Objective: To investigate the regional differences in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma among kidney transplant recipients between northern and southern China，so as to provide reference for early diagnosis of this disease. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases，including CNKI，Wanfang，CBM，and PubMed，using the keywords “kidney transplantation” and “tumor” to collect clinical data from qualified kidney transplant centers.The latest and most complete literature data published by 17 transplant centers in northern China and 14 in southern China were included.Statistical analyses were performed to compare the incidence of post-transplant urothelial carcinoma and non-urothelial malignancies. Results: A total of 37 475 kidney transplant recipients were included，among whom 837 (2.23%) developed post-transplant malignancies，including urothelial carcinoma (366/837，43.73%)，non-urothelial carcinoma (444/837，53.05%)，and malignancies with unspecified pathology (27/837，3.23%).The incidence of malignancies was significantly higher in northern China than in southern China [(2.82±1.39)% vs. (1.67±0.83)%，P=0.011]，with a particularly pronounced difference in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma [(1.68±1.12)% vs. (0.32±0.32)%，P<0.001].No significant difference was observed in the incidence of non-urothelial carcinoma between the two regions [(1.11±0.56)% vs. (1.35±0.65)%，P=0.279].Additionally，female transplant recipients exhibited a higher incidence of malignancies than males in both regions (southern China：2.38% vs. 1.80%; northern China：8.93% vs. 2.52%). Conclusion: The incidence of urothelial carcinoma following kidney transplantation is significantly higher in northern China than in southern China，underscoring the importance of implementing regular tumor screening for kidney transplant recipients，particularly for female patients in northern China，to facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and its receptor family members are involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes.Studies have shown that the IL-17 family may be closely related to the occurrence and development of interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).This paper explores the relationship between the IL-17 family and IC/BPS, introduces the members and structures of the IL-17 family, their value in inflammatory diseases, and discusses in depth the IL-17 pathways in IC/BPS and the latest research progress.Research has found that the IL-17 family is upregulated in IC/BPS, related to the exacerbation of pathological inflammatory reactions, and responsible for maintaining the chronic inflammatory state of IC/BPS patients.In addition, IL-17 is also associated with neuroinflammation, pain, and other biological effects in IC/BPS.This review aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms underlying IC/BPS and to provide references for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Background::Lymph node staging of prostate cancer (PCa) is important for planning and monitoring of treatment. 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computerized tomography ( 18F-PSMA PET/CT) has several advantages over 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT, but its diagnostic value requires further investigation. This meta-analysis focused on establishing the diagnostic utility of 18F-PSMA PET/CT for lymph node staging in medium/high-risk PCa. Methods::We searched the EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane library, and Web of Science databases from inception to October 1, 2022. Prostate cancer, 18F, lymph node, PSMA, and PET/CT were used as search terms and the language was limited to English. We additionally performed a manual search using the reference lists of key articles. Patients and study characteristics were extracted and the QUADAS-2 tool was employed to evaluate the quality of included studies. Sensitivity, specificity, the positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR and NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under the curve (AUC), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-PSMA PET/CT. Stata 17 software was employed for calculation and statistical analyses. Results::A total of eight diagnostic tests including 734 individual samples and 6346 lymph nodes were included in this meta-analysis. At the patient level, the results of each consolidated summary were as follows: sensitivity of 0.57 (95% CI 0.39-0.73), specificity of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92-0.97), PLR of 11.2 (95% CI 6.6-19.0), NLR of 0.46 (95% CI 0.31-0.68), DOR of 25 (95% CI 11-54), and AUC of 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.96). At the lesion level, the results of each consolidated summary were as follows: sensitivity of 0.40 (95% CI 0.21-0.62), specificity of 0.99 (95% CI 0.95-1.00), PLR of 40.0 (95% CI 9.1-176.3), NLR of 0.61 (95% CI 0.42-0.87), DOR of 66 (95% CI 14-311), and AUC of 0.86 (95% CI 0.83-0.89).Conclusions::18F-PSMA PET/CT showed moderate sensitivity but high specificity in lymph node staging of medium/high-risk PCa. The diagnostic efficacy was almost equivalent to that reported for 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT. Registration::International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), No. CRD42023391101.

With the acceleration of population aging, the proportion of elderly individuals has significantly increased, accompanied by a rise in life expectancy.However, the health status of the elderly continues to face numerous challenges.Elderly surgical patients encounter difficulties arising from physiological changes and the coexistence of multiple comorbidities.Modern medicine supports elderly patients through minimally invasive surgery, advancements in anesthesia and imaging technology, and comprehensive perioperative assessment and management.Nonetheless, to ensure surgical safety and effectiveness, a thorough evaluation of elderly patients is essential, along with the optimization of surgical strategies and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary team collaboration and postoperative care.Societal and healthcare systems must work together to advance health policies and enhance medical services for the elderly, thereby achieving the goal of a healthy aging society and improving the quality of life for older adults.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of single-incision transobturator bulbourethral sling suspension without skin tunnel puncture in male patients with urinary incontinence.Methods:The clinical data of 6 male patients with urinary incontinence who underwent single-incision transobturator bulbourethral sling suspension without skin tunnel puncture in Beijing Hospital from August 2023 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The age of the patients ranged from 66 to 76 years old, with an average of 71.7 years old. The disease duration ranged from 18 to 48 months, with an average of 30 months. Six patients used 1 to 3 pads per day, with an average of 2.3 pads. The International Continence Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICI-Q-SF) scored 13 to 19, with an average of 15.8. The Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL) scored 5.3 to 30.6, with an average of 18.8. Three patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia and three patients underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The degree of urinary incontinence was mild in 2 cases and moderate in 4 cases. The technical points are as follows: the puncture method has been changed from the traditional outside-in approach to an inside-out approach. After the puncture needle passes through from beneath the skin at the incision, the sling is guided in, avoiding the need for skin tunneling punctures. Upon completion of the puncture, the ends of the sling on both sides are tied with a certain tension at the midline of the incision, and the incision is then closed layer by layer. The efficacy and safety of surgery were evaluated by recording the number of daily pad use, subjective scoring scale [International Committee on Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICI-Q-SF), Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL)] and complications at 1 month after surgery. Social continence was defined as 0 to 1 pad use per day. Successful treatment was defined as social continence. Treatment improvement was defined as no social continence, but 50% or more improvement of symptoms compared with that before surgery. Other conditions were defined as treatment failure.Results:All operations were successfully completed. After 1 to 11 months of follow-up, all patients achieved social continence. The patients' postoperative daily use of urinary pads ranged from 0 to 1 piece, with a mean of 0.5 piece. ICI-Q-SF scores ranged from 1 to 7, with a mean of 3. I-QOL scores ranged from 72.1 to 85.2, with a mean of 77.0. All the indicators were significantly improved compared with those before operation. In terms of postoperative complications, one patient had dysuria and urinary retention 2 days after the removal of the catheter, which was improved after symptomatic treatment of anti-inflammatory, detumescence, and indwelling catheter. At the last follow-up, there were no surgical related complications.Conclusions:The single-incision transobturator bulbourethral sling suspension without skin tunnel puncture for the treatment of male urinary incontinence is safe and effective. Compared to the traditional surgical method, it does not increase the difficulty of the procedure and is technically feasible, offering clinicians a new approach and perspective.

Objective:To observe the effect of early weightbearing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) on lower limb motor function, activation of the knee muscles and the stability of the knee joint.Methods:Forty-four persons who had received ACLR were divided at random into a control group and an experiment group, each of 22. In addition to conventional rehabilitation treatment after surgery, the control group underwent weightbearing training from the 8th day after the surgery, while the experimental group began weight-bearing training from the 3rd postoperative day. Both groups had their motor functioning evaluated using the International Knee Scoring Committee (IKDC) knee subjective evaluation form 3 days after the operation, and then 6 and 12 weeks later. Their pain perceptions were quantified on the same schedule using visual analogue scoring (VAS), and protractor measurements documented active range of motion (AROM). Electromyography (AEMG) of the medial head and rectus femoris muscle was also performed, and the stability of the knee joint was assessed using the KT-1000 test.Results:After the intervention, the average IKDC score, VAS score, knee extension and flexion AROMs, medial quadriceps head AEMG ratio, and rectus femoris muscle AEMG ratio improved to different degrees in the two groups. At 6 weeks the average pain score, knee extension and flexion ranges of motion, quadriceps medial head AEMG ratio, and rectus femoris AEMG ratio of the experimental group were all better than the control group′s averages. At 12 weeks the average IKDC subjective knee function score in the experimental group was also superior.Conclusions:Supplementing conventional rehabilitation with early weight-bearing can significantly improve the recovery from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Beginning on day 3 after the operation gives the best results.

Objective:To explore the impact of Cullin5 on the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma multiforme cell and its underlying mechanisms.Methods:Glioblastoma U251 cells were transfected with flag-NC plasmids and overexpression plasmids (flag-Cullin5), and divided into the flag-NC group and flag-Cullin5 group. The expression levels of Cullin5 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA and protein were assessed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. After exposing U251 cells to 0, 2, 4, and 8 Gy X-ray radiation, cell viability was evaluated via the CCK-8 assay, and apoptosis rates were measured using flow cytometry. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction between Cullin5 and PD-L1, and ubiquitination assays were conducted to investigate the ubiquitination effect of Cullin5 on PD-L1. Cells were further transfected with PD-L1 overexpression (oe-PD-L1) and flag-Cullin5 and assigned into the flag-Cullin5 group, flag-Cullin5+oe-NC group, and flag-Cullin5+oe-PD-L1 group. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression levels of Cullin5 and PD-L1 mRNA and protein post-X-ray radiation in these groups. Cell survival rates and apoptosis rates were measured following radiation. Statistical differences between two or among multiple groups were analyzed using LSD- t test or one-way ANOVA. Results:Compared with the flag-NC group, the flag-Cullin5 group showed increased expression levels of Cullin5 mRNA and protein, and decreased PD-L1 protein expression (all P<0.05). Following radiation doses of 4 and 8 Gy, there was a reduction in cell survival rates and an increase in apoptosis rates (both P<0.05). Co-immunoprecipitation assay revealed the presence of PD-L1 in the Cullin5 immunoprecipitate and vice versa. Ubiquitination levels of PD-L1 protein were higher in the flag-Cullin5 group compared to those in the flag-NC group. Additionally, compared to the flag-Cullin5 group, the flag-Cullin5+oe-PD-L1 group exhibited increased PD-L1 mRNA and protein levels (both P<0.05), and following radiation doses of 4 and 8 Gy, these cells showed higher survival rates and lower apoptosis rates (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Cullin5 enhances the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma multiforme cells to radiation therapy through mediating the ubiquitination degradation of PD-L1.

Objective To explore the role and efficacy of VEGF and HGF gene adenovirus vector in promoting angiogenesis in ischemic tissue.Methods 84 Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham group,control group,VEGF group,HGF group and VEGF+HGF group,and the left lower limb ischemia model was established.The blood supply of ischemic tissue was observed by rheometer,and the expression levels of VEGF and HGF in each group were detected by Western Blot and ELISA.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect angiogenesis(CD31,SMA)in ischemic tissues.Safety was assessed by side effects during treatment in mice.Results After the successful modeling,the blood flow velocity of the left lower limb in each group decreased significantly.On the 7th day after operation,the blood flow of the left lower limb in each group was significantly better than that on the 0th day after operation(P<0.05),and the blood flow of the left lower limb in Ad-VEGF-HGF group was significantly better than that in other groups(P<0.05).On the 28th day after operation,the blood flow of the left lower limb in Ad-VEGF-HGF group gradually stabilized,the blood flow in Ad-VEGF-HGF group was significantly better than that in other groups,and both VEGF group and HGF group were significantly better than the control group(P<0.05).On the 7th,14th,and 28th days following surgery,HGF and VEGF protein levels in the Ad-HGF,Ad-VEGF,and Ad-VEGF-HGF groups were substantially greater than those in the control group(P<0.05).The expression level in the Ad-VEGF-HGF group peaked on the 14th day(all P<0.001)and subsequently declined to preoperative levels on the 28th day after operation.Conclusion Ad-VEGF-HGF gene injection can effectively boost VEGF and HGF protein expression and rapidly reach the relative peak level,encour-aging angiogenesis after lower limb ischemia,increasing blood flow,and improving lower limb circulation.

BACKGROUND:In clinical practice,Cibotium barometz and Epimedium have shown significant efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,but the complex active ingredients contained in the two have an unclear mechanism of action at the molecular level for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE:Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,to establish a collagen-induced arthritis model and to verify the potential targets and pathways of Cibotium barometz and Epimedium in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,providing reliable experimental evidence for the use of clinical formulas with Cibotium barometz and Epimedium as the main components. METHODS:Utilizing traditional Chinese medicine research platforms,traditional Chinese medicine encyclopedias,and databases of traditional Chinese medicine and chemical components from the Shanghai Institute of Organic,effective ingredients were retrieved and identified.3D molecular formulas were obtained from the PubChem platform and target predictions were made using PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction.Disease targets for rheumatoid arthritis were obtained from gene databases such as DrugBank,GeneCards,and OMIM.The intersections of targets and Cibotium barometz and Epimedium were plotted using VENNY 2.1 after calibration with the Uniport database.A protein-protein interaction network graph was constructed using the STRING platform.Gene Ontology function analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed using the Metascape platform for data visualization.A four-layered network model of traditional Chinese medicine,ingredients,targets,diseases,and pathways was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.0.The main effective ingredients were docked with core targets using AutoDock-Vina software to explore the best binding targets.A type II collagen+adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model was established,and the effects of Cibotium barometz and Epimedium on relevant pathway targets and inflammatory cell factors were observed after 21 days of intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 28 active ingredients from Cibotium barometz and Epimedium were selected,yielding 288 intersection targets for rheumatoid arthritis.The main ingredients included isobavachalcone,cibotium,and epimedium.The main targets included protein kinase 1 for serine/threonine(AKT1),tumor necrosis factor,and vascular endothelial growth factor A.Gene ontology analysis yielded 2 232 biological processes,mainly related to serine protein phosphorylation,positive regulation of serine/threonine protein kinase,and reactive oxygen metabolism.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis yielded 202 pathways,mainly involving the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway,which may exert therapeutic effects by regulating synovial cell apoptosis and proliferation and suppressing inflammatory factors.Molecular docking results showed the strongest binding activity and stable structure of Cibotium barometz and Epimedium with AKT1 and estrogen receptor transcription factor 1,which was closely related to apoptosis and proliferation and inflammatory signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT.Cibotium barometz and Epimedium reduced the expression of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in the serum of collagen-induced arthritis rat models.Cibotium barometz and Epimedium reduced the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT,and p-FOXO1 in the synovium of collagen-induced arthritis rat models.The results indicate that the combination of Cibotium barometz and Epimedium may exert therapeutic effects by inhibiting the proliferation of synovial cells and suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors via the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway.This may be closely related to the occurrence of inflammation and bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis,and provides a reference for the rational use and development of new drugs in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:One-hole split endoscope technique has been widely used in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases,but there is no relevant literature on the safety analysis of this technique in the treatment of upper lumbar disc herniation. OBJECTIVE:To observe the position relationship of nerve roots,intervertebral space and bone landmarks in the upper lumbar spine by three-dimensional lumbar CT reconstruction technology,and to provide a basis for the clinical operation of one-hole split endoscope surgery. METHODS:Twenty-six patients with upper lumbar disc herniation underwent a lumbar CT scan.Mimics 17.0 software was imported to measure the related imaging parameters of L1/2 to L3/4 segments:(1)Measurement of vertical distance:In coronal view,the distance(a)from the intersection point of the medial facet of the superior articular process and the superior endplate(N)to the apex of the articular process(S);in the coronal view,the distance(b)from the sagittal intersection(M)of N and the inferior endplate to the apex of the inferior articular process(X).(2)Measured horizontal distance:the distance(c)between the cross-section of N and the lower edge of the outlet nerve root(N2);distance(d)between the cross-section of N and the intersection point of neural tissue(N1);N1 to N2 distance(e);distance(f)between the cross-section of M and the lateral edge of the nerve tissue(M1);M to M cross-section and exit nerve root intersection(M2)distance(g);distance(h)from M1 to M2;distance(i)from M2 to N1;distance(j)from the posterior edge of the articular surface(R)to M2 in sagittal view of the superior articular process. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With the decrease of the segment,the distances a and b gradually increased,and the distance j gradually decreased.There was no significant difference between L1/2 and L2/3 segments(P>0.05).(2)With the decrease of the segment,distance d first decreased and then increased;distance f gradually decreased;distances c,e,g,h and i gradually increased;and there was no significant difference between L2/3 and L3/4 segments(P>0.05).(3)Distance i was the shortest distance without pulling nerve roots in the natural state,and the area of the safety zone was between four points M1,M2,N1,and N2.The bone was removed to the upper and lower endplates by biting the bone downward and upward through S and X,respectively,to expose the intervertebral space,and the window of distance g to M2 could be opened outward to avoid injury of the outlet nerve roots.(4)In conclusion,the upper lumbar vertebrae have unique anatomical characteristics.Based on the relevant measurements of nerve roots,spinal dura and intervertebral space,the parameters of the one-hole split endoscope technique are more accurate and safe during operation.