Objective To investigate the feasibility of selectively omitting ureteral stent placement after ureteroscopic lithotripsy(URL).Methods A total of 118 patients with distal ureteral calculi undergoing URL from 2021 to 2024 were enrolled.Patients were divided into a control group(indwelling ureteral stent for 2 weeks,n=86)and an observation group(no ureteral stent placement,n=32).General data,operation time,hospital stay,and total medical costs were compared between the two groups.Patients were followed 2 weeks postoperatively for assessment of flank pain visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,bladder irritation symptoms,hematuria,and incidence of urinary tract infection.Hydronephrosis was evaluated by ultrasonography 3 months after surgery.Results There was no significant difference in the general information and operation time between the two groups(P>0.05).The length of hospital stay and total treatment cost in the observa-tion group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Two weeks after surgery,the VAS scores of low back pain on the affected side and occurrence rates of bladder irritation symptoms,hematu-ria,and urinary tract infection in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).Three months after operation,no hydronephrosis was observed in both groups.Conclusion It is safe and feasible to avoid indwelling ureteral stent after URL in appropriate cases.

Objective:To investigate the value of ultrasonic measurement of the ratio of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) to eyeball transverse diameter(ETD) in the diagnosis and prognosis of intracranial hypertension in patients with craniocerebral trauma.Methods:A total of 120 patients with craniocerebral trauma treated in the Xingtai General Hospital of North China Medical and Health Group from December 2021 to January 2023 were perspectively selected, and they were divided into normal intracranial pressure group (73 cases) and intracranial hypertension group (47 cases) according to the results of intracranial pressure measurements, and the intracranial hypertension group was divided into good prognosis group (20 cases) and poor prognosis group (27 cases) according to the follow-up prognosis. The efficacy of ONSD, ETD and ONSD/ETD in intracranial hypertension diagnosis and prognosis assessment were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the 6-month risk of adverse prognosis of patients, and the comparison was made by Log-rank test.Results:The levels of intracranial pressure, ONSD, ONSD/ETD in the normal intracranial pressure group were lower than those in the intracranial hypertension group: (130.73 ± 23.63) mmH 2O (1 mmH 2O = 0.009 8 kPa) vs. (270.11 ± 35.78) mmH 2O, (5.47 ± 0.29) mm vs. (5.78 ± 0.44) mm, 0.246 ± 0.018 vs. 0.263 ± 0.018, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The scores of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), intracranial pressure, ONSD, ONSD/ETD in the good prognosis group were lower than those in the poor prognosis group: (5.50 ± 1.24) scores vs. (6.41 ± 1.34) scores, (256.15 ± 30.23) mmH 2O vs. (280.44 ± 36.56) mmH 2O, (5.62 ± 0.40) mm vs. (5.90 ± 0.44) mm, 0.254 ± 0.014 vs. 0.270 ± 0.017, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of ONSD and ONSD/ETD for diagnosing intracranial hypertension in patients with craniocerebral trauma were 0.718 and 0.765, respectively, and the critical values were 5.87 mm and 0.263, respectively. The AUC of ONSD and ONSD/ETD predicting prognosis of intracranial hypertension patients was 0.677 and 0.763, respectively, and the critical values were 5.90 mm and 0.267, respectively. Grouped by the threshold of ONSD/ETD for the prognosis of intracranial hypertension (0.267), the incidence of adverse prognosis in ONSD/ETD > 0.267 group was higher than that in the ONSD/ETD≤0.267 group, there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:ONSD/ETD can be used as an index for diagnosis and prognosis of intracranial hypertension.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood,present at low abundance,serves as a critical biomarker for cancer. Precise detection of ctDNA is of great significance for early diagnosis,disease monitoring,and prognosis evaluation. In this study,a microfluidic chip-based entropy-driven bipedal DNA walker combined with dendritic hybridisation chain reaction was designed as a cascade signal amplification strategy for detection of ctDNA in blood in a microfluidic chip. In the presence of the target,toehold A interacted with target and triggerd a bidirectional strand displacement reaction with the aid of fuel strand F,thereby releasing the target and the 8-17 DNAzyme active centre. Among them,the released target was recycled in a new round of entropy-driven chain replacement reaction. Meanwhile,8-17 DNAzyme active center activated by Pb2+would act on the cleavage site of the substrate hairpin at the microbead surface,exposing the capture probes on the surface of the microbead. The numerous capture probes induced a dendritic hybridization chain reaction,which resulted in fluorescent signals being concentrated on the surface of the microbeads. With the breast cancer mutant gene PIK3CAE545K as the target model,under the optimal experimental conditions,the linear range of sensor was 50-10000 fmol/L,the detection limit was 0.94 fmol/L (LOD,3σ),and the regression equation was y=31.65 lgCT+474.08 (CT is the concentration mutant gene PIK3CAE545K sequence,fmol/L). This method showed spiked recoveries between 98.8％ and 106.5％ when applied to detection of mutant gene PIK3CAE545K in human serum. Characterized by its sensitivity,specificity,anti-interference capability,high throughput,and one-step operation,this method was ideally suited for the rapid analysis of complex samples.

The distal femoral fracture, tibial plateau fracture and patellar fracture may all develop into traumatic knee arthritis, which is probably associated with knee dysfunction problems. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for end-stage knee arthritis. The distal femoral valgus cut angle (VCA) is an important reference for distal femoral resection in TKA and significantly affects postoperative prosthesis position and lower extremity alignment after TKA. For VCA, the specific methods for definition, measurement methods, clinical application and influencing factors are currently controversial. Hence, the authors review the research progress in the role of VCA in TKA from the above-mentioned four aspects, hoping to provide a reference for accurate preoperative planning and intraoperative performance of TKA.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease undergoing long-term hemodialysis. Methods: Six patients with AF and end-stage renal disease(ESRD)on long term hemodialysis who underwent LAAO from March 2017 to March 2021 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were enrolled. Baseline characteristics such as age, sex, types of arrhythmia, stroke and bleeding score, and continuous dialysis time were collected. Four patients underwent LAAO, two patients underwent the combined procedure of catheter ablation and LAAO. Perioperative treatment and serious complications were recorded. Transesophageal echocardiography was repeated at 45 days and 60 days after the procedure. Telephone follow-up was conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure, and every 6 months thereafter. Thromboembolism and major bleeding events and survival were evaluated. Results: The average age was (66.7±17.0) years old, and 5 were male (5/6). There were 4 patients with paroxysmal AF (4/6), and 2 patients with persistent AF (2/6). The mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was (4.8±1.5), and the HAS-BLED score was (3.5±1.4). The duration of hemodialysis was 2.6 (1.1, 8.3) years. Successfully Watchman implantation was achieved in all patients. There were no severe perioperative complications, and no device related thrombosis or leaks were observed by transesophageal echocardiography. During a mean of 22.0 (12.0, 32.0) months follow-up, there was no thromboembolism or major bleeding events. A total of 2 patients died, one from sudden cardiac death, and another one from heart failure. Conclusions: LAAO may be a safe and effective therapeutic option for prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease undergoing long-term hemodialysis, further studies with larger patient cohort are needed to confirm our results.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Appendage/surgery* ; Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis ; Stroke ; Thromboembolism ; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) over 75 years. A total of 82 patients with AF who underwent LAAO successfully in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 2014 to March 2019 were divided into two groups according to age: the elderly group (aged>75 years) and the young group (aged ≤75 years). Risk of perioperative complications and incidence of ischemic stroke and major bleeding during follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in procedure-related ischemic stroke(0 vs.1.6%, P=0.768) and major bleeding (0 vs.1.6%, P=0.768) during perioperative period between the two groups. No complications as death or pericardial tamponade occurred in the two group. During a (25.9±15.9) months period of followed up, ischemic stroke event rate was 3.6/100 person-years in the elderly group and 4.9/100 person-years in the young group, respectively. Major bleeding event rate was 2.5/100 person-years in the elderly group and 0/100 person-years in the young group, respectively. Compared with the expected ones, the relative risk reduction (RRR) of stroke in the elderly group was more profound than that in the young group (32.0% vs. 25.0%), while the risk of major bleeding in the young group was significantly lower than that in the elderly group (RRR 100% vs. 56.9%). Therefore, LAAO might be suitable for stroke prevention in the elderly AF patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of water-jet excision combined with skin graft in the treatment of giant congenital melanotic nevus.Methods:The patients with giant nevus who were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated by layer-by-layer cutting of giant nevus with water-jet, preserving the subcutaneous fascial layer and part of the dermis as much as possible, then following by skin graft transplantation. The patients visited the hospital 1-2 years after operation. The postoperative scar of skin graft area was scored by Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and the satisfaction of skin graft area was evaluated by digital scoring method (1-10 points). The recurrence of nevus pigmentosus and implantation metastasis were observed. Descriptive method were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 7 children were included, 2 males and 5 females, aged 4 to 14 years. There were 3 cases on the trunk and 4 cases on the extremities. Giant nevi accounted for (7.4 ± 3.1)% of the body surface area. Then skin graft survived well after surgery in all 7 children. During the 1-year follow-up after operation, the POSAS score of skin graft scar showed that the sum of 1-3 points in the scores of scar pain, itching, hardness and thickness by the patients or their families was 6, 4, 4 and 5 cases, respectively, and the sum of 4-10 points in the pigmentation and irregularity was 5 and 5 cases, respectively. None of the 7 patients had functional limitation in the skin graft area; the physicians’, scores for vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, and flexibility of the scars in the skin graft area were low, with a sum of 6, 3, 4, and 4 for the number of cases with 1-3 points and 2 and 4 for the number of cases with 1-3 points and 4-6 points in the flatness score, respectively. The satisfaction of both doctors and patients (sum of 7-10 points) was 4 and 5 cases, respectively. 7 cases were reexamined 1 year after operation, with recurrence of 2 punctate nevus pigmentosus(less than 1 mm in diameter) in only one case. No implantation metastasis in the skin graft area of nevus pigmentosus happened.Conclusions:Water-jet excision combined with skin graft in the treatment of giant nevus is simple and only one procedure required. The donor site only needs to cut a split-thickness skin graft. The postoperative scar is not obvious and the skin elasticity is better. Patients were relatively satisfied with the postoperative effect. It is suitable for the resection of nevus pigmentosus in the trunk especially the nevus pigmentosus with good texture and lighter color but not for the lesion at articular area of limbs.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of water-jet excision combined with skin graft in the treatment of giant congenital melanotic nevus.Methods:The patients with giant nevus who were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated by layer-by-layer cutting of giant nevus with water-jet, preserving the subcutaneous fascial layer and part of the dermis as much as possible, then following by skin graft transplantation. The patients visited the hospital 1-2 years after operation. The postoperative scar of skin graft area was scored by Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and the satisfaction of skin graft area was evaluated by digital scoring method (1-10 points). The recurrence of nevus pigmentosus and implantation metastasis were observed. Descriptive method were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 7 children were included, 2 males and 5 females, aged 4 to 14 years. There were 3 cases on the trunk and 4 cases on the extremities. Giant nevi accounted for (7.4 ± 3.1)% of the body surface area. Then skin graft survived well after surgery in all 7 children. During the 1-year follow-up after operation, the POSAS score of skin graft scar showed that the sum of 1-3 points in the scores of scar pain, itching, hardness and thickness by the patients or their families was 6, 4, 4 and 5 cases, respectively, and the sum of 4-10 points in the pigmentation and irregularity was 5 and 5 cases, respectively. None of the 7 patients had functional limitation in the skin graft area; the physicians’, scores for vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, and flexibility of the scars in the skin graft area were low, with a sum of 6, 3, 4, and 4 for the number of cases with 1-3 points and 2 and 4 for the number of cases with 1-3 points and 4-6 points in the flatness score, respectively. The satisfaction of both doctors and patients (sum of 7-10 points) was 4 and 5 cases, respectively. 7 cases were reexamined 1 year after operation, with recurrence of 2 punctate nevus pigmentosus(less than 1 mm in diameter) in only one case. No implantation metastasis in the skin graft area of nevus pigmentosus happened.Conclusions:Water-jet excision combined with skin graft in the treatment of giant nevus is simple and only one procedure required. The donor site only needs to cut a split-thickness skin graft. The postoperative scar is not obvious and the skin elasticity is better. Patients were relatively satisfied with the postoperative effect. It is suitable for the resection of nevus pigmentosus in the trunk especially the nevus pigmentosus with good texture and lighter color but not for the lesion at articular area of limbs.

Objective: To explore the clinical application effects of portable visual retractor in superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting. Methods: From January 2010 to June 2019, 27 patients meeting the inclusion criteria and planning to perform operation of superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting were admitted to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the First Clinical Medical Center of the People′s Liberation Army General Hospital. The patients were divided into traditional surgical method group [6 males and 3 females, aged (34±14) years], cold light source retractor group [6 males and 4 females, aged (35±16) years], and portable visual retractor group [7 males and 1 female, aged (30±14) years] according to way of superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting. The superficial temporal fascia flaps of patients in traditional surgical method group were resected by traditional way of resection, and the superficial temporal fascia flaps of patients in cold light source retractor group and portable visual retractor group were resected at assistance of cold light source retractor and portable visual retractor, respectively. Length of incision, operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, postoperative drainage volume, and postoperative complication of patients in 3 groups were observed and recorded. Data were processed with Fisher′s exact probability test, one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: The length of incision of patients in visual retractor group was (3.6±0.8) cm, significantly shorter than (12.6±1.6) cm in traditional surgical method group and (5.8±0.9) cm in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The incision length of patients in traditional surgical method group was significantly longer than that in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The operation time of patients in visual retractor group was 24.0 (23.3, 25.8) min, significantly shorter than 35.0 (30.5, 36.5) min in traditional surgical method group and 28.5 (26.8, 30.5) min in cold light source retractor group (H=16.5, 9.8, P<0.05). The operation time of patients in traditional surgical method group was significantly longer than that in cold light source retractor group (H=6.6, P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss volume was (26±3) mL of patients in visual retractor group, significantly less than (34±4) mL in traditional surgical method group and (30±6) mL in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss volume of patients in traditional surgical method group was significantly more than that in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The postoperative drainage volumes of patients in visual retractor group, cold light source retractor group, and traditional surgical method group were (33±4), (34±6), and (31±7) mL, respectively, and there were no significantly statistical differences in postoperative drainage volumes among patients in the three groups (F=0.3, P>0.05). There were no severe complications such as ischemia and necrosis of superficial temporal fascia flaps in patients of the three groups. One patient in cold light source retractor group had subcutaneous hematoma after operation, which was improved by removing stitches and hematoma. Conclusions Superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting at the assistance of portable visual retractor has the advantages of clear visual field, simple operation, short operation time, small incision, and less intraoperative blood loss.

BACKGROUND: Several recent genome-wide association studies suggested insomnia and anemia may share some common genetic components. We thus examined whether adults with anemia had higher odds of having insomnia relative to those without anemia in a cross-sectional study and a meta-analysis. METHODS: Included in this cross-sectional study were 12,614 Chinese adults who participated in an ongoing cohort, the Kailuan Study. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels below 12.0 g/dL in women and 13.0 g/dL in men. Insomnia was assessed using the Chinese version of the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). A total AIS score ≥6 was considered insomnia. The association between anemia and insomnia was assessed using a logistic regression model, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, chronic disease status, and plasma C-reactive protein concentrations. A meta-analysis was conducted using the fixed effects model to pool results from our study and three previously published cross-sectional studies on this topic in adult populations. RESULTS: Individuals with anemia had greater odds of having insomnia (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.70) compared with individuals without anemia. A significant association persisted after we excluded individuals with chronic inflammation, as suggested by C-reactive protein levels >1 mg/L (adjusted OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.22-2.32). The meta-analysis results, including 22,134 participants, also identified a positive association between anemia and insomnia (pooled OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.22-1.57). CONCLUSIONS The presence of anemia was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of having insomnia in adults. Due to the nature of the cross-sectional study design, results should be interpreted with caution.
Adult ; Anemia/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/epidemiology*