Factors influencing recurrence and survival after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To analyze the factors influencing prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after surgical resection.Methods:The clinical data of patients diagnosed with ICC and who underwent surgical resection from December 2015 to December 2019 at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Of 39 patients who were included in this study, there were 23 males and 16 females, with age of (54.1±7.2) years old. The body mass index, hepatitis B virus infection status, tumor diameter, degree of differentiation, microvascular tumor thrombus, lymph node metastasis, and serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) were analyzed as risk factors affecting postoperative recurrence and survival.Results:The median times to recurrence were significantly better in patients with a tumour length <5 cm (11 vs. 5 months), patients without microvascular tumor thrombus (54 vs. 6 months) and patients without lymph node metastasis (8 vs. 5 months) (all P<0.05). The median survival of patients with CA19-9≥100 U/ml was significantly shorter than that of patients with CA19-9<100 U/ml, (9 vs. 27 months, P<0.05). Tumor diameter>5 cm, microvascular tumor thrombus, lymph node metastasis, and CA19-9 ≥100 U/ml are risk factors affecting the recurrence time after ICC resection, CA19-9 ≥100 U/ml is a risk factor affecting survival time after ICC resection. Conclusion:Tumor diameter, microvascular tumor thrombus, lymph node metastasis and CA19-9 can be used to estimate the risk of ICC recurrence, and CA19-9 level can be used to estimate postoperative survival of ICC patients after resection.

Landscapes and dynamic diversifications of B-cell receptor repertoires in COVID-19 patients

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Great international efforts have been put into the development of prophylactic vaccines and neutralizing antibodies. However, the knowledge about the B cell immune response induced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still limited. Here, we report a comprehensive characterization of the dynamics of immunoglobin heavy chain (IGH) repertoire in COVID-19 patients. By using next-generation sequencing technology, we examined the temporal changes in the landscape of the patients immunological status, and found dramatic changes in the IGH within the patients immune system after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Although different patients have distinct immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, by employing clonotype overlap, lineage expansion and clonotype network analyses, we observed a higher clonotype overlap and substantial lineage expansion of B cell clones during 2-3 weeks of illness, which is of great importance to B-cell immune responses. Meanwhile, for preferences of V gene usage during SARS-CoV-2 infection, IGHV3-74 and IGHV4-34 and IGHV4-39 in COVID-19 patients were more abundant than that of healthy controls. Overall, we present an immunological resource for SARS-CoV-2 that could promote both therapeutic development as well as mechanistic research.

Epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 patients with and without pneumonia in Beijing, China

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2-caused coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is posing a large casualty. The features of COVID-19 patients with and without pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility in asymptomatic carriers, and factors predicting disease progression remain unknown. MethodsWe collected information on clinical characteristics, exposure history, and laboratory examinations of all laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to PLA General Hospital. Cox regression analysis was applied to identify prognostic factors. The last follow-up was February 18, 2020. ResultsWe characterized 55 consecutive COVID-19 patients. The mean incubation was 8.42 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.55-10.29) days. The mean SARS-CoV-2-positive duration from first positive test to conversion was 9.71 (95%CI, 8.21-11.22) days. COVID-19 course was approximately 2 weeks. Asymptomatic carriers might transmit SARS-CoV-2. Compared to patients without pneumonia, those with pneumonia were 15 years older and had a higher rate of hypertension, higher frequencies of having a fever and cough, and higher levels of interleukin-6 (14.61 vs. 8.06pg/mL, P=0.040), B lymphocyte proportion (13.0% vs.10.0%, P=0.024), low account (<190/{micro}L) of CD8+ T cells (33.3% vs. 0, P=0.019). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that circulating interleukin-6 and lactate independently predicted COVID-19 progression, with a hazard ratio (95%CI) of 1.052 (1.000-1.107) and 1.082 (1.013-1.155), respectively. During disease course, T lymphocytes were generally lower, neutrophils higher, in pneumonia patients than in pneumonia-free patients. CD8+ lymphocytes did not increase at the 20th days after illness onset. ConclusionThe epidemiological features are important for COVID-19 prophylaxis. Circulating interleukin-6 and lactate are independent prognostic factors. CD8+ T cell exhaustion might be critical in the development of COVID-19.

Oncolytic Activity of a Novel Influenza A Virus Carrying Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer. Influenza A virus has shown potential as an oncolytic agent. In this study, a recombinant PR8 influenza viral vector, called delNS1-GM-CSF, was generated with a partial deletion in NS and the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) coding sequence inserted into the influenza nonstructural protein 1 gene. The morphological characteristics of delNS1-GM-CSF were examined. The delNS1-GM-CSF virus replicated well in various cell lines, including MDCK, A549, SMCC7721, and HepG2 cells. Moreover, selective cytotoxicity of the virus was observed in various hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, while no effect was demonstrated in the normal liver cell line LO2, as indicated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and crystal violet assays. Importantly, using a model based on the growth of HepG2 cells as a xenograft in nude mice, it was found that a reassortant delNS1-GM-CSF virus inhibited tumor growth significantly following intratumoral injection in a dose-dependent manner. Ex vivo results showed that the tumor inhibition efficacy of delNS1-GM-CSF was observed in HCC clinical samples. Taken together, these results are the first to demonstrate that influenza A viruses may have potential as oncolytic virotherapeutic agents against HCC.

Intraoperative ultrasonography for repeated hepatic resections for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intraopèrative ultrasonography (IOUS) on primary and repeated hepatectomies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods 430 patients underwent 555 operations for HCC.New tumors detected by IOUS at the primary and repeated hepatectomies were retrospectively analyzed.The long-term outcomes were also studied.Results IOUS had the highest sensitivity in the routinely used imaging examinations.The detection rate by each imaging modality decreased slightly but uniformly at the second hepatectomy.IOUS detected 56 new tumors in 30 patients (7.1％) at the primary hepatectomy and 13 new tumors in 8 (7.3％) at the second.The average size of tumor detected was 8.7±3.8 and 9.0±5.2 mm at the primary and second resections,respectively.The preoperative surgical plan was changed due to the IOUS findings alone in 24 patients (5.6％) at the primary hepatectomy,and in 7 (6.4％) at the second.Although recurrence was frequent in patients with new tumors detected at the primary hepatectomy,long-term survival after appropriate treatment for recurrence was similar to those patients without new tumors detected.Conlusions Despite recent progress in imaging modalities,IOUS is still the most sensitive examination.The same degree of precaution is necessary to detect new tumors using IOUS in repeated hepatectomy.Patients with new tumors detected by IOUS are at high risk for recurrence so that regular check-up is important to improve patient survival.

Microcarrier cytodex3 culture technique for amplification of a large amou nt of adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem CellS / 中国组织工程研究

OBJECTIVE:To create an in vitro harvesting method of culturing a large number of adult bone marrow MSCs(BMSCs) DESIGN,TIME AND SETTlNG:The randomized, controlled study was performed at the Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery (Key Laboratory of Education Committee of Shanghai City),as well as Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Center,Ruijin Hospital,Medical College.Shanghai Jiao Tong University from September 2005 to April 2006.MATERIALS:Bone marrow samples were collected from normal persons.who did bone marrow examination at the Department of Hematology,Ruijin Hospital,Medical College.Shanghai Jiao Tong University.Donors were volunteers who signed the informed consent.METHODS:Human BMSCs were harvested using Pemoll gradient centrifugation and adherence method.and then incubated in microcarrier cytodex3.Common monolayer polystyrene was incubated as controls.Cell phenotype and proliferative activity were tested utilizing flow cytometry and MTT.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Collection.incubation,morphology of human BMSCs.and prolireration and cell cycle of human BMSCs on the cytodex 3 were measured.RESULlTS:Flow cytometry detection showed that the surface marker of human BMSCs on the cytodex3 was ldentical to that on the common monolayer polystyrene;BMSCs were positive for CD29,CD44 and CD105.but negative for CD14,CD34,CD45,VLA-1 and HLA-DR.MTT detection demonstrated that human BMSCs were in the adaptive phase at days 1-3.and entered logarithmic phase frOm day 3.No significant difference was detected in human BMSCs on the monolayer polystyrene and cytodex3(P＞0.05).On the monolayer polystyrene,human BMSCs entered degenerating stage from day 6,whereas on the cytodex3,human BMSCs were still in the logarithmic growth phase at day 9(P＜0.05).Flow cytometry detection confirmed that the cell cycle of human BMSCs was the same both on the monolayer polystyrene and cytodex3 (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION:Using cytodex3 culture technique,a large amount of human BMSCs can be obtained,and the proliferative activity of these BMSCs is good.

Clinical application of hepatocyte transplantation / 中国组织工程研究

Hepatocyte transplantation may be a viable alternative treatment to liver transplantation for acute/chronic liver failure and metabolic liver disorders. Hepatocyte transplantation is an effective treatment to support liver function around liver transplantation due to its relatively easy manipulation and mild wound. In recent two decades, hepatocyte transplantation have been applied in clinical treatment and showed some effect in acute/chronic liver failure and metabolic liver disorders. Here, we sum up the status of clinical hepatocyte transplantation, discuss its value in clinical application and some challenges need to resolve.

Establishment of L02 human hepatocyte compatible polypropylene interface / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte/polymer interface with good biocompatibility is the key factor in bioreactor design andconstruction, however, bioreactor used in the clinical practice currently is not an ideal one.OBJECTIVE: To establish human hepatocyte compatible polypropylene interface and to lay a foundation for establishingbioartificial liver reactor with polypropylene hollow fiber.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The comparative observation, cell compatibility experiment was performed betweenFebruary and October 2003 at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.MATERIALS: Polypropylene Photochemical graft polymerization modification technique was used to graft hydrophilicacrylamide groups on the surface of polypropylene membrane by chemical bonds to form modified polypropylenemembrane.METHODS: L02 human hepatoeytes were seeded on polypropylene membrane, modified polypropylene membrane andpolystyrene membrane, and polystyrene membrane was used as normal control.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Static water contact angle of polypropylene membrane before and after graftmodification; morphology, adherent rate and proliferation activity of L02 human hepatocytes on different material surfaces.RESULTS: Static water contact angle after polypropylene membrane graft modification was smaller than that before graftmodification (P < 0.05). The adherent rate of L02 human hepatocytes on the surface of modified polypropylene membranewas 0, and the proliferation activity of them, which grew as spherical aggregates, was markedly higher than that of cells onpolystyrene membrane and polypropylene membrane without graft modification.CONCLUSION: Grafting polyacrylamide on the surface of polypropylene can establish good interface of L02 humanhepatocytes/polypropylene and form hepatocyte spherical aggregates through simple static culture.

Biocompatibility of human hepatocyte/microporous polypropylene hybridization / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Membrane materials of bioreactor have exchange of substance and good physiochemical characteristics as well as good biocompatibility.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biocompatibility of interface of human hepatocyte/microporous polypropylene, i.e. graft modified microporous polypropylene semipermeable ultrafiltration membrane (MPP).DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Animal observation was performed at the Organ Transplantation Center, Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School and Polymers Institute of Zhejiang University between September 2005 and October 2007.MATERIALS: The microporous polypropylene ultrafiltration plane thin membranes, 0.2 μm diameter, M<,r> 50 000-100 000 molecular blockage, were used. Photochemical graft polymerization modification technique was adopted to graft hydrophilic acrylamide group through chemical bonds on MPP surface and succeeded in constructing an interface of human hepatocyte/microporous polypropylene, i.e. bioreactor membrane of bioartificial liver, graft modified MPP.METHODS: The biocompatibility of modified MPP was evaluated by hemolysis test, cytotoxicity test, acute systemic toxicity test, pyrogen test, skin sensitization and percutaneous stimulation test according to the requirements and biological evaluation criteria of medical device of ISO10993-1:1992.MAIN OUTCOME MEAURES: The experimental results of hemolysis, cytotoxicity, general acute toxicity, pyrogen, skin sensitization and percutaneous stimulation of modified MPP.RESULTS: The hemolytic rate of modified MPP was 1.90% (<5%), which showed that modified MPP did not lead to hemolysis. The extract solution of modified MPP exhibited no significant inhibition on the proliferative activity of L929 cells. At 24, 48 and 72 hours after MPP injection, no mice death, significant changes in body mass, or acute systemic toxicity were observed, such as ptosis, dyspnea, eyanosis, abdominal stimulation, diarrhea, decreased movement or tremor. In rabbit pyrogen test, the body temperature changed in a range from -0.2 to 0.4, which was consistent with the evaluation criteria of biomedical materials without pyrogen. Only one case was found with very slight erythema in skin sensitization test; its integral was 1 and primary stimulation index was 0.25 (<0.4), and the primary stimulation index of percutaneous stimulation test was 0.2; the average primary stimulation index was 0.068, indicating that modified MPP had no skin irritation.CONCLUSION: Modified MPP has no haemolytieus, cytotoxicity, pyrogenicity or skin sensitization, suggesting good biocompatibility by photochemical graft acrylamide on the surface of MPP.