Short-term effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for children with high-risk neuroblastoma: an analysis of 24 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the efficacy and safety of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 24 children with high-risk NB who were diagnosed and treated with IMRT in the Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, from April 2018 to December 2020. The medical data included age, radiotherapy dose, times of radiotherapy, laboratory examination results, adverse reactions, and survival.@*RESULTS@#All 24 children (14 boys and 10 girls) received IMRT, with a mean age of (65±23) months and a median age of 59 months. The primary tumor was located in the abdomen in 23 children and 1 child had primary tumor in the mediastinum. The median age was 41.5 months at the time of radiotherapy. The radiation dose of radiotherapy ranged from 14.4 to 36.0 Gy, with a mean dose of (22±3) Gy and a daily dose of 1.8-2.0 Gy. The radiotherapy was performed for a total number of 8-20 times, with a mean number of 11.9 times. Among these children, 6 received radiotherapy for the residual or metastatic lesion. Of all the 23 children, 3 experienced cough, 2 experienced diarrhea, and 1 experienced vomiting during radiotherapy. At 2 weeks after radiotherapy, serum creatinine ranged from 2.3 to 70.1 μmol/L and alanine aminotransferase ranged from 9.1 to 65.3 μ/L. Ten children experienced grade Ⅲ bone marrow suppression and 2 experienced grade Ⅳ bone marrow suppression 1 to 2 weeks after radiotherapy. Four children experienced grade Ⅲ bone marrow suppression and 1 experienced grade Ⅳ bone marrow suppression 3 to 4 weeks after radiotherapy. During a median follow-up time of 13.5 months, 23 children (96%) achieved stable disease and 1 died. Up to the follow-up date, second malignant tumor or abnormal organ function was not observed.@*CONCLUSIONS@#IMRT can improve the local control rate of NB. IMRT appears to be safe in the treatment of children with NB.

Reproductive outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection using testicular sperm and ejaculated sperm in patients with AZFc microdeletions: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Studies have explored the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes of Y-chromosome azoospermia factor c (AZFc) microdeletions, but the effect of sperm source on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) remains unknown. To determine the ART results of ICSI using testicular sperm and ejaculated sperm from males with AZFc microdeletions, we searched Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. The first meta-analysis results for 106 cycles in five studies showed no significant differences in the live birth rate between the testicular sperm group and the ejaculated sperm group (risk ratio: 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-1.28, P = 0.82). The second meta-analysis of 106 cycles in five studies showed no difference in the abortion rate between the testicular sperm group and ejaculated sperm group (risk ratio: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.54-2.06, P = 0.87). The third meta-analysis of 386 cycles in seven studies showed no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between the testicular sperm group and the ejaculated sperm group (risk ratio: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.66-2.34, P = 0.50). Inevitable heterogeneity weakened our results. However, our results indicated that testicular sperm and ejaculated sperm yield similar ART outcomes, representing a meaningful result for clinical treatment. More properly designed studies are needed to further confirm our conclusions.

Clinical features of neuroblastoma: an analysis of 44 children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical features of neuroblastoma (NB) and the factors influencing survival rate.@*METHODS@#A total of 44 children with NB who were admitted from April 2016 to February 2020 were enrolled as research subjects. A retrospective analysis was performed on their medical data and follow-up data.@*RESULTS@#The common clinical symptoms of these 44 children were fever (10/44, 23%), mass (9/44, 20%), abdominal pain (8/44, 18%), cough (7/44, 16%), pale complexion (3/44, 7%), claudication (2/44, 5%), and abnormal activity (2/44, 5%). According to the INSS stage, 2 children (4%) had stage I NB, 5 children (11%) had stage II NB, 5 children (11%) had stage III NB, and 32 children (73%) had stage IV NB. The mean follow-up time was (15.3±1.5) months, with a recurrence rate of 20% and an overall survival rate of 82%. Among the 44 children, 29 (66%) achieved event-free survival and 7 (16%) had survival with tumor. The univariate analysis showed that a pathological type of NB and an increase in serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) decreased the overall survival rate of children with NB (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The clinical symptoms of children with NB are not specific at the first visit. Fever, abdominal pain, and mass are common symptoms, and there is a high proportion of children in the advanced stage. The pathological type of NB and an increase in serum NSE may be associated with a reduction in the overall survival rate of children with NB.

Progress in clinical pharmacology of oligonucleotides / 药学学报

Following small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides are expected to overcome the rare and refractory human diseases. It has been attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical industry since the approval of six oligonucleotides in recent years because of their unique mechanism of regulating disease gene transcription at the RNA level. As a new class of drug molecules, oligonucleotides are highly polar, charged, and need to be improved by means of chemical modification and drug delivery systems. And therefore, they have different clinical pharmacology properties compared with chemical molecules and monoclonal antibodies, which pose new challenges for early clinical development. This paper reviews the characteristics of oligonucleotides from the perspective of technological development, mechanism of action, human pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety.

Application of multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle in medical rescue / 医疗卫生装备

An introduction was first given to the advantages and application status of multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the field of medical rescue. Then, the latest worldwide application and research status of multi-rotor UAV in this field were analyzed according to available research. On this basis, the application prospects of multi-rotor UAV in the scenarios of medical rescue field were assumed. Finally, it was pointed out that multi-rotor UAV would show more functions in medical rescue field owing to various technological development and breakthrough, signifying the bright deepening application prospect of multi-rotor UAV.

Characteristics of sperm donors and the eligibility rate of screening for sperm donation / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the relationship of the characteristics of sperm donors with the results of screening and provide some reference for the screening of sperm donors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We statistically analyzed the screening data about 12 362 sperm donors at the Guangdong Human Sperm Bank from January 2003 to June 2017 and the relationship of the eligibility rate of screening with the donors' age, education, occupation, marriage, and fatherhood.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 12 362 sperm donors, 3 968 (32.1%) met the standards of semen quality and 3 127 (25.3%) filled all the requirements of sperm donation. The eligibility rate of screening was 27.7% in the donors aged 20－24 years, 24.3% in those aged 25－29 years, 23.8% in those aged 30－34 years, and 17.5% in those aged =≥35 years (P < 0.01); 23.5% in the senior high school students, 24% in the junior college students, 25.9% in the undergraduates, and 30.3% in the postgraduates (P < 0.01); 29.3% in the students versus 22.9% in the others (P < 0.01), 41.5% in the married versus 20.7% in the unmarried (P < 0.01), and 45.6% in the fathers versus 20.9% in the childless husbands (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A higher eligibility rate of screening was found among the sperm donors aged <35 years or with a bachelor's or higher degree, particularly among students.</p>

Observations on the Efficacy of a Needle Knife in Treating Knee Meniscus Injury / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of a needle knife in treating knee meniscus injury. Methods One hundred patients with knee meniscus injury (112 knee joints) were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 50 cases each. The treatment group received needle knife therapy and the control group, an injection of sodium hyaluronate injectio into knee joint cavity. The main clinical symptoms and signs around the knee joint were observed and the knee function score was recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. the clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated in the two groups. Results There were statistically significant differences in pre-/post-treatment main clinical symptom and sign index (pain score, swelling score, activity score and tenderness index score) difference values between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the main clinical symptom and sign index difference values at follow-up compared with before treatment between the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant differences in the knee function score after treatment and at follow-up compared with before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a statistically significant differences in the knee function score between the treatment and control groups after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.05). Post-treatment excellence rate and total efficacy rate were 94.0%and 100.0%, respectively, in the treatment group and 72.0%and 98.0%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant differences in post-treatment excellence rate between the two groups (P<0.05). Follow-up excellence rate and total efficacy rate were 96.0% and 100.0%, respectively, in the treatment group and 76.0% and 98.0%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant differences in follow-up excellence rate between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Needle knife therapy is an effective way to treat knee meniscus injury.

Clinical Observations on Needle Knife Treatment for Knee Meniscus Injury / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo observe andanalyze the clinical efficacy of needle knife treatment for knee meniscus injury from improving knee biomechanical balance and to provide a therapeutic basis and method for clinical practice.MethodOne hundred patients (112 knees) with knee meniscus injury meeting the inclusion criteria were allocated, in order of visits, to observation and control groups, 50 cases each. They were treated with a needle knife and an injection of sodium hyaluronate injectio into knee joint cavity, respectively. Changes in the indices were observed and assessed in the two groups by recording the plantar pressure analysis score and the knee function score before and after treatment and at follow-up. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated in the two groups.ResultThemaximum load, time integral difference value and load ratio around the knee joint decreased significantly in both observation and control groups after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.05). The regulating effect on knee joint force balance was better in theneedle knife group than in the control group (P<0.05). The improving effect on knee joint function was significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). The excellence rate was significantly higher in the observation groupthan in the control group after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.05).ConclusionNeedle knife treatment restores the function of the knee joint by loosing focal soft tissues around the knee joint, improving knee joint load imbalance and correcting the mechanical equilibrium around the knee joint in patient with knee meniscus injury. It has a definite curative effect on the disease.

The role of microRNAs in bone remodeling / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Bone remodeling is balanced by bone formation and bone resorption as well as by alterations in the quantities and functions of seed cells, leading to either the maintenance or deterioration of bone status. The existing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs), known as a family of short non-coding RNAs, are the key post-transcriptional repressors of gene expression, and growing numbers of novel miRNAs have been verified to play vital roles in the regulation of osteogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and adipogenesis, revealing how they interact with signaling molecules to control these processes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the roles of miRNAs in regulating bone remodeling as well as novel applications for miRNAs in biomaterials for therapeutic purposes.

High-frequency ultrasonography for epididymal stasis after vasectomy / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical application of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of epididymal stasis after vasectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively studied the sonographic characteristics of 23 cases of epididymal stasis treated by vasectomy, which were divided into a mild (n = 5), a moderate (n = 11) and a severe group (n = 7) according to the results of color Doppler flow imaging. We analyzed the significance of high-frequency ultrasonography in the treatment of epididymal stasis after vasectomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>High-frequency ultrasonography revealed 14 cases of increased bilateral epididymal volume, 6 cases of left epididymal thickening and 3 cases of right epididymal thickening, mainly the thickening of the epididymal body and tail. After conservative treatment, 18 of the epididymal stasis cases (5 mild, 11 moderate and 2 severe) were improved, and the other 5 severe cases significantly relieved and discharged from hospital following conservative treatment combined with vasectomy reversal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Post-vasectomy epididymal stasis has typical sonographic characteristics, and high-frequency ultrasonography has an extremely important application value in the clinical classification, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.</p>

Semen quality of normal fertile men / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the semen quality of confirmed fertile men with the time to pregnancy (TTP) of 12 months or less, and analyze the correlation of semen parameters with TTP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We recruited 1 152 men aged 18 -50 years and with TTP of 12 months. We used questionnaire investigation, physical examination and semen analysis, calculated the normal reference ranges of semen parameters, and analyzed the effects of TTP and other biological characteristics on semen quality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seminal examinations showed that the semen volume was 1.5 ml, sperm concentration 17 million per ml, total sperm number 39 million per ejaculate, total sperm motility 41%, progressive sperm motility 33%, normal sperm morphology 5.0%, sperm vitality 53%, and total number of progressively motile sperm 17 million per ejaculate in the 1 152 subjects. In comparison, the total number of progressively motile sperm was significantly smaller in those aged > or = 35 years (P < 0.01), morphologically normal sperm were markedly less in those with BMI > 25.0 (P < 0.01), and sperm concentration, total number of sperm, morphologically normal sperm rate and total number of progressively motile sperm were remarkably lower in those with BMI < 18. 5 (P < 0.05). Cigarette smoking significantly reduced the sperm volume (P < 0.01), and drinking (> 10 g per week) decreased the sperm volume and the total numbers of sperm, morphologically normal sperm and progressively motile perm (P < 0.05). TTP was negatively correlated with sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total number of progressively motile sperm (P < 0.01). The subjects with sexual abstinence of 5 -7 days showed markedly higher sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total number of progressively motile sperm than others (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In normal fertile men, the fifth centile of semen parameters is close to the WHO normal reference range, TTP is negatively correlated with semen quality, and age, BMI and lifestyle may affect some of the semen parameters.</p>

Relationship between testis volume and types of spermatogenic cells from testicular biopsy in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between the testis volume and types of spermatogenic cells derived from testicular biopsy in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected testicular pathological biopsies from 492 infertile patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia reported in our hospital, classified them according to the testicular histological classification methods in WHO Manual for Standardized Investigation, Diagnosis and Management of the Infertile Male, and analyzed the relationship of the testis volume with the results of semen analyses and testicular histology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 492 cases, 90.5% (445/492) were azoospermia and 9.5% (47/492) cryptozoospermia; mature spermatozoa were present in the seminiferous tubules in 17.9% (88/492) but absent in 42.9% (211/492), and Sertoli cell-only syndrome indicated in 39.2% (193/492); the testis volume was < or = 10 ml in 38.6% (190/492) and < or = 5 ml in 7.9% (39/492). Cryptozoospermia was detected in 14.8% (13/88) of those with mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules, in 11.4% (24/211) of those without, and in 5.2% (10/193) of those with Sertoli cell-only syndrome, with a significantly lower rate in the latter group than in the former two (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Spermatogenesis of the testis may be focal and difficult to be completely reflected by a single testicular biopsy, and it may exist even if the testis volume is significantly below the reference value. The indications for testicular biopsy should not be improperly expanded. The WHO testicular histological classification methods have provided a convenient and effective guidance for further clinical examinations and establishment of a protocol.</p>

Chromosome abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in patients with the azoospermia and cryptozoospermia / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the incidence of the chromosome abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in Chinese patients with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Conventional chromosomal karyotyping was used to analyze the chromosome abnormalities. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) analyses were performed using specific primers to confirm the presence or absence of Y chromosome microdeletions. A total of 997 patients with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia were enrolled in the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of chromosome abnormalities in the patient with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia was 28.4%. The major abnormal karyotypes included 47,XXY, 46,XY (Y>G), 46,XX, chimera and translocations. The incidence of the Y chromosome microdeletions was 17.4%. They were mainly found in the karyotypes of 46,XY and 46,XY (Y>G).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chromosome abnormalities were the most common hereditary causes of the patients with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia. The incidence of Y chromosome microdeletion was higher in the patients with karyotype of 46,XY and 46,XY (Y>G). Therefore, detection of the AZF microdeletion in these patients is helpful to determine the etiology and avoid the unnecessary treatment and vertical transmission of the genetic defects.</p>