Myeloid cells interact with a subset of thyrocytes to promote their migration and follicle formation through NF-κB.

The pathogenesis of thyroid dysgenesis (TD) is not well understood. Here, using a combination of single-cell RNA and spatial transcriptome sequencing, we identify a subgroup of NF-κB-activated thyrocytes located at the center of thyroid tissues in postnatal mice, which maintained a partially mesenchymal phenotype. These cells actively protruded out of the thyroid primordium and generated new follicles in zebrafish embryos through continuous tracing. Suppressing NF-κB signaling affected thyrocyte migration and follicle formation, leading to a TD-like phenotype in both mice and zebrafish. Interestingly, during thyroid folliculogenesis, myeloid cells played a crucial role in promoting thyrocyte migration by maintaining close contact and secreting TNF-α. We found that cebpa mutant zebrafish, in which all myeloid cells were depleted, exhibited thyrocyte migration defects. Taken together, our results suggest that myeloid-derived TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation plays a critical role in promoting the migration of vertebrate thyrocytes for follicle generation.

Postoperative subacute static progressive stretch does not increase the risk of distal lower limb venous thromboembolism.

PURPOSE: Static progressive stretch (SPS) can be applied to treat chronic joint stiffness. However, the impacts of subacute application of SPS to the distal lower limbs, where deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is common, on venous thromboembolism remain unclear. This study aims to explore the risk of venous thromboembolism events following subacute application of SPS. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with DVT following a lower extremity orthopedic surgery before being transferred to the rehabilitation ward from May 2017 to May 2022. Patients with unilateral lower limb comminuted para-articular fractures, transferred to rehabilitation ward for further treatment within 3 weeks after operation, followed up more than 12 weeks since initial manual physiotherapy, and diagnosed DVT by ultrasound before rehabilitation course were included in the study. Patients with polytrauma, without evidence of previous peripheral vascular disease or incompetence, had medication for thrombosis treatment or prophylaxis before the operation, detected with paralysis due to nervous system impairment, infected after operation during the regime, or with acute progression of DVT were excluded. The included patients were randomized to the standard physiotherapy and the SPS integrated groups for observation. Associated DVT and pulmonary embolism data were collected during the physiotherapy course to compare the groups. SSPS 28.0 and GraphPad Prism 9 were used for data processing. A p < 0.05 was set significant difference. RESULTS: In total of 154 patients with DVT participating in this study, 75 of them were treated with additional SPS for postoperative rehabilitation. The participants in the SPS group showed improved range of motion (12.3° ± 6.7°). However, in the SPS group, there was no difference in thrombosis volume between the start and termination (p = 0.106, p = 0.787, respectively), although difference was seen intra-therapy (p < 0.001). Contingency analysis revealed the pulmonary embolism incidence (OR = 0.703) in the SPS group compared to the mean physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The SPS technique is a safe and reliable option to prevent potential joint stiffness without aggravating the risk of distal DVT for postoperative patients suffering from relevant trauma.

Mic60 is essential to maintain mitochondrial integrity and to prevent encephalomyopathy.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies (ME) are frequently associated with mutations of mitochondrial DNA, but the pathogenesis of a subset of ME (sME) remains elusive. Here we report that haploinsufficiency of a mitochondrial inner membrane protein, Mic60, causes progressive neurological abnormalities with insulted mitochondrial structure and neuronal loss in mice. In addition, haploinsufficiency of Mic60 reduces mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP production, increases reactive oxygen species, and alters mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes in neurons in an age-dependent manner. Moreover, haploinsufficiency of Mic60 compromises brain glucose intake and oxygen consumption in mice, resembling human ME syndrome. We further discover that MIC60 protein expression declined significantly in human sME, implying that insufficient MIC60 may contribute for pathogenesis of human ME. Notably, systemic administration of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine largely reverses mitochondrial dysfunctions and metabolic disorders in haplo-insufficient Mic60 mice, also restores neurological abnormal symptom. These results reveal Mic60 is required in the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity and function, and likely a potential therapeutics target for mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.

Clinical study of vacuum phenomenon in closed pelvic fracture.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and clinical findings of the vacuum phenomenon (VP) in closed pelvic fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 352 patients with closed pelvic fractures who presented to our institution from January 2017 to December 2020. Pelvic fractures were diagnosed by plain radiography and computed tomography (CT). The default "bone window" was used for inspection in the cross section. Electronic medical records were consulted by two orthopedic physicians to obtain patient information. The VP of pelvic fracture, fracture classification, injury mechanism, and image data were evaluated, and the demographic parameter data were statistically analyzed. The follow-up time was 12-18 months. RESULTS: Among them, 169 were males and 183 were females with ages ranging from 3 to 100 years, with an average of 49.6 ± 19.3 years. VP in pelvic fractures was detected by CT in 109 (31%) of the 352 patients with pelvic fractures. Patients were divided into the high-energy trauma group (278 cases) and fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) group (74 cases) according to the injury mechanism. In the high-energy trauma group, 227 cases were treated surgically and 201 cases had bony healing. The healing time was 9.8 ± 5.3 weeks. In the FFP group, 54 cases were treated surgically and 49 cases had bone healing. The healing time was 9.3 ± 3.8 weeks. Fractures progressed in nine patients. VP was mostly located in the sacroiliac joint in our study. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of VP in pelvic fractures is statistically high and is affected by many factors, such as examination technique, joint position, population composition, etc. Therefore, the VP is not a reliable sign of pelvic injury. Clinically, we need to determine the nature of VP in conjunction with gas patterns, laboratory tests, history, and physical examination.

An Ideal Hallmark Closest to Complete Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: High-sensitivity Quantitative HBsAg Loss.

In the era of antiviral therapy, the main goal of treatment has shifted from the persistent inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication to the pursuit of serological clearance of HBs surface antigen (HBsAg). Based on the life cycle of HBV, HBsAg originates from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated HBV DNA, thus reflecting their transcriptional activity. Complete HBsAg loss may mean elimination or persistent inactivity of the HBV genome including cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA. HBsAg loss improves the recovery of abnormal immune function, which in turn, may further promote the clearance of residual viruses. Combined with functional cure and the great improvement of clinical outcomes, the continuous seroclearance of high-sensitivity quantitative HBsAg may represent the complete cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). For many other risk factors besides HBV itself, patients with HBsAg loss still need regular monitoring. In this review, we summarized the evolution of CHB treatment, the origin of serum HBsAg, the pattern of HBsAg seroclearance, and the effect of HBsAg loss on immune function and disease outcomes. In addition, we discuss the significance of high-sensitivity HBsAg detection and its possibility as a surrogate of complete cure.

Survival Analysis of Patients with Thoracic Duct Ligation during Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate the effect of thoracic duct ligation during thoracoscopic esophagectomy on esophageal cancer patients survival. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Tai'an City Central Hospital, Tai'an, Shandong, China, from June, 2016 to June, 2021. METHODOLOGY: All cT1b-3N0M0 stage esophageal cancer patients were randomly divided into thoracic duct ligation group and non-ligation group. In addition to thoracoscopic esophagectomy, thoracic duct ligation was also performed in the experimental group. The general data of two groups were compared by Chi-square test, with statistical significance at p <0.05. The effect of thoracic duct ligation on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was analysed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. RESULT: There was no significant difference in gender, age, tumor location, depth of invasion, degree of differentiation and presence of tumor thrombus between the ligation group (33 cases, 47.8%), and the non-ligation group (36 cases, 52.2%). Cox regression analysis showed that depth of invasion (p = 0.0014), degree of differentiation (p = 0.0036), presence of tumor thrombus (p = 0.0367) and thoracic duct ligation (p = 0.0057) were independent factors affecting DFS. Meanwhile, the depth of invasion (p <0.0001), presence of tumor thrombus (p = 0.0073) and age (p = 0.0129) were independent factors affecting OS. CONCLUSION: Thoracic duct ligation during thoracoscopic esophagectomy can affect DFS in patients with pT1b-3N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and the thoracic duct ligation, depth of invasion, degree of differentiation and presence of tumor thrombus are independent factors. Meanwhile, the depth of invasion, presence of tumor thrombus and age were independent factors affecting OS. Key Words: Esophageal cancer, VATS, Esophagectomy, Thoracic duct ligation, DFS, OS.

Nrf2 expands the intracellular pool of the chaperone AHSP in a cellular model of ß-thalassemia.

In ß-thalassemia, free α-globin chains are unstable and tend to aggregate or degrade, releasing toxic heme, porphyrins and iron, which produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). α-Hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) is a potential modifier of ß-thalassemia due to its ability to escort free α-globin and inhibit the cellular production of ROS. The influence of AHSP on the redox equilibrium raises the question of whether AHSP expression is regulated by components of ROS signaling pathways and/or canonical redox proteins. Here, we report that AHSP expression in K562 cells could be stimulated by NFE2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its agonist tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ). This tBHQ-induced increase in AHSP expression was also observed in Ter119+ mouse erythroblasts at each individual stage during terminal erythroid differentiation. We further report that the AHSP level was elevated in α-globin-overexpressing K562 cells and staged erythroblasts from ßIVS-2-654 thalassemic mice. tBHQ treatment partially alleviated, whereas Nrf2 or AHSP knockdown exacerbated, α-globin precipitation and ROS production in fetal liver-derived thalassemic erythroid cells. MafG and Nrf2 occupancy at the MARE-1 site downstream of the AHSP transcription start site was detected in K562 cells. Finally, we show that MafG facilitated the activation of the AHSP gene in K562 cells by Nrf2. Our results demonstrate Nrf2-mediated feedback regulation of AHSP in response to excess α-globin, as occurs in ß-thalassemia.

Impact of chronic outward force on arterial responses of proximal and distal of long superficial femoral artery stent.

BACKGROUND: Self-expanding nitinol stent (SENS) implantation is commonly oversized in the superficial femoral artery (SFA), and leads to chronic outward force (COF) and in-stent restenosis (ISR). This study aimed to investigate the impact of COF of oversizing SENS on ISR of SFA. METHODS: In patients with implanted SENS in SFA, intimal hyperplasia especially between proximal segment and distal segment was evaluated by quantitative angiography, and the impact of COF on mid-term angiographic outcomes was investigated. In addition, porcine model with implanted SENS was used to evaluate the impact of COF on angiographic and histopathologic outcomes at 1 month. Excised stented arteries were evaluated by histopathologic analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 65 SENS in 61 patients with follow-up angiography at 6 months to 1 year. The baseline diameter was 6.8 ± 0.71 mm and length were 97.0 ± 33.8 mm for the SENS. The ratio of the diameter of the stent to the reference vessel was 1.3 ± 0.24 at the proximal portion and 1.53 ± 0.27 at the distal portion (P < 0.001). In the long SFA stent, stent-to-vessel ratio was significantly higher in the distal stent than in the proximal stent (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.55 ± 0.25, P = 0.001). ISR incidence was higher at the distal stent (37.3% vs 52.6%, P = 0.029). All 11 pigs survived for 4 weeks after SENS implantation. The vessel diameter was 4.04 ± 0.40 mm (control group) vs 4.45 ± 0.63 mm (oversized group), and the implanted stent diameter was 5.27 ± 0.46 mm vs. 7.18 ± 0.4 mm (P = 0.001). The stent-to-vessel diameter ratio was 1.31 ± 0.12 versus 1.63 ± 0.20 (P < 0.001). After 4 weeks, restenosis % was 29.5 ± 12.9% versus 46.8 ± 21.5% (P = 0.016). The neointimal area was 5.37 ± 1.15 mm2 vs. 8.53 ± 5.18 mm2 (P = 0.05). The restenosis % was 39.34 ± 8.53% versus 63.97 ± 17.1% (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: COF is an important cause of restenosis in the distal portion of the SFA stent. Optimal sizing of the SFA stent is important to reduce the incidence of restenosis. Therefore, COF was an important factor of restenosis following distal SFA stenting.

Establishment of a Canine Training Model for Digestive Tract Reconstruction after Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: Practical training models can be a viable and effective educational tool that allows surgeons to acquire specific surgical techniques or skills. However, a suitable animal training model for reconstruction after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has not yet been reported. Therefore, we explored the feasibility and safety of establishing an animal training model for digestive tract reconstruction after a simulated PD using mongrel dogs. METHODS: We used the anatomical similarity between the canine and human digestive tract to simulate the digestive tract reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy. A hepatobiliary surgeon performed simulated PD digestive reconstructions on 6 mongrel canines. Pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ), biliary-enteric anastomosis (BEA), and jejuno-jejunal anastomosis (JJ) were performed sequentially. The survival rate, surgical operation time, complications, body weight changes, gross specimen, and pathological examination of the anastomotic region were observed 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: The survival rate 30 days after surgery was 100%. Total mean operative time was 230.5 ± 39.7 min. The operative time for PJ, BEA, and JJ was calculated as 21.5 ± 7 min, 21.7 ± 8.7 min, and 13.2 ± 1.8 min, respectively. An incision infection occurred in 1 case (16.7%); there was 1 case of ascites (16.7%), and 1 case of vomiting (16.7%). The total protein and total bilirubin indicators of the 6 dogs and the serum amylase index of 5 dogs 30 days postoperatively were within the normal range. The 6th dog's serum amylase was approximately double the normal value, possibly due to pancreatitis. Observing the gross specimen, the mucosa of the anastomosis was intact and smooth. Masson staining showed that the bile duct and jejunum anastomosis, the pancreas, and jejunum of the 6 canines were all integrated with rich collagen. CONCLUSION: Establishing an animal model for digestive tract reconstruction after a simulated PD in canines is feasible and safe.

Zeolitic Metal Cluster Carboxylic Framework for Selective Carbon Dioxide Chemical Fixation through the Superlarge Cage.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with zeolitic structure process fantastic structural metrics and display excellent applications in many aspects; however, they are difficult to assemble. Herein, on the basis of a tetrahedral Zn4O cluster and a 3,5-bis(2,4-dicarboxylphenyl)nitrobenzene (H4L) ligand, a novel sodalite (SOD) zeolitic cluster framework (ZCF), {[Zn4(O)(L)2]·4DMF·6H2O}n (ZCF-1; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), has been hydrothermally synthesized. Compared with the traditional SOD zeolitic framework of ZIF-8, the cage size of ZCF-1 is dramatically improved from 16.9 to 29.2 Å by the introduction of longer tetradentate carboxylic ligands. Moreover, because of the functional nitryl group in the ligand, ZCF-1 exhibits a high CO2/CH4 selectivity. Hence, further research on the chemical fixation of CO2 is implemented, which reveals excellent heterogeneous catalytic activity and durability. Especially, a unique selective catalytic performance with a high yield of 88.3% on a larger molecular size reactant (glycidyl phenyl ether) is observed, which is attributed to the stereoselection effect of the superlarge cage and abundant Zn4O catalytic clusters in ZCF-1.

Impact of hepatitis C virus genotype 3 on liver disease progression in a Chinese national cohort.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3, particularly subtype 3b, is increasing in prevalence and distribution in China. This study evaluated the prevalence, regional distribution, clinical characteristics, host factors, treatment outcomes, and disease progression of patients with HCV genotype 3 in China. METHODS: A 5-year follow-up was preceded by a cross-sectional study. Treatment choices were at the discretion of treating physicians. Estimated infection time to overall-disease-progression (defined by ≥1 of: newly diagnosed cirrhosis; cirrhosis at baseline, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score increased 2 points or more; progression from compensated cirrhosis to decompensated cirrhosis; hepatocellular carcinoma; liver transplantation; or death) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the risk factors for disease progression. RESULTS: The cross-sectional study enrolled 997 patients, including 91 with HCV genotype 3 infection. Among them, subtype 3b (57.1%) was more dominant than subtype 3a (38.5%). Five hundred and twelve patients were included into the follow-up phase. Among patients analyzed for estimated infection time to overall-disease-progression, 52/304 (17.1%) patients with HCV genotype 1 and 4/41 (9.8%) with HCV genotype 3 (4/26 with genotype 3b, 0/13 with genotype 3a, and 0/2 with undefined subtype of genotype 3) experienced overall-disease-progression. Patients with HCV genotype 3 were younger than those with genotype 1 (mean age: 39.5 ±â€Š8.7 vs. 46.9 ±â€Š13.6 years) and demonstrated more rapid disease progression (mean estimated infection time to overall-disease-progression 27.1 vs. 35.6 years). CONCLUSIONS: HCV genotype 3, specifically subtype 3b, is associated with more rapid progression of liver disease. Further analysis to compare HCV subtype 3a and 3b is needed in high prevalence regions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01293279, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01293279; NCT01594554, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01594554.

Correlation analysis of hepatitis C virus core antigen and low viral loads: Can core antigen replace nucleic acid test?

Value of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (cAg) test has been controversy in patients with low HCV loads for its lower sensitivity. We assessed correlation between HCV-cAg and HCV RNA in serum samples with low viral loads and analyzed the performance of HCV-cAg assay in determining diagnosis and treatment outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients. Both HCV RNA and HCV-cAg were detected for 2298 serum samples. Correlation analysis was performed between the two tests. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to assess value of HCV-cAg test in determining diagnosis and response outcomes at the different HCV RNA thresholds. The two tests were correlated very well, and moreover, correlation in the low viral load group was higher than that in the high viral load group (r value: 0.901 and 0.517). Positive agreement of HCV-cAg ≥ 3 fmol/L was as high as 97.0% for HCV RNA ≥ 1000 IU/mL, and its negative agreement for HCV RNA < 15 IU/mL was up to 98.9% in all samples. Area under ROCs ranged from 0.939 to 0.992, regardless of HCV RNA thresholds. When lower limit of detection of HCV RNA was 15, 100 or 1000 IU/mL, positive predictive value of HCV-cAg was 96.8%, 98.8% or 92.4%, and its negative predictive value was 87.0%, 89.9% or 98.3%, respectively, on the basis of different cutoff values. High-sensitivity HCV-cAg detection may likely replace HCV RNA to confirm the existence of HCV and to guide the treatment of chronic HCV infection.

A novel point-of-care oral anti-HCV assay: Is it reliable for screening hepatitis C virus infection in the era of direct-acting antivirals?

Recent advance in the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offers the potentials to eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide and makes universal screening more urgent. A point-of-care (POC) oral anti-HCV assay, the Fortune assay, was developed and its performance was evaluated. Individuals with or without HCV infection were recruited in three Centers. Paired oral and serum samples were tested using the Fortune and InTec anti-HCV assays. The Kehua serum anti-HCV assay served as a supplemental test to verify the discordant results. Some oral samples were also tested using the OraQuick anti-HCV assay. Furthermore, the Fortune assay results were compared with the documented RNA results. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the Fortune assay was 93.11%, 98.48%, and 96.58%, respectively (n = 1,022). Consistency between the Fortune and OraQuick assays was 96.35% (264/274); the Fortune assay detected additional 8 positive oral samples missed by the OraQuick assay. The Fortune assay demonstrated a 97.46% (115/118) positivity among the viremic patients. Furthermore, its sensitivity was HCV genotype independent. In conclusion, the Fortune assay was highly specific and accurate. It had comparable sensitivity as the serum assays for the diagnosis of active HCV infection. It provides a completely non-invasive and reliable tool for HCV screening in the DAA era.

Ligation of thoracic duct during thoracoscopic esophagectomy can lead to decrease of T lymphocyte.

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy has been one of the most preferable surgical treatments for early esophageal cancer. Some scholars suggested that the thoracic duct should be routinely ligated to reduce the incidence of postoperative chylothorax, while another group raised an objection. As a classic indicator of immune function, T lymphocyte subsets can be applied to assess the effects of prophylactic thoracic duct ligation during thoracoscopic esophagectomy. METHODS: A total of 60 patients were recruited and randomized into thoracic duct ligation group and nonligation group. Venous blood was collected before and after video-assisted esophagectomy. The lymphocyte count and percentage, T lymphocyte subsets percentage were measured with fully automatic hemacytometer analyzer and flow cytometry. The difference between two groups was compared with t-test and the classified data were compared with Chi-square test. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in peripheral blood CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ lymphocyte percentage between the two groups before operation (P > 0.05). The mean value of peripheral blood CD3+, CD3+CD4+ lymphocyte percentage in ligation group was obviously less than that of in nonligation group after operation (P < 0.05). The mean of CD3+CD8+ lymphocyte percentage in ligation group was obviously higher than that of in nonligation group after operation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ligation of thoracic duct during esophagectomy could lead to decreased percentage of T lymphocyte and CD4+ Tlymphocyte, especially after arch of azygos vein had been transected. The thoracic duct should be selectively ligated during esophagectomy.

A study on the relationship between waist phenotype, hypertriglyceridemia, coronary artery lesions and serum free fatty acids in adult and elderly patients with coronary diseases.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and high serum triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid levels may precipitate or aggravate CHD. METHODS: We enrolled patients with coronary heart disease in our hospital from October 2008 to July 2009. Patients with high TG and increased WC, i.e. waist phenotype WP were included in group A. In group B, were included patients with high TG but not WP. Group C consisted of patients with WP but not high TG. Finally, Group D was composed of patients without high TG or WP. Serum FFA levels for all patients were measured by ELISA. The relationship between TG levels, WC, FFA levels, and coronary artery score was analysed by a single variable regression. RESULTS: Group A had a significantly higher FFA level than the other groups. Regression analysis showed that FFA, TG, WC, hip circumference, waist-to-height ratio, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure index, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol all positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.160 ~ 0.415, P = 0.000 ~ 0.032). After we controlled for traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, FFA levels remained positively correlated to the CAS (r = 0.365, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The serum FFA level for patients with complications of both increased WC and high TG levels was significantly higher than that of patients without either of these complications. The close correlation between the CAS and FFA levels showed by regression analysis suggested that inflammation in these patients was more serious. Increased WC and high TG levels as well as FFA level are valuable for the prediction of cardiovascular disease and can be applied as a clinical guidance for early intervention in the treatment of coronary heart diseases.

Four new metal-organic frameworks based on diverse secondary building units: sensing and magnetic properties.

Four new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Zn3(L)(OH)(H2O)5]·NMP·2H2O}n (1), {[H2N(Me)2][Zn2(L)(H2O)]·DMF·H2O}n (2), {[Co5(L)2(H2O)11]·2H2O}n (3) and {[Mn5(L)2(H2O)12]·6H2O}n (4), were assembled employing a symmetrical V-shaped rigid multicarboxylic acid ligand H5L (H5L = 2,4-di(3',5'-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid) with different metal ions, resulting in versatile frameworks as well as various types of coordination modes of H5L. 1 forms a three-dimensional (3D) 4-connected sra net based on trinuclear [Zn3(µ3-OH)(µ2-COO)(µ1-COO)4] clusters, while 2 displays a 3D (4,6)-connected net based on two types of binuclear [Zn2(µ2-COO)2(µ1-COO)4] and [Zn2(µ2-COO)4] clusters. 3 and 4 contain similar [M3(µ2-COO)4(µ1-COO)2] (3, M = Co; 4, M = Mn) clusters but result in different 4-connected 3D and 2D frameworks, respectively. 1 and 2 show solid-state luminescence properties at ambient temperature. Meanwhile, 1 shows high selectivity and sensitivity for not only Fe3+ cations but also for CrO42-, Cr2O72- and MnO4- anions via a luminescence quenching effect with a low detection limit, which thus means that it could be a potential crystalline material for detecting these anions. The mechanisms of the quenching effect and sensing properties of 1 are discussed in detail. In addition, 3 and 4 have the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions.

The influence of coordination modes and active sites of a 5-(triazol-1-yl) nicotinic ligand on the assembly of diverse MOFs.

Six new complexes based on 5-(triazol-1-yl)nicotinic acid (HL), namely [Cu2(L)3(H2O)(OH)]n (1), [Co(L)2(H2O)2]n (2), [Mn(L)2(H2O)2]n (3), {[Co(L)(H2O)0.5(DMF)0.5(NO3)0.5]·(Cl)0.5·DMF·2H2O}n (4), {[Cu(L)(O)0.5]·CH3OH·2.5H2O}n (5) and {[Co2(L)4(H2O)]·2DMA·2H2O}n (6), were synthesized under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions. The L- ligand in 1-6 reveals various coordination modes and forms diverse secondary building units (SBUs) in the final structures. Complex 1 shows a 2D layered structure with a rare (3,8)-connected topology based on tetranuclear [Cu4(COO)6(H2O)2(OH)2N6] SBUs. 2 and 3 are isostructural and display 2D 4-connected sql nets with a point symbol of (44·62). 4 and 5 have similar spatial 3D porous frameworks, which can be simplified as a (3,6)-connected 2-nodal net via dinuclear [Co2(COO)2(O)2(NO3)(N)4] SBUs and [Cu2(COO)2(O)(N)4] SBUs, respectively. 6 is a 3D porous framework constructed by dinuclear [Co2(COO)4(H2O)(N)4] motifs with a uninodal 4-connected qtz net. The magnetic properties and gas sorption behaviour of these complexes were investigated carefully, showing that 3 exhibits ferrimagnetic character and 4 demonstrates its effective storage capacity for CO2 as well as high selectivity for CO2 over CH4 under ambient conditions.

Effect of Ligation of the Thoracic Duct During Oesophagectomy on the Absorption of D-xylose.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if prophylactic thoracic duct ligation during oesophagectomy influences the absorptive function of oesophageal cancer patients. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tai'an City Central Hospital, Tai'an, from August 2014 to December 2015. METHODOLOGY: Based on the management of the thoracic duct during oesophagectomy, 60 patients were randomized into two groups. D-xylose absorption test was used to evaluate the absorptive function. The two-independent-samples t-test was employed for statistical analysis with statistical significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The serum D-xylose concentration of ligation-group was significantly lower than that of no-ligation group on the first day after operation, (t=2.82, p=0.0066). However, there was no significant differences between them even before operation (t=1.34, p=0.1849). CONCLUSION: Ligation of the thoracic duct during oesophagectomy immediately affected the absorption of D-xylose, which may lead to malabsorption in the long run.

Hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese patients with hepatitis C virus infection: prevalence, clinical characteristics, viral interactions and host genotypes: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in China. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, viral interactions and host genotypes of HBV/HCV dual infection compared with HCV monoinfection. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: China. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: 997 patients with HCV from 28 university-affiliated hospitals in China were enrolled in this research. Patients were divided into two subgroups. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBV infection in patients with HCV was 4.11% (41/997). The age-specific prevalence of HBsAg was 0.70%, 3.97% and 5.85% in groups aged 18-30, 30-50 and >50 years old (p=0.057), respectively. Patients with HBV/HCV dual infection and patients with HCV monoinfection had similar HCV viral loads (5.80±0.89 vs 5.83±1.00 log10 IU/mL, p=0.904). The dominant HCV genotype was 1b in both groups (53.65% vs 56.90%, p=0.493). The protective C allele in IL-28B (rs12979860) was also the dominant allele type in both patient groups (85.36% vs 83.99%, p=0.814). Patients with HBV/HCV dual infection had a higher ratio of liver cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation than patients with HCV monoinfection (39.02% vs 17.69%, p=0.001; 31.70% vs 12.13%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The HBV burden was moderate in HCV-infected patients in China. Liver cirrhosis was more common in patients with HBV/HCV dual infection, suggesting the need for closer monitoring of dual-infected individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01293279; Post-results.

HBcrAg Identifies Patients Failing to Achieve HBeAg Seroconversion Treated with Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of serum hepatitis B virus core-related antigens (HBcrAg) for predicting hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with conventional interferon (IFN) alfa-2b or pegylated IFN. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled: 29 for the training group and 29 for the validating group. HBcrAg was measured at baseline, week 12, end of the treatment, and 12- and 24-week follow-ups. Sixteen patients in the training group were enrolled in the long-term follow-up (LTFU), during which time the dynamics of the HBcrAg was monitored. RESULTS: The serum HBcrAg level gradually declined during treatment among the HBeAg seroconversion patients of the training group (from baseline, week 12, end of the treatment, 12-week follow-up to 24-week follow-up were 110,245 kU/ml, 3760 kU/ml, 7410 kU/ml, 715 kU/ml, 200 kU/ml, respectively). HBcrAg <19,565 kU/ml at week 24, HBcrAg <34,225 kU/ml at 12-week follow-up, and HBcrAg decrease ≥0.565 log10kU/ml from the baseline to the end of treatment (EOT) had negative predictive values (NPVs) of 100% for HBeAg seroconversion at the end of follow-up, whereas the positive predictive values (PPVs) were 30.77%, 26.67%, and 25.00%, respectively. The patients with HBeAg seroconversion at the end of 24-week follow-up remained in seroconversion during the LTFU, during which time their serum HBcrAg levels steadily declined or even became undetectable, ranging from 0 to 2.1 kU/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Effective antiviral treatment can decrease HBcrAg levels in the serum. The NPVs of HBcrAg for predicting HBeAg seroconversion at 24-week follow-up was 100%, but the PPVs were not satisfactory (all <31%). The serum HBcrAg levels of the patients with HBeAg seroconversion at the end of the 24-week follow-up steadily declined or even became undetectable during the LTFU.