Objective:To investigate the efficacy of self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription as adjuvant therapy for varicocele-induced infertility and its impact on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ET/ICSI).Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 99 patients with varicocele-induced infertility in our hospital from January 2022 to July 2023 were selected as observation subjects and divided into three groups using a random number table method, with 33 patients in each group. The low ligation group received low ligation of varicocele under a microscope, the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group received low ligation + conventional Western medicine therapy, and the combined group received low ligation + conventional Western medicine therapy + a self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription. Among them, the low ligation of varicocele under a microscope was followed by IVF-ET/ICSI assisted reproductive technology 3 months after surgery; the conventional Western medicine therapy involved continuous administration of L-carnitine oral solution for 3 months; the self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription was started on the first day after surgery and continued for 3 months. TCM syndrome scores were assessed before and after treatment, and semen routine analysis was performed using an automated semen quality analyzer. Mitochondrial activity of granulosa cells was measured using the Hrudka extraction method, and sperm nuclear DNA integrity was assessed using a modified alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis method. Follow-up was conducted for 1 year to observe and record the outcomes of IVF-ET/ICSI and evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results:The total effective rate was 93.9% (31/33) in the combined group, 69.7% (23/33) in the low ligation group, and 75.8% (25/33) in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group, with statistical significance ( χ 2=6.52, P=0.039). After treatment, the scores for mild abdominal pain, testicular heavy pain, impotence, mental fatigue, and the total score in the combined group were lower than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 89.29, 97.51, 136.36, 155.06, and 311.13, respectively, P<0.001). The sperm survival rate, sperm concentration, normal morphology rate, and progressive motility rate in the combined group were higher than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 19.23, 11.85, 35.97, and 52.21, respectively, P<0.001). Mitochondrial grade I cell activity of granulosa cells was higher than that of the low ligation + conventional treatment group and low ligation group ( F=23.23, P<0.001), and grade Ⅲ cell activity was lower than that of the low ligation + conventional treatment group and low ligation group ( F=20.28, P<0.001). After treatment, the detection of grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ sperm nuclear DNA integrity in the combined group were higher than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 17.73 and 18.39, respectively, P<0.001), while grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ were lower than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 29.07 and 10.36, respectively, P<0.001). During follow-up, the excellent embryo rate and the spouse's clinical pregnancy rate in the combined group were higher than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( χ2 values were 14.92 and 8.38, respectively; P values were 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). Conclusion:The adjuvant treatment with a self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription can enhance sperm quality in patients with varicocele-related infertility, maintain DNA integrity, regulate seminal plasma mitochondrial function, increase the rate of high-quality embryos, and improve the spouse's pregnancy outcomes.

Humans ; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems ; Prevalence ; Mental Disorders/epidemiology* ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Perception

Humans ; Cohort Studies ; Body Mass Index ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Inflammation ; Treatment Outcome ; Risk Factors

Objective To modify the mouse model of orthotopic left lung transplantation from different perspectives, aiming to establish a simpler, faster and stabler mouse model of lung transplantation. Methods Based on preliminary modified rat model of orthotopic left lung transplantation established by our team, varying extent of modifications were made regarding the tracheal intubation, cannula preparation and anastomosis procedures of orthotopic left lung transplantation in the recipient mice. Orthotopic left lung transplantation in 40 mice were performed by an operator with microsurgical experience. The dissection of the recipient's hilar structure was carried out at the plane of the hilar clamp model within the reverse-view, and the three branches (left main bronchus, pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein) of the pulmonary hilum were anastomosed in turn by the "pendulum" anastomosis method. The operation time of each procedure was recorded. The recipient mice were sacrificed at postoperative 2 weeks, and the incidence of postoperative complications was recorded. Results Lung transplantation was successfully completed in 40 mice, with no bronchial and vascular tearing or twisting, and no bleeding at the anastomosis site. The overall cardiopulmonary procurement time was (10.7±1.5) min, cannula preparation time was (16.2±1.5) min, cold ischemia time was (25.1±2.4) min, warm ischemia time was (19.4±1.6) min, and the total operation time was (57.2±2.9) min, respectively. During the follow-up from 6 to 14 days after surgery, one recipient mouse died of pleural effusion, probably caused by infection. No pneumothorax, thrombosis or atelectasis was found in the remaining recipient mice during postoperative follow-up. Conclusions The modified mouse model of orthotopic left lung transplantation based on "pendulum" anastomosis of the reverse-view plane possesses multiple advantages of short operation time, high success rate and few complications, which is expected to become an alternative model of studying pathological changes after lung transplantation and worthy of further application.

Objective:To improve the prenatal recognition and diagnostic accuracy of isolated tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) by analyzing fetal echocardiographic features.Methods:The fetal echocardiographic features of 7 cases with prenatal diagnosis of TVD were analyzed retrospectively in Pediatric Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University and Children′s Hospital of Shanxi from June 2012 to December 2020. The fetal echocardiographic characteristics of TVD were summarized.Results:Among the 7 fetuses with TVD, 6 cases showed functional pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and different degrees of pulmonary valve regurgitation, and 1 case showed slightly narrowed pulmonary artery. Characteristic sonographical findings included: ①The axis of heart was exaggerated left-axis deviation and the ratio of cardiothoracic was obviously increased. The right heart was enlarged, in which the right atrium was significantly dilated (an important feature of TVD). ②The position of tricuspid valve ring was normal, the attachment point of each leaf was normal, some tricuspid valves were thickened and insufficiency. ③It was common to be complicated with functional pulmonary valve atresia with intact ventricular septum or severe pulmonary valve stenosis. ④Color Doppler imaging showed severe tricuspid regurgitation and the regurgitation velocity was less than 350 cm/s (an important feature of TVD). ⑤In fetus with functional pulmonary valve atresia with intact ventricular septum, color Doppler imaging showed retrograded ductal flow across the pulmonary artery and the different degrees regurgitation of pulmonary valve.Conclusions:Fetal TVD has typical echocardiographic features, mainly including large tricuspid regurgitation and significant enlargement of the right atrium. The prognosis of fetus with functional pulmonary atresia is poor. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in prenatal consultation and prognosis evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional psychiatry is an emerging field of study that investigates the role of diet and nutrition in mental health. Studies conducted in the general population have linked depressive symptoms with poor dietary patterns. The aim of this study was to characterise the dietary intake and analyse the dietary pattern using the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) in a sample of psychiatric patients in a multiethnic Asian nation. METHODS: Participants were recruited from an outpatient clinic and an inpatient unit at the Institute of Mental Health in Singapore. Self-reported dietary habits of a sample of psychiatric patients (N=380) were analysed using DASH. To examine the variables associated with DASH scores, a linear regression was conducted with the full sample and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Persons with depressive disorders had a mean DASH score of 21.3 (±4.2), while persons with psychotic disorders had a mean DASH score of 21.2 (±4.9). Respondents who were older (B=1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-2.96, CONCLUSION Dietary patterns of persons with mental disorders were characterised. A host of sociodemographic factors, and not diagnosis of mental disorders, influenced the dietary quality of people with depressive and psychotic disorders. Clinicians treating psychiatric patients need to be aware of the nuanced reasons behind poor dietary choices and provide targeted psychoeducation to specific subgroups within the patient population.

Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Prevalence ; Schizophrenia ; Singapore

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of the in-patients with femoral supracondylar fracture in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2009 through 2018.Methods The medical imaging computer archiving and transmission system and the medical record inquiry system were used to collect the data of all the in-patients with femoral supracondylar fracture who had been treated from January 2009 through December 2018 in The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.Their gender and age distribution,basic sociological data and cause of injury were characterized.The in-patients from January 2009 to December 2013 were assigned into group A while those from January 2004 to December 2018 into group B.The 2 groups were compared to find out the epidemiological characteristics and trends of the in-patients with femoral supracondylar fracture in the 10 years.Results Of the 508 in-patients with femoral supracondylar fracture,279 (54.9％) were male and 229 (45.1％) female.Their age ranged from 1 to 94 years,averaging 44.3 years.The age group from 41 to 50 years accounted for the largest proportion (104 cases,23.9％).In males,the age group from 41 to 50 years accounted for the largest proportion (33.3％,80/279);in females,the age group from 51 to 60 years the largest proportion (30.3 ％,59/229).The proportion of females in the in-patients under 50 years of age (37.1％) was significantly lower than that (62.9％) in the in-patients over 50 years of age (P ＜ 0.05).According to the AO classification,there were 193 cases (38％) of type 33-A1,117 ones (23％) of type 33-A2 and 198 ones (39％) of type 33-A3.There were 270 farmers (53.1％),164 workers (32.4％) and 74 students (14.5％).Most injuries were caused by high energy (56.5％).The age of in-patients with low-energy injury (50.5 ±20.7 years) was significantly higher than that of in-patients with high-energy injury (39.5 ± 19.6 years) (P ＜0.05).The proportions of urban residents (30.0％),patients with low energy injury (37.9％) and type 33-A1 fractures (23.9％) in group A were significantly lower than in group B (43.3％,46.9％ and 32.3％,respectively) (P ＜ 0.05);the age of group A (41.9 ± 21.8 years) was significantly younger than that of group B (45.9 ± 19.9 years) (P ＜0.05);type 33-A3 fractures in group A (46.5％) were significantly more than in group B (36.3％) (P ＜0.05).Conclusions Femoral supracondylar fractures were more common in farmers.Most of the fractures were type 33-A3.The fractures were common in males from 41 to 50 years old and in females from 51 to 60 years old.There were more males than females in the junior patients but more females than males in senior patients.There were more young patients in complex fractures but there were more old patients in simple fractures and there were more very old patients in low-energy injuries.In the past 10 years,the patients with femoral supracondylar fracture increased year by year.Compared with the first 5 years,the late 5 years witnessed significant increases in age of patients and proportions of low-energy injury and simple fracture.

INTRODUCTIONPatients with schizophrenia have shorter life expectancy and one of the main causes of death is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Modifiable risk factors for CVD include diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidaemia. This study aimed to establish: (a) the prevalence and correlates of DM and dyslipidaemia; (b) the proportion of those whose condition was well controlled; and (c) the incidence of undiagnosed DM and dyslipidaemia in a long-stay inpatient schizophrenia population.

METHODSData was collected to assess the physical health status of 110 inpatients with schizophrenia who had been in hospital for over one year. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, diagnosis of physical and mental illnesses, and current medications was obtained from their medical records. The overall prevalence of DM and dyslipidaemia was based on diagnosis in the medical records, current medications and fasting blood test results.

RESULTSThe patient group was predominantly male (85.5%), with a mean age of 55.9 ± 9.9 (range 25-90) years. Overall prevalence of DM and dyslipidaemia was 19.1% and 62.7%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Malay (odds ratio [OR] 14.97) and Indian (OR 25.71) patients were significantly more likely to have DM when compared to Chinese patients.

CONCLUSIONIn comparison to the general population, the prevalence of DM and dyslipidaemia was found to be higher in inpatients with schizophrenia. However, the two chronic illnesses were well controlled in inpatients and few were undiagnosed, perhaps due to the regular monitoring, supervised diet and regular physical activities arranged for inpatients in the long-stay inpatient wards.

Objective To observe the effect of salidroside on the cognitive dysfunction of rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and to explore its related mechanisms. Methods According to the random number table method, 45 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: the normal control, diabetic model and salidroside groups, 15 rats in each group. The diabetic rat model was established by intra-peritoneal injection of 60 mg/kg STZ (72 hours after STZ injection, the caudal venous blood glucose was measured by a glucose meter, if the glucose level reached ＞16.7 mmol/L , the model was regarded as a successful one). The rats in the normal control group were injected with equal volume of citrate buffer. After model making, the salidroside group was treated with salidrosidec 15 mg/kg by intragastric administration; the normal control group and the diabetic model group were given the same volume of normal saline for gavage, 1 times a day. Morris water maze was used to test cognitive function in rats after consecutive four weeks of treatment, and the blood glucose levels of rats in various groups were detected at the onset and the end of the experiment; the protein expression and contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and intedeukin-6 (IL-6) in hippocampus were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western Blot analysis. Results Compared with the normal control group, the escape latency in diabetic model group was significantly prolonged (seconds: 62.54±7.67 vs. 19.37±4.23), the time in target quadrant was shortened (seconds:18.76±4.75 vs. 43.09±8.09), the number of crossing platform was also obviously reduced (frequency: 2.26±0.57 vs. 6.84±1.56), blood glucose levels were significantly higher (mmol/L: 24.27±3.69 vs. 6.95±1.52), protein expressions and contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in hippocampus were markedly increased [TNF-α (μg/L): 482.09±45.72 vs. 92.53±14.84, IL-6 (μg/L): 8.26±1.14 vs. 3.03±0.48; TNF-α protein (A value): 0.61±0.15 vs. 0.25±0.04, IL-6 protein (A value): 0.53±0.11 vs. 0.12±0.03, all P ＜ 0.05]. Compared with the diabetic model group, the escape latency in salidroside group was significantly shortened (seconds: 38.07±5.84 vs. 62.54±7.67), the time in target quadrant was prolonged (seconds: 31.29±5.61 vs. 18.76±4.75), the number of crossing platform was also significantly increased (frequency: 4.72±1.24 vs. 2.26±0.57), blood glucose levels were obviously lowered (mmol/L: 18.34±2.75 vs. 24.27±3.69), protein content and expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in hippocampus were remarkably decreased [TNF-α (μg/L): 328.46±39.33 vs. 482.09±45.72, IL-6 (μg/L): 6.09±0.97 vs. 8.26±1.14; TNF-α protein (A value):0.47±0.09 vs. 0.61±0.15, IL-6 protein (A value): 0.28±0.06 vs. 0.53±0.11, all P ＜ 0.05]. Conclusion Salidroside can ameliorate the cognitive impairment in STZ-induced diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be closely related to the reduction of the hippocampal inflammatory response and blood glucose level of diabetic rats.