OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomical parameters of the cervical uncinate process "inflection point" through cervical CT angiography (CTA) and MRI measurements, offering a reliable and safe anatomical landmark for anterior cervical decompression surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the cervical CTA and MRI imaging data of normal adults who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2024. The CTA dataset included 326 cases, with 200 males and 126 females, aged 22-55 years (mean, 46.7 years). The MRI dataset included 300 cases, with 200 males and 100 females, aged 18-55 years (mean, 43.7 years). Based on the CTA data, three-dimensional models of C ₃-C ₇ were constructed, and the following measurements were obtained from the superior view: uncinate process "inflection point" to vertebral artery distance (UIVD), uncinate process tip to vertebral artery distance (UTVD), uncinate process "inflection point" to "inflection point" distance (UID), uncinate process long-axis to sagittal angle (ULSA), and uncinate process "inflection point" to transverse foramen-sagittal angle (UITSA). From the anterior view, the anterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (AUSA) was measured. From the posterior view, the posterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (PUSA) was measured. Based on the MRI data, uncinate process "inflection point" to dural sac distance (UIDD) and dural sac width (DSW) were measured. The trends in measurement parameters of C ₃-C ₇ were observed, and the differences in measurement parameters between genders and between the left and right sides of the same segment were compared, as well as the difference in UID and DSW within the same segment was compared. RESULTS: The measurement parameters from C ₃ to C ₇ in the CTA data showed a general increasing trend, with no significant difference between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UIVD, UTVD, and UID were greater in males than in females, with significant differences observed in the UIVD and UTVD at C ₃ and C ₆ and UID at C ₃, C ₆, and C ₇ ( P<0.05). The MRI measured DSW showed a general increasing trend from C ₃ to C ₇, and the DSW at C ₆ was greater in females than in males, with a significant difference ( P<0.05). The UIDD showed a gradual decreasing trend, with the smallest value at C ₆. There was no significant difference between males and females or between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UID was greater than the DSW at C ₃-C ₇, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The uncinate process "inflection point" is a constant anatomical structure located at the anteromedial aspect of the uncinate process tip and laterally to the dural sac. It maintains a certain safe distance from the vertebral artery. As a decompression landmark in anterior cervical spine surgery, it not only ensures surgical safety but also guarantees complete decompression.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Vertebral Artery/anatomy & histology* ; Anatomic Landmarks/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effect of Yiqi Yangyin Huazhuo Tongluo Formula (YYHT) against high glucose-induced injury in mouse renal podocytes (MPC5 cells) and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were treated with 19, 38, and 76 g/kg YYHT or saline via gavage for 7 days to prepare YYHT-medicated or blank sera for treatment of MPC5 cells cultured in high glucose (30 mmol/L) prior to transfection with a miR-21a-5p inhibitor or a miR-21a-5p mimic. The changes in miR-21a-5p expressions and the mRNA levels of FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin in the treated cells were detected with qRT-PCR, and the protein levels of nephrin, podocin, FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin were detected with Western blotting. Autophagic activity in the cells were evaluated with MDC staining. The effect of miR-21a-5p mimic on FoxO1 transcription and the binding of miR-21a-5p to FoxO1 were examined with luciferase reporter gene assay and radioimmunoprecipitation assay. RESULTS: MPC5 cells exposed to high glucose showed significantly increased miR-21a-5p expression, lowered expressions of FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin1 mRNAs, and reduced levels of FoxO1, PINK1, parkin, nephrin, and podocin proteins and autophagic activity. Treatment of the exposed cells with YYHT-medicated sera and miR-21a-5p inhibitor both significantly enhanced the protein expressions of nephrin and podocin, inhibited the expression of miR-21a-5p, increased the mRNA and protein expressions of FoxO1, PINK1 and Parkin, and upregulated autophagic activity of the cells. Transfection with miR-21a-5p mimic effectively inhibited the transcription of FoxO1 and promoted the binding of miR-21a-5p to FoxO1 in MPC5 cells, and these effects were obviously attenuated by treatment with YYHT-medicated sera. CONCLUSIONS YYHT-medicated sera alleviate high glucose-induced injury in MPC5 cells by regulating miR-21a-5p/FoxO1/PINK1-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Podocytes/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Rats, Wistar ; Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Rats ; Forkhead Box Protein O1 ; Mice ; Mitochondria/drug effects* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism* ; Glucose ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Background::Hypothermia therapy has been suggested to attenuate myocardial necrosis; however, the clinical implementation as a valid therapeutic strategy has failed, and new approaches are needed to translate into clinical applications. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel selective intracoronary hypothermia (SICH) device in mitigating myocardial reperfusion injury.Methods::This study comprised two phases. The first phase of the SICH was performed in a normal porcine model for 30 minutes ( n = 5) to evaluate its feasibility. The second phase was conducted in a porcine myocardial infarction (MI) model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion which was performed by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 60 minutes and maintained for 42 days. Pigs in the hypothermia group ( n = 8) received hypothermia intervention onset reperfusion for 30 minutes and controls ( n = 8) received no intervention. All animals were followed for 42 days. Cardiac magnetic resonance analysis (five and 42 days post-MI) and a series of biomarkers/histological studies were performed. Results::The average time to lower temperatures to a steady state was 4.8 ± 0.8 s. SICH had no impact on blood pressure or heart rate and was safely performed without complications by using a 3.9 F catheter. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were lower at 60 min post perfusion in pigs that underwent SICH as compared with the control group. On day 5 post MI/R, edema, intramyocardial hemorrhage, and microvascular obstruction were reduced in the hypothermia group. On day 42 post MI/R, the infarct size, IL-6, CRP, BNP, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were reduced, and the ejection fraction was improved in pigs that underwent SICH.Conclusions::The SICH device safely and effectively reduced the infarct size and improved heart function in a pig model of MI/R. These beneficial effects indicate the clinical potential of SICH for treatment of myocardial reperfusion injury.

Objective:To study the value of imaging features of extrapancreatic nerve plexus in predicting early postoperative recurrence of ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreatic head.Methods:The clinical, imaging and pathological data of patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreatic head undergoing pancreati-coduodenectomy at the Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Center of Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University from January 2014 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 73 patients were included, including 51 males and 22 females, aged (66.1±9.0) years old. The patients were followed up by telephone or outpatient review, who were divided into two groups according to the recurrence within 6 months after surgery: the recurrence group ( n=26) and the non-recurrence group ( n=47). Streaks or soft-tissue densities in the distribution area of extrapancreatic nerve plexus, difference in CT values between the portal and arterial phases of the distribution area of extrapancreatic nerve plexus, maximum tumor diameter, and regional lymph node enlargement were compared between the two groups. Results:The incidences of streaks or soft-tissue densities showing in the distribution area of extrapancreatic nerve plexus were 80.8%(21/26) in the recurrence group and 51.1%(24/47) in the non-recurrence group, respectively. A CT value difference ≥15 HU between the portal and arterial phases of the distribution area of extrapancreatic nerve plexus occurred in 50.0%(13/26) patients of the recurrence group and 25.5%(27/47) of the non-recurrence group, respectively. Maximum tumor diameter ≥25 mm were found in 80.8% (21/26) patients of the recurrence group and 57.4% (27/47) of the non-recurrence group, respectively. ≥3 reginal lymph node enlargement showed in 65.4% (17/26) patients of the recurrence group and 31.9% (15/47) of the non-recurrence group, respectively (all P<0.05). The risk of early postoperative recurrence increased in patients with a CT value difference ≥15 HU between the portal and arterial phases of the distribution area of extrapancreatic nerve plexus ( OR=3.609, 95% CI: 1.099-11.855), and regional lymph node enlargement ≥ 3 ( OR=4.665, 95% CI: 1.400-15.545) (all P<0.05). And these two independent risk factors were combined to predict early postoperative recurrence of ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreatic head with an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.748, sensitivity of 92.3%, and specificity of 48.9% ( P<0.001). Conclusion:≥ 15 HU CT value difference between the portal and arterial phases of the distribution area of extrapancreatic nerve plexus and ≥ 3 regional lymph node enlargement are independent risk factors for the early postoperative recurrence of pancreatic head ductal adenocarcinoma, which could provide more predictive information preoperatively.

Objective:To establish a calculation model for the operational efficiency and resource allocation of clinical departments in hospitals, for references for hospitals to optimize resource allocation.Methods:The informations including hospitalization time, nursing grade, etc. of inpatients admitted by 32 clinical departments in a tertiary public hospital from January to December in 2021 were extracted. A data envelopment analysis method was conducted on the operation efficiency and input edundancy of the departments. The K-means algorithm was used to divide inpatients into 3 categories according to the level of medical workload. Taking the numbers of doctors, nurses and beds as the input indicators, and the numbers of patients in the 3 categories as the output indicators, a BCC model 1 was established to evaluate the efficiency of resources invested by clinical departments into professional human value. At the same time, a BCC model 2 was established with the total number of patients admitted and medical income as the output indicators to evaluate the efficiency of resources invested by clinical departments into economic benefits.Results:A total of 38 147 inpatients were enrolled. There were 14 departments with overall technical efficiency (OTE) =1.000 in the BCC model 1, 10 departments with OTE=1.000 in the BCC model 2, and 8 departments with OTE=1.000 in the 2 models. As for the input redundancy, 6 departments had high input redundancy in the BCC model 1, 11 departments had high input redundancy in the BCC model 2, and 4 departments had high input redundancy in both models.Conclusions:The model established by this study could effectively evaluate the operational efficiency and input redundancy of clinical departments, identify departments with high workload and low economic benefits, and provide reference for the rational allocation of medical resources in hospitals.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of prophylactic irradiation of internal mammary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer in this Meta-analysis.Methods:CNKI, Wanfang Medical network, CBM, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched by computer. The controlled clinical studies comparing whether or not internal mammary lymph node irradiation as an intervention were included and the quality of the included literature was evaluated according to Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 14 software were used for Meta-analysis.Results:A total of 11 original articles were included, and 13 181 patients were included for Meta-analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall survival (OS) between patients with and without internal mammary lymph node irradiation ( P=0.490). The subgroup analysis using the date of treatment and the degree of risk in the enrolled population as criteria showed that 5-year OS was significantly increased after internal mammary area irradiation in high-risk stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ patients (N+ , T 3-T 4 stage) with the date of treatment of after 2000( P=0.003, 0.006). Compared with patients without internal mammary area irradiation, internal mammary irradiation significantly increased the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS)( P<0.001). Conclusion:Under the modern radiotherapy technology, internal mammary lymph node irradiation improves the DFS of patients, and may bring OS benefits to high-risk stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ breast cancer patients (N+ , T 3-T 4 stage).

Objective To design a kind of nasal feeding nutritional tube that can carry 125I particles,to use this tube for the treatment of upper digestive tract malignant occlusive disease in order to achieve double effect of nasal feeding nutrition and brachytherapy.Methods 125I particles were put into a 3F catheter,then both ends of the catheter were sealed off to make 125I particle chain.By using binding technology,the 125I particle chain was fixed on the nasal feeding tube.Under DSA guidance,the nasal feeding tube carrying 125I particle chain was inserted into the esophagus,with the 125I particle chain segment crossing over the section of esophageal stenosis or occlusion to conduct brachytherapy.This technique was employed in 6 patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.The technical success rate,operation time and complications were recorded.Two months after the treatment,the Karnofsky score,visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score,Neuhaus dysphagia grading,esophagus patency on esophageal radiography,and local tumor control rate were determined.Results The preparation of nasal feeding nutritional tube carrying 125I particle chain was simple.The technical success rate was 100％,the mean operation time was 15.5 min,no serious complications such as bleeding or infection occurred.Two months after the treatment,the Karnofsky score,VAS pain score and Neuhaus dysphagia grading were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative data (P＜0.O1).On esophageal radiography,the contrast agent passed through the narrow area smoothly.Partial remission (PR) of local tumor was obtained in all patients,and the local tumor control rate was 100％.The patients were followed up for 2-6 months,one patient developed recurrent obstruction.Conclusion It is simple and easy to prepare a nasal feeding nutritional tube carrying 125I particle chain,the use of this kind of tube can achieve both parenteral nutrition and brachytherapy at the same time.Therefore,this technique opens a new way for the treatment of esophageal malignant tumor.

Objective To investigate the effects of IL-10/TGF-β-modified macrophages on renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI).Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages were modified ex vivo by IL-10/TGF-β to acquire M2c (a subset of activated macrophages).M2c were transferred into treated C57BL/6 mice by a single tail-vein injection at 6 h after renal IRI.Mice were killed on the day 3 after renal IRI.Blood samples were collected to check renal function.Kidneys were harvested to determine tubular necrosis and apoptosis by H&E staining and TUNEL assay.Immunofluorescence was performed to analyze the proliferating tubular cell nuclear antigen.Meanwhile,proinflammatory cytokines and regulatory T cells in renal tissues were analyzed with real-time PCR and flow cytometry.Results In comparison with M1,M2c expressed lower levels of MHC Ⅱ (P＜0.01),CD86 (P＜ 0.01),TNFα (P＜0.01) and IL-1β (P＜0.01) and higher level of IL-10 (P＜0.01).M2c significantly attenuated renal functional decline (P＜0.01 or 0.05),structural injury (P＜0.05),apoptosis of tubular cells (P＜0.01) and inflammation factors infiltration (P＜0.01 or 0.05).What's more,the cells could promote tubular cells proliferation (P＜0.05) and regulatory T cells expression (P＜0.01).Conclusion Our results demonstrated that M2c macrophages effectively protect against renal IRI and may become a therapeutic strategy for renal IRI.

Objective To analyze the relationship between nursing work environment and nurses′work values of tertiary public hospitals in Tianjin ,and provide a scientific basis for the development of nurses′work values. Methods The sample was 1 875 clinical nurses from 7 tertiary public hospitals in Tianjin, and investigated with Practice Environment Scale (PES) and Work Values Scale. Results The score of nurses′ work values and each dimension(material work values, affective work values,cognitive work values) were different in different level of work environment,betterwork environments>mixedwork environments>poorwork environments(F=121.528, 38.555, 86.834, 136.816,P<0.01). The nursing work environment was positively correlated with work values(r=0.127-0.423, P<0.01). Foundation for quality of care and leadership of the head nurse could predict the nurse work values, and could explain 16.9%of the nurse work values(F=191.315,P<0.01). Conclusions By improving nursing work environment, especially in foundation for quality of care and leadership of the head nurse,can promote the development of nurses′work values.

Objective To evaluate short-term clinical efficacy of renal transplantation from the donation of pediatric donors.Methods Clinical data of 1 5 pediatric donors and 28 recipients (including 2 cases of bilateral renal transplantation)undergoing renal transplantation in the Department of Renal Transplantation of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from November 201 3 to December 201 5 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Renal transplantation was successfully performed in 28 recipients.The median warm ischemia time of transplant kidney was 1 2.5 min (range:0-1 7.0 min)and 4.3 h (range:1 .5-7.7 h)for the median cold ischemia time.After operation,4 cases developed with delayed graft function (DGF),1 required dialysis,2 died from pulmonary infection,2 underwent renal resection due to renal anastomosis stenosis and renal thrombosis.Postoperative follow-up lasted for 1 -24 months.Twenty-six (93%)recipients survived after renal transplantation and 24 (86%)recipients survived with restored normal renal function.Conclusions Unilateral and bilateral renal transplantation from pediatric donors has relatively favorable short-term clinical efficacy.