Objective:To investigate the proper choice and improve the survival rate in neonates suffering from giant omphalocele (GO)with liver protrusion by analyzing the clinical characteristics, different treatments and outcomes.Methods:Neonates with GO admitted in Department of Neonatal Surgery in Wuhan Children′s Hospital were retrospected from January 2009 to May 2019.The treatment methods include: (1) repaired with similar silo-bag by staged operation; (2) one-stage repair with patch or not; (3) delayed repair by conservative treatment for some time (from 2 to 8 weeks) firstly.Data included gestational age, gender, birth weight, average diameter of omphalocele, contents of omphalocele, associated malformation, treatment method, duration of ventilator use and clinical outcome.These neonates were divided into 2 groups according to the contents of protrusion: group with liver protrusion and group with liver and other organs protrusion.Clinical data were summarized and compared between different groups.Results:Sixteen cases were collected, including 9 males and 7 females.The average age was (1.25±0.45) d (1-2 days), the average birth weight was (2.48±0.37) kg, and pregnant week was (36.23±1.17) weeks.The average diameter of the omphalocele was (9.88±3.30) cm, ranging from 5 cm to 15 cm.Seven cases were belonged to the group with liver protrusion, cases undergone one-stage repair, delayed repair were 6 cases and 1 case, respectively.There were 9 cases in group with liver and other organs protrusion, and the protruded organs included liver, intestine, colon or spleen.Among them, cases needed one-stage repair, delayed repair and silo-bag repair were 3 cases, 3 cases, 3 cases, respectively.Cases needed respiratory machine were 3 cases (42.8%) and 8 cases (88.89%) in group with liver protrusion and group with liver and other organs protrusion, respectively.Neonates had a longer time of needing respiratory machine in group with liver protrusion, comparing with the neonates in group with liver and other organs protrusion[(30.67±19.0) h vs.(106.25±69.36) h, P=0.021], and the risk rate to use respiratory machine was 5.143(95% CI: 0.727-36.368). There were no dead cases in group with liver protrusion.Three cases were dead in group with liver and other organs protrusion.All the patients were followed from 3 months to 4 years, and hernia in abdominal wall was found in 5 cases, including 1 case in group with liver protrusion and 4 cases in group with liver and other organs protrusion.If the dead cases had been excluded, the rate of hernia was 66.7% (4/6 cases) in group with liver and other organs protrusion. Conclusions:Individual treatment should be emphasized in neonates suffering from GO with liver protrusion.Neonates with single liver protrusion have a better prognosis than those with liver and other organs protrusion.One-stage repair is recommended in the former, and the delayed repair is highly recommended in the latter.The accessory liver should be considered when GO neonates presenting liver protrusion.

Compared with the widely used rodents,pigs are anatomically,physiologically,and genetically more similar to humans,making them high-quality models for the study of liver diseases.Here,we review the latest research progress on pigs as a model of human liver disease,including methods for establishing them and their advantages in studying cystic fibrosis liver disease,acute liver failure,liver regeneration,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,liver tumors,and xenotransplantation.We also emphasize the impor-tance of genetic engineering techniques,mainly the CRISPR/Cas9 system,which has greatly enhanced the utility of porcine models as a tool for substantially advancing liver disease research.Genetic engineering is expected to propel the pig as one of the irreplaceable animal models for future biomedical research.

We designed two pairs of primers and their corresponding TaqMan probes according to gH, gE gene of PRV. By optimizing the probe's concentration, Mg2+ concentration, primers concentration and sample DNA extraction, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) which can quickly identity field virus and vaccine virus of PRV was established. According to our results, the dynamic range of the FQ-PCR assay is between 10 x 10(1) copies/microL and 10 x l0(8) copies/microL, and the detection limit of FQ-PCR is 1.0 x 10(1) copies/microL, which is 100 fold higher than that of conventional PCR. We detected 60 doubtful tissue samples using the FQ-PCR assay, serum neutralization and conventional PCR. In conclusion, the FQ-PCR method is rapid, sensitive, specific and accurate, and can be used to detect field strains of PRV rapidly. The closed-tube format of the assay minimized the risk of contamination of subsequent reaction and the assay can be performed in 2 h or less. Development of real-time quantitative PCR provides the basis for the early and rapid detection and analyzing quantitatively the infectious degree of PRV.
Animals ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Pseudorabies ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; virology ; Pseudorabies Vaccines ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Swine

Objective:To investigate the prognosis and influencing factors of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using steatotic donor liver.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 152 pairs of donors and the corresponding recipients undergoing LT for HCC in the two medical centers [89 pairs in Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital and 63 pairs in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine] from January 2015 to December 2019 were collected. Of 152 donors, there were 131 males and 21 females, aged (48±12)years, and there were 130 cases with liver mild steatosis and 22 cases with liver moderate steatosis. Of 152 recipients, there were 138 males and 14 females, aged (52±9)years. Observation indicators: (1) follow-up, overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients; (2) influencing factors for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients; (3) construction and validation of nomogram prediction model for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination and telephone interview to detect survival and tumor recurrence of recipients up to December 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( IQR). Count data were described as absolute numbers. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival time and draw survival curve, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis. The independent risk factors were brought into the R 3.6.2 software to construct nomogram prediction model and draw the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The accuracy and discrimination of the nomogram prediction model were evaluated using the area under curve (AUC) and the calibration curve. Results:(1) Follow-up, overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. All the 152 recipients undergoing LT for HCC using steatotic donor liver were followed up for 45.8(27.6)months, with the overall survival time and tumor recurrence free survival time of 36.5(32.3)months and 30.4(34.6)months. The 1-year, 3-year overall survival rates and tumor recurrence free rates of the 152 recipients were 73.4%, 55.8% and 62.2%, 43.4%, respectively. (2) Influencing factors for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. Results of univariate analysis showed that the donor liver cold ischemia time (CIT), the donor liver warm ischemia time (WIT), graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), ABO compatibility, recipient body mass index (BMI), recipient tumor diameter, recipient tumor number, recipient tumor differentiation degree, recipient preoperative alpha fetoprotein (AFP) were related factors influencing the overall survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=6.26, 1.90, 2.47, 4.08, 0.55, 5.16, 3.62, 5.28, 2.65, 95% confidence interval as 3.01?13.03, 1.07?3.38, 1.36?4.49, 2.07?8.03, 0.31?0.98, 2.56?10.42, 1.95?6.72, 1.60?17.42, 1.48?5.01, P<0.05) and the donor liver CIT, GRWR, ABO compatibility, recipient tumor diameter, recipient tumor number, recipient tumor differentiation degree, recipient preoperative AFP were related factors influencing the tumor recurrence free survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=4.24, 2.53, 4.05, 3.39, 3.10, 5.19, 2.63, 95% confidence interval as 2.50?7.21, 1.54?4.17, 2.12?7.72, 2.04?5.62, 1.91?5.03, 2.04?13.18, 1.61?4.30, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L were independent risk factors influencing the overall survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=4.21, 2.58, 4.10, 2.27, 95% confidence interval as 1.98?8.96, 1.24?5.35, 1.35?12.43, 1.13?4.56, P<0.05) and donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm, recipient tumor number ≥3 and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L were independent risk factors influencing the tumor recurrence free survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=3.37, 2.63, 2.42, 2.12, 2.22, 95% confidence interval as 1.70?6.67, 1.40?4.96, 1.04?5.66, 1.08?4.18, 1.26?3.90, P<0.05). (3) Construction and validation of nomogram prediction model for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. The donor live CIT, GRWR, recipient tumor diameter, recipient preoperative AFP were used to construct nomogram prediction model for overall survival of recipients and the donor liver CIT, GRWR, recipient tumor diameter, recipient tumor number, recipient preoperative AFP were used to construct nomogram prediction model for tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. The ROC curve showed that the AUC of the nomogram prediction model for overall survival of recipients was 0.84 (95% confidence interval as 0.76?0.92, P<0.05), with the optimal diagnostic value as 7.3 and the specificity and sensitivity as 87.6% and 70.0%. The AUC of the nomogram prediction model for tumor recurrence free survival of recipients was 0.79 (95% confidence interval as 0.71?0.87, P<0.05), with the optimal diagnostic value as 5.8 and the specificity and sensitivity as 97.4% and 52.5%. The calibration curve showed that the nomogram prediction model had good distinction for high risk recipients in overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival. Conclusion:Donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L are independent risk factors influencing the overall survival of recipients who underwent LT for HCC using steatotic donor liver and donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm, recipient tumor number ≥ 3 and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L are independent risk factors influencing the tumor recurrence free survival of recipients.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of Amyand's hernia (AH) in neonates in order to decrease the complications and to improve the prognosis.Methods Data about neonates with AH in Department of Neonatal Surgery,Wuhan Children's Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,were collected from January 2010 to February 2017,and the AH cases published from 1997 to 2017 in PubMed and Wanfang Data were also reviewed.Results Twenty-two cases were collected,including 8 cases treated in Wuhan Children's Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,and 14 cases from literature reports.In this group,4 cases underwent traditional operation and 4 cases underwent laparoscopy,respectively.All the patients underwent appendix resection and the ligation of the hernia sac.Among the 4 cases who underwent laparoscopic operation,contra-lateral hernia was found in 2 cases and pyocelia in 1 case.However,the appendix had a solid adhesion with the inguinal canal in those 4 cases and it was difficult to return the appendix to the cavity.Thus,the laparoscopy had to be terminated and the traditional procedure was carried out to separate the adhesion.In those 4 cases to whom the traditional operation was applied,1 case presented inflammation in abdomen and the contra-lateral hernia after operation.According to the pathological results of appendix,in this group,there were 3 cases,4 cases,and 1 case that presented Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ type,respectively.In literature cases,there were 13 cases and 1 case that underwent traditional operation and laparoscopy,respectively.There were 4 cases,9 cases,and 1 case that presented Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ type,respectively.The complications included located peritonitis (1 case),testicular torsion (1 case) and orchitis (1 case).All cases recovered smoothly.Conclusion Most of the AH cases in neonates present appendix suppuration,gangrene or perforation.The neonatal cases with AH also present obvious local infection and they are prone to develop into pyocelia in inguinal canal and abdominal cavity.In AH cases,laparoscopy has its own advantages,which not only help to make it clear if there is the contralateral hernia,but also helps to treat the complicated pyocelia in abdominal cavity,which help to avoid the residual infection efficiently.

AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of the interfering Gal-1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),migration and proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells via transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)pathway.METHODS:The stable cell lines(shGal-1)which Gal-1 expression were inhibited completely and their control cell lines were used as experimental cells.Western blot assay was used to detect the effects of shGal-1 on EMT process of MDA-MB-231 cells after TGF-β treatment;The effect of shGal-1 on cell migration and invasion after TGF-β treatment was verified by cell scratch and transwell test;The effect of shGal-1 on the TGF-β pathway related proteins were detected by western blot;Finally,the effect of shGal-1 on cell proliferation was detected by MTT and western blot.RESULTS:shGal-1 inhib-ited TGF-β-mediated EMT in MDA-MB-231 cells and regulated phosphorylation of pathway signaling molecules(ERK,AKT and GSK3β);shGal-1 could inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells.CONCLUSION:shGal-1 can inhibit the TGF-β-mediated EMT,migration and proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells.

Objective:To explore the value of aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and platelet (PLT)ratio index(APRI)in the prognosis of liver transplantation(LT)for hepatocellular carcinoma and establish a nomogram model for evaluating its clinical application potential.Methods:From January 2015 to December 2019, retrospective review was conducted for clinical data of LT for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)at First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Shulan(Hangzhou)Hospital(601 cases). They were randomized into two groups of modeling (399 cases)and validation(202 cases)and then divided into low and high APRI groups according to the APRI value at Month 1 post-transplantation. The independent risk factors of recurrence and prognosis post-LT were screened in modeling group using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and were further used for constructing a nomogram prediction model. The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)and survival curve were utilized for verifying the accuracy of nomogram prediction model.Results:Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that independent risk factors for the prognosis of HCC-LT included cold ischemic time(CIT) >8 h, beyond Hangzhou criteria, surgical bleeding volume >1 000 ml and APRI >1.5. The AUC of HCC-LT recurrence prediction model was 0.734(95%CI: 0.681~0.787)and 0.749(95%CI: 0.671~0.817)in modeling and validation groups; the AUC of HCC-LT mortality prediction model was 0.735(95%CI: 0.679~0.790)and 0.758(95%CI: 0.682~0.834)in modeling and validation groups.Conclusions:APRI>1.5 is an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence and mortality after HCC-LT. The nomogram prediction model based upon CIT, Hangzhou criteria, intraoperative bleeding volume and APRI can effectively predict the recurrence and overall survival of LT for HCC.

Objective:To explore the early and medium-long term outcomes of steatosis donor liver transplantation(LT)for an optimal clinical application.Methods:From January 2015 to December 2020, this retrospective cohort study was conducted jointly at Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University and First Hospital of Jilin University. The relevant clinicopathological and follow-up data were collected from 1535 LT recipients. For comparison, propensity score was utilized for case-control matching of steatosis and non-steatosis donor livers. According to presence or absence of liver steatosis, the recipients were divided into two groups of steatosis donor liver (n=243) and non-steatosis donor liver (n=1292). And 1∶1 propensity score matching was made for two groups. Then early and medium-long term outcomes of two groups were examined. Counts were described as absolute numbers. Kaplan-Meier method was employed for calculating survival time and plotting survival curve and Log-rank test for survival analysis. COX regression model was utilized for univariate and multivariate analyses. Based on basic metabolic disease pre-LT, steatosis donor liver recipients were divided into three subgroups: BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 with hypertension or diabetes (n=21), BMI<25 kg/m 2 and no hypertension or diabetes (n=130) and other recipients (n=92). A comparative study was performed for determining the prognosis of subgroups according to the different characteristics of recipient and donor liver. Results:No significant inter-group difference existed in 2-year survival post-LT ( P=0.174). However, significant inter-group difference in survival existed after 2 years post-LT ( P=0.004). And 3/5-year survival rate of steatosis donor liver was 66.4% and 44.2% respectively. Both were significantly lower than those of non-steatosis donor liver. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that steatosis donor liver and male recipients were independent risk factors for prognosis >2 years survival post-LT( P=0.008, P=0.004). Subgroup analysis of steatosis liver donors showed that the prognosis of patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 with hypertension or diabetes was significantly worse than other subgroups (BMI <25 kg/m 2 with no hypertension or diabetes and other recipients) <2 years survival post-LT ( P=0.029, P=0.043). Conclusions:Steatosis donor liver does not affect early survival of recipients, yet reduces medium-long term survival rate of recipients notably. In steatosis donor liver recipients, early survival rate declines markedly in recipients with preoperative BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 with hypertension or diabetes as compared with BMI <25 kg/m 2 with no hypertension or diabetes group.

Tacrolimus (TAC), also called FK506, is one of the classical immunosuppressants to prevent allograft rejection after liver transplantation. However, it has been proved to be associated with post-transplant hyperlipemia. The mechanism behind this is unknown, and it is urgent to explore preventive strategies for hyperlipemia after transplantation. Therefore, we established a hyperlipemia mouse model to investigate the mechanism, by injecting TAC intraperitoneally for eight weeks. After TAC treatment, the mice developed hyperlipemia (manifested as elevated triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), as well as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)). Accumulation of lipid droplets was observed in the liver. In addition to lipid accumulation, TAC induced inhibition of the autophagy-lysosome pathway (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3β (LC3B) II/I and LC3B II/actin ratios, transcription factor EB (TFEB), protein 62 (P62), and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)) and downregulation of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in vivo. Overexpression of FGF21 may reverse TAC-induced TG accumulation. In this mouse model, the recombinant FGF21 protein ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and hyperlipemia through repair of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. We conclude that TAC downregulates FGF21 and thus exacerbates lipid accumulation by impairing the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Recombinant FGF21 protein treatment could therefore reverse TAC-caused lipid accumulation and hypertriglyceridemia by enhancing autophagy.
Animals ; Mice ; Tacrolimus ; Liver ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Autophagy ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective: To improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and decrease the unnecessary surgical exploration in neonates with simple meconium ileus (SMI) by analyzing clinical characteristics of SMI. Methods: Forty-five neonates identified as SMI from January 2008 to May 2018 had been collected, and the data of pregnancy, birth weight, treatments, hospital stay and results of follow-up were included.The patients were divided into 2 groups: surgical group and non-surgical group.The surgical group underwent enterostomy at the end of ileum, meanwhile, the intestinal wall was biopsied for checking the existence of ganglion cells.All the neonates in the surgical group underwent stoma closure in 3 to 6 months postoperatively.The non-surgical group received fasting, intravenous nutritional support, enema with amiotol diluted into 11 or injected into the stomach by the gastric tube.They all received enema with warm salt (9 g/L) 1-2 times per day.Once the abdominal dilation was mitigated and autonomous defecation obtained, the neonates gradually began the oral feeding and weaned from the total parenteral nutrition(TPN). The 45 neonates were also divided into earlier group (from January 2008 to May 2013) and later group (from June 2013 to May 2018) according to the time of diagnosis.The relationships between the SMI treatment choice and the pregnancy, birth weight and time of diagnosis were analyzed. Results: No cystic fibrosis lesions were found in 45 neonates, of which 21 and 24 neonates were in non-surgical group and surgical group, respectively.In the operation, the intestine presented similar anatomy to the total Hirschsprung′s disease.However, the ganglion was observed not only in the stricture, transitional and dilated zone of ileum, but also in the colon.There were no significant differences in the pregnancy and birth weight in both groups(P>0.05), but there was significant difference in the duration of hospitalization [(21.19±5.13) d vs.(12.29±3.85) d, P=0.000]. There were complications in those patients who had undergone enterostomy, including wound infection (2 cases), prolapse of stoma (2 cases), water and electrolyte disorders (2 cases), malnutrition (21 cases). After the stoma closure, no signs of ganglion cell dysplasia were found in follow-up.In non-surgical group, there were 20 pre-term reonates and 1 full-term neonate, respectively.In surgical group, there were 22 pre-term reonates and 2 full-term neonate, respectively.Neither pregnancy nor birth weight was related to the choice of treatment (P>0.05), but the time when to be admitted was highly related to the choice of treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions It is not rare for the occurrence of SMI in neonates in China, especially in preterm neonates.Amiotol may have effects not only on diagnosis but also on treatment of SMI, which can be applied repeatedly.Non-surgical treatment can help most of the neonates with SMI to avoid surgical exploration.Enhancing apprehension about the SMI may have great advantages to decrease the rate of unnecessary laparotomy.