Objective To explore the pathogenic roles of miR-21, estrogen (E2), and estrogen receptor (ER) in adenomyosis. Methods We examined the expression levels of miR-21 in specimens of adenomyotic tissue and benign cervical lesions using qRT-PCR. In primary cultures of cells isolated from the adenomyosis lesions, the effect of ICI82780 (an ER inhibitor) on miR-21 expression levels prior to E2 activation or after E2 deprivation were examined with qRT-PCR. We further assessed the effects of a miR-21 mimic or an inhibitor on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and autophagy of the cells. Results The expression level of miR-21 was significantly higher in adenomyosis tissues than in normal myometrium (P<0.05). In the cells isolated from adenomyosis lesions, miR-21 expression level was significantly higher in E2 activation group than in ER inhibition+E2 activation group and the control group (P<0.05);miR-21 expression level was significantly lower in cells in E2 deprivation+ER inhibition group than in E2 deprivation group and the control group (P<0.05). The adenomyosis cells transfected with miR-21 inhibitor showed inhibited proliferation and migration, expansion of mitochondrial endoplasmic reticulum, increased lysosomes, presence of autophagosomes, and increased cell apoptosis, while transfection of the cells with the miR-21 mimic produced the opposite effects. Conclusion MiR-21 plays an important role in promoting proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis in adenomyosis cells by altering the cell ultrastructure, which may contribute to early pathogenesis of the disease. In addition to binding with E2, ER can also regulate miR-21 through other pathways to participate in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, thus having a stronger regulatory effect on miR-21 than E2.

Objective:To compare the application effect of domestic and imported intravenous radiofrequency closure system in the treatment of primary varicose veins of lower extremities.Methods:This single-center prospective, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial was performed in the Department of Vascular Surgery, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2021 to January 2022. Patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities who met the ataxation criteria were randomly assigned to the experimental group(domestic novel venous radiofrequency closure system) or the control group(imported venous radiofrequency closure system) in a ratio of 1∶1. The two groups of subjects were compared in terms of target vein closure rate, technical success rate, system operation performance, incidence of adverse events and incidence of serious adverse events(SAE) within 6 months after surgery. Quantitative data were compared by Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical data were compared by χ2 test and non-inferiority test. Results:A total of 80 subjects were included in the trial (41 in the experimental group and 39 in the control group), including 27 males and 53 females, aged ( M(IQR)) 55(23) years (range:40 to 78 years). There were 48 cases of left lower limb and 32 cases of right lower limb. The technical success rate and system control performance between the groups were 100%.The incidence of adverse events (58.5% (24/41) vs. 61.5% (24/39), χ2=0.075, P=0.784), and the incidence of SAE (7.3% (3/41) vs. 5.1% (2/39), χ2=0.163, P=0.686) within 6 months after surgery in experimental group and control group had no statistical significance. There was one device-related adverse event in each of the two groups. In the experimental group, one patient developed endovenous heat-induced thrombosis after surgery and recovered after taking rivaroxaban tablets. One patient in the control group had pain in the upper right thigh for more than 1 day after operation, which was cured after using analgesic cream. No device-related SAE occurred. The venous closure rate of the experimental group was 100% (38/38) at 6 months after surgery, and that of the control group was 97.4% (37/38). The difference between the two groups was 2.63% (95% CI:-3.19 to 8.45, Z=4.865, P<0.01), and the 95% CI lower limit of the difference in target venous closure rate between two groups was greater than the non-inferiority threshold of -10.00%. Conclusion:The early application effect of the new domestic intravenous radiofrequency closure system in patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities is in line with expectations, it is not inferior to the imported system.

Objective To explore the pathogenic roles of miR-21, estrogen (E2), and estrogen receptor (ER) in adenomyosis. Methods We examined the expression levels of miR-21 in specimens of adenomyotic tissue and benign cervical lesions using qRT-PCR. In primary cultures of cells isolated from the adenomyosis lesions, the effect of ICI82780 (an ER inhibitor) on miR-21 expression levels prior to E2 activation or after E2 deprivation were examined with qRT-PCR. We further assessed the effects of a miR-21 mimic or an inhibitor on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and autophagy of the cells. Results The expression level of miR-21 was significantly higher in adenomyosis tissues than in normal myometrium (P<0.05). In the cells isolated from adenomyosis lesions, miR-21 expression level was significantly higher in E2 activation group than in ER inhibition+E2 activation group and the control group (P<0.05);miR-21 expression level was significantly lower in cells in E2 deprivation+ER inhibition group than in E2 deprivation group and the control group (P<0.05). The adenomyosis cells transfected with miR-21 inhibitor showed inhibited proliferation and migration, expansion of mitochondrial endoplasmic reticulum, increased lysosomes, presence of autophagosomes, and increased cell apoptosis, while transfection of the cells with the miR-21 mimic produced the opposite effects. Conclusion MiR-21 plays an important role in promoting proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis in adenomyosis cells by altering the cell ultrastructure, which may contribute to early pathogenesis of the disease. In addition to binding with E2, ER can also regulate miR-21 through other pathways to participate in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, thus having a stronger regulatory effect on miR-21 than E2.

Objective:To investigate serum vitamin A and vitamin D status in children aged 2-<7 years in 20 cities in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 2 924 healthy children aged 2-<7 years were recruited from September 2018 to September 2019 from 20 cities in China, categorized by age groups of 2-<3 years, 3-<5 years, and 5-<7 years. The demographic and economic characteristics and health-related information of the enrolled children were investigated. Body weight and height were measured by professional staff members. The serum vitamin A and vitamin D levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chi-square test and Logistic regression were applied to analyze the association between vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency as well as their underlying impact factors.Results:The age of the 2 924 enrolled children was 4.33 (3.42, 5.17) years. There were 1 726 males (59.03%) and 1 198 females (40.97%). The prevalences of vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency in enrolled children were 2.19% (64/2 924) and 3.52% (103/2 924), respectively, and the insufficiency rates were 29.27% (856/2 924) and 22.20% (649/2 924), respectively. Children with both vitamin A and vitamin D deficiencies or insufficiencies were found in 10.50% (307/2 924) of cases. Both vitamin A ( χ2=7.91 and 8.06, both P=0.005) and vitamin D ( χ2=71.35 and 115.10, both P<0.001) insufficiency rates were higher in children aged 3-<5 and 5-<7 years than those in children aged 2-<3 years. Vitamin A and vitamin D supplementation in the last 3 months was a protective factor for vitamin A and D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively ( OR=0.68 and 0.22, 95% CI 0.49-0.95 and 0.13-0.40, both P<0.05). The rates of vitamin A and D insufficiency was higher in children with annual household incomes <60 000 RMB than in those with annual household incomes ≥60 000 RMB ( χ2=34.11 and 10.43, both P<0.01). Northwest and Southwest had the highest rates of vitamin A and vitamin D insufficiency in children aged 2-<7 yeas, respectively ( χ2=93.22 and 202.54, both P<0.001). Conclusions:Among 20 cities in China, children aged 2-<7 years experience high rates of vitamin A and vitamin D insufficiency, which are affected by age, family economic level, vitamin A and vitamin D supplementation, and regional economic level. The current results suggest that high level of attention should be paid to vitamin A and vitamin D nutritional status of preschool children.

Objective:To compare the application effect of domestic and imported intravenous radiofrequency closure system in the treatment of primary varicose veins of lower extremities.Methods:This single-center prospective, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial was performed in the Department of Vascular Surgery, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2021 to January 2022. Patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities who met the ataxation criteria were randomly assigned to the experimental group(domestic novel venous radiofrequency closure system) or the control group(imported venous radiofrequency closure system) in a ratio of 1∶1. The two groups of subjects were compared in terms of target vein closure rate, technical success rate, system operation performance, incidence of adverse events and incidence of serious adverse events(SAE) within 6 months after surgery. Quantitative data were compared by Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical data were compared by χ2 test and non-inferiority test. Results:A total of 80 subjects were included in the trial (41 in the experimental group and 39 in the control group), including 27 males and 53 females, aged ( M(IQR)) 55(23) years (range:40 to 78 years). There were 48 cases of left lower limb and 32 cases of right lower limb. The technical success rate and system control performance between the groups were 100%.The incidence of adverse events (58.5% (24/41) vs. 61.5% (24/39), χ2=0.075, P=0.784), and the incidence of SAE (7.3% (3/41) vs. 5.1% (2/39), χ2=0.163, P=0.686) within 6 months after surgery in experimental group and control group had no statistical significance. There was one device-related adverse event in each of the two groups. In the experimental group, one patient developed endovenous heat-induced thrombosis after surgery and recovered after taking rivaroxaban tablets. One patient in the control group had pain in the upper right thigh for more than 1 day after operation, which was cured after using analgesic cream. No device-related SAE occurred. The venous closure rate of the experimental group was 100% (38/38) at 6 months after surgery, and that of the control group was 97.4% (37/38). The difference between the two groups was 2.63% (95% CI:-3.19 to 8.45, Z=4.865, P<0.01), and the 95% CI lower limit of the difference in target venous closure rate between two groups was greater than the non-inferiority threshold of -10.00%. Conclusion:The early application effect of the new domestic intravenous radiofrequency closure system in patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities is in line with expectations, it is not inferior to the imported system.

Objective To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of LUO's Neiyi Prescription on the proliferation and angiogenesis of eutopic endometrium in rats with endometriosis(EMs)based on hypoxia-inducible factor 1A(HIF1A)/enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)/anthrax toxin receptor 2(ANTXR2)signaling pathway.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Danazol group(4.2 g·kg-1),low-dose LUO's Neiyi Prescription group and high-dose LUO's Neiyi Prescription group(15.74,31.48 g·kg-1),eight rats in each group.The rat model of EMs with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome was constructed by autologous endometrial transplantation combined with multi-factor intervention.Intragastric administration was given once a day for 28 consecutive days.The pathological changes of endometrial tissue were observed by HE staining.The expression levels of proliferating cell protein 67(Ki67)and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1(CD31)in endometrial tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF1A,EZH2 and ANTXR2 in endometrial tissues were detected by qRT-PCR and Western Blot.The expression levels of YAP1,CD44 and β-catenin in endometrial tissues were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the epithelial cells of the eutopic endometrium of the model group were thickened,the interstitial cells were arranged disorderly,and the inflammatory cells increased.The expression levels of Ki67 and CD31 in endometrial tissues were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF1A and ANTXR2 were significantly increased(P＜0.01),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of EZH2 were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the protein expression levels of YAP1,CD44 and β-catenin were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the epithelial layer of the eutopic endometrial tissue of the rats in each administration group became thinner,the interstitial disorder and inflammatory infiltration were improved,and the levels of Ki67 and CD31 in the eutopic endometrial tissue were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF1A and ANTXR2 in the endometrium of rats in the Danazol group and the high-dose LUO's Neiyi Prescription group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the mRNA and protein expression levels of EZH2 were significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The protein expression levels of YAP1,CD44 and β-catenin in endometrial tissue of rats in each administration group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion LUO's Neiyi Prescription can play a role in the treatment of EMs by inhibiting the proliferation and angiogenesis of eutopic endometrial cells,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HIF1A/EZH2/ANTXR2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics and molecular genetic mechanism of a fetus with recombinant chromosome 8 (Rec8) syndrome. METHODS: A fetus who was diagnosed with Rec8 syndrome at the Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University on July 20, 2021 due to high risk for sex chromosomal aneuploidy indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) (at 21st gestational week) was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the fetus was collected. G-banded karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were carried out on the amniotic fluid sample. Peripheral blood samples of the couple were also subjected to G banded karyotyping analysis. RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasonography at 23rd gestational week revealed hypertelorism, thick lips, renal pelvis separation, intrahepatic echogenic foci, and ventricular septal defect. The karyotype of amniotic fluid was 46,XX,rec(8)(qter→q22.3::p23.1→qter), and CMA was arr[GRCh37]8p23.3p23.1(158049_6793322)×1, 8q22.3q24.3(101712402_146295771)×3. The karyotype of the pregnant woman was 46,XX,inv(8)(p23.1q22.3), whilst that of her husband was normal. CONCLUSION The Rec8 syndrome in the fetus may be attributed to the pericentric inversion of chromosome 8 in its mother. Molecular testing revealed that the breakpoints of this Rec8 have differed from previously reported ones.
Humans ; Fetus/abnormalities* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Karyotyping

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN).AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.

Objective:To study the safety and treatment outcomes of portal vein embolization (PVE) combined with lenvatinib plus an anti-programmed death-1(PD-1) antibody to treat patients with initially unreasectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed the data of six patients with uHCC who received first-line combined systemic therapy with lenvatinib plus an anti-PD-1 antibody, and then underwent pre-hepatectomy PVE at the Department of Liver Surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from May 2019 to November 2020. All enrolled patients were males, aged (54.6±6.2) (ranged 46 to 63) years. Tumor response and liver volume were evaluated by medical imagings once every 2 months (±2 weeks) and evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (version 1.1). Patients were followed-up by outpatient interviews or by phone calls to record their survival and tumor outcome status.Results:Three of the six enrolled patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A and three had stage B disease. One patient achieved a partial response and five patients had stable diseases. The mean ± s. d. future liver remnant (FLR) percentage was (29.0±8.9) % before PVE and the combination therapy, and was (41.3±10.8) % before the last evaluation for liver surgery ( t=10.79, P<0.001). Hepatectomy was carried out in five patients, and one patient who failed to develop significant FLR hypertrophy did not undergo hepatectomy. Grade B post-hepatectomy liver failure and major postoperative complications (i.e. pleural effusion requiring additional percutaneous drainage) occurred in one patient. After a median post-operative follow-up of 4.5 (range: 1.0-12.3) months, all five patients were alive and were tumor free. Conclusion:PVE followed by hepatectomy is feasible in a uHCC patients receiving systemic therapy with lenvatinib and an anti-PD-1 antibody.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the combination therapy of lenvatinib and programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibodies in unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 59 patients with unresectable or advanced HCC who were admitted to Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from September 2018 to January 2020 were collected. There were 54 males and 5 females, aged from 25 to 73 years, with a median age of 52 years. All 59 patients underwent combination therapy with lenvatinib and PD-1 antibodies including 43 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 16 cases who cannot tolerate first-line therapy or with tumor progressed after first-line therapy undergoing second-line therapy. Observation indicators: (1) clinical efficacy; (2) adverse drug reactions and treatment; (3) follow-up and survival. Follow-up was performed using outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect tumor diameter of the target lesion, overall survival and progression free survival of patients up to December 2020. Measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M ( P25,P75) or M (range). Count data were represented as absolute numbers and (or) percentages. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median duration of response (DoR), median overall survival time, median progression free survival time, survival rates and draw survival curves. Results:(1) Clinical efficacy: the objective response rate (ORR), complete response rate (CR), partial response rate (PR), stable disease rate (SD), progression disease rate (PD), time to response (TTR) and median DoR of 59 HCC patients were 37.3%(22/59), 11.9%(7/59), 25.4%(15/59), 37.3%(22/59), 25.4%(15/59), 2.6 months(2.1 months, 4.0 months), 6.3 months[95% confidence interval ( CI) as 2.2 to 10.5 months], respectively. The ORR, CR, PR, SD, PD and TTR of 43 HCC patients undergoing first-line therapy were 41.9%(18/43), 16.3%(7/43), 25.6%(11/43), 37.2%(16/43),20.9%(9/43), 2.2 months(2.0 months, 3.5 months), respectively. The median DoR of 43 patients undergoing first-line therapy was not reached. The ORR, CR, PR, SD, PD, TTR and median DoR of 16 HCC patients undergoing second-line therapy were 4/16, 0, 4/16, 6/16, 6/16, 3.8 months (3.6 months, 4.1 months), 4.2 months(95% CI as 2.0 to 6.3 months), respectively. Six of 59 HCC patients underwent R 0 resection due to tumor converting to resectable HCC with the conversion and resection rate of 10.2%(6/59). Among the 6 patients, 5 cases undergoing first-line treatment had the conversion and resection rates of 11.6% (5/43) and 1 case undergoing second-line treatment had the conversion and resection rates of 1/16, respectively. (2) Adverse drug reactions and treatment: 25 of 59 HCC patients underwent 3 to 4 grade adverse drug reactions with the incidence of 42.4%(25/59). Among the 25 patients, 10 cases including 5 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 5 cases undergoing second-line therapy had the level of gamma glutamyltransferase >5×upper limit of normal (ULN), 9 cases including 4 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 5 cases undergoing second-line therapy had the level of aspartate aminotransferase >5×ULN, 5 cases including 4 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 4 cases undergoing first-line therapy had the level of white blood cell count <2.0×10 9/L, 4 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 3 cases under-going second-line therapy had the level of total bilirubin >3×ULN, 3 cases undergoing first-line therapy had the level of neutrophil count <1.0×10 9/L, 3 cases including 2 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred ascites, 2 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy had the level of platelet count <50.0×10 9/L, 2 cases undergoing first-line therapy had the level of alanine aminotransferase >5×ULN, 2 cases undergoing first-line therapy occurred hyponatremia, 2 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred pulmonary infection, 2 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred type 1 diabetes, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred hypokalemia, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred myocarditis, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred hypophysistis, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred bullous dermatitis, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred hypertension. Three of 59 HCC patients underwent 5 grade adverse drug reactions ,with the incidence of 5.1%(3/59), including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy with immune hepatitis, 1 case undergoing second-line therapy with immune pneumonia and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy with immune enteritis. Some of patients underwent multiple adverse drug reactions at the same time. Twenty five patients undergoing 3 to 4 grade adverse drug reactions were relieved with the treatment of drug reduction, drug withdrawal, symptomatic treatment or hormone therapy. Three patients undergoing 5 grade adverse drug reactions died after being treated with high-dose hormone shock and hepatoprotective treatment. (3) Follow-up and survival: all 59 patients were followed up for 1.5 to 25.2 months, with a median follow-up time of 13.3 months. Of them, patients undergoing first-line therapy were followed up for 1.9 to 25.2 months, with a median follow-up time of 13.5 months. During follow-up,20 cases undergoing first-line therapy died with the fatality rate of 46.5%(20/43). Patients undergoing second-line therapy were followed up for 1.5 to 24.4 months, with a median follow-up time of 10.8 months. During follow-up, 10 cases undergoing second-line therapy died with the fatality rate of 10/16. Up to the latest follow-up, the tumor diameter of the target lesion in all 59 patients, in patients undergoing first-line therapy and in patients undergoing second-line therapy was 75 mm(38 mm, 125 mm), 74 mm(36 mm, 116 mm), 84 mm(48 mm,150 mm), respectively. The ratio of tumor diameter of the target lesion at latest follow-up to tumor diameter of the target lesion at baseline were -9.05%(-27.3%, 19.7%), -16.1%(-28.8%, 13.6%), 13.2%(-24.7%, 23.5%) for all 59 patients, patients undergoing first-line therapy and patients undergoing second-line therapy, respectively. The median overall survival time and median progression free survival time of patients undergoing first-line therapy and patients undergoing second-line therapy were 17.1 months(95% CI as 11.0 to 23.2 months), 10.8 months(95% CI as 5.0 to 16.6 months) and 10.8 months(95% CI as 9.2 to 12.4 months), 3.0 months(95% CI as 1.6 to 4.4 months), respectively. Conclusion:For unresectable or advanced HCC, combination therapy with lenvatinib and PD-1 antibodies can obtain effective antitumor activity and less incidence of adverse drug reactions.