Key role of CYP17A1 in Leydig cell function and testicular development in Qianbei Ma goats.

Reproductive traits are vital economic parameters in goat production, and boosting the reproductive capacity of breeding rams is crucial for enhancing the profitability of goat farming. Currently, research on the reproductive performance of Qianbei Ma goats mainly centers on investigating mechanisms associated with prolificacy and estrous ovulation in ewes, with limited emphasis on ram reproductive aspects. This study used scanning electron microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to profile the morphology of testis and the dynamic changes of Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Testosterone (T) in serum at different developmental stages of Qianbei Ma goats. Meanwhile, transcriptome sequencing technology was used to investigate the mRNA expression patterns in testicular tissues at different developmental stages: newborn (0 M), puberty (6 M), sexual maturity (12 M), and physical maturity (18 M). The results showed that the diameter, circumference, and area of the testicular seminiferous tubules gradually increased with age. The levels of T and LH in serum significantly increased from 0 to 6 months after birth (p < 0.05), followed by a stabilization of T levels and a significant decrease in LH levels (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, FSH shows a decreasing trend between 0 and 18 months after birth. A total of 26,437 differentially expressed genes were identified in 6 comparison groups, which involve various biological processes such as immunity, growth, metabolism, development, and reproduction, and are significantly enriched in signaling pathways related to testicular development and spermatogenesis. WGCNA analysis identified 6 regions significantly associated with testicular development and spermatogenesis, and selected 320 genes for constructing a PPI network. Ten candidate genes related to testicular development and spermatogenesis were identified, including TP53, PLK4, RPS9, PFN4, ACTB, CYP17A1, GPX4, CLDN1, AMH and DHH. Of these, the CYP17A1 gene promotes interstitial cell proliferation, and promotes T synthesis. This study provides a theoretical basis and data support for promoting efficient breeding of goats and early breeding of excellent male goats.

Disposal and utilization of dead animals during breeding in livestock and poultry farming by means of synthetic microbiota.

The disposal of animal remains resulting from breeding is a significant challenge that impacts the industry's growth. To address the issues with current treatment methods, such as the large space required for corpse storage, and the high energy consumption of pyrolysis. Three strains with high protease and lipase production and one strain with high keratinase production were screened. The virulence genes were evaluated, the synthesis gene clusters of degrading enzymes were mined, secondary metabolites of each strain were analyzed, and the bacterial community with both growth rate and enzyme production ability was developed. Therefore, a microbial degradation method with mild reaction conditions and rapid liquefaction of animal residues was developed. The liquid degradation of four common farm-raised animal residues (sheep, cattle, chickens, and pigs) was tested under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the liquid degradation of animal residues was achieved within 144 h, transforming the months-long anaerobic process of traditional compost fermentation process into a mere 6 days' anaerobic process. N, P, K plant nutrients accounted for 15% of the total matrix, pH value was 5.5-6.7, heavy metal content was less than 0.2 mg L-1. Designed and improved fermentation equipment, produced a 3 m³ fermentation equipment, used in chicken, pig two types of animal residues pilot test. The emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 in the entire degradation process were 1.6 × 104 ppm, which was 481 times less than that of composting by 7.7 × 106. This study provides a solution for the treatment of dead livestock and poultry, which has promotional and practical value.

The Outcome of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Significant Atherosclerotic Lesions in Segment Proximal to Myocardial Bridge at Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for significant atherosclerosis lesions proximal to myocardial bridge (MB) at left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD).A total of 330 consecutive patients with LAD significant stenosis, diagnosed as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), were included. Based on whether combined with MB, the patients were divided into the MB group (MB, n = 48) and non-MB group (NMB, n = 282). Drug eluting stents (DES) were successfully implanted in the stenostic segments prior to MB. All patients were followed up during the hospital stay, 30 days and 12 months after PCI, to evaluate the major adverse cardiac events (MACEs).There was no difference in the incidence of MACEs between the two groups (6.2% versus 2.1%, P = 0.254) when in the hospital. During the follow-up of 30 days and 12 months after PCI, the rate of MACEs was significantly higher in the MB group than in the NMB group (18.2% versus 6.4% and 43.8% versus 17.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). Stent restenosis occurred in four patients in the MB group; whereas, in five patients in the NMB group, the rate of stent restenosis was higher in the MB group than in the NMB group (8.3% versus 1.8%, P = 0.036). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that the presence of MB was an independent predictor of MACEs (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.781, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) = 1.108-2.863, P = 0.017).DES implantation for significant atherosclerosis stenosis in the segments proximal to MB have higher incidence of MACEs. MB appears to be associated with a higher incidence of stent restenosis after PCI and is a significant factor in the occurrence of MACEs.

LncRNA FOXP4-AS promotes the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating the miR-3184-5p/EIF5A axis.

Long non coding RNA FOXP4-AS1 exerted crucial functions in various human cancers, while its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. A total of 30 pairs of NSCLC tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues were used to evaluate the expression of FOXP4-AS1 and miR-3184-5p. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay were performed to determine the regulatory relationship among FOXP4-AS1, miR-3184-5p and EIF5A. The xenograft tumor model was constructed to confirm the function of FOXP4-AS1 in NSCLC progression. The results showed that FOXP4-AS1 was upregulated and miR-3184-5p was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of FOXP4-AS1 significantly reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells in vitro. FOXP4-AS1 could regulated the expression of EIF5A by binding to miR-3184-5p. Rescue experiments showed that downregulation of miR-3184-5p or overexpression of EIF5A obviously attenuated the inhibitory effects of si-FOXP4-AS1 on cell proliferation, as well as the stimulating effects on cell apoptosis. Moreover, knockdown of FOXP4-AS1 could efficiently inhibited tumor development of NSCLC in vivo. Downregulation of FOXP4-AS1 attenuated the progression of NSCLC by regulating miR-3184-5p and EIF5A.

Neurotrophin-3 promotes the recovery of neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats / 神经解剖学杂志

Objective:To explore the role and mechanism of neurotrophin-3(NT-3)in promoting neurological func-tion recovery after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods:Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham),middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)group,and MCAO/R+NT-3 group.The neurological function scores of rats in each group were evaluated using the modified Garcia score.Western Blot was used to detect the expression of NT-3 and LC3B in brain tissues of rats.Culture dishes with the same density of neurons were randomly divided into normal group(Normal),oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)group,OGD+NT-3 group,OGD+NT-3+PF-06273340(TrkC inhibitor)group,OGD+NT-3+ZSTK474(PI3K inhibitor)group,and OGD+NT-3+CCT128930(AKT inhibitor)group.Western Blot was used to detect the expression of TrkC,the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT,and LC3B in neurons.The morphological changes of neurons and the phenomenon of neuronal autophagy were observed using autophagy-specific fluorescent staining.Results:The animal experiment found that the expression of NT-3 increased in the brain tissue with ischemia-reperfusion injury(P＜0.05),and after the treatment with exogenous NT-3,the modified Garcia score increased(P＜0.05),and the level of autophagy weakened(P＜0.05).The cell experiment found that NT-3 can inhibit neuronal autophagy under ischemic hypoxia and maintain the neuronal morphology to the maximum extent.After using PF-06273340,the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT de-creased(P＜0.05).After using ZSTK474 and CCT128930,the autophagy-inhibiting effect of NT-3 weakened(P＜0.05).Conclusion:NT-3 inhibits autophagy via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to maintain neuronal survival,thereby promoting the recovery of neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Clinical efficacy analysis of "Tongluo" technique on gastrocnemius muscle hardness and muscle tone in children with spastic cerebral palsy using shear wave elastography / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the "Tongluo" technique on gastrocnemius muscle hardness and muscle tone in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) using shear wave elastography (SWE).Methods:Forty children with SCP who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to June 2021 were selected as the observation group and received the "Tongluo" technique intervention. At the same time, 20 normal children were selected as the control group, without any intervention. Compare the various indicators of the two groups at baseline and after 1.5 and 3 months of treatment, including Young’s modulus value of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at rest, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) score, and the clinical spasm index (CSI) score. The changes in muscle tone and spasticity of SCP children before and after treatment were compared, and the differences in the Young’s modulus between MAS and CSI levels in SCP children as well as the correlation between MAS, CSI, and Young’s modulus were analyzed.Results:The difference in Young’s modulus values of the control group at baseline, after 1.5 and 3 months of treatment was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). At baseline, after 1.5 and 3 months of treatment, Young’s modulus value, MAS score, and total CSI score gradually decreased in the observation group, and the differences obtained from pairwise comparisons were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). At the same intervention stage, Young’s modulus value of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.01). The MAS score results showed that Young’s modulus of the observation group increased with the increase in muscle tone, and there was a positive correlation between Young’s modulus and muscle tone ( P < 0.01), and the difference in Young’s modulus corresponding to different muscle tones was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The CSI score results showed that the Young’s modulus of the observation group increased with the increase in spasticity degree, and there was a positive correlation between the Young’s modulus and muscle tone ( P < 0.01), and the difference in Young’s modulus corresponding to different spasticity degrees was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The muscle hardness of children with SCP is higher than that of normal children. The "Tongluo" technique can effectively improve muscle hardness, reduce muscle tone, and effectively improve muscle spasticity in children with SCP. The principle may be related to adjusting the internal structure of muscles to reduce muscle hardness. The results of this study can guide clinical rehabilitation and evaluation.

Study on the evolution of TCM syndromes of 171 cases of Kawasaki disease under the intervention of gamma globulin therapy based on factor analysis / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To study the evolution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes of 171 cases of Kawasaki disease (KD) under the intervention of gamma globulin therapy based on factor analysis.Methods:A cross-sectional study. 171 cases of KD children hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology of Guangzhou Women's and Children's Medical Center from July 2019 to December 2020 were collected. All patients were treated with intravenous gamma globulin (2 g/kg) for 1 week. According to the results of the treatment with C-ball, 171 children with C-ball sensitive KD were selected to collect the four diagnostic data, and the representative syndromes of defensive level, qi level, yin level, and nutritive level were observed. Factor analysis was used to analyze the evolution of syndrome in 171 children with KD c-ball sensitivity.Results:The result of factor analysis showed that the KMO statistics of 171 children with c-ball sensitivity before treatment was 0.792, and Bartley test was significant ( P<0.01). 16 common factors were extracted, and 23 syndromes were screened, mainly including defensive level disorder, qi level disorder,nutritive level disorder,yin level disorder, heat stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. One week after treatment, the statistic of KMO test was 0.787, and Bartley test was significant ( P<0.01). 9 common factors were extracted, and 10 syndromes were screened, mainly including qi deficiency syndrome, yin deficiency syndrome and blood stasis syndrome. Conclusion:Before treatment, the TCM syndromes in KD C-cell sensitive children are mainly nutritive level disorder, defensive level disorder, qi level disorder yin level disorder, and heat stagnation and blood stasis syndrome; after treatment, the main TCM syndromes are mainly qi deficiency syndrome, yin deficiency syndrome and blood stasis syndrome.

Copy number variant sequencing for chromosome analysis in 487 fetuses with increased nuchal translucency / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the genetic etiology of 487 fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) using copy number variant sequencing (CNV-seq) and explore the relationship between increased NT and chromosomal abnormality.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on 487 fetuses with increased NT who received CNV-seq in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2020. These fetuses either had NT of ≥3.0-<3.5 mm (Group A, n=129) or ≥3.5 mm (Group B, n=358), the distribution and incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the two sets of fetuses were analyzed using Chi square test or Fisher's exact test. Results:Fetuses with abnormal chromosomes accounted for 25.9%(126/487) of cases, including 107 with chromosome aneuploidy (22.0%) and 19 with pathogenic or likely pathogenic copy number variation (CNV, 3.9%). The detection rate of fetal aneuploidy in Group B was higher than that in Group A [14.0% (18/129) vs 24.9% (89/358), χ2=6.58, P=0.010]. However, no significant difference was observed regarding the detection rate of pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV between the two groups ( χ2=0.30, P=0.584). Conclusions:The risk of fetal chromosome aneuploidy increased with NT thickness, but not with pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV, which needed further verification due to the small sample size. CNV-seq is an option to detect the conventional detection methods for the genetic etiology of NT thickening fetuses.

The role of environmental tobacco exposure and Helicobacter pylori infection in the risk of chronic tonsillitis in children.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a chronic infectious pathogen with high prevalence. This study investigated the interaction between environmental tobacco exposure and H. pylori infection on the incidence of chronic tonsillitis in Chinese children. DESIGN AND SETTING:: Cross-sectional study performed in an outpatient clinic in China. METHODS:: Pediatric patients with chronic tonsillitis were enrolled. H. pylori infection was determined according to the presence of H. pylori CagA IgG antibodies. Serum cotinine levels and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure were determined for all participants. RESULTS:: There was no significant difference in H. pylori infection between the children with chronic tonsillitis and children free of disease, but there was a significant difference in ETS between the two groups (P = 0.011). We next studied the association between ETS and chronic tonsillitis based on H. pylori infection status. In the patients with H. pylori infection, there was a significant difference in ETS distribution between the chronic tonsillitis and control groups (P = 0.022). Taking the participants without ETS as the reference, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that those with high ETS had higher susceptibility to chronic tonsillitis (adjusted OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.67-3.25; adjusted P < 0.001). However, among those without H. pylori infection, ETS did not predispose towards chronic tonsillitis. CONCLUSION:: Our findings suggest that tobacco exposure should be a putative mediator risk factor to chronic tonsillitis among children with H. pylori infection.

Clinical analysis of 16 cases of Kawasaki disease complicated with acute abdomen / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Kawasaki disease (KD) complicated with acute abdomen in children.Methods:Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, abdominal B-ultrasound scans, abdominal plain films, abdominal CT findings, coronary artery lesions and prognosis of 16 children with KD and acute abdomen admitted to Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.The measurement data of age, leukocyte, hemoglobin, platelet and biochemical indexes are expressed by M (range). Results:A total of 16 cases were included, involving 7 males and 9 females aged 4 years and 8 months (7 months to 8 years). Among them, 9 cases of KD complicated with cholecystitis, 5 cases with intestinal obstruction, 2 cases with acute appendicitis, 2 cases with necrotizing enterocolitis, 2 cases with acute peritonitis and 1 case with acute pancreatitis.There were 3 cases complica-ted with 2 or more kinds of acute abdomen diseases.All 16 patients had symptoms of abdominal pain, 7 cases had vomiting, 4 cases had obvious abdominal distension and 1 case had bloody stool.Abdominal B-ultrasound was performed in all cases, and 8 cases showed enlargement of gallbladder and edema and thickening of gallbladder wall, 2 cases of appendicitis, 2 cases of intestinal obstruction and 1 case of pancreatic enlargement.Abdominal plain film examination was performed in 8 cases, suggesting necrotizing enterocolitis in 2 cases and intestinal obstruction in 2 cases.Abdominal CT examination was performed in 3 cases, including edema of gallbladder wall in 1 case, peritonitis in 1 case, intestinal obstruction in 2 cases and enlargement of pancreas in 1 case.All the 16 cases were treated with pulsed intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at 2 g/kg and antiplatelet agents.Eight IVIG-resistant cases were treated with the second dose of IVIG at 2 g/kg, among whom, 4 children still had fever and intravenous Methylprednisone was given.Two cases underwent enterostomy and abdominal puncture drainage.All the 16 children were followed up until 6 months after discharge, and 4 cases (25%) were complicated with coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) during the acute stage or follow-up period.Conclusions:KD complicated with acute abdomen is more commonly manifested as cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.Besides the classic symptoms of KD, abdominal pain and vomiting are the most common in KD with acute abdomen.Abdominal ultrasound, plain film and CT examinations are conductive to the early diagnosis of KD complicated with acute abdomen.In addition, the incidence of IVIG-resistance and CAA is relatively high in children with KD complicated with acute abdomen.

Research on the Communication Strategy of Strengthening Socialist Ideology in Hospitals in All-media Era / 中国医学伦理学

In the all-media era, communication channels are increasingly diversified and the modes of communication are undergoing profound changes. Same medical institutions ignore the development of all media, which lead to rigid and backward communication situation, affect the healthy development of medical and health undertakings. Mastering and making good use of the advantages and characteristics of communication in the all-media era will also provide more motivation and possibilities for strengthening ideological work. This paper expounded the significance of strengthening the dissemination of socialist ideology in hospitals, proposed the opportunities and challenges faced by hospitals in strengthening the dissemination of socialist ideology in the all-media era, and then put forward specific coping strategies combined with the actual situation of hospitals.

Management and outcome of hypersensitivity reactions to oxaliplatin: A real-word study in a single center / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: To review the clinical characteristics of patients with hypersensitivity to oxaliplatin, symptom management, and treatment outcomes to guide further treatment. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2017, 62 cases of hypersensitivity reactions to oxaliplatin were reported to the National Center for Adverse Drug Reaction(ADR) Monitoring in the Daycare Center of Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. The hypersensitivity reactions were classified into standard infusion-related reactions and anaphylaxis in accordance with international standards. The clinical data, treatment information, and outcomes of these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: The mean age of the 62 patients was (52.9±11.3) years, the male-to-female radio was 1.07:1, and 59.7% (37/62) of patients received premedication with glucocorticoids before oxaliplatin. The median onset time was 6 (interquartile range 4-7.25) cycles with a median cumulative dose of 456.9 (263.5-651.0) mg/m2. Of the 62 patients, 19 (30.6%) patients had an oxaliplatin-free interval, 41 (66.1%) patients were diagnosed with a standard infusion-related reaction, and 21 (33.9%) patients were diagnosed with anaphylaxis based on clinical criteria. The medication was suspended for all patients and the infusion set was replaced. No patient received epinephrine for symptom management. All patients recovered completely; no deaths were reported. In addition, 58.6% (17/29) of patients with grade 2 standard infusion-related reactions who need further treatment were subsequently rechallenged with oxaliplatin, 70.6% (12/17) showed no symptoms of hypersensitivity. Conclusions: Premedication before oxaliplatin was not sufficient and the management of hypersensitivity was not standardized; therefore, the first-line usage of epinephrine should be performed with caution. Most cases of moderate hypersensitivity for soxaliplatin can be rechallenged successfully.

Analysis of frailty and its related factors in elderly patients with stage 3-5 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of frailty in elderly patients with stage 3-5 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease(ND-CKD)and to analyze its related factors.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.Patients ≥65 years old with stage 3-5 CKD who had never undergone dialysis in the nephrology department and the internal medicine department of our hospital between October 2017 to September 2018 were enrolled.Patients were divided into the non-frail group and the frail group according to the Fried frailty phenotype.Clinical data and laboratory results were collected and comprehensive geriatric assessment was carried out to evaluate participants' medication, comorbidities, daily living ability, nutritional status, depression, cognitive and physical performance.The relevant factors for frailty were analyzed.Results:A total of 193 elderly patients with stage 3-5 ND-CKD were enrolled, 106 male and 87 female, including 68 outpatients and 125 inpatients, with a median age of 79.00(73.00, 85.00)years.There were 143 frailty patients(74.1%), including 41 outpatients and 102 inpatients, accounting for 60.3% and 81.6% of the eligible outpatients and inpatients respectively.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that CKD stage( OR=9.74, 95% CI: 1.12-84.54)and polypharmacy( OR=3.69, 95% CI: 1.09-12.42)were associated with frailty in outpatients, and CKD stage( OR=11.75, 95% CI: 1.38-99.99)and malnourishment or risk of malnutrition( OR=4.22, 95% CI: 1.40-12.74)were correlated with frailty in inpatients. Conclusions:The prevalence of frailty is high in elderly patients with stage 3-5 ND-CKD.CKD stage, polypharmacy and malnourishment or the risk of malnutrition are closely correlated with frailty.

Advance in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis / 国际儿科学杂志

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is severe diffuse encephalitis caused by cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)antibodies against the GluN1 subunit of the NMDAR.Pediatric NMDAR encephalitis is mainly characterized by neurological symptoms such as dyskinesia, ataxia and epilepsy.Auxiliary examinations of the patients show positive CSF IgG antibodies, EEG slow waves and metabolic changes in FDG-PET/CT.But there is lacking of clinical biomarkers for early diagnosis of children with atypical symptoms and negative antibody.Immunotherapy is effective for most children and early treatment can improve prognosis remarkably.At the same time, antipsychotic drugs and antiepileptic drugs can treat children with psycho behavioral symptoms and seizures.However, some patients are refractory to conventional therapies and have neurological sequela even after the application of multiple immunosuppressants.Therefore, more further studies are needed to clarify the pathogenesis and find biomarkers for early diagnosis of pediatric patients.This article reviews the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatments of the disease.

Research progress on cognitive frailty in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease / 中华老年医学杂志

With the population aging, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease(CKD)is increasing.Frailty is a complex syndrome in the elderly.Elderly CKD patients have higher risks of frailty and cognitive impairment than the general elderly population.In recent years, the relationship between frailty and cognition has gradually attracted the attention of researchers at home and abroad.Cognitive frailty is regarded as a subtype of frailty and has become one of the research hotspots in the field of gerontology.However, there are few studies on the relationship between CKD and cognitive frailty in the elderly.This article reviews research progress on the topic, including the epidemiology, evaluation methods and possible pathogenesis of cognitive frailty in elderly CKD patients.

Value of peripheral blood long non-coding RNA-LET in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of peripheral blood long non-coding RNA-LET (lncRNA-LET) in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cirrhosis, and to provide a basis for early clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver cirrhosis. MethodsA total of 175 CHB patients who attended The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University from March 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled, among whom 52 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis were enrolled as cirrhosis group and 123 patients without the pathological changes of liver cirrhosis were enrolled as non-cirrhosis group. A total of 40 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period of time were enrolled as normal control group. Liver function parameters and the level of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood were measured for all subjects. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; an analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of ranked data. A Pearson correlation analysis was performed to investigate correlation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the value of peripheral blood lncRNA-LET in predicting liver cirrhosis. Results Compared with the normal control group, the cirrhosis group and the non-cirrhosis group had significantly higher serum levels of the liver function parameters total bilirubin (TBil), total bile acid (TBA), albumin (Alb), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (all P＜0.05) and a significantly lower serum level of cholinesterase (ChE) (P＜0.05); compared with the non-cirrhosis group, the cirrhosis group had significantly higher serum levels of TBil, TBA, Alb, and ALT (all P＜0.05) and a significantly lower serum level of ChE (P＜0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the cirrhosis group and the non-cirrhosis group had significantly lower relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood (P＜0.05), and the cirrhosis group had significantly lower relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood than the non-cirrhosis group (P＜0.05). The relative expression of lncRNA-LET decreased significantly with the increase in liver fibrosis stage (P＜0.05). In the patients with CHB, the relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood was negatively correlated with liver fibrosis stage, TBil, TBA, Alb, and ALT (r=-0.352,-0.372,-0.364, and -0.410, all P＜0.001) and was positively correlated with ChE (r=0.340, P＜0.001). The ROC curve was used to analyze the value of peripheral blood lncRNA-LET in predicting liver cirrhosis, and the area under the ROC curve was 0934, with an optimal cut-off value of 0.833, a sensitivity of 84.57%, and a specificity of 80.57%. ConclusionThe expression level of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood decreases with the progression of liver fibrosis and has a good value in the diagnosis of CHB cirrhosis, and therefore, it can be used as a potential biological indicator for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.

A Method for Isolating Tumor Cells from Large Volume of Malignant Pleural Effusion and Its Efficacy Evaluation / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#Malignant plural effusion (MPE) is one of the most common specimen for liquid biopsy gene detection. This study aims to explore a method for isolating tumor cells from large volume of MPE and evaluate its efficacy and application prospect in gene detection.@*METHODS@#Pleural effusions (>500 mL) from 20 advanced lung cancer patients were obtained by effusion drainage and used to isolate tumor cells with cell separation media Percoll and Ficoll. Cell number and purity were calculated. DNA was extracted from the supernatant (etDNA), total cells and isolated tumor cells of pleural effusion (ETC-DNA) to detect the mutation of tumor-related genes by next-generation sequencing.@*RESULTS@#The median number of cells isolated from malignant pleural effusion was 8.50×10⁴ (interquel range: 9.25×10³-3.75×10⁵), 85.50%±5.80% of the cells were identified as tumor cells. The detection rates of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation of etDNA, total cell DNA and ETC-DNA were 70.00%, 50.00% and 70.00%, reseparately, while the median EGFR mutation abundance in 3 components was 16.05% (4.78%-43.06%), 1.09% (0.00%-2.39%), and 33.02% (18.50%-76.70%), respectively. ETC-DNA had good consistency with tissue DNA (P>0.999, kappa=1.000) and etDNA (P>0.999, kappa=1.000). ETC-DNA inclined to have higher EGFR mutation than etDNA, but the result was not statistically significant.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our method can isolate large amount of tumor cells from a large volume of malignant pleural effusion with high purity. Using ETC-DNA as specimen improves the efficacy of gene detection, thus is worth further study.

Effect of urate-lowering therapy with febuxostat on oxidative stress in hyperuricemic patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5 / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To estimate the effect of urate-lowering therapy with febuxostat on oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 patients with hyperuricemia (HUA). Methods The study was a prospective cohort study. The patients of CKD stages 3-5 with HUA between June 2015 and June 2018 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were prospectively analyzed. The patients were assigned to febuxostat (A) group, allopurinol (B) group and non -hyperuricemia (C) group according to the level of serum uric acid and the choice of urate-loweringdrugs. Serum uric acid, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured at baseline, 1 month and 3 months after treatment and the changes of the values of inflammation and oxidative stress before or after treatment were compared. According to the level of serum uric acid, patients were divided into attainment group and nonattainment group, and the correlation between uric acid and oxidative stress was analyzed at baseline and 3 months after treatment respectively. Results There was no significant difference in baseline levels of serum uric acid, inflammation and oxidative stress between group A and group B (P>0.05). The levels of serum uric acid, hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1 of group A and group B were significantly higher than those of group C, but the level of SOD of group A and group B was significantly lower than that of group C at baseline (P<0.001). After treatment for 1 month and 3 months, the values of serum uric acid, hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1 in group A were significantly lower than those in group B, while the level of SOD in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P<0.001). Compared with pre-treatment period, both the serum uric acid, hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1 levels of group A and group B were declined significantly while SOD had a significant rise after 3 months treatment (P<0.001). The changes of group A were significantly higher than those of group B (P<0.001). At baseline and 3 months after treatment, serum uric acid was positively related to hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1, but negatively related to SOD in nonattainment group (|r|>0.50, P<0.001);serum uric acid was positively related to hs-CRP, MDA and SOD (|r|>0.70, P<0.001), and there was no correlation between serum uric acid and ET-1 in attainment group (P>0.05). Conclusions Febuxostat performed better than allopurinol in lowering urate and inhibiting oxidative stress in CKD stages 3-5 patients with HUA, thus reducing vascular endothelial injury. Elevated serum uric acid may be one of the important factors that promote oxidative stress and increase endothelial damage in CKD patients.

Clinical study of Warfarin combined with Aspirin in the treatment of Kawasaki disease complicated with multiple medium and giant coronary artery aneurysms / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective@#To investigate the safety and efficacy of Warfarin combined with Aspirin in the treatment of multiple medium and giant coronary artery aneurysms in Kawasaki disease(KD).@*Methods@#Clinical and follow-up data of 45 children diagnosed with KD complicated with multiple medium-sized and giant coronary artery aneurysms from April 2014 to December 2018 at Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center were collected.These children were divided into 2 groups.A total of 31 cases received regular oral Warfarin combined with Aspirin called experimental group.There were 14 patients treated with oral Aspirin and Clopidogrel called control group.General information, laboratory examination, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, outcome and bleeding complications of the 2 groups were analyzed retrospectively.@*Results@#(1) In experimental group, there were 22 patients found thrombosis under echocardiography.The 10 patients′ thrombosis disappeared, 5 patients′ thrombosis reduced, and 2 patients′ increased after treatment.In control group, there were 5 cases found thrombosis.The 2 cases′ thrombosis reduced and 3 cases′ throm-bosis increased.The number of thrombosis in experimental group was significantly reduced, and the number of new thrombosis was less than that in control group (χ2=6.454, P<0.05). (2) The number of coronary artery aneurysms in experimental group increased slowly than that in control group [12.90%(4/31 cases)vs.14.28%(2/14 cases)]. (3) The number of coronary artery aneurysms in experimental group decreased rapidly than that in control group [23.91%(11/46 cases)vs.10.00%(1/10 cases)]. (4) The number of cases of tumor retraction in experimental group was more than that in control group [74.19%(23/31 cases)vs.42.85%(6/14 cases)]. (5) During the followed-up, there was no abnormality in the blood phosphokinase isozyme and troponin, no abnormality in the electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, no ventricular enlargement and abnormal ventricular wall movement, and the ejection fraction value was within the normal range.No active bleeding and no death occurred in the two groups.@*Conclusions@#Warfarin combined with Aspirin is very safe and effective in the treatment of KD coronary tumor, it can reduce thrombosis effectively.Compared with oral Aspirin and Clopidogrel, Warfarin combined with Aspirin can reduce the number of multiple medium-sized and large coronary artery aneurysms and reduce the diameter of coronary artery aneurysms.

Selective coronary angiography in follow-up and technical study of Kawasaki disease-induced giant coronary artery aneurysm / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective@#To investigate the characteristics of long-term changes in giant coronary artery aneurysm (GCAA) caused by Kawasaki disease (KD) and the technical approach of using selective coronary angiography (SCAG) in children.@*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was made in 52 patients with KD and GCAA in acute phase, including 38 males and 14 females with an average age of (4.1±2.5) years old ranging from 1 to 14 years old, from January 2008 to December 2018 at the Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center.The selective coronary angiography (SCAG) was performed in the patients who were followed up for (10.6±3.6) years (1-19 years). The changes in coronary artery lesions were analyzed and the technical approach of SCAG was discussed in children.@*Results@#Among 52 patients investigated by SCAG, the location of coronary artery lesion was found the left-anterior descending branch in 21 cases(40.4%), 20 cases(38.5%) in the right coronary artery, 8 cases(15.4%) in the left main trunk and 3 cases(5.7%) in circumflex.The left coronary artery in 2 cases and the right coronary artery in 4 cases were completely occluded, and collateral vessel formation was found in 12 cases.There were 21 cases of right coronary artery stenosis, including 7 cases of the right coronary artery occlusion and bridge-like neovascularization, and 4 cases of the right coronary artery woven lesions (thrombotic occlusion and clustered neovascularization). There were 27 cases of the left coronary artery stenosis with different degrees, including 5 cases of the left coronary artery occlusion and bridge-like neovascularization, and 2 cases of the left coronary artery woven lesions (thrombotic occlusion and clustered neovascularization). All of 52 patients with GCAA were followed up for 1 to 19 years.GCAA still existed in 40 cases.Regression to small coronary artery aneurysm was found in 8 cases, and mild-dilation regression was observed only in 4 patients.The resting electrocardiogram showed pathological Q wave and the left ventricular enlargement in 6 cases, and normal in the remaining 46 patients.The children had no subjective symptoms and their activities were not restricted.Compared with SCAG, echocardiography detected 52 cases with proximal morphological changes in the coronary artery, but distal changes were found only in 3 cases.And 12 cases with coronary artery occlusion and neovascularization failed to be prompted by echocardiography.@*Conclusions@#GCAA induced by KD can persist for a long time, and has characteristics of coronary occlusion, stenosis, and collateral vessel formation.The conventional electrocardiogram and echocardiography are insensitive to the coronary artery morphology and dysfunction in KD sequelae.The SCAG is of great value in tracking this disease.For using SCAG in children, as long as the approp-riate equipment and projection angle are selected, and the operation skills are mastered, satisfactory images and high success rate can be obtained.