AIM: To investigate the changes in serum levels of platelet-derived growth factor A(PDGFA), heme oxygenase 1(HMOX1)and suppressor of cytokine signaling 6(SOCS6)in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR)at different stages, and their predictive value for prognosis. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with DR in Zibo No.148 Hospital from April 2023 to April 2024 were included as the study group, and patients with simple type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)during the same period were included as the control group. DR patients were separated into non proliferative DR group(NPDR group)and proliferative DR group(PDR group)based on DR staging, and into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group based on prognosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect serum levels of PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6, and Pearson method was performed to analyze their correlation with laboratory indicators. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the risk factors affecting poor prognosis in DR patients. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to explore the prognostic value of serum PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 levels for DR patients. RESULTS: Totally 128 DR patients(67 males and 61 females)with the mean age 50.65±8.57 y were included. The control group consisted of 120 T2DM patients(63 males, 57 females)with the mean age of 50.32±8.65 y. The NPDR group comprised 74 patients(39 males, 35 females)with mean age of 50.42±8.71 y; the PDR group included 54 patients(28 males, 26 females)with the mean age of 50.96±8.40 y; The good prognosis group comprised 81 patients(43 males, 38 females)with the mean age of 50.51±8.62 y; the poor prognosis group included 47 patients(24 males, 23 females)with the mean age of 50.89±8.48 y. Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly higher serum levels of PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6(all P<0.05). The PDR group had significantly higher serum levels of PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 than the NPDR group(all P<0.05). The poor prognosis group had significantly higher serum levels of FBG, HbA1c, SOD, MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 than the good prognosis group(all P<0.05). The serum PDGFA of DR patients was positively related to FBG, HbA1c, IL-6, and TNF-α levels(all P<0.05), HMOX1 was positively related to FBG, HbA1c, SOD, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α levels(all P<0.05), and SOCS6 was positively related to FBG, IL-6, and TNF-α levels(all P<0.05). Elevated levels of serum PDGFA, HMOX1, SOCS6, and HbA1c were risk factors for the prognosis of DR patients(all P<0.05). The AUC values of serum PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 alone in predicting the prognosis of DR patients were 0.806, 0.822, and 0.826, respectively. The AUC of their joint prediction was 0.912, and the joint prediction was superior to individual prediction(Z joint-PDGFA=2.183, P=0.029; Z joint-HMOX1=2.308, P=0.021; Z joint-SOCS6=2.620, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Serum PDGFA, HMOX1, SOCS6 are significantly correlated with DR staging and prognosis, all showing high predictive efficiency for the prognosis of DR patients, with certain clinical value.

Objective:To explore the role of PTPN11 gene polymorphisms in Noonan syndrome (NS) and other related diseases and to evaluate the association between PTPN11 gene variants and various disease phenotypes.Methods:This study first described a case of 7-year-old girl diagnosed with Nonan symdrome who visited our department in Februay 2024 presented to our department six months ago and was diagnosed with Noonan syndrome. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous variant in her PTPN11 gene, with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus identified as rs121918457. Due to limited phenotypic data associated with rs121918457 in available databases, the cis-expression quantitative trait locus (cis-eQTL) rs12425405, located near the PTPN11 gene, was used as a proxy to further investigate the impact of PTPN11 gene expression regulation on various disease phenotypes. A PheWAS analysis was conducted to assess the statistical association between PTPN11 polymorphism and diverse phenotypic traits. All data were analyzed using the PheWeb online tool, and statistical significance was tested using the P-value. Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons to ensure the reliability of the results. The significance level was set at P<0.05, and the Bonferroni-corrected significance threshold was P=3.52×10 -5. Results:This case demonstrated that, in addition to the typical clinical features of Noonan syndrome, the child also presented with significant hypertension and autoimmune symptoms (such as joint pain, peripheral nerve damage, and positive antinuclear antibodies). The PheWAS analysis revealed significant statistical associations between the rs12425405 polymorphism and the following disease phenotypes: myocardial infarction ( P=1.90×10 -5), coronary atherosclerosis ( P=7.40×10 -5), ischemic heart disease ( P=2.30×10 -5), and hypertension ( P=8.8×10 -5). Additionally, rs12425405 showed statistical associations with some autoimmune symptoms (such as rheumatoid arthritis) ( P=0.027), but did not reach the corrected significance threshold ( P>3.52×10 -5). Conclusion:PTPN11 gene mutations are not only pathogenic factors in Noonan syndrome but may also play a critical role in the development of cardiovascular diseases and are associated with autoimmune symptoms. However, further research is needed to elucidate the functional mechanisms of the PTPN11 gene across multiple diseases and determine whether common genetic drivers are present.

Objective:To evaluate the technical feasibility and perioperative safety of pyeloplasty assis-ted by the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical robotic system in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO).Methods:From November to December 2024,five consecutive patients diagnosed with UPJO underwent robot-assisted pyeloplasty using the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical system at Peking University First Hospital.Data on patient demographics,intraoperative parameters(including docking time,console time,and estimated blood loss),perioperative outcomes,follow-up results,and surgeons' subjective evaluations of system performance were prospectively collected.Descriptive statistics were used;continuous variables were presented as median(range),and categorical variables as frequen-cy and percentage.Results:The cohort included four females and one male.All the patients successfully completed the robotic procedure without conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery.The me-dian age was 32 years(24-37 years),and the median body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2(15.8-27.3 kg/m2).The median docking time was 8 min(3-12 min),and the median console time was 91 min(71-125 min).Intraoperative blood loss was uniformly 20 mL.The median postoperative drainage du-ration was 3 d(0-4 d),and the median length of hospital stay was 4 d(4-9 d).No Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications occurred.All the patients had their double-J stents removed at 2 months postoperatively,and pain in the ipsilateral flank,reported preoperatively by all the five patients,was al-leviated.The subjective surgical success rate was 100％.Surgeons reported stable system performance throughout all the procedures,with no instances of mechanical arm interference or visual drift affecting surgical fluency.Conclusion:Preliminary findings indicate that pyeloplasty using the domestically deve-loped CarinaTM modular laparoscopic robotic system is technically feasible and perioperatively safe for the treatment of UPJO.

Objective:To measure the length and curvature of the external auditory canal (EAC) centerline using a three-dimensional (3D) measurement method based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on HRCT images of healthy EAC from 49 patients (64 ears) examined at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from June to October 2024. The cohort included 25 males (28 ears) and 24 females (36 ears), aged 22-78 years (mean age 47.3 years), categorized into age groups: 18-30 years (20 ears), 31-60 years (22 ears), and 61-80 years (22 ears). The EAC comprised 29 left and 35 right ears. 3D reconstruction of the EAC was performed using medical software (3D Slicer), and the central curve of the EAC was extracted using an improved measurement method to determine its length and curvature. Statistical analysis was performed using Origin Pro 2023 software to compare differences across genders, sides, and age groups.Results:The measurements of EAC length and curvature revealed that the EAC was significantly longer in males than in females (27.46 mm vs. 25.44 mm, P=0.014) and longer on the right side than on the left (27.99 mm vs. 25.87 mm, P=0.031). No statistically significant difference in EAC length was observed among the different age groups ( P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences in EAC curvature were found regarding gender, side, or age group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The HRCT-based 3D reconstruction technique enables the establishment of a rapid and effective automated workflow for extracting the central curve of the EAC and systematically measuring its length and curvature. The data obtained provide a reference and methodological support for further research on anatomical variations of the human EAC and its potential clinical applications, such as the design of otological instruments or surgical planning.

Drug administration via hollow microneedles (HMN) have the advantages of painlessness, avoidance of first-pass effect, capability of sustained infusion, and no need for professional personnel operation. In addition, HMN can also be applied in the fields of body fluid extraction and biosensors, showing broad application prospects. However, traditional manufacturing technologies cannot meet the demand for low-cost mass production of HMN, limiting its widespread application. This paper reviews the main manufacturing technologies used for HMN in recent years, which include photolithography and etching, laser etching, sputtering and electroplating, micro-molding, three-dimensional (3D) printing and drawing lithography. It further analyzes the characteristics and limitations of existing manufacturing technologies and points out that the combination of various manufacturing technologies can improve production efficiency to a certain extent. In addition, this paper looks forward to the future trends of HMN manufacturing technology and proposes possible directions for its development. In conclusion, it is expected that this review can provide new ideas and references for follow-up research.
Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Needles ; Humans ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Equipment Design ; Microinjections/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of reducing posterior malleolar fractures via the modified Rammelt transfibular approach. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 26 patients with ankle fractures who met the selection criteria and were admitted between September 2023 and May 2024. There were 13 males and 13 females, aged from 14 to 59 years (median, 43.5 years). Causes of injury included traffic accident (1 case), falls (7 cases), and sprains (18 cases). Time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 13 days (mean, 3.9 days). According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, there were 5 supination-external rotation type Ⅲ fractures and 21 supination-external rotation type Ⅳ fractures. According to the Bartoníček classification for posterior malleolar fractures, there were 12 type Ⅱ fractures, 10 type Ⅲ fractures, and 4 type Ⅳ fractures. During operation, the fracture was exposed via the modified Rammelt transfibular approach; then, the fracture reduction was achieved under direct vision using techniques such as towel clip traction, posterolateral compression, and lifting with a posterior transverse periosteal elevator; finally, the fracture was fixed using anteroposterior cannulated screws or Kirschner wires. The incision healing was observed after operation. At 4 months after operation, X-ray film and CT were reviewed to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction. The medial clear space, tibiofibular clear space, and the anterior/posterior tibiofibular syndesmotic distances were measured. At last follow-up, the ankle function was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the range of motion. RESULTS: The marginal necrosis occurred in 2 lateral malleolar incisions, and superficial infection occurred in 1 lateral malleolar incision; the remaining incisions healed by first intention. All 26 patients were followed up 13-21 months (mean, 15.6 months). X-ray films showed that fractures in 25 patients achieved clinical union within 3-8 months (mean, 5.4 months); 1 case had delayed union of the lateral malleolus. At 4 months after operation, no significant difference was found between the injured and healthy sides in the medial clear space, tibiofibular clear space, or the anterior/posterior tibiofibular syndesmotic distances ( P>0.05). No malreduction of the posterior malleolus or the tibiofibular syndesmosis occurred. At last follow-up, the AOFAS score ranged from 80 to 100 (mean, 91.9). The range of motion ranged from 17° to 22° (mean, 21.0°) in active ankle dorsiflexion and from 40° to 49° (mean, 44.6°) in plantar flexion. Internal fixator was removed in 12 patients at 1 year after operation, with no ankle instability occurring. Ankle joint degeneration was observed in 1 patient at last follow-up. CONCLUSION The modified Rammelt transfibular approach is a safe and reliable technique. It enables precise reduction under direct vision, improves the quality of reduction for the distal tibial articular surface and the tibiofibular syndesmosis, and provides satisfactory ankle functional recovery in short-term follow-up.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Ankle Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Adolescent ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; Bone Screws ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Fibula/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular

Objective:To evaluate the technical feasibility and perioperative safety of pyeloplasty assis-ted by the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical robotic system in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO).Methods:From November to December 2024,five consecutive patients diagnosed with UPJO underwent robot-assisted pyeloplasty using the CarinaTM modular laparoscopic surgical system at Peking University First Hospital.Data on patient demographics,intraoperative parameters(including docking time,console time,and estimated blood loss),perioperative outcomes,follow-up results,and surgeons' subjective evaluations of system performance were prospectively collected.Descriptive statistics were used;continuous variables were presented as median(range),and categorical variables as frequen-cy and percentage.Results:The cohort included four females and one male.All the patients successfully completed the robotic procedure without conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery.The me-dian age was 32 years(24-37 years),and the median body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2(15.8-27.3 kg/m2).The median docking time was 8 min(3-12 min),and the median console time was 91 min(71-125 min).Intraoperative blood loss was uniformly 20 mL.The median postoperative drainage du-ration was 3 d(0-4 d),and the median length of hospital stay was 4 d(4-9 d).No Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications occurred.All the patients had their double-J stents removed at 2 months postoperatively,and pain in the ipsilateral flank,reported preoperatively by all the five patients,was al-leviated.The subjective surgical success rate was 100％.Surgeons reported stable system performance throughout all the procedures,with no instances of mechanical arm interference or visual drift affecting surgical fluency.Conclusion:Preliminary findings indicate that pyeloplasty using the domestically deve-loped CarinaTM modular laparoscopic robotic system is technically feasible and perioperatively safe for the treatment of UPJO.

With the rapid advancements in minimally invasive spine surgery and the increasingly sophisti-cated concept of visualization,transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy(TELD)has become a primary treatment for lumbar disc herniation.Among the critical preoperative steps in TELD,foraminalplasty plays a pivotal role,as its quality directly impacts surgical outcomes and postoperative recurrence rates.This article systemati-cally reviews the evolution of foraminalplasty techniques,evaluates the selection and application of plasty sites,examines factors influencing stability after lumbar foraminalplasty,and highlights recent advancements in computer-assisted navigation.The goal is to serve as a comprehensive reference for clinicians.

Objective:To measure the length and curvature of the external auditory canal (EAC) centerline using a three-dimensional (3D) measurement method based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on HRCT images of healthy EAC from 49 patients (64 ears) examined at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from June to October 2024. The cohort included 25 males (28 ears) and 24 females (36 ears), aged 22-78 years (mean age 47.3 years), categorized into age groups: 18-30 years (20 ears), 31-60 years (22 ears), and 61-80 years (22 ears). The EAC comprised 29 left and 35 right ears. 3D reconstruction of the EAC was performed using medical software (3D Slicer), and the central curve of the EAC was extracted using an improved measurement method to determine its length and curvature. Statistical analysis was performed using Origin Pro 2023 software to compare differences across genders, sides, and age groups.Results:The measurements of EAC length and curvature revealed that the EAC was significantly longer in males than in females (27.46 mm vs. 25.44 mm, P=0.014) and longer on the right side than on the left (27.99 mm vs. 25.87 mm, P=0.031). No statistically significant difference in EAC length was observed among the different age groups ( P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences in EAC curvature were found regarding gender, side, or age group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The HRCT-based 3D reconstruction technique enables the establishment of a rapid and effective automated workflow for extracting the central curve of the EAC and systematically measuring its length and curvature. The data obtained provide a reference and methodological support for further research on anatomical variations of the human EAC and its potential clinical applications, such as the design of otological instruments or surgical planning.