Varicocele is a common disease of the male reproductive system, and the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord manifests abnormal dilatation, extension, and circuity, which is a vasculopathy. In this article, we believe that the relevance of the essence chamber collaterals to the spermatic vein in terms of anatomical morphology and physiological function is high and that when pathogenic qi invades the essence chamber, the qi and collaterals of the essence chamber are out of harmony, the fluid collaterals are impassable, and the blood collaterals are obstrcuted, and the essence chamber collaterals are blockaded with several pathological products, and even intermingled phlegm and blood stasis in the blood collaterals and form vascular clusters, resulting in the formation and development of varicocele. Based on this, this article proposes the core treatment principle of healing, harmonizing, activating, and dredging the collaterals, with the basic treatment method of nourishing qi and harmonizing collaterals, activating blood collaterals, and dredging blood stasis to, respectively treat degree Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ varicocele, aiming to prevent the change of the varicocele, dredge the curvature of the varicocele, and dissipate the knots of the varicocele. The proposal of essence chamber collaterals is of great significance to understanding the common law and pathological aspects of the occurrence and development of essence collateral and vascular lesions from the perspective of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Based on the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) from the meridian-zangfu relationship and the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis, it proposes that dysfunction of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis is closely related to the occurrence of ED. Among these, brain-heart disharmony is the key pathogenic factor, kidney deficiency and essence depletion constitute an important basis, and essence chamber stasis is a critical mechanism. The treatment approach emphasizes harmonizing the brain and heart, regulating the mind, tonifying the kidney and replenishing qi, unblocking qi and blood to harmonize the essence chamber. The primary acupoints include Baihui (GV20)-Neiguan (PC6)-Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3)-Guanyuan (CV4)-Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zhongji (CV3)-Dahe (KI12)-Gongsun (SP4), with additional acupoints selected based on syndrome differentiation. This approach aims to restore the clarity of the brain and heart, replenish kidney qi, and unblock the essence chamber, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal functions of the brain, heart, kidney, and essence chamber, and alleviating ED symptoms and improving overall clinical efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Heart/physiopathology*

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics. Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges. A two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometr (LC-MS) method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium (CMS). A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated. For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS, a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution (HR) mass spectrum database of CMS components was established. The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening. On this basis, the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned. The molecular formula, group composition, and origins of a total of 99 compounds, of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95% of CMS components, were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL. This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h, providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

Objective:To investigate the effect of immediate breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEPF) after the modified radical mastectomy with nipple and areola preservation for breast cancer.Methods:Clinical data from November 2021 to March 2023 of 14 patients with ages from 29 to 49 (mean 40) years old were retrospectively analysed. All the patients received nipple-areola complex-preserving modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer followed by breast reconstruction with DIEPF at the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. Three patients had left breast cancer and 11 had right breast cancer. Preoperative CTA was used to clarify the course and branching of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and identify dominant perforators. Intraoperatively, indocyanine green (ICG) angiography was conducted to assess the perfusion of the flap and patency of the vascular anastomoses. Reconstructive surgery were performed using unilateral DIEPF in 4 patients and bilateral DIEPF with internal pressurization in 10 patients. Seven patients underwent anastomosis with intrathoracic vessels as recipient vessels, and 7 with thoracodorsal vessels. The weight of the resected breast tissue was 325.8 g±17.1 g, and the weight of the reconstructed breast flap was 332.9 g±32.1 g. The size of the harvested DIEPF ranged from 16.0 cm×9.0 cm to 24.0 cm×12.0 cm, with the length of the vascular pedicle anastomosed to the recipient vessels at 11.4 cm±1.5 cm. The donor sites were closed by layers with tension-reducing sutures, and the position of the umbilicus was relocated and sutured. All patients were included in the scheduled postoperative follow-up at the outpatient clinic after discharge.Results:Of all 14 patients, no postoperative crisis compromise of flap occurred, and both the recipient and donor sites healed primarily. During a follow-up period of 6 to 16 months, with an average of 11 months, no breast cancer recurrence was observed, and the aesthetic outcomes of the reconstructed breast were satisfactory without obvious complications.Conclusion:Breast reconstruction with DIEPF immediately after modified radical mastectomy with sparing nipple and areola can achieve good aesthetic results, less complications in the donor site and with high patient satisfaction rate.

Objective To investigate the effects of three-dimensional(3D)screws and circular plates on the biomechanical stability of Sanders ABⅢ calcaneal fractures.Methods Calcaneal computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)data from a 26-year-old volunteer were collected to establish a 3D finite element model of Sanders ⅢAB calcaneal fracture fixed with 3D screws and circular plates.A longitudinal load of 700 N was applied to compare the variations in the stress,displacement of the bone block,and internal fixation in the different models.Results Under 700 N longitudinal loads,the maximum displacement of the bone block and the maximum stress of the bone block and internal fixation were concentrated at the intersection of the posterior talar articular plane internal fixation and fracture line.The overall displacements of the bone blocks in the 3D screw and circular plate models were similar.Compared with the circular plate model,the maximum and average stresses of the bone block and internal fixation in the 3D screw model were lower,and the displacement and stress changes of the 3D screw model were closer to those of the complete calcaneal bone model.Conclusions In the fixation of Sanders ⅢAB calcaneal fractures,both 3D screw and circular plate fixation method can provide good stability.The biomechanical properties of the 3D screws were better than those of the circular plates,which is consistent with the biomechanical characteristics.

The study aimed to investigate the expression of ITGB1 in gastric cancer tissues and its impact on the efficacy of immunotherapy,and to find a new biomarker for prognosis assessment and prediction of immunotherapy response in gastric cancer.By utilizing bioinformatics methods to analyze the transcriptomic data,clinical pathological characteristics,and survival information of gastric cancer patients in the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,this study evaluates the expression of ITGB1 in gastric cancer and its correlation with clinical features.Furthermore,an in-depth analysis was conducted for evaluating the relationship of ITGB1 expression with immune infiltration,immune checkpoint-related genes,immune subtypes and immunotherapy response.Data showed that high ITGB1 expression in gastric cancer tissues is associated with later T stage,lower survival rates,and lower overall survival.Analysis of immune infiltration scores showed the score for CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,neutrophils,macrophages and dendritic cells were higher in the high ITGB1 expression group.Additionally,the levels of immune checkpoint-related genes such as SIGLEC15,TIGIT,CD274,HAVCR2,CTLA4 and PDCD1LG2 were elevated in the high ITGB1 expression group,and the expression of ITGB1 was positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint-related genes including SIGLEC15,TIGIT,CD274,HAVCR2,CTLA4,LAG3 and PDCD1LG2.Analysis based on the data from the TISIDB database revealed differential expression of ITGB1 in various immune subtypes of gastric cancer,with significantly higher expression levels in the C6 subtype(TGF-β dominant type).The TIDE algorithm indicated a high score for the group with high ITGB1 expression,suggesting poor efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.To sum up,we find that high expression of ITGB1 in gastric cancer tissues is a poor prognostic indicator for gastric cancer patients,thus ITGB1 may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing prognosis and predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in gastric cancer.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application effect of double-layer soft tissue(DLST)suture closure technique in patients with mandible medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw(MRONJ)of early and medium stages resulted in application of anti-bone-resorptive drugs.Methods:Early to me-dium stage mandible MRONJ patients who underwent surgical treatment in the fourth ward of Peking Uni-versity School and Hospital of Stomatology from October 2021 to September 2022 were included.Clinical information of the patients were collected,including primary disease,concomitant disease,medication regimen(drug type,duration of medication),MRONJ stage,clinical symptoms,imaging manifestations,etc.During surgery,after using marginal mandibulae resection to remove the necrotic bone,the wound was closed using DLST closure technique.Regular post-operative follow-up was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and complications of the DLST technique,the pain score and functional status of the patiens were evaluated.Results:This study totally included 13 patients,12 women and 1 man,aged(66.69±13.14)years.Seven patients had osteoporosis,2 had lung cancer,3 had breast cancer and 1 had prostate cancer among their primary diseases;7 had no concomitant diseases,2 had diabetes melli-tus,2 had cardiovascular disease and 1 had dry syndrome.Intravenous zoledronic acid were used in 9 patients,the average duration was(37.7±20.0)months,and other drugs,such as letrozole tablets were taken in 7 patients at the same time;Denosumab injection was used in 3 patients for an average of(10.3±11.9)months;Alendronate sodium tablets were taken in 5 patients for an average of(55.20± 27.20)months,and prednisone acetate tablets or acarbose tablets were taken to varying degrees in 2 pa-tients.The average post-operative follow-up was 11.9 months(9 to 17 months),and all the 13 patients were cured without complications,such as pus overflow and so forth.The pre-operative score of Karnof-sky performance status(KPS)in the patients was 68.46±14.05,and the post-operative score was 82.31±15.36,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The pre-operative score of visual analogue scale(VAS)in the patients was 5.77±0.73 and the post-operative score was 0.38±0.51,and the difference had statistical significance(P＜0.001).Conclusion:The double-layer soft tissue suture closure technique can achieve good clinical results in patients with MRONJ of the man-dible using anti-bone-resorptive drugs alone,and can provide clinical treatment ideas for MRONJ patients with more complicated drug use.

Herpes zoster of trigeminal nerve was a common skin disease caused by varicella-zoster virus infection.Simple involvement of the third branch of trigeminal nerve was rare,and so were oral complica-tions such as pulpitis,periodontitis,spontaneous tooth loss,bone necrosis,etc.This article presented a case of herpes zoster on the third branch of the left trigeminal nerve complicated with left mandibular osteonecrosis.We reported the case of a 64-year-old man with sudden pain in the left half of the tongue 1 month ago,and then herpes on the left facial skin appeared following with acute pain.The local hospital diagnosed it as herpes zoster and treated it with external medication.A few days later,he developed gum pain in the left mandibular posterior tooth area.He was admitted to Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology one week ago with loose and dislodged left posterior tooth accompanied by left mandibular bone surface exposure.Clinical examination showed bilateral symmetry and no obvious restriction of mouth opening.Visible herpes zoster pigmentation and scarring on the left side of the face appeared.The left mandibular posterior tooth was missing,the exposed bone surface was about 1.5 cm x0.8 cm,and the surrounding gingiva was red and swollen,painful under pressure,with no discharge of pus.The re-maining teeth in the mouth were all m degree loosened.Imageological examination showed irregular low-density destruction of the left mandible bone,unclear boundary,and severe resorption of alveolar bone.The patient was diagnosed as left mandibular osteonecrosis.Under general anesthesia,left mandibular le-sion exploration and curettage+left mandibular partial resection+adjacent flap transfer repair were performed.The patient was re-exmained 6 months after surgery,there was no redness,swelling or other abnormality in the gums and the herpes pigmentation on the left face was significantly reduced.Unfortu-nately,the patient had complications of postherpetic neuralgia.This case indicate that clinicians should improve their awareness of jaw necrosis,a serious oral complication of trigeminal zoster,and provide ear-ly treatment.After the inflammation was initially controlled,surgical treatment could be considered to remove the necrotic bone,curettage the inflammatory granulation tissue,and extraction of the focal teeth to avoid further deterioration of the disease.

BACKGROUND:The traditional view is that proximal fibular fractures do not require fixation.Others and our research suggest that the proximal fibular structure plays an important role in the stability of the posterolateral structure of the knee joint,and its mechanism of action is worth studying. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical effects of proximal fibular fractures on various structures of the knee joint in an extended state. METHODS:Finite element method was used to conduct simulated biomechanical experiments.A healthy young male volunteer was selected to establish a finite element model of the knee joint in an extended state using MRI and CT image data,and four proximal fibular shapes were simulated(Model A:intact,Model B:1 cm fracture below the fibular head,Model C:1 cm tip defect fracture from the proximal end of the fibula to the distal end,and Model D:2 cm bone defect from the proximal end of the fibula).A longitudinal concentrated load of 1 500 N was applied to the femoral shaft to compare and analyze the distribution and changing trend of the maximum equivalent stress and maximum first principal stress of each structure of the knee joint in an extended state under four working conditions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In Model A,the maximum equivalent stress in the tibial cartilage and lateral compartment of the meniscus was greater than that in the medial compartment,while the maximum first principal stress in the tibial plateau and medial compartment of the meniscus was greater than that in the lateral compartment.The maximum equivalent stress of the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage was greater than that of the lateral condyle,and the maximum first principal stress of the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage was greater than that of the medial condyle.(2)Compared to Model A,there was no significant difference in the magnitude and distribution of the maximum equivalent stress and maximum first principal stress in the cartilage and meniscus of Model C.(3)Compared to Model A,the maximum equivalent stress increase amplitude of Model B was in the order of medial tibial cartilage(14.9％),medial condyle of femoral cartilage(13.6％),and medial meniscus(6.6％).The maximum first principal stress increase amplitude was the medial meniscus(11.06％),the medial tibial cartilage(8.65％),and the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage(7.46％).The maximum equivalent stress increase amplitude of the ligament was as follows:popliteal arch ligament(33.2％)>anterior cruciate ligament(21.3％)>fibular collateral ligament(17％)>posterior cruciate ligament(14.3％)>anterior lateral collateral ligament(13.2％)>medial collateral ligament(10.1％).(4)Compared to Model A,the maximum equivalent stress increasing trend of Model D followed the medial tibial cartilage(19.5％),femoral cartilage medial condyle(17.9％),and medial meniscus(9.9％).The maximum first principal stress in sequence was the medial meniscus(14.04％),the medial tibial cartilage(13.03％),and the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage(11.37％).The increasing trend of maximum equivalent stress in ligaments was as follows:anterior cruciate ligament(25.2％)>posterior cruciate ligament(18.9％)>medial collateral ligament(18.5％)>anterior lateral collateral ligament(12.7％).(5)It is suggested that when the knee joint is extended,a 1 cm fracture below the fibular head and a 2 cm fibular tip bone defect have a significant impact on the structure of the medial ventricular cartilage,anterior cruciate ligament,and posterior lateral ligament complex.

Objective To compare the accuracy of bedside lung ultrasound in emergency(BLUE)and combined cardiac-lung and additional ultrasound(CLAUS)for diagnosing the causes of acute dyspnea.Methods Totally 1 016 patients with acute dyspnea were retrospectively enrolled and divided into cardiogenic pulmonary edema group(n=268),pneumonia group(n=574),pneumothorax group(n=33),pulmonary embolism group(n=67)and CAD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma/diaphragmatic dysfunction)group(n=74)according to the causes of acute dyspnea.The findings of CLAUS protocol were compared among groups,and the accuracy of BLUE and CLAUS protocol for diagnosing the causes of acute dyspnea were also compared.Results CLAUS showed that B-B and B-C were the most common modes in cardiogenic pulmonary edema group,while A-B/A-C/B-A/B-B/B-C/C-C modes were common in pneumonia group,and A-A mode was the most common in pneumothorax group,pulmonary embolism group and CAD group.Significant differences of the manifestations of pulmonary ultrasound,pleural feature of anterior chest wall,left/right cardiac insufficiency and abnormal inferior vena cava diameter were found among groups(all P＜0.05).The accuracy of BLUE and CLAUS protocol for diagnosing the causes of acute dyspnea was 86.91%(883/1 016)and 94.49%(960/1 016),respectively,the latter was higher than the former(χ2=34.587,P＜0.05).Conclusion CLAUS protocol could be used to effectively diagnose the causes of acute dyspnea,with higher accuracy than BLUE protocol.