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 investigate the risk factors for delayed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate.Methods Total of 135 patients of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed,including 85 males and 50 females,ranged from 19 to 80 years old.All cases were treated with locking plates.The patients were divided into union group and delayed union group ac-cording to the condition of fracture union.The risk factors of delayed healing were determined by univariate analysis of 14 factors that might affect fracture healing first,then the factors with significance were analyzed by binary Logistic regression.Results There were 13 patients of delayed union,and the rate of delayed union was 9.63％.Univariate analysis showed that delayed union was associated with age,smoking,reduction method,anemia and time of preoperative preparation.Regression analysis showed thatage[OR=0.849,95％CI(0.755,0.954),P=0.006],smoking[OR=0.020,95％CI(0.002,0.193),P=0.001],reduction method[OR=23.924,95％CI(2.210,258.943),P=0.009],anemia[OR=0.016,95％CI(0.001,0.289),P=0.005]were the con-tributory factors for delayed union.Conclusion Young age,smoking,closed reduction and anemia are the risk factors for de-layed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate.

Coronary perforation is when a contrast agent or blood flows outside a blood vessel through a tear in a coronary artery.In this case,we reported a case of percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary calcified lesions,which led to iatrogenic coronary perforation and cardiac tamponade after the use of Shockwave balloon to treat intracoronary calcified nodules,and the management of PCI-related CAP was systematically reviewed through the literature.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the distribution characteristics of HCV genotypes and subtypes in patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, HIV)/HCV co-infection in Kunming based on the nucleocapsid protein gene sequence of HCV (hepatitis C virus). Methods　Serum was collected from HIV/HCV co-infected patients with household registration in 14 county-level cities, districts and counties under the jurisdiction of Kunming, who admitted to Yunnan Provincial Infectious Disease Hospital from March to August 2019. The viral RNA was extracted from the serum, reverse transcribed to synthesize cDNA, and the HCV nucleocapsid protein gene-specific primers were used for nested PCR amplification. The positive amplification products were sequenced, bioinformatics software such as DNAstar and MEGAX were used for sequence analysis. Results　A total of 64 samples from co-infected patients with clinical diagnosis of suspected HIV/HCV were collected and amplified by HCV nucleocapsid protein gene-specific primers, of which 17 samples were amplified positively. The results of sequence analysis showed that the sequences of 9 cases were located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 3b subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 93.3%-95.2%; the sequences of 5 cases were located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 1b subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 96.8%-97.6%; the sequence of one case and the subtype sequence of HCV 3a gene were located in the same evolutionary branch, and the nucleotide homology was 95.2%; the sequence of one case and HCV 6n gene subtype sequence were located in the same evolutionary branch, and the nucleotide homology was 97.9%; One case was located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 6u gene subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 98.4%. Conclusions　HCV 1b, HCV 3a, HCV 3b, HCV 6n and HCV 6u genotypes or subtypes of HCV are prevalent in Kunming, and HCV 3b is the most prevalent genotype.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the distribution characteristics of the main pathogens of HIV/AIDS patients with wound infections and provide basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods　The clinical data of 294 patients with positive secretions or pus specimens from 2016 to 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Results　A total of 357 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 294 cases, of which 123 strains of Gram-negative bacilli (G-b), accounting for 34.5%, were mainly Escherichia coli (15.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.6%); Gram-positive bacilli (G+b) 14 strains, accounting for 3.9%; 108 Gram-positive cocci (G+c), accounting for 30.3%, of which 44 strains were coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (12.3%), Coagulase-negative staphylococci were mainly Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.2%) and Staphylococcus hemolyticus (2.8%); 37 strains of fungi, accounting for 10.4%, were mainly Candida albicans (5.9%); 75 strains of Mycobacterium, accounting for 21.0%, including 41 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (11.5%) and 34 strains of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (9.5%). 52 of the 294 HIV/AIDS patients had mixed infections, accounting for 17.7%. There was significant difference in the distribution of G+c, G-b, mycobacteria and mixed infection among different specimen sources (P<0.05), and there was significant difference in the distribution of mycobacteria among different CD4+T lymphocyte counts (P<0.05). There was significant difference in the level of CD4+T lymphocytes between patients of different ages (P<0.05), and there was significant difference in the level of CD4+T lymphocytes from postoperative incision and other parts (P<0.05). Conclusions　Patients with HIV/AIDS are prone to combined wound infections with various pathogenic bacteria. We should strengthen the research on wound infection in HIV/AIDS patients, and timely send patients with a low number of CD4+T lymphocytes for secretion or pus culture, so as to carry out targeted treatment and improve the prognosis of patients.

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Simendan/therapeutic use* ; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Peptide Fragments ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Biomarkers ; Prognosis

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of Cai tube-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) in gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This was a descriptive case-series study. Inclusion criteria: (1) colorectal or gastric cancer diagnosed by preoperative pathological examination or redundant sigmoid or transverse colon detected by barium enema; (2) indications for laparoscopic surgery; (3) body mass index <30 kg/m² (transanal surgery) and 35 kg/m² (transvaginal surgery); (4) no vaginal stenosis or adhesions in female patients undergoing transvaginal specimen extraction; and (5) patients with redundant colon aged 18-70 years and a history of intractable constipation for more than 10 years. Exclusion criteria: (1) colorectal cancer with intestinal perforation or obstruction, or gastric cancer with gastric perforation, gastric hemorrhage, or pyloric obstruction; (2) simultaneous resection of lung, bone, or liver metastases ; (3) history of major abdominal surgery or intestinal adhesions; and (4) incomplete clinical data. From January 2014 to October 2022, 209 patients with gastrointestinal tumors and 25 with redundant colons who met the above criteria were treated by NOSES utilizing a Cai tube (China invention patent number:ZL201410168748.2) in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University. The procedures included eversion and pull-out NOSES radical resection in 14 patients with middle and low rectal cancer, NOSES radical left hemicolectomy in 171 patients with left-sided colorectal cancer, NOSES radical right hemicolectomy in 12 patients with right-sided colon cancer, NOSES systematic mesogastric resection in 12 patients with gastric cancer, and NOSES subtotal colectomy in 25 patients with redundant colons. All specimens were collected by using an in-house-made anal cannula (Cai tube) with no auxiliary incisions. The primary outcomes included 1-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and postoperative complications. Results: Among 234 patients, 116 were male and 118 were female. The mean age was (56.6±10.9) years. NOSES was successfully completed in all patients without conversion to open surgery or procedure-related death. The negative rate of circumferential resection margin was 98.8% (169/171) with both two positive cases having left-sided colorectal cancer. Postoperative complications occurred in 37 patients (15.8%), including 11 cases (4.7%) of anastomotic leakage, 3 cases(1.3%) of anastomotic bleeding, 2 cases (0.9%) of intraperitoneal bleeding, 4 cases (1.7%) of abdominal infection, and 8 cases (3.4%) of pulmonary infection. Reoperations were required in 7 patients (3.0%), all of whom consented to creation of an ileostomy after anastomotic leakage. The total readmission rate within 30 days after surgery was 0.9% (2/234). After a follow-up of (18.3±3.6) months, the 1-year RFS was 94.7%. Five of 209 patients (2.4%) with gastrointestinal tumors had local recurrence, all of which was anastomotic recurrence. Sixteen patients (7.7%) developed distant metastases, including liver metastases(n=8), lung metastases(n=6), and bone metastases (n=2). Conclusion: NOSES assisted by Cai tube is feasible and safe in radical resection of gastrointestinal tumors and subtotal colectomy for redundant colon.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Laparoscopy ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Colectomy ; Postoperative Complications ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

The working principle of F-50 helium compressor of Philips Ingenia 3.0T MRI Scanner was described.The causes and treatment of F-50 helium compressor were introduced.The importance of routine helium compressor maintenance for stable MRI operation was presented.References were provided for eliminating similar helium compressor faults.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(10):114-117]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the down-regulation of ANRIL (Antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 Locus) effects on proliferation and apoptosis of Kasumi-1 cells and its related molecular mechanism. METHODS: Recombinant lentivirus was used to construct ANRIL down-regulation Kasumi-1 cells (sh-ANRIL group) and its control cells (sh-NC group). A fluorescence microscope was used to observe the transfection efficiency, RT-qPCR was used to detect knockdown efficiency and ANRIL expression in PBMCs and MBMCs of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Proliferation and apoptosis of Kasumi-1 cells were assayed by CCK-8 method and flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, and relevant protein after down-regulation of ANRIL in Kasumi-1 cells. RESULTS: ANRIL overexpressed significantly in PBMCs and MBMCs of patients with AML, the transfection efficiency of recombinant lentivirus carrying sh-ANRIL and sh-NC on Kasumi-1 cells exceeded 90%, and the knockdown efficiency was 70%. When DNR was administrated for 24, 48, and 72 hours, the cell inhibition rate of the sh-ANRIL group was (47.40±1.49)%, (69.11±0.51)% and (91.82±1.10)%, which were significantly higher than those of the sh-NC group, respectively (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate in the sh-ANRIL group was (10.29±0.58)%, which was significantly higher than (5.42±0.67)% of the sh-NC group (P<0.01). After DNR treatment for 24 hours, the apoptotic rate of the sh-ANRIL group was (54.41±1.69)%, which was significantly higher than (38.28±1.42)% of sh-NC group (P<0.001). Western blot revealed that the protein levels of PI3K, p-AKT, PCNA, and BCL-2 in the sh-ANRIL group were reduced significantly than those in the sh-NC group, while the BAX protein expression increased. CONCLUSION ANRIL may affect the proliferation and apoptosis of Kasumi-1 cells through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. ANRIL is a potential therapeutic target for AML.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of MC1R in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with the clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: We analyzed the expression of MC1R in esophageal cancer based on data from TCGA databse and examined its expression levels using RT-PCR and Western blotting in a human esophageal epithelial cell line BAr-T, human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines ECA109, KYSE30, KYSE150, KYSE510, TE-1, TE-13, and EC9706, a human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 and 19 pairs of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect MC1R expression levels in 32 pairs of paraffin-embedded sections of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent tissues, and the correlation of MC1R expression and the patients'clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analysis showed that MC1R was significantly overexpressed in esophageal cancer tissues (P < 0.05).MC1R expression was also increased in 5 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines ECA109, KYSE30, KYSE510, TE-13, EC9706 and the gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 as compared with that in esophageal epithelial cells (P < 0.05).Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly increased MC1R expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue sections in comparison with the adjacent tissue sections (P < 0.05).In patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a high MC1R expression was detected mainly in those with an old age, positive for middle-thoracic involvement, and with moderately differentiated tumor cells, and showed a correlation with T stage of tumor (P < 0.05), but not with the other clinicopathological parameters such as gender, age, degree of cell differentiation, primary tumor site, or TNM stage (P>0.05). CONCLUSION MC1R is highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and may serve as a molecular biomarker to assist in the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Humans ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Immunohistochemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic