Objectives: To investigate the factors influencing the height of anterior peritoneal reflection (APR) for patients with rectal cancer, and to analyze the relationship between the APR and the lateral lymph node metastasis. Methods: Clinical data of 432 patients with tumor located within and below APR were retrospectively collected from the rectal cancer database at the Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2020 to September 2022. Ninty-eight non-rectal cancer patients were also enrolled as a control group. There were 308 males and 124 females in the tumor group, aged (M(IQR)) 62 (16) years (range: 24 to 85 years) and 53 males and 45 females in the control group, aged 60 (22) years (range: 27 to 87 years). The APR height, pelvis, and tumor-related parameters were measured by MRI. A multifactor linear regression model was established to analyze the dependent correlation factors of APR height. These factors of the two groups were matched by propensity score matching and their APR heights were compared after matching. An ordinal Logistic regression model was established to explore the relationship between APR-related parameters and radiographic lateral lymph node metastasis. Results: The APR height of the tumor group was (98.7±14.4) mm (range: 43.3 to 154.0 mm) and the control group was (95.1±12.7) mm (range: 68.0 to 137.9 mm). Multivariable linear regression revealed that the greater the weight (B=0.519, 95%CI: 0.399 to 0.640, P<0.01), the anterior pelvic depth (B=0.109, 95%CI: 0.005 to 0.213, P=0.039) and the smaller the bi-ischial diameter (B=-0.172, 95%CI:-0.294 to -0.049, P=0.006), the higher the APR height. The tumor group had a higher APR height than the control group after propensity score matching ((98.3±14.2) mm vs. (95.1±12.7) mm, t=-1.992, P=0.047). Ordinal Logistic regression indicated that the longer segment of the tumor invade the nonperitoneal rectum was an independent influencing factor of radiographic lateral lymph node metastasis (OR=1.016, 95%CI: 1.002 to 1.030, P=0.021), while the distance between the anal verge and the tumor was not (OR=0.986, 95%CI: 0.972 to 1.000, P=0.058). Conclusions: The higher the weight, the deeper and narrower the pelvis, the higher the APR height. There is a certain relationship between APR and lateral lymph node metastasis on imaging.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of left bundle branch pacing(LBBP) in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: This is a retrospective study. A total of 35 patients underwent TAVI and received pacemaker implantation from January 2018 to December 2020 in Beijing Fuwai Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into LBBP group (n=12) and right ventricular apex pacing (RVAP) group (n=23) according to the pacing position. The success rate of operation in LBBP group was calculated, and the occurrence of complications were observed, and the parameters of pacemaker were measured on the 3rd day and 1, 3 and 6 months after operation. The N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), echocardiographic and ECG indexes were compared between the two groups on the 3rd day and 1, 3, and 6 months after pacemaker implantation. Result: A total of 35 patients were included, The age was (76.4±7.7) years, including 19 males (54.3%). The procedure time ((86.58±17.10)min vs. (68.74±9.18)min, P<0.001) and fluoroscopy duration ((20.08±4.44)min vs. (17.00±2.26)min, P<0.001) were significantly longer in LBBP group compared with RVAP group. The operation success rate of LBBP group was 11/12. There was no serious operation related complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, electrode dislocation, infection, and lower limb bleeding. The patients were followed up for 7.43 (5.21, 9.84) months. The programmed parameters of pacemaker were in the ideal range and stable during follow-up. At 3 and 6 months after operation, the left ventricular ejection fraction in LBBP group was higher than that in RVAP Group (at 3 months: (60.75±2.89)% vs. (57.35±3.33)%, P=0.004; at 6 months: (63.17±3.33)% vs. (56.17±3.97)%, P<0.001), NT-proBNP values was lower in LBBP group than that in RVAP Group (at 3 months: 822 (607, 1 150)ng/L vs. 1 052 (902, 1 536)ng/L, P=0.006; at 6 months: 440 (330,679)ng/L vs. 783 (588, 1 023)ng/L, P=0.001). At 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, the QRS duration was shorter in LBBP group than that in RVAP group (1 month: 99 (97, 107)ms vs. 126(124, 130)ms, P<0.001; 3 months: 98(96, 105)ms vs. 129(128, 133)ms, P<0.001; 6 months: 96(94, 104)ms vs. 130(128, 132)ms, P<0.001). Conclusions: For patients with permanent pacemaker indications after TAVI, LBBP is feasible, safe and reliable. It could improve the cardiac function in the short term, the long-term effect of LBBP needs to be further observed.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bundle of His ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial/methods* ; Electrocardiography/methods* ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective: To summarize the application experience and the therapeutic effect of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir (trade name: Paxlovid) for COVID-19 in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data, including collecting the clinical manifestations and clinical outcomes, dynamically monitoring the blood routine, hepatic and renal function and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid results, and observing the related side effects during the treatment, etc, of 3 cases with COVID-19 treated with Paxlovid admitted to Shanghai Children's Hospital (designated referral hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shanghai) from May 1^st to June 1^st, 2022. Results: The 3 cases were 12, 14, 17 years of age, among which 2 cases were males, 1 case was female. All 3 cases were mild cases with underlying diseases and risk of developing into severe COVID-19, with symptoms of high fever, sore throat and dry cough. The treatment of Paxlovid at 3^rd day of symptom onset contributed to the symptom-free after 1-2 days and negative results of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid after 2-4 days. All patients had no adverse manifestations of gastrointestinal tract and nervous system but a case had little skin rashes, which recovered after the withdrawal of Paxlovid. Three cases had normal hepatic and renal function during the Paxlovid treatment. At 3 months after discharge, no clinical manifestations of post-COVID syndrome were found in all 3 cases. Conclusion: Paxlovid was effective and relatively safe in the treatment of 3 children with COVID-19.
Child ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Ritonavir/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; China ; Nucleic Acids ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment

Objective: To explore the effects and mechanism of water-soluble chitosan hydrogel on infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in diabetic mice. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. The control hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin, and the water-soluble chitosan hydrogel composed of the aforementioned two materials and water-soluble chitosan were prepared by the cyclic freeze-thaw method. The fluidity of the two dressings in test tube before and after the first freeze-thawing was generally observed, and the difference in appearance of the final state of two dressings in 12-well plates were compared. According to random number table (the same grouping method below), the cell strains of L929 and HaCaT were both divided into water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group and control hydrogel group, respectively. After adding corresponding dressings and culturing for 24 h, the cell proliferation activity was measured using cell counting kit 8. Rabbit blood erythrocyte suspensions were divided into normal saline group, polyethylene glycol octyl phenyl ether (Triton X-100) group, water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, and control hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly and incubated for 1 hour, and then the hemolysis degree of erythrocyte was detected by a microplate reader. Twenty-four female db/db mice aged 11-14 weeks were selected, and full-thickness skin defect wounds on their backs were inflicted and inoculated with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 72 h later, the mice were divided into blank control group, sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, control hydrogel group, and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly. On post injury day (PID) 0 (immediately), 7, 14, and 21, the healing of the wound was observed. On PID 14 and 21, the wound healing rate was calculated. On PID 14, MRSA concentration in wounds was determined. On PID 21, the wounds were histologically analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining; the expression of CD31 in the wounds was detected by immunofluorescence method, and its positive percentage was calculated. Raw264.7 cells were taken and divided into interleukin-4 (IL-4) group, blank control group, control hydrogel group, and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly. At 48 h of culture, the percentages of CD206 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. The number of samples was all 3. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, least significant difference test, and Dunnett T3 test. Results: Two dressings in test tube had certain fluidity before freeze-thawing and formed semi-solid gels after freeze-thawing for once. The final forms of two dressings in 12-well plates were basically stable and translucent sheets, with little difference in transparency. At 24 h of culture, the cell proliferation activities of L929 and HaCaT in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in control hydrogel group (with t values of 6.37 and 7.50, respectively, P<0.01). At 1 h of incubation, the hemolysis degree of erythrocyte in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly lower than that in Triton X-100 group (P<0.01), but similar to that in normal saline group and control hydrogel group (P>0.05). On PID 0, the traumatic conditions of mice in the 4 groups were similar. On PID 7, more yellowish exudates were observed inside the wound in blank control group and control hydrogel group, while a small amount of exudates were observed in the wound in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group. On PID 14, the wounds in blank control group and control hydrogel group were dry and crusted without obvious epithelial coverage; in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, the scabs fell off and purulent exudate was visible on the wound; in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, the base of wound was light red and obvious epithelial coverage could be observed on the wound. On PID 14, the wound healing rate in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (all P<0.01). On PID 21, the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was completely closed, while the wounds in the other 3 groups were not completely healed; the wound healing rate in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (all P<0.01). On PID 14, the concentration of MRSA in the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.01), but similar to that in control hydrogel group and sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group (P>0.05). On PID 21, the new epidermis was severely damaged in blank control group; the epidermis on the wound in control hydrogel group also had a large area of defect; complete new epidermis had not yet being formed on the wound in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group; the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was not only completely covered by the new epidermis, the basal cells of the new epidermis were also regularly aligned. On PID 21, the percentage of CD31 positivity in the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was (2.19±0.35)%, which was significantly higher than (0.18±0.05)% in blank control group, (0.23±0.06)% in control hydrogel group, and (0.62±0.25)% in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, all P<0.01. At 48 h of culture, the percentage of CD206 positive Raw264.7 cells in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was lower than that in IL-4 group (P>0.01) but significantly higher than that in blank control group and control hydrogel group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: The water-soluble chitosan hydrogel has good biosafety and can induce higher level of macrophage M2 polarization than control hydrogel without water-soluble chitosan, so it can enhance the repair effect of MRSA-infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in diabetic mice and promote rapid wound healing.
Mice ; Female ; Animals ; Rabbits ; Interleukin-4 ; Hydrogels/pharmacology* ; Wound Healing ; Chitosan/pharmacology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Water ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Gelatin ; Polyvinyl Alcohol ; Hemolysis ; Saline Solution ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Octoxynol ; Silver ; Phenyl Ethers ; Sulfadiazine

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of pancreatic lesions in children. Methods: The clinicopathological data of pancreatic lesions in children were analyzed including 42 cases of pancreatic tumors diagnosed from January 2000 to May 2021 in Guangzhou Women's and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China. Histological and immunohistochemical assessments were performed . Related literature was reviewed. Results: The 42 pediatric patients with pancreatic lesions aged 1 day to 12 years (mean, 4.25 years). There were 23 males and 19 females. Clinical presentations included abdominal masses, abdominal pain, vomiting and persistent hypoglycemia after birth. Ultrasound and computerized tomography examination showed space-occupying pancreatic lesions in 31 cases, but no detectable pancreatic lesions in 11 cases. Histologically, among the 42 cases, 22 cases (52.4%) were neoplastic, including 18 cases of epithelial origin. Nine cases of pancreatoblastoma showed that the epithelial tumor cells were arranged in a trabecular pattern, with squamous nests. Six cases of solid-pseudopapillary tumors revealed hemorrhagic and necrotic cysts and monomorphic epithelioid cells arranged in solid sheets, nests or pseudopapillae. Two cases of neuroendocrine tumors showed tumor cells arranged in cords or nests; one case had a mitotic count of about 3/10 high power field, and a Ki-67 index of about 5%, which was consistent with G2 neuroendocrine tumor; the other case showed tumor cells with cytological atypia, brisk mitoses, about 25/10 HPF and a Ki-67 index of about 80%, consistent with small-cell type neuroendocrine carcinoma. The case of acinar cell carcinoma showed high cellularity, tumor cells in solid, cord-like or acinar-like arrangement with little stroma, and monotonous tumor cells with single distinct nucleolus. There were 4 cases of mesenchymal tumors, including 3 cases of Kaposi's hemangioendothelioma and 1 case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Among the 20 cases (47.6%) of non-neoplastic lesions, there were 11 cases of hyperinsulinism with ATP-sensitive potassium channel abnormality (HAPCA). Severn cases of diffuse type HAPCA in which the islets scattered between the pancreatic acinar tissue, enlarged, and prominent nuclei. Three cases of focal type HAPCA showed pancreatic islet hyperplasia in the form of nested nodules (0.6-1.5 cm). One case of atypical type HAPCA had extensive islet hyperplasia in pancreatic tissue, and scattered proliferation of nest-like nodules was noted. There were also 7 cases of pseudocyst and 2 cases of congenital cyst. Immunohistochemically, pancreatoblastomas were diffusely positive for CKpan, CK8/18, and β-catenin (nuclear staining of squamous nests only). Solid-pseudopapillary tumors expressed CD10, cyclin D1, CD99, vimentin, CD56, and β-catenin (nuclear staining). Neuroendocrine tumors were positive for CK, Syn, NSE, CgA, CD56, and β-catenin (membranous staining). The acinar cell carcinoma was positive for CK8/18, trypsin, and β-catenin (membranous staining). Conclusions: Pancreatic lesions in children have a wide range of histopathological types. HAPCA is the most common lesion of newborns. Pediatric pancreatic tumors are rare and mostly malignant. It is important to recognize them and make correct pathological diagnoses.
Carcinoma, Acinar Cell/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Infant, Newborn ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Male ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; beta Catenin/analysis*

In the treatment of hypertensive crisis, the novel Rho kinase inhibitor DL0805-2 can rapidly lower systematic blood pressure, reduce pulmonary artery pressure, and has a significant protective effect on lung injury. This experiment intends to evaluate the efficacy of DL0805-2 against pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and preliminarily reveals its underlying mechanism. Animal welfare and experimental procedures are in accordance with the provision of the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into DL0805-2 low, medium, and high dose groups (1, 3, and 10 mg·kg^-1), bosentan positive control group, model group, and blank control group. The drug was administered daily on the 7th day after model establishment by monocrotaline injection. On the 25th day of the experiment, relevant indicators were examined to observe the therapeutic effect of DL0805-2 on pulmonary hypertension. DL0805-2 significantly relieved the abnormal changes in the physiological parameters related to PAH induced by monocrotaline, including reducing right ventricular systolic pressure, alleviating cardiac damage caused by pressure overload, and reducing the levels of endothelin-1 and inflammatory factors in lung tissues. DL0805-2 also attenuated pulmonary arteries remodeling. It was preliminarily discovered that DL0805-2 exerts preventive and therapeutic effect on PAH through Rho-kinase pathway. Our results suggested that DL0805-2 had good therapeutic effects on monocrotaline-induced PAH rat model. It intervened early in the disease process, effectively prevented the development of the disease, and reduced the mortality of the diseased animals. The mechanism is related to Rho-kinase pathway.

BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary malignancies (PPMs) and non-pulmonary malignancies (PNPMs) may result in airway stenosis requiring stenting. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the clinical features and stent placement outcomes of airway stenosis caused by PPMs and PNPMs. METHODS: A total of 141 patients with malignant airway stenosis who underwent Micro-Tech stent placements between January 2004 and October 2017 at Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University were divided into PPM (n = 100) and PNPM groups (n = 41). Patients' clinical features and stent placement outcomes were collected and analyzed. Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables, while independent- or paired-sample t test was used to compare the continuous variables. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, treatment history, respiratory symptoms, and incidence of obstructive pneumonia between groups. Multiple airway involvement (63.0% vs. 31.7%; χ = 11.459, P = 0.001) and atelectasis (17.0% vs. 2.4%; χ = 5.536, P = 0.019) were more common in the PPM group, while extraluminal obstruction (24.4% vs. 6.0%; χ = 8.033, P = 0.005) was more common in the PNPM group. Before stenting, the American Thoracic Society Dyspnea Index (ADI) and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05). After stenting, a satisfactory rate of symptom improvement was achieved in both groups (98.0% and 100.0% in the PPM and PNPM groups, respectively; χ = 0.016, P = 0.898); ADI and KPS scores, which showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05), were significantly improved in each group (all P < 0.001). Complications after stenting could be effectively managed using bronchoscopic procedures. CONCLUSIONS Among cases of malignant airway stenosis requiring stenting, those caused by PPM are more likely to involve multiple airways and are associated with atelectasis, while those caused by PNPM are more likely to cause extraluminal obstruction. Micro-Tech stent placement has the same immediate effect in terms of improvement in respiratory symptoms and performance status for both malignant airway stenosis caused by PPM and that caused by PNPM.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of VSD combined with continual irrigation in treating the infection of limbs fracture after internal fixation.

METHODSFrom March 2010 to June 2015, 10 patients with infection of limbs fracture after internal fixation were treated with VSD combined with continual irrigation. There were 7 males and 3 females, aged from 11 to 58 years with an average of 34.4 years. Course of disease was from 1 to 8 months with an average of 4.8 months. Postoperative infection occurred in fractures of ulna and radius of 4 cases, tibiofibular fractures of 3 cases, calcaneal fractures of 2 cases, femoral fractures of 1 case. Eight infections were open fracture and 2 infections were close fracture. In additon to above treatment, antibiotics, dressing changing or skingrafting were used in the patients. Informations of wound surface healing, change dressings, original infection focus were observed.

RESULTSAll infections got control, the wound healing after change dressings or skingrafting, and no complications such as osteomyelitis were found. The mean treatment time was 38.4 days(ranged, 29 to 45 days) and replacement times was 2.2 times(ranged, 1 to 4 times). All patients were followed up, no recurrent infections were found at 1 year after fracture healing.

CONCLUSIONSVSD combined with continual irrigation can effectively decrease the incidence of complications and promote the wound growth, healing and considerably shorten the healing time. It is an effective method for the treatment of infection of limbs fracture after internal fixation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF- I) on the proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) under three-dimensional (3D) culture system.

METHODSThe hPDLCs were cultured from periodontium of human teeth by the outgrowth method. Rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was enrolled to set 3D culture system. Samples were set to four groups: Negative control group, positive control group (3D group, IGF-I group), and experimental group (3D with IGF- I group). Proliferation was tested with methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), and ALP activity was assayed by spectrophotometer at 1, 3, 5, 7 d respectively.

RESULTSCompared with that of negative control group, cell proliferation increased significantly in 3D with IGF-I group since 3 d (P < 0.05). Besides, the cell proliferation of 3D with IGF-I group was significantly higher than that of 3D group (P < 0.05). ALP activity of 3D with IGF- I group was significantly higher than that of negative control group, and 3D group at 3, 5, 7 d (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIGF-I significantly promotes the proliferation and ALP activity of hPDLCs under 3D culture system.