Concurrent chemoradiation has been the main treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC).However, there is a controversy whether giving the induction chemotherapy before treatment.The survival advantage of consolidation chemotherapy doesn't reach a consensus.When the dose of initial chemotherapy is insufficient, consolidation chemotherapy is necessary.With the development of radiotherapy and the renewal of the chemotherapy drugs, concurrent chemoradiation is expected to bring better survival benefit for the patients with LA-NSCLC.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the clinical characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia and improve the diagnosis and treatment skills of clinicians on this disease. Methods The clinical data of thirty-nine Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia cases detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) from September 2020 to January 2022 at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Results There was a history of poultry exposure in 89.7%(35 cases) of the patients. The most common clinical manifestations were high fever (92.3%, 36), cough (76.9%,30), muscle soreness (48.7%,19), headache (38.5%,15), etc. Laboratory examinations showed 76.9% of patients had a normal leukocyte count, and 76.9% had decreased lymphocyte count, often accompanied by elevated C-reactive protein (100%), procalcitonin (97.4%), interleukin-6 (95.8%), interleukin-10 (95.8%), alanine aminotransferase (74.4%), and aspartate aminotransferase (84.6%). Univariate analysis indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the levels of aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin between severe pneumonia patients and non-severe pneumonia patients（P<0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an elevated blood urea nitrogen (OR=4.899) had guiding significance for predicting the occurrence of severe pneumonia. Bronchoscopy examination showed no abnormalities in 53.6% of the patients. The imaging manifestations of pulmonary lesions were mainly lobar pneumonia (61.5%) and air bronchograms (94.9%). Therapeutically, it was sensitive to tetracyclines, macrocyclic lactones, and fluoroquinolones. A total of 84.6%(33 cases) of the patients were cured and discharged from the hospital at the end of the treatment. Conclusion Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia is a zoonotic disease that can be detected by mNGS. An elevated blood urea nitrogen level has guiding significance for predicting the occurrence of severe pneumonia. Empirically-selected regimens based on doxycycline are effective for the treatment of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia.

Objective To determine the association of mutations in aldosterone synthase (CYPllB2)and 11 beta-hydroxylase(CYP11B1)genes with primary aldosteronism(PA).Methods Five mutations of CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 genes were analyzed in patients with PA and normal population.Among them,intron 2 was detected by 2 independent PCR reactions,and the others were analyzed using Taqman probes.The Haploview 4.0,SNPassoc 1.5-3 and Haplo.stats 1.3.8 were used to analyse the association between polymorphisms and PA.Results All the selected mutations were successfully genetyped.Only rs64lO allelic frequencies in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA)and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism(IHA)were significantly different with those in controls (P＜0.05).There was a relative excess of AA homozygotes and AG heterozygotes of rs6410 allele in APA group compared with control group(P＜0.01).There were significantly different genotypes AA and AG of rs6410 allele between patients with IHA and controls only after adjusted for age,gender,eeptible haplotype AAAWT was identified to be significantly associated with APA(OR=1.44,95%CI 1.19-1.76).Three susceptible haplotypes AAAWT,AGGWT and AGAWC were identified to be significantly associated with IHA(OR=1.55,95%CI 1.23-1.96;OR=1.49,95%CI 1.17-1.89;OR=1.40,95%CI 1.04-1.88).In contrast,1 protective haplotype GGAWT showed significant difference between patients with APA and controls(OR=0.73,95%CI 0.55-0.97).Conclusion There is a significant association between genetic variations in CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 genes and genetie predisposition to PA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of perioperative application of intestinal probiotics to substitute oral intestinal antimicrobial agents on intestinal flora and immune function in surgical patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODSSixty patients with colorectal cancer undergoing elective laparoscopic radical surgery were randomized to receive preoperative bowel preparation using oral intestinal antimicrobial agents (n=20) or using oral intestinal probiotics (Jinshuangqi Tablets, 2.0 g, 3 times daily) since the fifth day before the operation and at 24 h after the operation for 7 consecutive days. Upon admission and 7 days after the operation, fecal samples and fasting peripheral venous blood were collected from the patients to examine the intestinal flora and serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IgA, IgG, and IgM, NK cell activity, T lymphocytes subsets CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio.

RESULTSAt 7 days after the operation, the patients receiving probiotics showed significantly increased counts of intestinal Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus (P<0.05) and significantly lowered counts of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-2, IgA, IgG and IgM as well as CD4(+) cell percentage all increased significantly in probiotics group compared with those in patients with conventional intestinal preparation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPerioperative application of intestinal probiotics to replace preoperative oral intestinal antimicrobial agents can effectively correct intestinal flora imbalance and improve the immune function of surgical patients with colorectal cancer.

Aged ; Bifidobacterium ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; immunology ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Premedication ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Single-Blind Method

BACKGROUNDBecause of lacking skills in scanning the normal fetal facial structures and their corresponding ultrasonic features, misdiagnoses frequently occur. Therefore, we studied the appearance features and improved displaying skills of fetal facial anatomy in order to provide basis for prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSTwenty fetuses with normal facial anatomy from induced labor because of other malformations except facial anomalies were immersed in a water bath and then scanned ultrasonographically on coronal, sagittal and transverse planes to define the ultrasonic image features of normal anatomy. The coronal and sagittal planes obtained from the submandibular triangle were used for displaying the soft and hard palate in particular.

RESULTSFacial anatomic structures of the fetus can be clearly displayed through the three routine orthogonal planes. However, the soft and hard palate can be displayed on the planes obtained from the submandibular triangle only.

CONCLUSIONSThe superficial soft tissues and deep bony structures of the fetal face can be recognized and evaluated by routine ultrasonographic images, which is a reliable prenatal diagnostic technique to evaluate the fetal facial anatomy. The soft and hard palate can be well demonstrated by the submandibular triangle approach.

Face ; diagnostic imaging ; embryology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ultrasonography

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the plasma levels of chemokine CCL-2/MCP-1 and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and/or idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). ELISA assays were used to detect the plasma level of CCL-2/MCP-1 of 22 patients who received allo-HSCT, including 14 patients without or with grade I, 8 patients with grade II - IV aGVHD, respectively. 8 out of 22 patients were also diagnosed with IPS clinically. The dynamic changes of the plasma levels of CCL-2/MCP-1 chemokine and its correlation with aGVHD and/or IPS were analysized retrospectively. The results showed that the plasma levels of CCL-2/MCP-1 in the patients with moderate and serious aGVHD (grade II - IV) significantly increased, as compared with that prior to allo-HSCT (p < 0.05). The plasma levels of CCL-2/MCP-1 in the patients with aGVHD and/or IPS were higher significantly than those without any of these complications (p = 0.001). The retrospective analysis indicated that the plasma levels of CCL-2/MCP-1 in the patients with IPS significantly increased (p = 0.006). It is concluded that plasma level of CCL-2/MCP-1 correlates with aGVHD and/or IPS, and plays a role in the pathogenesis of these complications.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chemokine CCL2 ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; blood ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; blood ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Syndrome ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the trends of changes in oxidative stress and inflammatory factor levels in intestine tissues of mice during aging, and to explore their significance in the aging process.Methods:Four-month-old and 20-month-old male C57BL6 mice were used, with 3 mice in each group.The mice were sacrificed under anesthesia, and serum, liver, spleen, kidney, intestine and lung tissues were collected.Age-related changes in expression levels of inflammation-related proteins in serum, intestine, liver, spleen, kidney and lung were detected and analyzed by cytokine antibody arrays.Immunohistochemistry was used to examine aging-related changes of adiponectin in tissues and 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) levels in intestinal tissues.Results:Cytokine microarrays revealed that levels of adiponectin in the intestine and serum were significantly higher in 20-month-old mice than those in 4-month-old mice ( t=5.370, 23.490, both P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry results showed that expression levels of 8-oxoG in 20-month-old mice were significantly higher than those in 4-month-old mice ( t=8.785, P<0.05). Furthermore, in intestine tissue, expression levels of adiponectin were significantly higher in 20-month-old mice, compared with 4-month-old mice ( t=24.530, P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in adiponectin levels in spleen, kidney, lung and liver tissues between young and aged mice. Conclusions:Adiponectin levels in serum and intestine tissue increase with age and have the potential to be used as a specific intestinal tissue biomarker of aging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and gene function of methyltransferase-like protein 27 (METTL27) in colon cancer, its association with immune infiltration and its prognostic significance. METHODS: We analyzed the expression levels of METTL27 in 33 cancers using R language and identified METTL27 as a differential gene in colon cancer. The related signaling pathways of METTL27 were analyzed by gene functional annotation and enrichment. SsGSEA algorithm was used to analyze immune infiltration, and logistic analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between METTL27 expression and clinicopathological features of the patients. Kaplan-meier analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to construct a nomogram for evaluating the correlation between METTL27 expression and clinical prognosis. The expression level of METTL27 was further verified in colorectal cancer cell lines and 16 clinical specimens of colorectal cancer tissues using qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: METTL27 was highly expressed in 21 cancers, and its expression was significantly higher in colon cancer than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.001). METTL27-related genes were identified by differential analysis, and functional annotation revealed that METTL27 was significantly enriched in transmembrane transport and lipid metabolism, and 5 related signaling pathways were identified by GSEA. METTL27 expression was negatively correlated with different T helper cells and central memory T cells (P < 0.001). The patients with a high METTL27 mRNA expression had a poor survival outcome. Cox regression analysis showed that METTL27 expression was an independent prognostic factor of the overall survival. The expression level of METTL27 was significantly higher in the colorectal cancer cell line than in normal cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION METTL27 is overexpressed in colon cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis of the patients. A high expression of METTL27 showed is associated less T cell immune infiltration, suggesting the potential of METTL27 as a prognostic marker of colon cancer.
Colonic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger

Objective::This study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of Yuehua capsule serum for autophagy of macrophages infected with multi-drug resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis. Method::The rats were undertaken intragastric gavage with Yuehua capsule by 3.02 g·kg^-1 once a day which was produced through low temperature condensation drying method. After 7 days, blood of abdominal aorta of rats was collected to prepare Yuehua capsule serum. RAW264.7 andmultidrug resistant tuberculosis were cultured in vitro.According to cell counting kit-8(CCK-8), 10% drug-containing serum was considered as the effective concentration. The cultured cells were divided into four groups: model groups(10% fetal bovine serum). Yuehua capsule serum(10% Yuehua capsule serum). Autophagy inhibitor group+ 3-MA+ Yuehua capsule medicated serum(3-MA+ 10% Yuehua capsule serum). Rapamycin (Rap) positive control group(200 mg·L^-1 Rap+ 10% Yuehua capsule serum). Except for the normal group, the cells of each group were cultured for 24 h and infected for 4 h according to cell-bacteria 1∶10.Testing index: observation of autophagosomes under transmission electron microscope, the test of expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain-3Ⅱ(LC-3Ⅱ), microtubule-associated protein LC 3-Ⅱ/microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-Ⅰ(LC3-Ⅰ) and Beclin-1 with Western blot, indirect immunofluorescence staining for LC3B, and mRNA of Beclin-1 as well as LC3 with real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). Result::Compared with normal group, model group did not see autophagy body cells, cells in the LC-3 Ⅱ, LC-3 Ⅱ/LC-3 Ⅰ, Beclin-1 protein and LC3, Beclin-1 mRNA gene expression level had no significant change, the cells without fluorescent particles, spots, no fluorescence intensity.Compared with model group, Yuehua capsules serum group and Rap positive control group can be observed the formation of phage, mRNA andprotein expression levelof LC-3 Ⅱ, LC-3 Ⅱ/LC-3 Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and LC3, Beclin-1 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Autophagy inhibitor group+ 3-MA+ Yuehua capsule medicated serum did not see autophagy, the mRNA and protein expression level of LC-3 Ⅱ, LC-3Ⅱ/LC-3Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and LC3, Beclin-1 were no significantly increased. Conclusion::Yuehua capsule medicated serum could induce autophagy of macrophages of RAW264.7.The mechanism was probably accomplished through regulating the expression level of autophagy key protein LC3, autophagosome mature protein Beclin-1 and relevant gene, meanwhile the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-Ⅱ was accelerated.