Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for metastatic lung tumors. Methods Clinical records of 31 cases of metastatic lung tumors treated by VATS were retrospectively analyzed. There were 2 cases of lobectomy, 1 case of lobectomy and metastasectomy, 1 case of lobectomy and resection of metastatic tumor in the chest wall, 2 cases of segmentectomy, 20 cases of wedge resection, and 5 cases of wedge resection and metastasectomy. Results No fatal cases were observed. Postoperative complications, including 1 case of respiratory insufficiency, 2 cases of pulmonary infection, 2 cases of continuous alveolar leakage and 3 cases of pleural effusion, were cured by antibiotic therapy and closed thoracic drainage. One case of lung metastasis from primary liver cancer was found lumbar vertebral metastasis at 2 months after operation and was referred to the Department of Orthopedics for further treatment. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 71.0% (22/31) and 38.7% (12/31), respectively. Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a feasible and safe treatment for metastatic lung tumors with surgical indications.

BACKGROUND: Neural stem cells are always derived from fetal rats and adult rats, and it is complex to isolate the cells by cell culture.OBJECTIVE: To study a convenient and effective method for the isolation and the culture of neural stem cells in neonatal rats.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An observation study based on cells was carried out in the Chongqing Medical University (Chongqing, China) from October 2006 to March 2007.MATERIALS: Wistar neonatal rats of 1-3 days old.METHODS: Subsequent to trypsin digestion, primary culture of the cells was performed in serum-free suspension culture medium. Then the cells were induced to incubate in DMEM/F12 containing 0.10 volume fraction of fetal bovine serum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Phase contrast microscopy was employed to observe the growth of neural stem cells and the morphology of the differentiated cells. Neural stem cells and the differentiated neurons were identified using indirect immunofluorescence cytochemistry, as well as expression of gilal fibrillary acidic protein. Moreover, the proliferation of the BrdU-labeled neural stem cells was also investigated.RESULTS: The neural stem cells isolated from neonatal rat brains had the potential of serial passage and proliferation, besides, they express neuroepithelial stem cell protein (nestin) and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.CONCLUSION: Neural stem cells can be harvested from neonatal rat brains at a large scale, and they maintain their undifferentiated features and have the capacity of self-renewal and pluripotentiality.

To study the regulating effect of Astragalus Polysaccharides ( APS) to the mice infected by Brucella suis S2.Methods:120 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:experimental mice were injected APS 1 ml ( 0.4,1.2,3 mg/ml) via peritoneal cavity respectively once a day and the control group was injected with the same volume of saline for 3 days,then infected with Brucella suis S2 1 ml (1×107 L-1 ) by ip.Five mice of each group were killed through eye bloodletting at 1,6,12,24,48, 72 h respectively post-infection with Brucella suis S 2 and the peritoneal macrophage were obtained respectively to make smear.Phagocytic rate and phagocytic index were calculated by the Wright Giemsa staining after infected 1 h.TNF-α,IL-12 and IFN-γlevels of serum at different time points were measured by ELISA.The bacterial load of MΦand spleen were measured by coating method.Results:The phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of MΦin APS 3 dose groups were higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05 ).The microbial load of MΦin APS 3 dose groups at 1 h infected by Brucella suis S 2 were significantly higher than those of control,but significantly lower than those of control at 6,12,24,48,72 h after infected by Brucella suis S2.The microbial load of spleen in APS 3 dose groups at 6 h infected by Brucella suis S 2 were significantly higher than those of control ,but significantly lower than those of control at 12,24,48,72h after infected by Brucella suis S2.The concentrations of TNF-α,IL-12 and IFN-γin the serum of APS groups had significantly been improved ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion: APS can promote the activation of MΦin vivo and strengthen the activity of phagocytosis and killing to Brucella suis S 2.APS can promote the secretion of TNF-α,IL-12 and IFN-γof mice,strengthen the cellular immune response of mice to Brucella suis S 2.

Objective To investigate the way of pacemaker implantation in 127 elderly patients over 80 years old to reduce postoperative complications and improve the life quality. Methods One hundred and twenty-seven patients over 80 years old had the dual chamber pacing in 95 cases(74. 8%, including tri-chamber pacing) and the single ventricular pacing in 32 cases (25. 2%). Cephalic veins were used primarily in all patients with modified methods. The safe fixation of pacing leads were emphasized not only in the heart but also in the site of pacemaker pocket. The pacemaker package was made prior to the leads insertion in order to have enough time for stopping bleeding. It was necessary for some cases with diffused bleeding to use electric coagulation. All patients were told to get out of bed in the operating day or the day after procedure. Results Cephalic vein was well exposed. The successful rates of implanting pacing leads directly through cephalic vein were 92. 0% and 81. 5% in the single chamber and dual chamber patients, respectively. The overall complications observed in 5 cases(3. 9%) were pocket hematoma formation in 3 cases (2. 4%), cardiac tamponade in 1 case (0.8%), and disconnection of pacemaker with lead in 1 case (0.8%). There were no hemothorax, infection and lead dislodgement. Conclusions Insertion of pacing lead through cephalic vein is important, especially for the advanced aged patients. This operation can decrease the complications of subclavian vein puncture. Leads dislodgement are mainly due to the inadequate skill of operator, not to the patient s early activity out of bed. Appropriate way for stopping bleeding is the key to protect the patients from pacemaker pocket effusion and hemotama.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and pathogenic mutations of propionic acidemia.Methods:Clinical data of two patients with propionic acidemia admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2017 to June 2018 were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the patients and their parents. Inherited disease panel based on Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing technology was performed to detect gene mutations, and those with suspected pathogenic mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. Descriptive statistical analysis was used for data analysis.Results:Case 1 was suspected of sepsis and admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University due to "drowsiness and milk rejection" on the second day after birth. Tandem mass spectrometry suggested the level of propionyl carnitine and its ratios to acetylcarnitine and free carnitine were increased. Urine gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed elevated 3-hydroxypropionic acid and methylcitric acid. Genetic analysis revealed that the infant carried c.331C>T (p.R111X)/c.1228C>T (p.R410W) compound heterozygous mutations in the PCCB gene. The infant was diagnosed with propionic acidemia and treated with a special diet with an L-Carnitine supplement but died of sudden coma and vomiting without precipitating factors at three months of age. Case 2 presented with sudden vomiting, drowsiness, and anergia on the admission at five-months old. Tandem mass spectrometry showed increased propionyl carnitine level and its ratios. Compound heterozygous mutations of c.146delG (p.G49EfsX16)/c.1253C>T (p.A418V) in the PCCB gene were identified in the patient, of which c.146delG (p.G49EfsX16) was a de novo mutation and was evaluated as a pathogenic mutation. The patient was on a special diet with an L-Carnitine supplement, but with disobedience. Followed up to the age of three years and eight months, the child was severely underdeveloped. Conclusions:Neonates with clinically suspected sepsis may have propionic acidemia, and tandem mass spectrometry and genetic testing should be performed as soon as possible to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. Further investigations on the pathogenesis and function of the new mutation are still needed.

Objective To investigate the application of remote monitoring systems for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and its success rate of data transmission in elderly patients.Methods A total of 97 elderly patients who had previously undergone procedures for pacemaker implantation,implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with remote monitoring capabilities between January 2013 and October 2016 at our hospital were enrolled.We evaluated the effect of the remote monitoring systems for data transmission,compared the outpatient follow-up rates between the groups one year after implantation,and conducted a telephone survey of patients.Results A total of 97 elderly patients,including 70 with pacemakers,20 with ICD and 7 with CRT,were enrolled in this study.Participants had a mean age of (78.2-±-6.4) years and 64 were male (66.0％).The Home Monitoring system was used for 85 cases and the Merlin.net remote monitoring system was used for 12 cases.Overall,95 patients (97.9 ％) completed the remote monitoring procedure,68 patients (70.1％) completed the outpatient follow-up,and 90 patients (92.8％) completed the telephone survey during a one-year follow-up period.The satisfaction rate for the remote monitoring systems was 94.4％ (85 patients),and 80 patients (90.0％％) expressed a willingness to continue to use the remote monitoring system if a replacement was needed.Conclusions For elderly patients with CIED,the remote monitoring systems can improve the follow-up rate with a high degree of satisfaction.

Objective:This study aimed to compare the detection efficacy of transrectal ultrasound-guided transrectal cognitive fusion targeted+ systematic prostate biopsy and transperineal cognitive fusion targeted + systematic biopsy in patients with suspected prostate cancer (PCa). In addition, the relative clinical characteristics of PCa were evaluated.Methods:A total of 385 patients with suspected prostate cancer in the affiliated hospital of Qingdao University from May 2019 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients met the prostate biopsy criterion, who underwent transrectal(n=275)and transperineal(n=110)prostate biopsy respectively. There were no significant differences of mean age [(70.7±7.3)years vs.(69.2±8.4) years], PSA [(55.12±116.96)ng/ml vs. (63.41±315.34)ng/ml], prostate volume [(55.96±35.26)ml vs. (64.35±55.99)ml] between two groups. According to preoperative prostate magnetic resonance imaging combined with intraoperative ultrasound, 2-4 needles targeted puncture of suspected lesion were performed, followed by 12 needle systematic prostate biopsy. The detection rate of prostate cancer between two biopsy ways were compared. The related factors of PCa including age, prostate volume and PSA level were collected for univariable and multivariable logistic analysis. The cancer detection rate was compared and logistic regression was used to assess the impact of patient characteristics on PCa detection.Results:For all patients, the detection rate with cancer between transrectal group and transperineal group were 121/275(40.0%) and 67/110(60.9%), respectively. The transperineal group detected a higher rate of PCa ( P=0.003)and more clinically significant prostate cancers (csPCa) (54.6% vs.36.7%, P=0.001) than that of the transrectal group, there were significant differences between two groups ( P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that PSA( OR=1.025, P=0.001) and prostate volume( OR=0.984, P=0.001)were two independent factors for the detection rate of prostate cancer between two biopsy ways( P<0.05). The effect of age on the detection rate of PCa in the transperieal group was significantly lower than that of the transrectal group( OR=0.037, P=0.238 vs. OR=0.053, P=0.002). Conclusion:The transperieal biopsy could find more PCa than the transrectal biopsy. PSA level and prostate volume could affect the detection rate of cancer between two prostate biopsy ways.

Objective To evaluate the application value of golden angle radial sparse parallel(Grasp)sequence in contrast-enhanced MRI of liver.Methods The imaging data of 30 patients who underwent gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid contrast-enhanced MRI of liver were collected.With the same equipment,images were collected by Grasp sequence and breath-hold sequence separately,with an interval of less than 3 months.The subjective and objective scores of the late arterial phase and portal venous phase images were evaluated.Results There were no significant differences in all subjective scores of the late arterial phase and portal venous phase images between the two sequences(P＞0.05).The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of the late arterial phase images in the Grasp sequence was lower than that in the breath-hold sequence(148.4±52.8 vs 195.6±68.4),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).Although the SNR of the portal venous phase in the Grasp sequence was lower than that in the breath-hold sequence,the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).There was no statistical difference in the other objective scores between the two sequences(P＞0.05).Conclusion The image quality of Grasp sequence in contrast-enhanced MRI of liver can meet the diagnositic requirements,and it is suitable for patients with poor breath-hold capacity,which has important application value.

Objective To investigate the expression of programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) in CD8+ T cells and FoxP3+CD4+ cells in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).Methods The peripheral blood and clinical data of 69 PBC patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and 58 health controls (HC) were collected.They were divided into initial treatment group and follow-up group according to whether they were treated or not.Patients in the treatment group were further divided into the refractory group and stable group according to treatment response.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of PD-1 in CDS+T cells and FoxP3+CD4+ cells.T-test and Person correlation analysis were used for data analysis.Results The PD-1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 69 PBC patients (12±9)％ was lower than that of HC (20±12)％ (t=-3.687,P＜0.01).The percentage of PD-1+ in FoxP3+ CD4+T cells was significantly increased in PBC (5.6±3.7)％ than HC (7.4±2.4)％ (t=2.048,P＜0.01).The proportion of CD8+T cells,PD-1 expression in CD8+T cells and the proportion of FoxP3+CD4+ cells weren't correlated with clinical parameters (P＞0.05).There was a negative correlation between the expression of PD-1 cells in FoxP3+CD4+ cells and GLOBE score (r=-0.307,P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of PD-1 in peripheral CD8+T lymphocytes of PBC patients is lower than that of HC,and decreases more significantly in the refractory group.The expression of PD-1 on FoxP3+CD4+T cells is higher than that in HC,and is negatively correlated with the prognostic GLOBE score.It suggests that PD-1/PD-L1 pathway participates in the immune mechanism of PBC.

Objective To investigate the health related quality of life score [primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)-40] in patients with PBC,and the relationship between PBC-40 and clinical presentations.Methods The PBC-40 score and clinical presentations in PBC patients (n=65) were adapted in this study.Patients were divided into the untreated group and the treated group,and the treated group was further divided into ursodesoxycholic acid (UDCA) response group and UDCA non-response group.PBC-40 scores of different groups were analyzed by t-test and the relationship between PBC-40 and clinical presentations were analyzed with Pearson's test.Results Dimensions of PBC-40 scores of this group of patients were as follows:symptoms were (15.8±4.1) points,itch was (4.9±2.8) points,atigue was (23.8±8.9) points,cognitive dysfunction score was (11.4±4.7) points,social activity score was (17.0±7.5) points,and the emotion score was (6.5±3.1) points.The untreated group had higher emotion scores than the treated group (t=2.024,P=0.045).Compared with the UDCA response group,UDCA non-response group had higher scores in cognitive,social and emotion dimension (t =2.126,2.309,2.062,respectively,P=0.039,0.025,0.045,respectively).Itch score was significantly correlated with total bilirubin (TBil),direct bilirubin (DBil),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bile acid (TBA) (r=0.349,0.345,0.324,0.427,respectively,P＜0.01),while the social scores were correlated with TBil,DBil,aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and TBA (r=0.361,0.383,0.316,0.331,P＜0.01) and emotion scores were associated with ALT,TBil,GGT,ALP,AST and TBA (r=0.332,0.430,0.265,0.326,0.297,0.353,P＜0.05).ConclusionPBC-40 can be used as a health-related quality of life assessment for PBC patients inChinese population.Itch,social and emotion dimensions are correlated with clinical activity indicators.Hyperbilirubin,ALP and TBA can predict low health quality of life in PBC patients.Conclusion PBC-40 can be used as a health-related quality of life assessment for PBC patients in Chinese population.Itch,social and emotion dimensions are correlated with clinical activity indicators.Hyperbilirubin,ALP and TBA can predict low health related quality of life in PBC patients.