Anti-endothelial cell antibodies in predicting early miscarriage / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical significance of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in predicting early miscarriage.@*METHODS@#A total of 122 pregnant women with no history of autoimmune diseases who underwent prenatal examination at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected, and they were tested for AECA. Based on the history of early miscarriage (gestational age at miscarriage < 12 weeks), the participants were divided into an early miscarriage group and a control group. t-tests, non-parametric Wilcoxon tests, Chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact probability method were used to compare general information and laboratory indicators between the two groups. A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with early miscarriage. The natural miscarriage rates were assessed through follow-up with pregnant women, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was employed to compare the natural miscarriage rates between AECA-positive and AECA-negative pregnant women.@*RESULTS@#(1) A total of 122 pregnant women were enrolled, comprising 35 cases (28.7%) in the early miscarriage group, with an average age of (32.1±6.1) years, and 87 cases (71.3%) in the control group, with an average age of (30.7±5.1) years. The early miscarriage group had higher gravidity [3 (2, 4) vs. 1 (1, 2), Z=-6.402, P < 0.001] and a higher prevalence of hypertension (11.4% vs.1.1%, P=0.024). The positive rate of AECA in the early miscarriage group (34.3% vs. 8.0%, χ2=13.070, P < 0.001) and the proportion of elevated immunoglobulin G (17.1% vs. 4.6%, P=0.032) were significantly higher than that in the control group. (2) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher gravidity (OR=4.149, 95%CI: 2.287-7.529, P < 0.001), AECA positivity (OR= 4.288, 95% CI: 1.157-15.893, P=0.029), and elevated immunoglobulin G levels (OR =6.177, 95%CI: 1.156-33.015, P=0.033) were risk factors for early miscarriage. (3) The 122 pregnant women were categorized into two groups: the AECA-positive group (19 cases) and the AECA-negative group (103 cases). Survival analysis demonstrated that at the end of 12 weeks of gestation, the fetal survival rate in the AECA-positive group was significantly lower than that in the AECA-negative group (84.2% vs. 96.1%, P= 0.035).@*CONCLUSION@#Higher gravidity, AECA positivity, and elevated immunoglobulin G levels are significant risk factors for early miscarriage. The results demonstrate that AECA is a novel predicting test in early miscarriage.

Predictive value of four items of new thrombus markers combined with conventional coagulation tests for thrombosis in antiphospholipid syndrome / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the predictive value of four items of new thrombus markers combined with conventional coagulation tests for thrombosis in antiphospholipid syndrome.@*METHODS@#A total of 121 antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients who hospitalized at Peking University People's Hospital from March 2022 to January 2023 were selected and divided into thrombus group (50 cases) and nonthrombus group (71 cases) according to whether thrombosis occurred. The differences of laboratory characteristics including antiphospholipid antibodies were compared between the thrombotic and non-thrombotic groups. Chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to detect thrombomodulin (TM), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), Plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor complex (t-PAIC) in plasma from venous. The independent risk factors of thrombosis in patients with APS were determined using binary Logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to evaluate the efficacy of each index on the prediction of thrombosis.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the patients without thrombosis, the patients with thrombosis were older [49 (32, 64) years vs. 36 (32, 39) years, P < 0.05]. The percentages of male, smoking, hypertension, and global antiphospholipid syndrome score (GAPSS)≥10 in the patients with thrombosis were significantly higher than those in the patients without thrombosis (P < 0.05). The positive rates of anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) in the thrombotic group were significantly higher than those in the non-thrombotic group (P < 0.05), and the levels of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, fibrin degradation product in the thrombotic group were significantly higher than those in the non-thrombotic group (P < 0.05).Among the thrombosis group, venous thrombosis accounted for 19 (38.00%), including deep vein thrombosis (16, 84.21%) and pulmonary embolism accounted (5, 26.32%); Arterial thrombosis accounted for 35 (70.00%), including myocardial infarction (6, 17.14%) cerebral infarction (30, 85.71%). The patients in the thrombotic group had significantly greater TM levels than those in the non-thrombotic group (P < 0.05).There were no significant dif-ferences between the two groups in TAT (Z=-1.420, P=0.156), PIC (Z=-0.064, P=0.949), and t-PAIC (Z=-1.487, P=0.137). Univariate and binary Logistic regression analysis of relevant variables showed that advanced age [OR=1.126, P=0.002], elevated TM [OR=1.325, P=0.048], prolonged prothrombin time (PT) [OR=4.127, P=0.008] were independent risk factors for thrombosis in the patients with APS. ROC curve analysis of the above three independent risk factors showed that the combined detection of age, PT and TM had the highest Yoden index (0.727) and sensitivity (83.0%), with a specificity of 89.7%.@*CONCLUSION@#TAT, PIC, TM, and t-PAIC may reflect thrombus formation from the coagulation system, fibrinolysis system, and endothelial system. The combined of age TM and PT is superior to the application of a single marker, which has diagnostic value for the early identification of APS thrombosis.

Effect of electroacupuncture at different frequencies on brain insulin signaling transduction pathway in Alzheimer's disease mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different frequencies on learning and memory functions, as well as the relevant proteins of brain insulin signal transduction pathway in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice and explore the effect mechanism of EA in treatment of AD.@*METHODS@#Seventy-two SPF Kunming male mice were randomized into a blank group, a sham-operation group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 15 Hz EA group and a 30 Hz EA group, 12 mice in each one. In the model group and each EA group, AD model were established by the injection with streptozotocin (ST2) solution (8 mg/kg) into the left lateral ventricles. In the sham-operation group, 0.9% sodium chloride solution of the same volume was injected into the left lateral ventricles. After successful modeling, in each EA group, EA was applied at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) with corresponding frequencies, once daily. One course of EA intervention consisted of 7 treatments and 2 courses were given totally at interval of 1 day. After modeling and intervention, Morris water maze test was conducted for the mice of each group. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot method, the protein expression of insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) was detected in the hippocampal of the mice after intervention.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the 2 Hz, 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups, the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all extended (P<0.01), and the number of crossing the platform was reduced (P<0.01) after modeling. When compared with the blank group, the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all extended (P<0.01), and the number of crossing the platform was reduced (P<0.01) in the model group after intervention. In the 2 Hz, 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups, the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all shortened (P<0.01), and the number of crossing the platform was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) after intervention when compared with the model group. The escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all shortened (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the number of crossing the platform was increased (P<0.05) in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups in comparison with the 2 Hz EA group. The protein expression levels of IR, IRS-1 and PI3K were reduced in the model group when compared with those of the blank group (P<0.01, P<0.05); and these protein expression levels were increased in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 2 Hz EA group, the protein expression levels of IR, IRS-1 and PI3K were all elevated in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The learning and memory function of AD mice may be improved through regulating brain insulin signaling transconduction pathway with electroacupuncture, and electroacupuncture at 15 Hz and 30 Hz obtains the overall better effect compared with the intervention at 2 Hz.

Toxicity Management and Efficacy Evaluation of BCMA-CART in the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the toxicity management and efficacy evaluation of BCMA-chimeric antigen receptor T cells(CART) in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM).@*METHODS@#The efficacy and adverse reactions of 21 patients with MM who received BCMA-CART treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from December 2017 to September 2020 were evaluated, and the efficacy assessment and survival analysis for high-risk patients and non-high-risk patients were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After infusion of BCMA-CART cells in 21 MM patients, the number of effective cases was 17, of which the complete remission (sCR/CR) was 10, and the partial remission (VGPR/PR) was 7. The median OS time for all patients was 19.4 months, and the median PFS time was 7.9 months. The number of patients with extramedullary disease(EMD), high-risk genetics, and ISS stage Ⅲ were 5, 15 and 8, and the effective number was 3, 11 and 6, respectively. The treatment of 3 patients without high-risk factors was effective. The median OS and median PFS of patients with EMD were 14.2 and 2.5 months, respectively, which were shorter than those of patients without EMD (19.4 months and 8.9 months, respectively). The median OS and median PFS of patients with high-risk cytogenetic factors and ISS Ⅲ were not significantly different from those of non-high-risk patients. Cytokine release syndrane (CRS) occurred in 20 patients, of which 14 cases were Grade 1 CRS, while 6 were Grade 2, no CRS of Grade 3 or above occurred. IL-6 receptor inhibitors were used in 9 patients. All CRS were controlled effectively, and no patients had neurological toxicity.@*CONCLUSION@#BCMA-CART is a certain curative effect in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, and the adverse reactions can be well controlled through close monitoring and timely treatment.

Preschool period neurodevelopmental follow-up in children underwent antergrade cerebral perfusion / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the preschool period neurodevelopmental status and analyze the perioperative data which associated with delayed neurodevelopment in patients underwent antergrade cerebral perfusion(ACP).Methods:To access the preschool period neurodevelopmental status in patients underwent ACP using Griffiths mental development scale-Chinese(GDS-C). Patients were classified as normal development group(ND) and low development group(LD) depending on the outcomes of assessment. Perioperative data including age, weight, CPB time, aortic cross-clamp time, mean arterial pressure, ACP time and flow were analyzed retrospectively.Results:62 children who met the inclusion criteria, of which 19 were accessed by GDS-C scale. Fourteen cases were lagged in general quotient(GQ) compared with normal children. The outcomes of assessment in six subscales of GDS-C scale indicated that 13 cases were delayed in language(C) and practical reasoning(F). Eight cases were delayed in locomotor(A) and personal-social(B). Eleven cases were delayed in eye-hand coordination(D). Ten cases were delayed in performance(E). The children in LD group had significant longer CPB time and aortic cross-clamp time than those in ND group. There were no differences between two groups in other perioperative data.Conclusion:The incidence of preschool period neurodevelopmental delay after ACP in infants is relatively high. In detailed analysis, their language and practical reasoning ability are lagged significantly. In addition, the longer time of CPB and aortic cross-clamp are associated with the neurodevelopmental delay.

Tapping at acupoints along meridian combined with thunder-fire moxibustion for upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of tapping at acupoints along meridian combined with thunder-fire moxibustion on upper-limb muscle strength and activities of daily living in patients with upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 140 patients with upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into a combination group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped off), an acupoint-tapping group (35 cases), a moxibustion group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a routine group (35 cases). The patients in the routine group were only treated with routine treatment and nursing. On the basis of the treatment in the routine group, the patients in the acupoint-tapping group were treated with tapping along the large intestine meridian of hand @*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, body mass indexs of shoulder abduction, elbow extension, wrist flexion as well as BI scores in the four groups were significantly increased after treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Tapping at acupoints along meridian combined with thunder-fire moxibustion could effectively improve the upper-limb muscle strength and activities of daily living in patients with upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke, and its effect is superior to simple tapping at acupoints along meridian or thunder-fire moxibustion.

Progress in gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology is a hotspot in the study of gastric cancer, and its prognosis is poor. Intraperitoneal free cancer cells may be associated with cancer cells migration, invasion and metastasis. Tumor T stage, peritoneal metastasis, lymph node metastasis, low histological differentiation, linitis plastica, adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, and operation are the clinicopathological risk factors of gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology. Currently, the acquisition of free cancer cells is mainly through diagnostic laparoscopy combined with peritoneal lavage, and cytopathological examination is gold standard for diagnosis. Its treatment strategies are not in consensus, including preoperative chemotherapy combined with radical resection, postoperative chemotherapy and peritoneal local treatment, which can prolong the survival of patients. At present, postoperative chemotherapy is often used in China, and the best treatment strategies remain to be further studied.

Application of lymphocytes test in peripheral blood of patients with systemic sclerosis during the treatment / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the significance of lymphocytes in systemic sclerosis (SSc), by detecting the levels of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, and analyzing the correlation between the lymphocytes and clinical laboratory indexes.@*METHODS@#The numbers and proportion of T, CD4+T, CD8+T, B, and NK cells were detected by flow cytometry in peripheral blood of 32 SSc patients who had taken immunosuppressive drugs and 30 healthy controls (HC). The comparison of the lymphocyte subsets in SSc with them in the HC groups, and the correlation between the lymphocytes and other clinical and laboratory indicators were analyzed by the relevant statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the HC group, the numbers of T, CD4+T, CD8+T, and NK cells in peripheral blood of SSc group, who had taken immunosuppressive drugs, were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). More-over, the proportion of NK cells in peripheral blood of the SSc group was also significantly lower than that in the HC group (P=0.004). In addition, all the lymphocyte subsets were decreased in peripheral blood of more than 65% of the SSc patients who had taken immunosuppressive drugs. Compared with CD4+T normal group, the positivity of Raynaud's phenomenon, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly increased in CD4+T reduction group, respectively (P＝0.024, P < 0.001, P=0.018). ESR was higher in CD8+T reduction group than CD8+T normal group (P＝0.022). The prevalence of fingertip ulcer was significantly increased in B cell decrease group (P=0.019). Compared with NK cell normal group, the prevalence of fingertip ulcer was significantly increased in NK cell lower group (P=0.033), IgM was remarkablely decreased yet (P=0.049). The correlation analysis showed that ESR was negatively correlated with the counts of T lymphocytes (r＝－0.455, P＝0.009), CD4+T lymphocytes (r＝－0.416, P＝0.018), CD8+T lymphocytes (r＝－0.430, P=0.014), B cells (r＝－0.366, P＝0.039).@*CONCLUSION@#The number of CD4+T, CD8+T, B, and NK cells significantly decreased in peripheral blood of SSc patients who had used immunosuppressive drugs, some lymphocyte subsets might be related with Raynaud's phenomenon and fingertip ulcer, and reflected the disease activity by negatively correlated with ESR and CRP; the numbers of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood should be detected regularly in SSc patients who had taken immunosuppressive drugs.

8-Azaguanine-induced autophagy contributes to its chemoresistance in hepatic cancer cells / 药学学报

Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved process by which components of the cell are degraded in lysosomes, may facilitate survival of cancer cells under stress conditions. 8-Azaguanine (8-AG), an inhibitor of purine nucleotide biosynthesis, shows antineoplastic activity in multiple tumor cells. However, chemoresistance has restricted its development as an anticancer agent, and the mechanism of 8-AG resistance is not fully understood. We report here that 8-AG induces a protective autophagy to eliminate its cytotoxicity, and inhibition of autophagy increases cellular sensitivity of cancer cells to 8-AG treatment. Using HepG2 or SMMC-7721 hepatic cancer cell lines, we found that 8-AG inhibited cell viability and induced intrinsic apoptosis, accompanied by the up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic protein BimS, one of Bim (also known as BCL-2-like protein 11, BCL2L11) isoforms. Furthermore, 8-AG treatment enhanced the autophagy flux by promoting the dephosphorylation and activation of Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) via Akt/mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) signaling inhibition. Depletion of autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) markedly enhanced the level of BimS, and promoted cell death in response to 8-AG. 8-AG in combination with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1) promoted the 8-AG-induced apoptosis in hepatic cancer cells. Altogether, these findings suggest that autophagy promotes chemoresistance of cancer cells for 8-AG, and blocking autophagy increases cellular sensitivity of cancer cells to 8-AG treatment.

Analysis of Clinical Features and Prognosis of Patients with Chronic Neutrophil Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To provide clinical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) and to provide possible molecular targets for the treatment.@*METHODS@#By summarizing the clinical data of 14 patients with CNL, the clinical characteristics, gene mutation types and possible prognostic factors were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 14 patients with CNL, males (9 cases) were more than females (5 cases), with a median age of 57 years old. The detection rate of CSF3R mutation was 92.86% (13/14), including 12 cases (85.71%) with T318I mutation and 1 case of Y799X mutation, and only 1 case was not detected for mutation of CSF3R. The ASXL1 mutation was detected in 42.86% (6/14) of the patients, all of which were nonsense mutations, including 4 cases with R693X and 2 cases with E705X, and 14.29% (2/14) of the patients was detected for SETBP1 mutation, all of which were with D868N mutation. No patients with simultaneous ASXL1 and SETBP1 mutations were found, and JAK2 and CALR mutations were not detected. All of the patients had normal karyotypes. These patients' median survival time was 30 months (95%CI 13.19-46.80), and the influence of age over 60 years old was statistically significant (21.83 months vs 35.35 months) (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#It is difficult to diagnose CNL. CSF3R T618I mutation is its specific mutation, and ASXL1 mutation and SETBP1 mutation have auxiliary diagnostic significance for CNL. The age＞60 years old at diagnosis is a factor of unfavourable prognosis.

Effects of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli"(ST36) on ultrastructure and mitochondrial dynamics of skeletal muscle in rats with spleen qi deficiency syndrome / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST36) on the ultrastructure and mitochondrial dynamics of skeletal muscle tissue in spleen qi deficiency rats, so as to explore the partial action mechanism of EA at ST36 for spleen deficiency syndrome. METHODS: Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group, model group, ST36 group and non-acupoint group (n＝6 in each group). The model of spleen qi deficiency syndrome was established by improper diet and exhaustive swimming. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 0.5 mA) was applied to bilateral ST36 in the ST36 group and non-acupoint in the non-acupoint group for 20 min, once daily for 7 days. The colorimetric method was used to detect the ATP content in skeletal muscle tissue. The ultrastructure changes of skeletal muscle tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) mRNA and proteins in the skeletal muscle tissue were determined by fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The ATP content in skeletal muscle tissue of model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (P<0.05), while significantly higher in the ST36 group than that in the model group and non-acupoint group (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that a large number of muscle fibers that were ruptured, damaged, and disorganized; moreover, many vacuoles with different sizes, and abnormally shaped or swollen mitochondria were observed in the model group. ST36 treatment improved the disor-dered fiber arrangement, and reduced the population of damaged mitochondria; thus, fused and elongated mitochondria were readily observed. Compared with the model group, there were no obvious improvements in the non-acupoint group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of Opa1 and Drp1 mRNAs and proteins in the skeletal muscle tissue were significantly lower in the model group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the expression levels of Opa1 and Drp1 mRNAs and proteins were up-regulated in the ST36 group (P<0.05), and the expression of Drp1 protein was up-regulated in the non-acupoint group (P<0.05)．. CONCLUSION: EA at ST36 can correct the imbalance of mitochondrial fission and fusion in skeletal muscle of rats with spleen qi deficiency, thereby improving the damage of mitochondrial structure and function, and leading to an increase of energy metabolism.

Diagnosis and treatment recommendation for pediatric COVID-19 (the second edition) / 浙江大学学报·医学版

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. All people including children are generally susceptible to COVID-19, but the condition is relatively mild for children. The diagnosis of COVID-19 is largely based on the epidemiological evidence and clinical manifestations, and confirmed by positive detection of virus nucleic acid in respiratory samples. The main symptoms of COVID-19 in children are fever and cough; the total number of white blood cell count is usually normal or decreased; the chest imaging is characterized by interstitial pneumonia, which is similar to other respiratory virus infections and infections. Early identification, early isolation, early diagnosis and early treatment are important for clinical management. The treatment of mild or moderate type of child COVID-19 is mainly symptomatic. For severe and critical ill cases, the oxygen therapy, antiviral drugs, antibacterial drugs, glucocorticoids, mechanical ventilation or even extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be adopted, and the treatment plan should be adjusted timely through multi-disciplinary cooperation.

Current treatment status and trends of early gastric cancer in China: analyzed based on the data of China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Union / 中国实用外科杂志

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancersin China. The proportion of early gastric cancer(EGC) is stillrelatively low in China. The data of China Gastrointestinal Can-cer Surgery Union from 2014 to 2017 can reflect the currentstatus and trends of diagnose and treatment of EGC in China.The union collected data of 134,111 cases of gastric cancer in95 centers in China. The trend analysis was performed with da-ta from centers with at least 3 years data collected. Within allthe patients, the proportion of EGC was 19.7%. The propor-tions of EGC were higher in Zhejiang, Beijing, Jiangsu, Tian-jin, and Shanghai, and were lower in Qinghai, Hainan, InnerMongolia, Yunnan, and Guangxi. The proportion of EGC in-creased from 19.7% in 2014 to 20.9% in 2017. In terms oftreatment, the proportions of endoscopic treatment, laparoscop-ic surgery, and open surgery were 24.3%, 37.7%, and 38.0%.From 2014 to 2017, the proportions of endoscopic treatmentand laparoscopic surgery increased while the proportion ofopen surgery decreased. Among patients received surgery,5.9% of pT1 a patients and 19.6% of pT1 b patients were withlymph node metastasis. In conclusion, the proportion of EGCincreased slightly in China but was still lower than that of Ja-pan and South Korea. Minimally invasive treatment graduallybecome the main treatment method of EGC.

Interfacility transport with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients: a multicenter study in China / 中华儿科杂志

Objective@#To investigate application and safety of pediatric interfacility-transport with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in China.@*Methods@#The data of 48 patients transported inter-hospital from February 2016 to May 2018 were collected from the following 4 centers: pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Bayi Children′s Hospital Affiliated to the 7th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Pediatric Hospital of Fudan University, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital and Children′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The data of patients′ characteristics, ECMO mode and wean rate, and mortality were reviewed, which was further compared with the data of 57 compatible inner-hospital ECMO cases with t test, Rank sum test or chi-square test.@*Results@#All the 48 interfacility-transports were accomplished by ambulance on land, with an average transfer distance of (435±422) km. The incidence of ECMO complications was 13% (6 case), without death. There were no significant differences in lactic acid, PaO2 or SaO2 before and after transport (4.0 (2.0, 7.5) vs. 3.0 (1.5, 6.0) mmol/L, Z=-1.579, P>0.05; 112(47, 405) vs. 166(122, 240) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), Z=-0.104, P>0.05; 0.97±0.02 vs. 0.96±0.03, t=1.570, P>0.05). Instead, PaCO2 and pH were significantly different ((47±8) vs. (42±5) mmHg, t=2.687, P<0.05; 7.3±0.2 vs. 7.5±0.2, t=3.379, P<0.05). The total ECMO weaned rate was 73% (35/48) and the survival rate was 67% (32/48). No significant differences in demographic characteristics, ECMO mode or duration, transport distance or duration, or complications existed between the survival group and the death group (7/25 vs. 2/14, χ2=0.615, P>0.05; 4/28 vs. 2/14, χ2=0, P>0.05; (405±404) vs. (493±465) km, t=0.525, P>0.05; (5±4) vs. (5±5) h, t=0.388, P>0.05; 166 (128, 239) vs. 187(52, 405) h, Z=-0.104, P>0.05; 3/32 vs. 3/16, χ2=0.734, P>0.05). The lowest lactate value in survival group before ECMO transport was significantly lower than that in the death group ((5±5) vs. (8±6) mmol/L, t=2.151, P<0.05). There were neither significant differences in age, ECMO mode or support pattern (9/39 vs. 15/42, χ2=0.845, P>0.05; 6/42 vs. 7/50, χ2=0.001, P>0.05; 29/19 vs. 38/19, χ2=0.441, P>0.05), nor in ECMO weaned rate, survival rate or complications between interfacility-transport group and inner-hospital group (35/48 vs. 37/57, χ2=0.775, P>0.05; 32/48 vs. 35/57, χ2=0.313, P>0.05; 20/48 vs. 22/57, χ2=0.102, P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#With appropriate transport equipment and mature teams who handle problems timely during the transport, critically ill children could be safely transported to the destination with ECMO.

Association of TLR1 gene polymorphisms with pulmonary candida infection and candida colonization in Guizhou Han patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 医学研究生学报

Objective Studies are rarely reported on the correlation of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) gene polymorphisms with fungal infection in the Chinese Han population. This study aims to explore the association between TLR gene polymorphisms and pulmonary candida infection (PCI) and candida colonization (CC) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Guizhou Han population. Methods Using the polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing (PCR-SBT) method, we genotyped six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the TLR1, TLR2 and TLR4 genes in 344 Guizhou Han patients with COPD, including 80 cases complicated by PCI (the PCI group), 103 cases complicated by CC (the CC group), and 161 negative controls. We analyzed the correlation of the SNPs with PCI and CC in the COPD patients in different genetic models with the SNPstats online software, measured the levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α proteins in the plasma of the patients by ELISA, and assessed the functional consequences of these polymorphisms. Results The polymorphisms of rs5743611, rs5743708, rs4986790 and rs4986791 were found in none of the patients. The genotype frequency of rs4833095 was significantly different between the PCI and control groups in the codominant, dominant and overdominant models (P < 0.05), with the dominant model as the best genetic pattern. No statistically significant difference was observed either in the rs4833095 genotype frequency between the CC and control groups (P > 0.05) or in the rs5743618 genotype frequency between any two groups (P > 0.05). In the PCI group, the T allele of the rs4833095 polymorphism significantly decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β in the plasma (P < 0.05), and that of TNF-α as well, though with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion The rs4833095 polymorphism of the TLR1 gene is associated with PCI in COPD patients. The T allele of rs4833095 may affect the function of TLR1, decrease the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β proteins in the plasma. Neither rs4833095 nor rs5743618 gene polymorphism is correlated with the susceptibility to candida colonization.

Significance of anti-carbamylated fibrinogen antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#Antibodies against carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) were found to be a promising marker to evaluate joint damage and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether anti-CarP antibodies were present in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remained ambiguity. We have therefore undertaken this study to assess the levels of serum anti-CarP antibodies and to evaluate their clinical value in SLE.@*METHODS@#Serum levels of antibodies against carbamylatedfibrinogen (anti-CarP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 105 SLE patients and 73 healthy controls. Other clinical and laboratory measurements of the SLE patients were collected from medical records. Data analyses between anti-CarP antibodies and other laboratory measurements were performed using SPSS software for Windows 24.0.@*RESULTS@#The levels of serum anti-CarP antibodies in the patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (P<0.05). There were significant differences between the anti-CarP-positive group and anti-CarP-negative group in many clinical features. The disease duration, values of ESR, CRP, RF, anti-cardiolipin, anti-dsDNA, D-dipolymer, IgA and IgG were significantly higher in the anti-CarP-positive group compared with the negative group (P<0.05). Conversely, the values of complement 3, complement 4, peripheral blood RBC, and hemoglobin were significantly lower in anti-CarP-positive group than in the negative group(P<0.05). Moreover, the incidence of increase of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), D-dipolymer, decrease of peripheral blood RBC, hemoglobin, complement 3, complement 4, and positive rate of anti-dsDNA were significant different between the two groups(P<0.05). The positive rate of anti-CarP (21.9%) was higher than that of anti-Sm (15.24%), and close to anti-ribosomal P protein (22.86%) in our SLE patients. In addition, anti-CarP antibody was present in the SLE patients lacking the disease specific antibodies, including anti-Sm (anti-CarP positive rate 20.2%, 18/89), anti-dsDNA (anti-CarP positive rate 9.3%, 4/43), anti-nucleosome (anti-CarP positive rate 12.5%, 6/48), and anti-ribosomal P protein antibody (anti-CarP positive rate 20.9%, 17/81). Moreover, the high levels of anti-CarP antibodies were correlated with short disease duration, low C3, C4, RBC, and hemoglobin (P<0.05), high ESR, CRP, IgA, IgG, RF, anti-cardiolipin, anti-dsDNA, and D-dipolymer (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The level of anti-CarP antibody was increased in the serum of patients with SLE. There were correlations between anti-CarP antibodies and clinical and laboratory indicators of SLE patients.

Computed Tomography Arteriography for Detecting the Origin of the Inferior Pyloric Artery in Patients with Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the detection rate of the inferior pyloric artery (IPA) in patients with gastric cancer by computed tomography arteriography (CTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients (48 males and 6 females; mean age, 59.0 ± 1.5 years) who had undergone radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer from September 2016 to July 2017 at our institution were recruited prospectively. Patients underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scans and CTA imaging reconstruction before the operation. The origin of the IPA in all cases was determined by a radiologist based on CTA images and verified by the surgeon. The accuracy of CTA in diagnosing the origin of the IPA was calculated. Dominant vessels of the origin were analyzed. RESULTS: IPAs were detected by CTA in 51 patients (94.4%). Among these, IPAs originated from the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) (24 cases), the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) (4 cases), and the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (ASPDA) (20 cases). In the remaining 3 cases, the IPAs contained two branches originating from the RGEA and ASPDA, respectively. During surgery, in 2 (3.7%) of the 54 cases of gastric cancer, IPAs could not be detected; the IPAs originated from the RGEA (22 cases), GDA (5 cases), and ASPDA (24 cases). One case had an IPA originating from both the RGEA and the GDA. Finally, the accuracy of CTA in diagnosing the origin artery of the IPA was 85.2% (46/54). CONCLUSION: CTA can detect the origin of the IPA accurately, which can aid surgeons while performing pylorus-preserving operations.

Clinical Analysis of 208 Patiets with BCR/ABL Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the incidence, hemogram, genetics, clinical manifestations, therapeutic efficacy and outcome of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms(MPN) so as to provide much more therapeutic basis for clinically studying the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment as well as evaluating the prognosis of MPN patients.@*METHODS@#The clinical data and related laboratory test results in 208 cases of BCR/ABL fusion gene regative MPN were collected and analyzed retrospectively.@*RESULTS@#The MPN could occur at any age, but the highest incidence was observed in patients aged 40-79. Among 208 patients with MPN, the patients with essential thrombocythemia(ET) accounted for 48.56%(101/208), the patients with polycythemia vera(PV) accounted for 25.96%(54/208), and the patients with primary myelofibrosis(PMF) accounted for 25.48(53/208). The clinical manifestation of MPN varied, the first manifestations was no-specific, onset of disease presented slow. The JAK2V617F gene mutation existed in 130 out of 208 patients with MPN, total mutation rate was 62.5%;JAK2V617F mutation rate in PV patients was 81.5%(44/54), while that in ET and PMF patients was 58.4%(59/101) and 50.9%(27/53) respectively, the detected rate of this mutation in PV patients was significantly higher than that in ET and PMF patients (P0.05). In PV group, the WBC count of JAK2V617F positive patients was significantly enhanced (P0.05); in ET and PMF groups, the JAK2V617F positive patients had a higher WBC count and hemoglobin level(P0.05). The most common vascular event in patients with MPN was ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The JAK2V617F mutation related with risk of thrombosis (OR=2.222, 95% CI=1.101 to 4.486). The difference in the incidence of vascular event between ET and PV patients was no statistically significant (P>0.05), but the incidence of vascular event in ET and PV patients was higher than that in PMF patients(P<0.05). The disease conversion much more easily happened in JAK2V617F positive patients. After treatment, the MPN could be controlled, yet the maintained treatment is needed.@*CONCLUSION@#The MPN can occur almost at any age, but more commonly occures in middle-aged and elderly persons. The onset of MPN varies, the clinical manifestation was similar, a high detected rate of JAK2V617F mutation is observed in MPN patients and relates closely with onset of MPN; moreover, JAK2V617F mutation rate relates with type of MPN. The MPN patients with JAK2V617F mutation have higher WBC count and higher incidence of thrombosis. After treatment, the MPN can be better controlled, and need maintenance treatment. So as to avoid the reccurence of disease, control the complications and obtain the longterm survival.

Clinical significance of detection of soluble interleukin 2 receptor alpha chain in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (sIL-2Rα, sCD25) in serum for the determination of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity.@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood was collected from 108 patients with RA, 39 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 50 healthy control subjects, and synovial fluids were from 40 patients with RA. The sera from the patients with RA, the disease control group (osteoarthritis), the healthy control group, and the synovial fluids of the RA patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of the patients with RA were recorded and the correlation with the serum sCD25 level was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The serum sCD25 concentration in RA group was (2 886±1 333) ng/L, the serum sCD25 concentration in OA group was (2 090±718) ng/L, and the serum sCD25 concentration in healthy group was (1 768±753) ng/L. The serum sCD25 level in the patients with RA was significantly higher than that in the disease controls and healthy controls (P<0.001). Sensitivity of serum sCD25 in the diagnosis of RA was 66.1% and specificity was 83.0%;serum sCD25 levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.321, P=0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.446, P<0.001), DAS28 score (r=0.324, P<0.001), joint tenderness count (r=0.203, P=0.024), D-dimer levels (r=0.383, P<0.001), age (r=0.24, P=0.007), IgG (r=0.207, P=0.028), HRF-IgG (r=0.345, P=0.034) showed a significant positive correlation, and disease duration (r=-0.206, P=0.021) showed a negative correlation with sCD25;In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 were 14.3% (2 cases), 14.3% (2 cases), and 71.4% (10 cases) in the low disease activity group. The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP and sCD25 in the moderate disease activity group were 94.2% (49 cases), 82.7% (43 cases), and 86.5% (45 cases). The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 in the high disease activity group were 100% (42 cases), 95.2% (40 cases), and 90.5% (38 cases);36 cases of ESR and/or CRP were negative (about 33.3%) in 108 patients, serum sCD5 levels of 17 cases in these 36 cases (about 47.2%)increased, of which 14 cases (about 82.4%) had a DAS28 score higher than 3.2.@*CONCLUSION@#The serum sCD25 has a high specificity for diagnosis of RA and a poor sensitivity. The serum level is closely related to the activity of RA, indicating that sCD25 may be involved in the inflammatory process of RA and may become a new inflammatory marker of RA. It is more meaningful for detection of serum sCD25 when RA is active, but ESR and/or CRP is negative.