【Objective】 To compare the efficacy and safety of thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThULEP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). 【Methods】 Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang Database from Jan.1,2010 to May 30,2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. All divergences were resolved by a third researcher. RevMan 5.4 software was used for Meta analysis. 【Results】 A total of 7 studies were included, involving 1 726 patients, 750 in the ThULEP group and 976 in the HoLEP group. Meta analysis showed that, compared with HoLEP group, the ThULEP group had shorter catheter indwelling time [MD=-0.10, 95%CI (-0.17--0.03), P=0.004] , shorter hospital stay [MD=-0.43, 95%CI (-0.60--0.25), P<0.000 01] , lower IPSS score 12 months after surgery [MD=-1.13, 95%CI (-1.95- -0.30), P=0.007] , lower QoL score 12 months after surgery [MD=-1.00, 95%CI (-1.19- -0.81), P<0.001] ,lower transfusion rate [OR=0.11, 95%CI (0.03-0.36), P=0.000 3] and lower incidence of urinary incontinence [OR=0.24, 95%CI (0.09-0.66), P=0.006] . 【Conclusion】 ThULEP may have similar efficacy and safety as HoLEP in the treatment of BPH, and has more advantages in some aspects.

Clinical data of a case with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy admitted in the Department of Neuroendocrinology, Jinan Children′s Hospital in April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.A 1-month-old male patient was hospitalized for convulsion for 4 days.The child had repeated seizures in the form of tonic and tonic-spasm seizures, accompanied by feeding difficulties, slow weight gain, and overall developmental delay.Electroencephalogram showed multifocal discharge, atypical hypsarrhythmia, and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed delayed myelination.The whole exome sequencing showed compound heterozygous mutation of the WWOX gene.Topiramate, Levetiracetam and Valporate were ineffective to this case.Genetic testing should be performed timely in patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy and overall developmental delay to make a clear etiology and prognosis, thus guiding prenatal diagnostics and genetic counseling.

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of a case of intellectual developmental disorders with dysmorphic facies and behavioral abnormalities admitted in the Department of Neurology and Endocrinology, Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University in February 2020.The proband was a 3 years and 6 months old boy, who was hospitalized because of " convulsions for more than 1 year" . Physical examination revealed facial deformities.Gesell developmental schedule showed that adaptive and gross motor behavior development was severely retarded, and fine motor, language and personal-social behavior development was moderately retarded.Brain magnetic resonance imaging suggested schizencephaly.Electroencephalogram results indicated extensive discharges mainly in bilateral anterior head areas, and one myoclonic seizure was detected.Gene detection results disclosed the pathogenic variation of the proband, which was a heterozygote mutation (c.2480_2484del) in FBXO11 gene.High-throughput sequencing technology increases the possibility of identifying potential genetic mutations as the cause of disease.Patients with recurrent seizures, multi-malformation and general developmental delays should undergo gene detection in time to clarify the etiology.This technique can guide prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Objective:The expression of endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), chemokine [monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) and RANTES] in stenosis of autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in hemodialysis patients and their correlation with basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF).Methods:From March 2018 to April 2019, 90 patients with end-stage renal disease were enrolled in this study. All patients were given the first autologous AVF surgery, and 45 patients with AVF loss were in group Ⅰ, 45 patients with normal AVF were in group Ⅱ. The thickness and area of intima and media were measured. The expression of growth factors was detected by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between serum b-FGF and the expression of growth factors was analyzed.Results:The thickness ratio and area ratio of intima to media in group Ⅰ were larger than those in group Ⅱ ( P<0.05). VEGF-A, MCP-1 and RANTES were strongly positive in group Ⅰ and weakly positive in group Ⅱ. The expression levels of serum b-FGF, serum and tissue VEGF-A, MCP-1 and RANTES in group Ⅰ were significantly higher than those in group Ⅱ ( P<0.05). Serum b-FGF levels in group Ⅰ were positively correlated with serum levels of VEGF-A, MCP-1 and RANTES ( r=0.794, 0.523, 0.576, P<0.05), while serum b-FGF levels in group Ⅱ were not significantly correlated with serum levels of VEGF-A, MCP-1 and RANTES ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Serum b-FGF may play an important role in venous intimal hyperplasia by mediating the over expression of VEGF-A, MCP-1 and RANTES.

An in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model is critical for enabling rapid screening of the BBB permeability of the drugs targeting on the central nervous system. Though many models have been developed, their reproducibility and renewability remain a challenge. Furthermore, drug transport data from many of the models do not correlate well with the data for in vivo BBB drug transport. Induced-pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides reproducible cell resources for in vitro BBB modeling. Here, we generated a human in vitro BBB model by differentiating the human iPSC (hiPSC) line GM25256 into brain endothelial-type cells. The model displayed BBB characteristics including tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-5, and occludin) and endothelial markers (von Willebrand factor and Ulex), as well as high trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) (1560 Ω.cm ± 230 Ω.cm) and γ-GTPase activity. Co-culture with primary rat astrocytes significantly increased the TEER of the model (2970 Ω.cm to 4185 Ω.cm). RNAseq analysis confirmed the expression of key BBB-related genes in the hiPSC-derived endothelial cells in comparison with primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells, including P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and breast cancer resistant protein (BCRP). Drug transport assays for nine CNS compounds showed that the permeability of non-Pgp/BCRP and Pgp/BCRP substrates across the model was strongly correlated with rodent in situ brain perfusion data for these compounds (R = 0.982 and R = 0.9973, respectively), demonstrating the functionality of the drug transporters in the model. Thus, this model may be used to rapidly screen CNS compounds, to predict the in vivo BBB permeability of these compounds and to study the biology of the BBB.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) gene expression and protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with severe or profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and to explore the roles of GRs and HDAC2 in glucocorticoid (GC) insensitivity. METHODS: Fifty-five severe or profound SSNHL patients were enrolled in the study. According to hearing improvement after GC treatment, patients were assigned into two groups: GC-sensitive and GC-resistant. A normal reference group included 20 healthy volunteers without hearing loss. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to detect the relative expression of GRα, GRβ, and HDAC2 in PBMCs at the mRNA and protein levels. RESULTS: The protein levels of GRs and HDAC2 in PBMCs of SSNHL patients were lower than the normal reference values before GC treatment. Compared with the GC-resistant group, both the mRNA and protein levels of GRα and HDAC2 were significantly increased in the GC-sensitive group after GC treatment. CONCLUSION: A lack of GRα and HDAC2 induction following steroid treatment in GC-resistant SSNHL patients may play a fundamental mechanistic role in GC insensitivity. Response of GRα and HDAC2 to steroid treatment may, thus, predict the prognosis of hearing improvement in SSNHL patients.
Blotting, Western ; Gene Expression ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Histone Deacetylase 2 ; Histone Deacetylases ; Histones ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; Reference Values ; RNA, Messenger

Objective The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of different location perfora-tions on the middle ear transfer functions by measuring the velocity and pattern of the tympanic membrane vibration in guinea pigs with intact and perforated TM .Methods A laser Doppler vibrometer was used to measure the sound transmission properties on the movement of the tympanic membrane on 6 fresh temporal bones of guinea pigs in the frequency range of 0 .5~8 kHz at 90 dB SPL .The velocity was measured at three points on the manubrium before and after a different location perforation was made with a 20-gauge needle(1 .1 mm diameter) .The locations of the perforations were in anterior -inferior quadrants of left ears and in posterior -inferior quadrants of right ears .And the velocity was measured from 6 poins with the intact tympanic membrane .Results The highest velocities were re-corded at the site of inferior umbo throughout the frequency range .The manubrium vibration velocity losses were noted in the perforated ears below 1 .5 kHz ,the velocity losses were smaller above 1 .5 kHz ,and the maximum ve-locity loss was about 7 dB at 500 Hz with the posterior -inferior quadrant perforation .Although there was a trend for anterior-inferior perforations to show a slighter loss than posterior -inferior perforations in velocity below 1 .5 kHz ,no statistical differences in velocity loss were found between different perforations .The average ratio of short process velocity to umbo velocity at all frequencies was approximately 0 .5 ,and the ratios were found no systematic differences before and after perforation at almost all frequencies from different perforations .Conclusion The manu-brium vibration velocity losses from TM perforation are frequency -dependent and the largest losses occur at the lowest sound frequencies .Different sites of small perforation have not any important effects on middle ear sound transmission .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on pulmonary function and related mechanism in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats.

METHODSThe rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control (NC), model control (MC) groups, methotrexate (MTX), tripterygium glycosides tablet (TPT) and Xinfeng capsule (XFC) treatment groups. The adjuvant-induced arthritis model was established by intracutaneous injection of 0.1 mL Freund ' s complete adjuvant in the right paw of rats; the drugs were given 19 d after model establishment. The toe swelling degree (E), arthritis index (AI), pulmonary function, peripheral blood Treg levels, pathological changes of lung tissue and expression of Foxp3, TGF-β1, Smad3, Smad7 proteins in lung tissue were measured 30 d after drug administration.

RESULTSCompared to NC group, the levels of E, AI, alveolitis score, TGF-β1 and Smad3 were significantly increased (P <0.05 or P <0.01); maximum expiratory flow 25% of vital capacity (FEF25),50% maximal expiratory vital capacity flow (FEF50), maximum expiratory flow at 75% of vital capacity (FEF75), maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMF), force peak expiratory flow (PEF), CD4+ CD25+ Treg, Foxp3 and Smad7 were significantly decreased in MC group (P <0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared to MC group,the expression of E, AI, TGF-β1 and Smad3 were reduced, while FEF50, FEF75, MMF, PEF, Treg, Foxp3 and Smad7 were elevated in XFC group (P <0.05 or P <0.01). Compared to XFC group, the level of body mass,FEF25,FEF50, FEF75, MMF and Treg were lower in MTX and TPT groups (P <0.05 or P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere are inflamed joints and reduced pulmonary function in rats of adjuvant-induced arthritis. XFC can inhibit paw edema degrees, reduce arthritis response, and improve pulmonary function, which is associated with up-regulating expression of Treg and Foxp3, down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1 and adjusting TGF-β1/Smads signal pathway.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To diagnose the mycotic otitis media correctly and to explore the most adequate treatment for the disease. METHOD: Thirty-six inpatients (39 ears) with mycotic otitis media in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Morphous of the fungi, the methods and efficacies of the treatment were analyzed respectively. RESULT: According to the fungal cultures, 27 ears were induced by mold fungus and 12 ears were induced by budding fungus. Among these 36 patients (39 ears), myringoplasty accompanied local antifungal cream were applied in one ear, mastoidectomy with canal wall down and/or tympanoplasty accompanied with oral antifungal medication were administrated in 35 ears, only oral antifungal drugs were used in 3 ears (the control ears of the bilateral mycotic otitis media, which was not treated by surgery). All of the patients were followed up for 3 to 36 months, otorrhea occurred in the patients who refused to oral antifungal medication for 3 weeks after the myringoplasty, then dry again by local antifungal cream, but otorrhea recurred 3 times within 2 years. Thirty-five patients (38 ears) acquired dry ear after surgery and/or oral antifungal drugs, but 2 of the 38 ears recurred separately at the fourth and sixth month after their surgeries, then dry again by irrigation with hydrogen peroxide and by administrating local antifungal cream for 3 weeks. CONCLUSION Otologists should elevate suspicion of mycotic otitis media when they meet patients with continuous otorrhea and patients who did not respond to the antibacterial treatment. The diagnosis based on microbiological findings, such as direct microscopy or fungal cultures should be done as soon as possible. If the otomycosis is decided, we suggest that topical treatment should be selected firstly, although most patients in present study were treated by surgery accompanied with oral antifungal medications. If there is obvious bone erosion, surgery is necessary to excise the pathological tissues, minificate the mastoid cavity and close the middle cavity in order to improve the hearing and prevent the infection from the outer ear.
Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Otitis Media ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacies of intratympanic prednisolone and dexamethasone injection for the subjective tinnitus. METHOD: A prospective study was designed to compare the efficacies of intratympanic prednisolone injection, intratympanic dexamethasone injection and carbamazepine by oral administration for subjective tinnitus. Seventy-three cases (78 ears) with subjective tinnitus for more than one month and treated by conservative therapy (such as vasodilator agent, Vitamin B, etc. by oral intake. ) were involved. The patients were randomized into 3 groups. Thirty-four cases (35 ears) were included in prednisolone group, 18 cases (18 ears) in dexamethasone group with intratympanic injection of prednisolone or dexamethasone, and 21 cases (25 ears) in carbamazepine group as a control group with oral administration of carbamazepine. All of the cases in intratympanic perfusion group were injected twice in the first week, then once a week consecutively. The patients were acupunctured 4-5 times in the whole course of treatment. All of the cases accepted Betahistine Mesylate, Mecobalamin and Vitamin B1 by oral intake at the same time. Pure tone audiogram and tinnitus matching were tested before the treatment immediately after the course of treatment, and were tested again after half a year's following up. RESULT: All of the cases accepted the whole treatment and were followed up for half a year successfully. The effective rate of the prednisolone group, dexamethasone group and the carbamazepine group was 48.6%, 33.3%, 44.0%, respectively; the control rate half a year after the treatment was 45.7%, 27.8%, 36.0%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the effective rate and control rate between intratympanic perfusion group and carbamazepine group. There is a statistically significant difference both in the effective rate and the control rate between the prednisolone group and the dexamethasone group. Prednisolone may be better than dexamethasone in intratympanic perfusion for subjective tinnitus. CONCLUSION Intratympanic steroid injection has a positive effect on subjective tinnitus and may be considered to be an alternative treatment to subjective tinnitus.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carbamazepine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Administration Routes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Tinnitus ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult