Comparison of pingyangmycin fibrin glue composite and pingyangmycin dexamethasone composite in the treatment of pharyngolaryngeal venous malformation / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To analyze and compare the efficacy and safety of pingyangmycin fibrin glue composite (PFG) and pingyangmycin dexamethasone composite (PD) in the treatment of pharyngolaryngeal venous malformation (VM). Methods: The clinical data of 98 patients with pharyngolaryngeal VM who underwent sclerotherapy with pingyangmycin composite in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2013 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to their treatment, patients were divided into PFG group (n=34) and PD group (n=64), among those patients there were 54 males and 44 females, aged 1-77(37.06±18.86)years. The lesion size, total treatment times and adverse events were recorded before and after treatment. And the efficacy was divided into three grades: recovery, effective and invalid. According to the length of VM, all patients were divided into three subgroups, to compare the differences in efficacy and treatment times between each two groups.And finally the adverse events and their treatments were analyzed. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The efficacy of PFG group was 94.11%(32/34), the recovery rate was 85.29%(29/34).And the efficacy of PD group was 93.75%(60/64), the recovery rate was 64.06%(41/64). No serious adverse eventst occurred in subgroup comparison, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in efficacy and the times of treatments when the length was≤3 cm (Zefficacy=1.04, ttreatment times=2.18, P>0.05); when the length was 3-5 cm, there was no significant efficacy difference between the two groups(Zefficacy=1.17, P>0.05), but the treatment times of PFG were less (ttreatment times=4.87, P<0.01); when the length≥5 cm, efficacy of PFG was significantly better than PD (Zefficacy=2.94, P<0.01), and had fewer treatments times (ttreatment times=2.16, P<0.01). There were no serious adverse events in either group during treatment and follow-up. Conclusion: Both PFG and PD are safe and effective composite sclerotherapy agent for the treatment of laryngeal VM, but PFG has a higher cure rate and fewer treatment times for massive lesions.

The association between body mass index and varicocele: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: Recently, several studies have found that obesity had a protective effect against varicocele, but no meta-analysis has confirmed this finding. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and varicocele. Material and Methods: We searched for studies in PubMed, Science Direct and the Cochrane Library from inception until February 2018. The association between BMI and varicocele was assessed by pooling the odds ratios (ORs). Results: Eleven eligible studies with a total study population of 1.376.658 participants were included in our analysis. According to BMI, the subjects were defined as belonging to the obese, overweight and underweight groups. Our results showed that the obese group had a lower risk of varicocele when compared with the normal weight group (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.37-0.58). Additionally, an overweight BMI had a protective effect against varicocele (OR 0.70, 95% CIs, 0.56-0.86). However, underweight patients had a more than 30% higher risk of varicocele (OR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.04-1.64). Furthermore, there was no publication bias in any of the analyses. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that BMI is negatively associated with the presence of varicocele.

Obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome: an association study based on a large sample clinical database / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: From July 2007 to June 2017, a total of 8 155 adult subjects, including 6 484 males and 1 671 females, aged 18-90 (43.13±12.28), body mass index 14.61~59.56 (25.59±3.98) kg/m2,who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology head and Neck surgery of The Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent polysomnography and biochemical tests. Subjects were divided into four groups (non-OSA, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA) according to OSA severity. The prevalence of MS was expressed as percentage, and the correlation between OSA and MS and its characteristic pathophysiological indicators was evaluated by logistic regression model after adjusting for factors such as gender, age, BMI, neck circumference, hip circumference, smoking and alcohol consumption, and was expressed by odds ratio (OR). SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of MS was 43.6%, and that of non-/mild/moderate/severe OSA group was 18.6%, 30.4%, 43.8%, 57.1%.Logistic regression showed that patients with mild/moderate/severe OSA had an increased risk of MS compared with non-OSA patients, with adjusted OR values and confidence intervals of 1.27 (1.05-1.54), 1.84 (1.53-2.22), and 2.08 (1.76-2.46), respectively (P<0.01).In addition, indicators of OSA anoxic burden [oxygen drop index(Toxygen=7.1), minimum blood oxygen(Tminimum=56.3), blood oxygen saturation below 90% cumulative time ratio (TCT90=10.6) ]were closely associated with MS disease(P<0.01), but sleep fragmentation index (arousals index) was not significantly associated with MS disease. Conclusion: The risk of MS gradually increases with the severity of OSA, and the indicators reflecting OSA hypoxia burden are closely related to MS disease.

A novel robust nomogram based on peripheral monocyte counts for predicting lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Accurate methods for identifying pelvic lymph node metastasis (LNM) of prostate cancer (PCa) prior to surgery are still lacking. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of peripheral monocyte count (PMC) for LNM of PCa in this study. Two hundred and ninety-eight patients from three centers were divided into a training set (n = 125) and a validation set (n = 173). In the training set, the independent predictors of LNM were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and the optimal cutoff value was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The sensitivity and specificity of the optimal cutoff were authenticated in the validation cohort. Finally, a nomogram based on the PMC was constructed for predicting LNM. Multivariate analyses of the training cohort demonstrated that clinical T stage, preoperative Gleason score, and PMC were independent risk factors for LNM. The subsequent ROC analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value of PMC for diagnosing LNM was 0.405 × 109 l

Protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes against the reproductive toxicity of cyclophosphamide is associated with the p38MAPK/ERK and AKT signaling pathways / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Spermatogenic dysfunction caused by cyclophosphamide (CP) chemotherapy has seriously influenced the life quality of patients. Unfortunately, treatments for CP-induced testicular spermatogenic dysfunction are limited, and the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. For the first time, here, we explored the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (BMSC-exos) on CP-induced testicular spermatogenic dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. BMSC-exos could be taken up by spermatogonia (GC1-spg cells). CP-injured GC1-spg cells and BMSC-exos were cocultured at various doses, and then, cell proliferation was measured using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, photophosphorylation of extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), and protein kinase B (AKT) proteins was evaluated by western blotting as well as apoptosis in GC1-spg cells measured using flow cytometry. Treatment with BMSC-exos enhanced cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis of CP-injured GCI-spg cells. Phosphorylated levels of ERK, AKT, and p38MAPK proteins were reduced in CP-injured spermatogonia when co-treated with BMSC-exos, indicating that BMSC-exos acted against the reproductive toxicity of CP via the p38MAPK/ERK and AKT signaling pathways. In experiments in vivo, CP-treated rats received BMSC-exos by injection into the tail vein, and testis morphology was compared between treated and control groups. Histology showed that transfusion of BMSC-exos inhibited the pathological changes in CP-injured testes. Thus, BMSC-exos could counteract the reproductive toxicity of CP via the p38MAPK/ERK and AKT signaling pathways. The findings provide a potential treatment for CP-induced male spermatogenic dysfunction using BMSC-exos.

Ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU and PEG6000 for the extraction and identification of seminal plasma exosomes: A comparative study / 医学研究生学报

Objective　No studies have been reported on the comparison of ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU and PEG6000 in extracting seminal plasma exosomes. This article aimed to compare the three methods for the extraction and identification of seminal plasma exosomes. Methods　Semen samples were obtained from 30 healthy donors and randomly divided into three portions, followed by extraction of exosomes from the seminal plasma by ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU, and 8%PEG6000, respectively. The size of the extracted exosomes was measured with the nanoparticle tracking analyzer (NTA), their morphology observed under the transmission electron microscope (TEM), and their protein biomarkers detected by Western blot.　Results　Significantly higher expressions of CD63 and TSG101 were found in the exosomes extracted by ultracentrifugation than in those extracted by ExoPerfectTM-MU and 8%PEG6000 (P0.05). Compared with the 8%PEG6000 group, the ultracentrifugation and ExoPerfectTM-MU groups showed significantly higher concentrations ([11.90±1.78] vs [21.20±0.98] and [19.74±1.45]×108/mL, P<0.01) and numbers of seminal plasma exosomes under TEM (4.7±1.7 vs 7.0±1.6 and 6.0±1.6, P< 0.01).　Conclusion　Ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU and 8%PEG6000 are all capable of successful extraction and identification of seminal plasma exosomes, but the former two yield more exosomes, the latter one gives a higher purity, and ExoPerfectTM-MU is simple and convenient in operation.

Application value of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound in transrectal prostate biopsy / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To explore the application value of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (RTCEU) in improving the detection rate of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This prospective study included 91 male patients with abnormally high PSA (4－20 μg/L) or abnormalities in DRE or MRI, who underwent 12+X prostate biopsy following conventional transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and RTCEU examination. We compared the numbers of suspected prostatic nodules before and after RTCEU as well as the detection rates of prostate cancer between conventional TRUS-guided 12PBx and 12PBx plus lesion-targeted biopsy procedures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 57 of the 86 suspected lesions on TRUS (66.3%), and 108 of the 118 abnormal nodules on RTCEU (91.5%) were confirmed to be prostate cancer. RTCEU achieved a significantly higher detection rate than TRUS (P<0.01). A total of 39 cases of prostate cancer (42.8%) were detected by RTCEU, while only 28 (30.7%) by TRUS, with statistically significant difference in the detection rate between the two procedures (P=0.033).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound can significantly improve the detection rate of prostate cancer and provide a valuable guide to targeted prostate biopsy.</p>

Extraction and identification of semen-derived exosomes using PEG6000 / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To extract and identify semen-derived exosome using PEG6000.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Exosomes were extracted from semen specimens from 6 healthy volunteers with step-by-step centrifugations and ultracentrifugation prior to 8% PEG6000 enrichment. The extracted exosomes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pellets obtained were round or elliptic membrane vesicles 30 to 150 nm in diameter with intact double membranes and contained low electron density material. The pellets expressed CD63, ALIX and TSG101 molecules but not calnexin that was expressed in sperm cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The PEG6000-based method for extraction of exosomes from semen samples facilitates future studies of seminal exosomes.</p>

Changed percentage of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the peripheral blood of prostate cancer patients and its clinical implication / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the changes in the percentage of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the peripheral blood of prostate cancer (PCa) patients and explore the correlation of MDSCs and their subsets with the prognosis of PCa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using flow cytometry, we determined the percentage of MDSCs and the levels of Arg-1, iNOS and PD-L1 in the peripheral blood of 32 PCa patients and 25 healthy controls, detected the distribution of CD14+ Mo-MDSC and CD15+ PMN-MDSC subsets, and analyzed the correlation between the obtained parameters and the prognosis of PCa.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the healthy controls, the PCa patients showed significant increases in the percentage of MDSCs (P<0.01) and levels of Arg-1, iNOS and PD-L1 in the peripheral blood. Statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of the CD14+ Mo-MDSC and CD15+ PMN-MDSC subsets between the two groups（60.4% vs 72.2%, 29.5% vs 18.8%） (P<0.05). The percentages of MDSCs and Mo-MDSCs were remarkably correlated with the total survival rate of the PCa patients (P=0.025 and 0.017).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The percentages of MDSCs and CD14+ Mo-MDSCs in the peripheral blood were correlated with the prognosis of PCa, which may provide a target or some evidence for the clinical treatment of PCa.</p>

Comparison of low-dose sequences of dual-source CT and echocardiography for preoperative evaluation of aortic valve disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Accurate evaluation of coronary artery, aortic valve annulus diameter (AVAD), and cardiac function in patients with aortic valve disease is of great significance for surgical strategy. In this study, we explored the preoperative evaluation of low-dose sequence (MinDose sequence) scan of dual-source CT (DSCT) for those patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty patients suspected for aortic valve disease (the experimental group) underwent MinDose sequence of DSCT to observe coronary artery, AVAD, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Another 33 subjects suspected for coronary artery disease (the control group) underwent conventional retrospective electrocardiographically-gated sequence of DSCT. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) and four-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (4D-TTE) were applied in the experimental group to measure AVAD and LVEF and compared with MinDose-DSCT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a strong correlation between LVEFs measured by 2D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT (r = 0.87, P < 0.01), as well as between 4D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT (r = 0.90, P < 0.01). AVAD measured by MinDose-DSCT was in good agreement with corresponding measurements by 2D-TTE (r = 0.90, P < 0.01). The effective dose in the experimental group was 63.54% lower than that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MinDose sequence of DSCT with a low radiation dose serving as a one-stop preoperative evaluation makes effective assessment of the coronary artery, AVAD, and LVEF for patients with aortic valve disease.</p>