Objective To investigate the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death-1(PD-1) in the kidney tissue of acute allograft rejection (AR) and the correlation between PD-L1 expression and PD-1 expression and the degree of tubulointerstitial lesions.Methods Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 in renal tissue of normal control and AR confirmed by biopsy.Results Both PD-L1 and PD-1 expression were significantly higher in AR than in the normal renal tissue (P

Objective: To explore regulating effect of protosappanin A (PrA) on dendritic cell (DC) maturation.Methods: SPF male Wistar rats and SD rats were selected as subjects.During DC maturation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to screen proper concentrations of PrA.Different concentrations of PrA were used to pretreat LPS-induced DC, difference of DC surface molecule CD80 and CD86 expressions were analyzed;DC's ability in activating T cell proliferation, expression levels of CD4, CD25 and Foxp3 on surface of regulatory T cells (Treg), and levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 secreted by DC in supernatant were measured.Results: Compared with immature DC (imDC) group, there were significant rise in expressions of DC surface molecule CD80[(31.50±29.04)% vs.(63.80±14.03)%] and CD86[(36.10±27.21)% vs.(62.60±12.37)%] in LPS-DC group, P<0.01 both;compared with LPS-DC group, there were significant reductions in expressions of CD80[(63.80±14.03)% vs.(39.70±26.60)] and CD86[(62.60±12.37)% vs.((37.90±26.93)] in 20-DC group (DC cultured with 20nmol/L PrA), P<0.05 both.Compared with LPS-DC group, there were significant reductions in DC-activated T cell proliferation capacity [(0.39±0.06) vs.(0.32±0.46) vs.(0.28±0.08)] and IL-12 level [(250.00±89.81) pg/ml vs.(176.80±49.89) pg/ml vs.(134.30±60.64) pg/ml], and significant rise in expression of Treg [(0.42±0.23) vs.(0.76±0.20) vs.(0.93±0.52)] and IL-10 level [(145.80±70.28) pg/ml vs.(274.00±131.93) pg/ml vs.(354.00±146.22) pg/ml] in 5-DC group and 20-DC group (P<0.05 all for 5-DC group, P<0.01 all for 20-DC group).Conclusion: PrA can inhibit LPS-induced DC maturation, including reducing expressions of surface molecule CD80 and CD86, suppressing the capacity to activate allogeneic T lymphocyte proliferation, inducing Treg proliferation and affecting levels of relative cytokines.

Objective To explore the role of liver X receptor (LXR) agonist T0901317 on thrombomodulin (TM) expression in human glomerular endothelial cells and the possible mechanisms.Methods Different concentrations of T0901317 were used to stimulate human glomerular endothelial cells for different time,then LXRα,LXRβ expression were detected by using Western blotting analysis;the roles of T0901317 on TM mRNA and TM protein expression were observed by using real-time PCR,Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay.LXRα,LXRβ gene interference segment Si-hLXRα,Si -hLXRβ were transfected into human glomerular endothelial cells with the concentration of 100 nmol/L respectively,then the roles of Si-hLXRα,Si-hLXRβ on the TM protein and TM mRNA expression were assayed by Western blotting and real time PCR.Results Human glomerular endothelial cells expressed LXRα and LXRβ.Compared to the normal cells and DMSO group,T0901317 could significantly promote TM expression in human glomerular endothelial cells (P ＜ 0.05) and showed a time -and dose-dependent manner.TM expression in Si-hLXRα transfected group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05),while TM expression in Si-hLXRβ transfected group had no significant difference compared to the control group.Conclusions Human glomerular endothelial cells express LXRα and LXRβ.LXR agonist T0901317 promotes TM expression in human glomerular endothelial cells,which may be mainly through activating LXRa.

OBJECTIVETo compare the pharmacokinetic characteristics of brucine following intravenous administration of liposomes, containing total alkaloids from seed of Strychnos nux-vomica, to rats with different phospholipids composition.

METHODLiposomes containing the total alkaloids were prepared by the method of ammonium sulfate transmembrane gradients and stealth liposome technique. The contents of total alkaloids and brucine in liposomes were determined and compared after free drug being removed. After intravenous administration of total alkaloids solution or liposomes with different composition, plasma samples were drawn at predetermined time points and the concentrations of brucine were determined by a validated method of HPLC. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by 3P97 program.

RESULTThe ratios of brucine to total alkaloids in liposomes hardly varied with phospholipids composition. Compared with SPC liposome, AUC of brucine was increased 13.3-fold and apparent volume of distribution was decreased to only 3.6% following intravenous administration of HSPC liposome. In addition, besides that AUC of brucine was slightly increased, most pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly changed after administration of the novel liposome compared with those of SPC liposome.

CONCLUSIONPhospholipids composition has a significant influence on the pharmacokinetics of brucine after intravenous administration of liposomes containing total alkaloids from seed of S. nux-vomica.

Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Strychnine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Strychnos nux-vomica ; chemistry

Objective To explore the application value of cone-shaped gastric tube combined with cervical end-to-end anastomosis in thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted.The clinical data of 122 patients with esophageal cancer who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University from December 2016 to December 2017 were collected.There were 89 males and 33 females,aged (61±8)years,with a range from 48 to 81 years.McKeowntype three-incision esophagectomy was performed,and the cone-shaped gastric tube was pulled up to esophagus in left neck for hand-sewn end-to-end anastomosis after the dissection of esophagus and stomach under total thoracoscopy and laparoscopy.Observation indicators:(1) surgical treatment situations;(2) postoperative complications;(3) follow-up.Follow-up using outpatient examination was performed to detect postoperative gastroesophageal reflux,anastomotic stenosis and evaluate anastomotic width at 1,3,6 months and one year postoperatively up to December 2018.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented by Mean±SD.Measurement data with skewed distribution were described by M (P25,P75) or M (range).Count data were expressed by absolute number.Results (1) Surgical treatment situations:122 patients underwent laparocopic McKeown-type three-incision esophagectomy successfully,using cone-shaped gastric tube combined with cervical hand-sewn end-to-end anastomosis as digestive tract reconstruction,with no intraoperative conversion to open surgery.The operation time,cervical anastomosis time,and volume of intraoperative blood loss were (229 ± 49) minutes,(27± 1) minutes,and 50 mL (40 mL,60 mL),respectively.There were 6-8 stations of lymph node dissected,and the number of lymph node dissected were 19 (15,25).Duration of postoperative hospital stay was 10 days (9 days,11 days) in the 122 patients.(2) Postoperative complications:31 of 122 patients had postoperative complications.The primary complications:3 patients with anastomotic fistula were cured by conservative treatment including enteral nutrition through placement of nutritional tube under gastroscope,closed thoracic drainage and anti-infection;6 cases with severe thoracic gastric dilation were cured after gastrointestinal decompression.The secondary complications of 22 patients included 8 cases with hoarseness caused by recurrent laryngeal never injury,5 with arrhythmia,9 with pulmonary infection.They were cured after symptomatic and supportive treatment.No chylothorax occured,and there was no perioperative death.(3) Follow-up:all the 122 patients were followed up for 10-24 months,with a median time of 19 months.During the follow-up,7 cases with anastomotic stenosis including 4 scoring less than grade 2 and 3 scoring more than grade 3 were relieved after dilation through gastroscope.There were 33 of 122 patients without any reflux symptoms,and 89 with reflux symptoms,among which 52 were scored 1,25 were scored 2 and 12 were scored 3.The width of gastroesophageal anastomosis measured by barium radiography at 1 month after operation was (1.2±0.4) cm.Conclusion Coneshaped gastric tube combined with cervical end-to-end anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy can reduce the incidence of postoperative anastomotic complications and thoracic gastric dilation,and nasogastric tube placement could be abandoned,which demonstrates good safety and universality.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of TNFα induced protein 3 interacting protein 1 (TNIP1) in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) among patients with thymoma.

METHODSFrom December 2014 to March 2015, 11 patients with MG associated thymoma (MGT) and 11 non-MG thymoma (NMGT) patients receiving thymectomy were selected. Thymus specimens were obtained during surgery, and peripheral venous blood samples were obtained before the surgery. For the MGT cohorts, peripheral venous blood samples were also collected at 3-6 months after the surgery. TNIP1 mRNA was determined with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and its protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTSFor both thymus specimen and peripheral blood samples, the levels of TNIP1 mRNA and protein in the MGT group were both significantly lower than those of the NMGT patients (P<0.05). For the MGT group, the levels of TNIP1 mRNA and protein of the peripheral blood samples have increased following thymus resection compared with before the surgery.

CONCLUSIONReduced TNIP1 expression may have a role in the pathogenesis of MG for patients with thymoma. Thymectomy may help to recover the expression of TNIP1 among such patients.

Blotting, Western ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Myasthenia Gravis ; complications ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymectomy ; Thymoma ; complications ; surgery ; Thymus Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery

Objective:To evaluate the extent and progression of coronary artery calcification in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to explore the risk factors of rapid progression of coronary artery calcification in MHD patients.Methods:The patients who underwent MHD in the Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 were enrolled. This study included cross-sectional study and prospective cohort study. Multi-slice spiral computed tomography was used to measure coronary artery calcification, and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was calculated. In the cross-sectional study, 62 MHD patients were enrolled. According to baseline CACS, the patients were divided into low calcification group (CACS < 100) and high calcification group (CACS ≥ 100). The nutritional and bone mineral metabolism indexes were compared between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CACS and muscle mass and laboratory indicators. Since 6 patients were lost to follow-up, 56 MHD patients who were followed-up regularly were enrolled in the prospective cohort study. According to the progression of CACS, the patients were divided into slow progression group (ΔCACS/year < 100) and rapid progression group (ΔCACS/year ≥ 100). Logistic regression equation was used to analyze the risk factors of coronary calcification progression. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to evaluate the performance of multivariate logistic regression model.Results:In the cross-sectional study, the age of 62 patients was (62.34±10.82) years old, and the median dialysis age was 78 (39,139) months. Among the 33 male patients, compared with the low calcification group ( n=7), the high calcification group ( n=26) had older age ( t=-2.281, P=0.030) and higher blood triglyceride ( Z=-1.985, P=0.047), and there was no statistically significant difference in muscle mass between the two groups; among the 29 female patients, the muscle mass/height 2 ( t=-2.600, P=0.015) and serum calcium ( t=-2.641, P=0.014) in the high calcification group ( n=15) were both higher than those in the low calcification group ( n=14), and the hemoglobin level was lower ( t=2.531, P=0.018), and the difference in muscle mass between the two groups was not statistically significant. High sensitivity C-reactive protein ( β=0.425, P=0.022) was independently correlated with CACS in male patients, and muscle mass/extracellular water ( β=-0.580, P=0.001) was independently correlated with CACS in female patients. In the prospective cohort study, the age of 56 patients was (59.82±11.14) years old, and the median dialysis age was 82 (40, 146) months. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between slow progression group ( n=22) and rapid progression group ( n=34), but the proportion of cardiovascular events in rapid progression group was significantly higher than that in slow progression group ( P=0.017). Compared with the slow progression group, the rapid progression group had higher proportion of males ( χ2=4.791, P=0.029), older age ( Z=-2.131, P=0.038), lower baseline muscle mass/extracellular water ( Z=2.482, P=0.016) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( t=2.133, P=0.042), and faster rate of muscle mass loss (Δmuscle mass·height -2·year -1) ( Z=-2.282, P=0.023). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that muscle mass loss ( OR=0.089, 95% CI 0.010-0.792, P=0.030) and baseline CACS ( OR=1.003, 95% CI 1.000-1.005, P=0.021) were influencing factors for progression of coronary artery calcification in MHD patients. Conclusion:Increasing baseline CACS and rapid reduction in muscle mass are risk factors for the progression of coronary artery calcification in MHD patients.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis, surgical treatment and surgical results of infantile left subclavian ar-tery combined with Kommerell diverticulum.Methods In our hospital from 2014 to 2017, there were 15 cases of left subclavi-an artery combined with Kommerell diverticulum, 10 males and 5 females, average age 11.8 months(2 to 48 months), average weight of 9.2kg(4 -24 kg), including 3 cases with ventricular septal defect ( VSD), and 1 cases of coarctation of aorta (COA).Children with postoperative respiratory difficulty, recurrent respiratory infection, chronic cough and other respiratory symptoms, preoperative detection of airway and or esophagus compression performance after cardiac computed tomography ex-amination confirmed, general anesthesia, thoracotomy or left chest lateral thoracotomy, cut off arterial ligaments and Kommerell diverticulum Resection and vagal left subclavian artery transplantation were performed in the left common carotid artery com-bined with cardiac malformation.Results All the children were cured and discharged from hospital.The follow-up and mid-term recovery were good.Conclusion Infants with airway and esophageal compression may have aberrant left subclavian artery combined with Kommerell diverticulum , cardiac CT is an effective means to diagnose this disease .Removal of the associated Kommerell diverticulum and transferring the left subclavian artery to the left common carotid artery , as the main operative meth-od has good early prognosis,and may eliminate residual symptoms and late complications .

Objective    To explore the safety and feasibility of the modified and improved thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer using the concept of "single-direction" thoracoscopic technique. Methods    The clinical data of 65 patients undergoing this modified minimally invasive esophagectomy based on "single-direction" thoracoscopic system between June 2018 and April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 54 males and 11 females aged 62.5±7.8 years. Results    The thoracoscopic operation time was 133.4±28.6 min, and intraoperative blood loss was 61.9±29.2 mL. No intraoperative blood transfusion was needed. One patient was transferred to open thoracotomy (due to severe pleural adhesion atresia). Major complications included anastomotic leak, pneumonia, chylothorax, incisional infection, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and gastric emptying disorders, which were recovered by conservative treatment. No postoperative death occurred. The median number of lymph nodes and lymph node station harvested was 19 and 10, respectively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 10 days. The volume of chest drainage was 1 117.3±543.4 mL. Conclusion    The minimally invasive operation mode of esophageal cancer based on "single-direction" thoracoscopic system is safe and feasible, and has good field vision and smooth and simplified procedure.

Objective    By establishing a set of evaluation system for thoracoscopic clinical function and applicability, to evaluate and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different brands of thoracoscopes, and to provide some suggestions for the innovation and upgrade of thoracoscopes, especially for the domestic thoracoscopes. Methods    The project coordination team initially formulated the evaluation index system for the clinical function and applicability of thoracoscope by querying literature and brainstorming. The Delphi expert consultation method was used to distribute questionnaires to the selected experts. Experts provided scores which were based on the importance of each indicator, and clarified the basis of their judgment and the familiarity with the evaluation indicators. After two rounds of screening by Delphi method, a thoracoscopic clinical function and applicability satisfactory questionnaire was formed. The appropriate sample for pre-investigation was selected, and the reliability and validity were tested. The index composition was adjusted based on the results of the test to form a final evaluation scale. Results    The project coordination team initially formulated 24 thoracoscope-related evaluation indicators. After two rounds of experts consultation, the item "brightness adjustment" was deleted without any additional entries. The positive coefficients of the experts in the first round and the second round were 100.0% and 80.0%, respectively. The two rounds of authoritative coefficients were 0.86 and 0.90, and the coordination coefficients were 0.272 (P<0.001) and 0.523 (P<0.001), respectively. A total of 140 questionnaires were issued in this pre-investigation. The recovery rate was 100.0% and the effective rate was 90.0%. The Cronbach's α value of the scale was 0.936, and the Spearman-Brown split-half reliability coefficient was 0.972. The factor analysis finally extracted 3 common factors. The total variance of the cumulative interpretation was 70.9%. The three common factors were named "operation related", "image related" and "device related". Conclusion    The evaluation index system developed in this study has good reliability and validity, and can be used as a tool to evaluate the clinical function and applicability of thoracoscopes.