[Analysis of the efficacy of left subclavian artery laser in situ fenestration combined with hybrid arch debranching surgery for aortic arch reconstruction in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection].

Objective: To observe the short-and mid-term efficacy of left subclavian artery(LSA) laser in situ fenestration combined with arch debranching surgery for aortic arch reconstruction in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection aged 60 years and above. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 41 Stanford type A aortic dissection patients aged 60 years and above who received combined surgery in Department of Endovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 25 males and 16 females, aged (67.3±5.9)years(range: 60 to 75 years). Among them, 19 patients underwent LSA laser in situ fenestration combined with arch debranching surgery(combined surgery group) and 22 patients underwent hybrid aortic arch debranching surgery(non-combined surgery group). Independent sample t test, χ2 test and Fisher exact probability method were used to compare the clinical characteristics of the two groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and the 5-year survival rate of the two groups was compared by Log-rank test. Results: Body mass index in the combined operation group was significantly higher than that in the non-combined operation group ((27.1±1.6)kg/m2 vs.(26.9±1.9)kg/m2; t=2.766,P=0.006), and the difference was statistically significant. There was no statistical significance in the comparison of other general data (all P>0.05). The operation time ((320.9±21.7) minutes vs. (326.7±22.5)minutes; t=14.838, P<0.01)) and LSA reconstruction time ((32.6±3.2)minutes vs. (44.7±6.0)minutes; t=46.913, P<0.01) in the combined operation group were significantly shortened, and the difference was statistically significant. The rate of LSA reconstruction in the combined operation group (100% vs. 72.7%; P=0.023) was significantly higher than that in the non-combined operation group, and the difference was statistically significant. There were no significant differences in the incidence of pulmonary infection, unplanned second operation, continuous renal replacement therapy, neurological complications and the in-hospital mortality between the two groups. Compared with the non-combined surgery group, the total complication rate related to LSA reconstruction was significantly lower in the combined surgery group (0 vs. 27.3%; P=0.023). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was no difference in 5-year survival rate between the combined operation group and the non-combined operation group (84.2% vs 77.3%; χ2=0.310, P=0.578). Conclusion: Laser in situ fenestration of the LSA combined with arch debranching surgery to reconstruct the aortic arch can significantly shorten the operation and LSA reconstruction time in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection, improve the success rate of LSA reconstruction, and reduce the occurrence rate of LSA reconstruction complications.

Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) as a grouping imaging biomarker combined with a decision-tree mode to preoperatively predict the pathological grade of bladder cancer.

AIM: To investigate whether the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) could be used to develop a new non-invasive preoperative grade-prediction system to partially predict high-grade bladder cancer (HG-BC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study enrolled 89 primary BC patients prospectively from March 2022 to June 2023. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for predicting HG-BC and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in the entire group. In the low VI-RADS (≤2) group, the decision tree-based method was used to obtain significant predictors and construct the decision-tree model (DT model). The performance of the DT model and low VI-RADS scores for predicting HG-BC was determined using ROC, calibration, and decision curve analyses. RESULTS: At a cut-off of ≥3, the specificity and positive predictive value of VI-RADS for predicting HG-BC in the entire group was 100%, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.697. Among 65 patients with low VI-RADS scores, the DT model showed an AUC of 0.884 in predicting HG-BC compared to 0.506 for low VI-RADS scores. Calibration and decision curve analyses showed that the DT model performed better than the low VI-RADS scores. CONCLUSION: Most VI-RADS scores ≥3 correspond to HG-BCs. VI-RADS could be used as a grouping imaging biomarker for a pathological grade-prediction procedure, which in combination with the DT model for low VI-RADS (≤2) populations, would provide a potential preoperative non-invasive method of predicting HG-BC.

[Mid- and long-term results of surgical treatment of brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis].

Objective: To examine the mid - and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 39 patients,which had been diagnosed as brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis (244 cases),who underwent surgical treatment,were analyzed between July 2012 to November 2022 at Department of Endoluminal Vascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. There were 5 males and 34 females, aged (37.9±14.0)years (range:13 to 71 years). Despite medical treatment, the patients suffered severe ischemic symptoms continually and then underwent surgical interventions. Among them, 20 patients underwent endovascular procedures, 11 underwent open surgical procedures, and 8 underwent hybrid procedures. Patients were followed up through outpatient visits at 1, 3, 6 months after surgery and once every year later. Follow-up was conducted until November 2022. Operation status, postoperative complications and re-intervention of patients were recorded and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze postoperative vascular patency rates. Results: All 39 surgeries were successful, with no intraoperative death or serious complications. The follow-up period was (48.8±38.2) months(range:1 to 123 months). Thirty-three patients experienced symptom relief after surgery, and 6 patients required secondary surgical interventions. The patency rates for the endovascular treatment group at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year were 95.0%, 75.2%, 60.2%, and 60.2%, respectively, while the patency rates for open surgery were all 90.9%. In the hybrid surgery group, the patency rates at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year were all 87.5%. Conclusion: For patients with brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis, choice of an appropriate blood flow revascularization intervention should be based on the patient's condition,and the mid-and long-term outcomes are satisfactory.

[Research progress on the prevalence and harm of heated tobacco products].

Heated tobacco products (HTP) are a new type of tobacco product, also known as heat-not-burn (HnB) tobacco products. They are devices that use an electronic heat source to heat tobacco and produce aerosols containing nicotine for smokers to inhale. Currently, traditional combustible cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are increasingly being regulated under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Tobacco companies have responded by actively promoting heated tobacco products worldwide, which pose new challenges to global tobacco control efforts and may become a challenge for tobacco control work in China. In reviewing the situation and the potential harm of heated tobacco products, it was noted that HTP are rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, and that their harmfulness may be underestimated. Compared to combustible cigarettes (CC) and ENDS, the long-term health effects of HTP are not fully understood, and they may pose new health risks. Potential health risks include an increase in smoking prevalence, the presence of harmful and potentially harmful compounds not found in CC, and the potential gateway effect on non-smokers. Due to differences in laws, regulations, health policies, institutions, and cultural factors related to the tobacco industry in different countries and regions, attitudes, and regulatory measures towards HTP also vary. It is essential for countries and regions around the world to develop appropriate policies to strengthen control of HTP and prevent their widespread use.

[A study on the first-order interaction of diagnostic performance of coronary CT angiography-derived fractional flow reserve].

Objective: To investigate the effect of image quality, degree of stenosis, calcification, and their first-order interactions on diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR). Methods: This is a reanalysis of data from a multi-center retrospective cross-sectional study of CT-FFR in China. A total of 522 patients with suspected or known coronary heart disease [mean age: 61.6 (34.0-83.0) years, 71.8% (354/493) were male] from 11 medical centers including the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command from May 2015 to October 2019 were enrolled. All patients underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA), CT-FFR, and invasive FFR examination. Subjective image quality scores of target vessels were recorded on CCTA images, and stenosis was visually assessed at the lesion level. Calcification arc and calcification remodeling index (CRI) were recorded for each lesion. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were compared. Two-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the first-order interaction effects of image quality, degree of stenosis, and calcification. Results: A total of 493 patients with 629 lesions with invasive FFR as a reference were included in the study. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT-FFR were 80.4%, 93.8%, and 88.6%, respectively. The specificity (95.0% vs. 87.3%, χ2=4.11, P=0.043); accuracy (90.1% vs. 81.9%, χ2=6.22, P=0.013); and NPV (89.7% vs. 80.9%, χ2=4.25, P=0.039) of the group with image quality ≥3 was higher than the group with image quality <3. The degree of stenosis affected the sensitivity, PPV, and NPV of CT-FFR and the calcification arc affected the specificity of CT-FFR (all P>0.05). The specificity (95.8% vs. 90.5%, χ2=4.23, P=0.040); accuracy (91.0% vs. 86.1%, χ2=4.01, P=0.045); and NPV (91.1% vs. 83.8%, χ2=5.10, P=0.024) of the group with CRI<1 were higher than that of the group with CRI≥1. In the subgroup of mild and severe stenosis, no calcification, and CRI<1, the accuracy of CT-FFR with image quality ≥3 points were higher than that with image quality <3 points. The accuracy of CT-FFR in the moderate stenosis group was mainly affected by CRI; the accuracy of CT-FFR in the group with CRI<1 was higher than that in the group with CRI≥1 (after Bonferroni correction, P values between groups were statistically significant). Conclusion: Subjective image quality, degree of stenosis, calcification of lesions, and their first-order interactions can all negatively affect the diagnostic performance of CT-FFR.

[Long non-coding RNA ABHD11-AS1 promotes glycolysis in gastric cancer cells to accelerate tumor progression].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of long non-coding RNA ABHD11-AS1 in regulation of glycolysis in gastric cancer cells and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: The null plasmid pcDNA-Vector and the overexpression plasmid pcDNA-ABHD11-AS1 were transfected into human gastric cancer cell lines MKN45 and MGC803 with low ABHD11-AS1 expression, and the changes in cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion were examined using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and Transwell assay. Glucose uptake and lactate production of the cells were detected to assess the changes in glycolytic activity. The LncMAP database was used to identify potential transcription factors regulated by ABHD11-AS1, and the candidate transcription factor was determined by literature review, and the result was verified using Western blotting. RESULTS: Transfection with pcDNA-ABHD11-AS1 significantly increased ABHD11-AS1 expression in MGC803 and MKN45 cells, which exhibited obviously accelerated cell proliferation (P<0.05), increased colony formation rate and enhanced cell migration and invasion abilities (P<0.01). ABHD11-AS1 overexpression obviously promoted glycolysis in MGC803 and MKN45 cells (P<0.05). Analysis of the database suggested that ABHD11-AS1 may regulate the classical glycolysis-related gene c-Myc in gastric cancer cells. Western blotting demonstrated that the expression of c-Myc increased significantly after upregulating ABHD11-AS1 in gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSION: ABHD11-AS1 promotes glycolysis in gastric cancer cells by upregulating c-Myc to accelerate gastric cancer progression.

[Progress in the pharmacological treatment of tobacco dependence in special populations].

Schizophrenic and pregnant smokers with tobacco dependence had always been excluded from most large treatment trials for nicotine dependence. As weight gain was found to be common after smoking cessation, obese people were more likely to have a reduced willingness to quit smoking and an increased risk of relapse. This article reviewed the latest research progress in pharmacological treatment of tobacco dependence in schizophrenia, pregnant women, and obese people.

[Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic analysis of testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) . Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 68 patients with testicular DLBCL admitted to Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from October 2001 to April 2020. The gene mutation profile was evaluated by targeted sequencing (55 lymphoma-related genes) , and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results: A total of 68 patients were included, of whom 45 (66.2% ) had primary testicular DLBCL and 23 (33.8% ) had secondary testicular DLBCL. The proportion of secondary testicular DLBCL patients with Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (P<0.001) , elevated LDH (P<0.001) , ECOG score ≥ 2 points (P=0.005) , and IPI score 3-5 points (P<0.001) is higher than that of primary testicular DLBCL patients. Sixty-two (91% ) patients received rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) -based first-line regimen, whereas 54 cases (79% ) underwent orchiectomy prior to chemotherapy. Patients with secondary testicular DLBCL had a lower estimated 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate (16.5% vs 68.1% , P<0.001) and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (63.4% vs 74.9% , P=0.008) than those with primary testicular DLBCL, and their complete remission rate (57% vs 91% , P=0.003) was also lower than that of primary testicular DLBCL. The ECOG scores of ≥2 (PFS: P=0.018; OS: P<0.001) , Ann Arbor stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ (PFS: P<0.001; OS: P=0.018) , increased LDH levels (PFS: P=0.015; OS: P=0.006) , and multiple extra-nodal involvements (PFS: P<0.001; OS: P=0.013) were poor prognostic factors in testicular DLBCL. Targeted sequencing data in 20 patients with testicular DLBCL showed that the mutation frequencies of ≥20% were PIM1 (12 cases, 60% ) , MYD88 (11 cases, 55% ) , CD79B (9 cases, 45% ) , CREBBP (5 cases, 25% ) , KMT2D (5 cases, 25% ) , ATM (4 cases, 20% ) , and BTG2 (4 cases, 20% ) . The frequency of mutations in KMT2D in patients with secondary testicular DLBCL was higher than that in patients with primary testicular DLBCL (66.7% vs 7.1% , P=0.014) and was associated with a lower 5-year PFS rate in patients with testicular DLBCL (P=0.019) . Conclusion: Patients with secondary testicular DLBCL had worse PFS and OS than those with primary testicular DLBCL. The ECOG scores of ≥2, Ann Arbor stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ, increased LDH levels, and multiple extra-nodal involvements were poor prognostic factors in testicular DLBCL. PIM1, MYD88, CD79B, CREBBP, KMT2D, ATM, and BTG2 were commonly mutated genes in testicular DLBCL, and the prognosis of patients with KMT2D mutations was poor.

Comparison of effects of transversus abdominis plane block and thoracic epidural anesthesia mediated activation of inflammasome on postoperative medication, pain, and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This work was developed to compare the effects of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) and thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) mediated activation of inflammasome on postoperative medication, pain, and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Then, the effects of two anesthesia methods on postoperative analgesia of patients were investigated and compared, aiming to provide reference for the selection of postoperative analgesia methods of laparoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this work, patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery were rolled into a TAPB group (30 patients) and a TEA group (30 patients). The blood pressure and stress indexes of the patients at different time points were observed and compared, and the doses of anesthetic drugs were recorded. Postoperative pain scores were evaluated, and postoperative recovery of the two groups was compared. Meanwhile, the peripheral venous bloods were extracted from the two groups before and after surgery for the determination of inflammasome proteins, and the detection results were compared. RESULTS: Data showed that the dose of sufentanil in TEA group was notably inferior to that in TAPB group (p<0.05). The blood pressure indexes in the TEA group decreased remarkably (p<0.05), while their changes in the TAPB group were stable. The slower point heart rate (HR), lower mean arterial pressure (MAP), and lower levels of cortisol (Cor) and norepinephrine (NE) in the TEA group were found when compared with the TAPB group during the period from pneumoperitoneum establishment to post-ventilation. After pneumoperitoneum establishment, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the TEA group was lower than that in the TAPB group at the same time point (p<0.05). The postoperative visual analog scales (VAS) score and numerical rating scale (NRS) score in TEA group were lower than those in TAPB group (p<0.05). After surgery, the protein level in TEA group was significantly lower than that in TAPB group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In short, the activation of inflammasome mediated by TEA could reduce the anesthetic agents used after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery and reduce the surgical stress response. In addition, TEA exerted a little effect on early immunity, which was safe and feasible, contributing to postoperative analgesia and recovery. In addition, its application value in laparoscopic postoperative analgesia was higher than TAPB.

[Effects of three-dimensional bioprinting antibacterial hydrogel on full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats].

Objective: To explore the effects of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA) hydrogel loaded with nano silver on full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. The morphology, particle diameter, and distribution of silver nanoparticles in nano silver solution with different mass concentrations and the pore structure of silver-containing GelMA hydrogel with different final mass fractions of GelMA were observed by scanning electron microscope and the pore size was calculated. On treatment day 1, 3, 7, and 14, the concentration of nano silver released from the hydrogel containing GelMA with final mass fraction of 15% and nano silver with final mass concentration of 10 mg/L was detected by mass spectrometer. At 24 h of culture, the diameters of inhibition zone of GelMA hydrogel containing final mass concentration of 0 (no nano silver), 25, 50, and 100 mg/L nano silver against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were detected. Fibroblasts (Fbs) and adipose stem cells (ASCs) were isolated respectively by enzymatic digestion using the discarded prepuce after circumcision from a 5-year-old healthy boy who was treated in the Department of Urology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in July 2020, and the discarded fat tissue after liposuction from a 23-year-old healthy woman who was treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery of the Hospital in July 2020. The Fbs were divided into blank control group (culture medium only), 2 mg/L nano sliver group, 5 mg/L nano sliver group, 10 mg/L nano sliver group, 25 mg/L nano sliver group, and 50 mg/L nano sliver group, which were added with the corresponding final mass concentrations of nano sliver solution, respectively. At 48 h of culture, the Fb proliferation viability was detected by cell counting kit 8 method. The Fbs were divided into 0 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, 10 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, and 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group and then were correspondingly treated. On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the Fb proliferation viability was detected as before. The ASCs were mixed into GelMA hydrogel and divided into 3D bioprinting group and non-printing group. On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the ASC proliferation viability was detected as before and cell growth was observed by live/dead cell fluorescence staining. The sample numbers in the above experiments were all 3. Four full-thickness skin defect wounds were produced on the back of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 to 6 weeks. The wounds were divided into hydrogel alone group, hydrogel/nano sliver group, hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group, and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group, and transplanted with the corresponding scaffolds, respectively. On post injury day (PID) 4, 7, 14, and 21, the wound healing was observed and the wound healing rate was calculated (n=6). On PID 7 and 14, histopathological changes of wounds were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining (n=6). On PID 21, collagen deposition of wounds was observed by Masson staining (n=3). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, Bonferroni correction, and independent sample t test. Results: The sliver nano particles in nano silver solution with different mass concentrations were all round, in scattered distribution and uniform in size. The silver-containing GelMA hydrogels with different final mass fractions of GelMA all showed pore structures of different sizes and interconnections. The pore size of silver-containing GelMA hydrogel with 10% final mass fraction was significantly larger than that of silver-containing GelMA hydrogels with 15% and 20% final mass fractions (with P values both below 0.05). On treatment day 1, 3, and 7, the concentration of nano silver released from silver-containing GelMA hydrogel in vitro showed a relatively flat trend. On treatment day 14, the concentration of released nano silver in vitro increased rapidly. At 24 h of culture, the diameters of inhibition zone of GelMA hydrogel containing 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L nano silver against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 0, 0, 0.7, and 2.1 mm and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 3.3 mm, respectively. At 48 h of culture, the proliferation activity of Fbs in 2 mg/L nano silver group and 5 mg/L nano silver group was both significantly higher than that in blank control group (P<0.05), and the proliferation activity of Fbs in 10 mg/L nano silver group, 25 mg/L nano silver group, and 50 mg/L nano silver group was all significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.05). Compared with the that of Fbs in 0 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, the proliferation activity of Fbs in 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group and 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was all significantly decreased on culture day 1 (P<0.05); the proliferation activity of Fbs in 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the proliferation activity of Fbs in 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly decreased on culture day 3 (P<0.05); the proliferation activity of Fbs in 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly decreased on culture day 7 (P<0.05). The proliferation activity of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group show no statistically significant differences to that in non-printing group on culture day 1 (P>0.05). The proliferation activity of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group was significantly higher than that in non-printing group on culture day 3 and 7 (with t values of 21.50 and 12.95, respectively, P<0.05). On culture day 1, the number of dead ASCs in 3D bioprinting group was slightly more than that in non-printing group. On culture day 3 and 5, the majority of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group and non-printing group were living cells. On PID 4, the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group had more exudation, and the wounds of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were dry without obvious signs of infection. On PID 7, there was still a small amount of exudation on the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group, while the wounds of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were dry and scabbed. On PID 14, the hydrogels on the wound surface of rats in the four groups all fell off. On PID 21, a small area of wounds remained unhealed in hydrogel alone group. On PID 4 and 7, the wound healing rates of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P<0.05). On PID 14, the wound healing rate of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group was significantly higher than the wound healing rates in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group (all P<0.05). On PID 21, the wound healing rate of rats in hydrogel alone group was significantly lower than that in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group (P<0.05). On PID 7, the hydrogels on the wound surface of rats in the four groups remained in place; on PID 14, the hydrogel in hydrogel alone group was separated from the wounds of rats, while some hydrogels still existed in the new tissue of the wounds of rats in the other three groups. On PID 21, the collagen arrangement in the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group was out of order, while the collagen arrangement in the wounds of rats in hydrogel/nano sliver group, and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group was relatively orderly. Conclusions: Silver-containing GelMA hydrogel has good biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. Its three-dimensional bioprinted double-layer structure can better integrate with new formed tissue in the full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats and promote wound healing.

Lonicera flos and Cnicus japonicus extracts improved egg quality partly by modulating antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lonicera flos and Cnicus japonicus extracts (LCE) on the laying performance, egg quality, morphology, antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines, and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens. A total of 1,728 Roman Pink laying hens aged 73-wk-old were randomly assigned into 4 groups (18 replicates/group, 24 layers/replicate) fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 300, 500, and 1,000 mg of LCE per kg of diet, respectively. The trial lasted for 11 wk, including 2-wk adjustment period and 9-wk testing period. The results indicated that laying hens fed diets supplemented with LCE linearly increased egg weight, yolk color and shell thickness at wk 78 and albumen height, Haugh unit and shell thickness at wk 83 (P < 0.05). At wk 78, LCE groups linearly affected the hydrogen peroxide content in magnum (P < 0.05) and 300 mg/kg LCE groups had the highest catalase activity in isthmus (P < 0.05). At wk 83, LCE groups linearly reduced (P < 0.05) hydrogen peroxide content in the magnum and isthmus and malondialdehyde content in the uterus whereas increased catalase activity in isthmus (P < 0.05). Furthermore, LCE levels quadratically affected glutathione peroxidase activity in isthmus at wk 83 (P < 0.05). At wk 78, the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and interferon-γ in isthmus and ovalbumin and ovocleidin-116 in uterus had linear effects in response to LCE levels (P < 0.05) and 1,000 mg/kg LCE group had the lowest mRNA expression of interleukin-6 in magnum (P < 0.05). At wk 83, LCE supplementation linearly decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-1ß, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in magnum and tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase in uterus (P < 0.05). It is concluded that LCE improved egg quality partly by modulating antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary and secondary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the pancreas].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary and secondary pancreatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) . Methods: Clinical data of patients with pancreatic DLBCL admitted at Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 2003 to June 2020 were analyzed. Gene mutation profiles were evaluated by targeted sequencing (55 lymphoma-related genes). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate the prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) . Results: Overall, 80 patients were included; 12 patients had primary pancreatic DLBCL (PPDLBCL), and 68 patients had secondary pancreatic DLBCL (SPDLBCL). Compared with those with PPDLBCL, patients with SPDLBCL had a higher number of affected extranodal sites (P<0.001) and had higher IPI scores (P=0.013). There was no significant difference in the OS (P=0.120) and PFS (P=0.067) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that IPI intermediate-high/high risk (P=0.025) and double expressor (DE) (P=0.017) were independent adverse prognostic factors of OS in patients with pancreatic DLBCL. IPI intermediate-high/high risk (P=0.021) was an independent adverse prognostic factor of PFS in patients with pancreatic DLBCL. Targeted sequencing of 29 patients showed that the mutation frequency of PIM1, SGK1, BTG2, FAS, MYC, and MYD88 in patients with pancreatic DLBCL were all >20%. PIM1 (P=0.006 for OS, P=0.032 for PFS) and MYD88 (P=0.001 for OS, P=0.017 for PFS) mutations were associated with poor OS and PFS in patients with SPDLBCL. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the OS and PFS between patients with PPDLBCL and those with SPDLBCL. IPI intermediate-high/high risk and DE were adverse prognostic factors of pancreatic DLBCL. PIM1, SGK1, BTG2, FAS, MYC, and MYD88 were common mutations in pancreatic DLBCL. PIM1 and MYD88 mutations indicated worse prognosis.

[Revision rate of periprosthetic joint infection post total hip or knee arthroplasty of 34 hospitals in China between 2015 and 2017: a multi-center survey].

Objective: To investigate the rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) revision surgeries and clinical information of hip-/knee- PJI cases nationwide from 2015 to 2017 in China. Methods: An epidemiological investigation. A self-designed questionnaire and convenience sampling were used to survey 41 regional joint replacement centers nationwide from November 2018 to December 2019 in China. The PJI was diagnosed according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Association criteria. Data of PJI patients were obtained by searching the inpatient database of each hospital. Questionnaire entries were extracted from the clinical records by specialist. Then the differences in rate of PJI revision surgery between hip- and knee- PJI revision cases were calculated and compared. Results: Total of 36 hospitals (87.8%) nationwide reported data on 99 791 hip and knee arthroplasties performed from 2015 to 2017, with 946 revisions due to PJI (0.96%). The overall hip-PJI revision rate was 0.99% (481/48 574), and it was 0.97% (135/13 963), 0.97% (153/15 730) and 1.07% (193/17 881) in of 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. The overall knee-PJI revision rate was 0.91% (465/51 271), and it was 0.90% (131/14 650), 0.88% (155/17 693) and 0.94% (179/18 982) in 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. Heilongjiang (2.2%, 40/1 805), Fujian (2.2%, 45/2 017), Jiangsu (2.1%, 85/3 899), Gansu (2.1%, 29/1 377), Chongqing (1.8%, 64/3 523) reported relatively high revision rates. Conclusions: The overall PJI revision rate in 34 hospitals nationwide from 2015 to 2017 is 0.96%. The hip-PJI revision rate is slightly higher than that in the knee-PJI. There are differences in revision rates among hospitals in different regions.

Transient depletion of macrophages alters local inflammatory response at the site of disc herniation in a transgenic mouse model.

OBJECTIVE: Macrophages are abundantly detected at sites of disc herniation, however, their function in the disease progression is unclear. We aim to investigate the functions of macrophages in acute disc herniation using a macrophage Fas-induced apoptosis (MaFIA) transgenic mouse strain. METHOD: To transiently deplete macrophages, a dimerizer, AP20187, or vehicle solution was administered via intraperitoneal injection to MaFIA mice immediately, day 1 and 2 after annular puncture induced disc herniation. Local infiltrated tissues at disc hernia and DRGs at corresponding levels were harvested to analyze immune cells and neuroinflammation on postoperative day (POD) 6 by flow cytometry and/or immunostaining. Mouse spines were harvested to analyze structures of degenerated discs and adjacent vertebrae and to assess osteoclast activity by histology and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining on POD 6, 13, and 20, respectively. RESULTS: On POD 6, abundant macrophages were confirmed at disc hernia sites. Compared to vehicle control, AP20187 significantly reduced GFP+ cells in blood, spleen, and local inflammatory tissue. At disc hernia sites, AP20187 markedly reduced macrophages (CD11b+, F4/80+, GFP+CD11b+, CD11b+F4/80+) while increasing neutrophils and B cells. Transient macrophage depletion decreased ectopic bone formation and osteoclast activity in herniated discs and adjacent cortical bones for up to 20 days post herniation. Disc herniation elevated expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, accompanied by increasing GFP+, CD11b+ and F4/80+ macrophages. Macrophage depletion did not attenuate these markers of neuroinflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Transient depletion of macrophages altered local inflammatory response at the site of disc herniation.

Effects of salpingitis simulation on the morphology and expression of inflammatory-related genes of oviduct in laying hens.

This study was conducted to simulate salpingitis of laying hens by observing the morphology and expression of inflammatory genes in the oviduct. A total of one hundred twenty 81-wk-old Roman Pink laying hens in good physical condition without the oviduct disease with an average egg production rate of 76% were fed a basal diet for 2 wks and then randomly allocated into 4 groups (6 replicates/group, 5 birds/replicate). The experimental treatments were as follows: 1) Control group (treated with PBS); 2) Organic chemical reagent (OCR) group; 3) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group; 4) LPS + OCR group. First, the chickens were kept upside down to make ectropion and exposure of the apertura uterinae; then prepared reagents were poured into the uterine part of the fallopian tube by using the chicken vas deferens (1 mL/layer); finally, the chickens were kept in the inverted position for 5 to 10 min. The fallopian tube samples (the magnum, isthmus, and uterus) were collected after 48 h of treatment. Compared with the control, treatment with LPS+OCR decreased (P < 0.05) the secondary villus length and primary villus area in magnum and villus length in isthmus (P < 0.05). An increase (P < 0.05) of the intervillous space of uterus was observed in LPS + OCR group compared with the control. The expressions of interleukin-6 mRNA of magnum and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) of isthmus in the LPS and LPS+OCR treatments were higher (P < 0.05) than that in control. Compared with the control, treatment with LPS+OCR increased (P < 0.05) the expressions of IFN-γ mRNA of magnum and IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA of uterus in laying hens. In conclusion, the results of morphological damage of fallopian tube tissue and increased expression of inflammatory factors in LPS + OCR treatment group suggested that LPS+OCR treatment can provide data basis to establish salpingitis model in laying hens for studying the pathogenesis of it.

Increased Sparc release from subchondral osteoblasts promotes articular chondrocyte degeneration under estrogen withdrawal.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of osteoarthritis (OA) in menopausal women is significantly higher than in same-aged men. Investigating the role of subchondral osteoblasts in estrogen deficiency-induced OA may help elucidate the pathological mechanism, providing new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of menopausal OA. METHODS: A classical ovariectomy-induced OA (OVX-OA) rat model was utilized to isolate primary articular chondrocytes and subchondral osteoblasts, which were identified and then cocultured in Transwell. The expression of chondrocyte anabolic and catabolic indicators was evaluated. The differentially expressed proteins in the conditioned medium (CM) of osteoblasts were identified by Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Normal chondrocytes were treated with osteoblast CM, and then RNA sequencing was performed on the treated chondrocytes. KEGG was used to identify significant enrichment of signaling pathways, and Simple Western was used to verify the expression of related proteins in the signaling pathways. RESULTS: Coculture of OVX-OA subchondral osteoblasts with chondrocytes significantly downregulated the expression of the anabolic indicators and upregulated the expression of the catabolic indicators in chondrocytes. 1,601 proteins were identified in both normal and OVX osteoblast culture supernatants. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed that Sparc was one of the hub proteins. The AMPK/Foxo3a signaling pathway of chondrocytes was downregulated by OVX-OA osteoblasts CM. AICAR, the AMPK agonist, partially reversed the catabolic effect of OVX-OA osteoblasts on chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Sparc secreted by OVX-OA subchondral osteoblasts can downregulate the AMPK/Foxo3a signaling pathway of chondrocytes, thereby promoting chondrocyte degeneration.