To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

Background Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can disrupt the metabolic homeostasis of the liver and accelerate the progression of liver diseases, but there are few studies on the effects of sub-chronic PM_2.5 exposure on the liver metabolome. Objectives To investigate the effects of sub-chronic exposure to concentrated PM_2.5 on hepatic metabolomics in mice by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and to identify potentially affected metabolites and metabolic pathways. Methods Twelve male C57BL/6J (6 weeks old) mice were randomly divided into two groups: a concentrated PM_2.5 exposure group and a clean air exposure group. The mice were exposed to concentrated PM_2.5 using the "Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System" at Fudan University. The exposure duration was 8 h per day, 6 d per week, for a total of 8 weeks. The mice's liver tissues were collected 24 h after the completion of exposure. LC-MS was performed to assess changes in the hepatic metabolome. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and t-test were employed to identify differentially regulated metabolites between the two groups under the conditions of variable important in projection (VIP)≥1.0 and P<0.05. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 software and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Results A total of 297 differentially regulated metabolites were identified between the concentrated PM_2.5 exposure group and the clean air group. Among these metabolites, 142 were upregulated and 155 were downregulated. A total of 38 metabolic pathways were altered, with 7 pathways showing significant perturbation (P<0.05). These pathways involved amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, as well as cofactor and vitamin metabolism. The 7 significant metabolic pathways were pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis; purine metabolism; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; and fructose and mannose metabolism. Conclusion The results from metabolomics analysis suggest that sub-chronic exposure to PM_2.5 may disrupt hepatic energy metabolism and induce oxidative stress damage. Aspartic acid, succinic acid, ornithine, fumaric acid, as well as purine and xanthine derivatives, were identified as potential early biomarkers of hepatic response to sub-chronic PM_2.5 exposure.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of one-stage posterior lesion removal and internal spinal fixation in patients with lumbar Brucellosis spondylitis.Methods The clinical data of 24 patients admitted from October 2017 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,2 patients were lost to follow-up at 10 months after surgery,at the final 22 cases were included in the study,including 13 males and 9 females with an average age of(52.00±6.89)years old,were treated with one-stage posterior lesion removal and internal spinal fixation.The operation time,intraoperative bleeding,follow-up time,ery-throcyte sedimentation rate(ESR)and C-reactive protein(CRP)before and after operation were recorded.The pain visual ana-logue scale(VAS),Oswestry disability index(ODI),the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score for neurofunction,American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)spinal cord injury grade and modified MacNab criteria were ussed to evaluate the efficacy.Results All patients were followed up from 12 to 30 months with an average of(17.41±4.45)months.The operation time was 70 to 155 min with an average of(1 16.59±24.32)min;the intraoperative bleeding volume was 120 to 520 ml with an average of(275.00±97.53)ml.CRP and ESR levels decreased more significantly at 1 week and at the final follow-up than pre-operative levels(P＜0.05).VAS,JOA score and ODI at 1 week and at the latest follow-up were more significantly improved than preoperative results(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference between ASIA preoperative and 1 week after operation(P＞0.05),and a significant difference between preoperative and last follow-up(P＜0.05).In the final follow-up,21 patients had ex-cellent efficacy,1 patient had fair,and there was no recurrence during the follow-up.Conclusion One-stage transpedicular le-sion removal and internal spinal fixation,with few incisions and short operation time,helps the recovery of neurological func-tion,and the prognosis meets the clinical requirements,which can effectively control Brucella spondylitis.

Malignant tumors are major diseases that endanger human health. Due to their complex and variable microenvironment, most anti-tumor drugs cannot precisely reach the focal tissue and be released in a controlled manner. Intelligent responsive nano carriers have become a hot spot in the field of anti-tumor drug delivery systems. As an excellent nano material, mesoporous silica has the advantages of non-toxic, stable, adjustable pore volume and pore diameter, and easy functional modification on the surface. By virtue of its perceptive response to the tumor microenvironment or physiological changes, it can achieve the targeted drug release or controlled drug release of the drug delivery system in the tissue, making it an ideal carrier for intelligent response drug delivery system. In this paper, we review the design strategies and current research status of smart responsive anti-tumor drug delivery systems based on mesoporous silica, in order to provide a reference for the development of anti-tumor drug nanoformulations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic multi-point fixation with anchor and suture in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fracture of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) involving the anterior root of lateral meniscus (LM). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 28 patients with tibial insertion avulsion fracture of ACL involving the anterior root of LM who were treated with arthroscopic multi-point fixation with anchor and suture between October 2017 and January 2023. There were 12 males and 16 females with the mean age of 26 years (range, 13-57 years). There were 20 cases of sports injury and 8 cases of traffic accident injury. In 2 cases of old fracture, the time from injury to operation was 45 days and 90 days, respectively; in 26 cases of fresh fracture, the time from injury to operation was 3-20 days (mean, 6.7 days). According to the Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 4 cases of type Ⅱ, 11 cases of type Ⅲ, and 13 cases of type Ⅳ. The preoperative Lysholm knee function score was 42.1±9.0, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 40.0±7.3, and the Tegner score was 0.7±0.7. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed, and the incisions healed by first intention. All the 28 patients were followed up 5-60 months (mean, 20.4 months). During the follow-up, there was nocomplication such as infection, vascular or nerve injury, loosening or breakage of internal fixator, or stiffness of knee joint. Postoperative X-ray films showed satisfactory fracture reduction and firm fixation. All fractures healed clinically, and the healing time was 8-16 weeks (mean, 10.3 weeks). At last follow-up, Lachman test and anterior drawer test were negative. At last follow-up, Lysholm knee function score was 92.4±5.5, IKDC score was 91.6±4.4, and Tegner score was 5.2±1.1, which significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores ( t=-22.899, P<0.001; t=-29.870, P<0.001; t=-19.979, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Multi-point fixation with anchor and suture in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fracture of ACL involving the anterior root of LM can not only fix the LM, but also effectively reduce and fix the avulsion fracture, which can obtain good effectiveness.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Menisci, Tibial/surgery* ; Fractures, Avulsion/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Arthroscopy ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Sutures ; Suture Techniques

BACKGROUND: Ventricular remodeling after acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AAMI) is an important factor in occurrence of heart failure which additionally results in poor prognosis. Therefore, the treatment of ventricular remodeling needs to be further optimized. Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP), a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a protective effect on microcirculatory disturbance caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after AAMI on a larger scale. METHODS: This study is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The total of 268 patients with AAMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) will be randomly assigned 1:1 to the CDDP group (n=134) and control group (n=134) with a follow-up of 48 weeks. Both groups will be treated with standard therapy of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with the CDDP group administrating 20 tablets of CDDP before pPCI and 10 tablets 3 times daily after pPCI, and the control group treated with a placebo simultaneously. The primary endpoint is 48-week echocardiographic outcomes including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI). The secondary endpoint includes the change in N terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular events (death, cardiac arrest, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rehospitalization due to heart failure or angina pectoris, deterioration of cardiac function, and stroke). Investigators and patients are both blinded to the allocated treatment. DISCUSSION This prospective study will investigate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in patients undergoing pPCI for a first AAMI. Patients in the CDDP group will be compared with those in the control group. If certified to be effective, CDDP treatment in AAMI will probably be advised on a larger scale. (Trial registration No. NCT05000411).
Humans ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/therapy* ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Remodeling ; Prospective Studies ; Microcirculation ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects* ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Multicenter Studies as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and muscle injury imaging between oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of single-segment degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: The clinical data of 60 patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent surgical treatment from January 2018 to October 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into OLIF groups and TLIF group according to different surgical methods. The 30 patients in the OLIF group were treated with OLIF plus posterior intermuscular screw rod internal fixation. There were 13 males and 17 females, aged from 52 to 74 years old with an average of (62.6±8.3) years old. And 30 patients in the TLIF group were treated with TLIF via the left approach. There were 14 males and 16 females, aged from 50 to 81 years old with an average of (61.7±10.4) years old. General data including operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and complications were recorded for both groups. Radiologic data including disc height (DH), the left psoas major muscle, multifidus muscle, longissimus muscle area, T2-weighted image hyperintensity changes and interbody fusion or nonfusion were observed. Laboratory parameters including creatine kinase (CK) values on postoperative 1st and 5th days were analyzed. Visual analogue scale(VAS) and Oswestry disability index(ODI) were used to assess clinical efficacy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the operative time between two groups(P>0.05). The OLIF group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume compared to the TLIF group(P<0.01). The OLIF group also had DH better recovery compared to the TLIF group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in left psoas major muscle area and the hyperintensity degree before and after the operation in the OLIF group (P>0.05). Postoperativly, the area of the left multifidus muscle and longissimus muscle, as well as the mean of the left multifidus muscle and longissimus muscle in the OLIF group, were lower than those in the TLIF group (P<0.05) .On the 1st day and the 5th day after operation, CK level in the OLIF group was lower than that in the TLIF group(P<0.05). On the 3rd day after operation, the VAS of low back pain and leg pain in the OLIF group were lower than those in the TLIF group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the ODI of postoperative 12 months, low back and leg pain VAS at 3, 6, 12 months between the two groups(P>0.05). In the OLIF group, 1 case of left lower extremity skin temperature increased after the operation, and the sympathetic chain was considered to be injured during the operation, and 2 cases of left thigh anterior numbness occurred, which was considered to be related to psoas major muscle stretch, resulting in a complication rate of 10% (3/30). In the TLIF group, one patient had limited ankle dorsiflexion, which was related to nerve root traction, two patients had cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and the dural sac was torn during the operation, and one patient had incision fat liquefaction, which was related to paraspinal muscle dissection injury, resulting in a complication rate of 13% (4/30). All patients achieved interbody fusion without cage collapse during the 6- month follow-up. CONCLUSION Both OLIF and TLIF are effective in the treatment of single-segment degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. However, OLIF surgery has obviously advantages, including less intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain, and good recovery of intervertebral space height. From the changes in laboratory indexes of CK and the comparison of the left psoas major muscle, multifidus muscle, longissimus muscle area, and high signal intensity of T2 image on imaging, it can be seen that the degree of muscle damage and interference of OLIF surgery is lower than that of TLIF.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Pain, Postoperative ; Muscles ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics,diagnosis,and differential diagnosis of invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma(IMA)and mixed invasive mucinous and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma(mIMA).Methods The clinical data were collected in 36 patients with primary IMA and 17 patients with mIMA,and the expression of TTF-1,CK7,CK20,SATB2,CDX2,EGFR,HNF4a,etc.was detected by immunohistochemical EnVision two-step method.The Sanger se-quencing and the FISH were used for KRAS mutation and NRG1 gene rearrangement detection.The clinicopathological character-istics were analyzed with review of relevant literature.Results There were 9 cases(25.0％)and 3(8.3％)cases of papillary and micropapillary structures in IMA,while 13 cases(76.5％)(P＜0.001)and 9 cases(52.9％)(P=0.001)were present in mIMA.There were 5 cases(13.9％)of high nuclear grade of IMA and 10 cases(58.8％)of high nuclear grade of mIMA(P=0.002).TTF-1 had a positive rate of 37.5％in IMA,but 60.0％and 80.0％in the mucinous adenocarcinoma and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma components of mIMA(P=0.021),respectively.The positive rates of CK7,CK20,and CDX2 in IMA were 90.6％,21.9％,and 9.4％,and the positive rates in mucinous adenocarcinoma and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma components of mIMA were 100％,20％,20％and 100％,6.7％,6.7％,respectively and no SATB2 expression was found in all cases.There was no significant difference in the expres-sion of total EGFR and two EGFR mutation-specific antibodies(L858R,DEL19)between IMA and mIMA.There were 3 cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma with L858R positive in mIMA,and 2 of them were negative for non-mueinous adenocarcinoma.In another case,the non-mueinous adenocarcinoma component of mIMA expressed DEL19,but the mucinous adenocarcinoma component was not expressed.The positive rate of HNF4a in IMA was 72.0％(18/25),and those of HNF4a in mucinous adenocarcinoma and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma in mIMA were 41.7％(5/12)and 33.3％(4/12),respectively(P=0.048).KRAS gene sequencing was carried out in 19 cases of IMA,among which 9 cases(47.4％)had mutations,G12D and G12V were most commonly detected,and 4 cases of mIMA were sequenced,but none of them showed KRAS mutations.FISH detection showed that 2 cases(7.1％)IMAs had NRG1 translocation rearrangement.Conclusion Pulmonary mIMA is more aggressive than IMA.For example,mIMA has significantly more papillary structure,micropapillary structure,and high nu-clear grade cases than IMA.The differences in immunohisto-chemical expression and KRAS mutation between the two are sta-tistically significant.

Objective:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of Rauwolfia extract(RE)on the proliferation of prostate cells in the rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods:We randomly divided 48 male SD rats into six groups of an equal number,BPH model control,finasteride,low-concentration RE,medium-concentration RE,high-concentration RE and normal control,and established a BPH model in the former five groups by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate follow-ing castration.We treated the rats of the finasteride and RE groups intragastrically with finasteride solution at 5 mg/kg and RE at 5,10 and 20 mg/kg respectively,and those of the model control and normal control groups with an equal dose of normal saline,all once a day for 28 consecutive days.Then,we killed all the animals,collected their prostate tissue,obtained the wet weight and volume of the prostate,the prostate index and the contents of serum T and dihydrotestosterone(DHT),observed the morphological changes of the prostate tissue by HE staining,counted the glands in the prostate tissue,measured the intraglandular area,and determined the expres-sions of PCNA and α-SMA by immunohistochemistry.Results:Compared with the rats of the normal control group,the BPH model controls showed significantly increased wet weight([0.923±0.15]vs[1.455±0.52]g,P＜0.05),volume([1.035± 0.29]vs[1.687±0.31]ml,P＜0.05)and index of the prostate([0.23±0.04]％vs[0.37±0.15]％,P＜0.05),dila-tion,hyperemia and edema of the prostatic stroma and vessels,and proliferation rate of the prostatic cells,but remarkably decreased number of glands([20.35±3.83]vs[12.56±2.58],P＜0.05),epithelial thickness([39.76±5.20]vs[19.52± 1.52]μm,P＜0.05)and intraglandular area([12.3±1.21]vs[5.96±0.34]× 103 μm2,P＜0.05).In comparison with the BPH model controls,the animals treated with RE,especially in the high-concentration RE group,exhibited marked decreases in the weight([1.455±0.52]vs[0.862±0.31]g,P＜0.05),volume([1.687±0.31]vs[0.952±0.28]ml,P＜0.05)and index of the prostate([0.37±0.15]％vs[0.22±0.07]％,P＜0.05),dramatic improvement in the number of glands([12.56±2.58]vs[18.36±1.25],P＜0.05),epithelial thickness([39.76±5.20]vs[19.04±3.89]μm,P＜0.05)and intraglandular area([5.96±0.34]vs[10.25±0.98]× 103μm2,P＜0.05],P＜0.05),remarkable down-regula-tion of the expressions of PCNA and α-SMA,and significant reduction of the contents of serum T([19.147±3.214]vs[6.016± 1.978]ng/ml,P＜0.05)and DHT([9.052±0.633]vs[2.532±0.386]ng/ml,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Rauwolfia ex-tract can inhibit the proliferation of prostate cells and relieve BPH symptoms in a concentration-dependent manner in rats with BPH.

Objective: To analyze the safety and efficacy of combined left atrial appendage (LAA) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in adult atrial fibrillation (AF) patients complicating with PFO. Methods: This study is a retrospective and cross-sectional study. Seven patients with AF complicated with PFO diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences from June 2017 to October 2020 were selected. Basic data such as age, gender and medical history were collected. The atrial septal defect or PFO occluder and LAA occluder were selected according to the size of PFO, the ostia width and depth of LAA. Four patients underwent left atrial appendage closure(LAAC) and PFO closure at the same time. PFO closure was performed during a one-stop procedure of cryoablation combined with LAAC in 2 patients. One patient underwent PFO closure at 10 weeks after one-stop procedure because of recurrent transient ischemic attack (TIA). All patients continued to take oral anticoagulants. TEE was repeated 8-12 weeks after intervention. In case of device related thrombus(DRT), TEE shall be rechecked 6 months after adjusting anticoagulant and antiplatelet drug treatment. Patients were follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months by telephone call, and the occurrence of cardio-cerebrovascular events was recorded. Results: Among the 7 patients with AF, 2 were male, aged (68.0±9.4) years, and 3 had a history of recurrent cerebral infarction and TIA. Average PFO diameter was (3.5±0.8)mm. Three patients were implanted with Watchman LAA occluder (30, 30, 33 mm) and atrial septal defect occluder (8, 9, 16 mm). 2 patients were implanted with LAmbre LAA occluder (34/38, 18/32 mm) and PFO occluder (PF1825, PF2525). 2 patients were implanted with LACbes LAA occluder (24, 28 mm) and PFO occluder (PF2525, PF1825) respectively. The patients were followed up for 12 (11, 24) months after operation. TEE reexamination showed that the position of LAA occluder and atrial septal defect occluder or PFO occluder was normal in all patients. DRT was detected in 1 patient, and anticoagulant therapy was adjusted in this patient. 6 months later, TEE showed that DRT disappeared. No cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events occurred in all patients with AF during follow-up. Conclusions: In AF patients complicated with PFO, LAAC combined with PFO closure may have good safety and effectiveness.
Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Appendage/surgery* ; Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Cardiac Catheterization/methods* ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Foramen Ovale, Patent/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies