High mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) is the most representative substance in the alarmins family, it is actively or passively release to extracellular by the activation of monocyte/macrophage and the dead cells, and then it stimulates the production of a variety of inflammatory mediators, and increases the organism's inflammatory response through relevant receptors signaling pathways. In recent years, its concentration can reflect the severity of inflammation and injury and was related to the prognosis, HMGB1 has won more and more attention in the development of sepsis. By reviewing the study of HMGB1 in sepsis pathogenesis, signal pathway and reversal measures, it was found that HMGB1 was considered as an important inflammatory mediators and warning signal involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis, and was become a new target in the treatment of sepsis. Further research on the role of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of sepsis is needed in the future, and the development of new drugs combined with HMGB1 will be used in the study of HMGB1 in animal experiments.

ObjectiveTo identify the presence of side population (SP) cells in human ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3 and to investigate whether SP cells have the characteristics of cancer stem cells.MethodsSP and non-SP (NSP) cells from OVCAR-3 were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting after being stained by DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342.Limiting dilution transplantation assay,realtime PCR,and drug sensitivity assay were performed to compare the tumorigenic ability,differentiation ability in vivo,the mRNA expressiou of stemness marker (Oct-4,Klf4,and Nanog) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter (ABCG2,ABCB1,and ABCC2),and response to multiple drugs (cisplatin,paclitaxel,doxorubicin,and mitoxantrone )between SP and NSP cells.ResultsA few of SP cells [ ( 1.13 ±0.39) ％ ] which were sensitive to reserpine were identified in OVCAR-3 cells.The injection of as few as 102 SP cells initiated tumors in two of five mice.Tumor latency was 52 -61 days.However,the NSP cells did not generate any tumors in mice until 104 NSP cells were injected (two of five mice).Tumor latency was 64 - 98 days.Tumorigenicity of SP cells was enhanced by at least 100-fold than that of NSP cells.The SP cells regenerated both SP [ ( 2.09 ± 0.73 ) ％ ] and NSP populations in vivo with a fraction size that was comparable to the original population.The mRNA expression ofstemness genes Oct-4,Klf4 and ABC transporters ABCG2,ABCC2 genes were elevated in SP cells compared to NSP cells,the fold changes were 1.95±0.41 (P＜0.05),4.26 ±0.63 (P＜0.01),3.22±0.36 (P＜0.01),and 1.76±0.26 (P＜0.01 ),respectively.The relative activity of SP and NSP cells were 0.757 ± 0.105 versus 0.474 ± 0.035 (P＜0.01),0.521 ±0.092 versus 0.384 ±0.073 (P＜0.05),0.742 ±0.051 versus 0.526 ±0.088 (P ＜0.01 ),and 0.690 ± 0.096 versus 0.466 ± 0.112 ( P ＜ 0.01 ) when they exposed to 0.25 μg/ml cisplatin, 0.01μmol/Lpaclitaxel, 0.25μmol/Ldoxorubicin, and0.05μg/mlmitoxantrone,respectively.ConclusionsSP cells from OVCAR-3 have enhanced self-renewal,differentiation,and tumorinitiating capacity compared to NSP cells.The mRNA expression of stemness genes and ABC transporters are markedly elevated in SP cells,which showed resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs and have characteristics of cancer stem-like cells.Therefore,SP phenotype could be used as a marker to isolate the cancer stem-like cells in ovarian cancer.

ObjectiveTo study the CT values of certain phantoms scanned by various CT scanners with dissimilar parameters.Methods The CT values of tissue equivalent inserts was measured in the TM164 and CIRS-062 phantom scanned by TOSHIBA AQUILIONTM,SIEMENS SOMATOMTMSENSATIONTM 64 and SIEMENS SOMATOMTM SENSATIONTM OPEN with different voltages,currents and slice thicknesses and then the corresponding CT-to-density curves was compared. Results There are no significant differences of CT values with various currents and slice thicknesses and also for low atom number materials scanned by different scanners with various tube voltages.The CT values of high atom number materials have obvious differences scanned with tube voltage,the maximum is about 400 HU.There are also significant differences between CT-density curves of two phantoms in the range from soft tissues to dense bone,the maximum is up to 500 HU.ConclusionsCT-density curves were highly affected by materials of phantoms,scanners and tube voltages.It is necessary to measure the curve with a comfortable phantom and certain scanner to assure the accuracy for dose calculation for treatment planning system.

Objective: To explore a predictive nomogram for the result of prostate biopsy based on Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2(PI-RADS v2)combined with prostate specific antigen (PSA) and its related parameters, and to assess its ability to diagnose prostate cancer by internal validation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 509 patients who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy guided by ultrasound during the period from January 2014 to December 2018 in the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University. In 509 cases, the mean age was (68.1±7.2) years. The mean prostate volume(PV) was (55.8±30.7) ml. The mean tPSA value was (19.86±18.94) ng/ml. The mean value of fPSA was (2.63±3.60) ng/ml and the mean f/tPSA was 0.14±0.08. The mean PSAD was (0.46±0.52) ng/ml2. Based on the PI-RADS v2, score 1 point have 37 cases, score 2 point have 131 cases, score 3 point have 152 cases, score 4 point have 102 cases, score 5 point have 87 cases. Of these patients, we randomly selected 80% (407 cases) as development group, and the other 20% (102 cases) as validation group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of the development group was performed to identify the independent influence factors that can predict prostate cancer (PCa), thereby establishing a predictive model for the result of prostate biopsy. In the development group, validation group and tPSA was between 4.1-20.0 ng/ml, the model was evaluated by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve, and compared to PSA, fPSA, f/tPSA, PSAD, PI-RADS v2. Results: Among the 509 patients enrolled in the study, the detection rate of PCa was 43.0% (219/509). In the development group, the logistic regression analysis demonstrated that patient age (OR=1.113), f/tPSA (OR=0.004), PV (OR=0.986), PSAD (OR=11.023), digital rectal examination (DRE) texture (OR=2.295), transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) with or without hypoechoic (OR=2.089), and PI-RADS v2 (OR=1.920) were independent factors for PCa (P<0.05). The nomogram based on all variables was established. In the development group, the area under the curve (AUC) of the model (0.883) was greater than those of tPSA (0.686), fPSA (0.593), f/tPSA (0.626), PSAD (0.777), PI-RADS v2 (0.761). In the validation group, the area under the curve of the model (0.839) was greater than those of tPSA (0.758), fPSA (0.666), f/tPSA (0.648), PSAD (0.832), PI-RADS v2 (0.803). In patients whose tPSA was between 4.1-20.0 ng/ml, the area under the curve of the model (0.801) was greater than those of tPSA (0.570), fPSA (0.426), f/tPSA (0.657), PSAD (0.707), PI-RADS v2 (0.701). The calibration curve of the nomogram indicated that the prediction curve was basically fitted to the standard curve, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow showed thatχ²=5.434, P=0.710, both suggested that the prediction model had better calibration ability. The decision curve showed that the model based on PI-RADS v2 had high clinical application value. Conclusions The nomogram based on PI-RADS v2 had a high predictive value for prostate cancer and could significantly improve the diagnostic performance. It had better diagnostic value than PSA and its related parameters. It also provided important guidance for the prostate cancer on clinical treatment of patients to some extent.

Objective:To investigate the differential expression of four-jointed box kinase 1 (FJX1) gene in colorectal cancer and its relationship with prognosis and the related mechanisms.Methods:On July 16, 2021, the transcriptome data and clinical data of colorectal cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to analyze the expressions of FJX1 mRNA in colorectal cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues, and the relationship between FJX1 mRNA and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the value of FJX1 mRNA in predicting the survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate whether FJX1 mRNA was an independent influencing factor for prognosis of colorectal cancer. The overall survival (OS) time and survival status of colorectal cancer patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the relationship between FJX1 mRNA and prognosis of patients was analyzed. The methylation data of colorectal cancer was downloaded from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC xena) database to determine the degree of methylation at each site of FJX1 mRNA and the correlation between the expression of FJX1 mRNA and the degree of methylation at each site. Signaling pathways associated with FJX1 mRNA in colorectal cancer were analyzed by using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) (4.1.0). The correlation between FJX1 mRNA and tumor-infiltrating immune cells was investigated by using the Tumor Immunity Evaluation Resource (TIMER) database. Spearman analysis and small molecule/drug sensitivity analysis were used to explore the correlation between FJX1 mRNA expression and drug sensitivity.Results:In the transcriptome data of 612 colorectal cancer cases in TCGA database, the expression of FJX1 mRNA in colorectal cancer tissues was higher than that in the paracancerous tissues ( P < 0.001). In 549 colorectal cancer patients with complete data, FJX1 mRNA expression was correlated with M stage ( P = 0.007), pathological stage (stage Ⅳ vs. stage Ⅰ, P = 0.016; stage Ⅳ vs. stage Ⅱ, P = 0.03; stage Ⅳ vs. stage Ⅲ, P = 0.012), but it was not correlated with age, gender, T stage and N stage (all P > 0.05). In TCGA database and GEO database, the patients were divided into high expression group and low expression group according to the median expression of FJX1 mRNA. The OS in FJX1 mRNA high expression group was worse than that in low expression group (all P<0.05). The ROC curve of FJX1 mRNA expression on the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of colorectal cancer patients was drawn by using the data in TCGA database, and the areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.595, 0.625 and 0.764, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age ( HR = 1.050, 95% CI 1.028-1.073, P < 0.001), T stage ( HR = 1.787, 95% CI 1.090-2.927, P = 0.021) and high FJX1 mRNA expression ( HR = 1.160, 95% CI 1.049-1.282, P = 0.004) were independent influencing factors for poor OS in colorectal cancer. The gene set enrichment analysis found that FJX1 mRNA was related to colorectal cancer, TGF-β signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, etc. The expression of FJX1 mRNA in colon cancer was negatively correlated with the degree of methylation of FJX1 mRNA ( r = -0.16, P < 0.001), and the expression of FJX1 mRNA in rectal cancer was positively correlated with the degree of methylation of FJX1 mRNA ( r = 0.33, P < 0.001). The expression of FJX1 mRNA was related to the infiltration of resting memory CD4 + T cells, M0 macrophages and resting dendritic cells. FJX1 mRNA was significantly associated with the resistance of various chemotherapeutic drugs and tumor-targeted drugs such as methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, gefitinib, etc. Conclusions:FJX1 mRNA may be a potential biomarker of colorectal cancer and is associated with the infiltration of immune cells.

Objective To evaluate the defecation function of patients with low rectal cancer after laparoscopic-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME),and analyze the influencing factors.Methods The retrospective case-control study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 55 patients with low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic-assisted TaTME in the First Hospital of Jilin University from May 2017 to December 2018 were collected.There were 39 males and 16 females,aged (60-± 11) years,with a range from 24 to 80 years.Among the 55 patients,21 were in TNM stage Ⅰ,14 were in TNM stage Ⅱ,and 20 were in TNM stage Ⅲ;24 were in pathological stage T1-2 and 31 were in pathological stage T3.Observation indicators:(1) surgical and postoperative conditions;(2) follow-up;(3) analysis of influencing factors for postoperative defecation function.Follow-up was performed using questionnaires by telephone interview to detect the complications at 3 and 6 months after surgery up to June 2019.The measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as Mean± SD,and comparison between groups was done using the t test.Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages,and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models.Results (1) Surgical and postoperative conditions:55 patients successfully underwent laparoscopic-assisted TaTME without conversion to open surgery.The operation time,volume of intraoperative blood loss,diameter of postoperative pathological specimen,time to urinary catheter removal,distance between the anastomostic stoma and anal verge,and tumor diameter were (246±62) minutes,(69±27) mL,(3.5±0.7) cm,(2.1±0.9) days,(2.4±0.5) cm,and (3.9-± 1.6)cm,respectively.(2) Follow-up:55 patients were followed up at 3 months and 6 months after surgery,and the low anterior resection syndrome questionnaires were completed.Among the 55 patients,35 had low anterior resection syndrome at 3 months after surgery,and 24 had low anterior resection syndrome at 6 months after surgery,showing a significant difference (x2 =4.42,P＜0.05).There was no new onset low anterior resection syndrome in 55 patients after 3 months.(3) Analysis of influencing factors for defecation function:univariate analysis showed that the distance between the anastomotic stoma and anal verge and tumor diameter were influencing factors affecting defecation function of patients at 3 months after surgery (x2 =19.075,8.185,P＜ 0.05).The distance between the anastomotic stoma and anal verge was a influencing factor affecting the defecation function of patients at 6 months after surgery (x2=9.183,P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the distance between the anastomotic stoma and anal verge ＜ 2 cm,and tumor diameter ＞5 cm were independent risk factors affecting the defecation function of patients at 3 months after surgery (odds ratio =1.135,6.057,95％ confidence interval:1.089-1.323,1.206-30.435,P＜0.05).The distance between the anastomotic stoma and anal verge ＜ 2 cm was an independent risk factor affecting the defecation function of patients at 6 months after surgery (odds ratio =2.724,95％ confidence interval:1.982-3.066,P＜0.05).Conclusions The incidence of low anterior resection syndrome after laparoscopic-assisted TaTME for low rectal cancer is high.Distance between the anastomotic stoma and anal verge and tumor diameter are independent risk factors for the postoperative defecation founction.

Herein, we report a novel sensor to detect trypsin using a purpose-designed fluorescein-labelled peptide with negatively charged carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) modified by acid oxidation. The fluorescence of the fluorescein-labelled peptide was quenched by CNPs. The sensor reacted with trypsin to cleave the peptide, resulting in the release of the dye moiety and a substantial increase in fluorescence intensity, which was dose-and time-dependent, and trypsin could be quantified accordingly. Correspondingly, the biosensor has led to the development of a convenient and efficient fluorescent method to measure trypsin activity, with a detection limit of 0.7μg/mL. The method allows rapid determination of trypsin activity in the normal and acute pancreatitis range, suitable for point-of-care testing. Furthermore, the applicability of the method has been demonstrated by detecting trypsin in spiked urine samples.

Objective:To explore the effect of swallowing different viscosities and volumes on the swallowing of dysphagic stroke survivors, and also penetration and aspiration.Methods:A total of 59 stroke survivors with dysphagia were evaluated using videofluoroscopy while completing the Chinese version of the volume viscosity swallow test. They were required to swallow 3, 5 and 10ml of food of medium, low, zero and high viscosity. Modified barium swallowing impairment profiles (MBSImPs) and the Rosenbek penetration aspiration scale were used for quantitative analysis.Results:Tongue control, initiation of the pharyngeal swallow and larynx closure showed the worst performance when swallowing zero-viscosity food. Oral residue performance was poor when swallowing large volumes and pharyngeal peristalsis was poor with small volumes. The risk of penetration and aspiration was greater with low-viscosity, large-volume swallowing tasks. There was a significant positive correlation between the penetration aspiration grade and total pharyngeal score. Larynx closure was especially strongly correlated with the penetration aspiration grade.Conclusions:The characteristics of physiological swallowing are closely related to the viscosity and volume of the material being swallowed. The risk of penetration and aspiration is greater with large volumes of low-viscosity food.

Objective:To explore the incidence and severity of esophageal clearance impairment in stroke survivors with dysphagia, the clinical characteristics of patients with abnormal esophageal clearance, and their relationship with swallowing physiology, penetration and aspiration.Methods:Clinical data were collected describing 174 stroke survivors whose swallowing had been studied videofluoroscopically. In each selected case there was a good anterior-posterior view of esophageal clearance. Their anterior-posterior and lateral imaging results while swallowing 5ml of high-consistency food were analyzed. The esophageal clearance item of the modified barium swallow impairment profile was then used to rate each subject′s esophageal clearance and each physiological component of swallowing in the oral and pharyngeal phases. The Rosenbek penetration aspiration scale was employed evaluate the safety of their swallowing.Results:Seventy of the patients (40.2%) displayed abnormal esophageal clearance, and more than half of the 70 (43 patients, 24.7%) showed mid- to distal esophageal retention. Those with abnormal esophageal clearance had a higher average age and more severe overall impairment in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Esophageal clearance was not, however, significantly correlated with swallowing physiology in the oral phase or with penetration or aspiration grade. There were, however, significant positive correlations with laryngeal elevation, anterior hyoid excursion, pharyngeal stripping waves, pharynx contraction, upper esophageal sphincter opening, tongue base retraction and pharyx residue.Conclusion:Stroke survivors with dysphagia may display abnormal esophageal clearance. The risk is closely related to age and the severity of the dysphagia. Abnormal physiology during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing and reduced pharyngeal stripping may predict abnormal esophageal clearance. Swallowing assessment can be made more comprehensiveness and systematic by incorporating anterior-posterior videography in routine barium swallowing studies.

Objective:To explore the possible factors leading to failure of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing in maternal peripheral blood and analyze the pregnancy outcomes of this group of pregnant women.Methods:This retrospective study involved 5 195 women who underwent cfDNA testing in Peking University Third Hospital from April 2017 to April 2019. Based on the first cfDNA testing results, clinical characteristics of the pregnant women with successful (success group, n=5 107) and failed (failure group, n=88) cfDNA testing were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of cfDNA testing failure and the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the success rate, and evaluate the feasibility of re-sampling and the factors affecting the unsuccessful testing of a second sample. Results:The failure rate of first cfDNA testing was 1.7% (88/5 195). Successful cfDNA testing was achieved in 74 (87.1%, 74/85) of 85 re-sampling cases, while results of the other 11 cases (12.9%, 11/85) remained invalid. Thus, the final failure rate was 0.2% (11/5 195). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that increased maternal age ( OR=1.086, 95% CI: 1.023-1.152, P=0.006), BMI ( OR=1.083, 95% CI: 1.021-1.149, P=0.008) and twin pregnancies ( OR=3.093, 95% CI: 1.715-5.577, P<0.001) were the risk factors of cfDNA testing failure, while increased cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) concentration ( OR=0.758, 95% CI: 0.720-0.761, P<0.001) was a protective factor. The overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m 2) and obese (BMI≥30 kg/m 2) women were 3.626 ( OR=3.626, 95% CI: 2.298-5.724, P<0.001) and 4.064 ( OR=4.064, 95% CI: 1.779-9.284, P=0.001) times more likely to have failed cfDNA testing than those with normal weight (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2), respectively. The success rate of re-testing decreased as the maternal BMI increased, regardless of the time interval between the two samplings ( OR=0.840, 95% CI: 0.699-1.245, P=0.065). Seven out of the 74 cases with successful results in re-testing were at high risk, including one 45,X and one 47,XXY, confirmed by karyotyping amniocentesis. Among the 11 pregnant women with a failed testing after second sampling, eight underwent prenatal diagnosis with normal fetal chromosome karyotypes, and the other three cases without prenatal diagnosis all gave birth to neonates with normal phenotype. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of pregnancy loss between the failure and success group [9.1% (8/88) vs 2.5% (128/5 107), P=0.090]. Conclusions:Pregnant women with advanced age and higher BMI, lower cffDNA fraction and twin pregnancies are more likely to fail in cfDNA testing. For obese women, blood sampling can be postponed to a larger gestational age to reduce the failure rate. For pregnant women with failed testing in first sampling, a re-sampling is recommended, moreover, prenatal diagnosis is necessary for those had high-risk results or failed in re-testing.