ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 （mTORC1） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group， with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules， while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate （PR）， total sperm motility （PR+NP）， percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally， eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group， and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK， phosphorylated （p）-AMPK， regulatory-associated protein of mTOR （RAPTOR） and p-RAPTOR， and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1） in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment， as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% （3/33）， which was higher than that （3.33%， 1/30） in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% （28/33） in the observation group and 66.7% （20/30） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference. After treatment， both groups were improved considering PR， PR+NP， MMP， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group （P<0.05）， while the changes in PR， PR+NP， and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group， the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK （P<0.01）. The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 （P<0.01）. However， the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period， neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway， lowering the protein level of PINK1， and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 （mTORC1） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group， with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules， while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate （PR）， total sperm motility （PR+NP）， percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally， eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group， and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK， phosphorylated （p）-AMPK， regulatory-associated protein of mTOR （RAPTOR） and p-RAPTOR， and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1） in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment， as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% （3/33）， which was higher than that （3.33%， 1/30） in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% （28/33） in the observation group and 66.7% （20/30） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference. After treatment， both groups were improved considering PR， PR+NP， MMP， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group （P<0.05）， while the changes in PR， PR+NP， and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group， the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK （P<0.01）. The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 （P<0.01）. However， the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period， neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway， lowering the protein level of PINK1， and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of digital three-dimensional (3D) assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the treatment of highly isolated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with translaminar approach. METHODS: The clinical data of 59 patients who met the selection criteria and underwent UBE treatment due to highly isolated LDH between January 2022 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 cases were treated with digital 3D assisted translaminar approach (observation group) and 34 cases were treated with interlaminar approach (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, surgical segment, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and lateral articular surface preservation rate were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score and ODI were used to evaluate the improvements of pain and function before operation and at 3 and 6 months after operation. The modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness at last follow-up. RESULTS: One patient in the control group had dural tear, and the other patients had no nerve injury, infection, dural tear, or other related complications. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-13 months, with an average of 8.3 months. The lateral articular surface preservation rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). Three patients in the observation group and 2 patients in the control group had calf muscle venous thrombosis, which was cured after anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban and delayed exercise time. There was no recurrence or second operation during the follow-up period. The VAS score and ODI of the two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria, and there was no significant difference in the evaluation grade and excellent and good rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUTION UBE via translaminar approach is safe and effective for the treatment of highly isolated LDH, which is beneficial to protect the facet joint, maintain spinal stability, and reduce soft tissue injury. With the assistance of digital 3D technique, preoperative planning can be performed accurately.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Operative Time ; Pain Measurement

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) laminectomy in the treatment of two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). METHODS: The clinical data of 98 patients with two-level LSS treated with UBE between September 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 53 males and 45 females with an average age of 59.9 years (range, 32-79 years). Among them, there were 56 cases of mixed spinal stenosis, 23 cases of central spinal canal stenosis, and 19 cases of nerve root canal stenosis. The duration of symptoms was 1.5- 10 years, with an average of 5.4 years. The operative segments were L _{2, 3} and L _{3, 4} in 2 cases, L _{3, 4} and L _{4, 5} in 29 cases, L _{4, 5} and L _5, S ₁ in 67 cases. All patients had different degrees of low back pain, among of which 76 cases were with unilateral lower extremity symptoms and 22 cases were with bilateral lower extremity symptoms. There were 29 cases of bilateral decompression in both segments, 63 cases of unilateral decompression in both segments, and 6 cases of unilateral decompression and bilateral decompression of each segment. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total incision length, hospitalization stay, ambulation time, and related complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the low back and leg pain before operation and at 3 days, 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the functional recovery of lumbar spine before operation and at 3 months and last follow-up after operation. Modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate clinical outcomes at last follow-up. Imaging examinations were performed before and after operation to measure the preservation rate of articular process, modified Pfirrmann scale, disc height (DH), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and cross-sectional area of the canal (CAC), and the CAC improvement rate was calculated. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time was (106.7±25.1) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (67.7±14.2) mL, and the total incision length was (3.2±0.4) cm. The hospitalization stay was 8 (7, 9) days, and the ambulation time was 3 (3, 4) days. All the wounds healed by first intention. Dural tear occurred in 1 case during operation, and mild headache occurred in 1 case after operation. All patients were followed up 13-28 months with an average of 19.3 months, and there was no recurrence or reoperation during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the preservation rate of articular process was 84.7%±7.3%. The modified Pfirrmann scale and DH were significantly different from those before operation ( P<0.05), while the LLA was not significantly different from that before operation ( P=0.050). The CAC significantly improved ( P<0.05), and the CAC improvement rate was 108.1%±17.8%. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the differences between each time points were significant ( P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 63 cases were excellent, 25 cases were good, and 10 cases were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 89.8%. CONCLUSION UBE laminectomy is a safe and effective technique with little trauma and fast recovery for two-level LSS and the early effectiveness is satisfactory.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Laminectomy ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Constriction, Pathologic/surgery* ; Low Back Pain ; Retrospective Studies ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Endoscopy ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Decompression, Surgical ; Surgical Wound/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To prepare specific mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human adenovirus type 55 Hexon protein (HAdV55 Hexon). Methods The Hexon genes of HAdV55, 3, 4, 7, 16 and 21 were chemically synthesized as templates for PCR amplification. The prokaryotic expression plasmids pET28a-HAdV55 Hexon and eukaryotic expression plasmids pCAGGS-HAdV3, 4, 7, 16, 21 and 55 Hexon were constructed respectively. The pET28a-HAdV55 Hexon plasmid was transformed into E. coli competent cell BL21 (DE3) and was induced by IPTG. After the purified inclusion body was denatured and renatured, Hexon55 protein was purified by tangential flow filtration system. pCAGGS-HAdV55 Hexon was used to immunize BALB/c mice by cupping, and HAdV55 Hexon protein was used to booster immunization. The anti-HAdV55 Hexon mAb was prepared by hybridoma technique and the titer and subclass were determined. The specificity of antibody was identified by Western blot using HEK293T cells transfected with pCAGGS-HAdV55 Hexon and by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using BHK cells transfected with pCAGGS-HAdV55 Hexon. Both clones with high titer were selected, and the cross-reactivity of pCAGGS-HAdV3, 4, 7, 16, 21 and 55 Hexon transfected cells were analyzed by Western blot analysis and IFA. Results PET28a-HAdV55 Hexon and pCAGGS-HAdV55 Hexon, 3, 4, 7, 16 and 21 expression plasmids were successfully constructed. BL21 transformed with pET28a-HAdV55 Hexon was induced by IPTG. The HAdV55 Hexon protein was mainly expressed in the form of inclusion body. After denaturation and renaturation, the purified HAdV55 Hexon protein was obtained by ultrafiltration. Six hybridoma cell lines secreting HAdV55 Hexon mAb were obtained. The antibody subclass analysis showed that 2 strains were IgG2a subtypes and 4 strains were IgG2b. Two specific HAdV55 Hexon antibodies with high titer were obtained, and there was no cross-reactivity with HAdV3, 4, 7, 16, 21 Hexon. Conclusion The specific mice mAb against HAdV55 Hexon provides an experimental basis for establishing its antigen detection method.
Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Adenoviruses, Human/genetics* ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; HEK293 Cells ; Isopropyl Thiogalactoside ; Blotting, Western ; Immunoglobulin G ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibody Specificity ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Conventional transcatheter aortic valve replacement is normally recommended with transthoracic echocardiography, and contrast agent mediated fluoroscopy under anesthesia to guide a better implantation of the transcatheter valve. However, iodine-containing contrast agent possibly damages the patient’s kidney, and even induces the acute kidney injury. We reported a 75-year-old patient diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis, moderate regurgitation, and chronic renal failure. We performed the aortic valve replacement under the guidance of fluoroscopy and transesophageal ultrasound without contrast agent. Seven days after surgery, the patient recovered well and discharged with alleviated aortic stenosis and fixed transcatheter aortic valve.

Objective:To investigate the value of α-synuclein (α-syn) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in predicting postoperative delirium (POD).Methods:One thousand patients underwent elective surgery with combined epidural-spinal anesthesia in our hospital from January 2018 to September 2020 were selected.The epidural puncture was performed at L 3, 4 interspace, and 2 ml of CSF was collected after the needle reaching the subarachnoid space.The concentrations of α-syn, β-amyloid (Aβ)40, Aβ42, total tau protein (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) in CSF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The concentrations of α-syn in CSF and occurrence of POD in patients of different ages were recorded.Patients were divided into POD group and non-POD group according to whether POD occurred, and frequency matching (1∶1) was performed based on five matching variables of age, ASA physical status, education level, duration of operation, and intraoperative blood loss. Results:Eight hundred and forty-one patients were finally included in the study, and the incidence of POD was 15.0%. There were 126 cases in POD group and 126 cases in non-POD group after matching. The concentrations of α-syn in CSF and incidence of POD were gradually increased with age ( P<0.05). Compared with non-POD group, the concentrations of α-syn, T-tau and P-tau in CSF were significantly increased, the concentrations of Aβ40 and Aβ42 were decreased, Aβ40/P-tau, Aβ42/P-tau, Aβ42/Aβ40 and P-tau/T-tau were decreased in POD group ( P<0.05). After confounding factors were corrected by logistic regression analysis, increased concentrations of α-syn, p-tau, and T-tau in CSF were risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). Increased concentrations of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in CSF and increased Aβ40/P-tau and Aβ42/P-tau were protective factors for POD ( P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the concentration of α-syn in CSF was negatively correlated with Aβ40 and Aβ42 concentrations and positively correlated with P-tau and T-tau concentrations ( P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of concentrations of α-syn in CSF predicting POD was 0.895, Youden index was 0.664, sensitivity was 80.00%, and specificity was 86.36% ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The concentration of α-syn in CSF is related to the occurrence of POD, and it provides higher accuracy in predicting POD.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction for pediatric acute intussusception.Methods:One thousand eight hundred and thirty patients with acute intussusception diagnosed by ultrasound in Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from September 2017 to July 2020 were treated with ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction method. The therapeutic effects, complications and ultrasonic features were observed.Results:Among 1 830 cases, 1 791 cases were diagnosed as primary intussusception, and 39 cases were secondary intussusception. The overall rate of successful ultrasound enema reduction were 1 780/1 830(93.7%) patients. All 50/1 830(2.7%) patients underwent surgery after unsuccessful enema reduction, including 42 cases of primary intussusception, and 8 cases of secondary intussusception. The complication of intestinal perforation occurred in 3 cases (0.16%), and there were no deaths.Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided enema reduction for pediatric acute intussusception is an effective and safe method without radiation exposure, and can be used as the preferred method for non-operative treatment of intussusception.

ObjectiveTo screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and related candidate therapeutic drugs for acute pancreatitis (AP) using the bioinformatics method. MethodsHigh-throughput microarray datasets (GSE109227 and GSE65146) associated with AP in mice were downloaded from gene expression omnibus, and GEO2R was used to screen out DEGs. Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery was used to perform gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) was established in String database and visualized by Cytoscape, and then subnetwork modules and hub genes were screened out. The microRNAs associated with the hub genes were predicted and candidate drugs were screened out using Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). ResultsA total of 130 upregulated and 16 downregulated DEGs were screened out in the high-throughput microarray datasets GSE109227 and GSE65146. DEGs were mainly involved in the biological processes such as inflammatory response, neutrophil chemotaxis, tumor necrosis factor-mediated cellular response, and positive regulation of gene expression, and they were also involved in the signaling pathways of extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and focal adhesion. A total of 12 hub genes and 6 subnetwork modules were screened out in the PPI network. The microRNAs including miR-199a-5p and miR-1-3p might regulate the post-transcriptional regulation of key genes. Genistein, resveratrol, and quercetin which were screened out from CTD database could reduce the expression of key genes. ConclusionRelated genes screened out by the bioinformatics method may play an important role in the development of AP and can be used as the basis for drug screening.

Objective:To observe the changes of blood flow density and perfusion density in the macula of non-diabetic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and their correlation with blood pressure, total protein, albumin, prealbumin, serum creatinine, urea, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were preliminarily analyzed.Methods:A single-center, cross-sectional, clinical observational study. From January to December 2018, 63 eyes of 63 non-diabetic patients (non-diabetic PD group) and 75 eyes of normal healthy people (the normal control group) who underwent PD treatment at the PD Center of Peking University First Hospital were included in the study. All were monocular into the group. Among the 63 patients in the non-diabetic PD group, 24 were males and 39 were females. The duration of PD was 7 to 185 months, with the average duration of 67.87±48.36 months. There were 75 healthy persons in the normal control group. There was no significant difference in age ( t=-0.558), sex ratio ( χ2=0.492), axial length ( t=-1.197), and BCVA between the two groups ( P>0.05). OCT angiography was used to scan the macular area of 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm in the subject’s right eye. The blood flow density and perfusion density of superficial retinal capillaries in the macular area, as well as the area, circumference, and morphological index of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were measured. The blood flow density and perfusion density at different locations in the macular area of the two groups of eyes were compared by independent sample t test. The blood pressure, total protein, albumin, prealbumin, serum creatinine, urea, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was performed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the blood flow density and perfusion density of superficial retinal capillaries in the macular area of the non-diabetic PD group decreased in different scanning ranges with the macular vessel 3×3 center ( t=-2.409), the macular vessel 3×3 macular ( t=-2.423), macular vessel 3×3 intact ( t=-2.759), macular vessel 6×6 intact ( t=-1.882), macular vessel 6×6 outer layer ( t=-2.188), macular perfusion 3×3 center ( t=-1.990), macular perfusion 3×3 complete ( t=-2.719), macular perfusion 6×6 complete ( t=-2.113), and macular perfusion 6×6 outer layer ( t=-2.205). The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The comparison of the macular FAZ area of the two groups of eyes was statistically significant ( t=1.985, P <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that 3×3 macular blood vessels were intact and mean arterial pressure was positively correlated ( r=0.256, P=0.043). The macular blood vessels were 3×3 intact, macular perfusion was 3×3 intact, and macular blood was 6×6 intact, which the pre-white protein was positively correlated with ( r=0.468, 0.362, 0.333; P<0.001, P=0.004, 0.008). The macular vessel 3×3 was intact, the macular perfusion 6×6 was intact, which the hypersensitive C-reactive protein was negatively correlated with ( r=-0.370, -0.287, P=0.005, 0.030). Conclusion:The superficial retinal blood flow density and perfusion density in the macular area of non-diabetic PD patients are lower than those of normal healthy people.