Objective To explore the changes of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6),and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients with gastric cancers and the clinical relationships with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection.Methods Totally 62 cases of patients who were diagnosed gastric cancer in our hospital from January 2013 to September 2015 were selected as the study group,who did not accept anti-tumor therapy.The patients were divided into the Hp positive group (with 53 cases) and Hp negative group (with 9 cases) according to whether the merger of Hp infection.Another 60 normal healthy volunteers of the same age in our hospital for health examination during the same period were selected as the control group.The serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were detected,and the changes of the factors in the study group and control group were compared and analyzed,as well as the U values of Hp infection.The clinical relationships between the expression levels of the two in patients with gastric cancer and the U values of Hp infection were confirmed.Results The serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels and the U values of Hp infection of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P ＜ 0.05),which in the Hp positive group were significantly higher than those in the Hp negative group (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of serum IL-6 and IL-8 in patients with gastric cancer showed positive correlations with the U value of Hp infection (r =0.457,0.531,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels in patients with gastric cancer are much higher than those in normal healthy people,and there are significant positive relationship with Hp infection.It can improve the curative effect of gastric cancer patients by improving the eradication rate of Hp.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of prognosis in the patients with advanced cervical cancer,and to evaluate the influence of single-agent cisplatin and docetaxel combined with cisplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the prognosis of the patients and the security,and to provide the basis for clinical treatment of advanced cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 218 patients with advanced cervical cancer who received the singleagent cisplatin or docetaxel combined with cisplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled as the subjects.The patients were divided into two groups according to their chemoradiotherapy treatments:single-agent group and docetaxel combined with cisplatin concurrent group.All the patients had received external beam radiation therapy combined with high-dose rate intracavitary hrachytherapy.A follow-up in 218 patients was performed until January 2017.The information about clinical characteristics including age,tumor diameter,clinical stage,chemotherapy treatments,pathological grade,pathological type,primiparous age and adverse effects after treatment were collected by telephone follow-up,outpatient service and reexamination.The differences in the clinical characteristics of the patients were compared between two groups,the association between the clinicopathological characteristics and the prognosis of the patients was analyzed,and the security of these two treatments was evaluated.Results:There were no statistical differences in the age,tumor diameter,clinical stage,pathological grade,pathological type and primiparous age of the patients between two groups (P＞0.05).The 1-year,3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of 218 patients were 96.33％,76.15％ and 63.76％,respectively.The 5-year OS rate of the patients in docetaxel combined with cisplatin group was higher than that of the patients in single-agent cisplatin group (x2 =8.032,P=0.005).The univariate analysis results indicated that tumor diameter,clinical stage,chemotherapy treatments,and adenocarcinoma were the potential predictive factors (P＜0.05).The Cox regression analysis results showed that clinical stage [stage Ⅲ:P=0.016,HR (95％CI) =1.90 (1.13-3.19) [stage Ⅳ:P＜ 0.001,HR (95％CI) =19.13 (7.84-46.68)],chemotherapy treatments [P=0.009,HR (95 ％CI) =0.54 (0.34-0.86)] and adenocarcinoma pathological type [P=0.021,HR (95％CI) =1.88 (1.10-3.21)] were the prognostic risk factors of the patients,the patients in clinical stage Ⅱ B,received docetaxel combined with cisplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy and with pathological types of squamous cell carcinomas had a better outcome.Compared with docetaxel combined with cisplatin group,leucopenia (Z=-2.060,P =0.039) and neutropenia (Z=-2.246,P =0.025) in single-agent cisplatin group were lighter.Conclusion:Clinical stage,chemotherapy treatments and adenocarcinoma were the independently prognostic factors of the patients with advanced cervical cancer.The patients receive docetaxel combined with cisplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy have a better prognosis and no severer adverse effects compared with single-agent cisplatin treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lactation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDAtopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by defective skin barrier and imbalance in T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine expression. Filaggrin (FLG) is the key protein to maintaining skin barrier function. Recent studies indicated that Th1/Th2 cytokines influence FLG expression in keratinocytes. However, the role of Th1/Th2 cytokines on FLG processing is not substantially documented. Our aim was to investigate the impact of Th1/Th2 cytokines on FLG processing.

METHODSHaCaT cells and normal human keratinocytes were cultured in low and high calcium media and stimulated by either interleukin (IL)-4, 13 or interferon-γ (IFN-γ). FLG, its major processing proteases and key protease inhibitor lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) were measured by both real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Their expression was also evaluated in acute and chronic AD lesions by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIL-4/13 significantly reduced, while IFN-γ significantly up-regulated FLG expression. IL-4/13 significantly increased, whereas IFN-γ significantly decreased the expression of kallikreins 5 and 7, matriptase and channel-activating serine protease 1. On the contrary, IL-4/13 significantly decreased, while IFN-γ increased the expression of LEKTI and caspase-14. Similar trends were observed in AD lesions.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggested that Th1/Th2 cytokines differentially regulated the expression of major FLG processing enzymes. The imbalance between Th1 and Th2 polarized immune response seems to extend to FLG homeostasis, through the network of FLG processing enzymes.

Caspase 14 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-13 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Keratinocytes ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory ; metabolism ; Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal-Type 5 ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

We reviewed the data of an 18-year-old male patient complained of weakness of limbs and hypokalemia for 6 months. CT scan revealed left adrenal adenoma. He was diagnosed as primary aldosteronism(PA). Laboratory tests showed hypokalemia and hyperaldosteronemia. After potassium supplement and blood pressure lowering treatment, laparoscopic resection of the left adrenal adenoma was performed, and severe hyperkalemia occured 2 hours after surgery(maximum serum potassium 7.02 mmol/L). After hyperrisotonic glucose+ insulin(10% glucose 200 ml+ 50% glucose 40 ml+ insulin 8U)+ cation exchange resin(Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate 20 g) treatment, serum potassium returned to normal range within 12 hours. The plasma aldosterone, blood potassium and blood pressure returned to normal during the 5-month follow-up. According to the experience of this case report, after resection of aldosteronoma, the changes of serum electrolyte should be closely monitored, the occurrence of hyperkalemia should be vigilant.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of tetrandrine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Randomized controlled studies of tetrandrine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were searched in CNKI,VIP,Wanfang database,SinoMed,PubMed,Springer,Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails databases.A meta-analysis was conducted using R 3.5.3 software to evaluate the clinical outcomes,including the total effective rate,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),rheumatoid factor(RF),visual analogue scale(VAS),disease activity score(DAS),tender joint count(TJC),swollen joint count(SJC),and morning stiffness duration,as well as adverse events of rheumatoid arthritis patients.Results:A total of 10 articles were included in the study.The meta-analysis indicated that tetrandrine significantly improved the total effective rate(OR=3.27,95%CI:2.01-5.37,P<0.01),ESR(SMD=1.12,95%CI:0.06-2.19,P<0.05),CRP(SMD=0.75,95%CI:0.28-1.22,P<0.01),VAS(SMD=0.64,95%CI:0.29-1.00,P<0.01),TJC(SMD=1.16,95%CI:0.58-1.74,P<0.01),SJC(SMD=0.85,95%CI:0.40-1.31,P<0.01),and morning stiffness(SMD=1.09,95%CI:0.68-1.50,P<0.01).However,no statistical significance was found in RF(SMD=1.70,95%CI:-1.10-4.51,P>0.05)and DAS(SMD=0.26,95%CI:-0.59-1.11,P>0.05).The overall incidence of adverse events associated with tetrandrine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis was 20%(95%CI:12%-27%,I2=60%,P<0.05),with mild severity and favorable outcomes.Conclusion:Tetrandrine is effective in the treatment of RA patients with a mild degree of adverse events.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mortality in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: A total of 1737 patients with terminal renal diseases under PD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from 2008 to 2016 were enrolled. Patients were followed up for 33.0(19.3, 52.4) months. The mean arterial pressure over the first 3 months of PD therapy were calculated. All-cause death and cardiovascular death were assessed using Cox regression models adjusted for demographics, laboratory measurements, comorbid conditions and antihypertensive medications. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 208 patients died, among which 95(45.7%) patients died of cardiovascular causes. Compared with patients with MAP >95-<120 mmHg, patients with MAP ≤ 95 mmHg were associated with significantly higher risk of all-cause death (=1.40,95%:1.01-1.93,<0.05); patients with MAP ≥ 120 mmHg were associated with significantly higher risk of all-cause (=2.12,95%:1.32-3.40, <0.01) and cardiovascular morality (=2.55, 95%:1.38-4.70, <0.01). MAP presents a U-shaped association with all-cause mortality and a J-shaped association with cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS Both high MAP and low MAP are associated with higher risk of mortality in PD patients.
Arterial Pressure ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; mortality ; pathology ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors

Objective:To utilize routinely available clinical parameters to uncover the clinical features of different clusters in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) through unsupervised clustering analysis.Methods:The clinical data from 155 CRSwNP patients undergoing nasal endoscopic surgery at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from 2021 to 2023 were prospectively collected, including 112 males and 43 females, aged from 7 to 87 years. Unsupervised clustering analysis was conducted using various clinical parameters, including age, gender, smoking and drinking history, local eosinophil (EOS) and neutrophil (NEU) counts, comorbid allergic rhinitis (AR), comorbid asthma, recurrence status, serum-specific IgE, total IgE, cytokine levels, peripheral blood EOS count and percentage, Lund-Mackay CT score, the ratio of CT scores for the maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus (E/M ratio), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score, and other common clinical indicators to elucidate the clinical characteristics of each cluster. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism 9.5 software.Results:Hierarchical clustering analysis identified four main clusters (Cluster A1-A4), showcasing distinct characteristics such as mild nasal polyps with higher peripheral blood cytokines levels, nasal polyps accompanied by allergies and asthma, a subtype of nasal polyps with high recurrence rates dominated by neutrophils, and nasal polyps with high eosinophil levels. Further subset clustering revealed two clusters of mild polyps (Cluster B1-B2) featuring high cytokine expression and comorbid AR; and two clusters of severe polyps (Cluster B3-B4) presented with severe symptoms, high Lund-Mackay CT score, and high Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score. Variations between Cluster B3 and B4 included symptom complexity, the degree of eosinophil infiltration, and the probability of comorbid asthma. Further clustering analysis for eosinophilic nasal polyps revealed a cluster characterized by highly neutrophilic infiltration and recurrent nasal polyps. The comprehensive analysis of multi-index correlations demonstrated valuable insights into the relationships between common clinical parameters of nasal polyps, providing valuable information for a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.Conclusion:The clustering analysis in this study categorizes CRSwNP patients into different clusters based on clinical features and disease outcomes, providing a new perspective for more precise clinical treatment strategies.

Objective To analyze the stresses in implanted titanium solid and bone trabecular prosthesis hip replacements.Methods A femur model was built inversely based on Mimics software,and optimized using Geomagic software,and then materialized by SolidWorks software.The osteotomized femur was assembled with the metal femoral stem to form a model,and then the model was imported into ABAQUS for finite element calculation.The upper femur was divided into four regions in different states of integration:medial proximal point(small trochanter region),lateral proximal region(large trochanter region),proximal point of the femoral stem(region around the mid-portion of the styloid process)and distal region(around the end of the styloid process and distal portion).Calculations were carried out over the femoral stresses before and after implantation of titanium solid and trabecular prostheses under gait and stair-climbing loads and the interfacial stresses when the region was unintegrated.The type of deformation at the bone interface was analyzed by means of a stress ellipsoid.Results At the small trochanter region,the stress shielding rates of the trabecular prosthesis under gait and stair climbing loads were reduced by 20.5％and 14.7％compared to the titanium solid prosthesis,respectively.In case of different integration states of the titanium solid prosthesis,the interface tensile stresses under the gait and stair climbing loads were up to 10.842 MPa and 12.900 MPa,and the shear stresses reached 7.050 MPa and 6.805 MPa,respectively;in case of different integration states of the trabecular prosthesis,the interface tensile stresses under the gait and stair climbing loads were up to 3.858 MPa and 4.389 MPa,and the shear stresses reached 4.156 MPa and 3.854 MPa,respectively.Under the 2 different loads,the inboard shear stress ellipsoid of the interface opened toward the sides and the bone interface showed tensile deformation;the outboard shear stress ellipsoid of the interface opened up and down and had compressive deformation.Conclusion After total hip arthroplasty,the overall performance of the trabecular prosthesis is better than that of the titanium solid prosthesis.The unintegrated edges of the prosthesis-bone interface are susceptible to stress concentrations and distortion which may result in occurrence of failures.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):29-35]