Objective To enhance the mechanical properties of trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures and satisfy the design criteria for vertebral implant structures.Methods A chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure with an auxiliary support structure was constructed for optimal design.The finite element method was used to study the influence of the auxiliary support structure on the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure and the relationship between the support position and mechanical property parameters.Furthermore,the influence of the deformation mechanism of different structures on mechanical properties was discussed.Results All chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structures exhibited enhanced mechanical properties in comparison to trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures.The mechanical properties of the chiral-like dCW honeycomb sandwich structure with the auxiliary support structure positioned perpendicular to the ligament were optimal,and this position represented the optimal support position.When the volume was used as a control variable,the compressive stiffness,stiffness-to-mass ratio,and transverse strain of the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure in the x1 direction were significantly correlated with the change of the support position,and all of them were positively correlated.Conclusions As a novel chiral-like honeycomb structure,it provides a biomechanical basis for the optimal design and clinical application of honeycomb sandwich structures as vertebral implant structures.

Objective To enhance the mechanical properties of trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures and satisfy the design criteria for vertebral implant structures.Methods A chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure with an auxiliary support structure was constructed for optimal design.The finite element method was used to study the influence of the auxiliary support structure on the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure and the relationship between the support position and mechanical property parameters.Furthermore,the influence of the deformation mechanism of different structures on mechanical properties was discussed.Results All chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structures exhibited enhanced mechanical properties in comparison to trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures.The mechanical properties of the chiral-like dCW honeycomb sandwich structure with the auxiliary support structure positioned perpendicular to the ligament were optimal,and this position represented the optimal support position.When the volume was used as a control variable,the compressive stiffness,stiffness-to-mass ratio,and transverse strain of the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure in the x1 direction were significantly correlated with the change of the support position,and all of them were positively correlated.Conclusions As a novel chiral-like honeycomb structure,it provides a biomechanical basis for the optimal design and clinical application of honeycomb sandwich structures as vertebral implant structures.

Objective:To compare the differences in clinical characteristics among the patients at clinical high risk for bipolar disorder(CHR-BD),the patients with bipolar disorder(BD),and the healthy controls(HC)at low risk,and to provide the basis for the diognasis and treatment of CHR-BD.Methods:For the first time,the BD risk criteria and prospective structured assessment tools were jointly used in outpatients aged 16-30 years,and 43 CHR-BD patients were included to ensure the accuracy of the assessment.Meanwhile,33 BD patients and 32 HC subjects were also enrolled.The clinical symptoms,neurocognitive function,and global functional levels of the subjects in the three groups were evaluated using observer-rated and self-rated tools.The CHR-BD and BD groups were combined,and Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent influencing factors related to diagnostic status;Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations between the global functional levels and the symptoms or neurocognitive characteristics of the patients in CHR-BD and BD groups.Results:There were statistically significant differences in the scores of symptom and global functional level scales among HC,CHR-BD,and BD groups(P<0.05).Compared with HC group,the scores of mood symptoms(anxiety,depression,and mania/hypomania),psychotic symptoms,total affective temperament questionnaire scores,and some dimensions(cyclothymic,depressive,irritable,and anxious temperaments)in CHR-BD and BD groups were significantly increased(P<0.001),while the global functional levels were significantly decreased(P<0.001).Compared with BD group,the lowest global functional level score in the past year in CHR-BD group was significantly increased(P=0.022),while the current global functional level score was significantly decreased(P=0.005).No significant differences were observed in neurocognitive function scores among the three groups(P>0.05).The lowest global functional level score in the past year was an independent influencing factor for BD diagnosis[odds ratio(OR)=0.952,95%confidence interval(CI):0.917-0.988,P=0.010].In both CHR-BD and BD patients,the current global functional levels were negatively correlated with depressive(r=-0.417,P=0.005;r=-0.617,P<0.001)and anxiety symptoms(r=-0.360,P=0.018;r=-0.506,P=0.003).In BD patients,the current global functional level was negatively correlated with lifetime manic/hypomanic symptoms(r=-0.360,P=0.039),psychotic symptoms(r=-0.502,P=0.003),and affective temperament scores(r=-0.479,P=0.005),while the lowest global functional level in the past year was negatively correlated with lifetime manic/hypomanic symptoms(r=-0.391,P=0.024).Conclusion:CHR-BD patients share similar mood symptom characteristics with BD patients,and their global functional levels are negatively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms.BD patients exhibit worse lowest global functional levels in the past year,and their global functional levels are negatively correlated with manic/hypomanic symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation. METHODS: A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MII oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). RESULTS: An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MII were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39⁺⁵ weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples. CONCLUSION The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.
Humans ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Female ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy ; Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics* ; Polar Bodies ; Adult ; Feasibility Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic/methods* ; Embryo Transfer/methods* ; Mutation ; Male ; Blastocyst/metabolism* ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors of overall postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries. METHODS: This study was conducted among a total of 1388 elderly patients, who underwent elective gastrointestinal surgeries at 17 centers across China between April, 2020 and April, 2022. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications within 30 days, including procedure-related, neuropsychiatric, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal complications as well as acute kidney injury. Baseline characteristics, preoperative psychological and functional status, intraoperative anesthesia and surgical factors, intraoperative medication, use of nerve block, and postoperative analgesia methods were compared between the patients experiencing one or more postoperative complications and those without complications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for postoperative complications. The relationship between postoperative acute pain and each type of complication were explored. RESULTS: The incidence of overall postoperative complications was 50.8% (705/1388) in these patients. Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR: 1.026; 95% CI: 1.006-1.046), prognostic nutritional index (OR: 0.998; 95% CI: 0.997-1.000), preoperative EuroQol-5 dimensions score (OR: 0.094; 95% CI: 0.018-0.500), blood loss (OR: 1.002; 95% CI: 1.001-1.003), and acute postoperative pain (OR: 1.308; 95% CI: 1.033-1.657) were significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications. Specifically, patients experiencing severe postoperative pain had a significantly higher incidence of neuropsychiatric (27.2% vs 19.8%), procedure-related (17.3% vs 10.2%), and cardiovascular complications (3.6% vs 1.7%). CONCLUSIONS An advanced age, a low preoperative nutritional index, a poor quality of life score, a greater volume of intraoperative blood loss, and acute postoperative pain are independent risk factors for postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries. There is a significant association between acute postoperative pain and multi-system complications.
Humans ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; China/epidemiology* ; Pain, Postoperative/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Aged, 80 and over

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the regulatory role of astrocytes in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) during sevoflurane anesthesia emergence. METHODS: Forty-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into 6 groups (n=7) for assessing astrocyte activation in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) under sevoflurane anesthesia. Two groups of mice received microinjection of agfaABC1D promoter-driven AAV2 vector into the DMH for GCaMP6 overexpression, and the changes in astrocyte activity during sevoflurane or air inhalation were recorded using calcium imaging. For assessing optogenetic activation of astrocytes, another two groups of mice received microinjection of an optogenetic virus or a control vector into the DMH with optic fiber implantation, and sevoflurane anesthesia emergence was compared using behavioral experiments. In the remaining two groups, electroencephalogram (EEG) recording during sevoflurane anesthesia emergence was conducted after injection of the hChR2-expressing and control vectors. Anesthesia induction and recovery were assessed by observing the righting reflex. EEG data were recorded under 2.0% sevoflurane to calculate the burst suppression ratio (BSR) and under 1.5% sevoflurane for power spectrum analysis. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to visualize the colocalization of GFAP-positive astrocytes with viral protein signals. RESULTS: Astrocyte activity in the DMH decreased progressively as sevoflurane concentration increased. During 2.0% sevoflurane anesthesia, the mice injected with the ChR2-expressing virus exhibited a significantly shortened wake-up time (P<0.05), and optogenetic activation of the DMH astrocytes led to a marked reduction in BSR (P<0.001). Under 1.5% sevoflurane anesthesia, optogenetic activation resulted in a significant increase in EEG gamma power and a significant decrease in delta power in ChR2 group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Optogenetic activation of DMH astrocytes facilitates sevoflurane anesthesia emergence but does not significantly influence anesthesia induction. These findings offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying anesthesia emergence and may provide a potential target for accelerating postoperative recovery and managing anesthesia-related complications.
Animals ; Astrocytes/physiology* ; Sevoflurane ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Male ; Electroencephalography ; Anesthetics, Inhalation/pharmacology* ; Hypothalamus/cytology* ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Methyl Ethers/pharmacology*

Objective:To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation.Methods:A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MⅡ oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). Results:An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MⅡ were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39+ 5 weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples.Conclusion:The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.

Objective:To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation.Methods:A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MⅡ oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). Results:An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MⅡ were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39+ 5 weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples.Conclusion:The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization （D-TACE） combined with infusion chemotherapy via superior mesenteric artery versus D-TACE alone in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） complicated by portal vein tumor thrombus （PVTT）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the data of patients with HCC and PVTT who underwent interventional treatment in The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2022 to December 2023， among whom 15 patients received D-TACE combined with infusion chemotherapy via superior mesenteric artery and were enrolled as observation group， and after propensity score matching at a ratio of 1∶1， 15 patients who received D-TACE alone were enrolled as control group. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the upper abdomen was performed at 1， 2， and 3 months after surgery and every 3 months thereafter to evaluate the conditions of liver tumor and PVTT. Objective response rate （ORR） and disease control rate （DCR） were compared between the two groups. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon test was used for comparison of preoperative and postoperative data； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to calculate the cumulative survival rate， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsBoth groups had a technical success rate of 100%， with no serious complications after surgery. The patients were followed up for 3-26 months （mean 10.5±6.7 months）. At 3 months after surgery， there were no significant differences between the observation group and the control group in ORR （73.3% vs 53.3%， χ²=1.292， P=0.256） and DCR （93.3% vs 80.0%， χ²=1.154， P=0.283） for liver tumors， and compared with the control group， the observation group had significantly higher ORR and DCR for PVTT （ORR： 46.7% vs 13.3%， χ²=3.968， P=0.046； DCR： 100% vs 73.3%， χ²=4.615， P=0.032）. The 3-， 6-， and 12-month cumulative progression-free survival rates were 93.3%， 86.2%， and 68.9%， respectively， for the observation group and were 80.0%， 62.2%， and 24.9%， respectively， for the control group （P=0.028）， and the 3-， 6-， and 12-month cumulative overall survival rates were 100%， 88.9%， and 88.9%， respectively， for the observation group and were 93.3%， 85.6%， and 70.0%， respectively， for the control group （P=0.340）. ConclusionCompared with D-TACE alone， D-TACE combined with infusion chemotherapy via the superior mesenteric artery shows better short-term efficacy in the treatment of HCC complicated by PVTT.

Objective:To compare and evaluate the difference in maxillary dentition position using an anatomical facebow and jaw movement analyzer.Methods:From March to May 2023, 15 medical interns from Yantai Stomatological Hospital were recruited, including 9 males and 6 females, aged 20-25 years. Digital models and plaster models of maxillary dentition were obtained from the 15 medical interns. The anatomical facebow group (AFB) and jaw movement analyzer group (JMA) were used to transfer the position of the maxillary dentition to the virtual articulator. The virtual occlusal articulator module of exocad denture design software was used to measure the inclination angle of the occlusal plane of the two groups, the distance between the mesio-incisal angle of the left maxillary central incisor and the lateral center point of the lateral condylar sphere of the virtual occlusal articulator, the distance between the mesial buccal cusp of the maxillary first molar and the lateral center point of the lateral condyle sphere of the virtual articulator. The same marks (mesial incisor point of left maxillary central incisor and mesial buccal cusp point of both maxillary first molars) were measured in two groups of maxillary dentition, and the root-mean-square error between 3 points was calculated.Results:The occlusal plane inclination angle in AFB group (9.11°±3.85°) was significantly larger than that in JMA group (4.94°±2.69°) ( t=10.45, P<0.001). There were significant differences between AFB and JMA groups. The distances from the mesial cusp of the left first molar to the lateral center of the left condylar, from the mesial cusp of the left maxillary central incisor to the lateral center of the left condylar[(91.75±3.05), (129.09±4.60) mm]were significantly smaller than those in the JMA group[(95.68±5.45), (132.41±5.64) mm]( t=-4.48, P=0.001; t=-4.21, P=0.001). In both groups of models, the distance of the mesial cusp of the left maxillary central incisor was (8.81±2.56) mm, and the distance between mesial buccal cusp of maxillary left first molar was (7.56±2.49) mm, the distance between mesial buccal cusp of maxillary right first molar was (7.13±2.77) mm; the root mean square error was (7.93± 2.94) mm. Compared with 0, the difference was statistically significant ( t=10.45, P<0.001). Conclusions:There were differences between the two methods (anatomical facebow and the jaw movement analyzer) for transferring the maxillary dentition position to the three-dimensional space position of the virtual articulator.