The association between plant-based diet and erectile function in Chinese young healthy men: A population-based study

The study was designed and conducted to evaluate the plant-based diet status and its association with erectile function (EF) in Chinese young healthy men. From July 2018 to May 2020, 116 objectively proved physically and psychologically healthy men were selected. Clinical questionnaires, detailed physical examinations and blood tests were all assessed. An overall plant-based diet index (PDI) and a healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) were developed from each participant to measure plant-based diet quantitatively. The EF was measured by both the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the surrogated measures of endothelial function, peripheral levels of nitric oxide (NO) and E-selectin. In subjects, the mean PDI and hPDI were 53.8 ± 8.2 and 54.7 ± 8.9 respectively. Results of multivariate analysis showed that both PDI and hPDI were negatively associated with BMI (all p < .05), but had no relationships with NO, E-selectin, TT levels and IIEF-5 scores (all p > .05). In a subgroup of male population, Chinese young healthy men, the plant-based diet, measured by PDI and hPDI, was not related to erectile function. The population can adhere to plant-based diet to keep healthy without concerns of negative influence on erectile function.     

Fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment contributes to trans-nail penetration of rhodamine B and changes of cytokine microenvironment

Lasers in Medical Science - This study is to determine the role of the fractional CO2 laser in topical drug delivery and the impact of local immune responses. Experimental rabbit nails were treated...     

Comparison of a fractional 2940-nm Er:YAG laser and 5% amorolfine lacquer combination therapy versus a 5% amorolfine lacquer monotherapy for the treatment of onychomycosis: a randomized controlled trial

Lasers in Medical Science - Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of 2940-nm Er:YAG laser treatment...     

Microencapsulation of human spermatozoa increases membrane stability and DNA longevity

The microencapsulation of spermatozoa offers potential benefits for maintaining sperm survival in vitro. The technique has also resulted in the production of offspring in several domestic animal species, but as yet, it has not been successfully applied in human reproductive medicine. This study examined the effect of alginic acid microencapsulation on human sperm membrane integrity (viability) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) following storage for 24 hr at 37°C. The cumulative sperm viability (Log-rank, Mantel–Cox; Chi-square = 114.95, p = .000) and cumulative sperm DNA fragmentation (Log-rank, Mantel–Cox; Chi-square = 187.86, p = .000) of encapsulated spermatozoa were substantially improved when compared to control spermatozoa. Significant differences in the dynamic behaviour of different individuals were only apparent for sperm viability in microencapsulated samples (p = .021) while no significant differences were observed in control spermatozoa (p = .245); the equivalent comparison for SDF showed no differences (control p = .320; microencapsulated p = .432). We present potential scenarios for the use of microencapsulated human spermatozoa in reproductive medicine.     

Development a nomogram to predict fertilisation rate of infertile males with borderline semen by using semen parameters combined with AMH and INHB

The sperm quality of some males is in a critical state, making it hard for clinicians to choose the suitable fertilisation methods. This study aimed to develop an intelligent nomogram for predicting fertilisation rate of infertile males with borderline semen. 160 males underwent in vitro fertilisation (IVF), 58 of whom received rescue ICSI (R-ICSI) due to fertilisation failure (fertilisation rate of IVF ≤30%). A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis identified sperm concentration, progressively motile spermatozoa (PMS), seminal plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (spAMH), seminal plasma inhibin (spINHB), serum AMH (serAMH) and serum INHB (serINHB) as significant predictors. The nomogram was plotted by multivariable logistic regression. This nomogram-illustrated model showed good discrimination, calibration and clinical value. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the nomogram was 0.762 (p < .001). Calibration curve and Hosmer–Lemeshow test (p = .5261) showed good consistency between the predictions of the nomogram and the actual observations, and decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram was clinically useful. This nomogram may be useful in predicting fertilisation rate, mainly focused on new biomarkers, INHB and AMH. It could assist clinicians and laboratory technicians select appropriate fertilisation methods (IVF or ICSI) for male patients with borderline semen.     

多西他赛+卡铂联合曲妥珠单抗方案对早期人表皮生长因子受体2阳性乳腺癌的新辅助治疗效果

目的探讨多西他赛+卡铂联合曲妥珠单抗(TCH)方案对早期人表皮生长因子受体2(HER2)阳性乳腺癌的新辅助治疗效果。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2018年12月北京大学第一医院乳腺疾病中心经治的522例早期HER2阳性乳腺癌患者的临床资料,占同期收治早期浸润性乳腺癌患者的21.80%(522/2 394)。其中113例接受TCH方案进行新辅助治疗,年龄[M(QR)]52(13)岁(范围:23~69岁)。记录TCH方案新辅助治疗后病理完全缓解(pCR,ypT0N0M0期)的例数,采用Miller-Payne标准进行病理学评价。采用Kaplan-Meier法计算无病生存率和总体生存率,采用Log-rank检验比较组间生存差异。结果接受曲妥珠单抗规范治疗患者(294例)的无病生存率优于未规范治疗患者(177例)(84.4%比72.4%,χ²=4.095,P=0.046)。发生3~4级不良反应的患者占全部患者的15.9%(18/113),包括3~4级中性粒细胞减少12例,腹泻6例。31例患者获得pCR(ypT0N0M0),pCR率为27.4%(31/113)。pCR患者与非pCR患者的无病生存率和总体生存率无差异(91.8%比85.0%,92.5%比90.5%,P值均>0.05)。病理学评价为G4~5的患者无病生存率优于G1~3患者(89.6%比81.5%,χ²=5.340,P=0.021),而总体生存率的差异无统计学意义(91.4%比89.1%,χ²=1.008,P=0.315)。结论早期HER2阳性乳腺癌采用TCH方案行新辅助治疗的效果较好,新辅助治疗后病理学评价为G4~5的患者的无病生存率更高。     

Increased Operative Time Impacts Rates of Short-Term Complications After Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundPrevious evidence has demonstrated an exacerbating effect of increased operative time on short-term complications in total joint arthroplasty. While the same relationship may be expected for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), supporting evidence remains sparse. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of operative time on short-term complication rates after UKA and determine a critical threshold in operative times after which complications may increase.MethodsThe American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project was queried from 2007 to 2018 to identify 11,633 UKA procedures that were included in the final analysis. The effect of operative time on complications within 30 days was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models. Receiver operating characteristics curves and spline regression models were used to identify critical thresholds in operative time that increase the likelihood of short-term complications.ResultsLonger operative times (in minutes) were associated with higher rates of surgical site infection (90.4 ± 26.7 vs 84.8 ± 25.5, P = .003), blood transfusions (94.9 ± 28.6 vs 84.9 ± 25.5, P = .007), as well as reoperation rates (90.8 ± 27.9 vs 84.9 ± 25.5, P = .01), extended hospital length of stay (93.4 ± 29.8 vs 84.5 ± 25.2, P < .001), and mortality (110.4 ± 35.5 vs 84.9 ± 25.5, P = .008). Following multivariate logistic regression, operative time was found to independently predict increased surgical site infection, blood transfusion, myocardial infarction, extended length of stay, and mortality (odds ratio: 1.09 – 1.45, CI: 1.01 – 1.91, all P values <0.02). Receiver operating characteristics curves found an increase in mortality risk during the 30-day postoperative period after 88.5 minutes of operative time, a finding supported by spline regression plots.ConclusionThe present study found a positive correlation between increased operative times and short-term postoperative complication rates after UKA. Despite a statistically significant association with increasing operative time, odds ratios of reported complications are relatively low.     

Periprosthetic Tissue Reaction Independent of LTT Result and Implanted Materials in Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundAn allergic reaction may rarely cause a painful or stiff total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, no consensus diagnostic criteria for TKA immune failure exist. Lymphocyte transformation testing (LTT) measures immune sensitivity to various materials, but its role in diagnosing an allergic reaction to a TKA has not been established. This study compares TKA periprosthetic tissues in a) LTT-positive versus -negative patients and b) patients with conventional CoCrNi versus hypoallergenic implants.MethodsPeriprosthetic tissues from 26 revision cases of well-fixed, aseptic, but painful or stiff TKAs were analyzed. Twelve patients LTT positive for nickel (Ni) were matched as a cohort to 6 LTT-negative patients. In 4 patients LTT positive for Ni, tissue from first revision of CoCrNi implants was compared with tissue from subsequent revision of hypoallergenic implants. Histology was evaluated using the aseptic lymphocyte-dominated vasculitis-associated lesion (ALVAL) score.ResultsNo correlation was found between LTT and any ALVAL score component. The mean total ALVAL score was 3.8 ± 1.5 for LTT-negative patients and 3.3 ± 1.2 for LTT-positive patients (P = .44). The mean total ALVAL score at revision of CoCrNi implants was 3.0 ± 1.8 compared with 5.8 ± 0.5 at rerevision of hypoallergenic implants (P = .053).ConclusionPeriprosthetic TKA tissue reactions were indistinguishable between LTT-positive and -negative patients. LTT does not predict the periprosthetic tissue response. ALVAL scores of hypoallergenic revision implant tissue trended higher than primary CoCrNi implant tissue. A positive LTT may not indicate that a periprosthetic immune reaction is the cause of pain and stiffness after TKA.Level of Evidence3, retrospective cohort study.     

Early bioprosthesis failure in mitral valve replacement

The causes of early bioprosthesis failure include infective endocarditis, pannus formation, and structural valve deterioration. We reported a patient who suffered from early mitral bioprosthesis failure due to leaflets restricted by the subvalvular apparatus and early pannus formation. In patients with symptoms relapse and mitral regurgitation recurrence early after mitral valve replacement, early pannus formation needs to be anticipated, and surgical intervention should be performed if symptoms persist after medical treatment.