Objective To investigate the value of MSCT in evaluating pulmonary functional changes in silicosis.Methods 56 cases of silicosis and 10 healthy people(as control group) underwent inspiratory and expiratory MSCT scans and pulmonary functional test one week later.The CT findings including silicotic nodules,large opacity,emphysema,reticular opacities,bronchiectasis and air trapping were recorded and graded subjectively on CT images.Air retention and emphysema were quantified using the software of Pulmo.CT scores were correlated with spirometric findings by using spearman rank correlative analysis in comparison with pulmonary functional index.Results The scores of CT features except for reticular shadows were of significant difference between silicotic group and control group,but not between simple silicotic group and complex silicotic group.The scores of air retention and emphysema on CT were significantly negative correlation.The reticular shadows were of positive correlation with FEF 75%,FEF 50% and FEV1,but on correlation with FEV1/FVC.There were no correlation between the scores of silicotic nodules,bronchiectasis,large shadows and pulmonary functional test.There was obvious correlation between air retention,the scores of emphysema on CT and the index of pulmonary function in obstruction of small airway.Conclusion MSCT is of important value in evaluating the damage of pulmonary function in silicosis.

T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3(Tim-3)is a member of the Tim family,which is widely expressed on the surface of various cells and can be involved in the occurrence and development of diseases such as autoimmune,infection and cancer.Clinical trials have found that a combination of blocking Tim-3 and programmed cell death 1(PD-1)can improve the anti-cancer immune response and regression of tumors in patients with advanced cancer.This arti-cle reviewed the basic biological structure of Tim-3,corresponding ligand and its role in tumor micro-environment,and summarized the ongoing clinical trials of TIM-3.These data suggested that Tim-3 could be used as a potentially significant checkpoint receptor for future anti-tumor therapy,and sum-marized the ongoing clinical trials of drugs,indicating that Tim-3 can be used as a potential check-point receptor for future anti-tumor therapy.

Objective:To analyze the specific reasons for journal articles being retracted due to biomedical research-related ethical issues after publication and propose corresponding preventive measures.Methods:Journal articles that were retracted between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2023, were retrieved from PubMed, a literature database in the biomedical field. The retraction statements of those articles that were retracted due to ethical-related issues were analyzed with a summarization of detailed reasons and types.Results:A total of 77 and 128 articles were retracted due to ethical issues in 2021 and 2022 respectively, accounting for 3.9% and 5.4% of all retracted articles in the same period. The major ethical issue was the lack of valid ethical approval. Among articles retracted for ethical issues related to human trials, the proportion of articles retracted due to lack of valid ethical approval increased from 45.9% in 2021 to 57.0% in 2022, which also increased from 50.0% in 2021 to 67.3% in 2022 among retracted articles related to animal experiments. Other ethical issues included problems in the informed consent process, delay in obtaining ethical approval, inconsistency between ethical approvals and the content of the article, and violation of the principles of laboratory animal welfare.Conclusions:The ethical review of medical research involving humans and laboratory animal welfare needs to be strengthened. By promoting the construction of an institutional ethical review system, encouraging researchers to study ethics-related knowledge, standardizing ethical applications and approvals, improving the informed consent process, and attaching importance to the welfare of laboratory animals, the retraction due to ethical issues can be prevented.

T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3(Tim-3)is a member of the Tim family,which is widely expressed on the surface of various cells and can be involved in the occurrence and development of diseases such as autoimmune,infection and cancer.Clinical trials have found that a combination of blocking Tim-3 and programmed cell death 1(PD-1)can improve the anti-cancer immune response and regression of tumors in patients with advanced cancer.This arti-cle reviewed the basic biological structure of Tim-3,corresponding ligand and its role in tumor micro-environment,and summarized the ongoing clinical trials of TIM-3.These data suggested that Tim-3 could be used as a potentially significant checkpoint receptor for future anti-tumor therapy,and sum-marized the ongoing clinical trials of drugs,indicating that Tim-3 can be used as a potential check-point receptor for future anti-tumor therapy.

Objective To explore the effect of Dexmedetomidine (Dex) on acute brain edema in mice in condition with targeted temperature management (TTM) following traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods A total of 180 male C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group,sham operation group,TBI group,TBI + Dex group,TBI + TTM group,and TBI + Dex + TTM group according to the random number table (n =30 per group).The sham operation group only opened the bone window but did not hit it,and the control group did not open the bone window.The TBI + Dex,TBI + TIM,and TBI + Dex + TTM groups were intraperitoneally injected with Dex (60 μg/kg once every 2 h for 3 times) and/or hypothermia after TBI.The brain tissue injury volume,EB extravasation and brain water content of each group were determined by toluidine blue,Evans blue staining and dry-wet weight method at 24 hours after injury.Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Claudin-5 in the injured brain tissue.At 24,48,and 72 hours after injury,the neurological deficiency degree was assessed using the modified neurological severity scores (mNSS).Results Compared with the sham operation group,TBI mice showed significant increase in brain tissue injury volume [(0.49 ± 0.04)mm3 vs.(1 1.57 ± 1.01)mm3],blood-brain barrier permeability [(16.4 ± 0.8) μg/g vs.(54.3 ± 1.7) μg/g],brain tissue water content [(76.7 ± 0.9) ％ vs.(83.1 ± 0.8) ％],and mNSS score [(1.6 ± 0.7) points vs.(13.4 ± 0.7) points] at 24 hour after TBI (all P ＜ 0.01).However,Dex or TTM treatment reduced brain tissue injury volume [(7.20±0.18)mm3 and (5.94 ±0.18)mm3],blood-brain barrier permeability [(32.7 ± 1.2) μg/g and (27.6 ± 1.0) μg,/g],brain tissue water content [(78.5 ± 0.4) ％ and (78.2 ± 0.6) ％],and neurological function [mNSS:(7.3 ± 1.1) points and (5.8 ± 1.3) points] (all P＜0.01).Moreover,Dex + TTM group showed better neuroprotection [reduced brain tissue injury volume:(3.92 ± 0.05) mm3,reduced BBB permeability:(21.6 ± 0.7) μg/g,reduced brain water content:(77.7 ±0.3)％,and reduced mNSS:(4.3 ± 1.2) points] compared with Dex or TTM alone (all P ＜ 0.01).Additionally,the mRNA expression of Claudin-5 (0.23 ± 0.01) decreased significantly at 24 hours after TBI compared with sham group (0.93 ± 0.04,P ＜ 0.01),but Dex or TTM could increase the expression of Claudin-5 (0.47 ± 0.01,and 0.54 ± 0.09) compared with TBI group (P ＜0.01),especially that of TBI + Dex + TTM group (0.64 ± 0.02,P ＜ 0.01).Furthermore,the protein expression of Claudin-5 was in accordance with the result of its mRNA expression.Conclusion Dex in condition with targeted temperature management can up-regulate Claudin-5 expression in early TBI,protect the integrity of blood-brain barrier,attenuate acute brain edema and neurological damage,and improve neurological function recovery.

Objective To analyze the serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in perinatal pregnant women.Methods The vaginal and rectal specimens were collected from pregnant women at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy for culture and identification.The serotypes were analyzed using agglutination assay.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by using Kirby-Bauer method,and interpreted according to 2009 CLSI breakpoints.The data were analyzed via WHONET 5.6 software.Results The prevalence of GBS was 10.4％ (264/2 533) in the 2 533 perinatal pregnant women.Serotype Ⅲ,Ⅰa and Ⅰb was identified in 54.9％ (84/153),17.6％ (27/153) and 13.1％ (20/153) of the GBS,respectively.All the GBS isolates were susceptible to penicillin,cefiriaxone and vancomycin.But 32.9％,68.1％ and 62.1％ of the isolates were resistant to levofloxacin,erythromycin and clindamycin,respectively.The antibiotic resistance rate of serotype Ⅲ isolates to the above three antibiotics was significantly higher than the other serotypes.Conclusions GBS may colonize both vagina and rectum of pregnant women.Vaginal and rectal secretions should be sampled simultaneously for better screening GBS.GBS serotype Ⅲ was the predominant serotype.Penicillin can be used as the first-choice treatment for GBS infections in pregnant women and newborns.GBS-positive pregnant women should be given the intervention treatment immediately to ensure the health of perinatal infants.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of preoperative fibrinogen/albumin ratio (FAR) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) on the postoperative prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Methods An ROC curve was used in determining the best cutoff values of FAR and SII and then grouped. The Cox proportional hazards model was used in analyzing the prognostic factors of radical pancreatic cancer surgery, and then a Nomogram prognostic model was established. C-index, AUC, and calibration curve were used in evaluating the discrimination and calibration ability of the Nomogram. DCA curves were used in assessing the clinical validity of the Nomograms. Results The optimal cutoff values for preoperative FAR and SII were 0.095 and 532.945, respectively. FAR≥ 0.095, SII≥ 532.945, CA199≥ 450.9 U/ml, maximum tumor diameter≥ 4 cm, and the absence of postoperative chemotherapy were independent risk factors for the poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer (P<0.05). The discrimination ability, calibration ability, and clinical effectiveness of Nomogram prognostic model were better than those of the TNM staging system. Conclusion The constructed Nomogram prognostic model has higher accuracy and level of discrimination and more clinical benefits than the TNM staging prognostic model.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with the prognosis of patients with alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical treatment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 43 patients with alcohol-related HCC who were admitted to The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital and underwent radical treatment from January 2008 to July 2015, and according to HDL-C level, the patients were divided into normal group with 26 patients and abnormal group with 17 patients. The two groups were compared in terms of basic information, laboratory markers, imaging indices, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer tumor stage, and Child-Pugh class of liver function. The t-test test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves and the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze independent risk factors for prognosis. ResultsThere was a significant difference in prealbumin between the two groups (162.38±60.86 mg/L vs 120.06±64.08 mg/L, t=2.184, P=0.035). Number of tumors (hazard ratio ［HR］=2.839, 95%confidence interval ［CI］: 1.120~7.200,P=0.028), tumor size (HR=2.634, 95%CI: 1.062~6.529,P=0037), and HDL-C level (HR=2.400, 95%CI: 1.040~5.537,P=0.040) were independent risk factors for the overall survival of patients with alcohol-related HCC. There were significant differences in 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates between the normal group and the abnormal group (88.5%/72.4%/55.7% vs 70.6%/43.7%/17.5%, χ2=5.881, P=0.015). ConclusionThe reduction in HDL-C level might indicate poor prognosis of patients with alcohol-related HCC.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) combined with platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (LMR-PLR) scoring model for prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after radical resection.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 116 patients with PDAC who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2015 to December 2019 were collected. There were 73 males and 43 females, aged 61.5(range, 29.0-75.0)years. All patients underwent radical resection for PDAC. Observation indicators: (1) optimal cut-off value of LMR and PLR; (2) clinicopathological features of patients with different scores of preoperative LMR-PLR scoring model; (3) follow-up and survival; (4) influencing factors for prognosis of PDAC patients; (5) construction and verification of nomogram prediction model. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. The Graphpad prism 8 was used to draw survival curve, the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX proportional hazard regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. The X-tile software was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of LMR and PLR. The nomogram prediction model was conducted based on the results of multivariate analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn. The area under curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the discrimination of nomogram prediction model. The calibration curve was used to evaluate the consistency of nomogram prediction model and the decision curve was used to evaluate the clinical benefits. Results:(1) Optimal cut-off value of LMR and PLR. The optimal cut-off values of LMR and PLR were 1.9 and 156.3. (2) Clinicopathological features of patients with different scores of preoperative LMR-PLR scoring model. Cases with LMR-PLR scoring as 0, 1, 2 were 11, 42, 63. Cases with CA125 <12.4 U/mL, cases postoperative with vascular invasion, cases with postoperative chemotherapy in patients with 0, 1, 2 of LMR-PLR scoring were 1, 8, 24, 9, 27, 27, 3, 26, 43, showing significant differences among them ( χ2=6.73, 8.37, 6.68, P<0.05). (3) Follow-up and survival. All 116 patients were followed up for 39(range, 2-86)months. The 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate of 116 PDAC patients was 50.9%, 37.9%, 19.3%, respectively, with a survival time of 13(range, 1-85)months. The survival time of patients with LMR-PLR scoring as 0, 1, 2 was 3(range, 1-9)months, 7(range, 2-56)months, 26(range, 2-85)months, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( χ2=48.78, P<0.05). (4) Influencing factors for prognosis of PDAC patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA19-9, LMR-PLR score, tumor diameter were independent factors affecting prognosis of patients ( hazard ratio=1.61, 1.88, 0.27, 1.87, 95% confidence interval as 1.02-2.54, 1.18-3.00, 0.19-0.39, 1.13-3.09, P<0.05). (5) Construction and verification of nomogram prediction model. The nomogram prediction model was constructed based on CEA, CA19-9, LMR-PLR score and tumor diameter. The AUC of ROC curve in predicting 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate of patients was 0.86 (95% confidence interval as 0.79-0.93, P<0.05), 0.86 (95% confidence interval as 0.79-0.92, P<0.05), 0.87 (95% confidence interval as 0.78-0.95, P<0.05), respectively. Results of calibration curve showed that the predicted survival rate of nomogram prediction model was consistent with the actual survival rate, with the consistency index as 0.74. Results of decision curve showed that the predictive performance of nomogram prediction model was superior to that of a single factor at a risk threshold of 0.12-0.85. Conclusions:CEA, CA19-9, LMR-PLR score, tumor diameter are independent factors affecting prognosis of patients undergoing radical resection for PDAC, and the nomogram prediction model can predict postoperative survival rate. The predicted survival rate of nomogram prediction model is consistent with the actual survival rate, and the predictive performance of nomogram prediction model is superior to that of a single factor at a risk threshold of 0.12-0.85.

Objective:To study whether aspirin has inhibitory effect on microglia activation induced by Poly-IC and its mechanism.Methods:Microglia cell line BV2 were cultured in vitro to establish a Poly-IC stimulation-induced microglia cell immune activation model. The experiment groups were divided into control group (no treatment), model group (Poly-IC 10 μg/ml), high dose aspirin group (1 mmol/L aspirin), low dose aspirin group (0.1 mmol/L aspirin), high dose aspirin pretreatment group (Poly-IC 10 μg/ml + 1 mmol/L aspirin) and low dose aspirin pretreatment group (Poly-IC 10 μg/ml + 0.1 mmol/L aspirin). The phagocytosis ability of microglia cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Iba1 protein expression were detected by using immunofluorescence method. The expression of the inflammatory cytokines Il-1β, Il-6, Il-10, TNF-α and cox-2 mRNA in microglia cells were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).Results:Compared with the control group, the morphology of microglia cells in model group changed significantly, and the phagocytosis ability and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased. At the meantime, the expression of Iba1 protein was strongly decreased. In the model group, The mRNA expressions of IL-1β(20.55±1.92), IL-6 (63.98±7.83), TNF-α (16.84±3.19), COX-2 (6.78±0.42) were higher than IL-1β(1.01±0.14), IL-6 (0.95±0.17), TNF-α (1.22±0.38), COX-2 (0.87±0.11) in the control group. (Il-1β ( t=26.14), Il-6 ( t=10.22), TNF-α ( t=17.06) and COX-2 ( t=37.07), all P<0.01). In the aspirin pretreatment group, the phagocytic ability of microglia cells was inhibited compared with the model group, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduced. The expression of Iba1 protein was also partly recovered. Meanwhile, the effect of the high aspirin dose pretreatment group on pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β(9.95±0.52), IL-6 (39.64±6.89), TNF-α(1.57±0.42), COX-2 (2.47±0.14)were lower than those in the model group significantly.(IL-1β: t=14.18, IL-6: t=3.69, TNF-α: t=16.68, COX-2: t=27.03, all P<0.01). Conclusion:Aspirin has an inhibitory effect on microglial activation induced by Poly-IC, which may be related with inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors.