Long-term outcome of EVAHEART I implantable ventricular assist device for the treatment of end stage heart failure: clinical 3-year follow-up results of 15 cases / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of the implantable ventricular assist system EVAHEART I in clinical use. Methods: Fifteen consecutive patients with end-stage heart failure who received left ventricular assist device therapy in Fuwai Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study, their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Cardiac function, liver and kidney function, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, 6-minute walk distance and quality of life were evaluated before implantation and at 1, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after device implantation. Drive cable infection, hemolysis, cerebrovascular events, mechanical failure, abnormally high-power consumption and abnormal pump flow were recorded during follow up. Results: All 15 patients were male, mean average age was (43.0±7.5) years, including 11 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy, 2 cases of ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 2 cases of valvular heart disease. All patients were hemodynamically stable on more than one intravenous vasoactive drugs, and 3 patients were supported by preoperative intra aortic balloon pump (IABP). Compared with before device implantation, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) was significantly decreased ((80.93±6.69) mm vs. (63.73±6.31) mm, P<0.05), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), total bilirubin and creatinine were also significantly decreased ((3 544.85±1 723.77) ng/L vs. (770.80±406.39) ng/L; (21.28±10.51) μmol/L vs. (17.39±7.68) μmol/L; (95.82±34.88) μmol/L vs. (77.32±43.81) μmol/L; P<0.05) at 1 week after device implantation. All patients in this group were in NYHA class Ⅳ before implantation, and 9 patients could recover to NYHA class Ⅲ, 3 to class Ⅱ, and 3 to class Ⅰ at 1 month after operation. All patients recovered to class Ⅰ-Ⅱ at 6 months after operation. The 6-minute walk distance, total quality of life and visual analogue scale were significantly increased and improved at 1 month after implantation compared with those before operation (P<0.05). All patients were implanted with EVAHEART I at speeds between 1 700-1 950 rpm, flow rates between 3.2-4.5 L/min, power consumption of 3-9 W. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 100%, 87%, and 80%, respectively. Three patients died of multiple organ failure at 412, 610, and 872 d after surgery, respectively. During long-term device carrying, 3 patients developed drive cable infection on 170, 220, and 475 d after surgery, respectively, and were cured by dressing change. One patient underwent heart transplantation at 155 d after surgery due to bacteremia. Three patients developed transient ischemic attack and 1 patient developed hemorrhagic stroke events, all cured without sequelae. Conclusion: EVAHEART I implantable left heart assist system can effectively treat critically ill patients with end-stage heart failure, can be carried for long-term life and significantly improve the survival rate, with clear clinical efficacy.

Anesthesia management for patient with bipolar disorder complicated with hypothyroidism during oral surgery: a case report / 华西口腔医学杂志

Bipolar disorder is a major mental illness that is difficult to treat and has a high degree of recurrence. This article reports general anesthesia for oral surgery in a patient with bipolar disorder complicated with hypothyroidism. It also discusses the rational application of antipsychotic drugs and anesthetics with reference to the literature to improve the understanding of the disease and help patients with mental disorders complete the surgical treatment quietly and smoothly.

Pathogenic characteristics of bloodstream infections in patients with hematological diseases and the impact of stem cell transplantation on them / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pathogens causing bloodstream infection in hematology patients during treatment and to compare the effects of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on them, so as to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infection. Methods A total of 292 cases with bloodstream infection in hematology wards of the PLA General Hospital were collected from 2017 to 2021, which were divided into HSCT group and N-HSCT group according to whether performed HSCT or not. The epidemiological characteristics and influence of pathogenic bacteria in blood stream infection were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results A total of 362 strains of pathogenic bacteria were collected from 292 cases, including 106 strains in HSCT group (84 cases) and 256 strains in N-HSCT group (208 cases). Bloodstream infections were more common in acute myeloid leukemia (130/392, 44.52%), followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (74/292, 25.34%). The rate of once bloodstream infection in HSCT group was higher than that in N-HSCT Group, but the rate of twice bloodstream infections in N-HSCT group was higher. Gram-negative Bacilli were the most common pathogens (56.08%), with Escherichia coli being absolutely dominant (109/362, 30.11%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (39/362, 10.77%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (107/362, 29.56%) were the most common Gram-positive cocci. The detection rate of fungi in HSCT group (10/106, 9.43%) was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT Group (3.52%). The drug resistance rate of the common pathogenic bacteria was at a high level, and there was a certain proportion of multi-drug resistant strains (except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The resistance rates of CoNS to penicillin, gentamicin, moxifloxacin, clindamycin and rifampicin in HSCT group were higher than those in N-HSCT Group. The resistance rate of Escherichia coli to piperacillin/tazobactam, cephalosporins and etapenem in HSCT group was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT group. Conclusions The pathogens of blood stream infection in hematology patients are complicated and various. It is difficult for clinical diagnosis and treatment to detect multiple infections and multiple pathogens. HSCT patients have a higher risk of fungal bloodstream infection and more multi-drug resistant strains detected. Therefore, the identification of bloodstream infection and multi-drug resistant strains associated with HSCT patients should prompt surveillance.

Risk of malignancy and diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules with diameters greater than 4 centimeters

ABSTRACT Objective: The risk of malignancy and diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules (TN) with diameters ≥ 3-4 cm remains controversial. However, some groups have indicated surgical treatment in these patients regardless of the FNAB results. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the FNAB in systematically resected ≥4 cm TN and if the risk of malignancy is higher in these patients. Subjects and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 138 patients (142 nodules) with TN with diameters ≥4 cm who underwent thyroidectomy. Results: The FNAB results were nondiagnostic/unsatisfactory (ND/UNS) in 2.1% of the cases and benign in 51.4%. They indicated atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) in 23.9% of cases, follicular neoplasia/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) in 9.2%, suspicion of malignancy (SUS) in 8.5%, and malignant in 4.9%. The histopathological analysis after thyroidectomy revealed a thyroid cancer rate of 100% in the FNABs classified as malignant, 33.3% in SUS cases, 7.7% in FN/SFN, 17.6% in AUS/FLUS, and 4.1% in benign FNABs. None of the ND/UNS FNABs were malignant. The global malignancy diagnosis was 14.8% (n = 21). However, the rate of false negatives for FNAB was low (4.1%). Conclusion: We showed that the risk of malignancy in nodules with diameters ≥4 cm was higher compared to the risk of thyroid cancer in TN in general. However, we found a low rate of false-negative cytological results; therefore, our data do not justify the orientation of routine resection for these larger nodules.

6-desulfated heparin inhibits heparan sulfate shedding and epithelial cell damage during bleomycin induced pulmonary injury / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of different hepa- ry.Methods First, heparin derivatives with different rin sulfation patterns on bleomycin induced lung inju- sulfation patterns,6-desulfated heparin (6-DeH) and N-acetvlated heparin ( N-AcH ) , were synthesized.Secondly, the effect of these compounds on BLM-in¬duced bronchial epithelial cell ( BEARS-2B) injury was evaluated via lactate dehydrogenase activity, MTT experiment, Annexin V/ PI staining and Hoechst 33258 staining.Then , immunofluorescence staining and West¬ern blotting were used to investigate the shedding of Svndecan-1 and the activation of c-Met by 6-DeH/Akt j j signaling pathway.Finally, a BLM-induced lung injury mouse model was used to further verify the protective effect of 6-DeH by HE staining, Svndecan-1 immunos- taining,bodv weight change,and survival rate.Results In the BLM-induced BEARS-2B injury model, 6- DeH was selected as the best candidate, which exerted their effect by competitively binding to BLM, thereby reducing the damage of heparan sulfate barrier (Svnde- can-1 ) on cell surface, and improving cell survival by activating the downstream c-Met/Akt pathway.In the BLM-induced lung injury mouse model, it was further confirmed that 6-DeH reduced the shedding of Svnde- can-1 in the early stage, and delayed the lung injury and fibrosis process.Conclusions 6-DeH protects the bronchial epithelial cells against BLM-induced lung in¬jur)' through inhibiting the shedding of Svndecan-1 and activating the c-Met/Akt signaling pathway.

Spinal cord infarction / 国际脑血管病杂志

Spinal cord infarction is a rare type of central nervous system ischemic disease. Previous studies have mainly been based on a small number of clinical case reports and retrospective analyses. Its causes are diverse, mainly including vasogenic, systemic and iatrogenic diseases. Spinal cord infarction is mostly acute onset, and its clinical manifestation depends on the infarct location and infarct size, and is usually diagnosed based on combined MRI and other examinations. At present, there is no unified treatment plan for spinal cord infarction, and the mortality and disability are relatively higher. This article reviews the clinical characteristics of spinal cord infarction, and provides help for clinical decision making.

Establishment of Geographic Information System on risk assessment regarding infectious diseases imported to China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objectives@#To establish a geographic information application system for analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of major infectious diseases in various regions of the world and to assess the risk of importation of those diseases, to China.@*Methods@#We collected and integrated the following information on: 1) outbreaks and areas of epidemics of major infectious diseases in the world from 2000 to 2017, 2) cases of infectious diseases in arriving travelers through active surveillance at international entry-exit ports in mainland China from 2014 to 2016, 3) numbers of annual global international flights and travelers in the country. With the above information, a global space-time distribution database on major infectious diseases was then established, using the technology related to the system. Models regarding technologies on time-space analysis, probabilistic risk assessment and geographic information visualization, were applied to establish a geographic information system on risk assessment of infectious diseases that imported to China.@*Results@#Through integration of information on outbreaks and epidemic areas of 60 major infectious diseases in 220 countries and regions around the world, as well as 42 kinds of infectious diseases identified among the international arrivals in mainland China, a system was then developed. Information on the distribution of major infectious diseases and their potential risks in the worldwide various regions, characteristics of spectrum and disease burden of infectious diseases imported to each province of mainland China were displayed. Thus, risks on importing infectious diseases in each province via air way were able to be evaluated and simulated by the probabilistic risk assessment model, under the information on specific kind of infectious disease, outside China.@*Conclusion@#Geographic Information System on Risk Assessment Regarding Infectious Diseases Imported to China provides basic data for epidemiological reconnaissance and assessment on risks of importing infectious diseases outside China, thus would be helpful for the improvement of strategies on surveillance, prevention and control regarding the importing infectious diseases, in China.

A new hemiterpene glycoside from rhizomes of Securidaca inappendiculata / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Securidaca inappendiculata. Methods The concrete exacted by 95% EtOH from the rhizomes of S. inappendiculata was isolated and purified by chromatography on macroporous resin, silica gel, MPLC, gel, preparative HPLC, etc. The structures of the chemical constituents were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Results Five compounds were isolated and identified as 2- methylene-butanoic acid 4-O-[(β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-intramol-1,6’-ester (1), 3-methoxyl-4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (2), threo-4,7,9,9’-tetrahydroxy-3,3’-dimethoxy-8-O-4’-neolignan-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), eucomegastigside A (4), and acernikol-4″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new hemiterpene glycoside named securiterpenoside D, and compounds 2-4 are isolated from Polygalaceae for the first time.

Parcellationofthethalamusbasedongraymattervolumecovarianceinhealthymales / 实用放射学杂志

Objective Toexplorethefeasibilityandaccuracyofsegmentationofthethalamusinhealthymaleswithgraymatter volumecovariance(GMVC)covariancepattern.Methods T1 3DstructuralMRIdatawerecollectedin103 maleparticipants [age from19to50y,mean＝(35.5±7.7)y,educationfrom6to16y,mean＝(10.5±2.3)y].AfterpreprocessedbyCAT12softwarewith standardprocedure (registration,segmentation,modulationandsmooth),thevoxelGwisebilateralthalamusgray mattervolume (GMV)andthewholebrain’svoxelGwiseGMVdatawereextractedtocalculatethecovariancematrixofallparticipants.ExtendedKGmeans clusteringalgorithm wasappliedtosegmentthalamusintosubGareas.RandomsubGsamplingandcrossingGvalidationtechniquewere usedtogenerate100subGdatasetsandverifythesimilarityindex.Cramers’V (CV)wascalculatedandtheKrelevanttothehighest meanofCV wasdeterminedastheoptimalnumberofsubGareasforthalamus.Results Theleftandrightthalamuswereoptimally segmentedinto11and13subGareasbyGMVcovariancepattern.BoththeleftandrightthalamuscomprisesAnteriorNuclear,ventral anteriornucleus,lateraldorsalnucleus,lateralposteriornucleus,ventrallateralnucleus,ventralposteriormedialnucleus,ventralposterior lateralnucleus,midlinenucleus,medialdorsalnucleusandpulvinar.Additionally,fortherightthalamus,anteriornucleargroupwas dividedinto2parts,dorsalpartandventralpart,andthemidlinenucleusintomedialpartandlateralpart.Thelateraldorsalandlateral posteriornucleusweremergedintolateralnucleargroup.Fortheleftthalamus,thelateralposteriornucleuswasfurtherdividedinto2 parts,anteriorpartandposteriorpart.Thesegmentationresultswerealmostalinewiththeanatomical14partitionofthalamus.Conclusion TheparcellationbasedonGMVCcovariancepatternisaneffectiveandreliabletoolforsegmentationofbraingraymatternucleus. Ourfindingsprovideexperimentbasisforthalamusfunctionalandstructuralstudyinthefutureandoptimaltreatmenttargetforneurosurgery anddeepbrainstimulustherapy.

Association between Genetic Variations of MERTK and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Koreans

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating lung disease. To date, a large number of clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the association between genetic variations and COPD. However, little is known regarding the genetic susceptibility of Koreans to this disease. MER receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK) plays important roles in the inhibition of inflammation and in the clearance of apoptotic cells. Here, we investigated the association between genetic variations in MERTK and the development of COPD in Koreans. METHODS: We conducted genetic analysis of MERTK using genomic DNA samples from 87 patients with COPD and 88 healthy controls and compared the frequency of each variation or haplotype between the patient and control groups. Subsequently, the effect of each variation was evaluated using in vitro assays. RESULTS: Ten variations were identified in this study, four of them for the first time. In addition, we found that the frequency of each variation or haplotype was comparable between the patient and control groups. However, we observed that the frequency for the wild-type haplotype was higher in the control group, compared to that in the group of patients with COPD, in the subgroup analysis of current smokers, although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.080). In in vitro assays, we observed that none of the variations affected the activity of the promoter or the expression of MERTK. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the susceptibility to COPD is not related to the genetic variations or haplotypes of MERTK in Koreans.

The 24 - hour pattern of intraocular pressure in suspected glaucoma patients / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To analyze the value of 24 - hour intraocular pressure ( IOP) monitoring in suspected glaucoma patients. METHODS: Totally 48 suspected glaucoma (96 eyes) were selected for 24 - hour IOP monitoring by using Accupen tonometer (24 - 3000) and non - contact tonometer (NCT, CT-80A) from 9 30 to 7 30 next day (once in 2h). During 07 30 to 21 30, patients were measured in sitting position,while during 23 30 to 05 30 in both sitting and supine position. RESULTS:A morning peak of IOP was shown at 7 30 in traditional position by using two measures with 22.05士3 608mmHg of NCT and 19.79士4.147mmHg of Accupen tonometer. The peak IOP in habitual position appeared in 5 30 with 21.64士4.814mmHg. The lowest IOP occurred in both position at 21 30 with 15. 73士3. 649mmHg. Both positions showed IOP trend of going up at night and then declining in the morning. CONCLUSION: The peak IOP in suspected glaucoma occurs mostly at early morning. Supine IOP of sleeping time is higher than that of sitting position.

Clinical utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the follow-up of a large cohort of patients with high-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the clinical utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with high-risk DTC. Subjects and methods Single-center retrospective study with 74 patients with high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), classified in 4 groups. Group 1: patients with positive sTg or TgAb, subdivided in Group 1A: negative RxWBS and no foci of metastases identified at conventional image (n = 9); Group 1B: RxWBS not compatible with suspicious foci at conventional image or not proportional to sTg level (n = 13); Group 2: patients with histological findings of aggressive DTC variants (n = 21) and Group 3: patients with positive RxWBS (n = 31). Results 18F-FDG PET/CT identified undifferentiated lesions and helped restage the disease in groups 1B and 2. The scan helped guide clinical judgment in 9/13 (69%) patients of group 1B, 10/21 (48%) patients of group 2 and 2/31 (6%) patients of group 3. There was no clinical benefit associated with group 1A. 18F-FDG PET/CT was associated with progressive disease. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful tool in the follow-up of patients with high-risk DTC, mainly in the group of RxWBS not compatible with suspicious foci at conventional image or not proportional to sTg level and in those with aggressive DTC variants. Additionally, this study showed that 18F-FDG PET/CT was associated with progression and helped display undifferentiated lesions guiding clinical assessments regarding surgeries or expectant treatments.

Influence of pH values on different zirconia systems / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: There are many studies on the effect of different experimental parameters on the tetragonal phase of zirconia, but it is unclear whether pH values have effects on the tetragonal phase in hydrothermal reactionOBJECTIVE: To prepare two zirconia systems via hydrothermal method and to regulate the tetragonal phase purity and control the grain size of zirconia (ZrO2) crystal by pH values.METHODS: Analytical reagents Zr(NO3)4?5H2O and Y(NO3)3?6H2O were adopted as reactors, and nano-sized neat ZrO2 and yttria-stabilized tetragonal ZrO2 polycrystal (Y-TZP) powders were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction was adopted to characterize the influence of pH values and pH regulators (NaOH solution and ammonium hydroxide/NaOH solution) on phase purity and grain size of tetragonal zirconia.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Pure zirconia samples with a grain size lower than 20 nm were obtained through the hydrothermal method, and samples with higher tetragonal phase content compared to monoclinic phase could be derived when the pH value was higher than 10. The optimal pH values for neat zirconia and Y-TZP were 13 and 12,respectively. Furthermore, the ammonium hydroxide/NaOH solution was more favorable to enhance the content of tetragonal zircona. Therefore, the control of pH values and rational choice of pH regulators can improve the tetragonal phase purity and grain size of zirconia.

The technical investigation of 3.0T multi-modal quantitative MR imaging in rabbit liver / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the technical requirements for the 3.0T multi-modal quantitative MR imaging of the rabbit liver.Methods A total of 8 rabbits were scanned and T1 mapping,T2 mapping,MT and Gd EOB-DTPA dynamic enhancement images were acquired.For the dynamic enhanced scanning,injecting contrast medium was followed by saline flush with different combinations of injection flow rate (1.5 mL/s and 2 mL/s) and injection volume(6 mL and 8 mL).The quality of the images was assessed and analyzed statistically.Results The total scanning time was about 20-25 min.High-quality images were acquired by T1 mapping,T2 mapping and MT sequences.There was no significant difference in image quality among different groups in Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced scanning(P＞0.05).Two rabbits died when the combination of injection flow rate of 2 mL/s and injection volume of 8 mL was used.Conclusion 3.0 T multi-modal quantitative MR scanning of rabbit liver can be achieved successfully if scanning parameters are properly chosen.

Identification and Functional Characterization of ST3GAL5 and ST8SIA1 Variants in Patients with Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify and to functionally characterize genetic variants in ST3GAL5 and ST8SIA1 in Korean patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genetic analyses were conducted using DNA samples from TAO patients (n=50) and healthy subjects (n=48) to identify TAO-specific genetic variants of ST3GAL5 or ST8SIA1. The effect of each genetic variant on the transcription or expression of these genes was examined. Additionally, correlations between functional haplotypes of ST3GAL5 or ST8SIA1 and clinical characteristics of the patients were investigated. RESULTS: Six promoter variants and one nonsynonymous variant of ST3GAL5 were identified, and four major promoter haplotypes were assembled. Additionally, three promoter variants and two major haplotypes of ST8SIA1 were identified. All ST3GAL5 and ST8SIA1 variants identified in TAO patients were also found in healthy controls. Promoter activity was significantly decreased in three promoter haplotypes of ST3GAL5 and increased in one promoter haplotype of ST8SIA1. Transcription factors activating protein-1, NKX3.1, and specificity protein 1 were revealed as having roles in transcriptional regulation of these haplotypes. The nonsynonymous variant of ST3GAL5, H104R, did not alter the expression of ST3GAL5. While no differences in clinical characteristics were detected in patients possessing the functional promoter haplotypes of ST3GAL5, exophthalmic values were significantly lower in patients with the ST8SIA1 haplotype, which showed a significant increase in promoter activity. CONCLUSION: These results from genotype-phenotype analysis might suggest a possible link between the ST8SIA1 functional promoter haplotype and the clinical severity of TAO. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

A bench-top micro-CT capable of simulating head motions

Computational three-dimensional (3D) models of a dental structure generated from 3D dental computed tomography (CT) images are now widely used in digital dentistry. To generate precise 3D models, high-resolution imaging of the dental structure with a dental CT is required. However, a small head motion of the patient during the dental CT scan could degrade the spatial resolution of CT images to the extent that digital dentistry is no longer possible. A bench-top micro-CT has been built to evaluate the head motion effects on the dental CT images. A micro-CT has been built on an optic table with a micro-focus x-ray source and a flat-panel detector. A rotation stage, placed in between the x-ray source and the detector, is mounted on two-directional goniometers that can rotate the rotation stage in two orthogonal directions while the rotation stage is performing the CT scan. The goniometers can make object motions of an arbitrary waveform to simulate head tilting or head nodding. CT images of a phantom have been taken with and without introducing the motions, and the motion effects on the CT images have been evaluated. Object motions parallel to the detector plane have greater effects on the CT images than those against the detector plane. With the bench-top micro-CT, the motion effects have been visually seen at a tiny rotational motion as small as 0.3°. The bench-top micro-CT can be used to evaluate head motion effects on the dental CT images. The projection data, taken with the motion effects, would be used to develop motion artifact correction methods for a high-resolution dental-CT.

Diagnostic Value of Diffusion Weighted Imaging and 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for the Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy / 现代生物医学进展

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of diffusion weighted imaging and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).Methods:37 cases of patients with neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy admitted in our hospital were selected as the study group,another 40 healthy neonates were selected as the control group,both groups of neonates underwent diffusion-weighted imaging and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy,ordinary MR1 and diffusion weighted imaging findings of neonates in the study group were observed,the neonatal cerebral metabolic compounds relative concentration were observed and compared between two groups.Results:The detection rate of diffusion-weighted imaging was significantly higher compared with the ordinary MRI (P＜0.05).The relative ratio of brain metabolic compounds NAA/Cr of study group were obviously lower than those of the control group,while the Cho/Cr,MI/Cr,Glu-Glr/Cr,Lac/Cr were significantly higher (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Diffusion weighted imaging combined with 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy could improve the diagnostic accuracy of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy,the analysis of the concentrations of brain metabolic compounds could contribute to evaluate the severity of HIE.

Prognostic Superiority of Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes in Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in stage 3 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who have undergone curative resection. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 175 stage 3 CRC patients who underwent curative resection in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2005 to 2012. Patients were categorized respectively according to the AJCC/UICC N grade,the metastatic lymph node ratio (LNR),and the ratio of their LODDS. The relationship between the N grade,LNR,LODDS,and overall survival (OS) rates were assessed.Results The five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly different among stage 3 CRC patients in different N grade (Χ(2)=33.1,P=0.000),LNR (Χ(2)=14.3,P=0.001),and LODDS (Χ(2)=14.9,P=0.001). Univariate analysis showed that TNM stage (Χ(2)=27.0,P=0.000),cancerous node(Χ(2)=3.6,P=0.040),N grade (Χ(2)=33.1,P=0.000),LNR (Χ(2)=14.3,P=0.001),and LODDS (Χ(2)=30.4,P=0.000) were related to OS. Multivariate analysis indicated that TNM stage (HR:1.84,95%CI:1.59～6.29,P=0.001) and LODDS classification (HR:1.34,95%CI:1.01～1.80,P=0.047) were independent prognostic factors for OS in stage 3 CRC patients. Conclusion LODDS is a good prognostic indicator in stage 3 CRC patients who have undergone curative resection.

Cerebral Metabolic Profiling of Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest with and Without Antegrade Selective Cerebral Perfusion: Evidence from Nontargeted Tissue Metabolomics in a Rabbit Model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) is regarded to perform cerebral protection during the thoracic aorta surgery as an adjunctive technique to deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). However, brain metabolism profile after ASCP has not been systematically investigated by metabolomics technology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To clarify the metabolomics profiling of ASCP, 12 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned into 60 min DHCA with (DHCA+ASCP [DA] group, n = 6) and without ( DHCA [D] group, n = 6) ASCP according to the random number table. ASCP was conducted by cannulation on the right subclavian artery and cross-clamping of the innominate artery. Rabbits were sacrificed 60 min after weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass. The metabolic features of the cerebral cortex were analyzed by a nontargeted metabolic profiling strategy based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Variable importance projection values exceeding 1.0 were selected as potentially changed metabolites, and then Student's t-test was applied to test for statistical significance between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Metabolic profiling of brain was distinctive significantly between the two groups (Q 2 Y = 0.88 for partial least squares-DA model). In comparing to group D, 62 definable metabolites were varied significantly after ASCP, which were mainly related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that metabolic pathways after DHCA with ASCP were mainly involved in the activated glycolytic pathway, subdued anaerobic metabolism, and oxidative stress. In addition, L-kynurenine (P = 0.0019), 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid (P = 0.0499), and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (P = 0.0495) in tryptophan metabolism pathways were decreased, and citrulline (P = 0.0158) in urea cycle was increased in group DA comparing to group D.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The present study applied metabolomics analysis to identify the cerebral metabolic profiling in rabbits with ASCP, and the results may shed new lights that cerebral metabolism is better preserved by ASCP compared with DHCA alone.</p>

Tanshinone IIA attenuates interleukin-17A-induced systemic sclerosis patient-derived dermal vascular smooth muscle cell activation via inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE: Salvia miltiorrhiza has long been used to treat systemic sclerosis. Tanshinone IIA, one of the phytochemicals derived from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, exhibits multiple biological activities. The present study aimed to investigate whether tanshinone IIA has an effect on the interleukin-17A-induced functional activation of systemic sclerosis patient-derived dermal vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Systemic sclerosis patient-derived dermal vascular smooth muscle cells were incubated with various dosages of tanshinone IIA in the presence of interleukin-17A or the serum of systemic sclerosis patients. Cell proliferation was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8. The expression of collagen 1 and 3 in cells was evaluated by immunofluorescence. Cell migration was measured using a transwell assay. The expression of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Our data demonstrate that tanshinone IIA exerts an inhibitory effect on interleukin-17A-induced systemic sclerosis patient-derived dermal vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and migration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that tanshinone IIA might serve as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of systemic sclerosis. .