Objective To evaluate the impact of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on hemodynamic variables including central venous pressure (CVP),mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in patients with central respiratory failure treated by mechanical ventilation.Methods Thirty two neurosurgical patients with central respiratory failure,male 19,female 13,mean age (58.8 ± 13.9)years,GCS ≤ 8 points,were enrolled in this prospective,self-control study between June 1,2009,and May 31,2011.Patients were excluded in cases of severe cardiopulmonary disorders,pericardial diseases,person machine confrontation,administration of vasoactive drugs,and hypervolemia or hypovolemia.On admission to neurosurgical intensive care unit,all patients were mechanically ventilated in the mode of synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation.Hemodynamic effects of six randomly set levels of end-expiratory pressures (0,3,6,9,12,15 cm H2O,every 10 min,1cm H2O =0.098 kPa) were studied in all patients.CVP,MAP and HR were recorded at each of the six end-expiratory pressure levels.One-way analysis of variance and simple linear regression model were used for data analysis.Results The levels of central venous pressure were elevated with increase in end-expiratory pressures.CVP levels were positively correlated with the levels of PEEP (R =0.468,P =0.000),with a simple linear regression equation expressed as:CVP (cm H2O) =7.870 +0.344 ×PEEP (cm H2O),The levels of MAP showed no statistically significant changes at different PEEP levels (F =1.390,P =0.227).No linear correlation between MAP,HR and PEEP levels was found (R =0.042 and 0.160,P =0.413 and 0.002).Conclusions CVP values would be overestimated during mechanical ventilation at different PEEP levels in mechanically ventilated patients due to central respiratory failure,positive correlation existed between CVP values and PEEP levels,whereas MAP was unaffected by different PEEP levels.This study could probably offer a quantitative reference for correct assessment of such a hemodynamic variable as CVP for mechanically ventilated patients without discontinuance of PEEP.Further studies are needed to determine whether these findings could be confirmed in a prospective manner.

Objective To explore the method of isolation, identification and in vitro differentiation of islet stem cells in neonatal rat. Methods The whole pancreata of neonatal rats were digested with collagenase, then,under the (condition) of pH 7.4～7.6,the digested tissue fragments were cultured with serum and serum-free RPMI 1640 (( bFGF), EGF, N2).The whole formation process of new islet cell-like cell masses was examined.The insulin (release) test was used to detect islet function. The expression of nestin was tested by immunocytochemistry. Results The nestin positive cells can be found within 36 h of culture of the digested pancreatic fragments.After addition of bFGF,ECF,N2,nestin positive cells proliferated fast and formed new islets-like cell masses after 18～24 d, and (insulin)ssion could be confirmed. Conclusions The nestin positive cells of pancreatic cells possess the character of islet stem cells, and can form islet like cell masses through culture in vitro.

Objective To explore the isolation, culture of nestin positive cells of the pancreas in newborn rats. Methods The whole pancreas of neonatal rats were digested with collagenase, followed by incubation under pH 7. 6 serum RPMI 1640 for 24 - 36 h and then under pH 7. 4 serum free RPMI 1640 (bFGF.EGF 20 ng/ml.1% N2) for 18-24 d. The expression of insulin.glucagon and nestin were detected by immunofluorescence technique. Nestin.CK19 were detected by RT-PCR. Resides Cells attached to the surface of plates after 24 h incubation under pH 7. 6 condition, and islet-like masses were obtained after 18 -24 d incubation. A monolayer of cells grew out after 24 h of passage of islet-like masses. Nestin positive cells was detected after 24 - 36 h incubation, with no expression of insulin and glucagon. Positive cells of insulin and glucagon were detected in islet-like masses after 24 h passage. Nestin positive cells were detected by RT-PCR in islet-like masses after 24 h passage, but no CK19. Conclusion Insulin and glucagon were expressed in islet-like masses after passage. Nestin positive cells in the pancreas of neonatal rats possessed character of islet stem cells.

Objective: To examine the correlation between visuospatial construction ability and occupational aluminum exposure among aluminum workers, so as to provide the evidence for early protection of occupational injury among aluminum workers. Methods: A total of 442 workers in an aluminum factory in Shanxi Province were selected using a cluster sampling method, and participants' demographic features and occupational history were collected. The blood aluminum concentration was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the visuospatial construction ability was evaluated with the Cube Copying Test (CCT) of the Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The correlation between the visuospatial construction ability and blood aluminum concentration was examined using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 442 aluminum workers were enrolled, and all participants were male, with a mean age of (43.40±7.31) years, labor service duration of (23.64±8.35) years and a mean blood aluminum concentration of 33.87 µg/L. Of all participants, there were 206 workers with impaired visuospatial construction ability (46.61%), including 127 workers with blood aluminum concentrations of >33.87 µg/L (61.65%); 190 workers with educational duration of 6 to 9 years (92.23%), 118 electrolytic aluminum workers (57.28%), 114 workers with work shifts (55.34%), and 123 workers with a very good sleep quality (59.71%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that blood aluminum concentrations of >33.87 µg/L (OR=2.490, 95%CI: 1.531-4.052), educational duration of 6 years or more (OR: 0.075-0.246, 95%CI: 0.015-0.622), work type as a non-electrolytic aluminum worker (OR=0.838, 95%CI: 0.425-0.987), work shift (OR=1.179, 95%CI: 1.078-1.435) and a very good sleep quality (OR=0.104, 95%CI: 0.012-0.896) significantly correlated with impaired visuospatial construction ability among aluminum worker. Conclusion Impaired visuospatial construction ability correlates with occupational aluminum exposure among aluminum workers.

Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICI)for patients with tumor recurrence after liver transplantation(LT).Methods:A single-center retrospective study was conducted for 6 recipients of tumor recurrence after LT on a therapy of ICI admitted into Shulan(Hang Zhou)Hospital from September 2015 to June 2018.The authors examined the occurrences of graft rejection and clinical outcomes of overall response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival after dosing of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.Results:Six patients enrolled with tumor recurrence on a therapy of ICI undergoing LT due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nivolumab (n=4) and duvalizumab (n=2) were administrated.The median session of treatment was 8.3(2-31) cycles.The disease outcomes were stable (3/6, 50%) and progressive (3/6, 50%), The progression-free survival time of 3 disease-controlled patients was 1.5, 16.2 and 18 months and the median survival time after recurrence was 19.75(10.8-37.8) months.Rejection occurred in 1 patients (1/6, 16.7%) and the occurring time of rejection was 28 days after PD-1 inhibitor dosing.After acute rejection, high-dose corticosteroids and immunoglobulin were ineffective and the patient died from acute rejection related liver failure.Conclusions:ICI may be employed as a salvage treatment for tumor recurrence after LT for HCC.Due to a possibility of severe acute rejection, usage should be cautious under close monitoring of liver function.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis and construct a diagnosis model for sarcopenia in cirrhosis.Methods:73 patients with liver cirrhosis hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology of Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital between June 2021 and June 2022 were included. Common measurements in liver cirrhosis and abdominal CT scans of all patients were collected. The cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle at L3 level was calculated by sliceomatic and the skeletal muscle index (SMI) was subsequently obtained by height standardization. The patients were divided into sarcopenia group and non-sarcopenia group using Asian cut-off per European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2nd meeting (EWGSOP2) criteria. Risk factors related to sarcopenia in cirrhosis were analyzed and a subsequent diagnosis model was established.Results:among the cirrhotic patients included in the study, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 65.75% (48/73), 47.73% (21/44) in males and 93.10% (27/29) in females, respectively. There were significant differences in age, sex, BMI, liver function grade per Child Pugh classification, etiology, ferritin level, prothrombin time and hemoglobin level between sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups (P < 0.05). Age, liver function, sex and ferritin level were closely related to the occurrence of sarcopenia in cirrhosis. A diagnostic model was developed based on these 4 indexes and the area under curve reached up to 95.7%.Conclusion:≥ 60 years old, female, Child-Pugh C grade and ferritin < 29.60 μg/L are independent risk factors for sarcopenia in cirrhosis and the model with these indexes shows good diagnostic value for sarcopenia in cirrhosis.

Background & Objective: Disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) are widely used in Western countries. In China, however, the current treatment patterns of MS patients are not well characterized. This is to explore the gap between the current treatments in Guangzhou, Southern China and those given in Western countries. Methods: We performed a survey of MS patients at department of neurology, a tertiary MS referral centre in Guangzhou, concerning treatments of MS in Southern China. The clinical data in patients were collected. The initial treatment, drug withdrawal or switching profile, and therapeutic effect of existing treatments in MS patients were analyzed. Results: The ratio of MS patients who receive DMTs in Guangzhou China is extremely low. Among the 178 patients studied, only 28.09% received initial treatment with DMTs. MS patients who receive initial treatment with first-line DMTs have higher drug withdrawal rates (32.6%) and drug switching rates (30.43%) than those of western populations. The main reasons for withdrawal of first-line DMTs were doctor’s advice (maintenance of remission) (40.00%), economic burden(20.00%), and no channels to buy drugs(13.33%). In MS patients initially treated with first-line DMTs who switched to other drugs, a gap between treatments was common (8/14;57.14%). There were 18 patients with highly active MS receiving treatment with rituximab. Annual relapse rate after treatment significantly decreased than that before treatment (0.74 vs. 1.50 , P < 0.001). Conclusions: DMTs for MS in Guangzhou, Southern China appear to lag behind those in Western countries. Much work is needed to improve drug accessibility and affordability of DMTs in China. Rituximab is an option for highly active MS in limited medical-resource countries.

Immunoglobulin G against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) is detectable in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) without aquaporin-4 IgG (AQP4-IgG), but its pathogenicity remains unclear. In this study, we explored the pathogenic mechanisms of MOG-IgG in vitro and in vivo and compared them with those of AQP4-IgG. MOG-IgG-positive serum induced complement activation and cell death in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293T cells transfected with human MOG. In C57BL/6 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats, MOG-IgG only caused lesions in the presence of complement. Interestingly, AQP4-IgG induced astroglial damage, while MOG-IgG mainly caused myelin loss. MOG-IgG also induced astrocyte damage in mouse brains in the presence of complement. Importantly, we also observed ultrastructural changes induced by MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG. These findings suggest that MOG-IgG directly mediates cell death by activating complement in vitro and producing NMOSD-like lesions in vivo. AQP4-IgG directly targets astrocytes, while MOG-IgG mainly damages oligodendrocytes.

Background Aluminum and fluoride are neurotoxic, and aluminum exposure alone is closely related to the overall cognitive function of operational workers. It is unclear about the effect of aluminum and fluoride interactions on cognitive function. Objective To evaluate a potential interaction effect of blood aluminum and urinary fluoride on the overall cognitive function of workers working in an aluminum plant. Methods Using cluster sampling, 230 workers in the electrolysis workshop of an aluminum group company in Shanxi Province were selected, and plasma aluminum concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and urinary fluoride by ion-selective electrode. The study participants were divided into a low blood aluminum group and a high blood aluminum group according to the median (M) of blood aluminum concentration, and a low urinary fluoride group and a high urinary fluoride group by a predetermined cutoff point (2.160 mg·L⁻¹). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Beijing (MoCA-BJ) was used to assess overall cognitive function of the workers. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between blood aluminum, urinary fluoride, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including multiplicative interaction analysis and correlation analysis; R language was used to fit an additive interaction model of blood aluminum and urinary fluoride on MCI and to calculate synergy index (S), relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), and attributable proportion due to interaction (API). Results Among the 230 operational workers, the median blood aluminum concentration (P₂₅, P₇₅) was 40.11 (25.16, 58.89) µg·L⁻¹, and there were 104 cases of abnormal urinary fluoride, with an abnormality rate of 45.2%. There was a multiplicative interaction (OR=7.783, 95%CI: 1.377, 43.991) and no additive interaction (RERI=0.030, 95%CI: −0.498, 0.559; API=0.018, 95%CI: −0.279, 0.316; S=1.049, 95%CI: 0.519, 2.118) for the effect between blood aluminum and urinary fluoride on overall cognitive function of the workers. The logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of MCI was 12.105 (95%CI: 2.802, 52.287) times higher in workers with both high blood aluminum and high urinary fluoride than in those with low blood aluminum and low urinary fluoride, after adjusting for selected influencing factors. Conclusion Occupational exposure related high blood aluminum and high urinary fluoride are risk factors for cognitive dysfunction, and the coexistence of both indicators increases the risk of MCI in workers with occupational aluminum exposure, with a multiplicative interaction.