AIM: To explore the feasibility of culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVEC ) on acellular corneal stroma and performing the posterior lamellar endothelial keratoplasty ( PLEK ) treating corneal endothelial decompensation.
METHODS: Thirty New-Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups randomly, 10 rabbits for experimental group, 10 for stroma group and 10 for control group. Corneal endothelial cells were removed to establish animal model of corneal endothelial failure. PLEK was performed on the rabbits of experimental group and stroma group, and nothing was transplantated onto the rabbits of control group with the deep layer excised only. Postoperative observation was taken for 3mo. The degree of corneal edema and central corneal thickness were recorded for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:Corneas in experimental group were relieved in edema obviously compared with that in stroma group and the control group, and showed increased transparency 7d after the operation. The average density of endothelial cells was 2 026. 4±129. 3cells/mm2 , and average central corneal thickness was 505. 2±25. 4μm in experimental group, while 1 535. 6±114. 5μm in stroma group and 1 493. 5±70. 2μm in control group 3mo after operation.
CONCLUSION:We achieved preliminary success in our study that culturing HUVEC on acellular corneal stroma and performing PLEK for corneal endothelial decompensation. HUVEC transplanted could survive in vivo, and have normal biological function of keeping cornea transparent. This study provides a new idea and a new way clinically for the treatment of corneal endothelial diseases.

Objective To investigate the significance of antibody to Ro-52 in patients with autoim-mune liver disease(AILD). Methods One hundred and fifteen patients with abnormal liver functions, who had anti-Ro-52 detection by immunological blotting, were reviewed retrospectively. According to types of AILD, the clinical features were compared between patients with and without anti-Ro-52, respectively, κ test of concordance was used to provide a chance-corrected valve for immune-serological results. Results The rates of anti-Ro-52 in autoimmune hepatitis( AIH), primary sclerosing cholangitis(PBC) and AIH/PBC o-verlap syndrome groups were 32.43%, 24.56% and 33.33%, respectively, there were no significant differ-enees among three groups ( x2 = 0. 949, P >0. 05). The rate of anti-soluble hver antigen/liver-pancreas ( an-ti-SLA/LP) in AIH patients with anti-Ro-52 (58.33%) was higher than AIH patients without anti-Ro-52 ( 16.00% ,P < 0.05 ). The rate of anti-SLA/LP in AIH/PBC overlap syndrome patients with anti-Ro-52 (85.71%) was also higher than that of control group (28.57% ,P <0.05). Anti-Ro-52 and anti-SLA/LP had concordance according to κ test( κ >0.40, P <0.05). The average level of IgG in AIH/PBC overlap syndrome patients with anti-Ro-52 was higher than patients without anti-Ro-52 ( t = 2. 508, P < 0.05 ). Conclusion The rates of anti-Ro-52 in AIH, PBC and AIH/PBC overlap syndrome were of no significant differences. Anti-Ro-52 may have correlation with anti-SLA/LP. AIH/PBC overlap syndrome patients with anti-Ro-52 shewed higher IgG level than patients without anti-Ro-52.

Objective To explore the clinical diagnostic value of 18 F-FDG PET/CT in patients with kidney neoplasms.Methods Seventy-nine patients (52 males,27 females,average age (57.3 ± 14.1) years),who had definitive diagnosis of kidney neoplasms by 18F-FDG PET/CT and pathological or clinical comprehensive diagnosis in recent five years,were analyzed retrospectively.The diagnosis by PET/CT was made according to the changes of kidney shape,tumor density and FDG uptake (SUVmax).The diagnostic efficacy was calculated.Results Among the 79 patients,70 cases were finally diagnosed as malignant tumors (including 40 cases of renal cell carcinoma,5 cases of renal pelvis carcinoma,8 cases of lymphoma,16 cases of metastatic tumor,and 1 case of renal fascia capsule liposarcoma) and 9 cases of benign tumors (including 7 cases of angiomyolipomas,1 case of renal acidophilic cell adenoma,1 case of metanephric adenoma; the benign tumors did not contain small lipid sample hamartoma cases).The detective rate of kidney neoplasms with 18F-FDG PET/CT was 97.5％ (77/79).For the identification of benign and malignant lesions,the sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET/CT was 92.9％ (65/70),specificity was 7/9,accuracy was 91.1％ (72/79),positive predictive value was 97.0％ (65/67),and negative predictive value was 58.3 ％ (7/12).Conclusions 18 F-FDG PET/CT can detect and identify most of kidney tumors.Whole-body checking and comprehensive evaluation on kidney cancer patients are still the main advantages of PET/CT.

As a pleiotropic cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6) participates in many physiological activities in vivo. IL-6 plays an important role in the physiology and pathology of chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, tumors and other diseases through diverse mechanisms. At present, inhibitors targeting IL-6/IL-6R have been shown to improve treatments for some inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. IL-6 binds to a specific receptor to activate the downstream JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. However abnormally activated STAT3 often appears in various types of malignant tumors and participates in the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, studies have shown that IL-6 is a key factor in the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19 patients. The physiological participation of IL-6/STAT3 pathway in complex diseases makes this pathway become a research hotspot for drug discovery. Therefore, we summarize the latest research progress of small molecular inhibitors on IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, in order to provide a reference for the development of IL-6/STAT3 related drug in the future.

Adult ; Cardiac Catheterization ; instrumentation ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; therapy ; Equipment Failure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mandibular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of combined Metformin and esomeprazole therapy on plasma levels of gastrin,blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) and insulin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study of 41 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was conducted.Patients were randomly assigned into treatment group(combination therapy with Metformin 0.5 g,bid or tid and Esomeprazole 20 mg,qd,for 12 weeks)and placebo group(Metformin monotherapy 0.5 g,bid or tid,for 12 weeks).Fasting blood samples were taken from vein before and after treatment.Fasting serum levels of gastrin,glucose,HbA1c,insulin,lipids,liver and renal functions were compared between the two groups.The homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) and insulin secretion index (HOMA-β)were calculated,and complications were recorded.Results There were no significant differences in body mass index and waist circumference between the two groups.Serum gastrin level was slightly increased in the treatment group 12 weeks after treatment,but without statistically significance [(127.20±9.21)ng/L vs.(131.53±7.84)ng/L,P＞0.05],and serum gastrin level had no significant differences in the placebo group before and after treatment [(128.42±4.58)ng/L vs.(127.51±3.47)ng/L,P＞0.05].However,there were no significant differences in the changes of blood glucose,HbA1c,insulin,HOMA-β and HOMA-IR before versus after therapy,and between the two group(all P＞0.05).Conclusions Combined Metformin and insulin therapy cannot increase serum gastrin and insulin levels and has no significant effect on reducing blood glucose and HbA1c levels in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Retrospective analysis was conducted for the results of first-aid competitions so as to understand the present status of how emergency doctors of Hubei Province grasp the skills and consciousnesses of cervical immobilization.From 6 out of 19 teams,38 participating doctors from grade 3A hospitals provided patient cervical immobilization while 2 teams offered no cervical protection.It is necessary to intensify the skills and consciousnesses of cervical immobilization in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the relationship between arsenic in drinking water and skin lesions in endemic arsenism area in Shanyin County of Shanxi Province,in order to provide epidemiologic data for further arsenism research.Methods One hundred and eighty-nine endemic arsenism patients and 59 controls were randomly selected in 17 endemic amenism countries in Shanyin County of Shanxi Province.The content of arsenic in drinking water which wa8 collected indoom was half-quantitatively screened by a kit made by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention,then quantitatively determined by HPLC-ICP-MS.Patients of endemic arsenism were diagnosed by "The Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Amenism"(WS/T 211-2001).Results There were 64.9% (87/134)samples above the arsenic level(50μg/L)of drinking water and the median value of arsenic in drinking water was 91.43 μg/L in 134 water samples.The OR(95%CI)value between arsenic in drinking water and hyperkeratosis,hyperpigmentation,depigmentation was 2.46(1.22-4.94),3.34(1.50～7.44)and 2.86(1.50-5.46),respectively.The prevalence of hyperkeratosis,hyperpigmentation and depigmentation increased,as the arsenic in drinking water increased(≤10,≤50,≤200,＞200μg/L),especially in＞200μg/L group(OR=6.15,13.96,11.41,P＜0.05).The arsenic level in drinking water of Ⅲ degree of depigmentation patients(318.300μg/L)was higher(P＜0.05)than that of 0,Ⅰ and Ⅱ degree groups(86.670,131.800,1 10.590μg/L,P＜0.05).Conclusions Shanyin County is a medial arsenic pollution area. Arsenic in drinking water is considered as a risk factor of skin lesion. The degree of skin lesions increased,as the arsenic in drinking water increased.

· AIM: To investigate the expression and the possible implication of CD40/CD40L costimulatory molecules in erythema nodosum of patients with Beh(c)et's disease.· METHODS: Sampling was done from erythema nodosum of 5 patients with Beh(c)et's disease and normal skin of 2 healthy individuals. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression of CD4, CD8, CD19, CD68, HLA-DR,CD40 and CD40L molecules in the obtained tissues.· RESULTS: Approximately 90% of epidermic cells in erythema nodosum expressed CD40 molecule. In the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, a significantly increased number of CD4+Tcells, CD8+Tcells, CD19+cells, CD68+cells, HLA-DR+cells,CD40L+cells, and CD40+cells were observed in the erythema nodosum as compared with that in normal skin. Double staining showed that CD40L molecules were expressed on 45% of CD4+T cells. CD40 molecules were expressed on 100% CD68+ cells and 59.2% of HLA-DR+cells respectively.· CONCLUSION: A number of CD40/CD40L costimulatory molecules are upreguiated in the erythema nodosum of patients with Behcet's disease.