OBJECTIVES: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition among women that severely impairs quality of life. Pelvic floor proprioceptive training (PFPT) has attracted increasing attention for its potential to enhance pelvic floor muscle function and alleviate SUI symptoms. This study aims to observe and compare the clinical efficacy of PFPT combined with electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback therapy versus conventional therapy consisting of electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback alone in women with SUI, and to explore the role of PFPT in improving symptom and functional outcomes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 women with mild to moderate SUI were recruited from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between December 2021 and October 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=36) or a control group (n=36). Both groups received health education. The control group underwent electroacupuncture combined with electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy, while the experimental group additionally received PFPT 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength, bladder neck mobility, and balance ability. The ICIQ-SF was reassessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in all parameters after treatment (all P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in most measures (all P>0.05). The experimental group demonstrated longer single-leg stance duration with eyes closed than the control group (left leg: P=0.026; right leg: P=0.006), with a significant increase from baseline (P<0.001). At 6 months post-treatment, the cure rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS Conventional therapy effectively improves SUI symptoms, but adding PFPT provides notable additional benefits, including enhanced balance ability and sustained mid-term cure rates. These findings suggest that PFPT is a valuable adjunct to standard SUI management strategies.
Humans ; Female ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Adult ; Exercise Therapy/methods* ; Proprioception ; Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

Objective:To analyze the short-term clinical efficacy and safety of arsenic trioxide (ATO) combined with a modified N7 induction regimen in the treatment of children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB).Methods:This study was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter phase Ⅱ clinical study. Sixty-seven high-risk NB children from eight units of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Wuhan Children′s Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Hainan General Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Kunming Children′s Hospital, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Guangdong Provincial Agricultural Reclamation Center Hospital were enrolled from January 2019 to August 2023 and were treated with ATO combined with a modified N7 induction regimen. The efficacy and adverse effects at the end of induction chemotherapy were assessed and analyzed, and the differences in the clinical characteristics were further compared between the treatment-responsive and treatment-unresponsive groups by using the Fisher′s exact test.Results:Among 67 high-risk NB children, there were 40 males (60%) and 27 females (40%), with the age of disease onset of 3.5 (2.6, 4.8) years. Primary NB sites were mostly in retroperitoneum (including adrenal gland) (56/67, 84%) and the common metastases sites at initial diagnosis were distant lymph node in 25 cases (37%),bone in 48 cases (72%),bone marrow in 56 cases (84%) and intracalvarium in 3 cases (4%). MYCN gene amplification were detected in 28 cases (42%). At the end of induction, 33 cases (49%) achieved complete remission, 29 cases (43%) achieved partial remission, 1 case (1%) with stable disease, and 4 cases (6%) were assessed as progressive disease (PD). The objective remission rate was 93% (62/67) and the disease control rate was 94% (63/67). The percentage of central system metastases at the initial diagnosis was higher in the treatment-unresponsive group than in the treatment-responsive group (2/5 vs. 2% (1/62), P=0.013), whereas the difference in MYCN gene amplification was not statistically significant between two groups (3/5 vs.40% (25/62), P=0.786). Grade Ⅲ or higher adverse reactions during the induction chemotherapy period were myelosuppression occurred in 60 cases (90%), gastrointestinal symptoms occurred in 33 cases (49%), infections occurred in 20 cases (30%), hepatotoxicity occurred in 4 cases (6%), and cardiovascular toxicity occurred in 1 case (2%). There were no chemotherapy-related deaths. Conclusion:ATO combined with N7-modified induction regimen had a superiority in efficacy and safety, which deserved further promotion in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,increasing studies have shown that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can promote the healing of acute tendon injuries,but the specific mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on early angiogenesis after acute tendon injury,and to detect the regulatory relationship of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound with vascular endothelial growth factor-related signaling pathways,so as to reveal its potential mechanism of action. METHODS:Animal models of acute Achilles tendon injury were established using local injection of type I collagenase for 3 days in SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8-12 weeks,and were then randomly divided into ultrasound group and control group.In the ultrasound group,low-intensity pulsed ultrasound was treated daily with a small ultrasonic probe with an effective radiation area of 1 cm2 perpendicular to the Achilles tendon.No intervention was performed in the control group.Ultrasound imaging examination was performed 2 weeks later to observe the early healing of the tendon.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and CD31 immunohistochemical staining were performed to observe the changes in the number of blood vessels in the tissues after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment.The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-related signaling pathway molecules in Achilles tendon tissues was detected by western blot or qRT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the Achilles tendon in the ultrasound group was more continuous,the echo intensity was lower and more uniform,and the tendon thickness was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining and CD31 immunohistochemical staining results showed that after 2 weeks of treatment,the number of new vessels in the ultrasound group was significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0.05).Western blot and qRT-PCR results showed that after 2 weeks of continuous ultrasound intervention,the protein or mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor,Yes-associated protein,angiopoietin-2 and cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 in the Achilles tendon of the ultrasound group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).These finding indicate that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound significantly increases the number of blood vessels in the early stage of acute tendon injury and accelerate tendon healing by up-regulating vascular endothelial growth factor expression.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of Castor single-branch stent and in vitro fenestration stent in treating thoracic aortic diseases with insufficient landing zone.Methods:The clinical data of patients with thoracic aortic diseases treated with Castor single-branch stent or in vitro fenestrated stent between December 2017 and June 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 184 patients were included, 99 patients were treated with Castor branch stent, and 85 patients with in vitro fenestration stent. All patients′ general clinical data, surgical data, perioperative and follow-up clinical and imaging data, and postoperative complications were collected. The χ2 test was used to compare the incidence of complications between the two groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival rate without adverse events between the two groups. Results:Stent placement was successful in all patients, and the success rate of the technique was 100%. Other branches were reconstructed in 2 patients in the Castor group and double fenestrated stent were reconstructed in 12 patients in the fenestrated group. The mean operation time of the Castor group was significantly shorter than that of the fenestrated group, the number of patients who received local anesthesia was significantly lower than that of the fenestrated group, and the endoleak rate during follow-up was significantly lower than that of the fenestrated group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the postoperative hospital stay, the incidence rate of perioperative complications, mortality, the incidence rate of neurological complications, new dissection or aneurysm rate, branch stent stenosis rate, second surgical intervention rate, and false lumen thrombosis between the two groups ( P>0.05). The adverse event-free survival rate of the Castor group was slightly higher than that of the fenestrated group, but its difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Castor branch stent and in vitro fenestration stent have good short-term and mid-term efficacy in the treatment of aortic diseases with insufficient landing zone, which are safe and effective options for reconstruction of LSA and other branch arteries.

Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata is a processed product of Polygoni multiflori radix(Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.),and its main components include stilbene glycosides,anthraquinones,flavonoids,alkaloids,phenolic acids,etc.It has antioxidant,antianemic,anti-tumor,hypoglycemic,anti-inflammatory effects,etc,and is widely used in clinical practice.The processing technology is mainly stewinging with black bean juice,steaming,processing for 9 times and braising and simmering.After processing,the color deepens and the content of composition changes.By consulting domestic and foreign literature,the research on Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata is not comprehensive enough compared with Polygoni multiflori radix.Therefore,this paper mainly summarizes the processing technology,chemical composition and pharmacological activity of Polygoni multiflori radix preparata reported in the past 20 years,and provides a reference for further development of Polygoni multiflori radix preparata.

Objective:To retrieve, screen, and summarize the best evidence for non-pharmacological management of Parkinson's disease patients with depression, so as to provide evidence-based basis for medical and nursing staff to standardize the non-pharmacological management.Methods:Following the "6S" evidence model, relevant literature was systematically searched from top to bottom in UpToDate, British Medical Journal, Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center Database, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Guidelines International Network, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Medlive, Parkinson's Society of Canada, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data. The search period was from database establishment to March 31, 2023. After conducting methodological quality evaluation based on literature standards, evidence was extracted and summarized from literature that met the standards, and the level of each evidence was determined.Results:A total of 22 articles were included, including one clinical decision-making, three guidelines, 14 systematic reviews, and four expert consensuses. A total of 30 best evidence were formed from six aspects, namely screening and evaluation, psychological intervention, physical therapy, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, exercise, and health education.Conclusions:The best evidence for non-pharmacological management of Parkinson's disease patients with depression summarized provides evidence-based basis for the development of non-pharmacological management plans for Parkinson's disease patients with depression.

Methods:From Jan 2019 to Nov 2021, 20 patients underwent 3D printed template assisted pre-fenestration of stent graft with reducing-diameter tie technique and branched stents for the EVAR at the three hospitals. The clinical data patients were collected and analyzed.Results:All the 20 cases underwent 3D printed template assisted pre-fenestration of stent graft according to the data of pre-operative the computed tomographic angiography (CTA). EVAR was successfully performed in all patients(included 2 cases with one fenestration,5 cases with 2 fenestration,10 cases with 3 fenestration and 3 cases with 4 fenestration). Fifty-four reinforced fenestrations (20 in right renal artery, 18 in left renal artery, 13 in superior mesenteric artery and 3 in celiac artery) were performed. During the follow-up period (mean 14.6 months), 1 case died, and the one-stage patency rate of splanchnic artery branch stent was 98.1%. Four patients had endoleak, 1 patient died of intracranial hemorrhage during postoperative period. None of patients had postoperative paraplegia or organ ischemia.Conclusions:3D printed template assisted pre-fenestration of stent graft with reducing-diameter tie technique is feasible for EVAR in the treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections. The technique is capable to reinforce the blood supply of visceral arteries with satisfied short-term effectiveness.Ojective:To evaluate 3D printed template assisted pre-fenestration of stent graft with reducing-diameter tie technique and branched stents for the endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Objective To investigate the value of HALP score in evaluating the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy and whether the nomogram based on HALP score could effectively predict the postoperative survival of patients. Methods A retrospective study was performed for the clinical data of 253 HCC patients who underwent surgical treatment in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, from July 2013 to March 2020. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to calculate the optimal cut-off values of HALP score and other related indicators; the chi-square test was used to investigate the association between HALP score and clinicopathological features; the Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, and the Log-rank test method was used for comparison. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association of HALP score and other clinical parameters with the prognosis of patients. R3.6 was used to establish a nomogram; C-index and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive ability of the nomogram, and net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to compare predictive ability between the nomogram model and the conventional model. Results The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the high HALP group had significantly better overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) than the low HALP group ( P < 0.001). The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that white blood cell count, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), surgical approach, microvascular invasion, TNM stage, degree of tumor differentiation, HALP, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were significantly associated with OS (all P < 0.05). The variables with statistical significance in the univariate Cox regression analysis were included in the multivariate Cox regression analysis, and the results showed that ALP, AST/ALT ratio, ALP, AFP, degree of tumor differentiation, and TNM stage were independent influencing factors for OS after surgery in HCC patients (all P < 0.05). The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that GGT, ALP, AFP, microvascular invasion, TNM stage, degree of tumor differentiation, HALP, AST/ALT ratio, NLR, and MLR were significantly associated with RFS (all P < 0.05), and the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that HALP, AST/ALT ratio, NLR, ALP, AFP, and TNM stage were independent influencing factors for RFS after surgery in HCC patients (all P < 0.05). The nomograms for OS and RFS of HCC patients were established based on the multivariate analysis. The nomogram for OS had a C-index of 0.732 (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 0.691-0.774) and an area under the ROC curve of 0.795, 0.791, and 0.775, respectively, in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates, and the nomogram for RFS had a C-index of 0.677 (95% CI : 0.637-0.717) and an area under the ROC curve of 0.742, 0.733, and 0.716, respectively, in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. The calibration curves of 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS were well fitted to those of 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS. Conclusion A low level of HALP before surgery is a predictive factor for poor long-term prognosis in HCC patients undergoing surgical treatment, and the nomogram model based on HALP score is superior to the BCLC staging model and can better predict the prognosis of HCC.

OBJECTIVES: Restoration of blood circulation within "time window" is the principal treating goal for treating acute ischemic stroke. Previous studies revealed that delayed recanalization might cause serious ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, plenty of evidences showed delayed recanalization improved neurological outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. This study aims to explore the role of delayed recanalization on blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the penumbra (surrounding ischemic core) and neurological outcomes after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). METHODS: Recanalization was performed on the 3rd day after MCAO. BBB disruption was tested by Western blotting, Evans blue dye, and immunofluorescence staining. Infarct volume and neurological outcomes were evaluated on the 7th day after MCAO. The expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and serine/threonine kinase (Akt) in the penumbra were observed by immunofluorescence staining and/or Western blotting. RESULTS: The extraversion of Evans blue, IgG, and albumin increased surrounding ischemic core after MCAO, but significantly decreased after recanalization. The expression of Claudin-5, Occludin, and zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) decreased surrounding ischemic core after MCAO, but significantly increased after recanalization. Infarct volume reduced and neurological outcomes improved following recanalization (on the 7th day after MCAO). The expressions of Claudin-5, Occludin, and ZO-1 decreased surrounding ischemic core following MCAO, which were up-regulated corresponding to the increases of FGF21, p-FGFR1, PI3K, and p-Akt after recanalization. Intra-cerebroventricular injection of FGFR1 inhibitor SU5402 down-regulated the expression of PI3K, p-Akt, Occludin, Claudin-5, and ZO-1 in the penumbra, which weakened the beneficial effects of recanalization on neurological outcomes after MCAO. CONCLUSIONS Delayed recanalization on the 3rd day after MCAO increases endogenous FGF21 in the penumbra and activates FGFR1/PI3K/Akt pathway, which attenuates BBB disruption in the penumbra and improves neurobehavior in MCAO rats.
Animals ; Rats ; Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism* ; Brain Ischemia ; Claudin-5/metabolism* ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/metabolism* ; Ischemic Stroke/metabolism* ; Occludin/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism* ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the association of polymorphisms at the matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-3-1612 position of the promotor region with the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in elderly patients with cerebral ischemic stroke.Methods:In this retrospective study, 129 elderly patients with cerebral infarction diagnosed and treated in our hospital between March 2019 and March 2021 were enrolled as the study group, and 110 healthy subjects were selected as the control group.Polymorphisms of the MMP-3-1612 position in the promotor region, the inflammatory response and oxidative stress were examined using appropriate parameters and the associations between them were analyzed. Results:Compared with the control group, the proportions of patients with hypertension, diabetes, and smoking history in the study group were significantly higher( χ2=16.05, 17.19, 14.19, all P<0.05), and the levels of fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein, and homocysteine were also significantly higher( t=6.22, 3.64, 2.69, all P<0.05).Meanwhile, compared with patients carrying the MMP-3-5A/6A or the MMP-3-6A/6A genotype, the levels of serum inflammatory markers such as high mobility group box-1 protein(HMGB1), fractalkine(FKN), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-17(IL-17)in patients carrying the MMP-3 gene 5A/5A genotype were significantly higher(all P<0.05).In addition, the expression of serum oxidative stress-related molecules Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor2(Nrf2), antioxidant response element(ARE), quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)was also significantly increased(all P<0.05), but there was no difference in these markers between patients carrying the MMP-3-5A/6A genotype and patients carrying the MMP-3-6A/6A genotype( P>0.05).Patients carrying the 5A/5A genotype and the 6A/6A genotype exhibited only one 97 bp band and one 120 bp band, respectively, while the patients carrying the 5A/6A genotype exhibited two 97 bp bands and two 120 bp bands.There was no statistical difference in the number of patients carrying the 5A/6A genotype in the cerebral infarction group compared with the control group( P>0.05), and the number of patients carrying the 5A/5A genotype in the cerebral infarction group was higher than that in the control group(69% or 53.49% vs.35% or 31.82%, χ2=11.34, P<0.05).Polymorphisms of the MMP-3 gene had a positive correlation with the risk of stroke( r=0.25, P<0.05). MMP-3-1612 gene polymorphism( OR=7.21, 95% CI: 1.13-1.83, P=0.01), elevated blood glucose( OR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.18-2.06, P<0.001), high homocysteine( OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.08-1.58, P<0.01), hypertension( OR=5.414, 95% CI: 1.140-4.46, P<0.01), elevated low-density lipoprotein( OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.03-2.35, P=0.02), coronary heart disease( OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.47-3.19, P<0.01)and diabetes( OR=8.52, 95% CI: 1.32-4.71, P<0.01)were risk factors for cerebral infarction. Conclusions:In elderly patients with cerebral infarction, polymorphisms of the MMP-3-1612 position in the promotor region is closely related to the risk of cerebral ischemic stroke, the inflammatory response and oxidative stress.MMP-3 gene polymorphisms are risk factors for stroke.