BACKGROUND:Studies on the inhibitory mechanism of Avastin for proliferative diabetic retinopathy are mostly confined to the vascular endothelial growth factor, while connective tissue growth factor and angiogenesis inhibitor also play an important role in the disease.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the changes of cytokines in the aqueous undergoing Avastin intravitreous injection or not prior to pars plana vitrectormy in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
METHODS:Thirty patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (30 eyes) were selected and randomly divided into groups A, B and C, each group containing 10 patients. Group A was treated with single pars plana vitrectormy;and group B and group C had 0.05 mL/1.25 mg and 0.1 mL/1.25 mg Avastin via intravitreous injection at 7 days before pars plana vitrectormy, respectively. Aqueous humor samples were col ected during pars plana vitrectormy. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, connective tissue growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor were assessed by using ELISA technique.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The levels of connective tissue growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor in the aqueous humor of two Avastin injection groups were increased significantly compared to the group with single pars plana vitrectormy. However, the level of vascular endothelial growth factor was lower in the Avastin injection groups. In addition, there was no significant difference between two Avastin injection groups. These results reveal that intravitreous injection of Avastin assisted vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy is more effective than single pars plana vitrectormy treatment. The underlying mechanisms may be that Avastin could inhibit the intraocular angiogenesis by not only reducing the secretion of some growth factors but also increasing the levels of anti-angiogenesis related cytokines.

BACKGROUND:Studies on the inhibitory mechanism of Avastin for early diabetic retinopathy rats are mostly confined to the vascular endothelial growth factor, while connective tissue growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor also play an important role in the disease.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the changed cytokines of aqueous humor and significance of Avastin intravitreous injection in early diabetic retinopathy rats.
METHODS:Rat models of early diabetic retinopathy were established by inducing with streptozotocin for 10 weeks. Avastin (1.25 mg and 2.5 mg) and physiological saline were injected in the vitreous space.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that compared with the physiological saline injection group, mass concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor was reduced, mass concentrations of pigment epithelium-derived factor and connective tissue growth factor was increased in aqueous humor of the two Avastin injection groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference in concentration of above cytokines was detected between the two groups (P>0.05). Results verified that Avastin intravitreous injection decreased vascular endothelial growth factor levels, decreased pigment epithelium-derived factor mass concentration and increased connective tissue growth factor levels in rat models of early diabetic retinopathy.

Objective To establish and evaluate two protocols for the noninvasive visualization and assessment of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patency on electron beam tomography (EBT).Methods Two hundred and fourteen consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery were scanned using both EBT angiography with 3-dimensional reconstruction and EBT flow study with time-density-curve analysis.Results There were 589 CABGs evaluated in this study (10 grafts were excluded because of artifacts). Among them, 133 (98.5％) of 135 arterial grafts were patent, and 345 (77.7％) of 444 saphenous-vein grafts were patent. Within 5 years or between 5 and 10 years after operation, arterial graft patency exceeded venous graft patency (P ＜ 0.001 ). Three-dimensional EBT angiography achieved higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (97.7％, 94.1％ and 96.7％, respectively) than did EBT flow study (88.4％, 82.4％ and 85.2％, respectively) for evaluating occlusion or patency of CABG. The intra-graft flow of patent arterial and venous grafts were 4.9 ± 2.2 mi · min-1 · g-1 and 6.9 ± 2.8 mi · min-1 · g-1,respectively (P＜0.001).Conclusion The combination of EBT three-dimensional reconstruction and flow study can be more effective in the assessment of CABG anatomy and quantification of patent CABG blood flow.

Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent cell death caused by a disorder of iron lipid metabolism.Its mechanism mainly includes lipid metabolism and iron metabolism,which are complicated and strictly regulated by various metabolic and signaling pathways.Current studies have shown that ferroptosis is associated with cancer,atherosclerosis,and neurological diseases.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is characterized by various active ingredients,relatively high safety,and lower treatment costs,which possess unique advantages in clinical applications.It has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases.Taking the regulation of ferroptosis by traditional Chinese medicine as the entry point may be a new direction for the future prevention and treatment of various diseases.In this review,we discussed the mechanism of iron lipid metabolic disorders based on ferroptosis and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine intervention to provide reference and treatment strategies for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.

Objective To establish an artificial intelligence deep learning model using clinical colonoscopy images and video to assist the diagnosis by colonoscopy. Methods More than 600000 colonoscopy images were collected in endoscopic center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from 2014 to 2018, and endoscopic experts recorded a large number of high-quality operation video of colonoscopy as analysis data. After repeated discussion by six experts, the classified intestinal sites and pathological features were determined, and fuzzy and confusable images were deleted. The final selection result was approximately 1 out of 4. And then the features of images were marked using an independently developed software. The deep learning algorithm was developed using TensorFlow platform of Google. Results After repeated comparison and analysis of the results of machine training and judgment results combined with pathology from endoscopic experts, the sensitivity of the model for some diseases ( such as colon polyps) was 99％ under laboratory conditions. In the clinical colonoscopy test, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of this model for diagnosis of colon polyps were 98. 30％(4187/4259), 88. 10％ (17620/20000), and 92. 92％ [2×98. 30％×88. 10％/(98. 30％+88. 10％)], respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for ulcerative colitis were 78. 32％ ( 2671/3410) , and 67. 06％(13412/20000), respectively. The diagnosis time spent on a single image was 0. 5±0. 03 s, and it was the real time for application, including system recognition, text prompt in video image, background record and storage. Conclusion The artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model developed by our team can identify colonic polyps, colorectal cancer, colorectal eminence, colonic diverticulum, ulcerative colitis, etc. The auxiliary diagnosis model of colon disease can guide beginners to carry out colonoscopy, and can improve lesion detection rate, reduce misdiagnosis rate, and improve the overall operating efficiency of endoscopic center, which is conducive to the quality control of colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of three-tube insertion for the treatment of postoperative gastroesophageal anastomotic leakage (GEAL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to January 2011, 28 cases of postoperative GEAL after an esophagectomy with intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomotic procedures for esophageal and cardiac carcinoma were treated by the insertion of three tubes under fluoroscopic guidance. The three tubes consisted of a drainage tube through the leak, a nasogastric decompression tube, and a nasojejunum feeding tube. The study population consisted of 28 patients (18 males, 10 females) ranging in their ages from 36 to 72 years (mean: 59 years). We evaluated the feasibility of three-tube insertion to facilitate leakage site closure, and the patients' nutritional benefit by checking their serum albumin levels between pre- and post-enteral feeding via the feeding tube. RESULTS: The three tubes were successfully placed under fluoroscopic guidance in all twenty-eight patients (100%). The procedure times for the three tube insertion ranged from 30 to 70 minutes (mean time: 45 minutes). In 27 of 28 patients (96%), leakage site closure after three-tube insertion was achieved, while it was not attained in one patient who received stent implantation as a substitute. All patients showed good tolerance of the three-tube insertion in the nasal cavity. The mean time needed for leakage treatment was 21 +/- 3.5 days. The serum albumin level change was significant, increasing from pre-enteral feeding (2.5 +/- 0.40 g/dL) to post-enteral feeding (3.7 +/- 0.51 g/dL) via the feeding tube (p < 0.001). The duration of follow-up ranged from 7 to 60 months (mean: 28 months). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, the insertion of three tubes under fluoroscopic guidance is safe, and also provides effective relief from postesophagectomy GEAL. Moreover, our findings suggest that three-tube insertion may be used as the primary procedure to treat postoperative GEAL.
Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak/radiography/*therapy ; Decompression, Surgical/instrumentation ; Drainage/instrumentation ; Enteral Nutrition/instrumentation ; Esophageal Neoplasms/*surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*radiography/*therapy ; Radiography, Interventional/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/*surgery

Objective:To analyze the effect of long-term care insurance on the incidence of falls in old people with disability, and the modification effect of different living arrangements.Methods:Based on the discharge diagnosis records of the hospitalization in urban residents who applied for long-term care insurance in Chengdu from July 2014 to June 2021, those who received long-term care insurance were selected as the intervention group and those who received no long-term care insurance were selected as the control group, the changes in the incidence of falls before and after the long-term care were analyzed using difference-in-differences method, and the modification effects of different living arrangements were explored using stratified analysis.Results:Long-term care insurance significantly reduced the risk for monthly incidence of falls in older adults [average treatment effects on treated (ATT) = -1.21% (95% CI: -1.82%--0.60%)], and the effect increased over time (ATT=-1.26%, 95% CI: -1.93%--0.59%). Long-term care insurance had a significant effect on reducing the incidence of falls in old people living with spouses/family members (ATT=-0.92%, 95% CI: -1.47%--0.37%) and in nursing facilities/hospitals (ATT=-2.10%, 95% CI: -3.81%--0.40%), but it had no significant effect in those living alone. Conclusions:Long-term care insurance can effectively reduce the incidence of falls in old people with disability, showing a positive effect. Living with family members or in nursing facilities/hospitals has a modification effect of the implementation of long-term care insurance policy. It is necessary to pay attention to key populations in the future and expand the coverage of long-term care insurance.

Objective To investigate the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)and reoxygenation on insulin resistance(IR)and expressions of miR-27a-3p/PPARγ/IRS1/PI3K/AKT in rat skeletal muscle.Methods GEO database was used for screening the differentially expressed miRNAs in CIH,and their target genes were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis followed by construction of the miRNA-mRNA-pathway regulatory network using Cytoscape.In the animal experiment,48 male SD rats were randomly divided into normoxia group and CIH group(8 weeks of CIH followed by 4 weeks of normoxic recovery).Blood and skeletal muscle samples were collected at baseline,8 weeks,and 12 weeks to evaluate the changes in fasting blood glucose(FBG)and fasting insulin(FINS)levels and muscular pathology.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in the expressions of miR-27a-3p,PPARγ,GLUT4,IRS1,p-IRS1,PI3K,p-AKT and AKT in the muscular tissues.Results No muscular miRNA datasets for CIH were available in GEO database,from which only a kidney-related dataset(GSE202480)was obtained,based on which a total of 165 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified.GO/KEGG analysis suggested that these miRNAs were involved in muscular regulation and insulin signaling.The miRNA-mRNA-pathway network highlighted miR-27a-3p as a crucial regulator in the PPAR and PI3K/AKT pathway.In the animal experiment,the rats subjected to CIH for 8 weeks showed significantly increased FBG,FINS,HOMA-IR,and PPARγ levels,loose muscle fiber arrangement,decreased cross-sectional area of the muscle fibers,and lowered expressions of miR-27a-3p,p-IRS1/IRS1,PI3K,and p-AKT/AKT in the skeletal muscles.Conclusion CIH increases IR,causes skeletal muscle pathology,downregulates miR-27a-3p expression,upregulates PPARγ expression,and inhibits IRS1/PI3K/AKT insulin signaling in the skeletal muscles of rats,and these changes can be reversed by reoxygenation.MiR-27a-3p may participate in CIH-induced IR by modulating the PPAR γ/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)and reoxygenation on insulin resistance(IR)and expressions of miR-27a-3p/PPARγ/IRS1/PI3K/AKT in rat skeletal muscle.Methods GEO database was used for screening the differentially expressed miRNAs in CIH,and their target genes were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis followed by construction of the miRNA-mRNA-pathway regulatory network using Cytoscape.In the animal experiment,48 male SD rats were randomly divided into normoxia group and CIH group(8 weeks of CIH followed by 4 weeks of normoxic recovery).Blood and skeletal muscle samples were collected at baseline,8 weeks,and 12 weeks to evaluate the changes in fasting blood glucose(FBG)and fasting insulin(FINS)levels and muscular pathology.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in the expressions of miR-27a-3p,PPARγ,GLUT4,IRS1,p-IRS1,PI3K,p-AKT and AKT in the muscular tissues.Results No muscular miRNA datasets for CIH were available in GEO database,from which only a kidney-related dataset(GSE202480)was obtained,based on which a total of 165 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified.GO/KEGG analysis suggested that these miRNAs were involved in muscular regulation and insulin signaling.The miRNA-mRNA-pathway network highlighted miR-27a-3p as a crucial regulator in the PPAR and PI3K/AKT pathway.In the animal experiment,the rats subjected to CIH for 8 weeks showed significantly increased FBG,FINS,HOMA-IR,and PPARγ levels,loose muscle fiber arrangement,decreased cross-sectional area of the muscle fibers,and lowered expressions of miR-27a-3p,p-IRS1/IRS1,PI3K,and p-AKT/AKT in the skeletal muscles.Conclusion CIH increases IR,causes skeletal muscle pathology,downregulates miR-27a-3p expression,upregulates PPARγ expression,and inhibits IRS1/PI3K/AKT insulin signaling in the skeletal muscles of rats,and these changes can be reversed by reoxygenation.MiR-27a-3p may participate in CIH-induced IR by modulating the PPAR γ/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.