To evaluate the therapeutic effect of a modified Devine procedure with a subcutaneous sliding fixation method for the treatment of congenital concealed penis, we retrospectively selected 45 patients with congenital concealed penises who were admitted to General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (Yinchuan, China) between September 2020 and November 2023. In all cases, the penis was observed to be short, and retracting the skin at the base revealed a normal penile body, which immediately returned to its original position upon release. All patients underwent the modified Devine procedure with subcutaneous sliding fixation and completed a 12-week postoperative follow-up. A statistically significant increase in penile length was observed postoperatively, with the median length increasing from 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.5-4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9-4.4) cm to 8.0 (IQR: 7.8-8.0; 95% CI: 7.7-7.9) cm, with P < 0.001. The parents were satisfied with the outcomes, including increased penile length, improved hygiene, and enhanced esthetics. Except for mild foreskin edema in all cases, no complications (such as infections, skin necrosis, or penile retraction) were observed. The edema was resolved within 4 weeks after the operation. This study demonstrates that the modified Devine procedure utilizing the subcutaneous sliding fixation method yields excellent outcomes with minimal postoperative complications, reduced penile retraction, and high satisfaction rates among patients and their families.
Humans ; Male ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Retrospective Studies ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Child ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the embryo cryopreservation duration on pregnancy and obstetric outcome.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of 2 662 frozen-thawed embyro tranfer (FET) cycles was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. According to embryo cryopreservation duration, the patients were divided into group A (≤1 year, n=2 115), group B (>1 years and ≤3 years, n=319), group C (>3 years and ≤6 years, n=174), and group D (>6 years, n=54). We used the propensity score matching (PSM) to match the baseline data of oocyte retrieval age of the other three groups according to group D at a ratio of 1∶3. Clinical and obstetric outcomes were compared among the four groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of oocyte retrieval age, embryo transfer age, the duration of embryo cryopreservation, endometrial preparation scheme, endometrial thickness, the number of transferred embryos and the number of high-quality embryos on pregnancy and live birth outcome. Results:1) Before PSM, there were significant differences in the maternal age at oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer and duration of embryo cryopreservation among the four groups(all P<0.001). 2) After PSM, the baseline characteristics of oocyte retrieval age reached a balance among the four groups. There were no statistical differences in the number of embryos transfer, the number of high-quality embryos, the transferred embryo stage, the endometrial regimen among the groups (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate [37.04% (20/54)] and the live birth rate [33.33% (18/54)] in group D were lower than those in group A [51.57% (82/159), 40.88% (65/159)], group B [50.00% (65/130), 40.77% (53/130)] and group C [49.59% (61/123), 39.02% (48/123)], but the difference was not statistically significant between the four groups ( P=0.310, P=0.781). There were no statistical differences among the four groups in the ratio of male to female newborns, gestational age, birth weight, preterm delivery rate, low birth weight rate, macrosomia rate, birth defects, and premature repture of membranes (all P>0.05). 3) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of high-quality embryos transferred affected the clinical pregnancy outcome (before PSM, OR=2.614, 95% CI: 2.168-3.151, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=1.984, 95% CI: 1.406-2.800, P<0.001) and live birth (before PSM, OR=2.708, 95% CI: 2.198-3.336, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=2.122, 95% CI: 1.474-3.053, P<0.001). The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth, but large sample data are still needed to support this conclusion in the future.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of triglyceride-glucose index(TyG index)in non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 529 non-diabetic ACS patients who had successfully underwent PCI in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected.According to the median TyG index(8.98),the patients were divided into low TyG index group(TyG＜8.98)and high TyG index group(TyG≥8.98).All the patients were followed up for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE).Results Overall,55(10.4％)endpoint events were documented during a 24-month follow-up.Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients in the high TyG group than in the low TyG group(Log Rank P=0.001).Multivariate Cox analysis showed that after adjusting other confounding factors,TyG index was an independent predictor of MACE(HR=3.50,95％CI:1.44-8.53,P＜0.01).The risk of MACE in the high TyG group was 1.12-fold increased compared with the low TyG group(95％CI:1.19-3.79,P=0.011).The subgroup analysis results were generally consistent.Conclusion TyG index is an independent predictor of MACE in non-diabetic ACS patients who underwent PCI.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the embryo cryopreservation duration on pregnancy and obstetric outcome.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of 2 662 frozen-thawed embyro tranfer (FET) cycles was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. According to embryo cryopreservation duration, the patients were divided into group A (≤1 year, n=2 115), group B (>1 years and ≤3 years, n=319), group C (>3 years and ≤6 years, n=174), and group D (>6 years, n=54). We used the propensity score matching (PSM) to match the baseline data of oocyte retrieval age of the other three groups according to group D at a ratio of 1∶3. Clinical and obstetric outcomes were compared among the four groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of oocyte retrieval age, embryo transfer age, the duration of embryo cryopreservation, endometrial preparation scheme, endometrial thickness, the number of transferred embryos and the number of high-quality embryos on pregnancy and live birth outcome. Results:1) Before PSM, there were significant differences in the maternal age at oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer and duration of embryo cryopreservation among the four groups(all P<0.001). 2) After PSM, the baseline characteristics of oocyte retrieval age reached a balance among the four groups. There were no statistical differences in the number of embryos transfer, the number of high-quality embryos, the transferred embryo stage, the endometrial regimen among the groups (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate [37.04% (20/54)] and the live birth rate [33.33% (18/54)] in group D were lower than those in group A [51.57% (82/159), 40.88% (65/159)], group B [50.00% (65/130), 40.77% (53/130)] and group C [49.59% (61/123), 39.02% (48/123)], but the difference was not statistically significant between the four groups ( P=0.310, P=0.781). There were no statistical differences among the four groups in the ratio of male to female newborns, gestational age, birth weight, preterm delivery rate, low birth weight rate, macrosomia rate, birth defects, and premature repture of membranes (all P>0.05). 3) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of high-quality embryos transferred affected the clinical pregnancy outcome (before PSM, OR=2.614, 95% CI: 2.168-3.151, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=1.984, 95% CI: 1.406-2.800, P<0.001) and live birth (before PSM, OR=2.708, 95% CI: 2.198-3.336, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=2.122, 95% CI: 1.474-3.053, P<0.001). The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth, but large sample data are still needed to support this conclusion in the future.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of triglyceride-glucose index(TyG index)in non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 529 non-diabetic ACS patients who had successfully underwent PCI in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected.According to the median TyG index(8.98),the patients were divided into low TyG index group(TyG＜8.98)and high TyG index group(TyG≥8.98).All the patients were followed up for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE).Results Overall,55(10.4％)endpoint events were documented during a 24-month follow-up.Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients in the high TyG group than in the low TyG group(Log Rank P=0.001).Multivariate Cox analysis showed that after adjusting other confounding factors,TyG index was an independent predictor of MACE(HR=3.50,95％CI:1.44-8.53,P＜0.01).The risk of MACE in the high TyG group was 1.12-fold increased compared with the low TyG group(95％CI:1.19-3.79,P=0.011).The subgroup analysis results were generally consistent.Conclusion TyG index is an independent predictor of MACE in non-diabetic ACS patients who underwent PCI.

With advancements in clinical medicine, pediatric blood transfusion has evolved from traditional empirical practices to evidence-based approaches grounded in clinical research data. To better guide pediatric blood transfusion practices and improve clinical outcomes for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has developed and issued "Guideline for pediatric transfusion". This article summarizes the unique aspects of pediatric blood transfusion, the application of blood component therapy in treating pediatric patients, the significance of interpreting the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion", and anticipates future developments in pediatric blood transfusion medicine.
Humans ; Blood Transfusion ; Child

AIM:To explore the role and molecular mechanism of Men1 gene in regulating mouse renal fibro-sis.METHODS:A unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)-induced renal fibrosis model was established using C57BL/6 mice,and the mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham,UUO-3 d,UUO-7 d,and UUO-14 d,with 15 mice in each group.The C57BL/6 mice with Men1 knockout were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham-Men1-WT,sham-Men1-CKO,UUO-Men1-WT,and UUO-Men1-CKO,with 8 mice in each group.HE staining,Masson staining,and Sirius red staining were used to detect UUO-induced renal injury and renal fibrosis.Human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells with MEN1 knockout were constructed.RT-qPCR,Western blot,immunohistochemistry and immunoflurorescnence were per-formed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of MEN1,fibrosis markers(α-smooth muscle actin,collagen type Ⅲ and fibronectin 1)and m6A-related proteins[methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3),METTL14,YTH domain family pro-tein 2(YTHDF2),AlkB homolog 5(ALKBH5),and fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)]in UUO mouse kid-ney tissues and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β;10 μg/L)-treated HK-2 cells.Dot blot analysis was conducted to measure m6A methylation levels in both mouse kidney tissuess and HK-2 cells.RESULTS:The expression of Men1 de-creased with the aggravation of renal fibrosis(P＜0.01).Men1 inhibited the expression of fibrosis markers in renal tis-sues,and MEN1 knockout increased the accumulation of collagen induced by UUO and TGF-β(P＜0.01).The expres-sion of FTO and ALKBH5 in mouse kidney tissues and HK-2 cells was down-regulated by MEN1 knockout(P＜0.01),and the methylation level of m6A was increased(P＜0.01).Overexpression of FTO significantly reduced the accumulation of m6A modifications and renal fibrosis caused by MEN1 loss,and the methylation level of m6A was increased(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Loss of Men1 gene promotes renal fibrosis in mice,and Men1 suppresses renal fibrosis in mice by pro-moting the expression of FTO/ALKBH5 to reduce m6A modifications.