We described an elderly female with type 2 diabetes referred to our hospital with fever,nausea and upper abdominal pain.The patient had got duodenal tumor and received the pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) 12 years ago.The laboratory examinations revealed white blood cells (WBC) increasing and severe hypocalcemia.Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a huge gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in left lobe of the liver.The patient got cured after correction of calcium metabolism disorders,treatment with antibiotic and receiving percutaneous tube drainage.We concluded that we should remain on high alert of those patients with DM and the history of cancer,when he or she gets fever of unknown origin and abdominal tenderness.PLA should be considered.

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with Western medication on lower-limb motor function and blood circulation in patients with cerebral infarction-induced hemiplegia in the acute stage. Methods:One hundred eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke accompanied by lower-limb motor dysfunction were allocated to an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.The control group received routine Western medications for treatment,and the observation group received additional EA intervention.After 2-week and 4-week treatments,the improvement of lower-limb motor function was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for lower extremity(FMA-LE),and changes in the peak blood flow velocities of the posterior tibial(PT)and dorsalis pedis(DP)arteries on the affected side were detected using Doppler. Results:Three cases dropped out during the study,so there were 48 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group collected for statistical analysis.The FMA-LE score and the peak blood flow velocities of PT and DP arteries increased after 2-week and 4-week treatments in both groups compared with the pre-treatment baseline(P<0.05).After 2-week treatments,the FMA-LE score and the peak blood flow velocities of PT and DP arteries showed no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05).After 4-week treatments,compared with the control group,the FMA-LE score was higher(P<0.05),and the peak blood flow velocities of PT and DP arteries on the affected side were larger in the observation group(P<0.05). Conclusion:EA combined with Western medication can significantly improve the motor function and blood flow velocity of the affected lower limb in patients with acute cerebral infarction accompanied by hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs547984, rs540782, rs693421 and rs2499601 of Zona Pellucida Glycoprotein 4 (ZP4) gene with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) among ethnic Han Chinese from Sichuan Province.

METHODSA dye terminator-based SNaPshot method was used to genotype 336 patients with POAG and 768 healthy controls.

RESULTSNo significant difference was detected in allelic frequencies of rs547984, rs540782, rs693421 and rs2499601 between the two groups (P>0.05). Haplotypic analysis showed a significant difference in G-G-A-G haplotype formed by the 4 SNPs between the POAG and the control groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONZP4 gene SNPs rs547984, rs540782, rs693421, rs2499601 are not associated with POAG among ethnic Hans from Sichuan.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) before and after embryo transfer for the pregnancy of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients.

METHODSA total of 1761 IVF-ET patients of natural cycle or hormone replacement cycle were randomly assigned into an observation group (735 cases) and a control group (1026 cases). IVF-ET was applied in the two groups. TEAS was used for 30 min separately in the observation group on 24 h before transfer and within 2 h after transfer. The acupoints were Zigong (EX-CA 1), Xuehai (SP 10) and Diji (SP 8); Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taixi (KI 3). TEAS was not used in the control group. Biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate were observed 14 d and 4-5 weeks after transfer in the two groups.

RESULTSThe biochemical pregnancy rate in the observation group was 62.0% (456/735), which was better than 57.3% (588/1026) in the control group (<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate in the observation group was 51.2% (376/735), and it was better than 44.9% (461/1026) in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTEAS could improve the pregnancy rate of IVF-ET patients, and it may be a safe and new assisted method for reproduction without pain.

OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutations of fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene in a child with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and explore its molecular pathogenesis.

METHODSThe 66 exons of the FBN1 gene were analyzed by direct sequencing. SIFT and PolyPhen-2 were used to predict the structural and functional changes at the protein level.

RESULTSA novel heterozygous mutation c.3998 G>A (p.Cys1333Tyr) was found in exon 32 in the child. The same mutation was not found among his unaffected family members and 683 healthy controls. Multiple sequence alignment showed that this novel mutation was located in a highly conserved region of the FBN1 protein across various species and may induce structural change to a functional domain.

CONCLUSIONThe novel c.3998G>A (p.Cys1333Tyr) mutation of the FBN1 gene probably predisposed the MFS in the child. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of FBN1 mutations.

Objective To evaluate the value and short-term efficacy of Miccoli for cervical lymph node dissection in patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma.Methods From Mar.2017 to Jan.2018,15 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma received cervical lymph node dissection in Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Nanjing Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital,and they were divided into open surgery group (8 cases) and Miccoli surgery group (7 cases).The operation time,incision length,intraoperative blood loss,total number of dissection lymph nodes,incidence of postoperative complications and length of hospital stay between the two groups were analyzed.These groups were followed up for 6 months after surgery,in terms of neck comfort,incidence of enlarged lymph nodes in the cervical region and blood thyroglobulin level.Results There was no obvious difference between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss(P=0.651),total number of dissection lymph nodes(P=0.887),the incidence of postoperative complications(P=0.52),incidence of intumescent lymph node(P=1.000) and blood thyroglobulin level(P=0.826) after 6 months.The operation time of Miccoli group was longer than that of the open group(P=0.001),but the incision length(P=0.001),length of hospital stay(P=0.001)and postoperative neck comfort(P=0.001)were superior to those of the open surgery group.Conclusion Miccoli operation can be used to perform cervical lymph node dissection for PTC patients,which can achieve the curative effect of open surgery,without increasing the risk of postoperative complications,and the postoperative neck comfort was better.

Objective:To explore the relationship between perceived stigma and self-transcendence meaning of life among male college students who have sex with men with HIV,and the role of fear of negation evaluation,seeking for meaning,perspective change in it.Methods:A total of 474 male college students who had sex with men with HIV were selected and tested with the simplified Berger HIV Stigma Scale(BHSS),Fear of Negative Evalua-tion Rating Scale(FNE),Chinese Meaning in Life Questionnaire(C-MLQ),Meaning-focused Coping Questionnaire(MFCQ),and Self-transcendence Meaning of Life Scale(SMLS).Results:The BHSS total scores were negatively correlated with the SMLS total scores(r=0.69,P＜0.001).The FNE scores and the seeking for meaning scores were mediating variables between the BHSS total scores and the SMLS total scores,with estimated effects of-0.13 and-0.11,respectively.The FNE score and seeking for meaning score played a chain mediating role in the total scores of BHSS and SMLS,with estimated effects of-0.16,the perspective change score played a moderating role in the score of the seeking for meaning and the SMLS total score(β=0.07,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Fear of negation evaluation and seeking for meaning play a mediating role between perceived stigma and self-transcendence meaning of life,as well as the moderating effect of perspective change between the search for meaning and self-transcendence meaning of life.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone(5-HDF),a compound extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth.,against lung injury induced by H1N1 influenza virus and explore its possible mechanism of action.Methods 5-HDF was extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth.using ethanol reflux extraction and silica gel chromatography and characterized using NMR and MS analyses.In an A549 cell model of H1N1 influenza virus infection(MOI=0.1),the cytotoxicity of 5-HDF was assessed using MTT assay,and its effect on TRAIL and IL-8 expressions was examined using flow cytometry;Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory,apoptosis,and ferroptosis-related proteins.In a mouse model of H1N1 influenza virus infection established by nasal instillation of 50 μL H1N1 virus at the median lethal dose,the effects of 30 and 60 mg/kg 5-HDF by gavage on body weight,lung index,gross lung anatomy and lung histopathology were observed.Results 5-HDF exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in A549 cells within the concentration range of 0-200 μg/mL.In H1N1-infected A549 cells,treatment with 5-HDF effectively inhibited the activation of phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-NF-κB p65,lowered the expressions of IL-8,enhanced the expression of anti-ferroptosis proteins(SLC7A11 and GPX4),and inhibited the expressions of apoptosis markers PARP and caspase-3 and the apoptotic factor TRAIL.In H1N1-infected mice,treatment with 5-HDF for 7 days significantly suppressed body weight loss and increment of lung index and obviously alleviated lung tissue pathologies.Conclusion 5-HDF offers protection against H1N1 influenza virus infection in mice possibly by suppressing H1N1-induced ferroptosis,inflammatory responses,and apoptosis via upregulating SLC7A11 and GPX4,inhibiting the activation of phospho-NF-κB p65 and phospho-p38 MAPK,and decreasing the expression of cleaved caspase3 and cleaved PARP.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone(5-HDF),a compound extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth.,against lung injury induced by H1N1 influenza virus and explore its possible mechanism of action.Methods 5-HDF was extracted from Elsholtzia blanda Benth.using ethanol reflux extraction and silica gel chromatography and characterized using NMR and MS analyses.In an A549 cell model of H1N1 influenza virus infection(MOI=0.1),the cytotoxicity of 5-HDF was assessed using MTT assay,and its effect on TRAIL and IL-8 expressions was examined using flow cytometry;Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory,apoptosis,and ferroptosis-related proteins.In a mouse model of H1N1 influenza virus infection established by nasal instillation of 50 μL H1N1 virus at the median lethal dose,the effects of 30 and 60 mg/kg 5-HDF by gavage on body weight,lung index,gross lung anatomy and lung histopathology were observed.Results 5-HDF exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in A549 cells within the concentration range of 0-200 μg/mL.In H1N1-infected A549 cells,treatment with 5-HDF effectively inhibited the activation of phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-NF-κB p65,lowered the expressions of IL-8,enhanced the expression of anti-ferroptosis proteins(SLC7A11 and GPX4),and inhibited the expressions of apoptosis markers PARP and caspase-3 and the apoptotic factor TRAIL.In H1N1-infected mice,treatment with 5-HDF for 7 days significantly suppressed body weight loss and increment of lung index and obviously alleviated lung tissue pathologies.Conclusion 5-HDF offers protection against H1N1 influenza virus infection in mice possibly by suppressing H1N1-induced ferroptosis,inflammatory responses,and apoptosis via upregulating SLC7A11 and GPX4,inhibiting the activation of phospho-NF-κB p65 and phospho-p38 MAPK,and decreasing the expression of cleaved caspase3 and cleaved PARP.

Objective To study the irradiation dose of organs at risk (OAR) in involved field radiation and extended field radiation in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who received intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods A total of 40 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer were treated with IMRT. The involved field, extended field, and OAR were outlined to generate IMRT plans. The conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) of planning target volume (PTV) and the irradiation parameters of OAR were evaluated for the two plans. Paired t-test was used for comparison of irradiation parameters. Results The PTV of both plans received the prescribed dose. There were no significant differences in CI and HI of PTV between the two groups (P = 0.317, 0.130). There were significant differences in average lung dose, lung V₅, lung V₂₀, lung V₃₀, spinal cord D_mean, heart D_mean, heart D_max, heart V₃₀, heart V₄₀, and heart V₆₀ between the two groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion Compared with the extended field, the involved field can reduce the irradiation dose of ORA in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer, thus reducing the risk of radiation.