A real-world study on the effectiveness of BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac in Nanjing area.

Since the advent of COVID-19 vaccine, the long-term monitoring and evaluation of vaccine effectiveness worldwide has never stopped. Real-world research of the mainstream vaccines in China (BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac) is extremely valuable as a supplement to clinical research data. Venous blood of this study was collected from 111 blood donors and from 6 volunteers, who had received 2 doses of SAR-CoV-2 vaccine. Cross-sectional study and cohort study was adopted. Venous blood of 11 COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors was collected as a positive control. The seroconversion rate of neutralizing antibodies in 111 vaccine recipients was 90.99% (101/111); The level of SAR-CoV-2 antibodies peaked around 28 days after inoculation, then fast descended followed by gentle descended until it was still detectable around 280 days later. The changes in antibody levels were similar to those of the 6 participants and those of convalescent plasma donors after infection. 5 of the 6 participants still maintained a high level of neutralizing antibodies (> 60% of the peak value) around 28 days after receiving 2 doses of vaccine; one participant had an antibody reaction that was almost always negative for 4 weeks. BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac can produce good immune effects in most vaccinators aged 20 to 59 years in Nanjing area. Nevertheless, significant individual discrepancies of the humoral immunity are still existed.

Establishment and application of suspension static method in blood group screening of automated blood group analyzer.

The accuracy of blood group identification is the basis of blood transfusion safety. In order to increase the detection rate of weak agglutination, unexpected antibodies (UAb) and blood subtypes for pre-transfusion testing, the blood group screening process of automated blood group analyzer (ABGA) is ameliorated by introducing one static step and establishing a suspension static method (SSM). One static step was introduced in the blood group screening process of ABGA and three static time conditions were designed: 300 s, 400 s and 500 s, from which the optimal static time was selected and SSM was established; By comparing the detection of weak agglutination and UAb before and after the application of SSM, the feasibility and effect of suspension static method were verified and evaluated. The last two steps of the automatic blood group screening process were replaced with static, light centrifugation and imaging. The optimal static time parameter was selected as 400 s and SSM was established; After the application of SSM, it was verified that: (1) The detection level of weak antibodies (anti-A and anti-B) and weak antigens (weak D phenotype) could be improved by SSM, including antibodies in plasma of known type O samples with 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 times serial dilutions(simulating weak anti-A and weak anti-B), weak antibodies (anti-B) in plasma of one normal A-type sample and weak antigens on red blood cells (RBC) of 5 weak D phenotype samples (weak D antigen); (2) Three blood donor samples (type A, O and B) with known UAb were detected by SSM. The results showed that SSM could detect both weak antibodies (anti-A and anti-B) and UAb; (3) SSM was applied to detect the samples of 3 A2B and 3 subtype B blood donors and the blood subtypes could be clearly detected; (4) The number of screening samples was 95,314 and 106,814 before SSM (2018) and after (2020) the application of SSM and the positive rate of UAb (63/95,314 and 187/106,814) increased after SSM, discrepancy of which was statistically significant (χ2 = 48.42, P < 0.01). The above results demonstrate that SSM of ABGA is conducive to the detection of weak agglutination, UAb and blood subtypes in blood samples, which can improve the sensitivity of blood group detection and ensure the safety of clinical blood transfusion to a certain extent.

CEA-producing urothelial cell carcinoma with metastasis presenting as a rectal adenocarcinoma.

This is a case study of a 61-year-old male who presented with difficult defecation for 1 month. A circumferential submucosal rectal tumor was noted on a digital rectal examination and colonoscopy. Laboratory examination revealed high serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; 43.75 ng/mL) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9; 11,790 U/mL). In addition, tumor biopsies revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the rectum with intact mucosa. The patient had history of advanced stage-T2 urothelial cell carcinoma of bladder, which had been downstaged to T0 by neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy 1 year prior. After investigating the initial bladder tumor specimens, a small portion of the tumor with high CEA expression comparable to the submucosal rectal tumor was found. The size of the tumor was reduced and the levels of the tumor markers decreased after administering FOLFIRI chemotherapy targeted at the adenocarcinoma. Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy may have a selective pressure to eliminate most urothelial cell carcinoma, physicians should be aware that it can lead to rectal metastasis via CEA-producing components.

Cost-effective homemade specimen retrieval bag for use in laparoscopic surgery: experience at a single center.

BACKGROUND: To offer an easily produced and cost-effective specimen retrieval bag that can be used to reduce the cost of laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: From January 2005 to October 2009, 135 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for adrenalectomy or prostatectomy, during which a homemade specimen retrieval bag was used. The retrieval bag was produced from a large sterile surgical glove, 2-0 nylon thread, and 1-0 RB-1 needle Vicryl thread. A purse-string suture at the opening of the bag was made using the nylon thread, and the bottom of the bag was double-tied using the tail of the Vicryl thread. The bag was introduced into the peritoneal cavity via a 12-mm port, and the specimen was enclosed with the use of two laparoscopic instruments. The bag was then extracted by extending the port incisional wound. RESULTS: We used a homemade retrieval bag to extract specimens from 110 patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and 25 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The procedure was performed safely, and no bags were broken. No complications were observed after the operations such as wound infection, ileus, or intestinal adhesion. In our experience, our homemade endobag can be easily used by surgeons to extract specimens from the abdominal cavity. The total cost of hospitalization was also reduced for the patients. CONCLUSION: The homemade specimen retrieval bag is cost-effective and useful for the retrieval of intact specimens. It is also easy to make and safe to use.

Congenital seminal vesicle cyst associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis mimicking bladder outlet obstruction: a case report and review of the literature.

Seminal vesicle cysts combined with genitourinary anomalies are uncommon. We present a 43-year-old married man who suffered from difficulty in urination and irritating voiding symptoms for 3 years. The symptoms worsened in the last 6 months. Digital rectal examination revealed a palpable large soft mass behind the prostate. Diagnostic imaging showed a left seminal vesicle cyst with an intravesical protrusion. The ipsilateral kidney and ureter were absent. Transrectal aspiration of the cyst was performed, which improved the clinical genitourinary symptoms. The maximal and mean urinary flow rates increased from 18 to 37 mL/s and from 6 to 16 mL/s, respectively.