Objective To explore the correlation among serum total bilirubin (TBil) , invasive hemodynamic parameters, plasma N-terminal proBNP (NT-preBNP) and C reactive protain (CRP)in patients with heart failure. Methods Invasive hemodynamic parameters derived from Swan-Ganz catheter, TBil, plasma NT-proBNP and CRP within 12 hours after hospital admission were analyzed in 130 patients with chronic heart failure [Now York Heart Association (NYHA) class Ⅱ -Ⅳ]. Results Compared with those in non-hyperbilirubinemia group, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), NT-proBNP and left ventriculure ejection fraction were different significantly in total hyperbilirubinemia group [(26. 09 vs 16.00) mm Hg(1 mm Hg =0. 133 kPa), (3.36 vs2.91) pmol/L, (34. 12 vs 28.92)%, P<0. 05]. The serum TBil increased significantly in higher PCWP, right atrial pressure and NT-proBNP groups than those in lower level groups [(32. 22 vs 24. 17), (37.52 vs 24. 19), (32. 14 vs 16. 74) pmol/L, P < 0.05]. Partial correlation analysis showed serum TBil was associated with PCWP, right atrial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance index and NT-proBNP respectively (r = 0. 21, P = 0. 02; r = 0. 33, P < 0. 01 ; r = 0. 20, P =0. 04;r = 0. 37, P <0. 01, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis showed both right atrial pressure and NT-proBNP correlated independently with serum TBil(β= 0. 39, P < 0. 01 ;β = 0. 29,P = 0. 01, respectively). Conclusion For patients with heart failure, serum TBil correlated well with right atrial pressure, PCWP and NT-proBNP; it is a reliable indicator for exact clinical evaluation of heart failure.

Humans ; Melanocytes ; Melanosis ; Fibroblasts ; Skin

Microglia are widely present in the central nervous system and participate in various pathophysiological processes.They play an important role in degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.In recent years, the study of exosomes produced by microglia activation involved in the pathophysiological processes of various diseases has attracted extensive attention, but the role of exosomes has not been fully clarified.This article reviewed the characteristics and functions of microglia, the characteristics and functions of microglia-derived exosomes and their roles in central neurodegenerative diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether MRI fusion technology (combined T2-weighted imaging [T2WI] and fat-suppressed T2WI [T2WI-(FS)]) improves signal differences between anal fistulas and surrounding structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients with confirmed diagnoses of anal fistula were retrospectively studied. All available T2WI and T2WI-(FS) images for each patient were used to generate fusion image (T2WI-(Fusion)) based on the addition of gray values obtained from each pixel via an MR post-processing work station. The discriminability of fistula, perianal sphincter, and perianal fat in T2WI, T2WI-(FS), and T2WI-(Fusion) images was quantified with Fisher's scoring algorithm. For subjective visual image assessment by researchers, five-point scale scores were determined using a modified double-stimulus continuous quality-scale test to evaluate T2WI-(FS), T2WI, enhanced axial three-dimensional-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE), and T2WI-(Fusion) sequence images. The differences were subsequently compared. RESULTS: Mean Fisher scores for fistulas vs. sphincters obtained from T2WI-(Fusion) (F(Fusion-fistula) = 6.56) were significantly higher than those from T2WI (F(T2WI-fistula) = 3.35) (p = 0.001). Mean Fisher scores for sphincters vs. fat from T2WI-(Fusion) (F(Fusion-sphincter) = 10.84) were significantly higher than those from T2WI-(FS) (FS(FS-sphincter) = 2.57) (p = 0.001). In human assessment, T2WI-(Fusion) showed the same fistula discriminability as T2WI-(FS), and better sphincter discriminability than T2WI. Overall, T2WI-(Fusion) showed better discriminability than T2WI, T2WI-(FS), and enhanced 3D-VIBE images. CONCLUSION: T2WI and T2WI-(FS) fusion technology improves signal differences between anal fistulas and surrounding structures, and may facilitate better evaluation of anal fistulas and sphincters.
Anal Canal ; Diagnosis ; Fistula ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Rectal Fistula ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To compare and analyze the predictive value of different inflammatory factors and tumor markers in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and to develop a new and effective preoperative prognostic scoring system.Methods:102 and 72 cases with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent radical surgery in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University were selected as the experimental group and the validation group, respectively. Clinicopathological and follow-up data were collected. Cox proportional-hazards model was used to analyze the predictive value of different prognostic markers. The relationship between prognostic markers and clinicopathological data was analyzed by rank sum test, χ2 or Fisher's exact test. Results:Among the direct inflammatory factors, tumor markers and combined inflammatory factors, prognostic inflammatory index (PII), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and systemic inflammation score (SIS) were the most significant predictive factors for postoperative survival outcomes in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The prognostic inflammatory and tumor score (PITS) was proposed as a new prognostic scoring system for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. PII and CA19-9 were included into the scoring criteria for prognostic stratification of patients. PITS was an independent predictor of tumor-free survival and overall survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with high-grade PITS had later tumor grade and higher frequency of vascular invasion.Conclusion:PITS is highly effective prognostic scoring system for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In addition, PITS is recommended for preoperative prognostic stratification in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective To investigate the value of different immune and inflammatory indices in predicting the survival outcome of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after curative-intent resection. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the case data of 122 patients with ICC who underwent curative-intent resection in Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University and Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2012 to December 2017 to analyze the correlation of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), prognostic inflammation index (PII), inflammation score (IS), and systemic inflammation score (SIS) with the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival of ICC patients after surgery, and the value of the above indices in predicting prognosis was evaluated. The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups; the Cox regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses, and hazard ratio ( HR ) and 95% confidence interval [ CI ] were calculated. Results The univariate survival analysis showed that NLR ( HR =2.212, P =0.004), LMR ( HR =0.403, P =0.012), PII ( HR =3.013, P < 0.001), prognostic nutritional index (PNI) ( HR =0.530, P =0.019), IS ( HR =1.809, P =0.001), SII ( HR =2.107, P =0.002), and SIS ( HR =2.225, P < 0.001) were predictive factors for postoperative DFS of patients with ICC, and NLR ( HR =2.416, P =0.009), LMR ( HR =0.297, P =0.008), PII ( HR =3.288, P < 0.001), PNI ( HR =0.292, P =0.003), IS ( HR =2.048, P =0.002), SII ( HR =1.839, P =0.049), and SIS ( HR =2.335, P < 0.001) were predictive factors for postoperative OS of patients with ICC. The multivariate survival analysis showed that high levels of PII ( HR =2.146, P =0.035) and SIS ( HR =2.511, P < 0.001) were independent influencing factors for postoperative DFS of ICC patients, and high levels of PII ( HR =2.981, P =0.009), PNI ( HR =0.261, P =0.002), and SIS ( HR =2.294, P =0.010) were independent influencing factors for postoperative OS. The patients with a high level of PII tended to have advanced tumor T stage ( χ 2 =8.777, P =0.003) and M stage ( P =0.029), and the patients with high-grade SIS tended to have advanced N stage ( χ 2 =9.985, P =0.030) and M stage ( χ 2 =8.574, P =0.012). Conclusion Among the various inflammation indices, PII and SIS are recommended for preoperative stratification and prediction of the outcome of ICC patients after curative-intent resection.