Erratum: Corrigendum: Liu W-B, Wang C-Y, Tang Y-N, Wang Y, Pei W-X, Yan C-C (2024) Six new species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Nearctic region. ZooKeys 1200: 275-302. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1200.119225.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1200.119225.].

Six new species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Nearctic region.

Six new species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer, 1918, C.absum Liu, sp. nov., C.beardi Liu, sp. nov., C.dentatus Liu, sp. nov., C.ferringtoni Liu, sp. nov., C.parallelus Liu, sp. nov. and C.taylorensis Liu, sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on adult males. The specimens were collected from various water systems in the United States and preserved by Dr. Leonard Charles Ferrington Jr. An updated key to adult males of all known Cryptochironomus species in the Nearctic region is also provided.

New species, a new combination, and DNA barcodes of Parachironomus Lenz, 1921 (Diptera, Chironomidae).

The genus Parachironomus has a cosmopolitan distribution including 85 valid described species worldwide. Species records and studies of the genus in the Tibetan Plateau are scarce. In this study, the genus Parachironomus from China is revised and two new species, Parachironomuswangi Liu & Lin, sp. nov. and Parachironomusnankaiensis Liu & Lin, sp. nov., are described based on adult morphology and molecular data. Paracladopelmademissum Yan, Wang & Bu is placed in the genus Parachironomus as a new combination. A neighbor-joining tree was reconstructed based on all known ParachironomusCOI DNA barcodes. A key to adult males of the genus Parachironomus from China is also provided.

Immunoprotective effect of recombinant peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase from Babesia microti against B. microti infection in mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the immunoprotective effect of active immunization with recombinant peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase from Babesia microti against B. microti infection in mice. Methods Female BALB/c mice at 6 weeks of age, each weighing approximately 20 g, were divided into the recombinant protein immunization group, the infection control group and the normal control group, of 25, 18, 15 mice in each group, respectively. Mice in the recombinant protein immunization group were given active immunization with recombinant BmPPIase protein, and 18 mice with the highest antibody titers were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μL of B. microti-infected whole blood 2 weeks after the last immunization. Mice in the infection control group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μL of B. microti-infected whole blood, while 15 mice in the normal control group received no treatment. Blood samples were collected from mice in the recombinant protein immunization group and the infection control group on days 0 to 30 post-immunization for detection of B. microti infection, and blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post-immunization for routine blood tests with a blood cell analyzer and for detection of serum cytokines using cytometric bead array. Results Anti-BmPPIase antibodies were detected in 25 mice in the recombinant protein immunization group 2 weeks after the last immunization, with titers of 5 × 103 to 8 × 104. B. microti infection rate peaked in mice in both the recombinant protein immunization and the infection control group on day 7 post-immunization, with positive infection rates of 13.3% and 50.0%, and there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of B. microti infection rate on days 3 (χ2= 113.18, P < 0.01), 5 (χ2 = 475.22, P < 0.01), 7 (χ2 = 465.98, P < 0.01) and 9 post-infection (χ2= 18.71, P < 0.01), while the B. microti infection rate tended to be 0 in both groups on day 11 post-immunization. Routine blood tests showed higher red blood cell counts [(5.30 ± 0.50) × 1012 to (9.87 ± 0.24) × 1012 counts/L)] and hemoglobin levels [(89.67 ± 22.80) to (148.60 ± 3.05) g/L)] in the recombinant protein immunization group than in the infection control group on days 0 to 28 post-immunization. Cytometric bead array detected higher serum interferon-γ [(748.59 ± 17.56) to (3 858.28 ± 1 049.10) fg/mL], tumor necrosis factor-α [(6 687.34 ± 1 016.64) to (12 708.13 ± 1 629.79) fg/mL], interleukin (IL)-6 [(611.05 ± 75.60) to (6 852.68 ± 1 554.00) fg/mL] and IL-17a [(167.68 ± 185.00) to (10 849.27 ± 355.40) fg/mL] and lower IL-10 levels [(247.65 ± 138.00) to (18 787.20 ± 2 830.22) fg/mL] in the recombinant protein immunization group than in the infection control group during the study period. Conclusions Recombinant BmPPIase protein induces up-regulation of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and presents a high immunoprotective activity against B. microti infection in mice, which is a potential vaccine candidate protein.

Effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation at Neiguan (PC 6) on general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic lobectomy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TEAS) at Neiguan (PC 6) on general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic lobectomy.@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients of primary lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were divided to an observation group (33 cases, 1 case discontinued) and a control group (33 cases). In the observation group, TEAS at Neiguan (PC 6) was used 30 min before anesthesia induction till the end of surgery. The surgery time, maximum value of partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) and minimum value of oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the two groups were recorded. The dosage of propofol, sufentanil, remifentanil and dexmedetomidine were analyzed. Separately, before induction (T0), at the start of surgery (T1), thoracic exploration (T2) and lobectomy (T3), as well as 30 min (T4) and 60 min (T5) after lobectomy, the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), serum cortisol (Cor) and norepinephrine (NE) were measured. The time of post anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, ambulation, flatus, chest drainage and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The maximum value of PETCO2, the dosage of propofol and remifentanil in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the minimum value of SpO2 in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). At T1-T5, the MAP, HR, serum Cor and NE levels in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The ambulation time, the time for the flatus, chest drainage time, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P<0.001, P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#For the general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic surgery, TEAS at Neiguan (PC 6) relieves stress response, reduces opioids dosage and promotes postoperative recovery.

Specimen extraction through natural orifices with Cai tubes in gastrointestinal surgery: a single-institute series of 234 cases / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of Cai tube-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) in gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This was a descriptive case-series study. Inclusion criteria: (1) colorectal or gastric cancer diagnosed by preoperative pathological examination or redundant sigmoid or transverse colon detected by barium enema; (2) indications for laparoscopic surgery; (3) body mass index <30 kg/m2 (transanal surgery) and 35 kg/m2 (transvaginal surgery); (4) no vaginal stenosis or adhesions in female patients undergoing transvaginal specimen extraction; and (5) patients with redundant colon aged 18-70 years and a history of intractable constipation for more than 10 years. Exclusion criteria: (1) colorectal cancer with intestinal perforation or obstruction, or gastric cancer with gastric perforation, gastric hemorrhage, or pyloric obstruction; (2) simultaneous resection of lung, bone, or liver metastases ; (3) history of major abdominal surgery or intestinal adhesions; and (4) incomplete clinical data. From January 2014 to October 2022, 209 patients with gastrointestinal tumors and 25 with redundant colons who met the above criteria were treated by NOSES utilizing a Cai tube (China invention patent number:ZL201410168748.2) in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University. The procedures included eversion and pull-out NOSES radical resection in 14 patients with middle and low rectal cancer, NOSES radical left hemicolectomy in 171 patients with left-sided colorectal cancer, NOSES radical right hemicolectomy in 12 patients with right-sided colon cancer, NOSES systematic mesogastric resection in 12 patients with gastric cancer, and NOSES subtotal colectomy in 25 patients with redundant colons. All specimens were collected by using an in-house-made anal cannula (Cai tube) with no auxiliary incisions. The primary outcomes included 1-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and postoperative complications. Results: Among 234 patients, 116 were male and 118 were female. The mean age was (56.6±10.9) years. NOSES was successfully completed in all patients without conversion to open surgery or procedure-related death. The negative rate of circumferential resection margin was 98.8% (169/171) with both two positive cases having left-sided colorectal cancer. Postoperative complications occurred in 37 patients (15.8%), including 11 cases (4.7%) of anastomotic leakage, 3 cases(1.3%) of anastomotic bleeding, 2 cases (0.9%) of intraperitoneal bleeding, 4 cases (1.7%) of abdominal infection, and 8 cases (3.4%) of pulmonary infection. Reoperations were required in 7 patients (3.0%), all of whom consented to creation of an ileostomy after anastomotic leakage. The total readmission rate within 30 days after surgery was 0.9% (2/234). After a follow-up of (18.3±3.6) months, the 1-year RFS was 94.7%. Five of 209 patients (2.4%) with gastrointestinal tumors had local recurrence, all of which was anastomotic recurrence. Sixteen patients (7.7%) developed distant metastases, including liver metastases(n=8), lung metastases(n=6), and bone metastases (n=2). Conclusion: NOSES assisted by Cai tube is feasible and safe in radical resection of gastrointestinal tumors and subtotal colectomy for redundant colon.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, life-threatening malignant tumor. We present a report of a rare case of a 67-year-old male patient with MPM and severe abdominal pain, bloating, and bloody ascites as manifestations. The diagnosis was confirmed by cytology of ascites aspiration fluid and further verified by laparoscopic exploratory biopsy. The characteristics of signs and clinical manifestations in this case are less common. As everyone knows, asbestos exposure is usually associated with pleural mesothelioma, but only 6%-10% of malignant mesothelioma cases originate from the peritoneum, which is far less than pleural mesothelioma. Generally, its non-specificity provides a huge challenge to medical professionals in its diagnosis, and this is also the main reason for delayed diagnosis. Patients should be vigilant, even though no clear risk factor is observed.

Effects of less invasive surfactant administration versus intubation-surfactant-extubation on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: a single-center, retrospective study from China.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) and intubation-surfactant-extubation (InSurE) on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). METHODS: Neonates with respiratory distress syndrome requiring surfactant, with gestational age < 32 weeks and birth weight < 1500 g admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit from January 2018 to December 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. LISA and InSurE were used independently. The incidence of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, pre-discharge mortality, and need for mechanical ventilation (MV) within 72 h of birth were compared between LISA and InSurE group. Secondary outcomes including necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery, retinopathy of prematurity ≥ stage 3, patent ductus arteriosus requiring medical therapy or surgery, and length of hospitalization were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 148 included neonates, there were 46 and 102 infants in LISA group and InSurE group, respectively. There were no significant differences in BPD incidence, the severity of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, and the rate of MV within the first 72 h after birth between the two groups (P > 0.05, respectively). The incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery, retinopathy of prematurity ≥ stage 3, patent ductus arteriosus requiring medical therapy or surgery, and length of hospitalization did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: For surfactant administration among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome, LISA did not decrease bronchopulmonary dysplasia and severity of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The benefits of LISA would require further evaluations.

Reconstructing the New Aesthetic Mandibular Angle With Two-Crossed Ostectomy at the Inferior and Posterior Margin of the Mandible.

BACKGROUND: Several operative procedures have been introduced to reshape the aesthetic mandibular angle, but unaesthetic results have occurred now and then. Most studies focused only on the facial shape in frontal view but not on the new gonion angle and gonial position in lateral view. The authors describe a new and satisfactory surgical method of mandibular angle contouring to reconstruct the new aesthetic mandibular angle and reshape an oval face for the excessive prominence of the mandibular angle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The surgery was carried out with the two-crossed ostectomy at the inferior and posterior margin of the mandible, respectively. For 10 years from 2009 to 2019, the two-crossed ostectomy of mandibular angle has been performed in 1217 consecutive series of Chinese patients. The gonion angle degree, the facial width between the dual gonions, and the horizontal and vertical distances from the gonial point to auricular lobule were measured and recorded before and after an operation. RESULTS: After the two-crossed ostectomy, the patient's gonion angle significantly changed to 123 to 128 degrees in both women and men. The vertical distance from the horizontal line of the auricular lobule to the gonial point decreased by 2 to 2.5 cm markedly, and the gonial point became located at about 0.85 cm in front of the vertical line of the auricular lobule. The two-crossed ostectomy of the mandibular angle effectively reconstructed the new aesthetic gonion angle and gonial position, reshaped the oval face, and achieved a highly satisfactory result. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with excessively prominent mandibular angle, the two-crossed ostectomy at the mandibular ramus and the body could reconstruct the new aesthetic gonial angle and position, make the lower one third of the face attractive from the lateral and anterior perspectives, and deliver greater patient satisfaction and surgical safety.

[Study on anticoagulant material basis and mechanism of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel based on spectrum-effect relationship integrated molecular docking].

This study explored the anticoagulant material basis and mechanism of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel based on spectrum-effect relationship-integrated molecular docking. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel were established. Prothrombin time(PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) in mice in the low-and high-dose(5, 30 g·kg~(-1), respectively) Trichosanthis Semen, the shell, and kernel groups were determined as the coagulation markers. The spectrum-effect relationship and anticoagulant material basis of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel were analyzed with mean value calculation method of Deng's correlation degree(MATLAB) and the common effective component cluster was obtained. Then the common targets of the component cluster and coagulation were retrieved from TCMSP, Swiss-TargetPrediction, GenCLiP3, GeneCards, and DAVID, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment of the targets. The main anticoagulant molecular mechanism of the component cluster was verified by SYBYL-X 2.1.1. The spectrum-effect relationship of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel was in positive correlation with the dosage. The contribution of each component to anticoagulation was not the same, suggesting that the material basis for anticoagulation was different, but they have common effective components(i.e. common material basis), such as adenine(peak 3), uracil(peak 4), hypoxanthine(peak 6), xanthine(peak 9), and adenosine(peak 11). Network pharmacology showed that these components can act on multiple target proteins such as NOS3, KDR, and PTGS2, and exert anticoagulant effect through multiple pathways such as VEGF signaling pathway. They involved the biological functions such as proteolysis, cell component such as cytosol, and molecular functions. The results of molecular docking showed that the binding free energy of these components with NOS3(PDB ID: 1 D0 C), KDR(PDB ID: 5 AMN), and PTGS2(PDB ID: 4 COX) was ≤-5 kJ·mol~(-1), and the docking conformations were stable. Spectrum-effect relationship-integrated molecular docking can be used for the optimization, virtual screening, and verification of complex chemical and biological information of Chinese medicine. Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel have the common material basis for anticoagulation and they exert the anticoagulant through multiple targets and pathways.

Compterosmittia wangi sp. nov. from Oriental China (Diptera, Chironomidae).

A new species, Compterosmittia wangi Liu sp. nov. is described and illustrated as adult males. An updated key to males of Compterosmittia worldwide is presented.

Contribution to the knowledge of Rheotanytarsus pellucidus species group from China (Diptera, Chironomidae): three new and one newly recorded species.

Three new species, Rheotanytarsus ashei Yao & Liu sp. n., Rheotanytarsus pinderi Yao & Liu sp. n. and Rheotanytarsus vallenduuki Yao & Liu sp. n. are described and illustrated as adult males. Rheotanytarsus oss Cranston, 1997 is newly recorded and re-described from China. An updated key to males of Rheotanytarsus pellucidus species group is presented.

Effectiveness of quality of care for patients with type 2 diabetes in China: findings from the Shanghai Integration Model (SIM) / 医学前沿

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the quality of care of diabetes in Shanghai, China. A total of 173 235 patients with type 2 diabetes in 2017 were included in the analysis. Profiles of risk factors and intermediate outcomes were determined. The patients had a mean age of 66.43 ± 8.12 (standard deviation (SD)) years and a mean diabetes duration of 7.95 ± 5.53 (SD) years. The percentage of patients who achieved the target level for HbA1c (< 7.0%) was 48.6%. Patients who achieved the target levels for blood pressure (BP) < 130/80 mmHg and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) < 2.6 mmol/L reached 17.5% and 34.0%, respectively. A total of 3.8% achieved all three target levels, and the value increased to 6.8% with an adaptation of the BP target level (< 140/90 mmHg) for those over 65 years. Multivariable analysis identified the factors associated with a great likelihood of achieving all three target levels: male, young age, short diabetes duration, low body mass index, macrovascular complications, no microvascular complications, prescribed with lipid-lowering medication, and no prescription of antihypertensive medication. In conclusion, nearly 50% and one-third of the patients with diabetes met the target levels for HbA1c and LDL-c, respectively, with a low percentage achieving the BP target level. The percentage of patients who achieved all three target levels needs significant improvement.

Mechanism of hepatic fibrosis associated with Echinococcus: a review / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus infections, and this disorder may cause fibrosis of multiple vital organs, which may further progress into cirrhosis. Early-stage hepatic fibrosis is reversible, and unraveling the mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis induced by Echinococcus infections is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of early-stage hepatic fibrosis. Recently, the studies pertaining to hepatic fibrosis associated with Echinococcus infections focus on cytokines and immune cells. This review summarizes the advances in the mechanisms underlying host immune cells- and cytokines-mediated hepatic fibrosis in humans or mice following Echinococcus infections.

Progress and prospect of application of traditional Chinese medicine fingerprint (specific chromatogram) in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010-2020) / 南方医科大学学报

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia began to apply fingerprints (specific chromatogram) to quality control of traditional Chinese medicine in its 2010 edition, and in its 2015 and 2020 editions, new fingerprints (specific chromatogram) were added for improvement of the Pharmacopoeia-based national standards for drugs. This review analyzes the traditional Chinese medicine fingerprints (specific chromatogram) in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010-2020) in terms of the number of varieties listed, application of fingerprints (specific chromatogram), selection of evaluation method, determination method, the selection of extraction or preparation solvents of the test samples. With the expansion of the application of fingerprints (specific chromatogram), the evaluation indicators are constantly improving. The future development of the fingerprints (specific chromatogram) is also discussed in light of the selection of appropriate extraction or preparation solvents to obtain effective substances, which is the basis for the establishment of the fingerprints; multiple fingerprints for one drug based on different functional indications or basic sources, which expands the application of the fingerprints; addition of technical guidelines for traditional Chinese medicine fingerprints to standardize the use of the fingerprints; and the regular revision, update and application expansion of the fingerprints to ensure its essential role in quality control of traditional Chinese medicine.

Screening of effective antioxidant components from Trichosanthes extract and assessment of their antioxidant activity / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To screen the effective antioxidant components in Trichosanthes extract based on the mean value of Deng's correlation degree and assess the antioxidant activity of the identified components.@*METHOD@#High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to obtain the fingerprints of Trichosanthes extract, and the clearance rates of DPPH · and O2-· by 3, 9 and 27 mg/mL Trichosanthes extract were determined. The antioxidant spectrum effect of Trichosanthes extract was analyzed by calculating the mean value of Deng's correlation degree to screen the effective antioxidant component group. According to the contents of each known components in the antioxidant effective component group, mixed solutions of the components were prepared and tested for their clearance rates of DPPH · and O2-·.@*RESULTS@#The 36 common peaks in HPLC fingerprints of Trichosanthes extract showed different degrees of correlation with DPPH · and O2-· clearance. The common peaks with a correlation degree greater than the median value included peaks 21, 36, 8, 31, 14, 5, 27, 2, 24, 15, 18, 33, 22, 34, 35, 19, 28 and 25. The 5 components, namely kaempferol (peak 36), isoquercitrin (peak 8), luteolin (peak 31), rutin (peak 5) and apigenin (peak 35), were tentatively identified to constitute the effective antioxidant component group with a mass ratio 3∶2∶2∶ 1∶1 in Trichosanthes extract. The prepared mixed solutions of antioxidant effective component group (6.12, 2.04, and 0.68 μg/mL) showed clearance rates of DPPH · of 65.4%, 64.0% and 61.0%, and clearance rates of O2-· of 12.9%, 9.5% and 8.3%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#We identified the material basis for the antioxidant activity of Trichosanthes and screened the antioxidant effective component group in Trichosanthes extract.

Study on anticoagulant material basis and mechanism of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel based on spectrum-effect relationship integrated molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

This study explored the anticoagulant material basis and mechanism of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel based on spectrum-effect relationship-integrated molecular docking. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel were established. Prothrombin time(PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) in mice in the low-and high-dose(5, 30 g·kg~(-1), respectively) Trichosanthis Semen, the shell, and kernel groups were determined as the coagulation markers. The spectrum-effect relationship and anticoagulant material basis of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel were analyzed with mean value calculation method of Deng's correlation degree(MATLAB) and the common effective component cluster was obtained. Then the common targets of the component cluster and coagulation were retrieved from TCMSP, Swiss-TargetPrediction, GenCLiP3, GeneCards, and DAVID, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment of the targets. The main anticoagulant molecular mechanism of the component cluster was verified by SYBYL-X 2.1.1. The spectrum-effect relationship of Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel was in positive correlation with the dosage. The contribution of each component to anticoagulation was not the same, suggesting that the material basis for anticoagulation was different, but they have common effective components(i.e. common material basis), such as adenine(peak 3), uracil(peak 4), hypoxanthine(peak 6), xanthine(peak 9), and adenosine(peak 11). Network pharmacology showed that these components can act on multiple target proteins such as NOS3, KDR, and PTGS2, and exert anticoagulant effect through multiple pathways such as VEGF signaling pathway. They involved the biological functions such as proteolysis, cell component such as cytosol, and molecular functions. The results of molecular docking showed that the binding free energy of these components with NOS3(PDB ID: 1 D0 C), KDR(PDB ID: 5 AMN), and PTGS2(PDB ID: 4 COX) was ≤-5 kJ·mol~(-1), and the docking conformations were stable. Spectrum-effect relationship-integrated molecular docking can be used for the optimization, virtual screening, and verification of complex chemical and biological information of Chinese medicine. Trichosanthis Semen and its shell and kernel have the common material basis for anticoagulation and they exert the anticoagulant through multiple targets and pathways.

Prevalence and risk factors of Giardia lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and identify the risk factors of Giardia lamblia infections among patients with colorectal cancer in Henan Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed for questionnaire surveys among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Cancer Hospital during the period from March to July, 2021. Patients’ stool samples were collected, and the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene of G. lamblia was amplified in stool samples using nested PCR assay to characterize the parasite genotype. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the risk factors of G. lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients. Results A total of 307 colorectal cancer patients were investigated, including 176 males (57.3%) and 131 females (42.7%). PCR assay detected 8.1% [95% confidential interval (CI): (0.056, 0.117)] prevalence of G. lamblia infections among the study subjects, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence between men [9.1%, 95% CI: (0.057, 0.143)] and women [6.9%, 95% CI: (0.037, 0.125)] (χ2 = 0.495, P = 0.482). In addition, there was no age-specific prevalence of G. lamblia infections among the participants (χ2 = 1.534, P = 0.675). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified use of septic tanks [odds ratio (OR) = 3.336, 95% CI: (1.201, 9.267)], daily use of well water [OR = 3.042, 95% CI: (1.093, 8.465)] and raising livestock [OR = 3.740, 95% CI: (1.154, 12.121)] as risk factors of G. lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients, and the prevalence of abdominal pain was significantly greater in colorectal cancer patients with G. lamblia infections than in those without infections (P = 0.017). Among the 25 patients with G. lamblia infections, assemblage A was characterized in 24 (96.0%) cases and assemblage B in one case (4.0%). Conclusions The prevalence of G. lamblia is high among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Province, and assemblage A is the dominant genotype of G. lamblia. Use of septic tanks, daily use of well water and raising livestock are risk factors of G. lamblia infections among patients with colorectal cancer.

Comparison between laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery for left colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled study with 3-year follow-up results / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the mid-term efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) colectomy using the Cai tube in the treatment of left colorectal cancer. Methods: A prospective randomized control trial (China Clinical Trials Registration Number: ChiCTR-OOR-15007060) was performed. Sixty patients with left colorectal cancer at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital from September 2015 to August 2017 were prospectively enrolled. Case inclusion criteria: (1) left colorectal adenocarcinoma (rectal cancer with distance ≥ 8 cm from tumor low margin to anal edge, sigmoid colon cancer, descending colon cancer and left transverse colon cancer) confirmed by preoperative pathology; (2) satisfactory conditions of conventional laparoscopic surgery; (3) maximum diameter of the tumor < 4.5 cm confirmed by preoperative abdominal and pelvic CT or MRI; (4) BMI < 30 kg/m2. Case exclusion criteria: (1) benign lesions, mucinous adenocarcinoma, signet-ring cell carcinoma and other special pathological types of tumors confirmed by preoperative pathological examination; (2) multiple or recurrent cancers; (3) with a history of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; (4) obvious regional infiltration or distant metastasis indicated by preoperative imaging examination; (5) intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, etc. Participants were randomly assigned to NOSES group (using the Cai tube) and conventional laparoscopy (CL) group by random number table method. Clinical data between two groups were compared and analyzed, including perioperative conditions, tumor exfoliation cell detection and bacterial culture results of intraperitoneal lavage fluid, postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grading), postoperative pain [visual simulation scoring (VAS) assessment], anal function (Kirwan anal function grading assessment), and postoperative 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), overall recurrence rate, and local recurrence rate. Results: A total of 60 patients were enrolled, with 30 in the NOSES group and 30 in the CL group. All the patients in the NOSES group successfully completed operation with Cai tube. Baseline data between the two groups were not significantly different (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in conversion rate to open surgery, number of lymph node harivested, proximal and distal resection margin of tumor, negative rate of circumferential margin, operation time, blood loss, inflammatory indexes, postoperative anal function, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization cost, morbidity of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II or above) (all P>0.05). Compared to the CL group, the NOSES group had lower maximum postoperative VAS score (2.5±0.3 vs. 5.1±0.4, t=3.187, P<0.01), and fewer use of additional postoperative analgesia [6.7% (2/30) vs. 33.3% (10/30),χ2=6.670, P=0.02]. The postoperative time to gas passage was shorter in the NOSES group [(2.2±1.4) days vs. (3.1±1.2) days,P=0.026]. No tumor cells and bacterial contamination were found in abdominal lavage fluid before and after operation in either group. The anal function at postoperative 3-month of all the patients in the NOSES group was Kirwan grade I to II, while in the CL group, anal function of 2 cases (6.7%) was Kirwan grade III, and of 28 cases was also Kirwan grade I to II, whose difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the NOSES group and the CL group, 3-year DFS was 96.7% and 83.3% (P=0.090), OS was 100% and 90% (P=0.096), overall recurrence rate was 3.3% and 10.0% (P=0.166), and local recurrence rate was 3.3% and 3.3% (P=0.999), respectively, whose differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusions: In the treatment of left colorectal cancer, compared with conventional laparoscopic colectomy, NOSES colectomy using Cai tube exhibits less scar, less postoperative pain, shorter recovery of gastrointestinal function, and similar mid-term outcomes. Given proper surgical indications, the surgical procedure is safe and feasible.

New or little-known Boreoheptagyia (Diptera, Chironomidae) in China inferred from morphology and DNA barcodes.

The male adult of Boreoheptagyia zhengi Lin & Liu, sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on material collected in China. Associated morphological characteristics and reference to its DNA barcode are provided. Boreoheptagyia kurobebrevis (Sasa & Okazawa, 1992) is newly recorded from China based on both a male and female, with additional associated data on the DNA barcode of the male adult. A neighbor-joining tree based on available Boreoheptagyia DNA barcodes and a key to the adults of Boreoheptagyia from China are given.