Surgical methods for varicocele remain controversial. This study intends to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different surgical approaches for treating varicocele through a network meta-analysis (NMA). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were thoroughly searched. In total, 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 24 cohort studies were included, covering 9 different surgical methods. Pairwise meta-analysis and NMA were performed by means of random-effects models, and interventions were ranked based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). According to the SUCRA, microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV; 91.6%), microsurgical retroperitoneal varicocelectomy (MRV; 78.2%), and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy (MIV; 76.7%) demonstrated the highest effectiveness in reducing postoperative recurrence rates. In this study, sclerotherapy embolization (SE; 87.2%), MSV (77.9%), and MIV (67.7%) showed the best results in lowering the risk of hydrocele occurrence. MIV (82.9%), MSV (75.9%), and coil embolization (CE; 58.7%) were notably effective in increasing sperm motility. Moreover, CE (76.7%), subinguinal approach varicocelectomy (SV; 69.2%), and SE (55.7%) were the most effective in increasing sperm count. SE (82.5%), transabdominal laparoscopic varicocelectomy (TLV; 76.5%), and MRV (52.7%) were superior in shortening the length of hospital stay. The incidence rates of adverse events for MRV (0), SE (3.3%), and MIV (4.1%) were notably low. Cluster analyses indicated that MSV was the most effective in the treatment of varicocele. Based on the existing evidence, MSV may represent the optimal choice for varicocele surgery. However, selecting clinical surgical strategies requires consideration of various factors, including patient needs, surgeon experience, and the learning curve.
Humans ; Male ; Embolization, Therapeutic/methods* ; Microsurgery/methods* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sclerotherapy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods* ; Varicocele/surgery*

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of miR-125b promoting invasion,metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of gastric cancer cells.Methods The expression of miR-125b in gastric cancer and its adjacent tissues was studied by qRT-PCR.After upregulating or downregulating miR-125b in gastric cancer cells,the protein expressions of DKK3 and SERPINA4 were detected by Western blotting.Dual luciferase reporting assay was used to verify whether miR-125b can target DKK3 and SERPINA4.MKN45 cells were co-transfected with miR-125b inhibitor and target gene siRNA.Migration and invasion experiments were conducted to explore whether miR-125b can regulate the biological function of MKN45 cells through DKK3 and SERPINA4.Then,the regulatory mechanism of SRF on miR-125b was investigated.Finally,by in vivo experiments,the expression of SRF in gastric cancer cells was upregulated or downregulated by lentivirus transfection;the number of lung metastases in nude mice was detected to explore the effect of SRF on gastric cancer cell metastasis.Results In this study,the expression of miR-125b increased in gastric cancer tissues,which was correlated with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis.Dual luciferase reporting experiments showed that DKK3 and SERPINA4 were the direct targets of miR-125b in gastric cancer cells,and could activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,thereby promoting the transcription process of EMT-related transcription factors Twist1 and Slug,inducing the occurrence of EMT,and promoting the metastasis of gastric cancer.In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that SRF promoted the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by positively regulating the expression of miR-125b.Conclusion Taken together,SRF/miR-125b axis promotes the EMT and metastasis of gastric cancer cells,and these regulators represent new potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers for gastric cancer.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in treating acute schizophrenia.Methods Patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group was given brexpiprozole 2-4 mg·d-1 orally and the control group was given aripiprazole 10-20 mg·d-1orally,both were treated for 6 weeks.Clinical efficacy of the two groups,the response rate at endpoint,the changes from baseline to endpoint of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),Clinical Global Impression-Improvement(CGI-S),Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP),PANSS Positive syndrome subscale,PANSS negative syndrome subscale were compared.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results There were 184 patients in treatment group and 186 patients in control group.After treatment,the response rates of treatment group and control group were 79.50％(140 cases/184 cases)and 82.40％(150 cases/186 cases),the scores of CGI-I of treatment group and control group were(2.00±1.20)and(1.90±1.01),with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).From baseline to Week 6,the mean change of PANSS total score wese(-30.70±16.96)points in treatment group and(-32.20±17.00)points in control group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).The changes of CGI-S scores in treatment group and control group were(-2.00±1.27)and(-1.90±1.22)points,PSP scores were(18.80±14.77)and(19.20±14.55)points,PANSS positive syndrome scores were(-10.30±5.93)and(-10.80±5.81)points,PANSS negative syndrome scores were(-6.80±5.98)and(-7.30±5.15)points,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two group(69.00％vs.64.50％,P＞0.05).Conclusion The non-inferiority of Brexpiprazole to aripiprazole was established,with comparable efficacy and acceptability.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the number of positive preoperative serological tumor markers on the surgical approach and prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This is a retrospective case-series study. Data from 548 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after radical resection from October 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively collected in 10 hospitals of China. There were 277 males and 271 females with an age of (57.8±10.2)years(range:23 to 84 years). Four hundred and twenty-six patients(77.7%) had at least one positive preoperative serum tumor marker. The data collection included the results of 4 preoperative serological tumor markers,other preoperative indicators(5 prodromal symptoms, 6 medical history,8 preoperative serological indicators,5 preoperative imaging indicators,and 14 preoperative pathological examination indicators),baseline data (gender and age),surgical methods,and prognostic follow-up data. Four preoperative results of serologic tumor marker and surgical procedure were converted into categorical variables. The number of positive preoperative serum tumor markers was used as the treatment variable,the surgical method was used as the mediating variable,and the survival time was used as the outcome variable. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to screen for other preoperative indicators which were independent factors that influenced the surgical procedure and the prognosis of patients as covariates to analyze the mediating effect.Results:Of the 548 patients included in the study, 176 patients (32.1%) underwent partial hepatectomy,151 patients(27.5%) underwent hemihepatectomy, and 221 patients(40.3%) underwent partial hepatectomy or hemihepatectomy combined with other treatments. The results of the univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers,intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,portal vein invasion,pathological differentiation,pathological type,vascular invasion,T stage,N stage and maximum tumor diameter were independent factors influencing the surgical procedure(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,pathological differentiation and T stage were independent prognostic factors for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,differentiation and T stage were included as covariates in the mediation effect model. The results showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers before surgery had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ( β=-0.092, P=0.039),and had a positive predictive effect on the surgical method ( β=0.244, P<0.01). The number of positive serum tumor markers had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ( β=-0.151, P=0.002). Direct and indirect effects accounted for 71.3% and 28.7% of total effects,respectively. Conclusions:The higher the positive number of preoperative tumor markers,the worse the prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The number of positive cells not only directly affects the prognosis of patients,but also indirectly affects the prognosis of patients by affecting the surgical method.

Objective:To explore the surgical technique and results of three-dimensional aortic valve anatomic repair for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with aortic regurgitation (AR).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. From August 2021 to December 2023, 130 consecutive patients with BAV-AR underwent aortic valve anatomic repair at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University,and the data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 115 males and 15 females, aged (38.6±11.7) years (range: 15 to 67 years). All patients received modified aortic root reconstruction, to do three-dimensional root remodeling, including the basal ring, sinus of Valsalva and sino-tubular junction simultaneously. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test, or χ2 test. Results:No patient transferred to valve replacement during the operation. The cardiopulmonary bypass time ( M(IQR)) was 109(34) minutes (range:67 to 247 minutes), and the aortic cross-clamp time was 76(26) minutes (range: 32 to 158 minutes). Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed 123 patients (94.6%) presented with moderate or severe regurgitation. Immediately postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed no regurgitation in 22 patients (16.9%), trace regurgitation in 81 patients (62.3%) and mild regurgitation in 27 patients (20.8%). Follow up was completed in all patients, with a follow-up of 5.5(9.4) months (range: 0.1 to 27.6 months). No mortality was observed during follow-up. Echocardiography was obtained in 112 patients at the latest follow-up, including no regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), trace regurgitation in 58 patients (51.8%), mild regurgitation in 45 patients (40.2%), moderate regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), and severe regurgitation in 1 patient (0.9%). Conclusion:For patients with BAV-AR who have good valve quality and no severe aortic sinus dilation, the recent outcomes of three-dimensional anatomical repair technique, focusing on overall remodeling of the aortic root, are satisfactory.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the number of positive preoperative serological tumor markers on the surgical approach and prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This is a retrospective case-series study. Data from 548 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after radical resection from October 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively collected in 10 hospitals of China. There were 277 males and 271 females with an age of (57.8±10.2)years(range:23 to 84 years). Four hundred and twenty-six patients(77.7%) had at least one positive preoperative serum tumor marker. The data collection included the results of 4 preoperative serological tumor markers,other preoperative indicators(5 prodromal symptoms, 6 medical history,8 preoperative serological indicators,5 preoperative imaging indicators,and 14 preoperative pathological examination indicators),baseline data (gender and age),surgical methods,and prognostic follow-up data. Four preoperative results of serologic tumor marker and surgical procedure were converted into categorical variables. The number of positive preoperative serum tumor markers was used as the treatment variable,the surgical method was used as the mediating variable,and the survival time was used as the outcome variable. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to screen for other preoperative indicators which were independent factors that influenced the surgical procedure and the prognosis of patients as covariates to analyze the mediating effect.Results:Of the 548 patients included in the study, 176 patients (32.1%) underwent partial hepatectomy,151 patients(27.5%) underwent hemihepatectomy, and 221 patients(40.3%) underwent partial hepatectomy or hemihepatectomy combined with other treatments. The results of the univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers,intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,portal vein invasion,pathological differentiation,pathological type,vascular invasion,T stage,N stage and maximum tumor diameter were independent factors influencing the surgical procedure(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,pathological differentiation and T stage were independent prognostic factors for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,differentiation and T stage were included as covariates in the mediation effect model. The results showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers before surgery had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ( β=-0.092, P=0.039),and had a positive predictive effect on the surgical method ( β=0.244, P<0.01). The number of positive serum tumor markers had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ( β=-0.151, P=0.002). Direct and indirect effects accounted for 71.3% and 28.7% of total effects,respectively. Conclusions:The higher the positive number of preoperative tumor markers,the worse the prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The number of positive cells not only directly affects the prognosis of patients,but also indirectly affects the prognosis of patients by affecting the surgical method.

Objective:To explore the surgical technique and results of three-dimensional aortic valve anatomic repair for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with aortic regurgitation (AR).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. From August 2021 to December 2023, 130 consecutive patients with BAV-AR underwent aortic valve anatomic repair at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University,and the data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 115 males and 15 females, aged (38.6±11.7) years (range: 15 to 67 years). All patients received modified aortic root reconstruction, to do three-dimensional root remodeling, including the basal ring, sinus of Valsalva and sino-tubular junction simultaneously. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test, or χ2 test. Results:No patient transferred to valve replacement during the operation. The cardiopulmonary bypass time ( M(IQR)) was 109(34) minutes (range:67 to 247 minutes), and the aortic cross-clamp time was 76(26) minutes (range: 32 to 158 minutes). Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed 123 patients (94.6%) presented with moderate or severe regurgitation. Immediately postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed no regurgitation in 22 patients (16.9%), trace regurgitation in 81 patients (62.3%) and mild regurgitation in 27 patients (20.8%). Follow up was completed in all patients, with a follow-up of 5.5(9.4) months (range: 0.1 to 27.6 months). No mortality was observed during follow-up. Echocardiography was obtained in 112 patients at the latest follow-up, including no regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), trace regurgitation in 58 patients (51.8%), mild regurgitation in 45 patients (40.2%), moderate regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), and severe regurgitation in 1 patient (0.9%). Conclusion:For patients with BAV-AR who have good valve quality and no severe aortic sinus dilation, the recent outcomes of three-dimensional anatomical repair technique, focusing on overall remodeling of the aortic root, are satisfactory.

To analyze the prevalence, genomic characteristics and clinical relevance of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater, and to provide a reference basis for in-hospital assessment of public health situation and prevention of cross-infection. In March 2023, untreated wastewater in the wastewater treatment station of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and wastewater in the U-shaped wastewater pipes of the hand-washing sinks in 26 wards were collected, centrifuged and diluted, and the drug-resistant bacteria were isolated by using LB solid plates containing meropenem (2 μg/ml) for species identification, drug sensitivity analysis, carbapenenase gene PCR detection and whole genome sequencing. The genome sequence was identified for drug resistance genes. Retrospective research was used, combining multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, to compare their homology with clinical isolates of the same quarter. The results showed that 56 carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria were isolated from hospital wastewater, originating from 13 genera, of which 17 were isolated from the total hospital wastewater, with Aeromonas spp. as the most dominant genus (35.3%, 6/17), and 39 were isolated from the wastewater of 17 wards, with Pseudomonas spp. as the most dominant genus (30.8%, 12/39). All common wastewater isolates from our hospital were multidrug-resistant bacteria, with up to 100% resistant to some second-and third-generation cephalosporins. A total of 8 carbapenemase genes originated from wastewater isolates, including blaKPC, blaNDM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaIND, blaOXA-58-like, blaOXA-48-like, and blaOXA-427-like. 39 wastewater isolates carried the carbapenemase genes, and the total wastewater of the hospital carried the highest isolation rate of blaKPC-2 bacteria (35.3%, 6/17) and the highest isolation rate of blaIMP-8 bacteria (31.8%, 7/22) were found in the wastewater from 26 wards. 14 wastewater isolates were found to carry both carbapenemase genes, with a total of 6 combinations. A new blaIMP-101 isoform was also identified for the first time. 4 wastewater isolates and 11 clinical isolates were screened for inclusion in the SNP analysis, in which only 15 SNPs differed between the two strains of ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae of clinical and wastewater origin, which was highly homologous. In conclusion, the presence of multiple multi-drug resistant conditionally pathogenic bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater has the potential risk of spreading drug-resistant genes in the environment. The highly homologous Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from hospital wastewater and clinics indicates the close association between hospital wastewater and clinical infections. Hospitals need to strengthen the monitoring of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in the wastewater environment, to prevent the widespread dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in hospital wastewater and to prevent nosocomial infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria in wastewater.

To analyze the prevalence, genomic characteristics and clinical relevance of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater, and to provide a reference basis for in-hospital assessment of public health situation and prevention of cross-infection. In March 2023, untreated wastewater in the wastewater treatment station of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and wastewater in the U-shaped wastewater pipes of the hand-washing sinks in 26 wards were collected, centrifuged and diluted, and the drug-resistant bacteria were isolated by using LB solid plates containing meropenem (2 μg/ml) for species identification, drug sensitivity analysis, carbapenenase gene PCR detection and whole genome sequencing. The genome sequence was identified for drug resistance genes. Retrospective research was used, combining multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, to compare their homology with clinical isolates of the same quarter. The results showed that 56 carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria were isolated from hospital wastewater, originating from 13 genera, of which 17 were isolated from the total hospital wastewater, with Aeromonas spp. as the most dominant genus (35.3%, 6/17), and 39 were isolated from the wastewater of 17 wards, with Pseudomonas spp. as the most dominant genus (30.8%, 12/39). All common wastewater isolates from our hospital were multidrug-resistant bacteria, with up to 100% resistant to some second-and third-generation cephalosporins. A total of 8 carbapenemase genes originated from wastewater isolates, including blaKPC, blaNDM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaIND, blaOXA-58-like, blaOXA-48-like, and blaOXA-427-like. 39 wastewater isolates carried the carbapenemase genes, and the total wastewater of the hospital carried the highest isolation rate of blaKPC-2 bacteria (35.3%, 6/17) and the highest isolation rate of blaIMP-8 bacteria (31.8%, 7/22) were found in the wastewater from 26 wards. 14 wastewater isolates were found to carry both carbapenemase genes, with a total of 6 combinations. A new blaIMP-101 isoform was also identified for the first time. 4 wastewater isolates and 11 clinical isolates were screened for inclusion in the SNP analysis, in which only 15 SNPs differed between the two strains of ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae of clinical and wastewater origin, which was highly homologous. In conclusion, the presence of multiple multi-drug resistant conditionally pathogenic bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater has the potential risk of spreading drug-resistant genes in the environment. The highly homologous Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from hospital wastewater and clinics indicates the close association between hospital wastewater and clinical infections. Hospitals need to strengthen the monitoring of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in the wastewater environment, to prevent the widespread dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in hospital wastewater and to prevent nosocomial infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria in wastewater.