Objective:To explore the clinical effect on the treatment of radiation induced deep ulcers in the inguinal region with ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap.Methods:From March 2020 to March 2024, retrospective analysis of 8 patients with radiation induced deep ulcers in the inguinal region were treated with ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap in the Medical Centre of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. All ulcers induced by radiation were caused by postoperative radiotherapy in the inguinal region, of which 4 were of vulvar or penile cancer, 2 of urinary tract tumour, 1 of inguinal protuberant dermatofibrosarcoma and 1 of myofibroblastic sarcoma in lower abdominal wall. The course of the radiation induced ulcer was 0.5-11.0 years, with an average of 2.9 years. The sizes of the ulcerative wound were 2.5 cm × 3.0 cm - 5.5 cm × 7.5 cm. Preoperative biopsies of the tissues around wound and pelvic CT scans were performed to preliminarily exclude a tumour recurrence or an ulcerative malignancy, as well as to confirm the depth of radiation ulcer. The wound size after debridement was 4.5 cm × 6.0 cm-13.5 cm × 19.0 cm, with a depth of 2.0-4.0 cm. An ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap was transferred to reconstruct the wound, after the wound edges were cleared from tumour through intraoperative frozen section examinations. The flaps were 5.5 cm × 7.0 cm - 14.0 cm × 20.0 cm in size, with the volumes of muscle flap at 7.0 cm × 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm - 14.0 cm × 7.0 cm × 3.0 cm. After having the deep defect at the base of wound filled with a muscle flap, the wound surface was covered by the flap. Four patients had direct suture of the donor sites and 4 received a thick skin graft of head or contralateral thigh grafting. Survival of the anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flaps and the healing of donor sites were observed after surgery through scheduled postoperative follow-up by the visits of outpatient clinic and distant interviews via telephone, WeChat or the internet hospital.Results:One of the ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flaps had venous occlusion within 24 hours after surgery. Emergency surgical exploration revealed that it was caused by a haematoma compression due to haemorrhage in the muscle flap. Further debridement, haemostasis and suture were performed, then the wound healed. The rest of 7 flaps all survived. All donor sites healed primarily. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 5-17 months with all of the 8 patients, at 8.4 months in average. Both the donor and recipient sites healed well without recurrence of radiation ulcer in the affected sites. The appearance and texture of the flaps were good, and there was no obvious functional impairment at the donor sites.Conclusion:The treatment of radiation induced deep ulcer in the inguinal region with an ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap has shown good results, without recurrence of ulcer after surgery. The appearance and texture of the affected sites are good, and there is no secondary functional impairment at the donor site.

Objective:To explore the application strategies and clinical effects of superior gluteal artery perforator tissue flaps in repairing stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in the sacrococcygeal region.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2019 to April 2024, 89 patients with stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in the sacrococcygeal region who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, including 59 males and 30 females, aged 21 to 84 years. There were 89 sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers, with an area of 5.0 cm×4.0 cm-21.0 cm×21.0 cm after debridement. According to the shape, size, and depth of the wounds after debridement, combined with the elasticity and texture of the skin around the wounds, and the principle of minimizing damage to the donor area, the appropriate forms of superior gluteal artery perforator tissue flaps were cut for wound repair in the following three conditions. (1) For wounds with a round shape, an area of 5.0 cm×5.0 cm-21.0 cm×21.0 cm, and a depth of 1.0-3.5 cm, the superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap or myocutaneous flap, bilobed superior gluteal artery perforator relay flap, and bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator rotational flap were used. (2) For wounds with an oval shape, an area of 5.0 cm×4.0 cm-18.5 cm×10.5 cm, and a depth of 1.0-3.0 cm, the superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap or myocutaneous flap, unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap combined with contralateral superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flap or keystone flap were used. (3) For wounds with a fusiformis shape, an area of 7.0 cm×4.0 cm-17.5 cm×6.0 cm, and a depth of 1.5-5.0 cm, the unilateral or bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flap, superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flap, or superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flap combined with gluteus maximus muscle flap were used. In this group of patients, a total of 40 superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flaps (with an resection area of 11.0 cm×6.0 cm-17.0 cm×11.0 cm), 22 superior gluteal artery perforator propeller myocutaneous flaps (with an resection area of 10.0 cm×5.0 cm-14.0 cm×8.0 cm), 7 bilobed superior gluteal artery perforator relay flaps (with a main flap resection area of 5.5 cm×5.5 cm-18.0 cm×11.5 cm and a side flap resection area of 4.5 cm×3.0 cm-11.0 cm×6.5 cm), 5 bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator rotational flaps (with a total resection area of 20.0 cm×16.0 cm-26.0 cm×21.0 cm on both sides), 14 superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flaps (with an resection area of 12.0 cm×10.0 cm-18.0 cm×18.0 cm), 13 superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flaps (with an resection area of 13.0 cm×6.5 cm-19.0 cm×18.0 cm), and 3 gluteus maximus muscle flaps (with an resection area of 8.0 cm×3.0 cm-15.0 cm×4.5 cm). The donor area wounds were all directly sutured. The survival of tissue flaps was observed and the incidence rate of delayed wound healing in the reception area was calculated, and wound healing in the donor area was observed. The appearance and texture of tissue flaps and recurrence of pressure ulcers were followed up.Results:After surgery, all bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator rotational flaps, superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flaps, superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flaps, and gluteus maximus muscle flaps survived well. There were 6 cases of delayed wound healing in the reception area after surgery, with an incidence rate of 6.7% (6/89). Two patients had incision dehiscence in the donor area wounds due to postoperative bleeding, the wounds healed after debridement, vacuum sealing drainage, and dressing change. The wounds in the donor area of the remaining patients healed well. Six patients were lost to follow-up. Eighty-three patients were followed up for 3-48 months, of whom 4 patients died. Among the remaining 79 patients, 3 cases had pressure ulcers recur due to improper nursing, while the rest of the patients had tissue flaps with good appearance and soft texture and no recurrence of pressure ulcers.Conclusions:Based on the characteristics of wound shape, size, and depth after debridement of stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in the sacrococcygeal region, individualized selection of flap, myocutaneous flap, or a combination of flap and gluteus maximus muscle flap based on the perforating branch of the superior gluteal artery perforator can achieve good clinical repair results. The postoperative tissue flap survived well, with a good appearance, soft texture, and less recurrence of pressure ulcers.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect on the treatment of radiation induced deep ulcers in the inguinal region with ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap.Methods:From March 2020 to March 2024, retrospective analysis of 8 patients with radiation induced deep ulcers in the inguinal region were treated with ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap in the Medical Centre of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. All ulcers induced by radiation were caused by postoperative radiotherapy in the inguinal region, of which 4 were of vulvar or penile cancer, 2 of urinary tract tumour, 1 of inguinal protuberant dermatofibrosarcoma and 1 of myofibroblastic sarcoma in lower abdominal wall. The course of the radiation induced ulcer was 0.5-11.0 years, with an average of 2.9 years. The sizes of the ulcerative wound were 2.5 cm × 3.0 cm - 5.5 cm × 7.5 cm. Preoperative biopsies of the tissues around wound and pelvic CT scans were performed to preliminarily exclude a tumour recurrence or an ulcerative malignancy, as well as to confirm the depth of radiation ulcer. The wound size after debridement was 4.5 cm × 6.0 cm-13.5 cm × 19.0 cm, with a depth of 2.0-4.0 cm. An ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap was transferred to reconstruct the wound, after the wound edges were cleared from tumour through intraoperative frozen section examinations. The flaps were 5.5 cm × 7.0 cm - 14.0 cm × 20.0 cm in size, with the volumes of muscle flap at 7.0 cm × 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm - 14.0 cm × 7.0 cm × 3.0 cm. After having the deep defect at the base of wound filled with a muscle flap, the wound surface was covered by the flap. Four patients had direct suture of the donor sites and 4 received a thick skin graft of head or contralateral thigh grafting. Survival of the anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flaps and the healing of donor sites were observed after surgery through scheduled postoperative follow-up by the visits of outpatient clinic and distant interviews via telephone, WeChat or the internet hospital.Results:One of the ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flaps had venous occlusion within 24 hours after surgery. Emergency surgical exploration revealed that it was caused by a haematoma compression due to haemorrhage in the muscle flap. Further debridement, haemostasis and suture were performed, then the wound healed. The rest of 7 flaps all survived. All donor sites healed primarily. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 5-17 months with all of the 8 patients, at 8.4 months in average. Both the donor and recipient sites healed well without recurrence of radiation ulcer in the affected sites. The appearance and texture of the flaps were good, and there was no obvious functional impairment at the donor sites.Conclusion:The treatment of radiation induced deep ulcer in the inguinal region with an ipsilateral anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap has shown good results, without recurrence of ulcer after surgery. The appearance and texture of the affected sites are good, and there is no secondary functional impairment at the donor site.

Objective:To explore the application strategies and clinical effects of superior gluteal artery perforator tissue flaps in repairing stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in the sacrococcygeal region.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2019 to April 2024, 89 patients with stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in the sacrococcygeal region who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, including 59 males and 30 females, aged 21 to 84 years. There were 89 sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers, with an area of 5.0 cm×4.0 cm-21.0 cm×21.0 cm after debridement. According to the shape, size, and depth of the wounds after debridement, combined with the elasticity and texture of the skin around the wounds, and the principle of minimizing damage to the donor area, the appropriate forms of superior gluteal artery perforator tissue flaps were cut for wound repair in the following three conditions. (1) For wounds with a round shape, an area of 5.0 cm×5.0 cm-21.0 cm×21.0 cm, and a depth of 1.0-3.5 cm, the superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap or myocutaneous flap, bilobed superior gluteal artery perforator relay flap, and bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator rotational flap were used. (2) For wounds with an oval shape, an area of 5.0 cm×4.0 cm-18.5 cm×10.5 cm, and a depth of 1.0-3.0 cm, the superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap or myocutaneous flap, unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flap combined with contralateral superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flap or keystone flap were used. (3) For wounds with a fusiformis shape, an area of 7.0 cm×4.0 cm-17.5 cm×6.0 cm, and a depth of 1.5-5.0 cm, the unilateral or bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flap, superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flap, or superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flap combined with gluteus maximus muscle flap were used. In this group of patients, a total of 40 superior gluteal artery perforator propeller flaps (with an resection area of 11.0 cm×6.0 cm-17.0 cm×11.0 cm), 22 superior gluteal artery perforator propeller myocutaneous flaps (with an resection area of 10.0 cm×5.0 cm-14.0 cm×8.0 cm), 7 bilobed superior gluteal artery perforator relay flaps (with a main flap resection area of 5.5 cm×5.5 cm-18.0 cm×11.5 cm and a side flap resection area of 4.5 cm×3.0 cm-11.0 cm×6.5 cm), 5 bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator rotational flaps (with a total resection area of 20.0 cm×16.0 cm-26.0 cm×21.0 cm on both sides), 14 superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flaps (with an resection area of 12.0 cm×10.0 cm-18.0 cm×18.0 cm), 13 superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flaps (with an resection area of 13.0 cm×6.5 cm-19.0 cm×18.0 cm), and 3 gluteus maximus muscle flaps (with an resection area of 8.0 cm×3.0 cm-15.0 cm×4.5 cm). The donor area wounds were all directly sutured. The survival of tissue flaps was observed and the incidence rate of delayed wound healing in the reception area was calculated, and wound healing in the donor area was observed. The appearance and texture of tissue flaps and recurrence of pressure ulcers were followed up.Results:After surgery, all bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator rotational flaps, superior gluteal artery perforator V-Y advanced flaps, superior gluteal artery perforator keystone flaps, and gluteus maximus muscle flaps survived well. There were 6 cases of delayed wound healing in the reception area after surgery, with an incidence rate of 6.7% (6/89). Two patients had incision dehiscence in the donor area wounds due to postoperative bleeding, the wounds healed after debridement, vacuum sealing drainage, and dressing change. The wounds in the donor area of the remaining patients healed well. Six patients were lost to follow-up. Eighty-three patients were followed up for 3-48 months, of whom 4 patients died. Among the remaining 79 patients, 3 cases had pressure ulcers recur due to improper nursing, while the rest of the patients had tissue flaps with good appearance and soft texture and no recurrence of pressure ulcers.Conclusions:Based on the characteristics of wound shape, size, and depth after debridement of stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in the sacrococcygeal region, individualized selection of flap, myocutaneous flap, or a combination of flap and gluteus maximus muscle flap based on the perforating branch of the superior gluteal artery perforator can achieve good clinical repair results. The postoperative tissue flap survived well, with a good appearance, soft texture, and less recurrence of pressure ulcers.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps plus free-style gluteal perforator flaps in repairing stage IV sciatic tuberosity pressure ulcers.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 16 patients (16 wounds) with stage IV sciatic tuberosity pressure ulcers admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May 2021 to February 2024, including 10 males and 6 females, aged 21-84 years [(58.5±16.5)years]. Among them, 8 patients were complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of the ischium at 8 sites. The wound area before debridement ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 9.0 cm×7.0 cm. All the patients underwent staged surgery. In phase I surgery, the scar tissue at the wound margin, necrotic tissue, bursa, and chronic osteomyelitic lesions were removed in the ischium. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 12.0 cm×8.0 cm. Negative pressure closure drainage (VSD) was performed and wound bed preparation was completed. In phase II surgery, the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps were flipped, filled into the wound cavity, and then used to repair the wound by advancing and rotating in combination with free-style gluteal perforator flap. The area of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps ranged from 9.0 cm×3.5 cm to 19.0 cm×10.0 cm and the area of the free-style gluteal perforator flaps ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 13.0 cm×8.5 cm. The amount of bleeding in phase II surgery was recorded. The survival and wound healing of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps and free-style gluteal perforator flaps were observed. At the last follow-up, recurrence of pressure ulcers and osteomyelitis, external appearance of the wound, and secondary functional impairment and deformity in the donor sites were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-15 months [(9.4±3.1)months]. The intraoperative bleeding volume in phase II surgery was 80-300 ml [(162.9±60.6)ml]. All the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps survived well after surgery. A small area of bruising was observed at the distal end of the freestyle gluteal perforator flap in 1 patient at 1 day after surgery, which was relieved after removing some of the sutures. Torn suture of the incision was found as a result of postoperative subcutaneous hematoma in the donor site of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flap in 1 patient at 1 day after surgery, which healed at 22 days after bedside debridement and dressing change. All other incisions healed well. At the last follow-up, there was no recurrence of pressure ulcers or osteomyelitis and the wound was mildly pigmented and soft. There were no secondary functional impairments or deformities in the posterior femoral or gluteal donor sites.Conclusion:Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps plus freestyle gluteal perforator flaps can be used in the repair of stage IV sciatic tuberosity pressure ulcer wounds, with the advantages of less intraoperative bleeding, high tissue flap survival rate, good wound healing, no recurrence of pressure ulcers or osteomyelitis after surgery, good wound appearance and texture, and no secondary functional impairment or deformity in the donor sites.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps plus free-style gluteal perforator flaps in repairing stage IV sciatic tuberosity pressure ulcers.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 16 patients (16 wounds) with stage IV sciatic tuberosity pressure ulcers admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May 2021 to February 2024, including 10 males and 6 females, aged 21-84 years [(58.5±16.5)years]. Among them, 8 patients were complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of the ischium at 8 sites. The wound area before debridement ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 9.0 cm×7.0 cm. All the patients underwent staged surgery. In phase I surgery, the scar tissue at the wound margin, necrotic tissue, bursa, and chronic osteomyelitic lesions were removed in the ischium. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 12.0 cm×8.0 cm. Negative pressure closure drainage (VSD) was performed and wound bed preparation was completed. In phase II surgery, the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps were flipped, filled into the wound cavity, and then used to repair the wound by advancing and rotating in combination with free-style gluteal perforator flap. The area of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps ranged from 9.0 cm×3.5 cm to 19.0 cm×10.0 cm and the area of the free-style gluteal perforator flaps ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 13.0 cm×8.5 cm. The amount of bleeding in phase II surgery was recorded. The survival and wound healing of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps and free-style gluteal perforator flaps were observed. At the last follow-up, recurrence of pressure ulcers and osteomyelitis, external appearance of the wound, and secondary functional impairment and deformity in the donor sites were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-15 months [(9.4±3.1)months]. The intraoperative bleeding volume in phase II surgery was 80-300 ml [(162.9±60.6)ml]. All the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps survived well after surgery. A small area of bruising was observed at the distal end of the freestyle gluteal perforator flap in 1 patient at 1 day after surgery, which was relieved after removing some of the sutures. Torn suture of the incision was found as a result of postoperative subcutaneous hematoma in the donor site of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flap in 1 patient at 1 day after surgery, which healed at 22 days after bedside debridement and dressing change. All other incisions healed well. At the last follow-up, there was no recurrence of pressure ulcers or osteomyelitis and the wound was mildly pigmented and soft. There were no secondary functional impairments or deformities in the posterior femoral or gluteal donor sites.Conclusion:Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel adipofascial flaps plus freestyle gluteal perforator flaps can be used in the repair of stage IV sciatic tuberosity pressure ulcer wounds, with the advantages of less intraoperative bleeding, high tissue flap survival rate, good wound healing, no recurrence of pressure ulcers or osteomyelitis after surgery, good wound appearance and texture, and no secondary functional impairment or deformity in the donor sites.

Objective: : Ischemia and hemorrhage of pituitary adenomas (PA) caused important clinical syndrome. However, the differences on clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes between these two kinds apoplexy were less reported. Methods: : A retrospective analysis was made of patients with pituitary apoplexy between January 2013 and June 2018. Baseline and clinical characteristics before surgery were reviewed. All patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery and were followed up at least 1 year. Results: : Total 67 cases (5.8%) among 1147 pituitary tumor patients were enrolled, which consisted of 28 (~2.4%) ischemic PA and 39 (~3.4%) hemorrhagic PA. There were more male patients in the ischemic group compared with hemorrhagic group (78.6% vs 53.8%, p=0.043). However, the mean age, tumor size and functional tumor ratio were significant higher in the hemorrhagic group. Headache was more common in ischemic PA (82.1%) than that of hemorrhagic PA (51.3%, p=0.011). Magnetic resonance imaging findings found that mucosal thickening and enhancement of the sphenoid sinus was observed in 15 ischemic PA patients (n=27, 55.6%), but none in patients with hemorrhagic PA (n=38, p<0.0001). It was worth noting that the rate of pre-surgical hypopituitarism in ischemic PA patients were seemed higher than that in hemorrhagic PA patients, but not significant. The two groups got a total tumor resection rate at 94.1% and 92.9%, independently. No significant difference on the operative time, blood loss in operation and complications in perioperative period was observed in two groups. After operation, cranial nerve symptoms recovered to normal at 81.8% of ischemic PA patients and 82.6% of hemorrhagic PA patients. Importantly, the incidence of postoperative hypopituitarism partially decreased in both groups, among which the rate of hypothyroidism in ischemic PA patients significantly decreased from 46.4% to 18.5% (p=0.044). Conclusion : Patients with ischemic PA presented different clinical characteristics to the hemorrhagic ones. Transsphenoidal surgery should be considered for the patients with neuro-ophthalmic deficits and might benefit for pituitary function recovery of the apoplectic adenoma patients, especially pituitary thyroid axis in ischemic PA patients.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of autologous bone marrow nucleated cell transplantation on ovarian dysfunction-related diseases.Methods:From September 2020 to August 2021, we conducted a before-after study in Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research Hospital and Shanghai New Hongqiao International Medical Center. A total of 28 patients with premature ovarian insufficiency, perimenopausal syndrome or repeated assisted reproduction failure were treated with ultrasound-guided autologous bone marrow nucleated cell transplantation into the ovaries. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing the patients' self-reported symptoms, endometrial thickness, bilateral ovarian volume, the number of bilateral ovarian follicles, the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles, and the level of plasma estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, prolactin, and testosterone.Results:After autologous bone marrow nucleated cell transplantation, the number of bilateral ovarian follicles and the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles statistically significantly increased by an average of 1.26±2.12 ( P=0.005) and (5.40±8.92) mm ( P=0.006), respectively. Endometrial thickness and bilateral ovarian volume increased after treatment although without statistically significance (all P>0.05). However, the ovarian volume, the number of follicles, and the maximum diameter of follicles with greater changes between the left and right sides of the treatment, were found to statistically significantly increase after treatment ( P=0.007, P<0.001, P=0.002). Besides, the levels of FSH, LH, progesterone, and prolactin decreased with no statistical significance (all P>0.05). The stratified analysis of disease types found that endometrial thickness, the number of bilateral ovarian follicles, and the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles after treatment tended to increase, but only the number of bilateral follicles and the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles in patients with perimenopausal syndrome showed statistical significance ( P=0.008, P=0.047). Conclusion:The present study suggested that autologous bone marrow nuclear cell therapy could improve ovarian function to some extent, and is expected to be a new treatment method for patients with premature ovarian insufficiency, perimenopausal syndrome, and repeated assisted reproduction failure. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to corroborate the findings.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of autologous bone marrow nucleated cell transplantation on ovarian dysfunction-related diseases.Methods:From September 2020 to August 2021, we conducted a before-after study in Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research Hospital and Shanghai New Hongqiao International Medical Center. A total of 28 patients with premature ovarian insufficiency, perimenopausal syndrome or repeated assisted reproduction failure were treated with ultrasound-guided autologous bone marrow nucleated cell transplantation into the ovaries. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing the patients' self-reported symptoms, endometrial thickness, bilateral ovarian volume, the number of bilateral ovarian follicles, the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles, and the level of plasma estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, prolactin, and testosterone.Results:After autologous bone marrow nucleated cell transplantation, the number of bilateral ovarian follicles and the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles statistically significantly increased by an average of 1.26±2.12 ( P=0.005) and (5.40±8.92) mm ( P=0.006), respectively. Endometrial thickness and bilateral ovarian volume increased after treatment although without statistically significance (all P>0.05). However, the ovarian volume, the number of follicles, and the maximum diameter of follicles with greater changes between the left and right sides of the treatment, were found to statistically significantly increase after treatment ( P=0.007, P<0.001, P=0.002). Besides, the levels of FSH, LH, progesterone, and prolactin decreased with no statistical significance (all P>0.05). The stratified analysis of disease types found that endometrial thickness, the number of bilateral ovarian follicles, and the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles after treatment tended to increase, but only the number of bilateral follicles and the maximum diameter of bilateral ovarian follicles in patients with perimenopausal syndrome showed statistical significance ( P=0.008, P=0.047). Conclusion:The present study suggested that autologous bone marrow nuclear cell therapy could improve ovarian function to some extent, and is expected to be a new treatment method for patients with premature ovarian insufficiency, perimenopausal syndrome, and repeated assisted reproduction failure. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to corroborate the findings.

AIM:Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number variation (CNV), which reflects the oxidant-induced cell damage, has been observed in a wide range of human diseases .However, whether it correlates with heart failure , which is closely related to oxidative stress, has never been elucidated before .We aimed to systematically investigate the association between leukocyte mtDNA CNV and heart failure risk and prognosis .METHODS: A total of 1 700 hospitalized patients with heart failure and 1 700 age-and gender-matched community population were consecutively enrolled in this observational study , as well as 1 638 ( 96.4%) patients were fol-lowed prospectively for a median of 17 months (12~24 months).The relative mtDNA copy number in leukocyte of peripheral blood or cardiac tissue was measured in triplicate by quantitative real-time PCR method .RESULTS:Patients with heart failure possessed much lower relative mtDNA copy number compared with control subjects (P<0.01), especially for the patients with ischemic etiology (P<0.01).Patients with lower mtDNA copy number exhibited 1.7 times higher risk of heart failure ( P<0.01).Long-term follow-up (median 17 months) showed that decreased mtDNA copy number was significant associated with both increased cardiovascular deaths (P<0.01) and cardiovascular rehospitalization (P<0.01).After adjusted for the conventional risk factors and medications , lower mtDNA copy number were still significantly associated with 50% higher cardiovascular mortality (P <0.05).CONCLUSION:
mtDNA copy number depletion is an independent risk factor for heart failure and predicted higher risk of cardiovascular deaths in patients with heart failure .