Application of Cut-and-Sew Technique in Thoracoscopic Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery and Concomitant Maze Procedure

ABSTRACT Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is one of the common complications of mitral valve disease. Currently, in the absence of freezing equipment, it's still impossible to fully conduct a minimally invasive Cox-maze IV procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of 28 patients who underwent thoracoscopic minimally invasive mitral valve full maze surgery in our hospital from October 2021 to September 2022; 13 patients were male and 15 were female, three suffered from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and 25 suffered from permanent atrial fibrillation; average age was 61.88±8.30 years, and mean preoperative left atrial diameter was 47.12±8.34 mm. Isolation of left atrial posterior wall (box lesion) was completed in all patients by cut-and-sew technique and bipolar clamp ablation. Results: For these subjects, the median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 169 (109.75-202.75) minutes, aortic cross-clamping time was 106 (77.75-125.50) minutes, and ventilator assistance time was 6.5 (0-10) hours. Among them, eight subjects had the endotracheal tubes removed immediately after surgical operation. Three subjects were in the blanking period; two subjects still had atrial fibrillation at three months after operation, one of whom resumed sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion therapy; and all the remaining 23 subjects had sinus rhythm. Conclusion: The minimally invasive cut-and-sew technique for electrical isolation of left pulmonary veins can improve sinus conversion rate of patients suffering from both mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation. In selected subjects, it is safe and has good results in the short-term postoperative period.

Clinical assessment of upper limb impairments and functional capacity in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review / Avaliação clínica de comprometimentos de membros superiores e capacidade funcional na doença de Parkinson: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Background Parkinson's disease (PD) may progressively reduce the upper limb's functionality. Currently, there is no standardized upper limb functional capacity assessment in PD in the rehabilitation field. Objective To identify specific outcome measurements to assess upper limbs in PD and access functional capacity. Methods We systematically reviewed and analyzed the literature in English published from August/2012 to August/2022 according to PRISMA. The following keywords were used in our search: "upper limbs" OR "upper extremity" and "Parkinson's disease." Two researchers searched independently, including studies accordingly to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Registered at PROSPERO CRD42021254486. Results We found 797 studies, and 50 were included in this review (n = 2.239 participants in H&Y stage 1-4). The most common upper limbs outcome measures found in the studies were: (i) UPDRS-III and MDS-UPDRS to assess the severity and progression of PD motor symptoms (tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity) (ii) Nine Hole Peg Test and Purdue Pegboard Test to assess manual dexterity; (iii) Spiral test and Funnel test to provoke and assess freezing of upper limbs; (iv) Technology assessment such as wearables sensors, apps, and other device were also found. Conclusion We found evidence to support upper limb impairments assessments in PD. However, there is still a large shortage of specific tests to assess the functional capacity of the upper limbs. The upper limbs' functional capacity is insufficiently investigated during the clinical and rehabilitation examination due to a lack of specific outcome measures to assess functionality.

Resumo Antecedentes A doença de Parkinson (DP) reduz progressivamente a funcionalidade do membro superior. Não existe uma avaliação padronizada da capacidade funcional do membro superior na DP na área da reabilitação. Objetivo Identificar medidas de resultados específicos para avaliar membros superiores na DP e avaliar capacidade funcional. Métodos Revisamos e analisamos sistematicamente a literatura publicada de agosto/2012 a agosto/2022 de acordo com PRISMA. Usamos as seguintes palavras-chave "membros superiores" OU "extremidade superior" e "doença de Parkinson." Dois pesquisadores fizeram a busca de forma independente, incluindo estudos de acordo com os critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Registro PROSPERO CRD42021254486. Resultados Encontramos 797 estudos, 50 foram incluídos no estudo(n = 2.239 participantes no estágio 1-4 de H&Y). As medidas de resultados de membros superiores mais comuns encontradas foram: (i) UPDRS-III e MDS-UPDRS, para avaliar a gravidade e a progressão dos sintomas motores da DP (tremor, bradicinesia, e rigidez); (ii) Nine Hole Peg Test e Purdue Pegboard Test para avaliar a destreza manual; (iii) Teste da Espiral e Teste do Funil para provocar e avaliar o congelamento de membros superiores; (iv) Avaliação de tecnologia, como sensores vestíveis, aplicativos e outros dispositivos também foram encontrados. Conclusão Encontramos evidências para dar suporte para as avaliações de deficiências de membros superiores na DP. No entanto, ainda há grande escassez de testes específicos para avaliar a capacidade funcional dos membros superiores. A capacidade funcional dos membros superior é insuficientemente investigada durante o exame clínico e de reabilitação devido à falta de medidas de resultados específicos para avaliar a funcionalidade.

Efficacy evaluation and neurobiological mechanism of psychedelics based on looming model / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of psychedelics on innate fear behavior of mice in Looming model(LM)and its neurobiological mechanism.METH-ODS ① Adult male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divid-ed into saline group,DOM group,psilocybin group and mescaline group.The drugs of the corresponding groups were given ip injecction 5 min in advance and LM were used to test the effect of them on freezing time in shelter of mice.② The mice were performing ip given DOM or psilocybin following 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 ip 30 min later involved looming experiments.③Quan-tified the expression of EGR1 protein in mouse brains by immunofluorescence staining,then use ibotenic acid(IBO)damaged the mouse brain regions based on the result above and performed looming experiments.④ Specifically activate or inhibit CaMK Ⅱ,PV,VIP and SOM neurons of mice in saline or psilocybin groups respec-tively by chemical genetic methods and followed looming experiments.RESULTS ① In LM,the freezing time in shelter of mice in DOM,psilocybin and mescaline groups was significantly shorter compared to the saline group(P<0.05),and the dose-effect curves of above psyche-delics were U-shaped.② Compared with the vehicle + psilocybin/DOM groups,the freezing time in shelter of mice in M100907 + psilocybin/DOM groups was signifi-cantly prolonged(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the vehicle + saline group and the M100907 + psilocybin/DOM groups.③ Psilocybin signifi-cantly increased the expression of EGR1 protein in prelim-bic cortex(PrL)compared with saline,and the damage of PrL could effectively antagonized the effect of psilocybin shortening the freezing time in LM.④ Chemicalgenetic specific inhibition of CaMK Ⅱ,PV or VIP neurons in PrL could effectively antagonize the effect of psilocybin in LM,while chemicalgenetic specific activation of CaMK Ⅱneurons could significantly shorten the freezing time of saline-treated mice.CONCLUSION Psychedelics have capability to waken the innate fear behavior like freez-ing of mice in LM,and this effect is mediated by 5-HT2A receptor and CaMK Ⅱneuron in PrL.

Ethical Considerations on Social Egg Freezing for Single Women / 中国医学伦理学

Since the occurrence of the first case of "egg freezing for single women" in China, it has aroused different discussions and thoughts from all walks of life. Through the ethical analysis of the four principles of bioethics, this paper found a reasonable ethical basis for single women’s egg freezing. From the perspective of favorable principle, egg freezing could temporarily preserve women’s fertility, which is conducive to women’s better realization of their own personal value and social values. From the perspective of no harm principle, no harm is relative, and the harm brought by egg freezing technology is within the acceptable and permissible range. From the perspective of justice principle, whether there is gender discriminatory in that men could freeze their sperm but women have many restrictions on egg freezing. From the principle of respect for autonomy, whether to choose egg freezing is a manifestation of women’s autonomy rights, which should be respected. This paper tried to propose corresponding solutions to the ethical and legal issues caused by the permission of egg freezing from the legal perspective, the medical ethics committee’s responsibilities, and the ethical level.

Dimethyl acetamide and dimethyl sulfoxide associated at glucose and egg yolk for cryopreservation of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans semen

This study aimed to develop a protocol for the cryopreservation of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans semen. For this, mature males were hormonally induced with a single dose of carp pituitary extract (5 mg/kg body weight). Semen was collected and evaluated. Two cryoprotectants were tested to compose the diluents: dimethyl acetamide (DMA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), in two concentrations (8% and 10%), + 5.0% glucose + 10% egg yolk. The semen was diluted in a 1: 4 ratio (semen: extender), packed in 0.5 mL straws and frozen in a dry shipper container in liquid nitrogen vapors. After thawing, sperm kinetics, sperm morphology and DNA integrity of cryopreserved sperm were evaluated. Pseudoplatystoma corruscans males produced semen with sperm motility > 80%. After thawing, all treatments provided semen with total sperm motility > 40%, with no significant difference (P < 0.05) between them, as well as between the other sperm kinetic parameters evaluated. The treatments with DMA provided a smaller fragmentation of the DNA of the gametes. Sperm malformations were identified in both fresh and cryopreserved semen, with a slight increase in these malformations being identified in sperm from thawed P. corruscans semen samples.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver um protocolo para a criopreservação do sêmen de Pseudoplatystoma corruscans. Para tal, machos maduros foram induzidos hormonalmente com uma dose única de extrato de hipófise de carpa (5 mg/kg de peso vivo). O sêmen foi coletado e avaliado. Sendo testados para compor os diluentes, dois crioprotetores: dimetil acetamida (DMA) e dimetil sulfóxido (Me2SO), em duas concentrações (8% e 10%), + 5,0% glicose + 10% gema de ovo. O sêmen foi diluído na proporção 1: 4 (sêmen: extensor), embalado em palhetas de 0,5 mL e congelado em container dryshipper em vapores de nitrogênio líquido. Após o descongelamento, foram avaliados os aspectos cinéticos espermáticos, a morfologia espermática e a integridade do DNA dos espermatozoides criopreservados. Os machos de P. corruscans produziram sêmen com motilidade espermática > 80%. Todos os tratamentos proporcionaram após o descongelamento sêmen com motilidade espermática total > 40%, sem diferença significativa (P < 0,05) entre eles, como também entre os demais parâmetros cinéticos espermáticos avaliados. Os tratamentos com DMA proporcionaram uma menor fragmentação do DNA dos gametas. Malformações espermáticas foram identificadas, tanto no sêmen fresco, como no criopreservado, sendo identificado um aumento discreto dessas malformações nos espermatozoides das amostras de sêmen descongeladas de P. corruscans.(AU)

Neural Circuit Mechanisms Involved in Animals' Detection of and Response to Visual Threats / 神经科学通报·英文版

Evading or escaping from predators is one of the most crucial issues for survival across the animal kingdom. The timely detection of predators and the initiation of appropriate fight-or-flight responses are innate capabilities of the nervous system. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of innate visually-triggered defensive behaviors and the underlying neural circuit mechanisms, and a comparison among vinegar flies, zebrafish, and mice is included. This overview covers the anatomical and functional aspects of the neural circuits involved in this process, including visual threat processing and identification, the selection of appropriate behavioral responses, and the initiation of these innate defensive behaviors. The emphasis of this review is on the early stages of this pathway, namely, threat identification from complex visual inputs and how behavioral choices are influenced by differences in visual threats. We also briefly cover how the innate defensive response is processed centrally. Based on these summaries, we discuss coding strategies for visual threats and propose a common prototypical pathway for rapid innate defensive responses.

Control of Emotion and Wakefulness by Neurotensinergic Neurons in the Parabrachial Nucleus / 神经科学通报·英文版

The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) integrates interoceptive and exteroceptive information to control various behavioral and physiological processes including breathing, emotion, and sleep/wake regulation through the neural circuits that connect to the forebrain and the brainstem. However, the precise identity and function of distinct PBN subpopulations are still largely unknown. Here, we leveraged molecular characterization, retrograde tracing, optogenetics, chemogenetics, and electrocortical recording approaches to identify a small subpopulation of neurotensin-expressing neurons in the PBN that largely project to the emotional control regions in the forebrain, rather than the medulla. Their activation induces freezing and anxiety-like behaviors, which in turn result in tachypnea. In addition, optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations of these neurons revealed their function in promoting wakefulness and maintaining sleep architecture. We propose that these neurons comprise a PBN subpopulation with specific gene expression, connectivity, and function, which play essential roles in behavioral and physiological regulation.

Effect of frozen storage on preservation of a silicone-based test food material

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of frozen storage on the physical properties of a silicone-based test food material, highly used to evaluate the masticatory performance in research settings. Methods: A total of 1,666 silicone cubes of Optosil Comfort® with 5.6-mm edges were shaped and stored at -18°C. The cubes were subsequently tested for flexural strength (maximum force, displacement, stress, and strain) before breaking (n = 136), changes in weight and size (n = 170), and masticatory performance (n = 1360) at eight timepoints: immediately after cube preparation (baseline, no freezing), and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and 2, 4 and 6 months after frozen storage. The cubes were thawed 8 h before each assessment. Results: The maximum force, stress, maximum displacement, and deformation values for the cubes were not affected by freezing (P > 0.05). At all of the time points, the cubes exhibited similar weight (P = 0.366) and size (identical values). The masticatory performance for the cubes also showed no differences from baseline through 6 months (P = 0.061). Conclusion: Freezing Optosil Comfort® silicone cubes did not alter the physical and mechanical properties of the material, being suitable to optimize the assessment of masticatory parameters for research purposes

Basic requirements to establish a neuromuscular laboratory

Histopathological analysis of muscle biopsy is a prerequisite in the evaluation of neuromuscular disorders, particularly inflammatory myopathies, metabolic myopathies, congenital myopathies, muscular dystrophies and differentiating myopathies and neurogenic disorders with overlapping clinically features. It not only provides useful information that helps in the diagnosis but also treatment and management. Fundamental skills and basic knowledge regarding handling, processing and analyzing a muscle biopsy are required in any specialized or a general pathology lab supporting neuromuscular clinical services. Care during transport of the muscle biopsy, sample receipt in the laboratory and grossing is very important. Standard operating procedure should be followed for the preanalytical steps (freezing and cryomicrotomy), routine and special staining (enzyme and non enzymatic) and immunohistochemistry. A well organized neuromuscular laboratory with good quality management system is necessary for the practice of myopathology. This article gives an overview of establishing such a laboratory.

Changes of cryoprecipitate coagulation factors prepared by different preparation methods and quick-freezing time / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To analyze the changes of fibrinogen (Fg) and Ⅷ factor levels of cryoprecipitated coagulation factors prepared by different methods and post-preparation quick-freezing time. 【Methods】 The fresh frozen plasma (FFP), prepared from 400mL whole blood, was randomly divided into 6 groups(group A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3) with 20 eliquots each, to prepare cryoprecipitate coagulation factors. Group A1, B1 were prepared by automatic cryoprecipitation preparation instrument. group A2, B2 applied the instrument after centrifugation and group A3, B3 were prepared manually. The quick-freezing time after preparation in group A1-A3 and B1-B3 were different(within 1 hour vs. more than 1 hour after preparation). The automated coagulation analyzer was used to measure Fg and Ⅷ factor levels in six groups, and further statistical analysis was carried out. 【Results】 The Fg content (mg) of six groups were 245.29±27.44 in group A1, 227.13±18.68 in group A2, 221.11±20.95 in group A3, 182.12±9.15 in group B1, 163.68±15.50 in group B2, and 155.61±19.28 in group B3, respectively. The Ⅷ factor levels(IU) were of six groups were 115.86±27.99 in group A1, 93.79±36.29 in group A2, 91.92±34.75 in group A3, 83.04±18.82 in group B1, 66.33±19.57 in group B2, and 69.34±13.26 in group B3, respectively. There were no significant differences in gender or age between group As and groups Bs. The levels of Fg and Ⅷ factors in group A1 were significantly higher than those in group A2 and group A3 (P<0.05). In addition, the levels of Fg and Ⅷ factors in group B1 were also obviously higher than those in group B2 and group B3 (P<0.05). Further, the levels of Fg and Ⅷ factors in group As were significantly higher than those in group Bs (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The automatic cryoprecipitation preparation instrument plus quick-freezing within 1 hour after preparation contribute to a higher efficiency and better quality than others.

Increasing the rate of timely completion of a rapid frozen-section pathological report using the PDCA cycle / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the application value of the PDCA cycle in increasing the rate of timely completion of a rapid frozen-section pathological report.Methods:The basic data of 1 926 rapid frozen section pathological reports not managed by the PDCA cycle in the Department of Pathology, Zhoushan Hospital, during January to August 2019 were collected. The number of pathological reports completed within 30 minutes and the rate of timely completion of pathological reports were calculated and compared with those calculated based on 1 051 pathological reports managed by the PDCA cycle during September to December 2019.Results:After management by the PDCA cycle, the rate of timely completion of frozen-section pathological reports was significantly increased from (84.51 ± 3.61)% to (91.87 ± 1.37)% ( t = 3.86, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Application of the PDCA cycle to pathology management can help monitor the completion of pathological reports on frozen sections. This facilitates determination of reasonable intervention measures and thereby increases the rate of timely completion of pathological reports on frozen sections.

Proliferative Capacities and Differentiation Potentials of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells after Slow-freezing Cryopreservation

@#Introduction: The cryopreservation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) required a good combination of CPA composition as a step in the preparation of PDLSCs. This study aimed to analyze the proliferative capacities and differentiation potentials of PDLSCs after slow-freezing cryopreservation with CPA in different combinations. Methods: The fourth passage of the primary PDL cells were examined their fibroblast-like morphology and colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F), and characterized by surface markers for mesenchymal stem cells using flow cytometry. PDLSCs were divided into two groups of freshly-PDLSCs (fPDLSCs) and cryopreserved-PDLSCs (cPDLSCs). The PDLSCs were cryopreserved using slow freezing method with CPA in different combinations: 1) 90%FBS+10%DMEM (FD-group), 2) 90%DMEM+10%DMSO (DDs-group), 3) 90%FBS+10%DMSO (FDs-group), and 4) 100% Cell Banker (CB-group) as positive control. The proliferation of fPDLSCs and cPDLSCs were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion method. The multipotency of cells was assessed by Oil Red O, Alizarin Red, and Alcian Blue staining. Results: The primary PDL cells had fibroblast-like morphology and CFU-F ability. They expressed more than 95% positive MSC surface markers of CD90, CD73, CD150, and CD44, but showed less than 2% hematopoietic cell markers of CD11b/CD19/CD34/CD45 and HLA-DR. The cPDLSCs viability of FDs-group was 81.5% and 80% in -80oC and LN2, respectively. The fPDLSCs and cPDLSCs proliferation and doubling time were no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). They could differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation. Conclusion: The cPDLSCs could maintain their proliferative capacities and differentiation potentials after slow-freezing cryopreservation with 90%FBS+10%DMSO in -80oC.

The application of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy guided by endobronchial ultrasound sheath in diagnosis of nonresolving pneumonias / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To explore the application of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy guided by endobronchial ultrasound sheath (EBUS-GS-TBCB) in diagnosis of nonresolving pneumonias.Methods:Sixty patients with nonresolving pneumonias from March 2019 to July 2020 in Dalian Municipal Central Hospital were selected. The patients were divided into EBUS-GS-TBCB group (31 cases) and transbronchial forcep lung biopsy guided by endobronchial ultrasound sheath(EBUS-GS-TBLB) group (29 cases) by random digits table method.Results:The diagnostic rate of nonresolving pneumonias in EBUS-GS-TBCB group was significantly higher than that in EBUS-GS-TBLB group: 87.10% (27/31) vs. 65.52% (19/29), and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 3.90, P = 0.048). There were no statistical difference in sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value between 2 groups ( P>0.05). There were no statistical difference inthe shortest distance from lesions to pleura, incidence of pneumothorax and incidence of bleeding between EBUS-GS-TBCB group and EBUS-GS-TBLB group: (27.42 ± 2.88) mm vs. (27.01 ± 2.37) mm, 6.45%(2/31) vs. 3.45%(1/29) and 22.58%(7/31) vs. 13.79% (4/29), P>0.05. Among the causes of nonresolving pneumonias, infectious factors accounted for 21.67% (13/60), non infectious factors accounted for 66.67% (40/60), and uncertain causes accounted for 11.67% (7/60). Conclusions:The diagnostic rate of EBUS-GS-TBCB in nonresolving pneumonias is significantly higher than EBUS-GS-TBLB, and the complications such as bleeding and pneumothorax do not increase significantly.

Feasibility and safety of rapid frozen pathological examination of prostate biopsy tissue combined with RP in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To explore the feasibility and safety of the clinical application of the diagnosis and treatment mode combining rapid frozen pathological examination of prostate biopsy tissue with radical prostatectomy.Methods:Suspected prostate cancer patients with PSA>10 ng/ml and PI-RADS score ≥4 in, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital from April to September 2021 were collected. The included patients underwent mpMRI/TRUS image fusion-guided transperineal prostate targeted biopsy with 16G biopsy needle, 2-3 needles for biopsy, and rapid frozen pathological examination. Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) was performed immediately for patients with prostate cancer with rapid freezing pathology. For undiagnosed prostate cancer, 18G biopsy needle for prostate targeted + systematic biopsy were used, 18-22 needles for systematic biopsy, and routine pathological examination. The baseline data, frozen pathological results, perioperative conditions, pathological results and follow-up data of all patients were collected.Results:Eleven patients were included in the study, the mean age of the patients was 69.9(66-73) years, the mean BMI was 22.8(19-26) kg/m 2, the mean PSA was 23.2(14.25-32.00), the mean prostate volume was 45(32-52) ml, mean PSAD 0.54(0.33-0.75). PI-RADS score was 4 in 3 cases and 5 in 8 cases; digital rectal examination was positive in 5 cases. All 11 cases underwent rapid freezing and the pathological results showed that: 9 cases were prostate adenocarcinoma, and RALP was performed immediately. The operation time was 111.5(96-126) min, the intraoperative blood loss was 78.9(55-105) ml, and the postoperative extubation time was 4.3(3.5-5.0) days, postoperative hospital stay 5.8(5.0-6.5) days. Postoperative pathology showed that Gleason score 3+ 4=7 in 1 case, 4+ 3=7 in 3 cases, 8 points in 4 cases, and 10 points in 1 case; 3 cases had positive resection margins, and 1 case had seminal vesicle invasion, the average number of dissected lymph nodes was 10.9 (8.5-14.0), and there was no tumor metastasis. Pathological T staging included 2 cases of T 2b stage, 5 cases of T 2c stage, 1 case of T 3a stage, and 1 case of T 3b stage. Two patients were undiagnosed by rapid freezing pathology, of which one was prostate adenocarcinoma with a Gleason score of 4+ 3=7, and then received RALP; the other one was prostate inflammation. 11 patients were followed up; the postoperative follow-up time was 3-7 months, with an average of 5.2 months. Among the 10 patients who underwent RALP, 8 patients recovered urinary continence 2 weeks after surgery, and all recovered within 2 months after surgery. Three patients with positive surgical margins were given regular androgen deprivation therapy in the second week after surgery. PSA did not drop below 0.1 ng/ml in patients with positive margins and seminal vesicle invasion 3 months after surgery. No complications of Clavien grade Ⅰ or higher occurred after operation and during follow-up. Conclusions:For patients with high suspicion of prostate cancer, rapid frozen pathological examination of prostate biopsy tissue is performed. RALP is performed immediately for patients with prostate cancer. The results show that this diagnosis and treatment model could be safe and feasible.

Clinical outcomes after twice frozen-thawed embryo transfer / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of repeated freezing and thawing on the clinical outcome of embryo transfer.Methods:A total of 48 cycles of twice frozen-thawed embryo (blastocyst) transfer in the reproductive medicine department, Shenzhen Luohu People′s Hospital from 2015 to 2020 were collected as the observation group, and 98 cycles of one frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer in the same period were randomly selected as the control group. The patient′s age, endometrial thickness, average number of transferred embryos, average number of high-quality embryos transferred, embryo recovery rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, and live birth rate were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in age, endometrial thickness, number of embryos transferred and high-quality embryos transferred between the two groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in embryo recovery rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, abortion rate and live birth rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). The embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (32.47% vs 55.70%, 39.58% vs 66.33%, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower than that of the control group after repeated vitrification of frozen-thawed embryo transfer, which may affect the subsequent developmental potential of embryos.

Research progress in therapies for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) is the most common type of nervous system disease in clinical practice in China at present. It is the important leading cause of death after heart disease and tumors. Ischemic cerebrovascular disease has a high rate of occurrence and mortality. It is easy to cause problems such as limb dysfunction, language disorders, nerve dysfunction, etc. It has a great negative effect on the quality of life of patients, and seriously affects the quality of their lives. Although the current research on the treatment of the disease has achieved certain results, single therapies can only treat some key parts of the disease and cannot completely reverse the whole process. At present, thrombolysis, antiplatelet aggregation, degradation of plasma fibrin, anticoagulation, and hemodilution are mainly used in clinical treatment. It is critical to select appropriate treatment methods based on the pathological characteristics of patients to improve efficacy and prognosis. In this review, the research progress in therapies for ischemic cerebrovascular disease was reviewed, both at home and abroad.

Efectos de la necesidad cierre cognitivo en los estilos decisorios: un abordaje exploratorio

Resumen Los estilos decisorios se refieren a patrones cognitivos habituales que utilizan los sujetos en tareas decisorias cuando procesan la información. Recientes investigaciones han referido el rol que cumple la motivación epistémica de la Necesidad de Cierre Cognitivo en el procesamiento de la información. Esta influencia puede generar un procesamiento sesgado afectando la toma de decisiones. Esto se debe a que la NCC trae dos consecuencias en el procesamiento de la información. La primera es la Urgencia donde los individuos tienden a una búsqueda generalizada de la información generando mayores hipótesis hasta superar el umbral cognitivo. La segunda refiere a la Permanencia donde una vez superado el umbral, la información se cristaliza y se extrapola a otras áreas. El presente estudio exploratorio, tuvo como objetivo explorar la relación entre la Necesidad Cierre Cognitivo y los Estilos decisorios. Para ello, se tomó muestra de 378 individuos residentes en Ciudad de Buenos Aires y Gran Buenos Aires. Se utilizaron para evaluar las variables el Test Revisado de Necesidad de cierre cognitivo (TR NCC) y la escala de Estilos Decisorios (ED).Los resultados indican que si bien no existe una relación contundente entre ambas variables, este abordaje exploratorio debe seguir siendo explorado en futuras investigaciones.

Abstract Decisional styles refer to habitual cognitive patterns used by subjects in decision-making tasks when they process the information. Recent research has referred to the role played by the epistemic motivation of the Need for Cognitive Closure in information processing. This influence can generate a biased processing affecting decision making. This is because NCC brings two consequences in information processing. The first one is the Urgency where individuals tend to a generalized search for information generating more hypotheses until the cognitive threshold is exceeded. The second refers to Permanence, where once the threshold is surpassed, the information crystallizes and is extrapolated to other areas. The present exploratory study aimed to explore the relationship between the Need for Cognitive Closure and Decision Styles. For this purpose, a sample of 378 individuals residing in the City of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires was taken. The Revised Test of Need for Cognitive Closure (TR-NCC) and the Decision-Making Styles (DE) scale were used to assess the variables. The results indicate that although there is no strong relationship between the two variables, this exploratory approach should be further explored in future research.

Eficácia da criolipólise para redução de gordura subcutânea: uma revisão sistemática e metanálise / Effectiveness of cryolipolysis for subcutaneous fat reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introdução: a criolipólise produz um resfriamento seletivo e controlado e baseia-se no conceito de que tecidos ricos em lipídios são mais suscetíveis a lesões por frio, reduzindo gordura subcutânea. Objetivo: revisar a literatura para avaliar a eficácia da criolipólise na redução de gordura subcutânea. Métodos: revisão sistemática com metanálise de estudos publicados nas bases de dados EBSCOhost, LILACS e PUBMED. Resultados: apenas um estudo não apresentou redução significativa na gordura subcutânea quando comparado o grupo de intervenção ao grupo controle. Houve diferença entre os estudos em relação aos parâmetros. Conclusão: a criolipólise é uma ferramenta eficaz para redução de gordura localizada.

Introduction: Cryolipolysis produces selective, controlled cooling, and it's based on the concept that lipid-rich tissue is more susceptible to cold injury, reducing subcutaneous fat. Objective: To review the literature to assess the effectiveness of cryolipolysis in reducing subcutaneous fat. Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis of studies published in the EBSCOhost, LILACS, and PUBMED databases. Results: Only one study did not present significant reduction in subcutaneous fat compared to the control group. There was a difference among the parameters in the studies. Conclusion: Cryolipolysis is an effective tool for localized fat reduction.

Sêmen ovino e caprino imunossexado e diluído em meio de conservação à base de água de coco em pó (ACP101/102c) / Ram and goat semen immunosexed and diluted in powdered coconut water-based preservation medium (ACP101/102c)

Sperm sexing aims to separate sperm populations in carriers of the "X" or "Y" chromosome. Currently, flow cytometry is a technique that allows greater accuracy; however, it causes structural changes in sperm, reduces viability, and has a high cost. As a result, other methods have been researched, including immunosexing, which uses monoclonal antibodies to detect sex-specific surface antigens. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the immunosexing technique using a monoclonal antibody against sex-specific protein (HY) in the conservation of ram and goat semen in ACP101/102c. Ejaculates from five rams and five goats were collected with the aid of an artificial vagina; they were evaluated and submitted to the immunosexing protocol, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, using the Monoclonal Antibody Kit specific for mammalian sperm with "Y" chromosomes (HY; HY Biotechnology, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil). After sexing, the supernatant was resuspended in the cryopreservation diluent: ACP ram (ACP101/102c + 20% egg yolk + 7% glycerol) and ACP goat (ACP101/102c + 2.5% egg yolk + 7% glycerol), packaged in 0.25 mL straws, refrigerated at 4°C, stabilized for 30 min, frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor (-60°C) for 15 min, immersed in liquid nitrogen, and stored in cryogenic cylinders. The samples were evaluated in natura (T1), after immunosexing (T2) and after thawing (T3) for sperm motility subjectively using conventional microscopy (40x). Plasma membrane integrity (IMP) and sperm cell morphology were evaluated by the smear staining technique using eosin-nigrosine dye, and the percentages of healthy and morphologically defect spermatozoa were determined. In the evaluation of ram semen regarding sperm motility and IMP, no statistically significant differences were observed between treatments after sexing in the evaluation of absolute data (P > 0.05), with the difference being observed only between T1 and T2, and T3 (P < 0.05). Regarding the relative percentage and sperm morphology, no statistically significant differences were observed (P > 0.05). Regarding the evaluation of goat semen samples, the motility parameters were consistent with the technique submitted; however, the IMP data did not appear as expected, requiring further evaluation for a better assessment of the technique for this species. The data obtained from ram semen submitted to the immunosexing protocol, regarding the absolute evaluation of motility and IMP, demonstrated that the non-sexed semen (T1) was superior to the sexed treatments (T2 and T3); however, it is noteworthy that freezing started with approximately 50% of the cells, since the immunosexing technique results in a loss of viability of approximately 50% of the sperm, which corresponds to the ratio of sperm carrying the X chromosome. In addition, when the data in this study were transformed into relative values, no statistical differences were observed, indicating that the immunosexing protocol, as well as the freezing protocol, did not significantly affect the quality of ram sperm cells. In relation to the immunosexing of goat semen, future studies should be conducted in vitro to define a more appropriate protocol for the species and, in addition, in vivo studies should be performed to prove the quality of the technique. It was concluded that the immunosexing process using a monoclonal antibody against sex-specific protein (HY) associated with the use of powdered coconut water diluent (ACP101/102c) in the cryopreservation of semen proved to be efficient in the in vitro evaluation of ovine species.(AU)

Development of the Japanese Version of the Characterizing Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (C-FOGQ) / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

Objective：The English version of the Characterizing Freezing of Gait questionnaire (C-FOGQ) that is used to assess detailed information of freezing of gait was developed by Ehgoetz Martens et al. This study aims to develop the Japanese version of the C-FOGQ using guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation and to conduct the pretesting study.Methods：The C-FOGQ was translated with permission into Japanese according to the following guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation： (1) translation (English to Japanese), (2) back-translation (Japanese to English), and (3) pretesting. Thirty-nine patients with parkinsonism-related disorders participated in the pretesting study.Results：There was no significant linguistic problem in the process of translation and back-translation. In pretesting, the average response time of the Japanese version of the C-FOGQ was 526.8 seconds. The error/no-response rate was less than 1%. The average score for section II of the Japanese version of the C-FOGQ was 20.0 points.Conclusion：A linguistically-validated Japanese version of the FOGQ was developed according to the guidelines of cross-cultural adaptation. It seems to be possible to use this questionnaire for detailed evaluation of gait freezing in Japan as well as in the West.