OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic cord vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele prostatitis. METHODS: A total of 90 varicocele patients were selected from January 2016 to December 2020, including 33 patients with chronic prostatitis. Changes of white blood cell count, National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) score and serum testosterone level in the expressed prostate secretion (EPS) were observed before and after the operation of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic vein. RESULTS: All patients were followed up three months after the surgery. There was no significant difference in the white blood cell counts in EPS, NIH-CPSI score, and serum testosterone level in patients with varicocele-only who underwent high ligation surgery after the operation. However, the white blood cell count in the EPS of patients with chronic prostatitis was lower than that before 3 months of operation ( ［12.39±4.23］×109/L vs ［21.36±5.05］×109/L). The NIH-CPSI score was significantly lower than that before operation ( ［12.71±6.21］ vs ［26.76±8.43］). And the serum testosterone level was higher than that before operation (［4.34±1.77］ng/ml vs ［2.36±1.05］ng/ml). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele could effectively reduce the number of white blood cells in the EPS, boost the level of serum testosterone and improves symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Male ; Humans ; Varicocele/surgery* ; Prostatitis/blood* ; Ligation ; Spermatic Cord/blood supply* ; Testosterone/blood* ; Chronic Disease ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Veins/surgery* ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Laparoscopy ; Adult

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Objective To investigate the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG)on the cardiac structure and function in obese patients with heart failure(HF)and compare the efficacy of LSG across obese patients with different HF types.Methods This study included 33 obese patients with HF who underwent LSG.The clinical indicators were compared between before operation and 12 months after operation.Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to evaluate the changes in echocardiographic parameters before operation and 3,6,and 12 months after operation.Patients were allocated into a HF with preserved ejection fraction group(n=17),a HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction group(n=5)and a HF with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)group(n=11)based on left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)before operation for subgroup analyses of the effects of LSG on the cardiac structure and function of obese patients with HF.The paired samples t-test was conducted to assess the degree of cardiac structural and functional alterations after LSG.Results The 33 patients included 69.7% males,with an average age of(35.3±9.9)years,and a body mass index(BMI)of(51.2±9.8)kg/m².The median follow-up was 9.0(5.0,13.3)months.Compared with the preoperative values,the postoperative BMI(P=0.002),body surface area(BSA)(P=0.009),waist circumference(P=0.010),hip circumference(P=0.031),body fat content(P=0.007),and percentage of patients with cardiac function grades Ⅲ-IV(P<0.001)decreased.At the 12-month follow-up left atrial diameter(P=0.006),right atrial long-axis inner diameter(RAD1)(P<0.001),right atrial short-axis inner diameter(RAD2)(P<0.001),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.002),interventricular septal thickness at end-diastolic(P=0.002),and left ventricular end-diastolic volumes(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volumes(P=0.003) all significantly reduced compared with preoperative values.Additionally,left ventricular fractional shortening and LVEF improved(both P<0.001).Subgroup analyses revealed that cardiac structural parameters significantly decreased in the HF with preserved ejection fraction,HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction,and HFrEF subgroups compared with preoperative values.Notably,the HFrEF group demonstrated the best performance in terms of left atrial diameter(P=0.003),left ventricular inner diameter at end-diastole(P=0.008),RAD1(P<0.001),RAD2(P=0.004),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.019),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volume(P=0.001),cardiac output(P=0.006),tricuspid regurgitation velocity(P=0.002),and pulmonary artery systolic pressure(P=0.001) compared to preoperatively.Postoperative left ventricular fractional shortening(P<0.001,P=0.003,P<0.001)and LVEF(P<0.001,P=0.011,P=0.001)became higher in all the three subgroups than the preoperative values.Conclusions LSG decreased the body weight,BMI,and BSA,improved the cardiac function grade,reversed the enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricle,reduced the right atrium and right ventricle,and enhanced the left ventricular systolic function.It was effective across obese patients with different HF types.Particularly,LSG demonstrates the best performance in improving the structures of both atria and ventricles in obese patients with HFrEF.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Heart Failure/complications* ; Adult ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Heart/physiopathology* ; Stroke Volume

Objective:To discuss the effect of parthenolide(PTL)on the apoptosis of the chondrocytes under mechanical stretch stress by regulating the expression of piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1(Piezo1),and to clarify the related mechanism.Methods:The chondrocytes were divided into 0%,5%,10%,15%,and 20%stretch groups according to the stretch variable.Additionally,the chondrocytes were divided into control group,20%stretch group,20%stretch+5 μmol·L-1 PTL group,20%stretch+10 μmol·L-1 PTL group,and 20%stretch+20 μmol·L-1 PTL group.The Piezo1 short hairpin RNA(shRNA)interference lentivirus(sh-Piezo1)or shRNA-NC lentivirus were used to infect the chondrocytes,and the chondrocytes were divided into sh-Piezo1 group and sh-NC group,and also set up blank control group.The chondrocytes were also devided into 20%stretch group,20%stretch+PTL group,20%stretch+sh-Piezo1 group,and 20%stretch+sh-Piezo1+PTL group.Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining was used to observe the morphology of the nuclear in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups;spectrophotometry was used to detect the cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase(Caspase)-3 activities in the cells in various groups;CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation rates of the cells in various groups;Fluo-4/AM fluorescent probe method was used to detect the calicium ion(Ca2+)levels in the cells in various groups;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Piezo1 mRNA in the cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of Piezo1 protein in the cells in various groups.Results:The Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining resuts showed that as the increasing of stretch,the number of the chondrocytes with fragmented and densely stained nuclei in 0%,5%,10%,15%,and 20%stretch groups were gradually increased.The flow cytometry results showed that compared with 0%stretch group,the apoptotic rates of the chondrocytes in 5%,10%,15%,and 20%stretch groups were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the apoptotic rate of the chondrocytes in 20%stretch group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with 20%stretch group,the apoptotic rates of the chondrocytes in 20%stretch+5 μmol·L-1 PTL group,20%stretch+10 μmol·L-1 PTL group,and 20%stretch+20 μmol·L-1 PTL group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with 20%stretch group,the apoptotic rates of chondrocytes in 20%stretch+PTL group and 20%stretch+sh-Piezo1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The spectrophotometry results showed that compared with 0%stretch group,the Caspase-3 activities in the chondrocytes in 5%,10%,15%,and 20%stretch groups were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the Caspase-3 activity in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with 20%stretch group,the Caspase-3 activities in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch+5 μmol·L-1 PTL group,20%stretch+10 μmol·L-1 PTL group,and 20%stretch+20 μmol·L-1 PTL group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with 20%stretch group,the Caspase-3 activities in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch+PTL group and 20%stretch+sh-Piezo1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The CCK-8 method results showed that compared with 0 μmol·L-1 PTL group,the proliferation rates of the chondrocytes in 40.00,80.00,and 160.00 μmol·L-1 PTL groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05),indicating that 20.00 μmol·L-1 PTL was the maximum non-toxic concentration.The Fluo-4/AM fluorescent probe method results showed that compared with control group,the Ca2+level in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with 20%stretch group,the Ca2+levels in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch+5 μmol·L-1 PTL group,20%stretch+10 μmol·L-1 PTL group,and 20%stretch+20 μmol·L-1 PTL group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with 20%stretch group,the Ca2+levels in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch+PTL group and 20%stretch+sh-Piezo1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with blank control group and sh-NC group,the expression level of Piezo1 mRNA in the chondrocytes in sh-Piezo1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Piezo1 protein in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with 20%stretch group,the expression levels of Piezo1 protein in the chondrocytes in 20%stretch+5 μmol·L-1 PTL group,20%stretch+10 μmol·L-1 PTL group,and 20%stretch+20 μmol·L-1 PTL group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with blank control group and sh-NC group,the expression level of Piezo1 protein in the chondrocytes in sh-Piezo1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:PTL can inhibit the apoptosis of the chondrocyte induced by high-intensity cyclic mechanical stretch stress,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the Piezo1-mediated Ca2+influx-induced apoptosis.

Tranexamic acid is widely used in joint orthopedic surgery.At the same time,it has high safety and few adverse drug reactions.It can effectively improve intraoperative bleeding and promote early functional recovery of patients.This article reviews the mode of administration,safe dose,administration time and adverse drug reactions of tranexamic acid in the perioperative period of joint replacement and arthroscopic surgery,in order to provide reference for the clinical application of tranexamic acid.

Aim To investigate the effect of quercetin on the aging model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells established under microgravity. Methods Using 3D gyroscope, a aging model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was constructed, and after receiving quercetin and microgravity treatment, the anti-aging effect of the quercetin was evaluated by detecting related proteins and oxidation indexes. Results Compared to the control group, the expressions of age-related proteins p21, pi6, p53 and RB in the microgravity group significantly increased, while the expressions of cyclin D1 and lamin B1 significantly decreased, with statistical significance (P<0.05). In the microgravity group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased (P<0.05), ROS accumulation significantly increased (P <0.05), SOD content significantly decreased and MDA content significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the microgravity group, the expressions of age-related proteins p21, pi6, p53 and RB in the quercetin group significantly decreased, while the expressions of cyclin D1 and lamin B1 significantly increased, with statistical significance (P<0.05). In the quercetin group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly increased (P<0.05), ROS accumulation significantly decreased (P<0.05), SOD content significantly increased and MDA content significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions Quercetin can resist oxidation, protect mitochondrial function and normal cell cycle, thus delaying the aging of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by microgravity.

Objective To understand the changing trend of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)monitoring inde-xes in 50 secondary and higher grade hospitals in a city for 6 consecutive years from 2017 to 2022.Methods Infec-tion monitoring indexes from 50 secondary or higher grade hospitals in the city for 6 consecutive years were collec-ted,and changing trend of HAI monitoring indexes were compared.Results The number of full-time HAI manage-ment professionals increased from 91 in 2017 to 165 in 2022.The utilization rate of HAI information system in-creased from 17.00％in 2017 to 54.00％in 2022.In 6 consecutive years from 2017 to 2022,the incidence of HAI(0.91％vs 0.59％),prevalence rate of HAI(2.36％vs 1.08％),infection rate of class I incision surgical site in-fection(0.33％vs 0.16％)in 50 secondary or higher grade hospitals all showed downward trends,while health care workers'hand hygiene compliance rate showed an upward trend(61.03％vs 85.04％).Incidences of vascular cathe-ter-related bloodstream infection,ventilator-associated pneumonia,and catheter-associated urinary tract infection all showed downward trends.Incidence of HAI,prevalence rate of HAI,health care workers'hand hygiene compli-ance rate,and incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in tertiary hospitals were all higher than those in secon-dary hospitals,while surgical site infection rate of class Ⅰ incision in secondary hospitals was higher than that in tertiary hospitals,with statistically significant differences(all P＜0.001).Conclusion Standardizing the monitoring of HAI,as well as improving the prevention and control system and measures of HAI according to the monitoring results can reduce the incidence of HAI.

The growth of three plague phages from Qinghai Plateau in two Yersinia pestis strains(plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F)and four non-Yersinia pestis strains(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,PTB5,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersinia enterocolitica 52302-2)were detected through a micromethod based on the OmniLogTM microbial identification system and by the drop method,to provide a scientific basis for future ecological studies and classification based on the host range.For plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F,successful phage infection and subsequent phage growth were observed in the host bacte-rium.Diminished bacterial growth and respiration and a concomitant decrease in color were observed with the OmniLogTM mi-crobial identification system at 33 ℃ for 48 h.Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB5 was sensitive to Yersinia pestis phage 476,but Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PST5 was insensitive to phage 087 and 072204.Three strains of non-Yersinia pestis(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersinia enterocolitica 52302-2)were insensitive to Yersinia pestis pha-ges 087,072204,and 476 showed similar growth curves.The growth of phages 476 and 087,as determined with the drop method,in two Yersinia pestis strains(plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F)and four non-Yersinia pestis strains(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersin-ia enterocolitica 52302-2)showed the same results at 37 ℃,on the basis of comparisons with the OmniLogTM microbial i-dentification system;in contrast,phages 072204 did not show plaques on solid medium at 37 ℃ with plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F.Determination based on the OmniLogTM detection system can be used as an alternative to the traditional determination of the host range,thus providing favorable application val-ue for determining the interaction between the phage and host bacteria.

Objective : To investigate the expression of genes and proteins in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell ( PBMC) cystine / glutamate antiporter system (System Xc-) / glutathione ( GSH) / glutathione peroxidase 4 ( GPX4) ferroptosis pathway and its influence on inflammatory factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) ． Methods : 30 patients with RA and 30 healthy participants were enrolled．PBMCs were isolated using Ficoll-hypaque density gradient centrifugation．The cells were categorized into the healthy control，RA，ferroptosis inhibitor，ferroptosis in- ducer group．The cell viability was checked using the cell counting kit-8 ( CCK-8) method．Intracellular Fe2 + rela- tive fluorescence intensity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using the FerroOrange and Di- hydroethidium (DHE) fluorescent probes，respectively．Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) de- tected the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ) ，solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) ，GPX4 proteins and mRNA．And the flow cytometry quantified the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) ，Interleukin (IL) -1，and IL-6 in the supernatant of each cell group. Results : Compared to the healthy control group，the RA group showed a significantly increased Fe2 + concentration and elevated ROS levels，reduced expression of Nrf2，SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins and mRNA，and increased contents of TNF-α , IL-1 and IL-6 in PBMC supernatant，and the differences were statistically significant．The concentration of Fe2 + and ROS levels in the inhibitor group were lower than those in the RA group，the proteins expressions of Nrf2，SLC7A11 and GPX4 increased，the mRNA expressions of SLC7A11 and GPX4 increased，the content of IL-6 in the PBMC supernatant decreased but the content of TNF-α increased，and the differences were statistically significant．In contrast，the in- ducer group，when compared to the RA group，displayed increased ROS levels，reduced expression of SLC7A11 protein and mRNA and decreased expression of Nrf2 protein，and the contents of TNF-α and IL-1 in the PBMC su- pernatant increased，but the expression of GPX4 protein increased ，and the differences were statistically signifi- cant．The inducer group，compared to the RA group，showed increased cell viability，and the difference was statis- tically significant (P＜0. 000 1) ． Conclusion The presence of ferroptosis in PBMC in RA patients，inhibiting or inducing PBMC ferroptosis in RA patients，will inhibit or promote the secretion of inflammatory factors．Inhibition of PBMC ferroptosis in RA patients may be helpful in the treatment of RA.

Damarane-type triterpene saponins are the main active ingredients in Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino. By using D101 macroporous adsorption resin and silica gel open-columns, C18 medium-pressure column chromatography, and preparative high performance liquid chromatography, we isolated four compounds from the leaves of G. pentaphyllum planted in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analyses of MS, NMR data and circular dichroism spectroscopy and identified as (3β,12β)-dihydroxy-25-peroxyhydrohydrodammarane-20,23-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (3β,12β,24S)-trihydroxydammarane-20,25-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (3β,20α)-dihydroxy-24-en-12β,22S-epoxydammarane-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (3β,12β,20S)-trihydroxydammarane-24-en-3-O-[6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). Compounds 1-4 are new dammarane-type triterpene saponins.