[Changes of lung function and inflammatory factors in rat models of coal workers' pneumoconiosis].

Objective: To observe the changes of lung function and inflammatory factors in rat models of coal workers' pneumoconiosis at different time points. Methods: In June 2021, 96 healthy male SD rats with SPF grade were divided into 1, 3, and 6-month control group and dust staining group (coal dust group, coal silica dust group, quartz group) according to random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. After one week of adaptive feeding, a one-time non-exposed tracheal perfusion method (1 ml/ piece) was used. The dust dyeing group was given 50 g/L coal dust, coal silica mixed dust and quartz dust suspension, respectively, and the control group was given 0.9% normal saline solution. At 1, 3 and 6 months after perfusion, lung function was detected by animal lung function apparatus, then all lung tissues and alveolar lavage fluid were killed, and lung histopathological morphological changes were observed by HE staining, and the contents of interleukin (IL-1ß), IL-18, IL-4 and IL-10 in alveolar lavage fluid were detected by ELISA. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare groups. Two factors (inter-group treatment factor (4 levels) and observation time factor (3 levels) ) were used in the analysis of the effects of inter-group treatment and treatment time on related indicators. Results: HE staining results showed that coal spot appeared in the lung tissue of coal dust group, coal spot and coal silicon nodule appeared in the lung tissue of coal dust group, and silicon nodule appeared in the lung tissue of quartz group. Compared with the control group, the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 0.2 second (FEV(0.2)) of rats in the dust staining group had interaction between the treatment and treatment time (P<0.05). With the increase of dust dyeing time, FVC and FEV(0.2) decreased significantly at 3-6 months of dust dyeing, and the maximum gas volume per minute (MVV) decreased significantly at 1-3 months of dust dyeing (P<0.05). The lowest lung function index was in quartz group, followed by coal-silica group and coal-dust group. There were statistically significant differences in the main effect and interaction effect of the pro-inflammatory factor IL-18 among all groups in treatment and treatment time (IL-18: F=70.79, 45.97, 5.90, P<0.001), and interaction existed. The highest content of inflammatory factors in alveolar lavage fluid of all dust groups was quartz group, followed by coal silica group and coal dust group. There were significant differences in the main effect and interaction effect of anti-inflammatory factors between groups and treatment time (IL-4: F=41.55, 33.01, 5.23, P<0.001, <0.001, <0.001; IL-10: F=7.46, 20.80, 2.91, P=0.002, <0.001, 0.024), and there was interaction. The highest content of anti-inflammatory factor was in quartz group, followed by coal silica group and coal dust group. Conclusion: Lung function decreased and levels of inflammatory fators increased in rat models of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, with the quartz group being the most severely damaged. Lung function is mainly impaired in thrid-six months, and the content of inflammatory factors begins to change in first-thrid months. MVV are the earliest and most obvious in lung function. IL-18 is suitable for monitoring changes in the pro-inflammatory response of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and IL-10 is suitable for monitoring changes in anti-inflammatory response.

Combined Therapy of Chemotherapy and Radiofrequency Ablation for Pancreatic Cancer Patients With Metachronous Hepatic Metastatic Lesions After Radical Pancreatic Resection.

PURPOSE: Hepatic metastasis frequently occurs in patients who have undergone radical pancreatic resection for pancreatic cancer. Besides chemotherapy, various local treatment approaches targeting hepatic lesions have been explored. However, research on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a localized therapy for hepatic metastasis is limited. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective study to provide clinical evidence. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. After radical pancreaticoduodenectomy, 32 patients developed metachronous hepatic metastasis with fewer than 3 lesions, the largest of which was less than 3 cm in diameter. These patients underwent combined treatment with chemotherapy and RFA. After 8 weeks of chemotherapy, patients received RFA for hepatic lesions. Additional chemotherapy was administered, and the patients' tumor status and survival were monitored. The primary endpoint of this study was overall survival (OS). Factors affecting OS were analyzed using the Cox risk model. RESULTS: Among the 32 patients, the mean OS was 28.4 months. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the time (in months) of liver metastasis (HR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.19; P < 0.001), the number of liver metastases (HR = 7.08, 95% CI: 1.85 to 27.08, P = 0.004), and PD (progressive disease) response to the second round of chemotherapy (HR = 29.50, 95% CI: 1.46 to 597.27; P = 0.027) were independent predictors of poorer survival. CONCLUSION: Combined therapy with RFA and chemotherapy is safe in patients with hepatic metastasis after radical pancreaticoduodenectomy. Early recurrence (≤12 months), three liver metastatic lesions, and a poor response to the second round of chemotherapy were associated with poor survival.

[The imaging appearances of stapical footplate fistula related to inner ear malformation].

Objective: To summarize the HRCT and MRI appearances of stapical footplate fistula related to inner ear malformation (SFF-Re-IEM). Methods: The HRCT and MRI materials of 48 cases (53 ears) SFF-Re-IEM were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 SFF-Re-IEM ears were confirmed by surgery. Their CT and MRI findings including associated IEM type, internal auditory canal (IAC) malformation, tympanic fluid, its density and signal features, and accompanied labyrinthitis were recorded. Results: Among 48 cases (53 ears) with SFF-Re-IEM, 17 ears with incomplete partition type Ⅰ, accounting for 32.1%, 13 ears with common cavity for 24.5%, 13 ears with cochlear aplasia for 24.5%, 7 ears with cochlear dysplasia Ⅱ for 13.2%, and 3 ears with Mondini for 5.7%,were found respectively. 94.3% of them were associated with a defect or dysplasia in the found of the IAC. They were divided into 4 types according to the intact of the stapical footplate and accompanied CSF otorrhea: 22 ears were diagnosed as the stapical footplate leaking, of them, 2 ears might come from the stapical footplate bony defect, 6 ears were from the stapical footplate hernia. 1 ear belonged to the peristapical footplate leaking. 30 ears with the isolated the stapical footplate hernia were another found. The bony defect in 2 ears with the stapical footplate bony defect were not presented on CT and MRI.The focal bony defect of the affected stapical footplate of 36 ears with the stapical footplate hernia were demonstrated, which presented the hemispherical protruding into the tympana, the soft-tissue density on CT, and CSF-like signal on the MR heaved-T2WI images. Among 22 ears with the stapical footplate leaking, their imaging appearances varied from the different amount of the leaking CSF. Besides the focal bony defects of the affected stapical footplates, there were much more CSF-like density or signal in the ipsilateral tympanic cavity in 17 affected ears connecting with the vestibule through the defect area. In the CSF leaking ears with less CSF leaking in 5 ears, the CSF-like cysts like SFH were shown on the stapical footplate defect area, but their outer edges were irregular, and the CSF-like signal scattering in the tympanic cavity did not connect with the protruding cysts at the stapical area. Conclusion: The variable appearances of the SFF-Re-IEM ears based on the different subtypes are its characteristic HRCT and MRI appearances. This is helpful for the SFF-Re-IEM diagnosing to grasp its imaging features.

[Epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus infection in febrile respiratory syndrome cases in China from 2010 to 2020].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in cases of febrile respiratory syndrome in China from 2010 to 2020. Methods: Based on the sub-project of the National Science and Technology Major Project for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control "Infectious Disease Monitoring Technology Platform", active monitoring of febrile respiratory syndrome cases was conducted in sentinel hospitals in 31 provinces across China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) from January 2010 to December 2020, resulting in the inclusion of 191 441 cases. Clinical specimens of monitored cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid, and the differences in HRSV detection rates among different age groups, regions, and time periods were analyzed using the χ2 test/Fisher exact probability method. Results: Among the 191 441 cases of febrile respiratory syndrome in China from 2010 to 2020, the age group M (Q1, Q3) was 9 (2, 40) years old, with 83 773 cases (43.8%) in the<5 years old group. There were 113 660 males, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5∶1.0. There were as many as 105 508 cases (55.2%) of scattered children and preschool children. About 70 565 cases (36.9%) lived in the northern region. There were 13 858 HRSV positive cases, with a total positive rate of 7.2%. The positive rate of HRSV detection in the northern population was 5.7% (4 004/70 565), which was lower than that in the southern population (8.2%, 9 854/120 876), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=407.4, P<0.001). HRSV was detected in all age groups, with the highest positive rate of 23.9% in the<6 months age group. The month with the highest positive rate was December, and autumn and winter were the main epidemic seasons. Both northern and southern HRSV subtypes were mainly infected with type A, with a low proportion of mixed infections of type A and type B. Conclusion: HRSV is a common pathogen causing respiratory infections in children from 2010 to 2020. It can be detected throughout the year and shows the main peak of prevalence in autumn and winter. The HRSV strain is mainly classified as a type A infection.

[The combined application of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical markers in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis].

Objective: To establish and verify a diagnostic model for distinguishing multiple sclerosis (MS) from other neurological diseases with similar symptoms by usingcerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal band (CSF-OCB)combined with IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical markers. Methods: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients admitted to the Neurology Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 2014 to December 2022 were selected as the case group, while patients with similar neurological symptoms were selected as the control group. Using the case-control study design, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the detection of age, gender, oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical indicators for all study subjects. The differential diagnosis model was determined by the multiple logistic regression analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of the differential diagnosis model for neurological diseases with similar symptoms to MS and other conditions. Results: This study included 167 patients in the case group and 335 patients in the control group, of which 128 patients in the case group and 265 patients in the control group were used to construct the model, and 39 patients in the case group and 70 patients in the control group were used for model validation. The differential diagnostic model constructed by a multivariate logistic regression model was Y=0.871×CSF-OCB-0.051×CSFprotein-0.231×CSFchloride+1.183×gender-0.036×LDH+35.770. The model showed that the area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity were respectively 0.916, 87.3% and 87.6%. The Delong test results showed that the diagnostic efficacy of the model was significantly different from OCB, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators, and OCB combined with IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators (P<0.05). The new model validation showed that the actual diagnostic consistency rate for the MS group was 84.6%, while the actual diagnostic consistency rate for the control group was 90.0%. Conclusion: This study combines OCB, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators, and biochemical indicators to establish a diagnostic prediction model for neurological diseases with similar clinical symptoms in MS. This model may have good differential diagnostic value and can better assist clinical diagnosis in the early stages of disease progression in MS patients.

[Analysis of genital chlamydia and gonococcal infections in infertility].

To analyze the infection of chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (NG) in female infertility and male infertility population, and to explore the correlation between CT and NG infection and infertility. A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the specimens submitted by patients from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2021 to December 2022. The results showed that a total of 32 184 specimens were collected, and the positive rates of CT were 4.41% (1 419/32 184), and positive rats of NG were 1.42% (457/32 184). In the infertility group (n=3 366), 2 987 were females and 379 were males. In the control group (n=3 366), 2 509 were females and 857 were males. The CT positive rate of the infertility group was 13.61% (458/3 366), which was significantly higher than that of the control group 3.30% (111/3 366), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.245, P<0.05), and the NG positive rate of the infertility group was 6.36% (214/3 366), which was significantly higher than that of the control group 0.89% (30/3 366), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.011, P<0.05). A total of 23 992 female genital tract swab specimens were collected, including 2 987 in the infertility group and 2 509 in the control group, and the positive rate of CT in the female infertility subgroup was 10.41% (311/2 987), which was significantly higher than that in the control group 3.75% (94/2 509), the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.132, P<0.05), and the NG positive rate of 8.73% (261/2 987) in the female infertility subgroup was significantly higher than that in the control group 0.40% (10/2 509), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.242, P<0.05). A total of 8 192 male urine samples were collected, including 379 in the infertility group and 857 in the control group, and the CT positive rate of the male infertility subgroup was 13.72% (52/379), which was significantly higher than that of the control group 3.38% (29/857), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.267, P<0.05), and the positive rate of NG in the male infertility subgroup was 12.66% (48/379), which was significantly higher than that of the control group 0.93% (8/857), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.166, P<0.05). Among the 2 987 female specimens in the infertility group, 1 034 were in the primary infertility subgroup and 1 953 were in the secondary infertility subgroup, and the positive rates of CT were 7.93% (82/1 034) and 15.72% (307/1 953), respectively, and the positive rates of NG were 3.87% (40/1 034) and 8.65% (169/1 953) respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.185, P>0.05) and (χ2=0.002, P>0.05). In conclusion, the infection rate of genital tract CT and NG is high in the infertility population, CT and NG are recommended as routine examination indicators for eugenics and infertility screening.

[Effect of RDN on long-term blood pressure in refractory hypertensive patients with different cardiovascular risk stratification].

Objective: To investigate the long-term therapeutic effects and safety of renal denervation (RDN) on hypertensive patients with different cardiovascular risks, as well as its impact on adverse events, cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. Methods: This was a single-center, single-arm, real-world retrospective study. Patients with refractory hypertension who underwent RDN at Tianjin First Central Hospital from July 6, 2011 to December 23, 2015 were enrolled and divided into either a high or intermediate-low risk group based on baseline cardiovascular risk. The treatment responsiveness of hypertensive patients with different cardiovascular stratification to RDN was assessed by comparing the results of office blood pressure, home blood pressure, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at 1, 5, and 11 years after RDN. Long-term safety of RDN was assessed by creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1 and 11 years after RDN. In addition, the total defined daily dose (DDD) of antihypertensive medications and the incidence of long-term adverse events, cardiovascular deaths, and all-cause deaths after RDN were followed up 11 years after RDN in person or by telephone. Results: A total of 62 patients with refractory hypertension, aged (50.2±15.0) years, of whom 35 (56.5%) were male, were included. There were 35 cases in high-risk group and 27 cases in low and medium risk group. The decrease in clinic systolic blood pressure (high risk vs. low-medium risk: (-38.0±15.1) mmHg vs. (-25.0±16.6) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133kPa),P=0.002), home self-measured systolic blood pressure ((-28.4±12.7) mmHg vs. (-19.7±13.1) mmHg,P=0.011) and clinic systolic blood pressure 11 years after RDN ((-43.0±18.4) mmHg vs. (-27.8±17.9) mmHg,P=0.003) in the high-risk group was significantly higher than that in the low-medium risk group. The differences in heart rate and the decrease in total DDD number of antihypertensive drugs between the two groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Creatinine and eGFR levels in the two groups at 1 and 11 years after RDN were not statistically significant when compared with the baseline values (all P>0.05). The cumulative cardiovascular mortality rate was 1.6% (1/62) and 8.1% (5/62), and the cumulative all-cause mortality rate was 3.2% (2/62) and 11.3% (7/62) at 5 and 11 years after RDN, respectively. The differences in the incidence rate of adverse events, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality rate between the two groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusions: RDN has long-term antihypertensive effect and good safety. Hypertensive patients who belong to the high-risk stratification of cardiovascular risk may respond better to RDN treatment.

[Characteristics of electrocardiogram in fulminant myocarditis].

Objective: To investugate the unique electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics of fulminant myocarditis (FM) patients and provide important clues for the diagnosis of FM. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 2017 to April 2022 were enrolled and divided into fulminant myocarditis group (FM) and non-fulminant myocarditis group (NFM) according to clinical diagnosis. A total of 246 healthy people who underwent physical examination in the Health examination Center of Tongji Hospital at the same period were selected as the control group. The clinical data and ECG characteristics of the above 3 groups were analyzed and compared. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influence of ECG parameters on left ventricular ejection fraction in FM patients. Receiver operating curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive value of different ECG parameters for FM. Results: A total of 180 patients were included in this study (FM group: n=123; NFM group: n=57), with an age of (35.0±16.2) years and 106 males (58.89%). Compared with NFM group, ECG was significantly abnormal in FM group, with a higher incidence of sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, escape rhythm, right bundle branch block, third degree atrioventricular block, ST-segment elevation, low voltage, prolonged QTc interval, and widened QRS wave in the FM group (all P<0.05). The ECG parameters showed that the amplitude of the full lead QRS wave in FM group was lower than that in NFM group (P<0.01). The average heart rate and QTc interval of FM group were significantly higher than those of NFM and control groups (all P<0.05). Although ST-segment elevation had a higher incidence in the FM group, ECG parameters showed that except for leads Ⅲ and aVF, the ST segment levels in all leads in the FM group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in some ST segment changes between FM and NFM groups, while there was no statistical difference between the NFM and control groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that widened QRS wave and increased heart rate were the influencing factors for left ventricular systolic dysfunction in FM patients (OR=16.914, 95%CI: 1.367-209.224, P=0.028; OR=1.026, 95%CI: 1.010-1.042, P=0.001). Receiver operating curve analysis showed that heart rate>86.90 beat/min, QTc>431.50 ms, and RV5+SV1<1.72 mV had certain predictive value for FM diagnosis. Conclusions: FM patients displayed marked and severe ECG abnormalities, and characteristic changes in ECG can provide important first clues for the diagnosis of FM.

Imputation strategies for low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data and their effects on genomic prediction and genome-wide association studies in pigs.

The uncertainty resulting from missing genotypes in low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (LCWGS) data complicates genotype imputation. The aim of this study is to find out an optimal strategy for accurately imputing LCWGS data and assess its effectiveness for genomic prediction (GP) and genome-wide association study (GWAS) on economically important traits of Large White pigs. The LCWGS data of 1 423 Large White pigs were imputed using three different strategies: (1) using the high-coverage whole-genome sequencing (HCWGS) of 30 key progenitors as the reference panel (Ref_LG); (2) mixing HCWGS of key progenitors with LCWGS (Mix_HLG) and (3) self-imputation in LCWGS (Within_LG). Additionally, to compare the imputation effects of LCWGS, we also imputed SNP chip data of 1 423 Large White pigs to the whole-genome sequencing level using the reference panel consisting of key progenitors (Ref_SNP). To evaluate effects of the imputed sequencing data, we compared the accuracies of GP and statistical power of GWAS for four reproductive traits based on the chip data, sequencing data imputed from chip data and LCWGS data using an optimal strategy. The average imputation accuracies of the Within_LG, Ref_LG and Mix_HLG were 0.9893, 0.9899 and 0.9875, respectively, which were higher than that of the Ref_SNP (0.8522). Using the imputed sequencing data from LCWGS with the Ref_LG imputation strategy, the accuracies of GP for four traits improved by approximately 0.31-1.04% compared to the chip data, and by 0.7-1.05% compared to the imputed sequencing data from chip data. Furthermore, by using the sequence data imputed from LCWGS with the Ref_LG, 18 candidate genes were identified to be associated with the four reproductive traits of interest in Large White pigs: total number of piglets born - EPC2, MBD5, ORC4 and ACVR2A; number of piglets born healthy - IKBKE; total litter weight of piglets born alive - HSPA13 and CPA1; gestation length - GTF2H5, ITGAV, NFE2L2, CALCRL, ITGA4, STAT1, HOXD10, MSTN, COL5A2 and STAT4. With the exception of EPC2, ORC4, ACVR2A and MSTN, others represent novel candidates. Our findings can provide a reference for the application of LCWGS data in livestock and poultry.

[Effects of polyphyllin â ¦ on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells].

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polyphyllin Ⅶ (PP Ⅶ) on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PLBCL) cell lines U2932 and SUDHL-4. The DLBCL cell lines were divided into a control group and a PPⅦ group, and experiments were conducted using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting.Results showed that compared with the control group, PPⅦ significantly inhibited the proliferation of U2932 and SUDHL-4 cells (P<0.05). Apoptosis assays demonstrated that treatment with 0.50 and 1.00 µmol/L PP Ⅶ significantly increased the apoptosis rates of both cell lines (P<0.05), upregulated apoptosis-related proteins, and downregulated Bcl-2 protein level (P<0.05). Cell cycle analysis revealed that PPⅦ treatment led to an increase in G0/G1-phase cells (P<0.05) and a decrease in G2/M-phase cells (P<0.05), significantly downregulated cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6, and survivin protein expression (P<0.05). In conclusion, PPⅦ exerted anti-lymphoma effects by inhibiting proliferation, promoting apoptosis, and inducing G0/G1 phase arrest in DLBCL cells.

[Inhibitory effect of 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone on H1N1 influenza virus-induced ferroptosis and inflammation in A549 cells and its possible mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone (5-HDF), a compound extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth., against lung injury induced by H1N1 influenza virus and explore its possible mechanism of action. METHODS: 5-HDF was extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth. using ethanol reflux extraction and silica gel chromatography and characterized using NMR and MS analyses. In an A549 cell model of H1N1 influenza virus infection (MOI=0.1), the cytotoxicity of 5-HDF was assessed using MTT assay, and its effect on TRAIL and IL-8 expressions was examined using flow cytometry; Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory, apoptosis, and ferroptosis-related proteins. In a mouse model of H1N1 influenza virus infection established by nasal instillation of 50 µL H1N1 virus at the median lethal dose, the effects of 30 and 60 mg/kg 5-HDF by gavage on body weight, lung index, gross lung anatomy and lung histopathology were observed. RESULTS: 5-HDF exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in A549 cells within the concentration range of 0-200 µg/mL. In H1N1-infected A549 cells, treatment with 5-HDF effectively inhibited the activation of phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-NF-κB p65, lowered the expressions of IL-8, enhanced the expression of anti-ferroptosis proteins (SLC7A11 and GPX4), and inhibited the expressions of apoptosis markers PARP and caspase-3 and the apoptotic factor TRAIL. In H1N1-infected mice, treatment with 5-HDF for 7 days significantly suppressed body weight loss and increment of lung index and obviously alleviated lung tissue pathologies. CONCLUSION: 5-HDF offers protection against H1N1 influenza virus infection in mice possibly by suppressing H1N1-induced ferroptosis, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis via upregulating SLC7A11 and GPX4, inhibiting the activation of phospho-NF-κB p65 and phospho-p38 MAPK, and decreasing the expression of cleaved caspase3 and cleaved PARP.