Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

Talents are the main force for the development of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）， and the construction of TCM talents and the reformation of talent evaluation system are essential to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. At present， we are still exploring and developing in the fields of the formulation， implementation and evaluation indicators of TCM talent evaluation system. However， there are shortcomings and difficulties. For instance， insufficient stratification in the evaluation， excessive emphasis on the quantity of achievements， neglecting the quality of the achievements and the actual contribution， imperfect assessment indicators， and the weak characteristics of TCM. Therefore， national ministries and commissions have jointly issued a document requesting to break the four only and set a new standard， in order to promote the construction of a scientific and technological talent evaluation system oriented by innovation value， ability and contribution. For the evaluation of TCM clinical talents， China Association for Science and Technology commissioned China Association of Chinese Medicine to build the China Clinical Cases Library of TCM（CCCL-TCM）， which aims at collecting the most authoritative and representative TCM clinical cases and exploring the advantages of applying clinical cases as masterpiece of achievement in TCM clinical talents evaluation. CCCL-TCM can promote the construction of a talent evaluation system that is more in line with the development characteristics of TCM industry， and to carry out relevant pilot in TCM colleges and institutions across the country in order to promote the reformation of TCM talent evaluation system.

OBJECTIVE： To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tapentadol immediate-release preparation （Tap IR） for relieving severe acute pain after brachiocephalic arteritis， and to provide evidence-based reference for rational drug use. METHODS： Retrieved from PubMed， Medline， Cochrane library， CNKI， VIP， Wanfang database and American clinical trial database， randomized controlled trials （RCTs） about Tap IR （trial group） versus Oxycodone immediate-release preparation or placebo for relieving severe acute pain after brachiocephalic arteritis were collected. After literature screening， data extraction and literature quality evaluation with modified Jadad scale， Meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS： A total of 6 RCTs were included， involving 2 378 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed that 48 h total pain relief value （TOTPAR48） of trial group was significantly higher than control group [MD＝35.60，95％CI（27.31， 43.88）， P＜0.000 01]. Results of sub-group analysis showed that TOTPAR48 of trial group using Tap IR 50 mg [MD＝28.68， 95％CI （18.18， 39.17），P＜0.00 001]， 75 mg [MD＝39.97， 95％CI （34.21， 45.73）， P＜0.000 01] and 100 mg[MD＝38.50， 95％CI（1.46， 75.54），P＝0.04] were significantly higher than control group； TOTPAR48 of patients who received Tap IR 75 mg were significantly higher than patients who received Tap IR 50 mg [MD＝9.04，95％ CI（4.31， 13.77），P＝0.000 2]. There was no statistical significance in the utilization rate of rescue medicine （URM） between 2 groups [RR＝1.23，95％ CI（0.84， 1.80），P＝0.29]. Subgroup analysis showed that URM in patients who received Tap IR 75 mg was significantly lower than those receiving Tap IR 50 mg [RR＝0.62，95％CI（0.41， 0.94），P＝0.02]. The total difference of 48 h pain intensity （SPID48） in trial group was significantly lower than control group [MD＝－18.96，95％CI（－37.28，－0.64），P＝0.04]. Subgroup analysis showed that SPID48 in patients who received Tap IR 75 mg was significantly higher than those receiving Tap IR 50 mg [MD＝21.66，95％CI（8.93， 34.39），P＝0.000 9]. There was no statistical significance in the total change of pain impression （PGIC） between 2 groups [RR＝0.95，95％CI（0.88， 1.03），P＝0.23]. Subgroup analysis showed that PGIC in patients who received Tap IR 75 mg was significantly higher than those receiving Tap IR 50 mg [RR＝1.07，95％CI（1.01， 1.13），P＝0.02] but significantly lower than those receiving Tap IR 100 mg [RR＝0.86，95％CI（0.77， 0.97），P＝0.01]. The incidence of nausea， vomiting， constipation， dizziness and headache in trial group were significantly lower than control group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： Tap IR shows good therapeutic efficacy and safety for severe acute pain after brachiocephalic arteritis， and the efficacy of Tap IR might be better when the dose of Tap IR is 75 mg.

Objective To study the liver protection of crocetin against paraquat (PQ) poisoning induced acute liver injury in rats. Methods Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, exposure group and treatment group, and the rats in each group were subdivided into the 0.5th, 2nd, and 6th day after exposure subgroups (n = 6). The model of acute liver failure induced by PQ poisoning was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg of 20% PQ, and the rats in control group was injected with the same amount of normal saline. The rats in treatment group were given with intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg crocetin after 0.5 day, once a day until they were sacrificed; the other two groups were injected with the same amount of normal saline. The rats in all groups were sacrificed at the corresponding time points, and blood was collected from inferior vena cava and hepatic tissue was harvested. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in liver tissue on the 6th day under light microscope. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The activities of apoptosis related factors, including caspase-8, -9, -12, in hepatic tissue were determined on the 6th day with chromogenic substrate method. Results In the liver tissue of exposed group, extensive infiltration of the inflammatory cells and the diffuse fragments necrosis were visible, and the regeneration of the liver cells was not obvious, and severity of the injury in a time dependent way. In the treatment group, the structure of hepatic artery was visible, and the infiltration of necrosis, congestion and inflammatory cells were not obvious. On the 0.5th, 2nd, and 6th day, serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, the mRNA expressions of iNOS and NF-κB in liver tissue, and the caspase-8, -9, -12 activities on the 6th day in the exposure group and treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group. And the parameters in treatment group were significantly lower than those of the exposure group [IL-6 (ng/L): 188.37±64.21 vs. 376.61±82.42 on the 0.5th day, 287.18±58.69 vs. 432.77±96.28 on the 2nd day, 234.24±10.17 vs. 375.41±37.59 on the 6th day; TNF-α (ng/L): 472.36±76.43 vs. 688.33±102.19 on the 0.5th day, 189.32±87.54 vs. 296.21±89.77 on the 2nd day, 99.28±16.13 vs. 168.41±66.78 on the 6th day; iNOS mRNA (gray value): 2.998±0.801 vs. 3.453±0.026 on the 0.5th day, 3.126±0.306 vs. 5.259±0.153 on the 2nd day, 0.841±0.135 vs. 1.225±0.057 on the 6th day; NF-κB mRNA (gray value): 1.569±0.818 vs. 2.361±0.063 on the 0.5th day, 2.345±0.489 vs. 4.668±0.368 on the 2nd day, 2.348±0.316 vs. 3.972±0.449 on the 6th day; caspase-8 (pmol/mg): 126.77±9.97 vs. 199.18±66.48 on the 6th day; caspase-9 (pmol/mg): 213.12±69.06 vs. 321.62±89.39 on the 6th day; caspase-12 (pmol/mg): 183.46±70.52 vs. 219.68±53.93 on the 6th day, all P < 0.05]. Conclusion Crocetin has protective effect on liver in rats with PQ poisoning, which role is related with reducing the blood level of inflammatory factors, inhibiting the hepatic caspase-8, -9, -12 activities and gene expressions of iNOS and NF-κB.

BACKGROUNDChronic exposure to n-hexane can lead to peripheral neuropathy that no effective treatment regimen could be applied presently. This study investigated whether myelin protein zero (P0) protein and its antibody could be used to distinguish n-hexane intoxication and protect workers from peripheral neuropathy.

METHODSWe compared P0 protein and its antibody among three levels of n-hexane-exposed groups, which included 18 patients with n-hexane-induced peripheral neuropathy as case group, 120 n-hexane-exposed workers as n-hexaneexposed control group, and 147 non-hexane-exposed participants used as control group. ELISA method was applied to detect P0 protein and its antibody.

RESULTSP0 protein in serum was significantly higher in the case group and n-hexane-exposed control group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the n-hexane-exposed control group, the case group also had significant increase of P0 protein (P < 0.01). After 6 months therapy, P0 protein was observed to decrease significantly in the case group (P < 0.01). The P0 antibody in serum was significantly higher in the n-hexane-exposed control group than in the control group (P < 0.01), but not significantly different between cases and controls.

CONCLUSIONSP0 antibodies in serum may be a short-term effect biomarker for n-hexane exposure. P0 protein in serum may be an early effective biomarker for peripheral nerve neuropathy and its biological limit value needs investigation in the future study.

Adult ; Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hexanes ; toxicity ; Humans ; Male ; Myelin P0 Protein ; blood ; immunology ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the risk factors of acute kidney injury(AKI) after intracoronary stent implantation in order to provide the basis for clinical prophylaxis and treatment.Methods Retrospectively analyzed 626 consecutive patients who underwent isolated intracoronary stent implantation in our institution from January 2007 to July 2011.Multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify the risk factors for the development of AKI defined as a serum creatinine (SCr) 130 to 199 μ mol/L or estimated creatinine clearance(Ccr) 30 to 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2.Results Ninety-three patients of 626 (14.9％) underwent isolated intracoronary stent implantation developed AKI.The results of the multivariate forward stepwise logistic regression analysis found that risk factors for the development of AKI following isolated intra-coronary stent implantation was associated with age (OR =1.570,95％ CI 1.308-1.885),ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 30％(OR =11.526,95％ CI 2.452-54.177),hypotension during perioperative and postoperation (OR =11.074,95％ CI 2.439-50.282),operation duration(OR =1.032,95％ CI 1.012-1.051),sex (OR =0.010,95％ CI 0.001-0.086),NYHA class Ⅲ & Ⅳ (OR =0.209,95％ CI 0.059-0.737),peripheral vascular disease (OR =0.528,95％ CI 0.286-0.973),chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (OR =0.546,95％ CI 0.304-0.982),preoperation Cr (OR=1.418,95％CI 1.216-1.654) (and all P＜0.05).Conclusion AKI is the common complications after intracoronary stent implantation,especially age,EF ≤ 30％,hypotension during perioperative and postoperation,operation duration are independent risk factors.

ObjectiveTo review our experience in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas which can be used as a reference for other doctors to avoid misdiagnosis and to provide a better treatment.MethodThe clinical,laboratory,radiological,pathological and operative data of 24 patients with SPN of the pancreas operated between February 2001 to December 2009 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results23 of 24 patients were female and the mean age was 31 years.The most common clinical presentations were vague abdominal pain and abdominal mass.In most cases,abdominal imaging showed a solid or a solid-cystic mass in the tail or head of pancreas.All patients received surgery.20 of 22 patients who received curative resection were alive with no evidence of tumour recurrence.One patient who had a R1 resection died 42 months after surgery.The remaining patient was alive after a second operation.ConclnsionsSPN of the pancreas is a tumour with low malignancy.A correct diagnosis of SPN of the pancreas is made on its clinical,radiological and histopathological characteristics.Radical surgical resection is the treatment of choice.For patients with an advanced disease,palliative resection is beneficial.

Objective To investigate the value of modified T staging system in the diagnosis and treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA).Methods The clinical data of 95 patients with HCCA who were admitted to the Memorial Sun Yat-Sen Hospital from December 1995 to January 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.Based on the results of imaging examination,preoperative staging was determined according the modified T staging system.The prognosis of the patients in difference T stages were compared.The data were analyzed by using the chi-square test and Fisher exact test.The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method and the survival rate was compared by using the Log-rank test.Results The diagnostic rates of ultrasound + magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP),ultrasound + computed tomography (CT) or spiral CT were 93％ (37/40) and 66％ (23/35),respectively.The diagnostic rates of ultrasound + CT or spiral CT and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP),ultrasound + CT or spiral CT and MRCP were 14/15 and 15/15,respectively.Of the 95 patients,44 received operation (including 28 cases of radical resection and 16 cases of palliative resection),16 received exploratory laparotomy,and 35 received simple internal or external drainage.For patients in T1,T2 and T3 stages,the resection rates were 71％ (30/42),50％ (12/24) and 7％ (2/29),respectively,with significant differences (x2 =30.182,P ＜0.05).The negative rates of the resection margins of patients in T1 and T2 stages were 77％ (23/30) and 5/12,respectively,2 patients in T3 stage were found with tumor residuals at the resection margin.There was a significant difference in the radical resection rate among patients in different T stages (x2 =8.204,P ＜ 0.05).Of the 44 patients who received surgical treatment,30 (68％) received concomitant partial hepatectomy.The ratios of patients in T1 and T2 stages who received concomitant partial hepatectomy were 70％ (21/30) and 9/12,respectively,with no significant difference (x2 =0.101,P ＞ 0.05).Fourteen (32％) patients received tumor resection.The incidences of complications and perioperative mortalities were 53％ (16/30) and 10％ (3/30) for patients who received concomitant partial hepatectomy,and 5/14 and 1/14 for patients who received tumor resection,with no significant differences between the 2 groups (x2 =1.188,0.094,P ＞ 0.05).The median survival time of patients who received concomitant partial hepatectomy was 29 months,which was significantly longer than 19 months of patients who received tumor resection (x2 =11.317,P ＜0.05).Eighty-six patients were followed up,and the median time of follow up was 15.6 months (range,3-70 months).The 1-year cumulative survival rates of patients in T1,T2 and T3 stages were 73.8％,58.0％ and 9.2％,respectively,and the 3-year cumulative survival rates of patients in T1,T2 and T3 stages were 33.5％,12.1％ and 0,respectively.The median survival time of patients in T1,T2 and T3 stages were 24,16 and 7 months,respectively.The prognosis of patients was getting poor as the increase of the T stages (x2 =37.07,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The modified T-staging system is beneficial to preoperative evaluation of patients with HCCA.Concomitant partial hepatectomy could improve the radical resection rate and prolong the median survival time of HCCA patients.

Objective To explore the clinical features and therapeutic strategies of neuralgia after subfrontal craniotomy.Methods 132 neurosurgical patients undergoing selective subfrontal craniotomy without the pain of the incision of scalp were involved. The onset, severity, and characters of the neuralgia were recorded. The therapeutic effects of medicine and nerve block on neuralgia were observed.Results Supraorbital neuralgia (9.8%) and superficial temporal neuralgia (3%) occurred 3～4 days and aggravated 4～7 days after subfrontal craniotomy. The headache could be persistent and become more serious intermittently and irradiated to frontal, parietal, temperal, and para-orbital region. Physical examination revealed homolateral tenderness of supraorbital notch and para-arteria temporalis superficialis. Severity of headache improved dramatically after nerve block therapy.Conclusion It is important to identify whether supraorbital neuralgia and superficial temporal neuralgia are onset after subfrontal craniotomy. Nerve block therapy gets excellent clinical result in treating post-craniotomy neuralgia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and isolation efficiency of percutaneous selective isolated hepatic perfusion chemotherapy(PSIHP). MethodsSix pigs underwent the procedure of routine transhepatic arterial infusion(HAI) and 6 underwent PSIHP.5-FU was used in this study. The drug(5-FU) (concentration) of blood from hepatic and systemic veins of both groups was observed. Liver tissue was (investigated) for pathologic changes. ResultsThe peak level of 5-FU concentration in blood from right (hepatic) vein and systemic vein in HAI group was(4082.530415.213)mg/L and (1682.230216.834)mg/L respectively.In PSIHP group, the peak level(5-FU) was(5321.711517.318)mg/L and(510.83452.518)mg/L, respectively.There was a statistically significant difference between HAI group an PSIHP group(P