A comparison of the clinical efficacies of lumbar interbody fusion via percutaneous endoscopic inter-laminar approach and minimally invasive transforaminal approach in the treatment of grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ lumbar spondylolisthesis / 中国脊柱脊髓杂志

Objectives:To compare the clinical efficacies of percutaneous endoscopic posterior lumbar inter-body fusion(PE-PLIF)and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(MIS-TLIF)in the treat-ment of grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ lumbar spondylolisthesis.Methods:The clinical data of 70 patients with single lev-el lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with PE-PLIF or MIS-TLIF in the Department of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2020 and Jan-uary 2022 were analyzed retrospectively,including 33 males and 37 females,aged 59.6±11.0 years old.Ac-cording to different surgical methods,the patients were divided into PE-PLIF group of 36 cases and MIS-TLIF group of 34 cases.The operative time,intraoperativc blood loss,postoperative 3d serum indexes such as creatine kinase(CK),C-reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were collected and compared between groups,as well as low back and leg pain visual analogue scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)be-fore operation,at 1 week,and 3 and 6 months,and 1 year after operation.3D reconstruction CT was used to evaluate interbody fusion according to the Bridwell's fusion grading system at 2 years after operation,and postoperative complications were also documented.Results:PE-PLIF group was significantly less than MIS-TLIF group in intraoperative blood loss(91.6±45.8mL vs 195.5±126.3mL,P=0.000),longer in operative time(227.5±58.0min vs 194.1±55.2min,P=0.016),and lower postoperative 3d CK,CRP,IL-6(P＜0.05).The VAS score and ODI in both groups were significantly improved compared with those before operation,while the VAS score in PE-PLIF group improved more obvious than that in MIS-TLIF group at one week after operation(P=0.02),and no statistically significant difference was there in the VAS scores between groups at other time points(P＞0.05).PE-PLIF group wasn't significantly different from MIS-TLIF group in the fusion conditions at 2 years after operation(86％vs 94％,P=0.430);There were no serious complications requiring revision surgery in both groups.Conclusions:PE-PLIF is less traumatic and relieves low back pain better at early postoperation than MIS-TLIF in the treatment of grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ lumbar spondylolisthesis,while PE-PLIF isn't significantly differ from MIS-TLIF in mid-to-long term clinical efficacy.

Comparison of short-term and long-term outcomes between thoracoscopic pneumonectomy and open pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: a study based on propensity score matching / 中华外科杂志

To compare the short-term and long-term results of thoracoscopic and open pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer. The clinical data of patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent pneumonectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qingdao University Hospital from January 2008 to December 2016 were collected. Totally 142 patients (55 in the thoracoscopic group and 87 in the open group) were included in the study. A total of 29 pairs of patients were successfully matched by propensity score matching (PSM). Perioperative outcomes and overall survival were compared between the two groups using test, χ(2) test, Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank test, respectively. Camparion with open group, the thoracoscopic group had longer operative time ((209.7±70.2) minutes . (171.3±43.5) minutes, 2.50, 0.02), more mediastinal lymph node dissection ((): 17(9) . 11(10), =388, 0.02) and shorter postoperative hospital stay (7.0(3.5) . 9.0(3.0), =285, 0.03). There was no significant difference in estimated blood loss, postoperative drainage time, dissected lymph node number, dissected lymph node station and perioperative complications. After PSM, there were no signifificant differences found in 3-year survival (71.4% . 48.1%, 0.10) and 3-year disease-free survival (67.4% . 47.2%, 0.13) between the two groups. Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy is safe and feasible for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with more mediastinal lymph node dissection and accelerating recovery, and equivalent long-term prognosis when compared with open approach.

Weibull distribution for modeling drying of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and its application in moisture dynamics / 中国中药杂志

To establish the water dynamics model for drying process of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, the Weibull distribution model was applied to study the moisture ratio variation curves, and compared the drying rate and drying activation energy with the drying methods of temperature controllable air drying, infrared drying under different temperatures (50, 60, 70 degrees C). The Weibull distribution model could well describe the drying curves, for the moisture ratio vs. drying time profiled of the model showed high correlation (R2 = 0. 994-0. 999). The result proved that the drying process of Angelicae Sinensis Radix belonged to falling-rate drying period. For the drying process, the scale parameter (a) was related to the drying temperature, and decreased as the temperature increases. The shape parameter (β) for the same drying method, drying temperature had little impact on the shape parameter. The moisture diffusion coefficient increase along with temperature increasing from 0.425 x 10(-9) m2 x s(-1) to 2.260 x 10(-9) m2 x s(-1). The activation energy for moisture diffusion was 68.82, 29.60 kJ x mol(-1) by temperature controllable air drying and infrared drying, respectively. Therefore, the Weibull distribution model can be used to predict the moisture removal of Angelicae Sinensis Radix in the drying process, which is great significance for the drying process of prediction, control and process optimization. The results provide the technical basis for the use of modern drying technology for industrial drying of Angelicae Sinensis Radix.

Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy combined with finasteride for recurrent hematospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy (TUSV) combined with finasteride in the treatment of recurrent hemospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 32 patients with recurrent hematospermia, with the disease course of 3 months to 4 years. After administration of finasteride at 5 mg/d for 2 weeks, the patients underwent TUSV for both exploration of the causes and treatment, followed by medication with finasteride at the same dose for another 2 weeks. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for observation of the outcomes and complications.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TUSV was successfully accomplished in all the 32 cases, which revealed 16 cases of seminal vesiculitis, 10 seminal calculi, 1 seminal vesicle cyst, 2 seminal vesicle polyps, and 3 seminal vesicle abscess. The operative time was 20 to 51 (31.0 +/- 5.2) minutes. Postoperative complications included 1 case of acute epididymitis and 3 cases of breast discomfort within the first 4 weeks. No incontinence, urethral stricture, rectal injury, retrograde ejaculation, and sexual dysfunction occurred postoperatively. All the patients but 1 were followed up for 6 months to 2 years. Twenty-nine of the cases were cured, and 2 experienced recurrence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy combined with finasteride is safe and effective for the treatment of recurrent hemospermia.</p>

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of non-pulmonary vein foci ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term results of non-pulmonary veins (PV) trigger ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-six patients [48 men, mean age (52.3 ± 10.2) years] were included in the study. Circumferential pulmonary vein antrum isolation guided by a 3-D mapping system was performed. Aggressive high right atrium programmed stimulation and burst pacing were made before and after isoproterenol infusion. Additional ablation was performed if other trigger foci were found or other sustained tachycardias could be induced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PV triggers were observed in 59 patients (group I), and non-PV triggers were observed in 27 patients (group II), 12 non-PV triggers were identified during the first procedure. Among them, one was located in the roof of left atrium, 11 were originated from superior vena cava. After a mean follow-up of [37.1 ± 10.4 (range 15-60)] months, the AF recurrence rate was significantly higher in the Group II than in the Group I (55.5% vs. 20.3%, P = 0.001). The number of performed ablation was also significantly in group II than in group I higher difference (1.7 ± 0.8 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4, P < 0.001). In the group II, 15/15 (100%) patients had a repeated ablation procedure for AF recurrence, and 15 patients had new non-PV foci after isoproterenol infusion which were originated from the superior vena cava (n = 11) and coronary sinus (n = 2), respectively. After the second ablation procedure, AF recurrence was observed in three patients, two patients accepted third procedure, the non-PV triggers were located in left atrial septum and coronary sinus, and one patient accepted fourth procedure, the non-PV foci was located in left posterior wall.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Non-PV foci may occur at any age and the main area is located in the super vena cava, Non-PV serves as a major cause of AF recurrence after successful PVAI.</p>

Compound graft of porcine small intestinal submucosa with Schwann cells to reconstruct injured cavernous nerves and restore erectile function / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the restoration of rat penile erection by reconstructing injured cavernous nerves (CN) with a compound graft prepared from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and Schwann cells (SC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SCs were cultured in vitro and a compound graft was prepared from the SCs and SIS. Thirty-three healthy SD rats were randomly divided into three groups of equal number, sham-operation, CN ablation, and SIS + SC graft. Three months after the operation, all the rats underwent the apomorphine test, followed by immunohistochemical staining of the tissues from the middle part of the corpus cavernosum penis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Combined use of mechanical stripping, mixed-enzyme digestion, different-speed adhesion, short-term Ara-C and some other methods yielded SCs of a purity high enough for nerve tissue engineering. The SIS prepared by mechanical and chemical methods exhibited a good biocompatibility with SCs, which could adhere, grow, propagate and differentiate on its surface. The apomorphine test showed that both the rate and frequency of penile erection were significantly higher in the SIS + SC graft than in the CN ablation group (P < 0.01), but lower than in the sham operation group (P < 0.01). The number of nNOS positive nerve fibers in the SIS + SC graft group was significantly different from that of the CN ablation (P < 0.01), but both were smaller than that of the sham-operation group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The compound of SIS with SCs, as a nerve graft, can be used to reconstruct injured cavernous nerves, and to some extent, restore penile erectile function.</p>

Restoration of erectile function by reconstructing cavernous nerves with small intestinal submucosa grafts / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the restoration of erectile function by reconstructing cavernous nerves (CN) with small intestinal submucosa (SIS) grafts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We prepared SIS grafts, established rat models and divided the models into a CN ablation, a sham-operation and an SIS graft group. The CNs at both sides were severed with 1 cm ablated in the first group, and 0.5 cm removed in the third, followed by reconstruction with the SIS grafts. Three months after surgery, the apomorphine test was performed to evaluate the erectile function, and then all the rats were sacrificed to detect the expression of nNOS in the penis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Penile erection was observed in 72.73% (8/11) of the rats for (1.07 +/- 0.89) times within 30 min in the SIS graft group, as compared with 0% (0/11) of the rats for (0.00 +/- 0.00) times in the CN ablation group (P < 0.01), and 90.91% (10/11) of the rats for (2.19 +/- 1.17) times in the sham-operation group (P < 0.01). The number of nNOS nerve fibers was significantly larger in the SIS graft than in the CN ablation group (70.36 +/- 10.09 versus 22.09 +/- 4.76, P < 0.01), but both were significantly smaller than that of the sham-operation group (90.81 +/- 5.69, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The SIS grafting technique contributes to the recanalization of the severed CN and restoration of erectile function in rats after surgical injury.</p>