Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of posterior cranial fossa in- situ floating bone flap osteotomy in the treatment of syndromic craniosynostosis(SCS). Methods:The clinical data of SCS children who underwent posterior cranial fossa in- situ floating bone flap osteotomy at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 2020 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedures were as follows. The occipital bone was cut into several mosaic bone flaps of varying sizes, without peeling it off the dura, which were left as a small free floating bone flap. The anteroposterior cranial diameter, cranial height, intracranial volume, and degree of improvement in tonsillar herniation and hydrocephalus of the children (hydrocephalus quantification was performed using the ratio of the ventricular diameter to the biparietal diameter)were measured preoperatively, 7 days postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up (at least 12 months after the operation) to evaluate the surgical outcomes. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD. The paired t-test was used for comparison within the repeated measurement data groups at the two time points. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the repeated measurement data at multiple time points, and pairwise comparisons in post hoc tests were corrected using the Bonferroni method. Results:A total of 17 pediatric patients with SCS were included, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with ages ranging from 4 to 18 months (mean age: 9.5 months). Among them, 12 patients were complicated with Chiari malformation and hydrocephalus (1 severe case, 8 moderate cases, and 3 mild cases). Postoperative follow-up lasted 12 to 35 months, with an average of 17 months. After surgery, the posterior cranial appearance of the children was enlarged, with increased convexity of the occiput and a full contour. At the last follow-up, the middle cranial height [(107.80±10.72) mm vs. (102.82±10.09) mm, P<0.05], the posterior cranial height [(124.91±10.40) mm vs. (107.58±13.46) mm, P<0.01] and anteroposterior diameter [(153.30±11.26) mm vs. (123.64±17.44) mm, P<0.01] as well as the intracranial volume [(1 317.92±225.77) cm 3 vs. (1 014.93±231.81) cm 3,P<0.01] were increased compared with the preoperative period, and the average improvement rate of intracranial volume was 37.0% (18.1%-79.2%). Among the 12 cases of tonsillar herniation, 7 cases had improvement. Moreover, all the 12 cases of hydrocephalus witnessed a mitigation in severity, from (46.33±9.34)% preoperatively to (35.24±9.88)% postoperatively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Posterior cranial fossa in- situ floating bone flap osteotomy can effectively improve the appearance of patients with SCS, increase the intracranial volume, relieve the degree of hydrocephalus, and reduce the intracranial pressure.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of posterior cranial fossa in- situ floating bone flap osteotomy in the treatment of syndromic craniosynostosis(SCS). Methods:The clinical data of SCS children who underwent posterior cranial fossa in- situ floating bone flap osteotomy at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 2020 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedures were as follows. The occipital bone was cut into several mosaic bone flaps of varying sizes, without peeling it off the dura, which were left as a small free floating bone flap. The anteroposterior cranial diameter, cranial height, intracranial volume, and degree of improvement in tonsillar herniation and hydrocephalus of the children (hydrocephalus quantification was performed using the ratio of the ventricular diameter to the biparietal diameter)were measured preoperatively, 7 days postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up (at least 12 months after the operation) to evaluate the surgical outcomes. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD. The paired t-test was used for comparison within the repeated measurement data groups at the two time points. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the repeated measurement data at multiple time points, and pairwise comparisons in post hoc tests were corrected using the Bonferroni method. Results:A total of 17 pediatric patients with SCS were included, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with ages ranging from 4 to 18 months (mean age: 9.5 months). Among them, 12 patients were complicated with Chiari malformation and hydrocephalus (1 severe case, 8 moderate cases, and 3 mild cases). Postoperative follow-up lasted 12 to 35 months, with an average of 17 months. After surgery, the posterior cranial appearance of the children was enlarged, with increased convexity of the occiput and a full contour. At the last follow-up, the middle cranial height [(107.80±10.72) mm vs. (102.82±10.09) mm, P<0.05], the posterior cranial height [(124.91±10.40) mm vs. (107.58±13.46) mm, P<0.01] and anteroposterior diameter [(153.30±11.26) mm vs. (123.64±17.44) mm, P<0.01] as well as the intracranial volume [(1 317.92±225.77) cm 3 vs. (1 014.93±231.81) cm 3,P<0.01] were increased compared with the preoperative period, and the average improvement rate of intracranial volume was 37.0% (18.1%-79.2%). Among the 12 cases of tonsillar herniation, 7 cases had improvement. Moreover, all the 12 cases of hydrocephalus witnessed a mitigation in severity, from (46.33±9.34)% preoperatively to (35.24±9.88)% postoperatively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Posterior cranial fossa in- situ floating bone flap osteotomy can effectively improve the appearance of patients with SCS, increase the intracranial volume, relieve the degree of hydrocephalus, and reduce the intracranial pressure.

Objective:To investigate the effect of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol in the treatment of ovulation induction in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).Methods:A randomized controlled clinical study analyzed the clinical data of 130 POI patients who underwent assisted reproductive treatment at the Department of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Seventh Medical Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese people's Liberation Army General Hospital from December 2021 to November 2022. The subject-centered randomization method was used to conceal the allocation, and there was no blinding. The patients in experimental group was given drospirenone and ethinylestradiol as pretreatment, while control group was not treated. The main observation indicator of the follicle recovery growth rate and the secondary observation indicators of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels before and after pretreatment, the number of eggs retrieved, the proportion of eggs retrieved, and other embryo laboratory-related indicators were compared between the two groups.Results:The recovery rate of follicular growth in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant [50.77% (33/65) vs. 15.38% (10/65), P<0.001, rate difference =35.38%, 95% CI: 19.44%-48.98%]. The levels of FSH [17.70 (8.15, 27.00) U/L] decreased significantly and estradiol [24.00 (15.00, 90.47) ng/L] increased significantly in the experimental group after preconditioning with spironolone ethinylestradiol compared with those before preconditioning [30.30 (25.95, 48.05) U/L, P<0.001; 15.00 (15.00, 24.00) ng/L, P<0.001], the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion:The spironolone ethinylestradiol can effectively inhibit the level of FSH and increase the level of estradiol in patients with POI, and increase the probability of ovarian growth and development during ovulation induction therapy.

Objective:To investigate the effect of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol in the treatment of ovulation induction in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).Methods:A randomized controlled clinical study analyzed the clinical data of 130 POI patients who underwent assisted reproductive treatment at the Department of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Seventh Medical Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese people's Liberation Army General Hospital from December 2021 to November 2022. The subject-centered randomization method was used to conceal the allocation, and there was no blinding. The patients in experimental group was given drospirenone and ethinylestradiol as pretreatment, while control group was not treated. The main observation indicator of the follicle recovery growth rate and the secondary observation indicators of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels before and after pretreatment, the number of eggs retrieved, the proportion of eggs retrieved, and other embryo laboratory-related indicators were compared between the two groups.Results:The recovery rate of follicular growth in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant [50.77% (33/65) vs. 15.38% (10/65), P<0.001, rate difference =35.38%, 95% CI: 19.44%-48.98%]. The levels of FSH [17.70 (8.15, 27.00) U/L] decreased significantly and estradiol [24.00 (15.00, 90.47) ng/L] increased significantly in the experimental group after preconditioning with spironolone ethinylestradiol compared with those before preconditioning [30.30 (25.95, 48.05) U/L, P<0.001; 15.00 (15.00, 24.00) ng/L, P<0.001], the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion:The spironolone ethinylestradiol can effectively inhibit the level of FSH and increase the level of estradiol in patients with POI, and increase the probability of ovarian growth and development during ovulation induction therapy.

Differentiated thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignant tumors, and thyroidectomy is its basic treatment measures. Insufficient attention is paid to its postoperative bone hungry syndrome and parathyroid hyperfunction or hyperparathyroidism, which will seriously affect the patient’s life quality and prognosis. This paper will explore the etiology, dangers, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment for hungry bone syndrome, parathyroid hyperfunction and hyperparathyroidism of thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical feasibility, safety, and advantages of small lateral cervical incision for parathyroid exploration and resection.Methods:A total of 31 consecutive patients who underwent parathyroidectomy with a small lateral cervical incision, in the Department of Endocrinology and Breast Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from Apr. to Nov. 2021, including 11 males and 20 females, aged (49.32±13.79) years, ranging from 28 to 86 years, were selected to make retrospective statistical analysis of the surgical time, hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage and postoperative complications of the patients. All patients were injected with carbon nanoparticles suspension injection guided by color ultrasound to locate the enlarged parathyroid gland before surgery. EXCEL 2019 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:Thirty-one patients underwent parathyroidectomy through a small lateral cervical incision. Primary hyperparathyroidism was performed in 19 cases (including 2 cases with bilateral small lateral cervical incision, 2 cases with unilateral excision of thyroid mass combined with parathyroidectomy, 1 case with resection of huge parathyroid adenoma, and 1 case with local anesthesia) . Twelve patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism underwent total parathyroidectomy through bilateral small lateral cervical incision and forearm autogenous parathyroid transplantation (including bilateral thyroid mass resection combined with bilateral total parathyroidectomy and forearm autogenous parathyroid transplantation in 2 cases, local anesthesia and cervical plexus nerve block in 2 cases, and ectopic parathyroid gland in thyroid in 1 case) . Among them, the average operative time of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism was (54.74±27.71 & 74.14±31.73) min, the average intraoperative blood loss was (8.11±5.05 & 14.43±10.94) ml, the average postoperative drainage was (14.37±24.64 & 26.36±32.87) ml, the average postoperative parathyroid hormone was (11.59±16.46 & 26.65±56.38) pg/ml, the average hospital stay was (10.00±5.09 & 10.96±4.55) d, and the postoperative complication rate was (3.2% & 0%) .Conclusions:Parathyroid gland exploration and resection through small lateral cervical incision is a safe and effective surgical method and can also complete thyroid exploration and parathyroidectomy at the same time. Appropriate anesthesia should be selected after a full assessment of the patient’s basic condition.

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to evaluate the effort of applying frontal and occipital bones in extensive cranioplasty and preserving multiple cranial bone flaps adhered to the dura mater in the treatment of sagittal synostosis.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to June 2013, sixty-three children with sagittal synostosis, aged 5 months to 3 years, were included in the study. The frontal bone flap was removed using an air drill. The occipital and bilateral temporal bone flaps were cut open but not detached from the dura mater or fixed to produce floating bone flaps. The skull bone was cut into palisade-like structures. Brain compression from both sides and the base of the skull was released and the brain expanded bilaterally through the enlarged space. Only a long strip-shaped bone bridge remained in the central parietal bone. Subsequently, the frontal bone flaps and occipital bone flap were pushed towards the midline and fixed with the parietal bone bridge to shorten the anteroposterior diameter of the cranial cavity and allow the brain to expand bilaterally to correct scaphocephaly. The CT images showed that both sides of the parietal bone of artificial sagittal groove gradually merged postoperative 1 year, and skull almost completely normal healing after operation 2 or 3 years, without deformity recurrence within 5 years. Among them all, 61 children's intelligence is normal and 2 children's lagged behind normal level, no further improvement.

RESULTSPatients were followed up 1 - 5 years (an average of 43 months). Skull growth was excellent in all patients, the anteroposterior diameter was shortened by 14.6 mm averagely, the transverse diameter was increased by 12.3 mm averagely, the prominent forehead was corrected, and scaphocephaly improved significantly. There were no complications such as death and skull necrosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of frontal and occipital bones in extensive cranioplasty and preserving multiple cranial bone flaps adhered to the dura mater can be used in the treatment of sagittal synostosis. Surgery without removing bone flaps is less traumatic and results in no massive bleeding. It can effectively relieve brain compression and promotes transversal expansion of the brain during surgery and subsequent normal brain development.

Bone and Bones ; Brain ; growth & development ; Child, Preschool ; Craniosynostoses ; surgery ; Dura Mater ; Frontal Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Parietal Bone ; surgery ; Recurrence ; Surgical Flaps ; Temporal Bone ; surgery

Objective To investigate the value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI)in diagnosis of extramural vascular invasion (EMVI)of rectal cancer.Methods 33 patients with rectal cancer were reviewed preoperatively.The MRI findings of EMVI of all cases were scored and compared with the postoperative pathological results.Results The MRI EMVI scores were consistent with histopathology findings (k=0.324,P=0.039).The accuracy rate of MRI in diagnosis of EMVI was 66.7% (22/33).The MRI EMVI scores rose up with increased pT stage,meanwhile there was a high correlation between both (r=0.546).The percentage of MRI EMVI positive number was increased with elevated pT stage,and there was also a high correlation between both (r=0.469). ROC curve showed that MRI EMVI scoring was an effective method in diagnosis of rectal cancer EMVI (AUC=0.757).Conclusion HRMRI is a valuable method in diagnosis of EMVI of rectal cancer.