Objective To investigate the impact of dexmedetomidine on epidural fibrosis after spinal surgery in rats through the transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)signaling pathway.Meth-ods A total of 40 rats were selected,with 10 rats assigned to control group.The remaining 30 rats underwent spinal surgery modeling and were randomly divided into model group,dexmedetomidine group,and dexmedetomidine+TGF-β1 agonist group,with 10 rats in each.Rats with unsuccessful modeling were excluded,resulting in 9 rats in each group for subsequent analysis.Pathological char-acteristics of epidural scar tissue,fibroblast count,PCNA-positive cell expression rate,levels of in-flammatory markers[interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,IL-8],stress response indicators[malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)],and expression levels of mRNAs and proteins related to the TGF-β1 signaling pathway were observed and compared among the groups.Results Compared with the control group,the other three groups showed increased fibroblast count,elevated PCNA-positive cell expression rate,higher levels of IL-6,IL-1β,IL-8,and MDA,lower SOD levels,and increased expression levels of TGF-β1 mRNA,Smad3 mRNA,and TGF-β1 and Smad3 proteins,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,both the dexmedetomidine group and the dexmedetomidine+TGF-β1 agonist group exhibited decreased fibroblast count,re-duced PCNA-positive cell expression rate,lower levels of IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-8 and MDA,higher SOD levels,and decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 mRNA,Smad3 mRNA,and TGF-β1 and Smad3 proteins,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Compared with the dexmedetomidine group,the dexmedetomidine+TGF-β1 agonist group showed increased fibroblast count,elevated PCNA-positive cell expression rate,higher levels of IL-6,IL-1 β,IL-8 and MDA,lower SOD lev-els,and increased expression levels of TGF-β1 mRNA,Smad3 mRNA,and TGF-β1 and Smad3 proteins,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can significantly alleviate the inflammatory response and stress response after spinal surgery in rats and reduce postoperative epidural fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Objective To elucidate the influence of two procedures aortic root remodeling using a straight tubular artificial vessel while preserving the aortic valve and the Florida sleeve procedure on the biomechanics of the aortic root.Methods Five finite element models of the aortic root were reconstructed using computed tomography angiography images,including two cases of aortic root remodeling(A1 and A2),two cases of the Florida sleeve procedure(B1 and B2),and one control group without aortic root pathology(C).Numerical simulations were performed to obtain the blood flow and pressure distribution result to assess the differences in the hemodynamics of the aortic root.Results There were no significant differences in the peak systolic velocity between the two procedures and the control.However,the flow velocity after aortic root remodeling was smoother,similar to the model of the control group,with a more stable average aortic pressure and wall shear stress.In the Florida sleeve procedure,high-speed blood flow affected the vessel wall,leading to various degrees of wall shear stress and pressure concentrations along the aortic wall.Conclusions After aortic root replacement with valve preservation,blood flow patterns in the reconstructed aortic root depended on postoperative changes in sinus geometry.Both surgical procedures showed favorable blood flow patterns;however,the flow pattern after aortic root remodeling was more stable than that after the Florida sleeve procedure.

Objective:To explore the influencing factors and pathways of home-based exercise rehabilitation compliance in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), so as to provide theoretical basis for formulating targeted intervention program.Methods:From July 2022 to February 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 220 patients who underwent PCI at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital affiliated with Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University as the study subject. A survey was conducted on patients using the General Information Questionnaires, Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale, Illness Perception and Behavior Questionnaire in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease after PCI, Social Support Rating Scale, and Exercise Rehabilitation Compliance Follow-up Scale.Results:A total of 220 questionnaires were distributed, and 215 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 97.73% (215/220). The Exercise Rehabilitation Compliance Follow-up Scale in 215 patients after PCI was (11.35±3.85). The mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy between social support and exercise compliance was 0.150 [95% CI (0.055, 0.167), P<0.01], and the mediating effect of disease cognition between social support and exercise compliance after PCI was 0.065 [95% CI (0.016, 0.090), P<0.05]. The direct effect of social support on exercise compliance was 0.238 [95% CI (0.064, 0.278), P<0.01], and the indirect effect was 0.215 [95% CI (0.083, 0.233), P<0.05], and the mediating effect accounted for 47.46% of the total effect. Conclusions:Social support can directly or indirectly affect the compliance of patients with home-based exercise rehabilitation through the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy and post PCI disease cognition. Medical and nursing staff can improve patient exercise self-efficacy and disease cognition by constructing intervention strategies based on social support, thereby enhancing home-based exercise rehabilitation compliance.

Objective To discuss the perioperative care and wound protection of xenotransplantation from genetically edited pigs to monkeys, with the goal of improving the success rate of such experimental procedures. Methods From October 2022 to October 2023, perioperative care and wound protection were performed on 7 recipient rhesus monkeys undergoing xenotransplantation of genetically edited pig tissues and organs. Customized wound protective garments were designed based on monkeys' size and surgical area to protect the wounds, alongside meticulous perioperative care. This included preoperative preparation and medication, intraoperative monitoring of physiological indicators and anesthesia management, and postoperative care comprising wound protection, observation and monitoring, and nutritional support. Results All seven monkeys successfully underwent xenotransplantation. With the aid of protective garments and detailed care, all surgical wounds healed by first intention, and postoperative recovery was satisfactory. Conclusion Proper care and wound protection during xenotransplantation from genetically edited pigs to monkeys not only promote wound healing, but also alleviate pain and harm to animals. This has significant implications for advancing experimental research in pig-monkey xenotransplantation and enhancing animal welfare.

Pregnancy with solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) is rare. Because pregnancy hormones may cause tumor progression, the management and treatment of SPTP need to balance the safety of pregnant women and fetuses with surgical treatment. We reported a case of a giant pancreatic tumor diagnosed during pregnancy that was considered to be SPTP. Examinations also showed hepatitis B virus infection and severe decompensation of liver cirrhosis. Medical termination of pregnancy was performed. The patient has lived with the tumor until now without surgery. We retrieved the published case reports, summarized the clinical characteristics of pregnancy with SPTP, and explored its management during the perinatal period. Most patients with SPTP have a good prognosis with good maternal and fetal outcomes, and it is important to choose an appropriate treatment method and timing. However, pregnancy combined with decompensated liver cirrhosis needs to be terminated in a timely manner because of its high-risk status.

In this article, we report a case of spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy with successful delivery after myomectomy. A 35-year-old pregnant female (27 weeks of gestation) presented with lower abdominal pain. The patient had a history of uterine fibroids. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma (maximum diameter: 12.6 cm). Myomectomy was performed, and her abdominal distension and pain were significantly improved within 1 day; the condition of the fetus was normal. One month after surgery, severe tenderness was detected in the lower right side of the uterus. Considering the higher risk of uterine rupture and associated complications, a cesarean section was performed. The mother and neonate were discharged 3 and 42 days after delivery, respectively, in good condition. Myomectomy for spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy may be feasible and extend gestational age to improve outcomes for the mother and neonate.

In this article, we report a case of spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy with successful delivery after myomectomy. A 35-year-old pregnant female (27 weeks of gestation) presented with lower abdominal pain. The patient had a history of uterine fibroids. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma (maximum diameter: 12.6 cm). Myomectomy was performed, and her abdominal distension and pain were significantly improved within 1 day; the condition of the fetus was normal. One month after surgery, severe tenderness was detected in the lower right side of the uterus. Considering the higher risk of uterine rupture and associated complications, a cesarean section was performed. The mother and neonate were discharged 3 and 42 days after delivery, respectively, in good condition. Myomectomy for spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy may be feasible and extend gestational age to improve outcomes for the mother and neonate.

Pregnancy with solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) is rare. Because pregnancy hormones may cause tumor progression, the management and treatment of SPTP need to balance the safety of pregnant women and fetuses with surgical treatment. We reported a case of a giant pancreatic tumor diagnosed during pregnancy that was considered to be SPTP. Examinations also showed hepatitis B virus infection and severe decompensation of liver cirrhosis. Medical termination of pregnancy was performed. The patient has lived with the tumor until now without surgery. We retrieved the published case reports, summarized the clinical characteristics of pregnancy with SPTP, and explored its management during the perinatal period. Most patients with SPTP have a good prognosis with good maternal and fetal outcomes, and it is important to choose an appropriate treatment method and timing. However, pregnancy combined with decompensated liver cirrhosis needs to be terminated in a timely manner because of its high-risk status.

Background/Aims: The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising in Asia recently. The study aimed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the current status of drug therapy and monitoring for IBD in Asia. Methods: A questionnaire investigation on drug therapy and monitoring for IBD was conducted right before the 6th Annual Meeting of Asian Organization for Crohn’s & Colitis. Questionnaires were provided to Asian physicians to fill out via emails between March and May 2018. Results: In total, responses of 166 physicians from 129 medical centers were included for analysis. Among the surveyed regions, the most average number of IBD specialist gastroenterologists and nurses was 4.8 per center in Taiwan and 2.5 per center in Mainland China, respectively. 5-Aminosalicylic acid/sulfasalazine (99.4%) was the most preferred first-line choice for mild-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC), meanwhile corticosteroid (83.7%) was widely applied for severe UC. The first-line medication for Crohn’s disease (CD) markedly varied as corticosteroid (68.1%) was the most favored in Mainland China, Japan, and South Korea, followed by infliximab (52.4%) and azathioprine (47.0%). Step-up strategy was preferred in mild-moderate UC (96.4%), while 51.8% of the physicians selected top-down treatment for CD. Only 25.9% and 17.5% of the physicians could test blood concentration of infliximab and antibody to infliximab in their hospitals, respectively. Conclusions The current status of drug therapy and monitoring for IBD in Asia possesses commonalities as well as differences. Asian recommendations, IBD specialist teams and practice of therapeutic drug monitoring are required to improve IBD management in Asia.

Micro- and mini-bioreactors are characterized by their miniature working volume and comprehensive monitoring of process data, e.g., biomass, pH, dissolved oxygen, and fluorescence that are on par with conventional bench-top systems. The technical advancements of micro- and mini-bioreactors are supported by single-use material and micro-manufacturing, non-invasive optical sensors, automation such as industrial robotics and the integration of design of experiment software with data acquisition and process control. Owing to the miniature scales, micro-bioreactors typically feature lower turbulence intensity and energy dissipation rate, resulting in different mass transfer, mixing and shear conditions as compared to industrial scale equipment. Mini-bioreactors, nevertheless, are closer to large vessels. Micro- and mini-bioreactors are used mostly in screening and process development nowadays, owing to their combined high throughput and richness of data. They are also the hardware that will enable "precision medicine" in the near future.
Biomass ; Bioreactors ; Oxygen