[Association between congenital hypothyroidism and in-hospital adverse outcomes in very low birth weight infants].

Objective: To investigate the association between congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and the adverse outcomes during hospitalization in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Methods: This prospective, multicenter observational cohort study was conducted based on the data from the Sino-northern Neonatal Network (SNN). Data of 5 818 VLBWI with birth weight <1 500 g and gestational age between 24-<37 weeks that were admitted to the 37 neonatal intensive care units from January 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2022 were collected and analyzed. Thyroid function was first screened at 7 to 10 days after birth, followed by weekly tests within the first 4 weeks, and retested at 36 weeks of corrected gestational age or before discharge. The VLBWI were assigned to the CH group or non-CH group. Chi-square test, Fisher exact probability method, Wilcoxon rank sum test, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between CH and poor prognosis during hospitalization in VLBWI. Results: A total of 5 818 eligible VLBWI were enrolled, with 2 982 (51.3%) males and the gestational age of 30 (29, 31) weeks. The incidence of CH was 5.5% (319 VLBWI). Among the CH group, only 121 VLBWI (37.9%) were diagnosed at the first screening. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CH was associated with increased incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) (OR=1.31(1.04-1.64), P<0.05) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) of stage Ⅲ and above (OR=1.74(1.11-2.75), P<0.05). However, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed no significant correlation between CH and EUGR, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in stage Ⅱ or above, and ROP in stage Ⅲ or above (OR=1.04 (0.81-1.33), 0.79 (0.54-1.15), 1.15 (0.58-2.26), 1.43 (0.81-2.53), 1.12 (0.70-1.80), all P>0.05). Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between CH and in-hospital adverse outcomes, possibly due to timely diagnosis and active replacement therapy.

Influence of Nutritional Status on a Family-Centered Care Intervention for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment following Hip-Fracture Surgery: Secondary Data Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: In Taiwan, older adults with cognitive impairment who undergo hip-fracture surgery are routinely cared for by family members. This study aimed to determine if nutritional status influenced the effects of a family-centered intervention for older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the influences of nutritional status 1 month after hospital discharge on the effects of a family-centered care intervention model, which was designed for older adults with hip fracture and cognitive impairment. Outcomes were compared among participants according to nutrition status (well-nourished/poorly-nourished) and treatment approach (control/intervention). SETTING: The original study was conducted at a 3000-bed medical center from July 2015 to October 2019. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were older adults with cognitive impairment who had undergone hip-fracture surgery. Participants were assessed as poorly-nourished or well-nourished with the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) 1-month post-discharge and were then randomly assigned to either the intervention group or control group. INTERVENTION: A family-centered intervention model for family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery was implemented. The intervention was delivered by geriatric nurses, which included instructions for family caregivers in overseeing exercises for strengthening the hip, understanding dietary requirements, and managing behavioral problems associated with cognitive impairment. MEASUREMENTS: Outcome measures included activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, hip range of motion, hip muscle strength, depression, measured with the Geriatric Depressive Scale, and physical and mental health related quality of life, measured with the Short Form Survey (SF-36), Taiwanese version. Participants were assessed at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-discharge. RESULTS: Most of the 134 participants were assessed as poorly nourished (n = 122); 57 were the control group and 65 received the intervention. For the well-nourished participants (n = 12), four were in the intervention group and eight were controls. There were no significant differences in any outcome variables for poorly nourished participants who received the intervention compared with controls. For the sample of well-nourished participants, those who received the intervention performed significantly better in outcomes of IADLs (b = 1.74, p < .05), hip muscle strength (b = 9.64, p < .01), and physical health related quality of life (b = 10.47, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The family-centered care intervention was only effective for older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery who were well-nourished at 1 month following hospital discharge, but not for those at risk of malnutrition. Interventions should focus on enhancing nutritional status following hip surgery which could allow the family-centered in-home intervention to be beneficial for more older adults with cognitive impairment recovering from hip-fracture surgery.

[Clinical effect of nebulized acetylcysteine inhalation combined with bronchoscopy in the treatment of elderly patients with severe ventilator-associated pneumonia].

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of nebulized acetylcysteine inhalation combined with bronchoscopy in treating elderly patients with severe ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods: From January 2016 to December 2017, 80 elderly patients with severe VAP who were hospitalized in Zhejiang Hospital were divided into acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group [24 males and 16 females, aged (78±7) years] and bronchoscopy group [26 males and 14 females, aged (80±7) years]using random number table for a prospective cohort study. Patients in bronchoscopy group were treated with bronchoscopy in addition to conventional supportive care of symptoms. Patients in acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group received nebulized acetylcysteine inhalation therapy on the basis of the treatment given to patients in bronchoscopy group. Patients in both groups received treatment continuously for 7 days. The simplified clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) in both groups was assessed before and after treatment. Venous blood of 10 mL was collected before and after treatment to detect leukocyte count, serum C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin. Arterial blood of 1 mL was collected before and after treatment to detect partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO(2)), partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO(2)), oxygenation index. The inhalation platform pressure (Pplat), dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), airway resistance, work of breathing, time of antibiotic use, and time of mechanical ventilation of patients in two groups were recorded before and after treatment. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test and t test. Results: (1) The simplified CPIS, leukocyte count, serum C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin of patients in acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group were significantly lower than those in bronchoscopy group after treatment (t=2.32, 2.15, 6.08, 7.12, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The simplified CPIS, leukocyte count, serum C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin of patients in acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group and bronchoscopy group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (t=13.76, 13.60, 12.70, 8.32, 11.44, 14.28, 9.48, 9.50, P<0.01). (2) Compared with bronchoscopy group, patients in acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group had significantly higher PaO(2) and oxygenation index (t=4.14, 2.55, P<0.05 or P<0.01) but significantly lower PaCO(2) (t=4.36, P<0.01) after treatment. The PaO(2) and oxygenation index of patients in acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (t=10.90, 43.72, P<0.01). The PaO(2) and oxygenation index of patients in bronchoscopy group after treatment were also significantly higher than those before treatment (t=6.55, 43.03, P<0.01). The PaCO(2) of patients in both groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (t=21.54, 21.92, P<0.01). (3) The Cdyn of patients in acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group after treatment was significantly higher than that in bronchoscopy group (t=5.41, P<0.01), and Pplat, airway resistance, and work of breathing were significantly lower than those in bronchoscopy group (t=2.18, 5.46, 2.49, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The Cdyn of patients in both groups after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (t=16.10, 10.90, P<0.01), and Pplat, airway resistance, and work of breathing were significantly lower than those before treatment (t=21.18, 11.13, 9.32, 15.50, 5.17, 5.97, P<0.01). (4)The time of mechanical ventilation and antibiotic usage of patients in acetylcysteine+ bronchoscopy group were (6.9±1.9)and (8.7±2.8) d, respectively, which were significantly shorter than (10.1±2.2) and (11.6±3.5) d in bronchoscopy group (t=6.85, 4.09, P<0.01). Conclusions: Nebulized acetylcysteine inhalation combined with bronchoscopy can significantly control the degree of lung infection in elderly patients with severe VAP, improve patients' respiratory mechanics parameter and blood gas analysis indicator, and shorten the time for mechanical ventilation and antibiotic usage.

[Epidemiological investigation of 511 adult inpatients with gas burns].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of adult inpatients with gas burns in the Department of Burns of Hwa Mei Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the author's unit) , so as to provide evidence for the prevention of gas burn. Methods: Medical records of all inpatients with flame burns admitted to the author's unit from January 2011 to December 2017 were collected. The percentage of adult inpatients with gas burns in total inpatients with flame burns in the same period, and their gender, age, injury season, accident place, burn severity, common compound injury, complication, population caliber, education, industry, as well as the pre-injury disease and prognosis of elderly inpatients with gas burns were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, the age, accident place, education, and industry of the floating population in the adult inpatients with gas burns were analyzed separately and compared with the total population of adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years. Data were processed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test (Monte Carlo algorithm). Results: During the 7 years, 1 490 inpatients with flame burns were admitted to the author's unit, among which 511 were adult inpatients with gas burns, accounting for 34.30%. The number of adult inpatients with gas burns increased gradually during the 7 years, but its percentage in the total inpatients with flame burns during the same period showed no significant difference (χ(2)=7.087, P>0.05). Among the 511 adult inpatients with gas burns (hereinafter referred to as the patients in this group), there were 315 males and 196 females, with a male/female ratio of 1.61 to 1.00, and the middle-aged patients were the most, up to 270 cases, accounting for 52.84%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in gender and age (χ(2)=54.810, 27.832, P<0.01). Among the patients in this group, most were injured in summer, totally 251 cases, accounting for 49.12%, and the accident place was mainly at home, totally 388 cases, accounting for 75.93%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in injury season (χ(2)=42.254, P<0.01), but not in accident place (χ(2)=6.782, P>0.05). The patients in this group were mainly with moderate burns (237 cases, accounting for 46.38%), and the distribution trend of burn severity of adult inpatients with gas burns was basically the same during the 7 years (χ(2)=19.680, P>0.05); 176 patients (34.44%) were accompanied by inhalation injury, and 30 patients (5.87%) were accompanied by blast injury of lung; post injury complications occurred in 20 patients (3.91%). In the elderly inpatients with gas burns, 44.44% (32/72) were accompanied by pre-injury basic diseases, and the proportion of death or unhealed reached 18.06% (13/72). Most of the patients in this group were permanent residents (358 cases, accounting for 70.06%) and received secondary education (304 cases, accounting for 59.49%), and the majority of them were engaged in manufacturing/construction (138 cases, accounting for 27.01%), self-employed business (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%), and catering (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%) industries. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in population caliber, education, and occupation (χ(2)=17.496, 29.898, 88.896, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the patients of this group, the floating population were mainly young (90 cases, accounting for 58.82%) and middle-aged (62 cases, accounting for 40.52%), with main accident place at home (97 cases, accounting for 63.40%), generally received secondary education (101 cases, accounting for 66.01%), and were mainly engaged in manufacturing/construction (71 cases, accounting for 46.41%), self-employed business (26 cases, accounting for 16.99%), and catering (20 cases, accounting for 13.07%) industries. Compared with the total adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years, the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry (χ(2)=42.924, 9.390, 27.819, P<0.01). Conclusions: Gas burn was the leading injury cause of inpatients with flame burns in the author's unit, which mainly occurred in summer and at home; the patients were mainly male, young and middle-aged, and permanent residents, most of which were with moderate burn, often accompanied by inhalation injury. Most of the patients were of secondary education, engaged in manufacturing/construction, self-employed business, and catering industries, among which the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry. In order to prevent gas burn, we should pay more attention to the propaganda and education of gas safety among young and middle-aged men, floating population, retired old people and housewives, especially in summer, we should do a good job in gas safety inspection at home. In addition, we should urge enterprises to further strengthen the supervision of production safety.

Aclidinium bromide inhibits proliferation of osteosarcoma cells through regulation of PI3K/Akt pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Osteosarcoma is recognized as the most common primary malignant bone tumor, the 5-year disease-free survival rate in patients with metastatic or recurrent disease is below than 30%. Drug resistance and toxic side effects limit the therapeutic efficacy of osteosarcoma. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new drugs for osteosarcoma treatment. Muscarinic 3 (M3) acetylcholine receptor (AChR) has been demonstrated in nonneurocrest-derived malignancies such as colon, prostate, lung, and ovarian carcinomas. Hence, targeted regulation of M3 AChR may be a possible mechanism for treating tumors. Aclidinium bromide has anti-tumoral properties in several tumors, namely gastric cancer and glioma. In this study, we intended to investigate whether aclidinium bromide, a novel M3 AChR antagonist, had effects on osteosarcoma cells proliferation and migration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The viability of U2 OS cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The migration and invasion capabilities were measured by transwell invasion and migration assays. The cell apoptosis rate was tested by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/Propidum iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. Key apoptosis-related and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway-associated were assessed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Aclidinium bromide markedly decreased the OD value of U2 OS cells 48 h and 72 h after treatment. The number of positive crystal violet staining cells significantly decreased after treatment with aclidinium bromide. Treatment with aclidinium bromide significantly increased cell apoptosis rate, accompanied by the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 decreased, the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Active caspase-3 and Bax significantly increased in U2 OS cells treated with aclidinium bromide. Additionally, aclidinium bromide suppressed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in U2 OS cells. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the current study reveals that aclidinium bromide might inhibit osteosarcoma cell growth by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which suggests aclidinium bromide is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for osteosarcoma.

Lectin inspired polymers based on the dipeptide Ser-Asp for glycopeptide enrichment.

Lectin inspired polymers were prepared through modification of silica microspheres with Ser-Asp (SD). This functional polymer showed distinct adsorption and retention towards different disaccharides and demonstrated high-efficiency enrichment of glycopeptides.

Desmoglein-2 overexpression predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Desmoglein-2 (Dsg2) plays a crucial role in the assembly and adhesion of desmosomes. The absent or aberrant expression of Dsg2 was reported to be associated with the progression of varies human cancers. However, the expression of Dsg2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its association with tumor prognosis is still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression level of Dsg2 in HCC and of the correlation between Dsg2 expression and clinicopathological variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients diagnosed with HCC were enrolled in this study. Real time-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were performed to determine the expression level of Dsg2 in HCC tumor tissues and matched noncancerous tissues. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow-cytometry assay, respectively. RESULTS: Our results revealed that Dsg2 expression was significantly higher in HCC tumor tissues than in matched noncancerous tissues (p < 0.01), positively correlated with tumor size (p = 0.035) and tumor stage (p = 0.021). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated Dsg2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Meanwhile, we found knockdown the expression of Dsg2 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) could efficiently impaired HCC cell proliferation rate and cell cycle progression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results suggest that increased Dsg2 expression was associated with tumor progression in HCC and may function as a promising biomarker for unfavorable prognosis of HCC.

Family History of MI, Smoking, and Risk of Periodontal Disease.

Periodontal disease (PD) shares common risk factors with cardiovascular disease. Our hypothesis was that having a family history of myocardial infarction (FamHxMI) may be a novel risk factor for PD. Risk assessment based on FamHxMI, conditional on smoking status, was examined given the strong influence of smoking on PD. Exploratory analysis with inflammatory biomarkers and genetic determinants was conducted to understand potential mechanistic links. The Women's Genome Health Study (WGHS) is a prospective cohort of US female health care professionals who provided blood samples at baseline in the Women's Health Study, a 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial investigating vitamin E and aspirin in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. PD was ascertained via self-report over 12 y of follow-up. Prevalence (3,442 cases), incidence (1,365 cases), and survival analysis of PD were investigated for associations of FamHxMI as well as in strata of FamHxMI by smoking. Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square tests, multivariate regression, and Cox proportional hazard models were used for the analyses. In the WGHS, women with FamHxMI showed higher risk of ever having PD. A particularly high-risk group of having both FamHxMI and smoking at baseline was highlighted in the prevalence and risk of developing PD. PD risk increased according to the following strata: no FamHxMI and nonsmokers (reference), FamHxMI and nonsmokers (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0 to 1.5), smokers without FamHxMI (HR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.2 to 1.5), and smokers with FamHxMI (HR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2 to 1.8). An independent analysis by the dental Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study ( N = 5,552) identified more severe periodontitis cases among participants in the high-risk group (smokers with FamHxMI). Further examination of interactions among inflammatory biomarkers or genetic exploration with FamHxMI did not explain the risk increase of PD associated with FamHxMI in the WGHS. Future efforts based on an integrative-omics approach may facilitate validation of these findings and suggest a mechanistic link between PD and FamHxMI.

[Analysis of the prognosis of isolated ventriculomegaly and outcome of imaging follow-up].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcome of fetus diagnosed as mild and moderate isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM) and its correlation with imaging follow-up. Methods: Totally, 161 cases of single pregnancy whose fetus was diagnosed as mild or moderate IVM by ultrasound were administrated. Data of prenatal ultrasound examination, pregnancy outcomes, and the postnatal MRI results were collected. New borns' growth and development, language expression, movement coordination, auditory and visual function were followed up to evaluate the neurodevelopment. Results: (1) Before birth: 80.1% (129/161) of IVM disappeared before the delivery, 16.1% (26/161) remained stable, and 3.7% (6/161) continued to deteriorate. (2) Postnatal MRI: 8 cases (9.6%, 8/83) were diagnosed IVM, of which 3 cases were found additional abnormalities (1 case was the corpus callosum dysplasia and 2 cases were leukodystrophy) . The additional abnormal detection rate was 3/8. (3) Postnatal assessments: There were 7 cases (8.9%, 7/79) neunatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) , 6 cases (7.6%, 6/79) Bayley scales of infant development (BSID) -psychomotor developmental index (PDI) and 3 cases (3.8%, 3/79) BSID-mental development index (MDI) whose scores were low. There was no significant difference of the NBNA and BSID scores between mild and moderate IVM (NBNA: χ(2)=2.042, P=0.210; BSID-PDI: χ(2)=-1.359, P=0.174; BSID-MDI: χ(2)=-1.205, P=0.228) . Follow-up of 9 cases (11.4%, 9/79) with low BSID score, 6 of them were found to be stable in the medial ventricle of the uterus, and the size of the lateral ventricle was normal after birth by ultrasound and MRI. Conclusions: The majority of IVM fetuses have good prognosis, but there is also a risk of neurodevelopmental dysplasia. The postnatal follow-up should be paid attention to, and MRI should be performed as the postnatal imaging evaluation.

[Effects of hydrogen on the lung damage of mice at early stage of severe burn].

Objective: To investigate the effects of hydrogen on the lung damage of mice at early stage of severe burn. Methods: One hundred and sixty ICR mice were divided into sham injury, hydrogen, pure burn, and burn+ hydrogen groups according to the random number table, with 40 mice in each group. Mice in pure burn group and burn+ hydrogen group were inflicted with 40% total body surface area full-thickness scald (hereafter referred to as burn) on the back, while mice in sham injury group and hydrogen group were sham injured. Mice in hydrogen group and burn+ hydrogen group inhaled 2% hydrogen for 1 h at post injury hour (PIH) 1 and 6, respectively, while mice in sham injury group and pure burn group inhaled air for 1 h. At PIH 24, lung tissue of six mice in each group was harvested, and then pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining and the lung tissue injury pathological score was calculated. Inferior vena cava blood and lung tissue of other eight mice in each group were obtained, and then content of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and lung tissue was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and lung tissue was detected by spectrophotometry. After arterial blood of other six mice in each group was collected for detection of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)), the wet and dry weight of lung tissue were weighted to calculate lung wet to dry weight ratio. The survival rates of the other twenty mice in each group during post injury days 7 were calculated. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance, LSD test and log-rank test. Results: (1) At PIH 24, lung tissue of mice in sham injury group and hydrogen group showed no abnormality. Mice in pure burn group were with pulmonary interstitial edema, serious rupture of alveolar capillary wall, and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. Mice in burn+ hydrogen group were with mild pulmonary interstitial edema, alveolar capillary congestion accompanied by slight rupture and bleeding, and the number of infiltration of inflammatory cells was smaller than that in pure burn group. The lung tissue injury pathological scores of mice in sham injury group, hydrogen group, pure burn group, and burn+ hydrogen group were (0.7±0.5), (0.8±0.5), (6.1±1.0), and (2.8±0.8) points, respectively. The lung tissue injury pathological score of mice in pure burn group was significantly higher than that in sham injury group (P<0.001). The lung tissue injury pathological score of mice in burn+ hydrogen group was significantly lower than that in pure burn group (P<0.001). (2) At PIH 24, the content of HMGB1 and IL-6 in serum and lung tissue of mice in hydrogen group was close to that in sham injury group (with P values above 0.05). The content of HMGB1 and IL-6 in serum and lung tissue of mice in pure burn group was significantly higher than that in sham injury group (with P values below 0.001). The content of HMGB1 and IL-6 in serum and lung tissue of mice in burn+ hydrogen group was significantly lower than that in pure burn group (with P values below 0.001). (3) At PIH 24, the activity of SOD in serum and lung tissue of mice in hydrogen group was close to that in sham injury group (with P values above 0.05). The activity of SOD in serum and lung tissue of mice in pure burn group was significantly lower than that in sham injury group (with P values below 0.001). The activity of SOD in serum and lung tissue of mice in burn+ hydrogen group was significantly higher than that in pure burn group (with P values below 0.001). (4) At PIH 24, there was no statistically significant difference in PaO(2) among the mice in four groups (F=0.04, P>0.05). (5) At PIH 24, the ratios of lung wet to dry weight of mice in sham injury, hydrogen, pure burn, and burn+ hydrogen groups were 3.52±0.22, 3.61±0.24, 7.24±0.32, and 5.21±0.41, respectively. The ratio of lung wet to dry weight of mice in pure burn group was significantly higher than that in sham injury group (P<0.001). The ratio of lung wet to dry weight of mice in burn+ hydrogen group was significantly lower than that in pure burn group (P<0.001). (6) The survival rates of mice in sham injury group and hydrogen group during post injury days 7 were 100%. Compared with those in sham injury group, survival rates of mice in pure burn group from post injury days 3 to 7 were significantly decreased (with P values below 0.05). Compared with those in pure burn group, survival rates of mice in burn+ hydrogen group from post injury days 5 to 7 were significantly increased (with P values below 0.05). Conclusions: Hydrogen can significantly alleviate the infiltration of inflammatory cells and improve the pathological lesions of lung tissue of mice with severe burn. It has the effects of reducing inflammatory reaction and inhibiting oxidative stress, further showing the protective effect on the lung of burn mice.

Potential mechanisms of microRNA-141-3p to alleviate chronic inflammatory pain by downregulation of downstream target gene HMGB1: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of microRNA-141-3p (miR-141-3p) in chronic inflammatory pain (CIP) by targeting the high-mobility group box1 (HMGB1) gene. In the in vitro study, BV2 microglial cells were selected and assigned into blank, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), miR-141-3p mimics, mimics control, miR-141-3p inhibitor, inhibitor control, miR-141-3p mimics+LPS, mimics control+ LPS, miR-141-3p inhibitor+LPS and inhibitor control+LPS groups. Ninety-six rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (12 rats in each group): blank control, model control, negative control (NC), miR-141-3p mimics+ complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), mimics control+CFA, HMGB1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA)+CFA, HMGB1 NC+CFA and miR-141-3p mimics+HMGB1 shRNA+CFA groups. The quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and pain behavioral test were used to measure the miR-141-3p and HMGB1 mRNA expressions, HMGB1 protein expression, inflammatory cytokines levels, and thermal and mechanical pain thresholds, respectively. Compared with the blank, mimics control, inhibitor control and miR-141-3p mimics+LPS groups, the miR-141-3p mimics group had increased miR-141-3p expression and interleukin (IL)-10 levels, and had decreased mRNA and protein expressions of HMGB1 and the levels of IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6, whereas the opposite trend were found in the LPS, miR-141-3p inhibitor, mimics control+LPS and inhibitor control+LPS groups. Compared with the LPS, miR-141-3p inhibitor, mimics control+LPS and inhibitor control+LPS groups, the miR141-3p+LPS group had an obviously decreased expression of miR-141-3p and IL-10, increased mRNA and protein expressions of HMGB1 and the levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6. Compared with the rats in the blank control group, the miR-141-3p expression, IL-10 level, and thermal and mechanical pain thresholds decreased significantly, whereas the mRNA and protein expressions of HMGB1, IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 increased significantly in rats in the NC, mimics control+CFA and HMGB1 NC+ CFA groups. The miR-141-3p expression was increased in rats in the miR-141-3p mimics+HMGB1 shRNA+CFA group. Our study demonstrated that miR-141-3p can alleviate the CIP by downregulating the downstream target gene HMGB1.

[Progress of perioperative goal-directed fluid therapy on prognosis of patients].

Fluid therapy is an important part of perioperative period, also one of the most controversial issues. Having reviewed the relevant research in recent years as well as the large-scale meta-analysis, the perioperative goal-directed fluid therapy has been discussed from the aspects of evaluating indicators, new methods and latest progress, and the impact on the prognosis. It manifests that the development of goal-directed fluid therapy makes a better prognosis than traditional fluid therapy, therefore it has also became an important perioperative treatment strategy.

[Efficacy observation of (125)I seed implantation therapy for locoregional recurrent and metastatic breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and side effects of (125)I seed implantation for locoregional recurrent and metastatic breast cancer, and to discuss its role in the comprehensive therapy of breast cancer. METHODS: Forty-three patients with locoregional recurrent or metastatic breast cancer were included in this study. They received (125)I seed implantation and were followed up to evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of the treatment. RESULTS: Among 54 lesions in the 43 cases, there were complete response (CR) in 39, partial response (PR) in 13, stable disease (SD) in 2 patients, with a response rate of 96.3%. All 17 cases with local pain achieved pain relief. With a median follow up of 36 months (range 14 to 60 months), the 1-, 3-, and 5-year local control rate was 85.2%, 53.7% and 1.9%, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate was 95.3%, 67.4% and 37.2%, respectively. No serious radiotherapy side effect was observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with unresectable locoregional recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, (125)I seed implantation shows proved efficacy and few complications, and can be an important treatment option.

[Laboratory diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the methods of flow cytometric-dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) analysis, gp91 protein detection, gene mutation analysis for the precise diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). METHOD: Clinical and laboratory data of patients with CGD confirmed by gene mutation analysis from 2008 to 2015 in Children's Hospital of Fudan University were retrospectively reviewed.The results of respiratory burst, gp91 protein level, and gene mutations were analyzed.The relationships among these three methods were explored. RESULT: A total of 138 patients of CGD with confirmed gene mutation were included in this study, of them, 123 cases(89.1%) had CYBB gene mutation, 4 cases(2.9%) had CYBA mutation, 5 cases(3.6%) had NCF1 mutation and 6 cases(4.4%) had NCF2 mutation.The range of stimulatory index (SI) was 0.8-60.5, the 25 th, 50 th, 75th percent was 1.7, 2.7, 4.7; 112 cases had the results of gp91, of them, 100 with gp91(0,) 2 with gp91(-), and 10 with gp91(+) . Six mutations, which were not reported before, were c. 76-77delTT, c. 343-344delCA, c. 481A>T, c. 1152G>C, c. 1613G>A for CYBB gene, and c. 137T>G for NCF2 gene. Among CGD patients with CYBB mutation, SI of patients with gp91(+) was higher than patients with gp91(0) 14.6 vs. 2.5(t=44.21, P=0.004). Patients of NCF1 mutation had higher SI than patients with CYBB mutation, 17.7 vs. 2.5 (t=60.8, P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Flow cytometric-DHR analysis and gp91 protein detection are important diagnostic methods for CGD, they could help the precise diagnosis of CGD.Different mutation types, different mutation genes could have impact on the results of respiratory burst and gp91 level.The application of diagnostic technology from function, protein to gene analysis could help precise diagnosis of CGD.

Axillary fine needle aspiration cytology is a sensitive and highly specific technique for the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of axillary lymphadenopathy is a helpful tool in the pre-operative diagnosis of breast cancer patients with axillary lymphadenopathy. To date, no published meta-analysis or systematic review has been performed to assess its overall value. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to establish the overall diagnostic value of FNAC for axillary lymph node metastasis. METHODS: After a review and quality assessment of 31 studies, published either in Chinese or English, the sensitivity, specificity and other measurements of accuracy of FNAC of axillary lymphadenopathy were pooled using random-effects models. A summary of the receiver-operating characteristic curves was used to summarize overall accuracy. RESULTS: We provided the following estimated values for FNAC in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis: sensitivity, 0.63 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61-0.65]; specificity, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99-0.99); positive likelihood ratio, 26.52 (95% CI, 18.42-38.18); negative likelihood ratio, 0.34 (95% CI, 0.29-0.40); diagnostic odds ratio, 76.73 (95% CI, 51.98-113.28). CONCLUSIONS: FNAC has adequate sensitivity and high specificity in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis. A positive axillary FNA result could potentially alter disease management.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with increased risk of preterm birth: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Although several epidemiological studies reported that maternal chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection had significantly increased risk of undergoing adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes, studies on the relationship between HCV infection and risk of preterm birth (PTB) have yielded inconclusive and inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between HCV infection and PTB. The electronic database was searched until 1 September 2014. Relevant studies reporting the association between HCV infection and the risk of PTB were included for further evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using revmen 5.3 and stata 10.0. Nine studies involving 4186698 participants and 5218 HCV infection cases were included. A significant association between HCV infection and PTB was observed (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% CI 1.48-1.76, P < 0.001, fixed-effects model). Stratification according to maternal smoking/alcohol abuse, maternal drug abuse or coinfected with HBV and/or HIV matched groups still demonstrated that women with HCV infection had a high risk for PTB. Findings from our meta-analysis suggested that maternal HCV infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of PTB. In the future, pathophysiological studies are warranted to ascertain the causality and explore the possible biological mechanisms involved.

A portable microfluidic device for the rapid diagnosis of cancer metastatic potential which is programmable for temperature and CO2.

If metastasis of lung cancer can be found and treated early, a victim might have an improved chance to prevail over it, but routine examinations such as chest radiography, computed tomography and biopsy cannot characterize the metastatic potential of lung cancer cells; critical diagnoses to define optimal therapeutic strategies are thus lost. We designed a portable microfluidic device for the rapid diagnosis of cancer metastatic potential. Featuring a micro system to control temperature and a bicarbonate buffered environment, our device discriminates a rate of surface detachment as an index of the migratory ability of cells cultured on pH-responsive chitosan. We labeled metastatic subpopulations of lung cancer cell lines, and verified that our device is capable of separating cells according to their metastatic ability. As only few cells are needed, a patient's specimen from biopsies, e.g. from fine-needle aspiration, can be processed on site to offer immediate information to physicians. We expect that our design will provide valuable information in pre-operative evaluations to assist the definition of therapeutic plans for lung cancer, as well as for metastatic tumors of other types.