[Effect and safety of endobronchial placement of vaseline gauze in the treatment of patients with bronchial fistula].

Objective: To investigate the application of vaseline gauze to occlude the bronchial fistulas and its clinical effectiveness and safety in this retrospective study. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 14 patients with bronchial fistulas at Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Dongfang Hospital affiliated to Tongji University between June 2019 and June 2022. Seven of the 14 patients were female, and the age ranged from 16 to 74 years. We retrieved all the clinical records of all the enrolled patients during the 6 to 12 months follow-up after the operation, including the information for removal of chest drainage pipe, the failure of endobronchial blockage using vaseline gauze, as well as the complications (migration of the vaseline gauze, obstructive pneumonia, pulmonary atelectasis, et. al.) after the operation. Results: Of the 14 patients, 3 patients had fistula located in main or lobar bronchi; 10 patients had fistula located in distal airways; and 1 patient had fistula located both in main bronchi and distal airways. Ten patients were complicated with pneumonia or pleural cavity infections; Five were complicated with pneumothorax or hydropneumothorax. All of the 14 patients achieved successful airway occlusion after the placement of vaseline gauze in the responsible bronchial airways or stumps for the fistulas. Eleven of the 14 patients successfully removed the drainage tube for the residual cavity, 3 of the 14 patients successfully removed the vaseline gauze for the fistula which was healing during the follow up of 6-12 months. No one of the patients had severe complications or treatment failure. Conclusion: Bronchial placement of vaseline gauze might be a feasible and effective technique for treatment of bronchial fistulas.

Comparison study of three laparoscopic ligation procedures for pediatric inguinal hernia: a multicenter cohort of 5523 cases.

PURPOSE: Single-site laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal ligation (SLPEL) for pediatric inguinal hernia has gained popularity worldwide. However, complications associated with extraperitoneal knotting are not rare. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a modified SLPEL (M-SLPEL) to decrease adverse events associated with ligation knotting by comparing it with two other methods: classical SLPEL (C-SLPEL) and intracorporeal purse-string suturing (IPS). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective comparative study was conducted among 5523 pediatric inguinal hernia patients. Cases were divided into three groups according to the surgical procedure: the M-SLPEL, C-SLPEL, and IPS groups. Data describing the clinical characteristics, operative time, and complications were collected. RESULTS: All procedures were performed uneventfully. There were no significant differences in the age at operation (mean 2.62 ± 1.38 years). The operative time was shorter in the M-SLPEL group both for unilateral hernias (12.5 ± 1.8 min in C-SLPEL, 11.7 ± 1.3 min in M-SLPEL, and 17.6 ± 2.9 min in IPS) and for bilateral hernias (15.1 ± 2.1 min, 14.6 ± 1.7 min, and 23.9 ± 2.3 min, respectively). The overall incidence of adverse events in the inguinal region was 0% for M-SLPEL, 2.2% for C-SLPEL, and 0.5% for IPS. All patients were followed up for 12-93 months (mean 54 months). Recurrence occurred in 8 cases in the C-SLPEL group, 1 case in the M-SLPEL group, and 8 cases in the IPS group, with no significance between groups. No scrotal hematoma, testicular atrophy, or iatrogenic cryptorchidism occurred in any group. CONCLUSION: The M-SLPEL procedure has time-consumption efficiency equivalent to that of C-SLPEL and even fewer adverse events in the inguinal region than IPS and C-SLPEL.

Skeletal muscle-secreted myokine interleukin-6 induces white adipose tissue conversion into beige adipose tissue in myostatin gene knockout pigs.

Myostatin (MSTN) is primarily expressed in skeletal muscle and plays an important role in the regulation of muscle growth and development as well as fat deposition; however, little is known about the molecular mechanism through which MSTN regulates body fat deposition. Therefore, in this study, we sought to identify the signaling pathways through which MSTN regulates fat accumulation in pigs. MSTN knockout (MSTN-/-) pigs showed increased muscle mass, decreased fat mass, and a leaner body composition. In this study, we found that the adipose tissue of MSTN-/- pigs exhibits the characteristics of beige adipose tissue, and the mRNA expression levels of beige adipose marker genes, including UCP3, Cidea, and CD137, were significantly increased. Remarkably, the observed beige phenotype was not adipocyte autonomous but rather caused by muscle-secreted myokine interleukin (IL)-6. This occurrence results in increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in adipose tissue, which subsequently activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α and the conversion of white adipocytes to beige in pigs. Therefore, we concluded that MSTN deficiency leads to increased IL-6 secretion in skeletal muscle and activates AMPK in adipocytes, thereby increasing the beige adipose tissue in MSTN-/- pigs.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor M344 significantly improves nuclear reprogramming, blastocyst quality, and in vitro developmental capacity of cloned pig embryos.

M344 is a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor. There is no report on the effect of M344 treatment on the development of pig embryos after somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In the present study, we investigated the effect of M344 on the blastocyst formation rate in cloned embryos, acetylation level of histone H4 lysine 12 (AcH4K12), and the expression of pluripotency-related genes , , and . Our results indicated that treatment with 5 µ M344 for 6 h improved the development of porcine embryos, in comparison with the untreated group (25.1% ± 5.0 vs. 10.9% ± 2.4; < 0.05). Moreover, M344-treated embryos had increased average fluorescence intensity of AcH4K12 at the pseudo-pronuclear stage ( < 0.05). However, no differences exist in Oct4, NANOG, and SOX2 expression in M344-treated and untreated SCNT blastocysts. In evaluating the effect of M344 on in vivo development, 845 M344-treated embryos were transferred into 3 surrogates, 1 of whom became pregnant and developed 3 fetuses. These findings suggested that M344 elevated the level of histone acetylation, facilitated the nuclear programming, and subsequently improved the developmental competence of pig SCNT embryos.

Prognostic significance of the Musashi-2 (MSI2) gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The prognostic value of the Musashi-2 (MSI2) gene has not yet been studied in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In our study, MSI2 mRNA levels of 119 childhood patients with newly-diagnosed ALL were examined and analyzed with regard to clinical characteristics and outcomes. ALL patients demonstrated significantly higher MSI2 mRNA levels than healthy controls. In addition, MSI2 mRNA levels were correlated with the disease status and IK6 mutation status. Survival analyses showed that higher MSI2 mRNA levels predicted worse outcomes in patients with childhood ALL. Moreover, in multivariate analyses, MSI2 mRNA overexpression retained its value as an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS), but not for event free survival (EFS). We conclude that high MSI2 mRNA level predicts adverse prognosis and seems to be useful as a novel prognostic factor for patients with childhood ALL.

Overexpression of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1 (LEF1) is a novel favorable prognostic factor in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1 (LEF1) is a target gene and central mediator of the Wnt signaling pathway. High LEF1 expression has been reported as a prognostic marker in several types of hematologic malignancies of adult patients. METHODS: In this study, LEF1 expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 122 children with newly diagnosed ALL treated on the China NPCAC97 protocols. Patients' samples were dichotomized at the median value of control group and divided into LEF1(low) and LEF1(high) groups. RESULTS: The LEF1 mRNA levels in patients with ALL were significantly higher than those of normal controls, and the LEF1 levels were dramatically decreased following induction therapy. In addition, LEF1(high) patients had lower white blood cell (WBC) count at diagnosis and lower minimal residual disease (MRD) levels at the time of complete remission as compared to LEF1(low) patients. Finally, our studies showed that high LEF1 expression is associated with favorable CR rate and overall survival (OS) in childhood ALL (5-year OS: LEF1(high) 92% vs. LEF1(low) 73%, P = 0.009). High LEF1 level was associated with a favorable relapse-free survival in standard-risk patients and also related to a better OS within the subgroup of patients with BCR-ABL-negative ALL. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of LEF1 is a favorable prognostic factor in childhood ALL. The prognostic impact of LEF1 may assist treatment stratification and suggest the need of alternative regimens.

Photosynthesis, water use efficiency and stable carbon isotope composition are associated with anatomical properties of leaf and xylem in six poplar species.

Although fast-growing Populus species consume a large amount of water for biomass production, there are considerable variations in water use efficiency (WUE) across different poplar species. To compare differences in growth, WUE and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem and to examine the relationship between photosynthesis/WUE and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem, cuttings of six poplar species were grown in a botanical garden. The growth performance, photosynthesis, intrinsic WUE (WUE(i) ), stable carbon isotope composition (δ(13) C) and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem were analysed in these poplar plants. Significant differences were found in growth, photosynthesis, WUE(i) and anatomical properties among the examined species. Populus cathayana was the clone with the fastest growth and the lowest WUE(i) /δ(13) C, whereas P. × euramericana had a considerable growth increment and the highest WUE(i) /δ(13) C. Among the analysed poplar species, the highest total stomatal density in P. cathayana was correlated with its highest stomatal conductance (g(s) ) and lowest WUE(i) /δ(13) C. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between WUE(i) and abaxial stomatal density and stem vessel lumen area. These data suggest that photosynthesis, WUE(i) and δ(13) C are associated with leaf and xylem anatomy and there are tradeoffs between growth and WUE(i) . It is anticipated that some poplar species, e.g. P. × euramericana, are better candidates for water-limited regions and others, e.g. P. cathayana, may be better for water-abundant areas.

Intestinal microbiota and innate immunity-related gene alteration in cirrhotic rats with liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the alteration of intestinal microbiota, innate immunity-related genes, and bacterial translocation in rats with cirrhosis and liver transplantation. METHODS: Specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups: (1) normal controls (N); (2) liver cirrhosis (LC); (3) normal control groups with liver transplantation (LTN); and (4) liver cirrhosis with liver transplantation (LTC). We examined plasma endotoxin, bacterial tacslocation, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profile of intestinal mucosa-associated bacteria, abundance of key bacterial populations, and expression of innate immunity-related gene. RESULTS: The LTC and LC group, showed higher endotoxin levels (1.08±0.73 EU/mL and 0.74±0.70 EU/mL, respectively) than the N group (0.27±0.13 EU/mL; P<.05). the incidence of bacterial translocation (BT) to liver and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and the number of total bacteria were increased significantly in the LTC and LC groups compared with the N group (P<.05). The counts of Lactobacilli and Bacteroides were lower, whereas Enterobacteria were higher in the LC than the N group (P<.05). Mucins (MUC2, MUC3) and Toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR4) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were significantly higher in the LC and LTC groups than the N group (P<.05). The marked difference between the groups in the overall structure of the bacterial community was also generated by DGGE profiles. CONCLUSION: Liver cirrhosis disturbs intestinal microbiota and innate immunity-related genes, which contributes to endotoxemia and bacterial translocation. These had not completely recovered in cirrhotic rats until 1 month after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Immunohistochemical studies on the development of 5-HT (serotonin) neurons in the nuclei of the reticular formations of human fetuses.

5-HT-positive neurons were detected by the PAP immunohistochemical methods in different nuclei of the reticular formations of human fetuses as early as 10 weeks of gestation. The majority of positive 5-HT cells were located in dorsal raphe and central superior nuclei, and there was a reduction of these neurons per 40-microns section as the fetus aged.

Scanning electron microscopy of the development of layer I of the human visual cortex (area 17).

The development of layer I of the human visual cortex was studied. Tissues were obtained from 14 aborted and stillborn human fetuses, ranging in age from 13 to 32 fetal weeks. The middle third of the rostrocaudal area 17 above the left calcarine sulcus was selected for observation. The sections were cut perpendicular to the pial surface of the cortex. The specimens were processed for scanning electron microscopy. At 13-16 weeks the Cajal-Retzius neurons were the predominant neuronal elements of layer I, with a small amount of fibers present. In addition, it was found that at 13 weeks the folding plasma membranes of the glial cells formed primary myelin sheaths which wrapped around the nerve cell bodies and processes. Axosomatic and axodendritic contacts were present in the cortices of the fetuses. The nerve fibers of layer I increased progressively with age. However, at 17 weeks, some degenerating apical dendrites were occasionally found. These degenerating dendrites appeared fragmented and beaded. At 21-23 weeks, layer I was well developed with all its essential components present. However, the upper half of the cortical plate was still undifferentiated at this age. At 26-32 weeks, layer I had a prominent plexiform lamina. This lamina was poor in neurons and rich in fibers. In summary, during layer I ontogenesis, there were the following major changes: (1) a change from higher to lower neuronal density: (2) changes in morphology of neurons; (3) initial appearance of synapses early in development; (4) early onset of glial wrapping; (5) presence of degenerating fibers during ontogenesis, and (6) increase in fiber proportion as fetus aged.

Metabolic and phagocytic activities of the mouse retina after 6-hydroxydopamine treatment.

The activities in mouse retinae were evaluated after 6-hydroxydopamine injection. A significant increase in labeled leucine uptake was evident in the photoreceptor layer. Latex uptake in the pigment epithelium showed no changes. Denervation of catecholaminergic terminals inside the retinae thus affected the metabolism of photoreceptors.