OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early effectiveness of navigation-free robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to traditional TKA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities. METHODS: The clinical data of 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients underwent CORI navigation-free robot-assisted TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (robot group) and 15 patients underwent traditional TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (traditional group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, affected knee side, extra-articular deformity angle, deformity position, deformity type, and preoperative knee range of motion, American Knee Society (KSS) knee score and KSS function score, and lower limb alignment deviation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The knee range of motion and lower limb alignment deviation were recorded before operation and at 6 months after operation, and the knee joint function was evaluated by KSS knee score and function score. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( P>0.05); the intraoperative blood loss in the robot group was significantly less than that in the traditional group ( P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The incisions of all patients healed well, and there was no postoperative complication such as thrombosis or infection. At 6 months after operation, X-ray examination showed that the position of the prosthesis was good in both groups, and there was no loosening or dislocation of the prosthesis. The knee joint range of motion, the lower limb alignment deviation, and the KSS knee score and KSS function score significantly improved in both groups ( P<0.05) compared to preoperative ones. The changes of lower limb alignment deviation and KSS function score between pre- and post-operation in the robot group were significantly better than those in the traditional group ( P<0.05), while the changes of other indicators between pre- and post-operation in the two groups were not significant ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared to traditional TKA, navigation-free robot-assisted TKA for knee osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities results in less intraoperative blood loss, more precise reconstruction of lower limb alignment, and better early effectiveness. However, long-term effectiveness require further investigation.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Operative Time

Objectives:The aim is to analyze the cost structure and coefficient of variation for hospitalized patients with malnutrition based on Diagnosis-Related Groups(DRG),providing a reference for the further application and promotion of DRG.Method:Data were collected from patients admitted to Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region People's Hospital between March 2023 and August 2023.A diagnostic system based on artificial intelligence was used to identify malnourished patients.The composition of hospitalization costs for these individuals was described and analyzed,as was the coefficient of variation for various costs within DRG groupings.A multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors that influence patient hospitalization costs.Results:The average age of hospitalized patients with malnutrition was(68.12±16.43)years,with an average length of stay of(14.55±8.47)days,with an average hospitalization cost of(32 128.89±35 345.61)yuan.Among patients within the same DRG group,the coefficient of variation for various costs was found to be lower in the malnutrition group than in the normal group.This suggests that when assessed individually,the malnutrition group exhibited a higher degree of homogeneity in their cost structures.The factors influencing total hospitalization costs were found to be:length of hospital stay(P=0.001),nutritional monitoring fees(P=0.020),number of chronic diseases(P=0.003),and Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score(P=0.038).Hospitalization costs were positively correlated with both length of stay and nutritional assessment fees,but negatively correlated with the number of chronic diseases and KPS scores.Conclusions:Malnutrition has a profound impact on health outcomes,medical expenses,length of hospital stay,and disease severity.The implementation of the DRG system aims to standardize and improve the nutritional diagnosis and treatment process by categorizing different stages of malnutrition.This approach can minimize variations within DRG groups,making it easier to allocate medical resources more precisely and efficiently.Furthermore,it is a valuable reference tool for promoting DRG payment reform in different regions.

Recent studies have shown that shorter periods of ejaculatory abstinence may enhance certain sperm parameters, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these improvements are still unclear. This study explored whether reduced abstinence periods could improve semen quality, particularly for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We analyzed semen samples from men with normal sperm counts ( n = 101) and those with low sperm motility or concentration ( n = 53) after 3-7 days of abstinence and then after 1-3 h of abstinence, obtained from the Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya (Changsha, China). Physiological and biochemical sperm parameters were evaluated, and the dynamics of transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments (tRFs) were analyzed using deep RNA sequencing in five consecutive samples from men with normal sperm counts. Our results revealed significant improvement in sperm motility and a decrease in the DNA fragmentation index after the 1- to 3-h abstinence period. Additionally, we identified 245 differentially expressed tRFs, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was the most enriched. Further investigations showed significant changes in tRF-Lys-TTT and its target gene mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 ( MAP2K2 ), which indicates a role of tRFs in improving sperm function. These findings provide new insights into how shorter abstinence periods influence sperm quality and suggest that tRFs may serve as biomarkers for male fertility. This research highlights the potential for optimizing ART protocols and improving reproductive outcomes through molecular approaches that target sperm function.
Male ; Humans ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; RNA, Transfer/genetics* ; Sperm Motility/genetics* ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; Sexual Abstinence/physiology* ; Sperm Count ; DNA Fragmentation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Shuangshi Tonglin Capsules (SSTL) in the treatment of prostate fibrosis (PF). METHODS: Human prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) were used for in vitro experiments to establish PF cell models induced with estradiol (E₂). The cell proliferation, migration and clonogenic capacity were determined by cell counting kit-8, scratch assay, and crystal violet staining, respectively. Sprague-Dawley rats were used for in vivo experiments. The changes in histomorphology and organ index of rat prostate by SSTL were determined. Pathologic changes and collagen deposition changes in rat prostate were observed by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine changes in rat PF markers fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), E₂ and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Mechanistically, changes in oxidative stress indicators by SSTL were determined in WPMY-1 cells and PF rats. Then the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway-related proteins as well as Nrf2 and TGF-β1 mRNA were further detected by Western blot or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: In the efficacy study, SSTL significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and clonogenic ability of cells, improved the morphology of the glandular tissue, significantly reduced the prostate index, reduced glandular fibrous tissue and collagen deposition, and resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of FGF-23, E₂ and PSA (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the mechanistic study, SSTL ameliorated oxidative stress by significantly increasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels and decreasing malondialdehyde level in WPMY-1 cells and rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SSTL significantly elevated the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), and Smad7 proteins in both cells and rats, and significantly decreased the expressions of TGF-β1, collagen I, α-smooth muscle actin and Smad4 proteins (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SSTL also elevated the content of Nrf2 mRNA and decreased the content of TGF-β1 mRNA in cells and rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was added in in vitro experiments to further validate the pathway relevance. CONCLUSION SSTL was effective in improving PF in vivo and in vitro, and its mechanism of action may function through the Nrf2/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Fibrosis ; Prostate/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Capsules ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Rats

Objective To investigate the effect of continuous theta burst stimulation-intermittent theta burst stimulation(cTBS-iT-BS)priming protocols with different time intervals on the plasticity of primary motor cortex(M1).Methods A total of 39 healthy young adults were recruited from Changzhou De'an Hospital from March to August,2024.Participants received cTBS-iTBS priming protocols with intervals of 5 minutes,10 minutes and 15 minutes using a randomized crossover design.Motor-evoked potential(MEP)amplitudes in M1 were recorded at baseline(before intervention)and 0 minute,10 minutes,20 minutes and 30 minutes after intervention.Results The main effects of stimulation protocol(F=19.761,P<0.001)and measurement time(F=10.224,P<0.001)were significant.At each time point after intervention,the MEP amplitude was significantly higher under the 10-minute interval than under the 5-minute and 15-minute intervals(t>3.010,P<0.05).Conclusion The 10-minute interval of cTBS-iTBS is more effective on M1 plasticity.

Objective To explore the factors affecting the enhancement quality of head and neck computed tomography angiography(CTA)images based on bolus-tracking technology,and provide a basis for quantitatively controlling image quality.Methods The general information,injection parameters,scanning parameters and analysis data of enhancement quality of images of 500 subjects who underwent head and neck CTA examinations in our hospital from January to June 2024 were prospectively collected.A comprehensive evaluation of enhancement quality of head and neck CTA images of the examinees was conducted,and the relevant examination data of the examinees with qualified and unqualified enhancement quality of images were compared.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent factors influencing the enhancement quality of image.Results Among 500 CTA images of head and neck,262 cases had qualified enhancement quality of images and 238 cases were unqualified.There were statistically significant differences in gender,height,body weight,tube voltage,scanning direction,trigger threshold,diagnostic delay time,iodine contrast agent concentration,iodine contrast agent dosage,and iodine contrast agent flow rate between the examinees with qualified and unqualified enhancement quality of images(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that the examinees were male(95%CI:0.22 to 0.75,P=0.004),body weight(95%CI:0.92 to 0.97,P<0.01),and head-foot direction scanning(95%CI:0.03 to 0.43,P=0.002),diagnostic delay time(95%CI:0.44 to 0.92,P=0.017),iodine contrast agent dosage(95%CI:1.21 to 1.34,P<0.001),iodine contrast agent flow rate(95%CI:0.14 to 0.59,P<0.001)were all the independent influencing factors of enhancement quality of image;Among them,the iodine contrast agent dosage(β=0.24,OR=1.27)was positively correlated with the enhancement quality of image,the examinees were male(β=-0.89,OR=0.41),body weight(β=-0.06,OR=0.94),head-foot direction scanning(β=-2.23,OR=0.11),diagnostic delay time(β=-0.45,OR=0.64),and iodine contrast agent flow rate(β=-1.26,OR=0.28)were negatively correlated with the enhancement quality of image.Conclusion In the application of bolus-tracking technology for head and neck CTA,individual factors,scanning parameters,and injection regimens are the key control elements that affect the positive results of enhancement quality of head and neck CTA images.In clinical practice,technicians can establish personalized scanning protocols by integrating artificial intelligence-assisted decision-making systems to achieve precise,standardized and personalized imaging.

INTRODUCTION: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has revolutionised treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). While effective, its high cost and toxicities, such as fatigue and nausea, pose challenges. METHOD: Medical records from the Joint Breast Cancer Registry in Singapore were used to study MBC patients treated with T-DXd (February 2021-June 2024). This study was conducted to address whether reducing dose intensity and density may have an adverse effect on treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Eighty-seven MBC patients were treated with T-DXd, with a median age of 59 years. At the time of data cutoff, 32.1% of patients were still receiving T-DXd. Over half (54%) of the patients received treatment with an initial relative dose intensity (RDI) of <;85%. Overall median real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) was 8.1 months. rwPFS was similar between RDI groups (<85%: 8.7 months, <85%: 8.1 months, P=0.62). However, human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)-positive patients showed significantly better rwPFS outcomes compared to HER2-low patients (8.8 versus 2.5 months, P<0.001). Only 16% with central nervous system (CNS) involvement had CNS progressive disease on treatment. No significant progression-free survival (PFS) differences were found between patients with or without CNS disease, regardless of RDI groups. Five patients (5.7%) developed interstitial lung disease (ILD), with 3 (3.4%) having grade 3 events. Two required high-dose steroids and none were rechallenged after ILD. There were no fatalities. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that reduced dose intensity and density had no significant impact on rwPFS or treatment-related toxicities. Furthermore, only 5.7% of patients developed ILD. T-Dxd provided good control of CNS disease, with 82% of patients achieving CNS disease control.
Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/mortality* ; Middle Aged ; Trastuzumab/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Adult ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects* ; Camptothecin/adverse effects* ; Immunoconjugates/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Progression-Free Survival ; Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Treatment Outcome ; Registries

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of rituximab(RTX)combined with calcineurin inhibitors(CNI)in the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome(RNS).Methods:A total of 80 patients with steroid-dependent/resistant RNS were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to an observation group(RTX+CNI,n=40)and a control group(CNI monotherapy,n=40).Patients were followed up for 24 months.Dynamic comparisons were made between the two groups regarding complete remission rate,relapse rate,24-hour urinary protein,kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1),and adverse reactions.Results:The complete remission rate(CR)in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group at all time points(24-month CR:100％vs 90％,P＜0.05).The 24-month relapse rate was significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group(0％vs 10％,P＜0.05).Combination therapy significantly reduced 24-hour urinary protein levels(6 months:2.13±0.63 vs 3.86±1.01 g/24 h,P＜0.001)and the renal injury marker KIM-1(6 months:1.53±0.41 vs 2.23±0.65 ng/mL,P＜0.001),and increased the CD4+/CD8+ ratio(24 months:2.03±0.52 vs 1.72±0.41,P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(15％vs 20％,P=0.556).Conclusion:RTX combined with CNI significantly improves the long-term remission rate and reduces the risk of relapse in RNS.Its dual immunomodulatory and multi-target renal protective effects provide evidence-based support for optimizing the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome.

Objective:This study aims to explore the application effect of anticipatory risk intervention combined with health education under LEARNS mode in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods:This randomized controlled enrolled 126 elderly CHF patients admitted in Panzhihua Central Hospital between January 2022 and February 2023.They were divided into control group(n=63)and intervention group(n=63).All patients received routine nursing care,patients in control group received additional health education under LEARNS mode,compared to those in intervention group receiving additional anticipatory risk intervention based on control group,both groups were intervened for 2 months.Physiological indexes,negative emotion,quality of life,sleep quality,disease perception&control and self-efficacy,as well as incidence of adverse events,were compared between two groups.Results:Compared with patients in control group after intervention,those in intervention group had signif-icant lower systolic blood pressure(SBP)[(119.84±8.60)mmHg vs.(129.49±9.24)mmHg],diastolic blood pressure(DBP)[(81.59±5.08)mmHg vs.(88.51±6.36)mmHg],N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)[(2604.46±204.80)ng/L vs.(3024.87±212.27)ng/L],scores of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)[(55.90±2.43)points vs.(60.11±2.62)points],Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)[(57.03±2.56)points vs.(61.54±2.66)points],Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire(MLHFQ)[(52.05±6.32)points vs.(60.46±7.10)points]and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)[(9.00±1.65)points vs.(11.05±1.96)points],and significant higher left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)[(51.83±7.28)％vs.(47.57±5.98)％],scores of Control Attitude Scale-Revised(CAS-R)[(35.59±2.97)points vs.(30.60±3.52)points]and Gen-eral Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)[(36.98±4.21)points vs.(30.52±4.14)points](P＜0.001 all).Incidence of adverse events in intervention group was significantly lower than that of control group(3.17％vs.12.70％,P=0.048).Conclusion:Anticipatory risk intervention combined with health education under the LEARNS model could effectively improve the physiological indexes,quality of life and sleep,enhance disease perception and self-effica-cy,and reduce negative emotion and incidence of adverse events in elderly CHF patients.