OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of relaxing needling at the contracted sites of meridian-muscle regions in the patients with post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) at acute stage. METHODS: Eighty patients with post-stroke SHS at acute stage were randomized into an observation group (40 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (40 cases, 1 case was eliminated). In the control group, the routine medication, basic rehabilitation training, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy were administered. In the observation group, besides the treatment as the control group, relaxing needling was delivered at the contracted sites of meridian-muscle regions. These contracted sites were distributed along three yin meridians of hand and three yang meridians of hand on the affected upper limbs. The intervention was given once daily, 5 times a week and for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, edema degree, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) for motor function, and the integrated electromyography (iEMG) of surface electromyogram (sEMG) were observed in the two groups. The curative effect was evaluated after treatment and in follow-up of 2 months after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, VAS scores and the scores of edema degree were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). MBI and FMA scores increased after treatment compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) after treatment. The iEMG values of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and wrist extensors were elevated after treatment in comparison with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups, and the values in the observation group were larger than those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). The total clinical effective rate in the observation group was 92.3% (36/39), which was better than that of the control group (74.4%, 29/39, P<0.05) after treatment; and that of the observation group was 97.4% (38/39), which was better than 82.1% (32/39) in the control group (P<0.05) in follow-up. CONCLUSION Relaxing needling at the contracted sites of meridian-muscle regions in treatment of post-stroke SHS at acute stage can attenuate the symptoms such as upper limb pain, swelling and spasm, improve motor function and the activity of daily living of patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Meridians ; Stroke/complications* ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/etiology* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points

BACKGROUND: The optimal antidepressant dosages remain controversial. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of antidepressants and characterize their dose-response relationships in the treatments of major depressive disorders (MDD). METHODS: We searched multiple databases, including the Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Web of Science, for the studies that were conducted between January 8, 2016, and April 30, 2023. The studies are double-blinded, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the adults (≥18 years) with MDD. The primary outcomes were efficacy of antidepressant and the dose-response relationships. A frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted, treating participants with various dosages of the same antidepressant as a single therapy. We also implemented the model-based meta-analysis (MBMA) using a Bayesian method to explore the dose-response relationships. RESULTS: The network meta-analysis comprised 135,180 participants from 602 studies. All the antidepressants were more effective than the placebo; toludesvenlafaxine had the highest odds ratio (OR) of 4.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.65-7.72), and reboxetine had the lowest OR of 1.34 (95%CI: 1.14-1.57). Moreover, amitriptyline, clomipramine, and reboxetine showed a linear increase in effect size from low to high doses. The effect size of toludesvenlafaxine increased significantly up to 80 mg/day and subsequently maintained the maximal dose up to 160 mg/day while the predictive curves of nefazodone were fairly flat in different dosages. CONCLUSIONS: Although most antidepressants were more efficacious than placebo in treating MDD, no consistent dose-response relationship between any antidepressants was observed. For most antidepressants, the maximum efficacy was achieved at lower or middle prescribed doses, rather than at the upper limit. REGISTRATION No. CRD42023427480; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?
Humans ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy* ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.

Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.

Objective:To perform two-step clustering analysis based on urodynamics in patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) and exploring characteristics affecting success rate of sacral neuromodulation (SNM).Methods:The data of 174 NB patients who received SNM therapy in our hospital from September 2018 to August 2023, were retrospectively analysed. There were 94 males and 80 females, with average age of (50.4±17.9)years, median duration of 2 (1, 3)years, and body mass index of 21.5 (20, 25) kg/m 2. Among them, 50 patients had chronic diseases (hypertension or diabetes). Additionally, 77 patients (44.3%) presented with voiding symptoms, 47 patients (27.0%) with storage symptoms, and 50 patients (28.7%) with mixed symptoms. The etiologies included spinal cord lesions in 110 patients (63.2%), brain lesions in 21 patients (12.1%), peripheral nerve lesions in 36 patients (20.7%), and other causes in 7 patients (4.0%). All patients underwent urodynamics and SNM phase 1 test. If patient's subjective symptoms or objective indicators improved > 50%, it is defined as treatment success and feasible to received second stage of SNM. The success rate was analyzed. Clinical indicators and urodynamic parameter were collected for exploring the difference of the above indicators between two groups (with or without conversion). The 174 patients were grouped using two-step clustering analysis, dividing them into two groups. The differences in clinical data, urodynamic parameters, and the conversion rate of SNM phase II between the two groups were compared. Results:Among these patients, 126 (72%) underwent the second stage of SNM. Compared with the non-conversion group, patients in the conversion group exhibited the following characteristics: high proportion of female[51.6% (65/126) vs. 31.2% (15/48)], younger[(48.1± 18.3)year vs. (56.4±15.4) year], lower proportion of history of chronic disease[23.9% (30/126) vs. 41.7% (20/48)], storage predominant symptoms predominant[33.3% (42/126) vs. 10.4% (5/48)], sensitive bladder sensation[50.0% (63/126) vs. 11.1% (14/48)], normal detrusor contractility [26.2% (33/126) vs. 10.4% (5/48)] and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia [21.4% (27/126) vs. 4.2% (2/48)]and lower post-void residual [105.5(49.3, 231.3) ml vs. 197.9(114.8, 284.8) ml], ( P<0.05). After excluding multicollinearity, patients were divided into two group mainly based on coordination, detrusor stability, and detrusor contractility through two-step clustering analysis: 98 patients in Group 1 and 76 patients in Group 2. The success rate was higher in Group 2 [82.9% (63/76) vs. 64.3% (63/98), P=0.006]. Compared with Group 1, Group 2 exhibited the following characteristics: higher proportion of storage symptoms [43.4% (33/76) vs. 14.3% (14/98)], sensitive bladder sensation [67.1% (51/76) vs. 26.5% (26/98)], detrusor overactivity [46.1% (35/76) vs. 3.1% (3/98)], normal detrusor contractility [43.4% (33/76) vs. 5.1% (5/98)], and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia [38.2% (29/76) vs. 0] ( P all<0.05). Additionally, group 2 had lower post-void residual [69.0 (23.8, 136.6) ml and 197.9 (123.2, 287.4) ml] and smaller bladder capacity [(281.9±144.9) ml vs. (430.4±176.7) ml] ( P all<0.01). Conclusions:Patients with storage symptoms, low post-void residual, sensitive bladder sensation, detrusor overactivity, normal contractility, or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia indicate a higher conversion rate to second stage, making them more suitable for SNM testing.

Objective To investigate immunogenic and toxic effects of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles in mouse skeletal muscles and in human blood in vitro. Methods GO nanoparticles prepared using a probe sonicator were supended in deionized H2O or PBS, and particle size and surface charge of the nanoparticles were measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS). Different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL) of GO suspension or PBS were injected at multiple sites in the gastrocnemius muscle (GN) of C57BL/6 mice, and inflammatory response and immune cell infiltrations were detected with HE and immunofluorescence staining. We also examined the effects of GO nanoparticles on human red blood cell (RBC) morphology, hemolysis and blood coagulation using scanning electron microscope (SEM), spectrophotometry, and thromboelastography (TEG). Results GO nanoparticles suspended in PBS exhibited better colloidal dispersity, stability and surface charge effects than those in deionized H2O. In mouse GNs, injection of GO suspensions dose- and time-dependently resulted in sustained muscular inflammation and myofiber degeneration at the injection sites, which lasted till 8 weeks after the injection; immunofluorescence staining revealed obvious infiltration of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and CD4+T cells around the injection sites in mouse GNs. In human RBCs, incubation with GO suspensions at 0.2, 2.0 and 20 mg/mL, but not at 0.002 or 0.02 mg/mL, caused significant alterations of cell morphology and hemolysis. TEG analysis showed significant abnormalities of blood coagulation parameters following treatment with high concentrations of GO. Conclusion GO nanoparticles can induce sustained inflammatory and immunological responses in mouse GNs and cause RBC hemolysis and blood coagulation impairment, suggesting its muscular toxicity and hematotoxicity at high concentrations.

Objective To investigate immunogenic and toxic effects of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles in mouse skeletal muscles and in human blood in vitro. Methods GO nanoparticles prepared using a probe sonicator were supended in deionized H2O or PBS, and particle size and surface charge of the nanoparticles were measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS). Different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL) of GO suspension or PBS were injected at multiple sites in the gastrocnemius muscle (GN) of C57BL/6 mice, and inflammatory response and immune cell infiltrations were detected with HE and immunofluorescence staining. We also examined the effects of GO nanoparticles on human red blood cell (RBC) morphology, hemolysis and blood coagulation using scanning electron microscope (SEM), spectrophotometry, and thromboelastography (TEG). Results GO nanoparticles suspended in PBS exhibited better colloidal dispersity, stability and surface charge effects than those in deionized H2O. In mouse GNs, injection of GO suspensions dose- and time-dependently resulted in sustained muscular inflammation and myofiber degeneration at the injection sites, which lasted till 8 weeks after the injection; immunofluorescence staining revealed obvious infiltration of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and CD4+T cells around the injection sites in mouse GNs. In human RBCs, incubation with GO suspensions at 0.2, 2.0 and 20 mg/mL, but not at 0.002 or 0.02 mg/mL, caused significant alterations of cell morphology and hemolysis. TEG analysis showed significant abnormalities of blood coagulation parameters following treatment with high concentrations of GO. Conclusion GO nanoparticles can induce sustained inflammatory and immunological responses in mouse GNs and cause RBC hemolysis and blood coagulation impairment, suggesting its muscular toxicity and hematotoxicity at high concentrations.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of semisupine-lithotomy position placement of Allium ureteral stent to treat ureteral stricture caused by pelvic tumours.Methods:The clinical data of 29 patients who received Allium ureteral stent(URS) placement for ureteral stricture in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University between April 2020 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 26 females, with the median age of 56(54, 61) years old. All patients had a pathology confirmation of carcinoma before the treatment, including 26 patients with gynaecological tumours, two with urinary system tumours, and one with rectal carcinoma. A preoperative imaging examination confirmed the diagnosis of ureteral stricture. There were 15 patients with unilateral and 14 with bilateral stenosis, median stenosis length was 3.6(2.0, 4.9)cm. Preoperative median urine white blood cell count was 62(21, 354) U/L, median serum creatinine (SCR) was 170.0(85.5, 273.5) μmol/L, and renal pelvis separation was (32.98±6.64) mm. The median time of long-term indwelling double J (D-J)ureteral stent before surgery was 12.0 (6.5, 35.5) months. Seven patients had mild hydronephrosis, 18 had moderate hydronephrosis, and four had severe hydronephrosis. In all patients, Allium URS were placed in the way of the semisupine-lithotomy position (Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position). Anterograde flexible ureteroscope was inserted into the percutaneous nephrostomy channel, and the retrogradel rigid ureteroscope were advanced simultaneously, looking for location of strictures. Allium URS were inserted retrogradely with transureteroscope when the two ureteroscope were connected. Perioperative conditions and postoperative follow-up for the last examination of SCR, renal pelvis width under ultrasound, and plain abdominal film (KUB). Allium URS patency and complications, hydronephrosis and renal function were evaluated.Results:A total of 61 Allium URS were successfully placed. Seven patients were placed in stages, and 18 patients were placed in series with multiple stents. The mean follow-up period was (12.1±5.8) months. At last follow-up, median SCR was 124.0(81.5, 193.0)μmol/L and renal pelvis separation was(14.96±5.18)mm, which were significantly decreased compared with preoperative(all P<0.01). There were 24 cases of hydronephrosis disappeared and 5 cases of mild hydronephrosis in the last follow-up. Postoperative follow-up, urinary tract infection occurred in 3 patients after operation, such as hematuria and fever within one week, and the symptoms were relieved after anti-infective and symptomatic treatment. One case had mild urine leakage, and 4 patients had occasional low back pain, which may be related to the activity. One case occurred stent displacement due to stent migration to the bladder after eight months, the URS was replaced and a D-J stent was inserted .The patency rate was 96.6%(28/29). Conclusions:Allium URS was placed in the semisupine-lithotomy position for treating pelvic tumour-induced ureteral stricture, with low incidence of complications, high patency and good curative effect.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder.Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 8 patients with bladder nephrogenic adenoma, during the period from July 2016 to June 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients’ age were 33 to 71 years old and the average age was 55, including 5 males and 3 females. The clinical manifestations were hematuria in 7 cases, urinary tract irritation in 6 cases, and no obvious symptoms in 1 case. There were 7 cases with cystitis, 3 cases with urolithiasis, 2 cases with bladder cancer, 1 case with invasive colonic mesentery fibroma, and 1 case without other complications. 5 cases had the history of urological operation. The predilection site was the lateral wall with 5cases; 5 cases were solitary; the average maximum diameter of the tumor was 0.9 cm (range 0.1-1.8 cm). Under cystoscope, papillary mass can be seen, the surface is bright red, the pedicle is not obvious, the papilla is thick and short, easy to bleed when touching; some of them are scattered and lichen like changes. All patients received transurethral resection of bladder mucosa.Results:Pathological examination shows that the bladder mucosa showed chronic inflammation, interstitial edema, granulation tissue hyperplasia, eosinophil infiltration and metaplasia of mesonephroid epithelium. All of the 8 patients were followed up by telephone for 2 to 38 months, with an average of 17.1 months. So far, neither recurrence has been detected.Conclusions:The diagnosis of nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder depends on pathological examination. It must be totally removed during operation. The recurrence and malignancy should be treated in time after operation.

A series of 2-(((5-akly/aryl-1-pyrazol-3-yl)methyl)thio)-5-alkyl-6-(cyclohexylmethyl)-pyrimidin-4(3)-ones were synthesized and their anti-HIV-1 activities were evaluated. Most of these compounds were highly active against wild-type (WT) HIV-1 strain (IIIB) with EC values in the range of 0.0038-0.4759 μmol/L. Among those compounds, had an EC value of 3.8 nmol/L and SI (selectivity index) of up to 25,468 indicating excellent activity against WT HIV-1. anti-HIV-1 activity and resistance profile studies suggested that compounds and displayed potential anti-HIV-1 activity against laboratory adapted strains and primary isolated strains including different subtypes and tropism strains (ECs range from 4.3 to 63.6 nmol/L and 18.9-219.3 nmol/L, respectively). On the other hand, it was observed that those two compounds were less effective with EC values of 2.77 and 4.87 μmol/L for HIV-1A (K103N + Y181C). The activity against reverse transcriptase (RT) was also evaluated for those compounds. Both and obtained sub-micromolar IC values showing their potential in RT inhibition. The pharmacokinetics examination in rats indicated that compound has acceptable pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability. Preliminary structure-activity relationships and molecular modeling studies were also discussed.