AIM:To study the changes in lymphatic motion and histochemical stain of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) in the early phase of acute rat endotoxemia and explore their relationship. METHODS: After lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into femoral vein, rats' mesenteric lymphatic were inspected within two hours. Paraffin section was stained by HE, frozen section by NADPH diaphorase histochemistry. RESULTS: In LPS group, the mesenteric lymphatic diameter was greater than that in the control and contractile frequency was decreased, the villi central lacteal and submucosal microlymphatics of small intestine was extremely dilated under microscope. In LPS and control group, NOS was positive in lymphatic endothelia and the nerve fibers in the vessels' wall. CONCLUSION: In the early stage of acute endotoxemia, the lymphatic vessles dilated and contractile activity diminished, NOS may play an important role in these changes.

AIM: To investigate the role of epigenetic modification in Pdx-1 gene transcription and expression, and to compare the differences between epigenetic modifications of Pdx-1 gene promoter in various cell types of mice. METHODS: The promoter DNA methylation and histone modification status of Pdx-1 and MLH1 genes in NIT-1 cells, NIH3T3 cells and mouse embryonic stem cells were measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation-real time PCR method. The expression levels of these genes in the three cell lines were measured by real time RT-PCR. The relation between epigenetic modifications and gene expression was analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Compared to mES cells, there was lower DNA methylation and higher H3K4m3 modification levels in the promoter of Pdx-1 gene in NIT-1 cells (P<0.05). DNA methylation, H3 acetylation, H3K4m3 and H3K9m3 modification levels in the promoter of Pdx-1 gene in NIH3T3 cells were distinctly increased (P<0.05). (2) Pdx-1 gene transcription expressed only in NIT-1 cells. The Spearman's rho between Pdx-1 gene expression and DNA methylation (r=-0.802,P<0.01) was observed. The Pearson correlation between Pdx-1 gene expression and H3K4m3 modification (r=0.997,P<0.01) was also found. The Spearman's rho between Pdx-1 gene expression and H3K9m3 modification (r=-0.879,P<0.01) was observed. (3) No correlation between housekeeper MLH1 gene expression and epigenetic modification was found. CONCLUSION: DNA methylation, H3K4m3 and H3K9m3 modification coordinated participate to regulate and control the expression of Pdx-1 gene. It is of great significance to the differentiation of β cells from ES cells.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of voiding dysfunction after mid-urethral sling surgery for stress urinary incontinence.Methods Clinical data of 573 consecutive patients undergoing midurethral sling surgery from January 2003 to December 2010 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.All relative risk factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate Logistic analysis to identify risk factors of voiding dysfunction.Results Voiding dysfunction occurred in 28 patients,with an incidence of 4.9％ (28/573).Univariate analysis showed that age,previous pelvic surgery,pre-operative postvoid residuals,maximum flow rate,average urine flow rate,Valsalva leak point pressure,concomitant anterior pelvic repair and operator performing＜50 procedures were the relative risk factors (P＜0.05) for voiding dysfunction.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the maximum flow rate (Qmax) ≤ 15 ml/s (OR=3.782,P=0.003) was an independent risk factor for voiding dysfunction and surgery experience was its protection factors (OR=0.295,P=0.016).Conclusions Qmax ≤ 15 ml/s on preoperative urodynamic study is an independent risk factor for voiding dysfunction after mid-urethral sling procedure.Improving skill of surgery and strengthening technical training will help to reduce the incidence of this complication.

LA G1 was identified as a gene that is differentially expressed during the yeast replicative life span and was shown to play a role in determining yeast longevity. The cDNA of rat LASS1, the mammalian homolog of yeast LA G1, was cloned from rat cerebral cortex and sequenced, which is different to the predicted sequence in the GenBank. Sequence analysis revealed that this cDNA clone contains an open reading frame of 1 053 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence has 350 residues and shares a predicted Laglp motif and a TLC domain conserved in Lag1 proteins. Total RNAs were isolated from rat cerebral cortices at varying ages: newborn, one month, six months, twelve months, and twenty-four months. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis were performed to analyze the LASS1 expression level in rat cerebral cortex tissues at varying ages. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity was firstly used as a biomarker for assessing senescence in rat neurons. The results showed that LASS1 expression was upregulated from newborn to adult rats (1～6 month) and declined in aged cortex. SA-β-gal staining positive neurons significantly increased in the aged cerebral cortex. The age-related expression alternation of LASS1 in rat cerebral cortex provides an important clue in exploring the role of LASS1 in mammalian neuron aging.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and risk factors of isolated calf deep vein thrombosis (ICDVT).Methods Age,gender,locations,clinical symptoms,and risk factors of the hospitalized patients who diagnosed with ICDVT in the Department of Vascular Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.Results 122 hospitalized ICDVT patients were enrolled,accounting for 25.7％ of the patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.Among them,41 cases (33.6％) were male,81 cases(66.4％) were female.The average age was 56.41 ±13.87 years.49 cases (40.0％) had left lower limb ICDVT,39 cases (32.0％) had right lower limb ICDVT;34 cases (28.0％) had both two lower limbs involved.Muscular calf vein thrombosis accounted for 77.9％ (95 cases).76 cases (62.3％) were painful.91 cases (74.6％) had swelling.Common risk factors included age (≥ 45 years) (85.2％),deficiency of natural anticoagulants (83.0％),surgery (45.9％) and malignant tumors (28.7％).Conclusions Pain and swelling were the main clinical symptoms of ICDVT.Age ≥ 45 years,deficiency of natural anticoagulants,surgery,and malignancy were main risk factors of ICDVT.

Objective Design short stature panel with gene curration strategy.Methods The gene curation process was introduced in detail.The strength of a gene-disease relationship was evaluated based on publicly available genetic and experimental evidence.This process in short stature panel design and its effect on gene selection was further demonstrated.Results After gene curation, the number of gene in list was effectively decreased from 1 276 to 705.The panel sequencing reached a diagnosis rate of 19.7% among a cohort of 371 nation-wide ascertained short stature patients.The gene curation process reduced the risk of false positive findings and decreased diagnostic cost and working hours without affecting the diagnosis rate.Conclusion Gene curation is an important step for NGS-based test and should be widely exercised.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors associated with post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) within 2 years after the first diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities.Methods:The clinical data and 2-year follow-up data of 260 patients who were first diagnosed with DVT at our department from Jan 2017 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.By Villalta score, the patients were divided into non-PTS group, mild PTS group and moderate-severe PTS group. Ordered multiple classification logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for the development of PTS.Results:The incidence of mild and moderate-severe PTS was 22.7% and 15.8%, respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that recurrence history of DVT ( OR=4.754, 95% CI 1.84-12.01, P=0.001), duration of oral anticoagulation treatment ≤6 months (0-3 months: OR=7.791, 95% CI 1.79-33.90, P=0.006; 4-6 months: OR=4.242, 95% CI 1.13-15.99, P=0.033), time length of stretch sock wearing≤ 12 months (0-6 months: OR=9.708, 95% CI 1.81-52.14, P=0.008; 7-12 months: OR=4.899, 95% CI 1.42-16.88, P=0.012) and exercise frequency ≤4 times/week (1-2 times/week: OR=7.691, 95% CI 1.92-30.72, P=0.004; 3-4 times/week: OR=4.284, 95% CI 1.33-13.80, P=0.015) were risk factors for PTS. Catheterized thrombolytic therapy ( OR=0.436, 95% CI 0.20-0.96, P=0.039) and low body mass index (BMI<18.5 kg/m 2: OR=0.142, 95% CI 0.02-0.81, P=0.028), central thrombus ( OR=0.322, 95% CI 0.15-0.72, P=0.005) and peripheral thrombus ( OR=0.020, 95% CI 0.01-0.07, P<0.001) were protective factors for PTS. Conclusions:Patients with DVT have a high risk of developing PTS within 2 years. Catheter-directed thrombolysis, no history of recurrence of DVT, low BMI (<18.5 kg/m 2), central or peripheral thrombosis, long-term oral anticoagulant therapy (≥7 months), longer wearing time of elastic socks (≥1 year), and higher exercise frequency (≥ 5-6 times/week) can be conducive to the reduction of incidence and severity of PTS.

Three hundred and nine patients with thyroid nodules detected by physical examination in Harrison International Peace Hospital from October 2013 to October 2017 were divided into intervention group (155 cases) and control group (154 cases). Patients in intervention group received oral levothyroxine sodium 25 g / d for 12 months and those in control group had no treatment, patients were followed up every 3 months to 12 months. After treatment, the maximum diameter and thyroid nodule volume of the intervention group were (31.87±3.84) mm and (17.32±0.94) cm3, which were significantly smaller than those of the control group [(34.01±3.72) mm and (24.25±1.21)cm3, P<0.05]. TSH in intervention group was lower than that in control group [(2.24±0.41) vs. (2.52±0.58) mIU/L, P<0.05] and free T4 (FT4) was higher than that in control group [(25.64 ± 3.85) vs. (16.39 ± 3.28) pmol/ L, P<0.05]. TC, TG and LDL?C in intervention group, were lower than those in the control group .The HDL?C level in intervention group was higher than that in control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, there were no malignant changes in the intervention group, while the malignant change rate in control group was 2.6％ (4/154). It is suggested that levothyroxine treatment can reduce TSH level in patients with benign thyroid nodules, inhibit the growth of thyroid nodules.

Objective:To evaluate percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) using Aspirex device for treating acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (IFDVT).Methods:The clinical and follow-up data of 68 patients with IFDVT at our institution from Jan 2019 to Jun 2021 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Twenty-six patients who had received PMT combined with auxiliary catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) were included into group A, and 42 patients received CDT alone were into group B.The final thrombus clearance rates were more than 50%, and the clinical efficacy of thrombolysis was achieved. Group A associated a significant reduction in lysis duration and UK dosage and hospital days and degree of detumescence after 24 h compared with group B,and all aforementioned differences were statistically significant. Hospitalization costs in group A were more than group B. At one year follow-up, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the cumulative prevalence post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and the Villalta score and primary patency (92.0% vs. 90.0% , χ2=0.059, P=0.807). Conclusions:The application of PMT using the Aspirex device for acute IFDVT was safe and effective, which could accelerate the clearance of thrombus, and reduce UK dosage, lysis duration, hospital days. However, it increased the hospitalization costs.