Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with brucellosis complicated with epididymo-orchitis (Brucellar epididymo-orchitis, BEO), so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of BEO.Methods:General and clinical data of 293 male patients with acute brucellosis admitted to the Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. They were divided into a BEO group (30 cases) and a non-BEO group (263 cases) based on the presence or absence of epididymo-orchitis. Epidemic characteristics, clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results were compared and analyzed.Results:Among 293 male patients with acute brucellosis, the incidence of BEO was 10.24% (30/293). Their age was mainly concentrated in 45 - < 60 years old (53.33%, 16/30), and occupation was mostly farmers (63.33%, 19/30). There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of age, occupation, exposure history and onset season between the BEO group and the non-BEO group ( P > 0.05). The distribution of abdominal pain and urinary frequency/urgency/pain symptoms was compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). White blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the BEO group were higher than those in the non-BEO group ( P < 0.05), while the levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were lower than those in the non-BEO group ( P < 0.05). After 6 - 8 weeks of hospitalization, the levels of WBC, NEUT, CRP, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IFN-γ in patients of the BEO group were significantly different from before treatment ( P < 0.05). Twenty-eight patients were cured, 1 patient underwent orchiectomy, and 1 patient experienced recurrence. Conclusions:Middle-aged male patients with brucellosis are more prone to BEO. Clinical manifestations and laboratory tests have certain diagnostic value for BEO. Suspected BEO patients should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to reduce the occurrence of adverse prognosis.

Objective:To learn about the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH VD), TBNK lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with brucellosis.Methods:A prospective design was adopted, one hundred patients with brucellosis admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from May 2024 to February 2025 were selected as the brucellosis group, and one hundred healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. The peripheral blood 25-OH VD levels were detected by chemiluminescence method. Further, 100 patients with brucellosis were divided into a brucellosis combined with osteoarthritis group (74 cases) and a brucellosis without osteoarthritis group (26 cases). Flow cytometry was used to detect the counts of peripheral blood TBNK lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels. Meanwhile, Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood 25-OH VD levels and TBNK lymphocyte subsets counts as well as cytokine levels in patients with brucellosis complicated by osteoarthritis.Results:The peripheral blood 25-OH VD level in the brucellosis group [20.31 (15.74, 24.35) ng/ml] was significantly lower than that of the control group [25.18 (21.13, 29.59) ng/ml], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.07, P < 0.001). The peripheral blood 25-OH VD level [18.05 (13.79, 23.74) vs 22.43 (19.93, 28.25) ng/ml], CD4 + T cell count [(860 ± 275) vs (1 036 ± 376) cells/μl], and interleukin (IL)-6 levels [4.17 (2.14, 9.41) vs 7.83 (5.97, 11.34) ng/L] in the brucellosis combined with osteoarthritis group were significantly lower than those in the brucellosis without osteoarthritis group ( Z/t = - 2.88, 2.20, - 2.85, P = 0.004, 0.035, 0.004). Correlation analysis showed that the peripheral blood 25-OH VD level in patients with brucellosis complicated by osteoarthritis was positively correlated with the counts of CD45 +, CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and natural killer cells ( r = 0.31, 0.26, 0.25, 0.25, 0.25, P = 0.007, 0.027, 0.032, 0.031, 0.032), and negatively correlated with IL-17A level ( r = - 0.40, P < 0.001). Conclusion:Patients with brucellosis have insufficient 25-OH VD, and those with osteoarthritis have lower 25-OH VD level, CD4 + T cell count, and IL-6 level than those without osteoarthritis.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with brucellosis complicated with epididymo-orchitis (Brucellar epididymo-orchitis, BEO), so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of BEO.Methods:General and clinical data of 293 male patients with acute brucellosis admitted to the Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. They were divided into a BEO group (30 cases) and a non-BEO group (263 cases) based on the presence or absence of epididymo-orchitis. Epidemic characteristics, clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results were compared and analyzed.Results:Among 293 male patients with acute brucellosis, the incidence of BEO was 10.24% (30/293). Their age was mainly concentrated in 45 - < 60 years old (53.33%, 16/30), and occupation was mostly farmers (63.33%, 19/30). There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of age, occupation, exposure history and onset season between the BEO group and the non-BEO group ( P > 0.05). The distribution of abdominal pain and urinary frequency/urgency/pain symptoms was compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). White blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the BEO group were higher than those in the non-BEO group ( P < 0.05), while the levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were lower than those in the non-BEO group ( P < 0.05). After 6 - 8 weeks of hospitalization, the levels of WBC, NEUT, CRP, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IFN-γ in patients of the BEO group were significantly different from before treatment ( P < 0.05). Twenty-eight patients were cured, 1 patient underwent orchiectomy, and 1 patient experienced recurrence. Conclusions:Middle-aged male patients with brucellosis are more prone to BEO. Clinical manifestations and laboratory tests have certain diagnostic value for BEO. Suspected BEO patients should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to reduce the occurrence of adverse prognosis.

Objective:To learn about the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH VD), TBNK lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with brucellosis.Methods:A prospective design was adopted, one hundred patients with brucellosis admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from May 2024 to February 2025 were selected as the brucellosis group, and one hundred healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. The peripheral blood 25-OH VD levels were detected by chemiluminescence method. Further, 100 patients with brucellosis were divided into a brucellosis combined with osteoarthritis group (74 cases) and a brucellosis without osteoarthritis group (26 cases). Flow cytometry was used to detect the counts of peripheral blood TBNK lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels. Meanwhile, Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood 25-OH VD levels and TBNK lymphocyte subsets counts as well as cytokine levels in patients with brucellosis complicated by osteoarthritis.Results:The peripheral blood 25-OH VD level in the brucellosis group [20.31 (15.74, 24.35) ng/ml] was significantly lower than that of the control group [25.18 (21.13, 29.59) ng/ml], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.07, P < 0.001). The peripheral blood 25-OH VD level [18.05 (13.79, 23.74) vs 22.43 (19.93, 28.25) ng/ml], CD4 + T cell count [(860 ± 275) vs (1 036 ± 376) cells/μl], and interleukin (IL)-6 levels [4.17 (2.14, 9.41) vs 7.83 (5.97, 11.34) ng/L] in the brucellosis combined with osteoarthritis group were significantly lower than those in the brucellosis without osteoarthritis group ( Z/t = - 2.88, 2.20, - 2.85, P = 0.004, 0.035, 0.004). Correlation analysis showed that the peripheral blood 25-OH VD level in patients with brucellosis complicated by osteoarthritis was positively correlated with the counts of CD45 +, CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and natural killer cells ( r = 0.31, 0.26, 0.25, 0.25, 0.25, P = 0.007, 0.027, 0.032, 0.031, 0.032), and negatively correlated with IL-17A level ( r = - 0.40, P < 0.001). Conclusion:Patients with brucellosis have insufficient 25-OH VD, and those with osteoarthritis have lower 25-OH VD level, CD4 + T cell count, and IL-6 level than those without osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the factors influencing the short-term (28 days) efficacy of initial adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS), as well as the factors influencing recurrence and prognosis. METHODS: The clinical data were collected from the children with IESS who received ACTH therapy for the first time in the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, from April 2008 to January 2018 and were followed up for ≥2 years. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors influencing the short-term efficacy of ACTH therapy, recurrence, and long-term prognosis. RESULTS: ACTH therapy achieved a control rate of seizures of 55.5% (111/200) on day 28 of treatment. Of the 111 children, 75 (67.6%) had no recurrence of seizures within 12 months of follow-up. The possibility of seizure control on day 28 of ACTH therapy in the children without focal seizures was 2.463 times that in those with focal seizures (P<0.05). The possibility of seizure control on day 28 of ACTH therapy in the children without hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalography on day 14 of ACTH therapy was 2.415 times that in those with hypsarrhythmia (P<0.05). The possibility of recurrence within 12 months after treatment was increased by 11.8% for every 1-month increase in the course of the disease (P<0.05). The possibility of moderate or severe developmental retardation or death in the children without seizure control after 28 days of ACTH therapy was 8.314 times that in those with seizure control (P<0.05). The possibility of moderate or severe developmental retardation or death in the children with structural etiology was 14.448 times that in those with unknown etiology (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Presence or absence of focal seizures and whether hypsarrhythmia disappears after 14 days of treatment can be used as predictors for the short-term efficacy of ACTH therapy, while the course of disease before treatment can be used as the predictor for recurrence after seizure control by ACTH therapy. The prognosis of IESS children is associated with etiology, and early control of seizures after ACTH therapy can improve long-term prognosis.
Child ; Humans ; Infant ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/therapeutic use* ; Spasms, Infantile/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Seizures ; Electroencephalography/adverse effects* ; Spasm/drug therapy*

Zinner syndrome is a congenital genitourinary embryo malformation, which is clinically rare, difficult to diagnose, and usually found in the sexually active stage. MRI is the preferred method for diagnosis. Conservative treatment was usually conducted for most asymptomatic patients. Symptomatic patients can be treated by laparoscopic or robotic surgery. For patients with infertility complicated with ejaculatory duct obstruction, transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct is feasible, which contributes to improving sperm vitality and quantity and increasing semen volume. However, some patients still have azoospermia after surgery. The etiology is needed further studied. A case of infertility with Zinner syndrome and ectopic ureteral opening in seminal vesicle cyst is reported.

Objective Laryngeal and upper esophageal foreign bodies are common diseases, we explored a new and simple method to remove these foreign bodies. Methods The clinical data of 177 patients with laryngeal and upper esophageal foreign bodies from June 2008 to January 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. We used two methods to treat these foreign bodies:130 foreign bodies were directly removed under video endoscopy;47 foreign bodies were removed with suspension laryngoscopy, and video endoscopy was used meanwhile. Result 177 laryngeal and upper esophageal foreign bodies were removed well, without severe complications like esophageal perforation or phyryngeal fistula. Conclusion Removing esophageal and laryngeal foreign bodies with video endoscopy is simple, safe and effective.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and security of Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in treating interstitial cystitis /bladder pain syndrome,and also the effect of different site injection.Methods Sixty-nine consecutive BPS/IC patients from October 2011 to February 2016 were divided into three groups randomly,including control group (group A) and treatment group (group B and group C).There were 5 males and 64 females,with age from 23 to 66 years old (average 44.5 years old).Twentythree patients (1 male and 22 females,aged from 23 to 69 years old,with mean age of 44.6 years old) in control group (group A) underwent hydrodistention.Twenty-four patients (2 males and 22 females,aged from 27 to 65 years old,with mean age of 42.8 years old) in group B underwent BTX-A detrusor combined triangle injection plus hydrodistention.Twenty-two patients (2 males and 20 females,aged from 30 to 68 years old,with mean age of 44.3 years old) in group C underwent BTX-A triangle injection alone plus hydrodistention.The parameters such as daytime frequency,nocturia,visual analogue scale/score (VAS),functional cystemetric volume (FCV),post-void residual volume (PVR),QOL score,maximal bladder capacity (MBC),interstitial cystitis symtom index (ICSI),interstitial cystitisproblem index (ICPI),Qmax,and Hamilton anxiey scale (HAMA) score between pre-treatment and 1,3,6 and 9 months after therapy in the three groups were compared.Results There were no serious complications observed in the three groups.All parameters 1 month after therapy were obviously superior to that of pretreatment.The efficacy in control group decreased significantly 3 months after treatment except nocturia (3.0 vs.5.0),daytime frequency(7.0 vs.14.0)and Q (14.0 ml/s vs.13.0 ml/s).However,all parameters in research groups except PVR were still obviously superior to pretherapy.The parameters except Q and nocturia in group B had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).However,the parameters except Q nocturia and somatic anxiety score in group C had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).VAS (2.0 vs.3.0) and somatic anxiety score (6.0 vs.10.0) in group B were superior to group C (all P ＜ 0.05).When it came to 6 months after therapy,urinary frequence and urgency and pain symptoms were the same to pretherapy and all parameters had no statistically significant difference between pretherapy and after therapy in group A(all P ＞ 0.05).But all parameters except PVR in research group was still superior to pretherapy.the parameters except PVR,Q and QOL in group B had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).However,The parameters except PVR,Q MBC,ICSI and QOL in group C had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,efficacy in group B was better than group C in term of ICPI (6.0 vs.8.0) and somatic anxiety score (7.0 vs.10.0) (all P ＜ 0.05).The efficacy decreased significantly 9 months after treatment in both group B and C,with no statistically significant difference compared with that of pretreatment.ICSI(10.0 vs.13.0),ICPI(9.0 vs.13.0),QOL(5.0 vs.6.0)in group B,and QOL(5.0 vs.6.0)in group C had statistically significant difference compared with the contemporary parameters in group A.ICSI(10.0 vs.12.0),MBC(285.0 ml vs.237.5 ml) in group B was better than that in group C (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Symptoms in IC/BPS patients can be alleviated significantly by detrusor BTX-A injection plus hydrodistention.Quality of life can be improved remarkably and HAMA scores can be reduced significantly after treatment.Thus,it's an effective therapeutic mnethod for IC/BPS,and detrusor combined triangle injection can provide a better effect than single triangle injection.

Purpose To investigate the serum prostate specific antigen( PSA)feature of high grade prostatic intraepithe1ia1 neop1asia ( HGPIN)patients,and the association of the number of cores positive for HGPIN on initia1 biopsy and the risk of cancer deve1opment in second biopsy. Methods 492 cases of patients with suspicious prostate cancer were schedu1ed for transrecta1 u1trasound prostatic biopsy with an 8-core temp1ate. In the first biopsy,186 cases of patients with PCa,34 cases of patients with iso1ated HGPIN( on1y one core invo1ved with HGPIN)and 13 cases of patients with extensive HGPIN( two or more cores invo1ved with HGPIN),64 cases of pa-tients with LGPIN,195 cases of patients with BPH. The va1ues of PSA were ana1yzed and compared within these groups. In patients with extensive HGPIN or iso1ated HGPIN we proposed a repeat 8-core biopsy after 6 months independent of serum PSA 1eve1. The same measure was app1ied for patients diagnosed as LGPIN or BPH in the first biopsy with accompanying increase or persistent e1evation of serum PSA 1eve1. The incidence of PCa was ana1yzed and compared within these groups. Results The serum PSA 1eve1s were no sig-nificant1y different between LGPIN and BPH(P>0. 05),between iso1ated HGPIN and LGPIN(P>0. 05),and between iso1ated HG-PIN and BPH(P>0. 05). The serum PSA 1eve1s were significant1y different between extensive HGPIN and LGPIN(P<0. 05),be-tween extensive HGPIN and BPH(P<0. 05),and between extensive HGPIN and iso1ated HGPIN(P<0. 05). In the second biopsy, the incidence of PCa in patients with extensive HGPIN was 38. 48%,that in patients with iso1ated HGPIN was 9. 68%,that in patients with LGPIN was 12. 50%,and that in patients with BPH was 12. 20%. Conclusions The features of PSA in patients with iso1ated HGPIN are simi1ar to BPH,PSA 1eve1 in patients with extensive HGPIN were between PCa and BPH,and patients with extensive HG-PIN have a higher incidence of PCa in second biopsy than iso1ated HGPIN and BPH.

OBJECTIVETo establish determination method of formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and succinic acid in dental plaque with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

METHODSAfter the samples were centrifuged, 2 microL supernatant was transferred to a 1 mL centrifuge tube and diluted in water, then was determined with HPLC. The mixture of phosphate buffer and methanol (97:3) as mobile phase throughout the experiment. The determination of organic acid was performed on Phenomenex C18 column and at their maximum absorption wave.

RESULTSThe linear ranges of formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and succinic acid were 0.110-500, 0.049-500, 0.047-500, 0.084-500 microg/mL. The detection limits were 0.110, 0.049, 0.047, 0.084 microg/mL. The relative standard derivation were 9.5%, 7.9%, 4.3%, 4.2%. The average recoveries of samples were 82%-112%, 82%-102.5%, 90%-115%, 80%-110%.

CONCLUSIONThe method was simple, quick and adapt for analysis of organic acid in dental plaque.