[Surgical plan selection and efficacy analysis in 32 cases of laryngotracheal stenosis].

Objective: To explore the optimization of surgical procedures for laryngotracheal stenosis and its effect analysis. Methods: The data of 32 patients with acquired laryngotracheal stenosis who received surgical treatment from October 2015 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The age ranged from 19 to 72 years, with an average of (34.0±9.0) years. The medical history ranged from 1 to 32 months (median 3 months). As for etiology, there were 30 cases of iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis, including 20 cases of tracheal intubation and 10 cases of tracheotomy (7 cases of percutaneous tracheotomy and 3 cases of traditional tracheotomy). There were 1 case of laryngotracheal trauma and 1 case of airway Penicillium marneffei infection. According to Myer-Cotton grading system, grade Ⅳ stenosis was found in 14 cases, including 12 cases involving trachea and 2 cases involving trachea and subglottic area.There were 18 cases of grade Ⅲ, all of which involved the cervical trachea 5 cases failed in operation in other hospitals. According to stenosis grading, course of disease, primary disease control and the patient's general condition, the surgical plan was determined individually. The operations of end-to-end anastomosis, circumferential tracheal partial resection, T-tube placement and CO2 laser tracheal scar resection were performed respectively. The recovery of airway function and perioperative complications were observed one year after operation. Results: End-to-end anastomosis was performed in 16 cases, and partial circumferential tracheal resection in 2 cases, and tracheal granulation (scar) resection by CO2 laser in 2 cases and T-tube insertion in 12 cases. Eighteen cases which performed end-to-end anastomosis, partial resection of circumferential trachea in and 2 cases which performed laser tracheal scar resection were all recovered airway function at one stage. After 1 year, 19 cases were cured and 1 case was effective. Of 12 patients with T tube implantation, 11 cases were successfully extubated after 6-12 months, 7 cases were cured after 1 year, 2 cases were effective and 3 cases were ineffective. Among the 3 cases of failure, 2 cases were successfully extubated by sleeve resection and end-to-end anastomosis in the second stage, and the other case refused to accept other treatment methods and the T-tube was placed again, and the tube was blocked and the patient survived. During the follow-up period, the total cure rate was 87.5%, the effective rate was 9.4%, and the total extubation rate was 96.9%.The most common complication was subcutaneous emphysema, accounting for 78% (25/32), but no serious mediastinal emphysema or pneumothorax occurred. In the T-tube implantation group, granulation tissue grew in different degrees around the neck wound after operation, and improved or disappeared after 6-9 months. Anterior cervical tracheal fistula occurred in 4 cases of T-tube implantation group after extubation, which were cured by sealing the stoma. There were no complications such as severe bleeding or perioperative death. Conclusion: When there were various factors, the optimization of the surgical plan according to the degree of stenosis, the course of disease, the control of primary disease and the general condition was an important guarantee to improve the curative effect of laryngotracheal stenosis.

Association of thyroid disease and risk of fatty liver disease: an exposure-wide Mendelian randomization study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have often observed a possible association between thyroid and fatty liver diseases. The pathogenesis of both diseases is complex, with many confounding factors and controversies. We used a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to test the causality between thyroid disease and the risk of developing fatty liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All data were obtained from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Catalog database. Thyroid disorders include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Fatty liver diseases include alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was used for MR analysis, and sensitivity analysis was further performed to test its robustness. RESULTS: We discovered no causal relationship between thyroid disease and alcoholic fatty liver disease after excluding weak instrumental variables (IVs). Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism had a significant causal relationship with NAFLD. Hypothyroidism increased the risk of NAFLD using the IVW method (OR=7.62, 95% CI: 2.61-22.25, p<0.001). MR-Egger regression did not suggest potential evidence of directional pleiotropy (intercept, p=0.698). Hyperthyroidism also significantly increased the risk of NAFLD (OR=11.83, 95% CI: 2.9-22.54, p=0.026). MR-Egger regression did not suggest any potential directional pleiotropy (intercept, p=0.295). CONCLUSIONS: Hypothyroidism can significantly increase NAFLD incidence, and hyperthyroidism may be a risk factor for NAFLD.

[Obstructive sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study].

Objective: This study aims to explore the causal relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: The genetic data related to OSA were obtained from the FinnGen Biobank (Ncase=16, 761, Ncontrol=201, 194) in the Genome-wide association study (GWAS). Three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were screened out as instrumental variable (IV) of OSA. The genetic data related to T2D were derived from a large Meta-analysis of GWAS (Ncase=62, 892, Ncontrol=596, 424), 114 SNP were selected as IV of T2D. Multiple MR methods were used for analysis and inverse variance weighted (IVW) was performed as main method. The sensitivity of MR analytic results was analyzed using MR-Egger and other methods, and the IV was evaluated using F-value statistics. Results: MR analysis showed that OSA was significantly associated with increased risk of T2D (OR=2.016, 95%CI: 1.185-3.429, P<0.05). There was no significant relationship between T2D and OSA risk (OR=1.030, 95%CI: 0.980-1.082, P=0.238). There was heterogeneity in both-way results (OSA➝T2D, P=1.808×10-11; T2D➝OSA, P=1.729×10-7), and no horizontal pleiotropy (OSA➝T2D, P=0.477; T2D➝OSA, P=0.349). IV of OSA and T2D-selected in the study were strong instrumental variables (F statistics of OSA=20.543; F statistics of T2D=30.117). Conclusion: Our results supported that OSA was a risk factor for T2D, but T2D had no significant impact on the incidence of OSA. Blood glucose monitoring and diabetes screening in OSA patients might be beneficial to the early detection and intervention of T2D.

[Endometrioid adenocarcinoma with proliferated stromal cells, hyalinization and cord-like formations: A case report].

Corded and hyalinized endometrioid carcinoma (CHEC) is a morphologic variant of endo-metrioid adenocarcinoma. The tumor exhibits a biphasic appearance with areas of traditional low-grade adenocarcinoma merging directly with areas of diffuse growth composed of epithelioid or spindled tumor cells forming cords, small clusters, or dispersed single cells. It is crucial to distinguish CHEC from its morphological mimics, such as malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT), because CHECs are usually low stage, and are associated with a good post-hysterectomy prognosis in most cases while the latter portends a poor prognosis. The patient reported in this article was a 54-year-old woman who presented with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding for 2 months. The ultrasound image showed a thickened uneven echo endometrium of approximately 12.2 mm and a detectable blood flow signal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an abnormal endometrial signal, considered endometrial carcinoma (Stage Ⅰ B). On hysterectomy specimen, there was an exophytic mass in the uterine cavity with myometrium infiltrating. Microscopically, most component of the tumor was well to moderately differentiated endometrioid carcinoma. Some oval and spindle stromal cells proliferated on the superficial surface of the tumor with a bundle or sheet like growth pattern. In the endometrial curettage specimen, the proliferation of these stromal cells was more obvious, and some of the surrounding stroma was hyalinized and chondromyxoid, which made the stromal cells form a cord-like arrangement. Immunostains were done and both the endometrioid carcinoma and the proliferating stroma cells showed loss of expression of DNA mismatch repair protein MLH1/PMS2 and wild-type p53 protein. Molecular testing demonstrated that this patient had a microsatellite unstable (MSI) endometrial carcinoma. The patient was followed up for 6 months, and there was no recurrence. We diagnosed this case as CHEC, a variant of endometrioid carcinoma, although this case did not show specific ß-catenin nuclear expression that was reported in previous researches. The striking low-grade biphasic appearance without TP53 mutation confirmed by immunohistochemistry and molecular testing supported the diagnosis of CHEC. This special morphology, which is usually distributed in the superficial part of the tumor, may result in differences between curettage and surgical specimens. Recent studies have documented an aggressive clinical course in a significant proportion of cases. More cases are needed to establish the clinical behaviors, pathologic features, and molecular profiles of CHECs. Recognition of the relevant characteristics is the prerequisite for pathologists to make correct diagnoses and acquire comprehensive interpretation.

[Effect of hyperandrogenism on pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer].

Objective: To explore the effects of hyperandrogenism (HA) on pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on infertile women with PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET from January 2017 to June 2021 in our center. Patients were divided into HA group and NON-HA group according to the levels of testosterone. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the influence of female age and IVF/ICSI-ET for patients with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)antagonist protocol and GnRH agonist protocol, separately. After the PSM procedure, 191 cases in HA group and 382 cases in NON-HA group, were included. Hormone levels and pregnancy outcomes were compared in the two groups. Results: The female age was comparable in two groups [HA: (29.6±3.7) vs NON-HA: (29.5±3.6), P=0.665]. The basal luteinizing hormone [(10.82±6.73) vs (7.76±5.30) IU/L], testosterone [(3.27±0.97) vs (1.60±0.59) nmol/L], free androgen index (7.13 vs 2.77), anti-mullerian hormone [(11.37±5.74) vs (9.67±4.67) ng/ml], fasting glucose [(5.18±0.49) vs (5.06±0.42) mmol/L], 1h glucose [(9.34±2.42) vs (7.99±2.21) nmol/L], 2 h glucose [(7.66±2.17) vs (6.64±1.84) nmol/L], 2 h insulin [(129.81±145.49) vs (97.51±86.92) mU/L], total cholesterol [(5.35±0.89) vs (4.92±0.92) mmol/L], triglycerides [(1.55±1.28) vs (1.33±0.77) mmol/L], and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels [(3.38±0.66) vs (3.14±0.71) mmol/L] were significantly higher in HA group, compared with NON-HA group (P<0.05). The initiated gonadotropin dose was higher in HA group than that in NON-HA group [(126.96±33.65) vs (137.60±38.12) U, P=0.001], but moderate-severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate was similar in two groups (P>0.05). The rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). Also, in the subgroups, the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, live birth, and miscarriage were similar in HA group and NON-HA group. Conclusions: The risks of hormonal abnormality and glucose-lipid metabolic disorder were higher in PCOS women with HA, whereas satisfactory pregnancy outcomes could be achieved under proper ovarian stimulation undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET.

Statins improve asthma symptoms by suppressing inflammation: a meta-analysis based on RCTs.

OBJECTIVE: Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease caused by high infiltration of multiple inflammatory cells and factors in airway tissues. Statins may inhibit inflammation, hence improve asthma symptoms. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of statins in the treatment of asthma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched in PubMed, OVID, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases using the following key words: "statin", "atorvastatin", "simvastatin", "pravastatin", "rosuvastatin", "pitavastatin", "fluvastatin", and "asthma". The effects of statins on function, serum biomarkers, sputum mediators, and serum biochemical markers were analyzed from the identified studies. RESULTS: Twelve articles (613 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that statins significantly improved asthma symptoms (ACQ score: MD: -0.43, 95% CI: -0.47 - -0.38, p<0.01; ACT score: MD: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.26-2.67, p<0.01). Furthermore, statins significantly reduced serum hsCRP (MD: -0.50, p=0.02) and cholesterol (MD: -32.76, p<0.01) levels and the proportion of sputum eosinophils (MD: -1.25, p<0.01) and IL6 levels (MD: -64.56, p=0.04) in sputum. However, lung function was not significantly different between the statin and placebo treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although statins did not change the lung function in patients with asthma, they improved asthma symptoms and reduced the serum hsCRP, sputum eosinophil ratio, and IL6 levels.

[Comparative study on imaging and clinical results of patellofemoral joint with kinematic alignment and mechanical alignment in total knee arthroplasty].

Objective: To investigate the changes of imaging parameters of patellofemoral joint after kinematic alignment total knee arthroplasty (KA-TKA) and mechanical alignment total knee arthroplasty (MA-TKA) and the effects on clinical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 227 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, 105 males and 122 females, with the age of (68.6±7.2) years (range: 52 to 86 years). The patients underwent unilateral TKA at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2020 to July 2021. The patients were divided into the KA-TKA group (n=102) and the MA-TKA group (n=125) according to the alignment method. The Blackburne-Peel index, lateral patellofemoral angle, patellofemoral tilt angle and patellofemoral index of the two groups were recorded before and 6 months after operation. The frequency of lateral patellar retinaculum release, preoperative and postoperative knee range of motion (ROM), and Oxford knee score(OKS) were also recorded. The differences between preoperative and postoperative measurement data of each group were calculated. If the difference was in line with normal distribution, the independent sample t-test or t'-test was used for comparison between the two groups. If it did not conform to normal distribution, Mann-Whitney U test was used. Paired sample t-test was used for comparison before and after treatment. Chi-square test was used for comparation of categorical data between the two groups. Results: After 6 months of operation, the patellar tilt angles of the KA-TKA group and the MA-TKA group were (14.22±3.26)° and (13.35±2.27)°, and the lateral patellar angles were (9.73±4.86)° and (11.91±3.89)°, respectively. The change of lateral patellofemoral angle in the KA-TKA group was significantly less than that in the MA-TKA group ((1.68±4.86)° vs. (4.15±4.88)°, t=3.805, P<0.01). OKS and ROM were improved in the both groups at 6 months after operation (all P<0.05), but there were no statistic significance in preoperative and postoperative difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). The intraoperative lateral patellar retinacular release rate was 14.4% (18/125) in the MA-TKA group and 6.9% (7/102) in the KA-TKA group, with no statistical difference (χ2=3.256,P=0.071). Conclusions: There are greater patella lateral tilt at 6 months postoperatively in the KA-TKA group compared with the MA-TKA group, but this radiographic difference could not show differences of clinical outcomes and postoperative ROM, the frequency of intraoperative lateral patellar retinacular release wouldn't increase. Therefore, KA-TKA does not increase the difficulty of postoperative patellofemoral joint complications and intraoperative lateral patellar release.

[Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology in pathogen detection in patients with burns and patients with acute or chronic wounds].

Objective: To explore the value of using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology to detect pathogens in patients with burns and patients with acute or chronic wounds. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From March 2019 to June 2020, 11 patients with burns and patients with acute or chronic wounds (including 10 males and 1 female, aged 23 to 85 years) in the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital met the inclusion criteria and were recruited. A total of 23 specimens were collected, including 6 whole blood specimens, 1 skin tissue specimen, 1 drained pus specimen, and 15 wound secretion swab specimens. Each specimen was divided into two parts, which were subjected for pathogen detection using microbial culture method and mNGS method, respectively. The number and types of pathogens detected by the 2 methods and the relative abundance detected by the mNGS method were recorded, and the consistency of the two methods were compared. Data were statistically analyzed with paired Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: With the microbial culture method, no pathogen was detected in 5 of the 23 specimens, while 35 pathogens were detected in the remaining 18 specimens, belonging to 9 species of bacteria and 2 species of fungi. Five specimens had one pathogen while 9 specimens had 2 pathogens and 4 specimens had 3 pathogens detected in each specimen. With the mNGS method, no pathogen was detected in one of the 23 specimens, while 75 pathogens were detected in the remaining 22 specimens, belonging to 28 species of bacteria, 3 species of fungi, and 3 species of viruses. Eight specimens had one pathogen, 5 specimens had 2 pathogens, 2 specimens had 3 pathogens, 3 specimens had 4 pathogens, 2 specimens had 6 pathogens, and 1 specimen had 7 pathogens, and 1 specimen had 20 pathogens detected in each specimen. The number of pathogens detected in each specimen by microbial culture method was 2 (1, 2) types, which was significantly less than 2 (1, 4) types by mNGS method (Z=3.359, P<0.01). In 5 specimens, no bacteria were detected by microbial culture method but mNGS method detected bacteria in 2 specimens and virus in 2 different specimens. The mNGS method detected two or more types of bacteria in 13 specimens, the relative abundance of bacteria with the 1st relative abundance ranking ranged from 28.8% to 95.9% in each specimen. Of the 23 specimens detected by two detection methods, 7 specimens (30.4%) showed identical detection results, 5 specimens (21.7%) showed totally different detection results, and 11 specimens (47.8%) had partially consistent detection results. Conclusions: Compared with the traditional microbial culture method, the mNGS method has higher detection sensitivity and stronger capacity to detect pathogens, and can determine the relative abundance of pathogens in mixed infections. As a supplement to the culture method, the mNGS method is expected to play an important role in the diagnosis of infectious pathogens in burns and acute or chronic wounds.

Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy of Hair Shaft Using HID Ion GeneStudioTM S5 Sequencing System.

ABSTRACT: Objective To study the heteroplasmy of the whole mitochondrial genome genotyping result of hair shaft samples using HID Ion GeneStudioTM S5 Sequencing System. Methods The buccal swabs and blood of 8 unrelated individuals, and hair shaft samples from different parts of the same individual were collected. Amplification of whole mitochondrial genome was performed using Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel. Analysis and detection of whole mitochondrial genome were carried out using the HID Ion GeneStudioTM S5 Sequencing System. Results The mitochondrial DNA sequences in temporal hair shaft samples from 2 individuals showed heteroplasmy, while whole mitochondrial genome genotyping results of buccal swabs, blood, and hair samples from the other 6 unrelated individuals were consistent. A total of 119 base variations were observed from the 8 unrelated individuals. The numbers of variable sites of the individuals were 29, 40, 38, 35, 13, 36, 40 and 35, respectively. Conclusion Sequence polymorphism can be fully understood using HID Ion GeneStudioTM S5 Sequencing system.

Effectiveness of intra-operative ultrasonography, compared to conventional techniques, in attaining tumour free lumpectomy margins in breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to summarize and update evidence on whether intra-operative ultrasonography (IOUS) guided breast conserving surgery (BCS) can be more effective than wire-guided or palpation-guided excision for both nonpalpable, as well as palpable breast cancers in achieving tumor free negative margins after lumpectomy for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive searches were done systematically through PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and Google scholar databases. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 13.0. The primary outcome was proportion of patients that achieved tumor free resection margins after lumpectomy. Effect sizes were reported as pooled relative risks (RR). All estimates were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 20 RCTs with 2519 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Use of intra-operative ultrasonography was associated with 1.18 times higher chances [RR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.10-1.27] of attaining a tumor free margin for all breast cancers, 1.16 times higher chances [RR 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.23] of attaining a tumor free margin for all palpable breast cancers and 1.20 times higher chances [RR 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05-1.38] of attaining a tumor free margin for all non-palpable breast, compared to wire guided or palpation guided localization. There was no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support that intra-operative ultrasonography increases the chances of obtaining negative margins for tissue resected in breast conserving surgeries. The findings support the observations of previous reviews published in this aspect nearly half a decade back.

[Clinical characteristics of 21 infertile women with non-classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of infertile women with non-classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). Methods: The study enrolled 21 infertile women with non-classic 21-OHD in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2009 to December 2018. The clinical presentation, endocrine hormone, glucolipid metabolism and treatment outcome were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis of non-classic 21-OHD was comprehensively based on clinical and hormonal characteristics. Results: Among 21 cases, the age was (29.9±2.9) years, the mean age at menarche was (13.6±2.0) years, body mass index was (22.1±2.9) kg/m2, and 38% (8/21) had oligomenorrhea. Hirsutism was diagnosed in 3 cases (14%, 3/21). Clitoromegaly was seen in 14% (3/21) and polycystic ovarian morphology was found in 33% (7/21) of the patients. The mean serum level of basal progesterone was (11.3±21.0) nmol/L, with 48% (10/21) having high basal progesterone level; after therapy by glucocorticoid, the level of progesterone was (1.9±2.0) nmol/L. Serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentration was (66.4±123.6) nmol/L; after therapy by glucocorticoid, it was (2.4±1.8) nmol/L. In the study increased testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were present in 62% (13/21), 52% (11/21) and 43% (9/21), respectively; and 52% (11/21) of patients manifested androgen excess and basal progesterone elevation; androgen levels decreased after therapy by glucocorticoid. The pregnancy rate was 76% (16/21). Out of 19 pregnancies, 6/19 ended in spontaneous miscarriages. Conclusions: Infertile women with non-classic 21-OHD are characterized by hyperandrogenism and basal progesterone elevation, whereas gonad axis disorder is not apparent. After no response to conventional therapy, adult infertile women with non-classic 21-OHD could achieve a desirable pregnancy outcome with proper treatment of glucocorticoid.

[Ten cases of wound hemostasis with glove bandaging in hand skin grafting].

From July 2018 to April 2019, 10 patients (8 males and 2 females, aged 5 to 53 years) who need skin grafting with 17 hands were admitted to the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital. The method of glove bandaging was used for wound hemostasis in skin grafting. After the initial hemostasis, sterile latex gloves were used as the inner cover of hand, and then pressure-wrapped with gauze. After 20 minutes, the gauze and gloves were removed in order from the near to the far, then thorough hemostasis was conducted again, and finally skin grafting was performed. The use of gloves as inner cover can avoid the adhesion of gauze fibers to the wound surface, so that it will not cause small blood vessels to re-bleed when the gauze is removed, therefore reducing the excessive use of electrocoagulation and secondary damage to the wound. As a result, blood loss can be reduced and hemostatic time can be shortened.

Necrosulfonamide (NSA) protects intervertebral disc degeneration via necroptosis and apoptosis inhibition.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that nucleus pulposus (NP) cell death plays an extremely important role in the progress of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). This research aimed to investigate the protective effect of the MLKL inhibitor necrosulfonamide (NSA) on human NP cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected human NP tissues from the patients undergoing disc herniation operations and isolated NP cell from the samples. IL-1ß (10 ng/ml) was used to establish a NP cells degenerated model. We analyzed the expression of caspase 3, caspase 8, RIPK1, RIPK 3, and MLKL in different degree of degenerate disc tissues. Cell viability was analyzed by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The expression levels of collagen Ⅱ, ß-galactosidase (ß-gal), caspase 3, caspase 8, RIPK1, RIPK 3, and MLKL, several inflammatory and anti-oxidant enzymes of different NP cell treat groups were detected by Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, or RT-PCR. Flow cytometry was used to measure the ROS level and cell apoptosis. RESULTS: The data showed that expression of caspase 3, caspase 8, RIPK1, RIPK 3, and MLKL markedly increased in severely degenerated disc tissues. IL-1ß promoted the cell death of NP cells, while NSA could reverse the effects of IL-1ß. We found that NAS increased the antioxidant SOD1, SOD2, CAT, and GPX3 expression and suppressed oxidative stress in the disc. Moreover, MMP3, MMP10, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly suppressed by the NSA. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NSA prevented NP degradation via inhibiting apoptosis and necroptosis of NP cells. Besides, the protective function of antagonizing cell death may owe to the inflammation and oxidative stress suppression.

[Clinical significance of anti-interferon -α2 and anti-interferon -ω antibody in myasthenia gravis].

Objective: To measure the levels of anti-interferon (IFN) -α2 antibody (IFN-α2-Ab) and anti-IFN-ω antibody(IFN-ω-Ab) and investigate their potential roles in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: Radioimmunoprecipitationassay (RIPA) based on (125)I-labelled IFN-α2, -ω, acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) were used to detect anti-IFN-α2-Ab, anti-IFN-ω-Ab, anti-AChR-Ab and anti-MuSK-Ab respectively in MG patients from Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, during the year of 2013. Relationship between IFN-α2-Ab and clinical characteristics in patients with MG were analyzed. Results: With the RIPA, anti-IFN-α2-Ab was positive in 11 (22%) patients with MG, among whom, 8 were thymoma associated MG (TAMG) and 3 were late onset MG (LOMG). The double positive one was among the LOMG who was a 76-year-old ocular MG patient. Serum anti-IFN-α2-Ab levels in different subgroups of MG had no significant difference (P>0.05). MG patients with anti-IFN-α2-Ab complicated with less other autoimmune disease. Serum anti-IFN-α2-Ab levels negatively correlated with QMG score in TAMG. Conclusions: MG patients with anti-IFN-α2-Ab complicate with less other autoimmune disease. The higher serum IFN-α2-Ab levels in TAMG, the slighter symptoms present.

[Clinical characteristics of lung NK/T cell lymphoma misdiagnosed as pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of lung natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma. Methods: The clinical data of patients with lung NK/T-cell lymphoma confirmed by pathology who were hospitalized due to lung shadow and initially treated as pneumonia from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University was collected from June 2013 to January 2019. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, chest CT findings, treatment procedures, outcomes, and misdiagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 15 enrolled patients with lung NK/T-cell lymphoma, 5 were primary and the other 10 were secondary. There were 8 males and 7 females, aged 20-76 years. Fever presented in 14 cases, dyspnea was observed in 4 cases and 2 cases had cough. A total of 12 cases had leukopenia, 10 cases had mononuclear cell increase, 10 cases had liver dysfunction, 13 cases had elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and 2 cases of primary lung NK/T-cell lymphoma had increased pleural LDH and adenosine deaminase. Five cases of primary lung NK/T-cell lymphoma had multiple lung lesions, with diffuse multiple solid shadows, ground glass and patchy shadows, some with nodules; 10 cases of secondary lung NK/T-cell lymphoma showed nodular masses, some were accompanied by patchy shadows, and most patients had multiple lesions scattering in the lung. All the fifteen patients were misdiagnosed as pneumonia in the early stage, and then were diagnosed by percutaneous lung biopsy or transbronchial biopsy. Six patients underwent chemotherapy, of which 1 achieved complete response, 4 were in follow-up and 1 died of respiratory failure; 5 patients died of respiratory failure after diagnosis and 4 patients discharged and died within half a year. Conclusions: The lung NK/T-cell lymphoma are rare. The clinical manifestations and pulmonary imaging findings are indistinguishable from pulmonary inflammatory lesions. They are easily misdiagnosed as pneumonia. Early CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy or transbronchial biopsy can improve the diagnostic accuracy.

[Analysis of mental state of allergic rhinitis patients in Chengdu city by symptom check list 90 (SCL-90) scale].

Objective: To analyse the mental state of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in Chengdu. Methods: One thousand five hundred and thirty-six AR patients from Sichuan Provincial Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan People's Hospital, Sichuan Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected from July 2013 to January 2018. Eight hundred and twenty-seven patients were screened into study group by inclusion and exclusion standards. The symptom check list 90 (SCL-90) was used to group and score the mental state of these patients according to nine classification criteria: gender, BMI, age, marital status, monthly salary, disease duration, living environment, education level and working environment. Then, the scores were compared within groups. Inter-group comparison was made between the study group and the Chinese norm, and the positive factors for psychological disorders were extracted. Four symptoms in the study group, i.e. nasal itching, sneezing, clear discharge and nasal congestion, were scored on the visual analogue scale (VAS). SPSS 19.0 software was used to carry out statistical analysis. Partial correlation analysis was performed between the positive factors and the symptom scores by multiple regression statistical method. Results: The total score of SCL-90 in the study group was 2.64±0.25, which was accorded with mild to moderate mental health impairment. There were 124 (15.0%) without mental health damage, 176 (21.3%) with mild damage, 474 (57.3%) with mild to moderate damage, 41 (5.0%) with moderate to severe damage and 12 (1.4%) with severe damage. The in-group comparison showed that the top three categories of different items were the living environment, gender and working environment. The scores of somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, psychosis, other (sleep, diet) and total average score of urban residents were higher than that of country residents (3.29±0.61 vs 2.65±0.50, 2.81±0.77 vs 2.05±0.38, 3.10±0.19 vs 2.49±0.67, 3.40±0.84 vs 2.49±0.70, 3.04±0.64 vs 2.33±0.51, 3.02±0.55 vs 2.40±0.77, 3.40±0.41 vs 2.52±0.77, 2.91±0.11 vs 2.29±0.40, Z value was 4.88, 5.25, 4.57, 5.91, 5.09, 4.63, 5.55, -4.55, respectively, all P<0.05). Women scored higher than man for somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression and others (2.66±0.51 vs 2.00±0.45, 3.37±0.47 vs 2.63±0.51, 3.44±0.57 vs 2.85±0.52, 3.47±0.36 vs 2.76±0.45, Z value was -5.10, -5.51, -4.86, -5.28, respectively, all P<0.05). The scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, psychosis and other (sleep, diet) were higher in the indoor group than those in the outdoor group (3.49±0.64 vs 2.78±0.46, 3.33±0.30 vs 2.56±0.68, 3.28±0.60 vs 2.67±0.31, 3.50±0.85 vs 2.85±0.37, Z value was 5.31, 5.79, 4.89, 5.00, respectively, all P<0.05). The outdoor group scored higher on obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety and hostility (3.44±0.40 vs 2.83±0.35, 3.40±0.50 vs 2.57±0.93, 3.34±0.88 vs 2.69±0.56, Z value was 4.96, 6.22, 5.08, respectively, all P<0.05). The inter-group comparison found that depression, anxiety, psychosis and other (sleep, diet) could be partially correlated with VAS scores as 4 positive factors. The results of partial correlation analysis showed that depression was positively correlated with sneezing and nasal runny discharge, anxiety was positively correlated with nasal itching and nasal obstruction, psychosis was positively correlated with nasal itching and sneezing, and other (sleep, diet) was positively correlated with nasal runny discharge and nasal obstruction. Conclusion: AR patients have mild to moderate mental health impairments, which are correlated with AR symptoms.

[Clinical effects and mechanism of treating extensive deep burns by stage-â ¡ Meek skin grafting on adipose tissue after tangential excision].

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of stage-Ⅱ Meek skin grafting on adipose tissue after tangential excision in patients with extensive deep burns, and to explore the functional mechanism. Methods: The medical records of 26 extensively burned patients who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment methods, 14 patients were enrolled in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group (10 males and 4 females, aged 27 to 75 years), and 12 patients were enrolled in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group (10 males and 2 females, aged 31 to 76 years). Patients in the 2 groups all underwent debridement of tangential excision, and their healthy adipose tissue was preserved. Meek skin grafting was performed just after tangential excision in patients in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group. In patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group, porcine acellular dermal matrix (ADM) was applied to cover the wound after tangential excision, and 3 days later, it was removed and Meek skin grafting was performed. The times of complement skin grafting and the wound basic healing time of patients in the 2 groups were observed and recorded. In the stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group, the adipose tissue of patients were taken from the wound center immediately after tangential excision and immediately after the removal of porcine ADM, for the observation of structure of the fault surface of adipose tissue through hematoxylin and eosin staining and microvessel density (MVD) through immunohistochemical staining. Data were processed with independent sample t test and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: (1) The times of complement skin grafting of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group was (1.83±0.17) times, which was obviously less than (3.36±0.63) times in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group (t=2.19, P<0.05). The wound basic healing time of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group was (35.1±2.3) d, which was obviously shorter than (48.8±4.9) d in stage-Ⅰ skin grafting group (t=2.27, P<0.05). (2) Immediately after tangential excision, the intercellular substance was few between the adipose cells in adipose tissue of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group. Immediately after the removal of porcine ADM, there was regenerated granulation tissue in the intercellular space of adipose cells of adipose tissue of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group. Immediately after tangential excision, the MVD of adipose tissue of patients in stage-Ⅱ skin grafting group was 20.2±1.3 under per 400-time field, which was obviously less than 32.2±1.9 under per 400-time field immediately after the removal of porcine ADM (t=-5.38, P<0.01). Conclusions: Meek skin grafting on the adipose tissue in stage-Ⅱ surgery after tangential excision could reduce the times of complement skin grafting and shorten wound healing time of patients with extensive deep burns. The mechanism may be related to the improvement of the recipient condition of adipose tissue.