Stem cells therapy is an emerging method for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Compared with traditional treatment, it has the advantage lies in the ability to treat the pathological damage of the penis in patients with ED, which provides new ideas for solving erectile dysfunction fundamentally. However, due to the special anatomical structure of the penis, the therapeutic effect of stem cells is sometimes unsatisfactory. Therefore, how to improve the effect of stem cells therapy for ED has become a new difficulty. Relevant researches on how to improve stem cell treatment of ED will be reviewed in this article.
Humans ; Erectile Dysfunction/therapy* ; Male ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis (LS) and the proportion of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis (SS) in China, and to evaluate the musculoskeletal status of patients with LS and SS. METHODS: Spine Computed Tomography (CT) images were collected from community populations aged 40 and above in a nationwide multi-center project. LS was diagnosed, and SS was graded by an experienced radiologist. Bone mineral density (BMD) and paraspinal muscle parameters were quantified based on CT images. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen patients of a total of 3,317 individuals were diagnosed with LS, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 3.53%. 63 of the 1,214 males (5.18%) and 54 of the 2,103 females (2.57%) were diagnosed with LS. SS occurred in 64/121 vertebrae (52.89%). BMD was not associated with LS ( P = 0.341). The L5 extensor paraspinal muscle density was higher in the LS group than in the non-LS group. In the LS group, patients with SS had a smaller L5 paraspinal extensor muscle cross-sectional area than those without SS ( P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The prevalence of LS in Chinese adults was 3.53%, with prevalence rates of 5.18% in males and 2.57% in females. Patients with LS have higher muscle density, whereas those with SS have smaller muscle cross-sectional areas at the L5 level.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Spondylolysis/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Aged, 80 and over ; Spondylolisthesis/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To investigate hypertension (HTN) trends, key risk factors, and gender disparities in rural China, and to propose targeted strategies for improving HTN control in resource-limited settings. METHODS: This longitudinal study used data from the Henan Rural Cohort Study, including baseline (2015-2017; n = 39,224) and follow-up (2018-2022; n = 28,621) participants. HTN was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg, self-reported diagnosis, or use of antihypertensive medication. Severity was classified using a 7-tier blood pressure (BP) staging system (optimal, normal, high normal, and HTN stages 1-4). A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) identified associated risk factors. RESULTS: HTN prevalence increased modestly from 32.7% (95% CI: 32.2-33.2) to 33.9% (95% CI: 33.3%-34.4%). Awareness and treatment improved from 20.1% to 25.3%, and from 18.8% to 24.4%, respectively, but control rates remained low (6.2% to 12.3%). After adjustment, women had a 1.53-fold higher HTN risk than men ( OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.43-1.63), revealing gender-specific trends. Key risk factors included alcohol use ( OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.27-1.47) and overweight status ( OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.66-1.86). BP staging showed an increase in optimal BP (42.3% to 45.8%), but stagnant management of advanced HTN stages. CONCLUSION Hypertension in rural China is shaped by behavioral risk factors and healthcare access gaps. Gender-sensitive, community-based interventions, including task-shifting models, are necessary to mitigate the growing burden of hypertension.
Humans ; Hypertension/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sex Factors ; Cohort Studies ; East Asian People

Objective To investigate the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG)on the cardiac structure and function in obese patients with heart failure(HF)and compare the efficacy of LSG across obese patients with different HF types.Methods This study included 33 obese patients with HF who underwent LSG.The clinical indicators were compared between before operation and 12 months after operation.Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to evaluate the changes in echocardiographic parameters before operation and 3,6,and 12 months after operation.Patients were allocated into a HF with preserved ejection fraction group(n=17),a HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction group(n=5)and a HF with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)group(n=11)based on left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)before operation for subgroup analyses of the effects of LSG on the cardiac structure and function of obese patients with HF.The paired samples t-test was conducted to assess the degree of cardiac structural and functional alterations after LSG.Results The 33 patients included 69.7% males,with an average age of(35.3±9.9)years,and a body mass index(BMI)of(51.2±9.8)kg/m².The median follow-up was 9.0(5.0,13.3)months.Compared with the preoperative values,the postoperative BMI(P=0.002),body surface area(BSA)(P=0.009),waist circumference(P=0.010),hip circumference(P=0.031),body fat content(P=0.007),and percentage of patients with cardiac function grades Ⅲ-IV(P<0.001)decreased.At the 12-month follow-up left atrial diameter(P=0.006),right atrial long-axis inner diameter(RAD1)(P<0.001),right atrial short-axis inner diameter(RAD2)(P<0.001),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.002),interventricular septal thickness at end-diastolic(P=0.002),and left ventricular end-diastolic volumes(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volumes(P=0.003) all significantly reduced compared with preoperative values.Additionally,left ventricular fractional shortening and LVEF improved(both P<0.001).Subgroup analyses revealed that cardiac structural parameters significantly decreased in the HF with preserved ejection fraction,HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction,and HFrEF subgroups compared with preoperative values.Notably,the HFrEF group demonstrated the best performance in terms of left atrial diameter(P=0.003),left ventricular inner diameter at end-diastole(P=0.008),RAD1(P<0.001),RAD2(P=0.004),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.019),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volume(P=0.001),cardiac output(P=0.006),tricuspid regurgitation velocity(P=0.002),and pulmonary artery systolic pressure(P=0.001) compared to preoperatively.Postoperative left ventricular fractional shortening(P<0.001,P=0.003,P<0.001)and LVEF(P<0.001,P=0.011,P=0.001)became higher in all the three subgroups than the preoperative values.Conclusions LSG decreased the body weight,BMI,and BSA,improved the cardiac function grade,reversed the enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricle,reduced the right atrium and right ventricle,and enhanced the left ventricular systolic function.It was effective across obese patients with different HF types.Particularly,LSG demonstrates the best performance in improving the structures of both atria and ventricles in obese patients with HFrEF.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Heart Failure/complications* ; Adult ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Heart/physiopathology* ; Stroke Volume

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of national bloodstream infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，9 035 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 51 hospitals，of which 7 895（87.4%）were Enterobacteriaceae and 1 140（12.6%）were non-fermenting bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（ n=4 510，49.9%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（ n=2 340，25.9%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（ n=534，5.9%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（ n=405，4.5%）and Enterobacter cloacae（ n=327，3.6%）. The ESBLs-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp. were 47.1%（2 095/4 452），21.0%（427/2 033）and 41.1%（58/141），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（58/4 510）and 13.1%（307/2 340）；62.1%（36/58）and 9.8%（30/307）of CREC and CRKP were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 59.5%（241/405），while less than 5% of Acinetobacter baumannii complex was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 18.4%（98/534）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of main Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CRKP and CRPA（ χ2=20.489 and 20.252， P<0.001）. The prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA，CRAB，ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were higher in provinicial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=11.953，81.183，10.404，5.915，12.415 and 6.459， P<0.01 or <0.05），while the prevalence of CRPA was higher in economically developed regions（per capita GDP ≥ 92 059 Yuan）than that in economically less-developed regions（per capita GDP <92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=6.240， P=0.012）. Conclusions:The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections shows an increasing trend，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of CRKP decreases continuously with time. Decreasing trends are noted in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Low prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and high prevalence in CRAB complex have been observed. The composition ratio and antibacterial spectrum of bloodstream infections in different regions of China are slightly different，and the proportion of main drug resistant bacteria in provincial hospitals is higher than those in municipal hospitals.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Jingu Xiaotong Powder combined with platelet-rich plasma on patients with knee osteoarthritis.METHODS Ninety-six patients were randomly assigned into control group(48 cases)for 8-week administration of platelet-rich plasma,and observation group(48 cases)for 8-week administration of both Jingu Xiaotong Powder and platelet-rich plasma.The changes in clinical effects,IL-17,SDF-1,TLR4,GSH-Px,NO,ox-LDL,WOMAC scores,TCM syndrome score,AIM2-SF score were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased IL-17,SDF-1,TLR4,NO,ox-LDL,WOMAC scores,TCM syndrome score(P<0.05),and increased GSH-Px,AIM2-SF score(P<0.05),especially for the observation group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with knee osteoarthritis,Jingu Xiaotong Powder combined with platelet-rich plasma can reduce IL-17,SDF-1,TLR4 levels,inhibit body inflammation,improve oxidative stress indices,alleviate pain,and enhance clinical efficacy and life quality.

Background and aims:Liver cirrhosis is a complex disease that may result in increased morbidity and mortality following bariatric surgery(BS).This study aimed to explore the outcome of BS in patients with unexpected cirrhosis,focusing on postoperative complications and the progression of liver disease. Methods:A retrospective study of bariatric patients with cirrhosis from four centers in China between 2016 and 2023 was conducted,with follow-up for one year after BS.The primary outcome was the safety of BS in patients with unexpected cirrhosis,while the secondary outcome was the metabolic efficacy of BS in this group postoperatively. Results:A total of 47 patients met the study criteria,including 46 cases of Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis and 1 case of Child-Pugh B.Pathological examination confirmed nodular cirrhosis in 21 patients(44.68％),pseudolobule formation in 1 patient(2.13％),lipedema degeneration with inflammatory cell infiltration in 3 patients(6.38％),and chronic hepatitis in 1 patient(2.13％).The average percentage of total weight loss was 29.73±6.53％at one year postoperatively.During the 30-day postoperative period,the complication rate was 6.38％,which included portal vein thrombosis,gastrointestinal bleeding,and intra-abdominal infection.Moreover,no cases of liver decompensation or mortality were reported during the follow-up period.The remission rates of comorbidities among 41 patients one year after surgery were as fol-lows:dyslipidemia 100％,type 2 diabetes 82.61％,hypertension 84.62％,and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome 85.71％. Conclusions:BS can be safely performed in patients with unexpected cirrhosis in the compensated stage of liver disease,with low postoperative morbidity and no mortality observed during one-year follow-up.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.

Aim To explore the effects of NaAsO

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to identify the risk factors of VTE in MM patients. METHODS: 179 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients admitted to The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2014 to December 2020 who were followed up for more than 6 months were collected, and they were divided into VTE group and control group according to whether combined with VTE. The clinical and laboratory data were compared between the two groups. Mann-whitney U test was used for inter-group comparison of measurement data, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for inter-group comparison of count data, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors of VTE in MM patients. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the serum albumin (ALB) level in VTE group was significantly lower (P =0.033), the fibrinogen (FIB) level was significantly higher (P =0.016), and the proportion of patients with D-dimer≥2 000 ng/ml was significantly higher than that in the control group (26.3% vs 4.4%, P =0.002). There was a significant difference in M-component type between the two groups (P =0.028), and the proportion of IgG type in VTE group was higher. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the proportions of patients with hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet (PLT) count, liver and kidney function, plasma cells ratio in bone marrow, serum globulin (GLO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) level, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), disease stage, thrombosis prevention and the use of immunomodulators (P >0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FIB level (OR=1.578, 95%CI:1.035-2.407, P =0.034), D-dimer≥2 000 ng/ml (OR=5.467, 95%CI:1.265-23.621, P =0.023) and IgG type (OR=4.780, 95%CI: 1.221-18.712, P =0.025) were independent risk factors for VTE in MM patients. CONCLUSION MM patients are prone to VTE, and FIB level, D-dimer≥2 000 ng/ ml and IgG type are independent risk factors for VTE in MM patients.
Humans ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Multiple Myeloma/complications* ; Risk Factors ; Anticoagulants ; Immunoglobulin G ; Retrospective Studies