CT quantification of pulmonary vessels in lung aging.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of aging on pulmonary vessels based on computed tomography (CT) quantification and analyse the correlation between quantitative pulmonary vascular volume and pulmonary function during aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 330 healthy adult volunteers, including 161 men (53 aged 20-39 years, 61 aged 40-59 years, and 47 aged ≥60 years) and 169 women (53 aged 20-39 years, 63 aged 40-59 years, and 53 aged ≥60 years) were recruited in this study. AVIEW software was used to quantitatively measure pulmonary vascular volume, including pulmonary total blood vessel volume (TBV) and small blood vessel volume with a cross-sectional area of <5 mm2 (BV5). Pulmonary vascular volume parameters were standardised using the ratio of vascular volume to the body surface area (BSA; TBV/BSA and BV5/BSA). Subsequently, the effect of aging on the pulmonary vessels was analysed. RESULTS: The pulmonary vascular volume parameters TBV/BSA and BV5/BSA of the whole lung, right lung, and left lung decreased significantly with increasing age (p<0.05). Additionally, TBV/BSA and BV5/BSA of the whole lung were higher in men than in women. The declining trend of pulmonary vascular volume was consistent in men and women and increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary vascular volume parameters, TBV/BSA and BV5/BSA, decreased with age and were weakly positively correlated with pulmonary function.

[Effects of miniature free groin perforator flaps in repairing small wounds on hands].

Objective: To investigate the effects of miniature free groin perforator flaps in repairing small wounds on hands. Methods: The retrospective observational study was conducted. Fifteen patients with 16 small wounds on hands were admitted to Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital from July 2020 to October 2022, including 12 males and 3 females, aged 19 to 56 years. The size of skin and soft tissue defect was 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 6.0 cm×3.0 cm after debridement. According to size and shape of the wounds, 13 single-lobe perforator flaps and 2 bilobed perforator flaps were designed in the groin region, with the flap size of 4.5 cm×2.5 cm to 7.5 cm×3.5 cm. According to the condition of the recipient area, the arteries and veins at the pedicle of the flap were anastomosed to the arteries and veins of the recipient area respectively. The wounds in the donor area of the flap was closed by layered and tension-reducing suture. The thickness of the flap was measured during operation. The survival of the flap was observed, and the complications in the donor and recipient areas were recorded after operation. The appearance and texture of the flap were observed during follow-up. At the last follow-up, the sensory recovery of the affected hand was evaluated, the function of the affected hand was evaluated according to the trial standard of the upper limb partial function evaluation of the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, the scar in the donor and recipient areas were observed, and the satisfaction of patients for the curative effects was inquired. Results: The thickness of the flap was ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 cm, with an average thickness of 0.6 cm. After operation, 11 single-lobe flaps and 2 bilobed flaps survived well; in the left 2 single-lobe flaps, one flap had venous crisis but returned to normal after removing stitches to reduce tension and bloodletting of flaps, while the other one flap had a little necrosis on tip but healed after dressing change. No complications occurred in donor and recipient areas. During follow-up of 8 to 35 months after operation, the flaps had good elasticity and soft texture; 8 flaps were slightly bloated and were trimmed 3 to 8 months after operation, while the appearances of the other flaps were good. At the last follow-up, all flaps recovered protective feeling; the function of the affected hand was evaluated as excellent in 10 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case; only linear scar remained in the donor and recipient areas; the patients were satisfied with the appearance and function recovery of the affected hand. Conclusions: The miniature free groin perforator flaps in repairing small wounds on hands have the advantages of high survival rate of flaps, hidden flap donor area, little damage, few complications, good repair effect, etc., showing clinical application value. It is recommended for repairing non-functional wounds on hands.

Screening and bioinformatics analysis of senile osteoporosis genes based on GEO database.

OBJECTIVE: Despite improvements in research on osteoporosis in the elderly, the specific mechanism remains unknown. In order to develop better treatment regimens with better efficacy and fewer adverse reactions (ARs), it is vital to unravel the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in the elderly. The GEO chip was used to screen differential genes in senile osteoporosis and analyze their interaction mechanisms in order to obtain potential therapeutic pathways and targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GSE35956 was downloaded from GEO database and used as the research object for KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, GO enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, respectively, to explore the related mechanisms of the occurrence and development of osteoporosis in the elderly. RESULTS: There were 156 differentially expressed genes in the elderly (72 years old) and middle-aged (42 years old) diagnosed with osteoporosis, of which 6 were up-regulated and 150 were down-regulated. An analysis of gene enrichment using GO (gene body) revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEG) were mainly distributed in extracellular matrix (ECM) and other cell structures. Its functions include ossification, parathyroid hormone metabolism, multicellular biological signaling pathway, vitamin catabolism, interleukisn-5 metabolism, transmembrane transporter activity, receptor signaling pathway, calcium metabolism and other molecular functions. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), an online resource, signaling pathways associated with age-related osteoporosis (OP) are significantly enriched. The DEG enrichment pathways include Wnt, ECM-receptor interaction, cGMP-PKG, GAG degradation, and calcium signaling. A protein and protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for 14 key genes, including CD44, GRIA1, KNG1 and IL7R. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that CD44, GRIA1, KNG1, IL7R, and other differential genes affect the Wnt signaling pathway in the elderly, which can provide new targets for the follow-up basic research and treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly.

[Establishment of a platelet production model by bone marrow cavity transplantation of mouse primary megakaryocytes].

Objective: To establish an intramedullary transplantation model of primary megakaryocytes to evaluate the platelet-producing capacity of megakaryocytes and explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Methods: Donor megakaryocytes from GFP-transgenic mice bone marrow were enriched by magnetic beads. The platelet-producing model was established by intramedullary injection to recipient mice that underwent half-lethal dose irradiation 1 week in advance. Donor-derived megakaryocytes and platelets were detected by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Results: The proportion of megakaryocytes in the enriched sample for transplantation was 40 to 50 times higher than that in conventional bone marrow. After intramedullary transplantation, donor-derived megakaryocytes successfully implanted in the medullary cavity of the recipient and produce platelets, which showed similar expression of surface markers and morphology to recipient-derived platelets. Conclusion: We successfully established an in vivo platelet-producing model of primary megakaryocytes using magnetic-bead enrichment and intramedullary injection, which objectively reflects the platelet-producing capacity of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.

[Retrospective analysis of 35 burn patients in different stages of pregnancy].

Objective: To summarize the clinical outcomes of burn patients in different stages of pregnancy and explore a rational therapeutic scheme for burns during pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From June 2010 to June 2020, 21 patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns of Wuhan Third Hospital and 14 patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Based on the pregnancy period when patients suffered burns, the 35 patients were divided into early pregnancy group with 18 patients (aged (26±4) years, with 8 (4, 11) weeks of gestation), middle pregnancy group with 10 patients (aged (26±3) years, with 21 (14, 27) weeks of gestation), and late pregnancy group with 7 patients (aged (30±5) years, with 32 (29, 35) weeks of gestation). All the patients received treatment including fluid resuscitation, anti-infection, wound treatment, and multidisciplinary comprehensive managements. The burn-related complications during the treatment, maternal outcomes, fetal outcomes, fetal delivery mode, gestational weeks at delivery, and newborn weight of patients in the 3 groups were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: During the treatment, there were 4, 4, and 2 patients who suffered wound infections and 1, 3, and 2 patients who developed shock symptoms, respectively, in early pregnancy group, middle pregnancy group, and late pregnancy group. There were no statistically significant differences in them among the 3 groups (P>0.05). One patient in late pregnancy group developed into multiple organ dysfunction syndrome after debridement. At last, all the pregnant women survived, and no statistically significant difference existed among the 3 groups (P>0.05). In early pregnancy group, middle pregnancy group, and late pregnancy group, the survived fetus cases were 9, 8, and 6, respectively, and the differences between them were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Variables including stillbirth and full-term birth were close in patients in the 3 groups (P>0.05), while the preterm birth and miscarriage in patients in the 3 groups were statistically different (P<0.05 or P<0.01), with the early pregnancy group having the most miscarriage cases and the fewest preterm birth cases. There were no statistically significant differences in fetal delivery mode, gestational weeks at delivery, and newborn weight among the patients with survived fetus in 3 groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: For patients suffering burns during early, middle, and late pregnancy, superior rates of maternal and fetal survival can be achieved after timely and adequate treatments including fluid resuscitation, anti-infection, wound treatment, and multidisciplinary comprehensive managements.

[Sex disparities in clinical characteristics of Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis].

Objective: To evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics between different genders of Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis(SSc). Methods: The data of SSc patients registered in Chinese Rheumatism Data Center between August 2008 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 1 844 patients with SSc were enrolled in the study. The ratio of males to females was 289 to 1 555. The onset age was (48.6±13.7) years in males and (45.5±13.1) years in females(P<0.001). Male patients represented shorter disease duration [2.0(0.0, 4.0)years vs.3.0(1.0, 7.0) years, P<0.001],higher proportion of diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) [63.0% (182/289)vs.44.2%(688/1 555), P<0.001]. Although more man patients experienced smoking [47.4%(137/289) vs. 1.7%(27/1 555), P<0.001] and exposure to harmful environments [7.6%(22/289) vs. 2.1%(33/1 555), P<0.001], there was no statistically significant difference in interstitial lung disease between male and female patients [69.3%(181/261) vs. 74.5%(1 085/1 457), P=0.084].Otherwise, Raynaud's phenomenon [87.7% (1 364/1 555) vs.75.4%(218/289), P<0.001], arthritis [11.1%(173/1 555) vs.6.9%(20/289), P=0.032], gastroesophageal reflux disease [22.0%(342/ 1 555) vs.13.1%(38/289), P=0.001], and leucopoenia [10.7(161/1 511)% vs. 6.1%(17/279), P=0.019] were more common in female patients, but finger ulcer was less common [22.5%(350/1 555) vs. 30.4%(88/289), P=0.004]. Antinuclear antibody(ANA) positivity rate [85.6%(1 310/1 531) vs. 78.6%(221/281), P=0.003], anti-RNP antibody positivity rate [23.1%(342/1 479) vs.14.0%(38/271), P=0.001], anti-SSA antibody positivity rate [28.2%(419/1 487) vs.13.9%(38/274), P<0.001] were higher in female patients. Physician's global assessment(PGA) scores [1.4 (1.0, 2.0) vs. 1.0 (0.3, 1.6), P<0.001] and modified Rodnan Skin Score(mRSS) [18.0 (9.5, 28.0) vs. 14.0 (5.0, 28.0), P=0.003] were higher in males. Conclusion: Even though male SSc patients account for a small proportion, more extensive skin involvement, finger ulcers and higher PGA are manifested in males. Physicians need pay attention to these clinical disparities between different genders in SSc.

Сyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor Parecoxib Reduces LPS-Induced Activation of BV2 Microglia Cells.

We studied the inhibitory effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor parecoxib on LPS-induced activation of BV2 microglia cells. The optimal dose of parecoxib (80 µmol/liter) was evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit-8. The cells were divided into the following groups: control (intact cells without treatment); LPS (treatment with 1 µg/ml LPS for 6 h), and experimental (pretreatment with 80 µmol/liter parecoxib for 24 h followed by incubation with 1 µg/ml LPS for 6 h). Cell morphology and proliferation and the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, pro-caspase-1, and IL-1ß were assessed. LPS induced significant morphological changes and decreased proliferation of primary BV2 cells in comparison with the control. These changes were prevented by parecoxib pretreatment. LPS significantly increased NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle activation and expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, pro-caspase-1, and IL-1ß in comparison with the control group; pretreatment with parecoxib prevented all these changes. Our results suggest that pretreatment with parecoxib inhibited LPS-induced activation of BV2 microglial cells and probably inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

[Agreement of EV-A71 neutralization assay: serial 4-fold versus 2-fold dilution comparison].

Objective: To evaluate consistency between 2-fold serial and 4-fold serial diluted neutralization tests against Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) in estimating titer, Geometric mean titer (GMT), seroprevalence, and seroincidence. Methods: Based on a prospective cohort of 1-9 years old children, mothers and infants established in Anhua County, Hunan Province, during 2013-2018, from which 92 participants with a total of 386 blood specimens were sampled and tested with a 2-fold serial dilution and a 4-fold serial dilution neutralization tests against EV-A71 at the same time. Agreement was estimated using the Bland-Altman method. Stratified analysis was conducted to estimate effect dilution approach on GMT, seroprevalence and seroincidence. Results: The mean difference (0.04, 95%CI:-0.02-0.10) between the two dilution approaches was not significant. However, the limits of agreement (LOA) (-1.12-1.21), with the 95% confidence interval of upper LOA (1.10-1.31) and of lower LOA (-1.22--1.02), significantly exceeded the Clinic accept interval (-1, 1) indicating insufficient agreement between the two approaches in practice. While the dilution approaches did not affect estimates of GMT of the total population and the positive population, and seroincidence with seroconversion only, the differences were 2, 6 and 2%, respectively (P>0.05). Estimates of seroincidence with at least 4-fold increase and seroconversion/4-fold increase were significantly higher using a 4-fold dilution neutralization test compared to the 2-fold dilution neutralization test with 8% (95%CI: 1%-12%) and 9% (95%CI: 1%-17%), respectively. Conclusion: The 2-dilution and 4-dilution neutralization tests yielded comparable results when estimating the population's GMT; however, the difference between the two is not negligible when assessing the seroincidence.

[Renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: clinicopathological and whole exome sequencing analyses].

Objective: To explore the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotype, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC), and to explore the all-exon mutations, microsatellite stability and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in MTSCC cases. Methods: The data of 5 patients with MTSCC that were submitted to the Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China from January 2008 to May 2020, were reviewed and analyzed. The whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted in all patients, while 3 of them were subject to the analyses of microsatellite stability and TMB. Results: Among the 5 patients, 3 were males and 2 were females. They were 37-76 years old. The maximum diameter of the tumor was 3.5-6.0 cm. The borders of the tumors were well defined. Microscopically, MTSCC was characterized by tubular structure, spindle cell and mucinous stroma, and the nuclear grade of tumor cells was overall low. The average follow-up was 15 months, and no recurrence or metastasis was found. Immunohistochemistry showed that all 5 cases were positive for broad-spectrum cytokeratin (CKpan), cytokeratin (CK)7, CK19, vimentin, PAX8, and P504s (varying expression levels), and the Ki-67 positive index was low. The WES of 5 cases showed that NF2 and PTPN14 exhibited higher mutation rates, which were 3/5 and 2/5, respectively. The microsatellite stability analysis indicated that the 3 cases were all microsatellite stable, and the TMB analysis showed that the TMB of the 3 cases were all <9 mut/Mb. Conclusions: MTSCC is a unique, low-grade pleomorphic kidney tumor. The WES analyses suggest that NF2 and PTPN14 have a higher mutation rate, indicating that the occurrence and development of MTSCC may be closely related to the Hippo pathway. The analysis of microsatellite stability indicates that there is no significant relationship between microsatellite stability and MTSCC, and the TMB analysis suggests that MTSCC patients may not benefit from immunotherapy.

[Curative effect analysis of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the failure factors of incomplete tumor ablation. Methods: Twenty-four cases with caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA in the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to October 2019 were enrolled. The ablation effect and complications conditions were recorded, and the primary technical effectiveness and local tumor progression (LTP) were evaluated. Results: Among 24 cases, 20 cases had complete ablation at one session, 4 cases had incomplete ablation, and after supplementary radiofrequency ablation all cases had achieved complete ablation. There was no evidence of local tumor progression in 24 cases after one-month postoperative evaluation. The primary technical effectiveness rate was 100%. The postoperative follow-up was 2 to 29 months (median follow-up time was 18 months). Of the 24 cases after ablation, LTP were detected in 11 cases, of which only 3 cases had distant intrahepatic recurrence, 1 case had distant intrahepatic recurrence and distant metastasis, and 5 cases had only distant metastasis, 2 cases died, and 4 cases had SIR grade B complications related to ablation. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was safe and effective for caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, the distance between the tumor and the inferior vena cava < 0.5cm is a suspected risk factor for incomplete ablation of caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma (P < 0.05).

[Implementation and controversies of enhanced recovery after surgery in pancreaticoduodenectomy].

The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) has been widely accepted and applied in clinical practice.However,as one of the most complex surgical procedures in abdominal surgery,pancreaticoduodenectomy is characterized by long operation time,high incidence rate of postoperative complications and delayed recovery,there still remain some controversies about application of ERAS approaches in perioperative managements of pancreaticoduodenectomy.Although more and more studies has revealed the safety and efficacy of ERAS approaches in pancreaticoduodenectomy,the implementation of ERAS approaches should be still individualized in clinical practice to ensure safety of the patients.

MOTS-c accelerates bone fracture healing by stimulating osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via positively regulating FOXF1 to activate the TGF-ß pathway.

The article "MOTS-c accelerates bone fracture healing by stimulating osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via positively regulating FOXF1 to activate the TGF-ß pathway, by F.-B. Weng, L.-F. Zhu, J.-X. Zhou, Y. Shan, Z.-G. Tian, L.-W. Yang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (24): 10623-10630-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201912_19759-PMID: 31858528" has been withdrawn from the authors due to inaccuracies during the process of organizing the images. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19759.

[Use of new diagnostic criteria for reclassification of polyarteritis nodosa].

With the recognition of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-related vasculitis and widespread vaccination against viral hepatitis B, the prevalence of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) varied considerably. In our study, patients diagnosed as polyarteritis nodasa (PAN)based on the 1990 American College of Rheumatology(ACR) criteria were reclassified using 2007 European Medicines Agency(EMA) algorithm modified by 2012 Chapel Hill Consensus Conference(CHCC) definitions, aiming to evaluate the new classification criteria for the diagnosis of PAN. A total of 113 PAN patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, who were classified into three subtypes including 9 patients with cutaneous, 80 with classic and 24 Hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated PAN. All patients were reclassified according to 2007 EMA algorithm using CHCC 2012 definitions. As a result, 7 patients were diagnosed as microscopic polyangiitis(MPA) and 19 patients with unclassified vasculitis based on the new classification criteria. The diagnostic rate of PAN was gradually declined as the classification criteria of vasculitides was update. However, there are quite a few PAN patients in China, whom rheumatologists should pay attention to the early diagnosis and treatment.

The optimal peripheral oxygen saturation may be 95-97% for post-cardiac arrest patients: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Current post-resuscitation guidelines recommend oxygen titration in adults with the return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest. However, the optimal peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) is still unclear for post-cardiac arrest care. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data of all cardiac arrest patients admitted to the intensive care units between 2014 and 2015. The main exposure was SpO2, which were interfaced from bedside vital signs monitors as 1-min averages, and archived as 5-min median values. The proportion of time spent in different SpO2 categories was included in separate multivariable regression models along with covariates. The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality and the proportion of discharged home as the secondary outcome was reported. RESULTS: 2836 post-cardiac arrest patients in ICUs of 156 hospitals were included. 1235 (44%) patients died during hospitalization and 818 (29%) patients discharged home. With multivariate regression analysis, the proportion of time spent in SpO2 of ≤89%, 90%, 91%, and 92% were associated with higher hospital mortality. The proportion of time spent in SpO2 of 95%, 96%, and 97% were associated with a higher proportion of discharged home outcome, but not associated with hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective observational study, the optimal SpO2 for patients admitted to the intensive care unit after cardiac arrest may be 95-97%. Further investigation is warranted to determine if targeting SpO2 of 95-97% would improve patient-centered outcomes after cardiac arrest.

[The therapeutic outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency therapy for subcardiac liver malignant tumor].

Objective: To examine the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of liver malignant tumor under subcardiac. Methods: The clinical data of 26 patients (31 tumors) with subcardiac liver malignant tumors who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation from January 2017 to October 2019 at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 males and 5 females. The age was 55 years old (range: 40 to 77 years old) .There were 14 cases of primary liver cancer and 12 cases of metastatic liver cancer. The maximum diameter of tumor was (2.3±1.0) cm (range: 1.0 to 4.2 cm) .According to the maximum diameter of the tumor, 1∶1 match was made between 27 non-subcardiac patients admitted at the same time and a total of 36 liver malignant tumors. subcardiac tumor is defined as tumor ≤1 cm from pericardium in sagittal or coronal imaging. The ablation effect and complications were recorded, and the one-time complete ablation rate, main technical efficiency and complications were evaluated. The preoperative baseline characteristics, ablation effect and complications of the two groups of patients were collected and counted. Single factor analysis and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the independent risk factors that affect the ablation effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for liver malignant tumors under subcardiac. Results: The one-time complete ablation rate of tumor after radiofrequency ablation was 80.8% (21/26) in the subcardiac group and 92.6% (25/27) in the non-subcardiac group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) . No evidence of local tumor progression was found in the follow-up evaluation of the two groups one month after radiofrequency ablation, and the main technical effective rate was 100%.Ablation-related complications occurred in 2 patients in the subcardiac group. Multivariate analysis both showed that the distance between tumor margin and pericardium ≤5 mm was an independent risk factor affecting radiofrequency ablation (OR=0.020, 95%CI: 0.001 to 0.454, P=0.014) . Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation can safely and effectively treat liver malignant tumor under subcardiac. When there is a tumor near the patient's heart (the distance between the edge of the tumor and pericardium is ≤5 mm) , special attention should be paid to formulate a detailed and reasonable ablation plan to minimize tumor residue.

[Efficacy and safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor α monoclonal antibodies in 16 patients with severe/refractory vasculo Behcet's disease].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for severe/refractory vasculo-Behcet's disease (BD). Method: The clinical data of severe/refractory vasculo-BD patients treated with anti-TNFα mAbs were retrospectively analyzed. Response of anti TNFα mAbs was analyzed. The dosage changes of glucocorticoid, the level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) before and after treatment were recorded, as well as side effects. Result: Sixteen patients were enrolled. Arterial lesions were reported in 12 patients, including 9 with arterial aneurysm, 6 with arterial dilation, 2 with stenosis and 2 with occlusion. Seven patients presented venous thrombosis, including lower extremity veins (n=6), cerebral venous sinus (n=2) and inferior vena cava system (n=2). Two cases had both arterial and venous involvement. Before the application of TNFα mAbs, all 16 patients failed to response to prednisone or its equivalent dose of 40 (7.5-90) mg/d in combination with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, thalidomide or azathioprine for median 4 (0-156) months. After a mean duration of treatment for (17.1±6.5) months, 15 patients achieved complete remission and 1 patient achieved partial remission. Three patients received surgery without any postoperative complications. After using anti TNFα mAbs, the dosage of prednisone [5(0-12.5)mg/d vs. 40(7.5-90)mg/d, P<0.01], ESR [(7.3±4.6) mm/1h vs. (33.5±26.7) mm/1h, P<0.01] and hsCRP [1.9(0.2-11.4) mg/L vs. 24.3(0.4-113.9) mg/L, P<0.01] were significantly decreased. Side effects were observed in 2 patients. One developed pulmonary infection 12 months after adalimumab with conventional treatment. Another patient had allergy to infliximab then switched to adalimumab. Conclusion: In combination with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, anti-TNF α mAbs are effective and well-tolerated in severe/refractory vasculo-BD, with a favorable steroid -sparing effect and rare postoperative complications.

[Advances in the research of diagnosis and treatment of ventilator-induced lung injury after burn].

As one of the important means for saving severely burned patients, mechanical ventilation can not only improve the function of important organs such as heart, lung, and kidney, but also stabilize the homeostasis of the body, thus promoting the recovery of patients. Improper use of mechanical ventilation, however, can lead to many complications, among which the ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) is one of the most common and serious complications, accompanying with a high mortality rate. The target of preventing VILI is to minimize the risk of lung injury caused by mechanical ventilation. This article reviews the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and early prevention and treatment of VILI caused by mechanical ventilation in burned patients.

MOTS-c accelerates bone fracture healing by stimulating osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via positively regulating FOXF1 to activate the TGF-ß pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the function of MOTS-c in accelerating bone fracture healing by inducing BMSCs differentiation into osteoblasts, as well as its potential mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary BMSCs were extracted from rats and induced for osteogenesis. The highest dose of MOTS-c that did not affect BMSCs proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. After 7-day osteogenesis, the relative levels of ALP, Bglap, and Runx2 in MOTS-c-treated BMSCs influenced by FOXF1 were examined. ALP staining and alizarin red S staining in BMSCs were performed as well. The interaction between FOXF1 and TGF-ß was analyzed by ChIP assay. At last, rescue experiments were performed to uncover the role of FOXF1/TGF-ß axis in MOTS-c-induced osteogenesis. RESULTS: 1 µM MOTS-c was the highest dose that did not affect BMSCs proliferation. MOTS-c treatment upregulated the relative levels of ALP, Bglap, and Runx2, and stimulated mineralization ability in BMSCs, which were attenuated by the silence of FOXF1. TGF-ß was proved to interact with FOXF1, and its level was positively mediated by FOXF1. The silence of FOXF1 attenuated the accelerated osteogenesis and TGF-ß upregulation in BMSCs because of MOTS-c induction, and these trends were further reversed by the overexpression of TGF-ß. CONCLUSIONS: MOTS-c treatment markedly induces osteogenesis in BMSCs. During MOTS-c-induced osteogenic progression, the upregulated FOXF1 triggers the activation of TGF-ß pathway, thus accelerating bone fracture healing.