Objective To investigate the efficacy of TACE combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods A total of 72 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinomas were analyzed retrospectively,including 35 patients underwent TACE combined with RFA (combined group),37 patients underwent single TACE (control group).After the operation,the short-term effect,the changes of liver function,serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level,the complication and the long-term survival rates of the two groups were compared.Results The total effective rate of the combined group (29/35,82.86％) was significantly higher than that of control group (20/37,54.05％;P=0.009).In the combined group,the AFP reduced to (102.19±32.13)μg/L,and the control group reduced to (218.46±49.87)μg/L,which had statistical difference (P＜0.001).The survival rates of 1-year,2-year and 3-year in the combined group were 82.86 ％,54.29 ％,34.29 ％ with a median survival time of 25 months;while in the control group those were 54.05％,32.43％,13.51％ with a median survival time of 16 months;there were statistically significant differences in the survival rate between two groups (P=0.009).After treatment,the hepatic functions of both group had a transient change,and 2 weeks after the operation,there was no significant difference between the two groups (all P＞0.05).Conclusion The combination of TACE and RFA is an effective method for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To design an air-cushioned belt for skin traction of lower extremities to reduce the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pressure ulcers in patients with lower limb fractures. Methods The belt was composed of upper and lower leggings.The legging had an air cushion at its interior surface,and the air cushion consisted of several chambers.There was a connecting tube between every two chambers, and each tube was equipped with a pressure non-return valve. The chamber on the top of the cushion had a charging mechanism for inflation.Totally 100 patients from June to December 2016 were selected and divided equally into an experiment group and a control group.The experiment group used the developed air-cushioned belt,and the control group applied the traditional one.The incidence rates of deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs were compared in the two groups,and χ2test was carried out on the results.Results There were no cases of pressure ulcers and deep venous thromboses of lower limbs occurred in the experiment group,while 5 cases of deep venous thromboses of lower limbs and 4 cases of pressure ulcer happened in the control group,and there were significant differences between the incidence rates in the groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The air-cushioned belt has easy operation,relieves the patients'pains and the nurses'workload when used to prevent deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs and pressure ulcer,and thus is worthy promoting clinically.

BACKGROUNDAtopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by defective skin barrier and imbalance in T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine expression. Filaggrin (FLG) is the key protein to maintaining skin barrier function. Recent studies indicated that Th1/Th2 cytokines influence FLG expression in keratinocytes. However, the role of Th1/Th2 cytokines on FLG processing is not substantially documented. Our aim was to investigate the impact of Th1/Th2 cytokines on FLG processing.

METHODSHaCaT cells and normal human keratinocytes were cultured in low and high calcium media and stimulated by either interleukin (IL)-4, 13 or interferon-γ (IFN-γ). FLG, its major processing proteases and key protease inhibitor lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) were measured by both real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Their expression was also evaluated in acute and chronic AD lesions by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIL-4/13 significantly reduced, while IFN-γ significantly up-regulated FLG expression. IL-4/13 significantly increased, whereas IFN-γ significantly decreased the expression of kallikreins 5 and 7, matriptase and channel-activating serine protease 1. On the contrary, IL-4/13 significantly decreased, while IFN-γ increased the expression of LEKTI and caspase-14. Similar trends were observed in AD lesions.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggested that Th1/Th2 cytokines differentially regulated the expression of major FLG processing enzymes. The imbalance between Th1 and Th2 polarized immune response seems to extend to FLG homeostasis, through the network of FLG processing enzymes.

Caspase 14 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-13 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Keratinocytes ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory ; metabolism ; Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal-Type 5 ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

Objective To compare the expression of CD 49f splicing isoforms in different human stem cells and colon cancer cell lines , and construct lentiviral vectors overexpressing specific isoform .Methods The expression of CD49f isoforms in different cells was detected by RT-PCR and real-time PCR.The lentiviral vectors overexpressing CD49f isoforms were constructed by molecular cloning method .The overexpression of CD49f in colon cancer cell line HT29 was confirmed by FCM, Western blot and real-time PCR, the invasive ability was examined by transwell assay.Results CD49f splicing isoform B was highly expressed in H 9 human embryonic stem cell line , while iso-form A expressed in epithelial cells .Both isoform A and B were expressed in mesenchymal cells .CD49f isoforms A and B were also expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines , while HT29 and HCT116 showed higher expression of iso-form A than isoform B , HCT8 and LoVo showed higher expression of isoform B than isoform A .Overexpression of CD49f isoform B greatly increased the invasive ability of HT 29 cells, while isoform A showed no effect .Conclusions The expressions of CD49f splicing isoforms A and B in different types of cells are significantly different , which sug-gests that CD49f isoforms play different biological functions in cells .

This study was aimed to evaluate the frequencies and prognostic significance of the nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutation, the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation and c-KIT mutation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to explore their relevance to clinical characteristics, cytogenetics and survival. Genomic DNA from 78 newly diagnosed AML from August 2010 to October 2012 was screened by PCR and sequencing or capillary electrophoresis (CE) for NPM1, FLT3 and c-KIT mutations. The results showed that the incidence of NPM1 mutation was 14.1% in AML patients and 26.7% in normal karyotype AML patients. NPM1 mutant cases were significantly associated with old age (P < 0.05), high peripheral white cell count and platelet counts (P < 0.05) and low expression of CD34 (P < 0.05), but no statistic difference was found in sex, percentage of bone marrow blasts, Hb, expression of CD117 and HLA-DR, complete remission rate, overall survival and relapse rate (P > 0.05). The prevalences of FLT3-ITD and FLT3-TKD mutations were 11.5% (9/78) and 3.8% (3/78) respectively, and no one patient has both of the two mutations. Patients with FLT3-ITD mutation had higher white blood cell counts and percentage of in bone marrow blasts (P < 0.05), and lower overall survival (P < 0.05), more relative to normal karyotype (P < 0.05), while no statistic difference was found in sex, age, platelet count, Hb level, complete remission rate and relapse rate (P > 0.05). No statistic analysis was performed due to the cases of less FLT3-TKD mutation. C-KIT mutation accounts for 7.7% (6/78). Patients with C-KIT mutation had a higher percentage in abnormal karyotype (P < 0.05), and higher relapse rate (P < 0.05), and lower overall survival, whereas no statistic difference was found in sex, age, percentage of bone marrow blasts, peripheral blood cell count, complete remission rate (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the detection of NPM1, FLT3 and C-KIT mutations may contribute to guiding treatment and evaluating prognosis of patients with AML.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

BACKGROUNDUnstable pelvic fractures are complex and serious injuries. Selection of a fixation method for these fractures remains a challenging problem for orthopedic surgeons. This study aimed to compare the stability of Tile C pelvic fractures fixed with two iliosacral (IS) screws and minimally invasive adjustable plate (MIAP) combined with one IS screw.

METHODSThis study was a biomechanical experiment. Six embalmed specimens of the adult pelvis were used. The soft tissue was removed from the specimens, and the spines from the fourth lumbar vertebra to the proximal one-third of both femurs were retained. The pubic symphysis, bilateral sacroiliac joints and ligaments, bilateral hip joints, bilateral sacrotuberous ligaments, and bilateral sacrospinous ligaments were intact. Tile C pelvic fractures were made on the specimens. The symphysis pubis was fixed with a plate, and the fracture on the posterior pelvic ring was fixed with two kinds of internal fixation in turn. The specimens were placed in a biomechanical machine at a standing neutral posture. A cyclic vertical load of up to 500 N was applied, and displacement was recorded. Shifts in the fracture gap were measured by a grating displacement sensor.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USEDPaired-samples t-test.

RESULTSUnder the vertical load of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 N, the average displacement of the specimens fixed with MIAP combined with one IS screw was 0.46, 0.735, 1.377, 1.823, and 2.215 mm, respectively, which was significantly lower than that of specimens fixed with two IS screws under corresponding load (P < 0.05). Under the vertical load of 500 N, the shift in the fracture gap of specimens fixed with MIAP combined with one IS screw was 0.261 ± 0.095 mm, and that of specimens fixed with two IS screws was 0.809 ± 0.170 mm. The difference was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe stability of Tile C pelvic fractures fixed with MIAP combined with one IS screw was better than that fixed with two IS screws.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; surgery

Objective:To investigate the current situation of emergency medical service (EMS) system and its effect on treatment of the acute stage and short- and long-term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction in Hebei province.Methods:Totally 2 961 patients with acute myocardial infarction who were admitted to major tertiary and some representative secondary hospitals in Hebei province from January 2016 to December 2016 were collected. According to the pattern of arriving hospital, all the patients were divided into the EMS group and self-transport group. The general conditions, time from onset to treatment, treatment methods, in-hospital mortality rate and 3-year mortality rate were compared between the two groups.Results:Of the included 2 961 patients, 33.13% of them were transported through EMS and 66.87% of them by private transport. Patients with a history of hypertension and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were more likely to choose EMS, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Moreover, patients in the EMS group were more likely to go to tertiary hospitals for treatment (88.58% vs 85.76%, P=0.033). The time from onset to treatment of the EMS group was significantly shorter than that of the self-transport group (160 min vs 185 min, P<0.01), and the proportion of patients in the EMS group from onset-to-door time in <3 h and 3-6 h was higher than that of the self-transport group (55.76% vs 49.14%, 21.41% vs 19.09%, P<0.01). Compared with the self-transport group, the EMS group has a higher rate of reperfusion therapy (67.48% vs 61.67%, P=0.002). Patients in the EMS group had a higher in-hospital mortality rate in the acute stage (7.03% vs 4.44%, P=0.003), but its 3-year mortality rate was lower than that of the self-transport group (17.31% vs 20.77%, P<0.05). Conclusions:EMS can shorten symptom-onset-to-arrival time, increase the rate of reperfusion therapy and improve long-term prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective:To explore the value of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and other cytokines in predicting the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients.Methods:Patients with sepsis and septic shock who ≥18 years old and met the Sepsis-3 diagnostic criteria admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from January to June 2019 were taken as the research objects. The healthy individuals for regular health examination in the same period were taken as the control. The basic information, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were recorded. The venous blood was taken within 24 hours after the patients were diagnosed. The levels of HMGB1, vWF, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), angiopoetin-2 (Ang-2) and other cytokines in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Differences among patients with sepsis, septic shock, healthy physical examinees, and patients who died in 28-day and those who survived, were compared. Spearman rank correlation method was used to analyze the correlation among each cytokine and APACHEⅡ, SOFA scores. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of cytokines on the prognosis of patients with sepsis/septic shock. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of 28-day death.Results:Eleven patients with sepsis, 25 patients with septic shock and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Among the patients with sepsis/septic shock, 15 died in 28-day and 21 survived. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, HMGB1, vWF, sTM and VEGFR-2 in patients with sepsis were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group. The levels of TNF-α, IL-10, HMGB1, vWF, sTM in septic shock group were higher than those in the sepsis group, while the Ang-2 level decreased significantly. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, HMGB1, vWF and sTM in the death group were higher than those in the survival group, while Ang-2 was lower than the survival group. Spearman correlation analysis showed that HMGB1, TNF-α, sTM, IL-10, vWF were positively correlated with APACHEⅡ score when patients with sepsis/septic shock were enrolled ( r values were 0.652, 0.666, 0.445, 0.430 and 0.355, respectively, all P < 0.05), and HMGB1, TNF-α also positively correlated with SOFA score ( r values were 0.433, 0.479, both P < 0.05). Ang-2 was negatively correlated with APACHEⅡ and SOFA scores ( r values were -0.519, -0.440, both P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive value of HMGB1, vWF, IL-10, sTM for 28-day death in patients with sepsis/septic shock were higher than the APACHEⅡ score [the area under ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.946 (0.870-1.000), 0.902 (0.790-1.000), 0.877 (0.745-1.000), 0.868 (0.734-1.000) vs. 0.846 (0.700-0.991)]. Logistic regression analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score, vWF, sTM, and IL-10 were independent risk factors for 28-day death in patients with sepsis/septic shock (β values were 4.731, 0.407, -7.058, -0.887, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:HMGB1, vWF, IL-10, sTM and other cytokines all can be used to evaluate the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients.

Objective:To explore the effect of continuous blood purification (CBP) on the immunity and endothelial cell function of patients with sepsis.Methods:A prospective study was conducted. The patients aged ≥18 years old and meeting the diagnostic criteria of sepsis admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from March 2019 to October 2020 were selected as the research subjects, and the patients were divided into standard treatment group and CBP treatment group according to random number table method. Both groups were given standard treatment including initial fluid resuscitation, infection source control and antibiotics according to the 2016 international guidelines for the management of sepsis and septic shock. CBP treatment group was additionally given continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) at a dose of 25-30 mL·kg -1·h -1 and blood flow rate of 150-200 mL/min for more than 20 hours a day for 3 days. The clinical data of patients including blood lactic acid (Lac), procalcitonin (PCT), lymphocyte count (LYM), acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded before treatment and 1 day and 3 days after treatment. At the same time, the venous blood was collected, and the immune function related indexes [interleukins (IL-4, IL-7), programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1), programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ)] and endothelial cell injury related markers [soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), von Willebrand factor (vWF), heparan sulfate (HS), syndecan-1 (SDC-1)] levels in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay of patients in the two groups was recorded, and the outcomes of patients in the two groups were followed up for 28 days. Results:Finally, 20 patients were enrolled in the standard treatment group, and 19 patients were enrolled in the CBP treatment group. There were no significant differences in gender, age and infection site between the two groups. The length of ICU stay in the standard treatment group was (10±5) days, and 5 patients died and 15 patients survived after 28 days. The length of ICU stay in the CBP treatment group was (9±4) days, and 8 patients died and 11 patients survived after 28 days. There were no significant differences in the length of ICU stay and number of patients who died within 28 days between the two groups (both P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the Lac, PCT, LYM, APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score and immune function and endothelial cell injury related indexes before treatment and 1 day after treatment between the two groups. After 3 days of treatment, the Lac, PCT, APACHEⅡ score and SOFA score of the CBP treatment group were significantly lower than those before treatment, and pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-4, apoptosis-related indicators such as PD-1 and IL-7, and endothelial injury related factors such as sTM, SDC-1 and HS were significantly improved compared with the pre-treatment, the improvement degree of the above indicators was more obvious than that of the standard treatment group, and LYM was significantly higher than that of the standard treatment group (×10 9/L: 1.3±0.3 vs. 0.9±0.4, P < 0.05), IL-4, IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, IL-7, PD-1, sTM, SDC-1, HS, and Ang-2 were significantly lower than those of the standard treatment group [IL-4 (ng/L): 2.8 (1.5, 3.2) vs. 3.3 (2.7, 5.2), IFN-γ (ng/L): 6.3 (5.4, 106.5) vs. 217.9 (71.4, 517.1), IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio: 3.7 (1.8, 70.3) vs. 59.1 (18.3, 124.9), IL-7 (ng/L): 4.6 (3.2, 5.1) vs. 6.3 (5.2, 8.0), PD-1 (μg/L): 0.04 (0.03, 0.06) vs. 0.08 (0.05, 0.12), sTM (μg/L): 4.9 (4.3, 7.4) vs. 8.7 (6.0, 10.8), SDC-1 (μg/L): 0.6 (0.3, 1.1) vs. 0.9 (0.8, 2.5), HS (ng/L): 434.8 (256.2, 805.0) vs. 887.9 (620.1, 957.3), Ang-2 (ng/L): 934.0 (673.3, 1 502.1) vs. 2 233.9 (1 472.5, 3 808.4)], the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:CBP treatment can eliminate the patient's immunosuppressive state, reduce a variety of endothelial injury markers and the degradation of glycocalyx, but cannot decrease the 28-day death risk or shorten the length of ICU stay.

Objective To investigate the potential roles of chromogranin A in pathogenesis of asthmatic inflammation,and to assess the regulation of montelukast on chromogranin A expression.Methods The rat asthma model was established with ovalbumin,and they were allocated to three groups,named asthma group,control group and montelukast group.The expressions of chromogranin A protein and mRNA at lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemisty or real-time PCR methods,and positive expression intensity of chromogranin A protein was assayed by optical density.The correlation between chromogranin A protein and mRNA was also analyzed.Results The expression levels of chromogranin A protein in asthma group(0.34 ±0.05 optical density)was significantly higher than that in control group (0.21 ±0.06 optical density)(P<0.01 ).The expression levels of chromogranin A mRNA in asthma group (4.02 ±0.95 relative quantity value)was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.01 ).The expression levels of chromogranin A protein in montelukast group(0.28 ±0.04 optical density)was dramatically lower than that in asthma group (0.34 ±0.05 optical density)(P<0.05),while there were no statistical significance of chromogranin A mRNA(3.67 ±0.78 relative quantity value)between those two groups(P>0.05 ).But levels of mRNA was positively correlated with protein of chromogranin A (r=0.635,P<0.01).Conclusion Expressions of chromogranin A protein and mRNA at lung tissue were increased in asthmatic rats,and the results demonstrated that chromogranin A perhaps participated in the pathogenesis of asthma inflammation,but this function of chromogranin A protein could be down regulated by montelukast.