A rapid analytical method was developed for the determination of N-methylcarbamoyl adduct in Hemoglobin of workers exposed to N,N-dimethylformamide by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry ( UPLC/MS/MS). About 0. 1 g of hemoglobin sample, 40 μmol/L of 3-methyl-5-isopropylhydantoin (MIH) as the internal standard and 4. 75 mL of HCl-acetic acid (2∶1, V/V) were added in the centrifuge tube, and mixed for 3 min. Then the tube was heated in boiling water bath for 1h. After cooling down, 200 μL of the mixture and 600 μL of formic acid-acetonitrile (1%) were added into 96-well extract plate. The vacuum pump pressure was controlled to make the sample collection elute within 2-4 min.The purified collection was transferred into the sample vial, and 3-methyl-5-isopropylhydantoin ( MVH ) as degration product of N-methylcarbamoyl adduct was quantified by UPLC/MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring ( MRM ) by internal standard method. A good linear relationship was obtained in the MVH concentration range of 0 . 01-1 . 0 μmol/L with the correlation coefficient of 0 . 999 . The recovery of added MVH in the blank sample was 97 . 3% and the relative standard deviation was 1 . 7%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0. 01 μmol/g. This method was proved to be fast and efficient.

OBJECTIVETo study the safety, effectiveness and feasibility of suprapubis-assisted umbilical laparoendoscopic mini-dual-site surgery (SAU-LEMDS) in the treatment of varicocele.

METHODSThis study included 80 varicocele patients aged 24 - 44 (mean 28.5 +/- 2.6) years, 25 cases of grade I, 45 cases of grade II and 10 cases of grade III, 58 cases in the left side, 6 in the right and 16 in both sides, and all with asthenospermia. The patients were treated by SAU-LEMDS under subarachnoid anesthesia combined with general anesthesia in a supine position with a head-down-feet-up slope of 15 degrees. Two 5 mm trocars were inserted bilaterally at the umbilical edge, one with a 5 mm 30 degrees laparoscope placed in it, and another into the abdominal cavity below the pubic hairline with a 5 mm laparoendoscopic clipper placed in it. The operation procedure was similar to that of standard laparoscopic ligation of spermatic veins, with reservation of the spermatic artery and double-ligation of spermatic veins. And the procedure was repeated for the contralateral lesion in the bilateral cases. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for the incidences of orchiatrophy and testicular hydrocele and changes of seminal parameters.

RESULTSAll the operations were successful, with the mean operation time of (10 +/- 5.0) min (range 8 to 25 min) for the unilateral cases and (18 +/- 6.5) min (range 15 to 30 min) for the bilateral cases, the mean blood loss of (1.5 +/- 0.5) ml (range 1 to 2 ml), and the mean postoperative hospital stay of (2 +/- 0.5) d (range 1.5 to 3 d). The patients were followed up for 6 -24 (12 +/- 2.5) months, which showed significant improvement in sperm motility as compared with the baseline ([28.53 +/- 5.21] vs [19.62 +/- 3.56]%, P < 0.05), with 28 cases (35.0%) restored to normal. Recurrence was found in 4 cases (5.0%). Testicular hydrocele occurred in 7 cases (8.75%), but orchiatrophy in none. The scars in the umbilicus and suprapubis were invisible because of the wrinkles and pubic hair.

CONCLUSIONSAU-LEMDS is safe, effective and feasible for the treatment of varicocele. It is superior to umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (U-LESS) for its less invasiveness, simpler operation, and better cosmetic appearance.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Ligation ; methods ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Testicular Hydrocele ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Umbilicus ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Veins

Objective To investigate the incidence and associated factors of rotator cuff injuries in patients surgically treated for proximal humerus fracture.Methods A retrospective investigation was conducted in the patients over 40 years old who had been surgically treated for proximal humeral fracture from April 10th 2017 to December 1st 2017 at Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.Intraoperative direct visualization was used to collect their clinical data concerning rotator cuff injuries in combination with proximal humeral fracture.All the data were analyzed to find the incidence,gender ratio,age distribution and fracture type distribution concerning rotator cuff injuries.Results A total of 143 eligible patients were included in this investigation.Their average age was 61.95 years and their male-female ratio 1:2.3.The incidence was 46.2％ (66/143) for all the rotator cuff injuries in proximal humerus fracture and 23.1％ (33/143) just for rotator cuff tears.There were no significant differences in age,male to female ratio or distribution of Neer fracture type between patients with rotator cuff injury and those without rotator cuff injury (P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the age and or distribution of Neer fracture type between patients with rotator cuff tear and patients without rotator cuff tear (P ＞ 0.05).The proportion of females in patients with rotator cuff tears (84.8％,28/33) was significantly higher than that in patients with no rotator cuff tears (63.6％,21/33) (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between different age groups of the patients in incidence of combined rotator cuff injury (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Concomitant rotator cuff injuries are relatively common in patients over 40 years old with a proximal humerus fracture.About half of the injuries may be simple wear or wear plus degeneration while the other half rotator cuff tear happening mostly in female patients.The incidence of concomitant rotator cuff injury may increase with the age of the patients with a proximal humerus fracture.

Siegesbeckia pubescens (SP) has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of and inflammatory diseases.However,the activities of SP against hepatocellular carcinoma and the related mechanisms remain unclear.The present study aimed to examine the effects of the essential oil of SP (SPEO) on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the possible mechanisms.The growth inhibition of HepG2 cells was analyzed by MTT assay.Hoechst 33258 and fluorescence microscopy were utilized to observe the nuclear morphological changes of apoptotic cells.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle.The expressions of the target proteins were detected by Western blotting.The results showed that SPEO obviously inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.SPEO activated a series of apoptotic proteins in HepG2 cells,increasing expression levels of Bax,caspase-3 and caspase-9,and decreasing the bcl-2 expression level.SPEO displayed promising anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activities in vitro,partly by inducing apoptosis in HepG2 cells through activating the mitochondrial pathway.

Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mammary Arteries ; injuries

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical and pathological features of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with hepatic steatosis.

METHODSRetrospective analysis of hepatic steatosis in patients with liver biopsy-proven CHB between January 2005 and June 2008. Detailed clinical, laboratory and pathological data of CHB patients with steatosis were compared with those in sex-, age- matched CHB patients without steatosis. Patients co-infected hepatitis C virus or HIV or suffering from liver diseases of other causes were excluded.

RESULTSHistological hepatic steatosis was found in 33.4% of the 1263 CHB patients. The prevalence of steatosis was increased with time in the study period (20.3%, 28.2%, 32.6%, 65.4%, in trend analysis, P values less than 0.05). Body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, serum triglyceride and total cholesterol level in CHB patients with hepatic steatosis (n = 114) were significantly higher than those in 113 patients without steatosis (t values were 6.811, 2.733, 3.063, 2.340, respectively, P values less than 0.01 or 0.05). Compared to patients without steatosis, serum hepatitis B virus DNA titer in patients with steatosis was significantly lower (x2 = 6.154, P less than 0.05) and reduced sharply with the increased degree of hepatic steatosis (x2 = 4.941, P less than 0.05). There were no differences in liver biochemical test (t values were 0.744, 1.390, -0.029, -1.175, 1.393, respectively, P values more than 0.05), hepatic inflammation grade and fibrosis stage between CHB patients with and without steatosis (x2 = 1.434, 0.106, respectively, P more than 0.05), and these parameters were not associated with different degree of hepatic steatosis (x2 = 2.447, 2.911, respectively, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHepatic steatosis is common in patients with CHB, and is related to metabolic disorders. Hepatic steatosis does not affect the severity of CHB. The reverse association of hepatitis B virus titer with the degree of hepatic steatosis needs further investigation.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; virology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Obesity ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and clinical significance of KiSS- 1 and E- cadherin in gastric cardia carcinoma and the correlation between the two proteins.

METHODSThe expression of KiSS- 1 and E- cadherin in 80 patients with gastric cardia carcinoma and 20 patients with normal gastric cardia epithelium was detected by immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTSThe expression of KiSS- 1 was negatively correlated with lymphatic metastasis and clinical stage (P < 0.05), but not correlated with the cancer differentiation (P < 0.05). The expression of E- cadherin was negatively correlated with lymphatic metastasis, clinical stage, and cancer differentiation (P < 0.05). Spearman test showed a positive correlation between KiSS- 1 and E- cadherin expression (r(s)=0.722, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONKiSS- 1 and E- cadherin may play important roles in inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of gastric cardia carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cardia ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kisspeptins ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

To understand the maintenance and transmission of SFTS virus, the potential vector ticks were collected from sheep, cattle and dogs in the endemic areas of SFTSV in Shandong Province. Among the collected ticks, the dominant species was H. longicornis ticks. Real-time PCR for RNA detection, virus isolation and characterization, genomic sequencing, phylogenetic and antigenic analysis were performed in this investigation. The results showed that the SFTS viral RNA was detected in 2.14% H. longicornis, and a SFTS virus was isolated from one of viral RNA positive ticks collected from sheep. Whole genome analysis of the SFTSV isolates with 11 human-origin SFTS virus revealed a highly pairwise similarity, and the growth curve analysis showed nearly identical in virus yield and the dynamic of virus reproduction compared to human derived viral isolates. Immunofluorescence and neutralization test showed identical serological reaction character of the two different origin viral strains. In this study, the characters of a SFTSV isolate was firstly described, which suggested that the tick species H. longicornis acting important vector role in the transmission of SFTS virus.
Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; parasitology ; Arachnid Vectors ; virology ; Bunyaviridae Infections ; transmission ; virology ; Cattle ; Cell Line ; Dogs ; Humans ; Livestock ; parasitology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phlebovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Sheep ; Ticks ; virology

Objective:To investigate the manifestations of liver injury in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to investigate the prognosis indicators of the disease, and to provide the reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:From January 10 to February 14, 2020, at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the data of 333 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were collected. The changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), indirect bilirubin (IBil) and albumin of the first liver function test after admission and the reexaminations of liver function test during hospitalization period in patients with liver injury were retrospectively analyzed. Student t test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Liver injury occurred in 39.6% (132/333) of COVID-19 patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of liver injury between patients in intensive care unit (ICU) and in general ward (45.6%, 26/57 vs. 38.4%, 106/276; χ2=1.026, P>0.05). 67.4% (89/132) of COVID-19 patients with liver injury presented with increased ALT or AST level on admission. During hospitalization, the level of ALT was higher than that of the first examination after admission ((60.28±50.44) U/L vs. (42.25±32.21) U/L), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-3.230, P<0.05). The levels of ALT and AST of 71.2% (94/132) patients were both <80 U/L, which indicated that most of the patients showed mild liver injury. The patients with elevated level of TBil, DBil and IBil accounted for 3.9% (13/333), 5.4% (18/333) and 2.4% (8/333) of the COVID-19 patients, respectively. The albumin level of COVID-19 patients with liver injury during hospitalization was lower than that of the first examination after admission ((31.8±5.1) g/L vs. (33.7±5.4) g/L), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.712, P<0.05). The albumin levels at first examination on admission and reexamination during hospitalization of patients in ICU were both significantly lower than those of patients in general ward ((29.3±3.7) g/L vs. (34.8±5.1) g/L and (27.6±2.8) g/L vs. (32.9±5.1) g/L), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=4.928 and 4.783, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of liver injury in COVID-19 patients is high. A slight increase in aminotransferase levels is particularly common. Bilirubin abnormality is relatively rare and mild. The level of albumin may be one of the indicators for the severity and prognosis of COVID-19.

Objective:To investigate the classification of main pancreatic duct and treatment strategy after linear stapler closure of pancreatic neck in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD).Methods:The records of 51 consecutive patients with LPD who were treated by linear staple closure technique of pancreatic neck from February to December 2022 from Binzhou Second People′s Hospital, Shijingshan Campus, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Rizhao Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery Research Institute, Chaoyang Central Hospital, Shandong Juxian People′s Hospital, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Binzhou Central Hospital, and Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University were retrospectively reviewed. According to the visibility, position and diameter of the main pancreatic duct at the stump of the pancreas, the type of main pancreatic duct was divided into type I, type Ⅱ, type Ⅲa and type Ⅲb. The number of cases in each main pancreatic duct classification and the corresponding treatment strategies were examined.Results:A total of 51 cases of LPD were successfully completed. Of these patients, the males comprised 56.9%(29/51), and females comprised 43.1%(22/51), with age ranging from 31 to 88 years old. The type of the main pancreatic duct at the stump of the pancreas included 7 cases (13.7%) of type Ⅰ, 39 cases (76.5%) of type Ⅱ, 2 cases (3.9%) of type Ⅲa, and 3 cases (5.9%) of type Ⅲb. Corresponding treatment strategies were adopted according to different main pancreatic duct types, the main pancreatic duct was successfully found, and a support drainage tube was inserted.Conclusion:After linear stapler closure of pancreatic neck, corresponding treatment strategies should be adopted according to the classification of the main pancreatic duct, which would help to improve the success rate of finding the main pancreatic duct and placing a support drainage tube.