To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a new Chinese medicine (CM)-based drug and to evaluate its safety and effect for suppressing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A putative ARDS-suppressing drug Keguan-1 was first developed and then evaluated by a randomized, controlled two-arm trial. The two arms of the trial consist of a control therapy (alpha interferon inhalation, 50 µg twice daily; and lopinavir/ritonavir, 400 and 100 mg twice daily, respectively) and a testing therapy (control therapy plus Keguan-1 19.4 g twice daily) by random number table at 1:1 ratio with 24 cases each group. After 2-week treatment, adverse events, time to fever resolution, ARDS development, and lung injury on newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients were assessed. RESULTS: An analysis of the data from the first 30 participants showed that the control arm and the testing arm did not exhibit any significant differences in terms of adverse events. Based on this result, the study was expanded to include a total of 48 participants (24 cases each arm). The results show that compared with the control arm, the testing arm exhibited a significant improvement in time to fever resolution (P=0.035), and a significant reduction in the development of ARDS (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS Keguan-1-based integrative therapy was safe and superior to the standard therapy in suppressing the development of ARDS in COVID-19 patients. (Trial registration No. NCT04251871 at www.clinicaltrials.gov ).
Administration, Inhalation ; Adult ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; Lopinavir ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Risk Assessment ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Severity of Illness Index ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect and safety of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A for Injection (HSYAI) in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and blood stasis syndrome (BSS). METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, multiple-dose, active-controlled phase II trial was conducted at 9 centers in China from July 2013 to September 2015. Patients with moderate or severe AIS and BSS were randomly assigned to low-, medium-, high-dose HSYAI groups (25, 50 and 70 mg/d HSYAI by intravenous infusion, respectively), and a control group (Dengzhan Xixin Injection (, DZXXI) 30 mL/d by intravenous infusion), for 14 consecutive days. The primary outcome was the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ⩽1 at days 90 after treatment. The secondary outcomes included the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ⩽1, Barthel Index (BI) score ⩾95, and BSS score reduced ⩾30% from baseline at days 14, 30, 60, and 90 after treatment. The safety outcomes included any adverse events during 90 days after treatment. RESULTS: Of the 266 patients included in the effectiveness analysis, 66, 67, 65 and 68 cases were in the low-, medium-, and high-dose HSYAI and control groups, respectively. The proportions of patients in the medium- and high-dose HSYAI groups with mRS score ⩽1 at days 90 after treatment were significantly larger than the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of favorable outcomes of NIHSS and BI at days 90 after treatment as well as satisfactory improvement of BSS at days 30 and 60 after treatment in the medium- and high-dose HSYAI groups were all significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was reported among the 4 groups in any specific adverse events (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS HSYAI was safe and well-tolerated at all doses for treating AIS patients with BSS. The medium (50 mg/d) or high dose (75 mg/d) might be the optimal dose for a phase III trial. (Registration No. ChiCTR-2000029608).

This case presents vertical root fracture with vital pulp in mandibular right first molar. Examinations of the history, clinical tests, laser Doppler flowmetry, and radiographs revealed that the tooth showed positive response to electric pulp testing and was normal compared with the healthy control tooth. This study aimed to use a novel vital preserving surgical technique (microapical surgery and nanometer bioactive materials) to make an effective therapeutic decision for the vital tooth with vertical root fracture.
Dental Pulp ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth Fractures ; Tooth Root

Objective To explore the clinical outcomes of locking plate fixation of intertrochanteric fractures in patients with deformed proximal femur.Methods A retrospective review was made of the 25 patients with intertrochanteric fracture and deformed proximal femur who had been treated from January 2009 to July 2015.They were 17 men and 8 women,from 22 to 76 years of age (mean,45.2 years).The proximal femoral deformities were postpoliomyelitis syndrome in 6 cases,fibrous dysplasia in 4,malunion in 13,and hip varus caused by implant breakage following intramedullary nailing in 2.By AO classification,there were 4 cases of type 31-A2.1,3 ones of type 31-A2.2,16 ones of type 31-A3.1,and 2 ones of type 31-A3.2.All the patients were treated by open reduction plus locking plate fixation.At the final follow-up,function of the affected hip was evaluated by the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS),and quality of life of the patients was evaluated using the SF-36 health survey questionnaire.Results The 25 patients were effectively followed up for 12 to 24 months (mean,17.4 months).No infection,pneumonia,fat embolism,or deep venous thrombosis of lower limb was observed.The fractures healed without nonunion or refracture after a mean time of 5.9 months (range,from 3 to 6 months) in the 25 patients.By the HOOS evaluation at the final follow-ups,the 25 patients scored,on average,83.7± 15.6 in pain,55.6± 14.1 in symptoms,53.6 ± 9.5 in daily living function,52.7 ± 8.9 in sports and recreational activities and 62.4 ± 12.3 in quality of life;by SF-36 evaluation,they had a mean total score of 71.2 ± 13.8.Both the HOOS and SF-36 scores were not significantly different from the pre-injury values (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Locking plate fixation is a simple and effective way for the intertrochanteric fractures complicated with deformed proximal femur because intramedullary nailing is difficult or infeasible.

Objective To explore the setup error and area registration error during lung cancer radiotherapy by using the on board imager (OBI) of the linear accelerator. Methods Totally 50 lung cancer patients underwent image-guided radiation therapy. Then OBI system was used for the scan validation by electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and cone beam CT (CBCT), and comparative analysis was executed on the setup errors of EPID and CBCT. Results The translation errors of EPID were (-1.62 ±1.58), (2.12 ±1.49) and (4.52 ±2.42)mm respectively at Lat, Vrt and Lng directions, while those of CBCT were (-1.27±1.25), (1.43±1.57) and (3.12±2.62) mm respectively. The registration errors at Lat, Vrt and Lng directions and rotation angle of lung tissue were (-1.27±1.25), (1.43±1.57), (3.12±2.62)mm and (0.5±1.6)° respectively, and those of target area were (-1.56±1.78), (1.68±2.39), (3.42±2.73)mm and (0.8±1.9)° respectively. CBCT and EPID had statistical differences (P<0.05) in setup error validation as well as setup errors at Vrt and Lng directions. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) when CBCT self-registration was involved in selecting different areas. Conclusion CBCT and EPID can both used for the setup validation of lung cancer, while the former behaved better than the latter.

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of mini-locking plate with vertical or parallel technology in the treatment of Dubberley type B capitellar fractures.Methods A case series study was done on clinical data of 17 cases of Dubberley type B capitellar fractures treated through operation with vertical or parallel mini-locking plate.There were 12 males and 5 females,with age range of 23-77 years (mean 56.4 years).The fractures were classified according to the Dubberley system,including type Ⅰ B in 2 cases,Ⅱ B in 6 and type Ⅱ B in 9.The operations were conducted through the Kocher approach at posterior-lateral rear elbow joint and the fractured bone was fixed firstly with Kirschner wire and mini screws after resetting and then with vertical or parallel mini locking plate.The surgery time and bleeding volume during the surgery were recorded.The position of fracture,healing,avascular necrosis of capitellum,heterotopic ossification,and traumatic arthritis were evaluated.At the final follow-up,the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was used to evaluate the function of elbow,and flexion andextension of the elbow,swing of the forearm and inner stability of the elbow joint were evaluated.Results The surgery time was 50-90 minutes (mean 60 minutes).The bleeding volume during surgery was 40-120 ml (mean 60 ml).All patients were followed up for 12-24 months (mean 12.1 months).Anatomical reduction was seen in 12 cases and ahnost anatomical reduction in 5.None had vessel or nerve wound,and the wound was healed at phase Ⅰ within 10-12 days after operation.The clinical fracture healing time was 8-12 weeks (mean 11.4 weeks).At the final follow-up,the fractures were well healed without complications like fracture reduction loss,ischemic necrosis of the humerus,traumatic arthritis or heterotopic ossification of the elbow joint.MEPS in all cases was 60-100 points (mean 87.6 points).MEPS assessment result was excellent in 13 cases,good in 3 and fair in 1,with the excellent rate of 94％.At the final follow-up,the average activity of the elbow was 6 ° (0°-10°) for extension and 118 ° (90°-130°) for flexion,the average forearm pronation was 70° (60°-90°),the average forearm supination was 82° (70°-90°),and the inner stress test showed no instability.Conclusion Vertical or parallel mini-lockiug plate in the treatment of Dubberley type B capitellar fractures is associated with few complications,early functional exercise after operation,and satisfactory short-term outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of China-made sildenafil citrate (Jinge) in the treatment of ED. METHODS: We conducted a multi-center, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial among 222 ED patients in five urological or andrological clinics of China. The patients were randomly assigned to receive sildenafil citrate (SC, n = 111) or placebo (n = 111) for 8 weeks. We obtained and analyzed the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the scores of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the success rate of sexual intercourse, and the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the patients of the SC and those of the placebo group in the mean age (［47.2±11.32］ yr vs ［46.67±13.08］ yr, P>0.05), psychological etiology (27.93% vs 23.42%, P>0.05), organic etiology (21.62% vs 29.73%, P>0.05) or mixed etiology (50.45% vs 46.85%, P>0.05), nor in height, weight, nationality, or history of smoking, drinking or allergy. Compared with the placebo controls, the SC-treated patients showed significant increases in the excellence rate of effectiveness (29.91% vs 78.90%, P<0.01), success rate of sexual intercourse (29.16% vs 63.87%, P<0.01), and total effectiveness rate (34.58% vs 77.98%, P<0.01). The effectiveness rates on organic, psychogenic and mixed types ED were remarkably higher in the SC group (64.52%, 83.33%, and 82.14%) than in the placebo control (46.15%, 21.21%, and 25.00%) (P<0.01). Mild or temporary adverse events were observed in 32 cases in the SC group as compared with 13 in the placebo control. CONCLUSIONS China-made sildenafil citrate is an effective, safe and well-tolerated drug for ED of different etiologies in the Chinese population.
Aged ; China ; Coitus ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Compounding ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Sildenafil Citrate ; therapeutic use ; Smoking ; Treatment Outcome