ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the feasibility of simultaneous arteriovenous enhancement of neck CT with two-stage injection of contrast agent and its effect on image quality and radiation dose.Methods:A total of 30 patients undergoing neck CT enhancement scan due to space-occupying lesions in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from February to April 2022 were prospectively included as the experimental group. The neck CT enhancement scan was performed with two-stage injection of contrast agent and arteriovenous simultaneous enhancement. The dosage of contrast agent was calculated according to the patient′s body weight, and the method of two-stage injection was adopted. The dosage of contrast agent in the first stage was 0.7 ml/kg, with normal saline in the middle stage, and the second stage (began at 35 s) was 0.3 ml/kg. A total of 30 patients with gender and age matching with the experimental group from December 2021 to January 2022 were retrospectively collected as the control group. The control group was treated with the traditional arterial phase and venous phase scanning method with the dosage of 1.0 ml/kg contrast agent. The arterial phase was scanned at the 30 s and the venous phase was scanned at the 60 s. The CT values of bilateral carotid arteries and jugular veins in the experimental group were measured, the CT values of bilateral carotid arteries in the arterial phase were measured in the control group, and the CT values of bilateral carotid arteries and jugular veins in the venous phase were measured. Carotid artery enhancement score was performed for images of experimental group and control group in arterial and venous phase, and jugular vein and lesion enhancement score was performed for images of experimental group and control group in venous phase. The effective dose was calculated for both groups. The difference of carotid artery CT values between images was compared by one-way analysis of variance, and LSD method was used for pairwise comparison. The CT values of jugular vein were compared using independent sample t test. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare carotid artery enhancement scores, and Nemenyi method was used for pairwise comparison. Jugular vein and lesion enhancement scores and effective dose were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The CT value of carotid artery of experimental group [left (276±24) HU, right (273±25) HU] was lower than that of control group in arterial phase [left (329±33) HU, right (327±32) HU], and higher than that in the venous phase [left (147±15) HU, right (148±16) HU]. All the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001). The CT value of jugular vein of experimental group [left (206±18) HU, right (203±19)] was higher than that of control group in the venous phase [left (154±15) HU, right (151±15)], the difference was statistically significant ( t=11.88, 11.76, both P<0.001). There was no significant difference in carotid artery enhancement score between experimental group and control group in arterial phase ( P=0.624), but the carotid artery enhancement score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group in the venous phase, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The scores of jugular vein and lesion enhancement in experimental group were higher than those of control group in venous phase, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=5.01, P<0.001). The effective dose of the experimental group [2.41(2.04, 2.72) mSv] was decreased by 52.2% compared with the control group [5.04(4.18, 5.44) mSv], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-6.24, P<0.001). Conclusions:The neck CT enhanced scan with two-stage injection of contrast agent and arteriovenous simultaneous enhancement method can obtain comprehensive images of arterial and venous phases, and realize simultaneous enhancement of carotid artery, jugular vein and lesions, and reduce radiation dose.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To screen the serum exosomal microRNAs differentially expressed in early pancreatic cancer patients and evaluate the diagnostic value of exosomal hsa-let-7f-5p.Methods:From January 2019 to January 2020, 19 patients with early pancreatic cancer (early pancreatic cancer group) and 16 patients with chronic mass-forming pancreatitis (pancreatitis group) were selected from Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine who underwent surgery and were confirmed by pathology. Serum samples of the two groups of patients were collected. At the same time, serum samples of 19 healthy volunteers were selected as the normal control group. The exoEasy Maxi Kit was used to isolate serum exosomes. The structural characteristics of exosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size of exosomes was observd by nanoparticle tracking analysis. CD 63 and CD 81, the specific protein marker on the surface of exosomes, were identified by western blotting. The total RNA of exosomes was extracted by the miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit, and a small RNA library was constructed after quality inspection. With reference to the small RNA database, the differentially expressed exosomal microRNAs in early pancreatic cancer group, pancreatitis group and normal control group were filtered out. The miRNA candidates were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and different expressions of them were analyzed. The role of target genes and metabolic pathways of candidate miRNAs in the occurrence and development of early pancreatic cancer were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopeda of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment pathway. Results:The isolated serum exosomes can be seen to have cup-like vesicle with the double lipid layer by TEM. The main peak of the particle size of target exosomes was about 150 nm. The expression of exosome specific protein markers CD 63 and CD 81 was positive. Comparing the expression of miRNAs among early pancreatic cancer group, pancreatitis group and normal control group, the specific tumor marker exosomal hsa-let-7f-5p was screened out in this study, and its expression in early pancreatic cancer group was significantly higher than that in pancreatitis group and normal control group (both P values <0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (ROC) showed that the area under curve (AUC) of exosomal hsa-let-7f-5p to distinguish pancreatic cancer from pancreatitis was 0.843 (95% CI 0.640-1.000). The sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 81.82% respectively. The AUC for distinguishing pancreatic cancer from normal controls was 1.000 (95% CI 1.000-1.000), and both sensitivity and specificity were 100%. The diagnostic efficiency of exosomal hsa-let-7f-5p was equivalent to that of CA19-9 ( P>0.05). The GO analysis results showed that target genes of exosomal hsa-let-7f-5p were mainly involved in complement activation lectin pathway in biological processes, and the proteins expressed by target genes were mainly distributed in cilium, and molecules mostly functioned by combining with nitric-oxide synthase. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the target genes were closely related to MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions:Serum exosomal hsa-let-7f-5p has the potential to be a diagnostic biomarker for early pancreatic cancer.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the differences in platelet and platelet parameters between patients with different types and etiologies of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and the influence of platelet and its dynamic change on the prognosis of ACLF patients. Methods Clinical data, liver function parameters, platelet, and platelet parameters were collected from 364 patients with ACLF who attended Tianjin Third Central Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. Platelet level and platelet parameters (platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume) were compared between the patients with different types and etiologies of ACLF, and their influence on the 90-day mortality rate of ACLF patients was analyzed, as well as the association of the dynamic change of platelet at baseline and on days 7 and 14 after admission with the prognosis of patients. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups; the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis; the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the parameters associated with prognosis; the repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the dynamic change of platelet; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted based on platelet level and overall survival. Results The patients with type C ACLF had a significantly lower platelet level than those with type A/B ACLF (all P < 0.001). Compared with the ACLF patients with hepatitis B, the ACLF patients with autoimmune liver diseases had a significant reduction in mean platelet volume ( P =0.035). Based on the cut-off value obtained by the ROC curve analysis, the patients with a platelet level of < 60.5×10 9 /L had a significantly higher mortality rate than those with a platelet level of ≥60.5×10 9 /L ( P =0.006). Platelet level was an independent protective factor against 90-day death in ACLF patients (hazard ratio=0.995, 95% confidence interval: 0.990-0.999, P =0.026), and the mortality rate increased with the reduction in platelet level. The patients with type C ACLF had a significantly higher mortality rate than those with type A ACLF ( P < 0.05), and the death group tended to have a significantly greater reduction in platelet level ( P < 0.05). Compared with the survival group, the 90-day death group had a significantly greater reduction in platelet ( P =0.032). Conclusion There is a difference in platelet level between ACLF patients with different types. Platelet level is an important indicator for the 90-day prognosis of ACLF patients, and patients with a greater dynamic reduction in platelet tend to have a higher 90-day mortality rate.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for rebleeding within 5 years and the influencing factors for 5-year survival in patients with liver cirrhosis and severe esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EVB). MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 129 patients with liver cirrhosis who attended Tianjin Third Central Hospital from May 2012 to May 2014 due to severe EVB for the first time, with a follow-up time of 5 years. Related clinical data were analyzed, including age, sex, cause of liver cirrhosis, presence or absence of infection at the first time of bleeding, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), splenic stiffness measurement (SSM), portal vein diameter, biochemical parameters, rebleeding time, and prognosis. Esophagogastric variceal rebleeding was defined as the primary endpoint and death was defined as the secondary endpoint. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; a logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent risk factors for rebleeding, and a Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the predictive indicators for 5-year survival in EVB patients; the Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the cumulative non-rebleeding rate. ResultsAmong the 129 patients, 87(67.4%) experienced rebleeding during follow-up. There were significant differences between the rebleeding group and the non-rebleeding group in the proportion of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (χ2=4.896, P=0.027), portal vein diameter (t=2.203, P=0.030), LSM(Z=-2.771, P=0.006), and SSM(t=2.678, P=0.010). The patients with alcoholic cirrhosis had a significantly higher mean number of times of bleeding than those with non-alcoholic cirrhosis (all P＜0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcoholic cirrhosis (odds ratio ［OR］=5.687, 95% confidence interval ［CI］: 1.230-26.129, P=0.025), LSM(OR=1.039, 95% CI: 1.010-1.070, P=0007), and SSM(OR=1.078, 95% CI: 1.028-1.129, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for rebleeding within 5 years after treatment in EVB patients. Among the 129 patients, 45 (34.9%) died. The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that there were significant differences between the death group and the survival group in age, times of bleeding, mean arterial pressure, portal vein diameter, aspartate aminotransferase, lymphocyte percentage, and presence or absence of infection at the first time of bleeding (all P＜005). Further multivariate analysis showed that 5-year survival rate was associated with portal vein diameter (OR=1.459, 95% CI: 1056-2.014, P=0.022), age (OR=1.053, 95% CI: 1.006-1.103, P=0.026), times of bleeding (OR=1.286, 95% CI: 1.040-1.591, P=0.020), and presence or absence of infection at the first time of bleeding (OR=5.239, 95% CI: 1.750-15.641, P=0.003). ConclusionAlcoholic cirrhosis, LSM, and SSM are independent risk factors for rebleeding within 5 years in EVB patients, and age, times of bleeding, portal vein diameter, and presence or absence of infection at the first time of bleeding are associated with 5-year survival.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of elbasvir/grazoprevir in the treatment of patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C (CHC). MethodsA total of 99 patients with genotype 1b CHC and compensated cirrhosis who received elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment for 12 weeks and completed treatment and follow-up for 12 weeks after drug withdrawal in Tianjin Third Central Hospital from December 2018 to October 2019 were enrolled. Related clinical data, serological markers, virological indices, and liver stiffness measurement were collected at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at week 12 after drug withdrawal, and virologic response was observed. The Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed rank sum test were used to observe virologic response rate and the changes in liver function and liver stiffness measurement at the end of treatment and at week 12 after drug withdrawal, and the safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir was evaluated. ResultsFor the 99 patients treated with elbasvir/grazoprevir for 12 weeks, the proportion of patients with HCV RNA below the lower limit of detection was 100% at the end of treatment and 99% at week 12 after drug withdrawal. There were significant reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) from baseline to the end of treatment (Z=-5.857 and -5.941, both P＜0.05). Liver stiffness measurement decreased from 10.5 kPa at baseline to 8.0 kPa at week 12 after drug withdrawal (Z=-4.036, P＜0.05). Among the 99 patients, 24 patients with compensatory cirrhosis reached a virologic response rate of 100% at the end of treatment and at week 12 after drug withdrawal, as well as significant reductions in ALT and AST from baseline (both P＜0.05), and liver stiffness measurement decreased from 21.1 kPa at baseline to 17.5 kPa at the end of treatment (Z=-1.832, P=0.067) and 13.6 kPa at week 12 after drug withdrawal (Z=-3.182, P=0.001). Compared with the non-liver cirrhosis group, the liver cirrhosis group had significantly greater reductions in liver stiffness measurement (P＜0.05). The patients had good tolerance throughout the treatment, and 4 patients reported mild adverse events during the treatment. ConclusionPatients with genotype 1b CHC have a high virologic response rate to elbasvir/grazoprevir in the real world, with significant improvements in liver function and liver stiffness measurement and good tolerance.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the action of kaempferol (KAE) against Candida albicans biofilms and explore the potential mechanisms. Methods Biofilm metabolic activity assay was used to investigate the action of KAE against C. albicans biofilm formation as well as mature biofilm. The inhibition of KAE in hyphal formation was examined by microscope. The water-hydrocarbon two-phase separation assay was used to test the effect of KAE on the cell surface hydrophobicity of C. albicans. The mRNA expression of the genes involved in biofilm formation was determined by real time RT-PCR. Results KAE showed inhibition effect on C. albicans biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, KAE inhibited mature biofilm. The biomass of biofilm was reduced upon KAE treatment. KAE inhibited hyphal formation and reduced the cell surface hydrophobicity of C. albicans. In the presence of KAE, the mRNA expression of the genes involved in biofilm formation was changed, with the up-regulation of BCR1,NRG1,TUP1 and down-regulation of HWP1,EFG1,CPH1,ALS1,ALS3 and CSH1. Conclusion KAE showed antifungal activity against C. albicans biofilm. The mechanisms may relate to the inhibition of hyphal formation and reduction of cell surface hydrophobicity.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE：To systematically evaluate therapeutic efficacy of Gongliuqing capsules combined with mifepristone in the treatment of uterine leiomyoma ，in order to provide evidence-based reference for clinical medication. METHODS ：Retrieved from Cochrane Library ，PubMed，Embase，CJFD，VIP，CBM and Wanfang database ，randomized controlled trials （RCTs）about Gongliuqing capsules combined with mifepristone （trial group ）versus mifepristone alone （control group ）in the treatment of uterine leiomyoma were collected. After literature screening and data extraction ，the quality of included literatures was evaluated with modified Jadad scale. Meta-analysis was conducted by using Stata 14.0 software，and trial sequential analysis （TSA）was performed by using TSA 0.9 software. RESULTS ：A total of 12 RCTs were included ，involving 1 210 patients. The results of Meta- analysis showed that the total response rate of trial group [RR ＝1.12，95％CI（1.00，1.26），P＜0.05] was significantly higher than that of control group ；maximum uterine leiomyoma volume after treatment [SMD ＝－1.08，95％CI（－1.21，－0.95），P＜0.05]，uterine volume after treatment [SMD ＝－0.80，95％CI（－1.14，－0.45）， P＜0.05]，follicle stimulating hormone （FSH）level [SMD ＝ － 0.28，95％ CI（－ 0.45，－ 0.19），P＜0.05]，luteinizing hormone（LH）level [SMD ＝－0.44，95％CI（－0.52，－0.12）， 020-38076311。E-mail：867203217@qq.com P＜0.05]，E2 level [SMD ＝－2.69，95％CI（－3.08，－1.49）， P＜0.05] and progesterone （P）level [SMD ＝－1.27，95％CI（－1.69，－0.71），P＜0.05] of trial group were significantly lower or better than those of control group. Results of subgroup analysis showed that except for the level of FSH in 5 and 10 mg mifepristone groups （P＞0.05），maximum uterine leiomyoma volume after treatment ，uterine volume after treatment ，the levels of FSH，LH，E2 and P in trial group were significantly lower than control group. The results of TSA showed that there were definite evidences for total response rate of Gongliuqing capsules combined with mifepristone being better in the treatment of hysteromyoma. CONCLUSIONS ：Total response rate of Gongliuqing capsules combined with mifepristone in the treatment of hysteromyoma is better than mifepristone alone ，which can effectively decrease the volume of maximum uterine leiomyoma volume and uterine vilume ，and reduce the level of serum hormone.
ABSTRACT
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have the potential of proliferation and differentiation into a variety of somatic cells, including hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). HLCs from human iPSCs (hiPSC-HLCs) have similar features and functions as primary hepatocytes and are used as an efficient in vitro model of hepatocytes, which brings hope to studies on liver diseases and drug hepatotoxicity evaluation. This article reviews the research advances in hiPSC-HLCs and their application in the fields of disease model, drug hepatotoxicity evaluation, and cell transplantation and discusses the future perspectives of the application of hiPSC-HLCs.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the utilization and trend of bisphosphonates drugs in patients with bone metastasis of breast cancer from Zhejiang province,so as to provide reference for the further promotion of their rational use. METHODS:The utilization of this type of drugs in 11 hospitals of Zhejiang province during 2010-2015 was analyzed statistically,counted and ranked by using the method of cost ranking analysis and DDDs analysis in the respect of amount,DDDs,DDC,etc. RESULTS:The amount of bisphosphonates drugs was increased steadily in 6 years(increasing greatly in 2011),increased by 96.26% in 2015,compared to 2010. Top 3 drugs in the list of amount were Zoledronic acid for injection(imported),Zoledronic acid for injection(domestic)and Pamidronate disodium for injection. Among them,Zoledronic acid for injection(imported)basically showed an upward trend,while Pamidronate disodium for injection showed decline trend. Top 3 drugs in the list of DDDs were Zoledronic acid for injection(domestic),Zoledronic acid for injection(imported)and Pamidronate disodium for injection;DDDs of Zoledronic acid for injection(domestic)and Zoledronic acid for injection(imported)were generally on the rise,while that of Pamidronate disodium for injection showed an overall downward trend. B/A value of bisphosphonates ranged 0.33-2.00,among which B/A value of Zoledronic acid for injection(domestic)was 2.00 and that of Zoledronic acid for injection(imported)was 0.50 during 2012-2015. The first and second drugs in the list of DDC were Clodronate disodium for injection and Zoledronic acid for injection(imported). CONCLUSIONS:The total amount of bisphosphonates drugs in patients with bone metastasis of breast cancer from 11 hospitals of Zhejiang province during 2010-2015 was increased steadily. Some varieties of second and third generation bisphosphonates with definite curative effect,good safety and reasonable price are dominant in clinical use. The selection and use of bisphosphonates is basically reasonable,but price is still the primary factor restricting the further wide application of some varieties.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the metabolism in miconazole-treated Candida albicans ,search for possible biomar-kers and discuss the mechanism of miconazole .Methods GC-MS was employed to determine the metabolic fingerprint of Can-dida albicans before and after treatment with miconazole ,and the difference based on multivariate was compared by statistical analysis ,the potential biomarkers were screened out and the mechanism of miconazole was discussed .Results Twenty three metabolites was screened out as potential biomarkers ,and they were primarily involved in amino acid metabolism ,citrate cycle , glycolysis and lipid metabolism .Conclusion The antifungal activity of miconazole was played by affecting a variety of metabolic pathways .
ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the level of awareness about thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke among community residents in Yuzhong district,Chongqing,China.Methods We used multi-stage sampling to select 1500 households distributed in 3 Street of Yuzhong district,and then one member of each household answered the survey.A trained interviewer conducted a face to face survey about the questions regarding stroke warning signs and thrombolytic therapy in acute stroke.Results A total of 1101 participants completed the survey.Only 257 (23.3％,95％ CI 20.8-25.8) participants were aware of thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke and 59.9％ of them (154/257,95％ CI53.9-65.9) knew the time window of thrombolytic therapy.The rate of thrombolytic therapy awareness was higher among people with young age,well-educated,with higher household income with health insurance,and those who knew all 5 stroke warning signs.People aged ≥75 years had higher rate of awareness of the time window.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,education level,health insurance and knowledge of stroke warning signs were independently associated with the rate of thrombolytic therapy awareness.Conclusions In this population-based survey the community residents had poor awareness of thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke.It is necessary to improve the level of public knowledge about thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke by health education.
ABSTRACT
The education on vocational medical students career planning is an important part not only in the field of higher vocational education but also for the employment guidance of the higher vocational medical colleges. According to the reality of the vocational medical students career planning in our country I propose some points about how to strengthen the education on the vocational medical students about their career planning.