Effect of procalcitonin on lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 and caspase-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of procalcitonin (PCT) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).@*METHODS@#HUVECs were induced by LPS to establish a model of sepsis-induced inflammatory endothelial cell injury. The experiment was divided into two parts. In the first part, HUVECs were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, LPS (1 μg/mL), PCT (10 ng/mL), and LPS+PCT (n=3 each). In the second part, HUVECs were randomly grouped: normal control, LPS, and LPS+PCT of different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) (n=3 each). Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in each group.@*RESULTS@#In the first experiment: compared with the normal control group, the PCT, LPS, and LPS+PCT groups had significantly upregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 (P<0.05); compared with the LPS group, the LPS+PCT group had significantly downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 (P<0.05). In the second experiment: compared with those in the LPS group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the LPS+PCT of different concentrations groups were significantly downregulated in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#LPS can promote the expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3 and caspase-1 in HUVECs, while PCT can inhibit the LPS-induced expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3 and caspase-1 in HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner.

The dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor AZD2014 inhibits acute graft rejection in a rat liver transplantation model / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the inhibitory effect of AZD2014, a dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor, against acute graft rejection in a rat model of allogeneic liver transplantation.@*METHODS@#Liver transplantation from Lewis rat to recipient BN rat (a donor-recipient combination that was prone to induce acute graft rejection) was performed using Kamada's two-cuff technique. The recipient BN rats were randomized into 2 groups for treatment with daily intraperitoneal injection of AZD2014 (5 mg/kg, n=4) or vehicle (2.5 mL/kg, n=4) for 14 consecutive days, starting from the first day after the transplantation. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels of the rats were measured 3 days before and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after the transplantation, and the survival time of the rats within 14 days were recorded. Immunohistochemical staining was used to examine the expressions of CD3 and Foxp3 in the liver graft, and acute graft rejection was assessed using HE staining based on the Banff schema.@*RESULTS@#Three rats in the control group died within 14 days after the surgery, while no death occurred in the AZD2014 group, demonstrating a significantly longer survival time of the rats in AZD2014 group (χ2=4.213, P=0.04). Serum ALT, AST and TBIL levels in the control group increased progressively after the surgery and were all significantly higher than those in AZD2014 group at the same time point (P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed significantly worse liver graft rejection in the control group than in AZD2014 group based on assessment of the rejection index (P < 0.01); the rats in the control group showed more serious T lymphocyte infiltration and significantly fewer Treg cells in the liver graft than those in AZD2014 group (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#AZD2014 can effectively inhibit acute graft rejection in rats with allogeneic liver transplantation.

Clinical profiles and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection and intramural hematoma in the current era: lessons from the first registry of aortic dissection in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and acute type A intramural hematoma (ATAIMH) are life-threatening diseases with high mortality. To better understand their clinical features in the Chinese population, we analyzed the data from the first Registry of Aortic Dissection in China (Sino-RAD) to promote the understanding and management of the diseases.@*METHODS@#All patients with ATAAD and ATAIMH enrolled in Sino-RAD from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016 were involved. The data of patients' selection, history, symptoms, management, outcomes, and postoperation complications were analyzed in the study. The continuous variables were compared using the Student's t test for normal distributions and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normal distributions. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher exact test.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1582 patients with ATAAD and 130 patients with ATAIMH were included. The mean age of all patients was 48.4 years. Patients with ATAAD were significantly younger than patients with ATAIMH (48.9 years vs. 55.6 years, P < 0.001). For the total cohort, males were dominant, but the male ratio of patients with ATAAD was significantly higher compared to those with ATAIMH (P = 0.01). The time range from the onset of symptom to hospitalization was 2.0 days. More patients of ATAIMH had hypertension than that of ATAAD (82.3% vs. 67.6%, P < 0.05). Chest and back pain were the most common clinical symptoms. Computerized tomography (CT) was the most common initial diagnostic imaging modality. 84.7% received surgical treatment and in-hospital mortality was 5.3%. Patients with ATAAD mainly received surgical treatment (89.6%), while most patients with ATAIMH received medical treatment (39.2%) or endovascular repair (35.4%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our study suggests that doctors should comprehensively use clinical examination and genetic background screening for patients with ATAAD and ATAIMH and further shorten the time range from symptoms onset to intervention, achieving early diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing the mortality rate of patients with aortic dissection in China. We should standardize the procedures of aortic dissection treatment and improve people's understanding. Meanwhile, the curing and transferring efficiency should also be improved.

Role of school based symptom monitoring system in public health emergencies in Hangzhou / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the role of school based symptom monitoring system in public health emergencies in Hangzhou, to provide the basis for prevention and control strategies for public health emergencies in schools.@*Methods@#Data regarding school public health emergencies in Hangzhou in 2019 were collected from the Public Health Emergencies Report Management Information System, and data regarding public health early warning in schools were collected from the Hangzhou School Symptom Monitoring System. The usage of school symptom monitoring system was analyzed by SAS 9.0 software, and the positive warning events and public health emergencies were compared and analyzed, the rate and composition ratio were compared with the χ 2 test, the number of cases was compared with the non parameter rank and the Mann Whitney test, and the trend test was conducted using Cochran Armitage test.@*Results@#In 2019, the average use rate of the city s school symptom monitoring system was 54.65%, the average response rate of automatic early warning was 70.68%, and the use rate (χ 2=860.79, p<0.01) and automatic early warning response rate (χ 2=1 615.91，P<0.01) of school systems varied greatly by region. In 2019, 161 positive early warning incidents were detected through the school symptom monitoring system, 197 public health emergencies were reported through the emergency network, and fewer public health emergencies were reported in areas where more positive warning events were detected(Z=10.65，P<0.01). The proportion of disease category in positive warning events was different from that in public health emergencies in(χ 2=28.33, P<0.01). The number of cases of positive early warning events of the same disease was much lower than the number of cases of public health emergencies without warning, and the time of positive warning signals was on average 4 days ahead of the time of receiving the report of public health emergencies.@*Conclusion@#Smartphone based school symptom monitoring system in Hangzhou plays a sentinel role in public health emergencies prevention and control in schools.

Incidence trend of gestational diabetes mellitus in Hangzhou from 2009 to 2018 / 预防医学

Objective @#To learn the incidence trend of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among women of childbearing age in Hangzhou from 2009 to 2018, providing evidence for GDM prevention and control.@*Methods@#The information of GDM cases aged 15 to 49 years in Hangzhou from 2009 to 2018 was extracted from Zhejiang non-communicable diseases surveillance system. The crude and age-standardized (by national standard population in 2000) incidence rate of GDM were calculated, the annual change percentage (APC) and the average APC (AAPC) of GDM incidence rate were calculated to understand the trend of incidence in different age groups and areas. @*Results@#A total of 45 519 cases of GDM were reported in Hangzhou from 2009 to 2018. The crude and age-standardized incidence rates were 248.04/100 000 and 158.52/100 000, respectively, both showed upward trends with 59.7% and 56.4% in AAPC (both P<0.05). The APCs of crude and age-standardized incidence rates of GDM were 139.76% and 134.60% from 2009 to 2012, 30.35% and 27.65% from 2012 to 2018, which all had increasing trends (all P<0.05). There were upward trends in GDM incidence in each age groups of 15-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39 and 40-49 years old (all P<0.05). The AAPC of GDM incidence in 40-49 year-old women was 65.3% and ranked the first among all the age groups. The age-standardized incidence rate of GDM increased more in rural areas (AAPC=66.0%) than in urban areas (AAPC=53.4%). @*Conclusion@# A rising trend in GDM incidence among women aged 15-49 years in Hangzhou has been found in recent ten years, especially in women aged 40-49 years and lived in rural areas.

A smartphone-based school syndromic surveillance system and its application in Hangzhou / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To establish and implement a smartphone-based school syndromic surveillance system, and to provide references for school communicable disease control and prevention.@*Methods@#A smartphone-based school syndromic surveillance system was constructed and applied. A list of seven symptoms including fever, cough, vomit, diarrhea, rash, red eye and parotid swelling was classified as targeted indicators. Spatio-temporal permutation scanning was applied to automatic early warning.@*Results@#A total of 1 973 school joined the syndromic surveillance system. System usage rate was 54.13%, no significant differences were found among different types of schools(χ2=1.58, P=0.67), whereas significant differences were observed among counties（χ2=726.78, P<0.01). Totally, 852 036 pieces of symptoms data were reported during September 2018 to March 2019, the primary symptoms included cough (35.17%) and fever (21.11%). Time trends in different symptoms varied with time, with fever and cough highest in January, vomit and diarrhea in November. Thirteen pieces of early warning were confirmed as school communicable diseases by field investigation, the average number of the infected students were four.@*Conclusion@#The smartphone-based school syndromic surveillance system is generally acceptable. Characteristic seasonal distributions of school communicable diseases are reflected accurately by surveillance system which plays an active role in prevention and control of school communicable diseases.

Present situation and solutions for hospital information platform in China / 医疗卫生装备

Hospital information platform had its present situation and problems in integration introduced, and its construction contents and mode were described. The solutions from some famous foreign companies such as Orion and InterSystems were discussed from the aspects of core architecture and technical characteristics.It's pointed out that urgent requirements and the benefit balance between different companies had to be emphasized so as to develop a platform for data sharing and exchange as well as information export.

Effects of Tangzhiping Prescription on Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Damage / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tangzhiping Prescription on non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and the effects on serum vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF). Methods Totally 86 NPDR patients were randomly divided into treatment group (43 cases) and control group (43 cases). Both groups were given hypoglycemic, anti hypertensive and lipid-regulatory basic therapy. The control group was given calcium distillate capsules, 0.5 g per time, 3 times a day, orally; the treatment group was treated with Tangzhiping Prescription based on the control group, 1 dosage per day, twice a day, orally. Four weeks were set as one treatment course. Treatment for both groups lasted for three courses. Clinical efficacy and fundus efficacy of both groups were evaluated. TCM symptom scores, fundus scores, and visual condition were observed; FPG, 2 h PG, Hb A1 C, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C and changes in the contents of VEGF and PEDF were detected. Results The control group and the treatment group lost 2 and 3 cases respectively. The total effective rate of clinical efficacy and total fundus efficiency of the control group were 65.00％ and 68.35％, respectively, and the treatment group were 87.50％ and 84.62％ respectively, with statistical significance (P＜0.05). Compared with before treatment, TCM symptom scores and fundus scores decreased significantly after treatment in both groups (P＜0.01); After treatment, the TCM symptom scores and fundus scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with before treatment, visual acuity improved significantly after treatment in both groups (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with before treatment, levels of FPG, 2 h PG, Hb A1 c, TC, TG, and LDL-C decreased significantly in both groups after treatment (P＜0.01). After treatment, the levels of 2 h PG, Hb A1 c, TC, TG, and LDL-C in the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with before treatment, the levels of VEGF decreased and PEDF levels increased in both groups, with statistical significance (P＜0.01). After treatment, the improvement of VEGF and PEDF in the treatment group was better than that in the control group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01); negative correlation was found between VEGF and PEDF (r=-0.320, P＜0.01). Conclusion Tangzhiping Prescription can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with NPDR and slow down the progress of NPDR via reducing the blood glucose and blood lipids, and regulating the contents of VEGF and PEDF.

Expression of Wnt5b in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of Wnt5b in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its correlation with the clinicopathological parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining were employed to measure Wnt5b mRNA and protein expressions in two groups of HBV-related HCC patients (100 cases in each) selected from a cohort of 289 cases with HBV-related HCC using simple random sampling method. The correlation of Wnt5b expression with the clinicopathological parameters and the prognosis of HCC patients was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Wnt5b mRNA expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues than that of adjacent noncancerous tissues in 65.0% (65/100) of the cases, and the positivity rate of Wnt5b protein was significantly higher in HCC tissues than that of adjacent noncancerous tissues (58.0% vs 22.0%, P<0.05). Wnt5b expression was significantly correlated with the tumor size (P<0.05), tumor number (P<0.01, only at the protein level), tumor differentiation (P<0.01, only at the protein level), TNM stage (P<0.05), BCLC stage (P<0.05), metastasis (P<0.05) and recurrence (P<0.01). The patients with up-regulated Wnt5b mRNA and protein had a shorter relapse-free survival (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>s Up-regulated Wnt5b might contribute to the progression of HBV-related HCC and predicts a poor prognosis.</p>

Comparative analysis on industrial standardization degree of Chinese and Korean ginseng / 中国中药杂志

Panax ginseng is a well-known medicinal plant all over the world. It has high nutritional value and medicinal value. China and South Korea are the major countries in the world for ginseng cultivation, production and exportation. China's ginseng production accounts for more than half of the world, but the output value is less than that of Korea. The standardization process of ginseng industry plays an important role. This paper makes a detailed analysis of the Chinese and Korean ginseng national standards and the standardization process, and makes a detailed comparative analysis of the categories, standard contents, index selection, age, implementation and promotion status of the Chinese and Korean ginseng standards. The development disadvantages of ginseng industry standardization were displayed. And we give our advises on the standard revision, implementation of China's ginseng industry standardization, hoping to enhance the competitiveness of China's ginseng industry.

Positive circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood may indicate a poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of detecting peripheral blood circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 296 patients diagnosed with HCC admitted in our department from July 2013 to January 2015 were analyzed, with 39 patients with benign liver disease serving as the control group. The distribution of CTCs in the peripheral blood of HCC patients were detected by CanPatrol(TM) CTCs, and its relationship with the clinical features and prognosis of the patients were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s CTCs were detected in 64.5% (191/296) of the HCC patients but in none of the control group (P<0.05). Positive CTCs in peripheral blood of HCC patients were significantly correlated with serum AFP level, tumor number, TNM stage, BCLC stage, portal vein tumor thrombus and metastasis (P<0.05). In 127 HCC patients receiving radical surgery, the patients positive for CTCs showed significantly shorter relapse-free survival time (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Positive CTCs in the peripheral blood may indicate a poor prognosis in HCC patients. CTCs may serve as a indicator for monitoring the prognosis of HCC.</p>

Effect of wound to growth of larva of host to Ophiocordyceps sinensis during artificial breeding / 中国中药杂志

To clear the effect of the wound to the growth of the larva of the host to the Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the wounds of same severity at the same position were made artificially to the larva and which were artificial fed at the same environment and condition. The results indicated that, over the winter, the survival rate of the wounded of the infection larva was lower than that of the healthy larva, but the weight had no significant difference between the wounded and the healthy larva. The survival rate of the wounded of the no infection larva was lower than that of the healthy larva, but except with black skin, the wounded larva with offwhite and dusty red had no influence on the variety of the weight. In summery, wound had no advantage to the survival rate, but had no influence to the weight. The result had provided theoretical basis to the reforming of the system of the artificial culture O. sinensis.

Safety and efficacy of Sorafenib in treatment of tumor recurrence in liver transplantation recipients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of Sorafenib in the treatment of tumor recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January, 2009 and June, 2011, 10 patients with tumor recurrence after OLT were treated with Sorafenib (group A) and another 8 recipients received no Sorafenib treatment (group B); 25 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) also received Sorafenib treatment (group C). The tumor-bearing survival time, adverse effect and toxicity associated with sorafenib were compared between the 3 groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In group A, the median tumor-bearing survival time was 10 months (5-22 months), as compared to 4 months (1-8 months) in group B and 4 months (2-21 months) in group C, showing a significant difference in the survival time among the 3 groups (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test, P=0.045). No recipient experienced acute graft rejection, but one recipient in group A died due to gastrointestinal bleeding. No significant difference was found in adverse effects associated with Sorafenib between groups A and C (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sorafenib can prolong the survival time of patients with tumor recurrence after OLT without increasing the risk of acute graft rejection.</p>

Adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation: report of 2 cases / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and safety of adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation using a right lobe graft.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 2 cases of living-related donor liver transplantation performed between July, 2010 and November, 2010 were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Liver transplantation was performed using a right lobe graft including the middle hepatic vein in one case and a right lobe graft without the middle hepatic vein in the other. The ratio of graft volume to standard liver volume was 46.2% and 47.3% in the two cases, with GR/WR of 0.83 and 0.80, and donor residue liver of 42.1% and 39.5%, respectively. The donor operation lasted for 6.5 h and 5 h in the two cases with blood loss of about 200-250 ml without blood transfusion. The donors recovered uneventfully without any surgical complications, whose liver function was normal 7 days after the operation, and were discharged 14 days and 16 days after the surgery, respectively. The recipient operation lasted for 8 h and 7 h with blood loss of about 800-1000 ml. The right hepatic vein, hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct reconstruction were performed by end-to-end anastomoses in the 2 recipients. Bile duct anastomosis stricture occurred in the first recipient 2 months after transplantation and was treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage. The second recipient recovered smoothly without any complications. The recipients have so far survived 9 months and 5 months, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation is a safe and effective option for treatment of end-stage liver diseases in the context of cadaveric liver graft shortage.</p>

Expression of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore its correlation to the clinicopathological features, surgical outcomes and metastasis of HCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The total RNA was extracted from 102 HCC tissues and the adjacent tissues, and the expression of SATB1 mRNA was detected using quantitative real-time PCR. The correlations of SATB1 mRNA expression to the clinicopathological features, postoperative recurrence and metastasis of the tumor were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of SATB1 mRNA in HCC tissues was 3.27 folds higher than that in the adjacent tissues (P<0.001). The expression of SATB1 mRNA in HCC was associated with liver cirrhosis, AFP level, tumor size, tumor thrombi, histological differentiation, TNM classification, postoperative recurrence and metastasis (P<0.05), but not to the patients' gender, age, HbsAg positivity, HCV-Ab positivity, tumor number, or the presence of tumor encapsulation (P>0.05). In patients with significant high expression, high expression, and low expression of SATB1 mRNA, the postoperative recurrence rates were 82.68%, 0, and 0, with the 3-year survival rate of 0, 52.63%, and 100%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SATB1 mRNA expression is associated with the postoperative recurrence and metastasis of HCC, and can be used as an indicator for predicting the recurrence and metastasis of HCC.</p>

Initial experience of transcatheter implantation with a new aortic valve in sheep / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility and short-term results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using a new transcatheter valve.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty healthy adult sheep received general anesthesia. Under the guidance of X-ray and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), the new anti-calcification transcatheter valve was released from delivery system and implanted at the level of native aortic annulus via left common carotid artery. Position and function of the new anti-calcification transcatheter valve were evaluated by angiography and TTE immediately after intervention. Thirty day survival rate of animals was obtained.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>New transcatheter valves were implanted in all sheep. Fifteen sheep (75%) survived up to 30 days and post-operative examination showed that the transcatheter valve was in optimal position without migration and mitral valve impingement. The native coronary artery was patent in these animals. There was a slight paravalvular leak in 5 sheep. Postoperative echocardiography showed reflux percentage was significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared pre-intervention. Effective orifice area, aortic systolic pressure, diastolic aortic pressure, mean aortic pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure and heart rate were similar between post and pre-intervention (all P < 0.05). Five sheep died after TAVI within 30 days, including one fatal ventricular fibrillation occurred immediately after releasing the transcatheter valve and another sheep died of acute myocardial infarction due to left main coronary artery occlusion evidenced by angiography. Two sheep died of severe mitral regurgitation at 8 and 12 hours post-operation and one died of infective endocarditis at 26 days after intervention.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our favorable preliminary results showed that it was feasible to perform TAVI using the new transcatheter valve.</p>

Clinical follow-up of staged hybrid approach for patients with ventricular septal defects combined with patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and efficacy of staged hybrid approach in treating ventricular septal defect (VSD) patients combined with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2004 to July 2009, 22 VSD patients with PDA and PAH were enrolled and received staged hybrid approach treatment (transcatheter PDA occlusion and elective open surgery for VSD several days after PDA occlusion). All patients were followed up to examine rhythm change, residual shunt, shape of occlude, possible valve regurgitation, and aortic stenosis by echocardiography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After transcatheter PDA occlusion, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure decreased from (76.2 ± 25.8) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) to (55.4 ± 20.6) mm Hg (P = 0.005), mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from (53.5 ± 23.5) mm Hg to (36.2 ± 17.8) mm Hg (P = 0.049), total pulmonary resistance decreased from (8.2 ± 4.9) wood units to (6.9 ± 4.3) wood units (P = 0.037), and pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) increased from 2.8 ± 2.3 to 3.4 ± 1.7 (P = 0.045) post transcatheter interventional PDA occlusion. After VSD repair, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure decreased from (64.5 ± 22.3) mm Hg to (43.1 ± 18.9) mm Hg (P = 0.001) and mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from (40.2 ± 18.7) mm Hg to (29.5 ± 15.8) mm Hg (P = 0.040). There was no death or right heart failure during the follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Staged hybrid approach is an effective and safe strategy for treating VSD patients with PDA and PAH.</p>

Aberrant expression pattern of a novel mutation in connexin 26 gene resulting in autosomal recessive deafness / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report a novel deafness-causing mutation c.465T>A, p.Y155X in connexin 26 (CX26) (also called gap junction protein beta-2, GJB2), and perform functional analysis of the mutated protein p.Y155X in Hela cells to explore the underlying mechanism on deafness.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mutations in CX26 gene of the proband in an autosomal recessive inherited deafness family were tested by direct DNA sequencing method. Mutant p.Y155X, which was found in the deafness family, and wild type CX26 (wtCX26), were directionally subcloned into the pEGFP-N1 plasmid to construct the recombinant fusion protein expression vector of CX26 p.Y155X-EGFP and wtCX26-EGFP, followed by transfecting into HeLa cells. The expression of the mutated and wild type proteins was analyzed using Western blot analysis. The intracellular localization of proteins and the formation of gap junction-like plaques at plasma membrane were observed under confocal microscope. Gap junction coupling was tested by calcein-AM dye transfer experiment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A novel nonsense mutation c.465T>A, p.Y155X in the CX26 gene was found in the autosomal recessive deafness family. The molecular weight of protein p.Y155X was smaller than that of wtCX26 in transiently expressed HeLa cells. The mutated protein failed to reach the cell surface to form gap junction plaques, and displayed cytoplasmic accumulation. Also, no calcein-AM dye was transferred from the donor cells to the recipient cells when both were transfected with CX26 p.Y155X. The wtCX26 protein localized at the cell membrane to form gap junction plaques with permeability to fluorescent dye calcein AM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CX26 p.Y155X could not be targeted to the plasma membrane and there was no formation of gap junction channels between the adjacent cells. The mutation c.465T>A, p.Y155X in CX26 gene was responsible for the autosomal recessive hearing impairment in this family.</p>

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the cochlea of drug deafened guinea pigs and its protection role / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the cochlea of drug-deafened guinea pigs and its protection to spiral ganglion cells (SGC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Guinea pigs deafened by subcutaneous injection of amikacin were randomly divided into two groups, BDNF gene modified bone marrow MSC were injected into the cochlea through fenestration of scala tympani in the experimental group, while artificial perilymphatic fluid were injected in the control group. Experimental animals were executed at 7 and 28 days post-operation. Expression of BDNF mRNA was examined by quantitate real time RT-PCR, histological images of cochlear sections were analyzed to calculate the cellular density of the SGC, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to identify the apoptotic neurons.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BDNF expressive level in experimental group was higher than in the control group at 7 d and 28 d post-operation, whose differences were both statistically significant (P < 0.01). And, It showed a higher abundance of ganglion cell numbers, as well as a decreased apoptotic index in experimental group compared with the control group at 7 d and 28 d post-operation, whose differences were all statistically significant (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BDNF gene modified MSC could maintain expression for at least 28 days after transplantation into cochlea of drug deafened guinea pigs, and protect SGC.</p>

Effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene transfected bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells on damaged cochlear spiral ganglion cells of guinea pigs / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene transfected bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) on cochlear spiral ganglion cells (SGC) impaired by aminoglycoside antibiotics (AmAn).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The differentiation of BMSC transfected by BDNF gene (BDNF-BMSC) were detected with immunohistochemical examination of Nestin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) antibody in vitro. BDNF gene transfected BMSC were transplanted into the cochleae of guinea pigs deafened by amikacin, while the control groups were designed in which artificial perilymphatic fluid (APF), BMSC or BDNF gene was injected into cochleae alone. The cochleae were obtained on the week 1, 2 and 4 after injection, respectively, paraffin-embedded, and cut in a paramodiolar plane subsequently. The histopathological changes of cochleae were observed, the density of SGC was calculated by staining with HE, and the corresponding optical density (COD) was calculated with immunohistochemical staining using NSE antibody. And the protective role of various groups on the cochlear SGC were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive staining rate of BDNF gene transfected BMSC with Nestin, NSE and GFAP antibody were all higher than that of BMSC in vitro (P < 0.01). After transplantation into cochleae, the differences of SGC density and COD among various groups were all significant on the same time points (P < 0.05). The SGC density and COD of the BDNF gene transfected BMSC group were the highest. The SGC density and COD of various groups on week 4 were all obviously decreased than those on week 1 and 2 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AmAn-induced SGC damage could be depressed by BMSC, BDNF gene or BDNF gene transfected BMSC transplantation into cochleae, while BDNF gene transfected BMSC showed the best protective role.</p>