[Surgical treatment and prognosis analysis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the surgical treatment effect and prognostic factors of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: This is an ambispective cohort study. From August 2005 to December 2022,data of 510 patients who diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and underwent surgical resection at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively collected. In the cohort,there were 324 males and 186 females,with an age of (M (IQR)) 63(13)years (range:25 to 85 years). The liver function at admission was Child-Pugh A (343 cases,67.3%) and Child-Pugh B (167 cases,32.7%). Three hundred and seventy-two(72.9%) patients had jaundice symptoms and the median total bilirubin was 126.3(197.6) µmol/L(range: 5.4 to 722.8 µmol/L) at admission. Two hundred and fourty-seven cases (48.4%) were treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage or endoscopic nasobiliary drainage before operation. The median bilirubin level in the drainage group decreased from 186.4 µmol/L to 85.5 µmol/L before operation. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors for R0 resection,and Cox regression was used to construct multivariate prediction models for overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS). Results: Among 510 patients who underwent surgical resection,Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients accounted for 71.8%,among which 86.1% (315/366) underwent hemi-hepatectomy,while 81.9% (118/144) underwent extrahepatic biliary duct resection alone in Bismuch-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients. The median OS time was 22.8 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 72.2%,35.6%,24.8% and 11.0%,respectively. The median DFS time was 15.2 months,and the DFS rates was 66.0%,32.4%,20.9% and 11.0%,respectively. The R0 resection rate was 64.5% (329/510), and the OS rates of patients with R0 resection at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 82.5%, 48.6%, 34.4%, 15.2%,respectively. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ complications was 26.1%(133/510) and the 30-day mortality was 4.3% (22/510). Multivariate Logistic regression indicated that Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅲ (P=0.009), hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection (P=0.001),T1 and T2 patients without vascular invasion (T2 vs. T1:OR=1.43 (0.61-3.35),P=0.413;T3 vs. T1:OR=2.57 (1.03-6.41), P=0.010;T4 vs. T1, OR=3.77 (1.37-10.38), P<0.01) were more likely to obtain R0 resection. Preoperative bilirubin,Child-Pugh grade,tumor size,surgical margin,T stage,N stage,nerve infiltration and Edmondson grade were independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients without distant metastasis. Conclusions: Radical surgical resection is necessary to prolong the long-term survival of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients. Hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection,regional lymph node dissection and combined vascular resection if necessary,can improve R0 resection rate.

Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 components and the risk of different types of preterm birth and the mediating effect of pregnancy complications: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to reveal the single and mixed associations of PM2.5 and its components with very, moderately, and late preterm births and to explore the potential mediating role of pregnancy complications in PM2.5-induced preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We enrolled 168,852 mothers and matched the concentrations of PM2.5 and its five components (OM, SO42-, BC, NO3-, and NH4+) based on their geographical location. Next, we used generalized linear models, quantile g-computation, and mediation analysis to evaluate the associations of PM2.5 and its components with very, moderately, and late preterm births and the mediating role of pregnancy complications. RESULTS: Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its components was associated with preterm birth, and the association was strongest in the third trimester. Preterm birth was associated with co-exposure to a mixture of PM2.5 components in the third trimester, and the contributions of NO3-, NH4+, and BC to the risk of preterm birth were positive. Meanwhile, pregnancy complications mediated PM2.5-induced preterm birth. Moreover, very and moderately preterm births were associated with PM2.5 and its components in the second and third trimesters, and very and late preterm births were associated with co-exposure to a mixture of PM2.5 components in the third trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Later exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy will cause earlier preterm birth. Targeted and positive interventions for anthropogenic sources of specific PM2.5 components and pregnancy complications are helpful for preterm birth prevention.

[Application and evaluation of artificial intelligence TPS-assisted cytologic screening system in urine exfoliative cytology].

Objective: To explore the application of manual screening collaborated with the Artificial Intelligence TPS-Assisted Cytologic Screening System in urinary exfoliative cytology and its clinical values. Methods: A total of 3 033 urine exfoliated cytology samples were collected at the Henan People's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Liquid-based thin-layer cytology was prepared. The slides were manually read under the microscope and digitally presented using a scanner. The intelligent identification and analysis were carried out using an artificial intelligence TPS assisted screening system. The Paris Report Classification System of Urinary Exfoliated Cytology 2022 was used as the evaluation standard. Atypical urothelial cells and even higher grade lesions were considered as positive when evaluating the recognition sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence-assisted screening systems and human-machine collaborative cytologic screening methods in urine exfoliative cytology. Among the collected cases, there were also 1 100 pathological tissue controls. Results: The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the AI-assisted cytologic screening system were 77.18%, 90.79% and 69.49%; those of human-machine coordination method were 92.89%, 99.63% and 89.09%, respectively. Compared with the histopathological results, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of manual reading were 79.82%, 74.20% and 95.80%, respectively, while those of AI-assisted cytologic screening system were 93.45%, 93.73% and 92.66%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of human-machine coordination method were 95.36%, 95.21% and 95.80%, respectively. Both cytological and histological controls showed that human-machine coordination review method had higher diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity, and lower false negative rates. Conclusions: The artificial intelligence TPS assisted cytologic screening system has achieved acceptable accuracy in urine exfoliation cytologic screening. The combination of manual screening and artificial intelligence TPS assisted screening system can effectively improve the sensitivity and accuracy of cytologic screening and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.

[Drug clinical comprehensive evaluation of tetrandrine in the treatment of pneumoconiosis].

Objective: To analyze the safety, effectiveness, economics, innovation, suitability and accessibility of tetrandrine in the treatment of pneumoconiosis, and provide evidence-based basis for health policy decision-making and clinical practice. Methods: In July 2022, the system searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed databases (the retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to June 30, 2022), screened the documents that meet the standards, extracted and evaluated the data, and used the "HTA checklist" developed by the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) to evaluate the HTA report. AMSTAR-2 Scale was used to evaluate the quality of systematic evaluation/Meta analysis. CHEERS Scale was used to evaluate the quality of pharmacoeconomics research. The included cohort study or case-control study was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The included randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool (Cochrane RCT) quality evaluation criteria. Comprehensive comparison and analysis based on the characteristics of the data included in the study. Results: A total of 882 related literatures were detected from the initial screening. According to relevant standards, 8 RCT studies were finally selected for analysis. Statistical results showed that basic treatment with tetrandrine could better improve FEV(1) (MD=0.13, 95%CI: 0.06-0.20, P<0.001), FEV(1)/FVC (MD=4.48, 95%CI: 0.61-8.35, P=0.02) and clinical treatment efficiency. Tetrandrine had a low incidence of adverse reactions. The affordability coefficient of tetrandrine tablets was 0.295-0.492. Conclusion: Tetrandrine can improve the clinical symptoms and pulmonary ventilation function of pneumoconiosis patients, most of the adverse reactions are mild, and the clinical application is safe.

[Surgical principles and the decision-making for peri-implant keratinized mucosa augmentation].

As effective modalities to improve the stability of peri-implant hard and soft tissue, keratinized mucosa augmentation has increasingly been applied in daily practice. Nonetheless, there is still lack of in-depth comprehensive discussion regarding the surgical risk factors, the decision-making strategy and the surgical principle. In this article, three routine procedures of peri-implant keratinized mucosa augmentation were introduced. The surgical principles were deeply discussed and summarized with five key principles. Based on the risk assessment of local factors, the effects of which were analyzed on keratinized mucosa augmentation comprehensively, the authors proposed a decision-making protocol for selection of surgical procedures in the end, intending to provide guidelines for clinical application.

[Summary of the 17th Chinese Symposium on Burn Medicine and the 2022 Congress of Burn Medicine Branch of China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare, and the 12th Academic Conference on Burn and Plastic Surgery in Five Provinces and One City in Southwest China].

The 17th Chinese Symposium on Burn Medicine and the 2022 Congress of Burn Medicine Branch of China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare, and the 12th Academic Conference on Burn and Plastic Surgery in Five Provinces and One City in Southwest China was successfully held in green city Nanning, from August 25th to 27th, 2022. The conference theme was "Burn treatment and wound repair", received nearly 200 submissions, nearly 1 100 online and offline registered delegates, and nearly 300 offline attendees. The meetings were held in one main venue and three branch venues, with combination of speaking offline and live and recorded broadcast, as well as whole process synchronous live broadcasting. During the meeting, key issues about burn treatment and wound repair were discussed, with warm academic atmosphere.

[HECTD2 Represses Cell Proliferation in Colorectal Cancer through Driving Ubiquitination and Degradation of LPCAT1].

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignancy featured by a poor overall survival and a high recurrence rate, whereas the biomarkers for CRC remain to be investigated. Herein, it was found that lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) was highly expressed in CRC, and LPCAT1 overexpression significantly promoted CRC cell proliferation, while it was reversed by LPCAT1 depletion. In addition, HECT domain-containing 2 (HECTD2) protein was determined as a post-translational mediator of LPCAT1 because HECTD2 co-immunoprecipitated with high ubiquitinated LPCAT1. Furthermore, upregulated LPCAT1 rescued the impairment of CRC cell proliferation caused by HECTD2 overexpression. In conclusion, our findings supported HECTD2/LPCAT1 axis as a potential prognostic biomarker in CRC.

[Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To study the surgical safety and efficacy of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with anti-angiogenic drugs in patients with China liver cancer staging(CNLC)-Ⅱb and Ⅲa resectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: The data of 129 patients with Ⅱb and Ⅲa hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2020 were analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups: the neoadjuvant therapy group(n=14,13 males and 1 female,aged (55.4±12.6)years(range:34 to 75 years)) received immune combined targeted therapy before surgery,immune checkpoint inhibitor camrelizumab was administered intravenously at a dose of 200 mg each time,every 2 weeks for 3 cycles,anti-angiogenesis drug apatinib was taken orally and continuously with a dose of 250 mg for 3 weeks and the conventional surgery group(n=115,103 males and 12 females,aged (55.8±12.0)years(range:21 to 83 years)) did not receive antitumor systemic therapy before surgery. There were 3 patients with CNLC-Ⅱb,11 with CNLC-Ⅲa in the neoadjuvant group;28 patients with CNLC-Ⅱb,87 with CNLC-Ⅲa in the conventional group. Student's t test or rank-sum test was used to compare the differences between two groups for quantitative data, Fisher's exact probability method was used to compare the differences of proportions between two groups, and Log-rank test was used to compare survival differences between two groups. Results: The 1-year recurrence rate in the neoadjuvant group was 42.9%,and the 1-year recurrence rate in the conventional group was 64.0%,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(χ²=3.850,P=0.050);The 1-year survival rate in the neoadjuvant group was 100% and that in the conventional group was 74.2%,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(χ²=5.170,P=0.023). According to the stratified analysis of the number of tumors,for single tumor,the 1-year recurrence rate in the neoadjuvant group was 25.0%,and that in the conventional surgery group was 71.0%,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(χ²=5.280, P=0.022). For multiple tumors, the 1-year recurrence rate in the neoadjuvant group was 66.7%,and the 1-year recurrence rate in the conventional surgery group was 58.9%,with no significant difference between the two groups(χ²=0.110,P=0.736). The operative time,intraoperative blood loss,and postoperative hospital stay in the neoadjuvant group were similar to those in the conventional group,and their differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with anti-angiogenic targeted drugs as a neoadjuvant therapy for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma can reduce the 1-year recurrence rate and improve the 1-year survival rate,especially for those with solitary tumor. Limited by the sample size of the neoadjuvant group,the safety of immune combined targeted therapy before surgery cannot be observed more comprehensively,and further studies will be explored.

[Evaluation of the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province-based on interrupted time series].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province. Methods: Information on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was collected through the National Population Health Science Data Center and the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. In addition, the trend of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate in Gansu province before and after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program was analyzed using an interrupted time-series design. Results: The annual reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was 0.448/per 100 000. However, after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program in Gansu province in 2008, the amount of change in the level of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was -2.223/per 100 000 (t=-2.90, P=0.007), the amount of change in the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was 0.082 (t=2.87, P=0.008) with the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate as 0.071 (ß1+ß3=0.071). Conclusions: The Japanese encephalitis vaccine has achieved good prevention and control effects in Gansu province in the short term after its inclusion in the expanded immunization program, but outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis have still occurred. Therefore, in the future, Gansu province should promptly adjust the immunization strategy of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and strengthen the vaccination of the adult population, especially the rural adult population in the southeastern region of Gansu province, based on the continued focus on the works on Japanese encephalitis vaccination for children and adolescents.

[A case of microvascular anomalies in myopic retinoschisis].

It is a case found during routine reexamination one year after implantable Collamer lens (ICL) implantation. The patient had no complaints. The naked eye visual acuity of the left eye was 1.0, and abnormal blood vessels were seen in the supranasal retina. After fluorescein fundus angiography and sweep source OCTA, it was finally diagnosed as retinoschisis with microvascular anomalies of the left eye. This case suggests that the fundus of patients with high myopia without complaint should also be examined in detail and comprehensively. In addition to paying attention to peripheral retinopathy, the posterior pole and middle peripheral retina should be carefully examined, especially the areas that cannot be covered by conventional OCT.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 944-945).

[Initial exploration of transfusion-free liver transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transfusion-free techniques on the prognosis of liver transplant patients. Methods: The recipients of adult liver transplantation at Tianjin First Central Hospital from August to December 2019 were included in the clinical observation. Liver transplantation without allogeneic blood transfusion was performed through anesthesia management techniques such as acute hemodilution or phlebotomy without volume replacement,maintaining decreased baseline central venous pressure and cell saver. According to the actual results,the patients were divided into two groups: transfusion-free group(n=21) and allogeneic transfusion group(n=28). There were 13 males and 8 females aged of (56.3±11.6) years in the transfusion-free group;and there were 16 males and 12 females aged (54.3±14.2)years in the allogeneic transfusion group. The transplant recipients who had not adopted transfusion management strategy from January to July 2019 were included as control group(27 males and 13 females,aged of (58.9±14.1)years). The clinical data of patients in perioperative period were collected to compare whether there were differences in the recovery of liver function and early complications among the three groups, one-way ANOVA test, rank-sum test, and χ2 test were used for data analysis. Results: The amount of intraoperative blood loss in both the transfusion-free group and the transfusion group was less than that in the control group((454.2±271.3)ml vs.(673.6±333.4)ml vs.(890.3±346.7)ml;q=-6.342,-5.286,both P<0.05).The duration of stay in ICU of the transfusion-free group was less than that of the transfusion group and control group((36.4±9.1)hours vs.(44.3±14.9)hours vs.(58.2±21.1)hours;q=-4.432,-3.824,both P<0.05).The mean ALT level at 7 days after operation was significantly lower in the transfusion-free group than in the control group((56.8±32.1)U/L vs.(89.6±45.6)U/L;q=-3.358,P<0.05). Conclusions: The improvement of multi-disciplinary transfusion management technology aimed at transfusion-free liver transplantation can effectively reduce intraoperative hemorrhage and help to avoid surgical transfusion. Transfusion-free liver transplantation is beneficial to the early postoperative recovery,and its long-term clinical significance is worthy of further clinical research.

[Surgical treatment of primary liver cancer:a report of 10 966 cases].

Objective: To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of primary liver cancer. Methods: The clinical data of 10 966 surgically managed cases with primary liver cancer, from January 1986 to December 2019 at Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, were retrospectively analyzed. The life table method was used to calculate the survival rate and postoperative recurrence rate. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival process of different groups, and the Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. In addition, 2 884 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with more detailed follow-up data from 2009 to 2019 were selected for survival analysis. Among 2 549 patients treated with hepatectomy, there were 2 107 males and 442 females, with an age of (56.6±11.1) years (range: 20 to 86 years). Among 335 patients treated with liver transplantation, there were 292 males and 43 females, with an age of (51.0±9.7) years (range: 21 to 73 years). The outcomes of hepatectomy versus liver transplantation, anatomic versus non-anatomic hepatectomy were compared, respectively. Results: Of the 10 966 patients with primary liver cancer, 10 331 patients underwent hepatectomy and 635 patients underwent liver transplantation. Patients with liver resection were categorized into three groups: 1986－1995(712 cases), 1996－2008(3 988 cases), 2009‒2019(5 631 cases). The 5-year overall survival rate was 32.9% in the first group(1986－1995). The 5-year overall survival rate of resected primary liver cancer was 51.7% in the third group(2009-2019), among which the 5-year overal survival rates of hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and mixed liver cancer were 57.4%, 26.6% and 50.6%, respectively. Further analysis was performed on 2 549 HCC patients with primary hepatectomy. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 88.1%, 71.9%, 60.0%, and 41.0%, respectively, and the perioperative mortality rate was 1.0%. Two hundred and forty-seven HCC patients underwent primary liver transplantation, with 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates of 84.0%, 64.8%, 61.9%, and 57.6%, respectively. Eighty-eight HCC patients underwent salvage liver transplantation, with the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates of 86.8%, 65.2%, 52.5%, and 52.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival rates between the two groups with liver transplantation (P>0.05). Comparing the overall survival rates and recurrence rates of primary hepatectomy (2 549 cases) with primary liver transplantation (247 cases), the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates in patients within Milan criteria treated with hepatectomy and transplantation were 96.3%, 87.1%, 76.9%, 54.7%, and 95.4%, 79.4%, 77.4%, 71.7%, respectively (P=0.754). The 1-, 3-, 5-year recurrence rates were 16.3%, 35.9%, 47.6% and 8.1%, 11.7%, 13.9%, respectively(P<0.01). The 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-year overall survival rates in patients with no large vessels invasion beyond the Milan criteria treated with liver resection and transplantation were 87.2%, 65.9%, 53.0%, 33.0% and 87.6%, 71.8%, 71.8%, 69.3%, respectively(P=0.003); the 1-, 3-, 5-year recurrence rate were 39.2%, 57.8%, 69.7% and 29.7%, 36.7%, 36.7%, respectively (P<0.01). The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates in patients with large vessels invasion treated with liver resection and transplantation were 62.1%, 36.1%, 22.2%, 15.0% and 62.9%, 31.8%,19.9%, 0, respectively (P=0.387); the 1-, 3-, 5-year recurrence rates were 61.5%, 74.7%, 80.8% and 59.7%, 82.9%, 87.2%, respectively(P=0.909). Independent prognostic factors for both overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates of HCC patients treated with liver resection included gender, neoadjuvant therapy, symptoms, AST, intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusion, tumor number, tumor size, cirrhosis, macrovascular invasion, microvascular invasion, and pathological differentiation. Propensity score matching analysis of 443 pairs further showed that there was no significant difference in overall survival rate between anatomical liver resection and non-anatomical liver resection(P=0.895), but the recurrence rate of non-anatomical liver resection was higher than that of anatomical liver resection(P=0.035). Conclusions: In the past decade, the overall survival rate of HCC undergoing surgical treatment is significantly higher than before. For HCC patients with good liver function reservation, surgical resection can be performed first, and salvage liver transplantation can be performed after recurrence. The effect of salvage liver transplantation is comparable to that of primary liver transplantation. As for the choice of liver resection approaches, non-anatomical resection can reserve more liver tissue and can be selected as long as the negative margin is guaranteed.

[Later approach sinus floor elevation using deproteinized bovine bone mineral with staged implant placement: follow-up for more than 3 years in a prospective clinical study].

Objective: To evaluate clinical effect of deproteinized bovine bone for delayed implantation after fenestration. Methods: This trial is a continuation of a prospective clinical trial. From May 2011 to February 2015 in Department of Implantology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University after planting division of 55 cases of maxillary teeth missing area of residual alveolar bone height ≤5 mm patients. There were 21 female and 34 male patients, their average age were (55.2±7.1) years. A total of 62 side fenestration of maxillary sinus floor lift, clinical and imaging examination, evaluation of implant retention rate, complications, peripheral soft tissue health and marginal bone resorption. Results: A total of 82 implants were followed up in 41 patients. The average follow-up time was (51.8±14.3) months (36-78 months). The follow-up rate of the maxillary sinus was 75.8% (47/62), the follow-up rate of the implant was 73.9% (82/111), and the implant survival rate was 98.8% (81/82). The bone resorption results at the implant margins were (0.64±0.63) mm (-0.28 mm, 1.47 mm) in the near and (0.49±0.73) mm (-0.51 mm, 1.21 mm) in the far, the improved hemorrhage index was 0.46±0.72, the improved plaque index was 0.60±0.87, and the keratinized mucosa width was (2.14±1.22) mm. The incidence rate of peri-implant mucositis was 28.4% (23/81) among 23 implants, and there was no complication of peri-implant inflammation. Conclusions: This study shows that under the condition of insufficient sinus ridge spacing in the maxillary posterior area, it is feasible to use bovine bone alone to remove protein for delayed implantation of maxillary sinus floor elevation by windowing, and the clinical effect is reliable.

[Discussion on the curative effect and mechanisms of berberine in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver].

Objective: To observe the curative effects of berberine in rats with high-fat diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver and to further explore its possible mechanism. Methods: Twenty-six Sprague-Dawley rats (120-160 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (n = 8), model group (n = 10) and treatment group (n = 8). Rats in the control group were fed with regular diet, and the model group and the treatment group were fed a high-fat diet. At the 12th week, two rats in the in the model group were sacrificed to verify whether model was successful established. Subsequently, treatment group rats were given a gavage of berberine at a dose of 150 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) for 4 weeks, and the control and the model group rats were given the same dose of normal saline. Rats were sacrificed at week 16th. HE staining was used to observe the changes in the intestinal mucosa of rats. Sudan black B staining was used to observe the fatty changes in liver. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression level of occludin protein in the intestinal epithelium. A real-time 16S rDNA PCR method was used to measure the number of escherichia coli, bacteroides and faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the feces of rats. Results: Model group had a higher serum levels of endotoxin (0.288 ± 0.045) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (1.07 ± 0.11) than the control group (0.192 ± 0.049, 0.94 ± 0.07) (P < 0.05). Berberine intervention had significantly reduced endotoxin (0.213 ± 0.025) and TNF-α level (0.93 ± 0.07) (P < 0.05). The expression level of occludin protein was significantly lower in the intestinal mucosa of model group than that of control group (0.166 ± 0.014), and berberine had promoted the expression of occludin protein in intestinal mucosa (0.055 ± 0.009), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). At the same time, compared with the model group (7.29 ± 0.47), the number of bacteroidetes in the control group (9.49 ± 0.59) was decreased, while the number of bacteroidetes in the treatment group was increased (9.77 ± 0.87). The number of escherichia coli (6.92 ± 0.77) and faecalibacterium prausnitzii (8.70 ± 0.62) in the model group were increased than control group (5.42 ± 0.63, 9.49 ± 0.59), while the number of escherichia coli (6.34 ± 0.71) and faecalibacterium prausnitzii (9.77 ± 0.87) (P < 0.05) was reduced with the intervention of berberine. Conclusion: Berberine could effectively protect the intestinal barrier function in rats with NAFLD and the possible mechanism of action behind it may be the regulation of intestinal flora.

[Establishment of animal model of bacterial microleakage at implant-abutment interface].

Objective: To study the bacterial microleakage at the interface between dental implant and abutment in rats. Methods: Under aseptic conditions, suspension of 0.25 µl of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) (10(9) CFU/ml) was added into the customized implant. After the abutment was connected, the suspension was cultured in an Ep (eppendorf) tube containing 1 ml brain heart infusion (BHI) culture medium. After 7 days and 14 days, the liquid in the Ep tube was taken and inoculated, and the growth of bacteria was observed. Six male SD rats with 12 implants were divided into experimental group (4 implants), negative control group (4 implants) and blank control group (4 implants). All 6 rats had two implants implanted in their bilateral upper jaws. During the second operation, suspension of 0.25 µl Pg (10(9) CFU/ml) was added to the inner part of the implant of the experimental group, culture solution of 0.25 µl was added to the control group and nothing was added to the blank control group. The amount of Pg and total bacteria in each group were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The inflammatory cell infiltrate in the peri-implant mucosa was evaluated histomorphometrically. Results: The in vitro model directly verified the presence of bacterial microleakage at implant-abutment interface (IAI), and the animal model confirmed the existence of microleakage through the infiltrate of inflammatory cells near the micro-gap in the experimental group indirectly. In vitro experiments found that Pg had penetrated from the implant within a week by observation and culture. In animal study, the presence of 10(2)-10(4) Pg was detected in the experimental group and it was not detected in the negative control group and the blank control group. At the same time, under the light microscope, in the experimental group, there were inflammatory cells aggregation in the connective tissue around the micro-gap and the density of inflammatory cells gradually decreased from the micro-gap to coronal and the apical of the connective tissue, while there were only scattered inflammatory cells in the connective tissue around the blank control group and the negative control group. In the experimental group, inflammatory cells density in area of 0.25-0.50 mm, 0-0.25 mm coronal to the micro-gap and 0-0.25 mm, 0.25-0.50 mm apical to the mico-gap was respectively, 976 (655), 1 673 (1 245), 2 267 (819) and 895 (162) cells/mm(2),which was significantly more than the blank control group in the corresponding position [respectively 201 (180), 321 (351), 309 (236) and 218 (272) cells/mm(2)] (P<0.05). Conclusions: Pg in the dental implants of rats can be found in the microleakage through implant-abutment interface, and cause the soft tissue inflammation around the implant, and the inflammation has certain distribution characteristics.

[The fundus autofluorescence of retinal astrocytic hamartomas in tuberous sclerosis complex].

Objective: To investigate the autofluorescence findings of retinal astrocytic hamartoma (RAH) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Twenty-three patients (35 eyes) who were referred to Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital between November 2012 and June 2018 with established TSC-associated RAH diagnosis were included. The findings of fundus autofluorescence, fundus photos and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were retrospectively reviewed. RAH lesions were classified into three types based on the morphology shown in fundus photos. The fundus autofluorescence features of TSC-associated RAH were described. The Welch's test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The patients were 8 males and 15 females aged (28±9) years old (range, 15-55 years). Seventy-two RAH lesions were examined, including 59 type 1 RAHs, 7 type 2 RAHs and 6 type 3 RAHs. According to fundus autofluorescence, type 1 RAHs could be further divided into reduced, speckled and background autofluorescence patterns, among which the hypoautofluorescence pattern accounted for the majority (69.5%, 41/59), while the speckled pattern was usually accompanied by outer retinal disorganization and discontinuation of photoreceptor outer segment as revealed by SD-OCT. No significant difference was revealed in tumor thickness for reduced, speckled and background autofluorescence patterns of type 1 RAHs [(490.2±97.9) vs. (589.2±221.6) vs. (463.0±76.2) µm respectively, F=1.426, P=0.283]. Among type 1 RAHs, the number of reduced autofluorescence pattern lesions found in perifoveal, peripapillary, inferonasal, inferotemporal, superonasal, superotemporal quadrants were 9, 4, 4, 7, 4, 13 respectively, while that of speckled autofluorescence pattern lesions were 3, 0, 3, 2, 3, 2 and background autoflurorescence pattern lesions 3, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0. No significant difference was revealed in location distribution (P=0.452) either. Type 2 RAHs featured numerous hyperautofluorescent spots or plaques, and calcification in type 2 RAHs varied in autofluorescence intensity. Type 3 RAHs, combining the features of type 1 and 2 RAHs, were characterized by central hyperautofluorescent spots and hypoautoflurescent rim, but the area of hyperautofluorescence was smaller than that of calcification as shown in fundus photos. Conclusions: In TSC, the fundus autofluorescence of RAHs varies from hypoautofluorescence to hyperautofluorescence patterns according to RAH types. The retinal involvement and calcification degree of TSC-associated RAHs could be reflected on the autofluorescence, which was beneficial to the full assessment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 211-216).

[Application of polyetheretherketone and its composite as frameworks in fixed dental prostheses].

Characterized by eminent mechanical properties, chemical stability and biosafety, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), as a brand-new type of biomedical material, has been applied in the field of stomatology. This review elaborates on basic behaviors and fabrication methods of PEEK and its composite, and their application in fixed dental prostheses (FDP) as frameworks as well as their adhesive properties. Meanwhile, this review also looks into the prospect of the integration of additive manufacturing in fabricating frameworks of PEEK and its composite in FDP.

[The correlation of ganglion cell layer thickness with visual field defect in non-functional pituitary adenoma with chiasm compression].

Objective: To investigate the consequences of the thickness of ganglion cell layer (GCL) and visual field defect of non-functional pituitary adenoma with chiasm compression. Methods: A case control study. The study included 40 (80 eyes) non-functional pituitary adenoma patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2015 to February 2017. Twenty patients (no visual field defect group, 40 eyes) of them were detected to be chiasm compressed or touched by the adenoma with no visual field defect detected, and the other 20 patients (visual field defect group, 40 eyes) were the sex-and-age matched pituitary adenoma patients with bitemporal heminopsia. This study also included 20 (control group, 40 eyes) sex-and-age matched healthy controls. The para-papillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in 6 quadrants including nasal, temporal, nasal superior, temporal superior, nasal inferior and temporal inferior as well as the macular GCL thickness and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in 4 quadrants including nasal superior, nasal inferior, temporal superior and temporal inferior were measured. The non-parametric test was used to compare the RNFL, GCL and GCIPL thickness among the three groups. Results: The mean age among the three groups was (46±10) years and the difference among the three groups was not significant (P=0.88). The sex ratio of the three groups was 9∶11 (male∶female) and the difference among the three groups was not significant. The mean axial length among the three groups was (23.22±0.90) mm and the difference among the three groups was not significant (P=0.51). The thickness of para-papillary RNFL of temporal superior, temporal, nasal superior, nasal, nasal inferior quadrants and whole circumference was significantly thinner in the visual field defect group than the control group [(129.88±28.64) µm, (63.63±26.84) µm, (88.08±32.16) µm, (50.68±19.99) µm, (92.48±25.06) µm, and (85.00±20.65) µm vs. (141.10±18.95) µm, (79.12±16.78) µm, (113.68±21.28) µm, (69.67±14.23) µm, (117.80±31.32) µm, and (102.80±9.68) µm, t=2.26, 3.06, 4.14, 4.84, 4.25, 4.88, all P<0.05]. In the nasal quadrant, the para-papillary RNFL of the no visual field defect group was significantly thinner compared with the control group [(61.45±9.83) µm vs. (69.67±14.23) µm, t=2.97, P<0.05]. The total GCL thickness was (30.48±5.42) µm in the visual field defect group, (31.35±2.77) µm in the no visual field defect group, thinner than that in the control group [(33.32±2.92) µm, t=2.92, 3.62; both P<0.05]. The total GCIPL thickness showed no significant difference among the three groups (P=0.07). In the superior and inferior temporal quadrants, the GCL and GCIPL thickness showed no significant difference among the three groups (all P>0.05). In the superior and inferior nasal quadrants, the GCL thickness was (29.41±5.97) µm, and (28.47±5.13) µm in the visual field defect group, (31.15±3.27) µm and (30.61±2.96) µm in the no visual field defect group, and (34.23±3.16) µm and (32.97±2.78) µm in the control group. The GCL thickness in the nasal quadrant was thinner in the visual field defect group (t=4.45, 4.82)and the no visual field defect group(t=4.23, 3.63) than in the control group (all P<0.01). However, no significant difference in GCL thickness was detected between the visual field defect group and the no visual field defect group (both P>0.05). In the superior and inferior nasal quadrants, the GCIPL thickness was (54.06±10.50) µm and (51.77±9.18) µm in the visual field defect group, (58.03±4.00) µm and (56.23±5.37) µm in the no visual field defect group, and (62.26±7.11) µm and (59.39±6.64) µm in the control group. The GCIPL thickness was thinner in the nasal quadrant in the visual field defect group than in the control group (t=3.95, 4.20, both P<0.01). Only in the Superior nasal quadrant, the GCIPL was significantly thinner in the no visual field defect group than the control group (t=3.25, P<0.01). Conclusion: The optic GCL may get thinner in pituitary nonfunctional adenoma with chiasm compression patients without the RNFL layer thinning and visual field defect. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 186-194).