Objective To compare the results of three kinds of heart preservative fluids,namely histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate(HTK)solution,Fuwai modified solution(FWM)and St.Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution number 2(St.Thomas-Ⅱ)for the preservation of isolated rat hearts under low temperature.Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into HTK,FWM and ST-Ⅱ groups(18 each),and each group was divided into three subgroups(6 each)according to different duration of preservation under low temperature(4,6 and 8 hours).The hearts were harvested and then mounted on the Langendorff apparatus and perfused with K-H buffer solution for determination of the baseline hemodynamic values(HR,LVSP,?dp/dtmax and CF).The isolated hearts were then arrested and stored in different preservative solution as mentioned at 4℃ for 4,6 or 8 hours.The hemodynamic values were measured before cardiac arrest and after cardiac reperfusion in Langendoff model,and the recovery rates of the values were calculated.The hearts were finally sectioned after reperfusion for the observation of morphological changes with light microscope.Results With the same hypothermic preservation time,the recovery rates of hemodynamic values were significantly higher,and the changes in myocardial structures were obviously less in HTK and FWM groups than in ST-Ⅱ group(P0.05).Conclusions HTK and FWM solutions are more effective than St.Thomas-Ⅱsolution in preservation of isolated heart under low temperature with the same storage duration.The effect of HTK solution for preservation of isolated heart descended with the prolongation of preservation time,especially so after 8 hours.

Objective To evaluate the difference of clinical short-term effect and adverse reaction between paclitaxel liposome and paclitaxel in non-small cell lung cancer patients with lymph node metastasis after pulmonary resection.Methods Sixty-eight patients after pulmonary resection were divided into two groups by random digits table method,37 patients in experimental group with paclitaxel liposome (135mg/m2) combined with carboplatin (CBP) at 300 mg/m2 in chemotherapy,and 31 patients in control group with paclitaxel (135 mg/m2) combined with CBP at 300 mg/m2 in chemotherapy.Results All patients were evaluable.In experimental group,5 patients had complete remission,10 patients had partial remission,17patients were stable,5 patients' condition aggravated,the total effective rate was 40.5％(15/37),clinical control rate was 86.5％ (32/37).In control group,2 patients had complete remission,8 patients had partial remission,15 patients were stable,6 patients' condition aggravated,the total effective rote was 32.3％(10/31),clinical control rate was 80.6％(25/31).The treatment effectiveness in experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group (P ＜ 0.05).The main adverse reaction included marrow suppression,hair loss,muscle and joint pain and gastrointestinal symptom,there was no serious hypersensitivity.The rate of hypotension,face flushing,paresthesia,muscle and joint pain,erythra in experimental group was lower than that in control group [0 vs.9.7％ (3/31),5.4％ (2/37) vs.19.4％ (6/31),10.8％ (4/37) vs.22.6％ (7/31),13.5％ (5/37) vs.38.7％ (12/31),5.4％ (2/37) vs.25.8％ (8/31)] (P ＜0.0 1 or ＜0.05).Conclusion The curative effect rate of paclitaxel liposome is better than paclitaxel in patients with lymph node metastasis after pulmonary resection and with lower incidence of side effects.

Pim kinases contribute to tumor formation and development of lymphoma, which shows enhanced DNA replication, DNA recombination and repair. Endothelial cells^(ECs) express all the three members of Pim kinase gene family. We hypothesized that DNA repair gene would regulate Pim expression in ECs. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were isolated and maintained in M199 culture medium. The cellular distribution of Pim-3 in ECs was determined by immunofluorescent staining. The siRNA fragments were synthesized and transfected by using Lipofectamine LTX. The total cellular RNA was extracted from the cells by using Trizol reagent. cDNAs were quantified by semi-quantity PCR. The effects of LY294002 and wortmannin on RNA stability in ECs were also examined. Our data showed that LY294002 and wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and PI3K-like kinase inhibitors, increased Pim mRNA expression in ECs without altering the mRNA stability. RNA interference (RNAi) targeting DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) increased mRNA expression of Pim-3 and Pim-1, respectively. Silencing of Akt decreased Pim-1 instead of Pm-2 and Pim-3 gene expression in ECs. But etoposide, a nucleoside analogue, which could activate DNA-PKcs and ATM, increased Pim expression in ECs. Our study indicates that the expression of Pim kinases is physiologically related to DNA-PKcs and ATM in ECs.

Purpose To compare the CTPA image quality by using contrast agent with different concentration at different injection rate so as to provide suitable contrast agent injection for patients.Materials and Methods A total of 346 patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism who required to undergo CTPA examination were randomly assigned to high (370 mgI/ml) and low (320 mgI/ml) concentration groups,and each group was further divided into six subgroups with different velocity (3.0,3.2,3.4,3.6,3.8 and 4.0 ml/s).The CT value of the main pulmonary artery,right pulmonary upper lobe artery and right lung under leaf posterior basal segmental artery was measured.Results In the high concentration group,there were no significant differences in pulmonary artery average CT value,noise,single to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) among the subgroups with different velocity (P＞0.05).In the low concentration group,the difference was not statistically significant in pulmonary artery average CT value (P＞0.05) among the subgroups with different velocity;however,the noise,SNR and CNR of 3.0 ml/s subgroup had significant differences compared with other subgroups (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in average CT value of pulmonary artery between the subgroups with the same velocity in the two concentration groups (P＞0.05).In addition,except that the noise,SNR and CNR of 3.0 ml/s subgroup showed significant differences with other subgroups either in high concentration group or in low concentration group (P＜0.05),there were no significant differences in the above-mentioned parameters among other subgroups with the same velocity in both groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with high concentration contrast agent,the image obtained by using low concentration contrast agent shows no difference in pulmonary artery average CT value but with low iodine flow and iodine flow rate,which can reduce the risks of contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN) and contrast agent extravasation.

Objective To investigate the value of serum cholinesterase (S-ChE) levels in judgment of severity and prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia. Methods The clinical data of patients with severe pneumonia, who were admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, or the Department of Neurology in the Third People's Hospital of Foshan from May 2011 to May 2015, whose hospital time was longer than 24 hours, were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into survival group and death group according to the final outcome. Lab data, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) score, the improved pneumonia score of British Thoracic Society (confusion, uremia, respiratory, blood pressure, age 65 years, CURB-65), and S-ChE levels of all patients were collected after they were hospitalized into the intensive care unit (ICU) within 24 hours. Independent risk factors for prognosis were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted. Best truncation point analysis was used to compare their estimated value for prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia. Results Eighty-six patients with severe pneumonia were studied. Among them 46 patients survived, and 40 patients died. By the single factor analysis, the following lab data in the death group were found significantly lower than those in the survival group: S-ChE levels (kU/L: 2.748±0.826 vs. 4.489±1.360, t' = 7.274, P = 0.000), arterial partial pressure of oxygen [PaO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 52.55±18.29 vs. 60.83±16.65, t = 2.196, P = 0.031], oxygenation index (mmHg: 114.20±48.01 vs. 167.10±69.68, t' = 4.229, P = 0.000), and carbon dioxide combining power [CO2-CP (mmol/L): 22.85±5.44 vs. 26.00±7.63, t' = 2.225, P = 0.029]. The following clinical data were significantly higher in the death group than those in the survival group, namely body temperature (℃: 38.67±1.18 vs. 37.74±1.18, t = -3.627, P = 0.000), pulse (bpm: 130.65±15.72 vs. 107.26±19.61, t' = -6.133, P = 0.000), the ratio of concomitant chronic lung disease [45.0% (18/40) vs. 13.0% (6/46), χ2 = 10.860, P = 0.001], fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2: 0.495 (0.410, 0.600) vs. 0.380 (0.290, 0.500), Z = -3.265, P = 0.001], APACHE Ⅱ score (25.80±5.07 vs. 16.39±5.12, t =-8.540, P = 0.000), CURB-65 score [3 (3, 4) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z = -5.562, P = 0.000], MODS score (8.15±2.49 vs. 4.35±2.01, t = -7.832, P = 0.000), international normalized ratio [INR: 1.22 (1.08, 1.31) vs. 1.07 (1.00, 1.10), Z = -4.231, P = 0.000], and activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT (s): 33.80 (32.13, 38.75) vs. 28.50 (25.70, 36.00), Z = -3.482, P = 0.000]. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that, S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score and MODS score were found to be the independent risk factors for prognosis in the patients with severe pneumonia, respectively [S-ChE: odds ratio (OR) = 0.084, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.017-0.424, P = 0.003; APACHE Ⅱ score: OR = 1.675, 95%CI = 1.098-2.556, P = 0.017; MODS score: OR = 2.189, 95%CI = 1.262-3.800, P = 0.005]. The area under ROC (AUC) for S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score and MODS score were 0.874±0.036, 0.889±0.033 and 0.884±0.035, respectively (all P > 0.05 as compared between any two means). At the best truncation points of S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score and MODS score were 3.372 kU/L, 19.5 score, and 6.5 score respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in predicting death risk in patients with severe pneumonia were (80.0%, 78.0%, 76.19% and 81.82%), (95.0%, 70.0%, 73.08% and 94.12%) and (70.0%, 91.0%, 87.50%, 77.78%), respectively. If S-ChE levels was combined with APACHE Ⅱ score or combined with MODS score, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value [S-ChE levels combined APACHE Ⅱ score: 100%, 92.0%, 93.75% and 100%; S-ChE levels combined MODS score: all 100%] were higher than single power of S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score or MODS score. Conclusions S-ChE levels can be considered as an effective and practical index to estimate the severity and prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia. The combined application of S-ChE levels and APACHE Ⅱ score or MODS score can obviously improve the prognostic power in patients with severe pneumonia.

Objective:To investigate the effect of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) sodium butyrate (NaB) on the polarization of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced M1 type alveolar macrophages and the mechanism of action.Methods:Mouse alveolar macrophages (MH-S) were randomly(random number) divided into control group (Control group), sodium butyrate group (NaB group), LPS group, LPS+NaB group (LB group), and LPS+NaB+adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor (Compound C) group (LC group).The mRNA expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in MH-S cells, and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), tight junction protein 4(Claudin-4), and closed protein(Occludin) in mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12) were detected by qRT-PCR;Protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the supernatant of MH-S cell medium were measured by ELISA;Western blot determed the protein expression of AMPK, P-AMPK, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in MH-S cells;Expression of M1 type macrophage-associated markers CD86 and iNOS were determined by flow cytometry.Results:(1) qRT-PCR and ELISA results were consistent, M1 type macrophage-associated proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α significantly reduced in the LB group after NaB addition compared with the LPS ground (all P <0.05); (2)The results of qRT-PCR and flow cytometry were consistent,compared with the LPS group, the LB group showed a significant decrease in M1 type macrophage-related polarization indicators CD86 and iNOS after NaB addition(all P<0.05); (3) Western blot was used to detect the expression of the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,compared with LPS,the addition of NaB in the LB group enhanced the expression of P-AMPK/AMPK, Nrf2 (nucleus), and HO-1 (all P<0.05); compared with the LB group, the LC group decreased the expression of P-AMPK/AMPK, Nrf2 (nucleus), and HO-1 (all P<0.05);the results of flow cytometry showed that compared with the LPS group, the addition of NaB significantly decreased the expression level of iNOS + in the LB group ( P<0.05); compared with the LB group, the addition of Compound C in the LC group reversed the inhibitory effect of NaB on iNOS + ( P <0.05);(4) The qRT-PCR results of MLE-12 cells showed that compared with the LPS group, the LB group showed a significant increase in Z0-1, Claudin-4, and Occludin after the addition of NaB(all P<0.05). Conclusions:SCFA inhibits LPS-induced polarization of M1-type alveolar macrophages and ameliorates the inflammatory response by activating the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo investigate gene expression profile in nasopharyngeaL carcinoma (NPC) cell lines with different metastatic potentialities, in order to identify new candidate genes related to the development, progress and metastasis of NPC.

METHODSThe mRNA expressions of high metastatic NPC cell line 5-8F, tumorigenic but nonmetastatic NPC cell line 6-10B and non-tumorigenic NPC cell line 13-9B (3 sublines of SUNE-1) were investigated by cDNA microarray containing 14 000 cDNA clones. The alterations in gene expression levels were confirmed by reverse-transcription PCR.

RESULTSThere were 82 differentially expressed genes comparing 5-8F and 13-9B; 38 differentially expressed genes comparing 6-10B and 13-9B; 54 comparing 5-8F and 6-10B. There were 12 common differentially expressed genes comparing 6-10B, 5-8F and 13-9B; 14 common differentially expressed genes comparing 5-8F and 13-9B, 6-10B. The expressions of the above genes were involved in metabolism, transcription, differentiation, apoptosis and signal transduction.

CONCLUSIONThe gene expression profile in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines is an important index in the search of new candidate genes related to NPC.

Cell Line ; DNA, Complementary ; analysis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic basis for a patient with hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria(HHRH). METHODS: Clinical data of the patient was collected. The patient was subjected to whole exome capture and next generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The patient presented with hypophosphatemic rickets, short stature, hypercalciuria, and renal stones. NGS showed that he has carried compound heterozygous variants of the SLC34A3 gene, namely c.532_533delCA(p.Q178Vfs*6) and c.894_925+69del(splicing). His parents were asymptomatic heterozygous carriers of one of the variants. Based on ACMG guidelines, both variants were classified as pathogenic. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants c.532_533delCA (p.Q178Vfs*6) and c.894_925+69del(splicing) of the SLC34A3 gene probably underlie the disease in this child. Above finding has enriched the variant spectrum for HHRH. Based on the results, prenatal diagnosis may be provided for the family.

Exhaled breath analysis technology is a non-invasive,painless,safe,convenient,and efficient detection method.It holds great promise in disease screening,clinical diagnosis,assessment of disease severity,formulation of treatment plans,and prediction of disease prognosis.In recent years,this technology has rapidly ad-vanced and has become an important tool in the management of respiratory system diseases.This article aims to pro-vide a brief overview of the clinical applications and research progress of common exhaled breath analysis technolo-gies in respiratory system diseases such as airway chronic inflammatory diseases and airway infectious diseases.

Objective:To explore the value of coagulation indicators and related critical scores in evaluating the severity and prognosis of elderly sepsis patients.Methods:Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University aged ≥60 years with a definite diagnosis of sepsis from May 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively included. General epidemiological data, coagulation indices such as prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), prothrombin activity (PTA), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, platelet count (PLT), and other laboratory indices within 24 hours of admission to the ICU, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), sepsis-related complications, and 28-day prognosis were collected. Patients were divided into shock and non-shock groups according to whether septic shock occurred or not, and into death and survival groups according to 28 days outcomes, and the differences of each index between the groups were compared. Independent risk factors for septic shock and 28-day death were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression, and the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) were further plotted to assess the value of independent risk factors in predicting the occurrence of septic shock and 28-day death in elderly patients with sepsis.Results:A total of 295 elderly patients with sepsis were included, 192 (65.08%) developed septic shock, and 126 (42.71%) died at 28 days. Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that SOFA score and PT-INR were independent risk factors for septic shock and 28-day death in elderly patients with sepsis [septic shock: odds ratio ( OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were 1.340 (1.186-1.513) and 1.720 (1.235-2.396), respectively; 28-day death: OR and 95% CI were 1.188 (1.044-1.351) and 4.546 (2.613-7.910), respectively, all P < 0.01]. ROC curve analysis showed that SOFA score and PT-INR had certain predictive values for septic shock occurrence and 28-day death in elderly patients with sepsis, and the area under the curve (AUC) for septic shock occurrence were 0.743 and 0.564, respectively. The AUC of 28-day death was 0.711 and 0.651, respectively. The combined predicted AUC was 0.761 and 0.817, the sensitivity was 78.1% and 65.1%, and the specificity was 63.1% and 85.8%, respectively. Conclusion:PT-INR and SOFA score have potential predictive value in the assessment of the severity and prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis, and their combined prediction accuracy is higher.