OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of retrograde tibial nailing (RTN) and distal tibial L-shaped plating in the internal fixation of distal tibial fractures. METHODS: Fourteen fresh adult tibia specimens were selected, comprising 7 males and 7 females aged from 34 to 55 years old. The specimens were randomly divided into experimental group and control group by numerical table method with 7 specimens in each group. RTN was used for internal fixation of distal tibial fractures in the experimental group, and L-shaped plate was used for internal fixation of distal tibial fractures in the control group. The axial compression properties of the two groups of specimens were tested under the pressure of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 N after operation, and torsional resistance at torque levels of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 N·m. The anti-fatigue performance of the specimens was tested at 500 N pressure for 3 000 and 10 000 cycles. X-ray fluoroscopy was performed to observe whether the the internal fixator was deformed and whether the screw was loosened or broken. RESULTS: When the pressure was 400 N and 500 N, the axial compression displacement of the experimental group was (1.11±0.06) mm and (1.24±0.05) mm, which were smaller than those of the control group (1.21±0.08) mm and (1.37±0.11) mm, and the differences were statistically signific (P<0.05). Under the pressure of 500 N, the axial compression stiffness of the experimental group was (389.24±17.79) N·mm^-1, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (362.37±14.44) N·mm^-1(P<0.05). When the torque was 4 and 5 N·m, the torsion angles of the experimental group were (2.97±0.23) ° and (3.41±0.17) °, which were smaller than those of the control group (3.31±0.28) ° and (3.76±0.20) °, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). When the torque was 5 N·m, the torsional stiffness of the experimental group was (1.48±0.07) N·m per degree, which was higher than that of the control group (1.36±0.06) N·m per degree, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). For the intragroup comparison of fatigue resistance, the differences in axial compression displacement between the two groups were not statistically significant at 3 000 and 10 000 cycles (all P>0.05). When 3 000 times and 10 000 times of compression, the axial compression displacement of the experimental group was (1.38±0.08), (1.43±0.07) mm, which was smaller than that of the control group (1.51±0.10), (1.54±0.08) mm, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the experimental group, no screw loosening, fracture or internal fixation deformation was found, while in the control group, locking screw loosening occurred in 2 models after 10 000 pressures. CONCLUSION The biomechanical performance of RTN is obviously better than that of the distal tibial L-shaped plate, which provides biomechanical data support for the clinical application of RTN.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Tibial Fractures/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Bone Nails ; Tibia/surgery*

Testicular histology based on testicular biopsy is an important factor for determining appropriate testicular sperm extraction surgery and predicting sperm retrieval outcomes in patients with azoospermia. Therefore, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to establish the associations between testicular grayscale ultrasound images and testicular histology. We retrospectively included two-dimensional testicular grayscale ultrasound from patients with azoospermia (353 men with 4357 images between July 2017 and December 2021 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China) to develop a DL model. We obtained testicular histology during conventional testicular sperm extraction. Our DL model was trained based on ultrasound images or fusion data (ultrasound images fused with the corresponding testicular volume) to distinguish spermatozoa presence in pathology (SPP) and spermatozoa absence in pathology (SAP) and to classify maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) in patients with SAP. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to analyze model performance. DL based on images achieved an AUC of 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.908-0.935), a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting SPP (including normal spermatogenesis and hypospermatogenesis) and SAP (including MA and SCOS). In the identification of SCOS and MA, DL on fusion data yielded better diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.979 (95% CI: 0.969-0.989), a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 97.1%, and an accuracy of 92.1%. Our study provides a noninvasive method to predict testicular histology for patients with azoospermia, which would avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/diagnostic imaging* ; Deep Learning ; Testis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of hypericin on osteoporosis(OP)in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods COPD combined with OP rat model was established by cigarette combined with bacteria.The rats were randomly divided into control group,model group(COPD combined with OP model was constructed),experimental-L group(50 mg·kg-1 hypericin was given by intragastric administration after constructing COPD combined with OP model),experimental-H group(100 mg·kg-1 hypericin was given intragastric administration after constructing COPD combined with OP model),positive group(subcutaneous injection of 16 U·kg-1 salmon calcitonin after constructing COPD combined with OP model);each group was given 12 rats for 90 days.The lung function of rats was detected by pulmonary function apparatus;bone mineral density(BMD)was detected by micro-computed tomography(CT);serum bone metabolism and inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);Western blot assay was used to detect the relevant indicators of the pathway.Results The levels of forced vital capacity(FVC)in control group,model group,experimental-H group and positive group were(10.42±1.40),(4.10±0.60),(6.75±0.37),(4.18±0.33)mL,respectively;BMD levels were(0.31±0.04),(0.12±0.02),(0.28±0.03),(0.29±0.04)g·mm-3,respectively;bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP)levels were(200.04±20.03),(80.80±6.00),(148.16±14.23),(173.97±23.55)U·L1,respectively;interleukin-1β(IL-1β)levels were(122.60±8.70),(695.59±74.84),(422.41±44.86),(527.90±39.36)pg·mL-1,respectively;phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-P38)protein expression levels were 0.99±0.11,0.36±0.05,0.79±0.08,0.36±0.04,respectively.Compared with the control group,the above indexes in the model group had statistical significance(all P＜0.05);the above indexes in experimental-H group were significantly different from those in model group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Hypericin can inhibit inflammatory response,improve bone metabolism and biomechanics.

Objective To analyze the effects of different anastomotic methods on flap survival rate and wound healing factors of patients with transplantation of superficial branch perforator flap of superficial circumflex iliac artery(SCIA).Methods A total of 100 patients with skin defects of limbs admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to August 2022 were selected and divided into end-to-end anastomosis group(56 cases)and end-to-side anastomosis group(44 cases)according to different anastomosis methods.In the end-to-end anastomosis group,the end of the flap artery was anastomosed with the end of the aortic branch in the affected area.In the end-to-side anastomosis group,the end of recipient flap artery was anastomosed with the side of aorta.Patients in both groups were followed up for 6 to 12 months,the arterial caliber,lateral caliber and anastomosis time were compared between the two groups.The survival of the flap,the occurrence of venous crisis,the shape and function of the flap and donor area were observed.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the arterial caliber or lateral caliber of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).The anastomosis time of patients in the end-to-end anastomosis group was significantly shorter than that in the end-to-side anastomosis group(P<0.05).All 56 cases in the end-to-end anastomosis group survived.In the end-to-side anastomosis group,venous crisis occurred in 4 cases,with venous thrombosis,2 cases survived after re-anastomosis,2 cases were changed to abdominal pedicled flap when venous crisis occurred again,the appearance and function of the flap and donor area were satisfactory 6 months to 1 year after surgery(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in color,thickness,vascular distribution or flexibility of donor area of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in pain,appearance,vitality and recreation of recipient area of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The application of different arterial anastomosis methods in the transplantation of superficial branch perforator flap of SCIA for the treatment of skin and soft tissue defects of limbs is safe and reliable,the postoperative survival of the flap is good,the healing is not affected by the anastomosis method,and the appearance of the affected area is satisfactory,which is worthy of clinical promotion.

The amygdala is an important hub for regulating emotions and is involved in the pathophysiology of many mental diseases, such as depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating emotions and mainly functions through the cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB₁R), which is strongly expressed in the amygdala of non-human primates (NHPs). However, it remains largely unknown how the CB₁Rs in the amygdala of NHPs regulate mental diseases. Here, we investigated the role of CB₁R by knocking down the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene encoding CB₁R in the amygdala of adult marmosets through regional delivery of AAV-SaCas9-gRNA. We found that CB₁R knockdown in the amygdala induced anxiety-like behaviors, including disrupted night sleep, agitated psychomotor activity in new environments, and reduced social desire. Moreover, marmosets with CB₁R-knockdown had up-regulated plasma cortisol levels. These results indicate that the knockdown of CB₁Rs in the amygdala induces anxiety-like behaviors in marmosets, and this may be the mechanism underlying the regulation of anxiety by CB₁Rs in the amygdala of NHPs.
Animals ; Callithrix ; Receptors, Cannabinoid ; Anxiety ; Amygdala ; Cannabinoids ; Phenotype

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.

Humans ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/complications* ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/complications* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Osteoma, Osteoid/surgery* ; Bone Neoplasms/surgery* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To compare the pancreatic proteomics and autophagy between Rehmanniae Radix-and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata-treated mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). The T2DM mouse model was established by high-fat diet coupled with streptozotocin(STZ, intraperitoneal injection, 100 mg·kg~(-1), once a day for three consecutive days). The mice were then randomly assigned into a control group, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) catalpol groups, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) 5-hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde(5-HMF) groups, and a metformin(250 mg·kg~(-1)) group. In addition, a normal group was also set and each group included 8 mice. The pancreas was collected after four weeks of administration and proteomics tools were employed to study the effects of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on protein expression in the pancreas of T2DM mice. The expression levels of proteins involved in autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress response in the pancreatic tissues of T2DM mice were determined by western blotting, immunohistochemical assay, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the differential proteins between the model group and Rehmanniae Radix/Rehmanniae Radix Prae-parata group were enriched in 7 KEGG pathways, such as autophagy-animal, which indicated that the 7 pathways may be associated with T2DM. Compared with the control group, drug administration significantly up-regulated the expression levels of beclin1 and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)/mTOR and down-regulated those of the inflammation indicators, Toll-like receptor-4(TLR4) and Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), in the pancreas of T2DM mice, and Rehmanniae Radix showed better performance. In addition, the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), and heine oxygenase-1(HO-1) in the pancreas of T2DM mice were down-regulated after drug administration, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata demonstrated better performance. The results indicate that both Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can alleviate the inflammatory symptoms, reduce oxidative stress response, and increase the autophagy level in the pancreas of T2DM mice, while they exert the effect on different autophagy pathways.
Mice ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Streptozocin/pharmacology* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Proteomics ; Inflammation ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Autophagy ; Mammals

OBJECTIVE To establish characteristic HPLC chromatograms for Jubei mixture, and to simultaneous determine its six components by HPLC-ELSD. METHODS An HPLC specific chromatogram of the Jubei mixture was established. The chromatographic column was Agilent ZORBAX-C18(250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm), gradient elution was conducted with acetonitrile(A)-0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution(B) as the mobile phase, the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, and the column temperature was 30℃, the detection wavelength was 250 nm. An HPLC-ELSD method was established and the chromatography was accomplished on a Waters T3 C18(250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) column, the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile(A)-1% acetic acid aqueous solution(B) in a gradient mode, the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, the column temperature was set at 30℃. RESULTS The characteristic chromatograms of the HPLC with baicalin as the reference peak was established, and eight common peaks were defined. The linear ranges of amygdalin, liquiritin, peimine, peiminine, platycodin D and ophiopogonin D were good within their own ranges(r ≥ 0.999). The average recovery were 99.1%, 98.6%, 100.9%, 97.7%, 98.9% and 98.0%, RSD were 0.4%, 1.0%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 0.7% and 1.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION The established methods can be used to qualitative identification and quantitative determination of Jubei mixture, can effectively used for evaluation and quality control of Jubei mixture.