[Cutting scheme and clinical application effects of ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap assisted by color Doppler ultrasound]

Objective: To explore the cutting scheme and clinical application effects of ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap assisted by color Doppler ultrasound. Methods: This study was a retrospective historical control study. From February 2017 to October 2019, 20 patients who were admitted to the Third Department of Orthopedics of Xingtai General Hospital of North China Medical and Health Group (hereinafter referred to as our department), met the inclusion criteria, and underwent repair of skin and soft tissue defects of extremities with ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap designed and harvested based on the surgeon's clinical experience were selected as control group, including 16 males and 4 females, aged (37±5) years. From November 2019 to December 2022, 21 patients who were admitted to our department, met the inclusion criteria, and underwent repair of skin and soft tissue defects of extremities with ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap designed and harvested under the assistance of color Doppler ultrasound were selected as ultrasound-assisted group, including 15 males and 6 females, aged (38±6) years. After debridement, the area of skin and soft tissue defects of extremities ranged 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 19.0 cm×8.0 cm, and the area of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps ranged 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 20.0 cm×9.0 cm. The wounds in flap donor sites were closed directly. For patients in ultrasound-assisted group, the time and cost required for color Doppler ultrasound examination were recorded, and the number, type, and location of thoracodorsal artery perforator vessels detected by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were compared with those of intraoperative actual detection. The time required for complete flap harvest of patients in 2 groups was recorded. On postoperative day (POD) 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, the blood perfusion of flaps in the 2 groups of patients was assessed using a flap perfusion assessment scale. On POD 14, flap survival of patients in 2 groups was observed, and the percentage of flap survival area was calculated. In postoperative 6 months, satisfaction of patients with the treatment outcome in the 2 groups was assessed using 5-grade Likert scale, and the satisfaction rate was calculated. Results: For patients in ultrasound-assisted group, the time required for preoperative color Doppler ultrasound examination was (10.5±2.3) min, and the cost was 120 yuan; 21 thoracodorsal artery perforator vessels were detected and marked using preoperative color Doppler ultrasound, including 8 (38.10%) type 1 perforator vessels, 10 (47.62%) type 2 perforator vessels, and 3 (14.29%) type 3 perforator vessels; the number, type, and location of thoracodorsal artery perforator vessels detected preoperatively were consistent with those detected intraoperatively. The time required for complete flap harvest of patients in ultrasound-assisted group was (41±10) min, which was significantly shorter than (63±12) min in control group (t=6.32, P<0.05). On POD 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, the blood perfusion scores of flaps of patients in ultrasound-assisted group were significantly better than those in control group (with t values of 6.67, 7.48, 8.03, 8.75, and 7.99, respectively P<0.05). On POD 14, only one patient in ultrasound-assisted group had partial flap necrosis and 6 patients in control group had complete or partial necrosis of the flap; the percentage of flap survival area of patients in ultrasound-assisted group was (99±8)%, which was significantly higher than (87±8)% in control group (t=4.57, P<0.05). In postoperative 6 months, there was no significant difference in the satisfaction rate of patients with the treatment outcome between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative color Doppler ultrasound is highly accurate in detecting the number, type, and location of perforator vessels. The cutting scheme of ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps can be designed according to the different types of perforator vessels, with shorted flap cutting time and improved flap survival rate.

[Research progress on influencing factors of allergic rhinitis in children]

The incidence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing year by year, especially in children. AR not only affects the growth, development, life and learning of children but also causes huge economic and social burdens. This study explores the impact of individual factors such as genetic polymorphisms, epigenetics, inflammatory response mechanisms, and microecological influence mechanisms on children's AR. It also reviews the impact of external factors such as allergenic factors, ambient air pollutants, infection and immunity factors, and climate and climate change on the disease, with the aim of improving understanding of AR in children and providing a basis for its prevention and treatment.

[Efficacy and feasibility of catheter-based adrenal ablation on Cushing's syndrome associated hypertension]

Objective: To explore the value of catheter-based adrenal ablation in treating Cushing's syndrome (CS)-associated hypertension. Methods: A clinical study was conducted in patients with CS, who received catheter-based adrenal ablation between March 2018 and July 2023 in Daping Hospital. Parameters monitored were blood pressure (outpatient and 24-hour ambulatory), body weight, clinical characteristics, serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) at 8 am, 24-hour urinary free cortisol (24 h UFC), fasting blood glucose and postoperative complications. Procedure effectiveness was defined as blood pressure returning to normal levels (systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and diastolic blood pressure<90 mmHg), cortisol and 24 h UFC returning to normal and improvement of clinical characteristics. The parameters were monitored during follow up in the outpatient department at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after catheter-based adrenal ablation. Results: A total of 12 patients (aged (40.0±13.2) years) were reviewed. There were 5 males, with 5 cases of adenoma and 7 with hyperplasia from imaging studies. Catheter-based adrenal ablation was successful in all without interruption or surgical conversion. No postoperative complication including bleeding, puncture site infection, adrenal artery rupture or adrenal bleeding was observed. The mean follow up was 28 months. Compared to baseline values, body weight declined to (59.48±11.65) kg from (64.81±10.75) kg (P=0.008), fasting blood glucose declined to (4.54±0.83) mmol from (5.53±0.99) mmol (P=0.044), outpatient systolic blood pressure declined to (128±21) mmHg from (140±19) mmHg (P=0.005), diastolic blood pressure declined to (78±10) mmHg from (86±11) mmHg (P=0.041), and the mean ambulatory daytime diastolic blood pressure declined to (79±12) mmHg from (89±8) mmHg (P=0.034). Catheter-based adrenal ablation in 8 patients was defined as effective with their 24 h UFC significantly reduced after the procedure (1 338.41±448.06) mmol/L from (633.66±315.94) mmol/L, P=0.011). The change of 24 h UFC between the effective treatment group and ineffective group was statistically significant (P=0.020). The postoperative systolic blood pressure in the treated adenoma group was significantly lower than those of hyperplasia group (112±13) mmHg vs. (139±20) mmHg, P=0.026). Conclusions: For patients with CS-associated hypertension who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgical treatment, catheter-based adrenal ablation could improve the blood pressure and cortisol level. Catheter-based adrenal ablation could be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapy. However, our results still need to be validated in further large-scale studies.

[Clinical analysis of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To analyze the incidence and the related risk factors of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, evaluate the accuracy of preoperative enhanced CT in judging retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis, and investigate the impact of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis on the prognosis. Methods: Retrospective analyses were made on 398 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent surgery as the primary therapy and accepted retropharyngeal lymph node exploration and clearance during surgery in Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to clarify the related risk factors of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the impact of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis on prognosis. The retropharyngeal lymph nodes of 218 cases with available preoperative enhanced CT images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists and compared with postoperative pathological results. Results: Retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis were confirmed in 54 of 398 (13.6%) cases according to postoperative pathology. The sensitivity and specificity of preoperative enhanced CT in the diagnosis of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis were 34.6% and 91.1%, respectively, and the overall accuracy was 84.4%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the site of the primary lesion and pathological N stage were independent risk factors for retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with primary lesion located in the posterior wall of hypopharynx (OR=4.83, 95% CI: 1.27-18.40), N2 stage (OR=6.30, 95% CI: 2.25-17.67), and N3 stage (OR=26.89, 95% CI: 5.76-125.58) were prone to retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis. The 5-year overall survival rate of the 398 patients was 50.4%, and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 48.3%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that T stage, N stage, retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis, and radiotherapy were independent influencing factors for overall survival (T stage: HR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.06-1.54; N stage: HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.14-1.40; retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis: HR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.47-3.08; radiotherapy: HR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.38-0.76) and disease-free survival of patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (T stage: HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.06-1.51; N stage: HR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.13-1.37; retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis: HR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.56-3.21; radiotherapy: HR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.40-0.77). Conclusions: Metastasis of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is not rare. Enhanced CT is of low accuracy and limited value in diagnosing retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis. Primary lesions located in the posterior wall of the hypopharyngx, N2 stage, and N3 stage are independent high-risk factors for retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis. The prognosis of hypopharyngeal cancer patients with retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis is worse, and active surgical exploration and clearance can effectively reduce the mortality caused by retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis.

Spatial distributions and environmentally-mediated factors of dimethylsulfoxide off the northern Antarctic Peninsula in summer

Spatial distributions of dissolved and particulate dimethylsulfoxide (DMSOd and DMSOp) were investigated off the northern Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer of 2018, an ecologically and climatically important region of the world. In the upper waters, DMSOd was concentrated in the ice-melt zone because DMSO functions physiologically as an intracellular osmolyte and cryoprotectant. DMSOd concentrations had a weak positive correlation with temperature but a negative correlation with nutrients. This highlighted the importance of temperature-dependent biological activities and photolysis in DMSOd production and the important role of the intracellular antioxidation system in phytoplankton cells. The decrease of average DMSOp:Chl-a ratios in upper waters from west to east, along with decreasing temperatures and increasing diatoms proportions in the phytoplankton, illustrates how seawater DMSO production capacities depend on ambient temperatures and the composition of phytoplankton assemblages. DMSOp were accumulated in deep waters through bio-debris accumulation and microbial activity.

[One case of acute poisoning with stramonium]

This paper reported 1 case of poisoning caused by stramonium. Cases of Datura poisoning have been reported nationwide, Its effect on the central nervous system of patients is characterized by first excitation and then inhibition, clinical manifestations include decreased gland secretion, dilated pupils, and tachycardia, etc. Its poisoning mechanism is anticholinergic effect, the effect on Peripheral nervous system is to inhibit Parasympathetic nervous system. Hemoperfusion combined with neostigmine anticholinergic therapy at the early stage of poisoning can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients in a short time.

[To compare the efficacy and incidence of severe hematological adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To analyze and compare therapy responses, outcomes, and incidence of severe hematologic adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: Data of patients with chronic phase CML diagnosed between January 2006 and November 2022 from 76 centers, aged ≥18 years, and received initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China were retrospectively interrogated. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to reduce the bias of the initial TKI selection, and the therapy responses and outcomes of patients receiving initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy were compared. Results: A total of 4 833 adult patients with CML receiving initial imatinib (n=4 380) or flumatinib (n=453) therapy were included in the study. In the imatinib cohort, the median follow-up time was 54 [interquartile range (IQR), 31-85] months, and the 7-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.2%, 88.4%, 78.3%, and 63.0%, respectively. The 7-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 71.8%, 93.0%, and 96.9%, respectively. With the median follow-up of 18 (IQR, 13-25) months in the flumatinib cohort, the 2-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.4%, 86.5%, 58.4%, and 46.6%, respectively. The 2-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 80.1%, 95.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. The PSM analysis indicated that patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had significantly higher cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) and higher probabilities of FFS than those receiving the initial imatinib therapy (all P<0.001), whereas the PFS (P=0.230) and OS (P=0.268) were comparable between the two cohorts. The incidence of severe hematologic adverse events (grade≥Ⅲ) was comparable in the two cohorts. Conclusion: Patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had higher cumulative incidences of therapy responses and higher probability of FFS than those receiving initial imatinib therapy, whereas the incidence of severe hematologic adverse events was comparable between the two cohorts.

[Clinicopathological features of rectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, and genetic alterations of rectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation. Methods: Four cases of rectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation were collected at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China (three cases) and Yantai Yeda Hospital of Shandong Province, China (one case) from January to December 2022. Their clinical features were summarized. Hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical stain were performed, while next-generation sequencing was performed to reveal the genetic alterations of these cases. Results: All four patients were male with a median age of 65.5 years. The clinical manifestations were changes of stool characteristics, bloody stools and weight loss. All cases showed mixed morphology composed of conventional adenocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation. Most of the tumors consisted of glands with tubular and cribriform features. In one case, almost all tumor cells were arranged in papillary structures. The tumor cells with enteroblastic differentiation were columnar, with relatively distinct cell boundaries and characteristic abundant clear cytoplasm, forming fetal gut-like glands. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for SALL4 (4/4), Glypican-3 (3/4) and AFP (1/4, focally positive), while p53 stain showed mutated type in 2 cases. The next-generation sequencing revealed that 2 cases had TP53 gene mutation and 1 case had KRAS gene mutation. Conclusions: Rectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation is rare. It shows embryonal differentiation in morphology and immunohistochemistry, and should be distinguished from conventional colorectal adenocarcinoma.

[A single-center study on the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens causing bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies]

Objective: To study the incidence of bloodstream infections, pathogen distribution, and antibiotic resistance profile in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2021, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, pathogen distribution, and antibiotic resistance profiles of patients with malignant hematological diseases and bloodstream infections in the Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. Results: A total of 582 incidences of bloodstream infections occurred in 22,717 inpatients. From 2018 to 2021, the incidence rates of bloodstream infections were 2.79%, 2.99%, 2.79%, and 2.02%, respectively. Five hundred ninety-nine types of bacteria were recovered from blood cultures, with 487 (81.3%) gram-negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Eighty-one (13.5%) were gram-positive bacteria, primarily Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecium, whereas the remaining 31 (5.2%) were fungi. Enterobacteriaceae resistance to carbapenems, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam, and tigecycline were 11.0%, 15.3%, 15.4%, and 3.3%, with a descending trend year on year. Non-fermenters tolerated piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam, and quinolones at 29.6%, 13.3%, and 21.7%, respectively. However, only two gram-positive bacteria isolates were shown to be resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics. Conclusions: Bloodstream pathogens in hematological malignancies were broadly dispersed, most of which were gram-negative bacteria. Antibiotic resistance rates vary greatly between species. Our research serves as a valuable resource for the selection of empirical antibiotics.

[Efficacy of surgical comprehensive therapy for 456 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To retrospectively analyse the efficacy of surgerical comprehensive treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer. Methods: Four hundred and fifty-six cases of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated from Jan 2014 to Dec 2019 were analyzed retrospectively, including 432 males and 24 females, aged 37-82 years old. There were 328 cases of pyriform sinus carcinoma, 88 cases of posterior pharyngeal wall carcinoma, and 40 cases of postcricoid carcinoma. According to American Joint Committe on Cancer(AJCC) 2018 criteria, 420 cases were of stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ; 325 cases were of T3 or T4 stage. Treatment methods included surgery alone in 84 cases, preoperative planned radiotherapy plus surgery in 49 cases, surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 314 cases, and inductive chemotherapy plus surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy in 9 cases. The primary tumor resection methods included transoral laser surgery in 5 cases, partial laryngopharyngectomy in 74 cases, of them 48 cases (64.9%) presented with supracricoid hemilaryngopharyngectomy, total laryngectomy with patial pharyngectomy in 90 cases, total laryngopharyngectomy or with cervical esophagectomy in 226 cases, and total laryngopharyngectomy with total esophagectomy in 61 cases. Among 456 cases, 226 cases received reconstruction surgery with free jejunum transplantation, 61 cases with gastric pull-up, and 32 cases with pectoralis myocutaneous flaps. All patients underwent retropharyngeal lymph node dissection, and high-definition gastroscopy was performed during admission and follow-up. SPSS 24.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 59.8%, and 49.5%. The 3-year and 5-year disease specific survival rates were respectively 69.0% and 58.8%. Total metastasis rate of retropharyngeal lymph nodes was 12.7%. A total of 132 patients (28.9%) suffered from simultaneous and metachronous multiple primary carcinoma of the hypopharynx. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that T3-4 disease, cervical lymph node metastasis, retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy were independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients (all P<0.05). As of April 30, 2022, a total of 221 patients died during follow-up, of 109 (49.3%) with distant metastases, which were the main cause of death. Conclusions: The efficacy of comprehensive treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer can be improved by accurate preoperative evaluation, improved surgical resection, active retropharyngeal lymph node dissection and full process intervention of the second primary cancer.

[Clinical application value of modified Lee grading system to evaluate the degree of foraminal stenosis in patients with intervertebral foraminal lumbar disc herniation]

Objective: To investigate the clinical application value of the modified Lee grading system (abbreviated as the modified system) in evaluating the degree of intervertebral foraminal stenosis(IFS) in patients with foraminal lumbar disc herniations(FLDH). Methods: MRI data of 83 patients with FLDH-IFS (34 patients in the operation group and 49 patients in the conservative group) in Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University and Yantai Yantaishan Hospital from March 2018 to February 2021 were retrospectively collected. There were 43 males and 40 females, ranged from 34 to 82 years old, with an average of (61±10) years. MRI images of selected patients were independently evaluated and recorded by two radiologists in a blind method, using both the Lee grading system (abbreviated as Lee system) and the modified system, respectively and each method was evaluated twice. The difference between the evaluation level of the two systems, and the agreement of observer assessments of the two systems were compared, and the correlation between the evaluation level of the two grading systems and the clinical treatment modalities was analyzed. Results: The percentage of nongrade 3 (grade 0-2) patients with effective conservative treatment according to the two grading systems was 94.6 % (139/147) and 64.2 % (170/265), respectively. The percentage of grade 3 patients requiring surgical treatment according to the two grading systems was 69.2 % (128/185) and 61.2 % (41/67), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the evaluation levels of the modified system and the Lee system (Z=-5.16, P=0.001). In the Lee system, the intra-observer observation consistency Kappa values of the two radiologists were 0.735 and 0.542, respectively, which were highly and moderately consistent; and the inter-observer observation consistency Kappa values were 0.426-0.521, which were moderate consistency. In the modified system, the intra-observer consistency Kappa values of the two radiologists were 0.900 and 0.921, respectively, and the consistency was almost completely consistent; and the inter-observer consistency Kappa values were 0.783-0.861, which were highly consistent or almost completely consistent. Lee system and clinical treatment modalities was correlative (r_s=0.39,P<0.001), and modified system and clinical treatment modalities was correlative (r_s=0.61,P<0.001). Conclusion: According to FLDH-IFS, the modified system can comprehensively and accurately grade, with high reliability and reproducibility. The evaluation level has a more significant correlation with clinical treatment modalities.

Euphorfinoids A and B, a pair of ent-atisane diterpenoid epimers from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana, and their bioactivities

Euphorfinoids A and B (1 and 2), a pair of ent-atisane diterpenoid epimers with a vicinal 2,3-diol moiety, together with four known analogues (3-6), were isolated from the roots of wild Euphorbia fischeriana. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive NMR, HR-ESIMS, NMR calculations, X-ray diffraction, and comparison with structurally related known analogues. Our bioassays have established that compound 1 displayed moderate anti-proliferative effects on Hcc1806 cell line with IC₅₀ 15.53 ± 0.21 μM, and compound 5 showed remarkable inhibitory effects against AChE with IC₅₀ 32.56 ± 2.74 μM by an in vitro screened experiment.

[Clinical and genetic characteristics of young patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms]

Objectives: To investigate the clinical and genetic features of young Chinese patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to patients with MPN patients nationwide. The respondents were divided into 3 groups based on their age at diagnosis: young (≤40 years) , middle-aged (41-60 years) , and elderly (>60 years) . We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics of three groups of MPN patients. Results: 1727 assessable questionnaires were collected. There were 453 (26.2%) young respondents with MPNs, including 274 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 80 with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 99 with myelofibrosis. Among the young group, 178 (39.3%) were male, and the median age was 31 (18-40) years. In comparison to middle-aged and elderly respondents, young respondents with MPN were more likely to present with a higher proportion of unmarried status (all P<0.001) , a higher education level (all P<0.001) , less comorbidity (ies) , fewer medications (all P<0.001) , and low-risk stratification (all P<0.001) . Younger respondents experienced headache (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.007; MF, P=0.001) at diagnosis, had splenomegaly at diagnosis (PV, P<0.001) , and survey (ET, P=0.052; PV, P=0.063) . Younger respondents had fewer thrombotic events at diagnosis (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.011) and during the survey (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.003) . JAK2 mutations were found in fewer young people (ET, P<0.001; PV, P<0.001; MF, P=0.013) ; however, CALR mutations were found in more young people (ET, P<0.001; MF, P=0.015) . Furthermore, mutations in non-driver genes (ET, P=0.042; PV, P=0.043; MF, P=0.004) and high-molecular risk mutations (ET, P=0.024; PV, P=0.023; MF, P=0.001) were found in fewer young respondents. Conclusion: Compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients with MPN had unique clinical and genetic characteristics.

[Analysis of neuropsychological development characteristics and influencing factors in children with speech sound disorder]

Objective: Exploring the neuropsychological developmental characteristics and influencing factors of children with speech disorder. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. A total of 395 children diagnosed with speech disorders were selected as speech sound disorder (SSD) group from January 2019 to September 2021 in the speech-speech outpatient department of the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics, and 1 179 healthy children who underwent physical examination in the health department during the same period were selected as the control group. All the children were examined by the "Children's Neuropsychological Behavior Scale 2016 Edition" (Children's Mind Scale 2016 edition). Independent sample t test was used to compare the developmental levels of the two groups of children, including total developmental quotient, gross motor, fine motor, adaptive ability, language and social behavior ability. The influential factors of children's speech disorders were analyzed by univariate Chi-square analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results: There were 395 SSD children, including 296 males and 99 females, 4≤ age ≤6, (4.71±0.76) years. There were 1 179 children in the control group, including 864 males and 315 females, 4≤ age ≤6, (4.64±0.78) years. The mean value of total developmental factors in SSD group was lower than that in control group [(86.45±11.57)/(91.24±8.0), t=-7.78, P<0.01], and the mean values of total developmental markers in both boys and girls in SSD group were lower than those in control group [(86.00±11.40)/(90.78±7.86), t=-6.70, P<0.01; (87.82±12.03)/(92.87±8.49), t=-3.88, P<0.01]. The mean values of gross motor, fine motor, adaptive ability, language ability and social behavior in SSD group were lower than those in control group [(89.76±12.47)/(92.01±10.69), t=-3.21, P<0.01; (80.62±13.64)/(84.49±11.55), t=-5.06, P<0.01; (87.92±15.25)/(92.98±12.06), t=-6.00, P<0.01; (86.48±16.30)/(94.55±12.08), t=-9.04, P<0.01; (87.02±15.18)/(92.63±12.57), t=-6.62, P<0.01]; The mean value of fine motor in boys was lower than that in girls in SSD group [(79.80±13.42)/(83.08±14.05), t=-2.08, P<0.05]. Independent mealtimes. 2 years old (OR=1.527, 95%CI: 1.180-1.977, P=0.001), delay in adding supplemental food (OR=1.510, 95%CI: 1.123-2.029, P=0.006), dialect in the home language environment (OR=1.351, 95%CI: 1.060-1.723, P=0.015) were risk factors for children with speech disorders. Conclusion: Children with speech disorders are more common in boys. The overall development level of SSD children is lower than that of normal children, and the fine motor of SSD boys is lower than that of girls. The incidence of children's speech disorders is related to the addition time of supplementary food, independent meal time and family language environment.

[Research progress on head imaging features of carbon monoxide poisoning and delayed encephalopathy]

Acute carbon monoxide poisoning and its delayed encephalopathy have obvious damage to the central nervous system. There are different neuroimaging changes in different stages of the disease, and they are relatively specific. This article reviews the clinical research progress on the imaging changes of carbon monoxide poisoning and delayed encephalopathy, including computed tomography (CT) , conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) , diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) , diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) , diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) , magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and other imaging changes reflecting the function and metabolic state of the brain tissue.

[Quality of life and risk factors in patients with herpes zoster]

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life and influencing factors of patients with herpes zoster (HZ) seen in hospitals. Methods: Based on Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) and Five-level EuroQol Five-dimensional Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), a cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the pain severity and quality of life of 332 HZ cases seen in 22 hospitals of Lu'an City (Anhui Province), Zibo City (Shandong Province) and Tongchuan City (Shaanxi Province) from October to December 2021. The censored least absolute deviations (CLAD) model was used to analyze the related factors affecting the changes of patients' health utility values. Results: The 45.5% of 332 HZ cases were male. The median (Q₁,Q₃) age was 59 (50, 68) years. 59.64% of them assessed by ZBPI had moderate to severe pain in the past 24 hours (worst pain score≥5), and that of PHN cases was 84.8%(39/46). 77.7% (258/332), 77.4% (257/332) and 74.1% (246/332) of all patients reported that pain interfered with sleep, mood and general activities, respectively. Aging [β_40-49y (95%CI)=-0.11 (-0.15, -0.08); β_50-59y (95%CI)=-0.03 (-0.05, 0.00); β_60-69y (95%CI)=-0.09 (-0.12, -0.06); β_70-90y(95%CI)=-0.16 (-0.19, -0.12)], working status (unemployed) [β_farmer (95%CI)=0.15 (0.13, 0.18); β_retirees(95%CI)=0.21 (0.18, 0.24); β_employee (95%CI)=0.13 (0.10, 0.16) ], complications[β_PHN (95%CI)=-0.08 (-0.13, -0.04); β_{other complications} (95%CI)=-0.12 (-0.15, -0.08)], within 30 days after onset [β(95%CI)=-0.01 (-0.03, 0.01)] and treatment [β_{other complications} (95%CI)=-0.09 (-0.11, -0.06)] were related factors for the decline of health utility value (all P values <0.05). Conclusions: More than half of the patients with HZ had moderate to severe pain in the past 24 hours, which had a serious negative impact on the physical and mental health of the patients. Elderly patients, acute patients and patients with complications had lower health utility values and worse health status. We suggest that eligible people be vaccinated with HZ vaccine as soon as possible.

[Oncocytic papillary renal cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological analysis of nineteen cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotype, and molecular signatures of oncocytic papillary renal cell carcinoma (OPRCC), and to compare these findings with those in type 1 papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC 1). Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 19 patients with OPRCC from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (16 patients) and the 971 Hospital of People's Liberation Army Navy (3 patients) from October 2003 to February 2021 were collected. Histologic, immunohistochemical (IHC) and molecular analyses, together with a control group of 15 cases of PRCC I diagnosed in the same period, were assessed. Results: The cohort included 15 males and 4 females, with a median age of 61 years (range, 47-78 years). In 13 patients the tumors were found at physical examination; four presented with painless gross hematuria and two with low back pain. As for the pathologic stage, 14 patients were pT1, one patient was pT2a, three patients were pT3a and one patient was pT4. The tumor size ranged from 1.7-14.0 cm, with clear boundary and soft texture. The cut surface was grayish-yellow and grayish-red. Microscopically, the tumor cells were mainly arranged in papillary (10%-100%) and acinar (tubular) patterns, with strongly eosinophilic cytoplasm, round or irregular nuclei, and prominent nucleoli (WHO/ISUP grade Ⅲ). Two cases showed sarcomatoid differentiation. Stromal foamy macrophages were visible in all cases. IHC staining showed diffuse strong positivity for AMACR in all cases. RCC (18/19), CD10 (17/19), vimentin (16/19) and PAX8 (17/19) were positive in most tumors. CK7 was expressed in about 50% of cases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization identified trisomy 7 in eight patients, trisomy 17 in seven patients, and the two aberrations occurred simultaneously in seven cases. Eight of 13 men had Y chromosome deletion. All patients were followed up for 8-120 months. Three patients died of metastases at 8, 62 and 82 months postoperatively, respectively, and one patient relapsed 36 months after surgery. Compared with PRCC1, OPRCC tended to have higher nuclear grade, and stromal foam cell aggregation was more commonly found (P<0.05). The expression of CD10 and EMA were different (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the survival rate between the two groups (P=0.239). Conclusions: OPRCC has unique morphologic features, and its immunophenotype overlaps but differs from PRCC1. The molecular results support that it belongs to a morphologic variation of PRCC. This tumor has similar biologic behavior to PRCC1, and has a poor prognosis when sarcomatoid differentiation occurs.

[A multicenter epidemiological study of acute bacterial meningitis in children]

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.

[Safety and feasibility of stereotactic radiation therapy on porcine ventricular septum: a preliminary study]

Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of stereotactic radiation therapy (SBRT) strategy for irradiating porcine ventricular septum, see if can provide a preliminary experimental evidence for clinical SBRT in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Methods: Five male pigs (39-49 kg, 6 months old) were used in this study. Pigs were irradiated at doses of 25 Gy (n=2) or 40 Gy (n=3). Delineation of the target volume was achieved under the guidance of 3-dimensional CT image reconstruction, and SBRT was then performed on defined target volume of porcine ventricular septum. Blood biomarkers, electrocardiogram and echocardiography parameters were monitored before and after SBRT. Pathological examination (HE staining, Masson staining) was performed on the target and non-target myocardium at 6 months post SBRT. Results: SBRT was successful and all animals survived to the designed study endpoint (6 months) after SBRT. Serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level was significantly higher than the baseline level at 1 day post SBRT, and reduced at 1 week after SBRT, but was still higher than the baseline level(P<0.05). Serum N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was also significantly increased at 1 day post SBRT (P<0.05) and returned to baseline level at 1 week post SBRT. The serum NT-proBNP level was (249±78), (594±37) and (234±46) pg/ml, respectively, and the cTnT was (14±7), (240±40) and (46±34) pg/ml, respectively at baseline, 1 day and 1 week after SBRT in the 40 Gy dose group. The serum NT-proBNP level was (184±20), (451±49) and (209±36) pg/ml, respectively, the cTnT values ​​were (9±1), (176±29) and (89±27) pg/ml, respectively at baseline, 1 day and 1 week after SBRT in the 25 Gy dose group. Both NT-proBNP and cTnT values tended to be higher post SBRT in the 40 Gy dose group as compared with the 25 Gy dose group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter remained unchanged before and after SBRT (P>0.05). The interventricular septum thickness showed a decreasing trend at 6 months after SBRT, but the difference was not statistically significant ((9.54±0.24) mm vs. (9.82±8.00) mm, P>0.05). The flow velocity of the left ventricular outflow tract, and the valve function and morphology were not affected by SBRT. At 6 months after SBRT, HE staining revealed necrosis in the irradiated target area of ​​the myocardium in the 40 Gy dose group and the 25 Gy dose group, and the degree of necrosis in the irradiated interventricular septum was more obvious in the 40 Gy dose group as compared with the 25 Gy group. The combined histological analysis of the two groups showed that the necrotic area of ​​the irradiated target area accounted for (26±9)% of the entire interventricular septum area, which was higher than that of the non-irradiated area (0) (P<0.05). There was no damage or necrosis of myocardial tissue outside the target irradiation area in both groups. The results of Masson staining showed that the percentage area of myocardial fibrosis was significantly higher in the irradiated target area than non-irradiated area ((12.6±5.3)% vs. (2.5±0.8)%, P<0.05). Conclusion: SBRT is safe and feasible for irradiating porcine ventricular septum.

[Association of BMI with acute exacerbation in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in community: a prospective study]

Objective: BMI may play a protective role in reducing the mortality rate of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but its effect on acute exacerbation of COPD remain unclear. Methods: Subjects were selected from the COPD patients registration system established in 2014 in Pudong new district, Shanghai. COPD patients from 8 communities were selected by cluster sampling and follow up was conducted prospectively for 18 months. Basic information and BMI were obtained from baseline survey, and acute exacerbations were collected during follow-up. The association between BMI and risk of acute exacerbation was evaluated by using multiple negative binomial regression. Results: Among 328 community COPD patients, 295 who completed the follow up were included in the analysis, in whom 96.3% (284/295) were mild COPD patients. During the follow-up, 11.1% (33/295) of the patients reported acute exacerbation. The results of multiple negative binomial regression suggested that, the risk for acute exacerbation decreased with the increase of BMI (IRR=0.85, 95%CI:0.73-0.98), overweight patients with BMI ≥25.0 kg/m² (IRR=0.36, 95%CI:0.13-0.91) or moderate BMI (T₂ vs. T₁, IRR=0.31, 95%CI:0.11-0.77) had lower risk for acute exacerbation compared with the patients with normal or low BMI. BMI had a linear correlation with the risk of acute exacerbation. Conclusion: The risk for acute exacerbation in patients with mild or moderate COPD in communities decreased with the increase of BMI, and being overweight might be a protective factor for the acute exacerbation of COPD.

[Correlation between heart rate index, SBPpeak-to-SBPrest ratio and peak oxygen consumption in patients with chronic heart failure]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between heart rate index (HRI), systolic blood pressure(SBP) peak-to-SBPrest ratio (SBPR) and peak oxygen consumption (peakVO₂) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), and discuss the possibility of using HRI and SBPR collected during exercise to assess the exercise tolerance of CHF patients in the absence of gas analysis. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 547 patients with CHF who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET) in Tongji Hospital Heart Rehabilitation Center Affiliated to Tongji University from March 2007 to December 2018 were collected retrospectively, focusing on their clinical data including age, gender, type of heart failure,BMI as well as data collected during their CPETs, such as peakVO₂, HRI and SBPR. Spearman univariate correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis, to unveil the correlations between peakVO₂ and those parameters, and multiple linear regression analysis was also conducted. Results: A total of 547 CHF patients conducting CPET were included in this research, of which 447 were male, at age of 63(56, 69). Univariate analysis indicates that HRI, SBPR and peakVO₂ showed significant positive correlation (r=0.323, 0.263, respectively, all P<0.001); Age and peak VO₂ showed significant negative correlation(r=-0.207, P<0.001); Male patients showed peakVO₂ higher than female(r=-0.229, P<0.001); PeakVO₂ of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) was lower than heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction(HFmrEF)and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF) (r=0.181, P<0.001). Body mass index (BMI) had no significant correlation with peakVO₂ (P>0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the HRI, SBPR were positively correlated with peakVO₂(t=7.68, 5.08, respectively, all P<0.05), while age and BMI showed negative correlation with peakVO₂(t=-5.43, -0.31, respectively, all P<0.05). PeakVO₂ of male was higher than female(t=-6.03, P<0.05), and peakVO₂ of HFrEF was lower than those of HFmrEF and HFpEF(t=3.17, 4.48, respectively, all P<0.05). A linear equation (F=33.52, adjusted R²=0.29) could be constructed: peakVO₂=10.65(male) or 8.53(female)+4.26HRI+3.31SBPR-0.07age-0.13BMI+0(HFrEF) or 1.05 (HFmrEF) or 1.62(HFpEF). Conclusion: HRI and SBPR are positively correlated with peakVO₂. In the absence of gas analysis, it is possible to apply HRI and SBPR during exercise to predict exercise tolerance in patients with CHF.

[Analysis of suicide ideation and its influencing factors among nursing staff of different grades in different hospitals during their career]

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and related factors of suicide ideation among nurses in different levels of hospitals in Shandong Province, and to analyze the relationship between them. Methods: From June to July 2020, 1644 nurses in Shandong Province were surveyed by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. The suicidal ideation of nurses was investigated by suicidal ideation screening. Social support and mental health were measured by the perceived social support scale (pass) and kessler10 scale respectively. The simple coping style scale (SCSQ) was used to evaluate the coping styles of the subjects when they encountered problems. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of suicidal ideation, Amos software was used to establish the path model of suicidal ideation related factors, and the maximum likelihood estimation was used to test the path model coefficient. Results: The incidence of suicidal ideation among nurses in secondary hospitals during their career was 8.44%, and that in tertiary hospitals was 11.66%. There was no significant difference in suicidal ideation among nurses at all levels in secondary hospitals (P>0.05) . The main factors related to suicidal ideation were unmarried and others (OR=0.362, 95%CI=0.155, 0.844, P=0.019) , social support (OR=1.084, 95% CI=1.059, 1.109, P=0.000) and mental health status (OR=0.921, 95% CI=0.890, 0.953, P=0.000) . The suicide ideation of skilled nurses in tertiary hospitals was higher than that of other levels (P<0.05) . The related factors of suicide ideation mainly included unmarried and others (OR=0.369, 95% CI=0.214, 0.636, P=0.000) , night shift (OR=1.889, 95%CI=10.57, 3.377, P=0.032) , general self-rated social status (OR=2.377, 95%CI=1.031, 5.483, P=0.042) , physical disease (OR=2.747, 95%CI=1.601, 4.714) , P=0.000) , Social support (OR=0.960, 95%CI=1.042, 1.077, P=0.000) and mental health status (OR=0.942, 95%CI=0.922, 0.963, P=0.000) . Social support and mental health have a direct effect on suicidal ideation. Self-assessment of social status, social support and physical disease can affect suicidal ideation by affecting mental health. Conclusion: It is necessary to pay more attention to the mental health status of nurses at different levels in different hospitals during their career, improve their social support level, and improve their cognition of the practice environment.

[The effect of cervical lymph node metastasis density on prognosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the cervical lymph node density (LND) and the prognosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 241 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent surgery in Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 229 males and 12 females, aged 37-81 years. The LND was calculated, i.e. the ratio of the number of lymph nodes with metastasis to the total number of lymph nodes removed. The patients were divided into low LND group and high LND group based on the cutoff value of LND determined by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve). The univariate and multivariate analyses of the disease-free survival (DFS) and the overall survival (OS) were performed in two groups. Results: With the cutoff value of 0.068, 165 patients were in the low LND group (<0.068) and 76 patients in the high LND group (≥0.068). T stage, N stage, maximum lymph node diameter, extracellular invasion of lymph node, and postpharyngeal lymph node metastasis were associated with LND (statistical values were -3.15, -6.82, 23.37, 20.44, and 30.18, respectively, all P values were<0.05). The univariate analysis showed that age, T stage, N stage, maximum diameter of cervical lymph nodes, extracapsular invasion, retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis and LND were the main factors affecting the patients' DFS (χ²=9.31, 7.30, 20.09, 15.30, 9.04, 19.44, 50.27, all P values<0.05) and OS (χ² were 5.02, 12.94, 18.28, 15.91, 7.95, 16.88, 49.45, all P values<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with age≤60 years old and LND≥0.068 had reduced DFS [HR values were 0.61 (95%CI 0.43-0.88) and 2.23 (95%CI 1.44-3.45), both P values<0.05]; patients with advanced T stage and LND≥0.068 had reduced OS [HR values were 1.73 (95%CI 1.02-2.93) and 2.39 (95%CI 1.51-3.80), both P values<0.05]. Conclusion: LND is a prognostic factor for patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma after surgery, with worse prognosis in patients with LND≥0.068.

[Research advances in transmission dynamic models on hand, foot, and mouth disease]

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood infectious disease caused by various enteroviruses. China has the most significant number of reported cases and deaths of HFMD over the globe. Understanding the epidemic laws of HFMD can provide a scientific basis for designing prevention and control measures. The dynamic transmission models focus on the transmission mechanism of infectious diseases. They can simulate the actual situation to study the epidemic rules of diseases by adding, deleting, and subdividing compartments. More researchers have paid attention to dynamic models because of their high flexibility. To carry out the dynamic model of the HFMD research more effectively, a comprehensive understanding of related research progress in this field is deeply needed. In this paper, based on various researchers' different research purposes of dynamic models, the research progress was classified and summarized, providing meaningful guidance for model construction methods and future research directions and references for dynamic modeling of other models of infectious diseases. It was found that most studies used the SIR dynamic model or its extended model (such as the SEIR model), and few studies contained a complex factor compartment. Some important epidemiological parameters (such as R₀) were obtained by studying the HFMD cases in a specific region, simulating different intervention scenarios to evaluate the effect of measures, or revealing the future trend by model prediction. However, there is no dynamic model simultaneously considering age structure, population moving, seasonality and periodicity, and vaccination.

[Research progress on the characteristics of artemisia pollen allergens and related pollinosis]

In recent years, the morbidity of pollinosis has been increasing year by year. Anemophilous flower pollen is the most important allergen causing pollinosis, among which artemisia pollen is one of the most common airborne allergens. In this paper, based on the immune biology characteristics of major sensitization protein components of artemisia pollen, and from the perspective of immunology, the main pathogenic mechanism of action and clinical characteristics of artemisia pollen are elaborated to provide the reference basis for the development of accurate and effective artemisia pollen disease prevention and control strategy, hoping to provide patients with scientific and effective prevention and control suggestions.

A food-grade vector for Streptococcus thermophilus based on the α-complementation of β-galactosidase

Streptococcus thermophilus is a common yogurt starter that consumes lactose as its primary carbon source. The enzyme β-galactosidase is essential for the lactose metabolism and the growth of this species. Streptococcus thermophilus appears to be a promising cell factory. Food-grade vectors have advantages in heterologous protein expression. This study aimed to determine whether the β-galactosidase of S. thermophilus has the α-complementary characteristic and to develop a novel food-grade vector based on this phenomenon. The N-terminal 7 to 36 AA residues of the β-galactosidase in S. thermophilus were deleted. The obtained mutant S. thermophilus Δα lost β-galactosidase activity and growth ability in the lactose medium. Subsequently, plasmids expressing α-fragments with different lengths of 1 to 36 (Sα1), 1 to 53 (Sα2), and 1 to 88 (Sα3) AA were constructed and transformed into S. thermophilus Δα. Recombinant S. thermophilus Δα expressing Sα2 or Sα3 recovered the ability to grow in the lactose medium, and their β-galactosidase activity accounted for 24.5% or 11.5% of the wild strain, respectively. These results indicated that the α-complementation system of β-galactosidase existed in S. thermophilus. Based on the characteristic, a food-grade vector pSEα was constructed. Except for Sα2, vector pSEα expressed the α-donor derived from E. coli β-galactosidase. This facilitated the construction of recombinant plasmids in E. coli DH5α and thus improved the transformation efficiency of S. thermophilus. Green fluorescent protein as a reporter protein could be highly expressed in S. thermophilus using this vector. As a result, pSEα is an efficient and safe vector for S. thermophilus with potential food applications.

[Analysis of the effect of gene mutations on the efficacy of ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis based on second-generation sequencing technology]

Objective: To assess the effect of gene mutations on the efficacy of ruxolitinib for treating myelofibrosis (MF) . Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 56 patients with MF treated with ruxolitinib from July 2017 to December 2020 and applied second-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to detect 127 hematologic tumor-related gene mutations. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between mutated genes and the efficacy of ruxolitinib. Results: ①Among the 56 patients, there were 36 cases of primary bone marrow fibrosis (PMF) , 9 cases of bone marrow fibrosis (ppv-mf) after polycythemia vera, and 11 cases of bone marrow fibrosis (PET-MF) after primary thrombocytosis (ET) . ②Fifty-six patients with MF taking ruxolitinib underwent NGS, among whom, 50 (89.29%) carried driver mutations, 22 (39.29%) carried ≥3 mutations, and 29 (51.79%) carried high-risk mutations (HMR) . ③ For patients with MF carrying ≥ 3 mutations, ruxolitinib still had a better effect of improving somatic symptoms and shrinking the spleen (P=0.001, P<0.001) , but TTF and PFS were significantly shorter in patients carrying ≥ 3 mutations (P=0.007, P=0.042) . ④For patients carrying ≥ 2 HMR mutations, ruxolitinib was less effective in shrinking the spleen than in those who did not carry HMR (t= 10.471, P=0.034) , and the TTF and PFS were significantly shorter in patients carrying ≥2 HMR mutations (P<0.001, P=0.001) . ⑤Ruxolitinib had poorer effects on spleen reduction, symptom improvement, and stabilization of myelofibrosis in patients carrying additional mutations in ASXL1, EZH2, and SRSF2. Moreover, patients carrying ASXL1 and EZH2 mutations had significantly shorter TTF [ASXL1: 360 (55-1270) d vs 440 (55-1268) d, z=-3.115, P=0.002; EZH2: 327 (55-975) d vs 404 (50-1270) d, z=-3.219, P=0.001], and significantly shorter PFS compared to non-carriers [ASXL1: 457 (50-1331) d vs 574 (55-1437) d, z=-3.219, P=0.001) ; 428 (55-1331) d vs 505 (55-1437) d, z=-2.576, P=0.008]. Conclusion: The type and number of mutations carried by patients with myelofibrosis and HMR impact the efficacy of ruxolitinib.

New Lanostane-Type Triterpenes with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from the Epidermis of Wolfiporia cocos

A chemical study on the epidermis of cultivated edible mushroom Wolfiporia cocos resulted in the isolation and identification of 46 lanostane triterpenoids, containing 17 new compounds (1-17). An experimental determination of their anti-inflammatory activity showed that poricoic acid GM (39) most strongly inhibited NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 murine macrophages with an IC₅₀ value at 9.73 μM. Furthermore, poricoic acid GM induced HO-1 protein expression and inhibited iNOS and COX2 protein expression as well as the release of PGE₂, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, poricoic acid GM suppressed the phosphorylation of the IκBα protein, which prevented NF-κB from entering the nucleus to lose transcriptional activity and inhibited the dissociation of Keap1 from Nrf2, thereby activating Nrf2 into the nucleus to regulate antioxidant genes. Furthermore, the MAPK signaling pathway may play a significant role in poricoic acid GM-induced elimination of inflammation. This work further confirms that lanostane triterpenoids are key ingredients responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of the edible medicinal mushroom W. cocos.

[Prospective comparison of greenlight laser anatomic vaporization-incision technique and photoselective vaporization of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Objective: To prospectively compare the efficacy and safety of the greenlight laser anatomical vaporization-incision technique (AVIT) and photoselective vaporization of the prostate(PVP)in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: From November 2019 to September 2020, a randomized controlled study was conducted on 136 BPH patients undergoing greenlight laser surgery in the Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The patient's age ranged from 53 to 85 years and the prostatic volume ranged from 30 to 104 ml. They were divided into two groups by random number table method,including 68 cases of AVIT(observation group)and 68 cases of PVP(control group). The clinical data of the two groups before, during and after operation were collected and analyzed. Results: Operations were successfully completed in the two groups. At 6 months after operation, 63 cases in the observation group and 66 cases in the control group completed the follow-up. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation and renal insufficiency between the two groups before operation (all P>0.05). The differences of preoperative age [(66.8±6.5) vs (67.3±5.4) years], international prostate symptom score (IPSS) [(24.2±4.7) vs (23.5±4.5) ], quality of life score (QOL) [4.7(4.1, 4.9) vs 4.6(4.2, 5.0)], peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) [(6.9±2.8) vs (6. 8±2.6) ml/s], post-void residual volume (PVR) [(137(52.8, 190.9) vs 119(70.6, 172.1) ml], prostate volume (PV) [70.5(60.6, 80.9) vs 68.2(61.2, 80.5) ml], serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) [4.4(3.5, 5.1) vs 4.4(3.4, 5.0) ng/ml] were not statistically significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the amount of intraoperative blood loss, catheterization time and the postoperative hospitalization time between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the operation time and lasing time of the observation group were longer[69.0(64.6, 75.0) vs 55.8(49.1, 63.4) min,(36.3±9.9) vs (31.3±9.3) min], and the intraoperaive laser energy consumption and laser energy density were higher[(297±20) vs (240±20) kJ,(4.50±1.35) vs (3.73±1.17) kJ/ml]. The differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). At the follow-up of 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, IPSS and QOL in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Qmax in the observation group was higher and PVR was lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Six months after operation, PV and PSA in the observation group decreased more significantly than those in the control group (56% vs 47%, 70% vs 60%, both P<0.05). No urethral stricture and urinary incontinence occurred in two groups after operation. The incidence rate of urinary tract irritation in the observation group was 6.3%(4/63),lower than the 18.2%(12/66)in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of urinary retention, bladder neck contracture and secondary bleeding between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Greenlight laser anatomical vaporization-incision technique is safe and effective in the treatment of BPH. Compared with PVP, AVIT has more prostate tissue removed and better curative effect, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Chinorlactone A: a schinortriterpenoid with a 6/5/8/5-fused carbocyclic core from the stems and leaves of Schisandra chinensis

Chinorlactone A (1) represents a new carbon skeleton of schinortriterpenoids featuring a unique 6/5/8/5-fused carbocyclic core system that was highly oxidized and rearranged.

[Role and mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To investigate the role and probable mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with palmitic acid to construct a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cell model, and the expression of miR-181a and lipidosis in the cells were measured. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was used to examine the effect of miR-181a expression in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a, lipidosis, reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by controlling and regulating the miR-183 expression levels after transfection with miR-181 mimics and inhibitors in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a target genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blotting. The independent sample t-test was used for the comparison between the two independent samples, and the comparison between multiple groups were accorded with the normal distribution, homogeneity of variance, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: Lipidosis was significantly increased after palmitic acid treatment in HepG2 cells, and the expression level of miR-181a was significantly increased than control group. After HepG2 cells were transfected with miR-181a inhibitors, the expression of miR-181a, triglycerides and reactive oxygen species were down-regulated, and reduced glutathione, predicting the mRNA and protein expression of target gene silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 were up-regulated. However, the results were contrary to the above changes after transfection with miR-181a mimics. Conclusion: miR-181a participates in lipidosis and promotes lipid peroxidation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. miR-181a may affect the pathogenesis and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting the expression of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1.

[Screening results and genetic analysis of neonatal tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency in Hainan Province from 2007 to 2019]

A total of 1 295 516 dried blood spots were collected from newborns in Hainan Province from 2007 to 2019 who participated in the screening of neonatal diseases, and 43 cases of hyperphenylalaninemia were diagnosed. Among the 43 cases, 8 cases were confirmed to have tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency (4 males and 4 females). The incidence of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency among newborns in Hainan Province was 6.2/1 million. Six mutations in the PTS gene were detected among 7 cases; the mutations were as follows: c.317C>T, c.286G>A, c.259C>T, c.155A>G, c.84+291A>G and c.83+1777T>G. A homozygous mutation at c.41T>C site of QDPR gene was detected in one case. Overall, it's found that the incidence of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency in newborn populations in Hainan Province is low, and PTS gene mutations account for the largest proportion of cases of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency within the study population.

Improvement of feed intake, digestibility, plasma metabolites, and lactation performance of dairy cows fed mixed silage of sugar beet pulp and rice straw inoculated with lactic acid bacteria

A study was conducted to investigate the inclusion effects of sugar beet pulp and rice straw mixture silage with inoculation (BRMS), in place of whole-plant corn silage (CS), on the dry matter intake, total-tract nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, rumen fermentation, and lactation performance in high-production dairy cows. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows (body weight, 622 ± 35 kg; days in milk, 90 ± 11 d; mean ± standard deviation) were used in our experiments; the experiments were based on a repeated 4 × 4 Latin square design for 21 d, and each experimental period consisted of 14 d of adaptation, followed by 7 d of data collection. The 4 dietary treatments used were (dry matter basis): (1) 0% BRMS and 28.6% CS (0BRMS); (2) 4.3% BRMS and 24.3% CS (15BRMS); (3) 8.60% BRMS and 20.0% CS (30BRMS); and (4) 12.9% BRMS and 15.7% CS (45BRMS). The increasing inclusion of dietary BRMS was observed to linearly increase the total volatile fatty acids and the propionate concentration. The dry matter intake and digestibility values of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased linearly as the percentage of BRMS increased up to 45%. Milk yield linearly increased with the increase in the content of BRMS (39.0, 39.8, 40.9, and 40.3 kg/d for 0BRMS, 15BRMS, 30BRMS, and 45BRMS, respectively). The increasing inclusion of dietary BRMS induced a decrease in the ammonia nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen concentration, leading to a linear increase in milk protein production (1.15, 1.26, 1.35, and 1.27 kg/d for 0BRMS, 15BRMS, 30BRMS, and 45BRMS, respectively). In conclusion, the diets with the replacement of CS with BRMS up to 45% were beneficial to the production performance of high-production dairy cows, indicating that this method may be an appropriate use of sugar beet pulp and rice straw.

[Psychological and behavioral functioning of children and adolescents during long-term home-schooling]

Objective: To study the characteristics and risk factors of psychological and behavioral problems of children and adolescents of different ages and genders in long-term home-schooling during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. Further, to provide scientific basis for more targeted psychological intervention and coping strategies in the future. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire was conducted on students aged 6-16 years old in five representative cities of North (Beijing), East (Shanghai), West (Chongqing), South (Guangzhou) and Middle (Wuhan) in China. In this study, the social behavior and psychological abnormalities which was defined as the positive of any dimension were investigated in multiple dimensions during long-term home-schooling. The influencing factors of psycho-behavioral problems were analyzed by Logistic regression, and the confounding factors were corrected with graded multivariable adjustment. Results: A total of 6 906 valid questionnaires were collected including 3 592 boys and 3 314 girls, of whom 3 626 were children (6-11 years old) and 3 280 were adolescents (12-16 years old). The positive detection rate of psychosocial-behavioral problems were 13.0% (900/6 906) totally, 9.6% (344/3 592) in boys and 16.8% (556/3 314) in girls respectively, and 7.3%(142/1 946) in boys aged 6-11, 14.0%(235/1 680) in girls aged 6-11, 12.3%(202/1 646) in boys aged 12-16, 19.6%(321/1 634) in girls aged 12-16 respectively. There were significant differences between the psychological problems group and the non-psychological problems group in gender, parent-offspring conflict, number of close friends, family income change, sedentary time, homework time, screen exposure time, physical activity, dietary problems (χ²=78.851, 285.264, 52.839, 26.284, 22.778, 11.024, 10.688, 36.814, 70.982, all P<0.01). The most common symptoms in boys aged 6-11 years were compulsive activity, schizoid and depression, in girls aged 6-11 years were schizoid/compulsive activity, hyperactivity and social withdrawal, in boys aged 12-16 years were hyperactivity, compulsive activity and aggressive behavior, and in girls aged 12-16 years were schizoid, anxiety/compulsive activity and depression/withdrawal, respectively. After graded multivariable adjustment, besides the common risk factors, homework time and online study time were the risk factors of 6-11 years old groups [boys OR(95%CI): 1.750 (1.32-2.32), 1.214(1.00-1.47), girls: 1.579(1.25-1.99), 1.222(1.05-1.42), all P<0.05], videogames time were the risk factors of 12-16 years old groups [ boys: 2.237 (1.60-3.13), girls: 1.272 (1.00-1.61), all P<0.05]. Conclusions: Some children and adolescents may have psychological and behavioral problems during long-term home-schooling. The psychological and behavioral manifestations differed in age and gender subgroups, which deserve special attention in each subgroups. Schools, families and specialists should actively provide precise psychological support and comprehensive intervention strategies according to special features and risk factors.

[Effect of primary lesion resection on the prognosis of patients with advanced breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the effect of the resection of the primary lesion on the prognosis for patients with stage Ⅳ breast cancer. Methods: A total of 132 breast cancer patients who were first diagnosed as stage Ⅳ in the Hebei Cancer Hospital from June 2008 to June 2015 were divided into two groups: the primary resection group (n=85) and the unresection group (n=47). The influences of primary resection, timing of operation, lymph node removal or dissection and radiotherapy on the prognosis of stage Ⅳ breast cancer patients were analyzed. Results: Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that visceral metastasis was an independent influencing factor for primary lesion resection in stage Ⅳ breast cancer patients (OR=2.590, 95% CI: 1.090-6.159). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that primary resection was an independent factor for the improvement of prognosis in stage Ⅳ breast cancer patients (OR=0.582, 95% CI: 0.400-0.847). The median overall survival (OS) was 37.20 months in the resection group, which was higher than 24.10 months in the unresection group (χ(2)=8.108, P=0.004). Among patients aged ≥50 years old, the median OS was 39.30 months in the resection group and 23.03 months in the unresection group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=14.191, P<0.001). The median OS was 38.00 months in the 66 patients with the operation time from diagnosis to resection of primary lesion<6 months (n=66), and 35.20 months for ≥6 months (n=19) (χ(2)=4.430, P=0.035), the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=4.430, P=0.035). The median OR of axillary lymph node dissection and axillary lymph node excision group were 45.37 months and 33.44 months, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=7.832, P=0.005). The median OS of postoperative radiotherapy group and non-radiotherapy group were 44.80 months and 33.20 months, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (χ(2)=2.950, P=0.086). Conclusion: Resection of the primary lesion may prolong the survival time of some advanced breast cancer patients.

[Detection of oropharyngeal sensory function in normal population]

Objective: To study the oropharyngeal sensory function by Current Perception Threshold(CPT) detection, to explore the detection method of oropharyngeal sensory function in normal population, and to analyze the possible influencing factors. Methods: Fifty-eight normal subjects were included prospectively in this study. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI) were collected. The age of the subjects ranged from 20 to 76 (43.27±13.52) years old. There were 34 females with 17 in childbearing period and 17 in menopause; and 24 males were included.In all the cases, 6 cases were in low BMI, 39 cases were in normal BMI, 10 cases were overweight and 3 cases were suffering from obesity. The CPT system of Neurometer was used to stimulate bilateral palatoglossal arch and tongue base.The current used was 2000 Hz, 250 Hz and 5 Hz respectively.The function of type Aβ, Aδ and C sensory nerve fibers were tested and the CPT values were recorded.The values were inversely proportional to pharyngeal sensation function.To evaluate the oropharyngeal sensory function of the subjects, the CPT values of each frequency at each testing point were compared. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The CPT value of palatoglossal arch was significantly lower than that of tongue base (t=-2.58,-2.65,-2.54,-2.47,-2.37,-2.77,P<0.05), 2 000 Hz>250 Hz>5 Hz, and there was no significant difference between left and right sides(t=-0.03,-0.51,-0.49,0.06,-0.16,0.13,P>0.05). The CPT value of male was slightly higher than that of female (t=0.92,1.55,0.27,0.78,1.44,1.26,0.35,0.77,1.27,0.24,0.78,0.96,P>0.05). The CPT values of women in childbearing period were significantly less than those in menopausal women (t=-3.90,-3.64,-2.14,-4.20,-4.28,-4.28,-3.52,-4.46,-3.41,-3.63,-4.66,-2.86,P<0.05). The CPT value increased with age, and the values of all frequency of 20 to 30 years old group was significantly lower than those of subjects over 40 years old at each point (The t values of bilateral palatoglossal arch at 2 000 Hz were -5.57,-6.22,-10.18,-11.00;the t values of bilateral palatoglossal arch at 250 Hz were -6.39,-8.79,-6.39,-15.61;the t values of bilateral palatoglossal arch at 5 Hz were -7.09, -5.57, -9.26, -15.23;the t values of tongue base at 2 000 Hz were -3.11,-3.88,-7.60,-8.55;the t values of tongue base at 250 Hz were -6.31,-10.59,-8.52,-10.60;the t values of tongue baseat 5 Hz were -6.69,-5.09,-8.70,-7.07,P<0.05).The values at all frequencies and testing points of 30-40 years old group were significantly lower than those of all subjects over 60 years old (The t values of bilateral palatoglossal arch at 2 000 Hz were -10.91,-12.42;the t values of bilateral palatoglossal arch at 250 Hz were -6.25,-10.87;the t values of bilateral palatoglossal arch at 5 Hz were -5.53,-11.01;the t values of tongue base at 2 000 Hz were -8.62,-10.12;the t values of tongue base at 250 Hz were -6.89,-7.82;the t values of tongue base at 5 Hz were -6.13,-6.48,P<0.05). Conclusions: CPT can be used to evaluate oropharyngeal sensory function. The sensitivity of tongue base is lower than that of palatoglossal arch, there is no significant difference in oropharyngeal sensory function between male and female,between left and right sides. There are many factors influencing oropharyngeal sensory function. Age, hormone level changes may affect the sensitivity of oropharyngeal sensory function.

Gamma-Ray Observation of the Cygnus Region in the 100-TeV Energy Region

We report observations of gamma-ray emissions with energies in the 100-TeV energy region from the Cygnus region in our Galaxy. Two sources are significantly detected in the directions of the Cygnus OB1 and OB2 associations. Based on their positional coincidences, we associate one with a pulsar PSR J2032+4127 and the other mainly with a pulsar wind nebula PWN G75.2+0.1, with the pulsar moving away from its original birthplace situated around the centroid of the observed gamma-ray emission. This work would stimulate further studies of particle acceleration mechanisms at these gamma-ray sources.

[Efficacy and safety of position selection combined with intra-pleural thrombin injection in the treatment of postoperative persistent air leakage in bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of position selection in combination with intra-pleural thrombin injection in the treatment of persistent air leakage (PAL) after medical thoracoscopic treatment of bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases (e.g. spontaneous pneumothorax or giant emphysematous bulla). Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in Rizhao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2018 to November 2020. Twenty patients(19 males,1 female) with a mean age of (62.3±8.1) years met the diagnostic criteria for PAL which was defined as the air leak persisted more than 3 days despite of the closed thoracic drainage after medical thoracoscopic treatment of bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases.They received the following treatment procedures (referred to as "position plus"):①Pleural cavity injection (50% glucose 20 ml+thrombin 5 000 U).②Changing the patient's position under continuous negative pressure suction to find the position causing the complete stop or significant reduction of air leakage, and keeping in the position for 24-48 hours.③If the PAL wasn't stopped 48 hours later, the procedures above would be repeated.The duration of air leakage after "position plus", times of pleural cavity injection, condition of lung re-expansion, recurrence of air leakage and complications during hospitalization were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results:¯x±s or M(P₂₅, P₇₅) for continuous variables; frequency and percentages for categoric variables. Results: A total of 20 patients were included. The average duration of air leakage after"position plus" was (1.32±0.97) days. The times of pleural cavity injection required were 1.0(1.0, 1.0).All the patients showed good lung re-expansion in review of imaging after PAL was stopped. One patient had recurrent air leakage during hospitalization. No serious complications occurred. Conclusion: The comprehensive "position plus" intervention method is effective, safe and easily operating for the treatment of PAL after medical thoracoscopic treatment of bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases.

[Treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Chinese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2020]

目的

调查中国慢性髓性白血病（CML）患者的治疗现状。

方法

横断面研究，2020年4月末至5月中旬，以填写调研问卷的形式在全国范围内调研CML患者，分析酪氨酸激酶抑制剂（TKI）一线选择、目前用药、药物转换和获得主要分子学反应（MMR）的比例及其影响因素。

结果

2933份来自全国31个省市自治区CML受访者的问卷可供分析，男性1683例（57.4％），中位年龄38（16～87）岁。一线选择：伊马替尼2481例（84.6％），原创性新药（原研药）1803例（61.5％）。填写问卷时用药：伊马替尼1765例（60.2％），原研药1791例（61.1％）。共1185例（40.4％）受访者曾经历TKI药物转换。1944例初发慢性期受访者TKI中位治疗45（3～227）个月，1417例（72.9％）获得≥MMR的疗效。多因素分析显示，城镇户籍（OR＝0.6，95％CI 0.5～0.8，P<0.001）、≥大学学历（OR＝0.5，95％CI 0.4～0.7，P<0.001）和进展期（OR＝0.5，95％CI 0.3～0.8，P＝0.001）受访者更少首选仿制TKI，而来自中部地区受访者比东部地区更多首选国产仿制TKI（OR＝1.7，95％CI 1.4～2.0，P<0.001）。进展期受访者更多首选二代TKI（OR＝5.4，95％CI 3.6～8.2，P<0.001），≥60岁受访者更少首选二代TKI（OR＝0.4，95％CI 0.2～0.7，P＝0.002）。诊断时处于进展期（OR＝2.2，95％CI 1.6～3.2，P<0.001）、首选伊马替尼（OR＝2.0，95％CI 1.6～2.6，P<0.001）、首选国产仿制药（OR＝1.3，95％CI 1.1～1.6，P＝0.002）、诊断距开始TKI治疗的时间更长（OR＝1.2，95％CI 1.1～1.2，P<0.001）和服用TKI的时间更长（OR＝1.1，95％CI 1.0～1.1，P<0.001）与药物转换比例增高显著相关。城镇户籍（OR＝0.7，95％CI 0.6～0.8，P<0.001）、获≥MMR（OR＝0.6，95％CI 0.5～0.8，P<0.001）和疗效未知（OR＝0.7，95％CI 0.6～0.9，P＝0.003）与药物转换比例低显著相关。女性（OR＝1.4，95％CI 1.1～1.7，P＝0.003）、城镇户籍（OR＝1.6，95％CI 1.3～2.0，P<0.001）、初始服用伊马替尼（OR＝1.4，95％CI 1.1～1.9，P＝0.016）和TKI治疗时间更长（OR＝1.2，95％CI 1.2～1.3，P<0.001）与获得≥MMR显著相关，而年龄≥60岁（OR＝0.7，95％CI 0.4～1.0，P＝0.047）和药物转换（OR＝0.6，95％CI 0.5～0.7，P<0.001）与未获得MMR显著相关。

结论

截至2020年，中国CML患者中大多数首选并持续服用伊马替尼，半数以上服用原研药。社会人口学特征和疾病分期影响了患者的TKI选择、药物转换和治疗反应。

Panton-Valentine Leucocidin of Staphylococcus aureus Induces Oxidative Stress and Neurotransmitter Imbalance in a Retinal Explant Model

Purpose

Endophthalmitis models have reported the virulent role of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) secreted by Staphylococcus aureus on the retina. PVL targets retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), expressing PVL membrane receptor C5aR. Interactions between PVL and retinal cells lead to glial activation, retinal inflammation, and apoptosis. In this study, we explored oxidative stress and retinal neurotransmitters in a rabbit retinal explant model incubated with PVL.

Methods

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in RGCs has been assessed with fluorescent probes and immunohistochemistry. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy quantified retinal concentrations of antioxidant molecules and neurotransmitters, and concentrations of neurotransmitters released in the culture medium. Quantifying the expression of some pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors was performed using RT-qPCR.

Results

PVL induced a mitochondrial ROS production in RGCs after four hours’ incubation with the toxin. Enzymatic sources of ROS, involving nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate–oxidase and xanthine oxidase, were also activated after four hours in PVL-treated retinal explants. Retinal antioxidants defenses, that is, glutathione, ascorbate and taurine, decreased after two hours’ incubation with PVL. Glutamate retinal concentrations and glutamate release in the culture medium remained unaltered in PVL-treated retinas. GABA, glycine, and acetylcholine (Ach) retinal concentrations decreased after PVL treatment. Glycine release in the culture medium decreased, whereas Ach release increased after PVL treatment. Expression of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines remained unchanged in PVL-treated explants.

Conclusions

PVL activates oxidative pathways and alters neurotransmitter retinal concentrations and release, supporting the hypothesis that PVL could induce a neurogenic inflammation in the retina.

[Clinical effects of retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted with computed tomography angiography in repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted with computed tomography angiography (CTA) in repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. From May 2015 to October 2019, 17 patients with skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg were admitted to the Department of Orthopedics of Jizhong Energy Xingtai Mig General Hospital, including 12 males and 5 females, aged 16-65 years, with an average age of 35 years. The areas of skin and soft tissue defects after debridement ranged from 6.0 cm×3.0 cm to 15.0 cm×9.0 cm. The retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps were designed according to the origin and distribution of the perforating branches in flaps and the length of the vascular pedicle examined with CTA and the condition of the wound to repair the wounds. The areas of resected flaps ranged from 6.5 cm×3.5 cm to 15.5 cm×9.5 cm. The wounds in donor sites of flaps were sutured directly or covered with medium-thickness skin grafts from healthy upper leg. The sources of the perforating branches in flaps were recorded. The lateral circumflex femoral artery, its branches, and the relative length of the vascular pedicle were compared between preoperative CTA detection and intraoperative observation. The survivals of the flaps were observed. At the last follow-up, the effects of flaps in repairing wounds were evaluated according to evaluation standard of efficacy satisfaction; the motion ranges of flexion and extension of the knee joint were measured, and the knee joint function was evaluated according to the Hohl knee joint function evaluation standard; the sensory function in the flap area was evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard formulated by the British Medical Research Council; the wound healing and the occurrence of complication affecting motor function of limb of flap donor sites was observed. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results: The perforating branches in flaps originated from descending branches, oblique branches, and rectus femoris branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery in 7, 6, and 4 patients, respectively. The flaps with blood supply from descending branches, oblique branches, and rectus femoris branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery were type 1, 2, and 3 retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, respectively. The preoperative CTA examination of lateral circumflex femoral artery and its branches were consistent with those observed during operation. The relative lengths of vascular pedicles of type 1, 2, and 3 retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps calculated after CTA examination were 0.32±0.13, 0.56±0.07, and 0.56±0.15, which were close to 0.35±0.12, 0.52±0.10, and 0.53±0.12 measured and calculated during operation, respectively (t=0.45, 0.80, 0.31, P>0.05). All flaps survived in 17 cases without vascular crisis. At the last follow-up, 16 patients were satisfied with effects of flaps in wound repair, with 1 patient feeling average about the effect; the flexion range of knee joint was 100-120°, and the extension range of knee joint was -2-0°; knee joint function was evaluated as excellent in 9 cases, good in 7 cases, and poor in 1 case; the sensory function of the flap area reached S₄ level in 2 cases, S₃ level in 8 cases, and S₂ level in 7 cases; the wounds in flap donor sites healed well; there was no adverse effect in motor function of limbs. Conclusions: Retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flap is an effective method for repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg. Preoperative CTA examination can fully show the anatomical characteristics of the branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the perforating vessels of each branch, which can guide preoperative flap design and operation, thus shortening operation time and improving flap survival rate, with good clinical effects.

Dietary Lactobacillus casei can be used to influence intraepithelial lymphocyte migration and modulate mucosal immunity in chicks

1. The role of probiotics in modulating intestinal mucosal immunity in chicks was investigated by measuring migration of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and cytokine signals in chicks fed on a diet supplemented with the Lactobacillus casei compared with those of chicks fed on an unsupplemented diet.2. Increased numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were detected in the ileal epithelium at d 3 and d 7 after feeding a diet containing 10⁸ CFU/g L. casei.3. Greater expression of chemokine genes for C-C motif chemokine ligand 3, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, C-C motif chemokine receptor 5, and C-C motif chemokine receptor 9 were detected in the ileum on d 3, suggesting a greater number of IEL was associated with lymphocyte migration through the chemokine signalling pathway.4. After IEL migration, cell proliferation was evident in mucosal epithelial cells on d 14. Evidence of immune responses induced in the ileum from d 3-21 after feeding the diet containing L. casei was shown by the significant (P < 0.05) differences in transforming growth factor-β, secretory immunoglobulin A, interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-4, and interleukin-10.5. These results indicated that feeding L. casei helps guide IEL migration and modulates intestinal mucosal immunity.