Gut microbiome and metabolism alterations in schizophrenia with metabolic syndrome severity.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients undergoing antipsychotic treatment demonstrated a high prevalence and harmful effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS), which acted as the major cause of cardiovascular disease. The major clinical challenge is the lack of biomarkers to identify MetS episodes and prevent further damage, while the mechanisms underlying these drug-induced MetS remain unknown. METHODS: This study divided 173 participants with SCZ into 3 groups (None, High risk, and MetS, consisting of 22, 88, and 63 participants, respectively). The potential biomarkers were searched based on 16S rRNA gene sequence together with metabolism analysis. Logistic regression was used to test the effects of the genus-metabolites panel on early MetS diagnoses. RESULTS: A genus-metabolites panel, consisting of Senegalimassilia, sphinganine, dihomo-gamma-linolenoylcholine, isodeoxycholic acid, and MG (0:0/22:5/0:0), which involved in sphigolipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, secondary bile acid biosynthesis and glycerolipid metabolism, has a great discrimination efficiency to MetS with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.911 compared to the None MetS group (P = 1.08E-8). Besides, Senegalimassilia, 3-Hydroxytetradecanoyl carnitine, isodeoxycholic acid, and DG(TXB2/0:0/2:0) distinguished between subgroups robustly and exhibited a potential correlation with the severity of MetS in patients with SCZ, and may act as the biomarkers for early MetS diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our multi-omics study showed that one bacterial genus-five lipid metabolites panel is the potential risk factor for MetS in SCZ. Furthermore, Senegalimassilia, 3-Hydroxytetradecanoyl carnitine, isodeoxycholic acid, and DG(TXB2/0:0/2:0) could serve as novel diagnostic markers in the early stage. So, it is obvious that the combination of bacterial genus and metabolites yields excellent discriminatory power, and the lipid metabolism provide new understanding to the pathogenesis, prevention, and therapy for MetS in SCZ.

[Analysis of Clinical Features and Risk Factors for Oral Ulcers and Bloodstream Infection in Patients with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of oral ulcers and bloodstream infection in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: The clinical data of 401 hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospective analyzed, and the risk factors of oral ulcers and bloodstream infection statistical and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 401 patients, the incidence of oral ulcers was 61.3% (246/401), and the incidence of bloodstream infection was 9.0% (36/401). A total of 40 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 36 patients, including 26 strains of Gram negative strains (65%), 13 strains of Gram positive strains (32.5%), and 1 strain of fungi (2.5%). Single-factor analysis showed that oral hygiene was associated with the occurrence of bloodstream infection, and the Multi-factor analysis showed that age ≥14 years old, disease diagnosis of leukemia, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were risk factors for oral ulcers. CONCLUSION: The incidence of oral ulcers in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is high. The age ≥14 years, disease diagnosis of leukemia, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were risk factors for oral ulcers in patients, and oral hygiene was associated with the occurrence of bloodstream infection.

Analysis of Clinical Features and Risk Factors for Oral Ulcers and Bloodstream Infection in Patients with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the risk factors of oral ulcers and bloodstream infection in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 401 hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospective analyzed, and the risk factors of oral ulcers and bloodstream infection statistical and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 401 patients, the incidence of oral ulcers was 61.3% (246/401), and the incidence of bloodstream infection was 9.0% (36/401). A total of 40 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 36 patients, including 26 strains of Gram negative strains (65%), 13 strains of Gram positive strains (32.5%), and 1 strain of fungi (2.5%). Single-factor analysis showed that oral hygiene was associated with the occurrence of bloodstream infection, and the Multi-factor analysis showed that age ≥14 years old, disease diagnosis of leukemia, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were risk factors for oral ulcers.@*CONCLUSION@#The incidence of oral ulcers in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is high. The age ≥14 years, disease diagnosis of leukemia, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were risk factors for oral ulcers in patients, and oral hygiene was associated with the occurrence of bloodstream infection.

[Efficacy of probiotics in preventing late-onset sepsis in very low birth weight infants: a Meta analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of probiotics in preventing late-onset sepsis (LOS) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of probiotics in preventing LOS in VLBW infants. LOS was classified as clinical LOS and confirmed LOS. RevMan 5.4 was used to perform the Meta analysis. RESULTS: A total of 31 RCTs were included, with 3 490 VLBW infants in the probiotics group and 3 376 VLBW infants in the control group. The Meta analysis showed that compared with the control group, the probiotics group had significantly lower risks of clinical LOS (RR=0.79, 95%CI:0.66-0.94, P=0.009) and clinical/confirmed LOS (RR=0.79, 95% CI:0.67-0.94, P=0.007). In the probiotics group, the infants receiving exclusive breastfeeding had a significantly lower risk of confirmed LOS (RR=0.77, 95%CI:0.62-0.96, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence indicates that probiotics may reduce the risk of clinical LOS and clinical/confirmed LOS in VLBW infants, and the risk of confirmed LOS in VLBW infants who are exclusively breastfed.

The depletion of Circ-PRKDC enhances autophagy and apoptosis in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia via microRNA-653-5p/Reelin mediation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

A range of circular (Circ) RNAs have been demonstrated to be of therapeutic significance for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the action of Circ-PRKDC and the microRNA-653-5p/Reelin (miR-653-5p/RELN) axis in T-cell ALL (T-ALL).Clinical specimens were obtained from patients with T-ALL (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 30). In each specimen, we determined the expression levels of Circ-PRKDC, miR-653-5p, and RELN. Human T-ALL cells (Jurkat) were transfected with Circ-PRKDC- or miR-653-5p-related sequences to investigate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. We also determined the levels of Circ-PRKDC, miR-653-5p, RELN, and signaling proteins related to phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Finally, we decoded the interactions between Circ-PRKDC, miR-653-5p, and RELN. The expression levels of Circ-PRKDC and RELN were upregulated in T-ALL tissues and cells while the levels of miR-653-5p were downregulated. Thereafter, then silencing of Circ-PRKDC, or the enforced expression of miR-653-5p, repressed the expression of RELN and the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thus enhancing cell autophagy and apoptosis, and disrupting cell proliferation. Circ-PRKDC acted a sponge for miR-653-5p while miR-653-5p targeted RELN. The knockdown of miR-653-5p abrogated the silencing of Circ-PRKDC-induced effects in T-ALL cells. The depletion of Circ-PRKDC elevated miR-653-5p to silence RELN-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling activation, thereby enhancing autophagy and apoptosis in T-ALL cells.

Efficacy of probiotics in preventing late-onset sepsis in very low birth weight infants: a Meta analysis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the efficacy of probiotics in preventing late-onset sepsis (LOS) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.@*METHODS@#Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of probiotics in preventing LOS in VLBW infants. LOS was classified as clinical LOS and confirmed LOS. RevMan 5.4 was used to perform the Meta analysis.@*RESULTS@#A total of 31 RCTs were included, with 3 490 VLBW infants in the probiotics group and 3 376 VLBW infants in the control group. The Meta analysis showed that compared with the control group, the probiotics group had significantly lower risks of clinical LOS (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Current evidence indicates that probiotics may reduce the risk of clinical LOS and clinical/confirmed LOS in VLBW infants, and the risk of confirmed LOS in VLBW infants who are exclusively breastfed.

Study on Clinical Efficacy of Lianhua Qingke Granule in Treatment of Mild and Ordinary COVID-19 / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingke granule （LH granule）in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019（COVID-19）. Method:A randomized controlled method was used in this clinical study. The subjects were confirmed COVID-19 patients over 18 years old with cough symptoms，and the diagnosis is based on Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 （Trial Version 6）. The subjects were randomized to usual treatment （control group） or in combination with LH granule （1 bag，thrice daily） for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of cough recovery. Result:57 subjects were included in this study， including 25 in the control group and 32 in the observation group. The recovery rate of cough in observation group was 90.6%（29/32）， which was significantly higher than 64.0%（16/25）in the control group （P<0.05）. The effective time of cough treatment was significantly earlier than that of the control group （P<0.05）， the median time to cough recovery was markedly shorter in treatment group （P<0.05）. The recovery rate of expectoration in observation group was 94.7% （18/19）， which was significantly higher than 57.1%（8/14）in the control group （P<0.05）. The effective time of expectoration treatment was significantly earlier than that of the control group （P<0.05）， and the median time to expectoration recovery was markedly shorter in treatment group （P<0.05）. The improvement rate of CT in the observation group was 96.9% （31/32）， which was significantly higher than 72% （18/25） in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the oxygenation index of the two groups increased in varying degrees， and the increase rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the recovery rate of fever， fatigue， dry pharynx and sore throat between the observation group and the control group， and it showed that LH had a better improvement trend on the basis of usual treatment. Conclusion:On the basis of routine treatment，LH can significantly improve the symptoms of cough and expectoration of COVID-19 patients， shorten the duration of cough and expectoration symptoms， reduce lung pathological damage， improve respiratory function， and improve the symptoms of fever， fatigue， dry pharynx and sore throat.

The interaction of NOS1AP, DISC1, DAOA, and GSK3B confers susceptibility of early-onset schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

Although many major breakthrough had identificated potential susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, the aetiology of schizophrenia is still unknown. In the present study, we focused on the N-methyl-Daspartate receptors related genes nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor gene (NOS1AP), disrupted in schizophrenia 1 gene (DISC1), d-amino acid oxidase activator gene (DAOA), and glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta gene (GSK3B). A family-based genetic association study (459 Han Chinese subjects in 153 nuclear families) using 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms in NOS1AP, 2 in DISC1, 1 in DAOA and 1 in GSK3B was conducted. We found rs12742393 have just positive trend with schizophrenia (SCZ) (p=0.07) after FDR correction. NOS1AP mRNA and serum levels were significantly elevated in SCZ patients (p<0.001; p<0.001) compared with healthy control. However, expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) analysis have demonstrated that rs12742393 genotype were not significantly associated with the NOS1AP mRNA expression. GMDR identified a significant seven-locus interaction model involving (NOS1AP-rs348624, rs12742393, rs1415263, DISC1-rs821633, rs1000731, DAOA-rs2391191and GSK3B- rs6438552) with a good testing accuracy (0.72). Our finding suggested statistically significant role of interaction of NOS1AP, DISC1, DAOA, and GSK3B polymorphisms (NOS1AP-rs348624, rs12742393, rs1415263, DISC1-rs821633, rs1000731, DAOA-rs2391191and GSK3B-rs6438552) in EOS susceptibility.

Prognostic significance of the number of lymph nodes examined in node-negative Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Involvement status of lymph node (LN) is one of the most important prognostic factors for esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma. However, the prognostic value of the number of examined LNs remains unclear in node-negative (pN0) Siewert type II EGJ adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A cohort of 262 patients who underwent curative surgery for pN0 Siewert type II EGJ adenocarcinoma from January 2000 to August 2013 were retrospectively analyzed from high-volume center database. All enrolled patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the number of examined LNs (≤14, 15 to 21, ≥22). Kaplan-Meier curves were used for comparing the differences of cancer-specific survival among groups; Correlation between survival and the number of examined LNs were analyzed by using stratified, uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The hazard ratio for cancer-specific mortality decreased sequentially with increasing number of LNs examined. The 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 45.1%, 58.4% and 65.7% for patients with ≤14 LNs, 15 to 21 and ≥ 22 LNs removed, respectively. The number of removed LNs was significantly correlated with survival in stratified analyses according to T stage. In multivariate model controlling for gender, age, surgical approach, tumor grade, and postoperative chemotherapy, the number of removed LNs and T stage were confirmed to be independent prognostic factors and significantly correlated with disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: The number of examined LNs is an independent prognostic factor of survival for patients with pN0 Siewert type II EGJ adenocarcinoma. Adequate dissection of LNs (more than 15 LNs) is recommended for patients undergoing curative resection.

Effect of Helicobacter Pylori Infection on Blood Gas Analysis and Pulmonary Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To study the association between Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection and chronic obstructive pulmona-ry disease(COPD).Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 130 patients with Hp positive COPD(Hp positive group)and 130 patients with Hp negative COPD(Hp negative group)from August 2015 to October 2016.The patients in the two groups blood gas analysis and lung function.Results The blood oxygen pressure(PaO2)level 62.5 ± 7.4 mmHg and the oxygen saturation(SaO2)86.3%±9.6% in the Hp positive group were lower than those in the Hp negative group (78.6±10.2 mmHg,92.8%±2.9%),(43.3±10.6 mmHg)in Hp positive group was significantly higher than that in Hp negative group(43.2±11.5 mmHg),the difference was statistically significant(t=14.57,7.39 and 9.55,all P<0.01), (FEV1/FVC)(FEV1/FVC)(FEV1/FVC)and FEV1 were the highest in the Hp-positive group(FEV1)(1.56±0.48 L), the first forced expiratory force(1.74±0.32 L,65.9%±5.3% and 58.2%±5.6%),the difference was statistically signifi-cant(t=3.56,12.42,16.41,all P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.01).Conclusion Hp in-fection was closely related to COPD,which may be an important factor involved in and aggravate COPD disease.

Are tuberculosis patients adherent to prescribed treatments in China? Results of a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) patients face numerous difficulties adhering to the long-term, rigorous TB treatment regimen. Findings on TB patients' treatment adherence vary across existing literature and official reports. The present study attempted to determine the actual treatment adherence of new TB patients and to identify factors leading to non-adherence. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 481 newly confirmed TB patients from three counties in western China were enrolled during June to December 2012 and was followed until June 2013. Patients who missed at least one dose of drugs or one follow-up re-examination during the treatment course were deemed as non-adherent. Influencing factors were identified using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 173 (36.0 %) patients experienced non-adherence and the loss to follow-up cases reached 136 (28.2 %). Only 13.9 % of patients took drugs under direct observation, and 60.5 % of patients were supervised by phone calls. Factor analyses suggested that patients who were observed by family members (OR:5.54, 95 % CI:2.87-10.69) and paying monthly service expenses above 450 RMB (OR:2.08, 95 % CI:1.35-3.19) were more likely to be non-adherent, while supervision by home visit (OR:0.06, 95 % CI:0.01-0.28) and phone calls (OR:0.27, 95 % CI:0.17-0.44) were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Despite recent efforts, a large proportion of newly confirmed TB patients could not adhere to standard TB treatment, and patients' lost to follow-up was still a serious problem. Poor treatment supervision and heavy financial burden might be the main causes for non-adherence. More needs to be done to enhance treatment supervision policies and financial supports to both health providers and TB patients.

Serum DHEAS levels are associated with the development of depression.

The aim of study was to evaluate the association between serum DHEAS levels and depression with a case-control study together with a meta-analysis. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was performed to measure the serum DHEAS levels of all participants before and after treatment. Depression Patients were divided into mild depression and severe depression based on Hamilton depression scale (HAMD24) and received 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and citalopram (20mg/d) for 8 weeks. Case-control studies related to our study theme were enrolled for meta-analysis and Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 (CMA 2.0) was used for statistical analysis. After treatment, DHEAS levels in depression patients were significantly increased, while before and after treatment, DHEAS levels were all lower in depression patients than in controls (all P<0.001); further analysis on age revealed that DHEAS levels were decreased with the rising of age. Meta-analysis results suggested that serum DHEAS levels (ng/mL) were significantly higher in healthy controls compared to depression patients (SMD=0.777, 95%CI=0.156-1.399, P=0.014). In conclusion, our study suggests that serum DHEAS levels are associated with the development of depression and it decreased with the rising of age.

Association of schizophrenia with the rs821633 polymorphism in the DISC1 gene among Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies report that various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the Disrupted-in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) gene are closely associated with schizophrenia, but there are no studies that assess the relationship of age of onset of schizophrenia with these SNPs. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the relationship between the rs821633 SNP in the DISC1 gene and the occurrence and age of onset of schizophrenia in Han Chinese. METHODS: We used the TaqMan genotyping technology to examine the rs821633 SNP in the DISC1 gene among 315 individuals who developed schizophrenia prior to 19 years of age ('early-onset'), 407 individuals who developed schizophrenia when 19 years of age or older ('late-onset'), and 482 healthy controls. We used survival analyses to investigate the relationship between the rs821633(C) risk allele and the age of onset of schizophrenia. RESULTS: Compared to the prevalence in healthy controls, the prevalence of the C/C genotype of rs821633 and of the C allele in rs821633 were significantly greater in individuals with early-onset schizophrenia (X (2)=7.17, df=1, p=0.007; X (2)=7.20, df=2, p=0.032) and significantly greater in individuals with late-onset schizophrenia (X (2)=5.36, df=1, p=0.022; X (2)=6.58, df=2, p=0.041). However, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of the C/C genotype or the C allele between individuals with early-onset and late-onset schizophrenia. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses found no significant association between the rs821633(C) risk allele and age of onset in schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: We confirm the association of polymorphism in the rs821633 SNP in the DISC1 gene with schizophrenia among Han Chinese, but we found no association between the rs821633(C) risk allele and the age of onset in individuals with schizophrenia.

The correlationship between the metabolizable energy content, chemical composition and color score in different sources of corn DDGS.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and true metabolizable energy (TME) contents in 30 sources of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in adult roosters, and establish the prediction equations to estimate the AME and TME value based on its chemical composition and color score. METHODS: Twenty-eight sources of corn DDGS made from several processing plants in 11 provinces of China and others imported from the United States. DDGS were analyzed for their metabolizable energy (ME) contents, measured for color score and chemical composition (crude protein, crude fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber), to predict the equation of ME in DDGS. A precision-fed rooster assay was used, each DDGS sample was tube fed (50 g) to adult roosters. The experiment was conducted as a randomized incomplete block design with 3 periods. Ninety-five adult roosters were used in each period, with 90 being fed the DDGS samples and 5 being fasted to estimate basal endogenous energy losses. RESULTS: Results showed that the AME ranged from 5.93 to 12.19 MJ/kg, TME ranged from 7.28 to 13.54 MJ/kg. Correlations were found between ME and ash content (-0.64, P < 0.01) and between ME and yellowness score (0.39, P < 0.05) of the DDGS samples. Furthermore, the best-fit regression equation for AME content of DDGS based on chemical composition and color score was AME = 6.57111 + 0.51475 GE - 0.10003 NDF + 0.13380 ADF + 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L (R2 = 0.70). The best-fit regression equation for TME content of DDGS was TME = 7.92283 + 0.51475 GE - 0.10003 NDF + 0.13380 ADF + 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L (R2 = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: This experiment suggested that measuring the chemical composition and color score of a corn DDGS sample may provide a quality parameter for identifying corn DDGS sources energy digestibility and metabolizable energy content.

Flexible palladium-based H2 sensor with fast response and low leakage detection by nanoimprint lithography.

Flexible palladium-based H2 sensors have a great potential in advanced sensing applications, as they offer advantages such as light weight, space conservation, and mechanical durability. Despite these advantages, the paucity of such sensors is due to the fact that they are difficult to fabricate while maintaining excellent sensing performance. Here, we demonstrate, using direct nanoimprint lithography of palladium, the fabrication of a flexible, durable, and fast responsive H2 sensor that is capable of detecting H2 gas concentration as low as 50 ppm. High resolution and high throughput patterning of palladium gratings over a 2 cm × 1 cm area on a rigid substrate was achieved by heat-treating nanoimprinted palladium benzyl mercaptide at 250 °C for 1 h. The flexible and robust H2 sensing device was fabricated by subsequent transfer nanoimprinting of these gratings into a polycarbonate film at its glass transition temperature. This technique produces flexible H2 sensors with improved durability, sensitivity, and response time in comparison to palladium thin films. At ambient pressure and temperature, the device showed a fast response time of 18 s at a H2 concentration of 3500 ppm. At 50 ppm concentration, the response time was found to be 57 s. The flexibility of the sensor does not appear to compromise its performance.

[Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in thoracic cavity: analysis of 60 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity. METHODS: The clinical data of 120 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity from March to December 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. In the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group, there were 60 patients [41 male and 19 female patients with aver age of (62 ± 7) years old] who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity. In the routine thoracotomy group, there were 60 patients [39 male and 21 female patients with aver age of (62 ± 9) years old] who underwent routine thoracotomy esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, postoperative total thoracic drainage in 3 days, total number of harvested lymph nodes, hospitalization, cost of hospitalization and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULT: The operations were carried out successfully in two groups. There was no perioperative death in all patients. There was no statistical difference in intra-operative blood loss, postoperative total thoracic drainage and cost of hospitalization between the two groups. Operation time of rideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group was significantly longer than that of thoracotomy group ((188 ± 38) minutes vs. (138 ± 50) minutes, t = 6.171, P = 0.000), but postoperative hospitalization was significantly lower ((14 ± 3) d vs. (18 ± 6) d, t = -4.093, P = 0.000) and total number of harvested lymph nodes was lower (17 ± 9 vs. 21 ± 11, t = -2.058, P = 0.042). There was significantly statistical difference in total postoperative main complication (25.0% vs. 48.3%, χ(2) = 7.033, P = 0.008). And postoperative incisional infection of VATE group patients was significantly lower than that of thoracotomy group patients (6.7% vs. 25.0%, χ(2) = 7.566, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity is technically feasible and safe, with minimized trauma and quick recovery. The recent result is satisfactory.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in thoracic cavity: analysis of 60 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 120 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity from March to December 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. In the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group, there were 60 patients [41 male and 19 female patients with aver age of (62 ± 7) years old] who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity. In the routine thoracotomy group, there were 60 patients [39 male and 21 female patients with aver age of (62 ± 9) years old] who underwent routine thoracotomy esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, postoperative total thoracic drainage in 3 days, total number of harvested lymph nodes, hospitalization, cost of hospitalization and complications were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The operations were carried out successfully in two groups. There was no perioperative death in all patients. There was no statistical difference in intra-operative blood loss, postoperative total thoracic drainage and cost of hospitalization between the two groups. Operation time of rideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group was significantly longer than that of thoracotomy group ((188 ± 38) minutes vs. (138 ± 50) minutes, t = 6.171, P = 0.000), but postoperative hospitalization was significantly lower ((14 ± 3) d vs. (18 ± 6) d, t = -4.093, P = 0.000) and total number of harvested lymph nodes was lower (17 ± 9 vs. 21 ± 11, t = -2.058, P = 0.042). There was significantly statistical difference in total postoperative main complication (25.0% vs. 48.3%, χ(2) = 7.033, P = 0.008). And postoperative incisional infection of VATE group patients was significantly lower than that of thoracotomy group patients (6.7% vs. 25.0%, χ(2) = 7.566, P = 0.006).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and gastro-esophageal anastomosis in right thoracic cavity is technically feasible and safe, with minimized trauma and quick recovery. The recent result is satisfactory.</p>

Dietary lipoic acid influences antioxidant capability and oxidative status of broilers.

The effects of lipoic acid (LA) on the antioxidant status of broilers were investigated. Birds (1 day old) were randomly assigned to four groups and fed corn-soybean diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg LA, respectively. The feeding program included a starter diet from 1 to 21 days of age and a grower diet from 22 to 42 days of age. Serum, liver and muscle samples were collected at 42 days of age. For antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum, liver and breast muscle significantly increased in chickens fed with LA. The concentration of malondiadehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was significantly lower in serum, liver and leg muscle in birds that received LA than in the control group. Treatments with LA significantly increased glutathione (GSH) content in liver and increased α-tocopherol content in leg muscle as compared to the control. These results indicate that dietary supplementation with 300 mg/kg LA may enhance antioxidant capability and depress oxidative stress in broilers.

Influence of simvastatin on microthrombosis in the brain after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats: a preliminary study.

Although previous studies indicate that simvastatin can attenuate cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), its effect on the secondary pathophysiological changes after SAH has not been investigated. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that SAH-induced microthrombosis plays important roles in the pathogenesis of delayed cerebral ischemia. To date, however, no study focused on the treatment of microthrombosis in SAH models. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of simvastatin on microthrombi formation after SAH in rats. Adult male SD rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group (n = 6); (2) SAH group (n = 6); (3) SAH+vehicle group (n = 6) and (4) SAH+simvastatin group (n = 6). SAH was induced by injecting 0.3 ml of fresh arterial, non-heparinized blood into the prechiasmatic cistern in 20 sec with a syringe pump. In the SAH+simvastatin group, simvastatin was administered ip at a dose of 20 mg/kg/d after SAH. Brain samples were excised after perfusion fixation at 7 days after SAH. The cross-sectional areas of the middle cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery were measured. Microclots were evaluated by H&E staining. Microthrombi formation was measured by fibrin(ogen) immunostaining. The results showed that administration of simvastatin prevented vasospasm on day 7 following SAH (p <0.01). The number of microthrombi was significantly increased in both cerebral cortex and cerebellar cortex at 7 days after SAH (p <0.01). Simvastatin treatment down-regulated the formation of microclots in this SAH model and the number of microthombi was decreased significantly in the SAH+simvastatin group compared to the SAH or SAH+vehicle groups (p <0.01). In conclusion, simvastatin administration attenuates cerebral vasospasm and alleviates microthrombosis in the late phase of SAH in this prechiasmatic blood injection model.

Cosmetic improvement in various acute skin defects treated with tissue-engineered skin.

Acute skin defects often cause many adverse events such as abnormal pigmentation and scar formation, the satisfactory healing of which remains a significant clinical challenge. Over the past several decades, a number of skin equivalents have been available for clinical purposes to promote wound closure. However, the true values of skin equivalent - tissue-engineered skin (TE-skin) composed of neonatal fibroblasts and keratinocytes - in improving the quality of wound healing are not yet elucidated. A total of 158 patients were enrolled, 129 of which were used in this study. In these patients, acute skin defects were treated with TE-skin as experimental group, and treated with Vaseline primary dressing as control group. The differences in average healing times between the two groups were determined with statistical analysis according to different depths of skin defects. Wound quality, including pigmentation, cicatrization, and pliability, was assessed by investigators from different clinical centers over a 6-month period. The cosmetic outcome of the wound was further evaluated with histological method. In the study, the average time of wound closure in the experimental group was significantly shortened by 6.5 to 20 days according to different depths of skin defects. The cosmetic quality of reconstructed skin was satisfactory, with the patients enjoying better pliability, less abnormal pigmentation, and cicatrization. Safety analysis demonstrated that the wounds treated with TE-skin did not show clinical or laboratory evidence of rejection during the trial. These results indicate that TE-skin is a suitable and clinically effective treatment for various acute skin defects. Furthermore, the TE-skin appears to produce more satisfactory cosmetic results when compared with the conventional therapy.