First-line immunotherapy efficacy in advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer with PD-L1 expression ≥50%: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The optimal first-line immunotherapy regimen for patients with PD-L1 expression ≥50% in squamous non-small cell lung cancer (Sq-NSCLC) remains uncertain. This study utilized net-work meta-analysis (NMA) to indirectly compare the efficacy of various first-line immuno-therapy regimens in this patient subset. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted across PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials reporting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes. The search spanned from database inception to November 3, 2023. Bayesian network meta-analysis was employed for a comprehen-sive analysis. To ensure scientific rigor and transparency, this study is registered in the Interna-tional Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the registration number CRD42022349712. Results: The NMA encompassed 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving 2170 patients and investigating 9 distinct immunotherapy regimens. For OS, the combination of camrelizumab and chemotherapy demonstrated the highest probability (36.68%) of efficacy, fol-lowed by cemiplimab (33.86%) and atezolizumab plus chemotherapy (23.87%). Regarding PFS, the camrelizumab and chemotherapy combination had the highest probability (39.70%) of efficacy, followed by pembrolizumab (22.88%) and pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (17.69%). Compared to chemotherapy, first-line treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in Sq-NSCLC pa-tients exhibited significant improvements in OS (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.47-0.75) and PFS (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.37-0.52). Conclusion: This study suggests that, for Sq-NSCLC patients with PD-L1 expression ≥50%, the first-line immunotherapy regimen of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy provides superior OS and PFS outcomes. Furthermore, ICIs demonstrate enhanced efficacy compared to chemotherapy in this patient population. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD 42022349712.

Surface Defect Detection of Aluminum Profiles Based on Multiscale and Self-Attention Mechanisms.

To address the various challenges in aluminum surface defect detection, such as multiscale intricacies, sensitivity to lighting variations, occlusion, and noise, this study proposes the AluDef-ClassNet model. Firstly, a Gaussian difference pyramid is utilized to capture multiscale image features. Secondly, a self-attention mechanism is introduced to enhance feature representation. Additionally, an improved residual network structure incorporating dilated convolutions is adopted to increase the receptive field, thereby enhancing the network's ability to learn from extensive information. A small-scale dataset of high-quality aluminum surface defect images is acquired using a CCD camera. To better tackle the challenges in surface defect detection, advanced deep learning techniques and data augmentation strategies are employed. To address the difficulty of data labeling, a transfer learning approach based on fine-tuning is utilized, leveraging prior knowledge to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of model training. In dataset testing, our model achieved a classification accuracy of 97.6%, demonstrating significant advantages over other classification models.

Dietary Zinc Intakes Are Associated With Skeletal Muscle Mass and Strength in Children and Adolescents: Zinc and Muscle in Children.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between dietary zinc intakes and skeletal muscle mass and strength in children and adolescents. A retrospective study was conducted using data on United States adolescents aged 8 to 19 years. Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014 cycles. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the tertiles of dietary zinc intakes. The levels of appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by weight (ASM/Wt, %) and grip in subjects with the highest tertile were higher than those in subjects with the middle and lowest tertiles (P < .05). Dietary zinc intakes were positively correlated with ASM/Wt (r = .221, P < .001) and grip (r = 0.169, P < .001). After a multivariate analysis, dietary zinc intakes were still significantly associated with ASM/Wt (ß = 0.059, P < .001) and grip (ß = 0.245, P < .001). The present study demonstrates that dietary zinc intakes were positively associated with skeletal muscle mass and strength in children and adolescents.

A novel phosphorus-nitrogen-based hyperbranched polysiloxane for improving the fire safety of PA6 with suppressed melt droplets and good mechanical properties.

The combustible defects of polyamide 6 (PA6), especially the flammable melt-dripping behavior, have greatly limited its application in some particular fields. In this work, a halogen-free hyperbranched polysiloxane (PBDSi) containing DOPO and Schiff base was designed via Michael's addition reaction and dehydration-condensation reaction. Results showed that the char yield (Yc) of PBDSi attained 37.9 wt%, confirming the satisfactory charring behavior of PBDSi for preparing flame-retardant PA6. Just by adding 3 wt% of PBDSi, the serious melt droplets of PA6 were suppressed effectively. The prepared PA6/PBDSi-3 with 5 wt% of PBDSi could achieve the highest value of limited oxygen index (LOI) of 27.2 %, while that of PA6 is 21.0 %. Meanwhile, PA6/PBDSi-3 obtained an apparent reduction in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) value of 31.1 % compared with pure PA6. The cooperated effect of DOPO, Schiff base, and polysiloxane that contributed to generating a silicon-phosphorous-rich char layer and releasing incombustible volatiles that were determined to be the essential factor for the improved fire safety of PA6/PBDSi were explored intensively. Inspiringly, PA6/PBDSi composites exhibited a slight mechanical loss concerning PA6, overcoming the great challenge of developing additive flame-retardant materials to balance mechanical properties and fire safety.

X chromosome-wide association study of quantitative biomarkers from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with high heritability. Compared to autosomes, a higher proportion of disorder-associated genes on X chromosome are expressed in the brain. However, only a few studies focused on the identification of the susceptibility loci for AD on X chromosome. Methods: Using the data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Study, we conducted an X chromosome-wide association study between 16 AD quantitative biomarkers and 19,692 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based on both the cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Results: We identified 15 SNPs statistically significantly associated with different quantitative biomarkers of the AD. For the cross-sectional study, six SNPs (rs5927116, rs4596772, rs5929538, rs2213488, rs5920524, and rs5945306) are located in or near to six genes DMD, TBX22, LOC101928437, TENM1, SPANXN1, and ZFP92, which have been reported to be associated with schizophrenia or neuropsychiatric diseases in literature. For the longitudinal study, four SNPs (rs4829868, rs5931111, rs6540385, and rs763320) are included in or near to two genes RAC1P4 and AFF2, which have been demonstrated to be associated with brain development or intellectual disability in literature, while the functional annotations of other five novel SNPs (rs12157031, rs428303, rs5953487, rs10284107, and rs5955016) have not been found. Discussion: 15 SNPs were found statistically significantly associated with the quantitative biomarkers of the AD. Follow-up study in molecular genetics is needed to verify whether they are indeed related to AD. The findings in this article expand our understanding of the role of the X chromosome in exploring disease susceptibility, introduce new insights into the molecular genetics behind the AD, and may provide a mechanistic clue to further AD-related studies.

Safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation training for stroke complicated with muscular call vein thrombosis: An observational study.

This study aimed to explore the safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment for stroke patients with muscular call vein thrombosis (MCVT) in the lower limbs. A total of 173 patients were recruited with stroke complicated by MCVT, including 130 who received rehabilitation training and 43 who did not receive rehabilitation training. The t test and chi-square test were used to analyze the basic data of the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores between 2 groups at the beginning of recruitment (P = .149). There was a significant difference in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores of the lower limbs in patients with MCVT after 3 weeks of rehabilitation treatment (P < .001), and there was a significant difference in the rate of MCVT recanalization and extension between the 2 groups (χ2 = 11.646, P = 0001). Combined with anticoagulation therapy, rehabilitation training did not increase the thrombosis progression of MCVT and was effective in the recovery of lower limb motor function in stroke patients.

Research on the Health Assessment Method of the Safety Retaining Wall in a Dump Based on UAV Point-Cloud Data.

The safety retaining wall is a critical infrastructure in ensuring the safety of both rock removal vehicles and personnel. However, factors such as precipitation infiltration, tire impact from rock removal vehicles, and rolling rocks can cause local damage to the safety retaining wall of the dump, rendering it ineffective in preventing rock removal vehicles from rolling down and posing a huge safety hazard. To address these issues, this study proposed a safety retaining wall health assessment method based on modeling and analysis of UAV point-cloud data of the safety retaining wall of a dump, which enables hazard warning for the safety retaining wall. The point-cloud data used in this study were obtained from the Qidashan Iron Mine Dump in Anshan City, Liaoning Province, China. Firstly, the point-cloud data of the dump platform and slope were extracted separately using elevation gradient filtering. Then, the point-cloud data of the unloading rock boundary was obtained via the ordered crisscrossed scanning algorithm. Subsequently, the point-cloud data of the safety retaining wall were extracted using the range constraint algorithm, and surface reconstruction was conducted to construct the Mesh model. The safety retaining wall mesh model was isometrically profiled to extract cross-sectional feature information and to compare the standard parameters of the safety retaining wall. Finally, the health assessment of the safety retaining wall was carried out. This innovative method allows for unmanned and rapid inspection of all areas of the safety retaining wall, ensuring the safety of rock removal vehicles and personnel.

Performance and microbial metabolic mechanism of imidacloprid removal in a microbial electrolysis cell-integrated adsorption biological coupling system.

Coke used as a filler to treat imidacloprid (IMI) wastewater by both adsorption biological coupling and microbial electrolysis cells (MEC)-adsorption biological coupling technologies, the removal efficiencies on pollutions in wastewater containing IMI were investigated, and the key functional genes related to IMI degradation pathways were also revealed. Results showed that the removal rates of COD, ammonia nitrogen, TP, and IMI under the adsorption biological coupling treatment and MEC-adsorption biological coupling treatment were 94.61-95.54%, 93.37-95.79%, 73.69-83.80%, and 100%, respectively. MEC increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria by 9.01% and transformed the dominant bacteria from Lysobacter and Reyranella to Brevundimonas and Aquincola. Moreover, MEC up-regulated the abundance of the coding genes PK (9.30%), narG (2.26%), pstS (3.63%), and phnD (1.32%), and converted the IMI degradation products to smaller molecular weight C6H8N2 and C6H6ClNO. This study provided an important reference information for efficient treatment of IMI wastewater using the MEC-adsorption biological coupling technology.

Effects of perfluoroalkyl substances on the operational efficiency, microbial communities, and key metabolic pathways of constructed rapid infiltration system with coke as filler layer.

Influences of perfluoroalkyl substances on the performance and microbial metabolic pathways of constructed rapid infiltration systems are not fully understood. In this study, wastewater containing different concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)/perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA) was treated in constructed rapid infiltration systems with coke as filler. The addition of 5 and 10 mg/L PFOA inhibited the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (80.42%, 89.27%), ammonia nitrogen (31.32%, 41.14%), and total phosphorus (TP) (43.30%, 39.34%). Meanwhile, 10 mg/L PFBA inhibited TP removal of the systems. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the percentages of F- within the PFOA and PFBA groups were 12.91% and 48.46%, respectively. PFOA transformed Proteobacteria (71.79%) into the dominant phyla of the systems, whereas PFBA enriched Actinobacteria (72.51%). The PFBA up-regulated the coding gene of 6-phosphofructokinase by 14.44%, whereas PFOA down-regulated it by 4.76%. These findings provide insights into the toxicity of perfluoroalkyl substances on constructed rapid infiltration systems.

The relationship between obesity and bone mineral density in children and adolescents: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Childhood and puberty are important period for the skeleton grows. Fat mass, especially visceral adipose tissue, was negatively correlated with areal bone mineral density in children and adolescents. The present study suggests that fat mass, especially visceral adipose tissue, has a slightly negative association with bone development in children and adolescents. PURPOSE: This study observed the relationship between fat mass and distribution, and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in children and adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on US children and adolescents aged 8-19 years. Whole body (less head) aBMD was evaluated. Height (Ht) adjusted Z-scores for aBMD were calculated. RESULTS: After controlling for age, gender, race, and lean body mass index (LBMI) Z-score, there were significant negative associations between fat mass index (FMI) Z-score and aBMD Ht-Z-adjusted Z-score (ß = - 0.272, P < 0.001, R2 = 0.033). In the linear regression models with aBMD Ht-Z-adjusted Z-score as the dependent variable, the regression coefficients of android fat mass were - 0.241 (P < 0.05, R2 = 0.002), - 0.473 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.036), and - 0.474 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.038) for healthy weight, overweight, and obesity group, respectively. The regression coefficients of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass were - 0.218 (P > 0.05, R2 = 0.001), - 2.025 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.044), and - 1.826 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.039), and the regression coefficients of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) mass were - 0.467 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.004), - 0.339 (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.024), and - 0.347 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.018) for healthy weight, overweight, and obesity group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that fat mass has a slightly negative association with bone development in children and adolescents. Trunk fat accumulation, especially visceral adipose tissue, was correlated with the lower level of aBMD. This association was obvious in overweight and obese children.

The relationship between metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density in adolescents: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to observe the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and height (Ht) adjusted Z-scores for areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on the United States adolescents aged 12-17 years. Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012, 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 cycles. Ht adjusted Z-scores for aBMD were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 969 adolescents (493 boys and 476 girls), aged 14.5 ± 1.7 years were enrolled in this study. After control for age, gender, race, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and lean body mass index (LBMI) Z-score, adolescents with MetS had significantly lower levels of total body (less head) aBMD Ht-Z-adjusted Z-score than adolescents with one, two components of MetS and without component of MetS (p<0.05) and significantly lower levels of lumbar spine aBMD Ht-Z-adjusted Z-score than adolescents with one component of MetS and without component of MetS (p<0.05). There were significantly negative associations between total body (less head) aBMD Ht-Z-adjusted Z-score and waist circumference (WC) (ß=-0.027, p<0.001, R2=0.057) and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ß=-0.225, p<0.001, R2=0.016). There were significantly negative associations between lumbar spine aBMD Ht-Z-adjusted Z-score and WC (ß=-0.039, p<0.001, R2=0.058) and HOMA-IR (ß=-0.251, p<0.001, R2=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that MetS may have a negative effect on bone mineral density in adolescents. Abdominal obesity and insulin resistance play a major role on the decline of aBMD in adolescents.

Licochalcone A Attenuates Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Rats by Inhibiting Microglia Activation and Inflammation.

Immune response plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Immune response-targeted therapy becomes an effective strategy for treating neuropathic pain. Licochalcone A (Lic-A) possesses anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. However, the potential of Lic-A to attenuate neuropathic pain has not been well explored. To investigate the protective effect and evaluate the underlying mechanism of Lic-A against neuropathic pain in a rat model. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery was employed in rats to establish neuropathic pain model. Rats were intraperitoneally administrated with Lic-A (1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 mg/kg) twice daily. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were used to evaluate neuropathic pain. After administration, the lumbar spinal cord enlargement of rats was collected for ELISA, Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency results showed that Lic-A significantly attenuated CCI-evoked neuropathic pain in dose-dependent manner. Lic-A administration also effectively blocked microglia activation. Moreover, Lic-A suppressed p38 phosphorylation and the release of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. Our findings provide evidence that Lic-A may have the potential to attenuate CCI-evoked neuropathic pain in rats by inhibiting microglia activation and inflammatory response.

Silicon/nitrogen synergistically reinforced flame-retardant PA6 nanocomposites with simultaneously improved anti-dripping and mechanical properties.

A facile route of 'copolymerization/blending' was proposed to fabricate silicon/nitrogen synergistically reinforced flame-retardant PA6 nanocomposites with simultaneously improved anti-dripping and mechanical properties. Firstly, a persistently inherent flame-retardant PA6 (FR-PA6), with 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)tetramethyl disiloxane (MSDS), was synthesized via controllable amidation and a polycondensation reaction. Melamine cyanurate (MCA) nanoparticles as a 'gas phase' synergistic agent were then added into FR-PA6 to further improve its flame retardancy. The primarily obtained FR-PA6 could be extinguished after a few melt droplets dropped as ignited, and passed the V-2 rating with enhanced mechanical properties, while PA6 had no rating (NR). The prepared FR-PA6/MCA nanocomposites could attain a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 32.7%, and passed the V-0 level with only 1 melting droplet with similar mechanical properties to PA6. Accordingly, the special 'condensed-gas phase' synergistic flame-retardant mechanism of FR-PA6/MCA nanocomposites was proposed through studying the residues and pyrolysis volatiles. This work provided a facile route as a model for developing functional PA6 for diverse engineering applications.

Effects of a 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation treatment program on the recovery of upper extremity function in sub-acute stroke patients: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of a 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation program in the evening hours on upper extremity function in sub-acute stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-five subjects were randomized to one of three groups: 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (n=15), which received 12 hours of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and conventional rehabilitation for the affected upper extremity; neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (n=15), which received 30 min of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and conventional rehabilitation; and control group (n=15), which received conventional rehabilitation only. The Fugl-Meyer assessment, Action Research Arm Test, and modified Ashworth scale were used to evaluate the effects before and after intervention, and 4 weeks later. [Results] The improvement in the distal (wrist-hand) components of the Fugl-Meyer assessment and Action Research Arm Test in the 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation group was more significant than that in the neuromuscular electrical stimulation group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the proximal component (shoulder-elbow) of the Fugl-Meyer assessment. [Conclusion] The 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation group achieved better improvement in upper extremity motor function, especially in the wrist-hand function. This alternative therapeutic approach is easily applicable and can be used in stroke patients during rest or sleep.

Phylogenetic diversity of Archaea in the intestinal tract of termites from different lineages.

Termites are among the few arthropods that emit methane to the atmosphere, which is a significant source of global greenhouse gas due to their huge biomass on earth. In this study, phylogenetic diversity of Archaea of five termite species from different lineages were analyzed based on 16S rRNA genes. Archaea associated with wood-feeding lower termite, R. chinensis were exclusively Methanobrevibacter in the order Methanobacteriales. This type of methanogens was also found in Nasutitermes sp. and Microcerotermes sp. but not in the fungus-cultivating termites, Odontotermes formosanus and Macrotermes barneyi, which harbor Archaea of the order Methanoplasmatales and Methanosarcinales in their guts. Archaeal diversity of wood-feeding higher termites was higher than wood-feeding lower termites. The highest archaeal diversity was found in Nasutitermes sp. In addition to methanogens affiliated with the orders Methanobacteriales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanoplasmatales, 37% of archaeal clones were affiliated with non-methanogenic Thaumarchaeota. The results of this study will be significant for further understanding of symbiotic relationship between intestinal microbiota and termites.

[Detection of polA gene in whole blood samples and preliminary observations with molecular subtyping of Treponema pallidum].

OBJECTIVE: To detect Treponema pallidum (T.pallidum) DNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in whole blood samples of syphilis patients and analyze their features of sub-genotypes. METHODS: The clinical data of patients were collected from July 2012 to February 2013. And polA gene of syphilis was detected by PCR. The arp and tpr genes of polA gene-positive samples were analyzed by the established genotyping system.Statistical analyses were performed to compare different clinical courses and features to examine their correlations. RESULTS: The common treponemal gene target (polA) of 35 samples were detected in whole blood by PCR in 181 samples. A total of 24 cases (35.8%) were positive in 67 patients with newly diagnosed non-latent syphilis untreated patients;26 cases of latent syphilis were negative;7 cases (9.7%) were positive in 72 subsequent visit patients;4 cases (25.0%) were positive in 16 patients with sero-resistant. There were 4 subtypes of 14a (n = 7), 14b (n = 10), 13c (n = 4) and 14d (n = 14). Among those positive samples, there were 4 sero-resistant samples of 3 subtypes 14d and 1 subtype 14b. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of peripheral blood is confirmed. Although the positive rate of whole blood detection of T.pallidum gene is low, the method is both simple and reliable for patients with sero-resistant syphilis.

[Observation of neuropeptides in bladder after spinal cord injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the altered expressions of neuropeptide Y, substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide in detrusor of SD rats after spinal cord injury and explore the relationship of the above neuropeptides and neurogenic bladder after spine cord injury. METHODS: Twenty male clean-grade SD rats, aged 6 weeks, were selected and randomized into spinal cord injury group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Rats in spinal cord injury group were smashed at T10 to cause spinal cord incomplete injury model by the weight drop method while laminectomy alone without smashing was administered in control group. At Week 1 post-operation, all rats were assessed by the maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance and detrusor pressure for the confirmation of spastic bladder. And all detrusor specimens were marked with argentation and immunohistochemistry for the analyses of nerve fibers, neuropeptide Y, substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide. The results were evaluated with semiquantitative method to observe the contents of nerve fiber and neuropeptides. RESULTS: At Week 1 post-operation, the mean maximum bladder compactly, mean maximum detrusor pressure and mean compliance in SCI rats was 0.71 ± 0.24 ml, 32.27 ± 3.12 cm H2O and 0.020 ± 0.009 ml/cm H2O versus 2.0 ± 0.4 ml, 21.0 ± 3.0 cm H2O and 0.090 ± 0.020 ml/cm H2O in normal control group respectively. And the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the mean content of nerve fibers of neurogenic bladder decreased markedly than that of normal control group (2.58 ± 0.13 vs 5.65 ± 0.26). As compared with the normal control group, the expressions of neuropeptide Y, substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide (mean integrated optical density: 3.2 ± 0.5, 1.7 ± 0.4 and 2.1 ± 0.4 respectively) decreased dramatically in SCI rats. And the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The number of nerve fibers and the content of neuropeptides significantly decrease in neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury in rats. The reduction of neuropeptides may be correlated with the formation of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury.

[Selective innervation of sacral anterior rootlets to micturition and erection function in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the selective innervation of sacral anterior rootlets to micturition and erection function in SD rats. METHODS: Forty male SD rats of clean grade, aged 6 weeks old, were selected. Ten rats received a retrograde nerve tract tracing study. Thirty rats were chosen for an electro-physiological study. The L6, S1 spinal cord segment anterior rootlets of anesthetic rats were electrostimulated respectively. The intravesical pressure, urethral perfusion pressure and intracavernous pressure were recorded simultaneously and innervation effectiveness was analyzed. RESULTS: CB-HRP labeled neurons were observed mainly in L6 and S1 spinal cords. When some anterior rootlets of L6 and S1 were electrostimulated, the intravesical pressure rose gradually, but the urethral perfusion pressure and the intracavernous pressure curve changed slightly; when other rootlets of the same anterior root were stimulated, the urethral perfusion pressure could reach the peak; while others were stimulated, the intracavernous pressure rose quickly, but there were no great changes in intravesical pressure and urethral perfusion pressure. Some other rootlets might lead to the simultaneous changes of 2 or 3 above-mentioned pressures. CONCLUSION: The innervations of L6 and S1 anterior rootlets to rats' bladder detrusor, external urethral sphincter and penile cavernous body are significantly distinct. Different rootlets may be distinguished by microanatomy and electrostimulation.

[Effects of highly selective dorsal rootlets rhizotomy on bladder function and penis erection in SD rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the highly selective dorsal rhizotomy influence on bladder and penis erection function of SD rats. METHODS: Forty mature male SD rats of clean grades, with weight range of 300-350 g were selected. Ten rats were chosen to do electrophysiology study on dorsal rootlets of L6 and S1 segment. Changes in intravesical pressure (IVP) and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were investigated to define main segments which conducted to bladder and corpus cavernosum. Thirty rats were divided into two groups (A and B) on average at random. In group A, we made highly selective dorsal rhizotomy on the fascicle of conduction bladder detrusor muscle. In group B, we made highly selective dorsal rhizotomy on the fascicle of conduction corpus cavernosum. Changes of IVP and ICP after rhizotomy were investigated and recorded. RESULTS: The changes of IVP during electrostimulation were of no significant variation between L6 and S1 (P=0.972). With the changes of ICP during electrostimulation, S1 segment was of more significant variation than L6 segment, ΔICP of S1 was (13.05±8.41) cmH2O (1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa), while ΔICP of L6 was (6.88±2.76) cmH2O (P<0.01). There was no reasonable variation in IVP and ICP on the left and right dorsal rootlets of S1 segment (P was 0.623 and 0.828 respectively). In group A, there was significant variation in IVP, ΔIVP of before rhizotomy was (14.37±4.89) cmH2O, while after rhizotomy was (3.25±1.29) cmH2O (P<0.001) while no obvious variation in ICP (P=0.153) after highly selective rhizotomy on S1 dorsal rootlets. In group B, there was significant variation in ICP, ΔICP of before rhizotomy was (11.97±4.41) cmH2O, while after rhizotomy was (2.68±1.01) cmH2O (P<0.001), but no obvious variation in IVP (P=0.162) after highly selective rhizotomy on S1 dorsal rootlets. CONCLUSION: SD rats' different rootlets of S1 dorsal rootlets can be distinguished by microanatomy and electrostimulation. The IVP and ICP had distinct changes after highly selective dorsal rhizotomy. It could provide an experimental support to treat spastic bladder after spinal cord injury and retain at maximum reflexible erection function in the clinic.