Beneficial effects of pioglitazone and α-lipoic acid in patients with polycystic ovaries syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in hormone levels, improper lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress all significantly contribute to the pathogenic process of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). According to earlier research, pioglitazone and alpha-lipoic acid are crucial in the emergence of PCOS. The beneficial effects of pioglitazone and alpha-lipoic acid on PCOS were examined in the current study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 120 patients with PCOS received three months of treatment in pioglitazone groups (n=40 case, 30 mg/time, 1 time/day), α-lipoic acid (n=40 case, 0.6 g/time, 1 time/day), and combination therapy (n=40 case, pioglitazone 30 mg/time, 1 time/day and α-lipoic acid, 0.6 g/time, 1 time/day). Before and after therapy, the following factors were evaluated: the hormonal profile, fasting serum insulin, body weight, body mass index (BMI), menstruation status, oxidative stress, and indications of lipid metabolism. RESULTS: The combination of pioglitazone and α-lipoic acid has a significantly improving effect on BMI, body weight, oxidative stress levels, lipid metabolism, and menstrual status. A significant increase in body weight, BMI, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were found in mice after being treated with α-lipoic acid alone. However, the use pioglitazone alone improves body weight, BMI, the calculation of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), Area under the curve (AUC)-insulin, fasting glucose/insulin (G/I) ratio, total testosterone, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in post-treatment than pre-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that pioglitazone alone has a better effect than alpha-lipoic acid in improving oxidative stress levels, BMI, and menstrual cyclicity. Additionally, treatment with pioglitazone and alpha-lipoic acid did demonstrate a greater effect than monotherapy with each medication alone.

[Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population].

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.

Application of combined anterior and posterior approaches for the treatment of cervical tuberculosis with anterior cervical abscess formation and kyphosis using a Jackson operating table: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: There have been insufficient reports to date regarding the treatment of cervical spinal tuberculosis, and the optimal surgical approaches to treating this condition have yet to be established. CASE REPORT: This report describes the treatment of a case of tuberculosis associated with a large abscess and pronounced kyphosis through the use of a combined anterior and posterior approach with the aid of the Jackson operating table. This patient did not exhibit any sensorimotor abnormalities of the upper extremities, lower extremities, or trunk, and presented with symmetrical bilateral hyperreflexia of the knee tendons, while being negative for Hoffmann's sign and Babinski's sign. Laboratory test results revealed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 42.0 mm/h and a C-reactive protein (CRP) of 47.09 mg/L. Acid-fast staining was negative, and spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed the destruction of the C3-C4 vertebral body and a posterior convex deformity of the cervical spine. The patient reported a visual analog pain score (VAS) of 6, and exhibited an Oswestry disability index (ODI) score of 65. Jackson table-assisted anterior and posterior cervical resection decompression was performed to treat this patient, and at 3 months post-surgery the patient's VAS and ODI scores were respectively reduced to 2 and 17. Computed tomography analyses of the cervical spine at this follow-up time point revealed good structural fusion of the autologous iliac bone graft with internal fixation and improvement of the originally observed cervical kyphosis. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that Jackson table-assisted anterior-posterior lesion removal and bone graft fusion can safely and effectively treat cervical tuberculosis with a large anterior cervical abscess combined with cervical kyphosis, providing a foundation for future efforts to treat spinal tuberculosis.

[Analysis of the efficacy of endoscopic transnasal surgery for sinonasal and skull base adenoid cystic carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic transnasal surgery for sinonasal and skull base adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), and to analyze the prognostic factors. Methods: Data of 82 patients (43 females and 39 males, at a median age of 49 years old) with sinonasal and skull base ACC who were admitted to XuanWu Hospital, Capital Medical University between June 2007 and June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were staged according to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition. The disease overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results: There were 4 patients with stage Ⅱ, 14 patients with stage Ⅲ, and 64 patients with stage Ⅳ. The treatment strategies included purely endoscopic surgery (n=42), endoscopic surgery plus radiotherapy (n=32) and endoscopic surgery plus radiochemotherapy (n=8). Followed up for 8 to 177 months, the 5-year OS and DFS rates was 63.0% and 51.6%, respectively. The 10-year OS and DFS rates was 51.2% and 31.8%, respectively. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that late T stage and internal carotid artery (ICA) involvement were the independent prognostic factors for survival in sinonasal and skull base ACC (all P<0.05). The OS of patients who received surgery or surgery plus radiotherapy was significantly higher than that of patients who received surgery plus radiochemotherapy (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Endoscopic transonasal surgery or combing with radiotherapy is an effective procedure for the treatment of sinonasal and skull base ACC. Late T stage and ICA involvement indicate poor prognosis.

[The characteristics and correlations of vaginal flora in women with cervical lesions].

Objective: To explore the characteristics and correlations of vaginal flora in women with cervical lesions. Methods: A total of 132 women, including 41 women diagnosed with normal cervical (NC), 39 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1), 37 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) and 15 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), who came from the gynecological clinic of Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University during January 2018 to June 2018, were enrolled in this study according to the inclusive and exclusive criteria strictly. The vaginal flora was detected by 16S rDNA sequencing technology. Co-occurrence network analysis was used to investigate the Spearman correlations between different genera of bacteria. Results: The dominant bacteria in NC, CIN 1 and CIN 2/3 groups were Lactobacillus [constituent ratios 79.4% (1 869 598/2 354 098), 63.6% (1 536 466/2 415 100) and 58.3% (1 342 896/2 301 536), respectively], while Peptophilus [20.4% (246 072/1 205 154) ] was the dominant bacteria in SCC group. With the aggravation of cervical lesions, the diversity of vaginal flora gradually increased (Shannon index: F=6.39, P=0.001; Simpson index: F=3.95, P=0.012). During the cervical lesion progress, the ratio of Lactobacillus gradually decreased, the ratio of other anaerobes such as Peptophilus, Sneathia, Prevotella and etc. gradually increased, and the differential bacteria (LDA score >3.5) gradually evolved from Lactobacillus to other anaerobes. The top 10 relative abundance bacteria, spearman correlation coefficient>0.4 and P<0.05 were selected. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that Prevotella, Peptophilus, Porphyrinomonas, Anaerococcus, Sneathia, Atopobium, Gardnerella and Streptococcus were positively correlated in different stages of cervical lesions, while Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with the above anaerobes. It was found that the relationship between vaginal floras in CIN 1 group was the most complex and only Peptophilus was significantly negatively correlated with Lactobacillus in SCC group. Conclusions: The increased diversity and changed correlations between vaginal floras are closely related to cervical lesions. Peptophilus is of great significance in the diagnosis, prediction and early warning of cervical carcinogenesis.

[Comparison of maternal-fetal outcomes between laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage and McDonald cerclage in women with cervical insufficiency].

Objective: To compare the maternal and fetal outcomes of women with cervical insufficiency (CI) undergoing McDonald cerclage (MC) and laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage (LCC), so as to provide evidence for the selection of cerclage methods. Methods: A retrospective trial was carried out in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2010 to December 2020. A total of 221 women who underwent the prophylactic cerclage were divided into MC group (n=54), LCC with MC history group (n=28) and LCC without MC history group (n=129) by the mode of operation and whether the pregnant women who underwent LCC had MC history. General clinical data, pregnancy complications and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the three groups. Results: (1) General clinical data: the proportion of women accepted cervical cerclage during pregnancy in MC group, LCC with MC history group and LCC without MC history group were 100.0% (54/54), 7.1% (2/28) and 27.1% (35/129), respectively (P<0.001). The indications of the three groups showed statistical significance (P=0.003), and the main indication was the history of abortion in the second and third trimester [75.9% (41/54) vs 89.3% (25/28) vs 84.5% (109/129)]. (2) Pregnancy complications: the incidence of abnormal fetal position [7.8% (4/51) vs 17.4% (4/23) vs 19.8% (24/121)], placenta accrete [5.9% (3/51) vs 13.0% (3/23) vs 11.6% (14/121)], uterine rupture [0 vs 4.3% (1/23) vs 5.8% (7/121)] in the MC group were all lower than those in LCC with MC history and LCC without MC history groups. However, there were no statistical significances (all P>0.05). Intrauterine inflammation or chorioamnionitis [15.7% (8/51) vs 0 vs 0.8% (1/121)] and premature rupture of membrane [23.5% (12/51) vs 4.3% (1/23) vs 0] were both significantly higher in MC group than those in LCC with MC history and LCC without MC history groups (all P<0.001). (3) Pregnancy outcomes: the cesarean section rate was significantly lower in MC group (41.2%, 21/51) than that in LCC with MC history group (100.0%, 23/23) and LCC without MC history group (100.0%, 121/121; P<0.001). MC group was associated with lower expenditure than LCC with MC history and LCC without MC history groups (12 169 vs 26 438 vs 27 783 yuan, P<0.001). The success rates of live birth cerclage did not differ significantly in MC (94.4%, 51/54), LCC with MC history (82.1%, 23/28) and LCC without MC history (93.8%, 121/129) groups (χ2=5.649, P=0.059). There was no significant difference in neonatal intensive care unit occupancy, neonatal birth weight and neonatal asphyxia between the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Both LCC and MC are the treatment choice for women with CI, which may get similar liver birth. However, MC has the advantages of low cesarean section rate, economical and easy operation. Therefore, MC is recommended as the first choice for CI patients, and LCC is for women with failed MC.

[Endoscopic transoral resection of metastatic retropharyngeal lymph nodes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via posteroinferior eustachian tube approach: a single center review study].

Objective: To summarize the clinical experience and treatment results of endoscopic transoral resection of metastatic retropharyngeal lymph nodes (MRPLN) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) via posteroinferior eustachian tube approach. Methods: The clinical data of 37 patients with NPC who underwent endoscopic transoral surgery via posteroinferior eustachian tube approach for MRPLN in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There are 28 males and 9 females, aged from 31 to 72 years. The clinicopathological features such as gender, age, primary tumor stage, stage, side and size of MRPLN were recorded and analyzed. The surgical procedures of endoscopic transoral resection of MRPLN via posteroinferior eustachian tube approach were described. The MRPLN resection, perioperative complications and follow-up results were also summarized. Results: The primary tumors of 37 cases were determined as rT1 stage in 2 cases, rT2 stage in 30 cases and primary T2 stage in 5 cases in this study. There were 33 cases of unilateral MRPLN(89.2%), 4 cases of bilateral ones (10.8%), 36 cases in N1 stage, and 1 case in N3 stage. Single lymph node was detected in 23 cases(62.2%), and 2-5 lymph nodes in 14 cases(37.8%). Endoscopic transoral surgery via posteroinferior eustachian tube approach was completed in all cases. Total MRPLN resection was obtained in 35 cases (94.6%) with one-stage operation, and subtotal resection was achieved in 2 cases whose MRPLN involved the wall of internal carotid artery. No serious complications occurred in the perioperative period. During the follow-up period (median follow-up period 53.1 months), no recurrence of MRPLN was observed in patients who received total resection. And 8 patients (21.6%) died from different causes. Conclusion: Endoscopic transoral surgery via posteroinferior eustachian tube approach for MRPLN is a practicable and effective surgical option, but the long-term effect still needs longer follow-up and summary of bulk cases.

[Preclinical evaluation of a veno-venous bypass device for liver transplantation based on the principle of magnetic levitation drive].

Objective: To explore the performance of a self-made venous-venous bypass (VVB) device for liver transplantation based on the principle of magnetic levitation drive. Methods: Experimental study was conducted from August 2020 to January 2022. Eight Bama minipigs underwent VVB of hepatic portal vein-femoral vein-internal jugular vein after occlusion of hepatic portal vein and inferior vena cava. The animals were divided into two groups according to the VVB devices used during VVB. A self-made VVB device was used in group A(n=5),and an imported VVB device was used in group B(n=3). The hemodynamic changes of the two groups of animals were compared at 6 time points including before vascular occlusion, during vascular occlusion, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes after the start of VVB, and 30 minutes after vascular opening. In addition,the changes of blood compatibility indexes,intestinal injury indexes,kidney injury indexes and internal environment indexes of the two groups of animals at each time point were compared. The independent samples t test was used for the quantitative data between the two groups with non-repeated measures,and the repeated measures analysis of variance was used for the quantitative data between the two groups with repeated measures. Results: During the VVB of the two devices,the venous drainage was sufficient,and the main manifestations were that the color of the intestine of the Bama miniature pig was ruddy, the peristalsis was normal, and the urine output was normal. There were no significant differences in hemodynamics,blood injure indexes,intestinal injury indexes,kidney injury indexes,neutropil gelatinase-associated lipocalin,and internal environment indexes(all P>0.05).The indexes at 30 minutes after vascular opening in the group A and the group B were as follows:mean arterial pressure were (71.0±7.7)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (74.0±8.7)mmHg,central venous pressure were (7.0±1.4)cmH2O(1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa) and (7.7±0.6)cmH2O,heart rate were (131±10) beats/minutes and (132±8)beats/minutes; red blood cell count were (6.43±0.89)×1012/L and (6.32±0.58)×1012/L,hemoglobin were (108.4±5.9)g/L and (110.0±3.5)g/L,free hemoglobin were (78.28±3.96)mg/L and (78.08±4.54)mg/L; intestinal fatty acid binding protein were (2.27±0.49)µg/L and (2.40±0.78)µg/L;creatinine were (68.30±9.77)µmol/L and (79.90±26.91)µmol/L,blood urea nitrogen were (3.94±1.39)mmol/L and (3.45±0.65)mmol/L;neutropil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were (4.02±0.53) µg/L and (3.86±0.23)µg/L;pH value were 7.27±0.04 and 7.23±0.03,lactic acid were (6.18±2.62)mmol/L and (4.30±0.50)mmol/L,concentrations of Na+ were (136.3±3.0)mmol/L and (137.6±1.6) mmol/L,concentrations of K+ were (3.89±0.42) mmol/L and (3.98±0.17)mmol/L,concentrations of Ca2+ were (1.40±0.03)mmol/L and(1.40±0.04)mmol/L;all indexes in the two group had no differences(all P>0.05). Conclusion: The self-made venous bypass device can be safely and effectively applied to VVB of Bama minipigs,and achieves the same performance as the imported venous bypass device.

[Impact of endoscopic endonasal approach on quality of life in patients with anterior skull base intra-extracranial extension meningioma].

Objective: To summarize the experience of endoscopic endonasal approach in the treatment of anterior skull base with intra-extracranial extension meningioma, and to analyze the perioperative quality of life of patients, and to discuss the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Methods: A total of 83 cases of anterior skull base with intra-extracranial extension meningioma admitted to Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2007 to October 2019, who underwent endoscopic endonasal approach tumor resection, were retrospectively analyzed. The quality of life of the patients were evaluated by Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire (ASBQ) before and after surgery. The surgical techniques, extent of tumor resection, postoperative complications and the changes of patients' quality of life were summarized and analyzed. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 57 anterior skull base with intra-extracranial extension meningioma patients were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 23 males and 34 females, aging (48.6±16.6) years. Fifty cases (87.7%) reached or exceeded Simpson gradeⅠ resection, and 7 cases underwent subtotal resection. Symptoms relief was as follows: headache relief in 45/50 (90%), vision improvement in 18/19 (94.7%), olfaction improvement in 6/45 (13.3%), mental symptoms improvement in 3/9 (33.3%), and seizure relief in 5/7 (71.4%). Postoperative complication included mental symptoms in 5 cases, cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 2 cases, epilepsy in 2 cases, frontal lobe hemorrhage in 1 case, and intracranial infection in 1 case. The follow-up period was 38 to 144 months. There were two cases recurring and no death. ASBQ assessment showed significant improvement in general condition, physical function, role function, mood disorder, pain, vision impairment, and sleep disturbance at 1 month postoperatively, with continued improvement thereafter, and reached stable at 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Endoscopic endonasal approach surgery is able to achieve safe and effective tumor resection for anterior skull base intra-extracranial extension meningioma, and the quality of life of patients can be improved steadily.

[Prevalence and risk factors of Giardia lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and identify the risk factors of Giardia lamblia infections among patients with colorectal cancer in Henan Province. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed for questionnaire surveys among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Cancer Hospital during the period from March to July, 2021. Patients' stool samples were collected, and the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene of G. lamblia was amplified in stool samples using nested PCR assay to characterize the parasite genotype. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the risk factors of G. lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients. RESULTS: A total of 307 colorectal cancer patients were investigated, including 176 males (57.3%) and 131 females (42.7%). PCR assay detected 8.1% [95% confidential interval (CI): (0.056, 0.117)] prevalence of G. lamblia infections among the study subjects, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence between men [9.1%, 95% CI: (0.057, 0.143)] and women [6.9%, 95% CI: (0.037, 0.125)] (χ2 = 0.495, P = 0.482). In addition, there was no age-specific prevalence of G. lamblia infections among the participants (χ2 = 1.534, P = 0.675). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified use of septic tanks [odds ratio (OR) = 3.336, 95% CI: (1.201, 9.267)], daily use of well water [OR = 3.042, 95% CI: (1.093, 8.465)] and raising livestock [OR = 3.740, 95% CI: (1.154, 12.121)] as risk factors of G. lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients, and the prevalence of abdominal pain was significantly greater in colorectal cancer patients with G. lamblia infections than in those without infections (P = 0.017). Among the 25 patients with G. lamblia infections, assemblage A was characterized in 24 (96.0%) cases and assemblage B in one case (4.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of G. lamblia is high among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Province, and assemblage A is the dominant genotype of G. lamblia. Use of septic tanks, daily use of well water and raising livestock are risk factors of G. lamblia infections among patients with colorectal cancer.

[Preliminary experience of surgical treatment for torus tubarius hypertrophy in children].

Objective: To assess the incidence of symptomatic torus tubarius hypertrophy (TTH) in recurred OSA in children, and to explore the preliminary experience of partial resection of TTH assisted with radiofrequency ablation. Methods: From January 2004 to February 2020, 4 922 children, who diagnosed as OSA and received adenotonsillectomy at the Department of Otolaryngology, The 4th Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed. There were 3 266 males and 1 656 females, the age ranged from 1 to 14 years old(median age of 5.0 years). Twenty-two cases were identified with recurrence of OSA syndrome, and the clinical data, including sex, age of primary operation, age of recurrence and presentation, and opertation methods were analyzed. Follow-up was carried out by outpatient visit or telephone. Graphpad prism 5.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Twenty-two cases were identified as recurred OSA and received revised surgery in 4 922 cases. Among these 22 cases, 11 cases were diagnosed as TTH resulting in an incidence of 2.23‰(11/4 922), 1 case was cicatricial adhesion on tubal torus (0.20‰, 1/4 922), 10 cases were residual adenoid combined with tubal tonsil hypertrophy (2.03‰, 10/4 922). Median age of primary operation was 3.0 years (range:2.4 to 6.0 years) in 11 TTH cases. Recurrent interval varied from 2 months to 5.5 years (2.4±1.9 years) after first operation. Age of revised partial resection of TTH was 7.0±2.7 years (range: 4.0 to 12.0 years). Average time interval between primary operation and revised operation was 3.5±2.1 years (range: 0.5 to 6.0 years). Individualized treatments were carried out based on partial resection of TTH assisted with radiofrequency ablation. All of 11 cases received satisfied therapeutic results without nasopharyngeal stenosis occured. Twenty-two cases were followed up for 1.6 to 13 years (median follow-up time was 6.2 years). Conclusions: TTH contributed to recurred OSA in child. TTH might be misdiagnosed as tubal tonsil hypertrophy. Partial resection of TTH assisted with radiofrequency ablation was a safty and effective treatment.

[Application of island flap and its combined flap on repairing nasal alae defects].

Objective: To evaluate the application of island flap and combined flap in one-stage reconstruction of nasal alae defects after external nasal tumor resection. Methods: Data of 11 patients with perforating or full-thickness defects of the alae after nasal tumor resection in XuanWu Hospital, Capital Medical University between June 2016 and February 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 males and 4 females, and the ages ranged from 51 to 89 years. Island flap, island flap combined with nasolabial flap or V-Y advancement flap, and island flap combined with bilobed flap were applied according to the range of defects. Descriptive statistical method was applied to analyze the treatment effects. Results: All flaps of the 11 patients were successful survival and the incisions were primary healing. Being followed up for 5 to 59 months, the patients had satisfying appearance and ventilation function, and no tumor relapsed. Conclusion: For the patients with nasal alae defects after external nose tumor resection, selecting suitable island skin flap or combined skin flap can be used to reconstruct the ideal nasal appearance and function of the nose.

[Relations of human papillomavirus infection, vaginal micro-environmental disorder with cervical lesion].

Objective: To study the relations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, vaginal micro-environmental disorder with cervical lesion. Methods: A total of 1 019 women including 623 with normal cervical (NC), 303 with low-grade cervical lesion (CIN Ⅰ) and 93 with high-grade cervical lesion (CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ) were enrolled in this study from the communities in Shanxi province, China. Case-control method was adopted, with NC as the control group and CIN as the case group. Related information was collected including demographic characteristics and relevant factors related to cervical lesions. HPV genotypes were detected by flow-through hybridization technology. Vaginal pH was detected by the pH test paper. Vaginal H(2)O(2) was detected by the combined detection kit of aerobic vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. Vaginal cleanliness was detected by smear method. Results: Data from the unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that HPV infection (CINⅠ: aOR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.01-1.90; CINⅡ/Ⅲ: aOR=11.74, 95%CI: 6.96-19.80), H(2)O(2) (CINⅠ: aOR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.47-2.98; CINⅡ/Ⅲ: aOR=4.12, 95%CI: 2.01-8.43), cleanliness (CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ: aOR=2.62, 95%CI: 1.65-4.14), and composite indicators (CINⅠ: aOR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.24-2.25; CINⅡ/Ⅲ: aOR=4.24, 95%CI: 2.30-7.81) all had increased the risk of cervical lesion and the trend on the severity (P<0.001) of cervical lesions. Additionally, we observed a synergic effect between HPV infection and vaginal micro-environmental composite indicator in CINⅡ/Ⅲ. With or without HPV infection, the ORs value of CINⅠ caused by vaginal micro-environment disorder remained close. Conclusions: Results from our study revealed that vaginal micro-environmental composite indicator could increase the risk for cervical lesion, in particular with the high-grade ones which all posed stronger risks when combined with HPV infection. However, the role of vaginal micro-environment disorder in the occurrence of CIN Ⅰ should not be ignored.

No pulsed radio emission during a bursting phase of a Galactic magnetar.

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration radio transients of unknown physical origin observed at extragalactic distances1-3. It has long been speculated that magnetars are the engine powering repeating bursts from FRB sources4-13, but no convincing evidence has been collected so far14. Recently, the Galactic magnetar SRG 1935+2154 entered an active phase by emitting intense soft γ-ray bursts15. One FRB-like event with two peaks (FRB 200428) and a luminosity slightly lower than the faintest extragalactic FRBs was detected from the source, in association with a soft γ-ray/hard-X-ray flare18-21. Here we report an eight-hour targeted radio observational campaign comprising four sessions and assisted by multi-wavelength (optical and hard-X-ray) data. During the third session, 29 soft-γ-ray repeater (SGR) bursts were detected in γ-ray energies. Throughout the observing period, we detected no single dispersed pulsed emission coincident with the arrivals of SGR bursts, but unfortunately we were not observing when the FRB was detected. The non-detection places a fluence upper limit that is eight orders of magnitude lower than the fluence of FRB 200428. Our results suggest that FRB-SGR burst associations are rare. FRBs may be highly relativistic and geometrically beamed, or FRB-like events associated with SGR bursts may have narrow spectra and characteristic frequencies outside the observed band. It is also possible that the physical conditions required to achieve coherent radiation in SGR bursts are difficult to satisfy, and that only under extreme conditions could an FRB be associated with an SGR burst.

LncRNA CASC15 functions as an oncogene by sponging miR-130b-3p in bladder cancer.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "LncRNA CASC15 functions as an oncogene by sponging miR-130b-3p in bladder cancer, by X. Yu, Z.-L. Wang, C.-L. Han, M.-W. Wang, Y. Jin, X.-B. Jin, Q.-H. Xia, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (22): 9814-9820-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201911_19544-PMID 31799648" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19544.