OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of the short-penis treatment apparatus and wide-band infrared therapy apparatus on penile dysplasia (PDP) in children and establish objective parameters for assessing the severity of PDP. METHODS: This study included 252 children received in the Department of pediatric urology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January to December 2023, 102 with PDP (the PDP group) and the other 150 with normal penile development (the control group), those of the former group treated with the short-penis therapeutic apparatus and wide-band infrared therapy apparatus. Before and after 30 days of treatment, we measured the flaccid penile length (FPL), stretched penile length (SPL) and penile diameters (PD) of the children, and defined the penile dysplasia index as the FPL/SPL and FPL/PD ratios. RESULTS: The penile parameters exhibited statistically significant differences between the PDP and control groups, (FPL:［1.97±0.72］cm vs ［3.25±0.51］ cm, P<0.01; SPL:［3.80±0.81］cm vs ［5.21±0.79］cm,P<0.01).The FPL remarkably increased in the PDP group after treatment(［1.97±0.72］cm vs ［2.90±1.20］ cm, P<0.01). Both FPL and SPL were notably shorter in the PDP cases than in the controls, with the cutoff values of 0.57 and 2.09, sensitivities of 80.7% and 95.3%, and specificities of 69.6% and 82.4% for FPL/SPL and FPL/PD, respectively. CONCLUSION The short-penis therapeutic apparatus and wide-band infrared therapy apparatus can promote the growth and development of the penis in children. The ratio of FPL/PD can serve as an objective indicator to effectively describe the severity of penile developmental abnormalities.
Humans ; Male ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Child ; Penile Diseases/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of physical intervention combined with medical nutritional weight loss (PI+MNWL) in the treatment of short penis in obese children. METHODS: One hundred and twenty obese children with a short penis were included and equally divided into three groups: PI+MNWL, MNWL, and self-guided diet, who underwent PI+MNWL, MNWL intervention under the supervision of professional nutritionists in the hospital, or self-guided diet intervention at home, respectively, all for 30 days. We measured the penile parameters, including stretched penile length (SPL), flaccid penile length (FPL) and penile diameter (PD), of the children before and after treatment, and compared them among the three groups. RESULTS: After intervention, the body weight of the children was significantly decreased in all the three groups (27.1－94.1［53.59±11.88］ kg vs 23.0－85.1［49.01±11.61］ kg， P < 0.05). The weight of children in 3 groups decreased to different degrees, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). MNWL was found remarkably more effective than self-guided weight loss in reducing the body weight of the children (P < 0.05). Based on weight loss achieved through medical nutrition combined with physical intervention, the FPL in the PI+MNWL group increased from (1.93 ± 0.76) cm before treatment to (3.41 ± 1.41) cm after one course of comprehensive treatment, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Similarly, SPL increased from (3.75 ± 0.76) cm before treatment to (4.98 ± 0.64) cm, and PD increased from (1.32 ± 0.21) cm before treatment to (1.61 ± 0.66) cm, both showing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). In the MNWL group , FPL increased from (2.01 ± 0.81) cm to (2.77 ± 0.84) cm after one course of treatment, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Additionally, SPL increased from (4.03 ± 0.84) cm before treatment to (4.40 ± 0.76) cm, also demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05), while PD increased from (1.37 ± 0.21) cm before treatment to (1.42 ± 0.22) cm, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). FPL and SPL increased significantly in the PI+MNWL group compared to the MNWL group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in PD between the two groups following the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION MNWL is more effective than self-guided diet in controlling the body weight of children, while the combination approach of PI+MNWL is even superior to the management of short penis in obese children, with the advantages of improving the appearance and increasing the exposed length of the penis.
Humans ; Male ; Child ; Weight Loss ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Obesity/complications* ; Adolescent

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of two different minimally invasive approaches to implant pedicle screw for the treatment of single-segment thoracolumbar spine fractures without nerve injury.Methods:This was a retrospective study. Eighty patients with mono-segmental thoracolumbar fractures treated with minimally invasive pedicle screw fixation at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2020 to June 2022 were included. There were 46 males and 36 females, the age was (45.93±7.91) years old, and ranged from 27 to 60 years old. They were divided into two groups according to different surgical techniques: percutaneous pedicle screw fixation group ( n=44) and Wiltse approach group ( n=36). The operative time, operative visible blood loss, hidden blood loss, total blood loss, fluoroscopy times, incision length, hospital time after surgery and ambulation time were compared. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), ratio of the vertebral anterior height, angle of injured vertebral endplate were recorded and compared between two groups before surgery and at 3 days, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The accuracy of pedicle screw position and the facet joint violation rate were evaluated by using the postoperative CT scan. Perioperative related complications were investigated. Normally distributed numerical data were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and differences between the groups were compared using t-test. The counting data were expressed as percentages or rates and compared using χ2 test. Results:All patients were followed for a minimum of 12 months. There is no significant difference between the two groups in intraoperative visible blood loss, hospital time after surgery, ambulation time, postoperative VAS and ODI, ratio of vertebral anterior height and angle of injured vertebral endplate at 3 days after surgery, pedicle screw position accuracy and perioperative complications ( P>0.05). The operative time, hidden blood loss, total blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, facet joint violation rate in the percutaneous pedicle screw fixation group were remarkably higher than in the Wiltse approach group ( P<0.05). The ratio of vertebral anterior height in the percutaneous pedicle screw fixation group was dramatically lower than in the Wiltse approach group at 6 months and 1 year after surgery ( P<0.05). The postoperative injured vertebral endplate angle was higher in the percutaneous pedicle screw fixation group than that in the Wiltse approach group at 6 months and 1 year ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Both percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and Wiltse approach were safe and effective minimally invasive surgical procedures for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures without neurological injury. The Wiltse approach can reduce fluoroscopy times and perioperative hidden blood loss, reduce the risk of facet joint violation, and maintain a better reduction than percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.

Based on the long bud stage phenotype of a new Lonicera japonica Flos variety "Huajin 6", using "Huajin 6" and "Da Mao Hua" as materials, probing the mechanism of its phenotype formation. Detection of endogenous Jasmonic acid hormones (JAs) content; the genes related to jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis were identified by transcriptome analysis of Lonicera japonica; flower buds and flowers of "Huajin 6" and "Da Mao Hua" were collected at different periods, and the qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) technique was used to analyze the trend of the expression of synthesis-related enzyme genes in Lonicera japonica Flos during the bud stage. The study found that the content of JAs in "Huajin 6" Lonicera japonica Flos was significantly lower than that in "Da Mao Hua"; applying exogenous methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) to "Huajin 6" can restore its flowering phenotype, making it close to wild type Lonicera japonica Flos; there are significant differences in the expression of two allene oxide synthase genes (AOS), three lipoxygenase genes (LOX), and two allene oxide cyclase genes (AOC) in the flowers and buds of "Huajin 6" and "Da Mao Hua" at different periods. It is hypothesized that the low expression of JA synthesis-related enzyme genes in " Huajin 6" leads to the blockage of JA synthesis, which causes the formation of the long bud phenotype. This study laid a certain foundation for the genetic breeding of Lonicera japonica, provided a new idea for the improvement of Lonicera japonica varieties, and provided a reference for the study of JAs in plant flower organs.

AIM To compare the components difference between Lonicera fragrantissima Lindl.et Paxt.(LFL)and Lonicerae japonicae Flos(LJF),and to evaluate the medicinal value of LFL,so as to provide reference for the development and utilization of LFL and LJF.METHODS With 70%methanol as extraction solvent,the components were analyzed by UPLC-TOF-MS,and the contents of 20 components were determined by HPLC-QQQ-MS.The components difference was determined by multivariate statistical analysis.RESULTS A total of 52 components were identified in the buds of LFL and LJF.There were 4 different components in LJF,and the contents of 20 quantitative components were significantly different.The contents of isochlorogenic acid C,ferulic acid,luteolin and rutin in the buds of LFL were more than 2 times that of LJF,and the contents of marchanic acid and marchanin were 11.96 times and 37.23 times that of LJF respectively.Maganin,isochlorogenic acid A,maganic acid,rutin and dicomachanic acid are the key differentiating components of LFL and LJF.CONCLUSION The buds of LFL and LJF have similar species,but the content difference is obvious.The buds of LFL have important medicinal value,which need further development and utilization.

BACKGROUND:Interspinous distraction fusion device BacFuse was used for the management of lumbar degenerative disease and obtained good clinical efficacy in recent years.However,the related biomechanical study was lacking. OBJECTIVE:To explore the related biomechanical characteristics of BacFuse,a novel interspinous distraction fusion device,which was used in lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS:After constructing the goat spinal models(L1-L6),they were grouped into four groups based on different simulated surgeries:the control group,the BacFuse group(L3/4),the screw-rod fixation group(L3/4)and the Topping-off group(L3/4 screw-rod fixation + L2/3 BacFuse fixation).The goat lumbar spine surgical model was assembled into a biomechanical testing system.A biomechanical machine was used for mechanical loading,simulating lumbar spine movement of flexion,extension,lateral flexion and rotation with a 4 Nm moment.A visual tracking system was used for positioning and capturing.Finally,mechanical and optical calibration was completed to calculate the range of motion of the L2/3,L3/4 and L4/5 segments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the range of motion of the L3/4 segment in the BacFuse group decreased 27.27%,70%,38.1%and 23.08%in the flexion,extension,lateral bending and rotation directions,respectively(P<0.05).The range of motion of L3/4 segment in the screw-rod fixation group decreased 72.73%,80%,71.43%and 73.08%in the flexion,extension,lateral bending and rotation directions,respectively(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the control group,the range of motion of the adjacent segment L2/3 increased by 33.33%,25%and 23.81%in the extension,lateral bending and rotation directions,respectively in the BacFuse group(P<0.05),with no significant change in flexion.In the screw-rod fixation group,there was a 50%,44.44%,50%and 58.96%increase in the adjacent segment L2/3 in the flexion,extension,lateral calibration and rotation directions,respectively(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the control group,the BacFuse group showed an increase in range of motion in proximal segment L4/5 in the extension and rotation directions by 27.3%and 17.39%(P<0.05)respectively,with no significant change in flexion or lateral bending.In the screw-rob fixation group,the proximal segment L4/5 demonstrated 38.89%,22.73%and 26.09%(P<0.05)increases in range of motion in the flexion,extension and rotation directions,respectively,with no significant change in lateral bending.(4)In the Topping-off group,the range of motion of L2/3 was reduced by 37.04%,73.08%,56.67%and 38.46%in flexion,extension,lateral flexion and rotation,respectively,compared to the screw-rob fixation group(P<0.05).Compared with the screw-rob fixation group,the Topping-off group showed a 20%reduction in the range of motion of the L4/5 in the flexion direction(P<0.05),with no significant differences seen in extension,lateral bending and rotation.(5)It is concluded that the interspinous distraction fusion device BacFuse significantly reduces the range of motion of the implanted segment and provides some stability.It still retains more mobility and reduces the impact on the adjacent segment compared to screw-rob fixation,while the Topping-off tip,which can be used for intervertebral fusion fixation,significantly reduces the range of motion of the adjacent segment and reduces the risk of adjacent segment degeneration.

Objective To systematically review the risk prediction models for postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD),and to provide a reference for the clinical screening and application of POPF-related risk models.Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines,with a PROSPERO registration number of CRD42023437672.PubMed,Scopus,Embase,Web of Science,the Cochrane Library,CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data,China Medical Journal Full-text Database,and CBM were searched for studies on establishing risk prediction models for POPF after PD published up to April 26,2024.The PROBAST tool was used to assess the quality of articles,and RevMan 5.4 and MedCalc were used to perform the Meta-analysis.Results A total of 36 studies were included,involving 20 119 in total,and the incidence rate of POPF after PD was 7.4%—47.8%.A total of 55 risk prediction models were established in the 36 articles,with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of 0.690-0.952,among which 52 models had an AUC of>0.7.The quality assessment of the articles showed high risk of bias and good applicability.MedCalc was used to perform a statistical analysis of AUC values,and the results showed a pooled AUC of 0.833(95%confidence interval:0.808-0.857).The Meta-analysis showed that body mass index,amylase in drainage fluid on the first day after surgery,preoperative serum albumin,pancreatic duct diameter,pancreatic texture,fat score,tumor location,blood loss,sex,time of operation,main pancreatic duct index,and pancreatic CT value were predictive factors for POPF(all P<0.05).Conclusion The risk prediction models for POPF after PD is still in the exploratory stage.There is a lack of calibration methods and internal validation for most prediction models,and only the univariate analysis is used to for the screening of variables,which leads to the high risk of bias.In the future,it is necessary to improve the methods for model establishment,so as to develop risk prediction models with a higher prediction accuracy.

China prospective multicenter birth cohort (Prospective Omics Health Atlas birth cohort, POHA birth cohort) study was officially launched in 2022. This study, in collaboration with 12 participating units, aims to establish a high-quality, multidimensional cohort comprising 20 000 naturally conceived families and assisted reproductive families. The study involves long-term follow-up of parents and offspring, with corresponding biological samples collected at key time points. Through multi-omics testing and analysis, the study aims to conduct multi-omics big data research across the entire maternal and infant life cycle. The goal is to identify new biomarkers for maternal and infant diseases and provide scientific evidence for risk prediction related to maternal diseases and neonatal health.

The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanism of licochalcone A (LCA) in alleviating abnormal gluconeogenesis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the in vivo study, 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed with a high-fat and high-sugar diet and injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a T2DM model. LCA (5 and 10 mg·kg^-1) was administered at an interval of 3 days for 3 weeks with metformin (MET, 200 mg·kg^-1) as a positive control drug. The animal experiment protocol was reviewed and approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: BUCM-4-2021061701-2060). Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 was used as the experimental cell line for in vitro experiments. Sodium palmitate (SP) was used to induce the insulin resistance cell model and tunicamycin (TM) was applied to establish the ER stress cell model. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of gluconeogenesis and ER stress-related targets, respectively. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were used to verify the interaction between LCA and key targets. The results showed that LCA inhibits gluconeogenesis by reducing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) and increasing 6-phosphofructokinase-2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) at both the mRNA and protein levels, as well as suppressing the activity of pyruvate carboxylase (PC). Additionally, LCA alleviates ER stress by downregulating the transcription of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit α (eIF2α), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), and activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α), inhibiting the transcription and protein expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and suppressing the phosphorylation of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK). In conclusion, LCA alleviates abnormal gluconeogenesis and ER stress, thereby ameliorating the abnormal metabolism induced by T2DM.