Objective To investigate the utility of plasma procalcitonin (PCT) as an early predictor for postoperative complications in patients who underwent elective pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods Clinical data of 87 patients who underwent elective PD in Changhai Hospital from March.1, 2016 to Dec.31, 2016 were collected.The general data, postoperative recovery, serum PCT level and white blood cell (WBC) count before, 1 d, 3 d and 5 d after PD were recorded.ROC curve was drawn and AUC was calculated to determine the cutoff value, sensitivity and specificity.Patients were divided into complication group (n=42) and noncomplication group (n=45) based on the occurrence of post-operative complications, and the comparisons between the two groups were performed.Results There were no significant differences on the age, gender, diabetes, obstructive jaundice, laboratory tests including PCT, operative time, blood loss volume during surgery and tumor type between the two groups, which were comparable.Complication group had longer hospitalization than noncomplication group (24 d vs 15 d,P<0.001), and the differences were statistically significant.In complication group, 18 patients had pancreatic fistula, 13 had peritoneal infection, 7 had gastric empty dysfunction, 8 had bleeding, 2 had bile fistula and 2 had incision infection after PD.The postoperative plasma PCT level in patients with gastric empty dysfunction, bleeding, bile fistula and incision infection was not statistically different from those in noncomplication group (all P>0.05), but the plasma PCT level in patients with pancreatic fistula and peritoneal infection on 3 d and 5 d after PD was significantly higher than those in noncomplication group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05).The combination of plasma PCT and WBC on 3 d and 5 d after PD was superior to PCT or WBC alone in predicting pancreatic fistula (sensitivity 88.9%, 72.7%;specificity 68.5%, 78.2%) and abdominal infection (sensitivity 100%, 100%;specificity 45.9%, 44.4%).Conclusions Plasma PCT could predict the occurrence of abdominal infection and pancreatic fistula after PD.The combination of PCT and WBC might be more valuable in predicting abdominal infection and pancreatic fistula.

Decoction is one of the most commonly used dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicine. The stability of chemical constituents in decoction is closely related to the clinical efficacy and safety. There were few reports about the influence of metal ions in the stability of chemical constituents in traditional Chinese medicine. However, there is no evidence that metal ions in decoction water need to be controlled. In this study, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), one of the main constituents in Polygoni Multiflori Radix was studied. Ordinary tap water, deionized water, and water containing different metal ions were used to investigate and compare the influence on THSG. The results showed that after storage in a dark place at the room temperature for 10 days, the degradation of THSG was 7% in deionized water, while undetectable in tap water. The content of THSG could be decreased by different kinds of metal ions, and the effect was concentration-dependent. Moreover, Fe3+ and Fe2+ showed the greatest influence at the same concentration; and our study has shown that THSG decreased more than 98% in Fe and Fe2+ solutions at 500 ppm concentration. In the same time we found out p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (molecular weight: 122.036 7) and 2,3,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde-2-O-glycoside (molecular weight: 316.079 4) were the main degradation products of THSG in tap water and water containing Cu2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Al3+. The product of THSG dimer with a water molecule was found in water containing Fe3+ and Fe2+. The above results showed that the metal ions in water could significantly influence the stability of THSG in water, indicating that the clinical efficacy and safety of decoction would be affected if the metal ions in water were not under control. It's suggested that deionized water should be used in the preparation of decoction containing Polygoni Multiflori Radix in the clinic to avoid degradation of THSG. Meanwhile, decoction prepared by tap water should be taken by patients in a short time. Our investigation provides important information and reference about the influence of metal ions on the stability of decoctions in other traditional Chinese medicine that have unstable groups such as hydroxyls and unsaturated bonds, etc.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of pulmonary expressions of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1-4) with lung fibrosis and aging.

METHODSReal-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of FGFR1-4 in the lung tissues, and lung fibrosis was observed by HE and Masson staining in mice at different ages.

RESULTSThe 4 subtypes of FGFR showed different expression levels in the lung tissues of mice, and FGFR2 had the highest expressions. The expression levels of all the 4 FGFR subtypes in 8-month-old mice were significantly lower than those in 5-week-old mice. The 8-month-old mice tended to present with histological changes of lung fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONFGFR expressions is down-regulated with aging in mice. Among the FGFR subtypes, FGFR2 is expressed at the highest level. The occurrence of lung fibrosis with aging is probably associated with down-regulated FGFR expression. FGF/FGFR signaling may participate in the aging process and regulation of lung fibrosis.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; classification ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective:To compare the clinical effects between the homodigital radial flap of the dorsal cutaneous branch of radial palmar proper digital artery (PPDA) and the homodigital reverse island flap of the ulnar dorsal digital artery (DDA) on reconstruction of defects in thumb-tip or thumb-pulp.Methods:The retrospective case-control study method was used. From January 2016 to August 2022, a total of 65 thumb-tip or thumb-pulp defects were treated in the Department of Hand Surgery of the Second Hospital of Tangshan. Thirty-five defects of thumbs were reconstructed with the homodigital radial flap pedicled with dorsal cutaneous branch of radial PPDA (PPDA group) and the other 30 thumbs were treated by the homodigital ulnar reverse island flap pedicled with ulnar DDA (DDA group). Sizes of the wounds and flaps in PPDA group were 1.9 cm×1.5 cm to 2.9 cm×2.4 cm and 2.1 cm× 1.7 cm to 3.1 cm×2.6 cm, respectively, and the dimensions of the wounds and flaps in DDA group were 2.0 cm× 1.7 cm to 2.9 cm×2.5 cm and 2.2 cm×1.9 cm to 3.2 cm×2.8 cm, respectively. The wounds of donor site in both groups were all directly closed. Survival of the flaps and wound healing of donor sites were observed in both groups. The time of surgery and duration of follow-up of the 2 groups were recorded. Postoperative follow-up included outpatient clinic visits, telephone reviews and WeChat video-clips. At the final follow-up, record of total active motion (TAM) of the injured thumbs, angle of first web of the affected hands, static TPD of the flaps, patient satisfaction of the appearance of flaps and donor sites were taken. According to the Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire (MHQ) evaluation criteria, the patient satisfaction of the appearance of flaps and donor sites were evaluated. The measurement and count data acquired from both groups were compared by independent sample t-test and χ2 tests or Fisher's exact test, respectively. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:All 35 flaps in PPDA group and 26 flaps in DDA group survived primarily, except 4 flaps in the DDA group that showed blisters and healed with dressing changes. The primary survival rate of flap in PPDA group (100%) was higher than that of DDA group (87%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Donor sites of both groups healed primary. The time of surgery and duration of follow-up in PPDA and DDA groups were 59.11 minutes±5.42 minutes and 15.37 months±3.32 months, and 61.27 minutes±5.96 minutes and 16.17 months±3.60 months, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). At the final follow-up, the thumb TAM and angle of thumb web in PPDA and DDA groups were 135.14°±10.04° and 90.29°±4.36° and 132.17°±11.04° and 89.00°±4.81°, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). The static TPD, patient satisfaction of the appearance of flaps and donor sites in PPDA group were 7.11 mm±1.21 mm, 4.69 point±0.47 point and 4.43 point±0.50 point, which were better than DDA group [8.20 mm±1.47 mm, 4.40 point±0.50 point and 4.13 point±0.57 point, respectively] with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The homodigital radial flap of the dorsal cutaneous branch of radial PPDA and the homodigital ulnar reverse island flap of the ulnar DDA are both suitable for reconstruction of defects in thumb-tip or thumb-pulp. Compared with the homodigital reverse island flap with the DDA, a homodigital radial flap with the dorsal cutaneous branch of PPDA has advantages in higher primary survival rate, better flap sensation and appearance at both of recipient and donor sites.

Objective: To discuss the feasibility and effectiveness of using micro-CT in bone-implant contact (BIC) evaluation in dogs, and to provide reference for clinical and scientific research. Methods: Bilateral mandibular second premolar and first molar of six male Beagle dogs were extracted. After 3 months′ healing, eight implants were placed in bilateral mandible of each dog, four on each side. Dogs were sacrificed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after implant placement, two on each time point. Samples were scanned with micro-CT and digitally reconstructed. Bone-implant interface was analyzed at different analysis regions (25, 50 and 100 μm from implants′ surface), different detection range models were obtained (each time point consists 48 models), and BIC was evaluated, and the results were counted as micro-CT₂₅, micro-CT₅₀, and micro-CT₁₀₀ groups. Then undecalcified slides were made (three slides for each sample) and stained with toluidine blue for observation and analysis of BIC using an optical microscope, and the results were counted as optical microscope groups. The advantages and disadvantages, evaluation efficiency and BIC of different methods were analyzed. Results: To evaluate BIC of single sample, it took about 90 minutes by micro-CT, which was much lower than the time of 14 days by optical microscope. The success rates of modeling of micro-CT₂₅, micro-CT₅₀, and micro-CT₁₀₀ groups all were 100.0% (48/48), and total success rate of micro-CT group was 100.0% (144/144). For optical microscope groups, the success rates of making slides 2, 4, 8 weeks were 89.6% (43/48), 93.8% (45/48) and 93.8% (45/48), respectively, and total success rates of optical microscope group was 92.4% (133/144). At 2, 4,8 weeks after implantation, BIC in micro-CT₂₅ group was significantly smaller than that in optical microscope group at the same time point (P<0.05). However, at 2, 4,8 weeks after implantation, BIC of the micro-CT₅₀ and micro-CT₁₀₀ groups showed no significant difference with optical microscope groups at the same time point (P>0.05). A significant correlation (P<0.001, each) was seen between slides and micro-CT (25, 50, 100 μm groups) concerning BIC (r=0.680, r=0.892, r=0.713), and error bias was -19.4%, -0.9%, 3.0%, respectively. The probability within the 95% limits of agreement were 97.9%. Conclusions Micro-CT is a faster, simpler and more efficient way to analyze BIC at the implant-bone interface than optical microscope observation. BIC analysis by selecting 50 μm from implants′ surface as analysis region using micro-CT is in consistent with that using the optical microscope.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with unclear etiology and limited treatment options. The median survival time for IPF patients is approximately 2-3 years and there is no effective intervention to treat IPF other than lung transplantation. As important components of lung tissue, endothelial cells (ECs) are associated with pulmonary diseases. However, the role of endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is incompletely understood. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in lung ECs. Its expression is markedly reduced in patients with IPF. Herein, we generated an endothelial-conditional S1pr1 knockout mouse model which exhibited inflammation and fibrosis with or without bleomycin (BLM) challenge. Selective activation of S1PR1 with an S1PR1 agonist, IMMH002, exerted a potent therapeutic effect in mice with bleomycin-induced fibrosis by protecting the integrity of the endothelial barrier. These results suggest that S1PR1 might be a promising drug target for IPF therapy.