrix binding activity(GO: 0050840). Silencing LncRNA ENST00000540293 suppressed α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) expression, promoted OPN and RUNX2 expression, increased calcification as shown by positive alizarin red staining, and cytoskeletal staining demonstrated osteogenic transdifferentiation of HASMCs, accompanied by a significant rise in MMP-1 protein level.Conclusion:sDPP4 promotes osteogenic transdifferentiation of HASMCs, potentially by downregulating LncRNA ENST00000540293. MMP-1 may be a potential target regulated by LncRNA ENST00000540293.

Objective:To investigate the differential expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs(LncRNAs) and messenger RNAs(mRNAs) regulated by soluble dipeptidyl peptidase-4(sDPP4) during vascular smooth muscle cell calcification, and to explore the potential underlying calcification mechanisms.Methods:DPP4 levels in blood vessels and peripheral blood of diabetic patients were measured using Western blotting(WB) and real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). A cellular calcification model was established by treating human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(HASMCs) with sDPP4. The effects of sDPP4 on HASMCs were assessed by WB, RT-qPCR, alizarin red staining, and calcium content determination. High-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the differential expression profiles of LncRNA and mRNA following sDPP4 treatment. Among them, LncRNA ENST00000540293, which exhibited the most pronounced downregulation and was located adjacent to the matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) gene, was selected for further investigation. The osteogenic transdifferentiation of HASMCs after silencing LncRNA ENST00000540293 was evaluated using WB, RT-qPCR, alizarin red staining, and immunofluorescence-based cytoskeletal staining.Results:DPP4 expression was significantly elevated in both blood vessels and peripheral blood of diabetic patients. sDPP4 stimulation upregulated the protein levels of osteopontin(OPN) and runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2) in HASMCs, enhanced alizarin red staining, and increased intracellular calcium deposition. RNA sequencing revealed significant downregulation of LncRNA ENST00000540293 following sDPP4 exposure, while GO and pathway analysis indicated a marked increase in extracellular matrix binding activity(GO: 0050840). Silencing LncRNA ENST00000540293 suppressed α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) expression, promoted OPN and RUNX2 expression, increased calcification as shown by positive alizarin red staining, and cytoskeletal staining demonstrated osteogenic transdifferentiation of HASMCs, accompanied by a significant rise in MMP-1 protein level.Conclusion:sDPP4 promotes osteogenic transdifferentiation of HASMCs, potentially by downregulating LncRNA ENST00000540293. MMP-1 may be a potential target regulated by LncRNA ENST00000540293.

Objective To analyze the efficacy of the"sandwich"technique for treating varicocele(VC).Methods A total of 310 patients with VC(365 affected veins)were selected and divided into interventional treatment group and non-interventional treatment group.The baseline data,hospitalization data,and 6-month follow-up data of the two groups were analyzed.Results The age of patients in the interventional treatment group was significantly lower than that in the non-interventional treatment group(P＜0.05).The surgical time and hospital stay in the interventional treatment group were significantly lower than those in the non-interventional treatment group(P＜0.05).In the non-interventional treatment group,two patients experienced surgical site infections,and one patient opted for interventional treatment due to recurrence after non-interventional treatment.After surgery,the diameter of the spermatic vein significantly decreased in both the interventional and non-interventional treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion The"sandwich"technique(embolization coil combined with foam sclerotherapy)is an effective treatment for VC.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features of 8 cases with intramycardial hematoma(IMH) following congenital cardiac surgery in children.Methods:We retrospectly searched 8 patients with intramycardial hematoma after congenital cardiac surgery in Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center from 2008 to 2024.Results:Mean age and mean weight at surgery were(13±15) months and(7.8±3.5)kg respectively. 6 of 8 cases were interventricular septal hematoma. In the other 2 patients, intramycardial hematoma was located in left ventrical free wall. All IMH were postoperatively detected by transthoracic echocardiaography. Two patients were managed with ECMO intraoperatively. Finally, all patients were discharged successfully with good clinical results. Mean time to IMH resolution in six patients was(33.5±4.6) days and mean left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) was 0.60±0.09. Another patient was followed up for 3 months and the IMH was not absorbed. One patient was lost to follow-up.Conclusion:IMH is a rare complication after congenital heart disease. The absorption of hematoma is a dynamic process and mean time to IMH resolution is about 1month. In IMH patients with hemodynamic instability, ECMO can be a good treatment to create opportunities for hematoma absorbtion.

Objective:To compare the accuracy of dynamic navigation system,fully-guided and Pilot-drill guided implant surgery in anterior dental aesthetic area.Methods:45 patients underwent single tooth implantation in anterior dental aesthetic area were random-ly divided into 3 groups(n=15).Dynamic navigation system imlanting(A),3D printing fully-guided template with ASTRA EV assis-ted orthopedic implantation(B)and Pilot-drill guided implantation(C)were respectively used for the patients in group A,B and C.The deviation between the preoperative design and actual results were measured by CBCT and/or 3D reconstruction with navigation de-sign software or 3SHAPE software.SPSS 25.0 software package was used and(x)±s was used for descriptive analysis,results were pair-wise compared among the 3 groups using ANOVA.Results:Data were normally distributed and the variance of the data was homoge-neous.In group A,the distance deviation of implant top center was(0.571±0.196)mm,the horizontal deviation was(0.405±0.222)mm,the distance deviation of implant apical center was(0.449±0.267)mm,the vertical deviation was(0.312±0.223)mm,the de-viation of the connection angle between the two centers was 2.257°±0.989°.In group B,those were(0.520±0.242)mm,(0.219±0.201)mm,(0.643±0.284)mm,(0.464±0.292)mm and 1.272°±0.951° respectively.In group C those were(1.179±0.365)mm,(0.667±0.276)mm,(1.518±0.566)mm,(0.967±0.444)mm and 2.568°±0.632°.The deviation of all the measurments of group A and B was lower than those of group C(P＜0.05).The deviation of the connection angle between the 2 centers of group B was less than that of group A(P＜0.05),but no statistical significance(P＞0.05)was found in other 4 measured items.Conslusion:The accuracy of the dynamic navigation system and the fully-guided implantation is significantly higher than that of the Pilot-drill guided implantation,but is not statistically significant between dynamic navigation and the fully-guided system.

Objective:The present study aims to investigate whether there is a shared alteration of the resting-state functional connectivity and amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) within the limbic network across all three clinical phases of bipolar disorder.Methods:From July 2019 to December 2021, 107 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (bipolar disorder group) were recruited from the Institute of Mental Health at Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University. Additionally, 46 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and education level were enrolled as the control group. According to the total scores of the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD 17), individuals with bipolar disorder can be categorized into three groups: bipolar manic group, bipolar depressive group, and bipolar euthymic group. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from all the participants, and seed-based functional connectivity and ALFF in the limbic network were conducted to compare differences among three mood states and controls using One-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis. Finally, correlation analyses using Pearson or Spearman coefficients were performed between statistically significant intergroup differences in functional connectivity/ALFF values and total scores as well as factor scores on clinical rating scales. Results:In comparison to the healthy controls, there was a significant decrease in functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate gyrus and hippocampus across all three clinical phases of bipolar disorder after Bonferroni correction ( t=-2.60--2.07, P<0.05). Furthermore, the ALFF in the anterior cingulate gyrus during three phases showed a significantl reduction following false discovery rate correction ( t=-4.41--3.51, P<0.05). Moreover, a decreased functional connectivity between the left anterior cingulate gyrus and left hippocampus during the depressive phase demonstrated a significant negative correlation with work interest subscores of the HAMD 17 ( r=-0.406, P=0.021). Conclusions:Dysconnectivity and reduced activity within the anterior cingulate of the limbic network may represent common alterations of mood regulation disorder throughout all three clinical phases of bipolar disorder.

Objective:The present study aims to investigate whether there is a shared alteration of the resting-state functional connectivity and amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) within the limbic network across all three clinical phases of bipolar disorder.Methods:From July 2019 to December 2021, 107 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (bipolar disorder group) were recruited from the Institute of Mental Health at Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University. Additionally, 46 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and education level were enrolled as the control group. According to the total scores of the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD 17), individuals with bipolar disorder can be categorized into three groups: bipolar manic group, bipolar depressive group, and bipolar euthymic group. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from all the participants, and seed-based functional connectivity and ALFF in the limbic network were conducted to compare differences among three mood states and controls using One-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis. Finally, correlation analyses using Pearson or Spearman coefficients were performed between statistically significant intergroup differences in functional connectivity/ALFF values and total scores as well as factor scores on clinical rating scales. Results:In comparison to the healthy controls, there was a significant decrease in functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate gyrus and hippocampus across all three clinical phases of bipolar disorder after Bonferroni correction ( t=-2.60--2.07, P<0.05). Furthermore, the ALFF in the anterior cingulate gyrus during three phases showed a significantl reduction following false discovery rate correction ( t=-4.41--3.51, P<0.05). Moreover, a decreased functional connectivity between the left anterior cingulate gyrus and left hippocampus during the depressive phase demonstrated a significant negative correlation with work interest subscores of the HAMD 17 ( r=-0.406, P=0.021). Conclusions:Dysconnectivity and reduced activity within the anterior cingulate of the limbic network may represent common alterations of mood regulation disorder throughout all three clinical phases of bipolar disorder.

Znic (Zn) alloys with good cytocompatibility and suitable degradation rate have been a kind of biodegradable metal with great potential for clinical applications. This paper summarizes the biological role of degradable Zn alloy as bone implant materials, discusses the mechanical properties of different Zn alloys and their advantages and disadvantages as bone implant materials, and analyzes the influence of different processing strategies (such as alloying and additive manufacturing) on the mechanical properties of Zn alloys. This paper provides systematic design approaches for biodegradable Zn alloys as bone implant materials in terms of the material selection, product processing, structural topology optimization, and assesses their application prospects with a view to better serve the clinic.
Orthopedics ; Zinc ; Alloys ; Dental Materials ; Prostheses and Implants

Objective To compare the correlation and consistency of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay(ECLIA)in the determination of se-rum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D],in order to guide the clinical selection of appropriate detection meth-ods.Methods A total of clinical serum samples were collected from the laboratory,and 25(OH)D levels were detected by LC-MS/MS and ECLIA,respectively.Passing-Boblok regression was used to analyze the correla-tion between the two methods,and Bland-Altman and Mountain plot were used to evaluate the agreement be-tween the two methods.Serum 25(OH)D<20.0 ng/mL was defined as vitamin D deficiency,and serum 25(OH)D as 20.0-<30.0 ng/mL was defined as vitamin D insufficiency.Kappa analysis was used to determine the coincidence rate of the two methods in the diagnosis of vitamin D nutritional status.Results The 25(OH)D levels detected by LC-MS/MS and ECLIA were(26.67±4.79)ng/mL and(39.33±4.09)ng/mL,respec-tively.The regression equation of the two methods was YECLIA=-4.558 1+1.719 8XLC-MS/MS,the slope was 1.719 8(95%CI 1.586 3-1.828 4),excluded 1,and the intercept was 4.558 1(95%CI-7.692 2--2.122 1),excluded 0,prompt system difference or ratio differences of the two methods.There were system-atic or proportional differences between the two methods.The Bland-Altman figure showed two methods aver-ages was 12.7,and the difference of out points(ratio)was 3.19%.The peak value of the mountain plot was-9.17 ng/mL,with more deviations from 0,indicating poor agreement between the results measured by the two methods.The Kappa coefficient of the two methods for judging vitamin D deficiency was 0.875,and the diagnostic coincidence rate was 94.68%.The Kappa coefficient of the two methods for judging vitamin D in-sufficiency was 0.538,and the diagnostic coincidence rate was 75.53%.Conclusion The agreement between ECLIA and LC-MS/MS is poor,but the agreement between ECLIA and LC-MS/MS in the diagnosis of vita-min D deficiency and insufficiency based on nutritional status is high.