Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may affect serum hormones levels and male sexual function. This study aims to provide evidence for the causal relationship between COVID-19 infection, serum testosterone levels and the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Materials and Methods: Summary-level data for serum testosterone levels (199,569 samples and 12,321,875 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) were obtained from Rebecca’s study, while data for ED (6,175 cases and 217,630 controls) were sourced from Bovijn’s study. Genetic variations linked to COVID-19 were used as instrumental variables (IVs) in meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) involving 6,406 cases and 902,088 controls from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative.The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was primarily employed to evaluate the potential associations between COVID-19 infection, serum testosterone levels, and the risk of ED. The weighted mode, weighted-median and simple-median method were employed to evaluate the sensitivity. Heterogeneity and pleiotropic outlier were assessed using Cochran’s Q test and MREgger regression. Results: The MR analysis demonstrated that COVID-19 infection was associated with reduced serum testosterone levels (odds ratio [OR] 0.966, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.938–0.993, p=0.016) and an increased risk of ED (OR 1.205, 95% CI 1.063–1.367, p=0.004) when using IVW methods. Sensitivity analyses utilizing various IV sets and MR approach remained consistent. Conclusions COVID-19 infection is associated with a decrease in serum testosterone levels and an increased risk of ED. Male patients recovering from COVID-19 need to pay special attention to their sex hormone levels and sexual health.

Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disease characterized by the invasion of endometrial glands and stroma into the myometrium of uterus, the pathological mechanism of which remains unclear yet. Disturbed lipid metabolism extensively affects abnormal cell proliferation and invasion in various diseases. However, the lipidome signature of human myometrium, which could be crucial in the development of adenomyosis, remains unknown. In this study, we generated the first lipidome profiling of human myometrium using a high-coverage and quantitative lipidomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with triple quadrupole (QqQ)-mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 317 lipid species were successfully quantified in the myometrial tissues from women with (n = 38) or without (n = 65) adenomyosis who underwent hysterectomy at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Bejing, China). Up to 83 lipid species showed significant alternations in content between the two groups. These lipid aberrations involved multiple metabolic pathways, and emphasized inflammation, cell migration, and immune dysregulation upon adenomyosis. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis found that the combination of five lipid species could accurately distinguished the myometrial samples from women with and without adenomyosis with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.906. Desorption electrospray ionization MS imaging (MSI) further underscored the heterogeneous distributions of these lipid markers in the adenomyosis lesion and adjacent myometrial tissue. Collectively, these results extremely improved our understanding on the molecular basis of adenomyosis, and could shed light on developing potential biomarkers and new therapeutic directions for adenomyosis.

Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1(Hapln1)supports active cardiomyogenesis in zebrafish hearts,but its regulation in mammal cardiomyocytes is unclear.This study aimed to explore the potential regulation of Hapln1 in the dedifferentiation and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and its therapeutic value in myocardial infarction with human induced pluripotent stem cell(hiPSC)-derived car-diomyocytes(CMs)and an adult mouse model of myocardial infarction.HiPSC-CMs and adult mice with myocardial infarction were used as in vitro and in vivo models,respectively.Previous single-cell RNA sequencing data were retrieved for bioinformatic exploration.The results showed that recombinant human Hapln1(rhHapln1)promotes the proliferation of hiPSC-CMs in a dose-dependent manner.As a physical binding protein of Hapln1,versican interacted with Nodal growth differentiation factor(NODAL)and growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11).GDF11,but not NODAL,was expressed by hiPSC-CMs.GDF11 expression was unaffected by rhHapln1 treatment.However,this molecule was required for rhHapln1-mediated activation of the transforming growth factor(TGF)-β/Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein(SMAD)2/3 signaling in hiPSC-CMs,which stimulates cell dedifferentiation and proliferation.Recombinant mouse Hapln1(rmHapln1)could induce cardiac regeneration in the adult mouse model of myocardial infarction.In addition,rmHapln1 induced hiPSC-CM proliferation.In conclusion,Hapln1 can stimulate the dedifferentiation and proliferation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by promoting versican-based GDF11 trapping and subsequent activation of the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.Hapln1 might be an effective hiPSC-CM dedifferentiation and proliferation agent and a po-tential reagent for repairing damaged hearts.

Parvalbumin interneurons belong to the major types of GABAergic interneurons. Although the distribution and pathological alterations of parvalbumin interneuron somata have been widely studied, the distribution and vulnerability of the neurites and fibers extending from parvalbumin interneurons have not been detailly interrogated. Through the Cre recombinase-reporter system, we visualized parvalbumin-positive fibers and thoroughly investigated their spatial distribution in the mouse brain. We found that parvalbumin fibers are widely distributed in the brain with specific morphological characteristics in different regions, among which the cortex and thalamus exhibited the most intense parvalbumin signals. In regions such as the striatum and optic tract, even long-range thick parvalbumin projections were detected. Furthermore, in mouse models of temporal lobe epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, parvalbumin fibers suffered both massive and subtle morphological alterations. Our study provides an overview of parvalbumin fibers in the brain and emphasizes the potential pathological implications of parvalbumin fiber alterations.
Mice ; Animals ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/pathology* ; Parvalbumins/metabolism* ; Parkinson Disease/pathology* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Interneurons/physiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Brain/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of the feasibility of a new treatment method for atrophic rhinitis (ATR) based on tissue engineering technology (seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors), and provide new ideas for the treatment of ATR. METHODS: The literature related to ATR was extensively reviewed. Focusing on the three aspects of seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors, the recent research progress of ATR treatment was reviewed, and the future directions of tissue engineering technology to treat ATR were proposed. RESULTS: The pathogenesis and etiology of ATR are still unclear, and the effectiveness of the current treatments are still unsatisfactory. The construction of a cell-scaffold complex with sustained and controlled release of exogenous cytokines is expected to reverse the pathological changes of ATR, promoting the regeneration of normal nasal mucosa and reconstructing the atrophic turbinate. In recent years, the research progress of exosomes, three-dimensional printing, and organoids will promote the development of tissue engineering technology for ATR. CONCLUSION Tissue engineering technology can provide a new treatment method for ATR.
Humans ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Rhinitis, Atrophic ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Cytokines

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for death within 1 year after hip fracture surgery in the elderly.Methods:A case control study was made on the clinical data of 551 elderly patients with hip fracture treated in Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2020, including 182 males and 369 females; aged 65-100 years [80(73,86)years]. Joint replacement, cannulated screw fixation or proximal femoral nail fixation were performed. The patients were divided into survival group ( n=494) and death group ( n=57) based on the death within 1 year after surgery recorded at postoperative telephone follow-up. The gender, age, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, neurological diseases, chronic renal failure, anemia on admission, fracture types, American anesthesiologist Association (ASA) classification, operative methods, preoperative waiting time, duration of operation and perioperative blood transfusion were recorded in two groups. Univariate Cox regression was used to analyze the correlation between the above indexes and death within 1 year after surgery. All indexes with P<0.2 in the univariate analysis were included in multivariate Cox regression analysis to clarify the independent risk factors for death within 1 year after surgery. Results:Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that death within 1 year after surgery correlated with gender, age chronic respiratory diseases, chronic renal failure and anemia on admission (all P<0.01), but not with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, fracture types, ASA classification, operative methods, preoperative waiting time, duration of operation or perioperative blood transfusion (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that male ( HR=2.08, 95% CI 1.20, 3.61, P<0.01), age ≥ 80 years ( HR=2.22, 95% CI 1.15, 4.28, P<0.05), chronic respiratory diseases ( HR=2.54, 95% CI 1.19, 5.40, P<0.05), chronic renal failure ( HR=4.57, 95% CI 1.27, 16.44, P<0.05), anemia on admission ( HR=2.82, 95% CI 1.38, 5.76, P<0.01) were significantly associated with death within 1 year after surgery. Conclusion:Male age≥ 80 years, chronic respiratory disease, chronic renal failure and anemia on admission are independent risk factors for death within 1 year after hip fracture surgery in the elderly.

The modern surgical treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease can be traced back to the advent of anterior cervical decompression and fusion.With the emergence of fusion-related complications,different scholars have promoted the gradual transformation of cervical degenerative disc diseases from "fusion fixation" to "non-fusion reconstruction" through in-depth fusion with materials science,engineering mechanics and other disciplines.The innovation of this treatment concept is consistent with the original intention of "structural remodeling,functional reconstruction,maximum repair and reconstruction of the morphology and function of skeletal muscle system" in orthopedic bionic treatment,which is essentially in line with the "bionic alternative therapy" in orthopedic bionic therapy.This paper focuses on the surgical treatment of cervical degenerative disc diseases,reviews the development history of artificial cervical disc replacement,analyzes the evolution from orthopedic biomimetic therapy,and explores a new direction for the design of artificial cervical disc prostheses and the treatment of cervical degenerative disc diseases in the future.
Bionics ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc/surgery* ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion ; Total Disc Replacement ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the effect of early ambulation time on lower limbs muscle strength and fear of falling in patients with total knee arthroplasty, so as to provide basis for promoting the postoperative rehabilitation of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.Methods:A total of 210 patients after unilateral total knee replacement from July 2018 to December 2019 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included and assigned to experimental group 1, experimental group 2 and experimental group 3 by random digits table method, each group contained 70 cases, and the patients began ambulation at 16, 20, 24 hours after knee replacement, respectively. The peak torque (PT) of knee joints flexors and extensor as well as hamstrings quadriceps ratio (H/Q) were compared among three groups at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after knee replacement. The fall efficiency was evaluted by Modified Fall Efficacy Scale (MFES), the fear of falling rate was conducted by single item method.Results:After 1 month of knee replacement, the PT of knee joints flexor and extensor and H/Q were (18.73±5.49) N·m, (37.56±7.76) N·m, (48.08±9.19)% and (18.44±5.27) N·m, (37.04±7.07) N·m, (47.49±9.30)% in the experimental group 1 and experimental group 2, which were higher than those in the experimental group 3(16.38±2.85) N·m, (33.75±6.75) N·m, (43.48±7.17)%, the differences were statically significant ( t values were 2.316-3.057, P<0.05). After 1 week of knee replacement, the fear of falling rate were 72.3%(47/65) and MFES scores were (3.14±0.58) points in the experimental group 1, 53.7%(36/67), (3.81±0.65) points and 50.8%(32/63), (3.87±0.74) points in the experimental group 2 and experimental group 3, the fear of falling rate significantly increased and MFES scores significantly decreased in the experimental group 1 compared to the experimental group 2 and experimental group 3, the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 5.780, 4.878, t values were 6.221, 6.129, P<0.05). Conclusions:Twenty hours after knee replacement is the best time for ambulation, which can shortern the time for lower limbs muscle strength recovery and reduce the risk of fear of falling.