Objective To investigate the level of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and its correlation with serum precollagen Ⅲ peptide (PⅢP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis. Methods Forty-four CHB patients (hepatitis B group), 44 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis (cirrhosis group) and 30 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled in this study. The venous blood was collected and MIF level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlations between MIF and PⅢP, TIMP-1 were analyzed in observed groups. Comparison between groups was done using t test. The correlations between MIF level and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA), PⅢP and TIMP-1 were analyzed by rectilinear correlation. Results The levels of serum MIF, PⅢP and TIMP-1 in CHB group and cirrhosis group were all significantly higher than those in control group (t=12.87,5.28, 10.98,t=11.22,14.84,11.17;all P<0.05), while there were no significant differences between CHB group and cirrhosis group (t= -1.05,1.52,--2.07;all P>0.05). There was no correlation between MIF level and ALT, AST, TBil and PTA. MIF level in CHB patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive and high viral load were both higher than that in patients with HBeAg negative and low viral load. MIF level was both positively correlated with PⅢP level in CHB group and cirrhosis group (r=0. 603, P<0.05 and r=0. 415, P<0. 05, respectively). MIF level was also positively correlated with TIMP-1 level in CHB group (r=0. 458, P<0.05), while not correlated in cirrhosis group (r=0. 210, P>0.05). Levels of PⅢP and T1MP-1 were both correlated in CHB group and cirrhosis group (r=0. 849, P< 0.05 and r=0. 424, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusions The levels of serum MIF are significantly increased both in patients with CHB and cirrhosis. The early production of MIF might be related with viral replication, but not with liver function. MIF participates in formations of hepatitis, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which could reflect the degree of liver cirrhosis.

Objective To understand the clinical features of hepatitis B virus(HBV)/hepatitis C virus(HCV)coinfected patients with different virological profiles.Methods The clinical data of 186 patients with HBV/HCV coinfection from May 1999 to May 2010 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were analyzed retrospectively.The demographic data,epidemiological data,laboratory results and pathological index were analyzed.The statistical analysis was done using t test and chi square test.Results A total of 186 patients were divided into 4 groups:66(35.5%)in HBV DNA(-)/HCV RNA(-)group,8(4.3%)in HBV DNA(+)/HCV RNA(+)group,68(36.6%)in HBV DNA(+)/HCV RNA(-)group and 44(23.7%)in HBV DNA(-)/HCV RNA(+) group.The gender composition,complication incidence,transmission among drug users,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)level,total bilirubin(TBil)level,prothrombin activity(PTA)and hapatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)negative rate were all significantly different among four groups(F or x2=11.578,8.451,11.738,2.669,5.102,4.254 and 18.413,respectively;all P<0.05).In groups of HCV RNA(-)and HCV RNA(+),the proportions of patients infected through drug abuse were 49.3%and 23.1%,respectively(x2=9.987,P:0.002)and blood transfusion transmission were 29.9%and 46.2%,respectively(x2=4.412,P=0.036).When HBV DNA was negative,the median ALT levels in HCV RNA(-)and HCV RNA(+)patients were 177 U/L and 62 U/L,respectively(t=2.200,P<0.05),median TBil levels were 133 μmol/L and 20μmol/L,respectively (t=3.608,P<0.05)and PTA were 70.6%±27.7%and 83.3%±27.8%,respectively(t=-1.982,P<0.05).The HBeAg negative rate was not affected by HCV RNA levels(t=0.707,P>0.05).The HBeAg negative rate in HBV DNA(-)patients was 85.5%,which was higher than that in HBV DNA(+)patients(59.2%)(x2=16.393,P<0.05).Conclusions HBV DNA(+/-)/HCV RNA(-)profile were major components in HBV/HCV confection.HBV DNA level is related to disease progression and prognosis,but not relate to disease severity.Liver function damage and disease severity are aggravated with HCV RNA level decreases.HBV DNA level is related to HBeAg negative rate,while HCV RNA level is not related to HBeAg seroconversion rate.

Objective To explore the relationship between folic acid levels of cord blood and birth weight, hyaline membrane disease in newborns. Methods Eighty-seven newborns were divided into premature infant group(42 cases) and term infant group(45 cases),intrauterine growth retardation group( 28cases) and control group (59 cases), hyaline membrane disease of premature infant group ( 13 cases) and premature infant control group(15 cases) according to the gestational age, birth weight, clinical manifestation and chest X-ray, respectively. Folic acid levels of cord blood were measured. Results The folic acid level of cord blood in premature infant group was lower than that in term infant group [(10.87 ±4.31) nmol/L vs.( 13.56 ± 5.07) nmol/L,P ＜0.05 ]. The folic acid level of cord blood in intrauterine growth retardation group was lower than that in control group [(11.01±4.29)nmol/L vs.( 14.87 ± 5.14)nmol/L,P＜0.05]. The folic acid level of cord blood in hyaline membrane disease of premature infant group was lower than that in premature infant control group [(9.15 ±4.02) nmol/L vs.(12.91±4.51) nmol/L,P＜0.05]. The positively correlation was found between the folic acid level of cord blood and birth weight in newborns (r =0.1825).Conclusion The folic acid level of cord blood is correlated with the occurrence of premature infants,intrauterine growth retardation and hyaline membrane disease in newborns.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a kind of malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality in the digestive system. The aim of this study is to explore the function of lnc-ABCA12-3 in the development of ESCC and its unique mechanisms. RT-PCR was applied to detect gene transcription levels in tissues or cell lines like TE-1, EC9706, and HEEC cells. Western blot was conducted to identify protein expression levels of mitochondrial apoptosis and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)uclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. CCK-8 and EdU assays were carried out to measure cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. ELISA was used for checking the changes in glycolysis-related indicators.Lnc-ABCA12-3 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells, which preferred it to be a candidate target. The TE-1 and EC9706 cells proliferation and glycolysis were obviously inhibited with the downregulation of lnc-ABCA12-3, while apoptosis was promoted. TLR4 activator could largely reverse the apoptosis acceleration and relieved the proliferation and glycolysis suppression caused by lnc-ABCA12-3 downregulation. Moreover, the effect of lnc-ABCA12-3 on ESCC cells was actualized by activating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome. Taken together, the lnc-ABCA12-3 could promote the proliferation and glycolysis of ESCC, while repressing its apoptosis probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome.

Objective:To study the risk factors, cerebral hemodynamics and clinical outcomes of extremely and very preterm infants with severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).Methods:From January 2019 to December 2019, premature infants with gestational age (GA) <32 w admitted to our hospital were assigned into severe IVH group and non-severe IVH group. Risk factors for severe IVH were analyzed. According to clinical outcomes, severe IVH group was further assigned into improvement subgroup and no-improvement subgroup. Cerebral hemodynamic parameters were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 346 eligible neonates were enrolled in this study. The incidence of severe IVH was 11.0% (38 cases). The incidences of Grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ IVH were 8.7% (30/346) and 2.3% (8/346), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CA < 28 w ( OR=4.365, 95% CI 1.055~18.054), 5 min Apgar score ≤7 ( OR=8.749, 95% CI 2.214~36.042), chorioamnionitis ( OR=3.245, 95% CI 1.127～9.344), PaCO 2 fluctuation within 1 h >25 mmHg ( OR=7.728, 95% CI 1.738~80.907) and vasoactive drugs usage ( OR=10.883, 95% CI 3.746~31.621) were the risk factors of severe IVH. 20 cases in severe IVH group were improved at discharge and 12 cases showed no improvement at discharge. Improvement subgroup showed quicker reduction of the middle cerebral artery flow resistance and faster recovery of the mean flow velocity than the no-improvement subgroup. Conclusions:GA <28 w, 5 min Apgar score ≤7, chorioamnionitis, PaCO 2 fluctuation within 1 h >25 mmHg and vasoactive drugs usage are risk factors of severe IVH in extremely and very preterm infants. Cerebral hemodynamic monitoring may provide initial assessment for the clinical outcomes for severe IVH.

Objective:To study the clinical features and high-risk factors of early-onset sepsis (EOS) in extremely preterm and super preterm infants.Methods:Retrospective study.Clinical data of extremely preterm and super preterm infants with the gestational age < 32 weeks were obtained from the clinical database of breast milk quality improvement registration in the Woman′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2019 and December 2019.EOS cases were enrolled in the EOS group, and the remaining were enrolled in the control group.Risk factors for EOS, distribution of pathogenic bacteria, clinical features, complications, and outcomes between groups were analyzed.Measurement data were compared between the independent sample t-test.Counting data between groups were compared by the Chi- square test, corrected Chi- square test or Fisher′ s exact test.Multivariable Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of EOS in extremely and super preterm infants. Results:A total of 347 eligible neonates were recruited, including 22 neonates with EOS and 325 neonates without EOS.The incidence rate of EOS was 6.3%.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that cesarean delivery was the protective factor for EOS ( OR=0.277, 95% CI: 0.091-0.847); while maternal prenatal infection ( OR=2.750, 95% CI: 1.053-2.908), fetid amniotic fluid ( OR=3.878, 95% CI: 1.344-11.187), chorioamnionitis ( OR=4.363, 95% CI: 1.552-12.236) and intubation ( OR=3.883, 95% CI: 1.133-13.306) were risk factors for EOS.A total of 22 strains of pathogenic bacteria were cultured in the EOS group, including 14 strains (63.6%) of Gram-positive bacteria, 7 strains (31.8%) of Gram-negative bacteria and 1 strain (4.6%) of fungus.The acute respiratory distress syndrome (54.5%), poor peripheral circulation perfusion (54.5%), mental depression (50.0%), and procalcitonin>0.5 mg/L (40.9%) were the main clinical features of EOS.Compared with the control group, extremely preterm and super preterm infants with EOS had a significantly higher rate of septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, severe intraventricular hemorrhage (≥Ⅲ), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia( χ2=36.696, 33.255, 13.534, 95.455 and 3.886, respectively; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Maternal perinatal infection, odor amniotic fluid, chorioamnionitis and delivery room tracheal intubation are high-risk factors for preterm and super preterm infants with EOS, which can be prevented by cesarean section.Gram-positive cocci are the main pathogenic bacteria of EOS.ARDS and poor peripheral circulation perfusion are the main clinical manifestations of EOS, which increase the occurrence of severe intracranial hemorrhage and other complications.